The Wall-Flower. As it grew out of the Stone-Chamber belonging to the Metropolitan Prison of LONDON CALLED NEWGATE. BEING A HISTORY which is Partly true, Partly Romantic, Morally Divine. WHEREBY A Marriage between Reality and Fancy is solemnised by Divinity.  
Written by THOMAS BAYLY, D. D. whilst he was a Prisoner there.  
Omne tulit punctum etc.  
He the best of all doth write,  
That mingleth profit with delight.  
LONDON. Printed by J. G. and are to be Sold by Peter Parker at the Leg and Star over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, 1679.   

To the Reader.  
I Always thought it possible, that a Man might find such a Liberty within a Prison, as to the Prisoner might seem an Enlargement beyond the extent of Air: So that the Iron-Grates thereof may be no more terrible (as Bars from Freedoms) than the Streaks and Lineaments which the Sun draws (by the Pencils of his Beams) over the face of Water (and their Shadows) seem Confinements to the Fishes in the Deep: And under what Restraint can that Body be, whose Soul hath an Enlargement within herself? Whilst I was thus Endeavouring to make the Place no Prison to myself, and labouring to sweeten my Sufferings with Contemplations upon the Causes of my Afflictions, whereby I found myself (like Noah's Ark) but raised so many Degrees towards Heaven by those Waters of Affliction; but Behold! after that I had thus fallen under the Lash of an Incensed Power, my Innocence received such a Wipe over the face by an Unknown hand, and by a Pretender to that Side from whence I lest expected any such Stripes, that it amazed Me on the sudden, and doubtless had troubled me not a little, had there not been more Simplicity than Error in the Accusation. For,  
A Fellow without a Name (having Collected all HIS late MAJESTY'S Works into one Volume) set an Advertisement to the Reader before the Book, that charged Me  

1. With Wronging the late KING very much.  
2. With Presumption (being but an Obscure Person) to undertake such a Business.  
3. With Relating a thing so Broken and Imperfect.  
4. With Composing most of it myself.  
5. With Publishing it divers years after the Conference.  
6. With its Non-Agreement in Matter and Style with His MAJESTY'S other Works, and making His MAJESTY Contradict Himself (as Hind. Pap. 5. Compared with my Pamphlet, pag. 116.)   
Now, I shall desire the Courteous Reader to give Me leave to take this Opportunity to wipe this cuckoo's hospital (fallen upon my other Writings) off with my Gillyflower.  
1. As to the first Article; If to lose a Thousand Pounds per Annum for His Majesty's sake; If to lose Blood and Liberty in His Quarrel; If to vindicate His Majesty's Cause and Works, by Writing in their Defence, and suffering such an Imprisonment for those Vindications, be to wrong His Majesty, than I am guilty of that Crime: Otherwise, I know not how I should deserve such an Aspersion: Except the Particulars alleged against Me were as true as I shall easily render them to any indifferent Reader False and Ridiculous.  
2. As to the Second; Although I can lay claim to no illustriousness in my Family; yet (I think) I have enough that will defend Me from Disparagement, or my Person from such Obscurity as the Nameless Gentleman would blind me with, if I only say, I came into the World upon an Account that speaks Me the Son of a Peer of this Realm, and that my Mother was a Knight's Daughter, and of an Ancient Family.  
The Father of Him who Published the Discourse that troubles the Wasp so much, was sufficiently known, both in the King's Court and the Imperial City; and by His Writings generally taken notice of, not only by his Native Countrymen, but by more Kingdoms than His Sovereign Master had Sceptres over. And this Obscure Person (his Son) had the luck to be Thrice in Print, and the Press never yet Printed any Disparagement to His Pen, nor waste to His Paper before ever he Published that Controversy.  
Neither doth the Publisher thereof think the Author of that Advertisement either a Courtier, or a Soldier, or a Scholar, or a Gentleman, or a Friend, or an Enemy to the King: But He imagineth the Fellow to be one of His late Majesty's Upstart Friends, that knew no longer how to be His Enemy. So that the Obscurity may not so properly belong to him, who hath set down his Degree, Name, and Dignity to his Pamphlet, as it may to his Accuser, who taxes a Person that had all Three, and hath none himself. Which Pamphlet and which Person is already known to other Nations and Languages besides his own, and in his own to have so much notice taken of him by the Higher Powers, as to be thought worthy of Iron-Grates for the Royal Cause; and therefore altogether undeserving such an Aspersion by any pretended royalist.  
3. He saith my Relation was broken and Imperfect; Who doubts it? I have acknowledged as much myself in my Epistle: It could not be otherwise; I have related it as it was: I intended it not as a Monument of His late Majesty's Abilities (whereby it should be thought worthy of taking place with the rest of His Admired Works) but as an Argument of His Constancy in His Religion and Sincerity, in resisting a strong Temptation; and I must tell this Nicholas-Nemo that it is conceived (by better Judgements than his own) That His Majesty's Answers (so upon the sudden) to those Objections (as broken and as imperfect as he makes the Relation of them to be) argued more Acuteness of Wit, and Soundness of Judgement, than any thing that ever he did upon mature deliberation.  
3. His Third Objection, is, That I composed most of it myself—  
Truly, I composed it all: So did he the King's Works, but he was not the Author of any of them: No more was I either of any of His Majesty's Answers, or the Marquess' Objections, Besides what I own myself.  
4. He saith, I published this Conference divers years after the Conference. Indeed it must be divers years after the Conference, because it was not the same, but could not be many years, because it was but Three, nor many months after I had Liberty so to do: Which being agreed by both Parties to be kept Private, I could not Publish, till after both their Deaths, as appears in my Preamble to the Conference.  
5. The next thing wherewith the Fellow taxeth me, is, That my Relation was broken and Imperfect. I have acknowledged it, I have confessed in my Epistle, that it had received some Tainture by running through my Quill. I intended no Monument Royal; Only, a Vindication from those Aspersions that were laid upon His late Majesty, viz: That He was a Papist in His Heart, and could no way better Vindicate His Majesty from that Aspersion, then by Publishing His Resistance to so strong Temptations.  
6. Next, He saith, It Agrees not with his Style, and that I bring in the KING contradicting Himself, as may appear (He saith) by His Papers against Hinderson, and the quoted place of my Pamphlet: and how is that? viz: In His Majesty's Paper against Hinderson, the late King pleads the Church to be the Judge of the Scriptures; and there I bring the King holding the Scriptures to be their own Interpreters. But was there ever such a Sir Jarvis Simple known as this Fellow makes himself? Either he never Read the Controversy (and so takes it up upon trust) or else he remembers, or knows not what he reads: for otherwise he might have taken notice that I owned that Paper (which he makes to Contradict the King's to Hinderson) as my own, and not the King's; otherwise then as He approved of what I writ: for, he might have remembered, that I writ how that the King commanded Me to view the Marquess' Paper before I brought it to Him, and to give Him my Opinion of it, which I did in writing; which Paper His Majesty approved of, as a sufficient Answer, and so sent it to the marquis: and that I said in my Epistle to the Reader, That I writ only what the KING spoke, and that I Transcribed or Published none of His Writings. And if I had asserted that Paper to have been an Emanation from His Pen, it had not been a Contradiction to what He wrote to Hinderson. For, Hinderson urging upon His Majesty the Private Interpretation as the Proper Judge of the Scriptures, His Majesty might very well hold out unto him the Authority and Exposition of the Church as a more Competent Judge then that which the Scripture itself speaks against; Which was an Argument good enough against him: And when the marquis pressed His Majesty with the Churches being Judge of Scripture, His Majesty might have recourse unto the Scripture, and yet there might be no Contradiction at all: But as a Fellow in a Fool's Goat may have the Privilege to stand in the King's presence amongst Wise and worthy Men; so, this Advertisement may not be amiss, before the King's Works.  
If this be the Reward of Loyalty (like a Blind-Beare) to be whipped on both sides, and lashed by every hand: Or like a Mastiff to be rid by such a Jack an. Ape and boxed on both Ears, I will have nothing to do henceforward with State-affairs; LOVE shall be my Theme, which is the Spirit of God and Soul of the World, which (like Archimedes his Needle) draws all things to itself: Love-Passions are the Hinges whereon depend the Two Leaves of that one Door of Entrance into Eternal Life, the Law and the Prophets: the Two Heavenly Poles of the Doctrine of Salvation are the Love of God and that of our Neighbour. Love is that wherewith the Son of God being lifted up upon the Cross, promised, that He would draw all Men unto Him: All other Graces put together do but scant the Cup; but Love is the fulfilling of the Law. It is the Tree whose Fruit is never withered, or blasted; And the Root from whence the Flowers of all good Works and good Desires do spring. Love composes Books of Holy-Scripture, and draws Lineaments of Beauty over the several Pages. Now come forth thou black and sullen Spirit that carpest at my Writings, and see of what Fraternity thou art of, whilst thou comest so near that only Property of the Devil and Damned Spirits, [Not to Love] ' ay, but Momus will ask me, What kind of Love is this, of which you treat? I answer him, That there is but one Love in the world, but there are Diversities of Objects, [the Love of God, the Love of Women, the Love of Money.] The Love of any thing is but one and the same thing, though it be different in the Subject whereon it works: Amor, Dilectio, Charitas, Zelus, are but so many Branches of that Immaculate Tree of Life guarded by Angels, and a Sword whose Temper was of Holy flames of Preservation, whilst the Tree of Knowledge parted with her Fruit to sinful hands, and whose Arms received the Embracements, and entertained the Windings and turnings of the subtle Beast: whose Branches as it bare Knowledge of Good and Evil, so, an Excressency (contrary to its own Nature) grew out of its own Body, which was Death.  
Do we not see God and his Creatures oftentimes corrivals for the same young Man's Heart? We see Heaven and Earth Competitors for the same Room and Lodging in the heart of Man: and the Holy Ghost advising Man how he may gain Possession of the heavenly Mansion by laying up Treasure there, that there may his Heart be also.  
What should I say more? The World, the Flesh, and the Devil are but so many Defendants to the joint Plaintiffs of the Blessed Trinity, both contending to whom the Heart of Man shall properly belong, and when the Scales are even, Love is the weight of the Heart's Balance, causing it to Propend that way wheresoever it lies. The Compass hath many Points whereto its Needle may because and make its offer, but there is but one that is Eligible, whereby it may find rest, and leave its Trepidation, and that's the North: So there are many Circumferences, whereby the Affections of men's hearts are carried further off from one another, by how much the more they forsake their Fountaine-head; yet there is but one Centre, the place of rest and unity, where all these may fully meet, and that is God; which God is Love; and Love thus rightly placed, is the main prop and principal Stay and Support of Christian Religion, and Centre of Perfection.  
Wherefore (my Friendly Reader) be not froward, nor so ill Composed in your Gravity, as to condemn the Innocence of my Narrations, as Culpable of your imaginary Crimes; The Canticles must not be blotted out of the Scriptures, to please every Peevish and Crosse-grained Disposition. Will you refuse all that Divinity of Our Saviour, which he folded up in Parables? Will you despise the Heavenly Manna, because it was gathered into Egyptian Basquets? Think not this a Vain Story, because my Flower looks upon you with an Amorous Complexion: for, those Illicite Passions which agilate the Minds of Infamous Lovers, my History cries down: It is that virtuous and honest Love, which like so many Sparks of the Divine, have framed themselves into a fiery Chariot, able to extol an Elias up to Heaven. The Holy Writ compares God the Father to a Husbandman: His Son [Christ Jesus] to the Heir of his Farm: the Holy Ghost to a Sour of good Seed: The Word of God, to the Seed itself, [Corn:] The Church to a Field: The Devils, to Crows: Hard-Hearts, to Stony-Ground. Nay, Christ compares himself to a Thief in the Night. What if I should compare the Almighty to Medina Coeli; The Second Person of the Deity to Periissa, Bertaldo; To his Humanity, Aminda; To the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, Holy Ghost, Comforter, or Angel-Guardian, Maximanus; To the Devil, Lorenzo and Amarissa; To Soul & Body, Berontus & Amarissa; To a Convictor between preferment & humility, Hortensius & Pippea, to patterns of true patience & piety; Thoron, to carnal delights, vanquished by the documents of chastity; Maximanus his Secretary, to the Devils Servants; & Bonella, to such as fall away from virtue? Do you not think but these Comparisons are as well warrantable, as useful for a Christian Exercise? If you find the Pearl, let it not be valued by the invalidity of the Shell, nor his Oriental Lustre prejudiced by the despicableness of its outside: Value not these Jewels by their Cabinet; A fine Cabinet may have Counterfeits, whilst Nature's Treasures lie enclosed in that which is good for nothing but to be cast away. Think you not but that the Rich and inestimable Jewels of Divine Love may be Comprised within these pure and undefiled Living Chests, as well as in a Coachman's Box? Or Truth may not become my Parables, as well as a Cobbler's Mouth?— Leave Carping Zoilus! If I prevail upon a Child to take some necessary Medicament in the Pap of an Apple, have I not done well, when Persuasions of Wisdom will nothing work upon him? Is Virtue of less worth, for being Muffled up in an Uncouth habit? Or Beauty blemished by the Modest Covert of a Veil? Surely not! Nor more my Flower, of less worth, or Beauty, because 'twas set, and sprung up, within the Barren-Confines of a Prison, and Lives shaded from Vulgar-Eyes, by the silken Curtain of Conceit: For although it wanted the Vivifying Rays of the Sun, either to hasten or strengthen its growth; yet abounded it with that Excellent Temper of Heat and Moisture, which (usually) Heaven bestows on her Favourites, to sweeten the bitter Pills of their Affliction. Take it as it is, and though it want of its hop'd-for-Perfection, impute it to the General distemperature of these Critical times, not the wilful Neglect, or Natural Indisposition of him, who continues  
Yours, in all Christian and Civil Observances, THO: BAYLY.   

HERBA PARIETIS: OR, THE WALL-FLOWER. As it grew out of the STONE-CHAMBER belonging to the Metropolitan Prison of LONDON called NEWGATE.  

CHAP. I.  
Rome besieged and taken by the Goths. Bertaldo and Honoria, Nephew and Niece unto the Emperor Honorius, fly severally into Africa, where Lorenzo, won by her Princely Comportment, treats her honourably, and afterwards marries her. Bertaldo finds out his sister Honoria. His gallant behaviour at the Prince his Court.  
AT the time when Rome's foundation was 1164. years standing, and after she had been governed by an Emperor 25. years, under the name of Honorius; It happened, that Alaricke, King of the Goths, infested Rome's Territories with a better Army then good Cause, having no pretence for what he did, but the daily promptings of a bad Genius: For when Isidorus the Hermit (a man of great authority amongst the Religious, and of highest estimation with the Vulgar, exemplary both in life and conversation) met with this Enthusiastic Tyrant, and dissuaded him from drinking the blood of Innocents', whilst there was not the least thirst, occasioned by excitation of any heat that was between them; he was answered by the same Alaricke, that there was a man that came daily to him, and would not let him rest, but uncessantly persuaded him to march to Rome, destroy her Inhabitants, and raze her walls, whom he could not in any way resist: Which so astonished the poor Hermit, that he departed from him, with these (only) words in his mouth, Vereor, heu vereor.  
Two years the Capitol echoed to the Gottish Drums, before it answered to the word Yield: Which when Necessity had once taught it how to speak so strange a language, amongst the miserable, Honoria, Rome's glory, and her Sex's wonder, (having lost her aged Grandfather under the walls of Rome, and two younger brothers, Nephews to the Emperor, who having not strength enough to fight against the Enemy, wanted not Piety in attempting to bring their father off, but were both mowed down by the same scythe, which knew no difference between the tallest Bent, and the most tender Flowers) follows Bertaldo her elder brother, who was fled before through a sea (which though stormy, yet) less raging than the Tyrant's fury: thus forsaking the Portuguese for the Carthaginian shore; where like the Sun (appearing to a heathen people) she found many Adorers, amongst the rest, Lorenzo, Prince of Carthage, and all the Territories round about, who requited the captivity of her beauty with captivating her Person: which he performing with a passion more impulsive than that of Love, attended with Civility, she thus spoke unto him:  
SIR,  
I am nothing, more or less, than a leaf which is fall'n from the tree that made Laurels for the Roman Emperors; and tossed by a wind that hath blown me upon your coast: I perceive you are a man of some authority in these parts; exercise that power, which may make you worthy of renown: (and not in sullying a virtue, which belongs to Princes, which is, to defend and relieve the distressed, and chiefly, Ladies in distress; the true point of Masculine Nobility.) Sir, you should take me by the Minds Intellect, and not thus hold a Lady by the wrist, overcome a Roman Dame by the Souls Dialect. I have a Mind as much above your reach, as is your state above my misery. You may force flesh and blood, but no more enjoy me, then if you should commit a Rape upon Repentance; and what pleasure can you take in the fruition, when you shall find me as cold to your desires, as is a Corpse that's new digged up out of its grave. Sir, I dare tell you thus much, Though my locks are greyed with hoary frosts, and my garments blaucht throughout with these favours of the Ship; and though these eyes, within mine head, vie Controversies with the shoes upon my feet, which should be filled with the saltest waters; that there is a greater Partition between you, and Honour, than all the water that the Earth's Globe hath received into its bosom, hath made a separation betwixt me, and Rome: if you intent, that, which I fear, as little, as you shall find Contentment in the prosecution.  
Lorenzo having before let go his hold, now begins to let fall his courage; and (as if he had been Planet-strucken by some She-constellated Deity) to ask her pardon, and to assure her, that she was not so low in her condition, as he was high in his Resolves, to perform all acts of grace and favour in her behalf, that should seem most agreeable to her own liking, calling to witness all that was sacred, that he rendered himself at her disposal, as true a Convert, as the greatest friend on earth, had cause to boast a merit. Honoria joyed with the good success of her own (so well bestowed) language, bids him be constant in his resolution, and be happy. Whereupon he discovers himself a Prince of all the Territories round about, and causing his most sumptuous Chariot to be sent for, he seats her in it, and kneeling at the lowest step, he begs the favour of his admittance: she bends both her body, and discourse, to lay hold upon all the Civilities that might help him up; applauding the exuberance of so great humanity, showed to a person, who sat there, as a mere object of his clemency. The commanded haste, which the Charioteere soon made, to the Royal Palace (together with the many Questions and Answers which the King and Queen of Love made to one another) shortened the way, that brought them to so glorious a structure, as if one of Jupiter's birds had built his nest in the Sun; which dazzled the eyes of its beholders.  
The Palace was seated on the side of a hill, whereby though there were many buildings, yet not any one obscured the rest, but all like so many yearly children of a right Architectist, stood in so many several degrees one above another. Before the house there glided a soft stream, smiling upon the flowery Banks, whose depth rather received Bargemen than Navigators. All along which River there was a fruitful Valley, that yielded a most pleasant prospect, which a man might easily behold without losing his own eyes. Above the Palace, a Hill, almost compassed the Seat, in form of a Moon Cressant, opening to receive the benefit of the pleasing Zephirs, and a Grove between, answerable to the shape and manner of the Hill. Adjoining whereunto, in proportion, was a goodly Orchard, and next unto the House, a fair Garden, whose Platt was contrived upon such a hanging Level, whose proclivity was so insensible, that you might walk upwards upon plain ground, and down again, without descent. Upon the midst whereof, was a liberal Fountain, which was no less servient to the Grotts for Water-works, then to the House for use. No tunnells of any Chimney were to be seen above the house, but the Chimneys of every Square were so contrived all back to back, that they sent up their conveyance so close drawn up together, that over so many several places of the Palace, there was nothing more to be seen then so many tripartited walls, with Benches for to sit upon, either opening to the Sun, or affording shade, from what part of the Firmament soever the Sun should cast his Beams, as favours, or persecutions. Upon the side of every wall, there attended the Sun's motion, Dial's, that took constant notes of all the progress. At the corner of each wall, were Pendents, and in the midst, higher than all the rest, a larger Pendent, having the Prince's Arms cut through, whose thorough light made the Charge Sables, and the Field, Azure, or Skie-colour; serving as well for ornament as use. Neither was the Contrivement less beneficial, respecting the three walls sheltridge from the four winds. The coming up to the Palace, was over a fair River, and along a two-arched stately Bridge, between which and the Palace, was a stately Launt, five hundred and fifty paces, with a double row of trees on both sides; in each double row a Foot-walk, wherein three might go abreast; and in the middle a fair gravel rise for the Chariot and the Horse; which led through a fair Park, no less enamell'd with store of Deer, then shadowed with the goodliest trees; which brought you to a Building, whose contrivements were all sons and daughters of Uniformity and Beauty.  
The Prince (having showed her all that is described, and having brought her with all his Attendant Lords and Ladies to the top of the Palace) tells her (before them all) that all that she had seen within those walls, and all that her eyes beheld without, should be hers, upon no other condition, but that she should be his.  
Honoria (perceiving that she was now put to act the two parts both of Modesty and Discretion) answered him in these words:  
WORTHY SIR,  
In my weak opinion, you do not deal so kindly with me, as if you would have me live: You cannot be ignorant of the danger that is in taking a poor hunger-starved wretch, and tempting her own appetite to be her ruin, in setting before her so many dishes, and plentiful varieties. I have been fed with sorrow a long time, and have had no moisture wherewith I might quench my thirsting after comfort, but my own tears; and now you cram me with delights: what can be expected, but that I should soon surfeit with the joys wherewith you fill a heart that is too narrow to contain the moiety of your bounty and goodness? I see here in your presence, choice of fair and honourable Ladies, daughters to Felicity, and right heirs to Happiness: Tell me but which you like, and my needle shall work her such a wedding garment, as it may be Carthage never saw the like; and this is all the favour I shall beg, or think myself worthy of.—  
She (seeing him stand amazed) urged him farther with these words (so modestly spoken) I pray Sir, let it be so, it may be I may be thought worthy for to wait upon her.  
No, (said the Prince) they shall all attend on thee, and think themselves no more or less happy than according to the degrees of favour that thou shalt rank them in, and their merits, at thy hands, shall purchase estimation. For (by all that's sacred) before the morrow's Sun shall reach to its Meridian, thou shalt be mine. Do not you stand so much upon refusal, lest you make us think, that you Romans have an art beyond us, to make yourselves more acceptable by crowning your Perfections with Humility. Come, let's go, and what thou hast not seen, that shall be thine; I'll show thee farther.— Whereupon leading her by the arm, he delighted himself (in supposing how much he delighted her) in showing her all his Rarities and Treasures.  
All his attendants (especially they of the Female Sex) were not (as yet) more affected with envy of her happiness, than they were pleased with the humble manner of her behaviour, until their second thoughts had placed their envies right against her: construing that Modesty, as a piece of cunning, to attract Honour (the more) by flying it; and to draw his love more and more towards her, by seeming to refuse it. This night, the honourable women, by commandment from the Prince, attended Honoria; who the next day, as their Princess, was to command their attendance. Which day being come, the time of that day allotted for the solemnisation of so great a Marriage was at hand: when they were both made one, with the greatest pomp and ceremony that could be devised, which I leave to your own imaginations to supply the place of a description. But one thing I must not omit, because it was so ominous to that, which after happened: For at the same time whilst the Priest was joining the Hands of those whose Hearts were one already, Blood gushed from his nostrils, and at once stained the two main preservers both of Knowledge and Devotion, the sacred Directory, and the Priests lips; and made the very word which insured the Prince his love unto Honoria, Rubric in the liturgy. Which though the standers by interpreted it as a bad Omen, yet the parties themselves, guarded with Innocence, and Thoughts as noble as their Resolutions towards each other, disdained to understand it a presage of evil.  
No less prodigious was that of the Dishes being served up to the Bridal Board with a noise of the Cloud-cleaving thunder of the Almighty, and with Lightnings from the several windows crossing the meat: Which was not construed, as a benediction, by those who did observe it; and they who were least superstitious, were (notwithstanding) somewhat out of countenance to behold such sad Pottents: which the Princely Bride perceiving, thus spoke unto her better part:  
MY LORD,  
Why should you and I be troubled at these accidents, seeing it lies within our power to make them nothing? If you should once speak harsh to me, that thunder would be terrible in mine ears; neither can I fear the blasting of any Lightning, but what may (unhappily) have its procedure from your eyes; and when I deserve either, may I meet with both. The Priest's blood dropped not upon our hands, but upon his book; whilst these are pure and innocent, we need not fear. Though the blood fell upon the Letter, it did not fall upon the meaning that was between us. Be you but constant to these vows which you have made, and it shall not lie within the power of Fate to work our prejudice.  
My dear Honoria, (replied the Prince) I am glad that these things have happened thus, since they have given thee occasion to make Superstition such a fool. Look, my Dear, it clears up already, thy breath hath raised the Siege that had so close begirt the enclosed fires, that sallied forth in thunder; and thy smiles have already dispelled the Clouds that sat on every countenance. Come, let us sit down, and better our Commons with exceed both of mirth and jollity.—  
It happened (whilst these affairs were in agitation) that Bertaldo Brother to Honoria, and Nephew to the Emperor Honorius, sometimes Governor of Cilicia, (a man of admirable Prowess, and much Gallantry) one who had expressed it sufficiently against the Goths, (having slain with his own hands Amboyolus, Brother to Alarick, King of the Goths) escaped the Gottish Inquisition, and concealed himself for some time heretofore in that Country) came to hear of the good fortune which his sister met withal by flying from so sad a fate, (where finding her fixed amongst the highest Constellations of that Firmament, and hearing that there were Justs and Tournaments to be performed in the afternoon in honour of the day) he engaged a rich Jewel, which he had brought over with him, and slipped himself into the most complete Armour that the time would give him leave, and mounted himself upon the bravest horse that money could buy. When the Prince and Princess were seated, with all the Lords and Ladies of the Court, he entered the Lists amongst the other Tilters (disguised as the rest were) who therefore could not wonder at any other strangeness, but that their number should exceed by one, they knew not who, and come amongst them, they knew not how: wherefore he was soon accosted by the Herald, who demanded of him what he was, and upon what Account he entered the Lists: to whom Bertaldo gave this Answer:  
Sir, I am a Stranger, that seek renown in Foreign parts, and oppotunity offers me a purchase at your hands: I require my Match if if he be to be found amongst the Carthaginians. Amongst the Carthaginians? (said the Herald) that you shall soon find. And so left him, declaring to the rest, the contents, of what had passed between him and the strange Knight: the news of so bold a Challenge was soon brought into the ears of the highest Spectators, who fraught with wonder, summoned all their intellectuals; out of which they chose a Committee of Divining thoughts to make inquiries who it should be, but could not draw up a report: the Combatants disdaining, that such a bold expostulation should proceed from a stranger, to the disparagement of the Carthaginian Chivalry, if not chastised for his presumption: they all strove who should undertake him first: and not agreeing otherwise, they all resolved to cast Lots to whose turn the Enterprise should fall; but the Prince fearing that the Lot might fall to the most unskilful, and weakest, to undertake so high a piece of Confidence; and so the glory of the Carthaginians might happen to be eclipsed, commanded Cosdruball, Captain of his Guard, a man of highest eminence and esteem in all that Country, and one that never had been foiled in point of Chivalry, to undertake the Challenger, which was obeyed, and thus performed.  
Cosdruball mounted upon a Milk-white Steed, having a silver Mane, that reached (curling) down to his knees, with his Lance in his hand, and Sword by his side, in gilded Armour, enters the Lists, (his horse out-noising all the Trumpets with his neighings) and prepares himself for the Encounter, against whom was brought Bertaldo upon a bright Bay, with black Spots over all his body, and a white Star in his Forehead, having a goodly Mane mingled with black and brown Hairs: Drake-neckt, mouse-eared, full-eyed, and open nostrils, pawing with one Foot upon the ground, and pricking up his Ears, as if he delighted rather to hear, then mar the music of the Trumpets: Blowing, as if he stomached the delay, and waving his body up and down, as if idleness were a greater burden to him then action: All which signs of goodness in his Horse put Bertaldo in good hopes, that he should make his words good, which he promised to his late Master in his behalf: who hearing his late Master speak by way of commendation of his Horse, (he was then selling to Bertaldo) viz. That he was a Lamb in the Stable, and a Peacock upon the Road; answered, that he would teach him how to be a Lion in the Field.  
Thus all in Armour silvered o'er, with a mourning Ribbond a cross his Armour; and a black plume of Feathers in his Helmet, with a Lance in his hand, and Sword by his side: He sat his Horse in such a comely posture, that his Princely Sister could not but think of him, who was the Man she thought of, her own Brother: the signal was thrown down on the rush, like lightning upon one another; and he that was never worsted in all his life, was now unhorsed upon the first Encounter: Which Cosdruball, not knowing how to brook, requested that he might run again, and try his fortune once more; which being against the Laws of Chivalry for him that was Unhorsed to try a second Combat, was denied it by the Herald: and his fellow Tilters (hoping to regain immortal Honour, by repairing that misfortune with a better) stickled so much against him, that he (scorning nothing more than that the glory of vindicating the Carthaginian honour should fall to another's share) therewith was so outed of all moderation and reason, both at once, (by a strong passion that too often had been his enemy) that he struck at one of them, and the other four vindicated the first: so that they all five fell upon him. Which Bertaldo perceiving, takes part with his Antagonist; by whose assistance, Cosdruball held long play with all the five, and two of them were dismounted, and sore wounded in the face, and between the joints of their armour, and both of them, by the brave Bertaldo; whose sword at the last breaking, he took one of their horses by one of the cheeks of the bit, whose horse being tender mouthed, reared so up an end, that it gave occasion for a lesser strength, than what Bertaldo had, to throw horse and man backward over and over: Whereupon the Prince threw down his Warder, commanding his Guard to part them, which was done accordingly. But Cosdruball by this time having turned his Envy against Bertaldo into Admiration, and his Choler into Compliment, thus spoke unto him:  
SIR,  
You have expressed a great deal of Gallantry, both against me, and on my behalf. Let me be so happy as to know your name, lest you make me believe some Deity hath fought this day in Armour.  
Bertaldo about to reply, using the same reverence which Honoria had observed him for to show on Horseback unto the Roman Emperor, whilst he thanked him (upon his return) from some good service, cried out, It is my Brother, my dear Brother, dear Bertaldo, I know it is he.  
Whereat the Prince astonished, sends for them all to come before him; who having uncased, were presented to the Royal Pair as the true instruments of valour; But no Music affected the Royal Princess ear so much, as when she heard her Brother speak, whom she presented to the Prince, her Husband, who acknowledged himself much honoured with his relation to a man of so great Gallantry; offering him to be no less than what he would be, that lay within the power of his Dominions to make him so; wherefore he bade him freely to speak his mind, or to take some further time for his demands.  
Bertaldo soon replied, Great Prince, there needs no long time to be given me to request that at your hands, which of all other things I most desire.  
Speak it then, (said Lorenzo) and upon the word of a Prince it shall be granted presently.  
Then Sir, (said Bertaldo) I desire nothing more than that you would love my Sister.  
At which words, the Prince rushes into his arms, and embracing him, told him, That he had requested nothing, for greater love than that he bore already towards his Sister, he could not show: But this he had gained by so great an expression of his love to her, that he could love him no less with all his soul, then her with all his heart. And seeing his modesty would not make known unto him any farther desires, he was contented (for his merits sake) to be the hardest Student, until he had found out ways to make him happy. With such love-expressions between these two Worthies, as also between Bertaldo and Cosdruball, the Prince and Princess, Honoria, and her brother, with variety of delights and pastimes, Music and Dance, the rest of the Day, and the borrowed part of the Night, that the main happiness could afford to lend their expectations, seemed too small a contribution to satisfy the desires of those who now began to wax sad with thinking how their happiness must end, with a beginning of that felicity whereof they were no sharers, but so far forth as they could make it theirs by fancy: The time being come, that the Queen of Beauty must be taken by the Ministers to the throne of Love, out of the hand of her beloved, where she might be placed by his side; she taking her leave with a reverend, yet Prinely behaviour, and went before that she might be come to, rather than come at man: where she was no sooner laid in her bed, but all the Honourable women fell in love with her, (except Amarissa, a fair Lady, whose quality we shall defer to mention till the last: It shall suffice for the present, that she was one who formerly conceived hopes of having some assurance of the Prince's love, who sat at the bed's feet, behind the Curtain, with her face from the bed, weeping) and with no lesser sensibilities of delight, then as if their own imaginations had metamorphosed them all to men, standing on both sides the bed, holding Tapers in their hands, and gazing upon that lovely object, whose so many faces cast one so out of countenance, that she made signs with her hand that they should be gone; and then recollecting herself, as fearing that they might judge the dismission a making haste for her Husband's approach, her blushes forced a passage so powerfully into her countenance, that she was fain to attempt a suppression with both her hands: And lest any of the red should slip an appearance through her white fingers, she throws the sheet over her head, so that their eyes forsook their object, as objects vanish from the eyesight, when the light is gone.  
Word being brought, that the Prince thought their Ceremonies too tedious, they sighed forth their ecstasies with such a strong gale of wind, whose breath swelled each contrary Curtain, as if by those full sails they had been transported to themselves again; and so left her: Only Amarissa stayed behind, unmissed, and unregarded, until such time, that the Prince with all his Nobles entered the Chamber, who entertained him with this sad Prologue to the Play:  
SIR,  
Had you no other way to step into your Nuptial bed, but by treading upon a heart, that so much loved and honoured you? to abuse a belief, that once thought you could not err? What delight is this you take, to raise with one hand, and destroy with t'other? to fill one creature so full of joy with an unexpected fruition, and strangle another in themidst of all her hopes? Sir, you did not well: There is that within you, and there be those without you, that will not stick to tell you so: and with that she flung out of the Chamber, in the greatest disdain, both to her Sovereign, and her bad fortune, that could be imagined.  
Bertaldo, who loved a spirit, (howsoever qualified) was mightily taken with her, (whose comportment it seems well suited with his humour) wherefore he thus spoke unto the Prince:  
SIR,  
You were once pleased to bid me ask and have; now I only ask, that I may have this Lady, or at least your approbation and assistance.  
To whom the Prince returned this quick Reply:  
My dear Bertaldo, I will not only grant thee this, but assure thee, were I a woman myself, thou shouldst have me.  
Whereat the Princely Bride raising herself up a little in her bed, said,  
My Lord, I pray tell me truly, have you promised the Lady marriage, that seemed to be so much perplexed through some unconstancy on your behalf?  
To whom the Prince made answer,  
Upon my word I never promised her any such thing, and I know she's more noble then to say I did.  
Oh Sir, (said the Princess) I beg that I might hear her but acknowledge what you say, before you come between these sheets, or else I shall never enjoy you nor myself: For I protest before all that's good, that I had rather embrace a heartless, than a faithless man: And as soon shall Steel strike fire without a Flint, as either of us can enjoy Felicity, where both have not kept touch with mutual Loyalty.  
The Prince protested again by Heaven, he never did promise that he would marry her.  
Then said the Princess, Did not you tell her that you loved her? tell me truly; and so made her believe too much? Did you never give her any Rings or Favours?  
The Prince confessed that he had done all that.  
Whereat the Princess as over-sensible of the sad condition that the poor Lady was in, gently wiping the tears that were even ready to overflow their banks, told him that he had done too much, to do no more; and that she feared, that was not all.  
Whereat the Prince, deeply wounded with her sorrow, told the Princess, that he would have her sent for, and would engage her honour in testification of that truth which he had said; and for the wrong which she conceived that he had done the Lady, in telling her, in a general way, he loved her: or in bestowing some particular favours upon her, he would make her this amends:  
Here is Bertaldo, (said the Prince) as much in love with her, as ever she was with me; a man every way deserving her affection, with stronger pleas of merit, than I myself can boast of; (only he's not a Prince.) And rather than thou shouldst build a discontent on such foundations, he shall be Prince of Carthage, and I will be Bertaldo: And (said the Princess) I will be Amarissa, and she shall be Honoria. Let her be sent for.—  
Whereupon the Prince commanded two of his Noblemen to go and tell Amarissa that her company was much desired, who all this while had hid herself in a place where she both saw and heard all that had been said, or done: And being overcome with the Princess goodness, thinking herself by this time sufficiently revenged, in finding Honoria (already) a partaker with her, in her affliction, and so sensible of her own and hers, she answered that sensibility with a deep sense of both their willingness to give her so full a satisfaction, for so small a fault, as was neither a real wrong, nor a complete injury: but especially by reason of those sparkles of fire which Bertaldo's words had kindled in her breast, which began (already) to smother under that vast load of fuel which former love had prepared for so high an inflammation. In she comes of herself, before she was either looked for by them, or found by their Ambassadors, upon whose approach, the Prince thus spoke unto her:  
Madam, As you have relation unto Honour, be a friend to Justice; and let no passion prejudice the truth, that only must confess I often said I loved you, and that I gave you pledges of my love, I have acknowledged it; but that those pledges might not have been given as well unto a thing called Man, as unto you as Woman, (seeing I never promised you Marriage, or gave them you in any such consideration) I see no reason.  
To which Amarissa thus replied,  
SIR,  
It seems I did not understand your dialect, nor the language of your gifts: I must confess, I thought, that (being a woman) professing love to such a one, (and I never questioned any other but what was honourable) had no other signification, but what it seems you never meant: and your gifts, no otherwise, then so many pledges of that love: But I am contented to be mistaken; my griefs are now epitomised to this small Volume. I am sorry I am not a Man, (as you took me to be) for then would I love Honoria better than yourself, and so be even with you. Wherefore be ever happy, Honoria, in his love, and if my contentment may contribute any thing to that accomplishment, you have it freely: Embrace him, as the Ivy doth the tree, murmur together like two Turtle-doves, and kiss as close as Cockles meet, I envy not your happiness.  
Bertaldo fired with this brave carriage, tells Amarissa that she is the greatest Conqueror in the world, thus to rout her passions, and overcome herself, (not knowing the means whereby she got the victory) and that if she could love a man under the degree of a Prince, she might find happiness to crown her desires, besides that which Princes wear upon their heads.  
Amarissa made quick reply, saying,  
A Woman was not taken out of the scull of Man, whereby she should so much affect that ornament; but out of his side, that she might sit near his heart: Where if she were once duly seated, she ought to think herself sufficiently crowned with hearts content.  
Come, Amarissa, (said the Prince) behold the Prince of Chivalry, and the son of Mars: sole Executor to all the goods in the Temple, of honour and of virtue, heir to Fortune, and one to whom Fame hath assigned over her right; a man to whom the world owes more than it's able to pay: Love him, and be as happy as thou wilt.  
Which words the Princess seconded with these:  
Love him, and you shall not lose your first love; For Lorenzo being myself, and I yours, Bertaldo and Amarissa shall so agree in a third person, that four shall be happy all at once. Love me, said Bertaldo, and I will teach Love itself new delights that it never dreamt of, and make it ashamed of its old ways, as if they were out of fashion.  
As to you, Sir, (said Amarissa, applying herself to the Prince) you have described a gallant man: And I shall no otherwise answer your Encomium of him, then with Belief: And your words (to the Princess) with no less respect, then in laying them to a heart that truly honours you: And in requital of your good opinions of me, I will answer the respect with an act of the greatest contentment to you both, that either of you can imagine; in taking my leave of you, and keeping you no longer out of Paradise. And as to you, Bertaldo, I shall commit you to the greatest happiness, when I leave you to yourself: And so Good night, and Happiness to you all.  
Bertaldo, as if his soul were making an escape, hastened after her, with so much respect to her, as showed but little to the Prince and Princess, (who notwithstanding, were best pleased with the manner of his departure) and overtakes her, before she had got half way to her Chamber, and waiting upon her to the door, he kissed her hand, call it his Altar: her self, his Shrine: the place, his Chapel: and (making a low obeisance) that his Adoration, she dismissed him only with this assurance of her favour towards him, that in her own nature she was inclined to mercy, and hoped she should not put him to too many prayers: And so they parted.   

