daie When to theyr freindes lyke yromyse they do make In wealth and wo them neuer to forsake But now a daies I fere but few men do lyue That will vnto theyr freyndes such freinshyp gyue ¶ And thus concludinge my simple Preface Most hartely I pray the Readers all If in this booke parhaps by my trespasse Some thyng amysse to them doth befall Showe me my faulte and mende it I shall Desyrynge no man my worke to disdayne Though symple it be and done with small payne FINIS ¶ The famous Hystory of Alfagus and Archelaus Wherin is declared the true fygure of Amytye and Freindshyp Cap. i. IN Rome sumfyme a Knyghte dyd dwell Both noble wise and good Hys stocke of auncyente Romaynes were And not of Rascall blood Lypodus hyghte thys noble man for so mem dyd hym call Beloued he was of all folkes in the Cyttie great and small ¶ A Ladye had thys noble Knighte of worthy stocke and fame Betweene whom God a sonne dyd sende Alfagus was hys name Acomely Chylde and fayre he was as any man myght see In learnyng apte to euery thynge whych taught to hym myght bee ¶ This knight therfore when as his sonne to lawefull yeres ded growe He thought how he by vertuous trade myght make hym wysdome knowe But at the laste by musynge longe he vnderstood right well Of Carthagye that noble place much praise he harde men tell ¶ How that was cheefe and fountayne of all wisdome and all grace Next vnto God all prudence came and doctrine from that place And noble men from far aboute theyr Chyldren thether sent And Lypodus this knight therfore euen of the same intent ¶ His sonne Alfagus brought foorth with to Carthagye that hee Myght lerne good letters and also a Scholler there to bee And hosted him with one who was an auncyent man and wise A Senatour of the Cittie who good councell dyd deuyse ¶ Of Carthagie that noble place and Cyttie of great fame The cheifest ruler then was hee and Olympus was hys name Thys Olympus had a sonne also whom Archelaus men dyd call In euery parte both hande and face like Alfagus was hee all ¶ Theyr age was equall both as one agreeinge iust and ryght Theyr faces so proporshined both a lyke in all mens sight That no man coulde deserne the one and say this is the other They were not knoweÌ„ but by their names of father nor of mother ¶ And as these two yonge gentlemen agreid lyke in lymme Alfagus Archelaus vnto and Archelaus to him So in shorte space acquayntaunte grewe the one so to the other That inwarde loue oprest theyr hartes and eche one called brother ¶ Theyr willes and Appetites both in one so God had congulated That neuer since the worlde began like them was none created At one time they together went to study and to learnynge At one time they at meales also tooke both a lyke refresshynge ¶ They both delyted in one kynde of doctryne and therby They profyted and were therwith both learned equally And to conclude together they with learnynge so increased That in shorte tyme to them myght be in Carthage none compared ¶ At length deseast Olympus which was Archelaus father dere For whom Alfagus as well as hee dyd mourne with heauy chere But then Archelaus after that his father was deseased To all men knowen he was wyth goods and ryches much increased ¶ Wherfore to hym was profered ryche maryges many a won With maydens fayre and bryght but hee set not hys minde theron And he then beinge â—ype of yeres of parsonage with all Ryght well ve set in euery lymme a comely man and tall ¶ Wherfore his freindes and kynsmen all exhorted hym that hee After this counsaile set his mynde to wed some fayre Lady To the intente his lynage hee myght so increase ther by But this yonge man his hart had set so on Philosophy ¶ And on his freind Alfagus to his loue he set so suâ—e That if he shuld mary he thought it colde not styll indure But that he shuld leaue of from one and cleaue another to Wherfore longe tyme he did delaye the thinge with much a do ¶ And would not consent to theyr mynde for ought that they colde saye How be it still they woulde not rest to moue hym daye by daye To mary one that myght hym please and gyt some Childe her by Which myght inherit and haue his lande when he shuld chaunce to dye ¶ So at the last he graunted because hys freindes on hym so sore Euen by importunat callynge on styll dayly more and more And partly by the aduyce and mynde of Alfagus hys freind dere And by dysyre of many mo he drew theyr pourpose nere ¶ Consentynge for to mary one in whom he myght delyght And in all thinges vnto hys mynde ryght pleasaunt in hys syghtâ— Wyth whych wordes all hys freindes kyn was wondrous glad in hart And busyly for hym a none eche one dyd showe hys part ¶ And sought wheare they myght fynde a mayde for 〈◊〉 right faire and good Of like yeres vnto hym and of sowe worthy â—euse and blood So longe they sought that at the last a maybe they dyd espye Of parsonage maners and in age in