thus low What more can be desir'd by cruell Fate No hope my sad thoughts know Of reinjoying their past happy state Oh my afflicted minde Death would'st thou come a welcome thou shalt finde With patience forlorne I passe the Moneths the yeares in solitude The Evening and the Morn In vaine my hopes thus striving to delude My teares I constant keep And as I am Aurora daily weep When the Rebellious Sea Armed with Snow strives to subdue this Rock It seemes my miserie At once kindly to warne and rudely mock For so the Destinies My life each minute offer to surprize Soon as the morne appeares And ushers in with dubious light the day My reall sorrow weares So true a shade of death that I betray My reason to that dreame And though awake dead to my selfe do seem All things within my view All things that grow and thrive by Natures care My sorrowes doe renew For by successive change they better'd are But to me fortune still Is therefore constant ' cause she first was ill This Tree from January No livery but the hoarie Frost receives Yet May its dresse doth vary Proudly adorning it with painted leaves Vnto the fruitfull plaine What August stole April restores againe This Sea somtimes enrag'd Swells up in Christall mountaines to the skies Yet often is aswag'd But onely I in constant miseries Confin'd to endlesse griefe Expect no liberty nor hope reliefe Aurora clos'd this sweet Musick with so many Sighes and Teares that hee must have had a soule truely insensible that could heare her without Compassion One evening as shee entertain'd her selfe with the present prospect of the sea shee saw a man strugling with the waters and breaking the waves though hee relyed more on the mercy of a Planke then the strength of his armes endeavouring to recollect his fainting Spirit till he might approach the shore for preservation of his life Aurora mov'd with a noble pitty and tender feare to have him die before her eyes commanded those few that attended her to relieve him who putting to sea in a little Skiffe took him up and treated him most carefully for so Aurora had commanded them besides the person and civilty of Pausanias for that was his name mov'd them to respect and affection Being recover'd from his rough usage which had caus'd him to vomit much water he shar'd amongst them some Jewells which hee had preserv'd from the sea in his late danger telling them that he was nobly descended and that untill he saw his fortune amended it was necessarie for him to live conceal'd and therefore desir'd the company to accept of his service for that possibly hereafter it might not repent them of that favovr His gold and person had purchas'd the affection of those that heard him they return'd thanks for the complement promising to serve him to the utmost of their power Pausanias was glad conceiving hee might securely continue there without being known for that Island was little acquainted with other then the watchfull Guardians of that beauty which so unjustly suffer'd Going forth one night when the bright 〈◊〉 with her beames enlightned the Wood hee heard a voyce that with a chearefull sweetnesse thus related its griefe to the Birds and Waters From th' early Dawne untill the Sun retire I to these woods and hills my griefe exspire My eyes with boundlesse Rivers over-flow Like troubled Fountaines murmuring at my woe Perpetuall miseries I still deplore As they are mine but as immortall more What is' t by nature beauties wealth to owne If to these woods confin'd I live alone Or that my eyes have power to kill with love If neere me none but birds and beasts doe move Too cruell heav'n that know'st my innocence Or with my sorrowes or my life dispence Thou to torment me dost forbid me die For death is pleasing unto misery Let those that happy are enjoy their breath The wretched never live but in their death To each dull houre that slides through lazy day My griefes or memory of griefes I pay Thus live I only pleas'd with this reliefe Death is the latest remedy of griefe For patience failes where th'injur'd soule sustaines The rigour of unintermitted paines Pausanius was astonisht as well at the sweetnesse of the voice as to heare it in so strange a place wondring who it could be whose soul so feelingly deplored its owne misfortunes and as well that he might not be ungratefull for the favour he recived though he were ignorant from whom as to try if by this meanes he might come to know the divine owner of so sweet a harmony to the suspence of the listning Nightingales he sung this song Torment of absence and delay That thus afflicts my memory Why do'st thou kill me every day Yet will not give me leave to dye Why dost thou suffer me to live All hope of life in life denying Or to my patience tortures give Never to dye yet ever dying To faire Narcissa's brighter eyes I was by loves instruction guided A happinesse I long did prize But now am from their light divided Favours and gifts my sute obtain'd But envious Fate would now destroy them Which if to lose I only gain'd What greater paine then to enjoy them The same wonder which before seiz'd Pausanias surpriz'd Aurora knowing none of her servants were of such extraordinary parts or could so sweetly complaine of the insupportable torment of absence Aurora inquisitive to know and incited by the curiosity that is incident to women was desirous to see the Orpheus of those Rocks but the shadow of the trees the distance of place and above all the regard of her quality which detained her represt this desire so that she deferr'd it till some other time and calling one of her attendants demanded of him if there dwelt any in that wood besides those that came with her out of Sicily The servant answered she forgot him whom not long since she commanded them to succour seeing him in danger of his life Aurora asked if he knew who he were Hee replyed he knew no more then thâ—t he had said he was call'd Pausanias concealing his quality and country yet could assure her that he seem'd to be of noble Parentage or at least his person and spirit deserv'd to bee so Aurora would not enquire further lest her curiosity might breed some suspition and although it be true that none can love what he never saw or convers'd with yet Fame Vertue and Desert incite a desire to see whether that satisfie the eye which had by the eare affected the soule Wee will not say Aurora was in love though her solitude might require it her greatnesse would not consent to it Yet she had a desire to know the man so well qualifi'd Pausanias soone seconded this desire for not enquiring the mystery inclosed in the Palace he continued to frequent the place where he first heard her and Aurora had the opportunity many evenings of seeing him passe by with such
a grace as might endanger the liberty of one lesse restrained then she was for the afflictions of love are not for those that have other misfortunes to resent Pausanias could not behold the faire Aurora the windowes and lattices debar'd him her sight neither would he discover himself to those hee convers'd with supposing that since they kept their businesse so private the secresie much concern'd them and therefore he conceal'd what hee desir'd For it is a rule of discretion to know no more of any man then he is willing to communicate Neverthelesse desisted not to prosecute his intentions hoping he might finde opportunity to see that sweet Syren The morning often found him under her window not knowing whom he courted loving in ignorance yet confident more then a private Lady was within those Walls Before the Pallace he us'd severall pastimes and recreations that hee might thereby obtaine a sight of the Goddesse whose voice had enchanted his soule Pausanias had good successe in all things having bin brought up in the exercise of arms he hunted the wild Beasts of that wood so fortunately that he made their deaths acknowledge him Master of their strength and furie There was not any in the Pallace but applauded his gallantrie only Aurora was perplext at his perfections for every day he encreas'd her affection by new deserts And although she lik'd all she saw in him yet the inequality shee conceiv'd was betwixt them displeas'd her discretion those that disparage themselves being unexcusable Hereupon she advised whether it were not expedient to have him kill'd for when a meane person may occasion extraordinary mischiefe his death is esteemed mercy but shee could not attempt it in earnest For to take away the life of those we love because we love them is no good reason in the state of affection shee would have him depart the Island but immediately she repented For it is hard to put that out of sight which is imprinted in the minde In effect seeing that to kill him were cruelty to Pausanias to banish him tyranny to her selfe she resolv'd to divert her sadnesse passing her solitary houres with more delight and that he might never know that it was she that lov'd him she exchanged names with Celia to whom she imparted the Plot that she might assist her in pursuit of it and with her name dissembling her quality shee resolv'd to give entertainment to this new affection untill she might know who he was that had wone so much upon her heart Aurora might safely have admitted to her greatnesse the affection of Pausanias for he was sole heire to the King of Macedonia and being enamoured of the fame of Aurora's beauty which verses and pencills had extoll'd whilst other Princes by Ambassadors solicited her marriage resolv'd that his fortune should rely upon his owne diligence and by going to Sicily to be both the Agent and the Lover This desire made him put to sea and forsake his owne Countrey such is the power of a noble resolution so did the imagined beauty disquiet the Princes minde and attract his will and freedome that he expos'd his life to the perrill of the waves and his greatnesse to a meane lodging of Planks and Canvas to see if truth were correspondent to same But he was lesse fortunate then adventrous for one evening the Sea being angry or weary to sustain the weight of so high a Majesty in so little room