heart These Motives enforced the Dutchess to slight the Affections of the Prince He that took more fire out of these strangenesses left not any means unattempted to winne her Entreaties Messengers Letters and Presents came daily from him She neither with refusing nor accepting all endeavoured to conquer obstination with obstination He continually besieged our lodgings and the Dutchess was many times constrained to talk to him with affection in despight of her will to keep him at distance from us He often times having required my assistance I evermore with greater earnestnesse disswaded him from it I made him see how much he deceived himselfe that pretended love from her that loved not or from her that would not love That there was no force that had power to bow our affections The divinity of our minde not to be lyable to violence The heart of a Woman to be moved like the Primum Mobile onely by it selfe with a Motion contrary to others The Merit of that man to be undervalued which deserving to be beloved without love loves without being beloved That Prayers and Submissions beget not love but foment Ambition in Women who disdaine the poorenesse of that spirit which cannot despise being despised They account him unworthy of affection that cannot resent injuries These notwithstanding were considerations which made him despaire but eas'd him not of his love Constant in his Resolutions he try'd all wayes To this end he employed all the Damsels of the Court which he dayly by entreaties and gifts won him They were all engaged to serve him gain'd by so many kindnesses that they durst not contradict him The hope of the Princesse Favour prevailes much more in them and the greater part of servants are so then the duty of their place and faith In particular he had obtained the good will of Therasia of bloud lesse then ordinary a Damsell belonging to the Dutchess but one that had gained by the Merits of a singular beauty and with an assiduous applying her selfe to her Ladies service that place This in such a wise possessed the minde of the Dutchesse that she held her worthy to know my secrets neglecting all others that waited on me She would first have believed the heavens corruptible then this heart to which without doubt she had given more trust then she did to her owne To this the Prince applyed his minde foreseeing that to tempt her those wayes whereby he prevailed upon others would be in vaine hee won her with a new stratagem With so much cunning he feigned himselfe in love with her that shee so easily believed him in it that he needed not enforce himselfe farther to make her understand it The Title of faire that was attributed by all made her grow proud and presage she should cast her Lady out of the Princes affection more especially because she knew she was engaged in another love and would not nor could not please him The Prince one day espying her in the Garden when she was alone took hold of the oceasion and thus began to speak to her Faire Lady I should not deserve your affection by shewing my selfe inconstant But I should be neither a Man nor Prince if I knew not how to slight where I am despis'd Your Beauty were ordinary if it had not the power to subject to you the glories of others I have loved the Dutchess I confesse it nor can I deny it you may have reason to suspect me false in my second loves when you have found me inconstant in my first Now I so excessively affect you that I believe I should lose my selfe imagining me to be without you Argue then what the ardour of that heart must be which knew how to love even one that did not deserve love He that can burne in Frost what will he do in fire You have not reason to refuse me I am a Prince and brother to the King Although these hands sway not the Scepter they deserve it and 't is the glory of vertue to be undervalued by Fortune You cannot aspire to an higher greatnesse nor your beautie receive a larger Adoration then that of an heart that knowes it selfe superiour to all things The Dutchesses Refusals ought not to provoke yours The Sun is not in fault though some blaspheme and despise it much less doth it lose the splendor of its Beames because Batts and Howlets abhorre the light of it The Gods peradventure will punish some Crime of hers by rendring her a Contemner of the favours of Destinie They corrupt the judgements of those for whom they prepare punishment I should say more if the Divinitie of your Beauties could receive a Commotion from words It sufficeth that you know I love you A soule as faire as your face knows as well to correspond to affection as it to make it selfe beloved I adde no more because I desire you may love my Affection not my Voice Who intreats either demerits or Distrusts But your gentleness secures me both from the one and the other Here the Prince my Uncle stopp'd fixing his eyes on her who had loved him before then if she had not accused so ambitious an Affection of rashness or if he before had discovered to her the least signe of his Therasia imitating the usuall Customes of women to cloath their Desires with Dissimulation altering her countenance with a feigned blush conterfeiting a mixture of joy and sorrow after a short silence thus answered Prince I cannot deny but that I beleeve you love me For notwithstanding that there are not in me conditions to deserve your Affection I have for all that an ambition to wish it Impossibility hath not a difficulty for those that earnestly covet it I can much lesse say I love you not since in my countenance you may read the Affections of my heart It is our duty to love our Princes and it is a stupidity not to correspond to those that love us But for all that that I infinitely love you I cannot but put you in minde of those things in the which the affection I beare you obligeth me although they may prejudice me You are Prince and if the Laws of desert were not regulated by those of Fortune should be King To submit then to Nuptialls so inferiour to your birth I know not what it may be thought on by the world or how endured by your selfe As I have Moderation to content my selfe with my owne Fortune I should not so have patience for the Precipices of your forsaking me If you love me Prince doe not with exalting me expose me more to the Lightnings It serves for a glory to deserve Entreaties from him who should not know how to beseech meriting by the slightest signes from him to be obeyed Now I will believe the adulations of Lovers true since my beauties though something lesse then ordinary have been priviledged by your election and commendation But may it please your Highness to know I have no will that shall not be
I rather preferr'd to encounter death then occasion your displeasure Now that the excesses of your benignity have embolden'd me with these words I will lay open before you my most inward wounds and I attend from the favours of your munificence that helpe which the knowledge of my condition denies me If the care of your maladie replied the Infanta depend upon my will rise for you are well The honesty of your desires shall have their end and correspondencie in my affection Doe not deceive me to flatter my hopes for you know what love can doe in the breast of a woman that will and knowes to love The arrivall of the Mother and the Princess with Physitians broke off the continuance of this discourse who found in me extraordinary signes of an unexpected health They were amaz'd at so sodaine an alteration and blam'd the imperfection of their Art that founding the reasons of it upon an experience alter'd by the diversity of complexions astonish'd them at my amendment as if they were altogether ignorant of my disease Yet there was among them some that made a doubt of my life They were fixd upon a rule though common fallacious that in a body extenuated by fastings griev'd by infirmitie and streitned of remedies Nature would not be wanting of a sodaine to receive extraordinary helpes And these they said were the last strengths of it Experience contradicted their reasons They soone saw my amendment being durable had reall foundations The strength of my body they increased with most pretious meats but with regard to the quantitie which at first they denied me lest the digestion interrupted or suffocated should bring me into a more dangerous sickness afterwards Plenty of Physick and the visits of the Physitians and the affection of the most beautifull Infanta recover'd me Those few daies I kept my bed in I endeavoured to contrive how we might enjoy the pleasures of our desire as a sign of her affection shee had bestowed kindly a kiss on me I having formerly told her my birth and given her my faith Shee obliged her selfe when I was healed to bring me into her lodgings my desire made me well before my time neither did shee deceive me in her promise She trusted her thoughts and affections to the Dutchess of Corona beseeching her assistance Shee to disswade her made use of all reasons and entreaties but in vaine Love hath not reason nor receives perswasion contrary to the will of them that love Feare represented to her prodigies of my ruine Whereupon shee doubted whether shee had best reveal it to the King But the good will shee bore the Princess and high opinion shee had of me witheld her She aided us to the fruition of our loves impossible but by her means The severeness of this happiness continued but for a very little while In the which I had consulted with the Infanta of requesting of her Father Armes and Mony for the regaining of my Kingdome when Fortune that till now had made truce with my griefs united all the forces of her strength to ruine me This short calme serv'd to no other purpose but to make me trust to her intending to make me drinke of a Sea of miserie The Princess Arelida became enamour'd of me who with divers and extraordinary favours forced her selfe to discover her affections At Dancings shee would alwaies dance with me at Huntings be even with me and at Torneaments give me constantly her Favour to weare whence shee would have me take notice that excessive honours proceeded not from an ordinary affection I counterfeited with such cunning to take no notice of it that shee found her selfe prevented and hopeless But because the power of Love receives no hinderance from modesty one day faining her selfe indispos'd shee made me be call'd to her and after some courteous Complements past she thus spoke to me Is it possible Oleandro that I should be so little skill'd in the practiques of Love and you so knowing of his Favours Some few daies agoe I know not what provoked me to discover my flame Your modesty or my ill luck blinded you I am desirous to restore your sight finding my heart too narrow for so overflowing excesses of Love Deare friend Oleandro I love you if you believe not my tongue the interpreter of my mind and faithfull revealer of my intentions give credit to these teares true signes of an extraordinary affection and blood of my heart The Nobleness of your conditions the honestie of your actions the sublimity of your mind and the comeliness of your countenance tyrannize over the freeness of my will the greatness of my Birth the modestie of my conditions and the blushes of my face I should have fear'd rather to have gain'd by this boldnesse your indignation then affection if I knew not your worth so great that it would excuse even the errours of Princesses She offends not that bestowes her affection on a deserving object The gods rejoice to be beloved by all The Lawes of Cupid punish the ingratefull that love not not those that doe Nor is there any such thing that honestie is contrary to affection For I love you with a desire to live with you as a wife not to enjoy you as a servant my birth is not capable of so base thoughts my desires have no meaning that may blemish the candidnesse of their ends If you be a Prince as I shall not believe you if you denie it you have no reason to refuse my Nuptials I hoping both by the Law of Nature and right of succession to be a Queen If you be not of so high a condition you ought then to embrace this occasion that invites you to the possession of me and thereby of the Kingdome If you discerne any want in any of these Motives my affection ought to have power over the hardnesse of your thoughts to win you to afford me your consent The World hath not treasure enough to recompense the affection of a Princesse Correspondence alone is the onely reward of love Love me then and with an obstinate resolution disdaine not the benignity of Fortune which proffers you the possession of a beauty esteemed singular by many that have desired it and the soveraignty over so great a people that would even weary the ambition of an Alexander With these words the Princesse set a period to her speech attending with great alterations of mind giving signes thereof with various colours in her face and with submisse entreaties of her eyes my answer A while I stood silent after I reflected that to make a Princesse hopelesse of her love would prove a Precipice to my affections That women are not accustomed to receive denials in those things which for the most part are proffered them before hand That blush that inflames the countenance of a Princess to gaine the Love of her beloved if refus'd is converted into scorne to take from her eyes the memory of her rejection Therefore after some Complements
departure finding her heart a narrow Vessell for an Excesse of an over-flowing Love exhaled her Passion in words sighes and teares Now she called Heaven to be witnesse of her Innocencie Now blamed Cupid that ingenerated in the hearts of Lovers suspitions so farre from Truth Now she accused Diaspe of injustice who had concluded her guilty without hearing her defences Now she complained of Fortune who between her perpetuall motions of inconstancy was a continuall affliction to her Now she reproved her selfe of her errours for so easily yielding to the Affections of that man which determine in the fruition of the Object But when she fixed upon the consideration of having promised her Father to entertaine the marriage with the Duke of Filena and to be deprived even of the hope of having Diaspe forgetting altogether the reservednesse becomming a Princesse it appeared by her that she would not or could not live any longer She beat the earth with her feet because she having been believed a Heaven of Beauty peradventure perswaded her selfe that the Vapours of her Passions could have no originall but from the Earth She struck her face with her hands as if she meant to punish the beauty there as Author of her Infelicity Shee knocked her Breast and it seemed she would chase thence that Image which against her will tyrannized in her heart Lastly she tore her haire making them guilty of Diaspe's far away absence because they had not the power to stay and entangle him The sense of her sorrow ceased not to torment her And these Rages which came as Natures under-Assistants for the consolation of her minde augmented the oppressions of it Finally overcome and cast downe by the Assault of of many passions she was constrained by a violent Fever to betake her selfe to her Bed whilst her griefes presaged nothing but her Death The Dutchess used all meanes to comfort her representing to her infinite expectations very well knowing that hope although remote is the true nourishment of Love and the onely Consolation of Lovers When shee perceived her tired with a Conquering sorrow and that it seemed that her eyes which were even drained with weeping desired Repose despight of griefe which wished to see her engaged to a perpetuall Lamentation she went from her to Floridea in the Cave To whom she recounted the ill-fortune of the Princess and the Resolution she had taken to disoblige her heart from Diaspe obeying her Father and marrying the Duke of Filena The Dutchess had understood from Dianea King Vassileo's Intention but knew nothing of the Love that had passed between Floridea and the Duke of Filena When Floridea heard the Duke named with a great alteration she beseeched who was that Duke of Filena who was accounted worthy of such a Princess The Dutchess answered her he was the most celebrated King at that time Fame reported and that enoblized the Glories of his bloud by the wonders of his Vertue by which hee had conquered envy it selfe That King Vassileo even when he was a great way hence had elected him for his sonne and that not many dayes since he arrived here to solemnize these Nuptialls which most sumptuously are a preparing Floridea had scarce heard the sense of these last words but being surprized with a trembling of the heart she beseeched the Dutchess to leave her untill she had passed over that fit which she conceived of little moment being accustomed formerly to have greater