excelent bewtie ¶ A comely damsell and a tall in equall stature pyght With eyes as graye as glas and skynne most lyke to snowe was whyte Of equall yeres shee was to him in vertuous maners taught Of noble blood full riche also no better myght be sought ¶ Thys Ladye thought they good for such a gentleman of kynde They thought her apte for hym and hee in her myght please hys mynde When Archelaus freyndes and eke the maydens freindes also Had talked all theyr minde and when eche one theyr wyls dyd knowe ¶ And on the couenauntes were agreed how the maryage should bee They gaue Archelaus chounsaile that the mayden he shuld see And ofte repayre to her so that he myght ryght well at ease Knowe with his hart if that shee wyth her beautie might hym please ¶ Archelaus goeth to see his Ladie Who pleaseth him right well Hee carieth Alfagus with him to see her who is so taken in her loue that hee lyeth sicke with intollerable paine Cap. ii AFter the counsayle of his freindes Archelaus did agree And went without delaye anone hys Ladye for to see Who in all partes hee found to bee so pleasaunt to hys mynde That if hee shoulde seeke all the worlde none better coulde her finde ¶ Nor to his hartes desyre hee thoughte myght be founde one so meete Wherfore anone with louynge wordes to her hee spake full sweete And sayde fayre Lady is your mynde to haue me for your make And can you fynde within your hart all other to forsake ¶ Saue onely I and cleaue to mee how say you Lady bryght Shee aunswered hym sayd for sooth all that is in my might I am content to do your mynde my hartes desyre is so And thus when they
proue that you haue trespassed at all When wyth the mutable darte of loue your harte was strooke wyth all Why thynke you I am such a foole which can not vnderstande The myghtye stroake of Uenus power whom loue doth take in hande ¶ For where shee lysteth for to shew the vyolent course of care To presse the harte oportunatlye with panges shee doth not spare Haue not you well cesysted when to death you are neere brought And thus in tormentes for to slake that apetyte you haue sought ¶ What more importunate loue of you may I requyre then More faythfull loue in all the worlde hath neuer ben of men And should I seeke for to expell that thyng which god hath wrought Seth she predestinate was to you before I of her thought ¶ If I should so thynke of this thynge my wyt were spent in vayne What were my studye all my lyfe but foolyshe and no gayne Shoulde I seeke for the prudent Arte Phylosophye to knowe Nay nay Alfagus in my harte let neuer god do so ¶ But surely I confesse in deede to loue the mayde as well As any man possyble may which wysdomes arte can tell And tooke more pleasure in my harte berbeutye to beholde Then in my landes my father lefte my syluer or my goulde ¶ The which you know doth much aboūd in vallue for to be Yet at my harte they are not halfe so pleasaunt vnto me But now I know within your hart her loue surmouuteth more Then fiue tymes it hath done in me of all the tyme before ¶ Yea without measure in your harte I know the darte doth stinge Of ragyng loue but should I thinke that were wanton lustyng Or suddayne apetyte of your mynde delyghtyng in solace Haue I not knowen the manner of your lyfe in euery place ¶ How you were honest good and wyse in euery kynde of waye Uayne dalliaunce fond toyes vnmeete your vse was not to playe Shall I immagyn then in you mallis disceit or guyle Syth you and I haue fostered ben together of longe whyle ¶ Euen from our chyldhood vntyll nowe yet could I neuer see But that you haue byn gentle sweete and freindelye vnto mee Betweene vs twayne was neuer stryfe synce one the other knew But still agreed in euerye parte to lyue lyke breetheren trewe ¶ Nay godforbid that noble bande of friend shippe which hath ben Alfagus and Archelaus harte enclosed all within To he suspected anye deale of hatred and dispyte Or any fantasye of the mynde should presse my head vnryght ¶ Wherby the honorable loue which is betweene vs all and some Myght hyndred bee in anie parte the mountenaunce of a crome Nay nay Alfagus it is so as I before haue sayde For by selestiall power deuyne you poynted were that mayde ¶ God had apoynted her to you when fyrste he gaue her lyfe That only shee should be your loue your Ladye and your wyfe For such a feruent loue as this oppresseth not the harte Of anye man vertuous and wyse wyth suche an earneste smarte ¶ But by a prouydence deuyne wheare at if I should seeke To make resistaunce anye deale to haue the thyng I leeke I should not onelye be vniuste agaynst my friend most trewe Witholdinge that thyng which of ryght belongeth vnto you ¶ But also be repugnaunte frome goddes highe determynation Aduaunsyng vp my harte therin to make a confutacion Which thynge shall not befounde in me by helpe of god with all Therfore Alfagus my deare freinde