Green's Orpharion. Wherein is discovered a musical concord of pleasant Histories, many sweet moods graced with such harmonious discords, as agreeing in a delightful close, they sound both pleasure and profit to the ear. Herein also as in a Diateheron, the branches of Virtue, ascending and descending by degrees: are counited in the glorious praise of womenkind. With divers Tragical and Comical Histories presented by Orpheus and Arion, being as full of profit as of pleasure.  Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci. 
Robertus green, in Artibus Magister.  
AT LONDON, Printed for Edward White, dwelling at the little North door of S. Paul's Church: at the sign of the Gun. 1599   

To the Right Worshipful Master Robert Carey Esquire, Robert green wisheth increase of all honourable virtues.  
Ennius' (Right Worshipful) had a Maecenas, though his verses were rude, & Hypocrates durst present his pictures though they were rough. The blindest Bayard hath a reason to shadow his presumption: for saith he, will is above skill. Soothing myself (right Worshipful) with their humours, having attempted to frame out an ORPHARION, to harsh to make a concord in any cunning ear: yet with old Ennius doting in my youth as he did in his age: I do presume to present my rural Instrument under the shadow of your patronage, and the rather for that as the poor Cobbler durst prefer his chattering Pie to Augustus, for that the Emperor was affable and courteous, so hearing your Worship to be endued with such honourable virtues and plausible qualities, as draws men to admire and love such united perfection: I embolden myself to trust upon your Worship's courteous acceptance, which if it be such as others have found and I hoped for, & that any way this Orpharion may agree with the daintiness of your touch and fingering, the end of my labours and the sum of my desires consort in one sympathy, and in that hope, I commit your Worship to the Almighty.  
Your Worships humbly to command, Ro. Greene..   

To the Gentlemen Readers Health.  
GEntlemen, I have long promised my Orpharion, and because I would not frustrate your expectation: at last it is leapt into the Stacioners Shop, but not from my Study, for than might you think I had swelled with the mountains, and brought forth a Mouse, but the Printer had it long since▪ marry whether his press were out of tune, Paper dear, or some other secret delay drive it off, it hath line this twelve months in the suds. Now at last it is crept forth in the Spring, a slender bud and easily to be nipped with the least frost of Disdain.  
Therefore do I entreat whatsoever melody my Orpharion yield: you would favour the blossom with the Sunshine of your courteous acceptance, else shall you discourage a Gardener for grafting any more, and therefore hoping to find you as ever I have done, farewell.  
Rob. Greene..   

Green's Orpharion.  
CVpid having taught me what restless passions are in love, what continual perturbations Fancy affords to such as account beauty the principal end of their affects: having received the wound, I sought where to find a salve fit for the easing of my malady: Experience willing that I should not tie my thoughts on delay, told me that such as were envenomed with the Scorpion, must be healed by the Scorpion, that the Tarantals' sting could not be pulled out without Music, that he which was pierced with Achilles' Lance must be healed by his Spear, and they which were charmed with Love, must seek to love, or else lack remedy: Whereupon doubtful what I should do, I was willed to sue to Venus as sovereign Goddess and patroness of such perplexed patients. I left my home and sailed to Cypress, there found I men unknown, but not her whom I looked for: there might I see Venus Palace like the gorgeous Tower built by Semeramus. Sloth being Porter, sleepy, and suffering free passage to all, the gate of entrance was not the way to return: for at the other side was a door to departed, where Beggary stood and threatened all, but struck some with his whip of repentance: within I found Princes, great Lords and men of mean calling, all prisoners, some fettered by the eyes, others by the ears, some by the tongue, as having more lust in their mouth then love in their minds, none or few chained by the hearts, and such as were set enthroned in a secret Cell: those Venus shrined up as wonders of the world, well: missing what I came for, I passed speedily from thence to Paphos, where Venus had only a Temple, thither came multitudes on Pilgrimage, making vows, uttering oaths, and protesting promises: if they might enjoy the fruition of their Ladies, to be sworn votaries to the Goddess: Some were favoured, others disgraced: some despaired, some hoped, but all found the end of their pilgrimage was to buy smoke with many perils and dangers: But all these instances were no arguments to dissuade me from my journey: But as Medea though I saw the best and allowed of it, yet I followed the nearest & smarted for it, for such as be in love are like the Dear which one while strike at the Tamarisk tree with their horns, and then greedily burst on it with their mouths, others the people of Mamaca, that surfeit on Dates, and yet die with them in their maws. lovers exclaim against Cupid, and yet they go on pilgrimage to Paphos, they call Venus unjust, and yet offer her incense and sacrifice, they foresee misery, and yet run headlong on their own misfortune. So fared it with me, for seeing these men thus deeply passionate, and yet so slenderly rewarded, as who carried away the greatest trophy, had his ensign stamped with repentance: yet their mishaps could not make me learn to beware, but from Paphos I went to the fountain of Alcidalion, where I heard Venus to avoid the heat of Summer, was kept close Prisoner by Mars in a Pavilion, but I found the rumour false, yet did I not repent me of my arrival, for there I saw sitting about the banks, infinite troops of fair and beautiful Ladies, all votaries unto Venus, smile at the fondness of men, and laughing at the passions of their Lovers, making true love knots of rushes, that broke ere they could be twisted: some seemed like saints, those were subtle and perverse: others fawned, and those were flatterers: some wept, and they let fall tears of deceit: some seemed to have many eyes, and those had many fancies: some two hearts, and yet they were very chaste: for some had twenty measuring their Loves by their looks: gazing still upon their countenance and gesture, I perceived hard by separate from the rest a few Ladies sitting passing solitary, their names were engraven in the trees, but so long since as hardly I could read them, yet I found out Hero, Penelope, Thisbe, Artemesia, alas a small number and disdained by the rest, these had their eyes shut against beauty, and their ears open to virtue, their heart's subject to love, but only stamped with one Character, resembling the emerald, that never looseth the first impression nor admitteth any other: well here I could neither find Venus, nor hear of her, but scoffingly those girls told me, she was either in Ida or in Erecinus, desirous to lose no time, I hasted from Alcydalion to Ida, where I could see no steps of a Goddess, but only the ancient monument of Troy consumed to cinders, there I noted the end of love, the reward of lust, the trophies of Venus, the follies of women in Helena, that brought Priamus his sons, and so famous a City to confusion. From thence I posted to Erecinus, the Mountain was green and pleasant to the eye, the stones that appeared higher than the grass seemed like jacinthes, the moss was flowers, the very rubbish below pearls, so the nature seemed to have conquered art, and art nature, and a supernatural glory both in musing at the gorgeous situation of this divine Mount, looking if either there were Palace or Temple dedicate to Venus, I saw none, but casting mine eye into the bordering vale, I saw a Shepherd grazing of his flocks. Desirous to learn of the man any news of the Goddess, pacing down from the Hill, I went and saluted him in this manner.  
Shepherd, so I name thee for thy flocks, more mayst thou be, for Apollo kept Midas sheep, and Mercury taken the shape of a herdman: but measuring thy degree as present thou seemest, I crave so much favour at thy hands, as to tell me whether Venus is resident about this mount of Erecinus, or no, I have been at all her places of abode, and this is the last of all her earthly mansions: This shepherd hearing me salute him so courteously, laying down his pipe and his hook answered thus bluntly.  
Friend, what I am it little recks thee, thou seest my folds, and then why standest thou upon higher titles: In calling me shepherd or Swain, thou givest me my due, if my degree be greater, my sheep may serve for thy excuse, to thy question: as it savours of folly, so I think best to answer it with silence, yet for I see thy thoughts to be full of passions, and thy face the map of sorrows, the two notes of a Lover, if I knew my counsel might profit thee, or my experience warn thee, I would bestow a little waist time while my Sheep graze so hard, to hold thee chat.  
Hearing the Shepherd beginning so roughly, to conclude so gently, willing to be auditor to his Country precepts, I answered him thus.  
Shepherd, if thou be no better, (for thy talk makes me suspect higher, Know that I have told many cares, numbered many passions, felt many sorrows, uttered many sighs, shed many tears since Venus entertained me, with Roses at the first, & afterward beat me with Nettles, I have found love to be a Labyrinth, a fury, a hell, wherein men alive feel worse pains than those ghosts that pay Charon hire for his ferriboat: grieved thus, yet as one in a lunacy: I never foresaw my miseries. I heard many counsels, and read many precepts, but all in vain, yet for that time hath many chances, the Fates their Canons tied to opportunity. Fortune her decrees variable, and love, many accidents: I will humbly crave what thou hast offered, promising to be attentive and not ingrateful, as far as a stranger's ability may gratify.  
The shepherd without further promising or longer delay, began thus.  
Thou seest that I sit here feeding my flocks by Erecinus, whether daily resort multitudes of amorous Pilgrims suing to Venus for relief of their passions, but how she used these fond and perplexed patients, as it pities me to rehearse, so it will grieve thee to hear. Those youths whose years more than their minds, are fried with a small flame of ordinary fancy, rather inserted by nature then inferred by love, such she entertaineth most sumptuously, as fittest objects for her to work upon, putting oil in the flame, fire to flax, and beauty as the baleful object to youth, for she knowing the old verse to be too true for her to disprove, Quod latit ignotum est: ignoti nulla Cupido, that, what is secret from us we never desire to inveigle them with her charms, she present beauty excellent by nature, yet far more gorgeous by art: fair faces, smiling looks, alluring gestures sweet speeches, these are the baits that she lays to entrap, & youth is so fond that he cannot but taste, resembling the poor Mouse, that feedeth soonest on the most infectious Rosalger, respecting the colour, not the confection, after once she hath gotten youth limed fast on her twigs, than Cupid useth them as marks, and at every shoot galleth to the quick, that the wounds cannot be cured, till either we find remedy by repentance, which oft cometh too late, or have a quittance by death, which they think cometh too soon. Others, that have been stolen stairs in her Court, spending their time in sighs, tears, and many despairing passions, such she feedeth on with delays, giving them one day an incarnative to heal, and the next day a contrary medicine to fester, choking their senses with perfumes, and strait stifling them with Hemlock, suffering their Ladies in the morning to wash their temples with Rose-water, and at night to quaff to them gall and vinegar, shadowing smiles with frowns, sour looks with wanton actions, fettering them with the wings of hope, but hanging despair at their heels, least soaring too high, they should seize & catch their prey: suppose she sets then on the top of her wheel, where, poor man I know thou desirest to be placed, and for their long travel, she gives them with Ixion a cloud, a fair dame I mean, as she bestowed upon Paris, yet shalt thou find, that she fetcheth all her virgins from the fountain of Alcydalion, (believe me Pilgrim I will not warrant their maidenheads) because thou seest they have many eyes, and many hearts, which have many fancies, and many lures, and trust me Pilgrim, many causes must needs bring out some effects: But leaving these doubts as may not once have entrance into lovers thoughts, and affirming that all are virgins that come from Venus, for Diana hath so few in her train, that she marries not one in seven years, when the lover hath what he long sought for, he finds not the fairest Crystal but hath his stain, the brightest topar but hath his spot, the richest Gold, but hath his ore, and the purest creature feminine I mean: but hath her common imperfection, either proud without profit, and that's a purgation for the Purse, or fair without wit, and that is to marry a wooden picture with a golden crest, full of favour but flattering, and so he may reap many kisses and little love, shrewish, deceitful, wilful, fond, new fangle, and what not: nay, perhaps prove so light in the brains, that she make him swell in the brows, that as he hath been in his youth a votary to Venus, so in his age he may prove a companion to Vulcan, and Pilgrim quoth the Shepherd, this is to sit on the top of Venus' wheel, these bitter sauces be her chiefest delicates, and these painted sepulchres her richest trophies. Thou seest I sit near Erecinus, and therefore speak by experience, thou sayest to Venus thou art in love, thou wouldst feign have a wife from Alcidalion, look before thou leap, pry into Venus' Coffers, and see what chaffer she provides for her chapmen, I have counseled, now rests it in thee either to follow it with a momentary sorrowing content, or to forsake it with a perpetual pleasing mislike.  
Hearing the cunning experienced swain to discourse so roundly of the matter, I imagined either he had been in love, or an enemy to Venus, so that I demanded of him if he would not have men love at all?  
Yes quoth he, so they count Diana's virgins not Venus' wantonness: I replied she had very few or none, he answered, had she more suitors, she would provide more maids, but Venus spying them pass towards her Palace, layeth such snares to entangle, such traps to entice, such charms to bewitch, such dangers to prejudice, that none or very few arrive at Diana's mansion, and such as do: come thither half maimed.  
Then quoth I, you conclude peremptorily against Venus and her crew, and very hardly against women. Hearing me say so, he took me by the hand, & softly whispering in mine ear, Pilgrim I may say to thee, Wives be they never so watched they will: Maids be they never so bashful they wish, and widows be they never so coy, they would, take me not generally Pilgrim quoth he, and with that sitting down he took his pipe in his hand, and played so sweetly, that like Argus at Mercury's melody I fell on sleep.  
No sooner had Morpheus shut mine eyes, but I fell into a dream, me thought I was led from Erecinus by Mercury, alongst the galupin or silver paved way of heaven to the hie built house of jove, there would I have gazed at the gorgeous buildings, but my guide was in haste, and conducted me into the great Hall, where jupiter and the rest of the Gods were at a banquet, no sooner was I entered amongst them, but Mercury sprinkled me with water, which made me capaple of their divine presence, so that I sat still looking on their persons, and listening to their parley, at last me thought blunt Vulcan that sat at the lower end of the board, although Venus above, sat opposite to Mars, began thus roughly to break silence: I cannot mighty Gods but smile to think that when my wife and her blind Son, the one with her box of beauties, the other with his quiver of Arrows, pass abroad to show their Deities: what number of poor perplexed men as Patients come to have cure of their hurts, some in their eyes, that have gazed with the Philosopher against too bright a Sun, and such are blind; some that with Ulysses have not stopped their ears, but have listened the Sirens, and they complain of their hearing: some in their hearts, and those bewrays their passions by their groans: none comes without grief, nor return thoroughly cured, so that I suppose either the wounds are very perilous, or my wife a bad Surgeon. Truth (quoth jupiter) but what number of women come hither: Multitudes (quoth Vulcan) Apollo smoothly and yet with a smile, demanded if they were as bad to cure as men: No (quoth Vulcan) for be the wound never so deep, 'tis perfectly cured in twelve hours, either my wife is more friendly to Women, or their sores more easy to salve. No (quoth Mercury) it is because their loves are like a man's breath against bright steel, which scarce lighteth on before it leapeth off, or like wood wet in Allom water, which lieth in the fire and waxeth hot, but never burneth: their hearts resemble a Pumice stone, light: & which way soever you turn it: full of starting holes, that if fancy steal in at the one, he can step out at the other: or else quoth jupiter, their hearts have no holes at all, but as firm as flint, that neither fancy nor love can enter, for Venus teacheth them extremities, either to fawn & be too fond, or to be too coy and too stubborn, which causeth so many to put up invertives against her. Lest of all (quoth the Goddess,) in a great chafe hath jupiter cause to accuse women of cruelty, if not, I appeal to juno, at this all the company smiled and jove was silent, well (quoth Apollo,) leaving these quips seeing we have met to be merry, if it please you to allow of my motion, to make us some music, I will raise up the Ghosts of Orpheus and Arion, two, famous in their times for their instruments, and greatly experienced in Love, as being great travailers, and with that conversing the greatest Potentates in the world, who often are as full of loves as they are of dignities: these shall please us with harmony, and discourse either what they think, or what they have heard of women's Loves: To this all the Gods gladly agreed, and Mercury was sent in Post to Pluto for these two musicans, scarce had I thought Mercury had been out of the Hall, before I saw enter with this winged God the Ghosts of Orpheus and Arion, so lively to the eye, and so well trussed in their apparel as they seemed perfectly such as they were when they lived upon earth: Orpheus after that he had done due reverence to the Gods, especially to Apollo: tuning his instrument without any more command, as if his service should be saluery, he daintily touched the cords with a sweet stroke, and to a melodious tune, sung this Ditty.  

