Evagoras, A ROMANCE.  
By L. L. Gent.  
Licenced, Roger L'Estrange. Nou. 28. 1676.  
LONDON, Printed for Rob. Clavel at the Peacock in St. Paul's Churchyard, and Tho. More at the Maidenhead over against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. 1677.   

The Preface, To the several humoured READERS.  
WEre it not more for ornament and fashion-sake than for any thing else, the Devil-a-bit would I have treated you with an Epistle. For if you once damn a thing, an Author must by't his Lips, and take it as patiently as a Quaker will do a Cuff on the Ear. But for those that are modishly complaisant indeed, they will use Evagoras as some do a Dose of Wine extraordinary, vomit him up again with unwholesome Dregs brought from their own stomaches, I gad an English Tailor is better to be endured than an English Author, two such damned unfashionable Tools, that their Needles and Pens ought not to be suffered in a Commonwealth: He hath not that gaiety, briskness, bell humeur which have Messeurs les beaux, Esprits de France; he's even like an honest Woman worn clear out of esteem, whilst your outlandish one is a Town Miss with her grand Tou'r displayed in Curls, her Gold embroidered Bodice, three-quarters threadbare, and her Silk Pettycoat Laced above— the foulding of her upper. Booksellers are grown men of mode too, they scorn any thing of this kind below an Originally in F— in the Title Page, with a Made English: which thing considering, discouraged me before I had half finished this Work, insomuch that I was going to martyr it in Flames, as judging that I was taking a great deal of pains in doing of nothing  
Now for those among us that conceit themselves the only men of Business, Sense, and Reason, I had almost said Wit too, that drudge and turmoil like Kitchen-stuff Wenches for Grease, who think there's no ingenuity like creeping on all four, like an Horse through thick and thin, in great sweat for Provender; every one of those you may be sure are Critics, not that they can give any reason why; nor that they will lose so much time as to read a Romance: but their aim is to brand the Author with folly, for having spent so many Golden Hours (as they'll term them) in vain, however I wish some of them would spend their busy hours a little better than I have done my vacant ones. Others there are too, whom we may justly call the absolute solomon's of the Age, being a little more judicious than the former, they may think I might have made choice of a more Grave Subject to treat upon; which I answer, I would have done, did I not suppose Gravity in youth to be a little inconsistent with nature, therefore what I here writ, as I am young, was to please my youthful Fancy; had I been old then would I in the first place have picked out of the Receipt Book of the family by way of Collection, divers and sundry Receipts to cure sore Eyes, stop Rheums, and prevent coughings in the night, and then I would have endeavoured to invent a new, plain and easy way to walk upon Crutches without shrinking up the Shoulders, to which should be adjoined a Treatise condemning, and reproving the Follies of Youth, and a great many orher things, which wild youth never thinks on, for want of Gravity.  
The ensuing Story, as it is rather ancient than modern, is also more fictitious than real, for I have not tied myself to the humour of any History, but thought it better to use the scope of mine own Fancy. However I may not only in one thing presume to say it is in some measure Modern, but that it hath likewise some resemblance of truth, especially in the Story of Theocles, which is the reason I have been so particular in it, as to relate things which were they not true might seem of little moment; her lying with her Lover when disguised in her Name, Habit, and Sex, I thought not fitting to omit, though it tends not much to the knitting together the Plot; nor her being persuaded when in Company with some men, to bathe with them in a Stream, and her unwillingness to do it, for fear of revealing her Sex: all which and many more are so true, that indeed to deal plainly I had no mind to leave them out: thus with the party's permission, under covert names have I disclosed the Amours of some particular Friends of mine.  
The only reason why I call it ancient, is, because the whole Story is supposed to have happened in the time of the Heathens, when they Worshipped their several Gods; and resorted to Oracles. However let me tell you, you will find in it nothing above the reach of probability, nothing which may seem either to be impossible, or contradictory to sense, or Nature. I declare this, because I would not put you in a fright beforehand. For you may think that I have given you a Brother to Amadis de Gaul, or Knight of the Sun, with some Enchanted Castle, stuffed full of Elves, Fairies, Scarecrows, Hobgoblins, Giants, Imps, and Pigmies. Which had I done, you'd have had two or three fits of the Colic before you could have read the Story half out.   

On EVAGORAS.  
THink not my bashful Muse dares hope to raise  
Your value higher with her Infant Praise;  
Since no judicious Eye need farther look  
For th' Author's Praises, than in the Author's Book.  
But only hopes she may herself commend  
By purchasing the title of your friend:  
And with officious hasty Zeal, does come  
From such a stock of Fame, to borrow some.  
A stouter Mars and fairer Venus here  
Chastely Embrace, no Lemnian Fetters fear.  
Thy Maiden Muse sores not to bombast strains,  
Nor with her flagging Wings does sweep the Plains;  
But in the middle way does even fly,  
Follows the Dedalean Scudery.  
When every Reader must this truth confess,  
To Praise you more would be to make you less.  
As if 'twere needful to defend your Cause,  
Whose only value can command Applause.  
N. Brady.   

To his Worthy and Ingenious Friend the Author of EVAGORAS.  
YOur Book I have perused, and find  
You Mars and Venus have together joined.  
The Sisters Nine agree to your demand;  
Minerva too hath lent her helping hand  
T'increase your Glory, and this Piece Advance  
Unto the title of a famed Romance.  
This cannot fail, already 'tis decreed,  
Nothing but Honour shall your Works succeed.  
Good Language, Wit, rare Fancy, (and what not)  
Concluding these with an excelling Plot.  
But here's inserted, all combined to raise  
To thee a Trophy of-deserved Praise.  
In those endeavours thou art soared so high  
They they severest Critics power defy,  
Grounded on Reason, not on Fantacy:  
And for those carping Momas 'tis their fate  
To envy what they cannot imitate.  
R. R.   

To the Author upon his EVAGORAS.  
HEre Love and Honour with the Muses join on purpose for to make up your design:  
No Critic sure can your Endeavours blast,  
Whose Virgin Laurels do grow green so fast;  
Ne'er fear, though Phoebus should write   
They hardly would yield up to him the Bays.  
You bravely dare the Age, and do requite  
Whatever we do read for, with delight;  
We know not whether Love intrudes upon  
The private Pleasures of  Helicon,  
Or whether th'Sacred Sisters do approve  
Of Joys reciprocal within their Grove;  
Their Maiden-Rules think Innocent-Love no Sin,  
So Venus and the Muses are of Kin,  
They're equally concerned whilst you describe  
Them both so well, beyond the common Tribe  
That venture for to write, we cannot ghuess.  
Whether your Lines more Love or Wit express:  
And do not think your Youth will do you wrong.  
Since that the Great Apollo too was young.  
've done already well, but you think yet  
You fail in the Olympic Games of Wit.  
Should you refrain of Honour's worth to speak,  
Without the which the others seem but weak;  
For Love and Wit too for their Gallants are,  
And must defended be with all the care  
That Heroes ever dare to undertake,  
Putting on Courage for their Lady's sake.  
If we read on then we may easily find  
What fits a Writer's, Lover's, Soldiers, mind;  
For Venus and the Muses nothing do  
Except 've Mars to hector for them too.  
A. J.   

Evagoras, A ROMANCE.  
IN the famous Island of Cyprus, at that time of the day when the bright Charioteer of Heaven had almost finished his Career, the Prince Evagoras, with the Lord Coriander his faithful Friend, walked upon the Golden Sands by the Seaside, between Paphos and Amathusia, and thus entertained one another with their past Calamities: My dear Coriander, said Evagoras, what an unfortunate Prince am I, thus to be deprived of my Kingdom, and to be constrained to live unlike myself, that I might continue unknown to the Tyrant Aphistamenus? Whom my Royal Father, in my absence, left at the Helm of Government? Alas, I too soon in my Travels, heard the fatal news of the King my Father's death. But you know Coriander, what a spur it was to make me come homewards, when I heard that Aphistamenus ruled in my absence; yet when I did come, was it not too late? Had he not already made most of my Subjects believe I was dead? And with an impudence not to be paralleled, did he not endeavour to face me out, that I was not the true Evagoras; 〈◊〉 that because I resembled him, I would usurp his Name to raise myself to Kingly Power? Did he not infuse this into most of my Subjects minds? who were so credulous as to believe him. Did I not straight raise what Forces I could, to end this tumult, and let them know a true Prince from an Usurper? Did not the too great multitudes of his men, in the last Battle we fought, did they not force us to give back with much loss? And you also know, that when I found myself uncapable of raising new Armies, that I caused a general rumour to be spread, that I was retired to Sicily. And in a disguise, that may not discover us in our solitary abode here between Paphos and Amathusia, we taste as much content as we might discontent at Court. Here (Coriander) is no body to molest us; Ambition is a stranger here; and Honour, the aim of haughty minds, hath here no more than its Name left. Here we are troubled with no daily fears, nor tow'ring-thoughts to enlarge our Empire, by making new Conquests. A small spot of ground limits our high desires. But ah Coriander, I could weep almost when I think, as I have since been informed, that my Father when I was very young, having designed me to espouse the young Princess of Sicily; I am almost ready to weep, I say, to think, that that lovely Flower should fade before it had flourished three years. How agreeable this alliance would have been to me, had Heavens spared her, its easy to imagine; for we had been both of an age, and in probability, by the relation of all that have seen her, she would have been the greatest prodigy of Beauty, as ever nature framed; how great then would have been my felicity? While they were thus seriously discoursing of their unhappy fate, Evagoras (who had disguised his Name as well as Garb for his better concealment, by calling himself Agenoris, and by giving his Friend Coriander the name of Clidamant) espied at no small distance from the shore, something floating upon the Sea, which they could not well descry what to be, till the Wind by little and little drove it towards the Land; and then they saw it was a man, who by some sinister accident had been exposed to the fury of that boisterous Element; at length by the help of the Wind he reached the shore, with both his hands fast clinched to a Casket, which alone seemed to befriend him, in this his desperate condition. Though he was void of all symptoms of life, yet when these noble Companions had both taken a more near survey of his person, which was extreme lovely and beautiful; and after they had spent some time in admiration of him, which they indeed esteemed worth their wonder, they soon (when they had endeavoured by lifting him up, and holding his head downward, to make the water which he had swallowed run out of his body) caused him to be conveyed to the place of their Residence, where he was scarce arrived before some signs of life appeared; and by degrees he became sensible, insomuch, that at length by the help of some Cordials wherewith they comforted him, he could walk; and after he had returned them thanks suitable to the courtesy he received from them, and had been informed of the Name of the Country wherein he was arrived, he begged the favour of them, to furnish him with some dry attire to wear, which was ready for him before he desired it. So leaving him to repose his wearied Limbs on a Bed which they on purpose designed for him. The evening being most serene and pleasant, calm and silent, the Sun making preparation to abscond his beautiful visage behind the Western Hills, and bid adieu to the upper Hemisphere till his new approach; they went to take a turn in the Grove of Venus, which for delight and pleasure hath not its like in the Universe. The Castle wherein these illustrious Guests resided, is seated by the side of this Grove, the Trees whereof are of Myrtle; a place truly ravishing, as well for the extent and compass of it, as for those comfortable and refreshing shades with which it did plentifully abound, for the Leaves and fair spreading Branches of the Trees are naturally so united, and spread so curiously over the Valleys, that you seem to walk under cheerful green Arbours. I know not whether it may be more the Masterpiece of Art or Nature, but Art hath so subtly imitated Nature, and Nature hath so sweetly played the Artist, that it would be something difficult to judge; though in either it is truly admirable. In the midst of this Grove is a stately Mount, as well for its height, as for the Trees which surround it, which are the same with the rest, but do grow in such manner, that it maketh it in form of a Labyrinth; for in every green Valley you enter, you continue still ascending till you have reached the top, but with such pretty turn and wind, that it is an object both of wonder and pleasure. On the top is a Lodge encompassed with Cyprus Trees, in manner of a Circle, from whence your Eye hath a full and free prospect over the whole Wood to the Sea; which cannot choose but be a lively Landscape of Nature. Near this Lodge it was, where Agenoris and Clidamant were walking, when a Voice exceeding delectable approached their unprepared Ears, and seemed to proceed from the Lodge, where as yet they were not arrived; they made a stop, that they might hear it with more freedom, and never did any thing surprise their Senses in the like manner; it was such incomparable Vocal Music, that it seemed rather to be caused by some Heavenly Object, than by any thing that was Earthly. And by reason of the shrilness of the Voice, they could give no other judgement, but if the party was of Nature's forming, it could be no other than a Woman; though she seemed to be endued with most Divine perfections. The more willing attention their Ears gave to it, the more willing were they to continue a patiented Ear. Agenoris appeared to be in such a rapture, that he imagined his Senses would deprive him of any further pleasure, by their readiness to forsake him. Such was the supernatural power and charming efficacy of this Celestial Nimph's Voice. Agenoris was unable to contain himself, till he had blessed his sight with what he undoubtedly judged to be most miraculous; concluding her Person to be as Divine as was her Voice: But yet like one enchanted, he could not move till he had heard her make an end of what she had just begun; which were the words following, sung beyond expression.  

Song.  
NEar the Courts of great Princes we scorn to abide,  
Since securely we live, free from Causes of Pride.  
In a Sun-shiny Day,  
With our Lambs we can play;  
And triumphantly sing, by a shady Woods side.  
The Ambition we seek, is on Hills and high Rocks,  
Where we sit, and we govern our milky white Flocks.   

What some may call Beauty, we often display,  
To be kissed by the Sun, in a scorching hot Day.  
We do think it a Sin,  
A new Conquest to win;  
By endeavouring to cherish, what soon flies away.  
The Ambition we seek, is on Hills and high Rocks,  
Where we sit, and we govern our milky white Flocks.   

Of Intrigues and Amours we have often heard speak;  
But to know their true meaning, we yet are to seek.  
In pure Innocence we,  
With our Sheep do live free,  
From all noise, like a Bark that lies safe in a Creek.  
The Ambition we, etc.   
Scarce was the Song ended, but Agenoris peeped through the Trees, to get a sight of the Singer; which he did, for her Face was opposite to that part wherein they were; and there being but a single Row of Trees between, he might with ease behold her; which when he had done, O Gods, cried he to Clidamant, see yonder, the sweetest object that ever mortal beheld! what blushing Roses and lovely Lilies dwell in that amiable Face! Sure she is some Goddess, descended from the upper Regions, to delight herself in these cooler shades. It is impossible but she must be more than humane; her Beauty is beyond all that can be called Common. Ah Clidamant, in that sparkling Eye such Majesty is seated, as doth add a glorious lustre to the rest of her numberless number of perfections. Clidamant, I must, I can find no repose till I am nearer her person, that from her own Lips I may know, if a Goddess she be, as she really seems; after what manner she desires to be adored, that I may so do it, as to render Adoration acceptable to her; to that end, let us endeavour to enter the Lodge where she now is. Clidamant soon consented to the desire of Agenoris, and went round about into the Lodge, where they expected to have found this fair unknown one; but alas it was too late, for before they could come to her, she was gone from thence by another turning; which when Agenoris saw, he turned pale, and looked as if he was going to breath out his life. I could wish, said he to Clidamant, in a faint note, that I had seen her once more, for I find my desire as yet hath found no limits; but why, I cannot tell, except it be to discover new perfections; though I confess I am too curious in that, because that what I have already seen, hath left an impression deep enough in me. Should it now turn to Love, in what a miserable condition am I? who knoweth not so much as where to find the object loved. I fear I am past cure already; and now I wish I had not gazed on her so much; and yet methinks I wish I could see her once more. How restless am I grown of a sudden. Is it the Original of a growing Passion? or is it only a curious desire of seeing again what Fate has denied me, that renders me thus impatient? Surely something above the nature of Curiosity has seized me? or else I should never have found so great an alteration in me. Methinks the Divine Idea of this pretty Nymph hath taken so sure a dwelling in my mind, that for my life I cannot wipe her out. And something I feel to sting my heart, which doth both pain and delight me; for sometimes the pleasure is counterballanced by an excessive pain, and the pain again is eased by a sensible pleasure; and than it is subject to such violent Pant, as if it would force a passage through my body. Have you ever been in Love Clidamant? If you have, pray acquaint me how this passion rules us, and whether what I now tell you, doth bear resemblance with it; for I do not remember, that ever I felt the like agony before. No, replied Clidamant, I never yet did love, and I hope I never shall submit to what is so destructive to repose, and the most noble part of man, the Soul: But by what I have been informed, by those that have tasted the bitterness of it, I find I have too much reason to fear, that the sight of this unknown one hath (Heaven grant it hath not) seduced your reason; and if so, think of the frailty and inconstancy of that Sex, think I say of Woman; and if you judge right, which you will if you place your Reason in the same place it was, you will scorn to love so mean a thing as Woman, but will aspire to something more Heroic and Noble. What you call Love, if you summon but your Reason to appear, and make use of your Judgement to discern the truth, you will find, that you have abused that Name for something as much inferior to it, as a Peeble to a Diamond. Unkind Clidamant, said Agenoris; not only unkind, but unjust, thus to profane that sweet Emblem of Heaven. Had you called them destroyers of poor men, nay had you called them Murderers, I could better have endured to have heard it, than to hear them named Frail, Inconstant, and Mean; and thus to abuse a Passion that is as spotless as Innocence, innocent as Virtue, virtuous as Humility, and as pure as Chastity itself. And since I find I must cherish the fore that pains me, my comfort is, that it was occasioned by so splendid and transcendently beautiful an object. You, replied Clidamant, who have often conversed with the fairest Ladies in Asia, both at home and abroad; you who in the Field have smiled when Blood and Death hath encompassed you, will you stoop to the soft Enchantments of a Woman; remember, great Sir, that now it is the worst of times to submit to Love. You must cast away the Banner of Venus, and bravely put on that of Mars. Now is the time, because the present state of affairs requires it. Appear once more in the Field, Sir, and let Aphistamenus see, how much your great heart disdains him. This, and much more he said, to cause that rising Flame to cease, that had already possessed him; but it was all unavailable, for it did but make it burn the fiercer. After they had entertained each other, with these and the like Discourses for some time, they thought upon the Stranger, and went straight towards the Castle, and entered both into his Chamber, whom they found awake; they first made an apology for their long absence from him, and afterwards asked him, if he had found any refreshment since they left him. His answers were so exceeding courteous and obliging to what they demanded, that he even charmed Agenoris and Clidamant, with the sweetness of his behaviour; Agenoris had already so great an esteem for him, and Clidamant thought he saw something so singular in him, that he could not forbear acquainting him, how desirous he was to be ranked among the number of his choicest friends; wherefore with much humility he begged the favour, to know how he should call-what he so dearly esteemed. Sir, replied he, I cannot but be very sensible how much your noble Friendship exceeds my poor deserts, who am no other than a Stranger to you both; however since you have conferred the honour of your Friendship on me, I find my inclination not undisposed to embrace so great a happiness; unless it be because I know myself as yet not to have merited it. He seemed to have a special amity for Clidamant, and no small respect for Agenoris, though his Eye was ever fixed on the first, with a more than ordinary outward show of tenderness; and in truth it may be said, that Friendship never appeared to be more sincere than it did afterwards between Clidamant and this pretty Youth. They desired at length of him the knowledge of his late misfortune; whereto he gave them some satisfaction, though but small; and they were loath to press him too much, because they perceived by the measures he used, that he had some most urgent reason to conceal the greatest part of his adventures from them; notwithstanding he told them, that if they pleased they might call him by the name of Theocles, and that his Father was Governor of a Town in the neighbouring Island called Crect; and that his occasions calling him to sail for Lydia, the Ship wherein he was being, driven upon the Cyprian Coasts by contrary winds and foul weather, it chanced to run with great violence against a Rock, where it split all to pieces; and that when he found himself exposed to the merciless Seas, that it was his lucky fate to lay hold of a small Box, which he believed the Mariners had cast overboard with many other Goods to lighten the Vessel, and which he now perceived to be his own; by the aid whereof it appeared that he was carried above the water towards the shore, where they had found him: And now, said he, how sensible I am of those courtesies I have received from you, nothing but my own grief can express, for not knowing in what manner to repay them; and indeed they do far exceed  can be offered. They both of them in the most obliging language they could, were paying him their acknowledgements for what he had now related to them, when they judged it time to retire, by reason the night was pretty well wasted away; and therefore after the usual Ceremonies in such cases, they left him to his repose to seek their own. But before the Sun had drunk up the Morning-dew, they arose with an intention to entertain him, and were scarce entered his Chamber when Agenoris espied his fair Kinswoman Emilia, already performing the Office he designed to do a person endued with all the choicest Gifts of Nature. I need not make a particular description of her Perfections, since it is but guessing what might be thought most worthy of admiration to judge of her. In the time the Court flourished, she was thought by all that beheld her, to outshine the brightest Star there. She followed her Kinsman Agenoris wherever his destiny led him, and was now an Inhabitant with him in his solitude; as were also two Illustrious Gentlemen who were her faithful Adorers; they both equally admired her, whereby they forsook the former friendship in which they lived, and became Rivals, and by consequence enemies one of another. They neither of them yet had revealed their griefs to her, but by their sighs and eyes, of which she did ever seem to take little notice. The name of the one was Periander, who indeed was of an age that could add no great lustre to Love. The other was called Orontus, a person endued with great Merit, and one whose Youth did seem to argue on his behalf, what the wasted years of the former seemed to oppose.  
Agenoris with his Friend and Kinswoman, after very pleasant discourses of Gallantry (Theocles not being in a condition to make up the number to help to pass away the time) all unanimously agreed to take a walk in the Plain that fronted the Grove; wherefore all retiring to a private corner of the Chamber till Theocles was dressed, which was not very long, they went to execute this their design with very much content and pleasure; only there appeared a small alteration in the brow of Agenoris ever since he had seen the unknown Lady, insomuch that he found some difficulty to suit himself to the cheerful humours of the rest of the company. They had not walked far under the tuition of a pretty row of Trees, that elevated their ambitious branches over the middle of the Plain, but they were surprised with a clashing of Swords which they heard on the other side. Agenoris and Clidamant were presently so curious, as to the hazard of themselves, to discover who they might be; and to their no small trouble, they found it was Orontus and Periander, and with ease presently imagined the original cause of this Combat, and did not unjustly attribute it to Emilia: they had scarce spied Agenoris, but more out of respect to him, than a good will to themselves, they desisted fight. After he had embraced, and solicitated them to be friends, he brought them to the rest of the company; where, when he came, he revealed it all to Emilia, who had long suspected what she then knew. Agenoris therefore conjured her to decide the controversy, since it was she, and none but she could do it; and withal desired to know of them whether they would willingly submit to her judgement, since they must not both expect to be equally loved by her: to which they with much seeming willingness answered affirmatively. Thereupon Emilia bid Orontus hope, but not so much as should make him presumptuous: and she desired Periander neither to despair nor hope, but to content himself with a mean between both. They would have replied to her speech, which they reckoned dubious, had she not beckoned to them to be silent; and then she proceeded, and desired them to urge her to say no more upon that subject, and to let their minds rest satisfied with it; and withal gave them a severe check for quarrelling, and a strict command to abstain from the same for the future, under the penalty of being utterly banished from her presence: And she farther said, if you both love me as you pretend you do, you will be mindful of the last injunction I have laid on you. By their silence they seemed to acknowledge themselves guilty, and to manifest how much they dreaded to offend her. Agenoris was something displeased with Emilia, and did even almost chide her for giving them so little satisfaction: however, what she had now said, she would neither revoke nor enlarge upon.  
When they had fetched two or three turns in the Plain, they deserted it, to resort again to the Castle, which was their only House of Pleasure; though Agenoris enjoyed but little in it, since his heart was first filled with Love; and as the hours, minutes and days increased, so did a deep melancholy in the spirit of Agenoris, to the great affliction of all his Illustrious Friends, who never omitted any thing that might tend to his diversion. One day, among others, to pleasure him, Clidamant, Orontus, and the rest consulted, because the heat of the weather made it not unseasonable, to go and bathe themselves in a pure Cristal-stream, which was privately seated near the wood, and shaded with many goodly Sicamore-trees; the very place did seem to invite them to it; they went and took Theocles with them, who would have excused himself upon pretence of staying at home to entertain Emilia and some other Ladies of her Train during their absence; but they would admit of no excuse, because they desire Periander to perform that office. Orontus would feign have accompanied him, if the Company would have permitted him, but they absolutely refused it; so that he was constrained to give them an unwilling obedience, and to be one among them. When they were arrived at the place where they were going, they all began to discharge themselves of their apparel, except Theocles, who would by no means be persuaded to uncase him; no arguments were strong enough to make him condescend to it; the water, he said, did not agree with him, and that he could promise himself no great pleasure by it: However, at length, after many entreaties, and because he would not be less Complaisant than the rest of the Company, he willingly pulled off his lower attire of shoes and stockings, but would go no further; insomuch, that holding up his breeches a little above the knee, he thus entered the water; and Clidamant, whose eyes were always fixed upon him, seemed struck with admiratlon at the extreme whiteness of his skin, which was truly lovely, for no Snow could be compared to it. Sure Theocles, said he to him smiling, Nature hath not framed you with these common ingredients with which she hath the rest of Mankind, for to the colour of those delicate Limbs, the purest Ivory looks black. He blushing replied, that he saw he could exercise his wit, though it were upon never so mean a subject; I have seen men (said he) Clidamant, whose skins are far whiter than what you are pleased to say of mine; however, I find you have only a mind to rally, for you yourself I suppose know, that a white skin is no such rarity in men, though it be so common in women. Clidamant made no reply, because they were all preparing to come forth again; which when they were, they rallied upon Theocles, for not doing as they had done, telling him, that he seemed to have more of the Woman in him than Man, by reason of his excellent shape, composure and complexion; and that if he was what those tokens did outwardly intimate, he ought to have been excused. Theocles replied, he hoped they would not unman him, by cheating themselves into that unlikely belief; and he who had pulled off the least of his apparel, was the first that was ready, which when they were all, they walked to the Castle with much cheerfulness: the Moon beginning to elevate her hornedface above the Horizon, and from behind a foggy-cloud to dispel the darkness of the night, every one was glad to seek their repose till the dawning of the daylight; and no sooner was Aurora adorned in her Scarlet-robe to beautify the welcome morning, nor no sooner were the little Birds in every Grove warbling their good-morrows in cheerful notes to the glorious day, but this Illustrious Family had all forsaken their places of repose; especially Agenoris, whose love to the Beautiful stranger did every day rather increase than diminish; and as it is usual for those that are in love to be deprived of their rest, Agenoris his lovesick mind would afford him none during the whole night, but forced him to forsake his pillow something early. Periander likewise, whose discontent increased more and more ever since Emilia gave him, as he thought, so much cause to despair, and his Rival, Orontus, so much reason to hope, as by the sense of her last words he imagined, she too plainly manifested; he departed at that early hour into the Fields and Woods, there to endeavour, if it were possible, by his complaints, to extract pity from the Marble-rocks, the hollow Echoes, and the darksome Groves. Orontus, on the other side, who imagined Periander the happy man in the eye of his Mistress, and himself the only miserable, was likewise infected with the same malady with his Rival; and, as is customary for those that are in love, especially such who imagine themselves the subject of their Mistress' scorn, to seek privacy and solitariness to utter forth their lamentations, without any other witnesses than insensible objects: Even so the oppressed Orontus sought the same manner of solitude as did Periander, and not only so, but, as it happened, they met together in one and the same place: I need not tell you after what manner they beheld one another, nor the manner of their salutation, which was cold enough; but in the end, notwithstanding the Charge given them by their Mistress, Periander began first with expressions of sweetness to win Orontus to resign up his right in Emilia; which way of proceeding beging ineffectual, he continued with threats; but Orontus being one whose Love was too firm to forsake him, and whose Heart was too courageous to be daunted, told him, he would rather resign up his Life than his Mistress. Then replied Periander, you must; the place wherein we are, is private enough, and it is fit that either you should fall or I, since we cannot both enjoy her; the Prize doth well enough merit our dispute: Therefore Orontus draw, for I am resolved to end this dispute on equal terms. Orontus at first seemed very unwilling to act so rashly; and withal asked him, if he had forgot the Command she laid on them. Periander gave little heed to his words; so jealous was he of losing so great a Treasure; but swore by all the Gods, if he did not defend himself, he would then kill him as he stood; and to make good his word, proceeded to make a Pass at him. Then Orontus drawing his Sword, cried out, The Gods be Witnesses with what constraint I do this thing; Dearest Emilia, forgive me. After which words, he took no farther care, but to stand upon his Guard, and with what dexterity he could to put by the Passes of his Adversary; and though several opportunities lay open to him to take his advantage of Periander, yet would he make no use of them, but stood only upon the defensive part. Periander observed it, and grew the more enraged, insomuch that redoubling his thrusts, he fell on like Lightning, and making an Home-pass at Orontus his breast, he skilfully put it by, though not so well, but that it coming with great force, gave him a slight hurt in the shoulder, which he soon perceiving, did then begin to deal some thrusts, and presently gave him another in the left-arm, and immediately closing with him, disarmed him. Agenoris and Clidamant, who at a distance had seen the latter end of the Combat, were just come to them to learn the occasion of their Quarrel. And as there was nothing they would conceal from him, they revealed to him the occasion of their Combat, after they had counselled them to renew their friendship with all the winning Arguments imaginable, and had constrained them to make an unwilling Embrace of each other, Agenoris desired Clidamant to conduct them to the Castle, and to see their wounds dressed, while he enjoyed himself in the Fields; they all obeyed, and being gone, Agenoris wandered from one solitary place to another, entertaining his mind with his ill-destiny in the sad loss of what he found he so much admired, till at length he approached the side of a silent Wood, where sitting down upon a Flowry-Bank, by a sweet musical Stream, he endeavoured to give his sorrow vent, by singing what follows: 

Song.  
HOW wretched is Love,  
And how cruel the flame!  
When in vain it has striven  
Our grief to remove,  
And to cure or to sweeten the same.   