dysmay you not at all ¶ Of this the chaunce of loue now fyxte within your harte to stande But ioyouslye do now receaue the yoake of louers bande For I am nothyng discontente wyth this my sudden chaunce But merueylouslye with feruent ioy my hart it doth aduaunce ¶ Syth that it is my chaunce for you a Ladye for to fonde Which is so greable to your harte and pleasaunt in your mynde Wyth whom you may hereafterlyue in great felycitie Receauyng fruyt by Gods hygh power your chyldren for to be ¶ Which may amplefie and increase great honour to your name And all your lynage wyll reioyce when they shall see the same Wherfore I will renounce to you my tytle and my ryght And clearly all that I shall haue wyth that fayre mayde so bryght ¶ I gyue it clearlye vnto you as it is geuen to me For euer more whyle lyfe doth last your Ladye for to be Call to your prestynate courage agayne washe cleane your vyssage whyte Amende your eyes forlorne with teares by weepyng all this nyght ¶ Abandon all your heauye cheere the day appeareth nye Whych you do know I dyd apoynt the mayd for to marrye Let vs consult betimes therfore how we may bryng about That you ryght wyselye may attayne your purpose thorow out ¶ And all your hole desires so for to atchyue wyth ioye Take heede therfore vnto my wordes and marke well what I saye you know right well that wee are bothe so lyke in euerye plate Preporshioned all in euerye lymme both bodye head and face ¶ Our speach countenaunce doth agree so lyke in euerye waye That if we were apparrelled both alyke in one araye And both apart for to be seene yet few men could then know Whych of vs were the other and vnto his fellow show ¶ Also you do remember well the custome of this land That not withstanding all these wordes by ioyoyng hand in hand The marryage not confirmed is all hoollye iust and ryght Untyll in Chamber they be come together both at nyght ¶ And that the husband hath put on his wyues finger a Ringe And also doth vnlose therwith the knot of her gyrdlynge Then is the marryage fullye knyt and they be man and wyfe To liue so longe in one accorde as God shall giue them lyfe ¶ Therfore will I my selfe be theare before my friendes in place Performynge all the brydemans parte in euery poynt and case And you I wyll in secreat hyde wheare none shall you espye Untyll at nyght when that to bedde eche man him selfe doth hye ¶ And then you shall conuaye your selfe in the most secreatest wyse In to the Chamber of the mayde as I shall best deuyse And nothyng shall the mayde espye or thynke of you a mis Because your rayment vnto myne so lyke in all thynges is ¶ Your parsonage also in all poyntes will seeme vnto her sight So lyke to myne that by no meanes shee can espie the sleyght And shortlye gea◠you to the bed delay not longe the thynge And on her fynger strayght wayes then put on your owne golde rynge Her Gyrdle of virgynitie vndoe without delaye Fulfyll your pleasure all the nyght as louers lyste to playe Comforte your selfe Alfagus therfore my louing friend moste deare With good refection and solace relyue your heauye cheare ¶ That this cullour wan and pale your cheekes so leane and thinne Be not the cause to let the thynge whych easely you may winne I knowe ryght well within my
hee tourned backe agayne hys countenaunce vnto ioye Comfortynge hys dere freind in all that euer hee myght do Desyrynge hym and sayd howe came thys great dysease in you ¶ And why haue you byn so vnkynde not shewynge mee att all Of this dysease which vnto you of late tyme dyd â—efall But thus vnkyndly and vnwyse to seeke your owne decaye When as I myght by knowyng therof haue sought some helpe and waye ¶ If any thynge for syluer or golde to helpe you myght be bought I woulde not staye my selfe till all thys regyon I had sought And though that it shoulde coste mee all the substaunce I coulde make Yet woulde I thynke it well bestowed to spende it for your sake ¶ With which woordes then the mortall sighes tenued more and more Within Alfagus harte and he began to weepe full sore So that abundauntlie the teares downe from his eyes did fall And many a sorowfull syghe hee sent out from his harte with all ¶ The which when Archelaus saw he coulde no more forbeare But was resolued to teares a non his harte all fyxed in care And sayd Alfagus most dere friend do not your mynde delaye But shewe me all and euerye deale most hartely I you pray ¶ Alas whye are you so vnkynde that you will not disclose Your secret sicknes vnto mee when as I did suppose You would not haue kept backe from mee no secrete thyng at all For I woulde haue hid nought from you what soeuer myght befall ¶ Therfore I pray you let me know what greuous payne you haue That I may seeke some helpe with haste you from the death to saue For nothyng is to me so dere nor precious in my syght But for youâ— sake hee wyll anon depart with it