IN the shore of the Assyrian sea, is scitua­ted Sydon, chiefe Citie of Phaenicia, and the original of y^e famous race of the The­bans, this Citie hath two heauens, con­teining within them a great compasse, but the passage to them is very narow, draw­ing in the water of the sea by little and lit­tle, on the right side of the Port where the Créeke by force of the water is made hollow: there lyeth open another passage, by the which the water doth flow back again, whereby a hauen is ioyned to a hauen: so that in this shippes may harbour in winter, and in the other in sommer they may safely ly [...] at roade. Thither when out of the maine sea by force of a mightie tempest I was brought, for the safe arriuall (as the custome was) I sacrificed to the Goddesse of the Phaenicians, which the Sydonyans do [...]ll Astarte; but the most of the La­tines do call her Venus. Then walked I round about many [Page 2] partes of the citie, viewing the [...] situation, the famous edi­fices, and sumptuous buildings, admiring also the magnificen­ces of their temples, wherein when I had sufficiently gazed on their offerings to their gods hung at their tabernacles, I by chance espied a faire large picture, wherin was drawē the sea & land, & the whole history of Europe: the sea was called y^e Phae­nician sea, but y^e land was called y^e Sydonian: on the land was a groue full of yong damsels: in the sea was a bull swimming, carying on his back a most beautiful virgin, directing his course towards Creet: the groue was garnished with variety of ma­ny flowers, & planted with many faire trées▪ & pleasant shrubs, whose boughs & leaues did so naturally (as it were) imbrace & tie one another, as that they did serue for vse of a house. More­ouer, the painter had with such cunning workmanship drawn a thin shadow vnder the leaues, that in some places the beams of the sun pearcing throgh, did somwhat shine: this groue was cōpassed round with réeds, and set throughout with sweete and odoriferous plants, as myrrhe, roses, spike, daf [...]adill, wherevn­der were made pleasant seats to rest vpon: but in the bottom of this groue there was a most bright fountaine, which winding it self through the midst of it did water these flowers & plants: neither were they wanting who had the [...]uersight of it: for one was wéeding & picking the beds, another pruning the trées, an other standing ouer the riuer with a spade in his hand, did o­pen the course of the water: but on that part of the groue which bordered on the sea, the painter had so artificially drawne the maides, as that they did shew both mirth and sorrow by their countenances, hauing garlands on their heads, their haire a­bout their shoulders, their féet without shooes, their legs bare, their clothes tuckt vp to the knée, their faces pale, their chéekes wrinckled & wan, their eies beholding the sea, their lips, as it were for feare about to speake somewhat, a little gaping, their hands were stretched forth toward the bull, & they went so far into the sea, that the water came vp to the vpper part of theyr legs: their cariage and gesture of their bodie did appeare to be such, as that they seemed they would go to the bull, yet feared to cōmit themselues to the violence of the water. The sea had [Page 3] two colours, that part which was next to the land was some­what red, but the deeper and further off, of his natural colour: there out of the midst of the water did appeare certaine rocks, as it were cast vp out of the earth, which séemed to be all white with the fome of the swelling & raging waues beating on the side. In the midle of the sea was painted a bull, which was ca­ried by the waues, casting vp the water before him like vnto a mountain. The virgin sitting vpon his back, not after the ma­ner of horsmen, but both her l [...]gs being fitly laid downe on his right side, with her left hand held his horne, as wagoners accu­stome to hold their reines, whose direction the bull did follow: her breast to her priuy parts was attired with a vaile of lawne, the rest of her body was couered with a purple mantle, all the other parts were to be séene, saue there where her garments couered, for she had a déepe nauill, a plaine smooth belly, narrow flanke, round buttocks: her tender brests séemed to swel, throgh the midle of which went down a faire narrow way most plea­sant & delightfull to the beholders: with one hand did she holde his horne, with the other his taile, but yet so that the attire of her head couered with a scarf cast ouer her shoulders, was held on fast against the force of the wind, which did so beat on her bosom, that euery where it seemed to swell. She thus sitting on the bull, was caried like a shippe, her scarfe seruing in stead of a sayle. Round about the bull Dolphins floted about▪ and spor­ted at their loues in such sort, as that you would thinke, you saw their verie motions drawne. There was a litle boy, which led the bull, displaying his wings abroade, holding in his hand a Torch, and turning to Iupiter did smile, as though he mocked him, that he for his cause was thus transformed into a Bull. I thus beholding this picture, praysed euery part thereof: but looking more earnestly vpon Cupid, which ledde the Bull, I spake thus to my selfe: Beholde how heauen, sea and land, do obey the cōmandements of this litle boy when as a yong man which was then by chance present, and vnderstood my words, sayd: This thing truly I can testifie, to whom for loues sake, so many aduersities haue hapned. Thē said I, I pray good fellow tel me what maner, & what they be y^t thou hast suffered? for thy [Page 4] countenaunce doth shewe that thou hast had something to doo with the mysteries of this God. Then answered he: you do call me sir backe, to recount a most mingled and confused bedrole of vnfortunate mishaps: all which wil seem to you to be but mere fables, and idle figments. Then said I, no I swear by Ioue and god Cupid himself, that the recounting of these thy misfortunes will not be troublesome to me, but rather the more acceptable, because they may séeme to be somewhat fabulous: when as I had said so, I tooke the man by the hand, and led him into a wood hard by, where many broad béeches, and dark shadowing plain trées did grow, neare vnto the banks of christal streame: which gently running did yéeld a pleasant murmuring. There when I had chosen a fit seate I [...]ad him [...]it him downe, and I my self sat downe by him. Then (said I) now is it time that you begin to declare your hard mishaps, for here is a place altogither full of delight, and fit for such amourous discourses: then hée from the beginning began to speak thus. My Country is Phaenicia, borne in Tyrus; my name is Clitophon, my father called Hip­pias, my fathers brother in lawe is called Sostratus, for my fa­ther had two wiues: This Socratus, because of an inheritance which descended to him there by his mother, dwelt alwaies at Byzantiū: My father dwelt at Tyrus, my own mother I neuer saw, for she died whē I was a child; my father therfore married another wife, by whō he had a daughter called Caligone; which he decréed to make my wife: but the destinies which are more mighty thē mortal man, had appointed the contrary, and reser­ued another for that end. For oftentimes the gods do accustome to foretell things to come to mortall men by dreames, not that by foreknowing of daungers they should auoyde them (for no man can auoyde that which the Destenies haue decréed) but that when they fall out, they should beare them with more pa­tience: for suddaine and vnexpected misfortunes, do quell and rent the minde stroken with their vnlooked for comming: but those which are knowne before and foretold, whilst the minde by little and little is brought to the cogitation of them, doo farre lesse trouble them. Therfore when I came to ninetéene yeares [Page 5] of age, and my father not long after had appointed the mariage to be solemnized, then fortune began to act her Commedie: for when I had layd mee downe to rest, Morpheus beganne to fill my head full of his fantasies, and idle dreames: me thought that I was so ioyned together with a mayde, that from the na­uill to the heade we were but one body, and then after wee grew all into one; me thought there stoode a woman behinde me, whose visage was grim, stature tall, ghastly lookes, bloodie eyes, sharpe chéekes, her haires vipers and adders, holding in her left hand a firebrand, wherewith in a rage she stroke me a blowe, in that part where both our bodies did come into one, and by force did rent her from me againe: wherefore being stroken with feare, I awaked out of my dreame, neither did I disclose this to any: but still by my selfe alone I thought vp­on them often. In the meane season there came Letters from Byzantium, from my vncle Sostratus, to my Father, whose tenour was thus.

My father hauing read the Letter, rose vp presently, and went vnto the sea shore: and not long after he returned againe with a great traine of seruants and maydes, which Sostratus had sent with his wife and his daughter. Amongst them was a most beautifull woman, of stature tall, in rich and sumptuous apparell; vpon whom as soone as euer I had cast mine eyes, I remembred Europa, sayling vpon the backe of the Bull: her eyes did séeme to be quicke, rolling with a pleasant kinde of de­light, her haire yellow and curled, her eye browes were of a pure blacke, her eyes white, saue that the middle was tempe­red with a bright delightfull redde, lyke to that die wherewith the Lydian women doo colour their yuorie: her mouth begin­ning [Page 6] to open her corall lips, like sweet rose leaues, wherfore as soone as I saw her, I presently felt a gréeuous wound pear­cing to my hart. For beautie is sharper then any dart to woūd withall, & by the eies making passage for his amorous wound, pearceth to the heart. In the very selfe same moment of time, I did both praise her stature, was amazed at her beautie, tremble in mind, and more eagerly admire her beautie, and oftentimes did I striue to withdraw mine eyes from beholding her, but they still resisted: for being allured with the swéetnesse & excel­lencie of her beautie, turned themselues thither againe, and at length they inioyed the victory. But the women being brought in, one part of the house was appointed for the many father cō ­manded supper to be made ready: and when supper time was come, my father had appointed that on euery side of the table two should sit, he & I in the midle, the mothers on the left hand, and the daughters on the right: but when I marked how di­rectly opposite she was placed against me, a sudden ioy rose in my mind of a sudden, to thinke of her who now was the oppo­site marke whom my thoughts should ayme at. For what I did eate in that supper I cannot very well tell: for I was like to the saints to whom meat is offred, yet eate nothing: or else like to those who dreame of supper: but sitting vp directly, my back leaning agaynst the wall, I did altogether behold the Mayd, earnestly beholding and stealing, as it were her beautie. And this was all my supper. After the Table was taken away, one of the boyes of the house came to the Table, and began to play on a Citterne: and first striking the strings with his finger a­lone, gaue a small shrill sound: then taking a quill when he had timed it, he sung a song to his instrument, howe Apollo did blame Daphne for flying away, and how he himselfe pursued her: and euen now was about to take hold of her, that y^e maid might be transformed into a trée, with whose leaues he did plat himself a crowne. The which song did minister more heat vnto my fire: for amorous talke is a certaine vehement incitation of desire. And although that a man by nature were temperat, yet by an exāple he would be drawn to folow, & so much the sooner, by how much the example were more excellent: for that same [Page 7] bashfulnesse, which did call one back from offending, being ex­pelled by the dignitie of some worthier thing, is chaunged into licētiousnesse. Wherfore I spake to my self thus what was not Apollo taken in loue? and cast away al shame? and openly pur­sued a virgin, why dost thou therfore languish in slouthfulnes, and being ouercome with shamefastnesse, dost prefer continen­cie, before thy desire? what art thou better then a God? But when it began to wex somwhat late, y^e womē went first to bed, & not long after we also: others hauing bestowed the pleasure of their supper on their bellies, but I on my eies: for being full with the pleasant countenance & most swéete lookes, & euen in a maner drunke with loue it selfe, I went into my chāber, where I accustomed to lie, but no sléepe would harbor in my wearie eies. For surely it is so ordained by nature, that whē al diseases, yet especially those of the body are more troublesome by night, and when we are at rest they are most busie to torment vs, and do afflict vs wish greater griefe: for when our members are at ease, then hath y^e wound time to rage. And such is the cōdition of a wounded mind: for when the body doth cease frō motions, the mind being grieued doth afflict one beyond al measure: for the eies and eares in the day time are occupied about many matters, and do not féele the sharpe cogitations, but withdraw the mind so, that it can haue no time to grieue: but if euery part be detained with pleasing rest, the mind thē gathering himselfe togither is tossed vp & down with the daily stormes of hard mis­haps: all which till then did lie asléepe, but new are awaked and ready at hand: for in mourning there are sorows: in cares cogi­tations: in dangers feare: in loue a cōtinuall burning fire: thus euery sorrow hath his passions. At length morning appeared, and sléepe taking pitie of me, brought me a little ease: yet would not this wēch out of my mind, but al my dreams were of Leu­cippe, me thought I talked with her, I plaid with her, I supped with her, & did attaine more pleasures then in the day time: I kissed her, and did attaine more pleasures: not long after came in one of the seruants of the house, and awaked me, whose im­portunatenesse I cursed, because he had interrupted me of so swéete a dreame. And rising out of my bedde, I went [Page 2] of purpose, and walked in the Gallerie which lay before this Maydes doore, and I brought with me a booke, which looking down I did read so, y^t as oftē as I came ouer against her doore, I cast mine eies vpon her. And hauing walked thus a while drawing in more loue by beholding, I went my way, my mind miserably afflicted: and after this maner I spent three daies: I had a kinsman in the house, whose father & mother both were dead, his name was Clinias, he was two yeares elder then I, and was in loue with a yong boy, to whom he vsed such libera­litie, that hauing bought a goodly faire gelding, the boy cōmen­ding him, he presently bestowed it vpon him. Euermore did I mocke and ieast with him, that he had so much leysure from his businesse, to spend his time in loue, and still to be held fast in his delights: but he smiling vpon me, and shaking his head, sayd: I hope yet that at length the time will come, that you be caught in loues snares also; to him then I came, and hauing saluted him, I sate downe by him: now (said I) O Clinias, do I suffer punishment for the reproches which I bestowed on thée: for now I my self am taken in loue also: then he clapping both his hands togither, fell into a great laughter: and rising vp kissed my face, y^t which shewed what amorous watching I had endu­red, and said: true it is that thou art in loue, for thine eyes doe shew as much: he had scant said these words, when Charicles (for so was the boy called) came running in, & said: I am come to thée, O Clinias, wonderfully gréeued in mind, to declare vn­to thée: and here togither with Clinias he fetcht a great sigh: thē Clinias as it were depending of his soule, with a foultering tong, said. Thou dost kil me with thy silence, what it is that tor­menteth thée thus? or with whom dost thou striue? Then said Charicles, my father goeth about to marry mee to a wife, and she is hard fauored, and deformed too, that I might be tormen­ted with a double hell: for since a faire wife is a great trouble, how can it otherwise be, but that an ill fauored one m [...]st néeds be twise worse; but my father gaping after wealth, doth affect much that family: wo is me, poor wretch, which am sold for mo­ny, to be my wiues bondslaue; which when Clinias hear [...], he [Page 9] wexed pale, and inueying bitterly agaynst women kind, he ve­hemently disswaded him from mariage, saying: what, doth thy father go about to marry thée? What hast thou deserued, that thou shouldst be cast into bondes? doest not thou heare great Ioue himselfe speaking for thée thus?

Such is the pleasure which is gotten in such matters, that it may be very wel likened to y^e nature of the Mermaids, for they by the swéetnesse of their songs, do vtterly destroy those which listen to them: and thou maist behold the greatnesse of the mis­haps insuing, by the very preparation of the marriage: as by the swéete sounding of the Musicke, clapping togither of doores, and burning of Tapers. Now who seeing such great tumults and stirre, would not count him vnfortunate that goeth about to take a wife? to me he seemeth to go vnto a battell: and if that thou didst abhor y^e studie of humanitie, then thou mightest perhaps be ignorant in the misaduentures which haue happe­ned by women: but when thou hast profited so well in that art, that thou canst remember what arguments they haue mini­stred for the stage, why shouldst thou forget the Iewell of Ery­phile, the banket of Phylomela, the slaunder of Sthenoboea, the incest of Aerope, the crueltie of Progne in killing her own childe? What and if the beautie of Chriseis, did allure Aga­memnon, the fauour of Bryseis intice Achilles, yet they were cause that both their armies were consumed by the plague. Candaules king of Lydia, maried a faire wife, but he was slain by her: the nuptial torches of Helen burnt Troy: the chastitie of Penelope, caused a great number of gallant wooers to be slain: Phaedra caused Hippolitus, whom she loued, and Clytemne­stra, caused Agamemnon, whome she hated, presently to bée made away. O women readie to all wickednesse, which are a lyke pernicious vnto them whom they loue, as to those whome they hate. And what was the reason why [Page 10] Agamemnon should be slaine, whose beautie was diuine.

And yet (oh Iupiter!) such a mans head was cut off by a woman: and for faire women let this suffice, in whose com­pany a meane vnhappinesse is alwayes present. For beautie sometimes doth ease calamities: and it alone is one good thing amongest so manie badde. But if shée be (as you say) defor­med, you are punished indéede with a double hell: and who by any meanes can endure it, especially being of so tender age, and rare beautie? Do not (by the immortall Gods) O Charicles, cast thy selfe into seru [...]tude: nor do not croppe the flower of thy age before the time: for amongest manie o­ther mischiefes which bee in marriage, yet this is one, that the strength of thy age must bée spent there: do not, I pray thée (good Charicles) do not, I say, vndoo thy selfe: and let so deformed a Gardener croppe so fayre and swéete a Rose. Then sayde Charicles, the Gods and I haue alwayes had a care of this, and the marriage shall not bée yet this good while, and many things may bée done by night: and wée will consider of it at our leysure. Wherefore, nowe it re­maynes that I go and exercise my selfe with the horse which you gaue mée, for as yet I neuer did ride him. So hée went away about to ende his first and last race: but I went for­warde to declare vnto Clinias howe all my matters stoode, howe I fell into loue, and how I enioyed the sight of her: I tolde him also her lodging, her supper, her beautie. At length perceyuing my selfe to talke somewhat absurdly: O Clinias (said I) I can neuer be euen with griefe, for loue hath cast all his furie vpon me, and hath left mée no place to take my rest: Leucippe is alwayes in my minde, in my eyes, in my heart, and al my cogitations: neither euer was there any man to whō like mishap euer happened, for my griefe lyeth at home. Thou talkest like a mad man, sayd Clinias, since it is not possible to inioy a more happier loue then thou dost: for thou hast no néed [Page 11] to go to another mans house, no néed of passengers betwéene, fortune hath not separated her from thée, but euen placed her togither with thée in the same house: to another which is in loue, it is sufficient if he can but inioy his mistresse lookes, and he accounteth it the greatest pleasure that is, but to satisfie his eyes with beholding her: but they are thought most happy, who haue libertie to talke togither: but thou dost both sée her, heare her, and eat & drinke togither with her. And although that thou art thus happy, yet thou complainest, & dost beare an vngrate­full mind towards Cupid, who hath done thus much for thée: dost not thou know yet, that there is greater pleasure in behol­ding thy mistresse, then in touching her? For while the eies do looke one vpō another, like vnto a looking glasse, they do take in them the true proportion of the body: for y^e very images of beau­tie sent from the body, & by the help of the eies falling to y^e hart, do there, although the bodies be separated asunder, inioy a hap­pie méeting: and it is farre more delightfull then the carnall co­pulation of the bodies, which doth séeme to me to be but altogi­ther vaine: and to tell you briefly my opinion, what I thinke, continuall vse hath greatest force to perswade, and the eyes are the getters of loue: and to get fauor, daily custome doth most of all auaile, whose force truly is such, that it wil tame the very sa­uage wild beasts, much more women. Moreouer, the equalitie in yeares will auaile much to obtaine her fauour for euer. Be­tweene the like is the best coherence: and so it is ordained by nature, that euery like chooseth his like: so that where she doth perceiue shée is loued, she will requite it with a mutuall loue againe, for euery maid would haue her self accounted faire and beautifull, and doth reioice to be beloued, and doth cōmend her louer as a witnesse of her beautie. And if there be any which thinketh she is beloued of no [...], she then begins to misdéeme of her own countenance. Therfore this one thing especially I ex­hort you to do, that you endeuor by all meanes to bring it so to passe, that she may think she is beloued of you: & soone after wil she imitate you: but how may these de done which you tell me? I pray thée instruct me better what I may do: for you before [Page 12] this time haue sacrificed at Loues altars, and haue béen a scho­ler in his scholes, and know well howe to behaue your selfe in these matters: for I am altogither ignorant, & a more nouice in loues affaires, and one who neuer sawe his colours displayed before. Then answered Clinias, you néed not take such paines to learne this of others, for Cupid himselfe herein will be your maister: for euen as litle infants whō no man teacheth to suck, yet they by themselues do learne, & naturally do know norish­ment to be in their mothers dugs: so yong men being first with child of loue, haue néede of no maister to instruct them to bring forth: but if griefe torment you, & the length of time do cause any necessitie, although that this bee your first deliuery: yet you shall not erre in any thing: for this God himselfe will take vp­on him to play the Midwife, as time and occasion shall affoord, so must you apply your talke: but aboue all things take héed of vnchast and immodest dealings: but vse the matter so with si­lence, as that by your action they might conceiue your mea­ning. For yong men and maids are affected with like modesty: and although they be desirous of copulation, yet they wold not séeme to haue any talke concerning such matters, for why they thinke dishonestie in the words, but they who haue bin well ex­perienced in mens matters, holde it no disgrace to talke more amply of such a subiect: but virgins, knowing the first assayes of their louers to procéed for cause of triall, by some pleasant acti­ons, do séeme to shew their willingnesse to them: wherefore, if in words at first you wold haue her to try dame Venus sports, that spéech will offend her eares, for she will blush, and vtterly denie your requests: and take them as a great indignitie and disgrace offred to her: neither at first will she grant, because she may not séeme to yéeld of her owne accord: but in the end when she hath perceiued how [...]long with your petitions you haue knocked at the posterne of her heart, then will she séeme more mollified, and yéeld her selfe more tractable to your desires: but not so much, that you might thinke she is wholy woon already: but then you must begin to vse some merry familiar toyes be­twéene you, and when oportunitie liketh you best, requite her [Page 13] kindnesse with a kisse: for the kisse of a louer to a willing wench is a silent woing, but to an vnwilling, is in stéed of an humble petition. But yet although she were loth to refuse this your kindnesse, she wil séeme with a litle violence to resist that by an opinion of necessitie, this might séeme to excuse her maydenly modestie. And although she do resist, yet enforce her not, but in res [...]ng marke how she doth behaue her selfe; for in this mat­ter you had néed to be circumspect: and if you perceiue that she remaine stil in her accustomed guise, vse no violence, but thinke that as yet shée is not perswaded: and if that you would haue her more tractable to your hand, dissemble the matter cunning­ly: nor rashly do not you go about to marre your whole match. Then said I, thou hast helped mee wonderfully O Clinias, in my procéedings: and I do not doubt but that the matter wil go forward as you would wish: but I am greatly affraid, lest this new happinesse be a beginning of further mishaps, and cast me into a more burning fire: wherefore if this my griefe should daily encrease, what should I do? or whither should I turn me? I cannot haue her to my wife, because my father hath appoin­ted alreadie another to supply that place: neither is she a forrei­ner or deformed; neither as it is with Charicles, doth my father sell me to her: but he doth giue me his own daughter, the most bewtiful creature aliue, except Leucippe: but I now am blind, and cannot iudge of her excellent fauour, which truly doth de­serue to be commended, for I do sée nothing but Leucippe: and surely at this time, I am betwéene two contraries, for the vehemency of loue, and the commandements of my father, doo draw my minde almost a sunder: who shall decide this contro­uersie? necessitie doth striue with nature, my minde deare fa­ther is willing to obey; the might of the aduersary withstādeth me, he doth shewe my torments to the Iudge; he is here ready with his arrowes; holding firebrands in his hands argueth my case; I will yéelde vnto you father, but alas I am compassed round with a scorching fire. Thus did we dispute togither of the god of Loue and his behests: when on a suddaine, one of Cha­ricles playfellowes came hastily running in, presaging some ill [Page 14] newes by his countenance; so that Clinias in a maze cried out, Sure some harme is happened to Charicles: he had scant sayd so, but the messenger told that Charicles, was dead: with which message Clinias was so astonied, that like vnto one strooken with lightening, his voyce and sences fayled him, and pre­sently fell into a swoune; but the boy telling forward his tale, said; hée got vpon your horse Clinias, and at first, spurred him gently: but when he had ridden two or thrée courses about, he stayed, and rayned him vppe, wiping his face all dropping downe with sweate: and as hee was standing thus, behold a suddaine noise arose behinde him; wherewith the horse bée­ing afraide, gaue a mightie Iumpe; began to runne head­long about, biting of his bit, writhing of his necke, sha­king of his maine; incensed with feare; was caried violent­le euery where: his foreféete prauncing forwarde, his hin­derféet striuing to ouertake the former, hastened his course, and droue him the faster forward; the poore boy, in this contention, was tossed vp and downe, like vnto a floting ship in the main [...] sea, tossed on the waues with a mightie tempest: thus was he vnhappy boye shaked vppe from the heade to the tayle; from this side to that; now euery minute readie to fall: at length when he could hold the raynes no longer, hée then gaue him­selfe to the custody of fortune: but the horse béeing violentye ca­ried, went ranging abroad, leauing the beaten way, and ran in­to a wood; where he dashed the poore child against a trée, & as a bullet is cast out of the mouth of a roaring cannon, with such force fel he out of the saddell; his face was deformed with so ma­ny woundes, as there were sharpe knags on the stocke, which fearing not to kil, pearsed to the bones: his body was tangled in the bridell, and was laid in the very high way to death, but the horse was so astonied at y^e fall, that he could run no further, and being thus hindred from his flight, he began to strike him with his héeles, and did so teare his face with his iron shooes y^t non [...] could know his fauour: when Clinias had heard this, being in a sound amaze, held his peace a great while, at length hauing obtained a litle leaue of sorrow to speake, he fell into great how­ling and lamentations, and with all spéede he did runne to the [Page 15] dead body, whom I also followed comforting him as well as I could, but in the meane season, Caricles was brought in, a most gréeuous and lamentable spectacle to beholde, for hee was all ouer so torne, cut, and mangled, that none which were present there & did behold him, could abstaine from wéeping: but his fa­ther tooke his death most heauily, wéeping bitterly: what a one, O my child, didst thou go from me, and what a one art thou returned againe! O most vnfortunat art of riding: thou art not taken from me by the accustomed kind of death: neither haste thou the very image which a dead man shoulde haue: in dead bodies though that the liuelynesse of the visage and other parts of the body depart, yet the fauour remaineth, which yet might something lighten my gréefe, for although death take away the life from a man, yet he doth leaue the fauour of his countenāce behind him, but yet these are al taken from thée: wherefore thou doost die a double death, both of body and soule also: so now thy ghost will wander abroad, and thy soule is flowne away, which I shall neuer find more. When O my sonne, wilt thou mary a wife? where now, O thou vnfortunate horseman, to thée will I sacrifice thy nuptiall rights, & in stead of a bed thou shalt haue a graue: for mariage, death: for the songs to Hymineus, himnes to Dis: for bridall musicke, funerall lamentations. I did hope déere sonne, to haue burnt these tapers after another manner then these doo now, but enuying fortune, hath extinguished thē togither with thy selfe, & for nuptial, hath caused funerall lights to burne. O cruell lights, which from a wedding to a burying forme are chāged. And after this maner did his father lament: but Clinias contrariwise (for the father and louer & both mourn togither) solitary to himselfe, said: I was the cause & author of al this which hath hapned: Ah why did I bestow such a gift vpon him. Had not I a guilt cup, wherewith I vsed to sacrifice, and could not I haue giuen him that? but I must bestowe a fowle beaste on so fayre a boy, and must go adorne him too in siluer trapping, golden bridell, and richly set forth all his other or­naments. O what a foole was I (Caricles) to adorne him in Golde, that thus was the cruell authour of thy death? O most cruell beast, more sauadge then the wild beastes; most farre, [Page 16] vnkinde, and not knowing true beautie indéede; hée wiped the sweat from thy backe, promised thée prouinder inough, com­mended thy pace, and thou hast slaine him which thus gentle­ly hath dealt with thée: for thou didst not only scorne the bur­thē of so fine a horseman as he was, but also casteds him down, and being downe, didst strike him with thy féete. O vnhappie man that I am, to buy him which should be the authour of thy death. When all solemnities for the funerall were ended, I went to Leucippe, which then was walking in the Gardaine, within the Gardain there was a little arbour compassed round with a little wall, at euery corner was a piller which did beare vp the worke in the toppe, al this arbour within was set with pleasant floures, swéete plants, and wouen rounde with gréene boughes; and bound togither with such art, as that naturally they did séeme to imbrace one another; for the greatest of y^e trées which did grow there, were Iuie, Priuet, and this clipt about a thicke plane trée; the other about the swéete berry trée; so that the tree was the supporter of the Iuie, and the Iuie a Garlande for the trée: about both these trées a great vine did wind about; which being loaden with ripe grapes, did yéeld pleasant fruit for the gatherers: all the ground vnderneath was set with pleasant floures, and when the leaues of the trées shaken by the winde did remoue a litle, and gaue passage for the beames of the Sun, so that all the floures did séeme then to striue, to shewe the bew­tie of themselues: the Rose and the Daffodil did seeme to colour the place purple; which being blowne with a gentle Westerne winde, did breath sweete odours, refreshing the sences with a pleasing smell, sending downe a swéet refreshing to the inward parts within: the Daffodil was almost like the Rose, which sée­med as yet to retaine the verie hew it selfe of faire Narcissus, when Eccho with other of her sister Nymphes, sought to allure the swéete boy: there were also Uiolets, whose colour was like to the colour of a calme sea, on the toppe of which stood, a drop of pure water, as it were a faire spring rising from the roote, and cast the reflexe like vnto a glasse, there séemed to be two Gar­daines, one in déed, the other but a shadow: In this arbor were [Page 17] diuers sorts of birds, whereof some were tame, and fedde with the hand, others were at libertie and wilde, skipping vpon the toppes of the boughes; as the Grashopper and the Swallow, noted chiefly for their chattering: some glittering with y^e bright­nesse of their feathers, as the Peacocke, Parret, and Swanne: the Grashopper did recount y^t lodgings of Aurora, the Swal­low did sing of the banquet of Tereus: the Swanne did féed at the head of a spring: the Parret did hang in a Cage among the boughes: but the Peacocke amid the floures displaying of his traine, did striue to excel the brightnesse of the floures, and the bright shining of the other birds: wherefore that I might make the mayd know that my spéeches did tend to loue, I beganne to talke with Satyrus, the argument of my talke being taken from the Peacocke, and shee by chaunce walking with Clio, stood iust before him as he displayed his traine. Truly sayd I, the Peacocke doth not do this, without great art, for being now readie to loue, and desirous to allure his female, adorneth him­selfe after the manner as you sée: doo not you sée (and poynted with my hand) how the Peahen standes behinde the trée? to her doth hee shewe himselfe thus in his brauery: shewing the bewtie of his plumes, wherein the eyes being set in order in gold, bordered with purple, do cast a radiant shining to the eye: then Satyrus knowing my meaning, and to what end this talk belonged, replied: And doth the force of loue extend so farre, as that birds be enflamed with a certaine heate of his fire? Then answered I: yea not onely birds, but also Serpents, foure-foo­ted beasts, plants and stones are naturally inclined to loue: for the loadstone doth loue yron, that if so be that it touch it, or be but neare it, it draweth it to it, as it were fed with an amorous heate: what I pray you, is not that a kinde of mutuall kissing, betwéene the louing stone and the loued yron. Moreouer con­cerning plants, it is the opinion of all Philosophers (which tru­ly I thought had bene but a mere fable, vntil I saw the proofe thereof) that plants naturally did loue one another: of which number is the Date Trée, for it is reported, that there is both male and female, and that the male doth feruently loue his fe­male, [Page 18] as that if she be abandoned farther from him he presently dieth and withereth away: wherefore the husbandmen know­ing his naturall inclination, standing vpon a high place, do ac­custome to looke which way hée doth incline (for hée alwayes doth b [...]d towards his female) they do plant the female on that side. Moreouer if a braunch of the she be cut off, and a hooke be­ing made bee thrust into his bodie, it doth reuiue him againe: and this is the marriage of the plants. Moreouer, there is ano­ther naturall affection betwéene the Riuer Alpheus, and Are­thusa, for this Riuer doth make a passage no otherwise through the Sea, then through the land, neither is his swéet water min­gled with the saltnesse of the sea, but easily sliding through the grosenesse of the salt water, maketh a channell for his gentle streame; and still continueth his course, vntill he come to his beloued Arethus [...]: And euery fiue yeares when the games are celebrated at O [...]impus, the victors do accustome to cast theyr Garlands which they haue wonne into this Riuer, which hée doth bring to his Loue: And such were the gifts which the Ri­uers could bestow. In Serpents also, although there be not the same kind of loue, yet to seuerall sorts, there are seuerall incli­nations: for the Uiper is a serpent which liues on the land, and naturally doth desire copulation with the lamperd, which by forme is a serpent, but by vse a fish: they when they would ac­company togither, the Uiper climbes vnto the toppe of a rock, and there hisseth a while, whom when the Lampred heareth, she swimmeth to the shore, neither doth she go forth to this her Louer vpon the sodaine, knowing his venomous téeth to be full of poyson; but climing vp to the toppe of a cliffe, doth expect him there, vntill he hath cast all the poyson from him: In the meane while, these two do behold one another, but assoone as she seeth the poyson cast on the ground, and all her feare is past, she ha­steneth to her Louer, to enioy their amorous imbracings, not fearing now to kisse her spouse. When as I had made an ende of my spéech, I earnestly viewed how Leucippe hearing this amorous discourse was affected, which truly did so shewe her selfe, as that I ghessed she heard them with a willing minde: [Page 19] but still Leucippes countenance séemed to me stil to surpasse the glittering shewe of the Peacocks traine, for her bewtie might contend very well with the flowers of the Gardaine: the forme of the Dassadill did shine in her forhead, the colour of the Rose did glister in her chéekes, the brightnesse of the Uiclet did ap­peare in her eyes, her haire did imitate the curling of the Uine, and such was the admirable bewtie of her face: Not long after she departed thence, for the time was come that she accustomed to play on her Lute, neither did she depart away from me, for stil her image remained in my eyes. But Satyrus and I com­mended one another, I, because I told these discourses, and he, because he gaue the first occasion. As we were thus commen­ding one another, we were called in to supper, and we sat dow [...] after the same maner as we did before.