CHAP. II.  
The disturbance that the Prince and Princess had in their rest the first night. The pitiful Lamentations that Amynda her Genius made to the Prince. The Invasion of the Moors. The hard shift that Periissa made to enjoy the desired company of Bertaldo.  
THe married couple had no sooner fall'n into those sweet slumbers, (in one another's arms) in the Cradle, wherein Hymeneus uses to rock his pairs, but a Heart-penetrating voice gives music to their ears, (whose stops were sobs, and air was sighs) unbound their senses, which were fastened in a True-love's knot, and disturbed them in that soft repose, they both listened to the Lamentation, and at the first, they both concluded, that Amarissa had come back again, and privily conveyed herself into the room, purposely to cast so sour a sauce into their dish. At last, they asked Who it was? and bade her speak, saying, that they thought she had gone away fully satisfied.  
I (replied the Voice) am the sad genius of now poor and miserable Amynda, whose soul hovers in the air between Damascus and Jerusalem, and has no rest, by reason I was accessary to an act of high injustice. I was sometime a servant to the High-born Princess Cosbia, who was delivered of two sons, one of them being a fair and goodly Child, the other seemed to be not so well favoured with natural endowments. The best favoured was the youngest, the less the elder, whom she caused to be accounted as her youngest son; and us, to keep her counsel, which we did accordingly: so that Berontus the right heir, was all along esteemed to be the younger brother, who (as if his divining soul could not be contented with a lesser degree of Fortune, then that which the God of Nature had already given him) seeks better in the world's wideness, while he was yet a Stripling, and Jacomius (the younger) was bred up to all the good qualities that education could afford him, and is unjustly likely to inherit that vast Estate which his Father left him, beside the Dukedom that was to descend unto him after the death of his Great Uncle, (if your mercy towards my distressed condition, and love to Justice, do not help to set things right) acquainting him with the names, and places of the women, and their habitations, that were at the Labour of this great Lady; she implores his assistance for pity sake, promising him faithfully, that if he would do this good work for her, he should never want her assistance to give him the best intelligence for his good, or the avoidance of any evil that should befall him.  
As much as Wonder and Amazement would give him leave, he promised faithfully to effect what she desired; the voice was heard no more, after these her last words, What you have promised, look you do perform: Which words were no sooner out of his mouth, but they could hear a melodious Harmony, as the Music of the Spheres in comparison therewith would seem but jarring; and so (as if it went farther and farther off, till it went so far, as past their hearing) they were permitted to their former sweetness of repose. When as the Prince perceiving how Sleep (that dull thief) began to steal upon him, fearing that he might obliterate those penal notions out of his Memorandum, starts upright in his bed, Honoria clasping him by the middle, and ask him, What would my Love? He answers her, Sweee heart, the Blood, the Thunder, and the Lightning, that the Priest's Book, the Ears, and Eyes of all that were observers of those Prodigies, bid me be circumspect, and omit no opportunities, that may make Fate herself run back with all her Monsters in her arms. Whereupon he stepped out of his bed, and only clothing himself with his Nightgown, he opened his door, where the Guard, which watched in the Gallery, were so amazed, that it was a long time before his commands could be obeyed. At the last, they lighted his Candle at the Lamp. Which done, he retires into his Chamber, and commits all the particulars to writing, that had been told him by his late informer. Which having done, he betakes himself to his former place of rest, but found little there: For, scarce had Whyes, and Whithers, and What ail'st thou's, with strokings, and expostulations, brought him into the same predicament he was in before, but the Alarm bell rung as if the wooden wheel had sounded mettle. The Guard without cries, Arm, Arm, Arm, Cosdruball bounces at the door, and cries, Sir, pray open your door, I must speak with you: The Prince starts up, the Princess pulls him down again, crying aloud, Ah! This was Amarissas' doings, gall was under her lips, whiles she spoke so fair; and asps hid themselves under the leaves of her pretences, and now sting us ere we be aware. The Prince forcing his own liberty, leaps out of his bed, takes his Javelin in his hand, and in his shirt, opens the door, and questions the disturbance. Cosdruball with submiss behaviour acquaints him, that intelligence was brought to the Court that the Moors had swarmed on his Dominion, and that the Vultrians had revolted to them, and let them in. The Prince asked him if the Moors were at the gates? His Lieutenant Cosdruball answered, No. But they were within 60. miles, That's six days march (said the Prince) I hope I may have one nights rest, and to morrow I am a servant to my Countrymen. Cosdruball, here's my Seal, issue forth what Warrants you shall think most sit to set the Country in a posture of defence, and to morrow I will be in the head of the most resolute party.  
He had no sooner said these words, but in comes Amarissa, with one Petition in her hand, and another in her mouth: The first was, that Bertaldo might have a competent Command in this Design: The second, that he might not. The first, she said, she was bound to perform in point of Honour and Engagement. The second, she humbly begged, as a fond lover, and preservatrix of so great a Worthy. Then said the Princess, Let me be in a capacity of being a Petitioner too, and beg the favour in his behalf, that it may be thus: That if my Lord goes, he may go; and if he stays behind, that he may do so too. For neither can there be better use made of his worth, then by preserving you: nor Amarissa better merited then by such a preservation.  
Bertaldo (entering the Chamber) cries out, Excellently well said my dearest Sister, thy motion is honourable, and thy words are reason.  
Then said the Prince, Bertaldo he shall go, and so will I: Cosdruball, you shall be our Lieutenant, Hanno our Major, and you Bertaldo in this Expedition shall act my Part, and I Bertaldo's. I have two suits of Armour that are both the same, and shall make us both one, one appearance shall cast the same colour over both our Horses, our Commands shall strike Unisons in the Soldier's ears, and our Cognizance shall be alike, lest one soul be not sufficient to enliven so great a body. With these directions I dismiss you, for the present, till the day gives further order. For by Heaven, were the Black and Tawny Moors now scaling the walls of Carthage, and Terror itself making its approach under my very walls, I would not leave this red and white, till Phoebus himself should first rise out of his Thetis bed, and blush in my face, to look on my preferment. Great Mars, wreak no vengeante on thy servants head for this presumption, for thine own sake, who thyself so often hast neglected thine own affairs, to dally with a creature that was mortal, whiles I take pleasure in delights (so lawful) with a creature that is so divine. Begun, begon I say.  
They had no sooner departed the Room, but Aminda's Genius having received no further benefit by him, as yet, but hopes of rest by pramise, sings to him at his window a forewarning of his approaching miseries.  
Lust, Contempt, Reproach, and shame,  
Mean to play the after Game.  
You shall prove as chaste as she;  
She as chaste, as chaste may be.  
But oh, where Jealousy and Fear  
Brings up the Van, leads up the Rear,  
Loves main body quite is routed,  
And her senses all are outed.  
Where love is seconded by Scorn,  
The General leads up the Forlorn.  
Shoot a Bird once in the Head,  
The Wings will never raise it dead.  
Commit not to Wolves keeping, Prince,  
An Emblem of such innocence.  
I have done you service now,  
If to follow it, you know how.  
I've given you the fates intent,  
As far as my Commission went.  
The same voice which Charmed their ears, lulled them both asleep, and sleep so soon after admonition is not good: for rest invites the body to lie down in her lap, whilst she picks memorials out of his head. All was thus forgot, Aurora, the Postilion of the morn jets by the window, at whose heels the near horses of the Sun follow the grey with brighter colour: till at last, Phoebus himself looks in at the window; and darting his beams through the crimson Curtain that was drawn before it, made all the bridal whiteness of the bed look red. Sol, with his sanguine complexion glares through that false medium, upon some part of the Prince's eyes which were not closed, whilst he lay dreaming that he was then swimming through a stream of Blood, till fresh Alarms of the Moors bloody practices awakened him, and filled his ears with the relation. They both started out of their bed at the contrary sides, like two pieces of a broken Bow falling asunder, when its entireness was at its full bent.  
Thus the after-sports (which the Son of Hymeneus would have had) had his further dalliances superseded, like the full-fed Child, that is patted on the hand from playing with his meat. Fresh Alarms follow the heels of one another, and the Highways are scoured along with posting intelligence. The Court, like the first Chaos, (big with form) labours by Order (Midwife to Confusion) to produce Method, (the sole life to Action) and at last brought all to good perfection.  
Periissa, (a fair Virgin, but of Parentage supposed to be somewhat disparaging, and a Country Lass, but indeed a Lady of highest extract, as hereafter we will mention) happening to have a place upon one of the Scaffolds, (where she beheld the brave comportment of Bertaldo) was so much taken with his behaviour and valour, that she prosecuted her desires of glutting her eyes in beholding that face that attracted all the faculties of her maiden-soule, to admiration of that manly figure. From thence she came to wishes, and the next stage was Love. Her humility was such, (occasioned through ignorance of her own worth) that she thought it a vain thing that the Daffedowne-Dilly should be in love with the Laurel, and the Primrose with the Palm. She had wit enough to keep her hopes at a due distance: and was not such a fool as to be ignorant, that impossibilities would be too hard for her: Wherefore she limits her affections to probabilities, and contents herself with competent felicity: which she thought to be enough in conscience, if she might be, but in a condition, without control, daily to look upon him, which she thus effected.  
Having lately called into her own hands, a small portion, allotted her by her (supposed) Father, She putteth herself into Pages habit, (in which disguise, whilst she continues, we will mention her hereafter by the name of Philoret; and she must now be he, till he returns to her again) and tenders (now) his service to Bertaldo. Bertaldo (being in a condition to entertain more servants than he had leisure to find out, was much delighted with so fair an offer, ask his Idolatress many questions, as How, and Wherefore he desired to serve him, rather than any other? and who had commended him unto his service?  
Philoret answered him, that the commendations of his own worth, had made him ambitious of serving such a Master.  
Bertaldo told him, that he was now going to the Wars, and the harsh usage of a Camp, would soon spoil so fair a complexion, and alter the colour of the Rose and Cherry upon his Lips and Cheeks, and turn them into pale and wannesse.  
Philoret replied, Might I but feed upon your leave, and lie but at your feet, how ever you fare, no usage would be hard.  
Bertaldo stroking his cheeks with both his hands, told him, Thou pretty boy, I will make much of thee, and thou shalt never want, be true to me.  
Philoret (overjoyed) knew not what he did, so that before he was aware, he was going to make him a Curtsy, which having performed half way, remembering himself, he fell quite down at his feet, and so converted an Error (that would soon have been observed) into the highest observation. Whereupon Bertaldo helps him up again, with both his hands; Philoret on his feet, fearing the treason of his own blushes, looks him (with a counterfeited confidence) full in the face, that joy might seem to flourish its red in his face, rather than Mayden-colours. Thus well he acted his part in the first Scene.   

CHAP. III.  
The Prince of Carthage going to war, commits the protection of Honoria to Maximanus his only Favourite, who falls in love with her, but finding himself neglected, converts his love into extreme hatred. Plots her ruin. The Battle with the Moors.  
LOrenzo ready to set forward in his expedition, (attended with all his Heroes) takes Honoria by the hand, and delivers her to Maximanus custody; saying, that he trusted him with the greatest Jewel in the world: Commanding, that neither cost, nor labour, should be spared to purchase her contentment. Maximanus promised, that she should never have any cause to complain. Honoria, whether her divining Soul presaged those after evils, or whether some secret antipathy in nature, between her and her Guardian, or her unwillingness that her Lord should, and she not go, began to sink down in a sound; but being held up, and recalled to herself again, she spoke these words:  
My Lord,  
I know what it is to part with a Father and a Brother, but a Husband never bade me farewell before: and to take his leave of me, to be so coarsely used, as the chance of War might give him entertainment. I know what it is to bid adieu to such, and never see them more: but it was never wont to be thus with me, either this love is of an higher nature, and nearer relation, or else there is more in it then willingly I would imagine. I pray let me go with you, I have no mind to stay behind.  
Alas (replied the Prince) what shouldst thou do amongst a company of rude Soldiers? Stay here, and I will reach thee a Lawrel-bough with mine own hand, and thou shalt make a wreath, and give it whom thou wilt; and I will bring thee home an Olive Branch, and thou shalt wear it. I but in the mean time (said Honoria) I had rather you would take away this claw of lead that gripes my heart so sore, and squeeses out all the gladness thence. Honoria, (said the Prince) no misfortune can befall me, whilst I am happy in thy love, which nothing can deprive me of, but that which may lead me to a better life: And if thou think'st my death any misfortune, I'll repair the loss of my Person, with the donation of my Dominion: For here, before all these Nobles, if I fall, there stands the Queen of Carthage. Whereupon Honoria made her last Reply: Long may you live to enjoy that, yourself; and I, you. So they both parted. She was sorry that he was gone, he discontented that she was sorrowful. Bertaldo taking his leave of his Sister, and the rest of the Ladies, bids her make much of herself, she, him: That he should have a care of her Husband: And Amarissa prayed Bertaldo that he would not be too venturous.  
The Court (thus) emptied (almost) of all the Men, Maximanus struts among a Company of Women, like a Major domo of a Seraglio, (though he was more satire than Eunuch) yet for some while he kept on his way, laying hold on all opportunities that might advance him to the Princess favour: which, when he had once sufficiently obtained, he thought he had made a fair progress towards his journey's end, disloyal lust. Good natures are seldom wanting in retalliating good services with acknowledgements, and innocence oftentimes engratiates her own Subjects with too many freedoms.  
Maximanus had often sought occasion to give the Princess some intimation of his meaning; but all his opportunities proved fruitless to his desires, which were still nipped in the bud, (before he could give them breath) by the chaste wind of her words, and Majesty of her Countenance: Which was such, as would have still kept him in the same state of innocence, if she had not (as unhappily, as innocently) let fall a word by chance, which (like a spark of fire by the often clashings of discourse, like the striking together of Flint and Steel) lighting upon the black tinder of his half-burnt Soul, (once extinguished, and suppressed already by her chaste hand over him) so spread fire (by his additional breath) that he thought he might (in a very short time) both touch his match, and light a candle to his hearts desires. And thus it was:  
Honoria was much addicted to good Housewifery, especially in preserving Fruits, and Distillations; well governing her Household, receiving Accounts, etc. Maximanus, as he was very diligent to find out ways wherein (he thought) he might please her, and best suit with his occasions, and administer discourse proportionable to his design. One time amongst the rest, he presents unto her, a rare and exquisite Limner; making it his request, That the Prince's Gallery might be graced with her Picture, which was wanting: Which if it were truly drawn to the life, would put down all the pictures there. She (as little regarding the motion, as affected with the vanity) was, notwithstanding (by much opportunity) drawn to give her consent (with this proviso) that she may have the liberty to choose her own fancy in it. Maximanus thought, Reason good; and duty, binding. Whereupon she causeth this rare Artist to draw her Picture holding Cupid between her Legs, his Bow under her Foot, his Quiver upon the ground, with the Arrows broken, and plucking the feathers out of his Wings, (which lay scattered about the Room) with this Motto, viz. But a Goose to a good Huswife. And when it was perfected, she presented it to Maximanus with these words: Now Maximanus I am at your service. Meaning no otherwise, but that (upon those terms) she had gratified his desires. He (not reading the Motto) understood not the conceit. She (not doubting but that he had) explained it no farther. Maximanus (imagining that by Cupid which she held between her legs) was Hieroglyphict the love that was between her and her husband, whose bow she trod under her foot, and whose feathers she threw away, as slighting his departure) thought verily, that she had done this, to let him see, that now she had (wholly) cast herself upon his love and affections. Whereupon he said but little, because the Limner was present, as if he had been somewhat sorry that she had showed herself so coming before a man, that could not but take some notice of her too much forwardness. Howsoever he was all on fire, which being kept in, burned the hotter: She ignorant of any, adds more fuel by her ensuing discourse: saying unto him, Come Maximanus, you and I will go and hang it up in my own Chamber, bidding him reward the Picture-drawer, and dismiss him, which he did accordingly: He carrying the Picture in his hand into her Chamber, and finding no body there, instead of setting it up, he sets it down. And thus the Goat courted the Lamb, and the Night-raven the Dove.  
Madam,  
That my love was unexpressable, it might appear by my not speaking: but it seems my actions spoke in a language that your quick apprehension understood: But I could wish you had said nothing, and then you had performed the greatest masterpiece of wit that ere was wrought by ingenuity, and had made a third hand, Limne the Idea of your mind, who never knew your meaning: whereas now I am afraid—  
And as he was going on with his speech, she gave him such a look, that stopped his speech, with swallowing down his spital. Ask him, What he meant by that strange language, and insolent kind of behaviour? Maximanus recollecting his spirits, asked Honoria what she meant by that strange Picture, and familiar way of telling him that she was now at his service? Adding, moreover, the dismisment of the Artist, and inviting him to her Chamber, able to give a duller apprehension, than his own, the like encouragement: Withal, acquainting her with his conception of the Mystery. She him, with the true meaning and purport of her Fancy: letting him understand, that if her familiarity was the occasion of such constructions, he should have less reason (hereafter) to mistake.  
Maximanus replied (to so unexpected a cooling Card) Madam, I pray be not offended, you cannot hate me for loving you: nor blame that love that is attracted by such Magnetic virtue: 'Tis your own fault to be so Beautiful, and none of mine, to be passive in my obedience to that power. Truly Madam, I must needs confess, I do love you with all my heart, and have smothered my affection a long time: But now I must tell you, that you murder me, if you deny.  
Sir, Sir, said the Princess, love is your scene, but when the scene is opened, foul lust appears, which makes you unworthy of your Prince's Favour, or my Company: With what countenance can you look him in the Face, that can be so disloyal to him, or me, of whom you have entertained so vile conceptions? For the Love-sake that my Husband bears unto you (in hopes of your amendment) I will not blab your Baseness or Disloyalty: But I protest, if ever you open your mouth again in this particular, your Master shall know into how treacherous hands he hath reposed so great a Trust: And so farewell.  
Honoria being gone, Maximanus bites the lip, and swears by all the Gods it shall not serve her turn; if fair means will not do it, foul means shall, whom we leave hatching his own Villainies. To treat of the successes which attended the Prince in his expedition against the Moors.  
Lorenzo (Monteroing the top of an Hill with his Army, beheld the Moors drawn up in Battalia ready to receive him) brooks no delays, but (thinking himself as Superior, to them in Courage and true Gallantry, as he was inferior to them in number) uncovers the Mountain head, advances towards them; and makes up to the black-faced Monster through disadvantages, breaks through difficulties, and gives them a home Charge, some of the Moors begin to stagger and run: Whereat the General of the Moors was no more discouraged than the Husbandman, when he sees the wind blow the Chaff away from the purer Corne. Cosdruball, General of the Prince his Horse, routs theirs, but performs the execution with too hot a spur: insomuch that the whole Army of the Princes was almost Routed, and the Prince himself in very great danger, had not Bertaldo, the Prince his alter ego, well defended his Prototype. For Lorenzo (with his Brigade) charged into the main Body of the Enemy, hewing down all before him, like a fierce wind, that gets into a thick wood, when as the leaf is in the fall; which knowing not its way out again, whirls about the trees, shaking down their leaves, clatterring their boughs one against another, so bending their branches to the earth, till their roots came up, and bodies down. So this son of Mars (environed within a black cloud of Moors) thunders in the midst of them, and (like lightning) so pierced this black cloud, till there fell showers of blood. Such was the behaviour of the brave Lorenzo.  
Bertaldo having intelligence from Hanno, that the Prince was thus engaged, if he were not lost already; and that the left wing (attempting to disengage him) were all routed, with his 100 Volunteers which guarded his Person, and thought no otherwise but that he had been the Prince; rides amongst the heartless and breathless Soldiers, crying, Victoria, Victoria! Come and let us make an end of the day, all's our own: they think him to be the Prince, and that he had made his way through, (and so shrewdly disordered them) all follow him, and his directions. He gives Philaret a strict charge that he should not lose the sight of him (if it were possible) but be ready at had (with his spare Horse) if need required; and that he should show his love unto him in that day's service, and have it ever after. The poor wretch overjoyed with the apprehension of such a reward, converts his fear of death into hopes of merit: And having at the beginning of the Battle taken a box of Ointment from a Captive Tawny-Moore (wherewith the Moors used to make their Faces more black (as more Beautiful) he colour's his face as black as jet, imagining (thereby) to perform some notable piece of service that day, in the behalf of his so much beloved, Bertaldo: who by this time finding the Moors to stand so close drawn up, as no ordinary force, or manner of discipline could break, or enter; draws up his Men in form of a wedge, edged with his own personal Valour (it being impossible that such a one, being backed by two, those two by three; three by five, bearing the same proportion up to the very Rear, whose greater number still followed the fewer, whilst the better-mettled fewer still made way for the worse tempered multitude to follow, (like a well-droven wedg) riving the bonds of nature in sunder) and those hearts of Oak, at once, both to complain and open, till they saw the Prince (with a few survivers) like Mars himself stand Bulwarckt in the midst of so many slaughtered Moors: and Re-intrenched about with his own Dead. Where the Prince and Bertaldo congratulating one another's happiness in both their preservations; both parties stood amazed to behold two suns in the same Firmament: The Prince's men were contented to take Bertaldo as a rescuing Angel in their Sovereign's shape: and Bertaldo his men were glad to see two Princes, who not long ago were afraid they had not one.  
These two men in Mars his livery, seeing the Moors endeavouring to Sally on either hand, resolved (equally) to divide their Forces, and Charge them several ways. Bertaldo (in prosecuting his design) had his Horse slain under him upon the first Charge, which had no sooner brought him to the ground, but up comes Philoret with his spare Horse in his hand, ready to re-estate him in his former posture: He perceiving Philoret black as the night, thought some Moor had killed his pretty Page, and seized his horse, and clad him in his Page's habit: whereupon Bertaldo struck at Philoret, who called upon Bertaldo to stay his hand; but the confused noise being so great that he could not hear him, Bertaldo gave him a sleight wound upon his neck, whereat (Philoret letting his horse go out of his hands) to lay hold on that, Bertaldo left prosecuting Philorets revenge, by sparing the person whom he persecuted with so blind a zeal: crying out, Black Devil, how couldst thou find in thy heart to destroy so sweet a Creature? Philoret was so well pleased with the kindness of his language, and so little troubled with the smart of his wounds, that he only thirsted for another opportunity to do Bertaldo the like service at the same rate, which was presently offered him: For  
Bertaldo was no sooner mounted, but presently he Charges in amongst the thickest of his Enemies, as if some wild Bull had run madding through some Marketplace, treading down all the people as he ran along, till stopped by Butchers, that stayed his course by knocking of him down: so fell Bertaldo. Up comes Philoret, and dismounting his horse, strides over him, and with his sword in his hand menaces the approaching Enemy. The Moors seeing him Black, took him to be one of their own party; and by his rich apparel to be of some extraordinary quality; wherefore they durst not press upon Bertaldo any further violence, whom Authority had protected: until the Prince (having quite routed his Adversaries, and hearing Bertaldo to be so engaged) comes in (like a raging Sea backed by the winds, that had made some new breach into the Land) which when the fainting spirits of Bertaldoes' men once perceived, they resolved (like a dying taper) either to contract all their strength, to make one great blaze before they went out, or else (for shame) to do their own work themselves, before Lorenzo should come to their assistance: which they performed so courageously, that they made the enemy give the ground that was covered with Bertaldoes' wounded body; who being set upon his feet, on the one side by his friends, on the other by his supposed enemy, to whom he thought himself so much beholding, that he prayed his Soldiers to use that pretty little Blackamoor well: wondering how he neglected his own liberty, and hazarded his life to preserve his person.  
Philoret was forthwith carrried out of the Battle, which was soon after ended, and the Moors all totally routed, by the coming back of Cosdruballs' horse, who received orders to follow the execution. They all drew off the field: and when the Prince was well got to his Quarters, and Bertaldoes' wounds had been well dressed, he requited the Prince's kind Visite, with the pleasing Story of the great kindness that the supposed Moor had showed him in his extremity. They both resolved to send for him; and being sent for, they were both inquisitive after the cause of his so great humanity.  
Bertaldo (telling Philoret, that to his knowledge he had saved his life, hazarded his own, and lost his liberty) desiring to know of Philoret, what moved him to all that kindness? Philoret replied, nothing but that I had a mind to save so brave a Man. But oh (said Bertaldo) (fetching a deep sigh) what hast thou done with that sweet-faced Youth thou stripp'st of those clothes? Philoret answered, I will bring him to you ere it be long. Why? did you love him? I did (gentle Moor) said Bertaldo. What shall I give thee for reward of so great a Courtesy? The Prince seconding Bertaldo, bid him ask what he pleased, and he should have it. Then said Philoret, I ask at both your hands no other favour but that you would give me for all my service, one Basin of fair Water.  
They admiring first, and afterwards commanding it to be sent for; which being brought, they both delivered it to Philoret (still wondering what he meant to do therewith) who receiving it stepped aside, and (as if night had been washed away by the morning dew) breaks upon them with such red and white, as Aurora paints her Cheeks withal, after her climbing up the Eastern hills. Of which, when they had throughly informed themselves, they both strove who should embrace him first; the Prince first caught him in his Arms, he catches at Bertaldo, who kissed his Cheeks: And Bertaldoes' arms being about his neck, he weeps upon his hands; his merits sowing the seeds of love in the field of Mars, his tears reaped no further benefit than of being rewarded in the Act, which was as high as his poor heart durst go. The Prince perceiving him to weep so fast, le's him go, fearing that he had hurt him, by embracing him with too hard a kindness. Bertaldo enjoying a quiet possession of his so much beloved, takes him in his Arms, and asks him what he ailed; he hanging down his arms by his sides, as unworthy of such an armful, puts by the true cause by this excuse. I weep to think what danger you were in. I (said Bertaldo) rejoice that thou wert my preserver; assuring him that he had perserved him for himself, as the best Master that ever any Boy was glad of. And that he would prefer him to his own hearts desire: bidding him ask what he would have for the present, and he would grant him his request. Then I desire (said Philoret) in the first place, That you would never put me from you. Secondly, that I may ever sleep at your foot.  
The Prince bursting forth into admiration, cries out, What strange affection is this of a youth towards his Master!  
Philoret fearing that he had gone too far, and that nothing could sooner deprive him of that competent felicity (which he had proposed unto himself) then that it should be known what he was, breaks off all further expostulations with this assurance: That as no promise could be greater than that, so no performance could answer his desires with more delight.  
Bertaldo replied, Thou art as much Master of both, as I am of thee. So Philoret was satisfied, Bertaldo pleased, the Prince astonished.   

CHAP. IU.  
The Prince pursues the Moors into their own Country. News is brought to Court of the victory, and of the Prince's leaving his Country. Maximanus pursues his lustful desires. Lays his gins. Amarissa's kindness to Honoria, for which she suffers.  
LIke some Braggadosio insolent Ruffian, who intended an Affront to a higher Spirit than his own, and that before his Door: And finding himself worsted by the Defendant, quits his ground, runs his way; the other after him, chastising that bold attempt (with reduplicated verberations) on the person of the Offender, up to the same doors where his castigation had beginning (through a whole street of amazed Spectators) so Basted was this Moor: so Valiant was this Prince, both in his Own, and Enemy's Country: where we leave him, and return to our Affairs in Carthage.  
The particulars whereof being brought to Carthage, Maximanus entertains high resolutions of perpetrating his black design, which thus he prosecutes.  
Having from that time forward sought his opportunity of singling her out, at the last he found it. At the time when Honoria (all alone) went up to the Garret to remove and order her Quinsies, Pomegranates, and other Fruits wherein she delighted; Maximanus comes in with a Dagger in his hand hafted towards her, and pointed to his own Breast, speaking to her in this language:  
Madam,  
I have laid a long time scorching in the unquenchable flames of my desires, fired by your Beatuty; and you have cast me no cooling water of Consent, but oil of Denial to increase, but not to mitigate my torment: Wherefore I am constrained to be thus charitable to myself. Either be just in your retribution of affording love, for love, though with an unwilling mercy; or else be merciful with this Instrument, in ridding me out of pain, by a most pleasing Cruelty.  
Honoria scarce having patience to hear so much, and having none left to hear any more, She calls him Lustful Goat, perfidious Man, tempting Devil, unworthy of his Master's favour, and the Trust he had reposed in him. Bids him begun, and cool his inordinate desires with his own sighs; and quench that fire from Hell with tears of his Repentance: for that was all the relief he must expect from her. At which words he turns the point of his Dagger to her Breast, and tells her, that if she would not, otherwise, that should make her; and that which she was forced unto was not her own act. And therefore wished her not to make any resistance, or call for the least help, as she loved her own Lord and Life, and the welfare of his Dominions, with often inculcations, that if she compelled him to stop her out cries with that Dagger struck through the lungs that sends them up, he would (afterwards) prove as great a Traitor to her Lord, as she had compelled him to be a Murderer of her, and have his desires at last, though it were but between hot and cold, life and death. Honoria laughed in his face, and bade him look who stood behind him. And whilst he was turning about, (to see what ambush she had laid) she whips by him; and running by the door, clapped it too, which he opened with such speed, as men often find who are most in haste: But had doubtless overtaken her running down the stairs that led into the Gallery, or in the long Gallery, before she could have reached any Company, if her own chaste speed, and the wind together, had not blowed off her Veil so directly towards his feet, that he was so entangled therewith, that down he falls along, upon the ground, whereby she got safely to her Guard of Ladies, but could not speak to them, she was so out of breath: and when she had breathed sufficiently, she could not speak for laughing.  
In which Interim, Maximanus enters the Presence, who not a little glad to see her so pleasant, and exceeding glad that she had not said any thing at all of him to the Ladies, with greatest reverence he requested her that he might speak but one word in private with her, at the window: she conjecturing his meaning (commanding the Ladies not to stir out of the room) withdraws herself, where he begs, and prays her, for goodness sake, though he had deserved the greatest evil, that she would not speak a word of what had passed between them: Protesting before all things sacred, that he intended her no harm, but only to put her to the utmost trial; which had not the suddenness of her own wit taught her such an escape, she should not have been unsatisfied in that particular; but now the truth of his intentions was wholly at the mercy of her Belief: Promising her faithfully, that if she would forget, and forgive this misdemeanour, he would never open his mouth unto her, in that behalf, nor ever harbour any such thoughts within his breast. For if she did not, that would be the way to have them both undone; and if she did, nothing should preserve her honour more than that Engagement.  
Honoria (with a severe Countenance) replied,  
Maximanus, not forfear of any thing wherewith you can threaten me, but for the love's sake my Husband bears unto you, I will pardon you, and never speak of this offence: First provided, that you be as good as your word, in banishing all thoughts of falling into a relapse. Secondly, That I may be in a condition never to trust you any more. Wherefore you must give me leave to dismiss your attendance upon my Person, till your Master returns, and your suit is granted. I give you leave to make what excuse you can for keeping such a distance.  
Maximanus seemed to be contented, and complains to her, how that he had broken both his elbows with his fall.  
Honoria burst out into such a laughter, as quitted claim to the suspicion which the Ladies had already entertained, of what (indeed) was real. Yet notwithstanding, assoon as Maximanus had taken his leave of the Princess, Amarissa takes the boldness to be inquisitive after the cause of her being so much out of breath, and his being out of Countenance at his first entrance into the Room. Honoria (to make good her promise) told Amarissa, that they had been both frighted by a strange kind of noise as they passed by the Hobgoblin Chamber, at which they both fell a running; and he making more haste then good speed, came over and over: wherefore he followed her, requesting her for God's sake, that she would not tell any body of it. And that he had so bruised his Elbows, that he knew not what to do.  
O Honoria, thou hadst escaped a great deal of misery if thou hadst granted fewer favours, or been less punctual in thy performances. But many a good man (like the tree that affords wedges out of its self, whereby its main body is cleft in sunder) suffers, by conferring too many acts of grace and favour, upon objects that are incompatible with a just reception.  
Maximanus now having his quietus est, disquiets himself in finding out ways to his revenge; and in requiting so much goodness with the greatest mischief. For he gives it out amongst his creatures, that he verily believed, that his Mistress was naught: And that he suspected her to play fast and loose with no base a companion then her Gardener, (a poor harmless wretch, whom she often took along with her into the fields to choose and gather Simples, (being an excellent Herbalist) as well for the use of her Still, as setting what were likeliest to grow in her own Garden, (a delight, becoming the state of Innocence) and that therefore she had dismissed him of his Attendance upon her Person, that she might the more freely enjoy her opportunities; but he would observe her haunts, and she should bear his horse dash ere it were long, though she betook herself to never so many by ways. Some out of envy, others out of complacence to so great a Favourite, were willing enough to believe it, though none could, until such time as a foolish mistake (sufficient enough to create a Belief, where the mind is willing to receive it) had in some measure conformed them to his vain imagination, and thus it was.  
Hortensius (the Gardner) waiting upon his Mistress to a flowery bank, whose bed (at its several seasons) as well made soft with the often risings of the water, as comforted with the Warming-pan of the Sun, having a Diana's Grove (like a drawn Curtain) between it and the North-East-wind, standing so commodiously for the benefit of the Southern Clime) invited them to search into Nature's bosom, where she was likeliest to hide her greatest rarities.  
To this very place Maximanus dogs Honoria, and sets Spies over her actions, and there leaves them, (as well hoping that their willingness to be deluded, might lay hold on some occasion to let in error through the backdoor of some mistake, whereby some grounds of witnessing against her may be had, as also that if any such thing were, they might add a little to it, make more) and according to his expectation, there happened this unlucky accident (food to his hunger, and a full draught to his revenge) Hortensius having filled his Basket, and she her Apron with the choicest delicates; they were both comparing the fruits of their own industry, and nature's bounty, together; some mistake of the right name of an Herb (on his part) made the Princess laugh, whereat the supervisors thought them somewhat pleasant: Another mistake there was of the Princess, which caused her to clap her hand upon her breast, as blaming her forgetfulness, which caused those eavesdroppers (biased with prejudicated opinion) to cry out, Oh what a passionate expression was there! How she was fain to pump it from the very bottom of her heart! Which mistake of theirs, the Gardener himself somewhat improved, when he had made her such an obeisance, whilst he was craving her pardon for his contradiction; whilst suspicion was thus well onward on its way, a small matter helps it forward to its journey's end. For Honoria espying an Earwig ready to creep into Hertensius ear, endeavouring to strike it off with her hand, she strikes it into his Neck; and perceiving it to be there, thrust her fingers into his Choler to take it thence; she laughing all the while at his not knowing what was the matter, and wondering why she gave him such a whirret under the Ear: Of which, assoon as he had been informed, in humble manner he makes her a low obeisance, and thanks her for being partial in his behalf, in taking one worms part rather than another.  
So, so, (said the Ambushcado) here's fine doings indeed, we have even seen enough, it is no marvel that honest Maximanus must not come near your Person, lest he pry into your actions.  
Some rashly wondered, saying, Who would have thought she had been such a one! Others set their teeth on edge against the Gardener, saying, He deserved to be hanged, and cut as small as herbs to the pot. All informed Maximanus, that they had seen them as good as naught together.  
He eager to know what, and how, and wherein, and what they had seen, and how it was: They told him, that they had seen them court one another extremely: the words (indeed) they could not hear well, but their actions were too too palpable. Why, what did she do (said Maximanus?) They made answer, that she stroked him under the Chin, clapped his Cheeks, thrust her fingers into his Bosom, smiled him in the Face. And how did the Gardener behave himself (said Maximanus?) He (said they) 'dopt, and cringed, and made legs all the while, whilst she answered his reverence, with her hand patting her Breast.  
Which (being so confidently related by so many witnesses) had been enough to have made him believe (as it did too many others) that it had been so indeed, but that his own temptations were sufficient trials of their virtue, or that she had preferred the Gardener before him, but that he did verily believe they invented those lies to curry favour with his greatness. Thus foolish people standing a great way off, and seeing men and women dance, (hearing not the music) suppose them to be all mad.  
Strange Reports (like wildfire) ran up and down the Court concerning Hortensius and Honoria; some of them got Amarissa by the ears, and held her in astonishment. She, with a friendly Apology (full of respect) acquaints Honoria with the business, who knew no more what to say to it, than a weaned child knew how to draw up an Answer to a Charge of the Highest Treason. But having recollected herself a little, she presently cries out against Maximanus, saying, Upon her life this was his doings, and forthwith up and told Amarissa all that had happened between Maximanus and herself. Amarissa being fully satisfied from what Quarter this wind blue, said unto Honoria, Oh Honoria, hadst thou been so happy as to have questioned him for his villainy, before thou hadst been questioned by him, thou hadst crushed the Cockatrice in the egg: But now, when Falsehood hath once made Truth a Defendant, it hath taken away her Testimony.  
Amarissa having further made known the particulars to Honoria, as they were related; Honoria then unfolded all the Riddles, and cleared the Mistakes. Amarissa overjoyed that she was so fully instructed to defend Honoria's honour, satisfy the abused multitude, and question the Tyrant; She begins to stickle in her behalf, and undeceive the misinformed, and talked of calling Maximanus to account for his villainy.  
Now began the feud, Reports join issue, Publications are brought forth, and a day of Hearing boldly is required of the Judges. Maximanus fearing that his Evidence would not hold water, without farther proof, stops the proceedings, till he had got Positives to his Circumstances, which thus he labours to obtain: He corrupts Bonella, the Prince's Waiting-woman, with store of Gold, by the means of his chief Secretary, who also was to pretend himself a Suitor to Bonella; she both credulous, and ambitious, swallows down the Treason, which thus she had agreed to execute: Bonella having told Maximanus (upon his enquiry) that ever since he was dismissed his attendance, that Honoria and Amarissa lay together in the same bed, and that every night before they took their rest, they drank a glass or two of Cinamond-water: Whereupon she had direction given her, that when they called to her next for any of that water, she should drop three drops of that receipt (which she had then given her) into one of their Glasses, acquainting her that every drop would cast them into so many hours dead sleep: Which when she had done, she should inform Maximanus of it, and then leave him to act the rest.  
Bonella puts this horrid Treason in execution, the very next night following, and brings word to Maximanus what she had done; who ask her how long it had been since she had done the feat, and how it wrought with them? she answered, Presently, and that they were both asleep before they could get into their bed, so that she was fain to help Amarissa to her resting place by main strength, and that half an hour had not scarce spent its time since she had performed the work. He dismissed her for the present, sent for Hortensius to come before him, as to examine him upon the premises; he answers according to his innocence, and was discharged with courteous language.  
The Secretary (having his lesson given him) follows the Gardener out of the chamber, commending him for his honest dealing, and rejoicing that he had come off so well, invites him into his chamber, bestows wine upon him, he (little thinking that he shook a Devil by the hand, whilst he thought he had caught an Angel by the foot) was overjoyed to see himself so much made of. At last he had two drops of the same ingredient, distilled into one of his cups; which having the same operation, he was privately carried and laid in the same bed, between Honoria and Amarissa: and there they were all three left. Forthwith pretended intelligence was brought, that Hortensius was spied privily stealing into Honoria her chamber, witnesses were called, they went directly to Bonella's bedside, and demanded the key of her: She with a counterfeited trembling produces what she had but lately given her: They open the door, enter the chamber, approach the bed, find them all three fast asleep, with Honoria's arm about the Gardener's neck. Maximanus cries, It's pity to wake them, how sweetly they lie! I would my Father had made me a Gardener; what a fine time be has of it! desiring the company to wait their pleasures a while, knowing the time to be at hand, when that somniferous drug (that grows not any where but under the shade of death) would wake them with a vengeance. They all withdraw behind the Footcurtaine of the bed. At last Honoria and Amarissa both awake much at a time, yet neither perceived that they had any body between them. Honoria taking Hortensius to be Amarissa, and she the same to be Honoria, both began to wonder at the light which was in the room, both their heads began to ache, both complained to one another: Hortensius presently awakes, and finding himself between two, asks Where am I? the deceived Innocents' shrieking out, cry, What have we here? In which interim, Maximanus and the rest discover themselves, and cry all with open mouth, Out you foul Adulteress, to Honoria; Out you Bawd, to Amarissa; Out you villain, to Hortensius. Hortensius he skips out of the bed, distracted, and amazed; Maximanus tells him, that there are his clothes, and that he knew well enough where he laid them. Hortensius begins to speak, as well as Amazement would give him leave. Maximanus stops his mouth, with bidding them Carry him away, and telling him, that he should speak upon the Rack to morrow. Honoria begins to speak, like the gentle wind, when it passes over the heads of sweetest flowers, and so delightfully carries their fragrance into our nostrils; so pleasingly would she have breathed forth her innocence into their ears, but could not be heard. Amarissa began to speak, like the blustering Boreas, but was out-noised by thunder and exclamations. Both were commanded to rise out of their beds, and were committed to safe Custody for that night.   

