that I did never deceive you but as soon as ever I knew of your fidelity to Argelise I alwayes told you that neither I would nor could trust your affection But I beseech you Madam replyed Meliantes who ever told you that Hydaspes who is a person hath not committed as great a peece of Infidelity as this wherwith you upbraid me yet Meliantes may talk and complain as long as he will before he can change the heart of Arpasia she tells him indeed that she doth infinitely esteem him but she tells him withall that his love must never find recompence nor be indured and he must part from her without so much leave as to love her without any hopes although she doth promise friendship as long as she lives Hydaspes being extreamly desirous to know how his discourse with Arpasia had thriven he would be satisfied by seeing him and guess by his eyes whether he had been well or ill received and indeed it was apparant by the sadness of Meliantes that Hydaspes had good cause to rejoyce The interview of these two Rivalls was very hollow hearted and never Prisoner received his liberty with fewer signs of acknowledgment Thus Madam the amiable and unhappy Meliantes went much against his will from a place where he left his Mistress in the power of his Rivall T is true she was not long there for presently after we heard that Gabrias had finished the Treaty of Gadates with Artamenes that the King of Hircania and the Prince of the Cadusians having received some discontents from the King of Assyria took part with Ciaxares That the King of Cyprus had sent Forces unto Artamenes under the command of the two famous Grecians the one named Themocrates the other Philocles and that within a few daies after a Battel would be fought which in probability would be decissive So as Hydaspes being perswaded that Artamenes would send for him he began to prepare himself for a sudden departure as soon as ever he should receive orders for it and he knew that love and honour do not alwaies require the same things for he had a good mind to go whether his honour called him and he had a good mind also to stay where his affection invited him In the mean time Artamenes having now a full confidence in Gabrias who had linked Gadates unto his Interests would needs out of his generosity give back the absolute Authority of his Palace unto him So as we were much surprised one morning when we heard that Hydaspes had received commands to go unto the Army That the Forces which Artamenes had left in the Town had orders also to go out and that Gabrias sent a Cousin of his to command there in his Palace I shall not insist upon any relations unto you Madam what Hydaspes and Arpasia thought upon this occasion for you will easily conceive them since I have already told you that Hydaspes was infinitely in love with Arpasia and Arpasia had a strong inclination towards Hydaspes yet she would not ingage her self further than to permit her Lover to love her and to send her news during his absence But Madam presently after fame spoke loud in the glory of Artamenes and very advantageously of Hydaspes for we heard that the first of these gained the battell against the King of Assyria and the second having orders to fall upon the King of Phrygia had overcome him and took him prisoner and which added to his glory in writing to Arpasia he mentioned not a word of himself nor any thing but of Artamenes only in whose applause he told such wonders as was hardly credible the valour of a man could reach so high as he did set him out Afâ—er this Madam such was still the affection of Hydaspes unto Arpasia that in what place soever either he or she was she was never above ten dayes without a Letter from him During the siege of Babylon she received one constantly every four days and whilst he was at Synope shee received one oftner than ordinary because he had matter enough to send her Indeed Madam during all the Armenian and the Lydian war there was a constant commerce of intelligence with out any interruption until the renowned Artamenes left that name for that of Cyrus and sent Hydaspes from the Camp at Cumes to release the King of Assyria But Madam I forgot to tell you that when Cyrus went into Armenia from Synope there was a most pestilent infection in the place where we were so as the Aunt of Arpasia with whom we then were was constrained to go out into another strong Castle belonging unto Gabrias purposely to avoid the contagious air and in that place she continued untill that accident hapned which caused her to be at present under the power of Thomyris And to acquaint you with this misfortune in few words be pleased to know that this Aunt unto Arpasia had a son by a former husband who had been a long time from her and returned just when we came to that Castle He was no sooner arrived but he fell in Love with Arpasia but durst not at first acquaint her not but that this man whose name was Astidamus was audacious enough naturally but Arpasia being then very sollitary she would not give him any occasions of talking in private with her for I being she who knew all the secrets of her soul she was never better pleased than when she could freely talk with me without any witnesses and indeed we had alwayes a hundred things to talk of though we had nothing to do That which most did amaze us was that we never heard any thing of Meliantes and to increase our wonder we heard afterwards that he was not in his own country nor knew any where he was As for Astidamus the Nephew of Protogenes we had better information concerning him for we heard that after he was recovered he sought for Meliantes to fight with him and not meeting with him he returned unto Alfenes where he carried himself so that he so much offended Protogenes as that he would not acknowledge him for his successor but banish'd him his presence so as leaving Alfenes he went to travell so as when the other Astidamus fell in love with Arpasia we knew not were Meliantes nor his ancient Rivall was In the mean time since the passion of this fresh Lover augmented so that it was impossible for him but if ever he saw Arpasia alone to discover his passion unto her but he did discover it in such an arrogant manner that Arpasia was extreamly angry with him and answered him with such authority forbidding him to make the least mention of any such thing as he saw there was little hopes of ever being loved yet the slenderness of his hopes did not quench the flames of his passion but on the contrary they blazed out more violently so as despair made him take up a resolution as unjust as violent For Madam his design was to suborn the
the Character was faire enough but that served only to render it ridiculous for the Orthography was so bad the sense so shallow the expressions so poor and the order of words so confused and opposite unto all rules of eloquence and reason as it is a wonder how any woman of quality could possibly write after such a rate But the oddest thing was that the Letter which Phaon writ unto Sapho was the most elegant the most gallant and passionate peece that ever was seen so as it was not credible that any man who writ so well could hold any particular correspondency with a woman who writ so ill Yet it appeared by this Note that Phaon did often see her and that he had given her severall Serenades as I told you before And I assure you Sapho was so sadly astonished at this cruell adventure that not being able to hide her sorrows she communicated them unto Agelaste and me Did ever any see such unparalled weaknesse as this in your friend said she unto me I know that when he sees me he loves me as much as he is capable of I know also that then he thinks himselfe unable to take delight in the company of any other person and yet it appars by this Paper that he bears some kind of affection unto the veryest fool in the world and that hee mingles her Letters and mine indifferently together though I think mine have some order of sence in them and those of his new Mistress none Since I knew the humour of Phaon better then Sapho did I did my friend the best office I could and endeavoured to perswade this admirable woman that the heart of this Lover had no share in any of these pleasures which he took during his absence and that Phaon lived as he did rather to look upon these trifles then to divert himself in them Ah Democedes said she unto me a grieved Lover cannot find a heart to look upon such trifles And if Phaon loved me as he should do the most pleasing Serenades would never divert him he would be so indisposed to give them unto others as he doth that he wouold shun the place where others give them And therefore I am resolved to love him no longer but will hate my selfe if I cannot hate him It was in vain for me to protest unto Sapho that Phaons love did not change and that it was only an effect of his humour wherein his heart had no share for she would not believe it so as in the rapture of her sorrows she answered Phaon in a very singular manner for she sent him back the note which he had unawares sent unto her and writ only these words SAPHO unto PHAON SIR SInce you have contracted amity with a Lady whose Letter I have sent you backe resolve to breake off ours for I thinke it an unworthy thing in me to let a man have any share any longer in my heart who hath withdrawn his owne from mee to give it unto another so much unworthy of himselfe SAPHO This Letter doubtlesse was enough to enforce sorrow into the soule of Phaon but to tell you truly I writ him another which grieved him to the very heart of his soule for I chid him so home for his levity and did so terrifie him with his likelihood of loosing Sapho's affection that as soon as he had read her Letter and mine he became a Convert when he considered that Sapho perhaps would withdraw her heart from him he easily resolved to quit the lesser delights to preserve the greater so as knowing no better way to reconcile himselfe unto Sapho then by quitting Sicily and coming to her he resolved to come disguised unto Lesbos and accordingly he came in a Merchants Ship And landing at a Port in a corner of our Isle he concealed himselfe with a friend who had a house very near unto that of Sapho's in the Countrey He was no sooner there but enquiring where she and I was but he understood that I was gone a journey of fifteen dayes and that Sapho was at her own house vvithout any other company then her dear Agelaste so as losing no time and knovving her usuall hours of vvalking unto that Fountaine vvhich formerly I mentioned he vvent and hid himselfe in a little thicket of Trees vvhich grevv about it leaving his horse some fifty paces off vvith a Lacquey he had not vvaited there a quarter of an houre but he favv Sapho and her friend appeare and savv her so sad that as insensible as he vvas of sorrovv his heart was tendered 'T is true the thought of being so tenderly loved by the most excellent woman in the world did make him more joyed at it then Sapho's sadnesse made them melancholly However he would give her time to sit downe before he would shew himselfe to the end he might a little digest those sorrows which this fight caused in him But as it chanced these two Ladies did sit down upon a seate of Grasse with their backs towards Phaon so as he could easily hear what they said for the Grove was very thick in that place and he crept so gently that they could neither heare nor see him They were no sooner set but Sapho began to speak But my deare Agelaste said she unto her there is so little appearance in what you tell me that I know not whether I should believe it and therefore I desire to know all the particulars of this adventure They are very easily known replyed she For yesterday in the afternoon I understood from the mouth of Phylire that Clirantes whose quality is so great that he is neer Cousen to the Queen of Sauromates is so much in love with her as that he will marry her if she will follow his fortunes and go into his Country So as Phylire who loves him no less than he her and is freely in his own dispostion she is resolved upon it and ready to follow this Illustrious Sauromate But since she desires the businesse may be done without any noise she imparted the secret unto me and willed me to desire that you would be pleased to let them be married in your house which done they would presently after depart and go into that Countrey where there are such severe Laws against unfaithfull Lovers I wish with all my heart replyed Sapho that the inconstant Phaon were there also that he might be punished for his levity And Agelaste continued she sighing since I know you have no great businesse at Mytelene but all places in the world are alike unto you why may not we two follow Phylire into the happy Country of Clirantes For I must confess I cannot endure living in Mytelene But Madam replyed Agelaste as long as Phaon is in your heart I would not advise you to go into a Country where he cannot be admitted As long as I am not in Phaons heart replyed Sapho I should be glad to be in any place where I may never see him
