his house and could not sufficiently wonder at the great courage of Melintus and his resolution for the safety of Palamede Emilia was well pleased to have Melintus in her power and was casting in her minde what kinde of death she should give him being resolv'd to kill him with her owne hand Then word was brought them how Palamede had beene saved and there was a souldier that accus'd Dicearchus for having beene towards the prison thereupon those that guarded him being not to be found they conjectur'd that Dicearchus had gained them whereat Trebatius being offended made him be put into the same dungeon where his Nephew had beene before neare unto that wherein Melintus was and was resolv'd to put him to death for having dar'd to corrupt his men and save the enemies of Caesar and at the same time he made Pisistratus be banish'd from his presence On the other side Palamede being got out knew not what to thinke to see all the City in a rumour and yet considering of nothing at that time but his owne safety he regained the lodging of Arcas never enquiring what the matter was But he was greatly amaz'd when he understood that Melintus was gone out with eight souldiers and he could not imagine for what designe he had stollen away from his troop in that equipage Instantly he would depart for to goe seeke and succour him but he was hindred by the arrive of Arcas who learn'd them all that had passed The faire Ariana who began to dry her teares for her brothers return felt then a new affliction that open'd afresh the source of them Every one was in such a despaire at this calamity for the affection they bare Melintus that in stead of comforting her they express'd by their extreme griefe what cause she had to afflict her selfe Palamede seeing in what sort he was oblig'd to Melintus for having conceiv'd so generous an enterprise for his safety was fully resolv'd to render him the like but he could not yet invent the meanes to effect it and he onely mingled his despite with the extreme displeasures of his sister Lepantus and Cyllenia In the meane time Emilia that meditated of nothing but the meanes of intirely satisfying her vengeance having in her hands the subject of all her furious passions consider'd that if she could get Ariana into her power she might have wherewith to punish her for being cause of her torments and an occasion besides to aggravate the punishments of Melintus by the resentments he should have at that she would make Ariana suffer before she put him to death and doubting that she might be in the same place since Melintus was met there with Palamede and Epicharis she made a further search in all parts to have her in her hands But Arcas knew so well to divert the scrutiny that might be made in his house that she could never learne any newes of her Many dayes were thus consum'd in this search about the City and some places adjoyning in the end not able any longer to deferre her revenge and Trebatius urging her to put an end to the life of Melintus for to give a beginning to his happinesse she resolv'd one morning to goe her selfe and kill him with her owne hand She tooke a ponyard and Guides to conduct her to the dungeon then being sure that Melintus could not defend himselfe from her because he had his hands tyed behind him and irons at his feet she sent away those that were with her to enter alone into that obscurity with a torch in her hand having yet some shame left to commit that action in the presence of another What said she to her selfe in entring it seemes I tremble and that my body feares to execute what my minde has so resolutely undertaken Can I yet doubt whether I be to revenge my selfe having run over so many Seas to finde the occasion No no let this cruell man feele the fury of a woman justly provoked and repay all the torments he has made me endure She encourag'd thus her selfe for to fortifie her heart that seem'd not over much assured and went her way towards Melintus conducted by the torches light in designe to make him have a sense of the death shee would give him Melintus knew her presently and seeing that she sought him among the shadowes he would prevent her and said Come Emilia that you bring me is very agreeable to me Those words troubled her because this voyce heretofore so loved surpriz'd her and she thought not that Melintus could know her beleeving her dead and seeing her in the habit she was in Ha! traiterous Sorcerer said she at length what spirit hath learn'd thee that I am Emilia Yes I am that Emilia the object of thy contempts and thy ingratitudes that am come from hell to ravish from thee thy perfidious soule and abandon it to the furies Well then replied he gently dispatch Emilia doe that you have enterpriz'd behold my brest uncover'd strike the ponyard in and assure your selfe that the death you are going to give me I shall receive it not as a punition for having offended you but as a recompence for the good service I have done you Done me good service replied she instantly Ha! Villaine call'st thou that good service to have mocked at my love and to have rewarded my cares with disdaine and ingratitude call'st thou that good service cruell man when after thou hadst escap'd from me by subtilty thou wouldst no more thinke there remain'd an Emilia in the world to whom thou wast so much oblig'd call'st thou that good service thou ingratefull wretch when neither the sicknesse that hapned to me for the regret of seeing thee no more nor my death so neare nor my very death it selfe could oblige thee to give one visit to our house Emilia replied Melintus to what purpose serve these reproaches since you are resolv'd to make me dye Dispatch Emilia see my brest ready for you give the blow and beleeve that you never yet oblig'd me so much as you shall doe at this houre by taking away my life No answered she I will know first wherein traytor thou hast serv'd me Ha! Emilia said Melintus will you have me to your shame present before your eyes so trouble some remembrances Did I not serve you well when seeing that this same Emilia whose wit and vertue I had before admir'd let her selfe loose to desires that were not very honest I endeuoured to asswage that heat by my coldnesses for feare she should bewaile all her life time the fault of a few dayes Did I not serve you well when deploring with my selfe the wandring of your soule and comparing your abasement with the honour of your preceding life I was not willing to take advantage at your blindnesse but maintain'd you pure at least from ill effects since I could not hinder the impurity of your desires and thoughts And did I not well serve you when seeing that my presence rather
that they had resolv'd on whilest Dicearchus and Eurylas in the meane time look'd to their horses Thus they drest them all three in haste and tooke the Masques and Perruques and forgat not so much as the buskins then Dicearchus wishing them good fortune let them depart and went with Eurylas to put himselfe into a place whence they might perceive all that hapned and never be seene Melintus being in the mid-way of the descent to the vale made a stand and said to Palamede I would never have thought of seeking any other meanes but force against those we are going to if that in abandoning our owne we endanger'd not also the lives of our sisters and their honour beside which is more deare to them I am of opinion therefore that in consideration of them we let our valour altogether alone and save them by a way more gentle and infallible They we goe to seeke will never imagine wee be other than their Captaines and so we may command them what we please and I would advise that comming neare the Chariot we have our naked swords in our hand bloudy as they be as if we came from killing of Dicearchus and then putting them up into the scabberd we may make signe to the souldiers to attend us againe there then we will take you said he to Palamede Erycine because you are in the habit of Toxaris that would have taken her away and I Ariana because I am drest like Garamant Wee will make as if we would carry them away into this same wood not to deferre our contentment any longer leaving the souldiers in the same place still and then come with them to finde out Dicearchus and Eurylas we shall have meanes good enough to save our selves by riding upon our horses to Dicearchus house before ever they suspect any plot This crafty device is very fine sayes Palamede and if my sister and Erycine make any resistance we need but tell them in their eare who we are Nay contrary said Melintus we are to let them torment us to make the feigning seeme the better That being approved they came downe the hill and approach'd with assurance to these souldiers who at their arrive separated and made them way to passe to the Chariot Melintus seiz'd upon Ariana and Palamede upon Erycine and they spake aloud in a counterfeit voyce like that comes out of a vizard We will no longer deferre satisfying us since the meanes is now in our owne hands this next wood is very commodious for such an occasion Ariana fell to crying out and shriekings but Melintus tooke her by force after he had made a signe to the souldiers to wait for them at the same place but she in striving did what she could to teare his very face and outraged him as much as her forces would give her leave then seeing that he held her hands in such sort as she could neither defend her selfe any more nor offend him Ah cruell wretch said she art thou not content to have kill'd my uncle but thou must desire to take from me also that by force which I cannot lose without my life kill me barbarous man so shall not I much out-live my honour nor thou long time enjoy the fruits of thy insolence Erycine on the other side was carried away by Palamede but her soft nature permitted her nothing but weeping and crying and Arcas followed helping them and forbidding the Souldiers that would have done that office to stirre from thence When they were halfe way up the hill Melintus stayed him to take breath and Ariana recollected new forces for to vex him and hinder his getting up to the top but Melintus rendring all her striving uselesse shee could not containe her selfe from crying out Ah poore Melintus where art thou now If thou wert alive thou wouldst not have fail'd to be here at my rescue or else not much surviv'd my disaster but it shall not be long ere I come to thee if not with a pure body at least with a soule unspotted and thou infamous goat assure thy selfe that the gods will revenge me and not suffer thy fury to goe unpunish'd How sweet were all these speeches to Melintus Never were injuries nor outrages so well receiv'd By this time he had got