The History of Doricles.

IN this famous Citty, which with a wonderfull greatnes opposeth Italy, and astonisheth Africke; there was borne a Lady of noble Parentage, who ha­uing been a firebrand vnto her Countrey, had no small conformity with the Greeke Helen: her name was Flo­rinda, her beauty heauenly, and her spirit diuine▪ she ha­uing attained vnto yeares fit for Marriage, two Knights equall in youth, greatnes of meanes, and Noblenes of blood, did seeke her Loue, with like hope; but vnlike fauour. Loue, naturall inclination, a simpathy of man­ners, or an influens of the starres, did constraine Florin­da to loue Doricles, and to hate Filander, who to shorten his way betweene hope and possession, and to preuent his riuall, demaunded her in Marriage of her Parents, who would willingly haue kept the respect which they ought vnto the intercessors and his merites, if they had not found that Florinda had lost, when they gaue know­ledge of the husband, which they propounded vnto her; They loued her tenderly and would not con­straine her with rigor, but treating freely with Filander, they tolde him, that shee would not agree vnto it, al­though they had perswaded her as masters, and com­maunded as Parents. Filander augmenting his loue by [Page 6] the disdaine, informed himselfe of the cause, and found that the loue which Florinda bare vnto Dorricles, was cause of the disdaine which she bare to him, presently did accuse in his imagination reuenge, and a resolution to remoue out of the world, the obstacle of his designe; no whit respecting, the scandals, and the euill successe which so hardy an enterprise might bring, hee armed himselfe with such company as hee thought good (as he who was not vnprouided of friends nor wanted ser­uants) at such times as he thought hee should finde Dorricles at his Mistresses doore, or in the streete by her house, who doubting of his riual [...] designe, alwayes went well accompanied and better armed, as hee who did not thinke that hee could haue a better friend then his Sword; And hauing caused a Ladder to bee brought vpon the eue of a Feast vnto her Garden wall, by that meanes to speake with her, it hapned that Filander com­ming into that street, and doing his accustomable Of­fice of a spy, heard that Florinda spake vnto Dorricles, and gaue him a Nosegay of Ieasuine which shee had in her hand, with imbracings more insupportable to him then fauourable vnto Dorricles: Hee charged those which kept the gate, & began with them a cruell com­bate: Dorricles comes downe, and searching Filander in the middest of his enemies, woundeth him and puts him to flight; for a Louer fauoured, is as a gamster who wins, who in all hazards is alwayes master ouer the Fortune of his aduersary. Dorricles goeth away victo­rious out of the street, Filanders Loue (which he turned into disdaine) became by this incounter a mortall ha­tred. Then of either side they increased their bands; [Page 7] the fire of their anger kindled all their Parents; and al­though they euery day spake together as if they had no quarrell, they failed not to sight euery night when they met. In this scandall Dorricles lost the enioying of his Mistres, Filander her fauour; she her renowne, and their Parents their honour; time increased the Loue of the one, and the others hatred increased his desire of re­uenge, and of the small pleasure which the two Louers had, Filander had lest, vnto whom it seemed better in this busines to relye vpon his industry, for the effecting whereof his force would be wanting.

Hauing then learned that Florinda was to take her pleasure at Sea in a Barke, hee hid two or three dayes before, a Brigantine in a creeke not farre from the shore, in which he apparelled himselfe like a Turke, with some other of his friends (for complices in amorous enter­prises are seldome wanting) and with necessary Rowers attendeth his Mistres: the Meuxin, which is the Tower where the watch of Barcelon is kept, hauing discouered no enemies sayle in all the Sea. In the meane time the contented Florinda with her companions, was not gone from the shore a League, when as the counterfeit Frigot hoysing sayles, and beating the water with her owers, inuesteth her Barke, the Marriners whereof loo­king for nothing lesse then such a surprise, could not resolue either to flye or to defend themselues; But con­trariwise (as the fearefull bird seeing the proude Mer­lin come fiercely stooping vpon her, is accustomed to attend her with couched wings) acknowledging by the Turky sayles, the power of their enemies which were vpon them, quitted their owers; and feare (which with [Page 8] a colde shiuering ranne through all their veynes) gaue them no time to discerne their subtilty, finally they boorded them, and two or three of the disguised Turks leaping into the Barke rauished away the new Hellen, who carryed into the Brigantine, sawe herselfe in the armes of Filander. The counterfeit wordes of these Pi­rats, who called him Amurat Raix, made those who re­mained free in the Barke, belieue that he was the author of this robbery, And seeing that they tooke nothing but Florinda, they returned againe to Barcelon, recoun­ting the disgrace in euery street and place where they came, with more cryes and teares then wordes, which cōming to the eares of her Parents, caused more griefe in them then can be tolde, principally in the sorrowfull Mother, who bewayled her losse with a passion more befitting her sexe then a generous courage. The Gen­nets in vaine spurred vp and downe vpon the Coast, But Filander (who had brought Florinda into a priuate Garden house, hauing taken away his Turban, and his Turkish disguise) declared vnto her, that the incompa­rable force of his loue, had constrained him to haue re­course vnto this subtilty, did enioy her beauty with as­surance, although shee tooke Heauen, the Trees and the Fountaines to witnes the violence which was vsed to her.

Of no lesse consideration was Dorricles his paine, who full of mortall sorrow, was a thousand times vpon the Sea side ready to imitate the dispaire of those Nimphes which sawe Europa rauished; neuertheles, as well to obliege vnto him his Mistresses parents, as to satisfie himselfe, hee bought a Ship of an Arrogonis, [Page 9] which had brought in Wheate, and lading it with Silkes, Veluets and other Marchandize gaue his sayles vnto the winde, turning his prowe toward Argiere, Sali, Morat, Fuchel, Mami, Xafer, and other Pirats, had at the same time arriued at Thunnis, Bisert, and Tripoly, and se­perated their Gallies into the neighbour Ports; Dori­cles enquireth amongst them of his Mistres, and of as many others as hee knew did rob vpon the Coast of Spaine. But when he met with none who could tell him newes of her, whom his riuall inioyed with such plea­sure, hee went to Constantinople, and from thence vnto Cayre, and hauing runne along the Coast of the King­domes of Fez, Morocco, Tarndan, and Tafilet, dispairing of euer finding her, whom hee had so long time, and so vainely sought, changed his Marchandize into Christi­an Slaues▪ and returning into Spaine, disimbarked at Ceute: while the deceiued Doricles did thus run along the Coast of Africke, a seruant of Filanders, were it ei­ther out of some displeasure which hee had taken, or out of enuy vnto his happines, discouered all the pro­ceeding vnto the Iustice of Barcelon, who in a night fol­lowing inuironeth the garden house, with maine force, and taketh Filander then when hee least looked for it; The newes and admiration, which his subtilty and sur­prise caused in the Citty, moued the Cittizens confu­sedly to see him passe through the streets; through the middest of whom hee was had to Prison, and the sor­rowfull Mayd (already made a woman against her will) was rendered vnto her Parents; the sentence was mor­tall, the opinion common, the approbation generall, and the processe short. The scaffold was ready, Filander [Page 10] disposeth himselfe to dye, and made it appeare, that he had the courage of a Knight, and the soule of a Chri­stian; Neuertheles the Viceroy, and the Bishop, inter­posing their authority, assembled the Parents, and ha­uing mollified the neerest, diswaded Filanders death, in respecting the honour which they might gaine by his life; So of two euils choosing the least, they had more care to the reparation of their honour, then to the con­tentment of reuenge; Thus they changed the mour­ning which was already prouided for Filander, into nuptiall habits, and the scaffold into a bed, where Flo­rinda was giuen him in lawfull Marriage: but the same day that they gaue hands with the contentment and re­ioycing of all the world, Doricles entred into the Cit­ty, and vnlooked for appeared in the head of two hun­dred men, whom hee had drawen out of Captiuity, vp­on whose Cassaques did shine in siluer Brodery the Armes of Barcelon and their restorer; His word was I loue the King. The sight and entry of this heroique Cit­tizen, was exceedingly agreeable and deare vnto the Barcelonians; But the insupportable newes of his riuals Marriage, with his Mistres was no sooner come vnto Doricles his eares, but all the City in armes were diuided into factions, and contrary parties. This suspended the Marriage for some dayes, during which time it was remonstrated vnto Doricles, that hee could not marry with Florinda without infamy. He answered that what he could not haue, ought not to be giuen to Filander, it being no way reasonable that this deceiuer should gaine by fraude, what he had lost by so much trauell; and there was no other meanes to accord him, [Page 11] but that Florinda should retire into a Monastery. To this her Parents contradicted already contented with the satisfaction of their Honour, and the aliance of their Sonne in Law, whose Parents offered vnto Dori­cles a beautifull Sister of Filanders in marriage; But hee vnwilling thereunto, demaunded Iustice against Filan­der for his crime, offering, that after he should bee be­headed hee would marry Florinda as widdow vnto a Knight. This last offer was artificially agreed vnto by Filanders and Florinda's parents, who marryed them to­gether, and when Doricles thought that Filander had bin led vnto Prison, & from thence vnto Death, he was giuen to vnderstand, how hee was pardoned, and the Marriage consummated. If his sorrow were great it may be knowne by the effects, seeing it is now Twenty yeares since, from these Pirenean mountaines which di­uide France from Spaine, hee hath liued as an out Lawe, robbed, pilled, and ruyned all that hee findes, neither Kingdomes being able to take any reuenge. Hee was One and twenty yeares olde when hee came from A­fricke, hee is now Forty one: a strong man, Vigorious of his person, which is much fortified by his austere and wilde life. And that may be beleeued of him, which was said of Hercules, that without doubt hee had three liues, for if he had had but one, it had bin a miracle that he had not lost it by so many wounds.

This day about Sun rising hee came downe to see what noyse this was, which the night before had soun­ded from the Sea vnto the Woods, and hee with about ten of vs which followed him hauing found some bords which the sea had cast vp, vpon one of which was [Page 12] seated a Youngman in habite of a Pilgrim like thy selfe, pale, in a trance, all drencht in water, his hayres full of dirt and sand, and to conclude, euill accommodated with this tempest, hee commanded vs to carry him to that place where the rest of his men were, and aswell to dry him as to get him breath, which he had almost lost, we indeauored to vncloath him, but he refusing to bee seene or to be touched by vs, It made our Captaine suspect that he was not a man, for although he inforced himself to appeare so, yet his actions shewed the cleane contrary; when as preuenting the desire which the Captaine had to be cleared of his sexe, this Pilgrim of whom I tell thee (taking him aside) confessed that she was a Woman, who came in this habit from Italy, with her husband; in which voyage, they had suffered Ship­wracke vpon this shore: And in saying this, shame and desire to defend herselfe, brought colour into her face, and valour into her heart; with one, she appeared per­fectly faire, and with the other extreamly hardy: Ne­uerthelesse her beauty being more powerfull to hurt o­thers, then her forces to defend herselfe, hath vanquish­ed Doricles his minde, who with sweet and curteous wordes perswaded her to rest this day in his company, during which time her face hath neuer beene without teares. In the meane time hee commanded, after Sun­setting, that his supper and his bed should be prouided in one of those Villages, But wee instantly heard that some charge of money which was to bee carryed to Genoa, should come this way, and hauing waighted for them vntill midnight, wee were without both supper and lodging: for this cause we sent two of our compa­nions [Page 13] before, who are they which found you together with him, who conducted vs hether; Doricles hee is now with this Pilgrim; I cannot tell thee whether hee hath gained her or no, nor whether the bed had made a peace betweene two mindes so absolutely differing: but certaine it is that they are now lodged together.

The Soldiours did easily perceiue that the Pilgrim hearing this story, bathed his face with his teares, and with sad and violent sighings endeauoured to pierce heauen: They desiring the cause, hee remaining a long time silent, and they still pressing him; In the end hee began to cry out; Oh miserable, wretch, that I am, I haue lost my honour, my glory is destroyed, my hope is dead, by the hands and weaknes of a Woman. O that euer the Sea pardoned my life, since that with so much pitty, it reserued thine, to the end that my eyes might be witnesses (after so many labors and dangers) of such an offence. Well did the Soldiers know that this was the man whom the Pilgrim respected, and the true North starre vnto which shee turned the needle of her affection: but they endeauouring to comfort him, so much increased his fury, that drawing forth his sword out of his Pilgrims staffe, the out side whereof serued as a scaberd, hee ranne inraged out of this house vnto the house where the Captaine lay, and there gaue such blowes vpon the doore, and such loude cryes, that the Captaine thinking, he had bin assayled by the Iustice or by the Inhabitants of that place, leaped out of his bed in his shirt, his Pistoll in his hand, and opening the doore asked who was there? A wretched man, answe­red the Pilgrim with an incredible fiercenes, and one [Page 14] from whom thou hast taken his honour, with this vile woman which thou doest possesse. Doricles discharged his Pistoll and the Pilgrim turning his body, the bullet light in his arme. All the company ran thether at the noyse, and the valiant Catalonian disposed himselfe to strike quicker then the Lightning came out of thunder sent by Ioue against the Giants, when as the miserable Pilgrim woman, imbracing him with prayers, begged the Pilgrims life, saying vnto Doricles, that this man was hee whom she did onely acknowledge for her Ma­ster, and on the other side assuring her desperate Hus­band that she had not transgressed against her honour, neither in deed, word nor thought; because his prayers had not vanquished her, and his threats should neuer. I doe not know if it ought to bee beleeued of a woman: the History commendeth her Chastity, and I doe reli­giously beleeue the vertue of this sexe so much estee­med by me, and so greatly had in accompt all my life. Doricles would willingly that the Pilgrim should haue bin contented with his life, which he would leaue him, and that hee should haue gone away without the wo­man, But the incensed Castillian defying him to a single combate, began to defame him, and prouoke him in such manner, that he commanded his Soldiers to hang him vp at the next Tree of the mountaine: hardly was the word out of the Captaines mouth, when the Pil­grim sawe himselfe carryed out of the Village by these barbarious fellowes, and vpon his way towards the Wood where hee should be branched vp, Seeing him­selfe then at the place of execution and in the presence of an vncuitable death, hee intreated them with teares, [Page 15] that they would let him recommend his soule to him that was the author thereof; which being permitted vnto him, hee drew out of his bosome an Image of the blessed Virgin; which holding vp, with his eyes and his hands to heauen, he began his prayers deuoutly, hauing the match of one of their peeces about his necke neere vnto him, who tyed it to a bough of a great Oake, onely wayting for the end of his deuotions: Neuerthelesse euen as hee fastened the last knot, the faire morning re­ioycing the world with new light, cleerly discouered the amiable colour of his face.

Who will beleeue that in the space of one night so many fortunes should happen to one man, if it were not knowne that things are written to bee marked, and that euils doe seldome come alone, seeing that the euils which happen in one night to one vnfortunate man, doe surpasse all the prosperity which can happen to a fortunate man in all his life? The Soldiers seeing the honest & graue countenance of this Pilgrim, his youth and his Innocency, and being otherwayes molified with his prayers; or hauing their hearts secretly tou­ched by the handes of God, for hee who hardned Pha­ros heart can molisie others, they resolued to let him liue, not willing to bee more cruell then the Sea, which the day before had cast him vpon Land from drow­ning; and thinking it was an infamous cruelty, that hee who had been spared by thinges without sence, should bee destroyed by them who ought to haue reason. The Pilgrim giueth them thankes for their liberality, and referring their reward vnto heauen, intreateth them that if by chance, this Woman which hee had left, did [Page 16] perseuer in the firmnes of her speech, they should tell her that she should finde him at Barcelon: This said, he tooke his way towards the Citty, and the Soldiers to­wards the Village. But the fained newes of his Death which they were constrained to deliuer vnto Doricles, so much depriued the sorowfull Pilgrim woman of sence (whom he had before thrust out of his Chamber, being vexed with her cryes) that shee remained a long time as dead, and when as she was come againe vnto her selfe, she did and said so many pittifull thinges, that these fierce men most accustomed to shed blood, did now shed teares. So that the Captaine despairing of euer being able to pacifie her; and thinking that the be­ginnings of extreame griefe doe easily passe to a frenzy, commanded, that she should be caryed vpon the great high way; where the miserable woman was left, drow­ning her selfe in teares, and murdering her face with her hands, she made herselfe looke with great deformity: from thence following the way by the Sea side shee went to Valence.

The Pilgrim in the meane time was at Barcelon, where hauing stayed two dayes, to view the goodly strong walles of the Citty; the third day as he was beholding the Viceroyes Pallace, this Fisher, whose voyce had so vnhappily drawne him from the Cabens of the other Fishermen, and as a deceitfull Hiena had called him to bring his life into such danger, knew him, and deman­ded of him if hee were not the Theefe, which entertai­ned him the other night with wordes, vntill his com­panions came and entering by force into the houses of the Village, had robbed them and pilled them? It is [Page 17] true answered the Pilgrim, that I am hee who by the sound of thy voyce came out of the Cabens of men of thy profession, but not he who came with the robbers which you speake of: vpon this they contested one a­gainst the other, insomuch that the people runne to the [...]oyse; And as to bee pursued with hue and cry, there needs no more cause but to bee a stranger, so all the world beleeuing in the naturall Catalonians words, the poore Pilgrim was impetuously carryed away, by the people, and as a robber put into Prison.

The infamous rable who for crimes great or small are accustomed to possesse these places, which are like so many true representations of Hell: put him into a dark corner worse then the worst sink of Constantinople, where it is impossible to recite the blowes they gaue him, and the iniuries they said vnto him: because ha­uing no mettall about him, but the Bullet, which Dori­cles shot into him the night of his misfortune, hee had not wherewith to pay his garnish or entrance, nor abi­lity to finde better meanes to appease them.