Orpheus' Song.  

HE that did sing the motions of the stars,  
Pale coloured Phoebus' borrowing of her light:  
Aspects of planets oft opposed in jars,  
Of Hesper Henchmen to the day and night.  
Sings now of Love as taught by proof to sing:  
Women are false and love a bitter thing.   

I loved Euridicae the brightest Lass,  
More fond to like so fair a Nymph as she:  
In Thefaly, so bright none ever was,  
But fair and constant hardly may agree.  
False hearted wife to him that loved thee well:  
To leave thy love and choose the Prince of hell.   

Theseus did help, and I in haste did high,  
To Pluto, for the Lass I loved so:  
The God made grant, and who so glad as I,  
I tuned my Harp, and she and I 'gan go▪  
Glad that my love was left to me alone.  
I looked back, Euridicae was gone.   

She slipped aside back to her latest love,  
Unkind she wronged her first and truest Fear,  
Thus women's loves, delights as trial proves,  
By false Eurydycae I loved so dear.  
To change, and fleet, and every way to shrink,  
To take in love, and lose it with a wink.    
Scarce had Orpheus ended his song, but jupiter thinking not to let so fair a ball fall to the ground: took opportunity thus by the hand.  
This present Ditty of Orpheus tendeth to our forepast discourse, as though the Fates had forepointed our talk, and this arrival consequence of their infallible decrees: sith then the unkindness of Euridicae discovers the inconstancy of women, & that Orpheus hath by his sundry passions made an Anatomy of love: let us hear his opinion how he censures of beauty. Apollo at jupiters' motion commanded Orpheus, who not amazed (as a Ghost come from hell) began thus. The Question right mighty Gods is easy, for that commonly all gaze at beauty as at the fairest object that flattereth the eye, yet a thing perilous, howsoever it seems precious: seeing the fairest Lawns soon take the deepest stains, the brightest Beralles the greatest flaws, and oftentimes the fairest faces with intolerable faults: Greece vaunted not so much of her beautiful paragon, as Troy lamented of their incestuous strumpet, men came to Rome to see Messalines' beauty, but Rome sorrowed that she was counted a Harlot: Thessaly rung of Euridites proportion, but Thessaly shamed and Orpheus grieved at her bad condition, and yet forsooth though we find beauty thus prejudicial, yet we must leap at it, though to our utter ruin we light in the ditch: But as the fish Ramera listening to the sound of the trumpet, is caught of the Fishers: as the Porcupine standeth staring at the glimmering of the Stars, and is overtaken with dogs: as the Leopard looking at the Panther's painted skin, is caught as a pray: so he which taketh too much delight to gaze upon beauty, is oft times galled with grief and misery: yea, his pleasure shall infer such profit, and his good will such gains, as if he reaped the beautiful Apples of Tantalus, which are no sooner touched, but they turn to ashes.  
Beauty no sooner flourisheth but it fadeth, and it is not fully ripe, but it beginneth to rot: it no sooner blossommeth, but it withereth: and scarcely being touched, it staineth like the Guiacum leaf, that hath the one halp parched before the other half be perfect, to the Bird Acauthis, which hatched white, yet turneth black at the first storm: Or like to the stone Astites, that changeth colour with the only breath of a man: this (right mighty Gods) is my censure of beauty, that unless joined with virtue, it is like the feathers of the Phoenix, placed in the carcase of a Crow, but where faith and feature are Relatives, that beauty I call divine and metaphisica, for because gratior est pulchro veniens è corpore virtus. This discourse of Orpheus all the Gods applauded except Venus, juno brooked it as having lost the Ball, and Venus thought it was best to pocket up whatsoever a Ghost out of hell did tattle, and so I would have all fair Gentlewomen to take it: well, so well did the God's like and allow of his talk, that jupiter questioned him what he thought generally of women: Orpheus neither forcing juno nor Venus, as one that could but go to hell, boldly made answer, that their general sex stood upon two extremes, either too courteous or too cruel, and that he had made expeence of both, and which quoth jupiter are the worst? I note (quoth Orpheus) if your question tends towards men, because my particular instance may be no general Example, but this well I wots, cruelty hath the greatest punishment appointed for it in hell, which may it please you and the rest of the Gods to be attentive, I will prove with a known history. The Gods settling themselves in their seats, showed by their silence how they liked of his motion, whereupon Orpheus began thus.  