forth ryght ¶ Although myne owne lyfe I should lose It would I not delay But runne and go all that I myght for your helpe nyght and day The whyth woordes when Alfagus harde and sawe the mone and greefe Which his deere friende â—…laus made to seeke for his releefe ¶ All â—…yng and in shamefast wyse by force as then constrayned Unto his friend his tale he tolde and in this wyse complayned My most deere friend and faythfull mate leaâ—e of your faythfull mynde Call backe agayne the wordes you spake some helpe for mee to fynde ¶ And rather slaye mee where I lye drawe out your knyfe therfore Dyspatch my dayes that I may see the â—eâ—ght of heauen nomore Most myserable wretch and Traytorfalce to you my feiende am I And of all men vppon the Earth most worthye for to dye ¶ For lyke as god by hys great power hath formed vs as one All lyke in euerye forme and part for men to looke vppon So hath he made ouâ— myndes agree in euery thynge alyke For looke what one of vs would haue the other therto doth seeke ¶ Our myndes and apetytes are as one they dyffer nought at all I thynke that neuer wyth no men lyke friend shyppe dyd befall And now so soone alas I say so soone this loue is gone Good friend shyppe is excluded and of reason there is none ¶ No doctryne doth anayle nor man in wysdome may not truste Nor no fydelytye in a friende in this case maye be iuste Yea Archelaus the great truste Whych you on me dyd laye Hath caused me for to conspyre agaynste you nowe this daye ¶ Alas agaynste you my deere friend to do thys thyng vnâ—yght How haue I â—en intaâ—gâ—ed with some foule â—…ous spryght What thyng was in your mynde alas when wysdome was awaye Why tolde you mee of that fayre mayde which is so freshe and gay ¶ And you haue chosen her to wyfe alas why did you se Why had you not left me at home but let me wyth you go Ahlas I saye where was your wyt remembrynge not at all The great fragillitie of our loue and Natures bonde wyth all ¶ What neede you haue regarde of me what pleasure you dyd fynde In the beholdynge of her whome you loued in your mynde Why would you haue me se her whom your selfe could not beholde But with the beutie of her face your loue to her had tolde ¶ Your mynde was fyxed and your harte was rauyshed her to see And yet for that in all this thynge you had no mynde of mee Alas why dyd you so forget and coulde not thynke vppon That both our wills and apetytes hath byn alwayes as one ¶ For alwayes that which in your eyes was pleasaunt for to see Hath alwayes byn in euery parte in lyke sarte vnto mee What neede more wordes Archelaus for your truste in me I saye Hath caused me with vnkynd loue to be intrapt this daye ¶ The raynes and pleasaunt beames most fayre ensuyng from her eyne Whom you haue chosen for to loue hath pearst thys hart of myne Yea the remembraunce of her and her vertues manyfold Hath strouken me with a deadlye wound and made my hart full colde ¶ So that I do desyre nought els but lyke an vnkynd wretche I myght departe out of this lyfe this myserye to dispatche As one not worthye to haue lyfe and felowshyp wyth you My most deere friende which alway hath ben vnto me so true ¶ But I haue ben to you vnkynde alas why should I lyue And with those wordes out from his harte full heauye syghes dyd gyue Desolued all with teares great store which from his eyes did runne Con â—…dyng these his wordes in care as he had them begunne ¶ Archelaus accuseth hym selfe of Follye He renounceth hys tâ—… that he hath in the Lady to Alfagus and showeth him the way howe hee shall haue her to hys wyfe vnwares to all his friendes Cap. iiii WHen Alfagus made an ende and had confessed all How with the syght of y faire mayd what payne dyd hym befall Hys deere friend Archelaus then as nothyng discontente Nor yet astoyned at the thynge in which his friende was be â—te ¶ But with a merye countinaunce Alfagus did imbrace He kyssed hym and on this wyse his woordes foorthwith did place Why friende Alfagus at your harte is this same all the greefe And had you thought within your harte there could be no reliefe ¶ Alas whye were you so vnkynde that ye would not declare The cause of thys your payne to me but in your hatte it bare Alas why keepe you of so long and would not let me kno Why werâ— you so vnkynde to keepe your secret mynd mee fro ¶ I do confesse my folly here wherwith I am attaynte You haue disclosed my fond wyt to me in your complaynt For shewynge vnto you the mayde wom I chose to my wyfe I dyd remember nothyng in the nature of our lyfe ¶ Nor how our myndes and apetytes in all thynges doth agree Nor yet the vnytie of our hartes remembred was of mee Wherfore it is no man but I which hath done all this ill Surelye I can not well excuse my selfe by reasons skyll ¶ For who of ryght can
