lov'd the Person of Alethion that he esteem'd all his Interests his own return'd an answer full of Modesty and Sweetness assuring him that he took more joy in the Restauration of Alethion to his Kingdom then he should have found sorrow in the loss of his own The first thing which they did after they had settled themselves was to take care of their Wounded Friends to whom when Alethion had declar'd his Desires to Consecrate the following day for a publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Victory by which he was restor'd to Theriagene and Theriagene to it self they entreated him to delay his Order for a day or two not doubting but they should be able in that time to accompany him in that most worthy Action and in which they thought themselves highly concern'd to have a share Whereupon Alethion made choice of the third day which was chearfully celebrated by the Princes and those many gallant Persons who accompanied them in the Expedition as also by the Citizens who observ'd it with all imaginable significations of a thankful Joy These Solemnities being appointed the two Kings agreed to send to Theoprepia to let their Friends know the happy Success of their Undertaking and to fetch the Queen the Princess Agape Urania Theonoe and Irene with their Companions the whole Court earnestly desiring to have those noble Persons present at such a joyful time and of which they thought their Fruition incomplete till their Friends enjoy'd a part with them Having past the Evening in Theosebes his Chamber the Company took their leave their weariness compelling them to withdraw to their several Lodgings which were as well appointed as such a season would permit The next day Alethion Theosebes Bentivolio Panaretus Philalethes and many other excellent Persons being met at Misopseudes his Appartment who was forc'd to keep his Bed by reason of the Wound which he had receiv'd Alethion desir'd the Counsel of his Friends concerning the Settlement of his Affairs Theosebes advis'd him to punish Antitheus and the chief Instruments of the Rebellion and then to confirm the Amnesty which he had promis'd and so engage his Subjects Minds to a chearful Obedience for the future by Assurance of Pardon for their past Offences The rest approving this Advice a List of the Prisoners was brought and their names read Many of the Chief Actors in that fatal Tragedy which had caus'd so much trouble were slain Psychopannyx Astromantis Panthnetus and Scepticus being well horsed fled into Theomachia The principal of those who were in Custody were Antitheus Asynotus Pasenantius and Udemellon of the Theriagenians Archicacus Anaedes and Anecestus of Theomachia seven in all who were condemn'd to be hang'd and quarter'd and their Heads to be set upon the chief Gates of Polistherium They order'd also a day for the Funeral Rites due to Anaxagathus which were perform'd with all Princely Ceremonies the King of Theoprepia and all the Persons of Condition that were with him assisting in that Solemn Action Whilst Alethion Eugenius Misopseudes and Philalethes spent their time in such employments as were necessary for the Re-settlement of the Affairs of the Kingdom Bentivolio and Panaretus having understood by the Chirurgeons that the Wounds which Aristander had receiv'd in the late Fight were Mortal resolv'd to give him a Visit and to spend what time they could spare from other occasions in the Conversation of that most Excellent Man When they came to his Lodging they found him accompanied with his intimate Friend Athanasius and his Brother Virbius and attended by his two Sons Callistus and Hilarion Medenarete also was there and a Brother of hers call'd Synthnescon who having heard that Aristander's Wounds had put his Life in extreme danger thought her self oblig'd to give him a Visit and to perform thanks to him for having sav'd her Brother the day before from that death which he must have found under the Feet of the Theoprepian Horse if it had not been for the charitable Assistance which he receiv'd from Aristander and which he must have lost however if he had not been pardon'd by Alethion at his Intercession Bentivolio having made those Salutes which were due to that worthy Person sate down by his Bed-side and having understood by a Gentleman who conducted them into the Room that they were just now entred into a Discourse concerning the Nature of Vertue he desir'd Aristander that his Visit might be no Interruption to their Conversation whereupon Aristander proceeded thus It was a strange feebleness of Mind which made the Valiant Brutus to speak so unworthily when he said O unhappy Vertue How vainly have I ador'd thee as a Divine thing whenas thou art nothing but Words and the Slave of Fortune Yet I cannot wonder that he should stagger so much with an unexpected blow of adverse Fortune being at that time worsted in a Battel at Philippi when I consider that he was not supported with a firm Belief of that Immortal Bliss which awaits good men in the Eternal World nor had made the Resignation of himself to the Divine Will the principal part of that Vertue of which he boasted himself to have been a great Adorer For my own part I must profess that I now discern the truth of Vertue more then at any other time of my Life and am deeply sensible of the incomparable Benefit of Religion finding in it that serene Tranquillity of which if I were now destitute I could not so much as hope for it from any other Principle I look upon that quiet Repose of Mind and Felicity of Temper which I enjoy as the natural Effect of Vertue which I make no question but it doth alwayes produce where it is heartily entertain'd You are happy said Medenarete interrupting him a little and I should esteem it no small Favour if it were not unseasonable to desire it at this time if you would please to let us know what you mean by Vertue give us assurance that there is any such thing and make us understand wherein that happy Repose which you so much magnifie doth consist I thank God said Aristander I do not feel so much pain as to indispose me for Converse and since I alwayes esteem'd it seasonable to serve Vertue I shall willingly tell you what I think in Answer to all those Questions in which you demand satisfaction concerning it By Vertue I mean a true Love of that Goodness the Notions where of are naturally implanted in Humane Souls and a constant Performance of those Actions which correspond with those Directive Instincts For you must know Medenarete that the holy Rules which we find in the Writings of Wise men are nothing but the Connate Notions of Good and Evil which they found in themselves and transcrib'd into their Books written first by the great Creator upon Mens Hearts as the Laws of reasonable Nature and which are little Resemblances of God's Eternal Righteousness which is the Original Copy according to which they were drawn
Company of Horsemen rush out of a Wood which was not very far off It seems Inganna seeing her Husband fall not knowing what was the cause but much fearing that of which she saw so bad an effect which she also judg'd worse then it was commanded a Troop of Horse to fall in which she had lay'd in Ambush in the Woods the night before intending by them basely to recover what her Husband had dishonorably lost Bentivolio suspecting some such thing having heard of Inganna heightning his desires of ending with One by the foresight of Villany and Danger which attended him from Many more though they made a stop after they perceiv'd Forzario and Bentivolio both upon their feet and imploring the Divine aid struck Forzario such a blow upon the head that made him bow it a little on one side his Helmet being rais'd withall Bentivolio with such agility as that opportunity required ran his sword into his Throat through his Neck upon which Forzario falling down made such haste out of the world that he took his leave of it without speaking one word Erotocleus plac'd with a select Troop of Horse behind a Hill not far from the place of the Fight to prevent all base attempts by the prudence of Kalobulus who imagin'd what Inganna would do made sufficiently carefull by his love to Bentivolio and now perceiving plainly what was past and coming made speed to his friend and having assisted Thrasymachus to catch his horse the other Second having refus'd to strike in a Cause which he knew to be as unjust as Forzario was unsuccessefull Bentivolio mounted and before the joyfull Erotocleus could expresse his thanks to Bentivolio Inganna's Horse were come up to them And now the single Fight was converted into a bloody Battell where many began to try on one side if they could regain what a single person had lost and the other side to keep what one had won Erotocleus desir'd Bentivolio to retire and look to his Wounds of which Kalobulus would gladly have taken care but he refus'd their entreaties making no question but this would prove a short businesse and finding his spirits hold out still though much wearied resolved to accompany his friends till the work was done Erotocleus perceiving his resolution troubled him no further and having stood idle all this while desiring to go and warm himself a little spurr'd his Horse to charge that forlorn Company so basely engaged and to show them the dreadfull face of just Revenge whose first effects he bestow'd upon the Captain of that Wicked Band who had been a servant to his Father but revolted to Forzario by the perswasions of Inganna and his own ambitious Hopes carrying death in each look he rode up close to him and with the first blow clest his Head in two equall pieces A just punishment for him who had so dishonorably divided his false Heart between two so contrary Masters Thrasymachus making way with his sword into the midst of the Troop where Inganna was having kill'd those which offer'd to guard her took her prisoner Erotocleus hewing down those which made resistance came into the Confirmation of Thrasymachus his safety who was surrounded with Enemies Bentivolio seeing the rest of the Troop follow their Leader couragiously through the Wounds and death of their adversaries thought it was no great matter if he fought a while to shorten the trouble of his friends though it was needlesse to the procurement of Victory which did voluntarily attend them The Forzarians fell so easily before him that by the effects of his Courage one would think he had but now begun to fight Here one might have taken a full notice what Feeblenesse and Fear a guilty Conscience forceth into the actions of men For though Inganna's numbers were so unequall that they judg'd themselves two to one of the other side yet their hearts so fail'd them that by their fighting one would have thought them not one to ten After the first brunt in which some few were slain they soon discovered what would become of the rest These Forzarians having approv'd their Valour in former undertakings show'd that now their Courage wanted a Cause not their Cause a Courage The thoughts which they reflected upon their unworthy engagement which were more piercing by reason of the presence of Erotocleus whom they unjustly oppos'd disanimated them for they were appall'd as people besieged in a Castle use to be when the enemy is not only got within the walls but a great party riseth up against them amongst themselves so that not knowing who is for them who against them they neglect the use of their Arms through a great uncertainty of killing their Friends or their Enemies Bentivolio took speedy notice of it and as soon as a few were punish'd to make Examples of unhappy Wickednesse he being alwaies mercifull where it was not necessary to be severe desired Erotocleus that they might have Quarter given them which was as soon granted as ask'd Inganna was brought before them by Thrasymachus and she had suffered death already in her Expectations which Bentivolio perceiving No Wicked Woman No saith he you shall live a little longer then you think you shall be reserv'd to satisfie Justice by an Exemplary suffering and in the mean time committed her prisoner to Argus one of Kalobulus his servants commanding him to look well to her and to keep her in some safe place of the Castle It were too tedious to report the affectionate Embraces which Erotocleus bestow'd upon Bentivolio the courteous gratulations of Kalobulus and the passionate love of Thrasymachus but they made their Complements the shorter considering that it was necessary to retire to the Castle and take order for the cure of Bentivolio's Wounds which was accomplish'd in a short time by the excellent skill of Kalobulus his Lady The newes of Forzario's death was soon spread over Argentora and put the Court into a great Wonder only Labargurus was observ'd above all others to be possess'd with a particular Grief which was encreas'd as also the Cause of it discovered by an Accident that happen'd One of the Witnesses which had sworn against Philapantas being tormented with the conscience of his Villany upon the newes of Forzario's death which he knew to be inflicted by Divine Vengeance felt his pains so intolerable that he was weary of his life and immediately hang'd himself The Other hearing of it was not able to conceal the Wickednesse any longer but went to the Duke and confess'd to him that by the Instigation of Labargurus he and his Partner had forsworn themselves by which Perjury Philapantas was condemn'd Labargurus being in presence and confounded with the discovery of his Villany fell down upon his knees and begg'd pardon for his Life You shall not die said the Duke till I shall receive such a discovery of your Wickednesse as that by it I may understand to appoint you such a death as you deserve For it is but