WHen supper was done, Satyrus and I dis­coursed togither of many things concer­ning our loue, but in the end we conclu­ded to go to the maydes chamber, where we found her alone playing on her Lute; and singing also most pleasant Ditties to her instrument: from beholding whome I could not abstaine: shée first did sing of the combat betwéene the Lyon and the wilde Bore, described in Homere: then chusing of a more milder subiect, shée sung the prayses of the Rose: the tenour of whose song, although not in verse expressed, was in this forme. If Iupiter woulde ap­point a soueraigne ouer all floures, he could chuse none fitter to supply the place then the Rose: this alone is the ornament of the earth, the prime of all plants, the grace of all hearbes, the [Page 21] adorning of a Gardain, and the most fairest of all floures: this doth breathe forth loue, winne desire, and reioycing: with his pleasant leaues, gently blowne with the pleasant Zephyrus, do yéeld a fragrant odour, and such a one was her song: but it sée­med to me to sée a true Rose indéed in her lips, retaining within them indéed the true similitude of the Rose. Scant had shée en­ded her song, when wee were all called in to a banquet: for on that day was the feast of Dionysius Protrygaeus celebrated, whome the Tyrians do worship for their God: for on this day they do sing the historie of Cadmu [...]; sounding forth melodious hymnes to him, because they say he was first originall of theyr stocke: for in times past none did know the vse of wine, for the black wine, the wine of Anthosmia, the wine of Byblis, of Mo­ronae, of Chyos, of Icaria, was not yet founde out; but all first were inuented by the Tyrians, and that the first founder was born there. For it is reported that a certaine shepheard, whom the Athenians do call Icarius, trauelling abroad the country of Phaenicia, by chance happened to Tyrus, where lodging with this Dionysius, he did instruct him in the chiefest groundes of husbandry: but yet the drinke which he vsed, was no other then that which was common to the cattell, which was faire water, for the wine as yet was vnknowne. Dionysius commended the shepheard, thanking him for his instructions, and did drinke vnto him in a cuppe of wine; when he had drunke it vp, he re­ioyced for ioy, and turning to the God, saide: I pray you mine hoste from whence haue you this swéete redde water? or else in what place haue you found such delicious blood? I am sure that this is none of that which runneth through the grounde: for that goeth downe into ones belly with no delight, but this is sooner in my nose, then in my mouth; and in the mouth it is colde, but in the belly it dooth moue a pleasant heate. To whom Dionysius answered: This water commeth out of the Uine braunch, and this blood commeth forth of the cluster of Grapes: and foorthwith hée ledde the shepheard to his Uineyarde, and shewed him his Uines, and plucking off two or thrée bun­ches of Grapes and crushing them togither, this saith he is the [Page 22] water, here bée the fountaines from whence it doeth flowe: And by this meanes as the Tyrians report was Wine first found out for the vse of men: wherefore this day is appoyn­ted holye to bée solemnized to this God: wherefore my fa­ther, that hée might séeme to solemnize this feast with more magnificence, caused this sumptuous banquet to be made, wherein he vsed two great bowles, the one was belonging to Glaucus of Chios, the other proper to this God, which was made of engraued Glasse: vpon whose brinkes clusters of Grapes did séeme to growe, which when the Glasse was emptie did séeme gréene, but béeing full of lyquour, were redde, and séemed to bée rype. Among which, the picture of Dionysius was drawne, through which shining Glasse, I did more earnestly behold Leucippe, for Loue and Bacchus are two violent gods, which boysterously assailing the heart, doth so heat it with an vnaccustomed fire, that they do cōstrain one to forget all modestie, whilest the one doeth yéeld his accu­stomed fire, y^e other doth minister matter for this fire, for wine is the food of loue: wherfore I did behold her more attentiuely, and she in like maner did behold me. And after this maner we spent ten dayes, wherein we neither did assay any thing, but onely did behold one another. At length I declared all my loue to Satyrus, and beséeched him that he would helpe me in this necessitie. I did know all this, quoth he, before you tolde me, but I would not séeme to know it, or tooke the lesse notice of it: For a secret louer, if any do detect his loue will hate the reuea­ler vnto death, and neuer cease his hatred, vntill he haue found a iust reuenge. But Fortune I sée euen of her owne accorde hath taken care of vs: for Clio, which was appoynted the Chambermayde, hath receyued mee into her fauour, and v­seth mée in stead of a louer, I therefore will shortly so com­pounde the matter betwéene you, as that to the furthering of this matter, shée also shall lende her helping hande. But yet it is not enough to make tryall of a maydes good will, by her countenaunce: but you must speake somewhat effectu­ally to her, and there also to vse another deuise, to take her [Page 23] by the hande, and claspe her fingers, and in clasping sigh: if then that you see shée take this willingly, you may truly call her Mistresse, and kisse her the more often. Truly (quoth I) you haue instructed me verie well, and spoken verie well to the matter: but I feare greatly, least that my weakenesse bée such, that I am not able to bée a fitte Souldier to march vn­der loues Banner. Then sayde Satyrus, Cupid can not a­way with slouthfulnesse: wherefore, you must rowse your selfe vppe, and fettle you forwarde to his affayres. Do not you sée howe like a Souldiour he vauntes, with his bowe, arrowes, dartes, and all thinges couragious and full of valour: and can you faynt, hauing such a Captaine? take héede you doo not falsely vsurpe the name of a louer, I will giue the first onset: for I will send away Clio, from her ano­ther way, when time and occasion shal serue, and when euerie bodie is gone away. And when hee had sayde so, he departed from mée, but I was left alone, wherefore I felt my selfe no little mooued with Satyrus his woordes, and imagining with my selfe how I might so behaue my selfe, that when I came into her presence I might not faile in any thing, say­ing thus to my selfe: how long wilt thou effeminate foole bee mute? Why doest thou faint hauing such a martiall God to thy guide? Dost thou thinke that they will come to thée? but presently I began to sing a retraite, saying: but why doest not thou repent thée vnhappie man? and loue that other Uirgin which is more méete? Thou hast another at home, no defor­med péece, why doest not thou sue to her, and wooe her with some amourous discourses, loue her, and take her to thy wife? since thy father hath perswaded thée to it, and will haue it so? but from the bottom of my heart loue replied againe. Doost thou presume so much of thy selfe, that thou darest take armes against me? and séeme to resist my forces? I haue wings to flie, Dartes to wounde, and Torches to burne, howe doost thou thinke now that thou canst escape me, and flie the poynts of my Darts? howsoeuer thou doost thou shalt neuer auoyd these flames: but if thou doe holde before thée agaynst my fyre [Page 24] the shéeld of temperance, yet I will ouertake thée by my flight. When I had spoken thus solitarily to my selfe, I espied vpon a sodaine Lucippe, comming to méete me: and as soone as I saw her I wexed pale, but afterwards I blushed: she then was alone, for Clio was gone away from her. And although my mind was so striken with feare, that I had nothing to say; yet at length I saide, God saue you sweete mistresse: then shē plea­santly smiling, séeming by her smile to know, to what ende this salutation belonged, said: what, am I your mistresse? you speake amisse I am sure: no, said I, for some god, I know not which it is, hath sold me to you, as Hercules was to Omphale: wha [...] was it Mercurie? for Iupiter demaunded once a sum of him: and therwithall she smiled. What Mercurie, quoth I, what toy is that? when you do know very well what I did mean. In the mean season while we were thus retorting our spéeches one to another, it so fell forth y^e fortune befriended me. For by chance the day before about noontide Leucippe was playing on her lute, I then being present, and Clio sitting by, as I was wal­king vp and downe a waspe flying about did sting Clio in the hand, who with the griefe therof cried out. Leucippe arose, lay­ing her instrument aside, & looked vpon the wound, saying: be of good cheare, and feare nothing, for with two or thrée wordes I can cure this wound: for I learned not long ago of an Aegiptian woman to heale the stingings of Bées, and Wasps, & presently she charmed it, & Clio confessed afterwards it was whole. And then as we were thus talking, by good fortune it hapned, that a waspe did flie humming round about my face, and occasion be­ing taken, I stroke her to my face, who instantly did sting me on the lip, so that I feined my self to be in great paine: wherfore the maid running to me presently, tooke me by the hand, & asked me where I was hurt, I answered in my lip: & why dost not y^• O deare Lucippe charme it? then she about to charm it, put her mouth to my lip, & touching the very outward part of my lip, mumbled some certaine thing, I know not what: in the meane while I did closely steale a kisse: but she whilest she was in her charm, did so vse her self therin, y^e now she would opē, now she [Page 25] would shut her lippes: and it was so handled that her charmes were turned into kisses: where I toke her in my armes, and embracing her kissed her swéetely: but she going backe, what doo you doo now? doo you charme also; but I doo now said I, kisse the charme, for therewith you haue driuen away all my paine: which when she had vnderstood, she smiled: but now I tooke heart at grace againe, and suddainly I cried out: Alas, swéet Leucippe, I am stung againe more cruelly, for the sting hath pearsed me to the very heart, and now I craue more helpe at your hands for you cary a bée in your lippes, which are full of hony, and your kisses haue made a new wound, where I beséech you to charme me againe, but doo not end your charme so soone l [...]ast the wound waxe fresh againe. And while I thus talked, I embraced her, and kissed more often: she séemed to stirre a little for fashion, yet she stood still. In the meane season, we espied a mayde comming a farre off: wherefore we parted one from another. I departed thence so [...]rowfull and against my will, but how she tooke the suddaine p [...]ting I knowe not: But from that time afterwardes my hope began to increase, and I sensibly felt her kisse sticking on my lippes, as if it were some corporall or substanciall thing: the swéetenesse whereof I did diligently kéepe as a great treasure, for that is the first plea­sant thing which happeneth to a louer, and it hath his originall from the fayrest and best part of the body. For the mouth is the instrument of the voice, and the voice is the shadow of the mind, the touching therefore of the lippes, whilst it doth ingen­der a kinde of pleasure in the nether partes, doth also draw the minds as it were mutually to kisse one another: neither doo I remember y^t euer such a like motion happened to my sences, neither any thing which may contend in pleasure with this a­morous kisse. Whē supper time was come, we sate downe a­gaine: and Satyrus did fill the wine, playing there some loues delights, for he would change y^e cup which Leucippe did drink on with mine. But I still did marke on which side of the cuppe she did drinke, did put it likewise to my mouth, and fayning a kisse sent vnto me, I kissed the cup againe: which when shée [Page 26] had marked, shee imagined I kissed the very place where her lips did touch: and when as the skinker had filled her wine, I marked her imitating me, and drinking in like maner, wherein I my selfe tooke great delight: thus three or foure times we spēt the time at supper in drinking of kisses, one to another: when supper was ended and the table taken away, Satyrus came to me, saying: Now is it time that you shew your selfe a man or neuer. You know Leucippes mother was not well at ease this night: wherefore she is gone to bed alone: Leucippe with Clio is gone to the house of office alone, and at her returne you maye haue sufficient conference with her: and that you maye haue no interruption of this your communication, I will lead Clio aside: wherefore we went forth and watched them and it fell out euen so as he had told me before: where as he promised he withdrew Clio from her, and so she remained alone. Then taking oportunitie, being now somewhat boldned, I went vn­to her as a conqueri [...]g soldior, not fearing the daungers of the warre, for there were many things which encouraged mee, first wine, loue, hope and the solitarinesse of the night, whose sable vayle couereth oft times the bonds of immodestie: wher­fore I went to her, and embracing her in my armes, I ceased not to kisse her? And when I did assay to haue doone a more worthy thing, I hearde a more suddaine noise behinde vs. Wherefore affraide we parted asunder there into her Cham­ber, but I got me into a secret place, where being sad and pensiue with my selfe, that I had lost so fit an oportunitie, I cursed the noise with the authour thereof: at length Satyrus came running to me, which sayd he sawe all that passed be­twéene vs, and how hee watched vnder a Tree, that non [...] might take vs of a suddaine, and how he perceiuing a farre off some body comming, he made that noise. Not long after, my fa­ther had appointed my mariage to be solemnised sooner then first he had appointed, but yet he was often troubled in his dreames, for he dreamed that when the nuptiall tapers were set on fire they presently were extinguished, and wée when [Page 27] the time was come we should be offred to Hymenaeus, were fled away: Wherefore he had made ready all prouision for the day: all apparrell ready for the bride: for her hadde hee bought a rich and costly Iewell, besette with diuers pretious stones, the stones whereof did séeme to contend in beautye one with an other. The Hyacinth séemed to be like the rose: the Amethist doth glister like vnto the colour of gold: in the middle of the iewell were set thrée precious stones, which were placed with such art, that all of them séemed to participate one anothers colour, and did shew as if they were al one substance, the bottome whereof was blacke, the toppe rising vp in ma­ner of a spire was redde, the middle white, participating also both the blacke and redde. The stone which was thus sette in gold was made after the fashion of an eye: Her gowne was of purple damaske? and not of the common colour, but of that which the Tyrians report the shepheardes dogge found out, wherewith the vayle is coloured, which is hong in the Temple of Venus: for this colour of purple was vnknowne long time, because it was included in a little shell: [...] certaine fisherman vpon a time, had taken a number of shell fishe, and thinking they had béene fishes at first, but looking vpon the roughnesse of the shell, hee cast them awaye as not worthie to bee eaten. Which when as a dog by chaunce had gnawen with his téeth and the purple liquor rūning from his mouth, had colouerd his chops, made all his snoute of a purple colour: When the shep­heard sawe his dogge all bloudie, thinking hée hadde béene hurt, tooke him to the Sea side, and there washed him: But then the colour waxed more fresh, and his hāds also were dyed with a purple coloure. Then looking aboute to finde the cause, hée espied the shell all gnawne with the dogge: Where­fore that he might try the secrets of this colour, and all the hid­den vertue of the shell fish, hée tooke a locke of wooll cut of his sachell, and dipped it into the shell, and the wooll was dyed with the very selfe-same colour, as he saw the dogs chops before, & so he learned y^e die of purple: which cōming home he shewed vnto [Page 28] the fullers and dyers in their countrey, which colours this day hath continued famous in Tyrus? Wherefore as the maner is before the mariage begin, my father appointed a solemne ser­uice to be said? Which when I vnderstood, I now thought my selfe quite vndoone: & I did deuise with my selfe by all meanes, how this might be deferred vntill another time. While I was in this browne studio, I heard a suddaine vprore of men in the chamber where they doo accustome to kill the sacrifice, and it was after this maner? When my father had killed a lambe for the sacrifice, and taken the entrayles, and laide them on the al­tar, a mightie Eagle came roaring from about, and snatched them away, neither could they that stoode by it helpe it by any way, wherefore she did fly away with her pray? And this was thought to be a signe of ill lucke: and from that day the maria­ges were deferred: wherefore my father caused all the deui­nours, and sooth-sayers, to be sent for: and he declared to them all the matter: wherefore they sayd they should go to the sea, and at midnight sacrifice to Iupiter Hospitalis, for thither they sayd, the Eagle did flie, and the entral did there fall from her in­to the sea. But I greatly reioyced at this mishappe, which had thus deliuered me from a perpetuall seruitude: I commended the Eagle saying, that she worthilie deserued to bee called the Quéene of all birdes. But that which was foretold by this ill lucke, fell out not long after, Callisthenes a yong man of By­zantium, whose father and mother both were dead, rich, sūp­tuous, and giuen to ryot, he hearing that Sostratus had a fayre daughter, although he neuer saw her, yet because of her excée­ding commendations, he desired to haue her to his wife. For such is the lust of intemperate men, that euen with very fame they will be driuen to loue, and will equally be affected by hea­ring, as if they had séene her. Wherefore before the war was proclaimed to the Byzantians, he was very importunat with Sostratus, that he would bestowe her on him for his wife: But he misliking the lewdnesse of his vicious life, aunswered him he would not: therefore Callisthenes thinking that Sostratus contemned him, was wonderfull wrath, and although he loued [Page 29] his daughter indeede ▪ whose beautie he conceiued in his minde to be without match, although he did neuer sée her: yet hée sée­med to him as if he scorned her: And he deuised with himselfe by all meanes possible, how he might be reuenged on Sostra­tus. Moreouer it is a lawe with the Byzantians, that if any man doo rauish a mayde, he shall suffer no other penance then marrie her: Callisthenes liked this law very well, and sought out a fit time for his purpose: and although that the wars did increase, and that he knew well that she was at Tyrus, yet he neuer left of to worke his ambush made, wherein he was fur­thered by a strange accident: For there was this oracle giuen to the Byzantians.

When many of them doubted what Iland it shuld be which was meant by the oracle, Sostratus (for he as I said was gene­rall in the warre) nowe is fit time (saith he) that we sacrifice to Hercules of Tyrus, for that is the place certainly which is spo­ken of by the oracle, for it doth answere it in all respects. For there God hath named it by the surname of a plant, because it is an Iland of the the Phaenicians, for Phoenix (which word signifieth a date trée) is a plant, and it lyeth in the sea and is by a vast promontory ioyned to the land, and this doth séeme to hold it to the land, the other séemes by violence to breake it off: this promontory ioyned to the land, séemeth to be the necke of the Iland and in the bottome of the sea it doth not touch the earth, for the water doth run vnder it, so that it giueth a newe spectacle to behold a Cittie standing in the sea, and ioyned to the land? And that which is spoken of the coniunction of Pallas, and Vulcan is to be interpreted the oyle and fire, which [Page 30] both are there in great abundaunce, for there is a holy place compassed round with a well, where as a certaine fire doth cleaue vnto the Oliue Trée, and casteth his flames about her braunches, by whose heate the Oliue doth florish the better? So by this meanes the fire and the Plante doo growe in Fréendshippe, and Pallas doth not [...]ye from Vulcane. Then Chaerephon fellowe with Sostratus in the warre, but higher in authority because he was born at Tyrus, extolled him great­ly, saying: you haue rightly interpreted the Oracle of the god: but that you may not thinke the nature of fire to be onely [...] admirable, there are as strange properties of the water, for I my selfe haue beholden some of them. There is in Sicilia a fountaine, whose water doth euer runne mingled togither with fire: wherein you may sée the flame of the fire rising from the bottome to the toppe, if you touch the water it is like snowe, and extreame colde, neyther yet doth the water extinguishe the fire, neyther the fire heate the Water. Moreouer in Spaine there is a Riuer, which at the first sight you woulde iudge it to bee like others, but if you lye downe and listen to it, you shall heare it make a great sounde, for when there is a small winde, you shall heare it yéelde a sound like vnto a viole, the winde is in stead of the sticke, and the water doth supply the vse of the instru­ment: there is also in Lybia a marish ground, where the sand is like that in India, and the maides of Lybia know­ing there to bée gold, doo accustome to get it after this maner, (for the gold lyeth vnder the mudde, and there ariseth by a lit­tle spring, wherein they put a pole anointed with tarre, and thrust it into the hande, and as a hooke is to the fish, so is this pole to the golde: for it catcheth holde of the pole, the tarre béeing in stead of a bayte, for what golde doth touch it, doth cleaue to it, and is laide vp vppon the shore, and so is Golde gotten in Lybia: Which when Chaerephon hadde sayde, so they decréede to sende one to Tyrus to sacrifice: Wherfore Calisthenes fayning himselfe one of the sacrificers, did sayle also to Tyrus, and there knowing my fathers house, at [Page 31] what time the women should come foorth to beholde she pompe and magnificence of the sacrifice, hée laide his ambushes. In which showe, there was great store of perfumes, great varie­tie of flowers: Of the perfumes, was Cassia, Frankineense, Storax; Of the flowers, Roses, Daffadill, Myrtell, and the swéetenesse of the flowers did séeme to contende with the pleasaunt Odour of the perfumes: and water héereof bée­ing drawen vp into the ayre, did fill the ayre it selfe with the sweetenesse thereof: But after followed many straunge and great offeringes for the Sacrifice: amongst which, the most chiefest were the Oxen of Nilus: for they doo not one­ly excell in bignesse and largenesse of the bodie, but also in colour and fairenesse to the eye, for they are of tall stature, thicke necke, broade shoulders, large belly, with their hornes not flatte to their heades as the Sycilians, neyther deformed as the Cyprians, but rising from the temples of their heads, are bowed so equally, that in the verie toppe there is no more distance betweene them then the verie bottome, and they doo almost resemble the likenesse of the Moone: and of the same colour as Homere dooth commend the Thracian Horses to bee of. And in their going they doo carry theyr head so hye, as if they were kinges ouer the heardes of the Cattell: and if it be true that Iupiter when hée did carry Io away, was transfor­med into a Bull, surely then I thinke it was into an Aegyp­tian. At that time it chanced my mother in lawe was sicke, and Leucippe desirous to stay at home, (for shée had spoken to vs before that shée might stay with my mother) went not foorth a doores: Wherefore it was so appoynted that my sister should goe with Leucippes mother. Calisthenes, which ne­uer sawe Leucippe, assoone as hée mette my sister Calli­gone, hée thought it had bene Leucippe: for hée did know Sostratus verie well: and being at the verie first sight taken in loue with her, hée shewed her to one of his companions, whom hee trusted well, and hee requested him to goe call the men togither to whom hee had giuen in charge to steale her away: he had also appoynted the order and maner of her [Page 32] st [...]lth, saying, that by and by all the maides would go vnto the sea side. Which whē as he had sayd, neglecting the sacrifice he went his way: he had a priuate ship of his owne, which before he came forth a doores he had appointed to bee it wherein hee vowed to bring her. Now all they who were the chiefe ouer­s [...]eers of the sacrifice, were gon vp, but Callisthenes went not from the shore, because he saw the multitude cōming after him: and that since his ship lay néere vnto Tyrus, he might not bée pursued aster he had caried her away: and when hee came to Sarepra a little village without the suburbes of Tyrus, situated vpon the sea shore, thither he brought the ship, and gaue it to Zeno, for y^t was his name, to whom Callisthenes had giuē in charge chiefly to steale her away: he was of a stout body, & had learned pyraey euen from his infācy, and he landing at Tyrus first sought out his fellowe pyrates to be his ayders in this en­terprise. There is a little Iland neare vnto Tyrus (where the ships doo ly at roade) which they doo call Orollope: here did Zeno hide his ship in ambush. But before y^t day of solemnitie came, which Callisthenes looked for, which the eagle had fore­told, & the sooth-sayers, had declared before, al things were made ready: and as we did adorne our selues at the sacrifice the day before, so did we now, neither was this vnknowne to Zeno: a­bout midnight we came to the place, and when we had stayed there a while, we washed our hāds in the sea, but Callisthenes had giuen them a watch-word, y^t vpon the suddaine they shuld be ready to take her away: wherfore they brought the ship close to the shore, wherein were ten mē: vpon the land also were ten more which laye in wait in womens attyre with their beardes shauen: euery one had his sword hiddē vnder his garment, and that they might be y^e lesse suspected, they followed y^t sacrifice so that we might think them also to be womē. Assoone as the fire was made, then, a suddaine clamor being made rushed in vpon vs, & put out our lights. And when we being stroken with this suddain, sought to fly away, they tooke away violētly my sister, being gotten a ship-boord, did flye away, like birdes: many of vs hearing the tumult fled away, others stood still and sawe it, and [Page 33] said the pyrates haue stolne away Calligone. Now had they passed the middle of the sea, and came neare vnto Sarepta, where Callisthenes had appoynted to méete them: where re­ceyuing him vnto them, they launched forth into the maine. Therefore séeing my marriage to be broken off against my ex­pectation, I began to be of good courage, although I could not chuse but grieue, that my sister had fallen into such a danger. A while after these were done, I spake to Leucippe with these wordes: How long (O my deare Leucippe) shall we stay at kisses? These are faire beginnings, but let vs also do the rest which louers most of all desire: therfore first let vs contract our selues togither, for if we will sacrifice to Venus, we shall not find any god more fauourable vnto vs then this. I iterated these spéeches to her often, and at length I preuailed with her, that she should let me into her chāber at night, Clio also which was the Chambermaide promising her helpe herein. That part of the house wherein she did lie, wa [...] built after this order: there was a great space, hauing two Chambers of the right hand, and two of the left hand, through which went a little nar­row entrie, by which they went into them. This entrie had a doore which opened with two leaues: this part of the house was the lodging for the women. The inward chambers were oppo­site one to another, whereof the mother had one, the daughter the other: of the other Clio had that which was next to Leu­cippes, the vttermost was appoynted for the pantrie. Euery night Leucippes mother accompanied her to bed, and depar­ted not from thence, vntill she did sée her layde downe: and shée did not onely shut the entrie doores, but also caused another en­try doore to be shut by another, and the keyes thereof to be gi­uen her in at a hole, which she kept in her owne chamber: but euery morning she called the fellow, whom she had giuen in charge to locke the doores, to open them againe: wherfore Sa­tyrus séeing that it was almost impossible to get in, caused like keyes to bee made: which when as he had tryed, and saw they were fitte for the purpose, hée perswaded Clio to bée silent, that by no wayes shee should hinder our determination. [Page 34] There was one of the Seruaunts, a curious prating fel­lowe, giuen much to his bellye, who séemed woorthy enough of his name (for hée was called Cynops) this fellowe sée­med a loofe of to watch, and marke whatsoeuer wée went a­bout, euer suspecting that in the night wée would assay some­thing: wherefore at midnight hée vsed to watch the doores standing open, so that it was a hard matter to doo it that hée shoulde not knowe: which Satyrus perceyuing, wont about to growe in acquaintaunce with this fellowe, and woulde of­ten ieast with him merilie, and call him Conops (which sig­nifieth a Gnatte) and thus would descant vppon his name. He knowing Satyrus meaning, did séeme to ieast with him againe, still carrying a suspicious minde: wherefore turning to Satyrus sayde: Go to friend Satyrus, because you scoffe at my name, I will tell you a tale of a Gnatte. The Lyon vppon a time accused Prometheus, that since he had made him so large, greate, and strong, and had armed his iawes with téeth, his féete with hooked nayles, and had made him stowter then anie other wilde Beastes, yet endued with all these qualityes, hée feared the crowing of a dung-hill Cocke. UUhome Prometheus aunswered: Why doe you thus rashly blame mée? I gaue thée all the excellentest gifts I coulde, but herein thou dooest carrie a base cowardly mind; wherefore the Lion wept, and condemned himselfe of feare and cowardise, wishing rather to die then liue. And as he went walking in this melancholie cogitation, hée by chaunce mette with the Elephant: whome when hee had saluted, hée fell into a greate discourse. And as hée was talking with him, hée marked him often shaking his eares: I pray thée, (quoth hée) what meanest thou by this, that euerie Minute thou sha­kest thine eares, and neuer lettest them rest? then sayde the Elephant (and by chaunce at that instaunt a Gnatte did flie about his heade) because I sée this little flie humming a­bout mée, which if he get into mine eares I am vndone. The Lion hearing this: wherefore then (sayde hée) shoulde I wish to die, since I am in this case, and so much the more happie, [Page 37] by how much a Cocke excelleth a Gnat? But Satyrus percei­uing his spéech to be full of subtiltie, smiled to himselfe, saying: But now friende Cynops, also I pray you marke my tale of a Gnat and a Lion, as it was told of a graue Philosopher. But I thanke you first for my tale of the Elephant. The Gnat on a day very bold, méeting with a Lion gréeted him thus. Surely you do greatly deceiue your selfe, if you thinke your selfe king ouer mée, as you doo ouer all other beastes whatsoeuer: For since you are neyther fayrer, valianter in minde, nor better, although you excell in a little strength, why then should you be king ouer me? you scrat with your nayles and byte with your téeth, and what woman when she sighteth doth not doo this? What is the largenesse of the bodie which doeth adorne you? Where is your bewtie? You haue a broad brest I must néeds say, a broad payre of shoulders, a thicke necke, all staring with grisly haires; and doo not you sée how filthie and loath­some your hinder partes are: my greatnesse is the whole aire, as much as I can compasse about with my winges: my bewtie is the gréennesse of the fields; which to me is in stéede of a garment: which when I leaue flying I put on; neyther doo I euer go into warre without a Trumpette: for my mouth is both my Trumpette and my Daxte, so that I am both a Trumpetter and a fighting Souldiour also. I doo make my bowe and arrowes my selfe, my winges carry mee through the ayre, and beeing thus carryed, where I please I can wounde and sting; which, whosoeuer hée be that receiueth, suddainly exclaime, and looke about for the Authour, but can­not finde him.

I am both present and absent also: and at the same in­stant I stande stoutly to it, and flye away: I doo ryde some­times vppon a man, and sometimes wounde him, and laugh to sée him scratch.