to the height of the mountaine where Dicearchus came running and Melintus having set her upon her feet tooke off his masque and let her see him Arian's astonishment were hard to be describ'd one while looking upon Dicearchus another while on Melintus two persons she thought to have bin dead and not well knowing whether she might thinke her selfe in safety or else in the hands of some spirits that had taken those shapes to abuse her she waver'd betwixt joy and feare Dicearchus said to her Make no doubt neece of what you see here are Melintus and Palamede whom you thought dead that have this day preserv'd my life and your honour Ariana at that newes was taken with such an excesse of joy and amazement that she lost that little strength was left her after all her strivings she let her selfe goe into Melintus armes and fell lightly upon the grasse then with a soft voyce shee said to him Ha Melintus is it you indeed I see or your demon that takes care of me even after your death Madam answered Melintus assure your selfe that I am yet alive to serve you but we are not to make any longer stay here if you desire to secure you from the hands of these villaines Ariana seeing Palamede that held Erycine call'd him and said My deare brother if you desire I should not doubt of the good fortune they would perswade me into doe but so much as come hither that I may embrace you Then Palamede came to her and Dicearchus seeing their kindnesses last too long put Melintus in minde of getting a horsebacke and that hee would take Erycine with him As for him he mounted upon Arcas his horse Palamede made Ariana resolve to be gone from that place and to be set upon the same horse with him and Arcas got up behind Eurylas They determin'd to pace away without any great precipitation but in case they were pursued and get to Dicearchus house the neerest place they could be safe in Palamede ask'd his sister if she knew that handsome youth with Arcas I know very well sayes shee that 't is my deare Epicharis but I dare not before my uncle expresse to her the joy I have to see her I doubt not but she hath assisted you very carefully Alas sister answered Palamede but for her we had beene now dead men and that by a shamefull death too How so replied she you may tell me by the way as we goe in what manner you were preserved for every one beleeves here you cast your selves down the Tower They beleeve this too at Rome sayes he to her and I shall make you a relation of our happy or rather miraculous getting out but first tell me why
you are thus all in mourning clothes Alas brother answered she the teares comming into her eyes must I needs for the succours I have receiv'd of you to day give you so sad newes Sister replide he how I am in feare for my father upon the report of my death Your feares said shee to him are to be turn'd into assurances for hee was not able to resist the displeasures he felt for the newes of your misfortune being chiefly perplex'd with the sorrow for having left you and calling himselfe author of your death since he had abandon'd you Then was some time spent in teares after which they told by course all that had befallen them while they had beene absent from one another Melintus entertaind Erycine too that was rapt for joy to see this brother shee honoured so much and hee learn'd of her what had pass'd at Syracuse after hee had let her know in a few words how he had beene saved And Arcas gave Dicearchus a part of their adventures as he went by his side and thus they arriv'd at his house where seeing themselves safe their spirits were intirely sensible of joy being no longer distress'd with any feares Melintus advis'd that the Ladies should rest them whilest they in the meane time tooke order to goe charge those Souldiers that remain'd to get the baggage out of their hands Dicearchus would by no meanes they should put themselves into that danger for that the men were not worth their paines the Chiefes being slaine and the booty they had was but a small matter Notwithstanding Melintus chang'd not his resolution and hiding his purpose from Dicearchus assembled together with Palamede some Boores of the Countrey whom he made take Armes and taking on him to be their Captaine led them on to goe finde those Souldiers where of some of them being impatient for that their men stayed so long in the wood had gone to see what they did there and having found them dead they came backe againe to advertise their companions of it just when they were assaulted by Melintus and Palamede some of them were slaine and they carried away five or six prisoners in the very Chariot and returned to Dicearchus who receiv'd them as comming in triumph with their captives drawne in their traine Ariana and Erycine rose from their bed to see what it was entred and seeing out at the windowes Melintus and Palamede in the head of that Equipage they admir'd their courage for not enduring that any thing of theirs should remaine in the hands of those souldiers and the prisoners were surely guarded to be carried to Syracuse as soone as they return'd thither Dicearchus acknowledging the obligation he had to Melintus tooke him aside and demanded of him if he could desire nothing of him in recompence of the life he was indebted to him for I have done nothing answered Melintus but what I was oblig'd to but yet I will not dis-esteeme what it pleases you to make me offer of and I aske you no other favour but that you will never wish mee any ill whatever heart-burning you have had against my father I confesse to you answer'd Dicearchus somewhat asham'd that we have heretofore had some difference Telephus and I by reason wee were both of a contrary faction but for the present things are well changed and I am so farre from having a desire to wish you any ill as I promise to employ that you have preserv'd to me in your service to the uttermost of my power I beseech you replide Melintus to take an oath of this in the hands of Palamede That will I surely answers Dicearchus and having call'd him Melintus sayes to him Dicearchus will doe me the grace to promise me that he shall never beare any ill will to me what-ever hee has had to my father I wonder replies Dicearchus you will make any doubt of this after the extreme obligation I have to you but since you are so desirous I take an oath hereof betweene my Nephew's hands and pray the gods to punish me if I ever faile of that I sweare to Palamede added Melintus may be well assured of that you promise him for 't is impossible you should ever wish me any good without loving him too seeing I will never have any good without him and he has too much merit to be refus'd good will After these common assurances of friendship Dicearchus led them into his Neeces chamber where entring in first upon the sudden he was strangely affected to find a young man upon her bed that embrac'd her and seeing him presently came downe off her bed and goe his way towards the bed Erycine was in Dicearchus said to Ariana Ha! what 's this my neece is 't possible this that I have seene Ariana smiled but yet asham'd as this young youth was also Dicearchus wondring why they should laugh so replide What 's the matter Neece Where is become of this honour and this vertue What uncle said she to take away his errour you know not Epicharis then for it was she still disguis'd that embrac'd her deare Mistresse who could not be satisfied with the kindnesses she express'd to her for the agreeable services shee had done her And now Dicearchus regarding her was himselfe asham'd that he had accus'd them and said that another would have beene deceiv'd as well as he After rejoycing to see her againe and learning some of their fortunes he enquir'd of Ariana how she did with her wearinesse and after the fright she had beene in shee assur'd him that her brothers returne had cur'd all her distempers Well sayes he I will leave you with this good brother of yours and Melintus with Erycine that was in a bed on the other side for 't is no small matter you have to tell one another and the same time went his way out Palamede told his sister Wee have had leisure enough of discoursing together by the way as we came and for my part I finde these entertainments of sisters but cold ceremonies It were better we separated and so went away from her to cast himselfe upon Erycine's bed leaving Melintus with his sister Ariana to be even with him sayd Brother I admire your humour to be so soone comforted for what you have heard that remembrance all on the sudden abated his courage and stayed the liberties he began to take with Erycine and Epicharis who had much adoe to defend themselves from him Melintus taking that occasion said to Ariana Madam I understood this losse with a great deale of sorrow you being so sensible of it your selfe I ought not sayes she to have bin exempt from miseries while you and my brother were so cruelly persecuted by fortune but I sweare to you I was sufficiently tormented with the feares I had for you two though this accident had not befallen me I doe not thinke my eyes were ever dry since I left you you see a face that sufficiently shewes the part it hath taken in
