Hinderson and the quoted place of my Pamphlet and how is that viz In His Majesties Paper against Hinderson the late King pleads the Church to be the Judge of the Scriptures and there I bring the King holding the Scriptures to be their own Interpreters But was there ever such a Sir Jarvis Simple knowne as this Fellow makes himself Either he never Read the Controversie and so takes it up upon trust or else he remembers or knows not what he reads for otherwise he might have taken notice that I own'd that Paper which he makes to Contradict the King 's to Hinderson as my owne and not the King 's otherwise then as He approved of what I writ for he might have remembred that I writ how that the King commanded Me to view the Marquesse's Paper before I brought it to Him and to give Him my Opinion of it which I did in writing which Paper His Majesty approved of as a sufficient Answer and so sent it to the Marquesse and that I said in my Epistle to the Reader That I writ onely what the KING spake and that I Transcribed or Published none of His Writings And if I had asserted that Paper to have been an Emanation from His Pen it had not been a Contradiction to what He wrote to Hinderson For Hinderson urging upon His Majesty the Private Interpretation as the Proper Judge of the Scriptures His Majesty might very well hold out unto him the Authority and Exposition of the Church as a more Competent Judge then that which the Scripture it selfe speaks against Which was an Argument good enough against him And when the Marquesse pressed His Majesty with the Churches being Judge of Scripture His Majesty might have recourse unto the Scripture and yet there might be no Contradiction at all But as a Fellow in a Fooles Goat may have the Priviledge to stand in the King's presence amongst Wise and worthy Men so this Advertisment may not be amisse before the King's Workes If this be the Reward of Loyalty like a Blind-Beare to be whipt on both sides and lash'd by every hand Or like a Mastiffe to be ridde by such a Jack an Ape and boxt on both Eares I will have nothing to doe henceforward with State-Affaires LOVE shall be my Theame which is the Spirit of God and Soule of the World which like Archimedes his Needle drawes all things to it selfe Love-Passions are the Hinges whereon depend the Two Leafes of that one Doore of Entrance into Eternall Life the Law and the Prophets the Two Heavenly Poles of the Doctrine of Salvation are the Love of God and that of our Neighbour Love is that wherewith the Sonne of God being lifted up upon the Crosse promised that He would draw all Men unto Him All other Graces put together doe but scant the Cup but Love is the fulfilling of the Law It is the Tree whose Fruit is never withered or blasted And the Root from whence the Flowers of all good Workes and good Desires doe spring Love composes Bookes of Holy-Scripture and drawes Lineaments of Beauty over the severall Pages Now come forth thou black and sullen Spirit that carpest at my Writings and see of what Fraternity thou art of whilst thou commest so neer that onely Property of the Devill and Damned Spirits Not to Love ' I but Momus will aske me What kind of Love is this of which you treat I answer him That there is but one Love in the world but there are Diversities of Objects the Love of God the Love of Women the Love of Money The Love of any thing is but one and the same thing though it be different in the Subject whereon it workes Amor Dilectio Charitas Zelus are but so many Branches of that Immaculate Tree of Life guarded by Angels and a Sword whose Temper was of Holy flames of Preservation whilst the Tree of Knowledge parted with her Fruit to sinfull hands and whose Armes received the Embracements and entertained the Windings and turnings of the subtile Beast whose Branches as it bare Knowledge of Good and Evill so an Excressency contrary to its owne Nature grew out of its owne Body which was Death Doe we not see God and his Creatures oftentimes Corrivalls for the same young Mans Heart We see Heaven and Earth Competitors for the same Roome and Lodging in the heart of Man and the Holy Ghost advising Man how he may gaine Possession of the heavenly Mansion by laying up Treasure there that there may his Heart be also What should I say more The World the Flesh and the Devill are but so many Defendents to the joint Plaintiffs of the Blessed Trinity both contending to whom the Heart of Man shall properly belong and when the Scales are even Love is the weight of the Hearts Ballance causing it to Propend that way wheresoever it lyes The Compasse hath many Points whereto its Needle may becken and make its offer but there is but one that is Elegible whereby it may find rest and leave its Trepidation and that 's the North So there are many Circumferences whereby the Affections of Mens hearts are carried further off from one another by how much the more they forsake their Fountaine-head yet there is but one Center the place of rest and unity where all these may fully meet and that is God which God is Love and Love thus rightly plac'd is the main prop and principall Stay and Support of Christian Religion and Center of Perfection Wherefore my Friendly Reader be not froward nor so ill Composed in your Gravity as to condemne the Innocence of my Narrations as Culpable of your imaginary Crimes The Canticles must not be blotted out of the Scriptures to please every Peevish and Crosse-grain'd Disposition Will you refuse all that Divinity of Our Saviour which he folded up in Parables Will you despise the Heavenly Manna because it was gathered into Aegyptian Basquets Think not this a Vain Story because my Flower lookes upon you with an Amorous Complexion for those Illicite Passions which agilate the Minds of Infamous Lovers my History cries downe It is that vertuous and honest Love which like so many Sparkes of the Divine have fram'd themselves into a fiery Charriot able to extoll an Elias up to Heaven The Holy Writ compares God the Father to a Husbandman His Sonne Christ Jesus to the Heire of his Farme the Holy Ghost to a Sower of good Seed The Word of God to the Seed it self Corne The Church to a Field The Devils to Crowes Hard-Hearts to Stony-Ground Nay Christ compares himself to a Thiefe in the Night What if I should compare the Almighty to Medina Coeli The Second Person of the Deity to Periissa Bertaldo To his Humanity Aminda To the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity Holy Ghost Comforter or Angel-Guardian Maximanus To the Devil Lorenzo and Amarissa To Soul Body Berontus Amarissa To a Convictor between preferment humility Hortensius Pippea to patterns of
all five fell upon him Which Bertaldo perceiving takes part with his Antagonist by whose assistance Cosdruball held long play with all the five and two of them were dismounted and sore wounded in the face and between the joynts of their armour and both of them by the brave Bertaldo whose sword at the last breaking he took one of their horses by one of the cheeks of the bit whose horse being tender mouth'd rear'd so up an end that it gave occasion for a lesser strength then what Bertaldo had to throw horse and man backward over and over Whereupon the Prince threw down his Warder commanding his Guard to part them which was done accordingly But Cosdruball by this time having turned his Envie against Bertaldo into Admiration and his Choller into Complement thus spake unto him SIR You have expressed a great deale of Gallantry both against me and on my behalfe Let me be so happy as to know your name lest you make me beleeve some Deity hath fought this day in Armour Bertaldo about to reply using the same reverence which Honoria had observ'd him for to shew on Horseback unto the Romane Emperour whilst he thankt him upon his returne from some good service cryed out It is my Brother my deare Brother deare Bertaldo I know it is he Whereat the Prince astonished sends for them all to come before him who having uncased were presented to the Royall Paire as the true instruments of valour But no Musique affected the Royall Princesse eare so much as when she heard her Brother speak whom she presented to the Prince her Husband who acknowledged himselfe much honoured with his relation to a man of so great Gallantry offering him to be no lesse then what he would be that lay within the power of his Dominions to make him so wherefore he bad him freely to speak his minde or to take some further time for his demands Bertaldo soone reply'd Great Prince there needs no long time to be given me to request that at your hands which of all other things I most desire Speak it then said Lorenzo and upon the word of a Prince it shall be granted presently Then Sir said Bertaldo I desire nothing more then that you would love my Sister At which words the Prince rushes into his armes and embracing him told him That he had requested nothing for greater love then that he bare already towards his Sister he could not shew But this he had gained by so great an expression of his love to her that he could love him no lesse with all his soule then her with all his heart And seeing his modestie would not make knowne unto him any farther desires he was contented for his merits sake to be the hardest Student untill he had found out wayes to make him happy With such love-expressions between these two Worthies as also betweene Bertaldo and Cosdruball the Prince and Princesse Honoria and her brother with variety of delights and pastimes Musick and Dancings the rest of the Day and the borrowed part of the Night that the maine happinesse could afford to lend their expectations seemed too small a contribution to satisfie the desires of those who now began to wax sad with thinking how their happinesse must end with a beginning of that felicity whereof they were no sharers but so far forth as they could make it theirs by fancy The time being come that the Queen of Beauty must be taken by the Ministers to the throne of Love out of the hand of her beloved where she might be placed by his side she taking her leave with a reverend yet Prinely behaviour and went before that she might be come to rather then come at man where she was no sooner laid in her bed but all the Honourable women fell in love with her except Amarissa a faire Lady whose quality we shall defer to mention till the last It shall suffice for the present that she was one who formerly conceived hopes of having some assurance of the Prince's love who sate at the beds feet behind the Curtaine with her face from the bed weeping and with no lesser sensibilities of delight then as if their owne imaginations had metamorphosed them all to men standing on both sides the bed holding Tapers in their hands and gazing upon that lovely object whose so many faces cast one so out of countenance that she made signes with her hand that they should be gone and then recollecting her selfe as fearing that they might judge the dismission a making haste for her Husbands approach her blushes forc'd a passage so powerfully into her countenance that she was faine to attempt a suppression with both her hands And lest any of the red should slip an apparance through her white fingers she throwes the sheet over her head so that their eyes forsooke their object as objects vanish from the eye-sight when the light is gone Word being brought that the Prince thought