Aretina; or, The serious romance Written originally in English. Part first. Mackenzie, George, Sir, 1636-1691. 1660 Approx. 603 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 228 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-08 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A50450 Wing M151 ESTC R217028 99828730 99828730 33161 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A50450) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 33161) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1916:13) Aretina; or, The serious romance Written originally in English. Part first. Mackenzie, George, Sir, 1636-1691. 15, [1], 432 p. printed for Robert Broun, [Evan Tyler?] at the sign of the Sun, on the north-side of the street, Edinburgh : 1660. By Sir George Mackenzie. Evan Tyler's name in imprint suggested by Wing. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Augustan Reprint Society: "An Apologie for Romances" only. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng 2004-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-03 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-04 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2004-04 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-07 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion ARETINA ; Or , The Serious ROMANCE . Written originally in English. Part First . EDINBVRGH , Printed for Robert Broun , at the sign of the Sun , on the North-side of the Street , 1660. To all the LADIES of this NATION . Fair Ladies , I Do , like Moses trembling mother , leave this my first born upon the banks of envies current , exposed to the muddy and impetuous streams of merciless censure ; wishing , that the fair hands of the meanest of your number would vouchsafe to dandle it in the lapp of your protection ; It is but an abortive birth , posted to the world before its time , by an unavoidable emergent , and so I fear shall never prove strong , nor be able to go much abroad : Yet if it be admitted to suck the breasts of your favour , it may possibly prove strong enough ( shielded by your affection ) to graple with malice , and all other opposition . Whilest my winged curiositie , pilgrimaged through all the corners of my memory ; desirous to know wherewith it was fittest to adorn the porch of this mean structure ; duty at last pleaded , that it was lese-majesty against your supremacy , even to doubt whether it was fit to give you the precedency . For , since the best eyed fancy , cannot observe any traite in your peerless faces , wherein nature hath not prodigalled her charmes ; so perfection were imprudent , and so no perfection , if it palaced not it self in such accomplisht creatures . And if there be any Orthodox maxime in Phisognomy , we may conclude , that such excellent faces are assorted with excellent souls : Providence being like these prudent Artists , who bestow the choisest cases only upon the richest pieces . And seing one look darted from your irresistible eyes , is able to conquer , in a moment , these over whom neither reason , nor courage , could never raise their trophies ; we may conclude that there is something in you , which nothing in man ( who seigneurises over all other creatures , and who can pretend to nothing stronger then courage and reason ) can ever equal . It is to pleasure you that wit is studied , and were it not that ye might be pleased , certainly providence had placed wit beyond the reach of our studies : it is to sooth your humor , that men school themselves in patience ; and by your miraculous voice , the storms of their passions are calmed ; from your beauty , cowards borrow courage , and niggards liberality ; So that all these scattered colonies of vertues , which are squandred amongst men , are all originated from your example . But as it was duty , so it is prudence in me to beg your patronage ; for how can the body of this Book be abissed , and sink in the gulf of scorn , if its head be handed up by such admired beauties ; neither think I , that malice can be so malicious , as to along a thurst at the author , who ensconces himself behinde such sacred persons ; lest the blow destinated for him should wound them who targets him . I have chosen so many patronesses , to evidence that there is none of your never enough admired sex , but may lay claime to the patronage of all that drops from my pen ; as also , fearing that among such a number , I should scarce finde one who would be so excessively hospitall , as to lodge in her Cabinet or Chamber such an unacknowledged Orphelin . The disappointment of my fears in this , is rather th● wish , then the expectation of , Fair Ladies , Your most humble Servant . An Apologie for ROMANCES . IT hath been rather the fate , then merit of Romances in all ages , to be asperst with these vices , whereof they were not only innocent , but to whose ante-doting vertues they might justly pretend : for whereas they are judged to be both the fire , and faggots , wherby Lov'd flames are both kindled and alimented ; I believe verily , that there is nothing can so easily extinguish them , for as these who have at Court , seen numbers of peerless and wel deckt beauties ; can hardly become enamoured of an ordinary Country-maid ; So these who have seen a Philoclea , or Cleopatra , depenciled by the curious wits of Sidney , and Scuderie , will hardly be invassalled by the ( to them scarce approaching ) treats of these , whom this age garlands for admired beauties . Others for sooth accuse them , for robbing us of our precious time ; but this reproach is ill founded ; for if the Romance be abject , none will trisle away their time in reading it , except these who would mispend it however , and if they be excellent , then times is rather spent then mispent in leafing them over . There is also a third race of detracters , who condemn them as lies ; but since their Authors propose them , not with an intention to deceive , they cannot properly be reputed such : And albeit they seem but fables , yet who would unkernel them , would finde budled up in them reall truthes ; and as naturalists observe , these kernels are best where the shells are hardest ; and these mettals are noblest , which are mudded over wi●h most earth . But to leave such Phanaticks in the bedlame of their own fancies , who should blush to trace in these paths , which the famous Sidney , Scuderie , Barkley , and Broghill hath beaten for them , besides thousands of Ancients , aud Moderns , Ecclesiasticks , and Laicks , Spaniards , French , and Italians , to remunerat whose endeavours , fame hath wreathed Garlands ( to be temple their ingenious and ingenuous heads ) which shall never fade whilest Learning flourishes . I shall speak nothing of that noble Roma●ce , writen by a Bishop , which the entreaty of all the Eastern Churches could never prevail with him to disown ; and I am confident , that where Romances are written by excellent wits , and perused by intelligent Readers , that the judgement may pick more sound information from them , then from History , for the one teacheth us onely what was done , and the other what should be done ; and whereas Romances presents to us , vertue in its holy-day robes , History presents her only to us in these ordinary , and spotted sutes which she weares whilst she is busied in her servile , and lucrative imployments : and as many would be incited to vertue and generosity , by reading in Romances , how much it hath been honoured ; So contrary wise , many are deterred by historical experience from being vertuous , knowing that it hath been oftner punished then acknowledged . Romances are these vessels which strain the christal streams of vertue from the puddle of interest ; whereas history suffers the memory to quaff them of in their mixt impuritie ; by these likewise lazy Ladies and luxurious Gallants , are allured to spend in their Chambers some hours , which else , the one would consecrat to the Bed , and the other to the Bordell : and albeit essayes be the choicest Pearls in the Iewel house of moral Philosophy , yet I ever thought that they were set off to the best advantage , and appeared with the greatest lustre , when they were laced upon a Romance ; that so the curiosity might be satisfied , as well as the judgement informed , especially in this age wherein the appetit of mens judgements is become so queasie , that it can rellish nothing that is not either vinegared with Satyres , or suggared with Eloquence . I know that these who have devanced us in this imployment , will as our eldest brothers in time , have a double portion of fame bestowed upon them , and no wonder , seing they had store both of expression and invention to make choice of , and if any of us use their expressions , albeit we were only debtor to our own invention for them , yet we should be thought to plagiarize : wherefore he who writes now , should read what hath been written formerly ; not to the intent that he may borrow , but least he should borrow any thing that is theirs . I perceive there have been two errours committed by the first writers of Romances : the first was , that they stuffed their Books with things impracticable , which because they were above the reach of mans power , they should never have fallen within the circle of his observation : and such was Amadis de Gaule , Palmeron de Oliva &c. The other errour was in the style , which because of its soaring pitch was inimitable : and as the first hath been the fault of the first writers , So the last hath been the fault of the last writers , wherefore the famous Scuderie hath written so , as that his invention may suit well with our practise , and his style with our discourse , and especially in his Clelia , wherein he professes that he hath adapted all to the present converse of the French Nation and that is really the mould wherein all tru Romances should be casten . There are some who embroider their discourse with Latin and Greek termes , thinking , like these who are charmers , that the charme loses its energie , if the words be not used in Latine . But this is as rideculous , as if one who desires to make his face seem pleasant , should enamble it with red , blew , green , and other colours ; which though they are in themselves pleasant , yet are rediculous when placed there . And this is an university style , which savours too much its pedant , and is at best but bastard oratory , seing the scope of all Orators is to perswade , and there can be no perswasion where the term is not understood ; examples of this are Brown , Charletoun , &c. The second style , is that of moral Philosophers , where the periods are short , and the sense strong , and our experience teacheth us , that the shorter any thing be , it is the stronger : this style suits best with Preachers , whose it is to debit the grand misteries of Faith and Religion ; for , seing sentences there should be weighty , if they were either many , or long , they would burden too much the hearers . The third style , is that of Barrasters , which is flourished with similees , and where are used long winded periods ; and of all others , this is the most preferable , for seing similitude is but a harmony , this style shews that excellent harmony , and rapport , which God intended in the first Creation ; and which the Philosophers of all ages have ever since admired . This Lawyers have learned from the paucitie of all humane Lawes , which makes them oft recurr to that topick , which teaches them to argument from the paritie of reason . And in this they resemble Mechanicks , who , by applying a cord , whose length they know , to any body whose length they ignore , do thereby learn its measures also . And by this way Nathan in the old Testament , and our Saviour in the new , repremands the errors of David and the self conceated Iewes . The fourth style is where the cadence is sweet , and the epithets well adapted , without any other varnish whatsoever : and this is that style which is used at Court , and is paterned to us by eloquent Scuderie . I hear there is now a ridiculous caball of Ladies at Paris , who terme themselves the precious , and who paraphrase every thing they speak of , terming a mirrour , the conselour of beauty , and a chair , the commoditie of conversation , &c. And thus they have progressed from painting of faces to paint expressions . As for my self , since I expect no applause , I need fear no censure ; and if I satisfie not others , I shall at least satisfie my self , for it was to form to my self a style that I undertook this Piece , whose defects I hope the sober readers will pardon , since their clemency will not be oft tempted with crimes of this nature : only this I begg , that these who will not do me the favour to read the last part , will not do me the wrong to read the fi●st part ; for as the Lord Bakon very well observes , our thoughts are like our years , whereof the first are alwayes the worst ; and it is no wonder , for boyling youth customarly throws the scum upmost . I have concealed my name till I see how my undertaking is relished ; for which reason likewise , I have sent this Piece to the world unaccompanied , as a swatch of what I intend , reserving the Web , till I see how the Stuff pleases . The subject hath made this first part serious , and my inclination shall make the second pleasant . A POEM , by the same Author , upon His Majesties happy Return . STay , Fame , why do'st thou to the Future post , To Learn some new adventures ? tym's not lost In viewing our Great CHARLES his safe return , Resembling ashes new sprung from their Urn ; Or do'st thou post to trumpet these rare news , To Godless Pagans , or to Christless Jews ? Thereby them to convince , that ther 's a God Among'st the Christians , who will explod Out of his noble registers of life and fame , Ignoble traitours , and their hatfull name . Mans oldest Charter is that Text divine , All that thy feet can trample shall be thine ; Since then his feet hath trampled Europe round , It 's only Limit shall his Kingdom bound , Though France and Spain be compted the two Poles , Whereon our European orbe still roles , Yet thou the Axis of that orbe shall be , To wheel these Poles as it best pleaseth thee . Heaven him exiled not , but sent him abroad , To shew the matchlesse art of our great God In framing matchless spirits , and to each Of these strange Nations , Patience to preach . Malice , with fruitlesse strokes shall wearied now Yeild up her sword , and to thy Scepter bow . Thou fortunes wheel , by vertues hand shall hold And stop the course of that proud changling bold . With black affliction Heaven thus enambled hath For furder Lustre , his pure Golden faith ; And as with crosses Heaven did once him wound , So now with crosses Heaven hath him crown'd ▪ All shall our Thristle , the blessed Thristle call , And in fames Eden our Rose flourish shall , And of our Lillies we may Justly say , That Solomon ne're flourished as they ; Let then our Harpe play , and our Lyons daunce , For joy that Heaven should thus our King advance . Great Gloucester's Cipressehearse , wreathed by a Loyal hand . WE did admire what made the heavens tear , And why the clouds did such dark sables wear : It was that they in tears might pay respect To Gluocester , whom they did much affect : And that the hard hearted earth might softned be ; At the sad news of his sad Tragedie . The lower heavens thus purg'd themselves , that they Might in parade be , when he pass'd their way : The season wep't in rain , and sigh'd in winde , Our mother earth did great distempers finde At her great loss , and with a pale wet face , Did her dear Son in her cold armes embrace . The rivers swell'd with rage , and every hill , Was with a vail of black mist covered still . The leaves likewise , fell trembling from their trees When first they heard news of his obsequies . If Plato like the musick of the Sphaers , We understood , then might our nimble ears Perceive , how they quiv'rd grief in mournfull tones . Paused with sighs , and bass'd with hollow grones . Men thought , Dame nature now being old and weak , Durst nothing that was curious undertake ; Wherefore , to shew men that they were mistaken , That master piece was by her undertaken ; Which though it was presented as her last ; Shew she a printise was , in making what was past . And though in Eden commenc'd was the Creation , Yet its accomplishment was from our British Nation . His body shew'd to what perfection rare , Dust might refined be by divine care : And yet God thought it neither fit nor just , That such a noble soul should lodge in dust , Untill that dust by Death were more refin'd , And fired to re-lodge so great a minde : The Gods Apollo have deprived , that he As the more learned should have his dietie . But why should air ? lend mortals furder breath , It s sure , that they may still condole his death , And may it coyne in termes of Highest praise , And stamp that coyne with some heart brusting phrase . But since he 's gone , we may conclude that sure There is another world yet more pure Then ours , or that Heavens quire did want a voice , Which only could supplyed be by this choice ▪ And that God hath this Peer from earth's lower house transplanted To the high upper house of heaven , for ever to be sainted ▪ To his ingenious Friend , the Author of Aretina . Thy beardless chin high voicedly doth declare , That wisdoms strength lyes not in silvered hair : And as few Ciphers , rich sums does express ; So thy rich wit shines in a few years dress , For as men did the Suns first light admire ; So art thou lov'd when thou dost first appear . Yet shall thy Crocodil like fame still grow , And on its shoar , praises shall ever flow . Reader , Correct these Errors with thy Pen , before thou read the Book . Page . Line . Read. 80 13 Agapeta 275 ult ominat 292 4 then 292 12 for to themselves . 303 6 because 339 18 cannot 348 26 crown 364 1 longer able 419 9 Boute-feus ARETINA ; OR , The Serious Romance . MELANCHOLY having lodged it self in the generous breast of Monanthropus ( lately Chancellour of Egypt ) did , by the chain of its Charms , so fetter the feet of his Reason , that nothing pleased him now but that whereby he might please that passion ; thinking all time mispent which was not spent in its service , frequenting more Woods than Men , deeming them the only fit grove to sacrifice in , the choicest of his thoughts to the worst of passions . Wherefore , having one day wandred abroad in a neighbouring Desert , he came at last to a deep Valley , fruitfull of nothing but Trees , and Trees fruitfull of nothing but Melancholy , overlookt by Rocks , in whose wrink●ed faces , aged Time had plowed thousands of deep furrows , whose gloomy brows threatned perpetually to smother the subjacent Valleys ; a place fit only to be ( as it was presently ) the hermitage of Melancholy and stage of Cruelty : He had not long stayed , when his admiration was arrested by a noise blown in his ears ( as he thought ) by the bellows of Death , yet seconded by a sight yet more horrid : for , he saw at some distance two Ladies , loaded with Iron sheckles , which chained them together , stript of their cloaths above the middle , and strypt by two cruel Rascals , who ( albeit torture made the Ladies run ) yet equalled the number of their lashes to that of their paces ; and not far from them , were ten Gentlemen ( as they seemed by their habits ) fighting against two Knights followed only by one Esquire ; where courage seemed to combat against number , valour making the ten seem but three , and fear making the three seem ten ; yet courage shew at last that it might be resisted by number , but could not be overcome by it ; for , the death of six , forewarned the other four , that it was not time to stay : fear having left them only so much reason as to conclude , that seing they could not resist them , being ten , how could they resist when they were but four ? wherefore , leaving flouds of bloud to witnesse the gallantry of their conquering adversaries , they posted away : The Knights willing to pursue these run-awayes ( who had now added cowardisnesse to their former crimes ) yet more willing to rescue the miserable Ladies , left these Rascals to be punished by a torturing conscience , and the just gods , and spurred after the Ladies , who were presently abandoned by these Hangmen ; but Providence ( which had borrowed their swiftnesse to lend it to their adversar●es ) delivered these Villains into the hands of the pursuing Knights , who brought them back where the Ladies were , bathing themselves in their own innocent bloud : who having fallen on their feeble knees , the eldest of them weeping , spoke thus ; O noble Gentlemen , surely Providence had never created such silly creatures as weak women , if they had not likewise provided such noble Champions as ye are to be guardians to their weak innocencie , and innocent weaknesse : We acknowledge we are yours ( if bloud be a price able to buy things of small value ) neither can those to whom we belonged formerly pretend right any longer to us , no more than the first owners can pretend right to their goods , which being robbed from them by unjust Pirats , are after some time and danger regained by other true Conquerours ; or Land taken by Vsurpers , is to be restored by a third Conquerour to its first masters : Happie we , who cannot by any postliminius right , return to our former liberty , seing to be slaves to such masters is to be no slaves at all . But seing our tears are no fit recompence , for those tears of bloud which your bodies both have shed , and yet do shed for us , we shall cease to trouble you , whom we cannot requite . But whilest they were admiring what was already spoken ( wherein she shewed much Learning from whom no Learning could be expected ) and whilst she was about to add more , Monanthropus , by his coming , interrupted , both the admiration of the one , and the discourse of the other , who , puzled whether to congratulate the good fortune of the Knights , to regrate the misery of the Ladies , or to accuse the cruelty of those Rascals ( with whom the Knights had made them to exchange fetters ) who were now standing accused by their own roguish looks , yet at last he accosted the Knights thus : Gentlemen , albeit I might accuse you as strangers , for exercing any jurisdiction , much more the highest jurisdiction , in a stranger Nation , yet your valour , your successe , and your cause , obligeth me to believe , that ye are commissionated by the immortal gods , to punish these Rascals , and to liberate these noble Ladies : for , seing such extraordinary feats as ye have done , are above the reach of such ordinary means as is mans strength , we must believe that they are either perpetrated immediatly by supernal or infernal powers ; and seing the infernal furies are not so much friends to innocency , as to help it , or so much enemies to cruelty , as to punish it , we must think , that ye have been aided by some divine power ; therefore I shall rather admire than challenge you ; for , to no purpose is the admirative faculty bestowed upon man , if it be not exercised in such cases as this : therfore let me beg of you to lodge with me this night , seing the condition of these Ladies pleads for good accommodation , and there is none to be had for persons of either your or their quality , besides my house , whose best accommodation is , its nearnesse to this place . To which the tallest of these two Knights ( named Megistus ) replyed thus ; Courteous Sir , neither ye , nor these Ladies , have reason to extol so much our courage , as to admire these fellows cowardishnesse , and to think that their guiltinesse was their strongest enemy , and that the veriest Coward could not but be stout in such a quarrel : but as to your proffer , albeit we thank you extreamly for it , yet we will wait upon these Ladies to shelter them from any future inconveniencie , and to see them beginning to return from the region of death , wherein they seem now to enter ; for , seing providence hath given them us for attenders , it were a breach of trust to desert them . But the poor Ladies , ( who were about not only to accept the proffered accommodation , but likewise to beg it before it was proffered ) thanked Monanthropus for his kindnesse , and intreated the Knights to go alongst with them : which when they had accorded to , after much reluctancy , he mounted the Ladies behind the Knights , and whilst they paced slowly , both to case the Ladies , and to keep company with Monanthropus , who refused to ride upon Kalodulus his horse ( for so was he who served the Knights named ) both Monanthropus , and the two Knights , joyned in a suit to the Ladies , that they would inform them both of the rise and tract of their so lamentable misfortune ; especially Monanthropus , whose Melancholy appetite rellished nothing so well as what was sauced with novelty , to which the sweet Ladies easily condiscended ; grief being like a Mine , which the greater vent it gets is the lesse noisome , as also knowing that the villany of their enemies would conciliat respect to their innocency ; so the Lady who spoke formerly , broke off thus : Gentlemen , our father ( who was a Nobleman in Thracia ) was one , who lived rather to study , than studied how to live ; and who endeavoured more to treasure up Learning in himself , than Money for his posterity , yet who never stained his blotlesse fame with either negligence , or prodigality ; yet it was rather his fortune , than his merit , to be misconstrued by most of his neighbours , and mainly for his retirednesse ; some thinking that he conversed not with them because he thought them unworthy to be conversed with ; others thought his retirednesse flowed from his being conscious to some imperfection in himself , which made him unfit for conversation ; So that as the one hated him for his supposed pride , so the other undervalued him for his supposed unworthinesse : Neither was there a third sort wanting , who judged that it was peavishnesse , which confined him at home , fearing lest he should be induced to spend when he came abroad : Thus he lived , educating his children , me especially , in ordinary Learning , scorning alwayes those who thought knowledge rather a burden , than a qualification to those of our sex , and that it was enough to a woman to know how to bring forth children : for , said he , seing nature hath been more a step-mother to women , than to men , giving them shallower judgments than to men , It appears to have been natures meaning , and it should be their endeavours , to supply by pains that natural imperfection : and seing they are given as helpers to men , how can they help him , except they understand how to do it ? and also , seing they should recreate man in his solitarinesse , how can they do that without some knowledge ? Having spent thus his short life , he was at last invited by death , to go and receive the reward of his vertue . After his death , two Gentlemen ( even those two , who first assaulted these worthy Gentlemen ) whom conversation rather than affection ( for they were not capable of any such impression ) had made rather comrades than friends , and who conversed together rather out of necessity than choice , because others hated them so as that they would not converse with them ; or else , they fearing to be checked for their escapes , would converse with none but with themselves , whose mutual escapes pleaded for mutual pardon . These two came in suit of us two , who were two sisters , the only daughters of our father ; but their spotted same before they came , and their imperious carriage after , made us not only not love their persons , but even abhor their very names : which they , after some time , perceiving , intended to extort by compulsion , what they could not willingly obtain from us ; whereupon , our only brother being sick , and hearing that our mother resolved to consult a neighbouring Astrologer , bribed so his corrupt judgement , as that he promised to tell her , that nothing could ransom our brothers life , but our pilgrimage to Delphus , there to sacrifice two Turtles for him to Apollo . We , who thought nothing too dear for us , when compared with our dear brother , resolved to undertake the journey , and being dismist , loaded both with our mothers tears and jewels , we had not travelled twelve miles , waited upon only by two Gentlemen , our cousins , and two maids , when at the entry of a Wood we were assaulted , or rather surprised , by ten Gentlemen , masked , our cousins assoon slain as seen , and poor we , taken captives by those of whom we knew nothing , save only that by their masks we might know that they intended some villany which they durst not avow ; our maids being sent away we knew not where , and our selves captives we knew not to whom , amazement seized so on us , as that we feared we knew not what : but to screw up our misfortunes to the highest pin , our two Lovers unmasked themselves , O what torment was it to us , to behold our Tormentors ! and especially in a place where none could either pity , or relieve us ; and we became now like fools and children , who think it a great happinesse not to see the authors of their unhappinesse , which makes them , when they are assaulted by any fear , cover their heads ; but they who hasted to enjoy that , which when they had enjoyed , would doubtlesse have slighted , began to unmask their minds aswell as their faces , and told us plainly , that we behoved either to love , or die ; a word as strange as cruel : For , how can the chill coldnesse of constraint kindle the real flames of true love ? And seing force is able to make those who formerly loved , thereafter hate , how can it make those who once hated , therafter love ? but they who understood as little true love , as they practised true modesty , did most impertinently importune us to accept them for our husbands , swearing , when they could not perswade us by threats , that we were the maddest women breathing who refused to bewives to such gallant Gentlemen , and Mistrisses of so large fortunes ; recounting to us sometime their valiant acts , and sometime questioning their prepared servants anent the state of their thriving affairs , not forgetting to number hundreds of Mistrisles whom they had slighted for us , and how many sighed for them , albeit they sighed for us . This discourse , albeit unpleasant in it self , yet seemed more unpleasant because of the discoursers gestures and antick modes , which could have perswaded strangers , that they erred purposly to make us laugh ; at last they led us to a Cave in the bosome of a Rock , which seemed to be Deaths chamber of presence , paved with mire , and tapistred with slime and cobwebs : here we were welcomed by an old Hag ( the Nurse of my Lover ) whose face I thought at first , had been masked with some terrible mask , but at last I perceived , that Nature had conjoyned swarthy colours with ugly shapes , to shew that Art could not outstrip her in making an horrid face ; her words , ecchoed by the hiddeous Rock , seemed to be the cryes of the damned spirits , when they are punished in Hell for their misdemeanours . Our accommodation could only brag of its suitablenesse for ugly things , so corresponded with ugly things , as ye would have sworn , that every thing contended which should be most ugly : a sheep was eaten half alive , and sent bleating to their bellies , and their bread which seemed to be knead gravel , was eaten as greedily as if it had been the finest flowre ; at supper she began to accuse the Courtiers for nice●y , in imploying knives and napkins , and swore by her black kirtle , that the reason why Ladies did eat so little at Table , was , because they did eat so largely in their Chambers . Thus having spent the night lying on the ground ( a Bed never made since the Creation ) we longed for the morning , which came no sooner than we wished it had been past , and thought that the Sun by its slow motion , intended likewayes to conspire with our other Tormentors : Yet after some four dayes stay , the immortal Gods , who knew our innocency , decreed our delivery , by a way as unexpected as the delivery it self : for , the fore-named Mathematician , who began now in his solitude to consult the Stars , whereas he had formerly in his poverty consulted his Purse , did one morning acquaint the Lovers that he did read their ruine in the Face of Heaven , if they dismist us not : this Diurnal , from such a place , and such a person , did so allarm their already frighted consciences , that they resolved to quit us , meerly , because they found they could not keep us : wherefore fearing lest our return to our own Countrey , should be a mean to banish them from theirs , they resolved to bring us over here to Egypt with our faces covered , that our punishment might be the greater , and our return the more uncertain : after that fashion did they lead us three dayes ( never considering that Heaven saw us , albeit we saw not it ) till at last , like Serpents , who carry their sting in their tails , they resolved to make the last act of their cruelty the worst , making our Tragedy like all other Tragedies , whose most deplorable event is represented in the last Scene : Wherefore , finding this Wood correspond with their desires , they committed us to these cruel Tygres , who had avenged their masters affronts , and ended our miseries , if the arrival of those Gentlemen had not prevented both . This story and their journey ended both equally , and they were as much solaced by the one , as wearied by the other : and now they began to descry the top of the much longed-for Castle , and being entered in a sweet Alley , which was guarded on both sides by Walnut , Chesnut , and Cipress trees , which decored extreamly the Avenues to the Castle , they were saluted by four Gentlemen cloathed in blue Sattin , who were attending Monanthropus's ▪ return , which was later that night than ordinary ; the Knights and Ladies finding their respect betrayed formerly , by the meannesse of Monanthropus exteriour garb , did , in a most submissive manner , crave him pardon , and bestowed upon him now , with its interest , what respects they had ignorantly detained from him formerly , and the younger of the two Knights ( called Philarites ) commissionated , by the assenting looks of his Companions , spoke thus : My Lord , nature having levelled all men as to what can be seen , and strangers knowing nothing more of one another , than what instruction nature bestows on them , their ignorance deserves pardon , if they homologate not their first errours , by their after continuance in them ▪ and we see Magistrates carry before them the Ensigns of their Offices , Gentlemen followed by their Liveries , and Knights of Orders carry the Badges of their Honours , as beacons to warn strangers not to split upon the rocks of either disrespect , or incivility : which shews , by the rule of contraries , that strangers may be pardoned , albeit they deny respect to those who wear not Honours Livery ; and albeit we might have seen in your Honours face and carriage , the impression of more than ordinary majesty , yet the confusion wherein we were , may plead our innocency . Monanthropus , whose humour and age made him averse from ceremony , told them , that their generous carriage did oblige him too much , and that their Apologie had prevented his ; for albeit they had cunningly vailed their Births , yet their Generosity did somewhat draw aside the curtain , and did let the most undiscerning eye see somewhat more of Nobility , than their modesty did discover by discourse . The Knights and he having skirmished a little thus in complement , he intreated the Knights to hand up stairs the weary Ladies ; for their age and pains had merited better their hand , than he had done or could do . At the top of the stairs , they entered an Antiparlour , richly tapestred with hangings , representing Paris choice when he bestowed the Apple upon the fairest ( which seemed to be not only a relation of what was past , but also a prophecy of what was to be acted shortly upon that stage ) there they were welcomed by a Lady , rather grave than old , followed by a troup of rare Beauties ; where ( notwithstanding the rest seemed only to be black patches to set off with the greater advantage the beauty of a young Lady who was Monanthropus his daughter , a Lady so accomplished , as if Nature in her , had like that old Painter , borrowed a tra●te from the greatest Beauties in the world to adorn one ) Philarites , after Megistus and the Ladies had saluted all , and after as he himself had saluted the mother , coming to salute the daughter , and bowing as low as the verge of her garment , being deserted by strength , and over-powered by admiration , did Fali dead at her feet . The wounded Ladies , surprized by his fall , did shout , and by that shout astonished more than formerly , the already commiserating by-standers , who began already to sacrifice thousands of tears to his departed ghost , and were sending their sad cryes to accompany to the Elisian fields his lovely soul ; mean while , his admiration which had intimated to his internal bloud and spirits the admirable beauty of ARETINA ( so was the young Lady called ) sent his bloud gushing out at his veins , every drop striving with its fellow which should first see that hyerogliphick of comlinesse ; but he , poor Gentleman , lay as if his soul and body had been divorced in the Court of Heaven , for it refused to return to its old lodging , notwithstanding of the many invitations given it , both by the skill of the Physician , and care of the Ladies : at last some blushes began to appear as the avantcurriers of life , which did somewhat animate the company , whose faces reflected formerly the paleness that appeared in his , each being willing even to wear deaths livery for his sake ; at last he began by groans , to vomit up his Melancholy , and to stretch his arms , which when Megistus perceived , he caused carry him to his chamber , where they put him in bed , not fully yet recovered . Thereafter Monanthropus and his Lady waited first upon the unknown Ladies , and thereafter upon Megistus to their Chambers , where Supper was dressed up for them , and two maids were allowed the Ladies for attendants : but Megistus , fearing that Philarites grief might prove desperate , ( great Spirits producing nothing which is not great , and as the greatest fires have the greatest flames ) resolved , by his wit to assist his friends patience ; wherefore calling for Kalodulus his servant , he commanded him to convey himself secretly up to the Seiling of the Chamber , and to take a hollow tree with him , through which he should ( after he found Philarites awake , and beginning to complain ) cry with a counterfeit voice , Philarites , the gods , as a reward of thy vertue , have allowed thee ARETINA for thy Wife ; and , to confirm thee in this truth , have desired thee to send to morrow to that great Oak , which is sacred to Iupiter , and there thou shalt find a Ring , with this inscription , Believe the Gods ( for Megistus had gotten such a Ring from one of his fathers Magicians , who had foretold him many fortunat events , and at his departure had bestowed this Ring upon him ) Kalodulus , whose love to Philarites made him both willing to undertake , and cunning in the accomplishment , of this enterprise , did secretly climb up where he was desired , and where he could not be discovered because of the darkness of the night ; and after half an hours stay , Philarites began to groan , and to second his groans thus : O unfortunate Philarites ! hath passion cut the throat of thy reason , or hast thou lost thy wit with thy bloud ? wilt thou willingly enter the lists , where stronger spirits have been defeated by weaker enemies , than that lovely object thou saw this evening ? wilt thou render thy self uncapable to be Megistus friend , and thy fathers heir , for a fancy which is unpracticable ? Yea , which is more , Wilt thou derogate from that Ladies worth , by daring to stile thy self her Lover ? Either thou must conceal thy passion , and then why lovest thou ? else thou must vent it , and then declare thy self distracted . Kalodulus , who waited this opportunity , spoke as he was taught , and that so cunningly , as that Kalodulus passed really for Mercury ( the trunche-man of the Gods ) in Philarites conceit : whereupon , falling in an extasie of respect to the Gods , and of joy for the message , he gave Kalodulus leasure to retire himself to his bed , where feigning that he was asleep , Philarites called for him , asking if he heard any thing ? who answered , No , sure , for he was asleep : but the other pressing an answer , Kalodulus said , that it was only the effects of his distemper . The night being past , Philarites entreated Kalodulus , to go and dig under the root of the sacred Oak , to see what he could find . But Kalodulus , after some faint disswasion , was at last willing to go : where having gone , he seemed to dig , and at last found the Ring ( which he could not miss , seing it was in his pocket ) with which he returned to his master , telling him , to aggrage the matter , that he found it wrapt up in an Oaken Leaf . This trick of Leg●rdemain was proven by Philarites , his hope to be a vision , and did so animate him , that he was in greater danger to have died for joy now , than he was to have died for grief formerly , like a Lamp extinguished by too much Oyl , the soul in that resembling the body , which is soonest surfeted by the best of viands . Whilst they were canvassing this strange businesse , Megistus ( who being anxious of the event , had risen timously ) knocked at the door , and being entered , he began to enquire how he had rested . Philarites commanding Kalodulus to retire , imbracing Megistus , said , Dear Comrade , since the soul of two friends seems to be but one soul bilocated , and lodged in two bodies , which is notwithstanding , not a whit the lesse one soul , no more than the same soul ceaseth to be the same , because it is altogether in the arms , altogether in the head , and in other distinct members : seing then we are animated by the same soul ( whereof yours is the nobler part ) how can , or why should , we be strangers to one anothers joyes or griefs ? My extasie yesternight told you all I can tell you this morning ; but albeit it had concealed it , yet I would not . Ye saw how ARETINA'S face disarmed my courage , and forced me to render before I could put my self in a posture of defence ; I am love and hers martyr , at which word he trembled . Megistus , who resolved to solace his friends Melancholy , answered : It cannot be you love ; for else loves flames would never suffer you to tremble , which is the ordinary effect of cold . Alas , said Philarites , seing none can behold ARETINA , and not love her , I fear we are Rivals . Truly , replyed Megistus , I love her also ; but the difference is , that it appears ye love her as your Mistris , and I love her as a compleat Lady ; and albeit I loved her as my Mistris , yet the love I carried to her would strike sail to the respect I bear to Philarites . Alas , said Philarites , the ●irst part of your discourse makes me think , that you have not remarked ARETINA , and the second part makes me think , that ye who knows every thing else , knows not what it is to love . No , no , replyed Megistus , as my eyes cannot be so far mistaken , as to mistake the Case for the Watch , so neither can my judgement be so hallucinated as to love the Body in stead of the Soul : it is not beauty that I admire either in her or you ( albeit both be lovely ) no , it is your vertue , which seing I know to be real in you , whereas it is but presumptive in her , I cannot chuse but love you better : But , Philarites , ye jest , when ye say ye love ; can it be that your courage , which hath resisted so many men , is not able to resist one woman ? stain not your wisdom by loving , before ye know the object to be lovely : stain not your birth , by loving a subject , ye who are born a Prince ; stain not your duty , by chusing a Wife before you consult your Father , take a Wife from his hands from whom ye have received every thing else : for , it is not just that he should not chuse her , who is to be Princess of his Kingdoms , and Mother to his Heirs ; and seing by the Law of Nations an Heir cannot marry without the Superiours consent , why shovld it be lawfull to you to marry without the consent of your Father , who being your Prince , is your Superiour . Philarites was about to answer , but was interrupted by Monanthropus , his Lady , and his Daughter , who were entring the Chamber ; Salutations being mutually exchanged , and the Ladies seated , Megistus craved the Lady pardon for their yesternights trouble : for , said he , Madam , if your modest looks , and the experience we have of your civilities , made us not expect that your goodnesse would seal us a pardon , we might think our selves as unfortunate , as now we have reason to extoll our good fortune , which hath given us your Ladish . to be our physitian , and your house to be our hospital ; the gods , whose service ye respect principally , must be your paymasters : and as for us , all we can do , is to imploy in your service all that remnant of bloud which ye have conserved in our veins . Sir , replyed the noble Lady , the protection of these noble Ladies is a debt which all our sex is not able to requite , and it were an unpardonable sin against the immortal gods , to abandon two Gentlemen , whom they look upon as their Minions ; Gentlemen , pardon ye your bad entertainment , and your complementary guilt shall be easily pardoned . Having thus ended , she asked how Philarites rested , and what he needed ? But Megistus fearing lest ARETINA'S presence should re-inflame him , and knowing that they who were in feavers should not sit so near the fire , entreated the Ladies and Monanthropus to leave him to the care of Doctor Diet , and Doctor Quiet , healths ordinary Physicians , which they did , and went away , accompanied by Megistus , to visit the unknown Ladies ; where they found them , entertaining themselves with two Lutes , lent them by their attenders : their Lutes and their Voices strove for preference , yet the Voice carried the applause ; and no wonder , seing it is the instrument which the gods themselves have fabricated . Their musick joyned to the description Monanthrop . had made of them to his Lady and Daughter , did so indear the Ladies to them as that still thereafter during their aboad it was hard to separate them , Monanthropus desiring to satisfie his curiosity , and curious to know a person he so much admired , desired Megistus to fetch a walk , leaving the Ladies to their private entertainments . So going abroad , he conducted him to a Garden , all enamelled with Flowers , chequered all alongst according to their several colours ; and thereafter to an Aviary , wherein grew many fragrant odoriferous Trees , wherein Birds of all Nations , and of all colours , nested , and withall shadowed a Walk , wherein one would hear their dissonant voices conspiring to make one melodious harmony , which seemed to be Natures Lute , and which shewed how hard it is for Art to imitate Dame Natures perfection ; here Monanthropus used every morning and evening to recreate both his ears and eyes , with variety both of notes and colours , contrariety here producing as pleasant effects , as it useth to produce unpleasant elsewhere : from this they went to a Mount , whose ascent was facilitated by stairs of Marble , and whose stairs was shaded with Orange trees , budding continually , betwixt each two whereof stood a Basin of Marble , whence issued waters of divers colours , receiving their tinctures from Minerals , purposly concealed ; upon the top of this Mount stood a house of pleasure , gilded above , and all struck out in windows , the residue of the wall being strong Cristal , whose reflections upon the gilding , did cast a curious lustre ; there stood a pair of Organs , moved with a Water-work , with which three cages of Birds , made a melodious consort ; above this was a Closet , repleat with Mathematical Engins , whence Monanthropus observed all the heavenly motions : thence they were called to Dinner , where at the entry of the Palace they perceived a young Pedant , who was seating a Lady on horsback , and would needs have the Gentleman who was in the saddle turn the right side of the horse ; for , said he , the noblest side should be given to a Lady : but so it is that the right side is the noblest , Ergo. This forced Monanthropus against his inclination to laugh merrily . After Dinner , Monanthropus and Megistus walked to the Bibliothick , which was richly tapestred with Books , each Science having its own division , and the chief Authors , drawn by a most exquisite Pencil , standing above ; the floor paved with Marble , cut out in the shapes of Globes and Spheres : They had scarce fetcht two or three turns here , when Monanthropus ( whose Melancholy hungred to be fed with the Legend of Megistus Life ) smiling , said ; Sir , it is somewhat unmannerly , yet most ordinary , amongst strangers to inquire after one anothers extraction , and the more it is concealed , the more our curiosity is set on edge ; men thinking every thing that is hid , like to the hidden Minerals , which the deeper they are concealed in the bowels of the Earth , are so much the more precious ; and man hunting happiness ( a prey which he shall never catch in this world ) and not finding it in what he knows , concludes that it lurks in that which is concealed from him ; and man concluding that each desires to reserve for himself what he finds most excellent , imagines that every thing which his neighbour conceals , must be excellent , because he reserves that for himself ; others enquire after mens secrets , because they dream , that once having known anothers secrets , they have the revealer at their devotion ; Yet , Sir , I hope , that as your generosity will not jealouse me , so your goodnesse will satisfie my enquiry . Megistus who found it an obligation he owed to Monanthropus's civilities , replyed thus : My Lord , albeit my reason did at first , and my experience hath since , taught me the expediency of masking my condition , yet your favours have prevailed against both ; wherefore , Sir , ye shall know that I am Son to the King of Ethiopia , and that whilst I lived at my Fathers Court , I began to reflect upon the great advantages that did accrue to Princes by their travels ; for these are the mirrours wherein Princes may see their own blemishes , which their own subjects may sometimes laugh at , but will never discover to them : as also the want of foreign languages ( which they learn in their travels ) obliges them to reveal to Interpreters the most mysterious affairs of State , when they treat with strangers Ambassadors , and makes them unfit to pry into their scope ; likewise their travels acquaints them with the humours and interests of other Nations , wherin homebred Princes are sometimes cheated , and often mistaken ; by these Princes are obliged to moderate their passions , to inure themselves to hardship , and to converse with men of all conditions : Another advantage they have likewise , which is , that by travelling whilest they are young , they conceal many imperfections , which , to their great losse , their youth would have discovered , if they had lived at home . These and many such considerations , prompted me to travel , and to disguise my name and birth , which , as it forced me to spend lesse , so it capacitated me to learn more than else I could have done . So having come over to Athens , the general rendezvous of all great Spirits , I did there meet Philarites , whose fame and excellent qualities made me cull him out for my intimate Comrade : but , Sir , I will reserve this story for his own narration , that so he may have somewhat to gratifie your Lordship with , his and my condition having robbed us of all other opportunities of doing your Lordship the least pleasure . Monanthropus glad of this discovery , but sorry for his former mistake , did intreat Megistus to remember the Apologie he had made the other day , whereat Megistus smiling , said , That all the reparation of honour which he required , was his Lordships secresie in a matter of such importance , and that he desired likewise , rather out of custom than out of fear , and desired that his Lordsh. should not think it detracted from the confidence he placed on his ingenuity , seing the most intire , and the least jealous friends will desire the like , meerly to signifie that they look upon what is related as a thing wherein they desire secresie , which their friends would else take for matters of no such moment ; and withall he intreated , That his Lordship would acquaint him with the true state of affairs , as they stood for the time in that Nation wherin he now sojourned , Seing Intelligence was the soul of Policy , by which it was animated , and without which Statesmen could neither foresee nor shun inconveniences ; and of all intelligence that was to be preferred , which was had by one who had been an actor , as his Lordship was ; To which Monanthropus courteously replyed , Your Highness ( which title Megistus conjured him not to make use of , lest by it he should be deciphered ) by your command compells me to do what none but ye could gain from me , for that discourse will reflect upon and detract from my native country , of whose honour I would be as tender as of my Mothers ( for seing I am come out of its bowels , I do in a manner esteem it my Mother ) as also my narration may seem to receive a false tincture from my discontentment , neither is it fit to make such relations to strangers , who may glean from it some of the hidden Maximes of our State , the concealment of which would make the discourse seem empty , and would leave you , Sir , ( seing I must term you so ) most unsatisfied ; yet seing that same providence which hath sent you thither , perswades me that it hath singled you out , as a Physician to cure our maladies , I shall conceal none of our infirmities from you . Wherefore , Sir , ye shall know , that this Kingdom , ( which is one of the first Lodgings given to poor mortals by the immortal gods ) was governed alwayes by Kings , and to abridge my story ( leaving to history what may be learned from it ) Plistus , father to our present Monarch , was a good , but a simple Prince , whereof his Nobles taking advantage , sought to settle the Government really in their persons , that they might imploy the publick treasure , to repair the breaches which their profuse luxury had made in their private fortunes , and the power and honour of the State to satiate their unsatiable ambition : wherupon , first , six , and then moe , combined amongst themselves , and against their Prince , which Plistus , simple in other things , but witty in this , perceiving , became almost distracted with fear , yet providence diverted that blow , which doubtlesse else had murdered both him and his Kingdom ; for Mal●hus the Mufty ( for so they call our High-Priest ) convocating all the Priests ( whose number the laziness and superstition of our Nation hath made infinit ) to a solemn Assembly , went and secretly proffered his service and assistance to his Prince , whose hatred to the Nobles , and whose fear of the event , had made him willing , not only to accept , but even to desire the aid of his subjects ; the King having first thanked , and then condescended to imbrace his proffer , they plotted the extirpation of the complotting Noblemen , which was thus acted : The Noblemen and the Priests meeting in Alexandria about the same time , Malchus having taken an oath both of secresie and obedience from all of them , unfolded to them the complot of the Noblemen , and how the King had none to confide in besides them , whose courage might make in one instant , their Countrey and their King eternally happy ; he likewise shewed them proof of the Noblemens treason , and of the Kings pleasure : Whereupon , all assenting , he went by way of procession , carrying the Image of Apollo streight to the Lodging where the Noblemen were assembled , where having seized upon them , and upon their papers , which had been shewn him by one of their Secretaries , whom he had bribed , he was presently rescued by the King , who commanded the flocking people to retire home : The King in requitall of this courtesie , advanced presently Malchus to be Chancellour of the Nation , wherein at first he evidenced both so much wit and moderation , as that the gods themselves seemed to be his cabinet counsel ; yet at last his ambition , which he had all this time keeped chained by prudence , did at last break prison , and he treated privately with some of the imprisoned Nobles , to ransom themselves by marrying his Neeces , which they willingly accorded to ; he likwise perswaded the King that it would blunt extreamly the edge of the peoples envie , and would strengthen extreamly the Kingdom , whose noble parts the Nobles were , and consequently whose weaknesse would weaken the body ; and that wise Kings should be like wise Physicians , who should never cut off a diseased member , if there be any hopes to cure it ; he sent abroad upon foreign imployments all the active Spirits , fomented all the old jealousies , and created new betwixt the Nobles , so that the King by curing himself of one disease ( as it hapneth in the usage of all nimious and vehement cures ) fell in another , as ( if not more ) dangerous , Malchus , finding that one of his own countrymen was unfit to be his Minion and Successour after his death , did chuse one Sophander a Grecian ( who had been resident at the Court for the Athenian Senate ) to be his Favourite : for , he imagined that if he had chosen a Nobleman of his own Nation , he might have supplanted him ; and if he had chosen a base and low-born Gentleman , his extraction being notorious to all the Nation , might have rendred him despicable ; and a stranger uncertain of any assistance , behoved to rely upon him : besides , wanting both friends and foes in the Nation , he would impartially without either connivance or revenge , execute all his commands . This fellow , became his creature ( and he might well be called so , because he made him of nothing a potent prince ) others alledged , that because the people did belch out so many injuries against Malchus for his avarice ( making his private chests the publick treasure ) saying , that he was in the politick body , like the spleen in the natural , whose growth did proportionally occasion the leannesse of the other members : therefore he choosed this Sophander ( whose avarice was his greatest , if not his only vice ) that they might after his death by collationing their lives , extoll his ambition by comparing it with his successours avarice . Now all the Court began to adore Malchus in Sophanders person , each one foreseeing that any imp , ingrafted on such a root , would one day flourish extreamly , and that its shadow should one day be able to shelter those who retired under it , from either the cold chilnesse of poverty , or the scorching flames of envie ; yea , the King himself caressed exceedingly this Infant Minion , but so cautiously as that he seemed rather to love him in obedience to Malchus his desire , than out of any secret inclination to Sophander , or aversion from Malchus , albeit these two passions were really the legs whereon his passion did walk . Thus Malchus did by the hand of his pleasure sway the Sceptor of Soveraignity , his fancy being the sole and supream Judge , even in matters of the greatest importance , from whose sentence the Royal Throne it self durst receive no appeal , and whose smiles were the greatest reward that the proudest Egyptian durst pretend to ; the office of Chancellour became too narrow an orb for this great Planet to move in : wherefore , as an extraordinary person , he must have an extraordinary imployment , and must be advanced to be first Minister of State , a title not understood by us , and never heard of by our Ancestors , but which suited well with his ambition , both being boundless . None durst now dispute his power , seing none could pretend to know it ; and seing the King himself was , who could repine against the condition of a subject ? Nothing was presented to him now , but what was confected with the sugar of flattery : not a word dropped from his mouth , but was instantly received in Fames most sacred vessels ; and the most erroneous of his actions , were canonized as example for posterity ; Yet fear ( the ordinary Lacquey of greatness ) began to tell his conscience in the ear , that he was rather adored than loved , by those who even loved him best , which made him resolve by the news of his death , to try whether it was love or fear that made the humours of his Compatriots so plyable ; in order to this design , feigning himself first sick , and then blazing abroad his death by the mouth of his Physicians , did by the dissembled closure of his eyes , open the fond mouthes of the unwary Courtiers , who were glad to find an occasion to vomit up that poysonous malice , which had even by its venom almost destroyed the vessels wherein it was keeped ; but the next morning the Physicians told that his soul had but lurked in , and not fled from his apoplectick body , and he himself being recovered , did deal death most liberally amongst those who were so liberall of their characters of him , whilest they supposed that he was dead . Yet at last death did show , that the armour of greatness was not proof against its darts , and did hurry him away , cursed by all , and lamented by none , the people supposing they had buried him and their miseries in one tomb , did now coin thousands of hopes in the mint-house of their expectation ; but their miseries which had begun to ebb by Malchus death , did now begin to flow afresh by the Succession of Sophander , whom the Queen ( fearing that the Nobles who did not obey him who was both their Countryman and their Prince , would far lesse obey her , whose reign was but temporary , and whose sex was but fragile ) did after the death of her husband , who survived not long Malchus , choose him for her Confident . The young Kings name served them for a rampart against all opposition , and his infancy made the uproars of her enemies be looked upon as a sin greater than Treason , being committed both against the Majesty of a King and the Infancy of a Childe , and rendred them criminal both as men , and subjects . Yet this same innocency which made the opposers so guilty , did likewise give time and life to the far more heinous crimes of the defendants . Sophander having got the Tutory of the young King , acquainted him with all the pleasures which might alienate his mind from affairs of greater importance , but keeped him alwayes a stranger to the Mysteries of State , as things which would certainly disquiet , and might possibly break his spirit : telling him , that it was too soon for him to have his Crown lined with the black Sables of Care , and that he might in his youth commit some Solicismes of State , which might for ever stain his Royall repute : he likewise retarded his Marriage , fearing lest anothers worthiness should fill the room , which he unworthily had gotten in his Princes heart ; till at last , overpowered by necessity , he matched him with a neighbouring Princess , whose pliable humour might rather be subservient than destructive to his greatness , I ( who had been promoted to be Chancellour immediatly after Malchus death ) became now the eye-sore of Sophanders avarice , for he thought my charge void , because it was not filled with one of his Partisans , who might at last like small rivers discharge themselves in the ocean of his Treasures : whereupon I , who scorned like those other Asses , to carry Gold to his bottomless Coffers , did resolve rather to shelter my self in the Sanctuary of a private life , than to bow the top-sail of my integrity to the flag of his ambition ; wherefore I retired to this place and condition , which I have alwayes since found a harbour able to shelter me from the most violent storms of pride and avarice , wherewith those are shattered , who sail in the ocean of Court-luxury . This discourse did extreamly satisfie Megistus judgment , and kindle his courage , and Monanthropus perceiving the coals of his courage once kindled , did by the bellows of wit and occasion , endeavour to adde heat to excite the flames which he found already kindled ; and it was resolved at last that Eudoxa the elder of these two Ladies should go to Alexandria , where she should stay till by Bonaria's intercession ( so was Monanthropus Lady called ) she might be admitted to be one of Agapeta ( the Kings daughters ) Ladies of honour , where she might be serviceable to their designs , and a stirrup wherby Megistus might the more easily mount the saddle of preferment . Let us now return to visit Philarites , whose love had plunged him in the ditch of Melancholly irrecoverably , who loved nothing in himself except the love he carried to ARETINA , whose good fortune he notwithstanding cursed a thousand times , because it had placed her above the reach of his courtesies , the skilfull pencile of his passion did draw ARETINA'S portracture upon every object that presented it self to his sight ; and his noble heart , which was formerly Mars his shop wherein he forged thousands of heroick thoughts , became now an Altar whereon he sacrificed daily his dearest faculties to his lovely ARETINA , his Reason , which had still been the steersman in all his former courses , did in this tempest of Melancholy abandon its charge , presumption assured him , that providence and foresight in this case , were but cowardishness ; for , how could one of his courage , especially engaged in such a quarrel , fear Armies of inconveniences ? On the contrary , fear assured him that his hopes were meer presumption ; for , how could the divine ARETINA be merited by a stranger , destitute of friends and attenders ? and how could he think that she who knew the value of every thing , would bestow her self upon one who did not merit her ? Thus passion warred against passion , but all of them conspired against Philarites , who , deserted by reason , and assaulted by passion , was brought to so low a passe , as that neither the skill of the Physician was able to recruit his body , nor the perswasions of Megistus able to settle his confused spirits . But that which afflicted him most , was , that occasion never propined him with an opportunity of meeting with ARETINA all alone , till at last occasion repenting of the severity it had used against him , brought at last Bonaria and ARETINA to his Chamber , whom charity had invited thither to assist by their skill and care his natural strength , which was not able for to combate all alone these troups of diseases which did daily attaque him . Bonaria , being instantly called away , left a fair field for his passion to expatiate it self in Philarites , who intended to be very frugal of his time , insisted thus . Divine ARETINA , the least sparkle of your acquaintance is able not only to thaw the ice of indifferency , but even to kindle the flames of love in a colder breast than mine . But , Madam , the great disproportion betwixt your merit and my naughtiness , obliges me to smother my affection , and yet I know that in smothering it , I shall murther a person who might otherwise live to do you service : My death shall be honourable , if I be not buried in the tomb of your disdain , and yet my life ( being imployed in your service ) might bud forth in something worthy of your and the worlds noticing : but as for me , I esteem it not , if I receive it not as a donative from your clemency . Fair Lady , I shall alwayes esteem my self more or lesse fortunate , accordingly as ye frown or smile upon me , and your thoughts are the only stars whereby my horoscope may be casten . He stopped here , perceiving that ARETINA had covered her face with a blush , and fearing to offend her whom he so much adored , he patiently waited for this Answer . Noble Philarites , I know that such Gallants as you , use , like skilfull Comedians , to act still at home those personages which they are to represent publickly upon the stage ; wherefore I am confident that ye are inuring your self with such a Country-maid as I am , to those Civilities and Court-modes , which the Ladies at Courts will expect from you , I know your wit sports it self by such genty recreations ; and seing it may accomplish your spirit , I pardon you f●eely . She spoke this with so charming a grace , and with so much indifferency , as that neither Philarites fear , or hope , were able to glean any thing from it ; at last , rising to bid him adieu , she let a Scarlet Ribband fall , which Philarites secretly ( fearing to be perceived , and being perceived to be frustrated ) snatcht up immediately , and kept alwayes afterwards as the Paladium of his good fortune . After two or three weeks were thus spent , Philarites came abroad , rather seeking an opportunity to entertain ARETINA , than out of a desire to meliorat his health , and whilest they were walking after Dinner in the next adjacent Garden , where all the Knights and Ladies had gone to seek the Arbours protection against the heat of the Sun , they perceived a Gentleman , who in all humility presented Monanthropus with Letters from Sophander , entreating his Lady and Daughters presence at his Neeces Nuptials , who was to be espoused to the Prince of Goshan . Monanthropus alledged indisposition of health for himself , but promised that his Lady and daughter should wait upon his Eminence , and his Neece . Telling him that he was sorry that the distance was not greater , and the Solemnity lesse , that their obedience to his Eminencies commands might the better appear . The Gentleman told him , that seing that Complement could hardly be requited by Sophander himself , it were vanity in him to endeavour an answer . The next morning the Ladies , accompanied by the unknown Knights , did by Coach begin their journey to Alexandria , and it was almost hard to tell , whether Megistus grief in leaving Monanthropus , or Philarites joy in accompanying ARETINA was greatest . The day being fair at their departure , continued not long so , for the Heavens willing to cause the Earth drink healths to their bon-voyage , did by impetuous showers send it water enough to drink : the Sky , which intended to look chearfully at Eliza's Nuptials , did by wind and rain purge it self of all its malignant humours ; Heavens bottles having at last emptied themselves by these furious showers , the Sky did cover its face by a vail of mist , whereby the Coachmans horizon was abridged to the length of two or three paces at most , Providence intending by the hand of this darknesse , to lead them out of that naturall darknesse wherein their ignorance had enveloped them ; and now the Coachman did flie fast from the angry face of Heaven , but the faster he drove the m●re he strayed ; which he never perceived , till time had dissipated the mist , and then both he , and the other attenders , found themselves in a Forrest , where they saw no path nor person to direct them what rout to take : at last the Ladies and Knights , who were walking on foot , ( Megistus birth having allowed him Bonaria's hand , leaving ARETINA to now happy Philarites ) they perceived an old Hermite , who appeared to have borrowed times beard to cover his wrinkled face and naked breast , who did accost them thus ▪ Ladies , it appears that rather errour than intention , hath drawn you hither . The Ladies granted it was so , but told him that they thought themselves most fortunate , in having erred , seing their errour had occasioned such a remarkable rancounter , wherefore they entreated to know his aboade , and the occasion of his solitude . I am , said he , an Hebrew , who have refuged my self from being a sad witness of the deplorable condition of my Country , whose miseries are mine by adoption . I live here in a Rock , wherein there is nothing worthy of observation . The Ladies entreated they might see it ; for , sure ( said they ) there is nothing worthy of your choice which is not worthy of our observation . Seeing their eagerness , and coveting an opportunity to confer with him , he conducted them to a Rock , elevate somewhat above the circumjacent Valley : where Nature had been the only Architecture , yet so handsomly arched and pended , that it might have passed for one of Arts Master-pieces ; within there stood a Table , whereon were some old Volumns , and some of his own Manuscripts ; over it hung some Walnut and Fig-trees , which were his only granaries , and which reached him his food in at his window : two steps