Pan his Syrinx, OR PIPE, COMpact of seven Reeds: including in one, seven Tragical and Comical Arguments, with their divers Notes not impertinent: Whereby, in effect, of all things is touched, in few, something of the vain, wanton, proud, and inconstant course of the world. Neither herein, to somewhat praiseworthy, is praise wanting.  
By William Warner.  
Vel volo, vel vellem.  
AT LONDON, Printed by Thomas Purfoote, and are to be sold at his shop over-gainst Saint sepulchres Church.   

TO THE RIGHT Worshipful, Sir Georg Carey Knight, Knight Martial of her majesties most Honourable ●or should, Captain of the Jsle of Wight, Son and heir apparent to the right Honourable the Lord of Hunsdon, my very good Lord and Master.  
IT had (Right Worshipful) no sooner entered my thought to handle some Argument, at the first, chief for mine own exercise, but that I found myself thereunto (unworthy though a Wrighters credit) less sufficient for form, then prevented of matter: for hardly discourse we that argument, whereof something before, to the like effect is not extant. As for the common text, Love, I esteemed the same, especially by one man, so exquisitely anotamized, that to others travailing in the like, being bereft the flesh, muscles, veins, sinews, blood, and bowels, only remain the bones for their exercise: and to work on so hard a subject, were (think I) to be as vain as the Alchemist, who in seeking to perfect wonders for covetousness, doth little else then work himself a Beggar, with cunning.  
In suspense therefore of such my purpose, I happened into place, where at one time to visit a sick Gentleman, were assembled a Divine, a Courtier, a Physician, a Lawyer, a Civilian, and a Countryman: every of which busying themselves about the sick, had left in an outward Chamber something or other of their ordinary Attire: anon entered the seventh man a merry conceited Youth, who finding in one place such variety of Apparel, and severally one after an other attiring him there withal, behaved himself so formally, from the Pulpit to the Plough, from Paul his Epistles, to Ovid his de arte amandi, Galen his de sanitate tuenda, Littleton his Tenors, Justinean his Pandectes, and Virgil his Bugloges, that with no small delight to those present, he not only seemed the same in substance whom de did counterfeit in action, but by those his merriments, did also minister to the weak gentleman such occasion of extraordinary motion, and violent laughter, that by the breaking of an Impostume he shortly recovered.  
I then observing how these diverse actions, thus delivered by one Actor, wrought, because of variety, to the Inspectors a cause of mirth, and to the diseased a cure of his malady, yet both coming by chance, emboldened myself in the like manner, though differing in the like matter to huddle up (rudely I fear) my following Medley.  
The Patronage whereof most humbly I offer unto your good Worship, with the same hope, which sometimes happened at Rome beyond hope to the poor Cobbler, whose Crow, not for ave Caesar which to pronounce she was purposely taught, but for opera & impensa periit, which came aptly and unlooked for, was therefore accepted of Caesar.  
But if nothing herein shall happen either profitable by chance as it did to the sick, or pleasant by chance as it did to Caesar, it will then less boot me to say my labour is lost with the Crow, then repent me of rashness as it once did an Ape, who somuch presumed of his furde jacket, that needs he would imitate the Bear to despoil the Bees of their honey: when, silly Ape (an adiect improper to an Ape, if not environed of Bees) no sooner had he touched the Hive to have tasted the honey, but that the Bees were as nimble where they found bare, as was jacke at his banquet: putting him, to late, in remembrance, that behind he lay open to sights, and naked to stings.  
Yet (which best is) by so much the less fear I a rough Air, by how much the more I sail under a calm Lee, and he that intermeddleth not in Tiresias his doom, neither awaketh Juno to him, neither needeth he sleep to jupiter.  
Only, if your Worship impute not this a presumption, that I hope after a good sentence, where I should fear a grave Censure, such toleration may add fresh Reeds to his Pipe, and he pipe otherwise to your praise, that with no less affection than duty, wisheth unto your Worship all happiness, not prejudicial to true happiness.  
William Warner.   

To the Reader.  
SHould I be curious in applying the form, or rather deformity of Pan, the Pastoral God, to the learned my skill might seem no less absurd, then to the ignorant the sense obscure. Let it therefore suffice for the purpose, that the Nymph Syrinx, in Arcadia, in flying Pan his loving pursuit, was by intercessions (as poetically it is fabled) transformed into an heap of Reeds, which being stirred with a gentle blast, and Pan hearing them to yield a soft melodious sound, with seven of the same Reeds, framed to himself the Pipe after her name called Syrinx: proportionably to which number, I, a pupil of such a Tutor, have also sorted out this my Music. Music I call it, though Midas, not for his ears, doth the second time dare to term it melodious: neither, I think any, except perhaps Satyrs, will vouchsafe to hear it: for only Mercury his Pipe must bring Argus' asleep, and Ganymedes wring the grapes, if jupiter taste the Nectar: yea, so forcible is a first Conquest to deter from a second Encounter, that now Pan, and his Puples hold themselves very well content, so they can their Plainsong, that Apollo can descant.  
And yet, let his coy Prophetise presage hard events in her Cell, let the Athenian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Manhater bite on the Stage, or the Sinopien Cynic bark with the Stationer, yet, in Pan his Syrinx, will I pipe, at the least to myself.  
Unto whose rude Harmony if, for variety, any T●molus shall listen, then let such an one imagine, that piping of love some Polephemus is a wooer: If handling Argument some Coridon an Interlocutor: or howsoever it be, some Fanus, or the Author an Actor: as not daring to be so venturous here, as was one vainglorious elsewhere, that in trying his Text, as it were by the Touch, to be thought a learned Clerk to an unlearned Auditory, having rapped out a round deal of Welsh, such, qd. he▪ are the very words in Hebrew.  
But so far off am I so to resemble, so to dissemble, that might I utter my scarce indifferent, for exquisite, yet would I not offer the same for excellent: only to keep aloof from Labyrinths, in which Minotaur is readier with a Club, than Ariadne with a Clue, sufficeth to me, might also (courteous Reader) such my considerate fear satisfy you. But what? to father my book on Pan, whose bad nature affordeth not so good nurture, as to fear an offence, when all, in deed, is nothing more than a fault, and thus submissively, to crave pardon for mine own taken pains, and that, perhaps, of such who will soon mis-like, what they cannot make like, were as if an Ass should bring forth a Jennet, Pan a child altogether unlike the father, and for myself in decorum to degenerate: for Pan being clownish, not courtish, should not sing cunningly, if he sing kindly: and why? only to be fine, were in him a fault: but in vain is it, I know, that I fear such offence.  
But whether wander I? sufficeth it not, that willingly I have straightened myself to time, but that I also wilfully so tie myself to one rude Master, that I degress not so much as in good manners? not so, but if (courteous Reader) not calling into Account my worthiness, which claimeth less than you should grant, you accept of my willingness, which is more than you can guess, he that expecteth only such courtesy, & resteth most desirous to deserve it, is also therefore and still shall be, yours as he may,  
W. Warner.   

Arbaces. Calamus primus.  

Cap. 1.  
AT what time Zamieis Ninias, the fift Emperor of Assiria, son of Ninus, and Ascolanta Semiramis, had in battle vanquished th'accursed son of his father, and common enemy to mankind Cham, otherwise called the Egipsian Saturn, and son of Noa, then usurping over the Bactrians: part of his Navy (upon occasion) returning by Schythia, was so dangerously tossed with storms and seas, that they which seemed even now most glorious and insolent victors, appeared then most miserable and desolate wretches. Nevertheless, after long despair of their lives, great loss of their treasure, and extreme danger of both, the disparcled fleet of the Assyrians arrived at Niniveh, one only ship excepted, wherein were embarked more than a hundred brave soldiers, over whom one Sorares was captain.  
Not far from that place whereas the mountains Taurus and Caucasus begin the headsprings of all the Asian Seas, which take their sundry names according to the channels, whereinto the scattered waters fall, there lieth an Island, no less obscure for the situation, then unfrequented for the infertilitie thereof: into this Island, the ship of Sorares was by tempest driven. Where having landed his men, and repaired his weather-beaten vessel, he determined a further search into the Island, as well to learn what commodities might there be found, as also to keep his soldiers occupied, until time might serve more conveniently for their departure away: and therefore marching from his ship in good order, he pierced a great part of the same Island, wherein he found nothing but miry bogs, or stiepie rocks, not worth the discovery, much less the travel or hazard of a conquest: and he made it no wonder that he found no people there to defend it, seeing he himself thought everyday a year, until he had left it.  
At the length, sending the wind to be more favourable, than their discovery profitable, his purpose was to retire his men, and forthwith to have weighed anchor. But whilst he rested in this resolution, the Assyrians might espy (descending towards them from a mountain) two men altogether unweaponed and naked, saving that their pined bodies were in some parts disorderly covered with a few unhandsome rags: their looks seemed wild, their countinaunces full of heaviness, their colour swarth, their hear and beards long, loathsome, and unkembde, and (to describe them in a word) being men in shape, they seemed monsters in show: but yet such monsters, as were rather to be pitied for their penury, then to be feared for their cruelty.  
These being come before the Assyrians, albeit their savage demeanour savoured more of the place of their present abode, then of the civility (small though it were) of the country wherein they were bread, yet remembering that they were men, & that they were to deal with men, the one of them, whose name was Arbaces sometimes a Duke in Media, had these following speeches.   

Cap. 2.  
MOst happy people (to whom otherwise I should have given a contrary salutation, had not I desscried your ship, a friendly instrument to rid you out of so fruitless an Island) I would not have you imagine that wanting sword to expel you, we endeavour by words to cerrifie you. We are but twain (as you see) and the only inhabitants of this uninhabitable Island, yet twain a greater number than that the plenty of this place is able to satisfy, not for that we are covetous desiring all, but miserable having nothing. Our food is roots, grass, and leaves, our lodging a Cave framed by nature out of the hard quarry, our bed moss, our apparel only such as you see, and the same the unhappy spoils of our hapless companions: yet these are trifles in respect of a tragedy.  
And for that you have partly some experience of the place, though better cheap by all, than we that have paid therefore to the uttermost, I leave you to judge how it doth battle, by the view of our forlorn personages: saying in a word, that hell is no hell in comparison of this, or that this is hell itself without any comparison.  
In that we live we are not ungrateful to the Gods, but in that we are not dead we account ourselves unfortunate: for had death been pliant to our petions, the end of our lives had been long since the end of our sorrows. But hope overcoming despair, for that in the one is possibility, in the other no remedy, knowing that as the Gods have power by justice to punish, so they have will by mercy to pardon, and considering that Fortune is painted with two faces, frowning with the one, and smiling with the other, that winter doth bite but summer burnish, we have made necessity a virtue, continuance a custom, and patience our protector.  
Whence we are our language bewrayeth, what you are your Ensigns do manifest, but what we demand, resteth as yet untouched.  
We will not fear to speak, though you spare not to strike, abundance of hardness hath made us hardy, the worst of your malice can be but death, and the best thing may betide us, shall be change of our lives. We are Meads, not monsters, civil people, not savage Islanders, banished from home through your prosperity, and betrayed here through our own practices, once flying your enmity, and now following your friendship, as men enforced to the first by your wrongs, and constrained to the later through our own wretchedness. With this courage nevertheless (ye Assyrians) we sollicitate your favour, that if the old rancour of your grudge, be not yet qualified with the new spectacle of our present calamities, our sides (know ye) have not as yet taken so much the property of these hard Rocks, but that they will easily give entrance to your revenging weapons. Albeit, by the way, it might be said, that as you are to deal roughly with those that stand against you in combat, so ought you to deal mercifully with those which at your feet lie prustrate, for in the one your courage is not more magnificent, then in the other your charity meritorious: and though it be glorious to overcome by battle, yet is it more glorious to be overcome by pity. For (alas) shall men whom nature hath endued with reason, and united in original amity, by occasion of any corrupt accident, continue more malicious than unreasonable or senseless creatures? Doth not the Plantain profit the toad in disburdening her of the superfluity of poison? and the same nevertheless, stand us in steed to many good purposes, or doth it derogate any thing from virtue, if by our industry we better the vicious? or shall we cut of those limbs that are now sound, because the same were once sore?  
Well, if remembering what we have been, you will not conceive what we would be, if our humble submission be thought an insufficient reconciliation, if you fear us that have neither will nor power to harm you, if you will not (which is the sum of our suit) deliver us from hence, that of our own accord are fallen into your hands: if (I say) it be your pleasures that we shall not weep for unexpected kindness, whom you shall not enforce to dread for any practised torments, then assure yourselves, you cannot be more tyrannous, than we patiented, and our death shall be more dishonourable to you, than our graves discontenting to us.  
The only thing we crave is to be conveyed out of this Island, a small petition, and easily performed: the poizinesse of twain will not be burdenous to your bark, and the higher for our passage shall lighten your hearts. But to what purpose should I use more speeches, if you be merciful enough is said, if merciless much more will not serve.   

Cap. 3.  
HOw ruefully these words were uttered by the miseble Meade and how effectually the same wrought in the hearts of the Assyrians, the passioned gestures of the one did testify, and the pitiful regards of the other witness. Let it suffice, that the silly souls were pitied, their pensiveness comforted, their bodies apparelled, all former enmity pardoned, and liberty promised.  
But see what an evil event followed so good an handsel. In the night before the Assyrians should departed, Sorares calling divers the chief of his soldiers to sup with him in his cabin, invited amongst the rest the two Meads, and after supper ended, he entreated the miserable Duke to declare by what mishap they chanced into that harbourless Island, whereupon Arbaces proceeded in this manner.  
Albeit (good Sorares, and you the rest of our benefactors) the remembrance of our passed sorrows will be little less than a present death to our spirits, the which without anguish we cannot rehearse, nor you without pity hear, yet shall you not find us dainty to answer your request, whom we have found so forward to yield us relief.  
Above two hundred years of mine age are already passed, a short time, if not lengthened out with continual sorrows, the root thereof chief springing from Assiria: and yet (good Sorares) think not that having cause to curse your countrymen that banished us into this Island, that therefore we will cease our prayers for you, by whom our delivery is promised, seeing why we should malice you we can render no reason, but why we should honour you we have good occasion.  
The purportie of this my speech is to be construed to this purpose, that as we are not to accuse you for our received injuries at the hands of your predecessors, so is it not necessary that in malice you become their successors: for if we shall make their old controversies, our new quarrels, it will follow, that first the world and all things shall cease to be, before strife and discord shall cease to grow. But hitherto I have been rather tedious to your ears, then answering to your demands, yet pardon my beginning, and with patience carry an end.  
It is a world to note the wondrous alteration of all things, even of late days, for omitting to speak of the time before the general deluge, I will only glance at the superfluity of this our present age.  
It hath been, yea within the time of my remembrance, that men thought themselves more sure in their wild Caves, than now safe in their walled Castles, better contenting themselves with the unforced fruitfulness of the earth, than now satisfied with their fruitless compounds enforced by art, the simplicity of nature prescribed unto them an absolute law, but overmuch curiosity now, subverteth both law and nature. What speak I of part? when it is manifest that no sooner gold and silver the Ambassadors from hell, had insinuated themselves into the hearts of men, but that a general subversion was made of all.  
Nembroth then taking upon him an unknown title, not ever heard of before in all the world, much less in Caldia, became a king in Babylon: who, by subtlety having won the hearts of the unpollitick people, by that means got them under the yoke of servitude. Nembroth being dead, his son Belus hunting after greater superiority than was by his father newly exacted, pretended by wars to dilate his dominions, whose dreadful purpose being by death made frustrate, his son Ninus, your late Emperor and our then persecutor, did execute. Making his new invention of war & battle not only terrible to those that did taste it, but horrible to us which as yet did not feel it.  
After a while it came to pass, that we who hitherto did only hear much mischief of war reported, did now suffer the effects of that, which of long time we feared: for Ninus landing an army of soldiers in Media, obtained an easy victory against us bad warriors, and in respect of holds, armour and artillery, a people utterly naked.  
Ninus being thus conqueror, & we conquered, our king Farnus, his wife and seven. children murdered, continual likelihoods of an universal slaughter still appearing, & the desolation of the whole country being generally expected for, divers Nobles of Media, and others not of the basest calling, to the number of 100 & upwards, of that which number, & the whole number now living we two are, having conveyed into a ship the gold and chiefest treasure of our slaughtered king, and rather trusting to the incertainty of the seas, then to the inhumanity of the Assyrian soldiers, in an unlucky hour hoisted up our sails, leaving with tears our wasted country, as men compelled to search after some new habitation.  
The seas we passed were numberless, the sorrows we suffered were grievous, the dangers we escaped were perilous, how far we had sailed we account not, how far we should sail, we knew not, where to arrive we were ignorant, and all places (if far enough from the Assyrians) seemed to us indifferent.  
In the end, being no less unfortunate in our seafaring, then unexpert in the new art of navigation, seeing our victuals to waste, our vessel to leak, and our tackling to fail, such was then our comfortless despair, that having no hope at all to escape the threatening waves, it did only forethink us that we forsook our natural graves, in our native country, to finish our lives without honour amongst the merciless surges. But cork wanteth wait to sink, and lead is over heavy to swim, we were not so happy as to suffer shipwreck on the seas, being predestinate to sorrows on the shore.  
At the length we espied this Island, and making to the same, near about the place where this ship now rideth, we struck sail: and (unhappy men) so joyful to us seemed this our arrival, that then promising to ourselves security, when we did but newly enter into our sorrows, we leapt from out our ship, with minds never to re-enter the same, kissing the very earth that first received us a shore: this happened about midday, but before night, our mirth was thus turned to moon.  
Not having, as yet, made any sacrifice to the Gods, before search of the profit, or disprofit of the place, any consideration care or forecast of afterclaps whatsoever, we began to unfraught our ship, laying our gold and treasure on the next shore. Scarcely had the last man brought the last burden from the ship, but that a contention fell betwixt two of the noble men (severally before time noted of Ambition and Avarice) about the division of the same treasure. And such was their madness, that albeit their present plight rather required lowly tears, than haughty titles, yet Ambition not yielding an inch to Avarice, either of them sought by far discentes to fetch their pedigrees from japeth and Madus, of whom we are the offspring, as near as possibly they might.  
Amongst the inferior sort, there was one Chebron, a lusty tall fellow, of a hot choleric complexion, and an invincible courage: he seeing the controversy, that now began more & more to increase, bending his brows and laying hand on his weapon, spoke many words much displeasing to either of the contentious compettitours. And were it not (Sorares) that I should cloy your ears with over long a discourse, I would also repeat his words, the which I yet remember, as (in my conceit) well worthy the noting.  
Here Sorares interrupting him said: If (good my friend) it shall not be troublesome for you to speak, it shall not be tedious for us to hear, our days work is done, and it is yet but early nights, let those that will sleep, as for myself I am provided to wake.  
And were I also able (qd. Arbaces) to counterfeit the magnanimity that then appeared in his countenance, I would not willingly pretermit the same, but these were the words that Chebron then used.   

Cap. 4.  
IF so be (my dear friends and countrymen) the invasion of the Assyrians, the ruin of Media, and our late passed perils, had been to me by oracle or otherwise revealed, I then would have made you acquainted before hand with that which was threatened to follow: so might we either have pacified the Gods by prayer, encouraged our selves to abide the danger, or else before it had happened have died for sorrow: but, contrary to our expectations we have avoided the outrage of our foes, and though hardly yet safely escaped the seas.  
But now, if I that cannot divine as a prophet, prenosticate as an ginger, invocate as a Necromancer, observe as an Augur, interpret as a Dreamer, calculate as a Wyzarde, or cast figure as an Arteste, should say unto you, that the mischiefs yet behind, are more & greater than whereof we have already our shares, you (perhaps) thinking it impossible, would esteem it as a fable, and account me as a fool.  
O people for your inconsiderate peevishness to be pitied, are your eyes clear and yet will you counterfeit blindness? have you your senses, and yet will you seem senseless? and seeing imminent destruction, dare you nevertheless be desperate? have you been overcome by men, between whom and you ought to be an equality, and yet are you fearless of monsters, between whom and you consisteth no indifferency? muse not at that which I have spoken, for you are likely to find more than monsters, being to encounter with Ambition and Avarice, th'one by presumption, would rent the gods from the skies, and tother rest uncontented to possess their seats, & unless both be encountered, neither of both can be conquered, such is their undevisible properties.  
Know ye not (my friends) that the ambitious person, neither having gentry to elate him, revenues to enrich him, parsonage to adorn him wit to advance him, good qualities to prefer him, or any one virtue to commend him, if by the benefit of fortune her blindness, he attaineth to dignity he forthwith becometh a lordlike tyrant, a vainglorious Magnifico, careless of other men's profit, and arrogant of his own preferment: his countenance is fastidious, his speechloftie, his meditat●ons asspiring, not brooking his superior, nor bearing his equal, to his inferiors burdinous, to all men cumbersome & not remembering his old friends that forgetth his newselfe.  
If beggars thus set on horseback ride a gallop, let us then make account, that these claiming by gentry will ply the spur. Briefly what can I say more, than in effect is already experienced? see you not or are you willingly blind? how these two gallants only remembering what they sometime were but not acknowledging what they presently be, make no question of our safety, but fall to quarrels for their private superiority: not considering the fire once squenched foregoeth both heat & brightness, that grass once mowed, looseth both sap and greens, & that a noble man exiled, if not of noble birth, yet of authority and honourable estimation standeth disgraded.  
But let it be that banishment is no dispargement to birth, yet should we for our own assurance, respect the sequel, & have an eye to their inclinations whom we admit to rule. For mine own part I carry this opinion, that had these men no other fault, yet are they therefore unfit for government, because so forward to govern: authority should be denied to such as desire it, & offered to those that refuse it, for a wise man and one well minded, never receiveth an office, unless thereunto compelled, as foreseeing that the same to his body shallbe a travel, to his conscience a care, that he shallbe marked of all, envied of many, & cannot but dance in a ne●●. But such as are these our high minded intrudors (whom we may therefore call ignoble, because not virtuous, as having already dashed at home against the rocks of ignomy, and now here entered into utter shipwreck of the small remain of their credit,) these I say challenge pre-eminence not for deserts, but of duty: exacting that of us through ambition, which they can neither discretely discharge, nor we dangerles dispose: & yet like as violent waters are prone to often eruptions, becoming shallowest within their ordinary channels, so proud persons are evermore capable of higher dignities, though not well able, to excercise their present mean offices: still doth the proud man flatter himself in that that he would, not esteeming of himself in any point as he ought.  
There is hardly that thing so good, but there may be a better, or that thing so bad, but there may be a worse: the wild olive is savoury, but the ripe fig is sweeter, the Tiger mangleth with her teeth, but the Baselique murdereth with her eye: there is no beauty without some blemish, nor any blemish that is not either natural, or necessary: no perfection with some imperfection, and yet the same imperfection either to be cured, or tolerable: only Ambition, until of it own self it be devoured, is bloodless for blushing, and intractable for taming, penury doth not decrease it, and plenty doth increase it, in well doing it is insolent, in ill doing impudent.  
As for the other monster Auerise, a little varying from Ambition in quality of affection, but not in quantity of affecting, this (I say) is still hunting, but evermore hungering, still praying, but continually pining, still getting but never gaining, and still hoarding, but never having. For as the hollow spout receiveth much water, and yet retaineth nothing but air, so the covetous man gathereth much wealth, and yet possesseth nothing but cares, and only he of all monsters, in his ravenous devouring is unsatiable: for whereas commonly all other vices by old age are impaired, his only vice is thereby repaired, the nearness of the grave the rather adding to niggardize.  
O most miserable man, to whom is wanting as well that which he possesseth, as that which he wanteth, he hungereth after that which he coveteth, and feareth to lose that which he emoyeth, and as in adversity he craveth prosperity, so in prosperity he feareth adversity, in his superior he dreadeth force, in his inferior he m●strusteth theft, such (I say) is his wretched estate, that he presently suffereth all and so much as he feareth. Therefore is it a true saying, that nothing may be wished more harmful to a covetous man, then long life. And (trust me) if we consider with what toil wealth is got, with what danger it is kept, what charms in using it, what detriment in abusing it, and with what anguish we leave it, then shall we find more profit in poverty, than quietness in riches.  
One thing it is to be happy, and an other to be rich▪ but detestable is the exchange, when to follow gold we forsake the Gods: as no doubt doth the covetous man, of whom what should I more say? but that his life is detested of many, his death desired of all, and being dead, the poor man curseth, his heir rejoiceth, the saints weep, and the devils laugh.  
How harmful (ye Meads) these two monsters have been, all the world hath found, we have felt, and more shall feel, except being yet but young Snakes, they be cut off, before they grow to be old Serpents.  
If these two jolly Champions had been well counseled, and not so covetous, or more politic, and less proud: then this unnecessary strife should have been the last thing of a thousand, for our behoofes much more necessary: Neither would they have persuaded themselves to be Kings not being assured of subjects, nor have contended for a kingdom, not having conquered an Island.  
Alas how much more unfortunate are we in transporting these relics of gentry, and small remnant of treasure into Scythia, then in leaving the blood of our friends, and masses of wealth behind us in Media.  
But if you can be content to cherpe in cages, that may sing in the bushes, if you can digest that these feast with full dishes, whilst you shall fast with empty bellies, that they sing whilst you sorrow, that they be adorned with chains of gold in token of their superfluity, whilst you shall be fettered with irons, as pledges of your necessity. If it be your pleasures to make them your Lords, and you to become their slaves, yet shall you understand that Chebron hath set an higher prize of his freedom, then to exchange it for such bondage. And though it be not my meaning to be superior to the worst here, yet think I myself equal to the better of these two, and he which hath deserved any thing at all, hath deserved more than either of them: only their new courage seemeth strange to me, so well acquainted with their late cowardice.  
Are not these the men? or were they then metamorphosed, from Eagles, to Owls, or from Lions to Lambs? that whilst we applied the pump, reeling up and down the ship could nought else but purge: that whilst we laboured on the hatches, lay quaking in their cabbens? Yes verily, these jolly fellows are the very same, to one of which (for not above one may be received into a kingdom) you may resign the pleasures of your overpassed perils: as for myself, I more account of liberty then esteem of such policy, and am more zealous of your welfare, then careful of mine own safety, fearing more a coming then our common scourge.   

Cap. 5.  
THus much Chebron with a courageous countenance spoke, and was about to have said more, but that he espied one of those two against whom he thus enuaied (impatient of his speeches) to aim a dart against his head: wherefore the same anger that before had occasioned him to speak, and then had tied his tongue, moved him now to use his weapon, the which he pierced into the bowels of him that threatened the flinging of the dart: and with the like success he also dispatched the other standing amazed in beholding his dying companion, saying: happily you shall find hell a gulf as unrepleatable, as yourselves have been men unsatiable.  
Believe me (Sorares) whether it were the vigorious force of magnanimity, that then proceeded from him (for I may term him magnanimous, whom neither flattering, nor frowning fortune can alter, that preferreth mediocrity before superfluity, a common profit before a private gain, and an honourable death, before a thralled life) or whether it were the timorous astonishment then planted in us, that gave spurs to these his proceedings I know not: but most certain it is▪ that like as the shepherd entereth into the Coote, there sequestering from amidst the flocks, what sheep it pleaseth him to appoint to the slaughter, so Chebron, even in the middle of us, on these two performed this tragedy so courageous was he, and so amazed were we.  
Anon, as our appalled spirits were revived, we began diversly to construe of Chebron his words, & to conceive of his deeds, and being amongst ourselves divided, one part protested that he had well done, an other company detested his deed, and some not intermeddling at all, stood as neuter. The more that Chebron entreated the factious accomplices with reason, the more they threatened him and his adherents with rigour, so that seeing them desperately addicted to assault, he unwillingly provided to resist: whereupon they fell from brawling to blows, and from wrangling to wounds, and he that now killeth, is himself by and by killed.  
Whilst we yet persist in this same frantic mutiny, making horrible havoc one of an other: Those before named persons which either for fear durst not, or for policy would not be dealers in this quarrel, these men had laden themselves with great store of the treasure, & minding whilst we were thus busted in the fray, to have made a mart of our miseries, dr●w ●owards the ship, with purpose to have sailed away.  
But a common soldier, a factious fellow, smelling ou● this their pretence, and getting aboard before any of these stinche●s might enter, had fired the same in sundry places, the which having of itself sufficient of combustible matter, was quickly consumed.  
This we espied, and as we could not then intent it for the fray, so remained we so far of from squenching the flame, that it rather rejoiced us of the so preventing of those dastards, (as we did then term them) then once thought on the misery that hereof ensued, for having gold we vainly persuaded ourselves not to want any thing. But by this means those that would thus have fled, were now enforced to take a part in our civil fight.  
Still persever we in mangling and murdering one an other, until Chebron and his adherentes had utterly confounded the adverse party, and that of an hundred men and more that arrived here, within five or six hours only xvi. remained unslain, yet we (though so small a number to divide so great a booty) in the sharing had well near begun a second broil, and that day (I would we had been so happy) had been the last to us all, had not night prevented our harebrain proceed, and darkness stayed our desperateness. But daylight thus failing us▪ every man bestowed himself upon a several pile of the heaped treasure, keeping a wakeful & suspicious watch, of all that night.  
As soon as the grey morning appeared, and that we beheld the wolvish aspects of our own selves with blood imbrued, the dead carcases of our slaughtered companions, and looking towards the sea, remembered the burning of our ship, and perishing of our victuals, then, then, our furious fierceness was changed to fearful fantisies, and our heady rashness to helpless repentance. But what dwell I longer on this mischief, the matter being much more dolorous that resteth yet unresited.  
When our hands were thus oversoon filled with blood, & that our eyes had over late emptied their tears, although our sore limbs require rest, yet our sharp appetites hunger for food: and therefore as well pricked forwards by hunger, as desirous to be instructed what a profitable plot we had picked out for our here abode, we discovered into the farthest circuit of this Island. But the same seemed abhorred of the gods, and we found it utterly abandoned of men, beasts, fowls, fruits, and every other thing necessary for man's behoof: and (worse than so) we being shiplesse, and on every side with main Seas environed, did also remain hopeless of our delivery from hence.  
Now in this melancholy, every man laid violent hand upon Chebron, fathering our woes upon his late invective words, whereby (in my conceit) he rather intented quietness than pretended any such quarrels: howbeit our mutinous minds altered with the time and troubles, made a new construction of his zealous meaning, and do what he could, we pressed him to death under an huge heap of gold, whose bones under the pile are yet extant.  
After this, some of our company not able to abide the extremity of this climate, the stench of the air, and stirilitie of the Island, by mutual consents, made mutual dispatch of their own persons, and shortly after untimely death finished the lives of the residue, who being far more fortunate in dying, than we in surviving, left only us two the unhappy inheritors of these unspeakable calamities.  
Thus have you heard (Sorares) the effect, though not the full of our tragical arrival, and to morrow we will gratify you with so much gold, as shall partly countervail your great courtesy, though not comparable to the conceived comfort of our promised delivery.  
Arbaces thus finished his lamentable discourse, and Sorares dismissed the whole company every man to his lodging.   