a Harp he accorded his voyce to it and sung these Verses Soule be no more to torments so subjected Heart quit vexation and to joyes aspire I see my fortune passes my desire Where I sought death I finde my life protected In place where deadly envy I suspected And happy Spouse's armes her to combine Without all thought I tooke her into mine Where I sought death I finde my life protected When my sad griefes by fury were directed I sought to dye but Seas could not me drownd Where I ne're sought my fortune there I found Where I sought death I finde my life protected After that Lepantus had made an end of singing and they had much commended his voyce and the grace he had in touching the Lute they prayed him to tell how he had beene sav'd from the Sea and what his life had beene since for Ariana had already related part of that which hapned to him before He was very willing to give them this contentment and seeing every one set and prepar'd to listen he quitted the Lute to put himselfe in the middest of them and began thus Continuation of Lepantus History TO avoyd the reproaches I might seeme to put upon Cyllenia I will make no repetition of the resentments I had to see that I was by little and little abandoned of her yet I shall onely let you know how I flattered my selfe with a beleefe that she would prove to what extremity of griefe my fidelity might resist For I could not imagine that her spirit that seem'd to me so raised above the ordinary of women and had honoured mee with so perfect a confidence could forget that estate we were in together and draw a veile before what had passed betweene us to lose the remembrance of it for ever but in the end I learn'd how to make Callias happy shee had signed the arrest of my death Untill then I thought all her coldnesses to mee were but feinings and even when I understood my misery I could scarce beleeve it my minde being unable to be so soone dis-abused it may be too I did beleeve it seeing no cause at all of doubting but that my soule astonish'd at so unfortunate a blow was then in a dizzinesse that hindred so soone an apprehension of its misery I was at last forc'd to confesse so visible a truth and to be sensible of those stings of sorrow that accompanied so cruell an accident Not knowing what to doe with my selfe I went into a Boat and fled away to Naupactum beleeving to ease my misery by avoyding the dwelling with those that were cause of it but I was to have the power to escape from my selfe too that was then my cruellest enemy my minde producing continually furious imaginations for to teare it selfe in peeces I was not content to see my selfe in so miserable estate but still to augment my fury and despaire I sent backe one of my servants to Corinth in the same Squiffe for to goe to the Temple where Cyllenia was to be married and bring me newes after what sort she would governe her selfe in that action I expected that newes with as much unquietnesse as if I had hoped for the greatest pleasure of my life by it but when he was return'd and I knew that after shee had given me my death she added blowes that seem'd to come from an extreme inhumanity as to desire to know what I had done after hearing she was married my soule could not endure this anguish it chased away my reason and receiv'd in place of it desperation which getting the mastery ordain'd me to say to the man that spake to me Goe and faile not to tell her what thou art about to know and suddenly I gained the height of a great rocke that avances into the Sea and cast my selfe downe in his presence But who can doubt after what I shall tell you of the continuall care the gods have over us for it is impossible to attribute to fortune that is blinde and imprudent many assistances we receive in the greatest hazards of our life which cannot be given but from a better and a more advised hand In stead of losing my selfe I fell as I may now say happily into a great Fishers net who were with their Boats under that same rocke My fall was so sudden before the eyes of these men that I was at the bottome of the water before they could judge what it was and they thinking it was some monstrous fish that had thus leap'd out of the water and then fallen in againe drew up their net with great expectation and hope When I came to appeare they could not yet know what it was because I was intangled with the net and store of weeds that involved me but at last when they had dis-intricated all with much carefulnesse they found to their great griefe that it was a man Neverthelesse their hope was turned into pitty and after they had made me voyd the water I had drunke they spread me upon their cloaks and labour'd very carefully by all wayes to make me come againe I opened at length my eyes and when I knew the place I was in I was much amaz'd yet after I had learn'd in what manner I was preserv'd from death and a long time studied upon so strange an accident I knew that the gods were not willing I should dye That consideration affected me with piety and feare all at once and brought me to understand what fault I had committed against them when I followed the blind transports of my despaire This gave me the resolution to live but not to comfort me and I intreated these people to carry me in their Boats to some remote place where I would reward them for their paines They set up then a little sayle and because the wind was good to goe to Cyrrha which is a Towne of Phocide something neare that place we arrived there presently I found that they had taken away nothing that was about me so I had enough to content them with I had besides remaining some Diamonds which now were happily at hand wherewith I beleev'd I might make a voyage in such sort as I tooke upon me to goe on not yet knowing in what part I should chuse my abiding and having no other purpose than to flye the circuits of Corynth But yet I could finde no corner of the earth where to live without sorrow I had bin very happy if in any place I could have lost my love and my remembrance My fidelity had too profound a rooting to be shaken and inconstancy was not acceptable to me but in the continuall change of places that gave some diversion to my unhappy constancy I wander'd thus over all Greece avoyding those places I had any acquaintance in and for that reason I would not see Athens which is a Towne that might have much diverted my griefe because of Eriphile my deare sister who is married to one of the best men of this
only for a false report answer'd Palamede Aristides remain'd very much astonisht at these newes and found himselfe in a great streight seeing that if he had a desire to make that match it would be very hard for him to satisfie his sonnes spirit and if he would be excus'd for it to Maximus he could not tell him the true reasons having himselfe approved Palamed's dissimulation of the injury offer'd him by Marcelin for feare of making him an open enemy and drawing upon himselfe the displeasure of the Emperour So as he told his children that the matter well deserv'd to be thought of at more leisure Ariana when she saw she was strengthned by Palamede pray'd her father she might not be brought to that passe to live with one that had spilt the bloud of her brother and had beene branded with so cowardly a treachery as to venter his poysoning too If this you allege said Aristides be true never will I bring so much misery upon my house But take heed Palamede that the feare of leaving your sister here makes you coine these things for I should never pardon you while I live if it were so He is a party more exalted than we could ever have hoped for and that shall place your sister in an illustrious ranck in the glory whereof you are to participate It is not fitting little considerations should turne you of this happinesse since it so fairely presents it selfe we may very well quit all we have in Sicily to dwell here in a fortune that may be envied of all our countrimen Father said Palamede I am not an enemy to the honour and advancement of our house I disguise not any thing to you Melintus has beene too true a witnesse of what I tell you and can certifie the truth Aristides promis'd them to examine at leisure all those reasons and to consider what was to be done for their common good in the meane time he bade them thinke also upon the advantages that offer'd themselves and not to neglect them Palamede presently acquainted Melintus with this discourse and profest to him he would oppose that marriage as much as it were possible Melintus set him on that way as much as he could and spake of it to Ariana to know her resolution but she assur'd him she would sooner marry with death Neverthelesse she was greatly troubled when her father said to her that her brothers reasons ought not to remove them from accepting such a party that he knew but by light reports that it was he that would have murther'd him and that it might be some one that wisht him ill had sent that same poyson under Marcelin's name That there was no appearance he should be authour of that villany having beene twice to visit him since with sufficient testimonies of affection and if that were so that the greatest enemies might become friends and that the designe he had for her as without all doubt it had extinguish'd his hatred so ought it to make that of Palamede dye also Ariana saw well he was fully resolv'd for that marriage and that it would be very difficult to divert him from it which she tooke so impatiently that she curs't without ceasing her voyage to Rome Neverthelesse she never dar'd to contradict her father openly but then when he commanded her to looke kindly upon Marcelin in what place soever she met him she began to despaire not knowing how she might avoyd that misfortune because she could not expresse her aversenesse to Marcelin Aristides ever accompanying her to the temple to see what reception she gave him Melintus trouble was no lesse not knowing what remedy to find out and if his wit furnish'd him of any one he could not make it prosper but that his passion should breake out Palamede seemed the most offended and more openly exprest his displeasure Ariana knew well enough her father would not compell her if she declar'd her minde absolutely to him but her modesty would not permit her so much liberty At length Diceâ—rchus letters came who being naturally ambitious and desiring to get himselfe support in Rome intreated his brother not to let scape so great a good fortune and no more to thinke of Diocles riches whose sonne he had destin'd his daughter to since the least quality of a Roman Senator was of greater consideration than all the meanes of the most puissant man in a province Aristides heartned by this counsell commanded Ariana to prepare her to receive Marcelin the day after This newes so strucke her that she betooke her to her bed and the palenesse of her face soone shewed what compulsion she resented Aristides wondering at her sicknesse she told him it was no great matter and besought him he would deferre but one day this interview which he granted her and in the meane time ceas'd not to be with her to encourage her with reasons and make her consent to the match But the morning after considering on the wayes to divert Marcelin and finding none other but to let him know her distate she bethought her of this subtlety Epicharis whom she had about her was a young maide about her age that was very faithfull to her of a gentile spirit and who being acquainted with her mistresses displeasures would have willingly comforted her with the losse of her owne life Thou knowest sayes Ariana to her how it is impossible for me to tell my mind to Marcelin for that my father will ever be a witnesse of the usage I give him I prethee whilest Aristides shall be about my bed put on my ordinary gowne and covering thee with the gâ—eat scarffe I use to weare goe thy wayes to the Temple where Marcelin will not faile to come to thee thou maist tell him in a low voyce counterfetting mine that he loses all hope of marrying me that I will rather chuse to dye what ever guise I make before my father and if of his owne accord he will retire him from his sute without bringing me to the extremity I shall have a great obligation to him for it Epicharis very glad to serve Ariana promis'd to obey her and after she had disguis'd her selfe went to the Temple where she missed not to speake with Marcelin and at her returne finding Ariana impatient to know what had pass'd she told her he had beene abus'd very pleasantly Neverthelesse her discourse having amazed him he had not omitted to aske her leave to come to see her at home as it was appointed after that he would consider on the meanes to obey her if her rigour should continue She prepar'd her therefore against that day and in the meane time the thoughts in that house were very divers Melintus and Palamede meditated upon cruell tragedies rather than they would consent this wretched man should enjoy Ariana Maximus never ceas'd representing the grandeurs of the house of Martian the favour of Marcelin with Nero and within his minde conceiv'd faire hopes for the good office he rendred