which was wont to triumph over any other thought was now forced to submit unto his sorrow and to lie hid in the bottom of his heart without any discovery upon this sad occasion He promised Tisander then to perform all his Commands in most grieving expressions and testified such real marks of tenderness that none would ever thought Tisander had been Rival to Thrasibulas In the mean while this weak Prince growing more feeble upon a sudden dyed and desiring to say something more concerning Alcionida he pronounced her name and left all those who saw him dye in such admiration of his Constancy and so molified with his discourse that had he been a prime Friend unto every one in particular he could not have moved more sorrows As soon as the Prince Tisander had fetched his last breath and no signs of life appeared Cyrus carried Thrasibulus out of the Tent whether he would or no and left Theosthenes to take all requisite orders for Tisanders Funeral which Cyrus would have most magnificently performed Having then carried Thrasibulus into his own Pavilion he took the Letter which was directed unto Alcionida and which was open then with the consent of Trasibulus he found written these words Dying TISANDER to his dearest ALCIONIDA I Am so near my Death that I cannot possibly say much unto you Let me in a few words conjure you to beleeve that I did love you beyond all expressions and that I dye full of the same affection and fuller then ever any except the Prince Thrasibulus You know he is my second self and so receive him I give him all my share in your heart for he deserves it Love him then for the love of me and force him to love my memory for the love of you and as far as it is possible let both of you love that Prince in his grave who whilest he lived loved none but you and when he dyed you were the only thoughts of TISANDER As Cyrus was of a most apprehensive and compassionate Soul so his heart was extreamly tendered at the reading of this Letter And Thrasibulus himself notwithstanding all the hopes he might conceive by the death of his Friend was most really grieved All possible care was taken to render the last honours of Burial with all Ceremony befitting a man of his quality Cyrus himself the King of Phrigia the King of Hircania and every Prince in the Army were Mourners and expressed all testimonies of esteem unto the honour of Prince Tisander After this Cyrus told Thrasibulus that both the affairs of his Dominions and those concerning his Love did require his sudden return unto Milete and unto Lesbos Then he went to give out Orders concerning the present Affair In the mean time the Prince Phraartes returning to the King his Father found all things in a lamentable condition because their Victuals would not last above two days though the King of Armenia to keep up the hearts of his Souldiers did make a shew as if they had enough for a Month hoping always that Ciaxares would be weary and draw off from Artaxates Phraartes then seeing things in that condition told the King his Father that there was a necessity of having recourse unto the clemency of the Conqueror since force was in vain and the more to merit his favour he thought it mst expedient to tell Ciaxares with all ingenuity whether the Princess Mandana and the King of Pont were in his Dominions or no That as for the Tribute demanded though it were just to pay what 's promised yet he knew that the principal cause of the War was the Princess Mandana so that if he had her in his hands he might easily free himself from the Tribute by restoring her unto the King her father and that if he had her not then he ought to make it so apparent as neither Ciaxares or Cyrus might doubt of it The King then protested unto Phraartes that he never knew the King of Pont or the Princess Mandana were ever in Armenia And that the Princess Araminta being in his Dominions had certainly raised that opinion of the Princess Mandana's being here Phraartes told the King his father that as he had promised so he must needs acquaint Cyrus with the truth of all this But the Souldiers being in a great Mutiny would needs see all the Magazines of Victual before the Prince Phraartes departed there was such a great disorder amongst them that they all forsook their Guards So that if the most generous Cyrus would have violated his faith and taken that advantage he might easily entered the Mountains and killed all those that fled thither for sanctuary for it was easie to be discerned from the Plains how they dispersed themselves in the Mountains without any order or any Arms But he did most inviolably observe whatsoever he promised but looked upon this disorder without taking that advantage or knowing the true cause of it But in conclusion the King of Armenia resolved to trust unto the generosity of Cyrus and put himself into his hands He sent therefore the Prince Phraartes before appeasing the Souldiers by assuring them that he went to make Peace This Prince returning then unto the Camp and being conducted unto the Tent of Cyrus where was the King of Assyria the King of Hircania the Prince of the Cadusians the Prince of Paphlagonia Thrasibulus Hidaspes Aglatidas and many others he told him how extreamly sorry he was that he was not able to tell him any news concerning the Princess Mandana of whom the King his father had no knowledg For Sir said he to Cyrus to shew you that he is most sincere I need tell you no more but that trusting absolutely in the goodness of the Medean King and your generosity I have perswaded him to descend from these Mountains with the Queen my Mother the Princesses my Sisters the Princess Onesila wife of Tigranes my Brother whom heretofore you have honoured with your friendship You may very well judg by this Sir said he unto him that if he had the Princess Mandana in his power he would not have done thus When Cyrus had well considered upon it he was most extreamly grieved that there was no hopes of finding Mandana The King of Assyria was as deeply wounded as he yet imagining that perhaps she might still be in Armenia though this Prince was ignorant of it a most strict search was resolved upon in lieu of a bloody War In the mean while Cyrus sent in all haste unto Ciaxares to acquaint him with the reports of Phraartes and to ask him whether he should bring the King of Armenia unto him But Ciaxares being not well that day sent him word that he absolutely referred all unto him and that he should do as he himself thought most expedient Cyrus having this answer received the King of Armenia and all his Royal Family into his Tent and observing a discreet mediocrity in his civilities there appeared in his discourse and actions all
she esteems you very much replyed this Prince who exceedingly desired that his Letter should come into the hands of his Princess I do not fear she will be offended at me for presenting a truth unto her in your advantage No no said Cleander I warrant you the Princess will never be offended at such a piece of Gallantry as this for though she be something severe yet she is rational and knows how to take things as they ought to be But it would be well added he that Perinthus make an end of his Letter and present your Encomium also Abradates out of modesty did forbid him and Perinthus had a desire to say that he was not able to command too such illustrious persons sufficiently in so short a time But Cleander told him he would dispence with him for half that trouble and conjured him not to mention him but forced him to end his Letter in commendation of Abradates of whose passion he was not ignorant So that Perinthus was forced to finish it in this manner though it was not his first intention I will not tell you Madam how the Prince Abradates hath got abundance of glory by a thousand gallant actions for after what he hath said in my behalf that would be suspected of flattery I can also assure you I am very sorry that his civilities has forced me to alter the end of my Letter and to relate things after another manner then I intended Nor will I tell you what Miracles the illustrious Cleander hath wrought for Fame will do that office for me But give me leave to tell you without any affected modesty that I was never in all my life so loath unto any thing as to this in sending you my own commendation although it was writ by the hand of a great Prince and seem to be an infinite honour unto me that it should be read by the most excellent Princess of all the world PERINTHUS When Perinthus had finished he hoped that happily they would go away and that afterwards he might procure the messenger who was to carry this Letter to say he had lost it Yet he had no sooner ended and sealed it but Cleanders Envoy came in to receive his last Orders so that poor Perinthus was forced to deliver it before them and away went the messenger Perinthus was almost mad at this accident What a most miserable Fate is this said he unto himself as he has told me since that I should be the means Abradates should write unto that Princess whom I adore Perhaps she will imagine I did voluntarily do him this office and that I am the confident of his passion In the names of all the Gods Oh my adored Panthea said he as if she had understood him be not so injust as to think I did this Prince any service to you It is too much you must not know I love you without thinking that I would have you love another But Perinthus said he presently to himself Art thou not resolved to content thy self with the esteem of thy Princess Hast thou not determined with thy self never to discover thy Love unto her And dost thou not know thou canst never have any share in her affection Why then art thou not satisfied with that commendations which Abradates hath sent in thy behalf since it may augment the esteem which she hath of thee If the praises of an Enemy be glorious why should not those of a great Prince But alas alas this great Prince is my Rival and such a Rival as in all likelyhood will obtain the Love of my Princess It is no wonder then that thou shouldest be troubled to be thus forced to commend him and to receive any commends from him Afterwards when he considered with himself that the Princess would answer in her Letter unto what Abradates had writ and that he should be constrained to let his Rival see the Civilities of Panthea he resolved that if the Letter was over-obliging unto Abradates to smother it Therefore he expected this answer with as much longing impatience as if he had sent a Declaration of his Love unto Panthea though his curiosity was only to see what the Princess would say concerning Abradates who on his side expected this answer with the same impatience though not with the same fears since it was only three daies journey between Ephesus and Sardis the Letter of Perinthus came thither in two daies because he who carried intelligence of the taking of Ephesus went Post and made great hast Doralisa who never was absent from Panthea was present as well as my self when the Princess received this Letter which at the first she began to read aloud for knowing that Perinthus never used to intimate any thing but matter of news she expected no other But when she came to the place which Abradates had writ and saw it in another hand different from that of Perinthus she read it in a low voice and blushed whilest Doralisa and my self had several apprehensions of it For Doralisa having some suspitions of his passion imagined that perhaps he had took heart and writ unto the Princess concerning it But I who had no such conceits only thought it something which she would not have us know Yet after the Princess had done reading and that the disorder which the name of Abradates caused in her soul was appeased she gave the Letter unto Doralisa and my self to read and being desirous to colour the tenderness of heart which she expressed she told us That when she saw the alteration of hands and the name of Abradates she was afraid lest he had intimated something vvhich vvould have given her cause of complaint both against Abradates and Perinthus Hovvever Doralisa said she after the Letter vvas read you see that Perinthus though not in Love yet he can be valiant and that to be brave and gallant it is sufficient that one be only in Love vvith glory for though I seemed to believe as others did that Perinthus vvas in Love yet I assure you I never did really believe it at all And I assure you Madam replyed Doralisa I am not of your opinion doubtless one may be valiant and not amorous but I do confidently maintain that if a Gallant man vvas never in Love he shall be brave and valiant but bruitish withal And since Perinthus though valiant is not bruitish therefore I must conclude him to be in Love However said the Princess as friendly as I am to Perinthus and as joyful as I am to see his praises wrâ—t by the hand of so illustrious a Prince yet believe me I am almost angry with him because I am forced to answer something unto Abradates Truly Madam said Doralisa to her I should conceive the difficulty not great to answer any thing in that Letter It is true said she and blushed the difficulty is not in answering any thing to that Letter but to something which he said unto me at parting and then the Princess was
