NO sooner were Nights Sable Curtains drawn, and Aurora had opened her Rosie Courts, but fair Cleodora arose, and dispossessed her downy Bed of those perfections, which that Night had been a treasure of: And looking forth out of the window, to see whether the season would permit her her usual Custom, which was early (while others were fettered with Morpheus his Chains, and wrapped in Sleeps care-charming Mantle) to walk forth, sometimes into the Gardens, sometimes into the open Fields, and then into the shady Groves, feeding her mournful meditations with those objects, which in others would breed delight; and seeing each thing by displaying its beauty to invite her among them; the Heavens painted with a Vermilion dye; the Rosie morn having flung her self among the Clouds, as if on purpose to gaze on so sweet an object; the sky inter­mixed with azure streaks, as indeavouring to imitate her Veins; the winged Choristers chirping in each Tree [Page] [...] [Page 1] [...] [Page 2] their melodious Anthems, as in praise of so many excel­lencies united in perfection, and the odoriferous Flowers perfuming the Air, with fragrant odours, as if they strove to exceed the sweetness of her breath; she slipt on her morning habit, and walked out to betake her self to her accustomed Soliloquies, and entertain her mind with those thoughts, that made her frequent unfrequented places, accounting them her most delicious recreati­ons; at first the abundance of delight, for a while overwhelmed her Melancholike passions, but recover­ing her self, she thus began to complain, What fatall Star is this whose Pestilential influence doth afflict me with succedaneous sorrows, and makes me daily fill the air with Complaints, as if my soul were griefs Ex­chequer? Misery and despair hath arrested all my pow­ers, that all my words and thoughts are steeped in brine sorrows, and not a part of me, but is forced to bear a part in this Consort, to make a horrid harmony in woe. My tongue, the Organ of my soul, blown by the sigh­ing Bellows of my heart, never ceaseth its mournful tones, whilst the tears flow in such unmeasurable mea­sure, from the floud-gates of my Eyes, as if my very Soul would be disfused out of those perpetual streaming sluces. Not a thought but is sacrificed to him, on the Altar of a constant mind. And that that confounds me with endless woe, and makes my woes endlesly pro­found, is not only an utter despair of ever being blest with the fruition of him (which alone were able to kill a lip-sick Lover, who with quaint Rhetorications can paint his Mistress face, and curl her hair with better art than she her self, and think her tears love philters, each sentence a heart-charming Exorcism, and every frown to dart a death) but that my affections should be insnated by one, for fading skin-thick beauty, whose worth and valour, and all that might render him excel­lent, [Page 3] I am wholly ignorant of. But Ah! my Soul, how darest thou entertain a dishonorable thought of one, by externals, Natures Minion, and thy darling? would Nature have Compiled so beautiful a fabrick, to be a receptacle for a deformed soul? Certainly she would not have made such a Cabinet, but to place a Jewel in it, and that of no mean value neither; do we not see how she hath framed the heavenly Orbes, of a more pure quintessential nature, than these course-grained Elementary bodies, set with glistring spangles, garnished with millions of golden Scutchions, and all to be a fit Pavilion for the Sun, the worlds great Gene­ral? And what is this dull blockish earth, but for blind Moles, Dens of wild Beasts, graves of dead putrisying Corps, and at best for man to tread on? and as for Trees, Plants, and Flowers, do we not see how they not induring to be imprisoned within its bowels, break forth, striving to ascend, and leave it; but that the Earth as loth to part with them, fetters them by the roots; And wherefore hath she made this Microsm, Man, the Epitome and total summ of all the worlds Excellencies, but that it may befit to contain such an Angelical Soul? And will she now be so preposterous, as to make Pausanias excell all in beauty, but that he excels all in vertue? But what's all this to me? I do but Tantalize my self with these fond thoughts, since cruel Fortune separates me from him.

Thus she walked, regardless whither she went, until she was surprized with a glimmering light, appearing through the leaves and boughes; the suddenness whereof silenced her incomposed thoughts, so that now she be took her self to see, what should cause these twinkling sparks of light; and having gone some few paces forward, she came to a little Plain, at the foot of a Hill, where lay the Relicks of a stately Edifice, as [Page 4] might plainly appear by the ruins of it, upon which there stood a Chapel defaced by Antiquity, so that it was rather venerable than beautiful, only the situation of it made it seem one of the sweetest places in the earth; neer the Chapel, there was a Crystall Rivulet, whose curled streams ran softly along, murmuring that their Envious pursuers would crowd them thence so soon. And passing through a Grove she came to the Chapel, and entering into it, she espyed a Lamp, and an Ink­horn and Paper lying upon a Table of Stone; she took the Paper, and looked into it, in which were written these Verses:

She read the Verses, and her own Experience made her to pity the Author, so that more out of Compassi­on than desert, she commended them; considering also they were the lines of one submerst in sorrows, and therefore unable to soar aloft, on the wings of an airy fancy. And having paused a while, she heard a sigh accompanied with a silent, but a deep-fetcht groan, which was eccho'd back by another from her, being moved thereto by the thoughts of her own hard for­tune, which thoughts made her the more to pity him, whose condition so neerly resembled hers, insomuch that a Pearl-like tear was ready to distill from her Eyes; but her curiosity putting her upon a farther inquiry, she took the Lamp, and went to the place whence the air [Page 6] convey'd those sad accents to her ears. The first Spe­cies that presented it self to her view, was one in black upon a bed, and seeing him possess'd with Sleep, Deaths image, together with his pale looks, sorrows continual concomitant, she almost thought he was a Carcase, not a man, but that she remembred she heard him sigh. About his wrist was a Bracelet of Hair, in which were wrought in Letters of Gold these verses,

With her looking upon the Bracelet, by the dazeling Lamp, she waked him, which she perceiving, Pity, a qua­lity inseparable from the best Natures, made her thus ad­dress her speech to him; Sir, whoever you are, that thus separate your self from the World, by being Cloystered within these doleful walls, let not a too passionate sor­row prevail over all the faculties of your Soul, and Reason it self, which ought to be the helm whereby we steer our course through the fluctuating billows of sorrow. Take advice of one, who though a stranger to you, yet not to these passions wherewith I perceive you burn; do not lavish out your self in a spontaneous grief, lest your tears prove Omens, and presage a greater evil. Tears are too brackish to quench, and Sighs are but wind, and more apt to excite than ex­tinguish these flames; therefore leave this retiredness, and who knows but Florinda may be yours, although hitherto some Sinister frowns of Fortune hath blasted your proceedings, which continually attend those who by Vertue aspire to Honour and Happiness.—Peri­ander's spirits (for such was his name) receiving so sweet an alarm, uttered in such a compassionate man­ner, [Page 7] as made it plainly evident, her own passions bred that sympathy, made him think she was some tutelary Angel sent from Heaven out of pity to direct him; and as if the very name of Florinda had as it were by a prophetick Enthusiasm thus derived to him, breathed new life into him, he rouzed up his senses, and with a trembling, and as it were dying voice uttered this re­ply; Who is it that thus by endeavours cruelly mer­ciful, rips up my wounds, fondly thinking thereby to cure them? Is that the way to ease a grief-burthened soul, to deny all ease? sure the most Flagitious Vil­lain the Earth bears, whom the World abhorrs for his improbous actions, may not be denyed a leave to mourn; The most inhumane Tyrants that ever plagued the world with their horrid immanity, when they strove to make a dying soul survive with cruciating pain, would suffer them to bewail their State; souls laden with Woe, though ballasted with Hope, will sink under Fortunes stormy frowns, unless they pump out those griefs that threaten destruction. But ah! my heart is toss'd with the surges of despair, and charged with overwhelming sorrows, which unless I seek to dis­burthen, will augment to my unrecoverable ruine. And what though I should abandon all Corroding Pas­sions, would that repair my irreparable State? would that regain Florinda? Oh what more vain than such de­luding thoughts? Heaven justly thinks me unworthy of so much Bliss, and therefore interdicts me its enjoy­ment. Oh, if there be any sparks of pity yet remain­ing, either put a period to my miseries, by ending my life, that I may no longer contemplate in my self a spectacle of woe, or else remove this light, that so no Object may be presented to my eyes, that may divert my mind from the thoughts of despair, and leave this pensive place to me alone, being fit for none but those [Page 8] devoted to misery, that so I may take my fill of sorrow, since nothing without Florinda, will give me con­tentment, but that wherein there is no content. And with that he fetcht a deep sigh from the Heart, which intimated where the distemper lay, which Cleodora hear­ing, she was at first perplext in her mind, not knowing what course to steer; one while she despair'd of ever framing consolation able to appease such vehement sorrow, and therefore according to his desire thought to leave him a prey to his passions; but then compassi­on would utterly forbid that; at length the natural de­sire that is iucident to all humane spirits of knowing others afflictions, with the hope of giving some ease by her advise added, caused her thus to break silence; Sir (said she) though the black clouds of Despair have so over-spread your Soul, as that there is not the least ray or glympse of hope, whose bright aspect might revive you, yet let it not cause you to degene­rate from Vertue, which makes the possessor inflexible under all adversity, like the rock that remains unmo­ved, though assaulted with the impetuous rage of the hoisterous Winds and roaring surges of the troubled Sea. He in whose rich Soul Vertue hath once taken up her residence, hath always a Halcion serenity within, whatever the tempestuous changes and chan­ces of Fortune may be without; such a one is placed in the mids of the variety of Vicissitudes, as the Centre in a Globe, which remains fixt, notwithstanding all the Gyrations and successive Changes of posture in its adjacent parts. Hence Vertue to a wise man is not only as a lofty mountain, on which he may overtop the misty region where Fortune minteth and Contrives her various accidents, but as wings, that transport his Spirit above the Stars, by which means he over-rules, controules, and bridles them at his pleasure, and hath [Page 9] a greater influence on his own felicity, than all the Constellations in the Heavens. And though there are none have a Charter of Exemption from the enmities of cross mischances, yet can they not infringe a wise mans happiness, since it depends not either on For­tunes inconstant smiles, or the uncertain dispositions of men, but on the constant and certain exercise of Vertue, which sad misfortunes can no more impede, than the air can oppose the lights penetration. Ver­tue will shine through the thickest clouds of adversity, nay, its lustre will then most appear; that rust which with too much ease is apt to contract, is scoured off by the filing of adverse fortune, like the fire that lies hid in the bosom of a slint, content with its own warmth, and never ventures forth out of its rocky dwelling, nor appeareth to the view of others, unless roused by the Steels rude knocks. Hence Calamities should be the exercise, not the overthrow of Vertue, and therefore to be overcome with every infelicity ar­gues rather too much of a Feminine Spirit, whom Na­ture hath not indulged with that Heroical power of self-Conquest, which is indeed the greatest victory. Therefore forsake any other retiredness than that into your own vertue, where you may Sanctuary your self against Fortunes assaults, and impart a relation of your condition, and who knows but these black lines of ad­versity may tend to a centre of happiness, which if my Fortunes can in any measure avail to produce, assure your self you shall not be more ready to desire or command, than I shall be to obey, in what I may have the happiness to serve you.

These words were as water cast upon those flames of Love, but as wind to those sparks of Honour that lay buried in the ashes of sorrow, which it kindled to such a dame, that Honour got the victory over Love, [Page 10] and rendred his reason triumphant, which Cleodora con­jectured by a Crimson blush that over-spread Perian­ders face, and dispossest sorrows pale symptomes. At length Periander returned her this reply. Madam, (said he) your Expressions speak you no less rich in Vertue than Beauty, my grief must have pressed me a degree beneath humanity, if such weighty reasons couched under such Eloquence could not have coun­terpoised it. I should be more savage then the Beasts that Orpheus charmed into civility, should I remain inexorable to the intreaties of so sweet an Ora­tor, whose perfections are such, that I cannot but ac­count it as great a glory to obey you, as it would make me sensible of shame to refuse any thing you should command, though it were to sacrifice my life and honour, which are the only Jewels I ever prized in my prosperity, and which is all that Fortune hath left to my disposal in my adversity. Therefore though it be to rip up my wounds and make them bleed afresh, to acquaint you with my story, which cannot be done without recollecting those thoughts, which are as the source of all perplexing agonies, yet because it is in obedience to your command, I shall not refuse. Know you then in the City of Corinth, there dwelt a Nobleman, by name Eleutherius, who as he was equal to any, both for descent, being derived of an ancient and honourable Family, as also for Wisdom and Va­lour, so he did excel all in the place where he lived for liberality; He was both magnificently expensive in his gifts and presents, to those whom Birth and For­tune had made his equals and superiours, and almost prodigally liberal, in his supplying the necessities too of his inferiours, and in neither exceeding the bounds of mediocrity. But especially when publick occasions required it, he was a President to all, admired at by [Page 11] most, and envyed at by some, whose malice, though it made them repine and carp at his actions, yet it could not stir the spirits of others any farther than to retort those malicious detractings with the greater dis­grace upon themselves, so that the calumniating darts which they with such peevish violence cast, thinking to wound his Honour, flew back with the greater reproach upon themselves. Now as Corinth did reap the fruits of Eleutherius his magnificence, so the City did repay him with respect and honour; And as Fortune had heaped such favours upon him as made him seem her darling, so Heavens blest him with a Son and a Daughter, whose incomparable excellencies were such, that as their Parents were an Honour to them, so they were to their Parents, and both were happy in each other. But especially such was the ravishing beauty of Florinda, as that it did attract the eyes and hearts of all; All her Vertues, and Graces, and De­portments, were as so many nets to inthrall each be­holder. Among the rest, it was my unhappy fortune at a feast, to view that beauty, which had captivated so many; As soon as ever she came, I felt my self so strangely transported, as if my soul had been snatched ont of my eyes, the sparkling glances that came from her eyes were as so many Charms that inchanted me into a passionate Feaver. The changing my colour sufficiently discovered the convulsions of my mind, one while blushing, seating lest my stollen views should betray my distemper, and then despairing thoughts would cause a paleness to over-spread my countenance. Thus I continued one while blaming my eyes for giving entrance to those desires that had wholly stollen away my heart, then my mind for en­tertaining those thoughts which fed those desires, and caused that torment. No delights could give me con­tentment, [Page 12] whilst that delightful object was present. A faint qualm made me nauseat the rarities which were provided, onely my eyes fed upon Florinda's rare per­fections, which the more they fed, the more I pined, and remained the less satisfied; and those melodious Consorts of Musick made the greater discord in those passions, which had so furiously agitated my spirits, and at the best bred a melancholy, which as fuell did but foment the flames. The variety of company did but abridge the freedom of conversing with my thoughts.

Thus did Florinda tyrannize over my affections, till at length Night, which puts no difference between the rarest Beauty and the greatest deformity, and causes all things to return to that Chaos, out of which they were created, caused her to withdraw, and so separated us. But alas, though these beauteous rays which had scor­ched my heart, were Eclipsed by Nights black veil, no­thing could restrain the Eyes of my thoughts from view­ing that Picture which my fancy had limned in my mind. But as the Moon is the cause of the various estuations of the Sea, so her Idea caused such Ebbings and Flow­ings of passion, as would not permit the least repose, which I termed an amorous Lunacy. Thus for a time I strove to retain my passion a prisoner within my breast, till a convenient opportunity tendring it self, being not able to endure the torment, I disclosed the since­rity of my affections to her, which were no sooner dis­covered, but I perceived alterations in her counte­nance, modesty and disdain seemed to contend for pri­ority; the former by rendring her the more amiable, in­creased my slames, and the latter my despair; so that I stood like a prisoner at the Bar, expecting the sentence to be past upon him. But Florinda which had by her Eyes displayed the thoughts of her mind, did more evi­dence [Page 13] them by her expressions, telling me how displea­sing such discourses were to her; and that she could not but look upon them as tryals of her levity, and that she was none of those whose over-fond Credulity made them yield to the allurements of men, whose hearts and tongues seldom concurr, but first with false perswasions ensnare, and after desert them, and there­by cast such a blot of contempt upon them, as no tears nor repentance can wipe away. That she rather thought my words proceeded from an insolent desire of tyrannizing over her, than from any sincerity in me, as I pretended. But my words could not be so displea­sing to her, as hers were to me; my looks had been an invincible Argument of my integrity, if she had view­ed them with an Eye less Cruel than Charitable; for my spirits which before, sear had caused to retire to my heart, were now ready to take wing, but that they were recalled by the sudden arrival of the waiting wo­man, which gave me occasion to take leave of her, with whom it was death to part. Home I went, fraught with a thousand perplexing agonies, fluttering about my ears like birds of prey, devouring all those Cates of consolation that Hope would set before me. Neither day nor night could give any ease to my torments; sleep it self, that gives rest to the tyred labourer, made me but the more restless, by torturing my imaginations with the most extravagant Chymaeraes, that could be fancyed. Frequent solicitations I made, which were not more frequent, than vain. Till at length these storms were over-blown, by one sweet blast, from her more sweet mouth, which was so much the more sweet, because it assured me, not onely that she was convinced of the honor and integrity of my pretensions, but also, of the reality of her affections to me. Heavens [...] to what an ex­tasie did these words raise me? that joy which had al­most [Page 14] transported my spirits, without the superficies of my body, cannot be contained within the angust limits of expression. My self was too narrow to contain my self. I could almost have imagined I had been in a dream, but that such dreams to me were unusual. Excess of contentment stopped the passage of our speech, but kisses and embraces were the language of our hearts, wherein we both strove to be most eloquent, and each word or sentence from either strugling for birth, was smothered with a kiss, and became abortive. Mutual promises and engagements were made each to other. Nothing we wanted to the consummation of our joys, but the joyning of us in Marriage, who were inseparably linked in affection; but, alas, this joy was too great to last long, the fates had otherwise decreed; and who can divert its stream, or break the Iron Chains of necessity? for thus it happened. Some two days be­fore the day appointed, wherein a happy Hymen should Crown our desires with success, and our love and de­lights with honor, the Kings birth-day was to be cele­brated, with the greatest solemnity imaginable, such as befitted the dignity of the Prince, and the love of the Subjects. All the Gallants of the City did resort to the Court at that time, to be both Actors and Specta­tors, who appeared like so many radiant Stars in that Sphere, receiving from, and adding lustre to it. And to avoid singularity, I also went, to wait upon Florinda, not imagining the Kings birth-day should be the death of all my joy and happiness. Nothing but Tiltings and Turnaments, Maskings and Dancings, Musick, and all delights that the heart of men could either desire or devise, the Court did abound in; so that it seemed an earthly Paradise. And that which added the greatest glory to the day, was the dazling train of beauties that did attend upon the Queen, whose glory made every [Page 15] Eye greedy to gaze upon them, amongst whom was Florinda, who appeared like Diana amongst her Nymphs. Never did Eye vowed to Cupids service be­hold a more lovely face. A Tinsell veil did shrowd her locks, and strove to cover what it could not hide. Her sparkling Eyes darted flames of love into each be­holders heart, and seemed to be like two Crystall thrones, where Cnpid sate triumphant; neither was the King himself able to withstand these beautiful assaults, but of a King became her Subject; and though the Queen had beauty enough to have quencht any such disloyal flames, yet when the King compared her with Florinda, she seemed but for a [...]oyl of Florinda's beau­ty. Great enquiry he made after her, who and what she was; and though every one was able to satisfie him in that, yet none was able to give contentment but Florinda, whom the next day he sent for to the Court, by a Gentleman of his own Bed-chamber. Accordingly she went, little thinking her loyalty to her Prince should contradict her fidelity to her Lover. All she feared was, lest this unexpected accident might cause me to suspect her constancy. But Kings as they cannot brook Com­petitors in rule and power, so neither will they admit of Rivals in affection. So it was wi [...]h King Acastus, who hearing not onely how we affected each other, but also how deeply we were contracted, it did at first startle him, and cause his love to degenerate into jea­lousie. But remembring the sword he bare was sharp enough to cut in sunder such Gordian Knots, and thereby able to make himself sole Monarch of her, who ruled over so many hearts, he sentenced me to banishment, the better to secure her to his possession, who already possessed his heart. But all the while this tempest was gathering over my head, did I remain ignorant, till an Officer from the King, came to ac­quaint [Page 16] me with his Majesties command, how that up­on pain of death I must not be seen within any part of his dominions after ten days. He had no sooner deli­vered his message, but if as the transforming influence which was in Medusae's head to metamorphise all be­holders into stone, had been in him; So did I remain more like a lively statue, than a living man. At length re­covering my self, I told him that I would obey the Kings command, but I knew not the reason of that sentence; He answered, neither did he, but the Kings will. I was no sooner parted from him, but with all speed possible, I went to Eleutherius house, thinking to acquaint Flo­rinda with the Kings Decree, and the hope of having her partaker with me in my exile, did for a while ap­pease the raging pains of sorrow; but when I came and found all my hopes blasted in their blossoms, with the fatal tidings of Florinda's invitation to the Court, to what degree of sorrow was I transported? my banish­ment from my Country, was worse than death; but to be exil'd from her, was worse than ten thousand deaths. However, before my departure, I resolved to take my last farewell of her; and to that end, with a heart swollen with grief, I went to the Court, but when I came there, sooner might any one have com­mitted a rape upon Danae, when she was inclosed within the Brazen Tower, so that Jupiter was fain in a Golden shower to descend into her lap, than have spoke with Florinda, imprisoned in the Kings arms. Onely thus far Fortune smiled upon me, that as I was passing by, thinking to have bid adieu to those Walls, more happy than my self; Florinda chanced to espy me thorough the window, she opened it, and flung down this Bracelet, as the last pledge of her never-dying affection. When I saw her, how did I at once bless and curse my happy unhappy fortune! happy to see her, but unhap­py [Page]

[Page] [Page 17] to see her in that sorrowful condition, more unhappy to think, that I must never see her more; on the other side, the thoughts of our separation did as much per­plex her. The fear lest her Keepers who were pre­sent in the room should discover this passage, did for a while imprison her sorrows within her Breast, but at length being not able to conceal it any longer, it brake forth at the windows of her eyes, and distilled in a Pearly shower (more precious than that Golden one, in which Jove was transformed) upon her Lily cheeks.

Thus for a while, not being able to part, we tarried, but then not being able to tarry, we parted. The Brace­let I took up, and with a thousand kisses tyed it about my arm, and with it home I went, where I took what I thought convenient, and departed; and riding along, hapning upon this place, where you find me, I entred into it, and seeing it agreeable to my condition, and with a mournful silence to sympathize with me, here I resolved to spend the residue of my days.

And thus you have my story, wherein I see no other crime I have committed, either to merit the Kings heavy sentence, or your censure, than this ardent af­fection, which may seem to relish of too much levity; but that may easily be connived at by them, who are ac­quainted with the extremities wherewith they are trans­ported, who are touched with these passions that ani­mate my sorrows. Cleodora having all this while heard his relation with as much compassion as atten­tion, and remembring her words, wherein she promi­sed to assist him what she could, having acquainted him who she was, counselled him to accept of an Invi­tation to her Fathers Palace, there to remain till For­tune should smile upon him, or el [...]e to betake himself to feats of Arms, and thereby recover both his Ho­nor and his Love. Periander having not much time [Page 18] to poyse her words, yet seeing such weighty arguments as Love and Honor at the end, it could not but sink deep into him, and sway his judgment to the latter, to which he resolved, and acquainting her with his resoluti­on they parted, she to her home, and he to his for [...]unes.

By this time Sols resplendent Rays had exhaled the Crystall drops of dew, that hang like iiquid Pearls on the Grass tops, and ratified them into an Aereal sub­stance, when as Cleodora arriving at the Palace, retired her self to her Chamber, where we leave her to her sweet contemplations, and return to Periander to ac­quaint you with his Adventures, who had not travelled far, musing upon his past happy condition, and pre­sent misfortune, but his thoughts were interrupted with a sudden voyce, which was not more sudden than a­stonishing, and the more astonishing, because uttered in such a manner, and that in these words. Oh! bar­barous Villaines, can such Treachery, and Cowardize, and Cruelty harbor in the hearts of any, but those that have renounced humanity? Periander hearing this, puts Spurs to his Horse, and as if he had rode upon winged Pegasus, he in an in [...]ant came to the place, where he beheld at once a spectacle of pity and revenge, a young Knight beset with four armed men, threatning him with the cruellest of death, both in words and looks. His youth, beauty and valour would have moved any that had the least spark of true nobleness in them to revenge his quarrel, against those villaines who discovered the horrid impiety of their minds by their deformed as­pects, but especially his condition, for though he had almost slain one, and dangerously wounded the rest, yet through loss of bloud began to faiut, and ready to yield himself a prisoner unto death, less cruel then his ene­mies (as appeared by his pale looks, which had no o­ther redness, than what they received from his own and [Page 19] enemies bloud.) Which sight did so animate Perianders courage, as that with a Lyon-like fury, he flew upon the first, and sheathed his sword in his bowels, but ere he could recover his weapon he was wounded in the shoul­der by another, which Periander feeling, it so increased the flames of his fury within him, as that it flew in sparks from his Eys, & enraged he fell upon him, never ceasing till he had separated his murderous Soul from his body, & made both him and the other the Trophies of his Va­lour. Periander leaving them weltering in their gore, turned to Athalus, for so was the young Knight named, thinking to revive his dying Spirits, and to acquaint him with the death of his enemies. But Athalus that be­fore was fainting and sowning (and even at the confines of death) with the presence of this strange Knight be­gan to revive, as if he had received life from him, as well as owed his life to him, after millions of thanks returned, desired him to accompany him to his Castle, which was not far distant from them, so that Periander accerting of the invitation, they in a short time there arrived, which for its magnificence might more pro­perly be termed a Palace, being invironed with a Wall of Stone, whose height enviously seemed to hinder them from beholding the Fabrick it did encompass. The Pillars on which the Gate was hung, were made of purest Marble, on the top of which were ingraven Gilded Griffons, whose Wings spread with the shut­ting, and closed with its opening, by the means of a secret Engine, as if they had been indued with life, When they were entred in, they came into a stately Court, paved with checquered Marble; through which they passed into a second, far surpassing the for­mer, in which there stood a T [...]w [...], imbraced with wanton Ivy, spread with fragrant [...]lantine, entrailed with Roses, and supp [...]ed with Pillars resembling [Page 20] Atlas. The Arched Roof was decked with Flowers, Arbors and Groves; underneath there were engraven the Nine Muses, each holding a melodious Instrument in her hand, wherein the Artificer seemed to excell himself, for underneath the Pavement there was a secret bubling Spring, whose Streams were through Pipes conveyed to each Statue, so that at the turning of a Silver Cock, as if they had been inspired with life from Heaven, like Prometheus Image, all the Instru­ments would sound with such melodious consent and harmony, as charmed Periander into an extasie of ad­miration, so that with what he saw and heard, he ima­gined himself in a Paradise, where the more he admired, the more he desired to stay, to satisfie his Curiosity, and yet the longer he stayed, the more his admiration was augmented. But Athalus faintness would not per­mit any long delay, so that into the Castle they went, where the spacious Rooms were hung with Arras, Tape­stry, and Cloth of Tissue, & adorned with lively Pictures.

After Athalus had taken some repose, and repaired the bloudy breaches the late battery had made, Perian­der entreated him to relate the occasion of the quarrel, at whose request Athalus thus began: Sir (said he) the obligements I have received from you are of so high a nature, that I cannot but acknowledge them above re­quital, there being nothing of an equal worth with Life, which I must acknowledge, I have received from your Valour; and therefore I cannot but account your desires as Commands, and my disobedience to them as Rebellion against the Laws of Nature; therefore to sa­tisfie them, know, that in the Lordship of Parrhasia, where I dwell, there lives a young Nobleman, Son to the Lord of the place, called Plivio, in whose friend­ship, I was once as happy, as now unhappy in his ha­tred. Bred up we were together, and as our stature▪ so [Page 21] our affection encreased. Youth is tender, and readily receives the impressions of education; but though it easily receives them, yet it difficultly p [...]rts with them, so it was with us; that affection which was ingraffed when we were young, grew and increased, untill our mature Age; insomuch that once we thought, the Stars should sooner have fell from Heaven, and sunk into the Ocean, there to have extinct their light, Stones ascend and supply their places, the Sun rise in the West, and the order wherein Nature hath pla­ced all things be perverted, than our love dissolved; but as love conjoyned us, so love parted us; for hapning once to espy A [...]ritesia and Matilda, the two beautiful daughters of Pirotes, walking, dallying and discoursing in the Fields, our affections were captivated with their Beauty, he with Arritesia the elder, I with Matilda; fain we would have concealed our passions, but Love will not be hid, its nature is such that it is most reveal­ed, when most concealed, for sometimes we must be com­mending one, and then the other; one while Arritesia was judged most beautiful, and then Maltida would seem to carry it with the greater grace; one while we compared them both together, and then singling out a Feature, as if that had surpassed the rest in excellence, but then a second seemed to excel that, & a third excee­ding them both. In fine, Plivio was so deeply entangled with Arritesia, as not being able to conquer it, he dis­covered it in frequent sighs, and heart-betraying looks; often would he extoll Matilda, but then when he spake of Arritesia, he would accent every sentence with a sigh; which I perceiving, thinking to please him, would answer all his commendations with com­plyance, and when he sighed, I could not but sigh too, he out of affection to her, and I out of cordial love to him, but still he misconstrued all, and there wherein I [Page 22] thought I most pleased him, I most offended him, he interpreting all I did to him, was done to her, so that though his love to me was not presently converted to raging jealousie, yet it soon begot suspition, which is jealousie in its infancy, which I assoon perceived, by the constant watch his eyes kept. Home we returned to try what success Fortune would crown our loves withall; but as if the Sta [...]s had conspired at once to cross our affections and our happiness together, Ma­tilda had placed her delight in Plivio, and Arritesia, the object of Plivios delight, was pleased to esteem of me, far above my deserts, and above Plivio; so that this was the spring and source of all our future un­happiness; for Plivio's jealousie by this was daily aug­mented, and begot hatred, and hatred made him put the worst construction upon each thing I said or did. He took my visits to Matilda; to be only pretences, thereby the more securely to rob him of Arritesia, and the cold entertainment, and slights he received of her, to proceed from thence (which latter was truth) though I was both innocent and ignorant. All my vows and protestations wherewith I laboured to clear my self, did but the more confirm him in his opinion, so that as our love encreased, our love diminished. ‘"Beauty is like the Sun, whose Beams darting upon a fire, extinguishes it; so its rays piercing the soul, enkindles the flames of love, and with their heat, expels all other fires."’ For as the heat of his own af­fection to Arritesia daily did augment, so it caused the flames of our former Friendship to languish. At length unfortunately it happened that we both met at once at Pirotes his house. As soon as ever we saw each other, anger and jealousie made our blood so boil within us, as our passions were ready to over-flow the banks of ci­vility, and make us commit an Act of the highest rude­ness, [Page 23] to quarrel in our Mistresses presence, which I fea [...]ing, (and also to avoid a future quarrel,) parted from them; But Plivio who all this while viewed how Arritesia had fixed her eyes upon me, as also how af­fectionately she desired my stay, not being able to contain himself, followed me, and as I was mounting my Horse, made me this challenge; Athalu [...] (said he) now thy base unworthyness and unfaithfulness to thy friend is apparent, which hitherto thou hast masked with hypocritical pretensions to Friendship; Falsely with oaths making me believe that which thy actions contradict; therefore know, such injurious affronts, I cannot but resent, neither canst thou make me any satisfaction, but by meeting me in the Field, which if thou hast either worth or valour in thee thou wilt not refuse,—So I told him, that for the accusations where­with he charged me they were as false as dishonoura­ble, and that I wore by my side wherewithall to give satisfaction to him, since nothing else could. And so accordingly we appointed the time, place and weapon; the plac [...] was where you found me bese [...]; Now which shewed the least Worth, Valour, and Fidelity, I leave you to Judge.

By that time Athalus had finished his story, night had covered the Hemisphere with her dusky Man [...]le, and all things look of an Aethiopian hue, when su [...]er being ended, they all retired to their lodgings. Pe­riander having spent some time with Athalus, his wounds being cured, he resolved to depart, whom A­thalus after many fruitless endeavours for his stay, ac­companied some miles of his way. Having travelled some distance from the Castle, riding thorough a wood, on the sudden they heard behind them a noyse of Horses trampling, and men discoursing, th [...]t newly ru­shed from under the Trees, like men that had l [...]id in [Page 24] Ambush; and looking behind them, they saw a Troop of Horsemen armed with Lances and Spears, whom they took to be Huntsmen, as indeed they proved, but they were the prey they sought after; for they were as soon taken as overtaken, and no sooner overtaken but dis­a [...]med, and bound. Athalus and Periander amazed at this unexpected accident, demanded what they meant? they answered that they came to revenge the bloud of their Friends whom they had murthered, and that nothing should satisfy them but their lives; which they had no sooner spoken, but one of them pier­ced Athalus body with a Spear, so that he fell down dead before them.

Periander seeing this, wounded in his soul with heart-breaking grief, craved of them the freedome to perform his last obsequies to his friend. I crave not my life (said he) for that I scorn, now he is dead whom I prefer above it, I only beg this small request which humanity cannot deny. After many intreaties they granted. Periander perceiving his hands at liberty, suddenly snatched a Sword out of the Villains Scabbard that stood next, and therewithall presently procured a Lance, and then fiercely charging amongst them, kil­led two of them with one shock. The rest amazed with this sudden accident, thought there had been a mutiny, and were ready to oppose themselves against their ene­mies, but who they were they knew not, until they were informed by Perianders blows, who had no soon­er made some understand who was their Antagonist but he put them past all understanding. At length the survivers animated with fury, revenge, and shame, unanimously assaulted him with such violence, that he no [...] being able to stand before such a torrent of fury, was re-taken. Valour it self may be over-pressed with the weight of multitude. Now they resolve to exe­cute [Page 25] upon him the most savage cruelty, their inhumane minds (full of revenge) could devise. Some counselled one thing, others another, all agreeing that he should dye a horrid death, but all disagreeing in the manner of it: thus extremity of cruelty was for a while a stop to their cruelty. But as these barbarous Senators were thus sat in consultation, a Stag swiftly rushed through the Woods, which put them all into such a fright, that disburthening themselves of their Arms, they all fled, leaving their condemned Prisoner behind them, and happy was he that was swiftest.

Thus guilt makes all things seem to menace danger, and like a false Medium represents every thing as in an armed posture, ready to bid defiance to the guilty.

Periander seeing himself thus miraculously released, arms himself, and mounted, pursues his jaylers, and those whom he could overtake he sent to the in [...]ernal prison, to answer for this their horrid barbarity. But long he could not stay to satisfie himself with the slaughter of his bloud thirsty enemies, but he returned to pay his last debt to his friend, and to see whether the wound was wholly mortal or not; but when he found the cruel Spaer had thrust his Soul out of his Body, how did he fall down and embrace him, and kiss his pale cheeks! how did he sigh, as if with those sighs he could breathe new life into him! and groan, as if with those groans he could awake him out of his endless sleep! At length he was so overcome with grief, that he fell down senseless upon his more senseless friend. But he continued not long ere his spirits re­turned to the performance of their natural function, and he thus bewailed his condition. Hard hearted fate, (said he) that wouldst suffer such vile miscreants to dislodge so brave a Soul! what a spark of Honour [Page 26] hath this stream of Bloud from his side extinguished? thus doth Fortune make me a mark to shoot her in­venom'd Arrows at, as if the separation from Florinda was not enough to torment we (with endless and un­supportable torture) but I must be robbed of my dear friend Athalus. Ah Athalus! can I sigh forth thy Death, and not my Soul expire with the cadence of that deadly word? better had it been for thee to have died before, couragiously fighting, when thy enemies carkasses would have been monuments of thy valour, than thus to be barbarously assasinated by inhumane Villains, more savage than the Beasts that inhabit this wilderness. Oh why did my Spirits return from that pleasing trance, to make me thus sensible of my mise­ries? Fortune I see will compel me to survive the Funerals of my own happiness.

As he was thus mourning and complaining, there came a youth tripping along like the wind, and follow­ing the Stag, which passed not long before; his habit and lovely shape made Periander almost think he was Diana, but that too much virility appeared in his coun­tenance. His Hair hung in waving Curles upon his shoulders, which the wind, the better to display his comeliness, wantonly tossed from his face. His looks were something wild, yet withall there was such a mixture of Civility, as discovered his birth and merits did deserve a better habit; for he was girt with a skin, his arm bare, and a Bow and Arrows in his hand. He no sooner espied that heap of Carkasses▪ but he left his sport, and fled homewards with all speed, af­frighted with the spectacle. But as he was going he checkt himself for his foolish cowardise, to be afraid of he knew not what, so he resolved to return, and re­turned to resolve himself what they were, and coming back he met Periander, who was following this strange [Page]

[Page] [Page 27] Youth, not willing to lose such a guide; but the Youth not knowing what he was, bent his Bow, and was ready to shoot at Periander; which he seeing, desired him to forbear, and told him he was one in distress, and that he was dragged by Villains into this wood, whence he knew not how to return. The Youth told him that he was as unacquainted as himself in those deserts, and therefore could not direct him, but he would lead him to his Cave, where there dwelt an old Hermite that would and could assist him. So following his Convoy, in a short time he arrived at the Hermits Cell, whose sweet retiredness, and retired sweetness would have per­suaded any to solita [...]iness, and a contemplative life, but those whose earthly Souls are involved in the Worlds cares, or drencht in Epicurean delights, for Nature had carved his Mansion out of a Rock, with such curiosity, as would have puzled the greatest Artists to have imita­ted. Underneath there crept a little Rivulet, which with its bubling streams bedewed the Rock with Cry­stal drops, as though it wept [...]or its imprisonment, and sometimes with silent murmurs seemed to intreat for its inlargement. Round the Caves mouth there grew a shady Grove of spreading Oaks, whose bushy tops protected it from the Suns parching beams.

Periander, whose sobbing Breast was filled with sorrow for the death of Athalus, little regarded those pretty pleasing delights, wherewith the place did en­tertain him, and with a sweet, though silent El [...]quence seemed to bid him welcome. But entring in, he saw the Hermit apparalled in a Gown of Grey, kneeling upon his Knees, with his Eyes and Hands lifted up; Gravity was written in his looks, Devotion in his Ge­stures, and Age in both, for his snowy Hairs, and shaking Hands argued that the Summer of his Age was past.

Grave Father said Periander) my bleeding Wounds, [Page 28] sighing Heart, and sorrowful Countenance are better able to apologize for my rude interruption of your serious Devotions, than my tongue, which if it speak at all, it can be no other than lamentations of my un­happy Fortune. And therefore read there what I would say, which cannot, I hope, but be satisfactory. The Hermit answered him, that he knew no errour he had commited that needed an Apology, except it were for making a groundless Apology, and that if he had committed any offence, it was only against himself, offence being grounded upon injury, and it was himself alone that he had injured, by deferting the healing of his wounds by his discourse. With that the tears des­cended in showres upon Perianders cheeks. Ah A­thalus, that my Death could purchase thy Life, since I deserve not Life, that have so neglected thy Death! A thousand times I beg thee pardon, but alas, thou art not alive to give it; happy should I esteem my self in the midst of the greatest misery, wert thou but alive to sentence me to it.

This sudden sorrowful Rapture of sorrow, filled the Hermit with as much Amazement, as Periander was with Grief; and as the suddenness of it bred Astonish­ment, so the sadnesse bred Pity; so that he wept, as if the heat of Perianders passion had thawed his frozen Age into Tears. At length his compassion for Perian­ders passion was not converted, but encreased to a desire of knowing the cause of his sorrow. Alas (said he) what can I do that am thus informed by the Ears one way, and by the Eyes another? you tell me Sacrifice must give place to Mercy, and yet you Sacrifice your self to Cruelty; for what greater Cruelty can there be than to be Unmerciful to those over whom Fortune hath exercised her greatest cruelty? do you not see how the Bloud trickles down in Streams, and your [Page 29] Armour seems to weep in tears of Bloud for your cru­elty to your self, and your Wounds like so many mouths intreating for mercy? And with that the Hermit was going to dress Perianders wounds, but he would not permit him, until he had gone and con­veyed Athalus's body into the Cave, where after they had chafed his Limbs, the Hermit took down a little glass, within whose transparent wall there was inclosed a Spirit of such a reviving Vertue, as it was able to recal the revolted senses.

After they had transfused some few drops thereof into him, his panting Breast faintly began to beat, his unclouded eyes that had been Eclipsed with a veil of darkness, began weakly to struggle with the over-daze­ling light. Periander seeing this, began to faint with joy, but he was quickly revived with Athalus his first saluting the light. Oh, said he, where am I? with him, said Periander, who is hastening to dye with you, since it is worse than Death to Live, while you are dead: No said he, I am hastening to live with you, since it is the worst of deaths to dye while you are a­live. But Athalus who had hardly so much life in him as to perceive he had life, and yet so much as to discern that he was inclosed within a dark place, which had only so much light in it, as to let them see they were in darkness, (for so the Hermit had made it, to keep out the intruding air, lest it should pene­trate Athalus his wounds, and cause relapse,) and finding that it was not inroll'd in the Records of his memory, how he came there, he more and more grew to a perswasion that the former conceipt, that he was alive, was but a deceit, that he and Periander were but Ghosts, and remembring how that with his life he had lost Matilda, more precious to him than ten thousand lives, he began to faint again, as though he [Page 30] would dye to avoid Death, and his sences sensible of insensibility, grew weary of being sensible, and as con­demned, themselves fled as voluntary exiles from their proper habitation. But the Hermit continuing his charitable office, recovered him from the confines of Death. But yet so strongly was he confirmed in that apprehension, that he imagined the Cave either his Tomb, or else a dark entrance into that Region of darkness, the Hermit to be Charon, and the River to be the Stygian lake; the Gloominess of the first, the Gravity of the second, and the whispering Conspira­cies of the last, seeming to combine together to de­ceive him.

And as the Fancy is not only capable to receive and apprehend those species, which the external Sen­ses, as its Organs, convey into it from external Ob­jects, but also to create Phantasmes within it self, which never had a being in Natnre, so did Athalus his fancy represent to his eyes Legions of Ghosts, doomed to their eternal habitations.

But though his thoughts were thus filled with shadows, yet were they not able to crowd Matilda thence, but remembring how that in losing his life he lost her, and in losing her, he lost the life of his life, and which only made Life precious, and Death mi­serable; he fell to a passionate lamenting his conditi­on, till he was convinced by Perianders persuasions, and a more liberal access of light. And then the very joy of his sudden redemption from that Hell that tor­tured his mind, was such a restorative, that it was not long ere by the Hermits assistance, he had regain­ed a great degree of strength, so that looking about him, and observing the Hermits little solitary dwel­ling, he espied the Youth that attended upon him, and that directed Periander to the Cave. And taking [Page 31] notice of his Starry Eyes, and beauteous promising countenance, he demanded of the Hermit, who he was; who to satisfie his curiosity, and to pass away the time, which otherwise through the Melancholy lone­liness of the place might seem tedious, he told them this story.

This youth (said he) is P [...]ndion, Son to Agis King of Thessaly, a Prince of such a melancholy constitution, both of body and mind, as that it was rare for the most curious wits in his Court, ever to wrest a smile from him, or once to discompose his countenance; always retiring himself within the Closet of his thoughts, and those thoughts consisting most of horrid matters. And as melancholy by reason of those sable fumes which as­cend from that feculent humor, and with a gloomy darkness over-spread the mind is the cause of fear, so fear is the mother of superstition, as is apparent in him who never thinks himself secure, if the least more of danger flotes in the air of his imagination; or while that fear, which his thoughts, ever musing upon af­frightful matters, doth represent unto him, hath the least possibility of event. And therefore ever suspect­ing all men of evil, because he had not the least ray of goodness in himself, to enable him to discern it in others. And this timorousness begat such superstition, that each dream was an Oracle, and the Screech of a Night Raven, an Omen and presage of some future dismall event. This over-fond and contemptible fear­fulness rendered him not only odious, but despicable to his people, which he daily more and more percei­ving, slighting the former, resolved to countermine the latter, if not by honor, yet by terror; and since they would not love him, they should fear him, and their dread of him should counterpoise their hatted. In the one, as in all things else, shewing himself tyrannical, [Page 32] in the other, as in nothing else, truly Royal; there being nothing more averse to a generous and noble spi­rit, especially if refined by honor and advancement, than to be slighted; and this he absolutely determined to free himself from, by punishing all in whom there was the appearance of a crime, and where there was none, excellency became a fault, by being opposite to him, into whom to have distilled any Vertue, had been to have destroyed the very constitution and temperament of his nature.

And thus a more sensible servitude came insensibly upon that people, which Hiarbas King of Caonia, his Son-in-law, by the marriage with Melana, daughter to Formosa, a man both ambitious and politick, and a continued enemy to Agis having intelligence of, and by means of his Spies, diving into the temper and spirits of that people, who though they were lovers of loyalty and fidelity, yet haters of tyranny, and were not able to brook such a servil subjection, resolved now to improve his opportunity, and at once both to free himself of jealousies and fears, and subvert the whole Kingdom of Thessaly, by diverting the stream of the affections of the people, from the King, and of the King from the people, and converting it into ano­ther Chanel, where they might flow more safely for the working of his designs: And to that end, he had those in Agis Court, who by nothing better, than ac­cusing the people to him, could insinuate themselves into his favour; and those in the Kingdom, who fo­mented divisions, by condemning the King to the people, and emblazoning and pourtraying his vices, and their slavery, the more to encrease their hatred and contempt towards him, and desire of [...]iberty to them­selves, by these means to make a gap for him, when [Page 33] things were come to maturity, both to invade and sur­prise Thessalia.

Agis, though he had many enemies, yet he wanted not some friends, who acquainted him with these un­derminings. The least whisper of any danger, was a­larm loud enough, to arouse him out of any security, if it was possible for him, ever to have been guilty of that, a thing so disagreeing to his temper. And therefore he intercepts Hiarbas designs, by sending an Embassador to denounce War against him, and to tell him, that he would save him the labor of so long a March into his Kingdom, for he would visit him ere long in his own. Though umbrages and light fantastick jealousies created by cowardly timorous fancies, are too narrow a Basis, to found a quarrel upon, yet a preventive War is both just and honorable, and no way dissonant from all principles of Policy.

Accordingly he had scarce dispatched his Embassa­dor, ere he had raised his Forces, and was upon his March to prosecute his intent, according to the tenor of the Embassie; and to be brief, it was his Fortune to encampe neer Dodona's Grove, a place that had been long famous for uttering Oracles, whether some inchanting spirit, by the vertue of its in [...]e [...]nal spells had inspired it with a Prophetick fury, and converted the silent whispers of those muttering leaves into a voice, and caused that voice to Eccho [...]orth the desti­nies of succeeding Ages▪ Or rather, whether those unseen spirits had not vested themselves in those shady boughs, which were so interlaced▪ as that night in day­time seemed there to keep its residence, and therefore a fit place for those night-Owls to hatch their dark con­trive [...]ents in the darkness and shadiness of the place, both▪ preserving them from the view of the great Eye of the world, the Sun, and darting a reverend aw­ [...]ulness [Page 34] into men; Which of these, I say, is yet more admired at, then known to the world? Agis, whose perpetually disturbed thoughts, could not be hushed asleep by the lullabies of peace, could much less by the thundrings of war, especially whilst the ratlings of that in the one ear, and the whistling winds of popular mur­murings in the other, seemed to conspire to raise a storm of discontent within him, and therefore nothing could appease their mutinous bra [...]lings, untill he had inquired of the Oracle, whether his undertakings would be successful or not, and to that end at Night, unseen, unknown to all, he steals from his Guards, and hasts to the Grove, from which he receives this Answer,

This horrid Counsel, though it did both astonish and affright him, being uttered in such a manner, at such a time, in such a place; yet notwithstanding, that which did most perplex and pester his mind, was, how to ex­pound this intricate aenigma. One while he thought it could be meant of none but his Son-in-law Hiarbas, in which he was partly confirmed, when he called to mind Hiarbas proceedings, whereby he already seem­ed to fulfill it; but then observing that term, thy Sons own bloud, by transposition, he construed it, thy own Sons bloud; to which construction be more incli­ned, though upon less groun [...]s, and with least se­curity, as will after appear; and indeed upon this only ground, that it is the Custom of Oracles, to wrap up truths, within a cloud of ambiguities.

As he was thus revolving in his thoughts how to wind himself out of this inextricable Labyrinth, he was [Page 35] interrupted by a sudden whispering noise, just as if some vapour had ascended out of the Earths hollow pores, and whisked thorow the leaves. But ere he had gone some few steps further, his attentive ear might hear two earnest in discourse. My Lord, saith one, can it possible once enter into your thoughts, and not thence expell all reason, that you can withstand his mighty force? Certainly, if that hath once his free vote, it will soon tell you, that a people who have been so long unacquainted with War as yours, and have had their spirits debased, enfeebled, and unmasculined, by a long luxurious and effeminate peace, cannot but ac­count its rude knocks and blows as harsh and unplea­sing; whilst your enemies have not only been trained up in Mars's School, but have had their spirits height­ned by Victory and Successes. What will your Army serve for else if you give him battel, but to whet their swords upon, and make them the sharper to cut down all opposition, that shall withstand his attaining your Kingdom? and the greatness of your force will serve him but to erect the Pyramids of his renown, so much the higher. And however, my Lord, you may [...]latter your self with thoughts, that you need ingage against none but his person, conceiving that his death will put a period to all your troubles, and be the onely means to invest you with the Soveraignty of Thessalia, as the Oracle fondly advises you; I tell you, if you inquire of Reason the only Oracle, placed in the Soul, for man to follow, it will inform you, that in stead of opening a Gap, to enter and possess his Kingdom, it will open the floud-gates for a torrent of ruine to rush upon you; but the best and only way to consummate all their misery and salve their State sores; for whilst he lives, all those dissentions, divisions, and distractions, which al­ready have brought the Kingdom to a gasping conditi­on [Page 36] (so that they are fain to address themselves to you for redress) will be rather augmented than diminished. For as in the Body Natural, so in the Body Politick, ill vapors are not contented alone to distemper the head, but thence, as from a Limbeck distilling, disperse themselves into the whole body, and there beget facti­on, the mother of ruine, and that which above all things strikes at the vitals of a Commonwealth, by in­deavouring to clip asunder that bond of Union, which knits Soveraigns, and Subjects together; and so if you view the present condition of his estate with an impartial Eye, you will find that that Kingdom, which, while all private concernments flowed in one stream of publike good, was able to bear down all opposition be­fore it, is now cut into so many small rivulets of pri­vate interests, as that if it obstruct not their course by War, but let each stream flow in its own Chanel, the whole power of that Kingdom will soon be dry­ed up. Whereas were he dead, those who now out of contempt and hatred forsake the Father, would, if not out of loyalty and fidelity, yet out of pitty ad­here to the Son; and all those factions which like mists obscure the lustre of that Government, will then all vanish, before the rays of that rising Sun: and if he be once seated in his Throne, you will find it a more than Herculean labor, to crowd him out from thence, or to wrest the Scepter out of his tender hands. Rather sub­mit, and part with part, than be forced from all, which will inevitably be the event, if you follow your intended resolutions.

Were ever thy Eyes spectators (said the other) or thy Ears, of any dishonorable action of mine, that thou hast such mean thoughts of me, that my heart can s [...]oop to a servi [...] submission? either thou must imagin my worth very little, and folly great, that I will hear­ken [Page 37] to thy perswasions, though containing never so lit­tle reason and honor in them; or thy folly must be great, to think, that after a twenty years illustrious Reign, in honor and applau [...]e, I shall now begin to degenerate; and what though blind For [...]une hath hi­therto c [...]owned him wi [...]h success? all his victories shall attend as Captives at my triumphant Cha [...]iot, or else shall be as gemsm, to adorn my Crown, and give it the greater lustre. And if my Kingdom hath [...]urfetted by a long continued peace, and contracted many malig­nant humors, what can there be better, than to let them bloud by War? where the sharper the Lance, the less is the wound. Besides, thinkst thou my presence no­thing? if my men are so stupidly base, that neither honor, victory, the preservation of their lives and for­tunes, which will be all at stake, will not stimulate them to the performance of actions of a higher and more noble nature, than ordinary, yet (add to all this, which is equal to all) to see me in the midst of the greatest ha­zards, confronting and encountring the greatest dan­gers, surely will engage them to act something worthy the name of my Subjects, and to be owned by me. And if I dye, what then? better dye with honor, than live with shame; when if I dye, it will be such a death as will give life to my name, and after death, I shall survive by an [...]mortal fame. But if I submit, as you would have it, and live, it will be such a life, as will be worse than death, to be buried alive in the obscure Grave of In [...]amy. Besides, hath Fortune Garlands for no Brows but his? or is his Armor impenetrable, or his Sword Inchanted? if not, why is it impossible for me to conquer? Submit must I? that were the ready way to be trampled u [...]on by all dominee [...]ing Princes superior in discipline of War, though inferior in all other respects. Tell not me of such ignoble things, I [Page 38] hate to hear the mention of any thing so unworthy, and infinitely beneath any, who are endued with the smallest portion of a Royal spirit. No, though all Heavens winged Heralds should proclaim my destructi­on, and accent each sentence with thunder, yet would I undauntedly prosecute my resolutions; when if I am forced at last to surrender, the world may rather com­miserate me for want of Fortune, th [...]n condemn me for want of Valour.

