very hot and chollericke and with a frowning countenance made her this hasty answer What Titana canst thou not loue why doth the cynicall passion of prone desires ouercome thee with franticke frowardnesse or péeuish peruersenesse or dost thou thinke thy selfe a young Phoenix that there is none to equall shee Ah Titana take héed left high Pride bring low pouerty and young disobedience aged repentance the Trée Alpia wasteth not with fire but withereth with deaw and that which loue nourisheth not hate perisheth Well yéeld Titana to thy Fathers perswasions which may preuent all after-perills thou séest I am old and full of gray haires daily walking on the brincke of my graue ready to fall in euery houre and thou heire apparant to my Crown after my decease shalt succéed in my Kingdome in more triumphant Throne then ere thy Father Meleagar did in his youngest yéeres knowing this thou being young in yeares and scarce gouernesse of thine owne dispositions it would be a greater trouble a heauier burthen to be so ouer prest with the charge of a whole Kingdome to gouerne and looke to with ioy I haue chosen thee a husband â—â—â—e the Prince Pirismus thou sawest hereâ—ore whiâ—e he is a Prince faire by nature royall by birth by vertues famous and by possessions rich therefore if thou like Pirismus thou bréedst my content and in louing him thou shalt haue my loue otherwise an euerlasting hate Titana standing a while called to minde that Theseus did purpose to take his Voyage to Tunis very shortly where she determined to arriue with him and therefore she thought it was as good for her to say she loued him and kéepe her fathers good will as say she could not loue him and haue his ill will and againe she thought this if she should be peruerse and say him nay it might be a meanes in her fathers anger to make him suspect and misdoubt some other matters and so looke more nearer vnto her and so be a hindrance to her departure with Theseus therefore she determined to yéeld with words vnto her Fathers desire and thus bespake him with a low courtesie Father I obey your command as a child hoping to enioy your loue as a Father and if Pirismus can loue Titana Titana will loue Pirismus but pray father thinke not but that I yéeld with loue and not with your perswasions and please you to appoint the nuptiall day I will be ready to accomplish what you please to impose on me Quoth Melâ—agar now hast thou wonne my heart and shalt enioy my loue I le make thee rich by possessions and happy by marriage I le indow thee with wealth and Pirismus with loue I ioy to sée thee toward and hate to sée thee peruerse now shall my gray-haires enioy a rest which long hath béene disturbed with eare so after these and many other such like spéeches hee appointed her the nuptiall day which should be at Ambrosia's comming Titana being mindfull of her true loue Theseus was fore troubled in mind because her father had appointed the time within so short a space she was fearefull that Theseus could not prouide all things for their Voyage so soone yet bearing it out with a good countenance shée lookt pleasantly in the sight of her father and determined if things were not ready soone enough shee would faigne some excuse to prorogue the time well for that time they departed and betooke them to their rest on the morrow morning Meleagar was stirring very early and calls to him his chiefe Admirall and commands him to prouide a Fleet of his chiefest Ships and furnish them with men and Ordinance and all things else fitting to receiue a Prince he being no lesse then willing to fulfill the Kings ioyfull determination very speedily prepared all things fitting for their Voyage tooke his Embassage of the King and suddenly boarded the Nauie hoysted maine Sailes weighed anchors and away they cut through the déepe where wée le leaue them to the fauour of the wind and the Seas Meleagar hauing sent his Embassadours for the King of Portugall ralls his Nobles and chiefe officers together and told them that the tenth day of that present month should be the Nuptiall day and bade them proclaime a feast Iusts and Turnies and inuite all their neighbour Princes with the chiefe of his owne dominions and that it was Meleagars command and will the Court gates should stand open and receiue all commers for the space of twenty dayes as well for the royall entertainement of Ambrosia as for honour of his Country his Nobles being no lesse than willing to further his pretence very diligently according to the Kings command prepared all things in readinesse where wée le leaue them attending Ambrosia's comming and turne to Titana who in sight of her new loue Pirismus séemed no lesse then fraught with the wanton feakes of loue to lead that toyish foole into a purblind paradise where in the end shee meant to leaue him champing of Cupids bridle and in her fathers sight she séemed so abundant in her loue that she almost made his gray haires begin afresh to bud and to bloome forth youthfull blossomes againe in so much that it is impossible to conceiue the inward ioy that he receiued by their outward ioying and though she forc'd herselfe to be ioyous and pleasant in her fathers and Pirismus presence yet was she forc'd to batefull melancholly and hatefull griefe in their absence well it hapned that in few dayes after there came newes to Meleagars Court that Ambrosia was come within two dayes sailing to Calidon and by contrary winds forc'd to cast anchor and lie there for the winds returne Meleagar hearing this newes caused a Fléet of his best ships to bée made ready which being done he himselfe and Pirismus with others boarded the Fléet and Titana should haue gone too but the Seas vnwilling to crosse her submissiue Loue with aduerse hate caused a tempestuous storme to rise insomuch that the very sight of Neptunes crownes cast her into a despairing feare the which her father séeing caused her to returne to the Court againe and they tooke their Voyage towards Ambrosia where wee le leaue them to their fortune and turne to Titana againe Who being so long absented from her loue Theseus and too often presented with her hated Pirismus like a true Louer discontented desired to walke and sit alone to meditate on the back side of her fathers Pallace there was a very large Garden which had diuers doores to enter in at this Garden was the place where Theseus did vse to méete her which place shee held most conuenient and fit for her to passion out her griefes when the afternoone came she walked all alone into the Garden with the wonted place where Theseus was wont full often to imbrace her with many louely kisses hoping that the Gods séeing her distresse would relieue her want and as they had bin witnesses to her vowes so she hop'd they would be
his face so perfectly featured and viewing each limb the portraiture of his body so well limited that she greatly commended Dame Natures art and excellencie in shaddowing such perfection vnder her Fortunes lot perswading herselfe that none but Theseus should reape the harnest of her affection being thus perplexed with inordinate passions possest with amorous affection it wrought like a purgation with her in so much that at last she brake her passions in these tearmes Ah Titana thou art in loue I with whom with Theseus with Theseus hee is a Kings sonne why so art thou a Kings Daughter he is famous in birth thou art vertuous and faire by Nature he is a Prince why thou art a Princesse thou euery way art equiualent with him why then if thou lonest Theseus Theseus cannot chuse but loue Titana Ah Titana thou fond foole sigh sob and lament thee of thy follies art thou so fond to thinke that Theseus being a valiant warrier the Grecians champion and heire apparent to that inuincible King Aegeus will looke on thee no thou art not an obiect fitting for his expectiue eye though thy vertuous qualities be opposite to his valorous accomplishments yet he cannot loue Titana why Titana is beautifull vertuous and rich I and after her Fathers decease heire to the Crowne of rich Achaia why then Titana suppresse these franticke passions and incline to louely affections for doe thou but smile hee cannot chuse but loue well when she had thus at large playd and displayd her passionate affection she returnes to her chamber to be melancholy where wée le leaue her Theseus who had receiued such a deadly wound thought it long vntill he had