below the entry without , was a spring of christal water ; where the Rock seemed to gush out tears because it could not afford him better liquor : the neighbouring trees seemed to lay their heads together , to skreen his open windows from the scorching heat , and the weary Wildernesse seemed by his dwelling there , to be an house of pleasure . When they were entered and had seated themselves to recreate their wearinesse , and admire his garb and gravity , he began to usher his discourse by some tears ( by whose continual streams it appeared he had formerly whitened his snow-white beard ) he seconded his tears with this ensuing discourse , in obedience to the Ladies , who desired to be satisfied anent the occasion of his solitude . Madam , The omnipotent and omniscient God ( for I acknowledge but one ; for , if there be any God , he must be infinite , and if infinite , he must be one ; for , there cannot be moe infinites than one : for else , the one is not infinite , seing he wanteth the perfections of his fellows , and so something may be added to his perfection . And the diversity of your gods , shewes not the plurality of the gods , but denoteth only the diversity of the true God his Attributes : for , he is wife , and his wisdom is represented by your Apollo ; He is most irresistible , which is figured to you by your god Mars , &c. ) I say , the omnipotent God hath created innumerable creatures , whose greatest use is meerly to shew the power of their Creator ; and in every creature there is a masse of mysteries , and each of them is a Volumn too large to be read during a mans whole life : wherefore seing the Court and Conversation sealeth that Book , and trifles away the time , I should and might bestow upon it , I resolved to divorce my self from these adulterating imployments , and retire my self to solitude , which is a hall , wherein through the prospect of meditation , a man may see a compleat muster of all God's creatures ; and seing it affordeth a man opportunities to converse with the eternal God , I think it much preferable to the world wherein ye converse most ( if not only ) with poor mortals , from whom nothing is to be learned , and with whom much may be lost ; as also the loud cryes of worldly pleasures will not suffer a man to hear the language of an offended conscience ; and the world being sins element , sins seem not heavy whilest one is there , no more than the above-running waters burthens the swimming fishes : There men are affrighted by poverty , and distracted by ambition ( which albeit it be alwayes mounting , yet shall never climb to Heaven ) every Age seems a season wherein grows a distinct crop of Vices ; in infancy , ignorance ; in youth , love and vanity ; in middle-age , ambition , revenge , and prodigality ; in old age , jealousie , dotage , and avarice : yea , the vertues themselves which are to be found there , cannot stand upon their own legs , except they be underpropped by some vice or other ; If one love his friend , he will think nothing sin which may gratifie him , and another must maintain his liberality by the oppression of his subjects and servants . But these vices will not lodge with those who lodge in Wildernesses , because they find themselves starved by the indigency of their Landlords , and barrennesse of the soil . But , Madam , these two Skulls , which lye upon my Table ( the one whereof is that of Alexanders , and the other Plato's ) albeit they be dumb to others , yet they preach to me the vanity of all things under the Sun , and as skilfull Anatomists , discover to me the sillinesse of crawling man ; their Skuls shewn so appositly , did wring tears from the eyes of the beholders , neither did the Hermite now weep alone , and his tears seemed to be like a little water imployed by the Mariners to pump up a far greater quantity . Only Philarites ( whose breast was so repleat with other meditations , that there was no room left for such celestiall contemplations ) did shed only some few , meerly to accompany those which came in rivers from ARETINA'S eyes . Whilest they were thus drowning the Hermites Cave with their plentifull tears , the rude Coachman told them , that albeit they were staying there , yet the Sun would not stay for them , and therefore intreated their hast . At which the Ladies starting up , they were by the Hermite conducted to their Coach , whence shewing them the way to Alexandria he returned , promising to sacrifice hundreds of prayers for their erring souls . When he was gone , Philarites beholding ARETINA , said , he thought her fair face , mantled with such incomparable colours and charms , did speak as loudly mans excellencie , as the ugliest of those skuls spoke his infirmity . Alas , said Bonaria , fourty years hence the disproportion will not be great , when all these colours shall be hidden in the wrinkles of an old face , and when the frost of age shall have nipped all these flourishes , and the cold wind of time shall have blown away these blossoms which now appear . Certainly , said Philarites , the soul must be an excellent creature , which , as the Sun , produceth imaginary colours in optick prismes and doves necks , so it in a more noble way doth produce really those admirable colours which appeareth in that and other excellent faces ; neither can it be thought a disparagement to the soul , that it suffereth these to fade in age , seing in exchange of these it bestoweth upon the body then the real advantages of prudence and experience ; which cannot be said to be the least worth , because they are the least beautifull : no more than the Autumn can be called the worst season , because in lieu of the Springs flourishes , it bestows upon us the real fruits which have been knotted in it : and , no doubt , the soul must be a noble Artist , which makes all these veins , muscles , nerves , and noble parts of mans body move so regularly , whose number and varity , albeit they shew the excellency of our fabrick , yet do infallibly occasion our weaknesse ; for any one of these many parts can lodge death with all its train : and the finger , or toe , albeit they are most of all others , remote from the heart , yet can they deliver up that citadel of life , the heart , into the hands of death its mortal enemy . Sure , said ARETINA , seing the body is in it self so frail , they are much to blame who are so enamoured with these colours which are so fading . I am confident , replyed Philarites , that none is so mad as to become enamoured of the body in any other sence , but meerly as it is the shell wherein such a rare pearl as the soul is keeped , and as many love the son , because he is son to such a father ; even so many love these colours , and that vivacity whereof it can only brag , as they are the effects of the within residing soul ; and to confirm us in this , we may conceive that no man is so distracted , as to love that which cannot requite his love nor be sensible of it , and consequently seing it is not the body which is sensible , or which requites love , we may conclude that it is not the body , but the soul , which men dote so much upon ( if true vertue may be called dotage ) and both history and experience tels us , that men have continued to love those whose beautie had thereafter been murdered by accidents . Philarites was by this discourse so lulled over in an extasie of pleasure , as that he became insensible what pleasure was ; or , as it happeneth in all other pleasures , the fear of its short continuance , made him dissatisfied with the present enjoyment ; and albeit he called oft to the Coachman to drive slowly , alledging that the nimious motion of the Coach troubled the Ladies delicate complexions , yet in spight of his wishes , and of the bribed Coachmans obedience , they arrived at Alexandria sooner than either he wished or expected . The Ladies retired to their own Lodgings , which were still furnished , expecting them , but the Knights lodged as near as convenience could suffer them . After Supper came Eudoxa , masked , to wait upon the Ladies ( for she had been now a fortnight at Court ) and acquainted them how all things went there . The next morning the Knights went to wait upon Sophander , and finding his Secretary in the outer Court , they entreated him to shew his Eminency that there were two strangers who desired to kiss his hands . Sophander concluding that either they had some notable businesse to impart to him , or else , that they were men of extraordinary extracts or endowments ( which is the happy lot of all confident persons ) else they durst not so confidently address themselves to one of his quality and humour , desired they might advance . Philarites , after mutual salutations , harrangued him after this manner . Eminent Sir , Fame , who in obedience to the gods decree , hath trumpeted your praises in all Nations , especially in ours ; hath invited ▪ us to come and serve the Apprentisage of our youth , under the eye of such an expert Artist in all humane policy , as your Eminency is ; wherefore , Sir , seing ye are the tutelary Angel of all other strangers , we expect a share in your protection as well as others , and our lives shall still be stages , whereon we shall act the personages of your humble servants . Sophander , who had by their equipage perswaded himself of their extraordinary birth , and by their discourse did discover the promptnesse of their spirits , did caress them as persons capable and worthy of the highest Imployments , and proffered not only his protection , but even his service to them . The Knights intreated that he might path a way for them to the Kings presence , and that their first appearance might be under his conduct ; which he soon accorded to , desiring them to accompany him , who was then going to salute his Majesty , and to go a hunting with him . Sophander asked their names and extractions ; but they craved him pardon for their disobedience in that particular , seing their disobedience might capacitate them the more to do his Eminency service ; they went thus discoursing till they entered a Garden where the King was , seeing his Huntsman prepare all things for his Majesties sport . At Sophander's entrance , each strove who might appear most submissive , and a stranger would scarce have known which of the two was the King ; and Nature seemed to have given each Courtier two eyes , that he might by them observe both their motions , and two ears , to receive both their commands . Sophander presented the two Knights to his Majesty , whose noble deportments , albeit they had not been presented by Sophander , and whose being presented by him , albeit they had not been of so majestick a deportment , was sufficient to recommend them highly to the Kings eye , but both being joyned , made him confer double respect upon them . Megistus seemed the more martial , but Philarites the more courtly , yet so , as that neither Megistus warlikeness wanted courtiness , nor Philarites courtiness somewhat of a martial behaviour ; and as , if Philarites had not been present , Megistus would have seemed the most courtly Gentleman that eye could have lookt upon ; so , if Megistus had not been present , 〈◊〉 would have thought Philarites the most warlike Gallant that Nature could have framed . Megistus was the more learned , but Philarites was the more eloquent ; yet so , as Megistus learning supplyed his small want of eloquence , and Philarites eloquence made his inequality in learning with Megistus undiscernable . Thus Nature seemed to teach mortals that she could cast perfection in severall moulds , and that her Grammar did admit two Superlatives . Megistus , whose vice it was to be Master-speaker ( for they did all things by vices ) after he and Philarites both had kist his Majesties hands upon their knees , spoke thus : Sir , it is not to be admired why we come , but it is rather to be admired why all the Gallants in the world come not to spend their best years in your Majesties Court , which is incomparably the best of places ; We are come , Sir , to list our selves amongst your Majesties Servants ; not that we are so vain as to think that your Majesty needs such servants , but because we stand in need of such a Soveraign as your Majesty , and of such breeding as your Court can afford us ; suffer us , like young plants , to grow under the sunshine of your protection , and challenge the fruits when they come to maturity , as properly due to none but to your Majesty . This discou●se delivered so accomplishedly , made all the hearers imagine that the speaker was surely Mercury , come there to make parade of his eloquence ; and as their deportment , so their personages and equipage made them very conspicuous . Megistus was cloathed in black , which was a pure scarlet dyed black ( and seemed to be as if a black curle had been drawn over a cloath of gold ) richly embroidered ; he carried on his cloak a crescent of diamonds , on his hat he carried a hatband of the same fashion , whose beams were reflected by a plummach of black feathers . Philarites was cloathed in white , his cloak doubled with Mertricks furres , and all richly embroidered with gold and scarlet , carrying a plummach of white feathers , tipped with scarlet . That week seemed to post away , that it might make way for the next , wherein the Nuptials were to be celebrated ; and albeit all the three days seemed to run in one , yet the Bridegroom was sorry that Phebus coachman might not be bribed to drive faster ; desire , like all other bodies , moving the faster the nearer it approacheth its center . At last came that week and day so much longed-for , whose bright morning ominated happinesse to the longing couple . At ten a clock appeared the Bride , walking betwixt Agapeta and Aretina , who were the two poles of beauty whereon the sphear of love moved : after them followed a company of beautifull Virgins , all wearing the Brides livery , which was white satin , enclining as it were to change its colour , and which appeared , when motion raised its pyle , that it hovered whether it should appear white or not . As they passed alongst a green Alley , to go to Apollo's stately Temple , there stood Mount Parnassus beautified with grasse and flowers ; its top was encircled by nine Ladies , each wherof represented one of the nine Muses , and who mingling their voices with the notes of their harmonious , though different instruments , did make the hearers stand motionless , the spirits which formerly moved their other members , having then run all to their ears to recreat themselves with the sweetnesse of that charming musick ; the whole Mount lurked a while in the clouds of smoak , which the burning myrrhe , cinamon and frankincense spred over it , which at last evanishing , shewed the by-standers Mercury , who stood upon the top of the Mount , and making a low reverence , delivered thus to the Bride his eloquent Commission . If any of the gods had been unmatcht , No mortal man should suc● a prey have catc●t , As fair Eliza , with whom Venus fair , Is willing loves soveraignity to share , And that in heaven , she shall loves scepter sway , Whilst earths great globe , Eliza , doth obey . A● her command , her scepter here I break , Whereof one half your snow-white hand must take . The Bride surprized with joy , and joying in the surprisal , took the one half which Mercury had proffered her , and marched to the Temple , followed by the Bridegroom , walking betwixt Megestus and Philarites , whom Sophander had placed there , both to gratifie them , and to obviate the contests which precedency might have occasioned amongst the native Nobles ; the Churches were so richly decked as if the gods had lent all heavens furniture to decore their Altars , and the magnificence of each thing was such as if Mars and Venus had been the persons to be married . After Dinner the Gentlemen ( whose courage seemed to them rusted whilst they rested ) invited one another ( albeit none of them needed any invitation besides what they got from the mouth of honour ) to ride at a small Ring , which was presented by the Bride ; all rode , but all had neither the same skill nor successe : for as the address and skill of some made the Ring seem greater to them than it was , So the lourdnesse of others represented it to them lesse than really it was ; But whilst they were thus busied , a Gentleman , ushered by two Trumpets , diverted the Kings eye from being longer the Arbiter of these martial games , who presented him with a Paper , sent by his Master the Knight of Mars , which was read by the Gentleman ( to whom the King indulged that favour ) and repeated by an Herald , whose tenour was as followeth . GEntlemen , when I perceived Venus Altars so much frequented , and the grasse growing about the Altar of Mars , I could not but count this amongst the other fits of the worlds dotage ; Neither need mortals dispute any longer the preference betwixt Love and Courage , seing the gods themselves had determined it : for they , by chusing a man to be god of Courage , and a woman only to be god of Love , have in a mystical way shewn us , that Courage is as much to be preferred to Love , as man in excellency surpasseth woman ; but if Divinity cannot perswade you , consult moral Philosophy , and it will tell you , That Courage is Captain of Vertues Life-guard : for , who durst be just without Courage ? and without Courage what a silly thing were Love ? which behoved to lye hidden in the womb of a Lovers brain , if Courage as a skilfull Midwife , helped not to bring it to the world ? as also all vertues must be voluntary ( for if they were not voluntary , they were not vertues ) and consequently the more voluntary they be , they must be the greater vertues ; whence it follows , that seing nothing is so voluntary as Courage ( yea , Courage cannot be constrained ) and that Love is oft necessitated either by the irresistiblenesse of the object , or the weaknesse of the Lover , that Courage is the more preferable vertue . And how many miserable creatures are there who would willingly 〈◊〉 Love , as a guest who neither carrieth respect , nor bringeth advantage to his tortured host , So seing they would willingly be rid of it , surely it must be in it self an act altogether involuntary . Likewise we see , that seing every good is diffusive of it self ; surely the more diffusive a vertue is , it must be esteemed so much the more ; and of all vertues , Courage extends it self to the advantage of most ( nothing being either atchieved or accomplished without it ) and of all vertues , Love extends it self to fewest ; that being the purest Love which is fixt upon one , and the purest Courage which defends all . But if Philosophy cannot perswade , consult Policy , whereof Courage is the darling , being the Army of Common-wealths , and the Walls of Cities ; but albeit Love hath been oft their bane , yet it was never their protector . But if neither of these can perswade , then let him who is dissatisfied appear to morrow , where my sword shall prove what neither of these can , and let him remember , that if none appear , Courage shall be declared conquerour ; and if any appear , yet Courage must still triumph above Love , to whom it must owe its defence . After this Cartel was read , the Herald affixt Copies of it upon the Palace gates , and upon a brazen Pillar , purposly fixt in the Royal Barriere , or Lists , where ( as the form was amongst the Ancients ) he hung up the Knight of Mars his shield , which those who were to fight on hors-back were to touch on the left side , and those who were to fight on foot ( which was reputed the noblest way , as being subject to fewest accidents ) behoved to touch on the right side , whence sprang the fashion of carrying shields pendants , so much used in their times ; he who triumphed after a ridden combat , carrying his shield thereafter hung by the left corner ; and he who triumphed on foot , carrying his shield hung by the corner dextre . Megistus smiling at the Challenge , asked Philarites , if ever he heard any thing in Athens proven by a sword ? No truly , replyed the other , except by argumentum in Caesare , or argumentum ad hominem , be meaned that manner of probation . Megistus and Philarites , who never strove formerly , did now strive who should accept the Challenge , which controversie was at last , by the throw of a dye , decided in Megistus favours ; whereupon he took pen and ink , and returned the Gentleman this Answer . MArtial Knight , Love might have been said never to have erred , if it had not contributed to thy birth , who now like an ungrateful son spittest in the face of thy peerless parent . Why fightest thou in defence of Courage ? is it not because thou lovest it ? And if so , thou can do nothing in defence of Courage but what Love commands thee to do , whereby thou shewest that Courage is but the arm , and Love the head , and so Love is as far preferable to Courage as the head is to the arm , or the master to the slave ; before the immortal gods created the world , they loved one another , but Courage was not then exerced by them , neither could it be : for where there were no wrongs , no miseries , there neither could nor can be Courage , Courage being bestowed upon mortals either to punish wrongs , or endure miseries ; and since the world was created , how should the gods be adored if they were not loved ? if Love were much imployed , there would be no wrongs , no miseries , and so there should be no need of Courage ; And the blessed souls shall no wayes stand in need of it , and yet shall be perfect : which demonstrates that Courage in it self is no perfection . But , Sir , seing ye have no Love , ye can have little Reason . Wherefore , albeit I love extreamly , I do not , notwithstanding , love to blot paper idely , in perswading those who are incapable of perswasion ; but shall to morrow appear at the place appointed , and ( to retort your Epilogue ) if ye appear not , Love shall triumph ; and if ye appear , it is because ye love to defend Courage , and so Courage owes its defence to Love. This Answer was delivered to the Gentleman , who delivered it to his Master ; and albeit every person at Court longed to see the event , yet their love to Megistus made them fear to see even what they so much desired , whose generous carriage had bragaded them all on his side . The next morning Philarites came to gird on Megistus armour , and at the time appointed the Martial Knight ( who waited his hour ) appeared in the Lists of Honour , which was a large and plain valley , a great part whereof was in the middle pallizaded with stoups of Cipres timber all gilded ( as was the custom of old ) shewing to the world an emblem of what they were appointed for , which was to be a field where Death was gilded with the specious pretext of Honour and Valour : within was a Tribunal erected for the Judges , upon whose footstool did sit two Heralds , holding in their hands two Swords crowned , and besides whom stood two Trumpets , from whom the signal was to be expected , and by whom the Conquerour was to be conducted home in triumph : Without , were seats for the Ladies , under whom were ranged the Noblemen and Knights , in the midst of whom sat the King , under a Pale of State , with a Crown lying upon his cushion , wherwith the Conquerour was to be honoured , which , to differe●ce it from the Kings own Crown , was surmounted by a Lyon rampant , holding in his fist a Sword erected . After him entered ( as the mode was ) the party challenged , who at his entry touched the point sinistre of the Challenger's Sword , which hung upon the Pillar , telling him in that language of formality , that he was to fight on hors-back . The Knight of Mars was mounted on a white horse , whose flanks were stained with red spots , as if they had been dyed with the drops of bloud which seemed to trickle down from the wounds , which an exquisite pencile had made upon his armour , whereon was represented a wounded Knight , crowned with Lawrels . The bosses of his bridle were two little Cupids , in whose faces his martial horse seemed to spit his frothy foam ; his shield was decored with this device , Cupid throwing a dart at Mars , which his hand meeting on the way , did break in pieces ; his Motto was , NOT LOVE , BVT WEAKNES CONQVERETH . Megistus armour was all white , spangled here and there with bleeding hearts ; his shield for its device carried Paris giving the golden Apple to Venus ; The word was , TO THE FAIREST . Whilst they waited for the signal , the horses did dance to the musick of their own courage , and by champing on their own bits , seemed angry that their masters would not suffer them to decide the quarrel . The Trumpets at last summoning the Riders to begin their carreirs , their horses , who whilst they stood were damming up their speed , opening now the sluce , did by a speat of speed carry their Masters to a longed-for rencounter , where the Lances pressed forwards by their Masters strength , and pressed backwards by their enemies resistance , did , like weak boats , split in this co●ntertide of courage and resistance , resolving rather to break than to be dyed with the valourous and innocent bloud of such incomparable Combitants . The Knights finding themselves deserted by their Lances , sought assistance from their Swords , which had formerly been grave●makers to so many valourous Knights . Thus fortune ( thinking she had done the Martial Knight honour enough in enabling him to resist so long ) inclined to favour Megistus , importuned thereto by the suits of all the bystanders , who would have surely have favoured the Martial Knight , because of his singular courage , if he had been fighting against any else than against Megistus , and in any other quarrel than that wherein he was then engaged , the Ladies eying him as an enemy to their sex ; and the Gentlemen hating him as an enemy to the Ladies . Whilst they were trying how to conquer , the Martiall Knight thinking that not to overcome instantly , was to be overcome shamefully , lifted up his arm as if he had been sending it to bring fresh assistance from his patron Mars , ( which posture , albeit it was against the rules of the Art , yet he thought Megistus tottering condition might licentiate him to use , hoping to remit himself in his old posture , before Megistus regained his saddle ) intended to separate at one blow Megistus from his saddle , and his soul from his body , but he was mistaken ; for Megistus vaulting aside , suffered not the Sword to fall upon his , but upon disappointments shoulders ; but that was not the only inconvenience of that artless stroke : for the strength imployed being great , and the disappointment yet greater , he had almost been dragged by it out of his saddle , and had almost by his Sword cut the earth , seing he could meet with nothing nearer to resist him ; like a dog , who bites the stone , because he cannot meet with the caster ; which Megistus perceiving , and unwilling to slight such an opportunity ( called by some Masters of that Art , a Tempo ) did by a contertemps blow send him posting to the earth , to which he formerly enclined , but irresolvedly ; yet albeit he fell , his courage fell not with him , for , in falling , he struck off one of Megistus's horse legs , who not being accustomed to stand upon three feet , fell upon his knees , as if he craved him pardon for the afront his master had done him : The Martial Knight like a ball rebounding by the same strength that threw it to the earth , bolted up immediately . Megistus , who had rid himself of his stirrups , did the like , and now they coaped so furiously as that what formerly they had done , seemed , in respect of what they were now doing , to be but like those essay thrusts , which learners along in a Fencing-school before they put themselves in a posture , and seemed to be but the earnest-peny of that great bargain they were now making : At last the Martial Knight , considering that the bloud which he spent in opposing Megistus , would be better imployed if spent in his quarrel , recoyling three steps , called to the Judges , that , for any thing he knew , it was the god Mars against whom he was fighting , and so , to atone his guilt , he was willing to break his sacrilegious Sword , This merry conceit shewed a quaint wit in him , in whom they had spied a strong courage formerly ; and now both of them , throwing away their Swords , did imbrace each other , wrestling as it were who should be kindest . The Judge asked how the Crown should be bestowed ? Give me it , said the Martial Knight , and I will place it on the head of this deserving Gentleman . Megistus refused it , and said , that his friendship was too great a prize to remunerate so small a victory . Thus the King and Court returned home , expecting with a long desire the afternoons tilting . After Dinner , the King , Court and Judges being placed in their respective places , as formerly . The first who entered these Lists of death , was a Knight who seemed dead already : his armour was all black , and made him appear to be deaths armour-bearer : his horse , whose counter was suitable to his masters armour , seemed by his prancing to cut up a grave for his dead master ; he was discerned at last to be the valiant Terez , who fought in honour of the deceased Lady Tina , once his dear Mistris ; He told the Judges he came there , to beg a pasport from some noble hand to post to heaven after her ; where seing he resolved to go , he intended to go in the Chariot of Honour . The Judges at first intended to deny him preference , telling him , That as life , according to the course of nature , preceded death ; so in the course of justice , lifes Champions were to be preferred . At which Answer , the black Knight showed some dissatisfaction : Yet the Judges considering that the Bloud Royal ( whereof Terez was one ) were exempted by their birth , from such trifling ceremonies , and judging it an inhumane act to adde affliction to the afflicted , resolved to authorize his appearance . He carried in his shield a Turtle Dove , sitting upon a leafless Oak ; his Motto was , ONLY ONE . Against him appeared two or three Knights successively , who being vanquished , served as steps whereby Terez might the more easily mount Fames theater : At last appeared one Knight , whom the Sun had withered , and seemed to resemble one of those dead bodies whom the Egyptian Mummie had preserved hundreds of years ; his shield was beautified with a Dying-man , all withered except one hand , wherein he carried a Scarlet Ribbon : the Motto was , LOVE WORKETH CONTRARIES ; meaning , that it could make a fresh body become withered , and a withered hand become fresh ; This was Philarites , and that was ARETINA'S Ribbon ; the bosses of his bridle were two Lilly Roots , whose leafless stalks served for the reigns . These two seemed rather to court , than shun death ; and the desire they had to k●ll one another , seemed not to proceed from any desires they had to live ( for providence could inflict no greater punishment as life upon them ) but rather , because they desired to have one anothers company in the other world : thus they spent many blows , and shed more bloud than the by-standers imagined their bodies were masters of . ARETINA was told by Philarites heart ( which he had depositated in her custody ) that the Combatant who wore the Scarlet Ribbon , was Philarites , and that she was the Sun , by whose beams his lovely body had become so parched : whereat she blushed , or rather her bloud , desiring to be judge and witnesse of Philarites courage , came to her cheeks , to try if thence they might descry that noble courage , which it heard all the spectators so much extoll : But Philarites beholding ARETINA ( as if her face had been an Arsenal from which he was to expect new armour ) did by an irresistible stroak , kill that heart , which grief had formerly so sore wounded ; being thrown thus to the ground , he threw up his eyes to heaven as if his soul intended from thence to take its flight to paradise . Philarites running to him , did by his tears wash those bleeding wounds which his sword had formerly opened , to whom the black Knight gave a Diamond Ring , as a memorial of his true respect , which he had after that same manner received from Pilades ( ARETINA'S dear cousin and friend ) whom he had killed the year preceding in combat . Many regrated his losse , and a witty Gentleman at Court dressed him this Epitaph . It seems the gods to flit from earth intend , Seing their best furniture away they send From this our globe , here in a coffine , Fame Interred lyes embalm'd by Terez name . Let mortals then rear him a Tomb of Tears , Whilst their sad hearts a double mourning wears . After Supper , whilest Terez ghosts were troubling all their quiet , there entred a fellow , who told his Majesty that he was to shew him a Monster . The King desired he might present it upon a stage , whereon the Commedians used to act , that it might be easily discerned , and the whole Court the better satisfied . Whereupon the fellow mounting the stage , and removing the sheet that covered his promised Monster , there appeared an old fellow , with a pair of large Harts Horns ; at which a merry Gentlewoman snuffing , said , A strange Monster forsooth , whereof I have such another lying in my bed at home . The fellow having viewed him on all quarters , did thus begin his description . This Acteon , is by his kind wife called her Hart , and he is so ; for she hath made him so . He came to the world when Capricornus presided amongst the celestial signs , at which time he received the name of Cornelius ; the Man in the Moon was Gossip , who , as a Donative , bestowed upon him the fair Cap which he now wears , which his wife fearing he should lose , hath borrowed needls from her kind neighbours to sow it on faster ; and where-ever he enters ( such is her pride ) that she will have five or six to follow him : at last , she did not fancy the name of Cornelius Tacitus ( saying that it was not famous ) but she would needs have him called Cornelius Publicus ( he being the Publican , and she the Sinner ) She having one day offended him ( as young women do oft old men ) he called her Whore ; and she , fearing that neighbours might thereafter upbraid him with the name of a Lyar , hired some pretty Gentlemen , who were her acquaintances , to vindicat his name from that aspersion ; whereat the good old man ( finding that he was mistaken ) did , like the Snails when they are angry , shoot out his Horns . This description ended , they went all to bed , and with that day they ended the solemnity of these Nuptials . The Second Book . FOrgetfulnesse did now begin to claim soveraignity over what past , and the pleasures of that famous Solemnity , which had not long since been in its flourish , was now in the fall of its leaf ; and every man returned to his former imployment , sorry that pleasure , which had only shewn them a glimpse of the face , should have passed by so quickly ; and they resembled now poor Gally-slaves , who after some short recreation , are called back to their former Oars . But Philarites , besides the common melancholy wherein he shared with others , had likewise a private stock of his displeasure , wherewith his melancholy soul traded continually : for , nothing pleased him , seing he could not please ARETINA : his dayes seemed nights , because not illuminated by the sunshine of her smiles ; and his nights seemed death , because not quickned by hopefull thoughts : and fearing that Bonaria should bring home her daughter with her , he entreated Eudoxa to cause Agapeta intercede for her stay at Court , which Agapeta did , and prevailed so , that Bonaria returning home left ARETINA with the Princess . Whilest all others went abroad to hunt , Philarites stayed at home , hunting occasions to meet ARETINA , but all in vain ; for Agapeta ( whom vertue had glued to ARETINA ) thought alwayes she wanted company when she wanted ARETINA ; yet , one afternoon ARETINA'S waiting-mai● ( with whom he kept constant correspondency , and whom his generous carriage , and rich donatives , had gained ) acquainted him , that she was to stay at home retiredly till six a clock ; for she had alwayes endeavoured , since the last Combat , to wash by her wishes that tauney colour , which the armour and device represented , and was divesting her self of that indifferency towards Philarites which she had used formerly , weighing all his qualities in the ballance of love ( which would have proven weighty enough even in the ballance of truth ) and his very fame ( which is but naturally a thing very light ) appeared heavie here . Whilest she was curiously recapitulating to her self all his endowments , Philarites enters the hall , asking if ARETINA was quiet ? she finding her mind in disorder , and accusing her very thoughts , as if they had divulged her secrets to Philarites , ( for none knew them but they ) resolved not to admit him , yet that resolution was presently re-called by a second , which condemned the first of unmannerlinesse ; whereupon she desired that he might advance : for love perswaded her , that the gods , who were his favourites , and are mortals privie-counsellours , had inspired him to choose so favourable an opportunity . Philarites , at his entry , making a low reverence ( as if he would have kist the ground , because she had once trod upon it ) said , Madam , I fear that as I am fortunate in finding you solitary , so I am unfortunate in having an opportunity to disquiet your solitarinesse , but my obedience in retiring , if commanded , shall testifie that my errour streamed from ignorance . Sir , ( replied ARETINA ) your company would be preferred by the finest Wits at Court to any else , and why should I refuse to accept that favour which better than I would entreat for . Philarites being seated in a chair near ARETINA , did , like a ship newly entred the harbour , discharge a volley of sighs ; but his spirits , who had retired to assist his heart presently wounded by a dart , short from ARETINA'S eye , had left his tongue frozen by the cold chilnesse of fear ; yet she perceiving by what he had spoken formerly what he would have spoken now , ( her cunning supplied his dumbnesse ) to enter him in some discourse , and fearing he should enter upon that subject , asked what newes were currant at Court ? Philarites lifting his dejected eyes , said , Madam , why should one who hath no interest in the world , such as I am , ask what the world is doing ? Truly , said ARETINA , if ye have as much interest in the world , as ye have courage to astonish the world , or had as much need of the world , as it hath of you , I am confident your interest would cede to none . Since my courage cannot he serviceable to you , Madam , ( replied Philarites ) I value it not ; or , at least , since you will not imploy it , for I shall never use it but either in Vertues , or your quarrel ; and seing your goodnesse will never engender enmity , my courage shall be uselesse : neither vallue I Vertue so much for any reason , as because it is a thing wherein ye take some pleasure . I thought ( quoth ARETINA ) that ye had swept away these cobwebs of folly ( or of love , as ye will term it ) from the cabinet of your generous soul ; and I judged alwayes formerly , that none but fools and mad-men were taken in these cobwebs , which that crafty spider , Cupid , weaves , to ensnare poor mortals , but that such strong Courages as yours would easily break through them . Fair Lady , replyed Philarites , I am not prisoner in follies cobwebs , but in those golden chains which loves fair hands have twisted for me . Alas , Madam , I would have thought my self happy once this morning to have received your commands , but now I think my self unhappy , seing when I have received , I cannot obey them . Ye command me not to love : but that is as unpossible as to command me to banish my reason and senses ; for , love and they seem now to be incorporated in one : and ye would think him an unskilfull Physician who would apply nothing to his patient , but would intreat him only to convalesce . Wherefore , Madam , apply the lenitives of clemency to cure my wounded heart , which else is incurable . If ye be really distempered with that passion ( said ARETINA ) imploy your reason . Alas , Madam , quoth Philarites , ye send me to the wrong Physician ; for my reason confirms my passion , and perswades me it is reasonable to love a person of your extraordinary qualities , and that seing all your acquaintances adore your perfections , it were vanity in me to be singular , it imploys , as a guard for it , my memory to remember those excellent discourses which I have heard from you ; it imploys my eyes to behold those ravishing looks , and my judgment to ponder the singular effects of your rare prudence : So that ( fair Lady ) the only sanctuary I can refuge my self in , is your favour . But think ye ( said ARETINA ) that I will prove so great a stranger to my parents , as to choose without their advice ? ( for , to chuse without ones consent , is to chuse against his consent , seeing possibly his consent can never be extorted from him , and so by chusing before he consent , we care not whether he consent or not ) and especially being a woman , whose reason is weaker , and whose passion is stronger than that in a man , and so the one hath more need to be directed , and the other more need to be restrained than in men ; and thereupon she opened a book which lay upon her table , wherein she made him read this subsequent discourse . Experience teacheth that a womans miscarriage is more prejudicial to her self , and more dishonourable to her parents than a mans ; and so where the wrong may be greater , the consent of the party wronged seems more requisite ; seing the consent is required to skreen the consenter from a future wrong : Whereon hath been built that signal Law , that a man may necessitate his daughter to marry , but not his son : because , if the daughter not marrying , tash her repute , her fathers repute is irrepairably wronged , and her own being , dyed black by immodesty , can never return , neither to its own , nor any other colour . And there is reason it should be so , because where the crime is most to be feared , there the Law should be most strict : And surely women are more prone to imbrace what their passion proffers them than men are ; as also , because there is more modesty required in them , the offending of modesty must surely in them be a greater vice . The reason why modesty is more required in them than in men , are first , Because seing that is the main vertue which Nature hath bestowed upon them , they should therefore endeavour to be rich in that ; and as men should exceed women in courage , because courage is the vertue of their sex ; So women should exceed men in modesty , because modesty is the vertue of theirs , nature having bestowed something upon every species , wherein they are to excel others , suffering them for their greater ornament , to monopolize the perfection of some one quality . Whence every species is necesary in the world , and adds some ornament to it ; But the politick reason why modesty is by the Law thought more requisite , and immodesty in the Law more punished in women , because immodesty in women can be more destructive to the Commonwealth , rendring heritages uncertain , and fathers carelesse of their posterity , not knowing if their supposed children be come out of their own loyns ; Which was the cause likewise why Adultery was only reputed such , when there was an unlawful familiarity betwixt a married woman and a man , whether married or unmarried ; but familiarity betwixt a married man , and an unmarried woman , was not reputed Adultery , albeit now both be punished equally , as being perjury against the immortal gods , whereas then no vow was made . Philarites laying aside the book , ARETINA continued thus ; Sir , as it were absurd in me to love without my parents consent , so it were yet more absurd in me , without his consent , to match with a stranger ( for , whom I love , him I intend to match with ) for how can I know his extraction whose person I know not ? and I will never love him whose extraction I am ignorant of : For I have oft heard my father say , that it was probable that mens spirits alwayes corresponded to their birthes ; Whereupon she put in his hands the former book of Essays , wherein she desired him to read this subsequent discourse . It is certain that the gods who have chosen Princes and Nobles to be their Vicegerents upon earth , will replenish their souls with endowments requisite for the discharge of so weighty an imployment ; and seing the imploying unfit persons , is a folly scarce incident to men , it were blasphemy to charge the gods with it ; for , albeit the gods sometimes shewes their soveraignity in acting above the reach of our reason , yet seing man is formed after the image of the gods , and seing the rational soul is this image , surely what reason teacheth us , that the gods will do . It might be thought likewise injustice in the gods , if they subjected us to those who could not command ; and as it seems prejudicial to us , so it may prove derogatory and destructive to their interest : for , either the arrogant folly , or despicable simplicity of Governors , are the nurseries of all publick combustions and commotions ; wherein the very Temples are not exempted from the edge of popular fury . But besides these , Nobility wants not its other advantages , as that of breeding , which seems to be the ●oul's soul , and the cream of all humane perfections , and that of confidence , their birth being a rock situated above the reach of malices greatest shot . The distance likewise which others must keep with persons of quality , is no weak bulwork to defend their honour , and to maintain their respect : for , the best of men , having much of naughtinesse in them , the retirednesse enjoyned to them by their dignity , and the distance enjoyned to inf●●●urs by their duty , is a skr●en which vails over all these imperfections , and conceals what is not worthy of the noticeing ; man being like bad merchandize , which looks best when looked upon at a distance , or when presented in a dark shop ; so that oft-times what is gilded by retirednesse , passes for the real gold of prudence . Philarites laying aside the book , looked as if his tongue had been with childe of somthing which it wanted strength to bring into the world , at last said , Madam , ye are loved by one who is subject to none but to ARETINA , and who albeit he be a Prince , yet accompts it a greater happiness , and a more sublime honour to be your Subject , than a Prince in his own Nation . Here he stopped , as if he would have accused himself for not stopping sooner . ARETINA ( glad to be now assured of what she formerly conjectured ) told him , that there was yet one ingredient requisite to be infused in loves potion , which was constancy ; neither resolve I ( said she ) to cast the anchor of my love but upon some sure ground , which will not suffer it to slip : for , constancy is more requisite in a Lover , than Nobility in a Courtier ; and as the one will be required by my parents , so the other will be required by my self , neither will ever I marry but him in whose generous person I see those accomplishments first married . Six a clock striking , advertised ARETINA that she behoved to wait upon Agapeta , so bidding Philarites adieu , she left him to admire his own happinesse , who returned now as deeply fraughted with joy , as he entred fraughted with grief ; like a ship who had unloaded her self of her pricelesse ballast , that she might load her self with rich and precious commodities . Now love did begin to kindle its flames in the chimney of Megist●s breast , which were continually augmented by the bellows of fame , whose mouth brea●hed nothing so much as ARETINA'S praises ; but that chimney , never heated by the like fire formerly , suffered these coals to kindle but slowly : In the end , Cupid , who had long hovered whether to shoot or not , fearing that Megistus heart , ( hardned by the continuall exercise of martial imployments ) should be unpenitrable by his darts , at last loosed a shaft ( resolving to hazard a dart to conquer such a noble soul ) which did wound his poor heart so deeply , as that the hand of his courage could never there-after pluck out the dart ; nor yet could the hand of his reason cure the wound : for one morning , going to fetch a walk in the Garden Royal , he perceived , unexpectedly , Agapeta , who was pulling some Cherries , the trees bowing their branches , that she might by her own hand pull their fruit : Megistu● saluting her , would have retired , yet so 〈◊〉 that he shewed a desire to advance ; like 〈◊〉 Fencer , who by a feint would have his adversary believe what he intends not ; but Agapela willing to discourse with him , whose discourse each man at Court so much commended , intreated him to advance , telling him that these Cherries would rellish the better that they were eaten in his society , whose presence could make the worst fare a feast . Madam , replyed Megistus , who feeds on your ravishing looks , feasteth beyond all the dainties that Venus table can afford him . But whilest she was pulling these Cherries , Megistus was pulling the poysoning hemblocks of poysoning love : for , looking upon Agapeta's eyes , he thought they were Cupids quiver , wherein he kept all his mortal darts ; every trait of her face seemed a storehouse of sweetness , and her hair , which because of its colour , and curlings , resembled so many gold rings , proved to him chains to fetter the feet of his trembling soul : he was in end awaked out of his extasie of admiration , wherein his love had lulled him asleep , by Philarites , who had traced him from his Chamber , whom Agapeta saluting courteously , they fetcht some walks in the pleasant Alley , recounting the various and charming pleasures of the ●ast Solemnity ; and amongst the other pleasing passages that had occurred , Agapeta told h●m how a Lady had fairded her decayed looks , with the youthfull colours that she had borrowed from Art , was deciphered by a young Gentleman , who by the reflection of a burning-glasse , melted away those splendid colours , who seemed shamefully to hast away● how soon they were discovered . I remember , said Megistus , of such an affront , wherewith just providence rewarded a young Ladies cheating pains in our Country , who being mistris of a Ball given her at her own lodging , retired alwayes to an inner chamber , where , by a little feather , she sprinkled her face with some white Lilly water , with which she seemed continually to recruit those auxilaries , which she had hired out of Arts territories to assist her weak beauty : a Gentleman perceiving that the Phyol wherein it was , stood in the dark corner of a chamber , which she had purposly obscured ( fearing lest light should discover that work of darknesse ) went and removed the Phyol , exchanging it with another full of Ink , which the Lady at her return made use of as formerly , besmearing her face with it , and returning , was welcomed by the unrestrainable laughter of all the spectators . It is just , said Agapeta , that the gods should punish those , who by the pencil of vanity will undertake to amend any thing in a piece which hath once past their hands , they are ( added Megistus ) like those cunning hunters , who cover branches with birdlime to ensnare some silly fowl , which little expects their Art ; yet I think that as these are sk●llesse merchants , who hazard much , where there is but little to be gained , and where the gain , albeit they escape , cannot ballance the losse if their voyage thrive not ; So those Ladies will lose more in their repute , if once entrapped , than the repute of a fine face can advantage them , if discovered ; for the one will cry them down below all those at Court , albeit the other can never plead preference to them before all those raying faces which shine there : Yea , I think they accuse themselves of some notable defect , which they think cannot be palliated but by some notable cheat , and detracts extreamly from their own sex , shewing that colour is its greatest ornament , and from ours , in thinking that colour is a sufficient price for our dearest liberty . Agapeta being called-for by a Lady from the Queen , left Megistus in a drooping condition , like a lowring Solsequium at the Suns absence , or like the disconsola●e body receiving the flitting soul's last adieu . Not long after this , an accident at Court disturbed somwhat the quiet of both the Knights , who dragging after them one link of misfortunes fatal chain , were followed by all its fellows . Some Noblemen at Court not daring to attaque Sophanders grandour in his own person , resolved to affront him in the person of these Knights , his avowed minions , and petitioned the King that their priviledges might not be infringed by his nimious respect to strangers ; and that seing their predecessors had planted by their pains , and watered by their bloud , the thriving Vine of blossoming Monarchy in that Nation , that they their successors might now eat with pleasure , and in safety , its delicious fruits ; and that strangers might not reap what they had sown , Therefore they entreated his Majestie not to prefer these strangers to them , seing albeit they might be Nobles at home , yet they could not be esteemed as Nobles in Egypt : for , albeit Gentility ( because it is a quality dyed with the bloud ) be the same everywhere , so that a Gentleman in one Nation is a Gentleman in every Nation , he having received that honour from the hand of Nature , whose subjects all Nations are ; whence it comes that a Gentleman of one Kingdom may by the Law of Arms challenge another , seing he leaves not his Bloud when he leaves his Country ; yet Nobility is the donative of the Prince , which none are obliged to acknowledge who are not his subjects , and so out-reaches not his Territories , but , like the Loadstone , loseth its energie when without the spheare of its allowed activity : Therefore by the Law of Nations , and of Arms , Noblemen are not accounted such when amongst strangers . The King calling Megistus and Philarites privatly , told them the quarrel ; who entreated his Majesty to satisfie his Nobles , and not to put them in the scales with strangers , whose assistance was lesse valuable , and more uncertain than that of his natives . But the King ashamed of their insolency , and willing to gratifie the generous Knights , told them , that he would advance them to be Knights , and honor them with the Collar of Iupiter , an Order instituted in Egypt , to difference highly-deserving persons from the rabble of ordinary Knights , whom the ambition of the Subject , and lenity of the Prince , had , by making it ordinary , made it despicable ; and that thereby they might claim preference from all the other Subjects every-where , without the verge of National Solemnities , such as in Parliaments , Senates , Councils , where none could be admitted but these , whose fortunes lying within the circle of the Nation , might oblige them to riske their lives for their Countries safe●y ; men being alwayes most willing to go when interest pouseth them : As also it is dangerous to admit strangers to the intimacy of national mysteries ; neither is it thought prudence in a King , to admit those to manage affairs who have not estates to be hostages for their fidelity , and to repay the injuries done , during their Government , to private persons . The Knights did on their knees acknowledge his Majesties civilities , but told him that they wished his Majesty not to prostitute these honours to ignominy , by conferring them upon persons , so little meriting ; for they were sensible how destructive the impressa of honour was to subjects , draining the purses of su●jects in buying them from the hands of profuse Courtiers , who , as they sinned against the King , in abusing his favours ; so they sinned against the Gods and Common-wealth , in imploying its price , as suffultors to support the shield of their matchless pride , and how when these abject richlings , or richlesse Gentlemen had once come by them , they behoved to make vanity and luxury to bear up the train of these useless honours : these disadvantages are swelled to a prodigious excrescensie , by another as bulkish as any of the former ; for , by that means trade is every-where almost starved , Nobility hindring those who are stocked with money to imploy it in merchand●zing , and poverty disabling those who now traffick , from driving a trade suiting with the exigency of the Nation , which makes me entitle my Country to an infinit happinesse , seing traffick and trading effaces not their true Nobility , wh●ch two our custom accounteth most compatible ; whence accresces this great advantage , that young venturers being descended of noble families , are often recruited by the well-stored C●sh of their friends , after that a rude storm , or some other inevitable accident , hath preyed upon their first adventures , Whereas , if they were destitute of this assistance , they behoved to lose their hopes when they lost their stocks , and so the Commonwealth would be robbed of their endeavours , whose spirits were as great as their misfortunes ; and , on the other hand , Noblemen by their means are encouraged to put their native commodities to the best fyne . The K●ng , vanquished by their obstinate refusal , condescended not to accumulate them with these his justly tendered favours , telling them that opportunity might ripen for them more satisfying honours . But the well-spring of Philarites hard fate , ceased never to bubble up fresh misfortunes , imploying all the weapons of discontentment to rout his unconquerable vertue , hating alwayes spirits of such a noble detramp , because they scorn to make her the center of their happiness ; as if she would perswade men , that they could not subsist without her assistance : Wherfore seing his quiet could not be disquieted by pride , she resolved to imploy jealousie , whose subtile hands twisted this curious snare for him . A Lady , sister to the Prince of Goshan , named Pinasa , whose beauty suited well with her birth , and whose birth furnish'd her respect enough at Court , had of a long time looked upon Philarites with loves spectacles , but finding that her portracture could never be drawn upon the ground of Philarites heart , till ARETINA'S were first defaced , studied all means to perpetrat happily , what she desired so passionatly ; yet finding that Philarites love could not be cheated , she endeavoured to cheat ARETINA , whose modesty she expected might more probably co-opere with her malice ; not permitting her to trace the crook●d path of her sinistrous designs , so nimbly as Philarites male passion doubtless either would or could ; but finding that she alone was not able to draw malices chariot , yoaked with her self an old hagg in the same imployment , and bribed her venal spirit , which because it was venal , might easily be bribed ; who measured every thing ; yea , vertue it self , by the yard of money , not caring for heaven , but because it was said to be paved with gold ; nor respecting the gods , but because their favour was a mine , out of which much precious treasure might be digged : this wretch did undertake the conduct of that wretched affair , promising , because of her easie addresse to ARETINA , and intimacy with her servants , to pousse it to a wished-for period ; Thus launcing out into the deeps of malice , the sails of her diligence , were filled with an unexpected gale of success : the barrennest earth being fertilest of such poysonous weeds ; and she , who was fit for nothing else , was by malice exceedingly fitted for this . And now Philarites hard fortune , which had decreed the event , had likewise marshalled very orderly all the means , by which , as by sinews , this great body of jealousie was to move : for , one day walking in a meadow ( whose face was by over-spreading Nylus hid twice a year , that it might appear the more beautifull ) did , as unfortunatly , as unexpectedly , encounter a clew of Ladies , whose rec●eations had trysted them hither . Megistus and Philarites had alwayes valued highly such company , but never so much as now , seing they appeared to them coppies of their Mistrisses original beauty : after them followed the Martial Knight , and Aristo , Pinasa's brother ; thus the number of the Ladies and that of the Knights was equal : salutes being interchanged , Philarites fearing lest the conduct of the Ladies might hatch some private disgusts amongst either the Ladies , or themselves , about their attendance , ( and so that they might ignorantly , though innocently , relapse into the same danger out of which they were but lately escaped ) and to determine that indifferencie which might oblige all equally to wait upon all , he entreated each Lady to lend him some concealed token , which when he had gotten , and had hudled up in a hat , he desired each Gentleman to draw out one , and that each should attend and entertain her , whose unseen token should fall to his share : for ( said he ) incomparable Ladies , the hazard is not great where none can chuse what is not excellent , so that I may say , there was never more of Lottry seen where there was lesse of hazard ; each of us is happy in the share he hath gotten , and yet each of us may be thought unhappy in wanting what share we want ; So that pleasure and disappointment never met so amicably as in this particular . Thus they spent some time in walking ( Lot having coupled them cunningly together ) but Pinasa finding that this disappointed the desire she had to banquet her eyes upon Philarites lovely countenance , intreated they might pass some time under the shadow of a neighbouring Arbour ; which all obeying , they retired thither , where being seated , Pinasa broke silence thus ; Gentlemen , as there is nothing lesse taking than a confused look , and dejected countenance , ( where the runaway looks represent the sad spectacle of a flying Army ) so there is nothing that can discompose a countenance more , than the fixt eye of a confident Gentleman , whose silence alloweth him time for that imployment , whereby modesty is twice a sufferer , both by the Gentleman who s●reweth it a note higher , and by the Gentle womens selves , who tune it a note lower than is either allowable or seant ; wherefore I wish we might use some game to sport away time , and to prevent our blushes : But seing our accustomed recreations are covered almost with the gray hair of loathing , I wish Megistus , ye would invent some new one , that the Court might hereafter hug it , as a memorial of your sparkling vivacity of spirit . Madam , replyed Megistus , I have no other sufficiency for the discharge of that duty but what I borrow from your Ladiships commands , wherefore , Madam , it were injustice to refuse you what is your own . Since there is no absolute perfection but in heaven , nor absolute imperfection but in hell , ( the earth participating of their extreamities , as it reconciles both their distances ) and seing those even who see their dearest objects in the mirrour of love , see some blemishes in them , ( which proveth that the most accomplisht of things wantteth some accomplishment ; for if it could be seen any where , it would be seen there ) I wish every Lady would tell what imperfection she could dispense best with in that person she most loveth . What will ye propose , Philarites ( continued Pi●asa ) for this nights entertainment ? Truly Madam ( answered Philarites ) seing discourse is the best physiognimy of our thoughts ( the tongue being but Secretary to that skilfull Enditer , the heart ) and seing neither prudence , nor respect , will suffer us to pry narrowly into one anothers thoughts ; I wish we might hit at some indirect way whereby our enquiry might be somewhat gratified ; wherefore I wish one of us might tel her who sits next him , in the ear , some remark of any person here present , at which all the rest might divine , according to their fancy , every one of us endeavouring to conjecture what was the first speaker observation , and he or she who shall be by maniest voices judged to have been most mistake , shall forfeit some pawn , to be disposed of at the discretion of the Society . This last pleased them best ; and after they had by its help diverted themselves sufficiently , the night summoned them to remove : and Pinasa willing to bestow something upon Philarites , which might terrifie ARETINA'S jealousie , did let a Ribbon fall carelesly ( which she had worn in so remarkable a place at all the last Solemnity , as none could but remark it ) which Philarites ( in whose hand hers was ) taking up , presented her with ; but she , willing to imploy it as a chain to fetter his passion , desired him to keep it , as a memorial of her gratefulnesse , for that unparalell'd favour she , and all the remanent Ladies had received at his hands . Whilest times glasse was thus running , the old Hagg was by the coals of diligence and treachery , kindling the flames of jealousie in ARETINA'S breast , whose ardent affection to Philarites had softned her to an easie reception of it ; contentment being like other delicacies , whereof the sweetest becomes soonest putrified , and the souls of the delicatest tramp are like the bodies of the poorest complexion , whose purity bowes soonest to decays scepter ; and the fear to be surprized in following the hidden tract of mis-information , is the mean whereby they are often mis-informed ; thus love , which perswaded ARETINA that she was unworthy of such a lover as Philarites , did likewise peswade her , that Philarites would pearch his love more worthily upon some other object , and , by being inconstant , would make inconstancy a vertue : But there was more Rhetorick musted up in that dumb R●bbon than in all the loquacious Oratory of old Pla●eta , and jealousie did enter by the same porch that love first entered : She impeached now Philarites as guilty of high treason against love , and adduced her own eyes as witnesses , who seemed to deluge themselves in tears , lest they should see the sad effect of his prodigious inconstancy , which durst upon his arm brave the sight of affl●cted ARETINA ; yet her jealousie was glutted with a more pregnant argument of his assured change : for Placeta , who had studied the musick of what enchantment the Tarantula of ARETINA'S melancholy was best pleased with , caused a cunning fellow ( who traded in the adulterating of Writs , and resembling every mans character ) writ a Letter with his greatest cunning , ( giving him a stoln Letter for his pattern ) wherein Philarites might be made to exchange his Mistris ; whose tenour was thus : The disconsolate PHILARITES , to the peerless PINASA . MADAM , THe torrent of my boundlesse passion , hath in fine swelled to such an excrescency , that the banks of reason are no longer able to restrain it . I find my self guilty , if I evaporate my passion , and choaked if I evapor it not . My reason hath chosen your pleasure as Arbiter , to reconcile these , else irreconciliable antagonists : who●e conflicts harrasse that heart , which is only yours . If I courted ever any else but you , it was only to facilitate to me the great task of your love , in regard whereof all my former passions seem but essays . Assure your self , fair Lady , that whilest Philarites lives , he must love ; and whilst he loves any , he will love you . I shall keep my love in the prison of privacie , till ye send it a remission ; neither shall it ever come abroad but upon the paroll of your permission . This Letter was given to Pinasa , who being one day at Court , watched by the diligent eye of sorrowing ARETINA , did carelesly , as it seemed , let it fall , within the command of ARETINA'S reach , who stealing it into her pocket , retired to her chamber , to see what she could pick out of it , and having shut the door , did read her ruine in these fatal characters . O pattern of basenesse , how hast thou betrayed my credulity ! how hast thou stifled my hopes , and stained thine own valour ! Yet alas , poor ARETINA , thou hast prostitute thy faith to his roguishness , and thou appearedst as willing to be entangled , as he was willing to entangle thee ; it was strange thou couldest be so infatuated with a stranger , and now it appears more strange that thou shouldest startle at so necessary an event ; thou who wast the envy of Ladies , and the Image adored by Gallants , wilt now be the object of both their laughters ; and seing Philarites's bewitching deportment will bundle up respect for him at all hands , the same carriage will surely blunder thee , and thou and he will be like two buckets in the Well of fate and fame , whereof the one must rise to the same proportion that the other falls ; and as the ocean of fame ebbs upon the shoar of thy repute , it must flow upon his ; and surely his propitious fortune will make all thy acquaintances conclude , that he left off to love thee because he discovered somthing in thee which was not lovely . Miserable ARETINA ! who hast banquerouted that stock of fame , which the indulgent gods had once bestowed upon thee , and who hast now rendred thy self as despicable as once thou wast lovely ; misery hath once ●atched thee in its arms , and will never dismiss thee ; fame hath banished thee , and will never rehabilitat thee ; thy parents joys are massacred in thee , and in the roll of thy crimes stands likewise the black crime of thy paracide ; all those additions of honour which served once to adorn the shield of thy repute , serve now as diminutions to it ; and , as a punishment of thy crime , thy name shall still last in the registers of infamy . Thus did ARETINA stand streaming out lakes of tears , as if she would have drowned that Letter , because Philarites's name was written in it ; like an implacable Judge , ordaining the malefactor to be hanged in effigie , because he cannot be found in person ; and riving out her hair because it afforded him once contentment , her passion verged upon destraction , and the musick of her sury , like the six notes , did raise themselves a degree alwayes higher ; she evited company , lest they should upbraid her with her misfortune ; and her retirements were as racks wherupon her unapeasable grief did torture her , and her disease was so much the more dangerous that she durst admit no Physician : Thus she lived alwayes dying , and thus she dyed whilest she was yet living . Yet love , for its own defence , did alleadge , that jealousie might be mistaken aswell as hope , and especially amongst women , whose genius byassed most that way : for as men , because of their courage , are oftenest befooled by hope ; so women , because of their innate timerousness , are oftenest betrayed by fear : and of all women , lovers are soonest overcome by fear ; for , as their love multiplieth perfection in the person loved , so those perfections multiply fears in the person loving ; even as they whose coffers regorge with treasures , fear most the losse of their treasure . Love likewise teacheth us to overvalue others , and undervalue our selves , and so perswadeth us that all the world gapes after what we affect most , and that of all pretenders we deserve least ; and so there is reason to fear , that seing we deserve it not , albeit none pretended to its enjoyment , that there is much more reason to fear a losse of what we love , in the throng of so many competitors . Now Pleasure intended to change its camp , and , like the Sun , to make all the world debtor to it splendor by turns , intending often to aggreage its respect by its absence , and to conciliate respect elsewhere by its presence , so that oftentimes it doth ( like all other agents ) by the same means , produce contrary events ; so that some by being merry , others by being retired ; some by being proud , others by being humane , attain , by these contrary midses , to the same end of glory ; like two men by opposite wayes meeting others on the other side of perfections globe , to which men may go by contrary motions : For , whilst the Court was bathing themselves in their pleasure , a Currier comes , telling the King that a Navie of strangers were riding before Iris , expecting a safe entry from the next tide ; and that some Fishers had by their Flags perceived them to be the Navie of Prastus King of Persia , who disputed propriety in the Kingdom of Egypt : For , Xistus , grandfather to the King who now liveth , was by birth King of Persia , and for his valour , elected King of Egypt , and so Prastus's father , being his first-born , was righteous Heir of both Crowns ; but the Nation really scorning to be annexed to Persia , and thinking that slavery too unworthy a recompence for their respectfull choice , elected