CHAP. V.  
The miserable usage of Honoria and Amarissa. Hortensius' rack●, and afterward Bonella sent away to be Murdered. A relation of the particulars sent to Lorenzo.  
THe next morning they were both committed so close Prisoners (to several Wards) in a place of the Tower, not far distant from the Palace, and appointed for Malefactors of the highest Rank and Quality. So accommodated, that they could neither ease their minds by Complaints, (not so much as to one another) nor express their injuries by Arguments.  
All men's hearts were set against them, their ears stopped, their mouths open: yet notwithstanding, the Heavens loured, the Place mourned, the Stones wept, the Hollow winds murmured, and their Echoes answered to every Groan. And lest sorrow should be defective in any part, to complete all woe, their ears were filled with the loud cries and roar of poor Hortensius upon the Rack just under them: who was the more miserably used, (they hoping to extort from him a Confession to their liking out the violence of his torment) each stretch they gave him upon the Rack, made every vein of both their hearts to ache; and their heartstrings were ready to break, as his Limbs grew more and more out of jaynt. So great a sympathy was there in the same Innocence: As he Roared, they Shrieked; as he left off, they were still: nothing could be got from him, but that he was a Martin to a chaste Bed. Still, when they had let him down, and threatened him with a second and third Torture, he said, that he could wish that he had patience enough to endure their Tyranny, that he might not be such a disturbance to the good Ladies, but he had honesty sufficient not to injure their Reputations, through the violence of any sufferings.  
And in his greatest and last temptation, in the midst of cruelty, he cried aloud, O Honoria pray for me! pray for me good Honoria! Amarissa help her! help her Amarissa!  
Honoria falls upon her knees, and prays, rises up again, and stamps with her foot upon the ground, runs to the door, and knocks as hard as both her soft hands would give her leave, calls out to some good body to speak to them to spare him, and inflict what punishment they would on her. Whereupon they all cried shame upon the the tormentors, for which shame sake (at last) they let go the Rack.  
Hortensius had no sooner his joints set, and the company dismissed, but Maximanus enters the Prison all alone, mad with rage: And seeing that no pain could squeeze out an acknowledgement, he was resolved to try what the terror of Death could do; and therefore he thus spoke unto Hortensius, (holding his dagger to his breast.)  
Villain, I am resolved to have my will of thee, I know thy innocence as well as thyself; if thou preferrest the stab that this will give thee, before a prick of Conscience, I come to give it thee.  
Hortensius bids him strike, again cries strike: strike, the third time.  
Maximanus thinking with himself, that death would not do so well for his purpose as acknowledgement, pawses a while; at last speaks thus unto him:  
Come sirrah, thou shalt be ruled by me, I will raise thee forth of the Mire, and will seat thee in a place of Honour: I will recompense thy sufferings with the choicest favours that my friendship can bestow upon thee: I will supply thy wants with store of Riches, I find that thou hast in thee the principles of a true friend: Bend but thy resolutions to my interest, and be myself. Away with this thing called Honesty, so like a feather in a fool's cap: Let your Conscience alone, and it will never trouble you; it will never speak if you never examine it; and is nothing else but the Idea of a fantastic brain: Fear first begot in men the awfulness of a Deity: Rouse up good fellow, what sayst thou? Shall thy horse stand in my stable, or shall it not?  
Hortensius (after some pause) replies,  
It seems that I have read better Divinity upon the leaves of Flowers, and Herbs, than you have read in all the folios of your Books. No Sir, you have a Conscience that would speak to you without examining, but you will not hear it; and trouble you too, but that you hide yourself out of those ways it would direct you, and secure it as you have done Honoria and Amarissa. But considering with himself, how that he might (happily) do them more service by preserving his own life (though with a supposed villainy) rather then (by death) to destroy the chiefest witness of their innocence, by real Martyrdom. He was sorry that he had gone so far, and thus he endeavours to recollect himself.) And besides, if I should hearken to your allurements, you yourself would think me to be the basest fellow in the world, and would use me accordingly, when you had once wrought your ends upon me. No (said Maximanus) it is the property of those to love the Treason, and hate Traitor, who are otherwise themselves. Viper's ne'er sting Vipers, though they gnaw their way through the very bowels of their Dam: the innocent Dove can have rough feet; and of Cruelty itself it can be said no more, then that it hath rough hands. Give me the wisdom of the Serpent, who stops his ears at the voices of those Charmers, and carry ammunition poison with their stings, rather than the nature of those silly Doves, and Pigeons, that can fight, and have no gall. It is as natural for Thunderbolts to strike, as 'tis for Mothers to snatch their Children from harmes-way. It is only the contrariety of thy disposition unto mine, that makes thee obstinate, a foolish fancy, a female pity that makes thee thus: It is not my fault, nor thine, to do such things as these, 'tis theirs, to over-load us with what we cannot bear, and then to stand in our way.  
What smother than the face of water? what creature runs a gentler course than the smiling River, as it glides a long with so many pretty dimples in the cheeks of her fair purling streams? But if a tempest rise, what more outrageous than the Sea? If storms give orders to Crekeses and Rivulets, Brooks and Torrents to charge both flanks of this fair troop of waters, in their march, it swells, and makes the greater haste to disengage itself, by cutting through the Van, that it may bear all down before it; so that these outrages are not in our nature but by accident.  
Hortensius, be at once both Wise and Happy.  
What would you have me do? (replied Hortensius.)  
I would have thee say (said Maximanus) that thou wert Courted by those Ladies to pleasures, whose temptations were above resistance. None can blame thee, but them; Thou shalt erect a happiness upon their Ruins, that shall not lie within the power of fate to shatter. If I stand, thou standest; If I fall, thou fallest; thrown down with a wind that shall either shake the Earth, or blow the Massy Crown from off the Prince's Head, with no more than difficulty if a Hat and Feather should stand in competition with the wind. Then said Hortensius, Sir, I am at your service and disposal, direct me ways how I may be useful to you.  
Thus they (seemingly) agreed: Reports ran over all the Palace, that Hortensius had confessed his fault, and accused the Ladies.  
The Ladies hearing of it, were struck with horror and amazement, looked up to Heaven, wondering that the Gods took no more care of humane Affairs. Sometimes they could find in their hearts to turn Atheists, but those thoughts were laid aside, with confidence that they should be vindicated in their Reputations, though not before, yet after death.  
Hortensius was highly rewarded, and promoted to high dignities, whose sudden rising made the wiser sort, soon believe, that the Gardner had not raised that Mount without the Devils help: All things were carried clear against the Ladies, and Maximanus supposed by some to have performed the part of a vigilant Scout-master; by others, of a perfidious Bloodhound.  
Bonella must now be thought upon, (as most convenient) that she should not live; whereupon the Secretrary pretends to run away with her, (having both feathered their nests sufficiently) to which she was willingly enough inclined, & so by the way to murder her, which was thus far put in execution: He attends her towards the Wood, which when he had far enough entered, tells her what she must trust to, and what his Commands were. Whereat Bonella wept, and asked him, Will you do it? Is your love come to this, and your profession murder? I must confess I have deserved it, for shaking hands with such a Tyrant in so great Villainies: But know, that his 20000 Crowns were none of the allurements that made me to do this foul injury to such innocent Creatures: but it was your love, and to obtain that which made me thus forgetful of all goodness, and am I thus rewarded? Know you not that the Tyrant will not suffer one to live, who is acquainted with his Villainy? And do you think you shall escape at last? No, you may have the honour to go last to pot. But assure yourself, he will not leave a man to live within the compass of betraying him with recantation. No! Do not do this, though it be justice in regard of myself, yet it is iniquity in respect of you. I have not deserved it at your hands, leave off this wicked purpose, and go along with me, and thou shalt never want. I have sent 600 Crowns beyond the Seas, I have a thousand hid under the ground, that never shall rise out of the Earth if I fall to dust: Thou hast wealth enough of thy own, both together will make up a convenient Fortune to maintain us. Or if thou didst but make me believe thou lov'dst me, to work this hellish Plot by my means; yet let me but live, and I will bequeath that to thee, as a recompense of thy mercy towards me: otherwise, whether I shall find a Grave, or not, that shall lie buried where it is.  
The Secretary being somewhat touched with these words, (but especially being loath to lose so much money which might be had by Craft) tells her, That the truth was, he never intended to Marry her, but for her last request he would grant it, upon condition that she would acquaint him where her treasure lay: Which, upon many Oaths and Execrations that he would not murder her, but leave her there in the Wood to shift for herself, she told him where it was, which, when she had done (for two reasons sake: the first, That he might be as good as his word. The second, That if she did not tell him rightly, he might know where to find her.) He causes her to climb up an old hollow Tree, and lets her down into the bottom of it, telling her, That there she must remain until such time as he had found the truth of her relation. And there he left her.  
Back goes the Secretary, and gives his Master an account of the business, as performed according to his injunction, who believes it; and forthwith leads him over a Trap-door, made for some such purposes, who not acquainted with the mode of ordering his steps, falls down a Precipice, and there was hideously slain, falling down upon sharp stakes, stuck in the bottom ready to receive him. Whereupon Maximanus gives it out, that his Servant, and Bonella were both fled, being accessaries to the foul Adultery, and that upon the Confession of Hortensius, who takes all upon him, now that he may have all to throw hereafter.  
By this time all things were fitted to the Tyrant's hand, and obstacles removed out of his way, he thinks it fit to acquaint Lorenzo with the whole substance of the story and sends a subtle Messenger, whom he trusts with the mannagery of this Affair: And thus he directs his Letter to the Prince.  
May it please your Highness,  
MY Loyalty was ever such, that it could break through the greatest difficulties, and run hazards of the highest nature, wherein it may preserve your Honour, though I fell myself by the rise of that. Sir, my Heart trembles, and my Hand shakes, so that you may easily perceive a difference from my wont Character: whilst it acquaints you with News, as unwelcome to your Ears, as it dropped unwillingly from my Pen. I have summoned all the faculties of my understanding to act the part of a Discreet man in this Affair, wherein I have found much difficulty, but I have overcome it, and present the business to you clear as the Sun. Suspicions I valued not, neither did I weigh Circumstances, but when Evidence brought in her two main witnesses, Demonstration, and Confession, I thought it time to let your Highness know how much you were mistaken in the high value you set on such a Counterfeit, as Honoria has too palpably proved herself to be since your departure: And how much a Bawd to her foul Lust Amarissa was. The examinations whereof, under the known Hands and Seals of your most trusty Servants, and Loyal Subjects I have here sent enclosed, leaving the rest of the partiticulars to his Narration: And so expecting further orders from your Highness concerning the forementioned Delinquents: I rest as my Duty binds,  
Your Highness' faithful Servant, and Loyal Subject, MAXIMANUS.   

CHAP. VI  
The Prince passing by the Lady Duchess Cosbia her House, settles the Difference between the two Brothers. A Battle fought with the Moors. Tidings is brought to Lorenzo concerning Honoria. The Prince and Bertaldo are at Variance concerning it. Philoret sent with Instructions. Amynda's Genius bids them take heed.  
WHen as the Carthaginian Drums had beat up a March to the tired Soldiers feet over the Fessian Mountains (and the shrill Trumpet, with his Breath, called on the Courageous Troops to follow) faster than the wearied Palfreys could answer to the hot spur of their fierce riders. Lorenzo might behold (in a fair pleasant Valley) a commodious place for quartering his Army, (having a pretty Village close adjoining, which, together with the indisposedness of his Army to march any further, invited his Highness' resolution there to rest his Standard) enquiring what great Personage did own so great happiness to be so well seated. It was answered, that the Lady Paramount, to all that fruitful Plain, and stately Building, her name was Cosbia, who espying an Army to descend the Hills, with Colours flying, as if some curious Garden had descended the craggy Mountains, to have given Battle to her set of Tulips. She sent to know the cause, and dive into the meaning of such an approach.  
The Messenger having delivered his Errand, was sent back with this account: That it was Lorenzo, Prince of Carthage, who in castigation of the bold Moor's attempt upon his Confines, followed the Pursuit, and was constrained (as his March fell out) to trouble her, and the rest of her good Neighbours with one night's lodging; assuring her, that the demeanour both of him, and his, should be rather like Guests, than Soldiers. The old Lady thought it policy to make a virtue of necessity, and entertain him worthily.  
Lorenzo was no sooner entered the Palace, but he called to mind Aminda, her engagement; for he was no sooner invited to rest himself upon the Couch, by the side of the old Beldame Cosbia, but he began to ask her how many Sons she had? who answered, Two. The Prince desired to be acquainted with their names: she answered, If he pleased, he might Honour them, and her, with taking notice of their Persons, for they were both either near, or within the House. Lorenzo demanded the cognizance of their Names: She told him, That the one was known by the name of Jacomius, the other of Berontus. The Prince demanded which was the Eldest of the two? The Lady (though somewhat staggered) answer Jacomius; whereat the Prince seemed satisfied, (for the present) but after a while, the two Brothers entering the Room, they had no sooner made their obeisance to the Prince, but the Prince calls to mind the relation that Aminda's Ghost had given him; whereupon he salutes Berontus with a more Princely favour then his younger Brother, whereat the old Lady (conscious of her own injustice) was struck with fear (the inseparable shadow of a guilty Conscience) that she had been betrayed; and that the Army had advanced thither to no other purpose but to vindicate the wrong which her partiality had cast upon her lawful Heir, and Eldest son: yet notwithstanding, she plucks up her spirits, and tells Lorenzo, that she supposed he was mistaken, for that was her Eldest son, pointing at Jacomius: The Prince tells her, that he believed that neither he, nor she, were mistaken, though she thought to blind the world with such a falsehood, as rendered her unworthy of the Cosbian name. Neither of the two young Princes knew his meaning, Cosbia did; the Prince drew forth his Memorandum, and gave Orders to bring before him such, and such, as were inserted in the Paper. They were all brought before him, examined, confessing (in the midst of the Army, as if they had been surrounded by so many Ghostly Fathers) all that had been done, and how (at the unjust commands of the Lady Cosbia) they had hitherto kept her unjust precepts, but now they could not withstand the truth any longer; whereat Berontus raises up himself a thought higher than he was before, Jacomius knew not what to think on't: Cosbia (as if some Deity had descended from the Gods, with an Army of Intelligencers) declares the truth: where upon by the Prince his mediation, Cosbia, her willingness, and the clear evidence that the witnesses did give) the two Brothers were agreed. Berontus was to be (thence forward) acknowledged right Heir (as Elder Brother) to the Cosbian Family, and Jacomius was by consent (of all parties) to inherit the Dukedom that was descended by their great Uncle Bomon. Supper-season caused the Cloth to lay aside all business, so that they were at last sensible of no other want but rest.  
When time had thus put on her night-clotheses, and the night had brought Lorenzo (thus) to Bed, Aminda, her grateful Genius, gives Lorenzo thanks and melody, with this Song at his Chamber window.  
With voice of Condensated air,  
With the Thanksgiver-part of Prayer.  
With a Lute, whose Back is Cloud,  
Its Belly, Air: The winds aloud,  
Strike the strings (at my Command)  
That's the finger and the hand.  
May no Murmuring of the Woods,  
No Rolling of the Water-floods:  
No Yelp of Hounds, no Howls of Wolves;  
No Brays of Asses, nor of Bulls  
The Roar may no waters breach,  
Nor Crack of Thunder this night reach  
Lorenzo's ears; be happy, blessed,  
Composed, and sweetly take your rest.  
The Prince (no less solaced with the Music than the gratitude of Aminda's Ghost) sleeps sound all night long, until the Morn threw up the Cypress over the face of Day; about which time the Army (like a Main body that rests senseless till it receives Orders from the Soul, how to direct its Feet and Hands) moves upon Lorenzo his approach, and pursues the Foe. He had not advanced his Cohorts thirty miles, but he was outfaced with an Army of sixty thousand Moors drawn in Battalia, whose sole Commander was great Tomolin, Emperor of the Abyssines, whose multitudes Lorenzo no more weighs, than manhood fears to charge through darkness: and therefore thus he animates his Soldiers with an Oration.  
Companions in Arms,  
YOu see your Enemies before your faces; if ye turn your backs upon them they are Lions, Tigers, Vultures, Devils; if ye stand stoutly to your Tacklin, they are but Sheep, Hares, Hens, and heartless. So that it lies in your power to choose whether you will have them Valiant, or otherwise: Your comportment may be such, as may make them all Caesar's, Hector's, Alexander's; and it may be such as may render them your Slaves, Vassals, Victims, and Trophies of your Renown. Would you this day live, or die? If you would live, the way to life is not to stand in fear of death: and the way to die, is to meet death by flying from it. Honour is your aim, Victory the end, Riches your reward, and a good Cause the ground you fight upon: Fear will be your overthrow, Cowardice your shame, and Confusion will be destruction to you all.  
Wherefore let me be your Example, follow my Conduct, observe but my Directions, and three hours' time (well spent) shall crown all your desires; thrust palms into your hands; seat joy on every Countenance; same over your actions; fill your hearts with gladness, and your pockets with money: For by all that's good, and all that's true, after this day, your never see Lorenzo more, except a Conqueror.  
The Soldiers shouted with acclamations of joy, crying, No man cares to live, if Lorenzo dies; and no man fears to die in preservation of his Life and Honour. Forthwith the Signal was given; the Carthaginians fly upon the Moors like a strong tide, whereon Neptune rides foaming in his rage against some black Rock, that receives the violence into its bosom: So Charges Lorenzo through the heart of the main Body, and there with his own hands he slays the Standard-bearer. Bertaldo and Berontus seize the Standard; but such confusion had their fury, and the days overcast already cast upon them, that the Moors (had by this time) compassed whom they knew not compassed, and the Carthaginians kept on their way, with such like confidence, as men use to fight withal, when they carry all before them, till such time that they had made their way through the very entrails of the black-faced monster, and found (like physic) that they had not touched the vitals, but only purged through the body of its Patient, leaving it more sound and active than it was before, and themselves divided from themselves.  
Whereupon Philoret finding them all at a stand, he betakes him to his old stratagem, blacks his face, and the faces of one hundred more, which were the flower of all the Carthaginian Chivalry, and takes Lorenzo, Bertaldo, Berontus, Cosdruball, and Hanno, with him along, (as if they had been Prisoners) causing the rest of that party to draw farther off, which (with the thick mists assistance) soon was out of sight, and Orders were sent to the rest of the Army, that as soon as ever they should hear a rumbling within the guts of the foul Monster, they should make ruptures into the very bowels of the beast, up to the place where they should find the Prince to be engaged. Accordingly they act, Philoret brings in his Captives, tells the Moors, that the Carthaginian Army is quite fled, and gone, and that in the pursuit he had taken so many men of note, whom he brought for to present unto the Emperor, that their qualities might be known: whereupon the Moors gave a shout that made the Skies ring: Tomolin having received intelligence of his supposed happy fortune, sends Commands to bring the Prisoners before him, when the Emperor sat upon his Horse guarded with the Quintessence of all the African Nobility, on whom the supposed Prisoners, and the rest, fell like a fierce Storm; at which same time, the several parties following their directions, this great Giant fell to ground, as stabbed to the Heart, and maimed in all his Limbs; Berontus having slain the Emperor with his own hands. Thus Victory put palms into these worthies hands, but she reserved the Bays to crown the Virgin Temples.  
The day their own, and now the Country theirs, Lorenzo and Bertaldo both conjoin to promote the most deserving Philoret to some place of Eminence, and Command, amongst the Soldiers, and they voted Philoret at that time Captain of the Guard to Prince Lorenzo. Philoret amazed (with horror) at the danger of his own merit, thus modestly refuses his preferment: I hope I have not deserved so ill this day, as that I should now lose my place; I esteem no Dignity comparable to my relation to Bertaldo; and when I am turned out of his service, I shall be useless for any action. Wherefore as my ambition aims no higher, so my desires beg this only favour, that I may be still the same. Bertaldo was so in love with Philoret, that he thought himself miserable in the ignorance of ways to recompense his unexpressable affections towards him, had Philoret but said she had been a Virgin, Amarissa never had been thought on more.   