That Nymph is severe  
That for Love gives disdain,  
And makes an Heart bear  
So great a despair  
Till it bursts with its sorrow and pain.  
But I suffer more, and in torture remain,  
For loving the Nymph I may ne'er see again.    
After which he breathed Sighs which were capable of moving Compassion in the very Trees themselves. Ah! how happy are those, said he, that are slighted by the Fair-Ones they adore! their Sighs and their Moaning may nourish them with the hope of causing Compassion to make way for Love: But I lament, and she to whose Ears it should arrive, is altogether ignorant of my sufferings; nought but the dumb objects of Woods, Rocks, and Valleys, are witnesses of my Complaints; sometimes some flattering Echo doth seem to send me Comfort, and assoon deprive me of it again; the little Birds do sometimes lament me, and then again, as if they took delight to displease me, in malicious Notes of joy, they seem to make a mock of my miseries; the very leaves too of these Trees, in their silent whisper, do likewise seem to conspire against me, and some objects I meet with that intermingle pleasure with my pain; but those are soon vanished again, and overswayed by a burdensome grief, to admire her I once saw, and to be deprived of her sight; I now admire to receive the tender impression of Love with so much joy? when my eyes were first made happy with her sight, and to cherish the wound with that eagerness as I then did, and do still, and to be thus bereft of the only pleasure I hoped to enjoy of her presence. Unkind Fates! why did you let me see her, if I must no more? Ye Gods, be favourable to me in my search of her: and Love, be thou my fortunate Guide; no Grove nor Thicket, no wild-Forest, nor craggy-Mountain will I leave unsearched till I have found her I love, and, were it possible, I would search even in Paradise itself, a place not unlikely to harbour a Composition so Celestial; could I but see her once more, though she would not admit a Cure, her Pity would at least lessen my sufferings, and her Presence would make the Pain more pleasing: In saying this, he advanced some steps upon the Green that lay before the Wood, where looking towards his lefthand, upon a lively and flowery rising of the ground, he espied a Flock of Sheep nibbing on the grass, and on the top of all, under the fair spreading-branches of a comely Tree, still approaching towards that place, he might discern one attired like a Shepherdess, with a Crook in her hand, in long dishevelled Locks, and in a careless Garb, though not so careless, but the Party it enclosed did make it appear to be very graceful; her Apparel was more plain than rich, yet not so plain, but Majesty seemed enthroned in what was most plain; her Head was graced with an hat, or rather her Head graced the Hat, which, though the materials wherewith it was composed were but homely straw, that hindered it not from being extreme pretty. No sooner had Agenoris with great astonishment viewed these things at an indifferent distance, but he heard the noise of an Horn as from behind the Wood, and immediately there presented to his sight a furious wild-Boar, which was running with much celerity directly towards the place where he saw the Shepherdess; he, without much consultation with his thoughts, drew his Sword, and made what haste he could after it, he came just as he had rend her Vesture, and was going to devour that fair One, where Agenoris joining Courage to his dexterity, made it appear, that if Nature had rendered him knowing in the one, Art had not made him less experienced in the other; for approaching the Boar, and making two Passes at him, he run him in at his Shoulder, and it came out again at his Neck, upon which he fell down; but the Furious Monster feeling himself wounded, and, as if he had gathered new strength in his fall, gets up again, and leaps at his Adversary, and now it seemed as though Agenoris must expect inevitable ruin by a lamentable death; the Pretty Shepherdess trembled, and looked pale for fear of this Stranger, lest his too great Courage should undo him: But Agenoris, who thinks no Laurels greener than those that are reaped in the midst of dangers, stands firm upon his Guard against his furious Attacks, and taking his time, runs him in again in the Flank, insomuch that at length, in an heavy groan, his life left him; then was it that laying down his Bloody Sword, he approached the Nymph; but, good God, how was he astonished! how great was his joy when he knew her to be that Fair One that first assaulted his heart in the Wood, and though she had appeared most excellently Beautiful there, yet here she appeared so incomparable Fair, that she did even lay a new Siege to the place that was already surrendered; in the Grove he thought he saw but one Beauty, but by the perfect survey his eyes now made, he perceived thousands in one face, and in the same moment his eyes making a more near enquiry, discovered something in her that made a show of Greatness and Majesty, and therefore with a most Reverend Zeal he Accosted her in these words;  
Beauteous Nymph, how careful the Gods are of what is most Heavenly, they having made me the happy Instrument of protecting you from the fury of this Monster, does witness so great a wonder of Beauty so near a resemblance, of what is most Divine, could never be destined to be a Prey to that rude Animal: The Gods themselves, had they not used me, would doubtless by some more secret Power have restrained his fury; nay, had the Monster himself beheld your Charms, he would gently have lain down, and fawned upon what he purposed to have destroyed.  
Most Noble Sir, replied the Shepherdess, I must confess my Thanks are too poor a Recompense for so large a Service, yet, as it is not in the Sphere of my power to make a Return suitable to the Act: I hope you will accept of them as the best, and as the greatest Return I can make. But after you have thus been the Protector of a poor Maid's life, be pleased to neglect those Praises, which are due to none but Persons of Honourable Extraction, but not to me, alas; whose mean Birth dare not claim them. If your eye makes you think me Fair, as your tongue expresseth, believe it to be deluded; for the knowledge of myself teacheth me the contrary. The Sun (replied Agenoris) that giveth light to, and beholdeth all the objects of Nature, yet can it not behold itself: Even so, Rare Virgin, the Gods were not the Authors of that lovely Face to make it admire itself, but to raise admiration in others; and what though you are pleased to think your Birth mean, the greatness of your Soul, and the Charms that dwell in that Face, do say your Birth is more than Noble. Much more his passion caused his lips to utter, to which she as readily replied; and among many other things he demanded of her, he presumed to inquire whether she was Born in this Island, to which she answered affirmatively; and whether her Parents were alive, and how he might call them? Mother (said she) I have none, for my Fate hath deprived me of her; but my Father is a poor Shepherd of this Country, and lives in a small Cottage on the backside of the Wood, where I am told I was Born. My Father is called Melintus, and I am known among the Shepherds and Shepherdesses of this Island by the Name of Mellissa. Agenoris paid her his thanks with much submission, for the satisfaction she had given him, and then with much discretion revealed his passion to her; and if it may be said that ever any Virgin's heart was inclined to pity at the recital of a Lover's flame, surely hers was: He gave her a full relation of his having seen her in the Wood, and how he designed to come to the speech of her, and touching the miserable condition he hath remained in ever since, for not knowing where to find her. To all which she seemed to listen with much attention; and in truth it may be said, the present joy of Agenoris, to see her heart was not of Marble, made him be forgetful of his past afflictions: And now (said he to her) since Fortune hath been so kind to let me enjoy that happiness I least expected, I hope you will not kill me, but let me live in your esteem. Here Mellissa interrupted him, saying, What can you expect, Sir, from a Shepherd's Daughter? to be your Bride will dishonour you; and though I have no Riches, I have so great an esteem for Virtue, that I'll rather lose my Life than taint my Reputation; in retaining which, I enjoy a Wealth not to be exchanged for that of Croesus; and though Honour is thought to inhabit nowhere but in Prince's Palaces, yet is there a sort of Honour in the Cottages of Shepherds, (though but an homely Dwelling, you will say, for Honour;) but such is it, that Virtue herself is ever cherishing and defending it from false allurements, and unjust pretences. You say you love me, Sir, do not endeavour to cheat my Innocence, for if it be as you say, you do love me for some end or other: If you design to make me your Bride, your proceeding to me thereby will seem just, but to you dishonourable, because of my mean condition. If your design be to abuse my Chastity, Virtue, that glorious Guard of Honour, bids me tell you, that you must never dare to see me more. The Gods themselves, replied Agenoris, are witnesses that my flame is too pure to wrong so much Innocence, and too innocent to abuse so much Virtue: I should wrong Heaven itself, were I but guilty of such an unjust thought! I only beg you would receive an unfeigned Heart that loves you, and that you would pronounce me in some measure either miserable or happy! Pity, pity this poor Heart that lives only by you, and seeks no other dwelling but your dear Breast. Alas! replied Mellissa, suppose I should love you? and indeed I find I have little reason not to esteem you; I I should love you too well to undo a Person of your Worth. However, live Sir, and live in my esteem, but never live to enjoy a miserable Maid like me; except Fortune had raised me to a degree of Bliss, whereby I might have deserved you. Ah cruel Mellissa! (said he) you give Agenoris life by commanding him to live, and in your esteem; yet seem to kill him again by that heart-breaking word [never!] he must never enjoy thee! Alas! thou art too deserving for me already, thou art rich enough in natural Riches; thou art able to make Princes happy! Adorable Mellissa! dart down then a Ray of Comfort upon thy comfortless Agenoris, and revive his Heart with the warmth of thy Love, which must otherwise break. If Modesty be a Virtue, said Mellissa, so is likewise Gratitude; if it be Immodesty then to grant a modest Requital to him that hath hazarded his own Life to save mine, I may then be said to abuse that commendable Virtue: but since the World doth not use such unjust constructions, I will pass a grant upon what you ask me. It is Love, you say; come, you have it, Agenoris; and though a Fort doth seldom surrender at the first Artack, yet to you, Agenoris, you see it does; the Service you even now did, may make me excusable, and doth make me sensible of what I own to a Person like you: but though you have my Love, my cruel Fate will not permit me to give you that Requital you may merit, and as I could wish; for as you seem to be a Person of Honour, I am, you see, but a poor, gentle, harmless Shepherdess, one that would not willingly wrong herself, nor have any body wronged by her; especially you, who are my Life's Preserver: therefore if ever you loved to grant the desire of her you say you love, let me entreat you not to endeavour the hastening to your dishonour, by the enjoyment of miserable Me, but rest contented with the knowledge that I love you; yet if Fortune should change her Face towards me, which seems not likely, on lawful and honourable terms make me yours; if not, think it never can be; yet this consolation I will afford you, Agenoris, that no body shall reap what by you was not obtained, and for your sake I'll die as innocent as I was born. Since, said Agenoris, your Decree is such, I must submit, and will live, if it be but to gaze upon those sparkling Eyes, and in gazing I'll enjoy what I so dearly love. That sweet concordance of Colours in that lovely Face doth almost seem to ask me, if desire is not limited; therefore what can be more desirable than to behold a sight so glorious? Much Discourse to the same effect, which was very charming and passionate, passed between them; till being inquisitive how and where he might enjoy the happiness he now did, once more? she gave him to understand, that in the same place where she now was, he might every pleasant Evening find her attending on her Flocks; and that as his Birth seemed honourable, she hoped his Actions would speak him no less, and therefore should not be against that freedom he desired, since he looked like one who would make no ill use of it. After he had paid her his Devoirs for the good opinion she seemed to have of him, he for that time took his leave of her, but with an intent to renew his Addresses to her the next day, which he accordingly did, taking Clidamant with him; and when they came, they found that Melintus her Father was with her, who shown them a Respect almost equal to what their Qualities required: and having been informed by Mellissa how the brave Agenoris had been the Protector of her Life, it is not to be imagined with what kindness they were received by Melintus, which was not ill rerurned by Agenoris; who after some indifferent Discourse with him, did earnestly solicit him and his Daughter, whom he highly respected, to be his beloved Guests, and to forsake their Sheep to accompany him to the Castle, where he resided: Many Arguments, as well Clidamant as Agenoris used, before they could prevail with them to leave that sort of life wherein they found so much content: But at length, what by the force of very rich Presents that they presented to Melintus, and offered to Mellissa, though she would except of none; and what by most tender expressions of Love and , they in the end persuaded him and his Daughter to accept of a Lodging far different from what she then had: so giving the Charge of his Sheep to another Swain, they guided their steps to their place of Habitation; and having acquainted his other Guests of those he had newly received, who did all of them extremely admire the Beauty of Mellissa, and did not unjustly imagine that she designed more than to be a Shepherdess, and thereupon gave her a Reception suitable to her Merit, and not to what her Quality seemed to speak her; and a Chamber was provided for her, with a Maid to attend on her Person, to the great joy and comfort of Melintus, who known that Agenoris had an heart full of Honour, and was not so abject as to do her any violence; he likewise known his Daughter's to be proof against all enticements, and therefore was not a little glad of the occasion; and though the Presents hehad given him by Agenoris were sufficient to make him forsake the Title of a Shepherd, yet the peace and quietness he found in that life, would not permit him to leave the sweetness of it; insomuch, that though he had changed his Cottage for a sort of Palace, he would still each day frequent the Plains, as would also Mellissa, to guard the harmless Lambs: Agenoris himself too, for her sake, would not scruple to take up the Sheephook to attend on her; where, as he sat on the green Hillocks by her side, he would divert her with the Stories of unhappy Lovers, and pulling out his Flute, would beguile the time with its Melody, as she would with her well-tuned Voice. He would never permit her to resort alone to the Plains, neither would he be ever satisfied but when he was in her presence: and on the other side it was evident that she found not his passion displeasing to her, nor was she uncapable of receiving the sweet sting of Love; how agreeable were his Sighs to her, and how charming the expressions of his Love! But let us leave these while, to endeavour to ease our other Lovers; and first let us learn the immediate cause of their several sufferings, which could not be with more case guessed at, than by an Adventure which happened one day, to the general amazement of all the Company: It was after Agenoris was returned from attending on his Mellissa in the Plains, when being entered the Castle, and into a lower Room, where Emilia, Theocles, and others of the Company were, he saw Clidamant with much eagerness, as the Company all imagined, Courting of the Fair Emilla; while Theocles walked chafingly about the Room, as though something had given him cause of offence. Agenoris addressed himself to him, and perceiving him to look discontentedly, asked him the cause? Ah Agenoris! said he, if ever you did bear any Respect to my Friend Clidamant, or me; or if ever you knew what true Friendship was, I conjure you by those Tears which you see trickle down my Cheeks, by whatever you hope for of Happiness, and by the Love you bear to Clidamant, to desire him to desist from Courting of that Lady; something I could tell you, that might perhaps move your heart to do the thing I desire of you, if what I have already said would not; but several Reasons oblige me to conceal it, till such time as it makes a voluntary appearance of itself; besides, I have made an Oath not to do it: by that strong Argument then, though unknown to you, and whatever it be, let me implore of you to fulfil my will in this. You know, I suppose, with what sincerity Emilia is already Adored by the two Rivals, Orontus and Periander; suffer not Clidamant then to obstruct their Progress, for I question not but she may one day smile on one of them; consider then seriously of what I say, and without ask me any other Reasons than what I have told you, for my being thus urgent in this Affair; use your uttermost power to put a stay to his proceed. Agenoris was something surprised at this Discourse, and told him, that if his desire aimed at his Friends good Fortune, he should rot contemn the present Actings of Clidamant, since the Lady he seemed to love, was both Fair, Honourable, and Young; for which Reason he should rather rejoice at it, than seem to be confused and troubled. O never! never propose this thing to me, said Theocles, if you do you kill me! Agenoris then seeing him so eager in his entreaty, though he was not able to discern the occasion of it, promised him to make use of all the power he had to prevent it; and withal. desired him to rest satisfied till he had effected it. Theocles had no sooner paid him his Acknowledgements for the promise he had now made him: but Agenoris left him, and went straight towards Clidamant and Emilia, to the end he might break off their Discourse, if it were of Love, as he could think no otherwise: after then some indifferent Discourses with them both awhile, he took Clidamant aside, who was ever his trusty Confident, to ease his distressed mind, by entertaining him concerning his Beloved Shepherdess. Ah Clidamant! (said he) had you but seen and heard with what a Grace she pronounced that which must be the cause of my future Hope, or present Despair, your surprisal would have been great; and then gave him to understand what progress he thought he had made in that Fair-One's heart; and Clidamant could not choose but contribute with him in his joy, though for his own part he found but little cause; for having received a wound from the Eyes of the Fair Emilia, and imploring her relief, her Rigour had almost made him desperate; for in stead of finding Love, he found her Hate: Agenoris then dissuaded him from loving Emilia, and shown him how unjust it was to seek to deprive Orontus and Periander of that Happiness they laid claim to before him, for which they but now would have sacrificed each others Lives: All his Arguments were in vain; it was enough to know he loved to apprehend he was obstinate; for which cause Agenoris said not much more to him, but induced him to accompany him to see the two Rivals wounds, which were not very considerable; and afterwards, because it was late, to their several Apartments, and so to their rest. But when daylight had conquered darkness, every body with much willingness left their Beds, especially Orontus and Periander, whose wounds being pretty well again, were both of them upon going to give a Visit to Emilia; but with what face to do it, since they had both been regardless of her last Commands, they knew not: However, Orontus imagined himself to be less Criminal than his Rival, because he was provoked to do what he did in defence of himself; with this assurance then, though seized with a certain awful fear of some just punishment from her, for what she thought him guilty, he saw her first, and in humble kneeling told her, that he was come to sue a Pardon of her, for a thing, which though in her Eyes might make him seem altogether Criminal, yet when she should know what provocation occasioned it, and the necessity he was in either to die upon the point of his Rival's Sword, or to use his own in defence of that Life he was every minute ready to sacrifice for her sake, he hoped she would in some measure lessen the severity of that Decree he saw she was every moment ready to pronounce against him; and though this last Action of his might bear the outward form of negligence, yet was his Will altogether obedience. But, Madam, said he, (rising up) if what I have done does make me black with guilt before you, let me receive my punishment from your Fair Hands: when he had said this, he opened his Breast, drew his Sword, and offering it to her, said, here Madam, give your disobedient Servant that which he hath justly deserved, and let him be blest with Death from your Fair Self, which will be so welcome a Favour, that in dying he shall think you have been kind, because you will then deprive him of a Life which would have been worse than ten thousand Deaths to me, should I have lived in your Hate! Here Madam, (proceeded he, in opening his Broa●● wider) let out this guilty blood! strike, Madam and strike home! But she only turning her Face aside, and bidding him put up his Sword, told him, no; that though the Crime of which he was guilty, had given her a just cause of offence, yet was not her aim at his Life; for you may live, said she in a saint note,— but not to love me; you may find enough, whose Deserts and Beauties are far more powerful to inspire Love, than any thing you can see in me. I shall not banish you my sight for what you have done, because I see something in your Face that speaks a silent penitence; but yet I must conjure you never to speak more of Love to me, one word of it hereafter condemns you to an everlasting Exile. She had scarce pronounced this heavy Sentence on poor Orontus, but Periander entered, and at her Feet was going to speak his submissions, when she prevented him, in saying, she wondered how he dare intrude himself into her Presence after what he had done! adding withal, that it was in vain for him to speak, for she would hear nothing he should allege in his Vindication: Madam, said he, trembling, I come not here to plead Innocence, but like a Prisoner at the Bar, I wait for that punishment I merit: and, Fair Judge, as it's you only that must pronounce the Sentence, it's you only that must inflict the severity of your Indignation. Since it is so, Periander, said she, I charge you never to see me more! and without one word more of Reply, rising up from the ground, making a low Bow with the Tears in his Eyes, and a down-east Look; Madam, said he, you shall be obeyed, and Farewell for ever! yet let not my Memory be odious to you, though my Person be: so saying no more, he went dejectedly out of the Room, followed by Orontus, and instantly, with all imaginable privacy, he departed from the Castle, to the no small wonder of Agenoris and Clidamant when they miss him; they both had a particular kindness for him, and were therefore the more afflicted at his unexpected absence: that he would betray them to the Tyrant, they had too long experienced his Fidelity to judge so ill of him; but that which most perplexed them, was, the knowing themselves ignorant of the cause of his departure. Orontus, who though he had not so much cause to despair as Periander, yet was his heart seized with a deep sorrow, because she had forbid him the very naming of Love to her; and what she would not hear him name, he knew she would less suffer in him; how to ease his heart of this confused grief, he knew not, his Reason was too far gone to be recalled to subdue his Passion, and banish her from his mind: many thoughts disturbed his Fancy, which would make him sometimes resolved to do one thing, whilst others again did as soon cancel that resolution to introduce one more new. By these means he would endeavour a prevention of despair, till one thought seeming of more force than the rest, gave him some hope and encouragement to put it in execution: with this in his mind then, he found out Theocles, to whom he related how ill his Mistress requited his Love, likewise telling him, that never any served a Lady so cruel and rigorous! Theocles extremely lamented his misfortune, and with all the tender words a compassionate heart is able to manifest on such an occasion, did throughly express his inward sorrow; for which Orontus gave him thanks, and told him, that since he did endeavour to comfort him in his distress, he hoped he would use his uttermost power to lift him out of that miserable Gulf in which her cruelty had unhappily cast him, and that then he should not be altogether overcome with that despair, which will otherwise put an end to his Lise; and that if he would grant what he was going to demand of him, it would be so great a comfort to his restless thoughts, and so great a joy to his heavy heart, that it would infuse new life in him! Theocles answered him, that he might be sure he would not be backward to perform any service he should command him, more especially what tended to his satisfaction and welfare; and therefore desired him to give him to understand what it was he requested? and that if he was capable of doing it, his endeavour therein should manifest the truth of his Friendship. Then was it that Orontus told him, in a manner which did plainly demonstrate his inward grief, that his only Request to him was, to find out Emilia, and to use all the means and expressions that Love can dictate to her, to induce her to lessen her Severity towards him; and, if it were possible, to persuade her to revoke that rigid Sentence. Theocles bid him be assured that he would compass what he desired of him, and to expect good news in a short time; for he would hunt this Cruel-Fair so often, and would use such means, that if nothing else would, his importunities alone should make her submit to what tended to the contentment of his mind. It was not to be feared that Theocles would in the least decline from performing what he had promised him: his aversion being so great to see Clidamant Court her, it's to be imagined that he was glad of the opportunity, and therefore without any farther delay he went to make good his word.  
There happened one day an Adventure which we must not here omit, no less strange than pleasant, and occasioned by Agenoris, who had left his own Chamber, and nesigned it to Mellissa the first night of her Arrival; and though Clidamant had been his former Bedfellow, yet being at this time desirous to repose alone, that he might enjoy himself and his thoughts more freely, he entreated Clidamant to lie with Theocles, who had hitherto lain by himself: Clidamant went immediately to him to let him know who was to be his Night-Companion; which when Theocles heard, he seemed to startle, and his Colour, like the ebbing and flowing of the Tide, ascended into his Face, and vanished away again two or three times, as if it had proceeded both from shame and anger; but for what it's unknown: However, his present surprisal being something over, he faintly told Clidamant, that he was but a troublesome Bedfellow, and that he was given so to tumble in the night, that he was certain he could enjoy no Repose with him: but all his Reasons were misunderstood by Clidamant, who would lie with him notwithstanding his refusal. Theocles seeing he could not prevail with him, and that he would give no Ear to his excuses, seemed very much perplexed; and among the rest of the confused Speeches he uttered; Well, (said he) Clidamant, will you admit of no denial then? if not, know that I am— Here he made a pause, as if he was thinking of what he was going to say: But (said Clidamant to him) what are you, Theocles, content,— answered he? To do what, replied Clidamant? not to lie, said Theocles, in some kind of confusion, and making another pause; with me, said Clidamant; without you, said Theocles,— and with a seeming willingness he lay with him, and they went to Bed together at the same time that the rest of the Family retired, who did all enjoy their Repose in a plentiful manner, except Orontus, whose unkind usage from Emilia would not permit him to close his eyes; he was therefore the first that got up in the morning, and was very curious to know how Theocles would succeed in what he had promised him; Clidamant did second him, and had been as restless as he, by reason Emilia was as great a torment to him as she had been to the other: Being dressed, and in a readiness to quit the Chamber, he perceived Theocles to be awake, because the light that came from the Window darted upon the Bed, he see it being pretty broad, that he was crept as far towards the other side as he could possible be; 'tis no great sign (said Clidamant to him) that you are a troublesome Bedfellow, as you told me last night; for at that distance which I am certain you lay from me all night, you could not well be as you said; and of all the men that I have lain with, never did I meet with one that lay more still and quiet than yourself; and to speak the truth, I almost doubted at midnight whether I had you in bed with me or no; for though I endeavoured to give myself that satisfaction by feeling for you under the Bed-clothes, yet could I not reap it, for you were not to be found. In saying this, and without staying for his Reply, which he was going to make, he gave him the Good-morrow, and then went forth of the Room to find Agenoris, who had been up very early to walk out some-whether with his Dear Mellissa, as it was supposed, to divert themselves, they had appointed it the foregoing night. Agenoris and Clidamant resorted to her Chamber, and knocking at the door, to demand of the Maid that was set to wait upon her, permission of her Mistress to visit her, she prevented them by coming to the door herself to bid them enter, and after the usual Ceremonies on such occasions, they were going to do what was designed by them, and to walk out in the fresh Air; but because they would do it privately, they urged Clidamant to stay behind, who would otherwise have waited on them; they told him that in two hours' time they hoped to return, because the heat of the day would be unpleasant to them, that Paphos should limit their intended Walk. Agenoris would have taken the Coach, had not Mellissa pressed him to the contrary, because she imagined it would be more delightful for them to go on Foot, and likewise considering the little way they had to go. Agenoris believed it would be unnecessary to take any of his Attendance with them; the Morning was fair, and so early was it, that the Sun had not as yet given them a smiling Salutation by his appearance; they departed then, and not so much as a Page with them, only Agenoris carried with him a small Casket full of the richest Jewels he had, with an intent to Present it and them to his Mellissa: They had not been long gone before all the Family had with much eagerness quitted their Beds, and with much earnestness made their inquiries after Agenoris and Mellissa's welfare, more especially Emilia, who was disturbed with a dream that did make her Repose altogether bitter and unpleasant, imagining it to be a Portent of some unlucky Adventure that might happen upon those whom it most concerned, and could not refrain from being struck with a sudden grief; the cause whereof she related to Clidamant, who took but little notice of it, and made answer, that Dreams were but imaginary Realities, occasioned by the rising of Vapours into the Head, when Sleep doth sway as Emperor of the Night; but when we wake we find those Images all vanish, and then we come to know that it's only the continual, employment of the unwearied Spirits, which are too Aetherial to sleep like the Body, that stamps those Images into our minds. It was reported of a man, Fair Emilia, said he, who being fastened in Irons, and in a strong Prison, yet when he slept would his flattering Dreams create him King over many Rich Nations, thereby giving him as well an universal Power as Liberty, yet when he waked, those joys were all vanished, and he found himself still in Fetters. The Miser likewise dreams he finds heaps of Treasures, continues very unsatisfied when he wakes, and then comes to know that it was but his deluded Fancy. I myself, Charming Emilia, have often dreamt I have seen you smile on me! but alas, I could say it was but a Dream too. Judge then whether you may have any cause to fear, from any thing you have dteamed this night? I know not, replied Emilia, but I am in a strange apprehension of something: If the Company will be pleased to give attention, they shall hear the Original cause of that which occasions my trouble: the Company who were present entreated her to do as she said, which she very obligingly did, in these words; If Agenoris and Mellissa are well, said she, it's a great folly to judge a Dream ominous, but if they are not, I have much reason to imagine the contrary, by this Night's Vision; for I was no sooner asleep, but Agenoris, Mellissa, and myself, methought, were walking in a pleasant Green-Meadow by the Seaside, where leaving them to go another way, when I wàs at a certain distance from them, chancing to look behind me, I perceived about a dozen Tigers that issued out of a dark Den hard-by, who ran with open-mouth upon them to destroy them; and fancying that I had heard Mellissa give a grievous shrick, the fright of it waked me! Now the Gods grant, said she, that no harm may betid them. If, said Theocles, I were curious to regard Dreams, I might perhaps be equally concerned with you; for I likewise dreamt that Agenoris and Mellissa were both taken by Aphistaminus the Usurper of this Island; and that imagining Agenoris to be Evagoras, the true Heir to this Crown, who is reported to be gone to Sicily, he laid him in a dark Dungeon, and had loaded him with as many Chains as his Body could well bear, and that he had kept Mellissa in a private Chamber with an intent to Ravish her: But just as I was about dreaming that he was giving order to a Ruffian to murder him, I awaked. Clidamant's Colour changed extremely while he was relating this Dream, and by his eyes might be discerned some inward perplexity; he went presently to Orontus and Emilia, and told them whispering, that he could not choose but be something moved at it; if it were only that Theocles, who knew him not to be a Prince, should dream of him as one, and should dream that he was made a Prey to Aphistaminus, who would doubtless make him suffer more than his Dream specified, could he find him: And now was it that Clidamant repent that the Prince did not leave the Kingdom to have avoided these dangers; he could not rest till he had sent some of his Servants to make enquiry after him, for now more than two hours were slid away since he first departed. He immediately went and ordered some to go towards Paphos, some to the sood, and some to the Seaside. And while Clidamant was thus employed, Theocles being desirous to perform what he had promised to Orontus, found out Emilia to Accost her on his behalf: I have a Suit to you, Madam, said he, what is it, Theocles? answered she. Madam, said he, I dare not let it arrive to your knowledge, except you will first promise to hear it savourably, and afterwards to grant it; it's no trifle, Madam, said he, since it concerns life, What is it you demand? said she; let me know on whose behalf you plead? if what you ask of me does not exceed the Rules of Civility and Honour, perhaps I shall not refuse what you desire. Then, Madam, replied he, Mercy conducing much to your Honour, I hope you will now let it shine as brightly among the rest of your Perfections, and appear with as glorious a Lustre as doth a Diamond among a number of other precious Stones; that you may save the Life of miserable Orontus, lessen then your severity: Periander is no more to be heard of, you have condemned him to Exile; come, you must love Orontus, I must not be denied, nay, I told him I would not be denied; pray smile upon him, and do not wish him harm. I wish him none (said she) Theocles, with a sigh, but I must not love him, nay, I cannot; since you can plead so well for your Friend, (said she smiling,) what a becoming Orator would you be for yourself, if you had occasion? but pray desist from speaking any more in his behalf, for fear my weakness should make me submit not to deny you. Ah Madam! added he, did you but know how sincere his Love is! did you but know how little he enjoys himself! and did you but know what deep-fetched sighs he breathes for your sake, certainly your Pity would introduce Love! Pity him I do, (replied she, blushing,) because I cannot love him; and that's all he may hope for from me; yet tell him I would have him live. She spoke this in a kind of distracted manner, and with a faltering speech, and a look extremely wild; and fain would she have revoked her words, but that she thought it too late, because they were already uttered. Theocles rejoiced exceedingly for having obtained thus much of her on his Friend's part, and therefore with many thanks to her for the same, he left her, to carry the poor Lover the cheerful News; which he had no sooner told him, but it seemed to him almost incredible. And does Emilia bid me live! said he; can she then pity her languishing Lover? As Storms at Sea do for the present make the despairing Seamen prepare for unwelcome Death, yet when by some miraculous Fate the roaring Winds suddenly cease, and the briny Ocean does once again wear a smiling Calm, it doth in such manner cheer up the Heart of the mournful Mariner, that his present joy causeth him to forget his past misery: Even so this unexpected Blessing which Emilia hath conferred upon me, does so revive my drooping Spirits, which were once perishing in the frightful Sea of Despair, occasioned by her storms of Cruelty, that the desire I once had to die, to be eased of my sad pain, is changed into a pleasant desire I have to live: Since it is likewise by her command, brave Sir! said he to Theocles, in embracing him; the remembrance of that singular Favour you have now done me, is too great not to be acknowledged, which I am sorry I can not otherwise do, than by bearing the unfeigned Title of your Obliged Servant; too small a Requital for so noble a Courtesy. Theocles returned his Compliments after a very gallant manner, and then left him to search for Clidamant, to learn of him whether he had yet heard any news of Agenoris and Mellissa, who sorrowfully told him that the Servants were returned, but could hear nothing of them, except it was those that took their way towards Paphos, who informed him, that after enquiry made there after two such persons, they had been seen in the Temple of Venus: Clidamant seeing all his endeavours to find them were unprofitable, was sensibly grieved, as was likewise Old Melintus, as well for the absence of Agenoris, as for the loss of his Daughter: But much more were all their sorrows increased, when now they had waited with longing expectation to learn News of them, till the Sun had half finished his Course through the twelve Heavenly Signs, and yet nought could be heard of them: then was it that all Hope began to forsake them; then was it that their Tears did once more manifest how much they suffered by such a loss; but time at length made them consider, that since there was no other Remedy, they must be constrained to rest unwillingly contented. And indeed Clidamant, however sorrowful he was for the absence of the Prince, yet was he not in the least neglectful of paying his Devoirs to Emilia, which in the same moment did seem very much to perplex Theocles, though Clidamant perceived it not; his small success in his Application to her gave him great displeasure, and small encouragement to proceed, though Love perhaps might be of force to make him endeavour to resist his Fate; notwithstanding which, his trrouble was apparent enough; for he would sometimes seem to rave, and in his ordinary Discourse would often breathe out Emilia at unawares! how to heal his mind he knew not, till on a certain day a sudden thought possessed him, and he resolved to visit the Temple of Venus at Paphos, and thence to learn his Destiny, and to know whether he might ever obtain the happiness he aspired at, he soon prosecuted his design; where saluting the Priest, and deolaring the occasion of his coming, he found admittance into the Temple; and being silent till the usual Ceremonies to the Goddess were performed, form, he, by the instigation of the Priest, did kneel down, and made the ensuing Prayer.  
Great Goddess! thou who art not only the Governess of poor Mortals present Fate, but likewise of their future: Thou, who alone, canst make Lovers happy, and art the only Ruler of our Affections: Thou who canst trace the unbeaten Paths of the Soul; and art the true Vniter of all pleasing desires; grant the Humble Supplication of a Lovesick Mortal, and reveal to him whether he may extract any thing of Sweetness from what doth appear to be most Cruel? or whether Cruelty may continue to Reign in what doth bear the outward form of much Sweetness? whether the Heart of her he affecteth hath any room to entertain Love? or whether Love may make him hope for a Return from the Heart by him affected?  
Having ended his Prayer, the Altar before which they were planted, seemed to give a deep-groan, and the hollow and retired Vaults of the Temple, like distant Thunder in loud whisper, to presage that the Oracle was going to speak; which in a faint, though plain Voice, it did in these following words: 