Being alone she gave liberty to her tongue that accompanying her eyes they might celebrate the Funerall of her hopes Unfortunate cry'd she are they that found their Desires upon the inconstancies of Fortune I grew proud in holding her by the haire and perswaded my self I might with all security resâ— me in the midd'st of her wheele having been sheltered from the Barbarismes of Traytors preserved from the Furies of the Sea and to have found so large a share in the affections of so great a Princess and now I see my selfe a new reduced to that condition that Death would be the least of my miseries How uncertaine are our Thoughts How vaine our Designes How beguiled our Hopes and how betray'd our opinions I imagined that this Grot that had hid me from the cruelty of mine enemies would have also preserved me from the cruellest blowes of Destiny I believed it had not been able to penetrate into this Cave which the Sun dares not disclose Ah me unhappy what Remedy shall I look for I have found the ill and Death hath mocked me with an appearance of Recoverie I am like those Flies which burne themselves in that fire which they believed would have cherished them But to whom profits it me to complaine since 't is in the power of this hand to release me from all the molestations of the world That woman is too much miserable that hath no other meanes to ease her of her miserie but her teares But I have a Courage to dye when I will and that envies not the constancie of those breasts that being of a less fraile Sex are judged therefore the more generous But whither doth my griefe transport my tongue and my reason make me wander For the present I ought not nor can I dye For being the Duke of Filena's I should not relinquish his Commands I ought to depend upon his will and to heare my selfe his Resolutions Others reports for the most part are either interested or careless In the affaires of Love the circumstances give and take away life When thou shalt say O Duke of Filena thou wilt not be mine When thou shalt refuse that Sacrifice thou hast of my heart then I can dispose of my selfe according to my pleasure At the present my thought could not be innocent if it should violate thy right If thou wilt have Dianea I will not oppose thee For I should love thee but a little if for my proper Interest I should deprive thee of so gratefull a thing Nevertheless I know that I offend thee making that faith dubious which I have always served with so much loyalty Thus complayning without attending the Returne of the Dutchesse as if shee hated those Roomes fearing no longer Prodirto nor the Encounters of Fortune she went forth of the Cave with the greatest anxiety that could be taking that path which to her judgement might lead her whither her heart designed her By the way she devised how she should appeare to the Duke of Filena She prepared words premeditated conceits which were by her selfe now accused as too humble and now rejected as over-rigorous Shee contriv'd if shee found her selfe despised how she should amplifie her sorrowes And meditated if accepted of by what wayes she should conceale her joy Whilst she agitated by these Passions rendred the Incommodities of her travaile more supportable Diaspe who had resolved to abandon the world and to live amidst solitudes without the disturbance of those thoughts which make us abhorre life condemning his opinion for base had hired
of weapons to chastise thy perfidiousnesse but yet I assure my selfe that the Justice of the Gods will not leave unpunished so execrable a Patricide I hope to see thee Traitour betrayed by thy selfe to fall in thy own Treacheries She proceeded but he interrupting her said Princesse I have not affection for her that despises me nether can I love where I am hated you may well enough vent the injustices of your passions without injuring me wrong not my hands to betray my heart neither urge me to a necessity to correct the errours of your tongue I feare thou wicked man replied the Princesse thy love much more than thy hatred Thy furies have no power over the Decree of Heaven which hath rendred thee a slave to me In these treacheries of thine I triumph over thy perfidiousnesse neither do I bewaile me of thy cruelty traytours being alwaies so Affection could no longer keep the fomentations of Anger within the Dukes breast being so much the more insupportable by reason they strooke home to his Conscience Patience offended by just reproofs hath no bridle that can curbe it He shewed by the palenesse of his Face the lightning of his eyes with the striking of his hands that love and disdaine combated in his heart He was ready to rush into some excesse of revenge when he was suspended by some confused voices which being lost among the multitude of those Trees strooke his eares with an unknown murmur The remotenesse of the place he was in afforded him not distinction to discerne from whence they came His Imagination being transported upon variety of things not knowing what to perswade himselfe or resolve he perceived one of his Knights who much troubled ran to seeke him Scarce could the Duke aske the novelty of this noise but he understood his Galley was assaulted by Pirates and in danger to be lost without his help He would heare no more but committing the care of the Princesse to that Knight ran with all speed to their reliefe The Princesse at this recovered spirit hoping they were her Subjects comming to fight for her and redeeme her when she understood that for a certaine they were Pyrates she consulted with Celardo for so the Knight was named to secure her selfe from the tyranny of the Duke or the cruelty of the Pyrates The hands of both of them execrable and dangerous They soone resolved to walke towards the top of some little Mount to search for a place of refuge They were scarce got up one but they discovered as well as sight could discerne a most faire City which for the quantity of Buildings the multiplicity of Gardens the highnesse of the Walls made them imagine it one of the greatest of the strongest and the most delitious of the World They also perceived not very far from them a most majestick Palace which rather buried than hid with the thicknesse of the trees afforded not liberty to the eye to see the beauties of it They went towards it but losing their way they stood still weary and daunted Disasters hunger and the voyage had so afflicted the Princesse that she acknowledged her selfe unable to move a step further Celardo beseeched her to repose her selfe at the foot of that Hill in a Plaine till he had gone to speak with some body and should bring her some hope of a Lodging and some comfort to her wearinesse The Palace they had discovered of necessity could not be very far off and that it agreed not with possibility that a Country so rich and fertile should not be infinite full of people The Princesse consented and laying her downe upon the grasse blamed Love and Fortune that had dealt so unhappily with her that now she hoped for no greater consolation than to lose her life Ever anon she breathed out most hot sighs which accompanied with an abundancy of teares would have awakened the sense of pity in the fiercenesse of Tygers and in the hardnesse of Rocks Whiles her Passions transported her heart into a thousand thoughts she perceived from afar her selfe to be called with reiterated voices She arose not without feare and casting her eyes to that part where she heard her name so redoubled she saw it was the Duke who in all haste descended the Mountaine she accounted her selfe a dead woman There was not a Deity in heaven which she did not implore She would have fled but oppressed either with wearinesse or feare she was constrained to keepe her from falling to leane to a stone which butted out from all the other of the Mountaine she hardly touched it but it stirred of it selfe as if stones had that pity which she could not find in men She thrust it a little back and perceived that it damm'd up the entrance of a very large Cave as might be guessed at the first sight It was there with such Art hung upon Hinges that very easily it closed up and opened the Passage Without the greatnesse of it appeared much lesse and in such wise it was scituated that it seemed Nature had produced it and that it was not a Fabrick of Art It opened inwardly and when it was secured with the Bolt all the force of the World could not suffice to stirre it The Princesse remained a while doubtfull she conceited she dreamed or else perswaded her selfe that the Gods moved to pity by her teares had discovered this place of shelter which could only preserve her honesty and life It appeared strange to her to be buried by her selfe in a Cave But the present feare of falling againe into the Dukes hands made her careless of considering future dangers Being entred into the Grott and fearing to be pursued she secured the Mouth of it with some small Barre which stood by for that purpose Then she went hastily towards where she saw a great light and came into a Court which being adorned with most beautifull Pillars and of the finest Marble appeared rather to be a receptacle of the Gods than a Sepulchre of men as she had imagined It had in the midst of it a most large Fountaine which from seven Statues of the best polished Alabaster sent forth faire and cristalline waters Here the Princesse staied and her thirst allaied occasioned by feare and labour doubtfull in her selfe what she should hope for in these extreames of her misery she was over-taken by a sweet sleep the effect either of her wearinesse or the murmur of those waters The Duke in the meane while who had never lost sight of her while he descended the Hill arrived at the Rock where he suppos'd her hid He stood astonished when he saw no place for such a purpose and that she could not have escaped his eyes if she were not transformed into those Rocks Nevertheless he forbore not to search with his hands if it were possible to discover any Entrance Whiles he remained in this anxious sollicitude that he could neither credit his sight nor touch he heard himselfe railed at
a private Gate disguis'd in poor cloths while he put on mine and made himselfe taken by a deceit that my escape being known I should not be pursued Death will be the least of his evils for besides the envy of his Emulatours he had the hate of the Tyrants who infinitely often at any price had requested my life of him my disguise carried me safe from every danger nor mist I any thing that offended me I departed from Morocco deploring my misfortune that would not permit me an occasion to exercise the undauntednesse of my heart or the strength of my sword I embark'd for Numidia to tug if Fortune would change by the alteration of Climes The injuries of Tempests of Heaven of Lightnings accompanied me in my Voyage When one is once made the scope of the miseries of fate he only knows what 't is to be unhappy I came ashore in Dana a Region of Numidia because destiny there had provided for me greater miseries Afoot I walked toward Tesset the Metropolis of the Kingdome accompanied by the sorrow of those thoughts which had almost made me beyond my selfe the Heaven served for my Canopy and my griefe for a Centinell which admitted me not to have the multiplicity of wild Beasts which Africke breeds I was foure miles short of Tesset when I felt my eares struck with schreekes and lamentations of a faire woman Shee fled from Death which the trechery of four privy Murtherers menaced her with Her cloths were extreamely rich which shewed her to be a Lady of no ordinary descent Her embroideries pearle and gold were out-vide by the comelinesse of her Face and the beauty of her haire which stirr'd up and downe by the wind and raining it seems they were moved towards Heaven to contend for splendour with that of Ariadne her beautie not at all diminished by feare made me admire how it did not stirre up aide in the cruelty of those hearts Shee scarce saw me but both with her love and by signes shee implor'd my aide Her entreaties were delivered with such an inbred statelinesse that they seem'd rather commands then prayers I sodainly laid hand on my sword and justice favoring me in despight of my ill fortune they all there lost their lives Shee ranne to render me thanks having seen vengeance taken of her enemies without hurt to my selfe After some few short complements she told me the danger her Father was in shewing me the way to him I went to him with all speed and saved his life who was incompass'd with most eminent dangers Their kind embraces and the honours they did me amaz'd me These were the King of Numidia and his daughter that tracing a Stag had lost themselves and were assaulted by those Arabians who with their Nurses milk sucke in hatred to that Crown I rendred thanks to the gods and Fortune who now grew weary to afflict me with an infelicity of successes I accounted my selfe blest onely for preserving from Death so great a King and so faire a Princesse No body can be thought happy or miserable who hath not tride all accidents The fairenesse of a day is not despair'd of for the Cloudes which are seen before Sunne-rising Our wounds were hardly bound up but the Courtiers came upon us who with abundance of care pour'd forth their vowes for their Princes safety They conducted us into Tesset where we were encountred with those applauses wherewith Subjects manifest their affections At the foot of the Palace staires was the Queen accompanied with a daughter attended by a multitude of Ladies They rain'd from their eyes two most lively showers of teares which issue not alwaies from the fountaine of sorrow whom they had lamented for dead with his daughter they cannot yet be satisfied to see alive and embrace Thank said the King this Knight pointing to me from whose Valour next to the gods I acknowledge my safety and life I profess my selfe in so high a manner beholding to him that should I give him my Crown I should not in part have paid what I owe him for it is his and I receiv'd it from him both through his good fortune and courtesy The modest conceit I had of my selfe forced me with blushes to answer his good opinion of me I was made his companion in the Palace and a while after one of his Royall Councell and by many that flattered their own hopes in my greatness I was almost reverenc'd as the Heire and successour of the Kingdome My mind exalted by the beginning of these felicities lost within a few dayes the remembrance of its misfortunes The thoughts of regaining my Fathers Kingdome and to ease my subjects of their miseries the love that I took to the Infanta Ariama at that time I freed her from the ravenousnesse of the Arabians drove out of my mind The benignity of her favours the comliness of her countenance the continuation of seeing her would have subdued the obduratenesse of any heart not onely mine easy to receive any impression through the weakness of youth and in experience Dissemblings some few daies conceal'd my fire which presently after becomming insupportable made me subject to a most dangerous sicknesse The King carefull for my recovery assisted at my bed comforted me in my undiscovered sorrows and bemoan'd me as if it were his own disease The Physitians despairing to find out the cause refus'd to visit me having no hope at all left them of my life I did receive no other comfort but from the Presence of my faire Infanta Not only my recovery but life depended on the sight of her One day the Queen and the Princesse attentive at the consultation of the Physitians or because shee saw in the sadnesse of my countenance the bitternesse of my sorrowes or because she read in my eyes the indeleble Characters of my affection with much adoe refraining from teares shee said to me Then O Knight shall your obstinacie deprive us of your Person Is it possible that dissimulation is more prevalent over your will then my entreaties If you deny this not to receive redresse for your Maladie confesse it to comfort me I love you Sir for the debt of gratitude I owe you and by the election of my will without you I cannot neither will I live Discouer then your griefs either that they may meet with remedy or to comfort them with the companie of my teares I that was troubled with no other griefe but with doubtfull thoughts of her affection and the poornesse of my Fortune although borne a Prince and whom feare of repulse had made rather choose death then her disdaine at the sound of these words felt my spirits recover'd and believ'd my selfe well Not containing my selfe for joy I thus answered Faire Infanta my griefes have had originall from your beauty I have conceal'd in the cinders of dissimulation those fires that turne my heart into ashes My poor merit compar'd to your reall greatness rendred the desires of my affection impossible