Pardon, My Lord, said the other, if I used an ex­pression too [...]ar below a person of your Royal dignity, and Heroick spirit. I endeavoured not to perswade you to any dishonrable reconcilement, out of mistrust to your Valour, which should I in any measure doubt of, I deserved to perish by it, and to give the proof of it by mine own destruction, as I doubt not but Agis will. With that, Agis that had so long sacrificed his ears to their discourse, and with such greedy attention devour­ed each sentence, being now fully informed, by hear­ing his own name mentioned, who was the subject of their discourse, resolved with all secresie and celerity, to return to his Army, and send a party to surprise them▪ but as he was ri [...]ing to return, it was his unhap­py Fortune to stumble, and fall upon two boughs, which as it were out of revenge for their blow, with a rushing noise betrayed him to his enemies; who having their discourse interrupted by such a sudden noise, be­tween fear and amazement, arose, and no sooner risen, but as well as the Nights darkness would permit, they discerned Agis newly recovered from his fall; whom though they knew not, yet thinking he might be some S [...]ie from their enemies party, or one at least, who upon examination could inform them, they apprehend­ed him, and with speed conveyed him to Megapolis, the Metropolitan City of Hiarba's dominions, which was [Page 39] not far distant from thence; where they committed him to safe custody, untill the light should discover what the darkness concealed.

No sooner did the morning appear, and the light dispell the darkness, but this Royal prisoner was called forth to give an account to Hiarbas who and what he was. I should be guilty of too much profuseness both of words and time, if I should stand to declare, what variety and contrariety of passions domineer'd within them, when they saw, and in seeing knew each other. Hard it is to say, whether joy or admiration had prece­dency in Hiarbas, whilst grief, fear and shame conten­ded for priority in Agis; This is certain, if any passion did exceed another, when they all exceeded the bounds of moderation, it was joy in Hiarbas, to think that in him he saw the Exit, and conclusion of all his troubles, and grief in Agis to think that this was but the entrance and exordium of his, and that now he did but enter upon the Stage to Act his Tragedial part, in comparison of which, all his former Reign had been only Comical. And indeed no wonder, if he who in the clearest Sun-shine of prosperity, when there was not the least shadow of a Cloud that might portend any danger, but onely the vapours in his own head, or any enemies to oppose, but the inhabitants of his own brai [...], could not stop the mouth of fear; I say, no wonder then, if now when a black prodigious Cloud was im­pendent over his head, ready to pour down, and with a deluge swallow up all, that fear should fill his imagina­tion with millions of perplexities.

But as fear is a greater evil, than the evil it fears, so it was with him, for Hiarbas who sought not after the King but the Kingdom, nor the Soveraign but the So­veraignty, above the hopes and expectations of Agis, shewed all Princely respect, and honor; and enter­tained [Page 40] him rather as a guest, than a Prisoner, but yet not altogether forgetting his temper, he sometimes intermixed su [...]rcilious cariages, to the end, that what by alluring perswasions mixed with threatnings, he might accomplish his ambitious ends; and indeed in a little time they took such an impression upon him, as procured from him a total resignation of the Crown and Dignity of Thessalia.

But to return to the Army, who when in the morn­ing they found their King was missing, and that after the most curious inquiry of all persons, and diligent scrutiny into all places, no news could be heard of him, you would be amazed to hear, what a medly of diver­sifyed opinions there was about him, which ro avoid the imputation of falshood, I shall forbear to recite. But for their confusions they were innumerable, being divided into as many factions, as interests, and inte­rests as persons; some were for none to govern, some were for all to govern, as in a Democracy, some for themselves to govern▪ each regarding what he follow­ed, but none what might follow thereof; and amongst those who were most serious about the publike good, s [...]me we [...]e for the young Pandion, and some for Hi­arbas. In fine, they could agree upon no certain thing, but its certain they could agree upon nothing. This mad mixture of conceits brought it at length to a dan­gerous [...], which had been more dangerous, had they no [...] been so divided into parts, as none knew whom to oppose themselves against, which yet not­withstanding prevented not such a broil, as had encrea­sed to a war, had not all these compositions of diffe­rences been composed by the sudden coming of Hiar­ba [...], who what by the terror of a potent Army, which he then marched in the head of, together with a prevail­ing faction among the Thessalians, presently put an end [Page 41] to all their discords, and caused them all to Center in an unanimous submission to his power, so that within some few days, he had the Crown set upon his head, by Agis himself, in the chief City of the Realm, whom for that day, he brought forth, and to the admiration of all the people declared unto them, by what happy Fortune he thus unhappily fell into his hands. But Agis not being able to survive the loss of his Kingdom, and having his heart broken with extremity of grief, he in a short time exchanged his Throne for a Grave, his Purple Robe, the Ensign of Royal power and Majesty, for a Winding sheet, his Courtiers, for the Wormes, and infernall shades: And thus as Fortune put an end to his happiness, so Death to his mi­sery.

But Hiarbas though thus carried aloft upon the wings of a prosperous Fortune, yet he soared not so high, but that he was able to look down and see, upon what a tottering Basis his Government was founded; for though for the present the people were taken with it, as indeed what n [...]eity is not pleasing to the palate of the vulgar? yet in a short time its staleness would cause them to disrelish it, especally if imbittered with the least grain of tyranny and insolence, which no Govern­ment can avoid that is acquired by force and violence. And as a Tower, whose parts may be sound and strong, yet, if held together only by force, is nothing but a ru­inous mass, and subject to fall with the least assault; so the best Government, that hath no other support but the sword, and is not cemented by the peoples affecti­on, is subject to dissolution, upon the least popular motion and disturbance, much more that, where there can be other right pretended, but what is carved out by the sword. And therefore that he might gild over his sudden intrusion, with some glittering pretences of [Page 42] right, by which he thought to dazle the dim eyes of the vulgar, he caused himself to be proclamed through­out all the Thessalian dominions, heir and successor to Agis deceased, by vertue of that resignation which he enforced from him in the time of his imprisonment. And that he might for ever remove away all grounds for Pandions hopes, when he came to age, to attain, or his own fears to lose the Kingdom, he sent him to a Forester to be educated as his own, that thus by cau­sing him to move in so low a Sphere, he might prevent an Eclipse of his pretended right, which he justly fear­ed would be totally obscured, should Pandion have in­terposed his.

And as for the Princess, Pandions onely sister, though I cannot but say, he hath dealt most honorably with her, having regard not onely to her high descent and extraction, but excellency and worth; for indeed, what is there that can deservedly merit the title of de­sert, that is not most transcendently in her? yet fearing lest in time, her matchless wit and beauty might match her, to some person of great eminency, who in mar­rying with her, would espouse her interest, he hath Cloystered her in a Nunnery, and made her vow per­petual Chastity.

And thus did this Politicke man improve his For­tunes, whilst poor Pandion born to a Crown is bred up in a servile obscure condition, having a Forest for a Kingdom, and wild beasts for his Subjects, with whom he is daily conversant, exercising a pretty kind of de­lightful tyranny over them, in chasing some, settering others, and killing others, as his fancy pleases; and one day as he ran so far in the pursute of a Deer, that he knew not which way to return, but wandring to and fro, he happened to espy me, walking neer the mouth of my Cave, and with all speed came running to me. I [Page 43] was no less astonished at the beauty of the youth, than amazed to see him in such an unfrequented place; for during thirty years that I spent in this solitary place, I never beheld the face of any here before him, whom after my mean manner, I have entertained, for some years, not being able to direct him to the Foresters habitation.

This story told with so much gravity and deliberati­on, so moved Periander to compassion, as that he re­solved to accompany young Pandion into Thessalia, and there by all means endeavor his restauration, which however if he could not effect, yet, he would render himself renowned for his high Attempt, and therefore blessed his Fortune, which though hitherto had been adverse to him, yet now had presented him with such an happy occasion, and so fit a place for a Theatre, whereon to Act the Heroick Exploits which were al­ready transacted within his thoughts. Neither was Athalus less desirous of acting a part in that honorable enterprise, so much of his spirits had not steamed forth, from those streams of bloud, as to enfeeble both his body and mind; but still he was as propense to em­brace any action that required valour for its perform­ance, as ever, but the weakness of his body would not permit him to undertake any thing proportionable to the greatness of his mind. For though the care and diligence of the Hermit had brought him from a des­pair of life, yet not out of danger of death, should he be too negligent of himself; so that with a seeming un­willing willingness he yielded to Perianders, and the Hermits perswasions, rather to return to his Castle, and when necessity should require, assist them with Forces from thence. And though it was the wound uncured in his body that was the pretence, it was chiefly the wound incurable in his heart, that made him withdraw▪ [Page 44] which nothing could heal but a Sympathetick Plaister, applyed to the Dart that gave the wound, and that was Matilda's Beauty; and therefore to her must he return, if he will ever find ease, which accordingly he determined to do.

Having made these conclusions among themselves, they walked abroad to refresh themselves, and Atha­lus, who for several days had not tasted the fresh Air, the Hermit entertaining them with discourses, one while of the vanity of Sublunary delights, how that their greatest perfection is but imperfection, and in their best injoy­ment attended with annoy, and how [...]itting transitory and fading▪ and how unreasonable for a reasonable Soul, of such a depurate, immaterial, and supercelestial Nature, and therefore a fit soil for the most sublime thoughts and enravishing affections to spring up in, to delight it self in such course embracements. Then he would be lavish in the praises of a contemplative life, the happiness and sweet repose of solitude, how that freed from the worlds tumultuary distractions, and Corroding cares, the Soul doth mount aloft, upon the Wings of Contemplation, above the Star-glistring Heavens, and satiate her self with Angelical delights, that reside in a higher Sphere than Nature, and thence descending taste what excellency Heaven and Earth will present, which as a solemne repast, after such transporting and rapturous delights, fills and dilates the Soul with excess of joy and contentation. Can any humane Artifice (said he) please and delight the eye, as it doth the intellectual eye of the Soul, to see with what unwearied swiftness, the rowling Hea­vens, whirl the sparkling Globes of light? and with such violence, as if it meant to sling them out of the Universe, had not Nature there unmoveably riveted them; to see how the envious Moon, as it were re­pining [Page 45] at her brothers glories, strives maliciously to obscure and hide them, from the view of the admiring world, by interposing her opake body between it and the Suns refulgent Beams? and then how the Earth to requi [...]e that maligne interposition, wrappeth her in a misty shade, and makes darkness triumph over her, and plunder her of all her resplendent lightsomness, and ren­der her invisible, that gives visibility in the mids of dark­ness to all sublunary beings? To read the events of all things written in Golden Characters, by the hand of the All-seeing Deity? To see how the revolutions and alterations of persons and actions depend upon their circumvolutions; what earthly Palace can compare with that where the worlds great Monarch keeps his Court? invironed with an Aethereal Wall, whose ten arched stories borders upon the Empyreal Palace; moa­ted with a Crystalline Ocean, guarded with hoasts of twinkling partizans, whose gilded shields and glister­ing Spears reflect back the Suns radiant glances; to see the flaming Courtiers clad in golden Treasses, dance to the Musick of the Spheres, roving and traversing the transparent floor with such confused order, as if they measured each pace by the sweet Charmes of the Musicks modulations, whose harmonious accents con­sist of disagreeing concords, so they are most constant and regular, when most irregularly inconstant. Nei­ther are there wanting Tiltings and Turnaments, and feats of Chivalry: for how often doth the Sun himself, mounted in his glory-beaming Chariot, s [...]od with burning bosses, run the Celestial Ring, with all his flaming attendants, pursuing after in their full career, through Heavens arched Galleries? The Air is his Kitchin, where his Cates are prepared, the Clouds the steam that ascends from his boyling Cal­dron.

[Page 46] Thus they went, the Hermit beguiling the time with his grave discourses, till they came to the top of the Hill, which proudly elevating it self above the humble valleys, and levelling plains, blest their Eyes with the most delightsom prospects the Country could afford; there might you have seen Art and Nature joyn in Consort, and strive to present a most beauti­ful Harmony to the eyes. There were the natural The­atres of lofty Hills, where the most refined gusts of air would dance to the warbles of the winged Chori­sters chirping under the green Canopies of shady Groves. Vales treasuring up silver Rivers, which gently gliding, would steal away beholders senses; by which the Shepherds would sit feeding their Flocks, whilst the wanton Lambs would dance to the Musick of their Oaten Pipes.

Not far distant, stood a pleasant Town on the side of a Hill, compassed with green Meadows, water'd with the [...]ilver streams of little bubling Rivers, that strayed to and fro in wanton Meanders; the streets so intermixed with shady Trees, seemed as if the Woods had left their melancholy retiredness, and grown so­ciable, meant to inhabit the Town; or as if the Town had left its chearful sociablenesse, and grown to a kind of civil wildness, meant to inha­bit the Woods, or rather as a marriage between both.

Hither did Peri [...]nder, Pandion and Athalus repair to furnish themselves, and Pandion especially with Ar­mour, and all acouttements fit for their intended under­takings, having first taken leave of the good old Hermit, and returned millions of thanks for his charitable kind­ness, telling him that they counted their present unhap­piness chiefly to consist in this, that thereby they were put in an incapacity of giving due testimonies of [Page 47] their gratitude to him, and that if their Fortunes might be raised equal to their desires, it should be that they might be able to return requital equal to his de­serts. The Hermit answered, that as his deserts were small in themselves, so they would be less, should he be so mercenary as to shew kindness, in expectation of a requital; but however, if he had merited any thing, that they had sufficiently repaid him by their sweet con­versation.

Thus after some ceremonies past between them, they left the Hermit, who at parting could no longer retain his gravity, nor refrain from weeping tears of joy and sorrow; of sorrow to part with them all, but especially Pandion, whom he had so long entertained as his Pupil, and instilled those excellent principles, the effects whereof shall be made apparent in the sequel of the story; but of joy, through the conceived hopes of his future prosperous Fortune.

These three noble Consorts having travelled for some few days together, came at length to a parting way, which might properly be so called, for it was the means of parting Athalus from the other two, whom we shall also part from for a time, and leaving him, associate our selves to Pandion and Periander; who amongst many other adventures they encountred with­all in their journey, this was one.

Travelling along one scorching day, the Sun darted his rayes with such vehement violence as that they were forced to betake themselves to a neer adjoyning shady Grove for protection, where the spreading boughs so embraced each other, as if they had combi­ned together to exclude the Suns proud beams from entring there; where being invited by the pleasant­ness of the place, and their own wearisomness to re­fresh themselves, they lighted off their Horses, and ha­ving [Page 48] pulled their bits out of their mouths, turned them to feed upon the Grass, which there grew in great plenty, whilst themselves being overcome with the murmurings of the sweet bubling streams, and the whilstlings of the quivering leaves were lulled asleep. But long they had not yielded to sleeps pleasing charms, when their ears were suddenly filled with a sudden shriek, which pierced and rent the air with such a dividing shrilness, as plainly appeared it came from a heart pierced, rent and divided with sorrow; and withall so small and clear, as they knew it came from some Female Breast; neither came it alone, but was presently followed by a train of doleful groans▪ which pursued it with hue and cry as a Thief for stealing her joyes from her. They no sooner heard it, but they arose and guided their steps by the mournful noise, till they came to a place where they saw a beautiful Lady lying along upon the ground, leaning upon her elbow; Nature had painted her Face with more than ordinary Beauty, so that Sorrow seemed to appear in the liveliest colour; her Face, Gestures, Sighs and Tears, and all made apparent, that sorrow had tuned her heart to so high a Key, that the strings were near cracking. Loath they were to interrupt her, and yet desirous to serve her. At length they heard her fetch a groan, and that seconded by a sigh, and both ushered in these words. Hard-hearted enemies! could your tyrant minds invent no other way, to vent your merciless cruelty, but by being thus cruelly mer­ciful to leave me behind to weep his obsequies? what wrong did you ever receive from his guiltless hands? as nothing could satisfie your boundless rage, nor sa­tiate your thirsty souls but his dearest bloud? and if it was I that did the wrong, why did you not sheath your Swords in this breast, that my Death might expiate his? [Page 49] and why do you not come and steep your sulphrous souls in my diffused bloud, that so both they as well as their horrid actions, their monstrous of-springs, may be of a Crimson dye? O ye celestial powers, since 'twas your pleasure to joyn our Hands and unite our Hearts by Hymens sacred and inviolable bands, dis­lodge this Soul of mine, and take it up into that heavenly Chorus, whereof he is one, that so out of the reach of dull-browd sorrow, we may sing prolong­ed Anthems of Peace together, and being no longer intangled with this Worlds turmoyles, my Soul may be involved in that bottomless Abyss, and boundless Ocean of immortal happiness. Oh sweet Death, come and welcome, put a period to my Griefs, and rid me of this dying life; oh how the thoughts of thy approach revive me! frustrate then not my hopes and expectations, the way to kill me is to let me live. Oh then augment not my griefs by adding new, let me not ever languish here in perpetual anguish; but come, oh come, and if my enemies have extracted the quintessence of all cruelty, and swilled it up into their parboyl'd Souls, that so there is none left for thee, what then? it is mercy, not cruelty that I crave; for what greater mercy can there be than to unloose a soul intangled and hamper'd with griefs and sorrows? oh then unty this knot of dull mortality, that pineons my soul and makes her flutter here below, and let her fly to him who is my Life, my Heart, my Joyes, and all that my highest desires can attain unto. And if with killing him, thou hast spent thy Arrows, for sure his great soul would not surrender up her mansion on too easie terms) here's Shafts within my Heart shot both from Love and adverse Fortune, enough to fill thy Quiver, and let that remain full still; Come then and draw thy Bow, and give that wound that shall [Page 50] heal all other wounds. And therewithall she gave a sigh, as if Death had indeed made a divo [...]ce between her Soul and Body, and her tender heart had bid adieu to this lower world, and fled into the Empyreal Re­gions. But proceeding, Charon (said she) prepare thy Boat to waft me over the Stygian Lake; and if thou fearest it is too shoul to transport such a Cargo of Woes and Griefs as I am filled withall, here's tears enough that flow in uncontroled Streams from Griefs Foun­tains, to make it at its lowest Ebb, over-flow the Banks, and if that will not suffice, open my Veins, drain my Heart dry, rather than let me tarry behind; for what Joys can ever accrew to me, now Theon, in whom my Joys are plac't, hath bid farwell? And then she stopt, giving a groan, as if her Heart had been rest in sunder, and folding her fair Arms, as if she went about to im­brace death.

Pandion and Periander hearing this, no longer able to contain, discovered themselves to her, and craving pardon for their intrusion, begged to know the cause of her sorrow, telling her, they would spend their dear­est bloud to purchase her desires. Oh then, said she, my desire is to be with my dear Theon, hand me to the Elizian Plains, where he resides, I desire not your death, but my own, for, alas, what comfort can I have to tarry here behind? Never more shall these pale li [...]s of mine once dare to own a smile, nor this trembling heart to entertain a joy, since the Heavens have dis­possest me of such a joy, whose presence made all my joys, I and sorrows too, to be joyful, and at whose ab­sence all my joys like shadows vanish, but my sorrows increase. Nothing but grief and care, now he is gone, shall—And then being no longer able to speak, she wept a floud of tears, making her language to ebb. Heavens forbid, said Periander, that the earth should [Page 51] contain such a one, who durst imbrue his cursed hands in the bloud of so fair a Lady, and rob the world of such an unparalleld beauty. Accursed tha [...] hand that should act, yea that tongue that should speak, yea that breath that should whisper, yea that heart that should think of spilling such inn [...]cent bloud. Rather, Madam, be pleased, said he, to lay your commands upon us, and assure your self we will extend our utmost power to serve you. And if we have not valour enough, yet doubt not, but the heavens will succeed the cause of one in all excellencies so resembling them­selves. Nay, said Roxana, it is not your valour I doubt of, but contrarywise, it is the heavens mercy that I despair of: for can I think that they who have so frown'd upon me, frown'd do I say? rather conspired to make me miserable, have any love or mercy reserved for me? for whence can such extremity of cruelty pro­ceed but from extremity of hatred? do I not see how contrary to my hopes and desires they force me to live, and deny so poor a request as death? If a [...]ilitude and consentaneity in properties, will beget a sympathy in affections, it is rather from the infernal powers then, that I must hope for succor, whom in all miseries I do so resemble. But alas, what need I thus speak? it is neither your fortitude, were it a compositi­on of the very extracted spirits of all the ancient Heroes valour, nor the Stars themselves, nor all Pluto's black Legions, should you all combine and unite your powers together, were able to reduce a Soul once fled from its Terrestrial habitation. And [...] my Theon is dead. And then she sighed and wept, the tears trick­ling down in such swift streams, as if they strove who should first leave the fair possession of her eyes, or rather, who should first kiss her Rosie cheeks, Ah Theon, said she, and then she rent her hair, and tarr her [Page 52] beautiful face, as though they could serve for nothing now Theon was gone.

Periander and Pandion were so moved to compassion at this passionate sight, that they could not refrain from holding her fair Arms, and by force compell her to be merciful to her self. Can you accuse the Heavens of cruelty, said Periander, and you thus cruel to your self? How can you expect that they should gratifie your de­sires, and you thus contradict its will; be not thus dis­pleased with what Heaven is pleased, nor lavish of these Pearly drops. Surely, if no sublunary powers whatsoever can fetch your Theon from the shades be­low, much less can your tears. Perplex not then your pensive heart, but appease this stormy discontent, who knows what Heaven hath laid in store for you? It was not for nothing that our steps were directed to this place, therefore acquaint us with the story of your For­tune, and we do protest that we will dedicate our selves wholly to your service.

Ah, said Roxana, [...]latter me not with false deluding groundless hopes, do you think, said she, with a bitter smile, that the clashing of your Armor, should you descend to Pluto's Court, would tickle his ear with as much delight, as Orpheus Harp, and would have the like perswasive faculty, as his melodious Charmes? But however, I cannot but with all thankfulness ac­knowledge your Civility, in the tender of your service, which I can no otherwise repay, than in granting your will, by relating my condition, which truly is a poor requital, but the refusall would be worse.

Know then that my name is Roxana, daughter to Melampus King of Boeotia, I was once happy (O un­happy word that brings to mind my former happiness, to aggravate my present misery!) I say I was once happy in the love of Theon. What need I say any [Page]

[Page] [Page 53] more of him? what Country doth not eccho with his renowned acts? where hath not Fame blazed his honor? who are there that would be liberal, courteous, magna­nimous, and heroically excellent, that set not him as a president before them?

This Theon is Son to Harpalus King of Thrace; his Father being desirous to make him compleat in all things that were desirable, sent him when he was a youth to travel, both to inure him to hardships and diffi­culties, thereby to instill into him those Vertues both Moral and Political, which commonly thrive better then, than in the Serenity of times, amidst the de­lights wherewith all Princes Courts abound, and also that he might learn the Manners, Customs, Poli [...]ies, and State-Interests of Forein Kingdoms, whereby he would be better instructed in the interest of his own, and be inabled when the power came into his own hands to manage the affairs of State with greater ad­vantage. Vain it would be for me to enumerate the great adventures he atchieved in his travels, since they were so great, as that all the world not onely heard of, but admired and envyed, and therefore they may seem strange to you, but I cannot think, you are strangers to them.

Amongst other places it was his hap to come to my Fathers Court, where he had not been long, ere his incomparable Beauty, unconquerable Valour, and in­imitable Excellencies so enravish't my affections, that Theon was the Saint at whose shrine I offered up my daily Oblations; Theon was my sole delight, and the de­light of my Soul, when ever I was blest with his pre­sence, methought I felt my heart chained to his eyes, and when he spake, his lips seemed to dance to the sweet accents that came from his mouth, with such pleasing grace, as methought each motion seemed a [Page 54] Charm, and each word a Spirit, that in [...]h [...]alled my Soul, and led me Captive at the triumphing Chariot of his conquering Beauty; such Grace, such Majesty, such Perfection were united in him, as the most curious quick-sighed Symmetrians were not able to discern the least disproportion in him, much less mine, which was wholly dedicated to his Perfections. Neither was he wanting to repay me with mutual affections, but as my contentment and happiness was placed in him, so he ever thought himself unhappy without me; and so had affection blinded his judgement, as he was plea­sed to bestow large Encomiums on my Beauty, com­mending me rather like a fond Lover, than a Judicious Artist in Beauties Heraldry; which had it as far trans­cended his expressions, as his expressions did me, I should not have merited his affections. And that that was no small addition to my Felicity, my Father Me­lampus was exceedingly delighted in his sweet Society, and Witty pleasantness, and brave deportment, but most of all pleased with the affections we bare each other; insomuch that in a short time, by agreement of our Parents, the day of our happy conjunction in mar­riage was appointed. Oh that sweet disuniting union, that makes one Heart of two, and two Souls of one! that Golden Key that unlocks the treasures of Chast in­closed delights [...] great [...] the Heavens only Tan­taliz'd me withall, envying its full enjoyment. For thus it happened, Theon and I, walking together, one Evening into the Fields, we over-heard Idomeneus his Squire, and another quarrelling; what the cause of the contention was, we could not understand; this we per­ceived, that they were ready to leave their Verbal ar­guments, and betake themselves to sharper than any their Wit could invent, but their immoderate Passion had not so renounced the moderation of Reason, but [Page 55] that they could consider, that neither the time nor place was seasonable; they made therefore a Chal­lenge each to other, to meet next morning at such a set hour, which they both vowed to observe. Theon over-hearing this discourse, resolved not to interrupt them, but at the time appointed to be an unseen Specta­tor of this combat. I disswaded him from both, fear­ing the event, but with such faint dubious perswasions, as they nothing prevailed, delighting in his presence, and yet taking pleasure in every thing that delighted him, though [...]t deprived me of my desired happiness: for our hearts being one, our desires and delights must needs be one, so that I was forced to yield a dissenting consent.

But when night came, no sooner had Morpheus be­nummed all my senses, and sleeped them in Lethe, but the drowsie Deity, that forges those wild phantasms on the Anvil of the Fancy, which we call Dreams, began to represent to my thoughts, Theons pale Ghost came to bid me adieu; the a [...]frightfulness of the spectacle a­waked me. I think it is but superfluous to use many arguments to perswade a belief in you, that my joy was not small when I saw it was but a Dream. But no sooner had sleep again prevailed over my drowsie sen­ses, and Night had lull'd them in her Sable Arms, but an interposing Dream interrupted the silent peaceful delight▪ of my quiet fancy, and cumbred me with new confused thoughts. Methought I saw, and yet me­thought I did not see, but 'twas because I would not see, my Theon, and Idomeneus dragged by the Knights of Clausus Castle, a place that hath long been an A [...]y­lum and refuge for the most p [...]o [...]igate persons to San­ctuary themselves in, under pretence of a privilege granted to Clausus Ancestors, from my Fathers Prede­cessors▪ for a signal Act of Loyalty, to be exempted [Page 56] from all penalties for any Act whatsoever, excepting high Treason. By vertue of which, Clausus the pre­sent possessor hath committed, and doth continue still to commit many outrages, imprisoning all Ladies, and Gentlemen, whose hard hap it is to come within their reach, so that there are many now of eminency, who are there condemned by this Tyrant to perpetual con­finement. And not onely himself, but all Villaines whatsoever, that can pretend any relation to him (though often the kindred consists not in sameness of bloud, but bloudy actions) have the privilege of im­punity for whatsoever wickedness they perpetrate. And by this means this Castle hath been as a Nest of Ver­mine, a Moth and Canker in the Bowels of my Fa­thers Kingdom, so that he hath been so tyred out with the daily complaints of his Subjects, for injuries and affronts received from them, that he resolved to raze the Castle to the ground, intending not to leave the least vestigium of it, to preserve the memory of such a wicked place. A freedom for Vice, is an unfit reward for Vertue. But he was prevented by a subtile politick trick of Clausus, which was this, Clausus re­ceiving intelligence of my Fathers resolutions, and how the daily provocations from his party incensed him more and more, knowing himself to be a man of little less than Gigantick bigness of body, and to say truth, the greatness of spirit being proportionable, imagining himself invincible, he hath of late made this Chal­lenge, that what Knight soever could overcome him in the Field, he would surrender up his Castle to him, and renounce his privilege.

This fair and honorable proposal, my Father conde­scended to, and for the encouragement of any Knight to undertake the Combat, he hath proclamed, that whosoever should Conquer Clausus, should not onely [Page 57] have the Castle for his reward, but should have the highest honors, his Kingdom was capable to bestow, conferred upon him. Hither me thoughts I saw Theon dishonorably dragged.

I was no sooner awaked, and freed from my restless rest, and my Dream had forsook me, but a Tyrant fear succeeded it, and usurped dominion over my amazed thoughts, so that spurred on with a distracted mind, I hastily arose, and rushed into his Chamber. But when I saw he was gone, and that his solitary Bed was de­prived of its happiness, to inclose and embrace so sweet an inhabitant; how did my tormenting fears add wings to my steps? so that in a moment before I knew whe­ther I was throughly recovered of my Dream, I came to the Castle, where I found to my misery, my Dream fulfilled, and those Villaines triumphing over his beautiful, though lifeless body.

And now, Sir Knight, since you have your request, let me have also mine, that you will not hazard your selves with that cruel Tyrant, but proceed in your journey, and leave me here to bewail my miserable condition, which is the onely satisfaction and content you can give to my unsatisfied discontented mind.

In all things, Madam, said Periander, consistent with my honor, I shall obey you, but where thats ingaged, pardon me, if I hearken rather to its dictates, than your commands; and, said he, it cannot but reflect with dishonor upon this noble person, who honors me with his company, and my self, should we refuse the Combat, when there is such high provocations, as the revenging your quarrel, the redeeming so many Cap­tived Knights and Ladies, and the freeing the whole Kingdom from such a common pest. And what though I lose my life in it? life is but a tribute, that we must pay to Nature, and that the best and most valiant is [Page 58] mortal, and subject to the breath of every un­fortunate chance; but honor that is built upon high atchivements is immortal, and Fortune may as well think to trample the Stars under her feet, and with her frowns to Eclipse the Sun, as to depose him that in seated in the Throne of Honor, and he that will pur­chase that must not stand upon price.

Roxana hearing this, directed them to the Castle, whither they ha [...]ed with all speed, but by the way there grew a cont [...] between them, who should have the honor of the Combat. Periander was willing to yield the preheminence, in respect of the others high de­scent, neither did he doubt of his courage; the starry loveliness of his eys being perfect indices of the spright­fulness of his mind; but together with the greatness of his spirit, which was loath in point of Honor to submit to any, the fear le [...]t Pandon should be wor [...]ed, doubting whether he was able to withstand so fierce an encounter in his first initiation in the School of Mars, made him the more desirous to undertake it him­self.

But Pandion being equally ambitious of Honor with the other, and suspecting lest Periander doubted of his valour, grew into a little heat, which Periander per­ceiving, condescended to his desires, with this resolu­tion, that if he saw him in any danger of being over­come (which he much feared, by reason of his youth) he would interpose, and they would both stand or fall together. Pandion gratefully accepted it, and so they passed on, till they came to the Castle, upon the Gate whereof hung Armor, all of Silver, upon the Breast-plate whereof there were engraven two An­gels, holding a Wreath of Laurel, in the midst of which was this Impressa, Valours Reward. Up­on the Gate was the Picture of Mars, holding▪ [Page 59] Banner in his hand, in which were written these Verses,

Pandion having Read the Verses, drew out his Sword, and with the Pommel of it, gave such a blow upon the Armor, that it resounded through all the parts of the Castle, so that with speed came Clausus, and with a flaming countenance and fiery look, gave such a rude entertainment to Pandion, as if he had been one of the Cyclops come from Fire breathing Aetna, to Forge Thunder-bolts, or rather as if he himself had been that [...]laming mountain, so did his rage-inflamed-Soul belch [...]orth streams of fire at his eyes, that made his face look like a prodigious Comet, that [...]ortended evident de­struction to Pandion, his blows lighting like claps of Thunder, following the Ligh [...]ning that flashed from the Torches of his Eyes, which yet served but to en­kindle the flames of Pandions courage, so that at length such a storm of Rage and Fury grew betwixt them, as showers of bloud descended from them both. So that whoever had seen the Combat between Apollo and Py­thon, Theseus and the fell Min [...]aure, Hercules and the Nemean Lion, would have said, that this had been a perfect resemblance and image of those, or rather they had been types and models of this rage, Hatred and disdain exasperating the one, Fury, emulation and dis­daining to be disdained anima [...]ing the other, so that if the one was prodigal of his bloudy gifts, the other was as generous to repay, and that with interest, even be­yond the receivers desire, though short of his own [Page 60] will; (doubtful it was whether the one was more liberal or the other more thankful;) Clausus, Minotaure rus like, assaulting Pandion with such a voluptuous ap­petite of Bloud, as though nothing could satisfy him but to broach all Pandions veins, encountring him with such a labyrinth of strength, skill, fury and cou­rage, that Pandion had no other thread to guide him out, but to cut the thread of Clausus's life, which he endeavoured to do with such well-guided violence, as that though passion and discretion seldome concurr, yet did he keep his passion within the limits and com­pass of discretion, or rather steered his passion by discre­tions compass, thrusting and guarding with such oppor­tune activity, as that they both seemed but one Motion, and yet with such active courage, as that he had soon resolved the doubt Periander was in, which would be the Conqueror, had he not found Clausus to be a man of invincible courage, and peerless excellency in matters of Arms; so that if Reason and sudden asto­nishment ever moved together in one Sphere without disturbance each of other, they did in Periander, whose most impartial and reasonable mind found rea­son to be astonished at the unexpected valour of such a Youth as Pandion, who supplyed with his courage, wherein his strength was defective, and since Nature had made him the lesser of the two, he made skill attend and not contend with Nature, avoiding rather than guarding Clausus blows; but when opportunity presen­ted, he would give his thrusts with such well-gover­ned force, as that he would both offend his enemy, and defend himself; fain he would by his frequent feignings have enticed Clausus to disadvantage, but he having more experience than Pandion, had as much skil to know how to defend himself from harm, as the other to proser, so that they spent some time in con­tending [Page]

[Page] [Page 61] how to do, whilst that tyred them more than the very act of doing.

Clausus, whose fearless mind, and matchless valour, and frequent success, had raised him to a confidence above hope, finding himself thus matched by a Youth, inraged and ashamed that he should be so long in conquering one, over whom though his valour should render him victorious, yet he should not merit the title of a Victor, summon'd together all his active powers, and with united force, gave such a blow on Pandion, that all the protection he could receive from his well-managed Sword, was to moderate the violence of the stroak, which yet nevertheless lighted on the side of his Head with such a force, that it dispossessed his memory of its bruised habitation, and drove him some few paces from the place where he stood, which Clau­sus perceiving, resolved not to neglect such an oppor­tunity, but pursued him with redoubled blows, and reunited power.

But Pandion, as if his veins had been filled with Spirits, as fast as they were emptied of Bloud, mu­string all his strength, skill and courage together, be­ing to give a gallant Farewell, like the last blaze of a dying light, ran with such a vehement courage upon Clausus, that he not aware, but rashly prosecuting vi­ctorious Fortune, the Sword run thorough his Heart, or rather he ran his Heart upon it, conque [...]ing him­self just when he was triumphing on the conquest of his enemy; which when the Knights of the Castle p [...]r­ceived, not regarding the Laws of Arms, [...]lew in [...]o defend their Captain, or rather themselves, knowing that on the thrid of his Life hung all their Privileges, which [...]ut in two, must needs fall to the ground, which consideration made them fall inconsiderately on Pandion: which Periand [...]r seeing, enraged with [Page 62] contempt of their Dastardly baseness, to set upon a wounded man gasping for Life, and more to think that such cowards should be allotted him to be the Subjects of his valour, and most of all to think that his friend and he should receive their Deaths from the hands of such miscreants.

Being near over-pressed with the multitude, he rushed upon them with such a torrent of violence, as drowned whomsoever he encountred withall, in a lake of their own bloud, though surrounded with them, he could not avoid receiving some blows, yet they served but to encrease his rage to the extremity, so that with a mad violence, or furious madness, all the powers of his Soul, and the Strength, Dexterity, and Activity of his Body transfer'd to the one arm, he dis­lived some and disarmed others; his valour being crushed between the two extremes, necessity of pre­serving his Friends and his own Life, and the difficul­ty of accomplishing it, made it so swell within his breast, with the madness of a terrible fury, that to the destruction and admiration of his enemies, he went beyond himself in his atchievements, killing where he hit, and hitting where he pleased, separating some not only their Souls from their Bodies, but their upper parts from their nether; others that were aiming where to lodge their blow, with the greatest advantage, he deprived of blow and sight and all: Whilst Pan­dion, not able to assist his friend, was forced to refresh his fainting body by resting himself upon the ground. But they were soon assisted by the Knights impriso­ned within the Castle, who knowing that their Jaylors were imprisoned by Death, and seeing Pandion be­strid by Periander, and he beset with their enemies, they unanimously assaulted them, all agreeing in the means of their preservation, their enemies destructi­on, [Page 63] though all disagreeing in the end, some fighting to preserve their own honour, disdaining to be ensla­ved by such unworthy Villains; others for their La­dies; some out of Love to the Commonwealth, to quit it from such a nest of Pestilent Fellows; others out of hatred to their enemies; so that in fine there grew a desperate combat, as it must needs—the Combatants growing desperate, the Clausian Knights resolving rather to lose their lives by whole-sale on the point of the Sword, than retail them out by the hand of Justice, which they knew would befall them should they surrender, grew fearless through fear, so that Courage in the Valiant grew desperate, and despair made the Coward couragious; that at length the con­flict grew so cruel, that the very ground was over­flown with a deluge of bloud, and the earth that was wont to bury mens bodies, mens bodies now buried the earth; so that it seemed like Mars's sowing time, the seeds of cruelty being implanted in each Breast, and watered with Bloud; but like Deaths reaping time, such an Harvest of Bodies there lay in heaps, serving as Bridges to transport over Rivers of Bloud, that streamed in the pavement▪

Hard it was to determine which way the ballance of victory would poize, Fortune for a while carrying her self a Neuter; till at length Periander being a too partial Umpire, by the mediation of his valour deci­ded the controversy, sending such throngs of Souls of the Clausian Knights, that were loth to answer for their unanswerable crimes before Melampus his Tribu­nal, to receive their eternal doom, that the small re­mainder yielded, craving mercy, which they found. Then Periander receiving the Keys of the Gate, gave the Captives that were the Keepers, to the Keepers that were the Captives, till Pandion whose right it [Page 64] was to command, should otherwise order; who ap­pointed Sentinels on the wall, and a watch for that night, intending the next morning to march in triumph to King Melampus's Court.

But no sooner had each man took his Station, but their Ears were arrested with the crys of a Female voice, which as well as they could understand, de­manded entrance; the Gates being opened, they all straight knew her to be Roxana their Kings Daugh­ter, who seeing the event of the Combat, came with speed to the Castle to perform her last obsequies to Theon, and to return thanks to Pandion and Periander for their hazardous adventure. And being admitted into the Castle, she was received with all respect and joy, by all the Knights and Ladies there, but especially by Pandion, who blest her ears with the hap­py tidings that Theon was yet alive, pointing where his Chamber was, who would have said more, but the transporting joy, not only divorced all sorrow from her Heart, but her Body from the place; so that both his words and thoughts were prevented with her sudden [...]light, calling as she went, Theon, Theon, her Tongue not being able any more to express her unex­pressible passion; but as soon as the eyes of Theon, nay his Heart, nay his Soul was ravished with the sight of Roxana, as if her beauty had been some divine quin­tessential extract, or some ray of that celestial fire, that inspired life into Prometheus Image, he felt a vigour infused into all his fainting limbs, and the Darts of Beauty to triumph over the Darts of Death, and her words to blow up the dying sparks of Life in­to a flame, so that assembling all his powers together, he cast himself into her Arms, his Legs being unfaith­ful and feeble supporters of his Body. But, alas! as their arms were linked each in other, and their very [Page 65] Souls intwin'd by a sweet sympathy, Theons Spirits that, like the dying blaze of a Taper, before gave such a sudden flash, choaked with the smoke of that affe­ction that gave them life, suddenly fled from their bat­tred dwel [...]ing.

Roxana amazed to see this sad unexpected adven­ture, remained like one suddenly thrown from a high precipice, who hath his breath stopt ere he know whence he fell, or whither he is falling, so was she rackt between the extrems of joy and grief; all the pow­ers of her Soul being overwhelmed with a sudden con­fusion. Two extrems over-flowing Tides of contrary passions meeting together in one Breast must needs sink it in a Whirl-pool of amazement. But she was recovered from that living trance, by the recovery of Theon, who did but by the shortness as it were coun­terfeit a Death, that he might be buried in that Lilly vale, beset with swelling Mounts of driven Snow.

What wanton reaks, said Rozana, doth Fortune play, bandying me from one extreme to another? no wonder that Vertue and Fortune rarely meet in one, since that moves always in a mediocrity, and this drunk with madness, reels to extremes. But her Far­ther speech was interrupted by the coming of Perian­der, followed by a Gentleman that came from her Fa­ther, who having first performed his duty to her, and acquainted her of her Parents health, told her, how that the same of the Castles winning, and of her being found had been blazed in her Fathers e [...]rs, who knowing, that the Eccho's that re [...]ound in her Temple, are usually reduplicated, and that her Translations and Comments seldome agree with the Original truth, therefore had sent him to make a more strict inquisi­tion, that he might have certain intelligence, intend­ing, [Page 66] if it was truth, to send some of his chief Noble [...] to honour that Hero that was their deliverer, not only ac­cording to, but beyond his ingagement. And that he sent some of his principal Doctors and Chirurgeons to cure the wounded.

She returned him many thanks for his pains, and for his acceptable news, and requested him to send for a Chirurgeon to Theon, whose wounds like gaping mouths seemed to beg for help. But the Chirurge­on being called, by means of a soveraign Balm that he had then with him, he presently stopt those bloudy leaks, and in a short time restored him to a great mea­sure of health, a [...]d no less did the other Chirurgeons effect upon Pandion, and the rest of the wounded; so that after the burials of the dead, Pandion attending upon Roxana, and attended with all the Ladies, and most of the Knights, excepting some few that he left in the Castle to keep it in the Kings behalf, marched towards Melampus's Court; but they were met by a glistring train of Nobles, Knights, and Gentlemen, some coming in obedience to the Kings Commands, others to meet their delivered Ladies, and all to bring Roxana and Pandion to the Court with great so­lemnity; having performed their dutiful salutation to the first, they in the Kings name returned many thanks to the latter for his great service to the Kingdom, ac­quainting him with what high acceptance his heroick Act was received by the King, and bestowing large Encomiums on his valour; who yet willing that Pe­riander, that was so great a partner in the victory, might also share in the honour, endeavoured to trans­fer the chief praise of the Action upon him, extenu­ating his own part, but extolling his, to whom also they performed many Ceremonies; All which being past, they proceeded in their joyrny, beguiling the time [Page 67] with delightful pleasancy, till the end of their journy put an end to their discourse, where they were brought to the Palace of the King, being conducted into spa­cious Courts, adorned with such beauty, riches, and pompous magnificence, as transported Pandion (who never beheld such State) with an excess of astonish­ment, that he thought Heaven and Earth could not have afforded so much glory. Such was the glistring habit of the Nobles, as seemed to contend with the golden Pillars which should reflect the Suns rays with the greatest lustre, or rather with the Sun himself for brightness; such the rich Attire, resplendent Orna­ments, and admirable Beauty of the Ladies, their Ornaments adorning their Beauty, and their Beauty beautifying their Ornaments, and both adding such particular graces to the solemnity, that held the Eyes and Heart of Pandion and Periander dazled between contentment and admiration.

Being convened into the Kings presence, he arose from his throne, and after he had embraced his Daughter with joy and affection, turned to Pandion and saluted him with as great Condescention as Ma­jesty would permit, telling him that he esteemed him­self beholding to Fortune, not so much for sending one who by his valour had rid his State from such a brood of Villains, as honouring his Court, by that oc­casion with the presence of a Person of so great worth as he approved himself to be; and requested him to acquaint him with his name, and what he was, that he might know on whom, as well as for what he should confer his intended Honour.

Pandion (who had resolved to conceal his name, knowing that to reveal it would be utterly destructive to his design, and therefore agreed with Periander to go under the name of Danpion, which is the same with [Page 68] his own, the Letters being transposed in a different or­der) made this reply.

Great Sir, said he, the Honour you have already done me is sufficient to reward the worth of one that had the whole worlds excellency contracted together and united in him, much more the mean deserts of so mean a person as my self, whose meanness is such, that it may be sufficient excuse if I am silent, accounting my self unworthy to trouble the Ears and Thoughts of so great a Prince with any farther relation and knowledge of me than my name, which is Danpion. Melampus perceiving his reservedness, conceiving he had suffici­ent reasons, forbare any further importunities. And taking Danpion on his right hand, and Periander on his left, acco [...]panied with multitudes of Knights and La­dies, he led them into the walks, where the lofty Trees were ranked in such delightful order, as that none durst retreat, and all seemed equally ambitious of be­ing foremost, their plumy tops, waving with gentle puffs, sand the dancing air. On the one side were goodly Gardens, where the smooth Lillies were inclosed with fragrant hedges, underneath whose sweet protection dwelt air-perfuming Roses, whose Ver­million looks seemed to blush at their own perfections, and wrapped in lovely folds, as if the Angels themselves had taken delight each morn, to contend one with another, which should dress them with the most pleasant intricacies, each bed clad with such love­ly ra [...]ified flowers, as if Flora her self had there been brought to bed of her most delightful of-springs, and all the borders so strewed with the springs inamel'd Tapestry, as if they had bordered upon the Empyreal Paradise, so that the whole seemed as if it had been Natures Treasury, wherein she kept her richest beau­ties. On the other side stood a stately Summer-house, [Page]

[Page] [Page 69] mounted on twice twelve Marble Pillars, beleagured round with a little murmuring River, whose curling streams like liquid Silver reels to and fro in wanton mazes, part whereof endeavoured with its transparent garment to hide Diana from Acteons ambitious eyes, her naked Nymphs standing round, some in the Crystal water, some on the Lilly-paved brink, trampling on those humble Flowers for comparing with them for white­ness.

Much time they spent in pleasant discourse, and viewing these delights, and many more than my pen can describe, till at length the Sun began to display his golden locks to the inhabitants of the other Hemis­phere, and the scarlet evening to fly over Heavens ar­ched Roofs; when Supper being prepared, the King commanded to have it served into the Banquetting house, where they sat down, more curious to satisfy the appeti [...]e of their eyes, than desirous to feed upon the various Cates that there were marshalled in stately order; The Ladies darting amorous looks upon the two strange Knights, no less admiring them for their beauty and comely deportment, than for their valour, and Pandion especially, who though he had not such a Majestick, manly, and severe look as Periander, yet of a more pleasant countenance, and attractive grace, his starry eyes shining with a radiant splendor, like two Quivers filled with Darts of Love, re [...]lected back their wanton glances with no less delight and admi­ration, and rowled to and fro in that Garden of Beau­ties, as if he, Zeuxis like, pickt out here and there a hea­venly feature, to compose a Posie and mixture of all excellencies and perfections.

But all this joy and contentmenr did but beget sorrow and discontent in Periander, by bringing to mind despairing thoughts of Florinda, from whom one [Page 70] smile were better to him than all those eye-pleasing de­lights, one accent from her lips, than all the ravishing warblings of those Angelical voyces, that there sang to Lutes and Viols, and other charming Instruments: so that his dejected eyes seldome afforded any there a look, as though they scorned to look on any, since Fortune forbad them to look on her whom they pre­ferred before all: but the internal eyes of his Soul continually gazed upon the picture of Florinda, that was lively painted in his Fancy by the Pencil of affe­ction. But Supper being ended, after some Masks and Revels, and other pleasures, the night being far spent, they all retired to their Lodgings.

SWift-footed Time feathered with flying houres, of it self posts away with such celerity, that we are no sooner entred upon the Stage to act our parts on the Theatre of this world, but ere we are aware the Scene is concluded, and Death pronounces an Exit; yet the mirth and jollity of those happy days seemed to add wings unto it; while unhappy Periander, and the more unhappy, be­cause so in the mids of so much happiness, would not permit the least joy to intrude into his heart, but a­bandoned his thoughts wholly to mournful meditations which though in themselves unpleasing, yet sweet to him, because hovering in Loves Dominions, still [Page 72] lighted on so sweet a Centre as Florinda. Oft would he walk alone, and recount to hims [...]lf his various mis­fortunes, and then account them all as Cyphers com­par'd with his exilement from Florinda: but then joyn­ing both together, with a multiplying addition, how far (would he say) doth it surmount my Souls Arithme­tick, to number my innumerable griefs! Had ever any one such mountains of sorrows heaped upon him, and not overwhelmed? Cetainly, they are not set for steps to climbe to a Heaven of happiness, rather a [...] Tombes, where all my hopes, desires and joys may be interred.

Thus as the Torpedo, when it feels it self insnared by the deceitful hook, vomits [...]orth a bane-full humor into the briny Ocean, and not onely fills the places neer adjoyning to her with a Chilling Ice, but sends it up to the Anglers hand, wherewith in a moment it [...] and Charms his senses into a death-resembling sleep: so Perianders sorrow intangled with Loves Bait, not only fill'd his heart with the fumes of discontent, but infected all those Joys that seemed to Angle for it, with their delicious Baits; And one morning, by that time Aurora had spread her Vermilion Mantle, on Heavens Azure floor, and the Suns glistering Beams had gilded the mountain tops, Periander leapt out of his Bed, a [...]d went into the Walks, where the shadiness of the Trees, the coolness of the Air, which was fann'd to and fro with Zephyrus wings, and the sweet agreeable mur­muring of the Fountaines, fomented in his Breast that humor which fed it self with the remembrance of Flo­rinda.

What strange unruly passions are these (said he) that thus stand Centinel at the doors of my senses, and de­ny Rest entrance, and if any Joys are suters for the possession of my heart, they soon forbid the Banes, and [Page 73] thus domineering within the Kingdom of my troubled Breast, chase all contentment from me, so that methinks I could consume an Age in thinking, and make my Griefs keep Time with the Spheres harmonious moti­ons, till time shall be no more; for as they do rise, but never set (for when they seem to set to us, they then rise to our Antipodes) so have my sorrows a beginning, but never ending, keeping a perpetual motion in my Breast; and when the morning begins, then doth my Heart greet the approaching light, with a hope-absco [...] ­ding Cloud of sighs, exhaled by the heat of Loves Passions, from the Ocean of Grief within my mind; and when the Evening begins to close the Day, then doth my Heart conclude it with showers of dewy Tears, and all proceeds from the remembrance of Flo­rinda.

Ah sweet remembrance (said he) happy were I, wouldst thou make me forget all other happiness, or smother the thoughts of my present misery. But more sweet Florinda, since all abstracted sweetness is lodged in thee, how could I part with Thee, and not part with Life? or rather how could I part with Life, in parting with Thee, and yet live? What was I senseless, that I could hear the fatal Messenger pronounce that more fatal sentence, and the very Cadence of his speech not stab me to the heart? Sure the very sound would have struck me dead, but alas, misery had so filled my Heart, that there was no room for death. Oh envious Fortune, couldst thou find no other time to blast my happiness, but in the blooming of it? In what poysonous composition didst thou dip thy invenomed shaft, that feathered both with Life and Death, shot Death to my happiness, but Life to my misery? Come once more, bend thy Bow, and since thou dost delight in my destruction, draw thy Dart up to the head, and here's a Brest prepared for thee.

[Page 74] As he was further proceeding in his speech, he was interrupted with a doleful noise, which being handed to his ears by Eccho's reverberations, seemed as if she had a fresh begun, with pining lamentations, to be­wail her more pining Narcissus; but er'e he could consider what it was, or whence it came, his ears were arrested with a train of mournful tones, that followed their flying predecessor, and then a peircing drilling cry would seem to be a treble to a murmuring Groan; but drawing neer, hoping to find one to sympathize with him in his misery, he heard the voice formed into these words.

Oh heavens, were it not enough to take her hence, but you must take all mercy with her; alas, what need is there for mercy, where there is no misery? there is nothing but a boundless Sea of Happiness, and here no­thing but a bottomless abysse of Wo. Oh command Death to unlock the doors of happiness, that I may en­ter in and exchange these Heart-infringing Groans, for the Heaven-bred Raptures of that Seraphick Quire that surround the Heavenly Throne, and these Soul-melting Tears, for those Nectarian stream [...] of immor­tal pleasures. Come, Death, thou that art so prodigal of thy Darts, to shoot a Virgin in the Aurora of her days, whose fresh smiles would have melted the most flinty heart into mercy, come spare a shaft to me, whose age aswell as miseries inviteth. Oh! why art thou grown thus preposterous to take the young, and leave the old? would not her Beauty move pity in thy heart? Methinks her blushing Cheeks might have made thee ashamed of thy cruelty. How couldst thou find in thy heart to thrust thy Sithe into her tender sides? Sure, no such thing as Love could be the cause, no, Love never re­sides in an obdurate Heart. And ah, the Grave is too hard a marriage Bed, and thy looks too gastly for her [Page 75] to delight in thy cold embracements. Come then to me, to whom thou shalt be wellcome, puff out this blaze of Life, and let my fledgd Soul take her Wing. Thinkest thou that a few Tears can supply with moy­sture, what so many griefs and years have dryed up? No surely, long it cannot be, ere my sublime Soul must bid farewell to all these transitory Griefs and Joys.

