CORALBO. A NEW ROMANCE In Three books.  
WRITTEN IN ITALIAN BY Cavalier Gio. francisco BIONDI.  
And now Faithfully rendered into ENGLISH.  
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at his shop, at the princes arms in St. Paul's Church-yard Anno Dom. 1655.   

 man on horse   

TO THE RIGHT honourable WILLIAM EARL OF STRAFFORD, &c.  
Right honourable,  
NO sooner had the invincible CORALBO put on an English Habit, and Fitted himself to make his first address to your Lordship, because he was a stranger here, and had no other outward Ornaments then such as my unpollish'd Language could furnish him with; When Death, Envious of the intended good Fortune was willing to bestow on this poor foreign Prince, had like to have snatched me away ere I could bring him into your Honours presence. he had heard( my Lord) before he left his own Country, that your noble Ancestors have always given entertainment and shelter to strangers, which induced him to betake himself to your honour for Refuge, and hope that he shall not prove unworthy of that protection he craves at your hands. As for me; 'tis not unknown( my Lord) how forward I have been both in public and private to express the Ardent desire I always had to serve your Noble Family; which with the intercession of this Noble Prince will I hope prevail with your Lordship, that I may kiss your honoured Hands, which is the sole desire of  
My Lord your Honour's Most Humble Servant R. G.   

TO THE READER:  
IT were lost labour to commend this Author, the Stationer hath it already from your hands that you like his Endeavours. You have so welcomed the former( as well Romances as real Histories) of Cavalier GIO: francisco BIONDI, that this is confident of Reception. For we can assure you the Author was not in danger of being tired when he wrote CORALBO; and that he knew how to use his Pen the best of judicious have often attested. We need therefore no more but tell you, that the Author published the original himself, which will secure this from suspicion of being Spurious. And( which is more to our purpose) himself thought CORALBO the chief and most perfect piece of the three( there were two before) and therefore reserved the best of his plots and choice of his matter for his third, which consummates the whole Work. Farewell.   

CORALBO Of Cavalier: GIOU. francisco BIONDI.  
THE FIRST book.  
CORALBO was gone to accompany the valiant Lindadori and her Parents at their departure from Memphis: When, he being left alone, found himself enflamed by the fire of this reverberating absence, in the same manner, as things here on Earth use to be enflamed, more by the suins reflection, then by the sun itself. Her presence had till now, kept him from those pains which grew in an instant, like a doleful birth, of such a privation nourished by the overflowing milk of fancy. There was not any sensible thing in him, which, to aggravate the sense, did not make an exact scrutiny of those desired perfections. His memory represented unto him his confusions, his darknesses, and in the thickest of them, the Altar consecrated to the Idol of those faire eyes, which having formerly been objects of astonishment and delight, were now become unto him objects onely of necessity and desire. It was objected unto him, that he had evil resolved himself, and that the covetous desire of Kingdoms and jealousy of honour( for the most part vicious and vain) had more prevailed with him, then a maidens desert, worthy to be preferred to all the Crowns and Honours in the world; herself being a sufficient crown and honour to any one, who should have the fortunate happiness to possess her, and whose lot it might be to be crwoned with her love, a Crown far exceeding any other Diadem. He came to the Court late, and though imagined he had at other times seen it, yet that very thought seemed fallacious to him; so naked it appeared bare of that Ornament( which in his opinion) was the very height and transcendency of its beauty. Nor could any one that saw so much mutation in him, penetrate into the cause of it. It was imagined, his melancholy proceeded from the loss of his companions indifferently: That passion is a virtue, which not to discover itself to be love, doth cloath itself with the veil of friendship. The princess of Cyrene, who had to her first amorous affection( after he was declared Prince) joined the second of a good opinion, and did so wind about him, and hang upon him, being grieved to see his mind perplexed, that she vexed him even when she imagined with her dalliances to comfort and cherish him. She thought alone to possess him, not perceiving that being born to misfortunes in respect of a lawful love, all unlawful ones were momentary and mournful to her: what eye was there ever that could penetrate the Heavens, and with the privilege of discerning, know the occult characters of divine providence, unless discerning be a perceiving that disordinate affections never come to any good end, and that the punishment which follows them, though it does not touch the life, yet it ruins mans honour and reputation by an ignominous report? Psemitides failed not in providing of what he judged to be needful for the undertaking of what he had designed and promised, and wherewith he had threatened another, having given order for all things with such facility, that one might easily perceive his long practise in warfaring, had made him free from all irresolutions. And having sent for Celitcazween of Arabia, with the princess Bell-alba her Daughter to Memphis, he received them with all such honours, as any reigning Princesses could expect, having already resolved in the secret counsel of his thoughts, that he could not bestow his Daughter Elitrea upon a more worthy Son in law, then Coralbo, who being obliged by affinity and benefits, he promised himself an undoubted secureness within his Dominions, whilst he lived; and after his decease, a potent and faithful tutele for his eldest son Gradovido. Having ruminated and digested such thoughts in his mind, calling Celitea aside, he thus spake unto her. I am resolved( Madam) to go very shortly into Arabia for the recuperation of your kingdoms, which I hope to recover with my forces, justified by your rights. But I have resolved first to do a thing, which as it shall be a benefit to you, so will it give me abundance of satisfaction. Your benefit it will be, to encourage and hearten my Souldiers in such manner, as that having an interest in your affairs, they may not only willingly expose themselves to the dangers of War, but be as it were obliged to die in your service: Otherwise I might justly have cause to fear, their hope of ransacking and plundering being taken from them( seeing the body of your Dominions must be kept entirely whole for you, as I intend they shall) they will hardly with cheerfulness engage or adventure themselves, being deprived of all their military emoluments, and especially they being to fight neither for me, nor for themselves; and egypt not to gain the propriety, nor any benefit of such conquests as it shall gain with th'expense of its own blood. Then it will be a great satisfaction to me, to make it appear to the world( which will hardly believe Princes do stir, unless it be for some interest of their own) that my resolution to aid you, proceeds from a free will: and that if there be any interest, it is worthy my greatness, and others commendation. I will give your son Coralbo my Daughter Elitrea to wife, and your kingdoms( which I will recover at mine own peril and cost) for a Dowry. If this proposition shall be acceptable to you, it shall much content me, if not, I will not howsoever fail to make trial of my fortune, and the obedience of my subjects without any condition. Celitea who stood all this while suspended, not knowing or imagining to what Psemitides's speeches would tend, would have kneeled to him to give him thanks, but he taking her under the arm, would not suffer it; when she with a majestic humility, answered him: Sir, though your majesty will not permit me to kiss your hands, which is the duty to which your magnanimity binds me, yet shall not you deny me with a tongue enflamed with affection to give you such thanks as I am able, though all too little, in respect of your transcendent favours. The Gods endowed you with so much prudence, and enriched you with such abundance of courtesy, that to make use thereof, you please to be careless of that esteem, which is justly due unto you, for your other transcendent parts. That sceptre which so happily governs so many kingdoms, is held in a hand as powerful as Clement: Your subjects, my Lord, are neither so bare of affection, or armed with power sufficient as to disobey you. Not so little enriched with so many spoils, attained through your many-fold glorious Victories, that they will pretend either any hopes more worthy then the obeying of your commands, or greater profits, then to eternize their renown under the unconquered ensigns of your incomparable valour. Wherefore he that should imagine, that need of this should be the motive of this unheard of courtesy, were unworthy to receive it. And as for that which you pretend, under pretext of cautions to accumulate me with favours, it is the utmost can be, not only pretended, but also imagined. Who is it but may perceive, that where such virtues are, there can be no room or place voided for any interests? your Majesties head is begird with so many Diadems, that the addition of more would not onely be supernumerary, but troublesone also. The sublimenesse of this your royal mind, composed ever of magnificent Liberalities, joined to the innumerable vastness of your Treasures, cannot breed in any one such irrational impressions; wherefore whatsoever you say or do for me, will be but a public Declaration to the world, that you are a King and Monarch without any equal in all manner of virtues. Behold sir, here I am, your servant, together with Coralbo. Dispose of us as you please, go on in causing Nature to admire, seeing it is your will so to do, raise your servant to be your son; raise me who am abased by so many misfortunes, to the happy title of Mother to your onely Daughter, a princess so eminent, to make me happy in serving her. All these will be Miracles, Sir, and if they be not so to you, to whom doing good is an ordinary course of nature, yet will it be so to us, to whom it, receiving any comfort, hath a long time been extraordinary and supernatural Having thus said, she would again have made obeisance unto him, but he( having decreed within himself to entreat her, not onely as his equal in degree, but also with all such respect as any courteous Knight might afford to a great Lady) would not suffer it, but holding her up, answered. Madam, The courteous opinion wherewith you please to honour me, as it doth surpass all manner of conception, so can not my duty equal the great desire I have to serve you. If the Gods have been liberal towards me of any extraordinary Talent, it was conditionally, that I should employ it for the public benefit. They did not establish worldly powers to oppress, but to relieve the oppressed; and though there be some composed of oppressions, yet they are not all such. The different degrees to power, make the difference between Powers. Those whose ends were avarice and covetousness, had no other means to attain to them, but frauds, corruptions, and hypocrisies: the Gods make use of such for scourges and instruments of wrath amongst mortals. But the others, whose ends are glorious, raised themselves by the onely means of fortitude and clemency, by which they represent together with Omnipotency, celestial mercy. In the first, there was never any but nominal peace. In the latter war itself promises peace, and subjection, a state of securenesse and rest. Now they having, placed me amongst the latter, and your Kinsman Bramac amongst the first; your protection duly belongs to me, without pretence of your any way being obliged unto me. In the mean time, let this marriage be concluded betwixt us, which you shall intimate to Prince Coralbo, and my wife shall speak of it to my Daughter. Celitea lost no time, in communicating of the Kings proffers to her son, thinking to make him lift up his hands to heaven for joy: but the contrary befalling her, being much perplexed therefore, she having reproved him for his folly, and shewed him, that a dishonest and hurtful affection, ought not to prevail above the interests of profit and honour, intimating to him by such conceits, the love of the princess of cyrene, in such sort that he might very well perceive it. But Coralbo after a little agitation of the mind, answered her, Madam, I am not so far divided from myself( though I be not thoroughly myself) as to be ignorant of the great good which you offer me, seeing that of myself being poor, and without any state, there is offered me, together with an estate, the possession of so great and worthy a princess. I would smother my mine evils in silence, if I were not persuaded it might make you believe a thing too dissonant from truth, the bonds whereby I am bound unto you, as my mother and sovereign being too great to suffer me to be disobedient. The love of the princess of cyrene doth not trouble me, and if it should, I could not pretend to make her my wife, she being already married. Here he related unto her the History of Lindadori, his amorous inclinations, how he had resolved to serve her and make her his Lady; but shee not knowing thereof, and he consequently being free, he intended( though unwillingly) to accept of the gift, which at this present was tendered him by fortune, being assured that Elitrea, infected with the same malady, would not consent to it. And because Celitea could not well understand what he would infer thereby, he prosecuted the relation of the coming of Lindadori and Eromena, to that Court in the habit of Knights, and how Eromena having inflamed the queen, and Lindacori Elitrea, with their loves, he could not esteem her free to bestow herself on any other. Celitea smiled at these casualties, resting well satisfied of her son, who preferring obedience to his youthful affections, had put her out of those doubts which she already did begin to fear. The King, when night was come, communicated to his wife Leiride, what had passed between him and the queen of Arabia, alleging amongst others reasons two as chief. One, that he could not bestow his Daughter upon a nobler Prince then Coralbo, unless he had resolved to make choice of one of the two Princes of his blood, not yet espoused, which he ought not to do, for fear of such confusions as might arise within his own Dominions, in case he should die before his Son Gradovido were come to age; besides that, he did not perceive either of them to be capable of it. The Duke of see too young, and linked to the Prince of Berenice. The Duke of Missorme, vicious and temerarie, imbued with maxims full of poison and dangers, both for state and subjects. His other reason was, that having cause to stand in fear of those Princes, by reason of his sons tender, and his own failing age, he being by course of nature near his end, he ought to get a Son in law, who should be powerful of himself, and voided of all pretences to the kingdom of egypt: That to this end he undertook the War of Arabia, because that having conquered it, he might invest him in it, by the name of Dowry, and so leave him never a foot of Land on this side the Sea, from whence he might have forces or assistance, intending in time, to leave him Tutor to his son, assuring himself he could not be able to abuse the Authority of that title, having so many who would watch over his actions; nor the Princes attain to the ends of their designs, being opposed by a great Prince, strong in his own and the Countries Forces, by the laws, and the person of the pupil King. That if any one should take occasion to tax him, for giving his Daughter that for a Dowry, which in mere propriety belonged to his Son in law; it was an objection of no great moment. Prudent Princes caring little for others discourses, words wounding no man: and royal spirits being of sufficient proof against the tongues of the vulgar. But that these were not his ends, though but rational if they had been such, being sure he should spend as much Treasure in the conquests of the Arabies, and a great deal more, then would have countervailed his Daughters portion, and that his subjects would hardly have stirred, fought but weakly, and destroyed the whole Country, if he had not before hand made it known, that it was for his interest in a thing which concerned his Daughters portion, and his future Grand-childrens. Leiride applauded her Husbands discourses, and purposing to move the question to her Daughter, Elitrea was no sooner up, but she sent for her, and with much joy related unto her, her Fathers intention, thinking nothing could be more pleasing to a maiden, then the proposal of marriage. But simplicity enforced by love, caused her to oppose all her Mothers persuasions, declaring she would have no other Husband but Lindadori, whom she knew by no other name; but the youngest of the Knights of Europe, who had been at the Court but few moneths since. Leiride was troubled at it, not knowing what answer to give her Husband, fearing his just indignation and displeasure. But seeing that neither prayers, nor threatenings, could alter her resolution, she was constrained to relate unto him what the princess her answer was, mitigating the offence with her simplicity and childishness. Psemitides laughed at it, and unfolding the Riddle, unfolded unto her the Riddle of the two warrieresses, excusing himself that he had not before disclosed it unto her, by reason of his promise made to Coralbo. He related unto her the occasions of their coming into egypt, and of their sudden departures thence, wherewith she remained no less astonished then comforted; seeing her self freed from those affections, which the love of Eromena had raised in her: for having till that time lived an enemy to any thing as savored of dishonesty, her Conscience was troubled for having harboured any thought contrary to her former course of life and demeanour, which though she had not in effect violated, yet she had in Cogitation at least corrupted and stained. Having passed some time in pleasant discourses upon these news, she took her leave, to relate these particulars to her Daughter, who made question a long time, whether she should believe them or no, till at last very fortunately Celitea came in, who relating many other particulars which she had heard from Coralbo, it was not difficult for her, in few dayes to alter that affection which was framed upon a false supposition, into a true one, without any change of fortune; for as she was deceived in the one at first, so was she extremely in the latter. The marriage published, and to be consummated after the enterprise was brought to an end( Elitrea being yt too young to undergo so great a burden;) there was every where a general joy; the Banks of Nilus being every day frequented by the continual passage of Men and Horses. There were at that time in the Court, as many factions as there were Princes of worth in it, it being an ordinary thing among Warlike Nations, to corrupt the inward peace, while the external flourisheth with all the Neighbours. Psemitides, a great Philosopher in knowing the nature of his subjects, had endeavoured many yeares by divers means, to breed one War out of another, employing those turbulent spirits abroad, to keep himself peaceable in the internal quietness of his own Dominions. But his thoughts at last proved vain, his designs being not continued by him, and his valour having caused him too quickly to terminate those victories which might have rendered him completely happy, if he could have been contented to conquer more slowly, wanting kingdoms to conquer, and Wars whereby he might obtain that security which was needful for him. Whereby that proved true in him, namely that accelerated virtue, prove to excesses, did for the most part prove hurtful, and sometimes mortal. For esteeming himself formidable to all, for his so many royal conditions, with the reputation of such transcendent victories, free from envy, having no peer, beloved for his clemency and justice: he forsook his solid judgement, and gave himself over to Fortune, not considering that virtue had enemies, who the more cowardly they were, were so much the more cruel and inexorable. It was almost ten yeares, since his forces being driven back by the excessive hot seasons of the Equator, and by the vast sands of Libya he returned home, weary of so long a War, purposing to forsake Mars, and follow Venus; a War far more dangerous for him then for any other, as well for the too late appliance of himself thereunto, his hair being already grown hoary, as also because the same having corrupted and depraved his imaginative faculty, endamaged his advice, and made way to the plotting of means to ruin him, to which the tender age of his successor was a great invitation. The Rebels being persuaded, they might not onely govern him according to their own desires, but also take from him his richest Jewels, and pluck the fairest flowers out of his richest and fairest Garlands. The King of Ethiopia had already solicited many, by secret Messengers, and large pensions to procure his death by any means, for fear of being one day oppressed amongst those which were daily conquered; but none of them durst undertake so hard and dangerous a task, as well because he being beloved of all, they saw him environed continually by so many Guards, as also because they would avoid being obliged( he then having neither Wife, nor legitimate Children) to obey their companion: being rather willing to obey a lawful and virtuous Prince, then a tyrannical traitor whom they could not trust, nor he them. Then this plot being interrupted by the ensuing peace, and the venom remaining in their hearts, it took effect in this new raising of arms. egypt had many Princes, whereof four were of the Royal blood. There were some others, if not equal in degree, yet in trains of followers no less powerful then they. Of the first sort, the Prince of Berenice, and the Duke of Missormo, hated the King to death: the former offended in his Wife, with whom he had held some kind of not well concealed practise for many yeares, and did still continue it; and although he was enriched, and had daily favours accumulated upon him, yet that was a continual sting sticking in his heart. Missormo had no cause at all given him, yea was daily obliged by innumerable benefits, yet he hated him, by reason of the dissimilitude of their customs. And because he was the first Prince, the Government fell to him during the successors minority, he by his death aspired not only to the Government, but also( if he could procure his death) to the Crown itself. The Prince of cyrene, who till that time had been faithful, began to waver after the marriage with Elitrea was published. For hating Coralbo, he could not without despite, see him with any authority in egypt; his Wife not onely enamoured, but frantic in publishing her love to him. The Duke of see, by reason of his tender yeares, unable to dispose of himself, did depend upon the Prince of Berenice, who had been his Fathers Brother. The others, who were not of this rank, some followed the King, and some the Princess, the former guided by their duty and loyalty, the latter by vast hopes, which easily sprung up in those, who become poor by spending richly, would try any way to grow rich, to the end they might by spending, grow poor again. Bramack having received Psemitides embassy, grew not faint-hearted, trusting both upon his own Forces, and his treacherous deceits. He had already secured himself of his own subjects in such manner that he did not fear them, having obliged some few with benefits, who were his instruments to keep the others within the bounds of fidelity, leaving no public nor private place, no Harbour, House, nor Temple, without spies, where woe was it for them who but durst to have held their tongue whilst others spake: Actions, words and silence, being all equally dangerous. Praises being made crimes, discourses concerning the royal person indifferently hurtful, public assemblies prohibited, conversations forsaken, parents suspected, diffidencies and dissimulations amongst brethren, Praytors the more abominable, the more prodigally rewarded; wherefore unhappy was that Father, whose chance it was to have an unnatural disobedient Child. Whatsoever was done by himself, was by his Sycophants applauded, as if it had been decreed in heaven. He shadowed his Art with cunning, making use of hypocrisy to deceive the most penetrating judgements; indoctrinated and taught, if not by others, by himself, that the best way to cousin people, was by means of superstition. It having Iron laws, Adamantine bits, and a yoke of led; whereas piety is gracious in its laws, having mildred bits, and its yoke being light, serving none but itself, if any else, such Princes onely, whose Gods onely object were the subjects welfare. That a Prince as he was, could not attain to his designs without deceiving, and that after he had so done, he was sure he might dazzle the best sighted eyes, bow the most flexible necks, cloak perfidy with Religion, and under pious and religious names, make it lawful to himself, to grow cruel against charity, religion and nature: He had caused to come out of the neighbouring Indies, a sect of Philosophers called Samaneans, who hating poverty, and the incultivated rigidness of the Gymnosophists their institutors, had with politenesse and wealth, embraced a more tractable Philosophy, and gained to themselves most of the riches, and the pleasantest seats of all the Indies: they were divided into Classes, and though all under one profession, yet had they several ends. Their chief Classis governed the rest. And as the Watch-maker with one key, gives an universal motion to the whole work; so this Classis moved the subordinate ones, which in the manner of insensible wheels, being constrained by their discipline, came to operate each one by itself, and to terminate times without knowing them, by others directions, joining the first to the seconds career, towards their last scope: namely to gain full authority over Princes and Nations, and having gotten it, to constrain the one by the favour of the others, to obey their becks, to suppress all other Sects as superfluous, and unuseful, to inherit thereby all offices, wealth, and honours. These therefore being by Bramack, known to be men of extraordinary understanding, of much repute among the Indians, so that Princes themselves stood in awe of them; he would try if within his Dominions they could bring that to pass, which others of their sect had done in other places, namely to instil into his subjects minds, to not esteem of dangers, but to adventure themselves into any perils in his behalf, and to even die for him. Neither was he deceived, for they having received honours, and liberal gifts, and freedom of will and advice( which is the thing they chiefly aimed at, and seemed most to despise) those spirits were so refined, that in a small time they gained many for him, persuading them to devote their lives to his service, telling them this was the shortest way, and the securest to bring them to the happy springs of the everlasting Gardens, confirming their thoughts therein, with( besides the everlasting famed which they should gain) other recompenses which were promised to their Wives, Children, and Heirs. After Psemitides had declared War against him, his first conceit was to make use of these men, but he could not tell upon which of the two his death to resolve, Psemitides or Coralbo. He considered, that the murderer being taken( which in Psemitides murder must needs happen, he being continually environed by so many men) alive, and proving rather resolved to die, then to be tormented, he then should find himself in the Sands, if not in a worse case then he was: for the egyptians would continue warres against him, in revenge of their King, and that which imported most, accompanied with everlasting ignominy, which though in opinion contemptible, would not perhaps prove so in effect, supposing it might give a strong alarum to all the neighbouring Kings. The killing of Coralbo, he thought might prove easier, it being possible to find him alone, and so the murderer might( after the act was done) save himself by flight, which proving right, he deprived Psemitides of his cause of warring, and if it did not, the Arabians lost their pretence of building new hopes: for though a Mother and a Sister survived, yet the inclination of the subjects depended upon the Son, neither would they exchange a male Prince, possessed of his rights, for two dis-inherit females, subject to such dangers as their sex brings them into. These considerations made him resolve Coralbo his death, designing the others also if need required. But before the effecting of it, he sent a great confident of his into egypt, a man, who surpassing all others in cunning, was so skilful in the egyptian tongue, that he questioned not but he might pass for an egyptian, in such a wast City as Memphis, and amid the concurrency of so many Souldiers of several Nations and Tongues. He commanded him to observe the soldiery, their Order, their Qualities, their arms, their Municions. And causing a little letter of credency to be sown up in a doublet he had made of Hippotatamus skins, he appointed him to deliver it to Geldebar, one of Queen Celitea her servants, who used to inform him of all the Queens proceedings, and had sent him word of Coralboes arrival. He bid he should by him inform himself of all the most secret particulars of the Court, especially concerning Coralbo. What his course of life was, what friends he had, with whom he conversed, how he passed the time away, whether he followed hunting whether he went often from Court, whether accompanied, or alone, or by night; what enviers, or enemies he had; in what esteem he was with the Princess, and others: Whether a plot might be laid against his person without danger; if with danger, how it might be avoided. He gave him orders for the receiving of great sums of money by such by-ways, and with so many cautions, that they seemed not to come out of Arabia, having been formerly returned by Bills of exchange at several times in all places of Syria and Rhenicia; from thence into Cyprus, and thence to Memphis by several blanks. He bid him give a good part of it to Geldebar, to be employed by his advice: His intention being they should purchase themselves dependencies upon one Prince or more of that Court: and besides money, he gave him very rich Jewels, discoursing to him that covetous Princes, in dangerous affairs did spend more ten to one, then liberal ones; that wisdom is blinded with the love of money; that which is expended besides the material charge, of Souldiers and Ammunition, seemed to some to be cast away, who do not know that intelligences, spies, and corruptions are the true means either to extinguish Warres, or bring them to a good period. Raisemet( for so was this man called) being thus dispatched, arrived to Memphis without any danger, neither was it difficult to him to find out Geldebar, in a City so full of inhabitants, and at that time more then ever, full of strangers. After he had given him the letters, and enriched him with a great sum of ready money, and filled him with great hopes; he related unto him Bramacks conceptions, according to the malice of their understandings, being both exceeding cunning. They pleased Geldebar extremely, and so much the more, because they were most conformable to his own, wherefore though he were prevented in the proposal of them, he was not so in the advice of the executing of them.  