CHAP. VII.  
Maximanus his servant arrives at the Camp with Letters. Lorenzoe's destruction: He falls out with Bertaldo upon it, Berontus saves Bertaldo from danger. Philoret makes both Friends, and is sent to make Enquiry into the business. Aminda's Ghost forwarnes him concerning Honoria.  
LOrenzo had no sooner conquered the Moors but there arose a new War, and sharp conflict within his his bosom upon the delivery of the Letters from Maximanus; whose eyes posted so fast over the Apology, to come to the main subject of the story, that (when those quick intelligencers had informed his injured soul) it let in such lightning (through its windows) as too soon laid hold on that combustible material, Jealousy: that the house was all on fire over the head of its inhabitant; then he hastes back again to the Apology, and seeks for water in their iines, but meets with Oil: Sometimes he rails upon Honoria, calling her Perfidious woman; Amarissa, Hag; Hortensius' Villain: Tears his hair, stamps upon the ground. Then standing in a calmer posture, he says (to himself) me thinks it should not not be, sure it is impossible. Unfolds the Letter again, flings it open; then asks (himself) if it were not so, why should these, and these, certify thus and thus: Then falls into another fit of raving, in which Bertaldo and Berontus find him, and happen to enter the presence as he was venting his poisoned stomach of this foul language: Base Woman, foul Adulteress; could she find no body with whom she might engender, but with a Garden-toad. Whereat Bertaldo asks, what means the Prince? What hath raised so great a tempest in so fair a mind? Your fair Sister Sir, (said Lorenzo) How (said Bertalda) my Sister? Who, Honoria? She's not Honoria (said Lorenzo) I say your sister Sir, who is false, and wicked, vile, and has buried all my Glory in her dishonour.  
Then (said Bertaldo) take truce with your Passions but a while, and you shall find yourself abused, and her innocent. I must desire you to forbear your passion, and that language.  
You must desire (said Lorenzo) what? for any thing that I can fear from you? To thy face I speak it, thy Sister is a Whore.  
To thy face I speak it (said Bertaldo that Lorenzo Lies.  
They both drew upon one another, and Berontus laid better hold upon Bertaldo, than Philoret could upon Lorenzo, from whom he foone had dis-engaged himself; whereby Bertaldo had been much in danger, if Philoret had not with both his arms entangled the feet of him, whose hands he could not hold. So that the Prince thereby fell upon the ground, whereat he calling out, the Guard rushes in, amazed to see so much fury, and no enemy near.  
Lorenzo calls upon them to fall upon Bertaldo. Berontus desires them for to hold their hands, assuring them, that the Prince himself would give them thanks hereafter, and commend their disobedience.  
O (said Philoret, hanging upon one of his arms) what do you mean to do? to put out one of your own eyes? to cut off your own right hand? let me who have been fortunate to you in some small services, be now happy, in doing you the greatest good, in causing you to be yourself, which whilst you are, there is no higher Excellence, but now you are not: what have you received, but a Letter? cannot Letters lie? from whom have you received it? from Maximanus, is it not possible he may be false, and Honoria innocent? you abused, and Bertaldoes' merit requited with such an injury, that repentance can never wash the stain out of your honour? hear more, inquire farther into the business, upon my life Honoria is true, true to you, and undeserving the least ill thought.  
O (said Lorenzo) were that but so, I would give the world, if it were all mine.  
Berontus replied, It is time enough to be thus perplexed, after that you were assured that this were true.  
I am assured (said Lorenzo) by all these testimonies, under the known hands of my most approved Counsellors.  
Sir, (said Bertaldo) return to yourself a little, were this true, none should be her Executioner but myself, these hands should tear her limb from limb, but I can no more believe it than I can believe impossibilities.  
Oh Bertaldo (said Lorenzo) could I believe so too, I should think myself herein more happy than in all my victories.  
Sir, (said Bertaldo) it is but conquering yourself a little, and I will promise you a glorious victory over these Enemies both to your heart's ease, and the tranquillity of your mind: be Lorenzo once again, and Bertaldo 's yours for ever.  
Bertaldo, (said the Prince) I pray thee forgive me, and I will hope the best: and turning to the Messenger that brought the Letters, he asked him his opinion, and what his thoughts were of Honoria.  
Oh Sir, (replied the subtle Cur) it is not for me to have any thoughts, or give my opinion in a business so concerning; I was only entrusted with the safe conduct of those Letters, to your royal hand, which when I have performed, I have done my office: but I agree with you in my hopes of better satisfaction.  
Sir, (said Philoret) you would do well, as Maximanus hath sent one with Letters to inform, to send another with such Letters as may make Enquiry, into the cause of those emissions.  
Bertaldo gave his vote that none was more fit to be employed in that affair than Philoret, whom they had found both active, and ingenious upon all occasions.  
Lorenzo agrees with him.  
Philoret is dispatched, who, by the way, picks many causes of suspicion, out of the Messenger, entangling him so often in his discourse, especially in ask this Question, If Hortensius hath acted such a villainy, and hath confessed it, how comes he to be so much in favour with Maximanus? and receiving such an answer from him, vid: that favour must not last, I warrant you shall see him come to a shameful death ere it be long. Whereat Philoret demanded of him, What necessity there was in colloguing with such a Villain, after such Witnesses produced, and his own confession.  
Oh (said the Devils Adjutant General) Maximanus knows well enough what he has to do. Whereupon Philoret soon gathered, that there was more to be found out upon his arrival at Court, where we leave him on his journey, and bring Lorenzo to his resting place: where sleep had no sooner rocked his senses fast, but Amynda makes him start with her gratitudes of Song and melody, where she thus begins:  
To tell you wherefore I am sent,  
Honoria is innocent.  
And so is Amarissa too,  
And you must look now what you do,  
Sully not a Prince's name,  
By too much credulence to fame.  
Had she been otherwise to thee,  
Thou hadst been pleased, she had been free.  
But cause she's modest, chaste, and wise,  
They have begun this Enterprise.  
He that is easy of belief,  
Runs down stairs to meet a Thief.  
Where jealousy's's bedchamber groom,  
Fire's brought into th' Powder room.  
Up goes Husband, Friend, and Wife,  
Crown, and honour, Sceptre, life.  
Lorenzo rises in his shirt, and runs up and down the room like a mad man, raving on those false Intelligencers, calling Maximanus, Traitor; Honoria, good; vowing to all the Gods, that he will never believe one word against her; flings into his bed again, casts his arms abroad, and sighs out this Pallinodium in her justification, Oh Honoria, Honoria! how much have I injured thee! how much hast thou been abused by Villains! I will recompense thy sufferings, with a thousand acknowledgements, and expiate my offence with the flower of my indulgence, sifted from the bran of those rude conceptions of thee, which lay too long in common, with my better thoughts: and so he fell into a sweet slumber, bound about the head with these resolves, where we leave him to return to our affairs in Carthage.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Philoret falls acquainted with Hortensius by whom the villainy is discovered. Pippea (a little Girl and Daughter to Maximanus his Laundress) steals into the Prison-Chamber where Honoria lay: the whole business discovered, and found out by those three.  
IT happened that Pippea (too gracious a Child for such a Mother, and too little to be suspected for the managing of such a business, as she went through with, (her age not bearing above 12 years' date) Daughter to Hormunda one of his (both) pitiful and pitiless creatures, and Laundress) stole one day into the Princess' Chamber (all alone) being taught the way by following her Mother thither, (as she went and came, about her linen employment) and (having heard the divers mutterings, that were in every month throughout the Court) making many pretty dops, and curtchees, as if she would feign be spoke to; or speak, if she knew how, or where to begin: which the Princess observing, asked her, If her Mother was coming after her? to whom the little Girl, replied, No forsooth: then (said Honoria) I warrant thee thou art come to see how I do: whereat the little Girl fell a weeping very soarly: The Princess asked her, why she wept? she answered, to think how much you are wronged Madam. Poor heart, art thou sensible of my Injury (said Honoria) if thou wert capable of understanding, than thou wouldst weep indeed. Madame, (said this pretty heart) I understand a great deal already, and thereby am the better prepared to understand the rest; I pray let me know how it is, I will remember what you say, and if I can, I will help you, for all my Mother; she is gone into the Country, and will not come home till night: I knew where she put the key, and no body knows where I am. The Princess finding her heart much eased by this little vent, and her complaints more to purpose, than when she poured them against the walls; she up, and told that small Auditory, all the several Passages, that were between Maximanus, and herself, from the very beginning, to the end, (as is before related) and soon perceived (by the Girl's earnestness in listening to her discourse, greediness, in harkening after more, her pertinent questions, by the way, her letting fall so many showers of tears upon occasions, when the season of her discourse required that moisture) that her language was not ill bestowed, and that the perspicuity of her mind had overmatched the number of her years; wherefore thinking with herself what use she might make of her, in vindicating herself from that soul aspersion, she asked the Girl, And dost thou pity me? Yes indeed Madam (said Pippea.) And wouldst thou help me if thou couldst? (said the Princess.) I with all my heart (replied the pretty thing) if I knew which way. Honoria (who had no other thoughts, but these; nor policy, (for the present) but how she might preserve her honour after death, and embalm her memory when she was dead and gone) speaks thus unto that small epitome, (wherein all her worldly comforts were comprised) My pretty sweet Heart, if thou wilt do one thing for me, God will bless thee, and thou shalt never want his providence to defend thee from all wickedness. It is this my pretty Maid, Maximanus will certainly murder me one time or other. Whereat Pippea shrieked aloud. Oh take heed (said the Princess) somebody will hear you, and then you shall be sure never to see me any more, and so I shall want my pretty Comforter. Madam, (said Pippea) will not the same God bless you also, and his providence defend you from all wickedness? Bless me (said Honoria) I hope he will, but defend me, it may be not; because it may be his pleasure that I may suffer, and I am contented to act any part that he shall put me to: in the mean time do thou but act thine and I will pray for thee, and if I should outlive my misery, think how kind thou hast been to me. The Girl asked the Princess, What it was she would have her do? and if it were to be done, she needed not doubt of her good will, saying over and over again, Madam, I'll do it. Then said Honoria, I will write a Letter which the Prince may read, when I am gone into another world, that shall tell him, how true I have been to him, whilst I lived in this: if thou wilt be so true to me, and kind in this one request, here is the key of my Cabinet, I pray thee take it, and I will write a Letter and thou shalt convey it into my Cabinet, and when thou hast done, thou shalt bring me the key again, and I will break it, and throw it away, and so when Maximanus cannot open it, he will not break it open, and Lorenzo shall come to see that, which it may be he may believe when I am dead, whatsoever he may otherwise whilst I am alive; wilt thou do so much for me? Yes, replied Pippea, who wept whilst Honoria writ this Letter.  
Worthy Prince,  
OF a better fortune then to be abused by a perfidious Servant, to the destruction of his faithful Wife, and ruin to his Honour, calling his name and wisdom into question: When I shall be Honoria in my Grave, and justified (by the care that the Gods have over Innocents') when I am dead, who living, was not more grieved with all the storms wherewith the revenging Tyrant vexed my innocence, than I was troubled whilst I was alive, to think how thy injured Soul will be overwhelmed with sorrow, when the Gods shall bring to light this Horrid Treason, against the peace of thy inward state, as a punishment of your too much forwardness of belief. Could I have been false to Lorenzo, it may be I should not have been thought so, Greatness would have protected me; but avoiding the act, I fell into the supposition of Disloyalty, whereby goodness suffer in my behalf. Lorenzo, I forgive thee, upon this condition, that thou wilt not overmuch afflict thyself with too much grief, when thou shalt perceive thy Error:  
Yours, and never otherwise, HONORIA.  
The Letter was superscribed for Lorenzo, Prince of Carthage: My Honoured Lord.  
This Letter Honoria delivered to Pippea, who was as punctual in her performance, as if her years had promised much discretion.  
By this time Philoret is come to Court whom (having put on her maiden habit, whereby she might be least known in being likest herself, and the better concealed by leaving off her Disguise) we will call by her own name, Periissa, who applies herself to Corderius (a true friend to Bertaldo, and a great rarity in Court, an nonest man) one who was sufficiently already satisfied of the great wrongs which Honoria had sustained through the unjust usage of Maximanus? they two (having conferred notes together) thought fit, that he should admit her into his house as his Maid servant, whereby she might conceal herself the better: Thus Periissa was disguised in the propriety of her own Habit.  
Periissa Hums about the Court like an industrious Bee, dwelling longest upon that Flower where most Honey was to be gathered; amongst the rest, she finds Hortensius his discourses (like beds) best set with flowers of Invitation for her seeking faculty; him she Courts, and smiles upon; her, he thinks as half his own: he asketh her the question, he takes her silence for consent. She makes use of her Servants apprehension, as a Masterpiece of Policy, telling him, that if he would but answer her to own question truly, and solve but one doubt really, be should soon know more of her mind: He vows performance, and assures solution in any matter that she should propound.  
Periissa soon replied, my Question is, (as you are a true Lover) whether or no do you think that Honoria is innocent.  
Hortensius' fetching a deep sigh, answered, I would you were mine but half so sure.  
And looking behind him, he told her, that no place was safe for that discourse, where stones were laid together by the power of Art, nor would he trust Woods and Trees, but as they grew simply, and out of method: For (said he) when the Square and Line is once drawn over them, I cannot believe, but that (thereby) they are conjured into intelligencers; and that their Buildings have spies in every corner. Therefore (Sweetheart) if you be pleased to repose so much confidence in me, as to walk over the Meadows, and to trust yourself with a Faith that never blemished its professor into a place of Trust, I will tell you (by the way, and in the trusty Groves) such things (concerning the business, wherein you would so fain be satisfied) as shall not leave you so much as a place for scruple.  
Periissa glad of this profession, presently went along with him, where (by the way) Hortensius opened his breast, and showed her all the secrets that were locked up there, concerning the whole business, between Maximanus, and Honoria; himself, and Maximanus; until such time as approaching the Tree where Bonella perished in the Hollow (by reason of the Secretaries perishing in the Dungeon.) Periissa (as if her divining Soul had bid her stand) makes a halt, and says, Will you tell me then Hortensius, if these things be true, what can you expect but to be made away at last, as the rest of his unhappy Instruments have been already? You that Act their part, must have their Exit.  
Truly (said Hortensius) I look for no other.  
Why will you stay here then (said Periissa.)  
Hortensius' casting his Eyes up towards the top of the Trees, he chanced to spy a Handkerchief, in which (it seems) Bonella (finding herself forsaken, and buried alive in such a growing Coffin) had wrought her mind in Needlework, and bloody Characters shadowed with Death, which she in her life time (having folded up with a double weight, both of Substance and Signification) threw up to the place where she could not follow, which catching fast hold upon a Bough, let fall the same friend that helped it up, that it might the better hang out Maximanus his Villainy, as upon a Signpost: And this was the Inscription, viz.  
HONORIA IS INNOCENT, I BETRAYED HER, SHE AND AMARISSA WERE CASTANNA INTO A DEAD SLEEP, SO WAS HORTENSIUS', AND LAID BETWEEN THEM: NOTHING TRUE IN HER ACCUSATION. HERE I WAS PUT BY MAXIMANUS HIS SECRETARY; AND THIS HOLLOW TREE CONTAINS A DEAD TESTIMONY OF A SAD TRUTH  
Bonella.  
Hortensius and Periissa having both read the Contents, were sufficiently rejoiced, and furnished with ample satisfaction, they (having viewed the dead body) both returned to the place from whence they came, both resolving to be instruments of this discovery; in order whereunto they communed (by the way) about the manner of the accomplishment. Periissa having brought Hortensius privily to Corderius his house, she forthwith declares herself to Hortensius to be Bertaldo his Page, showing him her Apparel, her Letters of Credence; and calling upon Corderius to witness (what he thought to be) truth: Hortensius soon quitted his amorous passion, and fell in love with the design. Corderius presently hastens them both away, with instructions, & some other Intelligence (relating to discoveries) which he himself had lately found out in Honoria her behalf. So that they were both gone upon a sudden. Maximanus missing his Engine, and guessing (rightly) that it would soon be employed against himself: and finding a great many of strange faces, with unwonted behaviours, daily looking upon him, thought it high time for him to look about: wherefore placing a strong Guard of confiding men to look well to the Princess, and keep the rest in awe, he himself makes all the speed he could to Moretania (where Lorenzo was) and sends Post after Hortensius and Philoret (his supposed Mistress) taking his flight as a matter of no small consequence; so that they were both seized upon at the Ferry side (stayed too long by contrary winds) by the Governor of Morocco, by virtue of Letters sent by Maximanus, charging them with the Highest Treason, and so were put into safe Custody, to attend the coming of Maximanus. Philoret then in Prison comforts up Hortensius, and betakes him to his old Stratagem (his Box of Ointment) blacks his Face, altars his Habit, and so conveys away his Letters and Instructions, together with himself (at noon day) so invisibly, as if he had carried night about him; and so went unto the Governor himself, and preoccupies his understanding with such seasonable truths, as his own well-furnished abilities and dexterity could easily infuse into a man who had not been possessed with prejudice, nor byassed with interest to either party: and so acquainted the Governor with the hard shift that he was fain to make to come to speak with him, before the Tyrant Maximanus should batter the Justice of so good a Cause, with the engine of his false pretences: whereupon he thrusts his hand into a Basin of water, (that stood there by accident) and washes and wipes the disguise from off his face. Whereupon the Governor said unto him, That he had observed many to have put a Good Face upon a bad Matter, but he never had observed any to put a Bad Face upon a good Cause before. But the news of Maximanus his arrival, broke off all further discourse: the Governor (doing that which he most desired) dismissed him to his Fellow prisoner, promising, That neither of them should suffer the least injury from him, by any means that Maximanus should attempt: And that he would see them safely brought to Lorenzo. He was no sooner departed the Room, but Maximanus enters the house, with such prepared Invectives, and high Accusations against Hortensius, that had not Philoret forestalled his market, it might have very probably betrayed their Innocence to hard usage. But withal, Maximanus told the Governor, That he could not stay to desire further favour at his hands, then that he would secure them both till his return; and then he would make known unto him his further desires concerning them. The Governor glad to hear him say so, told him. That he would have a special care that they should be forthcoming. So Maximanus posted away towards Lorenzo, whom after three day's journey, he finds at Mostoka, that was the Emperor's Palace.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Maximanus comes to Lorenzo 's Court his dissimulation, he persuades Lorenzo to go to satisfy his doubt to a Conjurer; whereupon he gives Maximanus Commission to kill Honoria and Amarissa: the Governor of Morocco refuses to yield into his hands Hortentius and Periissa.  
News being brought to Lorenzo, that Maximanus was arrived at Court, all were astonished at the impudence of the man, who bore himself high upon the confidence which he had of the Prince his favour towards him: but higher upon the strength of his own brain, which he thought) stood him at any time, in stead of an Army, to secure him from all enmity; nor did he a little rely upon his Oratory, able enough (in his own conceit) to entangle no small flies, within the fine spun cobweb of his fucetious Language.  
Him, the Prince sends for, with much greediness of desire to see, as also with a longing expectation to hear what he would say of his Honoria: in he comes, Lorenzo receives him with much respect, Bertaldo with grinding teeth, he Bertaldo with great humanity: the Prince asked him, How he had left his affairs in Carthage? and what wind had blown him thither? what was become of his Honoria? commanding an account of that particular, in the first place.  
Maximanus with much reverence, and more confidence speaks as followeth: Sir, if you will have me speak in a word, on my soul she's innocent: and I can no more imagine her to be otherwise, than I can suppose the Sun's clarity, to be guilty of the same blemishes wherewith the unconstant Moon seems spotted. The good opinion I had of her virtue (to me) was such, that I refused intelligence from mine own eyes, and ears. Why (said Bertaldo) what did you see or hear, speak out your full meaning? Worthy Bertaldo, replied Maximanus, let not a truth offend you, that proceeds from the mouth of him, who is as great an Admirer of her worth and rare perfection, as if he were her Brother; but yet there were strange reports, stranger evidence, and demonstration itself, was strangest of all. What demonstration? (said Bertaldo) what reports? and what evidence? why dost thou not tell us what they were? Good Bertaldo (said the Prince) forbear, let him speak his mind. Worthy Bertaldo (said Maximanus) give me leave to touch this sore, as gently as I may; I do not tell you, that I believe any thing of all that I have heard, or what was witnessed against her, nor what I saw; but I believe that envy, and malice, have joined issue, in the same Conspiracy; I believe the Witnesses were false, and that there was more than honest craft used to bring these things about, and that delusion had cast some false medium before our optic nerves, when we beheld the (supposed) vile Hortensius, in the same Bed, between Honoria and Amarissa; of which there are divers Witnesses, answering the former Reports. Whereupon, Bertaldo, with much vehemence, cries out, Thou Liest, and I'll justify it to be a Lie, wert thou a hundred Maximanus ' s. To whom Maximanus (gently) replied, Worthy Bertaldo, you need not, for Maximanus hath (in this business) given himself the Lie oftener by many times; and is ready to write her Accusation false with no other point but what this sword shall willingly enable me a Subscriber to her innocence, with the blood of her Accusers; but how to reconcile the belief within me, to my outward senses, I cannot tell, if you'll have me swear she's honest, virtuous, loyal, chaste, I'll do it presently; or if (beyond belief) you'll have me say I know it to be so, I'll say, and swear that too; yet I have eyes and ears that gave me this intelligence, and yet I could never give them the least credit. Sir, if she be not true to you, I'll lose my life; and if I have not seen all this, with these same eyes, I am not Maximanus.  
This speech, mingled in the same head-piece, with so many truths, and falsehoods, mysterious expressions, and downright language, Riddles and Positives, so stupefied those two (of so near relation as Husband and Brother) that they stood like so many senseless Statues, as if both their souls had suffered one eclipse. Lorenzo first recovering, as first outed of himself, asked Maximanus, If there were not some Witchcraft in't? or if some delusion had not beguiled their senses? Maximanus (as if he had been overjoyed that the Prince had found it out) returned this Answer, that he rejoiced exceedingly, to see, how the Prince had hit the same nail on the head, that he had been hammering at all this while; and if there were not Witchcraft in't, he durst endure all the torments, that the shades of endless rest, with all their Hags and Furies thereunto belonging could inflict upon those Mortals, who wilfully do fight against the Gods.  
Bertaldo began to be wonderfully pleased with this discourse, Lorenzo (not) to be fully satisfied with his relation, and if Similitude may obtain Pardon for the Homeliness of the Comparison, I may tell you, that these two Princes, retired themselves, for Solitude, into several Corners, like those inferior creatures, who having got between their teeth some huge and mighty bone (though there be never so little meat upon't) yet run away with it into some corner or other, there privately to gnaw upon that, which shame would not permit them to manage (so) in Public, and at last are fain to leave it, finding their hunger, more exasperated with toil and labour, than their bellies satisfied with sustenance; so fruitless was their fumbling at this Gordian Knot, whilst Maximanus laughs in his sleeve to think into what Dumps his omnipotent brain had cast these Sons of the Almighty.  
At last (watching his opportunity) he finds Lorenzo all alone, and much perplexed, whose troubled mind he appeases with a remedy worse than the disease.  
Sir (said he) what need you vex your soul with these anxieties? Know you not that there is a Man whom all Africa admires for his rare Art, and Skill, in representing to the inquisitive view of any man (that hath a desire to know) what things have passed between mortal creatures relating to any concernment? Hath not your Victories spread your Glory over the place of his Nativity? And will you make so little use of your Conquest, as not to lay such Commands upon him, as will quickly solve all doubts, and set us all to rights, who are thus bewildered in the maze and labyrinth of these turnings and windings of our restless thoughts? Honoria deserves that you should use the means to quit yourself of these vain Jealousies and fears. For on my soul she is as chaste as ever the shee-turtle dove, can be unto her mate. Though I could not stop my Ears, nor shut mine Eyes, against those things which I both saw, and heard: I should be as glad to be satisfied myself, as you; aliis rebus pietatem colas, we must set sorcery and witchcraft together by the ears, if the servants play the jack, we must complain unto the Master Devil. I had rather be brought into Paradise again, by his means, then to carry such a Hell within my bosom for want of a little shaking hands with the Devil. Pardon me Sir, if I venture too boldly in my advice, seeing my love cannot endure to see you in such a storm, as is ready to make Shipwreck of all your happiness, and to overwhelm all your glory, in the depression of the greatest of your contentments. Whereupon Lorenzo stops his further speaking with Embracements; crying over and over again, Honest Maximanus! how much am I beholding unto thee? Who would have done this for me besides thyself? thou hast eased me already, let the event be what it will. I shall know the truth, that's something; nay, that's all: For if she be true, and faithful to me, my heart's at rest: If she be false, yet I am satisfied in this, that I cannot wrong her whatsoe'er I do. Wherefore I will not endure another day's torment to gain all Africa. Prepare yourself to go along with me, I will be ready this night by ten of the Clock at the Park-gate all alone, there meet me privately; none shall know where we have been, or what we have done.  
Then (said Maximanus) what great matter is't for us to steal our Quietus est, out of the Devil's Office?  
Thou sayest right Maximanus (said the Prince) honest, honest Maximanus, how much am I beholding unto thee!  
In comes Bertaldo whilst they were in this discourse, whom Maximanus espying, patches up his discourse with a piece of a clean contrary colour, saying: Sir, I would not mistrust that woman to gain the world; if you do, you do yourself a great deal of wrong. Bertaldo saluted Maximanus very kindly, seeing Lorenzo look so cheerfully, whom he hoped (by this time) to be dispossessed of that peaking Devil, Jealousy, by some Exercisme that Maximanus had then used, all was well, all were merry and jovial, a sine time, if it would hold: But alas, this was but that which we call lightning before death; mirth, before sorrow; and laughter, before destruction. The time appointed is already come, wherein Lorenzo and Maximanus were to meet, who both kept touch with one another (as such meetings seldom fail) they accosted (betimes in the morning at the Caves' mouth) this Mandragora (the Devil's Corn-cutter) who (when he has you by the foot, can easily tell you where the shoe wri●●●) invites them into his Den in this language: Sons of Curiosity, why stand ye gazing in the open air? descend, and satisfy your longings in those demands wherein you would be satisfied, and I shall represent the naked truth before your eyes, reacted as at first it was. Now this Tredeskin of all natures secrets (who musters up his rarities, and draws them up in a Parade, fitting them for service) was richly bribed by Maximanus to present Honoria unto his view, in such unseemly postures with Hortensius, as might well bereave him so of all his senses, that he might easily drive him into most horrid and cruel resolutions against Honoria.  
Forthwith Maximanus leads the innocent Lorenzo by the hand down into the Cave (like the venomous Spider, who once having entangled the harmless silly Fly within his Web, he drags him into his hole to torment, and there devour him) who having thus wilfully forsaken the light, and condescended to those deeds of darkness. Apollio, the Devil's Engineer, takes a Cushion in his hand stuffed with Moss, that had been gathered off of dead men's Skulls, and claps it down into a Chair, whose seat was softened with dead men's hair, legged and armed with dead men's Bones, and covered with their Skins: and bids Lorenzo to sit down: Telling him, that now he is come there, he must do as the place requires.  
Then he falls to his conjuring terms, and circulations, which when he had throughly performed, he squeezes out of a bottle a glass of water, or juice, that was extracted, and distilled out of no other herb, or simple, but that which we (usually) call Jewes-eares; this he bids Lorenzo drink, still telling him, that now he is come there, he must needs do as the place requires.  
Lorenzo neither knowing what he did, nor yet what farther injunctions might be required at his hands, once wished he had not put himself under a power wherein he was so ignorant of the danger of the disobedience; the frighted judgement of his brain (that then was rayed with his own hair, standing stiff an end, like ported feathers of some Porcupine) told him, That now he was gone so far, it was no wisdom, and perhaps, no safety to retire. Wherefore he drank it off, than Apollio takes the milk of the Hyena, which he held out to him in a little cup, whose material was a dried and well wrought Toad-stool, which this Apollio called Eye-bright Water, willing him to wash his eyes therewith, not forgetting to tell him, That now he was come there, he must needs do as the place required. Which he obeys. These two Informers thus sufficiently corrupted, they could presently hear a fearful noise, as that of Waters, falling down their Precipice; then another like that of Thunder; afterwards a hollow sound, resembling that which men do use to hear immediately after Earthquakes: And at last, a rustling noise like flames of Fire, after they have newly made their eruptions out of their mother's womb. Apollio cries silence to the four Elements, and all obey: Forthwith they might hear the language of Courtships, the smacks of Kisses, the clapping of Cheeks, and the laughing at Jests: And these so Acted to the life, that Lorenzo might easily suppose them to be Honoria's words & laughter before he saw her. Then he might see Honoria with Hortensius his Arms about her Neck, and hers about his Middle, entering a loof, and after those lascivious postures that were between them, more uncivil than fitting to be expressed: He beheld Hortensius throwing her down against a Flowery bank, committing those non dicendas, which my Pen cannot be guilty of the relation; insomuch that Lorenzo's fancy was so strong, that his imagination thought it so real, as that he drew his Sword, and would have executed vengeance upon a delinquency that never had a being, but in the Hiennas milk that had washed his Eyes, had not Apollio with his black rod forbade the enterprise by a wasted prohibition over the Prince his Head. Lorenzo cries aloud, I have seen enough, and will be revenged for what I've seen. Apollio Brandishes his Black Rod again, and tells him, He must see all with patience now he is there, and be as much displeased afterwards as the cause required.  
Lorenzo was now vexed that he must see more, and have (for the present) no other subject (but a Type) to wreak his fury on: In discontent he flings himself down into the Chair, in such disorderly method, that he broke the legs and arms thereof, recovering himself from the fall, with bruising his right hand, which was a good Omen, viz. that at last he should break the bones of that delusion wherein he had seated himself by such persuasion, and recover himself by the crush of Maximanus. Now the scene is altered, and there appears a fair goodly Chamber, with a Rich Bed, which Lorenzo remembered (well enough) exactly to set forth his own. Apollio with his Charming instrument draws open the Curtains; so that Lorenzo plainly saw Hortensius (between Honoria and Amarissa) kissing Honoria and Amarissa (with violent hands) snatching the kisses (head and all) from the embracing Arms of (the as much Beautiful, as abused) Honoria; together with some other Non-credenda's that were not to be believed by any, but by such as had learned their Creed out of the Devil's Chatechisme. Lorenzo having observed too much by all: Leaves that Hellish darkness for the Heavenly Light; and swears by the true substance of that shadow, that he will be severely revenged upon that foul Abuse, and fair Adultress: saying, That this was Amarissa 's spightfulness towards him, to Bawd out her revenge for his supposed forsaking of her, but he would be quit with her. Presently Signing to both their Deaths under his own Hand, written against the Shoulder of Maximanus, that was broad enough to bear so great injuries to others, whilst they were so narrow in his own behalf, that they were not able to support the burden of a chaste denial.  
Thus the last Act being ended, Lorenzo having spoke the Epilogue, Maximanus gives the Plaudite in these words:  
Worthy Prince,  
As long as there was any favourable possibility of beating back a belief, that forced itself so violently upon me (you know) I did withstand it, but now I must give way, and applaud your resolution.  
Maximanus (said Lorenzo) thou art too good, and I too happy in such a Friend; crown all thy other services with thy obedience to this one Command: look that they do not live longer than the time that thou shalt be Riding Post to Carthage, shall defer the Execution, and that it may be the sooner done, make haste to Horse. O Whores, and hateful pieces of Womankind, I am sorry you have but one life apiece to lose. Make haste Maximanus, I pray thee make haste.  
Sir (said Maximanus) what will you do with Bertaldo? if you do not make sure of him, you'll find a Canker in your bosom.  
Maximanus (said Lorenzo) be sure I'll pair his Nails, and knock the teeth out of his Head when first I meet him.  
Maximanus, good Maximanus, (said Lorenzo) wilt thou make all the haste thou canst, and let me hear from thee as soon as ere thou canst that they are dead.  
So they both parted, the one with a laugh in his Sleeve, the other with a flea in his Ear.  
Lorenzo returning from his Purgatory, to his Palace, Bertaldo could not be long out of his sight, but salutes him in this language: How fares the Prince? we thought that we had lost you, none could tell what was become of you.  
Lorenzo gives him this sullen reply, It may be so, what of that?  
Bertaldo asked him, what was become of Maximanus?  
Lorenzo told him, that Maximanus was, where Maximanus should be, about his business.  
Bertaldo (supposing that Maximanus (having engrossed him to himself all that time of absence) had put him into this bad humour) told him, That he believed that Maximanus had done ill Offices between him and his Sister; wishing him to beware how he suffered himself to be abused by such an instrument.  
As your Sister (said Lorenzo) who could play the Hypocrite so finely when I was there, and the Whore so cunningly when I was gone. The truth whereof, since I saw you last, I have been fully satisfied. You have been fully injured (said Bertaldo) and not satisfied: by him you could not, who was unsatisfied himself: 'tis he has played the Hypocrite, and is the bad Instrument that makes this discord in the Harmony that should be between Man and Wife, Friend and Friend. Lorenzo remember how you had once forgot yourself before, and acknowledged your own Error.  
It was an Error that I acknowledged it to be so, (said Lorenzo) but now my judgement stands on better terms.  
No, on worse Grounds, replied Bertaldo.  
Bertaldo lies, replied the Prince.  
Whereat Bertaldo having lost all patience, told him, That neither the Guard of his Person, nor his Conquering Army, should any longer confine his Soul from her Enlargement; but that he durst tell him to his face, that he was unworthy of her, and his un-princely behaviour towards her undeserving of the least perfection in her.  
Whereat they both drew their Swords upon one another, and began to lay on blows: Cosdruball and Hanno standing by would not suffer it, but laid hands upon Bertaldo, persuasions upon Lorenzo, neither prevailing: The Prince his Guard was called, and seized upon Bertaldo, who by Command was committed a close Prisoner. Lorenzo still raving against Honoria and Amarissa, with no small threatenings against Bertaldo. The night (coming on) that should have given him rest, administers new matter of disquietness; for Aminda's (now) angry Genius gives him this Curtain-lecture as a cooling Card to his overboiling Rage.  
Nor loss of Friends, nor the sped hate  
Of Enemies, shall expiate  
This horrid Act that thou hast done;  
To slay Wife, Mother, and a Son  
Thou knewest not of. O vile intent  
To Murder Three, and all Three innocent!  
And Amarissa, thy true Friend, and hers:  
O Cruel, Bloody, Murderers!  
She suffers Martyrdom for you,  
You persecute your Martyr too.  
Nourish a Viper, Lick up Gaul;  
Through down your Young one, Nest and all.  
The Moors shall punish this thy Sin,  
And sad Repentance wound within.  
Lorenzo starts out of his Bed, and raves about the Room, tearing his Hair, on whom Aminda bestows this sad farewell:  
Rave on, but ere't be long, you'll run  
Madder, to think what you have done.  
Lorenzo cries out, Oh ye powers above, and ye below! why do ye rack me thus? why do you not agree upon your Principles, and draw me (so but one way) which you will? can no ease shelter a mind from being baited thus? or are both powers agreed to play at Football with a mortal Creature? Then flings into his Bed, kicks away the clothes, pulls them on again; falls from restless thoughts, into unquiet slumbers: And from thence, into the fearfullest Dreams, out of which he was at last awakened with a greater Terror. For Berontus brought Intelligence that the Moors had beaten up the Out-quarters of the Army, appearing like clouds that hung upon the Mountains, where we leave him for a while in his distracted thoughts of preparation against so great an Army, to hasten after Maximanus, that we may observe how he prospers in his Affairs.   

CHAP. X.  
Maximanus is denied the Rendition of the two Prisoners, Hortensius and Philoret. The Governor sends them both to Lorenzo. Maximanus coming to Carthage, thinking to bring Honoria and Amarissa to their Trials, is resisted by Corderius. He sends them both to be murdered privately; and the event.  
MAximanus riding post to the Garrison, where he had left Hortensius and Philoret, in as great haste demands the Prisoners of the Governor, who (as short as he) tells him, that he is none of his Vassal, neither his Masters Subject, and that he would send them to Lorenzo, according to their instructions, and their own desires. Instructions, said Maximanus, I pray from whom? I am not bound to tell you (said the Governor.) Maximanus begins to smell a Rat, and thought it high time to look about him, and to make haste with his Execution, for fear of a Reprieve: nonsuited, he departs suddenly for Carthage, and the Governor sends his Wards to Mauritania, and brings them partly on their way, where we leave them, and hasten after Maximanus, whom we have now overtaken, within the Walls of Carthage.  
He was no sooner there, but he hastens on the Trial, but he is resisted by the major part of the Nobility, and especially by Corderius, who told him plainly, that though he was the Chief, yet he was but one, and that there were strange rumours in the Court, that forbade those undertake, till the Prince returned, requiring the Prisoners more Enlargement and better Usage. Maximanus remembering that his Commission was to kill and slay, (rather than to bring to trial) he resolves to put it in Execution any way, and not to insist at all upon the form; wherefore he prepares two bloody Villains to carry these two Innocents', privily, by night, into the Wood, and there to Murder them: they receive their Wages, and go about their work. Honoria and Amarissa (not having seen one another many a day) now see themselves both carried (like two sheep) unto the slaughter; they wept on one another, but were soon parted, and dragged away by night into the Wood, (the Moon shining bright) wherein, they were no sooner entered, but one of the Murderers told them that they must die. With all my heart, when you please, replied Honoria, but did you know the wrong I suffer, I know you would not do it for the world; but because it is impossible for me, to make you believe otherwise, I will urge you no further. Are you prepared? said one of the Villains. Alas! said Honoria, my five months' imprisonment, hath been nothing else but a preparation for this end. Why, said the other (beginning a little to relent) are you innocent? will you take it upon your death? I do, I will, replied Honoria. Hark ye, said Amarissa, so will I, and as sure as ye are Men, so sure are we both innocent, so sure go I a Virgin to my Grave, so sure is Prince Lorenzo 's Bed unstained and undefiled by the chaste Honoria. Maximanus doth all this, because she would not yield to him, in that, for which, he now destroys us both: you cannot be ignorant of the reports in every mouth, throughout the Court, of a sleeping Drink, that was given us, to keep us fast enough from waking, whilst the innocent Hortensius drunk with the same brine, should senslesly be laid between us, nor of Bonella and the Secretary (both Agents in the same design) both made away, for fear of telling tales: you cannot be ignorant of Hortensius and Bertaldo 's Page, both sent unto Lorenzo, to acquaint him with the business, who by this time are far enough out of Maximanus his clutches; you cannot imagine but that Lorenzo will be shortly here, and soon informed of these particulars; but (then) too late, when we are murdered by you.  
Good Fellows, let me tell you what you shall do, I know, that what you do, you do for money; follow but my advice, ye shall be rich enough, highly rewarded, and promoted for your service, preserve us but for a while, and say that you have murdered us; have you no friends with whom you may repose so great a confidence? and if (upon Lorenzo's return) you do not find us cleared and lamented beyond imagination, then come and do your office; but if you find it, as I'm sure you shall, what thanks, what praises, what rewards will be thought too great for such a preservation?  
Navigius (one of the Villains) a Seaman by profession, began to think it both piety and policy; the other Bloodhound cried, Let's do our work, we came not here to hear them prate. But hark you, (said the other to his Fellow) suppose that all this be true, I assure you there are a great many that do believe it. Suppose you are Fooled, (said the other) with a Woman's tears & language, must I be so too? True or false, I'll do as I was commanded: and forthwith draws his Sword, and was falling to his work. Which the other perceiving, draws too, and bids him hold a little, the two Innocents' get behind the Seaman: the other swearing, that he would come at them, or he would make his way through Navigius his sides. The Seaman (partly with choler, partly with pity, and partly with a kind of sense of honour, how brave a thing it would be for him to be the Preserver of those two Ladies, and have all the glory to himself) undertakes their quarrel, they both fight, and Amarissa perceiving that their Friend was likeliest to be worsted, she takes off her Scarf and ruffles it up in a heap, & throws it in the others eyes, whilst the Seaman runs him through the body, that down he fell, and died immediately. Whereupon the two Ladies (like two Hens that cluck about their fight Cock after that he hath got the victory) applaud his Valour, he Amarissa's Policy, and tells Honoria, how that he was a Seaman by his profession, and that he was Partner of such a Ship, that road in such a Bay, that was not very far off, and how that the wind stood fair for the Island of Majorca, and that thither he would carry them, where they should expect for better fortune. They were ravished with joy, for this good news, calling upon him to make haste, thinking themselves beholding to the Moon who first gave them light, to be their assistant, and then went down, as conniving at their departure.  
They were both shipped, and under sail, the sails carried them upon their wings, to their desired Harbour in the greater Island of Majorca, but it is impossible for a Dark grey ever to make a True blue, so the Gallantry that was worded into this man, could not but a little favour of the cask wherein it was infused, for as he stumbled upon an act of honour, so he tripped in his thorough pace to true magnanimity & Gallantry, for he was no sooner landed in the Island, but he offers up their beauties to sale and prostitution, for base lucre sake: Honoria is soon bought by Thoron, great Commander of the Island; Amarissa perceiving which way she was going, betakes her to the wit that never failed her in her extremity, telling her Chapman that if she must be sold she must obey, and that there was a rich and wealthy man, who was an inhabitant in the Isle Minorca, who was a great Suitor to her formerly for a piece of some Dishonesty, and that he offered her a thousand Crowns for her Virginity; the latter I have still, (said she) the former is at your commands, if you do but bring me thither; if you cannot make more of me here, I hope you will think it wisdom to carry me thither. This Gentleman (whom she meant, and whose name was Castriot) was her own Uncle, thither she deludes this Asinego to the preservation of her own Honour, and Honoria's; for he had no sooner brought her thither, but she tells her Uncle the whole story, who did him no hurt for the good-sake which he had done, and no great good for the evilsake which he intended. Castriot presently writ to Thoron (his great acquaintance and special friend) what Civilities he should use to a Person of so great quality as was Honoria, who had not as yet discovered her Condition unto Thoron (being (craftily) told by Navigius, that if she did reveal herself, she should certainly be betrayed into Maximanus his Custody by Thoron, who two were all one) and yet preserved her self from his contagion by this stratagem. She pretends herself to be a Maid, and begs hard, that his pleasure might be suspended but for three days; the third day being come, she entreats (for modesty sake) that he would meet her in the dark; he grants her request, and all, to obtain her good will, as well as herself; he appointed her the place where she should go, which was, to a spacious Room, where was no light at all; he follows her, who had slipped off her shoes against his coming, who (entering the Room) asked her where she was? she answered, here my Lord: he advancing towards the voice, she traverses her ground, and was not to be found; he asked her again, where art thou? she steps aside again, and said, I am here, why don't you come? why where, said Thoron: Here I tell you, said Honoria: still waving his approach till she had kept him in that posture two long hours, till at last he was glad that he had found the door, and shutting her in, he fetches a candle, which he brings with him in his hand, and enters the Room the second time, ask her, why she used him in that manner? To let you see (replied Honoria) what a vanity it is that you hunt after; Beauty is but skin deep, and that skin you could not tell how to touch without being beholding to so poor an accessary as the light of a Candle: Cotton, and Tallow, are fine ingredients, to be of the Essence of your amorous Passion; for, you see without them, you were as far from laying hands, as eyes upon the object of your delight, which is not so much real, as it is imaginary; nor is it so much as valuable by imagination neither, but by accident, like glass or ice, that have no lustre in themselves, but by reflection of a second cause: Alas! this thing which you call Beauty wherewith you men are so transported, is but differenced from Deformity, like the glistering rays of Steel and Iron, that's still the same in substance, worth, and quality, with that which is but rusty: Alas! what is this inconsiderate thing called Beauty? a thing not qualified with so much virtue as are several stones, salt-water, or rotten wood: Nay, the beautifullest outside of Womankind has not those privileges, that nature hath bestowed upon the scales of fishes, or the eyes of cats, all these have their excellency's visibility in the dark, but you could neither see, nor find, nor touch, nor take your pleasure, but by some other means, which was neither in yourself, nor me; wherefore if you will be rightly in love, be not in love with Accidents, but with that substance, to which light itself is but a shadow. The soul that forsakes the Divine love, and gives it to the Creature, is like the silly Chicken, who having lost his parent, follows after the next creature that it meets withal; your love is but misplaced; Oh! how admirably would you love the Gods? how well bestowed were that affection? yet I will not deny but that there is a lawful, and true love proper between Man and Woman; but withal, there is an idoneity in placing that affection, it must not be fixed upon an illicit object, such a one, as I am to all mankind, that are affected with the awfulness of a deity, having vowed myself, a Vestal Virgin: Wherefore make your retreat as honourable as you can, and let your behaviour be such, to your poor Servant, as becoming the honour of your Ancestory, and a pattern of true piety, and virtue.  
Thoron fell from being in love with her person, to be much affected with the rare perfection of her mind; And as well becoming the imitation of a true Convertite, he gives himself to resignation in those things, which her divine Reasons had fore-dictated unto him, bidding her henceforward to fear no worse events but what her own Commands should lay upon him, and the rest that then were under his Authority.  
But there happened a very merry passage (occasioned by Thoron's familiarity and so much courting of Honoria) between the said Thoron and his Wife Armena, who being a Woman of a high Spirit, and one that had formerly got the mastery of two Husbands, and had oftentimes bid fair for this, but found that the god Mercury was not to be made of every piece of wood, and that this was of too cross-grained a disposition for all her art and tools to engraven a similitude of any of the former out of either of the originals, for this was a notable man at curbing a woman, howsoever the often attempt hereof had been the occasion not only of much difference, but oftentimes of some hard usage towards Armena, which at this time (by reason of Thoron's daily addresses and supposed intimacy with Honoria, together with her disdain and jealousy thereupon) was much aggravated, for she drew upon herself heaped measures of his rage and fury, for he was no less liberal with his tongue in his unseemly language against her, but his hands were also somewhat heavy upon her, which he had no sooner performed, but she vowed she would be revenged, calling him, Coward and base Fellow to strike a Woman, telling him, that it is pity but that there should be a Law to make it death to any one that should strike a Woman that had never struck a Man (which words sunk the deeper into his cogitation, being so well fastened to the weight of his own guiltiness) bidding him look to it, telling him, that if she could not get Men and Women enough to take her part, she would set Dogs upon him but she would be revenged, and never would put up so foul and unmanlike an affront upon a Woman of her quality: and forthwith flung out of the room.  
Thoron knowing her high spirit, great friends, and remembering how (most commonly) she used to be as good as her word, believed no less, but feared as much; he could wish it undone, but could not tell how to help it: would fain have been friends with her, but knew not how: she cast about, in what manner she might load her vengeance on his back, yet not break it, 'cause some trembling in his joints, but break no bones; her fury rather inventing some witty stratagem of revenge, than consulting with any malice that was implacable; she (diving into her Husband's disposition, and finding it but of somewhat an inferior allay in point of magnanimity) resolves upon an adventure, no less answerable to the fullness of her satisfaction, than innocent in the prosecution thereof, and thus she lays her plot: she sends to Fanor, one in whom she reposed much confidence, and knew to be one whom Thoron had a good opinion of, him she acquaints with the falling out between her and her Husband, pretends a great desire to be reconciled: Fanor was very desirous to perform so good an office between them; she prevents his seeking brain, with what she had prepared out of her own invention, and thus far she acquaints him with her design. Fanor (saith she) I think I need not tell you of the difference that is between my Lord and I, he abused me, and gave him as good as he brought; yet howsoever it is not fit that Man and Wife should continue long at such a distance, I believe he would be willing enough to be reconciled, but his stomach will not come down; and I could find in my heart to kiss and be friends, but I cannot abide to seek to him, so that the strife between us two is only this,  
I stout, and thou stout,  
And who shall carry the dirt out?  
Wherefore, honest Fanor, I would have thee do thus, Invite us both to Supper, and some others, whose company thou knowest will be most pleasing to him, (I will be at all the Charges) and let me have the best Music that may be had for money. Here Fanor began to interrupt Armena, saying, Madam, by no means, you both have not been so sparing in your obligations, nor your benefits so slenderly performed in the behalf of your humble Servant, as that he should not be as willing as able to deposit such a pledge of gratitude without any such Indentures. No, no, good Fanor, (said Armena) it must not be so, I must have my will, the reasons you shall know hereafter, and the house and managery of the whole business you shall leave to me: do you go and invite him, and tell him, that your intention is to do the like to me, and then let me hear what he says, and you shall know more of my mind hereafter.  
Away goes Fanor to Thoron, and acquaints him with his desires. Thoron, glad of this opportunity, tells Fanor, that He could not have done him a greater pleasure, for at this time (said Thoron) there is a little falling out between me and my Wife, and a third place and strange company will be the only means to take away that strangeness that is between us, where both of us shall be apt to fall into our former familiarity through shame that any notice should be taken of its being otherwise, lest it be a shame unto us both; and where merriment may haply put her into a good humour: but dost thou think thou canst prevail with her?  
Leave that to me, (said Fanor) on my life she shall go with you. I pray thee do, said Thoron.  
Away went Fanor to Armena, and acquainted her with all that had passed between her Lord and him.  
Armena insinuates her design to Fanor's approbation, which thus she put in execution: The time being come when it was time to go, and Thoron already mounted in his Caroche, word was brought the Lady Armena that my Lord stayed for her; she begins her small revenge with letting him wait a little: yet ever and anon sending him word that she was coming, making her tiring of his patience to act the first part of her Comedy; at last she comes handed by Fanor, and as she drew near the Caroche, Thoron would fain have spoken to her, if he knew how; and angrily, if he durst: Come, come, was all he said: those two words (he thought) bated not one inch of his spirit, and yet he insulted not a little (inwardly) that they were such words, and so spoken, as might very well imply an indignation: but Armena being ready to step into the Caroche, beheld him with such a sprightly countenance, and piercing eye, that his dull ones (as if two bullets had been fixed in clay) informed his timorous soul, that they beheld armed men in woman's eyes: whereupon, he bethought himself of an honourable retreat (if he should be charged with any hastiness of speech, or roughness of language) and how he might safely bring those two words off again (if occasion served) with the safe conducts, of excuse, and kindness. But, Armena fearing to spoil the game she was now playing with too much forwardness, resolved, to use no other castigation for the present, but her looks: wherefore, without speaking a word unto him, she ascends the Caroche. Thoron, that he might, and might not seem to help her up, reaches out his hand, but never so much as touched her; he thought he could do no less than what she found to be nothing at all. The time which the Caroacheer allowed himself for setting forward seemed tedious to them both, whilst neither of them knew how to behave themselves to one another, otherwise then in settling themselves; which they were both longer about, then either of them needed, protracting the time with such antic behaviours, until the language of the whip, caused the wel-managed horses, to make stones, and wheels, supply the place of oratory, until such time as they came to the place where they were to light; and then they were to seek again. Thoron first descends the Caroche, after him, Fanor: whom, when Thoron had espied almost engaged in the service of leading his Lady by the arm, he made a kind of offer as if he would (if Fanor had not) have been so kind. Armena seeing the respect she looked for, approaching a far off, waves the former; and expects the advance of her Husband's courtesy: he so far on in his way, knew not how to recall himself, but goes thorough with it, and leads her by the arm, through a Court which (on both sides in the paved walks) was filled with some of his acquaintance, but all her friends: who saluted them both at a distance, and no more, (as she had laid the plot) up stairs he leads her, Fanor leaves them both, into a spacious goodly Room she brought him, no body there, the saying of the cloth, the many trenchers, and napkins, spoke many Guests; but his expectation wondered at the solitude, and her silence, (together with the fear of what he saw without) had put him into such a perplexity that it made such a throng of confused thoughts within his breast, that when he strove to give them air, they wedged themselves so in the door of utterance, that a word could not come forth.  
Now you must understand that Armena had so laid the plot that the Musicians (our of a Music Room over head invisible) had Command given them, that as soon as ever the Lady Armena should speak the word DRAW, that then they were to strike up: and (for the greater Terror sake) the Lesson, which was called the BATTLE; and thereupon a mighty noise and bustling was heard at the back Door and Entry that led into the Dining Room; with some other preparations and performances requisite to the design she had in hand. All things thus in a readiness, and his body sufficiently prepared for the operation of such Physic, she thus begins to act her part:  
My Lord,  
You know who I am; neither am I ignorant of the uttermost of your Worth and Merit: you know upon what terms you took me, and what you promised, and how you have abused me, contrary to all Faith and Honesty, contrary to all Civility and Manhood: think you that my Father's Daughter can put up such injuries as these at Thorons hands?  
No Sir, you shall now know, that you are in my power, and find that I can use you according to your demerits. Draw (said Armena) forthwith the Music struck up, immediately whereupon there was heard such a noise of clattering of Armour together, clashing of Swords one against another; such duplications, and reduplications of Blows: And to complete all Terror, a most fearful noise of many verberations, and reverberations of so many stripes (as it were) of Cudgels over the shoulders of unarmed Men. Armena in the next room having placed ten lusty Fellows (at the same time) to be there beating the dust out of a piece of Hangings; And to make the Fury the more formidable, she had ordained certain men to dash huge and mighty Earthen Pitchers against the wall, as if men's Brains were beating out, and the pieces of their Skulls flying about the room. In which interim (in several places) high words were at Variance; Vehement language in hot Skirmish; Down with him says one; Enter, enter, saith another; Hold, hold, saith a third; We will have him saith a fourth. All this while Thoron stood in a maze, Armena with her Arms a kimbo, laughing in his face all the while; but at last, when the Terror had made its approach up to the very Door, and they all cried, Fall on, fall on, fall on, (as if the Assasinats had got the victory) away runs Thoron down the stairs, (the only way from whence appeared (as yet) no horror) Armena after him, when behold! he was not half way down the stairs, but he beheld men all in Armour, with ported Halberds at his breast: Thoron makes a stand, and by this time the Furious Bustle was got into the Dining Room, as if it threatened an execution into atoms. Armena finding her Husband by this time in a sufficient ecstasy, cried to him, My Lord, my Lord, you have no way in the world to save your Life, but to throw yourself upon my mercy, and ask me forgiveness.  
That joyful word, and comfortable saying, opened his Mouth; who, upon his knees, cries unto her with elevated and wrung hands together, Dearest Love, good Wife, sweet Armena, spare my life but this time, and I will never offend thee more! O speak to them Armena! speak to them good Armena! Let them not come up, keep them from coming down; I will deserve your mercy, and you shall have your will for evermore.  
Armena having brought her Design to full perfection, called him to her, saying, Come hither, come hither my Lord, quickly, quickly, quickly. Thoron rises up, and asks her where? Where for the love of God? Here (said Armena) Lie down here (placing him in a corner of the Stairs, close behind her) whilst she beckons with her Hand, (which was the Sign that they should be gone) who being vanished by degrees, she bids him get up, and follow her, and fear nothing (being very desirous to make as short work with him as she could, he smelled so strongly of the running disease) he follows her with his Eyes wand'ring about, lest any part of the Enemy should lie in Ambush, and surprise him, before he could call for succour to Armena; and never thought himself safe until she had brought him under Lock and Key, where she read him this Lecture:  
My Lord,  
You see how that you are more afraid than hurt, and that there was more Sport than Harm in my Revenge: You see I can play with you and yet not hurt you; and, if it be not your own fault, you shall find, that I can Jest with you, and Shame you not. For I protest unto you, there is none of all those Swashbucklers, or Halbertiers, that knew the least particular of my intention; neither have any taken notice of your fear, nor is it possible they should know that it was any trick of mine, neither was there any intention to do you the least hurt. And upon my Honour, Fanor (himself) was no more privy to this plot then the Sucking Child: For it was I (that had a mind to be friends with you) who caused him to invite us both unto a Supper; I am at the Charges of the Feast, I ordered the business; this was to be but the beginning of a Masque, whereby (as it were) the scene of blustering Mars was opened, next whereunto Peace is to appear with all her plenty in her Arms, placing her several Dishes upon the Table. Fanor I sent away on purpose (upon an Errand) that he should not take notice of my design; now, if you can keep your own council, and use me well; that is to say, let me have my will, for I will have it, you shall never be disgraced for all this: otherwise I will show you twenty such tricks as these.  
Thoron (about to commend her wisdom, assure her of performance of her desires, and to Embrace her in his Arms) brought such a scent along with him, that she could not but take notice of it, and offer him her assistance, (as far as it was fitting) wherefore she told him, (merrily, and smiling upon him) My Lord, I know you have bewrayed yourself most abominably, and there is a necessity in it, that I must stand your friend, or else all the wit in both our pericraniums will not be able to keep this a secret. Therefore I will tell Fanor that you and I intent to lie in his House all night, and I'll send home my Woman for clean Linen, and so you may shift yourself; and if you can make yourself clean, I can keep your council. Thoron confessed all, and prayed her to be as good as her word, but especially in keeping his Council in every particular, assuring Armena that she should find him a very good Husband from that time forward: things being performed on her part she ordering the business as she promised, brought him (though somewhat late) sweet and clean, hand in hand, lovingly together, into the Dining Room amongst all the Company, whose no notice taking of any such matter; nor laughing or jeering at any such thing, (as indeed they had no cause, such was their ignorance) very much confirmed and consolated the poor man, who was fully satisfied with this belief, that all had been true that had been assured unto him by his Wife: But Armena upon this hold, Reigned as Lady Governess ever after.   