am assured Timantes loves me and assured by a thousand tryalls of his affection I will not have him know yet who I am or see me but that which I would at present know is whether Timantes be faithfull or no and whether he hath not told our adventure neither to the Prince nor any other of his friends After Parthenia had expressed her selfe Amaxita who knew that Antimaques was in love with Dorida and that Dorida wished well unto me and would trust me with any thing told her that if she would trust it unto my discretion I should easily make a discovery of what she desired to know At first Parthenia paused upon proposition but afterwards she was so well perswaded of my fidelity that she trusted me with the secret In the mean time Timantes had his share in sorrow for after he was entered into the house where he lodged he enquired not telling any reasons why he asked what women those were in the house wâ—h belonged to the Garden where he walkt but he was amused when he was answered there was none but the Mistris of the house who was well in years and some servants which waited upon her Yet he very well knew that she unto whom he spoke was neither a servant nor old for her conversation assured him of the first and her fair hands her sweet voice and handsome stature assured him of the second Also the two other times which he saw her he knew by her colours which she wore that certainly shee was young though by it he could not know her qualitie So that all these circumstances compared they puzzled him exceedingly He saw that all he knew of her was most admirable and that she had such a c 〈…〉 ming Emphasis in the accent of her voice as any thing sounded better in her mouth a thousand times then in any other He found her to be of such sharp so gallant and easie a spirit and wit that hee was ravished with her discourse and hee beleeved she was of such a sweet nature as could love most tenderly grounding his opinion upon her hatred against Inconstancie But for all this said he upon serious examination of the matter there must needs be something that is very strange either in the qualitie or in the beautie of this woman for why else should shee bee so nice as to hide her selfe from a man whose acquaintance shee does not absolutely reject And yet shee must needs bee faire for I have seen as much as argues it and shee must needs also be a woman of Qualitie her language her spirit her wit her port does sufficiently prove it and convinceth mee of these doubts Whatsoever shee bee said hee shee does infinitely please me and though it bee onely to know her name I must obey her for shee hath told mee that if I doe as she would have me I may not despair of knowing it hereafter and yet it is a very odde way that I should know a thing by not enquiring of it for he considered how she positively told him that if he enquired of any one she could know it and if ever she knew he enquired of any one he should never know her nor speak unto her therefore his curiosity wrought such effects in his heart as never did the like in any since it hindred him from enquiring of that which he most earnestly desired to know And truly though Timantes had a most longing desire to ask all his acquaintance who this amiable unknown one was whom he already loved and hardly knew it yet he durst not speak of it so much as to Antimaques lest he should blab it unto Dorida So that he passed over that night and the day following in extreame impatience In the mean time Amaxita having sent me unto him I became his spie and I kept all the day where he was and at night reported unto my Sister how he seemed very reserved unto all those he met withall that he refused supper with the Prince Philoxipes or to goe into the Walks upon the Sea-side as he used where all the Court did rendezvous and that he retired unto his own lodging very timely not rendering any reason why So that Amaxita told all this unto the Princesse she was exceedingly joyed and more readily resolved not to faile in her promise unto Timantes and in order to that appointing Amaxita to get the Garden door open and Amaxita knowing how to doe it unknown unto the Mistris of the house all things were so handsomly carried that at the appointed hour Timantes came to the window of the low room where Parthenia was under pretence of writting But when Timantes came he could see no more of Parthenia then before but yet found her in a disposition to receive him more civilly the reports which she had from me giving her more satisfaction She no sooner saw him but she began to speak I desire your pardon Sir said she unto him for being perhaps a hindrance unto your pleasure in walking by the sea-side as you use but that which comforts me a little is that it hinders you from the sight of all those Beauties which use to walk there It sufficiently appears Madam said he unto her after he had most respectively saluted her That I hoped for greater pleasure in your company then in the sight of all those Beauties you speak of since I quitted them to come unto you and therefore I need not any complement upon that But Madam since you know all passages of the world so well it seems you are not unknown unto any but me 'T is true Sir replyed she but it is upon a reason so advantageous to you that if I could now tell it I am confident you would confesse your self obliged unto me for it How much soever I am resolved to honour you replied he yet I can hardly think I am obliged to thank you for denying me a thing which I desire with as much zeal as the most violent Lovers do the enjoyment of their Mistresses Yet it appears said Parthenia craftily that the conversation you had here yesterday gave you no great satisfaction For as for my part when I passe any night away in any agreeable satisfaction there remains in my countenance all the next day a great impression of joy whereas on the contrary when I have been in any wearying company melancholy sads my eyes at least four and twenty hours after it and therefore if you be of my humour I have cause to think you were weary of our conversation yesterday for I know you were very melancholy and reserved all the day after 'T is true Madam replyed he I was very reserved but it was upon a reason quite contrary to yours since truly I am never so melancholy as after a great pleasure And this Madam which I enjoy in talking with you is far from a serene delight but on the contrary is so mixed with inquietude and curiosity that it torments me as much as
much this woman should be so opposite unto the judgement of all others concerning the Princesse of Salamis I pray tell me said Parthenia what shee did say in particular of her For I take the greatest pleasure in the world to see envy and jealousie work in the spirits of those who are inspired with those humours Since it is your pleasure Madam said he unto her I will confesse that after I had the honour to meet you the first time in the Labyrinth and could not finde you in any place after nor none could tell me who you were I had an imagination that you were this Princesse whereof we speak Yet I durst never reveale my thoughts unto any but this Lady who was my indifferent good friend but she kept me not long in that errour for she told me the Princesse of Salamis had a shrill voice not at all sweet that she was grosse and ill made that she had white but not handsome and fair hands The truth is said Parthenia There is no certain conclusions to be made by the reports of others and since I love Parthenia very well but doe not love her who speaks against her perhaps I shall be partiall and favour the one and wrong the other then I would have you see the Princess of Salamis and be judge your self In the mean time I am beholding to you for thinking me to be her for though she were not as all report her yet my obligation is not the lesse since your imagination fancied me to be so and not as that Lady described her 'T is true replyed Timantes That I fancied your Idea like that of the Princesse of Salamis bee shee as fair as shee can be However said Parthenia exceedingly desiring to know what Timantes would think of her beauty I pray doe me so much favour as to see that Princesse How can I see her Madam replyed he for the Prince Philoxipes asked her leave to bring me into her desart and she would not honour me so far And to tell you truly Madam all my curiosity is confined unto your self and I desire to see none else Yet I should think my self obliged to you answered she if you would see her Once more Madam said he pray tell me how I can see her You may easily doe it said Parthenia for I know she goes almost every day unto a little Temple of Venus Urania not above thirty furlongs from her house towards Amathonte I doe know the Temple said hee for it was shewed unto me as I went unto the Adonian Feast Since so said she I pray you goe thither to morrow for I confesse I should be very glad if the beauty of that Princesse should please you to the end you may hereafter suspect the reports of that Lady who I love not and may put her out of the Catalogue of your friends Alass Madam said Timantes there is no necessity of my seeing the Princesse of Salamis for I know enough from you to make me discard that Lady from the number of my friends for since she does not please you she cannot me No no said she I would not have you doâ— so out of complacencie but out of reason therefore I conjure you to doe as I desire But Madam said he if this Princess be as fair as reports make her me-thinks you should have some care of my heart in exposing it unto so great a danger at least you should shew me your eyes that I may with them defend my self against hers On the contrary said she since I doe intend never to give my entire affection untill I am first most certainly assured of yours I wish the Princesse of Salamis were a thousand times fairer then she is that she might be a stronger tryall of your constancie For since I value not a perfideous inconstant heart nor would be loved for beauty if I had it but would have good security against all those evils which beauty causes I should be glad you saw all the beauties in Cyprus to the end I might not fear it In conclusion Sir Parthenia ordered the matter with so much art that Timantes promised to go next morning and see whether the Princesse of Salamis were at that Temple not having the least suspition of the truth nor thinking she had any other design in her commands but onely that she loved to be punctually obeyed So that he prepared himselfe for it And after he went from her Parthenia gave all requisite orders for his journey in the morning and so did she Amaxita writ a Letter unto me to send a Coach by break of day for Parthenia would not make use of the Ladyes with whom shee lodged because Timantes knew it So she did rise betimes in the morning and dressed her self in her richest habit and neglected nothing which might set her self out with advantage When she was all ready and had looked the last time in her glasse Amaxita asked what was her design not being yet satisfied with all the reasons she had told her I would exactly know said she what Timantes will think of me which I can never doe if I shew my self unto him and discover who I am But Madam said Amaxita unto her since you doe not feare that your beauty will attract the heart of Timantes why doe you tell him the truth No replyed Parthenia I have not changed my mind but still fear the menaces of the gods and these fears are my reasons why I goe so fantastically to work But for all that Madam said Amaxita I am confident Timantes will think you the fairest that ever he saw and I beleeve all the excellings of your spirit your soul your hands your stature and your voice will have much adoe to hold out against the glory of your eyes and therefore if you think you cannot marry him if perchance he should be in love with your beauty as well as with your soul never expose him unto that danger but seek out some other way to make tryall of his fidelity Yet Parthenia would not hearken unto Amaxita But not well knowing what she should think if Timantes should commend her either too much or too little She went into the Temple so early as she was in no danger to be known in the Town She went also by a blind way to the end that she might come as if she came from Salamis for so her Desart was called But since she feared that if Timantes did see her in the Temple he would know her by her stature as soon as she came she offered her sacrifice and afterwards seeing that Timantes was not come she went unto the Sacrificers house under pretence of resting her self whose house was close by the way as one comes from Paphos So that being in a Parlor shee leaned against the window talking with Amaxita whose hood was up as well as hers for in favour of their design the Sun did not then shine She had not stood there a quarter of an
especially since the Musician was even ravished that Arion sung so ill 'T is true he did not report that he heard Arion in my chamber but he said he heard him The two women durst not tell all the truth which they thought they knew but they told all the women of Zenocrite that Arion was in Town and that Thrasimedes was acquainted with him So that the next day the news was publique and every one asked whether they had seen Arion But the best conceit was that the same day Zenocrite came unto Lycaste where I was with Cydipe and Arpalice Thrasimedes came also and brought Philistion with him as Philistion that is as a man of Quality in Hallicarnassis and not as Arion For my part though I did beleeve he had put a trick upon us yet I knew not for whom I should take this Stranger but I was much perplexed that every one who came that day to Lycaste should all talk of Arion Some said one thing others another according to the various reports of Relators For my part said Zenocrite I despair not of knowing him for I am told he is a friend of Thrasimedes I must confesse when I heard Zenocrite say so I thought it some affront which she put upon Arpalice and me and that she had known something of the precedent dayes passage On the other side Thrasimedes and Philistion knew not what to think But at last Thrasimedes said that he had not as yet seen Arion and that if he did meet with him he promised Zenocrite to bring him unto her He had no sooner passed this promise but all the company desired the same favour and Philistion was as earnest of it as any of the rest So that Arion desired to see Arion In the mean time Arpalice and I could hardly hold from laughing yet she restrained her self as well as she could She had much adoe to bring some angry Idea into her fancy to prevent it but at last the thought of Menecrates his arrivall the next day gave a stop unto all her mirth In the mean time Thrasimedes came to me and asked me pardon for the imposture which he had used making me an exact relation of all and conjuring me to pittie him and doe him all good offices unto Arpalice I shall not relate all that he said unto us for it would be too long nor how Thrasimedes was persecuted by all those who desired him to make them acquainted with Arion nor how Zenocrite did play upon the return of Menecrates But let me tell you that Arpalice seeing Menecrates did return the next day and apprehending that perhaps within a few dayes they would enjoyn her to marry him she was so exceedingly sad at the thought of it that she fell sick and so sick that she kept her bed To tell you truly I am perswaded that as things stood her esteem of Thrasimedes did augment her