their Ceremonies too tedious they sighed forth their extasies with such a strong gale of wind whose breath swell'd each contrary Curtaine as if by those full sailes they had been transported to themselves againe and so left her Onely Amarissa stay'd behind unmissed and unregarded until such time that the Prince with all his Nobles entred the Chamber who entertained him with this sad Prologue to the Play SIR Had you no other way to step into your Nuptiall bed but by treading upon a heart that so much lov'd and honour'd you to abuse a beliefe that once thought you could not erre What delight is this you take to raise with one hand and destroy with t'other to fill one creature so full of joy with an unexpected fruition and strangle another in the-midst of all her hopes Sir you did not well There is that within you and there be those without you that will not stick to tell you so and with that she flung out of the Chamber in the greatest disdaine both to her Soveraigne and her bad fortune that could be imagined Bertaldo who loved a spirit howsoever qualified was mightily taken with her whose comportment it seemes well suted with his humour wherefore he thus spake unto the Prince SIR You were once pleased to bid me aske and have now I onely aske that I may have this Lady or at least your approbation and assistance To whom the Prince returned this quick Reply My deare Bertaldo I will not onely grant thee this but assure thee were I a woman my selfe thou shouldst have me Whereat the Princely Bride raising her selfe up a little in her bed said My Lord I pray tell me truly have you promis'd the Lady marriage that seem'd to be so much perplext through some unconstancie on your behalfe To whom the Prince made answer Upon my word I never promis'd her any such thing and I know she 's more noble then to say I did Oh Sir said the Princesse I beg that I might heare her but acknowledge what you say before you
before and to take his leave of me to be so coursly us'd as the chance of Warre might give him entertainment I know what it is to bid adieu to such and never see them more but it was never wont to be thus with me either this love is of an higher nature and nearer relation or else there is more in it then willingly I would imagine I pray let me goe with you I have no minde to stay behind Alas reply'd the Prince what shouldst thou doe amongst a company of rude Souldiers Stay here and I will reach thee a Lawrel-bough with mine owne hand and thou shalt make a wreath and give it whom thou wilt and I will bring thee home an Olive Branch and thou shalt wear it I but in the mean time said Honoria I had rather you would take away this claw of lead that gripes my heart so sore and squeeses out all the gladnesse thence Honoria said the Prince no mis-fortune can befall me whilest I am happy in thy love which nothing can deprive me of but that which may lead me to a better life And if thou think'st my death any mis-fortune I 'le repaire the losse of my Person with the donation of my Dominion For here before all these Nobles if I fall there stands the Queen of Carthage Whereupon Honoria made her last Reply Long may you live to enjoy that your selfe and I you So they both parted She was sorry that he was gone he discontented that she was sorrowfull Bertaldo taking his leave of his Sister and the rest of the Ladies bids her make much of her self she him That he should have a care of her Husband And Amarissa prayed Bertaldo that he would not be too ventrous The Court thus emptyed almost of all the Men Maximanus struts among a Company of Women like a Major domo of a Seraglio though he was more Satyr then Eunuch yet for some while he kept on his way laying hold on all opportunities that might advance him to the Princesse favour which when he had once sufficiently obtained he thought he had made a faire progresse towards his journeys end disloyall lust Good natures are seldome wanting in retalliating good services with acknowledgements and innocence oftentimes engratiates her owne Subjects with too many freedomes Maximanus had often sought occasion to give the Princesse some intimation of his meaning but all his opportunities proved fruitlesse to his desires which were still nipt in the bud before he could give them breath by the chast wind of her words and Majesty of her Countenance Which was such as would have still kept him in the same state of innocence if she had not as unhappily as innocently let fall a word by chance which like a spark of fire by the often clashings of discourse like the striking together of Flint and Steele lighting upon the black tinder of his halfe-burnt Soul once extinguished and suppressed already by her chast hand over him so spread fire by his additionall breath that he thought he might in a very short time both touch his match and light a candle to his hearts desires And thus it was Honoria was much addicted to good Housewifery especially in preserving Fruits and Distillations well governing her Houshold receiving Accompts c. Maximanus as he was very diligent to find out wayes wherein he thought he might please her and best suite with his occasions and administer discourse proportionable to his designe One time amongst the rest he presents unto her a rare and exquisite Limner making it his request That the Prince's Gallery might be graced with her Picture which was wanting Which if it were truly drawne to the life would put down all the pictures there She as little regarding the motion as affected with the vanity was notwithstanding by much opportunity drawne to give her consent with this proviso that she may have the liberty to chuse her owne fancy in it Maximanus thought Reason good and duty binding Whereupon she causeth this rare Artist to draw her Picture holding Cupid between her Legs his Bow under her Foot his Quiver upon the ground with the Arrowes broken and plucking the feathers out of his Wings which lay scattered about the Roome with this Motto viz. But a Goose to a good Huswife And when it was perfected she presented it to Maximanus with these words Now Maximanus I am at your service Meaning no otherwise but that upon those termes she had gratifi'd his desires He not reading the Motto understood not the conceit She not doubting but that he had explain'd it no farther Maximanus imagining that by Cupid which she held betweene her legs was Hieroglyphict the love that was betweene her and her husband whose bow she trod under her foot and whose feathers she threw away as slighting his departure thought verily that she had done this to let him see that now she had wholly cast her selfe upon his love and affections Whereupon he said but little because the Limner was present as if he had been somewhat sorry that she had shewed her selfe so comming before a man that could not but take some notice of her too much forwardnesse Howsoever he was all on fire which being kept in burnt the hotter She ignorant of any addes more fuell by her ensuing discourse saying unto him Come Maximanus you and I will goe and hang it up in my owne Chamber bidding him reward the Picture-drawer and dismisse him which he did accordingly He carrying the Picture in his hand into her Chamber and finding no body there instead of setting it up he sets it down And thus the Goat courted the Lamb and the Night-raven the Dove Madam That my love was unexpressable it might appear by my not speaking but it seemes my actions spake in a language that your quick apprehension understood But I could wish you had said nothing and then you had performed the greatest master-piece of wit that ere was wrought by ingenuity and had made a third hand Limne the Idea of your minde who never knew your meaning whereas now I am afraid And as he was going on with his speech she gave him such a look that stopt his speech with swallowing downe his Spittle Asking him What he meant by that strange language and insolent kind of behaviour Maximanus recollecting his spirits asked Honoria what she meant by that strange Picture and familiar way of telling him that she was now at his service Adding moreover the dismisment of the Artist and inviting him to her Chamber able to give a duller apprehension then his own the like encouragement Withall acquainting her with his conception of the Mystery She him with the true meaning and purport of her Fancy letting him understand that if her familiarity was the occasion of such constructions he should have lesse reason hereafter to mistake Maximanus reply'd to so unexpected a cooling Card Madame I pray be not offended you cannot hate me for loving you nor blame
Bertaldo told him that it was but the Exuberance of his affection which in time may easily be remedied telling him That fondnesse must give way to Princes Edicts It was decreed by Lorenzo's Command that to morrow must be the day that Amarissa and he must shake hands in Holy Wedlocke Then said Philoret I may lie at your feet this night Philoret said Bertaldo thou shalt lie for ever at my heart as my best friend for ever Come I 'le call thee Page no more thou shalt be my selfe and afterwards I shall let thee know that thy fears are needlesse and that thy discontents stand upon no ground Thus past the night away when in the morning there was nothing to be seene but preparations for the Wedding time drawing on the accustomed preparations for the Solemnity newes was brought that Berontus was very sick and could not attend the Ceremony Philoret had fallen into severall distempers and fits of soundings strange Preludiums to such Solemnities Berontus his condition was not much weigh'd because not any knew the cause of his distemper but Philoret his case was much resented by those who were not ignorant either of the Malady or the Remedy Amongst whom Bertaldo was the forwardest as the most expert Physitian in feeling of his Pulse Who comming to Philoret said Thou young man that astonishest all men with thy Miracles and me with thy Love why dost thou expire so often There must be something to hinder every man from the perfection of a Deity Why wilt thou sullie all thy former actions with such fondness more befitting some female weakness than relating to such prowesse as is alwaies resident in thy manly breast why art thou such a jarre to all our musick rain'st thy teares upon our joyfull harvest Come I ne'r Chid thee before in all my life nor ever thought I should and why should I Chide thee since it is rather the errour of love than love of errour thou committ'st the fault and I 'le give satisfaction aske and have what thou wilt of me for by all that 's good wert thou capable of a nearer relation than that of Friendship even of that I 'm going about and should'st aske me Amarissa should not stand between thee and thy Contentment Heavens what confusion that word cast into his thoughts what changeablenesse into his countenance what rain bows were tied in True lovers knots upon his cheeks he gave his eyes free leave to speake his minde whil'st he deny'd his heart the benefit of it's own Advocate he lets silly and unexperienc'd wishes sallie out of that strong-hold whilst effective words language were kept in like conquerable Lyons within their Grates at last considering the confusion that would follow his discovery but most of all fearing the deniall that his suppos'd disparity would soone give check to such a Mate his