Having spoken this, he concluded with such a groan, as if he had ended his speech and Life together. But Periander, no longer able to conceal himself from, nor from himself him that was the author of these sad lamen­tations, which he thought could suit with none as with him, accounting (as it is the property of all men) his own condition most lamentable, discovered to him­self, and himself to an ancient man apparelled in a Gown of gray, resembling a Pilgrims weed, lying along in a darksom Cave, the darksomness whereof made it re­semble a Vaul [...] or Grave, as his paleness made him re­semble a Ghost, so that he lay as if he had been entomb­ed alive.

Periander at first stood still, having his thoughts di­stracted between pity and amazement, and gazed upon him, but then returning to himself, he requested the Pilgrim (for so he seemed to be) to inform him of the cause of his mournful complaints, telling him, that he had a sufficient share of sorrow, and therefore knew how to bear a part in that doleful Consort, and that he had found by experience, that when he had a partner in grief, it eased him of half his misery, two being able to support that burthen, that one will sink under. And that if it lay in his power, no way else to avail him, yet he could sympathize with him. True (answered the Pilgrim) but you your self say you have a sufficient share already, and therefore I need make no addition: and alas the story of my fortunes would make an Ada­mantine [Page 76] heart relent, and move pity in a Soul that had for ever exiled all mercy from it. The relation (an­swered Periander) may add to my griefs, not to my misery, and detract from them, as much as their re­lating may give ease to you, which will be some though small, because one grief concealed, more grie­vous is, than ten imparted. Since you are thus desirous (replyed the Pilgrim) of a thing so undesirable, I shall consent.

Know then that my name is Geryon, by birth a Noble­man of this Realm, I had a Daughter (and then the tears stood in his eyes, as doubtful whether they should leave their Aged Mansions, or continue there) her name was Helena, her Parts and Beauty made her both desireable and desired, by many principal Noble­men in the Court. Many suters she had; among the rest, there came a young Gentleman, named Pentheus, a man (as I must needs say) of incomparable worth; though as I then thought, too undeserving for my Daughter, but now I both see and rue my pride (and then the tears gushed forth, but proceeding) the wealth and honor of the rest so eclipsed his merits, and dazled the eyes of my judgement, that I thought him fitter for her menial servant, than a servant in affection. But I disliked him not so much as my Daughter liked him, or rather I disliked him the more, because she liked him, not out of want, but excess of over-vehe­ment affection to her. But my hate to him, could not quench her love to him, but rather encreased it, which for a while was interrupted upon this occasion. Often had I forbad him coming to my house, threat­ning little less than Death, charging my Daughter also upon penalty of my utter displeasure, not to entertain him in her Arms, or in her heart; but as the latter was impossible for her to effect, so the former was attend­ed [Page 77] with little less difficulty, being as unwilling to do the one, as unable to do the other; so that they continu­ [...]d still their stollen meetings, which was not so private, but it came to my ear, so that perceiving, they little minded my threatnings, I minded little to threaten, but laid an Ambushment to entrap them one Evening, who passing along as they were toying and discoursing and using their wonted Dalliances, my servants started up and apprehended them; her they brought home, and him they carried into a Wood, that was some miles distant from thence, with intentions to kill him, but they were set upon by the Knights of Clausus Castle, and some killed, others wounded, and many carried prisoners to the Castle, among which he was one. Those few that remained and escaped, fled in hast to acquaint me with the event of the action, which did then exceedingly delight and content me, such was my wicked folly, that I never considered what would be the event of such a wicked event; the eyes of my af­fection and judgement being blinded with the dazling of that happiness I flattered my self withall, which I thought nothing then could impede, when such an ob­stacle and impediment was removed away; but ah, there was a greater obstruction, my wickedness, that I minded not to remove, which is that that now more afflicts me, than all the misery and misfortune that is inflicted upon me; such is the adversity that attends wicked prosperity, and succeeds prosperous successes in wickednesses, they do but harden the actor in his en­ormous courses, and by that means fit him for inevi­table ruine, whilst he taken with the appearing sweet­ness of such transient happiness, regards not to repress those exorbitances, which in the end depress him with misery.

[Page 78] Pentheus being gone, nothing now remained, but to match my Daughter to the most deserving of her noble [...]uters, amongst whom was one Trebonius, a young Nobleman, of great estate and power. As his affecti­ons were most vehemently bent towards my Daughter, so were mine towards him, esteeming him in my over­partial judgement as far to excell Pentheus, in worth and excellency, as he did exceed him in riches, though that worth to my grief I found chiefly consisted in worthless wealth and honor. To him was I determi­nately resolved to marry my Daughter, and to that end used what arguments and perswasions I was able to pre­vail upon her affections; but as they were not in my power to command, so neither could she compell them to obey; which I perceiving, was forced to use my paternal authority, by which at length, with ma­ny arguments and threatnings, I got her consent, not because she was pleased in her choice, but because her choice was to please me, so that in fine marryed they were, to my great joy and contentment. But, alas, what constancy is there in humane estates? for when we are surrounded with the greatest prosperity, then many times are we also invironed with the greatest dis­asters; good nor evil never abiding in one posture, so it was with me. Little did I preconceive what a part Fortune, or rather misfortune had to act in this Tra­gi-comedy. But whatever I conceived, that monstruous birth, that Fortune was then conceiving, made me a monster of misery, which was Midwived by this occasion.

Of late two strange Knights by their valour, killed the Captain Clausus, took the Castle, and redeemed the prisoners, (all which I suppose, you cannot be ig­norant of, for its not only the discourse, but the admi­ration both of Court and Kingdom) amongst which he was one, that was released from that Captivity, but, [Page 79] ah! to be insnared in a greater Captivity both of af­fection and misery. For no sooner was the Castle won, but with all speed possible, he ran, first to inform the King, of the Castles surprizal, and then with greater hast, spurred on by a despairing hope, to inform my Daughter, the Queen of his heart, of his own deli­very. But the first object that saluted his eyes, was to behold Helena in Trebonius arms.

Here a most Rhetorical Orator might have a fair field to emblazon with Eloquence, the strange diversi­ty of Passions, that abounded in their hearts at the first encountering. He whose mind before was distracted between despair, and hope, was now wholly distract­ed with despair. In his face, one might have read a combat between the Beams of Love and Beauty, and Cloud of grief and hatred, and all these stunned with a maze of amazement; whilst she no less answered his affection with reciprocal interchanges of Passion, at first she blushed, as ashamed of her unfaithfulness, and then looked pale with fear, lest I should perceive her blushing; but then she blushed again, lest her paleness should be discovered, so that there seemed a sweet contention between the Rose and the Lily, which should have the possession of her face.

At length Pentheus, like one returned from a [...]rance, flung away with such a frowning mourning disdainful pale countenance, as if anger, grief, hatred, and death it self, had all begun to prey upon him, and all strove which should have the greatest share. Which poor Helena seeing, no longer able to contain, gave a sigh, as if that breath had been her last, after which the tears gushed out, which trickled down her Cheeks, like Pearls dissolved, just as the blushing Rose, watered with Heavenly dew, when the soft Air gently breaths upon it, those Crystall drops leave their perfumed [Page 80] dwelling, and distill upon the ground; so did her tears blown with sweet gales of gentle sighs, leave the Crystalline mansions of her eyes, and descend upon the floor; which she strove against with so sweet a violence, as added such a grace to her sorrow, that in­stead of restraining it she constrained us to imitate her stormy eyes, so that there were scarce any present, who were not drawn into society of their tears. But at length swinging out of her Husbands arms, with a hateful look in a lovely countenance, counting him the only object of her hatred, and cause of all her misery, she run to her chamber, and there made this complaint to her self, which I her Husband stealing after her, over-heard.

Hard-hearted Father (said she, and well thou maist call me so) could a little estate bribe your affection so, as not to regard the miserable estate of your poor Daughter? True it is I derived my being from you, a blessing which I can never requite, but alas, the bles­sing of a being cannot countervail the misery of a miserable being, which I have also derived from you: for better never come into this miserable world, than come into such a world of misery, as I am now invol­ved in, so that my Heart, Head, Eyes and Tongue are too barren of Sighs, Thoughts, Tears and Words, to express my unexpressible grief; come all you foun­tains, fill my head with Springs of Tears, and all you Clouds dissolve in shoures, and come and inhabit my eyes, that so these thirsty Eyes which before quaffed in such draughts of Love, may now be punished for their sweet intemperance, and satiated with over-flowing streams of briny tears, or rather that this sinking soul of mine might be swallowed up in a deluge of surging griefs. Ah hateful Trebonius, from thee flows all my misery, oh that my eyes had been masked with [Page 81] an eternal night, when first they beheld thy loathed face, or that my marriage bed had been my grave, and instead of my Epithalamum, that they had warbled out my Epicaedium; then might my touring soul, whilst they were chanting forth their dolefull tones here below, have bore a part among the Angelical Hierarchy, and there unskreen those awful secrets, which are only reserved for the eyes of purified souls, where no woes dare crave for entrance, but all joys injoyed in their full perfection. Ah my dear Pentheus, little thinkst thou what a faithful lover thy poor Helena is to thee, and what a killing thought it is to me to think that my foolish, but necessitated levity, should occasion thee to harbour any hard thoughts of me, the very thought is able to put me beyond all think­ing. Oh my sweet guardian Angel (if any such be allotted to my protection, which sure if there were, all these miseries would not befall me) I say, if any such I have, prepare thy wings, haste quickly, fly to my Pen­theus, and tell him that he is more dear to Helena [...] than ever, and that a forced marriage hath only chan­ged her State, not her, and though another to her endless grief enjoyed her Body, yet none her Heart, which she hath kept intire for him, and that her chast unstained soul, hath not embraced a thought or desire, that hath thought of or desired any other but him. But why do I fondly bemoan my self to these senseless walls, haste I will to him, without whom to Live, were worse than Death, and with whom to Dye, is better than Life. And therewithall she ran out of the cham­ber, and ran down stayres, but her speed was stopt by an affrightful messenger, that lookt like one arisen from the dead, to bring news from those dark Regi­ons, and as one that regarded not, or indeed knew, neither what nor to whom he spake, in a mourn­ful [Page 82] tone, belched out by parcels the death of Pen­theus.

Helena, whose former griefs had carried her to such an excessive raging, that they had transported her be­yond her self, so that at first she minded not what the messenger spake, but Trebonius and I who still follow­ed her, he jealous of her, and I, what would be the issue, demanded of the man the manner of it; He like one newly awak'd from a terrible dream, who looks about to see whether his past thoughts were realities, or only the productions of his fancy, mustering up his sences, and collecting his thoughts, told us, that passing by, it was his fortune to come just as Pentheus was speaking his last words, some of which, as well as his confused memory could retain, he said were these, Oh Helena, how willingly would I resign my life, might my remem­brance but lye intombed in thy sweet thoughts, where thy dayly meditations of me would be better than em­balming spices; would Heaven grant me such a fa­vour, I should then count the divorce between my soul and body, the sweetest marriage to the greatest happiness. How soon would I build my Funeral Pile of woes and miseries, and enkindle them with the flames of Love, and therein consume my self to Ashes, might those Ashes be kept as a relique of one of Loves Martyrs, within the Urn of thy breast. Well may I call thy Heart, a glassy Urine, seeing I have found it both brittle and transparent. But ah! what woman is not so? she must have degenerated from her Feminine nature, or have been some third sex, had she been endued with a faithful constancy; for Woman she could not be, and Man she was not; Oh what a thing were Woman, should her visage al­ter with her mind, and her external form should re­ceive constant figurations from that inconstant mould! [Page 83] she would be twenty several women in a moment. Never was any Chamelion or Proteus more subject to various mutabilities. But why do I blame the whole Sex for the unfaithfulness of one, and why do I blame her for my own unworthiness? ah it was not her in­constancy to me, but my inconstancy to any thing of worth, that made her hate me. I that was the reason, I am not worthy of her; of her? no, not to live. Then once more I bid farewell to all my hopes, fare­well all false deluding pleasures, painted woes, sugred lyes, and farewell Helena, the sum of all; thou hast already peirced my heart with a wound more deep though not so deadly as this; with that I ran in, but ere my trembling feet could convey me to him, his bloudy knife had made passage for his soul to fly from her claiy prison. My daughter who had by this time so far come to her senses, as sensibly to understand the sequel of the story; no sooner heard it, but over­whelmed with the raging agony of a furious passion, ran up stairs, whom still we carefully pursued; but ah! my tongue falters, and my heart fails to speak the rest, and then the tears began to glide down his Cheeks in such a liberal manner, that Periander could not for­bear to incorporate his with them, but intreating him to proceed, he thus went on. Ah said he, the rest is so tragical, that it cannot be heard or related with­out a fractured heart; for we could not follow her so fast as she followed death, neither did we overtake her, ere she had overtaken it; for seeing her self pursu­ed, and no other way to bereave her self of life, she leapt out of the window; which Trebonius seeing, as one already carried out of himself with horror, despair, and amazement, knowing himself to be the cause of all these bloudy Tragedies, to appease their Ghosts, which otherwise he thought might continually attend [Page 84] him with affrighting representations in this world, he would attend them in the other, and thereupon leapt after her; so that as if Fortune had studied how to ex­ercise her uttermost power in making me miserable in one moment, I was deprived of Son and Daughter, Joy and Comforts all at once, so that hopeless of ever superviving such extremity of miseries, I resol­ved to spend the re [...]idue of my few days in preparing for death, which my age now begins to summon to. Scarce had he concluded his lamentable relation of a more lamentable story, but a panting messenger came running with such haste, as if his ambitious legs unsen­sible of their burthen, had contended which should be esteemed the swiftest, or attain the period of their journy the soonest. His message was to require Geryon from the King with speed to haste to Court; who accordingly arose, and accompanied with Periander, presently walked thither, where the first species that did greet his eyes was the King and his Daughter Helena, with their hands intermixed, coming to meet him; no sooner had his eyes beheld her, but as if they had retained their visive power only for such a sight, and now satiated with that, resolved for ever to ex­clude all other objects that might exclude it, determi­ned never to see more▪

His aged Heart rent with the violent extremities of over flowing excess of misery, and now a too pro­digal access of comfort, not able to contain his vital spirits, he in a moment, just as he was going to salute and embrace her, malicious Death, as envying him so much happiness, tript up his heels, and rob'd him of life and kiss and all; which Helena seeing, shewing no less dutiful affection to him dead, than living, after many vain endeavours to recall his revolted spi­rits, [Page 85] caused his funerals to be solemnized with as much state, as his quality required and her ability could perform. Fortune who had hitherto filled the eyes and ears of all men, with nothing but dismal Trage­dies, was now minded to play a wanton reak, and as sated with so much bloud, for its better digestion brought in this Comical adventure amongst them.

It happened that one evening as they newly conclu­ded their Supper, a messenger came, and privately whispered in Helena's ear, telling her that an ancient Gentleman without desired the favour of some con­verse with her. She granted it, bade the messenger to invite him in. He drawing neer, after humble obey­sance made to the King, and the rest there present, directed his speech to the Lady Helena in this sort.

Madam, said he, it was my fortune to be present at the death of unhappy Pentheus (but who can be unhap­py, that ever was beloved by such a Lady as your [...]lf?) who bequeathed his last gasp into my mouth, which as well as I could understand, breathed out these words. Go tell dear Helena, said he, (and dear may I well call her, since she hath cost me my life) that here I dye, a mirror of Love and Faithfulness, and a true pattern of a faithful Lover. And moreover commanded me to beg of you, that if any sparks of love or mercy to him yet remained, and conjure you by the former testimonys of affection, and the sweet remembrance of your more sweet embracings, you would for your own sake, if not for his (for otherwise his unquiet Ghost would never rest appeased) entertain my Son as your servant, whilst Trebonius remains alive, and after as your husband, that so the resemblance that he bears of him, may be a continual Memento to you. And now, Madam, said he, I have performed the Will of the dead on my part, the residue of obedience only remains on yours. [Page 86] of which I cannot but promise my self performance; for sure so much cruelty and unfaithfulness as to deny, cannot be disguised under so sweet a visard as Nature hath adorned your face withall. And then he stopt, earnestly waiting Helena's answer, who first making many sighs and tears a prologue to her discourse, made this Reply. Sir, said she, I call heaven to witness to my faithfulness and constancy, whose All-surveying Eye sees into the most abstruse retirements of the Soul, and knoweth all its most secret productions, to whom I dare appear. Surely, had I been faithless to such a one, had the whole worlds contracted powers, endeavour­ed to Barricado me against heavens vengeance, all their united force had been but as paper bulwarks. My spotless innocency is the only Brazen Wall, that can protect me from its Cannon shot, which I humbly im­portune heaven (and then she kneeled) that the very Clouds might discharge against this breast, if there be any other than truth and faithfulness in me toward my Pentheus. Madam (answered the other) such imprecations are unnecessary; he whose distrustful breast, dares lodge an unbelieving thought of what comes from so sweet a mouth, may Cassandra's curse in its full extent light on him, never to be believed by any, though he should swear by all that [...] sacred, no, not by himself, that so when he himself by an infernal instinct, should prophe­cy his own ruine, his base mistrust might not permit him to use means for anticipation.

It is my confidence of your perseverence, that makes me persevere in confidence, to urge his dying request, than the concession of which, there can be no greater manifestation of your love and constancy; but the refusal would not onely by actions contradict your words, but oppose that which Fate and Nature seem to conjoyn their powers, and combine together [Page 87] to accomplish; the former, by removing away your husband Trebonius, the only Remora, and the latter by bestowing such a resemblance of Pentheus on my Son, as I am perswaded, when you see him, you will not easily be convinced, that it is any other than he him­self. What an unfaithful faithfulness were that (re­plyed she) that were to commit the highest fal [...]eness, veiled with a pretended fidelity. No (said she) let Fate and Nature conspire how they will, all their com­binations shall never make me love any other but Pen­theus. And whatever similitude your Son may have of him, it cannot be a greater resemblance, than his Idea indelebly engraven in my heart.

Then (said he) since you will have none but him, here he is, and with that he pulled off a vizard, and discovered himself to be Pentheus indeed. Helena, in whose mind grief had so fixed the death of Pentheus, that hard it was by all Arguments for him to eradicate the belief of it thence, but she stood rather as if she had been affrighted with his Ghost, than delighted with his presence, but Pentheus continued still his per­swasions, telling her the truth, how that when he went away from her, he was so transported with the rage of a passionate madness, that he resolved to kill himself, and therefore fled into the next Wood, where meet­ing with some men, he to hide his intentions, ran into a Cave, and when he thought that the Coast was cleer, and none to interrupt his bloudy design, he ran a kni [...]e into his breasts, but his good fate more careful of him, than he of himself, fenced so well for him, as broke both his thrust, and his weapon, by glancing it on a rib; the wound made him give a grone, so that some undiscovered persons, that still remained in the Wood, came speedily in, and carrying him to the next house, compelled him to be dressed, where having [...]ain some [Page 88] time, the strange news of her death and recovery came to his ears, and every circumstance of it, how she leapt out of the window, and her Husband Trebonius after her; how her fall brake his heart, but his, his neck, and how she had onely bruised her fair limbs, and the breath for a while expelled out of her body, but that loath so soon to be turned out of its sweet Tenement, resolved still to continue, and bless the world with the injoyment of so much excellency. This news (he said) was a greater Cordial and restorative to him, than all the Galenists and Paracelsians in the world were able to compose, and he that before was so desirous of death, was now as eager of life, and had rather he had a thousand lives to regain, that he might spend them all in the fruition of Helena's sweet society; so that now willingly accepting, whatsoever might restore him, he was in a short time, by the diligence and care of the Chirurgeons, perfectly cured, and resolving to make a tryal of her constancy, and whether Fame had not been a lyar, he came in this disguise. This speech be­ing confirmed by some Gentlemen, Companions of Pentheus, convinced Helena. Then no longer able to withstand the Invasion of their minds, they mutually embraced each other, so that by agreement and consent of all, the Nuptials were the next day to be celebrated.

After the joyful Nuptials of Theon and Roxana, Pen­theus and Helen [...] were solemnized, with great joy and admiration, Periandor and Danpion took leave of the King, and the rest of the Court, to proceed in quest of their Fortune, and after many fruitless importunings from all there present, but especially the King, who seemed to be passionately desirous of their stay, telling them that as their worth was such, that no place in the world but would be proud of such Guests, so his esti­mation of them was such (though short of their merits) [Page 89] that their presence should be more acceptable to none than to him, Danpion replied, Great Sir (said he) to be enthroned in your Royal thoughts, and estimation, is a reward that would transcend an Angels merits, much more my poor deserts, which if I have any thing mine, that can arrogate this title, it is but the reflection of yours. If I have any worth in me (answered the King) it consists in this, that I delight to see it in any, and to reward it, where I see it, which your departure dis­inables me to do. Royal Sir (said Danpion) the many glorious and happy days, we have already spent under the heaven of your Court, hath so involved us already in a Sea of obligations, that we desire no longer to live, then our obsequiousness should attend your commands, but to continue longer, were to plunge our selves yet deeper, and by that means enforce our selves, in de­spight of our greatest gratitude to dye ingrateful. King Melampus seeing his perswasions vain, with many ce­remonies, dismist them.

Periander and Danpion having consumed many days, in a long and tedious journey into Thessalia, and pas­sing thorow many Cities therein, to inform themselves the better how the affairs of State were managed, as Trica, and Phthia, and Trachys, and Phyllus, and over the high mountains Ossa, Oeta, and Pindus, where they met with many strange adventures, at length they came to Tempe, a place not undeservedly renowned for plea­sure. It seemed as if the whole worlds delights had been there Epitomized, and contracted into a lesser volume, but more excellent Character. There were delicious fragrant Gardens, enamelled with odoriserous flowers, large and invious Woods, whose s [...]ady locks swept the Chambers of the Air, and seemed to dance to the harmonious retortings of the reverberating Ec­choe's; delightful Groves, within whose embracing [Page 90] boughs dwell the winged Musicians of the Air, chant­ing forth their Love Sonnets in Care-charming accents; walks of love bestrewed with Roses and Lilies, be­dewed with the sweet drops spouted from Crystall Fountaines; fresh purling rivulets, whose delightful streams tuned their agreeing murmurs to the soft whis­pers of the wagging leaves, frizled by Zephyrus wan­ton wings, the spreading boughs casting such pleasing shades on the smiling ground, like the shadowy strokes in a picture, made it more florid and delightsome; the trembling leaves moved by the fresh breathings of the healthful Air, dancing to the harmonious curlings of the Azure streams, with such peaceful pleasure, as would have forced a Stoick to have indulged his most obdurate mind to loves melting passions. And all this surrounded partly with lofty mountains, whose high towring tops seemed to scale the Clouds, as ambitious both to behold and embrace these rare delights, and partly with little hills of meaner ascent, whereon there blew the most pure refined gusts of clarified Air. Ma­ny Palaces here were, for the nobles and Knights of Thessalia, but in the centre of all stood the Kings, a most magnificent structure, the Walls of Porphiry, rough-cast with shining Carbuncles, and other preci­ous stones, cast in devises, Scutcheons, and Emblems, inclosed with a Quadrangle-platform of Jasper, made level with battlements. At each corner, a sumptuous convent, wherein was a stately Temple dedicated to Venus, Diana, and Pallas, signifying the three chief fe­minine Excellencies, Chastity, Wisdom, and Beauty. Within, were Magazines of Arms, Wardrobes, rich edifices, for the Kings Attendants, besides many Groves of Cypress and Cedar, goodly Gardens and Fountains encompassed with Ballisters of Copper, and fair Arches, supported with Brazen Pillars.

[Page 91] Danpion and Periander, that they might the better view these glistering buildings, and the other ravishing delights, that the place did abound withall, went up a little hill, on whose brow, they beheld in the bot­tom, a pleasant Vale, with a more pleasant Garden. In the midst of which there was a Bath, surrounded with a Wall of Jet, and over head to defend it from the Suns peircing rays, an Arched Roof, supported by Statues, standing upon gilded Columnes, each Statue holding in her hand a silver Rod, on which hung Curtaines of white Damask, fringed with green Silk and Gold; one of which being drawn, Pandion espied a most lovely Lady, resting her soft Limbs in a Chair of Jet, made at the Basis of a Pillar, Combing her golden Tresses, newly come out of the Bath, so that the Silver drops, as it were grown ponderous, with over-burdening grief, that there nature should compell them to leave the possession of so much perfection, fell in Tears from her Snow-white Limbs. Each part was enshrined in so much excellency, that Pandion felt his heart arrested with strange passions, so that he could not restrain his eyes from surveying her rapting features, and the more he gazed the more he desired to gaze, and the more admirable she seemed.

Her eyes like two Lucent Stars, shining with such a transporting influence, as Pandion grew an Astrologian, and his eyes Star-gazers, fixedly observing the moti­ons of these two wandring Planets, whose every Beam darted a living death. Her arched brows, where sat a mild sweet Majesty, seemed like two bows of love, strung with his heart strings. Her eye-lids like Ivory covers to two Cabinets, filled with Diamonds, at their opening a thousand sparkling Gemms would shine with a radiant fulgor, and at their closing, as many would be eclipsed. Each cheek seemed a Rosie Paradise, in­termixed [Page 92] with Lilies. Her lips like shreds of Vermili­on Sattin, inclosed two polisht rows of Ivory teeth, from whence such sweet persuming fumes steamed forth, as the very Air, when she drew her breath, seem­ed to press with delight into her delicate mouth. Her nose, chin and neck were of so pure a whiteness, as the Lilies lookt pale with grief to see themselves so far excelled. Her breasts were like two Ivory Caskes of Nectar, from whence leads a milky way to Cupids Pa­lace. Her lovely hair, which the wanton wind spor­tively tossed to and fro, one while from her, that it might the more freely kiss her Snowy skin, then twist it in intricate Curles, and then divide it, now take a Tress, and fan her face, and then a golden thread, and dally with her eye, so that it seemed to weave a Net to entangle Pandions heart, whiles her Lily hand endea­voured to repress those lascivious exorbitancies with a silver Combe, so that Pandion was in doubt, which was the more happy, her hair to be methodized by so sweet a hand, or her hand to handle such excellent hair, so sweet both by Art and Nature, as would make one wish for Mars his fortune, to be ensnared in a Vul­cans Net, were it made of such Heavenly Wire. Her leggs like two Columnes of Alabaster, or Atlasses, which supported this little world of Excellency. Pan­dion whose sight was resisted by nothing, but his avari­tious eyes had full freedom to fill their Pearly Coffers with those sweet treasures, had the flames of affection so augmented with admiration and delight, that loath to trust the brittle treasury of his eyes, he locked them in his heart. And having his Wit refined by love, and he inspired with a Poetick fury, he to himself, lest Pe­riander should hear, in mournful Aires, warbled forth this Song.

But having concluded, he look'd about to see if Pe­riander perceived his Passions, but as he turned his head aside, he saw a Gentleman on horsback, a pretty di­stance off, beckning with his hand to come to him. They rid up to him, and as they approached neer, he met them with this salutation, Sir (said he) pardon my ab­rupt interruption of your pleasing meditations, and im­pute this seeming rudeness, not to my incivility, but my care and respect, for I perceive you are strangers in Thessalia, and as unacquainted with the place, so with the Laws and Customs. Acteons punishment is allotted to Acteons Crime, whosoever is seen to gaze into that Bath, though they cannot transform his shape, yet he shall speedily be apprehended by a kennel of bloud-hounds, that lye in wait to devour all passengers, that dare once glance their eye, to pry into these forbidden secrets.

They gave him humble thanks for his care, and re­quested him, further to inform them of that Custom, lest their ignorance hereafter might expose them to any danger, which now his civility had freed them from▪ Sirs (said he) that I may make some satisfaction, [Page 95] for that Error, which in part I must acknowledge I am guilty of, be pleased to accept of entertainment at my house, which that I may ingage you not to re­fuse, I shall defer any further relation, till we are there.

Periander and Danpion received his courteous invita­tion with all gratefulness, and rode along with them, untill they came on the top of the hill, whence they beheld in a great Plain beset with many rankes of Trees, a fair house, bordering on a River, whither with speed they rode. The house was built of fair Free-stone, both strong and delightfully seated, that shewed a kind of thristy prodigality, and that they had consideration both to profit and pleasure; where having entred in a while, and refreshed themselves, the Gentleman began this Relation.

This Country of Thessalia, as it hath been ever fa­mous for pleasure and delight, being counted the Flower of the World, a Paradise upon Eearth, and a place where the Golden Age, that had forsaken all other places, hath nested it self; but also for a well-tempered Government, being a kind of Monarchical Aristocracy, which neither derogates from the Royal power and prerogative, nor yet detracts from the peoples just rights, liberties, and proprieties; Till of late Agis our deceased King, by his many tyrannical Impositions, and illegal Usurpations, rendred both himself and the Covernment odious and contemptible, so that in fine he was deprived of Crown and King­dom by Hiarbas King of Caonia, who now reigns, and as he succeeded him in Regal power, so in Tyranni­cal Invasions upon the peoples Liberties, Ruling by the Sword of Conquest, not the Sword of Justice, so that of late, most of the Nobility, and great numbers of the Commonalty have adhered to young Pandio [...]s [Page 96] Interest, Son to Agis, who is now up in Arms, and hath seised upon most of the principal Cities, Forts, and Garrisons, in the Kingdom, and grown so strong, that Hiarbas perceiving it was not in his power to quell such a mighty force, without great hazard of his Life and Kingdom, and loath to refer the decision of so great a controversie, to such an unconstant un­faithful Umpire, as the Fortune of War, to accord all differences hath proffered his only Daughter Am­phigenia to be joyned in marriage with Pandion, and no less than the whole Kingdom of Caonia as her Dowry for the present, and to succeed him in the Kingdom of Thessalia, after his Death.

These great proposals one would think would be a Soveraign remedy to heal all differentes, the Lady Amphigenia being in all respects so incomparably ex­cellent, that none but would esteem themselves gain­ers, to exchange a Kingdom for the possession of her; Her eyes containing more precious Gems, than ever yet adorned a Princes Diadem; her fingers Scepters for the God of Love, such as all Kingly Scepters must do homage to. If your eyes ever were blest with the sight of her, I am sure you would say, that none but would refuse a Crown, to be Crowned with her Love, much less would any reject such a Paragon, laden not only with all Heavenly perfections, but with Earthly Crowns and Scepters, having one Kingdom in present possession, and another in reversion, and all to purchase Pandions consent to his own happiness, which notwithstanding he more blind than the For­tune that doth attend him sees not, but proceeds in his warlike preparations, and resolves to have all or none, whether it be evil Counsellours that inconsi­derately stimulate him to these rash proceedings, or what the reason is, some conjecture, few know, and [Page 97] most admire. But however these two things are known to be the main obstructers of our peace, the one is, Pandion hath long been in love with a Nun, who by reason of her indispensable vow, cannot consent to his desires, so that he is resolved not to purchase a King­dom with the loss of his Love, which he conceives he can obtain by force. The other is, the Lady Amphi­genia hath such a perfect Antipathy against all men, (but her Father, which nature forbids, lest it should contradict it self,) that she abho [...]s the sight of any, and will not endure to hear of marriage, though upon the most advantagious and honourable terms, and with the most excellent and absolutely compleat person the whole world could afford. And her Father Hiarbas, taking exceeding joy and delight in her, ac­counting her the only prop and staff of his age, hath granted her this request, that as she hath vowed, that if ever she become an Amorist, and place her affecti­ons upon any person, she will never joyn her self in marriage without her Fathers consent, so neither shall he injoyn her marriage with any without hers. And moreover hath obtained this, that none shall so much as make sute to her, or once behold her, without their mutual consent; And who should dare ignorantly or otherwise to cast an intruding look into that Bath and Garden whither she frequently resorts to sport her self with her Female companions, forfeit no less than their eyes for their saw [...]y presumption. And that was the reason that I beckned to you to come away with speed, not daring ingage my self to run so great a hazard as to go to inform you of your errour, which otherwise civility would have obliged me to, lest we should all be ensnated, and then my punishment had been equal, if not exceeding yours. [...] five of Pandions Knights were riding over that hill, and be­ing [Page 98] exceedingly taken with the gallantry of the place, stood awhile to gaze, ignorant what would be the event, and it happened that at the same time King Hiarbas, and his Daughter Amphigenia were walking together in the Garden, and no sooner espied them, but sent several Knights after them, who overtook and appre­hended them, and brought them to the King, to whom they acknowledged who they were, and humbly cra­ved of him, that since their chief crime was ignorance, and their sight as precious as their lives, they might dye like men, by the valiant hands of some of his hardy Knights, who durst encounter them. Some of Hiarbas Knights being present, provoked with so bold a challenge, begged of the King to permit the combat, who after much persuasions granted it; but because Pandions Knights were then unprovided of all accou­trements fit for the duels, and Hiarbas Knights scorn­ing to take any dishonourable advantage, the day was appointed, which will be about three days hence, the place in an open plain, equally distant from Hiarbas palace, and Pandions Castle.

Danpion hearing this story was struck with such a maze of distracting thoughts, that all the whole strength of reason could hardly curb, despairing of ever obtain­ing his Kingdom, or her whom he prized above it, and amazed to hear that another had usurped his name and power, all which he endeavoured to conceal, as well as his unbridled passions would permit. But both he and Periander, betraying by their looks the thoughts of their mind, that they were desirous of some private conference, the Gentleman withdrew and left them to their desired privacy, when after some discourses that passed betwixt them, they concluded that the on­ly way to accomplish their ends, was for the one to insinuate himself into the Kings favour, the other into [Page 99] the Impostors, that so they might be informed and in­form each other of the most private determinations of them both, and by that means foment new divisions in either party, and interrupt any reconcilement be­twixt them, and so in time destroy them both; and then Danpion engaged, that if ever he attained to the Crown, he would raise what forces he was able, and invade Corinth for the regaining of Florinda. And (said Danpion) the fates themselves could not have devised a more fit and happy opportunity than this that now presents it self, for when the combat is, we will stand at such a distance, where unseen of any, we may behold which party hath the advantage, and are most probable to prove victorious, and which decli­neth, and said he, if Hiarbas Knights are much worsted then will I come in and defend them, and if I chance to prove a victor, do you then immediately come and make a challenge to me, which I'le accept, and after a few skirmishes betwixt us, you may kill my Horse, and with some other accidents, that our wits refined in the heat of courage, will be then pregnant to in­vent, you may disarm me and give me my Life. And the same part shall you act if Pandions Knights are overcome, by which means we may both be accepted of, the one by Hiarbas, the other by Pandion. Peri­ander much approved of his witty politick advise, and willingly embraced what Danpion had propoun­ded.

The day being come, whereon Mars was to be the bloudy arbitrator between the two discording parties, Danpion and Periander having fitly armed themselves for their intended enterprize, rode to the place appoin­ted, where they found the Tents were pitched, and two Scaffolds erected on either side the lists, covered with crimson velvet, and Chairs of cloth of Gold [Page 100] within, the one for Hiarbas, the other for Pandion, each holding a golden Rod in his hand, and attended according to agreement, with two hundred armed Knights.

Then came Lord Petronius, clothed in a robe of Gold, that by consent of both was chosen Lord High Constable for that day, and entred the Lists, before whom came sixty Gentlemen and Squires, bearing two Royal swords before him, the one s [...]eathed, as Lieute­nant to Hiarbas, signifying that the power of his sword was invested with soveraign authority; and the other naked, as Pandions Lieutenant, betokening that as he was unjustly stripped from his power by the sword, so he would defend his just right, naked, from any false deluding glosses, with the sword.

After them followed two Heralds clothed with the Apparel of their Office, and carrying two Coates of Arms, the one belonging to Hiarbas, being his Coat, quartered with the Arms of the two Kingdoms of Thes­saly and Caonia, and the other Pandions Arms, quarter­ed only with the Arms of Thessalia. After them ma­ny young Pages, in Vermilion Sattin, richly embroi­dered with Gold.

The Lord Constable having surrounded the Camp, and viewed it every where, he caused the Kings Heralds to make this proclamation, in the name of King Hiar­bas, that if Fortune should incline to his adverse party, and his Knights should be conquered, he pronounced freedom for any hardy Knight (excepting those appoin­ted to guard his person) that out of loyalty to their King, and to defend his just Authority, and to merit honor, would hazard his person against the Conque­rors, to encounter them, at the holding of the Kings golden Rod, and if he overcame, he should be re­warded, according to his high merits. The same, [Page 101] mutatis mutandis, was also proclamed by Pandions Herald.

Then entred the Combatants into the Lists, where after the sounding of the Trumpets, and other warlike noises, that were the terrible preludes to a more ter­rible and ill-agreeing Musick, of breaking of Lances, clashing of Armour, neighing of horses, and resound­ing of blows that presently followed. The Hiarbian Knights, as scorning that their valour should be tryed by condemned Rebels, who were rather desperate than couragious, gave them so fierce a rancounter, as if they meant at once to swallow them up with an over-flow­ing tyde of valour. But this torrent of fury was soon stopped by a more violent Cataract of rage from the Pandionians, who fought for their lives, but the other onely for their honors, so that the shivered Lances slew in pieces, some one way, and some another, as if they had sled to avoid the madness of their guiders. But the place was soon supplyed by the merciless swords, wherewith they so minced each other, steeping their flesh in one anothers blood, as if each had been an infernal Cook sent from Hell, to dress a Breakfast for Pluto. So that terror it self grew more terrible, by being dressed in a terrible garb. The glittering of swords, the shining of gilded Armor, that at first made terror it self delightful, being now totally defiled and defaced with blood, dust, wounds, and fractured bones, inclosed with mangled flesh, and that again de­fended with broken Armor.

In fine fortune had long been dubious and indiffe­rent, whom to bestow the victory on, till at length Zethus and Alcanor the two principal Hiarbian Knights, being too confident of their valour, that had rendred them triumphant, over so many victorious Champions, too frequently ingaged themselves, in the midst of [Page 102] their enemies, and never retreated without some no­table markes of their Antagonists resolute fury, untill at last their lives streamed out with their blood; which the other three perceiving, as if with them, they had lost their valour and all sense of honor, seeing them­selves exceeded both in number and resolution, they retyred, endeavoring to save their lives, though with the irreparable loss of their honor. King Hiarbas ob­serving this, waved his golden rod, whereupon came several Knights, rushing into the Lists, contending which should be foremost; but Danpion watching his opportunity came in soonest, so that by the determi­nation of the Lord High Constable, he had the prece­dence, and the Combat was allotted him, with these conditions, That he was to fight with them successive­ly, and not at once, and that if he conquered he should not be ingaged to incounter with any more than one fresh Knight, that would undertake to defend Pandions interest. Then entering the Lists, apparell'd in sky-coloured Armour, where the firmament seemed to be over-cast with Clouds, excepting in some few places, where the tenuity of the Air would not so for­cibly resist his rays, and there the Sun was painted to peep through, and steal a view of the Earth, so to the life, that the reflection of the Sun Beams from that counterfeit Sun delineated in Pandions Armor, made the dazled beholders believe, they saw a Pa­re [...]s.

On the Cloud there was engraven this Impressa, Hope appears. In his shield he had a Cancer. His horse was of a coal black, but his furniture all of silver Swans, whose gli [...]tering made it look like Stars at midnight. The Trumpets being sounded, Scodius came forth, but in such a bloudy posture, and so deformed with wounds, that Danpion could hardly distinguish, whether he was [Page 103] a man or a monster, but ere they had exchanged many blows, Danpion perceiving himself much to over­power him, disdaining to conquer a conquered man, referred the victory to his horse, who enraged with some blows he received, fell into his Career, and o­ver-turned both Scodius and his horse, and with his hinder food strake the wind out of his body; the Chirurgions having conveyed him away into his Tent.

The second, which was Gentius, appeared in the Lists, but he having lost his right eye, Danpion had the better aim at his blind side, so that having a dexterous and steady hand to direct his horse, and his horse as nimble to observe the motions of his hand, he ere Gen­tius was aware, cut off his right hand; so that he lost both weapon, hand and all, and had also lost his life, had he not begged it of Danpions hand.

The third that came was Massurius, who encoun­tred Danpion, with another manner of violence than his predecessors, his confidence and resolution being chiefly augmented by the prophecy of a blind Astrolo­ger, who some few days before had told him, that he should dye by an intemperate satisfying of an immo­derate thirst, and therefore fearless of Danpions sword, he boldly and fiercely charged him, confiding in that prediction: but his own rashness soon unridled the meaning, for Danpion gave such a wound overthwart his mouth, from whence such an inundation of blood streamed down his throat, that having two mouthes, that sluce-like exonerated themselves into that narrow gullet, soon satisfied his unsatiable blood-thirstiness, by putting him in a capacity never to thirst more.

Then came Hypenor, who assaulted Danpion with such an impetuous storm of rage, as if he thought all valour had centred in him, which preserved by the im­penetrable [Page 104] superficies of his Steely Armor, would pro­tect him from the destructive influence of that traver­sing Planet, whose terrible (though beautiful) aspect, had struck such a kind of delightful terrifying amaze­ment into the spectators, and amazing terror into his enemys; but he soon sound that Danpions sword had made large Pores in his Armor, through which he had too frequent recourse to, and intimacy with his body; but the [...] of blood did but augment the surging Sea of rage, so that elevated with a transporting mag­naminity, [...] gave such a blow, as cleft Danpions shield, Armor, Breast, and all, and had reacht his heart, had not the suddenness of the stroak made his horse startle back. Danpion seeking to revenge his injury, conju­ring all his spirits into his [...]newy arm resolving to give a plenary requital, lets slye at him, with all his might and courage, but Hypenor awarding his blow, it light upon his horse, which stunned with the strength and fury of it, stumbled and fell upon his rider, so that whereas before, his horse bore him, he now bears his horse, which Danpion perceiving alighted, and in a Martial scorn stamped with his victorious foot upon his bruised paunch with such a madness, that the blood issued out of Hypernors mouth, but compleating his victory, he buryed his dagger in his bowels.

The fift and last was Machaon, but he approving himself, rather a Forlorn than a Reserve, seeing so many puissant Champions conquered before him, and perceiv­ing himself to faint through want of blood, but more through want of valour, he came with unbended brows, and a flattering look to Danpion, extending his arm, in­tending to deliver up his Weapon. But Danpion thinking he had contemned his youth, more en [...]aged with those glozing looks, than he could be with the most grim threatning and stern visage, the counte­nance [Page 105] of a Hercules could have framed, gave Machaon so fierce a blow on his head, that down he fell, shaking his heels, as if he spurned at heaven, because it al­lowed him no more protection, or as if he strove to ride in the Air, since his horse proved such an unfaith­ful supporter.

Scarce had Pandion given the signal, by shaking his golden rod, but Periander appeared in the Lists, his horse was of a Chestnut colour, on his Bases and Ca­parison was embroidred two gilded Eagles, which spreading their Wings, with every motion, made the horse seem as if he flew. On his Armour was painted a waving Sea, which cast such a reflection, as the wa­ter doth, when the Sun in the Meridian views it. On his shield, for his Impressa, he had the Fish called Cantharus. The word was, Living constant, though living in unconstancy.

They no sooner saw each other, but they charged with such a dissembled fury, as if at the first shock they meant no less than to send each other to the dark infer­nal Regions, when as they meant nothing less, for if they hit, they missed of their intents, but if they mis­sed, they hit of their will. And yet with such guileful Art, casting a mist of rage before the spectators eys, each assaulting, and retorting with such stormy Cuffes, and counterbuffes, as when they mist, it was imputed to the Defenders skill, not the Offenders will. The Lances be­ing broken, they drew out their swords, and with a coun­terfeited gallant bravery, encountred each other, but Danpion feigning a faintness, which his horse Caparison­ed with bloud, and his Armor of the same dye, not a little confirmed, tumbled off his horse upon the ground, and with the fall, brake his sword, which Periander perceiving, pretending to use the favour of occasion, a­lighted, and would have redoubled his blows, but the [Page 106] Lord Constable commanded the contrary, affirming, that it was neither according to the Law of Arms, and true Chivalry, much less to principles of Honor, to kill a disarmed man, and one that had disabled himself with the Conquest of so many. Periander told them, that they fought not for their own honors, but for the interest of their Princes, and he was assured, private quirks must ever veil to publike concernments, and therefore craved the Combate might be concluded. The Constable Replyed, that his will must veil to his commands, and they had already put a period to it.

Periander in fine, with a seeming unpersuableness, was forced to consent. All being dismist, the two Champions Danpion and Periander, that had defended the differing quarrels with such puissant bravery, were received with all honor and applause, into the several Campes, especially Danpion, who had shewed incre­dible Gallantry in all the Combats, so far exceeding the expectations of any from such a youth, that it was to admiration of all, so that there was none that did not bear a part in the Consort of his praises, some com­mending him for his graceful deportment on his horse, how fast, steady and streight he sate, how he made him perform all his necessary motions, with such time-or­dered skill, as that his hand and the horse seemed to move both together, as if the horse and rider had both willed together, and the same, or rather both had the same will. Others for his dextrous management of his Lance, how the advancing it from his thigh, the couching it in his rest, and the letring it sink down­wards, seemed so to be done, as if they could hardly dis­cern whether they were done at all, whilst their ap­pearing not to be done, made the doing more delect­able and graceful. Some extolled him for his force and [Page]

[Page] [Page 107] courage, others for his beauty, which as it rendered him more delightful, so his valour more admirable, that one that seemed more fit for the soft Camps of Venus, should be a Scholar of so high a Classis, in the School of Mars.

In fine, their disagreeings in the matter of his praise, made the more agreeable Musick in the harmony of his applause. Neither was the King a less admirer of him, but vehemently desired his abode with him, telling, that his great worth had made him ambitious of having such a Phoenix to adorn his Court. Danpion replyed, that his Court already abounded with persons of such incompa­rable worth, that he should be no other ornament to it than as a spot in the face of the Sun, or as blackness is the foyl of beauty, and he presumed that it was the lustre of their merits, that had dazled him, and obtruded an erroneous estimation of him, which other­wise his over-peircing judgement would not entertain. And since your Majesty is pleased (said he) to term me a Phoenix, although its not my happiness to merit it by any thing else, yet it shall by this, that my fortunes, life and honor, shall be ready to be sacrificed, when the rays of your commands shall enkindle, and I should account such an immolation, as the greatest fe­licity the heavens could bestow, it being the onely way to consecrate me to an eternity of honor, among po­sterity; Acts of Loyalty to ones Prince, being as em­balming spices, to the names of faithful subjects. Oh that it were my fortune to expire in such a nest of spices, inflamed by your Royal Mandates. Let this command (answered the King) to remain with me, be for an exploration of your obedience, which you so highly profess. Let me be stigmatized with an eternal brand of infamy (said Pandion) if ever I let a command drop from your mouth in vain.

[Page 108] Thus with these, and some other expressions, was Pandions abode there concluded, and he was led among them to the Palace.

And thus did Danpion play this first Act of that real enterlude, whose Scenes as they had been hitherto generally mourntul, Fortune dressing her self in Tra­gick attire, so they continued; for during the space of several Months, that he remained in the Court, he never could have opportunity, either to reveal himself to Amphigenia, the Mistris of his heart, the main rea­son of his continuance there, nor to meet with his friend Periander, at the place appointed, and agreed betwixt them. Some few groundless hopes he flatter­ed himself withall, was his only support, which daily encreased, as his favour with the King increased, which was also every day more and more, so that in conclu­sion, within a short time, his graceful deportments, unconquerable valour, acute wit, and all beyond his years, and that which added grace to all, his delicate beauty, were all as so many letters of admission into the Kings heart; so that nothing of moment was done in Court or Kingdom, without Danpions consent and advice. All Offices and favors were distributed and dispensed by him; no affairs of consequence in the State, but he had an influence upon and inspection in­to. A great solecism in Policy for so great a Politi­cian as Hiarbas was to commit, for by these favors, did he weave a webb to intangle himself to his utter ruine. Princes had need beware, whom they imbrace in the bosoms of their affections, much more whom they en­tertain in their Cabinet Counsels. For as the eye be­ing the most tender part of the body, will therefore least endure any injurious usage, and we are most care­ful to preserve it; being the directrix of the whole bo­dy▪ so a Princes understanding being the eye of a [Page 109] Kingdom, which ought to be of a Lynceous Sagacity and acuteness in the discerning of Counsels and Coun­sellors, and be able to peirce not only into the wis­dom of their advice, but integrity of their very thoughts and purposes, therefore most perillous to have it cor­rupted by the poysonings of unfaithful Counsel, which like false Mediums represent the state of things, in a­nother posture than as they are in themselves, and by that means their Government is under-min'd, their honor eclipsed, and a gap made for all innovations. This Hiarbas considered not, his judgement being blinded by his affection, but let all things be swayed by Danpion, who notwithstanding was little satisfied with all, whilst he was barred all means of obtaining her, whom he preferred before all. And one Evening as he walked out, to feed his love-starved heart, with the sweet repast of his fancy, he heard a voice deliver it self in such ravishing Airs, as might have compared with the Spheres dancing harmony, and drawing neer, the more to enrich and refine his thoughts, with those heart-pleasing strains, with the distance interrupted, he saw a Lady playing on a Lute, with accents so sweet and soft, as if each note had been a cloze of Angels Musick; the Air with such sweet vibrations danced af­ter her fingers, as if the wind of it self had breathed Musical Tones, and drawing near, he heard her sing this Song.

[Page 112] Having ended her Song, there arose a Knight that had lain undiscovered on the ground, and taking the Lady by the hand, thus proffered to salute her, Come my divided Soul (said he) my sweetest half, let me fix on thy Rosie Lips, the seal of my constant affecti­on; and let our kisses be as the endorsements of that delight, which by mutual vows and stipulations writ­ten in our hearts, with a Pen pluckt out of Cupids Wing, we have obliged our selves to bless each o­ther.

Danpion calling to mind, he had heard that voice, and therefore presumed he might not he unacquainted with the person, drawing neer to see who it should be, he preceived it to be his friend Periander, whereat not a little rejoyced, he demanded of him, if that was not the Lady Florinda, which honored him with her affections, for (said he) my dubious thoughts col­lect so much, from that Song which her Syren voice lately warbled out. Periander acknowledged, she was.

Then Danpion turning to Florinda, thus accosted her, Madam, said he, accept of this rude salute as an obla­tion to your Beauty, where the glory of all perfection is enshrined, and which makes me esteem Perianders felicity above expression, and such that were he not Periander, I could freely indulge my thoughts to envy him, but my heart is wholly devoted to his happi­ness, and mine's involved in his.

After mutual gratulations that past between them, Danpion requested Florinda to honor him with the re­lation of the manner of her escape, from Acastus King of Coninth, and how she fortuned to meet with Periander, which she consented unto, and thus declared.

[Page 113] The fates (said she) who expose not their decrees to vulgar view, though for a time they seemed to thwart my desires, and bury my hopes in the grave of despair, yet they intending in conclusion, (as the event manifests) to crown me with my long-wished-for joy, to bring about their resolutions, thus orde­red it.

It happened that Novellus the Kings Nancius that brought me that sad citation to the Court, no sooner saw me, but he fell into his Masters distemper, and grew fondly amorous, and carried me to the Palace, but put me in the custody of Octavia, a Lady, as great an admirer of him, as he was of me, and told the King, that the present state of my body required puri­fication, ere I was fit for his Royal embraces; which Octavia no less watchful than Argus, nor jealous than Juno, readily confirmed, of all which I was igno­rant, but amazed at my imprisonment, and what should be the reason of my invitation to the Court, untill at length privately inquiring of Abra, Octavias Woman, she fully informed me of my condition; I perceiving by Novellus faint sighs, and mind-disclo­sing countenance, his passionate affection, resolved to make a vertue of necessity, and by his means to make a way for escape, and therefore cast frequent favoura­ble glances [...]t him, and sometimes let fall ambigu­ous expressions, to encourage him in his affection, and the more to provoke Octavia's jealousie, who nor able to suppress those ardent flames that run thorough all her veins, presently suggested to the Queen the whole matter, who no sooner heard it, but her heart was arrested with the Tyrant pangs of Jealousie, in as great a measure as Octavia; so that between them both they thus plotted my destruction, either to convey me privatly put of the Kingdom, or to send me to Deaths [Page 114] cold confines, with a poysonous drop, secretly infu­sed into my cup, and then by commixing some dan­gerous drug with my Physick, bereave me of my life, and them of their jealous fears. But my courteous stars, whose benign rays were as so many Bucklets to protect me from the insolence of these two Furies, would not permit this horrid contrivement to take ef­fect; For one morning when Octavia had resolved to attempt her intended murther, Novellus as he was wont came to visit me; but Octavia knowing how contrary to her bloudy design Novellus presence was, refused him admittance into my chamber, pretend­ing my indisposition of body rendred me unfit for any society for the present. Novellus the more desi­rous of entrance pressed so rudely, that with the strug­ling Octavia spilt the venemous draught which she had prepared for me; which my Dog presently licked up, and fell into a languishing distemper, that in few days killed him. I perceiving this, not daring to trust my self with one so barbarously perfidious, resolved to go to the King, and impetrate a releasment from my imprisonment, or if it was denyed me, to effect my freedom by a plot which I then contrived. Accor­dingly choosing a convenient opportunity when the King was solitary, and none to interrupt or observe me, I went into his presence, and fell on my knees, and thus addrest my self to him.