had talked longe and eche theyr loue dyd knew ¶ Archelaus dyd returne agayne to Alfagus hys freinde No loue of Lady in the worlde myght take hym from hys mynde Yet often tymes when to study they together both dyd go Many times Archelaus when Alfagus dyd not know ¶ Stale secretly away and to hys Lady did resorte That he with her in pastyme good myght make some pleasaunt sport And not withstandyng the great loue whych to hys freynd he bare Yet ofte tymes to hys Lady he on this wyse dyd repayre ¶ But at the laste when shamefastnes surmounted in his brest Wythin his harte he coulde not haue at no tyme quiet rest Untyll hys secret iourneys were vnto Alfagus tolde Wherfore anone these wordes hee spake and said with courage bolde ¶ Dere freinde Alfagus so it is my freindes on mee did lye As you do knowe ryght well ynoughe to wed some fayre Ladie That so I myght increse the stocke of mee and of my father Howe be it god dooth knowe with yeâ— to â—yde yet had I rather ¶ What then it is so nowe that I haue chosen a Ladye bryght Who to my harte in all thynges is ryght pleasaunt in my sight And ofte tymes haue I stolne awaye from you vnknowne till nowe When as wee were at study both and ye wyst not hynge howe ¶ To goo and see her whom I loue shee doth mee so delyghte For wyth her beautie my whole harte is fyxed daye and nyght To morowe therfore will I go about this tyme and tyde And you with mee shall go that theare to gether wee maye abyde ¶ An houre or twayne and passe the tyme wyth some solace and playe Where as you maye beholde and sâ—e my Ladye freshe and gaye Alfagus answered hym and sayd I am ryght well content To go with you my freind I thinke the tyme no better spent ¶ And fayne I woulde beholde the mayd you playse so much to me For since you spake fyrst of her I haue longed her to see Thus when they talked had awhyle the nyght on them did drawe Wherfore to rest they went anon when best theyr tyme they sawe ¶ Thus when the darknes had his course and Phebus beames so bryght The restles Sonne I meane did shawe vppon the yearth same lyght The mornyng sonne with shininge beames all landes hath ouer spred And from the skyes the droppynge shade of nyght awaye was fled ¶ Alfagus rose and longed to see the mayden bryght of hewe Aryse vp Archelaus he sayde that I maye go with you To see her whom you praysed so my harte is very fayne Euen nowe anon Archylaus sayde wee will go thether both twayne ¶ Where with he rose and so they bothe anon to gether did go But how they sped if you wyll heare I wyll vnto you sho Forth goeth these two young gentlemen and when one houre was spent They came wheras the mayd dyd dwell and into the house they went. ¶ Who of the Damsell was anon receaued ioyfullye But as soone as Alfagus had vppon her set his eye Beholdynge her most comlye face with parsonage demure Adorned all in bewâ—ie and In espectable pure ¶ Her lyppes as red as anye Rose nothing there was aâ—ys With sober countenaunce myxed all with maydenlye shamefastnes Her taulke so sweete and pleasaunt was for Alfagus to beholde That with the syght of her anone hys sprytes were very colde ¶ Hys harte was persed thorow out blynde Copyds darte with all And wyth whych wound for deadly smart almost on sounde did fall So vâ—ment and so ferce his payne increased more and more Wyth styll beholdynge of that mayde which stood hys eyes before ¶ That nerther the great studye of Phylosophy nor yet The remembrauÌ„ce of his most dere freinde Archelaus any whyt Could once wythdrawe that vnkynde loue out of his harte and bresâ—e But more and more his payne dyd growe not knowynge what waye to rest ¶ But that of force hee must needes loue and that inordynatelye That Lady whych Archelaus his friende had chosen to marry All be it wyth incredyble paynes he kept hys thoughtes vnknowne Untyll they both returned were and to their lodgynges gone ¶ The myserable Alfagus then wyth wandrynge hymselfe a syde As though in secret studye hee intended to abydeâ— All tormented in sorowe and care wyth loue oppressed sore Uppon his bed hee layed him downe tormented more and more ¶ Rebukynge there him selfe of moste vnkynde and spytefull hate For with the syght of that fayre mayde whych hee had seene of late Hee had conspyred such great euyll agaynste hys freinde so dere Who had hym loued so wonderous well in faythfulnes many a yere ¶ Alas what euyll tyme quoth hee was it when I was borne Alas for coÌ„mynge to thys place why had I not forsworne Alas my father wherfore brought you mee here to thys place Why dyd you not keepe mee at home out of thys wretched case ¶ Alas that euer I dyd acquaynt my selfe wyth one so true As you my freind Archelaus are but I agayne to you Most lyke a brutyshe beast vnkynde from Nature gone awrye And haue deserued of your part great batred to imploye ¶ And with those wordes deepe sighes sore out from his harte hee sente That euer hee came to Athennes oft tymes hee dyd repent Thus styll in dollour