aversion unto Menecrates However her dislike of him made her sad and sick So that partly sad partly sick she kept her bed all the next day and I stayed with her because she desired I should see how he would accost her and indeed the meeting was very civill on Menecrates his side though with much indifferency but with an extream coldnesse from Arpalice She being in her bed and as she said sick no great notice was taken but he seemed more disposed to look upon Cydipe who was very handsome that day then to talk with Arpalice and he did it so openly that one could not doe him a greater pleasure then to withdraw and leave him alone with her But the strangest thing is that this Lover who at his return found his Mistris sick was so little troubled at it that he stayed very late talking with Cydipe in Lycastes chamber and was in the merriest mood in the world that night I leave you to judge whether this was not enough to augment Arpalices aversion who was indeed so really troubled at this proceeding that she was really sick for fifteen dayes and Menecrates did not visit her above one quarter of an hour every day employing all the rest in pleasures and courting Cydipe who infinitely pleased him Also he did visit Thrasimedes and so did Parmenides For though they had told him of the passage concerning the Picture and had hinted as much as might perswade him that Thrasimedes was in love with Arpalice yet since himself was not he cared not and consequently did not choak his civilities unto Thrasimedes who ever since the day in which he confessed his trick did continually tell me of his love to Arpalice In the mean time since she would not do Menecrates so much favour as to seem angry against him for playing away her Picture but onely continued cold towards him without any mention of the true cause she was very desirous of some time to resolve upon what course to take and would goe into the Country with Zenocrite who asked leave of Lycaste telling her that fresh air was the best thing to recover her health So that Arpalice went with Zenocrite for fifteen dayes Menecrates not knowing whether she was improved or no since he had onely seen her in the dark So she went out of her bed into a Coach and was not very sick for she being much more sick in mind then body stirring made her better For my part I stayed at Patara with orders to write news unto Arpalice and indeed I gave her a full relation and had matter enough for it for Menecrates was so taken with the beauty of Cydipe and Parmenides so deep in love with Cleoxene Sister unto Menecrates and the counterfeit Arion seemed not to hate me so that I had matter of news enough But when I sent all this news unto her I sent two severall Letters one to her self another to shew Zenocrite for though she was a very generous person yet there were some secrets which one would hardly trust themselves with and though she was her confident in a hundred things yet they were such as related more unto others then her self Thus Zenocrite knew all but knew it by such as had no interest in it And thus I left it unto the discretion of Arpalice what she thought fit to impart unto her And she told her with joy that Menecrates applyed himself unto Cydipe but with sorrow that Parmenides loved the Sister of Menecrates I writ to her also in rallery how Thrasimedes visited me so oft that Philistion had not opportunity to expresse half the esteem he had of me In the mean time the love of Thrasimedes being violent the absence of Arpalice seemed long unto him and needs must he write unto her Since hee knew I used to send unto her and since he had made me tell him the day when I writ unto her he came unto me as I was ready to make up my Pacquet and knowing I sent her all the witty and pleasant things I could gleane he gave me some verses which he
unto him for believing he should see the Princess Araminta the next morning every minute seemed an Age unto him As for Sesostris and Artamas after they had conducted Cyrus unto the Cittadel they returned to the Pallace to see at once those two Princesses who raigned in their souls The first of these since he had not of a long time seen his dearest Timaretta he thought he should never see her enough And the second besides the joy which he should have to be with his Princess he was joyed that he was able to render an accompt unto her of the conference between Cyrus and the King her Father and that he was able to tell her that he was well received Since these two Princesses had two Chambers which joyned together and since they were both in their own Chambers which Sesostris and Artamas came to see them they parted at the doors of the Chambers But vvhil'st Sesostris vvas entertaining his dearest Timaretta and vvhil'st he vvas protesting that his Love vvas as violent as vvhen she vvas the fairest Shepheardess of all Aegypt and he the most amorous Shepheard of the World Whil'st I say Artamas vvas protesting unto the Princess Palmâ— after he had rendred her an accompt of all passages bet 〈…〉 〈◊〉 and him that the aâ—teration in her fortune had vvrought no change in his heart and that he did love her vvith more zeal and respect though the King her Father vvas a Captive and though he had lost his Crown then he did before when she was the Daughter of the most puissant and rich King of all Asia Whil'st I say these two illustrious Lovers found some sweetness in discoursing of their past misfortunes and present miseries Andramites prepared himself to wait upon Cyrus the next morning when he intended to carry Spitridates unto Araminta to the end he might the sooner see his beloved Doralisa Ligdamis also as well as he had the same design to see his dearest Cleonice Parmenâ—des also who came to Sardis as soon as he heard it was taken thought of returning to see Cydipe so that all these Amorâ—tes being no less amorous then Spitridates were no less impatient then he and expected the happy hour with as much restlesseness of mind They all departed not so early in the morning as they could have desired because Cyrus had yet so much business to dispatch that the Sun was a great height before he took horse for he had not only his last orders to give unto the messenger whom he sent unto Ciaxares but he had commands to give concerning the bringing of Menecrates and â—hrasemedes unto Sardis He had written and sent unto Persipolis but he had yet to command that they should go unto certain small Maritine Towns whose names were out of his memory when he sent unto Ephisus Milete Guides and Cuma for though in his sending thither he had given orders in general to go unto all the Ports on that Coast yet because he had not precisely named the Towns which he then remembred he vvould send thither chusing rather to do a hundred things to no purpose concerning the Quest of his Princess then to fail in the least circumstance that had any shadow of possibility in doing her service But at last all business was dispatched and he departed first asking pardon of the Prince Spitridates for keeping him so long from the sight of the Princess Araminta conjuring him to pardon the fault of an unhappy Lover who was not so neer the sight of her he loved as he was After this complement which Spitridates received with the same civility it was expressed they rid towards the Castle where Cyrus had lodged Araminta Tigranes knowing the violent disposition of his Brother Phraartes would also make one in this journey to prevent any unruly attempt which his Brother might fall upon at the sight of Spitridates As for Andramites Ligdamis and Parmenides they waited upon Cyrus at this time more for their sakes whom they loved then for any other reason Aglatidas who was interest in all these Lovers was very desirous to be a witness of all their joyes so that he accompanied Cyrus as well as Anaxaris Artabanes Chrisantes Hirmogenes Leontidas Megabises and many others This Prince took with him two hundred horse for his Guard conceiving that there was not need of any more though it was a daies journey in a Country newly conquered for Croessus had no Troops in the field the disorder was so great amongst the people and the Dominion of Cyrus was hoped to be so gentle that considering â—he state of things there was no fear of any revolt Also a great part of the way he was to go was through the Camp and their own Quarters and by consequence less dangerous But when these Princes were about fifty furlongs from Sardis Cyrus met a servant of Artabases unto whom he had committed the Guard of Panthea and Araminta when he displaced Araspes This servant came to tell him from his Master that the Prince Phraartes had carried away the Princess of Pontus This servant had no sooner openly delivered his message unto Cyrus but Spitridates gave so sad a cry that he did most sensibly move the hearts of all who heard him unto pity As for Cyrus though he had only a most pure harmless affection unto Araminta and pity of Spitridates yet was he most extreamly troubled at the accident the sence of honour mixing with the tenderness of his soul caused him to resent very bitterly this little respect which Phraartes had of him in taking away a Princess who was his prisoner Tigranes for his particular was exceedingly grieved at his Brothers fault and it had been a difficult matter for a stranger seeing these three Princes to know which of them was the Lover of the Princess who was carried away Though the sorrows of Spitridates were a thousand times deeper then those of Cyrus and Tigranes yet his eyes his words and all his actions could not make it appear how great they were After his first apprehension of sorrow and dispair he stood still more then a quarter of an hour in a Lethargy of Spirit which made him hear what others said as if he understood them not During all this time of this sad silence he had such a cloud of dismal melancholy in his face as made it most apparent that his soul was in most horrid torments The first words he uttered were Is it possible that Artabases the fidelity of whose heart I make no doubt should not prevent so great a misfortune Sir replied the servant the great wounds which he hath received upon this occasion will sufficiently testifie that he hath not failed in the duty which he owes you and that his extraordinary valour did not at this time fail him But how is it possible replied Cyrus and interrupted him that Phraartes could execute his design Sir replied the servant to acquaint you exactly how it was be pleased to know that when the news
whom you sent thither would know him and would have given you a hint of it in the intelligence which he sent you Let it be then concluded replied Cyrus that we cannot guess where he is and let us believe that wheresoever he be he plots our ruine Things being upon these terms in the Camp of Cyrus the Enemies Army being certainly informed that Cumes was besieged they met in a place where the Commanders thought most fit to consult upon the best course and to execute it as soon as it was resolved upon Since they were very neer the Camp they hoped to relieve Cumes for considering the discommodities of the incampment and the badness of the weather enough to ruine any Army they thought that the Army of Cyrus would be so weakened by their hard working and being enclosed between them and the Garrison of the Town it might be easily overthrown by fresh forces yet the very name of Cyrus being terrible unto them they resolved to send out a Party of Horse to take some prisoners to the end they might have more certain knowledg of their Enemies condition But at the same time they trimmed and tackled up a great company of Ships with intention to enter the Port of Cumes by force of Sail if the windes were favourable in spite of Thrasibulus his Fleet. In the mean time Cyrus like a great Captain did foresee that if the Siege lasted long his Army would decay that it might be beaten and that he might fail in taking Cumes he resolved to shorten the Siege by force and to assault it with unresistable fury and certainly this design was full of reason for victuals would quickly fail and the Sea was so rough that the Barques which brought them were often split in landing Moreover it was almost continual ruine and Winter came on so fast that the Souldier endured much hardship the impetuosity of the winde would somtimes blow such a cloud of dusty Sand upon all the Camp as blinded them their Tents and Huts were all weather-beaten and many of the Souldiers did lye in mud besides all this they must be continually working to repair what the Sea spoiled and to keep the Ditch from being filled up so that fortune ill weather and hard labour began already to bring divers diseases into the Camp In the mean Cyrus foreseeing all these inconveniencies was not dismayed but endeavoured to surmount them by storming Cumes and so to shorten the business He very prudently considered that he should loose fewer men by hazarding a fight then by a long Siege So that this being the resolution Cyrus contrived the execution In order to which as soon as the intrenchments were finished he went to discover all the places where the Town might be best assaulted Mazares and Artamas followed him and after good consideration he resolved upon two several assaults and prepared for the execution of so great a design before the Enemy could oppose them because they were very busie in their works of defence Mazares and Artamas were the first who fought in erecting a Sconce to facilitate the assault but the Enemy being fully resolved to dislodg them did sally upon them so sharply as they came thrice that night to the charge and that with such vigor as it was evident that those Souldiers were commanded by such Officers who were resolved to make a gallant defence Anaxaris who was in this bussle did miracles and did most contribute to the repairing of that Bank of Sand where the Sconce was made But in the last sally which the enemy made to