CHAP. XI.  
A discourse between Fanor and Armena, concerning Man and Wife, how either may obtain the sovereignty of each other.  
FAnor (perceiving the sudden alteration and submiss behaviour of Thoron towards his Wife Armena, together with some other circumstances) collected a great many particulars conducing to a perfect knowledge of the means, whereby Armena had obtained that Sovereignty over her Husband, which as good as known, she as good as acknowledged, which was the occasion of some discourse between them two, concerning achievements of that nature. For Armena was of opinion, That there was never a Woman in the world, but might have her will of her Husband, and do what she would with him, except she were a fool (let him be of what disposition he could be of.)  
How is that (said Fanor?) That were a Doctrine that would find many Disciples if you could teach it them.  
Truly (said Armena) I can teach it you.  
With all my heart (said Fanor) I would willingly learn it, that I might teach it to my Mistress, whereby she might become an excellent Wife.  
O (said Armena) she will never learn it of you, it must be taught her by one of her own sex, that she may learn it from her.  
How is it I beseech you Madam?  
A wise Wife (said Armena) must pry into the inclination and disposition of her Husband, observe his humours, inform herself of what temper he is made, otherwise she gives battle before she knows how the enemy lies: many a foolish Woman hath lost the day for want of this forecast: if she perceives him to be of a Noble constitution of mind, and magnanimous spirit, than (whatsoever hers is) let her submit to him: and then (as a flint is sooner malleable that receives its strokes upon the yielding cushion than upon resisting iron, so the stoutest heart, mollifies and relents, upon the softness of a disposition, that hardens, where it meets with opposition.  
Or like a fiddlestick Madame, (said Fanor) which though you sit upon it with all your weight, upon a hard bench, yet it will not break; but if you lay it on a featherbed, and so repose your weight upon it, it will break immediately.  
Come, come, you are a wag (said Armena) I speak nothing but reason, Mars his Men, have minds, like Mars his Livery; and are of the same nature of the Buff they wear: through which a Straw may insinuate itself, when the sharpest edge or point can neither cut nor enter; through which the mildness of a breath can puff the fierce flame of an incensed Taper out, which full-chopt Boreas (with his keenest breath) can never pierce. A noble mind will foster up those pleasing submissions of a Wife, with such condescensions, as shall be encouragements to a good subject: whereas contention between such high Spirits, is like Brimstone, mingled with Coal and Peter, whereof such a composure is soon made, as with the additament of the least heat, the whole frames, piles, and building, which have been erected upon no less firm foundation then sacred vows, and conjugal affections have been oftentimes blown up, and have returned no greater benefit to their Parents, than Noise and Terror.  
But if she finds her Husband to be a poor spirited man, then let her put hard (a God's Name) for no small share in the Government. Then let her make herself (if she can) a Free state, her husband, but her Duke of Venice. She doth but like those Indian Women, who carry their Heads in their Bosoms: such a Man will be glad to do any thing for quietness sake like dying man, whose spirits being spent, and weak, says I to every thing, to avoid troublesomeness) whereas the want of these inspections and prosecutions, is the occasion of all the combustions that are 'twixt Man and Wife.  
There is no way to make an abject mind become a monster, but by humouring of it; and if you sacrifice complacencies to such a poverty, you make him a Tyrant.  
Madame, (said Fanor) your Ladyship speaks in extremes, but what would you do if you had an indifferent Man to your Husband?  
Truly Fanor, (said Armena) I have often prayed against such a one, and have often requested of the God of Marriage, that he would give me either a wise Man, or a Fool to my Husband; for, I ever thought, that if I had a wise Husband, he knew how to govern me; or, if a Fool, I knew how to order him: but I speak not (Fanor) of greater or lesser capacities of wit and understanding, which allow a mean; but of high or vulgar spirits which admit no medium; for, the inquiries (I mean) which we make into the disposition of a Man, is to know of what mettle he is made, whether of base, or noble? not of what ingenuity he is of, or how many degrees he hath taken in that excellence; for Nobleness is either higher or lower, according to the several occasions it hath to work upon; but still we are not to consider them as distinct Species by their several occurrences, but as one and the same kind, and altogether one noble nature; and the latter (being a contrary quality and base temper of the blood) we never examine of how inferior an allay it is, which also seems to us more or less, according to the several accidents it meets withal, yet still we must total the particulars under the notion of Ignobleness; so that in this consideration, there is no place left for Indifference to act her part, and these two leaves of the same door have never a wicket to let a sneaking disposition creep between them; either he must be a brave Gallant Man, or else some faint-hearted cowardly Companion; and if he be but either of these, I can play my game to my own advantage.  
But all this while Madam, (said Fanor) you suppose the wisdom altogether in the Wife, what if the Husband were a wise Man? may not he tame, rule, or have his Wife at his beck of whatsoever spirit she were of?  
I have granted you that already said Armena) my Argument holds good from the lesser to the greater; but Man's wisdom must not be there exercised in the observation of humours, or discerning of spirits, but in the well management of the power of his dominion: for both Civil and Divine Laws have given such a sovereignty to men over their Wives, that they oftentimes lose their Prerogatives by seeking to gain that by Reason which is theirs by Authority. He that gives a Woman leave to argue the case with him, doth but like a foolish Gamester, that lends a needy fellow money to play against himself. For though the matter be never so just on her side concerning which they may contest, yet the cause cannot be but unjust on her part, in regard it is Contestation, which ought not to be. I would have a wise man to admit his wife his Counsellor, but not his Opponent: to help him to find out the truth of things, but not to strive for victory in the Argument, or carry more sail than ballast in her words. That man who seeks to over top his wife's high Spirit with a higher, is but like a King who condescends to receive satisfaction from a Subject, by fight a single duel when he may have his will by his Prerogative. He that answers the nimbleness of his wife's tongue with the volubility of his own, doth but justify the war by giving quarter: nothing makes this subject sooner rebel, then when she sees her Emperor knows not how to Command. I tell thee Panor, there is not a disease in Wedlock, but the Husband is a fool, if he be not a Physician able enough to cure it.  
Fanor, it may be you think I speak against myself, and the privilege of my Sex, I protest I do not: I had two Husbands before I had this, and I never received such contentment in wholly having my will of the one, as I was pleased in being altogether at the others Command: The gracefulness of whose rule and government, made my obedience (always Honourable, whilst the necessitated (yet pleasing) encroachments over the others right, made me (oftentimes) ashamed of the usurpation. Wherefore I always prayed, that if ever I married again, I might have a Husband that was either a Fool, or a Wise man, that having a Fool, I might know how to order him; and if a Wise man, he may know how to govern me. But by my troth Fanor, I have (now) met with a Man that is neither one or other; wherefore I knew not how to deal with his folly, but by playing the Fool; nor how to answer his share of wisdom but by a piece of policy. Hereupon Company came in, and ended the Dispute.  
Thus we leave Honoria a Conqueror by the force of Eloquence, Amarissa prevalent, by the power of her own wit, both happy by the hand of Providence, and a third climbing the degrees of excellence, up the steps ascendent to the throne of ingenuity, and return back again to Maximanus; who hearing no news of his two Womenslayers, nor that any other flesh was to be found in the intended Shambles of the Forest, but the slaughtered Carcase of one of his own Butchers, he began to mistrust that all was not well, which he endeavoured to repair with the greatest of all Evils, viz. Open Rebellion, in order whereunto, he seizes upon all Forts and Magazines, and converts them to his proper use; The affrighted Royalists gather themselves into a necessitated Body, where we leave them both like a pair of Cocks pecking at one another, till a third comes in, and so makes two to one, till one makes none of two, and three brings all to nothing.   

CHAP. XII.  
Lorenzo is beaten by the Moors. Hortensius and Philoret meet Lorenzo after the discomfiture, and deliver their Message. Lorenzo and Bertaldo made friends. The Battle between Maximanus and Corderius. Lorenzo and Maximanus. Maximanus slain in Battle.  
LOrenzo fight without his right hand, Bertaldo, (whom he scorned to make use of) was sorely Discomfited by the Moors; in which Battalle he lost Cosdruball and Hanno, with many others of his prime Commanders, (with 7000. of the Carthaginians) Berontus (of all his Heroes) he came off, making good the Rear, until the Defeated Army had recovered a Pass upon the River Undi, whose Bridge Berontus caused to be broken down. For Berontus (as the rest) flying with his Keepers (about him) danger and necessity made him theirs, and his confiners sole preserver: For he made good the Bridge with his own naked body, (like a black Rock standing in defiance against an Ocean) until the Pioniers thinking by degrees to fall the Bridge, behind him, o'erthrew the Arch; so that all fell down at once, whose propitious stones, favoured Berontus, doing execution upon his enemies, but none upon himself; from whom he swum safely to his own bank side, where he found no less a Friend to help him up then Lorenzo, who had been more his own then his Enemy.  
Thus the fates ordained, that valour and disaster should agree together, to necessitate a friendship between these two, when other means could not prevail, to cause them to shake hands with one another. So he secured the Prince from further prosecution, and Lorenzo him, from future mis-conception, where Hortensius and Philoret met the Prince: at whose first sight Lorenzo was much divided between the two passions, of Love and Hatred, having seen so much Gallantry in the one, and heard of so much Baseness in the other, whom he thought (notwithstanding) so much the better of (as to forbear all expressions of dislike for the present) because he saw him coupled with so known a Worthy.  
But when he had once heard them fully declare themselves (with all the Circumstances attested under the hands of so many of his trusty Friends and Counselors, but especially when he saw and read the Handkerchief) oh how he was nettled and stung to the quick! oh how he was mad with himself for what he had done! and knew not which was better for him to believe, or not give credit to what they said: Philoret he could not mis-believe; Hortensius he durst not, whose sufferings, and whose merits, pleaded a better reception; Shame would have forced an incredulity upon him, but Honour and Justice made him doubtful which of either he should entertain with highest Courtesy; but nothing troubled him so much as what was become of Honoria and Amarissa, and how he should look Bertaldo in the face, for the wrong wherewith he had prosecuted such a noble Friend, and feared he had caused already to be executed upon his Sister: This made him quite besides himself. He sends for Bertaldo, who entering the presence he thus bespeaks his patience:  
Bertaldo,  
I fear me I have undone myself, I pray thee do not make any Reply, lest thou prickest a heart that bleeds too fast already: I have a great many things to tell thee, but I cannot speak: And thereupon he leaned upon Bertaldo's neck, and wept upon his bosom, saying, Pity me, and be not angry, I will deserve thou shouldst do both.  
Bertaldo (whose eyes were still upon Philoret, deserved by her wishly looks on him) makes him this short answer (longing to parley with his lovely Page) Sir, whatsoever your perplexities may be, I advise you to make haste to Carthage, that you may prevent the mischief, and (if possibly) supersede your Error.  
Oh Bertaldo (said Lorenzo) thou pourest Oil into my wounds, and tak'st away the smart with that same word. Let there be orders given to march this night, I'll go myself.  
Bertaldo lets him go, that he might stay and commune with his (unknown) Idolatress; who upon his approach, was so full of joy, that he knew not how to behave himself; whereof Bertaldo took such notice, that he answered his Jollity with ask him twenty Questions one after another; he, his frolic, with answering, he knew not what. At last withdrawing themselves towards a more serious discourse, after that Bertaldo had heard Philoret (deliberately) relate unto him all that had happened, he clapped his hand upon his breast, and abruptly parted from him. Poor Philoret began to be a little dejected at the manner of it, but Bertaldo (recollecting himself) made him amends by giving him a double portion of respect, so that pleased he was: Hortensius glad that he had struck in with such a Favourite, all the Courtiers giving them Cap and Knee, (as they went along) as Courtiers use to do to those whom they see graciously received.  
No other noise at Court but of removal, no other news in the Camp but of a present March; six days brought them within the sight of Carthage: and the two Armies facing one another, viz. Maximanus and Corderius.  
Maximanus his Men (like good stomaches, (having but a proportionable allowance) have not (as yet) their Appetites whetted with fear of having too many Feeders upon so small a Pittance: But upon the approach of Lorenzo's Forces, they fall too, putting all their hands together in the Dish (slising it away) for fear of the new comers Mouths. So was Corderius Army soon devoured by Maximanus, making such haste to give him Battle before Lorenzo should come to his Assistance. Corderius fled with his scattered Troops to meet Lorenzo, whom Maximanus durst not pursue too far (for fear of being met with (by Lorenzo) out of order) Lorenzo wondered first to see two Armies Face, then Fight, and at last Pursue each other. At length satisfied his seeking brain by a full relation of all that had happened, by Corderius; whose presence, and Commands, soon rallyed the breathless Soldiers, whose panting Royal Hearts left their trepidations like the Needle, whose point, when it once finds the northern Pole, moves no more, then doth the Centre: so were these Soldiers calmed.  
Corderius presently applies himself to the Prince, and desires that his men might be commanded by Bertaldo's better conduct.  
No (said Lorenzo) they shall be commanded by no other than myself, and Bertaldo shall command the Army. Which Bertaldo modestly refused; but Lorenzo told him, that as nothing would encourage those new-raised men, and re-inliven them, more than his own presence; so nothing would be more acceptable to the soldiery than his Conduct. Berontus he commanded the Forlorn Hope.  
Maximanus by this time (observing the orderly advance of Lorenzo's over-numerous host) begins to think his Army all forlorn, but howsoever he was ambitious, (though the fates had given him a villainous part to act) to act it well; that he might have a glorious Exit. His followers for the most part (all desperate and) involved in the same guilt, were resolved to do so too; so that there was a fierce battle fought, between courage and desperation.  
Berontus beats their Forlorn, up to their main Body: whereupon he receives orders from Bertaldo, to draw off, and join with the Prince, fearing that the Prince (if hard beset) might not be so well defended by his new-raised men. Lorenzo because he would not discountenance his Confidents, bids him stand as a reserve to his main Body, which was done accordingly. Maximanus falls on so furiously, that he follows his thrown darts so close, that he comes to handy strokes, fight under their flying shadows, but finding that he had mistaken his aim, and that Lorenzo commanded not the party, he gives orders for fresh forces to come up, and bids them undertake those striplings, telling them, he was deceived, and must go and seek Lorenzo out, and fight with men of valour.  
Opinion (which the world is guided by) made them but striplings in their hands, indeed, for a long time, until Bertaldo's prowess taught them how much they were deceived, whilst Maximanus with his men fall upon Lorenzo's, with reduplicated strengths of mad men, bearing down all before them, till Berontus checked their fury, with his well-brought-up reserve, and saved Lorenzo with the same hand that felled the desperate Maximanus to the ground, thereby, so disheartening all the rest, that they soon betook themselves to flight, Bertaldo having done the like unto his Enemies.  
Thus whilst there appeared great serenity in every face, all might behold a Cloud in Lorenzo's countenance; and perceive a war within his breast; occasioned by the last gasping words, which Lorenzo heard Maximanus utter, with his Breath: for Maximanus (lying bleeding upon the ground) desired that he might speak unto Lorenzo before he should expire. Whose words were these.  
Unfortunate Lorenzo! Master to a more faithless servant! had not thy favours been so great, I had not been so wicked. Honoria was innocent of all she was accused, I played the Knave, and you the Fool: so stretched his limbs and died.  
Lorenzo at first, would have had him (if possibly) preserved; but seeing his hateful soul had made an escape, he revenged himself upon his senseless body, vexing himself, that it had not life, to answer his indignation with sensibility; never was there such a dying blow given to a Victor: the word Fool, troubled him not so much, as the word Innocent; nor Innocent, so much as the word was, which put him in despair of her being alive. Never was there such a sad Conqueror as this Lorenzo, whom the Sun beheld, bringing with him night in his Countenance to Carthage, after that he had won the day.  
The men were all disbanded, whilst an Army of unruly thoughts, and cares, mustered within his bosom. Bertaldo (who himself almost over-set with sorrow, yet seeing his so great) bears him up with Comfort, telling him that none can say (for certain) what is become either of Honoria or Amarissa, none saw them die: but many eyes have seen one of the intended Executioners, dead in the place of Execution: why might not the Gods protect their Innocence, by unexpected means? why should we not hope they did, seeing they were Innocent; and we hear nothing to the contrary? why may not one of these Villains appointed for the slaughter (mollifyed into gentleness, by Honoria's sweet behaviour, and overcome by Amarissa's sprightly Carriage) slay that Brother in evil, and preserve them both himself? It is but early day, I warrant you, you shall hear more hereafter; come, pluck up a good Courage.  
Oh (said Lorenzo) I think (Bertaldo) thou wilt raise me to life, when I am dead; if this should be, I will serve the Gods (for ever) with reduplicated adorations; and I will recompense their sufferings with a thousand newfound ways to expiations, whereto, repentance herself yet never found the way; and should but one of those men, do as thou Imagin'st, I would fill him as full of happiness, as his Capacity could hold; I would 'twere true Bertaldo, on that Condition that I gave thee Carthage for thy prophecies reward.  
Come Sir, replied Bertaldo, 'tis neither sorrow, nor Language, nor wishes, nor woulds, that must help us: send out several ways to hearken after them, I'll seek up towards the Mountains, let Berontus beat about, towards the Sea-coast, if Sea, or Land, can give us any intelligence, we'll not be ignorant, what is become of them. They both took their several ways for search.   

CHAP. XIII.  
The fantastical Wooing, Humoursome Wedding, and Platonic love that was between Corderius and Fortunata. Prickette his mischance by the way.  
WHilst these things were in agitation, I shall acquaint you with a pretty passage which happened between Corderius and Fortunata, Niece, and Woman to a Lady that was called Besanca, in his Travails with Bertaldo, in search of the Ladies.  
You must understand Corderius to have been a Rich Merchant, and an old Bachelor, about the age of Fifty: And one, who for his Wisdom, and Loyalty, was worthily received into Prince Lorenzo his Counsel of State: him, Fortune did begin to frown upon, having lost certain Ships at Sea of inestimable value, insomuch that he was unwilling to venture any more substance upon that hazard: and therefore resolved (to withdraw his hand from so cheating a Lottery, as Fame (the false Trumpeter of the world) who encouraged so many Adventurers to return home by Weeping cross (harkening to her enticement) and yet could never boast succesfulness but over a few) and to lead a private life, and to enjoy the remainder of his days with such contentment, and true felicity, as the rest of his great Fortunes (that were not loseable by being at stake) would give him leave. The delight was departed from him, wherein he (formerly) reposed felicity, in making Hundreds, Thousands: and Fifties, Hundreds: by multiplications of smaller sums. He changed his itching desire, that was in the act of getting, for the true contentment that was to be found in making use of what he had got: And thus he found himself at last by beginning to be a loser.  
But all the delights of Eden could not make a Paradise (he thought) without a Companion that should be meet for him. But then he began to think with himself, that he had so overslipt his time, and that he was now grown so Old, that he was scarce meet for a Companion; that his Grey hairs were no good reposure upon a Green Bed. And that Nature had made him none of her Favourites, and Age had put him further out of Countenance.  
Yet he comforted himself a little (allowing his resolution this Cordial) that he was not so wondrous Old, as that he needed to despair of possessing a Mistress, with a conceit of sufficient happiness, in being such an Old man's darling: And that her Poverty (by the means of his Riches) would procure in her breast a dispensation for his Silver hairs. And that, if he thus took a poor Gentlewoman upon Alms, (though she could not, as yet, love him, yet) she might be glad to have him, and think herself happy (bringing nothing with her but Love) to meet with such a one, though he have nothing else but means to maintain it.  
As Corderius did (heretofore) beat about the Country to find out a Virgin that should be thus qualified (being in all his other actions a notable Humorist) viz. Very well borne, Excellently bred, Indifferent Handsome, and Miserably poor, but never could find a similitude to his Fancy that ran upon all (these) Four, before such time as (attending upon Bertaldo in this itinerary progression) he met with such a Counterpart to his own indenture, that fitted him, as if occasion had taken measure of his mind. For Corderius and his Horse differing in terms of ability to Advance; the Rider, (through his Man's default) feeding his dumb Porter with a Spur, instead of Provender, (what with faintness, and the loss of one of his Shoes) the poor Hackney made a Halt all upon a sudden, without staying for the word from his Commander; insomuch that Corderius was by degrees so left behind, that he grew from being out of sight, to be out of hope of overtaking his Companions. Whereupon he set up his rest in a small Village, at the feet of one of the Fessian Mountains.  
This Cavaliers cabal was unwilling to climb, when he could not go, with a bare Foot, and an empty Belly. Insomuch that poor Corderius must be left behind in a poor Inn. Highway accidents must be borne withal, his bad fortune was bettered with this one comfort: his Landlord was a Good fellow, and cheered him up, (who finding his Host a fit receptacle for discourse that went no higher than a Merry Tale, or so forth) so he drove away the time with making his Host believe, That his Travel was to no other end, or purpose, but what he had a long time sought in vain, viz. such a Mistress as is before expressed.  
The Good man of the House presently answered his intended Mirth with a profferred reality of accomplishing his desires. For (said he) here within our Neighbourhood there is one who is thus and thus Virtuous, so and so Poor, thus highly Borne, so excellently Bred, known by the well-boding name of Fortunata; and if it please you, you shall have a sight of her, and if you can win her, wear her. Corderius began to think, that this savoury dish was not so ready cooked to his own palate without some spice of Divine Providence: Wherefore he resolves to make an assay, and though he be crossed in finding another man's Wife and Mistress, yet he hoped he might be blest by a chance medley, whereby for himself (in the same person he may meet with both. Corderius (waving the proffered service of his Intelligencer) takes notice of the Name, and Place, with directions of the Way; and pins his instructions upon his Sleeve: And having written a Love-letter, (to the Idea of his mind) he makes himself the Bearer; who (having as sufficiently informed his Eyes of an apparent truth, as formerly he filled his Ears with a true relation) delivers unto Fortunata the most acceptable present of an unfeigned Lover, viz. his own heart, with his own hands.  
Fortunata (perusing the letter, and observing the contents; and finding no name to it) looked over her shoulder, to see if there were any that took notice of the nonplus she was in, by reason of such an exotic and ononymous way of writing (as he had framed) and there presented to her own hands: then she looks him full in the face, as upon some abusive foot-post that was hired to play the fool with her, and thus she rates him for it.  
Fellow, what hast thou brought me here? a paper full of Noun Adjectives without a Substantive? and a letter without a name? what doth he think that sent thee, that I am good at explaining Riddles? Madam said Corderius, if you vouchsafe me but the honour to take a turn in the Garden, my business is not to Usher you into any of its Closer walks: but to such as are within sight, of all the glass eyes that are in the face of the whole house: and there if you are good at Questions, and Commands, you shall find me ready with Answers, and Obedience.  
Fortunata (perceiving his Language to bespeak a mistake in her) condescended to his request, and walked with him into the Garden, where, as soon as she had brought him, she demanded of him the reason why the letter had no name?  
Corderius replied that it needed not; when his own hand was to the letter whilst he gave it her. I cannot read your hand said Fortunata. Be pleased to read my heart (said Corderius) in the two folios of my unfeigned lips, which assures you, that I love you, and have loved you long; have travailed a great many Miles, and I have been a suitor to you many Years: and though it seems never so strange to you, yet let my words find credit (for truth's sake) and be the happiest Woman in the world.  
These words (spoken with such a grace, attended with so much gravity, and proceeding from such a presence) fraught Fortunata not only with wonder, but Confidence; not so much out of the manner, as matter of his discourse; that there was something in it, extraordinary, that promised a reality, and good meaning in the man: wherefore she desired to know his name.  
Corderius told her, that she that must be his Wife, must never know that, until she be so.  
Fortunata desired to know what Countryman he was?  
Corderius told her, that that was another secret which must not be known, and to cut you off from all those ordinary demands of Women in your Condition (said Corderius) Lady you must know, that that Woman which carries my Wife's eye in her head, must look no further than myself: for if I should tell you my name, what Countryman I am, who sent me hither, what means I have to Maintain you, etc. It may be you would, or would not have me, for this, or that respect: wherefore Madam I shall never ask you but these two questions, First, Can you Love? Secondly, Can that Love have any Influence upon my person? I neither think myself so amiable, or my Condition so inviting, as to deserve the compliment of an entire affection: but if you can find in your heart to Marry me, I ask no more, I'll find cause enough (for ever) to banish all repentance from your heart: so that reason shall find no fault in your election. Weigh my words as seriously as you can, I have no ends upon you but what are Honourable, and Just: Portion, I ask none; Proportion, and Comeliness, I see; your Parentage, and Piety, I hear of: And of this you may assure yourself, had you a Fortune of your own, able (but) to have bought the clothes upon your Back, you could not be my Wife. And one thing more I must tell you, I must have your speedy Answer.  
Fortunata thought it not convenient, that her consent should be obtained upon the first blush, yet her Colour (as if it went on Errants to her intellectuals, to know the meaning, of so strange (yet effectual) manner of Wooing, and returning again into her Cheeks with so fresh a die, as if it had made haste in its return) gave him some private intelligence, that her faint heart, was ready to yield up her Maiden garrison, upon the first summons; but that her modesty mutinyed against its higher officer: and would not suffer so regular fortifications to be so soon slighted by such a loving Enemy: wherefore, she desired longer time to consider of what he had said, and she would return him an answer worthy of his respect.  
Corderius told her bluntly, it must not be; and that he would neither be beholding for a Wife to time, persons, or second thoughts: and that she was at her own disposal to choose a Husband, whose condition was but servitude: And that the ignorance of all worldly respects (that must give him a Wife in Marriage) needed not consideration; and the Poverty that should bring him a Bed-fellow did not deserve the advice of Friends. This was his humour, and that if she would take him upon those terms, Happiness should be her jointure; Contentment the life she should lead; and Sufficiency, her constant maintenance. More than that, she that is to be his Wife, should never know before she were his; and if she were ordained his Spouse, she would be satisfied with that assurance.  
Fortunata took occasion by the Foretop, fearing it would be bald behind; and thought it better wisdom to lay hold of an opportunity that might advance her, though to an unknown Estate, then to be constantly wedded to even reckonings at the years' end: Wherefore she thus resolved upon the question.  
Sir, whose Name I know not, whose Country I must not know, whose Estate, is, I know not what, who means to carry me I know not where, I am yours I know not how. And with that word, Corderius opening his Arms to receive her into his Bosom, Fortunata falls upon his Breast; and (weeping) clings so close unto him, as if a bleeding Vine had been tacked unto some stately Frontispiece, whose tears Corderius soon wiped off, (drying her Bedewed cheeks) with this breath of comfort: Lady, if you knew your own happiness, you should find you have no cause for what you do, except you wept for joy.  
Fortunata (having fully consented that Corderius should break a Bridal Cake over her head) hastens to her Lady-Aunt, and Mistress; and with a cleared up countenance, tells her, That she is come to take her leave of her.  
Why, whither art thou going? (said her Mistress.)  
I am going to me be Married (said Fortunata.)  
To be Married! (said her Aunt) I prithee to whom?  
Truly Madam I cannot tell you (said her Niece.)  
What is his name? (said the Lady.)  
I do not know (said Fortunata.)  
How comes that about? (said the Mistress.)  
He would not tell me (said the Maid.)  
Whither doth he mean to carry thee? (said Besanca.)  
He will not tell me (said Fortunata.)  
Art thou in earnest? (said the Lady.)  
Yes forsooth (said the Waiting Gentlewoman.)  
Art thou not out of thy wits Girl? (said Besanca.)  
Madam, I hope not (said Fortunata) I'll have him, and if it please the fates, if there were no more men in the world.  
The Girl is bewitched upon my life (said Besanca) what hath he done to her? where is this fellow? let me speak with him. Away she flies upon Corderius, and in furious manner begins to expostulate the case with him, whose pretty kind of answers no less satisfied the Lady, than (with much probability) that her Niece was likely to climb up to some preferment, through some fantastical Staircase. Wherefore after many doubts resolved, she gives consent (with this proviso) that Favorinus, her own Brother, should go along with her, (together with a servant of the Ladies, called Prickette, who should see them married, (for he was resolved to carry her away with him presently, she, as resolute to be gone) up he takes her behind him on Horseback, without any more circumstance. He is a Prince, and his Humour must be obeyed. Farewell Aunt: God b'y Cousin. Look to your Sister (said Besanca.) I warrant you (said Corderius) all shall be well enough, take you no care. They shake hands at one another, and cry Dam, Da; and this was all the solemnity of their departure.  
They had not advanced seven miles onward in their journey, but they lost their way: and the night overtaking them, they were bewildered in a Forest; at last they met with a Forresteer, who brought them to a poor Inn, where they were glad to set up their rest for that night, where there were but two spare Beds for three persons: who all three willingly would have laid by themselves, but Corderius, and Favorinus were contented for one night, to make a hard shift together; but Prickette was to shift for himself.  
When Fortunata (with as much civility as the place would (then) give leave) was attended to her Chamber, (rites being done that were required by the Laws of Courtesy) Corderius and Favorinus, refreshed themselves (after Supper) with better entertainment, than they imagined the house had afforded, viz. a Cup of old Briske Corisca Wine: which had been transported out of Italy: Prickette having licked his lips sufficiently of some of the Wine, (whilst he attended upon his Masters) when they were gone to Bed, at once he inflames both the reckoning, and himself, with too many hairs of the old dog; the good woman of the house (to egg him on to further expenses) made him believe, that he should have a Bed, (or else it should go hard with her) and rather than he should be destitute of a lodging, that she and her Husband would sit up all night.  
Prickette grew from being overcome with kindness, to be so much overcome with drink, that he could neither go, nor stand, nor see, nor speak: wherefore mine Host, and his Wife (perceiving him to be but a Dumpling, a thick short chub, or lump of Flesh, not above three Horseloaves high; and considering the condition he was in) changed their resolution (having found out a new invention for him) up they carried him to the top of the house by main strength, where in the Cock-loft there was a Child's Cradle made of boards; and having made him a Bed therein of a Bolster, and laid on two short Towels, instead of a pair of Sheets; and their Daughter's Bonelace Cushion instead of a Pillow, with two old Petticoats: for a Rug and Blanket; they stripped off his clothes, and laid him in this bed, with a child's Rattle stuck in at one of the sides to keep up the clothes, which the Host, (as merrily disposed as his Wife) observed, and said unto her, Nay Wife, if thou stickest up a Rattle on one side, I'll hang up the Bladder with the three blue Beans on the other, (setting a Chamber-pot very orderly by his Bed side that was half full already) and there they left him.  
Prickette (lying with his Legs crumpting up (for want of room) not being used to be abridged of his full length) chanced (in his sleep) to be so sensible of his disease, that he thrust out his Legs half way over the edge of the foot board, and so he lay for the most part of the night, until such time, as (being awaked with the pain, which had got into the small of his legs, and the cold that had struck into the soles of his feet) he pulled in his stumps) like a pair of touched Snails horns) so that he lay at pretty ease for a while, until such time as his over-streched, and fulfilled Bladder called upon him for a remedy by evacuation: Prickette reaches one of his arms over the supposed bed side to search for a Chamber-pot, whilst the Cradle rowles (which, together with the turning of his unsettled Brain, caused his fancy to imagine) as if he had been falling down the precipice of some huge Mountain; and the motion of the small Pebbles within the Rattle, and the Beans within the Bladder, caused his imagination to conceive so many loose stones falling out of their places; and his fingers (by reason of the swag of the Cradle) dashing upon the surface of the lake that was in the unemptied vessel, the poor innocent verily believed, that he had popped his hand into some bottomless River. Prickette endeavouring to recover himself up again, gives such a spring, that it was twenty to one, but on the contrary side, the cradle had come over, and over: but there happened a greater mischance than all this, and a more cause of terror: for the Cat, lying asleep upon the ground, on the other side of the cradle, one of the theorbo's underneath it, pressed so hard upon the Cat's tail, that (Prickette having no other means to save himself from that overthrow but the use of his other arm) the asperous vermin, sets all the venomous nails that were upon all four, (together with both rows of the pointed needles within her jaws) into his trembling flesh: making such a hideous outcry, that all the hags and furies, (nymphs to the Stygean lakes) could never have given so fierce an alarm to the poor man's quarters, as that had done.  
Prickette all amazed lies for a long time rocked by Counter-poises; until experience (at last) having taught him the art of ordering his main body in full quietness; selfe-security, had made him so cautious, that he began to be very wary, of what side of his mouth he carried his tongue, for a long time he lay still, (wondering where he was, what he was in, & how he came there) at last an Ass, a creature (whose voice (of all others) he never had been accustomed unto) brayed, just under his window: which hideous noise, he took to be no other, than the Devil's language: whereat (forgetting all his former terrors) he gave such a spring (out of the Cradle) as if he had a mind to have leapt out of his Skin, rather than out of Bed, and came to ground sooner, by forty fathoms falling, than he did expect. Up he gets upon his feet, thinking himself well enough yet, but knew not how long it would continue; he order his steps, with expectations of such ruggedness, and fear of precipices, that the evenness of the floor, ofttimes became his stumbling block; at length he became Master of his senses, though he knew not how to employ his Servants: for he had no light, and could hear no noise, only he groaped for understanding, and found sufficient in the dark, to inform his recollected Spirits, that he was in some lodging within the Inn; but he verily believed it was an Enchanted Chamber: wherefore he made all the hast out of it, that he could, and spread his fingers upon the Wall sides, as if he had been playing upon the Virginals; at last he found the door: which being but latched, he easily opened, and descends the stairs: but whither they led, he knew not: neither did he care, so that they gave way for his removal from the place wherein he was.  
At last he stumbled against Fortunata her door; bounce goes his head and shoulders against the Wainscot: Fortunata (awaked with the noise) wakens all the house, with Crying Thiefs, Thiefs: Brother rise: call up the Gentleman: where are you? Knocks with her Bedstaff upon the boards, and throws it against the wall.  
Corderius starts out of his Bed, and calls for Candles: Favorinus flies from his nest, and draws his sword: up comes the good man and Wife, with lights in their hands, all were sore amazed, and Prickette most of all: whom they all found sneaking by the Gentlewoman's door. What dost thou here? (said Corderius) Sirrah, what's the matter? (said Favorinus) what wouldst thou have? I would have nothing (said Prickette) but quietness: quietness with a pox to you, (said Corderius) what dost thou do up at this time of night? Indeed if you would know the truth out (said Prickette) the Bed was too short for me, I could not sleep. Whereupon they all fell into such a laughter, (in fancying what kind of bed that must needs be, that should be too short for him) as put the good Gentlewoman, out of the fright she was in: but nothing could moderate the fit of laughter, that the good man and woman of the house had set up (knowing how they had served him) back they returned to their Chamber, and put on their clothes: by which time the day did break upon them: And as soon as Fortunata was up and ready, in they come, and bring Prickette to answer for himself, telling her the manner, and form, how they found him at her Chamber door; she them, that she knew not what to make of it, but that Prickette intended a forcible entry.  
Prickette declared to the world, that he intended no hurt, neither that he knew whither he was going, only he had a mind to rise, and come down the stairs, because he could not sleep in his bed, it was so short for him.  
And what meant you (said Fortunata) by bustling at my door? Did you think my bed would be longer for you?  
No Madam (said Prickette) I stumbled against the threshold, and hit my head against the door, that was it that made such a noise.  
For Heaven's sake (said Fortunata) let us go see this bed that is so short for him. The people of the house were sent for up to show them this sight, (for Prickette could not tell where it was) when the Landlord, and the Landlady were sent for, and understood their pleasure, they so fell into their old fits of laughter, that for a long time they could not speak a word, but hold their sides; and as their breath would give them leave, out comes a Cradle, by and by the Rattle, than the Bladder; neither were they more filled with Laughter, than Prickette was with Wrath all the while: who having lost all patience, curses them to the pit of Hell, swearing, That he lay in no Cradle; neither did he know what they meant by Rattles, or Bladders: a couple of base unmannerly people they were, and so they showed themselves. The Gentles were pricked forwards (by the two spurs of such extremes) Mirth, and Madness, to inform themselves of the true cause of both. Up they all went to the Cock-loft, where they found the Cradle, the Rattle, the Bladder, the Bed and Bolster, the sheets, the Coverlet and Blanket; the humour was so good that they all fell into such an universal fit of laughing, that Prickette (himself) was not an exception in that general rule, who by that time (being as merrily disposed as the rest) made up the Story with telling them the conceit of his falling down into a River, the removal of the loose Stones, the disaster he received by the Cat (showing them the scratchings, and bitings, upon his hand) the fright that the Braying of the Ass had put him into, in manner and form as is before expressed, which was Mirth enough for all that day, and the next following; wherewith, (together with divers other Sports, and Pastimes, that Prickette made on the way) they thus merrily arrived at Carthage.  
Whose walls they had no sooner entered, but Corderius seeks an obscure lodging where he might be least known; and delivers into Fortunata's hands a purse of Gold, entreating her Brother Favorinus, to accompany his Sister to the Burse, where she might furnish herself with such necessaries (of all sorts) as were expedient for her use, and suitable to the occasion, whilst he went and bought materials for her Wedding Garments; and provided her such a necessary instrument (to her mind) as should take measure of her body, and fit each several dimension. Both parties engage according to their designs, and Corderius comes back fraught with cloth of Gold and Silver, as the return of his Adventure. But Fortunata was so sparing in exhausting the Well (the liberality of whose spring she was so ignorant) that (her modesty was such) she would not purchase those additaments to grace an Ornament, at a higher rate, than the darkness of her condition, and the obscurity of her lodging would speak as commendable: which, when Corderius did behold, he wrapped them up in a bundle, and bestowed them upon Ribana (her new recommended Chambermaid) saying, He would rig up his smallest Pinnace with far better tackling; but his Vice-admiral, Fortunata, her top, deserved more Gallantry. And forthwith led her to the place where she might exchange her Money for the Choicest necessaries: And there left her to be attended to her Lodging by Favorinus, and her two servants, Prickette, and Rivana, whilst he takes the nearest way that brought him to the Court, where he presents his service to the Prince, and acquaints his highness with the manner how he lost his Company: But losing them, he partly found what he looked for, thereby he lighted upon certain intelligence, that gave him a relation how that Honoria and Amarissa were alive; and that by all Circumstances it could be no other but them two, whom report gave out to have taken Shipping at the Bay of Duno; departing there with as favourable a wind, as they had been driven a Ship board, by the storms of persecutions: And that he would pawn his life that he should suddenly hear good tidings of them.  
Lorenzo was so transported with joy, and his mind elevated by hope, seeing so much Confidence proceeded from so serious a man, that he vowed one minute should not pass, longer than the time required, for drawing up his patent, but that he would sign him one of his Nobles: which was done accordingly. So that back comes Corderius to his Mistress, with a Lordship on his back, before he had laid out any riches upon his clothes: but she must not know any thing yet. But now the time is come that high fancy must delight itself in the triumph of humility, and that a conjuncture between faith and hope must be made with charity. Corderius (as glorious as the Sun) hands Fortunata (eclipsing Cynthia in her greatests majesty) to the place of Union.  
But Fortunata could not but wonder that no friend of his appeared to solemnize their wedding, and not so much as a dinner provided, and that no other (or more) witnesses, were prepared, for the ceremony, than the good man of the house, and his wife, with their children at their heels, and a few mean and homely servants; she could not but admire that his completeness in all other respects, should want the correspondent of a Chariot; but that her wedding-garment should be a golden bosom, to sweep the dust in the streets, until it arose in their faces, as if it had a mind to tell them, what they were; but she that had consented to marry him in a humour, was contented with the humour of his Marriage: and coming within the consecrated walls, standing upon holy ground, thy plighted their troths to one an other, by the ministration of the sacred hands of him, whom holy Order had set apart (as clean) to the performance of those Rites and Ceremonies: Thus (tied in a true love's knot) hand in hand they took their leaves of the holy man, and the place of holiness: and were no sooner entered the Porch, but they might behold the most magnificent Chariot that could be carried upon wheels, and the bravest horses, that ere were fastened to a pole; with a Charioteer, and footmen, belonging thereunto, all in the same livery, which promised Majesty, rather than nobility to be in the owner, Corderius took occasioned to stand and gaze a while upon so fair an object: at last, he asked his bride how she liked that Chariot? who having run division upon the several Sumptuosities belonging thereunto, and praised the goodliness that she had (worthily) spied in the horses, and commended the Colour, and trimming of the livery: she warranted that they belonged to some great man, and wondered whose they were. Corderius told her that she should know that presently, and ask the Charioteer (who had his lesson given him) whose Chariot that was? he made answer (with much reverence) that it was the Lady Fortunata her Chariot, Wife to the Lord Corderius. Madam (said Corderius) I cry you mercy, it is your Chariot, I pray will you ascend it, and take me with you. Fortunata hung back and blushed, like the redness of the morn, that betokened a more prosperous wind, then what should need, to fill her sails: but all this would not help her no otherwise then sooner up, where she might take possession of her own; where she sits not so much elated in her own mind, as depressed under the burden of her oppression of the great danger that is in over-merit.  
The well-managed horses pride it along the streets, with the newmade-happy pair, until they rested at the door of Corderius his proud building: whereat were standing all his friends and kindred, to welcome the bride to the well-furnished habitation which she was bid to call her own; and all within it, hers: feasting and music, and dancing, had no sooner begun to outwear the day, but Corderius commanded four other Horses that wore the same natural coloured livery on their backs, to be added to the former pair; and invited his Fortunata to take the air, and notice of a Countryhouse, that had a Bed to bid her welcome to, and a Tenant to be her Bedfellow.  
Fortunata sighed, and said unto Corderius, Sir, you know in what a poor condition you found me, and I see, into what an ocean of felicity you have launched so mean, and weak a vessel, as myself: spare your prosecution of me with further favours, till I have digested these; for, one may be as well overwhelmed with too much joy, as blinded with too much light.  
But Corderius (like those Women who will never be married to any Man till they have seen him once in Drink) was resolved, never to let her rest from receiving expressions upon expressions of Affection, till he saw her thoroughly intoxicated with kindness, that he might see what humour she was in; wherefore a whole row of Coaches attended the Bride and Bridegroom to Mount-pleasant, which was the name of his Countryhouse: where he had no sooner lighted, and entered the House, but he caused the Lawyers to produce the Writings, where (in the presence of Favorinus and many other substantial Witnesses) he made that House (with ten thousand Crowns per annum thereunto belonging, by sealing and subscribing thereunto) her Jointure, and delivered the Deed unto Favorinus, her Brother, to be kept to her use.  
Fortunata was astonished with admiration, and so overcome with kindness, that she could not speak one word. This dumb oratory pleased his fancy beyond the expression of any eloquence; and which of the two were ravished with greater delight (he to see his design take so well; or she, to find her hopes so far outgone by realities) is hard to imagine.  
At length he invites them all into his Garden (the delightful'st of any that ever she had seen) and asked her, how she liked it?  
Who answered him, how could a poor Woman be otherwise than pleased, to be taken out of an Almshouse, and made the Mistress of a Palace, and Lady of such a Manor? And with those words, she began to water the Garden, with her tears: and drew him aside into the next Arbour, where her (mind by the benefit of that little vent) poured forth a resentment of her sad condition through want of merit, answerable to his benignity.  
Which being performed with so much sweetness, and ingenuity, he removes the weight that lay so heavy on her heart, with this assurance, that there was that thing, within her power, to grant, that if he could be but so happy as to obtain it at her hands (and it was but what was just and honourable) it would (in equal balance) outweigh all his benefits.  
Then Sir (said Fortunata) be sure it shall be granted; and you happy: what is it, good my Lord?  
You shall know (said Corderius) in due time, in the interim I make it part of my request unto you, that you will rest satisfied till you hear further.  
In fine, time hath outgone the day, and the well-spent-time of night calls upon the new-married Couple to haste to Bed: in Bed they are, the Bride-chamber cleared; which was no sooner performed, but Corderius conjures her by all the Love she thought was due to him, to tell him, whether or no she thought herself happy at that instant?  
Fortunata, (after some pause) told him, That she thought herself the happiest woman in the world, if she had where withal (in herself) to answer that felicity. For she thought there could be no true happiness where permutation of desert was wanting.  
Why then (said Corderius) Fortunata, know, that thou art miserable, but thou mayst be happy; and both these contrary qualities lie within thy power to sour or sweeten thy whole life withal.  
Let me know it quickly then (said Fortunata) and I shall not be long a choosing.  
Then thus it is (replied Corderius.)  
When I was a young man, and first went out to Sea, as an Adventurer, we suffered Ship wrack: all but myself were drowned, and I preserved by a miraculous accident; all but the very top of the main Mast were swallowed up in the Quicksands, and devouring Seas; up to which top I got, and seeing no hopes of life, but a terror spread before mine eyes, as broad as the Horizon, I vowed unto the Gods, that if they would manifest their power in my preservation, I would answer the mercy of their deliverance, with the most Holiness of life, and Integrity of living, that lay in the utmost endeavours of a Mortal creature: In order whereunto, I vowed Virginity for ever. I scarce had ended my Prayers and Fowes to the Almighty, but through the salt water of mine eyes, I could behold (riding upon the Main) affair and stately Ship making towards me, which (approaching nearer and nearer to me) at last took me up: And I have kept my promise hitherto, and must keep it to my grave: I have done all the good that lay in my power; I have been a Father to the Fatherless, a Husband to many a Widow: I have helped many to their Right, that suffered Wrong; the Divine providence hath made me an Instrument in doing many good Offices; but especially, I glory in being a means whereby the chaste Honoria, and deserving Amarissa, were not by the Tyrant brought to Trial; and by which means (I hope) she is preserved; yet I saw no reason why I might not Marry, if I could meet with one that would be partner with me in my Vow: I saw no reason why two might not enjoy the freedoms and familiarities that are between Man and Wife, only as they are divine and rational Creatures: that is, to contemplate the Deity, and goodness of the Gods; to joy in one another's company, to discourse together, to embrace, to seal to such pairs of indentures, as the Cockles shall not be more just in their rejoyndure, to make such impressions on those depressed supplements, which the Bee's-wax for soft, or sweetness, or the red for colour, is not comparable; to fall asleep by such a vestal fire, that ne'er goes out, and never burns; to recover ourselves (so often) from being so many times the images of Death, and find so many lives renewed, by love's assurance of its immortality; leaving that other consideration to those Sensitives that have not understanding: thy consent to this, O Fortunata, would cause me no less to adore thee as divine, than keep me (still) in favour with the Gods: all those steps of honour to which I have advanced thee so many degrees above thyself, were but engagements to thy complacence herein. Now am I to expect my doom, or such a return of my adventures, that uncovered rocks of Diamonds, or the messeraick and big swollen veins of the earth's golden oar, wide opened, could not afford me more contentment or requital for all my obligations.  
Fortunata (having heard him all the while with an attentive ear) whose consentig heart (as if its pant had kept time to the music that he made) answered:  
My ever honoured Lord, more to be esteemed for this, than all the merit that lies within the power of Man to prosecute an engagement: Now (and never till this time, do I find myself in a (possibility of being happy or) way of answering, all those accumulations of benignities, with a power of recompense: you have my full consent herein, and could you read my heart, you'd find it all composed with nothing else but so many Amens to every word you have said: why did you make so great a doubt of my Consentment? what can more resemble the celestial fires than when flames do meet, without the smutty contagion of bituminous materials? that love, that's set on fire, by combustibilities, which fowl the hands of their own Makers, have no other flames but burning smoke, which vanisheth with the death of its own parents; whilst the love that Corderius talks of, and is here confirmed, by me by an act of participation to thy vows for ever (so pleasing to the gods) seems to be so immortal, as if (Promethean like) we had stolen fire from heaven to burn an everlasting sacrifice; No, Corderius rest satisfied (if this be all) that the world's variety could never have fitted your humour so well as Fortunata shall.  
Then (said Corderius) I am happy indeed.  
So am I, said Fortunata.  
Both cried, Both of us are blest in one another. Both slept in one another's arms, whilst Aminda's Genius (for Honoria her sake) bestows this SONG upon them:  

