peers plainness seven yeres prenticeship.  
By H. C.  
Nuda Veritas.  
Printed at London by I. Danter for Thomas Gosson, and are to be sold at his shop by London bridge Gate.  
1595.   

peers plainness seven yeres prenticeship.  
THE sun no sooner entred geminy, but Natures plenty and Earths pride, gave the husbandman hope of gainful harvest, and the shepherd assurance of happy increase; the first cherished with the lively Spring of his deade sown seed: The second cheered by the living presence of his late yeande lambs.  
In that months prime, Menalcas( no mean shepherd of thessaly) sate in a groan of Pines under the principal tree, pensive enough, though not pining either for love or loss: His servant( among other swains) was the mean while unfolding his sheep, the neighbring grounds to Tempe was their pasture, even Tempe the pleasure of thessaly, and paradise of Greece.  
To Menalcas thus solitary, one day when the Sun had newly dried up the Mornings balmy moisture, came a kind companion of his, Coridon it was, no shepherd, but a plough-swaine: no less wealthy than the herdsman, their credits equal, their wits not different: viewing the shepherds heaviness, the husbandman thus said.  
I muse not a little Menalcas, now when every creature takes delight in company, you should desire this solitude: Did snow cover the mountains, or swelling floods overcharge the valleys: Did ysicles dangle down the due laps of your Heard, or diseases invade your flocks, somewhat it were you should be thus sorrowful: But seeing on the hills your Goats brouse on sweet smelling Thyme, in the dales your sheep chew no less delightful grass: those teaching their Kids to skip the hollow places of the crag, these wantoning with their lambs among the flowers of the meads: fields abounding with Floraes beauty, floods not ouerchargde with Phoebes plenty: all yielding you good, yourself exceeding each neighbouring shepherd in goods: wonder it is, every of them froliking, you should alone sit thus disconsolate. Want which gréeues you I know it is not, that my last reason hath refuted: Wealth that lifts you up, I am sure it cannot bee, that familiar conversation hath refeled: for as ye are not poor, so were ye never proud: that you hate any deadly, your wonted mildness forbids me to suppose, that you love Lycoris alone, your vows and her virtue,( beside your seven yeares marriage) assures me: so that seeing neither from love, nor hate, nor wealth, nor want in my conceit, these passions of solitariness are sprung, let Corydon your old acquaintance entreat ye to unfold your griefs, which if it be not in my power wholly to redress, I will endeavour to procure some remedy, if either countenance, counsel, or coin can give aid. Disclose it therefore Menalcas, I am prepared to hear, and will be as ready to adusse.  
kindly offered Corydon, replied Menalcas: and well hast thou gest me free from every incommodity before name, and shalt be immediately resolud whence now my meditation arises: being free from sorrow I protest, yet full of suspect, I trust causeless: but when thou hearest it, as thou shalt like, so counsel me.  
A two daies since, when last Lycoris and I visited thee and thy Palma, in our return home we entertained a new seruant, plain in condition for any thing I can guess, of body strong, of wit prompt, of speech not altogether rude, but exceeding satirical: his bringing up I know not, thence arises my doubt, seeing last week Damon, last year Lycostes( both my neighhors, and thy familliars) had by entertaignement of stragglers strange misfortunes. could thy affairs Corydon permit thee so much leisure, I would require thy company to confer with him: About this time hath he unfolded his sheep, and thus haue I answered thy suspect: what I doubted thou knowest, assist me to be of this doubt resolude if thou mayst.  
To this Corydon easily consented, Menalcas rose, they left the grove and entred the plain, where peers plainness( for so was Menalcas mans name) having set his sheep to feed, found himself no little work with plaiting wheat straw for a summer bonnet, to to bear off the violence of the suins beams: while his fingers went, his tongue lay not still, but thus to his sheep and himself he sung:  

feed on my flock securely,  
Your shepherd watcheth surely;  
run about my little Lambs,  
Skipp and wanton with your Dams:  
Your loving Heard with care will tend ye.   

Sport on faire flock at pleasure,  
Nip Vestaes flowering treasure;  
I myself will duly hark,  
When my watchful dog doth bark:  
From wolf and fox wee will defend ye.   
As he was going on, he spied his Master and Corydon at hand: wherewith leaving his song, he attended Corydons words that first saluted him in this sort: God morrow friend, well worthy the name of a shepherd, if thy service bee answerable to thy song. If it bee not said peers, I do but imitate the most, that whatsoever they say, live as they list.  
Of them what thinkest thou said Corydon? As they do of themselves replied peers, and you suspect of me: I guess them to be hypocrites, which they know true, you doubt to be an eye-seruant, wherein ye deem vntruely. Thou art very plain with me quoth Corydon. I cannot choose said peers, for I am plain by name and nature. Thou art too blunt quoth Menalcas, he is my honest friend, and kind familiar. Master said peers, how long hath he been your familiar? This twenty winters answered Menalcas. And hath he ever since quoth peers been your assured friend? He hath said the other. Happy is peers then to happen in such a service, for in Thrace and crete haue I seven yeares been a apprentice, howemany Masters in that time I haue served, it were a story to tell, and were it worth the telling I would describe it in a Story: but in al that time could I never be acquainted with any man so happy, that had a true friend of ten dayes standing. Menalcas and Corydon hearing him so pleasantly offer, what they onely required, willed him to deliver as he thought best, the places of his service, the persons he serude with, and manner of his usage: He as ready to perform as they to demand, craude pardon to sit because the task was long, which they willingly granted. Then in an artificial seat formde out of a fresh budding thorn, sate they all three down, and peers having the pre-eminence of the middle place, began as followech.  
Hylenus now the second time governeth in Thrace: whose fortunes, his Childrens, and Aeliana the Cretan Quéens( ouring my seven yeres service) I will handle, that you may know both what I haue been, and what the world is.  
Hylenus had two sons, Celinus and Aemilius, and one daughter, name Rhodope: the Daughters birth-day was her Mothers deaths-day, by the treacherous complot of a Persian Hand-maid, that of private grudge poisoned the new delivered queen: and being apprehended, denied not the fact, for which shee suffered a deserved death.  
The sons were born twins, about three yeres elder than their sister, Celinus so like Aemilius in constitution of body, and so unlike in disposition of mind, that it bread admiration in all that knew their bringing up: Aemilius being no less loved for his virtue, than Celinus hated for his 'vice.  
In the Court( and in no mean account) swayed a Noble man, name Celydon: one of his mens men was my master, a master to his master so serviceable, as no slave could be more submiss. Celydon had the charge of Hylenus Name, having likewise charge of a Castle on the mouth of Hebrus, to defend the entry from foreign invasion. Popular he was and liberal, of King and people well beloved.  
The remiss dealing of Celinus drew from him his fathers heart, who by public Edict proclaimed Aemilius his heir apparent. Celydon under whose smooth looks ambitions fire lay covered, thinking to take the fittest of opportunities, presently vpon this Edict sent for Celinus, and in private demands how he took so public an injury? Who minding more the fulfilling of his lust than any regal dignity: made answer, it was no wrong to him to live at liberty. But with many reasons Celydon reproving his remissness, laying open the glory of estate, the power to will any thing vncontrould, and such like: Celinus began a little to give ear, protesting he would be Aemilius priest if his father immediately reuokd not the Edict. To calm this fury, yet kindle a more unnatural flamme, Celydon thus slily practisde.  
It is in vain( saith he) to purpose the ruin of Celinus alone, sith your father( utterly forgetting the follies of his own youth, exceeding yours by infinite degrees) hath absolutely dispossessed you of all claim to the Kingdom, naming your sister next in succession if Aemilius die: if both he and she depart islulesse, he hath bequeathed the kingdom to the election of the State. To this his will haue all assented, and I durst not( being alone, deny to give consent: but how much against my will, shall well appear by this that follows. To morrow intends the King privately to disport with me at my Castle builded on the bank of Hebrus, Aemilius and Rhodope with some small train shall bear him company: when they are there, would your Lordship consent, Celydon would set the crown of Thrace vpon your head, before the sun were twice set.  
Would I consent( saith Celinus)? Why Celydon, what will I not do? Shall we there murder Hylenus, no more of me meriting the name of father, being so unnatural: Shall we strangle Aemilius my usurping brother: commit Rhodope to the mercy of some rude mercenary, that may crop the flower of her beauty, or drag her Polixena-like to sacrifice? What will not Celinus attempt that Celydon can set down to reuenge an injury so notorious.  
Then said Celydon, let your Highnes see this performed, Gather together against morning the desperatest associates you can consort yourself withall, rush violently into the palace, break open the treasury, seize on the diadem and kingly ornaments, while I make sure Hylenus, Aemilius and Rhodope: for never shall Prince of Thrace of his birth-right be dispossessed, while Celidon hath power to lift a sword.  
With millions of thankes, and protestation of as many rewards, Celinus embraces Celydon, giuing him the name of father, patron and protector, promising the whole Realm shalbe at his direction, and thus this plot of conspiracy confirmed, Celinus and Celydon part. Thus went the matters of State: now to our household affairs, and yet no household affairs neither, for my master kept no house: but be it house or chamber, thus it was.  
Being at my choice of masters, of sundry ages& occupations: I that had in my childhood been experienst in trades, and found in few of them plain dealing, desperate to do among them any good, they had so small delight in goodness, I left Gods blessing for the warm sun: and wondering what brave life it was to bee a Courtier, I bound myself for seven year with one Thrasilio, as smooth a tongud Gentleman, as ever Terences Gnatho was a Parasite. At my first entertainment, he  told me he was a retainer to Lord Celydon, whose very name in all the country was highly reverenced: but the truth was as I afore said, he retained to flavius a wasteful Gentleman, belonging to Celidon: by attending on whose trencher, he got bare maintenance for himself and me.  
This flavius used him as a jester: for if loud liars be jesters, he was the excellentst I ever knew. he was acquainted with none but Kings and great Captaines of Armies, on whom he had bestowed infinite sums of money toward their expenses: for he was so well seen in the Philosophers stene, that gold was to him as dross. In set imperial battles, on horseback and on foot, he had serud some thirty times, and always on his part attended victory: his wardrop& jewels were without number. These were his brags notoriously noted in Court and city. Yet trust me I take it he had some skill in alchemy, for he helped flavius to connexed much faire living into fine gold: for his valor, a purer coward knew I never, and for his wealth, he hourly marched in the midst of it. In his diet he was very sparing, because he had small store of spare money to buy meate: and had not the scullerie at the Court been my best ambrie. I must either haue left my master, or lost my life. With this Braggart had I scarce been two yeres, when the conspiracy of Celinus and Celydon began.  
The night before it broke forth, flavius sent word to my master to provide his weapons, for next day should be a desperate fray, flavius being a yongster of Celinus consort. But he that had seen the pitiful plight my master was in, when these tidings of fighting came, might well haue gest his valour by his visage: yet he bragged it out, saying the paleness of his colour came from the anger of his heart, and swore the quaking of his joints onely presaged his impatience. All that night had I the office of an armourer, but with his daily wearing rapier had I most ado, for it was almost two hours ere I could draw it: how well he used it when he had it, you shall hear when time serves. Let us now return to Celydon.  