safetie into your hands your Curiositie and Entreaties which I should reverence in other matters as Commands should not prevaile with mee to speak a word Who cannot tell how to hold their peace is unfit to serve Princes The principall duty of Faith is to conceale those Actions which Kings breathing forth scarce trust themselves with I though a Woman have evermore observed this Axiome the Dutie I owe others and the regard I have to my owne safetie inciting me Great secrets are not reveal'd but with great danger and ordinarily who ever betraies is betrai'd You may please to take notice that this Island is the amorous Kingdome of Cyprus Fame gives out that this Cave was made by the command of Venus to conceale her Amours in or by the first Kings here to secure themselves from Treacheries It hath seven Mouthes that all reach to the Sea so farre distant one from another as a man can see I suppose that under a pretence of Religion Tillage is prohibited in this part of the Isle to take away occasion from the Inhabitants of discovering these retiring places or observing of any that should come into them All the Continent is sacred and to kill a wilde beast or cut downe a Tree a Capitall offence After a long Circuit the Entrance growing narrow determines in a place call'd the secret Palace The common people beleeve that it took name from a Fountaine which one drinking of it represents in a dreame to their imaginations things to come or as I perswade my selfe by these private withdrawing places under ground knowne onely to his Majestie and his Daughter who for the most part here keeps his Court by reason it is the most strong and delicious part of this Island In the remotest Chamber his Highnes Treasure is kept but in a place the least observ'd the Entrance being stopt with some boards in such wise doth close that they deceive both the eye and feeling The easinesse of removing them can be onely discover'd by those who see them taken away But I will not with tedious Circumstances rob you of the Houres of your Repose I will abbreviate my Discourse and onely declare those things which are most worthy of your curiosity I beseech you added the Princess I being newly arrived in these parts and knowing a full Relation will come the welcommest to me and my desires my sorrowes not permitting me over-much sleep doe not so The History of Dianea Diaspe c. THe Dutchesse went on The handsomest here are chosen Kings and they have power to continue the Kingdome in their Line whether Males or Females Of the which if there be a faile the chiefe of the Island meet about a new Election which alwaies lights on him whom Venus is prodigall of her favours to In King Vassileo who now reignes in whom the vertue of his mind contends with the comliness of his person all our hopes are accomplished The Acclamations and the Joyes of the people were not any whit defrauded by the proofs of his merit and the goodnesse of his Government being of a complying disposition to all but inexorable to wicked men with a Majestick Pleasantness he hath gain'd himselfe the good will of his enemies and not onely the hearts of his Subjects He was fear'd by his neighbour Princes belov'd by the Remote and in briefe ador'd by all The Devotions of the people were unanimous in supplications to the mercie of the Gods to eternize a stock so every way worthy By two wives he had no issue but one daughter the Princesse Dianea my Mistris so call'd after her mothers name who died in Child-bed of her The more she increased in yeares the handsomer she grew This Sun although but rising ravished the desires of all eyes and awaked in the most frozen mindes and in the cruellest bosomes a tender affection An eye cannot behold her without parting with an heart I should say more if so noble conditions could be exposed and if you when you had seen her should not believe her one of the most beautifull Ladies of the world A thousand have aim'd at her affection and infinite is the number of them who have falne in love with her This Paradise of perfection hath been desired and beseeched for of all worthy men What cannot a beautie more then great accompanyed with a vast Kingdome for her Dowrie doe They that knew not how to love any thing but themselves and their proper Interests expressed themselves most ambitious of her Those insensible ones that could not be conquered by her Beauty were inthral'd by the power of their owne Ambition The wisedome of his Majestie which would get him a Sonne-in-law and not an enemy neither entertain'd nor refused their offers He inclin'd not to Kings because he would not dismember Cyprus And with his Subjects he disdain'd as a diminution of the Royall greatness His neighbour Princes were not to his satisfaction because being blemished with a thousand vices he would not at the same time endanger his Kingdome his Daughter and himselfe And of Remote matches he abhorred the thought as they that would carrie the Princesse with them which would be a separating of his Soule from his Body Finally his Majesties mind fix'd on the Duke of Araone the youngest Sonne of the King of Armenia a Knight but for the deformity of his face the most worthy of his times His abode was then in the Court and with the proofes of his valour he had to won upon the Kings affections that him he chose to ally so neare to him as to make him his Sonne There was no doubt that he should dismember the Crowne or remove the Princesse into a Remote Countrey being the last of a numerous Issue and having the disposing of nothing in his hands but his Horse and Armes The King acquainted the Princesse with his Resolution who was ready to die of sorrow when she heard it The reverence sheow'd her Father and the modesty of her Sex were not sufficient to cloath her with so much wisedome as to conceale the passions of her minde To oppose her selfe to the desires of her Father was not the custome of her will or heart And how should she contradict him who commanded as a Father and would be obeyed as a King But recovering her selfe she beseeched his Majestie to give her some time that she might be able to dispose of her selfe according to his Commands She said that great Resolutions should not bee prosecuted without premeditation that seeing she was to oblige her selfe to so unequall a matrimonie it was but reason that she first should perswade her minde to it That marriages compell'd either by the Authority of those that treat of them or by their power that make them are for the most part unhappy She added other Reasons whereupon her Father allowed her six moneths time not onely for her deliberation but the consummation of the Nuptials How then the Princesse remain'd confus'd they may imagine whose Destinie
unworthy to be beloved 't is true he loves not me and 't is true he is a Traitour But how can my affection be assuredlier fixed than in his alienations To love being beloved is an Obligation I ought to affect Oleandro through Gratitude and to comply with my heart The affections of one beloved should be won by obsequiousnesse and not steele Cruelty is altogether an adversary to Love If I kill him I can never hope to enjoy him who living may become sensible of his errour and re-affect me And more if I love him I should accommodate my selfe to his desires I should only love my own satisfaction if I should not affect him but because he loved me againe The Obligation of any that loves in earnest is to be transformed into the Genius of the beloved It is neverthelesse good reason that I take from my eyes what may alienate him from my love and molest me She is a foole that can have the patience to endure a Rivall Having made these considerations she came againe to Arnalta and againe stayed her hand that was ready to strike her If I desire said she the affection of Oleandro why offend I him with killing one who is his Companion If he truly affect her and intends to preferre her before me seeing her murthered by my hands he will much more hate me If I would enjoy the Affection of Oleandro it is necessary that I procure it by parelling this whom I suppose his Mistris When in her presence he shall professe he loves me I shall not be deceived What pleasure would it be to me if he should love me out necessity not having where to divert his affections How can one rejoyce in that love which cannot be cimented by a Paragon Ah foole that I am presume I yet in the love of this wicked one in this sacrilegious in this unfaithfull man He hath deceived one sister and the other is betraied or slaine And ought I to have hope on the instability of that heart that is inconstant in inconstancy it selfe No no to retard vengeance is to render him worse Their Errours are to be pardoned who are in a state to do better not them to whom forgivenesse serves as a fomentation to worse This impious man therefore I sacrifice to the justice of my disdaine Hereupon resolved to kill him she moved her arme and directed the dagger towards his heart as if she meant to punish that part first by which first she supposed her selfe injured The arrivall of a Knight who having observed something of these Discourses hindered this resolution who just came in time to hold her hand Blush you not he said to defile your selfe in the bloud of these who by their habits cannot but be imagined base Art thou of so meane a spirit that thou wilt make war against persons that are overcome by sleep Or throw away those armes or truly performe things that may be worthy of those Armes If thou knew'st answered the other the Causes of my Anger thou wouldst applaud my resolution and be thy selfe the Author of their deaths To take these wicked ones out of the world is to do a benefit to the publike Persons so wicked may also be wickedly punished Against those that are unarmed replied the other and those that are asleep there is no reason that prevailes It is not lawfull to do amisse to chastise an errour Besides from so meane persons an injury is not received They are not so presently onward the first as the rusticity of their Gaments figures them to you He is a Prince yet unworthy of such a name and goes peradventure in these counterfeit habits to deceive some other as he hath done me So saying she pulled off her Helme adding I am not a man as perhaps you thought me To give a masse to my Infelicity which must alwaies accompany me Nature made me a woman I gave to this wicked one my love my honour Being growne weary of me with the very same Arts which he had woven snares with to beguile my simplicity he betrayed the heart of a sister of mine who forsaking the Kingdome and her Father would follow him Satiated also with this he hath either abandoned or slaine her for I see him with another woman and not her whom he took with him Have not I then reason to be cruell against the softness of my sex in the iniquity of this impious man No Infanta Ariama said Oleandro who being wakened at their talke had in some part observed her Complaints and knew her The absent should never be condemned Though I appeare guilty I am not for all that such If the benignity of that Infanta who could give me her heart would please to listen to my words she should see that I am not to be blamed as the world may believe I am you should not fixe your selfe in the appearance of things Even Jove sends forth his Lightnings when the Heaven is serene and the Sun makes a glorious shew of himselfe sometimes when a shower falls Wicked man answered the Infanta how skilfull thou art to mascherate thy excuses Thy perfidiousnesse might move me if I had not proved the dammages of thy disloyalty Tell me tell me perfidious man how thou canst colour thy flight What canst thou say for the betraying of my sister What moved thee to leave me with a pledge in my belly of thy unfaithfulnesse Why didst thou not take me with thee instead of my sister Faire Infanta replied Oleandro One cannot perswade one that will not be perswaded If I have ever deceived you if this heart hath ever produced desires which are not proper to my faith and my obligations if my mind be estranged from you even in the vanity of very dreames I beseech Jove that he come against me with all his Lightnings that Pluto make me subject to all the torments of his Kingdome that the Earth may bring forth no other for me but wild beasts brambles and peysons that the sea reserve for my sufferings all his Abysses and finally that the aire uniting all the worst influences of it instead of affording me breath may stifle me Beleeve Oaths presently replied the Infanta He that hath an heart so impious that it can betray an Innocent will also have that confidence to deny his treason Wicked man thy deceits are too sensible which thou hast contrived to deceive me anew But I will confound thee I will that thy temerity shall be lost amidst thy own Answers What hast thou done with my Sister Why wentst thou with her Why hast thou cousened her Infanta answered Oleandro I know not what thing Deceit is The Princess your Sister betraying her selfe hath deceived me and that very same day just that she made me part from Tesset I by an accident parted from her Here he related point by point the counterfeit Letter his departure the company of an unknown Knight how he came to know her the words that passed the wound the Princesse
gave her selfe and divers other particulars Which being heard with a disdainefull laughter of the Infanta she said to him Oleandro dreames and fables find no belefe in the mind of a Lover who hardly can credit her eyes Are you not satisfied to have tormented my innocency with your workes that anew you would with words entice my soule from me See how perfidious and how cruell thou art Thou proposest things to me so far distant from being and possibility that I can never enforce my heart to beleeve them How Thou receive a Letter and not distinguish the Characters A Messenger wakened you and you observed him not A Knight accompanied you and you knew him not The wounds the thieves and thy other imaginations raise in me that effect which the fragours of the waves of Nylus make which deafen Thou art ingratefull thou art a Traitour thou art a wicked man and therefore no wonder thou shouldst be a Lyer Besides who is this that goes along with you a Partaker of your misfortunes What confidence what engagement what meanes rendred thee a Companion so interessed that she hath a boldnesse as it were to repose her selfe in thy bosome and now assured of thy protection hath given her selfe over a prey to sleepe This replied Oleandro is my Sister and I would that you should understand it from her very mouth So speaking he awakened Arnalta saying to her Come Sister and reverence this Lady whom my heart hath elected for its Queen Is perhaps this replied Arnalta the Infanta of Numidia Understanding it was the same she ran to kisse her hands The Infanta drew them back to her saying Excuse me if Love and Jealousie take from me those actions of Courtesie which are owing to your merit To day I should rejoyce to be deceived because I might beguile my feare I have businesse of some consequence with this whom you affirme to be your brother I can neither answer nor live if I see not the end of this Turning her selfe then to Oleandro she said to him I cannot deny but that thy Lies carry a face of truth But this time they shall not find credit I will yeeld to your assertion that this is your Sister But how will you prove that performed which you have fabled of me Innocency readily replied Oleandro hath not need of many proofes Behold the Letter which the Princess Arelida your Sister made use of to deceive me Take notice of your own Characters so well imitated that I believe you your selfe would remaine in doubt that your hand had fashioned them unknown to your eyes and heart Then said the Infanta Is Oleandro faithfull Then is he mine O Gods what thankes can I ever render you having restored me my Lover on better conditions then I could desire or imagine She ranne after to embrace him neither the presence of Arnalta nor that of the other Knight could containe her in those tendernesses which are practis'd onely among Lovers Their kisses were centuplicated Their Arms which as it were strove with their hearts in expressing Affection were not wearie with Embracing as much as might be they endeavoured to unite their bodies The heart not being able for joy to contain it self in the breast issued out of it in words kisses and teares In summe there was not a sense in them which rejoyced not These first violences of Affection being over-passed they excused themselves he with the Knight and she with Arnalta they resolved presently to depart thence not to be over-taken by the night The Knight told them that not farre off there was an house where they need