Royal Sir, (said I) summoned by your Majesties Command, I thought it my duty to attend your plea­sure, but some in the court, I presume unknown to your Highness, have not only restrained me from the performance of my duty, but from all liberty; so that my humble sute to your Highness now is, to supplicate a freedom from such restraint, and I cannot but hope▪ your Majesty will not remain inexorable, if you retain your [...] clemency▪

[Page 115] Before I could have ended my speech, the King arose, and with a smiling countenance took me by the hand, and made me arise; Come said he, my hearts sweet Jaylor, let me ingraft thee on my heart with these embraces, and let us mingle our united souls with mutual kisses, this is my pleasure and the pleasure I command.

Oh Sir, said I, will you thus contaminate your unstain­ed honour with so foul a blu [...]; you whom the world hath honoured for a Prince, that could govern your most exorbitant passions as well as your kingdoms, and by that means fabricked a kingdom of honour in each noble breast, who pay you the constant tribute of as­siduous Prayers, for your long life, and whose perpe­tually admiring thoughts are your subjects, will you now expose your glorious name to the blasts of vulgar opprobry for the obtaining of a little bessial pleasure? By that time I had said this, there came in one of the Nobles, who seeing the King to frown upon him, for this interruption of his privacy, suddenly retired, and lest us to our selves. The Kings lascivious [...] were not all extinguished with what I said, but he continued his endeavors to obtain his lustful desires, but in a more gentle manner than before, using nothing but inticements and perswasions, untill in the conc [...]u­sion I seemingly consented to meet him the next day in the private walks, where none were admitted without special license, whither the King was wont to resort for his private meditations; but with this proviso, that the Queen should be conveyed the next morn­ing some distance from the palace, lest her jealous vigilancy should deprive us of our happiness. The King was as ready to consent to that as my self, so that with a countenance bewraying much affection, [Page 116] and how ill I brooked so long protraction, I parted from him, and hasted to Abra, whom I made the con­stant depository of all my secrets, and bid her go to the Queen, and with a great deal of pretended zeal to her honour, inform her of the plighted vows between the King and me, and of every circumstance of our agreement, and advise her to attire her self in my habit, and Abra in the Queens, and so they might discover and prevent our libidinous machinations. Abra the next morning, according to my request, carries some of my vestments to the Queen, and as I had counselled her, informs the Queen, and persuades her to dress her self in those garments of mine, which to that end she pretended she had secretly conveyed out of my chamber, and brings the Queens robes a­long with her, as I had requested.

The Queen stung with this report, greedy of revenge, impatient of delay, thus disguised hasts to the walks, which I being acquainted withall by the means of Abra, put on the Queens Robes, and in as majestick a posture as I could frame, seated my self in the Queen [...] bedchamber: But long it was not ere my ignorant de­liverers came, and supposing me to be the Queen, submissively delivered this message.

Madam (said they) the Kings Majesty attends your presence below, intending to bless himself with your company abroad this morning, to alienate those griefs from his breast, which your absence hath revived. Many perswasions you may conceive were superfluous to me, who desired nothing more than this happy means of releasment. Therefore thus attended, I rode abroad in the Kings coach, some miles from the Palace, untill I perceived a place where I thought an opportunity to escape presented it self: Then I desi­red the coachman to set me down, for I told him the [Page 117] time and place seemed to invite to contemplation, and so commanding him to wait untill I came, I wal­ked out; but when I thought my self out of his fight, I ran to a Town adjacent, whence the next day I went to range the wide universe in search of my dear Peri­ander, and hearing of his abode in Thessalia, hither I fled on the wings of Love, and by the means of some Ladies in the court, who have shewed extraordinary favour to me, I got to be an attendant to the Princess Amphigenia, who is so male affected to the Male sex, that she will not admit any to have a view of her, not retain any of her Ladies of Honour, whom she finds in the least degree amorously affected; so that now I am chained with as great a bondage as before, though not so dangerous and dishonourable. And as for my happy meeting with the Crown of my joyes Periander, it was this evening, that walking out to take the fresh air, I heard a Lute, so admirably played on, that methought I felt my very soul tuned in con­sort with the strings; so that nothing would satisfie me till I had resolved my self who was the Author of those melodious strains, but ere I had taken many steps, I plainly perceived it to be Periander, the sweet Saint, to whom I had gone so far in Pilgrimage,

Florinda having finisht her relation, Danpion and Periander informed each other of the state of affairs in both Factions, how they much debilitated the strength of both parties, the one by perswading the King, and the other the counterfeit Pandion, to turn out many, and frown on most of those Lords and commanders, who were most faithful to their trust, and placing such of mercenary spirits, who must be cudgel'd to loyalty with a silver wand, and others, that had revolted through disaffection, and the secret insinuations of private persons set on work by them for that purpose; and [Page 118] farther, how that m [...]ny great persons on either side, that might prove potent and irremoveable obstructi­ons to their germinating design, that through disesteem they had caused to turn from the one side, they had also disobliged them on the other, by reposing little or no confidence at all in them, that so they might re­main as Neuters, and finding Incivility from both parties, they might be affected to neither, and in fine when their contrivements were come to maturity, Pardion discovering himself as he intended, these might be the persons that might defend his interest. And for men of service and action, that still adhered to their ingagements, and that by their magnanimous exploits had fixed themselves in favor past all remove, they endeavoured that as little countenance might be shewed, and reward conferr'd as possible, thereby to suffocate these Martial sparks, in those brave loyal spiri [...]s, which every blast of infamy blown at their Ma­sters honour, was ready to increase to a flame of re­venge, to consume the detractors to Ashes. Then they agreed on the time and place where they would meet, to acquaint each other with their Plots and Counsells, that so what the one had advised to or dis­swaded from, by the others assistance might take effect, and both be confirmed and fixed in their Masters fa­vour.

And lastly they concluded, that Florinda should yet continue to wait on the Princess, who having so great an influence on her Father, by the mediation of Florinda, many things might be done, which Dan­pion would be unwilling to appear in. After mutual te [...]imonies of great affection, they parted to their particular habitations.

[Page 119] Danpion that had consumed many days in fruitless endeavours to get but a minutes conference with Am­phigenia, could not during all that time that he re­mained in Hiarbas Court, by all the subtilties his Wit could invent, once bless his eyes with the sight of her, but he daily pined in the midst of excess; so that his custom was to withdraw himself frequently from all society, to converse with his thoughts, accounting himself never more accompanied, than when secluded from all company, entertaining himself with solilo­quies and passionate discourses; one while lamenting his hopeless condition, then extolling the beauties of Amghigenia; sometimes charging himself with ex­treme folly, and baseness of spirit, that he was not able to bridle his passion. Hath propitious heavens (would he say) profusely showred down their choisest favours on me, and shall my ingrateful soul repine, because it is their pleasure to detain Amphigenia from me? It may be the Powers Divine sent her hither, to triumph over the rest of Natures works, and to shew in her Snowy skin, how pure a grain they were able to [...] and fearce ou [...], out of the course Elements; and in her heart-capti­vating eyes, what Jewels they yet retain, farr exceed­ing any that ever yet adorned our Mother Earth. [...] may be they esteem her, as she justly merits, too fair a transcript of divine excellencies, to be blu [...]ed by hu­mane embraces, and intend to six another Virgo in the heavens, having stellified her on earth, with so many heavenly beauties and graces, as she is already grown a Cons [...]ellation. Shall I then oppose the powers sub­lime, that are able to diffect me to invisible, to indi­visible Atomes, when with their bounty they have so liberally bribed me? Am I not above expectation se­curely riveted in the Kings bosom? Am I not placed next the Throne in power? Do not all the inferior [Page 120] Orbs receive motion from me, as their second move­able? and all powers dye or vegetate according as they receive warmth from the Sun-shine of my favour? What can be more satisfactory to a lofty spirit than Su­premacy, and shall I lament because the Stars of Am­phigenia's eyes refuse to shew their lustre at the high noon of my prosperity? Amphigenia did I say? Can I name that name and not adore it? Could I in a Poetick rapture admire her transcendent beauty, and not be thought an Idolizer, I would translate my very Soul into a verse, that might express the most pure Elixar of my Love, which if I thought she would vouchsafe the reading, I would dissolve my heart into a tear, which black with constant griefs might serve for Ink to cha­racterize my mind. With these and the like speeches would he bewail his despairing and desperate affection. All his hope was in Florinda, whom he had prevailed with to be his Intercessor to Amphigenia, to speak in his commendation, and to dive into her thoughts, what she could, and to try whether it were possible to root out that humor in her, so antipathetical to the Male­sect, and insect her with amorous inclinations, and lastly to advise him how he might procure a view of her. To all which he received little satisfaction, the last excepted; For Florinda had discovered a secret vault under ground that conducted to Amphigenia's Chamber, this she informed Danpion off, who as Florinda had advised him, on an Evening took a Lute, and stole to Amphige­nia's Chamber, and there behind the hangings thorough a crevice unseen, he might discern all over the room; on whose Arched top, some rare Apelles had deci­phered many excellent Hieroglyphicks, devises and Impressa's. There was This [...]e newly returned from the Cave, where she had hid her self from the Lioness, and beholding her lover Pyramus fallen on his sword, [Page 121] she stood as if she was statuized, the Painter having pourtrayed in her countenance, the passions of grief, grown insensibly profound, and confounding admira­tion, so to the life, that the beholder might see a con­tention between them both, and yet a predominancy of neither. Not far distant was Narcissus, kneeling over a Fountain, beholding his face in the Crystall streams, augmenting them with his tears, and with a sweet lovely pining countenance lamenting, that such a thin transparent Wall should part him from his imagi­nary love, whilst the feigned species so lively reflected back his sweetly languishing looks, that one could not tell, which most desired the others embraces, which most lamented and pined for their unhappy separation. There stood the fair Phrygian Shepherd giving the gol­den Ball to Venus, who receiving it with a pretty in­sulting smile, looks on Juno and Pallas, whilst scorn revenge and envy display themselves in Juno's counte­nance, but a modest blush veils Pallas's beauty. There was Jupiter courting Io, with a look discovering both a venereous affection, and a fear to be discovered by jealous Juno, who was painted to come out of the Clouds with such [...]lashes of rage from her eyes, as if she had been a thudnerbolt; and here the Painter used such Art, that if you looked on the one side, it was as here is represented; but if on the other, you might see Io meramorphosed into a Cow, therein imitating Ju­piter himself, who (as Poets feign) was [...]ain to trans­form his Concubine into a Heifer, thinking thereby to hide his salacity under a Cows Hide, from his wives jealousie. Hard by this sat Hercules in womans attire, spinning at Queen Omphales commandment, with a furious countenance, and a Beard like the Tow on his Distaff; who would have moved a Stoicks spleen to laughter, whilst the Queen sits in State, and with a [Page 122] Majestick smile beholds him. By these in Landskips was double-topt Parnassus, Atlas-like supporting the Clouds, on his side sat the Nine Muses, and Apollo the President of that Virgin Quire; from his top strag­ling rivulets streamed down. Near that was Mercury like a Shepherds Boy, toying with Hebe under a spread­ing Oak. In one part Ganymede, carryed by an Eagle up to the Clouds, and wanton Jupiter, looking down from heaven, with a greedy delight on his fair Boy, and blaming his winged Embassador for his loy­tering. In another, was Phaeton, thrown among the Clouds, and Titans [...]aging Palfreys, having broke their reigns, galloping through the flaming sky, the Chariot tumbling, and Heaven and Earth of a blaze, as if the Elements had exchanged their places; the hungry Fire forsaking its lofty dwelling, and comming to feed on the earth, the Clouds dispossest of their Airy mansion by the smoak, and the Earth and Water ascending, only refined and minced into lesser A [...]omes, and in the midst of all this Combustion Phaeton falls into Padus; His sisters bewailing his misfortune, weeping, as if those flames had exhaled all their moysture, or as if with the moysture of their tears they endeavoured to quench those flames, are turned into Trees, but so re­taining their natural forms, as it was difficult to say, whether the drops fell from dewy boughs, or tears from their eyes. Under a Canopy represented like a Cloud, held up by four winged Angels, whose golden plumes spread served for Curtaines, was a rich Bed, covered with a counterpane of Tissue. The Table was spread with Carpets, of Violet Damask, bordered with Gold. Amphigenia was set in an Ebony Chair, covered with purple Velvet, attired in Carnation Sattin, embroid­red with Roses of Gold, her hair which hung in heart­intangling Curles, was powdered with seed of Pearl, [Page 123] her face seemed a compendium of all those excellen­cies, a treasury of all those riches that Beauty and Ma­jesty can bestow to make humanity adorable. Danpion that thorough the crevice could perceive this miracle of nature, as if every beam shot from her eye had dar­ted into him an Enthusiasm, ravished with a kind of di­vine afflation he sings this Song.

Amphigenia that had attended to this Song with de­light and astonishment, admiring whence the Musick came, for by reason of the thickness of the hangings, and largeness of the room, the Lutes sweet Airs were not so cleerly conveyed to her ear: But directing her steps by the sobbing voice, she came to the hangings, behind which Danpion sat; where calling for Florinda, demanded of her, if she knew whence those strains should come. Who replyed, that it must be some Angel that was turned inamorate, and fled to her Chamber, mistaking it for Loves Paradise, for sure no mortal dares or can attempt (said she) so neer an ap­proach, when restrained by your Fathers special prohi­bition.

Danpion hearing Amphigenia make such strict inqui­ry, hasted thence, lest he should be discovered; but now the flames of Love burned with more vehemen­cy than before; so that the torment had been insuppor­table, had it not been fanned and cooled with hope, which began to breath upon him with some gentle gusts. For having such a passage, where undiscovered [Page 127] to any, he might have resort to her Chamber, he re­solved to personate some Intelligence, till he might have free admittance to her presence, which in time he thought he might be able to effect, by reason of Flo­rinda's intimacy with her, who by her insinuations, would confirm in Amphigenia's apprehensions what he should do, not to be delusions, but realities. Accor­dingly the next night after, when he thought the time of night might invite fair Amphigenia to refresh her self with sweet slumber, he took his Lute (as before) and softly stole to her Chamber. But as he went, his mind was filled with distracting thoughts, How well (did he say) doth this blind passage ressemble those blinder paths I thus tread to my happiness! These dark wind­ings, and craggy turnings, that this Vault abounds in, methinks lightsomly represents the inexsucerable diffi­culties, and inextricable intricacies, I am forced to pass thorough, and must be involved in, ere I can ar­rive at any glimmerings of hope. But my comfort is, that, as this conducts to an Elyzium, such a one, as the Gods would exchange theirs for, such a one as the Antick Poets inspired with a prophetick as well as Poetick fury did but typifie in their fictions; so the vari­ous windings of my unhappy love, when my Cloudy fortune shall unmask her dusky face, will at length be unwound, and come to a bottom, where they'l centre in an Elyzium of happiness.

Being come to the end of the Cave, he perceived Amphigenia fast asleep, her Wax Taper burning by her. As she lay his eyes carved such ravishing sweets, as transported with the violence of so many Darts, he thought he had attained the Zenith of his felicity. The Pillow blest with a kiss from her Cheeks, as pregnant with delight, swelled on either side. Her eyes Cano­pyed in sleeps dark veil, shewed lifes triumph in the [Page 128] Map of death. Her hand contended with the Lawn for whiteness, and being partly covered with it looked like a Lilly through purest Crystall. A lock that had stollen from its sweet prison, folded in cloudy curls lay dallying with her breath, sometimes striving to get a kiss, and then repulsed flew back, sometimes obtaining its desired bliss, and then as rapt with joy, retreats in wanton caperings. Her body that lay arayed, or rather disarayed in a thin Smock, wrought with blew silk and silver, obscured not her skin, but rather made it appear the lovelier, if lovelier it could be. Her breasts at li­berty displayed, were of so pure a whiteness, as if ones eye through the transparent skin, had viewed the milky treasures they inclosed. Her Violet veins that streamed in branched Rivers, seemed like Azure paths in a milky heaven. This confluence of delights, put Danpion besides himself for a while, but recollecting his thoughts, he took his Lute, and tuning it in Con­sort with his Soul, in a Love rapture sang this Song.

Scarce had Danpion sung the first part of the first Stanza, ere Amphigenia awaked, and attentively listning to the Musick, her watchful senses, by that time the last was concluded, were bribed by the Musicks Charming Airs, to re-enter Morpheus drowsie Cell, which Dan­pion perceiving returned, and left her to her sweet re­pose.

No sooner were the shadows of the misty Night dispersed, by the Rosie mornings purple beams, but the sleepy Deity dismissed sweet Amphigena's sen­ses, out of his drowzy prison, when calling to mind, what her ears had been entertained withall, in the be­ginning of the Night, she began to doubt, whether it was not a vision; but long she had not revolved these things in her ambiguous thoughts, ere Florinda came into her Chamber, and after salutations that passed betwixt them, Amphigenia acquainted her with the whole relation of what she heard, demanding what her judgement was concerning it, telling her, she was perswaded it was a delusion, for (said she) it consists [Page 131] not with Angelical purity to admit of muddy passions, we may as well think a dunghill can stain the Sun beams, because they view it, as that an Angel should be enamored with humane beauty. Will they whom Nature hath refined to such a pureness, that they seem to be termed spirits, in that they are the very spirits and quin­tessential extracts of heavenly excellencies, will they, I say, delight in such earthly dross as we are, who are at best but well-complexioned dust, cemented with a little moysture? our Souls, though their inferiours, could not be blurred with fond contaminating passions, were they not immersed in flesh and blood. 'Tis true, what you say, Madam, replyed Florinda, but yet the loud fame of your transcendent beauty, which Ec­choes from one Kingdom to another, might resound thorough heavens hollow Arches, and the spiritual in­habitants might draw the Azure Curtain of the sky, and gaze upon their Makers workmanship; and some one of that winged crew, more ravished than the rest, with his Creators power and wisdom, in framing such a composition, out of such course principles, might descend to bless himself with a cleerer view of you, which he saw, but imperfectly at so great a distance. I should be miserable vain (said Amphigenia) should I heed thy words▪ and were it not that my constant ex­perience of thee confirms in me the reality of thy affection, I should think thy hatred to me, made thee use those adulatory expressions to make me conceited of my self, and thereby to render me ridiculous. Ma­dam, answered Florinda, you are above the power of adulation, no tongue can be liberal enough, much less too profuse in your praises.

Pray forbear (said Amphigenia) unless you will incur my irreconcileable displeasure. But (said she) what did he mean, when he said Danpion should enjoy me, [Page 132] and glut his sense with me, as he termed it, must he deflour me? You put too hard a construction on it, said Florinda, Danpion is a person of too much honor, to commit an act so vile and dishonorable, and I am confident would kill him that should dare to suggest so base a thought to him. I rather think that heavenly In­telligencer had [...]urned over the pages of your fate, and read your destiny, which it seems is, that notwithstan­ding your strange aversness to all men, yet Danpion is designed to be made happy with your affection, and in conclusion, with the fruition of you, who is one, that though he cannot challenge to himself so great deserv­ings, as to merit you, set so adorned with Beauty and Vertue, inriched with all things, that may make a man incomparably compleat (Nature intending to shew in him, what humanity is capable of) as methinks he seems the man that heaven hath endued with these ex­cellencies, on purpose to make him a fit consort for you.

After these and many other the like speeches that passed betwixt them, they heard a noise of Drums and Trumpets, and other Martial sounds, as if there were a sudden preparation for War; but ere they could con­sider what should be the cause, a Lady that attended upon the Princess Amphigenia in her Chamber, came running panting and in an affrighted posture told her that Pandio [...] was coming with all speed with an Army to besiege the Palace, but the King her Father, having intelligence of it was newly marched out with his guard, and as many as could be in Arms on the sud­den, intending to give him battel; and hath left Danpion to Rule and Govern the Palace in his ab­sence.

This news did for the present sta [...]tle Amphigenia, untill the consideration of the justness of her Fathers [Page 133] cause, the valour of his person, and the continual suc­cess that ever attended him, as if he had made a League with Fortune, banished all affrighting Passions, and reduced her to her self; and then she began to enter­tain a thought which never before enter'd into her mind, and that was to see this Danpion whom the pen­cill of fame had painted with so many excellencies; and in whom her Father reposed so much con [...]idence; and concealing her desires, she sought all opportunities, when undiscovered she might have a view of this dar­ling of Nature. And perceiving her endeavours to be vain, she secretly acquaintnd Florinda with her inten [...]s; who inwardly rejoycing at these beginnings of Am­phigenia's conversion from such a heresie in Nature, en­deavoured to augment those desires in her; and told her that he used to resort to the Walks frequently to meditate, and that in the Cypress Grove neer the Fountain undiscovered she might see him if she took the benefit of opportunity when he went ab [...]oad, which was either in an Evening, or early in the Mor­ning.

Florinda having given this advice to Amphigenia, presently posts with all haste to Danpion's Chamber, thorough a private passage, where he and she had e­greed to have their continual entercourses; and in­forms him of her desires, and adviseth him to appear in as gallant habit, and as richly accoutred as may be, that so if possible to slide into her affections, & [...] upon her complying mind. Danpion, who had never been yet ac­quainted with any mediocritie, grew as boundless in his joy as before he was in his grief and despair, and observ­ing Florinda's counsel, furnished with all rich habi [...]i­ments, went down into the Walls just as Titans smo­king Steed [...] were posting to bath themselves in the Western Waves, where accordingly, as she had told [Page 134] him, she perceived Amphigenia standing in the Grove of Cypress, and peeping thorough the leaves, with a look that betrayed rather a Feminine curiosity, than any affection or delight. But Danpion standing on so high a precipice of happiness, slippery with affection, could not restrain his over-fond desires from hurrying him down into such an error, as had like to have broke the neck of his design: For his reason being overwhelmed with such an accumulation of encouragements, as that considering nothing but opportunity, he steals in­to the Grove where Amphigenia was looking and ex­pecting when he would return from the other end of the Walk, and thought to have powred out such a floud of eloquence, as should have drowned her for­mer harsh thoughts of his Sex, and wholly conquered her affections; but just as he was entring into his Rhe­torical Oration, Amphigenia looked back, and seeing him so near gave a shriek that ecchoed thorough the Grove, and ran as fast as her fair Leggs could carry her, whilst Danpion more sensible of love than fear, and through this sudden amazement in a manner sensibl [...] of neither, stands still in a transporting admiration; but he was soon recalled out of that astonishment by the beauties she discovered to his twice wounded eye; for the sawcy wind too immodestly sporting with her cloths, disclosed that which otherwise she would have concealed: so that ere he was gone, Florinda was come to her rescue, with some other Ladies that fol­lowed her, which when he perceived, he secretly con­veyed himself away, and thence to his Chamber, where we [...] to bewail his own indiscretion, and the unkindness of his hard [...]ortune that succeeded him no better.

Amphigenia, who before with Danpions majestick de­portment, beautiful and yet Martial countenance, [Page] [Page]

[Page 135] there being a lovely mixture of Venus's sweetness, and Mars's sternness, began to entertain such thoughts of him, as though they deserved not the title of affection, yet might properly be termed a good esteem or liking of him, grew now to such a mortal distast of him, that she began to conclude with her self, that her pretended Angel was some Impostor that Danpion had hired to delude her; then she began to doubt of Florinda's fi­delity; at length she resolved to send her Father notice of his ignoble carriage toward her, and consi­dering with her self, that though she was the Kings Daughter, yet he was the Kings Minion, and that they had need be well advised, that go about to traduce a Princes Favorite, therefore she writ her Letter, in these insinuating terms.

[Page 137] This Letter she gave unto one of her principal Pages, commanding that with all diligence, care, and celerity, it should be presented to her Fathers hands. But now to acquaint you with the raging fury, that even distracted Danpion, when Florinda told him of Amphigenia's hatred, and what she had done to in­cense her Father against him; I had need to dip my pen in Nessus blood, or infuse Alecto's poyson into my Ink, for never did any one so neerly resemble raving Hercules, when he had put on Deianira's invenomed Shirt, as he, when he considered, not only that now he was unhappy, but fallen from so high a pitch of hap­piness, and that through his rash folly, and that not onely he had incensed the Mistress of his heart, but the Master of his life, and by one inconsiderate action at once cut off all hopes of ever attaining that happiness he promised himself, both in his Throne, and in his Bed.

But this tempest lasted not long, for though he had not Socrates his composure of spirit, under all fortunes to remain the same; yet he had such a power over his Passions, as they seldom raged beyond suppression, or could claim such a predominancy, but he would make them submit to his Reason, as now appeared. For con­sulting with his thoughts, how he should prevent this storm, that threatned his ruine, he concluded there was no way but it must inevitably fall upon him, unless Florinda would prove his friend, but yet seem his enemy; which she consenting to, they both to­gether agreed upon a plot, which we shall after de­clare.

The King, when he had received the Letter, and read the Contents, Heavens! how did he lift up his hand and admire, as though he was viewing some pro­prodigious Comet in the Air. What an Age is this (said [Page 138] he) what dares not man attempt? Faithless Danpion! is this the requital for my unparallel'd goodness to thee? is this thy gratitude? how am I abused through fond credulity? is it not enough that I have a publike adversary, that daily incroaches upon my honor, and seeks to usurp my Royal Power and Dignity, but I must have a private Pioner to undermine them all? but no matter, Ile make him know, that Kings have thun­derbolts to hurl at those that dare to mount the Cha­riot of Majesty, and take the reigns of Soveraignty in­to their presumptuous hands, And since he dare to Arouze my anger, he shall soon find its Lion-like roarings shall awake him, out of his dream of imagi­nary dignity, and then hee'l wish his ambitious thoughts had flown at lower distance.

Thus the King stormed for a while, but recovering himself, he began to consider, that it was not safe to continue his Daughter and family under the command and inspection of Danpion, that sought so basely both to blow up her honor, and his power; and that it was less safe, to call him before the Tribunal of publike Justice, his affairs being now in such a distracted po­sture, ready to be beleagured with a potent Army; and therefore he had more need endeavour union a­mongst his men, and by that means, to fortifie him­self against his common enemy, than to diminish his strength, by augmenting and fomenting more divisions, which he feared would follow, if he should on the sudden totally degrade him, and confer his honor on another.

And therefore to avoid this Scylla and Charybdis, he resolves to couch his resolutions underneath his se­cret thoughts, and send for Danpion from the Palace, and put him upon something that could not be effected without the loss of his honor or life, or both. And [Page 139] this way he counted the more secure, remembring, that such Court Minions, that like Stars of the greatest magnitude, move in so high a Sphere, are seldom eclip­sed and obscured by the interposition of a new Favo­rite, but rather by the bright lustre of the rays of Ma­jesty.

To prosecute his intents, he sends for Danpion, who in obedience to his summons, marches from the Pa­lace, and as he thought from all his honors, hopes and preferments, but being of an unconquerable spirit, bears it with as much magnanimity as he was able, and comes to the Kings Camp; but above and beyond all his hopes and expectations, the King looks upon him with a smooth brow, and tells him, he had found him to be a man of an impavid spirit, and greedy of re­nown, and therefore he had sent for him, to perform a piece of service, the very attempt whereof would redound to his great honor, but the execution of it, would not only crown him with immortal fame, but be highly advantageous to the Kingdom; Danpion see-such an unexpected event, began in his thoughts to in­sult over this result of Fortune, and thus replyed, Great Sir (said he) I were unworthy of either life, or honor, should I refuse, at your commands, to part with either, since to your exceeding munificence I owe more than both; neither can all I were able to do, could I accomplish more than Hercules, return such retributions as might compensate those transcendent favours, your Royal goodness hath been pleased to confer upon me. Therefore were it to scale the hea­vens and fetch Atlas thence, to conquer the Rebels your enemies, though your valour needs it not, yet were it your commands, I would do it, or dye in the attempt.

Then (said Hiarbas) I am informed that Pandion hath [Page 140] an inchanted Standard, whose Magical force, so in­gages all the Subterranean powers, Pluto's black Le­gions on his side, that he is invincible, untill some va­liant Knight, by his single fortitude, takes it from him, and I know none in my Army or Kingdom, whose great undanted courage would provoke them to under­take such an enterprise, except your self. If that be all (said Danpion) my sword shall soon cut the Charm in sunder, and send the infernal spirits themselves down to their dark mansions. Whereupon he went and furnished himself with Horse and Armour, and all things requisite for his encounter.

Pandion being come with his Army in ken of his ene­mies, draws them up into a Battalia, intending to fight, which Hiarbas having notice of before, by his Scouts, he draws his men also up into a form, and after a brave Oration, to incourage them to fight, he him­self in person marches before them into the field. Where, as if the very fight of their enemies had been a Loadstone to their courage, their Martial spirits were so provoked, as that it was difficult for their Com­manders to restrain them from making an untimely onset.

The signal for the battail being given, there began such a terrible conflict, as that within a short time, thousands lay dead in the place, both sides main­taining their assaults with such impetuous rage, as if the Gyants had been come, to heap mountains of Carcasses, to assail heaven, and besiege the Gods; nothing but fury reigned in every b [...]east, some that were thrust thorough with Lances, would yet run themselves farther on to reach their enemies, and require that morral wound; others, that were just expiring through want of bloud, would yet strive to bequeath another death as their last Legacy to their [Page]

[Page] [Page 141] enemies; the earth grew of a sanguine complexion, being covered with bloud, as if every soldier had been deaths Herald, and had come to emblazon Mars's Arms, with a Sword Argent, on a Field Gules▪ There was Panomphaeus a Commander under Hiarbas, that fought a single combat with Sabillus, who after he had his Breast ript open by an unfortunate blow, yet held his sides together with one hand, as if he had bee [...] buttoning an upper Garment, whilst he encountred Sabillus with the other, till Bonosus came, and thrust his hand into his body, as if he would have pull'd his Soul out of her dwelling by violence, and tare away his Vitals.

Sabillus enraged that he had thus snatch'd his victory out of his hands, lifted his Arm, intending to have cleft Bonosus's head, but the sword by an accident fly­ing out of his hand, only cut off his Nose; which un­expected blow so stunnied Bonosus, as in an amazed­ness, looking on one side, and the other, to see which way the blow came, as if he would not take the advice of his eyes, now he had lost the Moderator that used to interpose betwixt them, and in a fury ran forward, and (as the Proverb hath it) followed his Nose, and ere he himself, or Sabillus were aware, thrust him thorough the throat. Here lay shivered Lances, and broken swords, and there dead Horses, and Carcas­ses of men mangled, as if they had been newly anato­mized.

In one place lay Heads deposed from their sove­raignties, yawning and sta [...]ing as if they looked for their Bodies; In another heaps of mutilated Arms, Hands, and Legs, as if Death had there kept its Shambles. Long did the fight continue dubious, For­tune equally sharing the Laurels, untill at length it began something to incline to Hiarbas; which Mem­non [Page 142] a valiant Warrier and great Commander under Pandion espying, rage and contempt so burned in his bosome, that his eyes flamed, as if they had contain­ed the whole Element of fire, and he thundered forth a roring voice, as if his Lungs had sucked in the middle Region of the Air, and with his breath he could blow away a World, upbraiding the Soldiers for their base pusillanimity, to give ground to such a dastardly crew as he conceived his enemies to be, and running into the mids of Hiarbas men, with such a boisterous mad­ness, as if with his single valour he could send an Ar­my to Tartarus, and by his strength could unhinge the Poles, and stop the primum mobile's career, he slaugh­tered all that stood within the reach of his weapon, decollating some, making them shorter by the head, and dissecting others, some he thrust thorough with his Sword, pointing out plainly what death they should dye, and cleft others skulls, and thus he unmercifully triumphed over his enemies, till at length Death put an end to his victory, by a flight of Arrows that, feather­ed with destruction, lighted upon him. And thus was he slain by this winged Army, which otherwise would have slain an Army had he lived, and at his Death haled hundreds of souls out of their claiy prisons, and compelled them to attend him in the other world.

His followers provoked by his example, to make good what he by his valour had gotten, had engaged themselves so far in the mids of their adversaries, that at length they were surrounded on all sides by Hiar­bas his policy, who had caused his men before to re­treat some paces backward for that end. Danpion who had all this while been butcherring of his enemies in the rear, intending to cut his way thorough them to come to the Standard-bearer, perceiving so great a [Page 143] breach, and Chasm (as it were) in his enemies party, improves the benefit of opportunity, and rides up to the Standard-bearer, kills him, and in the fight of all his enemies carries away the Standard, which Phoedon a Commander of Horse under Pandion espying, pur­sued with full speed with all the men under his com­mand. Others that knew not of this accident, seeing their Standard flying, and so great a party fled after, thought the day was lost, and time to secure themselves, and thereupon flung down their weapons, and hasted after the rest, with such confusion, as put them into no less disorder than themselves. With that a party of the Hiarbian Horse, to compleat their victory, pursu­ed them, and put them so to the rout, that they le [...]t few to complain of their harsh usage, and some rescu­ed Danpion, who being overtaken, having indeavou­red to keep his prey in despight of his adversaries, that invironed him, had almost resigned it up, had he not been relieved by this fortunate chance. In the mean time those few that were inclosed by the Hiarbians, were sacrificed to appease the revengful fury of their enemies.

The victory being thus obtained, and Danpion con­trary to Hiarbas hopes and expectations won the Standard, by this valiant act got so much renown, that he was more admired than before; the general applause of the Army so cried him up, that Hiarbas grew more jealous of him than ever, and resolved if that which his Daughter had writ was true, to cast him out of favour wholly, and put him in an utter inca­pacity to accomplish any of his high projects. But though these were his secret intentions, yet he carried himself with as much external serenity towards him as before, and arriving with great triumph at the palace, after he had abode there some time, he secretly inquires [Page 144] of his Daughter, whether any one else could affirm, what she had writ, to be truth.

She told him every circumstance of it, and how that Florinda was come to her rescue, before he had fled from her, and that she presumed, that she was able to inform him more distinctly of his intentions, than her self, to whom she was and ever should be an utter stranger.

With that a Lady was presently dispatched as a messenger to Florinda, to acquaint her that the King desired a few minutes conference with her in Amphi­genias Gardens, where he stayed expecting her coming. Florinda obeys the summons, and accompanies the messenger to the King, who after some private con­verse with her, is exceeding inquisitive to know of her whether she could give him any particular infor­mation about Danpions design; whether she ever had dived into his thoughts, and could tell whether he had any aim at the Soveraignty or not, and many other questions to the same effect, he demanded of her. Florinda gives him little or no satisfaction to all his Quae [...]ies, but endeavours to confirm his suspition, what she could, and inveighs against Danpion with more bitterness than Amphigenia, and at length sug­gested to the King this Counsel, that since they had no reasons to convince any man of Danpions treach­ery and disloyalty, but what was grounded chiefly on suspition: if his Majesty would deign to honour their advice with his acceptance, she would inform him a way, [...]how he might ransack his very intrals, and discover all his intentions, and read the very in­side of his heart. The way she said was this, that the King would please to counterfeit himself suddenly seized upon with a malignant distemper, and [Page 145] for a time retire himself in his Chamber, and admit none of his greatest favourites to wait upon him, nor visit him, but only the princess his Daughter, and her self, that so there might be no grounds of suspici­on for Danpion; and in conclusion to feign himself dead. And then (she said) she questioned not but that she had such an influence upon him, by reason of more than ordinary affection that Danpion bare to her, as in his presence to make him confess to her, if he had any thoughts tending to Amphigenia's disho­nour, or of disloyalty to the King.

This advice was accepted of, both by Hiarbas and Amphigenia, and accordingly put in execution; So that suddenly the ears of all were filled with the sad news that the King was fallen dangerously sick. The Courtiers swarm like Bees at the King Chamber door, to perform their Allegiance to him, but none admitted, amongst whom Danpion was a con­stant visitant, but as constantly as the rest repul­sed.

In fine, Danpion was secretly informed that the King was dead, and that care must be taken for establishing his successor before his Death should be divulged, lest the knowledge of it should cause any broils and tumults in the Kingdom, which it might be apt to occasion, there being such swarms of discontented persons, and those that affected novelties and altera­tions, though for the worse. And if he received not this information for truth, his eyes should convince him, if he would come to his chamber, for Amphige­nia (they told him) durst not disoblige such a potent person as himself, who might hazard to interrupt her succession.

These things being privately buzzed, and whispe­red into Danpions ears, by some that were Florindas [Page 146] engines, he accordingly repairs to the Kings chamber, where he finds him stretched out on a bed of State, and covered with a Pall of black Velvet, the body lying in a posture lively representing Death, and none but Florinda in the room. Danpion having contrived all this before hand, and by the assistance and fidelity of Florinda, thus far effected it, was not now to seek in the latter part of his plot, but thus begins to con­fer with Florinda. Since Heavens (said he, seigned­ly weeping) have thus deprived us of our King, and me of my Royal Master, accounting us unworthy of him, and him more worthy to inhabit among the celestial dwellers, than such as we are, it is both our wisdom and duty, first to proclame his Daughter Am­phigenia, lest an interregnum should occasion any in­surrections among this people, prone to rebellion and disorder; And then to honour his Memorial, with the celebration of his Funerals in as great State as may be, both to testify to the World our Loyal affections to our deceased King, and also that our Forein and In­testine wars have not so exhausted the publick treasury, but that we are able to support and maintain the ho­nour of our King and Country. Tell not me (my dearest) said Florinda, of State affairs, they belong not to our Sex, but if I have found any place in thy Heart, let me conjure thee by the many vehement protesta­tions of affection, to disclose a secret to me, the faith­ful revealing of which, I shall esteem as a far greater confirmation of thy loves reality, than ten thousand asseverations. Prethee be free and ingenuous in thy expression, and leave not my thoughts a prey to their own anxiety, to doubt will more torment me than all thy tongue can utter, First let me dye (said Danpion) before I let a word drop from thy mouth in vain. Then (said Florinda) what was the meaning of your attempt­ing [Page 147] to invade Amphigenia's chastity in the Grove? In­vade Amphigenia's chastity (said Danpion) may I sink to the Center of the Earth, if ever such a thought pos­sest my mind; what Devil breathed this abominable re­port of me? should I rip up my breast, and dissect my heart, thou shouldst find nothing but Constancy and Loyalty there, which when it is otherwise, may the powers above tear it out of my body, for a preven­tive pattern to future Ages. What occasioned your being there? (said Florinda) were not my eyes specta­tors of her affrightful flight? did I not see how a palli [...] whiteness had usurped the possession of her beauteous face, and expelled the Rosie redness thence? did I not see, how every part of her fair body was shook with a timorous Palsey, just as the Aspen leaves tremble, when the gentle Air softly breaths upon them? did I not see you in the Grove stand benummed with asto­nishment or pannick fear, I know not which, as if you had been Planet-strucken, or some unseen Nemesis had statuized you, on purpose to discover that disho­norable intention of yours, which you would have con­cealed? Prethee then disclose the cause of this that I have said, unbosom thy thoughts to me, how can I think thou dost include me in thy heart, when thou dost exclude me out of thy most retired resolves? If I should deny what you say (said Danpion) it were just the earth should open me a living grave, and intomb me alive in her dark Cavernes▪ But (said he) the cause of Amphigenia's flight, may soon be conjectured by any that ever heard of her Antipathy towards all of ou [...] Sex, for she had no sooner glanced her eye upon me, but as if I had been some Demon, or horrid apparition, she fled, as though my very looks had infused a swift­ness into her. But I'le a [...]peal to her, if I either said or did any thing, that Dio [...]s would blush to own. And [Page 148] it was my fond curiosity, that prompted me to take a view of that Paradise, which since, I understand is reserved only for Amphigenia's privacy. So that my ignorance put me upon that uncivil intrusion which otherwise the torture of a thousand deaths should not have compelled me to. But I hope my future fidelity shall crave my remission at Amphigenia's hands, and confirm my innocence.

No sooner had Danpion ended his speech, but the King started up out of the Bed, at which Danpion flew back, pretendingly amazed, at this suddain resurrecti­on. Nay (said the King) let not our seeming restitution to life, surprise thee with a causeless fear. Our ears have been auditors of thy expressions. This was but a contrivance to search the truth of that which my sus­pitious thoughts suggested to me. We have found thee truly Loyal, and thou shalt find out Royal good­ness extended to recompence thy all-deserving worth. Thou art now faster rivetted in our bosom, than before. Danpion hearing this, fell down on his knees, and humbly begged pardon for his offence, which was no sooner craved than gr [...]nted.

And thus was he more confirmed in the Kings fa­vour than before. And now he resolves to acquaint Periander with his success, and advise with him, how he might proceed in his design of obtaining the King­dom, which he had daily more and more hopes of, by reason the breach between Hiarbas and Pandion was still augmented, but their strength diminished. And one Evening, when as the Sun drawing nee [...] his occi­dent, extended the shadow of the mountains, Dan­pion under pretence of riding out to take the fresh Air, secretly steals to the Cave, that little Senate-house, where Periander and he had agreed to meet and con­sult about their designs; and having waited there some [Page 149] time, Periander came. After a great many testimo­nies of affection and mutual congratulations, Danpion relates the whole story of his unfortunate love, and how he had almost lost the Kings favour, and by what means he regained it, and what posture Hiarbas pre­sent affairs were in, and many other discourses to the like purpose.

Periander, attending to his discourse, found such in­tricateness in his condition, as he could not tell how to devise a way to lead him out of that mazing Labyrinth, but he said, as for his Regal power, he questioned not, but time the p [...]rent of all things, will er [...] long pro­duce that that should fulfill his desires: for (he said) Pandion was so weakened with the loss of the la [...]t bat­tel, that he was ready to shift for himself by a dishonor­able [...]light, had he not been perswaded to the contrary by him, which he did, to keep on foot the divisions in the Kingdom, which otherwise would cen [...]re in an happy union for Hiarbas. But that could never be, whilst Pandion remained, and would but own his own cause; a Star of so great a magnitude, moving with so vi­gorous an influence, and with gil [...]ed pretences, casting so great a lustre on his undertakings, must needs exhale the affections of the people, which the further they are drawn from the King, the dissentions must needs be wider, like lines drawn from the Centre, which the further they tend, the wider they extend. Danpion returning him many thanks for his condancy and fide­lity to him, demanded of him why he was not in the battel, Periander replyed, that the occasion of it was this, Pandion (said he) as you may remember the Gentleman told us, that first informed us of our dan­ger, when we were gaving into Amphigenia's Gardens, is deeply inamoured with a Nun, so that he is grown wholly negligent of his weighty affairs, all his dis­course [Page 150] [...] [Page 151] [...] [Page 150] is of her, her exquisite beauty is his daily theme, and he that before was continually instructing his men in Martial Discipline, now exercises himself in nothing but Love Sonnets, and Madrigals, and such like toys, forsakes his mirthful inclination, and all Society, and frequents solitary loneness, and drooping sadness; but this accustomed sequestration of himself from the com­pany of those Nobles that have joyned with him, hath so displeased them, that I think) had they not so allyed their interests to his, that their wellfare is wholly in­volved in his, by reason many of them revolted (as you know) from Hiarbas, they would all forsake him, and expose him to the malice of his enemies. But she to avoid the constant trouble of his endless importu­nacy, and fearing lest in time he should by force unty her Virgin Zone, hath secretly fled out of the Nunnery, and none can inform whither: so that when I should have done him service in the field, mine employment was (so his jealousie would not let him confide in any one [...] to ransack the Kingdom for her; which I did with as much curiosity, as Diogenes, when with a Torch at Noon he went to look for an honest man, and return­ed with his success, so that Pandion is now worse tha [...] ever; which doth almost convince me that there is some truth in that saying, that the Soul is not where it animates and informs, but where it loves▪ for as if her Angel-form by a sympathetical attraction had snatched away his, he raves like one deprived of his intellectu­als, regards not his interest, neglects his men, and would forsake all, to pursue her, were he not terrifyed by those of the Nobility and Gentry, that fide wi [...] him; So that were your party in as distracted a condi­tion as ours, we would with a few men soon dissipate the sorce of both, and make our selves Masters of all.

[Page 151] As they were thus discoursing and plotting, they es­pyed on a Hill several Horsemen, that rid as if they pursued them, and both suspecting that they were sus­pected, and fearing lest they should be overtaken and discovered, they mounted their Horses, and [...]led with all speed into an adjacent Wood, whither [...] they were followed, so that they could hardly escape their pursuers, till the nights darkness concealed them; when wandring and roving to and fro, no [...] knowing where they were, they saw at a great distance, a mov­ing light, rowl up and down, much like an Ign [...]s F [...] ­tuus, as they conceited; at first they wer [...] [...] with this sudden fiery appearance, but at length they resolv­ed to ride up to it, and see whether their fancies were not deluded, hoping it might be the Torch of some Traveller, that could direct them in the way. But as soon as they came pretty neer, and were able to dis­cern it, to be no such Meteor as they before conceived, they heard a hoarse yelling shriek, that eccho'd through the Woods, and the light falling, as if it sank into the Earths bowels, presently vanished; but suddenly two other lights succeeded it, so that Danpion and Pe­riander retaining their wonted courage, were now more earnest than before, to satisfie themselves what it should be; but their desires were soon fulfilled, for, before they were come up to them, they saw a young Wench rubbing of an old Beldame, and pulling her by the Nose, striving to [...]etch life in her; who it seems (as they were afterward told) swounded away, by the f [...]ight she received with the noise of Danpions and Perianders Horses. As soon as the Wench heard the neighing of the Horses, no less affrighted, than her old Grandam, she ran into the house, and [...] the door, and left her lying upon the ground like a Witch in an Extasie; whiles Danpion & Periander glad that their Apparition, [Page 152] vanished into this, hoping they might now meet with a Guide, rode up to the house; but ere they were there, they were encountred by an ill-favoured crooked-backt, ruffainly Rustick, that with a Forest-Bill on his neck, came out of the house, swearing by Pans cloven-hoof, that whether they were men or devils he cared not, he would teach them for base dastardly Cowards as they were, to fright a poor old woman. But he no sooner saw them, but he flung down his Bill, and in all dutious reverence on his knees intreated them to be mercifull, and said they were poor folks, and had nothing fit for such Gentles as they were. We desire not any thing (said Periander) we are Servants that have lost our way in these Woods, and desire to be conducted to some place where we may lodge to night, and to morrow travel hence about our occasions. Truly (said the man) I am very ingrant of the way hereabouts, and can give you no sa [...]tifaction where you may lye to night, unless in this house, and Battus the Forester that dwells here, is gone abroad, and will not be at home these nine dayes, and none but he knows these places. Danpion and Periander hearing this, smiling at the fellows rusti­city, alighted off their Horses, and went into the house, where there was none but the Wench that had been so officious to the old woman; and she sat in the Chim­ney-corner, sni [...]ling and drivling in such a posture, as would have made one loath all lamentation; and she was sure (she said) she should not have such another loving Grandam, and what would her Grandsir say, when he comes home, and many other the like expressi­ons.

But as soon as they came in, she arose from her seat, and making a loathsomly squeamish Countenance, and wiping her Eyes with the fag-end of a Dish-clout, and [...]ying her Body and her Neck, as if she was in a Con­vulsion-fit, [Page 153] made many fine Daps, and ran out of the house to her Grandmother; who before she could get to her, had made a shift to raise her self on her wi­thered legs, and came grunting, and crawling to the door, like a carcass newly risen from a Tomb; for her Eyes looked like two▪ Worm-holes, and her Face like snips of tannd Leather stitcht together, and the wrin­cles like the di [...]ty seams. The old Tooth-drawer Time, had rob'd her of all her Teeth, excepting one, that out of compassion he left to adorn, and Pallisado her Chops, and withal, to fence in her upper Lip, which otherwise would have slapped too near her Chin, and hid the comliness of her neather. Her Cheeks hol­low, like her heart, contained Dens of dirt, where De­formity lay battening it self, and looked like the Earth in Dog-dayes drought, when the Sun hath [...]uckt out all its moisture. Her bearded Chi [...] and worm-eaten Nose, as if inamoured with each others Beau [...]y, were near kissing; but Nature wisely considering, that if they met too close, they might hinder the passage of her words, had caused the But-end of her Nose to turn up like a Hunte [...]s-horn. Her Body was a bundle of Bones sowed together, like a Sceleton, that few but would have taken her for a Fury; for she was not like one defaced, but gnawn with Age.

But though her other Parts were thus decrepit, yet her old Palsied Tongue was lively, that that is the Ʋltimum morions, and last decaying Member in a woman; for all the way as she came limping, and supported by her Daughter, (for so any one would swear she was, by their likeness) that never left shaking and scolding at her for minding her no more, and letting her lye on the cold ground; she thought (she said) to let her have the She [...]herd M [...]schus, and have given her somthing that she had kept in a clout for her, should have done [Page 154] her good, but since she had no more care, she knew what she knew well enough.

Daphins hearing this sad sentence, making a whi­ning countenance, wherein she pourtraied sorrow in such a ridiculous posture would have made even sor­row it self mirthful, drawing her mouth on one side, as if she would have whispered something into her own ear, and gaping as if she would catch the hony tears that dropt from her eyes, fell down at her Grandams feet, and was entring into an ill compiled excuse, but she was prevented; for the old hag, wanting her for her crutch, and being on the suddain deprived of her prop, by this humble reverence, fell with her crown upon Daphins back, who rising on the suddain to assist her, tumbled her Grandam with her heels over her head, in the manner of a Christmas gambole, and threw her bum with such a force upon the door [...]ill, that even beat the wind out of her body (I mean backwards) and made her haunches like a couple of wrinkled bladders that had been smoked seven years in a chimney corner, rebound with the violence of the fall, insomuch that they had been beaten flat and disfigured had they not been well stiffned with age. And now poor Daphins case was worse than before, so that Anus was so enraged, that she would not let her help her out of that uncomly posture she lay in, her heels higher than her head, and the threshold a pillow for her posteriors, but bid her varlet that she was get her fu [...]thet, for she could not abide the sight of her (nor I think few else) and thus undecently she lay untill Bion that had been walking the horses all this while came, and by main strength lustily [...]lung her on his back, made on purpose Camel like, to carry that deformed burthen, or bundle of de [...]ormity, and came and set her on a block by the fire side, who [Page]

[Page] [Page 155] casting a hags look upon Danpion and Periander, de­manded of them who they were; Uh! (said she grun­ting) if you come for my Daughter 'ene take her, would I had never seen her ugly eyne for me. Uh! Uh! (quoth she) did you not see what a vile toss she gave me? it was a wonder shee had not borst my crup­per. But—Uh! Uh! Ile warrant her—Uh! I'le fit her.

Danpion and Periander, that with abundance of mirth beheld this pittiful fray, had much adoe to con­tain themselves from bursting out with a loud laugh­ter, but considering it would more provoke the old woman, returned her the same answer they did to Bion, and requested a lodging there for that night, and told her, that if they could have a guide to con­duct them out of this Forest, they would be gone the next day. Welcom (said the old woman); Minx (quoth she to her Daughter) get you up stairs, and fit the best bed for these strangers, and put in the fine sheet you are to lye with Moschus in when you are married, and if you be warm, get you in and air it. Good Mother (said Danpion) rather let's lye without a Sheet, or by the fire side, for we love not to have our sheets a [...]red; therefore (quoth the old woman) you shall have but one sheet; there i [...] not much dif­ference (said Danpion) pray, rather than have th [...] a [...]ed, let us take our repose here by the fire [...]ide, for we h [...]ve been Souldiers, and are now Servants, and therefore are not unacquainted with hardships; nay by [...] [...]atters (quoth she) you shall not lye here▪ [...] you lye in a bed, to goe away and disgrace our house as though we had not a bed for as good as you.