my Mistresse so well that I shall receive their rules upon their word without examination and submitting to your reasons I will make you have obligation to me too for the paines I free my selfe of in the search of contrary reasons They were then come to a passe of a river something difficult which hindred Melintus and Eurylas reply to him to minde where the easiest place of going over might be Palamede having first sounded the depth of the water and being on the other side betooke him to singing CUpid in his childish flitting Changeth station day by day Above the heavens he makes his way Then upon earth he takes all homage fitting If my heart seekes thus to remove Am I not like the God of love The same diseases Love importune Varieties doe more provoake Him that in using many a stroake Wounds now the faire one now the browne by fortune If my addresses thus remove Am I not like the God of love Cupid besides hath no delight But in preparing some new blow Then slily laughs under his bow At all the mischiefes come from his despight When I my pleasure would remove Am I not like the God of love It will be a very difficult matter for us sayes Epicharis to Melintus to gaine any thing upon him by instructions for see if he be not already return'd to his first errour You give a wrong judgement answers Palamede of my intentions because I meane to make these false opinions come out at my mouth as it were some poyson or ill nourishment I had taken and I have no other meanes to rid me of them The same censure you are to give of all I shall hereafter say contrary to fidelity in answering your arguments for I shall receive yours in hearkning to them and let goe my owne as I mention them to you Here 's a pretty device indeed sayes Epicharis to contradict us all his life long under the pretext of letting out his false reasons I am afraid truly replide Melintus ours get not out of his minde as easily Give mee them said Palamede good ones and strong enough to the end they may take so sure root there as nothing shall be able to shake them for going out Take beed replied Melintus the fault be not in the reasons but in the place that peradventure is so slippery that nothing can remaine firme in it They sweetned the tediousnesse of the way with these discourses that held them untill the evening and chancing upon a place commodious enough to eat what they brought with them they stayed their journey and let their horses feed upon the grasse but after supper they resolv'd to goe all night for avancing their voyage Being a horsebacke againe they entred into a Forest a little before Sun-set and had not gone through the halfe of it when night began to approach Palamede and Epicharis were together and went before Melintus was about twenty paces of them and entertain'd his imaginations when there appear'd to him an apparition upon a great blacke horse his face of a fearefull blacknesse his body all cover'd with long and bristly haire and holding a club on his shoulder A man lesse assured than Melintus would have beene terrified at so dreadfull a vision but he in no amazement stood still and ask'd him boldly if he had any thing to say to him Know answers the spirit that thy death approaches Thou tell'st me no newes replide Melintus I know it approaches every day That monster without a returne would have discharg'd upon his head a blow with the mace but he avoyded it by bending his body and presently tooke his sword in his hand Then hee saw comming to him another monster a horsebacke like to the former and without trouble to see himselfe amongst these Devils he began to charge him that had spoken to him and at the same time thought how the other might doe him no wrong Palamede and Epicharis that saw Melintus did not follow them return'd backe againe and wondred strangely to finde him engaged in a combat against such fearfull spirits Epicharis was seized with horror but Palamede that would not have feared to assaile all the powers of hell to succour his friend tooke his sword in his hand and set upon him that came last At that time Melintus had runne his sword into the other he first tooke him to in many places escaping with nimblenesse the blowes of his club and in the end made him fall from his horse Palamede delivered himselfe too in a small time from him he had taken in hand and these two friends were very glad to see those spirits had a life to lose since they poured out so much bloud being fallen to the ground and had no more motion left in them They alighted from their horses and considering them found they were two men that had black'd over their faces and their hands and drest them in skinnes it may be to skare passengers and kill them with the more ease Epicharis had gone afarre off for feare and they had much adoe to re-assure her and make her come neere to see those dead bodies At last she came on and wondred extremely that Melintus was not terrified at the first appearing of these phantasmes The Moone gave them light enough for not wandring out of their way and to beware they were not againe assaulted by the like monsters but yet they came out of the wood without danger when the night was even spent and at breake of day they met with a man on foot who seeing them comming demanded if they had not encountred the two spirits that had slaine so many men within seven or eight dayes Yes answered Melintus but they did us no harme at all I wonder replide that man they should spare you Indeed said Melintus they somewhat affrighted us but from whence come they doe men thinke They say replies he they are infernall gods that were constrain'd to quit the Temple of Proserpine at Rome when it was burn'd and how they will never give over killing till they have built them another For my part I am not so desperate as you for I am going round about the Forest to Rome for feare of falling into their hands Friend said Melintus to him smiling those gods were not immortall then feare not passing by the Forest you shall finde their bodies lying on the ground which we have depriv'd of life and assure your selfe they were but theeves disguis'd into spirits to kill and rob passengers with more facility after they had affrighted them This man would not beleeve him for all that they swore to him all three it was true and that if hee were weary of going a foot he might chance to finde one of those wretches horses and get up to ride but hee could not be perswaded what ever assurances they gave him and would not take the way of the Forest so hard a matter is it to cast out feare and the beleefe of fabulous stories
was farre away uncertaine of all things in vaine provided of friends in vaine cherish'd and honour'd of a whole Nation and in vaine restor'd to his illustrious and rich inheritance since all this power was of no use to him These murderous thoughts sustained by many importunate reasons whereof his wit was but too fertile pursued cruelly his hopes and deprived him of the onely remedy that was capable to sweeten his troubles His body participating of the griefes of his soule had without doubt fainted under the burthen of so adverse a fortune but for the last preservative was left in him the assurance of Ariana's affection and of Palamedes friendship which he could not doubt of Palamede was a friend proved by too many rancounters to have the least suspition of and to distrust Ariana were to adde a crime to his misfortune which the faithfull love of that faire Lady could never pardon nor all the Ocean wash away How many times for all that said he overpressed with his feares and wavering betwixt assurance and doubt Faire Ariana whose resolution good or ill shall give me either life or death pardon a little apprehension in him that lives in ignorance of all that happens to you If I feare 't is that I doubt of my selfe and not of you when I imagine to my selfe the force of your divine spirit I feele a power comming into my soule that drives out all defiances but to beleeve that I should be the subject of an invincible constancy were a presumption that would make me unworthy of you It may be the knowledge of many merits in another shakes your resolution at this present and makes you avow that they have more equality with the greatnesse of your vertue it may be also you are at this houre generously resisting the attempts of a violent pursuit Me thinkes I heare of one side the humble supplications and advantageous promises and of the other the counsell full of feined affection borne out by a tyrannicke authority by choler and threatnings if this last be true ha how I envy you so glorious a triall of love and how I would cherish the happinesse to be expos'd to violences yet more cruell to let my passion appeare victorious over heaven and earth How am I happy if in these occasions you have me for your sole object and how happy doe I esteeme you too for the joy you receive in triumphing over their attempts and practices Thus was it that Melintus flatter'd his passion and strengthened his dearest hopes and if sometimes a little doubting mingled it selfe with his pensivenesse it was so modestly and casting alwayes upon himselfe the fault that might cause his misfortune that even Ariana could not have taken offence at him But the blessing he expected still floating in a Sea so full of stormes and shelves and his present evils giving him a sense of all their force he relapsed continually into his first trouble His friends were oft constrain'd to take him away by force out of his solitude and bring him to the publike recreations and sometimes to hunting where hee ever stole away from the company and had no contentment but when he was in place where he might freely thinke that he had none indeed If honours had beene