Night victorious ouer humane cares, imposing rest vnto their labours and their thoughts, and reducing their actions to a deepe silence came, amongst these barbarous people, and the miserable stranger onely not so much as closing his eyes: hee felt not the griefe of his wound, not the infamy of his imprisonment, all that which troubled him, and all that which he feared, was the Pilgrim womans loosing of her honour, which wrought so with him, that whilst others slept in this confusion, without that the want of beds, the importu­nity of many noysome creatures, which runne vp and [Page 18] downe in the Prison, the feare of Iudgement to come, nor the present misfortune could wake them; our Pil­grim onely is awake, complaining against Heauen, the Sea, and his cruel fortune which had preserued his life, then, when hee had no feeling of death, to make him suffer it now in a state so sensible.

At the length the Sunne with a countenance full of shame and as if he had bin constrained, shined through the thicke barres of this Prison windowes, shewing in the pale colour of his beames, that hee feared he should bee stayed there, when the pleasant blowes of the Iay­lor, and the sweet noyse which his Keyes made in the strong lockes, awaked from their forgetfulnes, those vnto whom the feare of punishment for their faults could worke no remembrance: But the Pilgrim was not waked, because hee was not asleepe; he came out amongst the rest neuerthelesse to giue thankes to the day, for hauing passed ouer so miserable a night. There began this miserable body to mooue his parts, going many leagues in a little space: prayers importuned some, care wearyed others; necessity called out heere, hunger sighed there, and Liberty was wished for euery where: The Lawes called vpon execution, Ministers vpon punishment, and fauour importuned for delay; those who had wherewith went out by the ayre, others not hauing wherewith could not finde the Doore; the confusion of voyces, the vnquietnes of the Iudge, the comming in of some, the going out of others, and the noyse of Fetters, made in this discording instrument a fearefull striuing.

In this time, a Knight; who for the noblenes of his [Page 19] blood, and the antiquity of his Imprisonment, was ge­nerally respected as the Master, cast his eyes vpon the Pilgrim, and considering his deepe melancholy, his habite, & his person, incited by his good countenance and aspect, (for there is no letter of fauour which wor­keth greater effects in all necessities) called him to a little alley which answered to the doore of his Cham­ber, and asked his name, his Countrey, and the cause of his imprisonment? The Pilgrim recited vnto him the successe which you haue heard, beginning his life, from the time that the Sea gaue it him, by casting him vpon the shore not farre from the walles of Barcelon. The Knight wondred at it, and collecting from his reasons, and the manner of his speech, his vnderstanding and his gentlenes, tooke such affection vnto him, that hee pla­ced him in his Chamber: where hauing restored his weake forces, with Conserues which he had, hee made him discouer his Arme, and he himselfe healed the wound with medicines and wordes, which he had lear­ned being a Soldier; for if Herbes and stones haue this vertue, wherefore should it be wanting to holy words?

The contented Pilgrim afterwards turning his eyes round about the Chamber, hee sawe written vpon the walles with a Coale according to the ancient manner of Prisoners, certaine Herogliffique verses, at the sight whereof, he knew that hee who had written them was not ignorant. Ouer the picture of a Young man, who had the chiefe place, was written this Verse out of Virgill.

After that, was painted a Heart with winges, which [Page 20] flewe after Death with the Letter of Eneas, sending the body of his friend to his father Euander.

Neere vnto that was figured Prometheus, or Titius, who being tyed with strong Chaynes to the rockes of Mount Caucasus, nourished an Eagle with his intrayles, the word was from Ouid, and said thus:

In a flood, betweene two infernall shoares, Forget­fulnes was painted, being a Young man who carryed a Charger full of remembrances, which hee did endea­uour to fling into the water, with this word of Lucrece:

The Head and Harp of Orpheus were portrayed vp­on a gate amongst the waues of the Riuer Strimo, into which hauing been cast, by the Bachantes, they came vn­to Lesbos, the word was this:

There was also painted a Lady lying dead, with a Sword through her body, with this word of Scalliger vpon the Death of Polixena:

In the distance which might bee betweene the win­dow and the flower, was painted the Shepheard Argus with his hundred eyes, and Mercury charming him a­sleepe, with this line of Strossas.

With such and other curiosities, which the Knight writ as aptly fitting his aduentures, did hee adorne his [Page 21] Chamber and passed away his tedious imprisonment. Whilest that the Pilgrim was busie in beholding these conceipts, he was called before the Iudges to answere the accusation against him, and hee relating simply the truth, by the little Art which hee brought with him in his speech, he plainely shewed that there was no guilt in him; his cause being recommended vnto the Iudges by the Knight, who writ his innocency vnto them, hee was acquited & brought back againe into the Knights chamber, where they did eate together. Their discourse which at the end of Dinner serued for their last dish (a­mongst other things) fell vpon their misfortunes, be­cause that there is nothing which more aptly, and rea­dily doth ease the minde then relation of our owne misaduentures. The master of the Lodging (who could willingly haue spared that name) being intreated by the Pilgrim to relate the cause of his imprisonment, began to speake in this manner.

The History of Mireno.

IN a little Towne not farre from this great Citty, there was a Gentleman named Telemaquus marryed with a faire Lady, not so chast as the Roman Lucrece although shee caryed her name; the report was, that this Marriage was made against her minde, & it is like­ly to be true, as by the effects it was afterwards witnes­sed: her melancholy increased, her beauty and clothes neglected, did shew a languishment, like Roses, when the radicall moysture of their boughes doe decrease. Telemaquus did inforce himselfe to diuert her from this [Page 22] sad kinde of neglect, least it might seeme vnto some which should see her, that this sadnes proceeded from his default, for oftentimes innocent Husbands are ac­cused for their wiues euill conditions. He apparelled her richly, carried her to solace and recreate her selfe to Sea, and to see the choisest Gardens. And this being not sufficient hee opened his house to all good compa­ny. Amongst the young Knights which did ordinarily frequent and conuerse with them, there was one called Mireno, so much my friend, that if Death had not set a difference between vs, I could not haue bin perswaded (he being aliue) to discerne which of vs two had bin my selfe. This man cast his eyes (vntill this time busied in the consideration of anothers beauty) vpon Telemachus­ses faire wife; who looking vpon him more earnestly then vpon any other, had (it may bee) incited him: for although it bee said that Loue can pierce as a Spirit, in­to the most close and secret places: Yet I doe thinke it impossible, that any man should Loue, if he bee not at the first obliged thereunto by some little hope. He con­cealed from me the beginning of his thought: for loue is alwayes borne discreet, and dumbe as a Childe. But the same sweetnes of its conuersatiō doth so quick­ly teach it to speake, that like a Prisoner at the Barre he oftentimes casteth himselfe away by his owne tongue. So after hee saw himselfe admitted in Lucrece her eyes (an euident index that he was already in her soule) not being able to suffer the glory of that whereof hee easily indured the paine; hee made vnto me a great discourse of his Fortune, or to say truer, of his folly; which could not haue bin hurtfull vnto him, if hee had followed my [Page 23] aduise aswell as he asked it. But it is ordinary, especial­ly with those who are in Loue, to aske counsell, then when as for nothing in the world they would forbeare▪ to doe that which they haue in their minde. I left no History, either diuine, or humane, which was within my knowledge and to purpose, that I did not lay be­fore him, exagerating the euils, which did proceede from like enterprises. But Mireno who had already firmely determined to follow his purpose, and thinking that I was not apt for his designe, by litle & litle, forbare to visit me. Quickly did he forbeare to accompany me in walking: wee went no more by day to publicke con­uersations, nor by night to priuate; A notable error in the condition of men, whose loues and friendships are kept by flattery, and lost by truth. I did beare Mireno's absence with great impatience, and hee had no feeling of his liuing without me; because Lucrece being now his whole soule, could not suffer that hee should haue another Mireno: hauing thus shaken me off, communi­cateth his busines with a third, who was so common a friend vnto vs both, that when I wanted Mireno, or Mi­reno wanted me, we did seeke one the other at his house: This man was not so considerate as I was, contrariwise there was no kinde of danger, into which he would not precipitate himselfe to pleasure his friend; such friends are like powder in Festiuall dayes, which to reioyce o­thers spendeth it selfe. This made me disguise my selfe to follow them in the night; and one time aboue the rest, when I had more patience, and they lesse conside­ration then ordinary, I sawe how they set a Ladder to a window of a Tower, which discouered a spacious pro­spect [Page 24] into the Sea, ouer a Garden of Telemaquus: I stay­ed the end not to be answered what they did, but to see if I could serue in any stead in the importance of this danger, and my heart did not deceiue me, although Mireno who was within it did deceiue me. For after the first sleepe, then when as with lesse force hee van­quisheth the cares of a master of a family, I heard a noyse, and presently I sawe Mireno comming downe a Ladder, and Aurelio (for so was he called with whome he was accompanied) receiuing him in his armes, per­swaded him to flye: hardly were they out of the street, when as a seruant loosing the Ladder let it fall, I runne to the fall thereof, and aswell as I could gathering it vp, stepped behind a corner, from whence I espied Telema­quus in his shirt, hauing his Sword naked in one hand, and a Candle in the other: and looking out at the win­dowe of the Tower if he could discerne any thing vpon the ground, of that which he had heard: I crept softly to the gate; and harkening what was said in this family where there was this alaram, I vnderstood that the dis­grace of our two Louers, was taken to bee the industry of Robbers. In this they were not deceiued, for those are no smal theeues, who steale good name & rob away honour: I returned much contented to my house, and slept but euill, in this care: The morning being come I sent for Mireno, with whom hauing discoursed of di­uers matters, I asked what newes of Lucrece? hee tolde me he did not speake with her: For all wicked secrets doe for the most part conceale themselues from true friends. I said then vnto him, that I wondred he would dissemble a thing so knowne; Telemaquus her Husband [Page 25] being come vnto my house, to tell me that he had heard him within his; that looking out of a windowe of a Tower, he had seene him goe downe by a Ladder: Mi­reno astonished and wondring at my relation, confessed vnto me what had passed, and how Lucrece hauing yeel­ded vnto his Letters, messages, and seruices had made him master of her liberty, yeelding vnto him the trea­sure which was so euill kept by Telemaquus his hundred eyes. Which was the cause why I placed this Hirogli­fique of Argus and Mercury, with this saying of Strossa:

Hee proceeded to tell me that when Telemaquus was asleepe, they talked together in a Garden, into which hee entred by a Ladder made of cordes, which Aurelio kept, vnto whome onely hee had imparted this secret, hauing found me so auerse from succouring him. I asked what hee had done with the ladder? hee tolde me that from the leauing of that, procee­ded Telemaquusses aduertisement. The letting him see it, I tolde him that Telemaquus knew nothing, neither had the Ladder serued as an occasion to discouer any thing vnto him: And letting him see the seruice which I had done him, I did begin to coniure him, that hee would in these terms leaue, the perilous successe which hee ought to expect from the pursute of this designe, seeing that Telemaquus at the least had notice, that his Wife was not by his side when there was noyse in the Lodging: So that hee promised me, he would not goe any more thether, and the more to diuert him from go­ing thether, hee resolued to absent himselfe from Barce­lon. I confirmed him in this resolution; because that [Page 26] truely there is nothing which so much ecclipseth the desire of Louers, as an interposed distance of place be­tweene them; yet it was not needfull, because by that time Mireno disposed himselfe to depart, Telemaquus already changed his dwelling from this Citty vnto the little place where he was marryed; And this was a me­morable obseruation, Mireno loosing the ordinary view of his Lucrece, lost her also out of his thought, and confirmed his Loue better then euer to Erisila, (shee was that other Lady whom I in the beginning of my discourse I said hee had loued) who againe loued him better and with more pleasure then before, because that Loue, which succeedeth after iealousie is more vi­olent, besides the amiable parts which were in Mireno, who was of a goodly stature, of great spirit, and an illu­strious blood, of a free condition, amiable both a hors­backe, and a foot, and renowned beyond all of his age, for all Military exercise; As for his face behold this Picture, wherein I assure you, the Painter was no flat­terer; I keepe it heere for my comfort, although it bee alwayes present in my soule, as you may iudge by these wordes following:

Because that truely his image did neuer abandon my sight, but either sleeping or waking he was represented to my eyes: In effect we fell into our olde imwardnes; but in the midst of this peace, the loue of Telemaquus had so much power ouer him, that vanquished with his wiues Prayers, he brought her againe to Barcelon, where she was no sooner seene by Mireno, but the anci­ent flames of his loue, blowing away the ashes into the [Page 27] winde, discouered themselues more liuely: And I fear­ing what might happen by this comming backe of Lu­crece, perswaded Mireno to marrie; And he himselfe finding that it was honorablest▪ the easiest and the safest way to v [...]inde himselfe from these Loues, intreated me to find out some worthy subiect, who might set a bound vnto his Affections: I propounded many who I thought were of his qualitie although not of his merit; But it was with him as with those who buye without pleasure, & doe not content themselues with any price; for some are too high, other too lowe: these blacke, those pale; one leane, the other too fatt; this was too fine, an other too sluttish: To be short,, seeing he liked none of those, and would not marrie, I left him, for I sawe that Lucrece had more power with him then all they together. They then began to see one the other a­gaine, for in these good workes, mediators are sildome wanting: Erisila who was passionatly in loue with Mt­reno, began to discerne in him a coldenes and a careles­nes in seing her, & that he did diuert himselfe by other pleasures; She (in this suspition, which may be called a true iealousie) began to obserue & folowe him; so that without spoyling much, she knew, if not all that passed, at the least what was the subiect which rauished away her Mireno.

Who will beleeue so extraordinary a conceit as I shall tell you? truely he onely, who doth knowe how much the spirit of a woman is disposed (especially if she loue) to any kinde of industry and subtiltie: E isila ne­uer leaues seeking occasion that Telemaquus should see her, vntil in the end Telemaquus did beholde her, and in [Page 28] viewing Erisila, hee sawe in her a braue disposition of a woman, who looked vpon him with faire and sweete eyes; for when they will deceiue, they make their eyes snares, and their sweetnesses baytes: Telemaquus yeilded himselfe (although he loued Lucrece) forced by the eyes and beauty of Erisila, which did so much the more pro­uoke him, by how much she desired to deceiue him: he began to come to her House, and she to feigne a great deale of passion, Mireno giuing them leysure inough, in regard he did not frequent her house as he was accu­stomed: Finally their affection came to the point that Erisila desired. Then she said vnto him one day (as if she had not known him to be maried, which he desem­bled also) that she had seene him enter into one Lucrece her house, whereat she had conceiued great iealousie▪ Telemaquus smiling, began to appease her saying, that it was without any designe that he had entred into this house (whereof indeed he was Master:) and as she be­gan to witnes a more feeling sorowe, accompanied with false teares; he beg [...]n to remonstrate that Lucrece was vertuous and well borne; with a great many other commendacions of her chastitie, and of Telemaquus her husbands care (commending himselfe.) And some are of opinion, that selfe-commending is not vnbeseming, when it importeth the good opinion of an other man. Erisila then finding a good occasion for her wicked de­signe, tolde him, that Lucrece husband might bee a gal­lant man, Yet neuerthelesse, she knew that Lucrece did not forbeare, to make Loue vnto a Knight of the Citty; and she was afraid that shee might as well loue him as the other: because what woman soeuer she bee, she [Page 29] doth easily suffer her selfe to bee wonne, after the first lightnes: Telemaquus who began to waxe so pale that it was easie to be knowne in his face, what interest hee had in this discourse; intreated her to discouer who was this Knight: But shee feigning to be iealouse of him, whom she did indeauour to make so iealouse, inforceth her complaints, perswading him, that she was troubled with that iealousie, which indeed she had raised in him. To be short, Erisila vnwilling to name who it was; Tele­maquus sodainly stepped to her, and drawing his Dag­ger, setting it to her throat made her vtter the name of Mireno, a person whom he knew better then shee: with this Telemaquus went away, confessing it was true that hee had loued Lucrece, not knowing she had another Louer; but now from this tiem forward he would hate her, and would settle all his affection vpon her, in con­firmation of which, he gaue her a chaine of golde, and a Diamond.

By this meanes, Erisila thought that the Husband would keepe his house, and that Mireno (by this means barred from seeing Lucrece) would come to visite her as he was accustomed. But the Knight, whom it con­cerned to wipe away this spot from his honour by his blood who had offended him, Seeing it was now no longer time to keepe that, which was lost, feigning a few dayes after to goe to Montserrat, gaue a beginning to his reuenge, and an end vnto my life. The two Lo­uers were not such sots, nor I such a foole, that wee did not thinke (although wee were ignorant of Erisilus ma­lice) that this absence might be feyned; hauing had so many examples in the world; wherefore wee sent our [Page 30] faithfull friend Aurelio secretly after him. But the adui­sed Telemaquus, who knew well that he was not to de­ceiue fooles, went thether infallibly, whether he said he would, and assured vs in such manner, with this truth, that he deceiued vs after at his pleasure: because that another time, feyning that he went to Valence, he retur­ned when he was halfe way, & hid himselfe in Barcelon.

