doth irritate and excite the Spirit nevertheless by the Command of Trachinus beyond all Expectation he pardoned the Supplicants and made a Peace under such conditions as were more cruel than the War it self for he ordained they should depart the Ship with no more but the Cloths they had on making it Death to him that should do otherwise But it seems there is nothing more precious to a Man than Life which was the cause these Phoenician Merchants having now lost the hope of all the Riches in the Ship as if they had lost nothing but rather gain'd and made an excellent Voyage did strive who should first get into the Boat and every one was more desirous than other to survive the loss of his Goods But as we also obeying the decree were about to pass into the Boat Trachinus took Chariclea by the Hand and said Fair one this War concerns not you but Was undertaken for your sake and since the Day you left the Promontory of Zacynthus I have still followed you adventuring thus far upon the Sea and facing danger for your Love therefore let not any fearful apprehension seize you but confirm your Spirits and know with the Empire you already are possessed of in my Soul you shall be the Lady of all the Wealth you see thus he said but Chariclea full of discretion and knowing by the instructions I had given her how to apply her self to the time most excellently well presently cleared her look from all the marks of Sorrow that now incompassed her and Painting upon her Face an appearance of joy made this reply I render thanks to the Gods that have put it into your mind to use us favourably but if you will have me be confident please to make me this first demonstration of your Love save this my Brother and my Father and command them not from the Ship for if I be once separated from them the World hath nothing can perswade to retain Life And speaking this she prostrated at his Feet and imbraced them a long while Trachinus pleasing himself therein and therefore deferring the grant of her demand at length her Tears making an impression in his pity having no power to refuse when such a Beauty was a Suitor he raised her and thus said For your Brother I am very well contented to bestow him upon you for I see he is a Young Man of a great Spirit and consequently fit for the Life we follow and for this Old Man though he will be but an unserviceable charge to us yet for your only respect I am pleased he shall stay Now while these things were said and done the Sun being in his Circuit come full West that space which is betwixt the Day and Night grew very Dark and Foul and on a suddain the Sea began to be troubled it may be the Season caused the present change or perhaps it was by the Pleasure of some Destiny afar off the murmur of the descending Wind and presently a violent and horrid Tempest breaking in upon us the Hearts of the Pirates were frozen in their fear who having forsaken their own Galley and put themselves into the Merchants Ship to Pillage her were there surpized with a Tempest not knowing how to govern so great a Vessel every one doing some Office of a Mariner in that which came next to his Hands without any knowledge at all some vainly upon their own genious undertaking one Art of Navigation others another some confusedly struck the Sails some unskilfully distributed the Cordages One Ass took upon him to order the Prow another as wise as he to guide the Poop and govern the Helm But that which principally cast us into Extreamest danger was not the violence of the Tempest for the Waves were not yet at the height of their fury but it was the ignorance of him that took upon him to be Pylot who resisted the Storm so long as there was any Day light but when it grew black Night gave over his Charge and when they were now ready to sink at first some of the Pyrates did endeavour to have recovered their own Galley but were beat off from their design by the Tempest Trachinus also staying them and making a Remonstrance that if they could save the Ship and Riches in her they should have Wealth enough to purchase a Thousand such Galleys and speaking those words he cut the Cables that held them together telling them that whilst they kept their own Vessel they drew another Tempest after them and that in doing so he provided for their security since wheresoever they should arrive it would draw suspition upon them and inquiry would be made after the Persons that Sailed in the Empty bottom This he said appeared to them to be reason and they approved his Council out of two respects being already sensible of the one for they were no sooner severed from the Brigantine but they felt the Sea did not toss them so much as before yet were they not quite out of the danger but one Billow tumbling upon another tossed them so violently as it constrained them to cast much of their Lading over-board breifly there was no kind of danger that did not present it self till having will much difficulty escaped that Night the next Day about the setting of the Sun the Tempest cast us into a Road near the Mouth of one of the Arms of Nilus named the Heracleotique accidently and now against our wills arriving in Aegypt the Pirates were joyful but we were exceedingly afflicted reproaching the Sea as cruel in the favour it had done us to save our Lives envying us a Death free from all injury and delivering us to the Land in a more fearful Expectation than at Sea being exposed to the disordered pleasure of barbarous and wicked Pirates which presently appeared As they Landed they carryed from the Ship great Vessels of Tyrian Wine and divers other things saying they would Sacrifice to Neptune and render Thanks for their deliverance some were also sent to the Neighbour Towns and a great deal of Money given them to buy Beasts with command they should give what Price soever was demanded and it was not long before we saw them return driving before them a Flock of Sheep and a Herd of Swine and having brought them in they kindled the Pile and prepared us a Feast of the Roafted Victims Then Trachinus taking me aside where none could over-hear him Father said he I intend to take your Daughter to Wife and this Night as you see Imean to celebrate our Nuptials joyning that sweetest Solemnity of Men with the Sacrifice to the Gods therefore least you should take it ill if I made you not acquainted therewith and be sad at my Wedding Feast and to the end your Daughter being disposed of with your consent may receive the Blessing of our Marriage with more joy I thought it best to let you know my pleasure not that it is needful it should be confirmed by
where he was therefore sending Messengers to the Villages of the Thieves he proposed a great Sum of Money and so many Castles to any one that would take him alive so as these Thieves charmed with the hope of such a Profit even in the heat of Blood and War did not forget their Promise but after he was discovered took him alive though many died for it Being thus seized of Thyamis they rowed to Land putting him in Irons and appointing half of their Troops to guard him who vexing at his Fortune upbraided them of Cowardise for not daring to take him with their Swords bearing his imprisonment with more indignation and less patience than if it had been Death it self the rest of them returned into the Island in hope to find the Riches for which they had been tempted to run this hazard But after they had passed over all the Island without leaving one corner unsearched and finding nothing or very little of the Prize unless it were some Trifles that they had neglected to put up in the Cave they set fire upon the Cabbins and the Evening now approaching and putting them in a fear to stay longer in the Island lest they should fall into the Trains of some of those that fled from the Battel and might now perhaps lie in Ambuscado for them they returned to their Companies THE AETHIOPIAN HISTORY The Second Book THus the Island was all on fire but Theagenes and Knemon did not perceive that Misfortune so long as the Sun shined upon the Earth because his Beams lessened the appearance of Fire by Day but after Sun-set when it grew dark the Flame having then no Light greater than its own discovered it self in the full horror whilst they trusting to the Nights obscurity came out of the Reeds of the Marish and saw clearly the whole Island almost burnt to Ashes and then Theagenes beating his Head and tearing off his Hair Farewel to Life he said This day shall make an end of all Fears Dangers Cares Hope and Love Chariclea is dead Theagenes is lost in vain then Vnfortunate that I am have I fled from the Battel an Action unworthy of a man only reserving my self my Dearest for your sake but I will live no longer since you are deprived of your Life and which heightens my Affliction not after the common course of Nature nor have you rendred your Spirit in his Arms where you did wish to breath it Alas are you consumed by Fire and has your Destiny prepared these Flames to be our Nuptial Torches Must that Beauty without a Second in the World be thus defaced as not to leave so much Remains as a dead Body or any Relicks of her unadulterate Charms Oh unexampled Cruelty the most bitter Spite of Fortune I am denied the favour of a last Embrace and a poor parting Kiss At these Words drawing his Sword to run himself upon it Knemon caught hold of him and asked what he meant why do ye mourn for her as dead that lives Chariclea is in perfect health I do assure you This is for Children and Mad-men to believe replied Theagenes but Knemon you have done me wrong to come betwixt me and a pleasing Death But he confirming the truth of his News with Oaths told him all the Commands of Thyamis the Cave and Nature of the Cave where he had put her that he need not fear the Fire could penetrate to the bottom the violence of it being repell'd and broke with a