mind gave him rather to break his Heart than break his Mind and chose rather to die a sacrifice to humility than to embroile such Lovers in discontents to satisfie his own desires by such presumption giving Bertaldo this answer sent up by the swellings of his Heart no rising of any Lungs Bertaldo I am contented that you shall Marry Amarissa and enjoy her upon one condition that you will onely give me leave to mourn this day and I shall never trouble you with any more Petitions Bertaldo admiring at his suite yet being us'd to such exotick fondnesse custome took away the strangenesse of it whereupon he gave him leave not thinking that he had meant any other kind of mourning then not rejoycing with the rest whereat Philoret seem'd to be much pleas'd and Bertaldo glad that he had any way contented him repaires to Amarissa whom he confounds with the relation in thinking with what strange predominance his love bare sway however she resolves to humour him likewise for the future and by her loving carriage towards him to let him see his Errour But when the time drew near that hand in hand should joyne two hearts in one Behold Lorenzo he falls suddenly sick whose indisposednesse to attend the Ceremony bequeathes the gift of Amarissa into Holy Hands to be delivered to Bertaldo to the performance of the brave Berontus who being sick with Love was deadly afraid he should thereby be accessary to his owne destruction how averse soever his minde was to the Princes deputation yet necessity laid such strong hold upon him together with Bertaldo his Entreaties and Amarissa's Courtship that it seem'd no otherwise to him then as if he had been compell'd to act that part with such an impulsion as wherewith the evill destinies drive men to be their own Executioners Thus all was out of order whilst ignorance is about to joyne hands with Devotion to act unlawfull things under the pretension of Holy Rites on they rush as well as they may they think no hurt they doe no good Monstrum horrendum informe ingens cui lumen ademptum They enter the Holy Place the Priest is present the Parties ready the People by the Ceremonies begun Berontus is call'd upon to doe his Office he goes about what he had rather let alone unwillingly willing he takes Amarissa by the hand and when he should deliver her to the Priest he holds her fast and would not let her goe and when he should speak certaine words he declares by an uncertaine kind of speech which had no other articulates but the weight of language I mean his tears that what he did came not from his heart whereby seeming to serve for no other use then as a dumb and senslesse Statue her hand was taken out of his and given to another who gave it to the Priest to be delivered to Bertaldo who were then and there publiquely Married in the fight of all the world Never till this time when it seem'd too late did Amarissa perceive that Berontus was in love with her whose pitty of his condition made her sorry that she had not known it sooner and that sorrow caused Bertaldo to perceive a kind of reluctancy in Amarissa's countenance as if she had not been well pleas'd with what she had done which made him not so well pleas'd with his Bargaine as otherwise he would have been But behold a sad sight administred a greater occasion of dislike than was the former for Philoret overset with Melancholly of the Blackest hue studies a way how to improve it to the highest Wherefore when he perceiv'd them all gone to the Wedding he puts on a Mourning Habit and all alone goes into the roome prepar'd for the Dinner where solemnity had plac'd two Chaires of State for the Bride and Bridegroome to enthrone themselves in Majesty Thus accoutr'd Philoret seates himselfe in the Brides Chair and throwing his upper Garment over his shoulder he settles his minde to as deep a Melancholly as either his outward Habit or his Posture hung out signes Thus under the shadow of despaire sits Philoret like a condemned Victim pressed to death whose
hold upon all the Civilities that might helpe him up applauding the exuberance of so great humanity shewed to a person who sate there as a meere object of his clemencie The commanded haste which the Charioteere soone made to the Royall Palace together with the many Questions and Answers which the King and Queene of Love made to one another shortned the way that brought them to so glorious a structure as if one of Jupiters birds had built his nest in the Sun which dazled the eyes of its beholders The Palace was seated on the side of a hill whereby though there were many buildings yet not any one obscur'd the rest but all like so many yearly children of a right Architectist stood in so many several degrees one above another Before the house there glided a soft streame smiling upon the flowery Bankes whose depth rather received Bargemen then Navigators All along which River there was a fruitfull Valley that yeelded a most pleasant prospect which a man might easily behold without losing his owne eyes Above the Palace a Hill almost compassed the Seate in forme of a Moone Cressant opening to receive the benefit of the pleasing Zephirs and a Grove betweene answerable to the shape and manner of the Hill Adjoyning whereunto in proportion was a goodly Orchard and next unto the House a faire Garden whose Platt was contrived upon such a hanging Levell whose proclivitie was so insensible that you might walke upwards upon plaine ground and downe againe without descent Upon the midst whereof was a liberall Fountaine which was no lesse servient to the Grotts for Water-works then to the House for use No tunnells of any Chimney were to be seene above the house but the Chimneys of every Square were so contrived all back to back that they sent up their conveyance so close drawne up together that over so many severall places of the Palace there was nothing more to be seen then so many tripartited walls with Benches for to sit upon either opening to the Sunne or affording shade from what part of the Firmament soever the Sunne should cast his Beames as favours or persecutions Upon the side of every wall there attended the Suns motion Dials that took constant notes of all the progresse At the corner of each wall were Pendents and in the midst higher then all the rest a larger Pendent having the Princes Armes cut through whose thorough light made the Chardge Sables and the Field Azure or Skie-colour serving as well for ornament as use Neither was the Contrivement lesse beneficiall respecting the three walls sheltridge from the foure winds The comming up to the Palace was over a faire River and along a two-arched stately Bridge between which and the Palace was a stately Launt five hundred and fifty paces with a double row of trees on both sides in each double row a Foot-walk wherein three might goe abreast and in the middle a faire gravell rise for the Chariot and the Horse which led through a faire Parke no lesse enamell'd with store of Deere then shadowed with the goodliest trees which brought you to a Building whose contrivements were all sonnes and daughters of Uniformity and Beauty The Prince having shewed her all that is described and having brought her with all his Attendant Lords and Ladies to the top of the Palace tells her before them all that all that she had seene within those walls and all that her eyes beheld without should be hers upon no other condition but that she should be his Honoria perceiving that she was now put to act the two parts both of Modesty and Discretion answered him in these words WORTHY SIR In my weake opinion you doe not deale so kindly with me as if you would have me live You cannot be ignorant of the danger that is in taking a poore hunger-starv'd wretch and tempting her owne appetite to be her ruine in setting before her so many dishes and plentifull varieties I have beene fed with sorrow a long time and have had no moisture wherewith I might quench my thirsting after comfort but my owne teares and now you cram me with delights what can be expected but that I should soone surfet with the joyes wherewith you fill a heart that is too narrow to containe the moitie of your bounty and goodnesse I see here in your presence choice of faire and honourable Ladies daughters to Felicity and right heires to Happinesse Tell me but which you like and my needle shall worke her such a wedding garment as it may be Carthage never saw the like and this is all the favour I shall beg or thinke my selfe worthy of She seeing him stand amazed urged him farther with these words so modestly spoken I pray Sir let it be so it may be I may be thought worthy for to wait upon her No said the Prince they shall all attend on thee and thinke themselves no more or lesse happy then according to the degrees of favour that thou shalt ranke them in and their merits at thy hands shall purchase estimation For by all that 's sacred before the morrowes Sunne shall reach to its Meridian thou shalt be mine Doe not you stand so much upon refusall lest you make us thinke that you Romanes have an art beyond us to make your selves more acceptable by crowning your Perfections with Humility Come let 's goe and what thou hast not seen that shall be thine I le shew thee farther Whereupon leading her by the arme he delighted himselfe in supposing how much he delighted her in shewing her all his Rarities and Treasures All his attendants especially they of the Female Sexe were not as yet more affected with envie of her happinesse then they were pleased with the humble manner of her behaviour untill their second thoughts had placed their envies right against her construing that Modestie as a piece of cunning to attract Honour the more by flying it and to draw his love more and more towards her by seeming to refuse it This night the honourable women by commandement from the Prince attended Honoria who the next day as their Princesse was to command their attendance Which day being come the time of that day allotted for the solemnization of so great a Marriage was at hand when they were both made one with the greatest pompe and ceremony that could be devised which I leave to your owne imaginations to supply the place of a description But one thing I must not omit because it was so ominous to that which after happened For at the same time whilst the Priest was joyning the Hands of those whose Hearts were one already Blood gusht from his nostrils and at once stain'd the two maine preservers both of Knowledge and Devotion the sacred Directory and the Priests lips and made the very word which ensured the Prince his love unto Honoria Rubrick in the Lyturgie Which though the standers by interpreted it as a bad Omen yet the parties themselves guarded with