some remedy for it starts him vp from the imbracements of his restlesse bed and walkes towards the Court of Meleagar euen at his approach within the Court gates she clocke strucke eight quoth Theseus it is too earely dayes to séeke to speake with Titana yet I le goe walke a course or two about the Gorden till the clocke strikes againe and that I thinke will be about the time of Titana's rising he immediately turnes on the backe side of the Court to enter into the Garden but when he came he found the doore fast lockt yet Fortune willing to fauour his presence would not suffer him to returne but caused him to knocke the which hée did and immediatly it was opened by a Groome of Titana's chamber quoth Theseus where is your Lady and mistris stirring yet quoth the Groome and shall please your Highnes shee sits alone at the further end of the Garden a reading with that Theseus cast vp his eye and espied his louely Paramour walking in the Garden vnséene of Titana he stept into a gréene Arbour which stood directly opposite against her and not farre distant from her where he first viewed each limit or proportraiture of her body and then beganne hée to breake his passions Ah Theseus ecce sée how her crimson lips stand like two Pilgrimes to adorne those vermillion chéekes of hers which like as the Adamant drawes the stéele so they draw thee to loue Nay behold her chrystall eies how like to vnestimable Diamonds they glitter and giue light to the out chanted Cynthia now last of all sée how farre her twined lookes doe surpasse the Arabian gold in golden beauty when he had thus breathed out his passions in these passionate tearmes he stands a while commenting in this dull perplexity yet at last beginnes to prosecute his passions with these tearmes Theseus thou séest her excellency perfection and beautie why then make a mixture with those and thy intire loue and drinke them as a physicke potion either to cure or kill and so shalt thou be sure to be eased by death else cured to life for in loue there is life in hate there is death but Titana's face resembles an Adamants vertue to draw loue by affection and not kill loue with reiecting and more it is impossible that she should couer a flinty heart with a smiling face for I know the vertue of Venus mollifies the heart of Titana why then Theseus what néedest thou feare shew thy selfe as valiant a Prince to Titana as thou hast done in former time to Mars and returned victor of the field when thou wast beset with millions of foes and wilt thou now feare the repulse of a woman and being thy loue too no thou shalt scale the walles and lay battery to the fairest and with that he stepts out of the Arbour with a modest behauiour and full resolution takes her by the hand and withall dimples her cheekes with a louelie smile as loue giues louers direction and thus beginnes Faire Titana euer since I could conceiue one Amorous thought or cast a wanton eye on beauties perfection I haue remained imburthened with the essence of your beauty and wounded with the vlcerous sore of your loue therefore faire Lady reiect me not with disdaine because I approach with courtesie and as our two aged Fathers liue in peacefull amity so let vs combine a matrimoniall vnity it will not onely be a comfort to them but also an eternall ioy to vs Titana resting and meditating a while at last be paints her chéekes with a maiden blush and thus replies Prince Theseus this is very strange to mee that such inordinate passions of loue should so farre ouerflow her shores on the sudden being no storme nor spring to be the causer therefore Theseus surely this is not loue these are but faigned fictions to try simplicity inluring baites to catch fond folly in wantons snares for Demophoon was faire by nature but prooued false to Phyllis Aeneas was a braue man but as false as Almider yet were their protested vowes greater than common hearts can conceiue Therefore Theseus suppresse thy passions and leaue to loue Titana for she cannot loue thee againe shee is like the starre Artophylax that is beautious to the eye but fit for no vse euen so is Titana iust opposite against nature well still she keepes him at the staffes length and sits her still on the gréene banke where hee found her shadowing her yéelding passions with denying frownes Theseus who all this while had mark'd and viewed each limit of her body and the feature of her face thought it very strange that Nature should endow so faire a face with so hard a heart such comely limmits with such peruerse conditions at last thus beganne to prosecute his cause againe in these tearmes Faire Titana be not proud of beauties painting for it is but a Summers flower the Winter séedes it and those which disdaine in youth are despised in age therefore faire Lady make not a Goddesse of beauty but yéeld me loue for loue and let not the destinies cause me to despaire now in the verdency of my blooming youth Titana sitting still on the banke as it were not regarding him thus beginnes Theseus I commend thine excéeding wit but in this case I pitty thy distresse and for thy
extremity of loue thou bearest to mée I vow thee recompence but with contract I dare not promise therefore good Theseus suppresse those passions which now thy minde is perplexed with Theseus standing a while commenting of his dull perplexity scarcely dared vouchsafe to giue an answere or demand a remedie yet sayd hee opportunities neglected are signes of follie therefore hée beganne againe in these tearmes Titana the fatall doubts of cruell death is not so feared of me but I dare extend my life with fortunes sate to enioy thy loue why then faire Lady sith I am so wounded with your loue yéeld to my request which is within the bounds of modestie desired If I were lasciuious demanding vnchast desires to vse thee as a Concubine then mightest thou iustly be peruerse say me nay or were I a begger or a base borne vassall of no desert or for reputation vile then would I hold it wisedome or came I like a Scythian Shepheard with my shéepe-hooke on my neck but comming like a Grecian Prince with my Scepter in my hand demanding loue with a chast deuotion me thinkes you should not be so peruerse to deny so kind a demand Quoth Titana good Theseus be not so tedious for to be short in tearmes I will not grant thee loue for loue is the only thing â— hate therfore trouble me no more with such friuolous spéeches if you please to accompany mee as in former time you haue done you shall be the welcomest man in Greece but if you reply with such like speeches as loue I rather desire your a sence than your presence Theseus hearing her still in that froward denying veine quite expel'd hope and included despaire and thus beganne hee which scarcely found beginning O wicked and despairing wretch forlorne and of Titana forsaken worse than the seruilst slaue in Achaia more base than the stimie earth vnderneath thy féete more in bondage than Tunisian gally slaues more vacant on earth than Indians in Arabia and more wretched than Progne in her transformation why how camest thou thus metamorphosed being a Kings sonne oh with loue with loue of that ingratefull Titana for had I not loued Titana she had not caused my vntimely death but measuring my adverse fortune with thy peruerse obstinacy I le end my life and with that hee unsheashed his fatall Engine and sayd thus Faire Lady as like the Camelion I haue liued by the Airy essence of thy loue so like faithfull Theseus by thy hate I le die He sets the point of his sword to his brest Titana séeing him so desperate lightly skipt from off the banke whereon she sate and suddenly takes him by the hand which held his sword and thus beganne Theseus art thou a Prince and a Kings sonne a warriour and Grecians Champion and wilt at a wenches frowne ruine thy body and bring thy aged Fathers gray haires with griefe vnto his graue and his carefull head on a restlesse pillow remember this thou art Heire apparent vnto thy Fathers Crowne and kingdome and by thy well liuing thy Fathers daies are prolonged on earth but by thy ill dying with griefe they are soone ended why then know this braue Theseus wenches will most deny the thing they most desire and séeme most peruerse where most they loue and proue most constant where they séeme most wauering and so will I I loue although I faigned a frowne yet detested I to hate and though my tongue sayd no my heart