Night the dark shrowd of every evil, had given courage to his desperate abhorred consorts: who being placed in the way,& resolved to perform this ensuing stratagem, Celydon with speed posts to conduct the vnmisdéeming King and his innocent Children to the place appoynted for the perfection of his desperate intent: while Celinus scattered troops await in the city their time.  
That morning, no sooner did the forest clerk chant forth their variable notes, but Hylenus, Aemilius and Rhodope, slenderly accompanied, trustely relying on Celydon, set forward to his Castle: and riding through an edge of Hemus, on sudden were violently assailed, their followers slain, themselves surprised, the intention by Celydons own mouth uttered, death sharp and hasty for them prepared. Hylenus at this sudden conspiracy amazed, seeing the traitreus butchers provided for Aemilius and Rhodopes slaughter, thus for a time stayed them from their desperate and devilish resolution.  
Celydon( said he) the many favours Hylenus hath bestowed on thee and thy fathers house( were I silent) would pled my sorrow for this sin of thine, being so much the greater, by reason of my exceeding love to thee. being in thy infancy lest fatherless, I of thy prince became thy fatherly protector: and in the increasing of thy yeares of a private man I haue made shée a Prince, and protector of the chiefest strength of Thrace: and hast thou thus( false Celydon) requited all my good? But thou colourest thy vile treason, with Celinus charge: why ( Celydon) when was he sworn thy King? what Nobles( with thee) haue given their oaths to him? His lewd life, and manners lascivious,( by thee most of any other noted, and misliked) drew me to frustrate him of all hope to inherit. And is he now become thy King? wilt thou by him be so suddenly commanded? No, no Celydon, celinus onely is thy shadow, thou the intruder, he thy instrument. Why delayest thou false conspirer, seize on me,& commit both these sins in one, Licaon-like murder thy guest, so sin against the Gods of hospitality, traitorlike stab thy king, and expect the fit reward of treachery: but spare these innocents, least earth no longer bear thy vile impiety.  
Celydon( vending his brows) ruthlesly commanded Aemilius and Rhodope to be strangled, giuing no other reply to Hylenus: who seeing reproof of no power to prevail, humbled his heroic heart, and prostrating himself before Celydon, cried out.  
Stay, stay, O let me once more speak to thee, before thou lop off two such branches from my withered trunk. If not my kindness, dignity, and charge: yet let my age, humbleness, and tears, entreat thee to show pity. Be not more ruthlesse than things senseless: drops of rain pierce rocky marble, let my showers of tears enter thy stony heart. In this Wood Tereus ravished and wronged Philomele, he& his son did perish for her onely rape: if in this Wood thou kill these innocents, thinkest thou to escape for so great an outrage: he was a king thou but a subject, his State sure, thine unsettled. I swear to thee by the immortal powers, and my children with like vow shall confirm my oath, if thou exile us together, or several, so thou preserve our lives, we will obscure our States, and never return to Thrace, except recalled by thee, Celinus, or both.  
Celydon at this relenting, knowing how religiously Hylenus ever regarded an oath, gave charge they should forthwith be conveyed to Sea in three several ships, and landed where the fortune of the wind should first drive them: which courtesy( though it included small kindness) all three accepted of him very gratefully.  
They being dispatched to sea, Celydon poasted to the city: where Celinus against his coming, had thus played his pageant.  
Scarce were the King and his company departed two miles from the city, when Celinus( having gathered together a multitude of desperate unthrifts) seized violently on the ancient Nobles, slay some, forced other to fly: and possessing himself of the regal ornaments, proclaimed himself King, and Celydon Protector of the realm.  
The Citizens shut up their houses, the better sort hid their heads, onely the lewd and riotous livers flocked in bands, crying out, Long live Celinus King of Thrace.  
To this upshot came Celydon with a company of approved souldiers: and looking strangely at that Celinus had done, pacified the tumult with mild persuasions: and appoynted the fourth day following a time of hearing, when as Celinus should either answer, or yield reason for that he had attempted: still making faire weather to the people, that Hylenus was onely withdrawn for fear of treason, not vttring the effective working of their treachery: for had the Kings misery been known, the multitude could not haue been appeasd.  
In the beginning of this broil, flavius had sent for Thrasilio my master: who hearing the Onset given, leisurely armed himself, and by then the tumult was appeasd, marching in stately equipage with his two hand sword on his shoulder, his rapier on one side his pistol on the other, mounted the scaffold( among other squaring cutters) where Celinus in view of all the people sate royally invested in his regal state and dignity.  
Among other things, it is not to be omitted, how like a tall squire I attended my master, with an old Morian on my head, and a javelin in my hand, which he a thousand times swore was the same leading staff that Alexander used in his last battle against Darius:& like enough it was of great antiquity: for canker and rust had consumde both substance and beauty.  
Ill weapond though we were, welcome wee were, and among our fellow cavaliers had the Bien venuto: for there every cobbler was a captain, and he that had but a bat on his neck, thought himself a commander. O had you seen the misery in those few houres of Insurrection, with what violence the giddy headed people were carried to ill, how easily dissuaded from their allegiance, how willingly missed, no man scarcely knowing which part to take, the multitude were divided into so many parts: you might haue thought such happy, which had perished by one mans sword, and not lived the torment of so many slaughterers: for in that broil there perished six thousand persons, son, father and kindred, each by other murdered, and mangled with many wounds.  
As I erst said, with Celydons faire speech the people were satisfied. every man withdrew him home, my master and I waiting at an inch on flavius for reward of our daies service and our supper: where my masters jests scarcely past currant, the company were so busied about that bold attempt of Celinus, being in such disgrace, the easy shutting up of the matter by Celydon, the absence of the King, and such other accidents.  
That night it was my destiny to be delivered from the service of Thrasilio that base Braggadoche: for wearied with my bluntnes( that could neither soothe his leaudnes nor smooth his lying) he began to indent for some crownes with flavius to sell my time. What mooud him to affect me I know not well: this afterward he said caused it, that he saw me plain,& among many soothers, he needed one reprover to acquaint him with their several infirmities. In brief, he bought my yeares, and I was rid from the bondage both of a fool and a flatterer, being my first master in Court, far worse than ever any I had in the country: he was ever begging, still beggarly, prying, complaining, soothing, swearing, bold to accuse, fearful to continue accusations: in fine he was as all flatterers are, the very tennis ball of them he soothed, to toss and bandy with at pleasure.  
Of him to speak more I haue no pleasure: to sorrowful Hylenus and his two children will I return, severed in three sundry barks, mindful of all their vows, mournful at their infortunate adventure: to imagine their several passions passeth poor peers his conceit, the course of the story onely will I continue: One wind breathed on each ships shrowdes wherein these infortunate Princes sailed: Before Crete they all anchored, where the Masters of either vessel compassionating their sorrows, to show some kindness thus devised. unknown to either of them they were all in Crete landed, Hylenus himself vpon a plain sand, the Continent of the Ile next neighbouring was a pleasant forest: Aemilius was set on shore at Hydrutum, a Castle frontering the sea: and poor Rhodope sold for a bonde woman to an aged fisherman upon the cost: This done, they loosed toward Thrace again to attend Celidon their ambitious Lord.  
In Crete at this time was sovereign, the virtuous and famous virgin Aeliana, feared and loved not only in the Mediterranean Regions, but in the utmost East admired. The managing of the Commonwealths affairs were committed by her authority to Rhegius her natural uncle: A man for bounty, virtue, and magnanimity, vnequalled with any neighbouring Prince. But as in earth there is no perfection without some impediment, no beauty without her blemish, rust freting the purest steel, canker the finest silver: So this Noble man( otherwise for virtue admirable) had given the rain to one 'vice, which violently hastened the disquiet of the realm, and drew him headlong to his destruction: and this was it, incestuously he loved virtuous Aenliana, drawn by the admirable wonder of her beauty, yet durst not utter his affection, he was so daunted with remembrance of hir excelling virtue. Now would he begin to writ his pasons, imitating Phaedra when she affirmed, Dicere quae puduit, scribere jussit Amor. then rend those lives, as open scandals to his honour: Sometimes he intended to attempt by force, but that by reason of her Gard he feared: another while he practised to assay by charms, but those means old example had proved vain: For if neither Medea, circes, no not Apollo himself, were able by incantations, herbs, or spells, to enforce liking where there was no love, in vain he gest his endeavours that way employed.  
Now lastly he determines sometime while shee is a hunting,( in which game Aeliana principally delighted) by some false cry to train her from her train, and then in disguise of a savage seize on her, and so satisfy his long desired lust and return unsuspected to Court. Resoulde on this, the very day of Hylenus and his childrens landing, he had entreated the queen to a house of pleasure of his in the forest, assuring her he had lodgde so Princelike game, as should bee highly to her Highnes contentment.  
Aeliana easily consented, and Diana-like shee furnisheth herself for that daies sport, on her head she wore a Coronet of oriental Peatle, on it a chaplet of variable flowers perfuming the air with their diuers odours, thence carelessly descended her amber coloured hair, with which the wind wantoning now sometime vncouered her frocke of white tissue, anon suffered the same to lie hid, which then seemed like clear Isis when Titan descending, casts his golden beams on her silver coloured streams: her bufkins were richly wrought like the Dolphins spangled Cabazines, her quiver was of Vnicornes horn, her Darts of ivory, in one hand shee held a boar spear, the other guided her Barbary Iennet, proud by nature, but now more proud, in that he carried Natures fairest work, the eastern worlds chief wonder. O what oil added these faire ornaments to wretched Rhegius kindled fire, every minute he countes a year, till they be in the wood, till he possess his will: But for all his hast, here fell an accident, that caused some time of more protraction.  
On a sudden from the forest edge issued an old man, his snowy heard covering his breast, his face reverend, yet replete with apparent signs of sorrow, his eyes swollen with tears but lately  shed, his countenance cast down as one disconsolate. On him above all other Aeliana cast a gracious eye, and causing him to be called near, asked if he were a Cretan or a stranger in that country: I was said he great princess, sometime a Samothracian, but now of no country, being wrongfully expelled my own: In Crete and all Countreys a stranger I am to all good fortune, the map of discontent, and slave of misery.  
Be not discouraged Father, said Aeliana, the goods of Fortune are as her self fickle, of their happiness no man can glory till his end: It is our virtues that in despite of Fortune will make us fortunate. Time now will not give me leave to make long questioning, but if in Court thou wilt content thee to lead a quiet and contented life, I will immediately provide for thy ease and safety: If not, bethink thee speedily of any other course, and command Aeliana, that under the Gods commandeth Crete: Deny me thou shalt not one of these, for in reverence of thy Age I will do thee some good, therefore ask whatsoever thou wilt, and it shall be granted.  