But why doo I talke thus? Come on let vs go lustily to this battayle. And as he thus spake, he flew in the face of the Lyon, and humming about his head, did sting him in the [Page 36] eyes, and euerie part which wanted hayre: the Lion verie angrie, turned himselfe, nowe this way, nowe that way, sée­king for his enemie, byting and fighting with the ayre. The Gnatte taking more delight in his anger and furie, sette vppon his lippes: but hée bowing himselfe downe to that place where hée felt it smart, layde him downe: but the Gnatte like a Wrastler, rushing through his téeth, and passing through his mouth shutte, escaped away: but his téeth deceyued of theyr prey, did resound with the gnashing together: at length the Lion béeing wearie with so vaine a combate, béeing in a great furie, did lie still: the Gnatte flying about his heade, did humme in token of the victorie: but béeing nowe fraught with pride of his newe gotten vic­torie, soared vppe aloft, and by chaunce fell into a Spiders Webbe, and there was quickely taken: but when hée sawe that there was no way left to get out, then hée beganne to blame his owne follie, saying: What a wretch was I that durst prouoke a Lion, yet can not escape out of a poore Spyders webbe: which when Satyrus had sayde, I pray thée Conops where are the Spyders Webbes, which thou shouldest feare, and therewithall hée fell a laughing: not long after, Satyrus marked howe much hée was giuen to his bellie, prouided before a potion to make him sléepe: and inuited him to Supper: hée suspecting some harme, at first denyed, but after his belly the best perswader of all had a­lured him, he graunted him: But when he came to Satyrus, and had supped, hée would verie willingly haue departed: but Satyrus gaue him this potion last in a pot: which when hée had drunke, he stayed no longer then he could go to his cham­ber, for the potion began to worke with him, but came running to me, and told me that Conops was sound a sléepe, wishing me now like to Vlysses, to bée valiant and couragious; where­fore I went presently to Leucippes chamber, he staied at the doore: but I, (Clio closely conueying me in,) entered into the chamber, being partly stroken with ioy, partly with feare: for the feare of the daunger did trouble the hope of my minde, [Page 37] the hope also of obtaining, did mingle my feare with pleasure: that part of my minde which was in hope, was troubled with feare; but that which did grieue, did result with ioy: but a little before I entred into y^e wenches chamber, I know not what hor­rible thing hapned to her mother in a dreame, for she séemed to sée a théefe armed with a naked sword, to enter in & take away her daughter, and laying her vpon her back, and with his sword ripped her from the lower part of the belly to the brest, where­fore being thus astonied with feare, shée leapt out of her bedde, and with all spéed she could, going softly vpon her tiptoes, shée came readily to Leucippes chamber; I then being scant layde downe in the bed: but hearing the noyse of the doore opening, I skipt quickly out of the bedde, and knowing in what daunger I was, with all the spéede I could I got me out of the chamber: Satyrus standing at the outermost doore receiued me thus trou­bled and frighted; and so both of vs escaping in the darke, we went euery man to his owne chamber, her mother at first be­ing taken with a giddinesse in her head fell downe, but being recouered againe, she went vnto Clio, and buffeted her about the face, pulling her by the haire, and at length groned out these words: O Leucippe thou hast taken away all my hope; woe is me poore wretch: O Sostratus, thou doest fight at Byzanti­um for others marriages, but here at Tyrus I know not who hath defiled and polluted thy daughters bedde. Alas what shall become to my Leucippe? I neuer hope to liue to sée such mar­riages prepared for thée: I would to God thou hadst stayed at Byzantium: I would by the lawes of warre thou hadst suffred this reproach; I would that some Thracian horsman had com­mitted this villany: for then that violence would haue caused this mishap to be without shame. Now (O vnhappie wench as thou art) the infamie of that thing which hath made thée thus vnfortunate, wil redound to thine owne shame: how haue these nightly visions deceiued me? I dreamed this hard misfortune, neither is there any thing more true, now I sée thy belly is cut vp in most cruell maner: and so much moreouer, that no sword can diuide it alike. O hard chance! hast thou this iniury offered [Page 38] thée, and I know not the author th [...]reof? O cruell times! what was he any seruaunt? then Leucippe being of a good courage that I had escaped so wel, said vnto her mother, I pray you good mother do not rayle thus against my virginitie, neither haue I committed any thing which deserueth these wordes at your handes, neither doo I know him whatsoeuer he was, whether a good man or a théefe, I laie here affrighted, that I could not speake a word for feare, for feare is the bonde of the tongue, but thus much I knowe, that my virginitie is violated by none: wherefore Panthia falling downe againe vppon a suddaine, mourned bitterly: in the meane season wee consulted with our selues what was best to be done, and in the ende we concluded, and thought it the best couns [...]ll, to goe away before it was day, lest that Clio perhappes by punishment, should be constrained to reueale vs. This opinion liked vs well, wherefore wée so dealt with the Porter, that he might thinke we went foorth to our Louers, and we went directly to Clinias: it was then about midnight, and we could hardly intreate the Porter to open the gates, and Clinias his chamber was in y^e vpper part of y^e houss, who hearing vs talke, was amazed in his mind: and with as much spéed as might be, he went to méete vs: not long after fol­lowed Clio, for he also had decreed to go away with vs. At the same time Clinias perceiued well what had happened vnto vs: but Clio did know what we purposed to do. Wherefore assoone as we came into Clinias his chamber, we declared vnto him all the matter, and what had happened, and how that we determi­ned to forsake our Countrey. Then said Clio, And I also will go togither with you, for I know, assoone as it is day, I shall be put to excéeding torment, vntil I haue confessed: and I do think it better to die, then to fall into their torturing hands. Then Cli­nias tooke me by the hand, and ledde me away from Clio, and told me that this counsel liked him well, and that first we should send away Clio, lest that the whole matter should be reuealed by her, and we should stay some fewe dayes, vntill we had dis­posed of all things to our mindes: and if it hapned well, he also wold go togither with vs: but said Clinias, if her mother doo not [Page 39] know yet who that should be, for if Clio be sent away, there is no bodie to detect you, and perhaps Leucippe will go with vs: we concluded vpon this, and we gaue Clio to one of the ser­uants, to be carried spéedily to a ship, we staid behind to prouide all things necessary for our iourney. At length we thought good that Leucippe were mooued herein, that if she were willing to depart, we also should take her with vs; but if not, we also wold stay there, submitting our selues wholly to fortunes pleasure: that which remained of the night, we spent in sléepe, and betime in the morning we came home. But Panthia rising vp verie early in the morning, sent for Clio, that shée might talke with her about this matter: but when she saw she could find her in no place, she went back again to her daughter, saying: What is the cause you wil not tell me the whole discourse of this which hath hapned? Behold Clio she is run away. Then Leucippe being now somewhat more bold, said: What should I tell you more? or what truth should I bring? if you can make any tryall of my maydenhead, I pray you do. But it remaineth now, said Pan­thia, that we get more witnesses of this our mishap: and with that she went forth a doore, Leucippe being now left alone, and being full with her mothers words, was driuen into sundry co­gitations: she gréeued that she was taken; she blushed that her mother had so reuiled her; she was angry that her mother wold not beléeue her: for bashfulnesse, griefe and anger, are thrée co­gitations of the mind: shamefastnesse falling into y^e eyes, dooth take away their libertie: griefe being spread abroad into euery corner of the heart, doth quite extinguish the heate of the mind▪ anger as it were barking about y^e heart, doth ouerwhelme rea­son with y^t some of madnesse, the cause of all these is the spéech, which as it were directing a dart and aiming at the mind, doth grieue and afflict it with many wounds: for since there are thrée dartes, reproach, declaring of a mishap, and the hitting in the téeth with ones faultes, there must néeds be then thrée wounds: that is, anger, griefe and shamefastnesse, it is proper to all these thrée dartes, to make déepe, yet not bloodie wounds, whose me­dicine is onely to retort the dart vpon the caster, for the spéech which is the arrowe of the tongue, is driuen backe by speech, [Page 40] which is another weapon of the tongue: so by that meanes the disquieted part of the minde is appeased, and is made merry from the griefe; but if one haue to deale with his superior that he cannot gainsay or retort, then are the woundes made dée­per by that silence: for except the griefes raised by the heate of the spéech do cast out their fome, they do make themselues more gréeuous with their owne heape. Leucippe being troubled with the vexations, was in great perplexitie: in the meane sea­son I sent Satyrus to know of her whether she would flie away with vs also; but she preuenting his spéech said: I pray you by all the goddes, carry me whither you will, so that I may be out of my mothers sight, for if you depart and leaue me behinde, I will ende my life with an halter: which when I heard, this newes wiped all the griefe from my mind: wherfore we staied two dayes my father being from home, we prouided all things which were necessary for our flight: part of that potion where­withall Cynops was cast into a sleepe Satyrus reserued, and whilest he serued vs at supper, he gaue it to Panthia in a glasse: wherefore the table being taken away, euery one went to his owne chamber, but Panthia féeling the potion to worke, caused vs to make more hast: wherfore Satyrus gaue vnto Leucippes bedfellow of the same potion, whom hee did faine to be in loue withall. Moreouer, he gaue some of it to the Porter, which made him instantly to sléepe: in the meane season, Clinias stood without the doores with a Coach ready furnished, expecting our comming: after all were fast a sléepe, about the first watch of the night, with all silence we departed out of the house, locking the doores fast againe, and laying the keyes vnder the doore. Sa­tyrus led Leucippe forth by the hand, and by very good chance, Cynops, which did accustome to watch vs, was sent foorth a Towne of an arrant: wherefore hauing departed thus out of the house, we came thither where Clinias stayed for vs: wée were in number sixe, I, and Leucippe, Satyrus, Clinias, and his two men: after we were gotten vp, we directed our course toward Sydon: the other part of the night being spent, wee came vnto a citie which was Berytium, where hoping to find a [Page 41] ship readie to saile from thence; neither did our expectation de­ceiue vs; for assoone as we came into the hauen, we founde a ship readie to launch foorth, and we went into it before we asked of them whither they went: all our necessary thinges beeing brought into the ship, we were euen now about to sayle foorth, when Lucifer began to appeare: Then did we know that we sayled towards Alexandria, a most famous Cittie of Aegypt. Then did I begin to reioyce, that we were thus safely come to sea, the shippe scant out of the hauen, and new entering into the maine Ocean, after that a fit winde serued vs, there began to arise a great noyse of the Saylers in the shippe; first drawing of the Cables; the noyse of the maister exhorting them; then was the crosse peece brought foorth; the Saileyard hung vp; the Sayles readie to be hoysed vp; the Anchors plucked vp; the hauen being left, we began to sayle foorth a prosperous iourny; the lande did séeme to go backe from the shippe, as if that it did saile it selfe; then was there a great reioycing and clapping of handes throughout all the shippe, and many prayers bestowed on the Gods; praying them to send a prosperous nauigation: In the meane while the winde increased, the saile was full, and the ship sailing very safe: there was by chance in the same ship a yoong man sitting by vs, which because it was now dinner time, very curteously inuited vs, that we also would eate with him: wherefore when Satyrus had made readie that which hée prouided for vs, we did eate togither in common, making our selues both partakers of our dinner and talke also; when I be­gan thus: I pray you sir what country-man are you, and what is your name? Then answered he, I am an Aegyptian borne, my name is Menelaus: but by your leaue, may I demaund the same of you? Then quoth I, my name is Clitiphon, his Clinias: both Phaenicians by birth. And if it please you sir, first to declare vnto vs the cause of this your trauaile, we also will recompence you with the like. Then said Menelaus, the summe of this my nauigation, is vngratefull loue, and an vnfortunate hunting; from which, although I did diuers times earnestly exhort him, yet I could not preuaile: wherefore when he would [Page 42] not obey my gentle admonitions. I also did then accompany him in hunting, and vpon a day when both of vs went foorth on horseback, we discoursed of many seuerall kinds of hunting, but of all I commended to him the hunting of the Hare and such little beasts, and so long as he pursued such game, I was wel satisfied in mind: but when by chance a wilde [...]ore rushed forth of the woods, which he séeing, being nothing afraide, wēt to méete him, and wilfully did run vpon him: I stil crying, stay, stay, hold your horse, or else you are slaine▪ the boore did séeme to be of such a huge bignesse, when séeing him comming vppon him, ran also forward to méete him, and both of them did vio­lently rush one vpon another: which when I saw, I was so­dainely astonied with feare: & fearing least the boore should get vnderneath him, & fling down his horse, I cast a dart which I had at him, & it so chanced (I would that chance had neuer bin) the boy ran by & receiued the wound: but in what case do you think I was in then? and if at that instant there was any life in me, it was euen like vnto those, who at euery moment are a­bout to giue vp the ghost, and that which was most to be grée­ued, my hand which cast the dart, being helde forth, was presently benummed, as hauing a due reward for so an vnluc­kie chance, & as it were hating of it selfe for being author of so vile a death: wherefore the parents of the boy accused me in the court as principall of his death: which I did not denie, and I willingly liked of their accusation, which if they had not brought, I wold haue sacrificed to his soule: wherfore I iudged my selfe worthy to die, but the iudges moued with pittie, bani­shed me for the space of thrée yeares: which time being passed, I now am returned into my countrey againe, while that Me­nelaus did recount these strange misfortunes: not much vnlike to the hard chance of Patroclus▪ Clinias, being put into re­mēbrance of his beloued Charicles, could not chuse but wéepe, wherfore said Menelaus, what doo you wéepe for my misfor­tune, or whether are you banished also for the like mishap▪ thē Clinias not without many [...]i [...]he, repeated y^e hard hap of Cha­ [...]icles and the horse: after whom also I recounted my History. [Page 43] But when I saw Menelaus very sad, by the remembrance o [...] his gréefes, and Clinias also weeping for the death of his Cha­ricles, being destrous to wipe away both their sorrowes, I be­gan a discourse mingled with an amorous delight, for Leucip­pe was then absent, who imediately before, went into a more close place of the ship to take a nap, & turning my self to them, I smiled, Clinias (said I) for the most part in argument ouerco­meth me, and euen now (for he desireth to inueigh against wo­men, as his maner is) he may do it the better, because hee hath found a like companion of his loue: what is the cause why so many are in loue with boyes? surely I my selfe cannot tell, neither sée any cause why? Then answered Menelaus, what, is it not I pray you better then the loue of women▪ boyes are more perfect then women, and their beautie is of more force to delight y^e senses with pleasure. But I pray you (quoth I) how is it more vehement? what, for because as soone as it appea­reth it is gone again, neither giueth any possibility for y^e louer to enioy it? but is like to Tantalus in the riuer Stix, that when he would drinke of the water it flyeth away from him: nei­ther is there any sustenance left for him to receiue: and that also which is drunke, is first taken away: before that hé [...] which drinketh can be satisfied: euermore he must, depart so from his louer, as if there hadde béene n [...]uer no such loue, or else but newe beganne, and the pleasure is mingled with a kinde of sorrow: and hee is euer drie, but his thirst can neuer bee quenched. Then sayde Menelaus: but you Clitiphon, doo not séeme to knowe which is the chéefest fe­licitie in loue: that alway is most to be wished for, which brin­geth no lothasomenesse, and wherewith one is neuer satisfi­ed: for those things which remaine the longer to vs for to en­ioy them, do take away the delight thereof with too much sacietie, but those thinges which sometimes are taken a­way, are alway newe and do daily flourish: and as much as is taken away from them by the shortnesse of time, so much is added to the greatnesse of the desire, and theyr plea­sure doth not fade: and wherefore is the Rose accounted the [Page 44] fairest of all plants, but because it soonest doth fade away: sure­ly I doo thinke that there is two kindes of bewtie which is a­mongst mortall men, the one heauenly, the other common; which indéede are the verie giuers of all bewtie: and the hea­uenly bewtie scorneth to be ioyned with our mortall; and ther­fore striueth to flie vp to heauen: the common bewtie créepeth on the ground, and cleaue to euery base bodie: and if you will that I shall bring you a witnesse for this which I haue sayde, marke you the Poet Homere, whose verses are these:

Neuer was there woman for bewtie brought vp to heauen, although Iupiter loued women well. Alcmena fell into lamen­tations, and was constrained to hide her selfe: the Tower and the Sea kept Dianae prisoner: Semele was consumed by fire: But when he fel in loue with this Phrygian boy, Ganymedes, he tooke him vp to heauen with him, that he might dwell togi­ther with him, and serue him at his table: and cast Helle down from heauen, which did supply the place before, for shée was a woman. But I taking his words out of his mouth, thus reply­ed. Nay quoth I: woman-kinde séeme to be most heauenly, and that for a strong reason; because their bewtie doeth not so quickly fade; that commeth next vnto heauenlinesse, which is farthest from corruption: and contrary, that ought not to bee called heauenly, but earthly; which is most subiect to alterati­on: because it is most like to mens nature. Iupiter loued this Phrygian boy, and tooke him vp to heauen: what then? This doth not detract any thing from womens bewtie: for a wo­mans loue, he transformed himselfe into a Eull; so he did not for the loue of him: for the loue of Leda, he chaunged himself in­to a Swan: and oftentimes did he take the shape of a Satyre, Gold, and many such like things. But let Ganymedes fill the [Page 45] cuppe for Iupiter, while Iuno lye with the Goddes: since the Goddesse hath a boy to be her cup-bearer. It pittieth me truly, to heare or thinke how he was carryed vp to heauen, a raue­nous bird snatched him away, and he was no otherwise dealt withall, thē those who fal into the hands of a tirant. Was it not I pray you, a grief to sée a boy catched vp in the talents of such a bird, his head hanging down, as if he were now readie to fall: such a carrion deuouring bird did not carry Semele to hea­uen, but the fire which is the chiefest of the element: and let not this séeme straunge vnto you, that some haue bene taken vp to heauen in flames of fire. For Hercules went no other­wise to heauen. Do you laugh at Danaes imprisonment in the Tower, and her seruituds at the rocke? I pray you remember Perseus: this one thing satisfied Alcmena, that Iupiter for her fake, tooke thrée whole dayes from the world. But if omitting these fables, you will make mention of that true pleasure which is conceiued in women, although herein I haue not bin much conuersant (but one who hath experience in these matters, may speake more if he please,) neither hath there bene any vse or de­light, wherewith I haue enured my selfe, yet I will speake as much as I can: their bodies are tender to imbrace, their lippes soft for to kisse, whose whole proportion of the bodie, is onely made to moue delight: and he which doth enioy a bewtifull wo­man, hath the true felicitie of all pleasure; for he doth imprint in her lippes, as they who seale in waxe: shée also doth kisse as it were by art, seasoning her kisses with a swéeter delight; neither is it sufficient to kisse her lippes, but also to [...]éed as it were vpon her mouth: In touching of her tender breasts, what great de­light there is, I leaue to them whom experience hath made per­fect herein; and euen in their naturall actions, shée doth so de­light, as that he might thinke himselfe in another world. The kisses of boyes are rude, their imbracings vnapt, and vnnatu­rall: whose delight doth languish, and is veyd of all true plea­sure indéed. Then said Menelaus, you séeme not to be a neuice in this art; but one, who haue serued in Cupid his warres a lon [...]ime: you haue reckoned vp so many curiosities of wo­men. [Page 46] But now marke you me againe, and I will shewe you what pleasure is reaped in the loue of boyes. In a woman, not only her words, but also all her actiōs, are ful of subtiltie: if some be faire, they may thanke the Painters shoppe: all whose bew­tie, is compacted of nothing else, then of painting, colouring, and curling their haire, and in kissing: from whom, take away this painting and counterfetting of colours, and truly you will thinke them barer then a Iaye (as the Prouerbe is) when all his stolne feathers are plucked from his backe: but the bewtie of boyes is not besmeared with the counterfeyt of painting, nei­ther spunged vp with borrowed perfumes: the very sweate of the browes of a boy, doth excell all the swéete sauours of Muske and Ciuet about a woman: and a man may openly talke and play with them and neuer bee ashamed: neither is there any tendernesse of flesh which is like to them: their kisses do not sa­uour of womens curiositie: neither beguile with a foolish error the kisses of them are swéete and delightfull, not procéeding of art, but of nature: and the very image and picture of their kis­ses are so swéete and pleasant, that you might very wel thinke, that heauenly Nectar to bee betwéene your lippes.

THe third day the ship held on her course with a prosperous weather, when on a suddaine, a blacke darknesse arose, and obscured all; and a contrary winde beganne to arise: where­fore the maister of the shippe caused the crosse péece to bee taken downe: the shippe-man in haste plucked downe the sayles, because the winde blowing so vehemently, and the storme beginning to beate more sorely vppon her side, she was not able to carry such sayle: the tem­pest thus thickening, did put vs into great feare: one part of the shippe séemed to sinke downe, another was hoysed vp so high againe: and we thought we should haue fallen downe a­gaine headlong: no man being able to sit stedfast in his place: wherfore the tempest encreasing, we went vpon the hatches of the ship, that we might somthing lighten her bur [...]hen: and be­ing balassed with an equall waight, her course might be the su­rer: but all this was to no ende, for the force of the waues be­ing now waxen so great, did tosse her vp and downe, as if it were a Ball or an emptie Tunne. And while wee thus soughte to ballasse her euen, the winde chaunging into [Page 48] the South, did strike the ship with such violence, that betwéene the force of the troubled waues, and the violence of this raine, bringing winde, we thought the shippe would haue presently splitte her selfe, and all of vs togither in a moment should haue perished. Wherefore a suddaine outcry arose in the shippe, and all of vs were constrained to goe downe againe into the shippe: and thus thrée or foure times this chaunce happened to vs; and with the shippe wee were carryed we knowe not whi­ther: being thus tormented with feare and griefe, we euerie one made our prayers to our owne Countrey Goddes; but being ioyned togither in one, we earnestly prayed to Nep­tune, that he would remember vs, and pittie our case; who like to Leander are now floating vppon the maine: the God being displeased, would not listen to our prayers: wherefore we expected nothing but death, which truly as it séemed, was not farre from vs: for after noonetide, the Sunne was so ta­ken away from vs, that wee could sée one another no more then if it had bene by Mooneshine; the fire beganne to sparkle foorth of the cloudes, and lightening flashed in our faces: all the heauens did rebellow with thunder, and all the ayre was filled with a huge noyse: the waues rysing vp from below and méeting togither, did make a great roaring: betwéene the hea­uen and y^e sea, there did resound the whis [...]ngs of diuers windes: the sailes torne from the ropes fell downe: and we did greatly feare, least the nayles would flie out, the boordes fall asunder, and the whole shippe be dismembred: wherefore séeing all they flie so backe, the sea so rough, the ayre so tempestuous, we went downe into the shippe as it were into a darke Caue: hauing no hope of safetie lest, we committed our selues to the choyse and direction of Fortune: from the fore part and the hinder part of the shippe, many waues and great billowes did striue to méete togither: the billow rising, the shippe was hoysed vp aloft: but falling downe, she also did sinke downe to the bottom: of which waues, som are like to mountains, some to great gulfs: but those séemed most daungerous, which circling rounde, did as it were wind and sucke in whatsoeuer approached neare [Page 23] them, there was a great confusion of voices amōgst vs, wher­of some were praying, some crying out, some exhorting one an other, some plucking cables, anchors, sayle-yardes, others oft stearing the ship, the water roared, the wind whistled, the wo­men cryed out, the men prayed, the saylers exhorted one ano­ther, the mariners comforting themselues, all places were full of heauinesse and sorrow: at length the maister commanded all the burdens to be cast out, neither then did he make any diffe­rence betwéene gold, siluer, and the basest things which were: but all were cast into the sea: the marchant flinging out their wares, wherein all their hope was. Now was the ship almost emptie, but yet the storme ceased not at all: At length the mai­ster being weary, knowing not now what was best to be done, caused the stearing-yarde to be cast away: submitting himselfe and the whole shippe, to fortunes direction. Moreouer hee cast forth a little cocke boate, wherein he had the marriners to go, and he himselfe went downe first; they also followed him: but a greater mischance happened, for they began to go to buffets, for the marriners had cutte the rope wherewith the boate was tied vnto the ship: The other which were in the ship séeing they had cut the rope, did make the more hast to go downe to them: but they would not suffer them to come in, threatning them with their swords and weapons which they had in their hāds, that they would wound him whosoeuer offred to come downe: they as chance serued them, tooke one thing or another, some the brokē end of an old oare, other a brokē boord of the ship, and euery one something, as came next to his hands: the sea vsed violence for a lawe, neither was there euer such a manner of fight by sea: for those which were in the boate, fearing oft that the boate would sinke, béeing oppressed with the multitude of them which were about to come downe, did strike and lay a­bout them, with staues and swordes: they of the contrarie side, did fight with broken oares, and halfe plankes; some scant vp­on the head of the boate, did fall into y^e water; others did striue to thrust those forth which were newly come in: the whole law of fréendship and modestie, was quite fled from amongst them: [Page 50] and euery man bent to his owne safetie: neglected another, for the very greatnes of dangers doth most commonly break the laws of friendship. In the meane season one of the passen­gers being a strong and stout man, got holde of the rope, and almost brought y^e boat to the ship side, & euery one were made ready, that as soone as it came to the side, to leape down into it, but two or thrée assayed to leape downe at length, but hard­ly they got into it, but first greeuously wounded, others assaying the like, fell down into the Sea, but the shipmen afraide, cut the rope, and loosed the boate, and suffered it to go whither the winde would carrie it: the passengers which were in y^e ship going about▪ to sinke it, but the shippe being tossed vpon the waues, being carried round about like a circle, at length it was blowne vpon a rocke, where imediatly it was split into diuers peeces, the mast whereof, part was hole, part broken, most of the companie which were in the ship, feeling the salt water, died presently, & they were happie which had so speedy an end, for they staied not long in y^e horror of death: for a lingring death in the sea, doth sooner dispatch him then he is aware: for the eyes being filled with the vnmeasurable vastnes of the sea, do bring a great feare vnto the beholders, & by so much the death is more greeuous, by how much the sea is broader. Others striuing to swim, were by the force of the billowes, dashed a­gainst a rocke and so died: many taking holde of the broken planks of the ship did swim like fishes, many halfe dead floted vp and downe, the ship being thus broken, a good Angell pre­serued the fore part for vs: wherin Leucippe & I sitting, were carried through the rage of the sea. Menelaus & Satyrus and others more, got the mast, & so did swim on that, we saw Cli­nias not far off sitting vpon the crosse yard, who hellowed to vs, wishing vs to sit fast: and as he was thus speaking, a sodaine waue came behinde him readie to ouerwhelme him, which thing caused vs to wéepe: but by the destenies meanes, who were fauourable to him and vs also, brake the sorce thereof, and séemed to slide away vnder him, and then wee saw him againe But I with many teares being shed, prayed [Page 51] vnto Neptune saying. O most soueraigne Neptune, take pit­tie vpon vs, and spare the reliques of this shipwracke, for this onely feare hath brought a thousand deaths vnto vs, but if it be thy wil that we also shall perish, do not diuide our death but graunt vs this, that one waue may ouerwhelme vs all: or if the destenies will, wee shall bée meate for fishes, graunt that one fishe may swallowe vs all, one vault holde vs all, that béeing swallowed of one fish, wee may seeme to bee buried all in one graue. After I had made my prayers vnto him, the force of the winde ceased, the rage of the Water was appeased, the Sea rounde about béeing full of dead courses, the waues carried Menelaus vnto the marishes of Aegypt, which was all inhabited with théeues: we also about night, by good fortune, landed at Pelusium, and entring vppon land, wee gaue God thanks for our safe arriuall, we lamented the death of Clinias and Satyrus, because wee verily thought they were dead. There was at Pelusium an image of Iupiter Cassius, which was drawen so youthfull, that hee séemed to be almost like Apollo, holding out his right hande, wherein was a pomegranade, the meaning of which picture is not made knowne to all: wherefore about to make our praiers to this God, about to demaunde of him what was become of Clinias and Satyrus, (for it is reported in that countrey, that this God doth foretell things to come, and sheweth what hath beene past) then went wee round about the tem­ple, where in the inward parte of the chaunsell, wee found two pictures made by Euanthe, that famous Painter of Athens, whose picture also wee sawe there: in one of these pictures was drawen Andromeda, in the other Promethe­us, bound to a rocke with chaines: and therefoe I thinke the Painter did drawe them both together, because their punish­ents were almost alike in euery respect: for both were bound vnto a Rocke, and had two tormentours of theyr bo­dyes, whereof hee hadde an Eagle which euermore did deuoure his Entrailes, for her was appoynted a huge mis­shapen Monster, which driuing a mountaine of waues [Page 52] before him, came now readie to deuoure her: the people were Argiues, which were their beholders: some came to helpe and pitie them, others to grieue and torment them neare with their presence; but amongst them, there were two who came to help them, and deliuer them from these dāgers, Hercules and Per­seus: Hercules, he with his bowe and arrowes did striue to kill that rauening Eagle. But Perseus soaring aloft with his wings, and encountring this huge monster of Neptune, drew forth his Gorgons head, wherein hee transformed him into a rocke. The rocke wherein Andromeda was tyed, did séeme to be made hollow fit for her bignesse: as if it were not made by art, but did growe so of his owne accord. All the other part of the rocke, the Painter had made with such art, as if you verely sawe it with your eyes: therein did the damosell sit, with so goodlie a countenance, as that if you would but onely consider the beautie it selfe, the very picture might be worthy of admira­tion: but if you would behold the chaines and the monster, you would think you sawe before you a sepulcher ready prepared: in her countenance, was palenesse mingled with her beautie: neither were her chéekes so pale, as that they wanted theyr ac­customed ruddinesse: with such a pleasing feare had the painter so graced her, as y^t she seemed not to feare the horrour of death, the vglinesse of the monster, neither the reproches of her ene­mies: her handes were stretched forth and bound vnto the rocke, which did séeme to hang no otherwise from the arme, then a ripe bunch of grapes from the vine: the whitenesse of her arme, did séeme to be mingled with a kind of blewnesse: her fingers séemed to languish with gréefe; this was the vsage of the mayd, euery houre expecting death. Moreouer, after the manner of brides, as if she should be maried to Pluto, they adorned her in a blacke garment, couering it with a kinde of twisted nette, which was white, comming downe to her foote, in forme like vnto a Spiders Webbe: not spunne after the order of wooll, but as the Indian women accustome to worke their silke, which they doo plucke from the trées. Against the maide did rise a mightie Whale out of the sea, which did driue [Page 53] the water vp before him, as if some mountaine had risen vp from the bottome of the sea: the most part of his bodie was in the water, but no so much, but that you might behold y^e large­nesse of his shoulders, the orders of his scales, the bowing of his back, the sharpnesse of his chine, the windings of his taile, his mouth was wide open, of such an innumerable bignesse, that it reached vnto his shoulders. Betwéene the Whale & the mayd, came Perseus flying from aboue; his bodie all naked, saue that he had a little Cassocke vpon his shoulders; at his feete hée had shooes whereunto winges were tyed, which lightly carried him through the ayre: his hat was like vnto the helmet of Dis: in his left hand he helde the Gorgons head, which looked with a grisly countenance, this same he vsed in stéed of a shield: for he did séeme in the picture to looke grimly, shaking his head, and tossing of the Serpents which grew on the monsters head, sée­ming to threaten the Whale: in his right hand he held a sword, made after the maner of a Fauchion, wherewith encountring the monstrous fish, hee laide at him with such force, that if Neptune himselfe had supplied the place, hée perforce should haue yéelded: but at length hée enioyed the victorie, deliue­ring her from the bondes: whome, in presence there of all the Countrey and her parentes, hée married: and this was the picture of Andromeda. It remaineth now, that I declare the Historie of Prometheus, as it was liuely drawne in the other Table. There was first drawne Prometheus, bounde in chaines vpon the toppe of a stéepe Rocke. Then Hercules hol­ding a Bowe and Arrowes in his handes: the Eagle did féede on the bowels of Prometheus: which with her beake striking vppon his belly, and plucking out his entrailes, making the wounde still the greater, vntill shée had found his lyuer, which being deuoured, yet did growe againe: vppon his hippes did shée stand, which griping with her talents, caused the blood to issue foorth, like streames out of a Fountaine: wherefore hée being in most gréeuous torment, turning the other side, did renewe his owne paine: for the farther off the lyuer sunke downe, the déeper shee strooke into his belly: Hée séemed to [Page 54] grieue with this exceeding torment, for he did plucke vppe his browes, pull in his lips, grind his téeth, and if you had seene the picture you would haue pittied: shewing to you as it were the patterne it selfe of all griefe. Prometheus being thus loaden with miserie, Hercules came to ayde him, who putting an ar­rowe into his bow, and leuelling at this blood-sucking tortorer, séemed to drawe the string to his very breast. Prometheus be­ing now full of feare and hope, sometimes looked vpon his wound, sometimes vpon Hercules, hoping to end this cruell torment ere long.