protested I. Therefore swéet Theseus impute me not peruerse for the heauens know I shame to expresse how proud I haue beene of Theseus loue yet would I not say Theseus I loue thee because then thou mightst repute me immodest being a Lady but the Gods doe know I haue honoured Theseus with a zealous deuotion and I loued Theseus with as dutifull affection as Titana could performe or Theseus desire therefore swéet loue thinke not I yéeld with vrgent prayers but with the force of Loue. Theseus noting her behauiour and hearing such vnexpected tearmes and snared allurements of Titana which made such pleasing harmony in his halfe dead eares was halfe rauished wholly reuiued to his former senses sheathed his fatall blade againe imbracing her in his armes layd battery to her skarlet lips with many a sugred kisse he giues assault and winnes the Fort In briefe they suddenly combind and fully accomplish'd a matrimoniall contract so that after many louely imbracings and pleasing-wanton toyes as loue hath many they parted for the time so fraught with inordinate ioy that it is impossible for the capacity of man to looke so high as their ioy did raise rebounds Fortune now enuying their good acts turnes her Whéele and as she had dimpled her cheekes so now she wrinkled her forehead and vnréeled the destinies for in Achaia there dwelt Oenie which euery yéere did sacrifice the firstlings of his store the which he first assigned of his corne and fruits to Ceres to Bacchus the first pressing of his wine and vnto Pallas Oliue oyle and thus honouring the gods of Graine and fruit hee offered frankincense but at Diana's Altars none was offered hee ouer slipt them the which Diana tooke in high disdaine and sayd he shall not scape vnpunished though he past mine Altars vnworshipped nor vaunt of his escape vnreuenged if I be a Goddesse I le plague him and his fruits and with that away she flies and on the next morne she sent a huge ouer growne Beare to Oenies ground such as the like had neuer yet beene séene This gréedy Boare deuoured the Corne and grasse and rent his â—â—ines vnto the ground and not so sufficed but beganne to ouer-runne and deuoure his Countrey of Achâ—ia insomuch that the husbandmen had laboured in vaine he ouer ranne their Lambs shéepe and Hearvs of Kie nay men women and children went daily in danger of this orped swines dreadfull Tuskes In so much that the people of Achaia preferred supplications to Aegeus Meleagar and Theseus and many other Kings Dukes Lords and Knights to desire their ayde to conquer this mercilesse Hogge the which they all were very willing and affable but Theseus yet he said I although he could haue wisht it no for the reason that moued him rather to haue stayed at home than haue gone was this he was newly returned from his loue Titana and they had both agréed to make their Fathers acquainted with their loues on the next day following which was the day appointed that this Princely knot should méete and accompany each other to the face of the Achaians foe Theseus very much discontent with this newes could haue faigned himselfe sicke and stayed at home but his heart was so enobled with valour that it would suffer excuse to take no place he seeing no remedie but goe he must being that renowned King Meleagar with his royall troopes of valiant Knights accompanied with his Father Aâ—geus were come he like Jason when he ventured for Media or Hercules for Deianita
insomuch that to shew his bounty and bind him vnto his promise hée sent him away very richly rewarded where wée le leaue him prouiding for their Voyage and turne to Meleagar Fortaine who had already layd her traine so destinated that it vtterly brake the vnited bands of these two Louers Fathers combinde League and almost to the separating of their loue with heart breaking yet not so content intending as she had giuen them a slender checke so now shee should giue them a cruell blow and to bring her pretence to be managed with perfection she layd her plot in his wise Meleagar walking priuately in his Garden commenting on his Daughter Titana brake out his passions in these tearmes Meleagar thou hast but one onely Daughter and she is now about the yéeres of 23. and she is a Prince so richly deckt and adorned with the gifts of Nature so fraught with beauty and vertuous qualities that she is not onely a comfort to thee but also a ioy to thy poore Commons why then place all thy ioy in her perfection and fith she is now marriageable prouide her a husband that is equiualent with her when he had thus passioned a while he sate him downe vnder a Poomsisherne Trée to meditate on whom he might bestow his Daughter Titana till at last he called to minde great Ambrosia King of Portugall who in former time had bin brought vp togeither for the space of seuen yéeres in Schoole and knowing this Ambrosia to haue a Sonne whose name was Pirismus who was faire by Natures royall by birth by vertues famous and by possessions rich presently sends Embassadors to the King of Portugall to intreate a marriage betwéene his Daughter Titana and his Sonne Pirismus Ambrosia hearing this was excéedingly fraught with ioy and told the Embassadors it was his decrée before they came to haue sent to their King Meleagar concerning the same matter but sith they were so hapily come he told them his nauy was ready and his Sonne Pirismus should along with them to Calidon and if God did permit him he would be there with them within forty dayes The Embassadors hauing receiued their answere and the Prince borded his Fléet the Marriners hoisted their maine sailes weighed anchors and halled into the déepe Fortune fauouring Theseus destinie opens the windowes of Aeolus and giues them a full wind which in a short space arriued them on the shores of Achaia being so fortunately arriued they instantly retired to the Court with the young Prince Pirismus and made report to Meleagar of Ambrosia's answere and how he had sent his Sonne as a pledge in the meane while When Meleagar heard that was Ambrosia's Son hee séemed very angry they did not send him word of their comming that he might haue receiued him in a more Prince like manner but séeing it was now too late to recall what was past he saluted him very submissiuely and told him he was very sorry he knew not of his comming for if he had he would haue met him by the way Well after these and such like words Meleagar takes him about the middle and leades him into the priuy Chamber causing the Nobles to attend them whereas Titana sate a sowing Quoth Meleagar young Prince Pirismus behold there sits mine onely Daughter Titana my chiefest ioy and the originall cause of your Voyage hither and if you please to acquaint your selfe with her you may Quoth Pirismus my noble Leige with your leaue else not Quoth Meleagar yong Prince you haue our leaue to vse your pleasure Quoth Pirismus with a low obeysance thankes my noble Leige and with that steps vnto Titana takes her by the hand and thus beginnes Faire Lady if a 〈◊〉 Prince may vouchsafe so bold to be as to preferre a rough vnpolish'd touch vnto those soft lips of yours without offence my desire is accomplisht otherwise my suit is cold Titana séeing him a stranger and hearing such inordinate tearmes procéede from him was halfe in a misdoubt that her father had brought him to be a suter in a cause that was already ouerthrowne and dammages recouered yet hoping the best though fearing the worst with a low curtisie she thus replies noble Knight as your request is small it is the easier granted againe if I should by dentall refuse it you might iustly appeach me foolish with that he giues her a kisse which she very thankfully receiued and accompanied him vnto her father the which did greatly reioyce the King her father by this time there was a table furnished with such cates and dainties as could at so small a warning be prouided Meleagar sitting downe caused Pirismus to sit on the same side which he sate on and Titana to sit on the other side right opposite against him because they should take a ful veiw of each other the which Pirismus did in so much that her perfection dighted so déepe an impression in his heart that none but Titana could satisfie the Amor of Pirismus eye when he was thus solemnely and sumptuously feasted and royally entertained and so entertained that if Ambrosia had béene there himselfe in person hauing so small warning they could not