of their places and clashing continually in as great a variety of contrary Motions as there are cross lines upon a Globe if some Potent God did not interpose the Forms of Matter by the dissolution of their Parts would be continually alter'd as Wrinkles are upon the face of water by a ruffling Wind. The Nature of things being thus constituted can we imagine that the Permanency of the World should be resolv'd into no other Principle then the fore-mention'd Hypothesis or that Chance is the glue which hath united its parts so long and lock'd the Sun and Moon in their whirle-pools We may as rationally suppose that Astronomers have made a league with these wandring Atoms that for some certain time they should not desert their stations hired some to watch others or at least have agreed with them that they should appear in set places and postures at appointed seasons and make good their Predictions how else could they foretell the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon many years before-hand By which we may perceive that though such as say the World did exist of it self do conformably to their own Opinion affirm that it is its own preserver and hangs together by the power of its own Nature not of God and subsists without the help of any Extrinsecal Principle yet they have no firm ground for their Assertion but it is very rational to say that he who made Motion and continues it still because it is useful hath given it Laws doth so regulate it whilst it rebounds from one thing to another that the World is no more disturb'd from persevering in that Rest which enables it to resist those Motions which would change its Form then the Sea is permitted to overflow the whole Earth Yes yes If that Omnipresent Goodness which is spread through the Creation did not sustain the whole it would fall in pieces for all things knocking rudely against one another must needs break themselves as blind-men arm'd with bows and arrows and shooting at Rovers would kill one another If the Government of the World were permitted to blind Chance or the turbulent humours of Degenerate men it is not to be imagin'd how it should be tolerably habitable The wheels of Humane affairs would soon be taken off or broken if created Beings were not guided by an 〈◊〉 Power which both directs them in the Road and stops their extravagant Motions as it pleaseth and so preserves the great Chariot of the World from being overturn'd The wisest of men have thought it more rational to suppose that a Ship without a Pilot may live at Sea in a tempest when it is toss'd with waves among Rocks then that Mankind which is often miss-led with dangerous Errours and is usually hurried with violent Passions should not quickly bring the World to a miserable end by mad practices if there were not a God who to preserve the Order which he hath constituted keeps up those Banks which if they were once broken would drown the World with a Deluge of inexpressible Calamity As God is the Founder of Order so prudent men in all Ages have look'd upon Religion which is a just Observance of him as one of the chief Principles by which the Happiness of the World is supported and which being destroy'd would necessarily infer the ruine of all civil Societies They have esteem'd it that sacred Knot which being cut in pieces lets loose Disorder accompanied with Contempt of Law and subversion of Right and follow'd with common Destruction I cannot but wonder that some who pretend to Philosophy have thought that excellent Order which is manifest in the Regular Motions of the Celestial Orbs and the Vicisitudes of Seasons which are admirable by reason of those Advantages which they produce may be resolv'd into the disposal of an undiscerning Principle because the Sea ebbs and flows at set times and because they observe that Agues have Periodical Fits Those that argue after this manner seem to challenge God at his own weapons and we may guesse at their Success by their Folly Is it fit to be quoted as an Argument against him that he hath made that great Body of Navigable Waters and subjected it to the influences of the Moon which at certain seasons doth make constant Tides which are not more useful to Merchants and so to all men by Importing and Exporting Materials of Trade then they are applicable to the Proof of a Deity whose Skill by such an Excellent Work is clearly demonstrated Or if we must think that there is no God because one who is sick of a Quartan Ague is troubled with Periodical Fits why may we not as well say that there is no God because two Armies do sometimes make a Truce and cease fighting No you say that is done by the Appointment of humane Discretion Well but is it not in the power of Divine Prudence to appoint a neighbouring Enomy to infest us at set times If a Disease be a conflict of our Nature with that which infests us it is a Courtesie that we are not put to the trouble of fighting continually for our lives but have time allotted to recruit our spent Forces and are taught in those Intervalls to provide against the next approch of our Enemy Is it an Argument against God that he hath made a creature which cannot fight alwayes without weariness Besides that the Paroxysms are exactly constant in their returns is false for they change in time and operation according to the variety of many Accidents and return oftner and stay longer as the Body in which they lodge is differently indispos'd The Objection which you cited last of all is so extravagant that no Fable is more incredible and we may justly wonder what should bring it into any mans mind You would have said if you had explain'd your self a little further that our Grand-mother Earth cast out of her bowels Bags like Wombs I think you might more properly have said Secundines and these breaking by degrees Children came forth at last who were nourish'd by a kind of Milky Juice till they became great Boys and Girles and so made a shift to live upon herbs and when they could catch them upon their fellow-Animals The consideration of this Poetical phancy assures us how those who disown a God are distress'd for want of ability to give any tolerable account of the Production of living Creatures and withall shews us the Disingenuity of 〈◊〉 who not believing a Truth so naturally plain admit things which are not only very improbable but highly absurd and indeed are well content that any thing should be impos'd upon them though never so unlikely if it do but absolve them from the belief of a Deity How else could it be possible that they should reject the most credible story of the Creation and believe that men grew out of the ground like Mushromes or that Stars did sow the Earth with a Celestial Sperm which afterwards grew up into Men and Women
entrance of this cursed place by a way which leads to a duskish wood he met two women which by their habit seem'd to be Furies of Hell but were indeed attendants of Ate. Their names he learn'd to be Sdegna and Vendetta and they expressing their hearts in words which did not fit them would needs entreat him to accept of such accommodation as that place would afford Bentivolio well knowing what that must needs be if the inside corresponded with what he had seen and the entertainment were to be given by such Ministers made at first such refusall as might be interpreted Modesty and Complement but at length appearing to be plain Denyall after the vain repetition of many entreaties they appear'd like themselves For after some ill language they hasten'd away through the dark shade of the thick Grove designing a Revenge of their slighted offer though it was not so much a neglected Civility as a frustrated Malice Bentivolio being thus delivered from an ugly Invitation made haste to seek a place where better people might more probably be expected being come to a neighbouring Town he had been there but a little while before he found that the subjects were too like the Devilish Tyrant that commanded them After some indignities receiv'd for which he knew no reason but that those which offered them had nothing else to give as he was casting in his mind what to do and after many thoughts resolv'd to abandon that den of Devils he receiv'd a Letter from Astraea who the day before was sent thither to take vengeance of such a Villany as the Divine Justice without a seeming neglect of Government could not suffer to be unpunished and that hasten'd the Execution of his purpose The Letter contain'd these words BENTIVOLIO I am not ignorant who you are and whence you come and peradventure know where you are better then you do having been here longer then your self In this place dwells keen Hatred and unrelenting Spite The Inhabitants as I understand by order of the most wicked Ate have a design to murder you I have sent you herewith a Sword which you will need before you come into your own Country if you forgoe it not you will perceive in time that it was not an unfit expression of a friends good-will As soon as you have read this Letter be gone from this Earth which I also will immediately leave ASTRAEA Bentivolio having return'd such an answer as so great a Civility requir'd deeply griev'd with the cries of the oppress'd and more with the incorrigible misery of those who esteem'd all wrongs lawful which furthered their own interest retir'd to a Port which was not far off intending if he might to imbarke himself from thence for Argentora for he meant to return home that way having receiv'd strange reports concerning that Country of whose Truth he desired to be certified and there he found a ship which was driven in by storms weighing anchor not onely because the wind blew fair to carry them off but because the inhospitable temper of the people made their stay undesired Bentivolio giving them notice of his desire and making it acceptable with offers of money they took him in Before they had sail'd many leagues a new Storm arose and the West wind blew so tempestuously that they could not manage the ship after a while the wind being somewhat appeas'd they had also the comfort to make land and a Port happily presented it self Bentivolio hoping that it might possibly be Argentora urg'd the Pilot by all means to put in which they had no mind to do fearing that it was the place from which not above a year before they had stolen a ship where they were sure to find such welcome as that kind of guests doth deserve Bentivolio not knowing the grounds of their unwillingness offer'd to their Consideration the uncertain event which this Storm might have it had a bad beginning and for ought they knew might make a worse conclusion however it would be a great consolation and security to see it blow over in a Harbour The Mariners neither minding his reasons nor regarding the worth of his person for they knew him not stood off till at last the Boatswaine came running up into the Masters Cabbin and told them that the Ship had sprung a leake which he could not stop and that the water came in so fast that they must either seek preservation ashore or sinke Upon this they chang'd their minds and made what way they could to get into the Harbour where they were no sooner arriv'd but the vessel was almost full of water and by that time the Passengers and Sailors were got ashore it sunk before their eyes Bentivolio understanding by one of their Confessions the justnesse of the Punishment which by reason of the place where they suffered did soon call to mind their Sin gave them his charitable directions to help them to make the best of so bad a matter and discovering the place to be Argentora after he had receiv'd notice of his way went up to a high cliffe that he might from thence please himself with a view of the Country which was hid from his Eye by a row of Hills which ran along the sea-coast and when he had reach'd the top he found a place fit for his purpose It was that season of the Year when the Earth puts on her most gorgeous Apparrell to entertain the Sun which doth then bestow longer visits upon that then the other Horizon and that presented him with the loveliest Prospect that Imagination acquainted with such kind of things can desire It was so far beyond ordinary Perfection that he thought sure he was deceived and that in stead of some true piece of Natures work he beheld a delectable Contrivance of Curious Art or else that Sleep which had abandon'd him for some nights before had unawares surpriz'd him and that he was now in a Dream where his Fancy taking those rare works which he had seen any where in pieces and adding such others to them as she could devise had united them all in one Glasse to represent the bravest show of a fair Country that is possible either to exist or to be fancied Having pleas'd himself a while with these amusements at last he recollected himself and by such ordinary tokens as do assure us that we are awake he perceived that this was no Dream and remembring that Art doth but imitate Nature and is so far from out-doing that it can never equall it he was satisfied as to the reality of the sight but withall from the newness of it so incomparably perfect beyond all that he had seen before he concluded that this was the Originall exemplar of Prospect and therefore comprehended and exhibited all the possibilities of its Excellence at once Looking straite forward he saw a Valley set forth with all the Embellishments that low ground is capable of The rich fields of Corn and green Meadows lay in severall
he shall our custom is to be civil to all I have order to take in as many as my Boate will hold By this time Plutopenes was come being out of breath with unusuall walking for he had not been out of his house for many yeares and had a great bunch of heavy Keyes upon his back having lock'd up all the doores of his house lest his servants should run away with his money and by chance he was fat and sweated extremely In goes he to the Boate but with such an unluckie hast that the weight of his body and the suddenness of the swag overturn'd the Vessel upon the Passengers Plutopenes sunk to the bottom of the River near the bank-side and his man something doubting whether he should endeavour to save him or no yet seeing him come up caught hold of his left Arme and he with his right hand sufficiently taught to catch and hold fast got the Post to which the Boate was fastned and so with much adoe scrambled out Never minding what was become of the rest or so much as once looking back away he trudg'd inwardly glad to think that they would never trouble his gate more yet pretending to his man a great rage against oictirmon and that he would have his life but that he had lost it already for having design'd to drown him Lazarillo and his sorry family were drown'd though oictirmon would fain have sav'd them Alas it was not in his power for as the Boate was overwhelm'd Plutopenes having hold of his hand pull'd him so deep under water that he had much ado to get clear of him so that though he could swim by which meanes he saved himself yet the swiftness of the stream having carried away their bodies who being weak and unskilful could do nothing to help themselves they were quickly so far gone that before oictirmon was able to offer it they were past the recovery of his assistance Swimming over to Bentivolio he wept so heartily all the way that the good Gentleman could not but bear him company having seen the lamentable occasion of those teares which was not in his power to help As they went along towards the House oictirmon told Bentivolio that his misgiving heart presag'd this or some such unhappy event of Plutopenes his approach it having been his constant practice to break all the Designs of Charity which he could hear of He told him of several young men whose lands he had got into unjust possession by the rigorous forfeiture of some petty Mortgage how many Widdows he had defrauded of their small portions of money and whose houses he had devoured and how many poor House-keepers he had brought to plain beggery with an extortionate loane of a little money so that this was not the first time he had sunk the Poor By that time he had made an end of a few stories they were come to the House where the Lady awaited his arrivall with such expectations as she had only for an Extraordinary Guest which were partly occasion'd by those high praises wherewith Hermagathus had extoll'd both the Excellency of Bentivolio's person and the equal sweetness of his manners but chiefly upon a Conceit which she kept secret in her own Breast that he was her Brother and walking up and down the Hall as Bentivolio came in she found her divination