But when we had stayed there two dayes, and had béene well refreshed after our great daungers, wée hired an Ae­giptian shippe (for we had alittle money left) and we directed our course towards Alexandria from the Riuer Nilus: deter­mining there to leade our life, hoping that it might so come to passe, that we might find out some of our olde fréendes againe. When we had sayled on forward a good way, we heard a great noise of an vprore in a towne néere by, behold our stearman as affraide, was about to go backe againe: But vpon a suddaine all the shore was full of wilde and Sauadge men, they were all of a great stature; of colour somewhat blacke, not like the Aegiptians, but almost of the same hewe as the Indians are of for the most parte, their heades were vncouered, their féete were little, their bodies bigge and grosse, their spéeche barbarous: Wherefore the Maister of the shippe, stayed his course, saying, we are all vndoone: the riuer was but narrowe, and foure of the théeues comming towards vs in a little boate, quickly landed vs, and tooke away all our money, and whatsoeuer else was in the shippe, which they thought woorth the carriage, then they bound euery one of vs, and layde vs in holde, saying: that the next daye wee shoulde be caried to their King (for so these théeues called their Prince) who did lie two or thrée dayes iourney from that place where we were taken, as we vnderstoode by them which were taken with vs. In the meane season the night came on, & we as we were, lay bound, our kéepers also were fast a sléepe. I then [Page 55] as much as it was lawfull for me to doo, began to lament [...]he hard misfortune of Leucippe: and meditating with my selfe, gréeued greatly in minde, because I was the sole cause shée happened into such calamities: neither durst I mourn or wéepe openlye, but softly to my selfe: O gods or deuills whereso­euer you be, and heare: haue we offended so much, that wee haue deserued to bee oppressed with so many calamities, in so short time? You haue cast vs heare amongst the Aegip­tian théeues, who are inexorrable, and will be mooued with no petitions. But the Grecian robbers haue béen mooued by prai­ers, and haue taken pittie on their captiues. For fine spéeche oftentimes doth mooue men to pittie, and the tongue which is the intreater for the gréefe of the minde, doth often mooue the angry mindes of the hearers: But how shall wee praye to them? what oath maye wee giue? howe can a man yéeld a more pleasant spéeche to perswade, then the songs of the maremaydes: but that is not meant by murthering vil­laines: I may now praye by beckenings and gesture of my hands, for they cannot vnderstand my spéeche: O gréeuous ca­lamities! O hard misfortunes! but yet although my mishaps are greater then all mens opinions, I will lesse lament them: But O Leucippe, with what mouth shall I complaine of thée? with what eyes shall I wéepe? O most constant in kéeping thy faith! O most kinde towardes an vnhappie louer! behold the magnificent preparations for your marriage: a prison for your chamber, the ground for your bedde, ropes and fetters for your bracelets and Iewels, and in stéede of Himeneus merry hymnes, wéeping waylings, and lamenta­tions. O sea we haue thanked thée in vaine, and I cannot chuse nowe but reprehende thy benignitie: because thou hast dealt more gently with those whom thou didst cast away, thē with vs: for whilest thou hast saued vs, thou hast tormented vs more cruelly: enuying y^t we shuld dy any other kind of death: then perish by the hands of the théeues: thus did I lament with my self, but that which is proper to greatest dāgers I could not doo: to shedde teares: For in the meanest mishaps, teares doo, [Page 56] flow most abundantly: and with the authors of mishap, doo ex­ecute the place of praier and petition: and they doo lighten the gréefe; as the swelling of boyles when they are broken, for they do flye in abundance, leauing the eyes: for griefe meeting them ready to come forth, sayeth their last, and take them with him to the lower part of the heart: Wherefore leauing theyr course in the eyes, they do run downe to the heart, and there doo augment his gréefe. Then turning to Leucippe which sate altogither silent: wherefore, sayd I, my most swéete Leucippe, art thou thus silent, and sayest nothing to me? Because, sayd shée: O Clittiphon, my voice first [...]ayled me, then my breath: whilst we sate thus talking, the day began to appeare: and there came into vs a strange fellow, I knowe not what hee was, ha­uing long shaged haire, grim of visage, and sternely began to behold vs, being brought thither vpon a wild horse with a thick mane, bare, hauing no couerings, neither trappings vppon him: (for such were the théeues horses) this fellow was sent from the king, to sée if there were any captiue mayde taken, whome he should carry back with him, for a sacrifice to be offe­red for the good successe of armie. Then did the kéeper cast his eyes vpon Leucippe: But she catching me in her armes, and cleauing tome, began to cry out and lament: but one of the theéeues caryed her away by violence, another did beate me the while. Then setting her vppon a horse, they caried her away, kéeping vs vntill more fitter occasion did fall out to send vs: but after we had gone a furlong or two on of our iourney, there was heard a suddaine noise of trumpets, drummes, and flutes, after we sawe a great troupe of horsemen, and another armie of footemen: But assoone as the theeues sawe them, they made themselues ready to fight; and not long after, there were fiftie men ready in armes to resist them; whereof some hadde long targets reaching downe to their féete, others short bucklers, and euery one as hee could procéede vppon so short warning, came forward to méete them. The greater part of the théeues, did begin to fling hard turfes at their enemies: for the Aegip­tian turfe is swifter then any arrowe: and it doth excell them [Page 57] in weight, swiftnesse, and hardnesse: for being cast, it doth hurt two wayes: either it raiseth a swelling like the blowe with a stone, or woundeth like a dart: but the souldiers estéemed these theeues nothing at all, because with their bucklers they defen­ded themselues against their forces: being now weary with ca­sting, they opened their army: but the light harnised men, wher­of eueryone had a sword and a target, ranne first to ioyne bat­taile: they skirmished togither hot on both sides, many wounds and blowes being giuen on either partie: But we which were captiues, séeing that the théeues had the worser side, their army being broken vp, we went to the enemy: who not knowing what we were, at first would haue slain vs: but when they saw vs naked and bound, they perceiued how the matter went with vs, and willingly receiued vs into their armie: appointing vs to come last, that we might rest our selues. In the meane season, there came a fresh supply of horsemen: the army being spred a­broad, they went to compasse in the théeues: and being brought into a narrow straight, they slew them: whereof some strooken, fell downe dead, some halfe dead, yet fought: other reuolting, submitted themselues into the souldiers powers. But the day being passed and night comming on, the chiefe Generall of the souldiers, whose name was Charmides, called euery one of vs captiues before him, and demaunded of vs what we were, and how we fell into these théeues hands? to whome euery one re­counted his mishaps, and I also declared at length, the whole historie of my trauailes: he when he had vnderstood all things of vs, commaunded vs to follow him, promising that he would bestow armour vpon vs: for he had decreed, that assoone as his armies came which he looked for, to set vpon the strongest force of the théeues, which was said to be ten thousand. But I called for a horse, for in that exercise I did greatly delight: which as­soone as he was brought, coursing him about, I shewed an ex­ample to all the company of horsemen, so that Charmides gaue me great commendations: wherefore that same day he inuited me to be one of his guestes: and at supper, he requested me to tell him all my misaduentures: which when hée had heard, hée [Page 58] was mooued with no small pittie: For oftentimes it so falleth: out, that he which heareth another mans mishaps, doth after a manner togither suffer with him, and pittie also most com­monly doth get goodwill: for their mind which doth conceiue th [...]m, is mollified with griefe: and by the hearing of mischan­ces, is drawn forth in the same sort, that he doth change sorrow into pittie, & pittie into fréendship. But I had so mooued Char­mides with my tale, y^t he could not refraine frō wéeping. More­ouer, he appointed an Egiptian seruant to attend vppon mee: The next day he prouided furniture, carriage & weapōs, for the field, endeuouring also to fill vp a trench, which was a hinde­rance for y^e cariage; beyond the which, we did perceiue a great nūber of théeues in armes, who had raised vp an altar of claye: and not far of had placed a tombe, from the first squadron, wee perceiued two men which ledde a maide bound, who because they were in armour could not easily be knowne: but y^t mayde was my Leucippe whome they perforce had taken frō me be­fore. Preparing her thus for sacrifice, they tyed fetters about her head, & leading her round about the altar, a certaine Aegip­tian priest (as it was most likely) did begin a hymne, for y^e shape of his mouth & the opening thereof did shew that he did sing: at length a signe being giuen, all departed from the altar. Then one of the men which lead her, certaine bordes being fastened into the ground, taking her in his armes, laid her vpon y^e top of them, and bound her fast to the table whereon shée lay, after the same maner as Marcyas was bound to a trée, when Apol­lo did flea the skin from his body: and thrusting in his sworde at the lower end of her belly, ript her vp to y^e heart, wherwith in­stantly her bowels fell forth of her belly: which they taking in their hands layd vpon the altar, & after boyled them, then cut­ting them asunder, deuoured them most sauadgely. The ge­nerall & the souldiers séeing this intollerable villanie, could not chuse but exclaime at this so cruel & inhumane a Tyranny: and many turned away their faces; but without any life, soule, sēce, or vnderstanding, altogither astonied did behold this: for the greatnesse of the cruelty had almost drawn me out of my wits, and peraduēture those things which are fabulously reported of [Page 59] Niobe, may be very well true; for she being thus estéemed for the death of her childrē, was the author of the fable: others thin­king perhaps, because beholding so heauy a spectacle, they did not moue, she was transformed into a stone. After that this sa­crifice had an end as it séemed to me, the théeues tooke the dead body & laide it in the tombe: whence plucked downe the altar, and not looking back they departed, for so the priest had charged them. At night all the trench was full, and the souldiers went forth & pitched their Tents; then we went to supper. Charmi­des séeing me thus sad & pensiue, vsed all persuasions, exhorting me to be of good corage. But I about one a clocke in the night, séeing all in a dead sléep, taking my sword in my hand, went to the tombe, that there I also might sacrifice my selfe; and draw­ing out my sword, I came neer vnto y^e tombe, saying; O wretch Leucippe: O most vnfortunate of all creatures aliue: I do not lament thy death, because that either farre from home, or thus violently thou didst die; but that which maketh me most wret­ched of all men, because thou wast a sacrifice for so vncleane théeues; whom being aliue, they did not only rent out thy verie bowels, but ripping thée vp most butcherly from the lower end of thy belly to thy very heart; but also diuided the secret parts of thy wombe, building vp a most execrable aultar, and most hate­full tombe for thy swéete bodie. Here do thy wretched corps lye, but where are thy entrailes? If they had bin burnt with fire, I should haue thought the misfortune a great deale the lesse; but since their sepulchre is the rauening guts of the théeues, what misfortune can be compared to this mishap (O cruell aulter; O kind of meate neuer heard of before: could the goddes beholde such sacrifices from heauen, and not consume them with fire? But now O Leucippe, take these sacrifices worthy of thy ghost: when I had said so, I tooke my sword, and being in despair, set­ting it to my throate, I was now about to giue me my deadly wound: but behold I saw two men running in hast towardes me (for the Moone did shine bright) wherfore I staied my hand, thinking they had bene théeues, I wished rather to be slaine by them: but comming somewhat nearer vnto me, they showted with a loud voice, for they were Satyrus and Menelaus. [Page 60] Hauing noted them well, I gessed them to be my friendes by their gesture in comming: but so farre was it from me to shewe them any kinde of entertainment, that I wished rather to dye then beholde them, the crueltie of these mischances had so rent my heart. They tooke me by the right hand, and did striue to take away my sword from me: But I cried out, no by the im­mortall goddes, do not enuy this my happie death, or rather the remedie of my sorrowe. For Leucippe being thus taken away from me, what Antidatory is now left to preserue my safetie? will you then go about to plucke my sword from my handes, knowing that the sting of griefe hath pearced to the quicke, and grated me at the verie heart? what will not you haue me die an immortall death? Then answered Menelaus, if you would kill your selfe for no other cause then this, then by Hercules, you may very well cast away your sword, for Leucippe is aliue, and will be here to reproue this your womanish condition. But I casting mine eyes sternely vpon him, saide; Can you sée me tormented with so great mishaps, and laugh at me? Ah remem­ber Iupiter Hospitalis: Then hee tumbling downe the graue with his foote, said; Go too Leucippe, witnesse your self whether you be aliue or no: since Clitiphon will not beléeue me. Scant had he ended his words, when the Sepulchre began to moue three or foure times: and I heard a slender voyce comming from the bottome thereof, wherefore being astonied with feare, I looked gasily vpon Menelaus, thinking that he had bene skil­full in the Magicke art: he tooke away the graue stone, and pre­sently Leucippe arose, looking with a dreadfull and fearefull countenance: her belly was cut vp from the bottome to the top, her bowels being all taken away: and looking vpon me, fell vp­on my face and embraced me: I also took her in my armes, and sate downe vpon the ground. Being now throughly come to my selfe againe, I asked Menelaus, what the cause was why he would not tell me how this had happened: what is not this Leucippe which I sée? which I hold? which I heare speake? it is she: what visions then were those which I did beholde ye­sternight? surely either that was a diuellish illusion, or this is a [Page 61] dreame. Then said he, you shall sée that in an instant she will re­couer her entrailes againe: and the wounde of her brest will be whole againe, and no skarre will be séen: Couer you your face, and to this, O Proserpina I do call vpon thée: wherfore belée­uing him, I did sée he began to speak, and to do strange things and while he was speaking, hee tooke away from Leucippes belly, those things wherewith he deceiued the théeues, restoring her into her former shape: hée commaunded me boldly to looke vpon her. But I being very fearefull, thinking Proserpina her selfe had bene there, I vncouered my face, where I did behold my Leucippe, frée from any wound: then greatly wondring at this straunge miracle, saide I: O deare Menelaus, if thou bee minister to any god, I pray thée tel me where we are? for what do these mean which I do behold? Then said Leucippe, I pray thée Menelaus do not holde him in admiration any longer, but delcare to him the meanes wherewith these traiterous Rouers were deceiued. Then said Menelaus, thou knowest Clitiphon that I am an Aegyptian, as I told you before when we were in the shippe: the most of my liuing lyeth here in this Towne, where with the Gouernours I am very well acquainted: For when we suffered shipwracke togither, the water brought me to the shores of Aegypt: the théeues which were gouernors of that Towne, tooke me togither with Satyrus: wherefore they brought vs to their Captaine, but because many of them knew me, they deliuered me from bondes, and bad me be of good cou­rage: and promised also that they would helpe, in whatsoeuer was in their powers to doo. Then I requested them also to let Satyrus to goe frèe, which they did willingly graunt. In the meane season, it was reuealed to them by an Oracle, that hée should sacrifice a virgine, and offer it vp as an oblation vp­pon their Altars: and taste togither of the liuer and bowels of her which was dedicated, but they should bury the bodie, and go backe againe: hoping that this sacrifice woulde hinder the comming of the enemies: what remaineth, I pray thée Saty­rus declare.

Then saide Satyrus, when as I was brought a captiue to [Page 62] the armie, and was certified of the misfortune of Leucippe, gréeuing for her hard mischaunce, I wept, requesting Mene­laus that he would preserue her safe, wherin I know not what God it was which was so fauourable to vs. The day before these sacrifice should be, we sate downe vpon the shoare, heauie and full of sorrow, thinking what we should best do in this mat­ter: the theeues hauing espyed a ship wandring and floting a­bout the coast▪made violence vpon her, the marriners within knowing them to be théeues, striued to go back, yet al in vaine: for when they sawe that they could not retire, they beganne stoutly to resist. In that ship there were certaine stage-plaiers, who accustomed to play Homers fables in theaters, who with the rest of his companions adorning themselues as they do when they play vpon a stage, beganne to offer force vppon the theeues, and for a short space they did well endure: but with a fresh supplie came in ayde many fishboates of théeues, who imediatly sunke the ship, al the men were put to the sword: there was a certaine chest amongst other fardels, which floted about, whereof they did not know, but onely Menelaus and I: wherefore we priuily conueied it away, hoping some treasure to be laide therein, we priuily opened it, wherein wee found a cloake and a knife, whose handle was foure handfull broade, the blade was three fingers broad, when Menelaus had wren­ched by chaunce vnawares, the knife slipt forth as long as the handle was, which there lay couered like to a case, and turning it the other way, the blade againe ranne vp and was hidden in the handle, when wee thought that those players did vse to make fained wounds vpon the stage. Then said I to Mene­laus, if now you will do your good will to saue her, you shall see the Gods wil lend vs their ayde, and we may preserue the maide aliue, and satisfie the theeues expectations: the man­ner, I wil declare how it shall be done, we will prouide a yong shéeps skinne, and fashion it like a mans belly, which we will fill with the entrailes and bloud of some beast, and make it fast to her body.

[Page 63]The Mayde adorned after this manner, hauing a garment put ouer it, shall be all bounde with fillets: and you sée it falleth out verie fitly, agréeing with the Oracle: which gaue this an­swere, that a woman adorned with such a garment, should be cut through the middle. Now you do perceiue that the knife is made with such art, that if you would thrust it into my bodie, it runneth vp into the heft as it were into a sheathe; and those which behold it, would thinke it went into her bodie, when all the blade is hidden in the heft; the sharpe end of the knife onely comming foorth, which dooth cut the fayned skinne; and if you pull the knife againe out of the wounde, it runneth foorth againe as much as is hidden before in the heft: and so by this deuise we may deceiue the beholders, which thinke that all that which came foorth of the heft was thrust into her bo­die.

This may we doo, and they neuer espie our craft. Moreo­uer, we will couer the outwarde partes with a thinne cloth, as it were for modesties sake: and the skinne being cut, the entrailes shall leape out; which wee taking foorth, will laye vppon the aultar: neyther at that time shall the théeues come to the dead bodie, which being thus contemned, we will laye in a Tombe.

You heard a little before the king of the théeues say, that we should showe him something done couragiously by vs, where­fore you may make it knowne and satis [...]e him, that you are readie to doo this déede: which when I had sayde, I made my prayers to Iupiter Hospitalis, making mention both of our li­uing and shipwracke togither: then thought I with my selfe, Clitiphon is yet aliue: for when I demaunded of Leucippe where hee was, shée answered, hee was carried amongst the prisoners; and that whilest the théeues fought the last battle, he with other captiues fledde to the enemie: Wherefore the goddes sent downe their helpe, to deliuer this poore soule from this present death; and fortune fauoured our attempts, where­fore I prouided all thinges which were necessary for this acti­on. But Menelaus wente vnto the Théeues to consulte [Page 64] with them, what should be otherwise ordeined in the sacrifice, but the king committed the whole charge into their handes. Then said Menelaus, we alreadie haue prouided all things be­longing to this sacrifice: and as it is declared by the Oracle, we haue already prepared the mayd, which at the time and houre appointed, shall not bee wanting to satisfie your expectations. Therefore we apparelled Leucippe after that order as we had appointed before: and bidding her to be of good comfort, shew­ing that she should go into the tombe: and remaine all the day time vntil night, and from whence we would flie vnto the ene­my, and come againe and deliuer her from this feare: which when I had said, we brought her to the altar: what was done afterwardes you your selfe did beholde: with this spéech of his, my minde was wonderfully distracted: neither did I knowe what to doo, wherewith I might sufficiently requite Menelaus for all his curtesies: wherefore falling downe at his féete, I em­braced him, and worshipped him, as if he had bene some god: when a new pleasure began to reuiue my languishing spirites. After I perceiued that Leucippe was safely escaped out of these daungers, I demaunded what was become of Clinias: Me­nelaus answered, that when the ship was broken, he sawe him riding the crosse peece: but what fortuned afterwards to him, was vnknowne: wherefore I could not chuse but be sorrie in the middle of my ioy. But not long after, we departed thence, and went vnto the army: and in my Tent, we spent the rest of the night: but straunge report of this night, was bruted round about: when it was day, I brought Menelaus to Charmides, and declared to him all the whole matter: who being delighted with the newes, receiued him into friendship, and demaunded of him, what number and force the aduersary had. Menelaus answered, that the next village was full of the wicked robbers, who lately had sent for ayde, being now about tenne thousand strong. Thē said Charmides, but fiue thousand of our men, are able to resist the force of ten thousand of théeues: although we also shall haue more aide from them which doo defende Delta and Heliopolis against the inuasion of the barbarous and wild [Page 65] vagabounds.

In the meane seasō there came in a messenger running in hast from Delta, which brought word that an armie was com­ming from thence, which contained two thousand men: say­ing that they had set forward fiue dayes before, had not a sud­daine tumult of the théeues called them backe: and as they were comming now, theholy bird which carrieth his fathers sepulchre, did astonish them with his flight: Wherfore they were also constrained to stay again. Then saide I: I pray you what bird is that, which they doo so much honour? Or what sepulchre is that which he doth carrie about with him? The bird is called Phoenix, and hath her originall amongst the Aethiopian [...]? Shée is of the colour and bignesse of a peacocke, her feathers are painted with purple, and [...]ld, shée is called the bird of the sunne: for her head doth signifie as much, wher­on she hath a crowne, which sheweth the whole course of the sun, it is of an azure colour, partly shining like a flame, casting forth pleasant rayes like to the beames of bright Phoebus, bée­ing in the meridian: she is of this qualitie; that the Aethiopi­ans enioy her aliue, but the Aegiptians haue her d [...]de: for when she dieth (which commeth not to passe of a long time, for shée liueth sixe hundred yéeres) her sonne bringeth her to the riuer Nilus, and maketh a tombe after this maner: he taketh as much myrrhe, as will suffice to lay the carcase in, and ma­king it hollow with his beak layeth it in the middle, as it were in a tombe. The body being thus layd in the ground and coue­red with earth, [...]yeth towards Nilus: a troupe of birds follow­ing as it were companions at the Funerall, and comming to the Cittie of the sunne, which is the place, where the dead body doth lye, flieth vp to the sunne: So it commeth to passe that liuing she abideth in Aethiopia, but being dead, she resteth in Aegipt.

AFter that Charmides had vnderstood the cause of the staying of y^e army, and know­ing the forces of the théeues to wax stron­ger, he determined to returne back, and to stay so long, vntill his aide were come: but when we came vnto the village, we had a lodging appointed for Leucippe and me, neare vnto Charmides house; wherein assoone as I came, I tooke her in my armes & kissed her, determi­ning to abstaine no longer from my desire. But when I sawe my enterprise went not forward, how long saide I, shall wee want the frutes of Venus? Doo not you sée how many daun­gers in so short space haue fallen out vnlooked for? for we haue suffered shipwracke, fell into the théeues hands, and lastly, you were offered in stéede of a sacrifice: wherefore while we are in safetie, let vs not refuse a fit occasion offered, before some grea­ter mishap do fall out. Then said Leucippe, but yet it may not be lawfull; for when I was offered vpon the aultar as a sacri­fice, I greatly lamented my misfortune; and in my dreame Diana séemed to appeare vnto me, saying; doo not wéepe, for thou shalt not die, I my selfe will helpe thée, kéepe thou as yet thy virginitie, vntil I shall otherwise appoint thée, for thou shalt marry none but Clitiphon. I although I did gréeuously take this delay, yet I reioyced with the hope of the thing to come: and when she had made mention of her vision, I did remem­ber [Page 67] also that I had dreamed to the like effect: for the night be­fore, me thought I was in Venus temple, and there standing alone, I did beholde an image erected before mee, and when I had approached neare to say my prayers, I shut the doore; and being troubled in minde, there appeared a thing to me in shape of a woman: which saide, that as yet it was not lawfull for me to enter into the temple; but if that I would stay a little space, it should come to passe, that the doores would open of theyr owne accord, and also that I should be created a Priest vnto the goddesse: this therefore I tolde Leucippe, neyther did I striue to offer her violence any more: but thinking vppon her dreame, I was somewhat heauie in minde. In the meane season, Charmides who was euer desirous to sée Leucippe, hauing a fit occasion seruing him for the purpose, sent for vs both; bechance certaine fishermen of the Towne had taken a beast in the Riuer, a spectacle not vnworthie to bee séene: the Aegyptians did call it the Horse of Nilus: and truly his back, head, belly, and feete, are like to another Horse, sauing that his hoofe is clouen; in bignesse of bodie he is like to an Oxe, hee hath a short tayle and full of haire: all the other partes of his bodie being without, his head is rounde and great, his iawes almost like to a Horse, his nosthrils somewhat broad, and brea­thing foorth a fiery kind of smoke, as it were the breath of a fur­nace: the widenesse of his mouth reached to both his temples, his téeth were crooked, made altogither both in forme and stan­ding like to a horse. Charmides inuited vs to see this beast, Leu­cippe: was there also togither with vs: earnestly we did behold the beas [...], but he whose mind was occupied about an other mat­ter, neuer cast his eyes from Leucippe. Therefore we iudged him to be in loue with her: and because he would haue vs stay the longer there, that hee might the more satisfie himselfe with the sight of her, he began to finde some discourses: and first hee did declare vnto vs the nature of the beast, and the maner of ta­king him, saying, that it was a most rauenous creature, how that he wold deuour a whole field of corne: neither is he caught without a prettie wile, for y^e hunters marking in what place he [Page 68] accustometh to lye, to dig a pit and couer it with turfes and réeds, laying vnder it a little coale made of boords, whose doores are open to the height of the pitte, then hiding themselues vn­till he fell in, they rush vpon a sodaine and shut the doores of the little house, and so is taken, which else by no meanes could bee caught, because he is of so great a strength: hee is most strong in euery part of his body, but his skin is so hard that it cannot be pearced with Iron, and worthily may he be called the E­gyptian Elephant: wherupon Menelaus demanded of Char­mides to e [...]presse the nature of them: who answered: I haue heard report of them which are the curious searchers of theyr nature, to affirme their qualities aboue all creatures to be most admired. And that I will not suffer you to be ignorant heerein any longer, know that she is of a long life, and doth keepe the séede of her belly ten yeeres before shee bee deliuered of it, and when this time is past, she bringeth forth her yong of large pro­portion, and for this cause I thinke that he is of so huge migh­tie body and inuincible strength, and a most long life, for it is reported that he liueth longer then the crowes which Hesiode writeth of. The iaw of an Elephant is like the head of a Bull, and if you saw his mouth you would thinke he had two hornes growing therin, which are his fore téeth, from betwéene which commeth downe a long snout, which is in forme and fashion like vnto a shaulme: by this he taketh his meat and sustenance, and whatsoeuer is throwne to him he will eate it, with con­ueighing it into his snout, if it be good hee bringeth it downe in­to his mouth, but if it be bad hee giueth it to his m [...]ster: there sitteth vpon his backe a Moore, which is his horseman, he doth fawne and feare, and doth vnderstand any which speake vnto him▪ and doth suffer himselfe to be beaten with an Iron rodde, which is in stéede of a whip: and I doo remember that once I did beholde a strange fight, a Graecian once lying down, ioy­ned his head to the Elephāts, who without any resistance stry­ked his head with his snout, wherein I meruailed at the bold­nesse of the man, and the gentlenesse of the beast, but the Grae­ [...]ian answered, that he first did giue him foode to eate,, before he [Page 69] would open his mouth and breath forth the pleasant breath of the Indian spices, which he did vse to do, to take away the head­ach. But the Elephant which knoweth the cure which he doth effect, doth first denie his aide, vntill he haue receiued his suste­nance: like vnto a proude Phisition, which first will haue his foe before he minister any thing to his patient: but taking first his reward, he will thanke you, holding open his mouth vntill you be cured, knowing wel that he had sold this swéete odour. Then said I, how commeth it to passe that so deformed a crea­ture hath so swéete a sauour? Of his meate (said Charmides) whereof hee féedeth: the countrey of the Indians is very neere the sunne, and they be the first people which inhabite the East, and do féele the force of his bea [...]s more hot. In Greece ther [...] groweth a flower, which in India is not a flower but a blos­som, such as those which grow vpon trées: as it groweth it hath no sauour, neither is in any estimation, whether because it will giue no pleasure where it is knowen, or whether it do enuie his countreymen: but if it be [...]arried a little out of his countrey, it yéeldeth a swéete and odoriferous sauour, this is the Indian flower which is commonly called the blacke rose: vppon this Elephants do féede in those countries, as Oxen do of grasse a­mongst vs, wherfore béeing fed with so swéet meat, they cannot choose but s [...]nd forth a swéete breath. After Charmides had en­ded his discourse, not suffering vs to go farre (for hee which is wounded with loue, is burned with his heate, and cannot find a remedie for his gréefe) tooke Menelaus by the hand, and said: I do verily perceiue that thou art Clitiphon his good friend, by those things which thou hast done for him, wherfore thou shalt not find me worse: I would therfore haue you giue him thanks as from me, which you may easily do, for in so doing you shall restore health againe to my soule: for Leucippe hath wounded me, preserue thou my life, and for these thy good turnes, héere I giue thée these fifti [...] péeces of gold: Leucippe shall haue as much as she will demaund. Then said Menelaus, I pray you take your money againe, and giue it to them who sell their good turnes, and will do nothing except they be hired. I since that [Page 70] you haue accounted of me as your friend, I will do my ende­uor that you shall know, you did not amisse when you recei­ued me into your friendship, which when he had said, he came to me, and told me all that Charmides had saide: wherefore we began now to thinke with our selues what were best to be done herein: in the end we concluded to deceiue him, for wee could not denie him, for feare least hee should haue vsed vio­lence vppon vs, neyther could wee escape away, because all places thereabouts were beset rounde with théeues, and hee also had so many Souldiours about him. Therefore a little while after, Menelaus went vnto Charmides, saying that hee had concluded the matter, shewing how that at the first she was very obstinate, but when I had mooued her with petitions, telling her of your kindnesse shewed vnto her, shee granted me my requestes: but yet shee intreated this one thing which you must needes graunt, that shee may haue leaue to go to Alex­andria, for that is the place where shee was borne, and her friendes do dwell there. Then said Charmides, thou dost demaund of me this which can hardly be graunted, for in war who would deferre to fulfill his desire? is there any man which now is about to ioyne battell, which is sure of the victorie when there are so many passages ready which leade to death? request you this of fortune that I may returne safe from the warre: and nowe at this time am I about to fight with these théeues, but there is another battell sought in my heart: the armed Souldiour doth assayle me with his Bowe and arrowes, I am ouercome, and heereby wounded with his darts: wherefore send for a Phisition for me spéedily, for the wound doth waxe gréene, and when I am readye to sende fire amongst mine enemies, loue hath sette my heart on fire with his torches. First therefore Menelaus quench [...]his fire, and it is the signe of best lucke, first to encounter amo­rously with his loue, then to ioyne battell with the enemies: let Venus sende mee vnto Mars. Then sayde Menelaus, you your selfe may sée what a hard matter it is to doo it, that her louer which is nowe present should not know. Then [Page 71] said Charmides, this may quickly be doone, for we may sende Clitiphon some other way. But Menelaus séeing Charmi­des wonderfull learnest of his loue, fearing least hee would doo mée some iniurie, diuised a very good course, saying: will you knowe the cause indéede why you shoulde stay? the Mayde beganne yesternight to bee in her flowers, where­fore then shee must abstaine from a man: wherefore▪ sayde Charmides? I will stay thrée or foure dayes vntill shee bée well againe, I hope by that time her monethes will cease, in the meane time shee shall doo that which she may: shée shall sitte in my sight, and kisse me, and talke with mee, for I do delight to heare her speake, to take her by the hande, and to touch her soft bodie, for these are some easements to a woun­ded minde. What may not a man kisse her nowe? I know that cannot hurte her flowers: which when Mene­laus returning from him had tolde mee, at his last wordes I could not choose but exclaime, wishing rather to die then a­ny one should enioy her kisses, then which nothing is more swéete, pleasant, and delightfull. For with venerean sports a man may be satisfied: neither is it any thing worth if you take away kissing: kisses haue no ende, neither do bring satie­tie, or make a man loath them, but are alwaies fresh. And there are moreouer thrée most excellent things which come from the mouth, her breath, voyce, and kisses, and the lippes which in kissing do touch one another, do yéeld that pleasure which riseth form the fountaine of the mind.

Beléeue mee Menelaus (for in necessitie I am not ashamed to reueale any secrets) I my selfe haue neuer hadde any thing of Leucippe but kisses, shee as yet is a Uirgin, neither can bée made a Wife, but by kissing: which if a­ny man striue to take away from mée, hee first shall take away my Soule. While I am aliue none shall robbe me of this felicitie: wherefore sayd Menelaus, wee haue néede of good and spéedie counsell: for a louer so long as hee is in hope to obtaine, hée beareth all things patiently, for hee doth conceiue in his mind the very possession of that which he would. [Page 72] But if all his hope be taken away, then his desire changed, he striued to take away the hinderance: in the means season, while we were thus consulting togither, there came one run­ning in to vs hastily, who seemed by his countenance to bee somwhat frighted, & told vs y^e Leucippe fell downe in a swound turning vp her eies as if she were dead: but when we came to her and demanded of her what had hapned to her, she rising vp came towards me, & looking vpon me with sower counte­nance, strooke me vpō the chéeke with her fist, & spurned Mene­laus with her féete, who went about to hold her, wherefore we perceiuing she had fallen sicke, & the impatience of the gréefe for­ced her to a fit of madnesse: we went about to hold her, but she withstood vs, and wrastled with vs a great while, hauing no re­gard to couer her hiddē parts: wherfore a great tumult arose in our lodging, so that Charmides hearing of it, came running to vs to know what the matter was: at first he looked vpon Me­nelaus very sternely, thinking that wee had gone about some knauerie to beguile him, but afterwardes when hee sawe the truth, his minde was changed, greatly lamenting this mishap. But Leucippe, the cords being brought, was bound vpon her bed: which when I sawe her tender handes were tyed with such hard ropes, most of them being gone forth, I turned mée to Menelaus, saying: Loose, I pray thee loose, for her tender hands cannot abide to be tyed thus roughly: let me alone with her, I will hold her downe in stéede of a cord, lette her rage vp­on me if she will: What should I liue now any longer? Leu­cippe knoweth me not, and h [...]re lieth bound, and I behold her in this case, yet moued with pittie, I do not vnbind her: did for­tune therefore deliuer vs out of the hands of theeues, that thou by madnesse shouldest be made a laughingstocke for vs? O wretched & vnfortunate that we are! shal we neuer haue better hap? that which we feared at home, haue auoyded, that we might trie the force of the raging Sea: we escaped shipwrack, fled out of the hands of the théeues, because the Destinies had appointed our end to be madnesse, which if thou escape, I feare lest fortune haue some greater affliction to present vs withall: [Page 73] who is more wretched then we? to whom is prosperitie to bee graunted? But fortune mocketh vs, and séemes to laugh at vs when we repent: but Menelaus comforted me being thus sad and pensiue, saying, that these troubles were too violent to last long, and that this frensie of hers was ingendred by a hotte bloud, and dispersed abroade through the veynes, striking vp into the head, sought to distract the minde by confounding all the senses: wherfore the Phisitions were sent for, to trie if they by their art could help her. Menelaus went vnto Charmides, to request him that hee would send for his Phisition, which was in the armie, which he commanded instantly to be done. For louers doo reioyce to apply themselues in any thing which may tend to their good. The Phisition being come, deuised with himselfe what this sodaine sicknesse might be: wherefore first hee gaue her a potion to sléepe, that the sicknesse might leaue some of his force: for sleepe is the remedie for all sick­nesse. But to procéede, he gaue her as much as a graine of Po­megranade, which being beaten together with oyle, he bound it to the temples of her head, saying, that afterward he would giue her a purgation for the ease of her belly. Leucippe bee­ing thus annointed, fell presently into a sound sléepe, and so con­tinued vntill the morning, but I sate by her watching all the night, and looking vpon her bonds, I said: alas poore Leucip­pe canst thou sléepe so soundly being bound? what dreames do now trouble thy head? hath this sléepe yet recouered thy wits againe, or whether dost thou dreame of idle fantasies? Béeing now awaked, she beganne to talke somewhat idlie, and imme­diatly the Phisition came to her againe, and gaue her another medicine. In the meane season letters were brought from the Deputie of Aegypt vnto Charmides, wherein he was com­manded to bring forth the armies, & presētly ioyne battell with the théeues: wherfore all were ready in armes, about to march forward to méete theyr enemies, euery captaine with as much spéed as could bee brought al their companies together vnder their colours, and alarum being giuen they went euerie one to his seuerall tents. In the next morrow, betime in the morning [Page 74] he brought forth all his armies, the situation of the village was in this forme. From the places which are aboue the Aegyptian Thaebae the Riuer Nilus runneth downe, and commeth along by the Citie Memphis, where it sendeth sorth a little streame, which comming from the mayne channell, compasseth a little péece of ground. There is a little village called Syrus, which also is diuided from the lande by another little fléete, so [...]hat of one streame there seemed to come thrée riuers, whereof two do dis­sperse themselues abroade into the countrey the third directing his course straight toward the sea, and compasseth that lande which is called Belta. But none of these Riuers do carrie their whole streame into the Sea, but being diuided do run through many Cities bordering néere about: and euery part of these do excell the greatest riuer in Greece in bignesse: neither yet, al­though the streame be thus diuided, is the force of the water weaker, but is nauigable both with greater & smaller vessels, to them which inhabit there-abouts: for the riuer Nilus ser­ueth for all vses of the countrey: and it is a most admirable thing, how that in the selfe same place you may beholde a ship, and a plough, an oare, and a mattocke, a mast, and a spade, the houses of mariners & husbandmen, the lodgings of fishes and oxen, and where as you did steare your ship, there also may you guide your plough: the greatnesse of the riuer doth continue in longitude, rising at a certaine time with a higher streame: and the Aegyptians do daily expect his comming, and count howe many daies hee accustometh to stay: but he rising at his accu­st [...]med time, euerfloweth his banks, and watereth all the coun­trie round about him. There may one sée as it were a conten­tion betwéene the Water and the earth: for while that he doth striue to ouerflow, the earth doth suppe it vp, so that the Wa­ter doth containe equall compasse with the earth. In this coun­trey do the théeues inhabite, for the water falling againe doth make marrish grounds, which do not stand with Water, but are full of lime, wherein they do row the little boates which will containe but one person: for being but little, a little water will suffice to carrie them, and if in some place the riuer be shal­low, [Page 75] they take vp their boates and carrie them vpon their shoul­ders, vntill they come to the water againe: in these marishes there are certaine Ilands, whereof the most are not inhabited: they are full of paper rushes, which grow so thick, that betwéene their stalkes it is impossible to passe, but one by one: their tops grow all thicke together. Nither do these theeues hide them, heere they doo lay theyr plots of their villanie, heere doo they shroud their wickednesse, the rushes seruing them in stéed of a wall. In many of these Ilands which are compassed with the marishes, there are built cottages, so thicke as they séeme to be a scattered towne, whereof the greatest, which contained the most number of houses, was called Nichocis: thither did they get themselues as it were into a strong holde, where in the situation and strength of the place they did trust much: the passage to it was very na [...]row, of length it contained an hun­dred twentie thrée paces, in breadth but twelue. After they perceuied that Charmides approched neere vnto them, they deuised this stratageme among themselues: they appoin­ted all the old men to go formost in te band, carrying in theyr hands Oliue branches, attired after the manner of petitioners in signe of peace: they commaunded the strongest of their youth to follow next after, being wonderfully well armed, and placed in battell array. So determining that the olde men shoulde carrie theyr branches in signe of peace, and that they should shaddow the Armie of men comming behinde, with theyr boughs, the young men dragged theyr weapons after them that they might not be séene. Béeing placed in this order, they went forward to méete Charmides, desiring him that he would take pittie on theyr olde age, and spare theyr whole Cittie, promising that they would giue him a hundreth talents of gold priuatly, and as many men, if he would cease to besiege their ci­tie, which hee might send vnto the gouernour of Aegypt as spoyles taken in war. All which they would haue done if hee would haue accepted of the condition: but Charmides hauing heard what they could say, would not graunt them their re­quests, wherefore (said the olde men) if you will not haue pittie [Page 76] vpon vs, we must indure this miserie patiently, and if that wee shall die, slay vs heere before our Cittie walles, that in our fa­thers habitations where we had our beginning, there also we may make our end, hauing this citie to be our tombes, and we our selues will be the auth [...]urs of our own death When Char­mides heard this, he dismissed his army, sending them backe againe to their tents. Now the théeues had layd certaine spies which did see all that was doone, to whome it was giuen in charge, that as soone as they saw the enemies comming, brea­king downe the banke of the riuer, they should let the water in vpon them, for there are diuers ditches made, with high bankes, which do keepe in the Water of Nilus y^t it shall not o­uerflow vntill time require, which when they will let the Wa­ter round about, they plucke downe the bankes: wherefore the spies séeing them come neere, plucked downe the bankes, so that the Water began to ouerflow amaine, and in an instant the old men got themselues away, the yong men which dragd their weapons behind them, beganne to rush vpon them: the Waters increased and waxed so high, that all the marishes were ouerflowen, so that it seemed a little Sea. This assault beeing giuen thus on the sodaine, they slewe all which they mette, but first they dispatched Charmides: the other souldi­ours were in such an amaze, they knowe not what to do: the darts came so thicke vppon them, that they were nowe in de­spaire of succour, flie they coulde not, the straights were so narrow, and offer violence to them they were not able: the Water now came vppe to their middle, wherefore many asto­nished with feare, stood still expecting their death, others stri­uing to go forward, were borne downe with the force of the Water, some indeuouring to flie away, stucke fast in the mud: the waters beeing ouerflowen, tooke away the vse of their bucklers, neither could one tel which was the field, or which the marish, for he which thought he was vppon the field run­ning apace, stucke fast in the s [...]ime, and pursued was taken of his enemies, and he which was in the marish supposing he had beene vpon the firme land, and making quicke spéede, was [Page 77] drowned in some hole: without doubt this was a new kinde of misfortune and shipwracke by sea, when as round about there was not a ship to be séene; neither was it so straunge, but euen ouercomming humane cogitation, in the water was fought a battaile by land, and on the land was suffred shipwracke. The théeues being now aloft with this successe, began to vaunt and brag, thinking how that they had gotten the victorie by valour, not by deceit, or ambushes; for the nature of the Aegyptian is, that in aduersitie hee is of no courage, but in prosperitie hée plucketh vp his heart again: so that he is euer in the extremes; for either he cowardly yéeldeth, or else doth proudly dominere. Ten daies were now expired, since Leucippe fel into her mad­nesse, which did not séeme to cease any thing at all; wherefore one day as she was in a sléepe, shée spake verie earnestly these words; For they cause, Gorgias did I fall madde: which I hea­ring, assoone as it was day, I told to Menelaus; thinking with my selfe whether there were any in the Towne which was called Gorgias. Whilest I went downe out of my lodging, there met me a certaine yoong man, which after he had saluted me, spake to me in this maner; I am the preseruer of thée and thy wife: wherefore being amazed; what said I, art thou Gor­gias? He answered no: but I am Chaerea. Gorgias was he which was the cause of her mishap: then I being more astoni­shed then before, what mishap said I? or what is this Gorgias? Tell me I pray you, what these sayings do meane? Then said he, this Gorgias was an Aegyptian souldier, which now is dead, for he was one of the first which was slain of the théeues: he was in loue with your wife; and when by nature he was giuen to sorceries, hee made an amorous Potion, and per­swaded your Aegyptian seruaunt, that hee should mingle it with Leucippes drinke: but so it came to passe, that he made the Potion stronger then he should; and in stead to make her loue, he made her madde: all this Gorgias seruant tolde mee yesternight, which escaped out of the same warre, where his maister was slaine: and it séemeth to be most likely, that by the sacred Destinies decrée, hee was saued aliue for your sakes. [Page 78] Thus hauing ended, he demaunded of me foure péeces of gold: promising it I would giue him so much, he woulde presently restore her to her health, saying, that he had a medicine nowe readie mingled, which would cure the former disease. But be­side this rewarde sayde I, I will giue thée immortall thankes for this thy good turne: but first send for this man which you talked off. So he departed from me: but I comming home, did giue my Aegiptian seruant his desert, striking him three or foure times vpon the face, & with threatning words, I asked of him, what that was, which he mingled and gaue to Leucippe, and for what cause she fell mad: wherwithall he being affraid, declared all to me as Chaerea hadde spoken before. We procu­red him therefore to be shut vp in prison: In the meane time Chaerea returned with Gorgias mā, to whom I presently pay­ed the money, saying. I pray you marke this of me, and heare my opinion héerein: you knowe that the potion was the cause of all this mishappe, wherefore I doo not thinke it good, that her belly béeing once infected with drugges, you go about to di­stemper it with the like: But procéede on forwarde, and shewe me what is in your medicine, and make it ready while I doo stand by: which if you shall bring to passe, I wil giue you both, well double my reward.