Now Mireno could not sleepe so assured with Lucrece but that I kept the Doore, although he did intreat mee not to doe it; God knoweth how many nights I passed without pleasure; for my heart did alwayes tell me that their two liues did runne a dangerous Fortune. But Telemaquus the third night after entring by a secret doore, into the Garden (I spake of vnto you) without being heard or seene by any person, with onely one ser­uant with him, who carryed a Halberd, came vnto the Chamber where his steps were heard, and out of which Mireno came to meet him, very euill prouided of armes to defend himselfe, not that I doubt he would not haue well defended himselfe, halfe asleep & naked as he was, with his Sword alone which he had in his hand: If his aduersary, who was accommodated with more aduan­tageable armes, had not ouerthrowne him dead to the ground with a Harquebush shot: the report of the peece, made mee iudge that such a salutation at that time of the night, was rather a condemnation, then any thing else: wherefore indeauouring to breake open the doores, I waked the neighbors, some of whom running thether with their armes, and hauing helped me to o­uerthrow the doores, wee entred in. Already had Tele­maquus, broke into his Caben, where Lucrece was hid, [Page 31] and dragging her from thence, not farre from the place where Mireno lay, hee thrust his sword into her, so that when we came, her breath went away with the last Iesus. And seeing that he had killed Mireno, me thought Sca­ligers verse, which is vnder this picture was not vnapt:

I had not as yet seene Mireno, and searching him with mine eyes all about the roome, I sawe him lying Dead: thou mayst see in the teares which now flowe from my eyes, what was then my griefe, I doe not know what I did, yet seeking for Telemaquus, I did excuse him for the care of defending himselfe; and from iustifying so bloody an execution: For hauing met face to face, I thrust at him, with which thrust, he accompanied their two liues, which he had extinguished. By this time the house was beset, by those whome the Iustice had raised, who apprehended as many as they found, and me espe­cially, for hauing killed Telemaquus without cause, al­though according to the Lawes of the world there was but too much cause, and heere they put me where thou now seest me, & where I haue liued this fiue yeares, desi­ring Death, as thou mayst see by this winged Heart of mine flying after this Image of dead Mireno; with this word out of Virgill:

My trauels are figured in those of Siciphus, and Titius, and represented by these wordes out of Ouid:

[Page 32] The sorrowe which this great Citty felt by the losse of Mireno, is expressed in this figure of the Head and heart of Orpheus, with this word:

For I doe not thinke that there was either tree or stone which were not mooued with this so pitifull an acci­dent. And here will I end his Story, with these teares which I will offer incessantly to his memory, and these wordes which I haue made for Lucrece her Tombe.

Here lyeth Lucrece, lesse chaste then the Roman, but more faire: Tarquin did not force her, but loue; and al­though she dyed for her infidelitie, Loue, who was the cause, is of power to excuse her.

So the faire Lucrece remayned in mortall rest, & her name, in my imagination, not worthy of blame: for hauing bene ouercome by the excellent parts of her Louer, and by that vnchangeable force which Loue e­uer vseth against great and free courages.

The Pilgrims imprisonment had not passed at so ea­sie a rate of his pacience, had not Euerard (so was the Knight called that made this Discourse) fauoured his affaires: for his innocencie could not gaine him his li­bertiye, nor good opinion, which he did deserue; so powerfull was his onely habit, to worke in the Iudges an euill conceit of his person; Yet Doricles (Captaine of those Robbers) being pardoned, and receiued again into the Cities fauour; the Pilgrim was also absolued, as his Confederates.

His curiositie to heare the Fisher-mans singing, ha­uing brought him to receiue a hurt in his Arme with a Piece, into an extreme danger of hanging, vnto the 3. [Page 33] monthes imprisonment, which without the help of E­uerard had bene insupportable. They take their leaues one of an other, with a thousand louing imbracings, and Euerard hauing further obliged him with some money, hee resolued to goe to Mountserrat, and I to finish this First Booke.

The History of Aurelia.

AMongst all the thinges, which in the course of my life I haue seene and marked, I might peraduen­ture tell you some one, which might better con­tent you. But thinking that one cannot better per­swade, then by the example of himselfe; I will therefore tell you a story which is drawen from my youth, and from the Twentith yeare of my age, written by my mis­fortune, and imprinted in my memory, seeing that the renuing can doe me no damage, and may bring you profit. This short tyrannie, the bayte of youth, the illu­sion of the sight, the prison of the soule, and the dark­ner of the sence, which is called Beauty, and which hea­uen seemeth to giue Women for our mischiefe: blin­ded [Page 36] so my eyes at the first knowledge, which they had in the world, that my spirit did not liue so much in my selfe, as in her whom I loued, nor found more rest out of her sight, then thinges doe out of their centure; be­cause that as the fire alwayes sendeth the flames thereof to its proper sphaere, so my heart adressed his desires to her beauty.

Now as this Loue was not Platoniqe. I will not dis­pute whether it were honest, profitable, or delightfull; Let it satisfie, that it, which is the cause of so much euil, seemed vnto me, the greatest and soueraignest good in the world. This subiect of my misfortunes, was called Aurelia, free in her customes, of that kinde of life, which Plautus & Terence describe in their Fables; and of whom Auulus saith excellently well; That a Curtezan is a ves­sell full of holes, which can containe nothing. She was faire in all perfection, of a quicke and hardy spirit, and of a reasonable good nature, a woman (to be short) vn­to whom experience in the worlde had brought a great deale of knowledge. It cost me little to possesse her, be­cause that these kinde of women (cleane contrary vnto other women, who forced by the Loue of a man, doe honestly yeild vnto his merits) trusting to their charms and vnto the gentlenes of vsage, passionate men more when they are inioyed, then when they are pretended. I was not vexed at the first, with the conuersation of young men, who at any hower how extraordinary soe­uer, were neuer wanting in her house, because the fa­uours which she did me, and the little which they cost me, made me liue much contented, especially seeing my selfe preferred before others, of better meanes and [Page 37] merits then my selfe; when I went to see her, they gaue me place, and departed curteously, leauing me alone with her.

These my visitations were not agreable vnto her ser­uants, because they thought, that thereby, this rable of youth was scattered, which brought them profit. And that if Aurelia should fall in Loue with me; my quality being not capable to sustaine her expence, shee must spend out of her owne meanes, from whence would vn­euitably follow a necessity of liuing more regularly, which they would by no meanes heare of; And of this were they not much deceiued, for in a small time Aure­lia, who had rauished so many others, was taken her selfe in my loue, and made captiue to my will, which made true one part of this feare, and shortned the reue­nues of her house, to lengthen the reynes of her plea­sure. Not that all the charge of the house, fell vpon her; for I miserable man, tormenting my Parents, and importuning my friends, did runne to the preseruation of this loue, which almost alwayes depended of mony.

The life which wee led (wee louing one another ten­derly, and hauing in our power the liberty of inioying) may easily bee iudged by my youth, and by Aurelia▪s, who was then about 20. yeares olde. The house seemed too straight for our Loue, and searching solitary fields, we made the sight of open heauen witnes of our folies, our life was a blind imitatiō of the nature of Beasts, we communicated our secrets to Trees, which did not see, as if the leaues had not beene so many cleare eyes, and a thousand amorous delights to the dumbe Fountaines, which might well haue troubled the purity of their [Page 38] waters, I cannot thinke how in so little a way as there was between my house, & hers. I remained 5 yeres space before I knew that I was arriued there, being certaine, that in 3. yeares space of that time, the famous English Drake passed the straight of Magellan, & compassed the world about. If in all this time, the loyalty which shee swore vnto me, were broken or no, I am not able to say, nor yet forbeare to beleeue, because it seemes almost a thing vnpossible, for such women from their custome, to keepe themselues to an orderly life.

At the end of these fiue yeares, I saw my selfe at the end of my meanes, and although I was more amorous then in the beginning, yet Aurelia did suffer herselfe to be vanquished by the obligations of another, who had more power, then my seruices: I say obligations, be­cause I cannot beleeue, that onely Loue can binde one vnto so strange a change. One night Aurelia hauing seene me retire my selfe vnto my bed, shee had receiued Feliciano into hers (so was the Knight called.) I stirred with a profound Iealousie, rise vp out of my bed, and went to her house, where the doore was shut against me: and the seruants answered mee from aboue out at an high windowe, feyning that they were gone to bed, to make me rather to retire vnto my owne house. But my extreame loue which would not at that time, haue relyed vpon my eyes, and feared to be betrayed by my thoughts: made me cry aloude, that some body should open the doore, so that my voyce came vnto Aurelia's eares. And Feliciano making shew of a valiant-Louer, began to cloth himself, promising to chastice my bold­nes with his Sword, and by his onely presence to cure [Page 39] my folly; But the cunning Circe, who knew well what good or bad successe soeuer came vnto mee, it would redound vnto her shame; hindred him with her armes, and diuerted him with her teares, although there was no great neede: For the brauest doe vnwillingly arme themselues, when they are once naked; and to come out of a house into the street, had beene a manifest and mad rashnes.

Aurelia so preuailing, in that manner, wherein others of her kinde are wont to preuaile; and making Feliciano beleeue, that I should be her husband, and that if I did perceiue him, shee should loose me; perswaded him halfe vnclothed, and in the midst of Ianuary, that hee would goe into the highest roofe of the house. Into which he being gone, I was let into the house, where I found Aurelia in bed making so many complaints of my liberty, and of the scandall which I gaue the neighbors, that in stead of being angry, it behoued me to appease her, where (after some time spent) she in complaining of me, and I in asking pardon for my iealousie, and for the desire which I had to surprise her in that infidelity which I did distrust: I possest the absent mans place, which was still warme, seruing for a proofe of my igno­rance and blockishnes.

Morning brought againe the Sunne, and the Sun the Day, yet neither of them was sufficient to make me see my folly (so euill doth a Louer discerne of his owne acts) I rise contented, and although I entred last, yet I went sooner away then Feliciano.

In the meane time Menander who had for the space of some yeares, been Feliciano's Mistris, grew extreamly [Page 40] iealous, and hearing of this trick, which Aurelia had put vpon him, could not forbeare speaking of it, mocking him with the colde night which he had indured, & that hee had suffered me, who neuer had any intent to marry her, to possesse that place by her side which he had lost: Feliciano assured her, that Aurelia (preferring his Loue, before the obligations, wherein for so many yeares she was bound vnto me) did rather abuse me then him; and that whensoeuer shee or any other, would afford him the like curtesie, hee would willingly suffer one euill night, to haue so many good: and for proofe of what he said, he gaue her a key, wherof I was wont to be master, which I was made beleeue was lost. Menander dissem­bled her thoughts, but so soone as shee met me againe, shee tolde me all the circumstances, and with all gaue me the Key; hauing which, I needed no other witnesses of the truth, nor other instrument to open the doore. I then resolued to reuenge my selfe of Aurelia in leauing her, and of Feliciano, in seruing Menander, from whose Loue I presumed he had not freed himselfe, and if hee had bin free, yet I knew he must needs be grieued, that I should inioy her whom hee loued in euery bodyes o­pinion. I found Menander willingly disposed, for our thoughts were alike, and our iniury alike, and we might well serue to reuenge one the other; She then feyned to loue me, and I payed her in the like counterfeiting. Aurelia was aduertised, and grew desperate, and Felicia­no no lesse intaged, sought me to kill me. Behold how iealousies and neglects doe discouer the truthes, which are in the centure of hearts.

Aurelia found me sooner then Feliciano did, as shee [Page 41] who therein hazerded least: and staying me began in fury and in threatnings, yet ended in prayers and in teares: But vpon so fresh an iniury, I was rather con­firmed in my neglect (seeing her yeeld vnto my loue) then any way moued with her passion. Finally, hauing changed my first affection into hatred, (alwayes insup­portable to a woman who hath beene well beloued) Aurelia began to pursue me, and although that the Cit­ty of my birth and abode, doth not yeeld for greatnes, to aboue two or three in all Spaine, yet could not I find any lodging wherein she did not clamor me, any friend whom she did not reuolt from mee, any secret which she did not publish, nor any danger whereinto she did not endeauour to throwe me; So that oppressed with these pursuits, and seeing my selfe reduced to the con­tenting her, after a thousand contrary deliberations, I resolued to take vpon me a religious habite, and to preuaile by his protection, in whose hands and feete God hath imprinted the markes of our reperation. St. Fran.

But O thesupreme force of a dispised Loue, from the holy Quire of the Temple, from the middest of the Al­ters, and Images of the Saints, the teares of Aurelia drew me againe; And then I followed her, with more liberty and lesse shame then before, leauing the habite whereof I was not worthy, and neglecting the spirituall treasure, which I did then inioy, to follow the infamous life which I had formerly led, so much power hath the capitall enemy of our soules. Our loue began fresher then euer, with the generall scandall of those who knew vs, the hatred of our Parents, and the detestation of all our friends, which within a small time brought mee to [Page 42] such tearmes, that I thought sorrow would haue killed me. The infamy wherein wee liued and the feare of Iu­stice did oblige vs, to depart the Citty, and feiling that small remainder of goods which wee had left, laden with a number of euils, wee passed into Italy; from whence, I went (for some time) to serue the Catholike King in Flaunders, and the Duke of Sauoy in Piemont, re­turning alwayes to Naples where I had left her. The last time I put to Sea with her in my company, (intending after the Flaunders warres, to returne into Spaine) where in a violent tempest, (which heauen for the quiet of our soules) sent vs in the gulph of Narbone; in the last point of life, and when we were past hope of scaping, we vow­ed our selues to a Religious life, with such earnestnes of teares, that afterwards the storme ceasing and wee landing, shee entred into the Monastery of the Concep­tion; and I vnderwent this habite wherein you now see me, where after some yeares of approbation this Cell was giuen me.

Heere Tirsis the Hermit of this happy abode stayd his discourse, & our Pilgrims iudging that it was too late to passe further, being to descend necessarily into the Lodging, which within this holy House is giuen freely to strangers; they went vnto the Monastery, discour­sing vpon the Hermits relation, determining the next day to goe to the vttermost hermitage, which vnder the title of St. Ierome, crowneth the head of the Mountaine.

But the misfortunes of our Pilgrim, which had slept for some time, began to wake with more violence; for in the house where these strangers had lodged, there was wanting some Iewels, with a Mayd seruant of the [Page 43] house, and the Almains amongst others, were pursued by the Iustice, although innocent, because it was affir­med by some, that this seruant inamored of their beau­ties, had runne away with them.

All Nations haue their Epithites, which being once receiued by the world can neuer be lost. The Scithians are called cruell, The Italians religious, The French no­ble, The Dutch industrious, The Persians faithlesse, The Turkes lasciuious, The Parthians curious, The Burgundi­ans fierce, The Britaines hardy, The Egiptians valiant, The Loraines gentle, The Spaniards arrogant, and the Al­mains beautifull. And this was the cause for which it was thought, the Mayd being seduced by them had run away with them.

Now the Almains were easily taken, but the Pilgrim desperate through his late long imprisonment, which hee had suffered in Barcelon, and out of the little iustice which he as a stranger could expect, seeing them come vnto him, stood vpon his defence, and florishing his Palmers staffe, (with which he was very skilfull) lest two of them lying vpon the ground wounded, and vertu­ously freed himselfe from the hands of the others, who remained astonished at his valour.

Betweene Tortose and Castillon, there stretcheth forth a great hill, wherewith the Sea of that cost is bounded, alongst the the cost of the vale of Sago and of the King­dome of Valence: where the Moores of Argiere doe land out of their Gallyes, when they are not perceiued by the watch, and hiding themselues amongst the hollow places of these hilles, doe rob not onely the Fishermen, but all such as passe that way. And sometime when they [Page 44] are many of them together, they doe rob away whole Villages together; in this vale, they being guided by Renegados, and those betrayed againe by the Moores: There one darke night did the Pilgrim lye (weary with his iourney which he had taken out of the way) obliged thereunto by the feare which he had of pursuite. And being asleepe after many long and grieuous imaginati­ons of his lost happines, which he did beleeue to bee still in the hands of Doricles, as the roaring of the Sea (the waues whereof breaking against the rockes make a horrible noyse) awaked him. He heard neare vnto him the voyce of some Moores, who hauing ioyfully supped vpon the Land, were talking of their Robberies. Hee who sleeping vpon the ground in the field, at his wa­kiug, findeth himselfe neere vnto a venomous Snake, doth not so soone loose his colour, as doth our feare­full Pilgrim, hearing the Moores so neare him, whose handes he did thinke it impossible to scape; Yet relying vpon his iudgement in a matter wherein hee thought his force would not preuaile, stole from them by gentle sliding vpon the ground, making his hands performe the office of his feete vntill hee had attained the top of the hill, where finding that the Moores had heard him, hee began to cry with a loude voyce; Heere valiant Knights heere, this is our day: behold the Moores be­fore you, and as a pray in your hands, whom you haue with such paines and diligence endeauored to ouer­take: Hardly had he couragiously vttered these words, when as the Moores, (like Frogs who at the noyse of passengers leape from the bancke sides, into the quiet waters of the Lakes) ran with all the speed they could [Page 45] to the Sea to get aboard their Boate, with which they easily got to their Galley.

Full of admiration was the Pilgrim, to see how hap­pily his resolution had succeded, when from a Tree which was neere vnto him he heard a voyce, which said: Ah Knight helpe me for the mother of Gods sake. His valiant courage which was neuer astonished with any kinde of danger or misfortune, guided by the voyce vnto the tree, where he had heard him, sawe a man ty­ed thereunto, of whom hauing asked his name, hee was answered, that he was a Catalonian Knight, whome the Moores (after they had killed two of his seruants) had taken vpon the poast way of Valence. The Pilgrim ha­uing vnbound him, and both of them departing from the Sea, tooke their way to Almenare, and through the Valley beautified with Orenge trees, trauelled towards Faura. Already had the morning strewed pearles vpon Flowers, who putting their heades foorth of the boughes, did seeme to salute the day, when both the discourse, and face of the Knight, did shew vnto the Pil­grim that this was Euerard, he who (when he was priso­ner at Barcelon) had obliged the Pilgrim for his liberty; both their ioyes, their imbracings, & their teares, were as admirable, as the successe which you haue heard: Frō whence is collected, how agreable vnto Heauen is the good which is done vnto strangers; signified by the an­cient Philosopher in Denoalion & Pirra, who for hauing Lodged Iupiter, were made restorers of the world; and contrarily, Diomedes deuouring his guests with his Horses, hee was in the end himselfe deuoured by them.