come betweene these sheets or else I shall never enjoy you nor my selfe For I protest before all that 's good that I had rather embrace a heartlesse then a faithlesse man And as soone shall Steele strike fire without a Flint as either of us can enjoy Felicity where both have not kept touch with mutuall Loyaltie The Prince protested againe by Heaven he never did promise that he would marry her Then said the Princesse Did not you tell her that you loved her tell me truly and so made her beleeve too much Did you never give her any Rings or Favours The Prince confessed that he had done all that Whereat the Princesse as over-sensible of the sad condition that the poore Lady was in gently wiping the teares that were even ready to overflow their bankes told him that he had done too much to doe no more and that she feared that was not all Whereat the Prince deeply wounded with her sorrow told the Princesse that he would have her sent for and would engage her honour in testification of that truth which he had said and for the wrong which she conceived that he had done the Lady in telling her in a generall way he loved her or in bestowing some particular favours upon her he would make her this amends Here is Bertaldo said the Prince as much in love with her as ever she was with me a man every way deserving her affection with stronger pleas of merit then I my selfe can boast of onely he 's not a Prince And rather then thou shouldst build a discontent on such foundations he shall be Prince of Carthage and I will be Bertaldo And said the Princesse I will be Amarissa and she shall be Honoria Let her be sent for Whereupon the Prince commanded two of his Noblemen to go and tell Amarissa that her company was much desired who all this while had hid her selfe in a place where she both saw and heard all that had been said or done And being overcome with the Princesse goodnesse thinking her selfe by this time sufficiently revenged in finding Honoria already a partaker with her in her affliction and so sensible of her owne and hers she answered that sensibility with a deepe sense of both their willingnesse to give her so full a satisfaction for so small a fault as was neither a reall wrong nor a compleat injury but especially by reason of those sparkles of fire which Bertaldo's words had kindled in her breast which began already to smother under that vast load of fuell which former love had prepared for so high an inflamation In she comes of herself before she was either lookt for by them or found by their Ambassadours upon whose approach the Prince thus spake unto her Madam As you have relation unto Honour be a friend to Justice and let no passion prejudice the truth that onely must confesse I often said I lov'd you and that I gave you pledges of my love I have acknowledged it but that those pledges might not have been given as well unto a thing call'd Man as unto you as Woman seeing I never promised you Marriage or gave them you in any such consideration I see no reason To which Amarissa thus reply'd SIR It seemes I did not understand your dialect nor the language of your gifts I must confesse I thought that being a woman professing love to such a one and I never questioned any other but what was honourable had no other signification but what it seemes you never meant and your gifts no otherwise then so many pledges of that love But I am contented to be mistaken my griefs are now epitomiz'd to this small Volume I am sorry I am not a Man as you took me to be for then would I love Honoria better then your selfe and so be even with you Wherefore be ever happy Honoria in his love and if my contentment may contribute any thing to that accomplishment you have it freely Imbrace him as the Ivie doth the tree murmur together like two Turtle-doves and kisse as close as Cockles meet I envie not your happinesse Bertaldo fir'd with this brave carriage tells Amarissa that she is the greatest Conquerour in the world thus to rout her passions and overcome her selfe not knowing the meanes whereby she got the victory and that if she could love a man under the degree of a Prince she might find happinesse to crowne her desires besides that which Princes weare upon their heads Amarissa made quick reply saying A Woman was not taken out of the scull of Man whereby she should so much affect that ornament but out of his side that she might sit neare his heart Where if she were once duly seated she ought to think her selfe sufficiently crown'd with hearts content Come Amarissa said the Prince behold the Prince of Chivalrie and the sonne of Mars sole Executor to all the goods in the Temple of honour and of vertue heire to Fortune and one to whom Fame hath assign'd over her right a man to whom the world owes more then it 's able to pay Love him and be as happy as thou wilt Which words the Princesse seconded with these Love him and you shall not lose your first love For Lorenzo being my selfe and I yours Bertaldo and Amarissa shall so agree in a third person that foure shall be happy all at once Love me said Bertaldo and I will teach Love it selfe new delights that it never dreamt of and make it ashamed of its old wayes as if they were out of fashion As to you Sir said Amarissa applying her selfe to the Prince you have described a gallant man And I shall no otherwise answer your Encomium of him then with Beliefe And your words to the Princesse with no lesse respect then in laying them to a heart that truly honours you And in requitall of your good opinions of me I will answer the respect with an act of the greatest contentment to you both that either of you can imagine in taking my leave of you and keeping you no longer out of Paradise And as to you Bertaldo I shall commit you to the greatest happinesse when I leave you to your selfe And so Good night and Happinesse to you all Bertaldo as if his soule were making an escape hastened after her with so much respect to her as shewed but little to the Prince and Princesse who notwithstanding were best pleased with the manner of his departure and overtakes her before she had got halfe way to her Chamber and waiting upon her to the doore he kiss'd her hand calling it his Altar her selfe his Shrine the place his Chappell and making a low obeisance that his Adoration she dismiss'd him onely with this assurance of her favour towards him that in her owne nature she was enclin'd to mercy and hoped she should not put him to too many prayers And so they parted CHAP. II. The disturbance that the Prince and Princesse had in their rest the first night
that love that is attracted by such Magnetick vertue 'T is your owne fault to be so Beautifull and none of mine to be passive in my obedience to that power Truly Madam I must needs confesse I doe love you with all my heart and have smother'd my affection a long time But now I must tell you that you murder me if you deny Sir Sir said the Princesse love is your scene but when the scene is opened foul lust appeares which makes you unworthy of your Princes Favour or my Company With what countenance can you look him in the Face that can be so disloyall to him or me of whom you have entertain'd so vile conceptions For the Love-sake that my Husband beares unto you in hopes of your amendment I will not blab your Basenesse or Disloyalty But I protest if ever you open your mouth againe in this particular your Master shall know into how treacherous hands he hath repos'd so great a Trust And so farewell Honoria being gone Maximanus bites the lip and swears by all the Gods it shall not serve her turne if faire meanes will not doe it foule meanes shall whom we leave hatching his owne Villanies To treat of the successes which attended the Prince in his expedition against the Moores Lorenzo Monteroing the top of an Hill with his Army beheld the Moors drawn up in Battalia ready to receive him brooks no delayes but thinking himself as Superiour to them in Courage and true Gallantry as he was inferiour to them in number uncovers the Mountaine head advances towards them and makes up to the black-fac'd Monster through disadvantages breaks through difficulties and gives them a home Charge some of the Moores begin to stagger and runne Whereat the Generall of the Moores was no more discouraged then the Husband-man when he sees the winde blow the Chaffe away from the purer Corne. Cosdruball Generall of the Prince his Horse routes theirs but performes the execution with too hot a spurre insomuch that the whole Army of the Princes was almost Routed and the Prince himselfe in very great danger had not Bertaldo the Prince his alter ego well defended his Prototype For Lorenzo with his Brigade charged into the main Body of the Enemie hewing down all before him like a fierce wind that gets into a thick wood when as the leafe is in the fall which knowing not its way out againe whirles about the trees shaking down their leaves clatterring their boughes one against another so bending their branches to the earth till their rootes came up and bodies downe So this sonne of Mars environed within a black cloud of Moores thunders in the midst of them and like lightning so peirced this black cloud till there fell showers of bloud Such was the behaviour of the brave Lorenzo Bertaldo having intelligence from Hanno that the Prince was thus engaged if he were not lost already and that the left wing attempting to dis-engage him were all routed with his 100. Volunteers which guarded his Person and thought no otherwise but that he had been the Prince rides amongst the heartlesse and breathlesse Souldiers crying Victoria Victoria Come and let us make an end of the day all 's our owne they think him to be the Prince and that he had made his way through and so shrewdly disordered them all follow him and his directions He gives Philaret a strict charge that he should not lose the sight of him if it were possible but be ready at had with his spare Horse if need required and that he should shew his love unto him in that dayes service and have it ever after The poor wretch over-joy'd with the apprehension of such a reward converts his fear of death into hopes of merit And having at the beginning of the Battell taken a box of Oyntment from a Captive Tawny-Moore wherewith the Moores used to make their Faces more black as more Beautifull he colours his face as black as jet imagining thereby to performe some notable piece of service that day in the behalfe of his so much beloved Bertaldo who by this time finding the Moores to stand so close drawn up as no ordinary force or manner of discipline could break or enter drawes up his Men in forme of a wedge edg'd with his own personall Valour it being impossible that such a one being backt by two those two by three three by five bearing the same proportion up to the very Rear whose greater number still followed the fewer whilst the better-mettled fewer still made way for the worser temper'd multitude to follow like a well-droven wedg riving the bonds of nature in sunder and those hearts of Oak at once both to complaine and open till they saw the Prince with a few survivers like Mars himselfe stand Bulwarckt in the midst of so many slaughter'd Moores and Re-intrench'd about with his owne Dead Where the Prince and Bertaldo congratulating one anothers happinesse in both their preservations both parties stood amaz'd to behold two suns in the same Firmament The Princes men were contented to take Bertaldo as a rescuing Angell in their Soveraignes shape and Bertaldo his men were glad to see two Princes who not long ago were afraid they had not one These two men in Mars his livery seeing the Moors endeavouring to Sally on either hand resolv'd equally to divide their Forces and Charge them severall wayes Bertaldo in prosecuting his designe had his Horse slaine under him upon the first Charge which had no sooner brought him to the ground but up comes Philoret with his spare Horse in his hand ready to re-estate him in his former posture He perceiving Philoret black as the night thought some Moore had kill'd his pretty Page and seiz'd his horse and clad him in his Pages habit whereupon Bertaldo struck at Philoret who call'd upon Bertaldo to stay his hand but the confused noise being so great that he could not hear him Bertaldo gave him a sleight wound upon his neck whereat Philoret letting his horse goe out of his hands to lay hold on that Bertaldo left prosecuting Philorets revenge by sparing the person whom he persecuted with so blind a zeal crying out Black Devill how couldst thou find in thy heart to destroy so sweet a Creature Philoret was so well pleased with the kindnesse of his language and so little troubled with the smart of his wounds that he onely thirsted for another opportunity to doe Bertaldo the like service at the same rate which was presently offer'd him For Bertaldo was no sooner mounted but presently he Charges in amongst the thickest of his Enemies as if some wild Bull had runne madding through some Market-place treading down all the people as he ranne along till stopt by Butchers that staid his course by knocking of him downe so fell Bertaldo Up comes Philoret and dismounting his horse strides over him and with his sword in his hand menaces the approaching Enemy The Moores seeing him Black took him to be one of