thousand several Turnings At this Theagenes began to breath a little and thought long till he should come to the Island which he had already presented to his Thoughts and taken up his Marriage-chamber in the Cave not imagining the Complaints he should make nor the Tears he should there shed Thus they rowed towards the Island themselves playing the Watermen for he that rowed them the day before at the first Alarum and Cry of the Enemy had fallen overboard Now they being unpractised at the Oar were a long time carried up and down haying also the Wind against them yet their impatient desire of Landing overcame their unskilfulness When therefore with difficulty and much labour they were arrived they hasted with all possible speed to the Cave where they found all wasted by the Fire and only knew it by the Stone that covered the Entry of the Pit for the Wind blowing the Flame upon the Shades that were only made of Canes and Sedges matted one within another had burnt them down and levell'd all into a Plain elevating the Ashes in the Air and carrying them away the little that remain'd being so well cool'd that they might pass over them without fear of burning and gathering together some Reeds that were half burnt making them into a Torch Knemon went before Theagenes to light him down and after they were entred a little way on the sudden Knemon cried out O Jove what have we here We are undone Chariclea is slain Then casting his Torch against the Earth he extinguished it and fell upon his knees weeping for her untimely Death but Theagenes as if some Enemy had struck him down fell upon her Body and held her in his Arms as if they had been incorporated together Knemon knowing him to be lost in sorrow and fearing lest he should kill himself drew his Sword out of the Scabbard and so leaving him ran to light his Torch again Mean while Theagenes fetching deep Sighs from his afflicted Heart Oh insufferable Grief said he Oh Misery that the incensed Gods have let fall upon us what insatiable Fury pursues us with such rage banishing us from our Country betraying us to Shipwrack and Pyrates by Sea and Thieves by Land depriving us of all our Riches only one Comfort did remain but alas it is now taken from me Chariclea lies here dead she that was dearer to me than my Life hath lost hers by the hand of a cruel Enemy questionless in defence of her Honour reserving her self for me yet here the poor unfortunate lies dead not having reaped the Fruits of Beauty in the Flourish of her Age at least my Love bid me farewel speak to me give me but your last Commands Miserable that I am she answers not and eternal silence hath sealed her Heavenly and Prophetick Lips that spake with so much Musick Darkness covers now the Light of Sacrifices the Temple of the Gods and their fairest Ornament is now return'd to Chaos those Eyes have lost their Beams that enlightned the whole world which I assure my self the barbarous Murderer did not see By what Name shall I call thee my Contracted Alas the Contract 's broke my Wife Thou never knewest what Marriage was No no I must call thee the sweetest of all Names Chariclea Oh Chariclea let your Spirits be appeased you have a faithful Friend that shall not long be absent from you for I go now to celebrate your Obsequies and to sacrifice unto you in your Lovers Blood This Cave a rude Tomb
Adultery and no Man believe me when I should speak the Truth of such an Accident I resolved from the hour of your Birth to commit you to the uncertainty of Fortune which I imagined you your self would rather wish than a certain Death or the name of Illegitimate And so faining to my Husband you were born Dead I secretly exposed you laying with you in your Cradle my best Jewels for a Reward to his Piety that should preserve you and covering you with this Mantle in which I have Printed with my Blood and Tears the Miserable Relation of your Fortune and my own that have been so unhappy a Mother in my first down-lying But my sweet Child and that must be mine but for a little time if you survive remember your great Birth be jealous of the Honour of your Chastity the only best Character of a Ladies Virtue and Spirit imitate your Ancestors and following their Example make the World know the Glory of your Illustrious Blood particularly remember among the Jewels I have laid forth with you to look for a certain Ring and keep it to your self your Father gave it me upon my Wedding Day his Arms are herein engrav'd the Stone is named a Pantarbe consecrated in the Collet I use this way of writing to advertise you hereof since the Gods have denyed us any other means to speak together this may prove dumb and unprofitable unto you it may also inform you and do you service for the events of Fortune are not in the compass of Mans knowledge finally these Cahracters I have stained in this Mantle O Daughter Fair in pain whose Beauty is my unjust Accuser if it happen to you be preserved by these Tokens you will be known if not which Heaven keep from my knowledge let the water of these Gems present your Mothers Funeral Tears When I had read this to an end then Knemon I knew not without being ravished with admiration the Ordinance of the Gods and my Soul felt a new Motion that made Tears spring from my Eyes mixed with joy and sorrow infinitely contented to have found what I desired namely the resolution of the Oracle but exceeding trouble that I could have no perfect knowledge of the future complaining to my self of the miserable condition of Mans Fortune nothing but instability whereof Characlea appeared to me a singular example I wandered in a maze of thoughts considering who her true Parents were who her supposed how far she was distanced from her Country having lost her own and being only known by a feign'd Name To conclude I stood a great while in a dull fear having cause to pity and deplore her passed miseries and not daring to say her fortune should be happy in the future till at length collecting my reason I resolved the design I had undertaken should go on without delay and coming to Chariclea I found her alone wearied with the Fight betwixt the forces of the Spirits and the powers of Love that made her fair Body the Field and Seat of War which her Soul striving to make good dit but the more afflict her being not able to resist the fury of the assailant then I commanded those that were without to wait till they were called and not to trouble me as if I had certain Prayers and Invocatiions to make for the Maids health Now Chariclea said I you have time to perform your yesterdays promise to discover to me what it is torments you and no longer to conceal it from your true friend whom it lyeth not in your power to hinder of the knowledge thought you should live and dye obstinate in your silence At these words she taking my hand and kissing it many times with tears Most wise Calasiris she said Oh do me the favour to let me suffer my ill fortune without confessing it since as you say you know what troubles me I shall esteem it some benefit to avoid an Ignominy by concealing that it is a shame to suffer but more shame to speak and though my sickness growing upon me puts me to great pain it is my greatest that I did not at first conquer it but yielded to that passion I had all my life time in such horror as only to hear it named I thought it a stain to the sacred title of a Virgin. Then to encourage and comfort her Daughter said I you do wisely to keep your reasons secret for two causes for it were but superfluous to tell me that which by my Art is long since known unto me and you do your modesty right to spare your blushes in revealing that ought ever to be hidden deepest in a Maids heart but since you now feel what Love is and that at first sight you were taken with the perfections of Theagenes for this I know by Revelation know you are not alone nor the first than hath been taken in this kind but it is the common case of many illustrious Ladies and chaste Maids for Love is the greatest of the Gods and at times hath had the Victory of them all but now consider where you are and what you have to do 'T is true 't is a great blessing not to be in Love but when you are once caught it is the best of wisdom to regulate your desires and direct them to some Honourable end There words Knemon put her all into Confusion and I saw clearly she delighted in them yet was anxious and troubled how she might attain her hopes In fine asham'd to be brought thus to her Confession made her Cheeks die their Lilies red And after she had a while stood mute O Father reply'd she do you speak to me of marriage and Counsel me to take my own choice as if my Father would consent or that my Adversary wish'd it For the young Gentleman said I it is fixt he is faster caught than you in the same tye and I believe at your first interview your Souls acknowledg'd the dignities and performances of one another both burning in an equal Flame which I have increas'd in him for young sake But for him that is suppos'd to be your Father he provides you another Husband an acquaintance of yours one Alcamenes Let him provide said she my Grave for Alcamenes rather than my Bed for either Theagenes shall marry me or Death but how do you know I beseech you that Charicles is but my supposed Father By this said I and showed her the Mantle Whence had you it and how came you by it she demanded of me for after Charicles had received me in Aegypt from the hands of him that bred me having brought me I know not how into this Country he took it from me and kept it in a Box to preserve it from being defaced or corrupted by the injury of time How I got it reply'd I you shall know hereafter for the present I pray you tell me if you have read the Inscription Confessing to me she did not know it I declared to her her