Cap. 6.  
THe next morning Arbaces and the other Mead his fellow conducted the Assyrians unto the piles of gold, being in a manner overgrown with moss and rust, with which booty the Assyrians with merry hearts and many hands, had quickly fraughted their ship.  
But unceasable are the mischiefs that gold procureth, and unsatiable are the minds of covetous men.  
Sorares being thus speed of this booty, and having consulted with his countrymen of a further inquisition, began now to exact at the hands of the poor Meads a greater pray then wherein they could satisfy their averise, hunting after that which was not there to be had, and (seeking as it were) to extort fire out of water, they would not be persuaded, but the guiltless souls had reserved unto themselves some greater treasure: denial might not acquit them, nor entreaty save them from tortures: so that having already passed some, to them were threatened other greater except they would promise, what (poor wretches) they could not perform.  
But in the end, this devilish devise of the Assyrians hastened their own detrament: who thus dreaming of hidden treasure, for search thereof, had scattered themselves, without any one man remaining aboard into every corner of the Island. When in the mean time, Arbaces and his fellow remembering how hardly they had been hampered, and were still endangered under those ungrateful men, whom they had even now so bountifully enriched, taking therefore that time as a fit opportunity to avoid their mynasses, boarded the vnmanned ship of Sorares: and cutting the cables, launch out at the pleasure of the winds and the waves.  
The Assyrians anon (contrary to their expectations) perceiving their ship afloat, ran like mad men up & down the shore, where by outward signs, and sorrowful gestures, as wring their hands, howling out, and beating their breasts, they signified such apparent motions of their perplexed minds, that even the two Meads, experienced of the self same distress, and moved with compassion towards the ungrateful people, endeavoured in all they possibly might, to return back again in their succour: but all in vain, do what they might, contrary winds resisted their merciful meaning, carrying them quite away with an invaluable fraught of that treasure, which (as before) had chief procured all their troubles.  
Whom we leave safely to arrive in Sarmatia, and Sorares with his covetous Assyrians shut up in the barren Island, as meritorious possessors of so miserable a possession.  
Of all which, of their success, and of other not impertinent accidents, more remaineth hereafter to be read, in that which is herein prosecuted.    

Thetis. Calamus secundus.  

Cap. 7.  
IN this mean while, after that Zamieis his imperial fleet (except that ship of Sorares) was arrived in Assiria, albeit the vanquishing of the Bactrians moved a common mirth to all, yet the lack of Sorares & his company caused particular moan to some, and that especially to Atys and Abynados, two brave youths, the sons of the same Sorares, whom at his departure to the Bactrian wars he had left at Niniveh.  
These two youthful gentlemen and brethren took the miss of their father with such impatience, that neither enticed with their pleasant welfare at home, nor dreading whatsoever dangers might happen them abroad, nor yet dissuaded by any their dearest friends, did voluntarily vow themselves to continual travels, until either they should hear tidings of the life or death of their father, or at the least wife, their own days should be determined by their unknown destinies.  
In this purpose therefore, accompanied with diverse other gentlemen, whose friends were also missing, in a well paveished ship they launch from Niniveh: and having sailed through many seas, were now entered into that channel, whereas the river Arexes leaving the sea Caspium, doth glide by the deserts of Scythia. Here on the top of an hill, they descry an ancient castle, and minding there (as in diverse other places before) to learn tidings of that whereunto their travel tended, they came ashore: and whilst the rest were otherwise busied, Atys and Abynados went unto and entered the castle: wherein they found no living creature, but yet respecting the small ostentation and curiosity of that nation, bravely furnished with all things necessary.  
At the last, entering into an inner room, as it were a parlour, in the middle whereof on an hearth was a great fire, looking up by chance into the roof, they espy hanging smocke-dryed three quarters of a man, as it seemed to them, not long before so dismembered.  
If erewhile the air abroad was grievous for cold, or now the fire here comfortable for heat, this horrible sight made them forgetful of both: what might be deemed of this monstrous spectacle they stand not to descant, neither durst they hazard to stay the inquiry, but esteem it better policy to fear & fly what they did not yet feel, then to feel what they did fear & might fly: & therefore, such was their post-haste to be gone, and so great their fear in running away, that though to others they ran as Hearts, yet to themselves they crept as Snails, thinking every threashoole a thicket, and every rishe a ridge in their way.  
But whilst they thus scud in their amazedness, at the foot of the hill they were encountered by the Lord of the castle, waited upon with a number of servants, some of them loaden with sundry beasts by them newly chased in those deserts.  
The affrighted gentlemen being now come into the presence of the Scythian Lord, at whose hands they only expected some rare tyranny, not looking amongst those barbarous people, especially in that place, to find at all any civil entertainment, were by him nevertheless courteously saluted, and at the length more upon importunate entreaty on his part, than any willingness of their own (for his fair speech might not shake off their fearful conjectures) for that night entertained his guests.   

Cap. 8.  
WHen the Scythians had (according to their cookri●) dighted the venison they had killed, part whereof they boiled in beasts hides, and other part they broiled on the coals, and when the Scythian Lord had sat a small while at supper, he rose up suddenly, unlocking a strong door opening into that parlour, and then sitteth him down again at the table.  
Anon after this came forth a Lady most richly attired, in gesture so comely, in countenance so lovely, in face so amiable, in body so proportionable, and in every part so formal, that nature might not possibly work more beauty in any creature, or any creature better become such largesse of nature: howbeit, as the hanging up of a net directly against the son, doth partly obscure the brightness of his beams, so pensiveness seemed somewhat to diminish the featured regards of this beautiful Paragon.  
Hard by was provided a side board, and there (having made low courtesy) she sitteth her down: presently whereupon her mess was furnished, only with two or three broiled collops, cut from of the dead man his quarters, and before her was set water in his skull: then one of the servants taking a rib out of a box, poundreth the same very small, and putteth it into the water.  
Better, or other victuals than these (sweet soul) she got not, and albeit her puling appetite disdained so loathsome a diet, yet either must she thus feed, or elsepine without food: so that rather enfeebling then filling her weak stomach with these dainties, she sheddeth more tears then the quantity of water she drinketh, and feedeth as sparingly as her fare was homely, for soon was she satisfied and as suddenly put again under lock by her over ungentle gaoler.  
No marvel though Atys and Abynados were now afresh drowned in their dompes, and had small liking to their meat, who not yet freed of their former fear, saw new occasions of greater dread: they pity the Lady & doubt their own safety, wishing her at large, and themselves out of jeopardy: for (think they) seeing this tyrant handleth thus ungently so gallant a Lady, making the murdered carcases of men meat for those whom he hath reserved to further misery, what shall become of us wretches, how are we entrapped, and what death hath he for us prepared?  
The Scythian Lord perceiving by their outward shows their inward fear, cheereth them up with a courteous welcome saying: gentlemen, you (perhaps) from whence you are come, accustomed to far more finely, cannot acquaint yourselves to feed here so grossly, yet we that are the chiefest in Scythia do covet no better, and could be contented with worse, not esteeming anything or any more to be needful, but only that and so much as is presently necessary: full furnished tables (say we) breed feeble surfeits, but mean repasts make healthful persons.  
We know that few things sufficeth nature, that superfluity is a mere vanity, that overmuch meat so●teth the senses, that heavy cups make light heads, that curious Cooks make careful masters, that prodigality endeth in beggary, and that gluttony is opposite to virtue, and yet (alas) what fowl flieth, what fish swimmeth, or what beast passeth that man burieth not within his bowels? howbeit man that so often devoureth death in other creatures, is himself at length by death devoured.  
With others, change of services and costly entertainment, is an occasion of seldom meetings, slender familiarity, and therefore small friendship: but with us Welcome covereth the board, Temperance marshalleth the dishes, and friendly Acceptance setteth on the voider: and only he whosoever that seeketh a sumptuous host, is in Scythia accounted a saucy guest.  
As for dainty food or any like effeminacy, it is as rare here, as elsewhere common. The thieves affright us not for our money, the moths harm not our wardrobes, the wasps waste not our ioncates neither make we our stomachs apothecary's shops: but hunger maketh all meats to us right savoury, and thirst shear water as pleasant as Nectar we feed for the most part but of one dish and that not very dainty, we use but one coat and that not very costly, and possess but one house, and that (as you see) homely: yea and I speak now of the best, not of the most, that lack of thus well, and yet like as well, not wanting any thing, that content themselves with every thing: poverty yielding us this advantage, that whereas for wealth, other nations be invaded with war, the lack thereof keepeth us at home in peace.  
Neither fear we to fight, if occasion shall serve, for although we shun all causes of controversy, yet know we how to revenge proffered injuries: and that can all Asia well witness, whom we even we the Scythians, have three times in open fields conquered, and our bows made them three times unto us tributory.  
All this while the two brethren continue dismayed, by reason of the sights they had lately beheld, taking taking small delight in those his speeches: whereupon their gentle host broke of his former argument, & spoke to his guests as followeth.   

Cap. 9  
WEre it not (gentlemen) that I myself am partly privy to some sufficient cause of your sadness, I could not but judge you either very solitary, or somewhat sullen (but trust me) myself a stranger in an other place as you are here, and seeing that which you have here seen, could not but imagine and fear as much, or more than you have feared: but the reason why I have suffered these your dumps and not resolved your doubts, was because I gladly would have overpassed that in silence which will be more grievous to me in resitall, than what you here beheld hath been to you dreadful, herewithal the water stood in his eyes, and adding a small pause to the shedding of a few tears, he thus proceedeth.  
You shall understand (qd. he) that the cursed owner of yonder same dismembered quarters, was almost from his cradle to me and mine a vowed enemy, by whom I often received much skaeth, but could never acquit myself of his envy.  
Know ye also, that the same Lady, whom you beheld even now in this place, was (without superstition be it spoken) the adored goddess of mine amorous devotions, the imperious Mistress of my martyred heart, and the only she that held me in loyalty: whose beauty was my bliss, whose sweet countenance was my sole comfort, and to whom more then to my own self I lived.  
●hall I tell you? for her sake was I patient of all labour●●enterous of all dangers, careless of all cumbats, and desperate of all deaths: for in love is nothing dificile, but as the Hunter plieth his Hounds, the Falkner his Hawks, and the Fisher his Angle, forgetting the pain through delight of the pastime, so the lover prosecuteth his love esteeming all labours and troubles but trifles, in respect of the inning hope of his amorous harvest: yea and by how much deeper love hath taken foundation, by so much the more sweeter is it in operation, sau●ring altogether honey, and not scenting gall.  
What shall I say? so pleasant, and steadfast was our mutual love, until on her part violated, that it might have been made a question whether of us was the lover, or which the beloved, our two hearts being (as it were) to either body common.  
But as good Ladies are sometimes over lightly affiansed, so light wantoness are often over firmly fantasied: nay (alas) it is commonly seen that trust hath the fairest tract leading to treason, and that in security we find greatest sorrow.  
This yonkar (whose guile hath been thus rewarded with a deserved guerdon) when now no farther hope was left for the exercise of his malicious madness against me, applied then mine own weapons to work unto myself wounds: soliciting secretly by loving nay lustful tables this wicked woman.  
Wicked may I well term her: and woman, for that sixth is an apt Etymologia. Ah gentlemen or ever I pass to my penance, which will be the ripping up of Thetis her inconstancy, either suffer me to chew upon my melancholy, and (perhaps) choke, or else give passage to my choler, so happily to ease mine heart with a chafe: which chafe I wish may be to you a caution, as the cause thereof is to me a corrosive: for though Thetis is not every woman, yet followeth it not but 〈…〉 woman may prove a Thetis, and then were 〈…〉 other Philosophy but implication, yet wom●● might justly be termed monsters in nature, as some (how cunningly or curiously I judge not) do note them.  
But what talk I of their natures, that can tell much more of their manners, O that I had bend more careful in avoiding their company, and less cunning in deciphering their conditions.  
What else are they (I accuse not all, and may not excuse a many) but inevitable plagues, convenient noysances, natural temptations, coveted calamities, household hostility, and delectable detramentes: whom we cannot want without offence to the gods, nor hold without damage to our own parsons: if she be fair she is wooed and reddily checketh, if foul she wooeth and ever chooketh.  
Good wine lacketh no tasters nor fair women suitors, with an easy price and an ivy bush bad wine also is uttered: if she be poor then over chargeable to him that shall keep her, and then she flincheth: if rich, overcurious for him that shall catch her, and then she fleeceth: outwardly with art is she polished, howsoever inwardly polluted: her face painted, her beauty borrowed, her hair an others and that frissed, h●r gestures enforced, her looks premeditated, her back bolstered, her breast bombasted, her shoulders bared, and her middle strait laced, and then is she in fashion, when most out of fashion.  
Besides her attire, eyes hath she to entice, tears to excuse, looks to attract, smiles to flatter, embracements to provoke resistance to yield, frowns to delay, becks to recall, lips to inchaunt, kisses to inflame, and all these to poison, applying thus to every member and motion a several art.  
she prieth in her glass like an Ape, to prank her in 〈◊〉 gauds like a puppet, but being pruned (as she 〈◊〉) to the purpose, yet doth she but hurt nature with art, and mar form with fashion, and is like to the gloe worm, that is bright in the hedge, and black in the hand.  
She discovereth that sometimes willingly, which she would seem to have done unadvisedly, she promiseth one thing, and performeth an other, professeth chastity, but practiseth the contrary: love her and you lose her, make strange and you win her, offer and she disdaineth, deny and she dieth, praise her and she pranketh despise her and she powteth, but (O devil) if taken tardy, than her tongue uttereth such art, that either she avoideth cunningly the suspicion, or leaveth the matter doubtful in suspense.  
Tears hath she at commandment, and those of two sorts, weeping often for anger, and seldom for sorrow; of her two extremes, Love and Hate, her love is a minute, but her hate a monument. As readily doth she leave as rashly she doth love, being as prone to mutability as desirous of variety, changing for pleasure, but choosing for profit: and if at one time she hath twenty sundry ●lyantes, yet can she please each man with a contrary countenance, and dismiss them all at her pleasure, having sotted their senses, and soaked them of their substance.  
For small goodness she claimeth great commendations, but for great evil, hateth any controlment: having charge over all she complaineth of servitude, being abridged of part she exclaimeth of mistrust, if she be wise (at the least in her own conceit) then with a pre●●se singularity she will overrule all, if foolish, then with a peevish simplicity she will not be ruled at all, the first will be to bravely minded, the latter to basely mannered, the one opinionate, the other obstinate, but both cumbersome.  
politicly is she won, and peevishly is she 〈◊〉, either doth not the rich man's dalliances feed 〈…〉, or the poor man's diet fit her dalyaunces: 〈◊〉 imperious, impatient, importunate, self-willed, thankless, and full of revenge.  
Shun (young men) I say shun, except out of golden cups you will drink poisoned draughts, to be guests in the guiles of these sweet sour Panthars: otherwise make account to find them such wayward fools to please, and such foolish wantoness being pleased, that if in winning they did travel you, in wearing they will utterly tire you.  
But see, lavish fellow how rashly hath my tongue run counter? & overmuch choler (I fear me) hath so mistempered my wits, that it is doubtful whether I have used decorum in words. If therefore any modest matron, wife, or maiden had been here present, either I would than have spoken in the book, or could be contented to bear a Faggot for any probable heresy: and no doubt they would pardon my glib tongue in respect of my gauled heart, for blameless may losers chaufe.  
Well, best is no women are here to traverse my choleric allegations, for hardly find we any pleading so formal, wherein the judge (especially if labouring the cause) cannot, or at the leas● doth not assign errors.   

Cap. 10.  
THis my digression gentlemen (qd. the Scythian Lord) hath longer detained your teeth from your victuals, then the discourse itself might have displeased your ears for the villainy: and yet would I borrow your patience a little farther, for as I have spoken some what of the infirmity of the feminine sex being the matter wrought, so would I briefly touch the impiety of lust, the mean wo●●●ng, by both which I have been wronged, and by 〈…〉 you may be warned.  
From his fretting frenzy, though of most vile and base condition, neither the mighty Potentate, nor the mean peasant, the valiant victor, nor the cowardly curl, have been or be exempted. And the reason why it so easily overcometh and so extremely outrageth, is for that it promiseth to them trust whom it killeth with blindness, leading men even with willing cords to the pleasant court of vanity, being guarded thither by conduct of Abundance and Prosperity: in which court Gluttony doth diet them, Lechery doth chamber them, Pride doth apparel them, Sloth doth accompany them, and Folly in all things followeth their humours. But whilst Tediousness doth here persuade that none may come to heaven unless they journey barefooted upon sharp pointed booking, Security driveth on his sleepy Chariot, and bringeth them to Hell, as it were on soft Featherbeds.  
Like as fire worketh wood altogether into fire, so Lust wholly alienateth man into lasciviousness: for if once it entereth the eye, it anon scaleth the head, and at length sacketh the heart, and then (alas) the heart by degrees readily delighteth, consenteth, fulfilleth, continueth, despaireth, confirmeth, commendeth, and not (but too too late) repenteth the act.  
This lascivious passion (I say) besides that, that it bringeth wealth to want, great possessions into small purses, it also effeminates the mind enfeebleth the body, slandereth the person, & endangereth the soul: yea it leaveth the body in such debility, that it maketh the same altogether unapt to any good action, and so infe●teth the mind, that it utterly dishaboreth even the least motion to amendment, so that body, mind, and man, become wholly vicious.  
Lust having forerunners, Heat and Wantonness: companions, Scurrility & Uncleanness: pursuers, G●erfe and Repentance: whose matter is Gluttony, whose 〈◊〉 is Pride, whose sparkles is Ribaldry, whose 〈…〉 Infamy, whose ashes is Filthiness, and whose end is 
V●r●is & umbra, flagillum, frigus, & ignis,  
Demonis aspectus, celerum confusio, luctus.   
And albeit the pleasure passeth away in a tri●e, no soon: done but forgotten, and the punishment is permanent, yet so delightful is the present sweet, that we never remember the following sower.   

Cap. 11.  
FRom whence then may we fetch tried medicine to apply to this untoward malady, when Agnus Castus is so geason to cure, and Mandragora so common to procure, believe me my guests, for the avoiding both the mischief itself, and the inconvenience growing thereby, six rules are especially to be observed as maximies.  
The first whereof is Sobriety in diet, for it is often 〈◊〉 that in wine many things are done unadvisedly, saturity working access to venery, and they have been at a wanton banquet willingly conquered, that but even now disdained parley with the assailent. The second is some bodily labour or studious excercise in some honest action, whereby is prevented all such lewd toys, and vain meditations, whereunto the mind, never but well or ill occupied, is easily enticed: for idleness is to a living man a sepulchre, but labour the minds medicine.  
The third is decentness in attire and outward ornaments, the which we are to use for cold, not for colour, as coverings of our nakedness not as allurements to licentiousness: for with the Gods, to intend is to trespass, to will is to work, and in either the offence all one.  
The fourth is discreetly to restrain the liberty of our senses, not so to look on the sun that we dim our eyes with the brightness, not so to touch the berry, that we 〈◊〉 blood with the brier, not so to taste home, that we blessing of the Bee; not so to hear melody, that we neglect modesty, nor so to smell sweet odours, that we sen●e not unsaver is ordoures: but so to see, touch, taste, hear, and smell the enticing lullabies of beauty, and flattering preparatives to Venus, that by forecasting the inconvenience, we may the easilier escape the mischief: for repentance was never but a loser.  
The fift is, seldom words, and those with sobriety, not by evil speeches to corrupt good manners: for what contenteth the ear, to that readily consenteth the heart. And because (if for no other cause) he that is still accustomed to speak ill, is by good reason suspected not to do well, Ribaldry is therefore not slightly to be reproved: for well it is said, that the minds image is the tongue, and sometimes of words spoken but in merriment have proceeded occasions working to a mischief.  
The sixth and last is, To conquer opportunity, whensoever we are offered the executing of our purposed lewdness: for albeit we find the person pliant to perform, the place apt for performance, and the time convenient for performing▪ yet at that very instant should we remember, that we ought not to do all that we would, nor so much as we may, but only that which is lawful and honest.  
But (my good guest) for so much as I cannot but confess that this inordinate petulancy, delightful evil, and sweet poison, Lust, is far more easy to be controlled of all, then corrected of any one, as an infirmity naturally (if I may so say) proceeding from our corrupt flesh, and the opposite thereof more currant in praise, then conversant in practice, I will therefore here lay a straw, and proceed to the matter from which I have thus far digressed.   

Cap. 12.  
ARmatrites and Thetis (for Armatrites was his name) what by sending and resending of often tables and tokens (as I began to tell you) had concluded upon their dishonest enterprise, and making sure of min● absence▪ had many meetings at this my castle: where not simply contenting themselves with shameless coiture, they had also sorted the platform how to have murdered me.  
The night came wherein my death was determined, in which Stratagem disloyal Thetis should have none execution. But as we lay a●bed amorously ●oying, as is the trade of Lovers, she suddenly fetched a deep sigh●, great plenty of tears then also brasting from out her eyes: whereat I no less amazed then grieved, as he tha● esteemed himself so long distempered, whilst I deeme● her in any thing disturbed, making my preparation with a pair or leash of kisses, did earnestly demand the cause of such her passions: but she not able of a long time to utter any word for weeping, at the length clasping her arms about my neck, and repaying my kisses with more than double interest, shifted me off with this sleeveless answer.  
Ah my loving Lord (qd. she) for so much as to disclose the cause of these mine extraordinary tears, the which privately concern mine own self, and nothing at all touch you, would be but the new remembrance of an old sorrow, the which by silence may be in time suppressed, by resightall in memory the deeper impressed, may it therefore please you of pardon, in that I am unwilling to rehearse that, which I would (if it might be) so willingly forget. I being blinded with love, and overtaken with her dalyaunces, and not minding to urge her any father than should stand with her own contentinent, questioned with her no longer as touching this matter: but for that I perceived her mind to be perplexed, I myself was wonderfully disquieted, and so lay musing of all that night, without sleeping any one wink.  
〈◊〉 (believe me) if ever any man were beholding to sorrow, them I of all other have best cause to commend sorrow which kept me awake, and waking alive.  
For albeit he● mischievous mind (I wots not how relenting) did seem now almost reclaimed from such her murderous intent, yet (as she herself afterwards confessed) her new and errevocable zeal to Armatrites had so overmastred reason, that after a long combat betwixt piety and cruelty, as she that would not have attempted any thing to the annoying of me, could she otherwise have attained to the enjoying of him, was fully resolved to have finished my life, if happily of all that night she had taken me napping.  
But I not doubting at all any such wrong measure, having over night appointed with my huntsmen to be early stirring, as soon therefore as day appeared, taking a lovers leave an hundred times at her lips, & leaving her a bed departed towards the desert: where by a strange chance I got intelligence of such their false packing.   

Cap. 13.  
ARmatrites had a very beautiful concubine, who (I know not by what means) finding out the new haune that her sweet heart used to Thetis, seeing herself (as it seemed) to be now scanted of that pleasure which before time she possessed, and therefore not meanly offended at such his treachery, when by no means she could entice home again Armatrites, waxed then stark mad with anger, and not minding to die in his debt, that so discurteouslye had given her the gleek, but envying alike both him and his new chosen traill, sought opportunity to revenge her on them both.  
Scarcely had I gone three furlongs, but that I met her posting toward this place, and although before time I knew her very well, yet anger had now estranged her countenance: but she with ●hese homely salutations thus renewed our old acquaintance.  
Think not thou Wittole (qd. she) that thy gay titles, or thine used or rather abused authority amongst us in these parts, shall so hinder my tongue, but that I dare to tell thee a troth: how cometh it to pass, that thou which oughest to be a punisher of offenders, art now become a fautor of offences? that thou which art so zealous in doing justice abroad, art so partial in winking on vices at home? If the law maker may also be a law breaker, it will be to small purpose that I accuse thee of the often meetings of Armatrites and Thetis at thy castle, thy countenance bolstering their incontinency. But if the breach of law in the magistrate, is more offensive then in the mean subject, for that by his course the unskilful company are chiefly directed, then tell me (thou Pander) how canst thou excuse thyself of injustice, or avoid the reproach of this trumpery.  
What is it possible that the ancient enmity so long time continued betwixt Armatrites and thee, should thus suddenly be grown to so familiar an atonement, as that thou canst be contented not only of an old foe to make a new friend, but also so kind hearted as to hold Thetis with him in coparcinerie? thou challenging thy property by night, and he chambering her as properly by day: it is (belike) his office to keep her warm in bed, whilst thou (as warrantable for thy head, as thy game for their horns) art hunting abroad.  
And lookest thou man so grim, as if thou wert offended I should charge thee so deeply? dost thou blush, as if but even now ashamed of the bawdry? or art thou dumb, as if thou wouldst plead ignorance in a matter so manifest? if thou art offended I am careless of thy displeasure, if ashamed, it is not without good occasion, if thou hast been or didst counterfeit to be ignorant, now say not but thou art sufficiently warned, yea so warned, that even now the time serveth for trial.  
What therefore doth let (unless thou art well enough pleased with such patchery) to proceed in punishment against so detestable harlots? Oh that I had the slitting of the strumpet's nose, and these nails of mine the scratching out of their eyes.   

Cap. 14.  
WHilst she yet persisted in harping forth this and such like untunable harmony, I neither rashly crediting the unsuspected accusation, neither yet obstinately yielding to the partiality of mine own affection▪ leaving her in the middle of this her mad music, returned home long or ever I was looked for, and rushing suddenly into the chamber, I found the naughty packs in bed together.  
Who perceiving me, and being evil ●payed of the presence of so boisterous a Chamberlain, began to rear themselves upright in the bed: but as Armatrites sat hanging down his head as it were dead in the nest, not so much ashamed of the beastly fact wherewithal he was taken, as fearing the disadvantage whereunto his evil fortune had now brought him, I at one sweep pared off his head, even hard at his sweete-harts side. She looking for the like, and I meaning no less, sitting bathed in the gushing●out blood of her paramour, and bitterly bewailing the breach of her loyalty towards me, did of her own accord constantly humble herself to die, offering her naked breast to be pierced of my threatening weapon.  
But had I the heart (think you) to bestow my weapon in that beautiful bosom of hers which I accounted even now the increase of my solace, and de●rease of my sorrows? no no (howsoever you think my head worthy or unworthy the arming) yet will I not omit a verity: thrice my heart fully purposed her death, and thrice mine hand weelded the Weapon to have bereft her of life, but thrice both heart, and hand fainted and failed in performance thereof.  
In the end casting down my partial weapon, and withdrawing myself into an other chamber, after that I had a good while deliberated of the matter, and overchildishly lamented the manner, I resolved upon this determination, that is, that the miserable woman should still live, detesting nevertheless utterly to dispense with her lewdness: and therefore for punishment I enjoined her this penance, never to taste any other sustenance, until time she hath buried within her own bowels, the whole carcase of her lybidanous paramour.  
This penance in my displeasure have I unadvisedly vowed, and this vow at more leisure have I repent, for the suffering is not greater to her, than the sight thereof grievous to me: and were it so (what shall it advantage me to dissemble) that I could without offence, absolve myself of the vow I have taken, I would most willingly dissolve her from the woes she tasteth: but forasmuch as vows made to the gods, are not to be revoked at the discretion of men, I esteem it better, that she by correction become hereafter penitent, then that I by infringing my oath, and she by escaping unpunished, become either of us reprobate.  
Thus the Scythian Lord with wet cheeks finished his tale, and Atys and Abynados were freed of further dread, though not a little grieved of so amiable a Lady her infelicity.  
But after their honourable host had frankly given in commandment, that the dry booles should be plentifully controwled, & that the wine with often quaffing had now animated their courages, in the end the parsonable proportion of Thetis was rather wanton remembered then her penance by them with any extraordinary pity regarded: for they were well, & all was well, & so it commonly fareth with churls, that forget in their chairs the succurles in the cold.  
Thus what with long watching and deep drinking, sufficient quarrel being ministered to the pillow, each man did sacrifice to the god of Ebona, under the harmless protection of whose drowsy deity I now leave them.  
But if any shall inquire farther as concerning Thetis, my answer must then relish after the Oracle at Delphos, that evermore left the certainty of things to uncertain events, and howsoever it happened with or contrary to expectation, yet still the event made good the oracle: it may be, and perhaps not, that Pan hereafter in a second part will pipe more of Thetis, until when, take what I tender for present payment, and what I promise as a desperate debt.  
In the mean, time being desirous to keep others waking with some exercise that may happily tend to their solace, whilst I leave Atys and Abynados▪ sleeping, as the best remedy for their surfeits, I shall make resitall of some matters canvased a shipboard, whilst they two are thus entertained of the Scythian▪    

Belopares. Calamus tertius.  