true Here I dare not offer to undertake the relation of those excessive joys which were kindled in both their hearts upon this happy Interview those glorious Flourishes wherein the passions of Romantick Lovers are described are but faint shadowes of that substantiall Contentment which these two Vertuous persons really experimented and therefore I lay them by as useless Neither are they sutable to this Pleasure which grew so much greater and exceeded in reality as it was grounded upon nothing but such Goodness and worth as is of a Spirituall and more rais'd Nature and indeed was the same kind of Solace which Holy Soules enjoy in the Eternall World The by-standers equall'd this Joy with Wonder and well knowing the great Prudence and unparallel'd Goodness of the Lady and seeing nothing but a most fair appearance of all Perfections in the Gentleman as the Cause of such extraordinary affections was more inevident they found themselves fix'd in Silence and Admiration Some which were more ingenious thought they had a rare Vision of such Gods as Homer talks of which know one another whensoever they meet though they live in divers Countries But these doubts were suddenly resolv'd when urania for that was the Lady's name having perform'd all civility which belong'd to the first salutations said Come Brother let us withdraw from this place lest by staying here too long to indulge our affections we neglect such duties as ought to be perform'd in regard of your present state which I desire to understand They retir'd into a Summer Parlor and after a short repose sweeten'd with pleasant Conferences in which they gave and received an interchangeable report of such things as had happen'd to them since their parting urania desir'd her Brother to take notice of a Gentleman whom she had sent for with such respect as she might bespeak for one whom she judg'd not unworthy of his Friendship He was call'd Panaretus and though he was her Brother she conceal'd his name desiring to surprize Bentivolio with a new joy for he knew not that Panaretus was there As soon as Panaretus was come into the Room Bentivolio perceiv'd the Pleasure which he thought before swell'd to all possible Extents to grow yet bigger and was forc'd to act over again that delightful Part which he had but even then perform'd Panaretus receiv'd this most acceptable encounter with such a passionate joy as the sight of a Brother who had been long absent and whom he had alwaies endear'd to himself with the greatest affections must needs produce Then they entertain'd each other with glad Salutes and reflected mutually the same Love in various Expressions When they had spent some time in this sort of Intercourse all Three pleasing themselves to consider in what equal proportions an Extraordinary Happiness was bestowed among them all Oictirmon fearing that the extremity of such unexpected Joyes had quite put out of Bentivolio's mind the remembrance of the late accidents with which he thought others ought to be affected measuring their duty by those strong sentiments of Pity which he found in his own Breast had a great desire to impart the troubles of his mind to urania that so though the Wrongs could not be reliev'd yet his Grief might be something allayed by her Sympathy whilst she receiv'd a sad account of the miscarriage of her charitable intendments Bentivolio who was before unwilling to mixe such sad notes with the pleasantness of the foregoing Harmony having been an Eye-witness was forc'd now to bear his part by attesting Oictirmon's too true Relation After they had made such Morall improvements as a Calamity in it self incapable of reparation
would allow the night being come they resolv'd to put off the determination of what was to be done in the case till Morning and after the repast of a moderate Supper each of them betook themselves though with an unwilling willingness to their necessary repose In the morning urania rising not long after the Sun went out of her Chamber and understanding that Bentivolio was walking in the Garden having gone down a little before she sent a servant to desire him to come to her After the passing of mutuall gratulations and good wishes she acquainted him with her Purpose which she would not put in Execution without his advise which was to see Plutopenes not so much to repay the Visit which he pretended to have made to her the day before or to condole his Misfortune which she deem'd too 〈◊〉 a Punishment for the mischievous rashness by which he fell into it but to take this opportunity of administring some Counsel which she had to give him doubting whether she might ever meet with the like again Bentivolio approv'd her Design and having accompanied her over the River she desired him to trouble himself no further for that she and Panaretus would soon accomplish that small business which she had to do and return to him ere many houres were expir'd As soon as they were gone out of sight Bentivolio employ'd himself in Enquiry after the dead bodies of Lazarillo and the rest which were drown'd He had not gone far before he understood that they were stop'd at a Bridge being catch'd in nets not laid for such purposes and having given order for their decent buriall he return'd towards the Ferrie intending to divert himself upon the banks of that fair River till urania's return The thoughts of the niggardly Plutopenes being fresh in his mind he imploy'd the remainder of his time to draw the ugly Picture of Covetousnesse in a Copy of Verses which I am willing to insert here because in them he hath shown how Poverty comes into the World not withstanding Gods bountifull provisions and prov'd that the Benignity of his Intentions is made ineffectuall to our Happinesse onely by the Uncharitablenesse of Men. They began thus It is but just We 〈◊〉 since that I cease From quarrells 'T was a Blessing to encrease Though now a Curse The teeming Earth doth breed More then the Fruits which it brings forth will feed It seems of late God hath resum'd the Curse And for our Sins grown greater made it worse Then we had Bread though it was bought with Sweat We sweat still but it doth not earne our Meat Men live too long perhaps or some too soon Come before those which should make roome are gone If Death were not grown Idle we should thrive We are too many all at once alive No that 's not it They had Enough of Old Yet liv'd till our short Age they ten times told He which made All things knew what they would want And did not give Allowances so scant That men could think their Maker was but Poor Or which is worse through Envy hid his Store No no Rich Bounty thy kind hands did make Thy Gifts Great like the Giver for our sake The Measures are large-siz'd which thou dost fill And though they are press'd down run over still But we are greedy and through Avarice carve Such Portions to our selves that others starve Whilst we are glutted nay though they complain Whom we have rob'd we count their losse just gain And jostling others cry All scrambling's fair Some All some Nothing is an Equall share Thus our Sins further others Faults and Woe Whilst God is Curs'd by us and for us too And with our Wants we falsly charge the Earth Engrossers Barns are full in Yeares of Dearth Thus wicked Murmurs which seem just by such Are caus'd who seek more though they have too much But part with Nothing You with far more ease Might rob the Gardens of th' Hesperides I' th Dragons stead had we look'd to the Fleece The Argon auts had sail'd in vain from Greece We make an Iron Chest the fatall Urne Whence Gold once buried never doth return The Love of Having is that Wide-mouth'd Pit Which hath no ground God's Plenty's lost in it Or like those Monsters which fat Kine destroy'd Is Hungry and Leane still fill'd but not cloy'd For when our true Necessities are suppli'de Rather then wee 'l the Overplus divide We frame phantastick needs and so desraud Those Stomachs which for want of Meat are gnaw'd And think we do a good Excuse devise We have our Bellies fill'd but not our Eyes Then Luxury makes Artificial Feasts As if we meant to pose not feed our Guests Having contriv'd such curious sorts of Meat They know not what they do which they should Eat Then Gold which answers all the Poore's behoofes Shines to small purpose in the glistring Roofes Of Stately Dining-Roomes or on the Dore Where they ask Almes it is bestow'd before Our Native Wool which made that Home-spun stuffe Which our Brave Ancestors thought good enough When Hospitality was clad in freeze Doth not become such handsome times as these Though we might know it fits our Climate best It must be shipt to fetch us from the East What fits our Humors We find Silks too full Of Heat when some are Cold for want of Wooll Thus we affront the Grounds of Ancient Praise And scorn the Patterns of more sober dayes Hydropick Beast will nothing quench thy Thirst Here try a Recipe Drink Tagus first And then Pactolus if these will not doe Then take the Ocean and drink that up too But all the Virtue of Unfathom'd Seas Cannot relieve the Thirst of this Disease Urania being come to the Gate Panaretus knock'd The Porter looking forth of his little Window they demanded entrance as having some business of importance to communicate to Plutopenes and withall gave him some money which was currant at the same value with the servants that it was with the Master and was a generall key which open'd any lock of the house When they came almost to the Hall door Plutopenes alarm'd with the opening of his Gates came forth like one frighted with Thunder but seeing only a Woman and one man and having some servants in the house he made a shift so far to subdue his feares as to bid them come into his Hall where Urania began thus to accost him Sir said she I come not to beg any thing of you he was very glad of that but to repay you a Visit he had been as well pleas'd if she had said nothing and to inform you of what may make to your singular benefit I shall acquaint you with some particulars in which you suffer a great Dammage which no body doth reveal to you and give you some advice concerning the Improvement of your Estate At these words which he understood to speak Profit he lift up his 〈◊〉 and partly to show a little forc'd civility partly to
see he should have use of it gave him such a requitall upon his right Arme that he utterly spoyl'd him for that sort of Complement and that he might not be troubled with him when he should have less leisure to attend him he cut off his other Hand too having but a little before seen them both very ill employed So coming in to take part with the wrong'd Gentleman the match was equall though he saw by what was done that the two which oppress'd one had not only a Mind to hurt but also a great Ability to do it ill bestow'd upon them After a short debate Bentivolio decided the Controversie for one of them through a rash haste to do harm not taking sufficient care to prevent it left his body not so well guarded as the greatnesse of his present danger required Bentivolio not slighting such an advantage struck him such a blow under the Ribs that his Guts came forth and disenabled him from fighting any more And refusing to pursue his Victory further when two should fight with one he turn'd toward the wrong'd Gentleman and supposing by the Modesty of his looks that it was no proud fury of a mad Challenge he demanded what strange accident had brought him to such an unequall engagement and who they were that had so unworthily set upon him Good Sir said he be content that I delay to give you an answer so long as till I may secure yonder fellow whom you have justly deprived of his wicked hands from killing himself for though I esteem his life as little as he doth yet I think he may die more seasonably and his death may be us'd to some better purpose then now it can He it seems was running his head forcibly against the ground to have broke his Neck but that failing he was making full butt against a Tree to dash out his Brains The Gentleman having rescued him from himself who came thither to destroy him that saved him began to give an account to Bentivolio of what he ask'd Sir said he it is but just that I should obey whatsoever you command to whom I must ever owe my life This Fellow whose Hands you have cut off is call'd Doulogynes and though he was a Gentleman born I may not falsly call him a Woman's slave for he hath unworthily devoted himself to the unjust pleasure of a cruell Step-mother of mine and I am afraid that 〈◊〉 hither to day by her order to do the last of many disservices which I have received from her by his hands The other whom you have unbowell'd is nam'd Misokalon I never wrong'd him that I know of or gave him any such provocation that requir'd satisfaction by my Ruine only I took notice of a great change in his carriage towards me after I had reprov'd him for his Intemperate life and refus'd to assist him once in a most unrighteous design of betraying an Innocent person This other Gentleman I do not know so well as to be able to tell you who he is having seen him very seldom if more then once in all my life and I cannot but wonder how he came ingaged in this unexpected quarrell with me who never wrong'd him in the least instance Sir said the Gentleman I would you had for ever been ignorant of me for then I should not have been found in this unworthy Action But if you will so far forgive me as to hear the Cause you will more easily pardon the Effect My name is Abulus I have for some time made love to a young Gentlewoman which dwells in a house where you have sometimes visited her Brother One of the servants this Misokalon here pretended a great love to me and would needs take me aside one day to impart something to me which did nearly concern me which was that you were my Rivall but managed your Affections so unhandsomly that when you visited her under pretence of seeing her Brother you had given a Character of my self which fitted none but the Basest of persons laying several things to my charge which I did never so much as think of before He told me if I desired the usuall satisfaction I might have opportunity to ask it in this place for that he knew you had appointed to be here to day upon some other occasions This brought me hither alone but what Misokalon came for or how that man knew of my inrentions I understand not Only after I had engaged they came in barbarously upon some design of their own though I earnestly desired them to desist as you know Doulogynes seeing the truth so far reveal'd and not caring what effects the full discovery might work upon one that was weary of his life confess'd that he and Misokalon had plotted the businesse but that it was wholly to gratifie the Gentlemans Mother-in-Law who had applyed Misokalon's hatred against him to serve her own Revengeful heart upon promise of Rewards they had engag'd Abulus to do that which they durst not undertake of themselves by making him an enemy upon his own score with feign'd Stories Bentivolio being well assured that this Mystery had many considerable pieces not yet related desir'd the wrong'd Gentleman to perfect the report that he might more fully understand the Particulars of that Cause of which he knew so much in the Generall that he was sure he had taken his part justly The Gentleman answer'd I am an unfortunate instance of the unhappinesse of Second Marriages As the World hath so far understood the mischief of Polygamy which ruineth Families with a promiscuous brood of severall Wives and keeps them in the everlasting fire of Emulations and Hatred that it hath wisely turn'd it out of most Nations by severe punishments and usually death enjoyn'd by wholesome Lawes so I should think they did prudently if they took a little more care to prevent the hurt of Second Marriages where the deceased Parent hath left a considerable number of Children For in that case it is accompanied with most of the forementioned mischiefs jealous Feares Suspicions encreas'd by suspicions mutuall Hatreds and cruell undermining of the Interests of the former Brood By which means a Step dame is become a name of Reproach and dishonorable Application being seldom destitute of an ill Nature except in an inconsiderable number who are endued with rare Vertue I did never wonder that the King of Glory requir'd the honorable Ministers of his Kingdom to be such as could govern their own Families well for it was fit they should give a proof of their abilities for his service by the exemplary order of their own Houses but I understood not why he would have them the Husbands of one Wife but when I considered the difficulty of Exemplarinesse in any thing but Disorder in Families which confounded two distinct generations of Children whose interests are much separated by the Second Wife I admired the excellent coherence of his most prudent Rules Pardon Good Sir If I speak more feelingly