not desire welcome They took their way towards it Olsandro entreated the Infanta to make the tediousness and troubles of their journey pleasant with some Relation he being desirous of the newes that fell out in the Court after his departure with the Princesse The Infanta with an eagerness encountring this occasion thus began her Storie The History of the Infanta Ariama IT was two houres day when the Damsels of the Princess my Sister perceived that shee was missing More by their teares then words they acquainted my father with it At the notice of it he became speechlesse He afterwards sent without delay to the Ports to learne whither she took her voiage dispatching every way souldiers on Horseback to stay her Hee imagined she was gone with you the Guards of the Golden gate reporting your Departure with one Companion who by the Description they made could not but be my sister When I knew it I was willing to die for griefe I said and did things which would have provoked sense of Pity even in things insensible My Father hearing no tidings of her could not be comforted and removed some Moneths without sufferring himselfe to be seen in publick In that time the Prince his Brother returned from warre maintained alwayes at great charges abroad because being cruell of nature and a Lover of innovation my Father very willingly saw him not in the Kingdome Hee was scarce come but he desired leave to depart for Cyprus by Fame enflamed with love to the Princess Dianea who for Beauty was esteemed a new Venus My Father whom these Amours pleased not for Reasons of State would not consent to him for many times their Of-spring engage Parents to great Matters and 't is small security to a Prince that many may pretend to the Government My Uncle shew'd himselfe not to care for this denyall especially because a few dayes before the Nuptials of Dianea with the King of Armenia's youngest Sonne were there published He fixed his minde and thought on new objects He esteemed the Dutchess of Corana worthy his affections There he applyed himselfe with such a Passion that he made all the Court admire him seeing a Prince a Rivall to Mars become suddenly a Tributary to Cupid Many times an alteration into the Extreames is Easie My Father neither allow'd of nor withstood these Amours feigning himselfe blinde in things perspicuous to all The Dutchess although Ambition and a desire to be beloved be connaturals to women seemed strange altogether and coy at it She had formerly engaged her heart to Doarte the Count of Nasace a Knight who by the gentleness of his behaviour and the valour of his sword had gained himselfe the Affections of all Shee truely had never applyed her minde thither if my interest had not induced her The seeing me so neare to render account to Nature of the pleasures I had stole from my marriage made her fall into a Resolution far from her opinion and genius We two onely could not conceale nor mature the birth with safety There was need of many shadowes to darken so many eyes The Count was made acquainted with my secrets the Dutchess veiling the Necessity under an apparance of trust He that was repleat with good Nature and kindnesse offered himselfe to serve me in all that which was knowne to be able to exercise his devotion and make triall of his
hath betrayed me A Father in the tendernesse of whose affections I can have no desire but it will obtaine its end hath been wronged by me in his reputation and honour and shall I live Who counsels me to it loves me not who deserves to be tormented then may live All things are determined with life and who lives not cannot at all languish The Dutchess although in a worse condition than I did not leave to comfort me She told me despaire was the last of evills and that to do so was undecent in all but most blameable in them that should have greater hearts than misfortunes who will triumph over Fortune she said must let it run how it please Those waies are too base for a Princess that are even practised by Slaves The greatness of your spirit should not submit to such ordinary Paragons which consists in sustaining ill encounters not in flying them shew the bravery of your mind in living in despite of Chance A Lover hath forsaken you because he was unworthy of you You will find a thousand others of them that will sigh for the favour of your looks you ought to comfort your selfe thanking the Gods that an immodest sister hath got from you an unfaithfull Lover She could not do you a greater service than to remove far from you those dangers which accompany a heart that deceives Besides you could not have wished her a greater punishment than the fellowship of so perfidious a servant If you have trangressed against the satisfactions of your Father the fault is Loves which easily renders all errours excusable Will you then after you have offended him in opinion for Reputation Honour and Fame are for all things offend him also in sense deprive him of a great part of himself by being your own murtherer You lament that you have offended him in an imaginary thing will you redouble the injury making him mad by killing your selfe To go for some time far from hence will be the best now too when we have an honourable invitation We may retire our selves to your Aunt in Egypt where with greater security we may make our defences To trust to an angred Prince though he be a Father is not a safe determination She added so many other reasons and so many entreaties that I rather overcome than perswaded made ready for a departure Therasia hearing of the Princes death and my resolution seeing that to despaire was the only remedy for her miseries stuck her selfe two or three times into the breast with a Stiletto without any body being able to prevent her The Dutchess that knew not the cause had become distracted but that I briefly informing her of what was past made her cast aside that pitty which truly so unhappy a chance deserved Opening Therasias Chamber doore I retired into my Lodgings where taking those Jewels which were of least weight and greatest price arming me to counterfeit my Sexe and the Dutchess being apparelled like a Page we went to the Sea-side For there was nothing that hindred us There finding the Count that stay'd for us we went aboard the best Galley of the Kingdome and doubling the Slaves we put the Oars to the water whiles it seemed that the sea with an un-before-seene tranquility emulated the heaven We directed our voyage in the Atlanticks towards Egypt to the Queen my Aunt Our desire failed us for being willing to shun a fleet of two hundred saile we went far into the sea so that being surprised by a Tempest it was not possible for us to reach Land Being tost a fortnight by the waves and winds we were alwaies in danger to be cast away But the goodnesse of the Vessell and the strength of the Rowers brought us at last to shore in an Island unknown even to the Marriners themselves We were in that state we could not have continued longer not only all things necessary for life but also for a voyage being spent Our hast to depart allowed us not time to make that provision which the Navigation of a sea inexorable to all things required Being disbarqued in the Island whilest the Rowers made provision of Wood and Water we walked a little forward to seeke out lodging The incommodities of our voyage made us desire to find an house to repose us in without trouble and feare In ascending a little hill we discovered some buildings which made in forme of a Pallace served also for a Fortresse We presently went thitherward where we were received with very great kindnesse Two Ladies of a venerable Age came to meet us and with so many welcomes offered us Lodging that we wanted words to express so great Obligations They were waited on by many Damzels one of the which supposing me a man began to look on me with so much affection that I took no ordinary pleasure at it telling the Count and Dutchess of it that they might hold their tongues I applyed my selfe to her with so much love that I perswaded my selfe she would grow mad But afterwards I repented me of it remembring me that I was not in the condition to cure her malady Though we endeavoured to understand the quality and the name of the Island we could get no answer to purpose Supper time being come my Favourite the Damsell found opportunity to say to me Faire Knight these wicked women lay snares for your lives Within a few houres you will either be slaine or made a Prisoner I that take compassion on the beauty of your face and the tendernesse of your yeares have thought it expedient with danger to my self to release you from yours They intend to set before you meats mingled with Opium to seize on you with the more security But being retired to your appointed Lodgings make use of this Preservative which shall preserve you from their treacheries So saying she gave me a little pot full of a certaine Antidote against sleepy poysons Afterwards added Since I adventure my life to do you this favour I desire no other reward but your love which I would enjoy flying with you hence from places so impious I then grown extreamely fearefull promised her more than I could performe protesting an Obligation to her not to be circumscribed by Ages The meat came up of which I tasted so sparingly that I even did nothing but talke The Tables being removed our Quarters were assigned us We feigning our selves weary presently bad good-night to those that waited on us and I revealed to the Count and Dutchesse the Damzels secret we tooke the Preservative with so much feare of being surprized that every little noise made us believe it was Souldiers that should assault us All the soporiferous poysons of the world would not then have had the power to have made us sleep in that feare Halfe the night being past the Damzell came to call us we followed her with all possible secresie who through a private gate led us forth of the Pallace There mounting upon foure horses which
were provided by the Damzell for that purpose we began our journey riding apace We would have taken the way to the sea but our Guide permitted us not saying that were to encounter dangers instead of flying them For all those shores were prey'd upon by the owners of that house so impious and so cruell that they rejoyced not in their Booties unless they were defiled with bloud The remnant of that night and almost all the day after we prosecuted our journey perpetually molested by that Damzell with so much earnestness as if she had perceived Enemies following us at hand I being no longer able to endure the weariness of riding the night approaching would stay in a Village the rather because the people there told us the way was dangerous in the night time especially being frequented by wild beasts and thieves Having rested me there a little I entreated the Damzell with much vehemency to recount to us the cruelty of that house which her gentleness assisting we had avoided She after such a blush as if her modesty came forth with it or rather as if with the purple of her face she meant to cover the blackness of her heart thus answered Sirs If to excuse errours under the Pretext of love was not usuall to all especially women I should call that tongue rash which should assume the boldnesse to to mascherate the Dotages of the minde But acknowledging my selfe a Lover I deserve all pardon Love is pictur'd blinde because he makes blinde And the falls of a blinde body are to be borne withall and compassionated I hardly fastned mine eyes on your Countenance faire Knight but they felt the Chastisement for their rashnesse it being not lawfull without prejudice to the heart to penetrate into the Paradice of your Beautie Becomming a Lover and knowing the unequalness of my Descent I despaired of the end I betook me to Deceit which triumphs many times over all things To perswade your departure I feign'd those things I said the which containe no other truth but that of my flames If you have ever had experience of the violences of affection I hope you may well beare with me But if you have never felt the dammages of it believe me untill your owne experience shall bring you a certainty of it I am perswaded that this in your good disposition will not be imputed as a fault to me because every thing is lawfull to those that love Besides if there be any due it is your beautie that deserveth punishment which hath been able to compell the simplicity of my heart to deceit I was moved at one time by these words to Compassion and Anger It vexed me to have departed upon so uncivill tearmes from that house where there was nothing but Honours prepared for me But this Damsels so very extream affection that it merited pardon pacified me whereupon I thus answered her Lady Whosoever hath been a Lover can doe no other but compassionate you I that have been in love know how to excuse you For the first thing that pardons Lovers is the intellect and reason It much afflicts me that to beguile us you have deceived your selfe in bestowing your Affections on a Person who can exchange nothing with you but affection I would to heaven I were in as good a Condition to correspond with you as I am willing to pitty you I am a Woman as you are but more unhappy then you because I have not loved so as you If I had enclined my thought to love a woman I had escaped the Assaults of Fortune Comfort your selfe for you may receive profit if not delight from your affection The Damsell recover'd not at these words for sorrow having deprived her of her senses rendred her insensible even to sorrow it selfe After a while comming to her selfe she faigned she was well satisfied whereupon I left her in bed whilst wanting rest I desired with a little Repose to ease me after these passed troubles At our awaking in the Morning we found that the Damsell was gone Being hopelesse at the impossibilitie of her Affections she will have recourse to some new Resolution of whom hitherto I have had no tidings We blaming the Deceits of so foolish a Wench went towards the Sea to finde out our Galley After much Travailes we were aflaulted by foure Theeves One of them suddainly seized on the Dutchesse carrying her so swiftly up some certaine Crages of the Mountaines that it was impossible for me to accompany her with my sight The others came and assaulted us not thinking to finde much resistance in us they being more in number The Count unable to endure that his eyes should assist to the losse of his heart with three blowes slew two of them and wounded the third in such manner that he could no longer defend himselfe Without delay he went in search of his soule stolne away by that thiefe from him I gave the wounded one his life on condition he would guide me to the Dutchess He promised me but being mounted on Horseback I having no time to hinder him precipitously betook himselfe to flight Remaining alone in some Passion because the Night already had covered the Heaven with extreame Darknesse I tired my voice in reiterating the names of the Dutchesse and Count. The Caves moved to pitty at my Callings to case me of labour replyed in many places or rather the Aire so many times struck wearied with hearing me to make me hold my peace iterated often times what I said I had the chance to meet with some Shepheards who with courtesies not frequently practized by great ones made me envy their Genius if not their Fortune Four dayes I continued among them with hope to heare Newes of the Count and Dutchesse One morning I departed from those Cottages with an intent to goe to the Sea and so to be transported into Egypt I easily missed the way taught me by the Shepheards and have therefore wandred many dayes up and downe these Fields in danger of my life Fortunate Errors happy dangers since they have guided me to you who are the End whither my Troubles and my Travailes doe aspire Thus said the Infanta Ariama when they discovered the Pallace where they meant to sty It was situated in a Plaine and ravished the eyes of Passengers no lesse by the Majesty then the beauty of it The Architecture was Dorick and the out-sides of fine Marble It was encompassed round by an infinite number of Cypresse-trees set in so good order and so proportionately distant one from another that looked upon either directly or traversely they could not beiscerned in the least irregular They of the Pallace scarce perceived they were come but two Damsels in mourning habit brought them a welcome from the Lady of the House They easily disposed themselves to receive it when necessity could not afford them other lodging neither more neare nor more commodious With a large expression they thanked the Gallantry of that Lady who was willing