Cap. 14.  
THe long tarriance of Atys, and Abynados being thus entertained at the castle, caused those in the ship diversly to descant of the matter, every man giving a several verdict as touching the presumed cause of their absence: and by how much they were assured of the fierce manners of the Scythians, by so much they feared the safety of the two brethren.  
But betaking the gentlemen, and the whole company of the soldiers, and sailors aboard, to their natural rest, you shall be partaker, only of the communication that passed between the master, the masters-mate, and the Pilot, whilst these three, not upon any necessary constraint, but of their voluntary consent, undertook to furnish the watch for that night, in their own parsons.  
The Moon wanted nothing of her perfect light, the clearness of the sky, and brightness of the stars adding as it were a second moon in the firmament, tempestuous Orion threatened no storm, neither was any a●er or element contrary the silence of a general calm: these comforts, being in part counterchecks, against the fantastical conjectures of the three careful watchmen, moved them in walking all the night up and down the hatches, to discourse many arguments, and participate diverse strange adventures: and after the ripping up of many dangers, distresses, and shipwrecks which themselves before time had hardly escaped, the evil fortune of Sorares, and his company after whom they were then to inquire, with the present absence of Atys and Abynados then newly missing, did give occasion unto the Maisters-mate to burst out into these speeches.  
My poor parents (qd. he) dying long ago, left me to the wide world, a raw thing God wots, and very young, without either wealth, friends, or wit: so that being left in this dangerous estate, I continued many years as desperate a race, and had I not chanced by hap-hassard, before my too much liberty had made me ripe for the rope, to have gotten into a galley, I had (no doubt) ere this day, with the prize of my neck, paid tribute to the gallows, and therefore considering that I have begone seafaring in youth childishly, have practised it since desperately, and must now continue it of necessity, I need not greatly blush, though I speak somewhat against mine own profession, to the practice whereof, I have been thus by chaunce-medly constrained: but were mine ability such that I could live and leave it, as I am forward to disable and mislike it, I would sooner receive a poor Cottage within the compass of one small City, than a Safeconduct, or (if it might be) a Charter to compass the great and rich Ocean.  
But leaving to speak of myself, I cannot muse enough at those wild younglings, or witless fondlinges, whom neither the affairs of their prince or country compelleth, want of liberty at home constraineth, lack of maintenance enforceth, traffic abroad occasioneth, hope of profit in●yseth, or any other necessary cause procureth thereunto, can notwithstanding be contented to leave their native country and parents, in whom and by whom they have been bread and fostered, their wife and children, unto whom they are by law and nature united, their friends and kinsfolk at whose hands they are to receive counsel and comfort, and in strange countries to consume that their livelihood and substance, which themselves living, might with joy possess, and dead, their posterity should by law inherit.  
Being only carried away, with a fond desire to view unknown nations, and curious monuments, setting forwards in jollity, but sailing forth in jeopardy, launching out in their ruffs, but hailing in, in their rags: yea they are ignorant, that when after this order they fraught the ship with their wealth, they unballace their heads of wit, exchanging their warm gowns for cold jacks, their soft pillows for hard couches, their sweet chambers for stinking cabbens, their brave walks for the bleak hatches, their sweet wine for stolen water, and their fine dainties for gross diets: if sickness falleth (which seldom faileth) Physicians love not the seas, and therefore physic not to be found in ships, as for Chirurgeons their skill is in wounds, but not in urines, so that the poor patient hath (perhaps) leave to live as long as he may, and no man letteth him to die as soon as he will: where sometimes he findeth this friendship, that to rid him of languour, in stead of aqua vitae, they minister aquam marinam, toplinge him over shipboard, some life yet remaining, and then as the sea is his sepulchre, so perchance a Rascals purse is his treasury.  
Neither doth so happy an end as this happen to all, for sometimes the ship runneth a ground, and then both ship and man perisheth, sometimes it lighteth on a rorke, & then speed they no better, sometimes they are boarded by Pirates, and then it happeneth them worser, sometimes through long tempest, victuals consume and they famish: sometimes a storm driveth them perforce upon the costs of their enemies, who either make them bondslaves, or (which is rather to be wished) dispatch them with torments: sometimes are they cast ashore, either in deserts where wild beasts devour them, or else among such people as make food of their carcases: sometimes the meeting billows do clean overwhelm them: sometimes the following waves do quite overturn them, and evermore a thin board only is betwixt them and perishing: so that what with these, and many such lamentable accidents, are they continually endangered, the fear much more tormenting, than the death itself would be grievous.  
And yet (forsooth) all these notwithstanding, some in a bravery must sail unto Mymphis, there to view the Pyramids: some unto Babylon, to see the walls of Semiramis: some unto Caria, to gaze on Mansolus his tomb: some unto Ephesus, to behold the temple of Diana: some unto the islle Pharos, to survey the tower Pharos: some unto Olympia, to look one the ivory image of jupiter: some unto Rhodes, to pry on the monstruous stature of Phoebus: some into one country and some into an other, and all in the end returning (if ever they return) more bitten with their expenses, then bettered by their experience: overmastered by strange manners, that could not be masters of their own affections.  
For as they wilfully leave their friends and Country, so (which often happeneth) unwittingly they forsake their gods and religion: if in Assiria they adored Adad and Adargatin, in Babylon Belus, and in Caldia Ori masd●: the same must worship in Egypt Osiris, and Isis, in Persia Mithra, in Ausonia Faunus, in Mesopotamia, or Hebron a god called jehova: and as in these, so amongst each sundry people must a peculiar god be adored: so that let them account of the rest to be but toys, and trifles, yet this cannot be but a chooke-bone, and scruple to their consciences.  
And as after this manner their religion is altered, so in like sort their manners prove alienated, being enforced, or rather easily enticed, to apply their behaviour according to the several places of their present abode: in Persia to revel in bravery, else no man for their company: in Scythia to live over begerly, else to proud for their society: in Arabia to follow Venery, else excluded their familiarity: to be short, in Parthia they must vomit with drinking, in Thratia live by filching, in Lydia practise gaming, in Sibaria sleep and idleness, in Caspia cruelty and dissembling, etc. Neither is it an easy matter to pacify their native gods (to such an extraordinary care when it chanceth) whose worshipping they have thus estranged, or to leave those vices which with such facility they have learned: but rather it is to be doubted, that by the first they shall be unwillingly cast behind, whilst by the latter they are willingly overtaken: for vanity which is sought for so eagerly, is not shaken off so easily, ver●ue seeming painful, and therefore rejected even in the bloom, but vice pleasant, and therefore affected even in the fruit.  
Neither are these all the evils that grow by such travels, for whereas this unadvised Uente●or did traffic abroad by way of exchange, he retayleth at home for ready coin, nay of a Chapman he becometh a Merchant, and in his own country useth outlandish utterance, there to make return of his farfetched vices: And as one rotten sheep infecteth be it never so great a flock, so one newfangled Traveler impoisoneth, be it never so many folk: and therefore it followeth, that such traveling is harmful to the Traveler himself, hurtful to others, and   

Cap. 15.  
ANd qd. the master intercepting his words, we have enough and to much of your ands and yfs, unless marshaled after a better order: why how now Belopares (so was his name) hast thou thyself confessed that the galley saved thee from the gallows, and yet wilt thou deliver so badly of seafarers? art thou a sailor, and yet of sailors a scorner? and do the seas bring thee thy living, and the same also breed thy misliking? trust me hadst thou hidden thy base pedigree, yet should we have conceived in our minds, what we had not received in our ears, thy gross error is much, but thine unseemly terms more than thine error.  
Thou oughtest (Bellopares) to observe, that as men are borne under diverse planets, so are they of diverse dispositions, not all (iwis) tender hearted Venerians, nor slowbacked Saturnists, but some are valiant minded jovialists, & others wise imprising Mercurialists, etc. who with their valour can make each climate their country, or with their wisdom shift warily in every company, or else (if the worse fall) conquer cross fortune with Magnanimity.  
Thou sayest they leave great felicity at home, and commit themselves to much misery abroad, reckoning that for a folly, which in deed is a rare virtue, for what greater virtue, then to despise enchanting pleasures, I mean pomp and riches the nurses of sensuality, which be either got by wrong, spent by riot, kept with care, consumed by envy, or lost by casualties: so that (if comparison should be made) I might prove that the seas are not more displeasing for perils, than the land perilous for pleasures, to attain, & maintain which pleasures what mischiefs may be numbered, that are not there attempted? Men there for the most part, are either idle and so utterly unprofitable, or else neither idle, nor yet well occupied: some fall to banquets with the appurtenances, & some to bickering with the inconveniences, one blazeth the borrowed beauty of some Circeis, another deformeth himself with fashions: the Usurer he fleeceth, if not flayeth the gentleman▪ the gentleman he racketh, if not overreacheth the farmer▪ the farmer he hoardeth, and so hoisteth the markets: every man shifteth for one, and that one sitteth on the skirts of some other, and himself in his own light: in few, the court wanteth not flatterers, nor the city extortioners, the Priest's avarice, nor the laity Ambition, the bars plaints, nor the benches delays, temples nonresidents, nor Theatres superattendants, schools sects, nor laws quilli●s, Hermaphrodits' maintenance, nor soldiers immunity, good men maligners, nor ill men bolsterers, Cormerants' cruelty nor Beggar's impatience, the rich malice, nor the poor misery, Brothels ribalds, nor Prisons offenders, the Devil work, nor the Gallows use, and yet for brevity I omit a million of mischiefs, whereof in the end, to their own prejudice, the Actors only feel the accidents.  
Because therefore that Beauty bewitcheth none, but her busy inspectors, covetousness catcheth none, but such as are hopled with golden fetters, Gluttony entertaineth none but currant guests to his banquets, nor Pride pranketh up any but intruding courtiers, seeing (I say) that by following the tract, we fall into the trap, and by scenting the bait we swallow the bain, have not those (think you) reason? are not they happy? nay are not they to be honoured? that eschewing these mollifying instigations to vanity, and ensuing mortif●ing contemplations to eternity, loath such security in brave cities and beautiful palaces, and like better a life solitary, amidst the rough seas and wrestling surges: where their fair fingers are not (as occasion serveth) privileged the foul cables, so that their hands being exercised with labours, their thoughts be not inveigled with idle fantasies: and the rather for that opportunity being taken away, no hope remaineth here to practise, what vainly they might purpose: but on the Seas, in a calm they use mirth with modesty, in a storm they pray patiently, and at all times live as if they should die hourly: and if any peril happen, than such peril (say I) prepareth Saints to Heaven, whereas pleasures (feel some) procure souls to hell.  
And yet (Belopares) let us not aggravate the danger otherwise then the case requireth, for as I cannot deny but that perils happen here sometime, so (if I shall speak no more than troth) I must say they chance but sieldom, for which of us three, that have been sailors almost all our days, cannot already assure ourselves to die laden with as many white hears, as commonly the oldest Citizen that dieth, not so much as having viewed the Seas.  
Thou also givest out, that they must worship new gods, and forsake their old religion, but I say that wise travailers pass by safeconduct, & amongst their league friends, are from those matters exempted, either keepimg aloof from where they doubt in these things to be sifted, or else being there rashly or violently arrived, matters may be avoided with such discretion, that without prejudice to their gods, or offence to their own consciences, they may reverently pray in a strange temple, to their known god whose altars are absent, and yet do no reverence at all to the unknown god whose Image is present: for though there be necessity that they kneel by the shrine, yet is it not necessary that they kiss the Saint: in zeal, not in show consisteth devotion, and a speedy return is in such case the surest resistance: or if sifted beyond godsforbod, than a godly martyrdom is a glorious enlargement.  
And not in this only haste thou shot wide, but in the rest also miss the white, that is, in judging so of travelers, I say not Land-leapers (whereof in deed, there are not a few, which leave their country, not for the number of vices which there abound, but for the misliking of a few virtues, which they are neither willing nor able to obey, such as suck corruption as fast from the vicious, as the Toad poison from the earth) but I mean, thou art to be controlled, in judging so absurdly of men betaking themselves to painful travels, either by their prows and activity (wanting the like occasion at home) to purchase renown: by their skill, and venture to discover obscure people, and places beneficial to themselves, and commodious to their countries, or else upon any other good, or the same intentions before remembered: yea were it no more, then to get experience, learn languages, or to avoid idleness: for such as are these men, do not poise their prosperity by the quantity of the external pleasures they forego, but by the quality of the eternal virtues they pursue.  
As for the sundry vices frequented in those countries, by thee severally named, my answer is, that out of bitter shells we have sweet kernels, that in one and the same place, are had precedents both of vice and virtue, and one and the same man may be helped or hindered by either example: the well disposed travailer doth learn to imitate in the good their commendable qualities, and to abhor in the bad their condemnable manners, applying both precedents, good, & bad, to one virtuous purpose.  
More might I say (Belopares) and more would I say, were it not that I know the laudable thing to be of sufficiency enough, not only to contend, but also to defend itself, against all vituperating detractions whatsoever: and therefore I conclude, Such a travailer is well advised at his going out, well amended at his returning home, profitable to himself, not prejudicial to others, but well meriting of all.  
Nay, qd. the Pilot (undertaking to be a stickler in the strife) no more of this matter, enough is as good as a feast, and too much of one thing, is good for nothing: here is a business (in deed) as if all the 〈◊〉 nothing but swallowing whirlpools, and all the shore nothing but consuming whirlwinds.  
But might I moderate your contention, you should divide this sentence betwixt you, that neither sea nor shore are less perilous the one than the other, and yet neither of both dampnifying farther than is permitted by inevitable Destiny, or more truly the Giver & Guider of destinies, who having made both land, seas, and all therein, and with them us, hath (no doubt) reserved to himself the prerogative of a Creator, over his creatures, to dispose of all things after his own pleasure: neither do I think there is any necessity that the travailer, or any other violently become vicious, except the same volentarily desist to be virtuous.  
Nevertheless I dare not be curious in these contingents, that cannot yield any absolute reason of the members, motions, and senses which I daily carry about me in mine own body, neither yet of things inferior to myself, as why the Adamant draweth iron, and letteth lie a Feather, with a thousand such like: only let it suffice that we receive, and receiving, let us be thankful to the gods that are the givers, and wholly to their significat and secret wills refer all our actions: lest by being over-curious, from the Moon we fall into the mire, and not only lose our labour, but for presumption be punished with Prometheus. It shall be less necessary that we be well learned, then that we have well lived, and he knoweth enough, that knoweth himself not to know any thing: and therefore (balking such labyrinths) suffer me, I pray you, to cut of your arguments with a familiar example or two not much impertinent to this your present controversy, whereof I myself have been no small part, and wherein (perhaps) mine experience may more prevail then all your arguments.   

Cap. 16.  
Whilst I was yet a lad and kept in India with my father, I chanced to wander into a great desert not far from home, where childishly colting up and down, on a sudden a terrible Lioness had caught me betwixt her paws: well might I cry out for help, but not any creature was in way to hear.  
The Lioness having whelps in a den, not far from the place where she had thus found me, & minding (belike) to have made a merry banquet amongst her young devils, hailed me apace with her churlish Claws, (wherewithal she pinched me shrewdly) towards her ●enne.  
But see the chance, an other fierce Lioness hap●●● to range that way, who meeting betwixt that and home, with my boisterous hostess and me her bloody guest, presuming at the least wise to be a partner, if not a sole possessor of so delicate a boo●y, began to catch at my tail, thinking so by main force to have recovered me out of the others claws: but my first Customer loath to forego her carriage, one while standing upon me, and an other while traversing round about me, rescued me a long time by that means.  
In the end either of them being so much the more eager, by how much they both suffered for food, began so fiercely to assail each other, that through earnestness of fight, they had withdrawn themselves from me, a great distance of ground: I seeing that, and (as young as I was, not letting slip that advantage, fear making me forget how pitifully I was wounded) did start up in a trice, and was gone in a turn, never daring to look behind me, until I had gotten my Father's house over mine head, leaving the two Lions miserably tugging and tearing one an other, either of them purposing to have devoured me, whilst I (thankfully be it spoken) had thus happily deceived them both: of which hard escape, these scars (he showed them scars) will be during my life, mindful tokens.  
Thus have you heard how strangely my life was preserved on the land, and now shall you hear how miraculously I escaped death on the seas.   

Cap. 17.  
THe first, and the worst voyage that ever I made was into Cicyona, to show the horrors whereof, words will rather seem deficile, than matter defective.  
Three days we sailed with a favourable wind, but on the fourth, arose as it were a foggy mist from out th● Seas, anon the blackness of the sky might not be seen for the darkness of the air: dreadful flashes of lightning seemed to have fired the Seas, terrible volleys of Thunder threatened the shaking of that heavens, & sundering of the earth, shewres of rain poured down, as if there should have been a second general Inundation, the roaring winds skuffle so boisterously from each corner as if Boreas, Auster, Zephyrus, and Eurus had been at odds within themselves, or at one again us: and ourselves wretches were at our wit's end, neither seeing for the dark, nor hearing for the din how any thing should be amended, & yet too too well knew we that every thing was amiss.  
One while the ship mounteth so high, that scarcely we discern the hollow waves from aloft, an other while it sinketh so low that hardly▪ we descry the over-pearing Billows from beneath▪ & though we did account it midday by course of the time, yet might we compare it to midnight by occasion of the storm: what shall I say? not one of us knew what to do, and yet every man was doing something: one plieth the pomp until for weariness he fainteth, another ladeth out water until for weakness he falleth, this man (in vain) repaireth the cracking tacklings, that man (at an adventure) renteth down the sails, some pour forth their prayers, some unpatiently torment their own persons, and some vow sweet incense and oblations, the married man he giveth a pitiful farewell to his absent wife and children, the bachelor nameth his parents, friends, & whom he best loveth, here standeth one fast clinging to a lose board, there another clean stripped to abide his chance, and every man disorderly did that thing, whereunto the extremity of his passion did presently direct him.  
divers days together were we thus continally tossed, having by chance, sea-room at will, but at the last our ship being driven perforce upon a shallow, stack so fast that the only help remaining was to unballance it: the Gold, jewels, precious stuff and Treasure then cast into the Seas, as it was much, so was it not to be valued: but to tell you to whom the same appertained, and to what use they should have been employed, requireth over long a discourse for this time, the which hereafter at the like leisure you shall also understand.  
Unvaluable (as I said) was the Treasure then floung over-boorde, more than sufficient to have ransomed a king from the captivity of his foes, but nothing at all helping to redeem us from the cruelty of the Seas: yet might we have gotten our ship afloat with that cost, we should have thought ourselves to have won by our loss: but (alas) that not sufficing, we were also constrained to cast overboard our provigion of victuals: and so getting at length into the deep, our ship that now wanted her full Ballast, was a fresh in far worse sort than before, tossed amongst the Waves with the blustering Tempest: the which was so extreme, and lasted so long, that (in effect) we rested utterly hopeless ever to attain land: & the rather, for that through fasting and feebleness, we had small use or none at all of our fainting limbs: yet life being a sweet thing, and hunger a sharp sauce, we feed upon whatsoever beast we then found aboard: and afterwards the pitch from the cables, the leather from our shoes▪ yea more homlier matters than I may reverently speak of, we made food for our pining carcases: but these also decayed, the storm continued, & famine increased.  
What might we now do? food we had none, yet likely to famish: labour we could not, yet resting should perish: die we might not, yet living did languish: never were men wrapped in more misery, or distressed so unmeasurably. This (alas) is grievous enough that you have heard, but harder was our hap than thus.  
Whilst we stood rufullye gazing one upon an other, more like to ghosts departed, than men living, our good General Menophis, a noble Duke and victorious Captain, under whose fortunate conduct we had divers times before prevailed in many a hot Encounter, being now 〈◊〉 of an unhappy Embassage from India into Cicyona, looking as ghost-like as any other, and supporting his weak body with a short javilin pight in the middle of the Hat●hes, spoke to us as followeth.   

Cap. 18.  
WEre it so (my evermore courageous, but now comfortless companions) that we once again were in the champion fields of India, enclosed with the warlike bands of Semiramis though five times doubled, yet would I put you in hope either to march after them in a second pursuit, or at the least to make from them the first escape: but (alas) small is the council that I am now able to give, yet somewhat the comfort that thereby you may gain, but no conquest at all is here to be got, knowing that to entreat, or threaten the churlish surges, were more than Follie.  
Only give me leave in this my last, I say my last and unaccustomed exhortation, to prevail, and then assure yourselves, that if this aged carcase of mine sufficiently instructed not to fear death, to be sold into perpetual bondage, or to suffer death itself might be in aught available to you, I would account such bondage a freedom, and such death a flea-biting: for how I have been, & am affectioned towards you, may well appear in this, that I a Duke by birth, and your General by assignment, was notwithstanding the first, before the meanest here that did want to eat, & not the last of this company that did feel the famine: and yet were you eased of this misery, I should not be impatient of much more sorrow.  
Listen therefore I say, how I your careful Captain, not occasioned now (as often times heretofore) to instruct you how and in what manner you ought to fight, am at this time (after a far differing sort) to admonish you, how and in what manner you are to die.  
It either needs not, or boots not, to be offended with Fortune, that can be no other than mutable by name and nature, neither is Fortune, whom it pleaseth the irreligious people to entitle a blind Goddess, any other in deed, than a byname drawn from the Originals, and Events of our mortal actions: but it is the undoubted gods themselves whom we have by some means unadvisedly offended, it is they that punish, and them must we pacify, as those of whose aid we should never despair: for though persecution procureth a death to the body, yet a conscience despairing assureth death to the soul: miserable is distress, more miserable distrust, but most miserable then to fear, when we cannot hope.  
Nevertheless, let us not make our case so desperate, but that (whatsoever shall betide us, life or death) we lay holdfast on patience, the only touchstone of virtue, being pleasure unto pain, comfort to correction, wealth unto want, and death unto death, vanquishing altogether with suffering and not with striving, than which is nothing more victorious, no not death itself: for who are those that death conquereth? even such fools as dread him, and unto whom the only remembrance of death is an horror, such (I say) as willingly become Ghosts, whilst they fear their graves, fearing more in sense than they may feel in substance, and not thinking their pain will be either not great, or not long.  
What should be the cause, that men having Nature their undoubted Author, Reason their assure● Instructor, & Experience their continual Persuader, should nevertheless or ever death cometh, little better than die through the only fear they conceive of death? unless doting to much on their wealth, which they are loath to leave, or else hoping to little of the merciful gods, who then forgive an ill life, when they find a good end: with whom it shallbe never to late too shake hands, as esteeming whatsoever is done well enough, to be done soon enough.  
Yea the rather (my loving companions) have we no cause to dread death, or wish life, that are to die at the appointment of the gods, and not by the judgement of men: for to the Person worthily condemned, death is a double death, it being far more miserable to deserve it, then to suffer it: and yet though it be in the power of men, to judge men, (which I also think to happen but at sufferance of the gods) Nature doth assure death unto all, not granting to any one his life by patent, but at pleasure: and that in such sort, that not the wisest man living can say, there, then, or thus I shall die, and yet sure he is that die he shall.  
Seeing therefore (my good friends) that death is so certain, as nothing more sure, and the order of his coming so unsure, as nothing less certain, and that an honest death is the goal of our lives, how happy are we (if we could conceive of our happiness) that shall die with such favourable opportunity of repentance? well deserving of our country, lamented for of our friends, not laughed at of our foes, yea then when life is yrkenot some unto us: & that not on jeobets, as do Malefactors: not in Prisons, as do Captives: not in Corners, as do Cowards: not in Quarrels, as do Cutters: not in Chains, in our enemy's Triumphs: neither yet suddenly, than which no death is more dreadful: but in a ship which doth argue us venturous: in the Seas, not to be subdued by Conquerors: in our Prince his affairs, as loyal subjects: with famine, which confoundeth Monsters: with fame of former prowess, and by prayer, which shall revive us.  
What can we wish more of the gods, or what should I say more to you, whose delivery is not desperate, but even to sense unpossible, and unto whom (forlorn Souls) death the end of all wretchedness, ought especially to be welcome? Certes no more remaineth, but to entreat you (whom henceforth I shall never more exhort) to be patiented without grudging, penitent without wavering, prepared without despairing, dying to the flesh, and living to your souls, yea lastly, remember I beseech you, that we are no sooner borne into the world, but that we live to die from the world, & therefore ought rather to love whether we must necessarily, then from whence we must of necessity. Thus not able to comfort you as I would, but willingly to counsel you as I may, no more resteth but that I wish the continuance of so grievous a life, to have deliverance by a godly death.  
This said, the noble Duke turneth his face, & we might perceive how the tears trilled down his cheeks: at sight whereof, we that did always reverence him for his Gravity, obey him for his Authority, love him for his Lenity, & honour him for his Liberality, could not but for company weep.   

Cap. 19  
JMmediatlie as he had delivered such his exhortation, one of our weak fellow soldiers suddenly fainteth, falleth down and dieth: but lo, an horrible thing (yet considering that hunger breaketh stonewalles, and necessity suffereth no restraint at that time to be tolerated in us) no sooner was the breath out of the miserable man his body, but that stripping him out of his clothes, like famished dogs, every of us rend some one piece of his starved carcase: whereupon we fed as of such delicate fare, that no gold might have bought the smallest portion thereof: and so pleasant seemed this unnatural refection, that we (erewhile at point, every man to have tired upon his own flesh) did now (as crows the carrion) watch the like opportunity in our fellows: growing in the end generally to this conclusion, that each day Lots should be cast and he upon whom it so lighted, suffer such gentle death as himself would choose, if not as we should devise, and his body to be equally divided amongst the survivors: neither would Duke Menophis our good general, be exempted out of this deathful Lottery.  
diverse days were passed, & diverse Martyred souls had performed this hard Composition: in the end the lot fell to me, so that die I should, and (in good sooth) die I would, neither did any of us all desire to have lived: being persuaded either to perish (and that shortly) in the drenching waves, or by this casual cruelty, or else in the end by famine: and (which was not the least of our griefs) who could willingly abide, to see the butchered bodies of their dear friends, before their eyes, & whilst the flesh yet panted, to be mangled into small gobbets, & dealt about the bloody ship for the others to feed upon? So that therefore, with greater patience than I now live I then prepared to die, mine hungry companions in the mean while, as eagarly whetting their stomachs on their teeth.  
Being almost at point to have given my watchword, to him, that standing at my back, should have smitten of mine head, even at that very instant, a mighty Byllowe mounting up into the ship, had almost overcovered the hatches with water, so that the whole company (the ship being now in great danger) were feign to leave me at my prayers, and I also to leave praying, and all at once to fall to their business.  
In which mean time, a dapper Lad of mine, and as loving a boy as might serve any man, perceiving the storm somewhat to decrease, and the thick clouds beginning to break, had (of his own accord) climbed the Mast, from whence, or ever breathing time served again to have fallen in hand with me, the finishing of whose life they purposed to have made their next work, the boy suddenly crieth: Land, land, land, rejoice my hearts I descry Land: but hearing such news it was needless to bid us rejoice, in my purse I had a round sum which I gave the boy for his tidings, & each of us rewarded him bountifully.  
By this time were the Seas iolyly calm, & the skies perfectly clear, wherefore (as it stood us upon) taking time whilst time served, and as well as we might supplying our brooken tacklings, we ●are the shi●tes from of our backs, to patch up our ragged sails, and clapping on as many as our ship might bear, a merry wind (contrary to all hope) did shortly bring us a shore: though not in the same place where we should have arrived, yet in such a place whereas we were comfortably relieved. Thus as you may see, Land, Seas, & ourselves are subject to one and the same God, and not to Chance.  
THe three sorrowful watchmen, sorrowful I say because not a little grieved at the absence of the two brethren, having with this & such like talk driven out the night, when the morning Star had a pretty while appeared, broke up their watch: and anon Atys and Abynados hollow from the shore, who being made ou● unto with the Boat were merrily received aboard: Where report of new matters was diversly handled, & occasion of more strange adventures (as orderly doth follow) was offered.    

Pheone. Calamus quartus.  

Cap. 20.  
Having thus brought Atys, and Abinados from the Castle to the ship, being bravely under sail, well furtheed with a smooth dangerles Sea, & a gentle whistling wind: & when the two brethren had recounted all they had serve, & the three watchmen the effect of that they had said: Belopares did then challenge the Pilot of his last-nights promise, which was to declare the then property, and purposed employment of those riches, in that unlucky voyage (as before remembered) cast overboard.  
In deed (answered the Pilot) I assumed such a matter, & am ready to requite me of that promise, & now you shall have it as myself did receive it, aswell from the eye as the ear, and thus it was.  
In the beginning of King Selchim his reign, chanced great wars between him & the Indians, but in the end Selchim prevailing, receivied in hostage Staurobates the King of Jndia his only son: this lusty young prince during his abode in the court of Cyciona, became entirely enamoured on Pheone, a gallant & beautiful Lady, & sister to King Selchim: who also with equal love, subjecteth her liberty to his liking.  
When this sweet passion long time, had mutually increased betwixt them, & that it was certified to Staurobates, that his father was dead, & that the Jndians attended his coming & Coronation: Staurobates did both easily obtain a return into his country, and withal King Selchim his glad consent, to match with Pheone.  
But the young Lovers not esteeming it sufficient, solemnly to have plighted their faiths each to other, did also secretly bind up the bargain, with a night's lodging: either of both then severally receiving, and delivering two such Paunes, as neither of both might after possibly redeem.  
Now when love had caused Staurobates long to linger in Cicyona, and that his urgent affairs called him fast away, he sorrowfully taking his leave of Pheone, departed with this promise, that before a certain time (soon after following) were expired, he would send ships to waff her into India: vowing that nothing except death, should hinder that his resolution, no nor death itself, but that by the time prefixed, news of such hindrance should be returned: & so taking her a jewel from off his finger, & whispering certain words in her ear he took ship, the one gazing towards the shore, & the other after the sails, so long as shore or sails might be descried.  
Staurobates at his home coming, found his country invaded by the armipotent Virago S●miramis, whom (which never happened her elsewhere) he encountered, wounded, & lastly chased her mighty troops from out his Territories. wholly delivering himself in a short time of the Assyrians.  
Scarcely was the armour cold from of his back, and the Sceptre warm in his hand, but that (remembering his promise) he dispatched the before named Duke Menophis to Cicyona, from thence to safeconduct his betrothed Lady: sending by him great store of treasure, part whereof presents for King Selchim, part gifts for diverse of his Nobility, & the residue for the honourable furnishing of Pheone.  
But by that time the wars at home were appeased, and (as you have heard) our dangerous sailing avoided, and after so long famishment and bad diet, ourselves in health and strength recovered, the time before appointed on was expired, and yet of all this while Pheone heard no tidings from Staurobates: wheresoever supposing that he had been unmindful of his promise, or at the least purposed to give her the slip, it is said, she fell into these Exclamations.   

Cap. 21.  
ANd is there no remedy unfortunate, foolish, & forsaken wench but that thou must answer so dear an interest, for the cheap love of his so momentary love? must it follow of necessity, because thou wert credulent, that he therefore must be inconstant? is such the event of his lamentable looks, smooth words, and often oaths? ah Staurobates, Staurobates, who would have thought so youthful a Lecher, could have counterfeited so artificially a Lover? but I perceive (alas, to late I perceive) that men make not their false hearts privy to that which their fair tongues seem ruefully to plead: & therefore nature hath left our weak sex in most wretched condition, suffering us over-fervently to love, and giving it to men even kindly to change, making us as wires for their wresting, wax for their working, and fools for their flouting.  
Howbeit before they obtain, than we, who but we, & only we are Idols worthy their sacrifices? they ply us with pitiful epistles, they provoke us with premeditated eloquence, they attire them by the book, & speak not but in print: what have we they praise not? nay, what lack we praiseworthy they feign not? why our gloves, yea our slippers, nay the very earth whereupon we then tread hath (say they) virtue, or else (know we) they flatter: a simple kiss on our hands, is then restoritive to their hearts: but (good gods) for a lovers fee at our lips, they dance in the Air, they cast down their Gauntlets, they couch their Spears, they spur their Steeds, they enter the Lists, yea we rather want wherein to employ their labours, than they in what to please their Ladies. But, Dissemblers, though they level at our parsons, they shoot at our portions.  
And be it so that they prevail, then whether they love still as do a few, a little as do many, or not at all as do most, what other reckoning can we castaways make? but that the first day of their recovery, is the last date of our liberty: that the jealous eyes of the hot lover shall be over attendant, the imperious mind of the lukewarm ask too much attendance, and the third sort (having deceived) shall leave us to our Cares, as Ravens having disclosed▪ do their young to the Air: saving that Ravens after a while return as revoked by love, where these would never retain us at all, if not resisted by law. Thus play they Foxes, and we prove flattered: they Scorpions, and we stinged: they Devils, and we tempted: but who worse than thou Staurobates? and yet wert thou present (changing Churl) I know thou couldst allege no cause of such strangeness, nor I for any crime of mine (except perhaps for trusting thee too much) be justly challenged: as for my beauty, had it been sometimes base, my fortune had been at this time far better. Ah Pheone, desolate Pheone, how mayst thou wind thyself out of these evils, or find redress for such injuries? complain to thy brother? why, admit by war he enforce Staurobates to wed thee? yet no war can enforce Staurobates to love thee, and then much better martyred, so then married: & shouldst thou resolve (which thine overmuch folly will not suffer) to accept his disloyalty as an acquittance of all love, yet so deep is he in thine heart, that for his loss thou couldst not but languish: and more than so (and too much by so much) who then should father the fruit of thy growing womb? but only Staurobates, whom thou rash wanton, over credulent of vows, didst entertain simply as an husband, but not, as the heavens can witness, willingly as an adulterer: howbeit through this thy beastly foolishness, were the crime apparent, as it may not be here concealed, myself am shamed, mine Honour stained, and my death in law deserved.  
What doth it (alas) advantage me now, to have been Daughter to the famous King Aegialeus? the Sister of Selchim, or that my beauty, education, and entertainment have heretofore alured mighty kings Wooers, worthy personages Suitors, and the World wonderers? that must now live obscurely (the Gods wots where, and how poorly) the most wretched Relict of so notorious a Dissembler, or else die a shameful death for my violated chastity: O well had I been if happily interred, or at least wise, by so infamous an Epitaph not survived.  
But what beat I the air with successless words▪ Why do I not rather convey myself into India, where (perhaps) when I shall manifest unto Staurobates the distress wherein I am here left, when I shall humbly prostrate myself at his feet, whom I never wittingly offended, when he shall behold the tears continually gushing from out those eyes which once he loved, when my tongue shall discourse a lamentable tale, and my sorrowful gestures affirm the same to be credible, when I shall charge him with his promises and vows, and lastly, when I shall disclose (my folly, but his fault) my great belly, Then (which I shall account amends for all wrongs) Love, pity, Fear, or Shame shall again win, for whom I now wish.  
But (fool) what words are these? wilt thou herein also bewray thine error? troth it is (Pheone) the gods accept the humble complaints of oppressed souls, but Staurobates not therefore will confer with poor Suitors: the Gods be merciful, but he majestical, and over-proud a Physician to minister unto so mean a Patient: doth he not now disdain of thee that art his equal? and shall he not then as a Runagate forbidden thee his presence, as frantic command thee to silence, as offensive enjoin thee punishment, or as cumbersome adjudge thee death?  
O succourless estate of mine. O world not loved but for my womb, and it the Map of all my sorrows, for which nevertheless and not else I yet live, as expecting a comfortable child, in place of so unconstant a Father. And yet, Staurobates, thou canst not work to Pheone such ill, but that Pheone wisheth unto thee so well as not for her greatest wrongs, to crave the meanest revenge, yea (to pleasure thee yet more) as my love is already remote from thine heart, so of my person I henceforth deliver thine eyes: O unkind Staurobates, ah unhallowed Pheone.  
With such like passions as these being tormented with jealousy, though in deed not threatened any such ieoberdie, did Pheone a while drive forth the time: until in the end, not able any longer to hide that swelling sickness, which she knew to be other than a Tympany, one morning betimes, she secretly windeth herself from out the Court in disguised apparel, not to be recovered by any search, or heard of by any inquiry.  
After which her departure, within less than a seven-night Duke Menophis and we arrive at Cicyona: but intelligence being there had of this evil news, making short tarriance there, we resaile (with sorrow enough) to India and certify to Staurobates our evil adventures on the seas, with the heavy tidings of Pheone her missing.  
Staurobates, who had pitifully heard the report of our mishaps, and took most patiently the loss of his so great treasure, hearing now such news of her whom he loved as his own life, fetching pitiful sighs, and eftsoons falling into perilous sows, could hardly be revived, wanting little but that he had presently died: and long after, remained at point utterly to have forsworn wiving, by reason that Fortune had even then so awkly annihilated his Commencing, when having already his Grace, he accounted himself a Graduate.   