receiue him with more triumphant royaltie After they had thus sufficiently past the daye in sumptuous feasts and banquets the King gaue command he should be attended on to his lodging and all his Lords Knights and Gentlemen and their followers appointed their lodgings and attended also which being done and all departed Meleagar calls for Titana and thus brake his mind vnto her Titana my gray haires sounds an alarum and calls mee to my graue therefore actions measured by time are seldome bitten with repentance thou art young and I am old my white haires are fading blossomes and thy fresh colors blooming flowers mine preparing to die and thine repairing to liue therefore Titana I take care and tell thee as a father hoping thou wilt giue care and obey as a Childe The chiefe thing I haue taken care for and desired hath béene to sée thee happily married before I die or thou grow old Titana hearing her fathers counsaile and marking well his words beganne to féele which way the winde sate and at last perswaded her selfe in her opinion as this that her father had chosen this young Prince Pirismus to be her spouse fearing to displease her father yet swearing and vowing not to forsake Theseus made him this answer May it please your Grace to giue me leaue to speake Quoth Meleagar we giue you free leaue Quoth Titana Sir there is no greater bond than dutie nor stricter law than Nature for often disobedient youth are despised in age and Parents wills are lawes therefore rather than by deniall I should be appeached of disobedience I le rest content to loue although it be the onely thing I hate I fit may please your Highnesse to appoint whom I shall loue Meleagar hearing this vnexpected answer of his Daughter and séeing how light she accounted of Loue began to be
tooke his leaue and departed but Ambrosia stayed till the beginning of the next moneth and when the time came he departed towards Portugall with a heauier heart than he came towards Greece withall when he had taken his leaue of Meleagar he boarded the Fleet weighed anchors and away they câ—t through the déepe where wée le leaue him and turne to Titana and Theseus Whom fortune begins to sport her selfe with in their aduersities for as she had smiled on them a while and giuen them a full winde fitting to transport them to the hauen of their desire so now shee meant to frowne on them and giue them a Calme when as they lay thus becalmed fortune who loues to sport herselfe in the variable accidents of loue brought it thus to passe certaine Gallies that were Robbers vnder the French King espied this Grecian ship and thinking to haue some rich prize made out and gaue onset commanding them to yéeld the Grecians being calme could not make away from them yet although too weake Theseus stoutly denied to be boarded and fought it out to the vtmost yet in the end they boarded the ship and bestowed Titana and Theseus vnder the hatches amongst the Sailers and then rifled the ship of all their rich Iewels which done they tooke the Saylers and carried them into their Gallies and chained them fast and made Gallislaues of them when they had so done they tooke Thesues into one of the Gallies but the chiefe commanded that they should offer no rigor at all vnto him for hée saw by his behauiour that hee was of good birth and parentage which made him the more fauourable vnto him Theseus desired of the generall that he would entertaine or suffer Titana to come into the Gallie to him and fare as he fared they both desired and intreated but it could not be granted which caused poore Titanaes eyes all blubbred with teares and almost dead for feare and griefe but all would not preuaile the chiefe generall sent halfe a dozen shake rags with the ship and her to Roane where they stript her out of her Princely Robes and put her into beggers Ragges and when they came to the shore they gaue her thrée duckats and turned her off there in a strange Country that she neither knew their language nor had she any friends there but sith her fortune was so allotted vnto her for her owne part shée-tooke it very patiently but when she called to minde her Theseus she wept bitterly but sith there was no remedy she meant to passe and spend her life in Pilgrimage where wee le leaue her trauelling towards Italy and turne to Theseus Whose chiefe solliciter is carefull griefe for his poore loue Titana and is forc'd to liue as a rouing Pirate on the Seas it hapned about sixe monthes after they chanc'd to méete with some Merchants of Venice on whom these Pirats gaue onset these merchants being well prouided breathed defiance on them at which these Pirates tooke great disdaine and discharged vpon them the Merchants seeing that beganne to play vpon them Peece after Peece so long that in the end they ouercame them and tooke two of their Gallies in which two Theseus and Junia were Prisoners fortune fauouring Theseus for Titanaes sake bare her Target of defence before him that hee escapt with life but Junia was slaine when the Merchants had thus rifled the Gallies being néere the coast of Bohemia sent the Gallie-slaues and others that were prisoners in the Gallies to the shore side and set them a land to shift for themselues then had Theseus but halfe a Ducket to buy him meate and drinke and his clothes were but simple Ragges God knowes yet glad he was that hée was so happily landed but yet poore Titana the very thought of her strake him halfe dead he determined neuer to returne vnlesse he met with his loue Titana but would spend his life in Pilgrimage till death claimed his right where wée'l leaue him trauelling in Germany and turne to Meleagar Who is in the field with Troupes of Souldiers waging warre against Aegeus but his mother enuying him for killing her two Brothers Plexipus and Toxie had sworne on him to be reuenged yet studied she a long time and knew not how to be cruell enough in her reuenge till in the end shée call'd to mind a brand that the destinies put into the fire when she lay in child-bed of Meleagar which brand was of this mercilesse force and power by the destinies charmes that when this brand was in the fire burnt Meleagar should consume burne to ashes for the destinies spun his fatall thread at his birth day and did put this brand in the fire to take him the first day of his birth but Althoea to preuent it tooke it forth againe and layd it vp very charily till now she meant to make vse of it as thus Meleager being in the field against Aegeus in fierce and cruell battell and hauing giuen an ouerthrow to Aegeus there was great reioycing and Bonfires made thorowout all Calidon with ringing Bells and such like Thesties Daughter séeing so much laid on the fire for Meleagar and to shew the loue they bare to the King her Son shee thought whilst the fire was burning to bestow one slicke on him to shew the hate she bare to him although she died for company with him herselfe she cared not so she might be reuenged on him after she be thought her selfe she steps to a chest where she safely had layd this brand and takes it forth and with a zeale to mischiefe stretcht out her fatall arme and threw it in the fire which being done she thus began Behold ye triple goddesses Of wrecke ye hell-hounds three Behold you all this furious fact And sacrifice of me I wrecke and doe against all right With death must death be payd On mischiefe mischiefe must be heapt On curse must curse be layd Confounded let this wicked house With heaped sorrowes be Shall Oenie joy his happy Sonne In honour for the see And Thesties mourne bereft of his Nay better yet it were That each with other company In mourning you should beare Now brothers ghosts and soules new dead I wish no more but you To feele the solemne obsequies which I prepare as now This sayd She turned away her face And with a trembling hand Did cast amid the fire This death-full burning brand MEleager being absent and busied about his warlike affaires thinkes not of his mothers crueltie but following his vrgent occasions with very attentiue care it hapned not long after as he was walking alone to recreate himselfe vpon a sudden he felt an extreame paine in his belly it wart more and more in so much that he did plainely perceiue that his bowells burnt with flames of secret fire but yet denied he to die but bare it out with a Princely courage for it grieued him to die so cowardly without shedding his bloud yet death being so predominant and