relie upon his Oratory able enough in his owne conceit to entangle no small flies within the fine spun cobweb of his fucetious Language Him the Prince sends for with much greedinesse of desire to see as also with a longing expectation to heare what he would say of his Honoria in he comes Lorenzo receives him with much respect Bertaldo with grinding teeth he Bertaldo with great humanity the Prince ask'd him How he had left his affaires in Carthage and what winde had blowne him thither what was become of his Honoria commanding an accompt of that particular in the first place Maximanus with much reverence and more confidence speaks as followeth Sir if you will have me speake in a word on my soule she 's innocent and I can no more imagine her to be otherwise than I can suppose the Sun's clarity to be guilty of the same blemishes wherewith the unconstant Moone seems spotted The good opinion I had of her virtue to me was such that I refus'd intelligence from mine owne eyes and eares Why said Bertaldo what did you see or heare speake out your full meaning Worthy Bertaldo reply'd Maximanus let not a truth offend you that proceeds from the mouth of him who is as great an Admirer of her worth and rare perfection as if he were her Brother but yet there were strange reports stranger evidence and demonstration it selfe was strangest of all What demonstration said Bertaldo what reports and what evidence why dost thou not tell us what they were Good Bertaldo said the Prince forbeare let him speake his minde Worthy Bertaldo said Maximanus give me leave to touch this sore as gently as I may I doe not tell you that I believe any thing of all that I have heard or what was witnessed against her nor what I saw but I believe that envy and malice have joyn'd issue in the same Conspiracy I believe the Witnesses were false and that there was more than honest craft us'd to bring these things about and that delusion had cast some false medium before our optick nerves when we beheld the supposed vile Hortensius in the same Bed between Honoria and Amarissa of which there are divers Witnesses answering the former Reports Whereupon Bertaldo with much vehemence cryes out Thou Liest and I 'le justifie it to be a Lie wert thou a hundred Maximanus ' s. To whom Maximanus gently reply'd Worthy Bertaldo you need not for Maximanus hath in this businesse given himself the Lie oftner by many times and is ready to write her Accusation false with no other point but what this sword shall willingly enable me a Subscriber to her innocence with the blood of her Accusers but how to reconcile the beliefe within me to my outward senses I cannot tell if you 'le have me sweare she 's honest virtuous loyall chaste I le doe it presently or if beyond beliefe you 'le have me say I know it to be so I le say and sweare that too yet I have eyes and eares that gave me this intelligence and yet I could never give them the least credit Sir if she be not true to you I le lose my life and if I have not seen all this with these same eyes I am not Maximanus This speech mingled in the same headpiece with so many truths and falshoods mysterious expressions and downright language Riddles and Positives so stupified those two of so neare relation as Husband and Brother that they stood like so many senslesse Statuaes as if both their soules had suffered one ecclipse Lorenzo first recovering as first outed of himselfe ask'd Maximanus If there were not some Witchcraft in 't or if some delusion had not beguil'd their senses Maximanus as if he had been overjoy'd that the Prince had found it out return'd this Answer that he rejoyced exceedingly to see how the Prince had hit the same nayle on the head that he had been hammering at all this while and if there were not Witchcraft in 't he durst endure all the torments that the shades of endlesse rest with all their Hags and Furies thereunto belonging could inflict upon those Mortals who wilfully doe fight against the Gods Bertaldo began to be wonderfully pleas'd with this discourse Lorenzo not to be fully satisfied with his relation and if Similitude may obtaine Pardon for the Homelinesse of the Comparison I may tell you that these two Princes retir'd themselves for Solitude into severall Corners like those inferiour creatures who having got between their teeth some huge and mighty bone though there be never so little meat upon 't yet run away with it into some corner or other there privately to gnaw upon that which shame would not permit them to manage so in Publique and at last are faine to leave it finding their hunger more exasperated with toyle and labour than their bellies satisfied with sustenance so fruitlesse was their fumbling at this Gordian Knot whilst Maximanus laughes in his sleeve to thinke into what Dumps his omnipotent braine had cast these Sonnes of the Almighty At last watching his opportunity he findes Lorenzo all alone and much perplex'd whose troubled mind he appeases with a remedy worse then the disease Sir said he what need you vex your soul with these anxieties Know you not that there is a Man whom all Affrica admires for his rare Art and Skill in representing to the inquisitive view of any man that hath a desire to know what things have past between mortall creatures relating to any concernment Hath not your Victories spread your Glory over the place of his Nativity And will you make so little use of your Conquest as not to lay such Commands upon him as will quickly solve all doubts and set us all to rights who are thus bewildred in the maze and labyrinth of these turnings and windings of our restlesse thoughts Honoria deserves that you should use the meanes to quit your selfe of these vaine Jealousies and feares For on my soule shee is as Chast as ever the shee-turtle dove can be unto her mate Though I could not stop my Eares nor shut mine Eyes against those things which I both saw and heard I should be as glad to be satisfied my selfe as you aliis rebus pietatem colas we must set sorcery and witchcraft together by the eares if the servants play the jack we must complaine unto the Master Devill I had rather be brought into Paradise againe by his meanes then to carry such a Hell within my bosome for want of a little shaking hands with the Devill Pardon me Sir if I venture too boldly in my advice seeing my love cannot endure to see you in such a storme as is ready to make Shipwrack of all your happinesse and to overwhelme all your glory in the depression of the greatest of your contentments Whereupon Lorenzo stops his further speaking with Embracements crying over and over againe Honest Maximanus how much am I beholding unto thee Who would have done this
a single duell when he may have his will by his Prerogative He that answers the nimblenesse of his wifes tongue with the volubility of his owne doth but justifie the warre by giving quarter nothing makes this subject sooner rebell then when she sees her Emperour knowes not how to Command I tell thee Panor there is not a disease in Wedlock but the Husband is a fool if he be not a Physitian able enough to cure it Fanor it may be you think I speak against my selfe and the priviledge of my Sex I protest I doe not I had two Husbands before I had this and I never received such contentment in wholly having my will of the one as I was pleased in being altogether at the others Command The gracefulnesse of whose rule and government made my obedience alwayes Honourable whilst the necessitated yet pleasing encroachments over the others right made me oftentimes ashamed of the usurpation Wherefore I alwayes pray'd that if ever I married againe I might have a Husband that was either a Fool or a Wise man that having a Fool I might know how to order him and if a Wise man he may know how to governe me But by my troth Fanor I have now met with a Man that is neither one or other wherefore I knew not how to deal with his folly but by playing the Fool nor how to answer his share of wisdom but by a piece of policy Hereupon Company came in and ended the Dispute Thus we leave Honoria a Conqueror by the force of Eloquence Amarissa prevalent by the power of her owne wit both happy by the hand of Providence and a third climing the degrees of excellence up the steps ascendent to the throne of ingenuity and returne back againe to Maximanus who hearing no newes of his two Womenslayers nor that any other flesh was to be found in the intended Shambles of the Forrest but the slaughtered Carcasse of one of his owne Butchers he began to mistrust that all was not well which he endeavoured to repaire with the greatest of all Evils viz. Open Rebellion in order whereunto he seizes upon all Forts and Magazines and converts them to his proper use The affrighted Royalists gather themselves into a necessitated Body where we leave them both like a paire of Cocks pecking at one another till a third comes in and so makes two to one till one makes none of two and three brings all to nothing CHAP. XII Lorenzo is beaten by the Moores Hortensius and Philoret meet Lorenzo after the discomfiture and deliver their Message Lorenzo and Bertaldo made friends The Battaile between Maximanus and Corderius Lorenzo and Maximanus Maximanus slaine in Battaile LOrenzo fighting without his right hand Bertaldo whom he scorn'd to make use of was sorely Discomfited by the Moores in which Battalle he lost Cosdruball and Hanno with many others of his prime Commanders with 7000. of the Carthaginians Berontus of all his Heroes he came off making good the Rear until the Defeated Army had recovered a Passe upon the River Undi whose Bridge Berontus caus'd to be broken downe For Berontus as the rest flying with his Keepers about him danger and necessity made him theirs and his confiners sole preserver For he made good the Bridge with his owne naked body like a black Rock standing in defyance against an Ocean untill the Pioniers thinking by degrees to fall the Bridge behind him ore-threw the Arch so that all fell downe at once whose propitious stones favoured Berontus doing execution upon his enemies but none upon himself