would not speak so obscurely but that 't is your desire not to be understood I will not oblige you to an unfolding Only tell me what way you meane to take The very worst I can answerd the Musitian at least the feare that beares me company wisheth me to it But to testifie to your Majestie how farr my intention is to please you I will reveale what I never spake to any I am going to see whether I shall be happier in Britany then I was at Lions and in uttering these last words the Musitian sigh'd and sigh'd so amourously that it touch'd the King my Master even to the heart yet withall it overjoy'd him to have the occasion of not leaving the young man He therefore promis'd to bring him into Britany and to imploy all his credit to give him the contentment he went to look for in those partes I have often heard said the Musitian that 't is for the greatnesse of Kings to promise all for their wisdoms to performe only what is most advantageous to them and I extreamely feare least in that nature you assure me of your protection But what said I pardon me great Prince an impudence deserving punishment did it proceed from a sound braine Truly of late I have not been Master of mine owne witts and my reason is so darkned with an extraordinary passion that I see but at halfes The King had too quick an apprehension not to comprehend the mysteryes of those words He imagined the Musitian to be some man of indifferent condition faln in love with a Person of very high quality and by consequence beleev'd his designe would have good successe This imagination made him promise the Musitian againe to assist him with all his credit and by his offers won him to imbarque with them The Musitian desirous to pay the Kings affection with some ayre that might please him lead him to the place where he had sung and repeated a Song whose notes were so fitted to the words that they distinctly mark'd in it both joy and sadnesse hope and feare That done Polexander return'd to his lodging and took the Musitian with him He look'd on him by torchlight and seeing him so young so faire and well made I confess said he to the Frenchman that followed him France produceth things extraordinarily rare The musitian 〈◊〉 to see how earnestly Polexander ey'd him drew back to a corner of the Chamber where there was not so much light and taking a Lute from a Page that was by him plaid on it all the Evening rather to hide himselfe some way from the curiosity of those who had their Eyes fix'd on him then to have the quicknesse of his hand or cleanlinesse of his touch to be admired A part of the night being thus plesantly overpast the rest they gave to their repose The Musitian retyr'd with his Servants and the next day came to the arising of the King my Master He behaved himselfe so respectfully towards the Prince and shewed such a feare as often as he was engaged to answer him that the King knew not which to praise in him most whither his extream beauty or infinite discretion After divers discourse he intreated him along and so took boat Assoone as he was in he called for the Musitian and bringing him into his Cabin if you love me said he you wil tell me who you are and what 't is that troubles you And to witnesse I have not this curiosity but to assist you I renew the promises I made you Yesterday at Even and if it be in my power to make you happy I engage my Honour that I will lose all I have in the world rather then faile of my word The young Musitian whom I will call Hippolitus since he told Polexander that his name was so cast himselfe at the King's feet and embracing his leggs Sir said he I am much greiv'd that I cannot make appear by some more humble and respectfull action the sensibility I have of those assurances your Majesty vouchsafes to give me I dare not doubt any longer of my good fortune since your generousnesse hath determined of it and were it not for some remainder of feare which holds my happynesse suspended I confesse that I can wish for nothing more But to the end your Majesty may know what the cause is of my sufferings by that knowledg apply a remedy which may free me from them I will tel you all my miseries came from my loving too much He blush'd in making that Declaration and his bashfullnesse hindered him from going on in his discourse Polexander to give him time to recollect himselfe told him that considering the age beauty other graces he was endow'd with he could not without an extraordinary diffidence to avoid the trap whereinto he was fal'n For said he I have learn'd from those who have taught me that youth and beauty be it of the body or the mind are dangerous company and usally betraying those they love most deliver them over into the hands of the most cruell of all the Tyrants wherewithall our humane condition is persecuted Hearing you speak thus of love replied Hyppolitus 't is easy to be imagined that you know it well I know not answer'd Polexander what it is and speak only by heare say How said Hyppolitus speak you of love but on the beliefe you have of your Tutors no truly replyed the King and even thinking oftentimes on that which they have taught me of it I imagine with my selfe that t is with love as with so many other fables invented for delight and instruction and that indeed there was nothing which in spight of us could make it selfe Master of our liberties and force us to love what we ought to hate Ah Sir what say you cried Hyppolitus with a sight You are in an opinion exploded by all ages and Nations Repent you quickly for being faln into this Error and hold your selfe for a lost-man if you persever in it Polexander began to laugh at the feare Hyppolitus would have put him in and told him he spake according to his understanding and truly said he I finde nothing in me that teacheth I should give place to love What repli'd Hyppolitus presently doe you then love nothing Yes marry do I answered Polexander I love all that is lovely but my love is an untroubled a calme love an obedient love a love that passeth not the bounds I prescribe it Certainely said Hyppolitus those shall be worthy a great deale of pitty who fall in love with you Whoever shall love me replied Polexander shall never repent him of his affection for I will prefer my friends before my selfe Their interests should be my interests their joyes my joyes and their griefes mine owne in briefe I will live more for them then for my selfe T is more then I expected quoth Hyppolitus from a minde which faines to be ignorant of love Doe not beleeve I dissemble continued Polexander I know
Prince yet I freely confesse to you I am of your opinioâ—… and I love with so much fervency that I would â—…f 't were possible for me set all Europe in a conflagration rather then to make a cessioÌ„ of whom I serve to the greatest of Kings or dearest of all my friends I have well perceived said Polexander your love to Thamiris is very violent and t is by that example which I would prepare you to judge favourably of such things as love commands me to put in execution I will make knowne to you heere on what tearmes I am with Thamiris nor what the cause is which makes me so much affect her It shall suffice me that you know I love in so high a place that all the virtues and beauties of the world have conspired together to compose the object of my love Let the Reader imagine whether Polexander were sensible of these words or no whether the jealousie they imprinted were not powerâ—…ull enough to make him forget all his Rivalls courtesies He could not indure he should goe further and had not reason assisted him 't was to be feared that conversation had not ended as it began Polexander suppressed his first agitation and returning into cold blood thus went on againe Ther 's no more time left to conceale my selfe and â—…ide from you a businesse which you must necessarily know I am Polexander the servant of Alcidiana and Phelismond is the enemy I come by her command to seeke in Denmarke After this short Declaration he related to him at large the humours of that proud Queene and told him word by word the tearmes she made use of when she let him understand by one of her slâ—…ves her aversion to his suâ—…te and himselfe As soone as he had begun this discourse Phelismond loâ—…t both his colour and countenance and looked on Polexander as if he had been no more the man to whom he had vowed so much amity At last comming to himselfe he very distinctly spoake thus to the King I shall never be capapable of contradicting Alcidiana's commands Since you come from her I am ready to bring you into the field to him whom so great a Princesse holds to be so uncivill and barbarous Come Sir you that are happy in all things let us hasten her revenge and satisfie her justice by the death of this Northerne Monster This new proofe of Phelismonds generousnesse so cooled Polexanders blood that it neither left him the power nor the desire to doe what he had so often resolved Neverthelesse after he had a long time contested with himselfe it seemed to him that Alcidiana upbraided him with his thoughts of pity and accused him of private correspondence with her enemy This made him give Phelismond this answer If our Princesse could be won by merit or rather if the distance of places had not been so exâ—…reamely disadvantagious to you I doubt not but being one of the prime Princes of the world you might have prevailed as much ore the affection of that faire Queene as you have done ore the mindes of all the North. Questionlesse I should be that Barbarian which she hath a will to destroy and you had received in my place the command which I am resolved to put in execution But let us not amuse our selves if you please in condemning the disorder we finde in our adventures but since that great Princesse will is the sole Law we ought to keepe let us on where her absolute power calls us Can I take armes replied Phelismond without adding rebellion to rashnesse No there is nothing left for me to doe but to dye Too sweete a tongue hath pronounced my sentence of death that I should desire life Pâ—…lexander strove to bring him from this extasie and perceiving how insupportable Alcidiana's disestimation was to him he repented his naming the tearmes of Monster and barbarous After Phelismond had muâ—…ed a while in fixing his eyes on the earth he at last cast them on Poleâ—…ander and told him he would go to the King to dispose so well of all things that Alcidiana should have cause to hold her selfe saâ—…isfied and after he had thus spoke he imbraced him and besought him to doe nothing till he came back from the Pallace Polexander promised to obey his command and accompanied him to his chamber where they discoursed a while of indâ—…fferent things but as soone as he was adverâ—…sed of the Kings being awake he left Polexander in the company of five or six of his particular fâ—…iends Hâ—… stated above two houres with the King and when he saw him ready to goe to the place of the combate he returned to Polexander and told him he had nâ—…w nothing to feare and how he had obtained all that was fitting for his safety Polexander thaâ—…ked his for all his favâ—…s and said aloud he thought himselfe the most unfortunate man of the world in putting him to so many troubles Hereupon he tooke his leave because t was late and returned to his lodging to put things in order After he had beene there an houre there came a Gentleman from Phelismond to intreat him to come and arme himselfe in his lodgings where he should meet with five or six Lords whom the King had sent to conduct him to the field Polexander went to him and after more then an houres being with the Prince caused himselfe to be armed The King sent to tell Phelismond he was risen from table wherupon Polexander and his conductors got to horse and came to the Justing place The Windowes the Terrasâ—…s and the Scaffolds were filled with men and women of the Court and the City and the Kings guard stood about the railes he had not beene long there when Phelismond recompanied with five or six of his friends rid round about the field and then placed himselfe right against his Rivall As soone as the King was at the window of his pavillion the Judges of the field sent to search the Combatants and dividing the Sun betwixt them set them one opposite to the other Presently the trumpers â—…ounded and the word of letting goe together the good Knight was given by the Danes King at Armes Phelismond came on with his lance in his rest as if he would have 〈◊〉 Polexander through and through Yet he made his intention appeare to be cleane contrary For Polexander he had resolved to over come him wâ—…thout lance or sword When they were in the midst of their careere they lifted up their speares and so passed without touching one another All the Assembly gave a great shâ—…ute and seemed to aske the reason of this novelty In the mâ—…ne time the two Rivalls ran the secâ—…d â—…ime and dâ—… as aâ—… first Indeed their horses who were ignorant of their intentions iâ—…countred so furiâ—…usly thaâ—… Pâ—…lexanders failed but little of being overthrowne The other 's was foâ—…ced back to the earth on his crupper and so broke his harnesse that Phelismâ—… fell â—…n tge ground This disorder put
therefore look'd on him and knowing him what said he shall Zelmatida be so unfortunate that his deare Tumanama will not know him These words brought Tumanama back againe from the deepe meditation wherein he was in undoing his Mistesses chaines and made him turne his eyes on Zelmatida After he had earnestly looked on him he knew him though the lightsomnes of the place was not sufficient to make them well knowe their countenances and rising to embrace him O my deliverer said he hath the providence of the gods brought you into these Deserts to save my life a second time and to preserve to the faire Coriza this unworthy cause of her afflictions as well as of her love Zelmatida embrac'd him often times before he made answere and hiding from him the truth of his voyage told him that the service of the King his father oblieged him to goe to the Court of the King of Mexico unknowne he came thither by chance where five men would have murthered him whom he had kill'd But tell me said he by what strange accident the Princesse Coriza came to be in that estate I found her and why you have flayne a man who seem'd to take on him her defence That story is long reply'd Tumanama yet I will not forbeare to relate it as succinctly as I can But first bee pleased that I unloade my faire Princesse of those chaines with which the perfidious Maranita hath shewed her more his bruitishnesse then his affection When he had said thus he kneeled down and was in that posture till he had broken all the faire Coriza's bonds This done he presented Zelmatida to the Princesse and adressing his discourse to her See said he Coriza the generous Prince that for your sake forgetting my revolts and insolencies would not only give me my life and preserve my honour but withall disdain'd not to receive me into the number of his frends You see what he hath done for your deliverance give me leave to relate to him by what mishap you came to have neede of his courage and that I may justifie my selfe for the death of the traytor that fought for you Coriza here began to speake and told Zelmatida that the perplexities wherein she was gave her not the liberty to satisfie the obligations in which she was bound to him as well for her owne conservation as for her lovers but said she untill a better fortune give mee abler meanes to acknowledge your favours accept the recytall of my mishappes for a beginning of my payment Here Tumanama began and making use of the permission that Coriza gave him I was at the point said he to Zelmatida to receive not the recompance of my services for they are not considerable but the greatest proofes of the goodnesse of Coriza when as Maranita whom I had bred up as my brother and made partaker of all my secrecies as the best of my friends resolv'd himselfe on a treason so bruitish that it is not possible love should be the cause of it I had sent him to accompany the Princesse and to receive her out of my commands but he most perfidious having long before combyn'd with some others like himselfe for the taking away of Coriza surprized her one night and carried her away from the midst of her guards and chayning her as you saw brought her into this place with an intent to goe further even to the Court of Montezuma to finde there a Sanctuary for her perfidy The news of this attempt being brought me imagine if possible you can the complaints I made the blasphemies I threw out against the providence of our gods and the horrible actions my despaire made me resolve on I flew after the ravisher of my blisse without the knowledge or my advertizing of any of my subjects and fearing no danger but that which threatned Coriza I ran through the Woods and Mountaines and got into the countrey of my greatest enemy I was so happy in my search that yesterday at Sun-set I descry'd Maranita's troupe That object transporting me with 〈◊〉 I neither considered the number of my enemies nor the inequality of the combat I was about but desperately fell in among the traytors to have atleast the contentment to die in the sight of my Coriza Maranita eyther not induring to see mee or persecuted with the remorse of his Conscience made ten or twelve of his associats to turne on me and kept forth his way whilest I strove to rid me of those that would stop me I spent all the rest of the day to bring them in case that they should no more contest with me for my passage and party of the night to follow the ravisher You saw how I found him and you must now informe me who were those that fought with him and what oblieged you to fight in his defence Therewith Coriza spake Zelmatida said shee to her lover cannot satisfie your demand I alone knowe the true cause of that combat not only because it was done in my presence but that by my endeavâ—…ur it was undertaken You shall know that among those whose service Maranita made use of for my rape there were two who not being able to see mee without loving me at least they strove to perswade me so gave me their fayths that they would free mee from the hands of that Traytor But they asked me for my ransome that which I could not grant them I feyn'd yet to consent and did so dexâ—…rously keepe them in their resolution that seeing my selfe at the point to lose that person which of all in the world is most deare to mee and incomparably more precious then my life I would try this last remedy and by all meanes â—…ee mee from the tyranny of Maranita I call'd then for my two lovers and having conjur'd them to leave me no longer at the mercy of our common enemie I perswaded them so effectually that presently under some ill pretext they quarelled and fell on him Truly on this occasion he shewed a great deale of courage Two of his enemies he slew and though his owne had not come to helpe him I beleeve hee had beene able enough to have dispatch'd all the rest Amongst the five bodies you see lying there on my right hand are my unfortunate lovers This while those that remayned of the conspiracy desirous to revenge their deaths let drive at Maranita but being stoutly repuls'd they were constrayned to take them to their heeles Maranita transported with fury followed them with those of his owne party and was an houre before I saw him againe For my self I was not in a little trouble for I saw an occasion present it selfe to get me away and when I would have put it in execution I knew that by reason of the chaines on my heeles I was not possibly able to goe I threw my selfe then on the ground againe and calling oftentimes Tumanama to helpe me I would needes try whether my fetters were not strong enough to
there this impossibility doth Abdelmelec know nor is he ignorant that to love Alcidiana is to love farre more vainly then to fall in love either with the Sun or or some other Starre Yet he perseveers in this unreasonable affection and since he was thus bewitch'd there hath not pass'd a yeare wherein he hath not undertaken one or two voyages with an endeavour to get to a place which every day he himselfe calls Inaccessible T is not long since that to content his sencelesse passion he caused to be built the most rich and brave vessell that may be ever sayld on the main Ocean But scarce was he imbarqued when by an unexpected surprize he was beset by eight or ten sayl of Pyrats and enforc'd spight of all his valour to give way to their number and after a bloody skirmish got from them in spight of all their obstacles by vertue of his armes Yet esteeming farre lesse that which he had sav'd then what he had lost he even thought to have dyed with greif when he saw himselfe in safety because he remembred that one of the Pyrates by craftinesse had stoln from him his buckler and they were faine by violence to keep him from returning to fight for he would die or recover that Buckler and would do it the more earnestly because he had caus'd to be painted on it the Portraict of Alcidiana Though Polexander thought that Narcissus spoke of him without knowing him and noted the truth through the fable which the pride of the Prince of Morocco had invented to disguise the fight wherein he lost his buckler neverthelesse he would not make appeare to the old Ethiopian that he had any knowledge of it He laugh'd to himself at the foppery of Abdelmelec who to hide-the shame of his defeat had given out that divers vessells had set on his and afterwards he listned againe to the narration of Narcissus The King my Master said the Eunuch long time pursued the ravishers of his treasure but being neither able to come up to them nor to know whence they were He returned to Morocco with an intent rather to lose him selfe then leave the portraict of Alcidiana in the custody of a company of Barbarians He had a mind to cause a part of his Navy to be made ready and to scoure along the seas from these Isles to that of the Pyrats to fight with all the vessels he should meete in his course that by the taking of a great many Rovers he might heare newes of those that had robd him But the famous Abul Ismeron who among all the Moores is held for a great Prophet advised him not to undertake that voyage I Know said he by the rules of mine art and See it written in heaven as a thing infallible that in this very place thou shalt by the solemnity of a publique feast meete with him that hath robd thee of thy Buckler Hasten that day by the proclamation of some Turney and send Heralds through all the courts of Africa to oblige all Princes to appeare here and to fight for the Beauty of their Mistris Abdelmelec liked of that councell and not to defer the execution of it commanded me to goe through the Countries neerest to his own not only to defie all young Knights in his name but to publish before all the World that he held for a Theef and a Coward that man who had taken his Buckler from him when he was not in case to defend it if he came not to Morocco brought not the Buckler he had stole and after he had deposited it assaied not to gaiâ—…e it by a just combat But since in that Turney his principal intent is not to defend the Beauty of Alcidiana for whome he hath oftentimes already taken armes but to aveng him on the stealer of his Buckler He Declares too that no Knight shall be receiv'd to fight till in a Place that shall be appointed for speech he have first made knowne who he is whence he came who is his Mistris and have purg'd himselfe by an oath that he knowes nothing of them that stole the portraict of Alcidiana Narcissus finishing thus his discourse humbly besought Polexander to be pleas'd that he might publickly performe his charge and that before all his court he might at liberty declare the intention of the prince his Master Our Heroe witnessing his being pleased with his civility gave him leave to doe and say what he would and for feare said he least some one of your traine may accuse you for not punctually enough observing what you have been commanded I will be present at what you doe and receive my selfe Abdelmelec's challenges Narcissus gave him thanks for his Nobleness and leaving Perselida Amatonta in an estate that shew'd the agitation and mildenesse of her Spirit return'd into the hall where his Trumpets and followers staid for him Polexander came thither a little after and his presence commanding silence to all and there ranking them in their places ask'd aloude of Narcissus what he had to say to him Scarce had he pronounc'd those words but the Trumpeters got the windowes of the Hall and with the noise of their sounding deafâ—…ed all that were within the palace After they had done Narcissus presented himselfe at the foot of Polexanders Throne and holding in his hand a piece of velume written on in the Arabick Spake thus Abdelmelec Prince of Morocco and of Fez and Trevisan Vanquisher of Nations and Commander over the one and other Sea knowing that honour is the sole price for which great Princes as himself should be industrious hath never taken armes not left the quiet of his Court but for the possession of a thing so generally desired He hath attained to what he pretended and his Paines Valour and good Fortune have acquir'd him so great a name in the world that he cannot with justice expect any thing more signall from the Knowledg of mankinde And well truly might he repose himselfe deliciously under the shadow of his own palmes if Love jealous of so great a renown had not robd him of his heart to the intent to make him lose the quality of invincible Yet he had recover'd both the one and the other if by a prodigious adventure Love had not shut up that Beauty for whome our prince languisheth in a place which no mortall can attaine unto This impossibility stirrs up the great heart of Abdelmelec but it wearies not his constancy He first aspires to that which his reason tels him he can never arrive at He Loves he Desires but he hopes not to enjoy and as that Nation which adores the Sun worship it because they beleeve it to be the portraict of the Divinity which they cannot see So my Lord the Prince not being able to hinder the admiration of Pictures by authority of his example as much as by that of his Scepter hath caused them even to be ador'd by those to whome the great prophet Mahomet hath for
producing a fair effect resembled the rainbow or rather those various shadowings which you see on the necks of pigeons His Buckler was bordered with Opalls in the midst was seen a Fountaine like to that marvelous one in Daulphine which from time to time casts out flames This Knight was so renowned for his valour and courtesie and so known for the many fair actions he had done that all the Spectators promis'd to themselves an extreame pleasure in the Combat Abdelmelec lov'd him with all his heart and if he could have suffer'd himself to be overcome so that the glory of Alcidiana had not receiv'd a diminution by it I doubt not but he would himselfe have contributed to his owne deafeat But Love being alwayes stronger then freindship suspended the Princes affection and oblig'd him to satisfie his owne passion And that of the whole Assembly and therefore taking his place and Algazair his they parted both at once and met in the midst of their Cariere with such an extreame force that they lifted up one another and sent the splinters of their Lances all about the fields The two next courses were not lesse faire nor unequall to the first and so ravish'd the Spectators that they clapped their hands and signified by their acclamations that they had not yet seen any like it But the fourth decided the businesse and caused the Picture of the young Elserifa to be placed immediatly under that of Alcidiana This faire Encounter was follow'd by another which gave no lesse admiration to all there present 'T was undertaken by a French Prince that was expressely come from Naples to be at this Turney He was the worthy inheritor of his Predecessors eminent virtues and from his Infancy had equally made profession of love and the warres If they were astonished at the richnesse of his Armour and the pomp of his equipage they admir'd not lesse the novelty which appeard in the picture of his Lady Shee was clad in such a fashion that they might easily know the greatnesse of her condition But two little Loves which were painted over her head held a Veyle before her face and kept her from being known Abdelmelec drew neer to complain of that sleight and thought he had the more cause because looking on the hands of that Lady and taking them for Nose-gayes of Lillies and Roses he told the Prince that hee wrong'd so excellent a beauty in not shewing her in so famous an Assembly The Prince answer'd him that he was of the same opinion and that his Lady deserv'd to be seen by the Eyes of all the World but that he fear'd the chance of Armes and dar'd not expose the fairest creature of the Vniverse to the extravagancies of fortune Abdelmelec approv'd of the brave French-mans just apprehension and would not that the veyle of his Lady should retard the contentment of the Company They ran at one another and in their first courses brake their lances without any advantage at the fourth our generous French-man strook and was not touched at the fifth he made Abdelmelec quit one of his stirrops and at the sixth they fell both men and Horses together Presently they got up againe and put their hands to their Swords to decide the difference but the Judges of the Field came instantly in to them and separating them according to the Lawes of the Turney proclaym'd them both Victorious Abdelmelee return'd to his Tent and the French Prince to his lodging with his veyld Picture This Iust so ended there entred two Knights clad as the Ianizaries which are of the Guard to the great Turke They were two Flemish Renegados who were in great esteem among the Warriors of Argier and were no lesse famous for their valour then for their fantasticalnesse Of extraordinary Enemies which they had been they were become friends and their amity had produc'd a love which hath for a longtime been the talk of all Barbary The one was calld Abdear and the other Raman Abdear had married a Moore who passed among the Ladyes of her Nation for a beauty perfectly accomplish'd and yet her extravagant humour and eight or ten dayes enjoying had made her so displeasing to him that he had much adoe with himselfe to refraine from repudiating her Her black haire her complexion that shew'd the Eye a mixture of pure incarnadine with a brown that had nothing of the Olive her stature tall and slender the quicknesse of her Eyes and of her wit were not sufficient charmes to allure him But on the contrary the yellow Locks of Ramans wife who was a Brittaine and by him made to deny her faith the whitenesse which she borrowed as well from art as Nature and her green Eyes which made some beleeve that she saw not a glimpse were to Abdear such miracles and perfections as were not found in all the Sex of Woman besides Raman was as he said himselfe in the publick place of his friends humour and yet they had different palats He noted every day some new defects in white-flaxen hair'd Woemen to the end he might find cause to contemne his owne He cal'd that red which was but halfe flaxen and never cal'd the extreame white complexions but relicks of Sicknesse and Images of Playster For the haires and black eye-browes he spake of them as of the Master-peeces of Nature and said they were made to compose of them those powerfull bowes by which Love hath got to himselfe the Empire of the world The black and sparkling Eyes in a cleare and well-colour'd face seem'd to him more faire then the brightest Stars in a calme Evening In a word Raman was in love with the Wife of Abdear and Abdear with the Wife of Raman and their passion was come to such a point that after they had made themselves confident of one another they were come together to maintaine publickly the beautie of their Mistrisses Raman came first into the Lists and first felt that Abdelmelec had more strength then needed to orethrow him and if the Grecian and African beauties had left their defence to him they had lost that fame which they had gotten among all the Nations of the world Abdear thought that the flaxen should be more beholding to him then the brown had been to his companion But he kept his Horse no better then his friend but blemishing as much as he could by his fall the great lustre that subjects us to the power of the flaxen-hayrd beauty made all the Assembly say that Causes are good or bad according as they find good or bad Defenders Assoone as the noysethat follow'd the defeat of these two Extravagants was over there were seen appeare at the Barres a Troup very proudly but very sadly accroutred The Trumpetters were clad as those of Europe paint the Phantasms and shadowes of the dead Their Trumpets were made as t were of bones and had a sound so dolefull that many imagin'd they were to see some Funerall in Iesu of Iusting But