drive them off this valiant stranger being very forward to repulse them was taken Prisoner and carried unto the Town but after a three houres hot dispute Victory declared her self for the besiegers and the Sconce was made before night able to hold three hundred men There was killed wounded taken Prisoners of both sides but the misfortune of Anaxaris did most sensibly perplex Cyrus On the other side of the Town the assault was in a much more readiness for in a short time the Besiegers had gained the Counterscarp and things went as well as Cyrus could wish In the mean time intelligence was brought that the Enemies Army was upon their march and seemed as if they intended to offer battel Cyrus no sooner heard this news but he prepared to receive them But to prevent surprizal he sent out Scouts and was presently given to understand that it was a false alarum grounded upon what some Pesants had seen who seeing a good Party of the Enemies sent out to take some Prisoners thought them to be the Vantguard of their Army But the wonder was that the noise of the Enemies march to relieve Cumes should never move the soul of Cyrus nor dismay the Souldiers but all stood in excellent order to receive them The assault continued as if this Allarum had never been and Clearques who shewed himself most bravely was already got upon the Counterscarp when the Enemy out of their Trenches sent Clouds of Arrows upon the Pioniers after which they came to handy blows and a much more terrible and bloody fight there was then that before and the confusion was so great that none knew which were Conquerours or which conquered which friends which Enemies Cyrus being advertised of this disorder went thither immediately being followed by Megabates Thrasimedes Ligdamis Aglatidas and all the rest of the Voluntiers and he was no sooner in the midst of this danger but his presence dispersed all fears he gave new hearts to his Souldiers damped the Enemies reestablished the order and went on with the work But whilst things were in this condition on the Besiegers side those who commanded the Enemies Army were in a great perplexity for though their Army was sufficiently numerous yet after they knew from the Prisoners which they had taken the manner of the works they thought themselves not able to force them especially having to do with a Prince who was as prudent as valiant Yet since Pactias knew that the King of Pontus would never pardon him if they attempted nothing for his relief and since Lycambes thought it would go against the Hair of his honour to stand still with his hands in his pocket they resolved to seem at least as if they would do somthing though when they considered that they were to cope with the most valiant Prince in the world a Prince accustomed to vanquish whose men were admirably disciplined whose reputation robbed their Souldiers of their hearts and whose capacity left them no hopes that he would commit any error which might facilitate their design all these I say considered they thought it madness to attempt any thing against him and they confessed it folly ever to hope for any good issue in their attempt But making a show as if they would make some attempt they marched as â—f they would assault the lines themselves spreading a report of it to see many tumult would chance in the Camp
three Rivals did not hinder the universal joy that was in both Town and Camp But to be short at their return from the Temple Cyrus after he had taken orders from Mandana sent unto Pactias and Licambes to acquaint them with the state of things and to induce them to lay down arms He sent also to the Xantheans and Caunians to confirm the offers which they made He sent dispatches also unto Ciaxares and Cambises The Princess writing unto the King her Father to thank him for his cares in procuring her libertie and unto the Queen of Persia also to testifie her obligations unto the Prince her Son After this was to be seen according to the orders which Cyrus sent over night the two Fleets of Thrasibulus and Timochares enter into the Port of Cumes and as they passed in sight of Mandana's Chamber where Cyrus then was the Flags of all the Fleets vailed Bonnet in honour of that Princess As soon as Thrasibulus Timochares Philocles and Leontidas came ashore they came also to salute Mandana unto whom Cyrus presented them You see here Madam said he and spoke of Thrasibulus a Prince who was my Conquerour and whose valour did exceedingly help me to finish the Armenian War In telling me replied Mandana that the Prince Thrasibulus hath conquered the Conqueror of others you oblige me to esteem him infinitelie The victorie I got Madam replied Thrasibulus did cost me so dear and the defeat of the illustrious Artamenes was so glorious unto him that if I might have chosen I had rather have been the conquered then the Conqueror As Cyrus was readie to replie and vie modesty with him the King of Hircania the Prince Artamas Gadates Gobrias Persodes and many others of Noble Quality came into Mandana's Chamber who entertained them with as much sweetness as Majestie Croessus and Myrsiles came a little after the first of these asking pardon for protecting the King of Pontus beseeching her not to be less generous then Ciaxares and Cyrus had been To testifie unto you said she unto him that I will not yeeld unto them in that virtue I assure you I am much joyed at the alliance which you have made with such a renowned Prince as the Prince Artamas who hearing what Mandana said of him returned a most ingenious and civil answer But since such kind of visits as these never use to be long this croud of renowned persons did soon disperse themselves Cyrus also was obliged to go out of her Chamber into his own to receive two Deputies from Susiana which Orsanus sent unto hm So that Mandana in this interval talked with Chrisantes and Feraulas unto whom she had not yet spoken therefore she went into her Closet whether Martesia brought them Now was the glorie of Cyrus aggravated with much zeal by these two faithful servants unto their Master and she did much better understand from them then from him how much she was obliged unto him In the mean while Cyrus being come to his Chamber whether Mazares and Hermogenes also resorted to hear some news of Belesis he received the Deputies which Orsanus sent He understood from them that all the Grandees in the Kingdome of Susiana no sooner saw the Testament of Abradates who gave him his Crown but all were joyfully disposed to become his Subjects and acknowledg him for their King That the people did submit unto it with abundance of satisfaction that Belesis had done him very good service in this business that Adusia's according to his order stayed at Susa to command in that Kingdom until he himself could honour that state with his presence that all things were there verie quiet that both Grandees and People had taken oaths of fidelity to him and that he was absolutely King of Susiana These men having ended their speech Cyrus did treat them as men who brought him a Crown and began to transact with them as with good and faithful Subjects Then appointing them to be lodged in the Town he dismissed them keeping Orsanus with him purposely to tell him some newes of Belesis whom he infinitely esteemed knowing that he did ever confirm Mazares in those resolutions of virtue which he had planted in his soul seeing then there was none but Mazares and Hermogenes neer him Well Orsanus said he unto him hath the voyage of Belesis been as happy for himself as it hath been for me Will Cleodora acknowledg him for her Slave with as good a will as the People of Susa are to acknowledg me for their King Sir replied Orsanus it is not so Why said Mazares and interrupted him had Cleodora accomplished her last vowes which the women consecrated unto Ceres use when Belesis came unto Susa No Sir replied Orsanus we came thither some daies before she was to perform them I pray said Cyrus relate unto us the business Hermogenes understanding by the discourse of Orsanus that Belesis did not thrive in his affection to Cleodora his curiositie augmented and his sorrows diminished for his belief was that Belesis was gone to take possession of her so that he lent a most attentive ear unto what Orsanus said Since you are pleased to command me Sir said Orsanus unto Cyrus to acquaint you with the adventure of Belesis be pleased to know Sir that when he came to Sâ—sa he presently enquired whether Cleodora had power to come out of the Temple unto which she was retired and whether it was believed she would remain there He understood that the last ceremony which was to bind her for ever was not to be performed of a moneth after that the general opinion was she would remain there because she might live a retired life there every one telling her that she was none of those who in lieu of seeking out a solitude amongst the vailed Virgins and preserving their innocence would trouble the first and lose the second and so dishonour them in lieu of adding glory Yet Belesis was not very much grieved at the thought that Cleodora would remain in the Temple because he hoped she might change her mind so that not to omit any tittle of his duty in matter of love he writ unto Cleodora and gave his Letter unto Alcenor to carry soliciting her also by many friends for leave to see and speak with her But whilst Alcenor and the Ladies his friends were negotiating for him he took order for all things which related unto your services and in the mean while he understood that Cleodora refused his Letter that she would not see him that she obtained leave to shorten the time of the last ceremony and that it was to be accomplished the next day You may judg Sir what sad news this was unto Belesis who no sooner heard it but he went unto the Temple of Ceres and so tampered with her who had power to command Cleodora that she commanded her to see and speak with Belesis an houre before she was to engage all the rest of her life Belesis then saw her and
commanded him that when he did bring the Prince his Son not to enter into any Town but to stay a dayes journy from Heraclea and give notice how all things stood But Madam without more particulars be pleased to know that this man came to the place where Spitridates was and seized upon him which was easie to be done for he found him in bed not cured of his wounds though out of all danger Moreover the place was far from Towns And since the Prince of Paphlagonia was then in the Army of Cyrus Spitridates knew not of whom he should ask protection But to make the matter more easie Democlides being perswaded that this Prince would not be so miserable in his own Country as where he was and advised him to submit unto the force without murmure against the King his Father since he was not able to resist Yet Spitridates did not yeild before he had employed all his rhetorick to perswade the man to let him go at liberty but at last seeing he could not move him neither by hopes of recompence nor by any threats he resolved to go along with him not being able to resist twenty men who at first disarmed both him and Democlides since Spitridates was very weak they were forced to put him into a Coach so as though this Prince was as violent as any that ever loved yet it was an easie matter to carry him And he came within a dayes journy of Heraclea without any obstacle And the man who commanded the Guard sent to acquaint Arsamones with what he had done So that this violent Prince commanded him to bring Spitridates unto Heraclea in the night time least the people should grumble and sent more Souldiers that way Spitridates was to come that his Guard might be the stronger And the business was dispatched with so much secresie that no reports of it were spread abroad But since the Policy of Arsamones was somthing severe to punish many least all should become Delinquents Prisoners were so ordinary that it was no wonder to hear talk that some were brought in the night into Heraclea In somuch that the Princess Intaphernes and Atergatis knew nothing of Spitridates his imprisonment no more then the Princess of Bythinia or the Princess Istrina For indeed Madam the Prince Spitridates was put into a Tower by the Sea-side with a strong Guard and Democlides was also his Companion though he did earnestly perswade him to go unto Heraclea without resistance In the mean time Arsamones commanded that this Prince should be very carefully looked unto but so very few did see him and those that did were so faithfull to the King of Bythinia that for some dayes Spitridates was never thought of But Arsamones going one morning to this Tower where Spitridates was and not returning of two hours after did move some suspition of some extraordinary Prisoners for he returned out with so many signs of fury in his face as those who waited upon him at the foot of the Tower did easily observe it and divulge it so as it was conjectured that these Prisoners were some of great importance but they knew no more And Atergatis and Istrina did not know how much they were concern'd in the Conference between Arsamones and Spitridates For Madam be pleased to know that Arsamones did not only move Spitridates to cast of all thoughts of the Princess Araminta but propounded a marriage with Istrina not doubting but that Princess would willingly be Queen of two Kingdoms and cast off Atergatis whom he knew Gadates would not have her to marry But since nothing could shake the affection of Spitridates unto Araminta he rejected the Proposition which Arsamones made How Spitridates sayd Arsamones can you be so foolish as to renounce the two Kingdoms of Pontus and Bythinia which I have Conquered rather then renounce the Daughter of a Usurper and the Sister of a Prince who hates you and would heretofore have Araminta preferred Pharnaces before you Consider Spitridates consider seriously what the value of two Kingdoms which now you may either gain or loose