rest of the Night in studying out the Meaning of it for about the Hour that the Cocks Crowing whether it be as some think out of a Natural feeling and knowledge of the Suns return to our Horizon that moves them by instinct to salute that Divine Light or by a certain heat proper to them or by a desire to stir and seek new Nourishment do summon Mortals to their customary Works about that time the Gods sent Thyamis this Apparition in his sleep It seemed to his Imagination that he was in the City of Memphis were he was born and that entering the Temple of the Goddess Isis he saw it all on Fire such a great number of lighted Torches were within it and the Altars were full of all manner of Beasts for Sacrifice their Blood flowing upon the Pavement and Entries and Galleries were so fill'd with People as their noise and tumult much amazed him when he was come into the inner part of the Temple he thought the Goddess met him with Chariclea in her hand and said these words Thyamis I charge thy Fidelity with this Virgin yet having of her thou shalt not have her but thou shalt be wicked and kill this Stranger yet she shall not dye These Ambiguities exceedingly troubled his Spirit and often canvassing the meaning At length he expounded it thus thou shalt have her and thou shalt not that is possessing her for thy Wife thou shalt have her a Maid no longer thou shalt Murder her that is her Virginity but so killed she shall not dye Thus Thyamis interpreted his Dream flattering his wishes When it was Morning and the principal Thieves according to his commandment were assembled he bade that the Spoils should be brought forth for by that specious name they call'd the Booty and sending for Knemon to him charged him to bring thither his two Prisoners As he was carrying them to his Captain Oh Gods said they one to another what Fortune now attends us and conjured Knemon he would be favourable to them to his power which he promised and bade them animate themselves and not suffer fear to seize upon their Courages for his Captain was not a Barbarian but Noble and full of Courtesie and that he well exprest by his Humanity the Illustrious Blood of his descent that is was meer necessity constrained him to take such a course of Life When they were come into Thyamis's Island which he had designed for that Assembly he ascended to a higher Ground and commanded Knemon who stood below with the Prisoners to interpret to them for Knemon had now learned the Aegyptian Language and Thyamis did not yet well understand the Greek My Fellow Souldiers said Thyamis you well know my Spirit and Affection to you and in what sort I have ever managed your Affairs for being as you know Son to the Chief Priest of Memphis and unjustly deprived of the Dignity of the Priesthood after my Fathers Death by the Means of my younger Brother in this Extremity I fled into your Arms and craved your Succours to revenge my Wrong and recover my Honour and you favoured me so much as by your general Suffrage to elect me your Captain since which time I have lived amongst you without entrenching upon your Priviledges or challenging to my self any greater part of the Prize than the meanest of you but if Money were to be distributed I only desired my share if Prisoners to be sold I caused the Prize to be laid down in common knowing he that will discharge the office of a good Captain must be above his Men in pains and but their equal in Profit When I took Prisoners in the Field that were Men likely to do us Service I have received them into the number of our Souldiers others less serviceable I have made Money of I never offered violence to any Woman but if they were Noble I have put them to their Ransom or restored them to their Liberty pitying their Misfortune others of meaner Condition and such as the Chance of War made Captives and were by their own natural Baseness inclined to serve I have given you for Slaves But now I have a Suit to you that for my part of the Prey you will please to give me this Fair Stranger and though by my own Authority I might retain her yet I hold it more honourable to take her with your Consent for I should do very imprudently if for gaining of one Prisoner a Stranger I should lose or offend my Friends and Companions yet the Favour you do me shall not be without a Recompence for I will leave the Spoyls to your Dispose And forasmuch as we of the Prophetick Race disdain to mix our Blood with any Women that are not of our Quality I am resolved to take this Virgin not for the pleasure I shall receive in the equal enjoying of her but for the propagation of an Issue to succeed me in my Sacred Charge and I will give you the Reasons that induce me When I first saw her I esteem'd her to be nobly born as well for the Riches she had about her as that her Spirits failed not in the midst of her Calamities but that she constantly stood the Assaults of Fortune her Form Modesty and Breeding were great Arguments to me of her Quality for her Beauty exceeds all of our Times and her Modesty is such as invites her Beholders to a Continency why therefore should not I honour her and judge highly of her But what yet is more considerable she seems to me to be a Religious Votaress of some Goddess since in all the Dangers that befel her believing it to be an intolerable sin she never would pull off her Crown of Lawrel nor her Sacred Robe what Marriage then can be more equal my brave Assistants than the Son of a Prophet to match with a Maid consecrated to the Gods. They all approved the Match and wished him Joy. Thyamis catching the Words I thank you worthy Friends he said but we shall do well first to ask the Maids consent for if I would have used the Law of Empire to Will had been enough for all but my Demands being only a lawful Marriage the consent of two is necessary and turning to her Tell us he said you Fair One what you do resolve upon our Propositions and declare to us who and of whence your Parents are But she after she had fix'd her Eyes a good while upon the ground as meditating what she would say at length she raised her Head and looking upon Thyamis with more Beauty than before for her study to contrive her Speech had painted her Cheeks with a becoming Blush and her Eyes with the vehemency of her Thoughts sparkled with more than ordinary lustre Knemon interpreting she said Sir it would better have become my Brother Theagenes to have answered you than I silence being as commendable in Maids as the Grace of Replying is in Men but since you give me liberty to speak and
as an Anthem to the Sacrifice These Troops and their Leaders were followed with two Bands of Thessalian Ladies all fair and in rich long Robes their Hair hanging loose those that were in the first Bond carried little Baskets full of Fruit and Flowers the others had little Boxes filled with Comfits and sweet Odours that as they past prefumed the Streets Nor did they use their hands to these but carried them upon their heads and held hands that they might the freelier dance and march together these of the first Figure gave the Tone and Cadence to the second for they were to sing a Hymn and to dance to it and this Hymn contained nothing but the Praises of Thetis and Peleus of their Son Achilles and of his Son Neoptolemus Good Father said Knemon do not offer again to deprive me of so sweet a Passage but let me hear this Hymn unless you will make me a beholder of this Solemnity only so far as my Eyes will reach and suffer me to receive no pleasure by Ear. Since you are so desirous of the Song replyed Calasiris you shall hear it I Thetis fair hair'd Thetis sing That did from deathless Nereus spring Whom Jove to Pelus match'd our bright Beam'd Venus and our watery Light. That Mother of our Mars did bear Achilles raging with his Spear Our Thunderbolt to whose fam'd worth Pyrrha Neoptolemus brought forth Troy's Fate the Greeks Peace be to us Propitious Neoptolemus Whom our blest Pythique Soil inters Receive the Hymns our Zeal prefers All woe from this Town banishing I Thetis fair hair'd Thetis Sing As far as I remember Knemon the Song was this but the measure of their Dance had such Correspondence with the Musick and their Feet did so beat the Tune as the Eye neglecting what it saw suffered the Soul to be charmed through the Ear the People following the March of the maids dance as if they had been attracted by their voices till a Troop of Horse all young Gentlement but beyond all their Captain did present a shew that gave the Eye precedency of all the Ears Delights they were fifty Horse divided into two Troops of five and twenty marching five and five a Breast the Captain of the sacred Embassage riding in the midst they had all Purple Buskins tyed with Ribbons and turned down to their Ankles their Robes were white bordered about with azure pursles and fastned at their Brests with Buttons of Gold they were Mounted on Thessalian Horses whose fair Shapes and Spirit witnessed the sweetness of the Soil that pastured them and seemed as if they scorned the command of the Bit making it all a foam but yet as if they obeyed the Riders powerful Soul they would come off and on make stops and turning as he pleased They had all fair Caparisons and Bridles the one part Silver the other Silver gilt so curiously wrought as it appeared they had a strife in point of Glory But Knemon all these Gallants the Beholders eyes passed by and slighted being only fixt upon their Captain my charge Theagenes that like a Lightning did obscure all that which shined before so did he strike our Sences being an excellent Horseman in his Armour and shaking in his hand an oaken Spear with a point of Steel he wore his Beaver up discovering the prefect Beauty of his Face his Bases were Purple imbroidered with Gold in Figures of the Battel betwixt the Centanrs and the Lapiths The Button that fastned it before was Amber wherein was the Image of Pallas bearing in her Hand