To this Hylenus( for it was he) replied: By this thy charity, sacred and sweet Empresse, thou meritest a greater name than either by thy beauty, wisdom, or iustice, though for all and either of these thou art through Europe and Asia famoused: And if old Saganes in this distress should refuse grace offered from one of so high dignity, he were unworthy to possess any good: Pleaseth it therefore your Highnesse to appoint me some solitary mansion, where I may meditate on my follies past, and quietly beg heauens favour to bee powrde on you my patroness, I shall be far happier than ever I was in Court, where I haue too long conuerst.  
Aeliana, condescended to his suit, and sent him presently to a solitary Lodge near Hydrutum, commanding order to bee taken for his daily provision. This deed of charity dispatched, Aeliana, Rhegius, and all their train enter the forest, some choose the stag, some the boar, others the bear, all as their occasion fitted at first sight of game. They that were appointed for rousing the game, having done their diligence, the woods echoed with cry of hounds, sounding of horns, and hallowing of hunters. Rhegius was provided of his savage suit, and still kept Aeliana company till she had lost all other company, having a wild boar in chase, which he perceiving, and knowing hir eagerness in pursuit, followed so long till he saw the wrathful boar return and mortally wound her steed, so that Aeliana was forced to leave him, and with her darts and spear, to offend him, and defend herself. While thus the queen strove for victory, the boar for life, raging, freting, foaming, whetting his tusks on every tree: Rhegius bestird him to play the counterfeit savage, and the incestuous adulterer: fitted in all points, his face discoloured, his head with shaggy hair covered, his body clothed in a mossy suit, his weapon being a young oak, he slily paced to the place where faire Aeliana fiercely contended against this orped and overgrown swine. There did he unnaturally behold his néece, and undutifully refuse to aid his princess, near hand surprised by a mertall and merciless enemy. Her darts were all spent, yet not vainly spent: But as her object enemy was no less fierce than the Erimanthian boar, so her fortune was more lucky than the maids, that among so many valiant hunters drew first the blood of that beast, which Meleager too soon for himself and his Vnckles slew. For Aeliana had firmed three darts in her adversary, one most annoying him in the groin, which when he offered to draw forth the princess with the point of her boar spear( being now her last refuge) in the same place made a far wider wound: which following with heroic courage, she butted half her staff i● the body of the beast, who beating his wrathful hea●● against the under earth, distained it with foam& blood, and finally gave Aeliana the glory of the conquest: who sounded the fall, that her followers might hear, giuing heauens glory for her protection, and treading on that head which lately assailed her with instruments of death and terror.  
Shee had scarce breathed in this new ioy, but fresh fear presented itself: For on a sudden rushed forth this counterfeit savage, whose first sight the more affrighted her, for that shee was utterly weaponlesse to make defence: yet when she saw no violence offered by the wild man, but signs of duty, and manifest shows to conduct her forth of the forest, shee offered to draw forth her spear from the body of the deade boar, which he espying, roughly laid hold of it himself.  
The queen thinking the savage had before time been chased with such staues, smiled at his fear and let him keep the same, and being of undaunted courage, went boldly whether he lead her, being into the thickest of the wood. There was a spring shaded with trees, and circled with marble, in which artificially were seats framde, naturally furnished with herbs and flowers: To this spring brought the savage the queen, and eft soones casting himself therein, offered by signs to teach her to do the like, but when he saw she made no semblance of perceiving him, he roughly begins to disrobe her royal body, and menacing her with stern looks mingled with some stroke, he first pulls of her Bugle, which shee had twice sounded, and casting her roughly on the earth, makes open his vile intent to her no little terror. Aeliana thus distressed, cried to heaven for help, often called for her followers, oftener on Diana, but most she cried on her uncle, invocating his help, that sauagely attempted hir hurt.  
We left Aemilius landed at Hydrutum, who enquiring toward the Court, was certified of that royal hunting in the forest: who desirous to see the Countreys fashion, got to the wood side with other of the people that went to haue a sight of Aeliana their princess. The time being long that the people attended, Aemilius walked alone into the wood, meditating on the treachery of Celinus& Celidon, the wrong his aged father himself& Rhodope suffered, invocating reuenge of heauens,& humbly desiring the destinies to favour them in meeting either with other before their deaths: Being in this contemplation, he was unawares so far in the wood, that which way to return he knew not. The better part of the day he strayed up& down, oft times a far off hearing the noise of hunters, but nere them he had no power to come. Faint he was both with travell& hunger, beside his sorrow made him heavy. On the ground he durst not sleep, lest some savage beast should seize on him, therefore he climbed a tree, in whose top when he thought to rest, he scant had closed eyes when he easily heard a small bugle twice sound very nere the place:& listening again where it should be, he in a while after heard the lamentable shréekes of Aeliana, wherewith descending the tree, he passed through the thickest of the covert, stil following the voice, till he came where Aeliana with striving breathles, with weeping sightles, with crying voyceles, and sorrow senseless, lay at the mercy of an inhuman savage, who shameless of sin, relentles at her entreats,& secure by reason of the place, was now ready to discover that hidden beauty, which had so long been desired by his beast-like appetite.  
Aemilius no sooner set eye on this shame-forgetting Monster, but he cried out, villain attempt not to deflower the Nymph, but look to defend thyself for thy barbarous assailement. Both Rhegius& Aeliana. were at this sudden voice severally passioned, he with fear, she with hope, he starts to his weighty staff, shee lifts up her weeping eyes, he furiously assails Aemilius, she feeble, yet fervently impetrates heauens aid for his defence. Aemilius shunning sundry fierce blows of Rhegius, wounded him with his sword so deep in the arm, that not able to hold his club,& fearing to be discovered, he flung the tree from him with violence, the fury where of while Aemilius sought to shun, Rhegius giuing a great cry, betook him to his feet: The wood being thick, the sight of him was soon lost,& being doubtful what other company he had at hand, he left him to comfort the queen: who revived as it were from a deadly trance, gazed on Aemilius, imagining him no mortal creature, but some celestial power descended in her defence: he on the other side admired the excellence of her beauty,& by her Coronet of gold that lay not far off, he thought hir no mean parsonage: which instantly desiring to know she immediately resolude him off: and enquiring of his estate and name, he reported himself to be atraueller, born in italy, his name he changed not.  
With such like parley, they come to the place where the boar lay slain, where Aeliana discoursed the manner of his death, which Aemilius heard with no small wonder.  
peers said Corydon, now thou hast rid us of this fear,& set Aeliana free, I would wish thee to remember thyself, what of thyself thou promisedst: Thou hast yet told but of one Master, and thy new entertaignement with another. Reach hither thy bottle that wee may drink round, I am sure thou must needs bee dry with talking, when I am so a thirst with hearing.  
I but said peers will ye remember me where I leave in Crete, else shall you find me too oblivious.  
I warrant thee said Menalcas, let that bee Corydons charge, mine to put thee in mind where thou leftst in Thrace. celydon appointed the people within three daies to hear Celinus publicly: they were thus pacified,& thou entertained with flavius the wasteful gentleman.  
True, true, quoth peers, now will I proceed with that. During the three daies, the people were feasted, the theatres were filled, Celydon and Celinus rid through the streets, money was cast in every corner, the strait laws of Hylenus for execution of iustice repealed,& liberty proclaimed to the people. At the three daies end, the people were assembled, there Celydon in an Oration opened how sorrowful Hylenus was that he had attempted to disinherit Celinus his son,& howe in satisfaction, he had given him then liberty to take the possession therof, betaking himself to solitary life, and committing Aemilius& Rhodope to Celinus government,& that it was Hylenus pleasure to haue them accept Celinus for their king,& himself his Protector, under whom they should live in that liberty, as for the three daies before they had done: if not,& that they would again enforce the old king to receive his estate, they should bee as of late, subject to those strict laws by Celinus abrogated.  
Then was the choice put forth: and such desire had they to live at liberty, that all the multitude with one voice cried out, live long Celinus King of Thrace,& honoured be Celydon the King and realms Protector.  
This maygame thus past, Celidon swayed Thrace, celinus had the kings name, he the state: for that which Celinus coveted more than any Kingdom, was to live in licentious pleasure, which now uncontrolled he greedily followed: Celydon giuing him the divine, in hope to reign himself when Celinus had overrun himself.  
But in this frolic Common-wealth, who flaunted it if flavius were not fine? and if he fared well, I must needs say he was no niggard to let others fast. myself was then mate with my old master. Mate said I? nay I was quarter master with my new: for what I misliked I had liberty to reprove, mary this was one good help, it should be mended at leisure.  
Besides me( among other needless servants) my master kept a Baylie, as sure a carded as ever man trusted. He persuaded my master to be a non-resident on his lands, and a remainder at the Court: noting what he should spare in hous-kéeping, seruants and such like. He( easily induced to follow still the worst) courted it so long, and sparde it so fast, that the tenants, wont to be forborn sometime a whole year, now were forced to pay their yeres rent afore hand. Well, how ever they sighd to part with it and sweat to get it, my master and his merry companions swild it in and swore it out, till the cat able to yield no more than her skin, we were fain to follow a new course.  
Our honest Bailie( living Lord-like on my Masters living) found means to borrow for him of a friend some four thousand pounds worth of ware, upon plain pawn of all his evidences: and withall this kindness he received, he paid not a penny interest more than was allowable, and the money should be returned by two thousand a year, each half year a payment, onely a little consideration to the Broker: who was a pretiepale faced squire, half brother to our Baylie, that some two moneths before had set up a shop in the Cities suburbs, of old shoes, stockings, and swords, the total sum of his standing scarce worth six shillings eight pence.  
This brogging Broker and broking bailie brought my master acquainted with the merchant forsooth( for so they called him) that had these commodities to sell. he was a man of mean stature, with a sulphurous face richly beset, his eyes sanguine, his breath strong, his gate stately: for he would scarcely haue gone his own length in an hour he was so well timbered beneath.  
To this money merchant we come,( for other merchandise used he none, but such as his Broker on a sudden took up, to thrust into their hands that had need of money) sitting he was with a young woman by his side: his daughter she was, faire enough though hir father were ill favoured, and proud enough I am sure she was, as I after proved.  
At our first entrance we were entertained by the Broker, next saluted by hir, lastly by him, that after a score of rotten coughs, found leisure to bid us welcome. The matter was well known, the daughter was to deliver her fathers mind, being to this effect: That he was very sorry so worshipful a Gentleman should want his help, and he not able to furnish him to his contentment with ready money: and so shutting it up in few words, the scrivener was sent for, my master past over his deeds, and thought himself very highly beholding to the Baylie, that had holp him away with his lands. On the lenders Daughter he bestowed a carcanet of gold, craving with her to bee more acquainted.  
She that had often been the painted fly to angle for such trouts, gave him kind words, and offered hearty welcome, her father confirmed her speech, and the young novice my master was by his Baylie and the Broker persuaded to get her for his wife, being her Fathers onely heir, a beauteous Gentlewoman, and so forth. That very day the principal of our ware was sold, some eight hundred pounds of money made, and then my master was no small fellow again: we had masks bowels, and costly devices, to frolic with his friends,& court mistress Vrsula( for so was the usurers daughter name). Besides, Celinus was not then of my master altogether unmindful, but bestowed vpon him an Office of Customage, to see to the transporting of forbidden commodities: which he likewise turned into Angels, and to Petrusio his Baylie made sudden sale of it.  