After some such wise discourse as this, the night be­ing far spent, they all [...] themselves to their lodg­ings; the old woman she lay below, [...] upon four [Page 156] three-footed stools by the fire side, Daphins in a trun­dle bed under Danpion and Periander. But in the night, as though hard-hearted fortune had a mind to­tally to ruine poor Daphins, there hapned this sad mis­chance, not to acquaint you how Daphins poring upon her woful misery had forgot to take away the [...]ot stone, wherewith instead of a warming-pan, she used to heat her Grandams bed; so that the old woman un­awares clapping her buttocks on it, shrivelled them up like a leathern pouch; but in the night Daphins (it seems) was arrested with a laxative humor, so that she was forced to arise and disburthen her self into a great close-stool-pan, that always stood under her Grand­mothers bed, and was pretty spatious, that so it might contain the excrementitious evacuations of the whole family. Daphins having purged what she could with conveniency, loath that the old woman should disco­ver her loathsome bestiality, sets the pan on the tester of the bed, intending to purifie it the next day, which for many moneths before, and by its complexion one might think years, had escaped a scowring. But she had not been long gone, and warm in her bed, ere Daphins evil genius maliciously awaked her Grandam, who whether she had taken cold when she lay on the ground, or through a loving sympathy with her daugh­ter I can't tell, but she was afflicted with the same running distemper, and making a shift to crawl out of her bed to look for the close-stool, it was too cun­ningly hid for her to find, so that she raging that her Daughter had again served her so vilely, takes a crutch, and pounces at the chamber floor for Daphins to come and assist her, but the Cat unhappily lying over the bed, suddenly awaked, and affrighted with the noise, intending to have leapt away, jumps ful upon the close-stool, and over-turns it, and tumbles it, and [Page 157] all that it contained, upon the poor old womans noddle.

Daphins who had not slept all this while, through fear that Anus should awake at this sad summons, a­rises, and tremblingly comes down at her call, to see what is the matter; But as soon as she saw Anus with the pan on her head, and the crutch in her hand, stri­king at her with might and main, for scold she could not, being querkned with the filthy ordure, she thought her Grandsire Battus had been come home drunk as he had wont, with his Helmit on his head, and had been fencing with his quarter staff, so that she was fain to awake Bion to hold him, lest he should wrong her Grandam; but she was soon saved that labour, for stealing to Bions tressels, thinking unseen and out of any danger of a blow to arouse him, Anus notwith­standing perceiving her cunning, thought to have reacht her such a blow, as should sufficiently recompen­ced all her abuses, but it unluckily, as fortune would have it, alighted on Bions panch neer to his midriff, with such a force, that he was even compelled to dis­gorge those superfluities of the pan, that at its over­throw, had extravagantly fled into his mouth, being wide open, as if he was d [...]vouring of sleep by mouth­fuls, and that he had been all this while strugling to digest. Bion enraged with this blow, between sleep and wake, arises, and gets up one of his four tripodes, and threatens apparent destruction to all that came neer him. And as if Apollo-like he had from that tripos given forth an Oracle, he strikes such a blow on old Anus one tooth, that grew like an Unicorns born out of her nether gum, that not only deprived her under chop, and her upper lip of that ornament, but laid her flat on her back, and made her kick up her heels, and Hieroglyphically represent her husbands fortune, and doubtless had quite spoiled her face, had it not been [Page 158] well defended and fortified by the close-stool-pan. But not to detain the honourable guests Danpion and Periander any longer from their sleep, by the rude rum­bling and brawlings of this unseemly crew, this blou­dy fray was soon ended by their mutual intercession, all being of a loving nature, and willing to be recon­ciled, every one framing a wise Apology, and Daphins having first cleansed her Grandam, and the Pan, be­ing before much of a complexion, as well as she could, they again betook themselves to their rest.

Scarce had the early Lark, the winged Herald of the morning, with its pretty warbling notes, summoned the bright watchmen of the night to prepare for a re­treat, and Aurora had opened the vermilion Oriental gate to make room for Titans radiant beams, to slide through the gloomy air, when Danpion and Periander weary of their uneasy pallet, arose and left Daphins fast asleep, champing as if she was chewing the cud, and her mouth slabbering her fingers, as if she had dreamt of her good houswifry, and was going to spin, the other hand pulling a reddish yellow lock out of her head, reddish, I may properly term it, since it was much of the colour of a Reddish; and this she twisted to and fro, as if it had been the [...]ow, and well she might mistake her head for the distaff, since it was much of the same Pyramidal form; and the other two they left [...]noring, as if their over greedy swallowing of sleep had neer choked them, and walked out [...]o refresh themselves with the sweet air, being almost poysoned with the [...]unk that ascended from the last nights Combat, and to see what pickle their Horses were in; Bion the Groom lying snorting in the Chim­ny, as if he were looking to swine, and had not time to mind Horses. But as it hapned, they were gra­zing [Page 159] about the house, so that having catcht them they rode up and down to see if there were any other house or hamlet neer adjoyning, where they might be better accommodated, until they could meet with a guide, but finding no place else thereabouts, and un­willing to ride too far, they returned to the house, where by this time the three goodly inhabitants were all arisen from their couches, and had prepared a sump­tuous breakfast for the strangers, so that now they could have a full view of Daphins, whose beauty the [...]able night had masked, whom they took the better notice of, because she was all the cook they had. And indeed she was an exquisite piece, and so youl'd say if you had seen her; and so Anus her mother, Moschus her suter, and Bion her well-wisher said, and I should think the verdict of such curious persons might be something regarded; but you'l object, that their judge­ments were byassed with interest and affection; so may be yourn is for ought I know. But then to con­vince you further I'le describe her.

To begin with the crown of her Head, kind Nature the better to discover the pure whiteness of the skin, that covered her thick Scull, had lovingly unthatched her crown, and peel'd away all the unnecessary hai [...] thereabouts, and lest her a dainty soft ridge of moss, that fringed her head round like a garland, so that if you had seen her, you would have certainly thought she had a night cap on, thrumnd with furs. This hair was something short, lest it should hide her comly spatious Ears; spatious they were, that so they might hear the biggest sounds distinctly, which was the reason that she often gave why she had the sense of hearing so admirable, and could distinguish of sounds so acutely, for she would stand without doors, and if the Dog threw down the tonges in the kitchen, or the Sow [Page 160] overset the Milk pan in the Dairy, she would tell you exactly what it was fell down, and never go into the house at all to know, and therefore she would often wisely admire, how it was possible for little ears to hear great sounds, for (said she) how should great sounds, get in at little ears? but I think that Objection might be answered by your Naturalists, that make it their business to pry into Natures abstruse and abs­condite secrets, and therefore to their wisdoms I leave the discussion of it, and proceed in my descrip­tion.

Her head was triangular, that being (as Moschus would often say) the best and most commodious shape; for, said he (for you must note he was book learned) a head of a rotund figure cannot possibly be so commodi­ous to lodge the three Organs of the Soul, the com­mon sense, phantasie, and the memory, nor contain so much wit as a three square noddle; for a Globical head (quoth he learnedly) confusedly jumbles all the three together, which is the reason that many are so troubled with the Vertigo in their brain, it is because they are round heads; their conceits endlesly running in a circle of fancy, having neither rational beginning nor ending. But now a tripple corner'd noddle hath three convenient cavities, where the three things a­foresaid may lye distinctly and severally undisturbed, like Hares on their Forms, or Foxes in their holes, un­till they are started and unkennel'd by the barkings of Reason. And further (said he) I'me sure, its plain, it cannot contain so much wit, for a Globe cannot fill a triangle, much less can that that is contained in it fill it. For (quoth he) this is an undeniable rule, that body that can contain both the thing containing and the thing contained, can much more contain the thing contained, that can be contained in thing containing. [Page 161] But prethee, Moschus▪ be not thus tedious in thy pro­lix comments upon thy Daphinsses strange perfections, but let me proceed.

Her purple forehead (that colour betokening Maje­sty) was streaked with lovely wrinkles, which black with atomes of dirt, that as it were in love with her beauty, had transplanted themselves from their native habitations, to dwell in those amiable furrows, so that they looked like shadowy stroaks, that Nature made, the better to set off the [...] of her beauty; or rath [...]r like curious folds, where Nature wrapped her perfecti­ons, lest they should dazzle spectators Eyes.

Eye-brows she had none, lest she should srown, and fright her poor Lovers; her Eyes were dainty Matches, at which Cupid enkindled the Torches of Affection, and set them on fire for her Lovers hearts. Matches did I say? They were not Matches, for the one was as big again as the other.

Her right Eye being of a Hazel brown, stood peep­ing out of its Den, like a Mouse catched in a Trap; for so her Lovers thought, that that be sure was ensnared in Loves Trap, and enticed with the Bait of Affection▪ but her left Eye, being of a goggle size, to revenge her sisters quarrel, stood staring out, ready to [...]ly in their faces, for having such base thoughts of the right. And indeed Dame Nature had herein shewed abundance of wisdom, for she had placed a third part of her left Eye out of her head, le [...]t her right eye modestly hiding it self, should creep into her head; and placed her right eye farr into her head, lest her left Eye should sta [...] quite out of her head.

Her vertuous Nose, was like the letter Y▪ Pythago­ras Hieroglyphick of vertue, whence a rare qui [...]t­essential distillation continually dropped, which le [...]t it should be lost, her nether lip stood pou [...]ing out, to [Page 162] catch it. Her Cheeks were of a Pease-porridge-taw­ny, the Sun being in love with her rare beauty, as the Moon was with Endymion, had often all to be—kisst her (what had I like to have said, but if I had, I think you would have believed me, if you had seen her com­plexion) I say, he often smacked her countenance, and left the print of his lips behind. Indeed a dainty crop of hair she had upon her upper lip, which some said, was made for an eye-brow, because she being singular in her other parts, was therein to have been a miracle, and had her eyes placed under her nose, that she might the better see the way to her mouth. But Moschus (whose judgement I chiefly follow) replyed, That the comely latitude of her mouth, made it an easie mark for her fingers, and then, had they been placed there, a constant Flux of Rheum from her nose had interrup­ted their sight.

But as for that curious hay-mow on her lip, for so I may properly term it, by reason of pretty mops and mews she used to make, would provoke any one to spue out a laughter, and because once in twenty five hours she used to mow it, but if that term will not please, then that thorn-hedge on her lip, was but to fence round the dike, her mouth, to keep her nose from trespassing on her chin. But Moschus said, they were the prickles that grew about the Roses of her lips. Her teeth as if afraid they should eat one another, were ranked in their open order, to give the freer passage to her words. Rankt do I say? I that they were, like the dregs of putrefaction, or the corrupted funk, that steams from the purging Carkass of a gut- [...]ed Canni­bal. Her neck warpt awry, that made her head stand on one side, as if she had a mind to a kiss. But as for her other parts, I leave the description of them, to those that are better acquainted, as Moschus, Bion, &c. [Page 163] fearing, lest in going about to convince my Reader of an uncharitable error, I my self commit an error ex­ceeding the limits both of excuse and charity, in blur­ring so much innocent paper, with the pourtraying such [...]oul deformities, which yet may have thus much use to foil Amphigenia's words-transcending perfecti­ons.

But you may object, there is another crime, I am guilty of by this long relation, and that is detaining Danpion and Periander too long from their Breakfast, which Daphins had prepared.

To that I answer negatively thus, viz. It is no such matter, for when they saw this bundle of Kitchin-stuff, Daphins, they had as much mind to break their necks, as their fasts, and to eat the Kitchin as the stuff that the Wench had dressed for them, for she had filled the stuff so with dirt and filth, that an Ostriches stomack, that can digest Iron, would have nauseated it, so that they left it to be maunched by the company, who in­deed most valiantly behaved themselves. Bion with teeth-like half Pikes, most couragiously slaughtering all that came neer him, and Daphins with no less fury chopping it as small as Herbes for the pot; and having thus quartered and buryed the enemies, that durst as­sault and scale her chops, she now begins to fall hasti­ly to the hot hasty pudding that stood next her, which it seems was so hot, that she having greedily hoised in by whole sale, a woodden ladle full, it so parcht her gummes, that she was fain to tumble it to and fro in her mouth, like one that was mumbling a twit [...]y [...]it­mouse, not daring to let it go, or swallow it. Anus seeing her mump, and her chops wamble up and down, thinking she had mockt her, hurles the dish of porridge, that she had in her hand at Daphins, but it unfortunately hit Bion, who enraged with this affront, [Page 164] snatches up the nasty pudding and swashes it all about Daphins and her Grandam. Daphins mad with this, slaps two pound of butter, that she had churned that morning, upon Bions face, so that it clammed so to his eye-lids, that it almost blinded him, the rest hanging dripping upon his whiskers. With that Bion starts up in a rage, and sets her head in the [...]rumity pot, and so intangles her heels in the hangers, that, poor Wench, e're she could recover her self, she was just ready to give up the ghost, had not her tender-hearted Gran­dam come and relieved her, and clensed her with the dish-clout, as well as she was able, whilst Bion brusht his beard with a broom besom. Danpion and Periander seeing this suffle, laughed so vehemently, that the old woman was ready to hurl the frumenty-dawbed dish-clout at Periander. This is brave (quoth the old [...], quoth she) what, can't I do what I will in my [...] house? By [...]uno's petticoats (quoth she) had I [...] you'd ha' been so unmannerly, you should ha' [...] a dike for me, and ne're ha' dirted my sheet with [...] ugly hoofs. Bion (quoth she) give him a dust [...] teeth, and a kick [...]oth' tail, and turn him out of [...], I charge you. B'e [...] Lady, quoth Bion, thats the way to have two for it, believe me (quot [...] he) I love to sleep in a whole skin.

But by this time came in Moschus, and old Thyr­sis the shepherd, with some other shepherds and Foresters, that were the nearest inhabitants, to visit old mother Anus, and young Daphins, and to know if Battus was come home, who seeing two such comely personages as Danpion and Periander, fell into admi­ration, who they should be. Moschus was jealous, lest they should be [...]uters to Daphins, Thyrsis was ambitious▪ that he might have them for his Sons-in-law and therefore comes with abundance of Rhetorick, and [Page 165] importunes them to accept of entertainment, at his poor Cottage, untill Battus should come, being in­formed that they were servants that had lost their way, and wanted a guide.

Danpion and Periander hoping they might meet with better accommodations there than here, accepted of his invitation, and went along with them, leaving Moschus kissing and courting of Daphins. Thyrsis greedy of knowing who these persons should be, see­ing them to be likely and hopeful young men, de­manded of them their names, and whom they ser­ved.

Periander (according to the agreement between Danpion and him, to change their names) called him­self Troilus, and Danpion, Thestilus, and told him that they were servants to a couple of Gentlemen, that liv­ed▪ the one neer the Court, and the other retyred him­self in the Country, and they two being of acquain­tance, had incon [...]iderately travelled together, so far into that Forest, that they had quite lost their way, and intreated no other courtesie of him, but if possible to direct them out of the Forest, for otherwise they fear­ed, if they should stay untill Battus came home, they should exceed their time limited, and incurr their Ma­sters di [...]leasure. Truly (said Thyrsis) this many a long day have I been a shepherd upon these Plains hard by, and yet never in all my life did I stray any where, un­less after a stragling sheep, but up and down from one neighbors house to another, and none about us knows the way but Battus, that I can t [...]ll of.

With these and the like discourses they passed a­way the time, until they came to the house that sto [...] upon a pleasant plain, mantled with the verdant [...], and checkered with eye-pleasing Flowers, which [...] [Page 166] to a little hill, upon whose aspiring brow, you might survey the Country round, which though it abounded with enamel'd Meadows, spread with Flora's Tapestry, and Pastures for Sheep to graze on, watered with bubling Springs and murmuring Streams, and all things for a Shepherds life, yet it was inriched with invious Woods and Forrests, not pervious for any but those well acquainted with the passages, so that it seemed like a sweet pleasant spot of ground that they had cull'd out to encloyster themselves from the residue of the turmoiling world.

Troilus and Thestylus (for so they now termed them­selves) having a while viewed the pretty delightsom prospects that the Country presented to their sight, went into the house with Thyrsis, where there was his two Daughters Phyllis and Arethusa, as busie as Bees, running up and down the house to fit it against their Father came home. Phyllis was a pretty black wench, of a loving nature, but proud and coy, and though desi­rous of a Husband, yet thought few good enough for her, but would lift up her nose, and wag her head with many a coy nod, as though she lookt higher than such as they, and tell them, that truly she could live without a Husband, whatever they thought. Arethusa was fair and modest, and mightily itched for a Husband, and therefore would cast many loving sheeps eyes at young men that came in; but yet if any came to her, her foolish bashfulness would not let her consent, but she would pule them out all▪

Assoon as these two saw Troilus and Thestylus come in with their Father, observing diligently that they were prettier and more proper men than ordinary, and hoping they might come as Suters, fell inamoured pre­sently with them; Phyllis she began to feel her heart tumble up and down in her, and she could not but [Page 167] skeu at Troilus and wish that he was her Husband; when his lips opened to speak, she imagined they smack'd together, as if they were kissing of her, and if he chanced to look awry, she thought presently it was an amorous look at her; and she would make ma­ny occasions to pass by, and then she would look more demurely than ordinary, and skrue her face into a po­sture, that a bit of looking glass flatteringly made her believe was handsom, and dip down many dainty dops, as though somebody had struck her in the hams. Arethusa, she was taken with Thestylus, and she was not so confident as her sister, but would stand behind the pantry door, and peep through the key hole at him, and oh! she wished that she could entice him a milk­ing with her, and she resolved if ever he came a wooing to her, that she would pluck up a good heart, and say Yes at first word, for by that ugly word No, she had lost many a well favoured suter, that would have had her otherwise. But hey, the joy there was when their Father came and told them, that these young men were come to be their Husbands, and bid them be kind to them; that is a very unnecessary command, thought they. Phyllis she felt her heart wamble, and pant, and keep such a stir in her, that she could not rest in a place, but must needs hop up and down the house, and was ready to go to Troilus and tell him she consented, before she knew whether he would have her or no. Arethusa was so netled, that she flung to and fro, as if she had a gad sly in her tail, and both of them were so over joy'd, that neither of them knew what they did. And thus were the poor wenches senses al­most rackt out of course between the extremes of Joy and Love.

Many days Troilus and Thestylus here continued to their far better contentment than at Battuses. Phyllis [Page 168] and Arethusa being very observant, wooing them by their officious carriage, and Thyrsis shewing all manner of kindness, according to his rustical generosity, ho­ping to win them in the end; daily telling them how many teems of Oxen he would give Phyllis, and how many flocks of Sheep he would give Arethusa, and what Meadows and Pasturage he would bestow upon them, and thus continually ty [...]ing their ears with such kind of discourse, untill at length the nine days were expired, but yet no news that Battus was come home, for Thyrsis would fain have continued them a [...] his house, till he had enticed them to have married his Daughters, and therefore concealed Battuses coming as long as he was able.

But at length for all Thyrsisses policy, one morning there comes a couple of young Shepherds to his house, and desires to speak with the strangers that he harbou­red there, Thyrsis [...] they might come to bring the fatal tidings that Battus was returned, began to deny that they were within, which Troilus hearing, suspecting there might be some plot in agitation, calls out to the Shepherds, and tells them that if they had any thing to say to them, they were within, and might be spoken withall: whereat the young men pre­sently marcht in, and being pretty burly chuffs, and [...] their countenances to chumping looks, the bigger of them, and as he himself thought the stouter, comes up to Troilus, and challenges him to do any manner of [...] with him presently, whatever he durst. P [...]eth [...]e [...]ellow (said Troilus) what dost thou mean? [...], what dost thou mean fellow? said the [...]; Fellow me, no, fellows, but [...] darest, thou knowest well enough [...] but that thou art wilfully blind, and [...] cowardise, and art afraid to see my [Page] [Page]

[Page 169] meaning, for fear then thou shouldst be engaged to ac­cept of my challenge; I say once more come out of thy den here, if thou darst, thou dastard, for thy ears; I'le promise thee, if thou dost, I'le beat thy nose flat; what thou thinkest to steal away Phyllis sneakingly, and no body know of it, but for that trick if thou hast her, it shall cost thee a bloudy nose, for all thy fine gewgaws about thee. Troilus loth to descend so much beneath himself, as to fowl his fingers with such a rude lout, told him that he came not for Phyllis, nor his intent was not to have Phyllis, he might do what he would with his Phyllis; what wilt thou lye too (said the Shepherd) and with that perceiving that Phyllis saw him through a chink of the door, resolving now if ever to shew himself manful, snatches up a fire-shovel that stood by him, and was ready to strike Troilus over the face, but that he quickly observing it was time to curb his rudeness, nimbly drew out his sword and cut off his hand, and with the force of the blow struck him along, so that the shovel falling upon the ground, and his hand upon the shovel, and himself upon his hand, he looked as if he had been shovelling his hand into the fire. The other young fellow wil­ling to second his companion, gets up a skene bill, and laid at Thestylus, and had cle [...]t his head ere he could [...]nd his sword, had not old Thyrsis, fearing he should [...]se a Son [...]in-law, held the Shepherd by the arm, but [...] willing to have his blow before Thestylus could de­ [...]nd himself, swings himself from Thyrsis with such [...]lence, that his coat being old and rotten, one that [...] used to wear in his nonage, he [...]are off the sleeve; [...] he not regarding that, lays, at Thestylus, who by [...] time had found his sword, and de [...]te [...]ously avoid­ [...]ng the bl [...]w▪ served him in the same manner, as Troilus had his brother Shepherd, since he so much de­sired [Page 170] to share with him in the same fortune, and almost cut off his arm that it depended only upon a little mor­sel of flesh, that kept it from falling to the ground, so that as his tother arm hung without a sleeve, so this hung like a sleeve without an arm; but feeling the smart of the blow, and seeing the sad effect of encoun­tring with a champion, he flings away his Bill, and falls down on his knees, just as the other had made a shift to scramble upon his knees, and asks forgive­ness, laying all the fault on his brother Shepherd, say­ing, that he had not come but for him, and calling him logger-head, and all the rustical names that his beetle brain could invent, for bringing him into such a pre­munire. With that the other fellow inraged, gives him the lye, and a box on the ear, which was retur­ned him again to the full, with interest, so that there had been a combat between these one handed men on their knees, had they not been parted by Thestylus: who before he would fully pardon them, laid this pe­nance upon them, that to procure their remission for their uncivil abuses, they should one of them run to Battuses house, to see if he was returned yet, and the other remain as an hostage. They replyed that he had been at home these three days at least. Troilus and Thestylus hearing this, commanded presently that their Horses should be fitted ready for their journey, which was readily performed, so that taking leave of old Thyrsis and returning him thanks for his courteous hospitality towards them (who poor man could not refrain from weeping, to see that he must part with them, and in parting with them, part with all that felicity he flatteringly promised himself in them) they went on their journy towards Battuses, but taking the Shepherds along with them lest they should deceive them. And by the way Troilus begins to examine [Page 171] the fellow that had so rudely affronted him, what was the reason that he came and challenged a stranger in that unmannerly manner as he did? Ah! (said the Shepherd) Love, Love was the cause, you would have bestirred your self an you should have lost your love I warrant you; Why are you in love (said Troilus) pre­thee tell us how thou camest about to be troubled with that distemper, and with whom? Why (said the Shep­herd) one fine Somers-day, as you shou'd ha' seen a­mong twenty, I walked out to look birds nests to and fro among the hedges and bushes, but weas me! in­stead of finding what I sought, I found what I sought not, as well as sought not what I found; for stragling up and down just like a stray'd sheep after my sport, I hapned to espy in Thyrsis Garden, a Bush made of Cupids Arrows, where Venus Doves had built their nests, and poor I, ingrant of loves matters, thinking cunningly to have catcht them ere they were aware, as we do other birds, was cunningly caught my self, with the lime twigs of beauty; so that though I now desire what I found, yet I found not what I desired: and who d'ye think I found? why it was 'eene Phyllis, amiable Phyllis, dainty fine Phyllis.

Phyllis with face fairer than any new washed Lamb, with eyes black as Berry, and lips as red as Coral; this Phyllis, I no sooner saw her, but as if her look; had bewitched me, I could not for my life restrain my eyes from stragling after her, but I must be looking at her, though to my cost, I found, that every look (me­thought) conveyed a piece of my heart, to her til at length she monopoliz'd it all to her self, so that I minded no­thing but thinking of her, and neglecting my Sheep, would walk all alone and talk of her, ne're caring what a murrain became of my flock, for now I my self was become one of Cupids flock, and Phyllis eyes were the [Page 172] sheephooks wherewith he caught me, her mouth the Tar-box, and her comforting words the Tar, where­with he kept me from pining away with the Love-rot; the pond where he daily washt my fleece was made of tears, for indeed when I was by my self, I could do no­thing but whine, as oft as I thought of Phyllis; and as he daily washed me, so he daily fleeced me, that I was become 'een nothing but skin and bone, that I looked just like a Skillet (as Doctors call a man, after they have picked his bones) so that when I came amongst the rest of my companions, they amazed got about me like Birds about an Owl, and made jests of me, some said, I lookt as I had got the Murrain, and would rub Tar over my face; others said my bones lookt like a set of keiles, and would toss their bowles at me; and indeed I did look most piteously, for I have often seen my face in a Spring, but for all that, I in the end obtained Phyllis's love, and was to have been mar­ried to her, just as you came to the house, but assoon as you came, the case was altered, Phyllis looks coy (forsooth) as though I were not good enough for an husband for her, and she lookt for another-gates hus­band than I, and the like. Whereupon (dy' see) I en­quired after you, who and what you were, and whether you came to marry Phyllis or not, and amongst my neighbors, at length I heard, that you came to steal away Thyrsisses daughters privately, and no body know of it, but the old man, who had consented, and brought you to his house for that purpose, and the young Maids, be sure you would not long stay for their good will, for they were so much taken with you, it passed, that none of we durst speak to them, the Gentlewomen were grown so proud, whereupon (dy' see) I was so provoked, that I should be so disdained, and my Fathers eldest Son and all, that I resolved to try [Page 173] a touch with you, for I would have you to know, that though you now were too hard for me, yet I could make my party good with e're a young man of my inches, in these parts, let him be who he will. And then the fellow began to puff, and look bigger than ordnary, and with that swelling made an end of his story.

But by this time they had gotten to Battusses house, where (as their fellows had told them) they found him at home, so that having dismissed them they applyed themselves to Battus, and requested him to conduct them out of this Forest, and they would recompense him for his labor. Battus willingly consented, and so they went on their journey, when by that time the Worlds great Luminary had hid himself behind the moun­tains, and was descending to take his rest on Thetisses watry couch, they came to the place where they first met, where having first gratified Battus for his pains, the two friends Danpion and Periander (now no more Troilus and Thestylus) agreed upon time and place, where again they might have recourse to inform each other of the affairs of State, and of the state of affairs in both parties; and so they parted, Periander betaking himself to Pandions Castle, and Danpion to the Kings Court, whither by that time the torches of the night were enkindled in the heavens, he arrived. But scarce had he alighted off his horse, ere winged Fame had carried tidings of it to the ears of most, and by reason of his eminency it was not long, before it was known to all, so that the King having notice of it, he imme­diately sends for him to come to his presence, to give an account of his absence, for there wanted not in the Court, those malitious and yet ambitious spirits, that repining at Danpions supereminent glories, took all advantages against him, and in particular this of his [Page 174] withdrawing from the Court to beget suspitious thoughts of him in the King, that so by degrees they might bring him to his Occident, whose presence thus in the Meridian favour, totally obscured their lustre, and in whose absence only their dim Star-light could appear. And knowing him to be too potent with the King, and too strongly fixed in his bosom, to remove by apparent violence, and impetuosity, they therefore imitating those that when they cannot take a Fort by storm, seek to undermine it, sought privately to calum­niate and reproach him with treachery an infidelity, to which this present absence of his seemed to add no small confirmation.

But all these obtrectations proved in the end but like Dogs barkings at the Moon, who slackens her pace ne­ver the more, nor wraps her face in a Cloud never the sooner, for all his Cholerick yelpings. So Danpion soon obtained his former favour, when he had in­formed the King, that the occasion of his absence was only an accidental loss of his way, as he rode out on an Evening for his recreation.

Danpion having continued some time in the Court, seeks by all means possible to acquaint Florinda, that he was returned, that she might give him intelligence whether there were any hopes of reconciliation with Amphigenia, and whether all endeavors to that pur­pose would be fruitless or not.

Florinda having notice by this means that Danpion was come, secretly repairs to his Chamber, and there tells how desperate averse the Lady Amphigenia yet continued to all his Sex, and in particular to him, by reason of the last affront he offered her (for so she esteemed it) but yet incourages him to prosecute his intents, with what prudence and secresie he could, for she said the prosecution of such a design required both [Page 175] in the full extent of their natures; and moreover she promised him that wherein her assistance could be avail­able, she did oblige her whole power to his service. Danpion returning her infinite thanks for her unimitable civilities, takes his leave and goeth and ponders by himself, and at length concludes upon a plot, which in short time he thus puts in execution.

It was when the black brow'd night triumphing over the day, sate shaking her dewy locks in her Ebony throne, having spred her rorid Carpet over the sable Hemis [...]here, and dul-eyed Morpheus, with his droop­ing Charmes, and husht the tyred senses to their rest, when Danpion attended on by his Page, secretly steals through the crankling vault, to Amphigenia's Cham­ber, whom he finds just as the drowsie Deity had be­nummed her senses, a book in her hand, and her wax­en Taper, a Lovers true Hieroglyphick, burning by her, as if composed of Lovers hearts, it had fetcht flames from her eyes, and with those flames consumed it self to ashes. And perceiving the opportunity fit for his intended enterprize, he attires his beautiful Boy like one of heavens swift Pursivants, with golden Wings, which by reason of a private Engine, so poy­zed his body in the Air, like Archytas Dove, that as if some secret spirit lurkt in those gilded plumes, he could convey himself whether he pleased. About his fair naked body was girt a silken weed, which partly of a Caerulean-colour, sweetly intermixed with purple streaks, seemed as if he had been clothed in a piece of Aurora's mantle, and partly of a misty gloomy colour, artificially interwoven with Gold, looked as if he had snatcht a Sun-beam, sheathed in a dewy cloud; that golden Zone that encompassed his middle, looked like the Zodiack, the Jewels wherewith it was embost, like the Planets, and the rich Carbuncle, that served for a [Page 176] button, whose nature is to be most resulgent in the darkest night, shone with so much resplendency, as in the midst of that darkness, it most lightsomely repre­sented the Sun. In the one hand, he put a Harp, and in the other a Letter, which was thus super­scribed.‘Venus Queen of Beauty, to Amphigenia, her Successor.’

In this Garb he conveys him into the room, through a secret passage, like a trap-door, made in the roof of the Chamber, that he had carved out for that purpose. The lovely Boy, being thus entred into the room, and instructed in all things, gently moves his Air-dividing Pineons, and marrying his sweet quavering voyce, to the Harpes ravishing Airs, as he flys, sings this Song.

Having sung this Song, as he wav'd to and fro in the room, he gently descends upon the Bed, where Am­phigenia lay, and delivers her the Letter, which con­tained thus much.

Amphigenia that with a pleasant countenance had read part of the Letter, often smiling at Danpions subtilty, ere she had perused half, converts her smiles into frowns, and with any angry blushing look, flings the Letter at the Boy, and bids him carry it back to Danpion, from whom he received it, and tell him, that he was very profuse in his own praise, and that she very much doubted, whether any of those Hyperbolical commendations were due to any of his Sex living, much less to him; and that if his thoughts were so self advancing, as to repute himself a person so highly accomplished, the way to have others concurr with him in their judgements concerning his rich endow­ments (which was the thing she presumed he aspired at) [Page 185] was not (she said) to reveal so much of his folly; But if he was so ambitious of praise, it had been more wis­dom to have had another tongue, and not his own, to be lavish in his praises, or that if he must needs com­mend himself, it were more honorable to extoll him­self by his actions, than by his words; for she was sure the wisest sort of people would esteem him, whose name was renowned for brave exploits, was sounded forth by the Trumpet of fame, to merit higher ap­plause, than he whose own tongue babled forth his own commendations in such an exuberant manner; but truly (said she) for his actions, those that I have had experience of, they give the lye to his expressions. Therefore she bad him advise him to sorbear any fur­ther troubling of her with his cheating follies, for (she said) he did but delude himself, in imagining he should delude her.

The Boy hearing this, nimbly snatched up the Let­ter, and with his wings fanning out the light, that he might not be perceived how he vanished, he swif [...]ly cuts through the fluid Air, and ascends to the top of the room, where the passage through which he entred was ready open for his return; so that after he had deliver­ed himself out of that delightful prison, he neatly closes again the breach, and flyes to Danpion, to ac­quaint him with the success of the plot, who having all this while sate in the dark Vault, was not ignorant of most of these passages. But when he was more fully informed, how she suspected the plot, and with what disdain and fury she tossed the letter to his Page, he presently hasts to his Chamber, commands his Boy to be absent, and slings himself on his bed, permits not his senses to take the least repose, but sometimes walks up and down the room, lamenting his condition, and then tossing himself on his Couch, exclames against all [Page 186] women, and upbraids himself of folly, to be insna­red and captived with such an inconstant vanity. But then he would condemn himself for calumniating that Sex, when Amphigenia's vertues are sufficient testimo­nies of the incomparable excellencies that generous Nature confers upon them.

In this restless manner he consumed most part of the night, having his thoughts distracted between despair and grief, which like two potent factions in a kingdom, b [...]ed a civil war in his breast, the event of which ten­ded not to the predominancy of either, but only to a total exclusion of Morpheus, from usurping dominion over his turmoiled senses, grown almost senseless with those rude broyls. But then summoning his wonted fortitude, and invincible patience, under all the ad­verse storms of fortune, he now begins to banish sor­row and despair from him, and to rebuke himself for his effeminate submission to his passion. What (said he) shall I, who never yet was daunted with the ter­rours of an enemies murtherous sword, and who durst assault an army of Gorgons, Harpyes, Furies, and all the infernal Apes and Monsters listed in Plutos Militia, shall I now be forced to retreat from my resolutions with a Females [...]rowns? and be now compelled to sub­jugate my self to every domineering passion? though I love Amphigenia, and for her sake would freely un­case my soul, and (were it in my power) transform it in­to a Jewel, which if I [...]hought she would vouchsafe to honour with acceptance, I'de present her, as a te­stimony of pure affection; yet Amphigenia shall never make me unman my self, and degenerate from my masculine aequanimity into a leaden feminine spirit, whose embased flexibleness will bend and yield to eve­ry cross mischance that thwarts their desires. And what though I love Amphigenia, must I therefore do [Page 187] that that will make me hate my self? No, henceforth I am resolved to abandon all abject discontent and grief, and leave whining despair to those dejected souls, who conscious of their own small worth, become Loves footballs, and suffer themselves to be kicked and spurn­ed by tyrannizing Beauty. And though the imperious Mistress of my captived heart, doth yet retain her au­stere reservedness, yet she is a woman, and if a wo­man, light and unconstant, as the fleeting Air, or floating wave; and therefore as the Air is now stormy, and anon serene, the wave now rough, and anon calm; so who knows how soon she may calm and smooth her stormy brow, and be of a milder aspect? it is but waiting till her gamesome vein surprize her, and ex­pell her rigid thoughts, and then she will be as toyish, as now she is coy. But stay, who is it, that my thoughts thus malape [...]tly presume to accuse of levity, coyness, retyredness, and what not? is it not Amphigenia? Amphigenia, the model of heaven, the Paragon of Beauty, the glory of Nature, the worlds ornament, the pride of Thessalia, and the Mistress of my heart? Amphigenia whose peerless perfections so far tran­scend the Criticism of Owl-ey'd judgement, as that their dazling lustre renders them even unapprehensible, much more incomprehensible, and most of all uncon­trovertible. Can my dim-sighted soul then think to discern a spot in that resplendent Beauty, whose reful­gent rays, though seen but by reflection in my thoughts, obscure its purblind sight, with a dusky mist? what if she be coy, and inexorable to the Petitions of her poor Love-sick suppliants? it may be she is an Angel clad in flesh, and if so, her purity debats all thoughts of hu­mane conjunction, but if not, she is a woman clothed with Angelical Beauty, and that thought subverts all hopes of fruition. Her body though framed by Nature, [Page 188] of a marvellous Architecture, yet is but a temporary Cell, where her immaculate Soul, for the freer and more uninterrupted commerce with heaven, separated from all converse may reside, exchanging sacred and sublime meditations, the most pure offerings and sweet exhalations of a Chast uncontaminated mind, for divine enthusiasms and inspirations. Shall I then to purchase this transitory Cell, sell my joys, my life, my rest, my heart and all? no my immaterial Soul will not admit of commixture with the most refined earth, and therefore it is not her corporal part alone, though moulded into an Angelical form, that doth rapt my heart with a transporting affection; but her Soul, her vertuous Soul, whose beams shining through her eyes, as through a Crystal medium, reflect round her face, and exhale my affections; but alas! that's too much wedded to Virginity, and taken up with the ravishing delicacies of Chastity, ever to be adulterated and ra­vished with passion, so as to parturiate amorous desires, the off-springs of love-enthralled souls. Despair then henceforth shall be the sable hearse of my disturbing thoughts, I'le now compose my interior, disordered by the jarrings of rebellious passions, and make my ir­rational part resign and surrender up all her faculties to the governance and direction of my intellectuals. And if my discourteous Stars have not destined me to that happiness, to be linked in matrimonial union, with such a superexcellent Beauty, and to have our hearts dissolved into one, with the ardent flames of pure af­fection; I must frame a content, and make my Soul acquiesce in heavens determination. But if the kind fates have decreed the contrary, I shall with unwearied patience await, till the happy hour of Amphigenia's miraculous conversion (Elixar-like) shall turn all my tormenting thoughts, and corroding anxieties into true bliss and contentation.

[Page 189] Thus did Danpion sacrifize the night to the vigils of a restless mind, till about the dawning of the day, when night grown gray with age, began to flye with his train of Stars, before Titans [...] flaming horses, which were now climing up the gilded Horizon; when leaping out of his bed, he went down into the shady walks, to solace himself in that Paradise of delights; but he had not walked many paces, ere his ear was arrested with a voice, which according it self to a Lutes mollitious Aires, was so harmoniously rapturous, as none but would have thought it to have been some Seraphim, who blest with a treble portion of Celestial joys, in an extasie warbled forth his own happiness; so far did it surpass the Pythagorean accents. These heart-rapting strains could not but extort attention from Danpions ra­vished ear, so that stealing neerer, the more to satiate his avaritious ears with that vocal melody (which was but parsimoniously conveyed unto him at that distance, as if the niggardly Grove had treasured up those Soul-inchanting notes, to inrich its winged inhabitants) he heard this Song.

Danpion, that for a while lay as it were Iulld into a Trance, with the Musicks sweet modulations, as if his Captived Soul had been fettered with the trembling strings, and imprisoned in the Lutes charming Womb, now began to be arowsed with a new swarm of stinging desires, whose inordinate Curiosity would not be satis­fied, until he had repaired unto the place whence those Harmonious Accents came, that so with the sight of their Author, he might mitigate the Martyrdom he suffered under his tyrannizing-thoughts. But he soon redeemed his enslaved mind, with a full surplusage of Content, when at his arrival at that blest Elizium, he beheld the two great Sharers in his Soul, Periander and Florinda, sitting together on a green Bank, under the [Page 193] protection of a spreading-Oak, and with their agreeing Voices, sweetly expressing the internal Harmony of their concording Souls; who no sooner had fixt their eyes upon him, and knew him to be Danpion, but they arose, and with pleasing looks, and humble deport­ments, the Orators of true Respect, and Affection, thus accosted him:

Our good Angel, My Lord (said Florinda) is ex­ceeding Prodigal of his favours to day, to bless us with the felicity of your company too, this sweet Morning. Vouchsafe me your Pardon, Madam, (said Danpion) for presuming thus to interrupt your sweet confedera­tion: how much the harmonious Accents, these sweet Off-springs of your Angel-voyce transported me, is not within the power of my ravished thoughts to impart unto you.

Your Hyperbolical expressions, My Lord, almost perswade me to a belief, that my mean Voyce had charmed you out of your self, but that I am too much ac­quainted with my own inability to effect things less mi­raculous: My self must witness against my self for my own imperfections, which would soon appear, were they put to the test of an impartial judgement. But (my Lord) I am not a [...]tranger to your Rhetorical vein.

Madam (said Da [...]pion) I must acknowledge you have conquered me; yet, were not I so rapt with the won­der of your Vertues and Excellencies, that my Brains incapable to [...] a Reply, I could also say, that benign Heavens have so [...] with your society, that neither and wholly unacquainted with your wonted mode [...]y, under which, it was alwaies yo [...]r endeavour to mask your Excellencies, and with which, as a di [...]inishing Gla [...]s, you ever so [...] to lessen your Perfections. But Madam (said he) they are too [...] ­spicuous, [Page 194] ever to be concealed with such a transparent Veil; Modesty rather sets a Crimson gloss upon the rest, and is but a lively Frontispiece, containing a short En­chiridion of your Perfections.

Well, My Lord (said she) Women are the wea­ker Sex, and therefore however we seem to veil those things you are pleased to interpret Perfections, I'm sure we must veil to you; but this I must take the liber­ty to say, That the knowledge of my own little worth is too much fixed in my thoughts, ever to be unriveted by any Artifice whatsoever. Nor shall any Rhetorick Madam, (said he) ever [...]avish from me the belief of your Excellencies.

After these, and many other the like speeches that passed betwixt them, Danpion related the story of his unhappy love, what means he had used to accomplish his desires, but how ineffectual; how he had rackt his Wit, and set all possibilities on the Tenters of his In­vention; but how froward Fortune, the sworn Enemy to Vertue, and Vertuous Lovers, had opposed his En­deavours, and how more than all Amphigenia had loa­den his misfortune with her heavy displeasure, so that all his Hopes were now Metamorphosed into De­spair.

Periander and Florinda, whose own Experiences had taught them how to pity an unfortunate Lover, could not but commiserate his hopeless condition, so that they passed away much time in consulting how to lead him out of those mazing intricacyes he was involved in; till at length, much of the riches of the Morning being consumed, and Titan having drunk his Mornings-draught of Crystal-dew, Florinda not daring to con­tinue any longer, upon peril of discovery, and a total forfeiture of Amphigenia's Favour, with many Kisses and Embraces (a Lovers sweetest Eloquence) took [Page] [Page]

[Page 195] leave of Periander, and with a graceful deportment, bid farewel to Danpion; after whose departure, Peri­ander informed Danpion what great misfortunes had of late befallen a Beautiful and Vertuous, but unfortunate Lady, whose Redemption (he said) would exact his presence for a time. Danpion being importunate to hear the story, Periander thus related it.

Glycera the Nunn (said he) that hath so surprized Pandion's affections, as if the Heavens had frowned upon her, because she frowned upon him, hath of late undergone such calamities in Cyprus, (as we are inform­ed by a Knight, that not long since was a sad Spectator of her more sad misery) such, I say, as would Chal­lenge the Tribute of a River of Tears, from an Ocean of Grief; such as would compel the dryest Eye to bleed or weep, and by as it were an Elemental transmutation, make the most flinty heart evaporate in aiery fumes of sighs, or dissolve into a Lake of Tears: For no sooner had she escaped out of the Nunnery, but a cursed Pi­rate snatcht her up, and conveyed her to his Ship, where he daily solicited her to part with her Chastity, more precious to her than her life; but she abhorring the motion, continually rejected him, so that in the end, that Rebel to Vertue, hells first-born, and heir in­heriting its damnable practices, perceiving himself to be slighted, and no means to accomplish his hell-bred desires, resolved to crop the sweet bud of her Virgini­ty by force, and rob her of that rich Cargazoon of Vertue, which her sweet soul bound for heaven con­tained; and to that end having on a day most importu­nately urged her, with all the intreaties and intice­ments, a hell-inspired mind could invent, seeing all in vain, locks his Cabin door, and seizeth upon her like a Hawk upon the innocent Dove, whilst she (poor La­dy) trembled under his tallons, like a Lamb new yeau­ed [Page 196] on a sheet of Snow, and falls down upon her knees, and begged for heavens sake, for Vertues sake, and for his own sake, as he would not have the Sea open her devouring jaws, and intomb him alive in her vast womb, as he would not have the Clouds distill down vengeance upon his head, not to make her innocency become a prey to his lust.

This said, she wept the rest, bedewing her Lillyed Cheeks with Crystal tears. But he, Marble-hearted Villain, pourtraying in his loathed countenance, a doleful image of what hells cursed imps animated him unto, not at all daunted with the Majesty of sor­row, that sate enwrapped in a Snowy veil, nor moved with her words, whose woful accents would have mel­ted the most obdurate heart, and charmed the most merciless soul into commiseration, gripes her in his Arms, and flings his hellish deformed Carkass upon her, and thu [...] indeavours to possess him of those sweet treasures, which had been more fit to have been reap­ed by some heaven-blest, earth-adored Monarch, than by the filthy hand of such a lust-defiled wretch.

But alas! she (poor Lady) when through the liquid medium of her tears, she saw, that in despight of her weak strugling, she must part with her Virginity, that redolent perfume, which had wont to ascend to hea­ven, as the sweet sacrifice of her Chast mind, how did she blush, and weep, and wring her hands, as if she would squeeze tears from them too, and then look pale, as if grief had wrapped her beauty in the winding sheet of a Snowy paleness, being ready to be buried with her Vertue in the loathsome Grave of his lust? and then blush again, as ashamed to think of her shame, and weep as if his lustful flames had thawed her very soul into tears; tears that like Pearls, heart-breaking [Page 197] sorrow, woes factor, had brought from the crimson ori­ent of her blushing Beauty; but then a Lillyed pale­ness would exile the Vermilion redness, and look like a Lawn sheet cast over a bed of Roses. One while the thoughts of her dying honor, but never-dying reproach, would dye her Cheeks with a Crimson tincture, as if her heart bleeding for her misery meant to send some streams out at the Crystal sluces of her eyes, but ah! they were anticipated by an inundation of tears. And then the thoughts of her afflicted, forsaken, hopeless condition, the sad thoughts of her unheard, unpittyed, unhelpt distress; ah! but the killing soul-vulnerating thoughts of her woful dishonor, at length quite chan­ged her countenance (sweet countenance, in which there shined a delicate loveliness, a lovely Majesty, a majestick sweetness, to the inthralling of adoring minds) I say quite changed her sweet countenance to a gastly look, as if the lovely Roses of her Beauty would not grow in that Garden, where he planted his ra [...]es, or as if that white immaculate innocency that had hi­therto dived into the bottom of her heart, and there inshrined it self, now grown light, did swim in the top, and cover her face with a pallid whiteness, as if it came to kiss her cheeks, and take its last farewell; or rather to supplicate heaven for speedy assist [...] with shriller cryes, than any her seeble voice could utter.

The all- [...]uling powers, that are seldom ine [...]or [...]ble to the heaven-penetrating shrieks of distressed innocency, had thus far permitted this flagitious mechator to pro­ceed in his accursed enterprise, when just (oh unjust act, but just heaven, for so merciful a prevention!) just, I say, as he went to unload his lust, she gave a shrie [...] ▪ as if sorrow had eccho-like pin'd her very soul to a voice, that it resounded through all the parts of the [Page 198] Ship, like some horrid cry of a guilt-surrounded soul, newly snatcht from the clai'y prison of its body, and delivered up before it is aware to the immortal pains of the other world; which arriving at the ears of the Seamen, they like men amazed, in a mad confusion presently run to the Masters Cabbin, and force open his door, where they beheld this dismall spectacle, the Master endeavouring to abuse the dead body of a beau­tiful Lady (for when she saw that the powers above would permit him to despoil her of her Vertue, her Chast soul, as abhorring to share with her fair consort the body, in so detestable a misery, fled to heaven to impetrate revenge.)

This woful sight could not but exact tears from a pumice, so that though their hearts hardned by a fre­quent performance of horrid actions would not relent at ordinary griefs, yet this disaster wrung such testimo­nies of a true sympathizing sorrow, as no imagination could conceive greater.

The Master, when he saw himself thus surprized in the midst of his barbarous impiety, started up and stood a while with all his faculties attached, with the raging a­gony of a furious passion; but though his silent tongue could pay no tribute to his madness, yet did his hide­ous countenance in the terrors of an affrighting look, decipher the desperate fury of his enraged mind, whilst his frothing mouth foamed out a dumbe reply; till at length with extremity of passion arrouzed out of his hellish trance, he vomits forth a stream of mon­strous oaths, as if he went to conjure down a legion of infernal spirits, and bans his men to the pit of hell, and stamps and swears, as if he would tear the Furies out of Tartarus, and binds his soul with an ear-rending oath, hells damned language, to make fish-meat of all those audacious villains, that durst interturb him in [Page 199] thi [...] mutinous manner; and with that he begins with the fai [...] Corps of the dead Lady, having ravished her soul from her, though not her vertue.

But no sooner did Thetis in her Cae [...]ulean arms em­brace this sweet body, but on a suddain, the Sun, as a­shamed that his beams should be accessary to such an execrable deed, muffled up himself in sable clouds, and the sky (as enraged that the merciless Sea should make prize of that that heaven onely could lay claim unto) musters together whole Armies of clouds to be­siege it, the Sea to fortifie it self against heavens furi­ous assaults, raised up cloud-scaling mountains, and tosses the Ship as if it meant to dart it at the skys; with that all the airy inhabitants of the middle region ren­dezvouz together, and erect vast Towers in the sky, from whence heavens Cannon-shot is discharged with such a roaring noise, as if the worlds Axle-tree were snapt in sunder, and both the Poles jumbled together; the rowling billows, foaming with madness, clamber up to the clouds, where as it were pregnant with night, they are delivered of a horrid darkness, such a dark­ness, as if all hells cursed inhabitants had belched forth a sable fume, or as if the steam that ascends from burn­ing Phlegeton, Pluto's Cauldron, had over-spread the Hemisphere. Mean while the distracted Seamen run up and down in a hurly burly, rending the air, and their throats with confused bawling; the Master bans and raves and storms at the Storm, and commands nei­ther himself nor they know what, for all his Sea gib­berish is born away with the wind, as fast as born out of his sluce-like mouth; the Sails are torn in rags from the Yards, the Yards and Masts shivered in splinters, and the Shrowds snapt like burnt twine, mean while the raging Surges mount and ro [...]l, as if Death were ma­king wa [...]ry tombes wherein to intert these heaven-be­sieged [Page 200] Souls. At length a breaking Billow came tum­bling along, and boarded the ship with such a force, as split her in pieces, and rent her stemm from her stern. The poor drowning men to save their lives catcht hold some on the Prow, others on the Poop, some on the Masts, others on the Boat, But Neptune bowl'd his waves so fast, that they were soon overwhelmed, and made a prey to the greedy fishes, as the Master had sworn. The Master, whose execrable villany had brought this de [...]truction upon his men, had notwithstanding awhile saved himself in the Long-boat, and began to bless him­self with the hopes of escape, but just Heaven would not permit such wickedness to go unpunished, nor Gly­ceras death to go unrevenged, but sent a furious gust, which transported a breaking billow into the boat, and both transported him to the Port of death, and that his death might be the more signal, there came two Sha [...]kes just as he was thrown out of the Boat, and contending for his body, tare it in pieces.

No sooner had heavens blustring executioners put their just doom in execution, but there grew a tru [...]e be­tween the Winds and Seas, the Sun giving his Beams as Hostages for the heavens, the Sea demolishing its lofty rampiers, and both [...]eas and Skies smiling each on other, in token the powers above were pacified. Ma­ny small vessels that were fishing, some on the coast of Pelopennesus, others by Cyprus, and others amongst the Aegean Islands, were cast away in this storm, some wrackt on the shore, others foundred in the Seas, some over-set, and others s [...]lit against the Rocks, so that few or none escaped, excepting one small fisher Boat, that had seasonably disburthened it self of her Masts and goods, and all things that might make her swim deep in the Sea, and with a small Sail, fastned to the [Page 201] main Yard, that then served for a Mast, spooned afore the Wind, and by that means nimbly mounting over the lofty waves, and again gently descending into the low valleys, it saved it self in the midst of that hideous tempest; but yet was driven from the Euxine promounts, to the place where this Ship was wracked, that is be­tween Peloponnesus, and the Island of Cyprus.

This Vessel thus tossed hither, by that time the ra­ging Winds were appeased, and the Seas allayed, might discern some ribs of the torn Carkass of the Ship, float­ing to and fro on Neptunes bowling-green, and here and there Bailes of goods, Chests and Trunks swimming up and down; which the Fishermen perceiving, con­jecturing that they were the goods of some Ship tossed in the late storm, they loaded their Vessel with those things that were of most worth, and sailed towards Cyprus, intending there to Merchandise their spoils; but by that time they had sailed about three hours, the weather growing more and more [...]erene, the Sun in his most glistring attire cou [...]ting the Sea, and the Sea to appear more lovely, smoothing her face from wrinkles, and the sky clipping and embracing the Sea with a clear Horizon, they might discern in a prospective glass at a great distance, something move upon the Sea like a man, and (as they thought) casting his arms to and fro, to cry for succour; they with all speed make to him, and within half an hour, came so neer as to per­ceive it to be a woman, by her dishevelled hair, but still as fast as they sailed to overtake her, she made from them, that in the end they thought her to be some Mermaid, so that they were clapping on all the Can­vass they had saved in the storm, to make haste from her, but by that time they had sailed some few leagues, they descryed her [...]aking towards them, with so much swiftness, as they thought it in vain to flye from her, [Page 202] but rather determined to stay, untill she came up with them, which was in a short time, for by that time they had put their Sails in the wind, she was come so neer as they might discern it to be a sorrowful Lady, sitting (as on horseback) on a Dolphin, her face, the Index of a grieved mind, seemed to be beauties Coffin, where­in in lamentable Characters, there seemed to be en­graven this Epitaph, Here lys heart-enthralling beauty, murdered by heart-breaking sorrow. Fain would her breath formed into words, have broken the sweet pri­son of her trembling lips, but grief, their tyrannous Jaylor, would not permit it, but converted them into groans. At length giving liberty to her tongue to Midwive the dolours which her heart pregnant with was in travel withall, she with lamentable demeanor thus spake.