THus the flower of love 'twixt Man  
And Woman's sifted from the bran:   

Thus fine garden-beds are made;  
When aside, the rubbish 's laid:   

Thus sweet herbs, and fragrant flowers,  
Unplucked, look fresher; and are ours,   

And as much at our command,  
As if they withered in our hand:   

Where love in chaste-preserves is met,  
Flowers, in water-pots are set:   

And live, and have as sweet a breath,  
As if, they rooted, in the earth:   

Thus (as in Limbecks) spirits of love  
Ascend, to descend, from above:   

And fill two continents from thence,  
With a most pleasing quintessence:   

And where the bodies of such souls do meet,  
They well may sweeten, but ne'er foul the sheet.    

CHAP. XIV.  
Prickette falls in love with Rivana. They agree upon the time of their Marriage; but have not the patience to stay till the time appointed. They are prevented in their design; and the manner how.  
PRickette having been an earnest Suitor to Rivana for her goodwill: at last he obtained his desires, to Marry her; but, before the time appointed, they had agreed to be anticipatious in the business, and too too forward in giving one another benevolences, before they were due: for the effecting whereof, time and place were appointed: Rivana was the first Champion that appeared in the field. Prickette met with some good Fellows by the way, that foreslowed his march, and retarded his appearance to the Court of Venus.  
Rivana and her Hostess (having given him over for a lost man) were once resolved to wait his leisure no longer; but Rivana (something more confident of his performance than the other) was willing to spin out a little more time, and busies herself in making a Sack-posset against his coming: the Posset was made, but no Prickette; patience was quite worn out, and expectation began to be out of season: wherefore Rivana takes the Sack-posset, and sets it upon the cubberds head, and covers it with a trencher and napkin, and sets the candle by it, takes her leave of her Hostess, and prepares herself for bed, putting the door only too, for fear her Sweetheart should find any difficulty in his approach, if he should happen to come late, or she, disturbed to let him in, if it should be locked, or bolted: late brought all to bed, that were in the House.  
Now you must understand, that in the evening, before this happened, that a Bearward had brought three lusty Bears to town, and had taken up quarters for them in the same Inn, lodging them in a little Stable that happened to be just underneath the Chamber where Prickette and Rivana had intended to be very superlative in the degrees of happiness.  
But it happened that Rivana was no sooner got into her bed, but one of the great Bears, scenting the steam of the Posset, broke loose, and happened to pull down a whole pane in the wall, that opened at the foot of the staircase, that led up to Rivana's lodgings: up stairs climbs the Bear; Rivana, hearing somebody coming up, was in good hope it had been her Sweetheart, though she thought the party came up somewhat heavily, and trod (though not more gently, yet) more softly than Prickette was wont to do; which she conjectured to be, because (it may be) he was in the dark, and had no body to light him up the stairs: and it would be otherwise as soon as he should come into the light. [ENTER BEAR.—] Rivana (perceiving so ugly a creature coming in upon all four, winding with his Nose, and twinkling with his Eyes) she sinks down into her Bed, and falls a praying, but durst not cry out, for fear she should give the Devouring creature notice of her being there: But Tears, which had so little way to fall, and fell so softly, and trembling, that could make no noise upon a bed of Down, she makes use of sufficiently, to express the woefulness of her condition, and the greatness of her fear; which was presently augmented and multiplied upon her, like numbers in Arithmetic: for the Bear, (scenting the posset) rises up an-end, and with his fore paws, rests upon the Cubberd, and nuzzles the trencher that covered the Posset off of the Goblet; and thrusting his snout into the hot-kept-liquour, he so burned his nose, that he made a most fearful noise; and endeavouring to leap down, his Nails so stuck in the Cubberd-cloath, that down comes the Sack Posset about his Ears, the Candle into his Eyes; which the melted tallow, (together with the hot Liquor) had so got into, and made them so smart, that it caused him to Roar, as if all the Devils in Hell had been in the room: All this while the Bear's Claws were not disengaged from the Cubberd-cloath, nor the Cloth from what it covered; so that at last (with the Bears striving) downs comes the great Canopied-cubberd, and all upon the Bear, so that the Bear began to be worse afraid, and more hurt, than the terrified Rivana, who labouring to disengage himself from the weight that was upon him, (the Candle all this while lying upon the ground, still blazing) the Bear (at last) intched and intched so near unto the flame, that it set all the hair upon the Bear's back on Fire; whereat the Bear set out a wider throat than all the Baitings that ever he had, could force him to: Rivana (hearing a great deal of noise besides what the Bear made, and received no hurt as yet) thought that some body had come in unto her rescue, as was ordering the Bear, and that the Bear Roared so by reason of some correction; wherefore she took the boldness to peep out of the Bed, to see whether it was so, or not: but when she perceived a thing all on Fire, and another thing over it, stirring up and down the room, she began to be afraid of the Devil worse than of the Bear: wherefore she flings the clothes over her head again, and falls to making Vows, That if ever she were delivered from that just Judgement, that was upon her for that unlawful Assembly, she would never violate the old Laws and Customs of her devout Ancestors by such deeds of Anticipation. Whereupon the Bear (disengaged of his Toil) left Roaring; the Candle and the Hair went out, all was quiet; the Bear fell to licking up his Posset all about the room; but there happened to be so much Sack in the Posset, (to which the Bear had not been accustomed) that his Brains were intoxicated; who (wanting a place to repose his giddy brain) skip-frogs up upon the Bed, and lays himself down half on, and half off the miserable Rivana. The Bearward (hearing the noise) was rising out of his bed, to know the cause of their unruliness; but perceiving them to be quiet, went to bed again.  
By this time Prickette knocks at the door; the old Woman acheth, Who's there? Prickette cries, 'tis I Who are you? (said the Hostess) 'tis I, Prickette, don't you know my voice? you know my business well enough. 'Tis you? (said the Hostess) is this a time anight? well, I come: she slips an old Petticoat over her shoulders, and comes to the door, and lets him in, telling him, that he was a fine man (indeed) to have a Sweetheart! if she were as she, she would make him stay the good hour, and if there were a year to the end out.  
Well, well, (said Prickette) get you to bed, trouble not yourself: where is she? is she in the Chamber I bespoke? ay, I, she's there (said the Hostess) can you find the way in the dark? there is a light in the Chamber, and a Sack-posset provided for you: O! you are a sweet Youth i'faith, i'faith, she is but too good for you.  
Good night, good night old Woman, (said Prickette) you prate you know not what; too good for me! who is too good for me?  
Up the stairs comes Prickette, and finds the door open; but seeing no light in the Chamber, he asks her, What are you in darkness? he had not advanced three steps into the room, but what with the slipperiness of the boards, by reason of the Sack-posset, and the licking of the Bear's tongue, down comes Prickette all along; up again he gets upon his legs, but had not made one step nearer the bed, but over the cubberd comes poor Prickette, hurts his hands, and breaks his elbows; lies still awhile, and asks, Where am I? what have we here? what's here to do?  
Rivana heard a Man's voice, but was afraid there had been another Bear: at last he gets up, and was resolved to order his steps more warily; at length he lays hold upon one of the Bedposts, than he thought himself safe enough, and that he had her sure; when behold! opening his arms to embrace his beloved, and his mouth, to bestow this pleasing language upon her, viz: Ah my Sweetheart! I hope thou wilt not be angry with me for staying so long; in troth I could not help it: and therewith falling down upon the Bed, to take his Mistress in his arms, he embraced the Bear; who being awaked with his kindness, roared him forth such a Curtaine-lecture, as I think never any such Delinquent was so miserably served before. Prickette recoils, forsaking his station with such violence as the rocks and stones do use to make when they are moved out of their places, when hell finds out a new mouth, by some eruption, out of the earth: so that (forgetting his stumbling block, that lay in his way) he breaks his shins against the cubberd, and over and over he tumbles, being most miserably tormented; in which agony (knowing not what he did) mistaking his way in the dark at the bottom of the stairs, in stead of going out at the door, he runs into the broken place in the wall that the Bear had made, and so stumbles upon the other two: [BA-A] cries one of the Bears: [BA-A, BA-A] cries the other two. Prickette (imagining no less but that flying from one, he had fall'n into hell, amongst all the Devils, scrambles (he knew not how) from between them, and so got loose from both, and recovers his feet, but durst not make any other use of them than standing upon them: so unfortunate had his motion been unto him of late, that still he ran into further mischief, till at last the Bear's unruliness made him venture farther off the danger; so that he got close to the manger, than he knew where he was; up he gets into it, and (for his greater security sake) climbs up into the rack. The Bearward (hearing a second alarm, rises) out of his bed, and came to see what was the matter, where he soon espied one of his Bears missing, and the wall broke down, where she had got out, presently he raises the house, saying, He was undone, one of his Bears was broken loose, and was got away. Up they all rise, unchaine the Dogs, search for the Bear, enter the Stable, see where the Bear broke out; which whilst they were viewing they could hear a voice from the rack-side, saying, Do you hear, do you hear, I know where your Bear is with a pox to you: They looked up, and spied Prickette amongst the rack staves: They asked him, Where? where I pray now? Where (says Prickette) I know where well enough, but look that your Bears be safe and I'll come down and show you. They securing him from all danger, he descends from his pallisadoes, and directs them up into his Mistress' Chamber, giving the Bearward, and the Dogs leave to go before him; who find the Bear fast asleep in Prickette his place; so that with much convenience, they got the string into the ring, and pulled the Bear from off the Bed. Prickette turning down the bed to see what was become of his Sweetheart, there ascended such a wreak of baked, and boiled, and stewed, and roast-meat, that his stomach was quite turned; so that he had no appetite to his former dainties. She cries out to him, Prickette, begun; get thee hence, thou comest not near me: I will have nothing to do with thee, e'en stay the time. So they both concluded to wait the leisure when unlawfulness should be less attended with so heavy judgements, and Prickette departed with the Bear, Dogs, and Bearward out of the room to seek another lodging.   