capable to have satisfied him the Syracusians had cured his melancholy establishing him chiefe of their Counsell and erecting for him a statue of brasse in the publike place with this honourable Inscription To the generous Melintus that lov'd his Countrey better than himselfe But all those favours were but a weake remedy for his evill his face well shewed the displeasures of his minde so strangely was he altered and his body could not long resist any more being depriv'd of nourishment and rest His dayes were nights because he no more enjoyed the light having his sight so overcome and weakned by watchings and his nights were long and tedious daies since he never tasted the sweetnesse of sleepe About the end of one night which he had passed away in this manner without sleeping after having rowled in his minde a thousand different imaginations upon the subject of his cares he spent the rest of the time hee had to lye abed in making these verses under the name of Cloris which he ordinarily supposed YE sad and miserable nights That waken all my un-delights While sweet repose you give to all things else beside Shall I thus complaine for ever I have suspir'd enough let me in rest abide And tell me not that Cloris is not here how-ever The Moone already waxing pale Doth to the Sun 's arising vale And yet unquiet slumber still my eye-lids close To me alone under the heaven Day passeth without light and night without repose When e're of Cloris sight I feele my sight bereaven Messenger of approaching day Goddesse whose beauty I dare say Borrowes a thousand graces of her I adore Com'st thou of her returne to tell me Thou runn'st in vainâ— for me returne O faire Aurore If thy comming be the newes of day light onely Wherefore Postilion of the day Powr'st thou downe teares which looke so gay Cry'st thou for pitty to behold what I endure What may thy laughing then portend Is 't not for this to comfort me by an augure That I shall quickly see the beauties I attend Alas how sweet is this conceit The heaven too-jealous will defeat This blessed hope I feare of my felicity But thou that bring'st the day againe And rendrest to our eyes the fairest things that be Why mayst thou not returne the object of my paine Melintus thus passed a miserable life having his soule perplex'd with griefes impatiencies suspitions and feares full of uncertainties and doubts which is the wofullest estate a Lover can possibly be acquainted with 'T is ordinarily betweene two extremities that vertue happinesse and tranquillity consists but there is nothing so cruell in love as the meane betweene hope and feare 't is a space filled with confusion despite and rage The minde will alwayes be acting hearing and judging if the senses make no report concerning that it loves it knowes not wherein to be employed it is troubled and lost and turnes it's forces against it selfe to be tormented and destroyed At length the arrive of Palamede who came from Corinth retired him out of all those doubts but it was by the assurance he gave him of the misfortune he so feared He learn'd the tyrannous resolution of Dicearchus the violent pursuit of Pisistratus and the cruell persecutions Ariana suffer'd for not failing of her fidelity to him And yet he was more content to be assured of a mischiefe that was without remedy than to live incessantly in uncertainty and feare His courage permitted him not to despaire and the faithfull assistance of Ariana and Palamede was too powerfull a stay to his resolutions But the Letter he receiv'd from Ariana made him intirely confident and obliged him no longer to deferre his depart for Corinth the letter was thus
enough maintain'd by those that were within among whom was the Captaine that defended himselfe a long time against me neverthelesse I made him in the end desire his life and I pardoned all the rest in favour of him I had hurt him in many places and was carefull to make his wounds be drest then I carried him with his ship and men to Corcyra My returne was extremely acceptable to the Pyrats as well because it was along time ere they had seene me as for the greatriches I brought with this Prisoner that was an Armenian Prince who went from thence Ambassadour to Rome from Vologeses King of the Parthians and from Tyridates King of Armenia The knowledge I had that he was a Prince made me have a particular care of him I visited him very often staying till his ransome might arrive but I found him in so deep a melancholy that nothing was able to comfort him In the end having urged him many times to tell me the cause of his sadnesse this Prince that call'd himselfe Araxes finding in me some civility and a great deale of freedome resolv'd with himselfe to let me know what his griefe was and spake thus to me If I had no other displeasure but this to be wanting to my King whose affaires suffer a great prejudice by the stay I make here you will confesse that I have reason enough to be afflicted but though the trouble I am in for this be extreme it is far surpassed by another torment I endure I will not continued hee conceale from you that which causes me so much paine and for all you are the sole cause of the imprisonment I am in I receive so many courtesies from you in my misery that I will willingly make you part of my fortune as the best friend I have in the world Know pursues he that Tyridates my Master is the legitimate successor of the kingdome of Armenia by the partage that was made betweene him and his brothers Vologeses and Pacorus of whom the first that was the elder reserv'd to himselfe the kingdome of the Parthians and gave to Pacorus and Tyridates the kingdomes of Media and of Armenia But the Romans under the Conduct of Corbule having made themselves the stronger party in Armenia expelled thence Tyridates and made come from Rome Tygranes a stranger Prince grand-child to the ancient Archelaus King of Cappadocia and Nephew to Archelaus the King of Troas who had alwayes liv'd in ostage with the Emperours and establish'd him King of Armenia This change was very sad to the greater part of the Armenians who regretted their naturall King of the race of the great Arsaces On the other side many lov'd Tygranes better hoping that the Romans from whose hand they received him would better know how to maintaine them in peace than Tyridates who could not resettle or preserve himselfe but in continuall fighting against them Neverthelesse Vologeses having assembled all his forces to restore his brother into his kingdome after there had beene advantage and losse on either side we ordered the matter so that Corbulo was agreed that Tygranes should abandon his pretention to Armenia and that Tyridates should remaine peaceable possessor of it upon condition he went to Rome to receive the Diadem from the hand of Nero. While they were in preparation of this voyage I was sent in the meane time to the Emperour for to assure him of my Masters fidelity for gage whereof he hath left his daughter in the hands of Corbulo but I had Commission to passe by Treas to see King Archelaus upon certaine conditions that concern'd him because of his Nephew Tygranes and in that place I encountred all the good or bad fortune I am to hope or feare while I live This King has no sonnes but the disgrace is well recompenced by the fortune he hath to have a daughter nam'd Pasithea that is without doubt the fairest and most lovely Princesse of the world After I had spoken to the King I was brought before her to salute her and as soone as ever I saw her a trembling surpris'd me that presaged as I beleeve the miseries that were to come upon me for having seene her I left not for all that re-assuring my selfe but after some discourse I had with her I felt that I was so taken with her love that with astonishment my voyce failed me at every word I could not finish that enterview for the contentment my new growing passion received in regarding her On the other side I was asham'd to be with her and unable to entertaine her Yet at last I left her for feare of being troublesome and retiring me to the lodging was provided me I began profoundly to meditate upon that which had hapned to me I consider'd the beauty and all the graces of the Princesse that forced me to love her and whereof I found nothing capable to dis-ingage me on the other part I had regard to the small hope I had to be ever happy with her because she was destin'd to Tygranes her Cousin who would ever be more considerable than I to Archelaus though I were of the race of the Arsacides for being the onely remainder of his blood Those cruell thoughts were indeed strong enough for to ruine my hopes but not to choake my affection and the violence of it every moment increasing I had no way to ease my ardor but in seeking to see her and so farre was this sight from bringing me any remedy that I felt a thousand desires entring into my soule by troops when I saw her that never meant to leave me but render me the most miserable of men I knew well that the more I saw her the more I resented my evill and yet nothing was so cruell to me as to be obliged to leave her for the performance of my voyage All I could doe was that being with her when I tooke my leave Madam said I I am going to Rome whence I would be glad to returne as happy as Tygranes though I would not willingly bring away with me the qualities he acquir'd there She ask'd me what I meant to say 'T is this answered I that he is come backe from Rome with the hope of possessing you but hath brought away with him abase and servile spirit that makes him unworthy of so high a fortune I had not taken the boldnesse to despise her Cousin in this manner if it were not a thing knowne that his spirit was abjected and growne degenerate having beene so long time retain'd in hostage at Rome She blush'd to heare me speake so and without anger said to me If this hope be so high as you say it may give courage to those that want it and take it away from those that have too much of it I had onely leisure to returne 'T is not to lose courage when it is not lost but with ones life and this is the resolution I take in the search I will make for the honour of