the second son ; because , albeit he was but second son to Xistus , yet he was their Kings eldest son , Prastus's father being born before his fathers acquest of Egypt , and so they preferred him to his elder brother , so that ever since he and his successours , have still waited a quarrel to revenge their unjust resentments . The King allarmed with these news , did by his fear , adde to the strength and number of Prastus Forces , and by looking upon his own Forces through the wrong end of truths prospect , did see them lesse , and more inconsiderable than really they were ; his danger was eminent , and his Forces scattered ; his Courtiers dissatisfied , and his Adversaries rich ; his Soldiers unexperienced , and theirs most expert ; as also , their remoteness from their Country would make them stack all the stock of their courage upon the game ; whereas his Souldiers , knowing where to retreat , would care the lesse how to fight . Megistus perceiving that the waves of the King's doubts raged extreamly , intended to calm them by the oyl of his courage , whereupon accosting his Majesty as he was solitary in his Cabinet , he desired a Commission to muster under his Majesties Standard , such as would make their lives their Countreys bulwork , and who might catch some advantage of the unwary Persians , whom either presumption or Sea-sickness , might weaken beyond expectation . The King loth to hazard that ominous Encounter ( for so the first alwayes is ) upon so great odds , told him , he would reserve his courage as the spurre whereby all his Army might be incited to ride triumphs carreer , and that a skirmish was not a theatre large enough to Megistus to display his courage upon , nor a handfull of men witnesses enow to so renowned a valour ; yet at last , confiding in Megistus's courage , and afraid of the peoples dangerous commotions , he authorized his Designe . Megistus name was a trumpet loud enough to call together all those who longed to draw the swords of their Courage out of the sheath of laziness , and to sheath them in the bowels of their Countries enemies ; and now he had clewed some twelve hundred , who like a snow-ball became more bulkish the further it was rouled ; wherefore he intended in this his first addresses to Agapeta , to usher himself in , with this happy opportunity , and after a profound reverence , said , Madam , I come to levy new forces out of your looks , to assist me in this combate against your fathers enemies , and to have my Commission sealed by the hand of your pleasure ; Who dare resist when ye command ? and who would love that bloud which would not kisse the ground for your satisfaction ? I know justice will take off that vail wherewith we see her eyes ordinarily mufled up , to behold your quarrel , and will put victories garland in your hand , that ye may crown those who stand in your defence ; wherefore , Madam , I am come to resign my heart to you , and to leave it under your cure , and in the hospital of your mercy ( where many thousands besides it lies ) seing its wounds forbids me to take it alongst with me , and in place of it , I shall fill my breast with a drachm of hopes which I am to expect from the scales of your Ladiships favour . Agapeta fearing , lest her rudenesse might unfit him for the journey , and desiring to animate him , who only by his example could animate the rest ; and who was the axletree whereon courage's wheels was then to roul , told him , that she wisht her wishes could assist him , whose valour was to assist her , and that she thought her self most fortunate , who could salary such Warriors with so little expence of treasure ( her smiles being all the solde which was sought ) wherefore she entreated him to expect all the favour that a Lady could indulge to him . Megistus being ready to reply , was called by a Gentleman , who told him , that his Troups were ready to march ; so that leaving Agapeta's chamber , he rendezvouzed his glorious Troups , whose glory was sublimated by the presence of Philarites and the Martial Knight , who seemed to be the Diamonds that set the great price upon the Golden Ring of that Assembly : from thence they marched about midnight , and did the next morning arrive at Iris , where they lurked all night in caves , expecting the enemies landing ( whom the boisterous wind had hindred from landing till then ) which was not a tedious attendance ; for the next morning Sotorus , who commanded these Naval Forces , fearing no resistance , because of the unexpectedness of their voyage , and the covertness of their designs ) did foot the shoar , as if he had come rather to triumph than to conquer ; and expected that victory would meet him half way to welcome him to Egypt : but whilst he was shoaring his Regiments , Megistus giving the signal to those who were in the other two caves , commanded by Philarites and the Martial Knight , did so terrifie by shouts the surprized Persians , that they wished they had never seen Egypt , since they saw nothing in it but unavoidable dangers : That which affrighted them most was some Fire-works , which Megistus ( well skilled in the Pyromanticks ) had caused dress , whose noise and lightnings perswaded the Persians , that Iupiter had lent their adversaries his thunder-bolts , to punish the unjustness of their quarrel : they saw nothing because of the darknes and the smoak , but what the light of these flames discovered to them , which was nothing else but Death in all her pontificals , and arrayed so variously , as that she seemed not the same every-where ; in one corner of the field valour was punishing resistance , and in another , courage was trampling under feet cowardishness ; here the soul was flying out of the body at a wounded head , and there at a wounded heart , and in both , the afflicted body was volleying the great ordnance of groans at the beloved souls departure : some sought to seek their graves in the waves , and others , fleeing death , did meet it at their boats ( which Megistus did at the first encounter fire , as if by these bonefires he would have testified his gracious acceptance of their visit ) Philarites did by his sword subscribe two hundred's pasports for eternity ; and the Martial Knight evidenced , that it was easier to overthrow Troups of Persians than to combat Megistus alone : Thus these three conquering Gentlemen , wounded as fast as they could strike , and killed as fast as they could wound , the Persian souls not daring to lodge any longer in their bodies , than they were by their swords summoned to remove , one stroak summing up all the minutes of their process ; and the souls themselves most willing to remove , seeing their appartements falling about their ears ; Philarites making breaches in the ranks , and in the bodies also of those who stood in them , had his sword bound ( as Fencers speak ) by the cryes of a young Gentleman , who seeing Philarites ready to strike an aged man ( whose courage was in its spring , albeit his body was in its autumn ) called , Noble Knight , pity the father of Arethusa , as ye shall be answerable to your fair Mistris ; this was the young mans Mistris , whose beauty he imagined all men knew aswell as he . Philarites , moved with his passion , did condonat him his life , desiring him to be debitor for it to ARETINA , and so secured them both as his prisoners . The fields were become a perfect landskip of terrour , and the greenest pile of grasse was scarleted by the Persian bloud : but the Persians fearing both what they saw , and what they saw not ( expecting no relief from the boatlesse ships ) were at last compelled to sanctuary themselves in their enemies mercy , and to become their prisoners , because they could not be their conquerours ; and albeit the Egyptians would have glutted their revenge with the Persian bloud , yet the noble Knights barred them from that piece of inhumanity ; alleaging that seing War was only instituted to secure Nations from danger , and all just Wars were meerly defensive , ( for to recuperate our own , is but to defend our own , and so invasion , if it be to repeat what unjust enemies have robbed us of , is but a species of defence ; and if it be to rob others , it is no War ) that necessarily all who were killed by the hand of revenge , were rather murdered than killed ; and that to kill those whom they might save , imported that the killers feared that they durst not coap with them except they were disarmed , and so their cruelty was not only injustice , but verged likewise upon cowardishnesse ; and that in killing them , they wounded their own interest : for , thereafter all enemies would by despair heighten their courage , this barbarous custom compelling them either to fight , or dye ; and would oblige their enemies , in requital , to deny them their lives upon the like quarter : and as all men should love to save their own life , rather than to cut off their enemies ; so all men should be prone to grant quarters when but once demanded : and if War should by that means become a meer butchery , few would frequent it , and the number of cowards would become very bulkish ; for , scarce the stoutest of Warriors would go , where he behoved either to gain the field , or lose his life . This discourse perswaded the Egyptians to save alive nine hundred captives ( two thousand lying dead upon the place ) amongst whom , Sotorus had rendred himself to the valiant Philarites , and they now remained rather masters of the field , than of much spoil , and had bootied little besides the ransom of their numerous prisoners . Whilst they were thus combating , a capricious Mathematician , who waited upon the Marshal de Camp , fearing lest death should have surprised him before he minded to die , fled at the first shock , and retired to a little Mount , where he observed the Battel , as he used formerly to observe the Stars , by the help of a Telescope , which he carried in his hand in lieu of a Musquet ; this Gentleman perceiving Megistus conquerour , posted to Court ( being mounted upon a horse , which , because he was fleet , he had bought to carry him away from any danger , valuing his fleetnesse for no other reason ) hoping , in requital of his news , to have some donatives bestowed upon him ; riding in this equipage faster to Court , than he would have pursued his enemies , he arrived at last at it , where he threw himself at his Majesties feet , describing the Combat to him after this fashion . Sir , we marched from this City , as from the point A. ( demonstrating all upon a Paper ) by a direct line to the Citadel of Iris , as the point B. whence by a spiral line , we marched to the Caves of C. where we eclipsed our selves all night ; the next morning , before the Sun came from the Antipodes to our Horizon , we marched , keeping the figure of a Paralellogramum , conducted by Megistus , Philarites , and the Martial Knight , who , as three lines , made a glorious Triangle , whereof Megistus , as General , was the Hypotenusa ; in this figure we marched to the shoar , where we encountred the Persians , upon whose bodies we carved hundreds of wounds , in form of Isoscoles , Scalenunis , and Trapezias . This discourse was interrupted by an Envoy from the three Knights , who acquainted his Majesty of their unexpected and compleat Victory : Whereupon his Majesties Pleasant ( perceiving the Kings humour fitted for mirth , and intending to twit the Mathematician for his pedantry ) told , his Majesty desired to imprison that Persian , alluding to his not understood discourse ; which the Courtiers ( whom complacence with his Majesty had gladned extreamly ) speedily executed , dragging him away from the Royal Hall in spight of his many tears and protestations , that he was an Egyptian . The Victory being compleated , Megistus sent to the neighbouring Towns and Villages , desiring all both women and children to come to the shoar , that so by a false muster , he might deter the Persians from landing any more Forces : So that they who were aboard of the Navie , being destitute of boats and disappointed ( by that numerous , though feeble company , having expected to surprize the Egyptians before they took the allarm ) did now hoise sail , leaving their hopes buried , and their companions unburied , upon the Egyptian shoar . The King glad of the Victory , and glader that Providence had imployed these Gentlemen ( whom he affected extreamly ) as agents in it , because the Noblemens ambitious undiscretion was thereby checked , and that heaven seemed to authorize his inclinations , intended to welcome them with a triumphant reception ; which they fearing , directed secretly this missive to his Majesty , entreating him to forbear both the honour and envy , which they knew would be linked together . SIR , OVr advancement to this charge hath robbed your Majesties most meriting Subjects of an occasion of doing you service ; it were unjust that we should expect any other reward for our service , than the honour of being imployed : and seing your Majesties Subjects grudged us formerly that honour , which our birth and your Majesties pleasure entitled us to , how will they now pack up a wrong which they will think wounds their interest more deeply ? Be not prodigal , Sir , of those honours which all gape for , and which ye may confer more deservingly hereafter upon your own Subjects ; for , albeit the vastnesse of a Kings treasure , and the unlimitednesse of his power , occasion that no profusion either of riches , or honours , can be accounted prodigality upon his part , yet the meannesse of the receivers deserts may make Royal Favours be listed among the other species of prodigality ; and the glorious beams of your favours darted upon us , will against your Majesties intention attract the vapours of envie ; and possibly your Majesties favour may procure ruine to those for whom ye intend triumphs . This Letter the Knights wrote , scanning upon what emergents had formerly occurred ; and considering how moe vessels were sunk by carrying too large a sail , than by want of ballast ; and how all men contributed thousands of wishes to destroy the greatest Minions ( men being like Pyrats who pursue alwayes the richest prizes , thinking the poorest sort unworthy of their pursuit ) and that high imployments are like high places , whose hight makes the hardest head somewhat giddy . The King pondering their desire , and reflecting upon the reason of their disassent , was willing to shuffle up all the projected pomp in a meer complement , which at their entry to Court he delivered thus in a most obliging fashion . Gentlemen , Egypt , whose Ramperts ye have been in this last Expedition , congratulates your safe Return , and her very Rocks trumpets your Praises , which is ecchoed by all her Inhabitants . When I conferred that charge upon you , I was confident , that if the Heavens had any favours in store for us , they would bestow them by your pure and mir aculous hands ; So that we all acknowledge our selves your debtors , albeit none dare be so vain as to undertake to be your paymasters . The Knights making a knee-deep reverence , acknowledged themselves debtors to his Majesty , who had put that opportunity in their hands , and that these applauses were the price of his Countrymens bloud , who were the only root , from which all these noble actions stemmed . But we must return to recreate melancholy-ARETINA ( whom Philarites had confirmed in her jealousie , by not saluting her at his removal from Court ; which he had not omitted , but rather passed by , as an encounter which might melt his courage , and fearing that she might have kept him from imbarking himself in a quarrel , to which both his respect to the King , and the purchase of glory , prompted him beyond resistance : yet she interpreted it according to her jealous humour , not unlike a person affected with the yellow jaundice , to whom every thing appears of that colour ; or rather , like a cacochimick stomach , which transubstantiates the best of meats in its own malignant humour : for , if at at any time , love perswaded her that jealousie was a cheater ; yet even in that case love did rather distract , than recreate her ; and she being bound to the stake of jealousie , love by these pulls , did not pull her away , but rather pull her to pieces ; like a traitor bound to two horses , whose contrary motions are his funest torments : thus love and jealousie , like two twins , aguued by their discord their comfortless Dame. Yet in fine , ARETINA ( perceiving what indefatigable correspondence was kept betwixt Pinasa and Placeta , and how lavish Placeta was in her invective discourse against Philarites , whom Pinasa so much adored ) resolved to fathom this design ; whereupon , enquiring diligently where they conversed most , found , that their ordinary appointments were in an Arbour , in the Royal Garden , at five a clock every morning ; so that she at last , hit at this expedient for the discovery of this their mysterious correspondence . She caused the Gardener ( who was commanded by Agapeta to obey her in every thing ) enter at two a clock , taking her maid with him , and there dig a hollow in the ground , where her maid was to lye ; which he was thereafter to cover with a sheet , leaving a rent in the coverlet , whereby she might suck in new supplies of air , and to straw it over with roses and violets , as if they had been placed there to dry at the Sunshine ; that place being near the Arbour , she could not but hear all was spoken ; neither did the heavens disappoint her wishes , for at five a clock entered the two Correspondents , who being seated within the reach of the maids hearing , Placeta deduced to Pinasa the whole story of ARETINA'S misfortune , dwelling upon every point , as an infallible testimony of her own sagacity ; and in the epilogue of her discourse she demanded money to satisfie the roguish Scrivener ; who , seing he sold his soul , intended to draw a considerable price for it : Pinasa sucked out the honey of ●ontentment from these poysonous flowers of their discourse , and glutted her ears with so pleasing a narration : Thus they fat drinking the dregs of ARETINA'S affection , and ●dmiring somtimes their own conduct , and sometimes their successe , saying that Country Maids were an easie prey to such Eagle spirits as were Court Ladies ; and that such a rich herb , as Cunning , could not grow in so poor a soyl as was a retired hermitage : This discourse ended , they returned to a feast prepared for Placeta , leaving both time and opportunity to ARETINA'S maid , to return home to her Mistris , fraughted with these unexpected and welcome enquiries ; where she found her Mistris sitting , as if her soul had bidden her body adieu , and had left it like an appartement without an indweller , her hands crossed , as if she would in that emblem have represented the crosses of her innocent life : at her maid's entry she raised her eyes , like a person whose head being upon the block , starts up once more to see if a pardon can be expected . Her maid unwilling to torture her afflicted Mistris , by twisting new delays , falling on her knees , and throwing her eyes upwards , as if she would have bestowed them upon heaven , as a requital for these favours , said , Madam , Philarites is not unconstant , but Pinasa is a cheater ; so she spun out to her the whole web of their discourse , so exactly , as that ARETINA by the help of what her memory furnish'd her from the Letter , and from Placeta's discourse , did easily piece up the whole progresse of their hellish treachery . ARETINA ( who would not unvail her resentments in presence of her maid ) desired the curtains might be drawn , for she intended to sleep , and commanded the door should be shut . The maid being removed , she accused her self thus for her former jealousie ; O unworthy ARETINA , seing thy credulity hath declared thee such ! Was it not enough that thou mightest be vicious by one of those vices , which could reach its poyson only to thy self , without harbouring a vice that stained the repute of such a spotless person as Philarites ? was neither his fame , nor thy experience , antidotes sufficient against that venome of jealousie ? How darest thou place his portracture in so polluted a room as thy polluted heart ? and if fate convoy him to paradise in the chariot of some glorious enterprise , there to punish thee for thy crime , and reward him for his vertue ; who shall absolve thee from that guilt which thou hast contracted ? and if he pardon thee , that will evidence his goodness , but not thy guiltlesness ; and his very smiles shall be thy continuall accusers . Whilest grief was thus triumphing , love replied , that she was not so culpable as she alleaged ; for , ●●alousie was at worst but an excesse in love , and excesse is not accounted so heinous a guilt as defects were ; seing excess had all that was to be found in the vertue which it transgressed , and superadded somewhat to it : whereas the defect could frame no title to any of the least of vertues perfections . Moreover , seing the greatness of the temptation , was the golden rule whereby Moralists squared the smalness of the vi●e ; that in this case , the undiscoverablness of their plots min●ed exceeding the guilt of her escape . Lov● in its plea alleageth also , that albeit womens breasts be ordinarily Cristal-like transparant , yet she had not blazed abroad her passion , nor his crime ; but had chosen rather to sit destitute of comfort , than to receive comfort from one whom she behoved to make conscious to her griefs , and his escapes ; and how that Philarites himself had been a builder in this Babylon of mistakes , by not saluting her at his departure , and in wearing the Livery of another Lady . Thus ARETINA loved more now than formerly ; resembling in that , a curious Watch , which runneth most soundly when it is first disjoynted , and thereafter pieced up by a skilfull Artist ; or the breaches of a besieged City , daubed thereafter with more strength than formerly , by the wary indwellers : Thus she spent some restless hours , till sleep truced up a cessation of arme , betwixt these warring passions . After two hours sleep ( which were not able to defray so much wearinesse ) she was awaked by the deafning acclamations of a great many street-runners ; whereupon , calling her maid , she desired to know the origine of these confusions ; who told her , That the Persians were beat by the two Knights , and that Philarites had captivated the Persian General . This report was seconded by a Letter from Agapeta , who , to congratulat Philarites success , acquainted her with all the passages of the Victory . The next morning Philarites ( the lungs of whose love could breath no air contentedly , but what they suckt in ARETINA'S presence ) sent Kalodulus , to learn if he might have acc●ss to ARETINA'S chamber , which being indulged him , he came , circled in his passage by the joyfull Egyptians , and being entered , and the servants removed , spoke thus , with a majestick ( and yet discomposed ) air . MADAM , That arm which hath been so fortunate , as to be imployed in your service , and which your interest hath strengthened to the extirpation of your enemies , comes now , by imbracing your feet , to do homage to its divine Princesse : the veins of my courage were filled with no other bloud , than that of love ; neither was my sword otherwise edged , than by the whetst●ne of true affection : Wherefore , Madam , it is upon your head that Victories garland should be placed , and it is to you that I carry these Bayes of applause , which your too civil Compa●riots have propined me with . SIR ( said ARETINA ) if ye had resigned your self over to my disposal ( as ye long since professed ) surely ye were too rash in jeoparding a body which was not your own ; and I should think her much mistaken , who would set her heart in a breast , which ye expose daily to so many hazards . Madam , if I knew ( replyed Philarites ) that my breast were the residence of such a noble guest , doubtless , I would be carefull of it : yet , Madam , I am confident that if such a heart as yours were placed in it , the gods would imploy their special providence to be a buckler to it . ARETINA'S eye travelled alongst all the proportions of his well limb'd body , whose proportion , his close armour shewed most remarkably . But Philarites eyes dwelt upon each trait of ARETINA'S face , and upon the most negligent motions of her body , as objects proportionated enough to a mans united admiration , in whom he perceived all beauties globe mapped up in small bounds . The next morning their correspondence was somewhat discontinued by Monanthropus arrivall , whom the King had , at Megistus's instigation , recalled to Court. The Knights , at his arrival , waited upon him assiduously , and their attendance re-invited the eyes of the Courtiers to behold him , as a person in whom their Nation had great interest ; only Sophander dreamed that his grandour was much ruffled by his presence , and it would be somewhat minced by the respect which all did bear him : neither was he much mistaken , for he became the standard under which the male contents at Court listed themselves , and to whom all true Egyptians made address ; and all concluded , that he was a Comet appearing before Sophanders destruction : Yet the King vizarded his real love to Monanthropus , and his real aversion from Sophander , le●t the change should prove as dangerous as it was sudden ; and Monanthropus imployed his friends , to desire his wellwishers to lowe somewhat , the sails of their nimious respect , till providence should calm the ocean of their misfortunes . Prastus finding his hopes stifled , and his designs blasted ; and being informed of Sophanders murmurings , treated with him incognito , to promove his interest ; and in requital , he should , after his conquest of Egypt , be promoted to the Government of it : and if that project framed not , that he should have the same charge in Persia which he enjoyed at that time in Egypt . This was a bait at which Sophanders avarice did greedily bite , and the rather , because he found every accident prognosticated his ruine ; and that his misery wanted onely time to ripen it , Wherefore he did now begin to bend all the force of his malice against the Egyptian Monarchy ; imploying the experience of State which he gained in their service , to do them now some egregious disservice , yet so covertly as he never seemed to question the Kings affection to him . But finding , that he was not alone able to manage so bulkish a Vessel as that enterprize was , he resolved to imbarque with him others , who shared equally with him in the common enmity which many bore to Megistus and Philarites ; but the plight anchor of his hopes , was Misarites , General of the Egyptian Forces , who stormed unapeasably at Megistus success ; thinking that no mans hands should have plucked fortunes golden apples beside his own . Sophander finding Misarites judgment so distempered , by that feaver of passion , thought it fittest to engage him in that quarrel , in which his judgment , if once cooled , would never have allowed him ; calling him to his chamber , after he had seen the King spend two hours in privat with the Knights , and after some insinuating discourse , asked him , if he and the Officers of the Egyptian Army had not reapt a plentifull harvest of rewards , for all the bloud they had expended in his Majesties service , when strangers did partage amongst them the booty of honour , which they had foughten for ? Sir , ( replied Misarites ) your condition is more deplorable than ours , because your losse will be greater , we having lesse to lose than you ; and our happinesse is consistent with theirs , their aims levelling at higher Offices than ours : but your Eminency and they cannot stand together , seing they desire to stand upon that ground whereon ye stand now ; yet your condition is most to be pitied , because your hands have planted these Ciens , whose flourishing branches umbrage this day your greatnesse , shading you from these rayes of your M●sters favour which reverberated formerly upon you ; and by their roots sucking from yours that aliment of treasure which fed you hitherto : and to conclude , that is the greatest unhappiness imaginable , to have been once happy ; and the greatness of the fall is measured from the height of the place fallen from ; and seing , Sir , here is no real happinesse or unhappinesse here , but what stands in comparisons ( absolute happinesse being entailed upon the gods , and absolute unhappinesse being the portion of devils ) our misfortune will seem but a mole-hill , in regard of such a mountain as yours ; and men will be so busied in admiring your fal , that hardly they will eye ours . Pardon me ( answered Sophander ) your fall will be more remarkable than mine : for , it is rather a wonder to see me stand amongst so many Emulators ( they being Patriots , and I a stranger ; they being many , and I one ) than to see me fall ; and oft-times great Oaks which are top-heavie , will fall sooner under the hand of a storm , than those of a lesser bulk : but Misarites affronts will weigh more in the ballance of some mens fancies than of others ( and that is the greatest affront that the persons affronted reputes such ) and of all men none weigh affronts so heavily , as those of your profession : for , glory being your main design , your glor●●● sooner blurred than ours , and your passions ( which are alwayes afloat ) are sooner incenst than ours ; vanity ( which is necessary in Souldiers ) being of all others passions , the most combustible : and seing your disaster will have moe young men and gallants to be witnesses to it , it must be more insupportable than mine , which being at a Council-Table , will be judged by some few wise old men , who prize not much affronts of that nature ; and as the glory of a Souldier glistereth more than that of Statesmen , certainly the foil must be more grievous : Neither is ambition the vice of my age , old men being rather enclined to avarice , than panching to ambition ; for old men , not knowing by what means they are able to gain , if necessity urged them to it , are more greedy of it when they can attrap it , than young men whose strength gives want a defiance ; as also , they know better how hard it is to gain , and rely lesse upon the large promises of others , than young men do ; and their bodies half transubstantiate in the earth , seems to be near in kin to gold and silver , which are but cadents of the same family ; We want these sparkls of courage which kindleth ambitions fire , which not only burns in younger breasts , but turns all other humours into its own nature ; and that is the soveraign passion in you , to which all the rest must do obeysance : But why should our spirits be thus enthralled to stupidity ? and why should we sink in this gulf of misery , seing the arms of our liberty are yet loose , and the shoar of safety is so near ? Where is that shoar ( quoth Misarites ) where we may find a safe harbour ? If ye will follow me as your Pilot ( replyed Sophander ) I shall shoar you safely . I will most willingly , replyed Misarites . Sophander glad that he was able to complicate such a considerable person in his treasonable plot , devellopped to him the whole mysterie , and promised that if he would go a share with him in the hazard , he should likewayes have a share in the gains ; and promised to treat for him with Prastus , and with Sotorus , who ( being a prisoner of war there ) was commissionate for that effect . But let us now visite Monanthropus and Megistus , who spent their time as frugally as their adversaries , and who were countermining all their mines , and cantoning their friends and associats , so that most of their exercise was discourse , and most of their discourse was the revolutions , whereby the heavens preached perpetually the instability of humane affairs . Monanthropus desirous to hear the sequel of the Knights travels ( begun at his house ) entreated Megistus to pursue it ; and Megistus , to divert the eyes of his memory from gazing on desolations gastly colours , condescended to spin out that threed to a greater length , and commenced thus . Sir , after the foundation of Philarites acquaintance and mine was laid at Athens , and its fabrick ( cemented by assiduous familiarity ) was raised to some height , we resolved to ramble up and down the world , carving always to our selves an adventure by our hungry swords ; wherefore , discharging our trains at Athens , we desired Kaledulus only to attend us : and beginning our journey towards Lacedemon , we were outed of our way , by a mist which led us to a Wilderness ; where we had not travelled far , when a cry or two ( sent from the lungs of affliction ) commanded our admiration to follow its tract ; we posted to it , knowing that anxieties glasse runt swiftly , and at our coming , found a young Gentleman and a Lady staked to a tree , looking every moment in the face as the harbinger of death , and tearing in such abundance , as that had they remained in that posture but a short time , the tears would have rotted the cords wherewith they were bound ; our compassion had scarce fastned its eyes upon them , when we were necessitated to place them elsewhere : for , two naked men , covered with nothing but with their hair ( a garment lent them by dame nature , their appear and stepmother ) not so much out of affection to them to cover their nakedness , as out of respect to the beholders , and to oblige their modesty ) did by their uneven brows ( which were to them in place of tongues ) cartel us to a combat ; their arms were two long poles , to which were fixed two shables ( neither did they offer us choice of arms ) we judging gallantry but a nicety , where necessity was the quarrel , and considering that they who were outlaws to Nature , might be punished by any of her subjects , ( all men being commissionated against such common enemies ) and that they who would not kill such rascals , were guilty of the bloud that was shed by them , resolved to make use of all arms , and arm our selves with all advantages against them , Whereupon Philarites pulling out a pistol , sent from its barrel two balls , cloathed in deaths livery , and by them opened a salley-port to his soul to fly out of that nasty prison , wherein it had been too long captivated ; his comrads courage fell with him , and deaths horrid face represented in the mirrour of his dying friend , agasted him so , as that he was willing to ransome his life upon his knees with tears , which fear had commissionat to intercede for him ; We who thought that to kill a man before he was prepared to die , was to murder the soul aswell as the body , desired him to throw away his weapon , and he should have quarter : but he not accustomed to hear such a dialect , understood us not , so that we were forced to make a demonstration our interpreter ; he no sooner understood our mind than he disarmed himself of his weapon , throwing his body open to our mercy ; we advanced , but scarce could perceive in him the reliques of humanity , which was all mudded over with the rubbish of desuetude and cruelty , and his tongue exprest it self as if it had but freshly come to the school of the world ; whereupon Philarites concluded , that seing he and his companion could understand one another , that the bruits did use possibly an ideom peculiar to themselves , aswell as these , whose expression claimed affinity to that used by them ; or , if they had no language , they behoved to read each others sentiments in the characters of thoughts , like the intuitive knowledge of Angels . We untyed the naked couple , who took their life as a donative from our hands , upon whom fear had made such an impressa , as they could not believe but death had them stil in its claws . We desiring to pull up that poysonous herb by the root , fearing lest it might thereafter spread and pullulate afresh , resolved to know where he nested ; he would willingly have quit us , yet in obedience rather to fear than to us , he led us to a cantone of the Wilderness , and shewed us there a hole , whereat he entred ; it seemed to be hells porch , and its very stink ( occasioned by the boyling of mans flesh ) did fortifie it sufficiently against all humane approaches ; he called forth at last his wife , and I must say he was fitly matched : for , her face was a rendevouze of all those deformities , that a petulant fancy could have excogitated , and , except in the case of an Incubus , he might have defied all the world to make him a Cuckold : We learned at last , by a discourse composed of semibrievs and crotchets , that she and her husband had lived there fifty years ( death having forgot that there lived any mortals in such a corner ) and that their son was killed ; We lookt in , and perceived that the hole was all pent up with wood , and that their best chear was mans flesh : So we brought them alongst with us to the next Town , where those two lived whom we had released , and committed them to the publick prison . Thence our inclination ( which was the compass by which we steered ) led us to Lacedemon , which was then the stage whereon Fortune acted all her Tragedies . This Nation had pilgrimaged through all Governments , and seing it could not unload it self of Rules heavy burden , it did , like the Asse , fetch it from shoulder to shoulder , and so , contrarie to its expectation , past from evil to worse , and from worse to worst of all ; We had not marched but two dayes journey in this Lunatick Country , when we encountred a fellow whose eyes sparkled some of that folly which was breasted within him , and by the inorderly Index of his face , we might easily know that the volumn of his thoughts could not but be confused ; his equipage was so mean , that he resembled an old Oak , whose starved leaves had fallen away from the stock which was not able to al●ment them , to which the obdured earth denied the pension of its ordinary aliment ; his motions shewed , that they received no commission from a rational soul , and were like the reelings of a ship , whose rudder the careless Skipper had abandoned : thus did he by his inconsiderableness render himself considerable , and made us notice him , meerly because he was not worth the noticing ; he past by us , without giving us a hat , or paying a reverence ; and glancing over his shoulder , he said , Friends , think ye who shine so upon earth because of your diamonds , to shine in heaven , circled with the rays of divine splendor ? or , dream ye that heaven will suffer your pride to passe unpunished ? Ye are mistaken ( replyed Philarites ) for gorgiousnesse in apparrel betokeneth much humility ; for , we think , that we need such weights as these , to be put with us in the ballance of such capricious fancies as yours , else we might fear to be judged but light ; whereas ye imagine that your innate worth is able to create respect enough for you : and I pray you , seing the gods have not created these diamonds for our aliment , surely they have created them for our ornament : and we see how they have variegated the fields with flowers , and have enammeled these flowers with diverse colours , whereby our pleasure might be baited , aswell as our necessities supplyed ; neither certainly , would they have left man ( who is the most excellent amongst all the creatures ) naked of these ornaments , if they had not given him reason and fancy to be his provisors , and the whole earth to be his magazine : Neither must we confine ornaments to the narrow bounds of necessity , else why tax ye not the gods likewise of superfluity , for having spangled the heavens with so many and so various stars and constellations , seing they might have supplyed their rooms by two or three Suns or Moons ? And Sir , had not these eye-dazling creatures , the Diamonds , concealed by their absence some portion of their makers glory , if they had still been intombed in the earths dark bowels . Well friend ( replied he ) since I cannot convince you , who lies swadled in the cradle of your follie , and understands not these true mysteries , go read Grandours Epitaph in the person of Ephemerus , who was not long since Prince of this Country , and is now hunting near-by , followed only by two servants ; Whereupon he paced away , leaving us puzled in what rank of creatures he was to be placed . He being gone , Philarites marked that of all mad-men , those were most fortunate , whose madness resembled most the humour of the Country where they lived ; as for instance , Seing the Lacedemonians were ordinarily most superstitious , that therfore that madness which was allyed with most superstition ( as in that poor fellow ) was least discernable amongst them , seing the Natives being inured to continual superstition , would not remark its excess so easily , as they would the excess in any other passion : and on the other hand , strangers who perceived such extravangancies , would rather list them amongst the inclinations of the place , than account them real fits of distraction . This discourse was scarce at a period , when we overhyed Ephemerus , whose mean equipage and thin train overpowered our admiration ; and now our voyage seemed to us admirations ladder , in which the higher we mounted , we discovered alwayes the more ; but we concluded that our amazement was now in its Zenith , and could mount no higher ; for , in him , we saw the Mapps of fortune and misfortune both in one Carte , and this Gentleman seemed to be a Skeleton , of whose bones , the State-Ravens of his own faction had pickt all the flesh of honour : We associated our selves to him , to try whether those qualities which are often admired in eminent persons , be real , or if they be occasioned only by the sunshine of power ; and after some discourse we found , that he stood more obliged to his birth , than to his parts ; and that he had been heir to his fathers office , rather than to his endowments ; and that , albeit amongst bruits the young resemble the old , because there is nothing in them , which is not propagated , yet amongst rational creatures it is otherwayes ; because the soul is not kneaded of any corporeal masse ; and Philosophers alleage , that oft-times the wisest fathers , having evaporated either in action or contemplation their finest spirits , beget the simplest children , who seem to be the lees of so fine stuffe . We may see , said Philarites to me thereafter , that albeit in all other visible objects , the higher any body be placed , it appears so much the lesse , yet in State-preferment it is quite contrary ; for all the faculties of a person seem aggrandized by his promotion : and that in the Comedy of the World , the habit of a King or Prince neither improves nor impairs the real habilities of the Actor . This Gentleman talkt of hunting , as if it had been the onely imployment quadrating with true Gentility , and that a Gentleman and a Hunter were but the same thing diversly exprest ; Whereupon I ( willing to tilt a little in discourse with him ) alleaged , that of all exercises , it was the least subservient to our necessities , and that Fencing or Riding might possibly be a buckler at occasions to a mans life , and might fit the users of them to serve their Country ; but that Hunting was useless to its users , and destructive to the Country where it was most used , by trampling of corns , and alienating the inclinations of Gentlemen from their other imployments , and that it was of all recreations the most destructive to the health ; for it obliged men somtimes to ly cold a whole day , waiting for an occasion , and when they had found an occasion necessitated them to move too impetuously and ardently ; and at last the losse of their prey , did ordinarily affect them too anxiously : and subjoyned , that I conjectured that Hunting was at first excogitated by Princes and Statesmen , to avocate factious minds from deeper projects , and to divert them from projecting any thing to the prejudice of the State. Being wearied of his society , from which nothing could be reaped , We retired to the City of Lacedemon : where there were so many and so contrary tides , as that it was dangerous for the strongest vessel to sail safe in it . Amongst many other slaveries , the people complained much of the too frequent change of State-officers ( this Commonwealth being like the Moon , which never appeareth twice with the same face ) wherby the people were charged with miseries : for , those who were newly installed in their Offices , did like the empty Loch-leeches , suck themselves full ; and those who were not in charge , were continually plotting the extirpation of those who did officiate ; neither could they know how to govern before they were removed from the helm of Government . Amongst many other passages which occurred during our residence there , I cannot forget one , which was this ; An old fellow which had outlived his wit , became so witless as to fall enamoured of a young Girl , who lived at our house , and now all his spirits , which age seemed to have beaten from all the other posts of his soul , retired themselves to the citadel of his fancy , and being garrisoned there , gave old age a defiance . In order to his design , he mustered all those old suits , which had been witnesses to his first Nuptials , which now , because of their mustiness , were as grayhaird as himself , and piaffed daily before our windows , possest by this devil of love ; and imagining that he was , not what really he was , but what really he would have been : at last , having leagued with confidence , in a war defensive and offensive against prudence ; he entred the chamber , where the young Gentlewoman was attiring her self , where having , by the help of his staff , made an antick reverence , he complemented her in these words . Lady , all the time that I have spent in the world , hath been spent in remarking that there was never any so beautifull as you are ; and all these wrinckles which ye may perceive in my face , are caused by the heat of my passion ; as we see the fire contracts and furroweth the parchment . And albeit my age and your youth are of a different temper ; yet we see that things of most different , yea , and of contrary qualities , when separate ; yet do , when joyned , piece up the most excellentest compositions : and strings of the most various sounds , echoes the sweetest melody : these hairs , which seem gray , are not dyed of that colour by age , but by an accident ; and my weakness ( which was blazed lately abroad ) was not the effect of my decrepedness , but of sickness , against whom none can plead exemption : If there were any to quarrel your beauty , or to account it but second to anies else , ye should see ( fair Lady ) that there is abundance of bloud barrelled up in these veins ; and that in this heart there is courage enough to hazard it in your quarrel . A young Gentleman ( one of her Suiters ) stepping in , and intending to twit his folly , said , Fair Lady , ye may believe him anent your beauty ; for , whereas others can only adduce two eyes , as witnesses to prove their opinion , he can bring four : for I remarked him yesterday in Church , bestride his nose with spectacles , that by them he might perceive , what his eyes could not . The old Gentleman ( like a lamp which albeit it be almost extinguished , yet when irritated by a breath of wind , will flame something more than ordinary ) breathed nothing but revenge , and would fain have honoured his sword with such an imployment ; but its sheath and it had of so long a time been inseparable companions , that it was very hard to separate them ; and rust had so glued them together , that his old arms could not pull it out . The other taking advantage of his misfortune , cried aloud , Oh he hath kill'd me , he hath kill'd me ! which cry rendevouzed us all in the chamber , where we found the old Gentleman dashing his sword against the walls , because of its disloyalty to its master . This affront did not wean him from the breasts of his amorous folly : and seing age was the occasion of his folly , the older he grew , he behoved necessarily to be the more foolish ; so thinking himself too far advanced in this river of passion , he resolved to swim , though with hazard , rather than to retire , though with ease . The next morning , equipaged like one whom we see presented in Taliduce , by some Antiquary , he presented himself at his Mist●isses chamber door , where being licentiate to enter , he thanked the gods , who had arrested his sword yesterday in its sheath , lest he should have contaminated her chamber with the bloud of so base a fellow ; and continued to perswade her , that it was neither his weaknesse , nor the rustinesse of his sword , which had occasioned the difficulty to unsheath it , only he acknowledged , that after a combate which he had fought not long since , he had forgot to wipe it clean of that bloud , wherewith his adversaries wounds had besmeared it . The Gentlewoman applauded to all , telling him , that his sword looked like a blade which had been Actor of many Tragedies , and that she remembred only to have seen one of that fashion , which her grandfather keeped as an old monument of his family . I heard , Sir , ( continued the Gentlewoman ) that in a combat ye had all these teeth shaken out by a blow , which we perceive ye now want ; and that another blow , whilst ye were rescuing the Royal Standard , left in legacy with you that infirmity , which is perceived in your march . The old man , who dreamed that all these discourses were the relations of these whose friendship he had bought , accorded to all , confirming her fictions by some circumstances ; which busk rendred these fictions yet more ridiculous . Weary at last of his impertinency , she entreated him to hear her read a part of a Romance , which had come to her hands lately ; but she had scarce spent half an hour in that imployment , when sleep closed those eyes , which saw but dimly when they were open , old men being like Watches , which the older they are , run alwayes the faster , and must be often winded-up by sleep ; for , their infirm bodies , and weak vitals , must have more time allowed them to forge spirits , than young bodies require ; and Nature , which hates all transitions from one extream to another , will inure old men , to endure death by dying often . Her other Suiter perceiving he was asleep , came from behind the hangings where he stood , and by a sharp knife cut the ribon wherby his breeches were tied up , and thereafter retired softly ; the old Gentleman awaked , would willingly have perswaded his young Mistris , that it was not sleep , but an extasie wherein he had been , and that it was occasioned by the sweetness of her voice , and vivacity of her deportment in reading . The other hearing that he was awake , came bolting in , as if he would have challenged the old man for his yesterdayes bruskness , whereupon he rising in haste , his breeches fell about his feet , leaving his thighs like two leafless and withered branches , in whose top an Owl nested ; or like an Egyptian Mummy embalmed by Art , which had once been coetanious with the first founders of the Lacedemonian Walls . Megistus's relation was here interrupted , by a confused noise which tumbled-in at the windows ; and Monanthropus looking out , perceived a multitude , whose allarmed-like gestures portended some eminent danger : here , one running did ask his fellow what the uproar meaned ? and yet posted by ; for his curiosity would not wait for an answer : there , another returned laughing , but not telling why : some through fear , others through curiosity hunted for news : Thus they floated up and down the streets , raging and murmuring like waters fallen from some high cataract : At last Kalodulus entring the chamber , told them , that the basis of that commotion , was a combat betwixt two Persian Captains , who being Rivals in love , resolved to terminate their debate by the dye of a combat ; but though they wanted not courage , yet they wanted armour ( as being prisoners ) neither durst they adventure to seek any from their acquaintances in the City , lest they should have brought themselves within the compass of State-jealousie ; at last , revenge and love fornisht them this overture , That they should walk to a Sword-sellers shop , and should look each upon a sword , meerly as if they intended to try them , and that there ( which was a remote corner of the City , and early in the morning ) they should make courage Arbiter betwixt them : which project framed well ; for , before any could mediate betwixt them , the one had lost as much bloud as might have cooled him out of that feaver of love wherein he raged formerly , and there were sufficiently many issues opened in their bodies , at which that unnatural heat might have evaporated . Let us now return to the Court , which is the Chequer wherein the dyce of favour alters still the game ; and where the Courtiers , like so many Moons , wax or wane , accordingly as the Sun of Royal Pleasure darts its rays upon them ; all being paved with ice , whereon none can stand because of its slipperiness , unless they be frosted with fortune , and Court-respect ; here all things seemed to be moulded a new , and Monanthropus was now the house of the Zodiack , wherein the King's fancy dwelt . For Sophander was looked upon as a person whose ambition towred too high , and who intended to enthronize himself in the affections of the subjects : the King eyed him as his Rival , and the best of his actions were construed to be treasonable : Neither was his Majesty mistaken , for Sophander levelled at nothing lower than the Supremacy of Egypt , and he had now devoted himself to be a Partisan of the Persian Monarchy ; and had , as best things when corrupted , become alwayes the worst ( evil being the privation of good , and consequently the more numerous the good qualities were in the good , the more numerous their privations are in the evil ) So Sophander was from the best of friends , degenerated in the worst of enemies , and tasked himself now with the destruction of the Egyptian Nation ; In order to this design , he endeavoured to have Misarites preferred to the conduct of the Egyptian Army , who had combined rather to mislead , than to lead them ; and had undertaken to ruine them without a Persian sword . Prastus encouraged by their undertakings , and by the numbers of his Army , resolved to prosecute the Egyptian War ; and the rather , because the body of his own State did begin to amasse noxious humours , through want of martial exercise , and was become so plethorick , that it behoved to be let bloud of by the hand of some forreign War : his Army is sent to Egypt under the conduct of Sotorus ( who had been lately ransomed ) their landing allarmed the Egyptian Court , whose fears were fed by Sophanders emissaries . The King commanded to rendevouze all the solded Forces , who being but eight thousand strong , were alwayes upon duty , whereby the rebellion of subjects and the invasion of forreigners were easily cohibited ; a lesson which his predecessour had learned from the late Insurrection : He likewise ordered the levying of twelve thousand moe , which being all bodyed together , were subjected to Misarites command . Megistus , Philarites , and the Martial Knight refusing any imployment . All things thus ordered , Philarites resolved to go seek a pasport from the lovely ARETINA , whom he thus accosted . Fair Lady , I am come to beg a licence to employ that heart and bloud , which is really yours , in the service of your Prince , and to skreen your Country from its irreconciliable enemies ; honour invites me to fight for my Prince , but love entreats me not to abandon my dear Princess ; Yet seing loves burning-glasse can inflame at a distance , and seing my soul , where-ever I go , carries alwayes about with it the impressa of ARETINA , and seing I can love in the camp , but cannot be victorious in a chamber , I hope ye will not only pardon my absence , but commissionate me to be absent ; that by my absence I may gather lawrels of peace , and triumphing bays , to crown the head of my dear Princess . If your heart be mine ( replied ARETINA ) and seing ye have gotten mine in exchange , ye must either go heartless , else stay at home and enjoy it ; for I will not render you yours : for , seing I live by it , I cannot live without it ; Neither can the King desire you to hazard a womans heart , whose sex exempts them from danger ; if you be lost , I lose all : And albeit you were absent , the King will be loser but in a part . Wherefore seing my losse may be greater , and my gain cannot equal his ; and seing your interest in me exceeds your interest in him , I hope ye will not rob me of that ye have once bestowed upon me . This discourse was continued by a floud of tears , whereof the least was able to quench the flames of Philarites courage ; her sighes , like great ordnances , made breaches in the walls of his resolutions for her perswasions to enter ; so that like Mahomets tomb , he hovered betwixt the two Loadstones of Love and Courage : Yet at last the danger of the State in general , and of her father in particular ( whose safety moved upon the hinges of their loyalty and courage ) joyned with the reiterated promises of shunning danger , prevailed with her , to permit him to risk yet that one hazard : yet her love combated her resolutions , and will and courage fell at variance ; neither were Philarites honour , nor her own interest , eloquent enough to perswade her to relinquish without reluctancy , her first intention , her eyes protested against what her tongue spoke , and challenged it for transgressing that commission which her heart had given it . The Trumpets sounding a march to the Army , did sound a retreat from these amiable caresses , and necessitated Philarites to close that dialogue , which else he had never closed till death had closed his eyes . Megistus and Agapeta had all this while interchanged amorous glances , but albeit their imployment was the same , the way was most different : for , Megistus studied nothing more than to acquaint Agapeta with his design , and Agapeta studied nothing more than to skreen hers from Megistus , thinking it derogatory to a Princesse to love a Subject : and albeit that Eudoxa ceased not continually to feed the fire of Agapeta's love with the faggots of Megistus praise , yet Agapeta smothered all these flames under the ashes of a prudential silence . Megistus finding himself consumed away by this hectick feaver of a languishing love , resolved rather to die by hazarding a cure , than to languish without it ; and judging this the fittest time to ventilate his passion , resolved to let something of it fall in his discourse to Agapeta : So having gone to her chamber as if he had been to bid her farewell before he initiated his journey , after he had acquit himself of the ordinary ceremonies customarily used in such addresses , and after servants were removed , he spake thus : Madam , since my heart hath been so arrogant as to pretend to your love , I have resolved to expiat its crime in hazarding it against those who hate your Country , that they may wound it , seing it hath wounded it self , and that they may revenge your quarrel against me , whilst I am revenging against them the quarrel of your Country ; every drop of my bloud , supplicates me to be honoured in your service , and forbids me to dispute the lawfulness of the quarrel , seing ye interest your self in it . Madam , albeit I be by birth a King , yet my birth cannot entitle me to your love , whose worth is a Kingdom preferable to the whole Globe , albeit it were all ranged under the subjection of one Scepter : Wherefore , Madam , albeit I be a King , yet in this I accuse my self guilty of treason against the majesty of your worth , and pannels my self willingly at the bar of your pleasure . I know I was guilty even in loving you , yet seing all Egypt is complicated with me in the same crime , I hope , as in other cases so in this , the number of the delinquents will procure a pardon for the crime . Yet , Madam , I am singularly guilty , in having avowed before you my own guilt ; which as none but I could be so arrogant as to commit , so none but ye can be so clement as to pardon . Agapeta hearing that he was a Prince , but not noticeing it , as if she heard it not , resolved not to glut her self with those grapes of love , untill the sunshine of time had ripened them more maturely ; yet , lest she should starve altogether his passion , she returned him this Answer . Sir , it is certainly the feaver of courage wherein ye now burn , which occasioneth that discomposure of spirit which ye now bewray ▪ for else Megistus , who is loved by all , would never be so mad as to love Agapeta , who is loved by none ; But , Sir , ye may know , that I am one of the Jewels of my fathers Crown , and none can dispose of me , but they who can dispose of it ; so that I hope ye will not suffer your self to be so much mistaken , as to shoot at that mark : But really there is another inconvenience in being Megistus's Mistris , seing she who is such will make her self the rival of all those Ladies , who have but once conversed with you , who doubtlesse place their happiness in the fruition of your favour ; but , Sir , seing ye plead guilty , and will make me your Judge , I shall , as in all other crimes , so in this , make the crime the punishment : Wherefore , seing love is your gu●lt , let love be your torture . As men should shun , replyed Megistus , to look on you , because of your beauty , so they should shun to converse with you , because of your eloquence : every thing which is either seen in you , or spoken by you , being a snare to entrap unworthy mortals ; who must , in spight of prudence , like flyes , flee about the candle which burns them . But , Madam , my love is no infant passion ; for , it bears as old a date as since my arrival at Court : and albeit the persisting so long in my guilt , be an aggravation of it ( every thought being a new crime , and every moment forging a new thought ) yet seing I have avowed my passion , I cannot but avow its birth . Madam , since ye have sentenced me guilty , I beg fetters , which are the badge of guiltiness . Agapeta knowing what he aimed at , gave him a bracelet of her hair , which she desired him to take , not as an approbation of his love to her , but as a reward of his loyalty to her father . Megistus glad to receive it upon any terms , kissing her hand , went away , telling her , that he gloried more in that badge of her favour , than he would do in all the trophies which could be raised for him upon the ruines of the Persian Monarchy . The Army was marched , and had left Megistus , Philarites and the Martial Knight , behind , busied in saluting their numerous friends ; their visits accomplisht , they posted after the marched Troops , and in their way the Martial Knight , in pursuit of a discourse anent the antipathy betwixt the Egyptian and Persian Nations , fell a chiding Astrologues , because they attributed it to the variety of celestiall signs : these mad fellows ( said he ) will needs have all the Watches of National inclinations set by the Sun-dyall of the heavenly Aspects , as if the Needle of free-will were obliged to follow the touch of that Adamant ; and as if the face of the firmament were like those optick chambers , on whose chamber walls one may perceive what is acted in the streets , to which their backs are turned for the time ; but seing the humours of Nations varies , the heavenly Aspects still continuing the same ; and seing those influences are corporeal , and so cannot affect the will which is meerly spiritual , I admire how men can fancy any influence , where there is no passibility : But why are the neighbouring Countries alwayes most tainted with this natural aversion , more than the remote parts of the Nations ? Is it because the heavens are divided in shires as the earth is ? surely all these are dreams of capricious fancies ; and it is to small purpose that men should vex themselves by enquiring for a reason of that in the heavens , whereof the reason may with small scrutiny be found upon the earth : for we know that bordering Kingdoms do alwayes war one against another ; and these Wars are fathers and mothers to that Antipathy ; And who would not hate these who are their successors , who have massacred their antcestors ? and for this reason is it , that in these antipathizing Nations , the frontier Countries hate most one another , seing the occasions of fresh quarrels makes them oft purple their fingers in one anothers bloud . And upon the contrary , the remoter Nations , are ordinarily linked in Confederacies ; for these Nations that border on the remote frontire of the Nation hated , do in odium of the interjacent Nation , league with those who border upon the other frontier , So that , that friendship is cemented with the common hatred of both the averse Nations ; and here mysterie of State is the heavenly Aspect which causeth this contrariety . This discourse being ended before the journey , they resolved that each of them should maintain a Paradox , which , being as weights added to the paices of times clock , might make it run more swiftly ; Philarites being by lot destinat for the precedency , undertook thus the defence of Vanity . Gentlemen , before I begin to wade through this discourse , I must rid marches betwixt Pride and Vanity ; and I call Vanity , an high estimation set by man upon his own actions , and a confidence he hath of being able to perpetrate undertakings above the ordinary reach of humane power ; and Pride , that whereby one undervalueth all that is done by others , quarreling it , meerly because it was not done by himself ; and not only esteeming highly of himself absolutely ( as is done in Vanity ) but also over-rating himself , when compared with others . I affirm then , that Vanity is the wheels , whereby honour , courage and triumph moves : for , if Vanity suggested not to man the enterprise of something extraordinary , and if these suggestions were not welcomed by generous spirits , the greatest part of new inventions had been stifled in the cradle of their first conception ; Commerce had never been entertained through want of shipping ; and new discoveries , both of unknown Countries , and usefull Engins had never been atchieved ; and certainly , men should never rise above their own level , if they circled their undertakings within the narrow compasse of their own experience : and seing , in setting a high price upon my own worth , I magnifie the workmanship of the immortal gods , and believes undoubtedly that I am more obliged to them , than really I am ; I think my self , as to them , no more culpable , than he who acknowledgeth himself my debtor in a greater sum than truly he is , should be blamed by me : And further , seing mans misery , if sufficiently known , were sufficient to ingu●fe him in the depths of melancholy , and to ingrain it more deeply of a black colour ; Certainly Vanity is of excellent use , seing it confects sweetly those bitter aigrets , and skinneth over those deep wounds , which are inflicted by the hand of our natural misery . The Martial Knight maintained , That Prodigality was no wayes to be punished by the Commonwealth ; and that Prodigals in reason , ought not to be interdicted , if they sowed not their monies in the furrows of forreign Nations , in which case only the Commonwealth was prejudged ; but that if they spent it within the territories of the Commonwealth , they could not be challenged ; seing they were masters of their own , and seing the Common-wealth was not endammaged , but rather advantaged ; seing their money came in the hands of frugal men ( for such are ordinarily those who fleece these sheep ) who might improve it more to the publick utility ; and if persons of vast estates deborded not in such extravagancies , they would in fine coffer up all the monies of the Kingdom , so that poor Artists , and others , should be totally impoverished ; ( for the superfluities of the rich , are the granaries of the poor ) and these who were once rich , might presume , knowing that they would not be licentiated to dilapidate ; and poor ( though ingenuous , and ingenious persons ) might despair , if they had not such crumbs as these to feed on : but by Prodigality , treasure runs like the Sea , to the water-sources of poor Artists , and from them , by the frugality of others , returns back again to the ocean of Noblemens treasuries ; by which circulatory motions , the fabrick of the Universe is maintained in the one , and the fabrick of the State is entertained by the other . Megistus maintained , That there was no Adultery in the case where the husband allowed his wifes imbracements ; and that it was only the husbands dissent , which made the wifes consent be reputed Adultery : for , said he , all the precepts which concern man , may be dispensed with , by man ; for , seing the great Legislator hath only made these Laws which terminate themselves in mans advantage , to be bulworks to him against the malice of others , it appears that where there is no wrong done to him , the Law introduced in his favours ceaseth ; and as , if there had never been fear of wrong , surely the Law which punisheth that wrong had never been statuted ; even so in the case where the party that only can be offended , remits the offence , there the Law ceaseth , because its occasion faileth : And albeit in crimes once committed , the Law-giver may pursue , albeit the party offended desist ; yet that is where the crime was once committed , and where the committer hazarded upon the fact , before he had the parties offended consent ; and so , as he contemned the Law-giver , as much as he offended a private subject ; the Law-giver may insist , albeit the subject desist . And , as in the case of theft , the Magistrate may punish the stealer , albeit none concur with him ; yet before the theft is committed , if the person whose goods are taken , consent , there can be no theft ; even so , if the husband before the Adultery allow his wifes familiarity , he cannot be said to be wronged : neither can ye obtrude here , that the wife hath chained her self to her husband by an oath , which adamantine chain , the weak hands of a husbands consent can never break ; this , I say , cannot be obtruded here : for , seing this is an oath only , and no vow , the immortal gods are not parties , but witnesses in it , ( for a vow is only where the thing promised is made meerly or mostly for their honour , which cannot be said here ) and so the person in whose favours it is made , may favour the maker so far , as to dispense with it . Nay , but ( replyed Megistus ) both the Gods and the Common-wealth , are interested in what is enjoyned by that Law ( which seems to be one of those Laws which was made in Natures first Parliament ) and are as much parties as is the husband ; for , if husbands had the keys of that Law put into their hands , they would open a door by them to all wickedness , and would feed the greedy appetite of that monster , Lust ; and the souls of creatures , and hearts of subjects , would be so stuffed with this base passion , that no room should be left either for vertue , or gallantry ; and the gardens of mens souls should be so overgrown with this spreading hemlock of corruption , that no ground should be found to sow in , either the roses of piety , or lillies of generosity : and albeit ye combat stoutly with the weapon of the husbands consent , yet ye shall never be able by it , to wound one who is covered with the armour of reason ; for that husband who would by the hand of his own folly raze down the ramparts of his own honour , and by the mire of his madness pollute the wel-spring of his private satisfaction , might justly be reputed mad and demented , and his consent might be accounted as ineffectual , as it is unreasonable , and so to operate no more here , than the consent of mad-men doth in Law elsewhere . They were arrived by this time , at the place where the Army had encamped for that night , and were welcomed by the applaudatory acclamations of the Souldiery , each one esteeming them the coals by which the green wood , for their unexpert courages , behoved to be kindled ; and their enemies themselves ( who were rather rivals of their success than enemies to their vertues ) acknowledged them both the patterns and patrons of true gallantry . After they had tendred their respects to the General , they retired to their own Tents ( which their servants had already stretcht out for them ) and thereafter Megistus exercised a Company of foot in the face of a Regiment , teaching them by what he did , what they should do , and disciplinating those who dreamed formerly , that War was only a flash of artless courage , and that all its