and in care he tombled and he toste That lytle lacked it of his hart to be in peces brast ¶ But vnto no man durst he once dysclose his secret sore So that at length most greuous paines increased more and more And forced him would hee or not styll on his bed to lye Receauyng nought wherwith he myght haue him sustuyned bye ¶ No sleape at all nor rest hee tooke no sustinaunce nor foode He would receaue wherwith hee might haue done his bodye good That hee so feble was and faynt so weake of lyâ—â—â—e wyth all That in his legges his bodye to beare no strengthe there was at all ¶ Archelaus goeth to see Alfagus who lyeth sucke for loue to whome Alfagus conâ—esseth all the cause of hys sycknes greatly reyronynge hym selfe of vnkyndnes Cap. iii. TO Archelaus was folde a non parte of Alfagus care How he full sicke to bed was gone and almost in dispayre Wyth whych wordes he was sore abusht and went forthwith to see How his deere freinde Alfagus dyd and what his payne myght bee ¶ But when he did approch the place where as Alfagus laye Beholdynge there his most dere friende in such paynefull araye The red Rose collours in his face which was wont to appeere All tourned into sallow paie with wan and heauye cheere ¶ His red lyppes pale and almost blacke his eye lyds suncke full low That skarce beholâ—yng in his face he coulde his vissage know He myght from wepyng scarce refrayne the teaes â—y force out braste But then remembrynge hym agayne refrayned at the laste ¶ Feare leaste he thoughte suche sorowfull sight might most his freind anoy Wherfore
therof dyd nothyng kno Now is Alfagus layd in the bed he made no longe delaye The mayden knew not whom he was and dyd him not denaye ¶ For why wee thought nought els but the Archelaus had ben theare But alfagus ioyfull was to see that hee so well did fare These two young wedded foalkes therfor â–ª no longerlye they may For â—â—h man hyed faste to ryse so farre spent was the daye ¶ Archelans thought it was most meete for to disclose his mynde Whyle all his kynred theu were there no better tyme to fynde Alfagus his deare freind therfore be vnto hym dyd caâ—ll And placed him within the myddest among his kyndes foalke all ¶ And all the nobles that dyd dwell in Carthagye was theare To whom Archelaus reuerence shewed desyryng them full fayre To gyue attentyue eare a whyle that Alfagus myght discus A secre at thyng Archelaus sayd which hee will saye to vs. Who beyng placed in his â—owme amongest the myddest of all Declared foorth such woordes to them as after follow shall ¶ The Oracion which Alfagus made before the freindes of Archelaus openynge vnto them the hole matter Cap. vi MY freindes nobles of Carthage this day amongest you all An insample is shewed vncredible which lately did befall Which doth dyscrybe the deuyne power of honorable loue Whose forcyng darte with deadly stroke excelleth all aboue ¶ This loue hath brought perpetuall fame and eke great commendacion Unto this Citie and also vnto the Grecians nacion Wherfore you ought ryght excelentlye greate comforte for to take And giue due thankes to God the which this ardent loue did make ¶ If that amonge you there remayne such auncient wyse report As had your noble progenytours which weare of the lyke sorte For what more prayse may be to men that on the earth do dwell Then faythfullnes Beneuolence and constancie whose vertues doth excell ¶ For lacke wherof all countreyes and all Cities do decaye Unto desolacion and â—uen eke they runne without delayeâ— Lyke as by them also they â—ome to great and high prosperytie With high estate and much renowne of Prudence and felycytye ¶ What shall I longe delaye the tyme or tarâ—y in the thynge Coniectyng myne intent and not to tell my hole meanyng You know â—yght well ech one of you from whence I came and howe Unto this Cytie I was sent whearas I am euen now ¶ And by aduenture I did fynde the house of Olympus here Who of longe tyme a very friende he was to me most deare His sâ—nne Archelaus theare I found of myne owne age and state Who in all thynges was lyke to me hym chose I for my mate ¶ We were so lyke in euery thynge the one vnto the other That wee coulde not deserned be of father nor of mother But onlye that we woulde our selues tell one anothers name Unto our parentes and also to others shew the same ¶ So that at length about our neckes sylke laces they dyd taye Of sundrye collours that they myght deserne vs by that waye What mutuall loue and agrement hath byâ— betweene vs twayne This eyght yeres alwayes since I came with Olimpus to remayne ¶ You all be witnesses that haue byn be holders of the thynge Tose our sweete conuersacion you haue alwayes byn wandrynge And also our consent of mynde in luste and apetye You neuer sawe dyscorde noâ— once wherin we dyd varrye ¶ And as for my parte after that my father was deseased Not withstandyng that to