from whom he swam safely to his owne bank side where he found no lesse a Friend to help him up then Lorenzo who had been more his owne then his Enemy Thus the fates ordained that valour and disaster should agree together to necessitate a friendship between these two when other meanes could not prevail to cause them to shake hands with one another So he secured the Prince from further prosecution and Lorenzo him from future mis-conception where Hortensius and Philoret met the Prince at whose first sight Lorenzo was much divided between the two passions of Love and Hatred having seen so much Gallantry in the one and heard of so much Basenesse in the other whom he thought notwithstanding so much the better of as to forbear all expressions of dislike for the present because he saw him coupled with so known a Worthy But when hee had once heard them fully declare themselves with all the Circumstances attested under the hands of so many of his trusty Friends and Counsellours but especially when he saw and read the Handkerchief oh how he was nettled and stung to the quick oh how he was mad with himself for what he had done and knew not which was better for him to beleeve or not give credit to what they said Philoret he could not mis-believe Hortensius he durst not whose sufferings and whose merits pleaded a better reception Shame would have forc'd an incredulity upon him but Honour and Justice made him doubtfull which of either he should entertaine with highest Curtesie but nothing troubled him so much as what was become of Honoria and Amarissa and how he should look Bertaldo in the face for the wrong wherewith he had prosecuted such a noble Friend and fear'd he had caus'd already to be executed upon his Sister This made him quite besides himselfe He sends for Bertaldo who entring the presence he thus be-speakes his patience Bertaldo I feare me I have undone my selfe I pray thee doe not make any Reply lest thou prick'st a heart that bleeds too fast already I have a great many things to tell thee but I cannot speak And thereupon he lean'd upon Bertaldo's neck and wept upon his bosome saying Pity me and be not angry I will deserve thou shouldst doe both Bertaldo whose eyes were stil upon Philoret deserv'd by her wishly looks on him makes him this short answer longing to parle with his lovely Page Sir whatsoever your perplexities may be I advise you to make haste to Carthage that you may prevent the mischief and if possibly supersede your Errour Oh Bertaldo said Lorenzo thou pourest Oyle into my wounds and tak'st away the smart with that same word Let there be orders given to march this night I 'le goe my selfe Bertaldo lets him goe that he might stay and commune with his unknown Idolatresse who upon his approach was so full of joy that he knew not how to behave himself whereof Bertaldo took such notice that he answered his Jollity with asking him twenty Questions one after another he his frolick with answering he knew not what At last withdrawing themselves towards a more serious discourse after that Bertaldo had heard Philoret deliberately relate unto him all that had happened he clapt his hand upon his breast and abruptly parted from him Poor Philoret began to be a little dejected at the manner of it but Bertaldo recollecting himself made him amends by giving him a
a Mortall creature In order whereunto I vow'd Virginity for ever I scarce had ended my Prayers and Fowes to the Almighty but through the salt water of mine eyes I could behold riding upon the Maine afaire and stately Ship making towards me which approaching nearer and nearer to me at last tooke me up And I have kept my promise hitherto and must keep it to my grave I have done all the good that lay in my power I have been a Father to the Fatherlesse a Husband to many a Widow I have helped many to their Right that suffered Wrong the Divine providence hath made me an Instrument in doing many good Offices but especially I glory in being a meanes whereby the chaste Honoria and deserving Amarissa were not by the Tyrant brought to Triall and by which meanes I hope she is preserved yet I saw no reason why I might not Marry if I could meet with one that would be partner with me in my Vow I saw no reason why two might not enjoy the freedomes and familiarities that are between Man and Wife onely as they are divine and rationall Creatures that is to contemplate the Deity and goodnesse of the Gods to joy in one anothers company to discourse together to embrace to seal to such payres of indentures as the Cockles shall not be more just in their rejoyndure to make such impressions on those depressed supplements which the Bee's-wax for soft or sweetnesse or the red for colour is not comparable to fall asleep by such a vestall fire that nere goes out and never burnes to recover our selves so often from being so many times the images of Death and finde so many lives renu'd by loves assurance of its immortality leaving that other consideration to those Sensitives that have not understanding thy consent to this O Fortunata would cause me no lesse to adore thee as divine than keep me still in favour with the Gods all those steps of honour to which I have advanc'd thee so many degrees above thy selfe were but engagements to thy complacence herein Now am I to expect my doome or such a returne of my adventures that uncovered rocks of Diamonds or the messeraick and big swolne veines of the earths golden oare wide opened could not afford me more contentment or requitall for all my obligations Fortunata having heard him all the while with an attentive eare whose consentig heart as if its pantings had kept time to the musick that he made answered My ever honoured Lord more to be esteem'd for this than all the merit that lies within the power of Man to prosecute an ingagement Now and never till this time doe I find my self in a possibility of being happy or way of answering all those accumulations of benignities with a power of recompence you have my full consent herein and could you read my heart you 'ld finde it all compos'd with nothing else but so many Amens to every word you have said why did you make so great a doubt of my Consentment what can more resemble the coelestiall fires than when flames doe meet without the smutty contagion of bituminous materialls that love that 's set on fire by combustibilities which fowle the hands of their owne Makers have no other flames but burning smoake which vanisheth with the death of its owne parents whilst the love that Corderius talks of and is here confirm'd by me by an act of participation to thy vowes for ever so pleasing to the gods seems to be so immortall as if Promethean like we had stolne fire from heaven to burne an everlasting sacrifice No Corderius rest satisfied if this be all that the worlds variety could never have fitted your humour so well as Fortunata shall Then said Corderius I am happy indeed So am I said Fortunata Both cry'd Both of us are blest in one another Both slept in one anothers armes whilst Aminda's Genius for Honoria her sake bestowes this SONG upon them THus the flower of love twixt Man And Woman 's sifted from the bran Thus fine garden-beds are made When aside the rubish 's laid Thus sweet herbes and fragrant flowers Unpluckt looke fresher and are ours And as much at our command As if they wither'd in our hand Where love in chaste-preserves is met Flowers in water-pots are set And live and have as sweet a breath As if they rooted in the earth Thus as in Limbecks sp'rits of love Ascend to descend from above And fill two continents from thence With a most pleasing quintessence And where the bodies of such soules doe meet They well may sweeten but ne'r foule the sheet CHAP. XIV Prickette falls in love with Rivana They agree upon the time of their Marriage but have not the patience to stay till the time appointed They are prevented in their designe and the manner how PRickette having been an earnest Suiter to Rivana for her good-will at last he obtain'd his desires to Marry her but before the time appointed they had agreed to be anticipatious in the businesse and too too forward in giving one another benevolences before they were due for the effecting whereof time and place were appointed Rivana was the first Champion that appeared in the field Prickette met with some good Fellowes by the way that foreslow'd his march and retarded his appearance to the Court of Venus Rivana and her Hostesse having given him over for a lost man were once resolv'd to wait his leisure no longer but Rivana something more confident of his performance than the other was willing to spinne out a little more time and busies her self in making a Sack-posset against his comming the Posset was made but no Prickette patience was quite worne out and expectation began to be out of season wherefore Rivana takes the Sack-posset and sets it upon the cubberds head and covers it with a trencher and napkin and sets the candle by it takes her leave of her Hostesse and prepares her selfe for bed putting the dore onely too for feare her Sweet-heart should finde any difficulty in his approach if he should happen to come late or she disturb'd to let him in if it should be lockt or bolted late brought all to bed that were in the House Now you must understand that in the evening before this hapned that a Bearward had brought three lusty Beares to towne and had taken up quarters for them in the same Inne lodging them in a little Stable that happened to be just underneath the Chamber where Prickette and Rivana had intended to be very superlative in the degrees of happinesse But it hapned that Rivana was no sooner got into her bed but one of the great Beares senting the steame of the Posset broke loose and hapned to pull downe a whole pane in the wall that opened at the foot of the stair-case that led up to Rivana's lodgings up staires climbs the Beare Rivana hearing somebody comming up was in good hope it had been her Sweet-heart though she