Cap. 22.  
BUt what is it that time doth not determine, or at least wise diminish? divers years after (he yet continuing a broken bachelor) when his pensiveness was grown from a wound to a scar, he arrived at Cicyona, there familiarly to visit his old friend, and brother in law that might have been King Selchim, who gladly gave him entertainment answerable to his magnificence.  
During the time of Staurobates his now abode in Cicyona, Marpissa King Selchim his only daughter and heir, a perfect blossom of beauty, a matchless Paragon for parsonage, perfected by Nature, and polished by Nurture, and one whom Envy itself could not in any wise impeach, occcupied so great a portion of now more hers than his own heart, that Pheone was then diszeased, but Marpissa seized, the Aunt dismissed, but the Niece admitted, the one lacked, but the other loved.  
Staurobates therefore, first moving Selchim of this match, and there prevailing, did secondly make love to Marpissa, but there failed: howbeit like a wily wench, she finely smootheth him off with such dilatory answers, that cunningly she leaveth herself at liberty, and giveth to him nevertheless cause to play on the bridle, for he assured himself of nothing more, than that he had gotten a wife, when she persuaded herself of nothing less, then to take him for husband.  
There was at that time in the Court, attendant upon a young Duke, which Duke had been, in vain, a long suitor to the Princess, one Chrysippus, known to be no other than a rich merchants son of the same City where the Court than lay, but yet a youthful Gallant, and a braving Courtier: he at the commandment, and in the behalf of the Duke his master, used often repair to Marpissa, and had much conference with her as touching the same Duke his love. But she carlessly neglecting the courteous proffers of the master, did contemplatively respect the comely parsonage of the man, who being scarcely xviii. winter's old, both for activity, manners, and well making, was (at the least wise in her eye) not second to any.  
This Chrysippus, I say, this affiansed factor, & favoured Solicitor, was the only sleeping Endymion secretly kissed of Phoebe, & (so farforth as her love wanting a second consent, might extend itself) to Galatea an Acis, to Venus an Adonis, and to Marpissa the first of her love, or the last of her life. Wherefore after that she had with earnest & long endeavour sought to resist undesistable love, at the length taking courage boldly to persist, she entereth with herself into these Arguments: What reason hast thou (Marpissa) to contend with Love, that is both restless and unreasonable, adding so to fire fuel? or what standest thou upon these over-curious points, thy father's displeasure, Chrysippus his Pedigree, or thine own Modesty? when the first may be pacified, or else by means avoided, for from whom we are derived by birth, to them what can we more return than reverent minds? but to whom we are driven by love, from them what may we less withhold than our own parsons? yea Marpissa thou mayst also reverence as a daughter, and love as a wife, and yet the later not prejudicial to the first. Secondly, and as concerning Chrysippus his Pedigree, or Poverty, what is that to be respected? seeing thou dost delight in his parsonage, not descant of his parentage, whose virtue doth countervail the want of Nobility: for better the man lacking wealth, than wealth lacking the man. Thirdly, what shouldest thou be more nice than wise? that art therefore to be pardoned because in love, and who is ignorant that love respecteth no persons? for howsoever in all other things happeneth a superiority, yet Nature that hath given to us alone Birth, one Breath, and one Death, in this one only thing remaineth uncorrupt, and is to all alike indifferent, making Phoebus a Shepherd, and Hercules a Cotquean: but admit the Discord, yet marriage maketh the Concord.  
Marriage (qd. I) yea but all the craft in catching, and cunning in keeping: I marry Marpissa, this was sweetly spoken if fair words might win him, but Chrysippus is no Pigeon to be taken with a bean, nor a child to be enticed with a Ball, he may be perhaps a Lover, but not love for loss, and will more esteem a dowry that is bountiful, than a King's Daughter though beautiful. Alas Marpissa, what dowry canst thou bring him? Ah, Death, if he be taken: Banishment, if he escape: and Poverty, howsoever he speedeth? Wherefore if thou wilt love him, then lean to love him, but that (alas) will never be, except thou also leave to live. Nay, rather move the question, and afterwards dispose of thyself according to his answer: they are more than miserable, that seek a sword to perish on the point, before a salve to apply to their pain: the vexed parson that in most anguish, crieth out to be delivered of grief, the same would not with the least violence, be then dispatched of life: speak Marpissa now, or else never speed, sue to him for love, that perhaps would, but fears to attempt thee in the like: thou shalt, no doubt, obtain, he is neither discourteous, nor timorous, & so constant a Partner shall the rather make him venturous of the peril.   

Cap. 23.  
LVpus in fabula, labouring yet in these passions, she perceived Chrysippus dancing attendance, about the pursuit of the Duke his love: whom (more for that she had now a new plea of her own to ply, than upon any will to hear the old pleaded cause of his master, the which she had already both in thought, & by word dismissed) she calleth into a withdrawing chamber, where giving him entertainment more than usual, but yet no more than stood with modesty, they enter into this Dialogue.  Mar. 
WHat news Chrysippus? My Lord your Master is (I hope) satisfied, and not offended, with the return of my late answer: if then your hither Repair be not his Reply, but your own preferment, give me leave to intrude myself a dealer in your demand, and doubt not of my diligence to whomsoever, and for whatsoever in your behalf.  Cr. 
Neither is it possible, Madam, my Lord should be satisfied, being so unfortunate in your love, or your Ladyship offensive to him that only to you hath vowed all duty: as for my hither Repair, it is humbly (as before) to prosecute his Succour, whom you may presently esteem the very Substance of sorrow: and lastly, for the receipt of such your so gracious offers, unworthy Chrysippus sayeth himself disabled, to measure part of that thankfulness to your ladyships ear, which without all measure, is contained in his heart.  Mar. 
Few thanks may serve, where benefits are so small: but Chrysippus as it would not hurt me to be more amiable, so would it help the Duke to be less amorous.  Cr. 
As touching your Ladyship I answer, that to a Perfection a Supply were needless, but as to my Lord I say, that persuasion, or dissuasion were bootless: for so far off is he from being clear of that, which to all lovers is common, that then he forceth most for you, when he heareth himself least favoured of you: and yet to couple up at the loss, would, saith he, argue an idle Huntsman.  Mar. 
But to be still at loss is tedious hunting.  Cr. 
Yet hope of finding rebateth from such tediousness.  Mar. 
You speak in clouds, Chrysippus, how mean you that finding?  Cr. 
As doth my Father find my Mother, sometimes at board, sometimes in bed.  Mar. 
A brief construction, but all the better for Staurobates thinking to find me so.  Cr. 
And this a bad comfort, and all the worse for my Lord threatened to lose you so.  Mar. 
Well, Suresby well, I perceive were the case yours, you that are for an other so earnest, would be for yourself importunate.  Cr. 
What I could be (Madam) that resteth, but what I should be that is evident, wiser (my thinks) then to run on so sleeveless an errand, or prosecute so bootless an action.  Mar. 
Yet even now you maintained, that a man persevering in love, may prevail at the length.  Cr. 
Then did I argue for my Lord as a Lover, now do I answer your Ladyship as Chrysippus, who in loves May seethe included no end.  Mar. 
But in the same May is expected an end: and in the Ebb not to watch the Tide, is to lose the Tide through negligence.  Cr. 
But in the Ebb, say I, such a watchman may swealt with heat, starve with cold, or tire with tarriance: only he watcheth well that findeth the tide fit for his passage.  Mar. 
If to try the constancy of men we linger a while, is it not (think you) good policy?  Cr. 
Yes, if in that while, to kill me with languor you account it no bad victory.  Mar. 
But should women consent lightly, their Lovers would conceive over lewdly.  Cr. 
But because they are Lovers, therefore ignorant that coy wenches, are, for the most part, cunning wantoness.  Mar. 
As who would say, when men be wilful in love, women must then be witless in choice.  Cr. 
Wilful fools indeed, are fair Gamesters, pitiful Soldiers, & faithful Lovers, and (under your ladyships correction be it spoken) so wise in their choice oftentimes are women, that whilst they desire to be wooed, & disdained to be won, it fareth with them as with hobbies, that turning tail to the Lark, make wing to the Dorre  
Say (Chrysippus) we be Hobbies, so you serve us as Falconers, granting us to seize, where we happen to sousse: as sweet a morsel iwis to juno (had their love been currant) was Ixion as jupiter, and to jove, Io as juno, and the reason is, love feeleth no lack: howbeit such doings make not to us for documents: you speak of disdain, but where I pray you, were constancy to any, should we be alike courteous to all? and (yet forsooth) if we remove any for comeliness, we anon are rebuked for coins: when (credit me Chrysippus) in love diverse things may diversly hinder, amongst which not always Obstinacy, but sometimes and chief want of Opportunity, for they that bandon the ball mark not ever the Chase: myself for example may (and perhaps do) bear an especial liking to some one man, but look not (think you) my parents, and friends to like or mislike of the match? yes Chrysippus, put case yourself might win me without their Consent, yet I guess it would grieve you so doungerously to conclude.  Cr. 
Be this coins, or be it comlmes, sure I am that love it is not: for love straineth curtesitie with friends and parents, shaketh hands with wealth and pleasures, yea it biddeth life and all farewell, love (if love it be in deed) is of such efficacy.  Mar. 
Tush Chrysippus, you now talk of Apollo his laughter.  Cr. 
And why not Madam, of Apollo his love? he with infinite others have done the like: why myself, were I a lover would do no less: but what better precedent then that of my Lord? who presently is at point to perform fully as much, or might any thing be more than loss of breath, ready also for your love to fulfil that more. If therefore not offending good manners, I might guess in jest, at what I wish in earnest, I would level at my Lord to hit your Lover, that one especial man I mean standing (as is partly confessed) so highly in your ladyships favour, because than he, no man hath better deserved the good hap of so gracious a Lot, as is the prize of your love.  
When Marpissa had thus privily felt Chrysippus his pulses, although not beating so amorously as she did wish, yet bringing opportunity to utter what she would, not omitting therefore so good an occasion she saith.  
I cannot tell (Chrysippus) whether I may think you Cavilous in threatening kindness where none is, credulent, in believing what at no time was, or constant in pursuing, what shall never be: but methinks your labours already lost in the Duke his behalf, might long since have dissuaded both him, & you from groping after a Shadow, as much more now, Staurobates being a Competitor, from gaping after a Substance: nevertheless not tired with a dead effect you harp still to a deaf hope.  
That I may therefore remove such errors (besides that my father no longer ago then yesterday last, promised me in marriage to Staurobates, which Banes also I mean to forbid) I swear by yonder Sun, I have been, am, and mean to be so far off from matching with the Duke, that henceforth I protest never more to talk with him, or with any other soliciting his love: wherefore (good Chrysippus) cease to counsel him, or entreat me any further herein, & let him also suffer himself to digest this, a final answer.  
But Chrysippus, although silence (may you perhaps think) would be more seemly in a Maiden, yet because I am urged by love violently, by your demand willingly, and by posting occasion of necessity, to direct you as it were by the hand to my heart, I will not in danger be dainty: but reveal to you the man, said to have subdued my liberty. What should I more say? nay what might I with modesty less say, or at the least, suffer you to aim before I name? than that (here tears drowning her words, gave a short pause to this that followeth (thy self) my dear Chrysippus art that one whom I long time have loved, do love, & will love.  
And if this thing seemeth ambiguous for liklyhoode, or strange for love, then for further trial command me, yea presently command me, for that the shortness of the time promising an over-speedy marriage betwixt Staurobates, & me can suffer no long delay, to disrobe myself of this rich attire, & so disguised to follow thee wheresoever my Conductor.  
Doubt not my sweet friend (I would I might aswell call thee husband) but that making an easy escape from hence, we may live as contentedly elsewhere: & being lawful wedded (for that is the bounds of my love) mutually have fruition of loves delight, & that not in want, I being provided of jewels a light carriage worth abundant of wealth, neither may they want that faithfully love: much is it that I leave, but much more would I lose, only to win thee to myself: for Chrysippus, from the first day that I viewed (God grant I may say, luckily viewed) thy face & parsonage, I wholly have settled myself only thine own, wherefore neither scorn, nor fear to enjoy what only is thine, or at the leastwise, let her presently understand thy pleasure, whose good, or bad days wholly consist on thy good, or bad answer.  
The tears thus stopping her words, she wringeth his moist fist amorously betwixt her delicate hands, & having dried her eyes, thus proceedeth: if happily Chrysippus, you find aught of modesty escaping my tongue, impute the same to the integrity of love, the necessity of speedy dispatch, the answer of your own question, and to your own late speech against coyness. And so Maidenly bashfulness, hardly restraining a conjunction of lips, she endeth to speak, and beginneth again to weep   

Cap. 24.  
CRisippus, albeit he did palpably behold, feel and hear this angelical Temptatrisse, and her sweet Incantations, yet stood he still like a headless fly, marvelously amazed, and hardly parswading himself but that he had seen some vision, or in a dream heard that melodious harmony, or rather accounted by him (an unpractised Songster) jarring discord, as by his answer appeared: for feeling perfectly that he did wake and not sleep, that he looked on her with open eyes, that had thus lovingly laid open to him her heart, because he had never yet received prest-mony, or thought to have marched after loves Onset, a beautiful blushing made him seem more lovely, but his ignorance in love to answer thus absurdly.  
When Serpents (qd. he) but hiss, than no man so foolish as to trust them, but until women sting, few men so wise as to mistrust them: your grace (I know) expecteth an answer, and I fear more to offend rudely, then that your Ladyship will pardon readily.  
Is it possible that you so beautiful a Lady, the only daughter and heir of a king, forsaking those personages, whom for their worthiness in every respect you might well fantasy, should forsake them, and your liberty, and betake you to me, that am (as you know) no more, if so much, than a poor gentleman, the son of a Merchant, whose wealth in his storehouses is more than his gentry with the Heralds, and my countenance (such as it is) in the Court, more than the coin he can leave in his Coffers, with whom: you cannot live but in exile, and danger? is it possible I say, you should so much embace yourself, as to embrace so homely an husband as is Chrysippus? no Madam, no, Chrysippus feareth he should climb to high, if Marpissa should f●l so low, or perhaps hath learned by others ●osse, that a pleasant foe doth easily supplant.  
Yet (pardon me Madam) I will not judge, but that your Ladyship may intend the same love, you outwardly pretend: which admitted, what else followeth? but that you prising so cheap your love should be overgreat a Loser, and I buying so dangerous abargaine a sorrowful Gainer: for kings have eyes that pierce into every Cramnie, ears that hear in every company, and hands that stretch into every Country, in whose affairs but only to aim, is little better than to hold the Wolf by the ears, or to walk upon right narrow Bridges, over most deep Fords,  
Seeing therefore (Madam) that such love would be so much loss to you, such danger to me, & so prejudicial to us both, let it suffice, that I humble even the knees of mine heart, to acknowledge your so rare bounty, and vouchsafe the same to impetrate pardon, for denial of so unprofitable proceedings.  
When Marpissa heard him make this unkind Conclusion, a bitter Acceptance (thought she) of so bountiful an Offer only replying with cutting sighs, and shaking her mistempred head, as who should say, ah dessolat wench I, & hardhearted wretch thou, she sorrowfully departed to her lodging, whether by the tears trickling from down her eyes, she might have been tracted: leaveing Chrysippus all alone in the same place, where they had thus talked of this evil hanselled love: who seeing her thus suddenly gone, returned then to the Duke his lodging, certifying to him the evil success of his suit with Marpissa.  
Well qd. the Duke (setting a good face on a bad matter) what remedy but perforced patience? they that may not love where they would, must leave when they may: and for aught I see the loss would be light, were the fondness of mine affection less, for it is commonly seen, that praying Haggardes, and peevish women as they are caught when they would not, so they check when they should not: Thus did he smooth Brag, & smite Beauty, when his thought might well have controlled his tongue, bidding Chrysippus farewell, whom love did thus welcome to his lodging.   

Cap. 25.  
HIs Pedantie (the weather being moist) brought dry slippers to put on his feet, the Master (his wits being on wolgathering) having more need of warm carchifes to bind on his head, the which was now become a hive of bussing Bees, not standing as he thought, on his shoulders, but hanging by Geometry: he knoweth not sweet youngling, what love meaneth, & yet he loveth, he would not love, and yet could not but love, yea and that so fervently, that having acquainted himself but a small time with the Copesmate of love, Solitariness, he might have been used in a Consistory of lovers in place of an Anothomie: being so much the more wretched, by how much himself was the Author of his own wretchedness▪ in forslowing golden Opportunity, the smiling handmaid of Fortune.  
But as love did triumph over Chrysippus, so the same fury did tyrannyse over Marpissa, who (a tolerable fault in that sex) lived with as small felicity, as she loved unfortunately: but yet not utterly hopeless of better success, she thought it labour not altogether lost, to finish that reply in written tables, at their last departure begun only by pitiful gestures: the which purporting many loving arguments, interlaced also with some desperate conclusions, were by her messenger delivered to his perusing.  
When Chrysippus had (with joy enough) viewed & reveiwed those plausable lines, he by the same messenger thus reanswered in, writing, her letters.  
SO often do I accuse myself of cowardice (most worthy Lady) as the hardiness of the silly Snail meeteth my remembrance, whose courage is such, that the bold worm is seen, venterously to climb the tops of the most loftiest Towers, when (to say troth) I through Timeritie have baulked the proffered bounty of you: a Lady then whom liveth not any more lovely: in excuse whereof, I infer the cause not to be any mislike of the matter, but a mistrust of the manner, no defect of willingness, but my too too unworthiness, no light acceptance of your so rare beauty, but the unlikelihood of so strange bounty: wherefore seeing that fear only hath been my fault, I hope your courteous nature (sweet Lady) will make a favourable construction of my childish error, for the which I have already performed such extreme penance, that had I not conceived hope of life by your writing to day, death no doubt had taken away both hope & life before to morrow.  
For my passed simplicity I ask pardon, & of my following fidelity I crave trial, forgive the one, & affy in the other: to whatsoever affairs, you shall employ my service, to that only office shall I apply all duty: & what you henceforth account but an error, that same shall I conclude an heresy: only live (Marpissa) to continue your love, or Chrysippus dieth to end his languor.  
Your Graces more willing than worthy, Chrysippus.  
From this day forwards, they enjoyed the benefit of many amorous meetings, and in conclusion, of their unsuspected familiarity proceeded a secret marriage.  
Anon after the time drew fast on, wherein a marriage should have been consummated betwixt Marpissa & king Staurobates: but she and Chrysippus rather careless of their lives, then inconstant in their loves, fled together from the Court, more privily, then providently as happened: for long were they not absent but by & by miss, the Ports, Havens, & whole Country being narrowly laid for their apprehension: so that not able to flee far, that were pursued so fast, they might not be more covertly hid than they were curiously sought, & in the end as crookedly found.  
When the two Loves were brought into the presence of the two kings, Staurobates (sweeting in a new chaff, as cast in his second account) sendeth as fierce looks at Chrysippus that had so forstalled his marriage, as did Selchim a stern countenance at Marpissa that had thus disobeyed his meaning, who adding these following speeches, proceeded also to a terrible sentence.   

Cap. 26.  
WHy suffer I the presence of thee so dishonest a child, by whose practice I am become so dishonoured a father? why have I been so careful of thy welfare, that art so careless of thine own preferment? were it not (thou impudent Strumpet) that I rather shun to be noted of impatience, in giving the bridle to my just anger, then doubt to be charged of injustice, in punishing so unjust a Trespasser, this heart of mine could readily consent, these hands willingly contrive, and these eyes gladly behold that thy carcase (mine only deed) dead beweltered in blood before my face, and trampled upon with my feet: but live harlot, I say live yet a while, that hast already lived over long to me, & no less unluckily to thine own self: that I am offended and thou the offender thou shalt anon feel, if (contrary to kind) the devouring wild beasts in the deserts shall not show more courtesy, than I justly occasioned, pretend pity.  
Believe me, thy light looks have made me before now suspicious of thy lose life, as always more fearful to prevent the danger that might proceed of thy wanton gestures, them careful to recover thee of any thy sicknesses, esteeming it less difficile to encounter my open enemies in battle, then easy to countermand the secret Assalants of they beauty.  
This fear is incident to careful fathers, that are sped of such amorous daughters, for whom, and that or ever they are judged marriageable, besides dowries more than easily disbursed, thankfully accepted, or profitably employed, must also be provided husbands, lest they (impatient of tarriance) procure unto themselves Paramours: yea rather than such haste (with a vengeance) should be hindered by non-sufficiencie, the loving Pigeons will first or grow in their Shoes, or walk on their Toes, or add to their Years or subtract from Childishness, or if yet disabled) suffer perhaps a large trial, before a long suspicion: better knowing to entertain a Lover at Thirteen, than to obey a Father at Thirty. Let us proffer a wealthy match, and a man personable, the simpering Saints will then, on God's name, live still maidens, or have change of excuses not to marry, when anon after themselves fantasying or flattered of some jack or Clinchpoupe (bag they first, or beg they after) must, in the devils name, marry, or not live patiently Maidens: thus their first and chief study is husbands, and their last, and least care housewifry.  
But (am●●●us peat) seeing thou didst refuse to be a Queen to Staurobates, and hast rather chosen to be a Quean to Chrysippus, whilst the one doth abhor thy lightness, the other shall abye his liking. Wherefore my sentence is, that of thy d●ath the savage Monsters do execution: yet to thee, before thou pass to this punishment, the heart of this Lecher thy Lover (a gift, no doubt, more precious than the price) shall be delivered, that as living on lust, I cannot term it love, of two, framed one mass of wickedness, so (perhaps) dead, the bowels of one Beast, to either heart may afford one, and the same Tomb.  
Then commandeth he that Chrysippus should be forthwith bound, and his heart (a present for Marpissa) to be car●●ed from out his body: When the afflicted Lady, hardly obtaining audience to utter these few words, said.  
Alas, my dear Chrysippus, how dainty a dowry hast thou found my love? how merciless a father in law hath thy wise given thee? I would the price of my life might purchase thy liberty: but (alas) I wish too well, to obtain so well, let it therefore suffice for a poor comfort, that thy Marpissa is gladly thy death's Companion.  
Chrysippus hearing these sweet speeches to proceed from her, that had the present Possession, and promised Reversion of his heart, not being suffered to acquit words with words, did only manifest the integrity of his unremovable love, by often kissing the deadly Instrument, that should anon bereave him his heart, promised to Marpissa as a present.   

Cap. 27.  
THe brute of this severe sentence, thus passed upon Chrysippus and Marpissa, brought thither many pitiful beholders to have seen the threatened Tragedy. Amongst the rest, whilst this beautiful Couple prepare to offer up their lives, as pledges of their constant love, a very fair, and most comely woman, who heretofore had been Nurse to Chrysippus, and ever after until that day, had been entertained in the service of the Marchantman his father, the tears abundantly steaming from out her amiable eyes, in great anguish casteth herself at the feet of the two Kings, and saith.  
I● so be (merciful, or merciless kings) you grant unto me a silly woman like liberty of speech, as you have given cause of sorrow, then shall I commend your clemensie towards me, that cannot but condemn your cruelty towards these two, whose answering ages, combined affections, agreeble complexions, and what so else, & more than you know of gaining by equality love, are in either so concurrant, as (in my judgement) you might rather wish what is already happened, then withstand that which is now helpless.  
But lest I also swallow up that in silence, which uttered, may, perhaps, rebaite from their sorrows, I shall now (as enforced thereunto) disclose long hidden secrets. You will mutter when I shall Affirm, but marvel when yourselves cannot but Confirm, that Chrysippus may claim no less Nobility from his Progenitors, than Marpissa Honour by her Parentage, that he is an Husband not unworthy such a wife, that the Issue (Selchim) of thy father's child is not of more royal blood, nor the Son (Staurobates) sprung from thy loins more noblier borne, you will muse (I say) when yourselves shall avouch this that I avarre: Wherefore let it not aught aggravate to his punishment, that Chrysippus, ignorant of his right parents, acknowledgeth himself the son of a Merchant, or that from these homely paps of mine (less pleasing then in times passed) he hath sucked nourishment: but know Selchim, that he is the natural son of Pheone thy neglected sister, she the contracted wife of unconstant Staurobates, he the unnatural father of condemned Chrysippus, and myself (Selchim, and Staurobates) the same Pheone whom (happily) either of you hath longer lost, than lacked, and the one of you (no doubt) longer lacked then loved, albeit, Staurobates, at thy departure, and at the delivery of this Ring, thy flattering tongue could then whisper: That mine absence should be bitter, and the delay of my presence Death.  
Now therefore, if the one of you will deal graciously with his desolate Sister, & the other gently with his well deserving Lover, & either of you naturally with your distressed Children, them at the least, be to them mere Strangers, rather than so merciless Parents: yea remember (Staurobates) thou mayst not retain Marpissa but by lust, Pheone being already entertained thine own by Law, whose life ought to stand betwixt thee, and a Bigamus.  
By this time, and whilst she was yet speaking, Staurobates having perfectly fixed in the eyes of his memory, the well known face and countenance of the amiable Oratrisse, giving a sign to the Tormentors for stay of Execution, earnestly embraced the Heroical Nurse, saying: Well mayst thou divine of the prosperous success of thy demand, when no creature living can be so welcome to this place, as art thou the Demaundent. Think not that the homeliness of thine habit, unworthy thine honour, or any alteration whatsoever hath so beguiled my senses, or estranged my love, but that I gladly acknowledge myself the husband of Pheone, & thyself th'only she whom Staurobates accepteth for wife.  
Ah Pheone, had not thy misdeem been more than my misdeeds, than had not not thy jealous love happened so much to both our prejudice. But now well is me, and thrice happy be this hour, wherein I re●ew whom I never did but love, nor ever will but honour, thee my dear and only beloved Pheone.  
And then as he alleged in his excuse, those reasonable causes before touched, king Selchim no less joyful to hear tidings of his Sister, than was Staurobates glad to hau● found his wife, embraced her with as much love for a brother, as did the other for an husband, she as naturally resaluting, and reconciling herself to either.  
Chrysippus and Marpissa were now delivered from bands, and after many joyful tears, their passed marriage was also gladly confirmed by either parent, especially Staurobates demeaned exceeding great joy, for the recovering of his unknown son: of whom, and of her own absence, Pheone in effect this reported: That at Staurobates his departure into India, she finding herself overtaken with his dalliances, that had left her neither Maid, widow, nor wife, and not hearing from him according to appointment, did therefore as well to avoid the law, which was death, as the shame of her fault, which was her great belly leave secretly the Court, & in the Deserts was delivered of Chrysippus: whom (being at point otherwise to have perished) she swatheled up, decking him with much gold, and many rich jewels, and laid him in a Path, by which a homely country Matron usually passed, to milk her Cattle in those Deserts, herself in the mean while, privily watching the event of this her devise.  
And how this good woman finding so fair a Boy, and so fat a booty, presented the poor fisherman her husband with such her findings: when thereupon herself (simply arrayed) repairing unto their Cottage, and ask a entertainment became Nurse unto her own son. Then lastly, how the Fisherman by this windfall greatly enriched, & long sithence become a Marchantman in that City, not having any child of his own had adopted Chrysippus (being utterly ignorant of any other Parentage) his Son. This she told, & a general Plaudiat dissolved the joyful assembly.  
HEre is (qd. Abynados) love upon love, and lovers by huddles, a discourse (trust me) frivolous in telling, fruitless in hearing, but most foolish in Action: such love being (in my conceit) so far off from love, that I rather think it a doting Frenzy, and enemy to Reason, roving headlong upon Impossibilities: for were it that such loving fools could temper their Extreme, with a Mean, then would they love with more discretion, or leave with less damage. For not improperly may love be compared to the sore called an Oncom or Felon, which beginning at the finger's end, and by sufferance falling into the joint doth hazard a Mahem, or at the leastwise a Cure: so love beginning at the eye, & by sufferance descending to the heart doth threaten life, or at the leastwise Reason: as the one therefore at the first is to be scalded, so th'other is presently to be suppressed, for without a timely violence, either Malady is incurable. With such like discourses did Th'assirians cut the calm seas, & descrying a strange ship at anchor not far off, upon occasion, did also the like, riding as near to the unknown ship as they cold: where not omitting to inquire after those in Quest of whom they thus sailed, occasion of that which now ensueth, was taken.    

Deipyrus. Calamus quintus.  