you and your friend is to consider how you will live your selves hereafter For my part I promise you both that I will follow your intentions and in all you desire there shall neither be found difficulty nor delay The two Rivalls thanked him with an equall resentment and Polexander for his particular intreated him to be pleased he might speedily returne to the Canaries The King replied he was at his owne liberty to doe what he pleased and when he had a minde to depart he would furnish him with men and shipping Sir said Polexander since your Majesty will so much favour me I beseech you humbly to doe it intirely I came into Denmarke with a Gentleman and a servant and I desire if it please you to returne so You shall doe as you list replied the King and finde in Denmarke as many friends and as much observance as in your owne Territories These complements ended Polexander resolved to be gone as soone as he could to the end he might returne againe to his wonted and unprofitable inquiry Phelismond shewed an extremity of griefe to see him so neere leaving him and did all he could possibly not only to retaine him but to perswade him that his Master bore him a great deale of affection Phelismond said Polexander I will not contradict those reasons whereby the King your Master may justifie his act nor I assure you will I ever complaine of it For your selfe believe it you never have had a servant or a friend whose love hath been more true then mine Alcidiana shall know if I can possibly your value and her aversion cannot be of that force but it may be surmounted by the infinite number of your virtues when they shall once be made knowne to her When Phelismond heard his Rivall speake thus he raised himselfe to imbrace him and when he was as it were glued to him made this answere I know what I owe you and am not so much an enemy to true honour to fancy to my selfe I can pertake with you of any in our combate It is intirely due to you Polexander Go then and gather the fruits of it and if you please assure Alcidiana that the fortune of armes having confirmed the sentence of death she hath pronounced against me I will not faile to execute it my selfe If I toke time to doe this execution t is for no other cause but to serve her in that person which of all the world should be most deare unto her and to undergoe the longer time the pennance for my offence committed in daring to adore her without being first worthy Phelismond replied Polexander if the greatnesse of your courage were not knowne to me as it is I should hardly suffer a discourse that wrongs the wonderfull actions of your life Live happily and doe not so great an injury to our great Princesse judgement as not to expect from it a recompence proportionable to your deserts Hitherto you have not beene so well treated only because you were not knowne But when Alcidiana shall understand what Phelismond is and heare it even from the mouthes of such whom she cannot suspect assure your selfe she will change her opinion Grant me then the request I am to make you before your seperation and t is that you intend you recovery and be not transported to any dispaire till you have received a new command from Alcidiana it you doe otherwise I denounce on her behalfe you shall not only offend her virtue but demonstrated by your owne disobedience you never truely loved her To how many new Tortures answered Phelismond doth your request ingage me But I refuse nothing said he raising his voice since t is for the honour of Alcidiana and the increase of her renowne Yes you most generous man on earth I will punctually observe what you pâ—…escribe me Yet if you please it shall be on condition that I may enjoy your company yet for three dayes Polexander granted it and unable to be wearied in the admiration of his valour continued with him the time he desired During which they almost spoke of nothâ—…ng but the virtue and beauty of Alcidiana of the impossibillity of getting to her Island and the number of Lovers her pictures had acquired her in all parts of the world This intertaining had not ceased but that by the King of Denmarkes presence it was often interrupted At last the three dayes being expired the businesse was of taking of leave Phelismond though exâ—…reamely weake went out of his chamber to doe his Rivall the more honour and wished a happy succeâ—…e as well to his love as in his voyage The King came betwixt this Farwell and shewing a great deale of griefe for the departure of his second Pâ—…elismond for so he called Polexander promised to preserve preciously in his memory the voyage he had made into Denmarke but principally because of his happy successe This said the three Pâ—…inces made mutuall promises and reciprocall presents and the two Danes accompanied the Canarian to his ship The Pilot unwilling to lose a North winde that was so good for him left the Coast of Zeland and in a little time got into the Germane Sea The End of the fourth Booke of the Second Part. THE SECOND PART OF POLEXANDER The fifth Booke OUR Heroe over-joyed at his happy fullfilling of Alcidiana's command sayl'd through the vast extention of the Germane sea and driven by a winde which Love seemed to fanne with his owne wings forsook the unhappy climates of the North to returne to the delicious countries of the South and seeing himselfe so much smil'd on by Fortune he conceived no thing lesse then the infallible hope of quickly finding the inaccessible Island and in his complacency with himselfe durst even promise to him the possession of Alcidiana This contentment though imaginary too pleasingly deceiv'd him for not incensing the Demon which had resolved to crosse all his happiness Hee was therefore troubled from the first daies of his navigation for as he entred the Sleeve which separates France from England hee was like to have been lost by meeting with an adventure extreamly tragicall A contrary winde stopping him right against Calice he was forced to aleere up and down a whole night to avoid his returning back againe As hee was in this troublesome exercise a ship driven by the fury of the winde strook against his yet so fortunatly as hee received no other hurt then the bruising the side of his ship This shock awaking the most sleepy made all think on more then was betided Polexander would needs know who 't was that so secretly assayl'd him and therefore commanded his Pilot to make after At day-break they descryed the adverse ship and presently came up and laid her aboard Our Heroë was the first that leapt into her but hee was amazed when he saw nought there but an horrible solitude Never was there presented on the sea though it be the theater of prodigies and novelties any thing so
usurped from you 'T was he who appear'd in your Court under the name of Perseus and who by a youthfull folly renounc'd but in appearance only the amity he promis'd us Is it possible cry'd Zabaim that Perseus is my sonne and that even he whom I would have smothered in his cradle hath had so generous a spirit as to re-establish me thrice in my throne and twenty times to save my life Truly Almanzaira I beleeve it when I consider the excesse of your affection and since the effects take much after their causes Almanzaira is such as there can come nought from her but what is extraordinary But where is he our deare Almanzor when shall I imbrace him and settle on his head all those Crowns which through a just indignation he refuseth The Queen to increase his astonishment answered thus Know Sir that love hath made a Pirate of your sonne and hath made you know him for such under the name of Baiazet which he now carries O! my son cry'd Zabaim againe how heroicall is thy vertue how great thy courage and how many extraordinary things are to be reserv'd for thy wonderfull fate Yes Almanzaira I have knowne him under the name of Baiazet and but for the assistance he gave me to quench a Rebellion worse then the former you had seene Zabaim amongst the number of those unfortunate Kings with whom there is left no remainder of royalty but the griefe of being despoyled of it But let us not suffer my deare Almanzaira that the heire or to say better the conquerour of so many Kingdomes continue any longer the Captaine to a company of theeves Almaid presented himself to carry the Prince news what he was and what had lately hap'ned Zabaim besought him to undertake the voyage and to restore againe the person he had so happily stolne from him Polexander offered to accompany him if need were and I dare believe without vaine-glory said he that Almanzor loves me so well as he will not deny me such things as I shall intreat from him In this manner ended the first converse now betwixt Zabaim and Almanzaira and so presently withdrew giving congey to Polexander and the faithfull Almaid The publique rejoycings the while being sufficiently made shew of by all manner of liberties left all the City of Senega in so sound a tranquillity that two or three dayes following were not onely festivall dayes but wholly consecrated to rest Zabaim having satisfied his conscience and made an eternall peace with Axiamira began to purge his Kingdomes of all those pernicious spirits which Zelopa had made use on for the establishment of her unjust authority All the Peeres of the Kingdome came to the Palace to congratulate the returne of their good Queene and renew'd even to Zabaim the assurances of their inviolable fidelity Almanzaira now free went through all the Temples to give thanks to heaven and to be seene of the people which earnestly desired it was carried after the manner of that country through all the streets of Senega When she had satisfied the Subject she would give content to her selfe and thinking there was an infinite obligation due to Polexander besought Zabaim to make him proffers great enough in acknowledgement of what he had done for her sake and to keepe him in his service The King who had no other will then that of his admirable wife presented such things to Polexander as were capable to tempt the most moderate of the world But Polexander astonish'd and amaz'd to see himselfe so well treated I said he have never serv'd you Zabaim and you know the Queene is so good that she makes no distinction betweene the wishes and the effects and by consequence is perswaded I have serv'd her because I had a will to it Yet believe not because I doe not accept your Present that I will avoid all occasions of ingaging my selfe No Sir I owe you all I refuse and the possessing so great a fortune as you present me would nothing adde to my affection of doing you service Whensoever you shall have occasion I will expose my life and those of my friends and be ready to go whither you will call me on so emergent a consideration But now when the love of your subjects and the feare of your neighbours gives you time to taste in peace the fruits of your conquests and that the Queenes returne invites you to sit downe without any new undertaking be pleas'd I may retire home and after that voyage carry the Prince Almanzor newes of his good fortune Almanzaira was present when Polexander spake thus to Zabaim She did what in her lay to stay him but being just as she was she gave consent to his depart and would not to please her selfe that Polexander should receive any the least discontent He had sent his trusty Alcippus to the Port to looke for Diceus and advertise him of his coming Assoone as he heard from them he tooke his leave of the King and Queene and bidding farewell to all his friends and particularly to Almaid departed from Senega to the Sea side He had not been two howres aboard his ship when an unknowne man entred her and intreated he might speake with him in private Polexander led him into his Cabin and shutting the doore Speake freely said he you are in a place where none but I can heare you The stranger forgetting nothing of what civility instructs a Gentleman to practise Knight said he Almaid having made profession of a generosity which cannot passe by the least wrongs would thinke he had absolutely renounc'd it if he tooke no resentment of the injury you have done him He therefore hath sent me to intreat you before you go hence that he may see you with your sword in your hand and to the end you may not doubt of what I have spoken see here a paper which he commanded I should deliver you Polexander beleeving the Messenger tooke him for some other Sir said he you are mistaken I have nothing to decide with Almaid I am his humblest servant and ready to give him all kinde of satisfaction if I have chanc'd through any imprudency to offend him Almaid verily thought replied the Gentleman you would make me that answer and confessed to me he should not be extravagant or thought giddy braind enough to demand ought of you if it concern'd none but himselfe but since it toucheth the honour of a Prince whose adorer he is he resolves to avenge it on his enemies Be pleased therefore to read this paper and satisfie Almaid by the way of armes since I assure you that your excuses will not content him Polexander smiled at the counsell he gave and taking the paper found this Almaid a Prince to the Christian Knight WIth an extreame griefe I am obliged to be your Enemy I have knowne so much valour and vertue both in your words and actions and your person hath so many charmes that it is almost impossible to be an honest
man and at discord with you But when I call to minde that you have offended Polexander and by I know not what secret Envy indeavour'd to rob him of his victory o'rethe false Almanzor all your rare endowments slip out of my memory and I finde my self capable of nought but revenge You may say I have a long time conceal'd my resentment It is true but the consideration of Almanzaira whom I preferre before all others forbad me to make it knowne till this time Now when I may without troubling her quiet satisfie my passion I intreat you to approve of it and to beleeve all he shall say who brings you this Note Polexander having receiv'd this Challenge wondred at the fantasticalnesse of his fortune and Almaid's humour But it came presently into his minde that Almaid might have learnt his name of Alcippus or some other and this was but an invented match to bring him backe to Court Well said he to himselfe be it what it may be I will not reveale my selfe nor will I commit an unsteady action to satisfie Almaid After he had taken this resolution he spoke thus to him that brought the Challenge You may tell your friend that for the present it is not in my power to give your friend the contentment he desires I will send him my excuses and answer his Letter With that hee opened the dore and calling Diceus commanded for paper and inck and all sitting being brought he wrote this Answer The Christian Knight to the Prince Almaid I Am Polexander's friend but I am more the friend of truth Doe not any more accuse me for being jealous of his fame I beleeve he is courageous but I shall never be so observant as to give him an honour he hath not deserved Truly he is too much oblig'd to you for your love to him and if any occasion present it selfe wherein you may need his service I shall have a farre lesse esteeme of him then I have now if he doe not as freely expose his life for you as you would have done yours for him In the meane time take it not amisse that I come not where you expect me and truely you shall be unjust if you be not contented with my Declaration Polexander having seal'd his Letter would have put it into the African's hands but he often refus'd it and would not have taken it at all if Polexander had not assur'd him he would not depart thence till he had newes from Almaid Upon that promise the stranger went away and within an houre after return'd to Polexander and told him how Almaid more offended by his Letter would see him with his sword in his hand and follow him to the worlds end rather then faile of his satisfaction Let 's goe then said Polexander and make Almaid know we are not so hardly to be perswaded as he Hereupon he call'd for Alcippus and Diceus and enjoyning them that his ship might be ready to set saile presently upon his returne descended into a shalop with the African and so went on shore Assoone as he was there he follow'd his guide and after he had walked a mile met with Almaid in a little valley who expected him with a great deale of impatiency He ran to him with open armes and imbracing him almost whether hee would or no How now said he my deare Almaid will you for a Polexander whom you know not but by anothers report lose a person who perfectly honours you and whom you thinke not absolutely unworthy of your friendship Almaid putting on a more serious countenance I know repli'd he Polexander better then you imagine and that Prince's reputation is so great that envie it selfe strives to increase it as often as she goes about to diminish it Polexander should be very happy answered the Prince if all the world had so good an opinion of him as you and his fortune were equall to his reputation Pardon me Almaid if I tell you I know Polexander very well and he is nothing lesse then what you would have him go for How replied Almaid 't is too much I must quit all respect and vindicate the honour of so great a Prince from the outrages of envy With that he drew his Symetar and compelled Polexander to do the like What said he in warding would you have me bely my conscience Almaid you are too teasty a friend Thinke what you are doing and ingage me not to commit either a folly in flattering my selfe or an injustice in defending me against so deare an enemy Almaid for all that still pressed on and would needs oblige him whether he would or no to esteeme himselfe above all other men But whilst with too much fervency he prosecuted the Prince who recoyl'd he tooke not good heed to his footing but sliding on the grasse fell so rudely that his Symetar flew out of his hand Polexander straight stept to him and helping to raise him Confesse said he that your affection is much blinded and to make you know it fortune hath reduced you to such an estate as you cannot contradict it I will dye a thousand times if it be possible replied Almaid rather then lessen the esteeme I ought to have of Polexanders incomparable vertue But said our Heroe the law of Armes is that the vanquish'd should conforme himselfe to the will of the vanquisher 'T is true replied Almaid but I account not my selfe overcome though I be at your mercy Fortune by your owne confession hath given you the advantage over me and I hold you too generous to imploy any other arme then your owne in the subduing your enemy Live then invincible said the Prince in restoring his Symetar and since it pleaseth you continue in an errour which is so extreamely advantageous to Polexander Almaid mov'd with so high a generosity confess'd he ow'd him his honour and his life and asked pardon for the extravagancy whereinto a most just affection had drawne him But if it be true said he as I will not doubt it that my folly hath nothing lessened your love I beseech you to affect Polexander since he should be the love of all eminent men and to let me know to whom I am so much indebted It should be no hard thing replied the Prince to satisfie you in those your two requests I have a particular ingagement not to hate him whom you would have me love and as for my fortune beleeve me I have more desire to tell it you then you to know it But that it may not be done unseasonably I beseech you be pleased I may returne where I have left my servants and that your friend may goe with me who shall bring you in writing what I am not permitted to deliver you by word of mouth Almaid yeelding to so just a request said many things to Polexander to perfwade him that next to Polexander he was the man whom he most esteemud in the world Our Heroe often imbrac'd him and having much adoe to
the grand Canary and the fortunate at last he arriv'd in the new Isle of Alcidiana The good order he had left at his departure continued still the Vice-roy had neither abused his Authority nor his Masters absence and though he thought him dead he oppos'd all kinde of alterations Our Heroë welcom'd Melicerta and Cydaria into a Palace which had beene finish'd since his depart and which by the managing of the intelligent and trusty Bias was adorn'd with all those rich ornaments which make weake mindes admire the quality of Kings The newes of that Prince his returne flew straight into Spaine and stai'd in the haven the navall Army which the ambitious Ferdinand had provided for the reconquering the Canaries France which had a share in Polexanders adventures since he was of the bloud of her Kings welcom'd the newes of his returne with a great deale of joy and Lewes the Twelfth was advis'd by the great Cardinall of Amboise to send him an Embassadour to congratulate his good fortune and offer him his alliance and power The Princes of Africa friends and foes testified either their loves or feare by their many Embasses Amongst others those of Zahara sent Deputies to intreat him to accept of their Crowne They had lately freed themselves from a tyrannie which was insupportable and when they were about the election of a new King they were so divided and so exasperated that to uphold those whom they had chosen they would have hazarded a battle But the newes of Polexander's returne presently made the weapons fall out of the hands of both parties and they began all to cry Heaven save the King of the fortunate Islands And straight strangling both those they had chosen to command them sent with all humility to intreat Polexander to crosse the sea and come receive that new Crowne which his incomparable merits had in his absence acquired him The principall of that Deputation was a Priest of Mahomet's Law no lesse a Politician then a great Theologist He was to speake in the name of the Province and indeed when hee came before Polexander he made knowne by his demeanour as well as by his words that hee well merited the first place in a Councell of State These were the motives he used to dispose our Heroë to the accepting the Crowne of Zahara If it were a fundamentall Law in Elective States that none should ascend the Throne but such a one as was called to it by unanimous suffrages and the universall consent of all private men I dare maintaine Sir before your Majesty that such a manner of choosing Kings would be a meanes of never chusing any The multitude which is but seldome in accord with it selfe hath no great mind to be so in a matter whereto they have not much lesse repugnancy then love and we must therefore goe against the option of the most when the question is of chusing a Master to a whole Nation You are the first Sir and I shall not speake a falsity should I say the sole person who by your incomparable qualities have put an exception to this generall rule which is no lesse glorious to your Majesty then beneficiall to your new Subjects They have had but one minde but one same voice and iâ—… I dare say it but one and the same soule assoone as I propos'd to them the electing you for their King Their ancient enmities and hatreds which seem'd to be irreconcileable have ceas'd even in the beginning of battle so much did they feare lest their disunion might retard their common felicities 'T is your vertue great King which hath wrought this miracle in the mindes of a people who not to flatter them seem'd not capable of so much wisdome the Zaharians come to you as to their deliverer have pity on the many miseries they have indured and since Heaven hath given you to the world to distribute without favour those treasures it hath left in your hands dispose of them every where equally and conforming your selfe to that will which gave you them reserve not for one Nation alone that which is destinated for the generall good of the whole world Polexander finding his speech so rationall and so urging was troubled what answer to make and neither oblige himselfe nor discontent a Nation which had testified so much love to him His brave spirit which like his courage had surmounted alwayes the most difficult obstacles presently furnish'd him with this judicious reply The Obligation which bindes me to you for your coming so farre off to offer me the Crowne of Zahara is no common tie but your judging me worthy is infinitely greater I will not by a confession which should be true and yet seem to you artificiall shew you I am not the man you deeme me but since you will have it so leave you in your errours and accepting with joy a Present you so frankly give me I will strive to live in such a manner that my government shall give no cause for you to repent of your election The Embassadours of Zahara obtaining this favourable Audience and seeing their negotiation succeed so well dispatch'd one of their company to carry home the good newes in the meane time they were entertain'd with an incomparable magnificence and after eight or ten dayes refreshing some of them tooke their leaves of Polexander and the rest abode with him as well to instruct him in the Affaires of the Kingdome as to hasten his journey That famous Priest of whom we have before spoken was one of those which stai'd As one day Polexander entertained him in the presence of Cidaria and Melicerta he fell to talk of the Africans Warres the Priest who was perfectly instructed in them Sir said he it is not long since your Kingdome was threatned by the Armes of Morocco Ambitious Abdelmelec had an intent to place the bounds of his command beyond the River of Abernia and to get to himselfe by his power such Nations as he was not able to acquire by his vertue our AIarums and his Enterprises vanish'd both together Of an Invader which he would have been he hath beene inforc'd to stand on his owne defence and at this very present is besieged in Morocco with his father and by two such Captaines as are not wont to vanquish by halfes Pray said Polexander tell me what those Captaines be and what designe hath engag'd them in this Siege Sir repli'd the Priest 't is not past three moneths since that generous and invincible Commander of the Pirates call'd Bajazet was inform'd that Hely the father of Abdelmelec hath gotten into his custody a slave or as others assure us a Princesse which he before-time passionately loved but whether it be that this valiant Pirate be enamour'd of that beauty or out of a true effect of his noble and great courage that he will deliver her from that dangerous slavery so it is he hath drawne his most forces out of his Island and assisted by a puissant succour
justice of your quarrell and the good fortune of your armes I promise to bring you Sodomond and his complices dead or alive and by exemplary chasticements pluck for ever out of the mindes of the other Caciques the seeds of revolting Quasmez weighing what my Lord the Inca might doe by that which he had already performed gave consent to so just a petition and giving him an Army of an hundred thousand men conjured him to assay all the waies of sweetnesse and agreement before he came to a battle You will wonder certainely at this that in so little time Quasmez could bring a hundred thousand men into the field and this wonder may arise from your judging of the customes of our world by that of yours But I know so much of your manner of living to tell you that t is otherwise there Amongst you there are none goe to the warres but gentlemen and beggers the first to get honour and the last to rob and ransack the rest which are commonly the richest stay at home and contribute but very little to the charge of warre attending the successe with as much quiet as indifferency We have more laudable and generous customes We are all borne Souldiers and upon the least occasion are found ready to march There are none left in the Townes and Villages but women and children Old men and young rich and poore take armes and because they are made equall by their valour they goe all with a like affection where their Prince and party calls them I make no doubt but this declaration hath ceased your astonishment but I am sure that the rest of my discouse will give you another that shall be far greater as it shall be more just Prepare your selves for it presently and by the miracles that I shall relate to you judge to what a point of greatnesse Zelmatida had raised â—…imselfe if love jealous of his reputation and fortune enemy of his extraordinary virtues had not chained his arme and taken a way his desire of glory with that of his life The Inca having mustered his Troupes and put some order amongst so great a number of combatants marcht directly to the Province of Cenusia Sodomond came to meet him and offered him battell with his owne forces and those of all the other rebells Zelmatida to obey Quasmez would not accept of it but on the contrary sent new Embassadors to Sodomond to propose to him most advantagious conditions of peace But when he saw that neither his offers nor threatnings touched the Barbarian he resolved to fight and let fly his bloudy colours He went streight through all his Army and accommodating his speech to the nature of his Soldiers filled them with valour and indignation Presently Sodomond whose pride had taken from him the knowledge of his strength and courage belâ—…eved that he might fight with Zelmatida and with this opinion came and defied him Zelmatida was ravished with this challenge and accepting it made himself ready to make Sodomond repent him of his rashnesse At the first blow â—…e gave him a wound in his right arme and with his second strook him to the earth He might have killed him had he listed but thinking that revenge unworthy his courage he left him to the mercy of his Souldiers who tore him in peeces The end of this combate was the beginning of the battell Twenty rebellious Caciques had formed with their men twenty batalions and had disposed of them so that they had but one front One of these Caciques a very experimented Captaine had so ordered his Troupes that they might not be defeated but one after another or rather to give time to a routed batalion to fly without being pursued and after they had new ranked themselves behinde the rest to frame a new batalion Macaraib so was this Captaine called came in the head of the first batalion and was the first too that Zelmatida sacrificed to the just choler of Quasmez His Souldiers made some resistance but being entred into and broaken some of them were slaine and the rest to reunite themselves got behinde the last batalion The second conducted by Abrayba the third by Terracequy Cacique of the Isle of Pearles the fourth by Torrucia and the fifth by Procorosa scarce stood at all before Zelmatida He tooke these five Caciques alive and causing them to be chained sent them into his Campe Tamanama lead the sixth batalion It was a Prince in the flowre of his age very faire and valiant who caried on the crest of his headpeece a handfull of haire which the Princesse Coriza had given him for a token of her affection He came up to Zelmatida with a warlike pace and love raising his courage he promised to himselfe to cut off the head of Zelmatida and to present it to his Mistris Zelmatida that was almost of the same age was moved with his sweet countenance and manhood and desiring to make him his friend resolved to save his life He fought with him then but in such a manner that he gave those who stood spectators of the combate good cause to thinke that he had no great desire to overcome him Tumanama perceiving that all his power was too weake to atchieve his generous intention and how Zelmatida would not make use of the advantage he had over him retired five or six paces and setting the point of his Javelin in the earth Brave warriour said he to the Inca deprive me not of the honour that many a combate hath given me and imprint not on the front of a Prince who would be thy friend the shame of being vanquished I know that being inwrapt in the rebellion of my brothers I should be so too in their punishments But doe for the love of the faire Coriza that which thou wilt not for mine and know that the remorse of violating my faith is a greater punishment then that wherewithall thy Armies threaten me Zelmatida taking this young Prince by the hand I accept thy friendship said he upon the same conditions thou presentest it me Live then victorious not of thy enemies which is but a common glory but of thy selfe which is the greatest of all victories and since thy conscience will not suffer thee of a party whereinto some discontent hath lead thee take that then which she proposeth thee and give thy companions an example how they should acknowledge their faults Tumanamafelt himselfe so redevalbe to Zelmatida's courtesie that turning his armes against his Allies he joyned his batalion to the Troupes of Quasmez and ran furiously to set on Bononiama chiefe of the seventh batalion I should be too tedious should I relate to you the defeate of the other Caciques You may know that of thirteen remaining five were flaine by Zelmatida two by Tumama and the rest taken prisoners More then threescore thousand were killed and with the losse of their lives paid for the extravagancies of their Masters Quasmez lost there twelve or fifteen thousand men but by the
Fortune came to assist Love and by a pranke of her wonted inequalitie would doe service to virtue deride the cruell policy of Hismalita confound all the providence of her Councellors and Divines and contribute her assistance to the accomplishing of things that had beene so often promised to my deare Master She corrupted if I must use that word those whom the Queene most trusted that so Zelmatida might be in safety and discover all the designes that they set on foote to destroy him Many of Hismalitaes domestiques wonne with the sweetnesse the courtesie and the liberality of this Prince advertis'd him of what was deliberated in their Mistresse cabinet and beleev'd that to be trusty to her was to be unfaithfull and traytors to their gods and themselves Amongst others Galtazis who in the body of an Infant had the wit of a man and as very a dwarfe as he was might bee called not the defect out a miracle of Nature was the first that gave Zelmatida intelligence of the bloody resolutions that Hismalitaes feare made her take against him This little one had beene given to Isatida when Montezuma conquer'd the Estates of the Cacique of Zampoallan and presently grew so passionately amorous of the Princesse that he every day blessed his misfortune and captivity since through it he had attayned to the glory to be the slave of so faire a Mistresse Hismalita that almost in all things shewed a jealousie of her daughter had taken him from her and imagined that by her savours and caresses she might so gaine him that he might serve her for a Spie But this generous little courage abhorring all basenesse and treachery continued constant to what he had promis'd Isatida and had it not beene by the expresse commandment she gave him to feigne and make a shew of extreame love to Hismalita he would rather have died then done things so contrary to his thoughts When Zelmatida came to Mexico Hismalita lov'd nothing more then this dwarfe and beleev'd him so much hers that she feard not to discover to him what she had of most secrecy But hee that knew well on what conditions he gave himselfe to that Queene judiciously advertised his true Mistrisse of all that most imported her and by his good Councell made her to take hold of such occasions to please Hismalita that the jealous Mother was constrayned in despite of her selfe to confesse that Isatida alone gave her more delight and consolation then all the rest of her daughters Now this little-one in all things following the inclinations of Isatida very often without knowing them had scarce seene my Lord the Inca but he lov'd him and so extraordinarily that he thought him only worthy to serve his faire Mistresse Zelmatida for his part was extreamly pleased in the conversation of this little-one and seeing how judicious and faithfull he was feared not to let him know his affection Galtazis seeing things happen to his wish interessed himselfe in this Love and contributed thereto not much lesse then Zelmatida himselfe And now knowing from Hismalita what feare the presence of this stranger threw on her and learning some of those predictions on which all those jealousies were founded he as soone gave my deare Master notice of it and concealed not from him that in the end the Queene infallibly resolved to have him murthered The dwarfe intimating thus much advised him to absent himselfe for a while and by a necessary flight avoide those cruelties that accompanied the jealousies of Hismalita But Zelmatida embracing Galtazis and laughing at his feares and councells My friend said he since by a Lawe imposed on nature all things must have an end O how happy am I to have met with so faire an occasion to perish in I shall not die of a vulgar death but shall have this advantage over all other men that my death shall beget an envy in all those that can lay a claime to any generositie Galtazis knowing the great spirit of Zelmatida I confesse said he that you are worthy to seâ—… my faire Mistresse Goe on invincible Prince and feare not but the gods will turn away those disasters that threaten you This little-one after he had thus confirmed my deare Master in his resolution left him and went certainly to make it known to Isatida The Inca having now thanked the Sunne to whom he had a particular devotion though he knew not yet that he was the Author of his Race bethought how to gaine Hismalita by some eminent service for feare to lose Isatida Yet among these different cares he forgot not to bethink himselfe that Quasmez asked his daughter from him and accused him for not being enough gratefull to him He therefore sought out Isatida with an intent to speake to her yet once more for Xaira but the Princesse â—…ut him off the displeasure of petitioning twice for one thing For as soone as she could with freedome speake to him I am to give you an account said she of the matter you intrusted me withall I have enquired after the Princesse which you seeke with so much passion and perceiving that my Governesse made some difficulty to speake to me I did often times by embraces woe her to tell me if she had heard any thing spoken of Xaira Whilest I sollicited her with so much earnestnesse she used such actions as made me beleeve she went about to discover some great secrets to me for on the suddaine she changed countenance and so great a trembling seized her that she was a long time before she could answere me At last she recollected her selfe and swore to me that she had never seene the Princesse Xâ—…ira But as if she beleeved that her oathes were not sufficient to make me credit it she accompanied them with so many sighes and teares and other signes of affliction that but for you I should have repented the asking her the question Yet Zelmatida let not this make you despaire you are assured even by the mouth of a Prophet that Xaira is living you are expresly come into this country to free her from prison you are he who infallibly must give her liberty let time then agitate and the superiour causes and thinke not that the wills of the gods eyther advance themselves or recoyle as it pleaseth the fantasticallnesse of our vowes The king perswaded by Isatidaes reasons admired the power of her wit and became daily so idolatrous of it that it is not a small signe of his excellent nature that in so generall forgetfulnesse of himselfe he constantly remembred how much he was oblieged to Quasmez Some fewe dayes after this conversation which had caused Hismalita to lose the rest of her complying or rather of her dissimulation she received two generall intelligences equally sad and deplorable which made her betake her selfe to other thoughts then how to be avenged of my deare Master The posts that came in hourely reported news that Montezumas was eyther killed or at least taken prisoner in the