by obeying or disobeying me I have tossed and toyled above this twenty years to set you upon a Throne It hath cost the life of the Prince your Brother and twenty thousand more who have all perished to break those Chains which fettered you and to set the Crown upon yout head And will you rather love a Slave and be a Slave your self then enjoy the fruits of all my Victories For to think that I will ever suffer Araminta to be Queen of Pontus and Bythinia is a thing which I hate to hear of For besides my resentments of hatred revenge and glory also which will not let me consent unto it even Policy only will not allow me to give a new title unto my Enemies by this alliance I know very well that Araminta is fair witty of much Spirit and Virtue but since she is Daughter and Sister to my Enemies and Ruinors of my house you must Spitridates either think no more upon her or else think your self my Enemy She whom I motion unto you is as fair and virtuous as Araminta can be Moreover she is the Daughter and Sister of a Prince who wisheth my Glory and Sister unto another who hath helped me to that Throne upon which I would set you Yet all these powerfull arguments could not stagger the constancy of Spitridates and as I told you before he rejected the motion of Arsamones with incredible resolution though his mind at that time was much incensed against Araminta However Arsamones did not quite dispair of changing his mind but resolved upon three things The first to acquaint that Prince with the meeting of Araminta and the King of Pontus by the permittance of Cyrus The second to acquaint him with all those reports of Cyrus his love to Araminta thongh he knew them to be all false And the third that when he had enfused jealous apprehensions into his fancy to acquaint the Queen Arbiana with the imprisonment of Spitridates that she might go to see him and carry Istrina with her hoping that the beauty of the Princess would sooner change his thoughts from Araminta then all his perswasions and policy And indeed Madam in order to these Resolutions he did infuse such jealous apprehensions into the heart of Spitridates as this Prince could not enjoy one minutes rest and his Soul was so sunck in sorrows that having found a way how to write to the Prince Araminta he would not make use of that way to let the Princess her Sister know of his imprisonment But as the first design of Arsamones did hit so his second did not as I shall presently tell you However since the day that Arsamones was with Spitridates he came out from him much moved every one was inquisitive of the true cause but could not find it out Yet at last Arsamones hearing that Spitridates was much disquieted and knowing by some of the Guard that
to desire But after he had concluded that nothing could either make him happy or Cyrus miserable May I not hope said he unto himself that the gods who have ruined all the Rivalls of Cyrus or changed their hearts will either ruine or change mee as they have all the rest Yes ye just gods pursued he you will either give me the Fate of the Assyrian King or else the Fate of Mazares Doubtlesse ere long I shall either be in my grave as the first or else become as vertuous as the second But truely in the choise of these two I had rather have the King of Assyria's Destiny then that of Mazares and I had much rather die the Lover of Mandana then live without her Love But whilest Anaxaris was reasoning in this manner upon the King of Assyria's death and upon his own Passion one came to tell him that Cyrus asked for him so as feeling some extraordinary turbulency in his soul he had much ado to obey him but at last striving extremely with himself he went unto his Chamber into which he was no sooner entred but Cyrus carrying him into a Closet which was within his Chamber he spoke unto him with abundance of Confidence and Tendernesse You know my Dear Anaxaris said he unto him that I have already trusted you with my honour and all that can make me live with felicity or die with Consolation And to testifie that I have not altered my opinion of you I will reveal a secret unto you which I will never impart unto any but you onely and which Feraulas himself that Dear Confident of my Passion shall never know 〈◊〉 for since he is in love with Martesia I will not let him know that the King o 〈…〉 Assyria is alive Is the King of Assyria alive replied Anaxaris and wondred Yes replied Cyrus and when you heard it reported that hee was very ill of his wounds and thought him dead then did he mend or was perfectly recovered for since I intended to keep my word and fight with him before we come to Ecbatan I thought it most expedient to let this lie passe for a truth for I observed that as long as that Prince was well all my friends were so watchfull over me that it was impossible for me to give satisfaction unto my enemy so as to be revenged upon him for all those miseries which he hath caused the Princesse and me to endure I thought it best to deceive the world and publish the King of Assyria's death to the end I might turn my fable into a history and fight him without fear of being hindred The King of Assyria himself desires it so as when hee sent me word that within this three dayes he would be within fifty furlongs of this place neer unto an old ruined Castle which he very precisely marked unto me I caused it to be published that he was dead And I see all the world is so fully perswaded of it that two reasons induced me to discover my designe unto you though one of them is now invalid for indeed I thought I should have stood in need of your help to deisingage me from so many eyes as were over me by a device which I had imagined But now I shall onely stand in need of your help to hinder my Rivall from getting Mandana into his power if I should chance to fall in the Combate with him for though I made him a promise to fight with him before I enjoyed her yet I never promised him to render her into his power And therefore my Dear Anaxaris I conjure you that if I be overcome to shew this Order which I have writ with my own hand and which I will leave in yours unto all the Princes and all the Commanders in the Army to the end that when they shall see that I have put into the hands of Mandana all the Authority which I received from Ciaxares they may the more readily obey her and oppose the King of Assyria for truely there is cause of fear that so many new subdued Princes will be ready to joyn with the King of Assyria to get out of servitude unlesse prevented by your fidelity I know very well your rare valour hath got you much credit in the opinion of the Souldiers I know the Princesse would be glad you should be the second time her deliverer I know your fidelity cannot bee suspected and you have heretofore promised me rather to die then leave Mandana in the King of Assyria's power I did promise it Sir answered Anaxaris and I promise it again assuring that I am inclinable unto nothing more then to oppose his designe Cyrus being extremely satisfied to see with what zeal Anaxaris answered his desires did expresse himself in most obliging Language and afterwards gave him severall Orders both what he should say unto the Princesse Mandana and what he should do to keep her safe in case he were overcome Not but that I hope very confidently my Dear Anaxaris that all these Orders are to no purpose and that I shall conquer the King of Assyria But my affection unto Mandana is so violent and my hatred of my Rivall so great that I am resolved to fight him to his grave and therefore I ought not to forget any thing which may conduce unto the safety of my Princesse And therefore once more I conjure you to make sure of all your companions to prepare the spirits of all your friends and to flatter the Souldiers as much as you can Cyrus added unto all these one considerable piece of Prudence for he put into the hands of Anaxaris more money then he needed to appease all manner of mutinies amongst the Souldiers so that neglecting nothing which might prevent the King of Assyria from having Mandana in his power he spent his three dayes before the Combate in continuall cares yet they were cares as appeared unto none but Anaxaris and Cyrus was such a perfect Master of his own mind that whether hee talked unto Martesia Doralisa Mandana or any of those Ladies which the River stayed in that place there did not appear any signe either in his eyes or discourse that any thing troubled the calmnesse of his soul On the contrary since the River began to confine it self within its owne limits and since it was likely that within a few dayes the Bridge in the place might be passed over and since nothing hindred their journey but this inundation of waters they would all remove presently from that place On the other side Anaxaris seemed to be very busie but since Cyrus knew the cause of it he was so farre from being disquieted that hee was extremely glad he had found out a protectour of Mandana so diligent so zealous and so faithfull In the mean time since Cyrus had intelligence every day from the King of Assyria he understood that he was not farre from the place where they were to fight which was to be the next morning so that renewing
Pherenice to tell her So that having passed away the rest of the night and part of the morning in reasoning upon this strange adventure she sent to seek out Chrisantes yet it was long before her servant could get out because the foure Guards which Anaxaris had placed at the Gate of the Castle would not suffer any to pass out because their orders was to the contrarie but at last obtaining their leave this servant got out and went unto Chrisantes who understood before that you Sir was not at your own lodging And hearing at the same time by Arianita that the Princess was also gone out he thought it not fit to conceal her astonishment So that acquainting the Prince Artamas Mazares Intaphernes Myrsiles and others with it there was presently raised so great a report of your death Sir and of the Princesses her departure that I am not able to represent unto you the disorder which this sad news caused both amongst all your friends and amongst the Souldiers The greatest wonder was that none knew what course to take nor from whom to receive orders Some said the best way was to go unto the King of Hircania others unto Croessus and every one voting to revenge your death and going after Mandana yet all their Spirits were in such disorder that neither of those courses was taken Some said that happily Anaxaris had not carried away the Princess considering the manner of her departure But the Prince Myrsiles understanding from some of his servants that Andramites many daies since had prepared some of his friends for some great design which he said he had in hand he made no question but his design was that knowing Anaxaris would carry away Mandana he would also carry away his adored Doralisa So that supposing them to be carried away by fallacies this Prince making no reckonings of these reports which went of the King of Assiria's being alive and that he had killed you he assembled together some of his friends and went in all haste to see if he could discover which way Anaxaris took The Prince Mazares also took up the same design but took another way As for the Prince Artamas Intaphernes Chrisantes Aglatidas and my self we divided our selves with intentions to find you out So that being guided doubtless by the Gods unto the place where you were I have good reason to believe that they will also guide you Sir very shortlie unto the place where Mandana is No no replied this grieved Prince there is no hopes but on the contrarie all is to be feared After this the Sibels answer which was brought him by Ortalques coming into his mind he assured himself that he was destined unto a sad fate and that Thomiris would destroy him Then also he believed that the Oracle of the Assyrian King would be fully compleated and prove to his Rivals advantage nor durst he so much as hope that the Oracle which the Princess of Salamis had received could be interpreted unto his advantage So that his Spirits being wholly possessed with sorrow he talked no more of what happed in the place where Arianita was from whose own mouth he intended to be precisely satisfied of all that Feraulas told him He found her with Pherenice Amalde Telamire and all the rest of the Ladies which used to accompany her but he found them all in tears yet his sight was a great comfort unto them supposing that since he was living they needed not to fear Mandana However their astonishment was not a little unto them that believed the King of Assyria dead and had heard say afterwards that he had killed Cyrus when they saw them both living and carrie themselves to each other as formerlie And after they were informed of all that Arianita knew after they had examined the four Guards whom Anaxaris had left and who knew nothing but that Anaxaris had commanded them to let none go out of the Castle until it was late and that the King of Assyria had been dressed of a slight wound which he had in his left Atm they advised together upon the best expedients in such a disasterous occasion 'T is true their counsels were often interrupted for men come from all Quarters of the Army to be satisfied concerning this great report which was so suddenlie spread abroad both concerning the King of Assyria's life and the death of Cyrus and also the carrying away of Mandana But at the last since the necessity of the business did extreamly urge it Cyrus with the advice of all his friends and of his Rival and when they understood that Anaxaris had not above a hundered men with him resolved that the King of Assiria the Prince Artamas the Prince Intaphernes and himself should each of them take two hundered horse and divide themselves to try if any of them could find out the way which Anaxaris took of which they had no light at all But since Cyrus was glad that some of his friends would be with the Assirian King in case he should find Mandana and recover her out of Anaxaris his hands And so he had no means to break his promise and carry her away for himself therefore Cyrus transacted with abundance of discretion maugre all his sorrows And caused many of his friends to follow his Rival As Araspes Aglatidas and some others Thus these four Princes taking with them such men as they stood in need of they parted after they had agreed upon the several ways which they were to take and of the place unto which they would send intelligence in case they heard any news of Mandana But when these four Troops had taken their several ways and that Cyrus marched and enquired all the way he went also when he considered how after he had taken Sinope Artaxates Babylon Sardis and Cumes and how after he had subdued so many Kingdoms and delivered Mandana when she was carried away by the King of Assiria by the Prince Mazares and by the King of Pontus now to see her carried away again by the Prince Ariantes he fell into a most extream dispair For he saw himself in as miserable a condition as he was when he went under the name of Artamenes when upon his return from Massagettes as he approached Thimiscyra he understood that the King of Assiria under the name of Philidaspes had carryed away Mandana yet sometimes he imagined that Ariantes perhaps had not carried her away but this imagination was very weak in him for having confidence in his secresy he had told him the the hour when he was to fight with the King of Assiria So as seeing he had carried away Mandana before he had so much as fought with his enemy he could not find any foundation of hope And not knowing well what to think of this cross adventure he very well saw it to be full of cruelty unto him In the mean time all his vigilancy and cares to enlighten his knowledge was in vain The Prince Artamas was no