Orpheus Tale.  
SInce the mad frows of Bacchus (in that I was sworn an enemy to women through the unkindness of Euridicae,) stoned me to death while I sat playing music to the Rocks, which seemed to move at my melody: my soul sent to Pluto, I found favour at his hands for that he wronged me of my wife, that I had free liberty to pass into every several mansion: whereupon one day with my Harp I walked through several places, and heard several complaints, but at the last I came to a thick fog, the smoke and stench so deadly and pestilent, as all the ghosts in hell, respecting this dungeon, seemed to live in Elysium, out of this mist I heard the voice of a woman, uttering pitiful shrieks, having remorse of her passions, I touched my Harp, and played, thinking while my music lasted, to make her forget her torments, as I had done the other ghosts in hell, but she told me all was in vain, sith as her fault exceeded all, so her torture was more than they all: for here quoth she I hang by the hair of the head in so thick a smoke and stinking a fog, as no tongue can express, nor imagination conceive it. Desirous to hear the cause of this strange extreme, I asked her name, and the offence, she wished me ●alfe angrily to cease my fiddling, and she would discourse at large: I put up my pipes at such a dry blow, and she murmured out of the fog thus.  
I am Lydia that renowned Princess, whose never matched beauty seemed like the gorgeous pomp of Phoebus, too bright for the day: rung so strongly out of the trump of Fame, as it filled every ear with wonder: Daughter to Astolpho, the King of Lydia: who thought himself not so fortunate for his Diadem, sith other Kings could boast of Crowns: nor for his great possessions, although endued with large territories, as happy that he had a Daughter whose excellency in favour stained Venus, whose austere chastity set Diana to silence with a blush: Know whatsoever thou art that standest attentive to my tale, that the ruddiest Rose in all Damascus, the whitest Lilies in the creeks of Danuby, might not if they had united their native colours, but have bashed at the vermilion stain, flourished upon the pure Crystal of my face: the Marguerites of the western Indies counted more bright and rich, then that which Cleopatra quaffed to Anthony, the Coral highest in his pride upon the Afric shores, might well be graced to resemble my teeth and lips, but never honoured to overreach my pureness. Remaining thus the mirror of the World, and nature's strangest miracle: there arrived in our Court a Thracian Knight, of parsonage tall, proportioned in most exquisite form, his face but too fair for his qualities, for he was a brave and resolute Soldier. This Cavalier coming amongst divers others to see the royally of the state of Lydia, no sooner had a glance of my beauty, but he set down his staff, resolving either to perish in so sweet a Labyrinth, or in time happily to stumble out with Theseus. He had not staid long in my Father's Court, but he showed such Knightly deeds of chivalry amongst the nobility, lightened with the extraordinary sparks of a courageous mind, that not only he was liked and loved of all the chief Peers of the Realms, but the report of his valour coming to my Father's ears, he was highly honoured of him, & placed in short time as General of his warlike forces by Land: resting in this estimation with the King, preferment was no means to quiet his mind, for love had wounded so deep, as honour by no means might remedy, that as the Elephants can hardly be haled from the sight of the Wast, or the Roe buck from gazing at red cloth, so there was no object that could so much allure the wavering eyes of this Thracian called Acestes, as the surpassing beauty of the Princess Lydia, yea, so deeply he doted, that as the Chameleon gorgeth herself with gazing into the air, so he fed his fancy with staring on the heavenly face of his Goddess, so long dallying in the flame, that he scorched his wings, & in time consumed his whole body. Being thus passionate, having none so familiar as he durst make, he fell thus to debate with himself.  
Is it Alcestes love that troubles thee? why thou art a Soldier, sworn to arms, not to Armour: to encounter foes in the field, not to court Ladies in the Chamber: Hercules had almost performed his twelve labours, ere he durst find leisure to love, and thou art scarce acquainted with Mars, but thou seekest to be private friend to Venus: away fond fool, to thy Spear and Shield, manage thy horse, though here in a peaceable Country: let not Bees hive in thy Helmet, rust inblaze the figure of sloth on thy Armour, or love call thee her milksoppe, by whom war itself hath approved martial: hast thou forgot that which thou suckest out of thy Nurse's teat, that to love is to lose, and fancy be it never so chary, is mere folly: for love how soever it be, is but a Chaos of cares: and fancy though never so fortunate, hath her crosses: for if thou enjoy the beauty of Venus, thou shalt find it small vantage: if thou get one as nice as Minerva, thou mayst put thy win in thine eye: if as gorgeous as juno, thy account being cast, thy sums will be rated with loss: yea, be she chaste, be she virtuous, be she courteous, constant, rich, renowned, honest, honourable, yet if thou be wedded to a woman, think thou shalt find in her sufficient vanity to countervail her virtue: assure thyself never to live less without disquiet, nor die before thou have cause to repent: which Craterus the Emperor noted, when wishing that some sinister misfortune might befall his foe: he prayed unto the Gods he might be married in his youth, and die without issue in his age: accounting marriage by this wish, far more full of prejudice, then of pleasure. This, yea all this Acestes thou knowest to be true: but suppose it were not, is there not sufficient to dissuade? beside, seest thou not? or hath fancy cast such a mask before thine eyes, that thou wilt not see? that her beauty as it is excellent, so it is high seated: both in the dignity of her parentage, & the self conceit of her mind, to be gazed at, and so honoured: not to be reached at and so enjoyed, thou seest she is little liberal of her looks, much less prodigal of her love: she covets rather a God, than a man: them amongst men think she will aim at the highest, or sit still as she is: Pride in her greatest pomp sits enthroned in her eyes, and disdain in her looks: that if she glance to so low as Acestes, it is rather to grace him with a smile then to show him any favour: beside, fortune hath opposed herself to thy aspiring thoughts, in that thy good will hath not yet deserved any such guerdon: thy desire, is far above thy desert: and the poor stay of a wandering Knight, far unfit for the Princely state of worthy Lydia: But suppose she were pricked in the same vein, and that Venus would friendly instill some drops of her enchanted water to mollify her heart, yet the Duke her Father will neither condescend to her mind, nor consent to my motion: nay if he should but hear of such reckless folly, as he hath wrought my promotion, so he would work my confusion: and in troth Acestes, not without cause: for art thou so void of virtue, or vowed to vice, as to requite his liberality with such disloyalty: to return the trust which he reposeth in thee with such treachery: Tush, Love is above Lord or law, friend or faith, where Love buddeth, no Master is made account off, no King cared for, no friend feared of, no duty respected: but all things done according to the quality that is predominant. Hast thou been a Soldier, and dreamest thou of such doubts? are the court of Venus, more perilous than the encounters of Mars? or the denial of a Lady, worse than the daunt of a foe: no Acestes, be not faint hearted as the North islands, where the people Iberi dwell foster no venomous beast, nor the Sea called Mare mortuum feedeth no Fish, so are there no Cowards suffered to arrive at Paphos, she is but a woman, and therefore to be won: Then sound on the march, ask not of what degree she is, but where she is: these words Acestes (carry emphasis) and are more fit for a Soldier then for a Lover: for love is queasy, and if it be over-strained, cracketh at the first wrest: enduring in this doubt, he sat down deeply overcharged with melancholy passions; that as he which eateth of the Gourd Nut, loseth his memory: and as the Elephant feeding on the Helytropian becometh sleepy: so Acestes fell into a drowsy kind of contemplature, that to avoid such cogitations as cumbered his mind, he got himself into a Gallery which was built between the Turrets of the house, and there set himself down as half in a trance: Love, that took pity of this patiented, so favoured him, that he had not sat long in his dumps but that Lydia came thither all alone to be solitary, who seeing Acestes sitting thus sadly slumbering, determined for her own recreation to be a little pleasant with him, and therefore awakened him thus.  
Why how now Acestes, is it your custom in Thracia to use slumbers after meat for Physic? or is it some melancholy impression that thus amateth your senses? trust me at the first I called to remembrance the picture that Zerxsis drew of Endymion, lying upon the mount of Erecinus, who leaning his head on his hand, his eyes shut as one in a dream: yet had his face so bedued with distilling tears, as his outward plaints did sufficiently bewray his inward passions: and so Acestes, in this thy solitary dump? didst thou resemble Endymion, both in countenance and colour, that had tears fallen from thine eyes as thou wert in a trance? I had happily demanded how Phebe had used thee: So appalled was Acestes at this sudden presence of Lydia, that he sat still as a man deprived of his senses: till at the last gathering of his wits together he start up, and his due reverence done, he made this answer.  
I think Madam that melancholy is not particular either to person or place, but that being a complexion, it followeth oft-times the quality of the affection: so that the mind any way distressed, the body must yield in effect to the most precious part: I confess therefore, that being disquiet at my heart, I felt mine eyes heavy, as they which were the chiefest procurers of my malady: but when I awoke and saw your excellency, both your presence and courtesy greatly daunted my mind: your presence, in dazzling mine eyes so suddenly with so solemn an object: your courtesy, in that your Ladyship without curiosity would vouchsafe to talk with so mean a Gentleman: but I see the best fruit hath the bravest blossoms: the most precious stone, is chosen by the most glistering hue, and the best conditions, by the sweetest countenance: so that where beauty reigneth, there virtue remaineth: and under a fair face resteth a faithful heart: But whereas you say you had taken me for Endymion by my penitrature & countenance, but that I wanted tears to decipher my sorrow: I answer, that the hottest thunders are not ever quenched with rain, nor the deepest griefs ever discovered by tears: the stone Garatides fryeth without and is cold within, the Germander lest when it is most full of moisture, looketh then most dry: where the sea is most deep, there it is most calm: & where is the smallest show of tears, there oft are the greatest effect of sorrow: For trust me Madam, I think Endymion sighing for the absence of his Lady Luna, never felt more bitter passions on the mount Erecinus, than I suffered in this half waking slumber: why (quoth Lydia) are you in love? Acestes at this question fetched a deep sigh, as it seemed his heart strings should have cracked in sunder, he stood as one in an ecstasy, doubting whether now he should take time by the forehead, or to defer it till afterward: well, seeing opportunity so fit, he boldly took heart at grace, and began to give this encunter.  
They (Madam) that seek to stop the swift running Volgo, a River that leadeth into Persia, by staying the stream, maketh the flood flow more fiercely: to repress the fire, is to increase the flame: and to conceal love, is to smother smoke in the nostril, which either will out, or else stifleth: wounds fed of with delays fester, and oft prove incurable: fancy long held in the grass, seldom proves a timely Harvest: which makes me to set my hazard on the Dice, and either presently to hear the courteous sentence of my life▪ or the cruel doom of my death. Since most excellent Princess, I arrived at the Court of Lydia, so hath mine eyes fed on the beauty of your face, mine ears wrapped in admiration of your divine wit, my mind enchanted with the consideration of your virtues, and my heart as the receptacle of all these excellencies, so devoted to the substance that contrives such supernatural qualities, that the exceeding pleasure, which so long lulled me in delight, at length sunk so deep, that they grew to grievous passions: to say all (what I could at large discourse) in on word, so long did I gaze at your beauty, that I was snared, and so long did I admire your virtue, that now I rest your Captive: so far Madam entered the Labyrinth, that either I must perish with the Minotaur, or else humbly crave your aid, that the clue of your mercy may hale me forth of such an intricate danger.  
Lydia, who swollen in choler at these speeches, could not brook to hear up the end of his discourse, but faring like angry jove, who in his rage covereth the beautiful Sky with a world of storms, so she incensed with disdain, filled her sweet countenance with a shadow of bitter frowns, knitting her brows she began thus to reply.  
Why gentle master Knight, hath too much familiarity bred contempt? are you such a good physiognomer, that you have insight into my wrinkle in the brow and dimple in the cheeks? I see well if Apelles that cunning Painter, suffer the greasy souter to take a view of his curious work, he will grow so malapert as to meddle with his picture, that he must be thrust into his shop with Nae suitor ultra crepidum, if the proud Centaur Ixion be bidden to the feast of the Gods, no less than juno herself will suffice him for his choice.  
Set a Beggar on horseback, and they say he will never light: extol one of base stock to any degree of dignity, and who so proud and haughty: I speak this Acestes to thy reproof, for that my Father hath made thee general of his forces, seekest thou to master him in fortune: will no diet down but my Fathers own Dish? no meaner mate suffice unless thou marry with a Prince? Did my Father prefer thee, and now wilt thou presume to be his better? have my looks been so loving, my glances so full of good will, as to promise so much as thou dost presume? no▪ but the least countenance of familiarity to a servile mind, procureth great encouragement: hast thou ever noted any of my actions so base, that thou mightest think I would match with a man of thy calling? Have I wantoned it so ever in thy sight, as thou mightst think me fit for Venus? But suppose my mind were so fond, as I would (soaring so high as ever I have done) stoop now so low? thinkest thou my Father could afford thee his Daughter Lydia, whom he far prizeth above his crown? hopest thou to compass his consent? No, but if he knew of thy daring presumption, he would repay thy folly with such punishments, as thy aspiring thoughts do merit: he would unplume thee of all thy feathers: and like Esop's Crow turn thee naked to the world: that they which grudged at thy hasty promotion, might laugh at thy sudden fall: if therefore thou love thine own welfare, keep thyself within thy bounds: lest in soaring with the Hobby, to fall to the geound with the Lark: and in daring with Phaeton, thou fall headlong into such infirmities, as thou shalt never be able to creep out of: and with that she fling away in a great rage, and left Acestes passing passionate: so that he sat him down again more melancholy than he was before: musing and meditating upon the cruel resolution of Lydia, slumbering thus on his hard fortune, upon a sudden he fell into these terms.  