towne of Tevich and that the Cacique Coatelicamat accompanied with those of Zusolia and of Tlamacolapan and many other Provinces were comming with an army of two hundred thousand combatants to besiege Mexico This unexpected insurrection for which they were unprepared because it was never dreaded joyned with the death or prison of Montezuma spread such a feare in all the spirits of the Court that Hismalita giving way to this first fright was at the point to abandon Mexico and to retire her selfe to Vacipale In this extreamity they were forced to have recouse to Zelmatida whom the Mexicans called the eye of Vitcilopuchtli which is the God of providence and the right arme of Tezcatlipuca which is the God of battailes In effect they looked on him as a God where the power of all the two thousand they adored was enclosed and when he went through the streets men by Troopes followed him and Mothers shewing him to their children threw into those innocent soules the seeds of adoration and love Hismalita who by a weaknesse very ordinary in the most part of Princes put off her passions according as was councelled and had not love nor hatred but what her Ministers inspired withall her insensible nature put off to another time all that her hatred had intended and fitted herselfe to deceive Zelmatida by faire apearances You might have seene her then instantly altered and from fierce and insupportible as she had alwaies been to him she becam eso complying and submisse that my Lord the Inca hath since confessed to me that he pittied so shamefull a weakenesse at the first councell she held after the newes of the imprisonment of the King her husband and the inroades of her enemies she sent for Zelmatida and intreated him to be present He obeyed her to witnesse to Isatida that in whatsoever concerned her he would neither finde backwardnesse nor difficulty As soone as he was in the Councell Chamber and that he saw Hismalita attended on by so many men of state he made shew by his action that he was ready to execute all that they pleased to command him Hismalita called him forward gave him an honourable place was a long time in commending his valour and rendred him new thanks for his services done to Mexico Then she enlarged herselfe on the hopes they all had of him and speaking of his age with admiration told him that Tescatlipuca had not endowed him with such rare qualities to have them as it were concealed in vulgar occasions That he was infallibly destinated for great executions and though he were very young they were obliged to beleeve that he had no lesse wisedome then courage And that she therefore conjured him in case that Mexico were beleagured to command those warriers which she should chuse for her defence and to make appeare in the publique conservation the same valour which he had shewed in that of some particulars That in recompence she promised him not only in her owne name but in that of Montezuma and his successors all the share that he would desire in their fortunes Zelmatida retaining till this occasion that wisdome which seemed to be borne with him answered the Queen that the honour to serve her was an advantage for whose acquisition there was nought which a man of heart should not undertake That he would accept it with an extreame contentment but that he humbly besought her to dispence with him for the employment she would use him since he had neither experience nor other partes which were necessary for so great a charge All the Assembly was much satisfied with the modesty of this answer and thought it fit to resolve of nothing that day but that they should meet againe the next morrow to conclude all things The next day then was the great Councell held Hismalita and the old Princesse which could not follow Montezuma were present and after divers contestations the Queen not only partaged the affaires of the warre and the leading of the Troopes amongst six of the most experienced Captaines that were about her but also for all the resistance my deare Master could make shed eclared him Generall as well within as without the Towne When he saw there was no apearance of gainesaying what was resolved I 'le obey said he to Hismalita since t is your pleasure but on condition that I undertake nothing till I have consulted with those that are more experienced and wiser then my selfe The old Mexican Princes that were naturally proud and by the merit of their actions found themselves much pleased with the Kings Declaration and assured Hismalita that she might rest herselfe in quiet and contemne the descent of a small number of seditious persons Hismalita was easily perswaded and after she had received Zelmatida's oath went out of the Councell with him and to establish him in his command made him to be carried through all the City with the same magnificence they were wont to carry their Kings on the daies of their triumphes This necessary and troublesome ceremony being done my Lord the Inca shut himselfe in private withall those of command under his charge Presently he got made the description of all the Kingdome of Montezuma and the Territory of Mexico Then he desired to know the places already possessed by the Rebells and those they were to come by When they had made kno wne to him all this he informed himself of the number of Souldiers of the quantity of ammunition and of the fortifications of the Towne He put off till the morrow the mustring of his men of warre gave command to one of his Livetenants to visit all the publique Magazins and to send to all particular houses to see what provisions they had Hismalita the while and the same day went about to see the defects and the advantages of Mexico and from that morning set them on worke every where with so much diligence that he made the Towne capable to sustaine a siedge of two yeeres During all these great businesse he forgot nothing of that which a perfect Lover owes to her he affecteth He saw Isatida punctually twice in a day and saw her with so much the lesse nicety because he feared not Hismalita's Eunuques The kinde wellcomes he received from the Princesse and the teares with which she confirmed her innocent and true affection gave him a courage able to have conqueted the whole world There is no doubt said he but that the gods take pleasure to heare the vowes which are just I have often praied them for some occasion to expose my life for your service and to deserve some way a commendation from your mouth They have heard my prayers and the rebellion of your Subjects in not so much a signe of their hatred to you as it is to me a proofe of that love Heaven beares me T is in your mame Isatida that I undertake an employment far above my abilities But all shall be possible whilst I have your protection and
clad after such a fashion that a man must have beene voyde of all curiositie that would not earnestly have regarded him He had an habilliment imbroydered with gold and silver made in so particular a fashion and so becomming that you could not have seene any thing fayrer He wore a kinde of Helmet after the ancient manner on which waved a great plume of feathers of all colours and about his neck he had a coller of gold in which was written in letters of Diamonds Alcidiana gave it Two the like circles served him for garters and to those were fastned two long chaines of gold which were carried by two dwarfes As soone as he came before Bajazet he presented to him a linnen Roule and before he unfolded it I am said he the slave of Alcidiana The richnesse of my chaines may let you know the greatnesse of her that makes me weare them I goe from Country to Country to publish her mervailes and for feare lest the incredulous and jealous should accuse me of flattery I alwaies carry her picture to make all eyes witnesses of those truthes I proclayme A tempest throwing me on this Isle I had neere neglected to come on shore for feare of prophaning the beauties of Alcidiana in shewing them to Barbarianâ—… But when I understood it was the seate of famous Bajazet I presently set foote on shore to lay open to his eyes all that which nature and the Sun ever yet made most worthy of admiration Unrole then that linnen cloth and see or rather imagine in seeing an Image though imperfect of that divine Queene what thinke you should she be her selfe Bajazet ravished with the discourse as well as with the faire presence of the slave unfolded the cloth that he held and discovered so faire a picture that he was forced to cry out that Art had gone beyond all that Nature could doe You blaspheme said the slave to him for if ever fortune bring you a shore on the Inaccessible Island and that you have a sight of Alcidiana you will cry out more justly O how farre hath Nature gone beyond all that Art is able to produce I My exclamation replyed Bajazet is an effect of my astonishment and not of my incredulity I doubt not but Alcidâ—… is farre fayrer then she is in this portraict and if you wanted another witnesse then your selfe to confirme me in that opinion there is a Prince in this place that will not refuse you his testimony A Prince replyed the slave and who may that Prince be never other then Polâ—…xander hath beene so happy to sâ—…e Alcidiana It may be I speake of him said Bajazet The Slave would have gone on with his discourse when Polexander pale and trembling as a man in the cold fit of a violent ague presented himselfe before him and kissing the fetters he wore yes said he O most happy Pallantus I am the unfortunate Polexander whom destiny judgeth not only unworthy to review thy incomparable Mistris but also to carry as thou doest the markes of her glorious servitude The Slave after he had some while considered Polexander threw himselfe at his feete and against his will kissing them What Prince said he reignes there this day on the Earth who owes not this homage to him whom the divine Alcidiana hath acknowledged worthy of her esteeme as well as of her anger Ah Pallantus replyed Polexander thou hast not joyned the â—…steeme of thy divine Queene with her anger but to imitate those cunning Phisitions who to make their bitter and unsavory pills or potions to be taken mingle it with somthing pleasant and sweete But I am too much used to bitternesse to imagine that thing that is offered me can have any kinde of sweetnesse Tell me then deare Pallantus the most cruell of all my destiny and without flattering me with an esteeme that I shall never deserve let me know that which the just choler of Aâ—…cidiana hath reserved for my rashnesse Pallantus would willingly have hiddâ—…n from Polexander that which he knew of his fortune but fearing to offend by his discretion the blinde obedience which he had sworne to Alcidiana Doe not doubt said he to our Heroe but that my faire Queene esteemes of your valour and heares not without astonishment that which Fame speakes of your noblenesse But your daring hath not pleased her and when she knew that you respected her not with all the fâ—…are and all the reverence that we ought to beare to sacred things she hath resolved by a long absence to chastise the irregularity of your desires Her indignation had beene satisfied by putting you to this affliction if the impudency of her Subjects had not oblieged her to take from you for ever the contentment of seeing her What said Polexander was it not enough for me to be punished for my offences without engaging me to beare the iniquity of others No answered Pallantus the faults of your friends being mixt with your owne hath set you for a marke to which aymes all the most rigorous justice of Alcidiana The errors of Amalthea the solicitations of Pisander the teares of Amintha and the irregular love of a people made foole by your valour have brought my Queene to forbid you the comming into her kingdome and to condemne you to death if you ever chance to violate what she hath forbidden O errors O solicitations O teares O popular blindnesse said Polexander how much am I beholding to you that have obtayned for me a favour that I value not much lesse then the love of Alcidiana Yes faire Queene he added casting his eyes on the picture of Alcidiana yes I will die of that death to which you have condemned me and will die if I can without displeasing you by disobedience Polexander stopping at these words seemed to expect Pallantus answere but perceiving that the Slave repented him of what he had spoken Goe not about said he by your word to disguise the passions of your Princesse Remember t is she alone to whom you owe both your respect and complying and that in mincing those things which her Majesty commands you you violate the purity of your faith and make your selfe unworthy of those faire chaines which your unsoyled loyalty hath acquired you Say then boldly that Polexander must perish and that Alcidiana her selfe hath designed to pronounce his Sentence of death But Pallantus to the end that none may doubt of the will of that Princesse conceale no longer my just condemnation let me see the termes that begot 〈◊〉 in what words 't is contained and be assured that I shall receive it as the most glorious signall by which my life hath yet ever beene honoured I will satisfie you answered Pallantus since Alcidiana will have it so and that at the same time I make her beauty to be adored I cause her power to be redoubted In saying this he unfolded a great volume sealed with a golden Medal where was the portraict of Alcidiana on one side on
Iphidamantus as well as Polexander and Zelmatida was deceived in the explication of those words They tooke them as if Bajazet had a desire to live but that passion which cannot be praised in a brave courage was too much contemned by him to cause thence the least lament in the world He shewed an anger that his weakenesse had surmounted him at that time and strove againe to take the little paper and the cover of the box which he felt in his bed Faine would he have shut the box and put in the little Roll he had but Polexander helped him since Bajazet found himselfe unable to doe it As soone as he had put backe the box where 't was wont to be he cast his eyes on the Princes and holding his hand out weakely to them see said he how fortune playes with us and our hopes But what It is no lesse injustice to complaine of her cruelties then here is of weakenesse if we follow her when she smiles Whilst he spake thus Diceus was behind Polexander who intreated him to hinder Bajazet from further talking Polexander wrought so that Bajazet tooke notice of Diceus and so fitly that it tooke effect Indeed the generous sick-man apperceiving it I am still said he and so on all hands that your eyes aske my silence Yes my friends I grant you that favour as I would doe you greater were I in the same case I was three dayes since During this sad converse the night came on and every one thought it best to leave Bajazet to his rest There were no more but the Princes and five or six of Bajazets most affectionate servants that staied neere him His Chyrurgions watched with him till day breake and thought it fit to take off the second dressing Polexander Iphidamantus and Zelmatida came in when they were on that resolution They intreated Bajazet patiently to suffer the paine they might put him too and assured him he should soone be in far better health Bajazet only smiled at that discourse and let the Chyrurgions doe what they pleased Diceus himselfe having seene the dangerous wound was in as little hope as the rest And the Princes seeing in what extremity their friend lay could not so well containe themselves but that they let fall some teares as often as they turned their eyes on him He alone was the man least sensible of his hurt and who looked on the dressing of his wound with so great a strength of spirit that you might have said he saw some strangers body dressed or that his owne was impassible Whosoever came neere him he presently comforted and by his ordinary remonstrances left them nothing to say that came prepared to resolve him for death The day ensuing this dangerous night was no more favourable to him then thâ—… three former The Fever left him not his ravings redoubled and all his friends looked on him as they had already seene him in his coffin After so many ill houres the fourth and fift dressing gave his friends the hope they had lost and Bajazet himselfe confessed that he found some kind of ease He would not lose that good moment and therfore prayed that instantly some should advertise all his Captaines that before his death â—…e desired to have once more the contentment to see them and to instruct them in â—…ose things which were necessary for their common safety and his particular consolation His command was executed with an extreame diligence and two houtes after his chamber was full of those old Corsaries who by their long services had attained 〈◊〉 the charges of the sea and war Bajazet seeing them about his bed caused the curtaines to be opened and shewing to all a constancy that death it selfe was not able to shake in this manner spoke to them I have not my Companions sent for you to be witnesses of the consent I bring to this inexorable necessity which wills that I forsake with the command that you gave me the felicities I promised my selfe from your 〈◊〉 and assistance To speake in generall there is a great deale of glory to looke on death with contempt and to receive it with pleasure But when a man hath lived some time among you this vulgar magnanimity loseth the most part of his luster and wee learne that the contempt of life and death is but the first essay of courage to which yet you beleeve there is due not the meanest praises I dye then without telling you that 〈◊〉 sorrow not for life and that of all the afflictions which my precipitated destiny throwes on me I will disclose to you only two since I cannot bury them with me without losing that repose which accompanieth the eternity of the second life The one is the griefe to dye before I had acquitted me of the extraordinary obligations by which you have plucked me from the outrages of fortune and made me conceive high hopes in the very extremity of my despaire The other which not to lye to you would make me wish for a continuation of life if that wish could preserve me is that I dye ingratefull and perjured and leaving in danger an innocent which my fury hath ingaged my death makes me guilty of her losse and throwes on my memory the curses of all faithfull soules T is in your power my friends to free me of these troubles to hinder the crimes which destiny would have me perpetrate to disengage my faith to save mine honour and in briefe that after death I may live love and fight Promise me then but sweare it to me by the holynesse of your great Prophet that without any further particular information of those things wherein I would engage you You will execute them under the command of Polexander and Iphidamantus Interrupt me my friends and give me if you please the last proofe of your generous obedience Bajazet could goe no further the vehemency of his action having exhausted the little strength that was left in him He was therefore constrained to lye downe againe and to shut his eyes to stay his spirits that began to be dissipated Polexander and his brother that were at his beds head gave him some ease and intreated the Pirates by their usuall generosity not to deliberate longer on so just a request Bajazet opened his eyes at the speech of those two Heroës and witnessing by his sighes how impatiently he waited for the Rovers answer either hasten said he by a favourable blow that lingering moment that must give an end to my feares and wishes or graunt me that which I aske you that so without any despaire I may endure the flownesse of that clocke which must strike the houre of my departure The Pirates unwilling that their Generall should againe solicit them at once lifted up their hands for a signe that they accorded to what he requested them Those that were neerer to him spake for the rest and told him that God was too just to heare the prayers of Mahomets enemies and to
us a great favour when they use us but as slaves Teach me dear Pallantus what my reason and I should do to get us the Mastery since thou wilt not have us give way to their tyranny Persever in that feare and adoration which till now you have witnessed for Alcidiana answered Pallantus Be not weary of suffering and leave to your desires that absolute Empyre they have usurp'd over your reason They will be of a different nature from ordinary desires if time opposition and despaire do not weaken their impetuosity Ah! Remedyes more cruell and insupportable then the ill it selfe saide Polexander Am I brought to that extremity to make use of you yes insensible friends I receive and imbrace you since you are so happy to have the resentments of Alcidiana for the Authors of your being Pallantus heere imposing him silence Be pleas'd sayd he that I end the history of your disfavours and that finally I banish you from the place wherein is inclos'd all your hopes and happinesses Polexander replying nothing gave occasion to the faire slave to continue thus his discourse Your sorrow solitude and your complaints having too long lasted for your quiet Amintha resolv'd to have pitty on you and to redeeme you from you despaire by false hopes You followed her advice and suffring your selfe to be easily perswaded to what you so extreamly desired you began againe your illustrious and magnificent way of living whereby you had acquir'd the affections of the most part of Alcidiana's subjects She understood of your returne and wanting sufficient knowledge of worldly affaires to judge of the â—…rue cause of your change she called for Amintha to discourse with her about it I thought said she that having hitherto made a particular profession of friendshipp with Polexander you are not ignorant of those causes which he hath had heretofore to afflict himselfe and those he hath now to rejoyce in I honour Polexander replied Amintha but I have no part in his trust Yet not so that I am ignorant of that which your Majesty desires to know His griefe and joy are too publick to make a secret of them Every one speakes of it and if it be not known to your Majesty you are without doubt the onely person in your Kingdome that is ignorant of it But to give it you it behooves if you please to think it fit that I pronounce to you a word which to you is very odious Alcidiana confident of Amintha's discretion told her that she might speake since your Majesty commanded me replyed Amintha I will tell you that Polexander is in love The Queen was surprised with that word and so surprised that she could not refrayne from blushing But loath to rest mute on that occasion is it possible sayd she to Amintha that a spirit so strong as Polexander should be capable of so extreame a weaknesse 'T is possible Madam answerd Amintha and your Majesty would have the pleasure to know the cause aswell as the effects of this passion you will be confirmd in that true opinion that love is nothing but blindnesse and folly Stenelica who hath nothing left eiâ—…her of youth or beauty is the cause of Polexanders vexations He adores her loves hâ—…r burnes for her and is desperate when he cannot see her and as his dispaire comes from the rigours of Stenelica his contentments likewise proceed from the favours he receives thence But that which is most strange is there passeth not a day but he wâ—…ites to her and in such humble and passionate termes as if he writ to the fairest Princesse in the world Aâ—…cidiana tooke no pleasure in this jesting and you went neere to lose the good opinion she had of you even by that which you had plotted with Amintha to get you into it Polexander bindes me to returne to my first opinion sayd she to her Confident Truely Nature and Radiotez have not deceiv'd me when they assured me that men were full of imperfections and how those which had been estem'd freest from deserts and neerest approaching to a divine condition had by diverse actions of their lives made it appeare they were truely men subject as the meanest to the most low and ridiculous extravagancies Amintha saw well that t was nothing to the purpose to prosecute what she had begun she therefore put it off to another time and applying her selfe to the Queenes humour did so well by her colloguing and wit that in lesse then eight dayes wrought in Alcidiana an extreame desire to see the letters you had written to Stenelica Presently she shew'd her aboue fifty and wouâ—…d have given her a great many more but that she was wearyed with your supposed extravagancyes Stenelica punctually receyved two or three a daye and assoone as she had them had order to bring them to the Queene Five or six moneths slid away yet the Queene discovered not the mystery of your Letters nor of your maskes and turnaments But by little and little her understanding comming on with her age and her seventeenth yeere instructing her in that which the former sixteene were ignorant of she made long and deepe reflections on all that you had done since you came into her Territories and by those things conjectured that infallibly Stenelica was but the pretext and coverture of a more high affection This thought engaged her to reade all your Letters over againe But scarce had she read the first when she saw her selfe so lively pictured that she called her blinde for being so long from discovering it Streight an indignation for being deceived by Amintha made her cast by all the effâ—…ction she bore her and made her resolve to punish you both for one crime whereof she judg'd you were equally guilty And not to defer her vengeance she called for Stenelica and shutting themselves in her owne Closet and accommodating her selfe to the weakenesse of that poore Soule hardly reasonable told her that she understanding how Polexander writ to her only to passe away his time she would not have her to be any longer the object of his sport and jeasting I command you therefore said she to receive no more of his Letters nor any more to endure hiscompany 'T is a shame for one of your age and condition to lose your time in the fopperies of youth Breake absolutely the commerce you have with this stranger burne all his letters send him back his Jewells and suffer him not to talke to you any more hearken to none that comes from him and above all converse with Amintha as with your greatest enemy The Queene was not thus contented to cut from that meanes of expressing your affection But she would take from you all others and punish you and your complicâ—… for your temerity She therefore remoâ—…ved from her ordinary place of abiding and went to that stately Castle which the King her Father built on a point of Land that lookes toward your fortunate Islands All the Court followed her in that Journey
was so much moved with that favour though it was no otherwise then all apparent that he forgot almost all his anger The houre to retire being come he led me to my chamber and by the way made me so many protestations of service that if I had not knowne him well without doubt I had been so silly as to have beleeved him As soone as he left me I got to bed and spent almost all the night in thinking on the good aspect the activenesse and valour of the unknowne Knight Scarce was it day but that I awakened my women and made such a coyle among my servants that it witnessed well the disorder of my minde I handled all my Jewells and not knowing at last whereon to resolve commanded a maid whom I very much trusted to give me what would best beseem me When I was about to coife me not any one of my women was either handsome or quicke enough All that they put on was naught My dressing was sometime too great sometimes too flat and I made my selfe to be new dressed so often that I was not ready when one of the Kings Gentlemen came and told me that the Combatants humbly besought me to repaire to my Scaffold I tooke not time to eat but as one senselesse ranne to the field and was there exceedingly troubled till I saw the brave Knight Nephizus inraged with anger and may be with jealousie came fiercely on his rivall and was received by him with an incredible vigour At every course the Prince of Fez had some advantage but at the last he flew over his horses crupper and lay so long time stretched on the sand that they beleeved he would not make use of the permission that he had requested Yet he arose by the helpe of his overthrower and being remounted on horsebacke insolently called his generous enemy to the combat long time they fought and very suriously and Nephizus questionlesse resolved rather to dye then to yeeld ground and the other desirous to preserve the honour he had gotten behaved him so couragiously that at last the wilfulnesse of the Prince of Fâ—…z being alone and disarmed was compelled to yeeld him selfe As soone as the Judges had declared the Stranger to be the Victor they brought him before me to receive the Prize which he had gotten He besought me to give it him with such a grace and submission that they made an end of losing me Before I gave satisfaction to so just a request said I you ought if you please on your part to fullfill the Law imposed on you 'T is to favourable said he not to obey it But Madam it needed not that such an ordinance should impose a necessity of discovering my selfe The honour you doe me to command it is to me a Law so sweete and powerfull that for what disadvantage soever it may be to me in making my selfe knowne yet I shall not faile to give you that small proofe of the extraordinary zeale I have to your service In ending these civilities he tooke off his helmet and thinking truely that I knew him not See heere said he to me Muley Hassen who hath no other honour nor merrit then to be sprung from the Royall House of Thunis I had heard my Father often speake of that yong Prince and esteemed him as one of the most couragious and accomplished Knights of his time But I being but an Infant when he left Africa to travell through Europe I did not remember I had ever seene him Though my love was gotten to such a height beyonde which there are few others yet I confesse to you that it grew in such a manner in knowing whom I loved that all the persecutions which I have suffered since and all the time that hath passed since I saw my Lover have not beene able to lessen it As soone as I was out of that astonishment which the sight of Muley Hassen had been the cause of I presented him a very great Diamond with three Pearles in fashion of a peare which I had destined for him and desirous to answere his faire speech by some other that might leave in him an opinion he was not unpleasing to me Cousen said I 't is not only as your kinsman that I rejoyce at your victory but as a good Patryot since Strangers that shall know how you have dealt with one of our most remarkeable neighbours will respect our Frontires and have no will to invade a Countrey that may vaunt it selfe to have an invincible Defender Beleeve then that both in the one and the other title I am extreamely glad of your honour and keepe the Present I have made you as an assurance that hence forward I will interest my selfe in all things where you have any share Muley out of his discretion durst not answere me but went to waite on the King who had sent for him by one of his Squires You may imagine whether he were well received Truely he was in such sort that if my poore brother had been returned from that dismall enterprize which cost him his life he could not have beene better welcommed The King who had given him his owne name held him a long time in his armes called him his second Son and the stay of his age and causing him to mount on one of his horses brought him to the Pallace attended as in triumphe He forgot not Nephizus in his ill fortune but shewed him by that little time he was with him and by the little displeasure in his countenance that his affection was an affection of state and that which he shewed to the yong Muly was of blood and nature that is how the first was feigned and the other true Nephizus had time to thinke on his revenge For he kept his chamber neere a moneth In this long solitude having layd the plot of what he was to execute he came after into the Court with so much jollity as if he had borne away the Prize of the Justs and came on to prattle with as much assiduity and passion as if he had beene yet truely in love with me But 't was most vainely that he imployde all his craft and forced countenances for I was not now to be taught I lived now only in Muley Hassen and had no eares nor eyes but for him I saw him every houre of the day sometimes with the King otherwhiles in my chamber then in the gardens afterwards in a hunting and every where with so much satisfaction on one side and the other as well of love as of respect that I may say that five or six moneths that I passed thus seemed to last nothing at all But alas Those things that please are not of longest continuance Nephizus that had an intent to revenge himselfe extraordinarily of me thought he could not doe it but in getting the yong Muley from Court and becomming the absolute Master of my life See how he went on He dispatched to Morocco to oblige the King his