The Pilgrim demaunded of Euerard how hee had [Page 46] gotten his liberty, and hee told him that with the helpe of some friends, he had broken Prison, and scaped away by the post of Barcelon; from whence hee might well haue gone for Italy, but being vnwilling to bee a run-a­way from his owne Countrey, he was resolued, to goe to the Court, to haue his cause iudged, whether he was going with that intention, when hee fell into this Am­buscado of the Moores. He then demaunded of him, if he knew Doricles? and being answered that hee was his kinsman, the Pilgrim sighed many times, without tel­ling the cause, although he were much importuned by Euerard, vnto whom he onely said, he had a young Bro­ther in his company who had quited him to follow Do­ricles; Euerard who vnderstood somthing of the secrets, (suspecting that this was some Woman, who had been stollen away by the robbers vpon the shore of Barcelon) assured him that hee knew all the seruants which Dori­cles had in his house, and that there was not one Casteli­an amongst them.

In such and like wordes, which drew infinite sighes and teares from the Pilgrim, they arriued at the aunci­ent Moruiedro, (where at this day are remaining, the most famous workes of the Roman greatnes, of any that are in Spaine) and from thence they went to the City of Valence, entring by the royall Bridge Turio, which riuer the Moores call Gandalabiar: and passing by the famous Tower of Serranos, they lodged at a Knights house, who was friend vnto Euerard, and of the Family of the Mer­caderos. There they remained this night, finishing the relation of their fortunes, vntill the Sunne rising called them from their rest, especially Euerard, who carryed [Page 47] with a strong desire of finishing his intended iourney, departed with griefe from the company of the Pilgrim, whome he left no lesse sorowfull, in this flourishing Citty.

There he spent a fewe dayes in beholding the proud buildings wherewith it was imbelished: and in the end he visited the Hospital where mad folkes are with more care and conueniencie looked vnto and kept, then in a­ny Citie in all Spayne: There beholding the seueral hu­mours of these miserable people, he (I say) who lately was likely to haue lost his owne wittes, sawe amongst those who were least mad, sit downe at the Table, (at which they did altogether eate) a young Foole & very beautifull, whose flaxen haire was longer then men doe ordinarily weare in Spayne; All the blood in this Pil­grims body came into his face, and went sodainly back againe, out of the remembrance which this mad crea­ture brought vnto him of his Mistris, whome he could not well knowe, aswell because he could not compre­hend in his minde, by what meanes she had bene redu­ced to this distraction; and lesse, how to this place, as also through her euill vsage in that place, & her sicknes, she did differ from the Idea which he had of her coun­tenance in his minde. Neuertheles, as she beheld him with her eyes full of admiration, he was confirmed in his first thought, and letting fall some teares, he said vnto her in a lowe voyce (least the Keeper who had bro­ught them to the Table should hear them) do ye know me? to whom this woman (neuer known to be so in that place) who had seene him caryed vnto the Oakes of the mountaine, where Captaine Doricles had commaunded [Page 48] his Soldiers to hang him, for whose death she had shed so many teares, and sighed out so many complaintes, that the violence of her griefe had troubled her vnder­standing; and yet also doubting of his life, though she did see him; tremblingly answered, that she was wont to knowe him: Already was this Pilgrim, by the voyce, by the fearfulnes, and by the teares assured, that this mad body was the master of all his wittes; and fearing least he might make some demonstration of his inward griefe, whereunto by the sight of this so great misfortune he was obliged; he demanded softly of her, how and by what meanes she was come vnto this mi­serable estate? The griefe I tooke (answered she) think­ing vpon your death, so soone as the Captain had com­maunded that you should be hanged, not without ha­uing offended me, replyed the Pilgrim, a thing which I neuer expected from your constancy, although farre greater occasion had bene offered. The loosing of my honour (said she) must be out of these two respects, ei­ther of force or for pleasure: if out of pleasure, I had now no cause to bewaile my selfe; nor if it were by force meanes to bring remedy, and lesse meanes had I in loo­sing of my wittes; And that it is true, that the very thought I had of your death was the cause of my mad­nes, let this satisfie you, to see that I recouer them, in hauing you aliue. Faire Nisa answered the Pilgrim, am not I a miserable man, in hauing bene the cause of so much euill by my misfortunes? There is nothing deere Pamfilus (replyed Nisa in weeping) deserues this name that hath bene suffered for your occasion, and for so cruell a feeling as the report of your death brought [Page 49] to me; And if I were permitted to imbrace you heere according vnto my desire, the recompence would be as great as the trauels, which I doe bewayle onely, in re­gard they were no more, since that, according to their multitude, they would augment the glory of my suffe­ring. It was not in vaine, answered Pamphilus, (for the History names him from hence forward) that my hope made me desire to liue, onely that I might see you, for I was assured that in the glory of beholding you, all iea­lousie would be wiped away, that might any way allay my ioy. And if the eyes of those who looke vpon vs, did not better see, then their vnderstandings doe know, you should before this haue found, that your desire of imbracing was most agreable vnto me. To this said Nisa (whose name hitherto wee haue hid) as also Pamphilus his, because that trauailing in this habit amongst so many dangers, (I durst not tell their Country nor their name) I will make my passion serue as a remedy. What passion answered Pamphilus. Euery time said shee when my griefe depriues me of my reason, they tell me that I cry aloude, those wordes which I will now say to thee, in imbracing thee. And then she said these wordes; O my spouse, is it possible that my eyes doe behold thee? Is it not thou, who dyed in the mountaines of Barcelon, by the euill hands of Doricles barbarous Soldiers? bles­sed bee the houre wherein I see the newes is false. In speaking this, Nisa fell about Pamphilus his necke, amo­rously imbracing him, whose vnspeakable pleasure was onely interrupted, by the presence of the assistants.

When the man who had the charge of appeasing the mad solkes fury, sawe this deportment in Nisa, hee be­gan [Page 50] to giue her rude words, and more sharpe blowes. Let him alone said Pamphilus, for I am his Countriman and his wiues kinsman, and doe not wonder that this sight of me, doth cause in him this sortowe. Whatsoe­uer you are, answered this barbarous fellow, it skils not, heere is neither complements nor visitations: And the token of this mans mad fit in comming vpon him, is to call his Husband, with such or the like wordes. But if I pacifie this his mad fit said Pamphilus, to what eud doth your chasticement serue? And how will you ap­pease it said the other, Is not this an euident token of his madnes, that he cals you his spouse, and takes you for a woman? You are ignorant of his humour, and of the trouble he giues vs, although he doe not appeare to be aboue Nineteene yeare of age; I know all this well, answered Pamphilus. Neuertheles let me speake to him, for I do assure you that my selfe alone can appease him; and as it is a good worke, from any body who hath a sicknes to take away the paine, for some time, though it returne againe; So in madnes, it is a good worke, to bring to passe, that hee who hath lost his wits should recouer them againe though it were but for one houre.

Yet neither this reason, nor many other, serued him to any purpose, for the officers had already put mana­cles vpon Nisa's hands; and the master, did rigorously pull her to the Cage, although she had no neede of this remedy, nor any other, but the sight of Pamphilus. But as those who are accustomed to lye, are seldome beleeued, although they say the truth: So in him who is mad, it is accounted a token of greater madnes, to seeme wise. Thus Nisa was had away to straight imprisonment, and [Page 51] Pamphilus standing ashamed, fearing that euory one knew, what was priuy only to himselfe, beheld her with abundance of teares; A thousand times hee was about to let goe the reynes of his passion, which his vnder­standing held in, and to bee mad in reason, beleeuing that if hee were mad, the chastisement of his madnes, should be to remaine with Nisa, which was the greatest good he could hope for. And to begin his designe, he offered (against the Lawes of this house) to breake the gates of the Prison, and see her by force: but hardly had hee made any demonstration thereof, whenas the Por­ters with the mad seruitors, (such as hauing recouered their wits, do serue the others) fell vpon him, & beating him cruelly, flung him into the street, where (as the Fish whereof Aristotle speakes, which being drawne out of the water, frameth a humane voyce & dyeth) he fetch'd a great figh and fell vpon the ground astonished.

The Sunne was declined lowe toward the West, co­uering with gold and purple that part of the Horizon, when Pamphilus returning out of his astonishment, found himselfe in the armes of a young man, who ha­uing compassion of his griefe, incouraged him to reco­uer life. Pamphilus looking stedfastly vpon him, with heauy sadnes, demanded where he was? the young man tolde him, that hee was at the doore of the Hospitall, where the mad folkes were kept. And how is it, reply­ed Pamphilus, that I am not within? because (said the o­ther) thou appearest, to be more diseased in body then in the passions of thy minde: Thou iudgest by the coun­tenance, (said Pamphilus) but if thou hadst seene my heart, thou wouldst rather iudge that my euill procee­ded [Page 52] from my spirit: True it is, that the body feeleth al­so the paines of the minde; What kind of euill is thine answered the young man, being so neare the place, where euils of wounded mindes are cured? For if thou art not within the Hospital, thou desirest (as it seemeth) to be in, seeing thou doest not deny thy euill; and thou confessest, that it proceedeth from thy minde, the passi­ons whereof, are not farre from falling into that infir­mity, which is cured in this place. The euill which I haue, (said Pamphilus) hath a remedy in this house, and my misfortune is such, that dispairing to cure me, they haue flung me out. Thou canst haue no such euill, an­swered the young man, but there is an Antidote to bee found for it. Incurable Loue (said Pamphilus is groa­ning out a sigh) vnto which all the medicines & Herbes of Physicke are improfitable. What is not Loue to be cured, answered the other? And are Auicens seauen re­medies of no force, and not true? Of those said Pamphi­lus, and at the tales which Pliny writeth, my passion wor­keth; I onely allow of his counsell, who aduiseth chief­ly to marry; but the disposition of my fortune, and the rigorous influence of my starres, not onely doe not suf­fer me, but maketh it to me almost impossible. And al­though hope sometime promiseth it vnto me, yet I find that it is truely as Plato calleth it; The waking man his Dreame: Loue, then (said the young man) is the cause of this habite which thou wearest, & of thy pilgrimage. It is so (said Pamphilus) and by that thou mayest know the quality of my euill, and the difficulty of my cure. Oh, said the young man pittifully sighing, what a grie­uous story, dost thou renew in me? A history like vnto [Page 53] mine said Pamphilus; if not said the other, yet at the least of Loue; By thy faith (then said Pamphilus) doest thou loue? I not onely Loue said the other, but am al­so more vnhappy then thou thinkest for; a stran­ger and a Pilgrim, and no lesse outraged by fortune. Tell me then said Pamphilus, (in looking earnestly vpon him) thy name and of what Countrey thou art; for in all the yeares of my banishment, I could neuer finde any man so miserably persecuted as my selfe: and in this, I haue more occasion, then all men to bewaile my desti­nies. A Christian said the stranger, ought neuer to be­waile the destinies, nor thinke that good or euill for­tune depend of them: Although many ancient Philo­sophers haue beleeued, that there is a kinde of Deuils, and certaine imaginary women which they call Parquae, which giue the spirit vnto the creature at the birth, an opinon rather worthy of laughter, then beliefe; It be­ing most certaine, that this name Destiny, is onely to be attributed to the decree of God, who truly seeth and knoweth all thinges before they be, and the ordering of them cānot depend of any thing but of him; I know well said Pamphilus, that the Poets haue called these Parquaes destiny, and the Philosophers especially the Stoyques, haue beleeued that it is an order, or disposition of second causes, as from the Planets vnder the influ­ence of which we are borne, which rule and determine all the inferiour good and euill effects which doe hap­pen to man: So said Ptolomy, Democritus, Crisippus, and Epicurus, who also ascribe to Destiny, all the inclinati­ons, the vices, and the vertues, the desires and passions euen vnto the actions and thoughts, which some ha [...] [Page 54] endeuoured to proue by the authority of Boeceus, who saith, that the order of Destiny mooueth the Heauen, and the Starres tempereth the Elements, and tyeth hu­mane actions to their causes by a most indissolueable knot.

But leauing a part a matter of so long a discourse, from whence is sprung the error of the Priscillianists, who doe beleeue that the soule and the body, are neces­sarily subiect vnto the Starres, and many other errors which doe succeed this first. I desire thou shoulst know, that I speake according vnto custome, which willeth that this name Desteny, and other Christian Idiomes, be taken for misfortune, beleeuing that neuerthelesse, that God by his Diuine prouidence speaketh by the Destiny as men expresse the conceptions of their minds by their wordes. Thy face (saith the young man) pro­miseth no lesse, then what I haue heard come from thy mouth; for thy presence and aspect is an index of thy noblenes, as thy tongue is of knowledge: which wor­keth in me a great pleasure, and desire to tell thee my Name, my Countrey, quality, and my misfortunes, which if thou please to hearken vnto with patience, I will as briefely as I can relate.

The History of Pamphilus, and Celio.

THe Citty of Toledo, in the hart of Spaine; strong by Scituation, noble by Antiquity, famous for the preseruatiō of the Christian Faith, euer sithence the time of the Gothes, generous both in Learning and Armes, hauing a temperate Heauen, and a fertile Earth, [Page 55] inuironed with the famous Riuer Tagus, which is it selfe also begirt with a high, but a pleasant Hill: Is the place where my now liuing Parents were borne, as also my selfe, (although my Ancestors in former times came from those parts of Austuria, which are called Santillana the ancient title of the house of Mendosa) there was I brought vp in my more tender yeares: But when my Parents thought I was capable of Learning, they sent me to the Vniuersity of Salamanqua, with such company as was fit for a man of my place, to the end that besides the Latine tongue which I knew already, I might study the knowledge of the Law. Heere I am constrained to make a long digression, because that of the history of another, dependeth the foundation of mine. My Fa­ther had other Children; Lisard his eldest sonne, who was in Flaunders with the Archduke Albert, where hee got no small reputation, principally in the siege of Ost­end, and Nisa a Daughter, and if I bee not partiall, one of most excellent beauty, who liued in that honour and good name, vnto which shee was bound, by the noble­nes of her birth, and the care of such Parents.

Vnto these tearmes, was the youngman proceeded in his discourse, whereat Pamphilus exceedingly trou­bled, couered his face with his hands, whereof the other demaunding a reason; Pamphilus said vnto him, that his griefe which had brought him vnto that estate wherein he found him was returned againe, yet hee thought it was with lesse violence then it had formerly done. All this Pamphilus feyned, because the story which the Tole­dan tolde him, was his owne proper story, and this Nisa whom he called his Sister, was the Pilgrim whose wits [Page 56] were lost out of the apprehension of Pamphilus his Death; So doe acts dissembled many times meete, and sometimes doe then appeare most, when they are most indeauoured to bee hidden. I will not proceed in my story said he if thou finde not thy selfe so well, that thou maist hearken vnto me; for there is no time worse im­ployed then that which one looseth in speaking to them, which giue no eare to the speaker; Thou maist proceed said Pamphilus, (being desirous to vnderstand the estate of his owne affaires) for I finde my griefe be­gins to leaue me, eased by thy presence and thy words; I must aduertise thee then said the young man, that there was in Madreele, a braue Knight, and a great friend of my fathers, with whome he had great inwardnes of acquaintance, euer since the warres of Granado, and I thinke they were together in that famous Battell of Le­panto: from this friendship it followed, that at the end of some yeares, they treated of the Marrying of my Sister Nisa, with one of this Knights sonnes, of whome I now speake, and the young mans name was Pamphilus. But while these things were a doing, the Father of Pamphi­lus dyed, and the proposition of marriage ceased. Pam­philus who by the renowne that went of my Sister, as al­so by her Picture, was taken in her Loue, and grew won­derfull sad and melancholy, and falling from one ima­gination to another, in the end hee resolued vpon this which I shall tell thee, that thereby thou maist see how innocent, those were, who without the light of Faith, did anciently beleeue it Fortune and Destinies. Which was, that making his Mother beleeue, that hee would goe into Flaunders, and iourneying some dayes in the [Page 57] habite and equipage of a man at Armes, and after sent his seruants to Alcala of Henares, and there disguising himselfe in other clothes, he went to Toledo: where not being knowne to any person, he found meanes to be en­tertained as a seruant in my fathers house, which was no hard matter to doe, because that his excellent fea­ture and countenance, accompanied with his vnder­standing were pledges sufficient of his fidelity, & gaue my Father not onely a desire to bee serued by him, but also to respect him.

My father receiued him, ignorant of his quality, and of his intent (a strange imagination of a man, beeing a Knight, and so well knowne almost of all, in the Coun­trey wherein he was borne; that he could so hide him­selfe, at the Doore (as it were) of his owne house, that no body could know, either where hee was or what hee did:) yet so it was, that his humility, his diligent ser­uice, and other commendable partes, which hee had, gained such credit with my Parents, that I doe beleeue he might as easily haue compassed his designes, with his fayned pouerty, as with his true riches.

The chiefest thing whereunto he applyed himselfe as his whole study, was to appeare agreable to Nisa, which was easie to be done, for who can guard himselfe from a domesticke enemy? The simplicity wherewith this Knight did begin his treason, and the good wordes which he vsed, gained him entrance into those places, whereinto hardly and with great difficulty, could the ancient seruants come. Behold with how little care, a noble Gentleman kept in his house, another Greeke horse, like vnto miserable Troy: For such of necessity [Page 58] must this young mans heart needs bee, full of thoughts and armed with malice, which (the houre of executi­on approaching) brake forth into such flames, as haue fired our renowne. When Pamphilus thought that Ni­sa was disposed to hearken to his intention, were it that his sicknes were true, or fained; as most likely it was, he made himselfe sicke. My parents, who accounted of this seruant as of their gouernour, and loued him equal with their dearest Children, there being no key about the house, no accompt in all their expence, nor any se­cret in their affaires, wherein hee was not trusted: caused him to bee tended with all the care which was possible for loue and respect to bring. The Physitians said, that this infirmity proceded from a deepe melan­choly, and the best remedy that was to be giuen, was to reioyce him, and principally by Musicke; In which they were not deceiued, for if Loue doe participate of the e­uill spirit, and that Dauid draue away the euill spirit from Saul by the sweetnes of his Harpe, by the same meanes Loue might be driuen away. Thou sayest true, said Pamphilus, (who gaue great attention vnto the re­lation of his own story, to see to what end the discourse of this youngman would come, who was his Mistresses Brother) for without doubt it holdeth many conditi­ons of the euill spirit, and leauing a part the principall which is to torment with fire, behold the simpathy which they haue one with the other. The Deuils doe delight themselues in thinges which are naturally me­lancholy, inhabiting in horrible places, obscure and so­litary, as louing darkenes and sadnes: All which quali­ties are common with them which Loue, and cannot [Page 59] attaine to that which they pretend, they desire solitary places, and the dens of Deserts, there to entertaine in si­lence their sad thoughts, without any thing to trouble them, no not the light of heauen. But let me intreat thee to proceed, in thy story of this Knight, for I desire with passion to know the end.