mee aboundantly ther happened Great possessyons and houses fayre with ryches eke innumerable And proffers of hye dignitie wyth Ladyes fayre and amyable ¶ My freyndes and alyans eke also theyr letters to mee sente Desyrynge mee importunately to â—od as they haue mente In commyng home for to receyue myne erytage due to me Yea them which in the Senat now of all most auncyent be ¶ Offered me aduauncement hye in dignitie to raygne Amongest those which the publycke welth doth seeke for to mayntayne I wyll not now remember of the lamentacions great Which my most naturall mother made me homwardes to intreat ¶ Expressyng with most tended woordes in letters to me sent All blotted wyth teares the which on them abundantly were sprent Wher in shee dyd accuse me sore because I did delaye The tyme so long and vnto her not seeke to come awaye ¶ Sayeng that I am much vnkynde syth nature would agree Specially now in her most neede her comforte for to bee But yet all this within my harte could not at all preuayle Ne to remoue Archelaus from but to the breadâ—h of my nayle ¶ And but that force doth me constrayne by nature so prouyded I coulde nor may not be with drawne for anye thynge contryued Once from his company most sweete and pleasaunt vnto mee Acsepte with his most gentle harte he doth therto agree ¶ I chusynge rather for to lyue wyth hym by fatall doome His felow and companyon to be then counseler of Roome For which my kynd nes hath byn well aquitted nowe this daye Or els redoubled by his helpe if I the troth do saye ¶ Delyueryng mee frome cruell death wherto I was so nye That of all deathes I should haue dyed a death most cruelly And so Lachesus shoulde haue spunne my fatall thred in yayne My pleasant yeares and youthfull dayes the fryttell yearth should gayne ¶ I do perceaue you wonder much ye noble Athenes now To heare of thes and of atrouth no maruell is for how Or what is he so bolde of harte that burst attempte with Ire To satysfye his cruell mynde my death for to conspire â–ª ¶ Being a Romayne and decente of ryall Romaynes blood Or who els thynke you would be so malicious or so wood To sley me whom you all do know hath done no villanye To any man or woman which doth dwell within this Cyâ—ye ¶ You all shall be my iudge therin if that it be not so For if I should mysuse my selfe you myght well therof kno For in your syghtes I haue byn still synce to this Cytie I Came fyrst and in Olimpus house appoynted was to lye ¶ Nay nay my freyndes there is no man that I herein accuse Before you all my friendes here no such talke will I vse I do perceaue you lysten styll and woulde desyre to kno What man he was that dyd presume or seeke to vse mee so ¶ With cruell deede and great dyspyte my lyfe frome mee to take Or in lyke sort to do this facte such enterpryse dyd make It was loue o Carthagines euen that same loue I saye Which as your Poettes doth declare hath wounded many a waye ¶ The cheifest parte of all the Gods to whom ye honour gyue The whylst they were on earth here lyke earthly men dyd lyue Thys loue constrayned Jupiter to swym as doth a Swan And be transformed lyke a Bull to hyde his shape of man. ¶ Hercules eke the vanquysher of monsters great and stronge Lyons fearce and Gyantes
agast ¶ The murtherer beinge mooued wyth pyttie declareth the trueth Alfagus taketh Archelaus home to his house much sorowful for his aduenture The people reioyce that the trueth is knowen and the murtherer is set at lybertie Cap. ix NOw he which was the theefe in deede and murthered had the man Dyd here this thing in the prease amonge the folke dyd stand Who then perceyuyng in his harte the marueylous great contencion Of these two persons which was nought but of theyr owne inuencion ¶ He knew they were full innocente in that which they dyd saye yet one to saue the others lyfe would not the deede denaye And that it was proceded of a freindship most incomparable By ardent loue on both sydes set so fyrme and eke vnuaryable ¶ Most veymently prouoked he was the truth for to dysclose So through the prease he breaketh fast and to the barre he gose Before the Senate and people all whereas without delaye His voyce hee lyfted vp on hye and vnto them dyd saye ¶ Ryght noble fathers wyse and sage to you it is well knowen That I am nowe and hath ben eâ—e full many years a gone A comon Barator and a theefe and eke is knowen to you Alfagus is of noble bloode and of excelent vertue ¶ Approued alwayes for a man both noble wyse and sage ¶ Discended as you know ryght well of great and hygh lynage And neuer towardes man nor wyfe malycyous was his mynde By anye outward sygne at all that euer wit coulde fynde ¶ This other stranger eke also doth seeme a man to be Of sober lyfe hauyng hys harte full of symplycytie And that is more desperate of mynde for some great greuous payne Which he hath taken in him selfe by fortunes