precepts might be summed up in that one , of not running away . Misarites much dissatisfied , that applause should have so hugd these Knights in its arms , and that all should be so much beadsmen for their success , sent a Gentleman to acquaint them ( as if in a friendly way ) that the Officers of the Army frowned exceedingly to see their own eggs hatcht by others . Megistus could easily have unridled a greater mysterie than this , and conjectured instantly that emulation was the sender of that Ambassage ; whereupon they retired to their Tents , but so prudently , as that none could perceive their design in retiring . Where the Martial Knight ( to dissipat these clouds of passion which were already conglomerating in the firmament of Megistus face ) undertook this subsequent relation for their divertisment . I lodged , said he , with a Merchant in Alexandria , whose wife thought her self the widow of a living man ; and so setled her fancy upon a pretty youth , her apprentice , upon whom she conferred those respects which she denied her husband ; to whom , albeit she could not in reason , yet she did in fancy , marry her self ; and with whom she spent those amorous hours which she could steal either from her husbands assiduous company , or the youths numerous imployments ; but when the husband was abroad in the Country , then they reaped the harvest of these pleasures , which they gleaned only at other occasions , and feasted upon those amorous delicacies , which they could only use as desert at other times : But that I may abridge my story , it hapned one day that the husband was by his imployments called to the Country , telling his wife that he would not return of a fortnight ; so that they had the reins of their pleasure laid upon their own necks , and thought an occasion to sin was enough to authorize them in sin ; but whilst they are in bed together at twelve a clock of the night , the husband wearied with his journey , and disappointed of his projects , returns home , and knocks at the door ; the wife conjures her Gallant not to budge , whilst she was opening the door to her husband , which he condescended to , rather to satisfie her , than his own reason : the door was opened , and the kind wife caresses most affectionatly her wearied husband , telling him that it was pity the husband should toil so , in amassing means and money for their wives , who sucked the honey , albeit they brought not home the wax ; but said she , Sweet-hart , providence hath led you home this night , that ye might be a target to the innocency of your importuned wife , whose honour your apprentice hath oft and most passionately assaulted ; so that in him ye keep a fox at home to devour your own hens , and this night at one a clock ( which is not now far off ) I trysted him in my chamber , resolving to intrap him ; but seing ye can manage that imployment with better success , I entreat you go to my closet , and put on my cloathes , and meet him at the door in that way which he deserves : The honest husband smiling at the conceit , undertook the conduct of that business ; and retiring himself to her closet , opened a door to the Gallant to escape , who having shifted himself in his cloaths upon the top of the stairs , returned to act what the wife had promised in his name ; and he grating the chamber door , was answered by the husband ; the door was no sooner opened , than our Gallant buffets the poor husband most sadly , calling him disloyall base whore , and unworthy to be wife to such a civil Gentleman , as was his master ; and that it was not to satisfie his lust , but to experiment her integrity , that he had thus courted her to a parley . The master surfeited with blows , and satisfied both with his wife and servants candour , desired him to leave off to strike him , or revile his wife ; but the other continued his rage , till , as he alleaged , the wifes cryes deciphered to him his mistake ; and then imbracing his master , did , after a full information , beg pardon upon his knees for his errour : which both of them promised not only to pardon , but also to reward . Megistus and Philarites had that morning , been comparing the rise of their several affections to their Mistrisses , and each disputed the precedence to his own ; Philarites seemed to have fallen into a burning feaver , and Megistus love had crept upon him like a hectick : wherefore they resolved to submit in this to the Martial Knight , who commanded Megistus first to plead his cause , which he obeyed thus . Sir , Nature , which is equal and proportional in all its periods , seems to ominate a speedy death to that which hath a speedy birth ; and it is probable , that that heart of straw which flameth soon , will not flame long ; and those creatures whose nativity is ruled by the Almanack of a night , or hour , may expect to meet with their climaterick the next day : whereas that passion which resembleth the Elephant in its slow●paced conception , may probably resemble it likewise in its admired bulk , after that it is once conceived : and that love which like the Hart , lodgeth so long in the belly of its dam , may like the Hart prove long-liv'd after its arrival to the world : and those impressions which are made upon the ashes of a soon-inflamed soul , may be easily obliterated ; whereas the obdured marble of a resisting spirit , will hardly suffer ever its impressions to be effaced ; and seing love should stand upon the basis of reason , the broader that basis is , the longer love will stand ; and that soul which resisteth longest by reason , will persist longest by constancy . Philarites contended thus : Sir , the purest air is alwayes soonest inflamed , and enlightened by the rayes darted from the Sun , and those are but foggie and misty vapours which resist its illuminations ; it betokeneth a body wet with the dull phlegm of stupidity , not to be presently heated by a vast fire : and those spirits are not powder fitted for the war of generosity , which cannot kindle at the first touch : great beauties are like the Sun , which spreads its beams all in one instant ; and that is the best eye which discovereth immediatly all the excellencies which are discoverable in the objects . Both parties having closed their plea , the Martial Knight adjudged victory to both : for ( said he ) Cupid confines not himself to one way of gaming , and all his shafts may be equally good , albeit they wound not equally soon ; and the bodies may be equally resistant , albeit the darts pierce not equally deep : for , the difference may , and doth oft proceed from their being better or worse armed , either by indifferency , or inanimadvertency ; and albeit the Sun be the same still , yet its heat is not still communicated after the same manner , because of the nearness or other position of the body , which should concentrate its beams . The Army next morning marched , each expecting that week , once to cope with the Persian Forces , who besieged the Citadel of Iris , and were like to conquer it , because of the paucity of the defendants : Misarites hoping to blunder Megistus with unsuccessfulness , or else willing the Persian ( whom he now adored ) should possess himself of that strength , commissionated him to march thither with two thousand foot , to try if he could by any means rescue that place , whilst he , and the remanent Forces expected there the advancing Troups from the remoter parts of the Kingdom . Megistus , accompanied with Philarites and the Martial Knight , obeyed his Order ; seeming to rate as a complement , what they knew was an injury ; and albeit he commanded them to make brick without straw , yet they shewed as great alacrity as if he had furnished them with means proportionate to such an end . The next morning , they commenced their march , and having at night fortified themselves in a neighbouring marish , they plotted thus to succour the City . The Martial Knight was to choose an hundred stout fellows , who were to carry burdens of provenant to the Persian Army , they were to drop in to the Camp by two and three , as if they were coming to provision the Army , but were enjoyned to value all things so highly , as that there should be but little sold til their number were compleat ; and that thereafter , those who were within should sally out upon that corner where they were lodged , with whom they should instantly joyn , and march in to the Citadel , whilst the others were disputing the event with courage : This undertaking framed prosperously , and the Citadel flanked with fresh Souldiers , and encouraged by the conduct of the Martial Knight , was now impregnable . The noble Knights fearing that the malice and skill of their adversaries at Court might somewhat ( if not altogether ) misreport their ingenuous procedures in that expedition , ( malicious spirits being like corrupt stomacks , which can corrupt the best of viands ) resolved to narrate the whole tract of what was done in a Letter to his Majesty , whereof the tenour ran thus . SIR , JVstice hath unsheathed her sword in your Majesties quarrel , and in all probability resolves to defend you once , who hath so often defended her : The prudence of your General commanded the attempt , and the obsequiousnesse of your Majesties servants under subscribing ▪ atchieved it ; seconded rather by the benignesse of your fortune , than either by our own courage , or multitude of our followers . The rescue of the Citadel of Iris , hath undertaken the prologue in the tragedy of the Persian misfortunes , and we hope shall like an usher , hold aside the tapestry , till the succeeding rable of their misfortunes enter in at the same door . This smiling skie , promises a bright sunshine at noon : and we hope your Majesty shall one day pull with satisfaction the fair fruits of victory , after these blossoms of successe are ripened , by the heat of your Armies courage ; who will , we hope , allye their great valour , to your good fortune : which is both the expectation and wish of your Majesties most loyal subjects , MEGISTUS , PHILARITES . Megistus addressed another Letter to the divine Agapeta , wherein he discoursed thus . MADAM , MY reason ( befooled with credulity ) perswaded me whilst I lived at Court , that lapse of time , and distance of place , might have effaced some of those impressions , which the diamond of passion had engraven upon she long resisting cristal of my love-fearing spirit : but I find now that I have been abused in this , by my credulity ; for I perceive that the wound is not cured by distancing it from the sword which made it ; and that love resembles an impetuous river , which swelleth the more the farther it runneth from its source ; and that albeit the weakest wit might wade through it near its fountain , yet the strongest reason is not able to ford it , when it hath run farther off . Madam , every beautiful face which I see , hath some trait in it , which proves a remembrancer to me of those incomparable lines which the Pencil of Nature hath drawn in yours ; but they are but dull copies of such an original , and can represent it in nothing else , besides in making me infortunate , in beholding that , which I can only behold and not enjoy . I lye here , tortured by the sharp ague of passion ; sometimes scorched with the flames of love , and at other times frozen by the cold chilnesse of despair ; and as in all poysonings , so in this , I must seek the antidote from the same body , whence came the poyson . Fair Lady , live happy , and dart forth one ray of your happinesse , to enlighten the darkned soul of melancholie MEGISTUS . Philarites vented his passion to his dear AR●TINA in another Letter thus . Incomparable Lady , IF this paper had not been dampt in the floods of my tears , the flames of my zeal had burnt it to ashes ; neither can I but envie its happinesse in kissing your fair hands , a happinesse sufficient to border and limit the most unsatiable of mortals : and so being its rival , I would certainly destroy it , if it did not promise to acquaint you with the ardour of my respects to you . Oh that there should be greater distance betwixt this and Alexandria in ground , than there is in the Mappe , that so I might see that Sun , with whose shadow I must now rest satisfied ; and that I might adore that Deity , by which I intend to be saved . Madam , I have sacrificed all the flesh of my parched body upon the altar of love , and were it not that my soul thought that it could be serviceable to you in its present dwelling , it would leave that ruinous fabrick wherein it now remains . Madam , be not so unmindfull of him , whose both happinesse and torture it is , that he is too mindfull of you ; and bestow one thought upon him , who bestowes so many upon you ; and who cannot , nor will not be happie , except in being esteemed , fair Lady , Your humble Servant , PHILARITES . Whilst Philarites was dispatching this Envoy , a young Gentleman desired access to Megistus , which being granted him , he did with a chearfull countenance deliver his mind thus . Noble Sir , ALbeit the desperatnes of my design , might make you eye me , as either distracted or malecontent , and like one , who being in fear to drown in the gulf of despair , is content to hang by the smallest twig of comfort that he is able to grasp to ; yet the publick advancement of my Nations interest , makes me over-look all such difficulties , and willing to exchange my own losse with their gain : for , I think it most reasonable , that one member should rather be cut off , than that the whole body should be endangered ; and especially such a member as is already in apparent danger of being lost : wherfore , Sir , seing the Enemy is to passe this night alongst a wooden Bridge over the Nile , hoping to attaque unexpectedly your Camp , I entreat ye may suffer me to inclose my self in an Arch of it , with some barrels of Powder , that when such a number of them as your Army is able to encounter , hath past alongst it , I may blow up the Bridge , and so stop both the passage of those who are not already past , and the return of those who are gone over . Sir , lest my intruding my self in this danger , and the horrour of the danger it self , should make you think it is rather treachery than affection which hounds me out to this enterprize , ye shall be pleased to know , that these ravenous Physicians , who have these two years preyed upon my fat purse , and practised all their cheats upon my wasted body , have at last told me , that my cancer shall at last irrecoverably period my dayes : Wherefore , Sir , finding that I could not by Art prolong my dayes , I resolved to do it by fame ; and to sweeten the harshness of death by the generous manner of it , that so my parents might have the breath of my praises to dry up the tears of their compassion ; and that by destroying one subject to my Prince , I might preserve him two thousand ; having thus satisfied my reason , I resolved to satisfie my Conscience , which is that great Controller of all our actions ; whereupon I addressed me to a Priest , my intimate acquaintance , who perswaded me , that it was as lawfull for the Civil Magistrate ( whose command he desired me to ask ) to dispose of me for the publick utility , as it was lawfull for a private person to ransom his life by the losse of a member , and that such a generous resolution was a key able to open the gates of Paradise : and if it was lawful for a man to hazard his life in battel , where he could kill but two or three ; how much more lawful was it to buy the safety of many friends , and the destruction of so many enemies , with so worthlesse a farthing as my single life was ? Megistus having deliberated with Philarites the expediency of this Overture , resolved to accept the offer : whereupon , having both thanked and encouraged the young man , having heard that the Enemy was to passe alongst the Bridge the next day , he went under silence of night to the Bridge , and opening an Arch thereof , he inclosed in it the Gentleman , together with some barrels of Powder , and some Match ; and guarded the Bridge with some Souldiers , lest any should carry intelligence to the Enemy of their intention : The next morning , the Enemy ( according to expectation ) appeared in view , which made the two Knights make a shew as if they would fight ( for they were now four thousand strong ) and having , after some resistance , abandoned the Bridge , they suffered the Persians to passe alongst it , three thousand of them being on this side already , Megistus caused shoot some Peeces of great Ordnance ( which was the signal condescended upon betwixt the Gentleman and him ) and which was instantly obeyed ; for , he having fired , the Powder did , to the terrour of the spectators , and ruine of the passers , blow up both himself , them , and the Bridge , and sent them all to heaven in a fiery chariot , their bodies convoying their souls half way , and would have entered the upper spheares with them , if heaven had not shewed its unwillingnesse to lodge such contaminated guests , as bloudy carcasses were : those who had passed over , finding themselves destitute of the assistance of their friends ( who were able to contribute nothing now but their prayers and wishes ) resolved to imbrace an honourable death , since they could not procure to themselves a long life , and to shew , that rather fate , than fearfulnesse , had occasioned their overthrow ; yet courage had its eyes so dazled with the unexpectednesse of their former disaster , that it could not see what was fittest to be done in that juncture of affairs ; and they beheld their enemies through the multiplying-glasse of fear , and as those for whom Providence had displayed a Banner . The Knights assaulted them whilst thus perplext , and put in disorder the ill-marshalled right wing ; and as ordinarily those who draw one link of fortunes chain , will make all the rest follow it ; So this partial victory was seconded by a total , and the Persians were forced rather to imploy their tongues in demanding pardon , than their swords in seeking victory , leaving the two Knights both the victory and the field , as the recompence of their gallantry : These news wrought as different effect at Court , as the Sun doth upon the earth , when it causeth the roses smell sweetly , and the marishes stink insufferably , producing effects according to the dispositions of the bodies wrought upon : Thus all the truly generous spirits at Court shared with these noble Gentlemen in their good fortunes : ( virtuous men honouring true Generosity , as that whereby they either have already been , or hopes to be honoured ) but Sophander and his faction , made the sunshine of their glory , appear as dapled with some obscure spots , and alleaged , that it was intolerable arrogance in them , who were but strangers , to place the Martial Knight in the Citadel of Iris , which being a frontier Town , could not be disposed of but to a native ; and that it was the custom of Egypt not to bestow frontier strengths , either as appanages upon the children of their Prince , nor as governments for the use of strangers : as also , they challenged them for fighting the Persians , albeit with advantage , yet without order , Misarites having only commissionated them to rescue Iris , and no more ; and if private persons should follow rather the dictates of their own reason , than the commands of their Superiours , Government were unnecessary , and ruine behoved certainly to attend such disorder : and albeit fortune should make such undertakers victorious , yet it could not justifie their undertakings ; neither could the dammage which might ensu● upon such exemplary contempt , be compensated by the advantage which might accrue from an accidental victory . Amongst all their friends at Court , none were so much satisfied , nor esteemed themselves so much interessed in these victories , as Agapeta and ARETINA , who kindled bonfires of joy in their breasts , to congratulate their great success ; and albeit they could not then in modesty nor prudence cry up these noble exploits themselves , yet they respected all those who did it . Sophander , who had at the council table of his own thoughts , declared himself an enemy to the Royal Faction , concluded now , that the only way to ruine the King , was to ruine these noble Gentlemen ; knowing that those who would fell a great Oak and pluck it up by the roots , behoved first to cut the earth about it : to effectuate which , he bribed a Mesopotamian at Court , to confess the pedigree of his Prince Megistus , and at last to declare to the King , that he had carried Letters from him to Agapeta : and now confident of this fellows perseverance in his roguish business , he addressed himself to the King the next morning thus . Sir , if my being entrusted by you , the confidence I have in you , and the experience I have of you , did not imbolden me to unfold to your Majestie such mysteries of State , as is that which I am presently to discourse of , I would not dare to dip in affairs of so great importance ; and seing Princes have not the leisure to pry into all particulars , nor informers either the opportunity or confidence to give them immediate information of what toucheth them , I think it is prudence in Princes to imploy Ministers of State to learn , and duty in Ministers of State to acquaint Princes with what they have learned ; and since all Subjects are tied by their condition , to detect what may wrong the State , or endanger the person of their Prince , what a strict obligation is laid upon Minions to disclose to their Masters , what may ruine them and their Subjects ? and albeit there be great danger in being misconstrued by their Prince , yet expediency should not be disputed in those actions which are commanded by duty . Sir , this Gentleman , named Megistus , is of a birth rather answerable to the extraordinariness of his qualities , than suitable to the meanness of his equipage ; his deportment tels , that he is a Prince , and my author confirms me in it : for , I am informed by a Mesapotamian ( whom I have brought alongst with me ) that he is Son to the King of Ethiopia , and is come to your Court to court your daughter . Sir , this may seem improbable : yet if we ponder the hazard he runs in travelling abroad , and the desire parents have to keep their children under their eye ( especially when he is their successour and the expectation of a whole Nation ) your Majesty may think that is not altogether impossible ; but Sir , if ye consider the pains he is at in your service , and the perils he layeth himself open to in a forreign Nation , ye may eye it as probable . And if yet further , ye examine the correspondence he keeps with your Daughter ( which this fellow will assure you ) ye may justly conclude it certain . Where the danger is great , the proofs needs not be most clear ( neither can we expect plenary probation in those plots which are hatched so covertly ) and the fear of a disease is enough to command its prevention : Neither can there be greater danger anywhere , than here ; for , Megistus being by birth , a Prince ; in stature , handsom ; and by fortune , successfull ; it may be feared that your Daughter will prefer his bed to that of a subject , upon whom she fears ye will bestow her : And if once he master her affection , ( which is easie where he is so accomplished , and hath so few competitors ) she will die , if she marry him not ; or your Crown will be carried to a stranger , if she marry him : Neither lies all the danger there ; for it is to be feared , that if he married once your Daughter , either your Majesty behoved to nominate her your successour , and then possibly they will rather hasten than expect your death ; or else , if ye do it not , he may secure himself in your Kingdom , by the assistance of your mercenary or discontented Subjects , into which two files , all the Commons , and many of the Nobility may be ranked . Sir , I know he is your Favourite , and so I may be misconstrued as being thought to to fear that he is my rival ; but , Sir , I know that a Prince will not stay long here to inherit your Majesties favour , and so to slight his own Royal Inheritance at home ; Sir , it is rather my affection to you , than my dislike of him , that animates me thus to inform you : wherefore , I hope your Majesty will endeavor a cure , since you know the disease , and will not suffer repentance to be your first informer . This discourse some what allarmed the King , yet considering how oft Sophander had betrayed his belief by such like State-cheats ; he resolved to suspend his judgment , till the matter were fully determined by Mo●anthropus's advice , and knowing that Sophandor and he were of different humours and contrary judgments , he knew that such contrary ingredients might make up the dose of a most solid advice ; and that his own judgment , which Sophanders discourse had crooked a little to his side , might be streightened by Monanth●opus's drawing it somewhat to the other ; and resolved by this means to keep the scales of Court equal , by placing them each on a side ; Wherefore sending for Monanthropus , he laid out the whole matter before him , who returned him this Answer . Sir , albeit it was my interest , yet it was never my humour to detract from any of your Majesties servants ; for , by ranting against their insufficiency , I behoved to challenge your simplicity in making choice of them . But , Sir , I may the more freely give your Majesty my advice now , that I never gave you it till it was desired ; and I think , that as in witnesses , so in advisers , those who intrude themselves , are to be suspected ; and the rather , because the person delated is of so unspotted a repute , that his very deportment is able to answer all the cavils that his enemies can object against him ; and , Sir , since that accusation is only seconded by a presumption , his generous humour and singular successe ( the one whereof testifies his affection to vertue , and the other whereof testifieth the gods affection to him ) is able to fortifie him against ten thousand such weak assaults ; and the general presumption of all mens being presumed good ( the only hinge of all credit amongst men ) added to the particular presumption of his repute , is too strong a defence , especially for a defender whom justice owneth always of her client in all actions , and secondeth in all combats ; and we have a proverb , called Suffragium Minervae , whereby we signifie , that if any be accused and the votes of the Judges be equal , the Defendant is absolved , because that goddess voteth likewise the absolution of the party accused : And seing he proveth him a Prince , meerly by his deportment , I may by the same argument conclude , that he will do nothing unworthy of a Prince : but admit he were a Prince , we cannot conclude thence , that he resides here upon that design ; for , else he had never abandoned the Court , where he might enjoy the frequentation of that beautifull Princess : Sir , it is most unprobable that he could dream of joyning two Crowns which lye at so great a distance , as lye the Crowns of Egypt and Ethiopia ; certainly he knows that by force he could never subject Egypt to him , and without force Egypt would never suffer it self to be adjected to Ethiopia ; by which course they would forfeit their Princes presence , and be in fine possibly reduced to a Province ; Wherefore , Sir , condemn not a Prince upon so frivolous grounds , but rather re-examine your authour , to see what more truth ye are able to milk from him . This motion pleased the King exceedingly , and sending for the Mesapotamian , he threatened him to professe whether what he had spoken to Sophander , was truth or not , or was voluntarily informed or not ; telling him withall , that he would cause presently streatch him upon the rack , because he had heard that Sophander had bought that Confession from him . The poor fellow fearing that all was deciphered , and begging the King's privacy , he confessed ingenuously the progress of the whole matter , and that he never heard any inclination which his Prince had for Agapeta ; neither delivered he her any Letters from him ; but that that lesson was dited to him from Sophander's own mouth : but contrariwise , he knew , that it was concluded by Megistus's father , that he should marry a neighbouring Princess , whose estate was adjacent to Ethiopia , and did secure it as a frontier , albeit it was but of small revenue , and she of mean parentage ; and he heard at Court , that his father answered those who upbraided him for bestowing his son and gaining no Allies by him , That marriage could never solder up the cracks which were in Princes friendship , and that Princes might be friends , but their Crowns were alwayes enemies . The King satisfied with this Confession , dismissed him after he had rewarded him , and enjoyned to him that he should never reveal to Sophander what he had acknowledged to him . Monanthropus , after he was gone , resumed his discourse , thus ; Sir , those who intend to perswade too eagerly , are not unlike those , who fearing to shoot short of the●r mark , shoot often over it . I am confident , if Sophander had not been distracted by envie against Megistus , he would never have endeavoured to perswade your Majesty , that a business of so great moment could have come to the ears of such a fellow as this ; but , Sir , since his pretended reason , which was alleaged to be zeal to your service , is now found not to be the cause of his information , your Majesty may perswade your self that there is some poysonous hook lurking under that pleasant bait ; and ye may justly turn the edge of your jealousie , which he hath desired you to unsheath against Megistus , against himself ; and since Sophander is a stranger by birth , and by inclination most avaricious , ye have reason to fear his projects , and eye narrowly the comportment of his creatures , by whose motion ye may come to know the nature of that machine which moves them . The King thanked Monanthropus for his advice , and entreated he would tell him how he behoved to carry himself in a business so ticklish . Your Majesty ( replyed Monanthropus ) must seem to believe Sophander , and may to him promise , to narrow your affection , and abridge your respects to Megistus , whereby ye may the more covertly discover by his advices to you , what his scope is in this his passion . After Monanthropus had thus enstated Megistus in the Kings affection , he acquainted Megistus with what had passed by this Letter . SIR , SInce unkindness is a vice , I will not requite it ; and albeit I regrate that ye should conclude me unworthy of half a sheet of paper , yet I shall rather think my self so unworthy , before I think you mistaken . Your great successe hath made all men your admirers , and some your enemies ; fearing lest your noble hands should unwreath that yoke of slaverie which they have so laboriously tied upon this poor Nation . Sir , admire not that Pirats follow alwayes the richest Vessels ; for , as vertue , which reigneth in you , imployeth you as her subject , to maintain her honour ; so vice , which reigns in them , entreats them to deface yours . Sophander hath informed the King , that ye are Prince of Ethiopia , and intended to court his Daughter , and enjoy his Crown ; but I have counter-informed , and his Majestie is now fully assured of your innocencie , and resolveth to rely mainly upon your conduct and courage ; So , if ye intend to gain his Daughter , lose not himself ; and manage your passion with more indifferencie than lovers ordinarilie do : consider that Kings have long ears , and many parasits to fill them with detracting clamours ▪ Sir , leave not off to be a Prince , when ye begin to be a Lover ; but since ye are a Prince who loves , love rationally like a Prince ; and let those whom ye are born to rule , see that ye can rule your self : I know love scorns to live under the tutory of reason , thinking it too severe a master , and knowing that if it had reason for its associate , all its victory would be attributed to reason ; whereas now it shews , that it can both war and triumph , not only without reasons assistance , but even against and over reason : Yet , Sir , seing the danger is great here , a Ladies Honour and Crown being at stake , I hope your prudence will deal warilie , where your unwarinesse may be so prejudicial to her and you both : all the Nobles of this Nation will band against you , and will think this Crown too large for any strangers head ; and that the Throne of Egypt is too easie a seat for any besides themselves : And ye will learn by the change of affection in those who pretend now to be your friends , that love is but the handmaid of interest ; and that as they love you now for their own interest , so they will prefer hereafter their own interest to your love . Whatever be the carriage of others , if ye mannage these affairs prudently , ye shall find Monanthropus your very humble servant . This Letter came to Megistus hands as he was sending away the captives to Misarites , to be disposed of at his pleasure , and after he had dismist them , he did reade it , and thereafter retired to his chamber , fearing lest any of the Soldiers should discover the pangs wherewith he found his soul tortured ; he did now conclude that his love-voyage would be dangerous , seing at his first lancing forth he was encountred by such storms ; and to admire the folly of men , who having received freedom as a patrimony from providence , did , like unfrugal heirs , sell their ancestors old inheritance ; their thoughts did no sooner appear , than love mustering all her forces presently , quelled them , battering them with no other Ordnance than that picture of Agapeta which Megistus carried in his breast : Could such a prize as this ( said love ) be gained without a contest ? and would ye marry a woman whose affection were not tryed by the competition of many rivals ? how should her love , or their courage be known , without opposition ? or , can things be deemed difficult when undergone for her ? Ye think both her face and endowments incomparable , and they are so ; wherefore , if ye would proportion your deserts to them , shew your patience to be so too ; and think not strange , that vertue , to shew the world for their instruction an example of constancy , should , like all wise teachers , cull out you , who is one of her prime scholars , to make men admire her skill in your proficiency ; neither can she be so unjust , as not to reward your pains with lawrels : if your voyage be harsh , there is a good harbour attending you ▪ and albeit the storm be boistrous , yet if the vessel of your resolution be strong , ye need not fear : fear puts on oft-times the vizard of terrour and difficulty upon the face of our undertakings , to terrifie us , which if ye can by the hand of courage pluck off , ye will find your projects very smooth-faced : seing ye are entered into the river of difficulty , look not to the under-running streams lest your head by troubled , but look over to the shoar of contentment , upon which ye intend to set foot ; complain not of the loss of your liberty , for necessity , in things that are excellent , is to be preferred to liberty : Thus we see our liberty is no wayes impaired by loving the immortal gods , nor by loving that which is good , albeit we do both the one and the other necessarily ; Yea , rather we are infinitly obliged to them for necessitating us to love something , which possibly if we were left to the disposal of our free will , we might possibly relinquish ; and these same gods who have bestowed freedom upon us , do likewise excite us to love : So that seing love is of a divine extraction , it must be of a most pure essence : the gods disdaining to put their impressa upon any mettall that is not in it self excellent : and that it is the effect of some divine influence we may conclude from this , That it were impossible for Nature to raise instantly such an emotion in the soul as ●●ve occasioneth , whereby it is transported beyond the ordinary limits of its ordinary strength ; yea , often produceth effects contrary to its wonted humour : so seing it makes cowards stout , and fools witty , we may infer that this is not natural ; for , naturally no cowards can be stout , nor no fools witty . Having ended this melancholious contemplation , he called for Philarites , who helped him alwayes to bear the burden of his grief ; and related to him the whole passage circumstantiated , as he had learned it from the Letter . Philarites , not a whit dismayed , told him , that at Court the minds of Courtiers changed fashions as oft as their cloaths : and as fortune changed oft-times her favourite , so her favourites changed oft-times their affection ; the reason whereof was not , because Courtiers were of a more facile humour than others , ( for ordinarily they were men of the most pregnant spirits , with which facility can never suit ) but because their affection was never so deeply fixed , as the affection of those who lived retiredly ; for , seing they had many to bestow their affection upon , they could not bestow much of it upon all ; whereas those that live retiredly , meeting with few worthy of being beloved , fix all their love upon those few : Neither was th●●ove of Courtiers unlike an anchor , which albeit it be great and strong in it self , yet , if it be not deeply fixed , will be raised by the first storm ; As also , mis-informers at Court were so many and so busie , and the jealousie of Courtiers so great , that it was wonder how love lasted one week even in the most constant among them : And I am confident ( said he ) that providence useth the unconstancy of favour at Court , as an argument to deter generous spirits from places which are ordinarily in themselves most vicious ; And albeit Sophander promised upon our first appearance at Court , to befriend us , yet it is one of his tenents , That a Statesman should be a servant to his word , to obey it in a rational way ; but that he is not obliged to be a slave to it , in obeying it in things both against his reason and interest ; and I heard a Gentleman say , that he defended ordinarily , That all State-promises were no longer obligatory , than things continued in the same way they stood when the promise was made : for , said he , I promise , because I am informed , or imagines , that the person to whom I promise is of such a temper ; so that if he be of a different or contrary temper , the condition failing , the thing conditioned cannot be sought ; and since promises are ordinarily donatives , there is reason the donator should have the priviledge of explaining his owne mind ; for , seing they to whom I promise can pretend no right to the thing promised , but because I willed it ; therfore if my will be not clear , their right is null : and seing none can be so well acquainted with my will as my self , none should be admitted to explain it but my self : and ordinarily , so many and so great inconveniences would follow upon the observancy of such promises at Court , that there would be greater danger to the Commonwealth in keeping them , than there could redound to any private mans conscience by the breach of them : but , Sir , ( continued Philarites ) think not strange that fortune should graple with you ; for it is her ordinary , never to list her self but against some noble spirit , whose conquest were worth her pains , scorning the easie victory which she might have over silly clowns : but possibly she intends to try your courage , which when she comes once to know , she will think you worthy to be her minion : She can command weak spirits , but great ones are born to command her : And since the mustering false hopes is able to make a man victorious , and the basest of men gain oftimes , because others think that their brags and threats are true ; how much more shall the best of spirits ( amongst whom ye may be ranked ) become victorious , if they but hope really that they shall conquer ? hope resembles a bridle , whose motion is able to recover the stumbling feet of our courage ; And how many Armies have gained more by presages , and happy omens , than they could have done either by skill or numbers ? This is the reason why speeches are made to Souldiers ; and for this audacious spirits are usually most fortunate . This discourse was interrupted by a Letter presented from Misarites , wherein they were ordered to return to the Camp with those under their conduct ; which they were most willing to obey , knowing that the Souldiery there might easily be misinformed of what was done at such a distance from them : The next morning they did begin their march , and being after two dayes arrived , they were welcomed by the acclamations of the Souldiers ( but coldly entertained by the Grandees , whom Misarites had poysoned ) who , in spight of all misinformation , admired the rare qualities of these noble Gentlemen : for , albeit it be an easie task , to defame amongst the vulgar sort , those , whose prime quality is wit ; because their wit , which should antidote all these aspersions , is not easily perceived by that sort of people ; yet it is hard to defame those whose chief part is courage , because the most ignorant cannot but see that ; and ordinarily the vulgar sort is more led by their sense than by their reason . Misarites delayed alwayes to fight , pretending that it was fitter to starve than to fight the Persians ; who being far from home , could not subsist long in a forreign Nation : but his intention was to ruine the Egyptian Army by these delayes , who finding themselves near home , and overburdened with hardship , did drop away daily . Nothing was acted all this time , except by skirmishes ; wherein Misarites imployed all those whose courage was formidable to the Persians , and whose loyalty was formidable to himself , and many of them were swept away by this means ; neither omited he to entice the Knights with this point of honour , but all in vain : for they resolved to reserve themselves for archievements of lesse hazard , and more honour . Misarites caused likewise mix the meal , which was sent to the Army with lime and chalk ; whereby diseases became both numerous and dangerous , and the whole Army began to resemble an Hospital , wherein there was greater need of Physicians than of Field-Officers : He likewise , together with Sophander , perswaded the King , not to send the Army their pay , assuring him that poverty was the best encouragement to fight , for it made them fight couragiously , out of a desire to gain the Enemies spoil ; whereas those who were rich , were unwilling to hazard what they were assured of already , for what they were not sure to gain . Sophanders drift in this , was to reserve the money for himself ; but Misarites scope was meerly to turn the Souldiers male-contents : Neither ceased the Knights covertly to make the Army remark these passages , thereby to enrage them against Misarites . At last , Megistus trysting Misarites his Secretary o●e morning to his chamber , after some previous discourses , whereby he sounded his thoughts , spoke thus freely to him ; Sir , it is not to discover the treason of your master , but to learn some evident proofs of it , that I sent for you this morning ; his complot with Sophander and the Persian is already detected ; and ye are mad who imbarques your self in such a quarrel , ye walk upon a narrow precipice , wherein there is great difficulty to stand , and certain ruine if ye fall : think not that the Gods will suffer Princes , who are their Deputies , and who govern for them , to be circumveened by such treacherous designs ; in vain have they been at so much pains for the defence of his honour , if they abandon it now : and albeit it did thrive in your hands , yet after the game is plaid , there will be danger in your Master's parting the stakes with Sophander ; who will lay him aside when he findes that in peace he stands not in need of him : But albeit your Master did injoy his promised preferment , who knows but he will cause cut your throat , both fearing lest you should thereafter upon some discontent divulge his cheats , or fearing that he could not safely therafter imploy you , who betrayed your Prince ? Wherfore if ye desire to perpetuat your happiness , and to prevent your inevitable ruine , desert that , interest , and own the interest of your Nation , and I promise you in his Majesties name greater preferment , than ye are to expect from your Master ; Neither need you stumble at this , as a breach of trust , and as a sin comitted against the affection which your Master bears to you , for ye should pay the oldest debt first ; and ye were a subject to your Prince , before ye were a servant to Misarites ; wherefore ye should endeavour to acquit your self of your duty to his Majesty , as being both of greatest importance , and of oldest standing ; Neither doth your oath of fidelity , given to your Master , oblige in things unlawful ; for the gods will not be witnesses in things abominable , and there is no oath whereto they are not called as witnesses ; they will not suffer a man to be bound to the stake of impiety by such sacred chains ; and since the thing sworn is unlawfull in it self , there can be no confirmation of it by oath : for , how can ye confirm that which is not ? as also , Sir , all oaths are given with this proviso , that they wrong ●ot our Superiours ; for , our subjection to them not being ours , we cannot dispose of it without their advice . This discourse surprized so the Secretary , who entreated some time to advise ; but Megistus fearing that he might detect him to his Master , or at least , might dissemble with him , told him , that to relate things already done , there needed no consultation , which was only required to prevent things to come , wherefore he insisted passionatly for a present discovery ; which the other , convinced by his conscience of his errour , and considering that he had already half confessed the truth of what was doubted , by seeking some time to solve the doubt , which else had been needless ; desired Megistus to swear in his Majesties name , what he had promised , and that he should unriddle to him the whole mysterie ; which when Megistus had done , the Secretary spoke thus . Sir , I cannot tell whether it be by sagacity , or divine inspiration , that ye come to know this mysterie , but it must be by either ; for those who were privy to it , were all of them so much concerned , that I am confident they would never divulge it : but , Sir , you have conjectured rightly , for my Master hath devoted himself to the Persian service ; and one day by a compact betwixt him and the Persian General , I was desired to walk out to the ●ield , where I would find a Persian , of such a statu●e and garb , who would suffer himself to be taken my prisoner ; which succeeded accordingly , and whom I conducted to my Master , and who was brought to his bed-chamber , upon pretext as if he would examine him privatly ; my Master commanded him to prison for two dayes , but thereafter enlarged him upon his promise to stand by the Egyptian quarrel , so that he walk'd up and down the Army , and was countenanced by the most eminent in it ; till at last acquainted both with our strength , and knowing fully Misarites mind , he made shew to go out one day in a party , but forgot to return : and yesterday there came a Trumpet , under pretext of treating for some prisoners , but secretly he delivered my Master some Letters . Megistus did send immediatly for Philarites , to whom he related all that had past , and after some debates what was fittest to be done , they concluded , that they would acquaint some Colonels with it , who were not of Misarites his faction ; as also a young Nobleman , who was the King's sisters son , and thereby had much command and following in the Army : after they were all assembled , and had taken an oath of secresie , and had heard the case deduced , they resolved that same night ( because two of their Regiments were upon the guard ) that the King's sisters son Stirias , should take the Letter , and ensure Misarites , and immediately divulge the Letter to the Army ; but they concluded presently to acquaint the King with what had past , that he might secure Sophander as they were to secure Misarites , lest if they were not secured both at once , the imprisonment of the one , might advertise the other of his danger ; wherefore they wrote to his Majesty this Letter . SIR , YOur eminent danger must now move your inclination to be more rigid than at other times ; and albeit Sophander be your Confident , yet ye must make him now your prisoner . Prisons were made for Traitors , and courage suiteth well with Princes . He and Misarites have conspired against your Majestie with the Persians ; we have secured the one , secure ye the other ; and let neither his reiterated protestations , nor his cunning discourses buy him off from a condign punishment . We have sent alongst Misarites Secretary , to whose loyalty your Majestie owes the discovery of the whole plot , and who hath been as honest as his master was disloyal ; We hope your Majestie will recompence the one , and punish the other : and that ye will acquaint your humble servants , who shall be preferred to Misarites his Charge , that so all confusion may be avoided , and the ruine of your affairs here prevented . The two Knights addressed also another Letter to Monanthropus . After this Gentleman was dispatcht , and the Guards set , Stirias , accompanied with the Knights and the Officers , went to Misarites Tent , and there made him prisoner : he would h●ve raised some tumult , but was prevented by Stirias , who calling the other Officers , shewed them and the Souldiers the Letter , and immediatly prevented the tumult , and arrested two or three others who were of the same cabal : this done , the Guards were commanded to let none passe who might acquaint the Persians with what had occurred , but to lie quiet till to morrow ; for , in the twilight they resolved to set upon the Persian Army , who were secure , relying upon Misarites infallible affection to them : The Souldiers witnessed by their looks , their joy and willingnesse to fight , weary of the insupportable fatigue of that slow-paced War. Whereupon the Council of War preferred all in one voice , Megistus to be General in the interim , and Stirias and Philarites to command in vice of the other reduced Officers : at midnight they marched , the sickest among them shewing himself healthfull , and the most sullen shewing himself chearfull . At two a clock in the morning , they assaulted the Persians ; ilk defended trenches ; who opprest with sleep , and distracted with fear , could neither give nor receive orders ; some had their beds turned in their graves ; and others were from the imbracements of their dear friends , sent to the cold imbracements of cruel death : Sotorus was , after much resistance , taken prisoner , and in his conquest ended the conquest of the field ; the General being like the heart of the Army , which is the last part in the body which lodgeth life . Thus ended that War so formidable to the Egyptians , that they had concluded necessarily their own ruine ; and so glorious to these two Knights , that they only were esteemed the wel-spring , whence flowed that large river of happinesse , whose streams fatned so all Egypt . The diligence used at Court was as great as what was used in the Army : for , immediately upon the receipt of the above-mentioned Letter , the King commanded Sophander to prison , each at Court contributing his assistance to his disgrace ; hoping that many small Vessels might be built with the ruines of that bulkish one ; and each one endeavouring to testifie his own innocency , by the rigour of his carriage to Sophander ; and now the Court , which resembles ordinarily an Orange tree , whereupon there is alwayes some fruit flourishing , some blossoming , and some withering ; did now resemble an Aspen tree , where all the leaves trembled , rather by an innate quality , than by any outward storm ; So all trembled here , rather astonisht with the novelty of the accident , and fearing unjust informations ( which are ordinary at such occasions , of which private enquiries takes advantages , and when it is a crime even to be dilated ) rather than from a consciousness of their own guilt . A servant of Monanthropus admiring the inconstancy of Court favour , presented his Master with these lines . How can those stand , who on the slippery ice Of Court are plac'd ? when by the storms of vice , Or malice , they 'r attaqu'd ; O happy he , Who from his cottage doth these disasters see . Court is a firmament , whence stars oft fall , And Courtiers are tossed like a ball In Fortunes tennis-court ; and by Prides racket are Toss'd over all the walls of Court most far . Their greatness an hydropsie is , and they Not with good blood , but humours swell each day . They grow so big , that vertues narrow gate Forbids them entry ; then by witty fate , He who exalted was is tumbled down Fates narrow stairs , stript of preferments gown . Luxuriant pride shakes often their hour-glasse , And their debordings seals to them a passe , To go to endless torments , and each man Adds to the yard of their disgrace , a span . Who would be fixt , must grip to vertues hand : For on the legs of vice no man can stand . The Court was upon this occasion remodelled , and all those who had been Sophanders confidents , were either imprisoned or disgraced , as persons in whom the King could not confide ; and now Monanthropus was the only Minion , by whose advice , and through whose hands all things passed . The War being ended , the King , to secure himself at Court , resolved to call back the Army , and ordained the two Knights to be received in triumph , and withall posted away a Commission to Megistus to command in chief : The Commission being received , Megistus begins his march to Alexandria ; and stopped by a Warrant from the King , four miles from the City , till all things should be in readinesse for his reception . The next morning they entered , all the streets being tapistred as they passed alongst , and Guards standing upon both sides . After the Infantry , marched Megistus , with Philari●es on his right hand , and Stirias upon his left : In the Market-place stood a Scaffold , whereon was represented the Parliament of the gods , before whom Themis , as goddess of Justice , and Mars , as god of Courage , did plead which of them should be preferred to welcome these worthy Gentlemen ; at last Mars was preferred for the Armies better satisfaction ; who at their arrival delivered them this speech . My darlings cadets of my house , whose hands Were made to execute the just commands Of divine powers ; it 's ( my sons ) to you , That Victory her lofty top doth bow ; That ye your heads may with her glorious bayes Encircle , like unto a Sun with rayes : Ye who hold fortunes wheel by the strong hand Of Courage , making her swift course to stand ; Iustice and Courage , shrewdly did contend , Which of them as ambassadors the gods should send , But seing Courage , Iustice doth include , ( No Courage being , but where the cause is good ) Therefore the gods have Courage sent to greet Your safe return to this most joyfull street ; And were it not to leave on earth a seed Of Heroes , they would surely with all speed Transplant you to the heavens , there to shine Amongst those other deiti●s divine . Live then , brave Heroes , and more praise possess , Than Mars rude tongue is able to expresse . After that scene was ended , there appeared an Egyptian loaded with fetters , and making his approaches to the Knights , entreated them to untye his fetters , which they did accordingly , and thereafter he made them this gratulatory . Invincible Gentlemen , this that ye have now done , is but an emblem of that ye have done formerly ; It is not so mysterious that I n●ed to explain it : Our liberty is a debt which we owe you , and our thanks are the only coyn we can pay it in ; all the by-standers participates with me in the common freedom , and would return with me the common thanks , if order would permit it : our thanks and your merits are no wayes proportionable , the one being empty , and the other excellent ; but our admiration , and your deserts hold a better proportion , both being inexprimable ; they are twins both springing from the womb of your Courage . Live then happily , worthy Princes , and inherite these praises , which ye have purchast by your blood and pains . The reception at Court exceeded in splendor that of the Market-place , and the rather , because Agapeta and ARETINA were there , in whose affections the Knights desired more to triumph , than in any thing else ; caring only for those honours they had received , as means to make their peerless Mistrisses honour them the more : all the inventions at Court was imployed in honouring the Knights , and they were esteemed wittiest who pleased them best : Tiltings were continually used ; for , courage being once wakened , behoved to have some exercise till it were fully re-setled ; neither could it change its pace so extreamly , as to fall from a gallop to a still standing , but behoved to retire by piece-meal : this joy was in it self great , but was thought the greater , that it was the successor of a pannick fear ; and at last the King resolved to sacrifice Sophander to the honour of their solemnities : for , many thought it not fit that such a plodding head should have leave to rest upon its old shoulders , and that there could not but ensue great alterations amongst the Nobles upon this late innovation ; and those who were postponed , might probably study his releasment , desiring rather he should bear sway , than their own competitors ; and expecting by his releasment , to return affairs to their old confusion ; that a living man might alwayes finde friends , but dead dogs would bite none ; that to keep him in perpetual firmance , was in it self illegal , prisons being appointed rather to reserve men for punishment , than to be a punishment it self ; and that it differed as far from punishment , as the means did from the end for which they were appointed ; or , if perpetual imprisonment was at all convenient , it was only , either where the person incarcerated was furious , and so there was fear that in executing the body , they should kill both soul and body ; or else , where the criminal was a person loved by the people , whose death would irritat them ; or else , of great following , so that their expectation of his life , or fear of his death , would justly poise all his friends undertakings , and over-awe all their insolencies : But that neither of these was to be expected by Sophanders execution , whom all hated , and none loved ; and possibly , if it were continued , he might convey away out of the Nation most of his Estate ( which he had ever keeped in movables , as being most transportable , and so it was best to wring the spunge so long as it was full : The King resolved to execute him presently , and therefore sentenced him to be hanged in the Market-place ; but the Church-men petitioned his Majesty , that he might be first examined by them , being one of their number ; and as being the ambassador of the immortal gods , he should not be sentenced by any mortal Prince ; and that they behoved to examine first , whether what he had done were done for the glory of God , in which case there could be no crime , and to which none were Judges but Church-men : for , if the secular power might at pleasure cut off Ecclesiastick members , it would follow that it were in his power to suffer a Church to be , or not ; for so he might hang them at his pleasure : neither should ever any vice in the State , or Statesmen be purged or enveighed against ; for , all such reproofs should presently be declared treason : And seing Ecclesiasticks were naturally too prone to connive at vice , they should now be necessitated to do out of fear , what they did formerly but by omission and negligence . The King rejected this Petition , and told them that as they cognosced upon the errours of Laicks when committed against their power , so he might cognosce upon the escapes of Ecclesiasticks , when committed against his ; that Sophander had offended as a subject , and so behoved to behoved to be punished by his Prince , and that it were safer being a shepherd than a King , if they who were ordinarily governed by some two or three factious fellows ( the best of Ecclesiasticks alwayes shunning command ) should be Judges competent to treason ; wherfore , seing they had their protection from him , it was fit he should challenge subjection from them , which consisted in nothing more than in this . Megistus hearing that the King resolved to cause hang Sophander , thought , that albeit he could not beg his life , as being a Trai●or , yet that he would endeavour to mitigate the manner of his death , as being his old friend and patron ; whereupon both Philarites and he entreated his Majesty , that he would cause cut off his head , and not hang him , as being once honoured by himself with the title of Chief Minister of State ; and that it was customary amongst all Nations , to punish in the least eminent way those who had been most eminent in dignity , both because the smallest punishment is greater to them , than the greatest would be to others , as also , because punishments being ordinarily inflicted , not for what was past , because that could not be re-called , but for prevention of the like by that rigour for the future ; and so seing fewer great ones would probably incurre these guilts , the Law needed not punish them so severely , as it did the meaner sort , who would more frequently fall in the crimes forbidden . That Maxime holds only true ( answered the King ) in those crimes which degrade not a man of his honours , as in combats and private injuries , which crimes are consistent with true honour ; but in treason and treachery , the committer declares himself unworthy of his honours , and consequently should not enjoy those priviledges due to them ; yet , to satisfie your desires , I am content his head be struck off , and his body buried . At the day appointed for his Execution , all the City , yea , and the Nation flocked to the Market-place ; some to satisfie their inhumane revenge , ( which that circumstance of time made most unjust ) others , to remark the period of humane glory ; and a third sort , to glut their boundlesse curiosity . After some time so spent , Sophander appeared upon the Scaffold , in his gown and night-cap , whose age and gravity drew tears from his most inveterate enemies ; after he had setled himself a little , he gave the spectators this farewell , Gentlemen , I Am by providence presented here as an emblem of unconstant grandour ; I wish my case may be remarked by all , but imitated by none : I am set up as a beacon upon the rockie shoar of Court-favour , that ye should not approach the place where I have splitted ; I mean not that ye should all retire your selves from Court , for that were impossible , seing the Nation must be governed by some ; and unlawfull , seing Nature hath bestowed publick spirits upon some , that they might imploy them for the profit of all ; but I mean , that none should thrust themselves into the crowd of Minions , wherein many have perished in entring , and all have perished almost before they could retire : And that all should be so wise , as to be the last who will go to Sea in such storms , and the first who will retire from them : I know many are taken with our greatnesse , but they consider not our hazard ; many envie our access to our Prince , but they advert not the misinformations given in to him against us ; some eye greedily our riches , but remembers not our vast expences and numerous attendants : And , on the other hand , they see the poverty of a private life , but are strangers to its contentment , and contemns its lownesse without weighing its security : thus greatnesse , like a whore , presents her self unto us fairded , whereas chast vertue appears only in her homely habite ; and , believe me , albeit ye may for a season recreate your self more ticklingly with the first , yet ye will live more contentedly with the second : O! who were lodged but one night in the breast of a Grandee , to see what confusion of thoughts were there , would thereafter buy himself off from the ensnaring pleasures of that anxious life ; May ye not consider that the gods who have created all things for the use of man , have made things which are most usefull and good to be most common ? and so , seing they have ordained many to be governed , and but few to govern , we must conclude those who are governed to be happiest : for , if they had thought Crowns and Scepters as requisit for mans happiness , as were private estates and cottages , they could have made as many of the one as of the other , and created as many Kingdoms as there were men to be Kings in them ; yea , I believe that Kings and Courts were ordained , not to make happy those who lived in them , but to maintain the happinesse of those who lived remote from them : your sleep is not interrupted , whilst we are disquieted ; neither is your danger worth the noticeing , whilst ours is often inevitable : consider the number of our competitors , the multiplicity of our businesses , our own fears , and the Princes jealousies ; and you will soon conclude , that we are like poor peasants who make and sell good wine to others , but drink little or none of it our selves . Since there are so many reasons to disswade us from being ambitious , we must conclude Ambition to be a cunning Sophister , which can solve all those unanswerable arguments . I remember that the Christians observe , That seing it tempted the Angels , before they were corrupted with any other sin , it is no wonder it should tempt us who are but men , and already tainted with sin ; and that since it was the first sin , it must necessarily be the sin we have greatest inclinations ; for , seing we imbrace first ordidarily that we affect most : Ambition then is the Devils first-born , and so no wonder it claim precedency before all other vices ; and as ordinarily proud men of all men have alwayes the greatest train , so Pride it self of all vices hath still the maniest attendants ; for , it must be waited upon by covetousness , to fill its prodigal coffers ; with revenge , to repair its imaginary affronts ; with murder , to remove all those who stand in its way ; and in fine , it is the great bellyed vice , which spanneth all the rest . Gentlemen , if I were speaking this to you , incircled with my former honours , ye might imagine I enveighed against greatness , as wishing all others to flee it , that I might share alone in it ; or , if I were to live banished , ye might say that I disparaged it , because I could not retain it ; but being to dye , ye may be confident that all I say are the dictates of meer ingenuity . I am now upon the brink of my grave , and can leave you nothing in legacy but my tears and precepts ; which , if ye follow , may repair the great losse this Nation hath suffered by me . Farewell . Thereafter he called for Megistus , and craved him pardon for misinforming his Majesty against him ▪ and gave him privatly some Papers , wherein were some remarks , usefull for those who were to govern Egypt ; and prophesied to him his future advancement ( which was thereafter ●o small encouragement to Megistus ) for , said he , the soul being certainly of a divine extraction , would fore-know many strange events , if it were not ignoranced by the unproportionatness of the bodily organs to such contemplations , and when it is emancipitated from the power of the body , as in feavers , death-beds , swoonings , extasies , and womens histerick passions , we see it acteth and foreseeth things extraordinary . Thereafter he recommended his friends and nephews to Megistus , and Megistus to the people , and loyalty to all of them ; and so had his head struck off by the Executioner , and received by Megistus . The next morning there was this Epitaph posted upon his Tomb. Here restless he doth rest , who never could Get earth enough , till casten in this mould . Megistus sadned exceedingly , partly by the uncertain condition of mankind , partly puzled with the thoughts of Sophanders prediction ; retired to his chamber , where his Landlord , a witty fellow , came presently to solace him , and related to him this story , which had occurred that same day in the City . A young Country Gentleman , accustomed at home to whistle following the plough , to domineere amongst a great many Countrey Clowns , and to feed a kennel of dogs , was by his friends brought into the City to court a young Citizen ; whose beauty lay in her coffers , and whose perfections were counted by thousands : yet this Jet was able enough to draw straw to it , and her blacknesse did cast a curious lustre when enambled upon gold ; his friends cared not whether she had a golden mind , seing she was a golden mine ; neither looked they to her age , seing it was a golden age : to speak truth , such a statue fitted well such a worshipper . Being come to the City , he was all gilded with gold : and indeed such an harsh pill had need to be so ; and ye would have sworn that his cloathes being upon him , were another Iasons fleece , and himself the sheep : Thus accouted , he marched up and down the City , dreaming that all persons were busied in viewing him , and pointing out his finger , asking who was that , or the other ; which a young Gallant perceiving , watched till he holding out his finger to a Coach , to ask what a Cart was that so covered ? which his servant not hearing at first , as being a busie as his master ; he asked the second time , with his finger outstretched , What was that ? to which the other Gallant , making a low congie , answered , That it was his Honours finger . He admired likewise for what use served those Chests that men carried about the streets ( meaning the Sedans ) to which a merry bystander answered , That it was to carry Gentlemens hounds and dogs , lest else they should stray , or be robbed by the Courtiers ; whereupon the Youth addressed himself to the bearers , and commanded them to take in his dogs ( for the other had perswaded him , that if he spoke calmly to them that they would think him blunt and silly ) at which the bearers , thinking he spoke so , only to affront them , and knowing by his garb that he was but a fresh-water Citizen , reviled him most pitifully , saying that the shepherds in the Country were much to blame , who suffered their sheep so to stray , and that they behoved to fleece him ; whereupon they pulled away his cloak , and had not restored it , if his servant , who went up and down crying that his Honour was massacred , had not amazed many people , who caused restore him his cloak , each one swearing that what he had spoken , was spoken out of simplicity : home he went with his cloak lined with this affront ; and the next morning was admitted to see his Mistris , who albeit she was not fair , yet could go fair to cheat him ; and was able to play her cards so , as that she was able to counter and beast such a Gentleman ; and if they had begun the game , doubtless she had by turning up alwayes the ace , made my Gentleman throw down his cards . The Gentlewoman being informed of his pure wit , resolved to let him see some of hers ; whereupon she commanded her maid to put on her cloathes , and to sit in her chair , and receive the visit for her ; and withall , after the young Gallant should begin to extol her beauty above all others , that she should then ask what he judged of her maid ? All things being thus ordered , she sent to entreat his friends , that none of them should come to her chamber with him the first day , because she would be too bashfull if any else were there to remark her ; to which they easily condescended . Enter Gentleman . The Gallant the next day enters , and putting his arm about her neck , kisses his Mistris loudly , fearing that else that they had imagined that he had not kissed her at all , and thereafter tumbling back confusedly , made another low reverence , where he lost misfortunately the paper upon which his compl●ments were written ) ( which he very often repeated at home to his uncle ) He entreated her to sit down in the highest chair , thinking that to be some preferment : whereto the Gentlewoman wittily answered , Sir , the woman should be lowest . After this debate was ended , he insisted thus . Mistris , when I came first to Alexandria , I thought this City the prettiest thing in the world , but now when I see you , I esteem nothing of it ; for , I think that all our Country maids , may be handmaids to you ; whose beauty is as far preferable to theirs , as this City is to ours . Here he stopt , hearing