Having therefore given Bramack many thanks for his bountifulness, and highly commended his prudency, he  told him that the Princes of the Court( excepting some few) were all apt to be corrupted; idleness, prodigality, and ease, having rendered them stubborn, poor, and desirous of changes. That he notwithstanding, thought it not fit to make use of any more then one of them; one being sufficient to draw in more without any danger. He name Missormo, deciphered him what manner of man he was, temerary, ambitious, covetous, enemy to the King, and much more to Coralbo, whom he esteemed to be the onely obstacle to his designs: So that upon this basis, ought the whole design to be grounded, that the death of the King, Coralbo, or both, would be fruitless without him. That the least advantage Bramack could gain thereby would be, to transport the War out of his own kingdom into others, or to enjoy a calm peace, while there should spring up in egypt an infinite of seeds of dissension, which were by such a hand to be sown. Geldebars cautelous discourse, pleased Raisemet wondrous well, and remitting the care thereof to him, he would have given him Jewels, and Gold for the Duke, but he would not take them, judging it would be better to give them himself. He had already gotten some knowledge of the Duke, giving him to understand by his talk, that he was evil affencted towards his mistress and her son, but had proceeded no farther, thinking him startled at that discourse. But he was deceived, for he was very well pleased therewith, and very well contented, to have some of Coralboes household depend upon him. So that whilst Geldebar sought some occasion to speak to him for Raisemet, he himself presented him one, by inquiring concerning the Ports, Castles, and Forts of Arabia: But Geldebar giving him a civill and discreet answer, with some reserves, as if such a relation deserved some more secret place, made him call him apart, where continuing his interrupted discourse, he described Arabia to him so strong, that Psemitides forces might find some obstacles and oppositions in it. Bramack to be the most prudent and generous Prince in the world, whose subjects would rather die at his feet then yield; and that they did not onely think Coralboes pretence to be unjust, but did also imagine this to be a supposed Coralbo, and that the right one was taken and killed when he fled; but that it was not published, because Bramack thought it not fitting lest it should be hurtful to him, to make himself hateful in the beginning of his reign, to those who favoured Celitea: That amongst all his laudable qualities, his chief was, to make high esteem of generous Princes: That Missormo was very much inclined towards him, and had thought many times to sand a secret ambassador to him, to offer him his friendship and amity. Missormo assured of Geldebars hatred to Coralbo, and that he being of one of the chief Families of Arabia, might hold some intelligence with Bramack, thought he himself was the same ambassador, so that undermining one another they came at last to discover themselves; but having heard Raisemets embassage, and of the presents sent him, the facility of killing the King, though with the murtherers certain death, with the proffers made to maintain Warres for him in egypt, to raise him to the Crown: He admitted Raisemet, and accepting of the presents, appointed the time of the murtherers coming to slay Psemitides. Coralbo after his decease, remaining without any forces, and Bramack secured from the egyptians Armies, coming into Arabia. Raisemet prodigal of what his Master had given him for many, gave it all to Missormo alone, examining the occasions wherewith he should avail himself of them: And being returned home, he rendered so pleasing an account of his negotiation with Bramack, that in a short time he became for Titles, Dignities, and Revenues, the greatest man in the kingdom. And though Missormo his opinion concerning the death of Psemitides, was by him judged to be the best to free him from war, yet the making away of Coralbo, he also esteemed absolutely necessary, to free himself from the onely competitor he could have, whom since he had reason to fear, he could not naturally choose but hate extremely. Wherefore having made choice of two murtherers, he sent them to Memphis, without directing them to any man; the subjects on whom they were to employ themselves, being so conspicuous, that the venturing of them to the sight of any( though very good friends) could not choose but be very dangerous Wherefore being first persuaded, they should by this dead( if they dyed) obtain everlasting happiness; he added thereunto promises of high rewards to their posterity, the most cunning deceivers being of opinion, that one ought to think that natural reason being able to reflect with some ray of truth amid the thickest fogs of deceit, and dissipate them, it was needful to raise up deceitful hopes of the equally fallacious imagination, with the real ones of sense, which are not subject to such gross illusions. In the mean time, there were in egypt, such preparations for Warres, as being calculated by human judgement, one might have verily believed, that Psemitides might therewith have made himself Master, not of Arabia onely, but of the Universe: when his unexpected death over-threw all mens expectation. He was come forth of the City into the field, to add wings unto the Captaines diligence by his presence, who marched away under their colonels, six or eight thousand at a time towards the Arabian Sea, the channels of Nilus being full of great Boats to pass them over with all their Baggage. There was he( not content to stay and take his ease in a Tent) running up and down so swiftly, that followers were troublesone to him. There was a Regiment newly embarked, when the King retreating a little from the bank side, espied a soldier on Horseback, and called back the next Boat to carry him away, and in the mean time espying in his hand a little Cross-bow all of Iron, and judging it of no use for war, would see it, and the soldier taking it again, as it were to show him the trial of it, bent it with a Key, and jaded it with a steel Arrow, not above a span long, and running at him on Horse-back, shot it into his heart, so that passing clean through him, it remained in the body of another Knight who was behind him; all which was done so suddenly, and without any noise, that had they not both fallen suddenly without speaking ever a word, no body could have imagined any such thing. The Boat which was called back, knowing that man to be none of theirs, went away without waiting the Kings command. The Princes were in a Tent playing with Coralbo. The Souldiers were at a distance looking to their Furnitures, ready to pass over as soon as the Barks returned. Some of Psemitides household were with him, but a foot as he was, so that the traitor had time to fly without being presently pursued: But the rumour thereof being arrived to the Kings Tent, you cannot imagine what an astonishment possessed all the sences of Coralbo. Missormos knowing whence the blow came, and fearing least the parricide should be taken alive, got upon the next Horse, and followed him with all speed: so did all the Horsemen, running every way to thwart his passage which they might easily do, the Country being watered by many channels made by the hands of men. He in the mean time fled, keeping upon the border of Nilus, to reach to a bark four miles higher, which he had hired to pass him over: But finding it alone, the owner being gone a little way about some business, and his pursuers following him so close, he could not have had time to embark his Horse, though the Boat had been loose, it being made fast with a lock and a chain, he thought it therefore his safest way, to adventure himself in the River, then to fall into the hands of so many enemies. The Horse did as much as a Horse could do, to overcome the swiftness of the stream. But though it were one of the best of Arabia, it was not able long to strive against the violence of the current, suffering itself in despite of hand and spur to be carried towards the bank: Missormo being spectator, and raging that he did not sink, feigning he believed he might escape, commanded him to be shot with arrows. But there was by chance but one Bow to be found in the whole company, every one upon such a sudden occasion, being run thither onely with Sword and Spear. The traitor in the mean time perceiving the danger, and that crossing the water directly,( as he at first had foolishly attempted) was impossible, suddenly turned his Horse, and let him go with the stream, thinking by little and little, he might gain the other side. Neither might he, peradventure, have been deceived, if he had at the first guided him with a more gentle hand; but being bread with the former violent courses, he began to take in water so fast, that he was in danger of sinking, if he perceiving it had not eased him, and casting himself out of the saddle, had not catched hold of his tail: But the Beast, whose ends were contrary to his Masters, finding itself at liberty, turned towards the nearest shore, where nature prompted him he might save his life, his Master being not able to turn or stay him by the tail. Missormo being resolved he should not be taken alive, alighted( blaming within himself the mans cowardliness, who to live some few dayes longer, should make choice of a most cruel death amid a thousand torments, rather then to be drowned in an instant without any more pain)& taking the next Lance to him, run him just into the wind pipe before he came to the shore, so that the water running into the wound, and the blood issuing out, he remained in the River till he was almost dead, and being drawn out,( and though some cried he should be let alone with that little breath he had, Missormo not contradicting it, seeing him in such case that he was not like to speak any more) was by the enraged people cut into a thousand pieces upon the shore, there remaining nothing but the Horse left, whereby one might judge who was he that had employed him in this business, which was known to be Bramacks by the crwoned phoenix which was on his thigh, the ancient and famous mark of the Kings of Arabia's horses. Coralbo had in the mean time with inward grief, caused Psemitides body to be brought into the Tent, and finding Chirurgery had no power over death, riding towards Memphis in a full career, to speak with the Queen and her Mother before the Princes arrival, no body following him but four of his own household. He was hardly come out of the camp, when a Horseman crossed his way, who seemed to desire to speak with him; Coralbo stayed, thinking he had been sent upon some message. And as desire uses to be often times a raiser of dead hopes, he thought him a messenger of Psemitides despaired life. But the man being come near to him, let fall his cloak, and drawing out a short Semitar, ran upon him to wound him, and had done it, if Coralbo before hand suspecting it, had not spurred his horse another way. The assailant passed forward, carried away by his horses fierceness, so that he had no time to turn his face upon Coralbo his four men, who were upon him suddenly, and one of them taking hold of his bridle, gave the three others time to take away his weapon, by him easily yielded, because he would lose no time in striving for it; but drawing his dagger, he wounded two of them with two mortal wounds, and spurring on to do the like to Coralbo, who was come nearer him, his Horse grew unruly, and he reyning him in hard to make him obedient to the bit, the reins broken, and the horse carried him away against his will, and falling under him he had been taken alive, if with a desperate resolution he had not with his own dagger deprived himself of life. Coralbo took breath seeing the danger past, yet grieved much for his two wounded servants, especially one of them who was upon dying. But seeing necessity driven him to go forward, and his stay not being able to do dying men any good, he left the two which were not wounded, to take care of the other two. Being come to Memphis, I am not able to relate how his dolour was increased by the lament which he heard, being many times stayed by the weeping people. He found the Palace despoiled of all its ornaments. Leiride and Elitrea, Celitea and Bel●alba, the Princesses and Ladies, their hair loose, and their vestments torn, lying on the ground, their howlings( rather then tears) increasing at his coming in, his grieved affections could not choose but second them, humanity, piety, and the apprehension of evils, having at that instant taken away his constancy from him; neither could he choose, unless he would have been wanting to himself, seeing that accompanying tears with griefs, is in extreme mis-fortunes, an image of content. The Queen arose, and with her all the rest, by whom being encompassed, they called as earnestly upon his assistance, as if the enemy had been coming upon them: He having stayed the tears, which, with an importunate violence flowed from his eyes, taking the Queen and Mother aside, into a little chamber adjoining thereunto; said unto them, Ladies, If tears could call back the Kings life, or withstand the perils threatened us by his death, I should esteem comforts to be treacheries, and a kind of compliance to the guilt not to mourn for the effect. But as the one is impossible, so are we like to have time more then enough to grieve, and too little to look for remedies. The life of this glorious King, the more it deserves lamenting, the more it ought to persuade us, to suspend our laments, to examine the dangers which hang over our heads. What hath befallen him you have already heard, what hath befallen me, and is like to happen to us all, I will now relate. Here he made a narration of his own case, the death of the assaulter, and the little hope of life of both the wounded men, which reiterated the terror of both the queens which heard him. Then directing his words to Leiride, he went on, saying, Madam, These things do all proceed from the machinations of Bramack, and from the Duke of Missormo. The arguments and reasons which persuade me are: That the Horse which was taken out of Nilus, is of Bramacks race, and the parricides accents Arabish, Missormo amongst all the Princes alone,( an employment far too low beneath one of his rank) followed him, and killed him, whilst he ought, and might have taken him alive to have driven the truth out of him, and cleared all doubts, and punish him by the hangmans hands, though in this last he deserves pardon, he being the true formal executioner of Aegypts whole Monarchy. But that which increases in me the credency thereof, that the King some three moneths since  told me, that he knew by a Gentleman belonging to the said Missormo, that Geldebar my Mothers servant, was often with him in secret conference: and that about a month since, the same Gentleman had  told him that Missormo had disbursed abundance of money, and it not known that he had alienated any thing of his own, or others lent him any. That he had given the Princes of cyrene and Berenice money, and jewels of great value. practices, and liberalities which had oftentimes persuaded and enticed him to secure his person, but had abstained from so doing, moved by the inconveniencies which might follow, and the hope he had to catch him at such a time as he should not be able to excuse nor save himself. And besides, I was no sooner known to be Coralbo, when I came disguised with Polimero Prince of Sardinia to see my Mother, but Bramack had notice of it. That any other hath done this, but Geldebar, we have no likelihood; wherefore this, and the secret practices and conferences he had with Missormo, make me certainly believe, that they two were the plotters of this Treason, to the end that Bramack freed from the danger of losing his state, and revenged of us who would have taken it from him, might make way for Missormo to usurp the Crown, by disinheriting and killing of Gradovido. The two queens were astonished: But Celitea accustomend to such affairs, affirmed it could be no otherwise, she having for a long time observed upon several occasions, that she had spies in her house; and that she had also advice thereof, by some friends out of Arabia. It was therefore agreed upon, after sundry consultations, that Geldebar should secretly be made prisoner, before Missormo his arrival, and putting him to torments, to draw the truth out of him. Celitea had all( save this one) faithful servants: so that it proved an easy matter, the same night to keep him prisoner without any tumult. Finding himself discovered he disclosed all; adding that Celitea, together with her Daughter, were to be yielded up to Bramack without any great noise, for being to be forced to leave the Court, and retire to their first old habitation, they might easily be taken by the Arabians with the Princes conveniences. That Missormo his intention, was to make himself King, but that he dissembled it for fear of his companions, who had concurred in Psemitides death, to enjoy equally( in the Princes minority) the benefits of the government. That he aspired to the marriage of Eli rea to effectuate his designs with less difficulty, to which he hoped to attain in despite of them by Gradovido his death, he being next to succeed. That supposing Coralbo dead, there was no other resolution taken concerning him; but that being escaped, he was not to live long, all of them having conspired his death. Leirides was astonished in the vast chaos of so many machinations; but more seeing Coralbo and Celitea forced to give way to fortune, seeing that with them she was deprived of all aid and counsel. Such a resolution distasted Coralbo, seeming to him that his honour suffered thereby, but considering himself to be too weak a fence, against the torrent of so many Princes, being a stranger without any followers, hated and envied, his marriage broken off, treasons certain, and his death manifest, but above all the imminent danger of his Mother and sister; he desired Leirides to be of good courage, assuring her that her right, and virtues would soon gain her friends and advice. That hands open to liberalities, would unite those which were not yet united to her service, and divide those who were already united to her damage. That by such means she might penetrate into the most secret councils with this advantage, that her enemies could have done nothing but weakly, and by wicked( and consequently unfaithful instruments, who would be persuaded easily to revolt by hopes, and more certain rewards, or by fear, and their duty. Whereas she with her royal right, benefits, and treasures, of which she ought to make herself the sole distributrix, could not want the best( and consequently the most faithful) besides the good reputation which she should gain thereby, which though it be a birth of the imagination, yet such an one that without it, it is impossible for Common-wealths, or Kingdoms to stand long and not ruin. That if she could keep Geldebar alive without discovering his imprisonment, she should do it. He being a strong engine at any time, and upon any occasion against the conspirators; but if the secret should come to be disclosed, before the establishment of her authority, and that disturbances might happen thereby, she should cause him to be put to death secretly. That she should not by any means, give the princess Elitrea in marriage to Missormo, but rather to the Duke of see, and that as soon as possible it might be: For as jars and divisions would ensue thereon, amongst all the Princes, so with the establishment of her party, would she secure her sons state and life. That the resolution of his, and his Mothers going away, was as necessary for her, as for them, their presence being but a pretence for others to trouble her; and seeing they were not able to assist her with any service, why should they stay there to damnify her? The dangers dried up Leirides tears, and the weaknesses of her mind were strengthened by the knowledge of her affairs, and the manner of managing of them. So that there was not thence-forth, any queen that carried herself better then she: obliging, cherishing, and conniving; and by this means restoring a monarchy to health, which amid the putrefaction of many humours, was by the college of Politians judged incurable, and mortal. She caused the next day a small light galley first to be rigged and fitted with good rowers, and loading it with most precious riches, for the relief of such dear friends, she took leave of them with abundance of tears. And being embarked by night with all their servants, they gained in small time the open Sea; when Celitea, unresolved of what place she might make choice of to end her dayes in: Sardinia was by Coralbo propounded unto her. But that generous spirit, not overcome by so many adversities, could not but unwillingly abandon those Climates which were nearest her ancient kingdom: hoping fortune, inconstant in human affairs, might show itself the same to her enemies. But she was deceived in it, for it would be a kind of constancy, or at least of justice in fortune, if in her volubilities she did equally raise the oppressed to her former favours.  
Being arrived to Cyprus, and having understood the qualities of him that governed it, she thought she might sojourned there securely, better then in any other place. Ortoman was dead, in a short time after the nuptials were contracted between his Son Gradamoro, and the valiant Deadora: So that the kingdom( though in mourning) flourished under the command of the two new espoused couple. Celitea would not have had any one know what she was, but whether the Mariners had blabbed it out, or the splendour of her servants, or her own royal carriage, which though overshaddowed with adversity, could hardly be hidden: she was presently known to be there: So that Queen Deadora hearing of it, sent not, but went in person to visit her: and being informed of her disasters, having made proffer both of the King and herself to serve her, she provided her with a habitation worthy her greatness, and did what she could to keep Coralbo there also. Gradamoro also inviting him thereunto with particular urgent instances. But he staying there some few dayes, and sending back the vessel with his Mothers, Sisters, and his own, to Leirides and Elitrea; he would needs depart, his old affections having converted his sufferings into comforts: he being permitted thereby to return to his first loves. So that having taken his leave of all, with promise of speedy return, he directed his course towards the cyclades, sailing many dayes without any encounter, until one morning about the dawning of the day, he found himself a little beyond the coming out of th'Egean Sea in a great calm. The mariners taking their Oars in hand, advanced so fast, that they overtook a Vessel which being newly come out of the Port of Arcadia, coasted( as they did) along Peloponnesus. Wherefore having interchangeably saluted each other according to their custom, they rejoiced that they should unitedly go some dayes journeys together. A young Cavalier was master of that Vessel, who being at that instant asleep, as Coralbo also was in his own, and would not have waked so soon, if the rejoicing cries of the mariners had not broken their sleeps: so that rising at his, and coming out of his cabin, Coralbo likewise appeared in his Vessel. The inbred nobleness, their equality in yeares, and beauty, invited their curious eyes to examine and survey each other. Their mutual salutes were accompanied with many courteous terms. And desirous to know one another, especially Coralbo, who was weary of being alone; the first compliments being ended, he craved leave of him to come into his Vessel, which having obtained, they fell into discourse. Coralbo began first to relate to his voyage: He concealed what he was, and such particulars as in discretion he had reason not to reveal: He said he came out of egypt, and was going upon some occasions into Sardinia. The other, who for more secret causes concealed himself, related unto him that he came out of Greece, which he had punctually gone through from place to place: and having visited all the Islands of the Ionick and Egean Sea, he had left none unseen but Ericusa, and Feacia, which he purposed at the present to visit, to pass from thence into Sicilia, Bartenope, Sardinia, and further. This was not Coralboes right way, those two bearing too much on the right hand of his course; yet having heard some wonders of them( if it be a wonder that a new Country should represent unto us, with the variety of persons varieties of accidents) he resolved to go on in that bending course with such good company, and forsake his direct way: thinking it would not be well done of him to bestow some few dayes more in visiting a place of such renown as Ericusa was in those dayes( Renown which ceased after they were gone thence who were the cause of it.) And having so determined, they went on, Coralbo retreating at night into his own Vessel, and passing the day with singular pleasure in such sweet company. He observed very curiously, and precisely the behaviour and carriage of the Knight, finding them so delicate, that they argued him to be brought up amongst Ladies at Court, rather then amongst Knights in the field. And his former keeping company with Lindadori and Eromena, having opened his understanding, gave him to imagine, that this was not a man. The sweetness of this voice, the grace of behaviour, the modesty beyond manlike a one, were arguments to persuade him thereunto: besides the service which a damsel did him, which he made more frequent use of then an Esquire. But being not able to pick out any certainty of it, having observed him to be melancholy and pensive: he one day said unto him, Let it( I pray sir Knight) be lawful for me, to be by you informed of one thing, Whether you being alone as you are, do not pass your time away in such a long Navigation( as I do) in amorous thoughts: If you do not, I have great cause to pitty you. fantasies in young men as we are, if they have no such employment, are in danger to be spoiled after the same manner, as stomacks which having no nourishment put into them, are filled with evil humours. The Knight was amazed; and although the discourse did not dislike him, yet he was sorry he could not satisfy him as he would have done: yet he answered him, Sir, I will not say, I do not pass away the time in such manner: yea, my phantasy feeds upon no other food. True it is, that stomacks sometimes feed upon noxious food, so that it would be better to keep them fasting: for if amorous thoughts be without hopes as mine are, it would be better have none hopes in love, hold( in mine opinion) the same proportion towards the imagination, as the radical humidity does with the body, which humidity being spent, there is no more life: therefore if they be mortified, it is contrary to nature that love should subsist; and if it doth subsist, its life is not real, but fantastical and imaginary, drawn on by force of an amorous magic: Coralbo smiled, the Knights beauty( if such he had been) seeming to him to be free from such despairs; wherefore he said unto him, I know not how this your youth, accompanied with all those ornaments, can make you so unfortunate as you describe yourself, unless you take a delight in imagining it to be so. Many take pleasure in weeping when they are in love, and will procure occasions so to do, or at least pretend to have some. There are some tastes, which are better satisfied with sour, then savoury meats. And if I do not believe any such thing of you, yet I will believe at least, that your hopes are thus mortified, rather by the loss of the thing beloved, then having it still want occasion to hope, or talent to obtain as much as you honestly desire.  
The tears stood in the Knights eyes hearing this, and he had much ado to retain them: but with great labour at last repressed them, and answered him. I know not whether I be yet in this case, and stoping would have gone forward, when the tears before repressed, did in despite of him return, gushing out in such abundance, that his overflowing eyes became a torrent. And because nothing should be wanting to make up a real storm, all parts concurred thereunto, insomuch that the face before overclouded with grief, resolved into a shower of tears, was accompanied with thunders of sobs, and winds of sighs, that it seemed a deluge of beauteous and amorous rain. Coralbo stayed waiting the serenity of it, which the longer it was a coming, the more constant and calm it proved, so that following his former discourse, he said, I know not sir Knight what my merits are, but I well know that I am the most unfortunate she that ever was born: for others once born, die but once,( having by death rescued themselves from the tyranny of fortunes changes) whereas I never born, and once dead, did rise again to die( against the laws of nature) continually subject to a cruel and implacable destiny. These last words had not their perfect accents, having perceived she had too openly spoken. But Coralbo grown tender with compassion, comforted her with most courteous and affectionate words, proffering his assistance and service in whatsoever he should be able to do. But she more then ever sorry, for having disclosed herself to be a woman( grief having deprived her of understanding) would have corrected herself, by alleging that when she had said unfortunate she, it was in relation to Creature. But he already persuaded of her being, answered, Lady, let not your mistake grieve you; I am here not to oppose, but serve you. It is all one to me of whether sex you are; if a man, I honour you without inquiring any further: if a woman, I will serve you with that respect, and assist you with such fidelity, as a Knight is obliged to serve a Lady of such merit as yourself. Wherefore if relating your mis-fortunes to me, may avail you any thing, do it, I imagine them to be extraordinary, as I hold also your condition to be no less. If otherwise, let what hath been spoken suffice, promising that to give you satisfaction, I will overcome mine own sense, and believe you to be that man which you are not. Coralbo's speeches pleased the Lady very well, but much more the ingenuity wherewith they were expressed; wherefore giving him many thanks, after a short pause she spake thus.  