begun to rage furiously so that the valiant Princes life was in danger the heavens were darkned and the Aire so turbulent that the company expected every minute should end their lives and without thought of saving themselves made him leap into the foaming Sea fearing some worse event and by embracing a plancke to use the most difficult meanes for his owne safety Thus pass'd he two dayes befriended by the weather at length arrived so neare the Island that Aurora could relieve and after love him so extremely as we see She resolved at last to speake with him but under the feigned name of Celia which defire was encreased by Pausanias for one night he amorously sung these Verses upon the curiosity of his love What wouldst thou have unquiet breast What is it thus disturbs thy rest Say not thou lov'st it cannot be Who never didst deserve or see Love where the mind out-strips the eye Is onely Curiositie But thou wilt say why dost pursue Thine owne disquiet then 't is true And though this onely care expresse Of an imagin'd happinesse Desire to see doth ever prove A sure preparative to love An object so divine I frame Within my breast as doth inflame My captiv'd mind I love subdue Desire oblige hope and pursue Resigne my liberty bestow My soule on one I do not know And thus can Master be of none For I no longer am mine owne As soone as Pausanias had made an end Aurora call'd to him and said though with some difficulty by reason that the Balcon's were very high that he might leave his curiosity and professe love For his addresses were not unacceptable Pausanias remain'd contented with this favour since although hee had never seene the bestower yet at least his affections were not so ill plac'd as he before imagin'd and seeing it vvas not possible to speak to her he determin'd to vvrite transferring his thoughts to the Penne vvhich useth to bee the discreetest tongue expressing more then is felt The Letter vvas short though the subject did not require it to leave her vvith the desire of receiving another and thus it said Madam I May justly say you are obliged to favor me having cost mee infinite cares without any recompence although ever since the last night I have presum'd to be more fortunate and so am resolv'd to dye rather importunate then bashfull for my birth is noble and will not suffer mee to flie from any attempt That which I now desire is to see you if perhaps my love have merited it and since heaven suffers it selfe to bee lov'd and you appeare such bee like it in condition as in beautie for if your beames inflame mee it is but justice I should know the sphere from whence they come Pausanias repaired thither as hee used to doe and having first courted her with a Song which hee had composed that day as well sung as penn'd he shew'd her the Paper saying it was a piece excellent for Musick and that he should be extreame glad to heare it set to the Gittrah Aurora understood him and was pleas'd with the deceit because that which otherwise would have appear'd lightnesse now past for civility for there are some so discreet in what they demand that by encouraging the crime they seem to excuse the fault and throwing downe a string of Pearle Pausanias return'd it more weighty then before Aurora read the Paper and in part to satisfie his expressions desiring him to expect a while commanded Celia to write not that shee could not her self for she was extreamely
AURORA ISMENIA AND THE PRINCE BY Don Juan Perez de Montalvan ORONTA THE Cyprian Virgin BY Sign r. Girolamo Preti Tout vient a poinct qui peut attendre Translated by Thomas Stanley Esq The Second Edition with Additions London Printed by W. Wilson for Humphrey Moseley at the Sign of the Princes Armes in St. Pauls Church-yard 1650. The Reader MAy be pleas'd to take Notice That what hee hath in his hand was undertaken with no other Intention then as an exercize of both Languages That it now comes abroad in Obedience to private command which could not be withstood That the Licentiousnesse of the French Translation brings hither no assistance But if he finde the Names of Persons or Places differ from the Originall let him suppose it done for the better accommodation of the Scaene Upon AVRORA THis Transplantation of Sicylian Loves To the more pleasing shades Albions Groves Though I admire yet not the thing betrayes My soule to so much wonder as the waies And manner of effecting that thy youth Vntravail'd there should with such happy truth Vnlock us this Iberian Cabinet Whose Diamonds you in polisht English set Such as may teach the eyes of any Dame I' th' British Court to give and take a Flame But here the greatest Miracle we see That Spain for this hath travell'd unto thee W. H. LAnguage and Wit which equally dispose Both light and life to Poetry and Prose In this traduction as their Orbe doe shine And make these Stories like thy selfe Divine Aurora brighter then she was of late The Prince in his misfortunes fortunate Montalvan proud to see himselfe out-done By a Reflection clearer then his Sun W. F. TRanslations that should give light Eclipse their Authors from our sight But here like Christalls doe convey The lustre of a forraigne day Which the inlightned world might see Is owing to thy Charity Who reinspir'st Aurora's cheek With such fresh Roses that we seek Truth in th' originall which Spaine To owne must borrow back againe J. H. Upon ORONTA FLames rescu'd faire Oronta from the power Of an insulting Thracian Conquerour The Fame of which brave action Preti's Rhime Freed from the greater tyranny of Time Yet in that freedom she lesse glories then In being thus made Captive by thy Pen. E. S. FArre brighter now in thy Poetick fire Oronta seemes then in her fatall Pyre For there her beauty lost her vertue shines But thy admir'd expression both combines And Cyprus whose best glories here are seen Is prouder of her Virgin then her Queen W. F. Aurora DIonysius the Sicilian Tyrant had a daughter for her Celestill beauty named Aurora not more faire then unfortunate scarse had she compleated the last yeares of her Infancie when Heaven was pleased to let her know that she was beautifull by eclipsing her fortune For Nature as if she esteem'd beauty a crime not her owne image doth for the most part punish it The Mother of Aurora dyed and Dionysius although the losse of his wife gave him no reall resentment exprest in feign'd teares how extremely he lov'd her but within a few days discover'd the hypocrisie of his griefe receiving in her place Arminda an Italian Lady of quality but not worthy of that Crowne because he had many yeares before kept her as a Mistris She was of a lively spirit witty and faire but of a disposition so harsh that she gain'd little upon the affections of the people bearing such command over her husbands actions that shâ— permitted not any thing to pass in the Kingdâ—me without first consulting her pleasure a care proper to suâ—h of small worth as make ostentation of the power they enjoy that by this meanes they may dissemble their low beginnings but the sucesse proves contrary in regard the injur'd by murmur and complaints discover more then was imagin'd Aurora considering that to permit such excesse were to lend wings to her pride advis'd her not to rely with so much confidence on her fathers affection since it was not impossible that it might faile then would she fall lower for not having treasured the good will of his subjects adding moreover that shee should remember what shee was formerly that shee might not vainly be transported with her new estate These words so incens'd Arminda that from thenceforward she plotted Aurora's death and to effect her desire made Dionysius beleeve that shee was jealous telling him hee lov'd his daughter so passionately for being the picture of the dead Originall since as the Phoenix leaves her ashes to perpetuate her succession so affection useth to leave some living pledges to preserve its memory and certainely the neglect he sometimes exprest towards her was occasion'd by that dead love pictur'd in the beauty of Aurora Arminda urg'd this so earnestly that Dyonisius making impiety a Complement resign'd his daughters fault into her hands allowing her in this cause to be both Judge Party Love the common excuse of all extravagace did not here acquit Dionisius for a man is not oblig'd to dispise the pledges of his blood for a woman that dissembles when she weepes and weepes when she pleases Arminda was satisfied so that Aurora were in some remote place out of her sight whereupon her Father commanded her to depart out of Sicily chusing rather to live without a daughter then displease a wife such was the affection of a blinded Lover the rashnesse of an unnaturall Father They conveig'd the faire Princesse to a little Island seated betwivt the two Promontories Pelorus and Pachynum which seem'd as a Garland of Flowers in the Tyrrhen Sea it was done privately to avoid the mutiny of the people who lov'd her for her beauty and her vertue Hee order'd a select number of servants for her attendants with forfiture of life to any who should discover that Aurora resided in that narrow Pallace The discreet Lady did with much wisedome beare her Fathers unkindnesse diverting her minde now with the musick of the little wanton Birds which hearing her name thought it ever morning and sung continually Now with the pleasant wind which sporting upon the smoothnesse of the Christall sea did amorously disquiet it now with reflecting on her owne misfortunes for the unhappy are often recreated with the same thing that afflicts them Now with the Ladies that attended her especially with Celia who being of the same age and kindred well deserv'd her privacie but when all fail'd and nothing could delight her she took an Instrument which in her hands might boast it was not dumbe and weeping sung thus When will arrive the Day Which must my life and sorrowes terminate That angry fortune may The tyrant goddesse of all humane state Her crueltie fulfilling By one kinde death thus make an end of killing When shall my troubled yeares Be to a verdant grave of flowers restor'd My injuries my feares Too little merited too much deplor'd When shall my just complaint From equall heaven receive a full restraint Now I am throwne