a horse passe by upon the street , and called for his servants to look if that was his young horse or not , and thereafter insisted thus ; Madam , I believe that my father's house hath all accomplishments requisit for sweetning the harshness of a solitary life , only it wants such an accomplished Lady as you are , to be Mistris of all , ( and there he recounted to her what choice fields for hunting , and what excellent pasturages for h●rding , were there ) But Sir , replyed she , seing we see Country Gentlemen leave all these rural pleasures , pretending to come to the City for converse ; and those who are in the City , leave their well deckt chambers , and sumptuous parlors , and go abroad to recreate themselves with their friends , we may infer , that society is preferable to all these ; for , when ye come to the City , ye acknowledge it is to better your spirits ; and when we go to the Country , our end is only to refresh our bodies , So that the Country may be thought as justly to cede to the City , as the soul is preferable to the body . O Madam , but ye could make any place happy ; and happy were the son of that father who might be husband to such a compleat Lady as ye are . What think you of my maid , if compared with me ( said she ) I think her a beautifull young Gentlewoman ( quoth our Gallant ) but no beauty when compared with you : Whereupon the Mistris , who had played the maid hitherto , did now sit down in her own chair , and commanding her waiting-maid to stand by her , she thundred thus the poor simple Gentleman . Sir , I admire the lesse what hath past , that I expected to hear what I now hear ; but I admire that men should lavish out so profusely praises of what they know not : for , Sir , if we were so simple as to believe , that your heart conceived what your tongue brings forth , ye might rather wish us in Bedlam than in your Beds ; and if we are so wise as to discern your dissimulation , ye may conclude , that we think you as unfit to be our husbands , because of this last , as ye might judge us unworthy to be your wives because of the first ; wherefore , Sir , consider for the future , that albeit women are so discreet as to connive at your dissimulation , yet they are not so ignorant , as not to know it . Ye wrong our sex hugely , by thinking us so simple , and your own , by making us conclude that ye are all dissemblers : and of all vices , dissimulation is one of the worst , because it not only is evil in it self ( as being a cheat ) but likewise is an abuse of what is good , even of respect and friendship , making them bauds to your vicious cheats : Sir , those strings are not well tuned , which are tuned too high ; and those praises are but flatteries , which are palpable lyes ; yet , Sir , I pardon you more than others : for , as those who shoot seldom , must be pardoned when they shoot over ; So those who complement but unfrequently , must be pardoned albeit they do it imprudently . The Gentleman struck dead by these thunder-bolts of wit , remained speechless , as if his soul had fled away for shame ; he essayed often to speak , but his words no sooner peeped out , but smelling this reply , they retired back to their old quarter in great disorder ; leaving their master helpless without them , who had been formerly but little holpen by them . Since his own soul hath left him , said Megistus , it is reason we leave him also , and so he went to bed . The Third Book . THe next morning Megistus went to to tender his respects to Monanthropus , and at his entry , told him , That it was not too little , but rather too much respect , which had estranged him so from waiting upon his Lordship at his chamber all this while ; and that he shunned much to be so sacrilegious , as to rob he State of those hours which would be spent in its service , if they were not mispent by such trifling visits as his were . After this they discoursed of present affairs , and after these , Monanthropus entreated Megistus to walk some time in the garden , and there to continue the story of the Lacedemonian War , which Megistus at his entreaty commenced thus . My Lord , I will not trouble your attention , in making it trace all the tracts of fortunes wheel in that Commonwealth , whose reelings were so many , that it appears she intended to shew the world how often she could turn in a short space ; Those who stuck upon her , were in her Circumgirations crusht to pieces , only those were preserved , who ▪ foreseeing her inconstancy , did leap off , exchangeing necessary ruine with a voluntary fall : and albeit their story resembles your Nilus , the sources of both being unknown ; yet I shall acquaint your Lordship with those mysteries which time hath now unmasked : for , albeit Statesmen often gild their greatest cheats with specious pretexts , yet time at last wears out that gilding , and then all things appear in their true colours : and as from gray-haired men , so from gray-haired stories , truth is often best learned ; Wherefore my Lord , please to know , that Lacedemon and Athens were enemies as vindictive as old , till at last by the marriage of the King of Lacedemons daughter , with the King of Athens son , the Crowns were both molten in one ; or rather the one lined with the other , ( the gods making often friendship and amity , the eldest son of such marriages ) After Sophus his succession to the Crown of Lacedemon ( for he was an Athenian born ) he enobled many in Lacedemon , both fearing lest he should lose many friends , if these many pretenders losed their suits ; as also , because in making them Nobles , he made them friends ; and that those who had gotten patents from him , would imploy both their estates and patents for him ; knowing that if he fell , their honour behoved to fall with him : There were others who alleaged , that he intended to make the Nobility lesse powerfull , by making them more numerous ; and by dividing this great torrent of popular command in many chanels , he made it foordable for his wit , even where it was deepest : for , as it is hard to gain one of ten , so it is easie to gain one of twenty : and those plots which might easily have been concealed amongst the Noblemen if they had been few , were easily learned from them when they were many ; and forreign Princes , who intend to invade the Countries , may easily gain one Grandee , ( who being one of few , might be formidable to his own Prince , and most helpfull to his enemie ) whereas it was difficult to gain many , and they were not very dangerous when they were gained : yet whatever was the reason which did instigate this wise Prince to this , certain it is , that this obfuscated much the resplendent rays of Honour and Nobility ; for Nobilities great priviledges , being preference amongst themselves , and respect from the people , their preference must be the lesse worthy , by how much the moe competitors they have ; and their respect from the people must be the ebber , that the people is obliged to divide it amongst manie : This wise Prince likewise , finding what great influence the Priests of that Nation had upon the people , and perpending how hard ( if not impossible ) it was for a Prince to gain all their affections , or retain them , when once gained ; resolved to chuse some few to govern the rest , by whom he might govern the others at his pleasure ; and to whom he might intimate his thoughts without trouble or fear of discovery ; and by whom he might antidote the factions , which he foresaw either their own pride , or the factious Nobility might hatch amongst them ; as also , that thereby the sons of Noblemen , and possibly his own friends , might have some void Charges and Offices , whereto they might pretend ; and wherein being once installed , they might evidence more loyalty to him , than strangers would do : as also , that the Nobility might be counterpoised and might not share alone in all the Offices of State , in whose hands they were more dangerous than in the hands of Ecclesiasticks , whose revenues were not great , nor whose vassals and kinsmen were not numerous : these the other Ecclesiasticks grudged infinitly , not so much because they thought their promotion illegal , as angry because they were not promoted themselves , ambition perswading the soberest amongst them , that the higher they were , they would be the nearer to heaven . Many judged likewise , that he was most ill satisfied with the Lacedemonian Senate , which was composed ordinarily of the wittiest and turbulentest persons in the Nation , and intended often to have each City choose , as their Representative , some Residenter , who might understand best the necessities of his Town , and would nible lesse at the Royal Prerogative ; whereas Lawyers , and others , being often commissionated by them , dipped too much in what belonged to the King , and too little in what concerned the place represented by them ; and in Athens when it was tabled , whether each County and Town should be licentiate to chuse any they looked upon as fittest , it was concluded by the Nobles there that this choaked their interest ; for , if they should be permitted to chuse the Lawyers or Wits of the Nation , the Nobles should be topped by them in all debates , and upon all occasions . He likewise was most unsatisfied , with the dependences of the Tribes of that Nation upon their own Families , and upon the Princes thereof ; to whom the King in their affection was but second ; for he esteemed these , the storehouses of faction and nurseries of oppression ; none daring either follow the Royall Standard , except under their conduct ; nor daring countenance a stranger if not in bloud or affinity with them : and as that wise Prince often said , these could not be properly thought his subjects , who were so much in subjection to others , nor could not imploy both their hands in upholding the Throne , the one whereof was busied in paling up the Prince of their own Family ; and so by dividing their hearts betwixt their Prince and him , they made them unserviceable for either , These seemed but dwarf discontentments , when placed beside that gyant prejudice , which was conceived against him , because of his irregular and monster-like affection to Phratus his Minion ; who enhanced all the Royal favour , as due to none but to himself ; whose mean extraction , when collationed with his top-high preferment , seemed insufferable to those of higher birth , and lower fortunes ; but these adverted not , who seing no familiarity nor intimacy can be , betwixt those amongst whom there is no equality ; that therefore Princes must advance some one above all the rest , to whom he may communicate , and in whose breasts he may pour out his greatest secrets , that so he may not be vexed alwayes , in bowing down to speak to them , or to hear what they would speak to him ; and customarily Princes pile out those , whose birth cannot occasion any fears that they will entertain any nimious pretences : These Favourites are the skreens which defend Kings from popular malice , and the pack-horses upon whom all enmity and miscarriages are laid ; and their ruine is often the main article of pacification betwixt the King and Subject ▪ who to repay their many taxations and losses , seek no other requital than their destruction ; and whom Princes themselves often suffer , like spunges , to suck in treasure from the people , knowing that when they are filled by them , they will devour lesse of what pertains to the publick cash ; as also , that they may wring them when they are full , and so be thanked by the people , for retaking that treasure from the Favourite , which if they had immediatly taken from themselves , they had been most bitterly exclaimed against : this Gentl●man was but meanly born , and ascended to honours parlour , rather by the back-stairs of private affection , than by the publ●ck entry of merit ; and ordinarily those thrive best , for all the difficulty of agrandizing ones self at Court , is at the first entry ; and commonly those who are well descended , have all the bars of difficulty laid in their way by their competing equals ; and many to pull them down , whilst they are mounting , whereas many persons mount these stairs undiscoveredly , without being once leted : Yea , oft-times they imp themselves in some Noblemans train , who in flying high drawes them after him : Another great mean of his advancement , was his favour amongst the Ladies , who are more prodigal of their encomions , to those whom they affect than are their wary husbands ; and whose sex and charms procure often both countenance and respect , to those whom they once honour with the title of their Favourite ; non daring offend such , lest they should be forced to take up the cudgel of enmity against a Lady ; and all being most ready to signifie their respect to these Ladies in the persons of their Favorite , seing most want the means of engaging themselves : from this grain of mustard-seed did grow up that large stalk , whose fruits did thereafter so bite the mouths of all the Nation , and by this sparkle was kindled that great fire , which did thereafter both scorch his enemies , and warm his friends ; and whose flames were the only lights which shew Courtiers the way to preferment . Yet the people ceased not to cry out against him , as the Canicular Star , which made the influence of Court so noxious ; all the dayes of his reign being their dogg-dayes ; his prodigality was called the occasion of the many taxations , and his pride the reason why all others were disgraced : which a zealous friend to his Majesty did one day thus remonstrate to him . Sir , it is not your own , but your Favourits prodigality which uncoffereth your treasury ; for , all Kings that ever reigned in Lacedemon , have successively lived at the same rate that ye live , yet have their treasuries often grown fatter , whereas yours becomes daily more lean : but the reason why one King spends more than another , is , because their Minions are more or lesse profuse ; for , when a King chuseth for his Favourit a lame wit , which needs silver stilts to uphold him , then is the treasure impoverished ; he feareth all , and so must bribe many ; and his intelligence ( I mean not for his Princes maintenance , but for his own ) must be maintained at the publick charge ; as also , the frequency of your Majesties Nobles at Court , is one of the moths which consumes this poor Nation ; for , luxury having made lean their purses in an instant , they must be privatly interlarded with publick treasure , and the carcase of some Pension or Monopolie , must be presently thrown to them to feed upon : neither is this the only inconvenience which ensueth upon their constant attendance at Court , for they must , when there , contend with one another , whose train shall prove most sumptuous , and so like two stones knocking against one another , both must necessarily lose some of their substance ; it is at Court that all their jarring● are commenced amongst themselves , and it is there that their plots are hatched against the publick interest ; and as a body whilst it is in health , is still amassing humours , which will certainly one day give life to some disease ; So your Majesty may expect that their frequent meetings here , will one day occasion some War , which neither ye nor they will be able to quench ; their stay at Court occasioneth the misgovernment of their estates at home ( it being the masters eye that makes the horse fat ) and what was formerly spent at home in hospitality , is now spent at Court in luxury : they bring alongst with them the sons of the Gentry , and these return back to their Countrey fraughted with vice and vanity ; and so the mony which the poor country men buy with their sweat , must be sold for silks and spices ; and we must give forreigners things that are necessary , returning nothing but what is superfluous ; and by this your enemies War is maintained against you with your own money , and your Natives unable themselves to war for you because of their e●●eminate imployments , which they now use : Wherefore it is the wish of all your Subjects , that you would command all your Nobles home till they be called-for , and so pull from them those firebrands of vice and luxury , whereby they enflame the Nation . That which heightned the popular fury , was , that he never courted their favour , holding it as a maxime , That seing that which made Subjects formidable to their Prince , was , their too great popularity , ( for , seing Kings endeavour so much to enthronize themselves in their Subjects affections , they both do and look upon all such as their rivals , who court the same affection with them ) and therefore it was reasonable to believe , That to renounce any share in the peoples affection , was the true way to ingratiate himself with the King ; intimating thereby to his Prince , that his favour was the dye , from which they were to expect a good or bad game ; and no doubt but this is the surest way of subsistance : for , a Grandee may subsist by the favour of the Prince , without the favour of the people , but cannot subsist by the people without the favour of the Prince ; with this proviso , that the Prince , upon whom he depends , be not so silly as to depend upon his people ; for else it is not good to depend upon him , lest when the Subject begins to open his mouth against his Prince , the either timerous or facile Prince , throwes his Confident in their mouthes as a lump to stop it . Whilst these things were upon the file , this excellent Prince dyed , leaving after-ages an evident proof , that the ocean of affairs hath its own tydes , and fair gales ( which are to be expected , not commanded ) and in which interims the Prince may recreate himself with his lawfull pleasures ; for , this Prince was never one who lost his pleasure for his business , nor his business for his pleasure : Some tainted his royal repute with cowardishness ; but since Kings , except they be rash , are not tolerated to spend their own bloud , it follows , that his crime was that he was too frugal of the bloud of his subjects ; which any sound wit will interpret to be rather love than fear ; but to what purpose should he have unsheathed the sword of his courage , seing the sword of his wit conquered all his enemies ; neither is it an imputation to a Physician , that he prevents all diseases so dexterously , as that he suffers not his patients to fall in any disease . Many did misconstrue this worthy Prince in many things , never considering , that it is as unbeseeming a subject to censure the actions of his Prince , as it is ridiculous in a patient to find the pulse of his Physician ; for , since Princes are often acted in what they do from principles unknown to us , and have aims which we are strangers to , and seing the motives and ends of the agents , are these things which determine our actions , it follows that it is not only absurd , but even impossible for subjects to discant truly upon the actions of their Princes : and since a Deputy is only answerable for his carriage or miscarriage to him , by whom he is deputed ; and the Gods are those who have commissionated Princes , it must be undeniable that they can be arraigned before no tribunal else , but theirs ; but admit , that really they escaped at some times , and upon some occasions , that proves only they are men , and who denies that ? but if they must be condemned for that , I should desire him who hath spent his life ( though private ) without an omission , to cast the first stone at them ; and if private men who have time to deliberate what is incumbent to them to do , and few to remark what their failings are , cannot notwithstanding plead exemption from infirmities ; what may Kings plead , who are over-charged with businesses , mis-informed by Sycophants , and have thousands of eyes to eye the meanest of their escapes . To him succeeded Anaxagius , a Prince whose perfection taught the world , that all Princes who had devanced him , had their goodness allyed with some imperfection when compared with his , and by which future ages may measure the perfection of his successours ; him providence sent to the world , fore-seeing that these crooked times would need such a streight patern as was his integrity : and that innocent and vertuous souls ( whom that age would abominate ) needed the patronage of such an accomplished patron : so that it seemed that providence hath casten his soul in a peculiar mould , wherein none had been formed formerly ; a person whom vertue would have chosen to be , if birth had not already made him a King ; and whose innocent life convinced all men , that greatness and goodness were not incompatible ; in his heart lodged a compleat body of accomplishednesse , only it wanted a splean ; and by him all concluded , that goodnesse as well as vice wanted not its own excess ; yet such an excess as , seing it was in him , could not be vicious : Neither was this soul ill lodged ; for , as the soul was a pure diamond , so it was enchassed in a body of pure gold ; his face was both a King's face , and the face of a King ; and all the other members of his body were such , as suited well with such a face ; so that neither could the eye in his body , nor the judgment in his life challenge the least imperfection . He stept no sooner up to the Royal Throne , than his enemies began to belch out their malice against him ; considering , that if they perswaded not the Nations of those imperfections which they alleaged he was tainted with , presently , that he would shortly refute them by his admirable integrity ; Wherefore an Athenian Nobleman named Prastus , dispersed many Papers , flush of aspersions against his Majesty , at least , they were after search , found to be in his cabinet : whereupon he is arraigned , and a great Favourite , who was likewise his too great wel-wisher , is pickt out to be one of his Ju●●●● ; who finding , that he behoved either to lose his Master , or his Friend , was at first mu●h perplexed ; but at last ( as the worst of inventions are alwayes the readiest ) resolved , that as his Judge , he would first condemn him ; and then as his intimate , he would intercede for him : which he did effectuate , and procured him a remission for that crime , for which he formerly found him guilty . Whereat a true friend to his Majesty much offended , did remonstrate to the King his errour after this manner . Sir , your Majesty having once by Law condemned Prastus , if ye now absolve him , ye must condemn the Law which found him guil●y : for , if he be guiltless , the Law did wrong in sentencing him ; and if he be guilty , the Law is wronged in your absolving him . Neither admire I , to see your Nobles intercede for him ; for who knows but these in this plead for their own case ? and if either they , or any of them , be already , or shall be hereafter found guilty of those crimes , with which he was charged , then they may alledge for themselves , not only what they now alledge for him , but likewise may triumph in this precedent ; So that in sealing a pardon for him , ye abrogate all the penal Statutes , and layes up remissions for all that shall have the confidence but to seek them : C●●●●der , Sir , that this Nation is naturally factious , 〈◊〉 being commanded by Nobles , who have the Commons fully at their devotion , and that your absence feeds this humour in them , ( the face of a King being able either to charm subjects to a complyance , or to command them to obedience ) but what may ye expect , if they be once connived at by those who should punish them ? the Law was the only mastiff which kept the house from robbers , but if his mouth be musled , what security may be expected , the Law should be most rigid and best observed , where vices are most enticing , and to which we are most propense ; wherefore , seing nothing lures us so strongly as a nimious desire of liberty , and the desire of self-rule ; nothing should be so severely punished as Rebellion , which is the product of both these : and if even when Laws are execute against them , the numbers of such offenders are numberless , what may we expect when the Law prevaricates and sideth with them ? Sir , the lesse able men are to resist the wrongs done them , or to foresee them , the more grievously should the offenders be punished ; as poyson is more grievous than murther ( so that the horrour of the punishment is the best guard against these ) therefore of all treasonable plots , defaming Libels should be most severely punished , because it is most difficult to detect those , and when they are detected , it is impossible almost to refute them , neither is truth , soap sufficient to wash out the spots which Libels make , apprehension being enough to perswade men of what they fear . Sir , after he is released , will not his enemies vaunt , that either in courage ye durst not , or in justice ye could not condemn him ? so that either ye must proclaim your self rash in the first , or a coward in the last ; And who will as Judge condemn any attached hereafter as a Traitor , knowing that the person so condemed by them will survive their sentence to prove their enemy ? And thinks your Majesty , but Prastus will endeavour to revenge this affront ? neither will he ever ponder your courtesie in pardoning him , but will rather eye the affront done in once staging him : the wound may be cured , but the cicatrice will remain ; and if the children of Traitors are often secured , often banished , and often forfaulted ; because the Law presumes that they will yet possibly avenge the death of their fathers : how much more may we conclude , that a peson whilst alive himself , will resent his own disaster more jealously . Sir , augment not the number of your enemies , by recalling to life Prastus , who is already civilly dead , and remember that ye have thorns enow in the garden of your Kingdom , albeit ye plant none your self ; neither can ye expect any thanks from Prastus for this act of superstitious clemency , for your Favourites who have interceded for him , will reap those , and he will say , that ye declared sufficiently your malice against him in his condemnation , albeit thereafter ye declared your affection to those intercessors in his absolution ; and , Sir , since the papers were found with him , certainly he must be the leading card in this fa●al game , and the ring whereupon all the other keys hung . And I fear , Sir , ye must one day treat with him as your party , whom ye now pardon as your supplicant . But , Sir , seing ye fear the peoples envie on the one hand , and yet dread Prastus loyalty upon the other , to extricate your self from both these difficulties , keep him in prison , and in suspense , feeding him alwayes with hopes of releasment , providing his friends and dependants carry soberly ; by which means ye will secure him , and he will be an hostage to you for the good behaviour of others . The Court-favourite who bestirred himself so much for Prastus , was one named Taurus , whose honours were the donative rather of his Prince , than of his birth ; for , he was by birth but a Gentleman , rather of great parts than a great fortune ; but being of a singular spirit , and accute wit , was commissionated by the Athenian Gentlemen to represent their grievances at Court , and to reside there as their Legier , to manage their employments against the Nobles of their own Nation , with whom they had then some debates : the Courtiers ( who study alwayes mens humours as much as their business , knowing that most of men make it their business to satisfie their own humour , and that as men love not others so well as themselves , so they endeavour not so much to satisfie others as themselves ) did smell at last , that if he were created a Nobleman himself , his zeal against the Nobility would cease with his interest , wherefore finding , that his pulse did beat highly , they perswaded the King to enroll him amongst the Peers , which promotion cooled soon that feaver of respect which he had evidenced for those who employed him , so that he wrote home to the remanent Gentlemen , That since he ceased to be what he was when they commissionated him , he behoved likewise not to act now what they had entrusted to him , and that seing he was a Nobleman , he hoped they would construe it to be no breach of trust , that he antagonisted not the Nobilities interest : for , since we are desired onely to love our neighbours as our selves , it is presupponed that self-love will alwayes be the more prevalent ; as the square is alwayes streighter then that which is squared by it : and he thought that he did acquit himself sufficiently of his trust , in acquainting them of what had past , and in fore-warning them , that their Residents charge did now stand empty . The Gentlemen finding themselves thus befooled , resolved thereafter to imploy alwayes two or three , knowing that they could not then be so easily bribed . This Taurus did thereafter find the King's ear alwayes very open to him ; and as he was happy in being his Master 's Confident , so each man thought himself happy if he could but once obtain the favour as to be his ; yet his Majesty was much mistaken in this choice , for this wit was too subtile to be imployed in such subtile times , and it did afterwards prove so sharp that it cut himself ; sharp wits being like sharp razors , which should only be used by very stedfast hands ; else , if the hand vary , the razor cannot but make some gash , which was sufficiently verified in Taurus : for he endeavoured so much to cheat all , and please all , that he was in fine cheated by all , and pleased none ; for , not being able to head one faction himself , he was alwayes zealouzed by both the other factions , who endeavoured both to ruine him , seing neither of them could ensure him ; for as winds that changes oft , are hated by all sailers , because they can neither serve those who are to go or come ; So these changelings are neglected by all parties , neither can they ever advance themselves , for whoever gains , they will be still losers , whereas if they did constantly adhere to any faction , they would either gain when their interest were masters , or at least they might secure themselves by their own parties capitulation ; neither are ever these changlings admitted to the cabinet-counsels of either , nor know ever more nor what the revealers fear not to divulge . He was admitted by his Prince to oversee his treasure , wherein it was thought , that his Prince was much misted , and wherein he himself did likewise bewray some weaknesse ; his Princes errour was , that he should have promoted one whose estate was yet to be founded by the government of his Cash , which was all one as if he would put his full trencher to the mercy of a hungry dog , and especially seing it was notory , that not only his necessity but even his humour poused him too much to these designs ; his own errour was , that he should have begun to reform those errours in the State , which , because of his poverty , and humour , were concluded to be inventions , hatch'd rather to enrich himself than his master : Thus flourished , and thus perished Taurus , whose wit occasioned both his advancement and his ruine , like one thrown down those same stairs , by which he mounted . Taxes and gabels are as necessary in the politick body , as the spleen is in the natural , yet in both they engender many diseases ; private men thinking that lost which goes from their own privat coffers : and as patients often judge the moneys bestowed upon Physicians ill imployed , after they find themselves re-instated in their former health , attributing their recovery more to Nature than to his pains ; So subjects , when they are enstated in that peace , which the vigilancy of their Prince , aided by their taxes , hath procured for them , judge their taxes superfluous : never pondring in the scales of prudence what advantage the reap by them ( which indeed the meaner sort who complain most , cannot faddom ) but ruminate still upon the losse in once paying them ; yet this natural aversion they have from them , is oft scrued up to a greater height by the bad choice of those who are by the Court destinated to collect them , who being avaritious and odious persons , for those alwayes offer most for the farm of them , knowing by their rigidity to repay those vast sums , and so are still preferred ; which incites the people to abominate those taxes more than formerly , knowing that not only they go from themselves , but likewayes go to fill the purses of these detestable miscreants ; Neither is the unequall distribution of these taxes a small disadvantage to the Prince : for , as it grieves a man to pay any at all , so it grieves him yet more , that they should pay more than others ; So that whilst the friends and clients of some Courtiers are spared , others must bear their burdens ; and so men being alwayes prone to compute their own wrongs by the Arithmetick of comparisons , those who are wronged , judges their injuries so much the greater , that they see their neighbours totally exempted : for , albeit the Prince may satisfie his people , in telling them the true cause of such impositions in general , or hoodwink them in forging reasons where there are none ; yet there is no Court-sophister so cunning as to shew a reason why some are exempted , others not ; whereupon those who are extortioned , they exclaim first , and then are oft-times seconded by those to whom no wrong was done at all , who hope by these vociferations to get these impositions totally banished ; or else do fear , lest the case of their vexed neighbours may one day become their own , seing they have no leases of these favours more than others , and which they know to be mortal , aswell as those who indulge them ; but if people would advert how that twenty or thirty crowns a year , keep off either a forreign war , or prevents a civil , which would moulder away the half of their estates , if not prevented ; yea , and rob the wife of her husband , and the father of his children ; they would then condemn themselves , because they now condemn their Prince : and it is often seen , that those Nations flourish best , and conquer most , whose subjects are poorest , and whose treasures are fullest , the riches of subjects occasioning their luxury , and their luxury kindling a war ( that which is fattest kindling alwayes soonest ) whereas the riches of the publick cash are a rampart against publick invasions , and forceth strangers not to interrupt the Nationall Commerce , nor to abridge , but rather to enlarge their Priviledges . These contemptible grievances , were the small Machines which first moved that bulkish body of the popular fury in Lacedemon ; not against the King , but against Court-parasites , as they pretended ; the mal-contents of that Nation , who were then members of the Senate , taking occasion of Anaxagius his present necessity , being engaged by a National consent in a forreign war , which , as it tended to the repute of Lacedemon , should have in reason been prosecuted upon their charges ; Some thought , that these debates might have been easily reconciled : for , many ( at least some ) of these taxes , had been granted to some of Anaxagius his predecessors , for their own life-time only ; the subject thinking , that the securest way to preserve his priviledge , and the Prince thinking it sufficient to satisfie his present necessity ; and considering that if his successors were able , either by love , or power , to command their people , that then he might prorogate that tax for their life-time also ; but if contrariwise , his successors would be so simple , as rather to beg , than to acclaim these taxes as due , that then they could never expect to obtain them , albeit they had been granted as appanages of the Crown ; wherefore seing the Senat denyed them only as due by succession , they thought , that the King might either have past altogether from the superfluous desire , to derive them to posterity , or at least might have superceded the prosecution of his royal prerogative till a more favourable occasion , wherein his treasure might be richer at home , his affairs in better order obroad , and the grievances of his people fewer ; and till he had been more surely fixt himself in his newly mounted throne , and that for the present he might have acquiesced to a personal concession of those taxes , which they could not refuse him more than to his predecessors , seing his necessities were as ( if not more ) urgent than theirs . Others advised him not to passe from , but to change these taxations , in others as lucrative , and lesse odious ; such as the imposition of a tenth part of all pleas and legal pursuits , as should be found to be calumniatory , and intended to vex litigiously their honest neighbours ; which would be both profitable to the treasury , and pleasing to the subject ; both because these taxes seem alwayes most tolerable , which are least universal , and which the subjects may evite ; and which if they evite not , not the Prince who is the imposer , but the subjects who are the contraveeners are to be blamed ; as also , because those taxes are for repressing of vice , and so must be in themselves good , seing they are contrary to what is evil . He was likewise desired to change all corporeally-penal Statutes unto pecunial mulcts ; as the cutting off of an arm , unto so many crowns : for , by cutting off the arm , in place of satisfying the Commonwealth which is offended by the crime , the Common-wealth is yet more wronged by augmenting the number of her beggars ( such as those are , who being mutilated of their members , cannot employ them for to gain their bread ) and so necessitated in charity , to aliment those , who have wronged her in malice . There is also another mean , whereby this grievance of levying money by taxes may be averted , and that galling sore cured by an easier remedy ; which is , By heightning the Crown Rents to the true avail , whereby the King's purse may be fed with what growes upon his own ground : but the Officers of State have alwayes opposed this , as an enemy to their expectations ; for , if this were used , then should not Courtiers get Lands , worth five hundred pounds yearly , as if they amounted not to three hundred pounds ; nor should they exchange or buy Lands from the Prince at so easie a rate , as now they do . Princes likewise , should hear the meanest grievance of the poorest subject , against Toll-masters , themselves , and not refer the cognizance of such debates to his Courtiers , who being pensioners to these money-suckers , cannot but acquit themselves as favourable Judges , where their interest is debateable : As also , by such Delegations ; Customers are encouraged to fleece the poor people , who , like sheep , dare not open their mouthes , and the Prince is robbed of the right of appellations , which should be accounted one of the chief Jewels of his Crown : besides this , many judge it expedient that the Prince should , after that such taxes are granted to him by the people , assign portions of it to those to whom he is debitor ; as to Ambassadors , to Merchants , to his Navie , &c. whereby he may save the expenses of Collectors ; as also he may obviate the importunity and avarice of Courtiers , who absorbes it often in gifts and pensions , before the King receives it in to his coffers . Others alledge , that the Prince should compel those , who having farmed the customs have inriched themselves , hereafter to be his Customers , allowing them a petty sallary , and so to inform him how he may inrich himself with his own , as they have inriched themselves with what is his ; and in my own judgement I prefer either of these wayes , to that way which hath been formerly practised by the Lacedemonian Senate , in deputing some of their number to distribute what is granted : for , either these will condescend through complacency or fear , to follow the current of the Kings inclinations , and in that case are superfluous , or else the King and Court will become their implacable enemies , in which case all become factilus . There were many other advices furnished to his Majesty , but his Courtiers pressed him not to suffer his Royal Prerogative to be so obumbrated , and that he who yeelds once ground , is alwayes followed , and is glossed to be of kin to a coward . This grievance in the State , was seconded by many grievances in the Church ; the Church and State being like the soul and body , whereof the one followeth alwayes the temperament of the other . Pretended zeal is alwayes the step-mother of true loyalty ; and such a crime as treason would seem horrid , if it were not palliated by imaginary Religion ; and many Statesmen , perpending how many Religions have been at first hatch't , meerly to tame wild humours , which albeit they have been known to their first founders to be the product of their own brains , yet have thereafter been by their posterity imbraced as sacred truths , and the violaters of them punished as blasphemers , do therefore conclude , that possibly , if not probably , these truths which they now profess , are come from the same mint-house , since they carry the same impressa ; and therefore are meerly subservient to their secular ends : and that seing they cheat others in making profession of their zeal for Religion , when really they have none , nor cares for none , Why may it not be probable , that others have after the same way , hatch'd these opinions which they and others do in a manner believe ; as also these Statists see , that events ordinarily answer their expectation , and are consequential to their designs , which induceth them to believe , that providence and policy differs only as do two words : as also these two maxims , That all men have more or lesse of implicit faith which obliges them to believe what Ecclesiasticks say ; and that other , That we ought not to confine Religion within the narrow boundaries of reason : I say , these two induces men oft to anchor their faith upon that which is in it self most unreasonable , and stimulates men to act many things not only without asking a reason why they should do so , but even oft-times when there are many pregnant reasons tendered them why they should not do so , and when men are once engaged in these bigot quarrels , their order is both inexprimable and irresistable ; they fear not death , since they expect to be covered by the target of providence ; or , if they fall under Religions Standard , they are confident that their cause will canonize them ; they respect not friends , nor spare not their relations , as thinking themselves more nearly realted to the gods than to any else : and thus oft-times the gods are made the patrons of rebellion , and their temples , asyles in which the wickedest offender dare sanctuary himself . This was one of those pretended quarrels , which both the Lacedemonians and Athenians incensed the people by , against Anaxagius ; the Nobles in both Nations , finding that the Mufties did enhance all preferments , and were beginning to seek restitution of those Church-lands which had at first been doted to pious uses , and which were thereafter , because of the debordings of Churchmen , taken by the State , and bestowed upon the Nobles , because else , they had never condescended that old abuses should be reformed , seing they were still disposers of those Church Revenues themselves before that innovation ; the Nobles therefore resolved that they would pull away those Mufties from about the Throne , pretending Religion , and intending gain ; alledging that these were innovators , and did busie themselves only in State affairs . These were the main hinges of all the Lacedemonian troubles , yet they were not the sole ; for besides these may be numbred the nimious clemency of the Prince , and the depraved factiousness of the subjects : As for the Prince , he was a superstitious adorer of his subjects repose , and desired rather to have his own , than his subjects bloud spilt ; and albeit it was oft remonstrated to him , that the surest way to reign , was by the scepter rather of power than of love : for power and austerity was in his own hand , and depended upon none else ; whereas the scepter of love was swayed by the hand of a popular affection , which was as volatile as themselves ; and by it he was rather their slave , than their Prince , and that his rigidity ( if it were a fault ) yet was but personal , and infected none besides himself ; but his clemency , was the nursery of all those enormities wherewith the Land swarmed ; and seing vicious persons sinned not , more through fear of punishment , than through love to vertue , that Prince who bewrayed too much clemency , did proclaim an im●unity to all vice ; and that subjects were like a top which did run the fleetlier that it was sometimes lasht ; neither could that Prince expect to be obeyed , who punished not disobedience , notwithstanding of all those Remonstrances made to him by his friends , and of all the dangers which were foreseen by his prying spirit ; yet he resolved st●ll , rather to be good than great , and to make the hearts of his subjects the throne whereon he would only sit ; saying , that it was the part of a subject to revenge , but of a King to pardon ; and seing the actions of predecessor Kings , were the register of their successors , he resolved to learn his posterity how to pardon ; knowing that revenge and corruption would teach them to● well how to punish ; that the gods , whose vicegerents they were , gloried more in this attribute than in any else , and that the King of the Bees ( which is an hierogliphick of Monarchy ) wanted a sting : these were his principles , and proved his bane : and he who was mistaken in nothing else , was mistaken in this ; for , albeit the gods arrogate clemency as their special attribute , yet that is because the injuries of mortals cannot reach them ; whereas the rebellion of subjects can , and oft doth ruine Princes : and the omnipotent gods can at any time easily both foresee and repair those wrongs which they have suffered , yet a King and his government may receive a wound , which none will be able to cure ; and he may , by the malice of his adversaries , be thrown into a ditch , out of which none can recover him : And albeit a Prince may pardon those crimes which are committed against his own person , yet he neither can nor should pardon those crimes which are perpetrated against his government and authority ; which since it is not his property , and to which seing he is only administrator , he can no more delapidate , than a tutor can dispense with those who wrong his pupils estate . As to the perversnesse of the subject , it was also one of the cards wherewith this fatal game was played ; for , albeit at first the crime resided in few , yet did thereafter extend it self to all ; for , albeit the number of those who disaffected the Royal interest in the Senate was but small , yet those few vexed all , and perverted many of those who were at first but neuters , and those publick Conventions are like Watches , which will not go soundly if but any wheele or pi● be in disorder : for as in the natural , so in the politick body , a sore in any part is able to disquiet all the other members : thus it is here ; for those who were dissatisfied , did so by the pestiferous breath of their treasonable discourses , infect others , that they became now as numerous as they were formerly viperous ; and at last dared to ventilate those treasonable discourses even in the Senate-house ; thinking that the only way to engage the remanent members in their quarrels . Anaxagius challenging these discourses , and desiring the authors should be put in the claws of justice , this was refused him , so that now the cancer of jealousie did begin to spread , and one of the Senators when this debate was tabled , enveighed thus against the Kings suite . Gentlemen , seing I am to enter the lists of this debate , I am glad I should have Justice for my Client , and you for my Judges , not meerly because I know that ye are interested ( albeit that be likewise true ) but because I know you to be both judicious , and experienced ; judicious , whereby ye may know what is reasonable , and experienced , whereby ye may know what hath been the uncontroverted priviledge of this House ; and albeit all the Lacedemonians were assembled , yet would I appeal by choice to your judgments , to whom I must necessarily now appeal , as being chosen by them to be their Representatives . Gentlemen , seing Liberty is that by which we are differenced from beasts , it follows necessarily , that the more free men are , the more they are elevated above a brutal humour , and the more Liberty they lose , the nearer they verge upon brutishnesse : how necessary must Freedom be to subjects , seing without it they are rather slaves than subjects ; and of all the Liberty which subjects can contend for , that of debating freely before any Taxation or Law be statuted ( which is our case ) is the most considerable : for , seing Kings are very apt to impose and exact Taxes , without the assistance of a Law , surely they will be more rigid , when they will have the patronage of a Law to assist their rigidity , and sein● after any Statute is once made , the subject is not free to controll it , it is necessary that he have some freedom indulged him in controlling it before it be statuted ; and who dare use this freedom , when it is hedged-in on all sides by fear of Treason , and of Court-hatred ? whereby he will certainly risk , and may possibly lose both his life and fortune ; and albeit the marches of subject-priviledges be already narrow , yet they will be more narrow when such precipices are the marches ; for then none will dare to approach the outmost lines , fearing that fall which may prove irrecoverable ; and if it shal be licite to a King ( who may prove a Tyrant , for goodnesse was never entailed uninterruptedly upon any one succession ) to challenge what is here debated freely , may he not alwayes forge some quarrel to pick out alternatly , those whom he perceiveth most able to counterpoint him , and so shall leave us like Wine which cannot rellish well when the spirits are once extracted ; and albeit ye be all of you eminent , both for wit and experience , yet there are , and shall alwayes be some more eminent than others ( for albeit all run well , yet all cannot run equally ) whom if the Prince who shall then reign , do remove , their absence , and the terrour injected upon other therethrough , will certainly render this Judicatory altogether useless : Remember , Gentlemen , that ye are the Hedge , planted to defend the Garden of this Nation from all oppressory incursions ; if ye be not pointed , and stick not near one another , enemies will either leap over , or break through , and especially where the design is , to steal away the golden apples of the subjects priviledges , and seing your antcessors , have preserved for you this freedom , as a patrimony , endeavour to derive it to your posterity ; neither do ye prove banquerouts , of what your fathers have been so parcimonious ; and as ye all endeavour to accumulate riches for them , so endeavour also to secure their priviledges , without which their estates are of small value . This discourse did stir up those sparkles of rancour , which lay formerly smothered in many of their breasts ; and they concluded , that it was both fit and just , to owne and intercede for those who were challenged ; and at last , finding , that they could not prorogate their sitting themselves , without the Kings special advice and consent ; and finding that their many and great projects could not be perioded without some considerable time , they resolved to buy a lease of some years liberty to sit , with the grant of a taxation ; and the rather , because they considered , that they had most unjustly irritated his Majesty already , as also , that these Taxes would in fine be taken , if they were not given ; wherupon their seance is continued by the King , and the taxes are immediatly exacted by their special approbation ; yet so , that they inform the people every-where under-hand , that their assent was extorted from them , and that such a small morsel would rather sharpen than satisfie the appetites of the insatiable Courtiers . Now fear of being punished in some , and misinformation in others , did alienate their minds fully from their obedience ; Loyalty was now accounted slavery , and the meanest act of jurisdiction , tyranny ; yet businesses were not so ripened yet , as that the leading men durst yet appear publickly , but the prologue of this tragedie was committed to the people , who in a tumultuary way were sent with extravagant Petitions , sometimes against the Favourits , and at other times against the Mufties , the people being like the Sea , which the Nobles , Priests , and Wits , like so many Winds make stormy or calme at their pleasure : In Athens the women were ordinarily imployed in such expeditions , knowing that both their number and sex would plead immunitie for them from any deserved punishment . And because their simplicity like the straw could kindle soonest ; neither could they be repressed , either by harrongues or the sword , the ordinary calmers of such tempests , for as to reason they could not patient so long , as to hear it , nor ponder it so maturely , as to understand it ; neither would any man staine the lustre of his sword with the blood of a woman : Yet Autophilus the Vice-roy in Athens , was desired to punish the husbands of those irregular women , knowing that they instigated them to , or at least connived at their disorders ; either of which was a crime which merited incarceration : as also , the husbands punishment would easily tame these reasonless creatures ; Or else , to lay fast some of the plodding Nobles , whom they might keep as hostages for those heteroclite factions . But Autophilus , as we shall hear afterwards , favoured too much their projects , to punish their courses ; for he , hating the Mufties secretly , did desire both the King and them to act what might most incense the people , and so made their own actions their burriers . The first mark at which they did shoot those darts of popular fury , was on Basilicus , a Lacedemonian ( knowing that the way to weaken Anaxagius , was to waste the bloud of his principal veins ) upon him they fastened the teeth of their envie , and it must be treason against the people , not to punish him as a traitour ; his accusation is founded upon some excerpts gotten from one of his Majesties Secretaries ; but what needs proofs , where death is once decreed ? His Majesties rigidity , which could never be exerced against his enemies , must be now burrier to his friends , like an unaturall heat in the body which can consume it self , but cannot consume the meat which should rather be consumed by it . When any thing falls to pieces , it is surely near ruine ; and when a Nation doth by faction become two , it will probably at last become none at all : wherefore when the Nobility doth like an hair , begin to branch it self ; the King , like a skilfull Barber , should crop it in that place , for certainly the hair it self cannot then grow longer : Factions are those State-convulsions , which can hardly be cured except they be soon adverted to , and after the ring-leaders of factions have once engaged many innocent subjects in their quarrel , it is both difficult and dangerous to repress them ; and they being the roof under which many poor innocents have retired , ye cannot pull down the roof without smooring those who are under it . Another great inconvenience in factions ( as there is nothing convenient in them ) is , That where the Standard is once erected , all the criminal and discontented persons run to it , and must be both received and protected , both to requite their kindness , and to invite others , So that these prove not only the sanctuaries , but even the encouragers of malefactors ; and as that person cannot but be concluded distracted , who dashes his one hand or foot against the other ; So , that State must be thought demented , wherein the one half clashes against the other ; Lacedem●n and Athens joyntly , were both disjoynted now by factions in their Church , some adhering to their old rites and ceremonies , whereupon they were called Saturnists ; others were perswaded to imbrace the new , were named Iovists ; worshiping Iupiter , because they conceived him most rational , albeit not so old as Saturn , and who influenced most strongly upon Princes ; these last , were both more zealous , and more numberous , and did at last impropriate to themselves all the Offices of the Nations , whereupon many flocked to them , making Religion a mine , out of which they expected to dig gold in abundance . In the State of Athens there were likewise two factions , who like two twins strugling in the womb of the Commonwealth , tortured vehemently their miserable mother ; the one faction was led by Autophilus , a man of a profound prudence , and who had even from his youth suckt the breasts of State-education , and had so familiarized himself with its mysteries , that they were become now no wayes mystical to him ; but whose misfortune it was , that his fortune could rise no higher , except it had disputed preference with the Royal Throne ; and that is the unhappiness of those happily born subjects , that naturally ambition elevates them alwayes above their own level , and yet their present state admits of no higher to which they can pretend , without rivalling their Prince . So ordinarily the eminentest of subjects , are born either to be fools or traitors ; from which they can hardly be diverted , except some forreign imployment abroad , or formidable Prince at home , either feed or starve that genial humour : This made many alledge , that Autophilus did in thoughts design himself to be Prince of Lacedemon , intending to marry Anaxagius neece , and by inveighing against the Queen , to get all her children declared bastards ; and his sisters other children declared rebels , by engaging them in a war against the Nation : but these projects were so improbable , and so treasonable , that none could assent thereto , but were rather construed to be forged by his enemies , than to be his own , either wishes or hopes . The other faction was founded by Phanosebus , a man of a deep reach , and one who might have shared in the highest imployment , if he could but have expected it patiently ; but he , like many others , did spill , by drawing violently to him , what he might have had entire , if he had waited till it had been bestowed upon him willingly : Many characterized him to be a man of more wit than vertue , and of more cunning than of either , many followed him ( as was said ) meerly because they hated the other ; so that he stood more engaged to the others miscarriages , than he did to his own abilities : those who adhered to him , were such as could signifie nothing without him , and yet who with his assistance were successfull enough , yea , and too much ; like ciphers , which without a figure signifie nothing , yet when joyned to a figure makes the figure signifie more than it could do alone : Some in the body of this faction acted the mouth , and were fitted for nothing else ; others the hands , to execute what they had commanded ; and some the feet , to run where any thing was to be acted , till at last these many parts got adjoyned to them a Nose , which , because of its bignesse , overshadowed the face , and made the rest seem terrible ; which , as is rela●●● in Lacedemon , did thereafter fall by the pox ; yet possibly these are but jealousies , and not proofs which can be adduced against him . Both these factions fomented the increase of the Iovist faction , and were but like small rivers running in to swell up that ocean : for , albeit they differed in their aims , yet seing they aimed both at the ruine of the Saturnists , they concurred in that who could concur in nothing else ; like two travellers , who albeit their dwellings , or homes , be far separated , do ride together whilst the way is the same ; Yet the Iovists favoured more Phanosebus faction , both because they were most favoured by them , as also because they jealoused Autophilus to be too subtile . Amongst the Phanosebists there was one Oranthus , a Gentleman whom hundreds of years cannot parallel , as if Nature needed so much time to bring forth such an Elephantine vertue , and whereof a Nation could lodge but one , as if it were not able to bear two such great burdens of worth ; this Gentleman was in affection a Iovist , and persisted so , but hated in the end the Phanosebists , as persons whose interests was their god , and whose godlinesse was their gain : for , finding whom they intended to share the Provinces amongst themselves , under pretext of regulating abuses , and preventing insurrections , did forsake them , because he found that they had forsaken their duty , and refusing their proffers , refused them also his assistance ; thinking it Treason rather than Reason , to assist them who resisted their Prince , and persisted in their Rebellion : Yet did he alwayes love the Iovist interests , albeit he hated some of their darlings , and relinquished not their party , albeit he relinquished their persons ; wherefore finding his danger both imminent and eminent , he posted to Anaxagius , and was by him commissionated to command his Army in Athens ; but before he went thither , he assembled his friends , and disclosed thus to them all the mysteries that had past . Gentlemen , State-designs are like herbs , which cannot be known at their first starting-up ; and errours may be pardoned , if they be not continued ; especially , where the pretexts are so specious , and the dissimulation so deep : this is both our case , and our misfortune , and I may say our misfortunate case ; we have been nose-led by some , whose ends have been to end our loyalty , and to plot the ruine of him who hath kept them and this Nation from ruine ever hitherto ; they pretend piety , but who can be so childish as to think that these would open so liberally both their veins and purses for that in publick , for which they would not open their very mouths in private ? and how can we think that those who would not bestow scarce a crown in charity , or an hour in prayer , clemency , and pardoning of others , which are the essentials of Religion , will bestow all their time and estates for the maintenance of what is but ceremonial . Gentlemen , let us not give suck to these bastard projects , nor credit to these improbable discourses , but let us both condemn and resist these intentions , let us pay our Prince the tribute of respect , and respect such as will become his tributaries ; they have not yet monopolized the affection of the Nation , let us endeavour to get them disaffected , and let our swords cut the knot of such plots : the design is somewhat practicable , because the people cannot always be cheated ; for time will decipher cheats , and such vast projects cannot be prosecuted without vast expences , and many will weary of paying those who are traytors , who would never weary to be traytors themselves ; for certainly , all men have , as they are men , some inclinations of being loyal and honest ; and if they unpath themselves from it , it is to follow the tract of some golden or gilded vice ; which if they misse , they will presently return : and it is impossible that where all seek , that all can find , especially where there is so little to be found by any , and where the Grandees will endeavour to enhance all : They are likewise divided , and the one may help to destroy the other , whilst we are endeavouring to destroy both . Anaxagius , against whom they war , is so good , and his cause so just , that it were an offence against the immortal gods to think that they will not favour him , and blesse it ; and albeit they be numerous , and we few , yet let us not be discouraged ; for desperat and unjust exploits flourish alwayes most first , whilst the actors have not time nor conveniency to reflect upon what they are doing ; but at last when that fervour is abated , their honesty will encrease ; Our cause is honourable , seing it is in defence of him who is the source of honour , and we shall finde our recompence payed us , both by our Consciences and our King ; after-ages shall admire our memories , and erect memorials of our loyalty ; and what we do by our swords , shall be done over again by the pens of learned Historians . But to what purpose shall I enlarge my self , seing I know you to be Gentlemen , whose ancestors have been the ramperts of this Nation , and loyal subjects to their Prince ? Is it possible that ye are heirs to all their estates , and to none of their worth ? or , may ye expect obedience from your yeomen , who will not defer it to your Prince , to whom ye are tyed by many oaths , whereas they are tyed by none to you ? and under whom your predecessours have lived hundreds of years , whereas theirs have lived under you but since yesterday ; Can ye be so rigid exacters from others , who are so bad payers your selves ? Let us then hazard our lives before they be taken from us ; or at least , lest we live to say , that we have lived too long , as having out-lived the freedom of our Nation , and security of our Prince ? All admired , and the most part allowed this discourse , and condescended to list themselves amongst his followers , and to run the common hazard with him , knowing that the hazard could be but either small , or at least glorious , where the Conducter was both so skilfull and so generous . This good cause was followed with good success ; for , the Athenians considering , that the raising of an Army was requisite , if not necessary , seing that which is unnatural cannot be maintained without violence , and thinking , that the only way to make themselves formidable to their Prince ( those capitulations being most favourable which are written with the point of the sword ) and most fit , seing it would remunerate their friends and dependances , as being a mean to afford them salaries and employments , did raise a numerous Army well equipped : For horse-courses which had been alwayes much frequented , both out of pleasure and policy in that Nation , had stored them with excellent horses : And surely that Nation is happy , where trains consist most in gallant men and able horses , which may serve aswell in war as in peace ; rather than in laquies , who are both roguish and undiscreet ; and in coaches , which are both expensive , effeminate and useless ; and which habituate men so , that they can neither ride , nor suffer themselves to be exposed to the fa●igues of wind or rain : that Nation was likew●se well armed , each mans house being an arsenal , and each arsenal able to arm numbers of men ; which some keeped for pleasure , but the most part for intestine discords ; for to be neighbours , and to be at variance , were alwayes joyned : Peace having thus prepared the materials , it was easie for war to arm it self , which did afterwards like the prodigal , spend totally that great stock which its predecessor had laid up for it . Neither was their Courage wanting more than Arms ; for none was so niggard of his life , as to spare it at this occasion : Yet this chariot of war had other wheels besides that of courage ; for , young men went out of gallantry , old men out of zeal , and both out of avarice ; knowing that Lacedemon , where they were to march , was a rich meadow , where they might all feed abundantly , leaving their host nothing but their leanness to pay their reckoning ; so that they seemed like bees to go out of their barren hive , to suck honey from the flowers of the neighbouring gardens ; this was the golden whistle wherewith their cunning huntsmen called these grayhounds to the prey ; and it is oft the greatness of the prize which makes the goodnesse of the cause . After these were all marched , Oranthus entereth the Athenian bounds , backt by none but by the Royal Commission , which made his cause good , but not his party strong ; Yet at last some from all corners flocked to him , the Royal Standard being an Orator eloquent enough , to perswade those who could hear with loyal ears , and who reverenced not their estates as their King , thinking gold the prince of hearts as it is of mettals : It was reported by some , that the Iovists had placed domestick Priests in each family , for the service of their houshold gods , to remark mens actions , and to convince themselves , or at least to tutor the wives , by whom they might thereafter know the husbands ; and that this restrained somewhat the confluencing of the subjects to Or●nthus : but these were rather personall prejudices , than true conjectures . Others alledged , that Oranthus pride deterred others from joyning with him , as being a person , who as he was in worth equalled by none , so who in pride surpassed all : But that likewise was a mistake , for what was called in him pride , was really prudence ; for he considered prudently , that those who kept a distance with all , will be tempted to reveal their secrets to none , and will have time and convenience to canvasse fully what is fittest to be done upon every emergent ; However , if this was his fault , he was happy in being tainted with no other fault but this ; and his excess in his carriage to his equals , was compensed with the moderation used by him to his inferiours ; for , as they branded him with the one , so they could not but allow him the other : It was admirable how a body inured to much ease , could endure so much trouble : for , in spight of his former custom , he accustomed himself to dispense with what pleasure he enjoyed formerly , shewing the world , that as his spirit was of gold , so his body was of brasse , and it appeared that he had changed his body as well as his opinion ; or rather , that his body resolved rather to suffer the hardest of hardships , before it would suffer so rare a soul as his was to change its dwelling , and quit its imbracements ; grasse was his best bed , stones his ordinary pillows , and the heavens his continual cannopy ; his drink was water , and his diet opportunity ; his counsellors few , and his enemies many , and yet it appeared that providence kept those from him , meerly to shew that without these he could conquer , and that Oranthns alone was strong enough for these many . The Senate of Athens resolved to fight him before he became stronger , whereupon they dispatch'd some Forces under the conduct of Phanosebus , who was no sooner seen than vanquish'd ; as if he had come not to fight , but to render only , he himself whose leggs was armed with swiftness , did run as if he had pawned his life against death , who should run fastest : After this many followed the Conquerour who would not have followed Oranthus , and seing fortune came to encamp with him , many came to incamp with fortune . It was thought folly in Phanosebus , whose strength lay mainly in his wit , to hazard in those imployments , where rather strength than wit was requisite ; for , as some said , it was an unbeseeming a Statesman to act the Souldier , as it was to a Physician to practise in Law , and especially where the adversaries valour was redoubled , and that by so doing he wronged himself without wronging his enemies ; for thereafter many said , that he was neither stout nor fortunate : whereas if he had stayed at home , he might have salved his repute in both , and might have kept himself as a Reserve , making his friends , after they should have been often beat without him , hope that they should conquer when he went alongst with them ; and seing fortune is half play-maker in all humane actions , it is a great disadvantage for a great undertaker to be thought misfortunate : but surely his motive was , that he feared lest Oranthus should flourish too much , and that it would be too late resisting him when he would become both more skilful , and more famous . This victory was seconded by many others , so that he conquered as oft as he fought ; yea , rather he could not fight without conquering ; all his actions were maturely deliberated , and speedily executed , and so could not be but successfull : His Army consisted partly of natives , partly of forreigners , the one whereof did emulate the other in courage , and so could not both but act gallantly , seing gallantry was their motive : The forreigners behoved to fight , knowing that else they had not any where else to ●refuge themselves , in having neither their own homes , nor the houses of their friends to shelter them , and would not flee because they knew not where . The natives were assured of the gallows , if they ensured not themselves by their courage ; and their quarter was no pardon , but a respit from death ; not a preserving them from