Medusa's Head the wind that seemed to be for him made and addition to his Grace for it sweetly breathing played with the Curls of his Hair and made his Bases flow upon the Sides and Buttocks of his Horse you would have thought the Horse had been sensible of the perfections of his Rider he did rein so proudly raising his Crest and pricking his Ears rolling his Fiery Eyes carrying and being carryed with like Pride when his Master slack'd the Bridle he gallop'd on so finely as he only touched the Earth with the Tips of his Hoofs tempering the fierceness of his Motion so as he did not the least disorder the Ranks to the astonishment of the Beholders that gave the noblest Attribute of Form and Spirit to the young General the simpler Women had not so much discretion as to couch their passions but threw Flowers and Nosegays at him to get the happiness of a look or salutation from him for the unanimous consent of all their Judgments was that no humane thing could shew more Beauty then Theagenes But when Rose-cheek'd Aurora did apper as Homer says and that the fair and wise Chariclea came out of the Temple of Diana then at length we knew Theagenes might be conquered but so conquered as the best native loveliness of Womens form compared with Mans is the better loadstone and exceeds it in the power of Attraction she rid in a Chariot drawn by two Milk-White Bulls wearing a long Robe of Purple to her Feet imbroidered with Beams of Gold she had on a Girdle wherein the Workman had inclosed all his Art neither ever before nor ever after being able to contrive the like it was two Serpents that seemed to have tyed their Tayls in a knot at the Maids back and had wreathed their necks in another at her Breast slipping their heads out of the knot and letting them hang on either side like Pendants you would have said these Serpents did not seem to creep but did creep indeed not with a terrible Aspect but as if they had languished in a slumber desiring to rest so near the Bosom of the Maid the Matter they were formed of was Gold the Colour Blew but the Workman had enamelled it with Black that Blue and Black mixt with Yellow might present the native variety of the Serpents pointed Scales her flaxen Hair was neither wholly platted nor quite loose the greater part of it at full length hanged down upon her shoulders her Topping and Hair before was crowned with a wreath of the finest Lawrel this defending it against the Wind would not suffer it to be blown out of the handsom and well becoming Order it was laid in in her left hand she bore a Golden Bow and over her right Shoulder had a Quiver hanging in a Scarf in her other had she bore a Torch of Virgins Wax burning but yet her Eyes rendred a Light far greater The very same Theagenes and Chariclea cryed Knemon Where are they for the God's sake said Calasiris thinking Knemon had seen them but he replyed No Father I do not see them but methought I did though they were absent you have described unto me so properly and directly such as I saw them I know not said Calasiris if you saw them such as Greece and the Sun that day beheld them so conspicuous so blessed as his seemed the height of Man's Felicity and hers of Women no Mortal thing was esteemed to be
and Diana as I thought if I did think and did not rather truly see them and he delivered to me Theagenes she Chariclea telling me it was time I should return into my Country for so the Laws of Destiny had ordained Go therefore said they and make these two thou hast received thy Companions adopting them thy Children and lead them out of the Land of Aegypt where and how the Gods shall please Having said this they departed making me know it was not the vision of a Dream but a true Appartion I had now got out the whole meaning of the Oracle yet still I doubted to what People or what Country I should lead them But how do you know Father said Knemon that it was not a Dream but a real Visions even so Son he replyed as the wise Homer gives it us as in a Riddle though many slight Enigma's It is a passage where he speaks of Neptune For I his Feet and Thighs together spi'd Cutting the thin Ayr with an easie slide The Gods may thus be truly seen and known I confess said Knemon I am of the number of those many you speak of and happily you have cited this Verse to see how I understand it which is in no deeper sence than the vulgar Interpretation made unto me when I first learned the Signification of Words I am altogether Ignorant what secret of Theology may be Couched in it Then Calasiris considering a little and collecting all the forces of his Understanding as being to speak of a high Mystery When the Gods said he and Divine Spirits please either to come to or go from us they take the similitude seldom of Beasts or other Creatures but many times they cloath their Divinity with the form of Men to be known to our fancy in the likeness of our selves that we may rather take it for the vision of a Dream But though prophane Persons know them not yet they cannot escape from a wife Mans discovery but may be deciphered by their Eyes when they hold always fixt and never move their Eye-lids yet by their going they may be better known for their pace is not made by stepping or transposition of the Feet but by a certain aery violence and quick even Motion that they rather sail or cut than pass the Air. This is the reason why the Aegyptians make the Statua's of their Gods joyning their Feet and as it were uniting them together which Homer knowing as being an Aegyptian and instructed in our Sacred Doctrine involvedly incerted this Mystery in his Verses leaving it for those that could to understand him Of Phallas he sayes Her sharp Eyes sparkled as she look'd like Fire And as before of Neptune His Feet and Thighs together I espy'd Cutting the thin Ayr with an easie Slide As Sailing instead of Going for this is the meaning of an easie Slide not as some wrongly interpret him that to know the Gods was easie Divine Sir said Knemon You have initiated me in a great Mystery But having observed you many times in this Discourse to have called Homer an Aegyptian not being able to believe you yet admiring what should be your reason I beseech you not to pass this undiscussed Though it be Knemon said Calasiris a thing far from our intended Subject to dispute this now yet I will briefly touch it Many Countries challenge Homer and every Country is a Wife Mans own but the truth is he was my Countryman an Aegyptian born in the hundred-gated Thebes as himself names it his esteemed Father was the High Priest of that City but his true Father Mercury but the Priest was his supposed Father inasmuch as his Wife sleeping in the Temple at the Celebration of certain Ceremonies of our Country the God lay with her and got her with Child of Homer who from his Mother Womb brought forth a Mark of her Illegitimate Copulation For one of his Thighs had upon it a great quantity of long Hair and afterwards in his Travels through the World and especially amongst the Greeks singing his Poesy they gave him the name of Homer not that it was his own Name or the Cities or Nations whence he was but those that knew that privy Mark gave him that Sirname signifying a Thigh But what was his reason Father to conceal his Country said Knemon Because replyed Calasiris either he was ashamed to be known for a Fugitive for his Father had expelled him his House when his Name was to be inrolled amongst the young Initiates that took Orders because in the search he was found to have a mark of Bastardy or else he did this wisely that concealing his true City he might challenge every City of the World for his This you have said shews like a Truth said Knemon when I consider his Mystical Poems that have a mixture for all sweetness and pleasure out of the excellency of Nature and sure they would not so excell all others if some Divinity had not been the Ground of such Perfection But after you had known the Gods following the mark that Homer gave you what was the Sequel I beseech you Answerable to the promise Friend Knemon The rest of the night I could take no Sleep but lay considering and canvasing such thoughts as Night suggests It rejoyced me that the Gods would effect my business which as then I thought not of and that I should expect to return into my Country but it grieved me to think that Charicles should be deprived of his Daughter and it troubled me the more because I knew not what course to take or how to steal away the two young Lovers I feared our flight would not be secret but that some accident would discover us Then I doubted of the way whether we should go by Sea or Land. Finally a storm of Cogitations tossed my Spirits and I lay waking till the Morning It was hardly day but I heard one knocking at the Gates and the voice of a Page that called One of my Servants demanded who he was that knocked so rudely and his Business The Page wished him to tell his Master Theagenes the Thessalian would attend him I was very glad of this News of Theagenes and commanded my Man to wait of him in making accompt that occasion offered it self of its own accord to deliver me of the care that troubled my thoughts for I perswaded my self that he having heard at the Feast that I was an Egyptian and a Prophet came to me to demand my succor in his Love being as I imagine in the same error that many fall into who believe the wisdom of the Egyptians be one and the same thing wherein they much deceive themselves for there is one knowledge vulgar and as I may term it creeping on the Earth the servant of Images and busied about dead Bodies believing in the power of Herbs and Incantations not tending to any good end it self nor conducting those that use it But lameing most its Precepts and implying contradictions the effects