My Sister Nisa, said Celio, then (for so was the young man called) could play admirable well of the Lute, and sung so sweetly that in the like danger, the Dolphin wold willinglier haue brought her to the shore, then hee did Arion sometimes to Corinth. Wherfore by the consent of my Parents, and not against her will; shee went into Pamphilus his little Chamber, (Consider with thy selfe the happy glory of a man in his case) and sung a Poeme which he himselfe had composed, for hee had that way a dexterious facility, and very naturall, neither did it want the excellency of Art. But whilest Nisa sung, Pam­philus wept, and neuer turned his eyes from of hers; So that one resembled the Crocadile, and the other Sirene, vnles that one sung to giue him health, and the other wept to deceiue her of her honour. Nisa seing this his extremity of sadnes, said vnto him; that her intent was not that her musicke should haue the same effect in him as it had in others, which is, to make them more sad, which are any way heauy, but contrarily, her desire was to reioyce him. There is (answered he) no other voyce nor other harmony, vnlesse it may bee the harmony of Heauen, can reioyce me but yours: Neuerthelesse my euill being past hope of cure, bindeth me to bewaile my selfe, and not to thinke vpon any thing, but vpon the beauty which causeth it; What euill is that (said Nisa) [Page 60] past cure, which proceedeth from a cause commended by thee? It is an euill (answered Pamphilus) whereof I doe hinder the cure, and whereof the onely comfort is to know, that I suffer it, for the fairest creature in the world. The liberty wherein wee liue (said Nisa) doth giue me leaue Pamphilus, to speake vnto thee heere of a suspitious matter: by the tokens which thou hast deli­uered vnto me of thy euill, thou hast giuen me know­ledge of the occasion that makes thee sicke, although I am ignorant of the cause, who makes thee sicke: Thou louest without doubt, and I take it in good part, that thou wouldst confesse vnto me, that, which thou woul­dest not speake vnto the Physitians, assuring thee, that thou mayst better trust my Loue then their Art. But I coniure thee, by that goodwill which thou knowest I haue born thee euer since thou hast serued my Parents, that thou wilt tell me whether I know her whome thou louest, and whether I can bee helpfull vnto thee in thy curing, for thy teares doe make me pitty thee. You may well serue to helpe me pittifull Nisa, (said then the cun­ning Louer, who might well haue instructed Ouid) see­ing I doe not hope for it from any other hands then yours, and that you know the cause of my paine, aswell as you knowe your selfe.

Heere Pamphilus demaunded of Celio (wondring that bee should tell so perticularly, that which passed so se­cretly betweene him and Nisa) how hee knew the same wordes which they had spoken, hee being at that time a farre off, following his study in Salamanqua? To which Celio answered, that the same Pamphilus had left the sto­ry in writing with a friend of his, from whome hauing [Page 61] had the meanes since that time to get it, hee learned all vnto the least particuler, and then proceeding on his discourse, he began in this manner.

The colour which came into Nisa's face when shee heard Pamphilus his wordes, cannot bee compared, but vnto the red Rose, with milken leaues, although it be a Poeticall terme, and borrowed of the same author, yet feyning not to vnderstand what he said, shee answered, that if it were any of her friends shee would indeauour (at the least) to bring it about that shee should knowe his euill, that thereupon he might lay the foundation of his remedy. I am in that estate said Pamphilus that I dare not so much as sigh or breath out her name, yet I can shew you her portrature, who is the originall cause of my misfortune, and for whose sake, I am come from my own Country into yours, where I remaine an hum­ble seruant of your house, and doe thinke my selfe most happy to be so, although I am a Knight, and equall vn­to her, whome you call your friend, and with whome I should haue bin now marryed, if my Father had liued vntill this day, for onely his Death barred me of this happines. And in saying these wordes, Pamphilus gaue her, her Picture, which had bin drawne by the most ex­cellent Painter of our time, called Philip of Lianho; whose pensill oftentimes durst compare with Nature herselfe, who out of meere enuy vnto him, for that, (as it seemed) shortned his dayes. Yet Nisa (through whose veynes ran a colde shiuering) affirmed, that shee did not know the face; I doe not wonder said Pamphi­lus, that the auntient Philosopher hath deliuered his o­pinion; that it is a very hard matter to know ones selfe. [Page 62] Putting this sentence; Know thy selfe; in the fronts of the most famous Temples. Yet see another more naturall, the knowledge wherof you cānot deny. Saying this, he reached her a very faire looking-glasse: Nisa seeing her face within the Christall, could no longer suffer his dis­course, nor the Knights presence: But rising vp in col­lor, said vnto him in great anger as she went away, thy boldnes shall cost thee thy life. Can it bee better im­ployed answered Pamphilus, then for your beauty to be ended?

She answered well, said the Pilgrim, if shee had ac­complished what she said. She accomplished it so ill replied Celio, that within a fewe dayes shee loued him, better then she loued herselfe, prouing the Verse of the famous Poet Dant to bee infallibly true; that Loue ex­cuseth no one who is beloued from louing. But how came it (said the Pilgrim) that a Mayd should Loue; who had harkened with so much disdaine in the begin­ning? Because answered Celio, that all Mayds for their first answer consult with shame, and for their second consult with weaknes: Although for my owne part, I thinke that Pamphilus dispairing of his remedy helped himselfe with charmes. I cannot beleeue so, answered Pamphilus, a man hath liberty to Loue, and not to loue as it seemeth good vnto himselfe, and it seemes to bee a terrible and cruell thing that a chast woman should be violently constrained to Loue, whether shee would or no: Charmes and witchcrafts, may peraduenture moue, perswade, and tempt, without suffering to be in rest, and with these exteriour perswasions make one yeeld vnto the prayers and teares of a Louer: Yet for all this it [Page 63] cannot be said, that shee is constrained but that of her good will, shee giueth consent to her desire, suffering her selfe rather to bee vanquished by her owne proper nature, then by the force of any Art Magicke. Where­fore it is an euident folly, in those which Loue, to com­plaine that they are violently constrained, will they nill they, to follow their Loues, because God neuer suffe­teth that the po [...]er of free-will should bee taken from Man; and if any one say hee hath bin forced by Diabo­licall perswasions, it may be answered, hee was not for­ced in his reason, but in his concupiscence: Neither is it to be beleeued, that a Knight, a Christian, wise, young and braue Gentleman, would helpe himselfe with such wicked meanes to attaine his ends. It is not likely, an­swered Celio, and it may be, that hee witnessing his fide­lity by other seruices, obliged her to condiscend vnto his will, for Nisa is not the onely woman in this world subiect to this weaknes.

Neuertheles behold the strange accident, which hap­pened vnto them both, as a beginning of their misfor­tunes; for it being spoken at Madreele, that Pamphilus was come from Flanders, the newes thereof came vnto my Fathers eares, who (desirous to make him his Son in Law, in fauour of the ancient acquaintance and loue he had with his Father, and because that it had been for­merly agreed betweene them) one day tolde her, that hee was resolued to Marry her, not naming vnto whome; and thereupon writing to Madreele, to Pamphi­lus his Mother, intreating her to send him to Toledo, congratulating also with her, her Sonnes happy return and the prosperous successe of his affaires, and remem­bred [Page 64] vnto her the amitie which he had contracted with her husband, his Father. The sad Nisa, who already desperatly loued Pamphilus, tolde him, that her Father would marry her, and the Knight who was designed for her Husband, was shortly to come from Madreele vnto their house, but shee knew nothing in particuler more of him, but that he was a braue Soldier who lately came out of Flanders. Pamphilus (ignorant that hee was the person who was meant) fell into great extremity at the newes, and after many teares and other follies, hee said, he was resolued to be gone, for his heart would neuer suffer him to see a new seruant vnto his Mistris in this house. A strange and neuer heard of story, that a man should bee iealous of himselfe, and flye from his owne presence. Nisa who now thought it as impossible for her to bee without Pamphilus, as the Earth without wa­ter, Fire without matter to burne, or as the Coelestiall harmony without their first mouer; said vnto him in weeping, that shee would haue him take her away with him, and that she would follow him ouer the world; yet vpon this condition, that hee should sweare solemnly, neuer to loose the respect which was due vnto her ho­nour: which oath being taken by Pamphilus without a­ny consideration of the danger which might happen: he made choyse of a darke night, & by a Garden which answereth vpon the Riner, tooke her from the house, and by the same riuer went from the Towne, carrying her in his Barke, vntill he came vnto those Mountaines which are called Stsla: This was it which hee writ after­wards from Valence, to a friend of his of Saragossa.

Now followeth the beginning of my peregrination, [Page 65] which (hauing bin to long in this History) I will brief­ly relate. At the dolourous Letter which was written to me of this successe, (which was discouered, so soone as Pamphilus was gone from Toledo) I came from Sala­manqua to my fathers house, which I found all in mour­ning for the losse of my Sister. My Father in few words obliged me to reuenge it, which I swore that I would, with many wordes as free, as his were graue: and to ex­ecute my intent I went to Madreele. I sought Pamphilus in all the houses of his friends, and visited his Mother, asking newes of him, making shew how things had pas­sed. The innocent Mother said, it was two yeares since hee went into Flaunders, and that from the time of his departure, she neuer had heard from him, from whence she collected he was dead. I thought that she, knowing what he had done, had disguised the truth: and while I was in this meditation, I casting my eyes vpon a young Gentlewoman, who sate sowing by this reuerend ma­tron, I found her in my minde so faire, that her onely looke, had power to temper my sorrow, and hardly had I fully viewed her perfections, when as I propounded in my selfe to serue her, and to steale her away, thinking by this meanes to giue satisfaction to our honour, and beginning to my reuenge. To recount vnto you at this time all the passages, and the care which I vsed to speake with her, and to bring her to my will, would be to trou­ble you with a long discourse; Let it satisfie, that I drewe her from her house with the same thred, where with Pamphilus had pulled Nisa from ours, and in a strange and foolish minde led her into France, where her beauty ministred subiect vnto a Knight to serue her, [Page 66] and for me to kill him: From whence it followed, that for safety of my life I was driuen to leaue her. Neuer­thelesse, I am resolued whatsoeuer happen vnto me, to goe seeke her, because that besides, I doe loue her more then my selfe, I owe so much vnto her merit and vertue, with which shee hath faithfully accompanied me, tho­rough many and variable successes.

Night had spred his blacke vayle ouer the face of the Earth, and the houses were full of Candles, as the Hea­uen of starres; men and creatures retired themselues, from their common labour, when as the miserable Pam­philus gaue ouer hearing the tragedy of his Loue, with the last act of his honour: and to know that he did then but begin to suffer his euils, when he thought he was at an end of them, Hee admired the iustice of Heauen, which had suffred that his Sister should so lightly haue quited her Mothers house, to runne away with a man; Yet finding in himselfe the example of his owne mislea­ding of Nisa, and that the iniury which hee had done vnto Celio, was no lesse then that which hee had recei­ued; he did not hold it iust in himselfe, once to thinke of reuenge, but rather to perswade him that hee should not, nor ought to leaue her, which he performed with the best wordes, & the liueliest reasons he could deuise. Remonstrating vnto him, that amongst Gentlemen, the onely condition of noblenes, should binde him to goe seeke for her, which Celio allowing for most reasonable, gaue him his word, to imploy his endeauours to that purpose. And being lodged this night together, they supped and slept in one house. The next morning Pam­philus gaue him a Letter to a French Gentleman, with [Page 67] whom he had great acquaintance, that he might fauour him in finding out Finia, for so was his Sister called. But Celio departed not for certain dayes, during which time there was a perfect friendship knit betweene those two secret enemies; So that Pamphilus knowing the of­fence which Celio had done vnto him, pardoned him in his hart, and Celio ignorant that this was Pamphilus, was disposed to the pardoning of him. The resolution was with great oathes to enquire out one the other, and to helpe each other in all accidents as Brothers; assigning the rende-vous within sixe monthes, in the Citty of Pamphelune.

So went Celio vpon his enterprise; & some few dayes after his departure, Pamphilus his sorrow increasing out of the opinion that it was impossible for him to reco­uer Nisa; It happened that going one night from his lodging, in a vaine desire he had to see the windowes of the Prison (where his happines and ioy was inclosed) he heard a Knight cry out for helpe against some who would at aduantage haue killed him. He sodainly step­ped vnto him, and drawing out his Sword out of his Palmers staffe with an incredible dexterity, accompa­nied with a valiant & braue courage, made them loose him, whom they would haue killed, and saue their own liues by a shamefull, though a safe flight.

The Knight would needs know what hee was, who had deliuered him from so great danger: and although Pamphilus excused himselfe from telling his name, yet the Knights desire, and curtesie preuayled more, then the humblenes wherewith the Pilgrim did endeauour to perswade him, that hee had done him no seruice: to [Page 68] conclude, he led him to his house, where his good and gentle behauiour being obserued, the Knight and his Parents bare such affection vnto him, that they did ob­lige him to become their guest.

There remained Pamphilus some dayes, at the end of which, Iacinth (so was this Knight called) tolde him the history of his Loue, vnto faire Lucinde, and the occasion for which these assassiuators wold haue murther'd him, who, for this onely cause, were come from Ciuill vnto Valence, where the subiect of the passion, and the sorrow wherein he liued did remaine. I doe beleeue that Lo­uers haue some simpathy one with another, and that they ioyne and communicate, in such manner as you haue seene in this discourse. Seeing that our Pilgrim neuer came into any house, where there was not some one, or other tainted with this euill, although it were in craggy Mountaines.

By this ouerture of Iacinthes secret, Pamphilus was bound to discouer his: and after hee had made him sweare, that he would graunt him his request, hee said; that in recompence of his life, which hee had saued, as he himselfe confessed, he coniured him, to helpe him to a place, in that Prison where the mad solkes were shut vp. Iacinth astonished at so strange a request, would needs know the cause. But Pamphilus promising to tell him so soone as he had done him that fauour, and cast­ing himselfe at his feete with most earnest and vnheard­of wordes, affirming the good hee should doe him, to put him in this place: made Iacinth suspect, that some secret danger did inforce him into that place. And wil­ling very generously to satisfie the obligation wherein [Page 69] hee was tyed, after some inconueniences and reasons vrged to diuert him, hauing agreed with him of the meanes which he should holde, This very night Iacinth tooke fiue or sixe men of the Hospitall, who entring sodainly into Pamphilus his Chamber, put him in a Chayre, and carryed him away in their armes: misera­ble condition of this man, who after so many strange successes, being wise (if those who Loue can be so) to make himselfe to bee taken and shut vp willingly, as a mad-man, where all the mad folkes would willingly bee accounted wise.

All Iacinthes house admire at this nouelty, and all his family complaine that this stranger, vnto whom Iacinth was redeuable for his life, was so vnworthily requited by Iacinth himselfe: But shee who most complained of his cruelty, and had the truest feeling of it, was Tiberia his Sister, who was both faire and discreet aboue all the Ladies in Valence, who affecting the gentlenes, and faire spirit of our vnfortunate Pilgrim, did not see but by his eyes, and did not breath but from him. Iacinth told them that Pamphilus was mad, and that it was necessary hee should be cured before the disease increased too farre. The Father of this Knight, who was very Learned, bla­med exceedingly this precipite course, saying that in all infirmities, there was nothing more dangerous, then Physicke out of season, and swore that he should be had out of the Hospitall, to bee cured in his house. Tiberia confirmed this piety, saying; that reward due vnto him, they being not so poore, but that they had meanes suf­ficient, to haue him cured in their house, with greater care of his health, and lesse scandall to his honour. [Page 70] Iacinth replyed, that he was a Stranger, & that no body knew him. But all the houshold were so much against him, blaming him for ingratitude, especially his Fa­ther, & his Sister, that he was constrayned to tell them what he knew. Whereat in imagining the cause, all of them were astonished and wondred. They thought that Pamphilus was a spy, who went disguised vnder the habite of a Pilgrim, and that fearing to be knowne by some one, hee vsed this subtilty to saue his life: for al­though he spake Spanish, neuerthelesse, by his faire face and exceeding beauty, he seemed a stranger, and by his actions a Gentleman. With this confession, Iacinth re­mained in their good opinion, the house was much troubled, and Tiberia was full of pittifull griefe and care for Pamphilus his life: who being in Prison among the mad folkes (in the iudgement of many, the very center of greatest misery) imagined himselfe to bee in most glorious happines.

To this new Madman, the more ancient gaue place, and Pamphilus, with diuers faynings & counterfetings of his face, endeauoured to expresse his madnes; which fashion of his, seeming vnto them as tokens of rashnes, they put him into the Prison with Irons on his handes, where to confirme them the more in their opinion of his madnes, hee said so many wordes so farre from the matter, that hee did merit a beleefe. There he stayed some fewe dayes before he could see his beloued Nisa, suffering most insupportable discommodities, difficult to be spoken, and almost impossible to bee beleeued; In the meane time Celio went by Saragosse into France, to finde his beautifull and beloued Finia whom hee had [Page 71] lost, where being come, hee heard the newes of the Peace which was proclaimed, betweene the two Nati­ons, which made him rest that night (with more con­tentment out of the facility which it brought to his de­signe) staying for the Light of the morning, to cleere his passage ouer the Mountaines into France.