But by the sweet, how should we know the sour: the white seemeth most silver hued when it is adjoined to black: and prosperity is most sweetest when it hath been fore-crossed with adversity. This principle perhaps Lydia means to make me try by experience, thinking to feed me first with bitter broths, that after, dainty fare may more delight me: for the childing cold of Winter, makes the summers Sun more pleasant: and the frowning looks of Lydia, will cause her smiles to seem more cheerful. Then Acestes cease not to pursue thy suit, until thou find her more courteous, or resolutely vowed to remain obstinate.  
Thus like a valiant Champion, Acestes never feared that mislike hung in women's brows, and into their hearts he could not pry: but hoped the best, and sought for opportunity to iterate his suit in this distress. But For-Fortune meaning pleasantly to sport with this young novice, would not minister such fit occasion that he might have sole and solitary access to his Goddess: for Lydia upon pretended purpose, so warily avoided his company: and with such disdainful looks rewarded his proffered duty, that Acestes was feign to aim his course by a new compass, and therefore getting into his Chamber, stepping to his standish, he wrote her a Letter to this effect.  
Acestes to the beautiful Princess Lydia, wisheth what she desires.  
SUch as take surfeit by feeding too greedily on the Honey combs of Hibla, seek cure by tasting overmuch of the sweet sugar Canes in Candi. The Phalanga stingeth deadly, and his venom can be drawn out only by rubbing over the place with gold. They which fall sick of Love, must have potions ministered by fancy & charms from Venus to tie about their temples, or else come Apollo with all his drugs: the patient will return him this answer. Nullis amor est medicabilis Herbis. I speak this sweet Princess, as a patiented troubled with the same passions: for so deeply have I imprinted the rich Characters of your exquisite perfections, in the closet of my thoughts▪ that neither mine own endeavour feeling I have aspired too high, nor your rigour checking me I am borne to low, serveth any way to race out those Ideas which so firmly I have conceived: I seek to suppress love with reason: and I find that I quench fire with Flax: I use absence, that is Oil in the flame: I frequent company, their talk is tedious unto me: I seek to be solitary, oh then as in visions your sweet self is present, as that celestial object whereon mine eye coveteth to gaze, and my mind to meditate. Sith than Madam, your beauty hath made me surfeit, let your courteous bounty cure my disease: reject him not so rigorously that regardeth you with such reverence: poor Knights have their loves not in their own wills, but as Love and Fortune pleaseth to allot: some gaze high and stumble not, as Vulcan when he courted Venus, some look low and gain not, as Eumenideses, that married a Farmer's daughter that proved unchaste: sure I am howsoever I shall speed, it will be more honour for me to perish in her desires, then live in base fortunes. Then Madam, seeing my love is like to the stone Lincostis, which the louder the wind bloweth, and the deeper they are drenched in the water, the more they burn & blaze: so the more you seek to cool my fancy with disdain, the more my affection is kindled with desire: the greater despair you drive me into by denials, the greater hope encouraged by constancy I have to obtain my requests? in which fervent affection I mean to remain without change, craving in lieu of this my loyalty, that I may be admitted by degrees into your favour, even as my deserts in love shall merit, which shall be as the bliss of heaven to him that pineth away, and as yours only and ever.  
Still in hope Acestes.  
THis Letter conveyed with great speed and no less secrecy to Lydia being then solitary in her Chamber, who receiving them, unripping the seals, saw no sooner the name of Acestes, but she perceived he was importunate in his old suit: which drove her into such a fury, as at the first she fling away his Letter in great disdain, upbraiding him of immoderate presumption, that durst attempt the love of such a Paragon: so that thoroughly inflamed with choler, she stepped hastily to the Letter and red it, which after she had perused, falling into a satirical scoffing kind of vain, she rudely returned him this answer.  
To her new found Lover Acestes, the great Knight of Thracia, Health.  
Sweet Sir, I received your passionate Letters, and pity them as the inhabitants of Labia Labyrinth do the passengers that perish on their shelves, whom they gaze on, but never relieve: your witty invention tells me that you are stung with the Phalanga, and so are in love: take it the more patiently, for no doubt the serpent was Venus' messenger, else had she not fancy in steed of infection: But alas, your malady cannot be cured but by my means: know then brave Cavalier of Thracia, that my cunning is too small to enterprise the composition of any secret simples, and my calling too great to become a Physician to such a paltering Patient: so that I neither can nor will cure any other man's disease by being prejudicial to mine own safety, but gentle sir think me not cruel: for it is the influence of the stars, & the effects of nature that maketh these contrarieties, as having opposed us in the calculation of our nativity, for as the Panther cannot abide the company of the Ounce, as the vulture is mortal enemy to the Eagle, and the blood of a Lion & a Wolf can never be mixed in one bowl, so as impossible it is by requests, be they never so ruthful to become thy friend, which by the destinies and instinct of nature am thy mortal foe. Cease then to accuse me of cruelty, and leave off to appeal to my courtesy, for thou shalt always be sure to find the one, and never to feel the other: yet lest thou should condemn Lydia of ingratitude, who ever was bountiful to her greatest foes, though I cannot inwardly mitigate thy misery, yet I will outwardly teach thee to apply such plasters, as if the experience of them approve true, shall greatly appease thy pain: It is reported that he which drinketh of the river Auerna, cooleth and mortifieth his affections, but if the water be touched by any means before it be drunk, the virtue thereof is of no value. He that weareth the feathers of the bird Ezalon about him, shall ever be fortunate in his love, but if they be not pulled when the Sun is eclipsed: they are of no force, and to be brief there is nothing that sooner driveth away amorous conceits, than to rub the temples of thy head with the sweat of an Ass, which if you can perform, as no doubt you may put in practice, fear not but you shall count my Physic authentical. Thus gentle knight of Thracia, you have heard my mind, and so I warn you to wade no further, lest I have cause to laugh and you to repent.  
Lydia of Lydia resolved to mislike of Acestes of Thracia.  
THis Letter she sent by one of her Gentlewomen to Acestes, who no sooner read the contents, but the disdain of his Goddess struck such a cold dump to his heart, that he sat as the picture of Pygmalion, when the poor carver leaned with great passion on his marble mistress: his thoughts were on despair, his muse on despair, the objects to his eyes, sounded the ugly shadow of despair: that as one lunatic, he said: Venus was this strumpet of Mars, the bawd of jupiter, the Patroness of lechers: and that in all her Kingdom there was neither love nor virtue, but lust and vanity: I grant (quoth he) she hath beauty to bestow, but so it is tempered with pride, as he that buys it doth penetentiam emere: she hath many such trulls as Helena to sell, but they were either so froward or so frolic, as fear may persuade them from the one, or turn them from the other: she is Goddess of women's hearts, but she tricks them up with such false colours, and engraves so many principles of her Philosophy, in the very centre of it, that they are as expert in coining of deceits, forging of tears, feigning of sighs, casting of looks, lending of fawning smiles, and such prejudicial policies to bewitch men, as ever the Caldees were in their divinations, but this is, sufficeth not to revenge me on her words, would she were mortal, them would she were Mars, that I might with my arming Sword pierce their disdain and ingratitude in single Combat.  
As thus he was half in a frenzy, one came to him from the King with Letters, the contents whereof were, that he should make him ready with all possible speed to pass into Pamphilia, to make invasion with fire & sword: This news come to Acestes view, as a man revived from the dead, he burst from his former plaints, and began thus to frolic with himself: Now despite of Venus hath Fortune sworn to join me in friendship with opportunity, now time proffers the full cup, and the devil take me if I carouse it not: Now Lydia shall be mine if ever she shallbe to any: women are won with honours: the fame of Prowess challengeth more than eloquence, a soldiers sword prevaileth more with a Princess, than a Cowards pen: when news shall come to Lydia that Acestes hath made a conquest of Pamphilia, when he sends the kings Crown as a token to the fair and matchless Lydia, them no doubt but she will be as courteous, as now she is cruel: her looks will lighten love, where now they drop hate: her words will be welcome, where now they threaten revenge: Conquerors carry commands in their foreheads, and love kneels to them where others bow to love? then Acestes ply thee, martial thy Soldiers in haste to Pamphilia, and there fight both for honour and love, which either resolve to get or to miss of both with death: Having thus comforted himself, he provided all things necessary for his voyage into Pamphilia, both of soldiers, money, victuals, and munition: which being ready: taking his leave only of the King (for Lydia would and his Daughter on his right hand, were amazed, as noting in his face some extraordinary sparks of Chivalry: Acestes pacing up to the steps that descended from the King's seat, placing on either hand a King, began thus to deliver his tale.  
Right mighty Sovereign, executing the charge of the General of thy forces against Pamphilia, as thy command and my allegiance bade me, I entered with fire and sword, and by the help of Fortune made conquest of the Country, the King is slain, his Crown I sent to thy Daughter, the kingdom is garisond to thy use: his confederates these two Kings of Caria & Cylicia, for that they united their supplies to his forces, I invaded, conquered, and brought hither Captives: their Crowns their kingdoms, the treasure, the bondslaves, for that they were without thy Commission, I not present to thee, but to the Princess Lydia, with all the honour I won in the field, ever vowing to devote all my thoughts, my actions, and my Sword and life, as priest to execute her command and service: with that, rising up, he led the Kings to the Princess, and delivered them her as her Captives, she could not for shame in such a presence, but feign a good countenance, and accept them gratefully: whom she forthwith presented to her Father, who entertained them as belonged to such Kingly prisoners: all the Nobles casting their eyes on Acestes, as honouring the man for his virtues: the King starting up, gave him great thanks, and bade him demand somewhat before that honourable assembly: with the gift whereof he might gratify him: swearing whatsoever he craved, as he was true King he would perform it: Acestes hearing this happy motion, casting his eye on the Lady Lydia, boldly began his request thus.  
Although right mighty Sovereign, Crowns and Kingdoms be sweet, and your grace hath willed me to ask any thing without acception: yet for that I pawned my life & honour for the atchiving of these conquests with my blood, which a Soldier holdeth far dearer than Diadems, I little make account of such pelf: but rather make choice of that which I prefer before honour, life, and land, or all the world, if it should be presented to me: and that is, the fair and virtuous Princess Lydia. Scarce had Acestes uttered this word Lydia, but the King starting from his seat, turned to his daughter, and asked what love was passed betwixt her & Acestes. Such (quoth she) with a frowning countenance, as past betwixt juno and the Centaur Ixion: I not deny, but before his journey to Pamphilia, he courted and made great suit by word, and letters, but how I disdained the motion of so base a companion, let the answers of his Letters manifest: And now before this royal & honourable assembly I protest, if Acestes were featured like Narcissus, as courageous as Hercules, having as many heroical virtues as ever had any, and could present me every day two Kings for Captives till he made me Empress of the World, yet would I disdain him, as one unworthy the Princess Lydia. At this answer, all the assembly abashed, as counting the Princess discourteous and ingrate: the King as a man inflamed with fury, began to prosecute his Daughter's speech in this manner: Presumptuous Thracian, unfit with these late conquests, rather obtained by the ill fortune of these Kings, than thy prowess: for thou hast done me service, I grant thee life, but for thine aspiring thoughts to demand the Princess Lydia, I discharge thee of thy Generalship, and absolutely of my service, commanding thee upon pain of death, within ten days to departed out of all my dominions, and never to approach my Confines or land. This said, the King in great choler rose up ready to departed, the Nobles were amazed and grieved, yea, and grudged secretly at Acestes wrong, but for fear of the King were silent: Acestes howsoever inwardly vexed, yet showed no discontent in his countenance, but with a soldiers courage pulling of his Garland, said: I am not dismayed at this doom, for that I never grieved at the overthwarts of Fortune: what I have got in thy Court, I leave, as disdaining aught that is thine: the honour I have won, is mine own, and that thou canst not deprive me off, and so committing my fortunes to my deserts, I leave thee and thy Court: and so soon as may be thy Country: where if ever I arrive, I dare thee to do thy worst: and with that Acestes went away, and the King with the two Kings and the Lords, passed in to dinner.  