unto the Princess to deceive her I shallonly tell you how according to his resolution with my Master he told her that the King of Assiria was alive He told him what you promised that Prince at Sinope And he shewed her the Order which you left him to execute in case he fell in the Combate with the King of Assiria So that the Princess seeing an Order written with your own hand Sir and perceaving it was not to be read until after your death she drew as sad a conclusion from it as Ariantes wished and she assured her self that the King of Assiria had killed you and the more because the Prince Ariantes by the means of a witty fellow who was his servant had caused him to get out of your Chamber that Scarfe which you wore the day before being the same as I have heard say which that Princess denyed you in Cappadocia and which you took from the Prince Mazares when he was almost dead by reason of the Shipwrack with the Princess So as when she asked Ariantes how he knew you Sir were dead he told her that Ortalques who followed you brought back the news and likewise brought back the Scarfe which formerly had been hers adding that he had brought Ortalques himself unto her had not that faithful servant been resolved to revenge your death Sir upon the King of Assyria's second and fighting with him he was so wounded that all he was able to do was to come and advertise him of the sad accident according to the order which he received from his Master before the fight Ariantes added further that as wounded as he was he would have brought him had he not feared that if the Guards of the Castle had seen him the accident would have been too much divulged before she had well considered upon her own safety After this Mandana asked him with a sad sigh what Ortalques had done with the Corps of his Master And Ariantes answered her that the King of Assiria had made himself a party amongst the Souldiers and would not suffer Ortalques to bring it off but he had much adoe to steal away and save himself Therefore Madam said he unto her It is most expedient that you think upon the best course to secure your self for I must confess that I am afraid the commands of a living and victorious King will be more powerful then the orders of a vanquished and dead Prince though he were the greatest in the world You may imagine Sir how this news grieved the Princess Mandana But in conclusion after abundance of sad complaints she told the Prince Ariantes she desired his advice conjuring him to make his promise good unto you Sir and to die rather then to let her come under the King of Assyria's power Madam said he unto her you need not exhort me to defend you against this Prince for I am sufficiently resolved upon it but the difficulty is how to do it hansomely and not to die before you are at liberty In the mean time I must once again tell you that I do not beleeve the Order which I have from the illustrious Cyrus sufficient to keep the Officers and Souldiers in obedience For Craessus and Mersyles seeing their Conqueror dead will perhaps be glad to aid the King of Assiria in getting the Throne to the end they may ascend their own Thrones The Prince Artamas as generous as he is will perhaps cease being Tributary unto Ciaxares unto whom he was not so obliged as unto Cyrus The King of Hircania will doubtless be of the same mind And I make a doubt whether Gobrias and Gadates will not make use of this occasion to make the King of Assiria forget all they have done against him To be short Madam so many new Conquered people are apt to rebel and I have good cause to fear that the Orders of the illustrious Cyrus will be but ill obeyed if your person be not secured before the death of the Prince be divulged Mandana hearing Ariantes speak thus and finding much probability in all he said she told him that her sorrows were so much above her reason that she was not able to resolve upon any course to keep her self out of the King of Assiria's power and desired him to tell her what she should doe Since you command me Madam answered he I shall tell you that in my opinion the best course is to depart in all hast and goe unto some Port upon the Euxine Sea which I know is not above a days journey from hence that as soon as you are there to provide a Ship and make use of it if occasion be after this when you are out of the Assyrian Kings reach then to send unto the Troops to come and receive your Orders if they obey and that the King of Assiria do not hinder them you may then continue your voyage and if they do not obey the Madam you may imbarque presently and secure your Person from the violence of the Assyrian King Mandana finding all this to be full of reason did beleeve him yet she had a desire to send for Chrisantes and Aglatidas But Ariantes telling her that they lodged far from the Castle and their design requiring both secrecy and hast she was contented to let them alone though her grief was extream and she feared so much to fall into the King of Assyria's power that indeed her Soul was all sorrow and fear So that since she thought no man more fitting to trust then him unto whom you had trusted your secrets and your honor she submitted her self wholly unto his conduct yet she chid him much for not acquainting her with your engagements with the King of Assiria but to put that off he told her that he never knew of it until Ortalques told him and gave him this Order which he shewed her So that the Princess resolving to follow his advice she sent to give Orders for her departure she did rise as fast as she could and departed with two women only beleeving that Ariantes had no further design but to secure her Person But Sir I forgot to tell you that in case Mandana had not been willing to follow the advice of Ariantes he had carried her away by force and would have told her that he had Orders so to doe and to carry her unto the King her father yet Sir that needed not for as I have already told you the Princess confiding in the man whom you trusted Sir and not suspecting that he was in love with her she her self was accessary to her own carrying away And the truth is when the King of Assiria came up she beleeved Cyrus to be dead and that Ariantes under the umbrage of Anaxaris was her Protector But I pray tell me said Cyrus and interrupted him what is the design of Ariantes and whether will he carry Mandana Sir replied the man if he have not changed his mind he will land at the Port of Cholchis and
most depend upon Octomasades I understand that when he first entred into Elibesis Chamber he found her very sad yet she received him very lively Now Madam said he unto her the King which means to present you with a Crown will very shortly be in a capacity to put it upon your head and to do Justice unto your merit But Madam It is to you onely I ow my thanks for the obedience of my subjects for if I had not been your slave I had still been subject unto I homiris yet since I would not seat you upon an ill established Throne I come now onely to make a tender of it unto you and that you will be pleased to prepare your self ere long to ascend it and to beseech you not to make any prayers which may move the gods to forsake me or to protect Thomiris to my prejudice and advantage of Agatherses I must confess â—ir replyed she that my reason is at present so distracted that I am not able to give an answer and therefore I beseech you give me some time not onely to recollect into my memory what you have said unto me but also to consider what I shall say unto you for truely Sir I am yet so unresolved that I know not well whether I speak unto the Prince Ariantes or unto the King of Issedons You will ere long know it Madam said he unto her and if you will not thwart your own Fortunes and mine you shall know that I am King of the Issedons and by my ceasing to be your subject you may begin to be my Queen After this Ariantes retired and left Elibesis in a great uncertainty for truly since she loved Agatherses it was not possible she should be a Queen unless her constancy was shaken But since the Throne of a new King did but a little charm her she resolved upon nothing but would determine upon the matter hereafter according to the event of things Thus not knowing whether she had more love or ambition her mind was in much uncertaintie In the mean time Agatherses who was hid in his friends house was in a most horrid dispair Can I live said he and suffer my Rivall to be a King and my self to be a Subject both unto him and Elibesis Fie fie I cannot be so basely unworthy I must either finde out a way to hinder my Rivall from being King and my mistress from being Queen or else I must and will die with dispair and grief Afterwards falling into a profound studie he remembred that there was some places in the walls of Issedon which were broken and the breaches so great that he might easily get out with horses So as conceiving that the multitude and weight of business which lay upon Ariantes Octomasades might keep them from any thoughts of repairing those breaches or from guarding them he thought his design not impossible for since no army was on foot they had more reason to think upon Levies and to secure themselves in the Town than to attempt any thing without it so that Agatharses believed that if Elib sis pleased he could get her out of Issedon by the help of his friends through one of these breaches And by this device rest quietly without being subject either unto his Rivall or his Mistress But not to make a vain Proposition he provided as many men as was necessary for her guard He sent to view the places and he was so industrious as in all likelyhood he wanted nothing but the consent of Elibesis So that having put all things into good order he writ that same night unto Elibesis to give him a private audience which considering the present juncture of things she durst not refuse For since she knew him to be of a very violent temper she feared lest he should either perish in some desperate attempt or else cause Ariantes to perish so as thinking she should at least perswade him unto patience untill she was fully resolved in her self she resolved for the present to go the next morning upon a visit unto his wife in whose house Agatherses lay hid and so see him with more safety than at her own house But Sir before I acquaint you with the discourse of these two persons I must needs acquaint you with the cruel separation of Adonacris and Noromanta for at the beginning of this tumult the father of this fair one being faithfully devoted to the service of Thomiris and seeing the design of Ariantes he would not stay any longer in a Rebellious Town Therefore assoon as he saw Ariantes was like to thrive in his design and not being able to oppose him he went out of Issedon in the disorder and carryed his daughter with him and before any Guards was set upon the gates and whilst all was in a tumult he put Noromanta in a Coach and got out before any could acquaint Adonacris You may imagine Sir how this went to his heart and how he was wonder-struck when after he had followed Ariantes all the day and past all the peril he heard that Noromanta was not in Issedon yet since he imagined that her father would carry her to his own house his sorrows lessened in hopes to hear from her if he sent an Express and indeed he writ unto her the very same hour and sent his Letter by one of his own men for considering the state of things Honour would not permit him to absent his person being engaged in the Prince Ariantes Partie But to return unto Elibesis and Agatherses be pleased to know Sir that Elibesis was with the Lady in whose house she was to see Agatherses and where indeed she did see him But to the end this meeting might be closely carryed Elibesis carryed with her only one woman and that discourse might be more free chance ordered it so that the Lady of the house being sick Elibesis could see her but a while and the Lady left her with Agatherses and the woman which followed her And assoon as this lover saw himself at liberty to speak his thoughts I know not Madam said he unto Elibesis whether you will hear me without hate but I am certain you cannot deny me what I shall aske without deserving I should leave loving for not to trouble you with any long winded story if you refuse to go out of Issedon and to get out of the power of my Rival I shall have reason to think you prefer him before me and that you will willingly submit unto him And to remove all difficulty I shall tell you in two words I know an infallible way how to get you out of Issedon this very night ensuing I have men ready for your guard A Lady of your acquaintance and friendship hating this rebellious Town will go out of it with you And I will carry you both unto the Queen begging nothing from you but that you will not expose your self unto the Tyranny of an usurper who doubtless will presently fall and ruine you if