While this money lasted, my master never minded the remnant of his ware, till the first day of payment drew on, and by that time the most part of it was well-nigh worth nothing. Our figs( for we had some) were ready to run about the frail, our silks had lost colour, yet had we by silks small loss, for we had small store, our pins were rusty, the tags of our laces cankered, all our pedlerie ware being in a pitiful plight. On our negligence the Broker laid all the fault, he could not utter it( as by all his honesty he protested) to half so much as the tenth partes profit: and now to bolster up flavius prodigality, peers plainness must be a Packman.  
Should I spend time to tell my travels from faire to faire, my many short meales, my shorter markets, my care to get, my willingness to save, my weekly account to my master, his slender reckoning at the quarter, you would think I went about to praise myself, and therefore I let it pass.  
But how ever my market went, as it came he spent i●, so that at the extremest day, of a thousand pounds he had scarce ten to pay. Faire words of the father he had, fairer of the daughter: but all was nothing, when payment failed, flavius was as sure iandlesse, as monilesse. Celinus was sude unto, but he spent so fast, that now his treasury was drawn dry: and Celydon by degrees grswing greater than he, curbd him from that wast which he was wont to use.  
My master seeing such could comfort, sued to Vlpians daughter to stand his friend, but shee was deaf on that side, she could not, nay she would not for al his intreatye, pity one so wasteful. I was sent to Petrusio the old Bailie& new Customer: where I had good words myself, and praise for my honest care of him, that for himself took no care: offer to serve him if I would, but for my master, no point penny could be got.  
With this woeful news returning back, flavius exclaimd against ingratitude, cursed every cause of his prodigality, cried out on Fortune, and accused her sicklenes. Comfort him I could not, bee pacified he would not: to tel him of his passed riot, was but to aggravate his grief: to put him in hope of after good, was past hope, for he had no means left for relief: only a few vain suits of apparel, with which I was sent to the Brokers, that scarce served to satisfy a monthes bare commons.  
All pawned and morgagde, I persuaded my master to trust to his pen, and bereme some lawyers clerk: that was too base, he swore no small oaths, he could neither beg nor work, and longer want he would not. Such advice as I could I gave him, but all availed not: for the Broker he sent, and selling him all his odd furniture, onely furnished himself with weapons, and to the wide world he would.  
The Broker mindful of my pains when I was a chapman, earnestly desired him to part with my yeres: of which he intending never to make profit, easily consented.  
A new Master, a new, for thus peers plainness hath partend with prodigality, and means to learn thrift of Brokerie: a shrewd fall, from a Courtly waiter to be a Brokers booke-kéeper. Well, what remedy? necessity they say hath no law: and so it séemd by me, for my need drove me to live without lawe, if I had said with an outlaw, I had kept within compass: for besides my master, a number of his mystery, did not onely deal unconscionably without law, but were indeed very outlaws, banquerupts, what call ye them, or Brokers still let us call them, for a fitter name I haue not for them.  
I saw Menalcas smile even now, when I called brokage a mystery: the term was not much a miss, for there are more mists used therein, than in any Trade beside. They cover their craft with charity, piety, pity, neighbourhood, friendship, equity, and what not that good is, although in it there be no one point of goodness. But to the purpose, I proved a quick searcher into this mystery, and made my master miss many of his greedy prays.  
Being set to his Book, and seeing the manner of his Bills, I had no other charge but to deal plainly. O tis a iuel to use plain dealing among men of that trade. To note the deceit I saw there, as changing of pawns, letting other mens garments out to hire, receiving of goods by night closely, by day secretly, were a world to tell, and hardly to bee thought, there should bee in the world people living by pilfrie so publicly, and scape unpunished. Came they with any thing worth money, why they were welcome men: welcome, I& encouraged to come again, with promise of such secret conveyance, as no suspicion should arise.  
Once a day we likely had some poor wretches curse or other, for pawns abuse, or forfets vn●●●●ly taken: one notable condition had my good master, among many bad, and that was this, he pitied poor fellowes destitute of bail, he was chief pillar to the knights of the post for common bail and evidence, a notable honest mate in those matters: he would haue suited a thread bare slave in a frocke of damask, his welted gown, a sealed ring on his thumb, and every appendix able to make a bankrupt both of wealth and honesty seem like a burgess of twelve yeares standing. never was feats the juggler like the juggling Broker my master, for he had legions of Familiars to command. What craft would ye haue that he had not? Wanted ye good fellowes to go among merchants and Gentlemen of account, that( for their pleasures) frequented game? Why he was excellent. Not so few as a dozen Dice-makers had he at his reversion, that he would furnish in diuers fashions: some in the long stock& little ruff like Brabanters, some with standing capes and slyced breeches like Danes, some with their beards cut Alla Turquesa, theit hose hanging loose( like an empty gut) after the Portugall manner, others Italionate in talk, others in all behaviours Courtlike, striving to imitate the French.  
All these instructed by him, and strengthened by old ulpian, essence of usury itself, would haue severed themselves into sundry companies: and where ever they fell, they made many light purses and heavy hearts: they had their bars, their flats, their fulmers, their hy-men, their low-men, themselves playing even the hang-men among those men, whose idle time and hard misfortune made them their luckless companions.  
lacked ye a smooth tungd hypocrite to entrap young Gentlemen newly come from the university? he was for ye. he had a swarm of ●ye companions, that should haue been attired secundum formam, and not a word out of their mouths but pure Priscian. Were they merry, were they sad, were they wise, were they wanton, he would be sure to fit their humors: and for I could not swear, forswear, lie deceive, and cog, I lost my service in manner and form following, and exalted my master to a high degree, as shall appear by the sequel.  
The community of the bad endures never any long time: so between my broking master, and ulpian the usurer it fortuned, that he( like an ill crow, having hatched a worse egg) compacted with a notable unthrift the debtor of ulpian, to cousen the usurer of four thousand crownes, due vpon bonds, by what extortion I know not raised, but sure I am approved at that time a true debt.  
This Ruffler was arrested, first by my masters diligent pains, and at last released by his double dealing practise. For the youth being moneyed,( the onely mean to compass matters above mean) gave a hundred crownes to my master to procure him bail. His odd shauers were so well known before the judge, that hardly in a matter of such import was he persuaded of their acceptance: therefore was he very earnest to put me in a suit of satin, compass my neck with a chain of gold, and give me a name I never knew. being indeed the name of a worshipful Gentleman: and with another confederate of the forenamed stamp, attired and trimmed as a Merchant of good worth, we two forsooth must set a good face on it, and be this unthrifts bail.  
I desirde them to uncase me again, protesting I was utterly out of league with the pillory: and whether they would or no I dischargde myself of that deceiving charge.  
But all was one with them, my refusal damped not their deceitful: and damned resolutions: for they were within an hour of another fitted: scape-thrift s●apde out of prison, ulpian followed the suit, the Gentleman and Merchant( whose names the crafty hirelings had used) by my masters evidence were in law convicted. Which injury coming to my ear, I plainly uttered, discovered the shifters, the innocent were released, the periurde Broker and his forsworn companions promoted to the pillory, their ears pared off, their heads crowned with paper, condemned besides to restitution and imprisonment, their goods sold at open outcry before all the people that openly cried out against their bad life and devilish practices. Then scattered all those ill got goods abroad, that by collusion he had raled together: there was not an old boot left( gotten by brokage) but it was sold to answer for his perjury and cozenage: nay my yeres were sold to satisfy old ulpian, that commended my plain dealing in opening his deceit, to whom he had so many ways been a déere friend.  
And now peers having partend with flattery, prodigality and Brokerie, is worshipfully entertained with usury. A service of good credite I assure ye, yet such was my destiny, that thinking to hold God by the hand, I took the divell by the heel:& where before I ever serud one master, I was now made slave unto a mistress and a master, as far different in nature as in yeares, he so miserable, that he could scarcely afford himself a meales meate: shee on the other side so delicate, that her curious taste could with no common diet be contented: small birds in precious gellyes concocted were hir ordinary fare, Partridge was too gross, mary of a Pheasant( if entreated) shee would sometimes feed.  
Of her, him, and myself Plura sequuntur: but in this psace lay a straw, all being scant worth a straw, and passing our estates, deal we with State matters. I remember wee left Aeliana rescude from the savage: her Rescuer and she returned to her train, her uncle sought and not yet found, Hylenus in a Hermitage, Rhodope with a Fisher-man, whom we meddle not with till it be my destiny to be her fellow apprentice: Celinus and his conspiring associate are equal Rulers in Thrace.  
The Cretan queen, having recovered fight of Rhegius her uncle( who after long search for, at last came with his arm wounded) caused him speedily to be dressed, and then discoursed her dangers, her rescue by Aemilius, and every such particular, willing her uncle to do Aemilius all due honour for a service so excellent. As he was commanded, he gave him kind entertainment, though his thoughts far differed from his words, envying him as well for delivery of Aeliana from his hands, as the fresh wounds he then felt, given him by Aemilius: But he hide his hate with a smooth look, making semblance of honourable usage, and so toward the Court they ride. Aeliana noting the séemelines of Aemilius being mounted, and remembering his valour on foot, entertained new fires in her untainted thoughts which neither moisture nor charms nor prayers had power to quench: Aemilius on the other side, noting the beauty of the princess, her valour, unwonted in her sex: her affability not common in personages of such Estate, made fuel of his heart for the self same fire that inflamed her. Rhegius burning in wrath and lust, served for a trouble between these twain: and having given raynes to his desires, seeing his last intention took no effect, determined to be as desperate in his suit as he was dissolute in his desire: And thus these three severally passioned, held on their journey with small conference, till coming to the Court where a sumptuous feast was provided, Aeliana before she intended any pleasure, either private or public, in the presence of hir Nobles, gave Aemilius the order of Knighthode, with offer of entertaignement into her service, if he pleased to remain in Crete: Which for a time and v●wed.  
Their with 〈…〉 sounds of music the palace resounded and the tables were furnished with Princely service: to describe the feasts and banquets, were but to present ye with Tantalus food, making show of that you feel no substance, enough to famish one that were fasting, or cause a full stomach to surfet. Well suppose it such as beseems a Princes State, the most table talk being of Aeliana hir combat with the boar, hir danger by the savage, and Aemilius fortunate rescue. Of Aemilius, Aeliana never heard enough. Supper ended, masks, plays, and other pastimes passed, the princess in hir private Closet, thus complains of love and praiseth Fortune.  
Aeliana what new fires are these kindled in thy bosom? What sudden changes, what unwonted passions? Hast thou thus long offered olive boughs to Pallas, and wilt thou now present Venus with myrtle branches? Hast thou followed Diana over the lands with exercise, and wilt thou prove the follower of hir adversary by idleness? No Aeliana, extinguish these fond loues with minds labour, and nip thy affections in the bloom, that they may never bee of power to bud.  