No sooner was Acestes alone, but the ingratitude of the King, the disdain of his Daughter, the disgrace offered by both, so pierced him to the heart, that as such as drink of Lethe become oblivious: so he forgetting the beauty of Lydia, fell to such deep thoughts of hate and revenge, that he enjoined himself for a great space to be solitary, that Nemesis and he might consult together how to bring both the Father and the Daughter to confusion: at last he resolved to go to Armenia to Sertorius, there great Potentate of that Country, whom he knew to be mortal enemy to the King of Lydia, and in this resolution he took his journey. No sooner was he arrived in the Armenian Court, but word was brought to Sertorius that Acestes the martial Thracian, that conquered Pamphilia, Ca●ia, and Cylicia, was come disguised, and as a stranger into his Court: the King hearing this, took one or two of his chief Lords, and went to salute Acestes, and to give him honourable entertainment, such as belonged to so mighty a Conqueror: Acestes perceiving himself to be known, after due reverence done to the King, began at large to discourse to him what service he had done to the King of Lydia, and how he was rewarded, craving succour and supply of his Majesty, that he might revenge with his Sword. The King amazed at such monstrous ingratitude, wondering how such base resolutions could harbour in the heart of Prince, he promised Acestes not only to aid him with an army of approved Soldiers, but in person to hazard himself, both to requite old injuries: and to reprove in justice such an abuse offered without desert. This answer of Sertorius so contented Acestes, that after great thanks, he rested in the Court, passing frolic, till the forces were furnishing: which no sooner were ready, but without delay Sertorius and Acestes marched merrily forward towards the confines of Lydia, as soon as Acestes had set his foot within the ground of the ingrateful King, drawing his Sword, he swore not to sheath it, till he had made it drunk with the blood of Lydians, commanding his Soldiers (for Sertorius had given him the ordering of the battles) that they should use all extremities of martial, burn, sack, spoil Cities, Towns, and Castles, to cast all to the ground, to take none Captives of whatsoever degree or sex, but to put all to the Sword: men as they were subjects in Lydia, Women as the worms that he most hated: Children as the issue of them both: the pillage of all should be theirs, only the King of Armenia should have the Kingdom, and he would content himself with revenge: this Oration ended, he furiously marched forward, and where he came, left the Country desolate: The King of Lydia hearing this, was driven into a great agony, but dissembling his grief for fear of discouraging his Soldiers, he levied a mighty army, and hasted forward to buckle with Acestes whom he met half at advantage, as having most of his men at pillage: whereupon the Lydians taking opportunity set upon the Armenians, but Acestes so ranged those that he had, in such warlike sort: that he not only abode the brave of his enemy, but entered his battle, disordered his ranks, and put them to the flight: many were slain in that present place, such as escaped and fled, were met by the Pillages and haruiers of the Armenians, and all put to the sword, so that of forty thousand Lidians there scarce remained thirty with the King, who passing up into the Country: ensconced himself within a strong castle with his Daughter Lydia, a few faint hearted Soldiers, and all the treasure he could get: Acestes followed his Fortunes, and leaving Sertorius behind with the main battle, took with him ten thousand Horse, and six thousand foot, and made after the King of Lydia, as fast as his men were able to march: coming at last to the Castle were he was ensconced, first he entrenched a siege round about and legard it on every side, than he dammed up all such springs, wells, and Conduits, as served the Castle with fresh water: this done, he resolved not to lose a man at the assault, but to make them yield by famine. The Princess Lydia looking over the walls, seeing how her mortal enemy had girt the Castle with Soldiers, Armenians men there thirsted after blood, and hated both her and her Father, she fell from thoughts to passions, from passions to tears: insomuch that she sat her down, and wept bitterly: her Father coming up the batilments, seeing his daughter in such perplexed estate, finding want of victuals, and that of force he must be famished: grief stopping his speech, he sat him down and bare her company in her passions: and after consulted how to prevent ensuing misery, many conjectures cast: at last they resolved to submit themselves to his mercy, whereupon Lydia decking herself in most gorgeous attire, accompanied only with two of her Ladies, passed out of the Castle gate, & went toward the Legar: the Sentonell no sooner had them in hold, but they were honourably conveyed to the Pavilion of Acestes, who being certified that the Princess Lydia was attended to speak with him, leapt from his seat, and went to entertain her, Lydia no sooner saw him, but she fell down at his feet: Acestes curteeusly took her up, and setting her in his seat, demanded her what shencraved: Lydia all blubbered with tears, falling down on her knees, began thus.  
Mighty Acestes, if repentance were any satisfaction for offences, or sorrow any salve to cover ingratitude, if tears might wipe away disdain, if a virgin's blood would pay ransom for them which have done amiss: I would present all these to pacify the fury of thy conquering Sword: but I know such deep hate of my Father's ingratitude, such desire to revenge my reckless disdain, and the disgrace proffered by both: hath set a fire the heart of Acestes, as nothing may serve to quench such an over heated flame: Oh yet might I find so much favour, that my death might redeem the old man my Father, if not for the loss of Kingdom, yet of life: and from falling into the hands of his ancient enemy Sertorius, I should account Acestes as merciful as he is valiant: if my treaties may not prevail, as it little behoveth Acestes any way to favour Lydia, yet grant me this, that I may die upon thine own Sword, that my blood vanishing on thy blade, thou mayst be satisfied, and I slaughtered: by the hand of Acestes so brave a Soldier, might die contented.  
No sooner had she uttered these words, but she poured forth such streams of tears, as made the Armenians to take pity of the distressed Princess: Acestes taking her up again, called for his Sword, and vnsheathing falling down at her feet, began thus to make reply.  
Such deep impression of grief sweet Goddess, hath pierced the heart of Acestes, in that he hath lifted his Sword against the Lord that harboureth Lydia such sorrow, such repentance, such remorse, in that I have done any thing that might offend the Princess Lydia, whose divine presence hath razed out all intent to revenge: and so captivated again her Acestes: that here frankly he offereth his conquering Sword, (that hath achieved so many battles) into the hand of his mistress to chastise either with death if she please, that daring Knight that hath so deeply offended, and with that he sat as a man in a trance: Lydia seeing she had brought the Bear to the stake, thought now so cunningly to muzzle, as she would keep him hereafter for biting: following therefore her enchantment, she fell about his neck, and wet his cheeks with her tears in such sort, that at last from weeping they fell to kissing, yea so did Acestes comfort Lydia, that from melancholy she grew to be somewhat pleasant, the Knight possessed thus of his Lady (as he thought) after he had banqueted her with such delicates as soldiers can afford, taking only her hand for pawn of his safety, he went with her to the Castle, where they were no sooner entered, but the King of Lydia with his Crown in his hand met Acestes, and submitting himself, offered both his diadem and daughter as due to so victorious a champion, Acestes refused his dignities, but accepting of his Daughter, embraced her, and entered into private and familiar parley: insomuch that choler passed upon both sides, they began to treat of the marriage, which was concluded: when the King of Armenia returned out of his Kingdom: whereupon without delay (so fervent was the love of Acestes,) he took leave of Lydia and her Father, and going down to the Legar, raised the siege, to the great admiration of all his Soldiers, and from thence marched to the Camp where Sertorius lay: to whom Acestes revealed what had passed, and craved that he would departed out of Lydia with sufficient coin answerable for his costs: Sertorius with a frowning look told him that in battle he never played in jest, and what he had won with the blood of his Soldiers and danger of his own person, he would not deliver up but by battle: Acestes whose mind was too haughty to entreat, said nothing, but secretly stole from the Camp, and traversing through Lydia, got up of Horse and Footmen, the number of six and thirty thousand, with whom trusting to his Fortunes, he marched closely and secretly to the Camp, of Sertorius, where he arrived about midnight, using now policy, that before had conquered with prowess: so that killing the watch and Sentonell, he passed the Court of guard, and set upon the Soldiers, making a great slaughter of such men as were sleepy and amazed: yet Sertorius escaped, but Acestes passed forward and followed him into Armenia, where his fortunes so served him, that he conquered Armenia, and brought the King himself captive to Lydia: coming thus in triumph to my Father's court, seating him in greater pomp and possessions then ever he had, he began to use his late familiarity towards me, but I as a woman changed in calling and condition, shook him off with more disdain than before: he challenged my Father's promise, who presently commanded he should be apprehended and put in close prison: we having thus cauhgt the Lion in the snare, my Father questioned me how I would have him used. I would not resolve on any less penalty than death, my reason lest in letting him abroad, he should fall to his fortunes: the manner of his martyrdom I devised to be famine, as he intended to us by his leaguer: my Father yielding him absolutely into my hands: I prosecuted the matter, causing every day for his greater torment, a course or two of dainty viands to be carried before the window that looked into his Chamber, and myself to aggravate his sorrows, would pass often by his lodging in most pleasant humour. Acestes seeing himself thus overtaken in his own folly, by trusting too much the tears of a woman, would not exclaim against the sex, but seeing no way but death, no kind but famine, he resolved to show an honourable mind in great patience, & so remained their four days, when, pinched with extreme hunger almost even to death: as Lydia passed by, he fell into these passions.  
Meat, meat, oh for want of meat I perish: Ah hunger, hunger, the extremest of all extremities: were I amongst men, men would pity me: amongst beasts, beasts should feed me or feed upon me. Amidst the pikes would I venturously escape, or valiantly perish: on the land, I could shift: in the Sea, I could swim: no place so barren, no people so barbarous that would not relieve me or soon rid me: every where more help, no where less, hope, ah hunger, hunger, the extremest of all extremities. Thrice cruel Lydia, no worse I will term thee for that once I loved thee: not suffering me to live, nor simply to die: my head is giddy, mine eyes dazzle, fallen are my cheeks, and my tongue die my words, my sinews shrink, my blood consumeth, all my limbs faint, and my heart fails me: every minute I die, and I with I did but die: too long am I out of the way, to be well out of the way: Ah hunger, hunger, the extremest of all extremities.  
Ah Livia, have I deserved thus to be done unto, I gave thee Crowns, and thou wilt not give me a crumb: I bestowed Kingdoms on thy Father, and he presents me with famine: thus Love wrought the train, and fortune, nay mine own folly performed the treason: yet this hope I have, that he hath found me, is he that hath fashioned me, who though he scourge me, will yet save me, how be it my God I cannot but cry, ah hunger, hunger, the extremest of all extremities.  
What is it I would not rather be, than thus be? then thus, ah then thus in pined walls to attend so bitter a death? I faint, alas I faint, my heart's anguish commandeth my tongue's silence: then Acestes silently be patiented, patiently be penitent, penitently perish, and that last martyrdom will be thy least misery, because longer thou shalt not cry: ah hunger, hunger, the extremest of all extremities.  
This complaint highly contented Lydia, so that she departed and told it to her Father, rejoicing that her devised form of death sorted to so bitter events: well another day past, so hungry grew Acestes, that he greedily fed on the flesh on his arms, spilling that blood with his own teeth, which before he had so prised in many battles: which when he had done, ready to give up the ghost, seeing the bare bones of his arms, he fell into this last complaint: Miserable wretch even in the highest degree, miserably with my teeth have I tired on mine own flesh, till now bloodless and famished, my latest gasp hardly gives passage to a few, and my farewell words, Lydia, ah Lydia, whereof is thy hard heart form? that the sting of such diresse cannot pierce it, hast thou the ears of a woman to hear my cries, and not the heart of a woman to pity my case? Ah Lydia, he that loved thee, for that he loved thee must die: he that sounded thy praises in sundry Provinces, him hast thou pinned and pined up, till those arms are bare from flesh, that in many battles bruited thy fame: I will not curse; thou art Lydia, nor exclaim at my last date thou wert my love: nor pray for revenge, sith at my death my patience shall give my soul the better passage. But fond, how short a time have I to speak and yet how foolishly I speak, to name my earthly Goddess when I should pray to my heavenly God: the one hath consumed me, the other must save me: now comes the touch, my heart yields to him that framed it, now the last bitter sweet pang of death ends what the malice of man hath inflicted, and so falling down, he died.  
As soon as I perceived he was dead, not yet content with revenge, I caused his body to be hanged in chains, that the world might see the trophy of my cruelty: The manner of his death being known, the Nobles and specially the Commans began to murmur that so brave a warrior who had made four Kingdoms tributories to Lydia, should so ingratefully perish through the malicious disdain of a woman, yea, so far it pierced into the heart of Selidon great Duke of our realm, that suddenly causing a mutiny, he summoned most of the Nobles, & told them such a tyrant was too heavy for them to bear, to be short, the Nobles agreed, the Commons of their free will came in flocks to revenge, so that he had quickly levied an Army of an hundred thousand men, and entered into the Castle, took me and my Father prisoners, whom he commanded to be famished in the same place where Acestes ended his life, there without remorse we died, they took down the body of Acestes, and buried him with princely funerals, and over his tomb, for that he attempted the revenge: they crowned Solydor King of Lydia.  
AS soon as she had ended her tale, she fell to her wont cries and shrieks, not answering to any question, so that I left the place and returned back with my Harp: Orpheus having thus discoursed, jupiter asked Venus how the liked of the tale: marry quoth she, as of one that Orpheus tells, coming out of Hell: nothing prejudicial to my Deity, sith she was enemy to love, and of so austere chastity: it rather toucheth juno or Diana, the one stately in her looks, the other too chary in her thoughts: for my part so I dislike of her disdainful cruelty, as if I might have censured, if possible it might have been, she should have had a more bitter death upon earth, and a more pinching pain in hell: Truth quoth Mercury, for perhaps the pain is not so great to remain in the fog, as the remembrance how fair once she was, and now to have all smeared with the smoke: I think when Venus was a maid, she was more chary of her face then her maidenhead: and more wary of her beauty then her honesty. These quips quoth Mars are digressions, but leave Venus and talk of Lydia, whose life was so strict, whose heart so opposed to love, whose thoughts so full of pride and disdain, as her instance serveth rather to be produced for a wonder, then for example to condemn women, sith the world I think contains not one so bad: Apollo smiling said, Well taken Mars for you own advantage, women must be pleased, and Venus will frown if she be not flattered: Vulcan sits fast a sleep, or else I would not have spoke so broad before, but to drink down all the frumps, Ganymede (quoth he) fill in Nectar, so the Gods from disputing fell to carousing, and then Arion tuning his instrument, began to warble out this Ditty.  