case of a foolish Young man Eupathus having ended his Story and perceiving his Auditors rather desirous of more than weary of one continued his discourse I need not quoth he have gone further then the experience of this day to have given you full satisfaction of the miserable state of Piacenza for as I was meditating in my accustom'd Walk I saw a young Gentlewoman for the most part of her body naked driven through the Meadowes which are on this side of Hedonia's House by two devilish Women's one was call'd Metamelusa her Eyes were swell'd with weeping her Looks sad and ever cast down her Carriage averse to all Complacency the other was nam'd Dyselpis and she look'd more gastly tore her hair and cryed out like one that is surpriz'd with a sudden fright they both lay'd unmerciful blowes so thick upon the young Gentlewoman that my heart is affected with the sight to this hour Having left her not far from the Hill for dead as they thought they return'd towards Hedonia's Palace where they give constant attendance She came to her self in a little space of time but had such small content in her life that with a Knife which they had left behind she resolv'd to kill her self and to cut off those few minutes which were yet unravell'd But she accomplish'd not her purpose so hastily as to hinder me from knowing some part of her Condition which she discover'd in this manner Sir said she I guesse by your looks that you are not made to despise Adversity and though the relation of my Misfortunes will administer no Comfort to you and reflect much Dishonor upon my self yet if you can suffer the exercise of your Patience it may be the recounting of my Ill may further others Good as the Masts of Ships appearing upon the Quick-sands where they were sunk do many times save others from being cast away I am the unhappy Child of Astorges and Morophilia and though I desire not to reproach my Parents being so conscious to my self of the connexion which my Misery hath with my own voluntary Wickednesse yet I may say too truly that those who were the causes of my Being were also in a great part accessory to my Ruine for if they had to my Nativity which they further'd not knowing whom they should help to bring into the World added also of choice knowing upon whom they bestowed it a voluntary care of my Education and made such expressions of parental love as they might easily see my Condition needed for it was the same with all Children they might have through Gods blessing which is never wanting to such as do their duties have prevented my Misery which is so great that I esteem it perfect Damnation But they not only neglected to give me Rules of good Manners but also administre'd such Examples as were a Contradiction to them not so much in their own practise lest I should seem to accuse my Parents but what was wanting in them was too abundantly supplied by such Company as were frequent Guests at our house and they being Persons of Quality and esteem'd as the principal Friends of our Family their Conversation was ey'd by us as a Rule and I being but young and of small Experience in the World though I saw many things which grated unpleasantly upon something which I felt in my Soul yet durst I not presume to be a Censurer of others Actions thinking the dislike in me might proceed not from innate principles of Vertue which God hath bestowed upon us that we might be inabled to examine what we meet withall but rather from Ignorance and Childishnesse And as we are most apt to be hurt by the bad we see though the Uglinesse of Sin is manifest enough in most actions that it produces and so is a sufficient invitation to loathing and hatred yet being palliated from Examination by the alleviations of several foolish Conveniences I among other fools became partaker of ill Dispositions which in length of time became Habituall for whilst they licenc'd Intemperance in their Diet Discourses and Carriage and brought us books so destructive of Vertue that they prophan'd the Invention of Letters and continually entertain'd the company with filthy Tales loose Songs obscene Jests and impure Proverbs I began to suffer dammage in my Modesty which I had heard but forgot it that it is the faithful Guardian of pure Chastity which is the necessary support of a Womans Honour Amongst others I was invited by some young Gentlemen to see Hedonia's Court where they talk'd of a Beauty so far beyond all that former times durst ever boast of that Venus would be content to be drawn by her picture they affirm'd her Wit to be no whit inferior and that her Courtesie equall'd them both they prais'd her Musick for such that one could not endure to hear any other after it they talk'd of her House Gardens and Entertainments as patterns for all the World to imitate Their discourses made me willing to see such things as by them were not to be expected any where else Having been there sometimes I was at last so bewitch'd with their cunning inchantments especially by means of a Lady that excell'd in Complement call'd 〈◊〉 that I had no mind to return home any more utterly disrelishing those small portions of Sobernesse that were not banish'd out of my Fathers house And then my Parents vex'd with my disobedience to their orders for they sent divers times to me to return began too late to resent the effects of their Negligence in my Ruine and their Dishonour My Mother especially took to heart my miscarriage which she could not but lay to her own charge both because she had us'd me to an unwise indulgence and had been a means of my corruption by vicious Servants who notwithstanding she knew them to be void of excellent qualities and so unfit to teach us the good which they knew not themselves yet they gave her sufficient content if they dress'd us handsomely But to be short for my time is not long the Company being this morning in the midst of a lascivious Dance one brought in word that Hedonia had through wearinesse of her wicked life cast her self into the River where she spent a great part of her 〈◊〉 time and was taken up dead Which unexpected Newes gave me such a smart Reproof for my own Follies that it took away all sense of Joy in those things which I thought before to be the only Heaven Destitute of Comfort and Hope I endeavour'd to run away from my self As soon as I had set my foot without the Threshold of the House those cruell Women hurried me over the River in a Boat and then persecuted me in that unmerciful manner which I suppose you saw from the Hill I being not able to endure the lashes which I receiv'd from them which were answer'd also with worse from within my own Conscience have resolv'd to do that by which I shall procure a
no small joy hoping to find Bentivolio at his house This they quickly saw to be a mistake for Philoxenus perceiving the error of their Expectations told them plainly that he was not there Where is he then quoth Urania with a quick reply I am loath to tell you saith Philoxenus because he is where you little think and where he doth lesse deserve to be He is in Prison under the Custody of a cruell fellow call'd Achrestus and because I know you long to understand how he came there I will briefly acquaint you Your friend being present at a Religious Conference it happen'd that some with a great deal of blind Zeal did speak very unworthily of God upon which he pray'd them to consider better of God before they spoke of him after that manner for that in his apprehension the things spoken were very much to God's dishonour Hereupon ill words were return'd and one call'd him Heretick and in fine the Disputation ended as most use to do to little purpose But the next day an Accusation was preferr'd against your friend before the Magistrates who carried a very great respect to the Accusers because they were persons that made great show of Gravity and much Zeal for Truth They accus'd him at random and lay'd so many horrid things to his charge that an Order was granted to commit him to Prison I understand that Articles are fram'd against him by one Orgilus and that he and another call'd Dyscolus will witnesse them though Dyscolus never saw Bentivolio in all his life The Articles are the strangest things to quote against a man by way of accusation that ever you heard viz. That Bentivolio should say That the Vanasemblians made Religion a masque That their Lawes were fine Cobwebs That he had been in many Countries where he heard not so much talk of Goodnesse but was never in any where he saw lesse perform'd That the people were holy Atheists That they set the Profession of Vertue and the Practise thereof in opposition to each other That little things were in high esteem with them and greater matters slighted and such like But the anger conceived against him was blown up by the Malice of one of the Judges who had a great spleene at Bentivolio because he had written a letter to reprove him for taking away by a most wicked fraud a poor mans estate whom two or three Sycophants had made obnoxious to a slight Law Philoxenus knew well enough that this was but ill news to his Guests and therefore to correct the unacceptablenesse of his Story he told them that he made no doubt but that he could put them in a way to accomplish his speedy deliverance which is quoth he to make application to one of the chief Judges whose name I have forgotten who is a most just Magistrate a lover of Right not smutted with Covetousnesse nor byass'd with Partiality and that knowes well enough that Goodnesse doth not consist in such Niceties as most understand not and few agree in Urania greatly pleas'd with this Relation desired Philoxenus to bring her and Panaretus to the Judges House which he willingly perform'd and having sent in a signification of their desires by one Eumenes a servant that alwaies gave much respect to Philoxenus and was willing to assist any that came to his Master upon worthy errands the Judge sent them word that they should attend him in a fair room which by reason of the liberty of accesse and freedom of speech which he allowed there to all wrong'd persons was call'd Parresia where he accordingly met them without such delaies as proud persons design to State but prove the reproachfull significations of their vain minds He being much taken with the gracefull presence and Vertuous Carriage of Urania and Panaretus which were not only correspondent to all perfect Rules but seem'd to be expressive of something which is beyond the attainment of the most rais'd Hypocrisie he civilly demanded the cause of their Addresse which when they had declared he gave order immediately to send for Bentivolio assuring them that they should have all fair reparation if it should appear that he was wrongfully imprison'd Before he was come his accusers who had timely notice of his being sent for appear'd and made many general accusations against Bentivolio Urania taking the opportunity of their silence to which at last they were forc'd having said all they could not weighing the unjust reproaches of one whom she knew to be innocent prayed the Judge to examine the Witnesses apart concerning the Articles which by the first reading appear'd to be fram'd with much indiscretion or else upon great malice Her request was granted and Orgilus being brought forth said he received the Articles in a Letter from a friend of his whom he desired to be namelesse and that he had preferr'd them he confess'd not without a grudge against the person of Bentivolio because he did not assent to him one day whilst he was asserting with no small vehemence That Moderation of Temper towards men of different Opinions was worse then Atheisme and because he had heard him say That it was one of the greatest calamities that ever befell Christian Religion that Christs Disciples so called by themselves were so unlike their Master and that he thought the most Ignorant were alwaies the most fierce which he took as a particular affront to himself and this was the Summe of his Testimony Dyscolus being call'd forth affirm'd That Orgilus wrote the Articles and that he himself did not hear the words spoken but that he sign'd the Charge because he had heard such words and worse related concerning him in several places and particularly that he affirm'd he was able to bear with Honest men though they differ'd from his Apprehension of things and thought that others ought to do so with a mutuall regard to each other especially since he knew no Church which was Infallible and therefore ought not to force men of peaceable spirits and Innocent lives to an acknowledgment of Divine Authority in their private determinations when the Matters are dubious and of smaller Importance and the rather because they refuse to submit to the Impositions of others and have declar'd the Usurpation of one that hath dignified himself with the Title of Infallible Interpreter as a mark of Antichrist He added some other words of dislike of Bentivolio's Person because his Temper was so contrary to his own protesting that he did not love lukewarm Concord that he knew scarce any thing indifferent and that there was no distemper in heat and that the Torrid Zone is the middle Region where Vertue inhabits Peace Peace said the Judge your brain is too hot If this be all the businesse you are a couple of Unworthy persons and you shall have the reward of your Malice He told Bentivolio that he was sorry that any person of Wisdom and Vertue but much more that Bentivolio should suffer imprisonment in that City upon such