what sicknesse soever was upon him he spake no more but of retiring from me to goe to her I knew then he had never lov'd me and was tormented with a cruell jealousie that gave me no repose I saw well that I had no cause to retaine him since he lov'd me not and yet I could not endure he should forsake me Never had I experience of so many troublesome passions as then distracted me but I confesse there cannot be imagin'd a more cruell torment Love hatred the resentments of contempt and jealousie put me into such a disorder that my mind was in 〈◊〉 perpetuall fury There rested for all that in me I know not what hope that beleeving him to be of a great spirit he could not but esteeme himselfe much oblig'd to me for so many duties I had rendred hi 〈…〉 neverthelesse this ingrate this perfidious man prayed me at last to give him leave to retire I expected that blow with a great deale of feare and receiving it I forc'd my selfe some time to perswade him to stay still with me but seeing him resolv'd to be gone I perceiv'd there is nothing so sensible as the contempt and the ingratitude of that one loves I could no longer containe my selfe but gave him all the reproaches an outraged lover could make in calling him traitor villaine ingratefull and all that may be said in a furious anger This artificiall man having given free liberty to my rage to make it lose its force began to pacifie me by little and little by the most flattering words deceit it selfe could have invented He perswaded me to what he would being so weakned by the agitations of my soule that in that estate it was easie for him to vanquish me Then he labour'd to make me beleeve things that were so pleasing to my desires and that in such sort flattered my hopes that I conspir'd also with him for to abuse my selfe Never had he express'd so much passion to me as he did at that time he spared neither protestations nor oaths for to assure me of his love and his fidelity and feining some dayes that he could not be farre from my presence he obtain'd insensibly leave to be gone in making me hope that he would returne to me every houre Being thus escap'd out of my hands he counterfetted himselfe sicke that he might not be oblig'd to see me againe untill hee return'd into Sicily I sent often to heare of him and was advertis'd of all that passed at their house by the meanes of a young boy call'd Damis slave of Maximus who reported to me that nothing was so agreeable to Melintus as the deare assistance of this faire Ariana It consum'd my heart with jealousie and despite that he had thus deceiv'd me to get away I attended still a good while and the more time passed away the more he made me lose hope of seeing him ever againe This outrage seized me in such wise as I became sicke and willing to prove to what degree his ingratitude would proceed or whether pitty might not doe that which love could not obtaine I gave out every where that I was at the extremity to try if he would not render me at least some office in the very last moments of my life But this cruell man this Barbarian was never touch'd for any accident that could arrive to me and had lesse care of me than if he had never knowne me Not content yet with that triall I made it be reported that I was dead to see if he would not come to visit Camilla and to heare being closely hid what he would say to her upon the regret of my death and I will tell you truly what my fury was then I was resolved if he came to come forth of my ambuscado after I had heard him a while and to teare him in peeces with my teeth and with my nailes but all that mov'd him no more than if he had had no soule and I knew beside that he had hindred Palamede from comming to see my sister upon the accident was thought to have befallen me I knew not now in the extreme dolour I was in what artifice to use nor what resolution to take when the passion of others was neare to have succour'd mine and supplied the defect of my inventions Marcelin as I knew of Damis to be reveng'd of these Sicilians to whom he was enemy attempted to burne them all one night in their house or if they got out to kill Melintus and Palamede and to carry away Ariana in that disorder for to give her to the Emperour This enterprise as I came to know since succeeded not well for Marcelin who was slaine without the City by Melintus and Ariana sav'd her selfe by I know 〈◊〉 what meanes but the day after Palamede and Melintus were taken and brought prisoners to Rome Never pursued Emilia had I so much joy as to learne that they were destin'd to death being accused for having set fire on the City and when I was advertis'd that they were to be brought before the Senate to have judgement I disguis'd me in the same estate as I am now for the present in to see what countenance they had and to what punishment they should be condemned and slipping into the Senate-house among the crowd I so wrought that I got a place whence I could see them at my ease I saw this traitor present himselfe without any amazement and in seeing him I became pale and a shaking horror surpriz'd me that tooke from me all strength The trembling that had seiz'd me quitted me not as long as I beheld him but when he began to speake I felt my selfe even gone so was I taken with the different passions that perplexed me In the end I recollected a little force and courage and seeing in what sort he defended himselfe Ha! said I to my selfe see how this deceiver spake to me when hee would abuse me How well he knowes to disguise the causes of their misery and his love for Ariana He dares not pronounce that name for feare of being troubled And yet I confesse to you that I felt my selfe affected with the things he said and my hatred was not powerfull enough to resist the force of his discourse I would have had them adjudged him to death and yet I well saw that it was impossible to condemne him I attended his judgement with as much trouble as if it had beene my owne and for all I desir'd he should dye I surpris'd my selfe sometimes in the estate of having a feare for his life But yet for all that I saw they were about to absolve him and I was angry and content at the same time but when they came from Nero to command the judgement to be surceased for that he would declare his will upon the matter I cannot expresse in what state I was in I well perceiv'd how the Emperour feared lest they should have beene dismissed and quitted and that this signified
secret Acidalia knew well I spake as one interessed and that made her doubt the goodnesse of my reasons and yet she beleev'd me for a while But at last Attalus having perceiv'd her inclination which she could nolonger conceale began to be more sparing of his buffonnery in all companies and express'd to her that he made use of those actions but onely to please her This oblig'd her entirely and Attalus knowing what progresse he made in her good graces set himselfe forward to take other liberties of her without any great hazard for if shee would not suffer him it was excus'd by the free humour of Attalus and if she would suffer him he knew well how to use the same favour often All this I saw with a great deale of despight but could not remedy it and still I loved her infinitely and my love increasing augmented my rage to see him receive favours I durst not pretend to Acidalia let her selfe be so transported with this foolish love of Attalus that she could now conceale it no longer if he were in any place she must instantly leave what company soever to goe to him and she was so blinded in admiring all he did as shee perceiv'd not the visible appearance she made to every one of her passion I represented to her as discreetly as I could what injury she did her selfe and let her see that she ought to esteeme of me otherwise than oâ— him but shee could not endure to heare me speake any more after that fashion and I perceiv'd she began to shun me for feare I should importune her with this discourse and had no care now but for her Attalus I must needs relate to you in the end the cruellest of my griefes and the subject of all my shame One day I went to her house something late in the afternoone and knowing she was gone out to walke I resolv'd to attend her in her chamber and layd me downe upon a bed where insensibly I fell asleepe But yet I awaked when she came in and saw Attalus alone with her in the Chamber she knew not I was in the house so as I remov'd as farre as I could toward the farther side of the bed into the darke for feare of being perceiv'd but so as I could see what they did She tooke off the handkercher that cover'd her necke and presently Attalus set himselfe to kisse it freely enough because she tooke pleasure in those caresses and in the conceited flatreries wherewith he admir'd the beauty of that necke and confessed himselfe beholding for the liberty she gave him then he added in mockery But truly Madam you ought to grant the like favours to Dicearchus that loves you so seriously and she answered him If I should permit him the same he would never take them with so good a grace as you doe I was strucke to the quicke at those words but yet I endur'd farre more sensible blowes after They sate them downe upon seats that were at the bed feet where indeed I could not see them but I might easily heare what they said After some discourses expressing that she permitted him great privacies I heard her say Ha gods Attalus let me alone are you not yet satisfied and a while after she added Well are you now content I beleeve for the present that she onely permitted him some liberties which yet are not to be suffered but then my jealousie forced me to beleeve that those words signified he had obtain'd the very last favours of her and never casting so much as a doubt of it I entred into so great a fury as I repented me a hundred times that I had not a poniard about me for to kill them both but being unable to revenge my selfe at that time my shame and my despight constrain'd me to hold my peace for feare they knew I had beene a witnesse of their kindnesses They went away soone enough for being surpriz'd and for me having stayed some time full of confusion and rage I retir'd me as secretly as I could with more feare of being discovered than if I had done an action my selfe that were very shamefull When I was at home I shut my selfe up alone and there my love provoked by so cruell an offence abandon'd me to fury and despaire I tore my haire I outrageously strucke my selfe and acted all that a violent rage forces one to doe I saw well enough that I might despise this Acidalia and leave her at liberty with her Attalus but I was so powerfully engaged to love her as I beleev'd I had receiv'd as great an injury from her as if already shee had beene my wife I considered her in her fault and then despised her but presently I imagin'd her as handsome as might be and then I could not so much as endure the thought that another should possesse her But what said I shall I love her still and not rather have in disdaine a person defiled the shame of her sex and the reliques of Attalus Shall I still continue to desire what I ought to have in horror and esteeme my selfe miserable for having beene a witnesse of that she