Then sayde the Seruant you doo séeme to feare, not without a cause: But those things which are to be prouided are edible and common, and I my selfe will eate as much of them be­fore, as I will giue vnto her. And immediately they went and bought euerie thing, and before mée they pund them, and being diuided into two parts, this first said he, will I drinke: this o­ther part, I will giue to the maide, which after she hath dronk, she will sléepe all the night: when morning commeth she will both be fréed of her sléep, & disease. So he did drinke vp one part, the other he commanded to be kept vntill night, and then to be ministred vnto her: and he promising that the medicine would worke after this order: hauing taken the money departed a­waye, the rest I promised I would giue him when Leucip­pe was recouered againe. When the time came that I should [Page 79] giue her the medicine, mingling it togither in my hand, I spake after this manner: O Phisicke begotten of the earth and Aesculapius, and by him first giuen to mankind, I pray God that his promises of thée doo prou [...] true: Bée thou fauourable vnto mée, and driuing away this sauage and corrupt poyson, restore this most beautifull virgin to her health againe: hauing kissed the pot, I gaue it to Leucippe, who hauing receiued it not long after, as he had declared, fell into a great sléepe: but I sitting by her as shee was asléepe, said vnto her as though shee heard me, what doost thou now repent thy self? doost thou know me? let me heare thée speake to me: go too tell me something, on thy dreame; for yesternight thou didst talke of Gorgias: wor­thely is thy felicity, being awake, great, but greater when thou art asléepe, for being awake thou didst fall into madnesse, but the dreames of sléepers doo pretend things to come. As I was thus talking with her as though shee hearde me, the morning began to appeare: Leucippe awaking called me by my name, but I comming nearer vnto her, enquired of her health: but shée séemed to me not to know any thing that shée did: but séeing her selfe bounde shée fell into a great admiration, and demaunded of mée of whome shée was bound: then séeing her restored to her wittes againe, leaping for very ioy, I vn­loosed her, and I declared all things which were doone: which when she heard, shée blushed, and vnderstood how that she had béene mad. Wherefore I comforting her, badde her be of a good courage: which I declared to Satyrus, demaunding of him the rewards to giue to Chaerea, for hée kept all our pro­uision safe since the shipwracke, neither afterwardes did ei­ther Menelaus or hee or any of vs remaine in the daunger of the théeues.

In the meane season a newe armye was sent from the chiefe Cittie against the théeues, which did determine to ouerthrowe the Cittie also, wée beeing nowe freed from the iniurie of the robbers which inhabited the riuer, de­termined to goe to Alexandria, taking Chaerea with vs, [Page 80] whom, because he made the potion, we receiued into our com­panie. He was a fisherman of the Iland Pharos: but at that time he did serue in pay vnder the pyrates, and the war béeing ended, he was dismissed: Wherefore when sayling had béene long intermitted because of the pyrates, their forces being now vanquished, al the riuer was full fraught againe with vessels: and the reioycing of the marriners, the applause of the passen­gers, the number of ships and boates, the fayrenesse of the ri­uer, did bréede a great delight to the beholders: for the passage vpon the riuer, did séeme as though the riuer did celebrate a festiuall. But I beeing delighted with the riuer, desired also to taste the swéetenesse thereof: the very first day I did drinke it without any wine, because béeing mingeled with a liquor of greater force, the vertue of it is extinct by a more forcible:

Therefore I tooke vppe the water in a glasse, which did séeme to striue with y^e Christall in whitenesse: the taste in drin­king, was swéete & coole. I doo know certaine riuers in Greece so cold, that one is not able to drinke thereof: Wherefore it commeth to passe that the Aegiptiaus, when Nilus ouerflow­eth, doo neuer feare the scarcitie of wine. I did meruaile at their manner of drinking thereof, for they neither vse cuppes, glasses, pots, or any other such vessell, but doo drinke from their hands: if any of the saylers be thirsty, he boweth downe out of the ship, and in the hollownesse of his hād taketh vp the water, but I did there behold another beast, which in force did far sur­passe the Horse of Nilus, the name whereof was a Crocodile, he is in forme both of a fish, and also a beast, which liueth vpon the land: there is a great space betwéene his head and his tale, but the breadth in proportion doth not answere to his length, his skinne is roughe with scales, his backe is blacke and like to a stone, his bellie is white, he hath foure féete bowing somewhat inward, like vnto a land tortesse, his tayle long, thicke, and solide like vnto his body, his téeth stand like to the manner of a sawe, wherewith if he fight with any beast hée feareth them, his head groweth to his body no separatiō séene, for nature hath hidden his necke: the other part of his body is [Page 81] very horrible to behold, especially when his iawes hang down, and his mouth is open: so long as he doth not gape, his head séemeth to be solible, but when he openeth his choppes it is o­therwise: in eating hee moueth his vpper iawe, but neuer his nether: moreouer his gaping is so wide, that it reacheth to his shoulders, and neare by adioyning to his belly: His téeth are many, set in thrée ranckes, whose number is (as they say) so many as there be dayes in the yeare: you would wonder to sée the hugenesse of his bodie, when he goeth vppon the earth, to thinke what incredible strength he hath.

WHen thrée dayes were past, we came to Alexandria, and entering into the gates of the Sunne (for so they are called) my eyes were filled with the bewtie of the ci­tie, for from the gates of the Sunne, to the Moone, (for they are vnder the safegard of those goddes) a long rowe of pillers sup­porteth y^e building on both sides: in whose middle is a stréete, from whence many wayes do come, so that the people walking in the citie, do séeme as it were to haue vn­dertaken a voyage. Hauing walked two or thrée furlongs into the citie, I came to that place, which hath his name of Alex­ander: and I did behold another cittie, which was distingui­shed after this order: There was a long row of pillers equall in height, which séemed to be vauted ouer, making a faire passage through, so that it doth serue to walke safe from a tempest or foule weather. But this citie séemed to me populous, and there were so many, that except the building were verie large, they could not be conteined. By chance, at the same time the festiual day of the great God, which the Grecians call [...], the Egyp­tians Serapis, the Latins Iupiter, was celebrated: wherin the the lights did shine through the citie, a sight worthie the behol­ding: [Page 83] for when euening came, and now the Sun was set, ney­ther was it night altogither, but about twilight, me thought the citie did then contend with heauen in bewtie; I saw Melichi­us Iupiter, and his temple, whose godhead when we had wor­shipped, we made our prayers, that here might be an end of all our calamities: and then we departed thence & came to Mene­laus, who had hired a house in the citie; but the god would not grant vs our praiers, for there was another danger behinde, which fortune séemed to threaten vpon vs: for Chaerea had lo­ued Leucippe priuily long before: who gaue her the medicine hoping to haue occasion therby to come into acquaintance with her, and that he might preserue her for himself: whom, when he saw how hard a matter it was to get, he wēt about to lay wiles and ambushes to take her away: wherfore hauing gotten cer­tain théeues like himselfe togither, he told them all what he pur­posed to do, therefore counterfeiting to celebrate his byrth day, he inuited vs to sée the Iland Pharus: And as we went out of the house, there appeared to vs a sign of ill luck, for a hawke fol­lowing a swallow, strooke with his wing Leucippe vpō y^e head: wherfore being troubled in mind, and looking vp into the aire, what strāge signe (said I) is this O Iupiter, which thou shewest vnto vs? But rather if this bird be truly thine, why doest not thou shew vs a more manifest signe? wherefore turning me a­bout, (for we stood neare vnto a Painters shop) I did beholde a table, wherin was drawen the mishap of Progne, the violence of Tereus, the cutting out of the tongue of Philomela, & contei­ning all the whole history therof. There was to be séene y^e sam­pler which Philomela wrought, Tereus also sitting at his ta­ble, and a seruant holding abroad the sampler, and Philomela pointing in it with her finger, Progne did séeme to grant to her desire, and looking eagerly, knitting the browes, did séeme as though she would be reuenged vpon Tereus, which had dealt thus traiterously with her sister, which did stand by, hauing her haire plucked off, her face beaten, her garments rent and torne: her white breast did lye open, her right hande wy­ping her eyes, shée did greatly and gréeuously accuse Tereus: [Page 84] with her left hand, she endeuours to couer her naked breasts with a péece of her torne garment: Tereus plucked her to him with all his strength, straightly imbracing her in his armes: in the other part of the picture, the women brought to Tereus in a dish, the reliques of his sonne to supper, which was his head and hands, laughing togither and trembling: but he rising vp with his drawne sword in his hand, séemed to thrust downe the table with his arme, which now did neither stand nor fall; yet séemed as though it did fall. Then said Menelaus, if you will take my counsell, I thinke it good if you did not go to Pharos, for two signes of ill fortune haue happened to you: the flying of the hauke, and the threatning of the picture: for the soothsayers and diuinators do warn vs not to despise such tokens as th [...]se: but if that we haue any affairs at all, we should talk with them for whose cause we vndertooke the trauaile, if there be any like­lihood in the matter: do not you sée the picture full of filthy loue, impudent adultery, womens mishaps, to conclude, full of al ini­quitie? I truly would deferre this going to another ende. This spéech of Menelaus seemed to be very true, wherefore I badde Chaerea farewell, which went away very sad, saying that to morrow he would come for vs againe. Then Leucippe tur­ning to me (for women are desirous to know euery toy) I pray you said shée, tell me, what this picture, these birdes, and these women, about that impudent man do meane? Then saide I, those which you sée now to be birdes, were once men, the wo­men there, Progne & Philomela, (for these were their names) were sisters born at Athens, this was turned into a Swallow, the other into a Nightingall, the mans name was Tereus a Thracian borne, and the husband of Progne was transformed into a Lapwing. To satisfie the lust of a barbarous man, one woman is not sufficient, especially when occasion serueth him to fulfill it by violence: the loue of Progne towards her sister, did giue the occasion to this intemperate man, which following his owne sensualitie, did fall into all intemperance and immo­destie: for she sent him being her husband, to sée her sister, which departed her husband, but returned her sisters Louer: and as [Page 85] he returned he made another Progne, which when he would haue made knowne, he gaue her a rewarde for her virginitie lost, he cut out her tongue: notwithstanding he had thus dis­membred her, yet she found out a dumbe reporter of her mis­fortune, for in a cloth with Stella, she wrought all the villanie committed by him: her hand serued in stéede of her tongue, when she could not deliuer to the eares what she had suffered, she laid it before the eyes. Progne hauing read the worke, and knowing how her husband had rauished her, she determined to torment him with a newe kinde of punishment, surpassing the common opinion. And when both these women did burne in anger, a conspiracy being made, they prouided a supper farre more delectable then the marriage of Philomela: They did set his sonne before him at dinner to be eaten. During her anger Progne was not his mother, Itys was not her sonne, for shée had forgotten that shee brought him soorth into the world: for the rage of slaunder is farre more mightie then the griefe of the wombe: although that this was troublesome to them, yet when they sawe they should reuenge him, who had violated the lawes of wedlocke, they did recompence this trouble with pleasure of reuenge.

After Tereus sitting down at this supper, and hauing eaten sufficiently, these women smiling and fearing, brought foorth in a Charger the reliques of his sonne: which when he saw, perceiuing that hée had eaten the séede of his owne loynes, hée shedde teares aboundantly: then incensed with choler, draw­ing out his swoord ranne vpon them, but the ayre tooke them vp suddainly, chaunging them into birdes, with whom al­so Tereus was taken vp, who as yet all doo carry about them a remembraunce of theyr déede: the Nightingale euermore flieth away: the Lapwing pursueth her: which signifieth that hatred doth remaine still after their mutation. And by these meanes at that time, we auoyded his wiles, reioycing great­ly we did not fall into our enemies hands.

The next morning Chaerea came againe, and we for mo­desties sake could not deny him the second time: wherefore [Page 86] taking shippe we came to Pharos; Menelaus staying behind, because hée was not in his perfect health, Chaerea first brought vs vnto the top of the tower, shewing to vs the most admira­ble and wonderfull building thereof from the toppe to the bot­tome.

There was a high hill standing in the Sea, whose toppe did almost part the cloudes, at whose foote the water did beate: so that it séemed to hang ouer into the water: in the high tow­er, which is built vpon this hill, there hangeth a light, which as it were a guide doth direct the saylers by night: when wée hadde séene this, we were brought to the furthermost part of the Iland towarde the Sea: the Sunne béeing now readie to go downe, Chaerea departed from vs, faining as if hee would go about some necessarie businesse: not long after a great clamour vpon a suddaine was heard before the gates: vppon the very instant, violentlye came rushing in a number of men with swordes drawne, which altogither ranne fiercely vppon Leucippe perforce, and tooke her away. I séeing my Leucip­pe thus caried from me, was wonderfully disquieted, and run­ning amongst the middle of their swordes I receiued a great wounde in my thigh, so that I fell downe, all full of blood, but they getting her into a shippe swiftly fled away. The go­uernour of this Ilande, hearing the concurse and clamour, which is accustomed to be made at the comming of pyrates, came running downe, who knowing mee well, for I ser­ued in paye vnder him in the warre, I shewed him my woundes, and requested him that hee woulde followe these pyrates: hée getting into one of the shippes which lay in the porte, wherof there were many, pursued them with as much spéede as hée coulde. Moreouer I, my wounde béeing bounde vp, desired to go with him also in the shippe. The pyrates sée­ing that wée were now come something néere them, and pre­pared ready to fight, tyed a mayde with her handes behinde her, vnto the hinder parte of the shippe, and one of them cry­ed with a loude voyce: Beholde the rewarde which you séeke: and with a sword stroke of her head, which they tooke and hid [Page 87] in the shippe; but the body they cast ouer boorde into the Sea. Which when I saw, I fell into great schriching, and outcries, about to cast my self headlong into the sea: but they which were with me restrained me against my will: Wherefore I reque­sted them to stay the shippe, and to go downe and take vp the dead body, that it might bée buried. The gouernour comman­ded the rowers to stay, and one of them to go downe in a little boate,, and take it vp: Then two of the marriners slyding downe by a rope, went in a cock-boate and brought vp the carcase into the shippe but the pyrates in the meane time did hasten their flight: yet wée came néere vnto them againe, who when they sawe vs approaching to them, by chaunce they espied another rouer comming néere, which they knewe by the colours, (for the pyrates doo vse purple toppes) and to them they prayed for ayde: wherefore the gouernour sée­ing they were strong, without hope to preuayle; retyred backe; but they stayed their flight then, and would haue fought with vs. When we were returned to the shore, & had gon forth out of the shippe, I tooke the dead body in my armes, and em­braced it, and I began lamentablye to complaine. Nowe my déere Leucippe, thou hast dyed two deaths, both by land and sea: and although I haue the relieues of thy body, yet I haue lost thée; neither is that parte of the body which is restored to the land, like to that which the Sea hath kept, for the least part of thy shape is left to mée, the Sea possesseth it alone: but al­though fortune hath dealt so with me that I cannot kisse thy lippes, yet I will kisse thy throate: thus complaining with my selfe, I buried the carcase, from whence I returned backe to Alexandria: where I had salue layed to my wound, against my will. Menelaus euer comforting me, I led my life with him there in great sorrow. After I had passed six moneths y^e great­nesse of my griefe began to diminish: For time is y^e medicine for sorrow, which doth soften the woundes of the minde, (for the sunne is full of mirth) and griefe, which doth ouercome all measure, yet is not so heat, except the mind do rage in heat: and if it be pacified with the pleasure of time, it waxeth colde:

[Page 88]But as I walked one day toward the market place, there came one behinde me and strooke me vppon the shoulder with his hand, and after salutations imbraced me, and kissed me: I at the first was ignorant who he was, being amazed at these kinde of salutations, which receiued them no otherwise, then if I had bene a marke to whome they had bene leuelled at: but afterwards looking better vppon his face, for very ioy I cryed foorth, (for he was Clinias) I imbraced him, and gaue him the like kindnesse backe againe: and hauing brought him home with me, he declared to me how he escaped shipwracke. I also recounted to him all that had happened to Leucippe: and thus he repeated his maner of shipwracke. The shippe being bro­ken, I got me to the hinder part thereof, I was constrained to hold the very vttermost partes thereof, for it was full fraught with company, where I did endure the force of the water and weather: being thus tost vp and downe, this relique of the ship by chaunce was dashed against a Rocke, and with the force thereof, recoyled backe hauing no harme: wherefore swim­ming the rest of the day, hauing no hope of recouery from these daungers, we wandred about: at length being weary, I com­mitted my selfe wholly to fortunes disposition, but beholde a farre off I espied a shippe comming towards me, when I re­ioycing, helde vp my hand as high as I could, beckening to them to succour me: but they which were in the shippe, whe­ther they did pittie my case, or were driuen so by the windes, directed their forepart of the shippe towardes me: and one of them did let downe a Cable to mée: which when I had taken hold of, they plucked me vp into the shippe. This vessell say­led towardes Sydon, and diuers there were therein which did know me, which did take great care about me: when we had sayled two dayes, we came into the Citie, but I requested the Sydonians which were in the shippe, Xenedamas the Mer­chant, and his father in lawe Theophilus, that they should not detect me to any of the Tyrians, if by chance they did méet any, nor how I had escaped shipwrack: which whē Clinias had spo­kē, adding likewise, how y^t he had heard y^e Sostatus at his return [Page 89] from the war, had promised his daughter in marriage, I began to bewaile the inconstancie of fortune, saying: O vnhappy man that I am, doth Sostratus at this time go about to marry Leu­cippe? and should I haue another wife? he truely hath not ex­actly the number of the daies, which would not haue vs marri­ed before we were gone: how wretched and vnluckie was I that day? now may they betroth Leucippe being dead: nowe when it is time for me to mourne, they would haue me sing a song to Hyminaeus. Alas what shall I do now? what a bride would fortune giue me now, whose dead carcase is not wholly giuen vnto me? Then said Clinias, it is not time for thée to com­plaine now, but rather consider with thy selfe whether it bee better to returne into thy countrey or stay héere: neither, saide I, liketh me at this time, for with what face can I looke vpon him, from whose house I fled away in such manner? wherefore it remaineth now that I depart hence before any of my friends come to make enquirie for me. As wee were conferring thus together, Menelaus and Satyrus came in, and after he had im­braced Clinias, Satyrus turned him to me saying: A fit occasion serueth you now, therefore bee aduised before you let it passe, and héere dispose of all your affaires, taking the counsell of your friendes before rashly you enterprise any thing, let Clinias bée your iudge therein. Venus surely doth fauour you, and per­haps you will little account of that which shee hath bountifully bestowed vpon you. There is therefore an Ephesian woman lodging in this Citie of rare beautie, and singular behauiour, which is taken in loue with you so extreamely, that if shee bee frustrated of her desire, it is thought that she will fall madde. For comlinesse and grace you would thinke her a goddesse, her name is Melite, very welthie, and not yet come to her ripe yéeres, which very lately lost her husband in shipwracke, and and she doth wish that you would be hir Lord, not her husband, and to you shee will giue both her selfe and her wealth: for your sake shee hath stayed heere two moneths, and requesteth that you would go backe with her to Ephesus: but you despise her, neither do I know the cause thereof, except Leucippe be raised [Page 90] from death againe: then said Climas, Satyrus séemeth to giue thée good counsell. For why shouldest thou say, since beautie, riches, and loue doo offer themselues vnto thée, whereby all things do abound, to enioy pleasure, to the necessary vse of the life, and to gette a good name in the Countrey, that is, not to bee accounted the least: fauours are graunted thée by a goddesse, therefore I wish thee to followe Satyrus his coun­sell, and satisfie the will of the goddesse. Then I sighing said: Go to, leade me whether soeuer you will, since Clinias wil haue it so: but is this woman so importunate that shee will haue all things dispatched before shee come to Ephesus: I sware when I lost Leucippe, that heere neuer any shoulde haue my Uirginitie. Which when Satyrus hadde heard, he immediatly went to Melite to carrie her this happy newes, which when she heard, shee fell downe astonished for veri [...] ioy: not long after hee returned againe, earnestly entrea­ting mee this night to goe thither to supper, that wee might make a beginning of our marriage: wherefore attyring my my selfe, I came to Melites house, who as soone as shee sawe mee, ranne presently to meete me, receiuing mee with many kinde embracings and sweete kisses. Shee truely was both comely and faire, her very body did carrie such a maie­stie, as if that she hadde béene Venus her selfe, her colour and her chéekes was so pure and perfect, that you would not say it were smered with painting, but as it were mingled with bloud and milke: her haire was thicke, and did hang downe in curled lockes like Iewels of golde, wherefore it delighted me much to beholde her: in the meane season a sumptuous supper was prepared, and beeing sette vppon the table wee sate downe. But Melite did take a little of euery thing which was sette downe, féeding of nought but loue, earnestly with fixed eyes did beholde mee. For there is nothing so pleasant or delightfull vnto louers, as to beholde the thing which they loue: for loue possessing the whole heart, doth stoppe the pas­sage for the foode. But the pleasure which is receiued by the fight, sending downe by the eyes into the minde, remaineth [Page 91] there, and doth steadfastly imprint the image of the thing séene▪ as it were in the glasse of the minde, for the flowing it selfe of beautie by hidden beames, piercing to the heart, doth in­graue the forme of the thing beloued. Which when I mar­ked, I pray you said I, why doo not you also eate of those delicates which you haue prepared? Truely you séeme to mée as if you were a painted guest. Then answered shee: what meate can bee more daintie, what wine more precious then your sight? With these words embracing mee in her armes, shee kissed mee, then often repeated this, Thou art my ioy, my foode, and whole delight. And after the matter fell out af­ter this manner, when night came, shee was very earnest with me to lodge there that night: but when as I had repeated to her that which before I had spoken to Satyrus, although very hardly, yet at length shee lette mee go vppon this con­dition, that the next day I should méete her in this Tem­ple, and there wee should determine the matter before the Goddesse. Wherefore the next day at the time appointed, I went with Menelaus and Clinias, and there we did sweare: I also tooke my oath that I loued her as sincerely as euer I did Leucippe before: shee likewise did sweare that I should bee her husband, and shee would make mee Lorde of all her substance: all which was confirmed there betweene vs, but the nuptials should not bee selemnized before wee came to Ephesus, and that there as I had sworne before, Melite should succéede in Leucippes place.

Afterwarde we went home to her House, where, as before, a magnificent supper was prouided, for that was called the nuptiall feast, but the rest wee did deferre vntill we came to Ephesus. As wee were at Supper some merrie conceit came vnto Melites minde, which made her leaue her melancholy lookes.

When euery one hadde wished vs a prosperous marriage, shée whispered in my eare, saying: As tombes are built in vain for them, whose dead bodyes are not to be found to be buried, so [Page 92] do I sée my marriage to be prouided for me, and in this madnes did shee slilie rest with me: wherefore a prosperous winde ser­uing vs fit, we hastened to our ship, and hoysing vp sayle wee left Alexandria: Menelaus followed vs to the shoare, and hauing taken his leaue, and wished a prosperous nauigation, he departed from vs. He was a most curteous yong man and most trully friend, who for our departure shed many teares, and wee also béeing not able to refraine from dooing the like, Clinias thinking it a gréefe to depart from me, went with me to Ephesus, where hee staide so long, vntill all his affaires went well with him in his owne countrey: but our shippe sailed for­ward with a prosperous course, and night comming on, euerie man went to his chamber appoynted: but Melite embracing me betwéene her armes, beganne to kisse me, and to repeate her marriage, saying: now haue we passed Leucippes bonds, and come to our appointed ende: this is the day decréed, wher­fore should wee deferre it vntill wee come to Ephesus? do not you know the calamities of the sea to be dangerous, and that the changings of the windes are mutable. O Clitiphon I burne, beléeue mee I burne, and I would I could shewe vnto thee the greatnesse of my fire: I would that by my embracing and kissing I could put the same force into thée, which loues flames haue alreadie kindled in me. But this my fire is grea­ter then any common flame, which wanting matter to féede it, is quickly burnt out: since all louers do greatly desire to em­brace one another, this my heart working a more feruent ope­ration in me, will not be contented nor satisfied with it. O hid­den fire! O fire shining in the darke! O fire vnwilling to trans­gresse thine owne lawes! But why do not wee▪ O my most déere Clitiphon, sacrifice together at Venus Altars. Then said I, good Melite do not seeke nor with mee to violate my word before I haue doone my sacrifice to the dead, for as yet wee are not passed the bondes of this vnhappie maide, vntill we are arriued on another coast. Did you heare mee tell you howe that shee lost her life in the water: the vastnesse of the Sea, through the which wee nowe are carried, is the tombe of [Page 93] Leucippe; for what do you know? may not her ghost wander héere about this shippe? For their soules who perish in the wa­ters, doo not descend to hell; but as it is sayd, doo flote aboute the waters: And perhaps she may be aboute vs, as we do em­brace now. But doth this séeme a fitte place to you, to ende the marriages? doo you thinke that they can be solēnised amongst the boysterous waues, and raging billowes of the sea? woulde you haue vs to begin our marriages from so vnsure a bedde? Then saide Melite, by Castor you talke very pretily? Truly I doo thinke that any place may be a fitte chamber for louers; No place is prescribed to God Cupid, wee haue heard that the sea is the most fittest place for his misteries: what I praye you was not his mother gotten of the sea? Wherfore I thinke wée should doo an acceptable thing, vnto this god, if we honour his mother so much, as to finish our nuptialls in this place: For are not they, your ropes, and cordes, which tye the maste, the crospéece, and the sayle yard, present tokens, and signes of our mariage? why then doo we differre it? is it not the best signe of all to beginne ones marriage vnder the yoke? the cables are tyed togither and the masts erected by them: that is an argu­ment too, that fortune would haue vs celebrate thē héere: behold Neptune maried his wife Amphitrite in the sea, the troupes of the Nereides did accompany them, and the swéete murmu­ring of the windes about the cables, did seeme to sing the bri­dall song to Hymenaeus: doo not you sée the sayle, which doth swell as it were, like a belly great with child? which I trulye do hold tokens of good lucke, coniecturing that it will come to passe that shortlye you shall be a father: Wherefore when I saw her so ready for it; lette vs dispute thus Melite vntill we do come to the land: Moreouer I doo sweare vnto thée againe, by the sea, and by the good fortune of this our iourney, that my desire is of no other then of thée, if Leucippe be not aliue: and now we must kéepe the lawes of the seas, for I haue often heard it reported of marriners, that a shippe ought to be kept cleane and voyd from all libidinous actes, eyther that they bée holye, or else because we ought not to deale any thing lasciui­ously [Page 94] among those daungers which are alwaies readie at the sea. let not vs therefore, defile the sea with our marriages, or mingle terrour to our nuptiall rites: we will not be the sée­kers of our owne mishaps, if the ioy doo not fall out which we do expect. Which when I had said, soothing her vp with kisses, I brought her to be of my opinion: the rest of the night we spent in sléepe. The first day from our departure we arriued at Ephe­sus, where I did beholde the magnificent house of Melite, the rich furniture, the stately hangings, the great number of Seruants: when wee were come home, shee appoynted a sumptuous feast to be made, and in the meane while shée carried me forth of the Citie, about halfe a mile into the coun­trey, whither we both did ride in a coach to take the ayre: when we came thither, we went to walke vnder a most pleasant thicket of trées, so artificially planted, that on what side so­euer you did looke, they stood all of euen rowes: as we were walking together, there came vnto vs a maide heauie loden with chaines, carrying a spade, her haire cut, her body all ill fauoured, in long and ragged garments, and falling down at our feete, she cried: O mistris take pittie vpon me, and deli­uer me which once was free, but now am bound, since it hath pleased fortune to haue it so: with that shee helde her tongue. Then said Melite, rise vp good woman, and tell me who thou art, what countreywoman, and who he was which bound thée thus, for thy countenance although thou be plucked down with aduersitie doth shew that thou art nobly borne. Then answe­red she: the steward of your house did binde me thus, because I would not submit my selfe to his filthie desire, I am a Thes­salian borne, my name is Lacaena, to you humbly intreating, do I giue my whole estate, deliuer me then from these miseries wherewith you see I am oppressed, and let mee be your credi­tour vntill I pay you two hundred peeces of money, (for so much did Softhenes giue for me when he bought me of the pi­rates) which beléeue me I will pay you againe so soone as I can: in the meane time let me intreate you to accept of my ser­uice, humbly beséeching you to beholde how hardly hee hath [Page 95] vsed me: then turning her backe, and putting off her vpper gar­ment, she shewed her backe full of great wales & bl [...]w strokes, which when I had heard, I was greatly astonished, for she sée­med to represent Leucippe in countenance. But Melite bad her be of good chéere, saying: I will deliuer thee from these mi­series, and afterwards thou shalt dwell with me at home. Pre­sently they caused Softhenes to be sent for, and to deliuer her from these bonds: but Softhenes béeing afraide with so sodaine a message, came in presence, to whom Melite sayd. Thou vile varlet, when didst thou sée me vse the meanest seruant I had in so hard a manner? but tell me quickly, laying all untruthes and dissemblings aside, what she is, I knowe not truely mistresse what she is, a merchant whose name was Callisthenes solde her to me, saying that he bought her of pirates, assuring also that shee was a frée woman, her name was Lacaena. Melite dispossessed her steward of his office, & made her one of her chée­fest maides & caused her to be washed and apparrelled in a new gowne, and brought into the citie. Then hauing giuen certain instructions about her husbandrie, for which cause chéefely shee came thither, she returned in her coach home to the Citie: when supper was brought in we sate downe, but Satyrus séemed by his countenance to haue some weighty matter to speake vnto me priuily, made a signe to me to rise, wherefore I fained as though I went to exonerate my belly. I came forth, but Saty­rus saying not a word, gaue me a letter, which being sealed, be­fore I could breake it open, a chill colde did shiuer through my bones, for the letter was written with Leucippes hande, af­ter this manner.