He would have added how being transported with the favours of the Princess he assumed the confidence to reveale his affection and how meeting there with a correspondency he attempted to attaine her for his wife But he broke off his Relation being interrupted with the Acclamations of the Souldierie that attended the King of the Thracians He was met in a splendid pompe by the Duke of Filena The Souldiers were placed in a decent posture Squadrons of Horse and Foot so interwoven in so delightfull an order that the Thracian could not satisfie himself in beholding them He was accompanied but only by an hundred of his Thracian youth of the noblest birth Their Apparrel was wondrous rich The Chaines and Jewels they wore exceeded Estimation Yet the strangeness of their Habit was more admirable then the costliness of it He upon a Courser all covered with Velvet made an excellent shew of his dexterity Hee took pleasure to make that Horse curvet as if he were also ambitious to make himselfe obeyed even by Beasts Hee submitted to the Bridle with so much readinesse that it well appeared his Genius instructed him that he was not to be handled by Grandees but with his Obedience Though Horses know not Adulation this seemed that with his motion and neighings hee intended no other but to flatter him The Thracian had the Duke of Eilena on his left hand with whom he discoursed of Military Armies Each other of his Court was attended on by a great Field-Officer And in this state they approached Arsinoe At the Gates he was waited for by all the Councell And come to the Pallace King Vassileo met him without the Gates of the great Hall The Welcomes and Complements were redoubled on both sides with so high an expression of affection as if nature had obliged them to love one another They both sate them downe under a cloth of State which covered two most rich Chaires Vassileo took the right hand though he feigned himselfe willing to have resigned it to Dorcone Here those keeping silence that were come to be present at this first Audience The Thracian in his own Language said That he was come in person to confirme that peace which had ever been preserved inviolate by his Predecessors That Accidents never had the power to alter that disposition which had alwaies rendred his heart obliged to love King Vassileo as a Father That the Reports that he had raised men against the Kingdome of Cyprus had extreamly afflicted him so that his Affection could not suffer him that the security of that Kingdome should grow jealous at his preparations for warre That he had built a Fleet to make shew of his power not to usurpe upon the States of others or disturbe his friends He spoke long upon this matter and with so much eagernesse that it was impossible to conceive whether those Words were the Daughters of Truth or of Dissimulation King Vassileo answered that he ascribed to his greatest Fortune in seeing himself honoured by the visit of such a King that it grieved him he was not young that he might have prevented him but yet that this was an Adjunct of Glorie to the Thracian that he would yield to one who was inferiour to him in merit and that he would oblige without a hope of correspondency That he thanked him for the trouble hee had took and the peace confirm'd he having not greater desire in his so declining yeares then to enjoy quietnesse He plied him with so many expressions of Affection that he enforced the Thracian to an humiliation Rising they were led to the Princesse Lodgings who hearing of it came to receive them The Thracian stood still fixing his eyes upon the Face of Dianea with such an Alteration that it was easily observed by all Dorcone first bowing to her said Fair Princess it is a greater felicity to be borne slaves in Cyprus to enjoy the sight of such a Beautie then a King in Thracia I that have brought peace to this Kingdome cannot vouchsafe it to my heart which will ever be assaulted by so divine Rarities I beseech you disdaine not that I should love you that I might expresse my ambition to serve a Princess who to enrich the world it was necessarie she should receive Trophies from all the Beauties of Heaven Dianea that with a discontented mind heard of the Arrivall of the Thracian not onely for being ravished from the Embracements of Diaspe but also for the hatred she bore that Nation could not but with a disdaine afford her eare to these words Neverthelesse with that dissimulation which is borne in the mouthes of great Personages She answered She besought him to moderate those commendations that he might not put himselfe into a danger to undertake the Defence of an unjust Thing that in her there was no desers that might move the Affection of a King in whom Nature and Fortune were met to render him superiour to the greatest Amidst such Complements Dorcone parted from Dianea leaving neverthelesse his soule in pawne for the usurie of the Delight of his eyes King Vassileo would wait on him downe staires although the Thracian by all meanes possible refused it They were on the last steps ready to part when they were both stai'd by a noise of Armes which made them both suspicious of Treason Dorcone saying to King Vassileo Friend are we secure of our Lives King Vassileo made no reply but with a great deale of danger to his owne person hee quieted the Tumult and passing through the croud went where it received originall Diaspe who had met the Thracian was resolved to follow accompanying him to the Court. In this while Celardo incited by report of the comming of so great a Prince was also arrived there to see those meetings which seldome happen and also to satisfie the curiosity of a Knight who some dayes before was become his Guest He was presently taken notice of by Diaspe who remembring his ancient Contempts and imagining him come into that place in a Rivalship for the love he bore Dianea unable to containe himselfe he said Rash man Hast thou yet the Confidence to approach him whom thou hast so often offended If the Majestie of King Vassileo deserved not all Reverence you should soone finde I know well how to chastise the fond folly of those that depart from their Duty Celardo not accustomed to receive Injuries answered him with advancing his hand to strike him on the face without delay unsheathing his sword Diaspe avoiding the box on the Eare drew likewise his forth They that were neare them were not slow to take Armes crying out they should cease that Tumult The Souldiers that were far off supposing themselves betray'd by the Thracians began to deale blowes with so great an insolency that though King Vassileo was a great way off it was an inconvenience of consequence for him to goe thither His Majestie all this while holding Dorcone by the hand made every one draw backe and
received a distinct Relation of the occasion of this businesse Understanding Diaspe was the Author he drew neare to him and with a countenance enflamed with anger said Diaspe That honour that was done you in my Pallace merited not that I should receive so ill a recompence If I bore not in my minde how much you have done for the Crowne your head should pay for the displeasure you have done me But now content your selfe to depart hence without delay that I may not have occasion to punish your disobedience having in an high manner pardoned your Rashnesse Diaspe replied not for King Vassileo turning to Dorcone who was going away afforded him not leisure to answer He retired to his Lodgings which was a Pallace sutable to his birth and the liberality of the King whom he served Many of the Barons and the principall of the Court came to condole with him his ill fortune who having performed so many services to the King his Daughter and Kingdome received the reward of Banishment for his paines But that yet he ought something to dispense with the Kings Anger who knew not otherwise how to secure the diffidences of the Thracian but with a severitie that exceeded his nature That these first motions-being over he would without doubt be restored to his former respect Diaspe answered he had formerly learnt the Customes of Courts and Princes That he complained not of King Vassileo who followed but the example of others that they recompenced great benefits with as great ingratitudes and that therefore one day he hoped he should reprove him of a resolution so precipitate That he would be no more seene in Cyprus but greater or an equall to King Vassileo Afterwards being licensed by them he wrote to the King and Dutchess of Belprato Leaving these Letters with full directions with two Squires only he departed to embarque himselfe Finding a Vessell in the Harbour he went aboord promising great matters to the Rowers if within a few daies they arrived at Creet Whilest the Vessell driven forward by the Waves the Rowers flew upon the sea he fix'd in the constancy of his thoughts knew not what to do but bemoane his misery He repented his departure without leave from his Lady the Princess having left her in a time of so much danger without attending for her Commands whereon he thus reasoned with himselfe How is it possible that this heart should be moved with any affections but those of love Can then the Command of King Vassileo prevaile more than my Dutie to my Obligations Shall Feare then win upon this mind which never yet knew what it was Unhappy that I am since all things conspire to my wretchedness Dianea what imaginations wilt thou have of thy Astidamo who parted without bidding thee farewell What Arguments wilt thou find to consolate thy passion Amidst these thoughts he betook himselfe to rest designing to himselfe a speedy returne with such an Army that King Vassileo should repent himselfe for having offended him and whereby he should securelie accomplish his marriage with Dianea In the interim the Letters were presented by a Squire to King Vassileo He read them with a great alteration whereof these were the Contents To the Majesty of Vassileo King of Cyprus Astidamo Prince of Creete IT grieves me that the ingratitudes I have foundin your Kingdome compell me to remember them unwillingly One who had saved your life deserved not an infamous Exile for using his sword in his own defence I shall not live if I do not guard my selfe nor must I do so without displeasing you But past things admit not of advise Neither pretend I to excuse my selfe Yet assure your selfe that I am one that with my Armes will repay the injuries of my Superiours and I cast away my counterfeit name of Diaspe that I may have no remembrance that I have served you These Letters in the Councell of State occasioned a great Commotion whereupon Embassadours were made choice of that they might carry King Vassileo's Reasons into Creete That he was not engaged to know those that would not be known That the Majesty of a King ought to be reverenced by all and much rather in the presence of another King The danger into which all were run in that Tumult that they scarce took notice of or spared the life of their naturall Prince Those were attended on by a different effect which the Squire privately presented to the Dutchesse of Belprato Diaspe would not changed to Astidamo write to the Princess foreseeing the inconveniences that might arise thence if they should happen to be discovered He writ to the Dutchess Friend I am necessitated to depart upon a Command which admits not of a name The cause will be known to you For it fell out in publike I go hence into Creete to returne armed not willing to be any more subjected to injuries The sorrow that I have of parting without seeing you shall be an instigation to me to hasten my returne I beseech you to preserve me alive in that state of Grace wherein Fortune and Love established me Astidamo is undisguised I trust not too much to this Letter both because honour and the Kings Command hastens me and because I will not recommend all my thoughts to Fortune The Prince of Creete In this while Celardo having withdrawn himselfe perswaded so to do by the other Knight out of danger he returned to his house so confused and so offended at his own unhappiness that it was in vaine to comfort him He would suddenly leave Cyprus not accounting himself secure from the hatred of his Brother He was accompanied by that Knight And so they imbarqued in a Vessel of war which intended a voyage to Egypt While their sailes filled with a favourable south-wind carried the Ship so swiftly that it beguiled sight that Knight entreated Celardo to relate the Originall of the Conflict he had at the Court with that Knight whom he heard him call Diaspe The History of Celardo CElardo answered I know not who Diaspe is I know only that the Knight you spoke of is my brother by bloud though my Enemy by his Actions We are both of us Sons to the King of Creete though he for being the eldest hath attained the name of Prince and next succession to the Crowne But of this I care not to complaine of Fortune because she workes blindly and knows not how to favour desert Becomming both enamoured of the Picture of Dianea we fell to blowes Anger easily reigning betweene brothers unequall To withdraw me from his fury and not to adde afflictions to the declining age of my Father I resolved for some time on a departure from Creete My Mother that had not patience to looke on my departure accompanied me with so many teares that from them I took an unhappy presage She bestowed upon me the Picture of Dianea which she had kept by her by my Fathers command My brother being certified of this by those who
by betraying me hoped to merit his favour and pursuing me with many Attendants by force bereaved me of the Picture and had done so of my life also if I not basely defending my selfe had not given occasion to many to interpose themselves to their own danger My Brother although wounded would not returne to the Court but retired himselfe unknown into a house neare the sea in the Confines of the Kingdome fearing by as much as I can imagine the displeasure of my Father I did also the same but with a designe not to live without that Picture which although impressed on my heart I desired to have before my eies All passions that proceed from humane affections are supportable except those of Love I tried all meanes to recover the Picture but all my diligence was in vaine for he kept it alwaies by him nor did he trust it to any but himselfe Perceiving that force was not the way to get it from him I applied my mind to deceit which is ever without blame when it is used to overcome and when violence is needlesse I appointed a day when he his being absent as he was accustomed remained alone to vent forth with sighs and lamentations the passions of his soule without the untrusty testimonie of any Attendant I made a young maid appeare at his feet who tearing her haire and beating her breast would have awakened the sense of pitty in cruelty it self After she had with her counterfeit tears won credit for her Tale which Cretan women are very prone to she said to him That being walked with her sister to the shore to take the aire they were followed by one who pretended himselfe a servant to my sister will not this wicked man said the Girle make use of violence since he may find our voices cannot awaken pity in the seas And that the drinesse of these sands are not capable to commiserate our teares He presentlie gave us notice of his ill meaning making use of force to deprive her of her honour She perceiving that her schreekes were lost and although the winds moved to pittie carried them far off and that the sea replied unto them there being none that could heare them betook her selfe to the ordinarie weapons of women which are teeth and nailes She will certainlie be overcome in this unequal contention without succour from your valour and goodnesse The Prince attended not that she should proceed but laying hold on his sword said That she should teach him the way that he might give punishment to that unmannerlie man She feigning she was unable to stir afoot shewed him whereabouts he should find her sister The Prince leaving her ran hastilie to the shore The Maid in the meane while tooke the Picture of Dianea of which there was no doubt but that it would have been known even by those that have not seen the Sun I having received it without delay imbarqued with an intention for Cyprus to see if the pencill had flattered or copied those beauties I withall was not without hope of attaining Dianea for wife In Creete there was no hope for my life much lesse for the Kingdome Whilest transported with these thoughts I erected me a Fortune fastned to my desires she that used to laugh at the vanity of my designes made me see with how little wisdome he works that raises hopes upon the instability of humane accidents The sea grew so disturbed that I had neither eies nor heart that could slight that danger The remembrance of it yet is horrible It seemed all the Elements had