him to him Thus went they forth together and coming to the most intricate place of the Wood Pausanias stuck the light upon a Tree and drawing his sword resolutely said to him I am Pausanias thy greatest enemy I love Celia and must enjoy her though the King of Syracuse himselfe should oppose it Since thou saist that thou seek'st mee earnestly make use of this suddaine occasion which is offer'd thee If thou refusest to draw thy sword because thou know'st mee not be assur'd my quality is so noble that whosoever thinks he hath any advantage of mee deceives himselfe I have served Celia if not with as much secresie yet with more affection if shee heretofore lov'd thee and now forgets thee complaine of thy fortune not her easinesse and since thou say'st the Letter which thou unjustly detain'st was sent to me give it me for I will put it a-amongst others that I have of hers if not I le force it from thee Doe not think answer'd Clearchus thy menaces move me my heart is form'd for higher enterprizes and e're long thou wilt repent this foolish rashnesse Yet that thou maist know the cause why I sought thee so earnestly and with what reason I complaine of Celia heare her falshood and thou wilt confesse that I have not spoken very extravigantly of her Celia and my selfe have these many yeares reciprocally exchang'd a pure and secret affection but shee being necessitated to absent her selfe from me for some reasons I was so unhappy that in that time shee saw and lov'd thee if she had neglected me for love of thee I had lesse reason to complaine but shee was so farre from neglect that shee never favour'd mee with larger expressions then now and that thou maist not thinke these calumnies proceeding rather from jealousie then the truth of one that respects his honour see whether it bee faâ—se or no so drawing out of his breast many Letters and Papers he cast them at his feet Pausanias read some of them amongst others his owne and another which the same day she had written to Clearchus A good while he tooke not his eye off from the Papers it seeming to him impossible there should be in the world a woman so facile and so cunning but at last being fully perswaded of her falsehood he gathered together all the cozening Letters and threw them into the fire as if hee could consume so many deceits at once Thereupon Clearchus with his sword in hand bad him if hee were a Gentleman prepaire to defend himselfe for it was not fitting it should bee said in Sicily that having had his enemy in the field he left him alive Thou shalt not need to prevent me answered Pausanias for that was the onely reason why I drew thee out into this wood and so assaulting him furiously the Combate began without any apparent advantage on either side Clearchus was the more weary as being lesse dextrous in the exercise of Armes Pausanias avoiding a blow that he made falsifi'd another and wounded him dangerously in the head Clearchus having his face bathed in bloud lost not his courage but enflam'd with revenge assaulted Pausanias so desperately that he was forced to use all his skill to guard himselfe The clashing of their swords disturb'd the Shepheards that went whistling their Sheep together They came in the instant when the losse of bloud abated strength but not courage in Clearchus They all ran in to him seeing him the more necessitated and carried him home to their Cottage where with medicinall Herbes they entertain'd and cured him The valiant Prince no lesse astonish'd at the courage of Clearchus then at the lightnesse of Celia expected the approach of day with intent to take shipping and returne to his Country He went towards the Sea and discoursing with himselfe on the various events of his fortune saw a ship which by its losse of tackling and sailes shew'd it had suffer'd the anger of inconstant Neptune He observ'd the Armes it carryed and knowing they were his drew neerer to satisfie himselfe but this doubt lasted not long for Leontius Sonne to the Admirall of Macedonia leaping a shore with his Company knew him and gave thankes to Heaven for the favour it had vouchsaf'd them in preserving his life They related to him how that after a long tempest and imminent death it pleas'd Fortune to appease the Sea But all of them bewailing their Princes absence resolv'd not to returne to Macedonia without him since hee might possibly escape alive Pausanias gratified their noble resolution with favours and rewards Hee caused them to repaire their Ship determining to goe privately into Sicily that they might not returne unsatisfied to Macedonia to see if the Beauty of Aurora pleas'd him and to revenge himselfe on the inconstant Celia With this resolution hee went to Court but his arrivall could not be so private but Dionysius had notice of it and immediately gave him a visit bestowing such extraordinary favours upon him that words sufficed not to expresse his thankfulnesse Dionisius carried him to see the Princesse knowing her beauty to bee the chiefe motive of his comming thither Pausanias amaz'd when he perceiv'd Celia to whom he spake to be by all call'd Aurora was ready to have accus'd Dionysius of imposture but Leontius who had beene Ambassadour before in Syracuse assuring him it was Aurora hee was almost distracted and not treating with Dionysius any further in that businesse he resolv'd to returne to Macedonia since a woman engaged to another in love was not fit to be his wife Aurora's thoughts were very different from his for perceiving her good fortune that Pausanias was every way equall to her shee thought the time long till shee had some meanes to accomplish her affection Celia already was inform'd of the quarrell that had beene betwixt Clearchus and the Prince And as Aurora was once complaining of him for not comming to sollicite that which he so much desir'd Celia told her that the reason why hee was so coole in his Love was the deceit of her Letters and thereupon recounted all that past advertising her that this mistake was as well cause of her losing Clearchus for hee was infected with the same jealousie so that it concern'd them both to discover the private devise her Love had made use of Aurora excusing the Princes indifferency in regard it proceeded rather from his owne honour then neglect of her called Clearchus and discover'd to him the whole businesse that he might not suspect any thing in prejudice of Celia's honour she commanded him to go visit Pausanias from her and to let him know the mistake that had detained him in jealousie Clearchus now freed from all former suspition obey'd and having kiss'd the Princes hand ask'd pardon for drawing his sword against him though unknown Pausanias told him he was engag'd to love his valour and to desire his friendship I must requite this honour answered Clearchus with welcome news and then related the
occasion of Aurorah's living in the Castle and how imagining he was below her greatnesse she had dissembled her name changing it for Celia untill she were fully inform'd of his condition how to avoid the danger of having her Letters known she caused Celia to write for her how the reason of his going to find him in the Wood was because he had for many yeares loved Celia as he had gather'd by his words and seeing the Letter with her Seale he was confirmed in his jealousie blaming the affection of guiltlesse Celia The Prince was surprized with wonder and joy at this relation of Clearchus and casting his Armes about his neck in signe of love and delight said the news was so conformable to his wishes that only time could expresse how highly he esteemed it Then went he to treat with Dionysius concerning his love who promised her to him thereby requiting the complement of having left his Countrey neither was any more worthy of the Princesse and immediately they writ to Timenides the Princes Father about their agreement Pausanias had now opportunity to visit her and to expostulate the favourable deceit whereby she had caused his jealousie Their Espousals were solemnized with the greatest Pompe that Cicily ever beheld jointly celebrating those of Clearchus and Celia whose constancy merited a successe no lesse fortunate Within a few daies they imbarqued for Macedonia attended by all the magnificence of the Court. Timenides received them with the joy of a Father who supposing his Son lost or dead found him so much improv'd in all things Then feeling himselfe burden'd with yeares and through infirmities unable to be the Atlas of that weight he transferred the Crown to his Sons head And that the pleasure of so true an affection might be compleat Heaven was pleased to bestow on their first yeare a Son Pausanias and Aurora living and loving so unanimously that every day seemed the first of their marriage The Prince FRom the top of Caucasus a Mountain in Armenia descended a man savage in appearance though not in mind cloath'd with severall skins of wild Beasts his limbs strong and swarthy his face scorch'd with the Sun his haire long at his shoulder hung a Quiver of Arrowes at his left side a Wood-knife and in his hand he carried a young tree which being stript of the boughes and leaves was both his stay and defence who sitting down upon a Carpet of sweet though ordinary Flowers drew out of his breast a beautifull Picture so lively in the obscure Tablet that it seem'd to have more soule then it received from the Pencill and beholding it as intentively as if it had beene the Originall much troubled he thus passionately discoursed to it Oh deare though absent Polixena it is long since I enjoy'd thy divine sight in another condition but what assurance will not envy and fortune dissolve where both conspire to prosecute When I first caus'd Tebrandes to draw thy Picture in this Tablet I little thought that this unequall shadow of thy beauty should ever have been my greatest comfort Who would have said when in Albania I maintain'd a Tourney in