I but Aeliana it is Aemilius thou likest, lovely as Adonis, courageous as Peleus, virtuous( if the ey be the mindes true glass) as Admetus, then why should not Aeliana desire to be his Venus, delight to be his Thetis, and die to do him good as did Alceste? Tush Aeliana, bridle these affections, remember thy estate and his staylesse course: suppose he had infinite more perfections than possibly thou canst yet perceive: yet he is a stranger, to thee unknown, and as one ounce of Antimonium, corrupteth a vessel of the purest wine, so one defect may dim the glory of all other his perfections: Aeneas was wise, Iason valiant; Demophoon lovely, but three infortunate queens of Carthage, Thessaly, and Thrace, sound them as thou mayst do this, bereauers of their Honours, deceivers of their hopes, and betrayers of their lives: But Aen●ilius is young, and hath not yet learned to deceive▪ But he is an Italian Aeliana, who suck policy from the feat and learn being little ones to love. Fie on this oil that doth increase my fire. Aeliana loveth Aemilius won by his desert, and cannot end this affection but by hir own death.  
But what will Rhegius and the Nobles of Crete say? that Aeliana should so forget herself, to affect a stranger, his parentage unknown, unacquainted with his behaviour, perhaps for some crime banished?  
Why if they should, am not I sole sovereign of Crete, able to make him Lord of the freeborn, ally him to my kindred, and wipe out the blemish of any conceited crime.  
But if they oppose themselves what then? Bannishing Aemilius from Crete, from Aelianaes company? Well may they banish him from Crete, but would he vouchsafe of Aelianaes company, him would she follow to the utmost India, to the burning Zone, to the frozen Pole, to the depth of death.  
But what if he prove Theseus, and leave thee as Ariadne in some vnhaunted desert? Away with th●se fond doubts, Aemilius is not so obdurate, he that in a a desert delivered me from death, will never in a desert leave me desolate: The aforenamed forsakers never made show of affect but in words onely, this discovered his affection first by works.  
Fie Aeliana, what madding passion possesseth thee? Suppose he were constant, Noble, and a Cretan, that thy peers and people loud him as thyself: what reason hast thou of his affection to bee persuaded? perchance thou imaginest, seeing thy beauty hath caused the Rhodian governor, the Kings of sicily and Cyprus to solicit thee of love, Aemilius will be easily entangled or in regard of thy Princely seat, think himself happy to be thy kingly husband: No fond princess, the middle earth Iles seem not so rich to Aemilius, for true virtue holdeth kingdoms contemptible. Well, how ever love deal tyrant-like, I will honour Fortune, that left not Aeliana in distress, but sent Aemilius to be my deliverer: Of whose love were I assured, than were I more than fortunate.  
With such speeches passed Aeliana over her passion, resolving to love or not to live.  
Aemilius likewise being solitary, thus participated his sorrow to the silent night: black shroud of grief( saith he) the outlaws day, Nurse of silence, secure shadow for the fearful, let me acquaint thy stillness with my hearts sting, being otherwise so hapless as I haue no friend else, in whose bosom I may vnloade my grief. Froward change onely to me, in ill changing forward, hindrer of my rest, bereauer of my hopes, when wilt thou leave to observe truth in my torment, and falsehood in my felicity? If my evil stars urge these events, sweet Night bee thou entreated never to give place to day, till my unlucky lights be pourd as jelly on the earth. poor Aemilius, exiled from Thrace, in Crete captitude, my brother forcing the one, beauty constraining the other: By the first thou wert separated from thy father and sister, by the last bereft of thy wonted senses. wind, seas, sailors, conspirators of my sorrow, that haue brought Aemilius to this haplesharbor, where he beholds with desperate souls the felicity of Angels, and is desperate of the fruition.  
Aeliana center of all my ioy, divinest beauties essence, light of my soul, my lives lodestar, how miserable am I to see thee placed in so high a sphere, myself dejected in so low a clyme: Thou most happy, I most hapless, I a slave, thou a sovereign.  
Why exclaimst thou Aemillus thus against Fortune and destiny? It is love that makes thy case desperate: that robber of rest, bereauer of sense, he hath conspired in thy extremity to make thy misery more than extreme. What fool painted thee blind, that art thus sharp sighted, able to wound concealed harts? or rather what fool am I that confirm thee not blind both of sense and sight, seeing thou séekst to unite harts so far different? So dealtst thou with thy mother, with sappho, with Cornelia: But some comfort were it knew I thou hadst assailed Aeliana so. immortal powers why dote I so? Shée that hath refused all the Princes in the islands of the middle earth, can I think love hath any such power to enforce hir to fancy me. It is unlikely, for thee Diana like leads love fettered, and placing him as her vassal where she please, darts from her eyes his fire. But comfort thyself Aemilius, she hath vouchsafed to be thy Princely Mistris, named thee her Knight, enioind thee service in hir Court: these presumptions of farther favour. I, that rises from hir Princely bounty to requited thy travell in hir rescue, no colour of hope that as a lover shee will regard thee: but as shee hath beautified thy poor estate with rich ornaments and honourable titles, so for thy ouerdaring she will cause thy Plumes to be pulled, and thou mayst appear naked like Aesops Crow.  
Therefore Aemilius be circumspectly, thou art here a stranger, and on thy behaviour will each eye be fixed. Follow a while thy fortunes, if destinies haue ordained thee happiness, now hope the best, if marked thee to misery, inevitable are their dooms, and better thou wert to die where thou lovest, than live where thou art loathed.  
This while Rhegius took small rest, but was sundry ways perplexed in his mind, sometimes blaming his unlawful lust, another while exclaiming against his evil lucke: sometimes entreating heauens to give him power to desist his suit, again impetrating aid of hell to persist in his enterprise.  
The last determination and the worst continued longest, and furnishing himself with sundry examples of most unnatural and prepostereus loues, he left his chamber, and even when day began to chase nights clouds from hindering the morninges beauty, Rhegius under colour of most urgent and serious affairs, came toward Aelianaes Chamber, that then was singing a ditty whilst three of hir Ladies with rare music both of voice and Instrument, kept true time with their Empresse, Carroling an vndersong at each stanzoes end.  
Rhegius ravished with this Angelique harmony, ovid at the Chamber door to hear the remain of Aelianaes ditty, for even then all their voices were like a Quiere of Nightingales chanting on this foot:  

Quickly strive the Boy to bind,  
fear him not for he is blind:  
If he get loose he shows no pity.   
Aeliana then began the last Stanzo alone( as shée had done all the rest) in this sort.  

Trust not his wanton tears, lest they beguile ye:  
Trust not his childish sight, he breatheth slilie.  
Trust not his touch, his feeling may defile ye,  
Trust nothing that he doth, the wag is wily.  
If you suffer him to prate,  
You will rue it over late:  
Beware of him for he is witty.  
Quickly strive the Boy to bind,  
fear him not for he is blind:  
If he get loose he shows no pity.   
With this the music ceased, and Aeliana was about to discourse somewhat of that subject whereon her song was grounded; when suddenly Rhegius desired to enter the Chamber, whether when he was admitted, he certified the queen that he had serious affairs to confer with her of, whereupon shee commanded hir Ladies to avoyde: Attending when hir uncle would begin to speak, who three times offered, and three times was strooken silent, standing as it were in a trance: until Aeliana had thus revived him.  
Déere uncle, on whose weal consists the welfare of our Person: and by whose wisdom our Estate is warily guided, tell me( for I long to know) what great important cause concerning the State or other affairs, urgeth this early approach, and sudden alteration.  
Why are ye thus silent, your looks dejected, your face bloodles? Are there confederacies toward of foreign Princes, or conspiracies of home-bred Traytors? Haue the Gods shown intentions of wrath by some prodigious sign, or haue our Priests opened any ensuing evils by unlucky augury: If either of the first, let power bee gathered to prevent, if any of the last, doubt not by prayer wee shall prevail: Onely let your Honour show the cause, and our diligence shall endeavour for some good course.  
Rhegius revived by her sweet voice, began to gather his spirites together, when shane companion of sin tainted his pale cheeks with vermilion colour. offering to speak he sighd, and windy sighs giuing way to words, he mingled his stormy speech with showers of tears, that fell not fruitless, but enforst from Aeliana such compassion, that when again shee would haue vrgde him to proceed, the vttrance of hir words were stopped with the abundant water that fell from hir eyes, until Rhegius thus broke forth.  
Cease Princely Cousin these sad tears, and sorrow not for my lament, no way by grief able to be lessened. Onely clear this heaven of beauty, and let no dim clouds of discontent obseure that brightness, wherein consorts no small portion of the divine essence, and abides the chief part of my earthly being. Aeliana, Cretes Empresse, Goddesse of my hart, if ever Rhegius merited of thee kind favour for his faithful service, grant him one boon easy for thee to grant, which grant will give thy wretched uncle life, thy denial mark him for the son of death.  
wonder not faire queen to see my countenance thus often changed, for now pale fear benummeth my feeble heart, anon red shane tainteth my blushing cheeks: Lastly, love forces me thus to answer. Beasts entrails haue shown our Priests no unlucky sign, the heauens no prodigies, the Cretans are not rebellious, neither are the neighbring kingdoms envious: onely Rhegius inward soul is stained with conceit of sin, his thoughts prodigious, his hart rebellious, his mind envious. Of which envy, rebellion, preposterous and impure sin, love is onely original: whose fires haue kindled contrary thoughts in wretched Rhegius, such as himself shames to utter, such as I see your Highnes blushy to conceive.  
Herewith Aeliana stepped back, and Phoebe-like( when Cadmus nephew behold her naked in the fountain) shee frownd on Rhegius, who taking her by the hand, entreated her a while to hear patiently, what love compelled him utter.  
Cease, cease said Aeliana, let not the glory of thy worthy government, be dimd with this lustful& incestuous practise. Thy change of passion assures me this is not done to try me: but too-too surely I perceive by thy troubled looks, thou hast given liberty to unbridled appetite: which on thy alleageaunce I charge thee to desist, or I will exterminate thy souls love, by untimely death.  
At the name of death, Rhegius smiled, and said, that is the period indeed of my lament. More hapless is this life to me than any death can be cursed be those laws that bind men from that which Nature denieth not to beasts. The lightfoote row is conversant with his Damme, the bird billeth with those of the same neast, the Dolphin wantonneth with fish of the same spawn: but men haue imposed burdens on men which neither they themselves, nor their fathers before them could keep. Myrrha loved hir father, Byblis hir brother: this in the worlds eye was preposterous, to Nature not abhorring, to love agreeing: why should not love and Nature then command Lawe, seeing from them Law onely holds hir chief positions. Suppose it were not thus, but these bounds of Law, were from pure love, and unspotted Nature derived: what then? Affection blindly iudgeth, and will neither bee by reason restrained, nor by extremity bridled. Your Highnes threatens me with death: here is my naked breast, make me blessed by that doom, I beseech you. Pierce this bosom, and let forth my conspiring spirit: pull out these lascivious eyes, betrayers of my yielded heart: and sacrifice my lust-burning body, before the altar of your divine beauty: other restraint for Rhegius or rest for your Excellence can none be found, my passions are so ouer-daring fond.  