The Oracle.  
Thou dost to Love pretend, but lov'st not well;  
And art not loved, yet there's none can excel:  
A Love so true, as is for thee in store,  
In Venus' Grove the Gods will tell thee more.  
Neglect not then t'embrace that courteous offer  
The Gods themselves will thee that moment proffer.    
Scarce was the Oracle silent, but Clidamant departed with much distraction in his thoughts, and discontent in his looks; for he found himself as much unsatisfied as he was before, in vain therefore did he often endeavour to unravel the sense of what he had heard; it seemed all along to him so palpable a contradiction, that the more he studied, the more he found his thoughts encumbered, though he imagined the latter end did plainly seem to flatter him; but yet for two or three days he continued very melancholy, keeping his Chamber, and deserting Company in so strange a manner, that it raised an astonishment in all that knew him, although those who knew him well, attributed it to the absence of Agenoris: the third day he seemed not altogether so sorrowful, nor was he yet in the least daunted at the several Repulses his Mistress gave him, but renewed his Suit to her with as much, or rather more eagerness than he had done formerly, which in the same instant did raise many Clouds in the Brow of Theocles, who with a troubled Countenance immediately departed the Room; though Clidamant, who was otherwise employed, took no notice of him, and still continued to endeavour to sosten the heart of Emilia; but alas it was in vain, for she persisted to be more rigorous to him than ever. Orontus on the other side faired better, since Theocles had spoke to her in favour of him; she would not now be displeased, or at least not seem so, when she heard the name of Love pronounced by him; notwithstanding which his doubts were not cleared, and which way her inclinations did tend he could not tell; he found but little reason to think himself an inhabitant in her thoughts, because she took so little notice of his pain; for meeting her once in the Garden in one of the Terras-walks, and with much difficulty finding an opportunity to entertain her; Madam, said he, (after some other Disdourse,) long have I loved you! long have I sighed for you▪ and every moment am I dying for you▪ yet have I been so far from obtaining your Love, that I perceive you have no room left for Platy, that may nourish me with Hope, but your Contempt feeds me with Despair▪ How can Cruelty have so fair a Dwelling▪ is your resolution fixed? do you resolve to kill the most Faithful of your Adorers? If so, Deal Madam, vouchsafe, me the Grace to let me know it, and you shall soon be deprived of one whose Life is hateful to himself, if it be to you: She made no answer all this while, but seemed to be in a profound study, which made Orontus with the tears in his eyes thus to proceed again. Madam, you are regardless of my misery, and seem deaf to my complaints▪ You who are the Directress of my Destiny, can you be the cause of my Ruin? You who are the Bright Star by which I may steer to the Haven of Bliss, can you take pleasure to make a Faithful Lover desperate? What was it Orontus said? replied she, as if she had been newly roused from the Region of the Dead, or from a busy Slumber. I say, Madam, continued he, that your cruelty hath killed the most faithful Lover that ever was, though the power of a smile from you raises him again, that fair visage methinks appears too innocent to the view, to give the heart encouragement to harbour Cruelty; those eyes are too bright to cause despair, and that Mouth too pretty to pronounce the Sentence of Death. Alas Orontus, answered she, I was thinking of the Prince— and did not well understand what you were saying; but what I told you, when Agenoris was inquisitive with me to end the difference between you and Periander, is my answer now; with which I would desire you to rest so well contented, that you will importune me no more in this affair, especially now when I would be private. Orontus, whose only desire was to please her, did readily show his obedience, and in an humble manner took his leave of her, he himself imagining his company at that time to be a trouble to her, because her desire was to be alone; where we will leave her to her privacy, and return to Clidamant, whom we lately left entertaining the same Lady, but being treated by her more like one she hated than one she loved, he likewise left the room immediately after. Theocles and his heart being stuffed with the fumes of an excessive Melancholy; he went by himself into the Grove of Venus, their to consult his thoughts what he had best to do, where it would sometimes come into his mind to desist loving a Mistress that so ill requited his love, and presently after he would think it lay not in his power. Thus did he continue walking under the shady trees with his thoughts always in motion, though irresolute and wavering, when as Fate would have it, casting his eye towards a pleasing shady Ally on his right hand, he espied Theocles walking in a posture not unlike himself, looking downwards, his hat over his eyes, and his Arms cross his breast, Clidamant drew near him; though he this while saw him not till he came very near him, and then his voice at first startled him; for said Clidamant to him, dear Theocles, why in this despairing posture? what is it disturbs your mind? you ask me what I may demand of you, replied Theocles, (in a very indifferent manner) were it not that I know you court the fair Emilia— what (added he) hath she withstood your addresses? will she not be kind Clidamant? has she given you a repulse? can you not work a smile from her. You deride me Theocles, answered he, in my misfortunes, which is not like a Friend; and though she makes it her glory to laugh at what she causes me to suffer, methinks you that pretend to be my Friend should rather afford me some pity. But said he again, I'll give you no more cause to rally me, for I am resolved to subdue this stubborn passion, and to triumph over her charms, that I may taste more sweetness in my life then now I do. Clidamant replied Theocles, that I more than pretend friendship to you, here is a heart can surely testify, and thee steem I have for you is greater than you believe it is; for in laughing at your present suffering, as you call them, I do more like a friend than if I should cherish you in your proceed; but No, No, Clidamant, make love to a stock or stone, or to any other insensible object, and then judge whether you may not find as much sweetness there, as in your tyrannical Mistress. I shall not go to lay before you how unlikely your love to this Lady is to prove effectual, because the experience you already have had hath I suppose now made you something sensible of it; then putting on a more serious Countenance, but do you think it possible said he to do as you say? can you shake off the unprofitable Chains of that fair one? if you can tell me, I do resolve to endeavour, answered Clidamant, and am in hopes of being successful; suppose then said Theocles, that I should beg permission of you, to choose you a Mistress whom you might perhaps not think unhandsome, and whose love to you should exceed the former's hatred, would you not think this change too equitable and be more desirous to free your heart from the imperious captivity of so cruel a Conqueror, to bestow it on one who would endeavour to pity your sufferings, and apply remedies: Alas said Clidamant, these are vain suggestions, deceitful dreams, and mere delusions; but were it so, and the Lady you thus proposed to me fair, virtuous, and endowed with all the accomplishment of Emilia, except her cruelty; I am apt to think that her Fetters would of themselves drop off to receive softer and milder from such a one as you speak of. Since then said Theocles you have thus revealed your thoughts to me, and have given me a positive answer to the thing I demanded of you; Wonder not, if I now tell you, that since my arrival into this Island I have obtained a singular accquaintance with a Lady between this and Paphos, who by my procurement hath often seen you, though unseen by you, perhaps she is not altogether destitute of those qualities you desire in a Lady, you would pretend to: such esteem she may have for you, which when you throughly come to know, you will find you have reason to cherish; if I have revealed more to you, than her own modesty would suffer were she here, if ever you know her, as you are a Gentleman, I doubt not but you will give such a favourable construction of her behaviour as she most deserveth. It's the general discourse of them that know us both, to report her to be extremely like me, and indeed nature hath made her features so concordant with mine, that we have often been taken for sister and brother: Now if you will promise me utterly to reject Emilia, and to take no Wife but what I shall choose, you may sometimes see her. Let the God's witness, replied Clidamant, I do faithfully promise it; though Emilia still may jodg in a corner of my heart and mind, yet I doubt not but the sight of this beautiful Lady you speak of, and the remembrance of the former's cruelty will expel her quite; it is impossible that any Lady can smile on me, did I not know thee Theocles to be a real friend, I should not believe thee, I am so astonished at it, that I do almost think my fancy deluded; yet said he again to himself softly, this must be the proffer I was advised too by the Gods: I must not, nay I find I cannot refuse it, the place I am in is Venus' Grove, and then said he more loud I do resolve to embrace this happiness, and do here absolutely promise to take no Wife but she you shall choose for me; if she be like you Theocles, I shall in truth think her not unhandsome; I have often wished that the transmutation of Sexes were real, that you might immediately commence Woman; for whereas now being a man, though the esteem I have for you is not small, were you a Woman, my Love to you would be boundless. But when? said he, very eagerly, where? and how shall I see this sweet Creature? Soft, said Theocles, I have not yet done; you shall see her presently; so putting his hand in his Pocket, he pulled out a Picture in a Case of Gold, embellished with Precious Stones, and gave it to Clidamant; here, said he, take a view of this, and keep it till you have seen the Original, which in a proper time you may likewise. Clidamant observed this Picture as one that had been altogether deprived of sense, he had not so much as the power to move a step forwards, but stood still to take a strict view of all the parts of it. Gods! said he to Theocles, this does far exceed all that I could imagine to be most Beautiful! and how far does this Face excel the description you made of her? if her Idea or Copy then be so excellent, doubtless her Person must be Incomparable; for the Painter could not be so cunning sure, but he hath miss some of the best Features; and though he hath represented a Skin whiter than Alabaster, yet I am apt to fancy he hath not brought it to the clearness of hers: then, said he, first looking upon the Picture, and then upon Theocles, in truth this hath a near resemblance of your Features; and yet methinks I see something in you that seems to exceed some Perfections in this Face: however, this is the resemblance of a Treasure worthy of our wonder; and now I find I have no more love for Emilia, than just as much as may make me say I do not hate her. A Star of the first Magnitude is glorious, so is Emilia; but as the Beauty of the Sun doth far exceed that, so doth this dazzling Beauty out-shive the Brightness of hers; and though my eyes were never blessed with the sight of this Fair Object; yet may I safely say, that never any had a love in store for those they never saw, like that which lies concealed in my Breast for her.  
Thus they discoursed while they walked, he admiring what he saw, and Theocles giving him encouragement to continue his admiration, till they came to a solitary place in the Grove, where the thickness of the Trees combined together, to make a thicker shade than in the other parts of the Wood; which, though lonely, was exceeding delightful: Thither were they no sooner arrived, but they were surprised with a mournful note, as it were of complain issuing from the thickest parts of those Trees near which they were; they stood some time a little still to listen, and thought they should know the Voice; and softly approaching a little nearer, they could distinguish what he said; which was very pitiful, and much after this manner;  
Ye Powers! why have you deprived me of the only comfort I had of my Life, and let me live? No, no, my only joy! now is the time! now is the time! I must follow thee! when my Soul in Airy-mists, pure and white as the Love I bear thee, shall ascend and meet thee in the middle Region; where sitting on a Golden-Cloud, I'll fly into thy Downy Bosom, whose softening Charms shall melt me into Dew; when being ready to drop down upon the Flowers here below, thy powerful Beauty shall (like the Sun) raise me up again; then in each others Arms we will gently fly from that lower part through a more refined Air, till we have reached the Starry-Orb; and in the Milky-way we will spend some time in chaste Embraces, and undefiling Kisses; and to the Harmony of the Heavenly Sphere we will dance our way into Elysium, where we will obtain all pleasing Satisfaction; where we will be Crowned with everlasting Love; and where we will triumph over Death, and obtain leave of the Gods to make it our perpetual abode. I am coming, Mellissa! said he, I am coming! Pretty Nymph! when he said this, Clidamant chanced to get a sight of him through the Trees; when he was just going to fall upon his Sword, they both rushed in, and prevented him, and were not a little glad of it, because they first heard, and then saw that it was the lost Agenoris, so long mourned for by all that knew him. He was a little astonished at their sudden coming upon him; but being come to himself, said he to them, endeavouring to get from them, when I was here before, I took you both for my Friends, but this action of yours doth now make me believe otherwise: If you had a respect for me, you would suffer me to do what I would with myself, since what I do is for my own ease, and future happiness. Do you think I must outlive Mellissa? nay, do you think I can? these eyes, said he, these wretched eyes were witness of her cruel death! I will therefore deprive them of sight by mine! they would not consent to what was so injurious to himself. After they had given him some comfort, they persuaded him to go with them to the Castle; where, when he was come, he was welcomed with all the joy they were capable of expressing, which did plainly evidence how generally he was beloved by them all; yet when they saw his humour so altered, and melancholy so predominant in him, we are not able to think how great their trouble was. Emilia was discontented, and Clidamant, notwithstanding his late cause of joy was sad. Theocles was very much interessed, they were all unsatisfied till they could know the Original cause of Agenoris his affliction, and which they believed they should never know till they could find him in a condition to relate his Adventures, that they likewise might know where he had been all this time; they were silent for six or seven days, but afterwards they presumed to entreat him; and though he knew it would but renew his sorrow to relate his sufferings. Yet since nothing could lessen it but the sight of Mellissa living, and since they were his Friends that importuned him; he one day began his Story in this manner.  