wâ—ndring vp and down it was my fortune to come hither where I fortunately hapned into your seruice he thus ending his spéech wept very bitterly the Lands-grave being very sorry to sée him wéepe and lament so bitterly demanded the occasion of his passions who answered the losse of my loue Quoth the Lands-grave come leaue off this womanish wéeping remaine with me thou shalt neuer want for any thing so long as I am able to giue thee well after these and such like words they departed to their rest At that instant there was attendant in the house of Alphonsus the Lands-grave a young Gentlewoman whose name was Impio this Gentlewoman came of very good Parentage the wishtly viewing noting the excellency of Peregrinoes face presently fell in loue with him but hauing but small acquaintance could not tell how to vnfold her minde vnto him but thus she past the time for the space of halfe a yéere and could find no time nor place fitting for to disclose her loue till at last she watcht him when he went to walke in the Garden alone and lightly skips after him he espying her comming after him returnes againe and met her giuing her the time of the day and she the like to him againe so that in the end there past and repast many questions betweene them in so much that at last my young Gentlewoman mistris Impio grew so impudent with loue that shee could bridle her passionate affection no longer but desired him to sit downe on a gréene banke that was by them for she told him that she had good newes to tell him he being no lesse then willing to heare good newes according to her desire he sate downe where suddenly she sate downe by him where she declares the whole volume of her mind vnto him Peregrino hearing her so passionate in her tearmes wondred much at these sudden accidents or what should be the occasion that should prouoke her to such inordinate feakes which in his conceit ouerflowed the bounds of modesty yet would hee not seeme to reiect her for her folly but mildly perswaded her to be content and pacifie her selfe with patience for he was already prouided yet did he humbly thanke her for her good will but grant her marriage he could not yet she would not be so answered but began to prosecute it a fresh againe and like Venus when she wooed Adonis stroue with him for a kisse in so much that he ashamed of her folly flung away from her Impio séeing him gone meant not to let him goe so but on the next morning she goes to his chamber and in the like manner begins againe Peregrino séeing her and hearing her in her old tune would not stay but flings from her in an angry fume yet she would not giue him ouer nor let him rest but still would be troubling and molesting him in so much that in the end he told her of her immodesty very sharply and told her that if she came any more troubling him with the like matter againe he would declare her name to his Lord Alphonsus Impio hearing this hastie checke and rebuke of Peregrino whom she loued so dearely turned now her loue to hate and as in former time she had sought meanes to get his loue so now ten times more busie she was to séeke meanes to destroy his life Pirigrino whom fortune had turn'd on her whéele so oft with frowns smiles meant once more to cast him into aduerse perplexities and for the better conuoyance of it she brought it thus to passe At that instant there lay in Fueson one of the Emperors of Germany who had to his Daughter a very faire and proper young gentle woman this Virgin being known to the Duke of Brunswicke and he hauing but one only Sonne thought it a good match for him being resolued in this opinion very spéedily sends Embassadors to this Emperour to entreat a marriage betwéene his Son his Daughter to which the Emperor being very willing told them with all his heart and had them pray him to come and accomplish it assoone as he could for his busines would be so vrgent with him shortly that he should hardly attiend their comming else they receiued their unswere and hasted barke to tha Duke their Master where they made report of their Embassage when the Duke heard each ioyfull tidings with all expedition he caused preparation for the Nuptiall which being all finisht and all things ready they tooke their iourney to the Emperors Court being then in Fueson The Emperour hearing they were commingâ— inuited diuers of the chiefe of Germany to the Nuptiall whereof Alphonsus the Lands-grave of Hessen amongst the rest was one well within few dayes after the Duke of Brunswicke arriued at the Emperours Court in Fueson this Nuptiall day being past and their royalty ended euery man taking hir leaue of the Emperor departed onely the Duke of Brunswick the Lands-grave of Hessen and their followers It hapned in a short time after Peregrino being chiefe attendant on Alphonsus and Impio on his faire Lady fortune began to turne her whéele and raise an aduerse fate on poore submissiue Peregrino in this manner this wicked lust sulphering Impio whose heart was fraught with burning hate had long studied how she might bring him to disgrace or take his life from him because hee did reiect her for her folly in so much that in the end she agréed thus for to inuite him to her chamber to Dinner where if she could obtaine loue at his hands it was as much as she desired otherwise she meant to cry out and say he would rauish her and so by that meanes be reuenged on him she being profoundly grounded on this hellish pretence thought it long ere she were acting it yet she considered this that if she should doe so hauing no witnesse of it it was but her I and his no and she saw that he was so in fauour that he should be beléeued before her therefore to bring her matter the better to passe she hires a young man and giues him fifty crownes to come and sweare against him when she was thus prouided of a witnes she inuites Peregrino to come the next day to dinner He thinking no hurt nor imagining the mischiefe she pretended to him very courteously thanked her and sayd hee would make bold to trouble her with this answer the returned and called this yongman to her and told him where he should stand to heare her when she called him and what he should say well this being done on the next day according to his promise Peregrino came to dinner where they sate all alone and were very merry all the dinner time when they had sufficiently allayed the hunger of their stomacks she tooke away the table her selfe and had none to attend her at all which made Peregrino muse much thereat when she had thus taken away set things in order she came to Peregrino and began her wonted tune againe
THE HISTORIE OF TITANA AND THESEVS Very pleasant for age to avoide drowsie thoughts profitable for youth to avoide wanton pastimes so that to both it brings the mindes content Written by W. Bettie LONDON Printed for Robert Bird and are to be sold at his shop in St Laurence Lane at the Signe of the Bible 1636. TO THE RIGHT VVORshipfull HVMPHRIE CONISBYE W. B. wisheth all joy and happinesse in this world and in the world to come life everlasting RIght Worshipfull ever since my childish yeares were adopted with that mutuall sense of seeing and imboldned with your favourable smiles I presumed to survey the manifold favours that I found written in the Margent of your love which seeing I finde my selfe so deepely indebted to your Worship that although I should endeavour my selfe even to the last gaspe yet were it impossible for me to deserve or make you restitution for the least of them but as heretofore I still presumed on your kindnesse presenting to your Worship the frownes of fortune so rudely and roughly polished that I feare you will smile with Alexander at the crooked deformity of Vulcan yet sometimes the mind is as well pleased to heare of Pans homely fancies as of Hercules renowned labours Homer wrote verses as well on Irus the Beggar as Eurymachus the wooer Apollo gives Oracles as well to the poore for his mite as the rich for his treasure Darius aswell received the rough unpolish'd colors of Mison as the curious pictures of Apelles Therefore I beseech you to shroud this imperfect Pamphlet vnder your worships patronage assuring my selfe that your worships learned education vertuous disposition will be a sufficient defence to protect me from the enuious tongues of the scorning Sycophants and hoping as Iupiter and his Sonne vouchsafed to