it produceth are small and base as to give Visions of things that are not as if they were to frustate Men of their hopes being an Art that is the Inventress of detestable things and the Minister of profused foul pleasures But Son there is another that is real Wisdom and from which this Adulterate hath degenerated and as a Bastard falsly assumed the Name whereof we that are Priests and all that descend of the Prophetick Line do make Profession and are bred in it elevates its self in contemplation of Celestial things converseth always with the Gods and participates of the Divinity searching the Motions of the Stars and delighting to fore-know the Future making a Man a stranger to terrestrial evils and vices and conducting to the profit of humane Society this was it that made me leave my Country for a time to shun if it were possible the miseries that I presaged to my self and not to behold the Bloody Duel of my Sons But I leave all to the Gods and Destinies in whose power it is whether these Misfortunes shall or shall not happen and that have not imposed this Banishment upon me only for the cause that I have told you but principally that I should meet Chariclea by what means you shall know hereafter Now let us return to Theagenes When he was come into my Chamber and we had saluted I made him sit down by me upon my Bed and questioned him what Necessity had brought him so early to me But after he had held his hand upon his Face I am infinitely troubled he replied but I blush to discover it and so held his peace Presently I apprehended it was time for me to lie and to divine what I already knew therefore looking in his Face and smiling Though you fear I said to express your self to me yet nothing can be concealed to the Gods and to our Wisdom then raising my self a little and counting upon my Fingers shaking my Locks as those that are possest with a Prophetick Spirit I said My Son you love He started at this Oracle but when I had added Chariclea then esteeming my knowledge to be inspired he would have fallen down and adored me but I not suffering him he embraced me and often kissed my Hand rendring Thanks to Heaven that he had not been deceived in his Hopes and praying me to save his Life that would be but short if he had not present help so great was his Affliction and so violent his Flame being the first Wound that Love had given him until the Beauty of Chariclea had unsouled and conquered him and that not in regard of any natural Strength or Weakness but that he had never till now seen a Woman worthy of his Love. At these words he wept witnessing that he was overcome not by his own weakness but by her inevitable Force I comforted him the best I could wishing him only to take his wonted courage and since he had recourse to me he should find Chariclea's Beauty had not the strength to prevail against our Wisdom for though said I she be very refractory despising Love not enduring to hear Venus named and not without much difficulty to be drawn to submit to the Laws of Marriage yet for your sake I will try all ways and you shall see Art conquer Nature be you only confident and fail not to obey my necessary Commands He promised to follow my Directions though I should bid him march upon the Points of Swords As he was thus praying and conjuring promising me all his Estate for a Reward one came from Charicles and told me his Master desired to speak with me he is but over the way he said in the Temple of Apollo where he sings a Hymn to the God to appease him because he hath I know not how been troubled in his Sleep to Night I rose and sending away Theagenes made haste to the Temple where I found Charicles sitting in a Chair exceeding sad and often sighing I demanded what Affliction made him so desolate Alas he replied all this last Night I have been troubled with fearful Dreams and to make my Grief the greater I hear my Daughter is still sick and lain waking and it afflicts me that her Sickness falls in an unhappy time because to Morrow is the Day prefixed wherein the Priestess of Diana ought to give a Torch of Virgin-Wax to the Champions that run Armed and to render them the Prize of the Victory so that one of the two Evils must necessarily happen that assisting at that Ceremony her Malady will be augmented or that her Absence will violate the Customs of the sacred Games therefore if this could not be done before at least apply some Remedy unto her and you shall do a most charitable Office which shall express your Friendship to me and your Honour to the Gods I know if you please you can easily uncharm her for the Prophets of your Country can perform the greatest undertakings I confessed I had been a little slow and putting it upon him as I had done upon Theagenes I desired only the space of a Day and I would in that time compose a Medicament should heal her But let us said I now go to the Virgin and consider her more attentively and comfort her the best that possible we can and Charicles it would be convenient you should discourse with her of me and make me better known to her by your Commendations that making me more familiar and in greater esteem with her she may have the greater Faith in my Receipts Be it so he replied When we were come to Chariclea why should I use many Words we found her engaged deeply to affection the Roses and Lillies of her Cheeks were faded and the Water of her fair Eyes had extinguished the Fire that used to sparkle in them yet assoon as she perceived us she did her best to compose her self and endeavoured to call back the accustomed Loveliness and Graces of her Beauty Charicles kissing and embracing her not omitting any Ceremony that endears Respect and Love. O Child O Daughter said he can you conceal the Evil that torments you from your Father and being fascinated do you make it a Secret as if you had done wrong and not received an injury from the Eyes that have so maliciously beheld you But resume your Spirits I have entreated the wise Calasiris that you see here with me to undertake your Cure and he is able to perform it for he if ever any excelleth in divine Knowledge as being by descent a Prophet and which is more our especial Friend therefore you shall do wisely to commit your self wholly to his disposing whether he shall please to use incantation or heal you by any other means But I need nor use perswasions since you naturally honour and affect the company of Learned men Chariclea replied not but only bowed her head in sign of consent to her Fathers Counsel This done we retired our selves Charicles renewing his
unprovided to pursue them but if we stay longer to condole with Charicles with feminine Faces pitying his disasters it will only remain that by our delay we shall give them means to escape and our selves be laught at and by Boys which we should have presently taken and nailed upon Gallowfes making some of them suffer with such ignominy and transferring the disparagement down upon their Families which would be an easie thing if we exasperate the Thessalians against these Men if any of them shall escape us by interdicting them by our Decree to send any more of their Nation to perform this Sacrifice and ordaining by Common Council that hereafter the solemn Anniversary of the Demi-god Neoptolemus shall be celebrated by our selves at the publick charge Whilst they were commending his Speech and passing an Act against the Thessalians Let it be confirmed by your suffrage if you please said the Captain that the Priestess of Diana shall no more present herself to give the Palm to those that run in Armour for as far as I am able to conjecture it was from thence the Sacrilegious flame of his Love kindled in Theagenes who as it seems studied this rape from the time that he first saw her and it will be good for the future to take away the occasion from others of the like attempt Having obtained this by the common consent and vote of all the people Hegesias gave the word the Trumpets sounded the Alarm and the Theatre broke up dissolving into a War running confusedly into the Field not only such as Age had strengthned and were able to bear Armour but Boys and Youths promiscuously supplying the default of Forces by the force of their Affections bold to partake the fortune of that expedition There were also multitudes of Women that carried with greater Spirits than their soft Sex permitted and taking up any Weapons that were next their hands followed with the rest but in vain for their natural debility having made them know it had not force enough they saw they were frustrated of their desires to revenge themselves of the Thessalians There you might see old men struggling with their Age their Souls as it were drawing their Bodies with such a promptitude and boyling ardour as they seemed to reproach and upbraid their own weakness so passionate was all the Town for the loss of Chariclea and as if one Spirit had moved them they all together sallyed forth in the pursuit not so much as expecting the day-light THE AETHIOPIAN HISTORY The Fifth Book IN this trouble and hurly-burly was the Town of Delphos but whether they performed any service or not I cannot tell for their pursuit did give me the occasion to take my flight so as taking the two young Lovers with me I brought them down to the Port at that hour of the Night and we went aboard the Phaenicians who were ready to weigh Anchors if we had stayed never so little longer forasmuch as they perceiving the day began to appear and that we came not they made account they should not falsifie their Oaths made unto me being to attend one day and one night only but we coming just upon the time they received us with great joy and presently cutting the Water with their Oars they rowed out of the Haven to the Main and then a soft Wind breathing from the Coast full upon the Poop moved little waves that seemed to play be ind the Ship and suffered us to pass with all our Sails spread You would then have