Cap. 28.  
IT happened that after many gentle salutations passed and repassed on either part, it grew in the end to such familiarity, as neither Company doubted at their own pleasures friendly to board and reboorde each others: and whilst the rest feast merely, and are tied to the Can by the teeth, Atys made a long and lamentable report to Tymaetes the Lycian Captain (for the strange Ship was of Licia) of the miss, or rather loss of Sorares, and his company, saying thus hath Fortune assailed the Father, and now assaulteth the Children, triumphing his on Bale, and threatening our Bliss.  
And no marvel, answered Tymaetes, considering that Fortune is only constant in inconstancy: and as touching Bliss, it may be your opinion is heretical, for that true Bliss, in deed, performeth a perpetuity, whereas the flattering pleasures of this world, cannot promise one hours certainty, and therefore it may not be aptly termed Bliss, whereof a change is to be doubted: and yet to attain, or rather to attempt the sweetness of a clear conscience, to exercise Uirtue, to combat with our Affections, to eschew evil and do good, to love all and hate none, and to live in the world as not of the world, are (no doubt) great arguments of blessedness, but no full assurances of Bliss, for that none may be said blessed, until his last gasp hath dissolved him from his natural infirmities, and then, and not before followeth blessedness, the stipend of virtue.  
As for worldly Prosperity, I esteem the same nothing less than prosperous, as a thing whose sour never faileth, and whose sweet ever fleeteth, as a spur to wickedness, and a bridle to well-doing: yea what glorious Titles, or wealth can this Stepdame of Virtue bequeath us, that perish not with, or before the Possessors: so, that were not the followers of Fortune more blind than their Guide, of the two Prosperity, and Adversity, they would account the later as the more necessary, because it openeth the eyes of the heart that Prosperity stoppeth, and oftentimes redeemeth Virtue as it were out of a filthy Dungeon.  
But to wish Adversity is less needful than necessary: for so infinite, and inscident are the Calamities that follow us even from our Cradles, that well may we wish either not to have been borne, or quickly to die, and so many are the wrongs that men inflict upon men, that to revenge all were impiety, and to suffer all impossible: wherefore injuries (think I) not honestly to be dissembled may discreetly be revenged, or at the worst, to seek or work revenge is so much the less infamous, by how much the offered occasion thereof is injurious. That I should thus mention injuries you may perhaps muse, but whether there be cause or no I make you my judges, thus standing the case.   

Cap. 29.  
AFter the continuance of long, and wasteful wars between the Lydians, and the Lycians a truce for certain years was concluded, for assurance whereof, either side did deliver their Pledges: the king my Father, (for a King is my father) sent into Licia a Noble man his Nephew, called Deipyrus, whom he had not long before preferred to a Dukedom, & otherwise highly advanced: and the other king sent into Lydia a Noble young Gentleman called Xenarchus, whose Father is king of Cilicia, and also at this present usurpeth in Lydia, whereof my father only retaineth the name of king, but he the kingdom: and that by means of a Rebellion moved by the same Deipyrus, after his return from hostage, whereof thus followeth the circumstance.  
Deipyrus partly of his own aspiring courage, partly suborned with rewards by my father his enemy the than Lycian king, but chiefly for love of Eurymone the same king his daughter, with whom and him awlesse love had already united hearts, did secretly gather a rebellious Army, and suddenly besieged my 〈◊〉 in his own City. Who seeing his Citizens not able to hold wage with the Besiegers, after long resistance, leaving behind him in the City the Queen my mother, and with her two Infants their children, conveyed himself into Cylicia, there desiring assistance against the Rebels, the which, in an ill hour, he easily obtained. But or ever any rescue might be conveyed into Lydia, my mother fearing to stay the Sack of the City, and entry of the foe hourly expected for, flayed privily with her two infants, into a great Forest not far from the besieged City: where roots and such wild berries as the place afoorded, making an exchange of their wont fare, hardly lingered the soul in their bodies. In the mean while, the king of Cilicia landed his men, rescued the City, and pursued with great slaughter the flying Rebels: but mine uncle Deipyrus the chief Captain & conductor of these traitorous Rebels, by chance recovered the before named Forest, and by that means escaped the sword of the Pursuers.  
Long had he not wandered here, but that he heard the pitiful shrieks of a woman, wherefore making to the place from whence the sound came, he perceived a Lady likely to have been abused by two straggling soldiers of Cilicia: in whose defence at once he assailed them both, and in the end valiantly chase them away delivered her of their purposed treachery: which done, not knowing whom he had so rescued, he demanded what she was, and how it fortuned her and her two infants, to wander so dangerously in the same Forest.  
My miserable mother (for it was my Queen mother) not knowing in that case, the man unto whose questions she was then to answer, drying her dropping eyes, and falling at his feet, when she had stilled her younglings who with their pretty golls hugging about her neck cried out (which herself wanted) for food, not daring to bewray what one she was, said.   

Cap. 30.  
LIke as (good Sir) no deserts other than your own valour, persuaded you erewhile to use courage in my defence, even so the defect of mine ability (respecting my wretched estate) may dissuade you from all hope of any small Recompense, only accept of her poor thanks that shall ply the gods with often prayers, that they hearing my wish, may furnish my want with a reward for your merits, otherwise I continually rest your disabled debtor.  
But in that you ask what one I am, alas Sir, see you not that I am a most desolate woman? not borne to beg though now less happy than a Beggar, who late did want nothing, and now have nothing, not long since as wealthy, as I now am wretched, able to have harboured the best, but now more harbourless than the worst: and therefore feel I affliction so much the more burdenous, by how much I once possessed abundance: for no want more miserable, then to have been wealthy.  
Who is it that feeleth not, or at the least wise heareth not, unto what spoil, and penury the Rebels have now left all Lydia? to avoid whose outrageous proceedings, I have chosen with these my poor infants, to linger out our dying lives in this Forest, though death (no doubt) would have been to us misers, far more sweeter.  
Woe, yea endless woe, befall that ungrateful Traitor Deipyrus, the unnatural ruin of his natural Country: oh that once, or ever these eyes of mine shall leave this light, I might see the Caitiff in like distress (if like might be) as presently am I, or that the Villain were as near my reach as even now are you: then would I awhile adiorn these womanish tears, and with these hands (unaccustomed to such deeds) claw out his treacherous eyes: but (alas) to wish vengeance is nothing less than to be revenged, for had I the hap to possess my wish, I have the heart should perform my will, or might my curse procure him hell, my bliss should never prefer him to heaven: well leaving the Reprobate to a Million of mishaps, which (I doubt not) will insi●ently ensue his misdeeds, may I, good Sir, request your name, and withal the present estate of our besieged City?  
Deipyrus with no small remorse, noting the piteous distress of the unknown Queen my molher, & hearing himself to himself, so evil spoken of and banned wist not what to say, as one but even then overtaken with the guiltiness of his own Conscience, which is evermore a severe Accuser, and to the impenitent person a most terrible judge: but in the end after some astonishment, he made her this answer.  
Lady qd. he (as perceiving in her many arguments of Gentry) by good reason suffer we losers to chafe, neither is it a new thing, that a wronged woman in like bitter terms doth utter her passionate stomach: Deipyrus (I must confess) being the common enemy to his Country, hath incurred a common curse of the Lydians, whose chastment being generally desired of all, shall privately be revealed only to you. The same man, Lady, whose infamous Attempts, hath returned the Attemptor a just guerdon of his deserts, and he whose punishment would be unto you such pleasure, presenteth himself before your eyes, as hardly distressed as yourself have desired: & whosoever you are, that Deipyrus hath so much offended, the same as humbly prayeth you of pardon: offering also into your hands mine own weapon, upon mine own head to wreak your vengeance, if it shall so please you by death to shorten my penance: or else as your Bondslave in your business to employ my whole endeavour, if by life you think good to lenghten my punishment: for as I would not die a desperate Murderer, Tormentor, and Traitor to mine own person, so wish I not to live a despised Runagate, Reprobate, and Recreant to mine own Country: wherefore you being the judge, the grievous spectacle of these your pining Infants mine accusers, and myself (which of itself is sufficient) pleading to the accusation guilty, if you pronounce sentence of death, you do but justice without partiality, the executing of which sentence, shallbe the accomplishment of you desire, and the reward of my deserts.   

Cap. 31.  
WHen Deipyrus had after this sort finished such his speeches, recounted to her after what manner the siege was raised by the king of Cilicia, delivered into her hands his naked sword, and solemnly vowed not to resist her doom: as touching his life, or death, mine enraged Queen-mother grasping the yielded weapon in her hand, was fully resolved to have sheathed the same in the bowels of Deipyrus: when by and by altering her purpose, by reason of his strange submission, and weighing his luck with her own loss, she thinketh him already over severely punished, and her wrongs sufficiently revenged: yet anon casting her pitiful eyes upon her pining Babes, ruefully hanging about her their helpless Mother for food, not there to be had, her mildness was now converted to madness, and as one utterly resolute on his death, in conceit she imagined him already dead, so fully was she bent to bereave him of life: but even at the very push, from out her unhardie hand she lets fall the harmless weapon, and accuseth herself of ingratitude, shall I (thinks she) return so graceless a recompense, in am of his late so gracious an enterprise? is it not much more gain to me, that I am delivered of Ravishment which had been incurable, then lo●●e in that I am disgarnished of Riches which are recuperable? yes, yes, the virtue of the first, is more than the error of the latter, why then should I not admit the one, and remit the other.  
Thus reasoning with herself, as one offended with his passed Conspiracies, pacified by his present Contrition, and grateful for his late profitable Combat, she dissembleth the first, accepteth of the second, and thanketh him for the third: only desiring his assistance to puruaie for their succour, until hearing of more quietness abroad, they might with less danger leave the comforles' Forest.  
Whereunto he readily condiscented, building them bowers, killing them victuals, & in what he possibly might in their relief imploing his whole industry, not knowing of all this while who they wear, unto whom he became so careful an Attendant: albeit by circumstances, he might have been induced to the knowledge of his charge, for my Mother somewhat to be disburdened of the burning sorrows, of her bursting heart (for working vessels and woeful hearts, the one by vent the other by words, are delivered from breaking) taking occasion, in the hearing of Deipyrus to speak of the king my Father, would sometimes use these and such like speeches.  
I would Deipyrus, you could give as good warranty of the King his welfare, as I a promise, with a performance betwixt him and you of an Atonement: but (alas) notwithstanding your discomfiture, I am not so comforted that I rest fearless of Cilician practices, well might the good King speed, what evil soever I suffer, who not prospering, I, mine, and many perish, and therefore dare I say, that with greater disease for his woe, or gladder desire of his wealth, his Queen, and wife cannot labour than presently do I, that neither in the one nor the other do give place to his best well-willer.  
Thus did she often make her moon a far off, not daring in plain terms to disclose herself, remembering how dangerous it is to repose confidence in a reconciled enemy, & in that point showing herself better advised than was my Father: who giving credit to the feigned shows of a friendly foe, did learn by the prize of a dear salary, the proof of a dry dissembler, and how to climb up by the Breare, is to be clawed with the Bramble: for my Father, making account to be reestablished in his kingdom, received from the Cilician king this cross answer.  
Sir qd he, your plentiful thanks are superfluous, and your proffered liberality needless, for that you perhaps, will think me unworthy so much, whilst I think myself worthy of more, and therefore may you proportion your thanks as it likes you, seeing my portion shall be as it lists me.  
Is it an easy matter (think you) to transport an Army out of Cilicia, to hazard our lives in Lydia, and having encountered and conquered the enemy, to convert the glory of the battle, and gain of the booty to the profit of others? no, no, I may profit you but not prejudice myself: Let it suffice that I have corrected your foes, and that yourself escape unrevenged of our ancient enmity: over and beside which undeserved friendship, I give you a Ship in all things well furnished, with sufficient treasure to supply your expenses: and thus knowing my mind, the sooner you be packing, the safer may it be for your person: as for Cilci●a I have Xenarchus my son there to govern, & here in Lydia want not soldiers to engarison.  
Unto whom in few words my Father thus replied, that justly condemning his pretence, and despising his proffers, it lastly rested that Fortune his foe, might one day cry quittance with falsehood his friend: and so only accompanied of three or four o● his faithful servants, (as doubting the worst) fled secretly into the before mentioned Forest, not knowing the same to be the Receptacle of Deipyrus, much less of his miss wife and children, but least of all, that the same his traitorous Nephew did in such sort minister to their necessities.   

Cap. 32.  
WIthin this Forest, in a pleasant Glade, the shepherds to take Wolves and other ravening beasts, haunting their Flocks had digged a very deep & dangerous Pit, laying boughs slightly overtwhartes, and artificially covering the same over with green Tur●es, so that the subtility thereof might hardly be espied: into which Pit Deipyrus ranging abroad, to seek after sustenance for himself and his charge at unwares slipped: and seeing no possibility of deliverance from thence complaineth after this manner.  
Sower is that sweet which decayeth in the blossom, but sweet is that sour that dieth in the bud: ah happy man Deipyrus, that being forworn with Correction, hast at the length wearied Fortune with correcting, and shalt anon present death with the glad delivery of thy joyless life: and that not suddenly amongst the impenitent Pikes, but slowlier than thou wouldst amidst this Pit, wherein appeareth the great mercy of the good gods, in respect of the small merits of sinful men.  
O that the secret bowels of the earth that denieth not to bury me, as no doubt the upper face thereof disdaineth to bear me, could aswell conceal my vile faults, as it doth cover my vicious flesh: then should my Treasons which now seem odious to the heavens, infamous to the world, hurtful to many, dangerous to the most, detestable to all, and burdinous to mine own conscience, than (I say) might such mine offences su●cease to survive deceased Deipyrus, which (alas) will then be hardly ripe, when I shallbe happily rotten.  
Nevertheless, I am not now to dread the worst of merciless men that slowly forget, but to hope the best of the merciful gods that swiftly forgive: now am I to sit upon myself as judge, and against myself to pronounce judgement, that the Gods seeing me impartial in mine own case, may (as no doubt they will) spare me for the same cause: for it more standeth us upon to confess, then to defend our follies. It is, alas, a common imperfection to offend, but an unwonted perfection to repent, and why? the first springeth from Nature, but the other from virtue: yea Nature (whereunto we easily incline) is in effect Security to Sin, & fear of worldly shame biddeth us justify ourselves: when (in deed) to live in Security is not to die in safety: for meet it is that the honey which seemed pleasant in the mouth, be converted to bitter wormwood in the stomach, and utterly abhorred of the soul.  
Doth not the pleasantness of the fruit, make amends for the bitterness of the root? the hoped for joy in the harbour, moderate the suffered perils on the Seas? and the will to be released of the malady, assuage the sharpness of the medicine? and shall not I that groan with Repentance in mine heart, hope thereby to gain refreshment to my soul? yes verily yes, so to hope winneth an effectual hire: that we be Contrite it is necessary, that our Contrition be equiparent to our Transgressions more necessary, but if the quality of our Repentance exceedeth the quantity of our offences then is the same most acceptable.  
But (wretches that we are) flesh and blood persuade the contrary, saying we scarce trip, when (in deed) we stumble down right, that the crime is very light when the same is most weighty, that we shall live long, and may at leisure repent, when in a moment we are taken away or ever we think to amend, and so in the end perish desperately that persist devilishly: for as therefore the gods are greatly delighted with Repentance, so are they grievously displeased with Procrastination.  
It only remaineth then, that I embrace thee (O sweet Repentance) a burden so much the less ponderous, by how much thou increasest in greatness: to the pricked conscience thou art the perfect consolation, and the only counterchaunge to deserved confusion: with thy feet only we run to mercy, & without thy wings fly we not from vengeance: thou (I say) dost reprehend mine errors, & therefore will I apprehend thy virtues, never giving thee over, until (by death at least) I comprehend thy sweetness.  
Whilst Deipyrus most desirous to have died, spoke yet more in the dark pit, one while remembering the distress of his guideless Charge, left at random in the dangerous Forest, and often naming (whom he made account never more to see) his dear Eurimone the king of Licia his daughter, whose love was the greatest part of his enterprised lewdness, but never forgetting with a penitent heart, and bitter tears to send forth his humble prayers, as his soul's Harbingers.  
It chanced my Father and his Company to wander along the same Glaede, and (not doubting at all the subtility of the place) one of them fell headlong into the same covered Pit, lighting so boisterously upon Deipyrus, that he bore him down to the earth in a sown: the other only astonished with the fall, and not receiving farther harm: after a while feeling, but not seeing the panting body of a man lying prostrate, wrought such means that he recovered Deipyrus out of his trance.  
By which time my Father and the others above had let down withes, and other devices which they had framed for the purpose, so drawing up the man that was newly fallen into the pit: who (not a little joyful of so speedy delivery) advertised them, how there was yet remaining behind an other person, to him unknown.  
Whereupon letting down the second time, they drew Deipyrus up into the open air, that wel-nere of a day and night before, had scarcely discerned any light of the sun or stars.   

Cap. 33.  
BUt when the king my father beheld the plight of Deipyrus, and the same perceived the presence of my Father, it was a world to note the alteration of either their Countinances.  
Especially Deipyrus consumed with the pensiveness of his heart, enfeebled through weakness of body, and confounded in the guiltiness of his own Conscience had better cause often to change his colour, than (as it happened) to dread my father's choler: Wherefore only accusing Fortune for such extraordinary malice, and exclaiming of Death for that peramptorie delay, he fell flat to the earth as one utterly bereft of sense: the Tender of whose dolorous passions, might have been pleaded in full Acquittance of all passed Trespasses, had Envy itself followed the Action, and Rigour occupied the place of judgement.  
My father (contrary to all expectation) overcoming Ire, and being himself overcome by pity, not without watery eyes, lifting up Deipyrus that shamed to look him in the face, said.  
If (Deipyrus) thou wert unsuspitious of my nature, mindful what I once was, and not ignorant what I now am, thou wouldst not suppose the Accident of the last, to cause an Alteration in the first, that is, not think me a merciless Beggar, whom thou didst know to be a pitiful King, neither wouldst thou doubt the authority of the second, seeing I that late might have commanded thee to judgement, do not now dare in any place to demand justice, and without Law to determine a wrong, is in Law to decline from right: nevertheless, but even now, did I think it a very hard thing to hold my tongue in anguish, harder to hold my hands in Anger, but hardest of all to forgive mine Enemy: but Sufferance the heart's Physician, (I wots not how prevailing) telleth me now, that Anger should be as short, as the same is sudden: that hasty Wroth is an harmful Councillor, betwixt too much and too little not observing a mean: that the end of Wrath is Shame or Repentance, or both: and that the same evil may easily be avoided, if but a small time it be deferred: for time, I perceive, doth moderate Ire, and better man is he that wisely subdueth his Fury, than he that with armour sacketh a City: neither is any Revenge more valiant, than to pardon a foe that is vanquished.  
It is I say, Deipyrus, but even now, that no such Argument could have persuaded what moderation myself do now prosecute: and no marvel if my patience was then moved, when thine Ingratitude was so manifested: for easilier do we suffer a wound fastened by a Foe, than sustain a wrong offered by a Friend, as esteeming the first, trespass, but the latter, Treason.  
With more grief than gain I see, by thine example (unadvised Nephew) I see it, that Envy drinketh up the greatest part of her own poison, and that whilst the mind flieth higher than it should, in time the man falleth lower than he would: neither do the same Effects, ever follow the same affections, for brave Intentes have often times base Events.  
Well (Deipyrus) seeing by thy death I may not recover my loss, it shall suffice if by sparing thy life I may so reobtain thy love, for be assured, my kindness is yet as much as our kindred: and to thee I gladly participate this comfort whereof myself am not yet destitute, that is, No degree of misery may exceed a Superlative, and when Mischiefs are at the highest pitch, than either succeed an Amendment, or of necessity an End: for at the worst, the hardest Winter of joy hath death a Bound.  
But not to hope beyond hope, say I (Deipyrus) is contrary to courage: Fortune is said thus to have spoken of herself: 
Dicit Fortuna, si starem rota sub una,  
Et non mutarer, non tunc Fortuna vocarer.  And why then should I think it unpossible, that did sometimes on the very top of the Wheel vaunt Glorior elatus, though anon Decendo mortificatus, & now Jnfimus axe terror, in time to add Rursus ad astera feror?   

Cap. 34.  
NOw after divers loving embracings, and that many kind tears had caused a long silence, my Father advertised Deipyrus and the rest, that first his intent was to seek out his Queen and two children, affirming their miss to touch nearer than any other his misfortunes, and then to enterprise somewhat in recovery of his detained kingdom.  
Whereupon Deipyrus did tell my father of the Lady, and her two Infants, over whom (as before) he had taken charge in that Forest, and was very desirous before their departure from thence, to have succoured the distress of those three.  
But hereunto my Father's answer was, that in their own case delay might be dangerous, Lydia (saith he) at this day affordeth more than enough such distressed wanderers, whom not to be able to help it grieveth, and for whom to hurt ourselves were not requisite: he that once flieth may again fight: whilst the Prince liveth to hope, the people's case is not desperate: jupiter would not then rescue Danae's, when he was to resist Saturn, neither let us so admit pity, that we omit matters of greater importance.  
Deipyrus who seemed thus answered, but in his pitiful mind not satisfied, undertaking (as he that made himself best acquainted with that forest) to conduct his company the nearest way to the Sea, did of purpose lead them directly to that place, where he had before left his helpless Charge, and there he found them all three pitifully weeping, and utterly destitute of comfort.  
No sooner did my father behold this sight, but (as it were at once, overtaken with extreme joy, and extreme grief) he forthwith soundeth: my mother also (for by this time she knew him) endeavouring to give him succour falleth also into the like trance: but either of them being anon recovered, and nothing omitted in passion, word, or action incident to so unlooked for, loving, and lamentable a meeting they consult of their safety, and how to proceed in their Enterprises.  
In the end, induced by such profitable and discrete reasons as Deipyrus then alleged, they all bend their journey towards Licia: where they were no sooner arrived, but they heard report of the Lician king his death, and perceived great provision to enthronize in the sovereignty Eurymone, Deipyrus his Lady and lover.  
Deipyrus not a little joyful of these tidings, & affying in his Lady her Constancy, with the rest of his company (unknown to all that met them) repaired to the Court: and when he had disclosed himself, and his distressed friends to Eurymone, she comforted them with such honourable and hearty entertainment, as did both give a perfection to their hope, and a defection from all heaviness: taking (according to their former covenant of love) Deipyrus to husband, who jointly at this day, rule king and Queen in Licia.  
And there have my deprived parents eversince lived in such prosperity, that their exile might be said an advancement: in whose quarrel also Deipyrus for the recovery of Lydia, hath long time maintained open and sharp wars against the king of Cilicia: towards whom to entreat of divers weighty affairs given me in charge, I am now sailing.   

Cap. 35.  
BEfore the courteous knight Tymetes had finished this his speech, Atys and Abynados had espied in the Lycian Ship a very fair Target, whereupon was curiously engraven, and in lively colours portrayed the terrible Image of enraged Semiramis, in such manner as she behaved herself, when being informed of the besieging of Babylon she rushed from out her tiring Chamber, her eyes seeming to sparkle fire, in her hand brandishing her weapon, and her flasking hair loosely waving upon her bare shoulders, as having vowed not to bind up the same her disordered Tresses, until she had utterly expelled the Besiegers: the which (notwithstanding the great strength and number of her enemies) with fortunate expedition, she performed as valiantly in deed, as she had vowed the same courageously in word. The two brethren (as I said) earnestly viewing this Target, could not persuade themselves, but that the same once appertained to Sorares their Father, in whose hand when he disankered from Niniveh they had seen it: and therefore after they had opened their thoughts, and moved some questions concerning the same, such was Tymaetes his answer.  
In Sarmatia (qd. he) a warlike nation in Scythia, from whence I now come, and whether I am shortly to return ruleth an uncle of mine, of whose gift I received this Target: the which together with an infinite mass of Treasure, Apparel, Armour, and other Ornaments after the Assyrian fashion came to his possession, through the arrival of a distressed Ship being driven into his Country, wherein remained only two Meads, and the same very aged and impotent persons: of whose adventures I am not able to make any further Report, saving that they seemed to take great unkindness, of the avarice, and cruelty of certain Assyrians, whom they had left shiplesse in a barren Island: but being nevertheless most desirous of their delivery, mine Uncle hath promised to satisfy them therein, as soon as the season of the year serveth, to cross those blustering and dangerous Seas: and trust me, Gentlemen, it is not unlikely (whereof I thought not before) but that these Assyrians may be your parents, and friends after whom you make this enquiry: if therefore (for I imagine it shall be worth your labour) it may please you first to sail with me into Lydia, and after to resaile into Sarmatia, I promise you my company thither for your conduction, and my credit there for your countenance.  
The Assyrians gathering much hope of such Tymaetes his comfortable tidings, & thankfully accepting what he courteously offered, disanker with him and sail into Lydia: neither could they sail much awry, that to find out Sorares they knew not when, were to seek they witted not where.  
To shorten therefore their sailing, in Lydia I now land them: where to leave them (silly souls) in the deck, were for me, of rarer matters than yet mentioned to live in your debt: of which the Tragedy now ensuing shall partly discharge me.    

Aphrodite. Calamus sextus.  

Cap. 36.  
NOt long after they had taken land, Xenarchus a most dear friend and second himself to Timaetes, and Timaetes such and the same to Xenarchus, betwixt whom (notwithstanding the deadly enmetie, and impacable discord so long time continued, and daily increasing betwixt the two kings their fathers (for Xenarchus, as is beforesaid, was Son to the King of Cilicia) Nature in respect of the Symphatie of their minds, in two bodies seemed to have planted but one and the same heart, immediately I say, as Tymaetes had set foot on shore, he met Xenarchus ready to have taken Ship: who after many friendly greetings, said.  
It fareth with me (friend Tymaetes) as with one that having delightfully dreamt, is therefore displeased with such delight because the same was but a dream: I that scarcely have time to put forth my hand for a welcome, must find leisure to pour forth my tears for a farewell, otherwise in showing myself a dutiful friend▪ I should be thought a disobedient Son, and to us either twain the damage might 〈◊〉 all one. I have (T●maetes) more news than time to t●ll it▪ only think it standeth us upon to be circumspect, of our tri-partite familiarity begone with Mazeres, lest thereby out by-parted friendship be called into question by my Father: for I perceive, the Hawk now beginneth to check, that erwhile came so freely to fist: thou mayest try him, but do not trust him, so far foorth esteeming Mazeres thy Friend as thou still make account Mazeres may be thy Foe, for the Countenance may double with the Conscience: and therefore do Flatterers praise us because they would prise us: by this much thou mayst anatomize a meaning. I hope to find thee here, at my return from Cilicia, mean while let friendship, and often recourse of Letters make us present in minds, that are absent in persons: and thus sorrowfully taking their leaves, they departed either of them his several way.  
When Tymaetes, Atys, Abynados, and their company had bestowed themselves in Sardis, in which City the Court than lay, and after Tymaetes had conferred with the King, and whilst he attended his deferred answer, they with the less tediousness to pass forth the time of their abode in Lydia, one while frequent the delectable Springs, sweet Groves, and brave prospective Hills, dedicated to the Meonian Muses, & another while do as much wonder at the glittering Rivers Pactolus, and Hermus casting on shore their golden Sands, as delight in the musical Quire of Swans that sweetly sing on the banks of Enister.  
But never could they glut their hungry eyes, in beholding the Ridlike fair Troops of Lydian Lasses, amongst whom in generally, nature might rather seem for her own learning to have borrowed beautiful Presidents, then able upon them to have bestowed braver Perfections: in furtherance whereof the gentle planets, temperate Climates, wholesome Situation, fertile Soil, and what not? were in all things occurrant: so that not without good reason, were the Nymphs of Meonia called terreve goddesses, aswell in respect of themselves as their allotted Paradise: and not only to the ●oconde venerean, but even to the melancholic Saturnest it might have moved delectation, to have viewed these lovely Wenches, with their yellow Tresses dependent shadowing their ivory Shoulders: and how their short Frockes of silk girt to their small Middles, being sometimes, amidst their wanton dances, whisked up by the wind discovered their demie buskins, smoothly planted with backels of goold to their dainty Ankles, and eftsoons bared their white knees.  
Atys (as it seemed) delighted with these day Stars and nightshades, the chief Principles (no doubt) of his Astrology, remembering the Scythian Lord his late unanswered invective against this sweet sex, and now (though out of season) feeling himself thus amorously animated to speak somewhat in their defence, said to Abynados, in the hearing of diverse Ladies, and gentlemen as followeth.   

Cap. 37.  
LIke as (saith he) the dead Sea Asphaltus in Syria is indifferently commended, in respect that no living Creature may therein miscarry, as condemned in that no movable Substance therein doth engender, even so our Scythian host (in mine opinion) showed himself no more courteous by his bounteous entertaining of wanderers, then currish by his biting inveighing against Women: not unlike as if a Moil being tickled with a Hornet in the tail should lash out at random with the heels, or as if Helen beguiling, Lucretia should be banned: when (in deed) we are not to esteem worser of women, then do hunters of Unicorns, who though they goore with the horns, yet are they got for their horns: Bees with honey have stings, and we all have our faults, admit the goodwife play soul, should therefore the goodman play the fool? I say no, because he beginning the quarrel at home, to civil unquietness may so add impudent perseverance, and then household jars shall bid his gooddayes goodnight: but in any case if Venus be found in Conjunction with Mars, let Vulcan show his cunning only in concealing, and rather sleep to Beagles, then awake Bandogs: otherwise for justicers he shall but find gibers, and those that will rather be alike detected, then alike suspected: for when things are published for common, they are then practised for currant, and then what with first Playfeares, and last Smelfeastes in vain shall junos' herdsman watch jupiters' Hecfare.  
The Fox most of all mistrusteth the Fox, neither is the deceiver fearless of deceit, and were it not (think women) that jealous men did themselves falsely enter, they would not suspect women to bear men to many: wherefore (silly souls) play they, fair or play they foul seeing themselves alike suspected, they hold it but good reason to requite such open sorrow, by the advauntange of some privy solace, and will venture if but for a Revenge.  
Thus see we that jealous men, do the rather help forwards the secret escapes of women: besides which may be added, that with importunate suits, charming words, enticing gifts, opportunity of time, and place, and by a thousand other devices of sufficiency to move mountains, their good, but not deified natures, the which to cercunuent men never cease to fish for opportunities, be laboured.  
It resteth then, seeing the Eye, the Ear, & the Conceit are the only surfeits of such sickness, that I see, & I see not is a sovereign emplaster to one so wounded, not to see, nor to desire to see an especial preservative against such maladies, but he that will neither see it, hear it, nor believe it, shall have more than can physic warrant, never to die with swallowing of Fly-bloes, and except his stomach be more than squeamish, the fish overflown of the Bird Aspra, not at all feel the same contagious. Let it suffice, that women as they be subtle in counsel, so are they secret in conveyance, for he that first bloweth to uncupple, shall be the last that cometh into the fall: but to him that curiously searceth a knife, wherewithal to cut his own throat, I say Argus his head to be well worthy Mercury his handling: well thus have I briefly, not as I could, alleged the best, for those against whom might be objected the worst.   