Musick hath with Divine Service When we give thanks we should do it with Joy and that is exceedingly promoted by fit Songs both by reason of the sweetnesse of Poesie and the melody of good Notes for which respects I suppose Musick was us'd of old in the famous Temple of Skiamelluses and we find Psalms and Hymns continued in the Institutions and practise of Anaxanacton though he made a great change in the Worship of those dayes By which we understand that artificial assistances of Devotion are not so carnal as to merit rejection and that regard to order of words and sounds which makes Verses ryme and agreement of select Notes which makes the Tune do not necessarily withdraw the Mind from attending upon God who is in that way prais'd But left the people should receive harm in this point because our Songs are accorded to an Instrument I have often told them That in Divine service there is no Harmony without the Heart do accompany every part of the performance and if that Instrument be not us'd or out of tune they sing to themselves not to God I do also exhort them frequently to mind the sense of every Song more then the sound of the Words and not lose their spiritual Joyes in the allurements of audible pleasure which is abus'd when it doth not serve to lift up the Soul more affectionately to God Our Ditties are both so holy that any good man will be content to bear a part in them when they are sung and so plain that they consort with mean understandings and are for the most part set to such familiar Notes that Vulgar auditors easily learn the Aire The Composer is still charg'd to avoid many fractions and when any new Tune is appointed they are willing to observe it carefully till they have got it in their memories If they have not the words which are sung by heart they have Copies of them given to them which they will make their own for they do not grudge time or paines to further their service of God Thus they accommodate their Voices without any disturbance to their Minds and the intention of their affections is both more engaged and furthered As for the other part of your discourse I am wholly of your opinion that the Unworthiness of Wicked Artists doth not only make the Musick unacceptable to God because they live out of tune to their holy Songs but also justly offensive to good men who think it so odious a jar to sing one part and practise another that they can scarce endure to hear it But I have alwaies had a great care lest our Musick should be spoil'd with such untunable Instruments and I am sure that Amiantus who is Master of the Quire will admit none but such whose Conversation doth very well accord with their Profession I give you thanks Theosebes quoth Panaretus not only for resolving my question but because you have vindicated so good a thing from great abuse and made it fit for the praise of the best God Then Theosebes broke off their Conferences by desiring them to retire to a Grotte which he had upon a clear River which ran through his Garden where they might both avoid the heat of the weather and enjoy the pleasure of further Intercourse When they were come thither some of his chief Musicians plac'd in a Room which he had built for such purposes began to perform such select Musick as he had appointed for their entertainment Amongst many other excellent Songs one was compos'd in defence of Church-Musick There Harmony reveal'd the utmost power of its sweetnesse not so much to please as to produce those Effects which would witnesse its Usefulnesse in such applications Some speak against it which never heard it and so are ignorant of its Nature for it only can expresse its profitable delight which when it doth the action hath some resemblance of that of a handsome Limner when he drawes his own Picture I have a Manuscript written by Amerimnus and as I turn'd it over one day I chanc'd happily to find the forementioned Ditty the Notes were there too but they were prick'd in a Character which hath been out of use in these latter yeares The words were these I. We sing to Him whose Wisdom form'd the Eare Our Songs let Him who gave us Voices hear We joy in God who is the Spring of Mirth Whose Love 's the Harmony of Heaven and Earth Our humble Sonnetts shall that Praise reherse Which is the Musick of the Universe CHORUS And whilst we sing we consecrate our Art And offer up with every Tongue a Heart II. Thus whilst our Thoughts grow Audible in Words And th' Body with the ravish'd Soul accords We hallow Pleasure and redeem the Voice From vulgar Uses to serve noble Joyes Whilst hollow wood and well-tun'd Strings do give Praises the Dumb and Dead both speak and live CHORUS Thus whilst we sing we consecrate our Art And offer up with every Tongue a Heart III. Through chearful Aire with quicker wings we fly And make our Labour sweet with Melody Thus we do imitate the Heavenly Quires And with High Notes lift up more Rais'd Desires And that Above we may be sure to know Our Parts we practice often here Below CHORUS And whilst we sing we consecrate our Art And offer up with every Tongue a Heart When they had ended this Song Theosebes commanded them at Urania's request to sing the Hymn which they heard in the Temple in the morning and when they had done Urania talked softly to Phronesia who sate next to her and asked her who made the words of that Hymn I know not quoth Phronesia but as you may guesse by the sense of the words they seem to be sung in Heaven by good Angels and Men when they design to expresse the worthy Praises of the Creator and Redeemer And to acquaint you with what I have heard my Sons good Genius knowing that he us'd to sing such Ditties threw the Copie one day into the window of his Study and they are so taken with the design of the Song that they sing it frequently I desire quoth Urania to have a Copie of it You shall command it quoth Phronesia and withall took out one which by chance she had in her Pocket And that my Readers may know what kind of Hymns they sing in Theoprepia I will set it down I cannot say that it is a perfect Copy but I received it from one of Urania's friends who with her good leave transcrib'd it and sent it to me It was as followeth Angells We praise thee God Thy works do make us know Both who 's the Author and what Praise we owe. When Thou didst leave the Regions of that Light Which is so great it blinds Created sight Thou wrapp'dst Thy self in darker light that we Might the Creator through thick Crystal see Thy Power and Wisdome equally above Our reach are thus brought down by higher Love Heaven is thy Throne
thy Footstool Earth the Sea Some drops from thy great Spring The chearful Day Glances from thy bright Eyes the Starry Night Takes from the Spangles of thy Vest its Light All Orders of Created Being say With different tongues thy praises as they may Whatever is or growes or useth Sense Reason embodied pure Intelligence Whatever swimms or creeps or goes or flies Doth when we blesse Thee eccho to the skies us be Thy Works will praise Thee whilst Thou makst At once we find our selves Great God and Thee Men And we poor Men through whose great fault the World Vnhing'd by sin was into Ruines hurl'd Curst because sinners have more cause then you Blest Angels as we can this work to do The Son of God made Man for us forlorn That we might live disdain'd not to be born And when our Staines requir'd a Holy flood He saw our need and wash'd us in His Blood Heaven is new open'd He hath made a Dore For all that do repent and sin no more He by his Love ended the dismall strife Hell's hope is frustrate Death 's the way to Life Which growes Immortall from the hallow'd Grave How can we chuse but sing when God will save For since He designs the ruin'd World to raise It is but just it should fall down in Praise Angells All Heavenly Powers do in Thy Praises meet Archangels throw their Crowns before Thy feet Men Old Patriarchs and Prophets bow before Thee Apostles and the Holy Church adore Thee Angells We offer praise because we kept our Place Men Because we are Restor'd we thank thy Grace Angells 'T is One great Sun whose Glory shines so bright In Heaven Men. And fills this lower world with Both By Thy blest Influence O Holy Dove Light Men Men are inspir'd Ang. And Angels taught to love CHORUS We blesse Thee God the Father of us all And celebrate the Worlds Originall The Heavens and Earth made and restor'd by Thee Joyne Praises in a gratefull Harmony Accept our thankfull Hymne though such poor laies Fall infinitely short of worthy Praise And since Great sourse of Being we can never Praise Thee enough we 'l sing and praise Thee ever After the Song was ended they spent the rest of the Afternoon in the spacious walks of a fair Garden and by various discourse made Theosebes bring forth those rich Treasuries of Divine Knowledg which he had laid into his Soul by frequent Meditations in the same place When the Evening began to spread her duskish wings they hasten'd to Phronesia's house and took Theosebes along with them When Supper was ended Nicomachus desired leave that he might propound two or three Questions to Theosebes which being chearfully granted he begun thus I have been told quoth he in Vanasembla that if one do but desire and entertain a purpose to go into your Country that he shall be carried thither immediately without any more adoe No quoth Theosebes all Forreigners must take the paines to travaile or else their Wishes and Resolutions will never bring them hither If I be not misinform'd your Experience will witness what I have said to be true you found not the passage free from all difficulty But the Borderers especially one call'd Hemicalus who though he dwells near unto us would never come among us hath rais'd many ridiculous and false tales concerning Theoprepia Others quoth Nicomachus say that you live a very Melancholick life in Eusebia They were never there which told you that quoth Theosebes you have seen the contrary They are unreasonable people who condemn such as they do not know We do not live discontentedly for then we should be miserable neither do we abandon Joy for so we should become Stones if we would live without the sense of humane things we should be forc'd to pull our Hearts out of our Bodies But we know that there is a sort of Masculine Pleasure which doth recreate and ennoble the Soul and we dare not sink our selves in the Voluptuousnesse of Sense lest we should stick fast in Mire as we have understood that they all do who will know no reasons or Delight but such as are derived from brutish Rellishes and dull correspondencies with the Worse part You take great paines for Knowledg quoth Nicomachus Is Wisdom so difficult or must you needs know every thing why do you do it Because we believe quoth Theosebes that God will not accept of Ignorance for a good Plea But they say quoth Nicomachus that your labour is never at an end There is good reason for that quoth Theosebes for our state consists in habitual Goodnesse and that is not to be attain'd without many Acts and besides this we seek a noble prize of our diligence Eternal Blessednesse Is that then quoth Nicomachus the great End of all your Industry Yes quoth Theosebes But methinks we need not doubt said Nicomachus but God will give us that although we should not strive so much for it because he knows that we are weak No said Theosebes we have no hope to make Imbecillity the refuge of Idlenesse since we find God is ready to help us to do all things that he requires of us But what need you be so careful every day said Nicomachus Because quoth Theosebes we shall be judg'd for every day But what need you do this more then others said Nicomachus Many do not trouble themselves so much Because we see said Theosebes that many are stupid and mind not their concernments and we have no such esteem of those whom we pity for their Errours as to make them exemplary to our selves Why quoth Nicomachus do you often vilifie the Interests of this world as they say you do Because quoth Theosebes we see them desert those who have courted them with most servile affections Since you have attain'd a great Perfection quoth Nicomachus why do you trouble your self any further Some think you are more burdensome to your self then you need to be To this Theosebes replied They which do but imperfectly understand their own condition cannot so well pronounce concerning others but I am assured that if I should slack my endeavours to grow better I should wax worse and so fall into a doubtful hope of Happiness and after that into a certain fear of Misery Those which resolve to sit down upon the Hill side will never reach the Top and if they fall asleep there peradventure they may tumble down again I despair of obtaining my End which I have told you but by Perseverance and I have no hope of that but by vigilant Care and constant Progressions There Nicomachus broke off his discourse praying pardon of the Company that he had continued it so long and by his speech occasion'd their silence and since it begun to be late Phronesia acquainted the Company that if they pleas'd she would waite upon them the next morning to the healthful Plaines of Sophrosyne and desired Theosebes to make them one more with his company The Noble Travailers