WHen I had read the letter, my minde was distracted into a thousand parts, I did burne in loue, waxe pale, and sometime maruailed, otherwhiles I did beleeue the letters, being perplexed betwéene feare and ioy. Then said I to Satyrus: what, hast thou brought this letter to mée from hell? or what do these meane? What is Leucippe aliue? Yea said Satyrus, and that is she which you saw bound in the countrey, but the cutting of her haire hath so disguised her, that she can scant be knowne of any: why dost thou (saide I) fill mine eares with such good newes, and will not shew mee my chéefest felicitie? Be silent (said Satyrus) and dissemble the matter cunningly, least you cast vs all away, before some more surer counsell be had in the matter: you sée that this is the chée­fest woman in the citie, and almost madde for your loue, and [Page 97] we are now betwéene the two nettes, destitute of all hope. I cannot saide I, for a delight and pleasure is spread throughout al the vaines of my body, & the letter doth expostulate with me: Wherefore I red ouer the letter againe, and answered in par­ticular, euery thing as if she had bin present, being now absent: Thou speakest to me (O most swéet Leucippe) and where thou didst write this, thou hast suffred all these misfortunes for my sake; I must néedes confesse, I was the author of all these thy miseries: but when I came to these words, which contained the reproches and hard measure offred to her of Softhenes, I wept as bitterly, as if I had stood by & séene them: For y^e cogi­tations turning the very edge of y^e mind, to those things which are signified in the paper, doth represent to y^e mind those things which are written, no otherwise thē if they wer opposite before the eyes: But when shée obiected my mariage, a blushing red did couer all my face, as if I had béen taken in manifest adulte­rie, the very letters had mooued me so farre: Then turning to Satyrus I cryed. Alas what shall I doo? what excuse shall I vse now Satyrus? We are now takē manifestly; Leucippe know­eth all: and I pray god her loue do not begin to be turned into hatred: But I would willingly know how she escaped safe the pyrates hands, & whose carcase y^t was which wée buried. Thē sayd Satyrus: she will tell you all at more leysure, but necessity biddeth you to write back & pacifie her, for I did sweare y^t wil­lingly you would not marry Melite? what hast thou tolde that I am maried? now thou hast vndoone me; for as yet all the whole cittie is ignorant of my mariage. Moreouer I do sweare by Hercules and my good fortune, that I am not maried to her. Then said Satyrus, I hope sir you doo but iest: as though it is not manifestly knowne that you haue bin in bed togither. But I know, said I, that I speak of greater knowledge, for Melite hath not enioyed mee according to her will. But first tell mée what I shuld write, for this change hath wonderfully mooued me, so much, as y^t I know not what I may do. Then said Sa­tyrus I am not wiser then you: therefore beginne to write, loue will indite the rest: but dispatch as soone as you can, and haue [Page 98] very great care what you set down: wherefore I wrote a letter after this forme.

THe letters being writtē and sealed vp, I gaue thē to Sati­rus to conuey, requesting him to speake no more of me thē becommed him: being thus full of pleasure & sorrow, I re­turned to supper, but it came into my minde how that Melite would not let me depart that night, because the marriage was not full finished betwéene vs: neither could it be that Leucip­pe being found, I should once looke vpon another: Wherefore I determined to set my coūtenance so, as y^t she might knew my mind to be changed, and least she should enforce my promise: for I fained that I had caught a shaking with a cold. Melite although she perceiued, that I went about to séeke an occasion, because I would not kéepe my promise, yet she could not open­ly conuince me: Wherefore not hauing supped, I rose vp [...]o go to bed: and she also leauing the middle of her supper, rose vp and followed me: I being new come into my chamber, fayned my self to be very sicke. But she cōming to me said: wherfore dost thou do this? or why dost thou go about to despise me? we now are come from the sea, and arriued at Ephesus, where y^e place was appointed for the mariage▪ What day still shall we expect? [Page 99] howe long shall wee imitate them which doo lye in some holie place? you offer me great store of water, but will not let mee drinke thereof: Shall I sit so long by the riuer side, and yet not quench my thirst? Thus my marriage is like the banquet of Tantalus. Which when she had said, wéeping most pitifully, she cast her head into my bosome; insomuch that I was wonder­fully gréeued to sée it, neither did I know what to doo, because she séemed to complaine not without a cause: yet I answered her thus: I do call my countrey goddes to witnesse, my most deare Melite, that I do endeuour most earnestly to fulfill thy desire: but I know not what euill this is which hath happened to me, for I haue fallen sodainly into a sicknesse, and you know, that they who haue not their health, and do giue themselues to Venus sports, do labour in vaine: and as I spake, I wiped a­way the teares which ran downe her chéekes, swearing a great oath; that when I was recouered, I would do whatsoeuer she would impose vpon me: by this meanes I pacified the wo­mans minde which was alreadie incensed. The next day Me­lite sent for those maides, to whome she had committed Leu­cippe to bee accompanied withall: and demaunded of them, how Leucippe did behaue her selfe about her worke: they an­swered, that she omitted nothing which was appointed for her to be done: wherefore shée caused her to be brought vnto her; who assoone as she was come: thou knowest said Melite, what curtesie I haue shewed thée, and to repeate ouer my manifolde kindnesse euer bestowed on thée, I thinke it superfluous: wher­fore I request of thée nothing but this, that thou wouldest re­quite me againe in those things, which I know are in thy po­wer to doo. I doo heare it reported, that your Theslalian women, doo so allure their Louers with inchauntments and sorceries, that they doo wholly cast their mindes [...]om all other women, and to burne with such a desire of them, that they doo thinke them alone to be their onely felicitie: since therefore that thou art a Thessalian borne, I would willingly intreat thy helpe herein.

The young Gentleman which I sawe walking with [Page 100] you yesternight, said Leucippe, you say is your husband? for so she had learned of one of her fellowes: what husband sayd Melite? truly I haue neuer had more to do with him then with this stone: but euermore he telleth me of one dead Leucippe, (for so I think he doth call her) whom neither eating, drinking, nor sléeping, he can forget: for his sake did I stay foure moneths at Alexandria, requesting, entreating, promising, and ouer­passing nothing which might serue to allure him: but as if hée were iron, a stocke, or any such thing which wanteth sence, he neglecteth my prayers, neither doth he obey time, almost gran­ting me this one thing, that I should onely enioy the sight of him. I do call Lady Venus her selfe to witnesse, that I haue bene in bed with him fiue nights, and haue risen vp againe no otherwise, then if I had lyen with an Eunuche: so that I séeme to be beloued of an Image, who doth not enioy his louer but by sight: wherfore I as a woman, do request of thée a woman, that thou wouldst bring me some remedie against this proude mind of his. Leucippe hauing heard this, was wonderful glad▪ when she knew that I had frustrated all Melites hope: saying that she would go into the Country to gather hearbes to make this medicine. Melite being now encouraged againe with a new hope, cast all her care aside, for the expecting of happie things, although we do not enioy their presence, doth delight vs much. But I which was ignorant of all this which had pas­sed betwéene them, behaued my selfe toward her after the ac­customed maner, cogitating with my selfe, how I might de­ceiue Melite the night to come, and talke with Leucippe: nei­ther do I think that she went into y^e coūtry for any other cause, but onely to conferre with her self, and returne in the euening. In the meane season while the Coach was harnised for Leu­cippe, and we scarce had sat downe to supper, there was heard a great tumult, and suddaine concourse at the gate: presently one of the seruants being out of breath with haste, came run­ning in, and tolde vs, that Thersander was aliue, and at the doore: this man was Melites husband, whom she thought to be drowned, his ship suffering shipwracke: and this fame did [Page 101] come of some of his owne seruants which then were with him in his voyage, who séeing the ship dashed asunder against a Rocke, thought that he also had perished there. Scarse had she seruant brought vp this newes, but Thersander folowing him, came immediately into the parlour, and hastened towards me to take me, for he had heard at his verie comming, all thinges which could be reported of me. Melite although strooken with this suddaine chaunce, yet she went to imbrace her husband, but he thrust her back with great violence, and casting his eies vpon me, said; What is this the adulterer? and violently ru­shing vpon me, being wonderfull wroth, strooke me a blow vp­on the face, then he plucked me by the haire, and casting me to the ground, he did beate me with a cudgell: I being amazed at this suddaine: violence, did neither aske him what he was, ney­ther why he did strike me, nor durst offer to speake a word vn­to him: but I thinking with my self vpon the matter, as it was indéed, although I could resist, yet fearing to do it, I besought him with prayers to cease of beating me: at length he weary with striking left of, and I weary also with intreating arose vp: but what art thou said I? or wherefore hast thou thus shame­fully misused me? but he being more incensed because I replied againe, laid hands vpon me, and called for bondes and setters, wherewith hauing bound me, he cast me into a close chamber: and as I was going, it so fel out, that the letter which Leucippe sent to me, fell out of my bosome, and Melite tooke it vp pri­uily: not long after, when she was alone, she read it, and hauing found Leucippes name, was certified of the whole matter, and therewithall she was astonished: yet she did not beléeue that she was the same which we found in the Country, because she ne­uer heard that Leucippe was restored to life againe. But ha­uing read ouer the letter, and cogitated vpon it, she perceiued the truth more apparantly: then being oppressed with bashful­nesse and anger, with loue, and slaundering, she beganne to be drawne into diuers opinions, for both she feared her husband, and also could not chuse but be angry with the letter: but loue was opposed against her anger, that hauing aide of slaunder, at [Page 102] length gotte the victorie: wherefore when night was come, Thersander went to a friendes house of his in the Cittie, but Melite went to the man who had the custody of me, & hauing talked with him, she came in to mée, the other Seruants not knowing but onely two, whom she had appointed to stay at the doore vntill her returne again, and hauing found me lying vpon the grounde, and comming neere to mee, although shee coulde not speake all her mind at that instant, yet her countenance did séeme to deliuer it, saying: O vnhappie woman that I am, and borne first to my owne perdition, which also do so much desire that which I cannot attaine; O more then mad, which loue him that despiseth me, which being tormented with gréefe, doo take pitie vpon him which is light affected, & yet I cannot cease to loue the author of these so many my mishappes: against me there is both a man and a woman conspiring, wherof the one doth scorne me, the other is gone to gather hearbes, & yet could not I know before, that I craued aide of my veriest enemie. Hauing spoken thus, incensed with furie, she flung it into my face, which when I vnderstood I was astonied, and cast down my head as if I hadde béene guilty of some hainous crime. But she beganne still to lament and wéepe, crying out, Alas, alas, what shal be come of me, affliected with so many calami­ties, for thy sake I lost my husbande, neyther yet could I en­ioy thée: but shortly also I shall loose thy sight, which alone is graunted to me. And moreouer, for thy cause my husband ha­teth and detesteth me, accusing me of adulterie, and that with him, with whom I neuer receiued any delight or pleasure, so much shame & reproch hath happened to me. Other womē by their dishonesty can reape their pleasure, but I alone without pleasure haue gottē reproch and shame, & ignominie. O trecher! O barbarian! O thou Clitiphon more cruell then pirates more hard hearted then tyrants▪ canst thou finde in thy heart to sée a weake woman burning in thy loue, and so cruelly tormen­ted, and cannot thou take pittie on her, since thou also art in loue? Doest thou not feare the wrath of Cupid? Doest thou not care for his firebrandes and secret misteries? art [Page 103] not thou moued so pittie with these teares, which these eyes haue shed so aboundantly, wherwithall euen very robbers will be mooued to compassion? what, were not my prayers of force to persweade thée to embrace mée, or to do that which I haue long desired? did neither the oportunitie of the time serue, had neither my embracings or dalliance any force to mooue? More­ouer, that which was the most reprochfull of all, abandoning my kissing, embracing and toying, as if you were nothing af­fected towards me: I pray you what is this but a shadowe of mariage? you did not ly with one which was past child bearing, who did refuse your kindnesse, but with a yong one, a louing, and another perhappes will say, faire and beautifull. O thou Eunuch: O thou gelding: O despiser of beautie: Now do I be­séeche the immortall goddes, that al thing may fall out contrary to thy desires: that the three sisters may conspire to crosse thée, which thou now doost prepars against mée. Thus did Melite speak not without teares: then did she held her peace a litle: as­soone as she saw y^t I replied nothing, & cast mine eies vpon the ground, her mind being changed she begā to vtter these words; What I haue hitherto spoken swéet youth, choler & grief forced me thereunto: but now loue constraineth me to speake. Howe could I be angry, or cast such reproaches vpon thée, when as I was all in a heate, & the very fire did possesse the inward parts of any body? Now at the lēgth obey: I do not desire many days, or perpetual mariage, which thou hast hitherto prolonged, the more vnfortunate I: one only accōpanying is sufficiēt, & so litle ayd will driue away so great a woūd: Come therfore extinguish this fire a litle, & whatsoeuer I haue spokē more sharply against thée, pardō me, since it is incidēt to passiōs: it cānot otherwise be but she y^t loueth vnhappily, must raue sometimes: neither do I forget how filthy a cause I plead. But yet I am not ashamed to declare the secrets of loue. To some Cupids dartes are not felt, and the wounds of louers are made knowne to none, but those which are in loue: this day remaineth yet: wherein I pray thée performe thy promise. Remember Isis, and doo not séeme litle to regard that oath which thou swarest in her Temple: but [Page 104] if thou wouldest performs thy promise as it was confirmed by oathes betwéene vs, I would not care for a thousand Thersan­ders: But because Leucippe cannot be found by any meanes, I would wish you to marry some other, although that al things séeme to offer warre against me, and the very dead are risen from their graues. O sea! thou hast preserued a Sayler, but by preseruing him, thou hast cast him into greater daungers: two dead persons are reuiued again to my perdition, as though one Leucippe were not sufficient: but let her liue, so that Cli­tiphon do not liue in sorrow. Who can endure this, that wic­ked Thersander should returne now? and I standing by, to strike thee, and could not helpe thée? As yet, good goddes, all thy face is full of blew wales, I thinke Thersander was blind. But now O maister Clitiphon, (for thou alone doest possesse my heart) I begge this one thing, that thou wouldst giue me now the first and last thing, which I will craue of thée: this lit­tle delay seemes longer to me then many dayes: so neither you haue lost your Leucippe, neither she dyed a false death; doo not neglect my loue, for whose cause, when amongst other commo­dities, yet thou shalt haue Leucippe restored againe vnto thée: had not I loued thée, and brought thée hither, thou wou [...]dst yet haue thought thy Leucippe to haue bin dead. Moreouer you are to thanke fortune for this kindnesse, as a man did vpon a time, who hauing founde a great treasure in the earth, honoured the place where he found it, consecrating an altar, offring of sa­crifices, he crowned the earth. Thou doest not onely giue me no thankes for finding thy treasure with me, but also doest de­spise the author of this thy good turne. Thinke that for my sake loue did speake to thée in this maner; O Clitiphon, graunt me this one thing, which am standerd bearer to thée in thy warre, that Melite doo not depart from thée vntouched: it is my fire which burneth her, wherefore Clitiphon obey the commaun­dements of thy God; since thou wilt that I shall looke to all thy other affaires, I will deliuer thée from bands; although Ther­sander would not haue it so: and I will adorne a chamber for thee, wherein thou shalt liue as long as thou wilt togither with [Page 105] her, whose company is only thy desire. To morrow in the mor­ning looke for Leucippe, for she shall be with thée: she saide that this night she would lodge in the Countrey, that she might ga­ther the hearbes by Mooneshine: for so did I make sport of her, as of a Thessalian woman: I did craue aide against thée, for my hope being spent, what could I do otherwise then seeke for remedies, by hearbes and charmes, which are the comforts to miserable Louers? And that thou maist cast away all feare, Thersander in a fury is gone to his friendes house, that some god might séeme of purpose to haue sent him forth, that I might obtaine these things of thée fréely: at length yet graunt me my desire. When Melite had pleaded thus (for loue taught her to speak,) she loosed my bands and kissed my hands, first put them to her eyes, then to her heart, saying; Doest not thou sée, how it leapeth, and lifting it selfe vp and downe euer panting; full of feare and hope togither: (I would it were full of pleasure;) it séemeth with trembling to intreate for me. After I was losed from my bonds, she imbraced me wéeping, and I also was in a great passion: and that I might confesse truly, I was affraid lest the god of loue would be offended with me; especially be­cause Leucippe being recouered, I should shortly dismisse Me­lite, and the marriages which were appointed betwéene vs were not solemnized: wherefore I imbraced and kissed her a­gaine, and not long after, I fulfilled all the expectation of her long desire: we neither had bed, nor any other such preparati­on which is required for such matter, for Loue himselfe is his owne crafts maister, and he prouideth all things necessary out of hand, making any place fit for his secrets. And this also is most certaine, that vnlooked for sportes are euermore swéeter then those which are prouided, and expected long before: for she alwayes bringeth with her, her cousin Pleasure.

AFter that I had somewhat eased Melites gréefe, Now, said I, wil you giue me a sa [...]e passage to be gone, and restore Leucippe to me as you promised before? Then said she, fear not, for Leucippe shall not be long absent, but adorne your selfe, apparell and couer your face with this scarfe, Melan­tho which tarrieth at the doore, togither with a young youth, shall go with you, and he shall direct you in the way: which, as I haue alreadie prescribed vnto him, shall bring Clinias & Satyrus to you: Leucippe shall not tarry long after you: which when she had saide, he put off her apparrell, and attired me in the same, and kissing me, she said: How much more bewtifull art thou in these garments, then in thine owne? I haue séen [...] Achilles painted in such apparell. But my swéet [...] heart Clitiphon, looke well to thy selfe, and haue a regard of thy health, and kéepe these garments for a remembrance of me, I also will do the like: and daily imbrace it in memoriall of thée. Then she gaue me an hundreth peeces of gold, and sending for Melantho (for she was the most trustie of all her maides: to whom she had committed the kéeping of the doore,) and told her what she should do for me, and then she had her to return to her again. I assoone as I was made readie, went forth of the cham­ber, the kéeper thought that I had bin his mistresie: Melantho [Page 107] by beckening signified the same vnto him: and passing through the secret part of the house, I came to the priuie doore, where­as a youth a fréeman born [...], being appointed by Melite to ac­company me, tarried there for me. After that, Melantho re­turned to her mistresse into the chamber, which yet was scarce shut, and caused it to be opened, certified her of my departure: but she calling the kéeper vnto her, who séeing the matter to go contrary to his expectation, (and for a virgine, a heart as it is in the Prouerbe, being astonished, had not a word to say,) said; I did euer doubt that thou wouldest not let Clitiphon depart: wherfore I deuised this wile, that by this meanes thou might excuse thy selfe to Thersander, as saying thou didst not know him. Clitiphon will giue thée ten péeces of gold for a reward, if thou stay here, but if thou wilt flie away, it wil be better for thée. Then Opafion (for that was the kéepers name) said, Mistresse, I like nothing better thē that which you haue appointed, wher­fore it liked Melite well that he would flie away, and wold not return again, vntil these tumults and her husbands anger was appeased, so he departed from them: But fortune séemed to be no more fauorable to me thē she was before, for she was about to bring a new danger about, perswading Thersander to méet me departing away; who was counselled by his friend where he did lodge, that he should not lie far from his wife, returned home from supper: For by chaunce the festiuall day of Diana was solemnized, and all places were full of drunken men: great multitudes of persons did run vp & down y^e market place all the night, which I did thinke to be ominous to me, knowing some greater daunger to hang ouer my head: for Sosthenes which bought Leucippe, was thrust out of his office, who vnderstan­ding that his maister was come, did not only abstain from her, but also desirous to be reuenged vpon Melite, first he accused me to Thersander, then he fained many things of his maisters Bawde: that hée might alienate his mind from Melite. Wherefore saide hée, I haue bought O maister, a mayde of so excellent bewtie, that you cannot conceiue it in your cogitati­on: of whome I would haue you beléeue, as well hearing [Page 108] as séeing: her did I kéepe for you when I heard that you wer [...] reuiued againe, which although I did certainely know of, yet I would not make it knowne, because you should apparantly perceiue my mistresse disloyaltie, that a stranger and an impu­dent adulterer might not deceiue you: for yesternight Melite tooke her from me, and thinking to let her go, but fortune doth preserue such excellent beautie for you, who alone are worthie to enioy her: she now doth liue in the countrey, and wherefore she was sent thither I cannot certainely tell: wherefore if you thinke it good, you may kéepe her shut vp, before she returne to her mistresse. Which when Thersander had heard, hee liked it well, wherefore he commanded it to bee doone. Sosthenes with all spéede went into the countrey, and hauing found the house where she did lodge, bringing two laborers with him, he determined to locke her vp. So soone as he saw her alone, rushing violently vpon her, stopping her mouth with his hand, carried her away, and being brought from the other maydes, he shut her vp in a close chamber of the house, saying: beholde I bring thée a heape of good newes, wishing thée well, that when you haue obtained that which you would, I hope you will not forget mee, neither fears this violence, nor thinke it doone for your harme, for here you shall enioy my maister to be your lo­uer. Leucippe being stroken with this vnlooked-for mishappe, was astonied. Sosthenes came to Thersander, which then was returned home, and told him what he had doone, and he com­mended Leucippes beautie to the heauens, so that Thersander conceiuing in his mind a most admirable beautie. When the festiuall was ended, hee commanded Sosthenes to go before, and he himselfe would come after vnto the maide: this place was about halfe a mile distant from the cittie. In the meane time I beeing attyred in Melites apparrell did méete them go­ing vpon a sodaine, and first Sosthenes espyed me, saying: be­holde the adulterer escaped, and comming apparrelled in your wiues ornaments, the youth which went before mee know­ing them very well, hauing no time to giue me warning, for feare ranne away, but I was presently taken: Thersander be­gan [Page 109] to crie cut for aid, which she watch hearing, came [...] to him in all haste: he beganne more and more to augment [...] crime, repeating all things which he could remember, as well those things which were fit to be spoken as not, and called me adulterer and thése. In the ende hee carried me to the prison, laying to my charge that I had defiled his bed: but all this mo­ued me nothing, not the reproches of beeing in prison, nor the slaundring of my good name did affright me, for I did [...]st that I could conuict him with sufficient proofe, that I was no adulterer, because the marriages were openly solemnized. But that did gréeue me worst of al, that I had not Leucippe: for the minde is the presager of mishaps to come, but neuer of goodnes: neuer any good thing came into my mind cōcerning Leucippe, all things were suspitious and full of feare, my mind was trou­bled, my spirits daunted, & I my self in great veration and an­guish. Thersander, when he had cast me into prison, went verie mercie with Sosthenes to Leucippe, where comming into the house, he found her lying vpon the ground, and meditating vp­pon the wordes which Sosthenes had reported to her before, shewing by her countenance the feare and gréefe of her heart. For the minde cannot be séene, but by the countenance it may plainely be discerned as if it were in a glasse. If she be pleasant, mirth it selfe shineth in her eyes: but if contrarywise, shee be sad, gréefe and sorrow contracteth her browes and sitteth in her chéekes. But Leucippe hearing the doores open, scant had cast her eyes vpon them (for they had a candle) but shee cast downe her head againe. Thersander séeing her beautie which came out of her eyes, which was like to a flash of lightning comming forth of the clouds, did shine in his face, and instantly vanished againe (for the eyes are the chéefest seate of beautie) he instantly was in loue, and being ouercome with the force thereof, began to watch when she would cast vp her eyes againe: but when he beheld her sad, pe [...]siue, and heauie, looking vpon the ground, how long, said he, shall thy eyes be fastened on the ground? how long wilt thou shew the b [...]ut [...]e of thy countenance to the earth: why dost thou not rather looke vp? When Leucippe had [Page 110] heard him speake thus, she wept bitterly, the Christall te [...]res in abundance began to water her ruddie chéekes: A teare doth mooue the eyes, and disquiet them: for if they before alreadie, it maketh them worse, and increaseth their paine: but if they be cléere, and the black sight compassed with a round white circle, they moysten with the teares, and are like the litle bubbles of a cleare spring, their salt moisture running downe the bosome, the white part doth as it were waxe soft with the dewe, but the [...]ight séemeth to be purple: so that, y^t is like the violet, this a daf­fadill: But when her teares were such, they could easily couer the gréefe of the minde: and if that they had congealed, when they had fallen downe, we shoulde haue had a newe kinde of amber. Thersander therfore while he doth behold the virgins beautie, and sorrowe togither: with the one béeing drawn [...] into an admiration, with the other fraught with anger, his eyes were full of teares: for it is so ordained by nature, that womens teares should mooue pittie: and so much the more, by how much they are the fresher: but if shée be a beautifull wo­man, and the beholder her louer, then will not his eyes rest: but they also mooued by some compelling cause, doo shedde teares also: for the beautie which in fayre Women hath his chiefest seate in the eyes, doo [...]owe from thence into the beholders eyes, and doo drawe from thence abundance of teares: whereby it commeth to passe, that the louer receiuing her beautie into her eyes, kéepeth also his teares there: ney­ther doth he desire to wipe them away, but holding still the motion of his eyes, kéeping them in as long as he can, fearing least they shuld fall before they be séene of his louer, for he doth thinke to shew by that signe y^t he is in loue. The like hapned to Thersander, he wept, a [...] it is most likely that he might shew he was moued with a kind of humane desire: willing to insinuate into the fauour of Leucippe, & because he saw her wéepe, he also woulde doo the like. Then turning him to Sosthenes, hee saide: Comfort thou her, for thou seest in howe great hea­uinesse shee lieth: I although vnwilling, will depart hence, that I maye not héere bee troublesome vnto her. After­warde [Page 111] when I sée her more milde, I will speake vnto her: in the meane time saide hee, be of good comfort maide, for so soone as I can I will take away this thy sorrow. Then about to go forth he spake to Sosthenes saying: take héede that thou speake no more of mee then becommeth thée, and to mor­row morning by day light looke that thou come vnto me, and certifie mee of this matter. In the meane season, assoone as I was gone, Melite sent a seruant to Leucippe into y^e countrey, which should hasten her homewarde, telling her that there is now no néed of medecines: he presently came thither, & finding her fellow strangers complainig that they could not find her, re­turned back in al hast and told his mistresse, who vnderstan­ding that I was cast in prison, and Leucippe was carried a­way, was ouerwhelmed in a sea of cares: and although shee could not certainly know all the order of this mishap, yet they laide all the blame vpon Sosthenes: wherefore she laboured di­ligently to haue Leucippe found out, and that she might per­swade Thersander that she was in no fault, she cunningly de­uised a tale which séemed to contrarie the truth. For when hee came home and exclaimed againe; Thou hast deliuered the adulterer, thou hast set him frée from his bondes, thou hast sent him out of the house: why doest not thou follow him: why doest thou stay heere? rather follow thy louer, that thou maist beholde him bounde in more stronger chaines. Then said Melite, what adulterer do you meane? are you well in your wits which talke thus vainly. If you wil lay aside your choler & heare what I shal say, you may easily know the truth. This one thing I request you, that you would shew your self an equal iudge, and casting slaunder out of your eares, & placing reason in stéed of anger, I pray you listen to my tale. This man is neither an adulterer nor my husbād, he is a Phaenician, born in Tyrus, inferior to none of y^e country. As he sailed, fortune sée­med to frown vpō him, for his ship was split, his merchandice all lost in shipwrack, which whē I heard, being moued with the misfortune of the man, being also mindful of you, I entertained him, thinking with my self that it might so fal out, that you also [Page 112] might wander abroad, and some woman would take pittie vp­on your aduersitie: and if indéed you hadde perished in the wa­ters, as it was reported abroad, doo not thinke then that I did amisse if I succoured all such as suffered shipwracke. How ma­ny doo you thinke I haue relieued which haue endured the vio­lence of the Sea? what number do you belieue I haue buried, which haue perished in the water? and if I could get but a boord of some broken ship which came to land, I would take it vp, saying; Perhaps my Thersander was carried in this shippe. Of those which haue escaped the daunger of the sea, he is one, and the last: whom when I offred, what other thing did I doo then be obedient vnto you? he sayled as you did: and therefore deare husband, I pittied his mishappe as a picture of yours. Now doo you knowe after what order I brought him hither: Moreouer, he did bewaile the death of his wife, whome hée thought to haue perished, although she did not; whom I know not who it was which did certifie me that she was aliue, and did lodge at our Steward Sosthenes his house. And the mat­ter was found out thus; for going into the Countrey we found a woman, which bewayling and making great mone, follow­ed me: you know where Sosthenes dwelleth, she is with him in the Countrey: you may demaund of him of all things con­cerning her, at your pleasure: if you can finde I haue not spo­ken the truth in any thing, then shall you accuse me of adulte­ry lawfully. Thus spake Melite, faining as though she had not heard of the rape of Leucippe: determining also in her minde, that if Thersander had gone about to haue knowne the truth of the matter, she would haue brought the seruants to witnesse, with whom she went that morning into the Country, that now she can be found in no place: neither did she moue this enquiry of Leucippe to him, for any other intent, then y^t she would haue him belieue y^e rest to be true which she had spoken: and althogh she séemed to answer euery thing oppositly inough, yet she wold infer this also: and y^• swéet husband I wold not haue you thinke that these are fables, remēber how I led my life while we liued togither: wherfore you do wrong me to think amisse of me now. [Page 113] This report of the yong man procéeded to his honour, because the cause was not knowne to many, why I did receiue him into familiaritie, and if a man must beléeue fame, were not you thought to be drowned in the sea? for flaunder and fame are two mischiefes propinquall, to wit, because this her daughter is more sharpe th [...]n a sword, more hoter then fire, and more apter then the Maremayde to perswade: shee is more voluble then water, more swifter then the wind, more quicker then the ligh­tening: wherefore the spéech which is vttered with slaunder, flyeth in manner of an arrow, which woundeth him being ab­sent, against whom it is sent: for hee which heareth and easilie beleeueth, beeing incensed with anger, doth rage against him which is wounded: but fame procéeding from such a wound is manifold, and dispersed into diuers places: and being driuen with the winde of the spéech, and being kept vp with the fea­thers of the tongue, is carried round about euery where, and falleth into their eares which she méeteth. These two plagues haue cōspired against me, the same do now possesse your mind, and driue my spéeches from your eares, which when Melite had said, tooke Thersander by the hand and would haue kissed it: but hee mooued with the likelyhood of her words, remitted his anger conceiued: for that which she had reported of Leucip­pe, agréeing with Sosthenes wordes which he had signified to him before, did take away all suspition from him: yet he would not beléeue all, for a slaunder being once crept into ones mind, will very hardly be rooted out. But Thersander hearing that the maid which he loued was my wife, was wonderfully trou­bled in minde, and conceiued more hatred against me, saying that he would enquire if the matter were so as he hadde heard. Being thus disquieted, he went to bed alone, Melite [...]ow be­ing sore gréeued, because she could not performe that which she had promised to mee: but Sosthenes hauing dismissed Ther­sander, requesting him to be absent a while, hee came againe to Leucippe, promising her many things, and pretending some happinesse to her by his countenance, hee hadde her be of good courage, saying; All things Lacaena will fall out pro­sporously: [Page 114] Thersander is so farre in loue with you that he is readie to goe madde; perhappes hée will marry you: and I woulde you should knowe it is by my helpe alone, which did commende the rarenesse of your excellent bewtie vnto him aboue all measure. I fastened this conceyt in his verie marrowe: wherefore leaue off this wéeping and be of good cheare, and sacrifice to Venus for this felicitie: besides haue care you remember mée: then sayd Leucippe, God graunt that such happinesse euer come to thée, as thou hast reported vnto mée.

But Sosthenes little suspecting that shée mocked him, thinking shée spake from her heart, sayd: I will recount to thée the estate and wealth of Thersander, that thou maist knowe thou hast greater cause to reioyce. Therefore know this for certaintie, that hée is Melites husband, which you sawe héere in the Countrey, and the chéefest in birth amon­gest the Ionians: whose stocke surpasseth his wealth, but his gentlenesse excelleth all his riches. Moreouer, what should I talke of his age? Thou seest that hée is a young man and bewtifull: which two things women chiefely de­sire.

Héere Leucippe could not endure Sosthenes to prate a­ny longer, saying: How long, thou most infamous temp­ter, wilt thou procéede to defile my eares, with this thy vn­cleane talke? What care I for Thersander? let him bee fayre for Melite; rich for his Countrey; curteous and cou­ragious to them which haue néede of his helpe; it belon­geth nothing to mée, whether hée bee nobler then Codrus, or richer then Craesus. Why doest thou repeate to mée a heape of another mans commendations? Then commende your maister Thersander, when as hée will cease to offer in­iury to other mens wiues.

Then Sosthenes looking vpon her verie earnestly, said: What do you ieast? Then shée answered, why should I ieast? let mée alone with my fortune, and follow whither the Destinies will haue me: for I knowe I am amongst Py­rates: [Page 115] You séeme sayde hée, to haue an incurable madnesse: dooth this séeme to bee a place for Pyrates: where you may get you a husband, riches, and delightes? And moreouer that man whome the goddes haue deliuered from the pitte of death.

And here taking an occasion to speake, hée recounted his shipwracke, saying: It was the goddes will and prouidence, that hée escaped so many and infinite daungers: and not vn­like to that which the Poets doo fayne of Arion, to be carry­ed through the Seas vppon a Dolphins backe. To which, when Leucippe answered nothing, Sosthenes began saying: Looke about you, and sée what is fit for your owne profit, and beware you do [...] not answere Thersander after this manner: take héede you doo not stirre vp a gentle, méeke, and kinde man to choller: which when hée is angry will not endure it: for hée, in whome there is meekenesse, and curtesie, if hée doo finde out one of a gentle disposition, hee dooth shewe him­selfe more kinde: but if hée doo méete with an vnciuill one, hée will rage in cruell burning wrath: for it is so ordeined by nature, that in whome there is kindnesse to deserue well, in the same man there is crueltie to reuenge. And thus much for Leucippe at this time.

Clinias and Satyrus, assoone as they heard that I was cast into prison (for Melite declared to them what had hap­pened to mée) by night they came to mée in prison, desirous to liue with mée there, but the Iayler would not suffer them, constraining them to goe foorth against theyr willes. But I requested them, that assoone as Leucippe was returned, they should bring mée woord: cogitating in my minde of Melites promise, I was troubled betwéene hope and feare: for hope was ioyned with feare, and feare with hope.