The Song of Arion.  

SEated upon the crooked Dolphins back,  
Scudding amidst the purple coloured waves:  
Gazing aloof for Land, Neptune in black,  
attended with the Tritons as his slaves.  
Threw forth such storms as made the air thick▪  
For grief his Lady Thetis was so sick.   

Such plaints he throbd as made the Dolphin stay,  
women (quoth he) are harbours of man's health:  
Pleasures for night, and comforts for the day,  
what are fair women but rich nature's wealth.  
Thetis is such, and more if more may be:  
Thetis is sick, then what may comfort me.   

Women are sweets that salve men's sourest ills,  
women are Saints, their virtues are so rare:  
Obedient souls that seek to please men's wills,  
such love with faith, such jewels women are.  
Thetis is such, and more if more may be:  
Thetis is sick, then what may comfort me.   

With that he dived into the Coral waves,  
To see his love, with all his watery slaves.  
The Dolphin swum, yet this I learned then:  
Fair women are rich jewels unto men.    
ARion having ended his Ditty, Apollo said, this falls out fit, for Orpheus having made the division of a woman's nature to be either too cruel, or too courteous: Arion standeth in his song as well to defend, as he to oppose: accounting women the wealth of nature, and far more profitable than Orpheus says they are prejudicial, therefore if it please the rest of the Gods, we'll hear what Arion censures of that sex, they gladly agreed, and Apollo commanded him to show his opinion, whereupon Arion began thus.  
No sooner right mighty Gods, had nature in her curious mould form the counterfeit of Beauty, but looking upon her workmanship, she fell in love with that metaphysical excellency, as Pygmalion did with the perfection of his own Art: which may assure us, that it is most exquisite, wherein curious nature taketh such extreme delight: this glorious Idea drawn out from the secret temper of the grace's nature, bestowed more prodigally upon women than men, as creatures more worthy and excellent: the richest gold hath the rarest colour, the purest stones are most clear, the sweetest Flowers most pleasing to the eye: and women as the purest quintessence circolated from all other living things, are therefore the most beautiful and fair: yea in their own sex, beauty is the touchstone of virtue, and the fairer a woman is, the fuller of good conditions: for such as nature hath either slipped over with negligence, or made in her melancholy, so that they are ill favoured and deformed either in face or body: such I hold as a principle to be counted stigmatical, as noted by nature to be of a bad constitution: then must we confess that beauty is excellent, as the pride of nature: divine, as fetched from the Gods: glorious, as the delight of the eye: pleasing, as the content of the heart: and to be esteemed above all things, as the very cover and superficies under which virtue lies hid: if then men seeing such heavenly objects, such sweet Saints, have their eyes fixed, their minds fettered, their thoughts enchanted with their loves, are they to be blamed or not? rather to be thought of Heroical conceit: that place their liking on the foundation of beauty, and to be counted men of great judgement, that in their desires seek to counite themselves to such an excellency: for may not he which enjoyeth a beautiful Lady, boast that he possesseth at command? by spending a few years in wooing, some part of his living in expenses, his days quiet in sighs, his night's sleep in tears, by these toys and a few other passions, he possesseth himself of that creature which the graces and nature had studied many ages to make excellent: yet there be some such satirical copesmates▪ that spare not to rail against them, calling them the imperfection of nature, saying beauty is vanity, and the sign of little honesty, noting women as waspish, froward, deceitful, toyish, light, sullen, proud, inconstant, discourteous, cruel, and what not: such as can afford them no better speeches, I would have either made evenuches or Esseni or plain Asses, never to be favoured of women, but to be accounted as stoical companions, unfit to attend on such beautiful and virtuous creatures: for in my opinion sweet and simple souls: they be pleasant, open hearted, far from deceit God wot, as bearing all their own secrets both grave, and yet having many mad and merry tricks to pleasure men, humble & lowly, submitting themselves to what their friends will lay upon them: constant, as never to be turned from their opinions: kind enough, and to be short, as full of excellent qualities, as the precious stone Silex is full of secret virtue, and this right mighty Gods is my opinion of women: The Gods smiled at this censure of Arion, and wished him if he could to prove it with an instance as Orpheus did the contrary: Arion laying by his instrument, and the Gods being silent, he told his tale to this effect.   

Arion's Tale.  
AFter that Right mighty Gods, the Pirates had heaved me over board, & that being received upon a Dolphin's back, I was safely transported to Loyath, the King glad of my arrival, as honouring me for that I was counted the most perfect musician in Thece, and musing at the strangeness of my fortunes: to make his peers and princes of his land, partakers not only of my melody, but of the wonder: he proclaimed a general feast, not of volentary but upon command, that all Dukes, Earls, Barons, Knights, and other Gentlemen, should with their wives and children, for the more magnificence be present: which strict Edict, was so straightly obeyed of all, that at the day appointed, none failed to be present: there appeared in the King's Palace such troops of Lords and Ladies, as might with their glorious bravery overcharge the eye with pleasure. To these the King presented me clad in my rich rob, with mine instrument even as I sat on the Dolphin's back, with the whole discourse of my fortunes: whereat they were all driven into a wandering admiration, after long gazing on me, as at a man reserved to some higher or more hateful destiny, they sat down in the great Hall to dinner: being placed by the King himself and his Son, who then played the Marshal of the Hall: the young Prince, whose name was Philomenes, giving greatest attendance where he saw the fairest Ladies: as having his eye drawn rather with beauty than chivalry, at last he espied a lamp that lightened all the rest, or rather disgraced them: as Phebe doth the little fixed Stars: for so far she surpassed the other Ladies in excellency, as she did in dignity: and by birth she was daughter to Pelopidas the Duke, and great commander in Corinth, this Lady whose name was Argentina was so fair: as touching the faultless mixture of vermilion flourished upon ivory, & so full of favour for the perfect proportion of the linaments, whereupon this native colour was overdasht, that nature had made beauty abcolute, and beauty made Argentina the most excellent: Philomenes seeing so heavenly a Nymph, stood staring on her face, as at a wonder, gazing so long, that Venus seeing Ceres and Bacchus honoured all the rest, thought to arrest the young Prince for her attendant, so that leveling Cupid's arrow aright, and wishing the boy to draw home, she pierced Philomenes so deep, that he shrunk & start at the sudden prick which this envenomed arrow had tainted him with: feeding thus his eye, his fancy & his thoughts with contemplation, he lost his stomach to gorge with the Chameleon on the air: sure was that mess where Argentina sat, to have what attendance the Prince could grace them with: but their service was so broken and so ill sewed, that either they must conjecture the Prince to be no cunning servitor, or else that his heart was on his halfpenny: well, dinner being done and the tables taken up, Arion fell to his music, and the chief Ladies to the measures, Philomenes ringleader of the rout, singled out the Lady Argentina, who blushing to see the young Prince make choice of her above the rest, gave such a glory to her face, that Philomenes all on fire at the sight, had almost forgot the time of the measure: but calling his wits together, he led foremost till the music ceased, & then wring her by the hand, he whispered to her thus. I see Madam that all these Lords and Ladies present, frolic themselves as fitting the time, and feeding my Father's delightful humour: my silly self only excepted, who this day giving mine eyes leave to banquet on your beauty, commanded my stomach to fast and pray, that my heart which had surfeited on the excellency of love, might find a courteous Physician: now sweet saint it resteth in your favour, whether I shall triumph as the most happiest, or sorrow as the most miserable. The music called on to an other measure, so that Philomenes was interrupted, & forced to tread his task, but as soon as the music gave breathing time, Argentina beginning her exordium with a blush, made Philomenes this answer.  
It seemeth sir, that 'tis a merry time, your honour is so well disposed to be pleasant, singling out a cunning musician. the simplest plain song, that your descant might seem the more refined. It behoveth such as myself to brook the frumps of a Prince, & to take them for favours, for King's words may not offend, if in wrath, much less in jest: might your handmaid dare to reply, in my opinion howsoever your eyes have banqueted, your sight is never the worse, nor they the more satisfied: for your heart's surfeit I will be beadwoman, with your stomach not in fasting, but pray that your Physician may prove such as would fit your desires: but my Lord to your last clause, it is unlikely your mirth dependeth of my favour, whose favour cannot profit nor disfavour prejudice, but taking it in jest as your honour proffered it, I pray you for my part my Lord to be as merry as you please. The instruments sounded, and forward must Philomenes, who wished Arion's strings might crack, that his melody ended, he might proceed in his prattle. As soon as the music stopped again, the Prince began thus.  
Believe me Lady, if you take my talk for a jest, you have a deeper insight in my thoughts then myself: for by your divine beauty, (the oath that for the whole world I would not infringe) so deeply in earnest did I break into my first passion, that my heart feeleth far more than my tongue uttered, so strongly and strangely hath love on a sudden vi et armis as they say made entrance, there where fancy before could have no passage, so that rightly hast thou said Argentina, that though mine eyes & heart surfeited, yet they are not satisfied: as vowing themselves ever devoted to so excellent a choice: which if they may possess as it lies in your power, nature by no means may minister them greater content: As Philomenes was ready to wade further in his discourse, the dance, I know not upon what occasion, broke of, and the old man calling his son, told the noble men they should hear one of Arion's scholars, whereupon he commanded his son to take the instrument in his hand, who very nigh as skilful as his Master, obeyed his Father's charge, and glad that time had given him opportunity to show his cunning before this Goddess, he began to play, and sung a sonnet to this effect.  