miscâ—…eife he had already committed Assure thy selfe said I Atalida that Nephizus hath not satisfied himselfe thâ—…t â—…e could sufficiently be aveng'd of me only by death or imprisonment he hath without doâ—…bt foâ—…n me traytor as he is to make it beleeâ—…'d that I am a Princesse withoâ—… 〈◊〉 and to make me double miserable she would deprive me of that sole consolation which is left to all unfortunate wretches namely of being pitied by good and mercifull people Nephizus answered Atalida may wel have so wicked a designe But if it be true that there is an eternall Justice which governs the motions of mortall mindes it will not suffer for its owne interest that Iniquity should grow so powerfull Yet Madam since you wil have it so let us imagin that all men following their inclination of doing ill doe already doubt of your virtue and deny you those consolations which your mis-fortune should receive from their charity Have you not in your selfe a Comforter that is a thousand times better then all those which you can expect from the world The quiet minde which the testimony of your conscience gives you should make you heare without any feeling nay with neglect all that calumny it selfe can invent against you These perswasions tooke not away all my feares but I confesse they did the greatest part of them Taking therefore a resolution that might serve for my justification I left the Pallace wherein I had been neere three yeares a prisoner and went to Fez in an equipage answerable to my present condition All the people shewed their love to me by their teares and their feare by their Silence Every where as I passed I met with multitudes of men and women which by their actions made me well understand that my misfortune could not be greater When I came to the Pallace I found there such an universall solitude and consternation that I was faine to looke long time to meet with a man to whom I might speake At last the House-keeper appeared but to all the questions I propos'd him he gave mee no other answer then in shrugging up his shoulders and shewing by his feare that he was forbidden to talke yet must I said I then a loude and will happen what may put an end to this silence and know what Nephizus intends shall become of mee What by prayers urgings and teares at last I got one of Nephizus cheif Officers to tell me where his Master was and the commands he had received from him and so he answered me in sighing that his Master was out of his country and that befoâ—…e he parted he had given an especiall command to his subjects not to acknowledge me any more for their Queen but to entertain me in such a manner that I should be inforced to return to Tunis This was all the Officer told me But since I knew by the wit of Atalida that the true cause of al these last wrongs sprung from a furious passion of Nephizus which he had gotten a year past for one of the King his fathers women I stood not to deliberate on what I had to doe but the thought of Revenge presenting it selfe advised me to hold no more faith with him that had first violated that toward me nor to take into my thought as my Lord that man who had used me as his Enemy but for the interest of my birth and Innocence to pursue even to the death that miscreant who gloryed in the ruine of them both This Councell I followed Yet unwilling to make use of those meanes for that revenge which might be condemned of good men I thought it fit for me to have recourse to the protection of the King my Father and to employ noe other assistance then his for the obtaining a satisfaction from him that had so much wronged me I therefore quickly got to Tunis and throwing my self at the Kings feet besought him not so to have compassion of a daughter whom he had made miserable as to resent the injuries he received from the Prince of Fez in the persons of his children That Prince who before my marriage I had found so jndulgent Debonayr even to an excess losing in such an occasion thatfeeling which nature honour should have given him was inexorable to my prayers and insensible of the affronts I had received from Nephizus I confesse to you that his impassibility was insupportable to me and in the first stirrings of my greif there escaped from me some words that were not so respectfull as became the duty of a daughter and my answeres put Muley-Hassen into such a fury that before all his court he accused me to be the cause of the losse of my husband the disorder of two Royall families and many other offences In conclusion he not only refused me that assistance and protection which I intreated from him but commanded me to depart from Tunis and get back to finde out my Husband regain his favour if I desired that he should acknowledg me for his daughter I see well said I to him that I must onely expect to have from heaven that succour which nature denyes me Sir I will obey your commands since I find my self a stranger in mine owne country and odious even to him that gave me life I abandon without sorrow both my native soyle and my father and betake me to the most dreadfull Deserts of Africae to doe penance for those faults which the guilty throw on my Innocence The same day that I spake thus to Muley I went secretly out of Tunis and without making use of that retreat which my Sister in particular offered me went as farre as Numidia to hearken after my faithful Muley There I understood that he was gone to assist the King of Egypt that he had cut in peices two of the greatest armies that ever the Turks had sent against the Mummelucs I sent divers Messengers to him to let him know the need I had of him but not having the patience to attend their return I crossed a great part of Numidia and without making my selfe known imbarked at the first Port where I found shipping I arrived at Alexandria and from thence going up the Nyle the nearest I could to Cairo some dayes after I came to the Court of Tomombay and found all in a great rejoycing for the great advantages they had gotten over the Turke The name of my Lover was there in such veneration that he was called by the Prince himself the deliverer of Egypt This was truly to me a great comfort in mine adversities to heare him so worthily spoken of whom I loved but it was a redoubling of my greife when they told me that he was gone from the Court without taking his leave of the Prince and not giving notice to his most coÌ„fident friends of the necessity of his departing Deare Muley said I to my selfe this suddain departing gives me a rare proofe of thy obedience The love of mee hath made thee
shut thine eyes to all other considerations and thou hast beleeved that thou shouldst gaine farre greater Empires then this if thou could'st preserve me Hoping therefore for no more in Egypt I returned to Tunis and after I had staid there some dayes unknown I re-imbarked me upon the assurance Atalida gave me that I should not heare any newes of Muley but in Fez or Morocco I went to Fez and learning nothing of what I desired â—…passed the Streights to get sooner and more safely to Morocco I came in there so that it had been impossible for the very servants of Nephizus to know me staid there so long as I thought was fitting to heare what was become of my unfaithfull husband and my loyall Friend But for al I could doe my diligences and perquisitions were bootlesse For Nephizus they told me that being desperatly in love with the Princesse Ennoramita his wife and not induring she should be in the custody of the King her Father he had besieg'd him in one of his Fortresses to take her But after the winning the place and not finding her he was neere dead for sorrow and presently put to Sea to follow her Imagine if I were amazed or no at these false tales and what I was to iudge of it Aâ—… last after I had long mused on this Adventure to no purpose I understood by Atalida â—…hat Nephizus was gone to the Canaries with that pretended Ennoramita I had Learn'd from Fame that you were not only King of them but the defendor of the oppressed the Avenger of persecuted virtue and the Exterminator of Monsters and Tyrants And for that reason I resolv'd to take you for the Judg of my cause and to implore your valor for the exemplary chastising of Nephizus perfidies and impostures The Princess of Tunis could goe no further for Atalida in clapping her hands and shewing an extreame astonishment cryed out that the old Eunuch Narcissus was come into the court of the Pallace with a great company of Trumpets and Armed men Ennoramita not able to beleeve the astonished Damsel ran to one of her Chamber windowes which look'd into the Court and knowing Narcissus Permit not if you please said shee to Polexander that any wrong be done to me in a place where you are the Master Feare nothing Madam answered Heroe whosoever dares to think of losing the respect that is due to you shall not doe it unpunished And not only here but wheresoever else you shall please to make use of mine arme I shall hinder as much as in me lieth your enemies from wronging your vertue Scarce had he ended these words but the Captaine of his guard came into Ennoramitas Chamber and told him that a Herald sent with a great trayne from Abdelmelec Prince of Morocco to all the Courts of Vrope Africk requested instantly that he might be permitted to acquit himselfe in the presence of his Majesty of that Commission his Prince had given him Surely said Polexander Abdelmelec hath knowne that I have his buckler We must heare his Herald In the meane time addressing himselfe to the Captaine of his Guard goe and receive said he these strangers and assure them that whatsoever they have to say to me they shall not need to feare any thing more then if they were in Morocco Ennoromitâ—… then speaking I intreat you a favour said she to Polexander what 's that Madam replied the Prince T is said she that I may have some time to speake with Narcissus before his Masters command hath ingaged him to any extravigancy You shall doe what you please answeared Polexander but let his discourse to mee be what it will he shall not want of receiving as good entertainement at my hands as if he had brought me the confirmation of that which Abdelmelec sometime promised me I know that your thoughts are not capable of any imbecillity said the Princess of Tunis but I am sure withall that the minde of Narcissus is not incapable of feare As long as he shall imagine that you know not the cause of his coming he will be reasonable enough to tell us what is become of Nephizus But assoone as he hath declar'd his charge and by consequence shall beleeve he hath offended you he will thinke of nothing after but how to get out of your power and in his apprehension and feare of being chastis'd will not even know where he is Polexander Laughing at the good opinion Ennoramita would worke in him of Narcissus courage commanded he should be brought to him assoone as he should be in case to be seene The Eunuch holding of his nation a certaine proud severity refus'd all that was offer'd him by Polexanders Officers and could never be wonne to see him alone Polexander hearing of these things in the presence of Ennoramita shee intreated him to let Narcissus come to him with all his trayne and told him smiling that before that Ethiopian began his Oration shee would pesent her selfe to him in the quality of a Petitioner and accusing the other of his ill treating her would so force him to put by his gravity Our Heroe approov'd of all that Amatontha desir'd and going into the hall of the Princess lodgings which was already fill'd with his Guard and other Officers there receiv'd the venerable Narcissus Scarce had the Eunuch made his reverences and first complements but Ennoramita appear'd in the Hall with a most desolate and afflicted countenance and casting her selfe at Polexanders feet besought him to give her his protection against many Enemies that did unjustly persecute her I understood my Lord said shee after the Prince had taken her up that there was newly arrived in this place one of the principall Agents of my Tyrants I therefore beseech you by the name you have gotten of the most Just Prince of the world to harken to my complaints and to beleeve that I have gone a hundred and fifty leagues by sea in hope that you will grant me that which my Country my Parents my Friends and my Allyes have refus'd me In saying so shee cast her eyes on Narcissus who instantly knew her and after shee had a while look'd on him See said shee to our Heroe in taking the Eunuch by the hand an inreproachable witnesse of those verities I am to tell you and though he hath been of the number of those that have tormented me yet I have nothing to say to him for I know how farre the duty and faith of a servant bindes him to his Master He belong'd to the Prince of Fez and being answerable and obliged to him for a great Fortune he could not lawfully consider any thing but his Interests I acquit him also from all those miseries he hath made me suffer but yet upon condition that he tell you before me why he forsook me under a false pretext whence 't is for these two yeares and more I have neither heard news of him nor of the King his Master and for what cause
bidden the worshiping of Images Now it hath happened by a Treason the most base that was ever committed that one of those faire pictures is fallen into the hands of a miserable Pyrate who without question is barbarous enough not to know his good fortune Abdelmelec therefore not enduring that so sanctified a thing should be expos'd to the outrages of the prophane hath resolv'd to purchase it againe with the price of his owne blood and couragiously to hazard his life and estate in a warre which his love makes him call Holy But for as much as he knowes not the aboad of those sacriligious persons who have put their execrable hands on the sacred portraict of her visible divinity he hath sent Spies into all parts to hearken after it and intreates all Princes and Knights that love honour to interest themselves in his quarrell and come quickly to Morocco to consult with him of the meanes he should take to make those Pyrates feele a punishment that may be somewhat answerable to the greatnesse of their crime And in the mean time if it had chanc'd that any Prince Moor or Christian were associated with these theeves to have gotten by treachery what he thought he could not obtaine by a just combat he gives him to understand whatsoever he be that he holds him for a coward and a Traytor if he declare not in the publick place of Morocco that equally forc'd by the feare of Abdelmelec and the violence of his passion he craftily made himself Master of Alcidiana's portraict But acknowledging his low merit he repents him of his theft and restores the faire picture to his lawfull owner And to the end that no man finde any pretext to fayle at this Assignation My Lord the Prince sends for the security of all Christians and Moores his Pass-ports and safe conducts in the best form that they can desire In saying thus he presented to Polexander the velume which he had unfolded at the beginning of his speech Our Her◅e having with much constraint refrain'd from laughter for the extravagant titles and insupportable vanities that fill'd up almost all the writing said to the old Narcissus for all the answer he was to have there that if his affaires did not call him to some other place he would quickly be at Morocco and may be would bring Abdelmelec newes of his Buckler After he had thus spoken he arose and giving leave to all the company to depart retyr'd to the Princesse of Tunis When he had been a while in discourse with her about the extravagancy of Abdelmelec and seeing her extreamely musing and melancholly I have not much lesse cause then you said he to meditate deeply on those strange Adventures which the old Narcissus hath related to us For if they be all true I find I am involv'd in the follyes of Nephizus and compeld in respect of my blood to declare my selfe his Enimie But what said I Nephizus is dead and what outrage soever he hath endeavoured to have done me I will by your Example sacrifice all my choler and all my resentment on his Tombe On the other side I conceive a thing which astonisheth and rejoyceth me together For if my conjectures deceive me not this stranger Iphidamanta that Nephizus would have to be taken for you that he might so get her from his father is my Sister the Princesse Cydaria and twinne Sister of that Prince from whom she hath borrowed the Name of Iphidamant This being soe as I cannot almost any more doubt of it Cydaria is not dead as I beleev'd hitherto and he was not well inform'd who reported to me that she perish'd in a ship all on fire in sight of the Fortresse of Guarguetssem That which most strongly perswades me is the particularity of the burning of Cydarias ship agrees well with that which Narcissus hath related to us touching the arrivall of the false Ennoramita on the coasts of Morocco There is this difference that my servants related to me how the Sea had swallowed up my Sisters vessell and I finde by Narcissus reccitall that that wherein she was was cast on the coastes of Morocco Ennoramita awakening at this as out of a deepe sleepe Have I said she to Polexander dream't that she who Nephizus would have to be taken for me should be your Sister I have told you so Madam he replyde and added withall it can be none but she and more 't is only she that hath delivered you from Nephizus How could this Miracle be done asked Ennoramita presently T is hard for me to tell you said Polexander for I doe onely guesse in this businesse Yet I think I doe not deceive my selfe and therefore mark why I imagime◅ it I was not long since in Bajazets Island and there bound to make some stay A thousand incomparable qualities justly intitles him the prime man of these times wonne me to the curiosity of knowing who he was Among al those of whom I enquir'd there was not one that could or would tell me any thing else but that he was a Prince that he was become the protector of the Pyrats to the end he might finde againe a young Princess with whom he was passionately in Love and that he was gottēn to be Generall of the Rovers by a way as glorious as it was extraordinary I earnestly pressed him that spake to mee to tel me what had happened of Rare and so much renowne n the election of Bajazet After I had long time intreated him he answered me thus ◅Our last Generall of whose Birth or first condition neither I nor any of my companions could ever learne any thing being by the suffrages of all elected and setled in the place of valiant Abinadac deceiv'd the hopes we had conceiv'd of his courage and ruin'd the designes we had on the Portugalls by a resolution he tooke to make warre with a Kingdome neere to this Island which is call'd the realme of Benin Wee oppos'd him awhile and gave him all the reasons wee could to hinder that voyage But that headstrong and Wilfull Spirit making use of this unbounded power we had given him as we doe to all our Generalls constraind us to follow him in that unhappy expedition I may well call it unhappy since wee got nothing but the shame of fayling in our enterprise and the sorrow for the losse of many of our Captaines Indeed the cause of that journey deserv'd no better a successe For it was nothing but a meere extravagancy of a young man and a blinde desire to enjoy a Christian call'd the faire Ennoramita who may be was no fairer then five or six hundred others that were kept in the Island for the Generalls pleasure When that Nephizus I have learnt our Generalls Name was so before wee call'd him Amurat was arrived at Benin and saw himselfe compell'd to give ground to the Kings sonne and by consequence to lose the hope of possessing his Mistris he committed the actions of a mad man He
did and intreated him to be pleas'd that she might serve him at least as a slave since Fortune had depriv'd her of the meanes to serve him as a Princesse The cruell Nephizus losing all sence of humanity goe infamous Princesse said he go and run after thy Mescenarez and Tyndarache Thou hast chosen them to glut thy lascivious desires go find them out and never shew thy self to him that hates thee more then death At those words of lascivious and infamous Benzaida grew pale as if she had been ready to swoon and almost assoone the fire flying into her face and flaming forth her eyes Monster cried she more dreadfull then all those thy Affrica ever produc'd Hangman that inhumanly dashest a ponyard into my brest is this the effect of thy promises and assurances which thou gavest me by Alalita and Zamaella O dismall Names to my remembrance pernicious councellors who are the causes of my afflictions as well as of my faults Come and see that Nephizus which you represented to me so generous and so worthy of the quality of a Prince But I accuse you unjustly you were the first deceived and the forsworn man who would make use of you to throw me headlong where I am first put out your eyes before he employed you in that office Pardon me my reproaches too-dear too-credulous freinds T is thee alone Nephizus which I ought to accuse for all my misfortunes and all my offences But shew not so much scorne and aversion to me I shall not be much longer troublesome to thee T is fit only that for my justification I make thee know that I am innocent and guiltlesse of those impurities which thy unclean mouth chargeth me withall and that the execrable Mescenarez and the too-faithfull Tindarache never shared in that which I only reserv'd for thee Heare then my Innocence And should'st thou reject her testimony thy vanquisher and thy Love whom I beseech to receive my deposition will publish for the discharge of my memory the truthes I am about to tell them Know then and thou knowest it but too well that wonne by the perswasions of Alalita and Zamaella I lov'd thee and without regard to my reputation which I hazarded made thee absolute Master of the better part of my selfe But alas that joyes are but of a short continuance and felicities are but â—…ll upheld that have no other foundation but the faith of such traytors as thee No sooner had I a Lover but I found my selfe expos'd to the outrages of an Enemy and mark that in the same time when I thought my self at the Port an unexpected tempest shipwrack'd me Thy unthought-of departure or rather thy pre-mediated flight overthrew al my designes and ruin'd al my hopes I found that I was truly robd of al my former fortune and that the Tyrants of Castile triumphed over Benzaida even before they had set on the miserable Granada Thy absence after it had taken from me my hope and comfort deprived me of my Judgement and after my judgement of the Love which I had alwayes borne to my parents and subjects I wish'd the loss both of the one and the other Boabdilez himselfe good heaven shall I speake it became odious to me and holding for Enemies all the Princes and Knights that served me I discharg'd my choler on them but particularly on the ambitious and rash Mescenarez He returned from the frontiers of Granada a little after thou hadst forsaken me and would have taken the boldnesse to entertaine me as othertimes he had done But becoming almost furious in seeing him chid him for his impudence and rashnesse and told him that his impudence should have been long since corrected But when he was gone and I had permission to speak freely what said I not against the providence of our great Prophet against the starrs against love against fortune in briefe against all nature And that Traytor to the end I might say nothing against thee Yet I was quickly in spight of me compeld to make thee a partner The terrible object of thy treason presented it selfe before me and I saw thee so horrible that I could not look on thee without hatred nor to hate without reviling thee as thou hadst deserved It may augment thy rage to repeat them But how excessive soever I make them by my words they will never be equall to the miseries which thy ingratitude hath made me suffer And now Traytor cri'd I thou hast left Africa and cross'd the Sea only to abuse an Innocent and betray the facility of a maid whose love and age made her capable of beleeving all What do'st thou hope for for thy treason VVhat recompence is there reserv'd for so shamefull an action Art thou so much degenerated from thy Ancestors or is Africa that was late the retreat of loyalty and truth perverted that thou canst not there keepe the place that thy birth gave thee without making thy selfe famous by some extraordinary treason But is it not some old hatred that obligeth thee to treate me so unworthily Canst not indure that the Race of the Great Mansor should reign in some corner of the world Art thou not content that thy predecessors drove him out of Africa Art thou leagu'd with the Enemies of our Religion to exterminate the Beleevers and ravish from the Alcoran that power which is left it in Spaine Assure thy selfe that I never took part in the quarrells of our houses Assoone as I saw thee I gave thee my heart and made no distinction between the Race of Marin and that of Mansor But I invented reasons to justifie thy disloyalty which can have no other but that thou art a man and an African that is that thou art doubly disloyall Would to Heaven that the ambition and avarice of our Fathers had been confined within the limits of their Provinces and that their darings had not violated the sacred bounds with which Nature had seperated their Regions The Prince of Fez had not then ever heard speak of the Princesse of Granada and the honor of that poore Mayden should not be as it is now the sports of thy inconstancy and subject of calumnies But why stick I at these vaine considerations Go Miscreant triumph at thy pleasure over my heart and reputation Leave nothing undone to make the horrors of thy life without Example and vaunt thee in the presence of thy Africans who may be are as simple as I that 't was for the love of them thou falsifiedst thy faith to a Granadine Lady and neglected that which Spaine had in most adoration Without doubt thy vanity brought the like discourse within thee But what 's that to me if it were so Is it not enough that I too truely know that thou hast betraid me Neither the great Mahomet on whose Prophesies thou swor'st to be true to me nor the feare which the black Angells should imprint in the Soules of the perfidious nor my innocency nor my love nor in briefe
the resentment of my favours have not been able to quell thy ill Nature nor stay thy inconstancy Abominable follower of false Prophets who are risen against the Great Prophet Musulman unworthy of thy Circumcision speak and tell me who oblig'd thee to come under the vayle of allyance and friendship to seduce me even in the Palace of the King my Father Thou knowest in thy conscience thou knowest that I have contributed nothing at all to my misfortune The subtleties that my Sex imploy to make themselves Masters of thine have been hitherto unknown to me or at least hatefull I would never yet do that affront to Nature as to change the colour of my Haire nor hide the blacknesse of my complexion under a strange white My words and actions have not been lesse genuine nor lesse naturall then my disastrous beauty and I dare say that I oftentimes complain'd to Heaven that mine Eyes express'd so ill the feelings of my Soule In short the more I reflect on my selfe the more my conscience assures me that I am guilty of nothing but of loving thee And if that crime deserv'd to be punished surely thou oughtest not for it either be the Judge or the Hang-man If my Love seem'd to thee injurious if my little stock of beauty distasted thee if the rudenesse of my wit were insupportable to thee yet my simplicity should at least have wrought some pitty from thee and my goodnesse was great enough to oblige thee not to do me any wrong VVhy hadst thou not rather said this Maidens face hath somehing dismall in it My eyes cannot indure to look on her colour yellow and black She hath not wit and the best things she speaks are but very bad expressions Yet shee is good she loves me and if I cannot affect her yet must I pitty 〈◊〉 â—…cence and not deprive her of that quiet which her stupidity affoords her T is noâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that ill which a man may do without feare of punishment and if we exercise â—…ity in comforting any one that is miserable we practise it a great deal more in not permitting him to becom so These good thoughts were not likely to possesse a Soul so wicked as thine And if by chance some good angel would with them have inspir'd thee thy pernicious inclination would not have suffer'd to receiv them Those that brought thee into the world underwent the curse of Heaven thy parents should call thee rather the punishment of their offences then the blessing of their marriage Nor art thou come out of thy Country but to free it of a Monster which was become the cause of terror and hatred to all Truly the successors of the great Mansor have good cause to rejoyce since the usurper of their Estates hath left so abominable a Race Comfort thy selfe Comfort thy self in thy disgraces The Tyrants who drove thy Ancestors out of Africa have left such heires that they wil soon have reason to envy thee But what said I No No Nephizus who shall be ever dear to me I do not beleeve all this The Love I bear my self hinders me from mine own knowledge and makes me throw on thy inconstancy that change whereof I onely am guilty The audacious Mescenarez having dared to pretend to that which Love reserv'd for thee alone made thee jealous and the little care I took to cure thee of it compell'd thee without doubt to leave mee It may be thou yet wandrest through the Deserts of thy Numidia and askest from Love that he should give thee Iustice for the faith which I have violated If it be so O too credulous Prince return where thou hast left me Thou shalt know how I have suffer'd the wooings and rashnes of Mescenarez and since thy departure whether he or his adherents have been able to get any advantage of the scorn and neglect thou hast made of me Why sawest thou not me as I am now discheveld furious an enemy to my self or rather repentant desolate Thou shouldst have seen me with my knees on the earth tears in my Eyes imploring thy mercy and confessing my self guilty though I am nothing but a most miserable creature But thou most to be abhorred neither carest what I do not what I suffer Thy lightnesse is satisfied in deceiving me may be it now glories in my being abused Go go whether thou wilt the Horror of thy Sex mine I wil folow thee as a Fury making thee suffer a part of those torments which I have endured I wil not permit thee to rejoyce unpunish'd of that death which thou hast given me Benzaida stopping at that word held her eyes some-while fix'd on the planching at thelast she cast them on Nephizus who with Izilia and my selfe hearkned to her without a word speaking and changing her voice t is enough ingratefull man said she t is enough to have reproved thee of thy misdeeds I am in such an humor that I am weary of complaining I wil only tel how long I have sought thee by what chance I heard news of thee Know therefore that some few dayes after thy departure I found my self so extreamly desirous of re-seeing thee that I could not possibly stay longer in Granada I then forsook my Fathers Palace without the knowledge of any but Zamaella and my Nurse and commanding them to take with them all that was necessary for me stole away one night without fearing the cruelty of the Spaniards who ransack'd our country or the dangers of a long Journey and swore never to sojourne in any place of the world till I had met with thee With this resolution I took my way to the Sea-side and as I was ready to imbarque my selfe in a vessell that was bound for Africa the generous Prince which thou shouldst never forget as ingratefull as thou art Tindarache I say being not to be put off neither by my cruelties nor by our common extravagances presented himselfe to me and casting him at my feet besought me I would be pleas'd that he might accompany me Benzaida said he I come not here to make you alter your resolution nor to intreat you to acknowledge my perseverance I come to you because my fidelity commands it and because I cannot resolve to dye till I see you happy These offers much troubled me yet knowing of a long time Tindaraches respect and doubting that I might have need of his assistance I tooke him into my company But for feare he should not observe all that he promis'd me I receive you said I on condition that you take no heed neither to my actions nor my words and look not on me but as on a person that knowes no more what she doth That young Prince full of love and pitty was so much mov'd at my speech that the teares came into his eyes He looked upon me he gaz'd on heaven and being able to endure his fortune without murmuring What ever thou be cried he O Providence
no other love then a judicious and just desire to do good actions to render to every one what is his due to acquire a Noble reputation by legitimate waies and by a wise contempt of a life of few yeares continuance to aâ—…chieve that which shall be everlasting By hearing you make this distinction 〈◊〉 Hyppolitus it seemes you comprehend not that which is properly to be called love I say that violent and imperious passion which proceedes either from inclination or knowledg and raignes â—…o imperiously over our understanding that it â—…braceth the object presented as it were its soveraigne felicity I meane not to admit of that love said the King for I have condemned it from the beginning of my discourse This may be added Hyppolitus because you feare the troubles and disquiets which accompany it But you would not be sorry to see some young beauty passionately in love with you and to give to another that passion you would not entertaine your selfe I have as little intention answered Polexander to give as to receive any love and since it falls fitly now to be spoken of I will tel you truly that if by any fantasticalnesse of Fortune it should betide me to be beloved as you would have me understand it there is nothing I would not doe either to dis-beguile her that had made so ill a choice or to hinder me from seeing her And I said Hyppolitus sighing alowd would leave nothing undone to be never seperated from such a person as you who knowes not so much as the name of love and would fly from me as if I were his Mortall Enemy I pitty you repli'd the King and advise you to what a generous man should doe If you cannot cure your selfe by any remedy may please you try those which seem to you the most dis-agreeable and yet which by their hidden virtue may be extreamely profitable unto you I meane if you cannot be holpen by the enjoying cure your selfe by contempt absence or oblivion Ah! Cruell and bunexperienc'd Councellor cri'd Hyppolitus O remedies more painefull then the disease it selfe I am in the wrong repli'd Polexander 't is true I should have stai'd the prescribing you those last remedies till you had lost all hope Forget them till there be need deare Hippolitus an in the meane time go on to relate to me your fortune I have told it you all repli'd Hyppolitus What have you told me repli'd Polexander That I loved added Hyppolitus and lov'd a personage as insensible and as great an Enemy to love as your Majesty I am very glad continued Polexander for having that conformity with your Mistris since without it I know well you would leave me as some Barbarian that could not polish or civilize himselfe in the abode of politenesse and civility it selfe Thus ended the first converse of Polexander and Hyppolitus and all the time of ouâ—… voyage they had at every foot the like and Polexander alwaies desirous to oblige Hyppolitus to relate his story to him could never draw other thing from him but that he Knew it as well as himselfe and how it consisted in this only that he lov'd an insensible beauty In the meane time Hyppolitus visibly lost that lustre and freshnesse which made him admired at the first meeting He did seldome sleep or eate He never sung but when Polexander pres'd him to it and towards the end he sung so weakly that we judg'd him entring into some dangerous disease Polexander strove to comfort and cheere him and to draw him from this depth of sadnesse made him hope his Mistris would not be so insensible as he imagined To make me hope with reason answered Hyppolitus it behoves your Majesty to make tryall on your selfe and acknowledg whither you may be capable of being sensible No no Sir do not make a proofe so difficult 'T is done already and in saying so he held his peace and after he had some while mused Dye dye said he unfortunate Hyppolitus and by death finde that which thou couldst not get ether by neglect absence or oblivion At last we came to Nantes where Polexander was receiv'd yet with a greate Magnificence then he had been in any of the other Townes on the River of Loire Hyppolitus was the one cause of his disquiet But he was too generous to abandon him in the State he was He besought him to think on his cure and call his courage and Fortune to second his love I would faine make use of your councell said the languishing Hyppolitus but my owne weaknesse opposeth it and the more I endeavour to bring my passion to obedience the more rebellious I find it 'T is your virtue Sir t is that alone which I call to the reliefe of my infirmity Have pitty on a wretch who implores your assistance Lend your hand to one from whom you have taken the strength of upholdding him selfe Be sensible by commiseration if you cannot be so by love and if you will not heale a heart which you have cover'd with wounds yet give a testimoniall at least that you have a feeling and participate of his misery I speak to your Majesty in this manner because I see so great a resembiance betwixt you and the Saint I adore that I continually perswade my selfe if I could but see you once touch'd with my afflictions my Mistris would at last become exorable Polexander who was exceedingly astonish'd at the beginning of this speech came out of it by the artificiall conclusion And to content Hyppolitus he protested to him he was extreamely sensible of his miss-fortunes and wish'd he knew the meanes to overcome them These promises brought back a little courage to Hyppolitus and in a moment He regain'd new strength and beseeching Polexander to stay for him at Nantes two dayes he parted thence with two Squires and a Page and was a day and a halfe in his Journey He return'd not more merry but more resolute then when he parted and then assur'd Polexander he had an intention to follow his first advice and to overcome by absence and forgetfullnesse what he could not otherwayes subdue He told him more that having vainly attempted divers meanes to mollifie his Mistris obdurate heart he intenended to forsake France and in His company to seek the recovery from his malady Polexander was so good that without thinking on what he was He oftentimes imbrac'd Hyppolitus promisd to make him happy and to confirme him in his designe I will said he propose to you an exchange of which 't is possible you may approve Leave an ingratefull Mistris for an acknowledging friend Let friendship take the place of Love and to give your mind an object worthy it make it amorous of honor and immortality Take the Exercise of Armes for a counterpoyson to that melancholy which devours you and in lieu of shedding teares poure forth the blood of your Enemies Surely 't is farre more honourable to command men then to serve a Child and to acquire