I am indeed an unfortunate one( sir Knight) and a woman, which is beyond the equivocation of unfortunate Creature. My name Liarta, my birth Royal, my Country Lusitania, my Ancestors Celtes, of those Celts, which subdued great part of Iberia, so that not long after, the youngest of those Princes, coming over into Lusitania, became Lord of it, leaving it peaceable to his successors. My Father Deviaco, was the youngest of four Children to the last King save one, so there falling to him a small inheritance, between Minius and lincus, two famous Rivers, I was( I will not say born there, for I suppose ripped up out of my dead Mothers belly) brought up, far from all courtlike hopes, and ambitions, believing the greatness of my birth was sufficient to make me as worthy as I was scornful and careless of attaining to any higher degree of greatness. An Affection, or defect born with me, taken from my Fathers nature, who after the death of his Father, withdrawing himself from Court, left his two other Brothers there with Viriatus the eldest of all: A King of such worth, that he was singular among Princes, for holding in esteem the good qualities of those who belonged to him: a rule, which if it did suffer exception in me, yet did it not in my Father Deviaco, but when he pleased: A noble and generous mind, born under monarchical Government being able to serve his Prince, and enjoy those fruits which fortune affords him, without any constraint of corruption. In the same manner as( by means of a due proportion) any one may enjoy and make use of the heat of fire without burning in it. True it is, that if one ought to judge, by any other rule but that of rigorous and vulgar passions, I can not with any reason accuse him: for dying constant in that course of life, whilst he lived it was so that no exorbitant 'vice could be found in him, going to the Court( when public affairs required) upon the least call of his Brother; having served him, returning home( without ever desiring any thing of him) to his domestic rest. I must rather accuse myself, time and variety of chances having made me now to perceive, that my retiredness was no solid body of virtue drawn from my Father, but a shadow and a copy embossed from his original, which failing me, I had no further power to bring it to perfection, so that mine might have been esteemed a virtue as his, if it had been constant. King Viriato having butted his first wife, without any issue by her, took another in his old age, by whom he had two, equally( by reason of their royal conditions) judged the flower of all those that ever were born. It happened that Almadero being the eldest, was endowed with such singular beauties, as well internal as external, grew so near to Divinity, that no man almost thought him mortal. He had not obtained to fourteen yeares of age, when they began to talk of giving him a Wife. The princess of Cantabria excelling in beauty, had the general favour and applause of the whole kingdom, in Betica and Tarracon, were two worthy Princesses: But Viriato( whilst his and the neighbouring people stood in expectation of what would be done,) had in himself long before concluded to bestow a wife upon him, of his own family, one of his nieces, the only daughter of one of his eldest Brothers that were already dead, brought up by him to this end, with a fatherly and extreme care. But he was deceived therein: His, and others examples showing us, that the heavens seldom favour those matches which are designed in the Cradle. My Father in the interim dyed, leaving beind him Children enough, but small fortunes, and which was worse, rich thoughts joined with poverty, which brought the house and us almost in an instant to utter ruin. His sickness was no sooner divulged at Court, but my two eldest Brothers who sojourned there, came flying home, just when he was in his extremity, yet time enough to receive by word of mouth, the last codicil of his admonitions, amongst which was the care of their Sisters, and of a reciprocal love amongst themselves. But the chief was of an exact obedience, to proceed( more then out of obligation) from a reverend affection, doubly due unto the King, both as Uncle and Lord. Which( all other means laid aside) should be the sole foundation of their hopes, therein( more then any thing else) consisting the sum of all praise and merit: wherein he so much extended himself, and with such effectual words, that considering them afterward within myself, I can not believe he spake them, but onely because he was doubtful they would operate a quiter contrary effect in me, as it afterward happened. The Funeral was solemnized, to honour which, the King sent many of the chief of the council, with great sums of money, not so much for the expense of the funeral which was great, as to defray our journey to the Court, whether( to relieve us from the importunate economy of a desolate house) he invited, and commanded us to come. I having with much grief resented my Fathers death, being while he lived his supreme delight, found myself no less troubled, being forced to leave my known air and Country, and household Gods, and that quiet rest of mind, which I was inwardly persuaded( either by a better Genius, or by melancholy) to be habituated in me. But I could do no less, then obey mine Uncle, follow my Brothers, visit my Sisters, who were long before married, and in thinking to shun evils, run full into the mouth of them, seconding the malign influences, with which mine unlucky ascendant threatened me. Being arrived to Court, I was by the King received with such terms of piety and love, that no greater could have been used if I had been his own Child. He assigned me a pension, worthy my consanguinity, taking a resolution in his mind, suddenly to give me in marriage, considering I was of sufficient age. For though in this habit I seem very young, they reckoned at that time, that since my birth, might be reckoned ●4 Solar revolutions. I had never before cared for marriage, not so much in consideration of our poverty,( assuring myself that upon such an occasion, my good Uncle would not have failed me in his assiance) as because I was loathe to forsake so good a Father: who though he had tried me many times with an intent of straining his ability to the utmost, reason requiring, that in such a case he should part from me; yet he forced me not, being content to have from my free will, that denial which he so much desired, yet would not willingly have obtained without my spontaneous consent. But behold that which I mentioned but now: while I resign myself, being fatherless wholly unto an Uncles commands, who was by me reputed a second Father, I thinking by this fortune to relieve myself, do find by this means myself quiter overthrown and undone. Prince Almadero when I arrived to Court, was entred into the fifteenth year of his age, yet old( by particular gift of heaven) in all perfections belonging to the greatness of his princely birth. I was entertained by him with terms beyond a Coufins, testifying with honours, and affection, the pleasure he took in my coming, but ere many dayes were past, by continually frequenting of my company, he was so plunged in it, that honours and affection, came unawares to be altered, consanguity and courtesy, first causes of benevolence, turning into a kind of veneration, from which, as from a branch sprung love, which( as least expected or looked for by me) grew strong and constant in him. whilst uncertain I observe him, not being able to persuade myself that it was true; and if so, yet in state rather of breeding, then of being born; behold I found it grown to a full ripeness, and not believing mine own sences, thought it to be a flamme of some small substance, a flash, which in its flashing terminated its effect: But when convinced, it appeared to me a constant fire, no more a lightning, but a sun-beame. I know not which was greatest in me, pleasure or fear, delighted in the dignity, beauty, and merits of so great a conquest, and fearing the secret notice which I had from my Father, how he was destinated for his Cousin; so that being tossed by these affections, I had like to have lost myself upon the Rocks of despair, not being able to resolve myself upon comforming my will to his, although I were willing, knowing the difficulties, fore-seeing the impediments, and divining our dangers and damages. The Courtiers careful observers of others actions, especially of their Princes, presently perceived Almaderoes inclination; and my Brothers having notice thereof, preimmediately came to me, wishing me to embrace this good fortune: But I who even at that time thought it to be slippery and uncertain, shewed them the dangers, which presented themselves unto me, if I should take hold of it: That hopes were not to be measured by the affections of a young Prince, but by the solidity of an old King, whose resolutions were to be considered, together with his passions. Mine age as unequal, too dangerous for an heir of a kingdom. Considerations which should altogether, if not satisfy, yet retard the precipitations of such counsels. But they being persuaded, that ambition and pleasures which were their ends, should also be mine, were angry with me, thinking me foolish, for that which others would have commended in me, and esteemed me wise for it. They represented to me the Princes dignities and beauty, able to inflame the most frozen breasts, but I commiserating their ignorance in this case, shewed them the deceit of it. Love not breeding, but entering into a well composed soul, the doors being opened with the keys of reason, to go out again the same way. I confessed the Princes merits, but these were not to deprive me of the knowledge of myself. I set them before mine eyes to venerate as his subject, but not to enjoy them as his wife: another being destinated thereunto, and( which was of more moment then any thing else) his Father being of a contrary disposition, which was the sum of all other reasons. But what availed it me to be wise in my discourses, when mine actions proved me to be a fool in every ones judgement. Almadero thinking general demonstrations, were not sufficient to manifest his love to me, resolved to go on with me in more particular terms, and he accommodated himself thereunto with such pleasing ways, as would gave proved impossible to any but himself, for far from any artifice, they were uttered with sighs, and accompanied with alternate paleness and blushings, innocently artificial. Lady and Cousin( said he) I have a secret enclosed within my breast, which though reason and honesty persuade me, that I may freely disclose unto you, yet the respect I bear to that invisible deity which I apprehended to be in you, will not permit me to discover it, unless I first be permitted and commanded by you so to do. I giving him thanks for this his so courteous opinion of me, answered him, that considering the mutual relation between him and I, of Lord and vassal, knew not how such a request could fittingly be made to me; yet I would pray him not to set a bar before his will: and judging myself apt and able to keep such a gauge if committed to my trust, if he thought me worthy of it; did assure him, I would reserve it within my bosom, locked up by the same key, as it had been till that time locked up in his. He exceedingly well pleased with this answer, with a trembling voice and sparkling eye, proceeded, saying, I believe, Lady, you know my Fathers intention is to give me a Wife, but among many propounded unto him, it is not yet perceived upon which of them he doth or will resolve. I have not hitherto cared to take any thought therefore, indifferency having made me free, and consequently content with such a one as he should choose for me.  
But since your happy arrival at this Court, I feel a sudden alteration and change; For being free, I find myself made subject to your incomparable beauty, and virtues: and of contented as I was of any election my Father should make for me, I cannot be pleased with any but mine own, which of necessity I must prepose to all others: any other wife being not able to satisfy me; nor I having so much power over myself, as to will to take any other. I do not believe my Father will deny you to me. Your Nobility and the lustre of your incomparable virtues in rendering you worthy to felicitate and make happy a greater Prince then myself; But I would not speak unto him before I had spoken to yourself, beginning even from this hour to resign my will totally up to yours. I who had already conceived Almaderoes love within myself, as it was represented unto me barely, by mine own bare imagination, feeling thereby no commotion at all within myself; but now being conveyed to mine internal sences, in its real being. I felt my heart so battered and bruised therewith; that laying away those rigidnesses which I used in answering my brothers, I so far inclined to pitty( but why speak I of pitty? Let not the truth be concealed) I yielded so far to an extreme love, that if Almadero had not been a suitor to me, I should have made svit to him: Yet in this sudden perturbation, the Image of those lets which had been so maturely calculated by me when I was myself, and free from passion, being still before mine eyes, having made a new and short examination of myself, I answered him, Sir, The business which you propose unto me, it being to seat me in an extreme happiness( so far that I want conceptions to express how much I am therefore bound to you) is liable to more objections then you imagine; For you my Lord are already married many years since: yours and my cousin Brunichilde being appointed to be your Spouse. I know it by your Fathers will, who long since revealed this secret to mine, neither is any thing expected for the publication thereof but maturity of yeares. Therefore I humbly beseech you, that continuing your gracious inclination towards me under some other title, you will assure yourself that Liarta( being not to attain so high a happiness as to be your wife) will adore you all the daies of her life( which can be but short) as the most obliged servant and vassal that ever you are like to have. The Prince was so grieved at so unexpected an answer, that through sorrow he had like to have been beside himself. And though he knew I had not spoken this casually, yet he would understand me better, examining me more particularly concerning it. But having apprehended how, Brunichildes Education, and other circumstances, did jump with this my advice, he took my hand and most affectionately kissing it said, Lady and mistress, Since fortune pretends to oppose me, with an opposition by me not imagined, I purpose to reoppose it, with a resolution the world thinks not of. And taking this Diamond which I wear from off his finger, putting it on mine, he said, Almadero espouseth Liarta, in the presence of Heaven. He would have proceeded further, when I interrupting him, he stood still to hear me. May it please you my Lord( said I) that this your too courteous resolution concerning me, being sudden, may remain a while suspended; Till there may be added unto it, if there be any part wanting, either of reason or counsel. There can befall me no greater happiness then that of being your wife. But what misery shall equal mine, if being made so, if you shall be forced to forsake me for another by the just obedience due to your Father? He again kissing me, answered, Take you no care for that Lady. My Father may deny you me, but can never force any other upon me. You are mine, and I yours. And if this marriage should have any such hard fortune as not to be published during my Fathers life; I shall notwithstanding nevertheless not abstain from loving, respecting, and courteously entreating of you. All this might have been confuted by me with very good reasons, which would not have failed me, but ardent love tryannising over me would not suffer me to do it, persuading me, that if my good counsels should take effect, they would prove most pernicious to me, seeing my death would certainly through grief ensue. Remaining then in this manner wife to Almadero, I would not permit him to consummate the marriage unless he first gave my brothers notice thereof; which he deferred not, thinking the hour too long a coming in which he should possess me; It being come, our delights increased as the difficulties and dangers grew of his being with me. So that he languished by reason he could not every night steal to me out of the Palace. He had a very faithful squire who knew this secret, but he could not alone manage an affair of such an importance; It not being possible for Princes to blind the eyes of so many Argus's as they have about them. He would put off his clothes, and go to bed before them all, and would rise again and put them on, this squire alone helping him; and then he left him alone locked up in his own Chamber where he lay. He went down alone into the Garden, coming out at which door he found my brothers ready, accompanied him and brought him back again. All which could not be done without being buzzed abroad, that the Prince in love with some Lady went every night out of the Palace. Which though it were very well liked of by the Court, being glad to have an enamoured Prince, was not pleasing to us; who certain how the case was, would have had every one else to stand in doubt of it. Neither could we ever discover how this business should come to be known, unless it were that passing once through the Garden, and being casually seen, he had given occasion of being watched at other times. For being known by the way, my brothers would likewise have been known, and consequently the business would have been discovered, which notwithstanding was never known. The first who gave us notice thereof was the squire, being advertised by some companion of his, who had heard a buzzing of it. He  told him, that the noise thereof being public, it was impossible it should not at last( if it was not already) come to the King his Fathers ears, who in case he should desire to get the truth out of him, as from him who was the most intimate of all his servants, how should he alone have been able to deny that which all the world affirmed? He besought him to refrain going out( some nights at least) to the end that not being taken in the fact, he might have way to lye strongly. This business displeased us both, and the Prince had much ado to be persuaded to follow the squires advice: which if he had not done, the business would have been discovered at that time: for the King being informed thereof, had already placed spies abroad about the Garden door, to observe whither he went, more for curiosity, then any distaste he took at it. But judging that these his escapes were sufficient reasons, to delay no longer, the giving him a wife, and seeing also that he being advised of the waits which were laid for him, he stayed at home, commending his cautelousness, he sent for him, and without taking notice of any such matter, said unto him; Son, I have sent for you for a most important( but pleasing) business, nature so requiring, and your youth leading me to it. I am old, and it is the property of such an age to desire( as a Father) to see my succession secured, not onely in yourself and your brother, but in you, and your posterity: Which done shall I die contented. I am resolved to give you a wife, which for conformity of blood, age, and beauty, you cannot choose but very well like of. The Prince( who a long time since had with our mutual advice concluded what answer to make to such a request) readily replied, Sir, The business which your Majesty propounds unto me, if it were not of such importance as you tell me, and with those privileges which are annexed to it, the Authority of Lord and Father, yea, your onely beck of inclination and desire, should have had power to make me obedient. Wherefore( if your majesty please) I will be ready to submit myself unto this yoke; which of itself heavy, I imagine would be most insupportable, if it should so happen, that the wife should not prove according to the husbands mind. Which seeing it may so be, I humbly beg of your Majesty: that if I should not like of her whom you shall propound unto me, you will give me leave to choose me one; seeing that in the casting of this die consists the chance of my good or evil. The King, who expected from his Son an absolute and not conditional obedience: did very distastfully receive this answer; conceiving by it and the relations he had heard, that his love had been drawn after some evil consequences. But dissembling what he suspected, he replied without any sign of alteration: Prince Almadero, I held you to be more discreet towards me, then you are, and that you had a better opinion of me then you have: but I pardon you, though you accuse me, as old of small prudency, and as a Father, of want of affection. This believing me to be ill advised, and voided of love in a thing which so much imports you, proceeds from your own being ill advised, and want of love in yourself: You pretend the choosing of a Wife to belong to you, but upon what grounds? of Law, or of Nature? if of Nature, it may either be good or evil, well or ill inclined. If evil, the laws have power to correct it; if good, it cannot be good, unless the effects thereof be good: if upon the ground of the laws, what are those laws, Common, or Particular? If common, take heed they be not against you. If particular, of what Nation shall they be? of our own, by no means. If others, you may peradventure hit upon some which will make you three times more your Fathers slave, and render him absolute Lord over all your actions, Wife, Children; yea of your very life, and death. Nature set you in the world by means of a Father, nourishes you by him, and by him puts you in the way of action.  
And if in brute beasts, the Mothers care do last until the time of the young ones material subsistency, to the end they may not be abandoned: why shall it not be the same in men, till they have got a perfect subsistency of reason, by which onely man is able to govern himself? Nature permits not liberty of marriage in any man, unless the nuptials be first contracted by her self, together with his own perfect judgement: neither is that man of perfect judgement, who pretends to emancipate himself from his Fathers obedience. The laws( if a Father by death comes to fail) give tutors till the age of five and twenty yeares; and shall you who are scarce fifteen, your Father being alive, and a King, pretend to have free will in a thing which hath in your age no reason nor end, but pleasure, and sense? fountains of beatitude to delight, but in human actions, two most unfaithful and foolish counsellors. The Wife which I intend to give you, is Brunichilde, a noble and beautiful maid. Could I choose you a better? Aldemero, who at his Fathers angry words, full of humility, had cast himself upon his knees, kissing his hand to mitigate his wrath, answered, Sir, I confess I err in many things: and if in this particular I have committed a fault against your Majesty( as I question not, seeing your Majesty hath been pleased to repute it such) I most humbly beg your pardon and though I do not of myself deserve it, let the error itself make me worthy of it, which being of ignorance, ought to be remissible. But as for the reverence which I owe unto your Royal majesty, I beseech you not to have any such opinion of me, although the confidence which I have in your goodness, and fatherly tenderness( which I have always found to mine ineffable content) should make me again seem to err in alleging reasons for myself, and make me appear as it were contumacious. I do not pretend to have any choice or election in any thing, unless it be by you granted me through your beignity: which being laid as a foundation, let your Majesty give me leave to tell you, that Nature can not be corrected by any Law, it being the fountain from which all laws derive: neither ought that Law be esteemed good, which any way opposes or declines from that nature. But if your majesty means by nature, evil inclinations, the difference is as great as it is biggest in things which have no analogy nor similitude at all amongst themselves; so that if it were granted to have recourse unto nature, I would have recourse to that which gives, and not to that which receives laws. As for the other, which are used according to the different institutes of particular Nations, I will confess none of them to be unjust, but such as any way derogate from fatherly authority: yet amongst all those, there is not one which gives them leave to appoint wives for their sons which are not pleasing to them. Yea the divine Law, setting her hand to this, doth declare invalid, all marriages which are contracted without the mutual consent of those who are espoused and knit together; a manifest argument, that if Fathers authority alone were sufficient, such a consent would be unnecessary. I conclude therefore( always saving the respects due to fatherly obedience, which I will never exclude, nor that of parity of blood and honesty) the father cannot without injustice, deny to satisfy his Son in so just a request, and that if he do not so, it is no longer authority( but to speak truth) a fatherly tyranny. As for the choice you have made of my cousin Brunichilde, I confess your Majesty could not have made it better, being considered merely of itself. But many things, though good, are not always good in all men, and the love which I bear unto her, being become profess in the habit of Brotherhood, will not suffer me to put on a second habit so contrary to the first. The passages which are made from one, being to another, though by chance they may be easy, yet they are in Nature either impossible or monstrous. Her infantile estate, cannot but be against my stomach: Every one will think us coupled together rather to make babies, then get Children: and I being bound to love my wife,( seeing without a fervent affection, marriages are unfortunate) mine will be most unhappy, seeing that under that title, I shall never be able to love her. The nearness of blood also which is between us, should not pass for an inconsiderable argument, for we see foals begotten by stallions, upon Mares of the same race,( though they be very handsome) prove ill favoured and degenerous; and shall we think nature by the same unknown reason, may not work the same in us, so that imagining to beget Children, it may produce monsters? But grant that this do not follow( seeing that we, divers in kinds, may be diversely disposed, which generally is not so, rationability not making this difference: let it be lawful for me, Sir, humbly to ask you, what necessity is there for me to take such a child to wife against my will, seeing by her we contract no affinity with Princes, we obtain no benefits of state, no friendships, no pieces, nor any such things. Wherefore there being no urgent cause for it, why shall not the urgency of my satisfaction prevail, especially with so just a King, and so loving a Father? and also if you will be satisfied with my marrying one of our own blood, will you be pleased to let the Infanta Liarta be she; for she being a princess endowed with all manner of virtues which may cause a woman to be beloved, I will in no wise refuse her. The King had all this while with delight hearkned to his son without any alteration at all, when at this last period he did hang down his head, and having a while bethought him, he rose, and without any more speaking went away from him. Almadero stood astonished at this act, and withdrawing, presently writ to me what had happened: and I taking it for a bad augury, writ to him again, praying him for the present, to forbear his nightly voyages, till time should level the way to us for some more mature deliberation. The King, in whom age and practise had refined his natural prudency, presently imagined after he had name me, how the case stood; and were it his zeal to be obeied, or my Brethrens nature by him abhorred, and who he believed would become insupportable by this marriage, he fully resolved not to suffer the going forward of it: and too late repenting, his causing me to come to Court, he resolved to vend me away from it, by presently marrying me away. Lusitania hath for some hundred years, possessed all that Country which lies between the two Rivers of Ana, and Betis, the King, my Grandfather, having conquered it in his youth, the faire City of Hispalis being comprehended therein; whence many Warres had ensued, smothered up through weariness, rather then by any accord or peace made. Now the King of it treated of giving his Daughter to Almadero, and the session of all his pretended rights in that Country for a Dowry. Whereunto Viriato would never assent, it seeming to him an unworthy act, to confess that not to be his, which by his Fathers valour, was hereditarily fallen to him. Now changing his deliberation, he thought to deprive himself thereof upon mine occasion, intending my marriage with the Prince of Betica, should take me off from pretending that of his son, and his pretences to mine, being already married. Almadero, on the other side, intended whatsoever should come of it, to break off this treatise, resolved( being so advised by my brothers) to sand thither likewise as privately as possibly be could. And having to that end made choice of a favourite he had called Dragillo, he gave him Letters of credence, commanding him disguised to make all the speed he could to get to Betica before the Ambassadors arrival thither. His Commission being to represent unto that King, that the Propositions which were to be made to him by his Fathers Ambassador, would be of none effect, being without his or the states consent. That the interest was public, belonging both to him and them: seeing it was therein treated of dismembering that part of the kingdom, which( though anciently belonging to Betica) was lately joined and annexed to the Lusitanian Crown, and consequently inseparable from it, without the same authority, by which it was formerly by a decree united. That the Infanta Liarta, was not capable of marriage out of the kingdom, because the succession falling to her( as it might for want of other Heirs) the kingdom would never have endured a foreigners Government. That these reasons taking no effect, he should allege these other two, of which the first should be of advice, the second of proffer. Of advice, that Liarta was already married, and with child. Of proffer, that if he would not give ear to his Father Viriato, he promised him by the faith of a Prince, Solemnly to restore unto him with the authority of the States, after his Fathers decease, without any condition, that which now was by him proffered under condition of this marriage. That if he would do him this favour, besides the profit which would redound, he should ever remain much obliged to him; proffering him a perpetual, real, and undoubted amity. I heard of this expedition by my brothers after it was made, and took such grief at it, that it had like to have cost me my life. Judging that if there were a necessity of precipitating the business, there had been less evil to reveal it to the King his Father, then, with so much damage and shane, to his enemies: For besides that, prudence would have advised him to make a virtue of necessity: seeing that the business being irrevocable, he would not have been so much offended as he was: offence joined with a certainty of making him an irreconcilable enemy. Besides, he last proffer was most impertinent and superfluous. There being no likelihood that I should bee accepted for a wife, after the advice was given that I was married and with child. The King had reason to hate my brothers: who wholly degenerating from my Father, breathed nothing but avarices, expecting but the hour to govern, yea to swallow up their Uncle, the Kingdom, their cousin, and myself. I laboured, as much as in me lay, to make them see the foolish obstinacy of their councils; But perceiving it was in vain to hope to retain water in a sieve, I resolved to writ to the Prince, beseeching him to call Dragillo back. But he unfortunate being espied and pursued, was taken with his letters and instructions, not above half a daies journey from Olisipho: Which being red by Viriato he altered his purpose, the business being changed: recalling his ambassador which was not gone far, and demanding of the Prince the Key of his study, persuading himself that there he should have found other things, He met with the rough draft of the instruction written by one of my brothers own hands, and with other letters of mine, that which I had last of all written to him, which onely had power to justify me. For being certified by the instructions that his son was married to me; and Dragillo his confession upon the rack, that he was sent by the advice of my brethren: His anger was so great, that if they had not fled upon the advice of this imprisonment, he would irremissibly have put them presently to death, as he did Dragillo for the first act of our tragedy, Sending me for the second, with a good guard, into a strong Castle between the River Tagus and Ana, called Leuciana. The Prince being in an instant struck with an astonishment by the death of his servant, the flight of his Kinsmen, and mine imprisonment, was like to be cast down; For finding his Father inexorable towards Dragillo, not satisfied by his confessing himself to be onely guilty, and worthy of death, nor offering his own life to save the others; persuading himself he would use the same rigor towards my person as he had done towards Dragillo, he took his bed, and had such symptoms, that it was thought many times he would have died. So that the King( though once resolved not to see him) could not contain himself from visiting him, and mitigating his grief, by promising he would not proceed to any further punishment with me: the present being by him termed but a correction. He took heart, more through anxiety of desiring to save me, then any desire he had to live, he did, within some few daies, forsake his bed. In the mean time, the case being divulged as it was, most men did judge that the King had proceeded therein with more passion then reason, generally condemning his resolution of taking from the Crown so noble a member, acquired with the subjects blood, under the conduct of the King his Father; That though the Prince had the same resolution, he was excusable, as young, resolved thereunto by force, and having taken longer time to do it, and not excluded the vote of the States. That his taking me to wife was an act of great prudency, I being sufficient to govern the Kingdom, and to set him in the way, of so doing, if his Father should chance to die. There being no other Princes of the blood but my brothers, who would have been debarred from all licentiousness if I were Queen. The reason of common interests by blood, giving me authority to govern them. Whereas without my respect, with their prerogative they might have put all to confusion. And would have done it, if Brunichilde a child had been preferred before Liarta a woman. Deviaco his virtues were rehearsed, his valour, and the services he had done. That the same worth was in me, and would be no otherwise; being a fruit of such a plant, nourished, and cultivated by him. But if such discourses were so free in City and Country, they were no less at Court. I and my brothers favoured, if not for our own sakes, yet for our Father his deserts: and Almadero exceeding well beloved as ever any Prince was; So that Viriato in a day remained in a manner excluded out out of all mens hearts. But he holding his authority sufficient to do, cared little what liberty other men took in speaking. Yet he fixed a deep displeasure in his heart, and took notice of the persons who did so: but time not permitting him to manifest his resentment, he concealed it; resolving howsoever to be obeied, and to disannul my marriage, though I was with child. So much doth the jealousy of Empire prevail in Princes. And in effect all these disturbances had no other Origine; for the question being of two, who were both nieces: the disadvantage which he pretended on my side, was the suspicion of my brethrens greatness he being alive. Which disadvantage was counterpoised by this advantage, that he dying, the State remained quiet, and peaceable by mine occasion, there being no question that by the other marriageal would have been turned upside down, whereas by my marriage there was no reason to fear any trouble, the Princes and my opposition being sufficient to cause them to live in peace. They in the mean time being retired to their own home, in their own conceits secure from any disturbance, heard presently of mine imprisonment, the execution of Dragillo, and a thundering edict against themselves, being proclaimed seducers of the Prince, disturbers of the public peace, and guilty of treason. Their Lands forfeited to the Crown, their persons banished upon pain of death, with large rewards for those who should bring them either alive, or dead, which proved the bellows to kindle their rage; For thinking themselves to be too evil entreated, considering their quality, too rigorously in comparison of their offence, and without any account made of their humiliations interposed by means of friends, they were moved with such disdain, that they resolved their Uncles death, which not possible to be obtained any other way, they purposed to purchase with their own ruins, having no respect or regard of me, the Prince, or Kingdom.  