conspired our shipwrack Heaven refused us the light of it to deprive us of the sight of it The aire assaulted with winds deafned the ears of the Marriners so that they could not obey the directions of the Pilots The Seas foaming whirlepooles of waves from time to time threatned to swallow us The Land made us afraid in the waters we expecting no other but some Rock to split us The Cock-boat which is usually the sacred Anchor of those that are shipwracked was forced from us by the winds after our Sailes were rent our Masts broke and tacklings all torne Amidst these miseries I preferred my vows and prayers to that Image which if it had had sense would have been moved to laughter at my follies I was so bold as to reprehend the winds and blame the waves as if they had had some knowledge of that beauty or as if the Picture of Dianea had been one of Jove When I perceived that the water our Vessell being shattered in many places flowed in to drown us taking hold of Dianeas Picture by the assistance of which I promised my selfe safety with a plank I threw my selfe into the sea suffering my selfe to be carried by chance while the darknesse of the night permitted me not to discerne Rocks or the shore I broke the waves for about an houre keeping my selfe aloft with my hands and feet to breake them But the Tempest not ceasing weary of my paines and troubles I altogether abandoned my selfe And I believe I lost my senses although my hands assisted by nature never forsook their hold of the Planke I cannot tell how long I continued in this danger nor who tooke me out of the water but that opening my eyes although languishing imagining I had past into the other Life for a certain an old man presented himselfe before me whom I supposing to be Charon by the Descriptions I had heard from Poets I said to him Pardon me good old man that I have not brought along with me your reward for the sea hath devoured all that I had But lest you should refuse to ferry me over to the other shore without payment I have a Picture with me for which you may receive any money if that beauty be valued in the Abysses I know it will provoke envy in Proserpina and peradventure incite Pluto to steale her from above to felicitate these shades The old man laughed at these words and reaching me his hand assured me I was alive and that the Gods had taken pity of my youth He brought me into a Cabbin more commodious than rich And there omitted nothing that might do me good Having made me go to bed to dry my self and that those moist and malignant vapours which I got in the water might be forced out of me he said Sonne here I live secure from the Tempests of the Sea and the Lightnings of Heaven I live to my owne satisfaction in a quietude and happinesse Ambition and Envy not entring under the Humilities of this roofe The Bow and Angling-rod from day to day procure me food and perhaps the greatest Monarchs of the world amidst their Feasts and Purples enjoy not neare so much of felicity These Books are my companions which beside the Delight they afford enrich the minde with most worthy Knowledges This said he comforted me with some precious Wines adding And these are also brought me by the Sea without my diligence
Being recovered he left me to my rest going forth to provide something for Supper My sleep was but for a moment for being perpetually interrupted by Dreames I could take no Repose in my bed I arose and displayed Dianea's Picture and found the water had done it no harme I conceived the Sea had done reverence to it believing it one of Venus As if I know not how every extraordinarie beauty should receive an augmentation from the Waters I began a Discourse to it with so eager an earnestnesse as if it had had not onely a power to listen to me but also to afford me an Answer My implorations were attended on by an infinitie of sighes and teares ever upbraiding my selfe with my owne unhappinesse I had season enough to account my selfe miserable supplicating mercy from a Picture I was surprized by the old man before I could sound a Retreat to my thoughts my minde was so diverted from all other things He snatched the Picture from me with such a fury as if he meant to have torne it And I think he would have done so if my Entreaties had not over-ruled him I beseeched him to pardon that which had remained uninjured by the Furie of the Sea That if he meant to destroy it lest he should become enamoured of it those eyes ought to be banished which were presumptuous to behold it Not the Picture which was immoveable and being insensible tempted no body to love He taking more disgust at these words answered me Sonne Is it possible that Sense so tyrannizes over your reason Is it possible that a piece of Art so much the more vile by how much the more common should torment the Affections of an heart that is greater then Art or Nature I blame not the Picture which is a Science derived to us from the Gods which hath power to eternize those which would not live else but by the Memorie of our eyes I finde fault with the intemperance of our pleasures the madnesse of our thoughts the blindnesse of our understanding which receives an alteration from imaginary Phantasmes feigned Apparitions or Likenesses imitated or flatter'd What would you say if this Picture should not be a Copy of Life but the conceited invention of a Pencill which without looker on had imitated the Ideas of Beauty Is it handsome then for a man to languish for the Extravagancies of a hand which more frequently imitates fancy then sense Is it fit then to submit the soveraignty of our mindes to a thing insensible which too often we deny to the Powers of heaven it self Sonne to be in love is a continuall unhappiness because Love covets subjects and renders vile And because it compares a man to a Carkasle losing the soule which flies to establish it selfe in the object belov'd To dote on a Picture is the worst of Mischiefs There is no correspondencie The delight is fixt onely in the Eyes and if we be affected it is either with that which is not or if there be any such it may be so adulterated that it would rather occasion Repentance then Love But to be enamoured of Pictures though it be a misery to one to you in particular it is portentous This which you so highly esteeme hath exposed you twice into danger of your life and will occasion you to lose it if you resolve not to relinquish it Dianea must not be yours for so the supream Will hath decreed which smiles at the ignorance of our Desires The Characters which I perceive in your fore-head of the like whereof I have had a long experience by my knowledge in the Science agreeing with the course of the Heavens deny you the Possession of her It will be a wisedome suteable to your birth which I know to be great if you would abandon this humour which is displeasing to the Gods Your perill at Sea hath proved your happinesse The Divine Will knowes how to select Antidotes out of poisons So forth of your owne Dangers doe you take notice of the power of the Stars The Venerable old man spoke these and other things with so great a gravity and so much Eloquence that he was able even to have perswaded Rocks I who had not the heart to heare him proceed beseeched him to conclude acknowledging my selfe convicted and gave him the Picture of Dianea not to beare about me the Incendiary of my Evill Within my selfe I remained astonished at the vanity of humane Affections alterable in all things but in Loves lighter then fire and more inconstant then Motion That Portraiture of Dianea which I had defended against the force of a world and the Powers of a God for which I had incensed my Brother forsaken my Father and undertaken a voluntary Exile from my Countrey I left in the hands of an old man even vvith him who had had a resolution to have torn it I abode with him some few dayes which I onely esteem of as my life being spent without any molestation He was a Prince of great descent who unwilling to suffer the miseries of humane kinde or the times was retired into those woods to enjoy himself If he would have accepted of my Company and had not perswaded me to the contrary demonstrating to me the injuries I should commit against my hopes and those who stood in need of my assistance Doubtlesse I should have continued there to have enjoyed the contentments of that place wherein a man in spight of Fortune and Envy might have been Patron of his Genius I departed thence with as much griefe as could proceed from an heart obliged I imbarqued in a Vessell bound for Negrepont when Armies and Souldiers made a Pompe of death slaughter and cruelty The griefe of my departure was allayed by the desire I had to be an Actor in those Warres accounted the greatest of the world I came to the Court where getting leave to serve as an Adventurer I fell under the Command of the Duke of Lovastine who was Generall of King Dinarderto's Forces against the warlike King of the Vesati Having there behaved my selfe not unworthy of my bloud and particularly in the Battaile of Zenilp and returning afterward to Court I was Elected by Prodirto for his Companion who after the Death of his Uncle altogether possessed the heart of his Majesty insomuch that hee solely had the Command of all things There I became enamoured of the Princesse Floridea whom although I knew not to be superiour to Dianea in perfections is neverthelesse owner of so much beautie that I was compelled to preferre her to all Dedicating my soule to her which I offered up daily to her in beholding her Truely I had never any more opportunity of disclosing my affection to the Princesse then by my eyes she being instructed by Nature as I imagine returned me a correspondency in such manner that I who had but been accustomed to love Pictures conceited my selfe to be called to the possession of all the favours of love My felicity had
suffer me his Rivall attempted any Treacherie to deprive me of my life But I knew with so good fortune to defend my selfe that almost alwayes he was in petill to lose his owne One day with all the Court we were returned from Hunting I before any others although the Duke endeavoured it took hold of Doricia's Bridle The Duke could not refraine saying to me Knight yours is a great rashness who come to ravish those places of honour to which those durst hardly aspire who would scorne to be served by you Duke I answered him I pardon you this boldness for the reverence I bear to the Princess my Lady At another time this sword shall shew you the disequality that is between your merit and mine The Duke advanced his hand to have strucken me but I escaping it by stepping a foot backward at the first blow ranne him across into the Bosome This Encounter displeased the King who upon it was necessitated to forbid me the Court from which also I got speedily farre away untill Ambassadours should be come from my Father who arrived presently after His Majesty lamented that I had not revealed my selfe sooner and granting the Princess to me for wife preparations for those showes were begun which they designed to have most sumptuous All Artificers were employed neither was there any Knight though but of a meane condition who prepared not himself against the Glories of those Feasts Irons and Marbles sweat to exalt to eternity joyes of such greatness In this while the Fame of Dianea's Beauties were divulged In Court they were discoursed of at large with an infinity of Encomiums Sometimes I replyed unto them with no other conceits but such as the universall Report did administer One day when I was in my lodgings a Letter was presented to me and importunity expressed for an Answer I read it with some alteration perceiving Dianea subscribed These were the Contents of it Prince of Island THe Reports which brought either the Fame or the Glorie of your Name and of your Vertue arriving at Cyprus were received with such applauses that so singular conditions have obliged me to them 'T is well knowne that you have neither a superiour nor equall and that the justice of your merit is more offended by tearming you a man then the Majestie of the Gods is prejudieated by attributing divine Titles to you I that by an universall Approbation have been glorified for a Beauty above natural aime to make a sublime union by engraâ—â—…ng your valour to my comelinesse I commend my selfe that you might consider of what estimation that beautie is which is constrained unsatisfied with the Applauses of others to praise it selfe Conceive not dislikes Prince from the favours of Fortune if you will not deceive the Opinions of those who believe you the Off-spring of all Gentility If I shall perceive my self neglected I shall recompence the blushes of my face with the bloud of my soule casting reproaches upon the aire that through my eare came to betray my heart Suffer not your Affection to diminish for being sued to for love by a Lady against the Rules of our sexes Modestie Argue from this the greatnesse of your Desert which ravisheth supplication from her who hath not hitherto been accustomed to heare much lesse to entreat The ordinarie Statutes of Nature and Custome ought not to bee observed by them who infinitely transcend the limits of Nature and Custome The Kingdome of Cyprus sighes for your Resolution to be graced by the protection of so great a Prince And my heart attends for that reliefe which can be onely derived from that mind which is greater then all things since it is also able to subject those against whom it had no designe I should say I kissed your hand but must not doe it of first I receive not the honour of your affection to the which to preserve her alive the Princesse of Cyprus aspires Dianea Having read the Letter Ire sined so overcome with amazement and so deprived of sense that I know not whether the shield of Medusa had so much vertue Presently divers thoughts began to assault my heart To displease Dianea with a flight Answer was unbeseeming a Knight of honour To entertaine her with generall reâ—â—mes of small satisfaction was an unhandsome proceeding It being an injustice to deceive a Princess with hopes To plead Excuses very indecent A Letter so repleat with affection not deserving Exenses An impossiblility to promise her I being engaged to Doricia and our Nuptials so neare that I could not retract them but with dishonour and perill Thereupon I considered the inconstancy of our Loves and the miseries of a minde evermore unhappy in new Appetites My Marriage with Dianea which was the Centre where all my thoughts determin'd of which I had got a compleat allowance was now become even a trouble to me not permmitting me the enjoyment of Dianea's affections I spoke with the servant that delivered me the Letter and found him as ignorant as I was irresolute My minde confirmed I took Pen and answered thus Princesse of Cyprus I Wish I had the Merit to receive the Honours your Highnesse is pleased to conferre on me as I have the minde to desire them And then I should not remaine ashamed in the excesses of your Graces nor your heart entertaine a Repentance for having so humbled it selfe I should say those Characters which I have received are fuell which cover the Flames that burne me if that Fame with one of her Pens had not engraven your name in the most inward part of my breast I love you most Beautifull Princesse and if you would not have condemned the boldnesse of Affections so ambitious I should not have suffered your Letters to have preceded mine But also by that your glories may be apprehended who are pleased to desire those who dare not supplicate you I know not how to be thankfull to your benignity for imparting such graces to me because I am even unworthy to returne you thanks He may thanke who presumes to deserve I that in my Honours can acknowledge no other Motive but your Highness Will in silence bow to you I will come to Cyprus as soone as my Fortune shall permit me I should prolong the time not to lose that good opinion you are pleased to conceive of me at this distance which keeps you from discerning my imperfections but it is most necessarie for me to make haste lest I eternize the torment which the Desires I have to wait on you personally inflicts upon me I most humbly kisse that hand which hath been able with a few lines to imprison the mind of the Prince of Island Ossirdo Recommending my Letter to the Messenger I retired into my Lodgings full I know not whether of confusion or repentance I thought it a foule unworthiness to betray under my hand the affections of Dianea And I could not but conceive it an ingratitude to refuse her a corresponcy at least by Letters But