Ah wo is me, wo is me (said she) but then the tears interrupted her speech, and her eyes to assist her fain­ting voice in sorrows doleful language, discourst her griefs, but then tears again as it were ratifyed into sighs, and sighs framed into words, she thus lamented her condition.

Ah (said she) little did I ever think that heaven had thus many plagues in store for me. Never was poor wo­man distrest like me; as though one death were not enough to kill a poor dying woman, but I must daily be tormented with partial deaths, that methinks tear my soul piece-meal from my body; Oh! shew some mercy to a miserable wretch, a helpless, hopeless, for­lorn, forsaken woman, beset with remediless dolo [...], and pity my sorrows, as you would ever hope that hea­ven should commiserate you, when you are besieged with the terrors of death-threatning calamities, which how soon may be your lot is known only to the great disposer of our fates.

[Page 203] These doleful expressions, expressed so dolefully by a Lady beleagured with extremity of misery, would have scrued tears from a Rock, and made an Adamant turn Niobe, but yet took no impression upon the Master, but he rather (like an inhumane Churl) commands them to sail away, What (said he) have we nothing to do but to mind a foolish womans babling? let her alone to prate to the Dolphin, and mind you your employ­ments. But no sooner had he tacked about to be gone, but the poor Lady gave a shriek would have rent a heart in sunder, and cryed out to them as loud as her feeble voice could utter; Oh! (said she) have your hearts made a league with cruelty? though your ears should be deaf to the lamentable crys of a distrest wo­man, yet methinks, your eyes might intercede a little for me with your rocky hearts. Oh that ever so much barbarous immanity should lodge in humane souls! me­thinks it might shame you to see a Dolphin more mer­ciful than your selves. Shame, do I say? alass shame is vertues attendant, and resides not where vertue is exil'd, and vertue is ever exil'd from an obdurate heart. Oh you powers above, will you give no truce to my sorrows? must I be quite bereft of all relief? and then she gave a groan, as if she had torn her vital strings, and lifting up her eyes and hands, she thus im­plored Heaven:

Since it is your will (said she) to drench and pickle up my soul in Briny sorrows, to preserve it pure and un­tainted, and that the stormy gusts of adverse fortune must drive me through a Sea of Tears, ere I can arrive at the Haven that shall put an end to the turmoiling Navigation of this life; Oh then (said she) let this also he your will, that when that atome of time, that inconsiderable instant that links past and future, shall unlink my soul from my body; then, oh then, let [Page 204] it arrive at that blest Elizium, where one eternal in­divisible moment chains refined souls to an immorta­lity of unconceivable felicity.

The Fisher-men hearing these woful complaints, be­gan to be enraged at the Masters savage cruelty, and in a mutinous manner, with threatnings compelled him to relieve her; the Dolphin all this time, as if by some in­stinct from Heaven, swimming so near the Vessel, as that they could cast a Rope to draw her in; which in the end they did, the Master not daring to oppose.

The Vessel thus fraught, with more Treasure than all the Eastern Junks or Caravans, (her Eyes rich Cas­kets of Diamonds, containing more Gems, and her Breath more Aromatick Spices, than ever yet adorned and perfumed the Orient) moved with soft and gentle Gales, thus smoothly slyded along the Seas Briny sur­face, for the space of 48 hours; at the end of which, they arrived at Cyprus.

The Master, who while he was at Sea, terrified with the bold threatnings of his men, durst not vent his Cruelty towards this poor Lady; yet being at Cyprus, he resolved to revenge the affronts he received for her sake, upon her; and to that end, one night, when he had after great intreaties, given her his promise for per­mission to go ashore, he unknown to any, sold her to an ill-favoured Rustick, that had all the marks of Defor­mity almost about him; who in a rude manner haled her ashore, and that night conveyed her to his Cot­tage, some miles distant from the Sea, intending the next morning to compleat his felicity by marriage.

But when Glycera saw that Heaven had redeemed her out of a Purgatory of misery, to fling her into a Hell of calamities, Oh, with what doleful lamentations did she (sad Lady) consume the night? Now wring her hands and groan, as if she rang her own Knell; and then [Page 205] weep and sob, as if her Eyes and Lungs, rivalls in Sor­row, had contended which should express most to the life, a killing Passion. Sometimes her fainting spirits, as not able to endure the intollerable tyranny of domi­neering Grief, would seem condensed into Tears, which diffused through the flood-gates of her Eyes, would leave her surprized with dying languor: but then her senses restored to their natural functions, sorrow, with a vigorous impetuousness, would break the damms of moderation, and like a Torrent for a while restrain­ed, return with greater fury. Sometimes she would begin to importune Heaven for mercy: O thou great Rector of our Destinies (said she) must my heart be the Rendesvouz, where all miseries meet? Thou art the Circumference, from whence these black lines of Ad­versity stream; must I be the Centre where they ter­minate? Oh let not tyrannizing sorrow usurp thy Pre­rogative over all my Faculties, and subject those Pow­ers to its Rule, which onely ought to obey thy Divine Impositions: Oh destroy not the soul which thou hast made, nor let my Perdition anticipate that Glory which thou didst propose to thy self in my Creation; but shew mercy, if ever shew mercy, shew mercy to one sub­merst in misery.

Having said this, she would pause a while, as it were listning what Answer Heaven would return, and with some faint sighs, seem as it were to parley with Death; and then a chilly Paleness would arrest her Counte­nance, as if Heaven, mindeful of her Petitions, had hung out their white Flagg of Truce, and displayed it in her face, as a Token of that inviolable League, should ere long be contracted between her soul, and eternal Bliss; and that now they were sending their black Em­bassador Death, to sign and seal the Articles.

Dear Danpion excuse me, if I am thus Copious in the [Page 206] relation of this sad Ladies misfortune; but truly, when I heard the story first related by the Knight (that (as I told you) lately came from Cyprus, and heard her self relate, what his eyes were not spectators of) I could not but silently bequeath some drops to the ground; drops do I say? Alas, had I not been in Pandion's presence, but where I might have let loose the reigns to my Pas­sion, I could have drowned my self in Tears; for me­thoughts I felt my vey soul transformed into sorrow it self. But to proceed, thus I say, She lamentably spent this lamentable night, in Weeping, Sighing, Sob­bing, Groaning, Praying, till the bright morning had dispelled the shadowes of the misty night, and Aurora wrapping up her face in a Vermilion-mantle, silently bewailed her sorrows in Crystal Tears.

When Lacon (for so was the Rustick named) awa­ked by his own loud snoring, called to mind his new Bride, and ravished with joy, his heart clambring up into his mouth, almoast choaked him with excess of contentment, he arises, and in haste runs to bless his Eyes with the sight of her Beauty, and ere he or she was aware, stumbles upon her, who had chosen the darkest corner in the Cottage, to lament her miseries; and when she saw her self thus surprized, modesty so sweetly apparelled her Face, in a Vermilion vesture, as that her Cheeks, besprinkled with Tears, looked like Roses impearled with Heavenly dew.

No sooner did Lacon behold his new Sweet-hearts sweet-heart-attracting feature, but her Eyes, that might vye Stars with Heaven, darted such sparkling glances, as soon set on fire the tinder of his Affections; so that transported with the Extasies of love, he boy­strously seizeth on her, and after his rude manner, prof­fers to fix the Seal of his Affections on her melting Lips: Come (said he) sweet Lombe, let me buss thy [Page 207] Honny-combe Lips, and with that, by force he smackt her, as if he was sucking the sweet contained in those Vermilion Hives of Beauty.

Much of the day being spent in this manner, Lacon Wooing, and Glycera Weeping, he slabbering her Cheeks with his frothy Lips, and she bedewing his with her Pearly Tears, at length he resolved to consum­mate his joyes with Marriage, and compels her to go with him to Venus-Temple, to sacrifize a pair of Turtle-Doves, thereby to procure the Goddesses Benediction. But all the way as she went, such a Mart of Beauties met in her sweet Countenance, as purchased her as many Admirers, as Beholders, and Beholders, as Per­sons; her Eyes inviting all eyes to behold, and her super-eminent Excellencies, alluring all Beholders to adore her; so that few there were, whose Sex rendred them not incapable to enjoy her Perfections, but would have even pawned their souls to have bought so rich a Treasury of Beauties.

Her beautious Face, wherein shined the Perfection of all Perfections, was a visible heart-melting Musick; which, as if composed of Charmes, entranc't Specta­tors, and struck Harmonious Raptures into adoring mindes. Thus were the Eyes, and Hearts, and Tongues of all led Captive by her Beauty, and forced to pay the Tribute of looking, loving, and commending, to the soveraignty of her Excellencies.

At length Superstition wedded to Admiration, be­gat a conceit in their mindes, that sure she was more than what her external form spake her to be; for there seemed a greater mixture of Divine Exellencies in her Beauty, than ever frail Mortality could boast of; and her transcendent Glories seemed to run Parallel with those that have bribed Superstitious souls to as [...]ribe Di­vinity to Venus: so that in the end, they thought it the [Page 206] [...] [Page 207] [...] [Page 208] highest degree of Sacrilege, for any Mortal whatso­ever, to monopolize those Treasured in the pure vivid Temple of her Beauty, which are only consecrated to the Gods; but much more for such a deformed Ado­nis as Lacon, to enjoy so fair a Venus.

Amongst the many Captives, that were enthralled by Glyceras Beauty, whose hearts were drawn by its magnetick force, it seems, this Knight was one; who (as I told you) is the relater of of these sad tydings, whose fortune it was to espie her, as she passed along to the Temple: But no sooner were his eyes fixed on her, but she, as a burning Mirour, wherein all the rayes of Beauty centred, inflamed his heart with the pure fire of chast Affection; and perceiving her Eyes with an inundation of Tears ready to overflow their own Beauties and with silent lamentation to bewail her per­secuted innocency, (for though she endeavoured to sup­press any insurrections of Passion, what she could, yet Nature would exact some tears, that wonted Tribute, that grief extorts in such like Accidents) but I say, ob­serving that internal sorrow she disclosed in her Coun­tenance, which (as he rightly interpreted it) could be for nothing, but that she, such a miracle of Beauty, should be linked in Hymeneal Conjunction with such a Monster of deformity, he said was so moved with compassion, that he thought he felt the quintessence of each tear distil down into his Soul; and disdaining that such a wonder of Ugliness, should be his Corrival in affection, who might more aptly have contended in Rivalry with some of Pluto's fiends for deformity, he drew his Sword, and compelled him to resign her up to himself, unless he prized a moments sight of her, a­bove his life.

No sooner Lacon saw the naked steel, but he flies like an Arrow out of a Bow, not for his swiftness, but [Page 209] for the resemblance his shrimpish-slimgut body had to an Arrow, as each legg had to a Bow; and all the way as he goes, he howls, and yells, as if he had been beset with armed Theeves; so that in a short space, such a con­course of People surrounds the Knight, and his Lady, as if some wonder had dropped down from Heaven; some coming to behold the beauty of the Lady, whose perfections fame, in so high a style, had proclamed in their ears, but could not obtrude upon their belief; others to see what was the reason of that Tumult: So that though at first Glycera was the wonder that drew the concourse, yet at length the concourse it self be­came the wonder.

And as is the manner of such Plebeian disorders, they seldom end without some slaughter; and so it happened here: For seeing the Knight with his Sword drawn, many thought he would have offered violence to the Lady; others hearing Lacon's roaring, thought he had murdered him; others that were no less wounded with her Beauty, than the Knight that had ravished her from Lacon, and thought their Swords might purchase them as good a Title to her, as he, resolved either to have her, or his life, or both; so that in an instant there was nothing to be heard, but clashings of Swords, cryes of dead men, and all the symptomes of reigning confu­sion.

The Knight, that for a great space had gallantly de­fended himself and his Lady, making many of the bo­dies of his Opposers fall, and do homage to his rage, and their souls, which, to what their bodies had done, would not consent, he sent to Tartarus, there to endure an eternal Vassalage under Pluto: But yet having no other Bulwark than his Buckler, to fortifie himself against the incursions of his Enemies, he at last received a Wound, out of which such plenty of Blood effused, [Page 210] that he was forced to surrender up himself, and his La­dy to the mercy of his Opponents, and by that means, he escaped from amongst them.

But now the quarrel grew as hot amongst them­selves, which should bear away the Prize; every man accounting the loss of his blood a cheap price, to pur­chase so rich a Treasure; thus there grew no end of their disorders, till at length some Officers from the King came, and with the Point of the Sword of Justice, put a full point and Period to the rude scufflings of this Rabble.

But when enquiry was made after Glycera, no newes could be heard of her; for taking her opportunity, when her bloody Suters were all pleading their Interests, with the Swords sharp-peircing Rhetorick, she escaped away in the Crowd, and fled to a Wood not farr distant, where she spent all that night in bewailing her sorrow­ful estate; where her Soul would quaff in huge draughts of woe, which, as not able to concoct, she would pour out again in Tears; Tears, that fell like melted Stars from the Heaven of her Beauty.

Thus did she give up her self to the dominion of an unreasonable Passion, which yet her Passion perswaded her was reasonable. Sometimes grief would permit her thus to lament her Woes: Oh Me! of all women distrest! Must I be she in whom miseries combine to­gether, to make miserable? Must all things have their stint, but my griefs alone be boundless? The Sea hath its shore, the Winds their limits, the Earth its centre, and this spacious Globe of Heaven and Earth its cir­cumference; but Ah! No shore, no limits, no centre, no circumference to my sorrows: No shore to the Seas of my Tears, no limits to the Wind of my sighs, no centre to my deep-rooted griefs, nor no circumference to the infinity of my miseries: But I am become For­tunes [Page 211] Ware-house, where she hoords up her store of sorrowes; Hells Butt, where my Innocency is the White, at which they shoot their invenomed Arrowes, Winged with Malice, and Piled with Destruction; and Heavens Tennis ball, when if with the vehemency of the blow, my Soul chance to bound upwards towards a Heaven of hope (for grief is ever at the lowest, when it is at the highest; and extremity of misery, is ever the dawning of mercy;) I say, if it chance to bound, some dismal Accident takes me at the re-bound, and tosses me into a Hell of calamities: Come then Death, come quickly, bend thy Bow, and send thy sharp-piled Arrowes into this Pile of Dust, that entombs my Soul. But then her Breasts would be brim-full with a raging pang, which would struggle for birth; but in striving to vent all, it could vent nothing, but only stop the pas­sage of her speech; till at length her breath would be delivered of a Groan, which capring thorow the Bowes and Leaves, would be re-bounded to her Ears by Eccho; which Glycera hearing, the better to pass away the mournful hours of the night, began thus to entertain a Dialogue with her; which because the Knight thought worthy the relation to Pandion, as well as I can re­member, I shall relate to you.

Who is that (said Glycera) derides my misery? I, said Eccho. Who is that I? Is it Eccho? [...]Tis Eccho. What dost thou mock at woe? No. No sure, thy own woes might make thee pity mine. Pity mine. Thy griefs indeed would extort pity from the [...]intiest heart, but oh! What grief's like mine? Mine. [...]Tis true, thine might extract the tribute of a bleeding-eye. I. But sure my sorrows need pity too. Need pity too. Tell me then Eccho, must these griefs still per [...]ver? Ever. Ever? That's a sad doom; what, must my mise­ries alwayes proceed? Seed. What, no sooner [...]ipe, [Page 212] and blown, but Seed again? Gain. Gain indeed, to ex­change a few joyes, for a million of sorrows; but yet, O that Heaven would release me of my Bargain. Bare gain. Bare gain certainly, to sell my Soul for sighs and Tears; but oh, when shall I find release? Lease▪ What, not till my lifes Lease is out? But when that's done, whither shall I then fly? High. What, to the Elizium of eternal bliss? Yes. When once arrived there, what shall my Soul enjoy? Joy. What joyes are those that inhabit the Heaven Empyreal? Real. Mean time will not Heaven hear my cry? Cry. That I have oft done, but yet had no reply. Ply. What if I should Ply it still, what Medicine will Heaven apply to my Disease? Ease. What if I shall forbear vocal or mental Prayer? Erre. Why, will not Heaven hear the shrill moans of distre [...]t Innocence? No sense. Why are there any cryes more shrill? Ill. Ill cryes aloud for vengeance; but oh, the sweet perfumes that ascend from the chast Innocent. No sent. What can such sweet exhalations yeeld no sent? No sent. Why is it that such a redolent Balm as Innocencye, which ascends to Heaven, as a perpetual Sacrifice, should yeeld without Prayer no sent? Without Prayer nocent. When the nocent prayes, what return doth Heaven make to his desire? Ire. What Answer will Heaven return, if the Innocent pray? Ray. A Ray of Love, or Light, or both? Both. Which of the Powers sublime can affect a Mortal? All. When a beam of Love shines from Heaven into a Mortal, what part doth it comfort? Fort. The Fort or Life, where the soul chiefly retires; which is that part? Heart. How long will such Divine consolations stay? Ay. For ay will they abide? Bide. Oh Heavenly newes! But, Echo▪ how com'st thou to be of Heavens Privy-Counsel? Didst e're fly so nigh the Gods, as to read [Page 213] the Records of Destiny? Nigh. Thou art mortal as well as I, art thou not? Not. Art thou not born be­low, among the Trees, and Dens, and Caves, re-sound­ing when we hollow? Low. But prethee Echo, tell me, what made thee pine for coy Na [...]cissus love? Love. And what became of thy sweet body? O dy. Where went thy soul, when thou grieving saw'st thy Narcissus tears so many shed? Vanished. What inchanted Charms were in his beauteous Face, to effect so strange a transformation? Ah, shone. And could his shining-beauty thee so soon annihilate? Late. What didst thou do, when thou sawest him Metamor­phosed into a Flower? Lowre. And what, when thou heardst his last groan? Groan. And what did the Woods do, when he pin'd with the sight of his own beauty in the Spring? Ring. And what hast thou done, ever since Heaven did transmute thy shape? Ape. Since then thou art nothing but a Mortals Ape, how knowest thou Heavens Decrees so well? Well. How canst thou pry into their Designes, who all earth­born Mortals in wisdom so surmount? Mount. And will the Gods above none from their Counsels ex­clude? Lewd. Art thou not lewd, that for fond Nar­ [...]issu's love dost moan incessantly? Lye. Sure such unchast affection is not holy. Oly. But I have vow­ed to live for ever chast. Haste? And doth not such a vow oblige to chastity? Tye, tye. Well, since it tyes me so, I'll hence be gone. Be gone. And through Heavens assistance perform what I have vowed to do. Do.

Thus did poor Gl [...]cera s [...]rive to divert the thoughts of her misery, somtimes by discoursing with Echo, somtimes be [...]oaning to her self her own hard fortune▪ somtimes praying to Heaven for relief, somtimes wish­ing for Death, and if she chanced to hea [...] a whis [...]r [...]ng [Page 214] wind, flutter among the Leaves, her sorrow would per­swade her fancy to conceit it to be some Messenger of Heaven or Death, to bring her the tidings of a reprival, or removal from her state of woe; and if a whispering blast chanced to re-bound to her from the Leaves, pre­sently grief would represent to her fancy Deaths Ar­rowes singing her Elogies, as they flew to her obvious heart.

Thus did she spend that night, in wayling, weep­ing, sighing, sobbing, grieving, groaning, till Titan's fiery Steeds had chased away the lesser luminaries, that had usurped his Throne; but yet no Day-break of hope dawned upon her with beams of comfort, but in that woful despairing condition, did she run through invious Woods, rocky Desarts, and hollow Caves, where night kept house, with mournful solitariness, and over hills and mountains inhabited only by the Clouds, until at length she came into a pleasant Vale, incircled with a murmuring River, which seemed with silent mutterings to repine at her sorrows; and over-spread with a gloomy shade, by reason of hanging Rocks, that defended it from the Suns invasion, seemed, as it were, d [...]essed in funeral-attire to mourn for Glycera's sor­rows.

Glycera observing this Vale to be a fit place, where she might bid her Adieu to the world, and all subluna­ry contentments, resolved there to sit her down, and dye: For of four dayes and nights, that she had wan­dred through those Desarts, had she not received the least sustenance; and therefore her fainting spirits, too weak Chains to fasten her Soul to her Body, were oft ready to let loose their Prisoner.

By this River she sat down, and prayed to Heaven, to let loose the bands of Life, and not to retard slow-pac'd Death any longer, but to consort her among [Page 215] the shades, that wander in the Elizium Plains: And further begg'd, That when Death should crumble her body to Atomes, and resolve it into individual Units, that then her soul might be united to the great and only Eternal Individual, and dwell among those bea­tified Souls, that float like Atomes in the Sun-shine of his resplendent glory.

This having said, she laid her down upon the Brink of the mournfully-grumbling River, and closed her Eyes, thinking never more to behold the loathed Light, and hourly expected the sweet Gaol-delivery of her soul; but the Destinies that had inter-woven, and twisted the Threeds of her life, and misery, so toge­ther, as neither could be clipped asunder, without clipping both, resolved that the bottom of her life, and misery, should not yet be unwound by the wounds of Death; but nevertheless, a little to ap [...]ease the ragings of an uncontroulable Passion, they arrowsed a humid Vapour out of its moist bed of dirt, and sent it to un­lock her Pores, and usher in a gentle sleep.

But no sooner had sleep allayed the surges of Passion, but Morpheus began to form strange [...]antasms in her imagination: Somtimes he would erect a high preci­pice in her Fancy, so high, as the blended Clobe of earth and water would look like an Atom, and then tumble her down from thence, into some profound abyss, peopled with Adders, Toads, and Snakes, and other venemous vermine; and then she would start and give a shriek, that the whole Forest would re [...]ound with the Eccho; but then the purlings of the silver stream would hush her asleep again; and then the drowsie Deity would Plant a Forest in her Brain, where he would digg dens for Lions, Bears, and howling Wolves, and build nests for Owls, Batts, and Night-Ravens, and other Birds of darknesse, and then the [Page 216] howling, roaring, bellowing, shrieking, croaking of these wild inhabitants, would attach her faculties with hideous terrors, and imprison them in amaze­ment.

Thus in a confused manner she spent the greatest part of the night, till about the time when Orion be­gins to bath himself in the Ocean, and the Lamps near consumed, she heard a rustling among the leaves and boughs, which putting her in mind of her dream, obt [...]uded on her fancy a conceit, that it must needs be some wild beast, that roving through the Forest, sought for prey, whe [...]eat exceedingly astonished, she flyes, as if fear and amazement had added wings to her heels, but, ah! to overtake her own sad fate, for as she was passing by a hollow cave (hollow-hearted indeed to her, though otherwise repleat with mischief) there sud­denly issued out a savage Ruffin, that ere she was a­ware, catcht her about her waste, and not at all regard­i [...]g her [...]uful cries and groans, such as would have mel­t [...]d a Rock of Adamant, such as would have in [...]used a s [...]nse-di [...]tracting grief into a Fury, though hardened with quotidian cruelty, he flings her upon the ground, and draws out a sharp Ponyard, and threatens with that to peirce her heart, if she speedily surrendred not h [...]r body (that sweet Temple, where Vertue lay inshrined, and spotless thoughts were the pure ob­ [...]ions offered on the Altar of a chast heart) to the pol­l [...]tions of his filthy lust.

Glycera perceiving her inability to contend by force, by reason of her faintness, with a voice that shewed a heart fearless of death, returned him this re [...]ly. Lust­ful Villain (said she) dost thou think that the p [...]ircing of a heart, can be a piercing terror, to a heart already peirced with killing sorrow? the Antipathies between life and death, are too much reconciled in me by the [Page 217] terrors of assiduous deaths, ever to be terrified with thy death-threatning savageness, sharpen thy Ponyard then with the Whetstone of thy Marble-hearted cruel­ty, and when thou hast done, sheath it in my heart; but then know, that it shall prove a Pandora's box, fil­led with thousands of miseries, which shall flutter forth out of that wound, and by heavens vengeance glewed to thy soul, shall at length possess thee with a terror, that will make thee exercise a death upon thy self, more horrid than this that hell now prompts thee to exercise upon me; and the very steams that will as­cend from my reaking blood, shall become a thunder, which wheresever skulkt, shall find thee out, and [...]end thee into more pieces than hell will have Furies to torment.

Foolish woman (said he) tell not me of heaven, hell or Furies, I know no other heaven, but satiating my desires, no other hell than such dilatory interruptions of my pleasure, when extremity of desire breeds im­patiency, nor other Fury, than a pestilent imperious woman, such as thou; therefore I tell thee, once more, resign up thy self to my lust, or, by heavens (if there be any) I'le take thee by storm, as impregnable as thou thinkst thy self, and quench the flames of my lust in thy heart bloud. The fear of death (she replyed) hath impression upon none, but such Villains as thou, whose smutty souls horror striking guilt corrodes; but as for me, my soul is carryed on the wings of Vertue, out of the reach of those terrors, therefore if thou wilt or if thou durst, broach my heart, and make thy soul drunk with cruelty, thou wilt but make a passage for my soul to fly to those mansions, where happiness dwells es­sentially.

Thy vertue? (said he) flatter not thy self wi [...] that, for I'le plunder thee of that totally, and oh, that my [Page 218] Steeletto could reach thy soul too, I'de nail it to the ground, from whence it should never fly to fetch re­venge; but no matter, when I have poured out my lust into the kennel of thy body, I'le wash away with thy blood those pollutions wherewith thy soul in the commixture may have stained mine. This said, he binds her fair hands with her hair, that lovely hair, that had fettered and bound so many hearts, must now bind her own hands, and tears her garments, and in despight of all her shrieking, groaning, crying, weeping, he at length unloads his lust, and not content only to plun­der her of her honor, after he had thus demolished the Cittadel of her vertue, but he with his Ponyard dis­enthrones those powers, that should govern her facul­ties, and seals pale death in the majestick throne of her Beauty; and thus he leaves her like a fair flower nipt with the mornings Frost, hanging down her head, as if ashamed of her declining glory; her face covered with hoary paleness, as if deaths cold blast had congealed the dew of her tears into a hoary Frost.

But by this time the Sun having notice of the Trage­dies acted in his absence, by Nights permission, had sent the morning as his Scout, to draw the Curtain of the night, and descry whether any such horrid Vil­lanies, as even resounded thorough the arches of hea­ven, were committed under the protection of the Night; whilst he came after with an Army of beams to depose her from her Throne of Jet: but no sooner had he shaken his dewy locks, wet with toying too long with Thetis in her watery bower, but he beheld this ra­vished wounded Lady; and no sooner beheld than he sent his light to call away a loytring dream that was sent of an Embassie from heaven to Polienus, a great Nobleman of Crete, that dwelt in that Forest, to in­form of this cursed act, and to command him to re­venge [Page 219] her. When a deep silence hath fixt an intense­ness upon the souls faculties, then is the fittest time for divine impressions. Though exemption from sad fates, is not alwaies entailed upon innocence, yet that unseen Nemesis that runs through the whole machine of the universe, seldom connives at the wrongs of distrest Vertue.

The bloody wretch had no sooner sent his Ponyard as a messenger of death to her, but heaven stabbed his soul with horrors, that in a frenzy he leaps from a Rock, and dashes his body into as many pieces, as his soul was torn with Fu [...]ies. So apt a death did heaven prepare for one, whose rocky heart had broke the neck of a Ladies chastity. Polienus, who (as I said) had been divinely informed of this Ladies misery, awakens out of his dream, and seemes to have a bloody mist before his eyes, that represents all things to his surprized fancy, horrid and tragical; so that in amazement he arises, slips on his morning Gown, takes his sword in his hand, and hasts he knows not whither, to assist he knows not what. But the heavenly powers who make use of earthly instruments to execute their reasonable decrees, whilst men only act their own unreasonable passions; and range humane disorders into a divine kind of order; so ordered his disorderly steps, as that in a short moment, he came to a place where he heard a mournful groan, which ushered in these words, Hea­vens! separate my spotless soul, from this defiled bo­dy, and as my life doth, so oh! let the extravagant follies of my youth, pass out together. Oh! Receive me, where vertue shall ever be defended from all Vil­lous invasions.

Polienus hearing this runs in a deep amazement some paces farther, till he finds this poor Lady in a con­dition to have confirmed an Atheist, but con [...]uted a [Page 220] Stoick by converting him into a weeping Heraclitus. For she lay imbalmed in her own blood, her hands en­tangled in her hair, and in her shoulder there stuck a Ponyard that made a passage for such streams of bloud, as deluged those beauties that inhabited her skin. Poli­enus seeing this woful spectacle, stood as if a profound sense of her misery, had struck him into an insensibi­lity.

At length recovering himself he runs to her, snatches out the Steel that lay bathed in a fountain of blood, and stops up the wound, and feels her pulse, to see if life had yet forsaken its fortress the heart, where it last re­tires, and perceiving the living bloud to move in her veins, and sent as an Envoy from the heart, to ac­quaint him, that though life was streightly besieged in its Cittadel, with squadrons of pangs, yet it had not quite surrendered to the government of death, he re­pairs the bloody breach, as well as he could, and runs home and fetched men from his Castle, that conveyed her thither with all speed upon a downy Couch; where her sent for Chirurgions with speed to her, who with their extraordinary care and skill, in a few days restored her to her primitive health and beauty. When Polienus saw that she was recovered, and no pretence of weak­ness could hinder his enquiry what should be the cause of her misery, he using something more freedom of discourse than ordinary, requested her to acquaint him, whether some direful chance, arm'd with merciless and inevitable fate, or some accursed hand had endeavour­ed to put that untimely date, to her life and happiness? Glycera considering what great engagements he had laid upon her, and that she might be justly thought un­grateful, if she should deny so poor a request, and therefore related to him the whole story of her mis­fortunes; how she fled from the Nunnery in Thessalia, [Page 221] to avoid the tedious Love of Pandion; and how snatcht up by a Pirate, who at Sea endeavoured to ravish her, and then how in his rage, being disappointed of his desires, he threw her over-board; but then how she was most miraculously preserved by a Dolphin (that faithful friend to mankind in adversities) upon whom she had rid up and down for the space of several hours without any hope of succour; how she was relieved by a Fisherman, and by him brought to Cyprus, but when he had conveyed her hither, how in all particulars he misused her, not permitting her to go ashore, and then to make amends for all his abuses, how at last he sold her to a deformed Swain, that carried her to his cot­tage, and how the next day, as she was going to be joyned with him by Hymens bands in Venus Temple, a Knight came and rescued her from him, but then what a tumult there was raised with the rusticks roaring, and how that occasioned a combate, between the Knight and others, that thought to have forc't her from him, as he had from Lacon; how at length he was forc't to resign her up to them, by that means to save himself: but then how when they had obtained their prize, they could not agree among themselves, but fell upon one another, with as much fury as before they did upon the Knight, and how she perceiving an opportunity for es­cape, fled into that Forest, where she had wandered succourless, and hopeless of succour for several days and nights.

But when she came to relate the dismall story of her dishonor (poor Lady) the tears fell from a cloud of sor­rows, that over-spread the heaven of her beauty, just as if that transparent cloud that encircles heavens hollow arches, had been condensed into [...] Crystal shower, and her faltring tongue left it to her countenance, in sor­rowful and yet bashful signs to declare her misery, and [Page 222] there you might have plainly seen the pourtraicture of her bleeding honor, adumbrated to the life in her blush­ing Cheeks.

Polienus observing her passionate grief, grew more in­quisitive about the cause, so that with vehement impor­tuning he scrued thus much from her, in a broken man­ner, that a villain would have forced her, and would have killed her. As soon as Polienus heard this, he felt his heart even divided between the two passions of pity and revenge, at length pity augmenting revenge, gave that the soveraignty over his will; so that in a fu­ry he kneels down, and implores heaven, that the ven­geance due to such an accursed act might light on him, if he permitted that to the unrevenged; and with that Glycera having given him a Character of him, as well as she could, he takes his sword, and mounts his Steed, and so rides out into the Forest in pursute of this wretch, but ere he had gone a quarter of a mile, he found him dead upon the ground, having broke his neck with the fall from the Rock. When Polienus saw this, he was glad that heavens vengeance had found him out, but sorry that any one had been the executioner besides himself, but however he goes home to his Castle, and commands his men to fetch the body, and give it to his dogs.

Justice thus being done upon him, Glycera began a little to allay the pangs of sorrow, that daily had wont to stir up some great commotions in her brest, and to entertain some small familiarity with mi [...]th, which had so long been exiled from her, so that in a short time she was restored to her health, and pri [...]ine beauty, which those excellencies before drowned in sorrow, now swimming in her countenance, sufficiently testified, so that Polienus who before beheld her only with com­passion, now looks upon her with admiration, for she [Page 223] seemed to him not composed of the common princi­ples, but of some heavenly materials, even refined to an immateriality, fit to captivate an immaterial soul, so that at length he never viewed her, but he saw some sweetness, some grace, some delicacy, that gradually converted his admiration into affection, and by an im­perceptible ascension gave love the soveraignty over his heart; and now Glycera, and none but Glycera grew the object of his thoughts, the subject of his dis­course, and the joy of his heart. Long did Polienus cover his affection with the veil of silence, but love, though its chiefest residence is in the heart, yet it will oft peep forth at the Casements of the eyes, and like the Bee, though its dwelling is in the Hive of the heart, yet it must come forth to feed it self with the heavenly sweets imparadized in those flowers that grow in the Garden of Beauty; so Polienus though he endeavoured to conceal his griefs, yet his eyes would disclose what his heart inclosed, for if ever he was in her presence, her beauties attracted both his eyes and heart, and the radiant beams that glanc'd from hers would seem to strike upon his heart strings, and compose such a soft en­trancing melody, as he thought he felt his very Soul charmed into a love extasie.

Polienus thus observing daily how love did degree it self into his heart, and a crowd of inevitable inconve­niences issuing thereupon, thronging into his under­standing, he strove to suppress all insurrections of that passion that thus endeavoured to depose his will, and make his Reason do homage to it what he could. For you must know, this Polienus was one of prime quality, having both a great wit, and a greater fortune, so that what the former could devise, the latter could accom­plish; his person also not being meanly beautiful, yet his beauty consisting in a mean between a masculine [Page 224] comeliness, and a feminine sweetness, and one who as he was never a hater, so neither ever any great admirer of the female sex, but looked on them as piles of well complexioned dust, that like Sodoms Apples with the least touch of Times finger would moulder to nothing, or as Natures painted Gallipots, where you may meet as oft with poison as with a potion; where he saw Ver­tue enshrined in the Temple of Beauty, there he could even adore, and counted such as Angels invested in re­fined flesh, but where he saw Vertue lye bleeding in a Rosie cheek, and Lillyed beauty to serve only for Cha­stities winding sheet, those he counted as Devils clothed in an Angels form, and born to tempt men to recede from vertue, and sent to be plagues to the minds of men, and preserved for eternal pestilence to the world.

This Polienus had been beloved by Amorosia daugh­ter to Loritus King of Cyprus, a Lady whose accom­plishments might well have challenged a reciprocal af­fection, having a delicate wit treasured in the Ivory Cabinet of a beautiful body, and as she had powerful passions in a great mind, so her mind had great power over her passions, so that long she could conceal her love, sealing it under the impression of her memory; but (you know) love is such a strong passion that you may as well think to squeez down the Sun-beams, and hinder their reflection, as to suppress the flames of love, but in despight of all opposition, yea the more for opposi­tion, they will rebound from the heart to the eyes, and are legible there to any that are not unacquainted with the Characters of affections; and besides, in women that passion is ever most visible, their Ivory faireness is but as white paper where they pourtray the picture of their minds, which their tongues are loth to betray, their thin skins being as transparent Crystal, through [Page 225] which the beams of love wil shine, & therefore the most Chast in that respect have not the gift of continence, but though they may think to Cloyster up Love as a Re­cluse in the chast Nunneries of their hearts, yet alas, upon the least allurements of their beloveds beauty, they will suffer all such vain resolves to be ravished from them, and their eyes and tongues to be wedded to a heart-inflaming eye; so it was with Amorosia, in his absence, his praises was all the entertainment of her discourse, in his presence, her eyes must move with his, as if the beams that came from his had chained hers, and as oft as she spake, she must accent her sentences with sighs, by those fumes plainly discovering the fire in her heart; which though Polienus observed, yet he would not be observed to have observed it, but rather penned down his observations in the leiger of his me­mory.

But Amorosia's affection that had thus long been im­prisoned in her heart, would no longer endure restraint, but must either come forth, or break the prison, so that no longer able to endure the unsupportable tyranny of her passion, she goes to Polienus, and with as much eloquence as a mind wracked between the extremiti [...]s of two violent passions, Love and Fear, and distract­ed with the contrary thoughts of pondering how to speak, and whether to speak at all, could frame, de­ciphering first in her sweet countenance the prologue of her discourse, she displays the storehouse of her de­sires, and withall craves of him to poize them in the ballances of honor, and not to let this condescension of hers exhale any mists of uncharitable thoughts, that might obscure her Vertue.

Polienus observing in what costly robes both her speech and countenance was apparelled, the former clad in the refined Go [...]d of eloquence▪ even dazled his [Page 226] mind with admiration, but in the latter such a Majesty clothed in purple sat inthroned, as seemed rather to dazle than delight, so that he could not but wonder, though he could not love, or rather he wondred why he could not love; but though her perswasive speeches, and speaking looks could not dart affection into him, yet they even tran [...]fixt his heart with compassion, which procured from him only a short reply, wishing that heaven would crown him with so much happiness, as to raise his merits to that height, that deservedly he might be seated in the throne of her heart, but till then he craved pardon if he rejected her sute, and begged of her, rather to accuse his fortunes than him, that did thus incapacitate him to satisfie so great a debt as the high honor she had done him did oblige him to. But however, since he could not retaliate her affection, nor retribute her unparallel'd favours, yet he would accept them with a desire to compensate, when his benign Stars should bless him with a possibi­lity.

With this answer she went home, endeavoring to cast as charitable a gloss upon it, as expressions of so deep a sable dye would bear; so easie it is to circum­vent a soul that beholds all things through the refracted medium of affection, which will represent things streight though in themselves never so oblique. Thus she remained for a long time, great with child with expectation of some not only verbal but real testimo­nies of Polienus's affection, and longed for that time that should Midwive some such happy production. But Polienus, whose heart was not con [...]ederate with his tongue, meant her no such felicity, as appeared by those exquisite methods he used to avoid and answer her importunities.

Amorosia observing no fruit of her endeav [...]r [...], and [Page 227] her hopes to wane, but despair growing to the full, began to wax pale and wan, and pine away; and those beauties that had hitherto retained their lustre, though weather-beat [...]n with the stormy frowns of misfortune, as if they had been immar­cessible, now began to fade with his cold replies, like a fair flower nipt with the morning Frost; thus did her love feed upon her beauty, as if Cupid were turned Cannibal, and would devour his mother for want of other repast. Concealed affection is like a Wolf in a womans Breast, if no other refection be provided, be sure it feeds on that. The similitudes indeed are home­ly, but apt and [...]ignificative to express the nature of im­prisoned passion.

Loritus her Father observing her withered beauty on a day, strictly charged her to tell him what was the worm that bit the root of so sweet a flower, and withall promised that the one half of his Kingdom should freely be given to purchase her content; with that she gave him a full relation of her unsucceeding af­fection.

Loritus hearing this, sends with speed for Polienus, and smoothing the rough furrows of his countenance (being a little moved, when he first heard how his Daughter was rejected) he endeavors with soft and mild perswasions to allure his consent to his own felici­ty: but when he saw all to be in vain, he conjures him by all the terrifying words, and enraged mind could in­dite, and Majesty utter, to give him his final answer, which was only this, that Nature had engaged him to perpetual Chastity.

These words were as fire, put under the Cauldron of his boyling blood; so that he swears by J [...]ve, that if ever he heard, that he sinned against the Oblig [...]tion, in what ever remote corner of the wide Universe [...]e lurked, his [Page 228] Revenge, like Lightning, should find him out, and hurl him to destruction: And believe me (said he) Kings swords reach from Pole to Pole, and run paral­lel with all Climates.

Polienus hearing this, fearing he should be entrapt with the delicate Baits of beauty that Court did a­bound in, he sequestred himself wholly from their so­ciety, and built him a stately Castle, where now Gly­cera found him.

But I have too much digressed with this long rela­tion, yet it is only to shew what Squadrons of misfor­tunes attended his affection, so that he durst not har­bour a thought, that would counsel him to harbour his Passion, but strove to drive away his new guest, with bad entertainment; but then Love began so to play the Tyrant, that nothing would satisfie him, but the constant Tribute of sighs and groans; neither could such windy meat, satiate his hungry desire, but he must now and then feed upon the dainties of Glycera's beau­ty; so that at last, Polienus was forced to unlock the Cabinet of his thoughts, and discover what a Jewel he there treasured up; no other than Glycera's Picture, lively engraven on a rich Tablet, gilded with affecti­on, and inclosed in a Wounded-Heart.

Glycera beholding Polienus so accomplished, and re­membring how her body was abused, thought if e're she consented to him, it might be a means to obscure that shame, which otherwise would obscure her Honour; therefore began to embrace his motion.

Polienus [...]eeing her thus to stoop to his lure, resol­ved to squeeze the quintessence of benefit out of this opportunity, and to give such a thrust to the falling-stone of her Passion, that it should never rest, till it came to the Centre of Felicity: So that, to be brief, the day was appointed when Hymen's Bonds should con­summate their joyes.

[Page 229] Thus long did heaven give intermission to Glycera's sorrows; but alas, many times ther's a reserve of misery, that puts to [...]light all our happiness; when we think we have routed the main Battel, and begin to erect Tro­phies of joyes, and to lead Captive all our former sad Accidents, at the Chariot of our triumphing fortune; so it was with Glycera, joy began to triumph in her Eyes, and her heart bid Adieu to all discontent, and the sudden delight she took in those rich Excellencies, wherewith Nature had endued Polienus, elevated her mind to so high a pitch of contentment, that she almost thought some heavenly Apparition had imparadized her thoughts in a golden representation of Elizium: but these towring joyes did but lead her to a precipice of misery, that so her fall might be the greater; for before the marriage-day, the King had intelligence of it.

The multitude may be well compared to a Forest, that Ecchoes all things spoke or done, to their Kings ears.

Loritus hearing this, resolved that his revenge should be of an equal Latitude with his threatning, and though Amorosia upon her knees entreated for his Pardon, yet he shook her off, and told her, That the heavens them­selves, though more powerful, yet are not more just and resolute to execute their Decrees, than he was. And accordingly, he sends a Party of Horse in the night, who being let into the Castle by some Loyal Persons, but treacherous servants to Polienus, they sur­prized both him and Glycera in theis beds, who little dreamt of such a sad interception of their happiness, or that their new-coyn'd joyes should thus prove Dross, and not pass current.

Thus doth a black shadow of misery attend a Sun­shine of prosperity. Thus doth Hope, as a Prospective-glass, present to our dim-e [...]'d souls some great loom­ing [Page 230] joy; but in the end, it proves nothing but a vanish­ing Cloud, or a Rock to ship-wrack our hopes and contents upon.

Thus many times when we think to be conducted by the glimmering glories of this World, through a night of sorrows, to some Haven, where our deluded thoughts perswade us Bliss resides, they indeed prove but an ignis fatuus, that lights us through the invious Paths, and Mists of airy delusions, to a precipice of misery, where they leave us.

So it was with Polienus and Glycera, Hope, the bright Harbinger of the dawning day of Comfort, had risen upon them, and the Morning had distilled her Dew up­on their blooming joyes; but ah! The one was no sooner risen, than set; and the other no sooner fallen, than frozen, by the cold blasts of Despair, that nipt their springing happiness in the Bud: for that night they were conveyed to Gortyna, a Town of great resort in Cyprus, being the Centre of it, and stands near the Ri­ver Lethaeus.

The next morning, Polienus was adjudged to be thrown off a high Rock, but whether or no executed, the Knight could not resolve; but Glycera was con­veyed to Kolax his house, one who was much favoured of the King, not for his merit, but for his flattery, being a man of a servile leaden spirit, and one that would per­fectly bow, and comply with the Kings humour, and receive any Form, or Impression he would stamp upon him; and thus by this counterfeit Coyn, gilded over with fair pretences, did he purchase his Kings favour, and possess his easie nature; so that if any thing that re­quired extraordinary fidelity, was to be done, he was the Person Elected, and for that reason, Glycera became his Prisoner.

But Glycera, under all these inquietudes, behaved her [Page 231] self with so much aequanimity, as plainly shewed, that her soul had more Antidote in it, than misfortune had Poyson; as if her constant suffering Fortunes inconstan­cy, had hardned her soul, contrary to the nature of spi­rits, to an impenetrability: Which Kolax observing, together with the vivacity of her Wit, the magnanimi­ty of her Spirit, the solidity of her Judgment, and the Majesty that attended them all, could not sufficiently behold her; and at length fell from beholding, to admi­ring, and from admiring, to affecting; and thus be­came his Prisoners Prisoner.

Glycera perceiving both visible and audible effects of his passion, thought a favourable entertainment of him, so far as vertue would permit, might be a means to procure some liberty from her strict restraint; and there­fore received him still with a Countenance as full of sweetness, and grace, as her mind repleat with good­ness could dispose her to frame; so that at last, she to­tally gained his heart to her devotion.

Zelota, wi [...]e to Kolax, a woman easie to be moved, and being once moved, of an implacable spirit, espying her husbands love to Glycera, not enduring that any should be admired, or affected besides her self, and yet doing nothing that might merit admiration or affecti­on, except to detract from others will challenge the Title of Desert, and the reward of Admiration, resol­ved to countermine all their underminings of her Ho­nour, and either to make way for Glycera's slight, or to make her away, where she should never more be a Pest to her cankered mind. At length intelligence arrived at her ears of a Vessel bound for Peloponnesus, which she presently gave information of to Glycera, promising to assist in her escape, to the utmost of her ability; and covering the venom in her heart, with pleasing looks, and more pleasing express [...]ons, she prevailed so farr [Page 232] on Glycera's Charity, as to infuse a sleepy Potion into her husbands drink, that should seize all his senses with such a Lethargy, as ere he recovered out of his brain­sick trance, she might be near arrived at Peloponnesus; and from thence (she said) the passage to Thessalia was not difficult.

Glycera poizing these Proposals in her judgment, thought it not inconsistent with prudence to accept of them; for all those mountains of discouragements, that despair raised in her thoughts, now lay level to her wish­es, and what would be the conclusion of her Imprison­ment, she knew not; but however, this she resolved should be the Conclusion of her doubtfully revolving thoughts, that a few dayes should put a Conclusion to her abode there.

The next day Zelota comes to Glycera, with a Cup commixt, not with a sleepy, but a poysonous drug (oh heavens, what will not a malitious mind, animated with Revenge, be provoked unto? What venemous gore will not distil out of the ranklings of a gangrened mind, festered with the incurable wounds of jealousie?) Glycera not at all imagining what a horrid enterprize she went about to atchive, yet all the way as she went, a strange kind of horror seized upon her spirits, the very Ayr seemed to fetter her leggs, and every shadowy ap­pearance, or even shadow of such an appearance, seem­ed to interrupt her Progress, that she even thought her self hurryed away, by a strange kind of fate, contrary to the bent of her own Genius; however, she stops not, but goes to Kolax, and tells him, that she had brought him a Love-po [...]ion, that would incite amorous desires in the coldest nature: Kolax accepts it with gratitude, (as love you know invests all things with an amability, that proceeds from the Object beloved) and drinks of it with such excess, as if he had a mind to convert him­self [Page 233] into Loves individual substance. But no sooner had he emptyed the Cup of Poyson, than the poyson­ful Cup had filled him with pain and horror; and ha­ving roared out some curses on Glycera, he dyed, lea­ving her overwhelmed with amazing Terrors, and rer­rifying amazement.

The Servants of the house, hearing this hidious cry, ran up to their Masters Chamber, where they found him dead with Poyson, and Glycera with astonishment; affrighted with this woful sight, some ran to find Ze­lota, but she that morning had taken a walk abroad, in­tending to be absent at the execution of her bloody Plot, thereby to avoid suspition: Others apply them­selves to recall Glycera's miserable senses, but ah! to be the more sensible of her misery, and others ran to call near-adjoyning Inhabitants, to behold this lamentable Spectacle; so that in a short time, Fame had blazed abroad this direful Tragedy, that it re-sounded in the Kings Court, and at length came to the Kings ears al­so; who no sooner heard it, but he grew even distract­ed with sorrow, for the loss of his minion, and threat­ned presently to send Glycera after him, of a message to Pluto, to require him in his name, to release Kolax from his dark Prisons, and send him among the living, or else, if he could provoke all the Powers in Heaven and Earth to destroy his Kingdom, he would do it. Amorosia his Daughter, that had a Character given her by some of Kolax his Servants, of Glycera, how she was a woman endued with solid Vertue, profound Wis­dom, and strong Judgment, and hated not so much the name of Vice, as to be vitious; that if the Air had a voyce, it could proclaim no such infection from her, as constantly steams from an impious soul; so that an Angel in his most recluse retirements, is not more chast than she; and whoever had an eye, that could [Page 234] have pierced into her heart, would have been a greater admirer of her Internal Vertue, than External Beauty; though in that was sufficiently pourtrayed all the linea­ments of a mind fraught with goodness.

Amorosia I say, having this description given her, could not let common fame commit such a Rape on her Charity, or entice her to wed her belief to the tat­ling reports that all places abounded in, but fell down on her knees, and in a passionate manner implored Gly­cera's remission of her father, or at least a forbearance of Execution, till her Cause was heard. But the King, the more enraged with her Petitions, thus replyed: What, said he, we shall have you Attorney to every Strumpet, to plead for their unlawful courses, and in­tercede for perverting justice; no Daughter, let this resolve of mine henceforth make you cease the renova­tions of this sort of entreaties; for, believe it, I'll not suffer an Innocents blood to rust that Sword of justice, that hath hitherto been kept bright, to the dazling of admiring Beholders.

Amorosia hearing this, forbore any further supplica­tions, till her father freed from his passionate Feaver, might be able to relish her counsel; which being not long after, she goeth to him, and informs him of her state, and lays before him all the probabilities of her in­nocency, a mind discreet and charitable could suppose, together with the inconveniences might ensue a rash execution of a Forein Lady, allyed (as she heard) to the blood Royal of Thessalia, and courted by Prince P [...]dion, and withall gave him such a description of her, that at last divorced the former resolutions from his mind, and wrought in him such a compassion for Gly­cera's adversity, that he commanded she should be ho­norably attended and entertained, but yet imprisoned, for the space of about a year and half, within which [Page 235] time, if Pandion sent not some Knight, that by en­countring with and overcoming some Knight of Cyprus, should release her, that then she should endure the pe­nalty of the Law; but in the mean time, he would dispatch a messenger unto him, to give him intelligence of her condition, and his determination. The mes­senger that he sent, was the Knight that I spake of be­fore, and the person elected to atchieve this enterprise, is my self.

No sooner had he spoke these words, than a shrill noise peirced their ears, with such an acuteness, as if it had fled before to make way for a groan that presently succeeded it, which they hearing, imagining they came from some distressed Lady, ran with speed to help her, and just as they turned round, they espied Flo­rinda under a Tree, hard by the place where they had sate and discoursed, fallen upon the ground in a swound. Periander seeing this, chafes her tender limbs, and recovers her out of her deadly trance, who when she perceived her self restored to her self, she falls a weeping and sighing; ah, said she, can my Peri­ander find in his heart to leave me? I can and will leave thee with all my heart (said Periander) I mean, all my heart with thee; but to find in my heart to leave thee, I cannot, since I can find nothing there but thee. Oh but Periander shall not go (said she) Periander will not go (said he) for hee'l leave his soul with thee, his better part.

And will you then be gone (said Florinda weeping) what shall become of me the while, think you? Live in as much repose (said Periander) as a vertuous mind re­warded by heaven with earthly joys can extract from its own internal felicity. Can true Lovers part then with so much ease (said she) I had hoped—(and then the tears distilled down her Cheeks in such abun­dance, [Page 236] as interrupted her speech, yet fain she would have spoke, but her striving to speak, made her speech the more difficult, so that grief made so large a Paren­thesis, as if it would have put a period to her life, in the midst of her sentence) but proceeding, I had hoped (said she) Periander had thought I had loved him too dearly, ever to take any repose in his absence. But though he can part from me, and exchange a spotless affection, for a little blood-stained honor, though he can insatiably carowse my tears, yet I could not see a tear drop from his eyes, but 'twould corrode my soul, nor can I part from him, and retain my self, for affection hath so glewed him to my heart, as the least separation would rend it in pieces.