The Adventures of Agenoris and Mellissa.  
IF there be any body under Heaven that have cause to complain, I believe it is only I, to whom Fortune hath given the most occasions; for whatsoever I can say touching my miserable Condition, my Sufferings surpass the number of my words: and if I should go to make a relation of all the dangers I have run, and the divers accidents that happened to me since my departure from hence; the Sun that now gins to rise in a smile, will sooner finish his ordinary course, than I can make an end: But as briefly as I can you shall have it; When we departed hence we went to Paphos, to the Temple of Venus, where we both desired to learn whether or no our Loves should ever be Crowned with Marriage-Rites; the Priest had no sooner made his Prayer to the Goddess, touching what we demanded, but the Lamps went immediately all out, of themselves, and left us in the horror of a dismal Darkness! long did we not continue so, for soon after they were all lighted again, to our great amazement! Then did we behold the Divine Statue to tremble, sweat, and to weep in such a manner, that we could discern the Tears in Pearly-drops glide down her Cheeks. The Goddess, said the Priest, is not a little moved at something; these are deep Prodigies! He had no sooner said these words, but her Tears seemed to be dried up again; and then she smiled in an excessive manner: the Lamps also which in the time of her weeping did burn but dimly, when she began to smile, gave a more glorious and bright-shining light than they had done before! All which things moved a general wonder in the hearts of us all; and the Priest, which was likewise a little terrified, went straight behind the Altar, to understand the mind of the Goddess, and coming forth again, with a strong and plain Voice he declared her Mystery, in these following words: 
Oracle.  
WHen the threatening Danger is gone and passed, and Death hath triumphed over both; till then, and not before, your Loves shall pleasing be to us; and a Shepherdess shall be thought worthy of a Crown.   
After this had been said, we left the Temple to return homewards; both of us very much confused at what we had seen, and heard; and the more, because it promised us no happiness till death: We continued still walking till we came to some Trees, under whose cooler shades we designed to sit while for our refreshment, though we soon found it to cost us dear; for we were scarce set down, but we see ourselves environed with five or six men, whose hideous postures, and outrageous words, gave us not the least hopes of escaping from them. They were Armed with long Scimitars, and large straight Bucklers; and they had every one by his side a short Dagger. But whether they had met with no Prey lately at Sea, (for they came as from thence) to be so desperate as to land, and seek some on the Shore of this Isle, a thing never known before; or whether it was their nature that rendered them thus furious, nothing can be imagined to appear more barbarous than their grim looks: sparks of fire seemed to issue from their eyes; and the rage with which they fell upon us raised such fear in the Heart of Mellissa, that she swooned away; and I was in the extremity of either losing my life, or generously preserving it by contemning of death. I would have been content to have fallen into their hands alive, if Mellissa might but escape. I put myself then into a posture of Defence, and presented myself before these Inhuman Tigers, with my Sword in my hand; and making use of all what either Art or Nature had given me of Perfection and Agility, I throwed myself among the midst of my Enemies, giving some Blows, and receiving others, and made a sign to Mellissa to take her flight while opportunity presented. Three of them I had no sooner dispatched, but I saw six more coming toward us, three of which seeing Mellissa endeavour to escape, run after her, and the rest came upon me; I put myself in a posture to receive them, but they came upon me so strongly, and I being already almost spent with the length of my Combat, that I was constrained to give way to force. I desired them, that if they had not altogether banished Humanity from among them, that they would treat my Sister (meaning Mellissa) with Civility; and if you have any design upon my life, let her that fled live by my death. The confused language of these Villains, and the anger which they bore on their Faces, made me lose the hope of ever softening their hearts: they bond us together, and loading us with chains of Iron, they blinded our eyes, and pushed us before them with all the rigour imaginable, till we came to the Seaside; where having a Boat in readiness for them, in it we were thrown, and carried on Board of a Ship that lay scouting upon the Coasts for their return. Being on Board, they unblinded our eyes, and put us into the Hold; we had not sailed above four days and nights before they blinded us again, and carried us on Shoar: where I understood by a great noise when we landed, a whole Troop lay ready to attend them: they set us Horseback, our (eye being still blinded) and carried us, as we understood afterwards, upon the side of Mount Taurus; where, unblinding us again, they dragged us into an obscure Cave, under the hollow of the Mountains, where they fastened us in two divers places, to the end we should have no discourse one with another. It is impossible to express the complaints and mournings with which we filled the black dwellings of this Cavern. We had no other hopes but to serve as Victims to the most cruel and ungoverned People in the World. About midnight, when the whole Fabric of Nature seemed to sleep, and the Stars themselves, the Centuries of Heaven, were covered with gloomy Clouds, as it were to take their rest; one of the most Eminent of those that had brought us into this place, removed a great Stone that was at the mouth of the Cave, and with a Torch in his hand entered, and spoke to me in this sort;  
Whatsoever thou art, said he, it shall be made appear in this very moment, that I dwell in the World to do those People a pleasure whose Merits may claim it: You doubt not but you are in the Custody of the most Barbarous Company that ever was under Heaven; there is but one way then left for you to save your life, which you must quickly resolve on, or to morrow will be the day of your death. That Young Virgin whom you call your Sister, and who as taken with you, hath so Charmed me with her Beauty, that it hath been impossible for me ever since I first saw her, to find a moment of Repose: I must either be delivered from this amorous Passion by my death, or I must enjoy her. If thou wilt condescend to the last, and that I may do it by her consent, I will grant thee all sorts of Favours in these desolate places, and will make thee Captain of our Band.  
Ah Sir! replied I, what do you tell me? bring me rather the sentence of my death, than to let me hear this dismal News; I am capable of paying a sufficient Ransom for my Liberty, but I will sooner leave my Life, than my Sister in your hands; our Fortunes are too nearly interessed together, to forsake one another at the first shock: and if death triumphs over one, the other must needs perish. Mellissa (who was at the other end of the Cave) heard the last words I pronounced; and by the raising of my Voice, she perceived that I began to speak angrily to the Tyrant, which made her not know what to resolve upon.  
He nevertheless still persisted to importune me, and by his promises to endeavour to corrupt me, and make me a Companion in his Crime. But seeing it was all ineffectual, he gave me a great Blow with his Scimitar on my shoulder, and had he not struck the Chain with which I was fastened, and with the weight of the Blow broke it, I never could have removed out of the place. This Blow stunned me so, that I fell down; and because I feared he would redouble it, I feigned myself dead; whereupon he immediately left me, believing me to be as I seemed, and went straight where Mellissa was; before whom he fell on his knees, conjuring her with all he was able to feign of humility and sweetness, to have pity on a poor Lover, whose desire was to save her life, and that he was not come to offer her any violence; but rather by a contraction of friendship with her, to deliver her from that danger, which otherwise she must necessarily fall into.  
This Lamentable Virgin not hearing me speak any more, (as being persuaded that I was murdered,) wept, complained, and sought all the means she could to bereve herself of life, rather than to suffer the Tyrant to approach her. What, said she, Inhuman Villain! hait thou the boldness (after thou hast killed my Brother) to importune me with thy shameful Addrsses! No, no, my life is in your power, you may strike boldly, and you shall be requited with thanks for it. What, does a too-late repentance seize you? hath compassion found out an habitation it never had before, that you stand thus, and dare not strike? Come, give me the Dagger, and let me execute with my own hands, what thy cruelty does not refuse me. Ye Gods! what an apprehension was I in then? when I heard her pronounce these words, I had no more the knowledge of myself! the confusion and horror of those dark-dwellings had so possessed my heart, that I had forgot I was that Agenoris that lived once in Cyprus. Nevertheless, when I heard her pitiful Cries, I roused, as from a profound sleep, and endeavoured to arm my hands with Stones to cast at this Cyclops, but I perceived I was fastened on the left-leg with another Chain; insomuch that I thought despair would have made me run mad. The Villain told her, seeing he could not prevail, that since death would be so singular a favour to her, in that she should not be humoured; but however she should be taught to consent to his desire: and straight lays hold of her, and drags her by her delicate dishevelled Locks, with her eyes bathed in Tears; and whether the place imprinted in him something of horror, or whether he found a surprisal in the act he would not slain that obscure dwelling with a double Crime; (for he thought he had killed me) but with many rude Blows drove her before him! I, who found one of my Feet fastened, thereby not being in a capacity to fight, and defend myself, nor to use my endeavours to get at liberty, I laid myself down, to the end he might think me dead: but it was an excessive trouble to Mellissa when she saw me lie in that posture; and not being able to conquer her anguish, she fell down; and I believed she had died with sorrow, if the Gods had not miraculously preserved her! at length by little and little she got up, and, in rising, said she, At least, Infamous Viper, give me leave to bestow one Kiss on the cold Lips of him you have killed; and though he be dead, let me whisper my last Farewell in his Ear! the favour is but small I ask of you, and nevertheless it shall be an obligation I'll owe to thy Cruelty, (if it be possible to oblige such a Person.) No, no, replied this Monster, this is no time to interrupt my design; you must go with me to learn what Hatred can do, where Love could find no place. In saying these words, he dragged her out by her dainty Hair, (too too precious for such cruel touches;) and the Torch that had lighted them to the most retired part of the Cave, went out itself, as if it had been ashamed to give light to an act so wicked and detestable as he was now going about. I continued cold, as if all my veins were filled with Ice! and whoever had seen me then, would truly have judged that there was little difference between my face and that of a dead man's: The horror to see Mellissa ravished away in this manner, without my being able to help her, or run after her, and the darkness of the place in which I was, all alone, depriving me of the use of my senss, I fell down once more, not being able to breath sighs to ease me, nor words to mourn out my disaster. The silence and darkness of th' night seemed to favour the design of him that carried away Mellissa, and the Stars seemed ashamed at so much violence! for the whole Region of Air, were the thick and obscure clothing of Clouds, and added another night to the very night itself! Sometimes I could hear the grievous Cries of this miserable Fairone, and could distinguish some of her words from among the threaten of the Tyrant that thus handled her! Insomuch, that as many times as I heard her Shrieks, as many sharp Daggers did I feel, that seemed to pierce my very heart! In vain did I try to break to Chain that held me, to follow and help her; for I had no Instrument to make use of to unloosen me; and besides, the horrors of Darkness were so great, that I knew not what art to use to find a way out; despair was all the remedy I found! and I prepared myself to endure all the calamities that Fortune was capable of laying upon me. Nevertheless, as I was knocking my slf against the Wall, and seeking all the means I could to bereave myself of Life; one of the Chains by which I was fastened, loosened; which having perceived, I took up the first Stone I could find at my Feet, and began to knock with it upon the Irons, with such force, that at length I found a way to disengage myself throughly; and I presently endeavoured with my hands to find the way out of the Cave; and after I had wandered about the obscure turn of this mournful dwelling, I discovered the way out, by which Mellissa was carried, and tried to follow her footsteps. But although the bright Rays of the Sun darted themselves from the Orient, and discovered me the way, and the place where I was; the fear nevertheless that seized me, not knowing which way to go, put me into a greater confusion than before: however, I followed the first tract my instinct inspired me with, and crossed shady Woods, and fertile Valleys, but not knowing where to seek Mellissa! I sought her in all places where my passion directed me: Sometimes would I call her, but could not hear of her, unless it were by the repetition of her Name, by some neighbouring Echo, which did but renew my sorrow; and the farther I went, the less I heard of her. At length I sought another path, to see whether Fortune would be more savourable: but into whatsoever place of Solitude I went, and whatever Desert I passed, I saw nothing but the image of night, and silence. After I had long wandered in this manner, I entered into a small Wood, not far from the Cave out of which I came; where the first thing that presented itself to my view, was the dead Corpse of him that had carried away Mellissa, which lay stretched on the ground, wounded in three several places; his arms were scattered in divers parts hard by, and the very grass was red with his Blood. I considered this Spectacle as an action indifferent; but when I took more particular notice of his Face, and thereby came to know who it was, I stood so astonished and confused, as if I had been suddenly struck with thunder. Gods! said I to myself, what strange Reincounter is this? here is the Ravisher, but where is she that is Ravished? whre was Mellissa during this Combat? can this man be dead, and she alive? In saying this, I looked round about me, to consider whether it might be possible for me to discover the original of this accident: As I was thus contemplating this disaster, I perceived in a little Bush that was very thick, a small Box covered with a piece of white linen; curiosity made me approach nearer to it, that I might take a more full view of it, and, to my great misfortune, I found that it was the little Box of Jewels I had presented to Mellissa a little after my departure from thence: and then fear had so possessed my senses, that I was even ready every moment to expire; for it made me infallibly judge that she was murdered. I took them both up, and kissed them with many unfeigned kisses; and breathing a long and hearty sigh, why am I not permitted, said I, Bright Mellissa! to know where this Inhuman Tiger hath cast thy precious Body? to the end I may render thee the last Devoir a Lover is capable of manifesting to her he loves: and that I may Erect a Tomb over it in these silent Deserts, on which each minute I will drop a mournful Tear; and the last drops shall be myself into thy Grave, that one Sepulchre may serve us both. But alas! in vain! in vain do I thus moan! since what I mourn for, is not to be found. Yea Divinities! who bear Rule both in Heaven, and upon Earth; are ye insensible at such cruel Injustice? have you no Thunderbolts left to revenge this barbarous Act? you have executed a part of your Vengeance; but the same Weapon that killed her, must kill me: I could die to have Mellissa living; but I cannot live aftr her death. Then rturning towards the dead Carcase, and arming my hands with his Sword, It is thou, perfidious Tyrant, said I, that hath ravished from me this precious Treasure, and that hath thus miserably massacred her! had thy cruelty such power over thy barbarous heart, as to deprive her of life that gave it to others! and to snatch the light from those sparkling eyes, whose splendour could once invert the course of Nature, by forcing day to appear in the very midst of night and darkness! whereby the Earth could boast she had her Sun, as well as the Heavens! But what do I say? I defer my death too long; the same Weapon must pierce the Body of Agenoris, that took away the life of Mellissa: and would to the Gods, that he that did it, had yet some sign of life, that he might feel the effects of my just revenge; and that his own Arms might expiate his Crime.  
In saying this, I saw three men covered with the skins of Bears and Lions, armed with very long and broad Scimitars; who having heard the noise of my Complaints, without comprehending the Subject, flew upon me so, that having only time to shut the Box I had found, I drew my Sword, and defended myself with what dexterity and courage I could, against their blows, (for the desire I had to die, deprived me from fearing any danger I might meet with.) But when they knew him that lay at my feet, and had seen that it was their Captain; after they had sent forth a Cry, capable to make the very Heavens tremble, and fright the very Gods themselves! their Eyes flaming with choler, and their Faces covered with blood! they came upon me with such force, that having deprived me of my Sword, one of them was going to cleave down my head with his Scimitar; if the other, who came to him before the blow with his hand had not prevented him, by telling him that they must make an exemplary revenge of my Crime, and that a common death would not be sufficient to content the Ghost of Cleobulus, (for so was the Name of this cruel Tyrant.) They presently fettered me with Irons; and whilst two of them carried away the dead Body, the other drove me before them. It availed m not to call the Gods to witness of my innocence! and to swear to them by what was most holy in the Heavens that I was not culpable; but what greater proof could they have, than to find me by the dead Body, armed with his own Sword, and in a posture of giving him an hundred wounds more, had there appeared any sign of Life in him? The affliction they had on one side, for the death of their Master; and the joy they had on the other, for a prize so important, soon gathered them companions; for I saw them come round me as from all parts, like so many Wolves to devour me; for my part, I knew not how I was; for wheresoever I turned my eyes, although the present danger might have given me some apprehension, the memory of Mellissa's disaster left no room in me to deplore my own misfortune. If those that led me, had but taken notice of my Tears, it was not possible that their Rage could have continued; for it seemed as though the Heavens, the Woods, and all things that Nature had made insensible, had compassion on me! the Heavens were sad, and distilled themselves in tears; the Air and Earth sounded with my sighs, and the Valleys through which I passed, with my complaints! Nevertheless, the further we advanced in our way, the greater was the insolence of thost Villains; till having perceived the Walls of Latronia, the principal City of their Retreat, where there is a Magazine of Arms, and an innumerable quantity of all sorts of Robbers, whose power is equal to that of those Kings and Princes that border upon them. Presently there came out to meet us above five hundred men in Arms, as if they would conduct me in triumph; for they believed there was some of their Enemies, according to the report that was spread abroad, that an Army was coming against them: Scarce was I got into the middle of their Crew, but I found myself saluted with new reproaches, especially when they exposed the Body of Cleobulus to the view of the public; for his Wife, who was in the Town, being advertized of his pretended Murder, breaks thorough the Guards, and tears me from the hand of him that held me fast. What, says she, is this the man that deprived me of a Husband? and the Town of Latronia of a Captain? his death shall be dearly bought; for I myself will be the Executioner. I'll take away his life, and tear him in a thousand pieces! She had scarce ended those words, when she fell upon me, and threw me down, imprinting the fury of her nails and anger in my Face. But those who had taken me, seeing that this Megara continued to persecute me in that manner, and for fear the little life I had remaining, might not serve to sustain that vengeance and cruelty to which I was destined; took me from her, put me in Prison, consulting in the mean time what manner of torment I was to suffer, (for there is no manner of Justice in this Town:) and when they take any stranger, they consider not amongst themselves whether he ought to die or no, but what sort of death must make an end of him. About eleven of the Clock at night, that being the time they make their Sacrifices, because the Adoration they paid, was to the Infernal Gods; such as Pluto, Proserpina, with the Furies themselves: about that time, I say, a general noise was heard all over the Town, and the Streets were filled in an instant with lighted Torches: for soon after our arrival, the Wife of Cleobulus was making preparation for the Interment of her Husband, whose Body lay in the Temple of Proserpina, till they could Bury him in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors, according to their Custom; insomuch that the Priests of the Goddess judging that it was time to departed, sent to give notice to the Chiefest of Latronia to assist at his Burial; they had in the mean time concluded that I should be burned alive for the Murder I was accused of. At the same moment, being weary with the hardship I endured the precedent day and night, I began (notwithstanding all the apprehensions that troubled my mind) to take some repose; when two men came in, and clothing me in a black Robe, commanded me to follow them.  
This Ceremony at first seemed strange to me, for I knew nothing yet concerning what they had determined against me in Council; nevertheless I put on this mourning Robe; and after they had fasthed me in Irons of the same colour, they conducted me to the Temple, where the people were all ready assembled in Mourning Habits, having every one in his hand a Torch: I was no sooner come, but all the Funeral Pomp marched in order: I brought up the Rear, being covered with Chains, and guarded with the greatest part of the Army; we went about half a mile from the Town, and entered into a spacious Field, where the Citizens of Latronia were accustomed to be Buried. The Priests having opened the Tomb, stood upon a piece of ground something higher than the rest, and began to read the Sentence of my Death, much to this effect:  
That for the Murder committed on the person of Cleobulus, I was condemned to be burned alive, before the place of the Sepulchre, and my Ashes to be cast into the Wind, that the memory of my Name might be dissipated with the rest of my Body. I was nothing startled at this pitiful Sentence; neither was I concerned at the manner of my death, for death was a thing could never strike terror in me; I had a Soul far greater than my misfortunes. Casting my eye upon the stake where I was to be consumed, I considered it as a place where I should enjoy that I desired, and as my only road to the all-pleasing Elizinm; when I also considered in myself, that Mellissa was dead, and that to live longer was to consume my life away in perpetual anguish, I mattered not to die; and it seemed as though the Flames of Love, which are divine, would render the matrial less sensible. Whilst I was about meditating what I had best to do, and as my mind was employed on other things than to search out artifices to deliver me from a danger that was so near; they buried Cleobulus in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors, and all the people thronged about the stake to see me burned; in the same instant the Priests made me mount upon the pile of Wood When I saw myself in that pitiful condition; (the Wife of Cleobulus holding a Torch in her hand to put Fire to the Wood) I could not forbear to mourn out my disaster in these words; Agenoris, mourn the day that ever thou didst see Mellissa; for there, there was the beginning of thy disaster; but alas what do I say fair Mellissa? pardon these words, caused by an excess of my grief; and if yet thou hast any thing of life remaining, or if old Charon, concerned at my misery, will cause his Boat to stay, go not alone to the Elysian Shades, let my Soul accompany thee, and as Love united our Hearts, so now let Death reunite our Souls.  
Whilst I was breathing forth these words towards the Heavens, they that led me fastened me with Cords, which was no sooner done, but the Wife of Cleobulus set fire to the Wood, which was presently in a flame, the Smoke having almost choked me, not so much as giving me the leisure to brathe, and my Senses failed me; and what could fortune have done more to me, than to cause me to be fastened to a stake in that manner, and ready to be swallowed up by the Flames among the most detestable Crew that live under Heaven. Can l be in a mor miserable condition, and nevertheless you shall hear how the Gods would not suffer my innocency to be oppressed, and how they do not begin to secure Mortals before all other helps fail: Know then, that this Troop of Robbers and Pirates increased in Process of tim by a number of Vagabonds, Slaves, and Fugitives, who seeing they could not live under the severity of the Laws of the Prince of Cappadocia and other Neighbouring Provinces, had taken refuge upon Mount Taurus, as in an approved Fortress, where they might defend themselves against the Incursions and Power of their Enemies; the King of Lasonia; as most interessed in this affair, and being the nearest Neighbour to these Robbers, had often endeavoured to put them all to the Sword; ut this Mountain was so strong, and the approaches of their Latronia so difficult, that it was impossible for them to overcome them, for Cleobulus permitted them to commit all manner of crimes, and there was no wickedness under Heaven but found a recompense among them. No body dare come near them; they would come in Arms even to the adjoining Frontiers, and would sometimes take and destroy whole Towns, as I have since understood: but Cleobulus was the cause of their general Defeat; for Polecrates King of the Pisidians having a little before sent his Son against this Rabble, with an Army of eight thousand men for to rout them: He engaging his Person a little too far in the Combat, was killed by the hand of Clobulus himself, and all his Troops cut to pieces: Polycrates justly concerned at such a loss, conjured all his Allies, and begged of them to secure him against those barbarous villains, so that in a little time there was an Army of 25000 men raised for the Enterprise.  
In so much that as it pleaseth the Gods to bring all things to the point to which they are destined, King Polycrates having brought his Troops to the top of Mount Taurus, that separateth all Asia, it was even a wonder, for contrary to the Opinion of the most prudent men, his Vanguard was at the Gates of Latronia at the same time that I was going to be consumed, a Confusion flies presently into the middle of the Assembly, and fear having scattered them into all places, the Enemy entered pelmell into the Town, and seized upon the Gates. The Wife of Cleobulus, who yet held the Torch in her hand to set fire to those parts of the Wood, that were not yet lighted, was one of the first that left the Sacrifice and ran away. I knew not what to think of this new Accident, and believed that Fortune, not being satisfied to see my Body reduced to Ashes, prepared a more cruel Death for me. But contrary to my exprectation, Captain Dyonisius, Son to the great Priest, who commanded in this Vanguard, perceiving m in that condition, ready to give up the Ghost, and half stifled with the Smoke, whether it was not of pity, or whether he would reserve me for a greater pain, caused me to be taken down; I rendered him thanks for the favour he did me, and told him briefly the Reasons why they intended to sacrifice me, that truly I had not killed Cleobulus as they all imagined; but that if he had not been dead when I saw him in the Wood, no body had more reason to kill him then I had. I reserved the rest of the Discourse for another time, for he was too busy, and too eager in the pursuit of the Enemies. He put me then to be guardd by one of his own men, and turns his Troops against th' Inhabitants of Latronia, who still continued to make a resistance, and who were got into the Fortress that was in the Town: in the mean time the whole body of the Army followed, which came pouring upon these barbarous wretches, turned their Town topsey turvey, and fired it in all parts, to the end, that in the deepest darkness of the Night their very houses might serve them, as Torch's, to Massacre them: the Streets were filled with nothing but dead Bodies, and bleeding Carcases; never was the Alarm so furious in the Town of Troy, when the Greeks revenged the injury done to Hellin, for wherever you turned your eyes, you could see nothing but Blood and Death. But pray observe the extent of Choler, when it hath got the sole government over Reason and the rest of the Passions; Some Soldiers of Dyonisius his Army coming luckily to know that Cleobulus was newly buried, they surrounded his Tomb, with horrible noises and outcries, as if they would pull his very soul out of Hell, to make him suffer that pain which they would inflict upon his insensible Body, taking him then out of his Coffin, they tore his winding-Sheet in a thousand pieces: and after they had cut off all the parts appertaining thereunto, the Nose, Ears, Fingers, and all other Members, they run him in a hundred times with their Swords and Halberds; and upon the first approach of day light, they carried him before the Fortress, where they fastened him to a Gibbet that he himself had built not for Criminals, for they remained all unpunished; but for those that commit not Robberies and wickedness enough: then thy cut him in five or six pieces, and for Trophy of their Victory, dragged him along the Streets, with all the Calumnies and Indignities that the unbridled Multitude are capable to invent, if one can commit any Indignity to such a noted Rogue. His Wife who had taken shelter in the Fortress with the most eminent persons of Latronia, could not see this Spectacle without testifying her resentment; she tore her Hair, and made her Face swell with Blood; and after she had vomited an infinity of Blasphemies and injuries against Heaven, and against Dyonsius, she went to the top of all the principal Tower, and cast herself down; all the place was covered with her Brains, and with thick lumps of Blood that came out of her Head. After that the Town of Latronia was sacked, and that there was nothing of their Fortresses remaining but a smoky Vapour and thick Cloud that risen from the burning of the Houses, part of the Army went to Mount Taurus, to exterminate the remainder of these Vagabonds; and the rest returned to their first Quarters, under the Conduct of Dyonisius, who seemed to have a particular care of my life, he causEd a Chamber to be provided for me just over his, and because the last night's labour had wearied me, I cast myself down upon a Bed, to take some rest, but just as sleep was going to steal upon me, I heard a faint Voice, like complaining in the next Chamber, which seemed to accuse the Stars, for having conspired to make them unhappy; Ought thou, O Love, said she, to deprive me in a moment of my Lover's presence? where art thou, dear hope of my Life? if my Fate was so cruel to me, as to create me too low in Birth, to make me not presume to think of becoming thy Bride, if I did not promise to render thee and me happy, yet methinks thy presnce, thy dear presence! will give me that satisfaction, I am now destitute off: that I love thee tenderly, let Heaven witness, but it was a Love so pure, that thy very presence did seem to give bounds to my desires; if I loved thee, I loved thy sight and company; what unhappy influence hath thus separated us? The whole Army of Dyonisius triumphs over the defeat of Cleobulus, but I amongst all these Joys must wear mourning, to deplore thy Misfortune: O lamentable Trophy's, and melancholy Spoils! But since I have no other hope remaining, I'll bereave myself of this wretched Life, to accompany the silent shadow of my Agenoris.  
At these words, an universal confusion seized upon my senses; I knew it was Mellissa's Voice, but yet the sound of it was so faint and weak, that I could think it to be no other thing but her Ghost, that called me to come where she was.  
Pardon me, said I, (than bright soul) if I have so long delayed to follow thee, I have sought all occasions to sacrifice my life for the expiation of the Crime which I have committed in unhappily conducting thee from thy innocent Flocks: but however, my own hands shall punish me, and make thee an Offering of my Life, for a certain assurance of that sincere Affection I bear thee.  
Scarce had I ended these words, but there was a great noise in the Chamber from whence the Voice came. I gave attention to this Bustle, for amidst the consusion of words, I heard a clashing of Arms, which made me belive that some body was ravishing away Mellissa again. At length whether she heard my Complaint, or whether she knew my Voice, I heard her bid me Adieu, saying, She would remember her Vows, and likewise entreated m to retain some remmbrance of her; then I felt a fresh assault upon my Heart, and as if a cold Ice were melted in all my Veins, it was encompassed with a general apprehension; I risen from my Bed, looked out at the Window, and in the obscurity of the Night, amongst the lighted Torches, I discerned four of those Soldiers that I had seen to follow Dyonisius, that were carrying away this miserable Virgin: Gods! what tears and sighs did I then spend to see those fair Eyes again eclipsed from my presence? the remainder of the Night seemed a whole Age to me, and if the Day had not restored that Light to the World, which the Night had taken from it, I had thought to myself to have been no other than a shadow, I inquired of those that were near Dyonisius, what Maid that was, that they carried away in the Night? all the answer I could receive was, That she had been taken away by force from five or six Soldiers, that had left their Colours to do mischief in the Fields and Roads; and that they were now conducting her to Pisidia, there to be sacrificed to the Gods, because of the Victory that King Arcon had newly obtained over his Enemies.  
This News loaded me with a new grief, for now I doubted not but it was Mellissa, for having heard the complaints she made, and having seen so many particulars, but dare not to discover myself, for fear of engendering some kind of suspicion in the mind of Dyonifius. I often did endeavour to escape from the Army, to follow her I loved, but I was guarded so closely, that all my Erterprises were unprofitable: and in find, I had intelligence, from a Slave, they had a design upon my Life; and that all the kindness I daily received from Dyonisius tended to no other end, but to render me the more agreeable to the Gods. I began then to be sad, and to change my form of Life; I was not sorry to die, but I was troubled that the Army tarried so long before it returned, lest Mellissa were sacrificed in Pisidia, before I might enjoy the happiness of seeing her. In fine, we were carried to the City of Antioch, where the King, after he had recompensed his Captains, and divided the Spoil that he had taken in Latronia, disbanded his Army, and returned in Triumph to his Palace, where the Queen expected him. The Father of Dyonisius the great Priest came to him, to let him know, That after so glorious a Victory, he ought to make Sacrifice to the Gods; that the ordinary Victims not being sufficient for what the Gods had done for him, the lives of Men were only capable of an acknowledgement of their favours; and since what they required should be pure and unpolluted, that it was reasonable to offer them a Sacrifice of the first Spoils that the Army met with in entering Latronia.  
Dyonisius, who was present at the Speech, caused me to be called, and told King Arcon, That he had reserved me on purpose to serve for the Victim, because I was the first he had met in entering the Town; he also asked his Father, whether he had not received a Maid that he had sent him? who answered, Yes. By the Kings command they began to prepare for the Sacrifice against the next Morning: and then I began to hope, if there be any content in hoping for death, that I should see Mellissa once again, before I died. But the expectation of such a happiness was soon followed with other News much more sad, for as the King was ask for the Virgin that should be sacrificed, News was brought, That Philander, the younger Brother of Dyonisius, and Son to the great Priest, was extremely in love with her, and had carried her away, no body knowing to what part. It is impossible to express the grief which I received from these words, for I was in the King presence when this News was brought to him, who took it as an ill Omen, that the Son of his Priest should hinder him from rendering the God's thanks, and presently caused 200 Horse to be sent throughout Pisidia, to find out where Philander was retired; and the Sacrifice was put off to another day. I seeing that no News could be heard of Mellissa, and that they intended to put me to Death, did underhand deal with my Keepers, by a sum of Money, for to get away, for besides the Box I had found of Mellissa's, which was very full of rich Jewels, I had much more about me, which I had at the time of my departure from hence; my design succeeding then, as heart could wish, I took my way where my design guided me, and persuading myself, that Philander was gone towards Caria, because that those the King sent after him had taken that way, in a disguise, that they might not know me again, I followed them at a distance, but I was not got fifty Miles from Antioch, before a Courier from the King came to give notice, that the Sacrifice was done, and that it was not necessary for them to go any further. Then was I in new apprehensions, I knew not whether I had best return back again to Dionysius, and present myself a Victim, or go into Caria, where I had some acquaintance. The death of Mellissa bereft me of any desire I might have to survive her; and when I saw that they were not permitted to go any further, I easily believed that she was found, and that King Arcon had sacrificed her to the Gods; Can any one concevie themselves to be more miserable than I? When I reflected upon all these cross accidents, truly I then believed that Fortune had done all she could to me.  
I went into Caria and came into the Town Heracleus near Latmos, where Reigneth the King Polidor, I continued in that Court for sometime, where my friends were troubled to see so much grief in my countenance; The Price was very civil to me, and would make me use all manner of Diversions, to endeavour to drive away my Melancholy, sometimes would be carry me to hunt upon Mount Latmos, but nothing could dissipate that Melancholy that consumed me. In fine, after I had took my leave of this Prince, and returned him thanks answerable to the favours I had received of him, I had a desire to return and end my days here in Cyprus, I embarked at the Haven Mileta and sailed by the Isle of Rhodes, but it was but to render me more miserable, for I was taken by Pirates who rob me of my money, and of the Box I had that belonged to Mellissa; nevertheless, as I was fastened in the Cabin all alone as they were consulting upon my life, there came two great Vessels sailing upon us, and stuck so closely to us, that we were constrained to change our Master, as if the Gods would punish the injustice of the first by the wickedness of the other. This new change filled me with new fears; for wishing for nothing more than death, and not being capable of receiving it, it was to die as often as they gave me hope of life; the Merchandise of our Vessel, and all the Prisoners being put into the Ships of the Conquerors, I saw the most cruel and bloody spectacle that fortune could make me see, I perceived Melllissa upon the shore of the Island of Rhodes, on that side of it where it advanceth it point into the Ocean, (for we were not very far off from it) who was fastened and bound with chains, followed by an infinite number of Corsaryes, and a Priest that held in his hand a knife to cut her throat, I could not well see her face, for a long vail covered her head, but I knew her , her port, her Actions, and what I had formerly took notice of in her that was most remarkable, the Vessel wherein I was threw out her Anchor to stay and see the ceremony, for there was an Altar erected on the shore, upon which the Incense did already smoke, and all preparations were made for the sacrifice, I took notice of this prodigy a great while. Is it possible, said I to myself, that Mellissa is not yet dead? Is that her Ghost, or is that which I see true? I know her apparel, and if my eyes deceive me not I see the very features of her face; O Gods said I, if it be so, plunge me in the bottom of the Sea, to the end I may not see so horrible a massacre, the Pilot who saw me in those transports, not knowing the cause of such a sudden motion, laid hold on me for I was just going to cast myself into the water, for my eyes (alas must that word be pronounced) saw the knife stuck in the throat of that Divine Beauty, I was grieved I could not give her the last adieu, nor know the cause of this barbarous action; the Captain of our Vessel strait hoisted his sails, and we were carried into the main Sea, having no other objects; to behold but Air and Water; I enquired of those that were prisoners with me what ceremony it was we had seen von the shore, they answered me that all that Country was peopled with nought but vagabonds and Pirates, who before they sailed upon any enterprise, had a custom to cast lots amongst their slaves, for which of them should be sacrificed to the Divinities of the Sea.  
Scarce were we launched into the Ocean when the rising of a mighty tempest made large folds upon the waters, and the fury of the wind was so great that our Vessel was split all to pieces, nevertheless as if I could not meet death in the middle of so many dangers, I saved myself upon a broken table, and meeting as fortune would have it, a ship that was sailing for Pamphilia, I got into it, and arrived safe at the Haven where the Gods darted on me a ray of their favour, in giving me the knowledge of a Merchant I had once seen in Syria, when I traveled thither; who after he had favourably received me into his house, made me take of him as much money as I would to relieve my train, but I who desired to have no body with me took up as much money as I thought would bear my charges to Cyprus, when embarking in the first ship that was bound thither, I happily arrived at Paphos, where after I was landed, I was about to sacrifice my life in the Grove of Venus, to follow my Dear Mellissa, when you Theocles and Clidamant did too soon prevent me. Pardon me dear soul continued he. If I have not rendered thee that duty, I ought to have done, my life I know is a present thou must expect, and I ask nothing more of the Gods than a glorious death, that I may bear thee company in the Elysian shades. In saying these words, the tears trickled down his cheeks like Orient pearls, and his grief would let him say no more; Clidamant acknowledged love to be very powerful when he is master of all the other passions, of which opinion they were all, and said whatsoever they were able, to comfort him and give him hopes of a better fortune for the time to come; it now begininng to grow late, they all but Clidamant departed the room; who knows (said Clidamant to him when the rest were gone) but the Gods expressly caused Mellissa to die, to make you the happier man hereafter, an to the end, that a Prince of your greatness should not debase his blood and parts, by espousing one that was so much beneath him, a poor young Shepherddess; can she deserve to be the bride of a private Gentleman, if she cannot, much less can she to be a Queen. I much confess, fair she is, and fair enough to be beloved by you, but not to be dignified with Royalty. Hold these balsphemies, said Agnoris except you would make me esteem you for ever as my enemy; I am a Prince it is true, but where is my Kingdom, I have only the name remaining, and for Mellissa had I not seen something in her face and behaviour that was extraordinary, had I not seem something in her that distinguished her from other people of her condition, which made me almost suspect that she was beyond what she seemed to be; And had I not seen those perfections that dwelled in her pretty face, and those eyes whose sparkling lustre were capable of making the strongest man to yield, (but alas she is now no more to be seen, her eyes are closed, her rosey cheeks have lost their colour and now look pale, she is no more the same, she is gone, she is gone from me for ever) however, I say, had I not seen what I have now told you, and that the graces of her mind did equalise her outward perfections; and had I not likewise took notice of a Virtue in her very difficult to be found in any other, I must confess I had not loved her; she consented to love me but in a manner so pure that a Brother might love a Sister with the like love; she would not agree to marry me, because she said, her poverty and low Birth would dishonour me, and had you but heard how prettily she pleaded against all dishonourable designs and desires, you would have been astonished at so much virtue in one that was so young, and that appeared (by being a Shepherd's Daughter) to have had so little Education: you would not have her be my Bride you say, but yet I may love her, and I believe you mean, enjoy her; but could you yourself Clidamant have been so wicked as to wrong so much virtue?  
I must confess, said Clidamant, I have myself admired at many things in her which are not common, and have likewise thought, when I have looked steadfastly upon her, that I saw something in her Face that might almost make her deserve you; she had a cast with her Eye methought, and a look which did extremely counterfeit Majesty; but when I considered again that she was no other than a Shepherd's Daughter, could not think her a Match for so great a person yourself; and I could have wishect, that from among all those beautiful Princesses that are in Asia, that you had made choice of some object more answerable to your greatness. What Princess, replied Agenoris, would look upon a dissolate Prince, bereft of his Kingdom, and exposed to all the injuries of Fortuen, as I am? and if they would, what State would consent to this Alliance? True, replied Clidamant, but times may alter, and then those that now think you are not in being will covet your Alliance. Times, said Agenoris, do not so suddenly change, and whether they do or no, I am indifferent, for time and fortune have now done all they can do; they have deprived me of my Kingdom, they have made me Spectator of the Death of her I loved, and they have deprived me of the means of obtaining that Death I now desire; are not these Afflictions grievous? are they not intolerable?  
Clidamant seeing him so overcome with melancholy, did now, without scruple, begin to comply with him in every thing, and used all the friendly expressions imaginable to give him comfort, and after begging his pardon, if he had said any thing that had moved him, which he said was the effects of his Love. He desired him to endeavour to take some repose, which he had sacrce done since his arrival into Cyprus; Clidamant who was his Bed-fellow all that time, did likewise not forsake him now.  
The End of the First Book.    