lye in Philemons poore cottage so I hope your worship will excuse my slender skill accept of my willing mind and when you haue giuen them a fauorable view with Minerua vnder your golden Target couer a deformed Owle so hoping for more then yet I haue deserued I rest wishing you the happie successe of hearts content where I leaue you to the Heavens disposing Your Worships most dutifull and ever bounden W. BETTIE THE HISTORIE OF TITANA AND THESEVS IN Greece there dwelt a mighty King called Aegeus who had raigned fiftie yeeres fortunate and successiue in all his warlike affayres that through the puissance of his force to his foes and bountifull courtesie to his friends he was feared in hate and imbraced in loue This Aegeus had one onely Sonne whose name was Theseus who was by birth Royall learned by education by Nature valorous and by Vertues famous insomuch that it was hard to iudge whether his valour Fortune or Vertue wonne the greatest praise This young Prince being so richly adorned with she rare feats and accomplishments of Chiualry that he did not onely enioy his Fathers loue but also wonne his Subiects hearts at that instant there liued Meleagar King of Achaia not farre distant from the Court of Aegeus who had a Daughter a faire young Virgin whose name was Titana her vertuous dispositions were such as might iustly challenge more loue than the world could yéeld her for her beauty was such as it tainted Venus chéekes her vertue shadowed Diana's Altars her learning stayned sacred Pallas her loyalty was such as if quite surpast Penelope how can the world then extoll these excellent gifts of Nature to the high spheare of their deserts being so exquisitly limitted and so louingly applauded by their Subiects reports but by committing them to those glittring creatures inclosed within the spangled sâ—ies where wée le leaue them to the Heauens disposing and turne to Meleagar her father who in his youth had béene brought vp with Aegeus and was his Schoolefellow so as they had béene Schoole fellowes in their youth they remained louing Neighbours in their age maintaining course and recourse to and fro each others Courts vpholding golden amity with the pillars of brotherly loue which did not onely reioyce the Achaians but also augment the Grecians loue with such inordinate and extreame passions that euery yeare vpon the Kings Coronation day the people throughout all Greece and Achaia held a generall feast for the space of forty dayes with Iusts and Turnies with Running Wrestling Leaping and dancing with Bonfires ringing of Bells and such like pleasant pastimes not onely to honour their two Kings but also to shew their inward ioy by their outward actions as well to shew their Kings their royall deserts as their loyalty being Subiects When this solemne Triumph was quite ended the people returned vnto their former labour and wonted course of life where wée le leaue them and turne to Theseus who though but yong in yeares yet old in experience though valorous with Hercules yet not too venturous with Phaëton though vpheld with the wings of Fortune yet not rash in flying with Icarus but kéeping lower bounds with Daedalus hee feared not the Thunderbolts of Jove nor yet the raging waues of Neptune well to be briefe Theseus who had euer since hée was able to harbour or conceiue one amorous thought mark'd the excellency of Titana's behauiour and the exquisitie of her beauty perswaded himselfe that she was matchlesse on earth in so much that at last he fell into passionate affections with Titana and burst out his passions in these tearmes being alone in a garden sitting vnder an Orenge Trée Ah Theseus thou art a Kings sonne and art applauded by the Greekes to be the only champion of this climat and wilt thou liue a slaue to Venus confin'd and bard of libertie no no cast off these foolish affections for Theseus surely thou dost not loue these are but instant conceits swéetned with hony or fire made with straw they are not Amors of perfection Ah Theseus flatter not thy selfe thy heart doth féele she deadly wound of Cupids Dart Oh that blinde boy hath pierst it cleane through like an Indian pearle yet be cheareful Theseus what néedst thou feare thou knowest the salue to cure thy amorous corrasiue Titana is a Kings Daughter and she is by birth Royall learned by education faire by Nature by vertues famous and by possessions rich why then what néedst thou feare cast off these despairing follies and put on assuring fancies for Cupid neuer throwes his Dart but Venus séekes the wound why then Theseus art thou a Prince a valiant Souldier and wilt liue thus perplexed with foolish loue or a wound giuen by a Boy expell such capitall follies as would include thee with ignominious conceits when he had thus sufficiently explained his passions searcht the deepnesse of his still bleeding wound he takes his farwell of the Orenge Trée that shaddowed him from the beames of Phoebus and returnes to his chamber where wee le leaue him ruminating on his loue and turne to Titana Who all this while euen from her infancie had noted the princely gesture of Theseus seeing
fauourers to her pretence and thus walkt thée a while commenting in these dull perplexities till at last her passions were so vrgent with her shee could no longer suppresse them but safe her down on a gréene banke and burst out her passions in these tearmes Ah Titana thou vnfortunate wretch art thou a Kings Daughter and liue thus a slaue to Cupid better wert thou a country wench to enioy their louely pleasure than a courtly mistresse thus wrapt in troward miserie now maist thou sée the destinies plague thee for thy disobedience Ah sigh Titana draw dry those two chrystall fountaines from whence these pearled streames descend to ouerflow these tender cheekes of thine loue Pirismus and in louing him thou louest thy selfe Ah no I dare not Pirismus no 't is Theseus and none but Theseus shall haue my true loue Ah foole that thou art to fix so fondly thou knowest Theseus is a Grecian and Greekes thy fathers foes then sticke to thy fathers Election and loue Pirismus for in louing him thou shalt enioy the worlds content Ah no I haue made my solemne vowes to Theseus and will kéepe them 't is not worldly content alone that I desire but Theseus loue the patron of my meditating thoughts the Couch of my weary ioyntures rest and the Crowne of my earthly glory When shee had thus breathed forth her solitary passions from the gray Morne to the red Euen Zephyr beganne to draw the melancholy curtaines of portendous night which caused Titana to depart who hauing taken her leaue of the Orenge and Lemmon Trées which onely did accompany her all that day returnes to her chamber againe where shée immures her selfe in contemplation At hapned that in two dayes after her father Ambrosia Pirismus and all their followers arriued on Calidon shores and Pageants Drums and Trumpets were prouided with swéet persumes and Frankincense the stréets were swéetned for their passage which greatly pleased Ambrosia so that they suddenly arriued at Meleagars Court where they were most sumptuously entertained with banquets and feasting which being done Meleagar willing to make knowne by outward shewes how hee was possest within ward ioyes leapt from his chaire of state and fetcht his Daughter Titana leading her into Ambrosia's presence by the middle Titana séeing her supposed sire faigned on him a smile and withall to grace the dimples of her chéekes she giues them a comely and modest blush and with a low and reuerent courtesie the old obeysance to King Ambrosia the which he séeing suddenly stept to her took her in his armes and louingly imbrac'd her with many courteous and royall spéeches Pirismus who had all this while markd her behauiour blest his Fortune and thank'd the gods for his good accesse when he had so done hée thought himselfe to haue most right to her tooke her aside to the further side of the Roome where hee sported his blind folly and catcht at shaddowes yet to his hearts content and both their Fathers increased ioy but alasse to poore Titana's heart breaking though she faigned a smile in her fathers presence yet was she forc'd to wéepe in his absence Meleagar was so fraught with ioy that hee thought euery day a yéere that his Daughter went vnmarried yet past he six dayes more in kéeping Ambrosia company and shewing him the Pastimes and pleasures that hee