Cap. 38.  
BUt what shall I say to those stoical Prescisians, or rather supernatural Hoddipeakes, that bark out their railings against the excellency of all Women in general? shall I term them fleshly lompes without Life, Fires without Heat, Ghosts without Substance, or Shadows without Sense? not so, but as the beast Chimer hath a Lion's face, but a Dragon's tail, so those beasts have continent words, but unchaste works, and seem devout, when (in deed) their devotion is nothing less than their seeming: for they far with Women as do Riders with their Horses, who spur them not to run from them, but to run with them, or as Lapidaries with their precious stones, that hue them not for anger, but for advantage.  
Some of which sort, live not single as pretending to live chaste, but deny marriage as preventing a charge, or (like the Fox that will eat no grapes) have not Wives because they hate them, but hate Women because they cannot have them: and some other whose affections no doubt could afford them to love, did not their infirmities enforce them to leave, play therefore the envious Dog in the Manger: but much more safer were it, say I, for such Hypocrites to be justly reproved for incontinent sinner, then falsely reputed for chaste livers, for then the disclosing of the one might procure them humble Spirits, whereas the dissembling of the other puffeth up their haughty stomachs: whom if we should admit to be such as they seem, yet far more commendable is poor Matrimony, then proud Chastity.  
It is, trust me, ridiculous to hear, how these Monsters would monsterfie the Manners, and Ornaments of Women, which they receive naturally, or apply to beautify: as if (forsooth) like Sheep, seeing water they must needs thirst, or green Meadows fall to grazing, when in troth, not the Wardrobe, nor the Woman, but their own wanton inclinations, setteth Flax easily on burning.  
And yet (Ladies) these are they who give forth, that your natural beauties are no other than artificial shadows, if you keep in, then say they you are serving your Customers, if you walk out, there seeking for Clyantes, if bravely apparelled then Players, if meanly attired then Paltockes, if you be merry then immodest, if modest then sullen, if you keep not company then proud, if you keep company then light, if easily caught then over kind hearted, and as ready to check, if wisely deferring your choice then overcruelly minded, and too tedious the suit, if you will not be courted at all then disdainful, if any be admitted to conference then suspected, if you be rich they woe your dowries, if poor they way not your virtues, if beautiful they covet the fleece, if not they cast off the Croone, if soft sprighted they doubt new Competitors, if sharp witted they dread old Copesmates, if you tell them of profit they term you prattlers, but should you be silent when they are careless, then will not they be tonguetied to call you bad housewives: in a word (I wots not with what fury moved) in all things they oppose themselves to your virtues.  
But I may say, and say truly, that next to the gods we are most beholding to women: for if to be borne into the world be a benefit, even from their strained wombs we are proceeded: if to be fostered up, and that with their blood be kindness, even from their stretched paps was it sucked: if chary attendance (being of ourselves noisome, and helpless) be charity, even with their often filled hands were we cherished: what shall I say? more worketh in us to our behoofes, the nature of our mothers, than the influence of the Planets: for admit we the operation of Luna in our feeble Infancy, of Mercury in our unstable Childhood, of Venus in our effeminate Adolescency, of Sol in our flourishing Youth, of Mars in our stayed Manhood, of jupiter in our temperate signory, and of Saturn in our decripite old age, or the dominion, or constellation of the twelve Signs, or any the Stars at all times, yet who knoweth not, that every of these successiuly continue but their seasons? neither is there any inevitable necessity, others than our own sensitive appetites, that doth violently draw us to the several dispositions of the Planets, for the Wise man ●s said to govern the Stars.  
But the unseparable operation, and natural inclination of the Mother towards her Son, is a disposition unremovable, and without end: for can she forget a part of her own flesh? no, but even from the Spring of our Infancy, to the Summer of our youth, the Harvest of our Manhood, the Winter of our Old-age, yea after our funerals, and in our Children, her tender care of us doth rather increase, then in any part diminish: so that (if we remember ourselves) unrequitable are the duties, where in we are most deeply indebted to our mothers: and yet many times, such is our unthankfulness, that what they prodigally delivered without mean, we niggardly repay with scanted measure, and such is often the corrupt nature of man, that where he oweth most, there he loveth least: besides which of their commendation remaineth as followeth.   

Cap. 39  
IT is moreover to be noted, that Nature whom we must grant to be perfect in all her Actions, foreseeing that without the help of women, the depopulation of the world would follow, to the intent therefore that men should be the more capable of their Imbracementes, hath infused throughout the whole linaments of their delicate bodies, and sweet faces such abundance of beauty, that we seeing the excellency of the same, to shine in our eyes like precious Carbuncles, hoisting up the sails of our hope, and drawing near unto them in the Ships of our hearts, become after many pleasant perils, first Merchants, & then Masters of such invaluable jewels: though not at all times, with such speed as we would, yet with a more profitable suit than we wish: without crossing is no cowning, by the labour some acquiring of women, we are, say I, not a little profited in valour, and wisdom: for when they have thus set our teeth amorously on edge, it standeth us upon artificially to whet our wits: that our tongues hunt for eloquence in presence to delight, and our heads for inventions, in absence to deserve: in our dealings we then must be circumspect, in diet temperate, and in apparel descent, with all which love doth furnish us, and by all which love is furthered. Add also hereunto, that their love teacheth us to be valiant in Chivalry, and venturous in Arms, to think fear a fault, and nothing impossible, to exercise all things, to enterprise most things, and in somewhat to be exquisite.  
Nay be it so (which may be denied) that by wooing we are losers, yet doth it follow (which all must confess) that by winning we are gainers: who attaining at the length to be possessors of our covited prizes, command in triumphwise our subdued Troubles, to follow like▪ chained Captives our victorious Chariots, yea and by how much grievous we accounted the fought Conflict, by so much the more glorious we esteem the fulfilled Conquest  
But now if I, that am in deed a freshman, & bad Sophister, should in hearing of those who have proceeded Masters in that Art, reason of the Briding, the Bedding, and many other Merriments incident to Marriage, I should prove myself a Dotrell, in comparison of a Doctor: for Practitioners not Puples must occupy Pulpits, and to frame a Commentary, that cannot make a Construction, were to propound a Problem, & to expound the same with an Oracle: wherefore omitting to Paraphrase upon such mysteries, I will (Ladies) after an Epitome of the great blessings of wedlock, make a sparing Conclusion of your unspeakable Commendations.  
That the gods themselves, were the first Institutors of Marriage it is probable, that thereby our fleshly Appetits be not only qualified with a more civil Coiture, than might seem brutish and offensive to nature, but also the world multiplied with a legitimate, no bastardly Propagation must be granted: but (which is more) marriage, no doubt, being a thing miraculously confirmed, through a mutual partisipation of whatsoever they possess, and free Community of their own persons, being as I may term it, by Transplantation two in one flesh, worketh one & the same will, wish, love, liking, or disliking, affection, defection, & affliction betwixt the man, & woman coupled in Matrimony▪ especially the wife, by a more inscrutable, pliant, zealous & profound forwardness in Consent is at all assays, & in all things flexible to the nature, conditions, dispositions, will and estate of her huband: in prosperity a partner of his wealth, in adversity a partaker of his woe, and in both a comfortable companion: in health she filleth him with delightful solace, in sickness she followeth him with dutiful succour, and in all things is a constant councillor, and concealer of his purposes: be he poor or be he rich with her virtue, dowry, or diligence she increaseth and maintaineth his substance: to the noble, and ennoble she beareth heirs to inherit their descending possessions, Sons to eternise their deceased Progenitors, and Children to comfort their distressed Parents. In a word, it is commonly seen that being unmarried, we are inconstant in thoughts, and incontinent in works, or if neither of both, yet suspected in either of both, but being married, of contented minds and convenient manners, or if not such as we should, yet unsuspected for such as we are: because marriage not only is pleasant, and affable to the good, but also doth credit and countenance even the bad.  
Ah sweet Ladies, no longer would I live than I honour you, but sooner would I die than I shall hate you: otherwise old age, should draw my head to join with my feet, and a loathed life make me glad with my nails to scrape mine own grave, and nevertheless still to live in sorrow, rather than to die a Recreant in your service: and that I speak this for fashion, or flattery, or that I ground mine opinion upon an unperfect foundation let not any imagine: for Nature itself by an unrepelable law, doth enjoin us to your love, and amongst men by a laudable custom, your honouring, hallowing, reverencing, & protecting is especially provided for.  
To conclude therefore, such as are priers after the small, or natural faults, escapes, and infirmities of women, I wish never to be partakers of the profit, pleasure, and bounty of women: and no doubt, I have already my wish, for not to excuse the first, is not to use the latter.   

Cap. 40.  
BRother (qd. Abynados) I commend your skill, in that you have chosen the better side, framing your answer in a place dangerless of a Reply: and the rather for that by long continuing your matter, you have I conjecture, discontinued our memories: as for your Method it is sufficient, because your meaning may be supposed: neither do I think you flatter women in jest, because I know you favour them in earnest.  
Indeed (qd. Atys) in that we be brethren, by your own shrift you may the easilier search me: but had I coveted praise, as the same is contrary to my pretence, yet brotherhood is a bad colour to Bracerie, for had I solicited any to support my sayings, of all others I would not have suborned your soothings: not only because of our near alliance, but (which yourself have confessed) because of your non●san memory: for how should a blind man judge of colours, or any think you to deliver a good sentence, having so gross a censure: yet well did you in not arrogating to your own shuttle wit, had you not derogated from the sensible capacity of others.  
Amongst brethren, Friends, Advocates, and Orators (qd. Tymaetes) it is common to have like brawling, without bu●●iting, & bickering without blows: and in such quiet quarrels bread through emulation, and not begun upon envy, the ears perhaps may itch, and the tongue scratch, but with the sound ended all stomach: for mine own part Atys howsoever Abynados like, or mislike of the matter, what I cannot amend by words, I admit by signs, and therefore without more, in token that I gladly gratify your Commendation as concerning women, I pass my full Consent therein, under this Seal of Confirmation: and therewithal he fastened a sweet kiss upon Aphrodite her soft cherry lips.  
This same Lady was daughter to the king of Cilicia, now usurper of Lydia: whose fortune, had it been proportionable to her feature, should have left her lag to none in bliss, as she outwent all others in beauty: her love towards Tymaetes, though it appeared later than her brother Xenarchus his friendship▪ yet had not that ran the faster, this might have given the turn: but for that her love might not outstrip his friendship, I leave the Corpse indifferent, and Timaetes thus far an happy man in friend, and lover.  
Then Aphrodite with blushing cheeks, and softelye voice said to Tymaetes, Sir would I cavil I might say your Confirmation to be voidable, no print appearing of the impression: and for you to allege the seal over soft, or the ware too hard will not be pleadable: neither to have sealed before witnesses shall, I fear me, fall out for Atys his security, or your and my safety: for though myself am not squeamish of your orderly kisses, yet it may be, there is one gone out that will be quarilous for such open kindness. You are not (I trow) to learn, that love and Principality brook no Copartners, and therefore Mazeres as touching me, no Compettitour, howbeit in your love no Cor●●all: but to win Atlas his Apples behoveth charms for Dragons, to woe Ladies in Mollosse sops for Cerberus, & to convey Aphrodite into Lycia wariness in Lydia.  
So turning to Atys, with a more audible voice she sayeth, I have heard, that whilst the vainglorious Crow opened her beak to sing, the flattering Fox obtained a booty by slight, but if you (Atys) have let slip for the like suppose, you must leap short of the like success: in every clownish Auditory our praise, or dispraise is made so common a Text, that if Venus be at the tongues end, Cupid is at the tails end: yea sometimes from her bosom they leap so deep into his belly, that their hasty ingress hath hardly a regress: thus I say Atys, the plenty of your Rhetoric hath bred a scarcity of Regarders. What man, we can digest Pork, yet may you clay us with Pewits': say might you without shame, and swear may I without sin, that women are not so precisely good, as you pretend to make them, neither so perfectly bad, as I intend you mean them. I will ask you a Ques▪  
But here alas, or ever she might add, tion, the surplusage of the word Question, she was (good Lady) enforced to conclude a Periodus, not being come to the Comma: for (invited to this bitter banquet by Mazeres, whose madding jealousy had hamered this mischief, as not digesting such familianitie, which contrary to his liking, had even now passed betwixt Tymaetes and Aphrodite) the cruel king her father, and a many his Servants with unsheathed sword, and threatening looks suddenly rush into the place, where this guiltless Company were thus securely chatting: who after many opprobrious speeches, hailing Tymaetes, Atys, and Abynados from thence, cast them all three into a most vile dungeon: where had not Aphrodite by stealth, with extraordinary meat amended their ordinary meals, they might have abated their fatness with fasting, not fennel.   

Cap. 41.  
News of Tymaetes his immartial imprisonment, was anon conveyed into Licia, whereupon the deprived King his father, accompanied also with his nephew, king Deipyrus, suddenly landed an huge Army of Lician soldiers in Lydia, girding Sardis with a strong siege: howbeit the impregnable situation of the strong walled City without, and the abundance of men, victuals, and Artilarie within, might have discouraged the Besiegers to Assail, as the same encouraged the Besieged to resist.  
And therefore after two months, the barbarous usurping king, as it were in despiteful ostentation to show how little he forced or feared his enemies, causing Tymaetes laden with irons to appear on the walls, and waving to the Licians as though he purposed a parley, when the father of Tymaetes was come within his hearing, he said.  
Because Tymaetes is the man (ye Licians) for whose enlargement your Armies now occupy Lydia, if therefore his delivery may suffice, be not then hopeless, for Tymaetes shall you anon have, although headless: and if you shall determine to recompense me for the deed, think not but that the stoutest in your Camp, shall die in my debt.  
Herewithal three or four Ruffens, whom he had appointed Instruments for that butchery, fettle themselves about their business: Mazeres also prosecuting the murder to effect.  
This hearing and seeing the King his Father, who as it were breathing out the sorrows of his soul, thus sayeth: And may not mine already sustained wrongs, suffice to glut thy savage woodness, but wilt thou also add the butchery of my Son, my dear, and only Son? that the death of the Child may salute the decease of the Parent: alas, do not so, suffer thy cruelty to have an end, that my miseries may have some mean. Thyself having a Son, shouldst be acquainted with the tender affections of a Father: but if not therefore, yet know that myself was once in thy present Dignity, and thyself art ignorant of thy following Destiny: wretch that I am, what is past my now adversity maketh me to remember, as no doubt, what is to come thy now Prosperity causeth thee to forget: think, think, the Heavens may one day be to thee, and thy Xenarchus, such and the same as presently they are to me and my Tymaetes, and therewithal consider, what wrack of felicity would follow thee a Childless Parent: O that thou wouldst, as in troth thou shouldest, apply this not impossible possibility to thyself and thine, than might I boldly appeal from myself to thine own sentence, with assured hope of my Son his safety.  
If therefore, the example of my fall, the uncertainty of thine own Fortune, the Supplication of a King, the Peace of thy Country, the submission of a Foe, the intercession of a father, the tears of an old man, the regard of justice, or the innocency of Timaetes may now prevail, with my tongue I protest it, with my heart I vow it, and mine Act shall perform it, that his ransom shall be the resignation of mine whole interest, to this my detained kingdom.  
But if none of these, any of which might be of sufficiency, neither the Gods that shall punish the tyranny, nor the world that shall speak of thine infamy, nor the blood that shall cry for vengeance against thee, nor thine own guilty conscience that shall at last accuse thee, if none of these I say, can work thy flinty heart to a fleshly substance, yet know that the Lycians not without the assistance of other nations, will, I am sure, vow the last drop of their dearest blood to revenge such inhuman cruelty: yea pity thine own people that shall buy his death over dearly.   

Cap. 42.  
WHen thus much was spoken in vain (for Tyrants are the less tractable, by how much they are entreated) Tymaetes, rather dying in the grief of his father, then dreading the death wherewithal himself was threatened, with much ado spoke as followeth.  
I am (dear father) enjoined an over grievous penance, that being patiently resolved upon a simple death, do now also by your impatience live a dying life, whereby my death is rather doubled than deferred: but (which is more, and which is worse) must I alas, in this extremity, must I hunt for comfortable sayings to appease your discouraging sorrows? You are not I know advised how you envy my good hap, because not advertised how you hinder my sweet hope, which hope is death, and Death the Salve for all sorrows, and the Deliverer of the immortal Soul from the Prison of this mortal body: neither is it the ill Death but the well dying we are to account of: for not the stifling Halter of Hemp, or sinking pillow of down, do in any thing help or hinder our passage to Heaven.  
Be not grieved in that your Son is punished, but be glad in that he hath not deserved such punishment: were I guilty, perhaps my death should disquiet you the less, when in that I am innocent you ought to be quieted the more: as Nature doth move you to lament the death of your Son, so let reason learn you the quality of your Seed which is mortal: if because I am young you wish my life might be prolonged, I answer in not dying old my Sorrows are abridged: if you cannot (as perhaps you do not) digest the bloody Triumph of your dishonourable Enemy, than do not (as no doubt you do) double his Ambition, with the bootless expense of your over humble petitions: for think not that this Tyrant, who can not lengthen his own days one moment, can of himself shorten my date one minute, but that the Gods (for so I hope) ready to accept of my soul, have made him an instrument to separate it from the body.  
Wherefore (good Father) seeing that death is both necessary, and also overtaketh us all of necessity, seeing I avarre the one by trial, neither may you avoid the other by travarse, with the reverent duty of a Son I require it, and without the partial affection of a Father I beseech you to grant it, that your impatience may not drive those bloody tears to my heart, which (not with a desperate mind I speak it) this butcherly penance shall never draw from mine eyes.  
More might he not be suffered to speak, but his head being strooken from off his shoulders, was together with his bleeding body, at commandment of the Tyrant cast over the walls, amongst the sorrowful Licians to the view of his swooning Father: which dead body of Tymaetes was anon solemnly interred, in the accustomed sepulchres of his Ancestors sometimes Kings of Lydia, near adjoining to Sardis.   

Cap. 43.  
Winter was now at hand, and the Licians perceiving themselves rather wasted, than their enemies weariried, prepared therefore to break up their Siege, intending at the next Spring to have returned, with all the forces they might possibly levy.  
But in this mean while at Sardis arrived Xenarchus, son to the Tyrant, and Friend, as before, to Tymaetes, who after intelligence had of Tymaetes his death, and Mazeres his Treachery, desirous to be dead with the one, and quit with the other, he attended from thenceforth opportunity for both: and that so, as the Licians themselves before their departure might be eye-witnesses, that even Death had not yet dissolved their friendship: and lo, how occasion offered itself to this enterprise.  
Aphrodite his Sister that she might there spend her tears, where she dared to have shed her blood, had (not regarding the danger of the encamped enemy) escaped out of Sardis, and amongst the Lydian sepulchres was espied pitifully to passionate herself, over the Tomb of Tymaetes.  
Now to rescue her out of that place and peril, Mazeres that for her love would have laboured even Dis himself, desired Xenarchus his assistance: the match was made, and only they two alike weponed & unknown to any, issue out of the City to fetch home (as was pretended) Aphrodite.  
The self same day also, had Xenarchus secretly practised the delivery of Atys and Abynados out of Prison, and through a privy vault issuing out of the kings palace, conveyed them into the Subburbes: who not minding rashly to fall into the hands of the encamped Licians, had now hid themselves amongst the aforesaid sepulchres.  
When Xenarchus, and Mazeres drew near to this place, Xenarchus suddenly betook him to his weapon, & to Mazeres, demanding the cause of his so doing he maketh this answer:  
What Mazeres, dost thou make a question, as ignorant of a quarrel? or thinkest thou to excuse in words, a treason already executed in works? could thy love towards my Sister make thee disloyal to my friend? and shall not the faith I owed to my friend make thee mine enemy? yes Mazeres yes, though until now I have dissembled my grief for his death, yet this opportunity happening, I will not longer suspend revenge for his wrong: howbeit so would I be revenged, that neither wish I to be conqueror, nor yet would I be conquered, only that we both die of mutual wounds I desire it, and thou dost deserve it. I know thy courage is haughty, and my quarrel honest, be therefore venturous in this, as thou art valiant in all things else, and condiscente to join in so knight-like a Combat, with so indifferent a Combatant, who overcoming, or being myself overcomed do assure thee of this comfort, that thyself art the last man shall see me living: the reason hereof (if thou seekest a reason) is, the soul of Xenarchus at once laboureth to salute the ghost of Tymaetes, an withal to keep an Obbit to him with thy life, by whose only means his death was prosecuted, and against whom his blood crieth vengeance.  
To excuse myself (replied Mazeres) by love, were to accuse love of homiside, to argue against such your friendship, were the rather to aggravate your enmity, and to deny the challenge, were to distrust mine own manhood, so that in excusing I should accuse as I will not, in persuading I should not dissuade as I would, and in agreeing to you I should disagree with you, as I must: but alas my Lord, advise yourself better, and deal not so outrageously with him that friendly, not fearfully beseecheth you of patience: for if the loss of my life might revive Tymaetes, or pleasure you, Tymaetes should live, and you be pleased, mine own hands should hasten it, your weapon not hazard it: But seeing it may not so be, or if my submissive words may not prevent your unentreatable fury, then know Xenarchus, that Mazeres is a Knight, no Coward: but were I a Coward, yet Cowards in like extremities be desperately valiant, and being enforced to fight, naturally will rather kill then be killed: when, if it should so prove (as in fight the victory is uncertain) that by evil hap you perish one my weapon, then alas, howsoever it pleaseth you to flout me, or fear me with the promised comfort of your death, wherein I should conceive nothing less than comfort, & whereof again and again I entreat you not to enforce the occasion, you may assure yourself of this comfort from me, that your dead bones shall more persecute me, than your living body can punish me, the one I may not fly, the other I do not fear: the reason is (if you demand a reason) if my death be not the prize of your blood, yet must I of necessity forsake Lydia, the which to leave were intolerable, & so forego Aphrodite, whom not to love is impossible.  
Now when Xenarchus would admit no excuses, others then by Combat to decide the discord, the two knights so valiantly give the charge each on the other, that whilst both strike, both seem rather to shrink with the blows then to shun the weapons, either of them showed enough of courage, neither of them were to seek of cunning, and fret more with scorn to be wounded, then feel the smart of their wounds.  
In few, after many breathings, Xenarchus disaduauntaging himself by his over fierce & desperate fight received a wound, whereof fainting he falleth to the earth, and then persuading himself of no other hope then present death, he charitably forgave woeful & wounded Mazeres the deed: & constantly embracing him endeavouring all in vain to give succour, desired to be conveyed unto Tymaetes his Tomb, there to offer up his last gasp, a sacrifice to his friend's ghost: in performance of which his request, Mazeres showed himself no less dutiful, then doleful.   

Cap. 44.  
WHilst perplexed Aphrodite (discheviled as she was) washed her lovers Tomb with her lamentable tears, bewailing his untimely destiny, and esteeming the date of her own life over dilatory, lifting up her flowing eyes she espied Mazeres, supporting thitherwards the imbrued body of her dying brother: at sight whereof, when weepings gave passage to words, she thus crieth out.  
Now woe, and out alas, woe is me forspoken Aphrodite, how happeneth it my dear brother, that I view thee a second burial? and what see I more? dost thou Mazeres, mischievous Mazeres by a new murder add to my living martyrdom? if thou, I say, if thou the tormentor of me, and Traitor to mine, either in respect of the love thou pretendest to owe me, or in revenge of the hate I protest ever to bear thee, wilt show me pity by being pitiles, for somuch as the gods seem deaf and not to hear me, and the destinies dull and not to help me, use once more thy murderous weapon to dispatch me of life, that otherwise may never be eased of grief: oh how aptly in one Tomb mayst thou bestow three murders: leave not (alas) leave not hapless Aphrodite so utterly helpless, that also present death be exempted her succour.  
As Xenarchus (for yet he lived) with fainting tongue endeavoured to pacify his sister, and acquit his enforced foe Mazeres of his self procured death, Atys and Abynados hiding themselves (as before) amongst the sepulchres, and hearing those well known names, lamentable terms, and the voice of out-crying Aphrodite, partly to assist her unto whom they supposed Mazeres to offer force, partly to revenge the death of the courteous knight Tymaetes, and withal to be meet with Mazeres for their own private quarrels, as not a little affrighthed at the noise ran forth to see what had happened.  
But when they perceived their late deliverer Xenarchus, to lie there alive more than half dead, and by him standing their late betrayer Mazeres smoking in blood, without any further words, they fiercely ran upon twise-wounded Mazeres, plying him with wounds to whom it well pleased to die: who also being thus speed of his death's wound, & aiming with his dying eyes to gasping Xenarchus, did with him yield up the ghost, either in the bosom of the other.  
This new occurrant gave to Aphrodite fresh occasion, thus to continue her former lamentations, in these words:  
What, dost thou yet live (Aphrodite) long since the beginner, and not yet the ender, or at the least wise the fourth actor in this unfinished Tragedy? O my dear brother Xenarchus, and (which art more dearer to me then a brother) my sweet Tymetes, content yourselves, yea a very little while be contented, with these wasted tears, the whole remain that continual weepings have left me, & with these cold & comfortless kisses, the last that ever Aphrodite shall give you. Neither think thou Mazeres, that I deem thee utterly unworthy my weeping, that (which hath undone us all) didst esteem me altogether worthy thy wooing, I cannot but lament thee dead, that living could never love thee.  
Which said, bestowing two kisses, on the two Corpse's, and two hundred on the watered Marble that enclosed Tymaetes she forthwith entered the Lician camp, and careless of her own safety, rushing into the Pavilion of the two kings her father's enemies, when they rather gased on her beauty, then guessed of her business she disclosed herself: and (as much as in her lay) stirreth them up ●o revenge upon her Tymaetes his death, for whose only love he had foregone life: Aprodite (saith she) is as dear to her Father, as was Tymaetes to his, and therefore the revenge though it be small, yet it is somewhat.  
In the mean time whilst she yet spoke, in came Atys and Abynados, reporting the pitiful spectacle then to be seen at the Tomb of Tymaetes: to the view whereof the Kings and Captains hied, and after them Aprodite followed. But she perceiving the gracious father of Tymaetes to be so far off, from seeking such revenge for the death of his Son, that he did not only bewail bitterly the dead bodies of Xenarchus, and Mazares, but spoke to her so comfortably as if she had been his own daughter, being now the rather overcome with the surcharge of this kind sorrow, standing a while speechless, and anon sinking down upon the dead bodies, did (good Lady) without any violente act finish her life, not unlamented for, even of her Father's enemies.  
The next day three costly Hearses were provided for the three dead bodies, and whilst the burial rights were with much business in doing at the tragical Tomb of Tymaetes (for all four were bestowed in one Tomb) the besieged Tyrant, not yet knowing what had chanced, as he stood on the walls of the City, mused at the great solemnity then in hand by the Besiegers. But when (after enquiry made) he understood the same to be the Funerals of Xenarchus and Aphrodite his two children, and of Mazeres his favoured friend, he presently fell into a desperate frenzy busily seeking, in that his madness, for weapons whereon to perish.  
Whereof being prevented, and shut up safe (as they thought) in his Chamber, the Tyrant impatient of life, when all other means failed, swallowed down his throat red burning Coals: & after he had languished certain days in horrible anguish, died to the contentment of the most or all, that lived to the comfort of a few or none.  
SArdis and therewith whole Lydia, after the death of the Tyrant, what through the remiss negligence of the Cilician Garrisons, who being left without a Governor would easily admit no government: what through the ready diligence of the Citizens, who gladly laboured to restore their Country from foreign servitude to wont freedom: and what through the politic conduct of Atys and Abynados, who in the dead night brought the Lician Armies into the City, through the same vault whereby themselves had (as before) escaped out of the City, was now possessed by the good and rightful king Tymaetes his father.  
Who being re-established in his royal dignity, did anon with indiferent ears, and and upright sentence daily determine the Controversies of his people: to which godly exercise, the former wars and troubles, did furnish him with more than sufficient of ungodly matter, leaving in manner all things in a confused estate: for new Conquests do commonly abrogate old Customs: and when the Soldier putteth up his sword, the Advocate than putteth up the coin.  
Amongst many other Controversies, and complaints that came then in question, this one presently to be handled in the discourse following, I esteem not unworthy resightall.    

Opheltes. Calamus septimus.  

Cap. 45.  
THe King in walking up and down his Palace, perceived an homely Countryman, making often proffers to have spoken somewhat unto him, but evermore, at the very push, fearfully staying at the tongues end, his purposed words, which when the good King had a long time together observed, himself coming to the silly man, and minding to cut off the simple silence of the same his timorous Suitor, spoke to him as followeth.  
Father (qd. he) mine own experience teacheth me, that the Country is overcombersome for us that be Courtiors, and thy presence in this place showeth that the Court is overcurious to you that be Countrymen: howbeit let not our Courtly stateliness, which we account convenient for the place, out-dashe thy Country bluntness, which we esteem kindly to the person: but if thou hast any thing to say, let me then understand who hath wronged thy right, that can, and will undertake to right thy wrong.  
When the king with this encouragement, had set the poor-man's tongue at liberty, Philargus (for so was he called) framed his complaint in this order.  
LEt not my gracious Lord (saith Philargus) take offence at the bold intrusion of so base a person, your majesties Subject, who not finding any one friend to prefer my Suit to your Highness, am myself enforced to be the preferrer, and pleader of a most true accusation against a most false offendor, whose lofty countenance being much, doth carry out his lewd conscience being more.  
For know (gracious Lord) that I finding mine ability insufficient to fee an Advocate to attempt an Action, much less to hold wag with so wealthy a defendant as is mine Adversary, endeavoured by personal petition to move, if it had been possible, my own pitiful cause before the pitttylesse Magistrates: but (alas) as if distressed poverty, had been over small punishment to me otherwise oppressed with wrongs, at their very doors, I found a certain scornfulness to infect even their Porters: of whom after long business, and sometimes a bribe getting licence to enter the Gates, again at the screens began my second suit, both coyer for entertainment, and costlier for justice: for wanting greater gifts to offer, I found the smaller grace to obtain, what my Suit? yea both Suit, and speech, and hope to speed. And (which is more) the serving-men, Chaumberlaines, and Doorkeepers of these great men, or Magistrates, looking for more caps and knees then mine unnurtured education could readily afford, received mine obeisance, without regard of my business: yea they that took it for a countenance to pluck off the boots of their Master, though it a discredit to have conference with me so poor a miser. But in trifling the time in thus speaking of the bastard pride of these base brave Fellows, being (in deed) but Wasps in comparison of Bees who though they buzz fearfully, render sometimes honey, I may seem in frivolous by-matters prolirious to your Majesty▪  
After many lofty looks, and churlish checks of these bribing Grooms, leaving the comfortless houses, I attended my times in the cold streets: but now also, whether it were that I met the Magistrates in merry talk with my betters, my lamentation came then out of season to interrupt their laughters▪ or that no such thing happened, yet at the least the very Mule-keepers would shoulder me to silence: or if himself chanced to look over the shoulder (perhaps offended with my moanful plaints) it was either to dismiss me as if Bacchus should answer Codrus, or else to direct me from Ixion his Wheel to Belides their tub, or (as I might term it) from himself that did terrify mine eyes with looks, to others that should tear out my heart with Law: and yet in the end nothing at all done, but I undone: my purse in all things making to their Law, but their Law in nothing to my purpose: so that if Hell might have an Hell's Hell, myself, Wretch, even on earth have suffered that Hell  
In the end with importunate plying, some of them shaked me off with the Uisour of pity, appointing a day wherein to hear my cause: but the appointment is unperformed, the day past, and the hearing yet, and I fear me ever to come: and why? Not because I want sorrow whereof to complain, but Silver wherewith to corrupt. And (O good Gods) that men should with such peevish evasions nourish their palpable errors, because mine Adversary is rich, and Worshipful, some make it a consequent, that therefore mine Accusation is rash, and wrongful: so that these men in respect of their mutual clawing one of an other, are not unlike may I say to Mules, or rather to cruel Bears with whom amongst themselves, biting is barred: but in respect of the justice they should do us, not unlike to the Beast Hyena within whose eye is contained a Precious Stone, which neither they for fierceness will depart with, nor we for fear dare attempt to recover.  
Thus mighty men speak the word, and all hear them, when miserable wretches shed their tears, but not any help them: our Plaints must be, Should, & Would, because men that are under-rule, but their Pleas are, Shall, & Will, because men that can overrule. Our grievous affections fatigate dull senses, and tire Capacities, but their golden Dumbshows are effectual even to dim sights, and deaf ears: one and the same course is in us dilatory, in them orderly: to us a dismission, to them a Decree: for judgements against them have they Errors with them▪ for Sentences Repreeves, and for Repreeves Pardons. But what alas do we (if we do aught at all) then sear Hydra her heads, and sweat in Hercules his Perils? plucking upon us twenty troubles, by proceeding to one Trial: and though they eat us as bread, and sell us for shoes, yet upon whom should we complain that either careth, or not correcteth: the Adversary so he way down right, weigheth not at all the wrong: the Lawyer so he hath a fee, disgesteth the foil, and fathereth the crime on the cause, the Magistrate he saith, Nole me tangere, & angere, lest the incarnate God prove an untimely Devil.  
Thus (may it please your Majesty) when all were tried, and I was tired, and that they lacked pity, and I likely to perish, I was by good hap advertised by some that spoke as they speed, to appeal from those officious persons, or adiourning Magistrates that hear not without hire, to the Court and Nobility there who hear such Suitors with more expedition, and help them with less expenses.  
This advise made me hardy, but the accident thereof maketh me happy, in that your highness vouchsafeth the hearing of it in your own person, which (unworthy wretch) I durst not so much as in thought to have hoped for.  
Opheltes (most gracious Sovereign) Opheltes more fortunate to dignities, than faithful in his dealings, is the only man giving occasion to this my Complaint: whom being present in your Court, may it please your Majesty personally to call to this Controversy, that hea●ing how, and wherein I shall charge him by accusation, ●e may (I would he might) clear himself by answer: for rightful Causes fear not indifferent Trials.  
Opheltes was then called, who appearing, Philargus thus proceeded.   