when my thoughts were fixed upon my engagements to the beauties of Doricia I tormented my selfe with resentments so lively that sighs and teares were the least signes of my affection I accused Love who to disquiet the reposes of my felicity had enforced the mind of Dianea to affect me I cursed Fortune who to disturbe my desires had presented Treasures to me which I might not obtaine Finally I blamed the vanity of my thoughts the inconstancy of my affections which could not fixe upon that object which by the obligement of correspondency the rules of fidelity the merit of beauty ought to be preferred to any other To ease me of my griefe I entered into Doricias Lodgings A heart receiving no greater refreshment than from the survey of an excellent Countenance I found her in bed as it were dying encompassed round by her Ladies who lamented over her as dead Her face was overcast with a mortall colour by it to demonstrate the sadnesse of her heart Her eyes were shut neither did she open them but to vent forth her teares Her tongue could not deliver a plaine word prevented I beleeve by her sighs which buried them in her mouth Her lips having lost their scarlet and purple appeared as if they were over-spread with ashes by those most ardent exhalations which proceeded from her heart Her hands rebelling against the rest of her body continually attempted to teare her hair do injuries against her face or rather they strooke her breast as to breake it open that evaporating the fire she might be molested with a lesser torment At so funebrous a spectacle I could not refraine from griefe which then is not counterfeit when it is provoled by pity and affection Taking her by the hand I beseeched of her the occasion of her malady Fixing her eyes on my countenance after breathing forth some sighs as harbingers of her passion she said Perfidious man dost thou also endeavour by a dissembling pity to deceive me Dost thou shew a resentment of that evill which thou only hast procured Wherein hath the unfortunate Doricia demerited thy affections What errour have I committed worthy of a punishment so tormentfull What motive perswaded thee to come and disturbe the quiet of my heart whilest thou intendest to betray me Lament despised beauties the funerall of your ambition since you have been desired and courted not to be enjoyed but slighted unhappy Dorieia to whom hast thou engaged thy mind Even to one who knows not how to love himselfe and was borne under that heaven where the seas are frozen Her teares stopt her words whereupon I protesting my affection by an Imprecation of all the Gods and my loyalty I beseeched het not so much to wrong her selfe by declaring me guilty before the cause was known That the examples of the seas are not to be compared with those of the heart much rather because the mountaines of Island although covered with a perpetuall snow give nourishment also to a continuall fire within Lastly I added it was a property of those to betray who were too fearefull to be deceived and who are free from love cannot be perswaded of the affections of others At these words she being no longer able to containe her selfe calling me many times by the name of perfidious and traitour shewed me the Letter I had writ to Dianea adding With what excuses O wicked man canst thou disguise thy Treachery Wouldst thou have other testimonies to convince thee then those from thy own hand from thy own very Characters I then perceiving my fault to reprove me which afflicted my conscience wished my selfe rather confronted by a thousand Souldiers with any perill to my life I endeavoured to appease her with entreaties with promises and with invoking the testimony of the Gods That in the dictating of that Letter I had had no other feeling but that of my hand All my attestations proved fruitlesse whereupon despairing seeing her so estranged I laid hold of my Poynard to have slaine my selfe I would have done it so great was the repentance I received from her Reprovings and her teares She her selfe withheld me saying I will that you should know the superiority that I have above you in loving That although these be feigned expressions I will beleeve them and prevent them as if true But yet I deserved not so great a mortification loving you to an excesse Having survayed your praises of Dianea with such a partiality sung from your mouth I have had an experience of your infidelity but with so grand a passion that I had rather have dyed than endured it The Letter that came to you under Dianea's name was dictated by me to make tryall of your Loyalty The Gods for my happinesse put this in my thoughts that I might not undergo a Tyrannie in the inconstancy of your affections I suffered her not to proceed in these complaints but said That to tempt the fidelity of a man approved faithfull was an offence to the Gods That my Letter was a token of my gratitude not a witnesse of my affection That she her selfe would not have writ otherwise to any great Prince that towards her had used termes so courteous To these and many other reasons I added such signes of humility that in a great measure I calmed her disdaine And there is not truly any thing more powerfull over the heart of a woman Time that affords remedies to the most desperate evils exalted me into my former condition although in some kind she forbore not to taxe me A jealous Lady is a torment so much the more if she hath reasons sufficient to convince by Our Nuptials were celebrated with that sumptuousnesse as is fully proper to the Greatness of a King The Justs the Turnaments and the Feasts were infinite honoured by the presence and assistance of such Knights and Princes that all acknowledged there were never seen richer in the Kingdome of Norway Two daies only remaining dedicated to the solemnitie of my Espousals when Fortune troubled with an envy at my contentment brought a Knight to the Court who entreated publike audience And being brought in he so spoke in the presence of the King I am Hydraspe Prince of Hibernia an Island of the Ocean Sea Whilest I remained enjoying the quietnesse of my Countrey and the felicitie of command Love came to disturbe me He made use of a Portraiture of Dianea which happening into Ireland obtained more hearts which gave up their Liberties to it than it met with eyes that unconquerably could behold it It was accompanied with two other Pictures which peradventure might have been accounted more than handsome if I had not looked upon a Paragon so exceeding them Dianea then being made the Idoll of my pleasures in such manner possessed my mind that the reposes of the night and all the houres of the day were bestowed in my Adoration of that beauty My mother fuller of pity than discretion hoping to take that from my heart which
my heart These violences of sense being passed over I was ever penitent the sensuality of pleasures being a torment to that mind which loves that delight only by accident I had taken up a resolution to live free all loves being loose and equally engaged to cost and danger when a pure chance of Fortune made me fall between the Arms of a Beauty which in despight of time who had wronged her with some years had in her a I know not what conformable to my Genius With this for some days I proved all those allurements and all those sweetnesses which are prodigally bestowed by the most dissolute and the most free She would move at my very signes and encountred my satisfaction before I knew how to request or desire them She took that part of my Presents which was of the least value Truely in her I could not discover any thing but an ardent desire to serve me aloofe from all those Interests which render the delights of Love to be despised I confesse that these tricks won such a possession in my heart that although I did not affect her she pleased me so that I knew not where to pretend to more One day by Fortune I discovered how I was inveigled Finally I perceived she was not better then others of the like profession but yet very much cunninger than others That which Age had stole from her Face shee added to her wit Pride and Covetousnesse strove for precedency in that minde the most perfidious the most dissembling the most base of the world It was no difficulty for me to leave her my eye abhorring her no lesse then my heart I believe I lived but few hours free because I gave way to my selfe to be overcome by opportunity or rather because 't is the nature of a yong man not to live without love By chance I became spectator of a Beauty so deserving that it was an injurie to the judgement to imagine her subject to a parallel I suddenly gave her up the dominion over my selfe it being an effect rather of stupidity then discretion not to love her I had the Fortune to serve her to my Contentment our practice not suspected but to those that envied my Felicities Conversation made the flame greater which so much the more increased as a supprest Fire burnes the violenter For a great while I had not the Confidence to declare my selfe Shee with so great a wisedome concealed her Affections that she gave not me the opportunity to discover my love If at any time in Discourse I let a word fall to my purpose she either seemed not to understand it or returned me an Answer contrary to my meaning Six times the Moon had made a Pompe of her Inconstancies when being growne impatient of my timerous secretnesse feigning an Affection equall to that I bore her I asked her Advice If it were better to discover ones flames to a Mistris by Letters word of mouth or by the Intercession of others Shee readily answered me that the Decision of that question depended upon the conveniency of the Lover If he could come to speake to her shee said at his pleasure it was not wisedome to make use of the trust of any in so jealous a matter That the Messengers of such Loves as are not prostitute if they be base may be corrupted by others as they be bribed by you If they be of a Condition above ordinary the danger is greater then the profit Many from Messengers become Lovers and of Substitutes Principals That a Letter is a dangerous thing subject to a thousand Accidents all uncertaine and the rather because he that writes Love-Letters endeavours much more to express himself eloquent then enamoured They insert in them Hyperboles sometimes so far from truth and possibility as the tongue durst not be so impudent as speake them without blushing Contrariwise who speaks to his Mistris himselfe acquires the merit of secrecie which is a most necessarie part of Love being unwilling to trust with any other then his own heart a business of such consequence He shewes himselfe bold also which is the Index of a noble minde whilst feare ordinarily reigns in breasts repleat with basenesse He acts his own Reasons with the greater Power Eloquence never failing that Tongue which pleads its owne Interests He perswades most lively who useth such meanes that his Countenance accompanies his words and whose teares and sighes precede them If a Lover with a bold Oratorie pleads the Reasons of his Cause he need not despaire of victorie There being no mind that yeelds sooner to Periwasions then that of Women particularly treating of Love and rendring themselves easie to believe that which they desire frequently deceived by their owne Opinion which establisheth them by a treacherous Consultation with a Looking-glass in a state of Desert worthy of the obsequiousnesse of all hearts If one be enamoured although a timerous respect dares hardly proffer what one desires there is no minde but may be inveigled no oosome but may be enflamed A Woman shewes a great merit in her selfe if she hath the valour to terrifie her servant She is perswaded she hath some Attribute of Divinity when she perceives such Veneration in those that love her One ought so be fearefull but of great things And a Woman cannot deny love to those who loving her profess so great estimation of her Other things also there are which cannot be expressed nor brought to effect by Letters nor by Messengers Thus she answered me Whereupon I thus added Then will I take your Counsell which without doubt will lead my heart forth of those errours which those encounter which take no advise but from themselves So I revealed my Affection She remained without motion of my Proposall and all her colour flying from her face she neither denyed me nor afforded me a correspondency I would have added other new Importunities but being interrupted by those that waited on her I left my Enterprize imperfect The day afterward I found her languishing in bed of a Maladie not inferiour to mine for shee perceived her heart wounded with an impression I attended on her procuring her all those Remedies which by the ability of Physicians or by the power of Art were imagined necessarie In a short time shee was freed from her sickness driven away I know not whether by my vowes or teares But yet she kept her bed to invigorate especially her minde when I afresh represented her with my love She thanked me for it acknowledged her selfe beholding and promised mee all correspondency so they might not derogate from the Laws of her honestie I anew redoubled my Entreaties and Supplications whereupon on the day according to the Custome of the Countrey when all gave Presents shea vouchsafed me a kisse This so happy beginning gave me occasion and heart to beseech more and ravish more from her It was an easie matter for me for she with expressions of Affection used to reach to me I
Conquerours My feare carrying me into the thickest part of the wood I beleeved that the Dutchess followed me and was not aware of it but after a great while that she had not been with me The griefe I had at it I leave to them to consider who knew how well I loved her I would to have found her have turned thence back again but night comming upon me I could not I continually wandred my passion keeping me in a perpetuall motion Lastly called by your teares I have found my Astidamo than whom through the benignity of the Gods I could not attaine to a grace more desired nor more unexpected Here she was silent redoubling her Embraces Astidamo not being able but with multiplied signes of consolation to expresse the joy which his heart felt He sent many Knights in search of the Dutchesse who returned without having received any notice yet the comfort to see themselves united mortified in great part the griefe they received at such a losse For all this Dianea would not depart thence before some Galleys had took a circuit round the Island They returned with news of the death of the Pyrates but there was not any that could give them notice of any thing else Lastly they appointed their departure towards Creete so invited by the sea and the winds which recalled them to their voyage Floridea in the meane while ploughed in a Sea more perilous and fierce with making resistance against the forces of the Duke she was become so strengthlesse that already her hands strived no more for victory agaist the Ardour of that impious man who attempted to dishonour her Her mouth that with bitings had afforded defences to the purity of her heart could scarce utter some languishing Ah me which being ecchoed to by those Rocks would have mollified the Duke himselfe if that love and disdaine had not estranged him from himselfe He having scratched her face in many places which was an adjunct to the horrours of his fiercenesse continued to strike her with such an unmercifulnesse that I know not how his hands were not affrighted at so infamous a wickednesse There were no more defences in the miserable Floridea Her flesh either black or torne her haire was rufled and rent Her eyes enlanguished by griefe and teares durst not look up not to see the Testimonies of her shame Her spred Armes gave boldnesse to that impious man to redouble his Assaults the more He was now ready to steale the fruits of his love when those languishing voices called a Knight to their protection who seeing those violences and knowing to whom they were used accidents not being able to raze from the memory of Lovers the remembrance of the beloved he began to crie to the Duke that he should stay if he would not be slain as basely as he was employed Prodirto changed his anger into fury there being not a mightier passion than for that which retards the delights of the sense whereupon he said Knight you shall feele the reward which those gaine who with rashnesse intermeddle in the businesses of others So saying he gave him a thrust which his armes falsifying made a little wound That hurt cost him deare for he suddenly found himselfe struck on the head from whence began to run a great abundance of bloud For all this Prodirto shewed no signes of Cowardise now rewarding and now warding the blowes of his Adversary He used dexterity and strength accordingly as his judgement gave rules and advertisements to his hand The Vows of Floridea with which she strove to supplicate the pity of the Gods