afraid you have been too severe a Punisher of your self already I am glad I was preserv'd for no other cause And as Honoria was going on in her discourse Bertaldo stops the current of her speech till the streame swell'd so high that her heart floated in compassion of Lorenzo's sorrow for her sufferings saying You two shall take another time and place when you are by your selves then and there you can best charme one another into beliefs which none can question whilst you are one anothers Judges and by none attonements sooner wrought then when you are each others Advocates Lorenzo be but you her Votary and I 'le undertake she shall be your Confessour small pittance shall serve for absolution As Honoria would not heare Lorenzo nor Bertaldo Honoria so all the Company cry'd downe Bertaldo perceiving that no better accommodation might be made then what should proceed from the goodnesse of their owne dispositions when tongues should be as farre from interposing as eares from giving audience all was hush'd Lorenzo takes Honoria into his Charriot Bertaldo Amarissa into his both Berontus all three the generally so much beloved Philoret Lorenzo Honoria had little discourse much handing more kisses many sighes Bertaldo and Amarissa Berontus and Philoret were all Chatt thus they made the way short to Carthage where the People fill'd the Streets with Voices and the Ayre with Acclamations of Joy and Gladnesse for that happy meeting in a word the whole businesse was so sweetly compos'd between Lorenzo and Honoria as if his heart had been a Jubile and hers a plenary indulgence Thus stated as at first they began to entertaine thoughts how they might drive a trade of happinesse between Bertaldo and Amarissa whilst Berontus was love-sick for Amarissa and Philoret deadly in love with Bertaldo yet neither of them durst expresse the causes of their discontents the one through a supposed unworthinesse in himself the other lest he should shew any defect in worth towards so brave a friend Bertaldo and Amarissa both hearken to the musick that Lorenzo and Honoria caus'd for to sound in both their eares at which Berontus made as soure a face as Philoret lent them a deafe eare at last Philoret singling out his Master spake unto him in this manner Sir You know with what a passionate affection I ever lov'd you you know what preferments I ever waved to enjoy this relation I perceive there is an overture of Marriage between you and Amarissa you have oftentimes bid me aske what I would I never askt you any thing but now I shall My deare heart said Bertaldo aske what thou wilt and I will grant it thee Then said Philoret I onely aske that you would not Marry I doe not aske you would not Marry her for of all Women living she 's worthiest to be had Thy reason good Philoret reply'd Bertaldo Because I love you said Philoret Why should thy love said Bertaldo prompt thee to such a prohibition Because said Philoret it is not good to part with that deare priviledge of being wholly a mans selfe to be the halfe of another besides all the pleasure I have in this world is in your love all my ambition is to deserve it and all my study is how I may improve that happinesse Now when you have a Wife your love will be set on her and I shall but gleane in the same field where I formerly reapt a full Crop of Blisse and therewith fell into a most sudden passion and extreame weeping Whereat Bertaldo taking him in his armes intended him this satisfaction My deare Philoret I will Marry her but on this condition that she shall double not mitigate the love I beare to thee Sweet Boy had I as many Wives as Carthage Women they all should not be able to eclipse the least sparke of the true affection which I beare to thee and to thy merit Just as he had spoken that word there came a Servant from the Prince desiring his company he clapping Philoret on both his cheeks with both his hands bid him be confident that all the Wives in the world should not draw away his affection from him and so left him weeping In which posture Berontus found him and enquiring into the cause and by Philoret's answer finding it to be grounded upon his dislike of the Marriage he imbraces both him and his discontent fostering it up to a full growth as agreeable to his humour but all in vaine for the Match was made the Parties agreed the Time set onely Bertaldo told his Mistresse with what reluctancy Philoret resented it and upon what grounds desiring her to use her utmost indeavour to dispossesse him of that conceit Amarissa undertakes it and sends for Philoret who being come Amarissa takes him aside and thus intreats him Sweet-heart I understand thy love to be such to thy Master that thou think'st it will be lesse when he has me I have sent for thee to assure thee that it will be double when we two are one you must distinguish between love and love it is one thing to love a Wife and another thing to love a Friend or Favourite the love of the one no way lessens the obligations and ties of friendships that are between the other but rather incloses them in bounds and fences whereby they are not violable Truely Philoret I know thy love to be such to thy Master and thy merits to be so great in every eye that were I not engag'd unto Bertaldo by promise and oblig'd by honour of all the Men that carry heads upon their shoulders I should love Philoret and therefore never feare that his love should be lesse to thee Amarissa perceiving Philoret his colour to be quite gone and a Civill warre begun already upon his cheekes between the white Rose and the Red leaves off speaking as men leave wounding when they think the party almost dead when poor Philoret had fallen to ground had not Amarissa catcht him falling who like some young Physitian seeing his Potion begin to work by contraries feares he had mistaken the right Glasse and prescrib'd his Patient Poysons instead of Cordialls so affrighted was Amarissa in applying remedies where she was so ignorant of the disease Philoret comes to himself whom Amarissa leaves as Doctors doe their Patients when they begin to be dangerous carrying that sad newes of irrecovery to Bertaldo who flies to his beloved Page catching him up in his Armes asking him what he ayl'd And what he would have Bidding him declare his mind fully what he would before he Marryed or whether Honour Preferment Land Riches Money most affected him it should be granted and if he doubted his Marriage would be an Obstacle to any of these he would never Marry untill he had satisfied him in any of the particulars Philoret answered him I ask nothing but that you would not Marry all these things I have forsaken already for your sake and if you Marry I must forsake you and die
kisse on me though a wod never so faine But Bisalta seeing her selfe so highly contemn'd before so many Witnesses which was no small aggravation to her discontent swell'd like a toad stung in the fore-head by some spider whose poyson is of a hotter nature than his owne untill not onely the laces of her Bodize burst in sunder but her big-swolne heart cry'd roome as if those bounds of nature had not been ribs sufficient for so weake a vessel She vowes within her selfe to be reveng'd and to make him see his errour though the price of her experiment be no lesse than her selfe and all her fortunes she thinks if she doth not make this Man recant she doth nothing and proposes the gaining of this Mans love as a worke answerable to her magnanimity but she knowes not his name nor when she shall see him againe whether ever or never she tells her Neighbours that she will bring them to the Gate her meaning was to see whether she could lay eyes upon him againe and find some opportunity to speake to him or happily come to the speech of some of his Attendants that she might know his name but she came out time enough to see him take Horse which was brought unto him by a Lacquoy richly habited having two Pages standing bare to him in sumptuous apparell the one having a Hawke upon his fist the other uncoupling his Spaniels Favorinus layes his hand upon the pummil and vaults up into the saddle with such a grace cleane activity sitting his Horse whilst he curvetted in such a comely posture as if Horse and Man had been but one body Bisalta by this time was come downe to the place which he must needs passe by and so by her who when he came neer unto her as if she had dopd and curchied so much unto him that he could not doe otherwise bestowed this regardlesse language upon her Widow if my Game lead me this way againe I will make bold to call for a Cup of Drinke Joy spread its coulours in her face she makes more than ordinary obeysance and assures him more than ordinarily that he should be welcome He slighting her extraordinarily turnes away from her and calls upon his Men to come away She calls upon one of them to stay a little and tell her who his Master was The Page with his Hat upon his head as if he had been good enough for her answered the Lady that his Masters Name was Favorinus Sonne to Favorinus Knight of such an Order and Brother to Fortunata Wife to the Lord Corderius and so made haste after his Master without any more expostulation She tooke sudden leave of her Neighbours and presently returnes to her owne house and within her selfe and there begins to commune with her owne thoughts what it might be that was the cause of his so great dislike in her she presently ran to her glasse fearing that her face might be smutted or that that dresse might not be so pleasing or that her head was not well dress'd she calls up her Maid commanding her to bring her such a Head-dresse to dresse her head so and so to bring her such and such Garments for her wearing every hayre of her head is set in print and she makes twenty faces in the glasse one after another forty times over that she might see which of them was most becomming one she found out which pleas'd her better than all the rest and that she was resolv'd to keep till he came back then she was afraid he would not come back at all then she sends her Servants one this way another that way some to hearken if they could heare the crie of any Hounds or quest of Spaniels others whether they could heare any Hawkes bells or lurings after the Hawke her Maydes she imployes in pulling the coverings off of the stooles and chayres the cases off the Couch and Hand-irons some in rubbing the boords with sweet and green herbs othersome in fetching downe the best Cubberd and Table-cloathes the Woman was starke wild for the Man at last she sits her selfe downe and thinks with her selfe what a gallant Man he was a Knights Sonne a Lords Brother-in-law a Lord that is most in favour with the Prince Fortunata's Brother who is cry'd up for such a beauty and she waranted her self that he was a Man of some great power and estate by his retinue Oh that this Man would come thought she and like me I would not have such a slur put upon me to be mislik'd for the world this was the first man that e're mislik'd me since I was worth the having and this shall be the first Man that shall have me if he likes me She had no sooner set her minde and house in order but one comes running in and tells her The Gentleman is at the dore but will not light She runnes out as fast and prayes him that he would be pleas'd to alight from off his Horse and rest himselfe awhile he should be very welcome Favorinus tels her he cares not and if he doth alights off his Horse ne're salutes her walks in by her gives her never a word by that time he was come into the Parlour he perceives both House and Housewife trim'd up to bid him welcome he calls for a Glasse of her cooler Wine She intreats him to sit downe and seats her selfe over against him to her best advantage and the lights shaddowings Favorinus perceiving all and looking a long time very stedfastly upon her at last he told her that now he had lookt more warily upon her physiogmony she was an indifferent handsome Woman but wish'd her not to be too proud for that was all even handsome enough to make a Wife and that was all that could be said of her She more glad of that under word from him than of all the Hyperbole's that had been given her by his Betters said desiring to improve his good opinion of her by taking that as a courtesie from him which would have been an injury from another gives him this answer You are pleased to attribute a perfection to me above my merit for that is the highest degree of naturall endowments if there be sufficiency thereof inherent in any Woman to preferre her to that state and condition with what greater priviledge can Nature adorne her chiefest Favourites than with capacity to attaine to that which is the end of their Creation but as I like you in that you have not trod in the beaten-road of common Flatterers so I must tell you you have trod beside the path which leads to verity for I fall short of those demerits which you speake of witnesse your owne judgment Favorinus looks into the Garden and askes her if that Window were not a Dore that opened into those Walks Bisalta said Yes and opened it immediately which gave them both leave a breast to change the closer for the open ayre Favorinus measuring the Gravel-walke with his paces