chiefely tooke delight in the meane time he called to him his chiefe Officers and Nobles and demands if all things were ready for the Nuptiall the which they all answered I. When Meleagar heard that he was very ioyfull and presently makes Ambrosia Pirismus and Titana acquainted with his pretence which was this that on the seuenth day following being the sixtéene day of the month he did purpose to accomplish the marriage betwixt Pirismus and Titana the which they all séemed to be very ioyfull glad of saue onely Titana yet shee séemed no lesse than ioyfull in the sight of her Father but in her chamber she passioned whole riuers of teares from her christall eies where wee l leaue her to the fauour of the gods and turne to Theseus Who all this while hath béene very busie and laborious in his carefull affaires and hauing accomplish'd his busines finish'd his purpose and layd the ship ready in the Hauen is very desirous to speake with his loue Titana but his father being present he could find no opportunity fitting to make escape forth which bred hatefull melancholly in so much that he immured vp himself in his chamber to sollicite sadnes Fortune smiling at his folly dandled him once again on her indulgent knée It hapned at that instant a Noble man of Aegeus Court riding through a Forrest that was some eight miles distant from Athens espyed a wilde Boare and knowing the King loued the sport of hunting as well as the one halfe of his kingdome came riding post to the King and made report of his busines the king hearing him caused sudden preparation to be made he hauing a very faire Pallace standing in the midst of the Forrest determined to go thither to bed that night the which preparation being made and all things ready he calls for Theseus but he had heard some inkling of his fathers hunting progresse and how he was vpon going faigned himselfe sicke and tooke phisicke when word was brought to the King that Theseus could not goe he demanded the occasion they answered hée was not well hée tooke phisicke The King hearing that newes and loth to delay time and so lose his sport called his Nobles about him where they mounted their Stéeds and rode towards the Forrest where wee le leaue them to their sport and turne to Titana Who now hath little hope to enioy Theseus loue for the six dayes are al most expired and the seuenth is the Nuptiall day appointed which was the next day following yet being the last day of her hope she went one morning to walk in the Garden to séeke her Theseus bearing a sharpe Engine in her hand determining with her selfe that as she had made her vowes to Theseus none should enioy her loue but Theseus and where she did protest those vowes to Theseus there she meant to sacrifice her blond to the Gods for Theseus sake where wée le leaue her Theseus hearing his father was gone puts on a disguised suite of apparell and secretly conueyes himselfe forth at the Court gates by Junia's meanes determining neuer to come in againe sends Junia to the Hauen where the ship lay and caused him to attend his comming there which done his walkes towards the Court of Meleagar which was at that time neare adioyning to the City of Atheus hee being arriued at the Court suddenly makes meanes to enter the garden which being entred hee walkt to the farther side where hee was wont to méete his Loue Titana he was no sooner approacht but he spied her where she sate leaning her head on her hand as though she had béene asléepe he no lesse then glad to see
hauen where the ship lay which was about a mile distant from that place he no sooner came there but the Mariners were ready with their Cock-boate to receiue them aboard where being coucht together in a Cabin they past away the time in recounting their old loues till their man Junia came he had no sooner boarded the ship but the Mariners hoysting their mainsailes weighed anchors and halled into the déepe where wee le leaue them to the fauour of the winde and the Seas and returne to Meleagar and the Bridegroome Pirismus The morne being come and Phoebus saluted the day with his glorious Beames Pirismus starts him from the imbracements of his bed to rouse Titana from her nightly couth hee being entred her chamber and saw shee was stirring before him and forsaken her chamber he thus began What hungry fiend or croaking night worme durst be so bold as to disturbe my Titana from her rest till I Pirismus gaue her the Bon Jour What louing Beast or bleating Lamb-kin durst attempt my Loue. Titanaes vnrest before that I bestowed the. Mornings salutation on her What Scythian shepheard durst be so bold with his hoopes and cries to fright my Titana from her natiue sléepe before I enterchanged a kisse with her to embrace this Nuptiall morne What Indian Rauens and Grecian Larkes what Canary-Finch or siluer Swans durst with their harmoniall tunes intice my loue from forth her bed before I came But yet me thinkes I féele no hate procéed from forth their chirping blasts therefore surely thou dost misconceiue them for thy loue is gone to recreate her selfe in the garden this fresh morne and is espied by these louing creatures and to adorne her and her Nuptiall they all accord striking the swéet relaces of their consorted tunes to giue the Heauens an Eccho of their ioy and thy Titana the harmonie of so happy a ioy When hee had thus passioned a while he was returning forth of her chamber againe euen as he was parting comes Meleagar calling hastily for his Daughter Titana and méeting Pirismus asked him for Titana who answered she was not in her chamber Meleagar returning againe enquired and sent about the Court Garden to seeke her but no newes could be heard of her in so much that in the end Meleagar beganne to feare some ill was betided her and that she had béene walking late and so was taken by some of Aegeus men and kept prisoner well this conceit tooke such effect that he sends Embassadors to Aegeus Court to demand the question if Titana were taken prisoner by any of his Souldiers who had an answere no returning againe told Meleagar their answer they had no sooner deliuered their message but there comes a post from Aegeus Court to demand if they had not taken Theseus prisoner the which had his answere deliuered him in the same manner no which done he returnes againe Meleagar who thought to haue feasted and made a triumphant Nuptiall now casts oft his sumptuous Robes and put on mourning wéedes and instéed of delicious feasting imbraceth mournefull fasting Pirismus who fed on the beautie of Titana as the Camelion féedes on the aire was franticke at this sudden extasie Ambrosia from his aged eies shed many teares to sée Meleagar so grieued and his Sonne so impatient the guests that were inuited at this sudden change were cast into dumps and dull perplexities in so much that you might haue past through the Court to and fro and hardly haue heard a word spoken but haue séene many a wéeping eye which held for the space of foure dayes the fift day he caused proclamation to be made that whosoeuer could but bring tidings where Titana is or what is become of her he would bestow a liuing on him worth an hundred pound a yéere during his life this being proclaimed at that time there was a Sailer that should haue gone in the ship with them but hee had some hindrance he being forth of the ship when Theseus and Titana boarded it hee stayed something long and Theseus and his loue thought it seuen yéere till they were put from the shore lest fortune should chance to bewray their pretence he would stay no longer but commanded them to put off and lanch into the déepe So that this Sailer was left behind and hearing this great promise of the King determined to goe instantly and informe the King of her departure but you must note this hee did it more for the benefit of the Liuing than to certifie the King hee being arriued at the Court made meanes to come to the spéech of the King hée being in presence did his duty and as farre as hee could he vnfoulded the matter in euery point the King hearing how it was and that she was gone with Theseus beganne to be in an excéeding great rage in so much that the Sayler wisht himselfe forth of his presence though he neuer had his gift yet the King being a noble Prince bestowed his promise on him and sent him away a ioyfull man Meleager though hee heard tidings of his Daughter yet could it no whit perswade him to