Afterwarde the next morning by breake of day, Sosthe­nes returned to Thersander, and Satyrus came to me. Ther­sander demanded of Sosthenes whether he had preuailed with [Page 114] Leucippe, and by perswasion had woonne her to obey. But he smothering the truth, began to faine a lie, saying: she doth denie after a sort, but that commeth not from the heart, for shée seemeth only to me to feare the reproch, least that whē you haue once enioyed your desire, you would then cast her of. Then said he, what belongeth to this matter let her feare no more, for y^t I may truly confesse, that the desire of hir hath takē such roote in my hart, y^t it cannot eas [...]ly be plucked out, but I do feare great­ly this one thing, whether she be the yong mās wife as Melite reported, and do earnestly desire to know the certainty thereof. Thus talking together, they came to Leucippes chamber, where when they had stood, they heard a great groning of one lamenting, wherfore they sate downe at the doore, y^t they might heare al that she said, for she being alone, began thus to cōplain. Alas O Clitiphon (that name she often repeated) thou dost not know where I am, neither in what place I am kept, neither do I know what is become of thée, but both of vs ignorant of one anothers estate, do liue a miserable life. What did Ther­sander take thée at his house? what hast thou also suffered iniu­rie? it was once in my mind to aske Sosthenes thy fortune, but I could not find how I might do it safely, for if I had asked for my husbande, I was in feare least I should purchase thée some harme, by prouoking Sosthenes against thée: or if I shuld haue enquired of a stranger, here also suspition might haue risen: being thus in doubt, I ceast to enquire for thée. But why doe I speake thus? I haue often gone about to aske for thee, neuer yet could I bring my tongue to aske the question, but yet I did often complain thus to my self: O my husband Clitiphon, the onely hope of Leucippe, and my constant husband, whom no other woman yet could allure to lie withal: although that I did verily think thou hadst forgotten al thy loue to me, when I did behold thée in the countrey. But what shal I answere if Thersander peraduenture come again? what shall I vnfolde all the matter to him, & certifie the very truth? That thou maist not thinke me (Thersander) a base bondslaue, I am the daughter of y^e general of y^e army of Byzantiās, & the wife of a yongman chéefe amongst [Page 117] the Tyrians, I am neither a Thessalian woman, neither is my name Lacaena, this is the reproch of the pyrates, by whom my name was taken away: my husbands name is Clitiphon, my countrey is Byzantium, my father Sostratus, my mother Pan­thia: I doo not thinke that thou wilt beléeue mee when I haue spoken thus, & if thou doo beléeue it, I feare least that thou wilt depriue my déere husband of his liberty. Wel, I will put on my counterfeit personage again, and call my selfe Lacaena. Ther­sander hearing her speake thus, turning him to Sosthenes said; Hast not thou heard her spéech, full of gréefe, heauinesse, and sorrow, how shee hath spoken of many things? how gréeuously she hath complained? how she hath accused her selfe? an adulte­rer is preferred before me. This théefe I think he be a sorcerer, he loueth both Melite and Leucippe, I would O Iupiter that I could be Clitiphon. Thē said Sosthenes, you must not mai­ster leaue off to labour, but rather go vnto her, neither will shee tell you that she loueth this adulterer, but so long she careth for him, as long as she wanteth anothers companie: but if you can succéede into his place (for you far excell him in beauty) she will quickly forget him: for a new fire doth extinguish the old, & such is the nature of women, that they rather loue the present, then the absent, except perchance they remember them when they want another: wherfore assoone as another commeth, the first is immediatly forgotten. Then Thersander began to pluck vp his mind: for those words which do bring any hope to obtaine the wished thing, are easily beléeued, because it commeth so to passe, that the desiring part of the mind, hauing y^e wished thing his companion, compelleth a man to hope: Thersander, after that Leucippe had thus spoken to her selfe alone, staied a little, that hee might not séeme to haue heard any thing, & setting his countenance that he might séeme more tractable, at length hée w [...]nt in to her, vpon whom he had scarse cast his eyes, when as he burned with a hot desire, for shee seemed to him to be more beautifull then before: his fire was sostered al the night he was from her, her sight now ministring more matter for the fire, he could not withholde himselfe, but casting himselfe downe, he [Page 118] embraced hir, yet he refrained himself as wel as he could. Thus sitting by her he began to finde some idle talke, and scant han­ging well together (a thing it is which often happeneth to lo­uers, if by chance it so fall out they haue some conference with their loues, neither do they speake from their heart, but hauing their minde fixed on her, they doo talke smoothing with theyr mouth) and as he was talking he laide his arme ouer her neck about to kisse her: which she foreséeing, cast down her head and hid it in her bosome, yet he was very desirous to embrace her, and by her resistance was more eager, but she holding downe her head more and more, denied his fauour: when he had spent a good while in talking thus, being incensed with an amorous desire with his left hand he held her by the chinne, with the o­ther he fastned on her haire, by force assaying to view her coun­tenance, y^t she might looke him in the face. At length, whether being wearie, or whether hauing obtained, hee left off to force her, but Leucippe said [...] him: you do neither behaue your selfe like a freeman, nor like a Gentleman, but do imitate Sos­thenes, who truly is a worthy seruant for such a master, wher­fore leaue off, neither hope to gette any thing except you can change your self from Thersander into Clitiphō: which when she had said, she could scant refraine, loue & anger did so burn [...] within hir. For loue and anger are two firebrands of the mind, anger hath his fire contrary in nature to the heate of loue, but like in power, for the one doth constraine one to prosecute with heate. the other with good will: the mansion places of both these fiers is néere to one another, for when a man is possessed with both of them, his mind is like a ballance wherin both the fires are weighed, & the one doth séeme to expell the other, but most commonly loue doth ouercome, when as he obtaineth that first which he did desire. But if he find himselfe to be neglected, hee prayeth in aid of anger, as by reason of vicinage, who presently is at hand, and they both do kindle their fires: but if that anger do once beate downe loue, and as it were driue him out of his house, then he is so farre from helping him to enioy his beloued thing, that hee doth striue to binde him like a slaue in bonds, [Page 119] neither will he euer come in fauour againe, although he great­ly desire it. Whereby it commeth to passe, that loue ouercome must néedes yéeld, and desirous to returne to his accustomed place is not able: but when anger hath exercised his forces sufficiently, with very sacietie being loathed, is at length remit­ted, and then loue taketh his force againe, and bringeth foorth desire into the fielde, casteth anger nowe quite out of his seate.

Thersander at the beginning doubted not to be frustrated of his desire, but when he perceiued all his hope to be lost, forget­ting his pleasure conceiued in his mind, strooke her a blow vpon the chéeke, saying: thou vile bondslaue, puft vppe with fil this lust, for I know all thy affaires very well. Dost not thou thinke thy selfe happie that I would talke with thee? Dost not thou thinke it a great felicitie to kisse thy maister? wherfore dost thou dissemble that which thou dost most desire, counterfetling thy selfe to bée dispayred? but doo not I knowe that thou hast liued an harlots life, which hitherto hast followed this adulterer: but since thou wilt not receiue me into thy famili­aritie, I will teach you minion what it is to denie mée. Then sayde Leucippe, if you haue a delight to play the tyrant, I will endure it as well as I can, so that you shall not take from mee my virginitie: and turning her to Sosthenes, shée said, and beare thou witnesse also with what a minde I en­dure these iniuries, thou knowest thou hast offered me greater wrong then this.

Then Sosthenes whose guiltie conscience accused him of this crime, blushed for shame, and turning to his maister said: you must beate her sir with roddes, vntill her tormented bo­dy aske forgiuenesse for her trespasse, conf [...]ssing it to be a iust re­warde that shee may learne and knowe what it is to dis­please her maister.

Then aunswered Leucippe: Thersander obey your Ser­uaunt Sosthenes (for hee counselled you well) and com­maunde what torments you please to bée prouided, whe­ther it be to be torne in péeces vpon a Whéele, to bée whipped [Page 120] with scourges, to be burnt with fire, it will séeme to you to bee a newe kinde of sight: for one woman alone, will striue against so many punishments & depart the conqueror. But thou callest Clitiphon adulterer, when thou art the adulterer thy selfe. But heare you sir, doo you reuerence Diana héere; and go about to rauish a virgin in a virgins Cittie? O goddesse why do thy ar­rowes rest now? What thou a virgin, said Thersander: O ri­diculous impudent? what thou a virgins? which hast lyen so many nights with pyrates? What I pray you were y^e theeues eunuches? or whether did these théeues go into the Philoso­phers schoole, that none were found, which had eyes? Then said Leucippe, I pray you aske your man Sosthenes whether after so long and great violence offred to me by him, I am a virgin or no: for he indéede playd the théefe with me. The Py­rates were more modest then you: for not one of them would once offer such a thing, but since you dare do such villanie, why should not I rather call this your seate a den of théenes, which are not ashamed to commit those things which they haue ab­horred to do? you perhappes knowe not what commendation this your impudencie will bring you. But if you kill me what then, there will not be some wanting which will saye, that Leu­cippe after she had béene amongst the théeues, after the rape of Chaerea, after the violence of Sosthenes, yet was found a vir­gin: these are the least of all: but this is the most famous com­mendation and to be preferred before all, that Leucippe kéepe her maydēhead against the force of Thersander, more sauadge then all the pyrates: which suffered her self rather to be slaine then to be violated. Wherfore, prouide you whippes, a whéele, fire, iron, and take your fellow counseller Sosthenes with you, I am both naked, alone, and a woman: and haue no defence, except my liberty, which can neither be whipped with rods, nor cut with iron, nor burnt with fire: that will I neuer léese, and if you cast me into the middle of the flame: there will not bee force inough therein to take it from me.

THersander when as hée perceiued how obsti­nately Leucippe persisted in her opinion, be­gan to be distraught in mind, for he did grieue to sée how he was deceiued of his hope; and angry to thinke how he was neglected; being wounded with loue, he deuised with himselfe what he shuld do: amongst these wauering motions of y^e mind speaking no word to Leucippe he went forth, being prouoked, with anger to run, then gathering his mind togither, to discusse the ambignities thereof, taking counsell first of Sosthenes, he went vnto the Iayler, and purposed in his mind to poyson me, requesting him to consent thereto: to which villanie, when he could not induce him, (for he feared the crueltie of the people, which punished another in the same office before him, because he offered the attempt in such a matter) yet he obteined this of him, to kéep in ward a certain mā which he brought, as though he were an offender, in the same place where I was bound: of whom he fained that he would knowe all my estate: the man being brought, was bound not farre from me, who before was diligently instructed of Thersander, that he should raise some talke of Leucippe, and that he should tell me, that by Melites [Page 122] commandement she was put to death; which was therfore de­uised by Thersander, because that although I could cleare my selfe of the crime, yet I should not go about to enquire for her, whome I thought was alreadie dead. But Melite therefor [...] was chiefly appoynted the Author thereof, because that Leu­cippe being slaine, I should haue espoused, which before was beloued of mée, by shaking this feare frem Thersander, in put­ting him in hope safely to enioy Leucippe: or else because I should hate her, who caused her to be taken away, whe was more deare to me then my owne life: and so for verie anguish of minde and discontent, I should depart out of the citie. This fellow assoone as he was come in to me, began to tell me a tale, and of purpose he sighed and groned: what life said he, shall we lead in the world to come? what way to saluation may we looks for, if to liue vprightly be not sufficient? Imminent dangers do hang ouer our head, it did behoue me to haue coniectured with my self, what he was, and what he had committed, before I had taken my iourny with him. These & such like did he talke to him selfe of set purpose, assaying to make the beginning of his talke by me, that I might aske him the cause of this his lamenting: but my owne cares troubled me more: wherfore when he had shed a shower of teares, one of them which was bold with vs; (for vnhappie men desire to heare of other mens misfortunes, because that the communication of grief, is as it were an ease­ment of a sorrowfull heart) said, what misfortune is this which hath hapned to thée? what is it credible y^t thou hast falne guilt­lesse into these mishaps? then he rehearsed the cause, why hée himself was cast into bands, but I listened not to his tale: when he had made an end of his spéech, now also said he, I pray thée let vs heare y^e cause of thy misfortune? Then said he, yesterday as I tooke my iourney out of the citie towardes Smyrna, there came a certain man to me, and enquired of me whither I wit: to whom I answered, that I was going to Smyrna: and I also said he, Godwilling do determine to go thither: we went on our iourny togither, and as the maner of trauellers is, we eased our iourny with some talke: about dinner time, we wēt to an Inne [Page 123] by the way to bayt: being set downe, there came in some men, which also sat by vs, seeming as though they would dine with vs. The one did looke vpon vs, beckning & winking vpon one a­nother: wherfore we began to thinke with our selues y^t they had some suspitiō of vs, although we could not perceiue what their beckningsment. He which was with me began to waxe pal [...] and to tremble, and in the end he quaked for feare: which they marking, presently laid hold vpō vs & bound vs: but one of them strooke y^t man vpon the chéek: he as it were tormented with in­numerable punishments, none asking him any question, cryed out; I haue slain a mayd, being hired by Melite, Thersanders wife: for a hundred péeces of gold, she prouoked me to doo this vilany: behold the mony, which I wil distribute betwéen you, I pray you do not go about to cast me away, nor deceiue your selues of this bootie. Then I hearing Melite and Thersander named, was sodainly stroken with his words, as if I had bene wounded with a sword: and turning my selfe to him, What Melite is y^e said I? Then answered he, the chéefest woman of this citie: which (as it is reported) is in loue with a Tyrian yong man, which hauing lost a maid whom he loued, and vnderstood that she was sold into Melites house, did make enquiry for her, who fearing lest by her meanes, this mayd would be alienated from her, priuily caused her to be slaine by this murderer: into whose company it was my ill fortune to hap: he committed the fact, but I (poore wretch) neither seeing it, nor guiltie of word or déed, was taken togither with him, as accessary to this detesta­ble murder. But this is the least, a more gréeuous thing fel out: for we had not gone a furlong from the Inne, but they tooke his mony and let him go: and brought me in examinatiō before the officers. After I had heard this tragicke discourse, I could neither speak a word, nor shead a teare, for my voyce fayled me in my mouth, and the moysture was fledde from my eyes, all my members quaked for feare, and my very heart was broken: neyther had I any life left in my bodie. A little after, when I had driuen away this concept, I beganne to bee of good courage: Howe sayde I, did this Uarlet wickedly slay her? [Page 124] or into what place did they fling the carkasse? But assoone as he had giuen me this bone to gnawe on, and had brought that to passe, for which he came, began to be so mute, that I could not writhe one word out of him, except that which I had demanded of him before: you séeme to me, said he, to be partaker also of her death, for this one thing did I heare certainly of the mur­therer, that [...]he was slaine: but when, where, and howe, it is to me vnknowne: then did the teares fall from my eyes, which made an apparant signe of my inward griefe. For as in a bodie which is beaten with whippes, the printes of the stroakes doo not appeare immediately, but after a little space: or else as the wounde dooth not presently shewe it selfe in him, which is strooken with the tuske of a Boore, because it will pe­netrate the déeper: and not long after, there will bee séene a white line which is the index of the wounde, from which be­ing touched, dooth flowe whole streames of bloud: so the mind, being wounded with the sharpe poynt of some ill n [...]wes, dooth not instantly gape, neyther doo the teares immediately come foorth, which is as it were the bloud of the wounded heart: but after that the tooth of sorrow hath somewhat tou­ched it, then is the minde rent asunder, and the teares hauing made passage for their streame, through the eyes doo flowe a­bundantly: for my minde, so soone as it was strooken with the spéech of him that reported the death of Leucippe, as it were with a dart, beganne after a little space to breathe from griefe, and make passage for the teares: Then sayd I: what feare was this which allured me with so short ioy? who shewed Leucippe to me, that shée might be the cause of newe calami­ties vnto mée? what, because I coulde not satisfie my eyes with beholding, by which alone I was happie: or if I did beholde, I was not filled with sight, all my pleasure beeing like vnto a dreame: O wretched man that I am! for whom, howe often haste thou died Leucippe? shall I neuer cease from wéeping? I thinke not: for I sée a newe death commeth vpon one anothers backe, but fortune before this time hath mocked me with her calamities: but this I sée is no spo [...]ng [Page 125] matter: After what meanes was Leucippe taken awaye be­fore in those other suppposed deathes I hadde euer some com­fort left, first thy whole body, thy head being taken awaye, which I buried: but now thou hast died a double death, both of bodye and soule togither? wha [...] hath it auailed thée to haue e­scaped the daunger of théeues twice, if that this receiuing of Melites, be the taking of thée away from me? Why did I so of­ten kisse the author of of thy death? Why did I so swéetely em­brace her, and bestowe vppon her my first fruites of Venus, before I gaue them to thée? As I was thus complaining with my selfe: Clinias came in, whom I certified of the whole mat­ter.

But said hée, bée of good courage: who knoweth, whither [...]he be aliue againe? hath not shée béene often dead, and yet reuiued? Why then doest thou thus rashly disquiet and vexe thy selfe? you may meditate of it at your leysure, when you knowe certainely that shée is deade indéede. You séeme to ieste with mee, sayde I, for howe can you knowe it more apparantlye? surelie I doo thinke I haue founde a happie waye to death, and it is such a one, that Melite also shall not escape frée: For I had deeréede (as you knowe) if so the destenies woulde suffer mée, to wash awaye this obiected cryme of adultery by iudgement: But newe I purpose to take a quite contrary course. I will acknowledge the crime, saying that I and Melite, burning in loue togither, did hire this miscreant priuily to murder Leucippe, so shée shal suf­fer worthy punishment, and I will leaue my lothsome life: the gods wil grant al things I hope to fal out more happily. What sayde Clinias dare you vndertake so filthy a facte committed: and confesse her death which was your onely loue? then said I: There is nothing dishonest which bringeth shame, and confusion to the enemie. I beeing in this case, not long after there came one to deliuer this man accused of the false murther, who sayd he was appointed by the Archontes, and that hee shoulde bée brought to aunswere those things which shoulde bée obiected against him: In the meane time [Page 126] Clinias and Satyrus comforted mée, and perswaded me a [...]so not to confesse any thing in iudgement as I hadde de­créed.

But they the next day hired a house, and there dwelt in that, that they might not be séene in companie with Melite: the next day I was brought into the Court, and where Ther­sander was present with a great apparance, hauing brought no lesse then ten lawyers to plead his cause, neither I, being readie: to die, would go about to sue for Melites defence.

After that they had made an ende of theyr argument, and licence was graunted to mee to speake: all these sayd I, which haue pleaded for Thersander and Melite, haue de­clared nothing but méere toyes, you shall heare mee faith­fully and dilligently declare the whole matter as it is. I hadde a friende sometimes, borne at Byzantium, her name was Leucippe, which I did thinke to haue perished (for shee was violently taken from mee by the Aegyptian pyrates) af­ter it so chanced I fell in companie with Melite at Alexan­dria, with whome growing into better acquaintance, I came from thence hither, where I found Leucippe seruing Sosthe­nes chéefe steward of Thersanders landes: but howe Sosthe­nes could receiue a frée woman into bondage, or what fa­miliaritie hee hadde with the Pyrates, I leaue to your gen­tle consideration. Melite after shee perceiued that I hadde recouered my olde loue againe, fearing least I shoulde set­tle my minde vppon her, tooke counsell to make her awaie, which I also allowed, for why shoulde I denie it? and when shee had promised to make me Lorde of all her wealth, I hi­red a damned pesant to murther her, promising him a hun­dreth péeces of Gold: so he hauing committed the fact, fled a­way, neither since that time did I euer heare of him. But loue séeing himselfe thus troubled, suffered me not to go long vnreuenged, for knowing the mayde was murthered, be­ing charged with an euill conscience, I neuer ceased to wéepe since that time, but nowe being burned with the desire of her, I do loue her dead, neither do I accuse my selfe for any other [Page 127] cause, but that I would haue you send me thither where my louer is, since that in your presence I am a murtherer, and de­sire to die, I cannot endure to liue any longer: which when they had heard me apparantly confesse, were amazed at the vnlooked for issue of the matter, but especially Melite. The lawyers which defended Thersanders cause, when they heard that, cryed out for ioy, but they of Melites side did examine her, if the cause were thus certaine. But she being wonderfully dis­tempered, denied vtterly some things, other things she granted and of purpose very closely she séemed to confesse: but what I had told of Leucippe she verily affirmed, that all was most true except her death: wherefore when her spéech agréed with my confession, they which defended Melite came so into suspition of her, as that they were vncertain what spéech they should vse to defend her. But Clinias when there was a great cry and tumult risen, stood vp in the middle: giue me leaue (said he) to speake a little, since the iudgement is now to be giuen of his life: which when he had obtained he wept, saying: O you men of Ephesus, doo not rashly condemne this young man to death, which you sée is desirous to die, which is the onely easing of mischiefes to miserable men, he hath taken vpon him the im­pious fact of wicked men, that suffering punishment hee might finde some refuge for his aduersities. I will declare to you in few words as breefe as I can, what his misfortune is. This yong man (as he said) had a louer, neither did he faine any thing which he spoke of her concerning the Pyrates and Sosthenes, for whatsoeuer he said which did happen before her death were true: shee was sodainely taken away cut of all mens sightes, but howe that was doone, whether shée bée yet dead or a­liue I cannot tell: this one thing I did learne, that shee was beloued of one Sosthenes an acquaintance of the pirates, and because she would not yéeld to his filthy desires, hee execu­ted his villany vppon her: now since he thought that shee was dead, he denieth also to liue any longer, finding himselfe the au­thor of her death: he himselfe confessed to me that hee did desire to die, and chéefely for the gréefe which hee conceiued for her [Page 128] death. Thinke you with your selues againe and againe, whe­ther it seeme any thing likely to you, that hee which hath killed another would be willing to die with him whom he hath slaine? or whether any one can bee founde exercising his enemities so familiarly, as that mooued with pittie of him whom hee hath slaine, he would desire to ende his life and to accompanie him. What hatred I pray you can be cast away so soone: by the im­mortall gods do not beléeue this, neither cast away one which is rather worthie of pittie then punishment: but if he be the authour of this murther, as he saith he is, let him bring foorth that hired varlet: shewing the maide slaine, with the time and place where it was doone: but if he can neither name the mur­therer nor shew the body murthered, wherfore should any man accuse him of the murther? I loued (said he) Melite, therefore I tooke away Leucippe: but why doth hee thus often repeate her name whom he hath slaine, and not once name her whom he loueth so earnestly? Do you thinke any man so inconstant to himself, as y^t he hateth that which he loueth, & loueth that which he hateth? Do not you rather thinke that a louer, although con­uicted, yet to saue his loue, will denie the fact? but you must con­sider why he did accuse Melite if she did neuer commit such a hainous crime. I request you againe to consider, not that you might thinke me to vse this spéech to bring Melite into contro­uersie, but that I may repeat the whole matter in order. Melite was in loue with this yong man, with whom she hath had of­ten conference concerning their marriages before this seafa­ring man came home. Moreouer, his louer whom he thought had béene slaine by the pyrates, was founde (as hee saide) with Sosthenes, not knowing that she was his loue, deliuered her from bondes wherewith Sosthenes had bound her: shee recei­ued her into her house, and being now fréed from his bondage, she had her in great estimation: then perceiuing the truth, shée sent her into the countrey, that shee might apply her selfe to husbandrie, and after that time she was neuer séene of any: Melite her selfe and both her maids wil witnesse that I speake the truth. But this brought him into suspition, fearing least she [Page 129] being ouercome with the heate of rage or slaunder, should pri­uily kill her. Moreouer, another thing increased this misd [...] ­ming humour: while I was in prison a certaine man was committed thither (for what fault I know not) who reported that he fell in company with a villaine which murthered Leu­cippe, which openly confessed it, that for a summe of mony h [...]e was hired by Melite to d [...] it: but hee sayde (I will not auouch the certeintie thereof: it is meete therefore the she truth bee sought foorth, which for to do is no very hard matter, when you haue him heere which made mention in prison of the murther, of which matter first I would haue him to be examined. Moreouer, lette Sosthenes be sent for, and the two maides, whereby of him you may learne by what meanes he tooke her into seruitude of the others▪ and by what manner shee is thus gone out of all mens sights. And before that these things be sifted out throughly, there is nei­ther lawe nor right why hee should be depriued of his life, be­léeuing his owne mad sayings, for gréefe and sorrow compell him to this madnesse.

Melite brought forth the maides, and requested that Sosthe­nes also might be brought into the Court, supposing that hée had Leucippe. But Thersander fearing least by him the matter would come to light, sent one priuily to Sosthenes, to bidde him flie away with as much spéede as might be, be­fore that they came thither who were sent to fetch him: where­fore taking a horse he rode inpost hast, beeing certified that if he were once taken the whole matter would be detected. Sosthenes was then with Leucippe, about to salue her woun­des: wherefore beeing called on with a great clamor, he went foorth, and vnderstanding the matter, full of feare, thinking that the Sergeants were at hande to attach him, taking a horse hee rode in all haste towardes Smyrna. The messenger returned backe to Thersander, and that is most true as it sée­meth to me, that the memorie is often ouerwhelmed with feare.

During the time that Sosthenes was in this fright, for­getting [Page 130] all things which hee hadde to doo, he had forgotten al­so to locke the doores of the house wherein Leucippe was in­closed (for seruants are oftentimes most fearefull when any danger is at hand.) In the meane season Thersander roling into [...]ilence Melites matters, said: this fellowe héere whatso­euer he is, hath prated sufficiently, I cannot choose but mar­uell at your bluntnesse, which when you finde an apparant murtherer, taken manifestly in the fact though it be more hai­nous, hée doth accuse himselfe, yet you wil not giue him to the executioner, but let this co [...]sener bee héere to fill your eares with admonishing and lamenting, whome I doo feare to be partaker also of the murther: wherefore I do not sée what neede there is of further inquisition in a matter so apparant. Moreouer, I am brought into that beléefe that I thinke hee hath committed some other murther, for Sosthenes whome they doo so much call for, hath beene away from me this thrée dayes, neither doth this séeme to abhorre from the truth, to bee doone with their generall counsell. Wherefore I doo verily thinke that they also haue slaine him, knowing that I had no other man to bring for my witnesse. But I would to God Sosthenes liued, and that it were possible that I could bring him foorth to you: but lette vs imagine that hee were héere, what would you demaund of him whether hee bought a mayde? and whether Melite redéemed her from him? Go to, let it be so, hee bought her, Melite redéemed her, he confes­seth this by me, what else haue you to demaund? nothing tru­ly, those things are confessed, Sosthenes is quiet. But now let my spéech turne to Melite and Clitiphon, what haue you to do with my mayde? for she is my seruant indéede: neither did this craftie Thersander speake for any other intent, but that hee might bring Leucippe backe againe into seruitude, if perhappes shee were aliue. Moreouer hee added this, Clitiphon hath confessed that hee hath murthered her, and maketh himselfe guiltie of the fact, but Melite denieth it, but the proofes of the maides do gainsay that, for it is knowne that they receiued Leucippe of Melite, who as yet is not re­turned, [Page 131] what may wee thinke to become of her? what will you haue more? she is sent away? to whom? they are silent: wherefore it is manifest enough, that some one which hath murthered her was hired by them? which the maides do knowe very well, but would not declare it to any more, least the matter should come to light. They left her perhaps amongst a number of théeues, that by them shee might bee carried a­way.

I knowe not what they haue deuised of one which was in prison, of whom this matter was first reported, when there­fore will you leaue off to lende your eares to such foolish tales, and dispatch this weightie matter? What say you? doo you thinke that this man woulde accuse himselfe except it were Gods prouidence it should be so?

Héere Thersander had made an end of all his spéeches, and had approued it with an oath, that he could not tel what was be­come of Sosthenes, it séemed to the Prince to giue iudgement, (he was of the kings stocke, in whose power it was to examine all matters of life and death, and to giue iudgement thereof, although it was decréed by the ancient laws, that hee should haue councellers which should direct him what to doe) where­fore (saide he) it séemeth to me, the matter béeing communicated also to my fellowes in this office, according to the order of the lawe to punish him with death, which saith that hee which accuseth himself should be condemned without any further in­quissition: but for Melites iudgement, it shall be deferred vntill the two maides be examined. Thersander caused his oath to be registred down, that he was altogether ignorant what was be­come of Sosthenes, & it was decréed that I should be tormented vpon some engine, to confesse whether Melite were guiltie or no: my clothes being plucked from my backe, I was hoised vp aloft, some bringing fire, some whips, some a whéele, but Clinias wept bitterly, when behold a Priest of Diana crow­ned with a garland of bayes, beganne to c [...]me into the market place, for that was a signe that strangers came to offer sacri­fices vnto the goddesse, which when it came to passe, they ought [Page 132] to stay so long from the execution vntill the sacrifice of the god­desse was ended, wherefore I was let downe againe. The au­thor of this sacrifice was Sostratus, Leucippes father: for when the Byzantians had gotten the victorie in the battell against the Thracians before the goddesse Diana, they thought it meete to offer sacrifice to her, as it were giuing her thankes for her ayde which shee did sende them. The Goddesse appeared in the night priuatly to Sostratus, and foretolde him that he shoulde finde a daughter and a sonne in law at Ephesus. By this time Leucippe hauing opened the doores of the house, fearing least Sosthenes which went foorth a little before, hadde stood at the doore, looked round about to sée if she could espie him; but when she saw that he was not there, she beganne to be of good cou­rage: séeing then that vnlooked for she was deliuered out of these dangers, she beganne to plucke vppe her heart, and decréed to vse the benefit of fortune: for when as Diana her Temple was not farre off from those fieldes, going out of the house, shee went thither. This temple in ancient times was not ope­ned, without some great occasion, wherein it was lawfull for men and virgins to enter, especially when any matter of life was in question. It was counted a hainous matter for we men to enter therein, except seruants which were called into questi­ons of law by their masters, for then it was lawfull for them to flie to the Goddesse for succour▪ While Sostratus lead the Priest into the market place to defer the execution, Leucippe was going into the Temple, and it so happened that shee had almost mette her father: but I, the companie being dismissed, was lette loose, a great number of people following me, some pittied my case, some prayed to the gods for me, some asked me diuers questions, amongst whom was Sostratus, who assoone as hee sawe me foorthwith knewe mee, for as I spoke in the beginning hee was at Tyrus, when Hercules sacri­fices were solemnized, and there hee stayde vntill the ac­customed rights were solemnized: wherefore since that time hee carried mee in remembrance, especially when hée was admonished in a dreame that hee should finde vs héere. [Page 133] Wherefore comming neare vnto me, he saide: This truly is Clitiphon: but where is Leucippe ▪ Then I, assoone as I knew him, cast my eyes vpon the ground: they which were present, began to repeate vnto me, that which I had confessed: but he gréeuously fighing and shaking his head, cast his eyes vppon me, in such sort, as if he would haue looked through me: neither durst I resist him, for he strooke me vpon the face: but Clinias comming betwéen vs, staid his hand, and sharply rebuked him, saying: What doo you now? why doo you so rashly offer vio­lence vnto him, which doth loue Leucippe better then your selfe? which of his owne accord offered himselfe to death, be­cause he had heard Leucippe was dead: speaking many more things to him, that he might pacifie his fury. But he calling vp­on the goddesse, began thus to complaine; O goddesse is this the cause wherefore thou didst bring me hither? Is this that which thou didst foretell me in my dreame? I truly did beléeue it, thinking I should finde my daughter also: and surely I haue receiued a goodly reward, I haue found her murtherer. Then Clinias hearing mention of the dreame was wonderfull glad, saying: Father be of good cheare, for the goddesse will not be a lyer, (beléeue my prophecies) thy daughter Leucippe is aliue, do not you see how she hath escaped from the hands of her tor­turers? in the meane season, one of the Sextens came running to the Priest, and tolde him, that there was a straunge mayde which came to Diana for succour: which when I heard, I be­gan to plucke vp my spirits: and lifting vp my eyes againe, I I séemed to be aliue. But Clinias turning to Sostratus, said: Beléeue me father, my Oracles are true: and hee asked the Sexten whether she was faire, to whom the Sexten answered: I neuer saw one more bewtiful, except she were Diana. Then I leaping for ioy, what saide I, doest thou say it is Leucippe? He answered, yea: for so she saith she is called, her Ceuntrey is Bizantium, her father is So [...]tratus: Clinias for verie ioy, shouted and clapped his handes. Sostratus for the great glad­nesse which he conceiued, fell downe in a maze. I leaped in my fetters as it were to the skie, and presently went into y^e temple: [Page 134] the kéepers thinking that I would haue runne away, spake to euery man that met me, to take holde of me, and stay me: but I ran as if I had wings at my féete. At length as I was thus running, there came one to me, I knowe not what hee was, which tooke me by the hande, and woulde haue brought mée backe: but being now more bolde, I withstood them, wherfore they would haue carried me to the prison. In the meane while the priest and Clinias were at hande, but Clinias speaking first, sayd; whither lead you the man? he neuer did the mur­ther whereof he is condemned. Sostratus spake vnto them to the same effect, séeing that hee was her father, whome they thought to be slain. They which were there present vnderstan­ding the matter, reioyced greatly, and extolled with prayses the Godhead of Diana, and standing about me, they forbade me to be carried to prison. The kéepers, when as the lawe would not quit me to go frée, would not let mee loose, vntill a priest, at the request of Sostratus promised to be my suretie: wherefore beeing loosed of my setters, I ranne with as much spéede as I could to the temple, Sostratus following me, but I know not whether with like ioy, being certainly assured, that there is no courser so swift whom fame cannot ouerrunne: for [...]he flying before vs, hastening & running apace, certified Leu­cippe of the comming of her father: wherefore running forth of the temple as fast as she could, she imbraced her father, ca­sting her eyes vpon me: which although I was constrained by reason of Sostratus presence not to embrace her, yet I neuer cast mine eyes from her countenance, so with lookes we did sa­lute one another.