They first resolved to set forth a stinging Declaration to stir up the subjects hearts, then having raised a sufficient Army, with the secret assistance of the Tingitanian, they so troubled for three months that flourishing Country, that the King forced by the imminent rebellions, rather then by his Councils advice, recalled his Proclamations, and penalties: Conditionally that laying down their arms, they should crave pardon of him, which they did being absent: not laying down their wrath, nor desirous of vengeance. It being manifestly perceived, that what he had condescended unto, was but through mere violence, to accommodate himself to the times. Seeing that otherwise, he retained his former rigidness towards me, the Prince, and themselves: they not being able to obtain amongst the articles of peace, that of my deliverance: having mitigated the effects of his cruelty, by saying it was not fit that any should set him down a law how to punish his Children, and putting me into that number, sought to 'allure our hopes by such a title, to the end he might be the better able to deceive us. The Prince who out of his natural goodness, had till then expected with patience, the ebbing of his Fathers wrath, finding in this occasion the most forcible of all, that he expected in vain, was like to fall into despair; and being able to endure any thing, save onely my absence, he resolved to free me at any price. On a day after he had revolved many thoughts in his heart, kneeling before his Father, he said, Sir, I am now almost sixteen yeares of age complete: Neither is there any Prince of my age, that stays so long at home at ease. Wherefore I have deliberated to beseech you, to give me leave to go abroad, being an armed Knight, desiring to receive this Order by no other more valiant, or happilier presaging hand then yours. And if my former mis-fortunes should peradventure make you believe that my resolution were upon any other occasion, I should not altogether deny it hoping I should not wholly displease you, if I should do as those— which in rain come forth of the— and go in again in faire weather. The rain of distastes, which by mine ill fortune( yet sore against mine intention) I have to my extreme sorrow occasioned in you, invite me to spend some time voluntarily abroad: Till mine actions, and a manifest penitency, afford me the clear and serene sky of your favour. His Father rejoicing at this his resolution( in hope that the diversity of Climates would alter his sons affections, not considering that amorous forces have power not onely to change nature, but also to reduce innocency and simplicity, to malice and cunning) very well contented answered; Prince, I commend your resolution, and am therewith satisfied, I being ready also to give you satisfaction in any thing wherein virtue shall be your aim. I will arm you Knight, hoping, that having laid aside the— of your own House for some time, you will for ever lay aside that which with too bold an obstinacy you had taken upon you, against the respect due to my obedience. Almadero would make no reply, fearing to overthrow his designs; But kissing his hand was within three dayes, with much solemnity made Knight, Brunichilde( being so commanded) girding on his sword. And the next day armed, having taken leave of those who accompanied him, feignedly directed his course towards Gaule, as he had made his father, and all the Court believe. My Brothers having heard of his departure, were extremely grieved at it, firmly believing, that the marriage being voided, and I lost mine honour,( mother of a Bastard to the kingdom of Lusitania) they would for ever remain infamous. Wherefore, if before they were incensed against their Uncle, their evil talent was now much increased, thinking that his very life would scarce be sufficient recompense for their wronged honours: and knowing that would displease Almadero, they thought I should be sufficient to appease him. Or that fortified in his absence, they would at his return trouble and tyre him, and peradventure deprive him of the Crown, conceptions which would all easily enter into their corrupt imaginations. Almadero, as soon as he saw himself deprived of their advices, became intimate with Philarchus a young Knight, but of as good understanding as any could be of his age, with whom having conferred about his designs, he caused him to ask leave of his Father many dayes before he craved licence for himself, under the same pretence of seeking adventures, who having obtained it, went out of Lusitania, entering in the kingdom of Castile, staying there unknown, till the coming of Almadero, who being come, he took his arms from him and put them on, giving him many Letters dated from those places which lay in the way to Gaule, to sand them to the King by the ordinary messengers. So that if Viriato should have imagined his Son to lye lurking in Lustiania, he might be put out of such thoughts, by the continual advices he received from him. Almadero therefore having pulled off his arms, as I said, clothed himself in a pastoral habit. And having passed over the River Tagus, left his Esquire in a remote place far out of the way, re-entering into Lusitania alone towards the Castle where I was kept, whither he arrived without any disturbance in few dayes afoot, lightlier, and with more ease, then another would have done, though accustomend to long journeys. His Father had caused him to be watched, till he was gone out of the kingdom. But those who had order so to do, observing that he had taken through Castile the right way to Gaule, returned, bringing with them the first Letters which he had left in the hands of the governor who was appointed upon those frontiers. This his bold resolution had fortune only for its basis and foundation. For Dorcallo Captain and Keeper of Leuciana was most faithful to the King, though he had before been a most affectionate servant to my Father. So that it was impossible without him he should either speak with me, or let me so much as know he was in the Country.  
And I, though my windows being near the wall, enjoyed the prospect of the fields, never looked out. My onely comfort being to be continually accompanied by bitter tears, and heart-breaking sighs. But what thing can be so difficult that doth not become easy, or so hard, that may not be penetrated by love? He devised to become acquainted with a certain shepherd dwelling there close by, and having  told him some tales of a mother in law he had, and having given him some pieces of Gold, as in deposit to assure him of his service, he obtained of him the keeping of his flock; and driving it out to feed into the Castle dike, as he had seen his master do, he began to cry aloud Lilla, Lilla, as if he had called back some one of his sheep, which had been disbanding from the rest, and casting clodds of earth after it with the paddle end of his staff as true shepherds do, ceased not, replying the same word. The King when he sent me to prison, had taken away all my men, and maiden servants, save onely this one whom you see here, called Dorilla. She by chance standing at the window, and setting her eye upon such a handsome youth, was so satisfied( to not say taken) therewith, that she could not refrain coming presently to me to tell me, how there was come over against our balcon the handsomest young shepherd that ever was seen, very busy with a disobedient stubborn sheep, which he incessantly was calling back to come to the rest by the name of Lilla; a name indeed which of itself was of a gentle sound; but especially being uttered by such a pretty mouth: And having  told me so much, she desired me to come to the window to take a little fresh air and recreate myself. I hearing that name, found myself moved at it. Lilla being myself, so formerly called in jest by Almadero in our amorous discourses. I arose and looked out, feigning I did it onely to give her satisfaction. I was no sooner come thither to look whither it were he or no, but he saw me, turning his eyes towards the window, feighning I did it onely to give her satisfaction. I was no sooner come thither to look whither it were he or no, but he saw me, turning his eyes towards the window, feigning to turn them another way. He did not for a long time call upon the figurative Lilla, the true one, which he so much desired, being come in his sight. But taking breath a while, after this unexpected joy, in a rustic manner pulling off his hat to me; he began again with a more cheerful voice to call upon the sheep: which caused so much pleasure to me, that it was sufficient in an instant to make me forget all the miseries I had formerly suffered. Oh how willingly would I have spoken to him, if I had not feared. I doubted my damsel had known him: but she who fed onely upon looking on him, the image of Almadero being far from her imagination, could not contain from doing of her self that, which peradventure she would not have done if I had requested her. She asked him how he durst adventure to come and feed his Flock in the Castle dike without the Captains leave? He holding up his head, but with his hat drawn down close over his eyes, answered, Lady, the shepherd my master hath sufficient leave. Such Castles as these, especially in time of peace, are not so strictly looked unto. And hath not the Captain himself a Garden planted and manured in the dike next to the Castle gate? And besides, Captaines do not use to fear or mistrust men of our trade, Almadero could not frame himself to so much Rusticity, but that Dorilla presently perceived that his language and idiom was not common. Wherefore having asked him whence he was, he answering her of Castile, she no more marveled at it; that language, especially in comparison of the Lusitanian, being the sweetest and politest language of all Iberia. Whilst she with great content stood leaning upon the balcon talking with him, I had time, standing behind her, to make signs to him, that I knew him. She asking him why he was come out of his own Country? To recover my Lilla, said he. Have you her not then replied she. Is not that it you took even now such pains with, to bring her back to the rest? I have her not( answered he) though she be always with me; My master takes her away from me. But I will have her again whatsoever it cost me, because she may be mine own, and not anothers; And what will you give him for her? said Dorilla. To which he answered; a years wages if he would ask it. She asking him how much his wages was? he answered, he knew not: But my Lilla, said he, would not be so much worth as she is, if I or others could limit her price. But you Lady might peradventure by your authority procure that I might have her, which if you would do, I should be so much bound to you, that Lilla and I would remain yours all the daies of our life, and would reward you in such manner as you should esteem yourself happy. Dorilla laughed at the young shepherds simagined implicity: neither would she have gone from thence, if I( fearing some misfortune) had not commanded her to come away. Wherefore being constrained so to do: She went away with an ill will, having first promised the shepehard to do what shee could for the restitution of his Lilla: which he much rejoiced at, made her new proffers, which in such a person as he was, seemed to correspond to the rest of his imagined follies. Having withdrawn myself far more unwilingly then Dorilla, I diligently examined the meanof all Almaderoes speeches, found that he having an intent to get me away from thence, judged it could not well be done without my Maid. The danger was great, but I did not fear it, saving my case could not be brought to a worse condition. For if I had died while I was in prison, it had been a great comfort in prison, being reduced to live without Almadero. Thus I resolved, I would not lose the occasion of speaking to her, wherefore( she being not able to get the supposed shepherd out of her mind) I said to her, Me thinks Dorilla thou art strangely taken with this young man. Do not blushy, nor seek to conceal it from me, for thou canst not. Who knows but that his internal condition( which others see not) be not far different from his external, and his course habit? truly I cannot believe but he is some great mans son, for it seems impossible that a mere Country fellow, should be endowed with so much beauty, and such gracious behaviour. Whereunto she answered: Madam, I am not yet come to that pass as you imagine: for though beauty be the object of love,( especially a singular one as this mans is) yet it doth not always take one effect. And you( Madam) find it at the present in yourself. Though not stung as( to not dissemble) I confess I am. Imparitie is of too great importancie to a woman that esteems her reputation; for if she should make choice of a husband of base condition, it being an argument of lubricitie in her, would make her abominable in other womens sights. I must confess( Madam) that were he not what he is, I should die with desire of having him; being as he is, But I must sacrifice such a desire upon the Altars of honesty and honour. A woman( Madam) that loves, is not to be blamed, affections being natural. But she is questionless praise-worthy, that loving against the common laws of conveniency, chooseth rather to die, then give herself satisfaction, Dorilla uttered all these reasons with such a passion, that one might very well apprehended, her greatest passion was, that there were reasons against it. But her reasons being not correspondent to mine ends; I was forced to feign I understood them in another sense. Wherefore I said to her, Dorilla, I cannot choose but commend thee extremely, that armed with gentleness and honesty, thou seekest, by overcoming thyself, to conquer those two great powers, Nature and Love. But tell me I pray thee, what wouldest thou infer, when presupposing that beauty the object of Love doth not always attain the same end; you tell me, I find it in the present occasion? Thinkest thou that being what I am, I ought to be indifferently subject to every beauty? knowest thou not that another beauty in condition equal to mine estate, hath heretofore attained its end in me? whereby( whether I will or no) I come to be freed from the punctures of any new sight whatsoever? which being so, how much more shal I be free, from being stung by a person so disproportionable to me; The beauties of Prince Almadero have so pricked me already, that I can not be subject to any further punctures. If that were not, I should not be here now, nor should I be subject to those evils, which make me commiserate thine. But if I have such compassion on thee, onely moved thereunto by discreet reason, thou being a woman, subject as well as another to these passions( not putting it to thine account that we are not obliged, so much as to imagine them to be beauties, which may any way damnify us in others opinions) why dost not thou compassionate me, who am so much more worthy of it, then thee, as in my love there is not any thing, can yield me any blemish in any bodies opinion whatsoever? Dorilla was astonished at these words: seeming to her to be spoken( as in dead they were) out of the purpose, and without any reason. Wherefore being in a great confusion she answered me. I know not( Madam) why you speak this to me, I never had any intent to offend you, Heaven knows it and my will ever was, and shall be, to serve you. Mine opinion is not so indiscreet, as to believe you subject to the beauties of a poor shepherd, Yea, quiter the contrary. In the mean time( Madam) please you to give me leave to ask you, what you ever discovered in me, that should make me seem to you without compassion, and without that passionate affection I have to desire, your case may have as happy a period as you yourself can wish? and if nothing else can make you believe me, let mine interests persuade you, seeing that in your misadventures, it being my fortune to serve you, I cannot pretend to have any greater reward then from yourself, nor any hope to attain to it, but by your being princess of Lusitania, and in time queen. But if I were so happy, as to have you esteem mine affections grafted upon yours without this baseness of interests, I should think myself already rewarded. Neither is this hard for you to believe, if you will but consider who you are, the virtues which are in you, and the courtesies wherewith you daily oblige me; for which, if I could assure you of my devotion, with deeds besides words, I would do it without any reserve, not so much as of my life. I felt such comfort in this answer, seeing the words proceeded from her very heart, that having strictly embraced her, and most affectionately kissed her, I said. My dear Dorilla, what I said was not to charge thee with any thing,( knowing I had no reason for it) but onely to try thee: so that now trusting to thine entire fidelity, laying aside all manner of deceit, I will discover all my secrets unto thee, assuring thee, that if Heaven please to favour my just desires, I will aclowledge thy virtuous inclination, with such terms of honour as are due to virtue, and fortune raising mine estate, will so raise thine, that none that belongs to me shall go beyond thee; she prostrating herself to kiss my hand, did reassure me of her fidelity, specifying that she esteemed herself more obliged to me then to the King: I causing her to rise,  told her, That her shepherd was my Almadero: that the Lilla which he would have again was myself: the desiring her to intercede with her Master was, to assist with her helping hand in this business: and that the offers made in shepherds habit, were to be performed in terms of a Prince.  
The good Gentlewoman seemed not a whit astonished at this mystery: and after many speeches had passed,  told me, she had many times in herself blamed the Prince, believing( by reason he stirred no way in this occasion) he had not loved me. And if she had not doubted to augment my grief, she would have  told me so. But that now recalling her ill opinion of him, she esteemed him to be the fairest and worthiest Prince on earth. She lauged at herself and her love, glorying in that she had so well bestowed it, and boasting of her judgement that had dared to penetrate with her affection under that vile bark, into the pith of such high deserts. Now having a long time laughed and jeasted about this business, she proceeded, saying, That it was impossible for me to obtain my liberty, but by scaling the walls, which could not then be done, I being so near my time to be brought to bed: That as soon as I was eased of my burden, it would easily be done, seeing I was accompanied with two such great Champions, as generosity and love. That in the mean time I should set down in a little Letter, what seemed necessary for me, which should the next day be thrown down with a ston in it, to the end the Prince might have notice of what was intended to be done. But I asking how we should do to come by an answer? shee answered me, there needed none. The Prince being able to answer me by word of mouth, and make himself to be understood as he had done not long since. But that in the mean time, she would endeavour to procure Radimiro his good will, who was Dorcalloes Brother, who made a show of being desperately in love with her. But she did not hold it expedient to procure it as yet: it being to be presupposed, that affairs which were dangerous, being communicated, had no greater an enemy then delay, which I being necessitated to by reason of my present unweildinesse, it was good to secure ourselves therein by not communicating them; but just when the business was to be put in execution, Dorillaes wise propositions liked me wondrous well. For if Radimiro would be faithful to me then, he would be the like to me now. But it was doubted whether we might trust him at all at any time. She thinking upon it a little while, answered me( Lady) I cannot assure myself of him no further then I have  told you: and if necessity constrain us to trust some body, why so long before the time? Peradventure when he knows the Prince, his presence, and his promises, may prevail more with him then my words. But what good will this prevention do, if there be no need of it: It will do good quoth I, for I know the Princes affections. He will desire to come up hither though he fly up, which can not be done, unless we can gain the sentinel which by night stands here by. Now after many consultations writing was resolved upon, and if he resolved to come to me, then Radimiroes mind was to be tried. We writ, Aldemero came, I saluted him in her presence, therefore he knew to his great comfort that we were agreed, and having shewed him the Letter, it was thrown into the Dike to him, having first looked all about, beckening to him that he should be gone. But he returning after dinner, demanded ingress as I had fore-seen he would. I writ to him again, that we knew not how to compass it, unless we could win Radimiro to our side, having related to him the whole design. But he returning the next day, he gave us to understand, that he would not have Dorilla to treat with Radimiro by any means, but that she should procure the meeting of the Prince and him. Radimiro came every day to visit me, being so commanded by his brother as he  told me; but I believe it was rather for love of Dorilla, or for some design. For seeing her all alone by me, he might imagine that my business, being accommodated( as all the world hoped) it would prove an advantageous match for him. He failed not to come that very day, and just at that hour when Almadero disciplinating his sheep, was speaking to us. He said, he brought me news that I should have a Nurse, a Gentlewoman of very noble behaviour, but poor, and that she would give me very good satisfaction. I was going to give him an answer, when Dorilla interrupting us, led him to the window, asking him, whether Castles were kept in that manner, by letting the Enemy at noon day take the Dike, and lodge himself there with a whole Regiment, pointing at Almadero and his flock. Radimiro smiling at Dorilaes jesting, had answered her, if fixing his eyes upon the shepherd( who merrily fixed his eye upon him) had not been as it were out of himself, knowing the Prince, or at least a face which was very like him. Dorilla seeing him so astonished, said, what aileth you? do you want reasons to answer me, as well as courage to defend the counter-scarfe? do not you see him ready to assault the Cortine, and having taken it, to take us also away? Radimiro not regarding these toys, said unto me, Madam, you do not see what I see? If I were not more then certain that our Prince is now in Gaule( I having spoken with such as met him by the way) I would say that shepherd were he, disguised in those rags. I shall not be so happy, replied she. And looking upon him as if she had not before observed him, she answered, Surely you have very good reason to say so, for he is exceeding like him. But if he went away as you say, how can he now be here? He may very well( answered Dorilla) if he be of the nature of spirits, who are any where they desire. But if this be he, he had rather be here with us, then amongst a company of such insipid and foolish beasts. Radimiro observing the authority wherewith the shepherd looked upon him, began to suspect how it was, and turning towards me again, said, Madam, I should live in too much anxiety, if I did not go prefently to look upon that face at a nearer distance. do I pray, said I, but go by yourself, and say nothing to any one else. I'll beware of that, quoth he, neither will speak with him here below for several good respects. When he was gone, we beckoned to Almadero that he was coming. He presently understood us, as if he had been all his life time accustomend to speak by signs. He went away before with his sheep, taking the way of the Wood: Radimiro following a far off, never losing him out of sight. Being gone out of the way, he stayed in a place covered with Trees, expecting him, where Radimiro having over-taken him, knew him presently: and having first looked about very carefully, he said, My Lord, Let me crave pardon of your highnesse, if I speak in these Clothes and keep on my Hat: I know you, and therefore fear lest you should be known by some body else. I imagine the cause of your coming in this manner; and am here ready to receive your commands, entreating you onely to be more wary: for your royal face is not onely imprinted in the hearts, but in the memory also of your subjects, wherefore it will be hard for you to escape unknown. Almadero thanked him for his good will, with such courteous terms, as would have been impossible for any man else to utter, and said, Radimiro. I shall not need to spend many words touching my coming hither in this habit, thou knowest it, and art not a whit deceived in it. The Infanta my Lady is here in thy brothers custody; I would release her: if thou wilt be instrumental to me in it, I promise thee in the faith of a Bride( when my time shall be come) to exalt thee in such manner, as thou shalt have no occasion to envy any one. I know the enterprise is hard, but if your brother would assist in it, it would be easy. Tell me thy mind, and where thou canst not help me with effects, assist me with counsel, Of me( answered Radimiro) your Highnesse may assure himself of whatsoever a most faithful servant is able to do, fearing no danger, nor yet your fathers anger. For if it be my fortune to serve you, I have served my Prince. If disobeyed your Father, I have disobeyed nothing but his fashions, which every one mislikes. My brother I dare not trust; Not but that he is your servant as much as any one can be; but he is of such an austere nature, that his Oath will hold him indissolubly conjoined to his Majesty. As for the rest give me to advice with myself, and give me time to consider what I had best to do for your service, unless you have already resolved what you will do. The resolution is already taken( replied Almadero) I will have the Infanta as soon as she is delivered of her child, seeing it is impossible to have her now without eminent danger of life. In the mean time I must imagine some way to be with her; The shortest, peradventure, will be to gain the sentinel, and scale the wall. My Lord, said Radimiro, howsoever give me time, that I may not onely think of it, but also consult with the Infanta, and Dorilla; To morrow at this hour and in this place, I will give an answer. Almadero returned to his cottage as full fraught with hopes, as Radimiro came to my Chamber full of fears; where it was first resolved, that to corrupt the Sentinel was not hard, but a dangerous thing, seeing the next Sentinels might perceive it, or the round come by. But especially that the sentinel being corrupted, must trust another and discover the business, thereby overthrowing my hope of liberty; which if it could not be obtained but by this onely way, we must then reserve all means to do it, and resolve to adventure upon any dangers whatsoever; It was also propounded that he should put on womens apparel, and under the name of Nurse be admmitted for some few daies. But this was not liked of, seeing he was so easy to be known, as he had been of Radimiro, and because he was to come forth again: which he would not do. Many other things were spoken of, but all frivolous and impossible; When Dorilla more malicious and peradventure wiser then the rest propounded; That she taking in hand to feed a great company of silke-wormes to cause me to pass away the time. Radimiro should at once cause several gabs of mulberie leaves to that purpose to be brought in, and that Aldemero should be one of the Porters. For having his face besmeared with dirt and coal, he would not be taken notice of amongst so many, nor yet of his staying behind. This was concluded to be the best invention; Almadero having notice thereof made ready for the next day: having resigned his sheep into the shepherds hands, and asked leave to go a little way, which he easily obtained by means of the gold which remained in the shepherds hand. Radimiro having gotten together nine men for nine sacks of leaves; one being provided a purpose more then there were men, Almadero came by, who being constrained, took the tenth by compulsion; Radimiro threatening him with a military insolence to cudgel him if he would not do it; having unloaded his leaves, the other Porters went away. Almadero being gone by, last of all with his burden into my Chamber, where neither regarding smut nor dirt, he presently embraced and kissed me with such affection as Lovers use after they have been long debarred from such sport. While we thought ourselves securely joined together, and imagined we had brought our tossed ship to a firm Anchor, and might now sleep soundly, free from all suspicions and jealousies, in the calm Haven of Radimiroes fidelity. Fortune made us know wee could not live securely under her wing, unless we were her Votaries. The King loved hunting exceedingly, and if ever he had followed it, it was now since the Princes departure, to pass away melancholy; loving him most tenderly, more then he had before that time shown by any external effects( if so be that the natural love of children, doth not suffer the same difference between private men and Princes, as there are different qualities between them) employing himself in this exercise so often; that he would many times loose himself in it: happening into Cottages and such poor places, either by occasion of long courses, or of some other disturbances. His most delightsome chaces were beyond the River Durio, about the pleasant City of Baccara, not above twelve miles distant from our Lordships and Lands, where he presently went: whither it were for the chases sake onely, or intending to lay a snare for my brothers, as some believed, though I can not justly affirm it to be true. They hearing of his coming, sent suddenly a well qualified gentleman, to beseech him to admit them to kiss his hand: He who already purposed to visit their houses as he was hunting: Far from imagining consanguinity could be capable of any such mortal hatred; answered they should be welcome: He intending to pass away that season between the Durio and Minto, specially in the pleasant chases of their Forests. They presently came to him, having left order for their business at home, and were received by the King, with great affability, seeming to forget all former distastes of their rebellions, and they all precedent injuries, together with the present disgust of mine imprisonment: Within three daies being invited to some of their houses, he left the greatest part of his train behind him, either because he would not overpresse them with superfluous expense, as he made show. Or because having observed distracted thoughts in them, he imagined they mistrusted him. Alcerio leaving Colimbrio and a page. of his own who carried his sword, did with great delight run along the pleasant banks of that River. Neither would he have been so soon weary of it, if Colimbrio measuring the time of the Courtiers coming, had not brought him to the Castle a nearer way, whilst the others who followed him, being gone about a further way, gave time for the effecting of their designs. They found the place without any people in it, except some few servants who were come with Alcerio to meet him at the Gate. Being alighted from their Horses, the King with his falcon on his fist, followed Colimbrio up a private pair of stairs, Alcerio staying behind to shut the doors which they went thorough, excluding the rest That solitude seemed very strange to the King at first; and more, when being come into the last Chamber, he found himself locked in between two doors, and espied a man coming out from behind the hangings, of a swarthy pale countenance, with a naked dagger in his hand, at whose appearing, Colimbrio laying aside all manner of respect, and turning towards him with a pale look, through the alteration of his spirits, said, Viriato, the hour is now come, for me to call thee no longer Uncle, nor King, having equally made thyself unworthy both of my veneration and affection: Thou art come now to be that Viriato, who must die for having so much offended me. Having thus said, he presently went out at the door expecting no further answer, which was the onely cause of his ruin: It is( besides being a feminile thing) a matter of exceeding damage, for a man to fear looking upon that evil, which he feared not to be the beginner and causer of; wherefore I believe that wicked politicians axiom to be true; that there is not a man to be found, either perfectly good, or perfectly bad: not good, by reason of his natural depravation; so all men believe, and not bad( and this is mine opinion) by reason of the repugnancy of Conscience, whose pricking and tormenting often hinders the Delinquent from committing some part of the evil he had intended, which being thus left imperfect, and without any basis, comes falling to catch him under its own burden. If Colimbrio had had the courage to endure the sight of his own cruelty against his Uncle, and to be a party in the executing of it, that evil had not befallen him which did. The King hearing so bitter a decree, and perceiving in the naked weapon his death before him, his heart failed him not; but encountering the murtherewith a bold and courageous spirit, said to him: And who art thou that darest lay hands upon my person? What profit wilt thou reap thereby? Knowest thou not, that I being dead, thou must needs die( it not being expedient for them who set thee a work, to keep thee alive when thou hast done the dead) and if I live, I may raise thee to wealth better then any one else? The murderer, who was before resolved to kill him, being strook into a sudden fear and amazement, cast himself at his feet, craving pardon at his hands. The King taking up the Dagger, went to the window, crying out he was betrayed, and running to the door which he came in at, made it fast with the boult, and thinking to do the like by the other, was not there time enough, finding Colimbrio coming in at it, and the murderer running out. Viriato suddenly stabbed at him with his Dagger, but finding he was armed, closed with him, giving him no time to wound him. When the King seized on the Dagger, he had set down his falcon, and finding him baiting, ready to fly away, loathe to lose him, set his foot, for all his danger, upon his jesses so long as he could. The Courtiers who followed the King, were already come into the Court, when the King cried out: but finding the door shut, striven to break it open: when the page., who had been oftentimes in the Castle, and knew the advenues of it, run up another pair of stairs, on the edge whereof he found the King upon the ground, closed with Colimbrio, both ready to tumble down; whereupon drawing the Kings own sword, which he had in his hand, he made a thrust at Colimbrio, but finding he was armed, he thrust it up into his groin, not without danger of killing the King also; whereupon Colimbrio's strength failing him, he dyed presently. Alcerio, who was at the other door, endeavouring to come in to help his Brother, when he perceived by his words that he was dead, would have fled out of the Castle, but being met by the Kings followers, unwilling to be taken alive, having killed three of them, was at last slain in an instant, being run through in several places in the Kings presence, who was glad that he dyed not by his hands, to avoid the hatred which he might have incurred by doing it: And having taken a little breath after so great a danger, receiving his friends congratulations, and taking a glass of wine in stead of a Dinner, he took Horse for Leuciana which was my prison, no man knowing to what end: making what hast he could to get thither, before the news of this business should arrive, or tidings of his coming. But ill news sometimes exceed the very wind in swiftness, and so did these which being of such importance, were presently blown abroad and arrived to Leuciana, whilst I free from all suspicions, was in the height of happiness: when lo as it were thunder-stricken by this news, I fell down dead( or at least was so esteemed) with such a grievous fall, that( whether it was the cause of it, or the excess of my pain) I was presently delivered of a creature which lived but few minutes, and was laid dead by me,( I being also thought to be such) that we might be butted together, as after, wards we were. Dorcallo was the onely he who caused all this evil: for having brought me word of this killing news( thinking the King came to put me to death) he used me as if I had been already condemned, wounding me with such reproachful words, so voided of discretion and respect, that they were sufficient to bring me to that pass which you have heard. Almadero at Dorcalloes coming, was retired into a little closet, when hearing the confused rumour of many Women, who were come to me upon this occasion, and Dorillas outcries, knew not what to think: For though lovers imaginations, in case of evil, always judge the worst: yet mine being Paramount above any other, could not but be thought lesser then it was. He was newly gone from me full of hopes and contents, to give way to Dorcalloes coming in, when he saw, in less time then a flash of lightning, my life turned to death; his sweet and momentary pleasures, into bitternesses and eternal dolours. Radimiro who in such an expected casualty, had not as yet well recollected his dispersed spirits: thinking me( as others also believed) to be dead, remembered Almadero, and representing to himself the imminent hazard he was in by the Kings approach came in where he was, and said: Arm yourself my Lord now to the worst news you can possibly expect. If Fortune had long studied how to harm us, she could not have learned how to do us more hurt then now she hath. Your cosens( my Lord) have sought to murder your Father: but they have been killed, and he in safety will be here presently the Infanta my Lady hearing the news, hath had a mortal fall, and being delivered at that instant, is dead together with her birth. Now becomes it your highnesse to bear a resolution brave against such mortal strokes as these are, and remove presently from hence, to avoid the dangers which hang over our head, seeing we may mistrust, that enraged Fortune will not be satisfied with the present evils.  