a habit which thy faire hands had embroydered that I should ever have seen my selfe in an estate so different the inhabitant of a mountaine my armes naked my feet covered only with the skin of a Beare a Trunke of a tree my Sword my lodging a Cave and companions a pair of Lions But the heavens know that neither to be so expos'd to the injury of weather that the Sun takes me for July and the Snow for January nor to be brought so low that I am forc'd every day to kill some wild Beast to sustaine me nor to live in this dismall solitude where I converse only with Flowers and Rivers nor yet to consider the small hopes I have of better fortune have power to make me sad but only the feare that thou dost forget me For amongst the troubles which an absent Lover suffers none but this is able to torment him It is now twelve yeares since for thy sake I first deserted Albania and were my selfe dilated to an age should alwaies thus preserve thee in my breast but alas I feare thou dost not requite me for women are said to place their eyes and wils only on what they see present because what is past is no longer enjoy'd Having so long disappeared can I doubt my death is not believ'd for certaine And some perhaps there are that affirme it to comply with those that hate me Yet if I live in thy memory nothing else can afflict or trouble me I often imagine that as being but a woman thou hast prov'd unconstant and though thy love might continue the first yeare my absence yet sure the second thou tookst comfort and the third didst quite turne me out of thy breast However this world hath had some whose constancy hath triumphed over the naturall imbecelity of their Sex and thou maist bee one of those The dagger of Lucretia the Coales of Portia and the Aspes of Cleopatra testifie that Love is an unapprehensive of Death Thy constancy faire Polixena would have had no such inconvenience it would not have hazarded thy life The tender-savage Lover would have proceeded in Discourse to the Picture had he not been interrupted by a young Shepheardesse who passing by the skirts of a green Mountaine imagining shee was heard of none but the Birds as she went along sung thus Menga a Shepheardesse neare these Brooks borne Wonder o' th' earth and envy of the morne Sad and asham'd complaines of her hard fate For beauty seldome proves more fortunate Love whose soft chaines she freely did dispence To all at least ensnar'd her innocence Anton a Swaine that many other eyes Attracted was to hers a sacrifice Nor slights she his affection though she feare Their envy who for him like passions beare Teresa's love she knowes to him enclin'd A Nymph though faire yet wanton as the wind Favours and gifts she never yet withstood Inconstancy deriving with her bloud All that shee sees her boundlesse thoughts desire For longing fancies greedy eyes require Once Menga found her with Anton lesse coy Then she could wish his but to rob her joy Shame did suppresse her anger but her teares Did unrestrain'd betray her jealous feares What have I done false shepheardesse she said That thou should'st all my happinesse invade Thou lov'st another me hast dispossest Because stolne pleasures are to thee the best I 've seen thee many love but true to none Thou dost hereditary lightnesse owne Enjoy thine owne not my delights remove Thou wrong'st thy beauty to molest my love Thus Menga who against Teresa cries When she begun to love left to be wise Gesimenes for so was this prodigie of fortune nam'd was much astonisht to heare so sweet a voice in a wilde wood unfrequented by any He arose and called to her bidding her not feare for he was a man rationall as others though his habit
with as much care as if thou wert my deare wife or poore daughter whose face I never saw though I once handled it Thou shalt have a fresh and sweet bed made of Rushes Flags and Thyme in Winter wee will shelter our selves in the Bowells of this Rock and in summer thou shalt enjoy the pleasant West winde underneath the shade of these Hazell Trees my disposition is gentle my birth such as thou hast heard and from this minute I sweare never to offend thy chastity so much as in a thought We will spend the morning in praising heaven that figuring it selfe in all its Creatures hath inrich'd a meane Shepherdesse with such perfections The Evenings we will visit this Grove from whence we will borrow Bowes for fuell and light The time that wee save from sleep wee will spend in relating our past misfortunes and by this meanes I may beguile my love imagining that Polixena dwells with me for thou so nearely resemblest her that Heaven seemes to have made thy Beauty as a coppy of hers Here Gesimenes stopt for the remembrance of his wife drew teares from his eyes and Ismenia comming to him comforted him promising not to be a minute from his side for besides that his person deserved it a naturall inclination induc'd her to esteem and to give him as much respect as if he were her Father so that to divert some part of his griefes shee took out of her Scrip an instrument and sung thus Narcissa passing through a pleasant Mead To coole her thirst was to a River led When she perceiv'd the lazie streame had lost Its course condens'd to Christall by the Frost Which had perhaps enamour'd of her sight Begg'd of December chains to stop its flight But the kinde Sun did with his warmer beames Dissolve the Ice into its native streames And th' angry little Brook deny'd by stay Was enjoy'd flying wept and went away The company of Ismenia was an extraordinarie comfort to Gesimenes who recreated by her beauty and wit passed the houres of the day with lesse anxiety loving each other with so true yet chaste affection as they never entertain'd one loose thought Thus lived they both secure and contented especially Ismenia because shee was not in love nor acquainted with any cares that might disquiet her rest But she could not long boast her liberty for as one after-noon she beheld her selfe in that Christall Rivolet when the dying Sunne was giving up his languishing light she spied a young Gentleman who wearied in the pursute of some wilde beast having left his horse slept upon the Flowers leaning his cheek on his hand to the sweet Musick which the water made playing with the blew pebbles Having earnestly beheld him for his person was warlike his apparell Majestick his forme Divine she would have gone away but could not for love seizeth on free hearts and like a flash of lightning suddenly scorches In briefe Ismenia found her feet fetter'd and her soule inclined to stay Thus suffering her selfe to bee vanquish'd by love she softly approached him and drawing the sword that hung in his Scarffe suddenly awaked him bidding him receive it and acknowledge that he owed his life to her who could so easily have taken it Perozes for that was his name starting up and admiring Ismenias exquisite beauty answered that he could not thank her pitty for not giving him death by the sword if he must receive it from her eyes that she expressed thus more cruelty then mercy for asleep he should not have been sensible of the one but it was impossible for him waking to escape the other Her habit caus'd in him no lesse wonder then her beauty wherefore he besought her by entreaties and promises to tell him the reason why she liv'd in that Mountaine enricht with perfections that might become a Palace unlesse she were some new Diana some divine Huntresse who disdaining to live amongst men resolved to spend her time in that wildernesse Ismenia reply'd that she came thither to accompany her Father one of a noble birth and excellent qaalities though throwne down by fortune to a low estate They were both as much intangled in love as if they had convers'd together many yeares each of them so delighted with the others company that Ismenia had no power to retire up the Mountaine to Gesimenes nor Perozes to descend to the valley to seek his servants whom that afternoon hee had lost in the chace but the discreet Shepherdnesse seeing the night threaten them and being farre from home thus spake unto him Sir I would to heaven as you have engag'd my affection so I had worth to deserve yours yet if love be begotten by sympathy of bloud what I have seen in your suspence your eyes and words may at the least bee good will and that you may not thinke I participate of the rudenesse of this place I will sometimes descend to this seat where you may see mee with this caution that you offer me no injurie That would be both dishonourable and unsafe For my Father will at my call come downe and to second him a Lion to teare you in pieces It seemes answered Perozes you doe not know me seeing with such unnecessary care you instruct me in a respect that I am oblig'd to keep for both our sakes Yours because I adore you and he that loves cannot injure my owne because my birth is noble which it could not be if I had a desire to tyrannize over women When heaven hath cloath'd the night with Stars I will come hither with as much humility as love and adore these Flowers because you have trod on them and this River because it hath been your glasse With this they tooke leave of each other The affection of Ismenia dayly encreas'd so much that Gesimenes might easily have perceived it if hee had suspected there had beene more men in the wood to converse with nor was Perozes her debtour for every houre of the day shee was in his mind and the nights he waited in the Mountaine expecting her though she could not come downe so often as shee would for Gesimenes had chid her for comming home so late little suspecting love to be the cause but rather her eagernesse of the chase Upon a time shee came thither unobserv'd by Gesimenes and casting her eye aside found in a crimson Taffata a Picture of a faire Lady wrapt up in Paper which serv'd for its case this it seemes Perozes had through negligence the night before let fall amongst the Jesmines Ismenia perceiving the Inscription was directed to him moved with the curiosity of a jealous woman read it and found it said thus SIR I Am now come to Albania where I live privately and have seen the Princesse whose beautie I here send you drawn in this Tablet though it be so excellent that these Colours doe but injure it May I know your pleasure that I may hasten my journey and the contract of these happy Nuptialls