BUt Thersander whilest that we were tal­king together in the Temple, bringing his witnesses with him, followed af­ter with great spéede: and turning him­selfe to the Priest, cryed out with a lowde voyce, saying: Thou hast done vniustly, before these which are héere present I speake it, which hast deliuered one from bondes which is condemned by the lawe. Moreo­uer, thou hast hidden this my bondslaue a [...] impudent and vn­chast thing, and almost out of her wittes for the companie of men: thou hast kept her close in thy Cell, which I would verie willinglie knowe with what right thou canst main­taine it. Then I hearing him call Leucippe immodest and vnchast, was woonderfully mooued in my minde, and not bea­ring these contumelions wordes, he scant hauing ended his speach: thou sayd I, art thrise more seruile; madde and im­modest, Leucippe is a frée woman, a virgin, and woor­thie of a Goddesse. What, sayde hée, dare you prate, Sir, béeing bound and condemned? And with as great force as he could, he strōke me twice vpon the face, that streame [...] of blood gushed out of my nose, and striking me the third time, [Page 136] his hand dashed against my téeth: and hauing hurt his fingers, with a great grone he plucked backe his hand: so that my téeth seemed to reuenge the iniury which was offered to my nose. But he for the griefe of the hurt, effeminately like a woman wept: then he ceased to strike me againe. But I séeing his fin­ger hurt, complaining of violence offered to me there. I filled the temple with a great clamour: whither shall we flie the vio­lence of th [...]se grosse heads? what gods shall we worship after Diana? for we are beaten in the temples, and we are strooken before the sacred altars of the goddesse: In desart places where no witnesses are, such facts are committed: but thou before the gods themselues, doest exercise thy authoritie: and when as the stately temples of the goddesse are a refuge for the innocent, I being guilflesse, haue receiued a wound before her presence: who can deny therefore but that these blowes were giuen to Diana? and when he could not be content with words, he gaue me wounds, such as are giuen in warres, and hath defiled the flore with mens blood. Who euer sacrificed so vnto Diana of Ephesus? That is the lawe among the Barbarians, the Scy­thians, and them which inhabite the mountaine Taurus, to sa­crifice to Diana with mens blood. Thou hast done as if Ionia were Scythia: and Ephesus Taurica: but why doest not thou drawe thy sword vpon me? neither hast thou néed to drawe it, since thy hands supply the vse therof. While I did thus lament with my selfe, a great concourse was made, and all the people came round about me; and many beganne to blame the man, others exclaimed of his impuritie: then said the Priest, are not you ashamed thus publikely in the temple to behaue your selfe? Wherefore said I, with a good courage, thus you sée O men of Ephesus, how I am vsed, which am a frée man, and a Deni­zen of no base Citie. I had almost perished, being brought into hazard of my life, except the slaunders of this wicked man be­ing land open, Diana by her holy godhed had now deliuered me out of his hands: now haue I néed to go out of the temple, and wash my face: neither is it lawfull we do it here, lest the holie water should be defiled with polluted blood. In the meane sea­son [Page 137] Thersander, when as hee was thrust out of the temple by many as he was going, he spoke thus to himselfe: Thou art nowe condemned in thine owne cause, neither long after shalt thou be vnpunished, the pipe shall make triall of this harlot which counterfeiteth her virginitie. After he was gone I went for [...]h and washed my face, but when supper time was come, one of the priestes inuited vs to his house, but I being guiltie of those things which Sostratus had reported, durst not looke him in the face: Leucippe also for shame looked vpon the ground, so that the supper séemed to be sorrowfull: at length Bacchus did remoue away our shame, for hee is the author of libertie: and then the priest turning to Sostratus said: Why I pray you doo not you shew vnto vs the order of your warre, wherein I de­light to heare of your worthie stratagems, for pleasant discour­ses well agrée with wine. Then Sostratus taking the occasion to speake, said: what I did was of no great valour, and ther­fore not worthy the rehearsal: my name is Sostratus, my coun­trey Byzantium, I am vncle to this youth, father to this maid, the rest O Clitiphon declare now, what soeuer they be, for if any aduersitie hath happened to me, it is not to be giuen to thée but to fortune: then I repeated all things in order which hadde hapned to me after I fled from Tyrus: First my scaping ship­wracke, our landing at Aegypt, the théeues, the rape of Leu­cippe, the counterfeit cutting of her belly at the altar, the crafti­nes of Menelaus, the loue of Charmides, the medicine of Chae­rea, the rapine of the Pyrates, the wound in my thigh, whose skarre I shewed there: but after I came to Melite I declared whatsoeuer had happened to me, with as much modestie as I could, admitting n [...] falshood to the truth, and first I described my loue, her continencie, then how long she sued vnto me, and how I fedde her with hope. Moreouer, I declared whatsoeuer she spoke, whatsoeuer she complained, whatsoeuer also were done in the ship while we came from Alexandria to Ephesus, howe we lay together, and howe abstinently I behaued my selfe, as if I hadde béene an eunuch. Then I shewed all my behauiour towards her, the supper, and her false accusation of [Page 138] me, and continued all things vntill Sostratus comming, o­mitting onely this inditement of mine: and thus much I spoke concerning my owne accidents which had happened to mee, I repeated also the calamities of Leucippe, which were farre greater then mine, shewing first how she serued, how she dig­ged the earth, and lost the grace of her head, which shauing the haire can witnes: but when I came to make mention of Ther­sander and Sosthenes, I did set downe euery thing so easily as they were committed, that they seemed to be but newly done. But euer I noted this, that in telling my tale I sought to grace Leucippe as much as I could▪ Shée, said I, hath suffered all these aduersities, and vntouched as she came from Byzantium so doth she remain yet, neither do I account this for a commen­dation to my selfe that I haue ended none of these things, for which chéefely I proposed my iourney: we truely father, did take vpon vs our iourney aduisedly, but we were compelled to it by the extreame heate of loue, that worthily it might be called the flight of louers. Moreouer, both our brethren went toge­ther with vs, and I doo kéepe my virginitie (if men haue any as yet vntouched, as Leucippe doth hers) since that I hadde learned long before to consecrate it to the honour of Diana But you O Lady Venus, be not displeased with vs, though you may séeme as yet neglected, wee would not cele­brate our marriages our father being away, hee is now héere present, wherefore be thou fauourable vnto vs: which when they had heard, the priest was astonied with the very admira­tion of them. Sostratus wept when I repeated the misfortunes of Leucippe. After I had made an end of my spéech, I haue (said I) rehearsed all our mischances, but yet, O diuine priest, I would very willingly know one thing of you, what that was which Thersander when he went out of the temple, determi­ned to do to Leucippe. Then said he, your question I like very well, and it is méete also that I should declare this vnto you. Sée you yonder wood (said hee) behinde the temple, therein is a caue, into which it is not lawfull for any to enter but virgins, a little within the doore there is a pipe hanging vp, which kinde [Page 139] of instrument is much vsed amongst the Byzantians: now you do vnderstand what I say, but if any of you haue any skill in musicke, I will declare vnto him the whole vse of it, with all the historie of God Pan, and to what end it belongeth. This pipe is compacted of many little pipes, all made of Réedes, all which ioyned together doe yéelde a sound as if they were but one pipe, they are so placed one by another, that they doo séeme to ioyne in order together, the foreside and the hinder be all alike, but yet one réede is higher then another, which are so placed for the better consort, for as much as the first is higher then the second, and the second higher then the third, continu­ing the like equall portion vnto the ende, their sound is very pleasant, at the top very shrill and loude, but at the bottome low and base, and both these are in the outermost side of the pipe. This pipe is like to that of Pallas, but here the fingers do distin­guish the sound, there the mouth: it was vpon a time when this pipe was no pipe, neither a reede, but a most beautifull damo­sell, which when she did flie from God Pan who then pursued her, she got her selfe into a most thicke wood, but Pan pursuing her with fresh sute, laide hands on her, and when he thought he had her fast by the haire, he saw he had his hand ful of réeds, which they say did rise out of that place where the virgin did sinke down: but the god being ouercome with wrath, cut down these réeds, vnder which he thought she had hid her self, but not hauing found hir, he was moued with the wicked fact, thinking that he had put his loue to death wherfore he sighed, groned, & gathering y^e réedes, cut as though they were her members, pla­cing them in order, & began to kisse them, & while he thus amo­rously lamented, & breathing into the hollownes of them, as it were into the wounds of the virgin, the breath being inclosed therin, through y^e narrow passage therof there came a sound, and this was the first beginning of the pipe, which afterward Pan himself did hang in his caue & there to this day it is kept, & the report went that this god would often resort thither, and play according to his accustomed maner, but in latter times the in­habitants of the country thinking to obtain fauor of y^e goddesse [Page 140] Diana, consecrated vnto her such a pipe, vpon this condition, that shee should suffer none to play thereon except they were virgins: wherefore if any mayde come in suspition of her maidenhead lost, the people doth bring her to the gates of this caue, that they may be tryed by this pipe, for shee which is suspected of whoredome, adorned in a long garment appointed for that purpose, doth descend into the caue, where taking the pipe and putting it to her mouth, if she be a virgin a most sweet and a most heauenly sound is heard, whether it be because that place hath a shrill sound hidden in reedes, or whether because Pan himselfe doth play vppon it, the gates she open of theyr owne accord, and the virgin returneth crowned with a gar­land of pine trée, but if shée fame her selfe a virgin, in stéede of playing on the pipe, the caue sendeth weeping and mourning, wherefore the people leauing the woman there, depart away. But the third day the virgin which is gouernour of the place, goeth into the caue, where shée findeth the pipe throwen downe, but the woman is not to bee founde: this triall must you abide, wherefore be thinke your selfe before you go downe, if Leucippe be a virgin (as I truely would haue her) shee shall finde the pipe fauourable vnto her, whose triall neuer deceiued any. Leucippe before the priest hadde ended his tale, Doo not you (said she) take care for me, for I will very willingly descend therein, wishing to be locked fast without any companion. I am very gladde (quoth the priest) that you are so well resolued, reioycing at this your felicitie. But when it beganne to waxe late, euery one went to his lodging where the priest had ap­pointed: Clinias did not sup with vs because he would not seeme to trouble our host, but he returned thither where he lodged be­fore. But Sostratus hauing heard that which was reported of the pipe, séened vnto vs to feare, least that for modesties sake to him wee would belie our owne virginitie: wherefore I beckened to her priuily that she should rid her father of that fear, for she had learned before how to perswade him to beléeue it, seeming also to suspect the like matter, because she perceiued so soone what I meant by my beckening, for she going to bedde [Page 141] hauing done her dutie to her father, bad him be of good comfort, saying, father beléeue my wordes, for neuer a one of vs here (so Diana preserue me) hath dissembled in any thing. The next day when the sacrifices were readie, Sostratus and the priest went about their offerings, and the multitude of people assem­bled togither, to be partakers of their oblations: and they cried out with great applause to the goddesse. But Thersander (for he also was then present) went vnto the Gouernour, saying: Let vs deferre the appearance vntill to morrow: for whome you yesterday condemned, many haue let go free, but Sosthe­nes is not to be found, wherefore in the meane time, I will pro­uide that my witnesses bee readie. But when the day came, Thersande [...] made a speach in this forme, what wordes shall I vse? what beginning of speaking should I make? or whome should I accuse first or last? I do not know, for many things are done boldly by many, which offer themselues to mee to bée spoken of, alike and in greatnesse, and more manifest in that it is superfluous to be spoken of in this accusation, for I feare least that I shall not expresse in my speach, that which my minde doth conceiue, since my tongue doth striue to drawe th [...]m to my remembrance. For while that I hasten to speake, of those things which hitherto haue not béene spoken, all my licence séemeth to be taken away from me, so that I cannot fi­nish my causes which I begunne: for when adulterers kill o­ther mens seruants, murtherers rauish other mens wiues, and bawdes doe deliuer men condemned from their punishment, when harlots do prophane the holy Temples of the gods, wee had néede of diuerse accusers. Recite the decrée of the gouer­nour, and his counsell: you heare what his sentence is, I bee­ing the accuser: you haue decréed once that Clitiphon sho [...]d die, where is the headsman to hang him vp? whye do not you giue him poyson? Nowe according to the lawe he is [...], and the day of his punishment is passed, what say you ( [...]s [...] religious and mercifull Priest) I pray you what doth the lawe prouide for them, which go about to set them frée which are al­readie condemned to die either sure youre authority is greater [Page 142] then the power of the the Prince and his counsaile, or else you haue done amisse, wherefore O most noble prince you must come downe, and giue this man your place and authoritie to iudge weighty matters, you haue no more power to punish wicked men, for this fellow absolueth whom he list: why doe you stand like a priuate person amongst vs? Why do not you get vp, and fit in your throne, and declare the lawe vnto vs: or if you please cast all lawes aside, and gouerne like a tyrant? Do not thinke your selfe, O man, but to bee honoured a like with Diana her selfe, whose honour thou hast filthily arro­gated to thy selfe: who euer saw her temple made a prison, as it plainly appeareth, when a murtherer, and an adulterer shall stande before the Goddesse, O most vnworthy fact! an adulte­rer to lodge with Diana, and an vnchaste and immodest wo­man to defile her Temples. O most mightie prince, it behoo­ueth you now to looke about you, and to suppresse these mani­folde vices, which lately are growen vp in this common wealth.

Then stoode vp the priest, a man most ready to replie, and one which was well read in Aristophanes, beganne to in­ueigh verie coldly and merrily agaynst Thersander his youth. It is (said he) an argument of an impure mouth, so reproch­fully to inueigh agaynst honest and vpright men: for hee not onely here, but also euery where else, hath had his tongue rea­die to speake reprochfullie of anie man: béeing a youth, hee was conuersant with all immodest persons, with them hé [...] spent his lyfe: when hée is farthest from all modestie, hee most of all pretendeth continencie, feigning himselfe studi­ous of the liberall sciences, yet subiect to all sinne and iniqui­tie, hee abuseth them to his owne lust: for leauing his fathers house, hée hyred a Cottage, where hee dwelt, flying the com­panie of honest men, and selling those of whome hee might haue any gaine: when hee did exercise his minde with these lewde vices, yet hee counterfeited priuatenesse. I my selfe haue seene him annoynt his bodie in the schooles, runne races, and how young men (for hee did euer striue with his [Page 143] superiours) did abuse his bodie: and this hée did when hee was a youth: but when hée came to mans estate, whatsoe­uer was priuately done by him, hée made it knowen: but béeing nowe waxen elder in yeares, hee exercised all thinges whatsoeuer did please him, euermore sharpening a lewde and dissolute tongue, which hee vsed to all dishonestie, that hée woulde spitte his reproches in euerie mans face, carry­ing that malapert stoutnesse in his countenaunce, which hée conceyued in his minde: insomuch that whome you haue thought worthy of the Priesthoode, hée doth not feare in most scurrile wordes to reuile. If I had liued anie where else then in all your sightes, I knowe hee woulde haue spoken more liberally of me, and of those whose companie I vse: But when you your selues doe knewe, howe farre from them I haue ledde my life, which hée dooth accuse mée off: I will refute those things as well as I can, which hée hath obiec­ted agaynst mee. Thou hast (sayeth hée) loosed one condem­ned [...]o die: and at this he dooth repine, calling mée Tyrant and casting manie more vile tauntes vpon me: spuing vp the ran [...]orous poison from his heart, as though it were more likely that he were a Tyrant, which deliuereth the guiltlesse, and not condemned: then he which deliuereth the slanderers. But first, what law had you to cast a straunger and a fréeman into pri­son? Which of the gouernours appoynted it? by what iudge­ment was he commaunded to be bound? But let vs confesse that he is guiltie of all these things which thou hast layde to his charge: is it not the dutie of the law to enquire, and to conuince by sufficient proofe? is it not the fruition of the law which hath authoritie ouer thée and all, to commaund him to bée bounde? neither is it in euerie mans power to commaund it without the iudgement of the lawe. If that thou dost arrogate this to thy selfe, why doost not thou shut the doores, adiourne the court, and cast out the officers? But what thou hast obiected to me be­fore the prince, may be more iustly and truly spoken of thy selfe. O prince it is you which must rise vp to Thersander, for you haue authoritie but only in words: this one man alone indéede, [Page 144] doth all which becommeth you to do, and that moreouer which you neuer would dare to doe, you haue counsellers without which you wil decree nothing, neither is there any thing which by your authority you dare set downe, before that you sit down in your throne: nor did you euer at your house command any man to bée bound. But this Gentleman, hee is both people, gouernour, prince: and to conclude, he one, is made all. He pu­nisheth at home, hee giueth sentence, he commaundeth to bee bound, and the euening is iudgement time with him. O night Iudge, and worthie of the darke, which nowe exclaimest a­gaine, thou hast vnloosed a guiltie person, and one whose sen­tence is to die: but what guiltie person I pray you? to what death? I bid thee speake the cause of his damnation, thou wilt say he is condemned of murther: then he hath killed one? But what is shee? Canst thou shewe her? No truely, thou canst not. Her whome thou sayest was murthered, stan­deth here before thy face, and yet art not thou ashamed to ac­cuse one of murther. This is not the Image of the Mayde: neither hath Pluto sent her hither dead to reprooue thée: but thou art rather to bee condemned of murther, and that of a double one too, which did kill the Mayd by report, and wouldst haue slaine the man in deeed: thou wouldest haue slain her in deede, we knowe all that that theu didst to her in the coun­trie. But the great Godhead of Diana, was the preserua­tion of them both, by taking the one out of Sosthenes hands, and deliuering the other out of thy fingers. But why diddest thou sende away Sosthenes? Art not thou ashamed not onely to accuse strangers, but also to belie and slaunder them. Thus much I haue to say, to cleare my selfe frō those crimes which thou diddest obiect against mee: but that which belongeth to these strangers, I leaue the defence of them to your owen con­sciences. But when as another patrone, a man of no obscure house, was about to speake for mee and Melite: another of Thersanders aduocates, whose name was Sop [...]ter, preuented him. Now said he, good M. Nicostratus (for so our patron was called) it is my turne to speake against these adulterers, for [Page 145] Thersander his spéech was onely occupied in accusing the Priest, neither did hee touch any thing which belonged to this guiltie per­son, wherfore I will proue him worthy of this & another death, then shall you haue time to quit him if you can: when he had said so, stro­king vp his haire, and making ready his forehead to lie, he began thus: You haue heard the vnséemely and dishonest talke of the priest, whrein he hath shewed nothing but only d [...]uised fals crimes against Thersander, taking cheeyfl the beginning of his spéech, from those things which Thersander had spoken of him: but that which Thersander did speake of him he is able to defende and iustifie for true, for he deliuered a guiltie person from bonds, entertained a har­lot, and hath lodged an adulterer: he whilest that hee did go about to bring Thersander into enuie by reproouing of his life, did deale al­together by slaundering: if there be any thing which becommeth a priest to do, it is this chéefely, to kéepe his tongue from slaundering. But leauing these, let vs come to the matter indéede which he spake of openly, complaining that the adulterer manifestly taken was by vs cast into prison: I cannot choose but maruell wherefore the priest would labour so greatly in defending these olde matters, al­though I coniectue at the cause, surely he beheld their faces, wherof y^e one is beautiful and of tender yéeres, the other is not only well fauo­red, but also faire and personable stature, and iudged fitte for his owne pleasures. But which of these doth most delight thée? you supt altogether, and you lay altogether, neither was there any be­holder of your nightly reuels: wherfore I feare least that that which was Dianas temple, you haue made it the sanctuary of Venus, but afterwards it shall be decreed whether you be fit for your priesthood or no: but that which belongeth to Thersander his maners, there is no man here but knoweth how modestly, moderately, and tem­perately hee hath liued euer from his infancie, which assoone as hee came to his ripe yéeres, according to the law married a wife, at length he deceiued himself in his choice, for he hath found her other­wise since then hee first tooke her to haue beene: for it is most likely that shee also before that time had accompanied with others whom she kept close from her husband, at length her chastity came in com­mon, and she gaue her selfe to al licentiousnesse, for her husband be­ing gone abroade into a far countrey, thinking that time to be most fit for to fulfill her desires, the wretched woman tooke this impu­dent [Page 146] youth vnto her (for what miserie can be greater, then to haue such a louer, which amongst women can supply the dutie of a man, and amongst men serue in stéede of a woman) neither was it suffi­cient to entise him to naughtinesse in a strange cittie: but she must bring him hither with her ouer the huge sea, in y^e meane time lying alwaies with him, and solacing themselues with their pleasure to­gether in the ship where all men did behold. O filthie lust common to sea and land! O adultery defiling both Aegypt and Ionia! This woman did not onely filthily behaue her selfe with him, but shee must haue a crier: O you men of Ephesus beholde this adulterer! neither is she ashamed yet: this honest woman bought him these ornaments which he hath about him, least hee should returne with her vnséemely to any: these pretious merchandise hath she bestow­ed on her louer, but (saith she) I thought my husband had bin dead, then this name of adultery had bin cleane taken away, but nowe he is returned: I pray you what will you call it? Then Thersander interpreting Sopater saide: there is no néede of more question a­bout this matter, for what belongeth to Melite, and to her which is saide to be the daughter of this stranger, which made this sacri­fice, which truely is my seruant, I accept these conditions. Recite those conditions: Thersander proposeth these conditions of Meli­te and Leucippe, that she, since she saith that she neuer committed any dishoneslie with this stranger in my absence, shall confirme it with an oath and shall go into the fountaine of holy Stix, there if that she be found not to haue forsworne her selfe, she shall be set fée, but this other, if she haue lost her virginitie, shall serue bon [...]age to her maister: neither is it lawfull for any woman to enter into the temple of Diana except shée be a seruant, but if she do affirme shee is a virgin, she shall be shut in the caue where the pipe hangeth: we presently accepted the conditions, not doubting but that Leucippe was a virgin: Melite liked it wel, affirming that she neuer had a­ny thing to do with me in Thersanders absence, except talking to­gether. And I also said I do not refuse the conditions, adding this which is more, that there is neither citizen nor stranger, which ha­uing such familiarity with her as I had, could al f [...]ain: & if that you proue this false that I speake I wil endure what punishment you shal lay vpon me: wherfore these things being finished, y^e company was dismissed, & it was furthermore decréed, that the next day wee [Page 147] should be tried vpon these conditions. But y^e history of the fountain of Stix, was in this maner: there was a certaine beautifull virgin whose name was Rhodope, which did delight much in bunting, being very swift in running, & skilfull in casting of a dart, she was girt with a girdle, with a miter vpon hir head, hir clothes tucked vp to her knee, her haire long and hanging vpon her shoulder. Diana méeting with this maide by chance on a day, and liking her very well, lead her a hunting with her, their pray which they tooke, say­ing should be diuided amongst them, wherfore she did swere that as yet she had kept her virginitie, & that she fled the company of men, and would not suffer the shames of Venus: which when Venus heard, being mooued with anger, shee determined with her selfe to reuenge the pride of this maide: it so fell foorth there was a yong youth of Ephesus, equally as faire amongst men as Rhodope was accounted amongst women: this youth was called Euthini­cus, he was wonderfully delighted in hunting as Rhodope was, he also did abhorre from Venus sports, wherefore on a time they went both a hunting. Venus got her thither also, and droue both their wilde beasts together into one place, Diana then was absent: wherfore Venus thus spake vnto her boy: my son, dost thou not see this couple, how they are expert of our secrets, and enemies al­so? and that bold girle very brauely swore a great oath against me, thou séest them yonder following the harts, wherefore go thou and hunt, and first take reuenge of this malapert girle, for thy dart will now flie more certainely, wherfore both dr [...]w their bowes toge­ther, the virgin vpon the hart, and Cupid vpon her, neither were their strokes in vaine, for the huntresse her selfe was the pray, shee gaue a mortall wound to the hart, but receiued a déeper wound in h [...]r owne heart, whose feare was such y^t immediatly she fell in loue with Euthinicus, who not long after felt y^e same sore. Then did they begin to behold one another, and cast their eies vpon each other, insomuch y^t they neuer would withdraw their sights. But not long after [...]o [...]ir wounds began to grow vp, & loue brought them toge­ther into a caue where now this spring is, where the faith of their oaths was vtterly abrogated. Afterwards Diana met Venus, who laughed and smiled vppon her, but shee when shee vnderstood the matter, she transformed the mayd euen there where shée lost her virginitie into a fountaine, so that it commeth to passe, that [Page 148] if any be accused of their virginitie lost, they go down to this spring, whose water scant commeth vp to the mid-leg. The triall is made after this manner: she which is suspected is brought forth, & first she solemnely taketh her oath which is writen down in paper, & hanged about her neck, & thus discendeth into the spring: if her oath be true, the water neuer moueth at al, but if she be forsworne, it riseth to her neck, & couereth the paper: while we were talking thus, it drew to­wards night, & euery man after supper went to his chamber where they lodged before. The next day the people came togither againe, before whom Thersander went with a merrie countenance: but Leucippe being adorned in a long white garment comming down to her féete, which was wouen of fine thréedes, hauing a girdle a­bout her middle, her head adorned with purple tyre, her féete naked, she went into the caue, which when as I did beholde, I was asto­nied with asodaine feare, and beganne thus to speake to my selfe: I do not doubt but that Leucippe is as yet a virgin, but when I doo remember what this God was, I was in a great feare least be thē would be the pipe: she flied from this god into the woods, but wée haue included within thy gates our pledge, that if thou wouldst pur­sue her, shee would not flie away. But O thou God Pan, be merci­full vnto vs, neither breake the lawes of this place which we kéepe holy, but restore Leucippe vntouched: this league was made be­twéene Diana and thée, do not therfore violate it & deceiue a virgin. Whilst I did talke thus to my selfe, I heard a swéete sounde, and they which stood by reioyced, saying: that they neuer heard a more pleasant sounde: the leaues of the doore did open of their owne ac­cord, and Leucippe came forth, all the multitude shouting for ioy, begen to rayle vppon Thersander: but I could not declare in any spéech the ioy which I conceiued in my minde.

Hauing gotten this famous victorie, wee went to the fountaine of Stix, that we might make trial of the other condition: the peo­ple came together to beholde, all the other things were in a rea­dinesse, wherefore they tyed the writing about Melites necke, and with a merrie countenance shée went downe into the spring, the Water as it was remained lowe, neyther ex­céeded his accustomed bounde, wherefore when the time was come that shee shoulde come frooth of the spring, the Prince tooke her by the hande, and lead her forth of the water, Tersander being [Page 149] apparātly conuicted in two things, fearing also the third, ran home as fast he could, fearing least the people would oppresse him with stones: for behold two yong men cosins to Melite, brought Sos [...]he­nes, for she had sent two seruants before to séeke him, which when Thersander saw, séeing now his fact wold be known if y^e Sosthenes were examined, by night fled out of the citie. In the mean season, the Iudges cōmanded Sosthenes to be kept in hold: we being absolued of all these crimes & accusations, with all mens cōmendations were let frée. The next day Sosthenes was broght into y^e court, who when̄ he saw that punishmēt was prouided for him, incontinently cōfessed all what Thersander ment to do, and also what himself suggested to him, togither with all the other things which they talked togither of before Leucippes doore. But Thersander (who now was absēt) was banished: we being inuited again to supper to y^e priests house, what calamities of ours I remitted there the night before to rehearse, I now went forward withall, Leucippe nowe fearing her father no more, because she was found a maid, rehersed her owne mishap, not without great pleasure. To whom, said I, I haue declared our mis­haps vntil I come to Pharus, where y^e pirats did violently take you away: wherfore tell you the fine deuice of the théeues, & what was meant by the head which was cut off frō the body, y^t your father also may know it: for this alone is wanting. Then said she: The woman which you saw was slaine, was one of them which sell apples and peares by the sea shore, whom they got into their ship, promis [...]ng hir that they would marry her vnto one of the marriners: but after that they had gotten me, hoysing vp their sayles, and plying their cares, when they saw how neare they were pursued, they plucked off my apparell, and put it on her backe, apparelling mee likewise in hers. And hauing thus attired her, they placed her vpō the top of the hin­der end of the ship, that she might be séene of them which pursued her, and there they cut off her head, the bodie as you saw they floong into the sea, but the head they kept a little space in the ship. But whē they perceyued that no bodie pursued them, they cast it out also. I do not certainly knowe for what intent they tooke in that woman, except that as it happened to mee afterward, that they would sell her, but she was slaine in my stead, that the pursuers might be de­ceyued, thinking that they could gaine the more by the sale of mée, then of her. There did I beholde Chaerea, which was the authour [Page 150] and counsellor of her death, to suffer worthy punishment. For when as the other pyrates denied that he should inioy mée alone, because that he had taken that other woman, and slaine her, which perhaps might▪ haue béene againe to them, said that I should be sold, and the money equally distributed amongest them: but he defending his owne cause, denied, saying that he agréed with them before that hée should take her for his priuate profite alone, and not to the common vtilitie: but one of them which stoode behind him, hearing him thus wrongfully chalenging me alone, tooke his swoord and stroke off his head: and so suffering iust punishment for his rape, was cast into the sea. Two dayes after being carried I know not whither, the py­rats solde me to a merchant, who receyuing his money againe sold me to Sosthenes. Then said Sostratus, since that you my children haue reported your mishaps, heare of me, what happened to Calli­gone, Clitiphon his sister at home, that I may not go frée alone without declaring something: but I hearing my sisters name did listen more attentiuely: speake, sayde I, father when you please, so that you say she liueth. Then he rehearsed all, as I had shewed be­fore the Oracle, as well the sacrifice, as the shippe, and the maner of her rape, adding moreouer, that when Callisthenes perceiued she was not his daughter, although he knew that the matter went forth otherwise then he thought, yet he ceased not to loue her, but casting himselfe downe at her féete, he spake to her in this sort. O mistresse do not think me to be a pyrate, or such a wicked person; I am borne of a noble house in Byzantium, and will giue place to none in birth: loue constrained me to lay after the maner of théeues, these ambu­shes for you, but thinke me henceforward your seruant. And first, I giue to you my self, and willingly also bestow on you all my wealth and substance, which neuer your father would haue imparted to you: I will abstaine as long as you will from violating of your virginitie. With these words and many other, more apter to per­swade (for he was of comely personage, and in talke very pleasant and earnest to moue) he woonne the maid to his owne desire. And after he returned to Byzantium, he indowed her with most of his liuing, he atired her richly with goold and precious stones, and many other iewels which are requisite to the adorning of a woman. And as shée was a virgin when he tooke her away: so he suffered her to continue before he had promised: but hée himselfe in handling [Page] [Page 150] [...] [Page 151] many matters, he haued himselfe verie gently, courteously and ci­uilly, and vppon a suddaine there was a newe reformation of the man, for be did giue place to his elders, and readie he was to salute whom soeuer hee met, when before hee was a great spender of his good, his former riot was turned into libertie. To conclude, he dealt so wisely in all his affayres, that all men maruelled, that of a suddaine, from so lauish, hée was become so thriftie: he alwayes loued me, and I likewise had a good opinion of him, thinking that this excessiue prodigalitie, did father shewe a bountifulnesse of nature then any intemperaunce in the man, remembring what was sayde once of Themistocles, that when hée was verie disso­lute in his youth, yet in the ende hée excelled all the Athenians, in wisedome and forti [...]ude: wherefore it repented mée that I had denyed him my daughter when he would haue had her into marry­age, for hee did giue me great honour, calling mée father, and bée­ing armed he accompanyed me through the Market place: neither did his minde abhorre from martiall affayres: for when hée was a horseman, hee behaued himselfe couragiously: so that in those in­temperate yong yeares, in valour and chiualrie hée séemed to ex­cell: But c [...]mming to mans estate, when his strength increased in his bodie, his cheifest desire was to follow millitarie affayres, to profite the common wealth with his su [...]staunce: wherefore he was created generall of the a [...]mie with mée, whereby hee wan great honour, willing to obey me in all things.

After wée had gotten the vic [...]orie [...]uer [...]ur enemyes, the Gods assisting vs, wée returned to Byzant [...]um, I came hither to giue thankes to the Gods, hée went to sacrifice to Hercules at Tyrus. But first Callisthenes tooke mee by the hande, and tolde mee all what hée had done for Calligones sake, wherefore my father sayde, the cause of these things which [...] hee in [...]ur youth, is the fierie heate of those years, but what [...] afterwards are doone with discretion and iudgement: wh [...] sayde Cal­listhenes to me, I haue kept her a Uirgin yet, especially in tyme of warre, when no man then by his good wi [...] will let slippe such occasions to his pleasure, wherefore now I determine to car­rie her to Tyrus to her father, and there according to the lawes, to marrie her: if that I can get his good will, it will bee well: but if hee bee frowarde and will not, let him take his daughter againe, [Page 152] a virgin as [...]he was when I tooke her, which when I haue married, I wil endew her with a large patrimonie: wherefore since al things haue fallen out so well, contrarie to Thersanders expectations, I haue determined first to go to Bizantium, and from thence to fail [...] to Tyrus. When he h [...] made an ende of his tale, wee went euery man to bed, as we did before. The next day Clinias returned vnto [...]s, and certified vs, now that Thersander was fled away. Wee stayed there thrée dayes (for our app [...]rance did last so long) then we went againe to the prince, and h [...]uing recited the lawes, wherby he found that Thersander had no cause of iust accusation against vs, we departed: and taking ship, with a gentle gale of winde we came to Byzaantium, where we finished our long desired marriages. Then we sayled to Tyrus, [...]ither when Calisthenes was come two dayes before, we found [...]y father offering sacrifice the next day for my sisters mariage: [...]fore we also were present, that we might be partakers of the same, requesting the gods to graunt our mariages to be happy and fortunate: where we agreed to stay, vpon this condition, that winter being past, we should returne againe to Byzantium.