the sword , but a reserving them for the block , that so ignominy might be put upon themselves , and terrour left upon their wel-wishers . Many of that Nation exclaimed against the cruelty used by his Souldiers , and their other exorbitances ; but these adverted not when his Army wanted pay , and so he was necessitated to allow them plunder ; neither should they have so exclaimed against him upon that account , seing their relenting in coming in to him did oblige him to imploy strangers , whose enormities were the only crime of his well-disciplined Army : neither was it strange to see those who were starved in the hils and deserts , eating oft nothing but roots , and drinking nothing but water , drink and feed somewhat liberally when they came where they might have it , and even exerce some cruelty towards those who caused those their many miseries ; however , a General may govern men , yet cannot he make men , not alter their inclinations● and as they relate at Athens , never General 〈◊〉 so reconcile different humours , nor govern so prudently rash and impudent Souldiers , as he did ; his Army was divided in factions , and opposed by factions , yet did salve the inconveniency of the one , and guard wise against the inconveniency of the other , making himself an arbiter when they were at variance amongst themselves , and a target when they were assaulted by their enemies . The Phanosebeans and the Autophilists , were vying all this while for precedency , the Clergy and Cities adhering to the Phanosebeans , many of both being stipendiated by him , the Nobility and Gentry following Autophilus ; their main aim being to repress the Mufties , thinking to stop there ; but it is hard for any who tumbles down the hill of vice , to stop till he have once run down to its root ; for vice is none of those manageable horses who can be stopped in the midst of their carrier ; and since man is naturally so depraved , as that he cannot abstain from what is ill ; what may we expect of him when his depraved humour is fortified by these depraved habits ? and many have gone aside from their way , intending presently to return , who having once strayed , were never able to return to it ; and the immortal gods deal most justly with mortal men in this : for , to think that men can be good at pleasure ( much more then , to think that he is able to exchange vice for vertue in an instant ) is to exalt man upon the pinacle of arrogances temple ; and if the event answered the expectation , besides the original depravednesse of mans humour , man should likewise be invited both to be wicked , and to continue in his wickedness by this happie and succes●full encouragement ; neither should goodnesse be taken as a donative from heaven , but should be esteemed such a flower is might grow in the baddest soil upon earth . Albeit then the Autophilists intended not to spin out the threed of their opposition to their Prince to such a length as the Phanosebeans did ▪ yet , being once engaged , the hatred they bore some privatly-well-affected persons , and their desire to overreach the Phanosebeans , did oblige them both to act and suffer what did really run crosse to their humour . Yet in spig●● of all endeavours used by the Autophilists , the other faction were the darlings of the Iovist Clergie , which Cletus , brother to Autophilus , perceiving , he resolved to defeat them with their own weapons , and to pretend as much zeal as the others could ; whereupon knowing , that all extraordinary changes must be effectuated by extraordinary means , he alledgeth that he is pang'd by his conscience for his but luke-warm affection to the Iovist faction ; and sending for some of their Grandees , he entreated them to suffer him to appear in sackcloth before the Altars , to hear sacrifice offered there for himself to atone this sin ; they thinking his remorse to be heart-deep , agree to the motion ; So that Clitus is now admitted to prostrate himself before the Altar , in the presence of many thousands , whom the extraordinarinesse of the action , as a bell , had called hither , where with all pomp and solemnity imaginable , he is absolved from that crime ; and is permitted to harrangue the by-standers , whose hearts , like good ground ; were soon softned by those showres of tears , which deluged from his eyes , and were perswaded that he was now , because of his piety , incantonized amongst the gods , so that now the Iovists ( glad to bridle the one faction with the fear of the other , and willing that they should emulate one another , hoping thereby to aggrandize their own respect ) did carress both almost equally . Phanosebus would never imbrace any charge himself from the Senate , knowing that thereby he would be obliged to appear always himself , and to subscrive Papers , wherein the actings of these times should be preserved , and reserved as monuments of their madnesse : as also he should be necessitated thereby to remain alwayes at Athens , and should want the conveniency of retiring himself at inconvenient occasions , but he caused prefer these , who being his creatures , he was confident would be at his devotion . At last Ora●tbus , oppressed by their numbers , and deserted by his money-less Souldiers , becomes their prisoner ; betrayed by an ignominious rascal , who sold that pricelesse Gentleman to the Athenian Senate , buying with his price perpetual infamy to himself and his posterity ; and is by them condemned to be hanged publickly , and his legs and arms to be fixt upon publick poles : who being brought to the Scaffold , delivered this Speech . Gentlemen , I Regrate not so much my own fall , as I do the fall of the Royal Standard , and that mine enemies should use my ruine as an argument to prove the goodnesse of their quarrel : I know they deck my death with their inhumane triumphs , to make death seem the more terrible to me , and my cause seem the more undesirable to others : But as for me , seing the cause for which I suffer is just , the more I suffer , the more the immortal gods and my kind prince are my debtors ; and the more remarkable they make it , the more famous shall it prove to posterity . I have alwayes esteemed them happy who lye upon the brinks of times impetu●●s river , remarking how it glides away swiftly , bubling up bells here and 〈◊〉 ( whereof the greatest are alwayes the least durable ) and dissolving them instantly , whereof two or three somtimes joyn together and shortly ruine each other ; and in other places , foaming through rage and spight , 〈◊〉 some rock or stone retards its violent course ; but unhappy are th●se who delights too much to swim in it , and as it were by way of compliment , to run alongst with its streams : yet seing happinesse consists in action , and since it is unnatural in any man , to be a willing ( or at least an idle spectator of his Countries miseries ( for to be idle , is in some wayes to be willing in things commanded by duty ) I admire him most who acts most for it , and who , like the bees , will sting him who intends either to remove or to wrong their hive , I am condem●ed as guilty of treason , because I obeyed my Prince , against whom treason only can be committed ; and seeing it had been treason if I had disobeyed , how can my obedience make me a traitor ? I am accounted cr●el , but can truly be no more reputed such , than he who endeavours with rebukes and lashes to reduce a run●agate and runaway servant to the obedience of his kind and condescending master : Neither I hope shall others be frighted by these my sufferings , s●ing misfortun 's balls can●●t hit alwayes the same mark ; and I hope others shall be admitted to build that pallace to which we have only served as Quarriers ; and albeit they should meet death either in the Camp , or up●● a Scaffold , why should that terrifie them ? seing to die so is to die in the arms of honour ▪ after which they may expect to have a Monument of Fame erected for them : Whereas those who put the hour-glasse of their life in the trembling hand of fear , will oft-times have it broken un●xpectedly , by a fall both dishonourable and irrecoverable . This discourse being ended , the Executioner first hanged , and then quartered him ; and the very Scaffold , dyed with his blood , seemed to blush at the cruelty of his Judges ; all condemning their cruelty , and admiring his courage , so that Sampson-like ( as Christians use to say ) he overcame moe at his death than he did in his life : teaching Statesmen never to execute publickly , those who are loved generally ; and thus was extinguished by the puddle of faction and malice , that lamp which was kindled by the hand of providence . Anaxagius affairs in Lacedemon were by this time wholly ruined ; for , the specious pretext of liberty being displayed as a banner by the Senate , all the Commons rendezvouzed themselves under it ; and albeit their consciences , and experience did therafter inform them sufficiently of their errour , yet fear of being punished , obliged them to continue in their crime , telling them in the ear , that albeit their cause was bad , yet their danger was inevitable . Anaxagius own servants likewise did sing their own parts in this treasonable song ; for they ( as they pretended , when challenged by their friends ) fore-seeing their masters ruine , which they were not able to resist , resolved rather to stand without him , than fall with him ; like those who having sailed long in a pretty ship , finding that she is like to split , do break away a piece off her , whereon they may come ashoare in safety . But it is no wonder to see the Devil , who cheated the judgement before the commission of the sin , cheat the conscience after it is once committed ; and by such impious sophistry , defend his cheats against the just accusations of piety and duty . These miscreants did pick nightly his Majesties pockets , and send doubles of his Letters to his enemies , whereby both his plots were discovered , his friends laid open to his enemies malice , and likewise his own repute hugely tashed ; for , some finding their correspondence with him , and only known ( as they thought ) to him , thus revealed ; concluded that he beho●ved himself to be the revealer : And certainly , ●his scarred even his most loyal friends from corresponding with him , who albeit they durst ●ot harbour such disparaging thoughts of him ●s that was , Yet shunned to throw themselves 〈◊〉 that snare , wherein they saw others both ●atched and murdered . Another cardinal errour in Anaxagius , was , That upon the tumults and insolencies of the ●●ulgar sort in the City of Lacedemon , he re●●quished the City , fearing that these fat●l ●omets did animate some signal alteration : But by his flight , he rather encreased their jealousie , than evited their clamourous malice , which was so swift-footed as to pursue him where●ever he went ; for , in his absence the author● of these seditions , did not now fear to be revealed , nor , when revealed , to be so sharp●● punished as formerly : Whereas if he had stayed at Lacedemon , his generous and modest ●●portment would have refuted most of thes● malicious and groundlesse discourses whic● were now openly ventilated against him ; th● City likewise finding , that he misconstrue● them so far , as to think himself not secur● whilst amongst them , did now joyn with th● Senate , cordially advancing them money , wher● by both Army and Navie was maintained , an● whereby those who followed Anaxagius wer● entised to cantone themselves in the Senat● faction ; neither could the Senate comman● the Navie without the Navie from whom 〈◊〉 its materials could only be expected . Where●upon a Gentleman said to his Majesty one mor●ning , That a King was like the heart , whic● when it is by any unnatural motion remove● from its wonted seat , that certainly its dissolution must ensue shortly . It is likewise firmly believed by many in th● Nation , that the Senate fearing lest the K●● of Egypt , brother to their Queen , should se●● some auxiliary Forces against them , did by their Ambassadors buy with considerable sums Sophander's friendship , representing likewise covertly , that such a War would pick his Masters purse , leaving little or nothing to his friends and favourites , who otherwise might expect largely ; and that it was the interest of Egypt , to see Lacedemon in such a hubbub . They likewise treated with the Common-wealth of Corinth , to advance them Arms , promising that they should have liberty of fishing in their Seas , without any toll : a priviledge which the Corinthians feared Anaxagius would both question and recall . The Sun of Anaxagius power was beginning to set , the Nobles , of whom his Army consisted mostly in Lacedemon , were , like flies , returning in the cool of the evening ; and many attributed his ruine to their military disorders , and unskilfulness : for , each of them behoved to be preferred to some command in the Army , which occasioned , that those who had followed martial imployments abroad formerly , were constrained to sue for imployments from the Senate ; as also the jars and emulations which were amongst themselves , destroyed the common unity , and made the Souldiery fear , that the house which had so many rents , would one ●●y fall ; and that those would prove in end wisest , who retired soonest : But contrariwise the Senate governed their Army most prudently , preferring experienced Souldiers to the most eminent charges , and proveanting them most opportunely upon all occasions ; for , having the City at their devotion , it did suppediate them both with money , pitch , cordage , and other materials for their Fleet , and by the assistance of the Fleet they victualled their Army in all places : whereas Anaxagius Army destitute of such necessaries , were constrained to prey upon the Country , and thereby lost totally their affections . The Senate likewise doted their Army with all priviledges imagi●able ; for they licensed the Apprentices of all Cities , and of all Trades , to serve in their Army , and there to fulfil those years for which they were bound to their Masters ; As also they recompensed with Offices in the State all such as had merited well of the State in the Army , and received their lame Souldiers in hospitals , and pensioned some others who were more eminent , and erected tombs for those who were killed in their service ; punishing severely all who either openly or covertly promoted or favoured Anaxagius interest . The Senate weary at last of being either authors or spectators of these bloudy conflicts , which hapned daily betwixt Anaxagius Armies and theirs , resolved to patch up these differences , and to seek now by treaty what they formerly would have extorted by war ; perceiving that they expended more treasure in the pursuit of their priviledges , than they could gain by them , albeit granted : and that Anaxagius successors would re-assume what Anaxagius would be obliged now to concede ; which the Army perceiving , and concluding that their gain would be hereby totally drained ; for the intended peace behoved to infer a disbanding of their Forces : and albeit an Act of Amnesty would lull them asleep in a promised security , yet old quarrels would be one day wakened by the malice of those , whose friends and kinsmen they have cut down ; or by the avarice of Courtiers , who would endeavour to render them criminal , because their estates were opulent : Wherefore they concluded , that it was fit to possess themselves of Anaxagius person , that so a peace should not be concluded but at their pleasur● , or at least if it were concluded , that it should be to their advantage ; and that any courtesie should be conferred upon him , might be taken as a donative bestowed by them . These were the pretexts which Autarchus , General of the Lacedemonian Forces , used , to induce his Souldiers to an assent in this particular , but his thoughts levelled at another mark ; for he was at this time laying the foundations of his future greatness , a structure which his subtility and boldness did afterwards rear to an unspeakable height . Autophilus did now finde by the designs broached , that he and his adherents would be smothered under the ruine of Anaxagius government , if it did once fall ; and that those Merculiasts ( for so were they termed who owned the Army , because they worshipped Mercury ) intended to pluck up the branches of Nobility , with the root of Monarchy , did now condemn his first projects as disloyal in themselves , and , as prejudicial to his own subsistance ; whereupon he addresseth himself to Anaxagius , and gets a Commission from him to levy thirty thousand men in Athens , which he effectuated accordingly ; for , his faction , which was numerous in it self , was swelled up greater by the concourse of those who affectionated Oranthus ; and who found that Phanosebus would have massacred them , if they had not refuged themselves at this Altar . But both the one and the other were animated by the horrid usage which their Prince did meet with from the Mercurialists : those who had been loyal formerly continuing so still ; and those who had been disloyal , thinking their zeal for him now , the only way to deprecate his wrath , and satisfie their own consciences . This Army marches , carrying alongst with it both all the warriours and warlike furniture of the Nation ; and , as providence had taugh● that Nation formerly , that few , assisted by it , might beat many ; So it taught them now , that many , when resisted by it , might be beat by few ; teaching in both , that it useth numbers rather as a shadow than a sword , imploying sometimes those , lest ordinary means should altogether be neglected , and vanquishing often without these , lest ordinary means should be too much relyed upon ; and least , in both , divine patience should be omitted . But these proved like the Witches , who can do ill , but cannot do good ; and albeit they had raised the Devil of Rebellion , yet could they never lay him again , the heavens disdaining that any of its infant projects should de nursed by those who were once its enemies . Phanosebus had all this while opposed this design , not but that he wished the releasment and enlargement of his Prince ; but hating that he should be released by the Autophilists , esteeming every thing lawfull or unlawfull , accordingly as it could advance or rebute that interest . Wherefore after the Autophilists were marched , he levyes some inconsiderable persons , who had lyen at home , like some chaff in the corner of a barn , after the wheat is all carried away . These were with much cunning trysted to the fields , not out of any intention to fight ( for if they had dreamed of that , they had never moved ) but as if it had been only to recreate themselves ; yet then they were once mustered , they mustered all their courage in their faces , which they were necessitated to do , because their hearts refused to lodge such an unruly guest ; and seing their breasts were already filled with golden hopes , they judged it folly to fill them with thoughts of steel : thus they resolved to conquer all , because they saw none to be conquered ; and cartelled by their eyes all who would swear that they had neither arms nor courage : Here stood one in arms , complaining that his iron coat was too stiffe ; and besides him stood his fellow , whose armour was armed with rust , which desired to be left at home to recruit the plough as formerly , pleading exemption , as not being betwixt sixty and sixteen , and so not obliged to go to the fields , but by twenty years older than both ; telling him how they had fifty years since hindered his fathers flight , who because thereof had vowed never to bring them abroad again : and withall that the bearing armour was too weighty an imployment for a clown , but whilst they are thus busied , an old wife , or rather one so old as that it could not be known whither she was a wife ; complained to a Captain , that her son had stollen away from her , a thing wherein her hens hatched their eggs , which he called a steel-cap , and which was at that present upon his head ; which the young Captain slighted , calling her old hagg , and telling her that they were vexed in defending her and such others from their enemies : whereat she became inraged , and commanding her old hands by a young heart , pulls him from his saddle , from which the least pull could easily have invited him , the saddle it self disdaining to serve such a childish master : The field wherein they mustered appeared a comedy , wherein cowards acted gallantry ; but that gallantry was defectively monstruous , because it wanted hands , yet they seemed Basilisks , who could kill with their eyes , which seemed granades , from which they did shoot thousands of murdering looks , their mouthes were the Arsenals where they kept all their arms , yet their safety lodged in their legs , which had proven their trusty friends in many other occasions : When they were all thus convocated , the trumpet breathes them out a march , but , alas , their unexperienced horses begun to dance at such musick ( where those danced best who had learned least ) and did instantly send their masters to the ground , as if they wished them to dance there also , seing they could not dance on horseback : their Commanders thought , that they had lighted to kisse hands with the ground their old acquaintance , with which these clowns had spent most of their time ; but alas , they , poor creatures , did lie there , perswaded by fear , that they had been overthrown by their enemies , and like assaulted travellours , who throw away to the robbers their purses before they should be violently taken from them , were breathing out their souls willingly to death , fearing lest it would open another passage than their mouth to facilitate their esc●pe . But amongst those many , who were all remarkable , there was one whom fear had marked for its own head-quarter ; this fellow had gotten from his wife a linen bag , with some raw flesh , which had sealed its impressa in bloud upon the outside of the bag ; which the coward perceiving in this twilight of fear , imagined that it had been tinctured with his own bloud , which occasioned his present death : here lay one opening his eyes , and presently closing them again , fearing , lest fear should wound them , if they were not armed with his eye-lids : only in this playing the gallant , that he could not endure to see either himself , or his friends wronged : over him crosse-wayes , did lie another , crossed extreamly by his own timer●usnesse , crying . misericorde , misericorde , imagining firmly , that his enemies was searching i● his bowels where his life was hid : Not 〈◊〉 from them was a third , who had covered his face with a mask of paleness , desiring not to be known , and hoping that none could expect to find life , where no bloud was to be seen , and had given order to his looks , to tell those who had searcht for his life , that it was gone to the other world to complain of their hard usage ▪ yet at last , time perswaded them to believe thei● eyes , witnesses , which they had formerly declined as suspect ; so that now they re-assembled themselves , like 〈◊〉 who had formerly fled from a shower , 〈◊〉 met , did conclude that trumpets were unlawfull instruments , and as being musick , were to be abominated , as contrary to the rites of their Church ; and determined also , that they would to convocate them use a bell , a conceit which as it suited wel with their Ecclesiastick ceremonies , so fit for such a flock of sheep : But the great debat● was , what they should carry in their standard yet at last they agreed to carry a sheep in it , to testifie the innocency of their cause , with 〈◊〉 bell about its neck : but to testifie that thei● innocency was armed , they were perswade● by their General to give the sheep horns ; al things thus prepared , they take their horses , and are advised by him to make them observe Lent , in not giving them flesh for fourty dayes , as a punishment for dismounting their masters : and now these bastard sons of Mars , upon whom he had bestowed rodomantade words and looks ; being ready to march , they , by the help of a stone , mount their weak horses , being sadled with straw , and bridled with hair , and seemed at every step to have wagered , whether their horses did rise higher from the ground , or they from their saddles ; resembling a young Gentleman , who at his first setting to Sea , is deserted by his feet , and tossed by the merciless waves , looking on horseback like patients on a close-stool : thus ●●●●grech fruit were flourishing in their march , tumbled up and down by their unskilfulness in horsmanship , like the young bud of tender branches by a gentle gale of Northern wind ; the more the horses vaulted , the nearer they clapt their spurs to them , but the poor beasts who understood no more such imbracements , than their beastly masters did understand the Art of Horsemanship , did , by kicking and flinging , show their displeasure : whereupon a witty fellow told some of them , That it was no wonder that their irrational beasts could not abide to be spurred cruelly by their masters , seing the masters themselves could not endure ( though rational ) to be spurred gently to their duty by their Prince : Which observe touched them so nearly , that they vowed never to fight any till that fellow were removed ; which behoved to be obeyed , albeit their General entreated them to permit him to stay , to learn them how to sit on horseback : which was refused , whereof the Gentleman seemed very glad , fearing that if ever they did engage with their enemies , they should either leave him , else he behoved to leave his courage . But before I leave this discourse , I must tell you a pretty jest of a Gentleman , who being appointed an Officer in the Army , was as dejected thereat as if they had condemned him to fight , albeit in the justest of quarrels , a punishment which he judged too great for any crime ; yet home he comes , and imparts the whole matter to his wife , who entreats him not to accept it , telling him how unfit he was for that charge , having fewed out his courage to his tenants , and that his complexion was so sweet , that he would not abide to stand where blood was shed . Notwithstanding whereof , he entreated her to let him see a calf killed , which she denyed him , swearing that it would make such a noise , that few were so stout as not to tremble at it ; but that to experiment his courage , she was willing to let him see a chicken murdered ; yet , to satisfie his desire , he behoved to see a calf killed : so the poor beast ( I mean the calf ) was brought to the utter court , where the Gentleman stood beholding it , and there seeing the knife in its throat , and hearing the poor beast bellow so sadly , the compassionate Gentleman , seemed to die for comradship with it . By this time the Athenian Army in Lacedemon , under the conduct of Autophilus , was advanced as far as the heart of the Country , but their discipline was as bad as their courage was great : for , some by drinking , others by plundering , lost both the affection of the Lacedemonians , and their own senses , which seemed to leave them , because they were so disorderly masters , who , to satisfie their pleasures , drowned them at all occasions , and thinking Anaxagius sufficiently obliged by them , if they drank his health ; And surely he had been so , if they had thirsted as much for Blood as for Wine , and imployed their hands as well as their cups , bestowing that health in his quarrel , which they debauched in the tavern , and which ominated to the Lacedemonians their extirpation , and deterred them from joyning with them ; they intended not to fight that season , expecting that Anaxagius wel-wishers would adjoyn themselves as limbe● to their body : they marched slowly , and at a great distance one B●igade from another , pr●tending that they would not over-charge the Country by their vast numbers : but as this was their mistake , so it proved their bane ; for Autarchus hearing of this sol●cism in discipline , falls upon them unexpectedly , and routs them before they heard that he was upon his march : sending the one half running back to tell the other half that they were beat ; So that report routed more than he , albeit he routed all those who came in his way , and they were scattered like sheep pursu●d by a lion , and abandoned by their shepherd , thinking their capitulation good enough if their life was pardoned ; yet those who were together , fought so generously , as that they evidenced sufficiently , that it was rather want of officers than of courage which made their companions fl●e : Those who fought , were commanded by o●e Milet●● , a Gentleman of a well tempered courage , whose prodigal hands did deal death liberally , and wounds freely , till his veins denied him b●oud , and his arms strength , both challenging him for having already banque●rupted too much of his stock , and thus overpowered by ●ultitudes , and fainting through exces● , he becomes their prisoner ; who judged themselves happy when become masters of that sword , which had mastered them so oft formerly , and were overjoyed to see it in their own hands , which they feared so much whilst it was in his . We may perceive by this defeat , how nimious confidence is alwayes waited upon by tragick disasters , and how the gods disappoint those who appoint for themselves boundlesse honours , which they assure themselves so of , as that they think that fate cannot rob them of them ; and it is just that prudence minde them who will not minde it , and thinks it derogatory to their valour to fight under its colours , scorning deliberation as superfluous , where the conquest is certain , and thinking it cowardise to doubt , where courage concludes the project infallible : this is that vice which makes youth madness , and one Statesman worth twenty Souldiers , and causeth the look of a wise man conquer more than the sword of a fool ; and he who wears not his sword in the sheath of prudence , but keeps it alwayes naked , will doubtless one day cut himself by it ; and will , when conquered , be hung up as a trophee of deliberations true worth , in fames immortal temple . Prudence is courage's eye , without which it is blinde , and so may be easily overcome by what is weaker , and will stumble where there is no difficulty ; this was partly the cause of their total ruine , for they wen● rather to triumph than to fight ; but because they did not fight , they lost the triumph . Autarchus who had long been hovering , whether to aspire to the chief ( if not the sole command ) of the Nations , did now resolve to set up for it : for , he found that all the old factions had weakned one another , and would still continue so , and that by picking quarrels against the members of the Lacedemonian Senate he had expunged those who were most loy●● 〈◊〉 Anaxagius , installing some of his favourites in their vice , only he found the Army planted with many who favoured excessively the Senate , as being members in both , and so tyed too narrowly his actings , and informed too opportunely anent what passed there ; to remedy which , he entreats the Senate to advert how dangerous it was for the Nation , to suffer any person to command in both , whereby he might one day command both , and how superfluous it was , seing one enhanced the salaries and imployments which might entertain many , especially now when they stood in need of many servants , and stood in fear of some few masters ; as also , that their charge in both was neglected by their retaining both : In order to which the Senate declares , That no person shall be member of both Senate and Army ; which made many choose rather to abandon their offices in the Army , than in the Senate , hoping that the Army should be soon disbanded , and finding that its members were already hated by the people , and might probably be punished by the Prince ; and that from the Senate they might expect a civil imployment more lucrative , and of lesse danger ; and that the Army were but servants to the Senate , whose members they might cashier at pleasure , and who could never know the mysteries of what was commanded ; 〈◊〉 Autarchus became sole Arbitrator of the whole Army . There was one thing yet wanting to settle him , which was an association with the Athenians ; wherefore he goes in person thither , as if he went to root up the remainders of the Autophilist faction ; but his intent truly was , to ensure the Phanosebeans to his interest , whom he knew would close with him upon his own terms , to have the Autophilists destroyed , whereas he feared that after Autophilus were once destroyed , and his faction extinguished , they would not so willingly associate with him , and here the event answered his expectation ; for , at his coming to Athens , and his meeting with Phanosebus , they after some previous treaty , agreed in these Articles ; That Autophilus who was then prisoner in Lacedemon , should be beheaded ; and that Phanosebus , in requital of this , should destroy all who opposed the Lacedemonian Senate in Athens ; and that none should be admitted to any publick office in Athens who had served in that war , except such as the Senate of Lacedemon should approve : this they did , fearing lest else each Nobleman should bring in his friends , which those Athenians who were there could scarce hinder . This Treaty ended , Autarchus stayes with them till all uproars were setled , all suspect persons secured , and all the Judicatories filled with those of Phanosebus faction , and in testimony of their respects to him , they court him , feast him , and present him with some rich Jewels . After Autarchus return to Lacedemon , he endeavours to weaken the Country musters , pretending that they were too obsequious to the Nobility , and those too much devoted to Anaxagius ; and albeit the continual custom of Lacedemon might plead for their continuance , they being only at first instituted , and since continued to supply the want of Armies , could not be now either necessary , or convenient , where the Senate were served by a dutifull and potent Army : By which means , he obtains from the Senate , that these should be discharged ; Yet whilst this was a doing , he causeth prorogate the treaties betwixt the King and Senate , purposly that he might afford Anaxagius well-wishers some hope , and so keep them quiet , till his own faction were well feathered , that they might flee abroad upon their own wings . Yet the carreer of his ambition stops not here , but he prevails with the Senate , threatning some , and alluring others , to execute Autophilus ; and thereafter his fury flies at so high a pitch as to stage Anaxagius , and after some formalities of process , O horror , or something more horrible than horror ! they condemn him as a traitour , and even those who were traitors to him ; and as in all furious and desperate exploits , this is no sooner intended than executed . That fatall day being come wherein wickedness was to shew to the world its masterpiece , the Army is made to approach near the City , and those whose humour was known to be barbarous , and whose crimes were by themselves judged unpardonable , were chosen to be upon the guard , where about ten a clock Anaxagius comes forth upon a scaffold , which was all covered and hung with black , wearing Majesty in his looks , albeit they had devested him of its robes ; his very face might have vindicated him from more probable crimes than those they could charge him with , and it seemed that he came rather to take up , than to lay down a Crown : After he had setled himself a little and beckened for silence , he gave the by-standers this farewell . AMongst the many miseries wherewith miserable mans life is chequered , it is none of the least , that man should be mans torturer : but amongst those afflictions which spring to men from one anothers malice , those are most insupportable , which are caused by near relations , seing it is a double affliction both to themselves afflicted , and to be afflicted by friends , from whom else they might expect some assistance ; and what stranger will not condemn him as horridly guilty , to whom his relations are willing to be bourriers ? It is not the fear of death ( for my life hath not been so sweet of a long time , that my death needs to prove bitter ) No , it is the fear of what disorders will ensue upon my death which thus appales me ; Neither would I grieve , if I judged that the one might prevent the other : but why should I not grieve , when I see that the one will occasion the other ? And seing I fear that these Leeches will find the blo●● of a King so fat and sweet , that it Will 〈…〉 them to suck out greedily that of the 〈◊〉 for , since neither the priviledge of my person , nor the justnesse of my cause , was able to restrain the hand of injustice from stretching it self out against me , what subject ( in none of whom either of these is to be found in a more eminent way ) can expect exemption ? or , if he be exeemed , he owes that more to his fortune , than his innocence ; And what a misery is it to live , where both life and fortune depends upon a may be ? and to live where vertue can neither expect preferment , nor evite punishment , the one being now the price of perjury , and the other the effect of hazard : As for my crime , it is such , as the worst of Kings cannot be guilty of , seing it can only be admitted against Kings : And so , seing not any one person can be both accuser and defender , no King can be accounted a Traitour . It is true , some Lawyers do alleage , that a King , selling his Kingdom to a stranger , or betraying it to an enemy , commits Treason ; but the reason in both these , is , because after he hath sold his Crown , or willing by treachery to convey it to another , he ceaseth of his own consent to be King , and so being a private person , may be guilty of that publick crime ; but to sit upon the bench of ●ustice , and there ma●ked with the ●●●●ard of Law , is condemn a King , is a pr●●tice never hitherto attempted by the worst of men , and so must be judged most horrid ; for , if it had not been so , sure some one of those many Traitors ( who have been both many and malicious in all ages ) would have excogitated this expeciency , to varnish the ●glin●sse of their crime : for there is no evil which is judged practical by hellish persons , but histories swarm with instances of it , only this the worst of men have deferred to perpetrate , as being the worst of actions , till Iustice should in the end become so old and weak , as that it was not able to defend it self against even the highest of injuries : And as to those who were my Iudges , they had either no power ; else if they had any , they derived it from me : for , if they condemned me as members of the Lacedemonian Senate , then they derived their authority from me , who only did establish it , and it was in obedience to my command , that the respective Counties elected them to be their Representatives : and consequently , when I was staged by them , they annulled their own authority , even then when they exerced it against me : but if they pannelled me not , as commissionated by that Senate , how could they be said to represent the Lacedemonian State , more than any other did ; and so they judged me , without being constituted Iudges themselves : But no wonder to see those who neglect the main , slight likewise particulars . As for me , I pardon these wrongs they have done me , judging it the prerogative of a King to pardon , whereas it is the part of a subject only to revenge ; which since it argues parity , suits ill with royal Majesty . Neither value I any injury they can do me ; for , seing they make me exchange earth for heaven , misery for infinite felicity , I account their wrongs , favours , but I grieve for those grievous wrongs which I fear will be exercised to you wards ; for , seing happinesse consisteth in being vertuous , and since patience is one of the cardinal vertues , I can in being patient without their permission make my self happy in spight of their malice ; for surely , since the gods will remunerate men according to the pains taken in their service ( a piece of justice which the most unjust among men could hardly decline ) Certainly , there is no vertue can expect a greater reward than patience , seing there is no vertue which toils so much for it : Neither is there any vertue which is not acted in acting patience ; for , in not grieving too much , we act temperance ; in resisting the assaults of rage , we evidence true fortitude ; and in submitting to the heavenly powers , we manifest our justice : but my soul is troubled , at the trouble which I fear is a preparing against you ; and as the preservation of your priviledges was my main care whilst I lived ( esteeming the repose of the subject the only patrimony of the Prince ) so now , nothing vexes me more at my death , than to foresee how these miscreants will glut their malice with your bloud , and their avarice with your estates ; for , how can these love other mens children , who have murthered their own father ? and how can they fear murder , who are guilty of parritide ? Yet be not totally discouraged ; for certain●y , those who cannot suffer a superiour in the beginning , will not in the end suffer a competitor ; and this Scepter which they have screwed out of my hand , will prove a bone , for which these mastiffs will one day fight amongst themselves ; and after that this Land hath raged in this feaver of rebellion for some space , it will at last recall its banished judgment , and judge it expedient to call home its banished Prince : and I am confident , that this disaster shall prove to my family but like a potion of physick , which may procure some sicknesse at first , but will perpetuate its health for the future ; for when ye ponder how ye owe the conquest of your sweet Country to the courage of my Antcestors , who without them durst never have attempted it ; and how ye owe your pure Religion to their zeal , without whom none of you would have dared its Reformation ; as likewise , how hundreds , yea , thousands of years , joyned to the experience of your antcestors , may be adduced as witnesses to depone in its favours , when ye advert how your Taxes and Gabels will augment , and your Iustice diminish daily ; when you see your streets dyed with bloud , and your faces with paleness , oppression your Legislatour , and pride and violence the executors of these Laws , then your consciences will upbrade you with your defection , and torture you for your injustice . After this discourse was ended , the Executioner ( acknowledging the wickednesse of his imployment by the masking of his face ) did end his unparallel'd life . Pity it was , to behold how pity by its iron mace of sorrow broke the hearts of the beholders ; for not a face there was scarleted by one drop of bloud , as if all their bloud had been transubstantiate in water , to suppeditate tears to their prodigal eyes , which stood like clouds , first darkned with sorrow , and thereafter distilling in showres of tears , which did trickle down , as if they would bury themselves also in that ground wherein his princely body was to be intombed ; neither was those eyes judged fit to behold heaven , who had not first washen themselves with tears shed for him ▪ or if any weeped not , it was , because they resembled those vessels which are so full , that they can drop none ; or else , because their souls sick of an appoplexy of grief , had forfaulted all its senses and faculties ; but amongst many others , there was one , whom grief had enraged , and whom rage had so grieved , that retiring to his chamber , he quivered out these dolfull notes . O distracted heart ! why borrowest thou not wings from dispair to flee after thy peerlesse Prince ? if thou stay in the dark dungeon of my cloudy breast , thou shalt be fed with sorrow and drowned with tears . O supernal powers ! ( if I may call you powers who suffer your selves to be overpowered by injustice ) must we term you both good , and gods , seing ye permit such innocent souls to be ballated upon earth by violence and oppression ? is it not enough , that ye should send us a barren and heavie age of iron , but that ye must likewise edge it with steel , that it may the better cut to pieces our grieved souls ? Was not the treasure of mans misery great enough before , but that ye behoved to augment it with their new coined afflictions ? O earth ! why swallow ye not such miscreants ? is it , because ye fear to contaminate your pure bowels with such contagious carcasses ? if so , vomit up your flames of fire , to cleanse your surface of that pest . O heavens , ye are most wronged ! wherefore the punishment belongs to you ; scorn ye to be bourriers to such vile persons : if so , commissionate frogs and serpents to devour them . O Pluto , why recallest thou not thy brethren ? and hell , why suffer ye your vice-gerents alwayes to roam abroad ? is it because ye fear that they would extinguish your flames with their fruitless tears ? or is it , because ye fear that they would deserve your scepter better than your self , as being more expert in the art of wickednesse than ye are ? or , intend ye that they live upon earth to the end they may imbitter the lives of those who are in it ? With that he rises all in fury and cryes , Vp Lacedemon , arm thy self with rage , And all those miscreants banish from the stage ; Lest neighbouring Nations , with the finger of scorn , Point out that Rose that chang'd is in a Thorn. After this he would have killed himself , but prudence whispered him iu the ear , that it was fitter to live and see the fatal period of those Regicides ; to which resolution he acquiesced , washing his hands in innocencie with his streams of tears . The heavens likewise gloomed at what past , and Phoebus looking sullen and posting by , seemed to bestow no more light upon Lacedemon than he glanced to them over his shoulder , disdaining to look streight to those , who were not streight themselves , and the clouds keeping up their rain , darkned the face of heaven , either unwilling to fatten the earth , which was by its fruits to fatten those Traitours ; or fearing to let its drops fall in a Country where Kings were murthered ; the air likewise ( each attome whereof seemed swell'd with rage ) because so grosse , as that the grossest lungs could not breath it , nor the sharpest eye pierce it . Thus Nature seemed to clothe all her houshold in mourning for the losse of her dearest darling , and she became enraged at these villains , for breaking that Tableau which she had distinated as a remembrance of her exquisit skill to all ages . Theopemptus , eldest son to Anaxagius , succeeded to him , a Gentleman of a noble spirit , and well limb'd eloquence , who knew well by the bridle of cunning , to govern the fierce monster of popular fury , and whose genius ( quadrant-like ) was able to measure the height of the highest imployment to which it was applyed , and who by the art of patience , could make the rarest flowers of vertue and generosity , grow in the cold and barren soil of affliction , which did continually yeeld so abundantly the seeds of precepts and example , as that thereby in short time he stored therewith the gardens both of Court and Country , which was formerly judged impossible , because of the largeness of the one , and weediness of the other : yet providence judged fit to enamel this golden spirit with the black colour of adversity , giving him an opportunity thereby to evidence , that chance did not share with him in his vertue , but that he could be vertuous , not only without the assistance , but even in spight of the resistance of that blind ( though ordinary ) helper : or , if chance played ever in his game , it was because it knew none could be a loser who was associated to such a gamester : and so , that to which all thers were debtors , was a debtor to him , who thought it more princely to give , than to receive . The Synod had pained themselves oft , to draw him to be their Leader , thinking it easie to perswade a young Prince to be an absolute King , and fore-seeing that he would be very helpfull to them , seing the sons presence would impatron their defection from the father ; and seing the father behoved either to condescend to their overtures , fearing lest the people might uphold the Crown upon his tender head , which was not yet strong enough to bear it ; else , if that framed not according to their wishes , they might keep the son , as an hostage for the fathers obedience , intending to cut him off how soon the father cut off their hopes : these were the endeavours of wicked Autarchus , who as he was wicked in this , so was blind in not perceiving that providence perceived his bloudy designs . The Mercurialists , who had a long time pedled under the Jovists , did now begin to trade for themselves , these were persons whose zeal was so hot , as that it burnt their charity , and whose charity was so cold as that it did frieze their natural affection , interesting themselves in all businesses , and busying themselves with all interests ; who sighed not so much out of piety ( albeit that was pretended ) as because they saw their faction crossed , or themselves not advanced ; and whose tears gushed out , fearing that if they stayed within , they should be contaminated by their pestiferous breasts , which the dullest of men might by the breath of their words know to be infected : these had in their hearts abjured their Prince , and perjured themselves ( perjuring themselves in so far as they had abjured their Prince ) and by tolerating all sects , and slagitious persons , had almost possessed all the Offices of the Army ; and who were perswaded to desert the Jovist faction , when they resolved to desert their Prince , knowing that these two justled one against the other , whereupon they proclaim immunity to all crimes , providing the criminals be willing to associate with them in the crime of treason , when any thing was to be agitated in the Senate , they sent abroad those members who were of the Jovist faction , imploying them either in levying men or monies in the Country , or in transactions of small importance up and down the City , and under pretext of guarding the Senate ; they placed alwayes guards of their own cabel ( for all the Souldiers followed their principles , as those which licensed them most to satisfie their own irrational appetites ) and by that means hindred all the Senators , who were not of their judgment , from entring to give their judgments in subjects debatable ; and this cheat they used when Anaxagius was declared by the Senate guilty of treason , as we related formerly ; yea , at that time they caused some of the Guards call them out of the House , pretending some particulars with them , whom when they came they pulled away , not suffering them to enter till the debate was ended , and hurrying away others to prison , alledging an order from the Senate for what they did , which none durst challenge , seing they dared once to alledge it : But after Anaxagius death , all the Jovist faction removed themselves , abhorring by their presence to authorise such illegal actings : as also Cyrus Generall of the Army , resigned his batton , finding that Autarchus endeavoured both to defame and ruine him in the Army . Meetings amongst subjects have alwayes been esteemed unmeet by the Prince , as being the nests wherein the Cockatrices of Rebellion are oft hatcht ; and seing in them treasonable projects are oft , at least may be easily ventilated , the Prince hath reason to advert to them , and may justly prohibite them : for , since they resemble Incorporations , they should aswell as those be authorized by his permission , but especially such Conventicles as dare not admit light to be a member ; wherfore Law justly presumes that to be done illegally which is done secretly : for , if the actors might avow publickly their meetings , it is not probable that they would be at the pains to hunt for privacies , especially , seing ambition prompts the least vain amongst men , to act what they think allowable before witnesses : In these Conventicles all the cheats of that faction were hatched ; for , whilst they perswaded men that they were sacrificing at these times to the immortal gods , they were really but borrowing the seal of devotion , that they might affix it to the forged writs of their own capricious and rebellious fancies , and were afterwards inhibited by Autarchus , when sole Governour ; who knowing best by what means he had cheated the people himself , knew best how to close those back-passages upon others ; and who by condemning it in others , acknowledge it damnable in himself . The Athenians perceived now their errour , in believing the Lacedemonian Senate ; and Phanosebus did now conclude , that since Autophilus and Oranthus were removed , he would monopolize his Princes affection ; wherefore he moves the Senate of Athens to send to Corinth , where their Prince lived in exile , to bring him home , which is done instantly , and Theopemptus is brought home privatly , lest the Lacedemonian Fleet should have ensnared him at Sea : but all who had served Oranthus , or stuck by Autophilus , were banished from Court , and Theopemptus is necessitated to submit to all the determinations of the Phanosebean faction , who vex him daily with new suits , and fill his Court with new favourites , whose clownishnesse dissatisfied his noble and courtly spirit ; and whose ignorance tortured his accute wit and vast experience : all affairs were chewed by the rotten teeth of these dolts , who determined all things in their private conclaves before they came to the Council-table , studying rather how to crosse , than how to serve their Prince ; yet shunned that wise Prince , either to offend them , or to seem to be offended at them ; for albeit he was so judicious , as to discern their follies , yet was he so prudent as to dissemble his resentments , knowing that cheats are like flowers and herbs , which are best discerned when they flourish most , and most hated when best discerned . The Lacedemonian Senate , hearing that the Athenians had refuged Theopemptus , resolved to send an Army against them , under the conduct of Autarchus , who assured the Senate that he was confident of many friends there , and their factiousness would prove his intimate well wisher ; as also , that it was surest game to fight Theopemptus in Athens , lest if he marched into Lacedemon , his Army might prove like a ball of snow , which the further it rouls , grows alwayes the greater ; and that possibly the command of a King , joyned to his diligence , might piece up those differences , which did like wedges , for the present , cleave assunder that rent Nation . Besides these , Autarchus design was , to engage further the Lacedemonian Senate in that rebellious quarrel , and to imbrew so their hands in the Bloud-Royal , as that no capitulation might be able to wash it off ; and by this new imployment , to acquire new respect to himself from the Army , and to render the Army necessary in the Commonwealth , fearing lest they should come to want respect , if they come once to want imployment . He marcheth to Athens with a well equipaged and long-experienced Army ; having exact intelligence from his Army of all that passed there . The Phanosebeans who only commanded both Church and State , made head against him , but their Army was so misgovern'd by a Committee from whom they received all their Orders , that Autarchus needed none to conquer them besides their own unskilfulness and confusion . Sometimes in matters of greatest expedition , they could not be convocated , and when they were assembled , their opinions fought each one against another , whilst all should have imployed themselves in fighting against the common enemy : thus they continued to distract that poor Nation by their distracted fancies , till at last Autarchus falls upon their Camp privately , and cuts them ▪ all to pieces . That old Army being beat , a new Army is ordered to be levied ; and now Cletus who succeeded to his brother Autophilus , gains to his party , some of those who owned Phan●sebus interest formerly , and by their assistance obtains ( after many and long debates at the Council-table ) that all those who had followed Autophilus and Oranthus faction , should be re-admitted to their old charge , and admitted in others then vacant , alledging , that else the Counties who were much enclined their way , would never engage cordially in his Majesties quarrel ; for , who would be so mad as to fight in that Army , where they feared their own Commanders more than their enemies ; or , who would strengthen that Army by new Levies , who would be imployed to assist their inveterate enemies at home , after they were once victorious abroad ? Adding , that who could hinder any man to quench that fire which was burning his own house ? or , who could hinder a son to defend his mother ? The Phanosebeans finding themselves beat from all these bulwa●ks , did at last retire ( as their custom was ) to the Citadel of Religion , alledging that their consciences could not allow them to associat themselves to those , whose sins would prove like so many bosome enemies ; and that to contract friendship with such , was to declare war against the immortal gods : yet Theopemptus had so cunningly insinuated himself with the Jovist Priests , that the greatest and wisest part of them , did not only tolerate , but likewise approve that association , by which the Phanosebeans became enraged , and devoted themselves to the Lacedemonian faction , albeit many thought that Phanosebus self continued loyal . Cletus ( a singularly well accomplisht Gentleman ) became by this means Theopemptus darling , and promotes exceedingly their new Levies , so that in a short space an excellent Army is drawn to the fields ; yet they were so wearied by delayes , and starved with hunger by the Phanosebean Officers , that many dropt away , being near home , and many were affamished ; occasions of fighting were neglected , and the loyallest persons sent upon desperat exploits : which Theopemptus perceiving , and fearing that the continuance of this evil should prove an irremediable evil in the end , resolved to march to Lacedemon , having assurance from some , and well-grounded hopes from others in that Nation , that they would assist him : but at his entry , the Athenians , who wanted pay , and feared both the tediousness of the journy , and treachery of their Officers , did like Northern Ice , drop away before the Southern Sun , and were at last overtaken by Autarchus ( to whom those fresh forces whom he left behind did joyn incontinently ) and so did dissipate that poor handfull , whom the tediousness of the journey had left alive ; yet in spight of all enquiry , providence so mudded the eyes of those who enquired after him , that he escaped their hands , and blows a gentle gale out of its mouth , which conveys him over to Corinth . Autarchus hoises up now the sails of his ambition , which were instantly ●illed with the smiling gales of success , and placing confidence at the helm , steers streight for the haven of Supremacie . He marries his daughters to the most eminent Officers of the Army , and diggs deeply in the secrets of the wives , that he might learn the secrets of the husbands : he bribes the Astrologues to foretel his conquests , making his wishes the heavenly houses by which they foretold his successe , and instigates a great many Enthusiastick persons to prophesie his happiness , authorizing themselves by revelations , by which means he animates his own , and terrifies his adversaries , wringing new pay and priviledges to the Army from the Senate , by which he both fortifies the Army , and brings a masse of odium upon the Senate . The door whereby he was to enter Supremacies parlour , was now bolted by no other bar , than by his jealousie of Anarchus interest in the Army ; who in all this war being his colleague , he feared he might become his competitor ; wherefore he perswaded him , to suit for the Government of the Isle of Patmos , and perswaded him , that if he would lay down his charge in the Lacedemonian Army , that he would procure it for him from the Lacedemonian Senate ; for in the present scarsity of Offices , none could enjoy two at once , especially of two so eminent as those were : Anarchus imbraces the proffer , choosing rather to be first in the Army of Patmos , then second in the Army of Lacedemon , and demits his charge , which he no sooner demits , than the Senate by Autarchus instigation , presently accepts , and therafter slights him ; whereupon he is constrained to retire home , byting his lip because he had condescended to that unfortunate transaction . The stage being thus cleared of all incumbrances , Autarchus begins to act his chief scene , and endeavoureth to irritate the Army against the Senate ; which he might the more easily effectuate , by reason that the Senate did now begin to discover his roguery , and the Armies tyranny , and were endeavouring to reduce some of their Regiments , and affront some of their Officers ; which Autarchus adverting to , ordered all the nearest lying Regiments to march up unexpectedly to the City ; and coming one morning to the Court of the Palace where the Senate did then sit , he closes the gate , lest any of the number should escape ; and turning him to the Souldiery , opening his mind thus to them . Fellow Souldiers , your bleeding wounds and wounded bodies , deserve better requital from this Senate than frowns or threats ; and albeit ye be not actually in service against their enemies , yet that is no more a reason why ye should not be paid and cherished as formerly , than a Mariner who hath served his Master in a storm at Sea , should be shaken off and refused maintenance when he comes a shoar : Ye have abandoned your houses , and renounced your trades , that ye might make their Army your house , and their service your trade : And must these , in whose hands ye have put the sword , take your swords from you , and ruine you after that ye have ruined their enemies ? What may this Nation expect from these Masters , who refuse maintenance to the best and loyallest of their servants ? and seing they disoblige us so much , who have so much obliged them , what shall the rest of the Nation expect , who have never obliged them at all ? And may we not see that their quarrel against us , is our just pay , which otherwise they might coffer up themselves ? What shall the world say of us , if that after we have banisht Monarchy , we establish Tyranny ? and to counterpoise the antiquity of the former Government , should not we endeavour to evidence as much wisdom and moderation in this , which we are to establish , as the former could alledge antiquity or prescription ? Remember that courage and prudence have so strict an alliance , that valour without prudence , is no valour , but rather temerity : wherefore if ye shew not prudence after these many victories , wherewith fame hath crowned you as with so many lawrels , your former victories will be attributed either to blind chance , or to your enemies imprudence ; and how can ye be termed prudent , if ye suffer your selves to be trampled upon by the feet of Tyranny ? Wherefore make the world witnesses of your gallantry , in refusing to serve those , who could neither prize nor reward your services , and settle in your own persons that Government which ye have suffered so much for . All condescended to this overture , and Autarchus dismisses that ignorant rabble , who had formerly by his assistance thrown out those worthy patriots , who had been their former colleagues , and by this means , he who had been in appearence so much an enemy to Arbitrary Government in the person of Theopemptus , became an affecter of it in his own ; and was declared by the Army Governour of Lacedemon and Athens in this interim ; promising to render up his power to the first Senate which should be legally conveened , by the Authority of the People ; Proclamations are immediatly issued out , to remonstrate to the People the reasons of raising the Senate , and of establishing the Government for the interim in the person of Autarchus : but both these actions were so black that they could receive no other tincture , and the faces of their cheats so large that no vizard could be found big enough to cover them . Autarchus endeavours to retain by cheats , that power which he had gotten by force ; and because he perceived that the Church had been an occasion of many great alterations in the State formerly , by reason that the Ecclesiasticks debated every thing , and retarded most of what was resolved by the State ; he therefore resolves to moddel such an Ecclesiastick Government , as might wholly be subordinate to the Civil ; for which cause amongst those many Religions which were at that time professed in Lacedemon , he chooses one , which allow no publick Conventions amongst Ecclesiasticks ; which being once setled , he sets himself to crush the faction of Theopemptus , which he doth by inhibiting all publick Conventions , wherein mutinies might be hatched , such as horse-matches , feastivals , &c. he carresses some of all factions , shewing thereby that all might , if they pleased bring favour ; and supports the weakest faction , that so it might by his assistance counterpoise the other , knowing that by these , all joynt Insurrections would be retarded , and that the one in odium of the other , would unseale one anothers mysteries , and countermine one anothers projects : He disarmed the people , whereby he both disabled them to act any thing to his prejudice for the present , and weaned their spirits from all martial imployments for the future ; and likewise filling his own Arsenal richly , he made himself seem terrible to all that wisht his ruine . Being thus secured against foreign Incursions , he endeavours to secure himself against intestine broils ; lest else he might prove like to one of those theeves , who leaves their own door open whilst they go abroad to steal from their neighbours ; to obviate which , he imploys the most eminent amongst the Officers , as Counsellor● of State ; both , lest they should repine at his being the sole Arbitrator in all affairs , and tha● they might bear an equal share in the odium o● what was done by him to displease the people ; yet lest they should twist themselves too far in the Government , he appointed alwayes some festival dayes of worship for the gods , wherewith to busie them , whilst he himself is busied in dispatching matters of the greatest moment ; and lest those who were Governours of Cities , and Countries , should insinuate themselves too far in the affection either of Soldiers or Countrymen , he transplanted them oft from one place to another ; and to prevent the idleness of the Soldiers , ( which might have given them both leisure and opportunity to fall by th' ears amongst themselves ) as also to have some pretext to levie moneys from the people ( which poor people he fleeced like a sheep at his pleasure ) he warred continually against some neighbouring Prince , buying to himself repute with the bloud of the Souldiers , and money of the people . Amongst his many other State-sophismes , this was one most remarkable , because oft reiterated . When Autarchus had notice given him by his Spies , of any Royallist who had more avarice than money , and who could be no longer honest , than he was rich ; he presently sent for them , and after he had convinced them , that he was master of their life and fortunes ; and of their ●olly in adhering so pertinaciously to Theopemptus faction , he proffered them considerable sums to owne his interest ; and to seem to draw a faction for Theopemptus , pretending Commissions for that effect , and getting a great many hands to subscrive some Remonstrance , and especially the hands of those whom he suspected to be loyal , or knew to be rich : which being gotten , that he should acquaint him with the Rendevouze appointed , or suffer himself and the Papers to be apprehended by some of the Souldiery : by which means he rid himself of the most eminent , and enriched his treasury by the alledged treason of his most considerable enemies , and made his own wit to be admired , and brought his adversaries to that passe , that they could not trust one another . Another stratagem which he used to ensnare that generous Prince , was this : He had notice given him of one called Asebus , whose poverty behoved to have some bone to gnaw upon , albeit he should have drawn it out of the devil● side ; him Autarchus sent for , hearing that he was an Agent for the Royal faction , and after many allurements ( it being easie to perswade where avarice opens the ear , and necessity play● the Oratour ) he prevails with him to go to Theopemptus , and carry alongst with him six thousand crowns , and assure him of the like sum yearly , in pension from some friends in Lacedemon ( whose purses loyal compassion had opened ) Theopemptus desires to know their names ; but Asebus pretended that he was sworn not to tell that , wherewith he rests satisfied ; but perswades himself that the senders were his friends , and that Asebus was a confident of theirs , else they had never trusted him , and a friend of his , else he had never undertaken the imployment ; and thus he acquaints him with all his designs , which the other no sooner know than he reveals them to Autarchus . Yet the gods ( who are not idle spectators , but just judges of mens knavery ) deciphers h●m at last ; for having one day seen some dispatches which were sent to Lacedemon by Theopemptus , he acquaints Autarchus , who apprehends and executes the Gentlemen who were entrusted : whereat Theopemptus extreamly enraged , accuses a Nobleman , who had only seen those Letters besides Asebus , the Nobleman vindicates himself , but not being believed by his Prince , he runs in fury to Asebus his Cabinet , and there finding some Letters of correspondence from Autarchus to him , he causeth him to be presently apprehended . Amidst these triumphs , triumphing death cuts his treacherous dayes , and hurries him to eternal torment , who tormented others here ; And thus died the most hatefull Tyrant who ever lived , leaving behind him a son , in whose simplicity the gods punished the fathers cheating prudence ; this was that Ephemerus of whom I spoke formerly , who being nominated by his father his successor , was admitted by the Souldiery , not so much out of any respect they bore him , as fearing that if the charge were declared vacant , emulation should cut the throat of their quiet . It was thought that Ephemerus ( finding his own insufficiency ) resolved to recal Theopemptus , but his design was choaked by timorousness , fearing least the Army perceiving his design , should ruine him , and disappoint his project : Others thought , that his enemies used only this , as an argument to perswade the Army to relinquish him , as they did afterwards . However , he was induced by some who favoured the Royal faction , especially by Monus General of the Athenian Forces , to convocate a Senate , whereby they expected to establish Monarchy . Anarchus all this while , like a boyling liquor could not contain himself in a private condition , without running over , and like the children , chose rather to be burnt in the sunshine of a publick imployment , tha● stay in the shade of privacy ; wherefore he deals with some Officers to recall him , and entering in a confederacy among themselves , they deal with Morus General of the Lacedemonian Forces , to concur with them in perswading Ephemerus to set the Senate a packing ; which Morus ( poor fool ) assents to , and whereof Ephemerus is simply perswaded , the one induced by the glory of governing the Army , who was to govern all ; and the other terrified by fear , concluding that the Army would assume by force , what was denyed in favour . Thus we see glory makes men too credulous , because it ponders danger too little ; and fear makes men too credulous , because it ponders danger too much ; the one not seeing what is , and the other seeing more than is : which are the two ordinary diseases both in the eyes of body and mind . And as in things corporeal , so also in spiritual productions , we see monsters both in defect and excesse engendred ; prudence missing its mark in the one , as nature misseth hers in the other : for , as hot-spurr'd ambition will not suffer prudence to stand to hear its errand ; so leaden-footed fear suffers the occasion to slip before it brings prudence up to the place where it should act ; and as one who runneth can never see any object which he posts by exactly ; so one may dull his sight after such a fashion in looking too long upon one object , that he may come to see nothing , because he hath looked