to what she said and compassionating her teares began to consider if by any meanes shee might come to the sight of Pausanias without endangering his life shee had an acute and ready wit but withall accompanied with so much discretion that whatsoever shee undertook succeeded happily After much deliberation shee concluded that it was requisite for feare of his enemies not to see him for that time but that he should continue some dayes in the thickets of that mountaine and then might come hither by night having notice given him by Libanius one in whom she reposed trust Thus farre replyed Aurora you have well ordered it but what meanes remaines to speake with him for to discourse from hence is very dangerous If you will not heare me make an end replyed the discret Celia neither can I let you know the desire I have to serve you nor you your selfe obtaine your affection I say Madam that Pausanias comming to these Walls may get up by our assistance the help of a Ladder to this part of the house adjoyning to your lodgings so that I having the key of the outward doore you need not feare and by the Balcones that look towards the Sea may discourse with him till you are satisfi'd concerning his birth Consider now if you finde within your self love enough to embolden you for this contrivement for my owne part I assure you that I am ready to lose my life in your service Aurora was by this much comforted and embraced Celia a thousand times who by Letter advertis'd Pausanias of her determination she charged Libanius to deliver him the Letter and attend him as a guide Pausanias had taken the road towards Sicily to try if hee might finde in that way any of his lost servants Libanius over-tooke him and deliver'd the Letter and Message from Celia Pausanias receiv'd it as one that saw his dead hopes revived and having read it rewarded the welcome newes Libanius informed him of what hee was to doe So passing through the wide wood they came to a poore Shepheards Cottage where Pausanius stai'd and Libanius return'd to give his Lady notice of what had passed Hee continued there foure dayes favour'd and cherish'd by Aurora who every day sent Libanus to visit him and one night as darke as the wish of any Lover could paint it he came to the Pallace or rather to the sphere of the Sun of that Island and dismissed Libanius for a servant may not bee witnesse to every thing then upon a signe given Celia and Aurora came forth and letting downe a Ladder of Cords Pausanias in a moment got into the Balcone and having kist Aurora's hands as his Mistris and Celia's as his Mistresse's Lady they led him through many roomes so richly furnisht with hangings chaires of State and pictures that it shewed no lesse magnificence then what he had forsaken in Macedonia And comming to a part that excelled the rest as being furnish'd for strangers Aurora told him that he might abide there intimating how requisite care and obedience were and that to attempt the contrary was to put his life in apparent danger Then so farre replyed Pausanias I shall preserve it safe having no will but your pleasure Aurora gave him thanks telling him that because her Lady was present she omitted many things which she reserv'd for more privacie and taking her leave shew'd him the Balcone by which they might discourse Pausanias was well contented with his courteous entertainment passing the greatest part of the day in contemplating that miracle of beauty their mutuall affection increased equally for by conversation love out-growes his infancy and as one night they were both in dispute whether lov'd more truly a quarrell wherein it grieves none to be overcome Aurora with some expressions of resentment said thus I have long desired my Pausanias to know a truth though for feare of exposing my selfe to the hazard of dying I have not demanded it but that I may not remaine ever in this suspence I will boldly adventure my life It concernes me no lesse then my honour and quiet to know who you are that I may dispose of my self with some resolution and hereof I require no other testimony then to know it from your own mouth for I have so great an opinion of you and repose so much confidence in your worth that I am sure you will not deceive me My birth is noble and so noble that no woman can boast higher bloud for this Lady on whom I wait though my Mistris in this hath no advantage of me as by the favour she sheweth me you may have gather'd the inequality is not much The reason why we dwell in this Castle I will not now let you know though if your answer suit with my minde you may But in the meane time I conjure you by My selfe by the love you beare me and by that you owe me to satisfie me in this request which I assure you detaines my soule in extraordinary affliction Pausanias obliged by Aurora's entreaties was ready to have discovered himselfe but that hee might with lesse difficulty be believed he answered that he was onely Son to the Admirall of Macedonias a man so eminent and beloved of the people and of Timenides his King that he possest the first place in his affection and in the government of that Monarchy Aurora remain'd not discontented since the innequalitie was not so great as might deface the pleasing hopes she had imprinted in her breast Onely Pausanias was angrie at himselfe being conscious that to deceive her who relyed so confidently on him was a kinde of treachery yet this offence was not inexcusable in regard it is scarce esteemed a fault to make use of a slight deceit to compasse our desire He succeeded so happily in his love and so favour'd by the divine eyes of Aurora that though he were not naturally distrustfull yet was he fully perswaded of her affection and not without reason since the expressions he had from her of this truth confirmed him in that beliefe Aurora communicated to Celia all that had past resolving at last to let Pausanias know the true causes of her imprisonment that he might deliver her out of it and conveigh her where shee might be secure from her unkinde fathers severity Yet would shee conceaâ—e this happinesse a while to make triall of his constancy whereof she had no need to exact so many proofes for he liued so contented onely in loving her that hee scarcely employed any other desire though sometimes he wisht himselfe else-where that he might enjoy a nearer conversation yet with all respect to her honour As he continued in this mind it fortuned that Aurora through some indispositions could not be seene for foure dayes Pausanias bearing with much impatience this absence along one to so true a lover resolved to see her and though such boldnesse might violate the promise he had made he supposed the occasion would excuse him whereupon one night
best acquainted with the Desart often lost themselves Pausanias gave them thanks for the curtesie though it rather proceeded from feare then good will and taking leave of them went forth into the wood with one that held himselfe the most valiant among them Before they parted hee entreated him to tell him who was owner of that Castle and to oblige him the more put into his hand a rich Diamond Ring scarce had he receiv'd it though with many protestations that hee needed not any reward to serve him when he confessed that it was a house of Pleasure where Dionysius us'd to divirt his minde from the cares which attend affaires of State though it were long since he had resorted thither by reason his faire daughter Aurora had dwelt there privately whom last night mov'd by the importunity of his Subjects he carried back to Court Had this Princesse said Pausanias no Ladies that attended her Yes replyed the timorus Flatterer but there is onely one called Celia who deserves her affection For besides that her beauty is as singular as her discretion she is daughter to the Prince of Arsinda one of the greatest and most eminent in all Sicily Paâ—sanias with this information was lesse afflicted Hee dismiss'd the Man determining to goe conceal'd to Court to see his deare though absent Celia Let us leave Pausanias in this Mountaine whilst Aurora seeks meanes to advertise him of the suddainnesse of her departure and Celia writing as she us'd a Letter in her name gave it to Libanius commanding him to go where he was and to bring him thence unperceiv'd if 't were possible It succeded not as Aurora and Celia desir'd For Clearchus a Favourite of the Kings had long lov'd Celia and she favour'd him not onely by her eyes and affection but by the Pen assuring him by many Letters that none but hee should ever possesse her beauty Neither was shee mistaken in her choice for Clearchus in every respect was her equall and had so high a place in the Kings esteeme that he was never from his side This love was kept so private that none but her selfe and Heaven knew of it Clearchus by chance asking Libanus whither he went he freely told him On a Message from Celia Seeing a Letter in his hand he began to mistrust her constancy for long absence occasions suspition of injury Disguising himselfe the best he could he tooke Horse and went after him but could not guesse at the end of his journey because he went directly towards the Sea It was already night when he entred into a Fisher-Boat Clearchus quitting his Horse went over with him when both were in the Wood Clearchus bad him deliver what he had about him Libanius supposing he was a Thiefe drew forth the Crownes that Celia had given him and laid them at his feet then begun to strip himselfe to shew that he had nothing else about him Clearchus finding the Letter promised him his life if he would tell for whom it was and so wrought with him that poore Libanus confessed all that he knew Clearchus confirm'd in his suspition restor'd him his Crownes doubled kept the Paper and charg'd him to returne to Cicily Clearchus remain'd solitary grieving