Evagoras.  
BOOK II.  
THe light of the Sun had scarce dissipated the thick mists of Darkness, when most of his Illustrious Family had left their Beds again: Theocles was the first to whom the brightness of the Morning gave an invitation to walk into the Garden adjoining to the House; he was seconded by a Lady that waited on Emilia, whose name was Livia, and who was the best beloved by her Mistress of any of her Attendance; she was carressed by one Theobaldus, a Servant that waited upon Theocles, and to whom she gave little cause of despair, for her inclination seemed to tend much towards him; but he on the contrary (as most young Lovers do) after they have loved a little while, seemed much colder in his purpose to her than he was before, which made her think he began to grow weary of loving her, and that loving Novelty better, he had made choice of a new object, to bestow there what he had taken from her. This, as we must needs think, raised some disturbance in her mind, which made her, at that time, desire to be private, that she might consult her thoughts with more leisure in what she had best to do. After she had set herself down then in the midst of the Garden, by the side of a Fountain, where her Eyes were fixed upon the spouting of the Water out of a Dolphin's mouth, upon which, by the reflection of the Sun, from its cleverness as it came forth, might be discovered a perfect Rainbow, with all those colours as are to be seen in the heavenly one. After she had spent some of her thoughts in this delightful place, she walked from thence through a middle Walk that led her under a close and fresh Arbour, which was above in a Terras walk, it was very private and solitary, and the Terras walk is separated from the place wherein she was by a thick Hedge, cut on the top smooth, and like a square, about the middle of which, towards the other end of the Garden, are six stone Steps, whereby you ascend up into the Walk, and directly at the other end is another Arbour, made after the same manner as this; she stayed there not long but something employed her mind otherways, for she thought she heard somebody talk in the Arbour, and giving near notice to it, it seemed to be the voice of one complaining, which saluted her ears, much after this manner: I love, and I likewise find I may have hope of being beloved again, yet he whose love I crave, knoweth me not; he seemeth to respect me as his friend, but do I desire nothing more sensible? and yet methinks I am unjust to blame him for what he doth not know, for in the disguise I am in, how can I expect he should know what I would have him? yet how dare I reveal it to him? is there not a kind of modesty that restrains me, from giving my tongue that liberty? Alas! I can but think if I should go about it, how imperfectly and with what faltering Speech I should acquit myself of it; nay my very Blushes would manifest my weakness to him. Ah Clidamant, what way shall I make use of then to discover to thee that secret thou lest dreamest of? Ah Clarinda, thou art clearly lost, happy hadst thou been if thou hadst never left Crect; but why do I say so, when I account all my happiness to be in Cyprus? Should I tell him what I am, and that I love him? can I think it would not be the way to make me lose his favour, and by imagining my humour to be light by such a declaration? can I imagine too that he would not reject my generous proffer? But stay— I think I have begun a way already wherein, if I proceed, I may accomplish my design with prudence: that picture I gave him may help me much in it, Courage than Clarinda.  
After these words were spoke, Livia ran to the stone Steps to get to the Arbour to see who this Clarinda was, where when she came she found it to be Theocles, at which, being at first not a little amazed, it made him suspect that she had heard his discourse; wherefore to prevent her from speaking, and with a troubled countenance; he said, I doubt not Livia but your Ears were witnesses of some foolish Discourses I made but even now to myself, but I imagine you are too discreet to believe them, or if you do, you are too prudent to publish them, especially to those from whom they ought to be most concealed: What I have heard, replied Livia, I have too long suspected not to believe: now confess then Theocles, confess to me, that you are a woman; if I can be serviceable to you in your Love-commerce, you may make use of one that will not betray you. Know then, Livia, replied he, that I am a Woman, I am called Clarinda, and not to dissemble with you, I must not disown I love Clidamant, and that this Island was the first place of my Captivity; I think I may not enjoin your secrecy, since it were to suspect ill of you, for if my eyes deceive me not, you have a countenance that bears marks of more honesty and good nature. She would have proceeded, had not Livia told her how great the obligations were she owed her for those good Sentiments she had of her, and that she might be sure she would endeavour to conserve herself in her good opinion by keeping that concealed which was now discovered to her. Theocles then took his leave of her to go in to the rest of the company, because his too long stay might not raise some suspicion in them. Livia continued still in the Garden, where, after she had fetched a great many turns, she chanced to come near the other Arbour in the Terras-walk that was opposite to this, where she had heard Theocles, and there she heard a noise, much after the same nature she had heard in the former, and listening more attentively to it, she thought it resembled the voice of Emilia her Mistress, which made her half suspect the Garden was Enchanted; she was resolved to hear what it was she said, because she had had a suspicion a great while, that she was in Love, by reason she was more retired and melancholy than she was wont to be, but with whom she could not divine, for she knew that Orontus was slighted by her, wherefore she had the patience to hear these words:  
I find I am unjust for being so cruel to Orontus, but alas had it not been for Theocles, I could not have given myself these reproaches: yet when I think with what an indifferent Eye he looketh upon me, it sometimes causeth me to say to myself, Thou hast deserved to be thus treated, Emilia, for rejecting true Love for indifferency: but then Theocles knows not who loves him, if he did, perhaps he would carry himself with more complaisance towards me. Alas, these are but suppositions too, for how could he choose but take notice of thy looks, Emilia, when thou wert in his presence; what man is so stupid that cannot read love in a woman's face, when her eyes sparkle and dart pleasing glances upon the object beloved? when a blush intermixed with a smile and a languishing look upon her lover, doth show with what constraint she would conceal her weakness. Then proceeded she: Perhaps this Letter I have writ may not make me altogether despair, and though he may thereby think me bold, yet since I shall not be present to blush before him, it will not so much confound me; besides, I know he is too generous to give a bad construction on what a Lady sends him. In saying this she went forth of the Arbour into the Terras-walk, and Livia retched a turn another way; nevertheless in a small time after Emilia spied her, and beckoned her to come to her, and accordingly she obeyed: Livia, said she, the experience I have had of thy fidelity, doth not make me scruple to tell thee of the most inward passages of my heart; If I tell thee then that I love Theocles, I hope thou wilt not condemn me since thou art guilty of the same crime (if it be a crime) by loving Theobaldus. Fellow the instructions that I shall give thee; touching my intrigue with Theocles, and as thou hast been true to me hitherto, continue so for the future, and I do promise thee, I will bring it about, that Theobaldus shall be thy Husband, nay and more than that, I will give thee thy Wedding-Gown when thou marryest him. Livia smiled at these words, and modestly seemed to thank her: But (said Emilia, proceeding in her Discourse, and holding a Letter in her hand) this Letter, Livia, I'll recommend to thy care, it is for Theocles, do not give it him thyself, but leave it to Orontus, and tell him from me, that if he hopes for any favour from me, he must give it to Theocles with his own hand; and withal, let him know, that in it I have fully expressed my mind to his friend, concerning the resolution I'll take. Livia told her, That she might assure herself, that she would acquit herself of this Commission, as she desired. Whereupon Livia left her to effect her commands; but when she was gone from her, how greatly did she wonder at the strangeness of this adventure, at least she thought it so; and had it not been that she had promised secrecy to Theocles, she had told Emilia that he was in a woman: these things could not choose but seem odd to her, Theocles is in love with Clidamant, who takes Theocles for a man, and Clidamant is in love with a Picture, the original of which, he believes, he never saw, when he sees the true one every day: Emilia on the other side loves Theocles, whom she know not to be a woman, and rejects the love of Orontus, who long had been her constant adorer: upon all which circumstances, when Livia reflected, it was both a trouble and a pastime to her; she would not deliver Emilia's Letter presently to Orontus, but stayed two or three days to find out an opportunity, in which time she did, and gave the Letter to him, with the Instructions she had received from her Mistress; he seemed very glad of it, but could not deliver it presently to Theocles, because of the pleasant Comedy that was passing between him and Clidamant, and seeing them in in discourse together, as he thought, about some private affair, he out of civility retired. Being gone, I must confess, Theocles, said Clidamant, that the oftener I look upon the Picture I received from you, I every time discover things that are more remarkable in it than I did before; I find in the Face now wonders, which does every minute even add more fuel to make that fire burn the fiercer that consumes me; I confess I once loved Emilia, and to all outward appearance, most tenderly; yet I find the love I have for this Idea, doth manifest that it is possible to be endued with a love more tender than ever that was; and as my love to this unknown fair one doth daily increase, so doth likewise my curiosity to see the person whom this Piece resembles. Then with a look that almost spoke what he desired; It is now a great while, Theocles, said he, since you promised me a sight of this beautiful Creature; when must be the time then, that I must see what I never yet did, but ever shall love? when must my eyes enjoy a happiness that doth doubtless surpass all beautiful objects I ever yet saw? and when, Theocles, when shall I with an awe, that shall evidence as much the fear I have to offend, as the desire my love inspires me with to please her, let her know by whom she is adored and admired, and who it is her shadow only hath made a Captive?  
Are you resolved then, replied Theocles, to make choice of no Woman but the choice I have already made for you? you have the Picture of her I have pitched upon for you, and now it shall not be long before you have seen the party it was drawn for. Now you are kind, Theocles, said Clidamant, the choice which you have made for me, I like so well, that if I would, yet would not my inclination permit me to love any other; therefore it is she that must give me either Life or Death, and I have some glimpse of hope, by what you have told me of her, that her pity may cause her to be inclined to the first rather than to the latter. Then, said Theocles smiling, I perceive you think to make an easy conquest of her, before you have seen her: In truth your humour is pleasant; you have so good an opinion of her I see, that you think she loves no delays by a tedious courtship: in that perhaps too she may agree with you, for she may think them superfluous; yet let me tell you, Clidamont, that though she doth not love superfluities, she is so prudent that she loves to try her pretendets, before she will let them know her mind, and then whoever she thinks most worthy, them to be sure she will gratify. Suppose me, Clidamant, to be that Lady, whom you pretend to love, and whom that Picture represents, and let me see after what gallant manner you will Court me, to make me increase the good opinion I have of you. Agreed, answered Clidamant, it is but a frolic, and however you shall see that I'll behave myself before you, as if I were in her presence; then making a low obeisance to Theocles, he thus began; Madam, I need not tell you how much I was your admirer before I saw you, for that were to say, that Nature had not framed you more perfect than the Painter hath done, but when I tell you that his Workmanship did first inspire my heart with love, I hope, Madam, you will with reason believe that the works of Nature being more fair and perfect than their representations, that if I loved you then, I love you more now than ever; I believed I could love any, and as the Painters in their Landscapes of Woods, Rocks, Meadows, and every thing else that is made to please the eye and fancy, cannot in picturing the the Heavens draw the Sun with that splendour it therein appears, but only by some faint strokes represent the beams it sends forth a little before its rising, or sometime after its setting, so show what they would do, if they could: even so, doubtless, Lady, he could do no other by you, some shining rays he has adormed you with, to let the beholder see, that what he imitated was extraordinary, and that he would fain have done more, if his cunning could have accomplished it.— He was proceeding, when his seemingly pretended Lady prevented him, saying, You are very expert, Clidamant, at your subtle flattering expressions, to steal a Lady's heart away when she is farthest from suspecting of any such thing; but alas, you Gallants are all alike, you will swear by Heaven, and all that's most Holy therein; and by that which you flatteringly term Beauty, that you adore your Mistresses with such a resolute constancy, as cannot be parallelled; and yet a new object extinguisheth those desires you had for the first, to be rekindled in your mind for the second, insomuch that all your pretended constancy consisteth in being constantly inconstant; which quality, if a Lady knows a Gentleman to be endowed with, can you think (if she be wise) that she will give him any encouragement in his pretensions to her? I understood, Clidamant, by a friend of mine, that your humour doth not much differ from this, and that you once loved a fair Lady, whose Beauty, I am sure, deserves not to be slighted by you, for the sight of any new face whatsoever; yet because you love not to Love too long forsooth in one place, you have forsaken her to deceive another in the same kind. Ah Madam, said he passionately, call you that inconstancy, when the cruel rigour of her you speak of, forced me to that I should otherwise never have done, had I received that favour from her I most desired, I mean her Love, and after this obligation, had I ingratefully forsaken her, than might I have been termed inconstant, and then might she have said, False Man, is this my recompense? have I deserved this for making my tongue and heart agree? But since her greatest desire was to be freed from my importunities, and since the greatest kindness I could do her, was to be seldom in her presence, which did plainly testify the aversion she had towards me; what should I have done, Madam, since I could never so much as hope for what I desired? did I not make use of the best means, by courageously conquering this sullen passion? and truly, Madam, it is none but you I must render thanks for taking me out of this Captivity, to bring me, I hope, to one so pleasing to me, that thereby I may fancy myself to be at more liberty, by wearing your chains, and to taste more sweetness than ever my life did afford me, when I thought myself at the very height of freedom: give me then that love the rigour of my first Mistress refused me, and by my constancy you'll find how lasting and true mine is: I shall then likewise enjoy those sweets I before mentioned, and which I hitherto did never find. Here Theocles sighed, and then said, Well Clidamant, I'll try how faithful you will be to her you love. But Lord, what do I say, proceeded she, I have made a promise to myself to love no body, that promise is unjust; No body? said Clidamant: but Clidamant, answered she; and in speaking that, she blushed so extremely, that if she had not cunningly, upon some pretence turned her face another way, she would doubtless have betrayed herself: this than made her resolve to break off this discourse, which though perhaps she thought not very unpleasant, however she imagined it might reveal a weakness in her, which she had, as yet, no mind to have discovered. After than she had rallied with him, upon what had passed between them, their discourses were concerning matters altogether indifferent, in which interim Orontus entered, and whispering Theocles in the ear, told him, he had something to deliver him from Emilia; Clidamant thinking it not decency to remain there any longer, departed the Room, and scarce was he gone, when Orontus produced the Letter, and delivered it to Theocles, telling him that Emilia had certified him in that Letter, concerning the resolution she would take touching himself. Theocles opened it, and with much amazement read these words: 
Emilia to Theocles.  
I Know not whether these Lines may obtain their wished-for success, as well because I expose myself to your censure, by doing what so ill suits with our Sex, as because I never found you in the least inclined to what I could desire you were: If for saying I love you, your unkindness can reach to that extent as to hate me for saying so, I must then prepare to suffer an indignity, occasioned by my imprudence. I never before endeavoured to seek, and I must confess, had I not seen something in you not common in other Men, I had not blushed by writing these Lines: keep that concealed then from Orontus, which I would have no body to know but yourself; and let me know whether it lies in your power to oblige  
Emilia.   
Orontus asked Theocles after he had read the Letter, whether there was any comfort in it for him? Theocles looks then began to be troubled, but clearing them up again as well as he could, not to make Orontus suspect what he had most reason to fear; and having thought what to answer, bid him take courage, for it was all so favourable on his behalf, that if he saw it he would scarce believe it: and to that end therefore she had in it forbidden him to let him see it, because she had no desire to let him too soon know that which would so much please him. If, said Theocles, I have told you what perhaps you should not know, I doubt not but you are so discreet, as to behave yourself so before her, as if you knew it not; and however cruel she seems to you, let not that cause your trouble, because I tell you she hath here expressed herself more favourably perhaps than you could think: and after he had begged his pardon of him, for not showing him the Letter, poor Orontus departed the Chamber with a very joyful heart, little thinking after what manner he was deceived. When he was gone, Theocles was at a stand to know what he should do in this intricate business; but he continued so not long, because he thought he had found out a way to help Orontus to what in all likelihood he was so far distant from: which this design in his head then he quitted the Chamber, with an intention to visit Emilia, whom he happily found in her own apartment, seeming to be very melancholy, for there was no body with her but Livia, at his first entering into the Chamber she turned her face away to conceal some blushes from him, which she had no mind he should see: by which modest bashfulness Theocles nevertheless might perceive, that she was inclined to a constrained repentance, for sending that favourable Letter. Therefore said he to her (because, as yet, he had no desire to let her know what he was) Madam, though your beauty be capable to charm the very Gods themselves, and to make them forsake their heaven, for one more delightful here below; though all the graces that dwell in that face, and the pure carnation which nature hath spread in those cheeks that dart forth such powerful influences, as to make all those that behold you become your Captives: and Madam, though I am one among the rest, the love of you must kill, but not permit me to pretend to what will make me undeserving of those high favours you have conferred upon me, which indeed have been so great, that by giving you a denial, I may appear to you in some sort ungrateful, yet I hope, Madam, when you shall consider that on the other side, I shall be not only ungrateful but perfidious, by betraying my friend, who entrusted me with his hearts most secret passages, and who not only did that, but employed me to endeavour to obtain that from you, which he himself could never do; you cannot be so unjust as to suffer it: Shall I then betray poor Orontus that loves you, and puts his confidence in me? Shall I do that, Madam, which I, when I have done, you will with justice esteem me unworthy of what I wish I could tell how to accept or receive otherwise? Besides, he that will be unfaithful to his friend, will certainly be so to any other; may not you with reason fear then Madam, (after such an action) that I would be so to you?  
Am I then slighted by you Theocles? replied Emilia, ungrateful Man! are Lady's so prodigal of such favours as I have thrown upon you, as this aught to be esteemed of so? No, no, proceeded she, I did not expect this requital: thy baseness, unwòrthy man, shall now banish thee from my mind for ever; I'll conquer that which hath made me endanger my honour, and which I only have done by saying, I loved thee; yet this poor refusal from thee is returned me, instead of affection, and though my love was honourable (as I imagine; if you know me, you think no otherwise) I see you prise a Friend more than a Mistress, the tender love of which doth far better deserve that name than the other; love and friendship are there so linked together, that such a one deserves to be called the friend of friends. But notwithstanding, all this disdain and scorn must be the effect of your illbred Gallantry.  
I beseech you forbear these injuries, Madam, (said Theocles, in interrupting) her when I tell you that you have overcome; I may with reason call them so; and though I never yet loved woman, I find your eyes are inducements too persuasive to make me be still in love with freedom; and yet methinks I wish I could not love you, that you might love despairing Orontus, whom you will doubtless kill. But alas, I find (said he, with a counterfeit sigh) that my love is too great, to let my Rival have what I would solely have to myself. I could likewise wish, said Emilia, that I could love Orontus his person, I confess it is not unhandsome, neither are his parts unanswerable to it; but yet if I may say so, Theocles, I find I know not what in you, which I cannot see in Orontus; I find something so worthy of my affection, that my very reason doth seem to say to me, fix thy love there, Emilia: and now since you have begun to deserve what I doubt not but I have worthily placed, let me see how constant you will prove.  
You shall find I shall not be unconstant, replied Theocles; but Madam, as a mark of that love you are pleased to bestow upon your unworthy servant, may I presume to ask you to grant a request, I am going to demand of you? What is it Theocles? said she: But a promise, (Madam, answered he) of no great importance. 'Tis granted already, what ever it be, said she; therefore pray let me hear it. Only, proceeded he, that if ever it should happen, that you refuse to make me your Bridegroom, you would confer that happiness on Orontus, with the love you bear me. If that be all, said she, I do once again confirm my promise; for should I ever refuse you, it would be me you might first tax with inconstancy; but that I am certain will never come to pass. I wish the thing you made me promise had been of greater consequence, added she, for I find I can deny you nothing that is decent. Then Madam, said Theocles, (because he would partake of some Mirth) I'll be bold to beg another favour of you. You shall likewise have it, said she, therefore let me know your desire. My desire is only, Madam, said he, smiling, That you would let me seal the Covenant, that was now made between us. How do you mean Theocles? replied she: Upon those cherry Lips, Madam, said he. Whereupon he presently saluted her, which made the Roses of her Cheeks wear a deeper dye than they did before: and Orontus entered the Chamber in the same instant, and saw him do that which did not a little displease him. During his stay there, Theocles read an anger in his countenance, which he feared would too soon break out; yet he smiled in himself, to think how causeless his anger was, if he knew all. the more cruel his Mistress seemed to him, the more did his trouble seem to increase; and had it not been for the respect of her, in whose presence he was, he had doubtless made an open manifestation of his displeasure on Theocles; who, because he would give him no further occasion, went forth of the room. Orontus imagined Emilia to be far more rigorous to him than she had been yet, and therefore his suspicion that Theocles had done him a discourtesy increased the more: he seeing then that all his protestations, all his vows to her of the faithfulness of his love, and all his unfeigned sighs, did seem but the more to harden that heart he endeavoured to soften, took his leave of her soon after Theocles, even with the tears in his eyes, and scarce was he got out of the chamber door, but he found a piece of Paper handsomely wrapped up like a Letter, which it seems Theocles had chanced to drop out of his Pocket; Orontus had no sooner found it, but looking upon it, there it was he saw Emilia to Theocles: he had both the curiosity and patience to see what it contained, which when he understood, you must needs think the latter left him to give way to rage, and the first continued to find out Theocles, whom he swore he would kill, wheresoever he met him; he raved, stamped, and poured forth all the imprecations he could invent against poor Theocles; he called him whatever can be thought most vile; and not long after finding him by chance, by the Seaside, he thus accosted him, with his naked Sword in one hand and Emilia's Letter in the other.  
Insolent Traitor, canst thou think to breath in this innocent Air, after thy perfidious, false and unworthy Action? was it this Letter gave thee encouragement, to behave thyself with that baseness? and she, O cruel Woman! does she hate me, to love this Traitor? but my Sword, said he, flourishing of it in his hand, shall chastise thee, therefore defend thyself, if thy guilt will permit thee to fight in so bad a cause.  