And having thus said, he laid before him his former ragged clothes, and a paper of soot, to smear himself with; But he having a while fixed his eyes upon him, went towards the door where I lay; neither had Radimiro been able to have hindered him if Dorilla had not survened at the same time, who prostrating her self before him, besought him to have compassion on them, for by showing himself he would have manifested what service was done to him, and what disservice to the King, whereby they should have come to that punishment which could not be but expected from a justly incensed King. Upon their words he stopped, retreating back by little and little towards a little bed, upon which he fell down: Good luck for them, for being fallen into a deep sound he gave them time to change his habit, and besoot his face: and being at last come to himself again, he said, is it possible Radimiro that this is true which you  told me? And if it be: how comes it Dorilla that you suffered my Lilla to die, without seeing me? But suppose you could not help it, cannot you now suffer me to see her before I die, to take my leave of those well-beloved beauties: that our bodies may after a short time be united here, while our spirits in despite of Fortune come to be perpetually united in another place? But they, falling again on their knees, and remonstrating to him the inevitable danger of an ignominious death for them, said, Cease friends, I am persuaded, I will condescend to what you will have me do: but I thought that when she died, we must all have died. I will die alone, let it be so. And to pay death use for this little time, I will depart without seeing of her; that the beautiful, though doleful object, mitigating my grief, may not make it delightful to me, whilst reason is, that I should lament her death, without receiving so much as a shadow of any delight: having said thus, oceans of tears flowed from him, seconded by the other two. But he suddenly stopped his virtue drying up his tears and saying, Friends, if I did think to live( as I believe I shall die) I would with thankful words, certify you of my grateful mind. The obligements whereby I am bound to you are great; and if Fortune continue her hatred to me by forcing me to live, I will whilst I live revenge myself on her by loving you in despite of her. In the mean time let this little Cabinet remain with you as a pledge: There are her jewels in it; let them be yours, and seeing you love each other, enjoy them, being married together( he had left he the key with me, as if he had meant to command me to do, what I do with them) Neither can any body trouble you for them hereafter, for being given her by me, no man knows she had them. The Heavens grant you more happily to enjoy them then she did. I recommend unto you the last offices due to this fair body; and seeing I can do you no good by staying, I will be gone, for fear lest my presence might cause you some evil. They having kissed his hand, and  shed abundance of tears, and Radimiro having put a— upon my shoulder, brought me through the Kitchen out of the house, and out of the Castle. Going a long with his brother to meet the King, Viriato had heard of my death by the way, wherefore being arrived, he would see me. It being proper to human affections, not to believe unlook't for, and wished for chances, which suddenly befall to make them happy; he gave orderimmediately to have me butted at night, rejecting all the Physicians reasons, who unanimously affirmed, that women who died in Childbirth, ought to have three daies respite, or at least forty hours interval, between their death and burial: the matricall vapours making them to seem dead before they be so; which being comprehended by Radimiro and Dorilla, it seeming notwithstanding impossible to them( believing I had really exhaled my last breath) they would nevertheless make trial of it, so that having suffered me( according to the Kings order) privately and without any ceremonies to be put into a large sepulchre, to which they descended down a pair of brick stairs, closed up with a heavy ston: it was not difficult for them with the help of a Priest, in the dead of the night to take me out; Just at that instant, when by my hearts panting, and the beating of my pulses, my vital spirits apppeared to be within me; so that rejoicing at it, they closed up the sepulchre again with fresh mortar; and following Dorilla, who went before them with a lantern, they laid me in the Priests house; where by means of Fomentations and Frications, I began to breath, and open mine eyes: But when I began to grieve and lament( life having brought me with the first discommodity, the remembrance of mine evils) Dorilla putting her finger to her mouth, beckoned to me to hold my tongue, and in two words  told me what had happened: So that with sorrow I restrained all my grieved affections, suffering them to do with me as they would: Almadero's going away thinking I was dead, was the saddest privation of life to me. I prayed Radimiro to go in quest of him, which he could not do; but the next day very late after the King was gone; and had been very liberal towards Dorilla of my cloths, and some few Talents: Then he went, and having looked all about those places without any fruit, he promised that after he had put me in some place of safety, he would return to seek him all the world over. But there was no need of it, for within a fortnight after he had happily gotten me out of the Castle with Dorilla, and brought me into the kingdom of Castile, to the place and house where Almadero's esquire had long harboured, we heard he had been there himself, describing him by several marks: whereunto he added, that there he had provided himself with a mourning armor, and a shield painted with tears. And that from thence he had dispatched, an express messenger with a letter to the King of Lusitania. I being resolved to follow him, took my journey that way: the gift of my jewels which he had given Dorilla, doing me very good service: for without them I had not been able to follow my designs; wherefore I made use of them, not to repossess myself thereof, but onely to use them, and restore what should be equivalent to them, with large use. We went from place to place, where he had passed through, leaving every where( in any occasions as had presented themselves, which were not few) famous report of his valour, being come to Barcello, there we heard he had embarked himself for italy. We had stormy weather a while, almost for a whole month together, all which time we durst not put to Sea, and then we heard news of Viriato's death, and that Almadero was proclaimed King, and the Kingdom during his absence, guided by certain Governours, till his coming home. It was reported he died with grief of a letter his Son writ to him, in which he protested he would never come in his sight again. I was upon this advice once resolved to return: But desire of finding him out myself( it being more tedious to me to stay, then look up and down for him) I continued in my first resolution; I bought this vessel, and providing it with mariners, I put myself to th' adventures of the Sea. Being arrived at Liguria, I heard he had embarked himself for Partenope, at Partenope, for Greece. The long voyage no whit displeased me, the tediousness thereof being taken away, by hope and desire. But being come into the Egean Sea, I had no news at all of him, till running over from island to island, almost through all the cyclades: I met with one that  told me that the Knight I sought for, had many months since sojourned in Ericusa: and gave me such makes of him, that I doubted no error nor equivocation in it. But the sweetness of his advice, was quickly answered with bitterness, I being at the same time  told that he lay there ensnared with the princess of Feacias love: But I( though I believed al nearest) would not believe that, because I would not do both of them so much wrong, as to make way in my breast for a mortal jealousy: Which being not able to enter into my heart, doth not withstanding assault it with continual battery to make it yield. I know Almadero, and mine own Fortune also: Peradventure that esteeming himself free, and willing to wave the griefs, of my remembrance, he may by a living subject, seek to exclude the 〈◇〉 one, for such doth he believe me to be: But on the other side, I cannot imagined it so to be, the year since my pretended death being not yet quiter completed. I will rather believe that fortune having made the the butt at which she shoots all her arrows, and being loathe to trouble any but myself with them, shoots new Darts at me, to wound me with fresh wounds; which if she should, it would be( in despite of her) but for a short time. Ericusa being so near, the princess of Feacia married, Almadero loyal, and alive.  
Coralbo had been very attentive in harkening to the Princesses tragic History, which being ended, he comforted her with such a style as they use to comfort unfortunate folkes, namely with arguments of hopes: whereunto those souls willingly fit themselves when they are nearest to despair, cautelously dallying with their own belief. But such a prevention will hardly take place, where fortune with its violence overcomes all manner of prudence and wisdom. For being in a few days arrived to Ericusa, and meeting with that which neither of them imagined, they presently were cast down both in body and mind. Having cast anchor and come ashore, the first news they heard, was the death of the old Prince of Feacia, and the Marriage of the widow Princess of Feacia, with the Knight of the tears, under the name of Almadero King of Lusitania; and that the chief of that Kingdom were come no longer then a fornight since with a powerful fleet, to carry him away with his new wife. Liarta at this news, waxed could as a ston; and if she fell not, dyed not, and wept not, it was because all her vital faculties were so stupefied with a horrid chilliness, that being run from the first apprehension to the heart immediately, it did from thence take possession of all other parts: So that showing no effects of an ordinary passion, it proved her wretchedness to be surpassing( being extraordinary) any demonstrations of a natural grief. Dorilla, and the Squire, who was Radimiro, seeing her in that case, were ready at hand, and laying her in bed, endeavoured, I cannot tell whether to take away, or restore her sences: the privation or habit being incertain in her, and consequently her life also. Coralbo who felt this dolorous accident as if it had been his own, laboured as much as he could to ease her, but finding he spake to a deaf Statue: He thought it would be best for him( she being a Woman) to leave her alone with discreet Dorilla, and go out( though it were drawing towards night) to give her place, and ease his limbs, benumbed by a tedious Sea-voyage. He was scarce gone out of th'inhabited place, when at the entrance of a wood, he heard a noise of voices, which began to grow less, being drowned by the loud shrieks of a complaning woman: and rushing forward, he espied five thieves, whereof three were leading a man, and the two other a woman towards the Sea, which was there hard by: He had no arms about him but his sword; nor could he have overtaken them, if the woman had not given him time by lying down upon the ground. He set upon them, and that so suddenly( they being busied in saving their pr●y) that according to the custom of thieves, they would have made no resistance, if his being alone had not encouraged them. Coralbo was naturally bold, but when he was to be employed in a cause which was manifestly just,( as this was) he seemed rather desperate then valiant. His being disarmed, and against many made him not to desist: a generous man, not thinking upon dangers of life, when the incompatibility of an unworthy action, inflames him with a generous rage, to punish them for it, who commit it. He wounded one of the two, which held the woman more sparing then needed, fearing to hurt her: wherefore the blood raising wrath in him who was wounded, quenched the fear, which his base and abject condition, and the unexpected enemies arrival had put him into: Yet alone he durst not stir, but leaving the woman with his companion, he called one of the three which were going before with the man: but because Coralbo( hoping for no assistance himself, would not give them time, neither to receive any) he redoubled his blow, the villain sought to revenge himself thereof with so much force, that the blow falling to the ground in vain, the sword was ready to break, had it not been of a most refined temper: the other companion in the mean time, coming in with a thrust, intended to have run him thorough: but it proved otherwise, for Coralbo having put it by, took hold with the left hand on his Hilt, and ran him thorough with the right, whereby he fell to the ground and dyed presently. The other taking his opportunity, while the Knight was killing his companion, wounded him in the reyns of the back, but he was so far from him, that he could not put his thrust home, which if he had done, it had been his last night. The others seeing one of their fellowes wounded, and another killed out-right, forsaking their Prisoners, fell all upon him, one of them throwing a hatchet at him, which hitting him on the left arm quiter deadened it; yet was it a happy blow, for had it lighted but four fingers more towards his body, it would have marred the fashion of it. He seeing four swords about his ears, thought to retire towards a great three to secure his back parts; in the mean time the Prisoner that was taking the dead thieves sword, ran to aid the Knight being known by him, and the woman to be Coralbo: for though the night was far spent, yet was it very luminous and light. This relief came to him in good time; for retreating he hit his heel against a root of the three, that grew out of the ground, which threw him backward, leaving him at his Enemies mercies. The first hurt he received being in his posture was a thrust clean through the right knee joint. The second a cut on the left hand, which he held up to save his head, whilst he striven to raise himself up with the other. The third, a back blow, which carried away a piece of skin of the breadth of three fingers, hair and all to the ground, which blow was aimed at his neck. The fourth failed, the Prisoner staying the blow by taking away his life. Coralbo seeing himself thus evil entreated, his force enereased with his anger, and in that instant he was wounded in the hand, raising himself from the ground with the other, not feeling when he was hot( as he did afterwards) the hurt in his knee, full of evil talent, yielding himself for dead, flew in amongst them, killed one, and whilst he was killing another, he was run quiter through the body by the last, who paid for it soundly, being run through the heart by the Prisoner: so that falling, he had not the time, so much as to draw the sword out of Coralbo's body. The woman, who according to the nature and delicacy of her sex, might since the beginning of the skirmish have saved her self, never stirred from the place, aiding her friends with her voice as well as she could, but seeing her enemies dead, and the quarrel ended, and Coralbo run through in that manner, it is not to be expressed what hast she made to draw the sword out of his body. He knew her not in the twilight; but helping as well as he could with his hand( that she might not with drawing it out make the wound bigger) he lay down, being not able to stand any longer. But observing how, she tormented her self, and grieved for his sake, and by her habit judging her to be a Lady of great worth, said, Madam, I give you many thanks, for that forgetting the joy you should express for regaining your liberty, you now condole mine evil, which I rejoice at, as an effect of such an employment. If I die, it is no great matter, it will be but the death of a poor knight: whereas your life and liberty may be of great importance to the world, by reason of the sublime merits( which others cannot suppose) in so worthy a presence. But seeing her, without answering, increase her laments; fixing his eyes upon her, he thought he saw the duchess Chrisanta's face: and though it was night, he found by the moan she made( well remembering her behaviour) that it was she.  
So that thinking her( as he did yet) dead, he was astonished and amazed, imagining that her soul having carried the love of him with it, into the other world, was now come thither to meet him, to show him the way thither. Wherefore if he was afraid of death before, the present sight increased it so, that he dust nor more speak to her, nor look upon her. There were in that place not far from them a company of shepherds, who having brought their flocks together into the wood, to let them at the break of day enjoy the pastures refreshed with Aurora's due. These hearing the echoes of the clashes of swords before they heard their voices, ran swiftly that way, being accustomend many times, by a just force, to repress the insolency of thieves and Robbers. But being come to the place, seeing the massacre, and having heard by the Ladies servant how the case stood, proffered their aid and assistance. The Lady in the mean time having made a pillow of her lap for Coralbo to lye on, while he being between dead and alive, felt nothing, with an unexpressible passion said unto him, Hath fortune then reserved me, from so many anguishes, and from such a cruel and ignominious death to afflict me now with the most cruel of all anguishes, to kill me with the cruelest of all deaths, with your death I mean, my Celio, my Coralbo? Shall I live after you? I who neither breath nor live but in you, and shall you die I remaining alive? No, no. Nature can not operate against its own laws. I who am your body cannot subsist, you being separate from me, who are my soul, Must I kill you to find you out: and be, if not the murderer, yet at the least the inexcusable cause of your death? who shall revenge it if I do not, being both Judge and Delinquent; to condemn myself, and suffer the punishment due to such a crime? In whom were ever seen amid extreme happinesses extreme miseries, or in extreme delights extreme hearts griefs, as there are now to be seen in me? Could I meet with a more happy or delightful object then this, and having met with it, reap greater heart-breaking griefs and miseries by it? What have I done to thee Fortune? that having undertaken to torment me, thou art not satisfied with one, but wilt have me die by many deaths, making me to feel them all in my most sensitive sences? and to show me the manifold Idea of thy deformities thou tookest away mins honour, and spared'st my life, to the end I might being deprived of Children, and Coralbo, remain a mournful example to all the unhappy ones of the earth? And having said thus, and shaken off the body( by her already esteemed dead) from that lap which was become a Lake of blood, shee rose in a rage, and taking up the sword she had drawn out of Coralboes breast, which lay at her feet, and having put the pommel of it to the ground, cast her self upon the point, and had killed her self with it, if her servant and the shepherds had not prevented her, which they could not so soon do, but that she had before they could take hold of her, give her self a small wound in the breast, a benefit which she then esteemed as an inexplicable injury: and endeavoured with more then womans forces to recover the not deep enough wounding sword, and accusing them of impiety that took it from her. The charity, Piety, pretended forces all in vain to make her quiet; If a small breath and weak sigh, coming out of that beloved body, giving hope of his life, had not kept her from ruining her self: Freed then from the frenzy of killing her self, coming again near unto him, she tore all the linen she had about her, to bind up his wounds, while the shepherds( two of them being returned to the guard of their flocks) having cut some poles, laid him gently upon them, bearing him softly to Chrisanta's lodging, where they were with royal liberality, richly recompensed. The chirurgeon, who was there entertained by the communality, finding the wound in the breast, not to touch the inward parts, gave hope of life, so that the duchess being quieted, they looked to the rest of his wounds; his head being but superficially hurt, his hand without danger, his knee onely in such terms as it was likely to remain lame. Coralbo while they were dressing of him began to come to himself, and the blood being stopped, he fully revived and opening his eyes, while Chrisanta with her tears washed his unhurt hand, and kissed it, he was no more in doubt of her being a spirit, being subject( as other bodies are) to the touch. So that being greatly comforted therewith, he said unto her, I know not( Madam) which exceeds in me joy, or wonder, in seing of you alive, having by undoubted relation heard, that you were cruelly murdered. If you be alive, as you seem to be, I praise heaven for it: if you be not, I cannot choose but return to my former laments: I give you in the mean time thanks, for having again taken the pains to support and help me in so extreme a calamity as this present is to me. He would have said more, but could not, and she vivified by seeing him in terms somewhat hopeful, answered him, My Caelio( for so I love to call you) I never was dead: and as I lived, do I now live, and hope for the future to live and die wholly yours. That relation was false( as you see) though believed to be true by all the world, as you shall shortly understand. All my losses I now repute to be precious gains, seeing I have found you. And though it be an evil meeting, I hope it will not prove nothing near so malignant, as it was prepared for me by mine inexorable destiny. Let us now look to your recovery, and I pray take your rest, and say no more at this time. But Coralbo seeing her wounded, being dismayed thereat, said; And how shall I be silent,( Madam) seeing you in such a case? Who was that merciless Barbarian, that durst so cruelly wound that faire and pitiful breast? she being taken on a sudden, gave him a confused answer, saying, that it was a small blow which casually lighted upon her, and would be whole within a day or two, the skin onely being superficially razed. So having again imposed him silence, she caused the chirurgeon to dress her. Liarta stood in the meame time a little way off, dallying with death, calling upon it, as a hope without fraud, as an Asylum of inviolable security, and as a place of eternal rest.  
But of unfortunate folks miseries, I believe the worst to be that, that it is not in their power to free themselves from, by means of that last sigh which scorns all manner of adverse fortune, a strange thing, and voided of all reason it is: That Nature at one and the same instant, will not have us be able to die, nor able to live. These are her scorns, her dalliances, and if they be insupportable, we may easily free ourselves of them. Death hath no mean to fly a resolute and generous hand. But will it be generosity to die through cowardliness of mind, for want of heart to endure torments? The good soldier( a pious soul) shall he forsake the place in which his captain( God) hath set him without his leave and command? But do we believe that Liarta desired to die endeavoured, or rather that her grief made her imagine so? I believe the latter. My reason is, that no body is satisfied with living, unless he be first satisfied with all things. She was not satisfied with hers, being not satisfied of Almadero, of whom to be satisfied, was always impossible to her. But grant she did desire death, and placed it in the highest degree of all benefits; yet not that death, she was author of herself, a voluntary death having always been blamed: and though there may be honest Titles for it, yet good, though it may produce accidental evils, yet it will never bring forth premeditate and fore designed ones. That one opposite should have the other opposite for its object, is impossible: If an honourable death be of power to honour him who lived ignominously, shall not an ignominious one( particularly this which is contrary to all Laws) make any one infamous, though he have lived never so virtuously and meritoriously? Liarta dedesired death, but would have heaven take her; when( so little certainty doth our judgement afford us, especially in passions which take us suddenly) on a sudden her will and desire changed. Her good Genius, which prompted her with good thoughts, showing her that Almaderoes fault was remissible, and the marriage with the other invalid, she being alive. That she was first chosen, first beloved, and his first spouse. Dorilla thus inspired, discoursed unto her upon these points. Radimiro voted himself to voluntary damnation, if at her first appearing in Lusitania, Almadero did not forsake all the Princesses as ever the iceland of Feacia had, and all the queens ever reigned in Asia, or any where else in the world. Whereby comforted, nothing hindered her mirth but jealousy, that venomous Serpent, whose bitings notwithstanding, were continually cured with Almaderoes innocent ignorance. All these infirmities and convalescencies, all these deaths and revivings, succeeded in less then three or four hours. And she seeing Coralbo did not return after so long time, imagining he had in respect of her, because he would not disturb her, gone some where else to lodge▪ she sent Radimiro to seek him, who going out( heard of the Knights unfortunate successses) which notwithstanding went himself to see him, but hearing he was at rest, would not disturb him. Being come home, he related to Liarta the disastrous adventure, particularly as it befell: Who forgetting her own indisposition, rose out of her bed to go visit him. Chrisanta taking her to be a Knight, desired her to forbear seeing of him till the next morning: But Coralbo hearing her voice, sent to entreat her to come in. The disguised Lady could not at first sight choose, but betray with th'abundance of tears, the condition of her sex. She thought to have desired his company in her voyage to Lusitania; now finding him in this sad condition, the affection she bore him, and the loss of so good a companion in travel, made her doubly to bemoan his evil. But Coralbo glad to see her on foot( having left her in a dying condition) comforted her, and  told her, he made no question, but her business would have a happy period; and she( though very desirous to be gone, would not forsake hated Ericusa, till such time as she saw him sure to live: then taking leave of him, she loosed her sails towards the West, leaving him to the pious care of th'enamoured Chrisanta.   