at some Door do wedge up the passage They count it a great Ability to cheat one another and this Art is practis'd among them so generally that some have resembled Plutocopia to a field in the time of a great Plague where you can see nothing but Crows and Carkases They have so corrupted the Offices of Friendship that the Stagyrite would be forc'd to burn out two or three of Diogenes his Candles before he should find any there which would fit his Definition They love their Friends as they do their Lands and despise all Friendship but that which they can put to use They are so far from practising any generous notions of Love that they account them ridiculous persons which speak of ' em Yet they are so vex'd with the effects of Unworthiness and Falshood when they feel them that in a great discontent they will wish there were some infallible Mark set upon Hypocrites or that a Window were made into mens Bosoms not minding what sport they themselves would make if their wishes were accomplish'd If it were not too tedious to relate the Story I would acquaint you with a Trick which was lately put upon them by one Alopex He and two of his Companions arriving in an Inne stay'd there two or three dayes where they made an agreement that they should salute Alopex as their Lord in all companies and having put him into Mourning Apparel pretend that the cause of his coming to Plutocopia was the Death of a most hopeful Son his only Child whom he had lately buried in Polistherion which was the chief City of Theriagene which was far distant being parted by a great Sea from Plutocopia and that therefore the most disconsolate Gentleman had left his City left the company of his Son's Friends or the sight of his Grave should keep his sorrows alive and that as an addition to his Grief he had suffered shipwreck by which he lost Ten thousand pounds which he brought with him to buy some convenient seat and to discharge the Expences of his abode till he could dispose of his Estate which was very great both in Lands and Goods in his own Country and that he had resolv'd to spend the rest of his Life in Plutocopia where his Losse did not so much trouble him as that being destitute of his Attendants he should not be acknowledged according to his Dignity He Cough'd frequently as being in a Consumption and drank often of a little Glasse which he call'd for with such a low voice as if he were ready to faint for want of Spirits he talk'd alwayes of his Lands Houses and Money made his Will every day in which he employ'd the most noted Scrivener in the City upon whom he bestow'd great Legacies His name was Klerotheron a man famous for great skill in his Profession He us'd to lend money to young Heirs and having got a Mortgage for the Principal did not long after purchase the Fee with the Interest It was his manner when he was entertain'd in a Suit to promise his Client lustily but being compell'd sometimes to take a Bribe from the adverse party he frequently found himself so equally pois'd that he stood like Buridan's Asse hungry between two sorts of meat which pleas'd him alike and knew not which cause to prosecute first This man Alopex thought a very fit instrument to promote his design The first use which he made of him was to hire him a brave House near the River which he did and in a short time by his means he inveigled many covetous Citizens into his Acquaintance who in hopes to be made his Heirs feasted him magnificently furnish'd him with Monies sent him rich Presents and so carefully perform'd whatsoever they thought acceptable to him that Alopex began to think his lies true and was willing to forget the reality of his Condition till one of his mock-servants having bethought himself of the insecurity of Falshood and knowing what they should be forc'd to suffer if they were discover'd ask'd Alopex after he had return'd half drunk from a Feast What would become of us if Klerotheron who pretends so much kindness to us should send a spie to Polistherion to know the certainty of our Reports Then replied Alopex like a man awaken'd out of a pleasant Dream with a loud Thunder-clap we should be forc'd to pay for our good chear I think it is high time said his other Companion to free our selves from the danger of Dissimulation by a real Escape for having sinn'd so egregiously we shall alwayes expect the Punishment which we have deserv'd But what course shall we take I think I can resolve you replied his Fellow-servant I understood yesterday that there is a Bark in the Port which though it bears other colours belongs to Amphibius which is an Island not belonging to the Jurisdiction of Theriagene The Master's name is Pirates I will engage him with a good summe of Money to take us in The Wind being fair they will be ready to set sail for they have dispos'd of their Praight Tomorrow said he turning to his Master you shall feign your self to be very sick and send for Klerotheron and let him know that you desire to remove your self to his Country-House which lies near the Sea about three Leagues from the City being willing to die there privately that you may not be troubled with Sollicitors withall give Klerotheron your last Will which you may make to night and appoint him the sole Heir of your Estate entreat him to go along with you without giving any notice of your Design and when we have him aboard leave the rest to me They approv'd this Plot and put it in Execution the next Morning whilst it was dark When they were gone off a little from Land Alopex would needs be very sick and desired Klerotheron to keep him company in his Cabbin pretending that he doubted very much that he should never live to see his House Klerotheron comforted him and endeavour'd to make him believe otherwise Alopex entertaining Klerotheron sometimes with pretences of inclination to Vomit sometimes inveighing against the unmercifulness of the Sea sometimes feigning a sleep and when he awaked giving order concerning the manner of his Burial amus'd him with various diversions till they were above four Leagues at Sea Klerotheron supposing that they might very well have come to his house in less time call'd to the Pilot for Alopex would not let him stir out of his Cabbin and told him he was afraid that they steer'd a wrong course The Pilot pretending to be very angry replied that he was too old to be directed by him Klerotheron being so snib'd was compell'd to a little more Patience but at last suspecting some misfortune rush'd out and went upon the Decks and perceiving that they were almost arriv'd at the Island Moronesus cryed out very discontentedly Sirs what do you mean To land you at your house there answer'd Alopex his servants That is not my
imprison'd and either to revenge their Brother's death for he died upon the Rack to gratifie Antitheus or out of hatred to my person as a Lover of Alethion they came hither in hope to have murther'd me They laid their design thus One of my Brother's Servants for what cause I cannot tell remain'd in the City and those Assasinates taking notice of it corrupted him I suppose with Money to come to my house yesternight to tell me that two of my Brother's friends would be in this place to day about the time when I first saw you to impart some Secrets to me which did highly concern us both and therefore did earnestly desire me to give them a meeting I knowing that the Messenger was my Brother's servant and that those whom he nam'd were his most true friends supposing that he brought no Letters because it was not safe to write believed him and came but not without Arms of which I soon found the Necessity As I alighted from my Horse they made towards me with Swords which they had hid under their Coats and gave me a wound for a Salutation Turning upon them for my defence I had the good fortune to kill one of them and wound the other which when I perceiv'd I desir'd him to desist and let me know for what Injury which they had receiv'd from me they sought reparation by this highest sort of Revenge But his Malice had made him so greedy of my Death that by silence and continuing to fight I saw that if he could not kill me he would live no longer Nay then said I you shall be pleas'd and as you came so you shall go together With a very few blows I sent him after his fellow-Murtherer But as these Villains have suffered more punishment for their wicked attempt then I desired to have inflicted upon them if it had pleas'd God otherwise to have delivered me from their Malice so I think my self well appay'd for the hazard I have run and nothing disappointed of my Expectation since the Message is verified in a sense which they never intended by this fortunate Encounter Now let me entreat you to go along with me and when we come to my House I will tell you the story of the Prince and desire your advice concerning the course which we are to take for it is a perplexed season Bentivolio whose Prudence was alwayes awake stopping Philalethes said Sir we are strangers and do not know what Constructions may be made upon any Accident happening at our Arrival in such a Juncture of time therefore if you please our servants shall throw those wretched Carkases into that old Cole-pit lest some Foresters finding the dead Bodies give notice to the Country which will make a general Alarm and it may be trouble us all with an impertinent Hue-and-Cry Philalethes approv'd the Counsel and as soon as they had put it in Execution they betook themselves to their Horses When they came to his house Bentivolio told Philalethes that the first expression of his Regard to them should be to search his own wounds Upon the first inspection he found them not dangerous and having quickly dress'd them his Lady entertain'd her unexpected Guests with a short Collation yet they thought it long because it was some hinderance to the accomplishment of Philalethes his promise to tell them what was become of the Prince which when the cloth was taken away he fulfilled after this manner I understand by the discourse which we had in the Wood that you have heard of the death of Anaxagathus who broke his heart with the Grief which seiz'd upon him when he heard the news of his Son's Death of which he would never be convinc'd but that himself was the principal Author The day after Anaxagathus was dead Antitheus the Venemous Root upon which our Calamity grows sent Dogmapornes one of his Confederates to the Castle where the Prince was imprison'd with order to kill him privately and throw him over the Rock that so his Body being afterward taken out of the River might make good the Report which they had spread abroad before concerning the manner of his Death which by that means they foretold much after the Custom of Evil Spirits which give Intelligence before-hand to Witches and other their Correspondents of such mischiefs as they resolve to doe When Dogmapornes was gone Antitheus and the rest of his Accomplices began to deliberate what was next to be done for the setling of the Kingdom They determin'd presently to proclaim Antitheus King as being apparently the next Heir to the Crown and commanded upon pain of Death that none but the Souldiers of his own Guard should appear in Arms nor that the Citizens should meet in any Assembly upon pain of Treason and secured such as they knew to be Alethion's friends This I learn'd from one of my servants who escap'd out of the City by night Dogmapornes made all possible haste to his Castle to Execute the wicked Commandment of Antitheus and kill'd some horses by the way but when he came there he found himself utterly disappointed for the Prince was gone the day before How it came to pass I will acquaint you for my Brother not being able to conceal from me such happy news longer then the time which the Messenger requir'd for his Journey to bring it sent one of his friends to me who was able to inform me perfectly for he waited upon the Prince during all the time of his Imprisonment heard his Discourses and knew the manner of his Escape You must understand that the Prince was chiefly intrusted to the Custody of two Persons Apronaeus who was Lieutenant of the Castle and Diaporon who commanded a Troop of Horse under Dogmapornes Diaporon attended continually upon the Prince Apronaeus came only sometimes to see that he was in safety Diaporon was of a nature very averse to Malice and though he had not the greatest parts nor could make a perfect judgment of things by his own Ability yet his temper was not impregnably fortified against good Reason As he had at the first no disaffected resentments of the Prince's Person for he had never disobliged him so in a short time he fell into a great Admiration of his Vertues and perceiving him not to be afflicted with what he suffered he concluded in himself that the Prince had no Demerits upon which Punishment could take hold He saw a smooth Serenity in his Looks a great Contentedness in his Speeches an undisturb'd Equality in all his Conversation He heard him often assert his own Innocence but without any other Expressions except of pity for his abus'd Father The affection which this Deportment produc'd in Diaporon's breast possibly augmented with some surmises of unworthy Contrivances against the Prince in a short time grew so strong that it made him heartily with that he might be so happy as to work his Deliverance As he was musing one day how he might accomplish such a hard Attempt
Teeth you have Hands and Eyes can you not look to your self What would you never go alone Child You are troubled that you have not a perpetual Keeper assign'd to you This is a foolish objection God hath made Day in vain for such as are offended with the Light of the Sun and laid Rewards to small purpose before such as hate Action and we must needs think that all those do whom every trifling Accident tempts to be Idle When the Prince had said these words he left his Chair and walk'd up and down the Room but perceiving a melancholy in Diaporon's Countenance he ask'd him if he was troubled with any thing which was spoken No Excellent Prince replied Diaporon but I have some scruples yet from which if it were not uncivil I should be glad to be delivered by your gentle hands Propound them then said the Prince and we will discourse walking Then Diaporon proceeded thus I should acquiesce in the Reasons which you have alleged concerning the state of Vertue and Vice but that I am told there is no such Liberty as you have mention'd in that all things are moved by the Laws of an Invincible Necessity and that all Causes are chain'd to their Effects by such a Fatal Connexion that no Election Wit or Power can break the least Link which if it be true your fair Discourse concerning Choice is but a pleasant Imposture Particularly they say That we are made in our Natures what we are and determin'd in our Actions to what we doe by the Influences of the Stars from which also by an inevitable Order we are to expect our Condition of Life for all the time that we are in Being The Prince replied To resolve the first part of your Objection Diaporon I would have you to consider whether it be likely that Men are no more Authors of their Actions then those Automata which are mov'd with springs of Steel or whether we do no more deserve blame for Irregular Actions then a Watch ought to be beaten when it goes wrong When men live Vertuously are they no more to be prais'd then the Tools of an Artist which have been imploy'd in making an excellent Machine Did the Hellespont deserve as much to be whipt for breaking the Ships of Xerxes as a Parricide to suffer Death for Murthering his Father Or was it as rationall in that proud Persian to write Letters to Mount Athos as for Atossa to have reprov'd her Son for that Folly What difference can there be between any of the foremention'd Instances if all things be tied by the Laws of invincible Destiny and are extrinsecally determin'd to all their Actions Those who can swallow such Absurdities need make no scruple of throwing Vertue and Vice out of the World and indeed by entertaining the foresaid Opinions they are oblig'd to doe it But God forbid Diaporon that you should engage in such monstrous wickednesse Let me tell you also added the Prince that what you said concerning the Stars is most extravagant If you can imagine such Fancies to be Credible you are prepar'd to believe all those Ridiculous Fables which idle Dreamers have reported concerning the Stars These pretenders to new Principles of knowledge which scorn the old because they did not invent them and it may be because their necessary Consequences are altogether unacceptable to their debauch'd Humour would have us think that by the Motions of the Heavens and various Circumrotations of the Stars a Matter was generated at first which being spred and sown in the Earth gave a Being to Men. A story of the same Credibility with Lucian's Dendritae and may pass in the same Rank with the Fable of Deucalion and Pyrrha If by these omnipotent Influences men became Rational Creatures I suppose