Hold Orontus, said theocles, trembling, because he never had been used to such Weapons, whose very glittering struck terror into him; I am no Traitor Orontus, as you believe me to be, but on the contrary, you will find that I have done you service. Bold affronter! replied Orontus, what dost thou deride me after thy treacheries? did I not with these eyes see what thou didst to abuse me, when I came into her Chamber? did you not also deceive me, by telling me what she never writ? wherefore I will not believe any thing you shall say more.  
He was going to bid him draw, when Agenoris and Clidamant were come towards them, and having asked Orontus the meaning of the posture they saw him in, he excused it with a Joak, which was likewise forwarded by Theocles, for they were not so near them, as to hear what they spoke. Orontus then for the present dissembled his trouble, and they both accompanied Agenoris, whom Clidamant had persuaded to walk out, to divert himself, for grief had so changed him, and melancholy was so predominant in him, ever since his return home, for the loss of her he so dearly loved, that it was to be feared it would kill him, if they did not try to prevent it, by causing him sometime to take the Air, and to use all manner of noble and heroic exercises, to expel that tormenting Grief, the chiefest of which was Hunting; but alas, he took little pleasure in it, for sometimes would he stray from the rest of his company, and retiring to some solitary place, there would he to the Trees, and to the senseless Flowers, that embellished the Grass, give a pretty, though mournful account, of his present sufferings, and from the yearly droppings of the Dew from their fragrant tops, would he sometimes extract comfort, because they seemed to be his companions in sorrow, and to weep with him. All those that did for the most part accompany him, did labour by all the Pastimes, Exercises, and Diversions they could invent, to dissipate those foggy smokes of sorrow; but they might as well endeavour to stop the course of a Ship in a furious storm, or call back time, and they would both have come to the same effect; for alas, nothing but Mellissa had that virtue, reason was too weak with him to overcome his grief; the absence and death of his Love made it the more excessive, the thoughts of greatness and Majesty were forgot to think of his dead Shepherdess.  
After they had fetched two or three turns upon the Seashore, all the company but Theocles returned to the Castle, whither they were scarce come, but with a common consent they went into Emilia's Chamber, to entertain her, the subject of their discourse was for the most part indifferent, till at length, coming to discourse of Love, especially of the sincerity with which Agenoris loved; Verily, said Clidamant, we must be forced to confess, by the sad experience we have now had of Love's dire effects, that the little stripling is not to be mocked at, for on my word, we are all witnesses, nay, and some of us know that he doth generally stick his Arrows very deep, he is almost like Death, though not so terrible, he makes no distinction between Monarches and others. Lord! how unruly, how restless is a lovesick heart? our desires continue always dissatisfied, till we have got what we most desired, and then our pain is somewhat eased.  
Love (though by some dull fools it is termed the most slavish of Passions) yet ought it to be esteemed the most Noble: Anger doth oftentimes make a man forget his Honour, and do those things which are always ended with a deep repentance: Love on the contrary raises a man's thoughts to something more sublime, and causeth a man to seek Honour, to appear so in the eyes of her he loves; and the end of Love is joy and satisfaction. Fear there are several sorts of, there is fear in Love, a fear of offending the object loved, not a cowardly slavish fear, but a heroic and meritorious fear.  
That servile passion that makes a man fear his own shadow is here not meant, nor that which makes men tremble at the sight of Warlike Instruments, nor that which some have of Death, for a true Lover will sacrifice his Life on any occasion for his Mistress: these are the fears which Lovers seldom or never have, by what they have not, you may with ease guests what that pure fear is they have, or should have, for Love is not Love without it, nay it cannot subsist. Some are so rigid and moross, as to make no distinction between Love and Lust, but it must be confessed that these are those that never knew what the first was, though by having acquaintance with the latter, they would seem to force the World into a belief, that their Vices are general, and that a man may also love with constancy and purity, and yet not be a Platonic lover; it is so certain, that I think it a folly to dispute it.  
How deeply I love the memory of my Shepherdess, said Agenoris, though fate hath too soon deprived me of her, and how purely I loved her before she was snatched from my presence, notwithstanding she gave me no hopes I should ever taste the sensible pleasures of Love; how I loved, I say, you can all witness, which Love I suppose you can find no reason to call Lust; had I endeavoured to seduce her, and make her submit to my unlawful desires (but Heaven knows my desires were limited, I may in a manner say by her sight and company) my care would then have extended no further than to have compassed my vicious aims; but since I did not, it makes me find a clear distinction between Love and Lust; there is sweetness to be found in the first, but bitterness in the last; the first is clean and spotless, the latter is filthy and black: yet is not my Love Platonical neither, though it inspired me with a desire of obtaining what I loved.  
What I am going to tell you, said Clidamant, may perhaps seem strange to you, though it agree well with what you say (so pulling out his Picture, that Theocles had given him) and showing it to Agenoris and the rest of the company: This Picture, added he, I am in love with, whether the party it resembles be in being or no, or whether the Painter hath gone no further here than his own fancy told him, I know not, but I had it from Theocles; and so he related to them all that Theocles had told him concerning this Lady, and the promise Theocles had caused him to make, touching the Mistress he was to choose him: they were mightily surprised at the beauty of the face, and did acknowledge it to be truly admirable: they had not discoursed above four hours, when Livia, who had been out of the Chamber a great while entered it again, followed by a young Lady in the most glorious Apparel, and with the most majestical presence that eyes ever saw, or heart ever admired; her head was covered with a Veil, whereby the most beautiful part, her face was like the Sun, when shadowed by some interposing Cloud unseen; her Apparel was blue Satin, and covered so thick with flowers of Gold, intermingled with precious Stones, that wherever she came her sparkling presence seemed to create a new day; her Train was held up by a Rage, and on the left hand of her, walked a grave old man in Apparel suitable to his years. The eyes of the company were all not only fixed upon this prodigious object, but all of them wondered who it should be, and to what her coming thither tended: but Livia soon made their wonder cease, when leading her before them, and pulling up her Veil, Behold here, said she, in directing her speech to Agenoris, the lost Mellissa. No sooner had she ended these words, but Ageneris having discovered it to be indeed that Mellissa he thought was no more, he would scarce believe what he with his eyes saw, nay, he thought they were deluded, and that it was only the strength of his imagination, that made him conceive, what he in all likelihood believed to be impossible. His wonder was not unaccompanied, for the rest were in as great admiration as he. He sat still a while, making use of no other Language but his eyes, which were intentively fixed upon this charming Nymph, and beholding her both with fear and joy, she continuing silent. Do I dream? said he, if I do, may I thus dream for ever. Or is it possible, beauteous Angel, that the Gods have yet reserved thee to shine here below? Miracle of Miracles! I must confess thou wouldst have graced the Heavens with a new Star, the brightness of whose beams, would, like the Sun, have obscured all other lights. But who knows but they have done it for the good of us Mortals, that we may have our Sun here below, as they have theirs in their Heaven. Bright Queen of beauty, thou pretty reviver of disconsolate hearts, for without thee I had been without myself; without thee I had been a walking shadow, a mere nothing, a mere lump of Snow, melting away without pity under the Sun beams. I know thou didst remember there was an Agenoris in the world that loved thee, and to doubt that thou sometimes gavest him a gentle entertainment in thy thoughts, were to reproach thee of what thou canst not be guilty of. Here Livia beckoned him to be a while silent, because Mellissa gave him no answer, therefore she spoke to him in this sort:  
How much you are deceived, Agenoris, I cannot forbear to interrupt you, that I may undeceive you as well as the rest of this company. Now you have been all so credulous to believe me, when I told you this was Mellissa, what will you say, when I tell you it is not Mellissa,— although it once was she, but alas, she is now changed.—  
Gods! said Agenoris, What is it I hear, it cannot be? speak not the rest, for fear I should believe the Heavens to be without Gods, and so become Infidel, for as soon may that be, as she be taxed with unconstancy. Yet speak what you have more to say, for I can hear, though not believe, I am so well acquainted with her Virtues.  
Know then, said Livia, that she hath changed her condition.  
Ah! worse and worse! said he, pray Heaven my fears augment not; but since I have begun to know my doom, I am resolved now to hear the utmost; and still methinks my mind gives me, that Mellissa's soul cannot be black, sure she cannot. Must I attribute this her silence, to be a confirmation of Livia's discourse, or may it be her modesty that I wrong, in supposing it to be guilty? be it what it will, I must know.  
Then said he to Livia, Is she espoused? Yes my Lord, replied Livia. Now my fears are out, said he, unkind and hard hearted Maid: Was it for this, I have been always dying, since the time I parted from thee? Mellissa made no reply, but held down her head. And then said he to Livia, To whom is she espoused? To a better Fate, said Livia. I am still in the dark, replied Agenoris, prithee, Livia, explain thyself more at large, for my heart doth almost seem to check my tongue, for calling her unkind, though by all thou hast hitherto told me, I do seem to say justly, therefore pray rid me from this trouble and confusion.  
My Lord, I am going to obey you, said Livia, and shall draw a shady cloud from before your eyes, that in clearing all your doubts and fears, will notwithstanding raise a new subject of wonder among you all. Look upon this Lady then, said she, in pointing to Mellissa, no more as Mellissa, who was a Shepherdess, poor in every thing but her Virtues and Beauty, but behold her to be the divine Alcandra, Princess of Sicily; she that was supposed to die before she was three years old, she who is endued with all the excellencies that are capable of adorning Majesty; she who when she was supposed a Shepherdess, had even then the port and grace of what her Birth hath really made her. I shall not endeavour to persuade you to believe what I say, because, said she, pointing to the ancient Gentleman, that Lord will produce those proofs that will make it plain enough.  
They were all so transported with amazement at these unexpected tidings, that they knew not in a manner what to think or say; they all complemented her in the best manner they could, and Agenoris was the first, with one Knee on the ground, that kissed her hand, whom all the rest did imitate, which they had scarce done, when she addressed her Speech to Agenoris in this manner?  
I am now come to make good my word with you, Agenoris, fortune hath now, beyond my expectation, shined favourably upon me; you know what I promised you, and now I can with my Love bestow a Crown upon you, which I would entreat you to accept of, as a debt due to your noble constancy. You, that are a Gentleman, did cast down a look upon me, when I was no other than a Shepherdess; and I, whom fate hath seemed to raise above you, in placing me in a Throne, should be indeed ingrateful, to forget my Vows to Agenoris, after such tokens of generosity. If upon my first approach to you, you perceived me to be silent, and if Livia, likewise, gave you doubtful answers to your demands, according to the order I gave her, imagine it to be, because I was curious to know whether Age oris had not forgot his Mellissa, for by this trial, I believed, I could find out how you would brook my separation from you, by my pretended inconstancy. The Oracle, Agenoris, is now explained, your own eyes seemed to be witnesses of my Death, when mine did likewise behold the like Spectacle of yours; the approaching danger the Gods foretold is now over, wherefore we must expect our fill of happiness.  
Pardon me, divine Madam, said Agenoris, if the Gods have not accomplished all they foretold; I must acknowledge I am of Princely Blood, but fortune hath not so enriched me with her bounties, as to make me deserve such large ones as you are pleased to express. Alas, I have no Kingdom to bestow, Madam, I have nothing that may make me seem worthy in your eyes, if you will give me leave to say to myself, I love you (and truly I love more than I can say) that is all I do presume to ask. Yet, Madam, the same promise your goodness once made me, the same will I here confirm to you, if fortune should hereafter chance to smile, then, Madam, I'll beg that you would too. I am sorry that fate will not let me hope for what I must love, and in the state I am in, it is a grace too too great, that you would give me leave to say so.  
My noble Lord, replied Alcandra, ever since I first saw you, I have discerned some marks of greatness in your countenance, which indeed did ever make me believe what you have now told me; it is not possessions that create deserts, for then the most undeserving persons would be endued with merit; besides, my love is not so poor as to descend to things so abject as you mention; my flame is more noble, to love you only for what you do possess (except it be your Virtues and Merit) it were to love you impurely, or rather it were not to love you, therefore cancel your rash promise.—  
Agenoris was just going to answer, had it not been for another Lady that came into the Chamber at that instant, who having first made a low obeissance to Agenoris and the rest of the company, who all beheld her with great astonishment, especially Clidamant, who thought she somewhat resembled the Picture he had, yet he could not believe it to be she, for whom it was drawn, because the Picture was not so beautiful: but much more were they surprised when she told them that they all once knew her as Theocles, a man, but never yet as Clarinda, a woman. I shall not need to desire you to call me the latter, said she, because you see my Sex not only requires it, but it is also a name that is real, whereas the first was feigned. They remained all of them some time silent, they were so confounded, and they beheld her with admiration, for if when she seemed to be a man, she made one so handsome, that she was without comparison; now she was a woman she was so extremely fair and pretty, that no Sun could outshine her. Clidamant blessed himself a thousand times, for that the Gods had been so favourable to him; what her Picture only excited in his soul, her presence did make it double: his ecstasy was so great, that he wanted words to utter his transports; but after he had a while silently admired at what he saw; Heavens! (said he to himself) what a divine Lady is here? whoever sees her without a heart inflamed, he either loves not, or doth not know the sweet delights of Love.  
Emilia was going to speak, when Clarinda proceeded in her discourse. There are several things I know, said she, that may seem incredible to this Illustrious Company, if I should not explain them; one I know is my continuance in this disguise all this time; the other is the strangeness of my arrival to this Island. As to the first, to speak truth, I had a desire to have my Sex concealed, but all that I shall say now, for to excuse my discovery, is only to entreat Emilia to remember her promise. However, said she, smiling, if she thinks me a fit Bridegroom for her, I am content.  
Well, I see, replied Emilia, that notwithstanding all my strong resolutions to the contrary, I must refuse you now; I think I was guilty of no crime in loving you, since never any man was seen with a face so lovely, and though I loved you before, imagining you to be the wonder of the Male Sex, my love must not forsake you now, because I must still love you as my dear friend.  
However, said Clarinda, going to Orontus, and making him conduct her, or rather she him, Here said she, Orontus, causing Emilia to give him her hand, Now enjoy fair weather, after all this foul, she is yours, Orontus, she'll be no more cruel now for my sake, the love she bore me, she now bestows on you: see, said she, that blush doth now confirm what she promised me.  
Then, said Emilia, (in a low note, after she had composed her countenance, which was a little disordered) since Promises should never be broke, and since Fate hath thus unexpectedly ordered things, I do not so much think, Orontus, said she, that you deserve to have a place here (laying her hand upon her heart) but also that your constancy and your long service may more than have deserved it; therefore to conser the love I had for Theocles on you, is the least I can do, but the most I am inclined to.  
Then was it that Orontus saluted her hand, but with the greatest Rapture imaginable, and replied, I am so overjoyed, Madam, at this fullness of bliss, that I want words to thank you for it. And then directing his Speech to Clarinda; Can you pardon, Madam, the rudeness I lately committed against you, I must confess it was ignorance made me guilty of it, but I hope you are so good, that since now I know my fault, and am grown a penitent, you will forgive me; the obligation likewise I own you, for this days happiness doth even stupefy my senses, when I think how little I have deserved this from you.  
Clainda returned his compliments in as gallant a manner as could be, when Emilia going towards Clidamant, whose eyes were steadfastly fixed upon the fair Clarinda, told her, That as she had been the occasion of extracting the performance of a promise from her, on the behalf of Orontus, she did now likewise expect, that she should do the like on the behalf of Clidamant: For, said Emilia to her, I know who it was you promised to bestow on Clidamant, nay, and he hath deserved her, I'll assure you, since he loved her so tenderly before he saw her. Perhaps, (replied Clarinda, in a faint voice) he may not with justice do what he promised, because it is not unlikely that he hath found out some fair Lady, whose merits are far greater, wherefore I shall not urge him to perform what he hath promised. Ye Gods, said Clidamant, running to her, and saluting her fair hand with much eagerness, can I hear this, and not die? fair Jewel, said he, either suffer me to perform the promise I made to your dear self (for if you were once Theocles, it was to no other) and grant I may obtain what I have so long humbly sued for, or with the wound those shining eyes have given my heart, give me that which may end my days, for any thing (whatever it be) fair sweetness, if it come from you, it can be no other than welcome. Do you think I can kill you then, Clidamant? said she, no; here, now take your Clarinda, if you die with any thing from me, it must be the excess of my love must kill you. Kind Love, I thank thee, said Clidamant, for affording me such heavenly Joys, thy Deity shall be adored by me, and thy Altars ever loaded with my Victims; and thou kind Nymph, who hast thus crowned my hopes with comfort, shall find so true a love in this poor heart enclosed, that shall almost make thee think it worthy of thy acceptance. Here Agenoris interrupted him: This is a day, said he, that hath been filled with nothing but wonders, it ought to be solemnised for having produced such Miracles. Now, said he, you are all happy— But I, who am, and yet must not and who may, and yet dare not. Ye Gods, how just are you, thus to allay my happiness? Divine Princess, said he, in directing his Speech to Alcandra, I do adore you, but it is an adoration that nothing equalleth, but that I pay to the Gods themselves. The Princess was going to answer him, when Clarinda prevented him, by telling him, that doubtless what the Gods had done already, they would complete, and therefore bid him not refuse what they offered him: so after a small pause; I am now going to let you understand, said she, the occasion of my being at Sea.  
My Father, as I told you before, is Governor of a Town in Crect, on whom King Porus hath conferred many other Offices, by which you may perceive, he was not a little beloved by that Prince, but one Polianor had insinuated himself into the King's favour, to that pitch, that he seemed among all the other Favourites at Court to be the best beloved, and being therefore one of no mean power, after he hd long courted me, under specious pretences of Honour, to marry me, although by my cold entertaining him, he might have discerned the aversion of my mind towards him, being one as deformed in Body, as low spirited in Soul, and one the baseness of whose extraction did seem to dwell in his Physiognomy, his Birth being so far from Noble, that the meanest slave in Crect had more reason to brag of his extraction than he, because he was raised merely by the King's favour; all his actions, which were seldom good, were winked at by the rest of the Nobility, although it did not a little trouble them, to have a person so far beneath them, take place of them, with so much haughtiness as he did. This Villain, I say, when he saw that I was deaf to his Courtship, when he seemed to caress me under the mask of Honour, provoked by an infamous desire, came at length to solicit me unlawfully, as if because I would not submit to him on virtuous terms, as he pretended, he should think that I would abandon my Honour, and after a passion, painted and coloured with sighs, he called his presents to his assistance, but he saw it did but make me more soornful, and he had no sooner, on a certain day made some offers to me, that were indeed extremely rich, but I, in a fury, left him by himself, and from that time it was he began to conspire my ruin, and to seek to get by force, what he could not obtain by merit; Lust not Love provoking him to attempt what honour and his own spirit, had it any thing of generosity in it, would never let him rest till he had extinguishes a desire so abominable; but alas such noble thoughts could never invade the mind of one whose Heart was like his Birth, filthy; for he was not only descended from the dregs of the People, but he was likewise unlawfully begotten: my Father had notice of his design, sometime before he endeavoured to put it in execution, and almost too late to have prevented it; for I being one day in a small Wilderness situated in the midst of my Father's Garden; Polianor, who had continually his spies ready, being informed where I was, being as he thought a very fit place for him to execute his black design in, was preparing to come in to me, having procured a Key to the Door, which he had caused to be made on purpose; to execute with the more ease his detestable Enterprise: but my Father being just before informed by some special Friend of what he intended, came presently to me, and caused me to come into the House; where being come, he gave me a Drink to frustrate the intent of Polianor, who had been in the Garden to search for me, but not finding me, went out again very unsatisfied; and being come into the Town, was there informed by the Rumour my Politic Father spread, that I was dead; for the Virtue of what I drank, procured me so great a sleep, that it seemed to all Spectators, as no other than the Sleep of Death. Polianor being somewhat rerrified at this sad News, came to behold it painted on my Face, and then a strange remorse quarrelled with his lust, and his despair, or rather rage, armed him to kill himself; but whilst his Soul was troubled here withal, I was (being by Friends first dressed up in Man's Apparel, as you saw, for my better concealment) conveyed secretly into a Bark, and scarce had I finished my sleep, but at my first awaking, I found myself upon the Sea; which I did not so much wonder at, as at my strange Metamorphosis from a Woman to a Man: but a Friend of my Fathers, whom he entrusted to take care of me, and who was on board, soon helped me out of that trouble; and after he had told me that we were sailing towards Lydia, he related to me the whole Adventure, with the secret Imposture of my feigned Death; when suddenly a storm broke the Discourse, and Horror and Death marched upon the Waters, and as I before told you, drove us upon a Rock, and split our Vessel all to pieces, not far from these Coasts: I doubt the Friend that was in the Bark with me, is drowned, I myself, as you see, having miraculously escaped.  
I know not which of the Gods took care of me, but I cannot forbear to acknowledge how much I am indebted to Agenoris and Clidamont, for preserving my Life. My Father, who hath had no News of me since my Arrival here, I fear doth imagine, as justly he may, that I am drowned; and I was fearful to send, lest some unlucky accident or other might have brought my Letters into the Hands of Nearchus; who doubtless if he knew where I was, would make a general search for me; that likewise was one reason that made me continue in this disguise: but now since other Mysteries far stranger than these are revealed, and since Clidamont hath sworn himself mine, it were a vain thing for me to have concealed myself longer: Having ended her Relation, they all, after they had returned her those thanks, and given her those praises, her Wit deserved, departed one from another to take their Rests, because Night already began to spread her Sable Curtains over them.  
The next morning, when the singing of the Birds had roused them up with their pretty Notes, they all agreed, both the Ladies and the Gentlemen, to walk to the Grove of Venus, there to entertain one another in the Lodge, that was on the top of the Labarinth; where they had not long enjoyed themselves, by taking notice of the pleasure of the Prospect that was discerned from that place, but Agenoris told the Princess Alcandra, that he knew his mind did not disagree with the rest of the Company; for being desirous to know how she came to escape all those dangers in which she was, and that since the place was pleasant wherein they were (he seconded by the rest of the Company) beseeched her to relate her Adventures, which without much intrearies she did to this effect.  