Cap. 47.  
THe Cilician Tyrant lately usurping in this your kingdom (most gracious Lord) pursuing, for what offence I know not, the death of this ungrateful Gentleman, enforced him for safeguard of his life, secretly as a Fugitive to skulk in every corner: in his wandering he happened (unhappily may I say) upon my poor Cottage, unto whom utterly unknown to me, and the clothes on his back scarcely covering his bare, I gave for very pity, such entertainment as my small ability would then suffer, plucking off his old rags, and putting on him new Russets.  
Now whether it were, that despair to regain the estate he lately had foregone made him resolute, or fear to go farther and speed worser, diligent, or that necessity made him virtuous being naturally vicious, I know not, but this I found, that shortly he settled himself with such towardness to our country Affairs, and homely fare, that the best husbandman was not more cunning at his work, nor the worst Hine less choice of his meat: so that finding him more diligent than a Servant, and no less dutiful than a Son, by the one I received commodity, in the other I conceived comfort: such was poor Opheltes who then did not shame to be my servant, but such is not prosperous Opheltes that now doth scorn to be my son in law. And yet, though his present Honour hath altered his former honesty, this is the man, and the self same Opheltes, unto whom not having a Coat to his back, Coin in his purse, Food for his belly, or Coverture for his head, I gave both Apparel, Money, Meat, and Harbour.  
And more than so, I have, or rather, I fear me, I had but one only Child a Daughter, whom Opheltes long wooed, at length won, and with my consent did wed: howbeit, wretched Wench, many a lusty Youth, and rich Francklines son in seeking her beauty (such as it was) togethers with her inexorable love, lost their unregarded labour: only Opheltes had the hap to make her an unhappy Wife. Yea, my dotage extended yet a degree farther, so well did I think of the man, that utterly dispossessing myself, I wholly possessed him of mine entire substance: neither did I soon recant what now too late I repent, but for the time was rather tickled with a vain joy, seeing him honestly to increase his wealth, heartily to entreat me, and husband-like to use my Daughter his Wife.  
But no extremity hath eternity as the world turned to better, so this Wretch changed to worse: for no sooner was the Tyrant, his Foe, dead, and your Majesty, his Friend reseazed of your Royal Diadem, but that he suddenly made sale of almost all that was ours, and by your highness means, and my money recovered his own: since which time much have we heard of Opheltes now the exquisite Courtier, but nothing at all of Opheltes the late expert Carter: pardon me (I beseech your Majesty) that notwithstanding all other injuries, would not thus speak to his disgrace, did he not still prosecute me with Disdain, which even Wretches digest not.  
There is in this City a stately and secret Courtesan called Phaemonoe, a fair dame in countenance, but a foul devil in conversation, abounding in riches, but abandoned of honesty, whose lascivious dalliances (as since my repair hither I have been told, and myself in part can testify) hath so far estranged Opheltes from the duty of an husband, that by circumstances it may be intended, he hath not so much as once remembered his Wife: unto whom since his departure, he hath not vouchsafed succour, sight, or sending too.  
Mine own pinching need, my Daughter her pitiful lamentations, and his unkind absence from us both, roused up mine aged Limbs, unwieldye God wots for such journeys, to seek after him whom unwitting to us we had lost, and unwilling to himself in the end I found, (if to lose an egg, and find a Cockatrice may be termed a finding): for in very troth, Opheltes was so far off from being found the same Opheltes he lately was, that when he with many surly looks, stern words, and scoffing answers had dismissed me his presence, as a dispargement to his acquaintance, I for the time not trusting mine own Eyes, began also to make a doubtful pause, in acknowledging an undoubted person, until at length, I perceived it to far with me as with the poor Sparrow, that hatcheth her own destruction. Wherefore minding with patience to bear this wrong, and brook my loss, I returned home to my comfortless house: But here (alas) a greater woe had almost bereft me my wits, Alcippe, woe am I, my Daughter Alcippe was lacking, and yet still is missing, she (what else should I imagine) impatient of such causeless unkindness, hath (God grant my fear be false) either secretly wrought her own destruction, or else at the best, which is bad enough, for ever abandoned me and mine house, as the memorative Springs that a fresh should flow to her sorrows: by thus much your Majesty may conceive more. If therefore this man his treacherous Ingratitude deserveth to be punished, or mine unsupportable Calamities be worthy of pity, let then justice recompense his mallace, and mercy relieve my misery.  
Philargus thus concluded, Opheltes could not avoid the Accusation, and the king in this wise proceeded to se●●tence.   

Cap. 48.  
I Have (Philargus) given ear, and will anon give ease, otherwise justice should be less, which ought to be so much, than an Intermedium to my sceptre: for whilst we rule with justice we retain the Tittles of kings, if not, we recover the names of Tyrants: in what therefore may we better discharge such our Charge, than in bridling the jaws of the mighty Oppressor, and in wiping tears from the eyes of the pooreman oppressed? for mine own part I have always carried this opinion, that not to do justice to others is to bring myself in danger of judgement: knowing that the Prince ought to be the peace of his people, to the Orphan a parent, to the succourless a refuge, to good men a Protector, to ill men a terror, and to all men indifferent, who in respect of the cause should reject the person, giving to every man that which is his, and for this cause are we called Gods.  
Even this Preamble, Opheltes, aught to be fearful to thee that are faulty to thyself: fie graceless man, fie, doth not almost every post in my Palace flourish with these sayings? Do as thou wouldst be done unto: Show piety to thy Parents, and love to thy kindred: Have peace with men, and war with vices: Be faithful to thy friends, and to all men just: yet by so much hath thy lewdness digressed from these Lessons▪ by how much unlike works differ from like words. But out of a legion I will only single a leash, & those are, thine Ingratitude, Disdain, and Adulteries.  
If, Opheltes, I may say him ungrateful that is ready to receive and careless to repay, and him graceless whom the gentle ●●ane of a Friend of a Debtor maketh an Enemy, what may I then say ill enough to thee? who didst frankly receive without loan, but dost falsely requite without love: forgetting that Courtesies received by tale should be returned in gross: that to be grateful for a little is a preparative to more: that still to be thankful and confess a benefit, is still to strike from off the skoare with our Benefactoures▪ and in troth, then to render thanks and give fair speeches, nothing is delivered with lesser charge, or recaved with greater acceptance.  
But certain it is, a second Fiend hath brooded this first Fury, proud Disdain I mean, whom false Honour hath begotten in dishonourable Bastardy: for why, that same Honour hath an imperfect, or rather a prodigious body, wherein Humility is not engrafted a member, which wanting, Promotion in an evil man is contrary to Preferment, because rising to Honour he falleth from Virtue: and dishonourable is Dignity used undiscreetelye, but to be glorious and not Uain-glorious, to have power and to want Pride, not with too much austerity to provoke hate, nor with too much alacrity to procure contempt, but in all things to affect a mean, is honourable in respect of the man, and honest in respeccte of his manners▪ contrariwise, to have the best degree and the basest mind, the majesty of a Prince and the manners of a Peasant, a conquering tongue and a cowardly hand, much prattle and no proof, outward gravity and inward lightness, a white head, and a green heart, high Authority, and undiscreet Government make Honour mosterous, and contrary to itself. To thee therefore, Opheltes, not unaptly may I allude the Fable of the Ass, who carrying on his back the Image of Isis, and seeing the people to fall down and worship, forgetting his holy burden supposed himself to be so honoured, and therefore in a bravery began to yerk out at his Driver, because as the rest he did not reverence: but by that time his Master had well cudgeled his hide, the foolish Ass could then remember that to Isis, not to an Ass such honours appartained: even so (Opheltes) thou that dost carry the Image, but not the Saint, the Uisour of honour, but not the virtues of honour, to rebate from thy vainglorious conceit in carrying of honourable Titles, art by grievous correction with the Ass to be taught, the worthy Titles without virtuous Conditions are but as Pictures, in respect of the Persons. Think not much that so grossly I compare an Ass to a Gentleman, but know that such disdainful Gentry is worthy so worthless a comparison.  
Can Philargus whom thou hast made poor with thy wrongs, poison thee with his words? or was his sight to thee a Serpent, by whom thyself wert adopted a Son? If so (as thou shouldest think nothing less than so) then neither admitting benefits, and forgetting such alliance, tell me, Opheltes, is it sufferable thou shouldst be more cruel than a Monster, or less civil than a man? the fiercest Monster is familiar with Monsters of the same kind, and what art thou for a man, that thou shouldst be fastidious of the acquaintance of men? If thy bravery could not have brooked his beggary, at the worst, a secret Relief might have dispatched a bashful Beggar: or if covetousness hardeneth thine heart, yet didst thou degenerate from a Nygard, in not showing a courteous look where thou wouldst not bestow a charitable alms, seeing it is usual to every pinche-penie rather to vail three bonnets, then with one halfpenny to advantage a Beggar. But (wicked man) Disdain it is that hath transformed thee from a man to Devil, otherwise thou wouldst have remembered, that never any man lost by being humble, or that any ever won by being haughty: neither hadst thou forgotten, that as Poormen have want to exercise their patience, so richmen have wealth to practise their charity: which lacking, horrible is that Audiat wherein such a Richman is Accountant.  
Thou shouldest have thought (and the rather by thine own experience) that although we flourish to day we may fall to morrow, and as Stage-players change our parts from the kings Sceptre to the beggars Scrip: that the despised may rise, and the despiser may fall: nay admit that Fortune, the common flatterer, should still favour, yet what else gaineth the disdainful person? but this, that his superiors point at him in the streets, his inferiors giere at him in corners, his equals figuratively do ride him, and whosoever doth fear him not one doth friend him: the best way therefore to be rich is to despise riches, & the mean to be glorious is to contemn glory: for he that is neither proud in wealth, nor impatient in want, is poorly rich, and richly poor,  
As for the pomp of the world, and the people's favour it is nothing else then a smoke, and vanishing Air: and as Snow beginneth and endeth in water, so man, how bigly soever he brave it, began in earth and shall end where he began: seven foot of ground is allowed to the King, and the like quantity allotted to the Beggar, and both the one and the other putrefy in the grave: though we lack nothing in sight, yet have we nothing in certainty, seeing all things be transitory, and ourselves mortal. Where are the gra●e Senators, the wealthy Citizens, the wise Philosophers, the famous Orators, the valiant Captains, the deified Princes, and amiable Ladies? are they not all converted to unsavoury Dunghills, or utterly consumed to dust? do they not feed worms in their Coffens that bread worms in their carcases? look into their sepulchres whether it be possible to discern the Master from the Slave, the Richman from the Beggar, the King from the Subject, the Champion from the Coward, the Lady from the Beldame, the foul from the fair or one from an other.  
If such be our end, as such it is, if our felicities here be generally subject to Casualties, & our flesh in the grave suffereth indifferently Corruption, with what reason then do we despise those through Pride, betwixt whom & us is no difference in the pit? saving that the poor leave not behind him like contentions for their heirs, or carry with them like pampered Carcases for the worms, nor commonly like dangers for their souls, because unto whom most is committed by him most is omitted, howbeit with him it is most reckoned: when if the account fall not out orderly, what doth it advantage to have lived in delices & dignities? when that which is mortal shallbe tumbled into a hole, & that which is immortal be tormented in hell: where the issue shall be not of Riches but of Righteousness, not of costly Decking, but of charitable dealing. Thus seest thou, Opheltes, that in prosperity to be secure is dangerous, but at any time to be disdainful odious, that honour standeth not without humility, that humility teacheth a man without oversight to have of himself an insight, & that in a pooreman it is grateful, in a richman glorious.  
It resteth now of thine incestuous and incontinent life, wherein I will be short, because the same wickedness is generally had in such detestation, that should not I reprove it, the beastliness of the fact itself might impugn it: for who is he that wanteth a parramtorie condemnation against a violator of marriage? Wherefore thus to conclude, seeing, Opheltes, that the now calm spreading thy sails in the broadest Seas may not incite thee to gratitude, neither the passed Storm that enforced thee to creep under Philargus his Lee dehort thee from disdain, nor yet the dishonour pursuing the offence deter thee from adultery, that I may therefore, amend by justice, what is helpless by entreaty, this is my Sentence: That Philargus (in am of his loss) be presently possessed of the one half of all that is thine, & the rest to be confiscate at my pleasure, unless within one year next thou safely bring forth Alcippe thy wife, his daughter: wherein failing, to thee I adjudge perpetual banishment.  
Poor Philargus, forthwith enjoyed the benefit of this sentence, & the king finding by further conference & trial, that he neither wanted Gentry to match with his gravity, nor yet discretion to deal in matters of estate, after a short time, advanced him to high Offices in public government. In whom, then profiting with double praise, that is, by wisdom which evermore commendeth itself, and Authority which unto whom soever it happeneth, wise or witless, never wanteth favourers, or at the leastwise flatterers, was verified this saying, wisdom without riches, and authority is as a Diamond, raked up in a dunghill. It followeth now, that somewhat be said what in this mean while became of Alcippe, and also what afterwards befell to her, Opheltes & Phaemonoe.   

Cap. 49.  
Immediately after that Philargus was (as before) departed from home to seek after Opheltes, Alcippe for the same cause left also her father's house, & came unto Sardis: where understanding of her husbands common haunt to Phaemonoe, she got herself by means into her service, that so at the least, she might behold him by stealth, whom only she ought to have held by right: how often (good soul) did she inwardly devour her tears with patience (a rare patience, and in her sex a black Swan) whilst standing upon her own unworthiness, and to herself then seeming over simple a wife for so surly an husband, she neither durst hazard to disclose herself, nor yet was so happy to be acknowleged of him, for a Fly was not then an eagles flight, Opheltes not stooped but to Phaemonoe: as for Alcippe, being in his eye but as a Cipher in Augurism, she might come to him unregarded, and pass from him unremembered: yet wanted she not patience to suffer his unkind pranks, nor diligence to further with her Mistress his unwarranted pastime, yea so far as etc. extended: so that contenting herself with part and not contending for the principal, she sticked not upon the Substance, but was satisfied with the shadow, Phaemonoe had the game, Alcyppe nought else but the gaze: all which (in respect of the necessity) she did gladly view in silence, as dreading otherwise, to lose the advantage of that sorrow.  
But when (as before is said) Philargus had brought Opheltes in displeasure with the king, and discredit with the people, & that his surfited Prodigality was thoroughly purged with a coinlesse Uomit, it came now to pass, that Phaemonoe her love did suddenly labour of a Consumption, his new want disabled him to pay for his shot, and her old wont disallowed him to run on the score: yea and that with such contemptious coyness, and unkind disdain did she handle him, that had not will utterly overruled his wit, even such her entertainment, might easily have allayed the heat of his inordinate passions, and stayed the frenzy of his madding dotage.  
The which notwithstanding, the miserable man (and the more miserable in respect of this his disallowable affection, then in that beggary had brought him on his knees, and the king his sentence of banishment, stood presently upon execution) would by no repulse surcease to hover, where by no request (made he never so fair a pitch) he could seize.  
Now with the increase of his lawless desire, ensued the decrease of the limited year, wherein he was either to bring forth Alcippe, or failing thereof to forsake his country: what remedy then remaineth but of two evils to make choice of the lesser? but could Opheltes so do? no, his unruly humour had brought him so far out of square, that he rather doth hazard to be hailed to death (for death was incident to his tarriance) out of the slanderous house of a shameless harlot, then with assurance of life, to use the benefit of the more favourable sentence which was banishment: & yet (enchanted wiser) what else did he with the price of his deadly adventure? then buy the emptying of his eyes of restless tears, and the sundering of his heart with continual sighs, at her hands, & in her presence, whose wilful coyness was such, that neither would she hear him patiently, nor answer him but proudly.  
The year was now finished, longer than which Opheltes was not to make abode in Lydia, when Phaemonoe, not brooking the cumbersome haunt of so beggarly a Guest, with outrageous terms flatly forbade him her house, threatening otherwise, to procure against him the execution of the king his Sentence▪ wherefore withdrawing himself into a solitary place, with bitter terms among, he complaineth in this manner.  
The time was, yea (ungracious Castaway) the time was, that bearing an heart undismaied of banishment, thou didst also find hap, unlooked for, to recover thy liberty, but I that without craving in aid of any, could then recover myself from the treachery of Fortune, am not now by the assistance of any Fortune, to be rescued from the tyranny of mine own folly: such a god is love, or rather such a devil is lust that only is strong to my discomfiture, & wanteth not force to draw me, even willingly to destruction: but (for of things before hand done I am privy, & of an action already in framing well may I prenosticate) as moisture is incident to water, so is mishap an appendent to my destiny: yea it is evident (I say evident, because as heretofore my life, so at this instant my death shall affirm my latter Astrology infallible) that the favourable Aspect of no Planet, hath been quallefying to the luckless Star of my Nativity, and therefore have I found all fortunes, prevailing to the drift of this Catastrophe: an end (in deed) base and beastly, when the matter thereof is Lust, the mean a Strumpet, and the manner a violence stopping of mine own breath. But what shouldest thou longer live (Opheltes) having so good opportunity, to perform the prodigious execution of thy Destiny, and by one death to end infinite sorrows? In saying this, and whilst he resolutely hastened to have strangled himself, by good hap in came Alcippe: who descrying the melancholy pretence of her miserable husband, and seeing the despair whereinto he was then falling, with vapored eyes offereth this kind duty, to the only Seedsman of all her sorrows, saying.   

Cap. 50.  
IT is (qd. she) contrary to manhood, even in extremities of evils not to be constant, but wilfully peevish, and perverse is he that foregoeth comfort, whilst he forsaketh counsel: although the man be termed foolhardy that dareth to follow the advise of a woman, yet believe me (Opheltes) as it is not incredible, but that a Mouse may gnaw a Lion out of a gin, so is it not impossible, but that I may at the least, give intermission to thy grief.  
Long did I practise thy cure, but therein perform no other than mine own care, in preferring thy bootless love to merciless Phaemonoe, but I now find, and I would thou couldst also feel, that longer to bleed of that vain, is to leave thy body bloodless, thy head witless, and thy friends hopeless of thy recovery: what meanest thou, Opheltes, to strain out a gnat and to swallow up a Camel? terming her unreasonable in hating thee so deadly that loveth her so dearly, and not espying thy own greater madness, in loving her so dearly that hateth thee so deadly.  
It might have sufficed for a rebuke once to have intermeddled with a Courtesan, and for a reproach great enough that so bad a woman should blush at thy company, without thus dying a Reprobate, by still dooting in thy passed, and purposed wickedness: leave of therefore, if not not for shame, yet to avoid sin: and know that then are the gods severe in correcting when men are secure in offending: yea (if for nothing else) yet therefore should Opheltes be weaned from lewdness, because Phaemonoe is wedded to lightness: thou wert not her first choice, neither shalt thou be her last change: for the love of an harlot is not so tied to any one, but that the same lieth open to every one (Beggars and Banishedmen by proviso excepted) and thou being in the same predicament, art therefore under the same Exception concluded: wherefore it is mere folly in thee to look for other of custom, or to hope for better of courtesy.  
But whilst our words be not plausible, our counsels seem not profitable: and with strong reasons to resist love, were, perhaps, to labour myself mad with reason: For such love (if I may so mis-tearme lust) as it is easilier received, so is it hardlier digested than the Taint Borestes, that swallowed a Mite swelleth a Monster: if therefore, Opheltes, thou wilt not be declaimed from Phaemonoe it resteth then the Phaemonoe be reclaimed to thee: which to contrive asketh cost, for kindly it is for such Hawks to soar from an empty Fist: but Opheltes lacketh, will you say, and is therefore helpless, but Alcippe liveth, do I say, & therefore not hopeless, she liveth, in deed, to profit thee with a triple benefit, to restore to thee thy liberty & to recover for thee the moiety of thy living, to which only Rise is Phaemonoe in sequens. Admit therefore Alcippe to stand thee in this steed, whose patience, I know, is so liable to thy passions, that to work thee a second delight, she will endure be it a second divorce.  
At the naming of Alcippe did Opheltes sigh, and turning his face letteth fall plenty of tears, making at the length unto her, whom not yet he knew to be Alcippe, such answer.  
The tidings (saith he) are most joyful to Opheltes that Alcippe is yet living, but ●eeing it is currant in each man's mouth, and also confirmed in mine own mind, that my falsehood towards her doth rather merit a most shameful death, than the acceptance of such undeserved assistance, I am much more prone to ●atefie the first doom by mine own hands, then apt to receive the latter grace by her help: wherefore I beseech thee to declare to Alcippe, that dying I wish unto her all good fortune, whom only I have made altogether infortunate: but know that thy counsel as touching Phaemonoe, is like to an after-showre that falleth when flowers, and roots are already withered: I am determined to die, and my det●rmynation shall not be changed, for why, to live unexiled and wealthily should be much less pleasing to men, then to die from inward vexation and outward infamy. Only be assured (gracious Damsel) that I account this the last, and not the least of my miseries, not to be able to recompense thee for thy passed and present kindness, for the which the heavens grant thee, what I, besides thanks, have not to give thee.   

Cap. 42.  
ALcippe not a little discouraged at this wilful answer of his, as her last refuge, made herself known to her husband, whom with hearty tears, she entreateth to use her if not as a wise (of which name she said herself unworthy) yet at leastwise, as an instrument to discharge him of the kings Sentence, and as the mean whereby to recover his extented lands, & suspended liberty.  
To be short, Opheltes now acknowledging her, seemed confounded with shame, and in conclusion being wholly conquered with the consideration of her so rare patience, policy, constancy, and (which was not inferior to the rest) her beauty, confessed his falsehood, repented him of his folly, craved pardon for both, and vowed following loyalty: and hereupon from wondering and weeping, fell they to kissing and embracing.  
In which mean while, Phaemonoe (by evil adventure) entered the place, who perceiving their mutual tears, & admiring their unusual familiarity, whether it were offended therewithal, or fearing lest Opheltes, after the time prescribed for his banishment, being taken in her house might so turn her to damage, or that jealousy, frenzy, or malice incensed her so to do, it shall not matter, but howsoever it happened, she railed so out of square upon Opheltes with words, and fared so roughly against Alcippe with blows, that (after much sufferance) he not able longer to endure the one, or digest the other, his Melancholy being now converted to Choler, whilst Phaemonoe thus persisted to outrage, did in his fury stab her to the heart, in such sort that of the same wound she presently died.  
immediately after the deed done Opheltes was apprehended, who as principal, and Alcippe as Accessary were brought before Philargus, then being in great Honour, and a justicer in Sardis: who understanding of the fact, and (with grief enough) acknowledging the offenders, because he would not be thought overforward in doing justice against Opheltes, neither to slack a justicer in revenging the death of Phaemonoe both (as before) his enemies, but chief because nature would not suffer him to sit in judgement against Alcippe, his own, and only child, with a heart therefore melting with sorrow he dismissed both Prisoners his presence, referring their cause to be determined by the king in his own person: Philargus (good old man) in the mean while, by so much suspending his joy in that he had found his Daughter, by how much he feared to lose her again, being now to be arained of murder.  
But the matter being thus brought before the king, upon the ripping up of all Circumstances, the death of Phaemonoe was though worthy her dishonest life, Opheltes and Alcippe were acquitted by the king, and he received again into favour, Philargus is made a joyful father of Alcippe, Opheltes is reconciled to him and enriched, and every thing amiss was now amended.  
BUt that I may now reduse your memories, and retire your ears to the history whereof I principally entreat, that is, of the cause and event of Atys and Abynados their Quest and travels, you are to remember that Arbaces the old Mead and his Companion, leaving behind them in their place Sorares and his Assyrians, are (as before is said) escaped out of the barren Island, from whence they safely arrived at Sarmatia: and from thence again, as pitying the distress wherein they had left Sorares and his company, and for their delivery they are already resailed to the barren Island: unto whom and to Sorares, Atys and Abynados whom we are now to ship from Lydia, happened as immediately doth now follow.    

Arbaces. Pars Calami primi.  

Cap. 52.  
AFter that Atys and Abynados had made long abode in Lydia, having received great entertainment and Gifts of the king, they ship themselves and their company, chiefly directing their Course towards Sarmatia: but as they had no absolute knowledge there to find those persons for whom they sought, so in this their sailing they did not precisely observe any direct course, but entered now an● than into such adjacent Seas, Creeks & Channels, into which likelihoods, profit, pleasure, or necessity did carry them. So that in riding upon the flood Tanais, which doth divide the Scythians from the Sarmatians, thy coast by a very pleasant and delectable Island: here did they land their men, in purpose to have taken in fresh water, and other provigion. But far had they not foraged from their ship, disorderly roaming (as unsuspitious of that which happened) when the Islanders who from the next mountains had espied their arrival, lying a great number in ambushment, had suddenly enclosed them in on every side, their barbarous darts and weapons for the most part, bearing (to the great terror of the Assyrians) the bloody tokens of some very late slaughter.  
What cold the Assyrians now do, or rather what did they not that valiant and courageous men should have done? many they slew, and some of them were slain: but in the end, the multitude of the Islanders prevailed against the manhood of the Assyrians: who being thus captivated were anon committed to bands, and than brought before the Governess or rather Goddess of those Islanders.  
For such was the superstitious error of the people in those idolatrous days, that whosoever had extirped Tyrants, civiled Nations, confounded Monsters, or else by prows, wisdom, Invention, or by any extraordinary good, profited any common Wealth and Country, the same living was magnified for more than a man, and dead canonised a God: so that easier was it than for men to make Gods, then for such their Gods to make men.  
By this means therefore it came to pass, that those Islanders had already in devotion, deified their Governess Dircilla: for such as was Pallas to the Grecians, and Isis to the Egyptians, so and such was she to this people: and albeit years (for now was she very aged) had wrought a natural decay in her beauty being yet more than ordidinarie, neither place, time, nor troubles had so impaired the Majesty of her looks, or impugned the magnanimity of her heart, but that armed much to the Amazonian fashion, she seemed more warlike than Penthesilea, or rather more terrible than Bellona herself.  
In such wise issuing out of her portative Tent, after she had twice or thrice shaked her ireful Lance, in sign of her unappeasable fury against the Assyrians, she left unto the wretched Captives the same comfort, as if they had presently beheld the head of Medusa: and as the fierceness of those her looks had enough of fear, so the delivery of these her words had nothing of hope.  
Are (qd. she, to the Islanders) the bands, and captivity of these ungracious people sufficient (think you) to warrant your safety? or have I pleasure (suppose you) to see their bodies yet breathing, upon whose Ghosts also, were it possible, we should do execution? was I yesterday deceived in those Assyrians whom I commanded you to execute, as the Spials and Agents of some other their Accomplicers? or think you by intercepting of them, and these you have disappointed their Confederacy? no, no, be ye assured that the expedition of their Treasons, doth not only consist upon these two Companies: esteem therefore all haste over little, until you have mingled their blood with the bowels of the others, their Explorors': otherwise it will come to pass, and that before you look for it, but not sooner than I (experienced of their treacheries) fear it, that these Rovers and Robbers of the whole world, being by their tyrannous countrymen (already perchance at point of their arrival) rescued out of our hands, shall stand them in no small steed to the cutting of your throats, and the conquest of this our Island.  
Have you forgot how yesterday, even the sentence of death could not pluck down the courage of their Companions? and why? forsooth reason had they to hope, that expected this help: and mark you not also how the careless countinaunces of these our Thrals, do not so much argue a contempt of death, as the like hope that their armed Confederates are already marching to their rescue? once again therefore I say, let your haste in putting them to death, cut off their hope in purposing upon life: of life said I? yea and having made a massacre of your lives, and pray of your Country, to survive you in the one, and succeed you in the other.  
To Atys Abynados, and to the rest this her Sentence seemed no more severe, then to be charged of Confederacy with before executed Assyrians strange: but therein to have been guilty or not guilty was all one, it sufficing to Dircilla her wrath, and their deaths only that they were Assyrians: unto which people (the occasion why hereafter following) she had vowed herself a deadly enemy.   