a name through perilous adventures then to ruinate your virtue by womanish imployments or rather effeminate idlenesse Let 's leave Hyppolitus let 's leave to women what is proper to women and since we are beleev'd to be men let 's try to do such actions as may not belye the opinion is had of us The painting which becomes us best is the dust sweat and blood wherewith we are cover'd in fight and the wounds we receive then are the beauties and charmes which should winn all generous hearts I perceive well that you condemne this my opinion but I know not how to help it thus farre I am rude Though there be a great difference repli'd Hyppolitus betwixt your Majesties humour and mine yet shall there be no contrariety in our wills I submit absolutely all my reason to yours I condemne all you approve not and how sweet soever Love exerciseth his Empire o're my heart since you professe your selfe his Enemy I will no more brag in being one of his slaves Polexander replying not but with a â—…mile at this gallant talk told Hyppolitus he lov'd him far more a Soldier then he had done being an Amorist The very day of this Declaration Potexander departed from Nantes and with Sailes and Oares hastned to his fleet It would be trouble some to tell you all the Canaryans did to testifie to their King the joy they had in reviewing him He went into all the Vessells prais'd the love and fidelity of the Captaines and Souldiers told them he had not forsaken them but to make himselfe more worthy their affection and imbracing the most eminent assured them he was ready to be their follower to the end of the world By such an obliging and humane fashion of expressing his mind Polexander made his Subjects know he would faine have already been at the Canaryes The Vessell prepar'd to carry him cannot be compar'd but to the statelynesse of that in which you cross'd the Ocean Assoon as Hyppolitus Alcippus Diceus and my selfe were come aboord him all the fleet was warn'd by a Canon shot to set sayle Every one perform'd his charge in a marvelous good order and with a very favourable wind we left the Coasts of France When we were in sight of the Spanish shores Polexander would needs make it appeare to his Enemies that he was sufficiently powerfull and couragious to set on them in their owne Houses He therefore sent six of his lightest men of Warre and himselfe entring into one of the Ports of Galicia burnt many ships landed forc'd a Town extreamly rich took foure or five hundred prisoners and so set sayle again after he had left in Spaine so glorious tokens of his sensibility After that the Portugalls felt what a dangerous thing 't was to get thâ—…mselves powerfull Enemies For Polexander abandon'd and gave in prey as by right of reprisall to the Canaryans all they could meet with in Portugall He himself cast Anchor before Lisbone walls and to terrifie the Inhabitants discharged in three dayes above four thousand Cannon shot on the Towne Their King received that affront without the meanes of repelling it because he was surpris'd and the King my Master before he would withdraw sent and told him by a Herald that he would hold him for a heartlesse Prince if he himself did not presently take armes and be sensible of the injury had been done him and so we presently set Saile and steerd on our course He thought no more on Portugal or Spaniard when his Sentinells discovered many Sailes at the entry of the Streights This Fleet compos'd of many great Gallyons and other vessells of Warre put roome ward to Sea assoone as they had descried us and getting the wind of us made it appear they had command to fight with us Polexander unwilling to lose so faire an occasion put his Army in Batalia and animating his Soldiers by a short and powerfull Oration went the first himselfe to assault the Enemy The fight was indeed very long and furious and though the Spanyards shew'd spirit enough yet had they all been lost there but that the night favoured their flying The King seeing himselfe victorious sent a squadron of his ships after the run-awayes which gave them a sprightfull chase and himselfe the while having taken a view of his gayn and losse retir'd to take a little rest after so long a toyle But he was much hindred by a lamentable spectacle which presented it selfe to his Eyes at his entrance into his Cabin He saw there the faire Hyppolitus all in blood and wounded in divers dangerous places Imagine with your selfe if you please how great his affright was and how much his Sorrow to see in so sad a plight a person that was so deare to him He cried out as loud as he could and being scarce able to stand fail'd little of falling quite backwards Hyppolitus who gaz'd on him with dying Eyes Imagined he would recover and in that opinion putting forth his right hand to him with such an action as was capable to peirce to a feeling even insensibly it selfe Sir said he with a weake voyce fly not the miserable Hyppolitus She is as she ought to be to be pleasing in your Eyes Polexander at these words melted into teares and coming neerer Hyppolitus Infortunate that I am said he to himselfe what have I gotten that is to be compared to my losse But deare Hyppolitus he added stooping to see his wounds do not despayre of life your wounds may be are not so dangerous At that speech Hyppolitus smyl'd and taking the King by the hand No no Sir said he they are not dangerous Nevertheles since t is not in your power to undertake for what is to come command if you please your people to retire that I may discover to you a secret which ought not to be known by any but your selfe Hereupon Polexander bid all withdraw except the two Squires and Hyppolitus Page He rais'd himselfe a little by their help and casting his eyes downwards as ashamed Look on me well said he to Polexander and take notice of the unfortunate Princesse de Foix who to overcome your contempt and cruelty hath been compel'd by her too violent passion to take the habit of a man and the name of Hypolitus But I ought not to complaine of my change since I am obliged to it for the pity yow have had of me Yea Polexander said she in another tone t is to this habit onely that I ow thy compassion for thou wouldst never have had any if my disguize had not hindered thee from knowing me I am now dying ingrateful man but I dye contented since my life was not pleasing to you But I deceive my selfe or you are not to be beleeved Now I please you for I am covered with blood and wounds Looke on me well therefore and preserve that cruelty which I have so long contented withall I now love it when it is advantagious to me Polexander was so
contriver My sonne who now laughes at my advice and would for a need turne Knight errant to maintain the honour of Ladies shall not passe this night without thinking more then once on the young Earle He will represent him to his owne thoughts yet more faire and gallant then he is He will say to himselfe that man leanes on a weak prop who trusts to the vertue of a woman and I dare lose my life if the first journey hee makes he wake not in the night to ponder on what may be done at London and going further on My wife will he say may now doe somewhat else then bewaile my absence This accursed woman having spent all the night in these execrable meditations arose with the Sun and resolv'd the same day to begin and wholly betake her selfe to her 〈◊〉 designe Scarce was shee drest when the Prince her sonne sent to know 〈◊〉 she did and to aske leave to visit her She had resolv'd before in the night to come in to him againe because without that good correspondency she saw no meanes to ruinate Eolinda She therefore told her sonnes Gentleman she should be glad to see him As soon as she heard it he came to her and accosting her with all the excuses and submissions which a good sonne should make use of for the satisfaction of those who brought him into the world kissed her oftentimes and entreated her to forget â—…hat had passed to pardon his quicknesse and to live lovingly with his wife She â—…eigned she had no grudge at all at her but that she loved the Princesse as if shee were her owne daughter To perfect this reconciliation shee went and dined with her son and so cunningly forced her humour that the innocent Eolinda overjoyed at the cherishings of the old woman thought her selfe at the height of her happinesse She related to her with the sincerity of a pure soule all the affliction she had suffered by her to Lovers besought her to be a meanes for their period by one way or other and to take that businesse into more consideration then the Prince her son had done The old woman seeing so good a beginning to her enterprise doubted not of the successe she therefore promised her daughter in law all her assistance assured her of her affection and then changing her minde and discourse according as her malice prompted her forgot what she had told her sonne the evening before and read to her daughter lessons of far higher licentiousnesse and Court gossiping The innocent Lady blushed at the indiscretion of her stepmother and to let her know that she was not so simple as not to discerne what the befittingnesse of her condition permitted from what it permitted not I confesse said shee to her it is impossible to live in the Court as in a cloyster wee must be seen and talked withall whether we will or no. But 't is not fitting that by the affectation of some gesture or ornament which is not usuall wee should draw on us the eyes of young men For my owne part I have ever been of opinion that none can without blame though it be not done of purpose contribute any thing to the extravagancy of so many fooles wherewithall the Court is composed The old woman perceiving Eolinda's minde was not to be infected by the contagion of her maximes sought for some spirits lesse strong to corrupt them She had prefer'd to her Daughter in law a Gentleman-usher and a Gentlewoman of her chamber and thought those might be very fit instruments to set her engines on work which she could not agitate her selfe without discovering her designe She therefore spoke to those two whom she had gotten from the most savage of the highland Scots that is from among beasts lesse rationall then wilde bores or beares and commanded them to have recourse to her as secretly as they could to heare of such things whereby they might in short time attaine to great fortunes Pantaira so was the Chamber-maide called fail'd not the next day to be at the old womans uprising and to make knowne her hopes solely depended on her declaimed against the French pride and the imperious severity of Eolinda The old woman delighted with these depravings told Pantaira that if she had been hearkned to her son had never fetched a wife from the enemies of her nation But said she why doe not you speak to me of your Mistris subtility as well as of her pride She doth not think her selfe meanly faire nor is she of those who neglect their beauty to avoid the importunity of Lovers Ah! Madam repli'd Pantaira I have something to relate to you of good importance on that subject What hastily asked the old woman 'T is answered Pantaira a secret not yet vented The Earle of Lettidur is desperately in love with my Lady I cannot tell you whether she know it but I may well say hee doth his utmost to winne me for him and solicites me by the best of my friends hee promiseth me what I would aske so he might have my service for him to my Lady and deliver her his letters Thou wouldst say the Earle of Trinobant repli'd the old woman Pardon me Madam said Pantaira 't is the Earle of Lettidur who within this yeare and halfe is returned from Italy The old woman entertaining with all her heart this new occasion for Eolinda's ruine And is that Earle said she to the perfidious Pantaira so enamoured on thy Mistris He is so farre gone repli'd Pantaira as he would gladly winne her favour with all the meanes his father hath left him He is continually prosecuting his intention and when my Lady is where hee cannot see her hee presently comes to my friend and never comes thither but to discourse of his love and to oblige her by his gifts to perswade me to serve him That woman is become rich with his presents within two or three moneths and but for the feare of disobeying you I had had a good share in his liberalities Thou hast done well said the old woman in not engaging thy selfe in that commerce without my knowledge But now when 't is behoovefull for my sonnes satisfaction that wee know all the Earle of Lettidur's intention deale boldly with him promise thy service let him see what credit thou hast with thy mistris in a word take all he will give thee and make him hope he shall possesse all he can desire After she had so well instructed the chamber maid she dismissed her and the very evening of the same day finding a convenient time to speak with Eolinda's Usher Lycambus said shee I begin to complaine with thee for the small benefit accrewes to thee from thy service had I thought my daughter in law would have done no more for her servants I had been more wary of taking thee from thy former place to make thee loose thy time in serving so ill a mistris but there is an occasion presents it self wherein without being
beholding to her thou mayst raise thy self an honest fortune I will assist thee in what I can and promise thee withall the same from my son Be then thine own friend hazard thy self for thy advancement and make use of the means I will shew thee The Earle of Trinobant is extreamly in love with thy mistris and hath an intent to imploy thee in his suit my sonne knowes it from a good hand and inasmuch as he is confident of thy fidelity and that it much imports him to know all the Earles pretentions he desires thou wouldst prevent him and handsomly go offer him thy service Fit thy selfe therefore to make good use of this occasion obey punctually thy masters commands and worke those furtherances which may be necessary for thee to screw thy self into the Earles trust and confidence Lycambus who had no more braines then a horse ne're thought of asking time to give an answer to her propositions The first thing he took hold on was that of gain he grew dazled with the lustre of his approaching fortune and scarce being able to contain himself in his excesse of joy was like to expresse the height of it by throwing his armes about the necke of the old woman She hindered that brutishnesse and told Lycambus he should yet have more then he expected provided he were vigilant ready faithfull and above all extreamly secret Lycambus laugh'd at these conditions as at things which were easy to be perform'd and so returned to his mistris with a firm resolution to bet ray her assoon as possibly he could In the mean time the innocent Lady beleeving she had fully justified her selfe and shut up for ever those winds which are wont to trouble the calmes of wedlocke sail'd securely on an unfaithfull sea And inlarging her self from her usuall severity at the intreaty of her husband and counsell of her false mother in law tooke delight in tricking her self and to make it appeare that the French beauties are not parallel'd but by themselves She was the glory of the English court and acquiring still new charmes by the quietnesse of her mind and the extream love of the Prince her husband made as many conquests as there were sensible hearts But amongst so many different passions there were none like those of the two Earles their desires increased every moment and their impatiency made them have recourse to the most extraordinary remedies to get them some little lessening of pain in so great a malady Pantaira and Lycambus following the order prescrib'd offered themselves to these sick men and so highly extoll'd the goodnesse of their drugs that they sold them at their owne price Pantaira receiving at first a quantity of jewells from the Earle of Lettidur took a letter hee had written to Eolinda and promis'd to deliver it to her I dare sweare she durst not so much as name him to her much lesse deliver his letter Yet she made that Lover beleeve it was receiv'd and read with a signe of affection and by the answers shee made him her self by word of mouth oblig'd him to write above a dozen all which she shewed to the pernicious old woman and by her counsell hid them in the bottome of a cabinet wherein Eolinda's jewells lay On the other side the Earle of Trinobant beleeving he had found a treasure in acquiring Lycambus friendship wholly reli'd on him and indeed he was so well serv'd for his money that Eolinda went no where but he had notice of it 'T was to small purpose her seeking out the Churches least frequented for feare of meeting him for being betray'd by her Usher the Earle was alwaies there before her She could not make a visit but she there met the same displeasure and if by chance she scap'd his importunities she was sure to be persecuted by those of the Earle of Lettidur Who poore abused Lover imagining according to Pantaira's assurance that she affected him oftentimes would let slip some words and intreat Eolinda not to treate him worse in publick then she did in private She that was far from understanding his speech could not but be offended at it and told the Earle one day he wrong'd such personages as were powerfull enough to make him repent of it I have done repli'd the Earle and since you are so scrupulous I will not take the boldnesse to entertaine you any more but by my usuall mediatour Eolinda was as far from knowing what he meant by these words as by the former yet she fear'd lest there were a great deale of venome hidden under them and as soon as she was alone with her husband renew'd her complaints to him and entreated he would goe passe away some moneths in a faire house he had some twenty miles from London on the side of the River Thames but hee gave no more heed to her request now then he had done before Yet a while after by the diabolicall subtlety of his mother perceiving some commerce between Pantaira and the Earle of Littidur and the like between Lycambus and the Earle of Trinobant he began a little to suspect not the vertue of his wife but the perfidy of those two mercenary soules He therefore set a watch on their deportments and since these watches had order not to hide themselves from him 't was an easie matter for him to take them in the manner as he did Pantaira coming out from her copesmate who gave her a letter which she had newly receiv'd from the Earle of Littidur He read it and finding therein some passages not only of one amourous but of an amourous man much belov'd againe he was like to have cast himself headlong in the Thames on whose banckes he walked and read the letter But he with-held and would not act so notable a folly after he had made shew of so much discretion He kept the letter and commanded Pantaira to say nothing of what had betyded her on paine of her life When he was come home he shut himselfe up in his closet and after he had a while suffered himselfe to be swayed by the impetuosity of his anger he recollected himselfe and consulting as hee had been dis-interessed in a businesse of so great weight I see not yet said hee but some light presumptions for to beleeve a thing so beyond appearance 't were not too much to have the testimony both of mine eyes and eares I must not make known my resentment but to very good purpose nor discover this secret to my mother but in case of extremity For hating Eolinda as she doth she will never leave till she have forc'd me to work her confusion Let me reserve to my selfe the knowledge of this matter and not give that advantage to my enemies to publish to them my self my weaknesse and dishonour In this good resolution he abode some few daies and had power enough over his thoughts to disclose nothing of so intricate and perplexed a businesse But Fortune or rather the Justice of heaven
great apprehensions that both sleeping and waking me thought I still saw that deare Prince in his grave Had I not fear'd his displeasure I had gone to see him in his Army But rather willing to be unfortunate then to undertake ought he might dislike I had recourse to my vowes and prayers and did then nothing but beg from heaven either to take me from the world or preserve to me the friendship of my deare Lord without which my life was a torment to me In lesse then three weeks I sent above twenty Postes into Guinea Those who most truly loved me return'd with that haste I commanded them and brought me the Kings letters I receiv'd them with that transport of joy you may imagine But when I saw not in them those termes of love I had read in the former Alas cried I I have lost my Lords affection Unfortunate that I am some one of my actions or of my words have receiv'd an ill interpretation I confesse deare Zabaim I have erred but how great soever my offence be it merited not so rigorous a punishment since my heart never consented to it My griefe had even carried me to despaire if my women had not used all kinde of reasons to suppresse it Sometimes they accused me for suffering my self to be deceiv'd by vaine imaginations then they put me in minde that time and businesse had changed the Kings amorous thoughts into others more serious These considerations did a while master my sorrow but a little after I rejected them and would receive no more comfort At last after I had well wept written much long expected and made many prayers and sacrifices my deare Lord return'd to me I did not think to see him of eight dayes when he came into my chamber This suddaine welcome surprisall so transported me that going to meet him I lost at once my strength my knowledge and my sight What did not that good King doe seeing the excesse of my love He kissed me a thousand times and wetting my cheekes with his teares stood a while without turning his eyes from me When he saw I came not againe he caused me to be carried and laid on my bed where joyning his mouth to my cheeks Poore Princesse said he aloud that my Nurse might heare him can I be rationall and betray thee as I do With that he held his peace and stirr'd not from my boulster till some remedies had recovered me which by little and little I did and the first thing I took notice of were some teares which were yet on my deare Lords face That sight presently blotting out all displeasing imaginations that remain'd yet behinde and making me believe I had ill conceiv'd them I gently let fall my head on Zabaims cheek and thus bespake him Your Almanzaira then is yet pleasing to you She may yet glory she enjoyes your favour and time hath not depriv'd her of that which love had given her The King could not answer me His Speech was restrained by I know not what hinderance but his silence and teares assured me of his love farre better then his words would have done I besought him to go take a little rest and after so long and painefull a journey not to give himselfe new vexations To these words I added a many more and entreated him so often to looke to his preservation that he arofe from me but in rising said Ah Almanzaira how happy should we be if we might be alwayes together Though that Speech made me feare some new disaster yet I made all other thoughts give place to that of the Kings health and pressed him so hard to go repose himselfe that he gave me that contentment He was not above two houres away when he came again to me where he passed the evening and part of the night In all which time he left not to entertaine me in the same manner he was wont before his voyage Nay me thought he had in his speeches more of tendernesse and of passion then I had noted in those I had from him when his love was most violent I know well these particularities doe but weary you and you may laugh at my simplicity but pardon if you please for this troublesome remembrance a woman who loves nothing in the world but her husband and yet cannot have the contentment to be with him Five or sixe dayes together the King was in his good humour and I already esteemed my selfe the most fortunate Princesse of my time when I found my feares were just my suspitions reasonable and the Kings kinde usage but forced He fell without any apparent cause into so deep a melancholy and was mov'd with so much impatience and disquiets that in all the Court there was none but I who found him supportable My entertainement grew troublesome to him all companies displeas'd and not suffering himselfe to be seene but seldome he abode whole dayes retired in his Cabinet His anxiety went yet further It made him hate his Palace the aboade in townes and the frequency of his Courtiers He retir'd him to a Castle which his Predecessors had built for their pleasure in hunting and seem'd to be delighted with that Sport to have some pretence and meanes to muse and plod at his liberty and wander the woods alone This life made me feele my first griefes and search all the imaginable meanes to know the cause of it and thereto to apply a remedy Before I had recourse to those extraordinary I would try the most speedy and facile I therefore went to the King in his retirement and besought him by his first affection to tell me the cause of his melancholy Deare Almanzaira said he if it be true that thou yet lovest me doe not enquire after my affliction Get thee from me and let me undergoe the punishment I have deserved The feare I had to displease him kept me from pressing him any farther or staying longer with him With mine eyes drown'd in teares I left him and promised in that to shew my obedience as well as in all other things Believe what I am now about to tell you and thereby judge of my Lords noble nature He could not refraine from weeping when I went from him and the griefe he had to see me afflicted made him to teare his haire and oftentimes beg his death from the Deities When I was come back to Senega my first sorrowes renewed and feare representing to me the future more unfortunate then I have found it made me leade a life so retired as if with the Kings favour I had for ever lost the hope of seeing him againe At last I threw my selfe into the armes of the afflicteds Comforter and thence supplicated for sufficient strength to resist so prodigious a calamity Truly that Bounty that would not have a teare of theirs lost who are conformable to its will suffer'd not mine to be fruitlesse but granted all I petitioned for See how it hap'ned You may please to know that
they arriv'd where Zabaim was on the very point he was about to give battle They did that day incredible things and Almanzor according to his happy fare came to assist the King when hee was like to be slaine Zabaim got the victory but he was so wounded as hee was faine to be carried out of the Field In all likelihood the joy for the victory and the good successe of businesse should have beene excellent balme to have cured that Prince's wounds but it happen'd that his suffering himselfe to be transported with paine melancholy and impatiency they contested with the Physicians and Chirurgions art and the vertue of their remedies his wounds were invenomed by the troubles of his mind and grew so worse and worse that it behoov'd them to carry him farre from the noise of the Army to avoyde a greater mischance he was brought to the Palace of the ancient Kings of Guinea which is built at the bottome of the Straights of Camboës and for feare lest in his absence the Rebells might make head againe he appointed Almanzor in his place and gave him all the Command he had over his Troopes Almanzor made so good use of his authority and by the miracles of his valour so much terrified the enemy that in lesse then six moneths all Guinea was reconquered and the name of Zabaim more beloved or at least more feared then it had been after his first Conquest Almanzor loaden with palmes and honour left his Army with the King of Tombut and came to Zabaim he was almost cured but his melancholy and griefe were not yet suppressed Long time he embraced Almanzor and a hundred times call'd him his Son and Protector but though in outward shew he witnessed an extreame joy yet he could not bridle his affliction nor dissemble the griefe that overcame him Almanzor tooke notice of it and being once in private with him besought to make knowne whence proceeded that anxiety and discontent which he strove to conceale from him I wish answered Zabaim you had never beene at Morocco I foresee such misfortunes as I shall be extreame sensible of and are already so much the more insupportable to mee since all my foresight can afford no remedy with that he sighed and the feare of what might betide so vively touched him that he could not goe on with his discourse Almanzor who lov'd that Prince no lesse then him of Benin fell at his feet and intreated him to discover the cause of his sorrow But Sir said hee doe not beleeve I make this Petition to satisfie my curiosity No 't is to offer you all you can expect from a Sonne leave not then your making use of my service dispose of my armes and life if either the one or the other can any wayes redresse your afflictions and give mee not cause by your refusall to beleeve that absence and time have lessened your affection Zabaim after long consultation with himselfe resolv'd to satisfie Almanzor Know said he sighing 't is your consideration afflicts me and not mine owne I feare the danger whereto I my selfe must expose you not that I doubt your valour or have lost the remembrance of those brave acts you have lately performed 't is my love that cannot suffer you to hazard your life againe hitherto I have given you over freely to your valour and the darts of my enemies but doe you know why 'T was because my fortune was more deare to me then your preservation but now since all my Crownes nay not my life is nothing so deare to me compar'd with you I wish you without courage I hate warre I detest all quarrells and in a word I feare all occasions wherein honour might ingage you Almanzor containing himselfe in the modesty of a man who hath no great opinion of himselfe Sir said he to the King if the love you beare mee disquiet you I beseech you let the same affection free you of that trouble I desire to be belov'd of you but 't is fit if you please that your love be peacefull that it be just and that it leave all timidities frailties and vexations to the passions of that Sex which is compos'd of nothing but feare weaknesse and perturbation it selfe Tell mee therefore what I have to doe and what terrible enemy it is that awakeneth your feare for me Zabaim beleeving he should wrong Almanzors courage to persevere in his doubt Know said he that Alcidiana's beauty hath gotten you the hatred of the Prince of Fez he beleeves you pretend to her favour and since you parted from Morocco his jealousie hath hurried him through all Africa to finde you he hath beene at the Canaries he hath run through all the Countries of Tombut of Meda and Senega at last and within these two dayes he is come hither with a resolution rather to expect you here yet six moneths then to lose the occasion of meeting with you he is very valiant but he is no lesse proud The greatnesse of his birth and the combates hee hath sought have given him so insolent an opinion of himselfe as he imagines he is the terrour of all other Princes I vow to you that my greatest griefe is not for seeing you engag'd in a combate which questionlesse will be very furious but I sorrow for your being here since your friends would have taken your place and made knowne to your Rival that there needs not a valour so great as yours to humble his pride Almanzor concealing from Zabaim the advantage he had had over the Prince of Fez I am sorry said hee that amorous Prince is become so jealous of a man that intends not to crosse his affection not that I am ignorant of the incomparable merit of a Princesse whose Fame flies through all Lands I admire her vertues I finde her worthy the vowes of all hearts which are capable of love but I am not a man of sufficient merit to pretend to the honour of serving her This verity Sir is but for our particular satisfaction if you love me conceale it for you know well it toucheth my reputation to publish it let the jealous Abdelmelec therefore doe what he pleaseth I have neither excuse nor justification for him but repli'd Zabaim that which most troubles me in this businesse is that you must necessarily see him for I cannot in civility chuse but lodge him in the palace and entertaine him as a Prince my Ally Almanzor would have rectifi'd some of these sleight difficulties when Abdelmelec who may be had heard of his arrivall came to Zabaim the fire sparkled from his eyes and witnessing by his gate as well as countenance how farre hee was distracted from himselfe I understand said he to the King that he who boasts he gave me my life is with you the impatiency I am in to maintaine with my sword that hely'd would not suffer mee to stay any longer from knowing the truth of it Zabaim told him Almanzor was arriv'd and strove by his speeches