THE CORALBO Of Cavalier GIO. francisco BIONDI.  
THE SECOND BOOK.  
CORIANNA was entertained in her sailing to Sardiana, with such great testimonalls of courtesy and respect, that forgetting her former misfortunes, she thought on nothing but on repairing the damage, by the free fruition of the favours she continually received from Eromena; whilst Lucano( who by adoring her would manifest the joy he received in the possession of her person and love) gave himself to believe he never lived till then: being before dead in others opininion, and his own sadness; thankes to the unexpected passions of his own jealous errors. He thought nothing could now afflict him for the future, nor set a firm bound to his misfortunes, except the vain fears of inconstant fortune. More apt in amorous cases then in any other to affright without cause, those delicate affections which are subject( as leaves are to the wind) to the irrggular blasts of unthought of misadventures. But considering himself free there-from in that wherein she oftenest useth to display her forces, honours, states, and titles being all forsaken for Corianna alone, his love refined at the touch of miseries and ambions, lives, and deaths, he judged that the happiness of preserving themselves long alive, and lovers, was the onely aim of their desires. The life depending upon God, and love upon themselves, both exempted from the rage of its furies; They arrived in Sardinia just on Lindadori's birth day, a festival day both in Court and all the Kingdom over. The King who had with great anxiety expected them, went out of his own lodgings to meet them, with such joy as a Prince of his age was capable of; and being put on by Eromena to exercise the affections of courtesy towards loving guests, before them of nature towards his domestics, he failed not in showing himself rather as a Father to all three, then to Polimero and Lindadori, Father in law and Grandfather onely; extending himself towards him with such pleasing words and affections, that they were sufficient to raze out all former ingratitudes. The first news and happiest for Corianna was, that her onely brother being dead, who was Prince of Parthenope, the King her Father had sent every where to inquire for her, promising large rewards to him that should find her; the kingdom falling to her, being the onely daughter brought up before the Prince was born as presumed heir. He had written to all the Princes of the world concerning her. So that the letter, which was sent to the King of Sardinia, was by his order delivered unto him, and being red, was to this effect.  
To the King of Sardinia and Corsica, the King of Parthenope wisheth health.  
IF the greatnesses of Kings were as well exempted from the strokes of Fortune, as they themselves are free from depending upon any others, I am sure that though they were never so wise, yet they were not able to maintain the affections of human haughtiness, against that infinite power, in respect of which, theirs is but an imperfect and ill designed imbossement; But being born men, and by nature subject to passions as others are, they must( being not excepted out of the number of men) at last aclowledge, that powers here below in respect of the heavenly, are but a ceremonial order, which being taken away, the whole substance of their greatness vanisheth. I speak this( most victorious King) because I being born a King, lived long time in error; imagining I could command the events of Fortune by the same authority, as I did the wills of those who were subject unto me; But I was much deceived therein, such an office not belonging to men, but reserved onely for the Gods: who also could do but little, if they could not be wrath us, for that having made us worthy of representing them in image, we presume to be like them in essence also. I have to my cost learned, that virtue is not subject to human powers. That a Kingly condition, is like others subject to ignorances and imperfections. That he is not born inferior to nature, who hath need of Fortune to preserve himself. That power needs not beg any supporters. That human impotency is subject to alterations; alterations to motions of Fortune. Fortune to be the daughter of destiny. destiny, Providence and God, though nominally distinct in difference of acts, are notwithstanding Virtually one and the self same thing. I persuaded myself, that because men bowed their knees to me, and directed their actions altogether to please me, they did it because heaven bore me some respect. Such did I presume myself to be, one amongst an innumerable multitude chosen to command others. I was often angry with the seasons, and more often have I threatened the weather, as if rain and fair weather, thunders, and tempests ought not to have exercised their several offices, without the prescription of my decrees. I had a daughter born, whose beauties and graces confirmed me in mine ignorance: as if such endowments could not have fallen but in a person of my quality: the understanding blinded by presumption; there having been even before that time examples enough to teach me, that Queens who had heretofore been Heirs of this most noble Kingdom, were born under a lascivious ascendant. So that if I had feared, as I ought to have done, I had provided as I should to that which befell me. I had at last a Son, on whom I settled all mine affections, esteeming he should succeed me in my power: so that thinking to place my daughter highly, making her in time Queen of Sicilia, Lo without knowing why or wherefore I lose her, and she runs away from me: and though I have used all care and diligence to find her again, yet could I never hear any news of her. My son in the mean time, whilst he was coming out of his infancy, and begun to put forth abundant of buds of royal virtues, and afforded us great hopes, died of the— Now if these were not warnings, to waken me out of the sleep of my presumptions, where shall I find any, unless it be with my death, my ruin and the loss of all I have? which if I stay for, mine will be a sleep no longer, but an incurable mortal lethargy. And by comprehending it will be such I learn that the Gods would have me amended, not oppressed, content that I should live, having confessed my faults. But what human assistance can I hope for, to relieve me, if Corianna be not? she who can onely restore my losses, and with her return cure the bleeding wounds of my dolours? I have sent to all the Princes of the world, entreating them by virtue of the fraternity into which our common dignity conjoines us, to cause diligent enquiry to be made after her; and having found her, to give me notice of it, to the end I may sand for her in such manner as the greatness of her state doth require. The same request I not onely make to you( most valiant and loving friend and fellow King) by this ambassador, as common to others, but with a more special mission, our ancient amity requiring more particular terms from me. Besides that I feel in within myself, some certainty( though I know not from whence) of your assistance, I conjure you by natural charity, by paternal affection, by a Kings magnanimity, to commiserate my losses, and procure me the restauration of her, as far as your power will afford. Assuring you, that as the favour I shall herein receive from you, shall extend itself as far as is the extent of Heaven: so being in it made incorruptible, shal continually wheel in the eyes of the world asterized with your bnfice, and mine obligement, which shall render for ever obliged unto you  
The King of Parthenope.  
Corianna was extraordinarily moved with the Fatherly affections which she found expressed and set down in this Letter: and though the death of her Brother did seem to grieve her, yet generosity with all the other virtues,( which onely brought forth the grief which was due for the loss of a Brother) were something scarce, in respect of the happiness which did accrue to her thereby. Wherefore, as the complaints and congratulations which she received from every one, were indistinct and confused: so the affections of grief being turned into a mere distillation of tears, were suppressed by the comfort which nature afforded her in the object of charity towards her self, in such a time as her hopes were grown altogether desperate. Aratus would have sent her away presently, without giving her Father any advice at all, with his fleet onely; but that Lucano his interests kept him back from so doing, seeming it too dangerous to adventure them to a possible violence of new commotions in a mind( for such things which he had never heard) peradventure not disposed to be pacified. Wherefore though the Court of Bona had more need of rest then new of troubles; yet he thought good to employ him in this business, to the great content of those who were interested therein, and his own too, being born to live for others more then for himself. Wherefore having taken three Gallies, he happily sailed to Parthenope, at such time as the King received no advice, languished in desires, and was in a manner desperate of hearing any more news of his Daughter. Lucano's Mother could alone have eased him of this trouble, if she durst have done it: but fearing the danger of new disgusts, she imagined it was sufficient that she had sent to Ericusa, for Corianna to come herself to settle her business. But the Messenger being come back with news of her retreating to Sardinia, and others diligencies, besides the Kings being judged superfluous. She was gone into Lucania, to avoid those flashes which the first notices of her sons life and marriage might have excited in him: leaving an express to advice her of what daily should happen there. The Count was received with much pomp; and though he was thought to be sent to bring some news of the Princess; yet it was thought to be rather news of some hopes of finding her, then news that she was already found. But the King discovering the Letter in his hand, and knowing the Character, stretched himself forth in act of ravishing, rather then of receiving it; and not giving heed to what the Count said, impatiently opening and reading it, he found therein as followeth.  
MY King, Lord, and Father: I dare not( though assured of your good will) personally appear before your Majesty, whose royal face is the most rigorous accuser I can have of mine offences: If I had not first recourse by Letters, to the asylum of your clemency, which is the onely thing that can restore me into that favour, which not deserving of myself, I may by accusing mine own unworthiness, make myself the more worthy to receive. My faults are many, by which though there be no law left inviolated, yet there is none that makes me incapable of pardon: if you( my Lord) will be pleased to remember yourself to be my Father, and pardon me, so far as I forgot myself to be your Daughter, when I offended you. It is not unknown to me( Sir) that the remission of an exceeding great offence, is always difficult to be granted, and many times unjust, but the mercy of the Gods would not be in that predicament it is, were it not the malice of men; neither would darkness differ from light as it doth, if opposites were not illustrated by their opposites compared together: Behold sir, your disobedient daughter at your feet: Behold her in this posture, in sign that the fatherly tenderness communicated to the whole world, and especially to this excellent King of Sardinia, doth not take away the compunction, which repentance brings along with it to her, after the sin is committed. She craves pardon of you as a Father, mercy as a judge: and if in evils committed, the Delinquent without aggravation of the enormities of them, may lessen the fault, let it be lawful for me so to do, protesting unto you( Sir) that I do not this to make myself guiltless, but because I believe the fault of a weak, and not inveterate malice, may deserve to have the pain and punishment mitigated and lessened. If I were to be judged by terms of justice onely( without any rigour) I should be temerary in— For though there be no delict so convincent, but it affords some substance of reason: Theft excusing itself with poverty, Homicide with injury, and honour; yet I know the office of a judge is not to excuse but punish offences. The defence I pretend, is before a just, but clement Judge, before a King, but a Father; so that where justice dejects me, Clemency encourages me, the favour, the love of the Judge, the King, the Father. Sir, Your Majesty espoused me, and the odious qualities of my Spouse, which might serve me for reasons, shall be the highest article of mine accusations. I was content therewith, and never did so much as examine them: The same thing herein happened to me( Sir) as to those who born under the Pole, in the long six moneths nights, do not know the odiousness of darkness, but the appearance of the sun. I thought in the darkness of my simplicity, that a Husband was a thing indifferent, that the name was sufficient, men by me being reputed equal, and without any distinction. But when the Duke of Lucania came into the Court, mine eyes being fixed upon the form of his body, and my mind upon his inward virtues; I perceived that under the Caliginous darknesses of the Poles, there dwelled none but Pigmies, there flew none but Night-birds. I had by me the portraiture of my pretended Husband, which, though adorned with all the advantages which the pencil could give; yet it seemed to me in respect of the Duke, but a contemptible dwarf, if so he might be called, and not rather some strange and furious monster. I knew by this difference, that which I had often before heard, but never understood. That amongst men, there were some little less then Gods, in respect of others. Whereupon altering mine opinion, and by it forced to a new match, it was not possible for me to do otherwise then I did. I might have satisfied mine appetites, and obeied you: I might have gone into Sicily, accompanied by Lucano, as well as by so many other Princes entertain him there, and satisfy my lusts till I had been glutted with them. But how would that have proved with me? I consider not the dangers which might have happened from my Husband. I will grant our secrecies might happily have obtained their wished ends: Could I have sm othered the sin within myself? Could I have found sufficient resistance against the battering ram of mine own conscience? Could I have had so brazen a face; as should not have blushed at the reflection of my disgraces? You will tell me, it had been my duty to reveal all this to your majesty, and that you would not have enforced me to mary. But who would have assured me of that? Had it not been better I should have been debarred of mine appetite, then you falsified your word? And if you had been resolved to grant me so much; what disorders, what seditions, what warres, might not have ensued upon such an indulgency? Your very subjects, under pretence of the honesty of the cause, would have become your Enemies, through envy of Lucan's greatness: and I saving my true honesty, with the loss of an appearing one, having taken all the fault upon myself, have from mine evil in myself, onely derived many good things upon others. The preservation of your Majesties honour, of the lives, in the subjects, of foreign peace outwardly, of civill peace inwardly, and taken away the occasions of turning the world upside down: and if it were nothing else, who will not say, but that the Gods for our good, have suffered me to fall into this precipice whereinto I have fallen. Seeing that the Prince my Brothers death being decreed by providence, if mine error had not been, the most noble kingdom of Parthenope had been reduced into a Province, and with what ruins, your Majesty may judge.  
I will not enlarge myself, in rehearsing the misadventures which befell me, I will leave the History of them for the Count of Bona to recite: I will only say, that being gone away with child, leaving my Husband at my departure( as I then believed) cruelly murdered. I went into a place, where the anguishes of my mind, and the sufferings of my body might counterpoise some part of mine error. I brought forth a son in a Cave, who is the very image of your Majesty, and with his beauties enlightened the horrors of my darksome habitation, holpen by the duchess of Magna-Grecia; towards whom mine obligements are so much the greater, that I marrying against all her dissuasions and threatenings; she would( being innocent) seeing me perish irrecoverably, make her self guilty, and ruin with me, to the end I might not be utterly cast away: which had undoubtedly followed, if her motherly counsels had not a thousand times relieved me from a thousand deaths. Lucano then appearing to me alive, and meeting with the famous Prince Polimero, and the two valiant Princesses wife and Daughter: I came into Sardinia, where entertained by this King, I received the advice of your good will towards me, and had come myself to kiss your feet therefore, if I had thought the same might have been permitted to Lucano. I hope( my Lord and Father) that by pardoning him also, you will seal up the favour done to me alone, and having examined his qualities, you will be the less angry, seeing in my precipice, I betook myself to the greatest Prince within all your territories, and one of the worthiest Knights on earth: whilst peradventure it may be imagined, that I have made choice of some person unworthy your royal state and mine. We will both of us aclowledge our pardon, to proceed from the singular piety and clemency of you our sovereign, and I in the mean time shall desire to be reputed as I am, and ever will be  
Your Majesties Most humble servant, and most obedient Daughter Corianna.  
THe King having red the Letter, stood for a while pensive, which much troubled the Count of Bona, doubting it had brought forth some effect contrary to his expectation: a suspicion which lasted not long, for the King turning towards him with a cheerful countenance, said, Count Bona, I was always well affencted towards the Duke of Lucania, and loved him both for his Fathers merits, the nobility of his Family, and his own deserts; but as for making him my Son-in-law, I must confess it never so much as entred into my thoughts.  
Things are reduced to such a pass, that if it be in vain to question them, it would be greater vanity and folly to pretend, that should not be which is already done: I will not vex at it, nor second human temerity, in obstinating myself against destiny: a more particular answer I can not now give you. I would desire you to remain by me some few days, to receive it further in deeds then in words: only writ this to Corianna, that at your return( which will be very shortly) she should prepare for hers, together with her Husband and my little Grand-child, which I desire to see above all the world. As concerning your King, I say no more for the present, but that both the world and himself shall shortly discover how much I aclowledge myself indebted to him for this present favour. The Count thought by these words, that his first audience had been finished, when the King leaning upon a little desk, desired him to relate the adventures of Lucano, and how being thought dead, he was now alive, and with his Daughter. The Count beginning at Coriannas inclinations, recounted unto him the marriage contracted unknown to the duchess of Magna-Grecia. How it was impossible for her to break off those first affections, though she had long striven so to do. That having discovered she was with child, the Prince of Sicilia upon coming, and she resolved to be gone, concluded not to forsake her. He related her embarquement, the quarrel with the Constable, her flight to Ericusa, the Dukes pretended death, the manner how he was delivered, and how it was concealed. The advices received from Ericusa; how she went away, how she arrived thither with all particulars to make the case more compassionable, and lamentable.  
The arrival thither of the two Princesses Eromena and Lindadori with Polimero, brought thither a purpose by the Gount, to carry her away out of those miseries. The meeting of Lucano: the ambiguities between the princess of Feacia and Almadero, things which did all fill the King with commiseration, showing manifest signs thereof by his tears. And having embraced the Count, thanked him as an instrument of finding his daughter, commanding all those that belonged to him to serve him as himself. Then calling his council together, caused Corianna's letter to be red in it, whereat if the wonder was great, the compassion far surpassed; All saying, Corianna had saved the Kingdom of Parthenope out of cruel bondage by her error, and that being become the wife of a most virtuous and noble Prince, she merited absolute pardon. The King glad of his subjects inclinations, made choice of six of the chief, committing it to their care, that well accompanied, they should bring out of Lucania Lucano's Mother to him, with all honours due to a Queen. Which being done, within few daies she was met by the King and brought to the Palace, where in the presence of all the Barons he espoused her; to the end that she being Queen, none should disdain to accept of Lucano for Heir of the Kingdom. The Count of Bona( after the receipt of many rich presents) having taken his leave returned to Sardinia, accompanied with the Parthenopean Fleet full of Princes, and Knights. The joy which he brought with these good news, was abated by the sudden departure of Corianna. Eromena and her husband would have gone along with her, but being by the King retarded, they were content to take Lindadori along with them, who being arrived with a great train of Knights at Parthenope, resigned the recovered Children to their Parents, received with such affections as Nature and their former mishaps required. The little Prince( his former name being changed by his Grandfather) was called Fortunio, a change of a happy Omen, having had in all his subsequent course of life, no remarkable misfortune, all terminating with his having been born in a Cave, and esteemed to be a Posthumus. But we will leave these Princes there, enjoying the pleasures of delightful Parthenope; whilst we returning to Feredo end the relation of his misadventures.  
We left him going out of Feacia to continue his voyage, in which the winds were so prosperous to him, that in few daies having furrowed all the Mediterranean, not onely repenting the strange course of life he had undertaken in former times, and of his panic terrors, but also so ashamed, that he was even a scorn to himself, every time he did remember it. Being arrived into the Ocean Sea, the winds which hitherto had been propitious to him, became his enemies; driving his ship with so much violence, that it proving impossible for him to get into the Irish Seas, to go into— he was forced to suffer himself to be transported into the channel between Gaules, and Albion. Neither had it been much loss if he could have set foot on shore: but being forced to go on, he was driven with such violence of whirlwinds, rain and hail, that the steers-man thinking himself lost, suffered himself to be carried away, by the rage of that unconstant Element, the fear growing on as the tempest increased for ten daies together, without any hope of safety. The flying ship left in a small time on the left hand the Britains, Picts, Scots, and all the Orcades, and on the right hand the Gaules, Batavians, Germans, and Cimbrians; and going out from thence, she found the Sea open on the side, running all along the shores of Norway, where she was many times ready to split, running often over those famous whirlepits of those infamous shores, warned of her dangers, by the roarings of subterraneall places, which swallowing up the swelling waves, would by intervals spew up again the foaming Seas. It was never in the steersmens powers, to sail off from the land, as if they had been condemned by the Heavens, to pass through all the mortal places, and constrained( not dying) to persuade themselves they could not live, in the sight of approaching death. Twice did the turmoiled vessel stop, the first time at the druids Rock, and the second at the Haven of the Iron rings. The Rock hath a wonderful virtue of yielding in all manner of winds, secure harbour for sailors, and is so called, because to those who look upon it, it seems to be clothed with such a habit as the druids were. The Haven of the Iron Rings is a place shut up from the winds, where the Rocks perpendicularly hewed out by nature, rise up to such a height as if they purposed to touch the Heavens. They could not reach any bottom there, so that neither with Anchors, nor yet with plummets, though they fastened sounding line to line, they could not reach the sands, which was the cause that the Norway Kings had caused exceeding great iron rings to be chased with lead into the Rocks, to the end that the Cables fastened to those rings might work the same effect, which they could not with Anchors attain, in such a deep abyss. Feredo begun to waver in his opinion, and the enraged tempests, served him for arguments to persuade him, that he was again persecuted by his Sisters infernal furies. He would willingly have gone back, if he had known how. Ericusa's pleasant and happy ease was again represented to his eyes, and made the present business seem the more unhappy to him. Oh how willingly would he have gone a shore: But which way? with what guides? what provisions? who would have drawn him out of the ship upon those Rocks? and if he could have climbed up there, what could he have gained? they being inhabited by nothing but Bears, nor rich in any thing but perpetual crystalline snows? amid so many evils one good onely remained to him: and amongst so many causes of despair he had one onely comfort, to have met with a season in which the Sun running through the Northern signs, caused there perpetual day, otherwise if he had been there when those climates, by reason of the Suns passing through the opposite signs, had been all dark, he had been inevitably lost. he had in ten daies onely run out so many degrees of latitude, that the difference of the daies, would have served him for a demonstration, though he had wanted instruments to do it, having found when he was in the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, the day of fourteen hours, and here in the sixty ninth degree, not a jot of night. Good Fortune it was that the Squires by the Mariners persuasions, had in the ports within the streights made new provisions, which had not been done, had they not been of a Princes train. The provisions of Feacia( excepting some few refreshments and water) being so abundant, that it would have been sufficient till their arrival to North-Wales. The liberality which was due to the Princes person, assisted them, otherwise that damage which neither wind nor foul weather could do them, had surely come upon them by want of victuals. So soon as they were come into harbour, the sky seemed to clear up, and the ship being viewed and preached, the leaks and damages of it were amended, and having so done, they drew out, carefully to consider upon their return. The Northern Ocean is not subject to the violence of Southern winds; Feredoes ship excepted, which was continually subject to its scorns. For having Taper( as it were) in ambush for it, and given it leave to sail so far, as it should not be able to return back, it suddenly shewed itself, constraining it to lower its sails, and turn its foredeck another way, yet all without danger, giving way for it to go West-ward,& to bear up in her sailing a little to the South. The Sun had visibly run three diurnal Circles( though without setting) before he discovered any land, when the fourth day came in sight of the utmost Tile, and there he took harbour without any let. Feredo was so tired with his continual disasters, that he would willingly have partend with the Kingdom of north-wales for one little secure Cell, it repenting him extremely that ever he had forsaken Ericusa, and therefore much blaming Cataulo who had chiefly persuaded him thereunto, He went a shore, to recreate himself, intending not to trust to the Sea until the weather were better settled. It seemed impossible to him under the Artick where Northern winds are most frequent, they seemed to be banished, onely from him; and having oftentimes heard and red, that it was an ordinary thing to buy a wind in that country, he would willingly have met with a Merchant to furnish him, resolved at any rate to purchase one, to free him out of all these troubles. Being come a shore, he was followed by Cataulo, with those few servants remained with him at his coming from Ericusa. And being come to the uttermost part of the Haven, he wondered that he could see no body there, when not far from thence he espied a Lady in rich accoustrements, hooded with black, which beckoned him to follow her, going forward and looking back as if she intended to stay for him. Cataulo stayed a little behind with the rest, not daring to approach too near the incensed and pensive Prince, who not knowing what to think of the person, and her invitation, could not imagine her to be any one he knew, but rather some unfortunate creature by tempest as well as himself cast upon that iceland. He went on, to be resolved, and hearing a great deal of whispering behind him, he turned about, and saw his followers courteously entertained by others, who seemed to him to be people of that Country, come thither a purpose upon terms of hospitality or the like: Whereunto his former curiosity not permitting him to give heed, he followed the Lady, which having pulled off her hood, to see whether he came after her or no, still pursuing her way. Feredo who at first sight thought her to be Gelinda, stood still, fear having caused his hair to stand an end; which she perceiving, with a hoarse and terrible voice, said unto him: Follow me Feredo, I yet remember thee, and moreover that I was thy Sister. These last words( though terrible) emboldened the Knight, who ashamed of himself, drew nigh to her, she taking him by the hand, and with a disdainful smile, replying unto him, that he should not fear, lead him out of the way, to the foot of a mountain, encompassed with roaring flames; and being arrived into a sulphurous field, all covered over with ashes, they found a King lying along( for such he seemed by his aspect, habit, and Crown) who upon their approach stood up, and said unto them: princess Gelinda, is this that Feredo, who was once your Brother, whom you spake to me of not long since. It is replied she: I will( quoth he) at your request leave him free, conditionally he will espouse that Igene, which was once your Daughter: and I will, said he, free the said Igene upon condition that having refused me, she will be content to take him. And where shall he find her, replied Gelinda? It is not needful for him( said the King) to know it. Destiny overtakes him that flies it, and vanisheth from him that pursues it: Give him but time, and he shall find her without looking for her.  