said the Gulf of Currha the Elevation of Parnassus the Promontories of Aetolia and Caladonia Hed from the sight of our Vessel that passed as nimbly as if it were flying by them and having fail'd all the day we came within kenning of the pointed Islands both in name and figure the Sun then setting But why am I so unseasonably tedious and what is my reason so to forget both my self and you as to stretch this discourse as really to commit you to the mercy of a Sea Let us now leave work a while and take a little Sleep for though you are very attentive and resist Sleep valiantly yet I am perswaded Knemon you cannot hold out long the better part of the night being spent in his sad repetition and Child Age lying heavy on me and the memory of my calamities infeebling my Spirits I must needs have a little rest You have done well Father now cease said Knemon not that I am weary of the Relation for that I should never be though you should speak many days and nights together there is such Magick in your words and sweetness that exceeds the voice of Syrens But I have heard a kind of murmuring a good while and a noise about the House and I confess it troubled me but I was forced to be silent drawn on with a desire to hear you I heard nothing said Calasiris forasmuch as happily Age hath debilitated my sence for old Age is a malady of all the parts of the Body principally of the Ears and perhaps it was because my thoughts were entirely fixt upon my Story and sure 't is Nausicles the Master of the House but what O Gods hath he performed All to our wish said Nausicles entering at those words And I know good Calasiris you did long to hear the News and that your Spirit was in the Field with me I have had many proofs of your affection and it is not the least that I heard you remember me in my absence and wish my fortune but who is this Stranger A Grecian said Calasiris you shall know the rest hereafter but do not hold us longer in suspence if you have prospered in your expedition make us partakers of your content You shall hear that to morrow too said Nausicles for the present let it suffice you to know I have recover'd my Thisbe much fairer than she was and so I leave you for my Journey and the troubles of my mind require some rest Having said this he went to make his word good But Knemon at the hearing of the name of Thisbe grew very Melancholy and began to think of former passages betwixt them passing the night as if he had lain upon Thorns Weeping Sighing and Tormenting himself so grievously as he awaked Calasiris though he slept soundlier than his custom was the old man raising himself and leaning upon his Elbow demanded what the matter was and why he so disquieted himself like a Mad-man Would it not make any man mad said Knemon to hear that Thisbe is alive again Who is that Thisbe said Calasiris how come you to know her having heard her named and why doth it trouble you so much to understand she lives I will tell you that another time said Knemon when I make you a rehearsal of my fortunes but for the present know I did see her dead before my Eyes and with these two hands I my self buried her in the Island of the Herdsmen Sleep Sleep said Calasiris
The Captain blown up with a flattery of his praises and deceived by a false name though he was amazed to behold so much Beauty in so poor Clothes shining like the Moon behind a Cloud notwithstanding the levity of the mans Spirit was caught with the suddenness of the Plot and could not for shame refuse to give her to Nausicles Take her said he since it is so that she is yours I have recovered her for you do with her what you please And at these words delivered her into his hands looking continually towards her and manifesting it was against his will and for the Money he had taken that he yielded possession of the Maid But this said he pointing to Theagenes whosoever he be he is our Prisoner and shall follow us with a Guard upon him to be sent to Babylon for the shape of his Body is so fair as he is worthy to serve at the Kings Table Things thus ordained they passed the Lake and then were the Lovers separated Nausicles with Chariclea returning to his House at Chemmis and Mitranes with his Men visiting other Towns that were under his command without delay dispatched Theagenes with Letters to Oroondates who was then at Memphis The tenour of his Letter was this The Captain Mitranes to the Vice-Roy Oroondates I Send you a young Grecian we have taken that merits noblier than to be my Servant and in my opinion is worthy to wait only in the presence of the Great King our God affording you hereby the means to send a present to our Master such as the Court never yet beheld nor shall ever hereafter see like But before it was clear day Calasiris and Knemon hoping to inform their ignorance came to Nausicles and demanding what he had done he related all the passages how he had passed into the Island how he had found it deserted at first not encountring any person and how he had subtilly abused Mitranes receiving a Young Maid as if she had been Thisbe that by good Fortune appear'd in the Island and was so fair as she would be much more advantagenous to him than if he had found Thisbe For there was no less difference betwixt them than in the comparing of a Goddess to a Woman that he had never seen a Beauty so perfect but it was much below this Strangers and that he had not words sufficient to express it neither was it needful since he would show her to them When they heard this they began to suspect who she was and were very earnest with him to command the Maid might be presently brought in for they knew it must needs be the ineffable Beauty of Chariclea Who being come before them was veiled to the Eyes and those she bowed to the Earth till Nausicles assuring her there was no cause of fear she lifted up her Eyes a little seeing and being seen contrary to all expectation immediately the three fell a weeping and as if there had been a sign amongst them or that they had all received one wound were loud in their passion nothing being heard from them but O Father O Daughter my true Child Chariclea not Knemon's Thisbe This amazed Nausicles so far as he had not a word to say when he saw Calasiris embracing Chariclea with tears not knowing how this mutual Knowledge came about being like the meeting of Friends in a Comedy upon some stage till Calasiris kissing him for joy spake to him thus Best of Men may the Gods ever grant the success you desire and amply satisfie your wishes you are the preserver of my never-hoped Daughter and it is by your means I now enjoy her sight the sweetest object of the World But O my dear Child O Chariclea where have you left Theagenes At his demand she wept and for a while being not able to bring forth a word at length she replied He is taken Prisoner and he whosoever he is that delivered me to this Man hath led him Captive Then Calasiris desired Nausicles to declare to him what he knew touching Theagenes and who he was that had him in his power and to what place he was led Captive Nausicles understanding these were the same the old man had so often mentioned to him told him the summ of all but he added That knowledge would not at all advantage poor men for he could hardly believe the offer of a great Ransom would redeem him from Mitranes We have Money said Chariclea softly to Calasiris promise what summ you please I keep still the Jewels you know and have them about me This put Spirit into Calasiris but fearing Nausicles should enter into some suspicion what it was that Chariclea spake of Good Nausicles said he a wise man never wants but is ever as rich as he can wish himself for the Gods will send him as much wealth as he judges to be fit to demand of them therefore only say where he is that detains Theagenes and the Divine Bounty will not fail but will furnish us with as much as shall serve to content the Persian avarice At these words Nausicles could not chuse but smile And you will then said he make me believe that it is possible for you to grow rich of the sudden as if it were by the turning of an Engine If you will first pay me down a ransom for your Daughter for you know well the Persian and the Merchant only study for their gain I know it said Calasiris and you shall have it as it is good reason but why are you so free that amongst all your other benefits you will also anticipate our Suit and are pleased of your own accord to propose the restitution of my Daughter I will only first intreat your leave to make my Prayers to the Gods With all my heart said Nausicles I my self am now going to offer Sacrifice I shall desire you presence there and that you will pray the Gods to send me riches and receive for your self that which I have in present Do not you mock me nor be incredulous said Calasiris but go before and prepare the Sacrifice and when all things are ready I will come He did so and a while after a Servant came from Nausicles to wish him to make hast to the Temple and they for now they had contrived how they would have it went thither joyfully with Nausicles and the rest of the invited men for he had provided a Publick Sacrifice and Chariclea with the Daughter of Nausicles and other Women that had essayed to flatter her sorrows with many consolatory words and had intreated her to go along but I believe they had never prevail'd if by Fortune it had not come into her thoughts that under pretext of the Sacrifice she might make her Prayers to the Gods for the safety of Theagenes Being now come to the Temple of Mercury for Nausicles Sacrific'd to him as the God of the Exchange and Merchants Calasiris a while comtemplateing the entrails of the Beast by the changes