The Adventures of Alcandra.  
HAd I all the Languages of the Gods, and had Eloquence to choose out my Voice to manifest herself to Men, it is impossible to express the hundredth part of my sufferings, when I was taken by Cleobalus, Captain of the Vagabonds of Latronia, and when I saw Agenoris lie dead in the Cave wherein we were locked; then was it that I began to think the Oracle was near fulfilled; for being in the power of the greatest Savages in the Universt, in the midst of Rocks and Deserts, and having seen him slain, whom I may now say, I loved dearer than my own Life; it is not to be doubted that my grief could admit of any comparison with common miseries. I filled the Air and Forests with my Cries, and although death was the most assured remedy I could choose, I was loath to die by the hand of so cruel a Monster: he many times would importune me with his unlawful Suit; but seeing he could gain nothing from my constancy, and that I was resolved rather to lose my Life than my Honour, he dragged me through retired and lonely places, into solitary Deserts, imagining by therein to take by force, what he could not obtain by entreaty; but the Gods did not forsake me in distress, for the King of Pysidia coming then with a powerful Army upon the Town of Latronia, Captain Decius, Kinsman to Dyonisius, came with Twenty or Thirty Horsemen that way, just at the time when he was going to put in practice his pernicious enterprise; when I saw this Troop coming directly towards us, I began to hope for Death, to put a period to my miseries, or to change my Master. Cleobalus, who took them to be some of his own gang, advanceth towards them; and very boldly asked them whither they went? But Decius imagining him to be one of those that King Arcon had set upon, not knowing him to be the Governor of Latronia, approached him, and encompassed him so close, that he had only the leisure to quit me, and draw his Sword.  
During this Combat, I stole away from the Crowd, because the little Casket I brought with me from Cyprus, wherein were a great many Rich Jewels that were presented to me by Agenoris, kept me from running; I hide it in a little thick Bush, and covered it with some White Linen, to the end I might know it again if I escaped. In the same instant I took my flight, but I had scarce got thirty paces from thence, when five or six Soldiers of King Arcons' Army, that were there in the Field, laid hold on me, and were going to evil use me; but Decius took me out of their Hands, and said aloud, Since I was the first spoil that was taken, that they must reserve me to be made a Victim to the Gods.  
They carried me then to the Lodgings of Dyonisius, who commanded the Vanguard of the Army, and shut me in a Chamber till the taking of Latronia; here it was I heard of the Death and Name of Cleobalus: from this place I was carried to Pisidia, to be sacrificed at the Temple of Jupiter; to mention my Complaints and Lamentations the whole length of my Journey, having left Agenoris without a Sepulchre in a Cave, I should never find an end to my Discourse (for I thought him dead, and although the same night that I was carried away by Dyonisius I heard in the next Chamber to mine, a Voice that resembled his, I rather believed it to be his Ghost than him to be alive) let it suffice to tell you that I did but change my misfortune in changing of place, and it seemed as though Fate would preserve me from one disaster, to make me fall into a greater; for scarce had I been a day at the House of Dyonisius the Priest of Pysidia, but Philander, who was his youngest Son, broke open the Gates where I was enclosed, and carried me away from his Father's House, accompanied with three more Youths besides himself: promising that if I would consent to marry him, to render me the happiest Person in the World, and to preserve my Life; all his promises were unavailable to me, the Visage of Agenoris had so deep an impression on my Soul, that to extinguish the least Character of him, was to take away my Life; and whosoever could make me love any other Object, must cause me to be born again, and enrich me with a new Heart.  
Philander thought nevertheless, that time might sweeten this Natural Obstinacy that seemed to be in me, and that at length Love might softly steal upon me; with this hope he carried me away to Pamphilia, where he had some acquaintance; but as we were passing along through a large Forest, to go to the Town of Pezga, which is near the Sea; we saw ourselves encompassed by Ten of the King's Guard, who were then pursuing a Syrian Gentleman (as I know since) who had secret Intelligence in Foreign parts, and would endeavour to stir up the People to rebel against their Legitimate Sovereign; and because Philander, as they told us since, did much resemble him, they seized upon us, and carried us to the King; but when they had examined him more nearly, they sent him again into his own Country without any farther trouble, and the Queen of Pamphilia stayed me in spite of him; having secretly understood that I was stolen away by him. I remained sometime in this Kingdom, and can without vanity say, that there was neither Cavalier nor Lady at the Court, but thought the sight of me a favour: I must confess, I was ashamed of receiving what I believed I so little deserved in a Prince's Palace, not only because I knew nothing in me, that could make me worthy of the least Favour they shown me in a Place of that Splendour; but because I knew how mean my Birth was; and though I had Apparel, and every thing else allowed me, that was truly Magnificent, yet I thought myself still in my Shepherdess Weed: and though I also sometimes sat on Cloth of Gold, I thought myself as it were seated on a Swelling Bank of cheerful Green; still keeping my homely Flocks. But when I likewise thought on the Death of Agenoris (for I could not be persuaded that he was alive) I was no more capable of any Contentment; I passed my days in perpetual Languish, and every Object I saw offended my sight.  
I entreated the Queen, then to permit me to go and end my days in Cyprus; there was then a Pilot in the Port of Necopolis, that was going towards Famagusta; he put me under his protection, but it was to engage me in new misfortunes; for we were scarce got Forty Leagues from the Port, but a Pirate took our Vessel and sunk her, after he had taken all the Merchandise, and all those that were in her out of her: I was carried Captive to the Island of Rhodes, and I escaped narrowly losing my Life there; for these Pirates have a Custom to Sacrifice a Virgin to the God Neptune every time they go to make some Voyage, and as bad luck would have it, the lot fell upon me: but as if Fate would seem to contadict itself, the Priest became deeply in Love with me; he hide me in the most retired place of his Lodgings, and changed my Habit, taking away every thing that he thought might render me remarkable; and when the day of the Sacrifice came, he took out of the Prison a young Grecian Virgin, who had been taken about Ephesus, and for whom they were in hopes of a great Ransom; he Apparelled her in my  and brought her to the Sea side, where she was Sacrificed in my place.  
During the Ceremony, and knowing that every Body was gone to see the Spectacle, and that no Body could hinder me from going forth, I took a Resolution to run away, to deliver me from the slavery of so many Corsares; the effect did happily answer my expectations, I got clear of the Isle of Rhodes, by favour of the Pirates themselves, who seeing me in an ill Habit and Equipage, for I disguised myself purposely, and did use all the Art I could, to make me seem homely and deformed; I got then to a Town in Lycia, where I consulted the Oracle, and understood that Agenoris was alive, and moreover, that my Extraction was from Kings, and that the Birth of Agenoris, was not in the least despicable: I likewise understood, that I should find him in an Island very Famous, situated in the Eastern Parts of the Mediterranean Sea. These words gave me both Joy and Grief, I was glad of this happy News, but I knew not what Island the Oracle meant; I was nevertheless resolved to sail into Crect, as one of the most Flourishing Kingdoms in the Mediterranean; but not learning any News there of what I sought, I embarked from the Town of Beau-port, to sail here into Cyprus; but to augument our Disaster, we were by a Tempest cast upon the Coasts of Syria, where the Pirate Martius concluded to render us miserable, in robbing and depriving us of the richest things in the Ship where I was embarked.  
This Priate, who was one of the Principal Agents of General Goudolo: seeing me as he thought a Beauty that did not displease him, became in love with me; and after he had caused me to be dressed in the Richest Robes he had in the Vessel, to obtain my Favour, he presented me with a little Casket full of precious Stones: I was very much astonished and confused when I saw this present, for I knew it to be the same Box that I had formerly hid on Mount Taurus, when Cleobalus was preserved by Decius; the same I mean, Agenoris, that you was pleased to honour me with, when I was so far from being a Princess, that I was below the scorn of the meanest subjects I have in Sicily; not being willing then to refuse so precious a Gift, I began to seem compliant to his addresses, and to show him some friendship; as if I had esteemed myself happy in having fallen into his hands: I came likewise to know that he had taken those Riches from a Sea-rover, near the Island of Rhodes; and how he had taken Agenoris, and of the storm that had broke teir Vessels, and how that of all that he then possessed, he had only saved that Box.  
I continued a while with him, and by reason he hoped to Marry me, he used all the Caresses and shown me all the Civilities in the World. Notwithstanding I lived in a continual fear, for I could not be persuaded that Agenoris had escaped so fierce a Tempest; he presently seeing Melancholy in my Countenance, to divert me, put me under the Tuition of his Nephew, while he pursued a Cyprian Vessel, which he knew would straight embark from Cilicia for Cyprus; he commanded us to land in a small Island that lies very near Tripoli, which by reason of the multitude of Green Shady Woods, that therein elevate their close Branches, thereby causing therein a certain agreeable Solitude, does bear the name of Desert; I remained there the space of two days, during which time I enjoyed all the content that could be obtained by hunting; for the place being but very little frequented, whatsoever way I looked, I found subjects enough whereon to bestow mine Arrows; but however fair I carried myself to the Nephew of Martius, I always endeavoured to wander to the Sea side, to try if I could discover any Vessels wherein I might cast myself to go to Cyprus; for I imagined that Agenoris could be in no other part. In fine, while our Mariners were passing their times in debaucheries and drunkenness in their Tents, I at a distance discerned a Vessel that came directly to the Island; it was the same Prize they expected from Cilicia, which notwithstanding the Artifices of Goudolo and Martius, did not omit to proceed in her Voyage. I presently forsook their company, feigning myself to go a hunting, and came to the Sea side, just as those of the Vessel were landing; the Captain of the Vessel, who thought not that Martius was so near him, was willing to remain there and refresh himself: I recounted to him a part of my misfortunes, and begged of him, if he had any compassion of my miseries, to retire me from this dangerous Labarinth, because that the Pirates would not fail to pursue him; the Captain who thought himself to be in safety in this Island, began to think on what he had best to do, and pressed his chief Mate on board, and hoist up Sails, and so steered away to our intended Port. We had not got far to Sea, but we saw ourselves pursued by Martius with three Brigantines; notwithstanding we at length out sailed and lost sight of them, and arrived happily at Amathussa; where I was scarce landed (and having hired a youth to carry my things for me) but I overtook a Grave Ancient Man, the same that is now in our presence; who presently asked me, if I had lived long in this Island? I told him yes, and that I thought I was born here; Then pray Mad, am said he, since you are acquainted with the Country, let me implore the favour of you, to direct me to the place I should go to (I remember I was once here before, but it is some years since, which is the greatest cause that I cannot find my way; for time hath bred in me forgetfulness:) I am newly come from Sicily, near to a place called Regium in Italy; and because I would not forget the Man's Name I came to seek, I have written it down; which is Melintus. Here I interrupted him, and told him, it was the Old Shepherd Melintus he meant; I knew very well where he lived, for I called him Father: Pray Lady, said he, what may I term your Name? I am called, Mellissa said I; then answered he, pulling off his Hat, and standing bare, with the Page that waited on him, which I must confess did a little confuse me; My business is of greater weight to you than him, the Gods have favoured me beyond my expectation, by my thus happily meeting of you. Know then, proceeded he, and be not surprised, that you are no more a Shepherd's Daughter, but a Princess, and of one of the greatest Islands in these Seas, which is the place from whence I came; I mean Sicily: I am come to establish you in your Throne, and to desire you to receive the Joys and Acclamations of your Subjects, who do as much long to see you, as they have been grieved to hear of your supposed Death. Thus far, added Mellissa, I have told you of my Adventures, the rest I will leave to Cleonidus, meaning the Ancient stranger, for that was his name: Then did Cleonidus, after a low obeisance, proceed after this manner  
It were a folly, worthy Gentlemen, for me to go to prove by Arguments, that the Royal Alcandra is a Princess, since it is but observing her well, to find marks enough in her of greatness to reveal and prove what I now say: Give me leave to tell you, that she was Daughter to the Brave Prince Hermicleus, King of Sicily, his only Child which he had by his Queen Selindra; who taking her farewell of the World, after she had left him this dear Pledge, he was about contracting an Alliance with the Sardinians, by the Marriage of their Princess; but before it could be concluded, he sickened, and was every moment in expectation of death; on his deathbed, than Carista, his Sister-in-law, being with him, he made her Queen Regent, till Alcandra might be of an Age to sway the Sceptre herself, and entreated her with the tears in his eyes to see her well educated in all the Virtues, Accomplishments and Qualities of a highborn Princess; and after he had sent for his chief Councillors, and had upon their Allegiance charged them to obey Carista as Queen Regent, he peaceably in a deep sigh departed; long had he not been dead, before the Queen Regent, whose towering thoughts could not brook a Copartner with her in the Kingdom, and by whose Actions, she seemed little to have regarded the dying Kings Words, as well by her Tyrannical Impositions, as by her Imperious Outrages on the Subject, she was generally hated by all of them, who were several times about to revolt, had it not been for the consideration they had for the tender Princess; of whose innocent Life, she several times did endeavour to bereave her, but by some strange fate she was always prevented; more particularly once, when by some wicked caitiff she had hired, a cup of Poison was presented to the Royal Babe, and the presenter by some accident, having let it fall before it came to her Lips, a Dog being in the Room and licking it up, immediately after swelled and died. I was a beholder of this cruelty, and did not doubt but I also knew who was the Author; yet did I not dare to speak my thoughts to any Body. The party that presented the Poison to the Young Princess (for the Queen Regent was soon informed of it) though it were by her consent, yet to take off any suspicion that might be of her, she caused her to be publicly killed as a Traitor, seeming herself to detest the deed and abhor the Actor: seeing then, that hitherto her wicked designs was spoiled, she hatched one more new, no less to be abhorred than the former; for having made me her favourite, an honour truly which I was not very ambitious of; She would often be more free with me than with any in the Court besides; I mean, as to the publishing of her thoughts; insomuch that once, first with Money, joined with all the Rhetorical Persuasions that Art can possibly manifest, to move the will and passions, did she endeavour to seduce me to murder the Princess; and having first made me to swear secrecy, which I did, I likewise told her, that it was an affair that required some time of consideration before it was performed; and therefore begged the permission of her to grant me three days time to consult upon it, which she immediately did: but also failed not to put me in mind of my Oath of secrecy, which I also seemed to remember. Having had this time of consultation, I soon took a resolution in what I had to do, my design being in opposition to hers; to that end therefore I resolved to seem to comply with her desires, as if I had purposed to destroy the Princess; who now wanted near six months of being three years of age: I visited the Queen Regent then a second time, after three days were expired; but before I could have time to open my mouth to tell her my resolution, she prevented me, by making larger promises to me than yet she had done, if I would but execute what she desired; I told her, I had deliberated with myself to obey her commands, and therefore would undertake to execute them; but I desired to know of her in what manner she should have it done, whether by Poison, Steel, or Water? She told me she had found out a way whereby I might do it without any danger, which was by Water: You must, Cleonidus, said she, hire a Bark, and privately take the Child, which I will procure you, and at no very small distance from the shore, takeing a lump of Lead and tying it to her Neck, you must cast her into the Sea; and when you bring me the news that you have obeyed me in every circumstance, since I am the only Successor to the Crown after her decease, to gratify you, you shall by Marrying me, not only obtain the Name and Title of a King, but have also sole command and power in this Island as a King: I seemed very submissive to the promise of so large a gratification, and told her she should find me faithful; not to her I meant, but to this Illustrious Princess: I therefore took her privately, and went away to the Seaside, embarking in a Vessel bound for Cyprus; having first taken some of the richest Jewels that belonged to the Princess' Mother, with all other things requisite for such a Voyage; where I was no sooner landed, but I espied this Shepherd Melintus, who was keeping his sheep.  
I carried the Child to him, and at length with Gold and fair words I made him receive it; which he did with much gladness, by reason of the great quantity of Gold I gave him: the Jewels I desired him to lay up, and seeing him to be a little ignorant, I gave them another name, pretending to slight their worth and value; he took them then, but was pleased more with his Gold: I went with him to his Cabin, noted down his Name, and desired him to let the Child go for his Daughter, and to give her the Name of Mellissa: I also left a Mantle with him, which was extreme costly, and wherein I had wrapped her up; that alone is enough to witness that the party to whom it belonged, was not to be esteemed common. After than I had remained two or three years longer in this Kingdom, and had begun to take notice of those Revolutions which were then beginning, and which did afterwards happen, by means of that insinuating Favourite Aphistaminus, who after the Prince Evagoras' absence and his Royal Father's Decease, did unjustly possess himself more by force than favour, of this Island; causing rumours to be spread abroad that Evagoras was drowned at Sea. After, I say, I had with grief taken particular notice of all these things, and had given an express order to Melintus to see the supposed Mellissa well educated, and having supplied him with more money to do the same, after eight or ten years' travel longer into other foreign parts, I chanced to hear in Pamphilia that the Queen Regent of Sicily was dead; which immediately caused me to hasten thither: where when I was come, I found it to be true; but to my great amazement, after I came to Court I was laid hold on and clapped in Fetters: when I was brought to examination, glad was I to know the reason of it, which was, that the Queen Regent on her Deathbed (the Gods having struck her with a sense of her wickedness), confessed that she had hired me to murder the young Princess; which she said she believed I had done: and withal told them that were about her, that she had several times herself attempted it, but was always strangely prevented. After I had been informed of all these particulars, before the chiefest of the Nation (who were all assembled together, in order to my Trial) I making a Speech to them, told them, that all she had acquainted them with was true; but the Murder she accused me of, of which indeed I was not guilty, though her intent made her appear to be so; and that abhorring her detéstable Design, I had not executed her commands, but on the contrary had preserved the Princess alive; who I told them I had conveyed to Cyprus: where she was at present with an ancient Shepherd in quality of his Daughter. After I had made a Speech to them much after this sort, no soul is able to express the tokens of Joy they manifested at this News; they all immediately, instead of proceeding in my Trial, with the tears in their eyes, came and embraced me with all the love and tenderness that joyful hearts are capable of expressing. They presently gave order for a Ship to convey me thither, that I might bring the Princess to them; they would have sent out a whole Fleet, but that they thought it more prudence to have her brought privately: and therefore they as yet kept it from being divulged among the vulgar people. I asked them how it came they did not miss the Princess when I was gone? They answered and told me, that Carista, sometime after my departure, had caused a rumour to be spread that the young Princess was dead of a Favour; and having subtly caused a resemblance of her to be cast in Wax, she had exposed that to the view of most of the Nobles, and had caused it to be buried in a most royal manner, and as became the Daughter of so great a Prince; to the general grief of the whole Nation: and that she herself, like a treacherous dissembling Crocodile, did bear more outward shows of sorrow than any; all which having indeed prevented them from suspecting what they had most reason, she was raised to the Throne.  
Thus have I informed you of all I know, but as to the further confirmation, when you shall arrive at the Castle, I shall send for Melintus, who is the only person that can do it here; and now I desire only to execute my Commission, in carrying her to her Loyal Subjects. Here the Princess interrupted him, and told him she would first stay here two or three months, to the end she might put herself in an Equipage suitable to her quality; to which Cleonidus consented. Then, said she, addressing herself to Agenoris, It is to Theocles I am obliged, for bringing me to your presence, who immediately after Cleonidus had overtook me, met us together; where after he had with much joy welcomed me, being also surprised to find me in this habit; which is the same bestowed me by the last Pirate that took me. He told me, that I must no more call him Theocles but Clarinda, for that was her Name; and withal related the Story of her love to me; how she was intended to surprise them, by appearing before them all in that habit that suited best with her sex; being resolved to live in disguise no longer: she desired me also to permit me to conduct her privately to the Castle, that we might both of us appear together. Agenoris and all the rest that were present, were extremely pleased at the recital of all these Adventures, yet in the midst of all this cause of joy, a sullen cloud seemed to dwell on the brow of Agenoris, which did indeed lessen a great part of it; he whispered to Clidamant, and told him, that now he should lose his Divine Princess, on whom he dare not look; since though he was a Prince, yet had he nothing to show for it, but an empty Title. Ah Gods, why was I born, to be reduced to this misery; yet what you have done is just, since you may have designed so admirably fair a Creature for one more worthy of her than myself. Clidamant used all the expressions he could to comfort him, but it did put him the more in mind of his misfortune.  
Now they thought it was time for them to retire to the Castle, which they did, Agenoris conducting the Princess, Clidamant handing Clarinda, and Orontus Emilia; many days they all spent there with much diversion, except Agenoris, who could not dissemble his sorrow: they were all concerned for him, Alcandra herself seemed interessed in it, but nothing could be available, since he thought himself so far beneath so great a Princess.  
On a certain day, when all the Company were assembled together in one of those delightful Green Arbours that are in the Tarras-walk in the Garden, Cleonidus sent a Page for Melintus; who since he had lost his supposed Daughter, he very sorrowfully retired from the Castle to his own Cottage in the Valley; where he spent his time with less content than he had done when she was with him: for though he knew her not to be his Daughter, it may with truth be spoken, that no Parent ever shown a more natural affection to their Child, than he did to this fair Princess, all the time she was with him; and was as much grieved for her supposed loss.  
Melintus came to the Castle immediately with the Messenger that was sent for him; where when he came into the Arbour, and beheld a sight which appeared so glorious to him, it raised a very deep astonishment in him; and the poor man had still continued in it, had not Cleonidus come to him, and held this Discourse, Friend, said he, do you not remember that ever you saw a man like me? To which Melintus answered, after he had looked wishfully upon him, That the question he asked he could not well answer; because he was doubtful whether he did or no: yet he did suppose that he did some years ago see one that did very much resemble him; but it being so long since, he could not well retain it in his memory. Then said Cleonidus to him again, Had not you a Daughter? Yes, replied he, I had one that called me Father; and then proceeding and fetching a deep sigh, But what? said Cleonidus. She is no more, said Melintus. Is she then dead? said the other. I fear it, said he, for now the Sun has finished and began anew his Orbicular Progress, since I last saw her. Upon this Cleonidus, by some tokens he gave him, caused him to call him to mind; and withal taxed him with negligence, in taking so little care for her: and at the length told him, that she was a Princess, and that he must either presently produce her or die. All the poor man's prayers and entreaties were in vain, to the seemingly-cruel Cleonidus; which having his Sword drawn in his hand, ready as it were to pierce him to the heart with it. The fair Alcandra, who was seated upon a Bank of Flowers, risen straight up, and approaching the amazed Melintus, bade him be of good cheer; and told him he should not die: and commanding Cleonidus to hold back his hand, bid the affrighted Melintus look upon her, and see if he could know her. He had no sooner cast up his eyes, but by some token he found her to be his supposed Daughter; and with tears of joy cast himself at her feet, which he embraced. After they had a little rallied upon the Old man for being thus concerned, Cleonidus with much sweetness desired him to fetch the Jewels and the Mantle he had left with him, when he put the young Princess into his custody; telling him he should have Gold in exchange for them. He failed not in all haste to go for them, and was not long before he returned: which when he had showed them to Agenoris and the rest that were there, they were even dazzled at the magnificence and richness of them: there was a Diamond among the other Jewels, which for the largeness and goodness, the world could not produce one to compare with it. Cleonidus having performed his promise to Melintus, by giving him money in exchange for them, he went away with a very joyful heart; blessing the day that ever he had had such a Daughter as his supposed Mellissa was. I could not hear whether he betook himself to his old Vocation of keeping of Sheep, but certain I am, that the Old man was now rich enough to live without it. Scarce was he gone, when a Page comes to the Arbour to demand for Agenoris; who going to him, he with much submission delivered him a Letter: which having hastily opened, he was much surprised to find it contain thus:  
SIR,  
I Doubt not but my abrupt departure, and my concealment so long from you, may cause you to esteem me unexcusable; but when you know that it was occasioned by the Cruelty of Emilia, whose rigour banished me her presence; you will I hope be less severe in your censure of me: but thanks to my kind fate, that my love hath inspired me with warlike erterprises; thereby to seek a noble death, to avoid the trouble of an uncomfortable life: ●nce to live and not to be esteemed by her I love, will make it no less. I have underhand raised an Army of Twelve thousand men to your assistance, all of them your faithful Subjects; and who, by the information I gave them, are well satisfied that you are living; being likewise the more encouraged, because that I told them that within these two days they should see you at the head of them: We lie encamped upon the plain of Massara, and hear by our Scouts that Aphistaminus is coming against us with a Body of Twenty thousand men; though ours are not in the least discouraged at it, but are every moment ready to receive them with a courage that does plainly evidence the justice of our Cause; and which your presence will make boundless: Wherefore I question nor but you will come, since you are to fight for no less than a Kingdom, and your own right; which shall be also maintained to Death itself by  
Your Loyal Subject PERIANDER.  
When Agenoris had perused the Letter, he failed not to bid the messenger tell his Master that he would not miss being with him at the time mentioned, who made all the haste he could away, and afterwards Agenoris returned again to the Ladies and Gentlemen he had left in the Arbour, extremely pleased at the happy news; he soon called Clidamant aside, and informed him of it, whose joys was so excessive, that he scarce knew how to bear it, and desired Agenoris to let him wait upon him, and serve him in this great work: Agenoris at first seemed backward to give his consent, but Clidamant pressed him so much, and so passionately, that he could at length not deny him; though he was loath to let him hazzardhis Life with him. Clidamant told him, that as he hitherto had accompanied him in his solitude and sufferings, he hoped he would not now cause him to forsake him. Many more obliging expressions passed between them to the same effect, and then they joined again with the rest of the company in the Arbour, who were all very curious to partake with Agenoris in the Joy they saw in his Face, when he first approaching Orontus, and then Emilia, told them the real truth of what had happened; and then betaking himself to his place again, told them all aloud, that he had received an express Order from Evagoras, who had raised another Army, and who was now in Cyprus, and not dead, as the Tyrant had reported, to attend him in the Battle he was going to fight against the Rebels, in the plain of Massara; and so desired them all to be patiented, till he came back again, for he doubted not but to return Victorious: they all were troubled to hear that he must again hazard his Life, more especially Alcandra; who, though she then spoke but indifferently against his going (as the rest of the company) yet by the grief that appeared in her Visage, her Heart seemed to be not a little interessed.  
Clarinda, who helped to make up the assembly, and who told the company, that she had heard very much spoken in commendation of that Prince in Crect, and had heard there something of his misfortunes, though but obscurely: as also concerning the Tyrant, now reigning in Cyprus; but that she never yet could hear by what means he came to possess the Throne, and therefore told them, if any of them could satisfy her curiosity in what she now desired, she would take it as a singular Favour. Clidamant, who was ever ready to perform any command enjoined by her, after a few Compliments, which are usual on the like occasions, began his Relation much after this sort:  