too much : And premeditation is like the fire , whose flames shew equally little light at first when it is kindled , and at last when it hath burnt too long . But Ephemerus was hugely misted by his own folly in this ( fear being alwayes like a mist , which makes the object appear greater than it is ) for , seing there are only two wayes , either to acquire or retain Supremacy , the one by a pretended authority , such as the Senate was ; and the other by irresistable force , such as the Army was : and since he was confident that Anarchus had debauch'd the Army from his obedience , he should never have abandoned the Senate . Neither did Morus evidence lesse folly in colluding with Anarchus , for he might have seen ( if the eyes of his reason had been open ) that since Anarchus was able to dissolve the Senate by the assistance of the Army , that he might in time by their assistance ruine him far more easily , who was but a single person ; and seing many of those who commanded , had been under Anarchus his charge , when they were Morus his competitors and equals , he might have concluded that they would far more willingly obey an old master , than one but late equal ; as also , that the Souldiery who had been victorious under his conduct ( and so were confident of his courage and prudence ) would more cordially follow him than any else ; and by Autarchus eying him as his competitor , Morus might have feared to take him in to be his colleague . No sooner is the Senate dissolved , than the Army establishes that old Senate which Autarchus had at first dissolved ; for seing they found that the Nation could not be satisfied without a Senate , they resolved to establish that wherein many of themselves were members , and whom because of their paucity they might easily command . Yet many judged that they recalled these fools , not out of any affection , but meerly because they were not able themselves to settle their own differences in so short a time ; which conjecture was approven by the event : for , these Officers of the Army , finding that the Senate consulted them not in all particulars , nor called them to fill up the vacant places which were many amongst them , did endeavour to re-assume that power with which they had invested those ingrate fellows formerly ; who look'd upon their restorers , as if they had only been their servants , which they perceiving , ordered the casheering of these daring Officers , and especially of Morus and Anarchus ; but being hated by the people , as those Leeches who had suckt the Bloud Royal , and as those burriers who had strangled the tranquillity of the Nation , and being jealoused by the Army , as the persons who endeavoured to wrest the power out of their hands , they were turned out by Anarchus , and the whole power was retained by the Army ; who resolved to subject themselves to none , and to make all subjects to them : Hereupon Monus , whom the late Senate eying as a Royallist , had called to bear charge in Lacedemon , intending really to have laid him fast by the heels , did refuse alwayes , pretending that he was bound by promise to the Army of Athens , not to remove thence till they were compleatly satisfied of their Arrears ; whereby he found a pretext to excuse his stay ( seing he knew that they could not advance so much money ) and endeared himself to the Souldiery , and did fully engage them to him ; and now perceiving , that the Commonwealth would one day perish by their convulsion fits of schism , to which it was so subject ; and knowing by its change of colour , that it did begin to faint , resolved to lay hold on this occasion , and to purge away these malignant humours out of the body of the State , whilst they were thus commoved ; wherefore he declareth War against the Council , because they had banisht the Senate ; yet covertly he hated the Senate as much as them , but resolved by helping the weakest , and by ruining the Army , to re-establish Theopemptus : for effectuating whereof he cashiers instantly all such in his Army , as he feared did encline too much to Anarchus , and morgages all his Plate and Jewels for money to pay his Army , making the Athenians advance the superplus ; for they were perswaded , that if Anarchus gained , that all their goods should be confiscated , and their lives , if not endangered , at least imbittered : As also , he advances one degree all his Officers , obliging them to fight for their own dignities , if they would not in his quarrel . Many judged Monus a fool in this attempt , like those who seeing only the first draughts of a pencile , though never so curious , yet thinks the face deformed , whereas the skilful Painter himself , or any exquisit Artist , knows that it will prove well : for , he considered wisely , that all the Senates faction , and which was more , all the Royal faction , would owne him , and that possibly he might gain some of theirs ( expecting pardons for their crimes ) but that doubtlesse they could never debauch any of his ; that the Cash being in the Senates hands , and at their disposal ( none being in a capacity to levie money except a Senate ) and the Cash being the breasts by whose milk the Army was kept alive ; he knew they could not long subsist without it ; likewise he found by his well founded intelligence , that dispair was arming all men , in all the corners of the Nation . Yet to encourage his souldiers , he convocats all the nobility of Athens , and communicats to the wittiest amongst them , his design , to re-establish Monarchy , and desired them not to startle at any publick protestations to the contrary , which necessity might wring from him ; and desires them to be ready waiting his call , and for that effect he fills up all the vacant places in his Army with Athenians , and author●zes the rest to wear Arms as formerly . But the Mercurialists in Athens endeavoured to oppose his designs , alleaging that he desired a convocation of the Nobility , only to ensnare them , and laboured to impede the payment of those taxes which he required , pretending that Anarchus would cause them be payed over again , and not only so , but would likewise impute the first payment of them to the Nation , as an unpardonable crime : by this means they thought to have hindered the payment of the Souldiers , and without that , they knew that Monus could not subsist ; As also they endeavoured to set the Nobility and Citizens by the ears , alleag●ng that the Nobility laboured to cry down usury , and to necessitate their Creditors to accept Lands for their Money , which would ruine Trade . But such was the zeal of the Nation , for the re-establishment of Theopemptus , and such was their affection to Monus , that these Fanaticks gained nothing by all their pains but ignominy to themselves , and a curse to their posterity : Anarchus Army hearing that the Athenians were all in Arms covertly , and fearing ambushes in a Country where they were both unaquainted , and hated ; and knowing that Anarchus wanted money to pay their Arrears , whereas Monus had paid those who served him , they refuse to advance to Athens , whereas it was thought , that if he had advanced immediately , that most of the Souldiery enclining his way , that they had deserted Monus and followed him . Whilst Anarchus is upon his march from Athens , the Senate is setled in safety at Lacedemon , by some Officers , whom the Council had disobliged , and whom the Senate had bribed with promises of future preferment ; which necessitated Anarchus to return ; but in his return , all his Souldiers either dropped away privatly , or revolted openly ; which for●ed him to make his capitulation , but robbed him of the means of capitulating handsomly : Monus follows , and marches straight to Lacedemon , and in his march , is welcomed by the applauses of the people , and addresses of the Gentry , and found an unanimous desire in all men to have Theopemptus called home . At his entry to Lacedemon , he is carressed by the Senate at first , yet afterwards they conjecture that he byasseth Theopemptus way ; wherefore to try him , and to make him odious to the people , they imploy him in razing down the gates of the City ; which he obeyes , fearing to be discovered too soon ; but obeyes so wittily , as that he makes the odium rebound upon themselves ; malice being a ball , which , if thrown violently , bolts up presently upon the thrower ; and in stead of making the City his enemies , he gains them to be his friends ; whereat the Senate shewes themselves dissatisfied , fearing that such an honest servant would never satisfie such roguish masters . Monus resolves joyntly with the City , to procure the re-admission of those , who being Colleagues with their present Senators , were excluded because of their adherance to Anaxagius ; which he effectuates happily , and thereby puts a bridle in the head of that unruly beast the Senate : yet , albeit those who were re-entred were the more numerous , the old members so perplext them by debates , and so oft discovered their secrets , that they brake up the present Senate , and called a new one . In this Senate Theopemptus is called home ; not limited by conditions , as some desired ; for how could Subjects give Law to a King ? and possibly these conditions would have been by the next ensuing Senate , declared T●reason , and the Treaters declared Traitors , but absolutely each endeavouring who should strengthen his prerogative most . At his Proclamation the people kindled innumerable bonfires , as if by them they intended to purge the air of these Nations , which had been polluted with blasphemy against the gods , and rebellion against the King formerly ; or else , as if they intended to bury in these graves , and burn to ashes those cares , wherewith they had been formerly afflicted ; Their flames mounted so high , that one might have thought that they intended to carry news of those Solemnities to heaven ; and the smoke covered the T●owns pend-ways , lest heaven should have discerned the extravagancies whereof the Inhabitants were guilty ; for gravity was banished as an enemy to their duty , and madnesse was judged true loyalty ; the trumpets were ecchoed by the vociferations of the people , and those vociferations seemed to obey the summons of the trumpets ; the bells likewise kept a part with the singing multitude , so that both bells and people did both sing and dance all at once ; and the air no sooner received these news , but it dispersed them to all the corners of the City , and ears of the Citizens ; it being no crime to be in this a ●ale-bearer ; and the bullets did flee out of the Cannons , as if they intended to meet him half way : wine was sent in abundance to the earth , that it might drink his Majesties health also , and the glasses capreoled in the air , for joy to hear his name : some danced through the fire , knowing that the wine had so much m●dified them , that they needed not fear burning ; and others had bonfires kindled in their faces by the wine which they had drunk . And as Theopemptus was remembred , so Monus was not forgot , some admiring his loyalty , some his prudence , and many both : for , he finding that the Army was the Ramparts which defended the late Tyrannie , did macerate it as much as was possible : for the old Senate by his connivance , did levie their County Bands , which served as a counterpoise to the Armies weight ; those Officers who shewed themselves dissatisfied , were reduced , and their Regiments disbanded : but lest the Souldiery should repine and mutiny , they were instantly received into the County Bands ; and those Regiments which were continued , were either given to loyal persons , or those who were disloyal were gained by a certain expectation of pardon , and future imployment ; for which cause it was surmised , that Theopemptus intended for his own safety , to keep a standing Army , whom he was to pay ; as also , the Senate caused rumour , that they were to apprehend such persons as they jealoused , whereupon if they were guilty , they presently either fled , or drew a faction , in both which cases they afforded certain proofs of their knavery , and furnish'd the Senate the means to ruine them . And because their presence over-awed alwayes the Senate , it was ordered , that the City Bands should guard the City , and the Army should remove from it , So that the venom being once removed from the heart , the cure of the body was thereby much facilitated ; the Companies likewise of every Regiment , were dispersed into all the corners of the country , under pretext of preventing Insurrections ; But really their design was to impede their mutinies , and to make them the more conquerable , if they should dare to oppose that royal design , some of them were sent unto Athens , because the Revolution was to begin in Lacedemon ; and others were sent to assist forreign Allies , at the suggested request of their Ambassadors . All things being thus prepared , Theopemptus enters the City of Lacedemon , in the greatest pomp that loyalty , or luxury could invent : Above him at the Gates stood clouds , as they seemed , which rained down Wines of all sorts , and at each side of the Gates stood a large Glass , the one whereof afforded a perspective of a Country , where all the trees were dismantled of their leaves , and all the flowers blasted by the winde ; wherein widows were bathing their starving babes in their compassionate tears , and where tax-masters were beating the peasants , who declared upon their knees , that they could not pay their taxes : In the other Glass was to be seen , a pleasant Spring in the ruffe of its pride , and a Prince sighting against a Tyrant with one hand , and sowing gold and money with the other . These and many other expressions of joy were presented to him , whose recital might be as tedious as the view was pleasant . At the same Gate stood all the Senators and Citizens in robes , amongst whom one delivered his Majesty this harangue . Most gracious Soveraign , ALbeit your Return hath effaced these sad impressions which our miseries had engraven upon our spirits , yet duty hath reserved an idea of them , that by comparing them with the happy condition wherein we are like to live under your Government , we may find what a vast difference there is betwixt Monarchy and Anarchy , betwixt slavery and subjection : We know now what a silly carcass a body is without a head , and what a madnesse it is for a body to brain its head against the rocks of danger and rebellion . Your Majesty is our head , and nature teacheth all men to guard that , even with the hazard of their other members ; and Physicians prescribe moe maxims for its conservation , and moe medicaments for its cure , than for the cure of any part beside . Ye may be confident , Sir , that we who have had our purses robbed so oft by Tyrants , will not now refuse some part of them to our lawfull Prince ; and who should command the childrens purses more freely than the father ? Our refusing to defray your necessary charges , may procure to us national affronts , and lose us our forreign interests : and herein consists our mutual happiness , that as our Nation hath a Prince who will require lesse than they would willingly contribute , so our Prince hath now a people , who upon all honourable emergents will cordially contribute more than he will demand . And we who have been flung in heaps , that Tyrants might over our bellies and upon our shoulders mount their unjustly acquired thrones , will doubtlesse willingly lend our hands to help our born Prince to ascend that Throne , which his birth , and our prescribed consent , hath built for him ; and as a company of Merchants who are linked together in one society , cannot be accounted the lesse rich , that their gold lies not in their private coffers , but in the common cash ; So Subjects are not to be lookt upon as the lesse powerful , that their strength lies in the hands of their Prince . Princes desire only to be powerfull , either to restrain the insolencies of Forreigners , or to suppress the insurrections of mutinous Subjects ; So that seing we are protected by the first , and but justly corrected by the last , we can never in justice repine at the powerfulnesse of our Prince . Sir , seing man desires to sway Dominions Scepter , and hates to stoop to the shrine of anothers power , doubtlesse they had never willingly subjected themselves to Monarchy , if they had not been convinced by their reason , of its signal advantages . It is that Government which preventeth the emulation of competitors , which concealeth what is to be acted , and is able to remedy those evils which delay might make insuperable : neither of which advantages can be expected , or hath ever been perceived in a Commonwealth : and as amongst figures the pyramide stands most firmly ; so amongst Governments , Monarchy ( which in the geometry of policy , may be called the pyramide ) is of all others the most sure-footed : whereas that round figure , the Commonwealth , is globe-like always rolling ; And as it is reasonable , that the gods should govern men , because they are more rational than men , and that man should goven bruits , because he is more rational than those ; So amongst men , it is rational and just , that because some are more ingenious than others , and one yet more ingenious than these some ; that therefore those few ( such as are Nobles ) should govern the rest of the people ; and that one Monarch should govern those few Nobles . Neither is it fit , that those who understand once the mysteries of State-affairs , and who have their Intelligence setled once with Forreign Princes and Ministers of State , should then be removed ( as we see is , yea and must be done in Commonwealths ) for that were to remove one from a trade when he hath past his apprentisage , and if these be not removed , they will prove Monarchs at last ; so that in shunning one , we shall have many ; and those many , because of their factions and treacheries ( for all can neither be honest nor concordant ) shall be more insupportable , and lesse usefull than that one . Sir , our rambling to and fro , tasting all Governments , evidences our folly , but addeth to your glory ; for none can alleage now that it is only your birth , which hath entitled your Majesty to these Crowns , which is the ordinary opprobrie wherewith other Princes are upbraided ; no Sir , for now the hand of our reason hath subscribed your election ; and if there be any thing more desirable in elective Monarchy , than there is in hereditary , your Majesty may justly pretend to both ; we have nothing to excuse our defection , but over-powering necessity , so that we may be compared to a stone which violence may take from its place , and throw up in the air , but its natural inclination will draw it presently to its former center ; for no sooner did occasion acquaint us with the possibility of your Majesties return , but immediatly our acclamations and bonfires joyned hand in hand to testifie the ardour of our desires , and height of our zeal for your re-establishment : and for the future , our chearfull obedience shall attone our former obstinacy , for which we shall ever stand in the sackcloath of repentance : And since all good is desirable , and is desirable , because it is good ; the more desired any thing is , the better it may be judged to be ; and I am confident , never Nation desired more passionatly , nor expressed more vehemently their desires than we at this time , whereby we have according to our small abilities , witnessed what high thoughts and great expectations we have of your Majesties incomparable goodness : and as both our wishes and expectations of your goodness are great , we hope your Majesties endeavours to satisfie both , will be as great as either : and that since injustice hath made our former Tyrants abominable , that ye will by justice make your Reign amiable ; remember , Sir , that as the contests and litigiousness of private persons , together with the desire to have them terminated , was the first motive which invited men to bow to Monarchy ; So it will be now , that which will endear Monarchy to all . Remember , Sir , that all your noble ornaments are badges of that noble vertue ; your Scepter is given you , to shew your Legislative power , your Sword is given you to punish those who disobey it , and your Crown as a reward for acting in obedience to it . That is the vertue which Moralists esteem so much , that they think it can have excess ; a quality which is attributed to no other vertue , besides these that are divine ; such as the love of God , and such others . Your Courts of Justice are the stomack of your Kingdom , which first digests truth and equity , and then diffuseth it to the remotest parts of that politick body ; But , Sir , if the stomach be corrupted by depraved or flegmatick humours , what a languishing condition will the body be redacted to ? as to war against neighbouring States , and such like martial imployments ; they are not necessary , but as they defend Justice ; and may justly be compared to a hedge about a garden , which bears no fruit themselves , but defends these trees which do bear ; whereas Justice is that fruit-tree which bears the golden apples of peace , plenty and vertue , and under whose shade your subjects may rest securely . All we can do is , to submit to your Decrees , and to pray to the eternal and omnipotent gods , to accumulate your Majesty with all prosperity and happiness . The Nation did now begin to look like a body reconvalescing after a feaver , which grows more fat than it was formerly , and like a woman brought to bed , did forget its former miseries : and I remember that being in a barg● of pleasure , which was covered with gold and cristal ; after we were weary with musick , we fell a discoursing of the poverty of these Nations ; for seing the mines did every year cast a golden fleece , and seing forreigners had never forraged the Country , it was strange to see such an ebb of treasure , where there used formerly to be so many spring-tydes of wealth : To this another Gentleman answered , That in all nations , there was much of the substance of gold lost in gildings , laces , and embroideries much treasured up by misers , and lost by thei● unexpected deaths ; That fires in towns , and shipwrack and sights at Sea , sunk much of it ; and that the low value which was daily put upon it , lower than formerly , made it seem more scarce . But besides these , there were some reasons peculiar to this same Nation ; such as its being cashed up by those who hid it , fearing to be called rich , and fearing publick borrowings ( which was the ordinary practice of those Rebels ) or , because those who borrowed , payed but small usery for it , and bankrupted often with it , so that the danger was great , and the profit small : As also the money formerly was in Noblemens hands , who because of other exigences were alwayes using it ; whereas those wretches who had it now , did lay it in coffers , living rather conform to their low births than their rich fortunes ; Likewise neighboring Nations by raising the value of it , drew it to them ; neither did any coin passe here , but what carried the impressa of the Nation , which made no Nation send in money to it . After this discourse , we did begin to debate , whether in these times wherein the Country swarmed with Traitors , a kinsman or friend could in reason intercede for his friend or kinsman who was a Rebel ? which one Philanax alleaged was unlawfull ; for else ( said he ) man being naturally enclined to rebellion , ( sparkling ambition flying naturally upwards ) if the fear of punishment did not deter them , their numbers should increase immeasurably ; and who would fear , if friends would interceed for them , and if intercession could ransom them ? and what Rebel wants some friend or kinsman ? but rather loyal persons should be ashamed of such relations . Likewise men are born subjects to their Prince , aswell as kinsmen to their relations , and so nature requires subjection to their Prince , as much as affection to their friends : And as for friends , there can be no friendship where there is no vertue , and there can be no vertue where there is no loyalty , and much perjury ; and seing a kinsmans intercession may make him guilty of all the blood that a spared Traitor may spill , thereafter no man can be obliged to interceed for a Traitor , though a friend , no more than he can be obliged to comit murder upon his accompt . And since it is problematick in Law , whether a father ought to dilate his son , who hatcheth rebellion , or shelter him after it is once committed , doubtless it will determine , that a friend ( whose relation is remoter than that of a father ) should not interceed ( seing to interceed is to shelter ) for a notorious Rebel . My Lord , this discourse hath ( I fear ) rather racked your patience , than satisfied your judgment , except your patience be as great as my discourse hath been tedious , which is morally impossible , your soul being a vessell , which can hold no more than is measured by the true standart of vertue . Yet I expect your Lordships pardon , since the excrescency of my Narration flows from a conceit which I have , that I can never serve your Lordship enough ; and this makes me desire , that if I be any wayes criminable , my crime may be too much service . The Fourth Book . THe hard-hearted ice had now dissolved it self in tears , through rage to see it self conquered by its enemy the Sun , who advancing to his former height , from which that rebel , Winter , had degraded him , was sending forth his beams in troops , to subdue Winters auxiliaries ; and in that sweet moneth of May , wherein the earth , as a badge of her gratefulness to the Summer , begins to put on its livery ; and when the air layes aside that vail of thick mist , wherein it lapped it self during the coldnesse of the Winter . In a sweet morning of that sweet season , the two Ladies , Agapeta and Aretina , who had lien together the last night ( resolving to overtake the Sun in bed ) did rise very early , leaving their Waiting-maids lying in Morpheus imbraces , who was begetting on them that bastard babe called Laziness ; and so were necessitated to play the hand-maid to each other , which was notwithstanding no great task , seing their cloathes seemed most willing to hing upon them , as if they knew how much they were honoured by being theirs . Yet the Ladies were no sooner entered the Garden , than they perceived the Sun walking in the heavens , who had risen that morning sooner than formerly , to view that pleasant prospect which the earth afforded him ; and , like an indulgent father , seemed to rejoyce , to see those lillies and roses , which were the off-spring of his own rayes . At the corner of a hedge they encountred Megistus and Philarites , who were signetting that sweet air , with the yet more sweet names of their matchless Mistrisses . Philarites would willingly have tendered his respects to them , but his heart , which did climb up his throat , as if it would have propined it self to Aretina , had already stopt the passage : which Megistus perceiving , and bowing , as if he would have by that posture , shewed the Ladies how much he esteemed himself below them : Fair Ladies , said he , if our attendance upon you might suit with your diet and quiet , we should court the imployment with thousands of wishes , and acquit our selves of it with all possible endeavours . Gentlemen , replied Agapeta , seing we cannot meliorate you by our society , we dare not vex you by such fruitlesse attendance , neither is there any thing in such a barren imployment , whereby ye could advantage your already accomplisht spirits , except in evidencing the strength of your patience , in vanquishing without anxiety the importunacy and impertinencies of two , rather innocent than well accomplisht Ladies . Accomplishments , said Megistus , were very imprudent if they choosed not to lodge in such rare bodies as yours are ; for , I am confident they may travel the world over , before they finde any such other receptacles ; and as for us , seing nature glories of you as of her master-pieces , the best of men , and much more we , may be vain of the title of your servants ; an honour rather to be wished than merited . Gentlemen , answered Aretina , if nature had intended to glory in our shapes , she would have made us Megistus and Philarites , whose praises are so large and numerous , that no mouth is large enough to contain them , but all mouths run over of them ; and to express whose praises , duty endeavours to make each tongue eloquent . Incomparable Ladies , said Philarites , we have acted nothing since our arrival here , but what we have acted as your servants , so that if men admire us , it is because we are persons upon whom ye are pleased to lay your commands ( attributing that to desert , which is the meer effect of favour ) and so by telling us that we are admired , ye remember us of those vast obligations which we owe you . Well , Sir , replied Aretina , since ye have disarmed my tongue of complement , and hath turned the edge of my own weapon against me , it were high time to yeeld , to which I am the rather willing , that I know that all that I can yeeld to you , is yours by merit formerly ; for since we owe our lives to you , and since all that a man hath he will give for his life , it is clear , that ye may challenge as yours , all that we could bestow as our own . Agapeta desired them to end these complements , and that each of them would remark something in that Garden , where every thing was remarkable , and that I may begin , look how the flourish peeps out of its green palace , to behold this sweet moneth , and to smell that excellent perfume , wherewith the Sun hath poudered the heads of the undergrowing hills . Aretina remarked how time had borrowed youth from an old apple-tree , to lend it to a young cherry-tree which grew not far from it , whose coat was so long worn , that it was now all in rags ; See ye not ( continued she ) how it hath stood so long that it is now weary , and would willingly lie down , if the carefull Gardener had not provided a staff for its age to lean upon ? and yet in spight of age , ye see how its fruits do flourish , ripening alwayes as the tree grows old , and bringing seeds in their bosome wherewith to plenish the earth after they are gone , and the tree fallen . Observe , fair Ladies , said Megistus , how these red roses blush , and these tulips grow pale , through anger to see their beauty so outstript by yours , and how these cherries , albeit they be but hard hearted creatures , yet understand their duty so well as bow downwards to do you obeisance , and would willingly throw themselvs at your feet , if their stalks did not hinder them ; and how yonder pond hath drawn your picture , and placed it in its bosome , presenting it to you when ye approach , to indicate the high value it sets upon your beauty , and concealing it when ye are gone , fearing lest any should rob it . Philarites recommended to them , to advert , how the gods had cleared the sky purposely that morning , that they might have the fuller view of them ; and how the grass propi●e● their shoes with their pearly drops , which seemed to kiss their feet in token of subjection . This gave them occasion to laugh at one anothers pretty conceits , wherein their wanton inventions seemed to sport themselves . After this , they went to repose themselves a little in an Arbour , where all the branches had laid their heads together , to resist the scorching Sun , and to shelter those who refuged under its protection , and whose walls like strainers , did separate the light from the heat , keeping out the one , and letting in the other ; refuting thereby the opinion of some Philosophers , who opinion that light is nothing but fire dilated , and that fire is nothing but light contracted . Megistus and Agapeta stayed a little behind , both that they might the more freely entertain one another , and that they might give Philarites the conveniency of entertaining Aretina , who finding that none eyed him , threw up his eyes , as if he durst not fix them upon Aretina , and passionatly sighed up these few words . O heavens , what favour have I done you , that ye should lend me this hand ? or rather , wherein have I offended you , that ye should , as a punishment , crown my soul in this ocean of joy ? Can I , miserable Philarites , be so happy , as to find an occasion of evidencing to Aretina , how that his happiness depends solely upon her ? Whereto Aretina smiling , replyed , Can passion conquer unconquerable Philarites ? or , is it Philarites pleasure , to act the personage of an enamorato , to testifie how exquisit he is , not only in real vertue , but even in apparent passion ? Philarites would have proceeded further , but was interrupted by the cryes of one who came running to him , and who look'd like one who had propined his wit to love for his Mistris sake , thinking all donatives besides , unworthy presents for so divine a passion ; his flaming zeal which had stayed within so long as there was any thing unconsumed for it to feed upon , did now flash abroad at his nostrils , and by its smoak had obfuscated his native colour : his eyes by their rolling and continual motion , witnessed that they missed the object , whereon they desired to fix their rayes ; and the variety of his motions , shew the lightness of the body which was moved , his words were cut to pieces by his inconsiderate irresolution , and the torrent of his discourse resembled a river , which the broader it grows , grows always the shallower ; such was the heat of his passion , that it made him tear off all his cloaths , and his looks and thoughts strove , which should change oftest . This was the miserable Moragapus , who was enamoured of a young Lady called Calista , who gave him a very kindly requittal of his love , which an Alexandrian Gallant , who was his rival , perceiving , perswaded him that Calista had deserted him , and had bestowed her affection upon another ; whereupon Moragapus , who lived then in the Country , desires to return to the City , but was impeded by his father , who conjectured his errand , and who protested withall , that as he had fettered himself by love , so he should be fettered by chains , if he turned not proselyte to a fathers entreaties . This made Moragapus melancholy , and his melancholy did dictate to him some expressions , which enraged his father , so that he hermitaged him in a chamber , denying him company , which was the sole cure of his sick fancy , and diversion , which was the only probable mean to recover him out of his frantick love : this restraint did fully fling him over the rock of distraction , upon whose edge he stood formerly ( passion resembling those spiritfull horses , who stir most and are maddest , when the bridle is most straitly held by the rider ; and men resembling oft fine cloathes , which corrupt most when they are kept closest ; and the will is of the nature of these things , which spill by being packed up in too narrow bounds ) and thereafter he became so demented , that whereas they kept him formerly under restraint for prevention , they were obliged to do it now , through necessity : at last the mercilesse fire having one night seized upon his fathers house , he was brought out , and amidst the confusions wherein all were involved at that time , he escapes their hands , and comes streight to Alexandria , and finding the Garden door open , he enters , and apprehends Aretina to have been Calista , whereupon he runs to her , and flings himself at her feet , quivering out the irregular notes of his ill tune'd passion ; leaping from sentence to sentence , and sometimes running over one sentence twice , till Aretina , sorry to see this tyranny of madnesse , assured him , that Calista was in another corner of the Garden , which information posts him away , ( his light body being easily blown away by the least puft of perswasion ) and accidentally he spieth Calista walking upon the brink of a deep pond , which was hemmed in with marble , he no sooner spies her , but he runns to her , and she no sooner spies him , but that terrified with the unexpectednesse of the sight , ( for it had been concealed from her ) and fearing some outrage , she offered to step back , but her gown feltring her feet , trips up her heels , so that she falls in the pond , her weight and haste carrying her to the bottom : but the water , which seemed to glory that so rich a pearl was to be found there , did throw her body presently up again , as if it intended to shew that she was in its possession ; yet albeit the water shew her , she could shew no appearance of life , for death ( that rather tyrant than conquerour ) who like a rigid creditor , exacts of us that last debt oftimes before the ordinary term of payment ) had possest it self of all the chief forts of her soul , and had displayed his ordinary standard , paleness , in her face , to shew that the place was conquered : at her fall , the water did flee circular-wise from her body , fearing to be accessory to the murder of so choice a person , and look'd drumely at so tragick a misfortune ; yet she might have escaped , if the thrice infortunate Moragapus had not leapt in after her , and there by strugling to save her , had not drowned both himself and her . The Knights and Ladies who knew nothing of this sad occurrant , were sitting all this while in the Arbor ; and Megistus was remarking from Moragapus looks ( wherein all might have read his distraction ) how much they were to blame , who blamed Phisiognomy , as an Art both artless and uncertain : for , said he , seing the dullest amongst men , may perceive by that fellows looks , his madness ; certainly others of more prying spirits , and a more frequent observation , may come to discern the nature of less observable looks , for there is not so great a disproportion , betwixt those evidently known looks , and others that are less discernable , than there is betwixt an artlesse observation , and a serious and experimental remark ; for as an unexperienced clown , can see nothing in the face of heaven , albeit a skilfull Astrologue can prognostick from it , what weather is to be expected ; So a skilfull Phisiognomist may perceive , what is undiscernable by the eye of a skillesse guesser : And we see , that different tempers have different faces , the Melancholians looks , differing for from those of a Flegmatician ; and so , since these temperaments are natural , we may conclude , that the difference of those looks which are proper to them , must be likewise natural , and if natural , why not discoverable by Art ? seing it is natural to man , to know all Natures operations : for , albeit there be many Provinces in the Globe of Learning , which are yet unknown ( mans laziness restraining him from such new adventures ) yet the Needle of Reason being observed , we may come to coast Natures greatest difficulties . We see likewise that a mans looks , changes as his thoughts , which argues clearly , that there is some connexion and dependance betwixt the thoughts and looks : for , our bodies do resemble a lanthorn , wherein that divine light , the soul , is placed ; and our faces are the horn through which may be easily perceived , whether the within shining light be in it self clear , or not ; and it would appear very suitable to divine Providence , that ingenuity should wear some badge whereby it may be known , and being known may be respected ; whereas roguery , wearing its own colours , may be found out , and so evited , lest else honest men should be cheated upon all occasions by soulless knaves . Your sex is much obliged to this poor fellow , said Agapeta , for he hath vindicated you of that aspersion wherewith generally all men are tainted , which is , That all their passion is but simulate ; wherefore , Sir , I could wish to hear from you , whether men can be really enamoured of such ugly faces at all , and whether they can be so deeply taken with the best , as to become distracted through missing them ? Madam , replyed Megistus , providence seems for ornament , to have filled the gallery of this world with faces strangely different ; yet , on the other hand , when we consider , how the most exquisit pencile is not able to draw two faces in nothing unlike , we may judge , that this variety hath been rather the effect of chance , than pains ; and if we consider what a great variety of thoughts are to be found in the world , there being some dependance betwixt thoughts and faces , we need not admire the difference of faces : for , mans face being patched up of so many traits and colours ; and the eye ( which influenceth hugely upon the looks , the face changing according to the difference of the eye , as a picture doth by the several positions of an optick glasse ) being so varying in it self , it is rather a wonder , to see how two faces should be found any-wayes like , than that two faces should be so dislike ; wherefore , Nature having produced all men and women to be coupled together , and nothing being so able to couple them as affection , it hath given several inclinations to men and women , whereby they are in a manner constrained to love those different faces ; for , man being naturally incompleat , needs a fellow-helper to accomplish him ; and as every piece will not serve to accomplish and fill up the vacant room of what is wanting , neither is it enough that it be either greater , or of better stuff , So it is not sufficient , to make a man love a woman , that she is of nobler extraction , richer , or wittier than her whom he loves : no , that is not sufficient , for it is likewise requisit , that she be exactly adapted to his fancy ; for , if all men loved only those who were wise , rich , or noble ; there being many women who can pretend to neither , there should be many who behoved for ever to live unmarried , and albeit a man may think that he could marry any of many hundreds whom he sees , yet he is in that mistaken ; Not unlike an Artisan who takes up several pieces , thinking them fit enough to fill a void , which when he applies he finds most unfit . And the difference of the eyes which look , makes the difference oft of what is looked upon ; for as in a plain glasse , that object seems great which is lessened much by a concave mirrour ; so some eyes judge that beautifull , which others account ugly ; and if reason were imployed as the only proxenet , yet we should see as much of this variety in the love of faces , as we see there is in the love of opinions ; and as there is no opinion so absurd but it will still find a patron ; so there should be no face so ugly , but it should find a lover : And seing there would be such different choices , even albeit reason were umpire ; what may we expect from fancy , whose acts being but simple apprehensions , must be more different than the acts of the judgment , which never traces in any path except where reason is its guide . And as to the other question , which your Ladyship proposed , Whether loves storms may blow so furiously , as to shatter our reason , and may appear so terrible as to fright us out of our wits : I believe certainly , Madam , that it may ; for , as a person may over-reach himself so , to the effect that he may grasp that which is placed in a high place above him , that he may disjoynt his body thereby ; so the soul of man may endeavour so to reach up the hand of desire , that it may disjoynt it self by its nimious attempt ; and a mans reason may flie for shame to see it self so disappointed , as that what it desired most to enjoy , should be enjoyed by another : And as the body may weary it self so , in hunting and traversing to and fro , as that it may by that immoderat travel , fall in some uncurable disease ; so , the soul may by too anxious cares run it self in some insuperable distemper ; Neither can I blame altogether such a generous wit , as scorns to out-live its own felicity , and who desires to understand nothing , after he understands that his Mistris disaffections him ; for then , the wit which formerly served him as an ornamen● , will then serve him only as a torturer . And such a lover may appositly be compared to one who draws a cord , or any thing else to him , with such vehemency , that if it break , he must undoubtedly fall ; and his wits may be said to leave their old residence , that they may by roaving up and down , try if they can find her whom they so much admire , and adore so intensly ; Yet , Madam , albeit I revere passionatly that divine vertue , Love , I cannot notwithstanding , but hate that species of it , which being nursed by avarice , languishes thereafter in discontentment ( and no wonder that such foul milk should occasion an ill tempered complexion ) neither can I comprehend how true lovers can be soldered together by gold , a mettal which the gods seems to have hid in the bowels of the earth , lest our avarice should have taken notice of it ; must that dross which carries only the impressa of some Monarch , be preferred to the rich mettal of true love ? which bears the effigies of the immortal gods , and which is only forged in heavens mint-house , whence nothing that is impure proceeds , and where nothing that is pure is lacking : And must the Suns bastard be preferred to that celestial off-spring ? Are Venus chains become weaker than formerly through too much usage ? or hath the Suns continued influence , refined gold to a greater excellency than it was of in the dayes of our predecessors ? Can avarice , which ingendreth murders , rapines , thefts , and rebellion , be the parent of so divine and heroick vertues ? or can that which cannot incite a man to the acts of generation , be the basis of that whereby all true generation is warranted ? as also there is much imprudence in this choice , for gold having made a man dispense with the tenderness , lameness , or uncomliness of a wife , she brings him forth such children , as that their ugly shapes , and crabbed humours , makes him ashamed to term himself their father ; and who needs more money to patch up those imperfections in each of them when they are to be matched , than he received by his match with their mother ? beside what treasure he must squander daily amongst Physicians and Apothecaries ( from whom they must buy a lease of their life ) to maintain that ruinous fabrick which totters from the first day it was founded ; neither need I swell up this sum of their fathers miseries , with either his inward frettings , which must be as numerous as are the views which he hath , either of his deformed wife , or formless children : or the outward opprobries , wherewith he hears both her and them daily aspersed , by jeering neighbours and railing adversaries , who are glad to find something whereon to fix the teeth of their envie ; who will not miss to upbraid him with his avarice , and them with their defects ; and albeit there be no infallibility , yet there is much probability in that conjecture , that such as is the body , such must be the soul , Nature having like a wise merchant , bestowed the finest cases upon the richest Jewels or Watches . There are lkewise another race of Cupids bastards , who love assoon as they are acquaint , and these love oft times because they are not well acquaint ; they love oft , before they try one anothers tempers , and so joyn oft with those of contrary tempers , and this being as opposit in their humours , as fire , water , and the other elements , they agree oft as these assimbolick elements do , the one extinguishing the other , and the one devouring the other ; and as the conjunction of these can never parentate any production , so their copulations are oft barren , and never very fruitfull . Neither do the inconveniencies which accress from hence sist in their personal prejudice only , but turns also to the prejudice of many others , for of these two who are so unfitly matched ; the one might have been a good wife , if she had marryed another husband , and so it occasions that others misfortune ; and the other might have proven a good husband , if he had married another wife ; and so that match hath occasioned that other womans prejudice . Wherefore seing willing rashness marreth so many marriages , I admire why Judges and Legislators should by constrained inconsideratness occasion moe ; for , if a fantastick youth , demented by a fond passion , do promise marriage to a woman , they oblige him to marry her , albeit ●e neither understand what is the strength of a promise , nor the nature of marriage , a thing in it self not so reasonable as legal ; and yet , if straitly examined , will scarce be found legal : for , if the consent or promise of a mad man , or a fool , will not oblige him to a performance , why should they who are both mad and fond , either through love , or lust , be so straitned ? and that they are either ideots , or furious , may be conjectured by the effects , ( which are the means whereby in all cases such persons are dig●osced ) for if they were not such , they would never throw themselves away upon such bargains , nor sell themselves and their liberties at the rate of one hours pleasure ; and if we may justly account him distracted , who sells an opulent fortune for a toy , how much more may we conclude him such , who exchanges his liberty , which is by far more excellent than his fortune , for that which is much worse than a toy ? and if the Law rescinds bargains , where the buyer is cheated in a half , why should they confirm this , wherein he is cheated in all , and where he gains nothing but discontentment , which is worse than nothing ? and if we will turn over the Records either of history or experience , we will learn there , what murders , rapins , and massacres have budded from this same root , which this same promise springs from , even from distracted love , whose slames burns oft reason to ashes , and contagins all the faculties of him with whom it resides ; and if the Law obliges not him , who hath tied himself by a causeless paction , albeit of the smallest importance ; how can it tie him to perform a promise which hath no cause , or if it hath any , is such a cause , as is abominable and filthy , and so rather invaliditats than corroborats the thing promised ; and I am confident , that the expectation of a promise , induces many to whore , who otherwise would continue chaste ( many being content to sell their chastity who would never bestow it freely ) and it is most sacrilegious to see that divine contract , which should be only celebrated in the temples of the immortal gods , celebrated in bordels and whorish beds . This discourse ended , Agapeta entreated the Knights to remove a little , to prevent misconstruction ; for , said she , our tender repute may be easily wounded , except it be armed with caution , and our favours which we bestow upon you as strangers , will be certainly envyed , except they be palliated by prudence : The Knights , in obedience to their desire , removed presently , leaving the Ladies to their private entertainment , and congratulating their own indicible happiness : but Philarites was scarce arrived at his chamber , when a Letter was presented to him by a Gentleman , whose joy could scarce suffer him to deliver it . Philarites as impatient to know what was in it , as fearfull that it was to recall him home , broke it open , and trembling did read it thus . Dear Son , YOur silence and absence have founded an opinion of your death in the minds of all my Nobles , who now cantone themselves in factions , hoping either to snatch the Crown from my old head whilst I yet live , or at least to vie for it immediatly after my death . Great mens ambition is never so fast asleep , but that the least touch from the hand of occasion is able to awake it , and when it begins once to stir , neither the respect which they bear to their Prince , nor the thundrings of an accusing conscience , are able to terrifie that fearless monster : the fear of your death , and of their rage , do like two ropes , drag me to my grave ; and how can the weak natural heat of an old heart resist the coldness of age , when joyned with that of melancholy ? and when an old man is laid upon the death-bed of grief , his speech will surely be laid shortly . Wherefore , Son , if ye have not forgot your duty , aswell as your country , return home immediatly after the receipt hereof , and relive both your Father , and your Crown , whose languishing condition requires your assistance ; for my weak hands are no longer to sway such a Scepter , nor my old head ●able to support a Crown , which care and rebellion hath made weightier than it was formerly . This fatal Letter did put Philarites resolution to a bay , his fathers condition , and his own affection divided equally the forces of his mind betwixt them ; his fathers condition required a cure , and yet his affection to Aretina would not suffer him to be the Physician : knowing that whilst he endeavoured to recover his lost Crown , he hazarded the losse of Aretina , who was dearer than his Crown to him . To unkernel which doubt , he sends for Megistus , who perswaded him , presently to obey his father ; For , said he , will ye hazard Aretina's Crown by your lingring ? or , would ye wish to marry her , except ye had a Crown to bestow upon her ? or think ye , that she will mind him who minds not his own businesse ? Sir , Love requires that ye should ensure your Ladies Kingdom , Nature requires that ye should assist your old Father , Justice requires that ye should punish Traitors , and Gallantry requires that ye should rather follow , than flee dangers . Let not your Valour be like the Physician , who can cure others , but not himself : and whilst those who know you not , talk of your courage and conduct , let not your subjects , who know you , smile at your esseminate cowardishnesse . This discourse determined the question , betwixt Philarites affection and his courage : so leaving Megistus , he march'd streight to Aretina's chamber , where finding her alone , ( Monan●hropus being gone to the country ) he enters , waited on only by a chearful countenance , and after a low obeisance made , he thus expresseth himself to her : Incomparable Aretina , my Fathers commands , and the necessities of my Nation , rather drives , than takes me away from this place : neither is it so much to ensure a Crown , as it is to ensure your Crown , that I undertake this pilgrimage . If I wanted natural affection , I were unworthy to be your Servant ; and if I wanted a Crown , I were unworthy to be your husband : Wherefore I come to beg your permission to return home , to satisfie the one , and to fix the other ; hoping in my absence , to testifie my constancy , and by my speedy return , to witness what a high value I put upon your presence , in which I taste the choicest of contentments , and without which all things besides seems but tastless to the palate of my pleasure . Aretina surprized , but not dejected at what she heard , did , much to his satisfaction , deceive his expectation ; returning him this sweet answer . Philarites , Vertue and I are not at such odds , as that ye must displease the one , to obey the other ; no ▪ Philarites , I am confident the gods will prove a target to defend you , whilest ye prove the sword of your family : my sex makes me fearfull , yet my experience makes me confident of the unalterableness of your affection ; and I know you to be too generous in every thing else , to prove base in that , wherein the basest of men prove often generous . Wherefore go , invincible Philarites , victory waits for you ; only , remember your friends , when either your leisure , or pleasure , can steal an hour from your more weighty imployments , and with that she imbraceth him , and intreats him instantly to be gone : for , said she , a womans courage should be tryed , not tempted , and if ye would wish me to pers●vere , take from me by your speedy removal , the means of repenting . Philarites was confounded by this command ; for albeit she gave him leave to go , yet she did that with so much grace , that it invited him once yet to stay wholly . But whilst he was thus debating what was fittest to be done , she fell upon an expedient her self , of taking at her own hands what she desired from him ; for stepping in to her closet , and closing the door , she left him alone , obliged in civility to depart her chamber . Yet in retiring , she glanced over her shoulder , and then , only one tear broke the pr̄ison of her fair eyes , prest out by the multitude of those other tears which stood behind it ; but no sooner was she entered , but that unruly crowd forced themselves a passage , and as a volley of small shot , discharged themselves in honour of Philarites intended voyage : who rather dissembling than quenching his passion , went to Agapeta's chamber , accompanied by Megistus , to tender his respects to her , for his Majesty was then gone abroad ; to whom , immediatly upon his return , he addressed himself , and by whom he was dismist with many extraordinary testimonies of his singular affection to him , ordering his Guards to wait upon him to the utmost confines of Egypt , and all the Ordnance to send their shot a piece of the way with him : he ordered likewise by the Lord Chamberlain , that his Master of Ceremonies , should carry to him some Jewels , and that the Kings Jeweller should carry to him some Plate ( for these were the formalities of all those Nations ) all which he refused , accepting only from the hands of Agapeta ( to whom the King entrusted that particular , hoping by the quality of the giver to oblege him to accept the gift ) his Majesties Portrait , richly deckt with inestimable Jewels , which he accepted , telling her , that he thought himself much honoured , by having the means when he pleased of coming in his Majesties presence : and so he departed Alexandria , all who met him , proffering him their attendance ; but he , acknowledging their courtesie , told them , that his business with Megistus required some retiredness : and thus they two rode out together , followed only by Kalodulus , whom Megistus commanded to wait upon Philarites , and prest him further to accept of his attendance , alleadging , that he could not now abandon him in difficulties apparently greater , and certainly such as related to him more nearly , than those wherein they had been formerly joyntly engaged ; but Philarites declined it most resolutely : for , said he , our affairs here requires that one of us should be present , and my pressures at home are not yet come to that maturity , but that I alone may suppress them , So that since your presence is necessary in the one , and would be superfluous in the other , I will entreat your stay ; and if these weeds wax higher , I will then , and not till then , entreat your absence ; and will in this play the wise General , who keeps the choice of his forces as a reserve , till the latter end of the day . Whereupon , locking themselves in one anothers arms , they shewed more compassion than could be expect●d from men of such a vast courage , bold mens veins and eyes being filled with bloud , whereas those of compassionat men are filled with tears , for those objects which move the one to compassion , move the other to revenge ; We see ordinarily that steel cannot be softned , nor can the fiery flint be hollowed by the falling drops of water , as the softer stones are : yet sometimes sorrow , which cannot beget revenge , nor ease it self that way , breaks out in compassion , and when the heat of affection tempers the steel of courage , it becomes plyable at pleasure . After this Philarites ships in , and by the help of the complacent winds ( who whistled like a waggoner to move the ship to run more swiftly ) in a short space , takes leave of Megistu● long-tracing eyes , who stood upon the shoar both sorrowfull , and glad of his so ready passage . After a fortnights journey , he arrives in Thracia , and writes to Evander his father , to provide Coaches , Suits , and Attenders for him , and shortly enters Bizantium the capital City of Thracia , and passeth alongst all its streets , with a cavalcade of all the Nobility and Gentry of the Nation , who , conscious to their own guilt , and fearing that it would be revealed by some of their Colleagues , each laboureth by his discovery to prevent the rest of the Complot : and thus , every one fearing to speak to his neighbour of a Combination , they acquiesce to what Philarites commanded ; yet he , desirous , like a good Physician , that that ulcer should ripen , that so it might break , and purge the body of some pestilential humours , suffereth some to be dissatisfied , who running to their arms , flocked to one Philenus , a Thracian Nobleman , whom he had immediatly upon his return secured , and whom he caused the Jaylor suffer now to escape , who rendevouzed shortly six thousand men ; for he expected , if not to gain the field by fighting , yet at least , to ensure his life and estate by capitulation ; to which effect , he writes presently to Philarites , promising to draw all under his command to his Highness obedience , upon the security of his life and fortune : This Philarites no sooner received , but he dispatches copies of it to his Agents in Philenus Armie , who disseminate amongst the Soldiery Philenus treachery , who used them only as means to gain his own , and not their peace , which so alienated the hearts of his dependers from him , that they quit him peice-meal ; whereof Philarites ( who with two Regiments of Horse waited this occasion ) being ascertained , falls upon him and his Confederates , and suffers few of them to escape ; which catastrophe of these bold rebels brought the Nation to its former obedience . Let us again glance a little at Aretina ; upon whom Ophni Duke of Iris had look'd through the prospect of respect ; which usually aggrandizes all things that are represented by it ; which dye had tinctured so all his thoughts , as that neither the soap of pains , nor the Fullers earth of reason , were able to return them to their former colour : love being like pitch , which no sooner touches than it sticks ; and which when it once sticks , can hardly be removed : wherfore finding that this barbed arrow which Cupid had stuck in him , could not be drawn back , without leaving its head in the wound , he resolves to drive it forward , and resolves either to lose himself , or to gain her ; seing without her , he concluded himself fit for nothing : and albeit the vastness of her fortunes ( being only heir to a potent Duke ) were golden mountains , over which his meaner condition ( being low in his estate ) could scarce scramble ; and which being past , the difficulties were not yet all overcome , for she was yet fortified by her fathers honours , and her own beauty ; to batter all which ramperts , he could bring no other engyns , besides those of importunity , patience , and confidence : but alas , poor Ophni , the fort of her affection is strongly manned by the high thoughts she hath of Philarites , and is provisioned daily by the perswasions and cunning of Megistus and Agapeta , and all the avennues of her servants and familiars are already blocked up with gold ( cemented with civility ) by Philarites during his last residence at Court ; and as to thy pains , these small ordnance will never reach her , love being like to these shapes which are casten in a mould , which if they be not rightly moulded at the very first , can never ( or at least hardly ) be helpt by any future endeavours ; and the wild fancy is of the nature of all other untamed beasts , which must be taken at a start , else can hardly be laid hold upon . He endeavours by company , to conjure away these hopgoblin fancies , but all in vain ; for , albeit whilst he is with his friends it leaves him , yet no sooner leaves he them , but instantly it returns to him ; for albeit a melancholian may , like an ill-going clock , have the index of his humour put right by the hand of a friend , or of company , yet the in-works of his soul being distempered by that corrupt rust , he will presently run wrong as formerly . Finding no solacement here , he wanders in woods and groves ( the ordinary galleries of such enamorato's ) but there he is more distempered than formerly ; for those fancies which could not follow him foot for foot in the crowd of Court , finds now room to walk side for side with him ; for meditation being but a digested representation of what species and ideas were hudled up in the memory formerly , it can do nothing else , but make a more of what was but a much formerly : and so , if it find a man to have much prudence , or piety , it will make him to have more of both ; whereas if it find him to have much impiety , or passion , it will screw them up to a greater height : and hence springs that proverb , that a solitary person must be either a Saint or a Devil ; for , it being an extraordinary custom , it must argue an extraordinary genius ; and albeit meditation be a mirrour wherein one may see himself represented without errour or flattery , yet it is such a mirrour as is the Sea , which if troubled , can represent no object whatsoever : Even so , if meditation be tossed with the storms of passion , its surface can represent nothing but horrour . And man being sociable naturally , as we see by all the faculties of his soul , and number of his senses , which were useless , if he were cloistred up in an Hermitage : for , why was the tongue given him , but to express to others his own thoughts , and to answer theirs ? why his ears , but to hear others , &c. doubtless therefore his retiredness must be supernatural ; and so either angelical , or diabolick . And the gods by distributing some perfections to one , some to another , have necessitated us either not to aim at any further accomplishment , or if we do , to learn it from one another ; and how can that be done but in society ? As also , in heaven we shall be fully happy ; and yet there shall be there no hermitages , but we shall cleave together ; which evidences , that hermitage and happiness roul not upon the same axletree . But neither could Ophni sing a requiem to his passion here , for his love presents to him the disparity of their fortunes , and this starts avarice ; his love muster● to him all those who may pretend to be his rivals , and that starts up his envie , or at least , a passion less vertuous than emulation : his love terrifies him with the numbers of her fathers honours , and that puffs up his ambition . And thus hounded by all these raging passions , he knows not where to run , nor how to shelter : he tumbles down upon the ground , as if like an itchy horse , he meant to ease himself by rubbing with it ; and immediately starting up , with his arms crost , he pawes with his foot , as if he intended to beat the earth , because it could not relieve him ; but finding the earth could not help him , he throws up his eyes to heaven ( an ordinary posture even amongst disconsolat Atheists , fore-ordained by providence to prove their dependance upon supernal powers ) thinking that the other goddesses had taken her up there , to be their colleague . After this he turns to the by-running streams , but they glide away so swiftly , as that they will not stay to hear him ; and the fishes , as if it were in derision , leaps up , to shew him what a priceless thing is freedom . The inhospital air likewise , to aggrege his misfortunes , no sooner receives his doleances , but each part of it , as if it were weary of them , posts them away immediatly to another part yet remoter , and at last refuses flatly to carry them any further : he vexes to see the crows , like frugal masters of families , build their nests , and feed their young ones ; and to see those organists of heaven , the chanting larks , from their natural cage the firmament , quiver out their melodious notes , the air opening it self willingly to receive such a pleasant harmonie : and all these free from court care , and afflicting affection ; whereas he , who brags of being created the master of all these , hath his head toiled with the cares of his family , and his breast burnt with the flames of love . At last , being refused shelter by all these , he addresses himself to that bold undertaker , confidence ; who perswades him to return to Court , and promised to make way for him . I am ( said confidence ) that skilfull Physician , who hath recovered thousands of patients , after that others have condemned them to die ; I am that bold Warriour who hath oft recruited desperat Armies ; and by my hands have gallant and overweening Ladies been thrown in the arms , of by them despised Gentlemen . Goutish fear is never able to overtake his prey , and he stands so long hearkning to reason , that the bird is flown before he come to the nest ; I strike so oft that I must kill at sometime ; and I rally so suddenly , that I can never be beaten , or if I be beat , none dares twit me , lest I fall foul on them also . And I pray you ( continued confidence ) as a Ladies favour is the greatest prize in the world , so her refusal is one of the smallest affronts : for , since all men confesse that none can sufficiently merit a Ladies favour , what wrong is done , or what affront is received in not obtaining what was not merited ; and seing a womans choice is attributed to her fancy , what wise man will esteem you a whit the worse , that her fancy conceited that ye were worse than ye are ? He may be a good archer who misses his mark once , and an excellent merchant who loses one adventure : choice things are like diamonds of the rock , to gain which , pains are required ; neither is the lame hands of fear , fit to dig in the mine of golden love . Fear is a cold humour , and so extinguisheth these divine fires , whereas courage is an oyl fit to conserve it . She loves you possibly , albeit she proclaims it not ; and there may be fire in that which seems only an hard flint ; she intends like all other women , to set a price upon her affection by the difficulty of obtaining it , and will have the race to be long , ●eing the prize is great ; she will have you to ●ause the world take notice of her worth ; and ●elf-love , and vanity must needs have that come●y of Courtship entertained , because they are so ●ickled by it . And it is reason , that she should have some time to try his humour , to whom she ●ntends to subject hers at all times . When we buy that which is of any value , a slight view will not satisfie us ; neither would ye your self bestow your childe without a most strict enquiry what his qualities and estate were upon whom ye bestowed her . To extricate himself from these jarring debates , he sends for an old Priest who was Monanthro●us intimate acquaintance , and had likewise served his own father formerly , and communicates his design to him , and entreats him to deal with Monanthropus , which the Priest undertakes , and represents so cunningly to Monanthropus Lady , that he gains by her mediation her husbands consent ; with this proviso , That Ophni should bestow his daughters estate upon her eldest son , who should carry her Name and A●ms , and that the second should have the Dutchy of Iris. To which Ophni agrees , since the honour of his own family was not in the least obfuscated thereby , which was to be maintained intire , in the person of his second son . This being agreed to , betwixt Ophni and the parents , they begin to sound the daughters inclinations , and her mother presses first , that she should marry , that the estate might be entailed upon her ; whereas if she who was her mother , dyed , her father might marry a second wife , and so settle the estate upon her children . Aretina seems not to heed that discourse only she said she would consult with time ( ● Counsellour whom experience had made wise ) and that many young Ladies had been accounted famous , for living chast● , but never any for marrying too soon ; that the bearers were oft-times broken by pulling fruit too soon ; and that she would rather live without a husband , than marry without singular affection ; for , seing a conjugate life was hedged in with so many thorny difficulties , and attended by so many dangers to those of her sex , she resolved never to marry , til● she found one for whom she would be willing to hazard dangers , and encounter difficulties . At last the mother thinking that her daughter was like those who wil never bargain til they see their merchant ; or like those merchants , who wil never sell freely till they see money ; proposed to her a match with Ophni Duke of ●ris ( having formerly commanded her Nurse and Maids to speak of him with all respect possible ) wherat Aretina smiling told her , that such a big tree as a Duke , was not fit to be engrafted upon any other root ; meaning ●●at he would never relinquish his own family , ●o maintain