added That excepting her he should take what he would What said Pelorus will you break the Law of Piracy that gives his choice of the prey to him that first boards a Ship and for all his Fellows runs the hazard of his Life Friend said Trachinus I violate not that Law but I ground my self upon the Authority of one more powerful that commands us to obey the wills of our Captains without contradiction the Maid has wounded me to the Heart with her bright Eyes and to heal my wound I am forced to marry her and Sir I hope it is a reason I should be preferred before you and if you will not obey this Law I will make you presently repent it with a blow of this Cup I hold in my Hand Then Pelorus looking upon his Companions You see said he what recompence our Labours are to expect thus you shall one day see your merits frustrated of the reward of your virtue and be as I am Slaves to this tyrannical Law. Now Nausicles what do you imagine became of these Pirates after Nausicles had spoke these words you would have compared them to a calm sea swell'd with the sudden Tempest such a Blind and Brutish motion in an instant put them into so wild a tumult inflamed with Wrath and Wine as if some fury had possest them some rank'd themselves upon the part of Trachinus and cryed the Captain ought to be obeyed others sided with Pelorus saying the Law of Piracy ought to stand In the end Trachinus lifted his Hand to strike Pelorus with the Cup he held but Pelorus that was prepared before broke the effect of his fury and struck a Ponyard to his Heart so as he fell down mortally wounded but a cruel War kindled and continued amongst the rest inter-murdering one another without giving any quarter some as revenging the Death of their Captain others as defending Pelorus in his just quarrel The crys of Men and sounds of Levers Stones Cups Tables the Wounders and the Wounded made one fearful groan but I retiring a great way off stood upon the rise of a Hill and thence beheld this furious spectacle yet neither Theagenes nor Chariclea were exempted from the danger but following what was determined he with his Sword in his Hand joyn'd himself to one of the Factions at the beginning and fought as if some fury had transported him and she after she saw the Fight begun shot from the Ship loosing her Arrows with a constant Hand and sparing no Man but Theagenes she never took her Aim amiss every shot she made was Death Neither did she only gall the one side of the Battel but both indifferently none of the Pirates seeing her yet she clearly beholding them by the light of the great Fire of the Pile yet burning so as they could not imagine whence their Death came but thought it to be some Plague from Heaven To conclude the War consumed them all and only Theagenes remained fighting single with Pelorus an able and resolute Man and one that had been flesh'd and bred up in Murders And now Chariclea's Shooting could no longer avail her Theagenes grieving she could not assist him but the fear she had to miss her Aim did hold her Hand inasmuch as they fought so close the Eye could hardly distinguish them In the end Pelorus was forced to give ground before him for when Chariclea saw her Arrows could do him no more service she sent her words to his Succour crying to him Now my best Friend shew your Courage At the hearing of these words his strength redoubled to which Pelorus was not able to make resistance longer s if the voice of his Mistress had infused new vigour into him letting him know the reward of his Victory was yet living For now resuming the heat of his first Spirit tho broken and weigh'd down with many Wounds he made a blow at Pelorus with his Sword full at his Head which he hoped to cleave a sunder as assuredly he had done if the Pirate had not declined his Neck yet he escaped not for the Sword descending took away the top of his Shoulder and falling right upon the Elbow joynt of his Sword-hand cut it quite off then Pelorus fled to save his Life Theagenes following him What the sequel was I cannot tell you but that I saw not when Theagenes returned for remaining upon the rise of the Hill I dared not to stirr in a place full of Enemies by Night when my Friends could not know me but Chariclea was more bold and if seems more quick sighted for with the first dawning of the light I perceived Theagenes lying stretched out upon the Earth like a Dead Man and saw her sitting and Weeping over him with evident demonstrations that she intended to kill herself but that some little hope of his revival restrained her as yet and held her Life in equal suspence with his But I unfortunate Man had not so much as time to speak to them to sweeten their Calamities with my words or to apply remedy to his wounds so fast did the evils at Land without a breathings space succeed to those at Sea. For at the first Spring of the Morning as I was descending from the Hill where I had pitched for that Night I saw a Troop of Aegyptian Theives running from the top of the Mountain that lyeth along that Coast who presently seized upon my poor Children taking them away and all the Riches they could carry out of the Ship. I spake afar off to them and in vain bad them farewel that could not hear me deploring their Fortunes and my own but neither being able to defend them or holding it good to go and mix with them I reserved my self to hope to succour them some other way And indeed it was not in my power to do them present service being left far behind my Age like a heavy burden not suffering me to march so quick a pace as those Aegyptians that mounted and descended by strange Paths and through Wild places Now by the Mercy of the Gods and your favour worthy Nausicles I have found my Daughter then lost having contributed nothing to her recovery but my abundant Sighs Tears and Lamentations Speaking these words he wept all the Company were forced to do the like changing their Feast into a Sorrow intermixed with joy for Wine intenerates the Eyes and makes them apt to Tears and they were not able to contain their flux of pity till Nausicles spake thus to confort Calasiris Father said he chase away these sad conceptions and fill your Heart with Joy since you have now recovered your Daughter and that only one Night remains to interpose it self betwixt you and the contentment you shall receive in beholding your Son for to Morrow Morning we will Ride to Mitranes and deal with him all possible ways for the redeeming of your beloved Theagenes O may the Gods be so favourable replied Calasiris but now it is time to dissolve
the Door where he heard Chariclea lamenting and look'd through the chinks into the Chamber Again he enquires of the Door-keeper who said She suppos'd they were two strangers brought in thither by his Mother He then stoop'd down again to try if he could know them Chariclea he knew not yet was taken with her Beauty which he thought how great it was when not disguis'd with Grief From Admiration he falls into Love. As for Theagenes he could but guess at him While he was thus intent Cybele returns having told all to her Mistress concerning the young Couple commending that good fortune that had better crown'd her desires than the wisest Councils could have done to plant the person she lov'd in the same house with her Having thus enflam'd Arsace with desire of seeing Theagenes she yet with-held her being disorder'd with want of Sleep till she had rested and would appear with better Advantage Leaving her thus satisfy'd and in good expectation of the event and resolv'd on what method to take with the Strangers she return'd What is it Son said she that you so curiously enquire after What Strangers are those within said he and from whence I may not inform you said Cybele nor must you tell what you know nor converser with the Strangers He obey'd his Mother suspecting Theagenes to be reserv'd for Arsace's service but is not this the person said he within himself as he departed who was rescued from me by the Bessians when he was deliver'd to me by Mitranes to conduct him to Oroondates who was to send him to our great King In which attempt my Life was in danger and I only escaped of those that guarded him Do my Eyes deceive me I have heard also that Thyamis is arriv'd and has fought in single Duel with his Brother for the Priesthood It is certainly the same person But at present I must conceal the discovery and observe Arsace's proceedings with the Strangers These were his private sentiments Cybele in the mean time entring in upon them perceiv'd what had past For although at the operning of the Doors they endeavour'd to compose themselves yet they could not conceal their Grief from the subtle old Lady their Cheeks being still moist with Tears She therefore Cry'd out O my dear Children why do you thus take on When you ought to rejoice and congratulate your good fortune The most excellent Arsace contrives all things for your satisfaction and has consented that to morrow you shall be brought into her Presence Wherefore you must put away these Childish Lamentaions it is meet for you to compose your selves and be obedient to her Pleasure The Death of Calasiris said Theagenes raised this sorrow in whom we have lost a Fathers protection You trifle said Cybele Calasiris was but your personated Father and is expir'd according to the Laws of Age and Nature All things are restored to you in one Person Riches Pleasures adore Arsace as your good fortune Only be rul'd by me in what manner you are to approach her since she has so commanded and what measures you must take in what she shall command You know her Spirit is great as being elevated by Quality and Beauty and such as will not bear Contempt in any thing that she shall enjoin While Theagenes stood silent as conjecturing the flagitious meaning the Eunuchs entred bringing in Golden Chargers the Remains of the Royal Banquet that exceeded in Cost and Delicacy When they had set them on the Table saying That their Lady in honour to the strangers had so commanded they departed Yet to