frownyng brayne ¶ And euydently vnto your eyes ryght well it may appeare As also it doth vnto all the people that he here Moste reuerent fathers in this thynge my harte doth now relent For vnto you I do confesse these are both innocente ¶ I am the parson which dyd slaye and murther eke the man Whych was found dead now of late with colour pale and wan I robbed hym of all his goulde and syluer euery deale As I was wonte with others moâ— when as I wente to steale ¶ And in the barne I entred then whych stood but there harde bye Thys straunger flat vppon the grounde full faste on sleepe did lye Hauyng by hym a naked knyfe wherwith the better to speede I put it in the dead mans wounde to hyde my wycked deede ¶ Which beyng all be rayed with blood I made no staye ne let But to this straunger came agayne and in his hande it set Which thyng when I had done I made no staye ne let at all I hyed me fast awaye and thought no harme coulde me befall ¶ To this mans charge I knew right well all men the deede woulde laye And now I do perceiue ryght well he doth it not denaye But pytie so hath moued my harte that needes I must confesse This facte to saue this innocent man and seeke myne owne dystresse ¶ Thys was my whole deuyce in deede your iudgement to with stande But now I do commit my lyfe euen here into your hande Rather then this noble man Alfagus should be slayne Or that this innocent straungers lyfe would ende with greife and payne ¶ Wherat the Senate and people all such great comforte did take That with the noyse of ioyfull hartes the whole courte they dyd shake Alfagus ran to Archelaus then and in his armes him caught O my moste faythfull freind he sayed why hast thou eâ—e thus sought â–ª ¶ O why hath fortune delt with thee so cruelly in dispyte Why wouldste thou sende no worde to me to helpe thee in thy ryght ¶ How could you to this Citie come and would not seeke for mee Why did you thinke I woulde dyspyse you in your myserye ¶ No no Archelaus in this worlde god let me neuer lyue If for your safegarde all my goods and lyfe I woulde not gyue Declare to mee your great myshap and how it came to passe That you are brought to this distresse with carefull payne alas ¶ And therwithall downe from hys eyes the salte teares fell so faste That vnneth coulde hee speake a worde but if his harte should braste Archelaus shed muche teares also for ioye his freinde to see Imbracyng kyssyng and thankyng hym wyth great fydelytie ¶ And sayd my louyng freinde when I vnto your house shall come I will declare my whole estate to you both all and some Through all the Citie publyshed was this freindshyp moste incomperable Of Alfagus and Archelaus which to them was most commendable ¶ And so extolled and magnyfied them euen all the realme throughout That by the mouthes of euery man theyr fame was spred about Fynally at the instance of Alfagus and also The sute of all the people made vnto the Senate tho ¶ The theefe was pardoned of his facte and freely sent awaye With charge nomore to do the lyke to no man nyght nor daye Alfagus Archelaus lead vnto his house anon And ryche aparell on his backe he caused to do on ¶ Unto Andrmyca of all men most welcome then was hee Shee kyssed and imbraced hym with much fayre curtesye And sayde my louynge freind most deare what spytefull foes did raygne To brynge you in such myserye by force and great disdayne ¶ But be you of good comfort syth God hath you hyther sent And all the goodes shal be as yours which God to vs hath lent Yea quoth Alfagus with my harte I wyshe it should be so If that ye wyll abyde wyth mee and no more homewardes go ¶ But Archelaus my deare freind fayne woulde I here you tell The cause whye from your countrey so your foes dyd you expell ¶ Archelaus showethe Alfagus all hys troubles and myserye who sorowfully lamented hys case And hauyng prouyded a great Army went with Archelaus to Carthage where he flew and ponished all hys foes settyng hys freind in quyet rest returneth againe to Roome Cap. x. O My dere freind Archelaus sayde I will to you declare How that dyspytefully my â—oes oppressed me with care When that your Ladye Andromyca and you departed was From Carthegy where manye yeres in pastyme we dyd passe ¶ Your Ladyes kyn and myne also conspyred such dysdayne That all the meanes wayes they sought how that I myght be slayne But when they culd fynd nought that way to do mee such outrage They sought another kinde of trade theyr malyce to aswage ¶ And fyrste expulsed me from the seate where counsell I dyd gyue But thinkyng that was not yâ—onghe so well to let me lyue Prohybetid from mee then all honest companye And yet not bâ—yng so content theyr wrath to pacefye Adiudged me not worthy to enioye my fathers lande Ne nothyng els which as you know dyd fall into my hande For why sayd they he dooth disdaine his fathers parentage And will not bee aruled