some piercing Effluxes which proceeded from the Bull 's Horns boar'd their heads with two holes before and one of each side that they might hear and peep through them and that their Masculine irradiations make Boys as the Feminine do Girles To what other Cause should we ascribe the Difference of Sexes I guess also that from some extraordinary Illapses their Rival Fortune-tellers the Gypsies took their Original But which will they say Diaporon that these potent Stars produce these admirable effects Ignorantly or Knowingly If they doe it Ignorantly we must suppose that they run round like blind Horses tied to a Mill-wheel But for Honour sake I suppose they will say that they doe it Knowingly and so every Star is an understanding person and it is no great boldness to affirm that for some old doting Nations made them Gods and bestow'd as it was fit divine Worship upon them as they did also upon every Earthly Being which was beneficial to them committing not only stupid Idolatry but ingrateful Sacrilege for they robb'd the Master of his Honour to give it to his Vassals We may now easily imagine what other rare feats these knowing Stars do perform Certainly the Sun and Moon no mean persons have excellent Discourses when they talk together in their Conjunctions The Turks those grand Masters of Learning have inform'd us that they lie together in the Eclipses and beget Stars A fair solution of the Phaenomenon of new Stars which are sometimes observ'd by Astronomers The Sun is Hot and therefore every Night goes to bed in the cool waters of the Atlantick Ocean and makes oblique Motions toward the Tropicks to refresh himself at the Fountains of Cold the Poles and by his nearer approches visits one of them in Summer and the other in Winter left they should take his too-long absence unkindly for they are very sensible especially of Civilities It is very likely that the Moon is the Sun's Wife and that with his leave she doth sometimes officiously supply his absence in the Night left the darken'd Hemisphere should fall out with her Husband It would trouble us to guesse what these living Creatures do feed upon for they must needs be hungry and thirsty but that we may remember that the Earth and Sea not unthankful for the daily Courtefies which they receive from them do continually exhale Tributary Vapours to keep their Benefactours alive These are the Great Princes which domineer over this lower World who by the Sidereal Influences which are sent down from their high and mighty Powers do raise Humane Spirits and Affairs as easily as the full Moon swells a Cat 's Eyes These Potentates dwell in those magnificent Houses which Judicial Astrologers have built for them founded not much unlike to Castles in the Air. Without question they have an excellent Polity among them and the Greater Powers give order to those which are Inferiour who dare not be disobedient to them whatsoever it costs them It is manifest in that poor Diana lost her Temple which was burnt at Ephesus that night when Alexander was born because she was sent by order of some higher Intelligence to be Olympia's Midwife These sensible Stars may well be those Wheels upon which
into Malicious minds I make no doubt but his Soul is the Temple of Innocence Whilst Diaporon pronounc'd these words one knock'd at the Door and when he was come in told them that he was lately come from Polistherion where the King was much disturb'd with the news of Aletbion's Death and that one of Dogmapornes his acquaintance was accus'd for forging Letters in the Prince's Name that the King was fallen sick with Grief and that the Army and City mutter'd some discontented words against 〈◊〉 and Dogmapornes as the Contrivers of the Prince's Imprisonment This Relation startled them both and having desired the Messenger to withdraw they consulted each other what was fit to be done I think said Diaporon that this is the most intricate Scene of Affairs that ever I beheld in my life I thought it impossible that Alethion could be suspected but much more that any should dare to accuse him and most of all that the King would believe any thing suggested against him I know no reason why any should report him to be dead unless they meant to kill him and I cannot but conclude that if the King be so disturb'd at the false news of his Death that it hath made him sick he will be so much more pleas'd with the true Report of his Life that it will recover his Health I think it is not only our duty to our Soveraign to whom we owe all services but our prudence not to neglect such a fair opportunity to shew our Loyalty by preserving his only Son The worst Interpretation that can be made of our Action is that we endeavour'd to put into a Harbour which was not assign'd us to avoid the danger of a violent Storm and if any thing happen contrary to our Expectation we can suffer nothing dishonourable having desir'd to perform our Duty though we saw it full of Hazzard I am much amaz'd answer'd Apronaeus at this strange Accident since the Prince is reported to be dead who was in my Custody I may be assured that his friends will look upon me as his Murtherer especially since one of my Colonels acquaintance is accus'd for writing the Letter for which the Prince is imprison'd Since the Army and City by whom the Prince was alwayes infinitely belov'd do concern themselves in his sufferings I am afraid of the Issue of this dark Affair and wish with all my Heart that I had not received such a troublesome part as I know not how to act However Diaporon I think it is best to follow your advice by which we shall gain time and save our selves from sudden Attempts But to what Port shall we steer our Course What we are to doe in this matter if we can doe any thing requires speed You say true replied Diaporon we must resolve quickly lest long Deliberation take from us our power to act Let us convey the Prince into Theoprepia which we may effect thus There is a private Door which leads by a subterranean Passage from the Governour 's Lodgings to the River's side let one of your servants about four a clock this afternoon bring our Horses thither as if he intended to water them there we will take Horse and conduct the Prince first to the Castle of Misopseudes who is his known friend where we are sure of safe Repose to night and from thence we shall easily reach the Borders of Theoprepia Apronaeus lik'd the Contrivance whereupon they presently return'd to the Prince and acquainted him with the Intelligence which they had but then received and with many protestations of their sincere Intentions reveal'd their desires of his Safety and told him of the way which they had agreed upon to secure his Person if he pleas'd to accept of their service The Prince knowing it was better to run any hazzard then to stay where he was after a short discourse accepted their offer and went away in a Disguise When they had travell'd about two miles they met a Horseman riding toward them with a very great speed who knowing Apronaeus stopt his Horse and told him that he was sent before by Trisanor who was not much behind with a Convoy and brought Misopseudes Prisoner to his Castle Whence do they now come said Apronaeus From his House replied the Messenger where we surpriz'd him this morning about break of day By whose Order said Apronaeus have you perform'd this service By a warrant sign'd by Antitheus said the Messenger When they heard that Diaporon at the Prince's Command took hold of his bridle and then dismounted him Whilst they were deliberating what to doe with him for it was not fit that he should go to the Castle and give notice which way they were gone and his Company was but of uncertain use to them if he went back Apronaeus desired leave of the Prince to kill him but he falling upon his knees and begging his Life the Prince had but just granted his Petition when the Party which conducted Misopseudes came up Trisanor rode in a little Charriot which was attended with two Horsemen upon each side and gave leave to Misopseudes to sit with him Apronaeus rode boldly up and kill'd him which drove the Charriot upon which Trisanor flung himself out of the Coach and mounting his Horse which was led by one of the Souldiers gave Misopseudes who was disarm'd in charge to one of his Souldiers and then a sharp fight began between the Parties Trisanor and his men resembled the Deportment of a stout Tigre which whets valour with rage when she is in danger of being robb'd of her Whelps The Prince's friends animated their Courage with the worth of the Person who had honoured them to be his Protectours and whom they knew to be very able to defend both himself and his Guard and concluding that it must needs be a grateful service in the beginning of their Trial if they could also rescue one whom the Prince intirely lov'd they threw themselves between the Prince and his Enemies Diaporon made such a sharp pass upon Trisanor that if he had not avoided it by turning aside he had been slain at the first encounter however he lost not his labour for he kill'd one of the Souldiers who came in to the relief of his Captain and afterward continued his combate with Trisanor who being asham'd that he had given ground redoubled his Vigour in the next Charge The Prince attacqued him which guarded Misopseudes and with a Princely boldness said Traitor deliver up that Loyal subject to his Prince and accompanying his Commands with a blow or two made them to be obey'd for the Souldier fell down dead and the Prince gave his horse to Misopseudes who was come forth of the Coach not so much glad of his Liberty as amaz'd to see him that procur'd it Diaporon had given and receiv'd some wounds from Trisanor who fought desperately not so much desiring to save his life as to sell it at a considerable Rate and discharg'd a blow upon Diaporon's
use of this excellent Notion be perverted Men being not necessitated to improve it to the utmost advantage though God has enabl'd them and exceedingly oblig'd them to doe it I might also tell you Pasenantius that besides an ingrateful Perversness men have a wild Phantasie which helps them when they endeavour to evade the suggestions of their better Intellect and though they are not able to rub out of their Souls this well-fix'd Notion of a Deity yet they may draw a false picture of the Divine Nature and make bold to misinterpret the Declarations of God's Will and so perswade themselves that his Commandments may be neglected without Sin in some cases or phansie that there are fond Indulgences which God hath for some persons into which number they will be sure to thrust themselves and it may be suppose when the sense of their guilt haunts them that they may easily make amends for the offences of their Life by a Repentance at their Death So foolishly cunning is Humane Nature to cheat it self Here Bentivolio making a Pause Eugenius and Pasenantius gave him thanks for the patience with which he receiv'd the trouble of this Entercourse and desir'd him if he pleas'd to proceed to his other Arguments With all my heart said Bentivolio since I perceive you are not yet wearied and went on after this manner The truth of the fore-mention'd Notion shines more brightly in my Mind both when considering my own Existence I find there no small Arguments of its Divine Author and also when I perceive my self placed so advantagiously in Being that as from a convenient station in a noble Theatre I am able to contemplate the admirable Schemes of those Magnificent Works which the Divine Nature hath set round about me When I consider the Greatness of the Universe the Variety of its Excellent Parts and the beautiful Order which appears in their accurate Connexi-I am forc'd to acknowledge an Almighty Skill When I behold that innumerable Multitude of Illustrious Balls which shine round about me see them rank'd in such fit distances and consider their Regular Motions whilst I take notice of that useful Vicissitude which returns so constantly in the seasons of the Year the alternate succession of Night and Day and find the Reason of every Appointment so great that nothing could have either been contriv'd better at first or can be alter'd yet but it would be so much for the worse that it would prove like the dislocation of a joynt I cannot but behold the Omnipotent Wisdom of the great Creatour except I should think my self blinded with too much Light and am forc'd to conclude that a Divine Power is the Author of this Excellent Machin in which Infinite Wisdom is so visible unless I should be so unworthy as not to allow that just acknowledgment to God which all the World doth grant to the wit of every Artificer who is alwayes magnified according to the Skill which he expresses in any curious Work When I see the Sun that Glorious Prince of the Stars by the help of his own Rayes and think with my self what wonderful Effects are produc'd by his warm Influences may I not as rationally make a Question whether I see it or no as doubt that a God made it Who chalk'd out the oblique Rode of the Zodiack and taught him to withdraw so far in Winter as to give the over-heated Earth leave to cool it self and yet made him come nearer in Summer because then it wants his Presence to ripen its Fruits Who commissionated the Moon to be a Deputy-Sun and gave her Order to supply his place in the Night and commanded her to step a little beyond the Sun's Walk to take away the Horrours of Darkness and by a moist warmth to advance the Generation and Growth of Vegetable Beings Who appointed them both to guide men in the reckoning of Time not only to measure Solar Years by the Annual Motion of the Sun but to calculate Lunar Months by the Phases of the Moon and to tell Hours by the help of Diurnal and Nocturnal Dials Who adorn'd the Heavens with those glistring Stars which dance so orderly above our Heads and carrying about such multitudes of bright Torches make up the want of one Great Light with many Little ones These tell poor Sailors where they are when they have lost their way whilst they are visible by themselves and when they are hidden by the Load-stone which is order'd to correspond with the Poles and so lets them know how far they have made their Voyage Northward or Southward in which they cannot fail the Axis of the Earth being directed to keep a perpetual Parallelism From hence I am transported into the Contemplation of the neighbouring Air that transparent Vehicle of Light destinated by the Benigne Creator for the large Aviary of all sorts of Birds and where those which are Musical do continually sing their Maker's Praises God hath made this the great Treasury which supplies all living Creatures with Vital Breath and hung it up as a great Spunge to entertain the Vapours which are exhal'd by the Earth and Sea in Clouds out of which they are squeez'd into Showres and rain'd down upon such Places as could hardly be water'd with any other Buckets He made this the 〈◊〉 of those Winds which not only dissipate putrid Exhalations with a clenfing Fan and check the violence of immoderate Heats with fresh Briezes but attend seasonably in all Quarters and with strong Blasts swell the Sails of deep-loaden Ships and relieve the necessities of useful Mills which without their aid would be becalm'd at Land and which do not only grind our Corn but winnow it first that it may be fit for Meal which also draw our Water saw our Wood and blow our Fire Now I have nam'd Fire how can I forbear to mention the Virtue which Almighty Goodness hath prudently bestow'd upon it for our Benefit What rare Effects doth it produce in the common Kitchin in the Chymist's Shop and in the Miner's Fornace In all which it dissolves coagulates concocts and in short assists all Artists so many several wayes that it may be truly call'd A Generall Servant to Mankind If after the Fire I should speak of Water how visible is Divinity upon the Sea to any that consider the vast Bounds of the deep Ocean that see how it carries our Ships upon its smooth Back and so is made a rare Instrument of universal Commerce and advanceth the Profit and Pleasure of every Country by Correspondence with others which are extremely distant It is a plentiful Nursery of delicate Fishes and out of its inexhaustible Treasury of Waters sends forth useful Streams into the Earth through divers Holes which are bor'd deep at convenient Distances and forceth them to climb up to the Tops of Mountains not only that they may be able to run down again with ease but also to carry themselves to such Heights afterward as mens Necessities require After