designs of Agatherses an 〈…〉 all the Cabinet intricases of Tipanis and likewise of the Tent Royal that he did ofâ—e 〈…〉 send intelligence of great importance unto that Prince in so much as there was no nee 〈…〉 of giving any new reasons why he should not be released because the interest of State was reason enough On the other side Agatherses in continuing his mask of love unto Noromata he was nothing so circumspect as he might be in hindering Ariantes from the Throne But his greatest grief was that Thomiris during her languishing disease did send such ambiguous Orders as it was easie to know that her soul was troubled at something else then at the War and that She had some other design since She would not hazard her Forces and indeed Noromata's Father who was with that Queen did one day write that he heard her say She had rather loose the Kingdom of the Issedons then her Army However send what orders She would Agatherses was resolved to give battel as soon as Winter was done or else to force Ariantes into Issedon But Winter being very long in that Country he must endure a long torment yet it was some consolation unto him to hear from Spargapises his Envoy that the reports in Issedon was Elibesis would not marry Ariantes until the end of the War But since the passion of his soul was such as useth ordinarily to inspire him with thoughts quite opposite unto one another he would some daies wish that Ariantes had married Elibesis Yes Anabaris said he one day unto me I swear unto you by all the Gods that if I were sure to vanquish Ariantes to morrow I would have him marry Elibesis to day for it would be the greatest delight in the world unto me to see a Scepter fall out of the hand of this perfidious woman and my revenge would not be to the full if the fall of Ariantes Throne did overwhelm only himself and if I did not see Elibesis a Queen without a Crown or to say better the Widdow of a vanquished Usurper and by consequence without honour without rank and without support in necessity to have recourse unto me to obtain for her some small corner in that Kingdom which She hopes to possess Should you ever see her in such a deplorable condition said I unto him I am confident your joys would be mixed with much pity Fie Anabaris said he unto me I cannot pity those who cannot pity me and as my miseries never moved Elibesis so hers shall never move me or if they do it shall be only out oâ— meer generosity and out of my satisfaction to let her know that such a Subject as my self does better merit her affection then such a Soveraigne as Ariantes In the mean time Noromata in observance of her husbands orders did speak unto Agatherses according as he desired her but since he seemed to be in love with her he thought fit to answer her in ambiguous terms though he did intend to do what he could to release Sitalces And since he would have her think him to be really her Lover to the end that she being first deceived others also might be the sooner he told her very wittily that her desires of seeing Sitalces released had blinded her since she made such Propositions as were dishonorable to him For truly said he if it should be known you offer so much for his liberty it would be thought that his side did not much value him and therefore it is requisite to manage his honour a little better and give Ariantes time to advise upon it for his answer was not so clear but that it was requisite to send a second time unto him without making any new Propositions Therefore Madam have a little patience and let time bring that design to pass which perhaps would be ruined with haste This Sir was the answer which Agatherses gave her who being glad of a pretence to send again unto Issedon that he might hear news of Elibesis and publish it that he was in Love with Noromata he moved Spargapises to send thither the second time So that Noromata writ unto Sitalces all that Agatherses said unto her Adonacris also answered Argirispe and wished her to be wary in her offers for his liberty because if things changeed not he had an infallible way of getting his liberty which now he could not write In the mean time whilst these designs which had so many secret obstacles were in agitation Adonacris was very vigilant to take all opportunities of seeing and talking with Noromata 〈…〉 who for his part shunned him as much as she could though she did very tenderly love him But when chance only brought them together and when Adonacris could not suspect that she gave him any opportunities of talking with her then she could not chuse but be much joyed and take great delight in hearing him talk to her yet these delights and joys had some bitter mixed with their sweets for she was so extreamly careful of being over-obliging in her language that she so stifled the thoughts of her heart as put him into a cruel qualm she was so fearful it should be known that he did and still doth love her as she oftentimes did contradict the most just things and if he at any time did hold an argument with another she would alwayes take his adverse part so scrupulous and careful was this vertuous Lady of her reputation yet Adonacris knew very well that whensoever she was opposite to him She did it not out of harted But as the great prudence of Noromata did deprive him of a hundred innocent delights in depriving him of all private conference with her so he chanced one day to argue against Eliorante in the presence of Noromata upon a Subject which obliquely had some coherence with the adventure which grieved him For be pleased to know that there was two Ladies in Tipanis whose vertues and reputations were very different For one whose name was Menopea was possessed with a most violent passion in her heart and secretly held correspondencies of Gallantry with a very bravely accomplished man but She carried her self with so much prudence such strickt reservedness and so modestly that except very few who knew the truth all the world thought Menopea to be the most vertuous person upon earth and the least capable of any correspondencies of Gallantry with any one There was also another Lady whose name was Orique who was as really vertuous as ever any was yet extreamly exposed to scandal because She had a conceipt that it was sufficient to be vertuous without seeming so So that being only cautious lest any of her actions should be essentially ill and never caring for appearances by which the world in general useth to judg She exposed her reputation unto so much slander and envy that all the Town except a few who knew her very well did think that all men were her Lovers yes her favoured Lovers Thus She who was
up with intentions to write unto Athys and she was no sooner risen but another Messenger from Phaon arrived with all the other Letters except that of Nicanors and as for his he sent it another way But Madam my Sister since told me that never was the like disorder as in the heart of Sapho for after she had read that Letter from Athys with such resentment as I told you she read that of Amithones with more agitation of soul that of Erinnes with more wonder that from Phylire with more vexation that from Alces with more pensivenesse that from Nicanor with more shame and that from Phaon with more sorrow though she kept it the last in hopes of greatest delight Imagine I beseech you Madam what effects these Letters might worke in the mind of a Lady who could not endure the absence of Phaon without much sorrow who had spent a whole day with my sister in discoursing upon the bitternesse of absence and upon the sorrows which a Lover endures when he is out of her sight whom he loves Cydnon told me that there appeared so much vvonder in the face of Sapho upon the reading of these Letters as shee thought some strange accident had hapned at Mytelene for Sapho had read the Letter of Athys only aloud unto her but she vvas not long ignorant of Sapho's vvonder for as soon as that fair one had read over all those Letters she gave them unto my sister and vvith a deep sigh See said she unto her hovv little Phaon resembles you and hovv friendship in you does more then Love in him can do After this Cydnon began to read these Letters and vvas not so much astonished at them as Sapho vvas for she observed alvvays that Phaon did divert himselfe at every thing and vvas never sad upon any occasion But since she knevv that I loved Phaon very vvell she vvould endeavour to excuse him And in order to that she told Sapho she had no such reason to trouble her self so much at any thing vvhich had been vvritten For truly said she unto her vvhatsoever Athys Nicanor and Alces vvrit ought to be suspected and you ought to read vvhat Phaon vvrit as a thing vvhich he had never vvritten but because it seemed unto him as acceptable unto you also you ought to consider vvhat Amithone Erinne and Phylire vvrit vvithout any inquietude since it 's probable that Phaon at his return seeing hovv they observed him did only out of his prudence seem more pleasant then really he was Ah Cydnon replyed Sapho I thought to be as prudent as Phaon and yet I was not able to be merry within an houre after his departure all I was able to do was not to appeare very melancholly and therefore I pray never offer to excuse him for I cannot I know Phaon is an intimate friend unto Democedes but Cydnon methinks he should more have thought upon me then him Did I think him culpable replyed she doubtlesse I should condemn him why replyed she can you think it possible Phaon should be so pleasant as to make so many severall people speak of his jollity but it must needs proceed from his want of Love Ah Cydnon it can be no otherwise and I find him so little sensible of my absence that I could find in my heart to banish him out of it For my deare Cydnon I am not able to endure that whilst I am grieving my selfe for his absence he should divert both himselfe and others with as much freedome of spirit as if he had never seen me For my part said Cydnon I see him so full of joy when he sees you as I cannot believe but he is full of sorrows when he sees you not Reason and Love doubtlesse would have it so replyed she yet all these sixe severall persons depose against him and indeed he condemns himself by his own Letter Appearances may so deceive said Cydnon to her as it would not be rationall in you to be much troubled at a thing which you know only upon uncertainties To know it better my deare Cydnon replyed she I will intreat you to return unto Mytelene I will borrow Cynegires Coach for you and you may give it out that you are returned upon such important businesse which called you thither I in the interim will stay here fifteen days in expectation to heare from you whether Phaon continue his jollity as he begun But my deare Cydnon I conjure you to let me have every day from you a most faithfull and true relation of all his mirth of his humours and of his diversions for the very truth is if he love me only when he sees me I will slight his love and if I can I vvill quench my ovvn Cydnon then employed all her rhetorick to appease her but she thought it so strange that Phaon should be merry vvhilst she vvas sad as all my Sisters eloquence could not alter her mind so as she must do as she vvould have her and return to Mytelene upon promises of such fidelity as she durst not faile her In the mean time Sapho answered all those Letters she received taking no notice of any discontent against Phaons jollity but not being able to hold out long shee hinted these few lines unto Phaon SAPHO unto PHAON SIR I Make no question but joy may sometimes be a signe of a very tender affection but I question whether it be so as you intend it When I shall come to Mytelene I shall see whether yours be worthy of being valued as testimonies of that affection which you had rendred unto me SAPHO Though this Letter was something short and dry yet Phaon never feared that Sapho was angry with him but thought that she had so many answers to write that she could not have time to write any longer unto him so as never changing his way of living he behaved himselfe after Cydnons return as he did before which was in seeking all occasions of cheering up himselfe in the absence of Sapho In the mean while she sent every day a servant unto Mytelene in secret to know from Cydnon newes of Phaon so as she received every day something which afflicted her for Phaon was of such an humour that he could not deny himselfe any one pleasure as if the reason why he was so continually with Sapho whilst he was in Mytelene had been only because more delights were to be met withall there then in any other places But this was no hinderance to him of taking up with meaner pleasures when he was out of her sight whom he loved So as Sapho having engaged my sister by oath to send her word of all that Phaon did she understood that he haunted all the diversions in Mytelene and that he seemed as if he had no discontents at his being there so as her mind being extreamly incensed against him she could nor find a heart to see him before she had let him know that she was displeased To