passage all along where behold this faithfull diligence made him fortunate in an exploit beyond his expectation for Berontus having arrived at Rome about the time that the fatall houre of the Gothes destruction was drawing on being entertain'd under the Emperour Honorius and having conditions answering his dignity he hapned to be an instrument whereunto the glory of that day owned its chief acknowledgment so that the Emperialists having twice beaten the Gothes in two severall Combates at last the Eagle with her large-spread-wings made these Tramantanean birds fall upon the Italian earth and lie full low at the feet of her owne Alpes Alarick perceiving himselfe thrice worsted and at last necessitated to seek unto the Streights mouthes to be received into their protections the Alpian Bandites together with all the Inhabitants of the White Region and Travellers in that Galaxie or Milky-way of Heaven-treaders under their feet those cloud-over-topping sky-threatning and heaven-aspiring parcels of earth hearing of this newes like so many black Ravens Kites and Crowes assembled themselves in expectation of the fall of some sick and dying beast were thus prepared to watch their opportunities how they might make a prey of the remainder of this bleeding Army but their Tumults wanted policy and good conduct which could not be wanting assoone as Bertaldo was come amongst them who hearing the newes offered his service They knowing the Man were more glad than willing to be commanded by him he disposes of them in such a manner as they prov'd such a Remora to the Ship of their proceedings that it was soone overtaken by the pursuing Enemy who being van'd and rear'd with Enemies alike flankt on both sides with invincible Rocks and Mountaines they were all there slaine taken Prisoners and made a prey to those who were not enough to reap the benefit of so great a harvest Berontus wondred who it should be that should stop so fierce a torrent and give battaile to despaire Bertaldo wondred who it should be that should fall on with such a maine and who should these two be but the two devoted Servants to true Piety and Virtue able at any time to conquer more than Men and to be more than Conquerours They saluted one another having time enough upon their march between that and Rome to recite all their severall passages to one another who were both confident that their endeavours derived their successes from the prayers of Innocents Both of them resolving upon the way to begge that boone of the Emperour upon their first arrivall to know of Honorius how Amarissa was his Neece and Bertaldo's Sister but their thoughts were more resolv'd than their resolution was requisite for the whole businesse concerning Amarissa was generally knowne amongst the Romanes before Berontus his returne to Rome and thus it came about Flaccus Brother to the Emperour Honorius had a pretty Daughter who was bewitched being a Childe at Nurse into extreame deformity who fearing the perpetuity of that Enchantment which was but for a time he forthwith made his Brother the Emperour acquainted with the disaster who unwilling that such an ey-sore should be visible upon so unblemisht a race of humane kinde as he supposed his owne to be advis'd his Brother to send her away into some foraine Countrey and to give such a summe of Money with her as some selected one for the same purpose would be glad of who thereby might thinke themselves sufficiently engag'd as well for secresie as maintenance Accordingly Flaccus found out a fit instrument to worke upon one Galeas a needy Sea-man belonging to Cheru a poore fishing-towne upon the coasts of Affrica within six leagues of Carthage where Amarissa was fostred up under the wel-enabled and vigilant care of Galeas Wife seven yeares at the end of which tearme the Spell having lost its virtue Amarissa came to her former feature and her Princely countenance received its proper lineaments of majestie which together with the pregnant wit wherewith she was more than liberally endowed by the gifts of nature so wrought upon her Nurse that she was more tender of her than of any of her owne Children so tender that she never reveal'd that secret unto her as her being not her owne and riper yeares making her more capable of further knowledge and enabling her with more cunning to get out more her Nurse at last confest unto her that she was some great Mans Childe but she could not tell her whose in regard that her Husband was cast away at sea before she had got the rest out of him withall shewing her the Mantle wherein she was delivered unto her Husband whose no lesse antiquity than richnesse with its curious wrought yet worn out Ensigns of majesty spake it a cast Ornament out of some Princes Wardrobe this was all the Card wherein she could possibly read her Pedegraee this was all the Records whereby she could come to the knowledge of her Ancestors the drie Nurse had nothing more to say but that she knew no more and wish'd she could doe her any service whereby she might attaine to the knowledge of her owne Parents Amarissa climbing up apace to the yeares of discretion this tender Sapling at the first bearing yeilded these fruits of Policy grafted upon the stock of her owne invention For said she unto her Nurse-Mother for so she alwaies call'd her I have heard you often say that your Husband had receiv'd me at the hands of a Romane Matron more than that either he could not say or would not tell you it will not avail us now to be inquisitive after that matter since he is dead who onely could decide the businesse but this I would faine supplicate to your indulgent care and love that 's alwaies exercis'd in my behalfe a Crosse the Seas goe to Rome carry the Mantle with you and see who will owne it know whose Armes they be what the signification of those Hieroglyphicks are and when you have inform'd your selfe as much as you can or can thereby come to the knowledge of whose it was tell them how that Mantle wrapt a little Childe that was enchanted by some Sorcery or Magick Spell whose craft has now lest working the Cast-away is Fourteen years of age and hath her growth limbs and lineaments with features which they may behold without regret if they would be pleased to owne their Childe Gansâ—la for so the Nurse was call'd was mervailously taken with the Exploit infinitly commending her wisdome and advice but commends her most of all by putting it in execution Beyond-sea she goes she and her Mantle to Rome she comes up and down the street she trapes shewing it to this body and to that at last she was taken upon suspition of Felonie clapt up in Prison brought to her Triall where Flaccus himselfe sitting upon the Bench heard her relate in her owne defence all the particulars as is before exprest stands her Friend and stickles so much in her behalf that her Tale was
had got him just under him and then he leaps upon his Neck and Shoulders and beares him to the ground puts his Shoulder out of joynt Disarmes him cryes aloud Call for mercy thou Villaine or I will be the death of thee The Company hearing a noise all run out with Candles in their hands and there they find Prickette upon the Gyant They all take him off of him Hamon cryes O I am soarly bruis'd and my Bones are out of joynt Sirrah had it been in the day thou shouldst never have done this I protest I saw him not but he came upon me all of the suddaine I knew not how nor which way O my Arme my Shoulder is out of Jont my Neck is Bruis'd my Head is Broken Who would have thought there had been so much strength in such a little Urchin Prickette told him That if he thought the Night had been any disadvantage to him he should doe well to take the advantage of the Day he would answer him No said Hamon I think you have given me enough for all the dayes of my life All began to admire Prickette every body thought Prickette a Gallant Man who but Prickette was cry'd up for a daring fellow Prickette repaires to the Herauld brings his witnesses tells him what he had done The Herauld bids him leave the management of the rest to him and bring his Rivana along with him much about the time of the Solemnity and he would conveigh them a way where they should not need to go through the Temple of Vertue but passe through the Prerogative into the Temple of Honour Now because I will not end my story with relations of Wedding Garments or suffer my pen to be so neare of kinne to feathers in a bed as to write their happinesses upon its Sheets I shall onely bring these Worthies into the sacred Temple and there leave them in a place of glory honour into a place that was all light had no windows such a light as receiv'd its lustre from the flames of hearts and melting soules burning in the fire of love which were upon under the Altar whose Quire was pav'd with precious Stones where Diamonds were set in Characters whereby Letters of Light were so compos'd that every foot that gave a step made impression upon Eternity In the midst of which Temple there was a sea of blisse and Angels moving upon the face of the water whose oares were wings and boates ubiquities and every stroake that plash'd upon those waters of life gave both life and musick all the Temple was covered over with representations of the Triple Deity by whom Ovid swore curiously done in Mosaick worke with the bright and shining scales of Fishes taken out of that sea all three supporting the same Looking-glasse with their right hands wherein were to be seen pleasures and round about it written the word FOR EVERMORE Into this glorious Temple the Heraulds lead these loving Paires and placed them in their severall seates of rotten but now shining wood upon one side whereof was written Mortallity and upon the other Corruption upon armes whose hands laid hold upon the seates as if they were ready to teare them in sunder After that the high Priest had made an end of offering and perform'd the holy Rites there descended from above a Commission and a Pen which an Angel received and delivered it into the high Priests hands who presented both to Periissa which Commission was that that Pen should write I 'm before Mortallity and In before Corruption so the same power made the same hands as stayes to secure their blessed state which formerly had been the causes of their dissolutions And thus we end our History with the heavenly Choristers singing this Antheme THus at last the lost Sheep 's found Thus humility is crown'd Thus the patience of three Hath got a three-fold victorie Thus pure chastity can say Jt triumphs in the latter day Thus true fortitude is blest B' assurance of eternall rest Thus stain'd innocence has right The black falls off she 's all in white He that of merit wants a stock Conquers thus climbing up the rock Be ever happy in this pleasure Time hath throwne away his measure Who a good conscience wou'n't keep fast To be rewarded thus at last FINIS