The late King of Cyprus, and Father to the present Evagoras, Indubitable Heir to the Crown, was a Person of a Disposition very mild and sweet, and beloved even by his very enemies; his Son, the present Prince, not as then arrived to the third year of his Age, was by his Royal Father, designed, when he should arrive to more mature years, to have him matched with the Princess of Sicily, which he supposed death sometime afterwards put a period to: I need not speak in praise, neither of her outward or inward Beauty, since with one only look upon her, as she now Graces the Company, they may be sufficiently convinced, that the first is more than Angelical; and by the long experience we even all have had of her Conversation, we cannot not but know, that the later is Divine indeed. Here a deep Carnation, like the Sky, when painted with the bright beams of smiling Phoebus in a Summer's morn, overspread the glorious Face of this Princess; when Clidamant still proceeded, saying, It being then generally believed that this Princess was dead indeed, Evagoras being almost arrived to these years, his Father expected, after he had caused him to learn all things necessary for a Prince, as well the managing the Horse, breaking of the Lance, as other Soldierly Exercises, he wanted nothing now but Travel to render him exactly accomplished; though it cannot but be confessed that he seemed to want that the least of any thing: and whatever he studied, he always arrived to that height, as even to outdo his very Tutors themselves; so active and forwards was he to learn great things, when things indifferently mean, at his age, might have been esteemed incomparable: What his Father designed, he soon put in execution; wherefore he took his last farewell of him at Nicosia (last indeed, since it was the last time he saw him) and embarking at Famagusta, first sailed towards Syria, thence to Cilicia, Pamphilia, Lydia, Morea, and other countries': He had not long been gone, when Aphistamenus, who fled from Silicia sometime before, for aspiring higher than became him, and whom Evagoras knew not to be a little favoured by his Father, obtained of him by his subtle insinuations, that since he had no Successor but Evagoras to the Crown, that after his decease and his Sons, he would establish him in the Cyprian Throne; and for the same purpose caused him to confirm it with his Great Signet: which he did, as judging he could not bestow a Crown on one whom he loved more than this Ingrate. Some small time after, during the absence of the Prince, his Son, he died; charging his Nobles to establish Aphistamenus Protector of the Crown, till his Son returned: which he at first managed with much seeming mildness, till a report was spread, by means of the Tyrant himself, that Evagoras was cast away in the Strait of Charibdes: and then he swayed the Sceptre with much Rigour and Tyranny, and caused himself to be proclaimed as King; proving himself, by means of the Great Seal and Writing he had from the late King, to be justly established; and thus reigned with much seeming quietness, till the news reached the ears of Evagoras; who failed not with all speed to come to Cyprus; though he was no sooner come, but he found all things in combustion; the Tyrant having raised forces to withstand his Arrival, because he had made those that were his true Subjects, believe him to be an Impostor and a Counterfeit Evagoras; and one whose aim was ambition: upon which ensued several bloody Battles between this Prince and the Tyrant; though the fate of War, which every body knows to be uncertain, did always, by reason of his numbers, render the Tyrant more fortunate; insomuch that in the last Battle the Prince fought, who though he behaved himself very gallantly, and like one that contemned Death for Glory. The too great numbers of the Tyrant's men, constrained him to retreat; and at length finding it difficult to raise more forces, he retired, as they reported, into Sicily; where he is forced to remain deprived of his Kingdom by one his Father loved. Then said he, addressing himself to Clarinda, Thus Madam, has my willing obedience to this small command, made you, I hope, in some measure sensible how much I should think myself honoured to receive greater from you. Clarinda answered his Compliments wittily enough, and could not forbear to lament the miserable fate of this Prince. Orontus proffered his service to Agenoris, but he would by no means let him go; telling him that he had permitted Clidamant to go with him: and that he must remain behind, to entertain the Ladies in their absence; who would otherwise take it as a disobligement, to deprive them of all their company. Emilia, who at first began to be concerned at what Orontus had demanded, was now sensibly pleased, when she understood that Agenoris would not grant his request. But Clarinda was struck with a damp that had like to have made her swound away, when she heard she must lose the presence of her Clidamant, she imagined she should never see him again; but when he was dead: however there could be no other Remedy found for her but patience. At length when they were preparing to leave the Garden, to walk into the House, Agenoris singled out the Princess, and walking with her into a little Wilderness of Sycamore Trees, that was at one side of the Garden; he first unscaled his Lips to her in this manner:  
Illustrious Madam, I am now going to leave the only object I love in the World. Pardon, Divine Lady, that word, that escaped my Lips at unawares; for not being in a capacity to deserve you, you may with justice esteem me a Criminal for pronouncing it: Let me carry with me then but the esteem and well-wishes of your Royal Self in exchange, and I am made the happiest of men. I dare not crave more, though I desire more; I shall likewise then question not but to return more than Conqueror. You may imagine, Madam; that my Birth is mean (too mean, I confess, now to merit your love) yet I may boldly say that it is almost equal with yours; for he that now speaks to you, he that hath lived thus long in private, is that disconsolate Prince Evagoras, rob of his Kingdom, abused by an Impostor, and believed by his subjects to have no living. Being it is I, Madam, then, that am going to obtain what may make me more deserving of you than I am at present; You have a flourishing Kingdom under your power, but alas! I am disabled from presenting you with this small Island, which was once under my Fathers; and till I am in possession of it, I dare not Madam presume to think I love you. Your Discourse, said Alcandra, though it be surpizing, surpriseth me but little; since I have been every moment ready to suspect what you tell me: for I ever thought you could be no less than a Prince by your obliging Actions and Behaviour. Let me likewise tell you, That Love found'st so pleasingly in your mouth, that I could never be weary of hearing you pronounce it. I have not loved you so long, as to disown it now; more especially when I find your Birth not to be inferior to mine: I were ingrateful if I should. Love then, Noble Sir, and love for ever her, whose constant love to you, Time never shall extinguish.  
But than proceeded she, with a lamentable languishing look, and pressing his hand with a Lover's ecstasy, Must you, must you leave me? ah! Can you leave me, that loves you as I do? hard Fate! What comfort do you think I can find in your absence, and when I know you to be exposed to all the perils that sharp pointed Swords, murdering Lances, and consuming Arrows, are like to make you endure; ah! said she, putting her Handkerchief before her Eyes; I shall sink beneath the weight of such a loss.  
Madam, said Evagoras, These sweet expressions have revived my drooping heart, and having you on my side, I do not question Victory. Dearest Princess, were it not more for my Honour, and the Love I bear you, than for my Right, I would not, nay I could not leave you.  
Generous Sir, said Alcandra, since I see you to be resolute then in your purpose, go, and may you return Victorious, may all things answer my wishes to complete your happiness, and may the Gods prosper you; but added she, speaking more low, however, forget not her you have left behind in the midst of dangers; blot not Alcandra out of your mind.  
No, said he, with a deep sigh, the thought of her will spur me on to Victory, which I hope will be speedy, that I may hasten my return; too morrow then Madam, I will take my farewell of you, till than I shall not; so taking the freedom of a salute, which she did not in the least refuse him; they both returned to the Castle.  
Many tender expressions of the like nature passed between Clidamant and Clarinda, whose eyes were all in tears at the thoughts of it. Clidamant revealed his right name to her, and told her how he was a Lord that lived in the Court of Cyprus, and had followed the Prince Evagoras in his misfortunes; and that she must no more esteem Agenoris as a private Gentleman, but as that Prince he spoke of not long since; because it is really him. Clarinda was much astonished at this news, though she said he had not carried himself so like a private Gentleman, but that there were some marks of greatness in him that were visible.  
Evagoras and Coriander, for so we must now call them, having fitted themselves with Armour and all other necessaries for their Heroic Enterprise, they were preparing on the morrow to go; but when Evagoras was taking his leave of the Princess, she wept so bitterly, that her excess of grief would scarce give her tongue the freedom of pronouncing the word Adieu; and Clarinda instead of speaking to Coriander, swooned away, and was carried in by her Attendants. They both being well mounted on two incomparable Horses, Evagoras first having kissed the lips of his dearly beloved Princess, galloped away (having each of them an Esquire to attend them) with an excellent grace. To have seen with what a resolution they departed, it would even have moved pity and astonishment; the first to have observed how ready they were to sacrifice themselves on Honour's Shrine, the other to remark the greatness of their courage. It is to be imagined that in all the time of their absence the two Lovers Alcandra and Clarinda, had but very little enjoyment of themselves. Often did the Prince write to Alcandra, and as often did Clarinda hear from Coriander; which in the midst of this cruel affliction, afforded them some comfort. The last Letter they received, was that the two Armies were going to engage; and that as soon as the Battle should be ended, they would make all possible speed to return to them again.  
The first seemed to pierce their very hear●s for the apprehension they were in for those they loved; yet their hope for the second was as a salve to heal the wound their fear occasioned. Insomuch that the two passions of hope and fear seemed wholly to occupy them during the absence of Evagoras and Coriander. Emilia, who though she was touched with some regret for the absence of them both, yet the presence of her Orontus overpowered all; for her countenance was more cheerful, her behaviour more jovial, and her heart more light than the rest: and indeed her alacrity and cheerfulness would sometimes banish those sullen thoughts which overbalanced the minds of the other two Ladies. She would endeavour to infuse into them the Cordial of Comfort, and to that end would cause them sometimes to take the Air with her in the Fields: Especially one day the three Ladies being in a Coach, and Orontus on Horseback (which was some considerable time after the departure of Evagoras and Coriander) when passing thorough a desolate Forest, they espied a Horse running very fast cross it, with a man that lay on the ground all in blood as if he was dead; they were presently curious to see this Spectacle, and therefore all the Ladies presently descended from the Coach, and Alcandra, who approached it first, saw that he was indeed dead. Orontus, who had a desire to know the original cause of this Massacre, advanceth a little forward, and at a distance he faw three men fight very desperately with a young Lord; who although he defended himself with much courage and valour, yet did they press him with so much advantage, that he was to expect nothing but Death. Orontus presently hollowing, immediately drew his Sword, and galloped directly towards them; but he came not time enough to preserve the Lord from two wounds he received, the one in his left Arm, the other a little beneath the right Shoulder; Emilia and the other Ladies (there being nothing more timorous than this Sex) fearing lest some misfortune might happen to Orontus, endeavoured to call him back as loud as they were able: but as they came near to the dead body, and saw him lie in that manner, Alcandra, whether she suspected something, or whether she was desirous to see his face, out of curiosity lifted up his Helmet (for he was in Armour) and finding it to be Evagoras, O gods, said she, what dismal spectacle do I see here? Is it then thou Dear Life of my Soul? May the day thou departed from us be for ever accursed: May the Sun on that day never show its glorious Light; and may it be for ever blotted out of the yearly Register. Oh my heart, why dost thou not break? that I may go with my Evagoras to the Celestial Paradise. Must I stay behind when he is gone? No, my Dear, in shining rays of light we'll meet each other; and since we could not here enjoy the fullness of Love, we'll intermingle souls in the other world, and enjoy more sweets in our Etherial Being's, than dull heavy Mortals can ever comprehend: There will our lives be never crossed by fears, nor into black despair our hopes shall never turn; through the warm smiling beams of the bright Sun we'll gently glide, and therein amorously sport and play; till on a sudden we find ourselves wrapped in the heavenly Mansions. Then addressing herself to the Corpse, But art thou then dead Evagoras? Must thy Eyes be for ever shut? It is Alcandra that calls thee, it is Alcandra that bemoans thee; and who, if thou art now not dead, will before thou diest render thee eternal testimonies of her Love. At the name of Alcandra, Evagoras, who was in a swound, by reason he had lost much blood; and because of the blows he had received, as well in the Battle as in this rencontre (for his Armour was pierced in several places) wakes, as from a dead sleep; and opening his Eyes, which the sleep of Death still kept half shut; and beholding Alcandra, Is it thou then, my Divine Princess, that thus did call me? said he, Thou lovely fair, give me then thy precious hand to kiss; which hath so often touched mine. O happy Destiny, what Divinity am I now obliged to for this favour? Now I find my wounds are not so bad (except it be that pleasing one which your eyes have given my heart:) since fortune has reserved me in my distress for so happy a rencontre. By this time the two Combatants were come back again with Victory (for two of the Ruffians they killed, and the other ran away) but both of them grievously wounded, especially the young Lord, who was Coriander; which did very much afflict Clarinda, and doubtless had it not been for Orontus, Coriander would never have escaped their fury; for they would have murdered him. The wounded Gentlemen were all put into the Coach, except Orontus, whose wounds were not so dangerous as those they had received. Evagoras and Coriander then being in the Coach with the Ladies, Alcandra permitted the first to lay his head in her bosom, while she tore her delicate hair and apparel to cover his wounds till she came to the Castle. Coriander laid his head in his Clarinda's lap, who did the like for him. Being arrived at their journey's end, the first thing they did to them, was to let them blood immediately; to the end they might by the incision of a Vein staunch the blood that came from their wounds: and then applying to them all requisite remedies, they let them repose till the next morning; when they found strong symptoms in them of a speedy recovery. Coriander was first healed, and whether Nature were more powerful, or whether the presence of Alcandra, was the particular remedy, which was likely enough, Evagoras, by the help of his Surgeons, was healed beyond common expectation.  
Being all now in good health, well and free from all the dangers they were in, Alcandra was desirous to know of them the occasion of this last accident, and how fortune had favoured them in their first design? As we could desire, said Coriander, for heaven hath blessed us with Victory; though it hath cost something dear. Had you but seen with what a courage the brave Evagoras fought, you would have thought him more than humane; for his very looks terrified the enemies wherever he appeared: I, who had the command of the left Wing, which consisted in about Two thousand Horse, my men some ran away, and the rest stood still, to be killed like Sheep by my side; the fury of the enemy having amazed them so, that they could deal no blows: in so much that the left Wing was almost routed, when the brave Evagoras, who had soon notice of it, came but with four hundred Horse, and poured upon them so courageously, that in a short time he put a whole Body of Five thousand men to the rout, with but a handful; though at the first he changed horses no less than three times, for so often were they killed under him: I must attribute that more to your prudence and conduct, said Evagoras, than to any thing you can call courage in me: but alas what you have done, does surpass all you can say of me: Did you not, when I was surrounded and ready to be slain or taken by the Usurpers men, did you not like Lightning breaking down, and clearing all those that stood to oppose you, rescue me from them with a great slaughter of their men: That was a thing, said Coriander, which not only my duty obliged me to do, but it was wrought by the power of the Gods, who considered the Justice of our Cause; they are ever the Protectors of Princes who are Earthly Gods, as they themselves are Heavenly; however it was to your great courage we own this Victory, since it was by you only it was achieved; therefore, Royal Sir, let us confess that the glory of the day was wholly due to you: And now Madam, said he, in directing his speech to the Princess, we may presume to think him worthy of your Illustrious self; he hath since often confessed to me that the thoughts of you it was that inspired him with that courage, and in fine, Madam, we have completed what we went for; for so soon as Aphistamenus began to see himself worsted, he betook himself to flight with no more than a hundred Horse; for besides what were killed on the Enemy's side, the rest when they saw themselves in the condition they were in, begged quarter of our Royal General, and came over to our side; we left Periander in pursuit of him, and we have since heard, that he hath blocked him up in a little Town which is not well fortified, and where I am certain he cannot well escape: whereupon having commanded him to take the Tyrant either dead or alive, we left him, and desired him afterwards to come to us as speedily as he could, when he had settled all things in order, and to publish an Act of Pardon in the Name of the Prince for what had passed; but in our way thorough yonder Forest, we found ourselves beset by an Ambuscade of Rogues, whose designs was to trepan us as we came from the Army; they were some of the Enemy's Party, who having notice of our coming that way, determined to kill both the Prince and us; and there Evagoras had like to have lost his life, after the danger he had run in the Battle, till the brave Orontus luckily came to our assistance: Is the lost Periander found then? said Emilia; Yes Madam, said Coriander, though not cured of his love; for when he went from hence, as he told me himself; being a thousand times ready to kill himself for your cruelty towards him, he thought of a more Noble way to lose his life, which was by redeeming his Prince and Country from the insupportable Yoke of an Usurper: And Madam, I believe he hath performed his promise to himself, for his wounds are so dangerous, that nothing but death will cure them; he bade me tell you, that he hoped you have not banished your Friendship from him, though you have your Love; and that if you will bestow on him the first, he will, if his wounds will let him live so long, come and have the satisfaction to die in your presence. This, Madam, he bid me tell you, and Evagoras hath given order to a great many ●●pert Chirurgeons to take care of him; Hate him, I did not, said Emilia, and love him. I could not, yet I had that Friendship for him, that I wish he may live: I wish no harm to my very Enemies, added she, and I have less reason to rejoice at his death who hath thus served his Prince and Country; and truly, to have him die for my sake, would grieve me.  
Old Cleonidus, who understood all these transactions, was extremely pleased at the surprising news of Agenoris being a Prince, and that he adored the Princess Alcandra; and much more was he satisfied, when he understood how near he was being established in the Cyprian Throne; he thought that this would raise both joy and admiration in the hearts of the Sicilians, and that this Alliance could not choose but be agreeable to them: wherefore he presently dispatched Letters to the Nobility and Council, wherein he at large laid open to them the advantages that would accrue to that Island by this happy Marriage. We must imagine it did not displease them; many days were spent in the Castle with much diversion; there were Balls, Plays, Dances, and every thing else that could be grateful to the Senses; and now Evagoras began to think on nothing more than the Celebration of their Nuptials; he was resolved they should all contribute to the joys of that happy day: But notwithstanding, he imagined it necessary to wait the arrival of Periander, who he doubted would not live to see their joys completed, which grieved him excessively, for he had a particular love for him; nay, not only he, but all the rest of the Company (who were at that time altogether in an upper Room, where the Windows faced the Myrtle Grove) expressed their sorrow for the loss of so brave a man, they were thus pitying him for the desperate wounds he received in the Battle, when a glorious sound of Trumpets surprised them so, that they were in great apprehension what it might mean; when the Prince Evagoras running to the Window to see who they were, immediately called the Princess, and the other Ladies, to see something curious, which was eight Trumpeters representing the Zephiry; for they were in Close-bodied Coats of Flesh-coloured Satin, and Wings on their Shoulders, being all mounted on Horses clothed in green Velvet, and bespangled with Gold; having each of them in their hand a Silver Trumpet: They had not looked on them much longer, but they also espied a great body of Horse, that planted themselves between the Trumpets and the Wood in Battle Array: soon after that they espied a Litter, which made up to the Castle; and then the Trumpeters ceasing to sound, there was a great shout heard from among those Horsemen that were in a body, and the Trumpeters, which was plainly understood to be, Long live Evagoras, King of Cyprus; they never ceased crying, but always redoubled it with the greatest expression of joy imaginable, throwing up their Hats and clapping their Hands. After this they heard a noise as if some body was coming up the stairs, but they came so softly as if they despaired to reach the top of them; at length they espied Periander, lead in by a couple of Commanders, who by means of the loss of Blood, and the multiplicity of his Wounds, was reduced to the condition of not being capable to stand upon his Limbs without some help; being entered the Room, they caused a seat to be brought to him to repose on, and they were all grievously afflicted to see him so dangerously wounded; but at length, as well as he was able, he told the Prince, that now he had done his duty, he should die contented; for die said he, I shall, and of these Wounds, my Surgeons have given me over; I am glad said he, bowing to the Prince, to hear of the choice you have made of this Illustrious Princess, and said he, I have left all things in very good order at Nicotia, for the reception of you both, and have brought here five hundred Horse with me, to conduct you to the plain of Massara, where will meet you no less than twenty thousand joyful Nicotians to welcome you to your own: I have also employed all the ingenious Artists that I could hear of far and near, to make all manner of things to divert you with, when you shall arrive thither.  
For Aphistamenus, I have blocked him up in a place of little strength, with about 8000 men, he having with him not above four hundred, when he sent me word that he would deliver himself up upon these terms, That I would spare his life, and not put him in Irons; having a while considered on what he proposed, I sent him word, I would agree to the Article; which I did, for as soon as I had him in my power, not to break my word with him, I caused him to be bound in Chains of Silver, where he lies in a Dungeon in Nicotia, and where he is to expect the sentence you will pronounce upon him; I shall not, said Evagoras, break the promise you made him, which was to spare his life; but shall send him over Captive into Syria.  
Periander had not been many days at the Castle, but he grew still worse and worse, all the Arts the Surgeons used to cure him were not able, but they told Evagoras, that he was a dead man, and that it lay not in their power to do him any good; but they would continue with him as long as he had life. Evagoras told them, That if they cured him, whatsoever they asked of him, upon the word of a Prince, they should have; but nothing would do, since now that fatal hour was come: The Prince wept bitterly, their excess of joy was changed into excess of sorrow, nothing but wring of hands, and mourning was the product of his death; he told Emilia, who was present when he died, as were the rest of the Ladies and Gallants, That since she had refused him her love, when he was living he beseeched her not to deny him her friendship now he was dying. Emilia told him, No, he had it and should have had more when he lived, had it lain in her power to bestow it. Thus, and much after this sort, they discoursed with him, till he surrendered what he was indebted to Nature; his Body was soon sent to Nicotia, there to remain till the King and Queen should make their public entrance, which they soon after did: The five hundred Horse which was commanded by Orontus, attended on them to the plain of Massera, where they joined with Twenty thousand Nicotians, who had notice of their coming, and who brought with them a Chair, for the King and Queen to make their public entrance into the City: It was four square, and drawn by eight White Horses, and garnished with Golden Trophies; on the sides upon the Pedestal, were twelve Columns that supported two Crowns of Gold, and at the upper end sat the King and Queen; which were the greatest Ornaments there, for the people were ravished with beholding them, especially the Queen, whose Beauty and smiling Innocence, drew not only their amazed eyes on her, but their hearts to honour and respect her as a Princess worthy of their love; the throng was not small to come to a sight of her; they that could enjoy that happiness, they thought they enjoyed a blessing, that none but the Gods themselves were capable of bestowing on them.  
Something lower than them sat a Venus, holding in one hand a lighted Torch, and in the other a Bow and Arrows of Cupid; beneath her two little Children, and something lower two Cupids at a great distance; before the Chariot marched twelve Horses, every one led by two Slaves; the Horses were harnessed with Orange-coloured Satin, edged with Silver; the Slaves were habited in Cloth of Silver, the Livery of the Persians: Then followed six Pages in Orange-coloured Satin, embroidered with Silver, mounted on Horses covered with the same: Then followed Orontus at the Head of his five hundred men, who separated from the Nicotians when they entered the City, because they planted themselves on both sides the Streets to honour their entrance; he having led up his five hundred men; then followed this Chariot, on both sides of which road six of the chiefest Nobility: Then appeared Coriander at the Head of four hundred more of the Nobility in bright glittering Armour, which by the reflection of the Sun beams upon them, was a most glorious object to behold: I am not able to paint out the Magnificence of this day, equal to what it was; being arrived at the Palace-Royal with the joyful Acclamations of Long live Evagoras and Alcandra, King and Queen of Cyprus and Sicily. Evagoras thought it requisite before the Celebration of his Nuptials and Coronation, to have the Body of Periander interred with that Magnificence he had deserved when he lived, which was also accordingly done, with no mean cost and splendour; after which they began to think of Celebrating their Nuptials, which was likewise some days afterwards performed with all the glory that can be imagined, and to the no mean satisfaction of all these Lovers. This day was of far greater splendour than the day of the Prince's entrance into the City, for there were Tilts and Tournaments, breaking of Lances, and every thing else that might conduce to the pleasure of such a day. There were likewise already many Ambassadors arrived from several parts beyond the Seas, to compliment Evagoras from Foreign Princes, touching his happy arrival to his long lost Throne: Among the rest, there came several of the Sicilian Nobility to acknowledge Evagoras their King, by reason of the Marriage to the Princess Alcandra, and who blessed the Gods for bestowing on them so excellent a Prince as was Evagoras. There was an other strange Ambassador at Court among the rest, who was always looking very earnestly on Clarinda, who took as much notice of him till once approaching her: Pray Madam, said he, vouchsafe me the favour of your Name, for if my eyes deceive me not, I should know you: My Name Sir, said she, looking wistly upon him, is Clarinda; then cried he out, running to her, and embracing her with the tears in his eyes, Oh my dear Daughter, have I found thee! Oh happiness beyond expectation! Gods, said Clarinda, in as great a Rapture as he, I think it is my dear Father Meander, who I forsook in Crect by the unhappy means of Polianor. Being both come to themselves, Meander told her he believed she was drowned, but that to his unexpressible joy he now found to the contrary: and then she begged his pardon for marrying without his consent, and told him to whom she was now a Bride; which redoubled the old man's joy: Pardon, said he, it is I must beg your pardon for exposing you to these dangers you now have escaped; and withal told her, that Polianor died mad; and now, said he, my grey hairs will receive new vigour: Heavens prosper you my dear Daughter in your happy choice (said he.) This Meander was Father to the pretended Theocles, who being a Favourite of the King of Crect, was also sent over as an Ambassador to compliment Evagoras. The Forenoon was spent in Tilts, Tournaments, and such like Heroic Exercises; the Afternoon they diverted themselves in the Palace-yard, which was all surrounded with Scaffolds for the Spectators, at the upper end whereof was that where the King, Queen, Orontus, Emilia, Coriander, and Clarinda stood: Next to them, on the right hand were placed all the Foreign Ambassadors, on the left hand was some of the Cyprian Nobility; and thus was the Palace-yard filled all round about with all sorts of people: in the midst of the Yard was built a stately Palace, which was termed the Palace of Happiness; it was flanked with four square Towers, and with one something longer than the rest in the middle, upon which was built another less, having eight Angles; the Gate was adorned with four Pillars, upon the front of which was carved this Motto, To the joy of the Public: At the Gate were represented the four Cardinal Virtues, and a little higher Castor and Pollux, for an Emblem of the Union of these two Crowns: upon the four faces of the Tower, in the middle, was figured four great Images; the first was Felicity, the second Hercules, the other Horcuis, the God of Oaths, and the last Fidius, the God of Fidelity; on the two Towers, to the right hand, was placed four others; that is to say, Peace, Concord, Truth and Hymen: All the Spectators being then ranged in order to behold the glorious sight, some behind the Regiment who were planted round the place with their Pikes, and others upon Scaffolds, and some at the Windows of the Palace; the Magnificence began by a Consort of Trumpets, Hoe-boys, and other excellent Music, when the first thing that entered, was a Rock containing fifteen Grottoes, which seemed to be drawn by the Lyre and Voice of an Amphion; on the top of all was a Tree, whose branches seemed to touch an azured Heaven bespangled with Golden Stars, and it was followed by thirty Pages on Horseback, Armed with Lances: A little after this entered a Triumphant Chariot, representing Glory, drawn by eight White Steeds, with Wings on their Backs; in the middle was erected a Pyramid of Silver, whose point touches a Sphere of Gold, upon which was wrote this Motto (Here I am limited) to show that Glory reacheth as far as the Heavens; but can no further; this Pyramid was embraced by a young Virgin, Clothed in Cloth of Silver, with a Circle of Gold upon her head to figure Glory; on each side of her was two other Images, that on her right hand representing Victory, that on the other Renown: This was also attended by an infinite number of Pages, Heralds at Arms, and others; when these were gone, then appeared the Chariot of the Sun, drawn by eight Horses clothed in Gold-coloured Satin; covered with Suns and Roses, conducted by Phaeton as Coachman; at one end was represented Aurora, and within it the four seasons of the Year, and the twelve hours of the day; all those that followed it were dressed in  and Liveries suitable to their qualities. When this was gone, the next that appeared was the Mountain Menelaus full of lively green Trees, Grass, Fountains and Birds, drove by the god Pan, as if he were going in search of the Nymph Syringna and those that belonged to Diana; the last that came was a Chariot drawn by twelve horses clothed in Orange-coloured Satin and Blue Embroidered with Gold and Silver, conducted by six Men in Satin Robes of the same Colour Embroidered; on the Top of all sat an Ancient Woman, full of Wrinkles and Grey Hairs, figuring a Magician; at her Feet were a company of Young Men, with several musical Instruments in their Hands, and behind the Chariot was a Mountain. When it stood still before the Scaffold where the King and Queen were, and the Music beginning to play, the Magician, making many Circles with a Rod she held in her Hand, commantled the Mountain to open, which it suddenly did; producing in a moment divers Birds of several kinds, who flew all out of it into the open Air: but at length Night put a stop to all, and our Lovers must leave the pleasures of this day to taste others; which though of an other nature, yet I doubt not but they found them to be more pleasing, after what they had suffered. Imagine then the Princess to be conducted to her Apartment, and so to her Bed; where like the smiling Morn she lay in expectation of what had been so long deferred: but 'tis supposed the Royal Bridegroom stayed not long behind her. Neither must we forget the fair Clarinda, who strove to hid her blushes from her Coriander, under the spiteful Bed-cloaths: but he soon caused the Taper to be extinguished, that the Sables of the night might ease her of that trouble, and do him that injurious Office. Him we will leave then in his Love's embraces, to observe the fair Emilia, whose modesty (which at that time did something ill become her) did clearly evidence how between willingness and unwillingness, she received the first transports of her Orontus. Let this suffice, and let us not be too curious in our farther search, nor pry into the privacy of Lovers, but leave them to the care of Hymen; who no doubt will accomplish their desires.  
FINIS.    

ERRATA  
PAge 174, line 17, for Chair read Chariot; page 176, l. 32, for wistly r. wishly.