not if you please renew them by making us call to minde their Author His name makes us tremble and our memories which in spight of us retaine the image of him never represent it without making us suffer yet more tortures then that tyrant had prepared for us You have most just cause Madam repli'd Almanzor to condemne that barbarous man into an eternall oblivion yet give me leave to call to minde his impudencies and that their excesse may vively remaine in my memorie that he may not vannt to have wronged without punishment No no my Lord repli'd Axiamira 't is not fit you should trouble your selfe to inflict ought on him he is sufficiently and rigorously chastised in living with Zelopa 't is the greatest torture his most animated enemies are able to inflict upon him I doe what I can said my deare master to have no other will then yours but when I take into consideration the state of Zabaim pardon me if I say you are too good in not wishing him a greater punishment then Zelopa I confesse 't is high nay 't is even insupportable but he is not sensible of it and his insensibilitie makes him meet his delights where you finde your afflictions Axiamira was long silent at last she began againe and blushing as she had been asham'd of her owne thoughts Osmin said she to Almanzor can tell you Zabaim hath not all the insensibilitie you imagine If he be not very insensible repli'd Almanzor he is at least blinde and very irrationall to love the infamous Zelopa and have no respect to a personage which shall not be worthily enough stil'd though she be called the wonder of her age the astonishment of Africa the desire of all soules and the felicitie of all eyes Yes Madam I repeat it and be pleased I doe so Zabaim is a monster which nature hath produced to make Africa more horrible then ever it was before since he hath had ignorance and brutalitie enough to treat you with lesse respect then he doth a Sorceresse a prostituted Strumpet Love also disavowes him and asham'd that one so barbarous should make him Author of his crimes throwes himselfe at your feet to justifie himselfe of Zabaim's insolencies and protests to you with his drowned eyes he never inspired him with so foule and criminall cogitations Axiamira a little lifting up her eyes as if she would know who 't was that spoke to her witnessed with a very good grace that she was astonied and retyring a little backward I am said she so little used to heare so faire words as I confesse I know not how to answer them Hitherto I have received nought but injuries both from men and the elements and either of them have treated me as the scandall and infamie of my Sex I have passed for a vagabond for a slave and may be for something worse Those that have been more just would not condemne me before they knew mee and when they had that knowledge finding me not very guiltie they called me the unfortunate Innocent After that my Lord judge if it be not a strange noveltie to me to heare my selfe termed to be the wonder of my age the astonishment of Africa the desire of all soules and felicitie of all eyes Certainly I am so much amazed at it that the confusion it causeth in my soule is greater then it shewes in my face Reserve those titles for some others since they cannot be justly attributed to me fit your words to my necessitous condition call me vagabond call me unfortunate call me a slave and I shall be able to understand and to answer you Many shipwracks many prisons and many other indignities have been as so many Masters which have taught me this dolefull language Axiamira said no more but 't was too much to draw out of Almanzor's heart all he had remaining of reason and liberty He confessed himselfe absolutely overcome and with a great deale of pleasure put on the chaines he had so long time refused He thought on the excesse of his happinesse and that consideration plucking him from himselfe he remained so exceedingly transported that of a thousand things hee spoke to Axiamira whether it were to praise her to give her thankes or to shew his passion there was not one of them but discovered the alteration of his judgement Axiamira perceived it and by a nimblenesse of wit which is not comparable but with it selfe I wonder not said she if you expresse your selfe so ill since I make you speake a language which you never practised The happinesse which attends you the honour which invirons you and the adoration you receive from so many Nations which affect or feare you have a particular language and it must be absolutely unknowne to any that would understand the tongue of the miserable and afflicted Almanzor ravished with Axiamira's wit as much as by her beauty sighed very deeply in lieu of answering her but his discretion imposed a rigorous silence on the agitations of his passion and obliged him to speake and tell Axiamira He had no need of an Interpreter either to understand or to answer her That in that little time he had the honour to see her he had perfectly learned the language of the unfortunate and the slave Axiamira beleeving by these words that doubtlesse Almanzor was about to disclose his passion to her called Osmin who unperceivably was gotten a little off and told him if he came not to intertaine the Prince he would run the hazard of being quickly wearied with so ill company My deare Master soone understood the subtlety of Axiamira's wit and her wisdome and that knowledge inflaming him more then he was I perceive well said he to himselfe that my servitude will last as long as my life in the meane time to let her see that he absolutely conformed himselfe to her will he began againe and addressing his words to Osmin Father said he I think you too happy in being accompanied in your disasters by a personage not onely able to comfort you but powerfull enough to take away all feeling of them Osmin replied with the gravity of a father speaking of his childe and his wife interposing her selfe in the discourse shewed she could not so well act her part as her husband Axiamira continued still her faining but Almanzor who could no longer be deceiv'd by it noted in all that maidens words that she was infinitely above what shee would seeme to be I should be infinitely tedious generous Sir if I did not cut off the most part of those private converses to tell you in a word how my deare master forgetting all to think of nought else but Axiamira so imprudently demeaned himselfe in his love that Abrinzias and Andromeda perceived it They lov'd him no lesse then they did Perseus and thought themselves no lesse obliged to have an eye to the actions of the one then of the other They therefore resolved to withdraw Almanzor from an affection which seemed
with all the freenesse and bounty we could hope from him and for mine owne particular I was with him in that esteem as had not the remembrance of the King my master and the love I bore him continually crossed my repose I had met wherewithall to lose the memory of my countrey and blesse the houre of my banishment You have seene that Prince His two Sons have felt the weight of your armes and all that Court amaz'd at your valour have expos'd to you all that it had of most magnificent This being so I might justly be accused of the imperfection incident to those of my age if I should make you a description of it I must therefore go on and tell you that after I had beene two or three months with Hely so was the good King of Moroccoes name I got so farre into him that there passed nothing in the State nor in his royall house wherein he tooke not my advise The second year of my service with him began those bloudy tragedies which ambition and love exhibited to his two Sons and I presently foresaw the unhappy Catastrophes I presently gave that Prince such counsell as had sav'd him his Crowne and life had he not lesse lov'd them both then he did two the most ingratefull and vicious children of the world Nephisus so was the youngest called being retir'd from the Court with a resolution to have by fire and sword what was due to him by birthright made himselfe Master of Guargetsem which is seated on a point of the Mount Atlas and thrusting farre into the Ocean shelters the mouth of the River of Sus from all the North winds The Portugals who had not cherished the divisions of the Kings house but for their own gaine offered Nephisus both men and Armes and put into the Fortresse all things necessary to defend it against the whole force of Morocco The good Prince Hely earnestly put on by his Priests remonstrances and the counsell which I thought my selfe bound to give him departed from the City of Morocco and with a potent Army falling into the countrey of Sus beleaguer'd Guargetsem But when he thought on Nephisus whom he dearely lov'd he let fall his armes and shewing himselfe to be too good a father would not have his Army oppose themselves against the fury â—…f that unnaturall Son Presently he sent such as had beene beforetime most pleasing to him to intreat him to acknowledge his fault to breake off instantly with the enemies of his greatnesse and religion and not to give over for a prey a Country which should be so much the more deare to him because it was to be a part of his Dominions But Nephisus insensible of that excesse of goodnesse attributed his fathers extreame love to him to a weakenesse of spirit and want of courage and like some beasts that grow more furious when they are claw'd and strok'd he became very ragefull because he was no more powerfully set on Every day he made sallies and bragg'd among his confederates that the Corps of the King his father should shortly serve him for a step to the throne But see an example of that to be dreaded Justice which never lets passe unpunished so prodigious crimes as those of Nephisus At one of his Sallies the Governour of Taradant a bold and trusty Knight as ever was in Mauritania met bustled overthrew him and tooke him prisoner The good Hely no sooner heard these newes but he came out of his tent ran to meet his Son and finding him in the midst of an armed troupe embrac'd him wept on him called him his best beloved and his heire and intreated him to pardon the Governour of Taradant for his daring to lay hands on him Nephisus intimated his distraction and stomach by his silence and though a Prisoner threatned those who hindred him from executing his pernicious resolutions But the respect they bore to the father made them patiently indure the insolencies of the Son I was one of those that stood stiffely for his detention and by a just boldnesse withdrawing Hely from his fatall debonarity made him know that he was father of his people before he was so of his Son and by consequence that he could not be indulgent to the crimes of the one without becomming culpable of the miseries of the other Hely who was not lesse judicious then facile confessed with a great deale of mildnesse that my remonstrances were just and my counsell wholesome but said he what shall become of my Son 'T is better that I perish in the age I am then you should be bound to deprive my Estate by the death of Nephisus of those felicities it attended from his government The Kings principall Officers would have gladly pleased but not lost him but foreseeing that Nephisus liberty would be the death of Hely they were strongly resolved against his clemency and told him that if he would not doe his Subjects justice his Chieftaines were resolv'd to forsake him To this he answered nothing unIesse it were they should remember he was a father and his silence passing amongst us for a secret consent Nephisus was remitted into his hands who had taken him Whilst he conducted him to Taradant he assail'd Guargessem and the Commander's captivity taking away the Souldiers hearts the place was rendred within a moneth of it's beleaguring The Portugals failing in their plot retir'd and Hely presently entred the fortresse At first he was insensible of his good fortune but the continuall representing to him the unnaturalnesse of his Son and denoting the defects he fell into against his owne estate through his too much clemency he grew sensible of his errour and gave those men thankes who maugre his countermands had appli'd a remedy to it We were both one evening discoursing of those occurrences when on the sudden a surious winde mingled with lightning and thunder drew the good Hely to his chamber window either to divert his sad cogitations or rather to intertaine them with so fearfull and dismall an object Whilst he stood as it were buried in his musings I descri'd a far off at Sea two great fires which sometimes approached and then againe went off from one another At the noyse I made in seeing them the King came out of his meditation and perceiving the cause of my astonishment stood very heedfull to see what would become of those fires The winde which blew from the West Easterly made them make a great deale of way in a small time and brought them so neer us that we distinctly saw they were two ships which may be had fir'd one another because they could not otherwise get a victory Hely who was of the most sensible and humane nature I ever yet knew presently shar'd in the calamity of those that were confin'd to those burning vessels and though he deem'd them Portugals and by consequence his Enemies yet he shew'd his desire to relieve them He sent divers of his guard to take all the
tremble yet so that it neither troubled his minde nor judgement He thought a while on what he had heard and made a little noise that he might as well satisfie his eyes as his eares presently he saw come out from behinde the tombe an apparition like to that Alcippus had describ'd to him he was extreamely pleas'd at that sight and not doubting but it was a Spirit resolv'd to aske it newes of what was to come and to know whether he should give over the hope of seeing Alcidiana againe when therefore he saw the Ghost neere enough to him Be not offended said he faire soule who even in the grave retainest thy love and fidelity if I disturb the peace and silence of this sad abode unfortunate lover that I am I seeke every where for some one that may instruct me by what way I may return towards the glorious and worthy cause of my flames and afflictions If pity have any place in thee amorous Spirit be favourable to a man full of love Help a wretch which wanders sea and land without regaining the blisse he hath lost and tell him whether Time reserves nought for him but death for the end of all his miseries Thoâ—… art deceiv'd replied the Spirit I see no clearer then thou dost into future things and though my abode my habit and countenance make me passe for a Ghost know yet I have onely the resemblance of one but am indeed a most unfortunate mayden who in this tombe bewaileth a bloudy and precipitated death and a life farre more worthy of compassion This speech amaz'd Polexander more then the former had done or the thought he had of that miserable mayden and looking on her as on something more strange then a phantasme Who will ever beleeve said he that your love to an ingratefull man hath been able to worke in you so prodigious a perseverance as to make your selfe an enemy to light life and your selfe only to preserve your heart for an unmercifull man who contemnes it Goe not on in these revilings repli'd the mayden I love the cruell Solyman too well to suffer him to be censured his rigours are pleasing to me his insensibility augments my passion I am all fire because he is all ice But let us breake off a discourse which neither merits thy paines nor mine Since thou art in love get farre away from these aboades which are so mortall to Lovers and trouble no longer the unhappy peace of two poore Sisters who have met with none from the time of their birth I wish Madam replied Polexander it were fitting to obey you I should then be farre from interrupting by my presence the repose you finde in your selfe-persecution for I know by a long and rigorous experience that consolations are new griefes to afflicted soules and the greatest enemies the misfortunate meet withall are those indiscreet Counsellours who would perswade them they should leave to be sicke assoone as they should cease to refuse the remedies But when I call to minde what my birth and profession bindes me to I finde my selfe compell'd to continue troublesome and to intreat you by that ingratefull man you too-much love to let me know if there be no meanes left to you to be avenged of his ingratitude I have vowed said the desolate Lady never to discover my griefe but on a condition to which I thinke it not just to ingage you How strange soever that condition be repli'd Polexander I subscribe to it provided I may execute it and not be faithlesse and disloyall Your generousnes quoth the Lady revives those hopes which were with me buried in this tombe I imagine you may bring some ease to my afflictions and I may finde their end if I left to you the guidance of my fortune I therefore accept your offer and even now make you the Judge betwixt Solyman and my selfe and condemne me voluntarily to finish my miserable life farre from those faire eyes which sometime inlightned my Soule if my pretentions and prosecution appeare not as equitable as they may seeme strange unto you After the Lady had ended this Speech she opened the place inclosed by the ballisters and taking Polexander by the hand Let us said she goe hence into another place not farre off we shall there finde a place more fit to entertaine our passions she walked whilst she spoke thus and Polexander who led her saw come from out the sides of the tombe two maydens clad like the former which slowly and softly followed her and seem'd by their action they were not loath to abandon so sad an habitation Assoone as Polexander was out of that obscurity which shaded the beauties of the desolate Lady he found them so extraordinary as he began in good earnest to hate the ingratefull person that had despis'd them He took too from thence a new occasion to entertaine the Lady and intimating to her his admiration That barbarian said hee who could look on so much attraction and yet preserve his infamous liberty was surely borne among those horrible rockes which an eternall winter covers with â—…akes of ice and snow 'T is doubtlesse some monster whom angry nature produc'd in some extream corner of Scythia Turkes are naturally cruell and unpitifull but they are not insensible and the furious tyrants who in their unjust anger spare nor age nor sex yet have hearts capable of love and to please their slaves can sometime lose the title of master and conquerour If any allurement repli'd the afflicted Lady could have mov'd the heart of insensible Solyman it must have beene more powerfull then my sister's or my beauty neither have we pretended thereby to gaine to us that great heart who as obdurate as he is can neither be accused of savagenes nor barbarisme He is no Turk but by the injustice of his fortune nature hath made him born from a Prince who was no lesse polite then courageous and both France and Greece which have equally contributed to his birth publish who shall most that if Solyman had not the great Polexander for his brother he should be held the first of men Madam said the Prince you amaze me to have so much love and goodnesse for one so ingratefull as should have exhausted all But who should that Solyman be halfe Greeke and halfe French Was it not the sonne of the unfortunate Periander whom the cruell Usurper of Constantinople even feared in his fetters You know repli'd the Princesse the amiable author of our long afflictions 'T is that Prince happy in his misfortunes who changing his name of Iphidamantus for that of Solyman exchanged his prison for the favour of the redoubtfull Baiazet and is found susceptible of all kind of alteration excepting that which may be advantagious to my sister or my selfe Polexander had more particularly inform'd himselfe of his brother's adventures had he not seene Cydaria who all affrighted with the seeing him conversing with that faire apparition drew backe still as he came
of being taken prisoner was more sensible to him then his honour of killing so many enemies The Emperour on the other side that would not sit downe with the affront he had receiv'd in the person of his Lieutenant put a terrible Army into the Field divided the Generalty between Achomat and Haly Basha and gave the command of the Janizaries to Solyman this second voyage was more glorious and favourable then the first The Souldan of Egypt was reduc'd shamefully to aske peace of his Enemy and constrained by Solyman's incredible valour to abandon many places he had taken But ô how fatall was the honour of your insensible brother to my poore sister and me And what powerfull baites did his palmes adde to the charmes and allurements of his person We look'd on him no more as on the faire slave but as on a victorious Prince who by his valour and fortune might aspire even to the Empire of the Othomans My sister who all her life time bore an extraordinary love to all extraordinary vertues and who had a courage no lesse high then her father and her lover was perpetually fix'd in contemplating the exploits of the latter and for his valour's sake excusing his insensibility Thou dost well said she sometimes thou dost well generous Solyman not to hearken to such requests as would stop the current of thy great actions Pursue them with the same boldnesse thou hast begun and leave us alone in our solitude to waste our miserable dayes in griefes vexations and unprofitable desires I was alone with Histeria when she thus talk'd to absent Solyman I interrupted her and beginning to be angry at our bootlesse perseverance Truely said I we justly merit the sorrowes we undergoe since we are so great Enemies to our selves as so much to applaude our tyrant What wonderfull thing hath this ingratefull man done who scornes us that we should with so much joy entertaine his disdaines and blesse the hand which cuts the thread of our life Beleeve me my deare sister Solyman laughes at our easinesse and infallibly holds that onely because we so submissively solicite him we deserve to be sleighted Why reply'd Histeria speak you so boldly since you finde in your selfe that your heart and thoughts disavow it Doe not flatter your selfe Melicerta but freely make knowne your resentment Is your reason able to make good the revolt it adviseth Are you sure it will not forsake you when you must come to the decision Consult with your selfe and examine whether you have courage enough to resolve in good earnest to scorne him that neglects you No no you cannot breake the fetters you weare all your endeavours to compasse it doe nothing but multiply your sufferings you resolve on many things but you cannot nor will not put them in execution make no doubt of it Melicerta you shall all your life time love Solyman with his indifferences his coolnesse and his insensibility For mine owne part I must cease to live when I would give over loving him Nature and inclination which have brought on my affection have made me love him without condition or reservation Neither disdaine nor ingratitude can release me from that necessity Love Solyman sayes my Inclination But if he be insensible if he be unrespective if he be even an enemy to my passion have I reply'd oftentimes For all that it hath answered love him still and know that thy amity shall be the more perfect because its existence depends on nothing but it selfe and hath lesse commerce with things without it Alas Histeria said I deare Histeria I am enforc'd to my great griefe to confesse my thoughts are conformable to yours and that I vainly strive to resâ—… the most unjust passion wherewithall our soules could ever be persecuted I love the ingratefull Solyman and I would dare say that I love him against my will if at the same time when I thinke so my will did not disavow it I should never make an end if I pass'd not in silence the most part of those discourses begotten and produc'd by our younger errours But I leave them and let 's see the victorious Solyman enter Constantinople as much cover'd with Palmes and Laurets as wee were full of flames and impatiency The Emperour willing to gratifie his great services made him a Basha and inriching him beyond his hopes gave him one of his fairest Palaces and this way tooke him out of the power of Achomat The liberty hee had recover'd and the great meanes he had acquir'd by so honourable wayes had beene the greatest part of our joy if that Prince's good fortune had not been the ruine of our own I will not tell you to what an extreame torment wee were brought by his absence his prosperities were to us new causes of sorrow and when we came to thinke they hastened our destruction we day and night cursed them and at one same time wish'd Solyman Emperour of the Turkes and that he might still be a slave These different wishes ruining themselves by their mutuall extravagancy we knew not at last what to eschew or what to desire The very evening that ingratefull man arriv'd onely advis'd by our phrensie we resolv'd to let him see in writing what we had no hope to let him know from ou mouthes Presently we severally writ to him but neither of us being pleased with our letters we threw them into the fire and were of opinion wee should better expresse our thoughts if we did inclose them in one same paper Histeria therefore began to write for us both I did so too and after many alterations we approv'd of the letter I will now rehearse to you and sent it to our enemy It was thus if my memory faile me not The two Sisters to SOLYMAN BASHA VVEE should be guilty of that crime whereof we accuse others if we were not sensible of your honour and 't is to witnesse the pleasure we take in it that wee have hazarded these lines to you your good fortune would have taken from us the use of prayer if it had cured you of your insensibility We begge nothing from heaven but the end of that ill after our obtaining the period of others doe not make it incurable Solyman but let pity worke the remedy We would say Love but we feare lest that word should offend you yet give us leave to tell you what we doe and read without anger that time and absence which ruinate things the best established daily strengthen our affection We have made a progresse from the Love of Inclination to that of Understanding and that which at first had no reason at all hath now such strong ones as you must absolutely deprive us of judgement if you goe about to make us alter our resolutions Doe not imitate such ill examples as those with whom the Princes favour hath fill'd up the History of this Court. Doe not forget your selfe because you are fortunate and if you have not alter'd your minde change at
call Reason would faine by its specious considerations rob me of my desire as well as it hath done of my hope But her counsell is too weak to be hearkned to and the pearlesse Alcidiana should not be what she is if Reason or Fortune could oppose her resolutions Though Polexander began this Soliloquy with the same temper hee shew'd in his other loose talkings yet at last hee grew into such a passion that forgetting his wounds and the place where he was hee spake so loud that Garruca and Diceus heard the five or six last words They both thought he slept and being troubled with some strange dreame deem'd it fitting to put him out of that vexation They came therefore to his bed but finding him awake and at quiet they onely ask'd him of his health 'T is too good reply'd Polexander for such a wretch as I am and 't will be long of you speaking to Garruea if it be not farre better For you cannot relate to me the happinesse of the King your Master but instantly our perfect amity makes me resent it and by consequence brings a great deale of ease and comfort to my paine and sadnesse Garruca unwilling to be solicited for a debt which he should already have acquitted Would to heaven said he to Polexander that friendship were able to work the like miracles which are attributed to the imagination I should then see you freed from some part of your affliction and without wearing out your daies in the discovery of an Island that flies from you you should enjoy Alcidiana out of the very joy you would conceive in seeing my Lord the Yâ—…ca in possession of his Izatida But though so great a happinesse cannot be expected from the relation I am to make you yet I will not desist but beleeve I have done well if I cannot make you sensible of any pleasure I may at least for some short while make a diversion or work in you some insensibility of your misfortunes After this preamble Garruca a while meditating on what he had to say by the expresse command of Polexander sate downe and thus began the recitall of his Master's last adventures Assoone as Zelmatida was recollected from that griefe your separation had wrought in him and from that excessive joy caus'd by Izatida's company and her perfect health he strove to make his happinesse of a long date and to obtaine from the Princesse that she would confirme in private those promises shee had made him in your presence But she stopt my Master in the very beginning of his speech and forbidding him with a sweet severity to doubt of her word Doe not imagine said she that to comply with any other or for any bodies sake else I have yielded to what hath past in the Island we came from I have done it Zelmatida because I saw it was your desire and thought I was bound to it because I have found you exceeding discreet and very reasonable Let time then agitate and without disquiet and unjust longings aske not the accomplishing of what was promis'd you but when you see those things effected which ought to precede it I should reply'd Zelmatida be capable of that transcendent wisedome since your example gives me daily new lessons but whether I have not sufficient apprehension to conceive them or too much weaknesse to put them in practice I confesse Izatida I cannot attaine to that perfection nor absolutely enough put off man to see what is most glorious and faire in the world and yet not desire it Take heed you discover not your selfe said Izatida and speak more of it then you would willingly have me know If those desires of which you speak are tokens of our love they are so but as the violent fits of a feaver are signes of life Cure your affection if you will take my counsell purge it of these irregularities and be certaine that when wee cover any thing with so much fervency we rather love our owne content then the person from whom we expect it Those judicious corrections prevail'd so much with my Lord the Ynca that he presently suppress'd all those secret enemies which his sense arm'd against his reason and so unwound himselfe from what was man and the matter that his love became altogether intellectuall and contented with the delights of apprehension desired not any more those of enjoying Izatida thereby knew how true and extraordinary an Empire she had acquir'd over a spirit so high and so humble Shee tooke so great a content in it as sweetned the most bitternesse of her fortune and said often to her selfe that shee had been ingratefull had she not inclin'd to the affection of so respectfull and constant a lover In these pleasing thoughts they both continued during the voyage and though many tempests cross'd it yet I may say they enjoy'd a continuall calme Only our mariners felt the incommodities of the sea who would have refreshed themselves in the Island of Cuba and already had left their Southerly course to attaine it when Zelmatida to whom all delay was insupportable made them stick to their old steerage and whilst they had a favourable winde crosse those large extents which divide the Islands lately discovered by the Spaniards from the continent of the new world The end of this voyage was more irksome and tedious then the beginning for we were almost as long againe in passing from the Isle of Haity to the Kingdome of Quasmez as we had been in sailing from Cape Verd to the Ken of that Island After a great deale of trouble we entred the fairest port can be found again in either the one or the other sea and gave thanks to heaven for our happy successe in the voyage Assoone as Zelmatida was landed he discri'd a company of Indians who with bowes and arrowes in their hands dragg'd very rudely three prisoners and it seem'd they were bringing them to their execution He went to meet them and at first afrighting the troupe with the strangenesse of his habit and armes he resetled them straight by speaking their language and declaring his name and parentage Those poore people ravished with so good a newes cast out such a cry and us'd such actions as were as barbarous as themselves and one among them thinking to testifie his affection to the Prince with a club beat out the braines of the yongest of the three prisoners Zelmatida reprehended him for his inhumanity but with that sweetnesse which should be used in correcting those that offend through ignorance and ask'd the rest where they had taken those slaves Cacique said the eldest look on them well and thou wilt know who they are They have left Montezuma's Army who makes warre with thy father and are come hither to learne the passages of our Mountaines for the utter ruine of thy Estate My Lord the Yâ—…a understanding this was desirous to know more and to that end took the Mexicans with the consent of those that had taken them