this I view the neighbouring Earth which checquers it self with the Sea to make one Globe of both I esteem it no small occasion for Admiration to see that which is heavier fall under the lighter Water only in some places How could it have been but that the All-knowing Creator having priviledg'd some Spots charg'd the Sea not to molest them with Water lest there should be wanting a convenient Habitation for many sorts of living Creatures which cannot subsist but upon dry Ground It is a great pleasure to me to see it emboss'd with goodly Mountains which by their Height defie the proud Flouds and oppose the barrenness which seems to reproch their scorch'd Out-sides with their full Veins of rich Minerals and the Quarries of noble Marble which they contain in their great Bellies But this is nothing in comparison of that Admirable Position by which the Earth is made a pleasant Habitation capable of all possible Advantages from Heat and Light For its Axis keeping parallel to its self and inclining in so fit a Proportion to a Plane going through the Centre of the Sun frees those who dwell upon it from the tedious Darkness of too long Nights and the trouble of over-hot Dayes Sure the dull Earth was not so discreet as to make this Order nor the rambling Atoms so lucky as to execute it in their fortuitous Concourse I should be in danger of losing my self if I venture to lead you through those infinite Wonders which Divine Skill hath shewn in those different Orders of Being with which this small Globe is grac'd God hath made the Earth an Archetypal Patern of a natural Embroidery border'd with Water-work but it is so inimitably perfect that the best Workmen have sought praise only by coming near it in some faint Resemblances He hath made the Bottom as all Artists use to employ their courser Stuff because it is not seen of Rubbish common Earth Clay Sand Coals or Stones To raise plain Being to the order of growing Life he hath adorn'd the Ground-work with green Grass The colour being chosen with much Prudence for it is so convenient to our Eyes that they are not hurt with looking upon that which they must often see Above these we may discern the most proper Artifice of Forest-Work but not only done better to the Life but more profitably for use then that in Arras For the great Trees appointed for other Designs then to grace the Picture supply us with Timber which is one of the chief Materials requisite to build stately Houses magnificent Ships and Sacred Temples Whilst they stand they have real Shades which please more senses then the Eye and when they are cut down lest the Work should be defac'd others by a natural Art are made to grow up in their room Because Trees cannot remove from their places to fetch Provision they are made with their Heads downward and being fasten'd to the Earth they have their Mouths alwayes in their Meat and though they cannot make themselves Cloths they have no reason to complain because God hath inclos'd them in Bark and arm'd them against Injuries with Prickles and taught the weaker Branches to clasp about stronger Boughs and the Trunks of more robust Trees and so to support themselves by laying their feeble Arms upon Crutches He hath beautified them also with broad Leaves fair Blossoms and delicious Fruits and plac'd them to a great advantage of his Work among infinite Varieties of sweet-smelling Herbs and rare-colour'd Flowers useful for Diet and Medicine and mark'd with Signatures which give notice of their Virtues and teach those who need them their particular Uses and before they go from their places which many of them can hold but for a Year they leave Seeds which grow up and supply their Vacancies That this Divine piece might not want any proper Ornament God hath beautifi'd it with such Imagery as is not to be found any where else for by an excellent Disposition of rare parts visible in the Composition of all sorts of living Creatures as by a pleasant admirableness of Experiment God hath shewn there how many wayes they may be made bred fed and taught to defend themselves Motion also is there represented to the Beholder's Eye for the Universal Parent having made Life to move gave his Creatures leave to go whither they please and hath also assisted their Motion with Sense that the walking Animals might know where it was best to bestow themselves and as occasion requir'd provide supplies necessary to maintain their Life Thus he instructed Birds to make proper Nests for their Young and to hide them in Bushes and those which are destitute of these Accommodations he hath furnish'd with as proper securities instructing them to lay their Young in warm Sand or in the clefts of Rocks and order'd them to feed them there till they are able to work for their own Living Whilst such Impotent things relieve their weakness with so much Discretion it is a rare Document that they are taught by a Nature which is more wise then they Amongst these Considerations I cannot forget the Earth's Fruitfulness which being appointed for a general Magazine of Provisions doth not only satisfie the Necessity of its Numerous Inhabitants but support their Delight with supernumerary Additions Indeed hereby shewing not so much its own inexhaustible Fecundity as God's equal Liberality Thus the World is made a most commodious Habitation furnish'd with all Necessaries set off with all pleasant Ornaments peopl'd with variety of noble Inhabitants and in short is such a perfect Contrivance that nothing could have been more specious for Beauty or fit for Use. Yet I do not wonder that many men are not much affected with the Glory of the Divine Works because they have seen them long for it is well known that Fools are more apt to be taken with the sight of things which happen seldom then of others far more admirable which have been long before their Eyes It is another piece of their Folly also that when any new thing is shewn to them they alwayes look over that which is most to be wonder'd at of which none can make any doubt who doth remember what ill luck poor Zeuxis had when he expos'd that Incomparable Picture of his Centaures to the view of the dull Athenians If I had time continued Bentivolio to shew you the principal Jewel which God hath lock'd up in this fair Cabinet whose outward Case is seen by many its self but by very few it would not only perfect my Argument but as I think make it impossible to doubt who was its Author But since my Discourse hath been too prolix already I will break it off here not doubting but that if it hath been tedious to be heard yet it is as difficult to be answer'd Do not you believe said Eugenius with an obliging Air that any in this Company can be tired with hearing whilst you are willing to speak We have time enough and shall
the whole Troop of their Friends to Kepanactus After Dinner which was ready as soon as they came into the House Agape entreated the Prince Alethion to engage the Company to hasten toward Phronesium knowing that the King and the Queen were possess'd with a passionate Expectation of their Arrival In a few hours they came to the City and after they had enter'd the Palace Theosebius and Phronesia receiv'd Urania and Panaretus with such a chearful Air and an obliging manner that they made not only an infallible Confirmation but an unexpressible Addition to their former Love I cannot put the just Description of this strange Encounter into fit Language because my Phancie is not able to supply my Mind with a full Representation of such extraordinary Passages only I can say thus much that as the going away of these excellent Persons was a languid Image of the sad parting of dying Friends so this Return which was more acceptable because little expected was a lively Resemblance of those unspeakable Endearments with which old Friends will receive one another at the Resurrection But Joy being at this time resolv'd to break through all its banks made a second Tide at full Sea For whilst this noble Company was at Supper one of Theosebes his Servants told the King that a Gentleman call'd Philalethes was alighted from his Horse and desir'd him to give notice of it to the Prince of Theriagene Philalethes had accompanied Alethion in his Journey to the borders of Theoprepia but then return'd at the King's Command to deliver a Message to Eugenius and to serve his Affairs in Theriagene And the Company being acquainted with the Importance of his Negotiation and having often taken notice of the Apprehensions which Alethion had entertain'd for him this News was very welcome to them all but Alethion and Misopseudes found themselves so particularly concern'd in it that after Philalethes came in and had perform'd that civil Respect which was due to so great a Presence the Prince of Theriagene took him into his Arms with many Expressions of Affection and having with much unwillingness releas'd him from those tender Embraces his Brother receiv'd him with such significations of Love mix'd with Raptures of Joy that are not easie to be represented After they had finish'd their Endearments and settled themselves in that Deportment which was a necessary Observance of those Persons of Condition who were present they took part of their gallant Supper the whole Company entertaining themselves not only that Night but many Dayes after with those unexpressible Satisfactions which were produc'd by this happy Encounter The pleasure which Theosebes took in the agreeable Conversation of so many Friends did not make him forget the condition of the Prince of Theriagene and though he perceiv'd Alethion to take so much content in the place where he was that he seem'd to forget he was banish'd yet he knew that this was no Excuse for the wickedness of his Subjects who deny'd him leave to dwell in his own Kingdom and resolving by God's assistance to vindicate his Wrongs and to put him into possession of his Father's Throne he was confirm'd in his purpose by Letters from his Agent in Theriagene which gave him Intelligence that Antitheus intended to invade Theoprepia Whereupon he sent for Amerimnus the chief Bishop of Theoprepia whose advice he alwayes ask'd in Civil as well as Religious Affairs for his Chancellour and Lysander the General of his Army and acquainted them with his thoughts They approving his Design Which way shall we endeavour to prosecute it said Theosebes If you please replied Lysander you may summon the Deputies of the several Provinces of Theoprepia to meet at Phronesium and when they are come let my Lord Chancellour give them notice of your Princely Intentions they do so truly hate the name of Antitheus and honour the person of Alethion that I am very confident they will be willing to contribute their best assistance towards the Restauration of the Prince of Theriagene What think you my Lords said Theosebes to the Archbishop and the Chancellour They both replying that they were of Lysander's mind the King approv'd their Advice and accordingly gave order to the Chancellour to dispatch Letters to the four Divisions of Theoprepia to require them to send their Commissioners within four dayes to the Senate-house at Phronesium to consult concerning some important Affairs of State The obedient Theoprepians made appearance at the time appointed and when they were met the King attended with Amerininus Lysander and his chief Ministers of State went to the Senate-house and being much pleas'd with the chearful sight of so many loving Subjects after he had given them an hearty welcome to Phronesium he congratulated the Happiness of the Meeting in a short Speech and then commanded the Chancellour to let them understand the reasons of their Convention The Chancellour's name was Calliphon and Theosebes did fully demonstrate that he understood well what sort of Persons are fit to serve Kings when he made choice of him for one of his principal States-men It is true the Concerns of his Place were great but his known Wisdom and perfect Fidelity were not inferiour to them The highest Trust which one man can put in another is to take his Counsel But this is greater in Kings because their Affairs to which Counsel is apply'd are more important then ordinary matters and the danger more considerable if those who give Advice have a greater regard to their own benefit then to his advantage that asketh it Calliphon was Secret by the temper of his nature and so Faithful in the discharge of his Trust that he never set any oblique ends of his own contradistinct to his Master's Interest but in all his Proposals aim'd directly at the King's Honour and the People's Happiness His Integrity was equall'd with a rare Wisdom for Calliphon being naturally of a quick Phancy had improv'd the goodness of his Wit into Prudence by Experience and perfected it with vast Accessions by continual Industry Being incited to all possible Acquists by a passionate Love which he had for Knowledge he endeavour'd to understand the natural Connexions and proper Consequences of all things and not to guide his Actions by the uncertain Rule of unexamin'd Opinions or general Sentences He gave evident proof of his early Discretion by the Vertuous management of his younger Age and the prudent Government of his Family and shewed the greatness of his Understanding by the proper Language and strong Reasons for which his Discourses were alwayes admired when he had occasion to speak in the Senate He was design'd to the Study of State-Affairs by his wise Father Pithologus who was a Privy-Counsellour to Phronimus And when other Gallants trifled away their time in vain pleasures he accustom'd Calliphon to reade Books of Policy Records of Treaties and other Memoirs of the most famous States-men and being much pleas'd with those Improvements which he perceiv'd him to make