But he discoursing to her, how much it did import his honor, and of what evil consequence to Danpions affairs his negligence in that respect would be, she hung on his neck, and kissed his cheeks, and all the while bathed her kisses and his cheeks in tears. Oh (said she) do not, do not go, if we must part now, we must part for ever. But with that, as if every letter in the word, Ever, had been a thunderbolt shot from the sulphurous clouds of love mixt with sorrow in her heart, her senses were on a sudden overwhelmed with extre­mity, and she falls down into a swoun. Periander see­ing this, was forc't to take an abrupt leave of Danpion, whose dear affection each to other would else have compelled them to be more copious in their parting ceremonies, and takes Florinda in his arms, and car­ries her to a house neer adjoyning, where we leave them.

Danpion being thus unhappily deprived of his friends, and with them of his hopes of ever attaining either his Love, or his Kingdom, began most passionately to la­ment his condition. For Periander that had so far be­friended [Page 237] him on Pandions side, and Florinda by whose means he had accomplished many projects in Hiarba's Court, and who had defended him so often from Hiar­bas and Amphigenia's displeasure, were now both gone, so that he seemed at once to have lost both his sword and buckler, and left alone to manage his de­signs, and bear the brunt of all.

In this condition he returned to his Chamber, and there gave vent to his sorrows, and in the midst of all his sadness, he sets down this resolution with himself, that since all his hopes were fled with Periander and Florinda, he would quench that Vestal fire of chast love that flamed in his heart, which could only be kind­led at the beams of Amphigenia's beauty, and with the smoke of that extinguished flame, smother his grief, and deface that image of sorrow deciphered in his de-dejected countenance, and streight apply himself to Hiarbas will, and comply with his humors, by that means not onely to enter into, but to interr him­self alive during his dying life in his affection.

But humane determinations are but as glistering Bub­bles, where some bright reflections may please the fancy for a while, but soon vanish into Air with the least blast of a divine decree; every beam of a Planet comes laden with transformations, which though it cannot have im­mediate commerce with the immaterial soul, yet it will bribe the Organs, and by that means unhinge the doors of resolution that exclude inconstancy from the mind.

So Danpion, however for a time he flattered his sor­rows with the thoughts of blotting out the Characters of love with black oblivion, yet at length he found love to be of such a strange invincible unresistable force, that the more he endeavoured to conquer its rebelli­ons, the more it rebelled and conquered his endea­vors, [Page 238] so that in despight of his reason, he was led cap­tive by his passion. Flashes of beauty may dazle be­holders eyes, but where they light to purpose, they melt the steeliest hearts, and make them receive impres­sions of love, which cannot soon be obliterated: which Danpions experience could confirm, for the more he endeavoured to extinguish the flames of affection with the cold blasts of despair, the more ardent they grew, and the less tolerable; so that at length with constant pining, not onely the colour, but the figure of his face began to be altered; which many observed, as also how he affected solitariness, to walk and talk alone, sometimes breathing forth his complaints in the Groves and Gardens, sometimes inwardly sighing, and groan­ing, as if his heart held a dialogue with sorrow. And when he was in company, his thoughts ran so much of Amphigenia, as all the jollity and recreation the Court did abound in, seemed to him but unnecessary Parentheses, and tedious digressions, to that sweet subject that his soul silently discoursed of. And when he was in Hiarbas presence, though his policy would compell him to throw off those mourning weeds wherein grief had attired his countenance, lest he should lay a foundation for suspicion in Hiarbas thoughts, yet the countenance holds such a sympathy with the mind, that it is very difficult, so to counter­feit a contrary affection, that a judicious eye in every lineament of the face may not read the dissimulation; so that Hiarbas could not but by every action discern the passion, wherewith he was affected, his dull de­jected looks, his impertinent discourse, his frequent sobbing, abrupt sighing, and the very tone of his voice, that did plainly proclame his heart held a cor­respondence with sorrow.

This suddain alteration in Danpions countenance [Page 239] and behaviour, bred admiration in many Noblemen of the Court, but especially one Bascanius a great emula­tor and corrival of Danpions, observing his deport­ments, that he might discover the cause of his grief (which he conjectured could not be ordinary, since the effect was so superlative and extraordinary) he on a day in a private place meeting with Kalapistus, Danpions Page, examined him very strictly, concerning his Lord, what the cause was of his extremity of grief, whether he was in love, and had received some repulse, or whether he had committed any traiterous fact, and fear­ed discovery, the latter of which he chiefly hoped might be the distemper, and if so, he in his thoughts had soon found a remedy, to wit, remediless disgrace and ruine.

Kalapistus of late having unjustly (as he thought) re­ceived a box on the ear from his Master, as he was walk­ing with him in the Cypress-grove; the occasion of which, being onely this, Danpion (as was said) de­lighting much in solitudes, and soliloquies, one morn­ing walked forth with his Page into the Grove, where through intensness of mind, forgetting that he was at­tended, he fell into a lamentation of his hopeless con­dition, and despairing affection, and through vehe­mence of passion, at length giving liberty to his voice to declare his sorrows, something louder than ordinary▪ his words were retorted back to his ears by Eccho, which Danpion hearing, minding not whence the voice came, on a sudden turned round, and espying his Page, presently entertained a conceit, it was he that repeated his words, and so for his misconceived saw [...]i­ness, gave him that correction, which being more than his due, he with an ingrateful kind of grati­tude, resolved to requite it, when opportunity pre­sented.

[Page 240] And now fortune endeavouring like Penelope in a night of black adversity, to unweave that golden web of happiness, wherewith she had hitherto invested Danpion, incited this faithless Boys evil Genius, to in­spire his mind with so much hellish rancor, as to betray his Lord, which he did to Bascanius's great satisfaction; telling him how his Lord was in Love with Amphigenia, and what means he used to gain her affection, and how he once sent him in the night into her Chamber, attired like an Angel, with a pretended letter from Venus, and what a secret passage he had through a crankling vault to her Chamber, and many things so to Bascanius's content, as that he gave him fifty Sestercies, telling him, my sweet Boy (said he) thou art my Paris, and I accept this news from thee with higher resentments, than the Cytherean Queen on Ida's top received the golden Apple from the fair Trojan shepherd, and I doubt not but by thy means to procure that Helena of glory so courted by us, but yet by him ravished from us. With these words they parted.

Bascanius being a man of an implacable malice, re­pining at every beam of honor that shone from his Peers, never allaying the surges of rage and envy, till he had swallowed up his Competitors, a great suter to fortune, and had obtained her for his Paramour, till of late she wedded her self to Danpion, bringing with her, her whole dowry of honor and riches, and every thing else that makes her so desirable, having thus dis­covered a passage to the haven of contentment, resol­ved since the wind blew so prosperously from such a cor­ner of the heavens, not to lose the benefit of success, proffered him in the access of so fit a means to procure Danpions declension; but though he was rejected by fortune, yet since he was thus courted by opportunity, he would not slight its importunities. And being Dan­pion [Page 241] was so great a Favourite, it was not therefore safe for him to obey the violent impulse of his inordinate Passion, which prompted him to nothing, but present satisfying of his Malice, that thirsted for Danpion's im­mediate ruine; but rather to wake slowly, and secure­ly. For having no other to testifie Danpion's affection to Amphigenia, but his Page, he feared, lest if he should inconsiderately inform the King, without some more pregnant confirmations of it, than his own, and the Boyes bare affirmations, the King should discern his envy, and so the ruine he intended Danpion, might at­tend himself.

And therefore to bring about his purposes, he intices Kalapistus with promise of a most liberal reward, to bring him those clothes in which his Master was array­ed, wh [...]n Amphigenia saw him in the Grove. The Boy having gratified his desires, [...] on a day attires himself in them, and watching his opportunity, when Amphigenia was bathing her self, he rudely rushes in­to the Garden, and comes upon her just as she was come out of the silver streams, which seemed to mur­mur for her departure, having onely a rich thin mantle cast over her naked body.

Bascanius, who had never before beheld so much ex­cellency contracted and united, could not but gaze himself into admiration and astonishment, that he thought her to be the very refined Elixar of all perfecti­ons, and every part of her a small volume of all creat­ed excellencies in heaven or earth epitomiz'd, and writ in golden Characters; he thought her to be some incarnate Angel clad with a body composed of the same quintessential matter with the heavens, but re­fined to such a purity and even transparency, that eve­ry part seemed a burning mirror, wherein the Angeli­cal beams it inclosed were united, to the inflaming of [Page 242] all beholders, in fine she seemed in a definite circum­ference to set forth an infinite beauty, so that Basca­nius stood a while even ravished with a stupefying con­tentation, as if he had lost his soul in that world of beauty, or as if all the faculties of his mind throng­ing together to behold that wonder, had overwhelmed each other.

What shall I say? to describe his unexpressible ad­miration, were a task fitter for those sublime souls who are acquainted with rapturous contemplations, and know what it is to be snatcht into an extasie. But oh, the vehemence of Amphigenia's passion, at this sudden surprizal! At first she stood wondring rather whether she saw at all, than what she saw, so that she stood a while even entranced with astonishment, but at length awakned out of her dream of amazement, she be­takes her self for refuge to her leggs, and runs, and shrieks, with such a peircing shrilness, as the Air seemed to hand her voice to the heavens, to implore revenge for such hideous presumption; but as it fled the Air seemed delighted with so sweet a traveller, as it bandyed it to and fro, as if each part was ambitious to entertain it.

The Ladies that were walking up and down in the Gardens, some beheading flowers, to purifie their brains with fragrant exhalations that steam from those nests of sweets, others summing up the riches of the ears in Musicks charming numbers, others passing a­way the time with pleasant pastime, these, I say, hear­ing thus on a suddain their Lady shriek, presently run for her succour, and at length they might see the Prin­cess nimbly tripping along upon the verdant Grass, which as proud to be depressed with so sweet a foot, would erect it self with a pretty kind of stateliness, after her departure, whilst she ran with so much swift­ness, [Page 243] as even robbed their eyes of a plenary view of her excellencies, and Danpion as they supposed pursu­ing of her, who no sooner saw this beautiful train, but he fled with as much celerity from them, as before he did towards them, and hardly escaped ere the King hearing a whole Consort of shrieks and crys, among the Ladies in the Garden, came with speed to know the cause, and found his daughter surrounded with her Ladies, like Diana amongst her Nymphs, so that she seemed like Sol among the Planets, where all beauty center'd, theirs being onely reflections of hers.

The King seeing that, called some of them to him, to inform him of the reason of their outcries, who told him, that Danpion (as was conjectured by his Garb) had endeavoured to force the Lady Amphigenia; Dan­pion (said the King) Danpion a ravisher! Danpion a ra­visher of my daughter! oh monstrous impiety! horrid enterprise! hellish ingratitude! what Danpion, I say, it can never be. He who hath received such transcend [...]nt favours from me, as would even impoverish a Mon­archs gratitude, that could command all the riches of the Orient, or make the Sea vomit up her treasures, such as though he would surrender up his soul it would be too poor a restitution, and can it be, that he should attempt mine or my daughters dishonor? heaven and earth would conspire their forces in avengement of such astonishing ingratitude. But if I find it true, by all the Celestial powers, he had better have mounted on the wings of his ambition to heaven and de [...]lowred Venus.

This said, the King in a fury returns to the Palace, and banishes Danpion the Court, and confined him to a house, some miles from the Palace, upon pain of death at the least attempt of liberty. Bascanius seeing such a happy result of his plot, inwardly so swelled [Page 244] with content, that he could not contain his venemous rancor from bursting forth to the poisoning of Danpi­ons honor, but privately gives forth scandalous libells, and publikely teaches Fame the language of Danpions disgrace, which hitherto she had been wholly unac­quainted with, and makes her declame on nothing but the Theme of his lust and ruine; and not contended onely with this, but he relates at large to the King, Danpions affection to Amphigenia, his former at­tempts to satiate (as he termed it) his libidinous desires, to which this late event stood as a test for confirmation. And now all Danpions opposits in the Court, that had born him inveterate malice, spurn at this muzled Lion, and vent their malicious fumes to obscure his lustre. Every one can lend a hand to thrust down a tottering Wall.

Thus this innocent Prince was on the sudden made the subject of Fortunes hate, and his enemies malice, and his new hatcht glory choaked by the black Ache­rontick vapours that steamed from his enemies hellish malignity.

But now to tell you how this gallant and Princely prisoner behaved himself under this sad fate. At first indeed the suddeness, not the greatness of the wo [...] a­stonished him, as whom would it not transport with a­mazement, with a thunderbolt of Fortune, in an in­stant to be hurid out of the Chariot of such dazling glory, as would have exhausted a Kings Exchequer but to have made so [...]e representations of it, and thrown into a lake of mi [...]ery? and such was Danpions case, he who before was [...] hing like Fortunes Admiral, in the Sea of her inconst [...]nt glory, one little moment and linke of time chains him as a slave to the Galley of mi­sery and disgrace. He who before shone with such a lustre as every beam of State seemd to fasten to him nu­merous [Page 245] pairs of servil eyes that did attend his beck, is now plundered of all state, of all respect, unpittyed, unregarded.

But though misery like Circes cup can thus meta­morphose our externals, yet it can have no influence on the rational part. None but caduque beings are sub­ject to the tyranny of Time and Change; and there­fore abstracted beings, that come not under the predi­cament of corporeity, as their essence, so their happi­ness is of an immutable permanency; and though some abject souls that steep their Intellectuals in sence, and can relish nothing but Epicurean pleasures, may have their delights as transient as time, yet a composed soul, truly fortified with Vertue, is its own destiny, and depends not for its felicity on any other than its own arbitrement, and that of an eternal Fate, which guiding all things according to their natures, consequently rules free Agents, their Actions and For­tunes, happy or unhappy, as the former are attended with Vertue or Vice, according to the principles it hath placed within them, as its Vicegerents and repre­sentatives to govern them. Now such a one miseries may try, cannot discompose or disorder; such a one no revolution of time can drive from resolution in the midst of extremities, and such a one was Danpion. For he seemed a man to whom whatever can merit the epi­thete of Excellent might be attributed to him, having a sublime spirit in a matchless body; the former seemed a ray of Prometheu [...] fire, something ratifyed, and in­vested with a more pure and active quality, not having the least mixture of those ponde [...]s elements that clogg the mind, but all of rare ascending fire, that clarified his blood from those feculent [...]umors that flow from the grossier elements, and composed such a har­mony in his soul, as no misfortune could make a jarr, [Page 246] and the latter was so sweet a composition of all those masculine graces that at once feed both delight and wonder, as it seemed that Nature with Lilied beauty had chalked out his soul a lodging proportionable to its own greatness, and given him a body suitable to the vigorous activity of his spirit.

In fine, he that will give a perfect representation of the former, must not be ravished with an ordinary fury; but his mind must be wholly purified from all drossie conceits; his fancy tarified and heightened with Ethe­real fire, and his soul inspired, actuated, and inlight­ned with a beam of Empyreal glory, which must form sublime fancys in it, as the Sun gives form to sublunary matter. And he that would give a true lively and love­ly draught of the latter, he must either fix his eyes on some person, whose complexion, features and harmo­ny, hold some proportion with the delicacy, sweetness and grace, of which Danpions beauty was composed; or else leave the soul of his love and pass by transmi­gration into him, that so by that Idea love forms in the mind, to copy out some imperfect adumbration of his perfections; but the one being unlikely, and the other impossible, renders the Painter unable.

Now what inundation of misery could overwhelm so great a spirit, which like a rich mount of Oar, seem­ed to bid defiance to the turbulent waves of Fortune? That that did most strongly invade his breast, was the remembrance of the loss of Amphigenia's favour; and that indeed compelled him to let his sorrow dissolve in drops, and to indulge himself to melting passions. One while hee'd hush his griefs with easie sighes, as if they whispered in his listning ear the pleasing news of Amphigenia's pitty; and then each groan would seem a note of Love, and with those raptures hee'd lye en­tranc'd a while.

[Page 247] Thus subtilly did sorrow insinuate it self into his heart, by coming hid under a bait of pleasure. But then a deep fetcht sigh would tell him roundly in his ear, those pleasing dreams were but delusions; then grief would change the former Phrygian harmony, in his thoughts to the Dorick tone, composed of mourn­ful strains and doleful airs, where every note sounds like a groan, and every quaver like the trembling sigh of one that weeps; And then a flowing Sea of sorrow would supply his eyes with tears, which softly trickling down his cheeks would seem to draw a Map of grief in his face; here Islands inhabited with sweets and graces, and their Garden filled with Roses and Lilies; here a lake of liquid Pearls, and there a briny stream softly kissing his cheeks. Then he would even break out to cursing Bascanius and his Pages treachery, but then Amphigenia would fill his thoughts, and make him break off abruptly, as he broke out passionately. At length espying a Lute that hung behind the hangings in a corner of the chamber, he took it down; and made it discourse his griefs in such melting accents, as every note seemed to flye gently into the still entrance of his charmed ear, and intrance him with a soft pleasing pas­sion; sometimes it would seem even to steal his very soul and imprison it in the Lute; the anti [...]athies be­tween the chirping Trebles, and the grumbling Base, being so sweetly reconciled by the mean, as seemed in Musicks language, to teach him Vertues mediocrity. But he making no other commentary on it, than that of grief, would think the quavering strings did tremble at his sorrows, and the Lutes heart-dissolving airs to sigh forth the lamentations of his unfortunate but pas­sionate love, in such sympathizing strains, as made him almost think the spirit of some unhappy Lover had ta­ken up its Elizium in its belly, and there in silent [Page 248] [...]ones breathed forth his woes, which the trembling strings in imitation of Fame would seem to eccho to his ears; and then laying his mouth to the carved Navel of the Lutes sweet womb, he would call aloud, If any Lovers soul by transmigration dwells within this little cell of pleasure, let him come forth and tune his groans to mine, and we will charm our sorrows, and stop the Spheres, who listning to our tones may not whi [...]le our woful fates so fast upon us, and bribe the Destinies to cancel their decrees; but then nothing but a hollow sound would give reply to his words, as 'twere to shew, what little substantial comfort such any conceipts affor­ded. It is not so easie to stanch a Lovers bleeding heart.

But seeing the Lute refused to coffin up his woes, he [...]lings it down, and takes his Pen and Inke, and fain would wrap up his griefs in the winding sheet of a Let­ter, which embalmed in tears he would send to Am­phigenia to bury them in her pittying thoughts. And that each sentence might more lively express his passi­on, hee'd steep every letter in a tear; but then the letters as not able to swim on the briny drops, would sink into the tear-bedabled-paper, and as i [...] were drown­ed in sorrow would lose their forms, and rather re­present a monstrous draught of horror.

Then he would fling away his paper, as not fit to contain the name of Amphigenia; and tosse his pen, which would seem to weep for its neglect, and be­sprinkle the wall with its tears; tears that clad in black, seemed as dark mirors, or the quintessential extracts of sorrow; where each Globe-like-drop, that trund­led among the dust, seemed a little bottle that con­tained a livelyer resemblance of griefs Elixar, than Danpion coul distil out of his brain.

[Page 249] But then he would take it again and write, and blot, and enter-line; here he thought the expression was too flat, and there too full of big-sounding, bum-baste words, containing more syllables, than sense, and fuller of noise, than reason; and not like the Amber-phrases, wherein witty Lovers dress their Passions, where any Love-schooled eye, in every clear conceit may descry Cupid plac'd, as in a Crystal shrine: Then he would condemn his wit, which now would seem too barren, then so full of unlickt fancies, as their number would choak their grace, and render his Style an indigested mass of sense-confounding-nonsense, and not like those quick lively raptures, begotten by the wanton Boy up­on the Invention, which so resemble their Father, as seem to be his perfect Picture; and no sooner born, than borne on his Wings, out of the view of vulgar eyes. Then he would bid fie on his Genius, that now should fill his head with nothing but Barbarisms, when his brain had more need been a Florilegium of sublime Stories; a Store-house of acute Metaphors, [...] Simi­litudes, and compendiums of Eloquence, and an In­ventory of all those Excellencies treasure [...] up in every Creature; but then, that would put [...] in mind of Amphigenia, and then he would blame his Tongue for its unpardonable presump [...]ion, to mention with the least detestation, any thing that had but the shadow of an Image of that, that might be call'd hers.

Thus did his sorrow variously vent it self, having none to commiserate him, but the sensless Walls, (which with a dull noise, would repeat his moans, and say A­men to his cryes) and the Marble of the Chimney, which would weep and sweat, as 't were with sympathizing pain; but grief would transform the Form of every thing, that had the shape of comfort, and make the Walls echo his groans, with a sad dolefulness, and the [Page 250] Marble drops to reflect his visage, and therein the Por­traiture of sorrow. True grief delights in solitudes, if it may be said to have any delight; and he mourns with a witness, that mourns without a witness.

But now, to leave him in his lamentations, and re­turn to Amphigenia, who with the fright she took at her surprizal, fell into such a dangerous distemper, as threatned little less than her sudden dissolution; every moment the fatal Thief, would steal some portion of her Rosy-excellence, or rather the Graces enshrined in her beautious Face, by a mysterious transition passed into my soul, to make her fit to inhabit among the Celestial dwellers; which when her Father saw, he grew so enraged with Danpion, as he resolved not to be partial, but gave strict command to his Keeper, that night to put out his eyes, as others before had suffered for an offence of the like kind, though without those high aggravations that attended his: and moreover, to keep him Prisoner, until they saw whether Amphigenia would recover, or not; if not, he should be sacrificed on her Tomb, and her Epitaph should be written in his Ashes, and engraven with the point of a Sword on his Skull; but if the contrary, he should have his free­dom.

The Jailor, to execute the Kings commands, in the depth and dead of all the night, softly steals up to Danpion's chamber, whom care and sorrow, and a strange noise of confused thoughts, would not permit to sleep, so that he was only laid down on his bed, a little wax Taper burning by him, and was reading the sad story of Hero and Leander's love, and was so moved with its woful conclusion, as that he could not but shed some drops on the Book, and by drowning their names with Tears, make them act over again their own Tragedy.

[Page 251] The Keeper perceiving a dim light in his Chamber, (which gave him to see his hopes to take him asleep were vanished) rushes in violently with a naked Sword in his hand, and with all the terror a deformed coun­tenance (expressing more horror in a gastly look, than could be otherwise contained in a Volume) could frame, he delivers the message, and commands him to submit with patience, as he expected to meet with better usage.

Danpion hearing this unexpected tidings, fixed his eye undauntedly upon him, whose Majesty might have struck an awful terror into the most ruthless Vil­lains heart, and enraged more with the churlish­ness of his speech, than with the terribleness of his message, he, with a resolute fury, leaps upon the Jaylor, and on the sudden writhes the sword out of his hand, and redeems himself, giving him blowes for his Ran­som. Extremity is Vertues Opportunity, which ne­ver appears clad with greater lustre, than when stript naked by Fortune.

Danpion having released himself, runs to a near ad­joyning Wood, where he spends that night in sighing forth his woes; somtimes raving at the Kings merciless tyranny, somtimes cursing Bascanius's treachery, som­times lamenting Amphigenia's cruelty. His Mind float­ing in a tempestuous Sea of thoughts, would be wreck­ed, somtimes upon Rocks of insuperable difficulties, somtimes overwhelmed in a Gulf of despair: Then his Tongue, the servant of his Mind, to give some little ease, would vent some streams, out of the over-flowings of his thoughts. Words are airy successors to our in­testate comforts: Flitting Shadows, and vanishing Pictures of our mindes, or our mindes transformed into Air, and that formed into Words; invisible transcripts of our thoughts, writ upon Air, and copyed out by our [Page 252] Tongues; poor breathing Orators of our woes, whose Rhetorick will for a while hush them to silence; who give ease, though they give no succour.

So Danpion, with the wind of his words, would a little disperse the Clouds of grief in his mind. Somtimes he would inveigh against Envy, calling it the putrid Blain of a corrupt mind, or the very Imposthume of all vitious humours; which bursting with its own venom, sends forth an infectious gore, called Slaunder: Slaun­der, that base canker of Renown, filthy vapour of an ulcerous mind, whose steam obscures Vertues bright Ray; vile demolisher of the Temple of Honour, and the accursed spawn of a hellish mind.

But then his Hate to Envy, would bring to his mind the contrary opposite, a Love to Vertue; and both these would be as alarms, to awaken the thoughts of Am­phigenia, the Object of the first, and the Subject of the latter; And then he would condemn his too too ad­venturous eyes, for their presumptuous beholding of that miracle of beauty; but more his remembrance, for retaining that Soul-captivating Species, her Idea; but most of all, his Heart, for surrendring up its Cittadel to the tyranny of love.

And then he would call out, Ah! Why did I love? Alas! alas! Why did I love? Thus to be made a slave to Beauty; but how could I chuse but love? love? nay adore so Divine a Form? Rather why do I remem­ber? since it is remembrance that is the life of my grief, and that that renews my woes; but how can I chuse but remember such a heavenly shape, in whom all unparalleld Excellencies meet like parallels in their proper Centre; whose every beam glanced from her eyes, writ a compleat story in my mind, of Beauties Perfection, and Loves Prerogative? But ah! Why did I then give liberty to my eyes to see that model of Di­vine [Page 253] perfections? since the eyes are the Crystal doors of the mind, at which all Objects enter that enthrall the affections; but alas! who could but gaze, and gaze himself to admiration, and admire himself into an Ex­tasie, to behold one, in whose Eye lay the diapazon of beauties visible harmony, which with their motions, like the Spheres, would strike Entrancing Raptures into all chast hearts; and where thousands of Stars lay couched under a sable Veil, resembling nights Canopy, whose rapting influence, would compel all eyes to see, all thoughts to remember, and all hearts to love and adore?

Thus his thoughts flying from one opposite to ano­ther, would still centre on Amphigenia; like the Ea­gles, that flying from East to VVest, met in Delphos; and thus he consumed the night, untill about the dawn­ing of the morn; that impartially partial hour, which whilest it seems to stand as a Neuter, between night and day, and to take to neither, doth indeed incline to both; when remembring, that though his escape had freed him from present misery, yet not from future ru­ine, he therefore resolved to flee to Cyprus, after his friend Periander, and assist him in the releasment of Glycera, and then return with him to Thessalia, and by his means ingratiate himself with Pandion, and he fear­ed not but to procure a considerable Party that should revolt from Hiarbas, upon the least knowledge of his intentions.

As he was thus walking and pondering, there sud­denly came upon him about five Horsmen, who by force (he having no weapon to defend himself) car­ried him about the space of a mile, to a green Valley, where there lay great numbers of Souldiers, as in a Bush; in the midst of whom, was a rich [...], drawn by four milk-white Horses abreast, wherein there sat a most in­comparable [Page 254] Lady, clad in rich attire, in whose face was displayed all the Ensignes and Trophaes of conquering beauty, and in her looks there sat not only an attractive sweetness, but a Majestick stateliness; so that she seem­ed at once to allure and command affection, to behold, conquer, and tryumph: So that Caesars Motto, Veni, vidi, vici, translated into the language of Love, seem­ed written on every feature, in the Rosie-Characters of beauty.

In this tryumphant posture she rode, four Virgins that were her Attendants, sitting at her feet, a proper Gentleman, all in Armour, well mounted, riding by her as a captive to her beauty; whose soul peeping thorow the Prison-windows of his eyes, plainly disco­vered it self to be fettered with the Beams that came from hers. To this Gentleman they carried Danpion, who no sooner saw him, but he dis-mounted, and salu­ted him with all the testimonies of respect and honour, an innate civility, together with a true grounded af­fection, and a just respect, founded upon great worth, all meeting in one Person, could possibly dispose him to utter.

Danpion amazed with this unexpected manner of encounter, and the more amazed, because so unexpect­ed, was at first (contrary to his wonted manner of lay­ing deep engagements upon others, with his unimita­ble courtesie) carried with astonishment to that extre­mity, that borders on the confines of Incivility; till at length, called out of his amazement, with excess of amazement, (as waters chilness recalls the spirits) he re­torts back his salutation, with the like manner of Cere­monies, and craving pardon for his rudeness, requests him therein to accuse his bad fortunes, who rendring him unworthy to chalenge, had also banished all ex­pectations to meet with any such honour; and withall, [Page 255] condemning his memory, that could retain his sorrows, but not the name and Idea of a Person of so much worth. The Gentleman hearing this told him, that his name was Athalus, who, that his actions might be of an equal latitude with his promises, he, with some few men, came to serve him in the attaining of his King­dom.

Then Danpion called to mind, that this was the Per­son that came with Periander to the Hermits Cave, and also what engagements he made at his parting from thence, and thereupon embraced him with all possible joy, and gave him Millions of thanks for his oblige­ments; telling him, how seasonable his assistance came, and therewithall fully informing him of his condition, and what Plots he had used, and what success of his Plots, and what advantage by that success, and in what state and posture his affairs were in for the present; how much weakned by the sudden departure of P [...]ri­ander, whose counsel and assistance had exceedingly farthered his Designes: And then he told him of Peri­ander's happy meeting with Florinda, and by what wile she had escaped from Acastus; neither did he stick to tell him of his own affection to Amphigenia, though neither by his manner of speech, countenance, or gesture, did he accuse in himself any such Passion; not like those puny Lovers, who can coyn no expres­sions, but in the Mint-house of Passion; and when they speak, their speech is nothing but a bundle of incongru­ities, and incohaerent Phrases, and all the while their April-faces must now moisten the ground with a showr of Tears, anon the clouds of grief must be di­spersed, and nothing but serenity; and thus by exter­nal inconstancy, describing their inward constancy. But then Danpion began to enquire of Athalus, about the event of his love to Matilda (for Periander, as they [Page 256] came along from the Hermitage, had told him the whole story) and whether that excellent Lady, that beautified the Coach with her Beauty, were not she: To whom Athalus replyed, that that indeed was the Lady, that was the Pole-star of all his endeavours, through whose favour he breathed, through whose breath he lived, through the life of whose love he lo­ved his life, and by which he poized all his felicity.

Danpion having performed his salutations to her, A­thalus began his relation. It hapned (said he) that du­ring the time my wounds were healing in the Cave, where first it was my happiness to meet with your Lord­ship, Plirio (through whose means Periander and I were set upon, by the Villains that dragged us into those Woods, with intents to kill us) became Lord of Parrhasia, by the death of his Father; he being the only preserver of his name, was left the only Possessor of his Lordship; who having now ability to execute what only before he had wickedness to de [...]ire, hoping that both of us, but especially my self, had tasted the fruit of his base revenge, seizes upon my Castle in my absence, under pretence of a forfeiture for Treasons, Murders, and Conspiracies said to be acted and ploted by me and my Complices. And that he might co­lour over these unjust pretences, with pretences of Justice, he caused those that escaped from Periander by [...]light, after they had acted their bloody Tragedy upon me, vehemently to petition for justice against me; who being men not only of murderous, but mercenary spirits, and never would refuse to dive into a Sea of wickedness, to find that Pearl called Gain, and ever thought it the greatest piece of folly in the world, for men to recede from their own Interest, through a childish dread of impiety, and to be affrighted from the beaten rode of Vice, if it leads to a Mine of wealth, [Page 257] with the foolish Bug-bear terrors that haunt that path; and therefore they'd no less deride at those, that not steering their actions by the compass of Profit, would sail where ever those gusts of popular breath entituled Honor should drive them; than a skillful experienced Mariner would at a fresh-water Seaman, that neglect­ing his Compass, should flatter himself with hopes of a speedy arrival at his Port, because he runs afore the wind, though it blow from a quite contrary quarter. These men being thus a fit matter for him to superin­duce any form upon, he transforms their former shapes, and makes them become of lovers to Vice, pretended lovers of Vertue; and therefore desirous of justice, no [...] not only because it was justly ranked in the catalogue of Vertues, but because it was the destroyer of Vice, and the cherisher and protector of Vertue

And this he did to obscure his own malice, and their revenge, from the popular view; that so his actions ha­ving an image of justice impressed upon them, might pass current.

Having thus by policy and subtilty, plundered me of my estate, the next thing he had to do was to pos­sess himself of Arritesia, without whom all the other issues of his brain would prove abortive; and to that end he invites both the sisters Arritesia and Matilda, (to intercept all jealousies in them or their Father, that might intercept his plot) to a most magnificent feast, where (as was reported) luxury and excess seemed to ride in triumph in every dish, as though the storehouses of the elements had been ransacked to furnish his Table; as if he had been rather to have courted his Mi­strisses appetite, than her affection; so that his Table seemed the Scene of Prodigality, whereon was acted the Tragedy of Temperance and true Liberalty; the most poinant meats being poisons to the former, [Page 258] as excessive profuseness is destructive to the lat­ter.

But the Feast being concluded, Plivio had another play to act, to which this served but for a Prologue; and that was to seize upon Arritesia; that since (as the Philosopher saith) every one is the framer of his own fate, he resolved that none should accuse his negli­gence for his infelicity, but he would purchase that by compulsion, to which milder means he saw would prove ineffectual. For (my Lord) you must know Ar­ritesia was a Lady in whom appeared all the delicate attractives of beauty, and external demonstrations of internal Vertue; so that as the former would suffici­ently excuse a Stoick should he become an amorist: excuse? nay accuse him of a base ignorance of worth, should he not admire her perfections; so the influence of the latter, might have created goodness in the worst of men, and rendered him inexcusable in whose breast was the least spark of an impure fire. Now no won­der if a vertuous soul enshrined in so sweet a body, by a reflex act viewing its own internal beauty, be like Narcissus gazing on his picture limned by the Sun-beams in a Fountain, enamoured with its own excel­lencies; and so was Arritesia, yet not so as to obscure her worth, with being void of humility, but rather made Humility a means to discover the worthiness of her worth, and so her Vertues as they became more perspicuous, so more delectable; so that if her humi­lity was apt to entice hope, her dazling worth would again stupisie and confound it. But as none can cast up their eyes at the Sun, with more confidence, and less dazling, than the blind; so none are less ravished with true worth, than those whose ignorance of it, makes them least admire it.

So Plivio, though none had less grounds for hope, [Page 259] yet none had greater confidence than he; not because he so far excelled others, as that his transcending de­serts should excite her to pitch upon him, but because his worth being short of many, made him less able to discern of anothers, and begat conceits of himself above what his deserts could challenge, and such thoughts in any will soon augment hope to a presump­tion; but this did but create the more disesteemes of him in Arritesia's thoughts, who by the light of her own worth was able to see his worthlesness, and where disesteem once gets entrance, its hard to crowd out disaffection, they being inseparably linked together, as love and contempt are irreconcileably separated; so that Arritesia thus slighting his person would much more contemn his importunings, that she let all his words dye in their own sounds, his most pathetick ex­pressions taking no more impression on her, than puffs of Air upon an Adamant.

Her mind was a Paradise, where swarmed Angels of high thoughts, such thoughts as each deserved a Crown, and could he think such thoughts would admit of society with so mean and abject meditations as his imaginary Vertues? But whither doth my passion trans­port me! Plivio finding her thus (as he tearmed her) an obstinate piece, bent his wit more to devise some stratagem, how to procure her by the favour of policy, than before he did to compose his smooth courting speeches to storm her by the force of eloquence. And having by that subtilty enticed her to his Castle (as I told you) after the Feast was concluded, and the ri [...]hes of the time spent in dalliance and delights, the two Si [...] ­ers, with great acknowledgements of his c [...]vility, took leave of him.

Plivio being now if ever to accompl [...]sh his des [...]r [...]s, waits upon them to the Castle Ga [...]e, performs many [Page 260] ceremonies to them both to delay their sudden depar­ture, but especially to Arritesia, to whom he applies himself in all the dilatory postures of a parling Lover; so that Matilda by this time was entered into her Coach, and all their attendants stood without, waiting when Plivio would dismiss their Lady, whose ear was surfeited with his tedious complements. But Plivio having now brought about what he desired, thought it not prudence to dally with opportunity, but on the suddain gives the watch-word to his servants, who be­ing able to interpret the meaning, make fast the Gate, and by force drew in Arritesia into the Castle, not re­garding her pittiful shrieks and crys, and tears, able to wound the flintyest heart, and peirce the most impene­trable ears. Oh! that heaven should ever permit any to fix the superscription of love, upon actions so plain­ly visible to the dimmest eye, to be nothing but the off­springs of a luxurious passion.

Matilda, with the company that were without, hearing Arritesia's crys, and seeing the sad effects of his plot, and that his former delays were but the cour­tings of occasion, they in a confused manner run home to Pirotes's house, to inform him of his Daughters surprizal; but as they went, amazing fear had so distra­cted some, and fearless amazement transported others, that when Pirotes at their arrival (having his heart no less filled with terror, than his ears were with the noise of that rout) inquired of them the cause of their con­fusion, as the one (at first) could not tell what to re­late, so neither could the other tell how to deliver their doleful message, but made their countenances supply the defects of their speech; till at length they decla­red the villany of Plivio, and the misery of his Daugh­ter.

[Page 261] Pirotes, whose ears with such greedy haste hunted for words, had now over-taken the prey that preyed upon him, and pulling his hat over his face (as I was told) tears fell in such abundance, as if his heart dissolved into drops, had distilled thorough his eyes; such a source of sorrow did over- [...]low him, as even drowned his senses, and with too much sense of grief, made grief become senseless. Sorrow when it swells above the dam of moderation confounds it self.

In this confused conflict of mind, he fixes this re­solution in his thoughts (if an unsteadfast mind, float­ing on the inconstant waves of grief, can ever be said to resolve) that a few womanish complaints should not satisfie his revenge, but he would give the coyn that Mars uses to purchase Kingdoms with for her Dowry.

The next day, according to his resolution, he sum­mons all his Tenants together; and as many as tho­row either envy or hatred to Plivio, or love to Arri­tesia (for she had many suters, and he many rivals, whose merits far over-ballanced his, though his for­tunes exceeded theirs) would appear in arms against him, and besieges him in his Castle before his spies could give any information; so that all his preparations were to fight Cupids battels, for instead of that miscellany of noises and combustions that are the usual effects of sudden alarms, they might hear nothing but Musick and dancing, and all things that argued a fearless se­curity; only, as happened, the Gates were shu [...], but ra­ther to keep out the air than an enemy, the Guard be­ing discharged that should have watched upon the walls, and the Centinels that should have given notice of this invasion.

Thus many times, some unthought of mischief steals away our joys, whilst our senses lye steept in solace and [Page 262] benummed with a dream of pleasure, and seldom that issue of an improvident mind Security, lights upon any that move upon the still waters of content, but like that inauspicious meteor called Helena, it presages a storm.

And so it was with Plivio, he was reaping the har­vest of delight with one hand, whilst he sowed the seeds of his own ruin with the other. And had not the Gates been happily fastned (thanks more to his good fortune than his vigilance) he had been surprized in the midst of all his jollity; but by that means they were forced to use scaling Ladders, battering Rams, and other Engines of War, to force a passage into the Castle. And so strongly was it fortified by Art and Na­ture, that notwithstanding they were interrupted with so small resistance, as onely from some few of Plivio's menial attendants, that were more beholding to Na­ture for valour than their Master, and had made what opposition, men grown desperate with courage and necessity would dare to attempt, yet success had not put a period to their enterprize, untill the setting of the Sun had concluded the day. And just then (as [...]ortune would have it) it was my happiness to arrive at the Castle, to the admiration of Pirotes and all his com­pany, who before were fully possessed with the belief of my death. But after some congratulations that pas­sed betwixt us, he gave me a full information of the reasons of his proceedings, and what had been Plivio's designs in my absence, and how that fate that commonly attends such actions, had now dissipated all his endeavors.

The whilst he held me in this discourse, the rest of the men were ransacking the Castle for Plivio and Ar­ritesia, the one the onely prey for their revenge, and the latter the onely treasure they sought after: but [Page 263] notwithstanding all the care and diligence that could be expected in men searching for a Jewel, that must ran­som them from the killing tortures of a living death, not the least footsteps of either could be found. But how, or when, or which way, or whither they escaped, was as great a subject of our admiration, as if the Sun had droped down from heaven. But I shall never for­get how the good old man, when the news of his Daughters flight [...]lew to his ears, how he at once both wept and wondered, grief and astonishment having both taken the Fortress of his heart, and both at once displayed their Banners in his countenance, and there I saw at once an agreement betwixt them to tyrannize over him, and a disagreement about dominion over each other; his amazement did at once transport him and confound grief, his grief would at once overflow him and drown his amazement.

But at length after a tedious search for Arritesia, for whom they looked with more curiosity than Ceres did for Proserpina, and the time of night being come, that is wont to steal our senses, and hide them in a Pando­ra's box of dreams, Pirotes returned home (for home he would return) though (as common civility obliged) I much pressed him to the contrary. But as he went (poor Gentleman) methoughts I saw a doleful hearse of sorrow in his looks, his heavy eyes with their dim lights pointing towards [...]he ground, as if there he meant to inhabit next, and seemed like torches in a grave; whilst every part would act its part, and seem­ed to give a dumb relation of that story of woe written in his thoughts.

But to be short, sorrow had so closed up all the en­tries of his mind, that there was not the least [...]rany for a beam of comfort to shine in; yea it so plaid the Tyrant, that it quite exil'd all rest and sleep, and every [Page 264] thing that seemed an enemy to mourning, so that he conversed with nothing but solitaryness, saw nothing but darkness, heard nothing but inward sighs, spake nothing but silent moans, felt nothing but pangs that stupified his feeling, and tasted nothing but insipid grief, till at length death that unties the Gordian knots of nature, that untunes the harmony of compounded beings; the poor mans wish, the rich mans fear, the sad mans joy, the stout mans Page, the young mans [...]oy, and the old mans expectation; that thief that steals man away, and leaves his picture for a while, stole Pirotes out of this world, who amongst many other grave counsels to Matilda (the rare off-springs of those severe but excellent thoughts, that steam forth from a departing soul, carried above it self with that excess of joy extracted from those pleasureable medita­tions that a well-passed life in this world do afford) I say much and so excellent advice he gave her, as if he would have contracted the former goodness of the whole span of his life into a punctum, of all his years into that last moment, and then like the last blaze of an Aromatick Torch, breath forth the fragrant odors of his life in his last instant; and then my good Angel in­spired him with such high thoughts of me, as (indeed) it would be the greatest presumption to think my merits could challenge a farr inferior reputation: So that at his last hour he charged her, that if ever (as he pleased to tearm it) so much happiness was reserved for her, as that I should pitch upon her as the object of my affecti­ons, not to be so great an enemy to her self (he might more properly have said an enemy to me) as to slight me, though my small worth might be a sufficient excuse, having nothing that might merit the contrary, except in that I love her; but however, this was [...]o [...]h his advise and command; so that encouraged by this, [...] [Page 265] fresh remembrance of his death was a little withered (as nothing ever continues verdant, though farr be it from me to expunge the remembrance of him, 'twould be an eternal blot to my name, and might justly make me remembred onely for infamy) but I say, after the verdant freshness of it, though watered with the dew of many tears, began to decay, I went to Matilda, and unbreasted my thoughts to her, and disclosed the beauteous image of her self there inclosed; and how pure a flame was shot from her eyes into my heart, and in a broken manner (for such is the language of Lovers, the commotions of their hearts disturbing their speech) I say brokenly I begged of her to love me, if not for my own sake, yet as the Cabinet of such a Jewel as her Idea, and if not for that, yet for her Fathers sake, who had bequeathed so excellent a Legacy unto me as her self, the Jewel of the world, the pattern of per­fection, in whose presence all beauties lose their lustre, as the Suns refulgent beams drown the splen­dor of the Stars; and in comparison of whom Venus was but a blowze, and might justly be accused of the highest arrogance, should she account her ex­cellencies worth estimation when compared with hers.

In fine, I left nothing unsaid that Love could dictate (and Love did dictate as much as can be within the compass of invention) so that at length with these as­saults I battered down all those reasons that fortified her heart against me; and forced her to blush forth a dumb consent, when methoughts I saw her former thoughts marching out of her mind with the colours flying in the lovely Air of her countenance, with such a delicate bravery, as she seemed at once to yield and tryumph; so that I became o [...] a captive a victor, but yet such a victor, as my conquest did but augment my captivity. [Page 266] And before she would surrender up her heart to my possession, she compelled me by many Vows to swear, not to deface her spotless Vertue, but that chastity should retain its governance; and withall to pay a large sum of merits, towards the building a Temple of ho­nor, where her Vertue should lye enshrined; and since that no deserts purchase greater renown, than those that are founded on Valour and Deeds of Arms, therefore she engaged me to travel with her thorough Greece to hunt for fame with heroick exploits. And remembring that there was no better way to eternize my name, than to serve so excellent a Prince as your self, in so just and honorable a cause, I raised what forces I could in Parrhasia, and am now come to obey Matilda, and serve your Lordship.

Athalus having thus finished his story, Danpion and he began to consult about their designs. Great affairs being surrounded with difficulties, for their better ac­complishment, require as well Argus's eyes as Briarcus hands. And therefore as a Prince would proclame himself guilty of no great prudence, whose confidence on anothers judgement should create in him a diffidence of his own, and by that means make another the Atlas of his Crown; so neither would it argue height of policy, should an over-valuing opini­on of himself, beget in him a contempt of his coun­sel: For by that means, viewing his reasons thorough the spectacles of self-conceipt, be sure they will ap­pear (however empty in themselves) more full of wis­dom, more forcible, and more demonstrative than o­thers. That Prince had need have a brain pregnant with Minerva that needs no co [...]nsel, as he shews him­self a Prince (scarce a man I should say) with a head, empty of brains, that refuses all counsel.

[Page 267] But to digress from this digression. Pandion and Athalus (as I said) fell into consultation about the man­aging this cause in which they were embarqued, and how to steer it safely to the Port of Soveraignty. Now in all determinable cases, controverted by a Councel, these three points are chiefly to be insisted on.

First, The Justness of the cause: for who can ex­pect to return crowned with a Lawrel, that at once fightt against the powers of heaven and earth?

Secondly, The facility of accomplishing; and therein is to be considered the instrumental causes: for never was any so in league with Heaven, as to chal­lenge supernatural assistance. None could free him from the imputation of madness, that would endeavor to effect an enterprize without endeavors; that were to create not to get victories.

Thirdly, The honor and profit: since man acting as a rational creature by voluntary election, not by instinct of Nature, or compulsive impulse of Sense, always propounds some thing to himself, which appearing under the notion of good, is called the final cause, which though last in execution [...], is first in intention; therefore much more in the management of the highest affairs, man is entrusted with on earth, they ought to use the greatest reason; and Reason never excites the will to proceed to election of any thing for its object, that contains not real worth to render it eligible, or is at least gilded over with an amability.

Now these three things were chiefly considered in their deliberation.

And as to the first, namely, The justness of the Cause; that was affirmed to be as apparent as the Sun▪ by whom all things are apparent; it being the prosecu­tion of a persecuted right, and such a right, that had been founded upon an indubitate succession for many [Page 268] generations, proclamed by the voyce of heaven the peo­ple, and confirmed by the Law of Nature and Nati­ons.

And to that Objection that Hiarbas his right, both by Conquest, and by Agis his resignation, had swallowed up Danpion's, Reply was made: To the first Part of the Objection, That Nature was an impartial Legisla­tor, and Universals were equally shared among Speci­als and Individuals: Now if it was an Universal Rule, That Might could purchase Right, then it was as just for Danpion to regain the Kingdom by force, as Hiar­bas by force to possess it. If the longest sword is a fit tool to carve Crowns for one, it is for another. If the Trophies of Conquest can afford materials for a Throne for one, they can for another. But the Sword using no other Arguments, than those of Victory and Success, cannot be a fit way to constitute, nor a fit Um­pire to determine Right: And though it may plead Custom and Example, yet such Pleas are only valid with those, whose ignorance of the Original and true constitution of Right, Equity, and Justice, disposeth them to adhere to a Precedent; and though they follow the example of one, whose actions were probably enti­tuled just, because they escaped that vengeance that pursues injustice: We are not to square our actions by anothers, unless he squares his by the rules of justice: And though (it is true) in the state of War, that all men are in, before the institution of Common-wealths, (every man by nature being as a little World, so a little Republick) a Right procured by the Sword is not un­just, because unjustice is the wrongful detaining of anothers Propriety; now one man having as much right to all things as another, there can be no Propriety, until a coercive Power is established, that must divide this vast Common into Inclosures; yet after Common­wealths [Page 269] are instituted, to invade anothers right, is not to procure a Propriety, but a Possession; for Propriety is a Right to enjoy and improve any thing transferred by mutual voluntary compact, under a coercive Power, that can render the Contract valid, by compelling the mutual performance: Now a Covenant being an act of the Will, and the Will having only some good for its Object, and no greater evil, than to abandon means of self-preservation (which is the end and use of all things we seek to enjoy) therefore none can be suppo­sed voluntarily to renounce his right of enjoyment of that, the loss whereof tends to his destruction; because he therein cannot be thought to aim at any good to himself.

Again, a Covenant being a voluntary act, must be free from all coercion: For though the Elicit actions of the Will are not subject to compulsion, yet the Im­perate actions are somtimes forced to rebel against its commands and dictates: Now a Covenant being a voluntary transferring of Right, that is, not a conferring a Right upon another that he had not before, because Nature equally shares all things, among all persons, but a devesting ones self of a liberty of interrupting anothers Original Right, in the thing alienated, or a vo­luntary standing out of the way, that another may en­joy his Original Right derived to him by Nature: As Alexander, when he eclipsed the Sun, by his interposi­tion between it and Diogines's little Hermitage, remo­ved his station at the Cynicks request: But an enjoy­ment purchased by force, doth not by a reciprical trans­ferring of some good, move the Will of any one by compact, voluntarily to renounce his Right, or liberty of impeding anothers use of his own Right Original, and to remove himself away the main obstacle, but ra­ther thrusts such a one away by force; as if Diogines [Page 270] should have crowded Alexander from between him and the Suns Rayes.

And therefore a Right so procured, is only a present fruition, that is Possession, until a stronger snatches the Prey. Hence, no one can invest himself with a right of Soveraignety only by force, a power of governing so procured, being not a Soveraignty, but a Tyran­ny: For all Soveraigntie, or Power of governing others, is Originally derived from a certain number of Persons, covenanting one with another, to surrender up their natural right of Self-gubernation, to one or more Persons, who representing the whole, so united by mutual compact, may use the power and strength of them all for the safety, and benefit, and weal of the Publick.

Therefore a Power attained by violence, is not a Power to rule, but tyrannize; the multitude having never so much as implicitly transferred over their right, and consequently not obliged to obedience, any far­ther than as their Non-obedience may turn to their de­struction: And in that respect, the right of Soveraign­ty being equally shared among all Persons, by nature, the disproportion only remains in this, Thar such a one hath the longest Sword.

But concerning the second part of the Objection, viz: That Agis had transferred over his right to Hiar­bas by Resignation, this was the solution:

First, though it is true, Covenants entred into by force are Obligatory, from the Law of Nature that commands Self-preservation, and consequently an Election of those means that tend thereunto; there­fore if an extorted resignation be a means to procure such a good, as a freedom from that evil that is the Object of fear, it cannot but be binding, where there is no other Law (as in the conditihn of meer Nature) [Page 271] forbiddeth the performance; but such Covenants be­ing acts of men, considered as in the condition of War, are therefore obliging no longer, than until there ari­seth a new and just cause of fear, and then he is much obliged by the same Law, that for Self-conservation commanded him to resign up such a Right, because the reservation of it was inconsistent with his preser­vation, to re-invest himself with that right he relin­quished, if it be the only means for his safety, as before he was to resign it up.

But it was alleged, That there was a just cause of fear, though not in Agis, yet in Danpion his Heir, or Representative, who had the sentence of Death passed upon him, and therefore might justly seek to re-gain the Kingdom, not only as his lawful inheritance, but to preserve himself from the invasions of Hiarbas, there being nothing more reasonable than Anticipa­tion, that is, the over-powring those Persons that seek ones destruction.

But secondly, The people of Thessalia had given the soveraignty to those that were lineally descended of Agis's Ancestors, and therefore were bound by Co­venant to obey them, as their lawful Soveraigns: Consequently Agis, though he might dispose of the Government during his life, yet not of the Succession; because he derived no such authority from the Foun­tain of Soveraigntie, the Multitude, in the first institu­tion; and therefore the transferring of the right of go­verning from his Posterity to a stranger, was the giving away anothers Propriety, or an assisting of one, in the invasion of another.

Hence, Hiarbas was but a temporary King, to whom the entire exercise of Power was committed for a time; which once expired, his Power must also expire with it: after which, his Government was but an unjust U­surpation, [Page 272] or a wrongful detaining of anothers Proprie­ty.

The second thing they consulted about, was the fa­cility of accomplishing: For Policy forbids any man to ingage in a War, though for a just and lawful reco­very of his own; unless he can produce pregnant and demonstrative assurances, that he shall be seconded with success. But they did not doubt of success, for these Reasons:

First because, the sooner any thing comes to per­fection, the sooner it declines to corruption and disso­lution; so the sooner any arrives at the height of power, the nearer he is to his declension. And this was Hiar­bas case, being on a sudden rebounded, by a strange fortune, into the throne, from the ground of a hopeless irresolution.