endured in stead of rejoycing for having knowne her levity and weaknesse No no let us be more wise and expell out of our minde this beauty that hides so many defects and hath not offended my love but in destroying it selfe I remain'd some time in this resolution and a little after this Acidalia return'd into my mind with more charmes than ever and it seem'd my imagination was pleas'd in representing her to mee the more gloriously to keepe me from forgetting her and embroyle me in a greater trouble Then I replied thus What then shall I leave her in the possession of another and while I am in paine to be deliver'd from so sweet and cruell a remembrance shall Attalus peaceably enjoy Acidalia and taste as many delights as I torments Whither shall I flye Wretched man shall I stay at Corinth to see continually my owne misery and be the more sensible of it or rather returne to Syracuse to see on the other side Hermocrates happy with Euphrosyne whose contentments will every houre renue in my memory those of Attalus with Acidalia Acidalia thou cruell ingrate foolish unchaste woman can I still love thee But againe Acidalia full of beauty of graces and of charmes can I not love thee Spirit unworthy to be loved of me but beauty worthy of all the vowes of the earth O despight O love what am I to doe Shall I love her or shall I not love her My soule was thus agitated with a thousand furious and extravagant thoughts and my rage so transported me as I conceived a resolution whereat you will blesse your selfe not finding the like to have beene taken by any man in all the ages of the world No said I 't is certaine that I ought not to love her but contrariwise that I am to pursue with a mortall hate her that hath done
Nicopolis I thanked him and taking my leave put my selfe in the company of some that were going to Rome We arriv'd there in a small time and I went to lodge at Maximus his who receiv'd me with many testimonies of affection and told me he had great obligations to Melintus for the remembrance he kept of him and about evening he shewed me the rich presents he had sent him which he said he receiv'd onely to keepe them as deare pledges of his friendship I beleev'd that he being lov'd of the powerfullest of Rome I might by his meanes enter into their acquaintance and when we were alone I began to tell him how many wayes Nero had persecuted us At first he onely pittied our case afterwards by little and little I so wrought with him that he discover'd himselfe and confessed to me the world would be much at ease to be deliver'd of so cruell a Prince Then I feined not to tell him my designe and that I should want no courage for an enterprise so profitable to all the earth He fortified me as well as he could in that resolution and told me he would give me accesse to persons by whose intermission he beleev'd my desire might succeed and because at the same time it was considerable to know who should be successour to the Empire he said he knew none more fit for it than Piso both for Nobility and all other qualities requisite and how that choyce would be approved of the Senate of the people and of the legions I told him all the discourse I had with Proculus and that it should not be laid to his charge that Nero receiv'd not punishment due to his crimes if he might be drawne towards Misena Maximus told me that indeed Nero went often towards Baiae and Puteoli which were in those quarters to delight himselfe upon the Sea and many times to Piso's house at Baiae and much opportunity might there be found to kill him but that hee knew Proeulus and that hee was not a man to be trusted for being both a great talker and of a turbulent and volaticke spirit The day after he brought me to the speech of two or three Senators and of some Roman Knights who received me as if I had beene sent from heaven to assemble what remain'd of vertuous and courageous men and by a generous violence to free the world of tyranny I was well pleas'd to see so happy a beginning but I encountred Proculus in the City who had followed me and sought me all about being no longer able to live without me as he said After having express'd much joy to see me he ask'd mee if I had done any thing in the affaire we were plotting together I was very much troubled how I should carry my selfe to this man that I might neither discontent him nor yet give him part in my secret for following the advice of Maximus I resolv'd in the end to tell him I had quitted the designe we had taken together and that the difficulties had deterr'd me He would have re-assur'd mee to the pursuit of the enterprise but I told him I would thinke no more of it After some other discourse he oblig'd me to tell him where I lodged and afterwards he came very often to visit me at Maximus his but I ever made him be answered that I was not there to avoyd any further engaging my selfe with him In the meane time within three or foure dayes I had drawne to my party more than twenty persons of authority and at last they brought me to Piso who after many kindnesses prayed me to have a good courage and promis'd me great rewards when he came to the Empire Piso was a friend to Seneca and Lucan for Seneca he durst not speake of this conspiracy to him redoubting his too severe wisdome but having gained Lucan Seneca's Nephew he prayed him to mention it to his uncle for to sound him that if he disapprov'd the designe he might at least be retain'd from revealing it by the consideration of his Nephew I met by chance at Lucan's when Seneca came to see him for I went ordinarily to his house because Attila his mother was of the conjuration and for the honour of my sex I was wel content to be often with her that I might not seeme a sole practitioner of men Lucan being desirous I should make report unto Piso in what manner he had spoken to Seneca shut mee up in a Cabinet where I could heare what they said and I was so extremely delighted at this incounter for having an occasion to heare the discourse of that great Philosopher whose vertue and learning were of so high a reputation When they were alone in the Chamber they spake at first of divers indifferent things and Lucan at length putting him upon the discourse of affaires and of the life of Nero Nephew said he I can informe you of nothing Since the Emperour as you know would not suffer me to retire into the Countrey I have found meanes to enjoy solitude even in Rome it selfe and not daring to remove my selfe from affaires I have remov'd them from me not suffering them to approach me any more Lucan answered him Take heed Nero imagines not a disliking you have to his actions in that you avoyd to be a witnesse of them and if he takes this opinion once he that feared not to put his mother his brother and his wife to death will never be afraid to have his Preceptor dye Ah! my nephew replied Seneca doe you beleeve I can be troubled with this feare to what end serv'd my continuall study of Philosophy if it learn'd me not to dye I give not up my selfe to wisdome for acquiring repose but I seeke repose to acquire wisdome I had much rather he should make me dye than oblige me to participate his crimes If he takes me out of the world I shall receive death as a benefit in stead of the retreat I desired and he shall give me without thinking the same thing he refus'd me These be speeches return'd Lucan worthy of your selfe but should you not expresse more vertue yet to succour the dying Common-wealth than not to feare dying your selfe If she reaches out her armes to be sustained by you when she is ready to fall will you refuse to lend her your hand and shall your Philosophy warrant you from the reproaches of having abandon'd her If this succours replied Seneca might be given without the death of him I have brought up and who holds the place of a sonne with me I call the gods to witnesse I would willingly employ this despicable life of mine for the universall safety but what vertue is there so severe to oblige me to kill my Nurse-childe and benefactor and what wisdome teacheth ingratitude and parricide Truly I excuse in you this affection for the Re-publike I protest if I were not Seneca I should be the first man to give Nero his death So many crimes and so
feined not to understand what he would say to me but for all that I was not sorry when he came neare me and I tooke the paines to entertaine him with the best discourse I was able Dicearchus was not in that esteeme with me because I knew him to be a violent and an artificiall man and I judged that his humor would never agree well with mine My mother soone perceiv'd the purpose of Hermocrates and was well content therewithall so as she was never displeased that he should speake to me and the first time he found the occasion to come to our house she assur'd him that the entrance to it should ever be open for him He receiv'd this permission with a great deale of respect and made very discreet use thereof but Dicearchus could not suffer to see a rivall so well intreated and to finde himselfe so distant from our good graces beleeving that he was not so removed but by the advancement of Hermocrates He had recourse to a thousand devices and at last counterfetted a letter which he sent to my mother as if Eryx who was Hermocrates father had written it to her wherein he advertis'd her not to receive any more his sonne at her house and that he had other designes for him that if shee of her owne accord hindred not those frequent visits of Hermocrates hee should himselfe be forc'd to doe it by a meanes that would be heard with no very agreeable noyse to her See what a crafty plot here was see my mother then in a great wonder and more offended withall As soone as Hermocrates came to see her she prayed him to come no more at her house neverthelesse with so much temper as she express'd no discontentment at all to him beleeving that he had no part in what his father had written to her Hermocrates although my mother us'd him with no discourtesie was yet in a great surprize and besought her an hundred times to tell him what fault he could commit against the respect he ought us She would reveale nothing of the matter to him but in the end she told him that Eryx was not well pleas'd with their friendship He confess'd that his father indeed had propos'd a marriage for him but that it was a thing so unlikely that he beleev'd verily he thought no more of it No no Hermocrates replied she he has forbidden me by writing to receive you here any more but I thinke he might have express'd his aversion to us by something a civiller way Ha Madam sayes he is it possible this you tell me 'T is so true answer'd she that without opposing his desire or