CVpid abroad was lated in the night,  
his wings were wet with ranging in the rain,  
Harbour he sought, to me he took his flight,  
to dry his plumes I heard the boy complain.  
I oped the door, and granted his desire,  
I rose myself, and made the wag a fire.   

Looking more narrow by the fires flame,  
I spied his quiver hanging by his back:  
Doubting the boy might my misfortune frame,  
I would have gone for fear of further wrack.  
But what I dread, did me poor wretch betide:  
For forth he drew an arrow from his side.   

He pierced the quick, and I began to start,  
a pleasing wound but that it was too high,  
His shaft procured a sharp, yet sugared smart,  
away he flew, for why his wings were dry.  
But left the arrow sticking in my breast:  
That sore I greeude I welcomed such a guest.   
PHilomenes having ended his song, they all generally commended the skill of the young Prince, but especially Argentina, who hearing him sing both sweetly and passionately, was charmed as if she had heard the Sirens, that while all the other walked abroad, she feigned herself not well, and withdrew solitary into her Chamber, where alone, she began to ruminate in her memory all the perfections of Philomenes, as well the swéenes of his face, the proportion of his body, as the virtues & qualities of the mind: his courage, his comeliness, his dignities, but there she stopped & gave a sigh, as being a prince too high for her to gaze at, meditating thus: she so swallowed up the potions that Venus had tempered with her sorcery, as drunk with his beauty, she began to fall with herself into this parley.  
Unhappy Argentina, whose youth virtue hath bridled with chaste thoughts, whose years beauty inchaunteth with fond looks, resembling the nettle, which may be handled in the bud, but stingeth in the flower: do thy virtues increase like the pace of a Crab, backward? Hast thou in thy cradle been continent, and wilt thou in thy saddle be impudent? art thou come to this feast to buy folly? know'st thou not that Venus stands by the winepress of Bacchus, and breathes her venom upon his liquor? satst thou down pleasant & must thou rise passionate? I and in love Argentina? and why not in love? was I not framed for love? are not women's hearts the Exchequour where fancy yields up his accounts: yes Argentina, and fear not to love, for if thy choice be right made, there can nothing come for marriage but honour: but with whom art thou in love? with Philomenes the King's Son and heir apparent to the Diadem of Corinth, a step higher Argentina than it becometh thee to tread a degree far above thy fortunes, a star to high for thee to gaze at. King's as they are men before the gods, so are they gods before men: such high personages as we must honour with our looks, not attempt with our loves: Why but Argentina he loves thee, he is enamoured of thy beauty, he sues with words, and entreats with his eyes: What then: cannot such great Princes be sooner pensick than passionate: wear favour in their mouths, when they have flattery in their hearts: Doth not love hang in their eye-lyddes, which as it is taken in with every look, so 'tis shaken off with every wink: is not their fancies like the Summer's dew, which scarce wetteth the grass before it be dried up with the Sun? take heed Aagentina, Princes have liberties and privileges, they can laugh out faults, which we must pay with pennalties: We hold Venus for a Goddess, they never offer her incense nor sacrifice: and yet they no sooner crave, but she is ready to grant: yea but hath sworn ah fond fool, Periuria ridet Amantum jupiter: Lovers oaths are like fetters made of glass that glister fair, but couple in restraint: if swearing had made love perfect, Carthage had possessed Aeneas for their King: Phillis had not hanged herself, nor Medea said Deteriora sequor, yet men must be credited, else shall love be a shadow: talked of, but not put in execution: all are not Sons to Anchisis, nor brothers to jason, nor traitors like Demophon: Philomenes face bewrays his faith, & me thinks his looks contain loyalty: Thus poor wench do I persuade myself to the best, whereas perhaps he means but to sport with me to make trial of my wit, well if it be so, I will endeavour to love him less than I do, but if he mean truth, I will labour to love him more than I have done: and with this she rested content, & went abroad to find out the rest of the Ladies. Argentina had not served herself thus in secret, but Philomenes was as solitary: for getting himself up into his Study, then setting down his head on his hand, & his elbow on his book, he began thus to debate with himself. Philomenes thou hast read much & reaped little, that at one look haste learned more, than in seven years study thou couldst discover: Hermes told thee that beauty was a star, whose influence had sundry effects, this was Allegorical, & thou didst only pass it over for a principle. Avicen said that love was a fury, how didst thou esteem of this but as an axiom: Epictetus called Venus the restless planet, thou tookest this for a dart: & Amphibological Aphorism comments thou hadst none, and conceive thou couldst not: but now if Hermes, Avicen, or Epictetus' want interpreters, let amorous Scholars be auditors to my precepts: for I have found beauty a star, and have gazed against it: Love is a fury for it is full of passions, & Venus a restless star, for since the Goddess distilled into my thoughts her precious Balms, the operation hath been so mighty, as my greatest rest hath been restless disquiet, what need these ambigues, this schollerisme, this foolery, thou art in love with Argentina, the commander's daughter of Corinth, a Duke, but thy Subject: why then dost thou use preambles & protestations? canst thou not say flatly I am in love, Venus' Coffers when they have the greatest found, are always most empty: & lovers when they prattle most, are thought either great talkers, or deep flatterers: then Philomenes discover thy mind, Argentina is a woman, & therefore to be wooed, & so to be won: Kings may command, where poor men cannot entreat: 'tis better to name a crown then to write a Letter: an ounce of give me, is worth a pound of hear me: the name of Queen is a great argument, & therefore fear not: thou hast as much to be liked, as she to be loved. Thus far well Philomenes, but suppose she hath already settled her affection, & hath made choice of some other: seek not to divert her, for she that is faithless to one, will be constant to none, if thou love her, wish her not to be disloyal, but rather pawn thy life, then disparaged her honour, & wrestle with Love, whom if thou subdue: thou extéemst a glorious conquest. In this resolution he fling out of his chamber, and passing into the privy Garden, there he found all the Ladies sparfeled abroad in sundry borders, some gathering flowers, others in discourses of the excellency of the place, some in prattle with the birds, all busy, none idle: taking thus a superficial view of them all, as having his eye wandering for a fairer object: he passed forward to find out if it might be the Lody Argentina, whom he spied with her mother in a shady walk of the Garden: seeing none but then two, thither went Philomenes & saluted them in this manner: Honourable Duchess, well accompanied with your fair daughter, the Mother happy for bearing so sweet a creature, & Argentina fortunate in coming from such a parent: your walking in this shady Arbour resembles Latona, tripping with her train, Diana in the Lamns, where having herself tried the forwardness of Esculapius her husband: she schooled her daughter, so that Diana vowed perpetual chastity: I hope Lady that the Duke Pelopidus, brooks not company with Esculaus, & therefore you need not nursle up your daughter in such heresy: The Duchess hearing the young Prince so pleasant being herself a Lady of merry disposition, made him this answer. Lord Pilomenes, were I Latona indeed & as waspish in mind, as ready as she to revenge: I would cause Phoebus to chastise your frumps as he did the sons of Mobae, in loading my back with such reverence, & my daughter with such beauty, to your strange supposition, as far as Pelopides differs from Esculapius: so far was mine from Latona's persuasion, so believe me sir, if Roses be not gathered in the bud, they either whither or prove windfalls: Maids must be married, lest they be marred: if they be coy & swear chastity, they oft wish and will with secrecy, youth is the subject of love, & Scions that are grafted young, have the surest joints, therefore so far am I from that austere perverseness of some mothers, that as young as Argentine is, if there were a man whom she could love & we like of, they should never break off for years. Philomenes hearing how the Duchess desembled not, began thus to reply: & what manner of man should he be that might both content you & please your daughter? the one measuring by age, the other be youth: I would have him, quoth the Duchess, to be of age answerable to my daughter's years, and his parentage proportioned to his parentage, lest inequality of time or birth might breed mischief, his parsonage such as might feed her eye, his virtues such as might please us both, his living answerable to all these, & him would I count a fit husband for Argentina. A right conclusion quoth Philomenes, for there is no match that is right made if pelf conclude not the premises: if he had the age of Adonis, the honours of Hercules, the proportion of Theseus, the virtues of the 
              