that he thought himselfe undeceiv'd and finding a poore Shepheards Cottage hard by hasted thither where taking a fire-brand in stead of a Torch he drew out the paper broke the Seale and read what follows I Have been very sensible of this absence the rather because I am in such a condition that I cannot communicate my resentment to you My excuse is the truth which you shall hereafter know more at large If upon sight hereof you come to Court and discover your selfe to his Majesty I am confident his Noblenesse will esteeme of you according to your merit That you may the lesse delay the performance of this request I say no more but that I am as ever Yours CELIA Nothing can expresse the passionate furie or the Arguments wherewith this misapprehending Lover complain'd of Celia's ill usage and the injustice towards his affection Hee was about to goe backe with intent to teare him in pieces who was the cause of this jealousie but a compassionate Shepheard disswaded him entreating him to passe the rest of the night under that Shed for to doe otherwise would shew indiscretion Clearchus though with small content yielded and laying himselfe down upon a fresh bed made of Flags and Hay saw hard by him a man sleeping who by his shape and person seem'd of the best quality demanding who he was the Shepheard answer'd that foure houres since he came to their Cottage and desired to rest under that Covert to avoid the sharpenesse of the night Pausanias for it was he that slept so securely having his greatest enemy beside him and had been glad to find this poore Cottage where he might repose himselfe wearied with Travell awaking perceived that he was not alone but heard him that was by him with sad complaints curse his Love Jealousie and Fortune Pausanias listning was troubled at what was said but much more at the mention of Celia a name that disquieted his soule Observing him more diligently he heard him thus discourse to himselfe Is it possible ungratefull Woman thou canst find in thy heart to dispossesse an affection of so many yeares and paines Could not thy quality acquit thee of lightnesse Oh Celia how doth a deceitfull promise misbecome one that professeth so much worth Dost thou so injuriously requite so observant a Lover I perswade my selfe the reason why thou enjoynest me to conceale my affection was for feare of making thy Pausanias jealous But I vow never to returne home till he hath satisfied my jealousie Ungratefull I will begin my revenge in killing him whom thou lovest best I will proclaime thy lightnesse The World shall know these sixe yeares that I have served thee I have been in such favour with thee that thou never usedst Pen but to assure me thou wert mine Thou hast deceiv'd thy selfe false woman deserting me for a stranger that cozens thee with profession of Nobility What canst thou say to excuse they selfe since this Letter under thine own hand speaks thy unworthinesse and my misfortunes Pausanias hearing this was in such perplexity that he could not beleeve himselfe to be awake Impatient that any man should professe himselfe favor'd of Celia to defend her reputation and to chastize his foolish arrogance he arose and told him that the part of his sorrowes which he had heard troubled him as much as himselfe but if a sight of Pausanius would allay his anger the last night he was with a Gentleman of the same name and perhaps they might find him in the next Wood. I shall not be so happy said Clearchus for I know my ill fortune when I desire a thing Yes I believe you may replyed Pausanias Then lighting a dry Olive branch he invited him to come after prominng that within a few houres he would bring
whereby the warres that have long infested both Kingdomes may have an end Ismenia would not proceed any further nor indeed could shee for jealousie and anger a lesse discovery might have been sufficient to have kill'd her she accused her malicious fortune and much bewailed the losse of Perozes apprehending so many inconveniences that it seemed impossible he should ever bee hers First his Birth and the distance between them next hee was to marry a Princesse enrich'd as the Picture shew'd with extraordinary beauty but hearing some body come she dissembled her griefe and perceiv'd it was her Enemy who as hee came along sung thus As faire Ismenia forth did goe A Saphire sparkled in each eye And on her cheek did Jesmines grow Bath'd in the Roses Purple dye But when I nearer came t' have plaid Within the Sun-shine of her light She scorc'd me in her beames betraid Like sportive flyes to losse of sight What feare and reverence doth beget Th' approach unto so bright a flame Which can extinguish with its heate And makes both love and death the same An injur'd woman is not sensible of any thing so much as of flattery from him that wrongs her and Ismenia confident that Perozes love was counterfeit tooke it more unkindly to bee deceiv'd then unrequited for disaffection may bee naturall and out of our power but dissimulation is not being bred onely in malicious breasts That Perozes might not boast he had forsaken her first though for the Princesse of Albania she went to him and betwixt reason and jealousie said thus Perozes though you see mee in this Mountaine so rudely attir'd that my richest ornament is the spotted skin of a Tygresse yet you may well perceive my soul hath more worth then my habit promiseth You say you love me so infinitely that though you are of the best bloud in Armenia yet you will hazard both life fortune to be my Husband and as this expression must not either by the Laws of Civility or affection be unacknowledged I requited it with the like But as those that love cannot dissemble for that 's a crime it grieves my affection to have hid a secret from you It is impossible wee should ever enjoy each other Do not wonder that I undeceive you now whereas I might as well have done it before All women at first conceale their passions unwilling to discover their imperfections to them they know not for by open profession of love they might beget too slight an opinion of themselves but when we find engagement wee have a care to discover the truth to such Professors of affection that they may see the danger they incurre either for avoidance or excuse The summe of all is to let you know I am anothers he who I told you was my Father is not so but one whom misfortune hath banish'd Albania and he has my promise to be his wife though in truth he hath yet had no other assurance then my hand therefore love me lesse and containe your selfe more my descent is noble and I must be his having once profest it for my Obligation cannot be discharg'd but by giving my selfe unto him and he is of so excellent and gallant a mind that he thinke it not passion surpasseth you Scarse had the jealous Ismenia ended when without expecting an answer of satisfaction shee ran away into the more envious part of the Wildernesse Perozes being unacquainted with the place presently lost her expressing so much passion as might have mollifi'd a Rock if it could have heard him but all in vaine Ismenia would not runne the hazard of relenting by hearing what hee could say for the tender disposition of women is perswaded to weepe by seeing others do so yet was she not without resentment for retiring to the remotest corner of the Cave shee wept affectionate teares and taking out the Letter that was directed to her lover shee kist that name in the superscription which was engraved in her heart Thus the two Lovers passed two dayes without meeting not through Perozes neglect but Ismenia's obstinacy who saying late one evening at the border of the mountaine to behold a tree on whose barke both their names were engraven What availes it said shee complaining to her selfe that Peroses writeth himselfe mine on the trees when the Princesse of Albania may countermand it what that he flatters mee with such kinde affection in this solitude if at Court he adores a brighter beauty shee would have said more had shee not been interrupted by the Musick of a sweet voice from amongst the Poplars though she knew it was her ungratefull Lover yet shee was willing to dispence a little with her resolution and hearken to this Song Ismenia's eyes my soule divide A faire yet haplesse Sheperdesse In whom rich Nature all her pride And Fates their poverty expresse To move the sute I feare to misse Her worth and my respect deny For where even hope endanger'd is Lovers in silence use to dye Thus the desire I entertaine Neither shuns love nor sute preferrs For though she to be mine disdaine I 'me blest enough in being hers Ismenia perceiving by the words and voice it was Perozes sought to hide her selfe in the bushes that she might avoid sight and speech with him not that she was averse from it but she would not give occasion to awake that love which slumbred in absence but the rushing of the leaves betraid her Perozes told her She had no reason unlesse she had with her habit changed he humanity to fly from one who had not lost her through any offence of his own But since he was so unfortunat that he could not be hers he entreated her to informe her selfe by that Paper of his extreme passion that she might at least know how much she was indebted to him so taking leave of her he left in her hand these Verses which she imprinted as she read them in her soule Divinest Syren cruell faire Cause of my life and my despaire Griefe that descends to words is weake But mine is full and cannot speake For how can Fate more cruell be Then to grant life denying thee Yet I in death hope to adore Those joyes without which life is poore My reason 's banish'd by my paine Who can lose thee and it retaine How soon was my calme soule dejected And ruine suffer'd ere expected But since that blisse which once was mine Thou to another wilt resigne Be happy in thy choice whilst I In unregarded ashes lye Be happy in him 't is unfit To wish thee joy and hinder it Then finish what thou hast begun Encrease my griefe and kill me soon And when I 'me dead let pitty move thee But to remember I did love thee Ismenia relenting would have read them often had shee not beene hindred by Gesimenes who comming to seek her and glad to have found her entreated her to divert his continuall Melancholy with a Song whereupon more to obey him then please her selfe