that our ships may goe in consort-ship I will come aboard of yours and at leasure relating Phelismonds adventures free you from an errour which as generous as you are certainely throwes on you a great deale of jealousie and disquiet Polexander no sooner heard the Danes proposition but he accepted it and presently commanding his mariners to joyne indeed with the Danish ship he tooke into his own that messenger of so great and good novelties The complements ended he brought him into his cabin and commanding his servants away was alone with him I will then said the Dane begin to atquit my selfe of what I promis'd in presenting you this letter and therevvith he put into our Heroe's hand a packet on vvhich vvas vvritten To Polexander King of the Canaries He open'd it and there found a letter vvhich said thus MY dearest brother let me call you so for I finde no tearme like that which can so well expresse the greatnesse of my affection nor the happinesse I wish you if you injoy it not be pleas'd to know that all those whom I have sent to the Canaries to renew the assurance of my love and service have return'd without informing me any thing concerning your selfe that could either content or give me satisfaction they could onely relate to me your absence and your subjects sorrow for your losse I at last perswaded my selfe that you were return'd to the Inaccessible Island and that Alcidiana o'recome by your services as well as by your merit had given you both her crowne and favour as the sole reward wherewithall she could remunerate the paines and travels you have indured for her If your longings have receiv'd so good a satisfaction the Embassadours I now send to that Princesse will impart some of those secrecies to you which they goe to intimate to her and will protest on my behalfe as I doe by this letter that the throne wherein I am seated hath nothing in it so pleasing as the beliefe I have of your enjoying Alcidiana After Polexander had read this letter he gaz'd on the person that gave it him as if he would aske whether truely Phelismond had sent it the Dane surely knew the Prince's meaning and to put him out of trouble The King my master said he hath commanded me to make you a relation of all which hath hapned since the day of your separation and particularly to assure you that the love he bore to Alcidiana is absolutely confin'd within the bounds of friendship I could expect no lesse repli'd our Heroe from Phelismond he must yet give me leave to be sorry for his change and to accuse him for preferring Ambition before Love and the Crowne of Denmarke before the service of Alcidiana The Dane smiling at these upbraidings Your Majestie said he may be pleas'd to give me leave to contradict your opinion and condemne your accusations as unjust 't is true Phelismond hath taken on him the Crowne of Denmarke that hee might no more dreame of his enjoying Alcidiana but it is not so true I beseech your Majestie to pardon this boldnesse that his ambition hath beene more prevalent then his love Hee loves Alcidiana as much as he hath ever done but loves her not the same way and is still her affectionate servant though he be no more her lover The sense of what you speak repli'd Polexander is too mysterious to be deciphered 'T is very true said the Dane that the veritie I announce to you is able to astonish your wit and thought rather then to convince it and though all its circumstances have betided yet hath it so little of ordinary events that it may passe with you for one of those wittie intrications of the Theater represented for the peoples admiration to suspend the functions of their soules on the doubtfull expectation of a successe which they could not foresee You will therefore I hope give me leave to exercise a little your patience and as if I repeated one of those stage-peeces clearely make manifest to you by little and little Phelismond's adventures The late King of Denmarke in lieu of being displeas'd with that worthy favorite for so many combates he had undergone and so many disobediences he had rendred to save your person conceiv'd so extreame an opinion of that Prince's generousnesse that hee thought himselfe not able to give him sufficient testimonie of his affection if he forgave him not the losse of his daughter and in his life time plac'd not the Crowne of Denmarke on his head To that end he convocated the Estates of his kingdome and remonstrating that in the state their affaires stood there needed a man to command them besought them with teares to approve of the election he had made of his successour I know said he that the love you beare my daughter though may be she is not now among the living is more deare to you then your owne interests and may make you obstinately resist all other election which may seeme to exclude your Princesse from that dignity she might claime by birth-right But let not that consideration amuse you the successour I have chosen is such that in giving him my crowne I assure it to my daughter and in giving him you for your Lord I secure you the conquest of Sweden and Poland and make you the arbitratours of all the German liberty I think there is no need for me to name to you that worthy successour The thoughts of all you here abouts are cast on Phelismond and seeme to say to one another that 't is he alone from whom these wonders are to be expected 'T is true my loyall subjects it is Phelismond I say Phelismond who hath intomb'd those discords which laid waste your families who hath reveng'd the authoritie royall for the Norway revolt who hath knock'd in againe the Swedish ambition even into the deserts of Lapland and finally who hath made Poland feele that her Cavalry as valiant as it is is not invincible I know what his enemies can say for his exclusion The mournfull accident which betided the imprudent Helismena may be laid to his charge with that he put his handkerchiefe on his eyes but why should the remembrance of so lamentable a historie cast us into our former sorrowes Let us burie in oblivion since 't is the will of heaven that disastrous accident and strike it out of the number of whatsoever cases have mis-betided strike out that unhappy day of Helismena's losse from amongst those which compose and fill up the ages On so sad a subject let us impose an eternall silence and so discreetly conceal our shame that gliding away by little and little in the traine of years it may never come to the knowledge of posterity When the King had spoke thus he was going on to the election of Phelismond but that generous Favourite preventing the Danes remonstrances cast himself at the feet of the King his master and decyphering himselfe as the most despicable of men besought
him not to place in his throne the man who had pluck'd thence the lawfull Inheritrix Rather said he render that Justice which so many good men petition for against the ingratefull Phelismond Let him die or at least make him a vagabond and wretched all the rest of his dayes since he hath dar'd to faile in his obsequiousnesse and respect to your owne bloud Those words drew teares from the Kings eyes and so mov'd all the assembly that even those who came thither most averse for Phelismond were the first that desir'd the conclusion of his election He on the contrary seeing it not likely to be longer hindered would at least have delai'd it and therefore fell againe at his master's feet and more and more expressing his generousnesse Sir said he if my good destinie can give me the boldnesse to force from your Majestie any thing beyond that which you have pleas'd to bestow on me accord to my humblest petition and the just instances of so many illustrious personages that my election which you intend goe no further on but be defer'd till the returne of such as shall be chosen to goe in quest of the Princesse All the assembly falling on their knees to obtaine from the King that which Phelismond had propos'd had the satisfaction to get from him what their respect and loyaltie scarce permitted them to demand The estates being thus dissolv'd the businesse was for the chusing of such as were to goe in quest of Helismena Phelismond would be one and for all the obstacles the King could lay in his way he got to sea assoone as the rest and was neere six moneths in the voiage 'T is best to speake of things as they are he had either an inclination to the Princesse of Denmarke or with his hope of enjoying Alcidiana had lost all the love he bore her but acknowledging himselfe extraordinarily indebted to both the fathers and daughters love he would give to his resentment and to Justice what he could not to love He return'd as he went and reap'd no other fruits of his labour but the satisfaction of having done his dutie At that word Polexander interupting the Dane Be pleas'd said he that I renew my accusation and noting so great a coldnesse in the King your master persist in my former expostulation For his sake I will thinke that 't was for the sole consideration of the honour and dutie he bore to Helismena but how will he justifie his small remembrance of Alcidiana Certainly were I little lesse his friend then I am I would goe further and say there remain'd not in him the cold ashes of all that great fire which the faire Idea of that incomparable Queene had kindled in his heart You may without offence speake it repli'd the Dane for 't is true from that time forward he was cur'd of his wonderfull love to Alcidiana yet must you not for all that change accuse him of inconstancie He alter'd not but when he saw that reason his conscience the lawes of honour and the successe of your combate absolutely forbad him to persevere And if those powerfull considerations had been too few to sway him to that alteration he had receiv'd such advertisements from Thamiris as after them he was not permitted to be any more the passionate servant of Alcidiana I would faine know said Polexandervery coldly of what importance those advertisements of which you speake were before I can justifie Phelismond's alteration They were these repli'd the Dane Some two moneths after my master's returne into Denmarke Thamiris fell sicke and as if she had receiv'd some secret notice of the end of her dayes she assured Phelismond she was to die of that sicknesse That Prince who had alwayes lov'd her as his mother left the Court and giving no care to his flatterers abode two moneths intire with that Lady There was no kinde of service which could be expected from him wanting nor ordinary or unusuall remedies but he made use of to preserve her life Yet Thamiris receiving them onely to make Phelismond beleeve shee desired not to die secretly prepared her self for it with all the love and feare could be expected from Heaven and seeing her selfe neere her end was desirous to speake with Phelismond apart presently all were commanded to avoid the chamber and the doores being shut that good Lady in lieu of speaking fell lovingly on Phelismond's face as he lay weeping on her boulster After she had lean'd there a while she rais'd her selfe and making no shew by her speech of her weaknesse Phelismond said she you are like to lose a mother who hath ever loved you as tenderly as possibly she could doe who brought you into the world but first I will tell you who she was since I alone can informe you of her Know Phelismond you are no Dane but an Englishman at least by your mother and sprung from that ancient family which at this day reignes in England you are of the bloud of Yorke born among the High-landers in Scotland and brought up in Denmarke This exceeding newes is to be but the least part of your contentment I am to tell you another farre greater You are the sonne of the great Alcidus King of the Inaccessible Island and brother to Alcidiana Brother to Alcidiana said Polexander interrupting the Dane Yes Sir repli'd he Phelismond is Alcidiana's brother and when Thamiris made knowne that secret he was not lesse surpris'd then you seeme to be That I am Alcidiana's brother said he to Thamiris Ah! Madam pardon me if I beseech you to come againe to your selfe and a little suppresse your malady which seemes to hinder your thought of what you have to relate to me No no my sonne repli'd that good Lady I talke not idlely I tell you once againe that you are Alcidiana's brother and if you will give me leave to end what I have begun you shall be fully cleared of that which so much amazeth you Phelismond grew silent for feare of displeasing Thamiris and rested farre more attentive then he had been that he might not lose the strange particularities of his birth Thamiris hereupon began againe and holding Phelismond by the hand You may know said she that amongst other fundamentall Lawes of the Inaccessible Island there is one by which it is commanded whoever reignes there of either sex to chuse every yeare from among the Princes and other great Lords of the Kingdome a man of extraordinary vertue and to constitute him chiefe Priest and King of the Sacrificatory to the end that in the name of the Monarch and the Subjects he may goe and render the tribute of love and acknowledgement which from all times the Countrey is bound to pay to the Temple of a certaine God which is adored under the figure of the Sunne Pimantus father of Alcidus desirous his sonne should receive that Soveraigne Priest-hood before he came to his Regality chose him to goe into the Isle of the Sun to performe
question whatsoever Phelismond spoke to him dismissed all the Physitians and thought that dances maskes playes and other sportive pastimes were the best remedies which my new physitian prescribed for my recoverie But that new Leech soone repented him of his counsell for the King imagining that Phelismond would be as able to suppresse my malady as he had judgement to discover it commanded him to be with me as often as he could and intreating I would cast off that melancholy which might be my ruine assured me that if I did but contribute somewhat to part of my health Phelismond's conversation would be able to perfect all the rest thus he parted after he had unwittingly given me so true counsell Phelismond who hath ever kept that respect to his Master as not to abuse his favour staid at my beds-head to shew his obedience and being excellent at the relation of stories was willing to begin one that might divert me and withall relate his fortune but presently I perceiv'd how violently he forc'd himselfe to it and therefore touched with his constraint I stopp'd him at the very first to let him know the excesse of my love by that of my compassion Doe not said I Phelismond force your selfe any more your concent is too deare to me to sacrifice it to my peace I had rather die then to redeeme my self from the grave with the losse of your happinesse leave then when you please the miserable Helismena and seare not that either to be revenged or to be cured she will ever complaine of your crueltie death is most deare to her since she is permitted to tell you that for you she dies Phelismond unable to resist his sweet nature nor the pity I wrought in him shed a torrent of teares before me call'd himselfe a hundred times ufortunate lastly cast himselfe on his knees and speaking to me with a freedome which gave me some satisfaction Madam said he if I may expect from your Highnesse a favour which I deserve not be pleas'd I may discover my thoughts to you and that without coloring either with feare or respect or any other specious falsities the refusall I am bound to make of your love I may say to you that being absolutely anothers I cannot be yours that Queene whose picture hath ravished all the Court possesseth what you desire of me and I should be a traitor if I promised you an affection which is not in my power to give you I confesse my ingagements to the King your father and your incomparable vertues should plucke out of my soule this stranger passion and forcing my inclination make me finde my pleasure in my dutie and what concernes me but Madam what opinion would you have of a man that should be capable of so great an infidelity and what can your Highnesse expect from a heart so remisse and weake as to accommodate his love with his fortune or faithlesse enough to conceive as many desires as there are objects worthie to be coveted Give me leave then Madam to repeate what I lately said and make a protestation which shall be just though it may seeme insolent and 't is that Alcidiana shall be the sole object of my love and that I will sooner die as many times if it be possible as your lawfull indignation can make you wish it rather then I will infranchise my selfe from the glorious servitude wherein my inclination and Alcidiana's vertues have so sweetly inthrall'd me When Phelismond had done I was so ravished at his constancie and generousnesse that it was not in my power either to condemne his resolution or to complaine of the contempt he made of my affection on the contrary I approv'd of them both and seeing that Prince at my feet which seem'd to confesse himselfe guiltie and ask'd me pardon for his offence Love Alcidiana said I since heaven will have it so and because 't is there decree'd too permit Helismena to love you Phelismond arose from before my bed-side so pusled and divided betweene his love and mine that I doubt not but in himselfe he thought him very unhappie that he could not absolutely become at my disposall and solely mine This inabilitie was the cause of my recoverie for I tooke comfort in my misfortune by knowing that the author of it was no lesse afflicted for it then my selfe and I thought that in his intimation of his impossibilitie of loving me he made knowne to me a new kinde of love whereof till then I was altogether ignorant Assoone as I had recovered my strength and was permitted to leave my chamber I appear'd in Court with that same cheerfulnesse which had before time got me the name of the delight of Denmarke for all that I was secretly fed on by my passion but I conceal'd it very warily for feare lest Phelismond should be thereby anew discontented and though there scarse passed a day wherein I spent not at least two houres in bewailing with teares apart the misfortunes of my life yet in publike I appeared so pleasant that Phelismond himselfe was deceiv'd aâ—… it and beleev'd time had absolutely cured me To that extremitie was I brought when you came to fight with Phelismond his defeature mightily afflicted me and but for his consideration which retained me I had wrought my father's choler to higher violence then it ran then It may be you are yet ignorant of the person who wonne him to violate the faith he had given you and made him so wilfully bent to your ruine I would have you know Polexander that my desire to revenge the affront you had done my love mademe imploy all my credit and power for your destruction The King who hath alwayes beene a great observer of his word was a very long time before he would hearken to the reasons I alledged against you but I so pli'd him on all sides and gave him so many severall assaults that he was forc'd to yeeld hereupon your death was resolv'd on but when I understood that Phelismond grew inraged at your ill treatment and had therefore pluck'd off all that which had been appli'd to his wounds of purpose to undoe himselfe my desire to preserve him kept me from perfecting your ruine I dexterously therefore put a new face on all businesse and had lesse trouble to obtaine your pardon from the King my father then I had in getting him to signe a warrant for your death When I was inform'd that Phelismond affected you I slack'd my hatred and turned all my choler on Alcidiana No said I to my self I will never indure that any poore pettie Princesse who for all her Territories hath but a little shelfe or rocke knowne only by the shipwracke of some unfortunate mariners should be so overweening as to esteeme of the most excellent of men no otherwise then as of one incivilis'd and unworthy either to breathe or to serve her Presumptuous Alcidiana said I as if she had beene present thy insolence will ruine thee and if Phelismond
be so farre bewitched by thy charmes as to persevere in his dishonour and Idolatrie I shall have heart enough to carrie me even to thy inchanted Island to scratch off that vaine beautie which makes thee insupportable to all the world Many other injuries did I to your Mistresse and meditated many extraordinarie avengements but ere they were to be put in execution I desired to see how Phelismond stood after so many trialls of Alcidiana's aversion The next day after your departure I went to visit him and finding he was though in his bed lesse distemper'd by his wounds then by the disdaines of ingratefull Alcidiana Shall it said I after some words of civilitie be published to the world that you are insensible of all affronts out-rages hatred and all contempt Shall that great courage which sees under it all whatsoever is most elevated among the fortune of Kings belie it selfe in so eminent an occasion and sticke senselesse on so urgent affronts whereof cowardise it selfe would have much a doe to be insensible As long as I thought your affection was just though averse to me I wished rather to be unhappie then to condemne it but now since it is not onely a scandall to your selfe but to all those that love you I cannot for your reputation sake and satisfaction of your friends but find fault with your unreasonable perseverance Phelismond turning his eyes on me swolne with teares If said he this unfortunate man hath truely any part in your favour and if that miraculous affection which you have shewed him be not as yet extinguished resume if you please those generous thoughts which it inspired you withall bewaile my destinie and indammage not that person who merits it least of all men living 'T is true Madam that Alcidiana doth but contemne nay hate me and to free her selfe from my presumptuous desires she hath set my head at a value and design'd my death as the highest marke of love and fidelitie which she can expect from her admirers But since 't is the will of my sad Fate to make me of that number should I not looke on Phelismond as on a monster whom the Sunne should no more shine on and to testifie fully the obeisance which I render to all Alcidiana's commands to account him mine enemie whom she deemes unworthie of her favour This extreame constancie of Phelismond said Helismena confirm'd mine owne and made me avow that he who knew how to love so truely could not be too much beloved Yet was I above three moneths continually urging him to retort Alcidiana's neglect with as great a slighting and at last to give over the imploring of a Power who was so farre off from assisting him as she gloried in rejecting his invocations I confesse yet that sometimes when I thought on Phelismond's wonderfull love I chid my selfe for so obstinately tempting a minde so persevering and reprov'd that malice wherewithall I strove to corrupt the vertue of him I lov'd No said I at last I will not adde to Phelismond's miseries but since I truly love him scorne to imitate the example of her that hates him My solicitings are but as weapons which I lend to that proud cruell one I follow ere I am aware her mercilesse humour and as if I had undertaken to please her would compell Phelismond to do what she desireth Rather Helismena give eare to thy ingenious and just anger make Phelismond to continue in his doating on Alcidiana since she enrageth to know that she is beloved and to be avenged in a way which may be was never imagined suffer him whom she despiseth to sue to her eternally But sillie creature that I am I perceive not that in meditating this revenge I doe my selfe farre more wrong then I could doe with it and that if Phelismond continue his love to Alcidiana I make my selfe truely miserable for no other end but that she might onely seeme to be so Avenge thy selfe more really Helismena and hazard not that small portion of life which is left thee but in doing an act worthie thy just anger let thy choler furrow up and make a way to that Island whereto none can arrive and forcing from the world that insolent Rivall who indeed triumphs more over thee then Phelismond subvert those obstacles which fortune makes use of to crosse thy contentment Doe not thinke Polexander that these resolutions were of the number of those which are ordinarily in our sex I meane such as last no longer time then there was to conceive them my indignation turn'd not into wind with my words but I stucke constant to the execution of what I had deliberated and to trample on all difficulties in the undertaking it To that end my nurse and my selfe stole from my fathers Court by the help of a Captaine of a ship who thought himselfe wonderfull happie to be ruin'd in my service and with a companie of gleesome young people and resolute we left Copen-hagen and at two moneths end landed on the first of the Azores From thence we sail'd as if we had stood for the Canaries because our Pilot assured us that the Inaccessible Island lay betweene the Terceras and the great Canarie I besought the Pilot to doe some wonder of his art in the finding out that cursed abode but the Devils into whose protection the sorcerers have committed that piece of earth were offended with his too exceeding skill and that they might not receive such an affront as to see their power mastered by that of a man they called together all the Northerne windes with the Southerne thunder and brake my vessell to shivâ—…s against the rockes of this Island All those which strove to save themselves were lost my nurse and my selfe who alone had neither will nor abilitie were throwne on shore by the same waves which had drowned our conductors I will not tell you how long I have been in this place for if I would beleeve mine owne account I should say I had been whole ages here This Polexander is the instruction you would have from me to make you my Embassadour to Alcidiana I perswade my selfe you like this imployment the rather because the businesse will be of reconciling us and causing all jealousie and hatred to give place to love and alliance After shee had thus ended she gave way for Polexander to use his Rhetoricke He gave her thanks for the honour'd Embassie whereof she thought him worthie and intreated her not onely to blot out of her memorie all wrong imaginations which jealousie had there figur'd but to permit truth to represent to her Alcidiana with all her charmes and perfections Your desires are already accomplished repli'd Helismena I see Alcidiana as faire and alluring as she is but you can scarce beleeve it for lovers cannot perswade themselves that any others are so cleere-sighted to take notice of all the graces in their Mistresses As she had said thus the Dane came to them and told her she might depart when
dry their garments and finding the temper of the climate excessive hot they slept without feare of any cold taking Polexander's sleep was not long the night which grew very cold and his disquiets awakened him he clad himselfe without making any noise that his servant might take the better rest and walking out began to meditate on the woefull estate of his fortune After he had ended this sad meditation he cast his eyes on the Moone and besought her if she could to number up all his miseries and to relate them to Alcidiana At last it grew day and the winds ceasing with the night a generall calme ensued in both Elements which were the subject of their violence Our Heroe then left the place where hee stood so long musing and getting to the highest part of the rocke descri'd some land but it seem'd so farre off that hee despair'd of his getting thither by swimming and by consequence beleeved that hunger would effect what the tempest had deni'd him Hee after his resolve to undergoe that miserable end descended to the cave at the entrance he cast his eyes on the portall and perceived some Letters graven in the stone his curiosity won him to read what it was and with an extreame astonishment found that which followes 'T was against this Rocke after the to be lamented end of the great Polexander that Amintha and Alcippus who would live no longer were cast by a tempest O yee who hereafter by the chance of the Sea may hap to be thrown on these shelves know That the invincible Monarch of the Canaries is no more and that the Traytor Astramadan who unable to vanquish him in an equall Combate caused him to be murdered by a base whole Nation that were enemies to his and all eminent vertues After Polexander had read this Inscription so loud that Diceus might heare him it made him wonder no lesse then himselfe they therefore verily thought that Alcippus was dead on that rocke and Amintha swallowed up by the sea With which imagination Polexander was so inly touched that the teares came into his eyes and witnessing the griefe he rooke for the losse of two so worthie to be beloved Eternall Providence cri'd he what horrible crimes have I committed that for their expiation I should run through all the torments that can make a life miserable Wilt thou not have me perish till such time as I have lost all that I love and die in the person of all my friends before I die in my selfe â—…et Heaven I murmure not doe as thou list I am prepar'd to indure all and will ever respect that just and dreadfull Power from whence the thunder must come which will turne me to ashes These pious thoughts gave way to those of love neere all the day he spent in meditating on Alcidiana and talking to her as he had been in her presence neither remembred his late shipwracke nor the fearfull death which in all likelihood was inevitable to him But Diceus in the meane time who thought on the preservation of his Master was gone down to the sea-side to trie if he could get thence any thing that might keep them from starving Amongst a great deale of caskes pipes and fardels which floated about the rocke by good hap a vessell of pure water and a barrell of bisquet were fortunately driven so neere to Diceus that he tooke hold and drow them to him Assoone as he had rolled them on the sand he went and made it knowne to his Master and against his will wonne him to goe downe to the beach to make use of that which was sent by the particular care of the Power that would preserve him After he was descended our Heroe unwilling to thwart himself in the reliefe that was presented steep'd some of the bisquet in the water and gave himselfe some nurriture being almost quelled with his former toile and a fast of neer fortie hours A little after the night came on and hee ascended againe with Diceus into his cave and rather to intertaine his disquiets then to take any rest threw himself on his bed of mosse some four or five hours after he had lain down he thought he hard some body talke neere him and therefore call'd Diceus and ask'd whether he dreamt or wanted any thing He repli'd that he neither talk'd in his sleep nor needed ought but that he was much deceiv'd if he heard not some body speake about the entry into the cave he had no sooner said so but an apparition all blacke from head to feet came in with a branch of a tree which burnt as a torch of wax Polexander rais'd his head and ask'd what it fought but the phantasme in lieu of replying gave a fearfull shreike and went out of the cave Diceus seeing it goe away so quickly thought certainly it was a Devill and with that beliefe was almost dead for feare when he saw it enter againe with five or six more as frightfull and horrid Polexander could not chuse but laugh at his servants feare but hee was not too well setled himselfe when hee saw those phantasmes come neere to his bed and that some of them extending their armes towards him and others taking him by the hands seem'd to wiâ—… him to follow them After he had indor'd a long time with patience those Demons caresses he grew wearie of them and ask'd them againe and againe what they would have of him They repli'd hut 't was in such a manner that our Heroe could understand nothing by their howlings for we must say sâ—… and not by their discourse They themselves thought too that they were not understood and would therefore exprosse themselves by signes but their signes were more difficult to be comprehended then their former language Hereupon Polexander arose and commanded Diccuâ—… not to forsake him Come said he let 's see whither these Devills will lead us presently he went out of the grot and the phantasms dancing about him and whistling aloud in putting one finger in their mouthes brought him streight downe to a barque which rid at the foot of the rocke Diceus who could not imagine any other thing but that he was arriâ—…'d at that dreadfull place where his nurse had related to him the Devils turned ferrie-men and wasâ—…ed soules over into hell thought that his Master and himselfe were now to be carried thither both bodie and soule together But Polexander who had no such ridiculous imaginations perceiv'd his mistake and thought that those whom he had taken for spiâ—…its were of those blacke people which inhabite under the Torrid Zone It was true indeed for after six or seven houres sailing those Negroes landed in a countrey where the aire was so hot and the sands so burning that Polexander and his servant almost thought they walk'd on kindled char-coales and were forc'd to suffer themselves to be guided with their eyes shut At last they came into a place as delight some as the others which they had passed
tortures and punishment as were proportionable to his own resentment After these insolencies he departed and fastning the dore with many chaines and lockes thought that the keyes could be no where so sure as in the custody of one of his daughters She who had them was called Philesia who was not onely more lovely then her sister but withall more affected Polexander The tyrant commanded her to keep those keyes more carefully then her eyes and thinking to overjoy her in few words declared the designe he had to avenge himselfe with his own hands on that stranger who had made him lose all Galatia At those words Philesia was like to have let the keyes fall out of her hands and indeed was neere discovering what she had till that time conceal'd if the same love which had caus'd that dangerous emotion had not kept it from being perceiv'd Before the enamour'd Princesse was well recollected twenty of the most deformed Negro's which Africk puts in the number of her monsters came into the chamber where the tyrant was and dragging after them the two Princes of Galatia outrageously bastonaded them to make them walke Assoone as the tyrant had placed them neer their sister he turned to her and making his true hatred which he had alwayes borne them to breake out to the utmost Thou hast then dar'd to beleeve said he in famous brood of a heards-man that I would make thee daughter of my greatest enemy and a vagabonds concubine the partner of my bed Surely thy hopes have too much injur'd me and I will therefore have them severely chastis'd With that he looked on the Princes of Galatia and commanded them to strangle their sister Never shall be spectacle how bloudy soever it can be imagined any way comparable to this that I describe At the tyrants command Philesia cast her eyes on her brothers and seeing them insensible at that excessive outrage she threw her lookes on them not languishing and pitifull but lookes that were furious and such as upbraided them for their ignominy and cowardise Miserable men said she are you not yet accustomed after so long and dishonourable a slavery to a blinde obedience Doe what your master commands you and since you have not the courage to live and die like Princes gâ—…ve at least a testimony to the world that you are good and obedient slaves The tyrant clapped his hand on her mouth that she might not goe on and growing inraged to see all his fury contemned by the constancy of a young mayden Ah Tygresse said he I alwayes beleeved that thou wert not resolved to receive me into thine armes for any other end then to strangle me but I have prevented thy treachery and therefore thou desirest nothing more then to die 'T is true tyrant repli'd the Princesse I was resolv'd to kill thee this night with the weapon I conceale from thee with that she put her hand under a large vaile of tiffany which served her for an upper garment and made shew as if she would draw somewhat from under it The tyrant who was extreamly timorous as usually those are who are as exceedingly cruell was afrighted at the Princesse's action and flew on her either to seise her arm or to act himselfe what he had resolv'd should have beene done by the Princes of Galatia Philesia seeing this prodigious example of her father's cruelty was so strucken with it that on an instant her intellect lost all its simpliciny or to say better its errour she then perceiv'd things as they were and disdeceiving her selfe of her former opinions was forced to confesse that children are not alwayes of an ill nature though they disapprove the actions of their parents The love she bore to Polexander serving her for an excellent Master had in a moment inspired her with these high notions in the very instant that she heard speake of his courtesie and valour she condemned her fathers actions and misliking them her selfe look'd on him as an object of hatred assoon as she thought on our Heroe but when shee understood from that mercilesse father that hee had resolv'd to murther that Prince she trembled through her naturall sensibility trod under foot the names of father and daughter and said within her selfe that it was more just to ruine the oppressour then to suffer the oppressed to perish This being so imagine what her thoughts were and what her joy when her father delivered the keyes of Polexander's prison into her hands she gave heaven thankes for it which she thought was the author of that wonder and prayed often to have an occasion given her whereby she might make a happy use of her charge of gaoler she beleeved her prayers were heard when she saw the tyrant busied in disarming the Lady Presently she ran out of the chamber and running to Polexander's prison so nimbly handled the lockes and keyes and so speedily opened the doores that such a miracle could not but be attributed to the blinde God of love Her affection advis'd her to deferre her love's deliverance that she might the more satisfie the desire she had of seeing him but the same passion letting her know that she loves not truely who regards her owne contentment as the principall object of her love she loosned Polexander's chaines and told him in Arabicke that 't was all she could doe for his preservation When she had spoke thus she fled and for feare let fall at the entry of the prison a torch which she had brought Polexander that would not goe forth without Diceus lighted the torch againe that was not well extinguished and making use of it for his servants liberty presently after put it out to save themselves the better in the darke Chance which hath oftentimes better successe then judicious guidance led Polexander right to the chamber where he had been taken he knew it by the light of a lamp that hung o're the staire and calling to minde the good sword which the Princesse of Galatia had given him went in to see whether any had carried it away He found it where he had laid it and vowing not to leave so good a weapon but with his life descended into one of the courts of the palace the place was inclos'd onely with a palisadoe but the height and greatnesse of the piles or stakes made it as safe as if it had been inviron'd with a wall Polexander ran to the gate with an intent to fight with the guard if they stopped his going out but he saw them all dead on the ground and presently heard a clamour on all sides he imagined it to be a remainder of the publike rejoycing and that the people ignorant of what was done in the palace celebrated with all kinde of pleasing licenciousnesse a feast which they hoped should give a period to their calamities With this opinion he went out of that court but when he came into a large place which served for the avant-court to the palace he descride at very