Aeliana pitying his extremes, and seeing that her sharp denial made him almost desperate, shee took him up from the ground( whereon he kneeled) and thus comforted him.  
Noble uncle, seeing outrageous lust hath clouded the precious virtues of your mind: and that I see ye so given over to your loose desires, that you neglect regard of honour, and fear of death, seeking to violate chastity, whose royalty you should defend: that I may give some ease to your grief,( standing with the pleasure of the heauens, our dignity, and your account) I first pardon what in these cases hath passed, and vow myself ever ready to minister you Princely comfort. myself will daily visit you, walk with ye, confer with ye, reason against your unreasonable love, persuade ye to honourable thoughts, dissuade ye from these dissolute determinations.  
If you be sick, I will be your physician: if faint your comforter: if froward( as at this time ye seem) your counsellor: onely learn by degrees to cutbe these humours, that( suffered) will with a head-long fury obscure the former brightness of your virtues, and subvert our estate.  
Time will change( I doubt not) your dissolute intent, and make you( as of old) resolute in doing well. Come sweet uncle, be comforted, and in all things that modesty will permit, Aeliana that is born thy sovereign, will endeavour herself to bee thy Handmaid.  
Rhegius( overcome with these sweet speeches) began to be more ashamed of his loose attempt, than he was before earnest to prosecute it: but soon that motion failed, and he returning to his vomit, took advantage of the Princes offer, and intended if he once seazd on her again, not to be prevented, resolving that vi si non verbis she should be won.  
But he covered his hateful intention with a smoothed brow, awaiting his time till he could draw the innocent princess within his power. And so with infinite thankes, promising to endeavour himself to bridle his passions, and craving pardon for his undecent presumption, they partend, she to her meditation of Aemilius perfections, he to practise some plot for their destructions.  
All this while we haue forgot the old King, living in his solitary cell, whose proportion of rest to him was more pleasing in that solitude, than in the frequent companies at his Court. And because we will not disturb his contemplation, we only cursorily pass by, for that we are forced to post by, and seek for passage over into Thrace, where all things( like an vnmundified ulcer) festered inwardly, though outwardly there appeared a cloaked shadow and painted show of civil and honest government.  
Celinus onely attends lascivious company, Celydon intends to appropriate to himself the dignity and become seal sovereign, awaiting onely opportunity to effect in act what he had long conceiud, even the last scene of Celinus tragedy.  
While thus the one privily practised to win, the other publicly endeavoured to lose, every mans fear foretold ensuing mischief. And as the Ocean ceaseth not to boil against a tempest, till high billows make rough smooth waters: so the disturbed imaginations of mens brains, produced variable mutterings: some uttering their fears, others their affectation: every one like a Sphinx delivering his opinion doubtfullye, fearful least some Oedipus would expound it too plainly.  
During the time the Court and Common-wealth were thus troubled, I trust ye think not peers plainness so ill a husband to be idle: for in my masters house we kept the essence of the one, and image of the other. For as in the Court were two Kings, so had wee two commanders: videlicet ulpian my miserable master, and Vrsula my lascivious mistress. Wonder not to hear, that riot should keep house with wretchedness: for such is the pleasure of the heauens, that one iniquity should consume another, commonly ill-getting fathers having loose spending children, verifiing the old approved proverb, Male partae male dilibuntur. If when I serud flattery my soul were afflicted to hear his foothing lies: when prodigality, my hart grieved to see his lascivious waste: when Brokerie, my eyes mourned to be witness to extreme extortion: here had I occasion all at once of eyes moving, harts gréeuing, and souls affliction. O miserable condition of covetous parents, and desperate resolution of riotous children: the first wearying out itself immoderately to get: the last tiring out itself with insatiate desire to spend. But why digress I▪ The Swines declining bounds me in a limit: for with the day intend I to end my discourse. ulpian my master( whose sparing life not Niggardize herself can well express) albeit he used Vrsula his daughter as a property to enthrall young Gentlemen, as he had erst done flavius: yet would grudge at any money he partend with to maintain her in fit estate, either for diet or apparel to entertain such, as in hope to bee heires of Vlpians treasure, daily repaired to their destruction. She on the other side, I must needs say,( as such kind creatures be) was kind hearted enough, and when she could haue met with his coffers, she was no less lavish of his bags, than loose of her behaviour. For her part, shee was a right Anabaptist, all things were with her, and shee with every one in common.  
When first she thus attempted by pilfrie to break into his ill purchase, and he espied the decrease of his beloved crownes: fury itself was not so furious. Me he tormented to aclowledge myself an accessary, and for her part( Ile be her witness) she was handled as a principal. For when at my hands nothing could bee gotten,( because I was ignorant of all) he took vpon him to disple his Daughter, and never left scourging till she played one part of a true penitenciary, and made open confession, marry restitution she could not otherwise make, but with promise to cousen for him as many Gentlemen as she might. For want of other security, he was glad to take her word for a bond, and so for a month or two the case was wondrously altered, for while her wounds were healing, wee kept a long Lent. To describe our diet, were enough to fill all the country with a dearth: with remembrance thereof, Famine itself hath seized on me, and except I here feed I can proceed no farther.  
pity it were( quoth Corydon) thou shouldst now faint. Menalcas, reach hither thy scrip, my bag is empty: heres wine enough, and theres a part of a roasted kid, either of power to revive thy fainting spirites, and refresh thy tired senses. Menalcas drink to him, and prove a better master than this ulpian, of whose service thy seruant now entreats. Here peers said Menalcas drink well, and after thy refreshing, go forward.  
I mary quoth peers, the sailor and soldier are happy, that in the quiet haven or other secure harbour may discourse the escaped dangers on sea and in field: therefore( with a full stomach) I will( as merely as I may) describe the daily proportion of our hungry face.  
The day no sooner appeared, but peers poasted to the Poticaries for ointment to recover Vrsulas sore skin to the wonted soundness: and by then I returned, old ulpian my master was ready to rise, and red a lecture of thrift to me and her: other breakfast had wee none. At dinner my allowance was two Anchoues, shéere water my drink: and at night dry rice( or rather rye bread) my best repast: my master pretending a solemn Fast, till Vrsula were recovered, without whose health he assured me our commons must needs fail, for that she was the common upholder of the house: for prayer indeed we had no injunction, yet made he daily exeerable orisons honouring gold as the chiefest good, and one day it was my chance to hear the ground of his devotion.  
being entred his study, and opening his coffers, he uttered the intention of his soul in these terms. O gold, adored gold, my souls chief sovereign, my lives best Genius, for whom the needy vassal toils, the soldier fights, the scholar studieth, howe doth thy divine essence comfort my troubled spirit, against whose opulencie the envious beggars of the earth repined. O bee thou resident with me in spite of all their rage: for where thou art there envy cannot hurt. Close up my senses from all other thoughts than of thy exelence: A little grammar learning I haue, and were it no more than to hold thee fast it were sufficient: for what account are Schollers made of, or friends or Gods, without golden oratory, giuing friendship, or all-yéelding deity.  
Then my religion, friend, Art, all I haue, to thee I sacrifice myself: without whose presence I am not myself: in thee alone remaines Beatitude, without thee know I no blessedness.  
These and the like were my Masters daily innocations, his exercise was turning over money, and searching every corner of the house least some thing were hide. During Vrsulas sickness, or rather soreness we had no great resort, but vpon her recovery wee had open proclimation for dayes of jubilee. She like a gracious child remembering her late grief, in steed of sorrow for her Fathers wrong, practisde of her own injury to be wreakt:& me she makes the instrument of her reuenge being altogether ignorant of hir course; My old Master flavius driven to the extremest exigent of want she sends me too, protesting she would in some measure onely relieve his need, not accquainting me with any other intent. To be brief they met, and thus conspirde, that flavius should to Celinus, and accuse her Father for clipping of gold, which according to the law of Thrace was high treason, her onely desire was to bee the happy possessor of his possessions and goods, of all which she would put flavius in possession by her marriage. The first parte of her device took effect, flavius accused ulpian, our house was searched, the clippings found, his iudgment followed, and Vlpians execution was not far behind, whereto with notable acclamation of the people he was brought. In steed of penitence he died desperate having lived detestablie, cursing his daughter execrablie, and blessing the beholders with his goutie heels, delivered himself over to the hangmans mercy. Here ends the tragedy of true avarice, a word or two of Vrsula and flavius.  
contrary to their expectation, the goods of ulpian were seazd on to Celinus use, and she nakedly turned forth as the betraier of her father: whom( in distress) flavius refusde, the Court scorned, the city jested at. Being ioly brought up, she could no way endeavour herself to help herself, and so in fine miserable died. myself( as a movable) was sold, and flavius quondam Baylie the Customer became my master.  
A body would think I had been where deceit enough before had been: but to this all my passed life was sanctimony. In every other place I saw deceit,& shund it: but here I was a daily deceiver,& could scarce see it. Well, ere I go forward with what I there did, let us see what happened at Court.  
Celydon( as I before said) onely awaited occasion to quarrel with Celinus, and now upon partition of old Vlpians goods, the long hide fire broke into flamme. Celinus had the goods in possession, and because they were of great worth was loathe to leave them. Celydon( on the other side) pretended to haue them delivered into the Common treasury: but that was by Celinus to the public officers denied. Whereupon Celydon armed himself, and with a multitude of souldiers beset the palace and Counsell-house: whereinto entering, he thus inveighed against Celinus.  
Lords of Thrace, dismay not that Celydon enters armed amongst these reverend Senators: for no slight cause hath hethertoo urged me, but the preservation of your ancient Honors, and the good of this wealpublike. I know it is not unknown to all of you, with what zealous care I haue laboured to uphold this misgouerned estate, of which Celinus hath endeavoured to work the downfall. If I should be silent, yourselves are to me testimonies, having given me more honor, than either I deserve or expect.  