promised her no other victory but that of hope They were both wounded when they drew back to take wind The Knight blaming his weakness which suffered him not to attaine the victory cried out O Gods what judgement may be formed of your providence whilest you refuse to assist to the protection of those who defend justice One only man spotted with the most unworthy Characters of infamy hath strength to put me in danger of my life not only not to overcome With these vowes he ran to assaile the Duke who knowing him by his voice was daunted in such manner that having no longer the heart to defend himselfe he would have fled away but the Knight prevented him for with two redoubled blowes he tooke away his life This end had Prodirto the Duke of Lassimano a man of inimitable conditions if dishonesty and ambition had not been predominant In forraigne Wars he gained no ordinary name and in his Country he had not Equalls In battells it was not discerned which was the mightier in him either Prudence or Fortune His Countenance shewed the ferocity of his heart though his Fortune and Eyes manifested his perfidiousnesse Of his Customes it is not able to frame a judgement He was bold in his resolutions neither trusted he secrets but to himselfe He found death from his hands for whom he evermore had woven snares Floridea cast her self at the feet of the Knight who making himselfe known to her for Viralto who having escaped from those that kept him was come thither by chance there was not any externall signe which she made not to declare her joy She wept swooned cried out and with centuplicated embraces it seemed that she would make her selfe one with her beloved These first impetuousnesses being passed over she said Supernall Gods that by your unknown wisdome from poysons extract Antidotes and from Lamentations joy I know not how to render you thankes for so many felicities which have conquered my desire If all these words were soules and all they consecrated to your honours they would not be sufficient to tender you thanks for such a benefit Because by your goodnesse every the least expression is accepted of I have humbly thanke you O Celestiall Deities O Supreame Intelligences From you I acknowledge my life the which only to day I have learned to desire To day new borne I begin to live To live with the torments of an amorous passion hath no other of life but the name and the opinion The streightnesses of the World the contempts of Love the anger of Destiny the losse of my Father and Brother and of my Country have been all instruments to felicitate me There is not any that should complaine of ill Mortals accuse not Fortune as the Minister of your infelicities for the providence of the Gods knows how to draw Ashes from Glory and Glory from Ashes Whilest she said these words she hung about Viralto's neck and it seemed that with a covetousnesse of desires she was insatiable to all the demonstrations of joy or rather that she would hold him so embraced as if she doubted the truth of her sight and feeling They waited for the night to depart thence with the greater security because the Thracians held all the Island In this meane while King Vassileo maintained himselfe with the Reliques of a beaten Army and driven into Arsinoe from moment to moment
expecting death After the imprisonment of Viralto he gave the Command of the Army to the Count of Salinera who for wisdome and affection had few Equals in the service of his Prince The Count having regard to the weaknesse of his men had no other thought but to defend the Wells from assaults He had neither Forces nor the boldnesse to joyne Battail with them who rendred audacious by Victory and their number boasted themselves invincible The great abundance of Provision that was within Arsinoe suffered not the besieged to feele the incommodities of a siege On the other side the Thracians being become secure by the dauntedness of their enemies wore away all their dayes in Chases or Banquets One day the two Princes of Missia and Epirus the Infante of Macedonia with many others of the chief of the Army met together in the Scythian Kings Pavilion Heated with meates and Wine they fell into divers Discourses How much the more Fire is supprest so much the more it operates with greater force Some proposed what was the most unbeseeming thing for a Knight The doubt displeased not because there was not any that feared to have in himselfe any thing unworthy of a Knight The Opinions were as various as were the Genius's and the humours of those that discoursed The Scythian accommodating his words to his heart said To flye from Dangers is the indeleble blemish of a Knights Reputation Who would not encounter death hath not an undauntednesse who hath not that feare and who feares is base and Cowardile is that which above all things is contrarie to the Glories of a Knight A Knight ought not to suffer injuries no not from those who are much his Superiours in Fortune If he encounters not dangers to prepare a Revenge he blemishes his name with notes of Infamy VVhen perils enforce a Knight to make Resistance it is pure necessity not valour He ought to exceed others who would be greater then others He that with a virile leasâ—reness waits that Fortune should present him Subjects to trie himselfe is obliged to Fortune not to himselfe Even Cowards sometimes will maintaine a Bussle In briefe the animosity to create perils is the prime glory As to attend that Chance should deliver a City into his hands is the mightiest shame to a Knight Even the Sun would merit Reproaches if with a precipitate and continuall motion it should daily seek for dangers among shades In atchieving is honour and in things hard by others immortality The Infante of Macedonia said That so high Rewards being due to faithfulness he could not perswade himselfe that more blameable things could be in a Knight then infidelity This would soile the lights of the Sunne not onely the Actions of men An unfaithfull man is abhorred by all because all feare his Treacheries Faithfulness is a thing sacred the first daughter of Jove the honour of men and of the gods Without this neither the earth nor the sea would enjoy any peace It is a particular Deity which resides silently in those breasts that possesse it A man otherwise void of this may be termed a Carkasse And lesse he is more vile then nothing The Dammages of Infidelity are much more mightier then that which can be conceived in the minde or expressed by the tongue The Count of Tinia would that it should bee Ingratitude And what other said he can contaminate the birth and the vertues of a Knight but Ingratitude abominable in all A Knight is elected to chastise those that acting ungratefully offend Heaven Nature and their Friends Now how much the mightier will his Reproach be when he falls into that vice the Trespasses against which he is made choice of to punish All other faults carry with them some excuse or some Appearance of Reason Onely Ingratitude hath no pretence that can excuse it hath no reason that can defend it It is a vice so detestable that it becomes even odious to those that exercise it Whoever is unthankfull is unsaithfull be-because he rebels against those obligations which he owes to the favours of others He is cruell because he torments the Liberallity of those to whom he is knowne beholding In summe all Vices are seen in ingratitude and therefore an unthankfull Knight is unworthy of the name of a Cavalicre The Baron of Cardia maintained that Cruelty was the most blame-worthy thing in a Knight Cruelty he added is the most certaine Portent of or Folly or of Covetousnesse To be short all Vices are Vices but Cruelty holds the preheminence It spoiles unbowels unsoules the world It is the worst of all things by reason that from it all the worst things proceed Who is cruell is vile a desire of Blond not reigning but in those Bosomes which are corrupt He is an enemy of Nature since he procures the Destruction of his owne species He offends the Gods that with pitty onely have gained divine Attributes He injures himselfe because by the death of others he robs himselfe of those Duties which would have afforded him a superiority among others Lastly he is the worst of Animals the which although they be void of Reason are not neverthelesse without pitty The Prince of Missia with his usuall mordacity said That Love was the most detestable thing in a Knight This cried he is that that disturbes the Intellect that contaminates the Reason that tyrannizeth over the Will and that makes a man different from himselfe Who loves betraies himselfe in the tyranny of a face who knowes not to obey any thing but affections nor knowes not to be faithfull but to those who alwayes betray Love is a species of Infamie since it subjects the will of that heart to the which the Gods have prescribed no lawes but voluntary The Prince of Missia ushered in these Reasons with a laughter repleat with contempt holding his eyes continually fixed upon the Prince of Epirus He who in his owne conceit was lost in love thought that those words wounded his Reputation so much the more because upon him all their looks were cast as upon himalon who was subject of this Discourse He having no longer sufferance to see himselfe injured interrupting him said to him Prince of Missia if your declare your Opinion without thought to wrong me I shall take no Resentment at it because the Table even permits those things which should not be spoke If I have loved in Excess I repent not because my Affections have not been unworthy VVho is so bold to reprehend me lies and peradventure blames love because he is unworthy to be beloved Declare your selfe then because I am not accustomed to be reproached and in particular by you in these Errours The Prince of Missia answered I spoke by Chance dictated by Reason But that you should not believe that I say this for fear of your Anger I will make it good with my sword that having loved without Moderation you have done a thing unworthy of a Knight and therefore merited for it
of their perill began in a great measure to calme their anger But their miseries were redoubled on them when they were certified that Fire had taken possession of their Fleet. Such a multitude of Galleys were on a sudden come upon them that the Thracians not having time to weigh Anchor or to retire into the Sea were become a prey to fire which in a mightie quantitie was thrown upon them Although the distance was of many miles those terrours were neverthelesse heard which declaring the burning rendred the dammage irreparable Their feare was encreased upon them when they understood that the enemies who had made the fire in a grand number being landed were marching thence to fall upon them This was Astidamo King of Create who joyfull that he had found her alive without whom he could not live had resolved to returne into his Kingdome Whilest they were in their voyage by asking after newes they understood the destruction of the Kingdom of Cyprus made by the Thracians That all the firme land of the Island being lost Arsinoe only held out besieged by so many Armes and so many Armies that it could but a little longer resist the force of so many enemies That the Armeniuns the Scythians the Macedonians with many other Princes had declared themselves against King Vassileo and to their detriment had raised Money and Souldiers Dianea at these newes was not able to stop her teares that in abundance fell to vent forth the passion of her mind casting her selfe at the Kings feet she said to him I supplicate Astidamo over whom my affection presumes to find some desert Sir If I should not love my Father I were unworthy to be yours and in the same time to live You your self would but be a shadow of that heart that had not affections for him who hath given me my being If I had no other reason to love him I have that of his begetting me to be yours His having condemned me to death alters not my love I rather glory to be daughter to a Father who had rather punish his Child than derogate from Justice That mind should not be but celebrated which condemnes it selfe not to leave Crimes unpunished At this present that he is exposed to the invasion of Barbarians to the power of the Thracians who boast to impose servitude upon Cyprus I beseech you by that affection that interests you to afford aide to my affaires which at other times you haue not known how to refuse to him Permit not O magnanimous that these wicked ones should vaunt to have the Father of her Prisoner to whom you have acknowledged your self so many times a Prisoner Besides how could you rejoyce in my embraces which would be continually sadded by my feares I need not add that the Kingdome of Cyprus is mine after the death of my Father because where my entreaties prevaile it is not fit that Interest should plead a Title So much the rather because the greatness of your mind receives not an alteration from those lownesses that reign only in vulgar bosomes I know if Cyprus should fall under the subjection of the Thracians Creete would not be secure from the ambition of those who would enlage the mightinesse of their Empire beyond the Confines of the World But of this also I need not use a word to that heart which hath never been capable of feare and which rejoyces that others conquer to make his own triumphs the more glorious Let this only be an Adjunct to the immortality of your name that you have twice delivered Cyprus from the barbarismes of the Thrasians and given twice life to a King when he the least hoped for it and least deserved it Dianea hath never entreated Astidamo without being heard I assure my selfe the more in it because I supplicate for a Father Astidamo embraced her saying to her Dianea I was unwilling to interrupt you extreamly rejoycing in your piety The tendernesses shewed toward your Father confirmes my opinion that you know how to love I glory that the heavens have vouchsafed me the possession of a mind which forgets not the Obligations of Nature Not to have a memory for injuries is proper to your generosity The wrongs a Father doth should not beget anger in those that receive them The earth at no time hath reason to complaine of the Lightnings that Jove throws on it I will go to the succour of your Father because it is not convenient that any beloved by you should be in danger to be lost I know that beauty will carry felicity into that Kingdome which undergoes so many miseries only by reason of your absence He speedily commanded that their Voyage should be directed towards Cyprus Fame giving out that having obtained a Wife he went to get possession of her dowry To the Souldiers he promised the spoyles of the Thracians proposing one other intervall to the victory but till he met with the enemy Favoured by the Sea and the Winds they arrived upon the Fleet which under the Command of the Count of Brandilia was dispersed into the Ports without feare and without defence The Thracians beheld at one and the same time the Fire Armes and Death The Count was busie in play with all the other prime men that had Command in the Fleet in a Galley far distant from the rest Being informed of the fire not willing to leave off play he being a winner commanded it should be quenched supposing it kindled by accident through the carelessnesse of the Galeyots or Marriners Being assured the Navy was assaulted by enemies now perswaded the winds could not have such force he would not nevertheless stir until the violence of the fire represented the inevitable danger to him Then necessity rendring him a certainty of his neglect he consented not to retire or flye much more fearing the displeasure of the King than death Perceiving the flames unextinguishable and defence impossible he commanded his Galleots they should charge upon one of those Galleys whilest he himselfe resolved to dye on the weapons of some worthy person There was not any there that would understand or that would obey him Feare had so daunted the minds of them all that to avoid the fire they leapt out to swim finding no defence but in desperation The slaughter was great whilest both Elements conspired to the dammage of the Thracians Astidamo victorious without delay made his Souldiers go a Land understanding by his Scouts the discord that was in the Campe in the Enemies Army heightning his courage he said to his On O valorous Let us pursue the Victory Here is neither danger nor labour in assaulting those who are overcome by their own discords Being at division among themselves they will bring confusion and terrour among themselves They were infinite in number but there hath hapned such a slaughter among them that they will not any more have strength to make resistance The prime Chieftaines that rendred that Army formidable are killed by