dissembling her griefe she sung thus Why doth that foole unjustly love accuse Who through his owne feare did occasion lose To misse an offer'd happinesse must be Or want of love or too much modesty Thy scorne Lysarda I have justly won Who wanted light when I embrac'd the Sun O look into my heart thou wilt see there 'T was admiration onely caus'd my feare Respect curb'd my affection let me dye displeasing thee by thy enflaming eye Such death will make thy cruelty confesse I never wanted love though happinesse When Ismenia had ended her Song it being late they retired homewards and as they were going up the Hill by a Lane fenced on either side with Willowes and white Poplars they heard a great sound as of something that fell from an high Ismenia was amazed and Gesimenes laid hold of his Bow thinking it might be some wild beast they searched all about but could not find the cause at last they perceived a Barke â—o they were not far from the Sea neare the Shore it was covered over and had neither Helme nor Mariner to guide it Gesimenes and Ismenia fastned it to Land and were desirous to know what was in it scarce were the Sailes and Coverture taken off when such astonishment seiz'd them that for a good space they did nothing but looke on each other within it was a man bathed in bloud and by his sid a beautiful Lady living yet so dismaid that she wanted little of the dead body which lay beside her They were both afflicted at so sad a spectacle especially Gesimenes who intentively beholding the Lady fancied he saw in her the face and person of his absent Wife He gave the dead body buriall in the Sea since there was no meanes to restore his life he tooke the Lady in his armes and carried her to the homely Palace of his Cave where he entertain'd her with such care that in a short time he had good hope of her life When she had recovered so much strength as to open her eyes and found on either side of her a man and woman At first she was afraid of them though their behaviour and hospitality had exprest more pietie then her severe father and kindred She wondred much that Gesimenes so constantly fixed his eyes upon her and hearing Ismenia sometimes call him by his name she said to him Two things hold mee in this suspence you may do me a favour to instruct me in them Is it true that you are called Gesimenes Why since I opened my eyes have you so stedfastly beheld me often sighing and sometimes weeping you may aske the same of mee because when I first heard your name it struck mee to the soule For I loved a Gentleman of the same name at the expence of so many afflictions that this hazard of my life was the least and should I say that this Gesimenes whom I call Husband was son to the King of Albania truth would not accuse me Gesimenes was so transported with joy that hee could scarce expresse his mind If said hee I am the unfortunate Sonne of Pharnazes and thy Husband if thou art Polixena and my eyes deceive me not how can I behold thee without an extasie of content how can my heart but breake with the apprehension of the misfortunes thou hast suffered for my sake Polixena I am Gesimenes and will be thine till heaven deprive me of this life which I esteem now I enjoy thy sight and embraces Henceforward I shall desire life which I thought I should never have done for during the time I have dwelt among these Rocks the rising Sunne never found mee not suing to heaven to be eased of it for life is not a pleasure but a torment to the unfortunate Words are not full enough to expresse the content of these two Lovers for language is too narrow to cloath great passions so that with their eyes and soules they congratulated their strange and happy meeting The beauty of Ismenia and Gesimenes care of her might well have given Polixena cause of jealousie yet when shee was informed of the occasion which brought her to live with him shee esteemed her with as much affection as if shee had beene her owne daughter Thus being all three equally contented Gesimenes desired her to instruct them in the afflictions shee suffered during his absence for the relation of past miseries in prosperity doth deiight more then disconsolate wherefore to comply with their request she said So many my deare Gesimenes have been the troubles that opprest me in your absence and so continuall that 't is impossible I should either then have resented them or now relate them fully I was left as your surety to satisfie the hurt you did Lucander who seeing hee could not revenge himselfe on you resolv'd to do it on your other selfe divulging my weaknesse and giving it out that I was delivered in his armes My Father instead of punishing the infamous cruelty he used to the innocent Infant forgetting the relation it had to his bloud encouraged him and commanded I should bee shut up in a Tower where for a long time I neither saw the face of the Sun or of any humane creature untill at last the King your Father mov'd with pitty permitted one that had been brought up in my Fathers house to visit mee for they reposed trust in him With him I recreated the tedious houres of my imprisonment relating to him my misfortunes One day hee telling me that you were for certaine in a Village neare Albania I earnestly begg'd of him to afford mee some private meanes of writing to you which he did Then did I signe the death of us both For I writ a Letter wherein I informed you of my sad condition and of the great affection of the people to you who continually pittied you as much as they wisht Lucanders death for being possest of the Crowne he opprest them with tyrannicall injuries I advised you to make use of the protection of some other Prince by whose aid you might compasse your revenge In the mean time that I would if it were needfull poyson the Prince that the Subjects seeing him dead and hearing you were alive might be necessitated to seek after you lawfully to possesse the Kingdome after the decease of Pharnazes These and other things of importance did I write in that unhappy Letter to ease my heart and redresse your miseries but there is no successe where Fate opposeth so unfortunate were Arnestes and I that as he went from my chamber to seeke you out he met Lucander who questioned him concerning me whereupon he was so confounded that your Brother began to suspect something and causing him to be apprehended and searched found this Letter by which he confest more then he knew this put the Court into a tumult My Father who would be singular in Loyalty though at the expence of my life executed on me the greatest cruelty the world ever saw He gave order for
of Oakes and Pines hee beheld from them thence a young man in Armour whom all the rest seemed to respect and honour as their Master Gesimenes by reason of the darknesse of the night could not discern who he was but he gather'd that from his words which sufficiently troubled him for he was speaking to them to this effect Though here are but a few that heare mee yet I may well say here is the greatest part of the Nobility of Albania for there is not any one can equall Lucander or stand in competition with you I am as you know the Kings onely sonne for though I lately had a Brother I believe either the Sea or Land by this time hath hid him in its Bowells or if he were alive yet being a Bastard hee could not oppose me the lawfull Heire nor hath he the right I have My Father is old and useth both you and mee too harshly Indeed I am sorry he hath liv'd thus long It troubles me to be a Subject being now fit for government which so long as he lives I cannot enjoy I have at other times advised with you about this business The cause that mov'd me now to call you together is an opportunity of effecting this designe which offers it selfe unto you My Father is so industriously carefull in this War that though his years disswade him he often goeth forth alone to view both his own Camp and the enemies This night I espied him and if I mistake not he is now comming along that Path so that if you please now to follow me we may this very instant assault and kill him and we will teare his garments that it may be thought the wild Beasts of these mountaines were his Murderers The Souldiers then being destitute of a King must of necessity transfer the Crown on me of which when I am possest and the Scepter in my hand I will by degrees destroy all that favour'd Gesimenes You shall not be my Subjects but my friends my companions on whose Shoulders I will lay the weight and care of the whole Kingdom The Piety of Gesâ—menes could scarce believe the villany which Lucander intended against him to whom he owed his being but giving thanks to heaven for the favourable opportunity of preserving his Fathers life hee went that way by which Lucander said hee was to passe He had not gone farre when hee found him compleatly arm'd going about to informe himself of the state of the Camp who seeing him drew his sword thinking he was a wild man assaulted him to kil him But Gesimenies in token of peace throwing down the young Tree which he had in his hand told him that he might see he was a man as himselfe that he came to advise him not to go that way because his sonne with some of his Subjects who it seemes would be advantaged by his death lay in wait to kill him If thou dost think said Pharnazes by this deceit to injure me know thou art mistaken for at my call twenty thousand men that I have in the field will come forth against whom neither thy swiftnesse nor strength can availe thee besides I am able to defend my selfe not onely against thee who art a poore conquest but against as many wilde Beasts as this Desert nourishes That you may be assured replyed Gesimenes I neither deceive nor desire to injure you go down by this little hill you will see to whose trust you commit your selfe be confident I would not suffer you to passe any