my owne honour I can no longer suffer you in this house Then he went his way overcome with displeasure and not knowing how hee should make shift to live any more because that as hee had a great respect and love towards his father so he had also as great a resentment of the injury he thought he had receiv'd from him in such sort that piety and choler began a combat in his soule which gave him no repose at all When he was at home he durst not lift up his eyes upon Eryx for feare of offending him with an ill looke for it had beene impossible for him to see him without paine He would not wish his father any evill and yet he could not desire any good to him so as having liv'd some time in this trouble of spirit he could not rid himselfe of at last he fell sicke and the more care Eryx express'd to have of him the more did his sicknesse increase This good father full of griefe to see in that danger his sonne whom he had reason to cherish as well for the lovelinesse of his person as because he was the onely one he bad who for all this gave no comfort to his sorrow not enduring the sight of him and refusing from his hand the remedies he offered him knew not whence this aversion should proceed of his sonne towards him and shed teares abundantly Hermocrates on the other side seeing his father in that perplexity accused himselfe for an ungracious sonne so to torment his owne father and could not tell whether he should wish himselfe dead or alive well knowing that if he dyed he should but heape sorrowes and anguishes upon the old age of those that brought him into the world and by living he could expect no contentment from them nor give them any But at length Eryx prayed his wife to aske him what cause he had not to love him and if ever he had given him any occasion to be displeased with him that having receiv'd of the gods a sonne so vertuous and obedient hee should thinke himselfe very ingrate towards them and himselfe too if ever it should happen that he gave him any displeasure His mother labour'd to get this secret out of him but he could never be perswaded to accuse his father and hee was resolv'd rather to dye than a word should escape him that shewed any want of respect She forced her selfe many times to make him declare his griefe which she doubted he concealed though she knew no cause he had for it but it was impossible to draw any thing from him In the end this good father outraged with affliction could no longer containe himselfe but approaching his sonnes bed he put himselfe on his knees before him and full of teares prayed him to tell him if ever he had displeas'd him in any thing Hermocrates ashamed at this submission and beleeving he received an injury rather than an honour by it kneeled him downe upon his bed and bowing towards his father desired him as he embrac'd him to rise up and not make his pitty guilty of shame by an abasement unworthy of him No sayes Eryx to him I will never rise untill you have told me wherein I have given you displeasure Ha my father sayes he must I have beene so unfortunate as not to have inviolably followed all your desires and that my affections should be repugnant unto yours What would you say replied Eryx speake more clearely my sonne for I doe not think you have ever oppos'd the thing I desi'rd of you and besides I promise you never to be contrary to any thing you shall desire of mee No no father answer'd Hermocrates be well assured I will never be disobedient to you and I shall take order with my selfe for your sake for ever thinking upon Euphrosyne but. Then he made a stop and his father said to him Goe on sonne and feare not to tell me what you desire you shall learne me what I know not yet and peradventure what I shall as much desire as your selfe Ha! father sayes Hermocrates if it be lawfull for mee to put a reproach upon you your letter made no such expression that you would desire it What letter answered he But not to seeme troublesome to you continued Euphrosyne the good father knew at last there had beene sent to my
mother as from him a supposititious letter and without any more delay he comes to our house and intreated my mother to shew it him and told her it must have beene sent by some spirit that was very neare to have ruin'd his sonnes life When he had seene it he express'd in such sort that he was innocent of this letter and made her so many satisfactions that she could have no suspition at all of him and made it appeare that shee had much sorrow for Hermocrates sicknesse whom she greatly esteemed her selfe And for this cause they concluded together our marriage before they parted and imagining from whence this letter should come they conceiv'd it must be from Dicearchus who since that time had express'd a greater passion to me than ever before See then how Dicearchus willing to hinder our marriage advanc'd it assembling together by his owne invention those that otherwise would have had much adoe to have effected it As soone as Hermocrates learn'd this good newes it seem'd they had restor'd him his life and we went oft to visit him untill he was perfectly recovered Then were wee married together with a thousand rejoycings and passed away three or foure yeeres with all the contentments can be imagined without having yet any children In the meane time Dicearchus not able to endure that our marriage should be made while he were at Syracuse was gone to Corinth where he stayed about two yeares at the end whereof he return'd into Sicily with Acidalia whom he had married Presently after he declar'd himselfe enemy to Hermocrates who having then lost his father seem'd to hold the first place in the City he practis'd the factious men on all sides to make a league against him and seem'd to have no other end in all his actions than to displease and ruine him if it were possible At last hee sought out so many meanes to attaine his designe that there was one that succeeded to his wish You know it may be pursues Euphrosyne how he made armes be carried by night over the wals of our house and ranged them as in a readinesse for an occasion at the same time he went to advertise the chiefe of the City that Hermocrates projected to make himselfe a Tyrant and that it would appeare at his house They came to our house that very night and ravish'd from my armes my deare Hermocrates for to carry him away prisoner You may judge what trouble I was then surpriz'd in neverthelesse in this calamity I receiv'd some consolation for the innocency of my husband and when Dicearchus friends solicited on that side to have him condemn'd to dye I did all I could to make the villany of that artifice appeare and what appearance there could be that a private man would make himselfe Tyrant over a Citie that was of the Roman Empire But all I could obtaine was to moderate the condemnation to a banishment for five yeares and to have fifteene dayes given us to order our affaires in Neverthelesse that time serv'd but to increase our misery for Dicearchus having knowne that we were to retire to Carthage the place of my originall and not content with our banishment had leisure to practise certaine Pyrats who covenanted with him for a great summe of money that they would surprize us in our passage from Lylibeum to Carthage and after that they would goe and sell us apart to some Barbarians for feare we should ever see one another againe or returne into our Countrey and because I was very big with childe at the same time hee made them promise him to put to death whatever should be borne of mee untill wee came to be sold After wee had committed the managing of our estate to Diocles our friend for to administer it during the five yeares banishment wee departed accompanied with Telephus not knowing the miseries Dicearchus had prepar'd for us but I was so happy as to be brought to bed of you at Lylibeum said Euphrosyne to Melintus where I stayed more than fifteene dayes till I could endure the Sea and it seemed you were willing to be borne at that time to retard as much as you could possibly the miseries that were to happen to your parents We happily advis'd to leave you secretly in Sicily and give you to Telephus for if we had carried you away with us you had not beene alive at this houre then tooke we leave of our Countrey all in teares and went to goe aboard the Vessell But there befell me a mischance that was an augury that this voyage should prove very deadly to us for thinking to enter into the ship my foot slipt and I fell into the Sea the affection of Hermocrates was such as hee threw himselfe presently after me ind by swimming saved me and brought me aboard againe After we had dried us a while we stayed not our departing and because the passage is but short wee soone perceiv'd a light vessell that had parted from the coasts which in a small time set upon us Hermocrates judged them to be Sea-coursers and intreated those that were with him to take armes and defend themselves as well as they might But their number was but small and besides they were not in state to fight never expecting they should have beene fought with in the small way they had to passe Yet for all that they were not wanting to defend themselves courageously and Hermocrates was not taken untill he had laid six of them at his feet His valour was esteemed of the Pyrats who in consideration of him pardon'd those that were with us and taking what they found best out of our ship made us enter into theirs After they had passed us a good way on the Sea they brought us to a place of their owne retreat and it was strange to see what fidelity these Pyrats kept with Dicearchus in that they had promised him because they might have expected a greater ransome from us than that they had receiv'd of him and yet in the meane time they failed not in what they had sworne to him Neverthelesse they shewed us some favour for we liv'd in honour among them and accommodated with all things necessary They delayed three whole yeares to sell us during which I was brought to bed of two children whom they put to death as they had resolved afterwards they went to sell my husband into a Countrey very farre remov'd As for me they were minded to keepe me still by them what request soever I made not to be separate from Hermocrates because they had brought me a Kings sonne very young to breed up whom they had taken in some place or other and on whom all my affection was placed being comforted by the nurture was committed to me for our cruell captivity and dead children attending the change of fortune These cruell people were never touched neither with the supplications and advantageous promises of Hermocrates nor yet with my teares but in spight of mee