CHAP. XV.  
Lorenzo his sad condition at Court. Berontus meets with Navigius; by whom he informs himself of all the business concerning Honoria. He carries the glad tidings to Lorenzo. Bertaldo and Berontus sent to the Ladies. A Storm at Sea.  
NOw we must return to Lorenzo, who all this while remained (you will say) in a very sad condition, when a Prince in his own Court shall hunt for favourable looks from his own Subjects, and find ne'er a one; for, all the Courtiers beheld him, with such sullen aspects, as if Saturn at that time, had animated the Court, with one surly Genius; so great power had the force of justice over the instruments of iniquity, whom we must also leave (as soon as we have looked upon) in his melancholy dumps to bring back the fortunate Berontus in his happy adventures; for, he had scarce reached within three leagues of the Seashore, but he met with Navigius the Seaman, who had been the Preserver of both the Ladies, who (having not wit enough to believe that the surplusage of his merit, exceeded the offensiveness of his default) upon the approach of so Courtly Gallants (hearing the Rumours that had spread about the Country concerning Lorenzo's Conquest, and Maximanus' Death) was afraid of every Butterflies being a Courtier, making inquisition for Honoria and Amarissa, or after any one that had but a hand in that Delinquency; for which reasons he thought himself no small Fool, and that (he thought) he knew not how to answer the sale of such Commodities; so that he looked so ghastly, shook so fearfully, and stood so amazed in every respect, that Berontus could not but take special notice of him: Wherefore he asked him, What ail'st thou Fellow? and finding him speechless, he thought some extraordinary matter, to be the occasion, of that ecstasy; and considering the business he went about, he thought it worthy of his farther inquiry: wherefore, he caused one of his Attendants, to take him up behind him, and bring him along with him to the next resting place: The Fellow, (thinking, that he had been carried all this while to hanging, (still measuring the ' depth of their science by the guilt of his own conscience) as soon as ever he was brought to Examination, he cried out, Oh Master! save but my life, and I will tell you all.  
Berontus' replied, answer me but to one Question and thou shalt not die, Is Honoria living? or canst thou tell what is become of her?  
Navigius answered, she is alive, and well.  
And Amarissa too? replied Berontus.  
She's well, and lusty, (said Navigius.)  
What is become of them? (said Berontus.)  
Navigius told him all the Passages of the whole story as was before related.  
Whereat Berontus was so overjoyed that he hugged him in his arms, bidding him not to be afraid of any thing, since they were living; telling him, that his merit, in their preservation, was so great, that small faults would not be looked upon: Both (overjoyed) made haste to Carthage, where the night before these glad tidings were brought to Court: Lorenzo (not thinking himself worthy of the Attendance that pulled off his Shoes as he went to bed) was no sooner in bed, but he was saluted with Amynda's Genius with these glad tidings:  
Now thou'st suffered for thy folly,  
Cease further to be Melancholy:  
Thy repentance is accepted,  
And thy prayers no more rejected:  
Honoria she is safe, and sound,  
Better so, than under ground:  
Amarissa ' as well as she,  
Even as well, as well may be:  
To morrow when you find it thus,  
Forget Amynda, hay for us!  
But if you do, then find you shall,  
A worse evil will befall.  
Lorenzo starts upright in his bed, and cries out, Oh Amynda! stay awhile; stay I pray thee good Amynda, be not inexorable: what wouldst thou have me to speak? and I vow Obedience to thy Commands; I will not swerve a tittle from thy precepts, give me Honoria and command my life.  
Amynda being overcome with his remorse, and full intentions of amendment, answers his desires.  
Then all that I would have you do,  
Love Honoria; and be true:  
(And Amarissa, for her sake)  
Love you'd better give then take:  
Now lie down and bened perplexed,  
Observe what I shall tell you next.  
Lorenzo falls into a sweet sleep, until the morning-watch awaked him with their answerings to Berontus his importunities of opening the Gates; who was so transported with his fraught, that he thought it much, that wood, and iron, should make his lading dance attendance.  
Lorenzo thus awaked, and remembering the good tidings overnight, he thought they were so good, that he began to be afraid they were too good to be true. Thus the Devil, after we have overcome all his temptations, throws his last Dart, and seeks to poison us with infidelity, like the Ship that hath escaped so great Enemies, and so many Shipwrecks, at last perishes in the Harbour.  
But whilst he was in this great danger, by reason of so many Rocks and Shelves: Berontus (like a good Pilot, comes to guide him safely into the Harbour) at whose first sight, Lorenzo reads comfort in his looks; and asks him if he has heard of his Honoria, (anticipating his relation with his confidence) in these words:  
I know, that if thou hadst not brought good News, thou wouldst not have returned so soon.  
Berontus' taking Nagivius by the hand, from point to point, tells him the full relation of the whole, as hath been before expressed: Which, when Lorenzo had heard throughout, he knew not whether he should acknowledge himself more beholding to the Hand, or to the Instrument, that made such music to his Ears: he showered down obligations upon Berontus, as upon a Favourite that was capable of receiving those acts of Grace: But when he came to express his affection to Navigius, he found him so unsusceptable, that he could not love him otherwise, then with the Love wherewith fond Ladies use to be in love with their Lap-dogs, whose over-gladnesse at small favours, make their Mistresses sorry that they are not rational creatures, whereby they may be more capable of further benefits. Both in their kind were fully satisfied, the one with princely language; the other with spitting a few acknowledgements in his mouth, which the one received with due reverence, and good behaviour; the other with so many scrapes of his feet, and wagging of his tail.  
All the Palace did ring of this good news; nothing but acclamations of joy and gladness was heard amongst the People, every body ran to see Navigius: Berontus was no body amongst the Vulgar, like to like enjoyed their liking; the poor man was well helped up, from a peck of troubles, to such a measure of admiration, and benignity. Bertaldo was sent for in Post-haste, (who returning as suddenly.) The next thoughts that were in election, was how these two Ladies were to be sent for, and who should be employed in that Affair. It was determined, that Bertaldo and Berontus should be dispatched upon this Embassy; Berontus to the Island of Majorca, to attend upon Honoria; and Bertaldo to Minorca, to wait upon Amarissa. And this for two Reasons, to which I might add a third.  
The first was, because Berontus had been so Fortunate to bring the Good-news, it was thought fitting that he should have the Honour of the Employment.  
The second was, That Bertaldo thought it more convenient service to wait upon his Mistress, than his Sister.  
And the third was, That Lorenzo knew Honoria would be satisfied sufficiently to hear of her Brother's welfare at any hand, but he could not reward Berontus' services with less respect. Two Ships were speedily prepared, the one for Bertaldo, the other for Berontus: But all had been like to be spoiled, for the Prince taking great affection to Philoret, had gained Bertaldo his consent, that Philoret should stay behind to keep him Company; but there sat such a cloud on Philoret his Countenance, as made them all fear they should have no Fair weather after them, if he were left behind; wherefore the Prince willingly released him of his grant.  
They were all fairly Shipped; but behold, they were scarce out of sight of the Maine-land, but their stately Ships were forced to strike Sail to angry Neptune: who, with his awful Trident, mustered his Turbulent waves, whilst the innumerous Tacklings served for so many Whistles to the wind, to call on danger to her Execution, whilst the Boiling Ocean lifted up her Waves so high, that the Masts of both the Ships charged their tops through the proud Heads of the insulting Billows; till others (as if they had been their Friends) lifted the Victors upon their shoulders to such a height, as their main Masts were in danger to have fallen foul with the Celestial Spheres; raking from their restless bottoms, so much Sand, as not only discoloured the green Ocean, but also threatened a dissolution of the whole Earth into so many Atoms in the Sea: So that no marvel, that they had quite lost one another, whilst they were both thus likely to be lost. So that it happened (by reason of this Storm) that Bertaldo, who was bound for Minorca, was (by the fortune of the Winds) blown upon the Island of Majorca; and Berontus (who was bound for Majorca) was thrown upon the lesser Island: The mistake was not so great, whilst their Commissions were both the same.  
Berontus was no sooner arrived there, but the news was brought to Castriots house, That there was come from the Main, the Gallantest Gentleman that ever eyes beheld; and his business was, to inquire after a certain Carthaginian Lady that was forced away from her own Country, and brought hither by Violent hands.  
Amarissa, at the first hear-say, conjectured it to be him who was intended, Bertaldo, though it fell out to be him, that should be there, Berontus, though not by order of Humane, but Divine Affairs. Amarissa saves Berontus the labour of Enquiry, and sends him her Name, with directions where to come, if that he knew it, or had any thing to say to her: He hastens to the place of her abode with such a longing desire, as good News carries always with it, when it knows it shall affect the hearer with delight. When Amarissa heard that the same Cavalier was arrived at the Gate, she prepares herself for such information, as her own eyes should give her, through the Glass, whether it were the same of whom her hopes had given her some assurance: But as soon as Berontus began to enter the Court, her hopes began to retire; but seeing him such another goodly Personage, and having such a Manly gate, she thought the Glass might be no true Mediator: Wherefore, desiring to be better informed, she only opens the Casement, so far as might serve her Eyesight to sally out; which was so met withal by his, that it was beaten in again without receiving the least intelligence, shutting that Sally-port with such diligence, as if an Enemy were ready to make his Entry in at the window, whilst the door was open to let in the best of Friends.  
In comes Berontus, who having saluted her, makes her amends for the mistake of the Person, by bringing her Bertaldo in his Mouth, whose service (as knowing it to be most acceptable) he presented in the first place, acquainting the Lady by what accident it happened, that he was not there himself, being designed purposely to wait on her, as his was to have attended upon the Princess, Honoria: Amarissa was well enough pleased to hear of his Welfare, and could have found in her heart to have expressed her fears of his being cast away at Sea; but she smothered her affections for the present, and fell to ask how Lorenzo did? Scarce had they made an end of all that he had, and she to say, which took up no small proportion of time and discourse, but that a Messenger came to Amarissa from Honoria and Bertaldo, to acquaint her, that Bertaldo was there, how they missed Berontus, who was designed for the place where he now was, acquainting her with the happy news of all the late Occurrences. Berontus and Amarissa being both more at hearts-ease then when they met first. Amarissa, who delighted in nothing more than in hearing relations of deeds of Chivalry: and loved men for nothing more than their Prowess; and no Gallantry like that which was showed against her deadly Enemy Maximanus: And perceiving how sparingly Berontus' had touched upon that string, and how his modesty had more commended himself, than delighted her. She desires him to tell her the manner how, the place where, the time when, with all other particulars concerning the kill of that Wild-Boar, wherein she professeth she could never be sufficiently satisfied. Whereupon Berontus related unto her the whole substance of the Story, with all the circumstances belonging thereunto, in such orderly manner, and observance to her commands, that all the Predicaments in Logic were but servants to his Method, and subjects to her Reason: She was so much taken with his Gallantry, giving him many thanks for his Relation; but withal told him, That she was most of all beholding to herself: For the best part of his description had been left out (if she had not wrested it from him by degrees) through his modesty, that was so wary in letting any thing slip from him to his own advantage that concerned himself. Then she fell to the business in Mauritania: and when Berontus had but touched upon that particular of preserving Lorenzo by his most happy conduct, she did so conjure him not to mince the matter, but to tell her punctually how it was (supposing himself a third person) upon whose entreaty he declared more at large. But when he came to speak of that particular service at the Bridge, and how fortunate a man had been to the whole Army; and ask him who it was, and could have no other answer from him but blushes and trancisions into other matters, Oh how Amarissa was taken with him! she could have leapt into his mouth, and shot the Gulf to come at that fair Harbour where there rid so brave a Man of War. But then she recalls herself, and faces about, to the remembrance of the brave Bertaldo, and checks her forward passion for loving a man so much, so soon, whilst all the Berontus'es' in Africa could not exceed Bertaldo, for what she had both heard, and seen: But falling into discourse concerning his partaking with Bertaldo, in the differences which were between him and the Prince, she falls to loving him again; and hearing Berontus relate how stoutly Bertaldo behaved himself, in Honoria's and her behalf, her love runs back again, and catches at Bertaldo: nor is she wavering all this while, but constant to the true cause of love, worth, and true Nobility: she is not so much in love with either of their Persons, as both their valours; Berontus had slain the Giant, preserved Lorenzo, and Bertaldo both; Bertaldo had done as brave things as these, had possession of her heart before; at last she distinguishes betwixt loving her house, and riding on the top of it, she resolves to love him as a well-deserving Friend, but Bertaldo as a dear Husband; yet notwithstanding her carriage was so full of freedom and respect, that Berontus conceived that in his mind that his honour would not nourish, so they parted for that night.  
The next day the wind served fair for Majorca, and they were resolved to neglect no opportunity to be together, where they might reimbark themselves for Carthage, and with a fair wind they joyfully landed, and were as Sumptuously entertained by Thoron and Armena, as they were gladly received by Bertaldo & Honoria; unexpressible was the joy that was between Honoria and Amarissa, the love that was between Amarissa and Bertaldo, Bertaldo and Honoria; both join hands in setting forth the praises and high Gallantry of Berontus. Berontus joins issue with Bertaldo, and Honoria, in giving the due Encomiums that were belonging to Philoret; who presently becomes Amarissa's chief Favourite, as the Preserver of her life, the life of her beloved, the Honour of Lorenzo, the Glory of the Carthaginians. Amarissa would have been in love with Philoret, but what love invited, faith forbade; Berontus would have been in love with Amarissa, but that honour stood between: Honoria would have been in love with Lorenzo, but knew not how to come at him: Bertaldo had been in love with Philoret, had he known but what he had been: and Philoret might have been beloved by Bertaldo, had he but had the confidence: if ever there was love in a maze, here it danced the round: you might hear of a True-lovers-knot, but never knew of such a knot (as here was) of True Lovers. In this loving humour they all took shipping, and were undersaile for Carthage.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Lorenzo found the Letter by Pippea 's means. He hears of their Arrival: goes to meet them. The Marriage between Bertaldo and Amarissa is urged amain: Philoret falls into a Trance upon it: Berontus is lovesick with Amarissa. Amarissa and Bertaldo are found to be Brother and Sister. Philoret is found to be the Duke of Medina-Coeli his Daughter. Bertaldo and Berontus are sent into Spain and Italy, to find out the truth thereof, as the price of both their Loves.  
PIppea by this time is become a pretty Maid, having the confidence to speak unto the Prince; she tells his Highness what she did, and that Honoria writ a Letter, and how she conveiged it, and where she laid it.  
Lorenzo presently goes and searches the Cabinet, finds it there, and reading it fell into a trembling, with thinking what a wound it would have been unto his injured soul, if Honoria had miscarried, and afterwards he had sound that Letter; all this Pippea did by the persuasion of Hortensius. The Prince marvellously commended Pippea for her piety to Honoria, promising her the chief place of Honour about her.  
The news was brought to Court, of the landing of Honoria, and the rest.  
The Prince was ashamed to look his own happiness in the face, and to see, that, which he most desired, yet he trusted to two friends to bear him out, Honoria's goodness, and his own acknowledgement: he goes out to meet her, and finds her in a most conventent place for gratulation; where, descending his Chariot as she hers, he says thus unto her; Honoria, if I should question thy pardon, I should tax thy goodness; Mercy is Lady and Empress of all the best of Attributes, I have a great deal to say, more to confess, most of all to acknowledge; if thou wilt give me time, I will take no less than all my life, to bestow in repentance and satisfaction—  
And as he was speaking further, she cuts him off with this prevention,  
My Lord, I pray say no more; he's dead that was the cause of this, and in his grave, let the memorial of all these things be buried, I am afraid you have been too severe a Punisher of yourself already, I am glad I was preserved for no other cause—  
And as Honoria was going on in her discourse, Bertaldo stops the current of her speech (till the stream swelled so high, that her heart floated in compassion of Lorenzo's sorrow for her sufferings) saying, You two shall take another time, and place, when you are by yourselves, then and there you can best charm one another into beliefs, which none can question whilst you are one another's Judges, and by none atonements sooner wrought then when you are each others Advocates: Lorenzo, be but you her Votary, and I'll undertake she shall be your Confessor, small pittance shall serve for absolution. As Honoria would not hear Lorenzo; nor Bertaldo, Honoria; so all the Company cried down Bertaldo, perceiving that no better accommodation might be made, then what should proceed from the goodness of their own dispositions, when tongues should be as far from interposing as ears from giving audience; all was hushed, Lorenzo takes Honoria into his Chariot; Bertaldo, Amarissa, into his; both Berontus: all three (the generally so much beloved) Philoret, Lorenzo & Honoria had little discourse, much handing, more kisses, many sighs; Bertaldo, and Amarissa, Berontus, and Philoret, were all Chatt; thus they made the way short to Carthage, where the People filled the Streets with Voices, and the Air with Acclamations of Joy, and Gladness, for that happy meeting; in a word, the whole business was so sweetly composed between Lorenzo and Honoria, as if his heart had been a Jubilee, and hers a plenary indulgence.  
Thus stated, as at first, they began to entertain thoughts, how they might drive a trade of happiness between Bertaldo and Amarissa, whilst Berontus was lovesick for Amarissa, and Philoret deadly in love with Bertaldo, yet neither of them durst express the causes of their discontents; the one through a supposed unworthiness in himself, the other lest he should show any defect in worth towards so brave a friend.  
Bertaldo and Amarissa both hearken to the music that Lorenzo and Honoria caused for to sound in both their ears; at which, Berontus made as sour a face, as Philoret lent them a deaf ear; at last Philoret singling out his Master, spoke unto him in this manner:  
Sir, You know with what a passionate affection I ever loved you, you know what preferments I ever waved to enjoy this relation; I perceive there is an overture of Marriage between you and Amarissa; you have oftentimes bid me ask what I would: I never asked you any thing, but now I shall.  
My dear heart (said Bertaldo) ask what thou wilt, and I will grant it thee.  
Then (said Philoret) I only ask, that you would not Marry; I do not ask, you would not Marry her: for, of all Women living, she's worthiest to be had.  
Thy reason, good Philoret? (replied Bertaldo.)  
Because I love you, (said Philoret.)  
Why should thy love (said Bertaldo) prompt thee to such a prohibition?  
Because (said Philoret) it is not good to part with that dear privilege of being wholly a man's self, to be the half of another; besides, all the pleasure I have in this world is in your love; all my ambition is to deserve it, and all my study is how I may improve that happiness. Now when you have a Wife, your love will be set on her, and I shall but glean in the same field where I formerly reaped a full Crop of Bliss: and therewith fell into a most sudden passion and extreme weeping.  
Whereat Bertaldo taking him in his arms, intended him this satisfaction, My dear Philoret, I will Marry her, but on this condition, that she shall double, not mitigate the love I bear to thee: Sweet Boy, had I as many Wives as Carthage Women, they all should not be able to eclipse the least spark of the true affection which I bear to thee, and to thy merit. Just as he had spoken that word, there came a Servant from the Prince, desiring his company; he clapping Philoret on both his cheeks, with both his hands, bid him be confident that all the Wives in the world, should not draw away his affection from him, and so left him weeping.  
In which posture Berontus found him, and enquiring into the cause, and by Philoret's answer, finding it to be grounded upon his dislike of the Marriage, he embraces both him and his discontent, fostering it up to a full growth, as agreeable to his humour; but all in vain: for, the Match was made, the Parties agreed, the Time set; only Bertaldo told his Mistress, with what reluctancy Philoret resented it, and upon what grounds, desiring her to use her utmost endeavour to dispossess him of that conceit.  
Amarissa undertakes it, and sends for Philoret: who being come, Amarissa takes him aside, and thus entreats him: Sweetheart, I understand thy love to be such to thy Master, that thou think'st it will be less, when he has me; I have sent for thee to assure thee, that it will be double; when we two are one, you must distinguish between love, and love; it is one thing to love a Wife, and another thing to love a Friend, or Favourite; the love of the one, no way lessens the obligations and ties of friendships that are between the other, but rather encloses them in bounds and fences, whereby they are not violable. Truly, Philoret, I know thy love to be such to thy Master, and thy merits to be so great in every eye, that were I not engaged unto Bertaldo by promise, and obliged by honour, of all the Men that carry heads upon their shoulders, I should love Philoret, and therefore never fear that his love should be less to thee. Amarissa (perceiving Philoret his colour to be quite gone, and a Civil war begun already upon his cheeks, between the white Rose and the Red) leaves off speaking, (as men leave wounding when they think the party almost dead) when poor Philoret had fallen to ground, had not Amarissa catcht him falling, who (like some young Physician) seeing his Potion begin to work by contraries, fears he had mistaken the right Glass, and prescribed his Patient Poisons instead of Cordials: so affrighted was Amarissa in applying remedies where she was so ignorant of the disease. Philoret comes to himself, whom Amarissa leaves, as Doctors do their Patients, when they begin to be dangerous, carrying that sad news of irrecovery to Bertaldo, who flies to his beloved Page, catching him up in his Arms, ask him what he ailed? And what he would have? Bidding him declare his mind fully, what he would, before he Married: or whether Honour, Preferment, Land, Riches, Money most affected him, it should be granted; and if he doubted his Marriage would be an Obstacle to any of these, he would never Marry until he had satisfied him in any of the particulars.  
Philoret answered him, I ask nothing, but that you would not Marry; all these things I have forsaken already for your sake, and if you Mary I must forsake you, and die.  
Bertaldo told him, that it was but the Exuberance of his affection, which in time may easily be remedied: telling him, That fondness must give way to Prince's Edicts.  
It was decreed by Lorenzo's Command, that to morrow must be the day that Amarissa and he must shake hands in Holy Wedlock.  
Then (said Philoret) I may lie at your feet this night.  
Philoret (said Bertaldo) thou shalt lie for ever at my heart, as my best friend for ever. Come, I'll call thee Page no more, thou shalt be myself; and afterwards I shall let thee know, that thy fears are needless, and that thy discontents stand upon no ground.  
Thus past the night away, when in the morning there was nothing to be seen, but preparations for the Wedding; time drawing on, the accustomed preparations for the Solemnity, news was brought, that Berontus was very sick, and could not attend the Ceremony; Philoret had fallen into several distempers, and fits of soundings, (strange Preludiums to such Solemnities) Berontus his condition was not much weighed, because not any knew the cause of his distemper; but Philoret, his case was much resented by those who were not ignorant either of the Malady, or the Remedy. Amongst whom Bertaldo was the forwardest (as the most expert) Physician in feeling of his Pulse: Who coming to Philoret, said, Thou (young man) that astonishest all men with thy Miracles, and me with thy Love, why dost thou expire so often? There must be something to hinder every man from the perfection of a Deity. Why wilt thou sully all thy former actions with such fondness? more befitting some female weakness, than relating to such prowess as is always resident in thy manly breast; why art thou such a jar to all our music, train'st thy tears upon our joyful harvest? Come, I ne'er Chid thee before in all my life, nor ever thought I should; and why should I Chide thee, since it is rather the error of love, than love of error? thou committ'st the fault, and I'll give satisfaction; ask and have what thou wilt of me; for, by all that's good, wert thou capable of a nearer relation than that of Friendship, even of that I'm going about and shouldst ask me, Amarissa should not stand between thee and thy Contentment. Heavens! what confusion that word cast into his thoughts! what changeableness into his countenance! what rain bows were tied in True lovers knots upon his cheeks! he gave his eyes free leave to speak his mind, whilst he denied his heart the benefit of its own Advocate; he lets silly and unexperienced wishes, sally out of that strong-hold, whilst effective words & language were kept in like conquerable Lions within their Grates; at last, (considering the confusion that would follow his discovery, but most of all fearing the denial that his supposed disparity would soon give check to such a Mate) his mind gave him rather to break his Heart, than break his Mind; and chose rather to die a sacrifice to humility, than to embroile such Lovers in discontents, to satisfy his own desires, by such presumption; giving Bertaldo this answer, sent up by the swellings of his Heart, no rising of any Lungs.  
Bertaldo, I am contented that you shall Marry Amarissa, and enjoy her, upon one condition, that you will only give me leave to mourn this day, and I shall never trouble you with any more Petitions.  
Bertaldo admiring at his suit, yet being used to such exotic fondness, custom took away the strangeness of it; whereupon he gave him leave (not thinking that he had meant any other kind of mourning, than not rejoicing with the rest) whereat Philoret seemed to be much pleased, and Bertaldo, glad that he had any way contented him) repairs to Amarissa, whom he confounds with the relation, in thinking with what strange predominance his love bare sway; however she resolves to humour him likewise for the future, and by her loving carriage towards him to let him see his Error. But when the time drew near, that hand in hand should join two hearts in one; Behold Lorenzo, he falls suddenly sick, whose indisposedness to attend the Ceremony, bequeathes the gift of Amarissa into Holy Hands, to be delivered to Bertaldo, to the performance of the brave Berontus: who being sick with Love, was deadly afraid he should thereby be accessary to his own destruction; how averse soever his mind was to the Prince's deputation, yet necessity laid such strong hold upon him, together with Bertaldo his Entreaties, and Amarissa's Courtship, that it seemed no otherwise to him, then as if he had been compelled to act that part with such an impulsion, as wherewith the evil destinies drive men to be their own Executioners.  
Thus all was out of order, whilst ignorance is about to join hands with Devotion, to act unlawful things under the pretention of Holy Rites: on they rush, as well as they may, they think no hurt, they do no good: Monstrum horrendum informe ingens cui lumen ademptum. They enter the Holy Place, the Priest is present, the Parties ready, the People by, the Ceremonies begun, Berontus is called upon to do his Office; he goes about what he had rather let alone, unwillingly willing he takes Amarissa by the hand; and when he should deliver her to the Priest, he holds her fast, and would not let her go; and when he should speak certain words, he declares by an uncertain kind of speech, which had no other articulates but the weight of language, I mean his tears; that what he did, came not from his heart, whereby seeming to serve for no other use, then as a dumb and senseless Statue; her hand was taken out of his, and given to another, who gave it to the Priest to be delivered to Bertaldo, who were then, and there, publicly Married in the fight of all the world. Never till this time, when it seemed too late, did Amarissa perceive that Berontus was in love with her, whose pity of his condition made her sorry that she had not known it sooner; and that sorrow caused Bertaldo to perceive a kind of reluctancy in Amarissa's countenance, as if she had not been well pleased with what she had done, which made him not so well pleased with his Bargain as otherwise he would have been: But behold a sad sight administered a greater occasion of dislike, than was the former; for Philoret, overset with Melancholy of the Blackest hue, studies a way how to improve it to the highest. Wherefore when he perceived them all gone to the Wedding, he puts on a Mourning Habit, and all alone goes into the room prepared for the Dinner, where solemnity had placed two Chairs of State for the Bride, and Bridegroom, to enthrone themselves in Majesty; Thus accoutred, Philoret seats himself in the Bride's Chair; and throwing his upper Garment over his shoulder, he settles his mind to as deep a Melancholy, as either his outward Habit, or his Posture, hung out signs: Thus under the shadow of despair sits Philoret, like a condemned Victim pressed to death, whose inability to endure the present pain, makes him cry more weight; until oppression made him senseless, falling into a charitable slumber, that put him into such a pleasing dream, as in a manner was able to quit cost to all his anxieties: He dreamt, how, that after death, he was found to be a Virgin; and that Bertaldo loved him better dead, than when he was alive, and that he wept over him; and that his Tears were such an Embalmement, that he should never Rot, nor Stink; he dreamt the loose Earth over his Grave to be transparent; so that he could see Bertaldo, and Amarissa, strewing Herbs and Flowers over his Grave, and from their swollen eyes, to pour such virtual showers upon that Covering, that the Flowers rooted, and were everlasting: whilst the bordering Willows round his Scimitary, with lifting up their arms by a just wind, refused their Boughs to hands, that were too forward for to pluck Materials where withal to make him Garlands. In which interim, in comes Bertaldo, with Amarissa in his hand, with all their Concommitants to that half solemnity, where finding Philoret asleep in such a Posture, such a Seat, such Habit, and at such a time, it struck them into such a dump, that Rain in Harvest was never so unwelcome to the greedy Husbandman, as this sight was cause of discontent to the two Triumphants; they all stood about him, and pitied both his sleep and waking; all fell a wondering why asleep, why in Mourning, why in her Chair, why at that time just, when others were in Celebration of so great Solemnity!  
Lorenzo sick, Berontus he not well, Philoret so significant in his perplexity, never was there a Wedding so like a Funeral, whilst the two subjects of that mirth and jollity that was expected, were the chief Mourners to so many unexpected causes of adversity: thus he remained, and thus the sad Spectators all continued, until such time as the Prince his Sewer ushered in the Dishes to the Bridal board; when the smell of so many several meats (like an enemy to his repose) gave an alarm to his five senses to repair to their several posts.  
Philoret (as yet a stranger to himself) could not behold so great a lustre, as the glory of that day presented to his eyes; so that he was forced to call in his Scouts before they had enabled him with the least intelligence.  
Amarissa pressing forwards to receive an account of his well or evil fare, (Bertaldo standing behind her) Philoret thought himself in an eclipse (perceiving the Moon to be between him and his Sun) yet in that darkness, he finds the way to so much sweetness, and civility, as that he took Amarissa by the hand, and seated her in her Throne; which having done, he sinks down dead at her very feet.  
Bertaldo catches him up again, uses all the means to recall him to himself, but all in vain: he remains breathless, no pulses beat, nor sign of life at all: All give him for dead; he makes haste by degrees, till he becomes as cold as earth; he is delivered into proper hands for laying of him forth: Bertaldo weeps, whilst all were so full of sorrow, that there were no Comforters, none sat down to eat, whilst the meat, as sympathising with the accident, cooled as if it died, losing their artificial, as he his natural heat; who can imagine the sorrow that in general filled every particular breast? but to conceive the vast load that lay upon Bertaldo, who acknowledged himself guilty of the murder, by giving so deaf an ear to Philoret 's often inculcations, that he should not Marry, and that if he did he should surely die: which had he but believed, all the world should not have persuaded him to have shaken hands with any Creature living.  
Amarissa began to consider with her self, how happy it had been if Bertaldo had observed the Injunctions of his Darling; and she had known that Berontus had been so in love with her, whom she always liked and honoured; but durst not show it by reason of her Engagement, nor he declare his mind insisting upon terms of Honour, whom missing, all upon a sudden (as fearing that that two Tragedies might be acted in one day) she cries, What is become of Berontus? when behold, in comes the Messengers of the most distracting news that ever reached ears; for, the Women who came from laying forth the body of poor Philoret, spoke amazement by their looks, before they used a tongue, whose eye-auditors (as if they had received some strange intelligence) asked, What's the matter? and how? to they knew not what.  
Whilst Bertaldo impatient to be tormented long with silent Monsters, bid them speak their minds, and tell him what it was that made them look so ghastly?  
Oh! Sir, (said one of them) if you would needs know, Philoret was a pure Virgin, and no Man.  
At which word, Bertaldo tore his hair, rend his wedding garments, raved & roared about the room, not caring what was miss becoming either a stout heart or a manly courage, and gives himself wholly over to be swayed by Passion.  
Amarissa she runs forth to view the Corpse, brings word to Bertaldo, that it was so indeed.  
Whereupon, Bertaldo could not endure the sight of Amarissa, that was the cause of this; nor himself, that had so much doted upon her: blames the dead, then takes all the blame upon himself, that he was such a Blockhead as not to conceive so much before, perceiving so many Symptoms of love that could not be but Feminine by its violence, protesting before all the Gods, that had she but opened her mouth in the least intimation concerning any such matter, he would have had her whatsoever she were, before any Woman living: then troubles himself with imaginations, who it should be, what might be her name, persuading himself it must be one of more than ordinary rank and quality: Then mads himself that he had not known it, excusing her with attributes of modesty, and humility; with these distractions, frenzies, and general condolements, they passed the day, whilst the night invited, not their maladies, to seek remedies by repose; thoughts of Coffins, dead Bodies, and Graves, interdicted the Ceremony of the Bed; all was neglected, and what was strangest of all, the married Couple was not only careless of themselves, but of one another: and how could Bertaldo delight in her, when he delighted in nothing else, but thinking how he might have been another's? and how could Amarissa joy in him, when she thought of nothing more, but how she might have been any way happier, than in the condition she was in; whilst sorrow for what they had done made them acceptable, repentance makes way for Amynda her redemption; for, the time of her promised comforts, and assistant graces was at hand, wherein she visiteth the sick Lorenzo, and brings him tidings of the recovery both of his health and understanding.  
Arise Lorenzo, sin no more;  
thou'rt perfect, as thou wert before;  
Bertaldo ‛ and Amarissa, should  
They marry, blood would touch with blood;  
One man begot, the same Womb bore  
Them both; so near akin they are:  
Whom Philoret you deem to be,  
She's Periissa, even she,  
Whom you shall see alive hereafter,  
The Duke Medina Coelies Daughter;  
Touch and Wipe the eyes that weep,  
She is not dead, but fall'n asleep;  
Let her have her soul's delight:  
Dissolve the Married Couple quite:  
Let Berontus freely have,  
His Amarissa: grief, a grave.  
Lorenzo, like a refreshed Giant, rouzes up himself, and musters his Disconsolates, acquainting them with the strange news that was revealed unto him, whose misbelief he soon rectified by telling them, that they should all know this to be true by Periissa her being not dead, but in a trance, inviting them all as Witnesses to her resurrection, whom they all follow through so many degrees of love: Confidence filled the Room, whilst Hope attended the touch, that raised her up to life. Periissa comes to herself, both in name and nature, and admires to hear Lorenzo call her Periissa; wonders to hear Bertaldo say, Ah my Periissa! why wouldst thou conceal this from thy beloved, whose soul and thine were ever Man and Wife? wonders to hear Amarissa say, dearest Periissa, you shall freely enjoy what you desire, I must not stand between you and that Happiness. Wonders to hear Bertaldo say, that Amarissa was his own Sister, and that the Wedding-knot must be dissolved, and fastened between them two, (meaning Bertaldo and herself) but chief wonders at Honoria her calling upon Lorenzo, to give her an account how that she was sole Daughter and Heir to the Duke of Maedina Coeli.  
Like a Man that has lain long in some dark Dungeon, and is suddenly brought into such a light, whose rays (from that resplendent sun) make such a glory round about him, that his weak eyes are not able to comprehend so great a lustre: In such a pleasing Confusion was Periissa, so stifled was her sorrow in the throng of so many pressing happinesses.  
Like a knot of True-lovers of one another, yet all in misery, and in want, and ready to be hunger-starved, espying the relief of some large and bountiful portion of meat to be brought to some one of them, all rejoice alike, knowing they shall all participate of that bounty: so did this joyful news which was brought unto Periissa, fill with joy, and ravish with delight, all these Companions in misery; knowing, that this viand, would be food to all their appetites; for, (saith Berontus) if this be so, then Bertaldo shall have Periissa, and Amarissa she's free for me: then thought Amarissa, if this Knot be dissolved, I am not so tied, but that I may inquire into the causes of Berontus his distemper, and if occasion serve, apply fit remedies.  
Each several application of these joyful tidings to their own particulars (for the present) hindered that universal Conflux which (otherwise) would have been amongst them, till at last the several species contributed all their interest to make up one general gladness and Jubilee of delight, like a main River that being divided into several petty Channels, runs not with such a large stream as when it was united, but meeting all into one Current again, the several disimboguements reduce it to its former greatness.  
Thus reinstated, the several instruments and voices make one harmony, whilst the diversities of Wellwishers lent their ears according to their several engagements; some wished well unto Berontus, others were glad of Periissa her good fortune, not a few were overjoyed at Amarissa's freedom, all were transported with a ravishing delight to see Fortunes-wheele turn so merrily: the Parties themselves thought their conditions so good, that upon the sudden they were unwilling to own them; one was modest, and could not; another was bashful, and durst not; a third thought herself bound, and might not; a fourth thought himself freed, and would: This begot a liberty in the Correllative, which example begot no less confidence in the bashful, than encouragement in the most modest soul; all act their parts accordingly: Bertaldo slights his Amarissa, and Courts the new raised Periissa, to life, hope, name, and fortune: Amarissa takes it not amiss, and entertains the free embraces of Berontus: Lorenzo and Honoria rejoice to see these promised miracles take effect, and their wonders come to such maturity. Bertaldo presses assurances upon Periissa; she holds off, looks strangely upon him, in her maiden habit, and protraction draws a heavy load of insupportable impatience after it: she looks no babies in his eyes, she sues not to be turned away, she supplicates for no prostration at his feet, she carries all things high, (still giving him a respect that in state becomes a Princess, of her degree, unto a Person of such Rank and quality) he gives her all the observance that her Majesty required, kneeled and kissed her hand, made speeches upon his knee, prays her to be merciful, and forgive his ignorance.  
She takes all to herself, and after many supplications and prayers, she says unto him, Tell me truly, Bertaldo, dost thou believe that I am the Duke of Medina Coeli 's Daughter?  
To whom Bertaldo replied, I am confident you are, & believe it verily. From whence arises so strong faith? (said Periissa.)  
Bertaldo replied, Shall I not believe Amynda 's Ghost? shall I not give credit to Lorenzo 's relation? besides, none could do the things which thou hast done, but Coeli's offspring, wherefore I cannot stagger.  
This is not enough Bertaldo (said Periissa) you must do something more for me, I enjoin you to repair forthwith unto my own Country, and my Father's house, and there inquire if they miss not a Daughter, that hath these signs upon her arm, the Sun and Moon (showing them unto Bertaldo in the sight of all the Standards by) and saying, if thou canst by thy endeavours find out such a one, there's such a one for thee.  
Bertaldo kissed her hand, presently took his leave, saying, he would not neglect a minute's time, and hoped to return shortly, and give her satisfaction to her demands: so departed.  
Berontus' finding all the clouds dispelled that were between him and his heaven, lifts up his eyes to Amarissa; she taking Periissa for her leading Star, takes the same course she did, and proposes to Berontus her injunction, as a pattern for her imitation, saying unto him, Go to Rome and learn how it was that I am Honoria 's Sister, and I am your Wife: So they were both dispatched upon their Knight's Errantries, whilst the two task-Mistresses, like innocent Children, who spend their time in the delightful recreation of making Babies, acting Weddings, and Lying in; so did these two pretty pieces of innocence, delight themselves with making a Mock-wedding between Pippea and Hortensius, delighting themselves with a happiness, which they were contented should be really their own, so that it might be but representatively theirs. And thus it was occasioned.   

CHAP. XVII.  
Pippea is in love with Hortensius. She expresses it to his Picture. Honoria and Amarissa observe it. Hortensius takes her in the manner. Honoria, and Amarissa, acquaint Lorenzo with it; who persuades them to encourage the two Lovers in their affections.  
PIppea being so highly preferred as to be Honoria her Chiefest Maid of Honour, and Hortensius likewise a Man in no small request with Prince Lorenzo; Pippea being first in Honour, Hortensius durst not break his mind unto her, before such time as he lighted upon this encouragement; Lorenzo to gratify Hortensius his merits, and sufferings, (which acts of contrition and signs of repentance, he daily exercised in expiation of his crime, and complacence with his Honoria) caused his Statue to be set over the Garden-dore, with this inscription underneath in Capital & Golden Letters, viz:  
THIS IS THE PORTRAITURE OF HORTENSJUS THE PRINCE'S GARDENER, A FAITHFUL SERVANT AND CONSTANT SUFFERER IN HONORJA AND AMARJSSA'S CAUSE, WHOM NO TORMENTS COULD FORCE TO BE OTHER WISE, NO THREATS COULD PREVAIL UPON, AND NO ENTICEMENTS COULD SHAKE HIS RESOLUTION.  
It happened (at sundry times) when Honoria and Amarissa went to recreate themselves in the Garden, (with their usual Attendants) that they evermore observed Pippea to stay behind at the door gazing upon Hortensius his Picture, which Amarissa one time amongst the rest taking special notice of, she thus spoke unto Honoria:  
Madam,  
Upon my life your Maid Pippea is in Love with Hortensius, for I have observed her always when she comes by that Picture, she cannot enter the Garden without a great deal of contemplation upon it.  
Honoria, loving her the better for being so much an admirer of her Martyr, replied, I pray le's go and observe her a little.  
All agreed, and found out a most convenient place for observation, where they saw Pippea laying her hand upon her Heart, and at last wiping her Eyes; and having cleared that sky from those bottled clouds, she looked so wishly upon that Type, until the thing typified came behind her, catcht her in his Arms, and asked her what she was looking upon? Pippea finding herself surprised) was ashamed to look him in the Face; who would have been much more out of Countenance, had she but known who were Spectators of those amorous passions of hers upon a similitude. This was not all the Sport that the Ladies had, for they might hear Hortensius ask her the question why she looked so much upon the Figure, and so little upon the Substance?  
And Pippea answering him, I must go to my Mistress. Hortensius' praying her not to be so hard hearted, as altogether to turn her face to a Stone, and not at all to rejoice the Man it represented, with one copy of her Countenance. And she answering him again, I must be gone, the Princess will wonder what is become of me, pray let me go. Hortensius' saying, I will not let you go before I have a Kiss of you. Pippea answering, I pray don't you stay me. Hortensius' urging, don't you stay yourself, lest you should be missed. Pippea replying, why do not you let me go then? Hortensius' telling her, because you will not give me my due. Your due (said Pippea) what's that? A kiss (said Hortensius.) How comes that to be your due? (said Pippea.) Kisses are Love's tribute (said Hortensius) and if you can find in your heart to say you do not love me, I will have none. Why (said Pippea) do Maids use to Kiss, or to be Kissed? Hortensius' rectified his error with kissing her over and over again, and so let her go. When she was got out of his reach, she turned about again, and told him, That if it had not been for the hastes sake she made to come to her Mistress, he should not have had it; and with that runs into the Garden. Hortensius' stayed behind, lest their familiarity should be taken notice of, whilst the eyes that applauded his affection were in love with his Policy, and resolved to advance his humility a degree higher.  
Pippea made such haste, for fear of offending, that they were all very well pleased, that she had not discovered them to be such Eavesdroppers, as they had made themselves. Pippea running towards the upper end of the Garden, they advance from their Station. Pippea not finding them in any of the upper ends of the Garden, upon her return (at the first) was glad to see them between her and the door, as banishing that fear which she had conceived of her loitering behind; but when she perceived them all to fall a Laughing, which could not be interdicted, (though the Princess had given special Command that not any should take the least notice of what they had seen) she was amazed; and her Blushes came so thick into her Face, that the Blood began to grow dark in her Cheeks; which Honoria perceiving, (and willing to deliver her from that fear) told her, Pippea, we laugh to see that thou couldst not find us: but indeed, we played the wags with thee, and hid ourselves from place to place.  
Pippea glad it was no otherwise, dismissed the Bloody ensigns out of so fair a Field, and ruffled up the Colours in her Cheeks: so there was no more of that for that time.  
But it happened not long after, Honoria and Amarissa to have some private discourse, both perceiving Hortensius and Pippea to be deeply in love with one another, (themselves being sensible of the smart of Love) and that neither of them durst show, or effect the thing they most desired: These two merciful Ladies were resolved to be charitable, and went, and made the Prince acquainted therewith, who was not only glad of opportunities, whereby he might gratify his Honoria, but was exceedingly glad to act any thing that might be pleasing to so great instruments of such universal happiness: Presently bids them forward what they had taken such notice of to be begun, and encourage the parties to proceed in their Commencement, to give their hopes some air, and to help their love to wings; and that they should be both Honourably provided for.  
Honoria having received these instructions, sends for Pippea, and questions her in private concerning the Love that was between her, and Hortensius; but perceiving her Maid begin to Blush, she anticipates her Crime, by her preventing Grace, and Favours towards her, with telling her how she knew it, and what she had observed with her own Eyes, besides what she heard: This saved her from the sin of telling an untruth (which was upon the terms of breaking its prison) and gave her leave to turn a flat denial into a laudable excuse, saying:  
Truly Madam, I confess I love him, so must all that love you, amongst whom I have a little more reason than the rest, because we were fellow-Agents in the work of your Deliverance. Truly Madam, I could not choose but behold his Picture; and when I look upon it, I can but envy his happiness.  
Why didst thou smite thy breast, and weep when thou look'st upon it? (said Honoria.)  
Madam,  
I wept (said Pippea) to think upon the misery you were in; and I struck my breast for sorrow, that I was not abler to have done you more service than I did, that I might have such another set up for me, to which I think no Glory or Honour comparable.  
Honoria forthwith protested, that she had deserved no less than he; and that she did more for her Capacity, than he for his; and that she would erect the like Memorial for her, and place it at the very entrance into her Chamber, as Lorenzo had done for his Hortensius at the entrance into his Garden: and performed the thing she promised. Which was no sooner done, but Hortensius could never be from Honoria's Chamber Door, nor Pippea from the Garden Frontispiece, where they daily sacrifice Hecatombs of the best wishes to one another's Shrines.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
Corderius wisheth Favorinus to a rich Widow. She scorns all younger Brothers. How Favorinus got her good will at last.  
COrderius and Fortunata, (whose Days were Holy, and whose Nights were Sanctuaries, whose minds gave them to reduce their Piety, to Practice) contented not themselves with a bare notion of Speculative Divinity, Oral Piety, or Auricular Devotion; but they must be doing Good, and acting deeds of Charity: for indeed, Religion is God's Plough, whereby he Tills the Field of his Church, whereby that Field is made a fit receptacle to receive the Seed of the Word. This Plough goes not forward (only) by looking before us, but by putting hands unto it also; and bending the several parts of the body in a Devout posture to fungifie their several Offices, leaving the two main Props, and Supporters of the whole, not to go before the hands, but to thrust them forwards. Thus Religiously-minded were those Purer ones; not to wear the palms without the Crown of virtue; Charity: and not to suffer Charity to begin in a wrong place, but where it should begin, at home: Wherefore (being themselves advanced to Wealth and Honour) they entertained thoughts how they might prefer their poor Brother Favorinus to some good Fortune.  
Corderius casting about which way he might effect his longing desires; at last, he bethought himself of a young rich Widow, who had a bountiful Estate; and to boot, too good an opinion of herself, who was a Beautiful, but withal, a Scornful Lady, who constantly wore upon her sleeve a Nettle: And if you asked her the reason why she graced that regardless Weed so much? she would answer you, That she wore it not for a grace, but to disgrace and sting away Younger brothers. This Lady, what for her Riches sake, and what for her Beauty's fame, was Courted by most men of Fortune, Comeliness, great Parts and Excellence in all those parts, but no man was good enough for her, (so well she thought of herself.)  
Here was little hopes (you will say) for Favorinus, who was not only a Tounger brother, but one, whose Prodigal Father, had made a Tounger brother, of his Eldest Child: But Corderius from time to time observing a vivacity and sprightliness to be (prodigiously) predominant in the well-tempered nature and disposition of Favorinus his Brother-In-law, (whom he loved so dearly, both for his own, and Sister's sake) that he thought him a fit instrument, either to make this Widow his own, or else to let her know herself: he acquaints Favorinus with the business, and disposition of the Lady; giving him these encouragements withal, That if he would but put the best Leg forward, it should not want Shoes nor Stockings answerable to the occasion, nor Friends to back him; and if need required, what further might be requisite.  
Favorinus replied, He that cannot swim to a Widow's Bed side thus held up by the Chin, it is pity but that he should sink for ever, and never be seen 'mongst men any more.  
Favorinus forthwith accoutres himself with all the necessaries requisite for a Complete Suitor; and sends the Widow word, that at such a time he intended to wait upon her about such a business, desiring her not to be abroad.  
Bisalta, for so was the Widow named, (having Nonsuited many a brave Gallant in her time, (who thought themselves no small fools) and wondering to receive such a confident Message from a Man, over whose Name Fame had never blown her Trumpet in her ears) disdained the Proposition: yet was resolved to stay at home, though to no other purpose, but to give him an Affront; and lest her Triumph should want Spectators, she sends for some of her Neighbours to be there at the same time, as witnesses to the Repulse she meant to give him. Favorinus (as confident as his own natural and acquired abilities would give him leave) repairs to her dwelling-place at the time appointed, (always holding this for a Maxim in Love's school, That there is never a Woman in the world, but she is to be won one way or other, if a man could hit upon the right) and having heard, and read the many papers of Verses, and Acrostics upon her Name (as so many Encomiums of her beauty, and perfections; as also what Hony-mouthed Orators she had banished out of the dominion of her Beauty with Vinegar faces) he resolved to steer another course, and (like skilful Seamen) to lavere, and fetch compasses of winding policies to his wished point.  
To the house he comes, but finds no preparations for his coming; no Neatness extraordinary in any part thereof; he was fain to knock twice or thrice at the Hall door before any body would come at him: at last one came, and asked him, What he would have? who answered the Fellow (as surly) That he would have the Widow.  
If you can have her good will (said the Servant) with all my heart.  
I pray thee let me have thine (said Favorinus) to speak with her.  
You shall Sir, (said the Servingman:) there was Favorinus fain to walk twenty turns in the Hall, before the Messenger came back with invitations of him into the Parlour: where he was no sooner entered, but he could see the Widow in a careless habit, and as flight a posture, playing at Cards with some of her Country-Neighbours; yet upon his approach she rises from the boords-end, and meets him as little a way as she could (glad to see the Man in so fine clothes whom she meant so finely to abuse.)  
Favorinus (with so graceful a Congee, as no education could find fault withal) almost upon her lips, recovers himself by degrees, (giving her such a scornful look as could have no other language, but, how near was I unto the touch of so great deformity! is this the beauty that is so much talked of? a very Dowdy! an arrant Pusse! all this did he speak without a word, and more than this did she conceive by that one look) and (dividing a few jeering smiles amongst her Gossips) departs her presence, in the greatest disdain that can be imagined.  
One of her Gammer's cries, What is this a Showter?  
Another cries, Out upon him.  
A third cries, The Gods forefend, that I may never have to do with any such Showters', what? not kiss her, when he was so near to her? if I were as you ha should never have a kiss on me though a would never so fain.  
But Bisalta (seeing herself so highly contemned before so many Witnesses, which was no small aggravation to her discontent) swelled (like a toad, stung in the forehead, by some spider, whose poison is of a hotter nature than his own) until (not only) the laces of her Bodize burst in sunder, but her big-swollen heart cried room, as if those bounds of nature had not been ribs sufficient, for so weak a vessel. She vows (within herself) to be revenged, and to make him see his error, though the price of her experiment be no less than her self and all her fortunes; she thinks if she doth not make this Man recant, she doth nothing; and proposes the gaining of this Man's love as a work answerable to her magnanimity, but she knows not his name, nor when she shall see him again, whether ever or never; she tells her Neighbours that she will bring them to the Gate, her meaning was, to see whether she could lay eyes upon him again, and find some opportunity to speak to him, or happily come to the speech of some of his Attendants, that she might know his name: but she came out time enough to see him take Horse, which was brought unto him by a Lacquoy, richly habited; having two Pages standing bare to him in sumptuous apparel; the one having a Hawk upon his fist, the other uncoupling his Spaniels.  
Favorinus lays his hand upon the pummil, and vaults up into the saddle with such a grace & clean activity, sitting his Horse (whilst he curveted) in such a comely posture, as if Horse and Man had been but one body.  
Bisalta by this time was come down to the place, which he must needs pass by, and so by her; who (when he came near unto her) as if she had dopd and curchied so much unto him, that he could not do otherwise, bestowed this regardless language upon her:  
Widow, if my Game lead me this way again, I will make bold to call for a Cup of Drink.  
Joy spread its colours in her face, she makes more than ordinary obeisance, and assures him more than ordinarily, that he should be welcome.  
He slighting her extraordinarily, turns away from her, and calls upon his Men to come away.  
She calls upon one of them to stay a little, and tell her, who his Master was?  
The Page (with his Hat upon his head, as if he had been good enough for her) answered the Lady, that his Master's Name was Favorinus, Son to Favorinus, Knight of such an Order, and Brother to Fortunata, Wife to the Lord Corderius; and so made haste after his Master without any more expostulation.  
She took sudden leave of her Neighbours, and presently returns to her own house, and within her self, and there begins to commune with her own thoughts, what it might be, that was the cause of his so great dislike in her? she presently ran to her glass, (fearing that her face might be smutted, or that that dress might not be so pleasing, or that her head was not well dressed; she calls up her Maid, commanding her to bring her such a Head-dresse, to dress her head so and so, to bring her such and such Garments for her wearing; every hair of her head is set in print, and she makes twenty faces in the glass one after another forty times over that she might see which of them was most becoming; one she found out which pleased her better than all the rest, and that she was resolved to keep till he came back; then she was afraid he would not come back at all; then she sends her Servants one this way, another that way, some to hearken if they could hear the cry of any Hounds, or quest of Spaniels; others whether they could hear any Hawks bells, or luring after the Hawk; her Maids she employs in pulling the cover off of the stools and chairs, the cases off the Couch and Hand-irons, some in rubbing the boards with sweet and green herbs, othersome in fetching down the best Cubberd and Tablecloths: the Woman was stark wild for the Man: at last she sits herself down, and thinks with herself what a gallant Man he was, a Knight's Son, a Lords Brother-in-law, a Lord that is most in favour with the Prince; Fortunata's Brother, (who is cried up for such a beauty) and she waranted herself that he was a Man of some great power and estate by his retinue, Oh that this Man would come (thought she) and like me! I would not have such a slur put upon me to be misliked for the world, this was the first man that e'er misliked me since I was worth the having, and this shall be the first Man that shall have me if he likes me.  
She had no sooner set her mind and house in order, but one comes (running in) and tells her, The Gentleman is at the door, but will not light.  
She runs out as fast, and prays him, that he would be pleased to alight from off his Horse, and rest himself awhile, he should be very welcome.  
Favorinus tells her, he cares not and if he doth: alights off his Horse, ne'er salutes her; walks in by her, gives her never a word: by that time he was come into the Parlour, he perceives both House and Housewife trimmed up to bid him welcome; he calls for a Glass of her cooler Wine.  
She entreats him to sit down, and seats herself over against him, to her best advantage, and the lights shaddowing.  
Favorinus perceiving all, and looking a long time very steadfastly upon her, at last he told her, that now he had looked more warily upon her physiogmony, she was an indifferent handsome Woman, but wished her, not to be too proud, for that was all: even handsome enough to make a Wife, and that was all that could be said of her.  
She (more glad of that under - word from him, than of all the Hyperboles that had been given her by his Betters, said, desiring to improve his good opinion of her, by taking that as a courtesy from him which would have been an injury from another) gives him this answer, You are pleased to attribute a perfection to me above my merit; for, that is the highest degree of natural endowments, if there be sufficiency thereof inherent in any Woman to prefer her to that state and condition, with what greater privilege can Nature adorn her chiefest Favourites, than with capacity to attain to that which is the end of their Creation; but, as I like you in that you have not trod in the beaten-road of common Flatterers, so I must tell you, you have trod beside the path which leads to verity; for, I fall short of those demerits which you speak of, witness your own judgement.  
Favorinus looks into the Garden, and asks her, if that Window were not a Door that opened into those Walks?  
Bisalta said, Yes: and opened it immediately, which gave them both leave (a breast) to change the closer for the open air.  
Favorinus measuring the Gravel-walke with his paces awhile, at last he makes a stand, and with his Cane in his hand makes a Circle upon the ground, enclosing himself as a tittle in that round [☉] where he thus speaks unto his Widow, Madam, thus it is in short, now I am to be had; but if ever I step one step out of this Circle, if there were no more Men in the world, no Woman alive should have me.  
And as he was going to step out of the round, she bids him, Hold; ask him, Sir, shall I not speak in vain? will you not refuse yourself my Husband, if I should now say, I am your Wife?  
Favorinus engages his Honour, that she should not, if without any delays she gave her full consent, and took him whilst he was in the humour.  
Then (said Bisalta) Sir, I am yours, and all my Fortunes as much at your disposal as myself.  
Agreed (said Favorinus.)  
And pulled her within the line of Communication, where they plighted their Troths to one another, calling their Servants to stand by as Witnesses, and the Gods to sit in presence; where we must leave them for a while, to trace the Successes of Bertaldo and Berontus in their Adventures.   