further or consent you should put your selfe into so imminent danger were I not certaine my owne strength could sufficiently defend you Believe your selfe secure in my faith for I love you more then you imagine though not out of obligation for you have used me with severity of which some other occasion shall informe you if my unfortunate stars permit Pharnazes was amazed at this Speech and was the sooner enclined to credit it when he cald to mind the ill disposition of Lucander and some others that hee convers'd with he was unwilliug to returne to his Tent before he had satisfied himselfe wherefore hee descended the bottome of the Hill and Gesimenes after him earnestly desiring the Traitors would sally forth that he might have an occasion to oblige his Father and be reveng'd for all the injuries had been done him Lucander so soon as Pharnazes came neare gave notice to the rest and assaulted him crying Kill the Tyrant of Albania Pharnazes called to Gesimenes to performe the promise and protect his life He needed not much entreaty for as soon as he saw the ambush appeare he came up to him and so laid about him on every side with the young Oake that hee dispersed them and if any oppos'd him he paid for his boldnesse by measuring his length upon the ground Lucander adventured for the deâ—ence of one blow to trust to his Buckler thinking to get in with his sword but with such fury did Gesimenes let fall upon his enemie that he felled him to the ground The assistant Conspirators afrighted at his fall left him and ran away Pharnazes leading away Lucander sent him to prison but concealed the cause fearing the souldiers might mutiny Then being alone with Gesimenes entreated him to let him know who he was to whom he owed life Gesimenes yet unwilling to be known answered he was the son of that mountain but the reason which oblig'd him to his defence with such earnestnesse was the intimate friendship he once had with one called Gesimenes who profest himselfe his unfortunate Son Alas said Pharnazes drowning his face in teares had he liv'd this Traitor Lucander durst not have attempted so impious a Treason He not only lives answered Gesimenes but ere many daies passe I shall be able to let you see him as obedient still as you had never us'd him unkindly Then believe if me replyed Pharnazes that very instant will I set the Crowne of Albania upon his head the Kingdome will not be sorrie for it though they think he be not heire while Lucander lives yet there is more in this then they know You are his friend and will rejoyce at his happinesse that therefore you may seeke him with greater diligence bee attentive and and heare what a low condition his Fate decreed him even before he was borne Gesimenes with wonder observed what his Father said and giving him time to wipe away the teares of his affliction heard him proceede in this manner Know that in my youth I lov'd a Lady with so unreasonable an affection that I forgot both Heaven and my selfe for her This blind passion arriv'd at such a height that the Queene and she beeing at once both with child and delivered of two Sons both in one day to make a transcendent expression of my love to her I caus'd the children to be chang'd unknowne to any except heaven and one who was my Favorite By this meanes Lucander the sonne of my Mistrisse
suppoz'd the Queens was esteem'd heire of the Kingdome and I had a better pretence for my affection Gesimenes who was indeed my lawfull Son had Clorinda the Lady I most esteem'd assign'd for his mother The whole Kingdome wondered I should hate Gesimenes the son of her I adored and esteeme Lucander whose mother I hated I will not relate how cruelly I us'd Gesimenes iâ— cannot but grieve you to heare it if you love him my disaffection proceeded so farre as to banish him Albania If hee bee alive as we had newes of his death he hath lived many yeares miserably abroad in strange Countries But the nature of man is unconstant the love I beare Clorinda vanish't and my undeceived understanding perceiv'd its errour then began I so much to dislike Lucander that I intended to have discovered his Birth but I forbore considering the Crowne would be without an heire seeing Gesimenes was wanting But since Lucander proves so ungratefull as by treason to deprive me of life and Scepter you assure me Gesimenes lives if you performe your promise in bringing him you shall see him King of Albania that hee may have his owne and you in part be paid the debt is owing you for my life His happinesse cannot but reflect on you who are so much his friend Gesimenes was not able to containe his joy but falling downe at his Fathers feet discovered himselfe saying he was Gesimenes and that he was well content with the miseries Fortune had inflicted on him since he had been banisht from his sight Now shee had bestow'd on him the happinesse to rescue his gray haires Pharnazes transported with such joy to see him alive as the strangenesse of the accident required embraced him most affectionately and told him that he should goe along with him for on the morrow his Commanders should kisse his hand and his presence would animate the Souldiers for they all loved him extremely and knowing his valour would undertake the warre with the greater resolution In this Gesimenes could not obey excusing himselfe with the acknowledgement of many favours received from Perozes of whose Forces he was Generall yet that he had taken Armes against his Father was not to offend him as he had shewne but to be a meanes of peace between both Kingdomes Gesimenes at parting enquired of him for his Wife Polixena he much troubled desired him not to speak of her for it would afflict his heart to remember the cruelty which her Father and Lucander had us'd in her death Let it not grieve you so much said Gesimenes For she is living and although it may seeme impossible I have long enjoy'd her company in this Desart for Heaven doth favour innocence and protect those Lives which Power and Fortune doe unjustly persecute Hereupon Gesimenes departed joyfully And Pharnazes was no lesse glad for having found his son and with him his owne life which had that night been lost had it not been preserved by Gesimenes Then communicating this strange event to his Counsell he determined to treat with the King of Armenia and Prince Perezes concerning Peace and the former Marriage The evening following a place of meeting was appointed for the two Kings The first thing they did was the proclaming of Gesimenes King of Albania and the same day Polixena was confirm'd his Wife the King and Queen of Armenia offering themselves to give her at the Temple Perozes told Pharnazes that the reason why he rejected the propounded Marriage with the Princesse was because he was already married to Ismenia who was Niece to him and Daughter to Gesimenes and Polixena Hereupon they both to informe him of the truth replyed that they had no further knowledge of her then that she had been brought up some years in their company that the businesse was now of such consequence that it would be unjust to deceive him and though they had reason to love Ismenia as well as if she were their Daughter yet in truth she was but of poore and meane Parentage This struck Perozes as if he had heard the sentence of his death but it troubled him more when he understood Ismenia could not be found for seeing a necessitie that her deceit must bee discovered and that she must lose Perozes shame would not suffer her to appeare so she retired into the woods flying from him she loved and intending to end her life in that solitude The Nuptialls were deferred till they might have news of the lost Ismenia for the married couple were so discontented at her absence that their resentment gave occasion to many to suspect she was indeed their Daughter and that they denyed it onely because they were unwilling to give her to Perozes The truth was they lov'd her so extremely that if Gesimenes had not known Ismenias Parents might have contradicted it he would have owned her Perozes in great passion offered a great summe of money to any that should bring newes of her Gesimenes calling to minde that shee had often told him the place where she was borne instantly dispatched Messengers to informe themselves with all diligence of her Parents and to see whether shee were not return'd to them After enquirie they found them and upon examination they confessed That Ismenia was not their Daughter thought they had professed her such almost ever since shee was borne that a Gentleman of Albania named Artaspes one night brought her to their house to be brough up by them charging them upon forfeit of their lives not to reveale the secret to any that three yeares agoe having a desire to match her with a Kinsman of theirs on the day intended for marriage she stole away since which time they could never know whether shee were alive or dead This encreased the admiration of all seeing Artaspes had brought her thither they supposed shee must bee his He being at that time in Albania they sent for him to declare what he knew concerning Ismenia Being come hee desired a little privacy with Gesimenes and thus spake unto him What I shall affirme of her that you call Ismenia concernes none so much as your selfe to know not to keepe you in suspence Prince Lucander and my selfe walking late one night in the City as wee were returning to the Palace a woman with her Face vailed called to us and addressing her selfe to Lucander hee ask'd her being well nigh dead if she would goe along with him or that hee should doe her any service I would beseech you answered the Lady delivering a Childe into his armes to carry this infant to Gesimenes who will easily know from whence it comes and believe me we may both be able to requite this favour so giving it to Lucander whom if shee had knowne she would sooner have given it to a Lyon she went away desiring us not to follow her because it concern'd both her life and honour We both stood amazed devising who this Lady might be for knowing how intirely you did love Polixena wee could