patience but rather kindled the hot fire of war against Aegeus for a reuenge because hee had but one only daughter and she to be carried away by an enemies sonne Aegeus missing his sonne Theseus and hearing that he was gone with Meleagars daughter Titana hée sware a bloudy reuenge on Meleagar and thus the two fathers fell into bloudy passions in so much that all Achaia Calidon and Greece were vp in armes against each other where wée le leaue them a while and turne to Pirismus Who hearing of the vngratefull departure of Titana presently betakes him to his chamber where he sat◠ruminating on her and her departure with Theseus in so much that hée perswaded himselfe neuer to returne to Portugall againe sith Titana had deceiued him well he being as it were halfe frantick grew carelesse what became of himselfe and in this discontented humour sitting alone in his chamber thus breathed out his passions Titanaes love did lend thee life Titanaes hate will cause thee death Titanaes parting hath sharpt the knife That now must stop thy vitall breath Titana farewell for love I die As here these lines will testifie VVHen he had thus passioned a while hee drawes his fatall Engine and stabs himselfe when Meleagar and Ambrosia were sitting at dinner Pirismus was called for but hee could not be found in the end they lookt in his chamber where they found him most grieuously murdered newes was presently carried to the Kings table who hearing of this pitious tidings caused him to bee brought into the presence and sent for Doctors and Surgeons but all in vaine for hee was quite gone and past recouery they séeing no helpe caused preparation for the funerall which all things being in a readinesse those neighbour Princes which were inuited to the Nuptiall were now intreated to his funerall these solemne obsequies and funerall being ended euery man
potent ouer him he began to yéeld and with sighing sobs called on his aged Father which with age lay bed rid seuen yeeres before and then with griefe departed then called he on his brother and his sisters and lastly on his mother by this time his paine increased so extreame with the fire that hee sell therewith againe and at that selfe same instant quite extinguisht were they both and as his body burnt to ashes the glowing coales his spirit from him drew Then drooped stately Calidon both young and old did mourne the Lords and Commons did lament and married wiues their haire like franticks rent from off their heads for griefe of king Meleagars death The folke of Calidon not so sufficed gathers the ashes of his consumed body and entombs them vp and makes a solemne Funerall nay the blackest dismall day that ere was known in Calidon or Achaia and on his Tombe engraues an Epitaph to this effect The Epitaph Here lyes the famous King of Calidon Which for his fame the worlds mirror won That Achaian land can say though he be gone Foule fall the Author and of this mothers doome Who passeth by and chance these lines to read Curse them that caused Meleagar lie here dead HAuing thus done euery man returnes againe to his abiding place Aegeus hearing that Meleagar was dead prouided a great host of men and marcheth towards Calidon and ouer-runs their Camps and puts their Souldiers to the sword so that in a short space he gets the chiefe part of Calidon and still inuades further into the Country and much blood hath béene spilt and a great deale more is like to be but the winter being come they haue left the field and lie now in Garison till the next spring where wee l leaue them and turne to Titana Who now hath spent full some yeeres in Pilgrimage from Country to Country in very poore manner and now it was her fortune to come into Germany and as she was trauelling vp into the Country she chanc'd to come to Fuesen where being late the purpos'd to lye there all that night yet knowing not how to get a lodging for she had no mony sate down and wept bitterly as she thus sate washing her tender chéekes with salt bring teares the high Constable of Fuesen was passing by and saw a young Maide sit lamenting and wringing her hanes in such grieuous manner pittied her and demanded of her what she was and whence shee answered shee was a Gentlemans daughter of Athens he demanded what shee made so farre from home then and how she came there the which she answered that there was a young Gentleman of the same City that was in loue with her and shée with him but their parents would not giue consent whereupon we determined to transport our selues into Spaine where we both haue friends and there to enioy the fruition of our loues as we were passing from Greece to Spaine we met with pirats that rifled and robbed vs of all we had set me on land in France and carried my loue away I know not whither and these all these griefes am I possest withall The high Constable pittied her very much asked her if she could write reade she answered I he demanded if she could sow me sayd I quoth the high Constable wilt thou be content to dwel with me teach my children for a yeare or two or longer as thou shalt thinke good Titana being weary of trauelling and was ashamed to goe beg thought she could not doe better than to serue him till she had gotten money clothes to her backe answered him she was very well consent if it pleased him to accept of her seruice the which be answered very willingly with all his heart so he caused her to follow him home where he instantly strips her out of rags and put her on good apparell which done she settles herselfe very closely to her néedle and teacheth his children that in short time she grew famous for her womanship ciuill modest Gentlewoman like behauiour in so much that she might haue had diuers wealthy and rich marriages onely vpon the good report that was spread abroad of her but still she refused all would accept of none yet all this time she neuer made it knowne that she was a Kings daughter but kept it close neuer meaning to reueale it but still following her busines with carefull diligence where wee le leaue her and turne to Theseus Who being in very poore estate is entertained by the Lands-grave of Heffen and seruing him for the space of three yéeres greatly grew in credit with him in so much that he would doe nothing without the aduice of his man Peregrino for so he fained his name to be the Lands-grave taking such on extraordinary liking vnto him as truly to say the truth he deserued the loue of all neuer had any Iusts Turnies but his Peregrino should be one I and still did put them to the foile whatsoeuer they were that waged against him insomuch that in few yéeres he began to be admired of all not onely for his rare seats at armes but also for his Gentleman like accomplishments ciuill and modest behauiour that in the end the Lands-grave began to misdoubt that he came of some noble descent and by some discontent parted with his Country and went as a Pilgrime to séeke his fortune well it hapned not long after he tooke an occasion to walke after supper in a garden that stand on the backe side of his Pallace with a meaning to demand of his man what Countri man he was and of what Parentage calls for his Peregrino and charged him to tell him the truth of a question he meant to askt him Peregrino maruelling at this sudden charge answered thus My dread Soueraigne as néere as I can I will certifie you with the truth quoth the Grave but this then tell of what Parentage thou coÌ„mest on and what was the occasion of thy comming into this Country for thou toldest me thou wast a Grecian borne quoth Peregrino my Soueraigne Lord truely so I am and my father was a poore Gentleman and the occasion that I came hither was this there was a gentlewoman dwelling in Athens whom I dearely loued and so did she me I being a younger Brother and had but small meanes to maintaine her her friends being rich would not giue consent at all we hauing but little hope to enioy the fruition of our loues in Greece prouided a little Barke to transport our selues into Spaine which being done as we were passing the Ocean there came certaine Pirates that were running on the Sea and tooke vs and robbed vs of all that we had this done they sent my loue away towards the coast of France and clapt me into a Galley where I was forc'd to mannage an Oare till I was releasâ—d by a Venetian Merchant who landed me on the coast of Bohemia and I purposing to spend my life in pilgrimage