CHAP. XIX.  
Bertaldo arrives at Spain. He is entertained by the Duke of Medina Caeli. His Valorous behaviour in the Battle against the Moors: the Duke acknowledges Periissa to be his Daughter, and bestows her upon Bertaldo. He heads the Alpian Bandits, and helps Berontus to overthrow the remainder of the Goths. Amarissa found to be the Sister of Bertaldo.  
AS to the first, Bertaldo had no sooner arrived at Porto Sancta Maria, and acquired convenience for his comportment to Cogolludo, the Duke of Medina Coeli his Mansion house, in the Kingdom of Toledo, but he could hear how that all Spain was up in Arms; and then upon the general design of Expulsing the Moors. It rejoiced Bertaldo exceedingly, that occasion was given him, of meriting the acquaintance of that truth, the invention whereof was his sole employment. Wherefore, without any other expostulations with him (for the present) he tells him who he was, and that he came to offer his Service in this Expedition: and withal, let him not be ignorant how it had been his Trade: And (as modestly as he could) told him, with what Successes his good Fortune had been Crowned in former Victories against that Nation.  
Coeli makes it known unto him how much he acknowledged himself Honoured with that tendure; and although the Ancient Family of the Cerda's acknowledged him to be the Chief, and his Blood no less Royal, than the Potent Kings of Castille have acknowledged his descent; yet he must submit to him that writ himself Newphew to the Emperor of the World; and that he should not only Command him, but bespeak his own Commands.  
I here intent no description of Battles, or to speak, [COMME UN CLERC DES ARMES] it shall suffice, that Bertaldo had such a Command as deserved his Conduct, and fitted his mind; wherewith he behaved himself so Gallantly (in that Bloody and last day of Battle, that ever was fought between the daring Spaniards, and the most Barbarous and Bloody Moors) that he not only got immortal Honour (especially in that day's Service) to the amazement of those Gallant souls, (I mean the Spaniards) who are never sparing in giving Worth (the just reward of praises) in what Countryman soever the desert is found, and as wary in putting Palms into their own natives Hands where they are claimed, but with the least doubt of merit) having once rescued their King from eminent danger, twice thrust his Lance through the main body of the Tawny Monster; and at last, when Coeli's Son had lost his life in the Cause, and by his death had gained his Friends the Victory. Bertaldo would not suffer the sacrifice to be of none effect; but gave the Moors (quickly) to understand, that his Blood was Poison to their hopes, Gaul and Vinegar to their Thirst; and every drop, Periods to their Successes.  
Thus Spain formerly lost by Lust, and entered by these Moors, in at the sides of a lascivious ravisher, was Reinstated by means of a chaste Virgin.  
Bertaldo having acted his part so well, Coeli was not backward to Honour him with the highest respects that could be imagined, among the rest he expressed upon occasion a great deal of willingness to serve his merits.  
Bertaldo replied, That it lay in his power to do him that Courtesy, that would be the most acceptable favour of any thing that lay in his power to grant, or his, to ask.  
Coeli asked him what it was, and told him it should be granted?  
I ask you nothing (said Bertaldo) but that you would give me truth.  
Coeli bid him only ask and have, find and take.  
Then I ask you upon your Honour: Had you not a Daughter who was called Periissa, marked with the Sun and Moon upon her Arm? Have you not put this Daughter from you? was she not carried into a strange Country? and will you not recall her back again? or how long do you intent she shall be forsaken?  
Coeli admires the perspicuity of that Mystery, and tells him, That for truth sake he would not dececeive him, and for his promise sake he would not utterly relinquish her; telling him moreover, he did it but to humble the Mother that bore her, and to lead his Child through adversity, that she might attain to that perfection of humility, of which he hoped by this time she was mistress of: assuring him, that though she seemed to be out of his sight, and he might seem to hide his face from her, yet his providence was never wanting in the supply of such necessaries as were expedient for her, though she knew not whence they came, and that now the time was come for her recallment; her only Brother being dead, and she all the Children he had living.  
But Bertaldo (said the Duke) how came you to understand all this?  
Only by hearing, seeing, and believing (said Bertaldo) by harkening to Adminda's voice; by seeing the Signs and Wonders upon her Arms, and by believing both.  
Coeli asked him, Have you not brought a Petition with you, as well as a Narration?  
Bertaldo said I have, and it is soon said. I desire your Daughter.  
Coeli replied, and it is as soon granted: She is yours, and all that Coeli has to give; but you must have her upon this one condition.  
I will perform it what ever it be, if it be possible (said Bertaldo.)  
To which Coeli made no other reply but this: Thus possible it is, you must lose no time in the accomplishment of your own desires.  
That I may not (said Bertaldo) I take my leave to be obedient to your Commands: so departed: and finding that Prince of the Air to blow contrary winds in the full face of his design, he feared it would be construed negligence to attend that favour: wherefore he crossed the Perenean and Alpian Mountains to overcome a difficulty, and the better to cross that Mediterranean, that denied him passage all along; where behold this faithful diligence made him fortunate in an exploit beyond his expectation; for, Berontus having arrived at Rome, about the time that the fatal hour of the Goths destruction was drawing on, being entertained under the Emperor Honorius, and having conditions answering his dignity, he happened to be an instrument whereunto the glory of that day owned its chief acknowledgement; so that the Emperialists having twice beaten the Goths in two several Combats; at last, the Eagle with her large-spread-wings made these Tramantanean birds fall upon the Italian earth, and lie full low at the feet of her own Alps; Alarick perceiving himself thrice worsted, and at last necessitated to seek unto the straits mouths to be received into their protections; the Alpian Bandites (together with all the Inhabitants of the White Region, and Travellers in that Galaxy or Milky-way of Heaven-treaders under their feet, those cloud-over-topping, sky-threatning, and heaven-aspiring parcels of earth) hearing of this news, (like so many black Ravens, Kites, and Crows, assembled themselves in expectation of the fall of some sick and dying beast) were thus prepared to watch their opportunities, how they might make a prey of the remainder of this bleeding Army; but their Tumults wanted policy and good conduct, which could not be wanting assoon as Bertaldo was come amongst them; who hearing the news, offered his service. They knowing the Man, were more glad than willing to be commanded by him: he disposes of them in such a manner, as they proved such a Remora to the Ship of their proceedings, that it was soon overtaken by the pursuing Enemy, who being vaned and reared with Enemies alike, flankt on both sides with invincible Rocks and Mountains, they were all there slain, taken Prisoners, and made a prey to those, who were not enough to reap the benefit of so great a harvest.  
Berontus wondered who it should be, that should stop so fierce a torrent, and give battle to despair. Bertaldo wondered who it should be that should fall on with such a main: and who should these two be, but the two devoted Servants to true Piety and Virtue, able at any time to conquer more than Men, and to be more than Conquerors.  
They saluted one another, having time enough upon their march between that and Rome, to recite all their several passages to one another, who were both confident, that their endeavours derived their successes from the prayers of Innocents'.  
Both of them resolving upon the way to beg that boon of the Emperor, upon their first arrival, to know of Honorius how Amarissa was his Niece, and Bertaldo's Sister? but their thoughts were more resolved than their resolution was requisite; for, the whole business concerning Amarissa was generally known amongst the Romans, before Berontus his return to Rome: and thus it came about. Flaccus, Brother to the Emperor Honorius, had a pretty Daughter who was bewitched, being a Child at Nurse, into extreme deformity, who fearing the perpetuity of that Enchantment (which was but for a time) he forthwith made his Brother the Emperor acquainted with the disaster; who unwilling that such an ey-sore should be visible upon so unblemished a race of humane kind, as he supposed his own to be, advised his Brother to send her away into some foreign Country, and to give such a sum of Money with her, as some selected one for the same purpose would be glad of; who thereby might think themselves sufficiently engaged, as well for secrecy, as maintenance. Accordingly Flaccus found out a fit instrument to work upon, one Galeas, a needy Seaman, belonging to Cheru a poor fishing-towne upon the coasts of Africa, within six leagues of Carthage, where Amarissa was fostered up under the wel-enabled and vigilant care of Galeas Wife seven years; at the end of which term, the Spell having lost its virtue, Amarissa came to her former feature, and her Princely countenance received its proper lineaments of majesty, which together with the pregnant wit wherewith she was more than liberally endowed by the gifts of nature, so wrought upon her Nurse, that she was more tender of her than of any of her own Children; so tender that she never revealed that secret unto her, as her being not her own: and riper years making her more capable of further knowledge, and enabling her with more cunning to get out more, her Nurse at last confessed unto her, that she was some great Man's Child, but she could not tell her whose, in regard that her Husband was cast away at sea, before she had got the rest out of him, withal showing her the Mantle wherein she was delivered unto her Husband; whose no less antiquity than richness with its curious wrought (yet worn out) Ensigns of majesty, spoke it a cast Ornament out of some Prince's Wardrobe; this was all the Card, wherein she could possibly read her Pedegraee, this was all the Records whereby she could come to the knowledge of her Ancestors: the dry Nurse had nothing more to say, but that she knew no more, and wished she could do her any service, whereby she might attain to the knowledge of her own Parents.  
Amarissa climbing up apace to the years of discretion, this tender Sapling at the first bearing, yielded these fruits of Policy, grafted upon the stock of her own invention; For, (said she) unto her Nurse-Mother (for so she always called her) I have heard you often say, that your Husband had received me at the hands of a Roman Matron; more than that, either he could not say, or would not tell you; it will not avail us (now) to be inquisitive after that matter, since he is dead who only could decide the business; but this I would fain supplicate to your indulgent care and love that's always exercised in my behalf a Cross the Seas, go to Rome, carry the Mantle with you, and see who will own it, know whose Arms they be, what the signification of those Hieroglyphics are: and when you have informed yourself as much as you can, or can thereby come to the knowledge of whose it was, tell them how that Mantle wrapped a little Child that was enchanted by some Sorcery or Magic Spell, whose craft has now lest working the Castaway is Fourteen years of age, and hath her growth, limbs, and lineaments, with features which they may behold without regret, if they would be pleased to own their Child.  
Gans●la (for so the Nurse was called) was mervailously taken with the Exploit, infinitely commending her wisdom and advice, but commends her most of all by putting it in execution: Beyond-sea she goes, she and her Mantle; to Rome she comes, up and down the street she trapes, showing it to this body and to that; at last she was taken upon suspicion of Felony, clapped up in Prison, brought to her Trial, where Flaccus himself sitting upon the Bench, heard her relate (in her own defence) all the particulars as is before expressed, stands her Friend, and stickles so much in her behalf, that her Tale was credited; but he would not own the Mantle, which he caused to be taken from her, nor the Child he would not send for; so great a power has shame over delinquency, rather (against the bonds of nature) to run into a twofold Error, than acknowledge one: yet nature wrought this effect in him, he sends for the Woman privately, and communes with her, at a distance, concerning Amarissa; satisfies himself fully in the business, commends her for her good will and care, rewards her highly, tells her nothing, but advises her to counsel her foster-Child to be contented with her condition until such time as opportunity should serve, and sit season give her information whose she was: For his own part he was a Friend, that would not let her want so long as she could be silent, sending her such a sum of money as he cared not who took notice of; but withal, enclosing within a Cabinet sealed up, and boarded about, wherein was enclosed jewels of inestimable value, with this Letter in it:  
AMarissa,  
you must not know from whence this comes, nor who it is that sends it you; upon this Condition you shall never be without continual supplies: want not Patience, and you shall never want; be obedient to Necessity for a while, and Contentment shall crown your desires hereafter with the knowledge of what you are, and who it is that writes so like  
A Friend  
This Letter was thus superscribed, For the forlorn, yet acceptable AMARISSA.  
With these Instructions and satisfactions Ganzala returned to Africa, delivers Amarissa her mind together with the Money she was entrusted with, who thought she had delivered all, together with the Cabinet, which she took to be no more than an ordinary Box; which when Amarissa had opened (all alone) having observed that policy stamped upon the Seals, she found no less treasure (of inestimable value) in the Cabinet, than a Cabinet in the Letter, beyond all estimation both for secrecy and counsel, whose private boxes she was not able to find out. Thus far satisfied (as it was enough at once) she rests contented, rather pleasing herself with present hopes of future revelation (in its due time) then tormenting herself with preposterous scrutiny into the seldome-solid grounds of anticipation, she went as far as reason would give her leave, and commands what common sense witnesseth to be within her power, she gave herself what Education money would purchase, and wore as good clothes as price could reach, when both had made her a Companion for the best, she thought herself beholding to those for her acceptance who were beneath her equals, by valuing others Jewels she came to know the price of her own, at last (having more than ordinary parts) there was more than ordinary notice taken of her perfection, insomuch, that she was presented (as a special rarity) to the old Princess, who dying, Prince Lorenzo entertained as the greatest beauty, till Honoria her over matching and comely feature let him know, that there was a beauty surpassing that, which could not be excelled but by her own flesh and blood, where having brought her off and on Lorenzo's love, in and out of Bertaldo's arms, we will make her amends in making haste to place her in Berontus' bosom, and agree all Parties, after that we have brought Bertaldo and Berontus home from Rome.  
After three years' time had made Honorius' condition no less desperate than his whole Empire shaken by that terrible invasion of the Goths, it fortuned that Flaccus (having received his deaths-wound & in the Enemy's custody) desired the privilege of his barbarous Enemy, that he might be permitted to write a Letter to his Brother the Emperor? which being granted unto him, his dying-hand set pen to paper that writ this Letter to Honorius:  
Brother,  
I Acknowledge a judgement of non-prosperity befallen me, ever since I took● your counsel of abandoning my own Child in her affliction, whom I should have rather cherished than forsaken, and now punishment hath overtaken my offence, I fear me the like hath befallen you for your advising me thereunto, I doubt it will never be happy days with you, until you have rectified this Error. Amarissa she's well, she lives in Cheru, within six leagues of Carthage, the Woman's name is Ganzala with whom she lives, the Mantle wherein I sent her away is in my house; the Lord Chief Justice of the Bench will relate unto you the whole story when you show him the Mantle, tell him of the African Woman that was questioned before him for a Felon, and show him my Letter: I can write no more, but find myself disposed more and more to bid you farewell,  
FLACCUS.  
Flaccus dying almost with the pen in his hand, the Gothish King perceiving the contents of the Letter, and nothing desirous to contribute the least assistance to the removal of any judgements from over his head, whose destruction was his design, concealed the Letter: such fall short are men incident to meet withal, who procrastinate their amendments, and leave their good Deeds to be performed by their Executors.  
But Berontus, Amynda's Favourite, Fortune's Minion, Fortitudes Pillar, and Heir to Justice, must bring all these things to light; for, in the first Battle that ever he struck with the Emperor against the Goths, he seized the Gothish King's Pavilion, wherein amongst other Papers, after that Berontus had received Orders to prosecute the Goths, the Emperor (at leisure) found this Letter, sent for the Justice, showed him the Letter, viewed the Mantle, wherein were scarce (distinctly) perceived the Emperor's Arms, the black-spread-Eagle, who had lost its colour, very little of whose body could be perceived, only the head and part of both the wings might be discerned, the border round about it quite worn out, only the titulary Letters were plain and legible: In a word, by that time Bertaldo and Berontus were returned to Rome, being received as triumphantly by the Emperor, as joyfully by the People, they were entertained with revelations, for all things were made ready to their hands, there needed but little examinations where confessions were so plain, records so evident, and witnesses so palpable in their demonstrations: but to make haste to Carthage.   

CHAP. XX.  
Bertaldo and Berontus return to Carthage with joyful Tidings. Bertaldo is Married to Periissa. Berontus to Amarissa. Favorinus to Bisalta. Hortensius to Pippea. Prickette to Rivana. Lorenzo and Honoria, Corderius and Fortunata, Thoron and Armena Solemnize the Wedding.  
BErtaldo and Berontus, the one having received many Favours from his Royal Uncle; the other Acknowledgements that he was his Nephew, like two scales equally poised by the hand of Justice, (one filled with Weight, the other with Value) both return to Carthage, where we imagine them unloading themselves (of the glad Tidings that were such Burdens to them) till they had thrown them off their retentive faculty into their Mistress' ears.  
Have you seen, or can you imagine, how an Usurer welcomes full Bags of Gold (in their telling) when they are paid unto him (with all their interest) out of some desperate Debt? So satisfied were the expectations of these Votaries, with the Relation that they made, and the good Account that they had given them in every particular.  
Never before this time were all the Blockers knocked out of the way for the well-delivered Bowl (fairly) to take its course, Court and Kiss its Mislresse, sent from the never-erring hand of Providence.  
Bertaldo takes Periissa by the Hand, and thus speaks unto her: Periissa, the Blessing of Heaven, the Joy of the whole Earth, the Fruit of Paradise, nature's Excellency; the Ornament of Humility, the Mirror of Chastity, the Ne plus ultra, to the degrees of Love; whose Merit is above my Recompense! constancy denies an imitation, whose value hath no Price! whose self so good, that Flatteries can neither hurt, nor Hyperboles reach! How happy am I in answering thy so well - contrived affections with a complete furniture for so fair a room! here let me take a Chamber for eternity, and let no time out me from possession of this Happiness!  
Periissa answers this Speech with admiration, and looks answers before she speaks; at last she finds the door of utterance.  
Bertaldo (said Periissa) how happy hath my supposed unworthiness made this equality between us! how great a friend hath my despair been to this our Union! None can rejoice at the comfortableness of Fire, but he that comes out of the Cold; none can be glad of Meat, but he that is a Hungry; and none can slack his Thirst, but he that was a-dry: Colours cannot be better commended than by their contraries; nor Miracles more taken notice of, than by impossibilities. Wherefore the wise Creator in manifesting his omnipotence, raised a glorious Light from Darkness; drew Method from Confusion; Order from the Chaos: and at last, composed a Firmament of the weakest of all elements. Such a pattern hath Bertaldo followed; now he hath raised his Periissa from such weak hopes, to so firm a confidence, whilst she was in so dark a condition, to shine with so bright a Lustre in his Eyes; and through impossibilities to cut out, and plain away for my accession to this Throne: Wherefore, ever let my chiefest care to please you be my Crown; and all my Passions, my Subjects.  
Whilst Bertaldo and Periissa were courting one another, and both congratulating their good Fortune; smiling upon the Stars that showered down their choicest influence upon their Heads: Berontus and Amarissa thus all the while bestowed themselves in their behaviour and language. Berontus took his Amarissa by the hand, whose sprightly behaviour answered the tacture, with like affection, as when good conceits meet with quaintest wits; whereby it becomes a hard matter to discern whether of both are better pleased, the giver, or receiver. Both these make one pastime, these both one happiness, and thus he speaks unto her:  
Amarissa, the main engine from whom the wheel of Fortune borrows its motion; the Ball whom Envy tosses above its own head by spurning at it; the Vine that gives itself its education, and can exhale nourishment out of its own body without the usual, and outward bark of Parents: how pleasing are the remembrances of those things which were so hard to suffer? how contentful are the achievements which break their way through difficulties? was ever Love unfettered so as mine hath been? were ever Hearts unchained as ours? was there ever so fast a Knot untied before? did ever any Act pass so far beyond all hope?  
Amarissa, there is a Joy that may be expressed, there is a Joyfulness that can hardly be uttered; but the gladness that affects me in having you, hath no Language: wherefore all must now lie at the mercy of your belief; believe but half of that that is, and your belief surpasses all imagination. To which Amarissa replied,  
Berontus, in answer to your Metaphors and Compellations, I could call you Heir to Justice; Amynda's Favourite, Fortitudes right Hand, Fortune's Minion, the People's Darling: But I conceive more felicity in saying, My Berontus, which includes all that can be said: And for your doubt of my belief, Alas! I have an Inmate in my breast, that leads my Faith by the hand, like a Child, and shows me all the secrets of your Heart: No Berontus, thou hast met with room enough to hoard up all thy store of Merit, if thou thinkest the place worthy of it.  
Whilst Bertaldo and Periissa, Berontus and Amarissa were geminating Hearts and Souls, Hortensius and Pippea standing at a distance, ape one another into their similitude and likeness; Hortensius takes Pippea by the Hand, who receives his Courtesy with such a kind of Laughter, as Country Lasses cannot choose but make when they first ride in Chariots, which hath not its proceedence from ridiculousness, but from a mixture of joy and bashfulness, to see themselves so highly graced above their merits, and thus he spoke unto her:  
Pippea, Why may there not be as much sincerity and affection expressed by sticking a Cowslip or a Gillyflower within thy breast, as there can be either in the choicest Tulip, or the most fragrant Rose? as they are not altogether so beautiful and delightful to some of the senses, so they offend none; whereas the high-prized Tulip has no savour, and the sweet Rose grows upon such Prickles as oftentimes offends the touch, often causing the same fingers to bleed soarly that plucked them from their stalks.  
Why talks my Hortensius thus to me? (said Pippea) there are Ladyesgloves, Silver-haire, and Marigolds Common-fields, which are not in Lady's gardens; let them plume the corners of their beds with gilded-feathers, whilst we border ours with daisies and everlasting.  
Whilst these three pair of Lovers were courting one another, Lorenzo and Honoria could not use any language for harkening to what they had said, nor other behaviour for observing theirs: both were exceeding glad to see the corn so fluster upon the ground that was sowed by their hands, and come to such maturity as required their sickle to be thrust into their harvest, that should cut down the loose ears that were open to further discourse, that they might be bound up in the band of unity: wherefore Lorenzo and Honoria appoint the time of Marriage, and that, no longer than the day that followed; they send for the Heralds, and asked their advice about the manner of the solemnity, charging them, that it might be performed with the greatest state and magnificence that lay within the power of art and cost to set it forth.  
The Heralds answered, that all things were in a readiness, that preparation itself could set in order; but there was one thing requisite, which if it could be effected, nothing could more conduce to make it solemn, viz: that these solemnities might have their shadows, and these pairs their seconds; which (they said) might be easily done if they intended Marriages between Favorinus and Bisalta, Hortensius and Pippea might have such accelerations as they might all meet in parallels upon the same day.  
The proposition pleased the Princes well, and the Ladies most of all; it was so ordered by Lorenzo, whose commands plained all difficulties, and cut off all delays: The Parties were sent for; sent for, came; no sooner there, but all agreed: Corderius made a motion to all the Company, that to his knowledge there were a Couple to be Married, and the time appointed was but the day after the morrow whereon these solemnities were to be performed, he saw no reason but that they should take them also into the number that the Temple might be full: They all consented, and were earnest to know who they were? and being told them, who should it be, but poor Prickette and Rivana; joy, and mirth, and willingness, were expressed all at once for his reception: A Herald at Arms was sent to Prickette to summon him to the Wedding, and to command him to be ready on the morrow with his Sweetheart, to be Married with the rest.  
The Heralds having ended their debatements concerning the particular Ceremonies, it was concluded, that Bertaldo and Berontus should have Banners carried before them, wherein were curiously represented all the famous deeds of Chivalry that had been performed by those Heroes, when they most quenched their thirsting after fame, and so they were to make a most solemn procession up to the Temple of Virtue; and through it, to the Temple of Honour; where such unions were to be made as divided themselves into halves to be wholly one another's: But, as for Favorinus and Bisalta, Hortensius and Pippea, whose utmost merits aimed at no higher perfection than morality, their ascendent was to be no higher than to the Temple of Virtue, and there to consummate their Vows, where the total sum of all their merits would not arise in their particulars to any terms of Honour: But, Prickette and Rivana they were to go no farther than to the porch of the Temple, there to content themselves with compatible solemnities.  
This Conclusion, was no small occasion of much distraction; for, Bisalta (a Woman of a high spirit) was not a little displeased that she should wed herself to a Man of no achievements, and to one that could not lead her up the steps of Honour, so that at last she began to swell bigger with scorn than when he scorned her first: and thus she openly expressed her discontents before all the Company, Must I bestow myself, and smile a fortune upon a Man that can answer my deserts with no higher advance to than set me down at Virtue's feet? whose Temple as it is a thoroughfare to Honours, I like full-well; but as it is a confine, I like the Seat no more than if he had sat me upon the Stool of sad Repentance. I thought (when I saw him first (active as lightning) get up upon his flying Horse) he had been able to have plucked bright Honour from the pale-faced Moon; but now, I see, that Hares and Partridges, were the Trophies of his greatest Victories: she could be no more contented with that beggarly glory, than Eagles could make it their repast to catch at Flies.  
Nor was this all, for Pippea takes her Sweetheart Hortensius aside, and tells him, Hortensius, thou art an honest man, but that is all: what a fine thing it would have been if thou hadst done some famous act whereby we two might have been Married in the Temple of Honour with Bertaldo and Periissa, Berontus and Amarissa? I love thee well already, but if thou hadst been a martial Man, Oh how happy should I have been!  
Why (said Hortensius) what is that to love? why should Women be so much in love with bloody hands?  
Oh (said Pippea) they are not bloody except they be stained with unlawful blood! he that knows how to conquer Men, knows how to defend a Woman's honour: who would Marry a Milk- sop? Hortensius, canst thou not do one gallant exploit or other, and let Marrying alone for awhile? I would fain be Married in the Temple of Honour, I will promise thee that I will love thee twice as much, and do any thing for thee that thou wilt have me do.  
Hortensius (put off and on two such businesses as neither liked him) was not a little troubled: yet he was contented enough to make a virtue of necessity, and climb to Honour through that ascent, but he wanted an opportunity, which was presently offered him, for behold, Whilst these affairs were in agitation, there came a hot and stinging alarm to the Court, that young Towolin, Emperor of the Abyssines, had invaded the Dominion, and entered far into the Country with a mighty Army, in pursuance of his Father's Quarrel; this sudden news locked up the Temple gates, and took their resolutions off the hinges: for, neither of those two Worthies thought it gallantry to creep to happiness between a pair of sheets, whilst the Enemy had colours flying in the field that invited them to honour and safety: and Periissa perceiving how Planet-strucken Favorinus and Hortensius were through want of merit, (to answer the expectations of their envious Mistresses) she encourages them to resolutions that should wrest the wreath of Bays out of the hand of fame, and with as much ease as if she had been a Child had held it in her hand. Favorinus and Hortensius, fired with hope, and filled with confidence, knowing, that a better School Mistress could not direct them in that discipline, were resolved to follow her instructions whatsoever they were, verily believing, that nothing could be found impossible or difficult that she called easy; wherefore they desired her to lay her commands upon them, and to acquaint them with the design, and she should see that the fault should not lie in them, but (if any were) in her who was never faulty. She declares it to them, (which we will forbear to express till the act shows) they like it well, all was in a readiness; the Army is drawn out and face each other: who but Favorinus, and Hortensius! all the common Soldiers, and inferior Officers, admire to see them sent to; and running in and out so often to and from the Council of War; some jearingly asked one another, If Favorinus had e'er a Hawk to fly? Others said, If there were but a Hare in his way, how bravely would he charge the Enemy, with a cry of Dogs? Others jeered Hortensius, and asked, What have we to do with this Gardener here? what? is he sent for to the Council of War? Others answering, that sure he was sent for to line the hedges: Others saying, If all yonder Regiments were but so many private Bushes, how bravely would he top their heads with his Garden shears! Thus idle Courtiers, and upstart Favourites, must be contented to be jeered when they are out of their clement, the courted, till they have made themselves famous by some exploits, and then they stop the mouths of their Adversaries.  
But to the business itself, Favorinus and Hortensius, according to Periissa her directions, black their hands and faces with an unguent which she had given them, and so under a twofold darkness of night and hue, repair to the Enemy's Camp, and never left moving from place to place until they came to the Emperor's Tent; where watching their opportunity (when the Emperor was least attended) they entered the Pavilion, where Favorinus, slays the Emperor; and Hortensius, the Standard-bearer; together with the Emperor's Page; which were all the heads, that the Tent ore-covered at that instant: the chief whereof Favorinus cuts from the body, and Hortensius takes the Standard in his hand, as Favorinus did the head, wherewith they both mounted on Horseback, exhorting the Soldiers to stand to their Arms, crying out, the Enemy is upon us! the Officers and Soldiers (taking them to be some of the chief Commanders, but could not inform themselves in the dark, they standing not still to give information) take the alarm: Trumpets sound to Horse, the Drums beat. Lorenzo, by this disorder, knew that the work was done; and (according as they had laid the design) fell upon the Moors; who running to their Emperor to receive Orders, found him without a head; by reason of which confusion, the Carthaginians soon devoured that headless Monster, as if so many hounds had seized upon a newfallen stag: thus was that great Army soon dissolved by the two constant Followers of Periissa her direction; who returning from the Wars, Favorinus being poetical given, strains his Genius that way to frame these Verses in honour of his Directress:  

The floating ship, is governed by the card;  
The Architect, must have his square at hand;  
The glittering buckler, doth the Soldier ward,  
(Although assaulted by a mighty band)  
Whilst breathing I remain, Periissa, she  
A Card, Square, Buckler, and a Shield shall be.   

A card, which me directs, to heaven's coast;  
A square, to govern all my actions by;  
A buckler, to defend me from an host:  
Then shall I Devil, world, and flesh, defy:  
And though to them (at first) I seem to pray,  
Yet doubt I not, but I shall win the day.   
Now the Marrriages run on wheels, and the complete Armour must give way to wedding Garments; Gauntlets must be thrown aside to put on wedding Gloves, and plumes of feathers bend whilst headpieces do vail to bonnets stuck with bridal-favors. Now all must into the Temple of Honour; Favorinus must have the black head of the dark Emperor, carried before him: Hortensius the Standard that he took; all was air, and light, and fire, and suns, and moons, and stars: only Prickette and Rivana they were dull, and earth, and heavy; having no merit to lay claim to Virtue or Honour, they were (likely) to lose their shares in the glory of the day.  
Wherefore, Rivana told her Sweetheart (plainly) that She would not be Married in a Portch, she saw no reason but that he was as good a Man as Hortensius, and if he was not, it was his own fault, he might have been if he would: why did he not go into the Wars, and do as he did? for her part, she hated a Man that was good for nothing: and if he would needs Marry in a Portch let him get one that would, for she would not be made a laughingstock for the best of them all. Oh that she were a Man she would have been Married in the Temple of Honour, or else she would have been wedded to her grave!  
This Speech made Prickette soarly lament and repent that he had been so negligent in laying hold of opportunities (when they were offered him) to have done some glorious act whereby he might be famous.  
He considers with himself, and repairs unto the Herald, and lays before him the misery of his condition, offering him a large sum of money, if he could find out some way, or plead his case so, that he might be Married in the Temple of Honour, or else he was sure to lose his Mistress for ever.  
The Herald told him, that there was no way except he could fight a Duel with some known Worthy, and so come off with honour, and in such a case he had a private conveyance where he could show him how he might convey his Mistress into the Temple, and there when he was once got in, it was the manner of the place, that none should be excluded; and he would plead the privilege of the Temple in his behalf if need required.  
Prickette did not like the Proposition very well, yet that was all he could get of the Herald: away he goes, telling him, that he would see what he could do, resolving to be quarrelsome with any living soul that should give him (but) the least occasion; for, he was resolved not to endure that life whatsoever came of it: up and down he goes seeking occasion, where at last under the walls of Carthage he lights into a grot, where one Hamon (a notable Kill-cow and noted Dueller, and one who had formerly put an affront upon him) was drinking and making merry with some others of his Companions: Prickette comes in, and tells them, he was disposed to be merry.  
The Company answered him, that they were disposed to bid him welcome.  
But Hamon looked something surly upon Prickette, and he upon Hamon.  
At last when wine had begun to ripen both their humours, Prickette begins to vapour.  
Hamon tells him, that lesser sail would serve his vessel.  
Prickette answered him, That if that displeased him he would set up more, and yet not over-set, for any big wind his words could make.  
Hamon perceiving him to grow so fast upon him, asked him, if he remembered such a time, when he put such an Affront upon him?  
Prickette told him, That he remembed it very well, and therefore he took this opportunity to question him for it.  
Hamon told him, he took a very ill time to question him, when it was Night; and that he doubted he would not be so valiant in the Morning.  
Prickette told him, That if he thought so, he would fight with him presently, it was as dark for the one as tother, happy man be his Dole. But the Company would not suffer them: and Prickette found many friends, because he was a Courtier, and one that might be made some use of; wherefore Prickette pretended a willingness to be reconciled, that he might enjoy his opportunity to whisper Hamon in his Ear; who had his desire, and privately challenged Hamon to come out, and fight with him; telling him, That he would take an occasion to go out, as if he meant to turn his face to the Wall, and then he should come after him, and they would have a Crash. Hamon consented to it, out goes Prickette, and climbs up to the top of a Rock, whereon the foundation of the City-wall was laid; after him comes Hamon (no man suspecting any such matter) and draws his Sword, and asks Where art thou? Now Prickette had him between him and the light, so that he could easily discern him; but Hamon (newly come out of the light, and having it behind him) could not see before him: So that he still cried, Where art thou? Where is this Fellow? Prickette still cried, Here: Why don't you come on? Until such time as he had got him just under him, and then he leaps upon his Neck and Shoulders, and bears him to the ground; puts his Shoulder out of joint, Disarms him; cries aloud, Call for mercy (thou Villain) or I will be the death of thee.  
The Company hearing a noise, all run out with Candles in their hands, and there they find Prickette upon the Giant: They all take him off of him. Hamon cries, O I am soarly bruised, and my Bones are out of joint! Sirrah, had it been in the day thou shouldst never have done this: I protest I saw him not, but he came upon me all of the sudden, I knew not how, nor which way. O my Arm! my Shoulder is out of Jont, my Neck is Bruised, my Head is Broken! Who would have thought there had been so much strength in such a little Urchin!  
Prickette told him, That if he thought the Night had been any disadvantage to him, he should do well to take the advantage of the Day, he would answer him.  
No (said Hamon) I think you have given me enough for all the days of my life.  
All began to admire Prickette, every body thought Prickette a Gallant Man; who but Prickette was cried up for a daring fellow. Prickette repairs to the Herald, brings his witnesses, tells him what he had done: The Herald bids him leave the management of the rest to him, and bring his Rivana along with him, much about the time of the Solemnity, and he would convey them a way where they should not need to go through the Temple of Virtue, but pass through the Prerogative, into the Temple of Honour.  
Now because I will not end my story with relations of Wedding Garments, or suffer my pen to be so near of kin to feathers in a bed as to write their happinesses upon its Sheets, I shall only bring these Worthies into the sacred Temple, and there leave them in a place of glory & honour, into a place that was all light & had no windows, such a light as received its lustre from the flames of hearts and melting souls burning in the fire of love, which were upon & under the Altar, whose Choir was paved with precious Stones, where Diamonds were set in Characters, whereby Letters of Light were so composed that every foot that gave a step made impression upon Eternity. In the midst of which Temple there was a sea of bliss, and Angels moving upon the face of the water, whose oars were wings and boats ubiquities, and every stroke that plashed upon those waters of life gave both life and music: all the Temple was covered over with representations of the Triple Deity (by whom Ovid swore) curiously done in Mosaic work with the bright and shining scales of Fishes taken out of that sea, all three supporting the same Looking-glass with their right hands, wherein were to be seen pleasures, and round about it written the word FOR EVERMORE. Into this glorious Temple the Heralds lead these loving Pairs, and placed them in their several seats of rotten, but now shining wood; upon one side whereof was written Mortality; and upon the other, Corruption upon arms whose hands laid hold upon the seats, as if they were ready to tear them in sunder. After that the high Priest had made an end of offering, and performed the holy Rites, there descended from above a Commission and a Pen which an Angel received and delivered it into the high Priests hands, who presented both to Periissa; which Commission was that that Pen should write, I'm before Mortality, and In before Corruption: so the same power made the same hands as stays to secure their blessed state, which formerly had been the causes of their dissolutions: And thus we end our History with the heavenly Choristers, singing this Anthem:  

THus at last the lost Sheep's found,  
Thus humility is crowned;   

Thus the patience of three  
Hath got a threefold victory;   

Thus pure chastity can say,  
It triumphs in the latter day;   

Thus true fortitude is blest,  
B' assurance of eternal rest;   

Thus stained innocence has right,  
The black falls off, she's all in white;   

He that of merit wants a stock,  
Conquers (thus) climbing up the rock;   

Be ever happy in this pleasure,  
Time hath thrown away his measure.   

Who a good conscience wou'ned keep fast,  
To be rewarded, thus, at last!    
FINIS.