Heere followeth the Story of Pamphilus and Nisa.

AFter that Pamphilus went away from Toledo with Nisa, thinking that her Father would marry her with another, and being iealous of himselfe, hee tolde me that suffering some of those discommodities, which doe offer themselues vnto such men, as trauaile without their lawfull Wiues, they came vnto Ciuill a beautifull Citty, if the Sunne doe shine vpon any, for riches, greatnes, magnificence, pollicy, hauen, and sta­ple of the Indyes: where it may be said, that twice euery yeare, there entreth the substance of all Spaine. There would Pamphilus inioy the beautyes of Nisa; but shee disconted, that hee lost the respect which he was ac­customed to beare to her Chastity, against the Oath [Page 86] which hee had solemnly sworne, hid himselfe for some dayes out of his sight, during which time, hee ready to growe mad; yet finding her againe, and crauing par­don with new Oathes to keepe the first inuiolably, they were friends againe.

But Pamphilus being one day at the Market place, he was knowne by a Marchant of Toledo, a great friend vn­to Nisa her Father, who going about to lay hands on him and apprehend him, Pamphilus was inforced to lay hand vpon his Sword, to defend himselfe from the Iu­stice. It happened well for Pamphilus, whose courage and addresse in Armes is incredible, and accompanied with an admirable force; He was neuertelesse constrai­ned to depart speedily from Ciuill. And hee thinking it discommodious for him, to lead Nisa with him in her womans Apparell, he cloathed her in a sute of his, and cutting off her hayre (of which hee after made great re­liques, he girt a sword to her side, and so they went to Lisbone together; but they were hardly accommodated in their Lodging, when as a Captain, and a great friend vnto Lisard, Nisa her elder Brother, who is now in Flan­ders) had aduertisement of their comming. Although Nisa were sufficiently disguised, yet her countenance (to those who had formerly seene her) being sufficient­ly knowne, would easily discouer that which they did so carefully endeauour to hide.

But their good fortune (which deliuered them from these dangers, it may bee to reserue them to greater) would at that time, wherein the Captaine and his friends came to search for Pamphilus, that Nisa was alone in the lodging, of whome hauing inquired her name [Page 87] and her masters, shee said, she was a Boy who serued Pamphilus of Luxan a Knight & of Madreele, not thinking that it did import to tell his name in a strange Coun­trey. The Captaine neuer informed himselfe farther for what he sought; but his ensigne, inquired newes of Nisa; whereat shee being troubled, and repenting that she had said any thing of Pamphilus, answered that shee was gone by Sea with Pamphilus, to refresh themselues as farre as Belen, a famous Monastery and the ancient Sepulcher of the Kinges of Portingall. This so daine lye of Nisa saued Pamphilus his life, or at the least the ho­nour of both those Louers: For the Soldiers went pre­sently to the Hauen attending there for their returne; And the Captaine accounting them already taken, and liking Nisa her fashion, behauiour and countenance, ex­ceeding well, intreated her to become his Page, assu­ring her that hee would vse her better, then any that e­uer had worne his Cassaque: Nisa seemed to yeeld with great willingnes, if hee pleased to accept of his seruice, and dissembling the care and feare, which shee had of Pamphilus his life, said vnto the Captaine, that hauing spoken with her Master, and giuen him an ac­count of such Iewels and other thinges as were in his custody, hee would not fayle to come to him; with this answer the Captain and the Soldiers were hardly gone out of the doores, when Pamphilus came out of the Towne to his Loding, little thinking his enemies were so neare him: what helpe doe strange Countries bring vnto those, vnto whome misfortunes are euer dome­sticke? Nisa told him the danger which threatned him, and Pamphilus hauing recourse vnto the remedy, tooke [Page 88] a speedy resolution to leaue Spaine. Nisa promised him to follow him through Seas & Lands, (how vnknowne soeuer) and a Portingall Knight, who had a Company in Cent offered to conduct him.

Cent is a frontiere Tower of the Moores in Africke, not farre from Tetuan, and as it were placed to confront Gibralter, as the vttermost bound of Europe: by which place it is said the Moores entred, who vnder the leading of Iulian conquered Spaine. There remained our two Louers for some time in great peace; although Pamphi­lus discontent, to see his desires denyed by Nisa her chast resolution, had no great quietnes in his owne minde. Hee would haue marryed her, but it was not possible to perswade Nisa vnto it; she thinking it would bee a great disparagement vnto her honour, for her to be marryed in this manner: And then when he seemed with reason to perswade her; shee contradicted him with teares, remonstrating that shee was his, and that true loue had a respect vnto an honest end, whereas hee who propounded vnto himselfe onely delight, differed little from a Beast. Pamphilus cursed these reasons of Nisa, and sometimes out of griefe, would goe a whole day and not speake vnto her, vntill in the end ouer­come with her sweet patience, hee was constrayned to send a thousand sighes as imbassadors for a peace vnto her, who had the empire ouer him.

Now the noble courage of this young Knight, see­ing himselfe amongst so many braue Soldiers, who went euery day to the warres against the Moores, did be­leeue that it was a dishonour vnto his birth, to carry a Sword idle by his side, whilest others bathed theirs in [Page 89] their enemies blood; wherefore one morning from the watch Towers, the Bels and Trumpets giuing the alla­rum, incited by his owne generosity, and with the dis­daines, wherewith Nisa in his opinon had disgraced him three or foure dayes before, hee went forth armed at all points, hauing a red Scarfe vpon his left arme, a white Feather vpon his helme, and a mountaine of snowe vpon his Shield; from the top of which, as from Mount Gibell in Scicily came a mouth of fire. So went Pamphilus out vpon his bay Horse, which had a blacke mayne, and a blacke tayle, and a white starre in the fore­head, filling the Portugals with admiration, to see with what addresse hee managed him; and how gracefully he bore his Launce; but Nisa her euill fortune, or his owne desperate resolution who prayed at his departure that shee might not see him returne aliue, suffered the Battaile to bee ordered in such manner that day, that the Christians had the worst; and Pamphilus searching death, brake into a Squadron of Moores, where being wounded and ouerthrowne, he was taken and led priso­ner vnto Fesse.

The newes of this accident came speedily vnto Nisa her eares, for the report of euill successes come sooner to the eares of Louers then that of happy euents: what her griefe was it is not necessary to expresse, otherwise then in representing Nisa, farre from her Parents, out of her owne Countrey, and from any friends, and which was most, from the deare presence of him, for whose sake shee had quited all these, and for whose losse shee was almost out of her wits. But as the greatest incoun­ters of fortune, doe sometime, bring forth the greatest [Page 90] strength and courage of the minde; so Nisa her griefe raysed in her weake and womanly minde such valiant vertue, that she boldly thrust herselfe into the acquain­tance and friendship of a Moore, who with a safe con­duct trafficked in Cent: him shee so farre gained with her affability and presence, that hee lead her with him to Fesse vnder the habite of an Alarbe, he teaching her in fewe dayes the greatest part of the Language (of which shee was not altogether ignorant before) Nisa thus li­ued in Fesse in the habite of a Moore, and vnder the name of Nephew vnto this Barbarian, who charmed with her vnderstanding, gentlenes of spirit, and grace­full behauiour, indeauoured to perswade her to leaue our Religion, promising to giue him his Daughter with the best part of his estate, which was exceeding much. Nisa did not refuse him, neuertheles she intreated him, that he would first suffer her to bee instructed in the Law, that shee might receiue it with more assurance, and more quietnes of minde. With these wordes; and with her beauty, Nisa grewe absolute master of this Moore, of his women, (wherein they abound) of Lela Axa his Daughter, of his goods, his slaues, and his Hor­ses: vpon which, as shee rid vp and downe the Towne for her pleasure, she was almost adored by these Barba­rians. She called herselfe Azan Rubin, amongst them, a name which Alijaffer had giuen her in memory of his Sonne, in whose place he accounted of her, saying that shee was his Portrature. Amongst Alijaffers slaues, there was one Spaniard, with whom Nisa hauing many times speech, she intreated him, that he would inquire secret­ly, with whom a slaue of the Kingdome of Toledo liued; [Page 91] and whose name was Pamphilus? This man informed himselfe the same day; and following her, when shee was alone, he tolde her, that Saly Morato had taken him in a Battaile which was fought in Cent, and had him still in his power, with other Slaues who serued the Masons about the house, which he was building: Nisa glad of these newes, in the euening got on Horsebacke, Cloa­thed in a Scarlet Casque, layd about with golde Lace, hauing a Hat vpon her head imbroadered with Pearle, and a great Feather, and a rich Sword of Tunis hanging in a Scarfe by her side: In this manner she went into the street, where Saly Morat dwelt; and sawe (in a newe house which was there a building) her miserable (but beloued Pamphilus, not yet fully healed of his wounds, hauing a poore dublet of course Canuas, & breeches of the same, without shooes vpon his feet, & carying with another Christian, the materials wherewith that house was to be built; she stayed not (as she had thought) be­cause that seeing him in this estate, the teares which she shed, would haue discouered her; but feyning to turne her horse in the street, & the beams of her face properly resembling them of the Sun) hau [...]ng scattred the clou­des of this water, she stayed, looking vpon these slaues, and said vnto Pamphilus in the Language of Fesse, why doth Morato build this fayre house, hauing another in this streete so fayre? Pamphilus answered (according to his knowledge) that they were for the keeping of slaues, because that since his good successe in the former war, he was growne proud, and did presage that hee should haue many. Thou art then his slaue, said shee, in the Castillian tongue. Pamphilus answered, that by his mis­fortune [Page 92] he was brought to that estate, and earnestly be­holding her face, let fall to the ground that which hee held in his hand. Wondering to see a Moore which should so perfectly resemble his beloued Nisa: for that this should be shee, he could not perswade himselfe, by reason of her Language, her habite, and the small time since that he left her in Cent: so hee remained without speaking, indeuouring to couer his astonishment and confusion by his silence: When as shee speaking vnto him in the Arabian tongue, asked of him if hee were a Knight? Pamphilus more assured that it was Nisa, by the resemblance of her face, & distrusting it was not she by her language, hearing her speak the language of Fesse so naturally, answered her. I told Saly Morato that I was a poore man, but because you resemble so much a Master which heretofore I had (vnto whom I neuer lied in my life) I will not deceiue you. I am a Castillian Knight, and of the Kingdome of Toledo, & of a place, whereof it is not possible but you should haue heard, because that the names of Princes Courts are notorious to all Nati­ons, as Paris in France, Rome in Italy, Constantinople in Greece; and Madreele in Spaine; there was I borne, subiect vnto this misfortune wherein you see me. But gentle Moore, I pray tell me, who you are, & why you aske of me my Country and my quallitie? I am said Nisa, Ne­phew vnto the gouernor Alijaffer, & son vnto Muley Nu­zan his brother, by a Christian slaue; who was borne in Toledo: my name is Hazan Rubin, although that hereto­fore I called my selfe by my mothers name, Ceuill Men­dossa: my vncles son being dead, hee sent for me to Mo­roco, the place of my birth, from whence he brought me [Page 93] hether, and to comfort himselfe called me by the name of his sonne; promising me to marry me vnto Lela Axa his Daughter, who is the fayrest in all Affrique, and this is the reason which inciteth me to loue Christians (who are well borne) because my mother was one; especially Spanyards and of her owne Country: and it greeues me extreamely that thou art belonging to this gouernor, who is reputed to vse his slaues hardly, as it may be seen by experiēce in thy selfe, who being such, that thy no­bilitie doth manifestly appeere, notwithstanding the misery and pouerty of thy clothes, yet doth put thee to such vile labor. Wherfore as well because thou pleasest me well, as for the reasons which I haue tolde thee, I will bring it to passe, if thou thinke good of it, that A­lijaffer shall buy thee, and in his house there shalbe no­thing wanting vnto thee but thy liberty; as for all other things I will vse thee as my self. Pamphilus at these words cast himselfe at her feet, & by force did many times kisse them, thanking her for the fauour which shee did him.

So being departed, Nisa told Alijaffer the desire which shee had vnto a Spaenish slaue, who was euill entreated of Saly Morato; the Moor who desired to oblige him abso­lutely, and to satisfie his pleasure in all things, went the next morning to Salye Morato; to treate with him a­bout the sale of this slaue; which being not refused vnto him, they talked of the price: Salye demaunded a thousand Duckets, because (sayeth he) he had beene taken in good equipage, both for Armes and Horse, and a red Scarfe vpon his left arme, a thing which (he sayed) in the time of his being in Spayne he had seene in Kings Portratures: Nisa who was most interessed [Page 94] at the bargaine, sayed vnto him that in Spayne, cloathes were common, and the pride of Soldiers equall vnto the Maiestie of their Princes: In the end they agreed vpon fiue hundred Duckets, and Nisa going vnto the chamber, where Pamphilus laye, tooke him along with her; hee filled with teares, and imaginations, attribu­ting this kindnes to the resemblance which was be­tween the Moore and Nisa, and oftentimes he resolued to beleeue that it was she; For although the habit and tongue disguised her, yet the voyce & countenance dis­couered her. She lodged him in a place, differing and better then that of the slaues: she caused him inconti­nently to bee cloathed, and going to see him the first night; shee brought him one of her Smocks, intreating him to weare it vnder his: Pamphilus cast himselfe at her feete, and Nisa turning herselfe away, hee humbly kissed the ground which shee had trodden vpon, But they had not long talked together, when as Pamphilus grewe so certaine, that if she was not Nisa he was mad; that thereby he could not sleepe, he could not eate, nor doe any other thing, but shew her his thoughts in the violence of sighes: Nisa fearing that in this perplexity he might loose his wits; to assure him, and thereby to know the secret of his heart, vttered these wordes one day vnto him; Pamphilus the Loue which I beare thee, constrained me to procure thy good, and to solicite thy rest: I tolde Alijaffer that I stood much affected vnto thee, and he answered me, that if I would hee would send thee into thy Country, that thou shouldst goe vp­on thy worde, and that from thence thou shouldst vp­on thy honour, send him that which thou owest him. [Page 95] But I who loose my life in loosing thee, haue intreated him to giue thee my Sister Fatima to wife, & that there­by I doubted not but I should perswade thee to alter thy Religion and become a Moore; If thou canst bee contented to doe this for me, I shall knowe thy gentle­nes, and thou shalt inioy the beautifullest Gentlewo­man in all Morocco, & shalt be one of the richest men of all Africke, because that besides what my Father left her, my Vnckle will giue her a great part of his estate also, and I will giue thee mine, and my wife and I will soiourne vnder thy gouernment.

Pamphilus, whose intent was to make her discouer her­selfe vnto him, or else to nettle Nisa so farre, as that she should declare herselfe; coldely answered, that to obay her, and to requite the duty which hee ought her, he would willingly become a Moore; aswell for that rea­son, as also that hee had seene Fatima sometimes in the Bathes; of whome he was growne so amorous, that the little pleasure and lesse health which he had, proceded from thence. Hardly had Nisa heard Pamphilus his re­solution, when in an extreame fury shee said vnto him, Ah perfidious Traytor, and barbarous enemy: without God, without faith, without loue, without loyalty; Is this that which thou owest vnto Heauen, to thy Pa­rents, to thy Country, and to the vnfortunate and mi­serable Nisa? who to deliuer thee, hath put herselfe in­to such great dangers? I knewe well my most beloued Nisa answered Pamphilus, (imbracing her) that this sub­tilty was necessary, for to make thee discouer thine; for thou gouernest thy selfe in such manner, that before thou wouldst haue otherwayes plainely declared thy [Page 96] selfe vnto me, I should haue lost my wits, if not my life. Let goe my Arme ingratefull wretch sayd Nisa; vse no more these subtleties, hauing discouered so much per­fideous weaknes; but wretch that I am, why doe I com­plaine? seeing that he who forsaketh God, doth not in­iure me, in forsaking me: But in the end after many sor­rowfull complaints, his satisfactions had such vertue, that her anger being ouercome by her loue, they remai­ned friends, with more pleasure, and firmnes then euer, as it alwayes happens vnto true Louers.

This day passed away, followed with many others, du­ring which time, they entred into deliberations of the meanes, whereby they might recouer their libertie; which seemed to them impossible in respect of the loue which Alijaffer bare vnto Nisa, as also in respect of the loue which Fatima bare vnto Pamphilus; for she hauing heard that he would be a Moor & that his Vncle would marry her vnto him, fauoured him, to Nisas great griefe who vpon this iealousie, was for the space of three mo­neths without any louing correspondency with him: Behold an vnheardoff story! wherein is to be seene what a woman (who loueth) can effect; seeing she de­ceaued the distrust of an old Moore, and brought all his house to that poynt that all things were gouerned by the onely will of Pamphilus: who taking better coun­cell, whilest Alijaffer was gone vnto Tarndan where the King lay at that time; wrought so hansomely, with Axa and Fatima, that they would goe into Spaine with him, vpon the remonstrance, which he made vnto them, that his loue was certaine and assured, and theirs deceitfull, false and not to be beleeued: they were not hard to be [Page 97] perswaded, because they were women, Moores, and Lo­uers; three thinges of weake resistance.