Cap. 53.  
WHilst she was yet speaking, divers of the Islanders (as purposing a general slaughter) in great fury ran to a Cave not far of, and anon return, rigorously driving before them certain Assyrians, whom the day before they had taken foraging in the Island, and of whose deaths Dircilla their Governess, had before given them in commandment.  
But the Islanders, being naturally pitiful, altogether unacquainted with shedding of blood, and dwelling as it were in a world by themselves, had never till then seen Ship or Stranger: and therefore, had not the fierce words and wrath of Dircilla more prevailed, than the inhumanity, or malice of those harmless people, the Asserians had not only not been assailed and captivated, but also, such admiration rid their beauty and bravery strike in to the hearts of the idolatrous Islanders, that either they had easily believed them to be Gods, or at the leastwise durst not have made proof of their manhoods. But Dircilla commanding, whose words to them were as Oracles, they feared not to enterprise, were it never so rare, or great an Adventure: only herein (as moved with compassion) they had borrowed of their usual obedience, in that they had not, according to her commandment the day before, done execution upon those firste-arived Assyrians.  
Wherefore Dircilla, contrary to her thought, seeing them yet living whose death she had commanded, one while firing her froward eyes upon the miserable Captives, and anon casting her frowning looks upon the Islanders, after she had, with sharp reprehentions, rebuked them of disobedience, and reproved them of foolish pity, & that her words had now made them altogether as pitiless, as her own purpose was cruel, she caused both the first, and last company of the Assyrians to ascend the top of a steep Rock, from whence to be floung down headlong, was the death whereunto they were all adjudged, by this angry Virago.  
Great was the general lamentation that the Assyrians then made, and no less the admiration that either company had of this their heavy, and unexpected meeting, and that amongst so barbarous a people: howbeit of all this time, on neither part was any acquaintance taken, for they all seemed strangers one to another. But anon, as the friend embraceth his friend, and each man encourageth his fellow, with patience and constancy to leave his life, and as Atys and Abynados ply them, now to one place, & then to an other, still with godly exhortations, strengthening the ●●●●ting courages of some their fearful Countrymen, amongst the first-arived Assyrians, they espied Sorares their father. But, alas, the manner of this their dismal meeting was so much the more lamentable, by how much more the same might have been joyful, had they not been crossed by this misfortune: there might one see the Sons to want all tokens of gladness in saluting their Father, and the Father furnished with all signs of heaviness in entertaining his Sons: and the skilfullest Painter in making a several Counterfeit to every sorrowful countenance, either should have been grounded in variety, or else have painted more than one Agamennon, under a vale, ●emon●● the death of Iphigenia. Yea so pitiful were the confu●ed Cries, & this doleful Spectacle, even to the Islanders themselves, that moved with compassion, they made no haste at all to do execution, as was the severe commandment of their Governess.  
But Dircilla only constant in her cruelty, & the rather, when she perceived the ministers of her wrath thus suddenly inclined to mercy, being set in a double chaufe, did single out from either company of the Assyrians two of the most aged persons: and then hardly withholding her Fist from their faces, and her Lawnce from the bosoms of her own people, used these following speeches.   

Cap. 54.  
HOw far off (foolish and ungrateful people) I am even from any tyrannous thought whereof it seemeth you have me in jealousy, the self-witnesse of these two ancient murderers, may happily fit me with a sufficient purgation: for as I persuade myself that all Assyrians generally are fleshed with blood, so I easily conjecture that these two, in respect of their years, should be parties, or at the least wise privy to those murders whereof I shall now speak: yea, although a godless life hath commonly a graceless end, yet it may be that these old Hou●●sides (whom if you shall spare, a natural death will shortly dispatch) will at the last penitently confess, what at the least I particularly express. But if it fall out against my guess, yet either shall I make the very name of an Assyrian odious in your ears, or by reporting my just quarrel, prove myself guiltless of tyranny. Omitting therefore to be curious, as touching the treacherous arrival of the Assyrian Armies into Media my native country, under conduct of their butcherous Emperor Ninus, it shall suffice that my weeping eyes somewhat easing my heart, shall anon licence my tongue, in few, to touch with what bestial cruelty they ordered their bloody Conquest. These mine 〈◊〉 beheld the royal Pavilion of king Farnus my Father consumed with fire, which way soever I looked the country abroad was all a flame: here might I see an heap of Meads newly slaughtered, there the Assyrians to persever in slaying: this Villain murdereth a Matron over the dead body of her son or husband, that Ruffian haileth, by her fair hear, some noble Virgin to ravishment, death or captivity: one sundereth the impotent olde-man in sport, an other ●●eaeth the strong-membred youngman in despite: yea in every corner was such murdering, sacking, captivating, racking, rifling, and horror what not? that death seemed least damage that the poor Medes then sustained. If the rehearsal of this common Calamity will not suffice. I have also a particular complaint against the Assyrians: who (then in which they might not have perpetrated greater cruelty) having purposely made the King and Queen my parent's eye-witnesses, of the most miserable condition of their Subjects and Signory, did also, even in their sight, murder seven young Princes their children: and (lest in any one thing, they might seem not to have outraged in tyranny) with the lukewarm blood of the children they mingled also the blood of the parents: leaving me of their fruitful issue the only Remain. But more than this, and (who was fully as dear, or dearer to me then parents, brethren or country) in this bloody business I lost by death or captivity, I wots not which, Duke Arbaces, ah Arbaces my husband, who not long before had made me a mother of an unfortunate Son, was then bereft me. Also when the Assyrians should departed, mine harmful beauty procured my shipping towards Assiria, for why, the Emperor had in his purpose appointed me one of his concubines: with which purpose of his I, desolate I, became so perplexed, that from thenceforth breaking truce with my patience, I was rather to seek of a desperate practice then a consenting 〈◊〉 to have perished, in somuch, that the motherly care of my Babe then hanging on my breast, had not bailed me from death, if a worse occurrant had not withstood so an good occasion: for by the commandment of Ascolanta the Emperisse (being now envious of my beauty, and waxing jealous of her husbands liking) I was all alone set a shore in this Island, by which means I also for-went my sweet Infant: and until now, my deserts more (as appeareth) than your devotions, have given me here entertainment. It is not vainglory (I speak not now to these Assyrians, whom I worthily malign, but to you the Inhabitants of this Island, whom unworthily I have profited) that moveth me thus to vaunt deserts, but your own unthankfulness that will not value my merits: for meet though it be, that you vouch the heavens for the matter of your wealth, whereof you long were ignorant, yet amiss were it not, to vouchsafe me a prerogative in the manner and use, as first delivered unto you by mine invention. I found you without Gods, without Religion, without Laws, or Government, naked, wild, brutish, & beastlike, feeding on Roots, harbouring in Bushes, fear full of your own shadows, and to describe you in a word, Monsters wrapped in manlike habbites: but in these through mine industry you have now Reformation, & were it not that provender doth prick you, and fulne●●●ake you foolish, only you, might be said an happy people: and that, iwis, not somuch in respect the natural pleasure, and plenty of this your popilous Island (through aterrestriall Parradise) as in that mine expe●ience and platform hath warned you, and might have armed you from the Incursions of these Tyrants, the common Scourge to all people: against whom, not without cause as you have heard, my tongue long since hath proclaimed deadly Foade, neither, in seeking revenge, shall mine heart break covenant, with the diseased ghosts of my murdered friends. But (on God's name) be it so, that neither Media for example, myself for merits, the 〈…〉 their mischiefs, our law for justice, you for duty, 〈◊〉 I for authority, be it so, I say, that none of these have that weight of argument, to win you revenging Instruments, to wreak my teen upon these tyrants: yet at the leastwise, be provident for your own safety, and prevent your own evils, by punishing these your apparent enemies: of whom the question is not, whether they all have jumped upon one devilish Attempt, that is, the conquest of you and your Country (all circumstances directly approving such consequent) but, because according to the mind of the offendor we are to measure offences, & for that there may be mercy in punishing, and cruelty in sparing, let us see whether of the, two, pity or punishment is in this case more requisite. If this offence of the Assyrians had been committed through ignorance, infirmity, provocation on our part, through rashness (for sometimes rashness, and such like infirmities are in some men as sicknesses) if privately against one, or a few, or by your known foes, than I deny not, but that mercy might have borrowed of justice: but I will clear them (as men that will not offend but in the highest degree) of these petite faults, and charge them with capital crimes. They (lest herein they should degenerate from Assyrians) of pretended mall●●● without matter, have hoisted their sails to foreign winds, and used their unpeaceable weapons against unknown people: not for Enmity, but for Ambitton, not ignorantly by chance, but advisedly by counsel, not rashly, but resolutely, not against some, bu● against all, not because you deserve war, but because they despise peace: yea, had not I forewarned you, as having had trial of their treacheries, you should have felt their wounds before you could have feared their words: and after they had glutted themselves with Slaughters, Ravishments, Sacrileges, burnings, spoilings, and all kind of Mischiefs, the Ruins of your Island should not have privileged the survivors of you, from their intolerable Slavery. If this much, which might suffice for me to charge them, & for you to correct them be yet insufficient, then have I also Reason, & Honesty Coparswado●s hereof. Reason I say, because better a few be punished then that a multitude should perish, & Honesty, because in that you may, and will not, you take upon yourselves the Offence of the offendors, and betray the good whilst you bolster the bad: for Impunity is the Spring of Carelessness, the Mother of Insolency, the root of impudency and the Nurse of all Transgressions. For shame therefore, Sirs, inchaunt your harmful pity, and remember that not to correct is to consent to the Crime. Better it is that I remember you of the peril, than you repent you of your pity, for if you stay until Experience, the Philosophy of Fools, hath taught you what I have told you, then, to your costs, you shall find that the Assyrians be men enemies to mankind, not to be made your friends by Compulsion or Composition, whose enmity cometh of Custom, and not by occasion: even this disgrace, if they escape, that their lives & liberties were in your power to give, or take is unnatural for their natures to digest, for which (were there no other cause) their cankared stomachs shall requite your sufferance with the abuse of you patience: it is a thing impossible. ●o reconcile an heart hardened with pride and malice to honesty. But what? is it decent that I plead before mine own Uassails? that I entreat as a Subject whom I should command as a Sovereign? my sufferance, I see, is cause of your stubborness, & my courtesy of your contempt: At my first coming when I might have had adoration as a Goddess, I was not then so haughty as to take it, and now that I should have obedience as you Governess, you are not so humble as to give it: thus deal you with me as did the Frogs with jupiters' Rafter, you make me a Stock, but beware these Storks. And truly, seeing you have not deserved why I should be longer careful of you and your welfare, and for, that by disobedience, you will needs inflict upon yourselves so grievous a punishment, I also give my consent (a revenge too great I confess) that these our Captives be anon delivered to their ships: that, being insufficient of themselves, they may invite from Assiria the destruction, and ruin of you, your wives, your children, your goods, and your whole country: for enough have the Assyrians seen in this our Island, to allure hither multitudes of Invaders.   

Cap. 55.  
THese her words, had now so incensed the minds of the Islanders against the Assyrians, that every of them was clearly resolute in the death of his Prisoner: but for that one of the two old Captives, whom Dircilla had (as before) singled out, and whom her words had now especially touched to the quick, was suddenly bereft his senses, and fallen in a sown: And for that the Islanders stood upon expectation of some further confession, to be delivered by the second olde-man, who was already, in way of answer to Dircilla, entered into some and these following speeches, therefore until he should end, the determined slaughter received a second adiornement.  
I protest (qd. this aged man) by whatsoever God hath ●ar● of us and this Country, by the Sun, and the holy Fire of Caldia, and as every of these shall, in this life, comfort my withered Carcase, more fit for the worms than the world, and do good to my Soul, when it shall leave the wearisome prison of this my body, I shall, Lady▪ neither dissemble for fear, accuse for envy, or excuse for affection, but as touching that wherewithal we are now charged, utter all that I know, and know all to be troth I shall utter.  
For myself therefore I say, that most true and too true it is, that the Assyrians, then conducted by Ninus, committed such and the same before remembered outrages, slaughters, and spoils in Media, neither were you deceived in guessing some of us to be privy, or parties to that bysines, wherein (to say troth) myself was no small part: but how? not (alas) as a Spoiler with the Assyrians, but as a Sufferer with the Meads, for Media is the place of my birth, Assiria only of mine abode. And for these Assyrians, mine own company I mean, I say, Lady, that not charging them with the faults of their Ancestors, or any further than wherein themselves be guilty, you, but especially yours have greater cause of kindness, then of any cruelty: for proof and better credit whereof, besides my former protestation, somewhat it is (whom since my hither coming I have not heard named) that I know you to be Dircilla, wife & Lady to the Duke Arbaces: but more, that I the speaker of these words am Orchamus' brother unto the same your husband: and more than so, the man unto whose care, when suddenly, at the commandment of the Emperise, you were snatched from out your Cabin, you commended your young Son, saying: Ah good Orchamus, if thy fortune prove better than the destinies of all thy friends, be a Parent to thy poor Nephew, whom with more grief▪ I leave an Orphan, them to have seen hi●●uried: I well remember the words, and, methinks, I yet see those very weepings which pierced mine heart, a● this our lamentable separation. Since which time (Dircilla) I have not only been careful to answer the same your trust, but also, beyond expectation, I found Fortune and opportunity therein assisting. For no sooner was the Assyrian Fleet arrived at home, but that Ninus (not a little displeased at your loss, the which by the Emperise, & her ministers was smoothly cloaked with a colourable excuse) but that Ninus, I say, caused your Son to be nursed and nurtured with princelike attendance: and when his age served, who then of greater credit and courage, or a more notable Captain than was Sorares, amongst the Assyrians? But in the return of the imperial Navy f●om the Bactrian wars, by occasion of a sudden tempest then happening, Sorares your Son, my nephew and all the company aboard his ship, were lost from the rest, in the Sea Caspium. Now when this heavy news was bruited at Niniveh, I, Atys, and Abynados, his two Sons (for he hath made you a grandmother of these two Gentlemen) and these other, his, and our friends, vowing ourselves in his continual Quest, have three years already, travailed many Countries and Seas, to find out Sorares: through occasion whereof, as also to take in fresh water and other necessaries, and not upon any such purpose as you pretend, we are arrived in this Island, and lo, yonder-same (he pointed to Sorares) is the man far sought, but unluckily here found, if finding him we lose ourselves, and with the end of our labours, make also an end of our lives.   

Cap. 56.  
IN few, what with this talk, and other more effectual tokens, Dircilla being brought to her Creed, and left in the profundìs, rather musing at their meeting being so straunce, then mistrusting the matter being credited, or ever she might embrace Sorares, or reply to Orchamus, was interrupted by the second Olde-man, the other of the two singled-out Captives: who in a joyful ecstasy, suddenly clapped her (frowardly disdaining his embracings, as not yet cooled of her former chaufe) betwixt his braune-fallen arms. But when he saw her looks, not unlike to those in the picture of Proserpina, newly rapted by Pluto, it entered then his thought, that rashly to jest with Saints or edg-tooles, might prove dangerous: wherefore as doubting the like reward, that had Aesop's kind Ass, unkinde-like imitating the wanton Spaniel, for the time therefore charming such his kindness, anon he found opportunity, thus to change her coyness.  
I give place, said he, to the time, but not to Dircilla, whom these arms (pythlesse though they now be) once could, nay often did, not violently but willingly embrace (may I so blab) even in the bed of Arbaces: blush not, Dircilla, blush not, the sport was lawful, howsoever the report may seem over liberal: and if (for poverty parteth friends) you disdain to acknowledge such acquaintance, yet at the least for Arbaces his sake, deal mercifully with these your Prisoners. As for myself, could I plead no other protection then that I am old enough not to fear death, it might suffice: but neither did I hope so well as I have here found, neither do I fear so ill as I am here threatened: Orchamus (for so your countenance promiseth a consent) hath already found grace, because he is brother to your husband Arbaces, and therefore not likely is it, that Arbaces himself speaking for himself, or rather for me, shall speed worser then doth Orchamus: neither do I make it a doubt, but that Sorares son to Arbaces and you, is alike dear to either parent: and of the safety of Atys and Abynados his sons, natural love I presume tendereth a warrantise: but now generally, and briefly as touching all these Assyrians, myself, Dircilla, will be their borrow, if Arbaces his Bail may deliver them of their Banoes.  
To make short tale, Dircilla now hearing, and seeing sufficient to the acknowledging of her husband, unable then to moderate her sudden joy, & in respect of her years and whom even now she seemed, unlike to herself, she lightly clasped Arbaces as ready to embrace, as to be embraced betwixt her arms: who mutually mixing their joyful tears, with loving kisses, were either of them long time bereft the use of their tongues: of which pleasant passions Orchamus, Sorares, Atys, and Abynodos were also glad Copartners: neither were the bystanders, aswell Assyrians, as Islanders exempted for idle inspectoures 〈◊〉 evil appayed Actors in this joyful Accident.  
After therefore more than a little joy on all sides overpassed, by reason of this happy meeting thus disclosed, wherein (after many years, and every person severally scattered in a sundry Country) the Husband had recovered his Wife, she her Husband, both their Son, he his Parents, him his sons, he them, the brother his brother, the kinsman his kindred, and the friend his friend, and (which more is) after extreme miseries attaining to such inspeakable joys, yea and at that instant, when nothing was less hoped for then life, after (I say) this joyful meeting, the Prisoners were all set at liberty, and bountifully feasted by Dircilla, and her Islanders. And then every of the Meads severally reported what had befallen them, since their chasing out of their country (as before) by Ninus.  
First Arbaces told of their tragical arrival into the barren Island, and how he and his fellow, surviving the rest, after they had been long shut up there in great misery, did deliver themselves from thence (as in the beginning of this Book is remembered) in the ship of Sorares, whom then, or before this very time he knew not for his Son: then showeth he of their safe arrival, and good entertainment in Sarmatia from whence, having obtained a ship and men, as pitying the distress wherein they had left Sorares and his Assyrians, and for their delivery, they again resailed to the barren Island: then lastly how they had no sooner taken Sorares, and his miserable soldiers aboard, and put their ship again to the Seas, but that a sudden storm, drove them perforce upon that same pleasant Island, wherein this their ieoberdious joy thus happened.  
Sorares, Atys, and Abynados did (in effect) no other then i●terate the former report of Orchamus: and now was it come to Dircilla her turn to speak, whose words, containing a more pitiful, profitable, and pleasant discourse, than a curious delivery, thus follow.   

Cap. 57  
WHen, Arbaces, the Mariners had landed and left me post alone in this Island, the day was far spent, and my wits almost at an ebb: then was thy name rife in my mouth, & (though also in vain) the extinct names of my dead parents, and brethren: yea mine eyes with fear, & my heart with love, did both twain follow those envious Sails, whereby Sorares my son, than an Infant, was carried Captive into a strange Country, from me his helpless mother: and when mine eyes might no longer accompany him through distance of Seas, yet did my heart arrive with him even in Assiria. Anon with fresh supplies did sorrows confusedly succeed sorrows, being in number so great, and in nature so grievous, that one of my then passions might have set twenty tongues a work, one of those tongues have constrained a milion eyes to tears, & the least cause of those tears have killed the weepers heart: neither did it alone suffice, that I thus sorrowed for things past, but I also feared a world of woes not unlikely to have followed. Here perceived I a pleasant Island, but unmanured (as might seem) of people: retire back I could not, go forwards I durst not, behind me raged the wide seas, before me mustered the wild Deserts, and on either side, heard I the unacquainted noise of dreadful Monsters: and yet (troth to say) I less doubted the fierceness of any Monster, that could but devour my body, than the falsehood of men (if any were) that might have abused my beauty: for, beside that mine Attire, not unbeseming the daughter of Farnus, was then very gorgeous, and mine age (I being then in the flower of my youth) answerable to mine Attire, my beauty also (though I say it) was then suitable to both, in commendation whereof, thyself (my Arbaces) didst, in those our altian days, affect overmuch the figure Hyperbole, & with the Islanders here, was the same not a little effectual to win me favour: but this brave brag to such as now hear me, and did not then see me, will, no doubt, seem more audacious in report, then authentical for credit, yet do I speak it in this place, where err ● cannot without controlment.  
These fears, I say, and a thousand like fantasies thus occupying my thoughts, suddenly I heard a boisterous rushing amongst the next boughs, four of these Islanders anon disclosing themselves unto my view: every of them held in his right hand a cragged Dart, and in the left a great quantity of raw flesh: at sight whereof (and a greater horror than so) when, not meanly affrighted, I beheld how gluttonously they crammed down their Mews, the same f●esh yet reeking in their teeth, & how their Chaps, beards, breasts, arms, hands, and whatsoever gri●●●e part of them leaves had left bare, were all besmeared with blood, though death was then the least of all my fears, yet (believe me) the cruelty prefigurated by this savage Spectacle, did strike to my heart such incomprehensible terror, that if, at the least, sorrows had not bereft me of sense, in comparison hereof, the sufferance of a simple death had been no death, or in no part so dreadful.  
Now, whilst I apply this horrible presidente to feed my new fear, and rather dreaded, then doubted, that anon their embrewed hands should seize, & their ravenous teeth tire upon me and my flesh, and I so receive an unnatural burial within their bowels, the barbarous people had espied out me: who then, as Dear newly brought to the stand, with Countinances indifferently inclining to admiration and fear, stood a great while aloof off at gaze. Anon seeing me to approach them nearer and nearer, after many Satirlike freaks, with nimble feet & swift flight, they skud away into the nearest woods, wildly bolting through the Thickets, and with incredible facility, mounting and dismounting the sharp and steep Roches. then (a strange and preposterous course might it seem, if not in so desperate a case, that the Hare should follow the Hound) as I fearing pursued them flying, with purpose, at lest by falling into their hands, to have died from such miseries, in casting my eye aside, I perceived the Ca●● and carcase of a Bear, the which these men had newly slaughtered, and upon whose dismembered limbs (as might seem) I had even now seen them feeding. This fact of theirs as it seemed to participate a fierce and bestial courage, so such their food did argue in them a defect of human conditions, and both it, and whatsoever else I here beheld, presented over skatheful sights to me, even now so wealthy, and wanton a Lady. Thus hitherto did I salute penury at the Threshold, seeming to me an intolerable handsel.  
But whilst I thus lingered a dying life, Night, the uncomfortable Register and Remembrencer of all miseries, had taken place of the opposite, and overshadowed all this Country: then fleeted many thoughts in my mind, not only of present ieoberdies, but also of passed joys: and by how much more nice and delicate education, or to be exact from so royal parentage made once to happiness, by so much more penury, and distress added now to perplexity and impatience: for what thing can happen more unkindly, than that pleasant and good causes should vary in perverse and bad effects? or what leave we with more grief, than what we possessed with most joy? I that lately had all, or more than I could readily ask, could not ask now any one needful thing I might possibly have, but as in better times I had superfluity with supplies, so in this change of fortune I suffered necessity with decrease: Beggars know in what, and by whom to be relieved, but (alas) even beggary did by so much better mine infortune, by how much I neither knew to beg, nor found of whom to receive, and (whereof Beggars are not restrained) it lay not in my choice to make change of the place, whatsoever in charity I found in the people.  
But by that time, the torture of two or three of these daily terrors, and nightly torments had racked Virtue ●●om Necessity, I tried this Cross both possible to happen, and found the same in event profitable: for as the Horse late pampered up at the full manger, and anon turned out to grazing, doth not willingly forsake his bare pasture, again to return to his sweet Provendor, so I, (although my sufferance came at first by constraint, yet constraint growing to a custom, and custom to a confirmation of patience) used the Liberty of these Woods, as a Supersedias against the World: yea when my Flesh was mortified, and my Spirits quickened, I could then consider, that Virtue and Riches seldom couple in one body: and when I was so far secluded from the vain delights of the world, that neither mine eyes might see them, mine ears hear them, nor my heart hope for them, I then easily deverted from the Compounds of Education, and reverted to the Simples of Nature: and in so needy a life, I remembered my naked birth, and conceived the like of my grave. Thus profit we in divine Uirtue, when we decay in humane presumption: and herein only differ we from brute beasts, that they naturally know not themselves, but such ignorance in us worketh unkindly to brutishness.  
Now, credit me, Arbaces, all seemed th●● vain which before time I had in most value: for I remember (and I think the world is as it was) that in our Heads, Hears, Habbits, and behaviours, variety so squared out Fashions according to our own Fantasies, that whilst Nature seemed a Dotard, and Art an Infant too-bad became a Bravery: that our faces so borrowed of Phao his Box, that the interest exceeding the loan, Beauty with some became a Bankrupt: that our Feet (proud Fools) so tr●ad upon the earth as if earth, disdained to touch earth. But smile I must to remember, how some with a Mask, a Scarf, or a Plume, could as formally keep their old or black and bad faces from sight, as did others their beauty from Sunne-burne: neither could aught be● tolerated in young, fair, and noble Dames for their pre●rogatiue, that was not anon taken up by old, foul, and mean Drosels for pride, so that we becoming May-ladies, they would anon counterfeit Maid-marians: and yet these Apes in purple, in our fashions, gate, and niceness, followed us in nothing so effectually, as did some men effeminately, whose locks were so like trimmed, beauty so tended, and all their ornaments so womanlike tempered, that only to have taken their sword from their sides, and then to have given them Fans in their hands, had been altogether to resemble, with whom they did altogether dissemble, women.  
This did I then remember, and the vanities ●hereof seemed most ridiculous: alas, would I think to myself, that sometimes was as nice as the nicest, with what foolishness frequent we our bodies to costly balms and curious ornaments, which after a few days Death presenteth to the Grave, and the Grave to the Worms? and why are we remiss & careless in beautifying our souls, fit presents for the Gods themselves, with incorruptable virtues.  
If (more thankfully be it now spoken, than the same was then accepted) adversity would offer unto other Ladies, or to whomsoever, the same opportunity to contemplate and consider of the World, as was, and is allotted to me, Beauty would seem Vanity, the loss of Riches, the recovery of quietness, a Ransom from Fortune, and a discovery of ourselves: and we ourselves should appear to ourselves, no other than Examples of weakness, Spoils of Time, the Game of Fortune, Patterns of inconstancy, Receptacles of misery, Marks for Envy, in conception loathsome, in birth helpless, in youth witless, in age wretched, of life uncertain, of death sure, and consequently, well shall they that thus say: 
Post hominem vermis, post vermem fetor & horror  
Sic in non hominem vertitur omnis homo.  
Cum f●x, cum limus, cum res vilissima simus,  
unde superbimus? ad terram terra redimus.  Therefore should we behave ourselves here, not as though we live only for our bodies, but as though we could not live without bodies: neither so to follow the world, that we also fall with the world, which being ours, we are not our own. But hitherto have you not heard, how I fell in with these Islanders: the order whereof I shall now tell you.   

Cap. 58.  
THese considerations (my dear Arbaces) at the first urged of necessity, and then used as necessary, besides the place itself, which seemed a second Elysium, or of pleasure, and plenty Nature her Storehouse: wherein each Hill might seem a Parnassus, each Ualley an Edon, each Grove a Tempe, and each Water a Tagus: and moreover (which did not a little delight) with these the people also, the men and nimble Lads of this Island, unto whom, if we grant their then Attire and wildness, and from these other except their 〈◊〉▪ like Members and Manners, they should seem right Fani, or Satyrs: or rather, in respect of their personages (might not the Comparison seem Sacralegious to his Deity) in steed of Darts, arming them with bow and quiver, such as was said lusty Nomius in the fields of Thessaly.  
And what shall I speak of mine own Sex? whose lovely faces were such as you now see, and whose beautiful bodies, because I descried them little better than bare, had the discovery been yours, might, perhaps, otherwise have delighted your wanton eyes: believe me, so Nymph-like were their faces and fashions, that whether it were, in beholding the calm seas, that they tripped on the shore, they seemed such as are reported the Nereids: or that they floung themselves into some pleasant Fountain, they resembled the Naiads: or that they kept the ayrsome Mountains, they represented the Oreades: or that amongst the Woods casting themselves into a ring, they danced their Roundiloes', or gathering sweet Gayes, they decked themselves with Flowers, or that they couched their white sides on the soft Herbs, in these also they might have been taken for the Dryads.  
By assistance, I say, of these, that is, Patience, Time, Place, People, and this sweet and unthreatned Liberty (the only remembrance of thee Arbaces, and of Sorares my son excepted) I made not only a resistance for the time, but at length a final conquest of Fortune. And having secretly, and sufficiently observed the harmless manners and dispositions of these people, and in all things reform myself to their fashions, when opportunity served, I fell in with the rest, & behaved myself so formally that (no one suspecting to the contrary) I was taken for an here-breede Ilandresse: but by this means chanced my Credit, and Authority.  
Having 〈…〉 little and little crept in acquaintance, after a while (as moved so to do, by reason of my cold attire and colder lodging, more natural to them then usual to me, albeit both to them and me tolerable enough, because then this, no Climate may be more temperate) I happened one Evening, a great number of the Islanders being then present, with a Flintstone to strike fire, and therewithal to kindle an heap of sticks and other dry matter: but lo (a thing unthoughte of) they who never before had seen Fire, but supposed the same to be some miraculous Accident presently derived from the Son, which they worshipped for their God, as people therefore ravished of their senses, and holding both it and me in reverent admiration, they offer divine worship: which I refusing, by many familiar instances, informed them in this and other matters: so farforth nevertheless, advauntaging myself by such their superstitious inclinations, as in their uncivil manners, diet, apparel, dwellings, provision, religion, and such like, might tend to the more easier Reformation: in which thing I dealing with them by degrees, & according to their Capacities, did in time, profit them to a more civil Perfection. And then, whereas they believed me a Goddess, I removed also that profitable Error, but might not renounce the Government of them, & their Country: which charge, with a general consent, would I, or would I not, they have cast upon me.   

Cap. 59  
AS Dircilla thus parled, and whilst the Rivalles sat yet banqueting in her Bowers, they descried a great flame ascending from out the Sea, whereof Arbaces desirous to know the reason, was thus answered: that certain of the Islanders, ignorant of that that was happened, finding his sheep in the Dock, had fired both it and all the ballast therein, being a great Masse●●●easure: with which news Arbaces seeming much disquieted, was in conclusion by Dircilla thus appeased.  
Overpassed Damages, qd. she, have made me provident in following dangers, and therefore (albeit at this time, ignorant of this action, wherein thy presence, Arbaces, might have been a countermand to our Custom) yet generally before time, as concerning the Assyrians, have I commanded such burnings and ambushmentes: as a thing profitable to our peace, and in performance easy, and to that end continually have maintained watches in every our Costs: by which means no Reporter hath alured hither Invaders, and our own people, keeping within their own bounds, remain uncorrupt of strange manners and practices. But alas (and then tears were joined to words) what meaneth, Arbaces, this thy troubled countenance for thy burnt ship, as though thou wouldst resaile without me, that in this place have vowed my burial: to those white hears of thine, and to one so unfortunately crossed of the world, delightful rest should, methinks, seem more agreeable, then doubtful travels.  
If thou, being then a Prince, and young, couldst not in Media avoid the Assyrian tyranny, if the Treasure (I cite thine own report) from thence transported into the barren Island, causing such effusion of blood, and in the end only possessed of two, had no virtue because no use, if after thine own delivery, in waffing also from that imprisonment Sorares thine unknown son, and his companions, the Seas ruled thy Stern, & the storms were thy Pilots, if I say, in Youth, in Age, in wealth, in want, on Land, and on Sea, thou hast experienced such incertainty and perils, and lastly if after all these, yea and that when no other than a foul death was expected, thou hast recovered thy Wife, thy Son, thy sons Children, thy Brother, and with them a Kingdom, yea a kingdom for ●●easure matching Boeotia, and for profit comparable to the best part in Nabathia, why then dost thou not, I say, renounce those old perils, and rest contented with these new pleasures? of which though three parts were wanting, yet, believe me, Arbaces, a contented mind is better than a kingdom, and the world, at the best, worser than a Parasite.  
This she said, and Arbaces having already assented in himself, did easily consent to her, as one not so muc● turned by words, as tired with the world: who, as also Orchamus, Sorares, Atys, Abynados, and all the Assyrians esteem themselves rapt up into a third heaven, so inspeak- was the joy of such their meeting, and the pleasure and plenty of this their Island. And thus to conclude, those whom I found in Charon's Boat I now leave in jupiters' Bosom.   
FINIS.  Sat velle, si non posse.  

Imprinted at London by Thomas Purfoote, and are to be sold at his shop over-against S. Sepulchres-Church.