But neither may my cares nor your endeavours prevail, so long as this unbridled Gentleman Celinus is suffered to overrule what we determine. Should I but urge a secret long from your knowledge concealed, howe ever by your wisedoms suspected, I should give you more occasion to detest his unnatural evil, than yet you haue had to inveigh against his unbridled life, wherein what ill hath not been prosecuted, that corruption could invent, or wickedness enact. I mean the treacherous exile of our Lord Hylenus and his children, whose virtues by how much they were greatly to our avail, Celinus vices are to be held more vile: seeing the virtuous father by the vicious son, the harmless brother and sister by their hateful and hurtful brother, are banished we know not whether, or murdered we know not howe? But here it may bee to myself it will bee objected, that long since Celinus had for usurping been punished, had not Celydon supported him. I grant grave fathers this is true, whereby it may be, some will infer, I was a principal in this conspiracy. But that part I deny. For utterly without my knowledge was our King and his children exiled, Celinus backed with riotous companies, the people tumultuously gathered on heaps, when fearful of civil muteny, I yielded to the times as likewise you all did, and swore to uphold Celinus lest in the contention the whole people should haue perished. now that wee are of power, requisite it is to reuenge royal Hylenus wrongs, our own wrongs, the peoples injuries: seeing he hath not onely expulsed his father from his estate, but in a manner ruined the whole State. For which of your wives or daughters are privileged from his lust? who of you are owners of your own wealth, but subject to his lascivious devastation? Now is the time, and here is the effect of the prescription drawn. Bee not abashed grave fathers, Nero, Phalaris, diuers Kings and Emperours, haue for misgouernement not onely been deposed but also put to death: they being true Princes, Celinus an usurper. He is now carousing among his riotous cavaliers, or wantoning with his Concubines, if you will show yourselves worthy the name of Thracians, of Senators, of men, subscribe to this prescription, my bands of armed souldiers are ready to execute the usurper: if you delay, myself will take vpon me the glory of this action to your perpetual reproof, and immortal indignities. When he had thus spoken, with a frowning countenance he awaited their answer: Who seeing into the drift of Celydon, and noting the power he had at that time, suppressed the fullness of their conceit, and consented to subscribe to the prescription.  
Whereto they had no sooner signed, but Celydon with his power went into the market place, and there in the public iudgement seat accused Celinus of the foresaid crimes, exasperating against him all malicious indignities done unto his father, his brother, and sister, and all other his misdemeanours: Wherewith he drew forth the prescription signed with the Senates hands, and demanded of them if they would give their voice.  
The people confusedly cried out, let Celinus the traitor be drawn forth to death: Then ran the multitude hedlongly to Celinus palace, who being taken at unawares, made head against them with such power as he had, but being a troop of loose persons, for no other attended his train, he and they were soon discomfited.  
The Assistaunts were in a manner numberless, their cries confused and tumultuous, so that Celinus could neither speak to make excuse, nor had power to make resist.  
Wherefore withdrawing himself he escaped through a vault into the wood joining to the palace, who was no sooner mist, but his followers yielded to the mercy of Celydon, who caused diuers to bee tormented, to confess where Celinus was: what was become of him there could not any tell, so the moats were dragde, thinking he had desperately cast himself in, and then the secret vaults were found, but Celinus could not be found, neither shall ye hear any more of him, till it bee my own good hap to find him.  
return to Celydon, who with the furious multitude utterly razed the palace of Celinus, and without pity cruelly murdered and inhumanly massacred his concubine sand associates, among whom fell both Thrasilio and flavius: the one for an unthrift, the other for a fletterer that had not their fellowes in all Thrace.  
While in this manner Celydon insulted over Celinus miserable estate, and breathed threatenings against all his other untaken favourites, proclaiming high méede to any one that brought Celinus either quick or dead, and threatening sharp death, and confiscation of goods, to every one that succoured him: the senators by aduise of an eloquent orator, and reverent counsellor name Licostenes, had thus decreed, that seeing Celydon was culpable of self treason with Celinus, as soon as his hands of Souldiers were dissolved, he should bee publicly executed in such manner as for Celinus himself ordained, and that they would presently dispatch messengers to all neighbryng Nations, if happily they might hear of Hylenus and his children.  
This they determined with all possible speed to effect, while Celydon( nothing of their intent suspecting) left not the ruinating of Celinus palace, and tormenting his seruants, till nights darkness denied them means to execute farther their malice.  
But Celydon thinking himself nothing safe till Celinus were surprised, dischargde not as yet his bands of soldiers, but sent speedy messengers to lay the Ports about Hebrus, and companies to search the forest of Hemus and the ways to the next provinces adjoining: but especially the Ports he suspected, and to the haven where my Master was Customer, at once came Proclamation and commission, that who so ever harboured Celinus should immediately as traytors bee executed, and he that brought him forth should receive a thousand Crownes. Celinus destiny was such to happen to that Port, and for that he presumed he had some interest in my Master, as well for helping him to ●he Office, as also for smoothering many of his offences, in transporting forbidden commodities: and seeing wee are here, touch the faults we will a little that my Master the Customer used, and let slip the matter a while of Celinus handling. First, in the first part of this discourse you understood he was flavius bailie, a deceiver of his Master, and now is bailie for the King, and doth his best to undo the country. he was a usurer, a Broker, a Farmer, and what not in that place: corn, leather, mettall, any forbidden commodities, might pass if he were paid, spices vngarbled, letters close packed, fugitives, outlaws, any thing, powder, ordinance, artillery, so they paid him privy custom. A sort of bankrupt Brokers were his retainers, that at the landing of any merchant stranger, confedered either to commend others credite, thereby to take into their hands their whole commodities: And when daies of payment comes, the merchant hath no other help of them, but we are sorry, and would haue sworn their credits had been such and such. When like deceiving cousoners they share quarters, and my Master for countenancing their knaveries had his half part. Among other deceits, for transporting of victuals, this plain guile he suffered, when ves●●ls were bound forth, three times more than due proportion he let pass, under colour to serve the voyage: but without he were paid nothing could pass, and then they might pass and repass without control. What though the garbler cried out, his vailes were wasted, the Commons the corn was transported, every one of wrong, so he had the right he looked for, all was well: for in all these wrongs Celinus was his supporter. Now came the time of trial, whether the ill seruant would prove true to his bad master. Celinus( in the dead of night) gets to our house, tells my master his estate, and requires to be transported. He was no sooner entred, but the town was privily raised: yet Petrusio used great protestations for his assurance. Celinus( notwithstanding their many oaths) liked not his looks, and in the end by privy whisprings, and rustling of armed men without, was sure of his deceit: but remembering Petrusio to be notably covetous, he thus dallied with him.  
Petrusio, how I haue preferred thee thou knowst, and how thou lovest me I am assured: yet that I may make thee more beholding, I will utter one secret ere I take shipping, that shall bind thee to me above all other kindnesses. How ever I haue seemed to live secure, yet against this expected day of my downfall haue I not been altogether improvident, but secretly haue hidd●n two hundred thousand crownes: one half I make thee master of, the other I entreat thee( as thou hast found me loving) to convey me when I shall writ to thee from any foreign cost. do this Petrusio, and be now more enriched, and if again Fortune favour me, look to bee most fortunate. unworthy am I( quoth Petrusio) to obtain this favor, and as I prove to your Highnes faithful, let my fortunes bee successful: onely resolve your seruant where the treasure is. First said Celinus bring me to Ship, I am else in this case resolved to bee ever silent. Petrusio not willing to loose this pray, pretended to go clear the Key, and leaving him, went to the Officers, assuring them the prisner was safe,& for special matter concerning the State, must bee carried secretly aboard a bark, that anchored before the harbour: to bring him thether himself undertook the charge, and appointed a hundred well armed to go before unto the bark, giuing them a watch-woord when they should apprehended Celinus: the rest of the People to avoid tumult he discharged. They counting him the foreman of the parish, broke up the Watch, and obeied his words: and Petrusio returning to Celinus, brought him to a cock boat, and me he appointed for the waterman.  
But here the case begins to alter. Wee were no sooner in the midst of the river, but Celinus taking my master by the throat, used these terames. Petrusio, I know thee for a villain, and am assured of thy notable intention to betray me. What thou hast, my gift hath holp thee too, thy goods are mine borrowed, thy life to my service vowed: yet for all this, my misgiuing heart compels me to mistrust thy constancy. use no words, for they are false like thy faulty life: no oaths, for they are more deceiving than thy words: no tears, for they haue learned treachery of either: only in death will I beleeue thee: and with that giuing him a mortal wound, he heaude him over board, and stepped to me saying, peasant exclaim not, for if thou do thy life is lost, and with this miserable wretch thou shalt in death consort. Be firm to me, and as I am a Gentleman, I will preserve thy life, and use thee well.  
I that was acquainted with Petrusioes treachery, pitying his youth, remembering his royal progeny,& in plain terms fearing my own tragedy, quickly resolud to provide for his escape, and embracing certain danger to avoid present fear, we put out into the deepest of the main, yet not so secretly but they in the bark espied us, and setting out their own and other vessells boats to bring us under their lée, had surely taken us, had not the Guider of the winds( furthering our flight) let loose their ragefull breathings, that scattered the Men of war, whose boats pursued us: the billows proudly mounting their vpper deckes, made them more careful to attend their own safety, than intend our pursuit. And if they in vessels of great burden were distressed, we then that had onely a boat could not but be greatly endangered.  
Let us shift with the storm while, and see what sorted that night to Celydon.  
Licosthenes( before name) having assembled al the chief Senators, sent for the Praetor of the city& his Brethren: before whom he laid open the whole treasons of Celydon. As, that raised from mean estate to high dignity by Hylenus their lawful Souereign, he had consented to so great a treason, as the exile of him, Aemilius his heir, and Rhodope their beauteous princess. In this he urged reasons to prove Celydon principal: first the remiss life of Celinus( an argument in him of small ambition) by Celydon soothed in ill, by his counsel disinherited, then to this unnatural ●reson animated, and now at last either brought to desperate flight, or assured confusion. To this he added, the remembrance of those Citizens slain the first day of the conspiracy, the feasting of the multitude for three daies following, the light passing over of Hylenus absence& his children, the abusing of Celinus youth, his own ambition to be sole Protector, concluding with the barbarous murder of Celinus seruants. This he laid open with such effective words, mingling his speech with tears, and filling their harts with terror, as well by old example of usurpers tyrannies, as present instance of late performed Tragedies, that the Magistrates with one voice desired him not onely to aduise what should be done: but also to led them, and what he enjoined they would perform.  
Licosthenes then caused four thousand to be armed, and with them went to the palace, where Celydon all fearless of that accident, was plotting which of the Senators first to murder after Celinus death: having sent the greatest number of his souldiers towards Petruosis house, wherein he heard he was kept prisoner. Licosthenes causing the Companies to bee placed on each side of the street leading to the palace gate, was by the Captain of Celydons Gard demanded a reason for his armed approach? Who answered, it was onely to defend the palace and treasury: seeing a number of the Commons( by some turbulent person stirred up) were gathered in the Market place, and would by no reasons bee allayed, till Celinus were delivered them: wishing him to inform Celydon, that his Princelye presence was the only mean to alloy the people, being gracious in their eyes: and therefore had he armed the better sort of citizens to be his strong gard, if he vouchsafed in person to provide for the Cities safety. Celydon hearing of this, hasted toward the Market place, of all other least fearing Licosthenes: who by the way arrested him of high treason, to which resisting, a small sairmish began: which with Celydons death soon ended, who suppressed with many wounds, breathd forth his aspiring spirit from his blood-defiled trunk.  
Much ado there was next morning to alloy mutenies, but by the diligence of the Magistrates the People were appeased: and messengers were dispatched to every neighbouring kingdom, to inquire of Hylenus or his children: and the sea-bankes were all about the cost preached for the body of Celinus, whom of certainty they thought the storm had wrecked.  