Having thus said, he vanished with the last accent, to the great astonishment of the Prince, who being left alone with Gelinda, she said unto him; Feredo, I proceed with thee contrary to the laws of the Kingdom wherein now I am, and contrary to the nature of the sex in which I was born, which is implacable, especially when loving, they are answered with cruelty and ingratitude: I am necessitated to take this course, for the torment I put thee to, troubles me more then the revenge I take thereby, can comfort me: believe not mine to be piety, the splendour of virtue hath no place in these tenebrous Kingdoms. Amongst all my punishments, the greatest is, that I love thee; yet if my affection had been laudable, I should love thee no more. The habits which afford any comfort are excluded form us, otherwise the damned were not utterly deprived of some kind of happiness. I loved thee in such manner as I ought not, so that my punishment would not be conformable to my delict, if I did not love thee still. And because my torments shall be greater now after my death then when I was alive, this love remaines still with me, as well without hope or ends, as without that body in which such affections terminated. If where I am, we took such delight in revenge as they do in the world, I would torment thee as I have done hitherto: but vices in this place, though they abound above all measure, yet are they not accompanied( seeing we have no sences) with the pleasures of sense. Therefore I free thee, to be less afflicted myself. go espouse Igene, none else if thou lovest thyself: ask me not the reason why, for thou canst have none. Providence is one of the chief amongst the secrets of Divinity. Thus thou must do; thus I will have the do, or live unmarried. Having spoken these words, and  shed some few tears, looking upon him despitefully, she vanished. Feredo could not open his mouth, nor utter a word all the while he was deluded by these phantasms; and finding himself alone, he was forced to abandon himself to human tenderness, and lament his sisters miseries related to him by her Ghost; yet rejoicing that he should for the future be freeed from her persecutions. The injunction to espouse one Igene, whom he did not know, did trouble him, for joining things past with the present, he was persuaded he should be necessitated so to do, or suffer many disasters, according to the tenor of her threats and menaces; but however, he thought his condition much bettered, it being left to his own choice, either to mary her, or live unmarried; and being assured as touching his voyage, it should be without any danger of tempests but only natural ones, which were not to be feared in that season, the Sun being near the point of the summer solstice. Being therefore upon departure, he heard on the other side of the mountain, a great cry of hounds, and advancing towards the corner of it, which hindered the sight of them, he espied two young Cavaliers well mounted. The memory of which time having not blotted out of his mind, represented unto him the two deceased Princes his brothers: if their unlooked for presences were horrible to him, he might well be execused, especially seeing that being come nigh to him, while the first was ready to wound a Stag which was close by him, the other run him through with his sword, and caused him to fall from his Horse, at the same instant as the Stag running at him, without doing him any further harm, threw him above twenty yards from the place of the ground where he stood at first opening and swallowing up the Princes: with their Horses and Dogs, with so much terror to him, that without any longer stay, he returned back, and was met by his followers, not knowing nor understanding any thing which was said to him. Cataulo troubled to find him in such case, conveyed him into the ship, and presently caused the mariners to hoist their sails, which were instantly filled with the most prosperous gale that had blown all that voyage. Being come to himself again, and examining what was past, he would not believe it though he had seen it, his sense being not able to allege any thing unto him, which the readiness of his intellect was not capable with sufficient arguments to refel. He desired to know of Cataulo, what had befallen to the rest of the company, who related unto him how they had all been met, some by Kinsmen, and some by friends, who shaking hands with them, and welcoming them to the place: and while they doubted( knowing those to be dead long before) what the meaning of this should be, they all vanished away. That the same thing had befallen the mariners, the ship being on a sudden filled with some of their old acquaintances, no man knowing how. Wherefore they began to esteem that to be true which before they held to be fabulous, namely, that the island was disinhabited on that side, a habitation onely for such as died by the sword, shipwreck, or the like casualties. Feredo having heard what had befallen others, concealed his own adventures: yet he could not forget the name of Igene, desiring to know together with the person, the truth of what had befallen him. They sailed three daies without discovering any land at all, at the end of which they discovered the Orcades, want of water constrained them to put into the Harbour of Pomona, on that side which is towards the Calidonian Sea. Feredo went a shore, to see the Country, and to recreate himself with walking. There was in that Harbour but one ship, driven in thither by foul weather, and there cast away while it thought for safety, sinking up above half way into the sand. The first thing he espied after he came a shore, was the funeral of a man of an hundred and fifty years of age, who marrying at one hundred, and having gotten a Son, died whilst he was fishing at Sea with him, without any pain or sickness, the oil of his vital lamp being quiter spent. Some would have taken that for a bad Omen; but he did not, interpreting it thus: That his evils being come to a period, and destiny tired with molesting him, he should now for ever remain free from all violences of pain and dolour. he did with some kind of envy admire, the happiness of that people in the purity of nature, not covetous, not ambitious, content with little, of a long and healthful life; thanks to their ignorance of vices and disorders. whilst he discoursed thus within himself touching the estate of man, and preferred natural simplicity to the superfluities of Fortune, there in his sight came an aged Knight, who sad in aspect walked not far from him, and seemed to revolve many things within the vast compass of his thoughts. His quality and habit, but most of all his venerable countenance so attracted the Princes eyes, that he waxed desirous to discourse with him.  
Cataulo, who likewise had fixed his eyes upon him, said, look( let me beseech your Highnesse, on yonder ancient Knights behaviour, I believe he is of that ship which lies sunk in the Harbour) It would be great cruelty to leave him here, whence peradventure he will not have opportunity to get out of a long time. Feredo inclined to compassion, and curious to understand who he was, went towards him, while the other lifting up his eyes espied him close to him; and finding him such an one as seemed worthy of much respect, made a profound obeisance to him. The Prince saluting him, demanded whether he were of that place? I am not, answered the Knight, but a little while since, and that by misfortune, for having undertaken to be a guide to a great Lady for her safeguard, I have in this place lost both her and myself. Tears are not commonly incident to any but women and children; if they happen to flow from a man of a promising aspect, they must be supposed to proceed from great cause. This Knight abounded in them; so that the Prince comforting him, and making some proffers of of courtesy to him said, If adversities might admit of comparison, or be weighed in a balance, there would( among so many unhappy ones) be but one unfortunate man in the world. But there is not any one but in this evil doth repute himself far in a worse case then his companion. One sense doth not exclude another. They have all their passions, and though less burdensome, yet hath the blind man no less reason to complain of his blindness, because the deaf man hath more occasion to bemoan his deafness. For then one infirmity would be a medicine to another, which is not so. Nature gave us our being, a thing good in itself: But if she gave us a bad one, we have great reason to cry to Heaven, being deceived, and brought forth to evil under pretence of good. It is true nevertheless that fellowship in misfortunes, though it doth not altogether free, yet it doth in some part mitigate the grief of the heart. Which being so, it may be some comfort to you, that the world is for the most part full of such kind of people. Now if shipwreck be the only cause of your moan, because you are thereby disabled to conduct the Lady you speak of, whither you intended: I have here a ship wherewith I am sailing into Albion, it shall be at her service here, and when we come thither she shall have more if she wants them, the Gods having made me such, that I shall be able to serve her in this, or any other thing as shall require mine aid or assistance. The Knight hearing these proffers, would have cast himself at his feet to give him humble thanks, but Feredo courteously taking him up, the Knight went on in this manner; Sir, your courtesies are so transcendent, that if I did not verily believe them to proceed from the generous mind of some great Prince, I should imagine I did but dream. My present estate in this desert island remote from the rest of the world, having in my charge the fairest and most excellent princess that ever was born in the North, causeth me to accept of your favourable proffers, our necessity being onely to get out from hence, fortune having done us no further harm then breaking of our ship, our other goods being also well preserved, that we shall not need to be burdensome to any for ought else. So that if she receive this favour from you, Albion shall from henceforth be her native Country, especially if she may there live secure under your protection. Feredo no sooner heard that she was born in the North, but remembering his last visions in Tile, he was much moved at it, humbly desiring the old Knight to tell him who she was, and how arrived into that island: and he, after he had excused himself, saying, he should be enforced to satisfy him, to fetch his history from far off, began in this wise.  
Scandinavia, a vast Country, and through its greatness, little less then unknown( being separate from other Countries, in the mouth of the baltic Sea, and its situation being in the highest part of the Earth, subject to continual frosts) is divided into several Kingdoms, whereof the third place is worthily attributed to Norway; whose last King was Theodogilus, born to represent unto us two contraries in one, and the self same subject; a paradox very false in the common opinion of men, but in effect proved most true; either because constancy in good actions is incompatible with men, or because they being so imperfect, may learn not to trust to themselves, and fear that they may sometimes deviate from good inclinations, the violence of nature drawing them continually to evil. That Country loves liberty above all other Nations of the world: their Kings are elective, and they abhor Hereditary successions, unless the Kings Children or next Heirs, make themselves recommendable by their own virtues. But there is not any thing so good or so just, but if it decline from the mean to either extreme, it becomes unjust and evil: for though civill liberty be amongst the number of good things, yet whilst to establish itself, it pretends to exclude the Tyrant, it happens oftentimes, that by the excluding of one, they frame an infinite number of them, an evil so much the more abominable in this, that a bad Prince dying, may( by his death) give place to a good one, whereas the people never dying, can not make way to any amendment. I do not propound this unto you,( sir Knight) to dispute it, but to show you the consequences of it. A principality guarded with good laws, as it is the most perfect amongst all Governments; so a popular liberty, which hath no other end but that liberty which stinks of Democracy, can not choose but be hurtful to the Common-wealth, for the absolute authority of punishing offences, being taken away from the supreme Magistrate,( which is his most necessary part) produces nothing but power of the wicked: so that in stead of a Prince accidentally bad, there ariseth a people substantially excelling in wickedness. Norway hath its simply natural vices and virtues( I speak of the generality) good and bad inclinations, which make good and evil men. For as for those virtues, whose onely end and aim is heavenly, they have there but evil entertainment, being esteemed pusillanimities, and effects of a base mind. Therefore precepts leading to the supreme good, are as scarce, as the examples to evil abounding, wherefore he who there proves but meanly good, is among them as he is amongst other Nations, who deserves to be set down in letters of Gold in the Catalogue of the best, the chief virtue amongst them is valour, I will not say temerity, for fear I should incur hatred for speaking of this truth. And young men which will not run into dangers that are more then ordinary, are in no esteem. Neither must you imagine dangers to be there waning, seeing that in offending of others, is their budding, and in offences consists the prise of desired honour: so that he who makes least use of reason, is by virtue of that abuse more esteemed then others: and he that can afterward conquer those who have by him been abused, ascends to the height of glory, no otherwise then if he had killed Hydraes, Pithons, or the like Monsters: for those indeed ought to be esteemed Monsters, who purchase power and wealth by the harm of peaceable and innocent men. Theodogilus was of this last number, before he gained the Crown, having by such means made himself worthy of it: those of the Royal blood, ( as being descended from Scodoveus their ancient King) being held in no esteem.  
There reigned at that time in Norway Rollo, a Prince no less good then valiant, Father of one only Daughter, fair tamarisk, whose famed had infected with love, most hearts in Scandinavia: He being grown old, had no pleasure left, but onely his fatherly affection, so much more worthy of praise, as it was most worthily bestowed upon so worthy a Daughter. He would have married her to his successor, but the laws, if they did not forbid it, did notwithstanding make it very difficult to him, resignations of the Crown being not permitted, nor new elections suffered till the death of Kings. She was desired by great Princes, especially him of Dacia, and the great King of Swedes and goths( he who this day bugbeares the titles of King of Scandinavia) but the statutes of the Kingdom opposed it, marriages( especially of Kings Daughters) being forbidden out of the state, and he resolved not to mary her to any private person; which though it was much to the maidens damage, yet she did not respect it for the reason which I shall tell you.  
Amongst the many abuses of that Kingdom, caused through the aforesaid popular liberty, there is an ancient and insufferable one, namely, that a man may aspire to the marriage of any woman; though she be never so much above him in fortunes and blood, so the pretender have but strength and courage enough to defend her against any rival whatsoever, for a whole yeares space, it being supposed, that valour is equivalent to nobility, from whence derives the merit of possessing a perfect beauty, and all those treasures and wealth she is endowed with. There lived amid the highest hills of Norway in those dayes, an exceeding fierce man, little less then of a Giant-like stature, who having with his Robberies molested all the highways iovius, being touched with remorse, betook himself to freeing them from all such who after him used that trade; his name was Brancicone: He abhorred all manner of company, only a Dog he had, which like himself was cruel and fierce: He durst have encountered and set upon whole squadrons of armed men, seconded by this mastiff. Now after infinite Robberies, Thefts, and murders committed, being converted( as I said) to well-doing, he grew into such good repute, that by some foolish fellowes he was esteemed worthy to succeed Rollo: and to speak the truth, he did such things for the good of travellers, as he might have deserved it, if the parts of his mind had had any Analogy with the vigour of his body; or his beastly strength, any correspondency with humanity and reason. But he had nothing of man in him, but one( and that ill regulated) namely desire of glory: which having caused him to abandon his former course of life, had whetted him to a desire of performing great and glorious actions, wherewith being grown proud, he afterwads aspired( being reduced to a more cultivated, or at least, a less uncivil manner of life) to the marriage of tamarisk. I know not whether love incited him to it, or rather his new-grown ambition, for having never seen her, the mere report of her beauty could hardly have inflamed such a brutish heart as his: I rather believe, that having made himself formidable amid the Woods, he desired also to become famous in Court, not content that the famed of his actions only should reach thither, unless their eyes also were witnesses of them; imagining that though tamarisk beauty and desert had not been so excellent as it was, yet he should not be suffered to have her without opposition; his descent being well known, and his merit to be none other but onely the desire he had to purchase it, by means of his savage strength. His coming to Court was much admired, being known there only by name, and his request much more wondered at. For finding the King amid his council, he asked him, with rustic and irreverenr terms, for his daughter to wife; offering according to the Law, to approve himself worthy of her, against whosoever should oppose him. Rollo gnashed his teeth for anger, and though old, could have wished he might have been admitted to the battle to punish his arrogancy, but it not being permitted him( none being to enter the list but Rivals) he was forced to yield to the tyranny of custom, and having deputed to him the field and year, assigned him the reward, in case he should remain Conqueror. Many had formerly intention to have sued for her, but knowing the enterprise to be difficult,( extraordinary and noble beauties being not to be obtained, but with extraordinary danger) they had forborn. Disdain, and the persons unworthiness, had caused many to resolve upon that which bare affection could not move them to tell then: so that the deputed month being past from the publication of the field, the City was in a manner fuller of Combatants then of beholders. The maintainer was obliged but to one Combat in a day; but if he had any wounds given him, his dayes of cure were accounted to him, and contrarywise those made good to him, in which he being ready to fight no adventurers should appear: and if a battle were not ended in one or more dayes, these did also run on for his advantage Yet he never desired to enjoy the advantage of one only battle a day, killing or overcoming many times five or six Knights in that time: for seeing the multitude of Rivals who striven to notify themselves( being not admitted to fight, but according to the order of the Register) he thought it would be a disparagement to him, if he did not overcome them all, neither could he have so done, if he had not deprived himself( as he did) of the advantage which the Law gave him. These lists did not begin but a month after the vernal equinoctial, and if they had not lasted a whole year( which never happened) the ancient Kings( Trondona the Royal Sea, being in sixty five degrees, so that the day in the brumal solstice, was not above two or thee hours long, and the Earth covered with frosts and snow) had to this end built in the Court for this purpose, a covered Tilt-yard, where in despite of the air and weather, Knights might fight without any discommodity, looked upon from Balconies and Galleries placed on three sides of it, the fourth being left open to the Southward, towards the obliqne beams of the low Sun in that elevated climb, and if the battle had not been ended before night( as it often chanced) then upon request of the two Champions lights were granted them; but there was no need thereof at this time, the contention being ended before the long nights came in, as I shal declare unto you. Theodogilus was then two& twenty years of age, and as he was best proportioned for bodily beauty of all the young men of his age; so was he the most noble of blood, amongst the ancient Families of the Kingdom; deriving his pedigree from the ancientest and most renounced Kings of Norway. He had famed himself in several actions though he was but young, with particular proofs of inestimable valour. He loved tamarisk secretly, and she him: He had oftentimes desired her to give him leave to demand her in marriage of her Father, but she would not consent, overcome with fears of imaginary oppositions, love( especially where there are difficulties and dangers) being almost as well enjoyed in hopes, as in fruition. And though Theodogilus did many times remonstrate unto her, that it must needs one day come to that pass; yet knew she not, either how to deny or consent unto him: having resolved within her self to defer her wedding till after her fathers decease, when being free she might dispose of her self as she pleased. Brancicone had scarce made his odious proposition, but Theodogilus presently intending to register himself, it was absolutely forbidden him by tamarisk, without giving him any reason for it: excusing her self upon a curiosity she had to see first how others fared, saying, that within some few daies she would give him leave. But many daies and months being past, and Brancicone having already kiled or overcome above two hundred Knights, Theodogilus resolved to disobey her. She could now no longer keep him out of danger, by her first plot of staying till her Fathers decease; necessitated to fall into the hands of him that gained her. But she imagined his danger might prove less, if she could procure him to be the last combatant. For if Brancicone proved conqueror, there remained no more rivals, all the danger ending with him; and if he fell, the danger would likewise be the less, the greatest number of the competitors being already overcome, and the adversary( though victorious) of more equal forces, then Brancicone. Theodogilus on the other side, had also his inward discourses of mind. And though heretofore he had never represented to himself, tamarisk her love to be great towards him,( lovers never content with any demonstration of love though never so ardent) yet he now complained of an excess. excess which never lover knew, though he were never so well beloved. Neither had he known it, without the mathematical perspective of honour. He considered that he was in Court, in sight of all. And which was more, judged most worthy and equal for this match. So that though he had not loved her, honour forced him to demand her, which if he did not do, who could have judged it to proceed from any thing but want of magnanimity and courage to render him( and that with very good cause) for the future abject and despicable in the worlds fight? having therefore assembled together in the council chamber of his thoughts those three unappealable Judges, Love, Honour, and Reason. He received by two votes, a decree published with applause of all sound judgements. Namely, that women were to be respected, Idolized, beloved, but not obeied( love protesting against the word— obey) which decree he now made use of. Amongst all the adventurers who had entred themselves for this battle, there were some who were moved more by compassion then love, the conditions of Brancicone seeming to them so unequal to those of tamarisk, that they were ashamed thereof. Aderedo was reputed to be of this number, though he were not, being long before enflamed by the Princesses merits. But he had concealed his affection, not because he thought himself unworthy of her, but because he esteemed her worthy of richer fortunes. He was of a very noble birth, a friend to Theodogilus, and beholding to him in many occasions, voided of all blemish, or spot, but onely that of poverty, to wash him of which, Teodogilus had not only furnished him with horses and armor, but by an unheard of example, had endowed him with al his goods. They had not communicated their loves to each other( the only portent to be admired at, in all their friendship) for Aderedo never imagined occasion should be presented to him to have her: and would never have requested her( as Brancicone did) in so disequall an estate: such terms being unusual amongst civill and courteous persons. And Theodogilus because he would show two things; A superstitious religion in love, and a secrecy, so much the more commendable, as it was difficult to be imitated by such a young man as he was. There remained now but three Knights registered for the battle before Aderedo, which were by him reputed unable to overcome Brancicone, though they had all three been joined together like another geryon. He diffided not in himself, neither had the adversaries fierceness, manifested in the death of so many whom he had slain, any whit dismayed his courage; so that he did not onely hope for the victory, but held himself as it were assured thereof. Whether it were that his heart presaging he should not fight, had no apprehension of fear. Or because a generous mind, dareth most, where the way to honour and famed lieth open to him with most danger. He never pretended to have tamarisk to wife( as I said before) thinking the merits of so high a princess did evil agree with his poverty. But afterwards judging any husband would prove fitter for her, then such a poor, base, and bestial rustic, he resolved to that for charity and honesty, whereunto a discreet love had not had power to persuade him. And though it with much danger( Brancicones valour grown terrible by so many daily examples) yet honour, charity, and affection extinguished in him all manner of consideration of danger. Teodogilus, ignorant of the true cause which had moved his friend to list himself amongst the number of competitors, concurred in common opinion with those, that thought mere gentleness had spurred him on to it. And with this thought going to him, said to him in this manner; Aderedo, If I did think thee to be as much enamoured, as I know thee to be noble and virtuous, I would not adventure to come and impart unto thee the greatest secret that is enclosed within my breast, and desire that favour at thy hands, which I intend to request. Aderedo was startled at this exordium, imagining the truth of its meaning, there being nought else that could make his friend so much as question his authority over him: so that being half amazed, he answered him: I can not choose Theodogilus but complain extremely of thee, that thou shouldst imagine thyself to have so little power over me, or reputest my gratitude so scarce towards thee, that any reserves can hinder me from serving thee. I would I were in love indeed, that I might make thee know that friendship in me is a solid substance, an eternal Elixir, in respect of love, which is but a flying accident, a wandring hunger, the appetite being once saciated. Thou dealest with me, with respects in thy businesses,& dost me wrong. I will show thee the way, I am not in love: but if I were, should my being such, take away from me the desire of serving thee? Theodogilus blushed at Aderedo's friendly reproofs, and having alleged many long excuses, he related unto him his love to tamarisk, how she had forbidden him to register himself, and how he was now resolved to disobey her.  
That which I would desire of thee, said he, is, that thou wouldest yield me thy battle, for the not having registered myself, and my staying to be last to do it, are things too prejudicial to mine honour: Aderedo was much grieved at this demand, it seeming to be more shane for him to resign the place, after the adversaries so many victories, then to the other that he had not at all registered himself, or to have done it late; yet he answered him: Theodogilus, thy request is great, not that I pretend to deny it thee( thou shalt have what thou desirest) but I beseech thee have a respect to mine honour, and if thou canst, oblige me so far as to let me run my hazard; for if I resign the battle to thee, what will be said of me? If thou leavest it to me, I will resign thy tamarisk to thee if I win her: and if I lose her, judge thou, whether it will not be better for me to die, then live with infamy. Theodogilus, who before he had made his request, had anticipatedly fore-seen all the reasons his friend could allege for himself, thus answered him. I know ( Alderedo) my demand is unjust: But such injustices, and upon occasion of love, use not to be imputed to one another, by friends of such a kind as we are. Thine honour indeed might run a hazard therein, if our friendship were not a thing so notorious to the world; or if the lustre and resplendency of thy known valour were not sufficient to disperse the clouds of any sinister opinions. And if it were not so, wouldst thou suffer me after being fallen into so great an over-sight, through an amorous obedience, to remain immerged therein with so much infamy? Let us compare your shane with mine if you please, and having examined them both, let the greatest prevail: if thine honour runs more danger then mine, I will revoke my request. Thou wilt say, I speak too confidently; and that in matters of honour, Children have not yielded to Parents, much less therefore should one friend yield to another. This is a Proposition which admits no answer; and if it did, it is not a thing by me to be disputed, and such a doubt as is onely by thee to be resolved. Thou wilt not peradventure, through thy gentleness, make rigorous use of it, especially where love and friendship are the Disputants. Thou offerest me tamarisk, gained by thy force, I will receive her willingly; receiving always thy favours with the same mind as I desire to serve thee. I will not envy thy magnanimity; I will love myself so much the more, being made the object of thy virtues, thine honours: I know a friend ought to make no difference between conferring and receiving of benefits, unless she more esteem the famed of his own liberality, then that of his friends inclination. Well, grant I be condemned to accept indifferently of all thy favours, and that I be content therewith: will this serve our turns? Will not others say, that I pretending to have tamarisk, have obtained her with the price of thy blood, and thy life? And if no man should esteem me a coward( which is impossible) there would not howsoever want some to say, that I had with too discourteous terms, accepted of thy courtesies: add to this, that if I did ever chance to do thee any small courtesy, the merit of it would be corrupted, if I should pretend to take for it such illegal use, as the precious use of thyself. This and no other, will be the opinion of the Court.  
As for the people, thou knowest, it being ignorant, does not judge by what seems to be, but by what it sees, or rather by that little which it mistakes. But in my case, it will free from all manner of ignorance and deceit, see the just causes of my blame. As for the King, what will he judge of my action? That having pretended to his Daughter, I have withdrawn myself from danger by thy means: He will peradventure by very good reason, give her to thee, and not me; and if no other harm should ensue thereon, I should not judge it worthy the reflecting upon. Though it could not happen worse, she being not beloved by thee, as she is by me: and suppose I be deceived in all these things, yet can I not be deceived touching myself. I shall feel punctures, by which transfixed, I shall not be able to live after such a chance, and will not first, the first of them be the seeing myself sacrificed to thee? to hear the praises which will be deservedly attributed to thy perfect amity, and the blames wherewith my imperfect friendship will be reproached? Wilt thou then purchase famed with cost of mine infamy: and if thou shouldst chance to be killed( as it hath miserable befallen many gallant Knights) shall I live without thee, without honour, both being extinguished upon mine occasion, and through my shallowness? Thou must not will this Aderedo, unless thou wilt have it said, that thy punctuality in thine own reputation, hath made thee blind in judging of mine. If the business between us stood upon equal terms, I would yield to thee: and do already( so help me heaven) yield to thee; if with the battle thou be resolved to take tamarisk. I never did, nor could do a thing more conformable to my mind then this, namely to renounce to so dear a friend, a princess so worthy, and bestowing on her whom I so much reverence, the most virtuous Knight on earth. Aderedo attentively gave ear unto his friends speech, and resolved to satisfy him, would( through excess of virtue) have the service bear a resemblance of justice, and not of courtesy. Wherefore he said unto him; Theodogilus, thou hast put thyself upon an enquiry with me, wherein( as in every thing else) I have nothing but imparity and disadvantage with thee: thou strivest in vain to make thyself equal to me, whilst thy courtesies and mine obligements, though correlatives, are( being of a divers nature) manifestly disequal. There is no parity between you and I, but only in that you are master of my will, as I am of yours; seeing that in other things thou hast been able to make me partaker of thy wealth, being by thee extremely beloved; and I( though I could) would by no means make thee partaker of my poverty, unless I did extremely hate thee. Thou hast not done any action towards me, but hath been crwoned with humanity, nor I any to thee-wards, but hath been marked with an obligement, so that if my being bound unto thee, did not comfort me, as an effect of thy love, I should die discontent: if mine ambition of equalling myself to thee in reciprocal service, were greater then the inclination I have spontaneously to serve thee: Consider I pray thee, if in displeasing me( as thou imaginest to do at this present) thou hast power to oblige me, how much thou hast in times past obliged me by pleasing me. I pretend not to answer thy courteous reasons, because if I should go about to conquer thee by them, the understanding and tongue would need to frame new reasons, and new courtesies, thou having rendered thyself proprietary, and absolute commander of the old ones: Wherefore either accept of that which I can give thee, or that which I can not( if thou wilt have it) ask it of thyself: I have nothing in myself that is not thine, and in thy hands. T●●u requirest the battle against Brancicone, and at the same instant confessest thy request to be unjust. Couldst thou find a more ingenious invention, to illustrate me, and make me the more worthy of thy friendship? Ingenuity Theodogilus, and much less my conscience will not permit me to take upon me other mens glories, especially thine. Thou canst not desire at my hands, any thing which is not due to thee. I ought to yield the battle to thee, not as a thing due by virtue of friendship only: but by justice, and in virtue of an amorous affection. Thou art he that lovest tamarisk, thou beloved of tamarisk, not I: It fits not me for a vain jealousy of honour, to suffer the solid of thy reputation to ruin, and ruined to lye butted in the mire of infamy, seeing the greatest shane between us would be thine. I grant, Children have not yielded to Parents in this case, when there hath been a question of this abominable Chimera, nor friends to friends,( would there were no examples of the like, it would be the better) but that it is more laudable to be ambitious then just, and that true honour, which is the only object of a gentle spirit, hath been gained thereby, no man can ever show me. But why may not I, Theodogilus, be ambitious, and just both at one time? Who hinders me, if my first instinct proceed from the vanity of honour, but that by yielding to thee( which is an effect of justice) I do not inwardly digest, the applause of the laudable act, as nutriment of the vain food of my ambitions. This Justice ( Theodogilus) the center of all virtues hath power at once to give satisfaction both to virtue and 'vice: and though it doth not deceive, yet it is an innocent instrument, whereby others may be deceived. Take the thing therefore as thou please; I ought and must serve thee. If I do it for justice, I shall pay what is my due, if through vanity I shall satisfy mine ambition, though( to confess the truth to thee) it will be hardly satisfied in an occasion, wherein I resign nothing to thee but danger, blood, and death.  