the honour of any's else . What , said ●onaria , if he bestow the estate which comes with you upon your eldest son , and his own up●n his second son ? really , replyed Aretina , I would not marry one , who honoured so little ●is ancient family , to which he owes all the difference , which there is between him and his ser●ant , and for whose support his predecessors have ●oiled so much : for as a man should , and doth ●ove his father more tenderly than his Prince ; so 〈◊〉 man should love his old heritage better than his Country : and I should hate him , who betrayed his Country to pleasure a Mistris . Ophni had always hitherto with much instance ●nd a superstitious observance payed his respects ●o Aretina , speaking with his eyes what his mouth durst not ; but at last finding that darts thrown at so great a distance could wound but ●ightly , imboldned by her parents assistance , he expresses thus his passion to her one morning . Madam , it appears that Nature , like all Artisans , becomes daily the more skilfull , and that in shaping ●thers she hath been studying how to shape you , and hath also as they do , reserved the choicest of her stuff till she was fully assured of her own skill . Since therefore every thing that is new excites admiration , and since every ●hing that is ex●raordinary is new , I hope , incomparable Lady ▪ that ye will pardon those who adore with respect , ●hat nature hath made matchless by her skill , and since she shews more art than formerly , why should not we a●●mire more than formerly ? As for me , Madam , I a●●knowledge that admiration invited me to know , and th● knowledge engendred love ; but oh ! better to have co●●tinued ignorant , than to have become arrogant : for sin● love intends a conjunction , it must make a parity ; and is arogance to wish that love should make a parity , whe●● nature hath made such an imparity . Yet , Madam , suff●● me to respect you , since respect hath imbosomed in it 〈◊〉 subordination ; and be confident , that my desires sh●● never advance beyond the skreen of a profound respec●● till it be ushered-in further by your irresistable com●mands , or at least connived at by your permission . Aretina shunned to use any eloquence in he● answers to him , but rather in discourse , gesture● and all her other actions , endeavoured to reclai●● him from his passion by a feigned shew of imper●fection ; but all in vain , for his disease had con●tinued too long to be now cured , neither was h● so blinded by his passion , but that he saw he● dissimulation : which because it argued so much wit , did engage his affection more deeply tha● formerly . Her father continues to press her , but she declines the match , protesting that albeit she had no inclinations for any else , yet she had a● aversion from Ophni ; and to marry her to him ▪ were to tye an eagle to a stone , or make a fish flie● in the air : for that was as much contrary to he● humour , as these actions were contrary to theirs . Aretina finding her fathers perseverance in 〈◊〉 wherein she intended to shew so much ob●●acy , acquainted Agapeta with it , who revea●● it to Megistus , and disswaded her likewise 〈◊〉 it ; and one day it was Megistus good for●e to have an occasion to flout Ophni ; for at Marriage of one of the Officers of the Crown , ●●re was a solemnity to be used of running at ●●e Tilt , wherefore Megistus feigns himself in●sposed a day before , but at the day appointed 〈◊〉 mounts himself in a blue armour , over-spread ●ith the Ivie and the Vine twisted together ; in 〈◊〉 shield for a device , he carried two Hands ●●asping one Sword , and defending one Heart ; ●●e word was , If against one , against both . ●fter that the Kings nephew had run his course ●gainst the Martial Knight ( who was now retur●ed to Court ) and had almost broken his heart ●ith rage , because he could not break a spear ●ith success in presence of Agapeta , whom all ●he Nation did destinate for his Mistris ; Ophni ●ppeared next , who longed to give proof of his ●itherto unexperimented valour before Aretina ; ●is armour was painted over with a green field , ●herein some fruits and flowers were beginning ●o flourish , but lookt as if blasted with a cold ●●ost , and their leaves engrailed or beaten with ●ail ; in his shield he bore Cupid , piercing a fla●ning heart , and yet trampling upon it ; the word was , Too cruel to be a god . Against him appeared Megistus , who had but presently entered th● field ; carrying upon the top of his spear Aret●na's Picture , which made Ophni presently t● single him out of the croud to be his antagonist 〈◊〉 but the other sent a Trumpet to meet him , an● desired to know if he carried her Picture also which Ophni presently produced ; whereupo● both the Pictures were delivered to the Judges to be given to the Conqueror . This done , they begin their carreer , and at the first encounte● breaks both their staves , with equal success ; an● then drawing their swords , they bestow many blows very freely , but courage was not able to defray Ophni's charges in contesting after tha● fashion with Megistus ; and albeit Ophni fough● for a Mistris , and Megistus only for a Friend , ye● there was greater disparity betwixt the Champions , than there was betwixt the Quarrels . Yet even in the Quarrel , Megistus had the advantage ; for albeit he fought not for his Mistris , yet he fought before his Mistris , from whom no vizard could disguise him ; neither desired he to be so disguised , but that she should know him ; wherefore enraged to see an apprentice so resist him , he ramasses his courage , and by an irresistible blow , bears Ophni to the ground , so bruised that he was scarce able to recruit himself ; and thereafter rides to the Judges , who deliver him both the Pictures . Whilst all the eyes of the company are fixt upon Megistus , some enquiring after his name ; others admiring his courage ; and none daring yet to appear against him . The Kings Nephew vanquish'd by grief , aswell as by the Martial Knight , falls a swouning ( shame contracting the heart , and denying the body a fresh supply of spirits ; as its opposit , confidence , dilatats it , and sends it fresh supplies flushly ) which withdraws ●ll mens admiration from Megistus , each running to recover the other , giving Megistus leave to re●●re secretly to his bed without being noticed . The Tilting ended , Ophni retires to his chamber , distracted with rage , and confounded with shame , trembling by the chilness of the one , and burning by the heat of the other ; cursing providence for the niggardly allowance of strength it had bestowed upon him ; and his own heart , for daring to engage in a quarrel which it was not able to maintain . Yet Monanthropus and his Lady , who valued not much such trifling affronts , did prosecute their former intention , but with very bad success : for Aretina , who could never remember Philarites but with affection , could never remember Ophni but with disdain : neither could her affection taste any more satisfaction in his society , than a stomach which is full already of excellent entertainment , is able to rellish an ordinary dish which is set before it . Which at last Ophni perceiving , he resolved to undermine , what he could not storm , and plots this project . Monanthropus had now retired to hsi own Country-house , for a fortnight , where Ophni goes to give him a visit , after that he had first hired a Pirat , who frequented those coasts , to go and lye before the house secretly . At his coming there he deals with Aretina's Nurse ( whom only of all her servants his bribes , and her Mothers commands , had gained to his faction ) to tryste Aretina down to the shoar one morning very early , where she was no sooner come , than the Pirat who waited behind a rock with fourteen men , falls upon her , and her Nurse , and Maids , and makes them prisoners ; which Ophni at some distance perceiving , comes running to them , with his sword drawn , as if he would have rescued her , and begins to combat with the Pirat , whereupon he who held Aretina , holding a sword to her breast , swore that he should kill her , if he yeelded not : This seemed so to prevail with him ( joyned to the cryes of her hellish Nurse , who knew all the mysterie ) that he submits , and becomes their prisoner , and are all carried a shipboard , Aretina's Maid only excepted ; whom Ophni had ordered , that she should be suffered to escape , both fearing that she favoured too much Philarites , as also , that she might inform Monanthropus , that Ophni was not accessory to the plot , but rather testified much courage in fighting , and much affection in rather yeelding , than that she should have suffered by his resistance . At their entry a ship-board , the Pirat testified very much respect to Aretina , protesting that he had no design in her surprisal , but only to oblige her father thereby to mediate his peace with the King : For which reason likewise , he thought himself most fortunate , in having intrapped Ophni , whose friends at Court might be very stedable to him : wherefore he permitted them for their mutual solacement to stay all day long in one cabine , allowing each of them a several cabine at night . But all these opportunities , albeit seconded with much importunity , both from Ophni , and the old Nurse , could not pull Aretina's ear so low , as to hear what they pres●ed in relation to that match ; she seemed to undervalue those dangers , which would doubtless have seemed terrible to others ; For , as she said one day to the Master , high spirits were like high mountains , whose tops being abvoe the cloudy firmament , were no wayes troubled with the storms and tempests which molest the valeyes ; ●nd that great minds were like great bodies , which scarce the greatest windes could move out of their places ; these discourses astonisht the ●yrate , and rendered Ophni yet more desperate ●hen formerly ; finding that neither fear nor love , necessity nor affection , were able to effectuate his design ; for when he spoke to her of his passion , she told him that neither the present place , nor her present humour could permit her to treat of such matters ; which required calmness of spirit , and the assistance of friends , of both which she was destitute at that present ; as also , that she was confident , the world would misconstruct that love , whose birth-place was a prison ; and would blame that choice , which was made when there was none else present to be chosen . These endeavours were unexpectedly blasted by an accident , which manifested how much the divine powers affected that match , betwixt Philarites and Aretina , which they themselves had at first made . For Aretina one morning , alledging that she was indisposed , entreated the Pirate to set her ashoar to take the air , and the rather , because she heard that the coast whereupon they failed was the coast of Thracia , where she knew her dear Philarites residenced for the time . To which the Pirate , at the entreaty of Ophni , after some reluctancy , condescended , knowing that the adjacent Land was a meer Wood and Desert , where no surprisal was to be feared ; and suffered Ophni to go alongst with her , in company with himself and twelve others of his train , well armed ; and after they had sent one to view the shoar , who returned , assuring them that all was secure : They came ashoar themselves , and for their recreation went up to a pleasant Wood , where the thickness of the trees afforded them a pleasant shade . They were but immediatly seated , when the clashing of armour near the shoar , invited their curiosity to try who were the combatants , and so starting up , they perceived two Knights , disputing with equal courage , a quarrel wherein their fury made Ophni believe that they were much interessed . Ophni who never used to be an idle spectator of such disputes , girding himself in the Pirats armour , after he had past his parole to return a ship-board ( lest else his complot with the Pirate might have been discovered ) he runs down to them , offering to be umpire betwixt them : But they were so busied with their contest , that they had neither time , nor desire to imbrace or thank him for his proffer . At last the Knight with the black feathers called to the other , to leave off their groundless combat , assuring him , that Aretina was the only Lady living , for whom he carried any affection ; and that albeit he had spared to strike at him hitherto , endeavouring only his own defence , yet hereafter he was to expect no further favour : and as to Arethusa he disclaimed any interest in her , besides what all others of her sex and endowments might justly challenge . The other ( who because of his mask ) was only to be designed by his bucquet of white and red feathers , throwing immediatly down his sword , lighted from his horse , and craved the other pardon ; protesting , that next to Arethusa , he would honour him above all the world . Whilst they are thus imbracing one another , Ophni who raged to hear Aretina owned by any besides himself , cryes , Sir , whatever you are who wears the black feathers , you must satisfie justice for daring pretend to Aretinas favour , and before ye depart from this place , my sword shall punish such unpardonable arrogance , and with that drawing upon him , he forced the Knight with the black feathers to depute his sword to answer for him , and in sharper terms than Ophni expected ; for at the second blow , Ophni's armour suffered the black feathered Knights sword to enter at a breach , which his strength had made for it , near the heart , out of which , in a very short time the life issued out , waited upon by a floud of blood , running away , as it seemed , from the merciless hand of pale death . The Pirat and his attenders perceiving Ophni engaged , had hitherto keeped back , fearing to rob him by their assistance , of a victory which might possibly endear him to Aretina , but now seeing him fall at his enemies feet , did run down to revenge a death , which with so much grief they resented : the two Knights did joyntly encounter them with so much courage and resolution , that four of these Pirats were killed before either of the Knights had received one wound , and whilst the Knight with the black feathers was dispatching another , two Gentlemen who missing their Master the black Knight in the morning , had traced him thither , came galloping up , one whereof struck the head from a fellow who was drawing a blow to strike his Master . The other Knight likewise had by killing the master Pirat , perswaded the other two to flee to their boat ; but they were easily overtaken by these two Gentlemen , who were on hors-back , from whom they begged their lives upon their knees , which was granted them , and so they were brought back to the two Knights ; the one whereof , and who wore the black feathers , was the generous Philarites , who stood disarming Ophni , whose head-piece he no sooner took off , than he knew him to be his intimate friend the Duke of Iris , to whose civilities he had been so much addebted during his residence at the Court of Egypt : it astonisht him to see the Duke in that place , and it grieved him to consider that his sword should have put him in that condition : and albeit he remembred how the quarrel was for Aretina , yet friendship provoked him to a compassionat resentment , and to deck the mournfull hearse of the Duke of Iris with pearly tears ; albeit he could not but hate the lover of Aretina : But whilst Philarites eyes were writing in tears Ophni's epitaph , Aretina ( whom her two keepers had abandoned ) not knowing who these Knights were , had flung her self at his feet ; but no sooner raised she her eyes , nor threw he down his , but the rayes which were darted from either , seemed to know one another at their first approach , and posted as it were back to acquaint the body from whom they were sent , what a strange encounter they had met with . Philarites no sooner perceived that this was the divine Aretina , than presently raising her with both his hands , he throws himself at her feet , who was lying at his formerly , and with an accent which spoke passion , he thus expresses himself . Peerless Aretina , it is a crime to doubt who thou art , seing none resembles thee ; or , how can he forget thee , who minds nothing besides thee ? for the meanest of those hundred curious traits ( which are but mean when compared with what we see not ) is able to convince the dullest amongst men , that ye are doubtlesse Aretina ; and the only thing which disswades me from believing it , is , that my destiny hath been so hard formerly , that I can hardly now believe that it would permit Aretina to land in a place where Philarites might be serviceable to her . Here Aretina interrupted him , saying , That he was injurious to the most and ever just gods , in alledging that they favoured not a person of his high deserts ; neither were his petty afflictions to be listed amongst real misfortunes : for as the earths off-spring is ripened by the cold and dark nights , aswell as by the hot and bright Sunshines ; even so , generous minds are accomplisht oft-times as much ( if not more ) by their misfortunes , aswell as by their success : wherfore use moderatly this occasion , which ye seem so to value , and lose not by your insolence that affection in Thracia , which your modesty & patience gained in Egypt . After this , she entreated him to lead her to some retired house , where she might recreate her weather-beaten body ; which sickness formerly , and joy now both had , and did infeeble extreamly ; for our life being a lamp , it cannot no more be said to burn well , when by the nimious heat of joy it is all on a fire ; then when cold melancholy seems to extinguish its flames . By this time the other Knight , who was the renowned Aristobulus had come up , and after his surprisal ( occasioned by the extraordinariness of Aretina's beauty ) was somewhat over-past , he accoasted her thus . Madam , I hope ye will pardon me for calling in question what you are ; for my heart , as a subject to the divine Arethusa , hath taken oaths of supremacy and alleagiance , whereby it is bound to acknowledge none her equal , either in beauty or endowments ; wherefore , Madam , I wish ye were no mortal , lest your being such should tempt me to commit treason against her beauty , by forcing me to acknowledge that it is but second to yours . Arethusa's beauty ( replied Aretina ) is so much noted and admired by all who have but heard the smallest catalogue of beauties recited , that it 's rather a jest than a complement , to place such an ordinary face as mine in one file with hers , to whom it were a disparagement , to say that my face and hers had any traits that were common to both ; the one having nothing , and the other wanting nothing , which the proudest amongst men can esteem praise-worthy . After this they retired to an house of pleasure , which Philarites father had caused build for himself , whilst he was young ; and which Philarites self had caused repair and replenish , wherein he did often solace himself with the rememberance of her whom he now enjoyed ; after their arrival , Aretina fetcht a short walk about that sweet place ; which lurked in the bosom of a wood , fearing ( as it were ) to be discerned by any , upon the brink of a shallow river , to whose bottom the weakest eye might easily travel ; and whose streams mumured as they past by , because they were not suffered to stay longer in so sweet a place ; and where the hand of accident , had carved in the surface of the over-topping rocks , thousands of various shapes and figures , to recreate a melancholy fancy , and which , like a stone book , seemed full of apprehensive memento's . Here Philarites used oft to read , as he imagined , the story of his love . Something represented to him Aretina , something Agapeta , and something his kind friend Megistus . At other times he thought them emblems of his love , and at a third time , he thought them horoscopes of his good or ill fortune , accordingly as he himself was for the time affected . After this they entered a chamber , wherin pleasure had made parade of all her richest furnitur , and here , whilst the supper was a preparing , and Arist●bulus was gone to sleep after his long watching , occasioned by his torturing jealousie ; Aretina leaning upon a window ( in at which the vine and orange trees seemed to peep , as if they desired to admire the sumptuousness of the room ) entreated to hear a brief relation of his adventures since his departure from Egypt . Madam ( replyed Philarites ) my journey was rather pleasant than memorable : for after that a gentle gale had civilly convoyed me over to Lacedemon , as if I had been related to Neptunes family . I landed at ●pis , where I did meet a great many officious servants , some whereof carried my boots , and others my spurrs , and I believe some were so willing to testifie their respects to me , that they would have carried my purse also , if I would have suffered them : At supper my Landlord came to taste my wine , and alleadging it was not good enough , desired the Drawer to fetch some out of another tun , which liked him not neither , wherefore he desired ( after he had chided him ) that he should bring some of another colour ; but finding that my servant grumbled ( which was really to see so much wine forced upon us by a cheat ) he rose himself from the table , and as if my servant had been offended at the badnesse of the wine , he said that he himself should go fetch some better , and albeit my servant entreated him to stay , telling him that he was mistaken , yet he would needs go , craving us still pardon for his Drawers mistake : so down he goes , and brings up that same wine which had been presented to us formerly in a flaggon , and fearing lest my servant should discern that it was but little more than half full , he did out of civility to my Lordship , fill it himself ; and pouring it in a glass , coloured somewhat like the wine , to conceal its sophistication , he holds it up to the candle , sweating that it was a lovely wine , but that it had ripened no where so well that year as it did the last . His discourse all the time of supper , was in praise of the Egyptian Nobility , whose generosity and liberality he commended much , without mentioning any other vertue . After supper , he caused remove my clogbag out of my servants chamber ( as my servant told me afterwards ) telling the Chamberlain , that albeit he served a Nobleman , yet he knew by his looks and deportment , that he was a Gentleman , and so it was not fit so to embarass his chamber ; but to morrow he made us pay for that chamber also , alledging that if it had been void , he might have had a guest for it , but if that occasion had not offered , we should not have payed for it . Thereafter when I askt why there were so many cheaters in that Town ? they told me , that all frontier Towns were so : for being accustomed with strangers , whom they prefumed ignorant of all prices , they extortioned them at their pleasure . The next morning I took horse , and having dined at Elpis , I strayed in the afternoon , and could find no house , till at last the dark clouds clad in the nights livery , did usher their melancholy mistris into our hemisphere , and told me , that after that darknesse did set its guard , strangers were not permitted to passe . Wherefore I retired to a castle , which I saw afar off ; and by the time I came to it , the charitable heaven had set forth its lanthorn the Moon to shew passengers the road : and as I entered at the gate , I saw a poor fellow helping an old bridle at the moon-shine : My servant thinking it had been the hostler , called to him to hold the horses : but at last came one of the servants , who hanging out the sign of a , Please your Worship to that poor fellow , gave us to understand that he was a Knight , he advances to us , and told us that we were out of the road ; for Thesbone the next Village was but two leagues off , where we would be very well accommodated ; but Kalodulus assured me that it was three , and entreated me to stay : wherefore I at last perceiving that this was the Master of the house ( who stood helping his bridle at the Moonshine to save a candle ) I told him , that I behoved to stay that night . This made him reply , that he could not accommodate me , for all his furniture was transported to his other house . At this reply , his son who was an ideot , cryed out , Ha , ha , father , devil another house have ye . This put the father out of countenance , but he desired us not to notice what he said . At last , overcome by our importunity , he rather suffered than invited us to advance , and welcomed us as an old miser welcomes death , when the Physician assures him that he cannot live : but all the sport was , to see with what a troubled countenance , the Lady was brought to bed of a consent to let us stay ; meer necessity supplying the part of a Midwife to that hard and painfull birth . After we entred the house ( which seemed because of the infrequency of the indwellers , like a body without a 〈◊〉 ) the Knight with a discourse of the poverty of the Nation , and of the greatness of the taxes , joyning to this , that large houses , such as his , were monuments of the builders folly ; for besides the money spent both in building and maintaining them , they did likewise invite strangers to lodge , and enemies to garison in it . Whilst we were thus passing time , I heard my Lady scold at her servant , for suffering all the beer to run out , by pulling the spigget out of the barrel , and thereupon coming in to us in a chafe , she ex●used her own misfortune ; but she told us that we should have a drink of whey , which was very wholsom in that hot season ; as also , we should have sack to correct its coldness : so the sack is brought in a great bottle , and all is filled out in a big glasse , and given to the Lady , who drinks to me , but when I intreated her to taste it a little better , she told me , that albeit that sack was not hot in the mouth , yet it was very hot in the stomack , and that the Physicians had forbidden her husband to drink any more than two spoonfulls of it ; but I no sooner got it in my hand , than I drank it off : foreseeing that I was in a place , where all the year was a continued Lent , wherefore I resolved to make drink aliment , albeit Philosophers and Physicians both call that much in question . At supper we had some pulse , egs , and pease , but no flesh ; for , as the Lady said , she could hardly in conscience suffer a poor pullet to be murdered to satisfie her appetite . Truly wife , added her husband , that is good philosophy ; for flesh is not thought natural food for man : for we see that children ( in whom nature is not adulterated by custom ) love fruit better than flesh ; as also , if it were natural , we might eat it as nature hath provided it ; but now we see that we roast , seeth , and fry it , else it cannot be eaten : as also , nature hath bestowed long and small teeth upon those beasts , and long beaks upon those fowls , which most devour flesh for their aliment ; whereas it hath given man teeth long and broad . Physicians also esteem it not so wholsome as other meats are , for it being before concoction , equal to our flesh , it is by concoction sublimated above it , and so not fit to feed us : and we find that when it corrupts ( for all of it cannot become aliment ) that it is of all putrefactions the most hatefull ; for bread , roots , and such like things , albeit they putrifie , yet stink not ; but flesh , when corrupted , stinks extreamly . After supper , we went to bed , without having any drink put in our offer , to excuse which , the Knight alleadged , that he heard that it was the custom of our Country , for the Egyptians used to say by way of proverb , that he who goeth to bed thirsty , riseth wholsome ; for thereby defluxions were occasioned . The next morning the Knight appeared in an old sattin doublet , having a little piece taffata hanging down from it , to perswade us that it was lined with it , but I perceived that it was only doubled with green linen . He wore likewise silk stockens , but exceedingly shattered by age , to conceal which he had folded them all in degrees . After I rose , I went to the Garden , where my Lady was gathering nettles to make broth for us ; I perceived she wanted her stockens and shoes , which she thought was concealed by the length of her gown ; whereupon ( to revenge my self upon her for my bad entertainment ) I took her hand and walked alongst a place with her full of nettles , which , as I perceived by her countenance , did burn her feet ; yet durst she not complain , fearing to discover thereby her own nakedness . After my departure from this , my stomach had almost expired , leaving me nothing but hunger in legacy ; a debt so urgent , that I behoved to ride to a neighbouring Village to satisfie it : but whilst I was in my way to it , the angry heavens , sighed wind , and weeped rain for the suns absence , which some troubled clouds had imprisoned all that morning ; I over-hyed a fellow , whose gray hairs , rather than grave garb , informed me that he was ancient ; he was riding in a pair of Spanish leather boots , which the excessive rain had mollified so , that they seemed to become tender-hearted at the heavens weeping condition ; his head had been well poudered , and by the rains assistance had made excellent morter ; yet all the morter which was there , could hardly have patched up those cracks which I perceived thereafter to be in his brain : His cassock was of black satin , which was so hospital as not to refuse the rain lodging ; thus he rode and bathed all at once . After we had ridden half a mile together , he asked if I had ever heard of a Physician called Nisus , who lived in that Country , whose skill had kept so many alive , that the inhabitants complained that the place was become too populous . I who perceived , or at least conjectured by his habit , that he was of that faculty himself , told him that I had oft heard of him ; and that it was reported that he could defend the weakest body against the strongest assaults of death , and that he could chase out deaths ordinary avantcurriers , melancholy and sickness , albeit they were once entred ; and that the great-grand-children of ancient families had conspired against him , for starving so their wearied expectations , for none dyed ( as I heard , except some few Sextons , whom want of imployment had quite famished ; Truly ( continued I ) I would ride forty miles to see him . Good Sir , replied my companion , ye extoled him too much ; but such as he is , Sir , he is your servant , for I am the man : At which I seemed so overjoyed , that grasping him kindly ( though rudely ) in my arms , I pulled him quite from his horse ; and thereafter , craving him pardon , I helpt him up again . After a miles march , his horse did begin to weary , and at last became so uncivil , as to refuse to bear his master company ; whereupon the Doctor lights down , and taking up his foot , he endeavours to find his pulse , which he swore was a caprezant , and that he behoved to cause give him a clyster ; but ( ah misfortune ) whilst he is musing upon the disease , the horse , weary of standing upon three feet , kicks his Lordship into a ditch which stood near by , whence we could hardly pull out : when we had pulled him out , Kalodulus sayes to him , Truly , Sir , it appears ye dive deep in any thing wherein ye once enter ; but I admire why ye carry with you such a horse , except it be that because ye are a Physician , ye cannot want a skelleton for your anatomy . After he was re-mounted , he entertained me with a description of a Lady in Nisbena , whom he loved dearly , describing all the parts of her body , as if he had been anatomizing ; and to conclude all , he took a Letter out of his pocket , which he had directed to her , and whereof he bestowed upon me this copie afterwards . Fairest of all created creatures , yea , fairer than Diana and all her Nymphs , albeit they were chopt in one ; the harmony of your well-agreeing colours , makes my pulses dance to their musick ; and your beauty , like a great gale , hath so filled the sails of my desires , that it hath driven me out of the harbour of ease , into the ocean of Love. A surfet of your disdain , hath ( as all cold things do ) easten me in a feaver of rage : your Answer to this Letter must be the crisis , by which I am to prognostick my death , or recovery ; But I hope , Lady , that ye will not murder him , who hath saved so many , and who hath been born to s●ve mankind . Ye may perceive the strength of my love , which makes me so eloquent that I 〈…〉 Mercury if he were a woman ; And albeit ye undervalue my plethorick eloquence , yet all our Ladies here are struck by it in a le●ha●gie of admiration . O my pret●y lovely thing , love him who loves thee best of all things , and send a receipt for this disease to your sick Nilus . We arrived that night at Lacedemon , where at supper I did meet a young Gentleman , whose grave asp●ct did conc●l●at respect to what he was to speak ; after supper I invited him to my chamber , and there I did enqui●e how affairs byassed in that Nation , and who was the Axletr●e upon whom that large orb of Court did roul ; after this we digressed from Courtiers , to Court-imployments , whereupon he thus charactered to me the emptiness of that so much desired trade . Sir , my experience hath pilgrimaged through most , and my meditation through all those follies wherwith our reason is ensnared , and whereby our happiness is betrayed ; yet amongst them all I perceive that none hath gained so many proselytes , as Court-vanity : There it is that men run to ruine in Coach , and flee with feathers to folly ; and I am confident , that if men took as much pains to gain favour in Heaven , as they do ●o ingratiat themselves at Court , that they could no● miss to be canonized as the most eminent in the Kalender of Saints . That is the Butt at which all men level the arrows of their affections , and that is the Idol which all men worship . Wherefore , Sir , at my first arrival at Court , I endeavoured to find out the reason why in the circle of humane happinesse , Court was made the only center , to which all the other pleasures , like so many lines , tended , and in which they were all terminated ; but I must acknowledge , Sir , that without borrowing the eyes of those who so much admire it , I shall never be able to see in it that satisfaction and amiableness , which they so much dote upon : But to make your judgment judge , I shall relate to you the trade which I conceive most of them drives . All night they wrestle with their giant , fears and cares , til at last , necessary , with much difficul●y , draws the curtain of rather slumber than sleep before their wearied eyes : but yet their judgment no sooner leaves off , than their fancy begins to work ; and as they thought whilst awake , so now whilst asleep they dream of competitors , and enemies ; of mis-informations , and challenges ; and after some time their eye lids start up in spight of sleep , and then their minds are presented afresh with a large inventory of by-pastaffronts , and future fears , all written with the black ink of disquietness . And thus they toss and tumble , where a poor Country-man would find much refreshment ; sometimes upon one side , sometimes upon another , their souls ( which only in this , are masters of , and command their bodies ) drawing the bodies after them , and making them toss and turn , as they are tossed themselves . After that the Sun hath sent its rayes to salute them in its name , then they must sleep , because sleep is then unnatural : the morning being thus spent , they spend ( or rather mispend ) the forenoon , betwixt a comb and a mirrour , consulting now and then their pages , whether they be well drest or not . And now they ask whether the King be gone a hunting , or not ? ( his motion being the only science which they study ) and if not , they post to Court , putting that complement upon his Majestie , that for haste to wait upon him , they dispense with their matines . And there , like Democritus atomes , they wander up and down in the sphere of chance , and possibly stand in some antichamber , like those pictures which the cunning needle hath depenciled in the curious hangings ; meditating upon nothing but how to make some Grandee take notice of them , or how to pay an earth-deep reverence to any whom they know to be a Court-darling . At dinner they surfet one day , and are starved another , their purses being like the damme of an ill-going Mill , which must be clused up two dayes to make it go the third ; there , if they meet with any Country Gentleman , they tax him for being unfashionable in his cloathes , and rural in his deportment , thinking thereby to disarm him of his confidence , that thereafter they may foil him at pleasure . And really , Sir , I perceive that they mould their fashions and modes of new every year , not so much to pleasure their vagrant fancies , as to make Courtship an Art which one must be alwayes learning : For , if these stood alwayes fixt upon the same center , a Gentleman who had spent a year at Court , and then had retired to the sweet bosom of a melancholy life , might know as much as they , but now they in this , ( and in this only ) must learn something from the nothing-besides-knowing Courtier . This done , they proceed to discourse of affairs of State , dropping a word or two of some mysterious forreign transaction , and stopping there , as if they would not decipher so great a project ; and shake their head , as if they could prognostick the event , of that whereof they know not the cause . Wherefore , Sir , I will recount to you a jest , put lately at this Court upon one of these State-mountebanks , by a Country-Gentleman , who coming one morning to visit the Courtier , he asks what news ? none , sayes the Gentleman , save only that Thrastus , one of the Thracian Nobles , is dead ; which they say is an irreparable losse to our King. Thrastus dead , replyed the other , the gods forbid , for he was one of our intimate friends , and with that he fetches a turn or two , folding his hands , and testifying much grief ; wherupon the Gentleman turning to one of the by-standers , tells him in his ear , with a smile , that in conscience he never heard of any such person : After dinner is ended , they return to Court , carrying alongst with them their Country friends , and in their way salutes hundreds of persons , whom they scarce know , pretending that these are their special good acquaintances : And if the King smile ( though his smile be occasioned by some inward thought ) they will swear it was upon them ; or if he call them , though meerly by accident , and desire them to do any thing of the meanest concernment , they will pretend that it was a w●ighty particular which he did communicate to them . After this manner they mis-spend much of that little time which providence hath not given , but lent them ; making their bodies their souls , and their pleasures their paradise , till at last , after they have acted the personage of youth in this comedy of Court , age dismantles them of all those ornaments and perfections , which made them formerly be accounted Gallants , and then they are turned off without any reward , besides the hatefull name of an old Courtier . Oh then happy he who impales himself within the circuit of a Country Cottage , suffering his thoughts to travel all over the large orb of the creation ; and when they return loaded with the spoil of solid knowledge , feasts them with home-bred morality ; there none compets with them , neither are they opprest by any , their time is not trifled away by idlings , nor their humour violented by debauch'd persons ; how much then are we obliged to Court , which like a boil in the body politick , draws to it all those malignant humours , which else might hugely annoy all the other members ? But I admire what pleasure can the Country be debarred from , whereof the Court participates ; for , whilst the species of all these soul-delighting pleasures , are in the eye , they are no pleasures , ( else brutes might t●ste that true sweetnesse ) and when they are from the eye conv●yed to the inward faculties ; then they differ nothing from pleasures meerly imagined ; so that a Country-man , may under the shade of some great Oak , or upon the bri●k of some murmuring River , tast as much pleasure , in envisaging or viewing his own contemplated happiness , as a Courtier can in eying the real objects of Court delights . There are some who ( like the Whales ) never leave the Ocean of pleasure and publick imployments , till they be wounded by the darts of affronts , or discontentment ; and then they run ashoar upon a private life , but , like ships beat into a harbour , stay no longer there than the boistering storms arrests them in it . These are not the true disciples of sacred prudence , else the same experience which sent them thither , would retain them in it , and their life and their resolution , should have the same period . Philarites was interrupted here by a Troop of Gentlemen , all masked , who entering the Hall , made such a noise , that Philarites was thereby invited to visite these unacquainted guests ; but no sooner did they see him , than rushing on him , they advertised him , that he was their prisoner , and thereafter carrying Aretina alongst with them , together with Aristobulus , whom they found asleep , they march down to the shoar , whence by their shallops they were carried a ship-board . FINIS . Here is continued the History of ARETINA , which was too abruptly ended in the former page . THe Sun seemed to decline , that he might bath his scorching , and scorched beames in the cool Ocean : And Hespe●us was beginning to rendesvouze his sparkling Spangles , in the azure Heavens : When these incomparable prisoners , Philarites , Aretina and Aristobulus were brought aboard of that Pirat-Ship : The melancholy Aretina had nothing to consolat her in her disconsolat captivity , except the presence of her dear Philarites , whose danger notwithstanding did imperfectionat extreamly the sweetness of his presence , which jealousie was transubstantiat in despair by the Captains placing each of them in distinct Cabines , leaving only melancholy for their attender , and a keeper for their train . Aretina had scarce envisaged their Avantcurriers of fear , and breathed up her first sighs : When the Captain entering her Cabin , entreated her to come forth to observe something that was very remarkable ; Aretina knowing that it was folly to disobey the entreaties of these who may at pleasure command , obeyed 〈◊〉 : But alas , poor Lady ! No sooner did the 〈…〉 fourty Torches , handed up by as many 〈◊〉 Souldiers , discover to her tearbe-dimed eyes the Deck of their Ship , then with it , it discovered likewise to her , fettered Philarites , who expected patiently the bitterest insults of his enemies rage . Aretina starting back , had almost deluged her soul in tears , and evaporated her life in sighes , had not Philarites by this discourse arested that inundating passion . Madam , ( said he ) Albeit Death be the greatest of changes , yet shall it never be able to change the greatness of my affection to you ; neither is there any thing in this the archest of terrours , which afflicts me besides the thoughts of leaving your favours unrequired , and your person unguarded , yet , Madam , I hope that the unexpectedness of this fatality , will pardon the first , and that the Omnipotent Justice of the never good relinquishing Gods , who have arsenalled thousands of thunder bolts in the clouds , to execute their just commands , will never suffer the last to be opprest : for , albeit some complementary Athiests , thinks it a disparagement to the Al-disposing Dieties , to eye and pre-decree the meanest of actions , yet it were a great ebness of faith , to believe that they would relinquish a person , for whose satisfaction , and to celebrate whose praises all the rest of the world seems ( next to that of the immortal Gods ) to have onely been created : but should I fear misfortunes , seing , ye ( Divine Princess ) can by bedewing my Hearse with one tear , make me accomplishedly happy . And seing I die regrateing my separation from you , let me die regrated by you , and erect for me a monument in your precious remembrance . This discourse had almost entranced the passionately compassionate Aretina , when her father Monanthropus ( who had all this time been an undiscovered witness to what had past ) touched with the affliction of his daughter , and sufficiently convinced of her affection to Philarites , which he could never formerly believe ; issued out , and imbracing her , entreated her not to fear the event of a fatherly experiment . Megistus did at the same time unvizard his face , and running to Philarites , hugged him in his arms . Whilst one of the Souldiers did unty him , immediately thereafter they entered the Cabine ; and having shut the door , Monanthropus relates to them ( whilst they were yet astonished with amazement ) how that Megistus had ploted that supprisall , to convince him of the mutuall affection that they caryed to each other ; and thereafter turning him to Philarites , he assured him that he esteemed his daughter happy , in being noticed , and much more in being loved by a person of such eminent qualities , but that he was sorry that he was able to bestow no better requital upon him ; to whose valour he owed first his life , and next the rescue of his daughter , who only made his life and estate desirable to him . Philarites interrupted him here , with this reply , Sir , albeit I had as really engaged by my services the immortal Gods , as ye in complement acknowledge that I have engaged you , yet could not the treasure of their unexhaustible al-sufficiencie , remunerat me with any thing more acceptable then Aretina ; So that , Sir , if you will Authorize my pretentions to serve her , you shall thereby put me above the power of desiring any new addition to my present happiness , to whose hight , fate shall not be able to add the least measure . After this , imbraceing Megistus , the Gods ( said he ) fearing that man who placeth all vertue in advantage , would never put a true estimate upon friendship , if it were not seconded by reall advantages , do oft afford friends occasions of succouring each other in their mutual extreamities ; neither have I time , nor you modesty , to hear me catalogue your favours , which I shall alwayes esteem as such , as that none but you could bestow them ; and as oft as my pulse beats minuts , my heart shall coine thankfull resentments of them . Thus did these overjoyed lovers , and generous friends , both admire , and congratulate each others happinesse ; thanking fate for her complacency , in leaving them nothing to seek now , but the continuation of what she had bestowed already , and unbridling their own passions with an indicible satisfaction , yet such a satisfaction , as that albeit it was compleat for the present , did notwithstanding receive a new accomplishment from the apprehension of the future ; and albeit love possess 't intirly all the corners of their breast ; yet were they repleat with friendship like a tunn , which albeit it be full of burnt coals , will never the less hold its just measure of water . Neither did the intensness of their friendship , cool , in the least , the heat of their love , but both like two hands , did by their mutual heat excite mutual order in each other . Philarites glad to have these Nobles in a place which he was born to command , entreated they would do him the honour to go ashoar , to recreat their incommodat bodies , against whom the sea , and season had us'd so much rigor . And to this they presently condiscended , and went ashoar at that same place from which they were carried ; but whilst they were walking through the forrest , which verged upon the ocean , the clashing of armour not far from the beaten path , did awak the courage of the three generous Knights , and importuned them to ride hitherwards : at their arrival upon the place , they perceived a Gentleman , whose armour was windowed with breaches , and whose blood was removing from its shattered lodging ; beside him lay two of his servants slain ; against him fought only one , who , to their admiration , was covered with Philarites armour , which the bearers sword ( seconded by much skill ) had so well defended , as that they had as yet suffered but little in the quarrel ; they were scarce advanced his length , when he had disarmed his adversary to whom he thus spoke . Sir , these who fight without a quarrel , fight oft without success ; neither are the Gods so idle spectators of humane actions , as to suffer courage to be the sole arbiter of such conflicts : your civil inquiry might have probably gained you a friend , whereas your rudeness hath lost you your sword , and your want of discretion , hath put you now upon the discretion of your enemy . Noble Sir , ( replyed the other ) your armour occasioned both my inconsideratness , and my mistake ; for they induced me to believe that you were Philarites , against whom my revenge was only levelled . You are not much mistaken in this quarrel , answered the other , albeit ye be mistaken in the person ; for our quarrel shall still be one , though our persons be different . Upon this , Philarites presently started out , and calling aloud to him who was the conqueror , hold , Noble Sir , ( said he ) least ye pluck from that Philarites , for whom ye pretend so much friendship ; the occasion of punishing one of his own disloyal subjects , who breaths by his clemency , that life which he would so willingly hazard against him ; he shew him formerly by continuing his life , how little he feared his malice , and now by condiscending to fight him , he will evidence how little he dreads his courage . This discourse surprised both the vanquished , and vanquisher ; but Megistus and Philarites were as much surprised , as either of the other two ; when he who had spoken so affectionately by throwing off his cask , shew them the face of the Martial Knight ; who having come to Thracia in pursuit of the Pyrate , and for the defence of Aretina , had accidentally fallen upon the before-mentioned house of pleasure , which because he had lost his own armour , he had taken alongst with him that morning , and because of them had been pursued by this Gentleman , whom he had now disarmed , who was Osiris , general of that rebellious Army which opposed the interest of their native Prince : The King of Thracia , after these three old and intimate acquaintances had witnessed to each other their kynd resentments of former favours . Osiris ashamed of his ingratitude , and fearing punishment , humbled himself upon his knees before Philarites , and made him this confession . Generous Prince , albeit the immense number , and unpardonable qualities of my crimes , might detract from the truth of what I am to say , yet believe , Sir , that my conscience sick now with repentance , will freely vomite up these noxious humors by which it was formerly so much distempered : It is not , Sir , that I intend to buy with this confession the continuance of my life , which because it is so spotted with errours , will be persecuted by legions of divine punishments ; I rather abhorre then desire it , no Sir , it is the sence of duty , presented to my Judgement by a dying temper , which wrings it from me , wherefore , Sir , I shall unbury to you a mistery , wherin your repose is much interessed ; and by which , if I cannot wipe off my former rogueries ; yet at least , I shall evite the Commission of new crimes . Sir , many of your Nobles ( of whom I shall deliver yow a particular list ) have combined amongst themselves , to levy an Army , hoping that I should have , according to my undertaking , either killed you privately , or have brought you to them as a prisoner , in order to this design . I have waited at yonr house of pleasure till this morning , at which time , perceiving this Gentleman in your Armour ; I followed him expecting to have had you at my devotion , but providence , whose decrees are unrepealable , hath ordered it otherwise . Our rendesvouze is to be six dayes hence , so that , Sir , ye may prevent the disorders which we have projected . Aristobulus had all this time darted such looks at the Martiall Knight , as evidenced sufficiently his rage against him ; but at last , when that impostume of rage broke , it blustered forth this envennomed matter , Base Menaleon , dares fate declair war against the immortal Gods , by shouldering up an Interest , which is so much their enemie : and shall the feet of thy cowardishness , be still so swift as to carry thee away from their and my just revenge : no , no , thou must resolve to quite that Life , which thy want of Courage endeares to thee above thy Repute ; and I will rather resolve to pudle my Sword in the blood of a Traytour , then suffer thy Treason to remain unpunished . The Martiall Knight convinced that Philarites and Megistus knew his courage ; resolved to shew them his patience , and so returned this answer . My innocency ( Aristobulus ) needed not the patronage of my Sword ; if ye had as much patience , as I have courage ; yet seeing ye will choose no other Umpires , but our Swords . Assure your self , that my courage is not so fast a sleep , as that it needs such clamorous opprobries to awake it : nor is my Sword so fixt in its Sheath , as that it needs such shrewd pulls to pluck it out . Come , come , experiment that Gallantrie which ye so call in question ; and receive a just punishment from him , who was once willing to pardon your escapes . They were brisling up their despight , ready to exchange their noble Lives : when Philarites ( whose common Friendship to both made him an Enemie to both their . resolutions ) lodged Aristobulus in his armes ; intreating Megistus to keep fast the Martiall Knight , Aristobulus screwing himself out of Philarites embraces , and finding that his revenge behoved to be differred till another occasion : bolted away , leaving the Martiall Knight this adiew . Dregg thy worthless Life , through these disasters , which the just Gods are preparing for thee ; and live fears Martyre , till occasion suffers thee to relaps within my power . Philarites rode after him , hoping to reconcile them , but all in vain , for Aristobulus horse carried him away . Philarites was because of this discourse , and at the intercession of the Martiall Knight , induced to pardon Osiris ; and returning to Monanthropus , and Aretina , ( who were much satisfied with the sight of the Martial Knight ) it was resolved , that Osiris should be left at the house of pleasure , both as an hostage of what he had promised , as also to ease him because of his desperate wounds . And that Philarites should endeavour before the six dayes were expired to ensure the Bonte-sense of that irreconcilable faction . Affairs thus ordered , Philarites entreats them to go alongst with him to visite the sweetest Hermitage in the World ; wherein they might see a Gentleman , who being a stranger , entreated my Father ( said he ) to gratifie him with some retired valley , wherin he might cloister up himself for the residue of his Life ; whereupon this valley was given him , in which he hath at his own expence built a House , Orchard and Garden : which the Universe cannot equall ; here hath he lived these fifteen years by past , tutured by the rigidest austeritie , humane nature is able to endure ; by this time they were advanced as far as the avenues of the house , where , betwixt two files of well ranged trees , coasting upon the water , they perceived a Gentleman , walking the pace of a funerall ; followed by two pages in a mourning liverie ; his face mantled with Melancholy , resembled a rich cloth of Gold , concealed under a black Tirfanie , where the coruscant splendor did but scarsly p●ep out . His cheeks stood like empty palaces , where those noble Guests , Beautie , and Vivacitie , had lodged formerly ; and his whole body resembled an house of pleasure , appropriated to be a Charnell house . They no sooner perceived him , than they lighted down , and after the first Salutes , Megistus thus bespoke him . Sir , it is not to divert , but to divertise you , that we come to profer you our attendance ; wherefore if ye apprehend , that our Society suits evil , either with your leasure , or pleasure , We beg that ye would congediate us instantly . Gentlemen , ( replyed the Melancholy knight ) ye may easily perceive , that my hard destiny hath placed Melancholies all destroying Sword , at the door of joyes Paradice , to forbid me a free entrie : and albeit it change the kinds of my torture , yet it never changes the desire , and designe it hath to torture me . Yet Company is a torture which seems more unsupportable to me than any other ; because I am sensible , that others there suffer with me ; yee are now in a place , wherein yee can observe nothing that is worthy , besides the unvaluable worth of him who bestowed the use of the place upon me . This pleasant valley , which was mantled with a pleasantly pyled grass , was Garlanded every where by nature , with curious flowers ; in its middle did run a sweet river , which by its frequent windings , shew how unwilling it was to leave so sweet a valley ; one of its bancks was twifed with Orange , Figg , and other pleasant trees . Whose fruit hang down , as if they seemed desirous to fall in the lap of their Grandmother the Earth . From this , they went in to a well proportioned Chappell , whose floor being white Marble , was indented in the middle with many Deaths , Heads , don couriously in black . It was hung round with dead mens Skuls , in each whereof stood a great waxe-taper , which brunt continually , from the middle of the roofe did hing a hearse of cipress , all deckt with faded flowers , under it stood the statue of a young Lady , in white Marble likewise , wherein the artist had been so happy , as that it seemed twains with her whom it represented ; at the one end was placed an Altar , all in black Velvet ( with which all the room was Tapistred ) all spangled with wormes , tears , and bleeding hearts wrought in golden Embroidery . It was then the hour , wherein he used to celebrate the obsequies of his dead Lady : wherefore he entreated Aretina , and the other Knights to share with him in his devotions , which when they had yeelded to , there entered two Gentlewomen in deep mourning , with two Lutes ; who were consorted in their singing by two Priests ; all choise voices , the Organ likewise helped them to tremble out these lugubrious Lines ; Since she is gone , why stay I here ? Seing we were one , and she my dear , My halfless Soul must sure be lame ; This bell doth tole , that it may blame My leaden motion to that sacred place , Where with devotion , I her raying face May still admire , with eyes voided of sorrow , From whom the Sun so clear , yet further light might borrow . But sure , the Gods will not admit that I , Should so near sit to such a dietie . Let her then live , whilst sadned I , Must ever grive , and never dye . He had all this time kneeled before her Statue , and prosused so his tears , as that he seemed to wash the place whereon her Statue stood . Devotions ended , they dined ; and after dinner he conducted them to a Park , where under stately Oaks , and tale Firres , did run a great many Dear , whose heads were so well branched , that they seemed to glory in being natures Cuckolds , the Lyon , Leopard , and Tygre likewise ( tamed as it were by the dejectedly magestick looks of their Master ) grazed contendedly . From this they entered a Garden , where all the Figures were cut out in Deaths-heads , and hemmed in with Dead-mens bones : in one corner of this Garden was a walk , guarded upon both sides by Cipress-trees , each whereof was topped by a skull ; at the one end stood a Tombe , and at the other a Grave ; here Aretina begged of him the Story of that Peerless Lady , whose death he so devoutely bemoaned : to which he returned this answer . Madam , that question renewes to me these Convulsion-fits of dispare , by which my tortured Soul is so much distempered , and rackles that sore , which is incurable , though the Gods themselves were my Physitians ; for I mourn for what is past ; and since it is impossible , that the preterit should be recalled ; it is impossible that my wound should be cured : Yet , Madam , lest I should seem not to prefer to my private repose , the satisfaction of one who is so farr in affinity with her , as to be of her sex and qualitie . I shall relate to you that tragick History , which embiters to me the legend of my Life . Whilst Lacedemon grovelled under the feet of fate , burriured by the hand of its own Patriots ; a Knight called Lacetus , married a Lady who shortly dying , left one Daughter , whose beauty and parts , made her fully equivalle numbers of other Children ; and who , because of her features , as well as of her oneness , was every way singular : it appears that the Excelcellency of this one , encouraged him to marry that he might beget moe , so that before his widowes bed had left the impression of his first Lady , he gives it that of a second ; who after his young Daughter had creeped up to the years of marriage , seing that she extenuated her beauty , and fearing that she might extenuate her Sons fortune , she treated her with all these rigours that a step-humour could suggerate to her : blunting her confidence , and narrowing her expence , so that her fathers house did appear a prison to her . A young Gentleman who lived in the same Countie , and was there much admired both for the greatness of his parts , and goodness of his humour ; regrating this downweighed condition , frequents much Lacetus house , and goes oft a hunting with him ; hoping to gain Pisetas affection ▪ ( for so was the Daughter called ) neither failed he in his project , for importunity and opportunity , did in end engage Piseta to him . Which Ipsetus ( this was the Gentlemans name ) managed so discretly , as that none could bottome the mistery ; at last press'd by Piseta , that he would relive her from that servitude , under which he truckled : and desirous to enjoy so peerless a Mistress , he suits for her at her fathers hands , who deferred his answer till he should const●●t his oraculous wife ; who disswaded him from the match , and endeavoured to affront the Gentlem●n ; and after many delayes which ●he 〈◊〉 continually , her rage at last lanced 〈◊〉 self ●o far , 〈◊〉 to cause threaten him : Whereupon 〈…〉 conflicts , resolves to 〈…〉 ●●●tained Piseta's consent and 〈◊〉 ▪ never either to love or marry and person else ▪ which he desired she might se●● with a Sacred Oath : not that he jealoused the stabilitie of her Faith , but to secure himself against these doubts , and future jealousies , which is too anxious , Love might suggest to him . Ipsetus is no sooner gone , then that pernicious Step-mother , whom the custom of doing mischief , had made bold to execute , and the intense desire to 〈◊〉 this poor Lady , had made cunning to contrive all that her hellish-heart could invent ; did now with more cruelty and less fear then formerly , continue to afflict poor Piseta . But amongst her other projects , this ensuing prank was the blow which was hardest to be warded ; because it disarmed her of her Fathers protection ; which she sconced her self alwayes with formerly . She writes a Letter , as directed from one , Noretus , a pedling Merchant of Lacedemon : wherein he thanked her for the encouragement she gave him to continue in his affection , and regrated with her , her Fathers and Step-mothers rigour . This Letter she sewed in a Pin-cushion , which a dying Lady had bestowed upon her , and which because of that , she had alwayes kept very diligently . This being done , she addresses her self to her husband , and there with tear-bedabled eyes , she condoles his Daughters folly ; which did so prostitute her affection , and might possibly prostrate her body to such mean persons as Noretus was , and acquainted him how she had received Letters from him ; and as she was informed by one of her Maids , was coverted up in her Pin-cushion : Wherefore , she resolved to seek presently the Pin-cushion before himself . Piseta is sent for , from whom her Step-mother seeks it ; whereat Piseta , sorry that her Step-mother should seek that , which she behoved to refuse ; denies modestly with a blush to give it . her Father perceiving that she both blushed and denyed it , flings away immediately to her Chamber ; and taking it away with him , rips it up , and finds the Letter , which soothed all that was told him . When he had collationed this with Noretus , giving his daughter some Gloves and Ribbons , ( which the honest Gentleman had given out of his affection to the family which had alwayes imployed him ) all is concluded infallibly ; This so inflamed him , that those flames of rage brunt his fatherly affection to ashes ; and armed him with the cruellest of resolutions against her : wherupon calling for her , he first chid , and then beat her ; so that scarce so much life was left her , as to resent the miseries under which she lay loaded . But after that her hard destiny had lent her further strength , that it might sport it self yet longer with her afflictions , she teared away her year like dayes , in regrating the sadness of her misfortunes , till at last like a too young branch , she yeelds under the unsupportableness of her burden ; and resolves to leave her Fathers house , which her Step-mothers malice had enchanted : and to sanctuary her self in some unknown corner , where at least none should upbraid her with the disproportionatedness of her condition to her birth : having thus packt up these Jewels which her Mother had delivered to her Nurse to be given her , she steals away one morning to Lacedemon ; but being wearied with such foot Journeys , she retires into a meddow , a mile from the City , where after half an hours stay , she perceives a Lady with her waiting maid come in a hackney Coach , to breath in some Country-air . After they had taken a walk or two , Piseta accoasts the Lady , and laying out his condition to her , entreated her Ladiships charity in promoting her to some service ; the other who was a Baud , glad of such a servant accepted her in her own service , assuring her that she should be tasked with nothing that was difficult : So that both being willing , she takes her in Coach with her , and alots her a Chamber very well equipaged , and the next morning cloathes her in a new Gown , and all other necessaries . That night I ( whose youth clustred forth continually new grapes of wickedness ) came in to ravell away my time and moneys in that mother City , and recoursed immediately to the house of that old Baud , where I used to feast my lust at all occasions ; at my entrie she rejoyced ( as she said ) at my good fortune ; for she was able to give me the fairest and sweetest Maid she had ever eyed ; but told me , that I behoved to double her Salary : I who thought gold but money , when imployed to such uses , pactioned with her for a double fee : Whereupon she brought me in to Piseta's chamber , and retiring , lockt the door behind her . Piseta was imploying her time and needle very industriously , when my approach startled her : I must acknowledge that never any was so admiration-beaten as I was , at the first sight of that divine beauty ; but when I began to carresse her , she entreated me to be more reserved , and the more I pressed her , the more she recoiled : at last , longing to enjoy so desirable an object , I asked , why dwelt she here , being of so coy an humour . I came here to serve my Mistress , but not to suffer such uncivil addresses ( replyed Piseta ) which suits as ill with your discretion , as they do with my modesty : This answer touched my very soul , and finding that chance rather then resolution had guided me hither , I informed her , how she was in a mistake ; whereupon , poor Lady , falling upon her knees , she begged from my Sword , an issue to her endless troubles ; and told me her birth , and the occasion of her coming there ; with such speats of tears , as were able to hurrie away before them , the strongest bancks of obstinat perversness , and with so pathetick expressions , as were eloquent enough to enforce the greatest of cowards , to unsheath his sword in her quarrell . I found by her relation , that she was the same person whom I was to go in suit of , and acquainted her with my Name and Style , which did much encourage her . Lady ( said I to her ) if I shall extricat you out of this danger , and re-enstate you in your former liberty , will you condiscend to marry me , to which after some reluctancie she at last condescended ; upon which I went to that old Baud , and menaced her with the discovery of her wickedness , if she dismist not that young Lady , whom she had so betrayed , and withall satisfied her for what expence she could alleadge she was at , and brought her to mine own house , where I waited upon her without offering the least indignity to her person , till our love was , authorized by Marriage . But alas , this summer of joy lasted not long ; for a fourthnight after our Marriage , a Pilgrim did one morning desire to speake with Piseta , whose devotion made this suit very acceptable . When she came in view , the Pilgrim after a profound reverence thus occoasts her ; Madam , My misfortune must sure be unavoidable , when notwithstanding , both of the number and zeal of my services , and in spight of your own vertuous inclination , it hath carryed you to forfeit your engagment to me , and because that my happiness , and your honour , were insolvably twisted together , to enrigide you so far against me , as that ye were content rather to risk your own repute , then to suffer the integrity of my happiness : if I shed not my blood in your quarrell , it was because ye wanted daring enimies , and if ye were kept from the knowledge of what I suffered for you , it was out of fear to make you suffer with me ; but that I was racked continually by your disasters , the Gods who are now my punishers , may in that be my witness . But alas , Madam , I had offended too much these just Dieties , to expect such promotions from them , and they were too intimatly knowing to your condour , to suffer ; that match to be made in Heaven : neither would I ( if I were not weary of this Life ) remember the Gods , by re-iterating my complaints , how I was guilty of so boundless presumption , which deserves as many chastisements as there dwells Thunderbolts in the Clouds to punish it withall ; yet , Madam , as one who reposes all his weight upon one thing , must needs fall if that fail him , so seing I only lived to do you service , I must now die since my services are rebuted , and with that pulling a Dagger out of his sleeve , he sent it to his own heart , to acquaint it that he behoved to die : Piseta convinced that this was her dear Ipsetus , and reflecting upon her own ingratitude , retired immediately to her Chamber , and there uncloathing her self , she went to bed , and calling for me , immediatly she expressed her self thus to me . It must be an unsupportable burden of grief ( Dear Husband ) which your al-curing presence is not able to alleviat , and since I am criminell , both in slighting my Oath , and in murthering the lovely Ipsetus , why shou'd I yet commit another crime in endeavouring to evite the punishment ? And since I was not so vertuous , as to take example by others , I should be now so vertuous , as to desire others to take example by me . My own conscience hath sentenced me guilty of death ; why should not then my own grief execute that so just a sentence ? and why should I by prolonging my life , leave my self a possibilty of being yet more vitious ? No , no , Dear Husband , the Gods are too just , to suffer me to live to betray you , who hath betrayed him whom I loved once as well as you . And since the bonds of promise were not , they have reason to try , if the bonds of death be strong enough to fetter me . Neither could they suffer that your progeny should have been contagioned by the vitions Leprosie of such a Mother , or that your liberty of matching one to your vertues , should have been forbidden you by the valueless Life of the worthiless Piseta . These words epilogued her life , and made me a lifeless witness , of her tear-creating death , leaving me nothing but as much grief in Legacie , as my never idle eyes shall be able to pay , although they imploy the whole stock of my moisture , for acquitting me of that obligation . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A50450-e11730 A Rose is the Arms of Lacedemon .