It is long since I was in Crete, but when we come there, we will end there. In the mean time, I will forward with the storm, wherein the Prince Celinus and I were miserable distressed: for some while the mounting waves heavd us to the clouds, another while sunk us to the depth, which every moment wee accounted should be our sepulchre. Beside this sea-storme, heauens windows were opened, powring another sea upon our heads: our oars were born over board, and we poor wretches( like condemned persons in the Sergeants hands) hurried whether violence itself would drive vs. Our chiefest powers were employed, either to hold other fast, least the merciless waters should haue washed us from the boat. And while we lay thus enfolded, I yielding myself to death, he lamenting his desperate life: I was not a little comforted, that these miseries made him remember his mischievous courses, and seek reconciliation with God, being utterly hopeless to enjoy any more the company of men.  
Nothing violent can bee permanent. This storm ere morning ceased, and some ease was given to our afflictions: the cloudy vapours were chased to the South, and the gray Morning blushingly saluted the sun, whose orient beams wantonned on the quiet waters. But these pleasures little comforted us, who fainting with extreme labour, had no means to obtain food. He that had heard the penitent Prince exclaim on Celydons persuasion to that unnatural treason, ask pardon of his wronged father, iniurde brother, harmless sister: would haue relented into tears, in compassionating his grief.  
three nights and two daies we huld along the Mediterrane sea, oarelesse, foodlesse, and strengthless. About the mid-watch of the last night, a storm more furious than the first assailed us, driving our small boat against a rock, where splitting in sunder our wetherbeaten bodies were with the partend sides of the boat separated. My happy chance was such, even when my vital powers were past all sense, to bee preserved by a fisherman, with whom Rhodope the Thracian princess( calling herself Serena) dwelled, of him and all the neighbors dearly beloved. At his house( with warm broths and other helps) my benumbed limbs found feeling of life: Serena more carefully attending me for that I was of Thrace, whose turmoiled estate when she heard of, tears fell from hir eyes: but when I discoursed my wretched parting with Celinus, shee sunk to the ground. The Fisherman, his wife, myself with much ado recovered hir, who weakly lifting up hir head, cried, A hapless brother, haue heauens so little pity of thy life, that they permitted not thy penitent soul to be reconciled to thy exiled father? With that the Fisherman asked if shée were daughter to a king? No said shée, but I was a handmaid to that hapless Princes, and Celinus often would in Courtlike discourses account me for his sister. The Fisherman replied that to Aeliana shee should bee presented, if she were of so high a birth. But Serena on hir knees besought shee might live still in that mean estate, wherein as she had been dutiful to him and hir, so she would continue: And further besought they would give entertainment to hir sea-wrackt countryman. Both hir requests were granted, and I in a small boat was set to fish in the river, on which river about two miles from the sea, Rhegius had a sumptuous Castle, for pleasure and strength vnmatcheable in all Crete. And since we are in Crete: let us see how the affairs go there. Rhegius unable to quench his unnatural lust to Aeliana his kinswoman and sovereign: grew enviously impatient at Aemilius favour, for Aeliana the queen graced him with all honors, and he by his demeanour obtained the friendship of each Courtier.  
A wicked counsellor seruant to Rhegius, soother of his lust-burning love, was one day drawn by Rhegius abroad, to whom in a grove not far from the sea, in a thicket seldom frequented, Rhegius discovered his grief, and desired his aduise. There leave we him a while, and see what shift Celinus made to get the shore: being immediately after the splitting of the boat cast into the hollow of a rock, in which by degrees ascending, he obtained the top of the crag, and the tide going out continued there till morning, whose light gave him no small comfort, for that he soon discovered the shore: being a thick wood within two furlongs of the rocks discent. Faint though he were, the sight of land gave him vigour, what cost it was he knew not, but intended to try, and casting himself into the calm water( for between the wood and the rock there was a good lée, in short space he attained the shore, entered the Wood, and finding certain wild fruit, refreshed therewith his fainting lims. And took some small rest upon the ground, having had no sleep in three daies before. he was but newly awaked, when Rhegius with his wicked counsellor were hard at hand conferring about the practise touching Aemilius and Aeliana: His seruant thus advising; Aemilius said he, is this day a hunting near your Castle, and as I understand, intendeth in your absence to see the beauty thereof. There your honourable custom giveth entertaignment as well to strangers as frée-borne Cretans, and thither if you please will I post, invite him all night to stay, assure him and his company, the queen within two daies will be there, and hath commanded him there to abide hir Graces coming: which granted, in his bed I will either murder him, or commit him prisoner( since I know your honourable nature hateth murder) into the deep vault of your Castle, where he shall be kept till the queen bee won to yield to your intent. Her Grace you shall invite to the same Castle, and in the dead of night enter hir chamber, be resolute, let not hir tears entreat ye, fear not we will attend ye, if once you senze on hir, suffer hir not to escape, for though maydenly bashfulness cause hir to be ouer-coy, yet once entred she will ever yield. I, this is somewhat said Rhegius, murder Aemi●ius I will not, but gladly would I remove him, therefore his inthralment I consent unto: For Aeliana my kinswoman, my sovereign, my souls chief health, fain would I use her forcibly, whom faire means cannot entreat, but that my fear to offend is almost equal to my love. Ah tell me should she exclaim, in what case then were Rhegius? dishonoured, pointed at, not only held a traitor, but esteemed incestuous? My Lord said Dolon,( for so was he name) be not precise, if ever ye intend to effect the perfect fullness of your affection. To you more than her is Crete beholding: she being lawful heir hath only the title of queen, you hold the Souereignitie: and would she not consent, I would compel her. If your affections bee settled as you say, you must use force: if not, you may resolve otherwise as you please. Then as thou hast said( quoth Rhegius) let us conclude: my ouer-mastred reason hath no reason to resist thy advice. Herewith they heard a heavy groan sent by Celinus, that now knew himself in Crete by the name of Aeliana, and had hope to find his Brother when he heard mention of Aemilius. With his sigh, Rhegius& Dolon looked back, and saw him faintly sitting under a palm tree, near the place they stood, and demanded what he was? I am quoth he a miserable man, late sea-wrackt on this shore, pined welnere with famine, grieved to talk, yet destrous to aduise one of you, that of his own nature seemeth not ill inclined, to shun the persuasions of the other: for by like counsel& self conspiracy, a●● I cast down from Princely dignity unto this extremity.  
Hadst thou said Dolon been Monarch of the earth, yet thus shouldst thou perish for playing the eauesdropper: and therewith doubling wound on wound, left him with his out-stretcht limbs all senseless on the earth. Rhegius reproved his bloodines, yet slightly past it,& leaving him without sepulchre, set forward with their detestable resolution.  
Dolon at Rhegius Castle finds Aemilius, intertains him, stays him, betrays him, and in a deep dungeon imprisons him, where day equalled the night in darkness, only a small glimmering through a cranny in the wall descended. Aemilius that knew no reason for this wrong, doubtless of Aelianaes favor, assured of Rhegius honourable thoughts, could not but complain in that disconsolate place. Often he remembers his Father, means his sister, blames his brother, exclaymes on destiny, that had reserved him to such distress.  
This night it was my hap to be placing wéeles in sundry places of the river, and from a small loop hole to whose bar I fastened my boat, I heard the woeful accents of his sorrowful voice, and at my return certified Serena of the accident: who with me devised, that next night I should take a number of canes, that being hollow and jointed, I might from my mouth question him, and he to the hollow of my ear return answer. By which means being ascertained it was he, I furnished me with a long ladder of roapes, and engines to loosen the ston for his escape, which the third night we effected.  
I suppose you think there was some ioy when his sister and he met: three daies he there continued covertly, intending to hear the vulgar report about his absence, all which time hardly scrud them for conference.  
We left Celinus mortally wounded in the Wood: whom old Hylenus( as he was walking to gather herbs) found: who powring balm into his wounds and precious wine into his mouth, began a little ●o return read blood to his ashie-coloured cheeks, and some weak moving to his benumbed limbs. At length he opened the heavy windows of his dimmed eyes, and staring Hylenus in the face, with a feeble voice thus questiond him: O what art thou that recalst from death, the son of all mischance and misery? Why should thy age be pitiful to my young yeares, that haue to kingly age been cruel, and on Princely youth shewed no compassion? Hylenus better marking this discoloured man, knew him at these words to bee Celinus: wherewith abundance of tears dewed his silver hair, and true compassion touched his princely heart: endeavouring both to recure him, and know what accident had brought him into that place and plight? Celinus as he was led to the Hermitage, uttered the conspiracy between Rhegius and Dolon, referring his own wretchedness till he were more refreshed. As soon as Hylenus had dressed Celinus wounds, and given him precious restoratives, with what speed he might he went to the Court, and to the queen uttered the whole conspiracy of Rhegius. Who observing his importunate love, the savages assailment, the absence of Aemilius, and withall that next day she was invited to hir vnkles Castle, called a counsel, before whom the Hermit again opened the whole plot: whereat Rhegius confounded, confessed the fault. The Castle was sercht, but Aemilius could not be found: whereupon Rhegius& Dolon were condemned of traitorous conspiracy& murder, the third day following appointed for their execution. Aemilius hearing of this took Rhodope, my master, and my proper self with him, appointing to bee at Court against the day of execution. Hylenus the day before had brought thether his reconciled son, who opened before the queen and States Rhegius unwillingness, and Dolons often tempting him: yet nothing could alter Aelianaes iudgement, till Amilius leading Rhodope by the hand, shewed himself alive. His only sight pleaded her Vnckles pardon: and Rhodopes first view suddenly changed Rhegius souls affections. Short tale to make( for now the sun is settled in the West) Dolon was sent to banishment, Celinus and Rhegius were to either sovereign reconciled, Aemilius by marriage with Aeliana was crwoned King of Crete, Rhodope given to Rhegius, the Fisher-man& myself richly rewarded. While feasts and triumphs continued in Crete, messengers were sent into Thrace, whence sundry Nobles came to attend Hylenus in his return: where being joyfully received, Licosthenes was honoured with Celydons offices, and Celinus proclaimed heir apparent. myself might in either Court haue served, but for my plain condition I found them too curious: therefore hetherward I bent my course, intending to live Menalcas man if he accept it, or keep my own Heard, when I can get it.  
Godamercie peers( said Corydon) for thy good end. The evening star is up, and ruddy Thetis welcommeth the sun. After long troubles I like thy desire of rest: for in a shepherds life is both repose& recreation. I quoth Menalcas, Young DAPHNIS hath given his verdict of The shepherds Content: duly praising it, as it meriteth. My bleating lambs( said peers) tell me it is time to fold, my dog hath brought my Heard into a head: you that haue hindered me all day help me a little at night, that I may in this kind hereafter the willinger await your will. Hereto they both yielded: and Corydon supping that Night with Menalcas, enjoined him to bring peers to their Plough-mans Holidaye. Where what happened, if peers plainness please, shall peradventure be published.  
FINIS.