              boy, yet si nil attuleris ibis Homere foras, if he have not living, all his love is laid in the dust: but what say you Argentina, in faith let me as your ghostly father, have you at shrift before your mother, tell me were you never in love: Argentina blushed & was silent, as one that durst not be bold before her mother: whereupon Philomenes said, see Madam, 'tis your presence makes your daughter so squeamish, I pray you prattle with some other of the Ladies, & give us leave a little to be secret here in this walk, perhaps I will be a suitor to your daughter, what say you Madam, shall I have your good will? I, & my good word my Lord quoth she, if you meant earnestly: & with that smiling she went her way & left them to themselves: Philomenes seeing himself thus alone with his Goddess, thought to take hold of her mother's last words & from them to drive his insinuation thus.  
You hear sweet Saint how favourably your Mother speaks, now Madam what censure shall I have at your hands? I cannot paint out many passions, not tell tales with such large periods as many use to do, but I will court thee and woe thee in one word, & that is Argentina I love thee, more I cannot promise, and so much I will perform by the faith of a Prince: Argentina seeing Philomenes speak so plainly, & therefore as she thought so faithfully made this answer: my Lord, you take the antecedent of my mother's answer for a fovor, but you leave out the consequent: and that is if you mean in earnest, for I cannot think you grace would look so low as upon Argentina, but rather gaze at some glorious princess, whose Majesty might match juno, whose worthiness Pallas, whose beauty venus, & with these might bring for her dowry a Diadem: but? & with that Argentina stayed & blushed: which Philomenes espied, & therefore wring her by the hand said: but, what Madam, nay forward with the rest or you proffer me great wrong: why then my Lord, quoth she, and with that she galled him with a glance: but if your honour would vouchsafe to favour such a simple maid, as from a mean Lady to make her a Queen: for other than marriage I dare swear your Lordship doth not intend: your Father gracing our loves with his Kingly consent, though I could not with love sufficient request love: as in person & parentage unfit for your highness, yet would I with obedience and humility make supply of these defects which otherwise were wanting. This answer of Argentina so contented Philomenes, as that he stood as a man in a trance, at last he took her hand in his, and swore, that before the feast were ended he would make her princess of Corinth, let this suffice Argentina, qd. he, & with that he sealed up the bargain with a kiss, and walked towards her Mother, to whom he delivered Argentina thus: Madam here I deliver your daughter as safe as I received in outward appearance, but how I have schooled her, time will make trial, perhaps we have struck the match, and therefore let the Lord Pelopidus provide a good dowry, and with that he went his way: when the matter comes to that effect my Lord, you shall have a dukedom with her: at that the Prince turned back and said, that's mine already, and her Father is like to be my subject, and so to hold his living in chief: the Duchess smiled, & thus they parted. But leaving Philomenes to the King his Father, who having noted as narrowly as his son, the beauty of Argentina, had great liking of the Lady, so that he made inquiry of those which were Pelopidus nearest neighbours, what disposition the virgin was of, they all affirmed to the King that she was so virtuous, humble, courteous, and adorned with such excellent qualities, as the form of her life was a method whereby other Gentlewomen did direct their actions. The King hearing this, resolved in his mind there could not be a fit match for his Son, whereupon determining to break with the young Prince, as he was in this humour, he met Philomenes whom he took aside, and began to question him as concerning Argentina, whether he could fancy the Lady or no. Philomenes afraid the King had espied their loves, made answer, that he never took such narrow view of her that he could yield his judgement with affection: then do qd. the King, and give me within two days an answer, and so he departed. Philomenes joyful of this, no sooner met Argentina, but he told what motion his Father had made, but to make a small harvest of a little crop: Philomenes at the two days end so answered his Father, that the King breaking with the Duke, it was concluded that the end of the feast should be the beginning of the marriage, which was such a joy to the nobles to see their young Prince allied in his own Land, that they devised new Iustes and pastimes, continuing the feast many days to their great joy, and the Lovers most happy content: The marriage and the feast thus finished, the Nobles departed, Pelopidus leaving his daughter thus honourably espoused, took this leave, the married couple staying still with the old King in his Court, who being of great age, lived not long after, but paid his debt unto nature, so that Philomenes was crowned King of Corinth: Living thus happily with his wife Argentina, thinking his degree too high for Fortune to prejudice, it so fell out, that Martion the King of Sycilia, hearing that his ancient enemy Philomenes father was dead, thought to try what metal was in the son, to prove if he were as valiant and fortunate as his father, therefore he levied a great Army & provided a great fleet to sail to Corinth, which was no sooner rigged but he embarked his men, and as soon as wind & weather would permit, sailed towards Corinth, where arriving in a Desert place, as politic to land without any great resistance: he unshipt his men, and all his furniture for war: and letting his Navy ride in the road, he marched forward into the main land, using as one that intended a conquest, fire & sword, Philomenes hearing by Posts how Martion was landed with a mighty Host, and had spoiled many of his provinces, started up, & summoning his Lords about him, raised a mighty host, such as never King of Corinth did before him, and with them marched to meet with Martion, whom he encountered by the River that runneth by the great plains called the Corinth downs: then pitching his pavilion, he entrenched his Army, and so had Martion fortified his: lying thus a while, at last by heralds they resolved upon a day of battle, which once come & both the Armies ranged: they joined battle so furiously, the one to conquer, the other to defend: Philomenes heart made one with equity, the other with despair, that a long while the fight was doubtful, till at last fortune allotted the best to Martion, in such sort that the field was his, the Corinthians most slain, some fled, the King valiantly fight, taken prisoner: Martion triumphing in the victory, marched forwards to the City leading Philomenes as his Captive: coming to the gates, the Citizens yielded up the keys, & he as a valiant conqueror entered, & passing into the palace, found there the Queen all blubbered with fears, as a woman almost senseless, whom he comforted and committed to the custody of one of his Duke: seated thus victoriously in Corinth, he not only disgraded the King from all dignity, but disrobing him, commanded that he should be turned out of the palace, and that he should not be relieved upon pain of death, but if he would have any thing to satisfy his thirst, he should get it with his handythrift: Philomenes not abashed at this doom, entreated the King to be good to his wife, and so went and became a labourer for day wages, contented with this fortune: Martion the next day sent for the Queen, who although forlorn with tears, yet nothing her narrowly, he found her the fairest creature that ever yet in his life he had viewed, so that he fell extremely in love with her, and offered her what liberty or pleasure she would have, courting her with many fair promises and amorous conceits, but all in vain, for she was resolved whatsoever fell, life or death, that none to her but her love Philomenes: Martion captivated in her beauty, was restless, feeling such strange & uncouth passions, that at last he fell into these terms.  
What fond motions Martion are these that disturb thy mind? what childish thoughts unfit for a king, a soldier, nay for one that hath conquered both a Crown and kingdom: thou camest from Sycilia to be victor, & here thou art arrived & not vanquished, thou hast beaten Philomenes in battle, & art brought under by his wife in love, thy resolution was to terrify thy foes with thy sword, so thou hast done, but feign to please a woman with thy tongue: by this fond foolery I may note, that Venus frown is of more force than the weapons of Mars, that affections are harder to be suppressed then enemies to subdue: that love is above King and keiser, where Cupid commands, there dignity hath no privilege to withstand: then Martion yield, sue and entreat, but whom, the wife of Philomenes thy captive, rather command her, and what she will not yield by entreaty, take by constraint: in so doing should I reap infamy, and forced love is never sweet: no Martion allure her with wealth, promise she shall be thy paramour, to seat her next thyself in thy kingdom, women are won with favours, and there is none so chaste but time and gifts may entice. In this resolution he sent for Argentina, & began thus to deliver his mind unto her. Thus seest Argentina, how I have favoured thee, no like a Princess that were captive, but even as a Queen that is sole mistress and sovereign of my affections, thy beauty hath conquered that heart which had made conquest of thy Country, & subdued him who before, woman's feature never vanquished: then Argentina take pity of him that for thy love is so passionate, consent that I may enjoy thee as my paramour, and thou shalt be honoured as she that is best loved of the King of Sycilia, I could Argentina y● seest obtain by force what I sue for by entreaty: but I covet rather to possess myself of thy lovely consent, then by constraint: yield therefore what I request, and here before the Lords of Sycilia, I promise to grant whatsoever thou shall command, so it touch not my Crown nor thy Husband, though to the danger of my person, freely without exception: Argentina as one nothing dismayed, returned him this answer: I not deny Martion thou hast subdued Corinth, and deposed the King, which I attribute rather to his bad fortunes, than thy prowess or chivalry, but in all thy conquest thou shalt never boast thou hast conquered either Philomenes or his wife Argentina, seeing we are only overcome, not vanquished: in that both of us remain contented, and keep our minds untouched: thou art enchanted with my love, no Martion, but perhaps thou art fed with lust, & never hope that Argentina will minister any means to appease the flame: although thou shouldst enforce her to consent by the most extreme torments: Philomenes lives, & so long will & love: not thee, but him whom I vowed to be true unto for ever: yet thy last condition hath somewhat persuaded me, that if thou grant what I request, I will consent not only to be thy paramour but thine for ever: the king was so glad of this, that he iterated with an oath to perform her demand: then this it is quoth Argentina: Tomorrow morning thou shalt shut thyself into a secret place, whereof myself will keep the key, & there for three days thou shalt fast, without tasting any thing so aslake hunger or thirst: this time thou shalt pray to the Gods for the remission of our sins which we shall offend in by breach of matrimony, then at the term of three days thou shalt freely take the use of my body before thou eat any meat, otherwise if thou fail but as much as Proserpina to taste a grain of the pomegranate, thou shalt never after question me of love: thus do, and I grant to like thee, or else here is my head, let that pay my ransom: Martion was so setted in her beauty, that he thought it nothing to undertake this task, and therefore promised before his Lords to fast three days, and then to lie with her before he eat any meat, or else never to motion her any more of love: whereupon the next day the Princess shut him up till the date was expired, in which three days he felt such torments, such pinching hunger and extreme thirst, that he cursed love, and exclaimed against beauty as a charm that made men senseless, willing to give for one crumb the Diadem of Corinth▪ well the term expired, all the Nobles were assembled & sat in the great hall, expecting what event should fall either of the kings fast, or of Argentinas request: at last Argentina sent the key to one of the Lords, that the king might come into the Hall whether she presently would repair: the Lord went to the chamber door and no sooner put the key to the lock, but Martion started up and cried for meat, the Lord unlocked and saw the king glance at him with such a fierce look, that he was afraid and started back: villain quoth Martion, hast thou brought me any meat, and with that running as a mad man into the hall, flinging in fury among the Lords: Why Gentiles (quoth he) sit you here without meat? why are not the tables spread? do I allow such niggardly allowance, or will you famish him that fostereth you all? At this he was in a rage, Argentina appareled in her richest robes, came pacing, that she looked more like an Angel, than a mortal creature, insomuch that every eye directed their glances at so heavenly an object, except Martion, who at her sight sat as a man greatly amated: having her maid follow her with a dish of meat crumbed: Argentina with a smiling countenance taking him by the hand, said thus.  
Redoubted Conqueror, according to promise I am come in the presence of these Lords to offer myself subject to your highness pleasure, ready to go whither your grace shall conduct me: Martion at this cried out, & thinkest thou Argentina that famished men have mind on beauty, or is hunger to be satisfied with love? no, no, 'tis true Martion, Sine Cerere & baco friget Venus, reason could not subdue lust, but fasting hath set it on a non plus: but what is that the maid carries? meat my Lord quoth she for your honour after, and with that she blushed: Martion no sooner heard her name meat, but he leapt to the maid, pulled away the dish, saying: farewell fond love, and welcome that whereof one morsel is worth a monarchy, Argentina give me leave to eat, for thou hast conquered Martion in his own folly, and with that he fell to his meat, wherewith after he had somewhat appeased his hunger, sitting him in his seat royal, he began to parley with his Lords of Argentinas policy, highly extolling the constancy of so true a wife, and so far entered into consideration of the chance of fortune, and fall of Princes, that rising from his throne, he went and embraced and kissed Argentina, not only praising her for her ready invention to persuade him from his vanity, but for her sake sent for her husband, and yielded him his Crown and his Kingdom, and living his sworn friend, returned home into Sycilia.  
NO sooner had Arion ended his tale, but Mars taking opportunity, said: we see by this event, that as women have their vanities whereby to be checked, so they have their virtues redounding greatly to their praise: being both affable and constant, although that single instance of Orpheus his Lydia did infer the contrary: And so quoth Apollo would Venus serve for an instance if you mean of constancy, for no doubt if you may be judge, all beauty shall be virtue, & all women shall be Saints: & now quoth jupiter, Apollo by your leave to take Mars his part, we oft rightly to think of women, seeing so oft we seek their favours, & speak to them by entreaties for their loves, otherwise we should prove ourselves very ingrate: to beat them with rods, that feast us with banquets, to proffer them Scorpions that gives us no worse than their own selves: Lively spoken quoth Mercury, but juno likes you never the better for this flattery, as supposing you have sued to more than contented her, or becomed you: but in my opinion, Arion's tale paints out a paragon, a matchless mirror, as well for constancy, as the other for cruelty: these extremes therefore infer no certain conclusions, for they leave a mean between both, wherein I think the nature of women do consist, neither so cruel but they will grant, nor so constant but they will yield, & rather oft-times prove too courteous then too unkind: See quoth Mars how peevishly you conclude, to taunt them still of unconstancy: well Mercury, quoth he, thou art subtle, & canst by thy fallations prove what thou wilt: but yet this I set down for mine own opinion, that women the more beautiful they are, the more courteous, the more constant, the fuller of excellent qualities: and rather virtues, and by the River of sticks I swear, and with that he rose in a choler, this I will approve against him that dare maintain the contrary: though not with my pen, yet my sword: at this the Gods smiled, and Mars in such a rage clapped his hand on the board: that I awoke, not knowing what became of the Gods or of Arion's soul, only I remembered their tales.  
BEing thus awaked, I looked about me, and still sat my Shepherd: how now good fellow, quoth I, have I not taken a lusty nap? thy Pipe sounded so sweetly, and there I had such a dream as I would not have lost for much, for I hope it will after more profit me then all my journey, I have passed to Erecinus: I am glad quoth the Shepherd, my pipe did thee so much pleasure, and if thy slumber hath presented thee any visions, note them, for all dreams that men see in Erecinus, prove true: and with that standing up, me thought he had wings on his head, shoulders, and feet: he bade me farewell, & took his flight: then I knew it was Mercury. Whereupon, calling to mind the occasion of my journey: I found that either I had lost love, or love lost me: for my passions were eased, I left Erecinus and hasted away as fast as I could, glad that one dream had rid me of fancy, which so long had fettered me, yet could I not high so fast, but ere I could get home, I was overtaken with repentance.  
FINIS.  
Robert Greene..