So one faire night, hauing packed vp all the best Iew­els they could finde, they got all foure to Horse-backe, and Pamphilus being clad in the like apparell vnto Nisa, that thereby they might passe more surely, they came vnto Cent, where being ioyfully receiued by the Gene­rall, hee accommodated them with Shipping for Lis­bon. There he let Axa and Fatima vnderstand, that it was necessary for them to goe to Rome, that the chiefe and holy Bishop might receiue them into the Church, and pardon them himselfe: all which they did the soo­ner to get out of Spaine; they being contented to fol­low them whether soeuer they would goe, imbarqued themselues all together in a Ship of Aragon, which had brought in Wheate, and hauing a faire winde they ar­riued in Sicilie, from whence because it was the yeare of Iubile, they went all foure in the habite of Pilgrims to Rome. There Axa and Fatima were Baptized, Axa was called Clement of his Holines his name, and Fatima was called Hipolita, from her Godmother. The Marriage was resting still, to be performed according to promise. But Pamphilus and Nisa entertained them alwayes with hope, remonstrating vnto them, that it was not fit nor iust, that they should bee marryed, before they came vn­to their Fathers house. So after they had seene great part of Italy and France, and from thence they passed in­to Spaine, where they thought that Nisa her Parents choller was by this time ouer, for when thefts in Loue are not chasticed vpon the act in warme blood, they are alwayes remitted with time. But hauing ru [...]ne a dan­gerous [Page 98] Fortune in a miserable Tartane, into which they had imbarked themselues at A Towne of Sauoy. Villa Franca, and hauing beene long beaten with a sore tempest, they finished their shipwracke within the sight of the walls of Barce­lon, neither is knowne, whether Nisa and the Moores are aliue or dead: But Pamphilus swimming, attained vnto a plancke of the Ship, and within a day after, being ta­ken vp by some Moores of Byserta, they carryed him to Censtantinople where I sawe him a Captiue, and where hee tolde me what I haue related.

This Nisa added vnto the truth, to hide herselfe from Finia, knowing already by that which was related in the first Booke, how shee and Pamphilus were both ta­ken vp halfe Drowned, one by the Fishers, and the o­ther by Captaine Doricles, with their seuerall successes in their Perigrinations in Spaine, vntill they met toge­ther amongst the Mad-men in the Hospitall of Valence. Finia thanked her much for the newes which shee had tolde her of her Brother, shewing some griefe for the Death of Nisa; afterwards hauing concluded their re­turne into Spaine, they retired themselues together to Marselles, where they rested for some dayes, Finia be­leeuing alwayes that Nisa was this Felix, whose name shee had borrowed.

In the meane time, miserable Pamphilus suffered in Prison, with more rigorous paine then he did before, because that his fury increasing with his griefe, hee was kept so much the more straightly, by how much he was thought to bee the more mad. In the eud Iacinth came vnto Valence, and being aduertised by Pamphilus, of his misfortune, hee drewe him out of the Cage, and [Page 99] had him to his house, saying that his Parents had sent him Fiue hundred Crownes of Castreele, to defray the charge of his Cure at his house; All those who remai­ned in the Hospitall, were sorry, because vntill that time, there was neuer seene a Mad-man so wise, nor a wise man which did imagine so many follyes. There did Pamphilus take againe his ancient habite, and being departed from Iacinth and his Sister, (in whome the wonderfulnes of his story, raysed no lesse Loue then pitty:) tooke againe the second time his way to Barce­lon, where hee was no sooner come, but he was met and knowne, by one of those whome he had wounded in Mountserrat: hee was then the second time layde in Prison, in the same place where two Almains his com­panions had remained vntill that time. A thing wor­thy of admiration in any vnderstanding, that a man should not be able to finde the clew whereby he might get out of so many Labyrinths; from Barcelon to Va­lence, and from Valence to Barcelon, in iourneying in a small part of his Countrey, with more variable succes­ses then Eneas did in his voyage of Italy, or Vlisses in that of Greece. Pamphilus sawe there his friends with great griefe, and was receiued by them with great ioy. And Finia and Nisa comming from Marselles by little and little ouer the craggy Mountaines, which diuide France from Spaine, came vnto Perpignan, where I leaue them to their rest, attending the fourth Booke.

To the Pilgrim of Madreele.

THou thy selfe O Pamphilus mayest iudge in what care thou lefts mee, if thou hast had neuer so lit­tle thought of me since thou left me. And now aswell to satisfie my selfe as to knowe how thy misfor­tunes are determined, haue I sent this Messenger vnto you. My Brothers being returned and missing thee in the Prison where they had left thee, witnessed more sorrowe for thy departure, then for my brother God­freys death. But a fewe dayes after, a woman of the Countrey falling out with another, amongst other wordes, (which choller prouoked, a thing ordinary a­mongst women) saide shee was the cause of Godfrey his Death. Being thereupon taken, and hauing con­fessed that Tansiles killed him out of Iealousie, hee was apprehended, and the cryme being verified, the third day after he had his Head cut off. My Mother and my Brother being now assured of thy Innocency, doe be­wayle their hard vsage towards thee, and haue made great search to finde thee. If thou wilt returne, they will redeeme the iniurie of thy vniust Imprisonment, with imbracings & kinde vsage, and thou shalt thereby [Page 128] pay me for the desire which I continually haue of thy welfare, and for the teares which thou hast cost me.

The Pilgrim wondred at Tansiles strange successe, and was something moued in his minde with Flerida's louing desires: But fearing to offend Nisa, hee satisfied the Messenger aswell as hee could, giuing him the Iew­els which Flerida had giuen him, intreating that he would secretly deliuer them; together with a most kinde Letter vnto her, which hee presently writ, and so the same day dispatched away the Messenger, who went his way very ioyfull that he had in so short a time so happily dispatched his busines: For Flerida not thin­king he could easily finde him, had commaunded him to search him, in euery house where Pilgrims were vsed to Lodge throughout all Spaine. I doe heere remember that I heard Pamphilus say, after he had retired himselfe to couert from the storme of his Fortunes, that hee ne­uer in all his life, found any thing so difficult, as to resist Flerida's desire, for besides the obligations wherein hee stood tyed, which were very great and no lesse then for his life, shee was most perfectly fayre; yet he continu­ed his louing friendship by Letters, not onely with her, but with her Brothers also, vntill that shee being Marryed with a Knight of Andaluzia was carryed into the Indyes.

Tenne times had the Sunne circled Heauen in the time of the yeare when as Astrea doth equall the ballan­ces of the Equinoctial, when Pamphilus iournying night and day through Desarts and vnknowe wayes, found himselfe one morning when the Day began to smile on him at the side of craggy Mountaines, oppressed both [Page 129] with wearisomnes and hunger, and much more with the remembrance of Nisa▪ Where sitting at the foote of an Oake beholding the solitarines of the Fields, and the murmuring of the little Brookes which fell preci­pitatly from the Mountaine, hee heard a Flute played vpon, vnto the sound whereof turning his eyes, he sawe a man sitting betweene two Rockes, amidst a flocke of Sheepe, which seemed to leaue their feeding to hear­ken to his Musicke.

But Pamphilus hauing other discourses in his head, went vnto him, and wishing health vnto him, (which hee could not obtaine for himselfe) and curteously a­gaine saluted by the Shepheard, who hauing nothing that sauoured of rusticknes but his Apparell, made him knowe in a fewe reasons his vnderstanding; and the o­ther quickly discerned in the Pilgrim, that he had more neede of meate, then discourse. Wherefore getting fire out of two Lawrell stickes, which for that purpose hee carryed with him, they poorely fed of that which Fabio (for so was this Shepheard called) had willingly dressed, the ground seruing them for a Table, the grasse for napkins, and bubling Brookes for their drinke and musique, They passed away the best part of the day in telling their aduentures: and when it grewe night, they retired themselues into a little Village, whether Fabio led Pamphilus to keepe his masters Oxen, who was a Farmer of a Grange which Nisa her Father had in the Mountaines. Pamphilus was glad of this condition, ho­ping that by this meanes he might with time haue newes of his Mistres, by the way Pamphilus intreated Fabio to relate the cause of his retiring into this place, [Page 130] who although that this request brought vnto his mind a great deale of griefe and passion, yet after some sighes he shortly tolde him, that hee was borne in Biscay, and discended of most noble Parents, who were carefull to fit him in his youth, with quallities answerable vnto his Birth, wherein he profited so well, that he neither raysed discontentment in his Parents nor shame vnto his Tutors; but after growing more ripe in yeares, and incited with the couragious heate of youth. In those times, when the English with their warlike Ships rauaged alongst our Coasts, aswell of Spaine as the I­lands, and oftentimes with their desperate resolutions, made themselues masters of our Indian Golde, I put my selfe to Sea in one of the Kings Armadoes, aswell with an intent to gaine honour by my valour, as experi­ence in those seruices, thereby to bee the abler to serue my Countrey, wherein I was so fortunate, (because I will not say too much) that I got commaund my selfe, and by taking and executing two or three of those Pi­rats, was in a faire way both of grace with the King, and renowne in the world, when my eyes were the instru­ments, whereby the most excellent and admirable beau­ty of Albiana captiuated my heart, so powerfully, that all other courses set apart, I was inforced to giue my selfe wholly to her seruice, wherein after some small time, I had so happy a progression, that shee did con­fesse she was obliged by my perseuerance, and by the opinion which the world held of me, to esteeme of mee and of my seruice: thus happily in her fauour I spent some time, vntill it fortuned some English slaues which I had, endeauouring to make an escape, but by my Sol­diers [Page 131] and Marryners preuented, I inflicted a cruell pu­nishment vpon them, bound thereunto by that com­mon pollicy which exacteth from Masters, a seueere hand ouer their mutinous Slaues; especially I vsed it towards one, who more eminent then the rest, aswell in regard of his person, as that hee was a cheefe author of their attempt, which Albiana with most earnest prayers vnto me sought to diuert, were it out of a pittifull com­passion, ordinary in most women, or that she tooke any speciall liking vnto him: But I hauing more care at that time to execute my rage, then mindefull of her im­portunity, (which I did not thinke would haue turned to that consequence) for example sake, which as it is powerfull, so is it most necessary, especially amongst men of our profession, who serue our selues with multi­tudes of them, perseuered in hauing him soundly pu­nished. Whereat shee discontented, though with lit­tle shew thereof, vnder-hand wrought such meanes by her friends in Court, before I imagined any such thing, that the Slaue was by messenger from the Duke of Ler­ma, and by warrant vnder the Kings hand fetched from me, and the next day shee did let me knowe that any denyall to a Woman, effects her hatred; For shee sent me a Letter wherein she said, I was a cruell Monster, and that she was so farre from Louing and esteeming me, that she would euer hate my barbarous Nature, and she wondred, that any valour could bee lodged where cruelty had such a habitation; to conclude shee tolde me, that I should neuer come in her sight, nor be where she might heare of my name. How grieuous this was vnto me gentle Sir, may easily be gessed if you [Page 132] knewe the extremity of my Loue, which was so much that I presently without the knowledge of any of my friends tooke such order, as I could with my command, and retired my selfe into these Desert places, where I am resolued vnder this disguised habite to end my dayes; seeing that Albiana will haue it so, who whether her complaints were iust or no, or whether they but serue to colour her vnconstancy, shall bee alwayes lo­ued and truely obayed by me, vnto whome onely this comfort is left, That though Life hath left me, Death will take me.

Before Fabio had finished this short discourse, they had discouered the Village, where Alfesibus did keepe Nisa's fathers Cattell, in the best house of the Village, which for a Countrey house was a faire one, Alfesibus receiued Pamphilus, and informed by Fabio of his intent, he agreed with him for wages; and after an euill supper and a worse Lodging, hee passed the night miserably. And when morning appeared, Pamphilus went after his Oxen vnto the solitary Fields, where hee liued some time free from the confused noyses of the Citties, a good leasure to meditate vpon his aduentures.

In the meane time Nisa healed of her woundes, knew that she had receiued them from her owne Brother, out of Iealousie which hee had conceiued against her for Finia. And intreating his good Host that hee would haue pitty vpon her blood, by both their meanes his pardon and liberty was obtained, the one soliciting, and the other forbearing the prosecution. One of the woundes which Nisa had receiued was in her left side, and as in the Dressing it could not be auoyded, but that [Page 133] shee was knowne to bee a Woman, although she had coniured her Host to keepe it secret from his Family, yet it was impossible: Because that his Sonne Thesan­der vnhappily one day was at her dressing and transpor­ted so into his minde the woundes which shee had in her body, that within a fewe dayes, hee fell sicke by force of this continuall thought, not being able to re­ceiue into his imagination any thought, but the desire of this beauty. For all the heauen of Loue, moueth vp­on these two poles, Imagination, and Desire. And then his body is as full of imaginary and fantasticke figures, as the Astrologians Globe. Thesander did all that he could to diuert himselfe from this thought, and as euils are healed by their contraries, hee proposed vnto his eyes other obiects, and other cares vnto his imaginati­ons: But as Art is made out of many experiences, which were wanting vnto Thesander, hee rather found the euill then the remedy. For it is impossible that young men should knowe much, because that to bee wise requires experience, and that is gotten with time.

Nisa was much grieued at Thesanders passion, al­though hee had neuer spoken vnto her about it. But as hee which is Amorous so often speaketh as he looketh vpon that which he loueth, she easily read▪ in his lookes the depth of his thoughts; and willing to disabuse him so, that not being vnderstood by others, shee might let him vnderstand the vanity of his Loue, one night after shee was healed, being intreated by all the company, she sung these Verses following.

But they rather increased the fire which was too much kindled in Thesanders soule, who taking the Lute from Nisa, answered her with these Verses, which hee had conceiued in his minde the night before.

Very aptly might Nisa at that time haue reuenged, the motions which Pamphilus had to agree vnto▪ Fleri­da's will: It Loue had beene a Spirit, (as some haue be­leeued) which might haue toled them vnto her.

But it was not iust that so rare a Faith should be spot­ted with any infamy. Thesanders Loue in the meane time, springing from this first sparkle increased by Ni­sa's resistance, like a Fire which a little Water maketh more violent; or like Palme Trees growing most, when a waight is layde vpon them.

Nisa waxed strong and walked abroad, when despe­rate Thesander discouered himselfe vnto a Physician, who incouraged him either to manifest his euill, or else as the best remedy, against his Loue to worke from his imagination, this deepe melancholy, and to diuert it by some honest exercise, and that the courage of the practiser is the first matter vpon which the Heauens doe imprint the forme of their succors, for as much as their fauour is not obtained by womanish prayers and vowes but by the vigorius actions of men, agreeing vnto which the Greeke adage sayeth that the Gods doe sell their blessings vnto men, in exchange of their labors. Thesander was animated by these councells, but finding that diuisions were weake remedyes against the splen­dor of Nisas beautie, he fell into a relapse, and grew so weake that he was constrained to discouer the cause of [Page 136] his sicknes. The pittifull Father who was already in­formed of Nisa's quality, coniured her with teares, to be Mistres of his wealth, and marry his Son, of whose sick­nes there was no other remedy: Nisa admiring at the seuerall wayes, whereby Fortune sought to seperate her from Pamphilus, discouered then vnto the good olde man, the whole history of her life, and layde before him all the impossibilities which did excuse her from satisfi­ing so many curtesies; the chiefest whereof was, in his willingnes to admit her to the highest degree of Honor and affection that was possible for him to doe, shee be­ing a stranger, and in such an vndecent habit, for a wo­man fit to be his Sonnes wife. By this meanes she satis­fied the Father: But the poore Thesander was so despe­rate, that falling into greater extremity, hee was at the last point of his life; like vnto Trees whose boughes doe not loose their greenenes, vntill that their humour which doth quicken them doe absolutely fayle, because that hope is the radicall moysture which doth keepe vs aliue, and is vnto vs as Oyle vnto our fire. Nisa seeing that Thesander was for her sake vpon the point of losing his life, and shee herselfe, had not now liued, but out of his Fathers pitty, was exceedingly perplexed, that shee could not satisfie so iust an obligation: and not being able to rest in these confused thoughts, the representa­tions of Pamphilus labours did alwayes appeare in her minde, who she thought to be Prisoner still at Valence. Thesanders euill increased, Nisa deferred the remedy, & the Father accused this poore amorous man, in my opi­nion innocent, because, that in thinges naturall, we doe neither merit nor Demerit: In briefe, all the whole [Page 137] family intreated Nisa that she would haue pitty of The­sanders young yeares, and that at the least she would as­swage his passion with one amorous word.

Amongst all the variable Fortunes aswell by Land as Sea, which our Pilgrim had suffered, there was none so difficult vnto her as this. Neuertheles shee resolued to entertaine Thesander, vntill hee had recouered some strength, that thereby he might the better bee able to beare the subtilty which shee intended. And in this she did not deceiue herselfe, for our spirits, haue some re­semblance with the nature of young Horses, which are easilyer managed with gentle Bits then with hard; The sweet wordes, the fained hopes, and imbracings of Nisa within few dayes restored Thesanders weakened spirit, during which time, Celio was deliuered out of Prison, with an exceeding desire to see her, aswell because hee had heard newes of her health, as because he imagined, that if Finia were not in her company, yet at the least he might heare some newes of her. Neuertheles the sor­rowfull Nisa beleeuing that Celio desired to kill her, not knowing what Pamphilus had told him of her disguising in the habit of a Pilgrim; so soone as she heard of his in­largement, fled secretly from Barcelon. In the meane time Lisard the Eldest brother vnto Celio and Nisa, who as you heard, was a Soldier in Flanders, Disimbarquing in the same Towne of Barcelon, farre from thinking that persons so neare him were there: hauing met with Fi­nia vpon the way, on the first day of her trauell, althogh almost in the last of the tragecall▪ Comedy of her for­tunes, sorry to see so faire a Pilgrim goe a foote, vnder­standing which way she was bound, offered to accom­pany [Page 138] her into Casteele: Finia willing to be gone from Ce­lio, whom she thought neuer to bee able to appease, and not knowing that this was his Brother, accpteth his of­fer, and goeth with him to Toledo. Where being recei­ued of his Parents with all kinde of Ioy, his desire was that Finia might also be well entertained and kindly v­sed, telling them in what manner he had found her, his Parents receiued her with a great deale of honour and imbracings, yet not without some suspitions that shee was some spoyle of the Flanders war. Lisard then asked for his Brother Celio and for his Sister Nisa, they telling him the cause of their absence. Finia thereby knew that the house whereinto shee was come, was her husbands Fathers, and that he who had brought her thether, was his Brother, whereat not sufficiently wondring, shee then thought that Fortune began to looke vpon her misfortunes, with a more cleere countenance.