omit no part of their Office they first tasted of every Dish The same was done in the Evening The next Morning the same Ennuchs coming to Theagenes said You are call'd for O happy man by our Lady and we are commanded to bring you into her Presence Go therefore to enjoy that Happiness which is permitted to very few and to those very seldom He paus'd a while and then unwillingly rising up Am I only commanded to go or my Sister here with me Only you at present said they she being afterwards to come by her self There are now certain Fersian Nobles with Arsace It is her manner to speak with Men apart and with Women afterwards apart also Theagenes bowing said softly to Chariclea These things are neither honest nor their meaning unsuspected by me When she whispered to him again That he ought not to disobey but seem willing to perform her Pleasure in all things he follow'd them forth When they told him after what menner she was to be accosted how he ought to adore her at his entrance he answered nothing But going in and finding her seated on a Tribunal adorn'd in a Purple Robe Embroider'd with Gold Bracelets on her Arms and a Rich Tiara on her Head the Guards slanding round and the Nobles seated on each side his mind was not moved in the least but as forgetting what was agreed on between himself and Chariclea his Spirit was the more exalted against the Pride of this Persian Pageant Therefore neither bending his Knee nor adoring her with an erect countenance he said Save you Arsace of Royal Blood While those that were present were enrag'd and murmur'd at Theagenes's audacious Entrance without the usual Adoration You must excuse him said Arsace smiling as a stranger to our Customs and as a Grecian prejudic'd against them Withal she put off her Tiara though much prohibited by the Attendants for this is the Persians way of returning respect to them that salute them When by her Interpreter for though she understood the Greek Tongue she could not speak it she had bid him be of good chear to demand any thing he needed beckning to her Eunuchs she dismiss'd him He was attended forth by the Guards among whom Achemenes having here seen him again knew him more exactly and suspecting the cause of the extraordinary honour done to him yet conceal'd his thoughts resolving within himself what to do Arsace continued to receive the Persian Nobles and Magistrates with such Magnificence pretending respect to them while the true cause of her holding the Banquet was to have discourse with Theagenes to whom she not only sent the choicest Dainties but richest Presents Tapestrys and Carpets of divers Colours wrought at Sydom and Lydia She likewise sent Servants to attend them a young Maiden to Chariclea and a Youth of Ionia to Theagenes Very much urging Cybele to finish her Design with celerity for that she could no longer sustain the violence of her Passion Nor was she negligent in trying all ways to compass Theagenes Indeed she told him not Arsace's Desire in express words but with circumlocution gave him to understand magnifying the Bounty of Arsace towards him setting before his Eyes not only those Beauties which appear'd in her but likewise those that were conceal'd Then she extoll'd her humour that was affable and obliging and the esteem that she had for Youths of noble Expectation In short
Parents Country and Fortunes To conclude entreating me to tell heer the particulars I read the whole discourse to her and did interpret it word by word This bringing her to the knowledge of her self put greater spirit in her and transported her with a desire to see her Parents and asking me what was best to be done I began then to manifest my Counsel to her discovering to her how all things went I was once Daughter said I in Aethiopia carried thither with a desire to gain their Wisdom I was there made known to your Mother Persina for that Court entertaineth Learned Men with all Humanity and there was a great opinion of me for as much as I had joyned the Wisdom of the Aegyptians with that of the Aethiopian Sages which is made of great authority in that Nation But your Mother when she saw I prepar'd for my departure home recounted to me all your Fortune Having first obliged me to secresie by oath and telling me she durst not discover it to her own Priests She prayed me to demand of the Gods if you were preferv'd and in what part of the World you lived forasmuch as she could not understand there was any such in all Aethiopia though she had made curious enquiry But the Gods having revealed all to me I told her you were alive and where she then entreated me to seek you out and bring you back into your Country in regard that since your birth the brief she conceived for you had hindered conception in her and that she was now ready if you could be found to confess all that had happen'd to your Father perswading herself that the long time they had lived together had sufficiently confirmed him in her Faith by true proof and that he would be extremely taken with unexpected joy to leave his Scepter in the hands of his own Child This the Queen said to me conjuring me by my Vow to her wherein I had called the Sun to witness an Oath it is not lawful for our Priests to violate This is the reason of my coming hither to accomplish my Oath though that was not the only motive of my Journey yet by the great providence of the Gods in travelling hither I have found a means to disengage me of my promise You know since I first saw you I have been ever ready to do you service not omitting the least occasion to express me yours yet concealing my reasons till occasion would serve to recover this Mantle that it might confirm your belief of my relation Therefore it were good you would take my Counsel before you be forced to endure against your will the Marriage of Alcamenes which Charicles means to follow with all violence in place whereof you may recover your Country and Parents and match with Theagenes who is prepared to follow us into any part of the World changing a private life in a strange Country to that of a Princess in your Native soyl where you shall be Crowned and Reign with him you love dearest if we may have Faith in the Gods both in other presages and even in the Oracle of Apollo Then I put her in mind of the tenour of the Oracle and expounded the meaning Chariclea perfectly knowing it as being now vulgarly sung and every one making assay to interpret it This struck her silent again At length she said Father since you say and I believe this to be the pleasure of the Gods what shall I do You must make a shew said I to entertain the Match with Alcamenes It will be a hard thing said she if not base to prefer any one before Theagenes though but in words but since I have committed my self to the power of the Gods and yours Father let me know what will be the issue of this Fiction and how it may be broke before it come to the effect I fear Let the event inform you I replied for there are certain designs where-with if Ladies be unacquainted beforehand they will fear and delay but if they undertake them on the sudden they will finish them with a greater Resolution Do you follow my advice both in other things and this and make of difficulty to accommodate your self to the desire of Charicles to match you with his Nephew for be assured he will do nothing in it without my consent and approbation She promised it and so I left her weeping I was hardly out of the Gate but I perceiv'd Charicles hanging down his Head as oppressed with extreme grief This is a strange humour worthy Charicles said I to appear in this sort afflicted when you ought to sill your heart with Joy and offer Sacrifice and Thanksgiving in the Temple the Gods having now granted your long fuit and blessed the secrets of my knowledge and endeavours to her incliming her mind to a desire of Marriage Lord why should you weep I protest I cannot imagine the reason How can I chuse replied he since my beloved Daughter shall be taken out of this World before she be subjected to the Laws of Marriage as you promise if we may believe Dreams both at other times and which with terrour I remember yet this night methought an Eagle flying from Apollo's hand in an instant alas seiz'd my poor Child and ravished her from my bosom carrying her into the farthest Region of the habitable Earth full of obscure Images and Shadows of black Men and which grieved me most I could not discern what became of her an infinite space of Earth and Air interposing it self betwixt us so as the cruel Bird did overfly my sight and vanished When he had hold me this I presently conceiv'd which way the presage tended but to divert him from his Melancholly wherein he was drown'd and to draw him as far as might be from the suspicion of the future You being a Priest said I and of all his Priests the most conversant in the Mysteries of your Prophetick God yet methinks you have not the art of interpreting a Dream your Dream indeed presaging to you the Marriage of your Daughter and by an Enigma showing to you how her Husband shall take her from you like an Eagle and that with the consent of Apollo as sending him to her from his own hand yet you are troubled at it and wrest your Dream to the worst sense therefore let us take heed our misconjectures do not provoke the Gods resigning our selves wholly to their wills and employing our best industry to conform your Daughter to your pleasure Then he demanding what were best to be done to win his Daughter If haply said I you have yet any Jewels or rich Embroideries or some Ring of a great value let Alcamenes present them to her as Marriage-gifts and this will charm her to be his then you must make other preparations for the solemnity and make no delay but conclude the Marriage whilst yet the power of my Art is working and makes impression in her Soul. Doubt not said Charicles