to the living to preserve it I renounce it most willingly and intreate from you nothing but that burying in one same tombe the body of my father and the hatred you have borne him you will be pleased that I may abandon the troublesome titles of Soveraigne and Mistresse and partake with you the pleasures which accompany private fortunes Philesia had no sooner ended this oration which had drawne teares from the eyes of most of the hearers but there arose a humming noise such as often happens in a great Assembly wherein is deliberated the peace and safety of the Weale-publike At last as those voyces broke out and besought Philesia to chuse a husband worthy of her to fill the throne of her ancestors and by the honourable actions of her government gaine so much on the hearts of all that without injustice none might absolutely condemn the memory of her father Alas cry'd the Princesse hurle me not againe into that tempest from whence I am miraculously escaped suffer me to enjoy with your selves the sweets of libertie let them desire and sue for thee that list most miserable and glorious condition which hast nothing but bitternesse and vexation for those that make good use of thee and art nought but feare and torture to such as misapply it The mournfull example of the King my father is too recent in my memory to suffer my selfe to be blinded with thy deceitfull allurements and ye my friends who to heape on me imaginary felicities would make me lose such as are reall have sufficiently tri'd that an injunction is no lesse dangerous to those that undergoe it then to such as put it in execution Root out therefore that monster that can but work mischiefe and doe so that there may not be amongst you any condition incompatible with innocence If the people were astonished to heare the Princesse speak so judiciously Polexander was far more ravished at it he then intreated the Assembly to give him audiâ—…nce and addressing himselfe to such as understood the Arabicke Thombutians said he you cannot doubt but she will raigne well that so perfectly knowes the miseries of a tyrannicall government Ingage her then whether she will or no to tâ—…ke on her the care of your fortunes and that she may have some one to lend a hand to so high and weighty a charge give her the Prince of Galatia for a husband He is descended from so good a father that 't is impossible for him to be ill besides the long bondage which he hath constantly indured may well assure you that hee will sustain his regality with the same courage This counsell savouring well to all of the best ranke the multitude would needs know what 't was and assoone as they understood it they not onely gave their approbation but in the very instant proclaimed the Prince of Galatia King of Thombut and husband to their Queen Philesia did her utmost that she might not yeeld to the peoples requests but assoon as Polexander added his to theirs she could no longer denie them but descending from her seate and extending her hand to the Prince of Galatia I am yours said she since my deliverer commands it The Prince seeing himselfe in an instant brought from a slave to a throne did what he could to meditate on so great and so happy a revolution but as one should say taking his happinesse with too much greedinesse he gave not himselfe leasure to taste it The people did not so for these sudden and unexpected changes gave them cause of pleasure and extraordinary rejoycing they shewed well that their nature being of it selfe insensible cannot be roused up but by very urgent spurs and if it doe not instantly passe from one extremity to another they are not capable of resenting the alterations which betide them Polexander finding all things so well disposed was desirous before he parted thence to see them well perfected in the very instant the officers of Thombut resolv'd with him of what they had to doe and to that end went to the palace to take thence the dead and having left nothing there that might retaine the memory of what passed so altered the face of the place that a man might say they had built their Queene a new palace Shee was conducted thither with much ceremony but of all her fortune nothing so much pleas'd her minde as the freedome she had to see and intertaine Polexander Assoone as she was in a place fit to speake in private she made knowne her affection to him and besought him never to forsake her Polexander taking notice of a great deale of innocency in that Princesses love was willing to remedy it with as much sweetnesse he therefore told her she could not blamelesly love him since she was ingaged to another and that the promise she had made newly to the Prince of Galatia was a continuall barre for her affecting any other If it be so repli'd the Princesse with a great deale of simplicitie I recall the promise I made him for I can love none but your selfe and with that she fell a weeping Polexander very loath that the Princesses follie should be known abroade intreated her to strive with her selfe in an important affaire on which depended so much of her reputation and intimating a great resentment of her affection protested that of all those which had the honour to enjoy her presence there should be none able to surpasse him in the intention he had to serve her These words a little pacified or rather sweetned the Princesse discontents but her sicknesse being not of that kinde which is cured by such slight remedies the more our new physitian applied them the worse grew his patient When he perceived that his being there ruined all that his advice would have perfected he resolv'd to be gone The very night therefore of the Princesses nuptialls he stole away from the palace and put himselfe on the Niger in a boate belonging to a merchant of Gheneoa which Diceus had privately retain'd Let us leave Philesia in quiet since she is not to be so long and follow the course of the Niger and the precious charge which floates on it Though that river runs along a most plaine and eaven champion yet runs it as swiftly as those flouds which have a far greater declining The lesser vessels in which the Negro's trafficke goe thirty five or forty miles a day and those which use their sailes make as much way more That wherein Polexander imbark'd was of the latter sort for within five dayes saile he came to the frontiers of the kingdome of Gheneoa 'T is a great province and extends it selfe along the Niger above a hundred miles from East to West it hath Galatia on the North Melly on the South Thombut on the East and the Ocean on the West The Niger which over-flowes like to Nilus covers the lands of that Province in the moneths of July August and September and makes them so fertile that the
humbly by mee beseech your Majesty to perfect their happinesse by promoting the Prince Siziphus to be their King At that proposition Alcidiana blush'd and yet constraining herselfe lest shee might make knowne her choler If Siziphus be the generall Vote of my Subjects said she with a voice which sufficiently expres'd her scorne I perceive they would very easily be contented to wayve the government of Alcidiana This Answer taught the Deputies the fault of their companion But to reaccommodate it they all fell at the Queens feet and having besought her pardon for their exceeding boldnesse assured her that the late made proposition was rather intended to make her thinke on marriage then to oblige her to take a husband and that Siziphus had not been nominated to her but that they thought he might be acceptable aswell in regard of his eminent vertues as for the authority he had acquir'd in the State If he have so repli'd presently Alcidiana he hath stoine it from me I never meant he should have any other command in my Kingdom save that which his Birthright gives him over his Vassals But I see well how matters goe My overmuch mildnesse is abused I will since I am forc'd to it become more severe and know how to keep you all in your duties This Parliament having so ill successe and Siziphus seeing himselfe so absolutely refus'd thought he must not fit downe with that affront but practice to obtaine by violence what was not by faire meanes to be purchased He bargaines therefore he bribes he promiseth he gives and by his immense Presents corrupting even the women which very seldome came out of the Queenes chamber guided his plot so cunningly that hee doubted not of the successe When all this was in hand I return'd to the Court and became so extravagant in love with the Queen that I spent whole dayes and nights in gazing on the walls within whose cincture that miracle was inclosed I had not been there long ere I understood of Siziphus designe and love making me look on him as a dangerous Rivall I resolv'd to hinder his Suit and with the first occasion to bring him to defend himself in a Duell Now one night as I walk'd in the great garden of the Palace which is under the Queens chamber windowes I had a glimpse of one that march'd a great pace I drew sortly neare and heard these words MAKE HAST AND LET EVERY MAN OBSERVE WHAT IS AGREED UPON These words making me suspect somewhat I slid along by a back way which was contriv'd by the Alley and followed those disguis'd persons They were seaven or eight and seem'd by their talke to be going to some place where they were not to meet with any great resistance When they were come into the Castle ditch I saw can you beleeve it some-body let fall a private Bridge by which the Queen was wont to goe out of her lodgings into the Garden Then I knew that the Princesse was betraid by her owne domesticall Servants And my Love making me instantly take on a resolution worthy its cause I step'd from behinde the Pallissado where I had staid with my sword drawne and laying one of the Rascalls at my feet in two leaps I got on the Bridge with an intent to be cut in peeces ere I would suffer any whatsoever he were to enter the Palace Siziphus for 't was hee seeing himselfe so unlook'd for cross'd flew in upon me and with that strength which made him almost invincible bore a thrust at me which in all likelyhood was to pierce me through and through But I put it by in sliding my foot and seeing the Traitor ingag'd on the Bridge I press'd on to him and got within the point of his weapon The addresse which I owe to Nature and Exercise made me so hardy as to graple with that Gyant I seiz'd on him and ere he could take fast hold of me put him to his leape and turn'd him headlong into the ditch Presently I cri'd out there were theeves attempting the Queenes lodgings At which alarme all the Palace awoke and the most part of the Queenes Officers came armed into the Garden In the meane time I followed Siziphus Complices and though the many Alleyes the Meanders and little thickets in the Garden afforded them faire meanes to escape yet I met with one of them and having taken him left Alcidiana's Officers the paines of seeking out the rest Till all that great disorder could be appeas'd it grew to be broad day The Queen being well inform'd of this attempt assembled all those of whom her publick Court was chiefly compos'd and commanded Siziphus to be produced who had been taken out of the Castle ditch At the same time I came into the councell and presented to the Queen the man I had taken The Princess commanding mee to speake what I knew The obligations said I which binde me to your Majesty being written by the very hand of heaven whereof you are the lively image have made me believe that it was impossible to infringe them without the perpetrating a crime beyond all Example This Consideration blinding my thoughts from all others and dreading not the acquiring of any enemies how powerfull or redoubtable soever when your Majesties service is in agitation makes me speake boldly what Siziphus himselfe dares not deny if he be not as cowardly as guilty From that very houre wherein his impudency or rather trechery was so justly and publickly chastis'd he complotted to force away your Majesty and to that end trying all meanes he saw so great an ingression to what he intended that there remain'd nothing for the execution but to make a free entry into your Palace Many waies he tri'd to overcom that obstacle and wrought so powerfully that he thought he had suppres'd it These wonderfull prodigalities as sufficient poisons to corrupt the best inclinations and allurements violent inough to disturbe reason seduced even within the walls of your sacred Palace such personages who for vertue and fidelity were till then impregnable I cannot tell your Madam who are the Complices in so great a treason I will onely say after I had discovered Siziphus intention and knew the time when 't was to be put in execution I came the last night into your Majesties gardens to the end that suprising him in his crime I might not be oblieged to proofes which are many times difficult and are almost never convincing All things happened as I had fore-thought I saw Siziphus come to his appointed place and saw that at a certain Signall he made the little bridge of your lodging was let downe But Siziphus could not make use of that faire but detestable occasion because I throwing my selfe first on the bridge disputed the passage with him We came to blowes and his wicked Action depriving him of his wonted strength or rather the horrour of his Treason robbing him of his judgement I tumbled him from the bridge into the Moaâ—…e then
wonder of this age had not been long in our Court but by his admirable indowments he grew so extreamly recommendable that he became the love and admiration of all Alcidiana confesseth to you that that Heroës virtue join'd to the service he had done her against her rebellious subjects insensibly wonne her to wish him well She did that at the beginning by way of acknowledgment which she did afterwards for her owne satisfaction In a word she lov'd him but perceiving her love began to goe beyond the limits she had prescrib'd it and what she indevour'd to conceale would in spight of her divulge it selfe sometimes by her disturbances otherwhiles by her deep musing then again by complaysancies which she deem'd unworthy her virtue and in briefe by the alteration of her complection she resolv'd to indure it no longer To make it sure she thought the best way was to get Polexander away While she was contriving it an occasion was offered in the stealing away of Amintha by a Spanish Pirate So soon as the newes came to Polexander he got to sea made after Amintha's ravisher Many dayes he pursued him and as many nights but in vain for a tempest drove him one way the pirate another In the mean while the love that Prince bore to the Queen my Mistris scarce permitting him to live out of her fight he left poor Amintha to the mercy of the ravisher and preferring slavery before all the Empire which his vertue had given he thought on nothing but of entring into Alcidiana's chaines A thousand times he strove to get to the Inaccessible Island as often the quality of that Isle beguild his hopes made him run almost through all the Ocean and yet found it not again After he had spent neare two years in such bootless voyages and undergone all the incommodities which accompany long navigations he arriv'd at the Isle of two Tyrants There he slew Amintha's ravisher and set that Lady again at liberty but his generousnesse ingaging him to avenge the Queen Tysiphone for the outrages she had receiv'd from the gyant Astramadan he was murdered by that tyrants subjects and Amintha after she had long time bewail'd the death of that famous Prince was forc'd to get to sea to avoid the violence of those of that Isle Almost assoon as she was under saile a tempest arose and by a strange accident being separated from the faithfull and generous Alcippus Polexanders favorite she was at last fortunatly cast on the coasts of the Inaccessible Island where being known of all she was brought to the Court and welcom'd by Alcidiana with so much joy as if after the lamenting her for dead she had been newly rais'd to life againe But the Queenes contentment was disturb'd by that which Amintha related touching the death of Polexander And since that time our Princesse hath not given over the afflicting her selfe with continuall plaints and lamentations Her conscience or rather her affection continually upbraides her for the death of the Canaryes King and makes her believe that she is truly guilty of it Every night his Ghost all goary either appeares or seems to appeare to her and displaying his wounds See saith he to her to what a case the desire of seeing and serving you hath brought mee But how deare is my misfortune to me since you pity it with what pleasure doe I spend my bloud since it drawes teares from you and how beneficiall is my death to me since it hath acquir'd me a place in your memory I should never have done if I would relate what Polexanders ghost spoke mightily to Alcidiana However my Lord these visions wrought an alteration in her health troubled her repose and brought her to such extremities that if they leave her not I shall soon see my Country full of afflictio such calamities as must follow the death of Alcidiana Loe here my Lord all that which my Mistris commanded me to communicate unto you and since she can expect from nâ—…e other then heaven the tranquillity she hath lost she beseecheth you to offer sacrifice for the expiation of her offence if shee be guilty of Polexanders death Yet what e're betide she beseecheth you to remember him in your devotions and to beg from heaven for a cessation of these visions which persecute her and since she shew'd not her selfe insensible of Polexanders love but that shee might not be so in the respect of her honour that it would not permit her innocency to be look'd on as a crime After Lynceus had spoke Alcippus reply'd thus The Deity whom we adore is too cleer-sighted to find any blots in so pure a life as that of Alcidiana Assure her from him that shee is not guilty of Polexanders death and that her disquiets proceed from some other sourse then that pricking remorse wherwithall the Eternall Justice begins to inflict vengeance in this life on offenders 'T is her love Lynceus that brings on these dreames and is the cause of all the agitations which molest her I advise her to quiet her minde Yet I forbid her not to love the memory of Polexander since 't is all she can love of him now But I would have her love to be peacefull and quiet and if it be true that my minde is somtime inlightned by the beames which come from above I assure her that heaven in retribution of her virtues preserves for her such contentments as it communicates not to many Princes Lynceus fully satisfi'd with this answer took leave of the Arch-priest and so well imprinted in his memory all that was said to him that he truely related it to the Queen his Mistris Alcippus on the other side perceiving it lay in his power to render our Heroe perfectly happy was almost ready to disclose to him what he had newly discovered but being retain'd by the sanctity of his oath and the Majesty he had call'd to witnesse He thought in becoming perjur'd he should in lieu of advancing Polexanders happinesse infallibly ruine it by his execrable untruth He therefore protested again to discover to him nothing of Alcidiana's secret and went to bed so well pleas'd with his vow that from that very night he tasted such contentments as ever since made him tread under foot all those that are earthly The next morning he went to the Temple and consecrating himselfe wholly to heaven promis'd solemnly to have it ador'd with all the purity had ever been taught to man That very day the bloudy sacrifice was to be offered and Polexander as Prince of the Clergie was bound to supply the place of the Arch-prelate at that dismall Ceremony He then be thought him it was time to put in execution what he had resolv'd with Alcippus and to imploy all his eloquence and credit for the abolishing of that horrible custome of humane sacrifices Assoon therefore as they advertis'd him that the Priests of the Sun and Alcidiana's Embassadors were assembled in the Temple he went
desires and thine own will to the safetie of thy Countrey 'T is a businesse resolv'd in heaven thou must swallow this potion which hath no bitternesse but whilst thou refusest it on then and let not thy brave heart faile thee at need taste those sweets thy vertues have deserv'd O new age of gold O Island truly fortunate O Slave worthy the regall throne O Princesse happily deceived O glorious alliance O illustrious posteritie In all likelihood Alcidiana at the reading of this Prophesie might have receiv'd some contentment but she renew'd her sighings and unable any longer to refraine from tears even let them fall down on the Prophesie in such an excesse as if she had beleev'd she could with the Characters have drown'd all the misfortunes they seem'd to threaten her Rhadiotez seeing her discontent spoke all he thought fitting to quiet her afflicted minde but Alcidiana not induring his discourse Retire father said she and assure your selfe that I have not so little profited in your schoole but that I know well how we must die when we can live no longer but with dishonour I was borne free and you propose to me something worse then death when you propound I am not to live but by making my selfe the slave of a Slave Rhadiotez willing to give the Princesse time to advise with her selfe and more seriously to meditate on the Prophesie return'd to his palace and Alcidiana seeing her self then at libertie began again her lamentations and turning to her confident Come Amintha said she am I not now at last arriv'd at that utmost point of misfortune which long since my visions my disrests and melancholy foretold me O cruell Fate certainly thou too tyrrannically abusest that soveraigne power which is given thee from above on us poore mortalls What wilt thou shall become of me But doe what thou list my good or ill shall not depend on thee the command I have over my selfe is no lesse absolute then thine I will keep it in spight of all thy violence and since death hath depriv'd me of all that could make me in love with life 't is in vaine by the object of greatnesse and felicities to bustle with my resolution and tempt my courage Cast thine eyes on me deare and worthy subject of my sorrow turne thine eyes on me and upbraid me of falshood if thou read'st in my soule any motion that counsels me to forsake thee for another The Princesse's confident seeing her teares and sighes had taken away her power of speech Polexander said she to her is worthy of these testimonies of love you bestow on his memorie and Madam he having lov'd you what said I lov'd having ador'd you as he hath done I doubt not but amidst all the pleasures which inviron him hee resents your displeasures and seeing you afflicted is even pensive and sad in the very source of all happinesse Ah deare Amintha cry'd the Queene how doe thy words pierce me and mournfully re-imprint in my memorie the remembrance of my folly and ingratitude She could not speake further for word was brought her the multitude was round about the palace and threatned to breake the gates if they were not let in All conspires against us Amintha said she to her confident but let us resist to the last and at least shew that faire soule which lookes on us from heaven that we abandon not his party though it be to the weakest With that she went out on a great Terrasse which ran along the first court of her palace and commanded the gates to be opened Presently the people rush'd in headlong but at sight of the Princesse whom they never look'd on without respect and wonder they rain'd in their fury and fell all on their knees Alcidiana seeing them in such a reverence commanded them to stand up and declare the cause of the tumult the multitude after their wonted manner speaking in confusion began to cry out that the Deliverer which had beene promis'd the State even from Heaven was at the towne gate and they besought the Queen's permission to goe meet him to see him and petition him for an end of their present calamities Alcidiana unable to indure the continuation of their discourse How my subjects said she all inraged you doe not thinke of me then otherwise then as of an enemie or at least as of one without power What doe you expect from a wretched stranger what you hope not from my vigilancie from my forces nor your owne courage who is the seducer that hath impoison'd your minds with a prediction as idle as it is intricate You see at hand the safetie my care hath acquir'd you and yet you tread underfoot what is sensible to run after Chimera's and meer leasings Assure your selves the date of your misfortune is pass'd the revolt is buried in the graves of the authors and the strangers are no more in case to annoy us have a little patience and you shall soone see them shamefully quit our coasts and carrie nothing of their crimes with them but their griefe for committing them The people repli'd she promis'd no happinesse but what was most certaine but that she might not be unworthy of it 't was fitting the person should be honour'd who had wrought it That reply absolutely angring the Queene she withdrew without giving the people any contentment and shutting her selfe up in her closet with Amintha onely O ingratefull people cry'd she that have neither thought of me nor my predecessors Reeds shaken with all winds minds adoring novelties you are then wearie of my Government and without the knowledge of what is beneficiall or hurtfull to you desire a Slave for your King and that Alcidiana who would not bestow her chaines on Polexander should offer her Crowne to Araxes Here she was silent and after a little musing threw her selfe weeping on her confident's neck And my poore Amintha said she see I pray thee with what eagernesse my misfortune pursues me and thinke what I should resolve on to avoid the accomplishment of our dismall Prophesie Doest thou imagine that Alcidiana hath so base a spirit as to preferre before death a Slave who without doubt is come from among that barbarous nation which wretchedly inhabits the in-land deserts of Africa No no let Fortune arme the whole universe to force me to that necessitie I will see my kingdome all of a flame if my bloud cannot quench the fire rather then undergoe the reproach of doing an act unworthy of Alcidiana Amintha desirous to intertaine the Queen in this just aversion There is nothing said she but your Majestie is bound to suffer rather then the dangerous beliefe which is slid in among your subjects Weak minds as your Majestie knowes are susceptible of all we need but propose things to them beyond their understanding to fill them with foolish admirations and from those idle wondrings carry them to beliefes more ridiculous and extravagant If once your subjects strongly conceive that their fafetie
them that she hath in part lost the displeasure she had conceived against Polexander She believes now that if he err'd 't was by the inevitable order of heaven and humbling herselfe before that absolute Power O Eternall Wisdome cri'd shee I admire thee and am confounded in these Events I have no more election nor will Doe at last what thou hast resolv'd for thy glory But what think'st thou Diceus to what this Princess was driven when Polexander after he had sufficiently made himselfe knowne vanish'd from her as a flash of lightning I will not say that she changed the faire intention she bore him to an excesse of hatred since after that which shee spoke to thee her selfe it is possible she never had it Yet I may well tell thee that never any great affection was contested withall by so many different enemies as that which Alcidiana bears to Polexander Assoon as she was retir'd where she might with seemlinesse speake her thoughts What Amintha said she hold you correspondencie with mine enemies Have you betrayed mine innocencie and will you suffer a stranger to triumph o're Alcidiana's honour By one onely word you might have stop'd those extravagancies my credulity wrought me into You might without failing in any fidelity to your friend have drawne me from those errours which have hurried me to unreasonable resolutions and have prepar'd me by degrees for the presence of that suppos'd Slave But you have unworthily left me to the frensie of my subjects and mine owne Amintha Amintha how shall these faults be excus'd But I know their cause Polexander's contentment is more dear to you then mine You desir'd to build his fortune on the ruine of mine honour and never car'd what became of Alcidiana so that Polexander attained his desires In a word you have wish'd that he himselfe might be witnesse to those follies whereto his affection might sway me that so he might glory and boast of my being inamour'd on him This contentment he hath had Amintha and I thinke there is nothing now left for mee to act either for his or your satisfaction But as I labour'd both for you and him 't is fit I have my turne and now doe somewhat for my selfe Since I have so often assur'd you of my love to Polexander I will not now say that Prince is indifferent to me I confesse Amintha I have lov'd him and I love him still but since I am deceived in my affection I will stay the course of it and do in hatred to my selfe what I had resolved to perfect for the love of that Stranger Doe not doubt it I will accomplish all the Prophesie The slave that came out of the utmost of Africa shall be Alcidiana's husband But she will ever regard him according to what he seems and not what he is and will well finde a meanes to deprive him of the applauding himself for his cunning or reaping the fruit he expects by his infamous victory The Queen at these words being inforc'd to stoppe so much had griefe and indignation transported her I presently fell at her feet and most earnestly beseeching her to heare my justification swore to her by all that is most sacred in heaven that I was innocent of the treason whereof shee accused mee and that the King thy Master had first beguil'd me to the end I might be the more fit to deceive her Though I have much ado to beleeve you repli'd the Queen yet I will perswade my selfe that Polexander is onely guilty But since hee is a priviledg'd Offender an Offender sustain'd by heaven an Offender maintain'd by the same Justice which useth to cut off others I renounce the intention I had of prosecuting his crime Let him live Amintha since heaven ordaines it and my people require it and let another die for him It shall be the indiscreet Alcidiana yes it shall be that wretch which is to be offer'd a sacrifice for the safety of this State and the glory of a Stranger Let 's quickly then to that immolation and live no longer after so much shame Let mee die that I may no more look on Polexander Her sighes here hindering her further speech I besought her to consider things pass'd on that side which appear'd not so monstrous and to conceive that being guided by the providence of heaven she could not look on them as things prodigious but that withall shee must beleeve that very Providence subject to error and disorder Afterwards I went on with what I began this relation and brought her after five or six houres of contestation to give mee the victory or to say better to reduce her to the absolute power of him that masters Kings But I could not winne of her so much as a consent to see Polexander Shee alwaies upbraided his treachery and would not beleeve he lov'd her since he fear'd so little to offend her When Amintha had related thus much to mee said Diceus I was much confused Yet at last necessity encourag'd and lent me wit I justifi'd your arrivall your disguise and silence nay all that I had spoken touching your death too If after all this said I there remaines any other crime 't is I that committed it and Polexander is cleare Thus we parted At the recitall of these mistidings Polexander became as dead and ruminated something dismall in his mind when divers arm'd men coming in where he was interrupted his thoughts and oblig'd him to give them audience Pallantus conducted and presented them See said he the men from whom the Spaniards have receiv'd one of their mortall'st blowes They are the Inhabitants of a little towne at the head of this Lake By meanes of a very faire haven within the inclosure of their walls they have been chosen by our Kings to keep such Vessels as at any time by tempests were throwne on our coasts They had a great many of all burthens and seeing this Island in so much danger thought it fit to try all waies for the publick safety and have recourse to other meanes then that of force To which end they resolv'd to fill some ships with wilde-fire which set under saile and steer'd neere the Spanish Navy they fir'd and quitted so happily that with a little or no losse they have defeated the principall strength of the Enemy Polexander entertaining those generous Islanders with the best precedency of spirit which his private discontents had left him prais'd their industry and courage confessing they had extreamly contributed to the deliverance of their country With which good words he dismiss'd them and taking Pallantus aside let him know of Alcidiana's new choler Pallantus could not reply because at the instant he saw a great many people descend by the causey leading to the upper towne They were such as first heard news of their intire deliverance and the metamorphosis of the slave Araxes into the Prince Polexander and came to see him with all the expressions of an extraordinary joy Some carried branches of