Secondly, As in Nature, so in Government, no­thing is permanent that is violent. For though for a time a Tyrant (i.e. an unjust Usurper, or possessor of anothers Power, to whom the right of soveraignty in Propriety belongs) though for some time he may un­derprop his state with the Sword and Policy; yet in the end, Divine Justice snaps the Sword in sunder, infatuates his Council, and makes his own the subaltern causes of his down-fall.

But Hiarbas, as he came to his Government by a Politick violence, so he upheld it by the same; and therefore they feared not, but that false pretended right, inscribed by the Sword-point, on the leaf of a Laurel, would be dissipated, like the Prophecies of that Sy­bill, that used Leaves for her Paper, by the blasts of Heavens Vengeance.

Thirdly, That Government that is erected on the Basis of a Faction, cannot stand; because the Founda­tion being too narrow for the Fabrick, and it having no [Page 273] Internal Principle of stability, must be upheld by Ex­ternal Props, and consequently subject to dissolution, upon the least failing of that force, by which it was constituted.

But as the former was most apparently true in Hiar­bas his Government, so also the latter; viz: That that force that was the Architect of his soveraignty, daily declined thorow intestine disorder. These, and many other Reasons that were then given, encouraged them in their high enterprize.

But as for the third thing, viz: the Honour and Pro­fit that would redound, if their atchivements were crowned with success, that was so conspicuous, as it required no great consideration. So that in Fine, this was the result of the consultation, That Athalus should march with his men to the Court, and pretend to be re­volted from Pandion, through an opinion of the merit of Hiarbas's Cause; that since Danpion was exiled from thence, and none to nourish Faction in the Court or Kingdom, Athalus by that means might ingratiate himself with the King, and breed emulation among the Nobles, and dissentions among the Commonalty; that so by that means, they might fit all things in a readi­ness against the first access of a smiling fortune. And as for Danpion, it was thought not safe for him to en­trust himself in any part of the Kingdom, unless dis­guised; it was therefore resolved, that he should attire himself in the habit of a Lady, and go to the Court as a companion of Matilda's, and so make that mask a step at once to reach the prize of his Ambition and Af­fection.

These things thus agreed on, Danpion arrayes him­self in a white silken Robe, that taught from his shoul­ders to the ground, the train whereof strayed a pretty distance from his heels, and before was bu [...]ned with [Page 274] rich Jewels, from his neck, to his knees, and there left open to discover the pure whiteness of his skin: His leggs and feet were imprisoned within the gilded La­byrinth of rich Buskins, which were fastned under his knee, with a most precious Jewel, where the ends of all the Knots did centre and unite: His hair being very long, after the Thessalian manner, hung loosely, and carelesly upon his shoulders, having no other at­tire upon his head, than a lawn Veil cast over his head, face, and shoulder, on the top of which, he wore a Coronet of Gold, set with Diamonds, the antient Ha­bit of Virgin-Princesses in some parts of Greece. Thus arrayed, he steps up into the Chariot, and sits on the right hand of Matilda, and accompanies her to the Court, under the name of Celania; where in a short time they arrived, and were received by Hiarbas (af­ter notice given by a Herauld from Athalus, what they were, and what the intents of their coming) with all possible demonstrations of Honour; not neglecting any ceremonies or complements that appertain to State, but manifesting all things that might express the greatness of a Princes mind, who scorns to be overcome in cur­tesie.

And as for the two Ladies, Celania and Matilda, with the four Virgins that were the Attendants, they were conducted by a chief Gentleman-Usher, thorow the outward Court, to a stately Gallery, that led into a most beautiful Garden; where they were received by a Lady of Honour, and thence led to the Princess Am­phigenia; who in her Chamber was set in a Chair of State, under a most rich Canopy of cloth of gold, with many young beautiful Ladies, clad in Crimson Damask, attending on her.

Amongst whom, her most transcendent beauty made her shine, with as much superiority, as the Sun doth over [Page 275] the lesser Luminaries; so excellent and incomparable were the Graces that sat enshrined in her lively Coun­tenance, as she seemed as a perfect mirror of all beau­ty and Majesty; such a miraculous composition of all those Excellencies, that can at once both enravish with delight, and transport with admiration: She seemed (as indeed she was) a fitter subject for the pen of Angels, whose vast capacities render them more a­ble to comprehend, as their being conversant with im­mortal Glories, to describe the sublimity of her Per­fections, than any Mortal whatsoever; because, though he had an understanding as vast as the Creation, that he could put a Girdle upon Nature, and might, like the Bee, here and there extract the choycest Flowers, that grow in her Garden, to fill his invention with simili­tudes, yet being cooped within the Universe, he can no more describe the perfection of her beauties, than a Picture of the Sun can imitate its Splendor.

In this stately posture she sate, until the Ladies were conducted into her presence, and then she arose and saluted them, with a countenance and gesture expres­sing so much sweetness, but yet tempered with such a lovely, but stately reservedness, as she at once gave them their due Honour, and yet retained her own State; so that Majesty in her deportments seemed to descend on the wings of Humility, like Phaebus's Cha­riot, ruled by Phaeton, and inflamed their hearts with admiration; but especially Celanias's who was struck into a strange kind of transport, that had near discover­ed her, had not conscience recovered her; for her heart fell into such a vehement panting, and her body was arrested with such a quiv'ring, as even hindred both her speech and gestures, at least the grace of them, so that she at first wished she could purchase a hansom convey­ance out of the Room, with the loss of those delights [Page 276] Amphigenia's presence afforded: And no wonder, for she was never before acquainted with the happi­ness of so near an access; much less therefore with the effects of love, when extafied with so near an ap­proach to the object beloved, and least of all with an Antidote against the strange influence of those effects.

But at length the consideration of those miseries that would be in the event of her discovery, conquered those pangs, and gave his reason the soveraignty over his passion; so that though at first Passion disdained to hearken to Reason as a Councellor, it now refused not to be subject to it as a Prince.

Celania being now in a capacity [...]or converse, fell into conference with Amphigenia, the cadences of whose words seemed to her a melody beyond the very relishes and closes of Angels Musick, as her features seemed to transcend Angelical Beauty. After some time consumed in pleasant discourses, Amphigenia led them into the Gardens, and there shewed them all the delights might have sated an Epicure. Such a ban­quet had Art and Nature there set forth to feast the sight, as might satiate the most greedy pomp-expect­ing eyes, satiate? rather astonish. Neither were the eyes alone partakers of the mollitious pleasures of that Paradise, but the ears were enriched with all the trea­sures a well-touched Lute (that sweet Exchequer of delights) could afford, whose resounding womb seemed the Limbeck of harmony, where its quintes­sence was distilled, which gently dropping thorough the ear into the Cabinet of Sense, the Brain, with its soft pleasures charms the soul.

But this was but a prelude to a consort of Instru­ments excellently plaid on by delicate Ladies, sitting under a Sun-proof Arbor, whose features seemed as [Page 277] full of harmony to their eyes, as their Musick was beautiful to the ears. But whilst they were keeping time in Musick, time danced by so nimbly, as th [...]y ra­ther in keeping lost it, each minute crowded on so fast, and seemed to tread on its predecessors heels, as if it feared the others loytering might intercept its plea­sures: so that it was not long ere the farr-extended shadows of the mountains, seemed sent as messengers from Titan, to tell them the news of his declension, when supper was in great state served into the Banquet­ing house; a stately building suspended in the Air on Marble pillars, standing on a flowry plain, embraced with the Silver streams of a purlling River that gently crept along: the Chamber above was hung with cloth of Tissue, in the midst of it was a round Tribunal made of Porphyry, on the top of which was a chair of State, wherein was placed the Statue of Diana, richly apparelled, a golden scepter in her hand, and the three Graces attending on her, playing on wind Instruments, which were carved so lively, that as their figure de­ceived the sight, so did the Musick the hearing, which the water conveyed by silver pipes thorough the pillars made them compose.

But all these glories seemed to Celania onely to adorn the tryumph of Amphigena's beauty, which lead captive more hearts than they did eyes, or the Musick ears; so that she viewed them onely with a careless eye, accounting nothing worth the seeing in Amphigenia's presence but her, nor scarce ever casting a glance on any thing; unless it were on that whose ex­traordinary excellence might justly challenge a look from a Criticks eye, and then she would compare it with her, to render her Beauty incomparable. But if Am­phigenia chanced to crop a slower, or treasure up the perfumes of a Rose, or disperse the rays of her f [...]ir [Page 278] eyes on any object, then she would look and look a­gain, envy the flower, grow jealous of the Rose, and grieve that she her self was not the object. Ah! (would she say) thou pretty Martyre, how happy art thou to lose thy life by so sweet an executioner! And when she saw it wither in her hands: Poor senseless flower (said she) cannot a glance from that eye revive thee? nor a touch of that hand (whose soft delicacy would warm a heart bennumed with Age, and in despight of years recall Youth fled with Time) cannot such a hand (I say) stop the career of thy beauties? Poor foolish flower, what meanest thou to let death ravish thy sweets? deface that portraiture of beauty, pencil'd by Nature in thy leaves? demolish thy lovely Cittadel of loveliness? thinkest thou to resume more sweetness, more beauty, more loveliness, from her most sweet, most beautiful, and most lovely hand? no (fond thing) her chastness hates a prostitute. What then? what is the matter? dost thou bequeath thy sweets to her? and do they by a secret transition pass away from thee, and by transmigration dwell in her? no sure, her Ocean of beauty needs not thy drop, her infinite treasures con­ferr'd on her by too prodigal heaven, sure needs not the addition of thy poor mite: no, no, thou pinest away with grief, and so do I.

Again, when she saw her extract the fragrancy of a Rose: Oh! too happy flower (would she say) and in this onely unhappy, that thou art ignorant of thy hap­ness: Little thinkest thou where thy fading sweets do lye entomb'd; thou wouldst not grutch to part with all thy wealth, knewest thou but where its treasured, nor to be rob'd of thy little cargo of perfumes, didst thou but know thy Pirate. Rob'd? if a Merchant that cha [...]e [...]s trash for Gold, or Glass for Pearls is rob'd, then so art thou.

[Page 279] Her pure hand that divides thee from thy root, doth but transport thee from thy native dwelling, to the Vermilion Orient of her lips, where she changes the Aromaticks of her breath for thy poor odours. Oh! Oh! might my soul be refined by the heat of Loves passions into such a steam, as now expires out of thy blushing leaves, and be exhaled like thine, and dwell among the Carnation clouds of her beauty, I'de not en­vy the inhabitants of Elizium.

These and the like speeches would she wisper to her self upon every occasion, extracting out of that Gar­den of delights, onely what might feed the appetite of love. And when Supper was served in, though there was all t [...]e rarities that could be expected at a refection in­vented by an Epicure, to feast his Sense without sense of satiety, yet Celania took no contentment in all, on­ly let her eyes riot in the most luxuriant banquet of Amphigenia's beauty, which she did with the more confidence, presuming her disguize might make her looks unregarded, or at most unsuspected. Such strange effects did Love work in Celania's heart. If Amphige­nia spake, the sweet harmony of her voice, and elo­quence in her speech, would strike Celania mute. If Amphigenia afforded her a glance, the lustre of her eyes (like the Sun whose own brightness is his shade, and sends a drop to veil a gazers eye) would strike Ce­lania blind. If Amphigenia graced a Lute with h [...]r playing, the curious swiftness of her fingers nimbly touching the quavering strings, in deep amazes would strike Celania motionless.

And thus did Amphigenia's presence absent Celania from her self. But supper being ended, after a great deal of mirth that usually abounds in Princes Courts in times of s [...]renity, but especially upon such occasions the night being far spent, the Sun having distributed [Page 280] much of his light to those of the other hemisphere, Amphigenia brought the Ladies to their several lodg­ings, where my Muse will bid them good night, and leave them to take their repose, that consort of dark­ness, that soveraign of balme for care-wounded-minds.

Thus had Danpion, now Celania, finished the se­cond part of his Tragicomedy, and is now stepping into the third, which as it was acted under various di [...]guizes, so with various fortunes, as we thus de­clare.

The two happy Lovers Athalus and Matilda having continued some space in the Court, not willing to stay any longer in the Suburbs of desires, nor to be confin­ed within the portal of felicity, resolved to imparadise their hearts in Hymen [...] Elizium; and by mar [...]iage (that pick-lock of chast sweets) to drench their love-united [...]ouls in a deluge of contentments; which according­ly was celebrated by Hiarbas's special command, with all the riches, pomp, and magnificence, that the high­est gratitude could throw upon the greatest and most unmatched desert; and with all the pleasures that might bribe a contemplative mind to stoop to the lure of sense.

Among the variety of representations, whereby the wits of the Court strove to form delight in the fancy, the Princess Amphigenia with the chief Ladies of the Court, presented a Mask before the King and some of the chiefest Nobl [...] where the Musick was so raptu­rous, as would even confound an earth bred ear, that at first hearing few could bear so strong a transportation; The well agreeing notes seeming to combine together to astonish souls with sudden ravishment, & in their ex­ [...]es to persw [...]de them they heard the Spheres rowsing harmony, for it seemed to the strongest ear, as if the [Page 281] Musicians had contracted that heavenly melody, in the narrow circumference of their instruments, or had made an Epitome of its sweetest strains; to which the Maskers footing kept such even time, as none but would have thought the air (moved by the inchanting sinews of the Instruments) danced her finest measures after the motions of their feet. So that they seemed (as it were) the Intelligences that moved the Orbes of Musick.

But these delights served but to awaken Celania's evil Genius, who by the light of Hymens Torch disco­vered a way to smother all her new-born joys, which was this.

It happened that at this time the [...]e was a Knight of Pandions at the Court, by name Dokimastus, one that pretended to be a revolter from his Master, but was in­deed a Spye, that Pandion had appointed under that disguize to pry into Hiarbas's affairs; who as he had re­solution to attempt any thing that might further his Masters designs, so he had craft and subtilty to direct his resolution▪ one that had learnt the Art of Insinua­tion, and with the Gyges Ring of deceit could walk undiscovered in the midst of others privacies; one that would seem to disclose himself nakedly to his very thoughts, but yet make that nakedness his thoughts best clothing. Words are the souls resounding pour­traiture; he that draws a false picture of his mind, pen­cils dissimulation, not his own resemblance. He that agreeth not with himself, whose thoughts and words j [...]rr, his tongue refusing to accord with his mind in the harmony of truth, how can he be tho [...]ght to agree with another? But by this means had he crept into Hi­arbas favour, so that nothing was concealed from him that he listed to discover, and he li [...]ed to discover as much as did tend to his Masters advantage.

[Page 283] This Dokimastus being present at the Mask, giving liberty to his eyes to range among that Paradise of Beauties, chanced among other Ladies to espye Celania covered with her Veil, according to her wonted garb; who having not her education among those of that Sex which she seemed to personate, and therefore unac­quainted with many female accomplishments, in the catalogue of which the compleat deportment of the body in Dancing is esteemed not the least, which she being wholly a stranger to, and therefore justly fearing lest at the Mask she [...]hould unmask her self, chose ra­ther to obscure her ignorance with the mist of a preten­ded reservedness, and to make another blush with a coy repulse, than her self ashamed with an indiscreet fami­liarity. The strangeness of her garb and deportment, as they made many other objects ungazed on, by af­fording as much matter for admiration as they for de­light, so in particular they drew a more curious obser­vation from Dokimastus than others, because that ob­servation begat a conceipt in him that was not in others, viz. that this Celania was no other then Glycera the Nunn, his Masters she-idoll, escaped out of Cyprus, and for love of some Courtier or other fled thither un­der that disguise.

This conceipt having admission into his thoughts, did by degrees conquer all opposition, bribe his belief with accumulation of Arguments from his continued observation, and at length give it self the soveraignty in his mind; so that he resolved, that since his observa­tion had conquered his belief, his belief should Ma­ster his purpose, (which was to send her to Pandion) but his purpose should attend as a [...]ervant to opportuni­ty. And that his Present might be more acceptable he determined to send Amphigenia, that so Pandion ha­ving the heir of the Kingdom in his custody, and [Page 282] Hiarbas's onely child, he might be able with less diffi­culty to conquer his designs.

These resolves he closetted in his thoughts, till Time the winged Post-horse of opportunity, that Whet-stone of resolution that keenes the edge of the dullest mind, should bring the news of success. The next morning by that time Aurora's blushing cheeks had wept her pearly drops, and sitting in her gilded Chariot drawn with purple Steeds, had chast away the Stars, and triumphed over the gloomy Night, the two Princesses Amphigenia and Celania having forsaken the Snowy Paradise of their beds, walked forth into the Groves and Gardens, to share in the Morns refined pleasures; where as they passed along, the gentle di­stilling dew would seem to weep for their departure, whilst the Western issue of the perfumed air would softly fan their tressing cur [...]es with its flowry wings, the swift winged singers striving which should salute them with the sweetest airs.

It happened that at this time Ternotus a Squire that attended on Dokimastus, invited forth by the Morns mollitious sweets, was walking upon a little hill to re­fresh himself with Zephyres cooling gales, where he chanced to espy these two Ladies, sitting under the green Canopy of a shady Bower, and earnest in dis­course. Celania had her beauty eclipsed with her Lilly Veil, as she had wont; but Amphigenia fully displayed the treasure of her beauty, where she seemed to shew all the riches of Nature; as she sat under the Bower her eyes seemed pearly Bowers where thousands of Loves and Graces seemed to flutter up and down, and with their swift Arrows feathered with Majestick love­liness, and tipt with Diamonds, would wound behol­ders hearts: So that the Bower seemed a shady Palace, where heart-commanding beauty, attended with a [Page 284] great retinue of perfections, seemed to keep its Court; or as an Asylum under whose verdant Roof, the Stars in day time kept their residence.

Ternotus having paid a little duty to admiration (as whom would it not transport with wonder, to behold so many wonders?) run to his Master, and told him what lovely objects that morning had saluted his eyes withall. Dokimastus hearing that, went by his Squires direction to the place where he beheld those two ex­cellent Ladies, whom he had no sooner seen, but he knew to be Celania and Amphigenia; the rays of whose beauty made the day-break of occasion, for the exe­cution of his plot; so that he presently discloses his intents to Ternotus (having first sworn him to secresie.) Much time they spent not in traversing of their thoughts, till at length having agreed upon a way, which their reason perswaded them would prove effe­ctual, They on a sudden rush into the Grove, where the Ladies sat (Ternotus having first fetcht their weapons, and a suit of Apparel that belonged to one of Dokima­stus's attendants) and by force carryed them into a lit­tle Valley, some distance from the Gardens, where they disrobed Celania of her Garments, and clothed her in that habit, and set Amphigenia in a Coach that they had prepared ready for that purpose; but by that time they had accomplisht their endeavors, the shrieks of Amphigenia ( [...]oth for her surprizal, and the fear she took at a bloudy fight that grew between Celania and Dokimastus, who ignorant of Celania's Sex and Valour, had put a sword in her hand, thinking if any should discover them, it might be thought that he had conveyed Amphigenia away by force.) But I say Amphigenia's out-crys, the Airy messengers of her misery, had soon carryed tydings of it to the ears of many in the Court, and with a doleful shrill­ness [Page 285] challenged speedy succour; who hearkning more to the noise, than to discretion or deliberation, ran out, some drest, some undrest, some with Weapons, some without, but using the still mourning voice, as a winged guide, by which they directed their steps, until they came to the Valley, where they beheld Dokimastus des­perately engaged in a Combat with Celania, whom now in that garb they knew to be Danpion; and as for Amphigenia, she was hurried away in the Coach, with so much swiftness, as to prevent being overtaken with the nimblest Foot-man; yet not so as to prevent their ears from overtaking the voyce, which like winged Pegasus, rode on the ayr, and cryed, Help Amphigenia, Help Amphigenia.

This sight and voice so filled the eyes and ears of the new arrived company, did so distract and confound them with amazement, and all those Passions that asto­nish spirits with amazing confusion at such sudden ac­cidents, as that whilst their hatred to Danpion, but love and duty to Amphigenia, prompted them both to kill the one, and save the other, and at once to do all things, the swelling Torrent of Amazement, dammed up the Current of their desires, and compelled them to do nothing: Some would pursue Amphigenia, whilest themselves were overtaken with a raging grief; others would fight with Danpion, whilest themselves were conquered with a mad rage.

Thus the fight continued for a time, to [...] destructi­on of many, but the admiration of all▪ Danpion encoun­tring with the multitude for Amphigenia, as Hercules once did with the many-headed H [...]dra, for the Hespe­rides golden fruit; till at length, just as he was going to surrender up himself, there came running among them a Horse, b [...]oken loose out of the Coach that carried away Amphigenia; who not regarding the multitude, [Page 289] ran furiously among them, as if it had been one of Phae­ton's mad Palfreys, and killed some, trampled on others, and disperst them all; so that Danpion watched his op­portunity, catched hold of the Reigns, and wanting neither agility of body, sprightfulness of mind, nor skill in horsman-ship, nimbly vaulted upon him, and in the [...]ight of them all, made his escape.

By this time newes was fled to the King, that Dan­pion had carried away by force his Daughter, and with her, the princess Celania, and how that Dokimastus was much wounded in their defence, and many others slain, and how that his just revenge for all these villainous acts, was anticipated by Danpion's flight: But as if these wounding words, Force, and Flight, had forc'd his Reason to flight, he so unreasonably stormed, as he seemed nothing but an [...] odd composition of Passion: What (said he) Amphigenia gone? And with that he stampt on the ground with his foot, and made the earth quake with his fury, whilst fury made an Earth-quake in him: But then he went on,—Amphigenia! The life of all my Comforts, the stay of all my Hopes, and the ve­ry treasury of my Joyes; and is she gone? Gone? Nay ravished; ravished? Nay dead, for ought I know. Oh! Deadly word! Dead! and I live, and live to see all this unrevenged? Oh! Tyrant-heaven! Was it not enough to rob me of my Daughter? My only Daugh­ter, but you must plunder me of all means for revenge too? For Revenge, for Justice; if it be not just to rid the world of such a Monster, I know not what is just; and if so, Why did you blindly put the Sword of Ju­stice into my hands? But oh! you Powers! If you will tyrannize, I am your Vice-gerent, and am war­ranted by your example; and with that he command­ed his Courtiers speedily to pursue them, and threat­ned to hang them, if they came back without one, or both.

[Page 287] But now, to return to Danpion, who had overtaken Amphigenia, by that time the Coach was arrived at Pandion's Castle; so that some of the Souldiers that were upon the Walls, seeing a gallant and beautiful Lady, hunted by a man on Hors-back, with a drawn Sword (for Danpion, by reason of the madness of the Horse, had not time to imprison it in the Scabbard, and loath he was to disarm himself, knowing not what fu­ture accidents might require its service) they ran pre­sently out of the Gates, and commanded them to yield [...] Danpion not being accustomed to surrender on such easi [...] terms, began to treat with them in the churlish language of War, and dispute his Title to Liberty; till at last he was confuted by the sharp Sophistry of multiplyed Swords: who, after they had argued a while in the school of War, at last prevailed, and led them to Pan­dions General; who at the first view of these two excel­lent and beautiful Personages, was possest with such ex­treme wonder, that every beam of their Beauty, was a bright Key, that lockt up his senses in the Prison of amazement.

As for Danpion, though his Habit became not one of his Birth and Greatness, yet he so became his Habit, as he seemed to put a Majesty on Poverty; that whilest his garb presented him as anothers servant, all those excellent endowments, that give height of mind in the lowest fortune, attended on him: His Eyes were graced with such a verecundious sternness, as seemed at once to allure and threaten; some terrifying flashes would glance from them, but yet with such a mixture of a well-becoming suavity, as inflamed the heart with a greater admiration of his Beauty: His Countenance (in which appeared no common Ayr) though somthing clouded, not with a dejecting, but rather such a tumid grief, as usually attends those great souls, whom no [Page 288] fortunes can discompose, but those that deprive them of the exercise of Vertue; yet thorow those Clouds there shined such Rayes of an undaunted Majesty, as might well deserve the highest admiration in those mindes that esteem nothing vulgar.

But as for Amphigenia, she seemed a Person so in­comparably excellent, tis fitter to leave the Soul extasied with the contemplation of her Beauty, than to attmept its Delineation, since no Tongue, nor Pen can pourtray them, but must be vast debtors to her Perfecti­ons. And that that added no smal lustre to her Excellen­cies, was her Magnanimity under this misfortune, chu­sing rather that her heart should break within, than her sorrow break out; and resolving, that Death should ravish her Soul from her Body, sooner than the saddest accident her Vertue from her Soul; and making it the chiefest point of Vertue, to be commander of her in­ward Passions, whilest her outward estate was a servant to Fortune: And this present misery, though circum­stanced with all the evils that envy could wish for, or her self detest, not only her Person, but her Chastity being at the disposal of one, whom a double Antipathy, both as a man, and an enemy made infinitely hateful; yet by foyling it with her Vertue, she made serve, but as an Ornament to the beauty of her Vertues: So that the Clouds of sadness in her Countenance, made the brighter reflections of the beams of a stately Majesty.

Whilest Pandion was taken up with the Prospect of such Heavenly Aspects, the Coach-man (that had been the Charon that had hurried this sad Princess to such a Hell of misery) comes to him, and humbly craves a minutes conference: He consenting, the Coach-man informs him, who that beautiful Subject of his admira­tion was, and by what, and whose means, and for what end he had conveyed her thither; and as for the other, [Page 289] he presumed he was some Attendant of the Kings, by whose command he pursued them.

This news was as a Charm to Pandion's Passion, that gently did allay the surges of astonishment, and con­verted them into a smooth Sea of contentment: For now he doubted not but to procure the Kingdom, since he had gotten the Inherit [...]ix within his Power, by ma­king her to resign up her Right, to ransom her Chastity, or her Farher his Power, to ransom her. And observing in the looks of Danpion, the Ensigns of a brave reso­lute mind, and fearing lest by his valour he should re­lease the Princess, he gave strict charge to the chief Commander of the Castle, that if within a short space none came to redeem him, he should be put to Death, to satisfie for the blood of those of his men whom he had slain.

But as he was farther speaking, he was interrupted by a sudden Allarm, given to the Souldiers within by the Watch; who (it seems) had not only seen a Cloud of dust arise, as if some Demogorgon had belcht through a porous part of the earth, but they had also espyed, es­pecially, when the Wind made a chasm in this dusty Region, the shining of Armour, which like portentous Comets threatned Destructions; or as glistring Stars were the Harbingers of a bloody day to ensue.

This Martial noise coming to Pandions ears, as the Prologue of a bloody Scene, by reason of his Autho­rity, did challenge, with Authority from him, a par­ticular Attendance; who loath to make negligence the Author of an irrecoverable Ruine, or his Ruine the mark of an unredeemable neglect, presently runs upon the Castle-walls, where he might espye vast Numbers of shining Swords, which though naked, where sheathed in a terrible brightness, and Armour, inlayed with Sun-beams, and Bucklers, that played at [Page 290] Tenis with the Sun; and many other Objects, that might beget delight in a mind not already praeg­nant with the terror of approching danger.

Pandion already conceiving, that they were Hi­arbas's men, come in rescue of the Princess (as in­deed they were) thought it none of the worst Policy, to de [...]a [...]d their too speedy assault, by sending a He­rauld with Proposals, and a challenge; which, after consultation with some of the chief Commanders, he did; the purport of whose Message was this: That both for putting a Period to that destructive War, whose terrible effects▪ had hitherto been no other than the sacking of many famous Towns and Ci­ties, the ransacking and plundring of many Lords and Gentlemen, and the general depopulating of the whole Kingdom; That the whole quarrel should be decided by the Persons most and onely concern'd, (which was the King and himself) in a single Com­bate; which proffer, in regard of the advantage he had in possessing, not onely the greater part of the Realm, but the Realms immediate Heir, he could not but judge just and honourable, upon which grounds he hoped it would be so esteemed and accepted.

The Herauld having his Message given him, clo­thed in the Apparel of his Office, attended by a Trumpet, and (as Pandion had commanded) carrying a Gantlet dipt in blood, rides to the Army, where he craves audience of the King; which being granted, he [...]ung down his Gantlet, and delivered his Challenge.

The King hearing it, replyed, That it was not the custom of Kings to descend to a private Duell with a Subject, much less with a Rebel; but if it was, that his Cause was not so unjust, that he feared success, nor his Souldiers such Cowards, as they feared to fight, nor his Condition so low, as to use desperate means, [Page 291] nor himself so unwise, as to leave his Cause, and Con­dition, Person, and Army, to the Governance and Ar­bitration of For [...]une and Chaunce, which is apt ever to favour the rash and foolish: And were his Condi­tion never so low, he would have him know, that Kings in their lowest estate, are highly considerable, and one grain of Majesty will weigh down many light pretences; though may be not in the Ballance of popular judgment, yet in theirs who poize the Universe.

And for his Kingdom and Daughter, though by he did not know what blind fortune he had attained some part of the first, and by a base inferior Combi­nation with Traytors, such as himself, he had insnared the latter; yet let not (said he) that success heighten his presumption, nor encourage his perseverance, since the one will but add Unpardonableness, and the other an impossibility of recovery to his horrid Rebel­lion: Therefore (said he) I shall not seek to ransom the one with the other, but if he means to redeem him­self, let him resign both to my Protection, and himself to my Mercy. With this answer the Herauld return­ed, and acquainted Pandion, who expected, and indeed desired no other; the end of his Message being onely to dally with Time, that paced by faster, than consisted with the well-fare of his affairs. But having now all things in a readiness, he marches forth with his men, and as he goes, commands the Captain of the Castle, that speedy execution be done upon Hiarbas's servant, and charges him to be as vigilant of Amphigenia, as he would of his soul, were it in anothers keeping. The Captain having thus his Orders given hi [...], goes to the Room where Danpion was, intending to release him out of the Prison, but to imprison him in the Grave; but as soon as he seeth him, as if Danpion's beauty had turned him into Marble, he stands still, as if he grew to [Page 292] the ground, and fixes his eye stedfastly upon him, as if he would inoculate his soul into him; at length, like one returned out of a Trance, he kneels down and kisses his hand. Danpion seeing this, at first amazed at his amazement, and now no less astonisht at this Comple­ment, thus spake to him: Sir (said he) my fortunes require no such condescensions. Sir (said the other) not onely the lowest condescensions, but the highest soveraignty is your due by Descent and Desert. Sir (replyed Danpion) as I have not so much vanity to think my self worthy of the honour you impose upon me, nor so little gratitude, as not to testifie my resent­ments, though in huge disproportion to your civilities; so neither am I so happy, as not to be able to accuse my thoughts with the surrendry of your Name and Person to Oblivion; which I must needs register in the Cata­logue of my misfortunes. Sir (said the other) your Noble thoughts are too much busied in the contem­plation of goodness, ever to admit of such diversions, as the remembrance of so mean a Person as my self, who have nothing in me that may merit regard, but that I once served your Highness in the quality of a Foster-father, being that same Celadon the Forester, who once had the care of your Royal Person in your infancy, whilst your tender age, unable for self-pro­tection, exposed you to the malice and tyranny of your Enemy Hiarbas. Danpion hearing this, fell upon his neck, and embraced him, and even wept with joy, the tears trickling down, like rain in Sun-shine. After some mutual testimony of great endearments that pas­sed betwixt them, the Forester kneeled down, and asked him pardon for his trayterous adhering to his E­nemy; but the reason of it (he said) was partly through fear, being terrified with the loss of all that nature and affection could entitle Precious, upon the least intima­tion [Page 293] of discovery; and partly for gain, being bribed with liberal gifts, and great honors, above what he knew how to manage, being made Commander of the Castle where Pandion chiefly had his residence; all which he the more freely accepted, because he then dispaired of ever blessing his eyes with the sight of his Highness; supposing he had been torn in peices with some of that brutish Nation, whom he used for his sport to persecute.

This said, they fell into discourse about Danpions condition, whether there was any hopes or means for escape; the Forester having first informed him, how that Hiarbas was come with an Army to redeem his Daughter; then whether it was possible to procure ad­mission to Amphigenia; and whether Pandion intend­ed any injury or dishonor to her; and whether by force or stratagem she might be relea [...]ed: but as they were thus discoursing, some souldiers with a haste too slow for their minds, though too fast for their leggs, came stumbling into the room, and called away the Forester their Captain.

Long had they not been separated, ere Danpion heard a noise that sounded like a rude consort of many ill-agreeing voices, which seemed to keep time to the Martial Musick of clashing of swords, and justling of Ar­mor; amongst which he heard from a neighboring Cham­ber such shrieks, as seemed to teach the Air in an un­perfect manner the prefect language of misery, which by reason of its disordered convoy (the Air being vari­ously divided with a strange confusion of noises) came not to his ears so distinctly as to give him information of the Autho [...], yet by a strange symyathy, it seemed to wound his soul. His mind in travail with multitudes of conceptions, would fain have been eased of its tor­tures, with the knowledge of Amphigenia's condition, [Page 294] which he endeavored by a near access to the Chamber, where all those doleful births were generated; but ah! not to a freedom f [...]om, but an augmentation of his sor­row, for he plainly, too plainly knew it be the voice of Amphigenia. With that, as if every shriek had been a Dart, not from sorrow but from death, not from an ordi­nary death, but from a soul-torturing death, from a death made deadly with torments, having his senses stupified, and his reason confounded, not with a sorrow, rather a desperate madness, he ran about exclaiming against Heaven, Hell, Earth, Men, Devils; Heaven for permitting her to be abused, Earth for being the Theatre of such an accursed Tragedy; Men for the Actors, & the Devils for the Inspi [...]ers. Then he would cry out; Oh! Celadon! why didst thou reserve me for this? these are torments would make an Atlas grown, should a thousand Lyons Den within my breast, they would not tear me like one groan of Amphigenia's. Oh! cursed walls that hinder all my attempts. And cruel Heaven! that denyes me the com­mon cure of misery, a way to dye, which every slave can command; one dying groan would summ up all my miseries. Tis true, as a Prince I ought to reserve my self for better fortunes, and not to abandon my self though all the world forsake me; yet as a Lover of Am­phigenia, I ought not to hope for joy whilst she remains a Captive to her enemies, and the contrary passion. These and the like words did Danpion utter; and thus did he sacrifize himself to an unexpressible passion, who in all things else shewed himself commander of an un­daunted mind. But now to leave him, and return to Pan­dion, who perceiving that Hiarbas was resolute in his purposes, and wise in his resolutions, and strong to ex­ecute what his wisdom had resolved upon, thought it more wisdom to Treat with him peaceably, than to re­ferr his cause to the Arbitration of War, whose partial [Page 295] decision he feared, especially considering the unjust­ness of his cause had made him an Out-law to Heaven, from whom he could challenge no protection, and therefore he again sends an Envoy with certain Propo­sals to the King. The sum of which was this, That if the King regarded either his own or his Daughters safety or honor, he should retreat with his men, other­wise he must not hope for any other entertainment for himself or her, than what a mortal enemy would bestow on the most hateful person. And to let them see that his performance should be of an equal extent with his threatnings, before the messenger could deliver his er­rant, receive an answer, and return, Pandion had caused a Scaffold to be erected, whereon presently appeared a most excellent Lady, lead between two executioners, whom both by her Garments, and the Majesty that ap­parrelled her deportments, Hiarbas knew to be his Daughter, for there seemed in her (as well as he could perceive at such a distance) the same delicate loveliness, lovely excellency, Majestick sweetness, as were the ingredients of so divine a composition as Amphigenia's Beauty; and if the same perfections, then sure the same person, since none could boast of an equality with her, in whom appeared all the excellencies, not where­with Nature had, but wherewith she could beautifie a body. A lamentable sight it was to see, the Diamond of the World set in an endless Ring of miseries; to see her act her own Tragedy, whose countenance seemed the Theatre of Love and Beauty; to see her to whom all hearts do homage, to bow to an injurious fortune. And that that did extort pity from the cruellest heart, was the manner of her gestures, wherewith she seem­ed to Antedate her misery, and make misery it self more miserable, at least more lamentable; for her eyes were fixt on Heaven, as if she meant to dart her Soul [Page 296] thither, and prevent her enemies cruelty; her tongue not profuse of words, her sorrow seeming to feed it self with inward contemplation; yet those few wherein she embodied her thoughts, were guarded with such a cap­tivating force, as would have compelled a Tyrants heart, to pitty her sorrow; but they were no sooner Midwived by her tongue, than swadled up in Air, and so bequeath­ed to Heaven, that few ears could boast themselves to be the Nurseries of such Divine off-springs of a Heaven­ly Soul. Her hands were clasped and folded each in other, and seemed to take their last embracements; her arms not extended at their length, but something bow­ing, seemed to embrace sorrow, not as an unjust effect of humane malice, but as a just result of a Divine de­cree.

In fine, in all her gestures, there was such a Majestick humility, conquering submission, unconquered Piety, solid devotion, as made a lively and beautiful representa­tion, of what a great mind could do, depressed under the lowest fortune. But though the beholders, yea the actors were so acted by pity, as to pour forth their sense of her condition in tears, and (as it were) by a repentance to wash way the crime before Commission, yet at length as if the necessity of Commission had banished away all thoughts of the crime, not the act, when they saw Hiarbas's men, marching in the order and posture they came into the Field▪ differing in nothing but in speedy motion, which too speedily gave them to understand, that their purpose was to redeem Amphigenia by force not by Treaty, they by Pandions command, presently separate her Head and Soul from her Body. But no sooner did the Air convey this sad and bloody spectacle to the eyes of Hiarbas, but he seemed [...]s if rage and sorrow had borrowed his body to make a lively re [...]re­sentation of the deadly pang of a thunder [...] soul. [Page 297] Flashes flew from his eyes, as if he meant to set the world on fire in revenge of his Daughter; or as if he thought to use no other light, in scorn of the Sun, whom in his thoughts he accused of conspiracy with them. And he commands his men to fall on, and spare none but Pandion, that as he had been super­lative in his Treasons, so he might be exemplary in his tortures. The King had no sooner spoke these, or the like words, but the signal was given, not for the bat­tel, but (to the astonishment of Pandion and his whole Army, and of the Sun it self, which then hid his face in a cloud) for the execution of a plot between the Ge­neral and his Commanders, which was to take their own King prisoner in the head of his Army, and to deliver him up to Pandion; which by reason the com­bination was so strong, was soon and easily effected without sedition or mutiny.

Pandion amazed at this sudden turn of the wheel of Fortune, knew not at first how to interpret it, but still stood upon his defence expecting some stratagem. And no less were his whole Army, though now by a strange fate Victorious, conquered with extremity of wonder; astonishment visibly tryumphing in every mans coun­tenance, till at length their wonder was converted in­to joy, by the resignation of Hiarbas into Pandions possession; who considering it was not a time to in­dulge himself to any passion, when such strength of reason was required for the wise improvement of such an overture of fortune, thought it the best way now if ever, to fit Hiarbas's Crown for his own head, when melted in a Fu [...]nace of misfortune, it seemed apt to receive any form; and therefore causes strong [...]uards to be placed every where, and particularly about himself, and now stronger then ever, his neces­sity being greater, and his force more, by the addition [Page 298] of Hiarbias's men. This done, he commands the Royal Robes [...]o be produced, and in them Hiar­bas to be attired, and so attired to go up on the Scaffold, which was by this time covered with purple Velvet, fringed and embroydered with Gold, and there to seat himself in a Throne on purpose prepared, with a Crown on his head, the Scepter in his hand, and the Sword born before him.

The King thus forced to act over a Pageant-like shew of Majesty, to adorn the tryumph of treachery, and to add solemnity to cruelty, sits in the Throne, with a heavy but imperious look, that the Beams of Majesty seemed to unite and centre in his contracted brow, and with a strange kind of force to write a Law, not of pity, but of a reverential adoring a King though distrest.

And whilst he thus sits, sometimes looking with an austere and scornful eye on Pandion, sometimes darting threats with a dauntless look at his souldiers, Pandion causes Heralds to proclame;

First, That he had ignobly usurped the Royal digni­ty, and detained it by force and fraud, from himself the lawful heir; which words pronounced, an Officer of State, appointed for that purpose, took away the Crown, and set it on Pandions head.

Secondly, That he had unjustly usurped the power of administration of Justice, to the general endamage­ment of the whole Realm, and to the particular inju­ry of the just and lawful Soveraign; which pronoun­ced, they took away the Sword, and caused it to be de­livered to Pandion.

Thirdly, That as he had usurped the supreme pow­er of judicature, so of Government; this proclam­ed, they took from him the Scepter, and gave it Pan­dion.

[Page 299] Fourth, That he had usurped the Royal Throne, from the lawful inheritor; this was no sooner with a lowder voice than ordinary proclaimed, than the King was compelled to arise out of the Throne.

Lastly, It was proclaimed, that as he was by univer­sal consent of the whole Kingdom, deposed from all soveraignty, so he must be despoyled of all Ensigns of Majesty, that Pandion might be therewith invested, to whom by an indubitate succession they belonged; upon which words Hiarbas was devested of the purple Robe, and forced to assist in the investiture of Pandion; which done, Pandion sits down in the Throne, and was pro­claimed King of Tbessalia, whilst Hiarbas was lead away a prisoner into the Castle, chained in fetters of Gold; who as he went would have spoke to the specta­tors, who consisted most of souldiers, but he was in­terrupted by great acclamations of the people, that cryed, God save King Pandion.

Thus was this great Prince, one not undeserving that title and power, had he not used unjust means to entitle him to that power, one whose soul was richly furnisht with all those endowments of Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, and Temperance, which are the simples that constitute a true Princely mind, and one who never before was unfortunate, unless in be­ing too great a courter of Fortune; thus (I say) was this so brave, so great a Prince on the sudden thrown from the top of the highest pinacle of honor and sove­raignty, being lead captive at Noon, for the world to behold a clear mirror of Fortunes prodigious levity, and an exact model of the inconstancy of humane felicity.

Pandion having sat a while in great state, arises out of his Throne, comes down from the Scaffold, and goes into his Castle attended with great numbers of [Page 300] Lords and Commanders, and guarded with souldiers, Hiarbas's General all the while bearing the sword be­fore him; where having paused a while on this sudden, and no less strange, than sudden mutation, the thoughts of all men being at a stand, and not able to flye higher with admiration, to see an imperious sword melted in­to an imperial Diadem, to see a Crown formed into fetters, treachery to generate Royalty, and Royalty to degenerate into misery.

In fine, to see him who late thundered from a Throne, whose voice was power, and whose looks were Majesty, to be dethron'd with the thunder of for­tune, plundered of all power, and deplum'd of Ma­jesty: They at last fell into consultation, how to esta­blish that power by prudence, they had acquired by policy; great fortunes requiring as great force of mind, to conquer those difficulties that attended them once gotten, as they did force of body to conquer those enemies that opposed their getting. After some time spent in bandying to and fro, the various exigen­cies of State, the mutynies, seditious uproars and tumults, that are the usual effects of alterations in a Monarchical Government, and the best means to sup­ply the one, and subdue the other, the result of all was this, that being Pandion would be thought to come to the Throne, not as a conqueror, but inheritor; and considering that the manyfold exactions and impositi­ons, laid upon the people by Hiarbas to maintain his Army, had provoked them against both himself and them, the sad effect whereof was palpably visible in his deposition and destruction; and that the greatest part of the Kingdom was already in subjection and un­der the command of his Garrisons, and it was easie to raise a force to subdue that part that should rebell, that therefore his Armies should be disbanded, with pro­mises [Page 301] of plenary satisfaction for their service, which (they said) would be a great engagement to his people to Loyalty, when they saw him esteem their love, as his principal protection.

And as for the General, that had done such eminent and loyal service, he should be eminently and Royally rewarded, and dismissed with his me [...] to march at his leisure. And as for a Life-guard, it was thought ra­ther decent, than convenient▪ not any necessity, but ceremony of State requiring it. Therefore a certain number of choice Warlike Gentlemen were culled out, to guard his Person, whereof Celadon was made Com­mander.

These things concluded on, were accordingly exe­cuted; the Army being dismi [...]t, with great thanks for their gallant service; the person imployed in that of­fice, telling them how highly the King resented their fidelity, and e [...]eemed their valour, and that his rewards should be parallel to his resentment and esteem.

This done, they further consult about the disposal of Hiarbas's Person; but as they sat in Council, argu­ing pro and con, some making plain speeches the Keys to their thoughts; others, Pathetical Orations, as win­dows to their desires, but others attiring both their thoughts and desires in ambiguous Expressions, which like changable Taffata might variously reflect their minds; they heard in a Room underneath, such a consort of doleful moans, as exprest the wofull musick of a grieved mind. Somtimes they might hear groans formed into words, and words transformed into groans, that sorrow seemed to build an Airy Pyramis, under which it entombed all joy; the deep-fetcht groans re­sembling the Basis, as the shrill cries the Spire. Pa [...] ­dion hearing that, gave command, that the Authors of those lamentations should be brought before him, to [Page 302] give an account wherefore they temporize with sorrow, when joy was the Genius of those smiling hours. No sooner was the command given forth, than obeyed, the Person being caused to appear, and no sooner appear­ed, than was known to be Danpion, by many of the Lords that had acquaintance with him, whilst he had acquaintance with a bright prosperity in Hiarbas's Court; but to Pandion only to be that servant of Hiar­bas, whom he had sentenced to dye; which when he saw not executed, he seemed like one that travelled far from himself, till the consideration that variety of occasions might well divert the mind of Celadon, in­terrupted the farther progress of his thoughts, and gave him occasion to charge strictly, that executi [...]n be speedily performed, threatning with a look so severe as seemed to antedate his threatning, no less than death for the least delay.

This said, the Prisoner was led away; but as he went, none but might have seen in him, a perfect image of captiv'd courage; his rage, not because he was to dye, but that any other than a victorious Launce should force him to dye, though imprisoned in his thoughts by resolution, yet flusht forth at his eyes; his countenance all the while representing the undaunted constancy [...] wherewith he armed his mind, now he was to run the gauntlet with an invincible Enemy, yet at the same time attiring his looks in such a graceful Majesty, as if this was but his marriage-day with Death▪ having conside­ration rather to what might become his own Princely greatness, than the sordidness of his pale Spouse.

But just as he was going out of the door, on the sud­den a voice bolted forth these words, A Crown becoms not a Peasants head.

Pandion hearing that, cryed out, What Treason's that? But scarce had the cadence of his voyce put a [Page 303] period to his speech, but a fearfull spectacle soon an­swered his fearfull Interrogation, and deprived him of his fear, by presenting the evil he feared; for presently there issued out from under the Hangings, men clad in Armour, with naked Swords, who seized on Pandion in the midst of all his Pomp, whilst he was dictating Lawes with his Looks, and commanding observance with his Brow, and hale him out of his Throne, disar­ray him of his Robes, rob him of that golden Jayl that imprison'd his head, and plunder him of all his splen­dor: So soon can a tempest of misery wash away a new gilded Fortune: Thus every Jewel of a Princes Dia­dem is a Star of most malignant influence to Usur­pers.

Scarce this was done, before Danpion was call'd back with speed; and no sooner turned, than received by Hiarbas's General, with all humility upon his knees; whom Danpion strictly observing, he knew to be his friend Athalus: With that he caused him to arise, and with great joy embraced him, telling him, that now he had found him to be a composition of sincere friendship, and that his soul was a meer extract of good­ness, and many other expressions, whereby he testified his great resentments: After which, Athalus [...]shered him in among the Lords, to whom he made an eloquent Oration, in which he declared, how that this Person, whom they saw ready to be sacrifized to the revenge of a Traytor, was the true Pandion, rightful Heir to Agis; which he confirmed by many Arguments, but chiefly by Celadon's acknowledgment then present, a chief Actor in this late turn; and that the other, that had hitherto deluded them, was but an Impostor, be­ing a Peasants son, his father at present living in B [...]o­ [...], and that his name was Eumaeus; which was also confirmed by the free and unextor [...]ed confession of Lumaeus, or the counterfeit Pandion.

[Page 304] These things thus strangely brought about, Royal Ap­parel was presently brought for Pandion, who now com­mands Hiarbas's speedy releasment, and that he should be brought to him; which done, he makes himself known to him, returning him infinite thanks for all re­ceived favours, telling him what a high-summ'd debt he had contracted from his Royal goodness.

After which, he began to clear himself of that inex­cusable incivility, Bascanius's malice and treachery had reproched him withall, confessing what flames Am­phigenia had inkindled in his heart, which neither life nor death—but as he was farther speaking, the thoughts of Amphigenia divorced his mind from every thing but Revenge, that he presently commands that Eumaeus, and all that had any hand in her death, should under­go the severest punishment the Law in its strictest in­terpretation could inflict.

Eumaeus hearing this, fell down on his knees, and asked pardon, but was not at all regarded, till he con­fest that the Lady that was executed, was not Amphi­genia, but another in her Apparel, whom (he said) he put to death, for endeavouring to betray him, and in that manner to terrifie Hiarbas.

Every man astonisht at the hearing of this, no less than if the Gods had come down from Heaven, to act wonders on Earth: but especially Pandion and Hiar­bas, whose affection had increased their admiration, even to a transport: but recollecting themselves, they commanded she should be brought to them, that they might bless their eyes with sight of the most beautiful Lady, that ever made her Sex adored; which to their unexpressable joy, wa [...] soon performed.

Amphigenia appearing in a mean habit, but so, as her beauty seemed to put a Majesty on meanness: whom no sooner Hiarbas beheld, but he ran and em­braced [Page 305] her with somthing more fondness of affection than became a wise Father, and more condescension, than was fit for a King in such a presence to declare.

And as for Pandion, the excess of joy at the first sight almost took away the act of seeing, and pillaged his memory of those high-flown expressions that the raptures of love had created in his fancy; but in an humble manner begged pardon for whatsoever of his, that in the strictest sense might be interpreted rudeness, which (he said) proceeded from an irresistible impulse of affection: And further he craved of her, that since it was not her pleasure, so much as to inparadize his Form in her thoughts, (for her eyes were somthing cast aside upon the wall, shewing a lofty kind of hu­mility) but to make an inanimate creature the object of his envy, that yet she would permit his lips, as Pil­grims from his heart, to sacrifize the pure Oblations of his Love upon her hand, that pure shrine of pureness, and there to inscribe its Image, that when the beauties of her hand, might challenge a glance from her eyes, that glance might challenge remembrance from her thoughts, of the humblest of her servants, and the most passionately devoted to her Princely Vertues.

Having said this, he adventured to take her hand, and steal the riches of a Kiss, from that soft and delicate Treasury; which she permitted, with a countenance that shewed rather how she hated her captivity, than loved her Captive.

These salutations being past, Amphigenia was con­ducted to some Ladies, that hearing of all these Acci­dents, were come to congratulate their Princesses safe­ty, and to wait upon her home to the Palace.

After which Pandion accompanyed by Hiarbas, attended by all the Lords and Gentlemen, guarded by Athalus's Army (having left Celadon Commander [Page 306] in chief of the Castle) presently followed; where [...] ha­ving steeped some time in an Ocean of delights, and bribed it with the choycest of Pleasures, to mend its pace, Pandion was crowned in the chief City of Thessa­lia, with all the joy and contentment, pomp and gal­lantry, as might either beget Loyalty to Soveraignty, or Reverence to Majesty; both which, that the people might express, they sent up such volleys of acclama­tions to the Clouds, as if they meant to storm Heaven, and plunder it of its choysest glories, wherewith to crown their King.

After which, Hiarbas would have departed to his own Kingdom of Caonia, together with his Daughter Amphigenia, there to have spent the small remainder of his dayes: But Pandion would by no means permit it, telling him, that the whole Kingdom should be as much at his command, as ever, only reserving the Su­periority to himself, acquainting him also, what Impo­sitions of affection his Daughters worth had laid upon him; for which reasons Hiarbas consented to take up his abode in Pandion's Court, chiefly perswaded there­unto, by the hopes of having such an incomparable Prince for his Son in Law, by whose happy conjuncti­on with his Daughter in marriage, the Soveraignty of Thessalia might run in his Reins, which was ever the highest aym of his ambition.

Having thus led my Hero through all difficulties, into the Throne, and layd him in the lap of Fortune, it may be expected, that to compleat his happiness, I should have placed him in the Arms of his beloved Amphigenia.

But they that know the tedious intricacy, and per­plexing (but yet fidling) difficulty there is in getting the love of a Coy Mistress, will I hope excuse me, if I give my Pen a quietus est, after so long a Pilgrimage. [Page 307] I esteem Ambition a more tolerable, and Masculine distraction than Love: And therefore I had rather place my Hero in the more noble embraces of Fortune, than in the soft Effeminate Arms of a Lady; about which, I have not impertinent thoughts enow to spend.

Possibly I may be also thought too hard-hearted, in leaving my other Lovers succourless in their miseries, and not leading them out of their Labyrinths, by the Threed of my discourse: But the vulgar Rule of Ro­ma [...]ces may salve all, That the Knight must kill the Gyant, and get the Lady.

And those that are not pleased with this Conclusion, let them throw away as many idle hours as I have done, and they may compleat that Story, which hath now quite jaded and dull'd my Pen.