The day following, Lisard resoluing to goe seeke for his sister Nisa, and to kill Pamphilus, tolde his Parents that he had some pretentions at the Court, vpon which he built the necessity of a new voyage, shewing them some attestations in writing of that which he had done in Flanders, for which he hoped of good recompence. His Father perspicuosly knowing his minde through his reasons, wherewith hee endeauoured to colour his Iourney, and fearing to loose him with the other, pro­pounded a thousand obiections, telling that he should now rest after his voyage, and from the trauels of War, contenting himselfe with the honor which he had got­ten, because that in this age the reward did flye from the merit. Lisard thus perswaded by his Father, remai­ned [Page 139] in the house although it grieued him, that after he had bought so much renowne with the losse of his blood so farre from his owne Countrey, he should now lye still and rust with infamy; finally being discontent, that he was beheld as he thought with this marke, hee went into the Country, to shun the first incounter of the peoples sight, into the same Village, where amongst the other seruants of his Fathers farmer, Pamphilus liued, who was neuer before knowne of Lisard; and as one day hee beheld him more curiously then he did all the o­thers, for hardly could the basenes and indignity of his habite disguise his person and beauty; he called him vn­to him, and informing himselfe of the cause, why hee li­ued in this base office: The excuses which he made, did not seeme currant, (indeed being fained by Pamphilus, who already knewe that Lisard was Nisa's eldest Bro­ther.) Wherefore Lisard said vnto him, that he should doe better, if leauing this rusticke life, hee would abide in his seruice and take the charge of two Horses which he had, for which he would giue him wages, and conue­nient clothes; Pamphilus refused this offer, not that hee was not willing to returne into this happy house, in which he had first knowne Nisa: But fearing that being knowne in her absence, hee should run a dangerous for­tune of his life. Neuertheles, being weary of the austere life which he led amongst these Mountaines, for there is nothing more true (as the Philosophers say) then that those which are solitary are either Gods or Deuils; hee resolued in the end to accept of this condition, wishing rather that he might Dye by Nisa's Parents hands, then Liue any longer in these solitary Deserts.

[Page 140] Now you see how forward we are in bringing back our Pilgrim from his long trauels, seeing that from being a Courtier, he became a Soldier; frō a soldier, a Captiue; from a captiue, a Pilgrim; from a Pilgrim, a Prisoner; frō a Prisoner a Madman; frō a Madman, a Herdsman; frō a Herdsman, a miserable Lacky, in the same house where all his misfortunes began: To the end that you seeing this circle of fortune from one Pole vnto another, with­out one moment of rest, or any of good, in the begin­ning, middle, or end of his aduentures: you may learne to know, how trauailing abroad brings honour, & pro­fite, and many times the contrary. All consisteth in the disposition of Heauen, whose influence guide the passa­ges of our life, as it pleaseth them; because that althogh the empire of free-will bee aboue, yet fewe persons be found who doe resist their motions; It is therefore a weaknes vnworthy of a gentle heart, not to dare hazar­dously to enterprise any thing, seeing it is euident, that if those who haue effected great thinges, had not begun them, they had neuer atchiued them, As also hazardous enterprises belong onely to braue courages; although Heauen dispose of the successe. Aboue all things the e­lection importeth much, as Propertius saith, all thinges are not equall vnto all. Seneca telleth of an old man who being asked, how he could liue vnto those yeares in fol­lowing the Court; answered, that it was in doing good turnes & not excepting agaiust iniuries; But this pati­ence doth not seeme honourable vnto me, nor that it is any vertue to serue to Liue. And if Posterity doth ren­der vnto euery body his honor as Tacitus saith, what re­nowne can he leaue behind him, who dyeth as it were in [Page 141] the cradle, & from his swadling cloutes vnto his hearse, hath hardly shifted a shirt; like vnto the Plant, which hath the forme of a liuing Lambe, the stocke whereof growing out of the ground vnto the stomack, & not be­ing able to eate more grasse, then that which groweth round about it, dyeth for want of nourishment. Glori­ous was Darius, when being come vnto the Riuer Tea­rus, which taketh his beginning from two Fountaines, wherof the one is hot and the other cold, he caused the famous inscription whereof Herodalus speaketh to bee made; to this place, against the Scitheans came, the most famous of all other men, Darius the sonne of Hidaspes. Who hath euer obtained any thing without rūning for it? Who hath euer runne for it, if he haue not seene it? and what rest can he know, who hath neuer proued any storme or aduersity by Sea or Land? For there are no dayes so sweet & comfortable, as those which we spend in the armes of our friends, after long trauell and great dangers; nor any nights so sweet, as those which are spent about the fire with an attentiue Family, vnto the discourses of ones former dangers and aduentures; As Vlisses within Zacinth vnto his deare Penelope, & his Son Telemaquus. So after many diuers aduentures, Pamphilus commeth vnto the happy day of his rest, and though he were not at the siege of Troy, not at the Conquest of the newe World with Cortes, yet it was no small valour in him, to defend himselfe from so many different & peri­lous assaults of Fortune, and in the end to haue merited by so many labours, the rest which shortly hee shall en­ioy in his owne Countrey.

Whilest these things thus passed in the Mountains of [Page 142] Toledo, Thesander being recouered by Nisa's louing im­bracings, and she disposed to leaue him, as well because his life was assured as because that she desired to assure hers, and deliuer herselfe from the care wherewith she was searched after by her Brother Celio.

One night when sleepe mastered her Louers sences, and held a silence ouer the whole Family, she went out of the Citty, and taketh the way towards Lerida. But night had hardly all hid her blacke head, crowned both with sleepe and feare, when the deceiued Thesander wa­ked out of the most sorrowfull Dreame that could pos­sesse his fantasie, representing to his imagination, the absence of fugitiue Nisa, together with her deceitfull wordes, her sweet disdaines, and her faire [...]ace; a thing which sometime hapneth, principally vnto him which loueth or feareth. In asmuch as those thinges which threaten vs, doe represent vnto vs in sleeping, the same cares which wee haue in the day awake. Thesander ri­sing in this imagination, began to search Nisa guided by the light of his soule, and not finding her, it little wanted that hee did not dye with griefe for her depar­ture; neither his Father, nor the rest of his Parents had power enough to keepe him from rūning after. And so he came to Toledo long time before Nisa. For a Louer whofoloweth that which he loueth, doth go faster, then he who flyeth frō that which he doth not loue; because hee which doth not loue groweth sorrowfull in going, and hee which loueth, by going puts off his griefe.

In the meane time, Lisard much pleased with Pam­philus, his vnderstanding and person, had taken him to wayte in his Chamber, not suffering him to liue in the [Page 143] basenes of his first office which he had giuen him, and in this quality hee liued at Toledo with his Master, al­wayes taking great care, that his masters Parents might not see him, because that if they had viewed him with any consideration, they must needs haue knowne him. But Lisard who with frequent conuersation with Finia, (whome his Parents did vse as louingly as they could haue done Nisa) was fallen in Loue with her, discoue­red one time vnto Pamphilus, and making him the mini­ster of his passion, gaue him charge to speake vnto her, and to dispose her, (with all his power) to be fauoura­ble vnto his desires; Pamphilus obeying his Master, and taking occasion one Festiuall day, when euery body was abroad, hee went to finde Finia from Lisard: But when in comming vnto her hee knewe her to bee his Sister, and shee knewe him to be her Brother, they both remayned astonished, dumbe, and as immouable as stones. But shortly after this first confusion, Pamphilus began to speake in this manner: Sister tell me by what meanes thou camest hither, since Celio abandoning thee left thee in Barcelon, for I knowe already the whole pro­gresse of thy misfortune, as conformable vnto mine as wee are equall in Birth.

By his meanes whome the Destinies pleased, vnto whose disposing my will cannot resist: Lisard brother of my Husband Celio, hauing found mee vpon the way from Saragossa brought me hither, where I thinke, I may abide his returne with more honour. The same man said Pamphilus, sendeth me vnto thee to speake vn­to thee about his Loue, and hee hauing found me in a Grange which he hath in the Mountaines of Toledo, [Page 144] where I had sheltered my selfe, from the stroakes of Fortune, vnder the basest condition of the world, hath brought me now into this place where thou now seest me in the quality of a Groome; and because that here­tofore in the beginning of my Fortunes I haue beene in this house, I kept my selfe from being seene vntill this time, as thou mayest well know, hauing not beene seene vntill this day by thee. Suffer and abide the end of thy Fortune as I haue done, and doe not say thou knowest me, for I will entertaine Lisard with some Lye from thee, vntill such time, that wee may see whereunto the reuolution of this coniunction of our misfortunes will tend, and when will end the effects of this our honours ecclipse. Thus did Pamphilus and Finia meete, and in stead of reprehending one the other, they remayned there both good friends, for it is ordinary with those who are culpable, to dissemble the faults of others, least they be reprehended for their own. In this meane time, Thesander went from place to place in Toledo inquiring for Nisa, and when these newes came vnto Lisards eares, that there was a young man which enquired for his Sister; Hee verily thought that it was Pamphilus, who by some sinister accident hauing lost her, was come thi­ther to finde her. And telling vnto Pamphilus the story of Nisa's rauishing, which hee knewe much better, told him, that hee was now in Toledo in her quest; and that hauing no man, in whose hands hee could better com­mit the satisfaction of his reuenge, then his, nor of whose courage and fidelity hee could be better assured of; he intreats him, and coniures him to kill him. A no­table winding in a successe so strange and so imbroiled, [Page 145] which is so much the more admirable vnto me, who knowe it better then they who reads it, how true it is.

Pamphilus astonished, to see that hee was ingaged to kill Pamphilus, at the least a man, who either in searching for Nisa, or else one who for the onely disaster of his name deserued to dye, endeauoreth to finde him, rather to know what he would with Nisa, then with any mind to execute Lisards intent vpon the others innocency. His master did not accompany him in this action; for as Tacitus saith of Nero, although hee commaunded Murthers, yet he alwayes turned his sight away from them.

Pamphilus hauing found Thesander priuately, would informe himselfe of the cause why he inquired for Nisa: Thesander recounted the story from Nisa's being woun­ded by Celio, and healed by his Father, shee had left them one night without bidding them adue, paying with ingratitude all the good offices which were done her in that house. Neither did he forget to relate how shee (for the dressing of her wound) being constrained to open her brests, shee was discouered to bee a Wo­man; from whence proceeded his desire, and the cause why hee sought her in this place, which shee said was the place of her Birth. Ioyfull was Pamphilus to heare of the healing of Nisa's wounds, and in stead of killing Thesander hee led him into his Chamber, where hauing vsed him with all the curtesie that was possible, he tolde him that in this house where hee remayned, were Nisa's Parents and Brother.

Lisard hauing a great opinion of Pamphilus his cou­rage, whome he called Maurice, did verily beleeue that [Page 146] hee would infallibly kill Nisa's rauisher, which hee be­leeued to bee Thesander, wherefore he demaunded leaue of his Father to goe, fearing that if Maurice should hap­pely bee taken Prisoner, he might confesse the author of Pamphilus his death. The Father afflicted at his de­parture, fearing that in this his age, Death might take him in the absence of all his Children, would know the cause of his Iourney: And Lisard telling him that hee had sent to kill him, who had run away with his Sister, who was come vnto Toledo, and that hee did beleeue, that his seruant vnto whome he had giuen this commis­sion had already executed it, put the olde man into a greater care then hee was in before, much fearing the Damage which might come from so violent a reuenge: Pamphilus had perswaded Thesander, to call himselfe Pamphilus vnto all those, who should aske his name in Toledo, assuring him that hee should the sooner heare newes of Nisa: In this time Lisard and his Father com­ming into Pamphilus his Chamber, to knowe how he had succeeded in the execution of his command, found Pamphilus and Thesander together. They demaunded of Thesander what hee was, who answered; that he was Pamphilus. Lisard draweth out his Sword instantly to kill him, but he was with-held by his Father, who ha­uing already knowne Pamphilus tolde his sonne, that the other was Pamphilus. Lisard beleeued that his Fa­ther tolde him so to appease him, wherefore he fiereely stroue to breake away from his Father, that hee might kill Thesander, saying that the other was his man Maie­rice. The whole Family drawne thither by the noyse, and seeing this rage to preuent greater mischiefe, tanne [Page 147] vnto the Magistrates, who hearing the stirre raysing the Neighbours, layde Pamphilus and Thesander in two se­uerall Prisons, vntill it was verified which was Pamphi­lus, for although that Thesander apprehending the dan­ger, began now to say that it was not hee, was not be­leeued: for all beleeued that feare made him deny his name. In this meane time Iacinth being whole of his wounds, which Pamphilus had giuen him, sought him all ouer Barcelon, and not finding him, beleeued that he was returned into his owne Countrey, as well to fol­low him, as hearing that his Lucinda was at Madreele, resolued to goe thither, and passing by Saragossa hee found the Pilgrim Nisa, at the entrance of the famous Pillar which was built by the Angels in the time of the Apostle, who planted Religion in Spaine, and hauing (by many tokens which Pamphilus had tolde him, and marked her out vnto him) knowne her; hee also made himselfe knowne, for Iacinth. Nisa assuring herselfe of him, out of the Loue which shee knewe was betweene him and Pamphilus, betooke her vnto a habite proper vnto her sexe, and left this Pilgrims apparell at the walles of this Holy house; together with her Staffe, which in so many dangers and such long wayes had beene so faithfull a companion; And so trauailing to­gether towards Madreele, Nisa desired to seeke Pamphi­lus first in his owne house, whether being come with Ia­cinth, and finding his sorrowfull Mother afflicted, for the losse of her Children, shee comforted her much by the assurance which shee gaue vnto her, that they were both aliue, and the hope they put her in to finde them at Toledo: The good olde Lady incouraged by these [Page 148] wordes, and perswaded by Nisa, and the great desire she had to see her Children, tooke her youngest daugh­ter Eliza with her, (being her staffe and her comfort in her afflictions, who in her Brothers absence, had increa­sed no lesse in Beauty then Finia, nor in vnderstanding then Pamphilus) and went all together to Toledo.

The miserable Tiberia, Iacinths Sister, thinking that her treason being discouered, shee should bee hardly vsed by her Brother, as by the disgrace and danger whereunto she had vniustly exposed him shee merited; leaues Valence, and with such of the family as would fol­low her, shee addressed herselfe vnto that Citty, whe­ther Fortune already did seeme to call these Louers:

Celio in the meane time dispayring to finde Finia or satisfie Nisa, hee for his part being more then satisfied, of both their innocencies, returned to Toledo, and some dayes before his comming thether hee met Tiberia, in whose company as he iourneyed, he heard newes of the Combate betweene Iacinth and Pamphilus, for which cause he offered her his house to retire vnto, vntill such time, as that writing vnto her Brother, shee had made her peace with him, which might be done by the helpe of his Parents, whose helpe and assistance he promised.

In this manner in one Day, and in one time, entred into the noble Leonicios House; Aureliana, Pamphilus Mother, Nisa, and Eliza, Iacinth, Tiberia, and hee who was most dispaired of, Celio, of whome there was no newes expected, being accounted as Dead, or Captiue as some had reported. The sodaine ioy to see Nisa so beautifull, and Celio so well, stronger in this habite then in that which hee had brought home from his studies, [Page 149] before his peregrination, bound Leonicio to shed abun­dance of teares, and Aureliana could not forbeare when shee sawe her deare Finia so long time lost, and Celio with tender imbracings, demaunded pardon for his causelesse suspitions, and of Nisa for the wounds which hee had giuen her, being ignorant what she was. There was none discontented but Iacinth, who seeing his Si­ster Tiberia in this company, without knowing how shee came thither, would needes take a publique satis­faction before all the world. But the authority of so many signall persons not onely stayed him, but obtay­ned pardon from him for his Sisters offence. Thesander and Pamphilus were taken out of Prison, and then it was quickly known who was the true Pamphilus, whose hap­py finding there, did so reioyce the whole company, and the whole Towne, that all the Nobility and Gen­try ranne for to see him, and reioyce with their Parents for their happy arriuall; Amongst all which came vn­to this happy and Ioyfull welcomming home, faire Lucinda, who was marryed to Iacinth, to satisfie the ma­ny Obligations wherein shee was redueable. Lisard ha­uing opened his eyes vpon Tiberia's beauty, and by the impression, which the report of Celio's Loue and Finia's made in his minde, cleane wiped away his Affection of that kinde vnto Finia, hee intreated Iacinth to giue her vnto him in Marriage, which was easily graunted, and with euery ones consent. And to comfort Thesander for the Loue which hee bare vnto Nisa, he was Married vnto faire Eliza, Pamphilus Sister, then about fourteene yeare olde. Celio with Ioy vnto all, marryed Finia. And Nisa after so many diuers fortunes, with the Ioy of both [Page 150] their Parents, (which was so full that it melted them in­to teares, and almost all the company) was giuen into the beloued armes of her most Deare Pamphilus.

The Au­thors per­cration in manner of an Apost­rophe. Happy Pilgrims of Loue, your vowes being accom­plished, now rest happily and Ioyfully (after so many bitter Fortunes, wherewith your Loues haue bene sea­soned) in the sweet repose of your Natiue place, in which peace I will leaue you, that you may enioy your Delights which you haue merited: And seeing that I haue left your Staues in the Temple, I will leaue in the Temple of renowne, the Pen with which I writ your infortunate loues.