Wherefore neither will there be any thing for thee to be beholding to me for, nor for me to glory in, if my vain glory fall not into an express madness. I answer thee nothing concerning tamarisk. She is thine, pray Heavens thou mayst possess her, with all the happiness I can wish thee. And if being better inspired, thou wouldst be content to give me back that which I have yielded to thee, letting me perform the batttell,( being assured thereby to have tamarisk, or to adventure nothing but a poor unuseful friend) I shall take it for a great favour, as the only means to free me from two most grievous fears, of the danger of thy person, and mine honour. If not, let thy will be done; protesting unto thee, that if my yielding to thee, should be the occasion of thy death, I will not survive, resolved to try whether the soul retain its former habits, and whether with it, they also remain immortal. Theodoligus had yielded to Aderedos affectionate instances, but that he thought that adventuring him to such a battle, without the recompense which it brought with it, would have redounded too much to his infamy: wherefore appeasing him with good reason, they went both together to the register, where one being strike out, the other was inserted in his place, there being no law to the contrary. The rumour thereof being spread abroad 〈◇〉 Court, every one presently penetrated into the true cause of it, to the great commendation of them both, though Aderedo could not be comforted: Brancicones forces making him much to fear his friends life. tamarisk, when she heard of it, was much grieved& troubled at it,& not knowing how to speak with him, she wrote to him after this manner.  
To Theodogilus my disobedient friend.  
I Have been doubtful whether I should let you run the career of your resolutions with silence. But the doubt I had, lest being already deceived, you should run into a second error, hath forced me to deal thus courteously with you, though you no way deserved it. You have professed hitherto to be my servant, and when I did you the favour to accept you for such, it was to oblige you so much the more. I supposed as Mistris, I had such sovereignty over you, as the direct Lord hath over his subjects; and by virtue thereof I forbade you the battle against Brancicone. You contrariwise in contempt of my prohibition have caused yourself to be registered; and to make yourself the more guilty in your rebellion, pretend thereby( depriving me of my Titles of Lady and sovereign) to make me subject to you, and your wife. I do not deny, but that mine intention was so likewise( such is the misery of our sex which brings us to this extreme degree of misery) but the putting this in execution belonged to me, nor were you to deal with me as evil Children do with their Parents, violently taking out of their hands that which with time and patience would properly belong to them: I am not bound to give you an account of my commands or forbidding, as you are to obey them; Much less to give you the reasons why I did so. Onely I will give you thus much inkling. That if Brancicone had overcome all; or that he being overcome, there had but one competitor remained. I would have commanded you the battle: seeing my Fortune is such, that I must be made the prise of a Joust, like venall things of Xone, or at least of a very small value; yet I would not have you believe that this my design was in respect of your person( for if you should think so, it would be one of your errors) but because I would not so rashly adventure what was mine: and because I supposed I knew better how to preserve mine own things then they themselves. You peradventure persuaded yourself that the love I bore you might bear you out in your disobedience, but you are deceived; Women( for I must tell you, seeing you are so ignorant) do not love, to love. The affection of vanity surpasses all other affections in them They love because they would be served, neither do they care for others loves but onely to the end to be obeied. Their scope is not to have the possession of persons( as you falsely conceive) but of wills. And to subdue them, they abase themselves so far as to seem to love. Now you substracting and taking away yourself from me in your will( by undertaking the battle against my express command) to give yourself personally to me( by gaining me) do nullify mine office, though you perform your own. Men making more account of a womans person, then of a thousand maidens wills. I intend not to dissuade you from the battle, as another peradventure would do. I have no stomach to a second disobedience, being unaccustomed to such affronts. Besides, though I love what I will, yet can I not will that which I cannot love, which is your dishonour. Do then what you have deliberated to do, assured that by displeasing me you cannot please me: and that this disobedience in which you have thought to enclose the whole mystery of the love which you bear me, will be as odious to me as your victory pleasing, to the end that I may afterwards at mine own leisure, long hate you, and by this means fully revenge myself, the injury I receive from you.  
tamarisk amorous arrogancy did not much trouble Theodogilus; being before accustomend to such fashions; wherefore taking pen in hand he answered her thus.  
Madam, the profession I have hitherto made of serving you, is the same I shall ever continue, neither can nature be changed by time, nor my obedience by addition of title. True, love is not subject to alterations. I do not deny but I have disobeyed you; but in my case I could not in duty of true subjection obey you sovereigns, though images of Divinity, are not impeccable. And those which are good, though absolute sovereignty free them from the laws; yet they frame a Law to themselves out of equity. I ought not( Madam) whilst all Norway stirred to gain you, have sate still, like an idle spectator by virtue of your unjust prohibitions. Seeing I was by you, the King your Father, and by the whole world, through their kind and benign opinion, judged among all the rest worthiest of possessing you. I had deserved to have fallen from this general good opinion, yea, and from your favour itself, if I had not disobeyed you with so just a disobedience. I have erred, but by such an error, as I can neither repent me of, nor ask pardon for. As for mine ignorance, she is my faithful and learned school-mistriss, which continually cries in mine ears, that I should not presume to think myself beloved by passion, but through compassion, I pretend not beyond this, and so much I do pretend: as for the rest, let Heaven dispose of me as it pleaseth, if I die, my reputation nor love shall not die with me. I shall leave the one unstained behind me, and the other I shall carry with me, being made into one substance with my soul, without any sin: if I live I shall take pleasure, if not, in your hatred and revenge, howsoever in your will. But as where the Sun is, there can be nothing but light, so wheresoever you are, there can be nothing but joy and content. I shall endeavour to overcome, not to win famed, but to attain you, who are the transcendency of all honour. And if you be discontented at my conquest, you may satisfy yourself, for I being alive, may be the object on which you may to satiety exercise all your hatreds and revenges.  
Brancicone in the mean time overcame all those Knights which appeared before Theodogilus: who his appointed day being come, appeared with Aderedo, who served him for second, and with twelve pages mounted upon Dacian steeds, and six trumpets, and six footmen all clothed with two colours unusual to him, sky colour, and violet, to pretend that diffidency which he had not of his mistress. Three noble Knights carried his shield, his lance, and his helmet, chosen amongst the chief of two hundred other Knights which accompanied him. Being arrived into the lists, he laid down his hat, adorned with feathers, and enriched with Diamonds: and having caused his Helmet to be laced on, taking his lance and shield he entred in, and having saluted the King and princess who stood upon the Balcones, he stood still at his own end, having first paced over the whole field, all other( save onely the seconds) quitting the ground. Brancicone came out of his Tent, mounted upon a great Freezland horse. Having in the precedent daies worn in his shield for impresa a Palm-tree and a Bear climbing it with this motto. From the Palm to the fruit. By the Bear meaning himself, who climbing the three, which were his victories, he aspired to the gathering of the fruit, which was tamarisk. But in these latter daies, his shield being broken by several long battles, he took occasion to make him a new one, with the same picture, altering it onely in the Bear, making it in stead of climbing, arrived up to the top of the three, taking hold with its paw of the upper branch thereof, which had given Theodogilus cause to have the same impresa, painted in his shield, adding hereunto an arm coming out of a cloud, and cutting the branch off from the three with an axe, sending both to the ground with this Motto, Not for thee, thou sillie Beast. Brancicone, who stood in the entrance of his Tent, looking upon his Enemy. Knew by his own impresa,( though he was rustic and illiterate) the signification of the other, threatened to punish him for it, with most terrible words, which those that stood furthest off might easily hear, and Theodogilus himself. He would have said more, if not knowing how to red, he could but have made shift to spell the injurious words of the Motto; But he had never a friend that would tell him, which was a great abatement of his wrath. Theodogilus, who on the other side observed all his gestures, took great pastime at it, thinking this new surviving passion, would prove for his advantage, neither was he peradventure deceived therein. He had under him an Ermine horse all spotted over with black spots, just as if a sprung dipped in ink would have spotted him, if it had been thrown against him: his mane reaching to the ground gathered up together in two golden rings, which dividing them into two locks, they joined together again on the horses head. The breastplate garnished with bells, yielding such a sound, that if one had but ears, he might thereby have judged of the variety of the beasts motions. He himself besides a rich Coat embroidered with curious choice work wore in his crest a Dove couching in a tuft of nettles, alluding by the Dove the good augury of the enterprise, the hope of enjoyments, and the purity of his love. By the nettle his affections, hot and stinging as a Nettle. The Trumpets having sounded, they came to meet: Brancicone rid in a foolish extravagant manner, and without knowledge of any advantage, so that if in the precedent battles he had performed any one, on horseback, he would have had but a bad issue of it. Besides, he handled his arms so untowardly, making use onely of his strength, in which he so mightily excelled, that Knights being once put beside their defence, and shaken by the violence of the blows, remained either killed or yielded. Theodogilus had observed all this, and was certain of the victory, if he could but secure himself from the enemies first fury. But Fortune in this, as in other occasions also, would have prudency give place to it, for meeting with their launces, Theodogilus received the encounter in the Center of his shield, whereby he would have been forced to have quitted the saddle, if the strong lance bruised( I believe) by some former encounter, had not flown in pieces. Whereas he contrariwise, aiming his encounter between the shield and the saddle bow, happened to enter between the one and the other, and finding the Brigandine impenetrable, it glided along the flank where it stayed, stopped by the hinder part of the armor, which in stead of joining close with the corselet, lay over it in such manner, that the point finding where to rest, the well tempered armor was not able to resist the force of the stead and arm, so that the Lance entred so far, as the place where it broken. Brancicone like a Rock in the midst of the Sea, kept the saddle unmoved at this first encounter, not without amazement of the spectators, for being run quiter thorough, he gave no sign at all of any feeling: Theodogilus throwing away the piece of Lance which remained in his hand, and nimbly wheeling his Horse about, espied his enemy carred away to hit against the furthermost bars of the Tilt-yard, whether the defect was in the bit, or because the encounter had taken away his sense, the Horse hitting against the opposite bars, was beaten back upon his Crupper, falling with the Rider under him upon his wounded side; the wound was not very deep, but it hit his Middriffe, and with the fall, the piece of the lance breaking in his body, went to his heart and killed him. Theodogilus stood over him, observing whether he would rise or not, but finding he did not move, he alighted, and lifting up his Vizor, and finding him dead, he advised the judges of it: who pronouncing him conqueror, intimated to him, that he was bound to maintain the field against others for one whole year together. Theodogilus knowing it very well, causing dead Brancicone to be taken way with his pavilion, caused his to be set up in the place of it. But there was none came afterwards to demand battle of him, though there were above one hundred already registered. The King much joyed to see himself freeed of Brancicone, and sent two Knights to Theodogilus to thank him for it, who had gone to kiss his hands therefore, had he not been obliged to remain in the field for a whole year. It were superfluous to speak of tamarisk joy, who now was never from her window, where she was never seen before, while Brancicon's Tent stood there. The Knights to whom belonged the next battels after Theodogilus, and now according to the order of the Law, were to fight with him, generously yielded and laid down their pretences, unanimously confessing, tamarisk could not have a more worthy Husband then him: so that they all came to put themselves out of the Register, neither did any one come in anew, to demand battle of him: Whether it were joy, age, or the fatal hour that was come, no sooner were the Spouses come together, but Rollo dyed, having recommeded his Son-in-law to the States favour, who both as Husband to tamarisk, and of himself worthy the place, was by the general applause elected King of Norway. There was never King of that Country, more happy while he had a wife and friend, but happening to lose them so unfortunately, as you shall hear, none exceeded him in misery. Aderedo having the whole burden of Government lying upon him, with his honour, altered his customs; not as other Favourites do: for he altered only those which were either dishonourable or hurtful to him, that native liberality, which had before been by him employed in gamesomenesse and love. He abandoned all, forgot all: Wise not so much in knowing that with wealth vices are increased, as that it is unseemly for a Knight to glut himself therewith, especially at a friends charges. He seemed no more to be the same Aderedo he was: yet was he the same, and more excelling in all manner of gentleness. There is no 'vice that hath a more open gap set before it then prodigality: It hath no walls nor bounds, and if any, they are enchanted. It breaks Doors, Bars, and Rails: yet this sublime and lofty spirit, being by love to his friend become a good Husband, forceth his natural inclination, and without offering any violence to himself, sweetly settles in the Center, between those two so far distant extremes, sordidnesse and profusenesse. Nature seemed to have produced these two symbolizing spirits, because they should contend reciprocally in benefits and love. The King enjoyed nor took delight in nothing, unless it were participable to Aderedo; he devested himself of his own authority, to invest him with it: He had nothing peculiar to himself but tamarisk only: He relished not the Dominion of the Kingdom, unless the other commanded it. He would have made him participant of the Crown, if it had been capable of two heads, and was grieved because it was not. Aderedo's will was what Theodogilus would, and what was convenient for Theodogilus, Aderedo would questionless put in execution. The one happy that being born to decayed fortunes, he was made participant of his friends favour and fortunes: the other most happy in that fortune had granted him a second self, who easing him of care, served him for a friend, a Treasurer, a Father. In this wise transcendently fortunate, there never having been known a more perfect woman. Beautiful without vanity, honest without haughtiness, good without-folly, a speaker voided of petulancy, and humble without baseness: so that the presence and frequentation of that pleasant and comfortable behaviour, was more comfortable then lying amid Roses, being nourished with Nectar and Ambrosia, ravished with an extasis, caused by the melody of the celestial spheres. A woman in external proportion so beautiful, that to her heaven had in a manner given the privilege of mitigating manly severities, so that she was no longer a delight only, but an earthly paradise, where the internal beauty which so much pleaseth the understanding, over tops and excels the external which so much pleases the senses. Wherefore tamarisk was a paradise to Theodogilus, and the harmony of his virtues was the real, not allegorical harmony of the above illuminating spheres. Happy he, if after the tasting of so much happiness, had closed his eyes in perpetual sleep, before he had been plunged into the unhappiness which he afterwards fell into. Of three Children which she bore him, there survived none but one only Daughter, in beauty, nature, and customs so like her, that there was wrong done to her, in not calling her by the same name: that of Igene making her through its variety, an individuum, a part, which it should not have done: For Igene and tamarisk, tamarisk and Igene, had neither in body or mind any thing different, but onely the difference of name and time; which Igene being grown up, could hardly be perceived, there being onely eighteen years difference between the mother and the daughters age. Feredo was startled at the name of Igene, in such manner, as the knight perceiving it, thought he had been surprised with some sudden evil, so that he stayed his discourse ready to assist him in any such accident, and the like did Cataulo. But Feredo perceiving it, desired him to proceed in his curious History. The Knight; therefore continuing his discourse, said. The first adverse fortune Theodogilus had after all his prosperity, was the loss of Aderedo. The Northern passage into the Eastern Seas had been attempted many years before by the same Aderedo, who besides other studies, delighted much in that of Geography. He believed the hyperborcans and Scythians which lay by the Sea side( according as they are set down in the map) not to be contiguous to the Pole, besides the ancient tradition of an Eastern ship driven by tempest into those coasts. And though the frosts there were extreme, yet he believed that meeting with a milder season he might easily have passed through, comparing the advantages of his vicinity, with the disadvantages of the Southern passages which were far remoter. This enterprise had been often undertaken, yet never performed. But he whose intention was nothing more then to make Theodogilus the most famous King in the world, and that he should attain to this glory by his means, disposed himself to attempt this in person, contrary to the Kings, Queens, and the whole Kingdoms will. He furnished six vessells with victuals and arms, not for months, but years, providing them with timber and all other necessary provision, to the end, that if the weather and season of the year did oppose him, he might furnish himself with lodgings on land, to continue his journey afterwards at the Suns return. He forgot not any thing, onely the good counsel to stay behind himself, who was the best and most valuable provision. Within two months after his departure he sent back a small vessel from the seventeenth degree, with advice that he had sailed to the eighty third, hoping to pass forward, but that being hindered by impenetrable frosts he was returned: having certain relation that he might pass within five or six daies at a certain determinate time with the people of that Country, by a Mediterranean Sean not known by the Mariners, called Morimusa, that is to say, a dead Sea. And that he was then at the mouth of that Sea, resolved not ro return till either he had achieved his enterprise, or found an impossibility in it, that he might not think any more on it. These were the last news came from him. So that four years being past, and he not returning, he was certainly accounted to be dead. I intend not now to describe the lamentations which were made for him. Yet was not this the period of adverse Fortune: the Queen with child at this time, died six months after in childbed. Whether this touched Theodogilus to the quick, no tongue can express. She was enbalmed, he kept her several daies in his Chamber, and would not suffer her to be butted, unless he might himself be butted with her. He was at last persuaded by the importunity of those who remonstrated unto him, that such fits of grief were unworthy of Kings, who though but men and subject to passions as well as others, yet differing from the common sort, were much more to show themselves different in such occasions. Yet for all these admonitions and comforts he attempted his own death oftentimes, and had slain himself if he had not been hindered. He looked up and down continually, thinking( I know not through what conceits) to find his wife again. Which fresh grief, renewing the old one for his friend, he ceased not calling upon him& her by name continually, entreating them to take him out of the world, and receive him into their beloved company. His life to be to him too cruel a burden, and insufferable torment without them. And being unable to endure so long grief, weakened by continual fasting and watching, he took his bed hoping for approaching death: which peradventure the Gods would have granted him, had it not been contrary to their decree. They will have us come to our end when they please, making us instruments of their providence, and examples of their wrath; seeing that through our own defects, we fall into the efficacy of error. The princess Igene, who having lost her mother, had till then been( all drowned in tears) attentive to her own griefs, seeing her Father reduced to extremes, neither feeding nor sleeping, ran into his Chamber, and often kissing his hands, said unto him. If I had no interest in your tears, or that I had less reason to be passionate then you have, I would make bold( though but a simplo maiden) to minister comfort unto you. But because your wounds cannot be dressed, but by tearing open of mine own, I surcease, beseeching you of yourself to do that, which my words and your sense are not able to persuade you. And though you do it for nothing else, yet do it to the end that the love which you did so deservedly bear to the Queen my mother, may not undeservedly prejudice that love which I by just reason ought to challenge, as daughter to you both. Behold, Sir, you have brought yourself to such a pass, that you are like fruitlessely to follow her, if you do not take compassion on yourself. I grant your love is indivisible from her even in death itself. But why seeing that when you are dead, you cannot there enjoy her but by mere contemplation, cannot you be content to enjoy her here whilst you are alive, in the same manner? assuring yourself, that endeavouring to die in despite of Heaven as you seek to do, it will surely be to her( who is already received into the fellowship of the blessed) a double grief, that you should be denied a place nigh unto her: and having forsaken me your common pledge, I should remain alone, an Orphan child without any heritage or assistance. The princess concluded these words with so many tears, that she bathed her Fathers hands therewith; whereupon he after long moan broke forth sighing into such like expressions. If my griefs( daughter) were in such estate as to be relieved by reasons, I should quickly find myself disburdened; nature not wanting arguments to ease me of them. But they being of such a divers constitution make my comforts and consolations, which be of a contumacious nature, not to depend upon others sayings, but mine own sences, which see too much to be lulled asleep at the sound of persuasions. Mine ears are stopped with such tenacious wax of bitterness, that no Siren, have she never so melodious charming sounds, can cause me to slumber; your interests( I confess) ought to be, and are of great force with me: but my grief and I, are two distinct things. You treat with me, as with a man who were yet subsisting, and do not perceive that I ceased to be, when my fair tamarisk ceased to live. If I have not then the actions of a living man, much less can I have the free will of one that can resolve. And I would dissuade you by all means from undertaking to persuade a thing which is so deaf as my dolour: which being voided of any other sense, but of itself, will not harken to any thing but itself. Which if you should do, it would be doing the contrary to what you pretend, and you should be cruel which you are not. Be content therefore( daughter) a mind full of torments is incapable of consolation, and lenitives are contrary to gangred soars, Incisions and Iron, and nothing else daughter is able to cure me. If therefore you love me as you ought to do, why by denying me so salutiferous a remedy, do you keep me in pain, and under colour of piety, conspire with others to the keeping of me in torments? The princess replied unto him, abhorring her Fathers despair; But whilst( pious) she seeeks to dissuade him from one evil, she( innocently) brings him into another altogether abominable, and unthought of. For observing that in her which he often before had done without any scandal, namely her conformity, and likeness with tamarisk( the difference betwixt the one and the other, being no greater then the difference between one drop of water and another) he was at first strook dumb. And the sight of her affording him some comfort, that comfort bread delight, that delight desire, with so malign a graduation, that forgetting the integrity wherein he had lived to that hour, he fell desperately in love with her. But because the mind cannot cast off its habitual virtues all at once as the snake doth its skin, shane at that time suppressed his affections,& she went away, thinking she had left him in better disposition. And imagining she did him good by often visiting him, as outward appearance deceivingly persuaded her. But there passed not many daies, but forgetting his grief, he dared to discover himself unto her, and having sent for her into his Chamber, said unto her, tamarisk( for so I will have your name to be hereafter) you will wonder peradvenat what I shall say unto you. You perceive my change, and believe your persuasions have been the cause of it, neither are you peradventure deceived. The true cause of my change is, because I need not to lament tamarisk any more, having her present, and I having been a long time blind, in not perceiving it, nor rightly looking upon you, and seeing it is so, why should I languish? who forbids me, but you may be my companion as she was, in my Crown and bed? Well, I am resolved it shall be so, and I thought to communicate this my resolution unto you, before I related it to my council, because it concerned you most: Peradventure it will seem strange to the world, and to yourself also; but wise folks are not governed by customs, if they be hurtful: that some filthy love drives me to this, it cannot be. I am witness hereof to myself: I do not desire you as you are Igene, but as you are tamarisk, that tamarisk which I gained with my launces point. You need not question, whether Igene remained astonished at the sound of this discourse, but being forced to answer him, she said: My Lord, I cannot believe your consolation hath its origine from what you say, it being no great matter for Children to resemble their Parents, such resemblance being ordinary and natural. Neither doth her being my Mother make me to be her, for then should I have an Igene as she had, which I have not, unless I multiply in myself; or become another, I cease to be what I was. Therefore( my Lord) if you will have me to be tamarisk, you must make me to not be Igene, and being engendered of Theodoligus, make me to be born of Rollone: which if it may be done, your pleasure be fulfilled. But it is impossible( my good Father) that you should have any such thought: it being too far from the condition of so virtuous a King and Father as you are. I beseech you, that your consolations may proceed from some better cause, from yourself, from the fountain of those virtues wherein you were always exemplary to the world. And if you have been pleased to jest with me to tempt me, I repute it to be the less evil, seeing you have no cause to do it. I having been educated in such manner, that my paternal and maternal virtues ought to make me guiltless even from thinking, much more from committing any dishonest or dissolute thing The King whose understanding grief had formerly corrupted, thought he was not deceived, though he were so, and firmly believed Igene was tamarisk, and if she were not, that it was lawful for him to transform her, and that by altering the name, he might alter the relations, altering those of Father and Daughter, into Husband and Wife: So that the poor princess perceiving she contended with an infirm spirit, she was contented he should speak of it to the council, hoping they would contradict it; but she was deceived, for where the two Pillars of state are broken in pieces, Religion and Honour, the former consisting in appearance, the latter in ambition, where titles are not conferred for merit, but wealth; where laws serve for snares, and not for protection: where Delinquents put by their places of charge of base and poor that they were at first, are now become Officers, and rich, where there is no censure upon those who become rich against all possibility and manifest grounds; where the maxim of proper interest, excludes that of the public; where he that follows virtue is reputed a fool and a sot, there are not to be expected any but wicked resolutions, the directors being hypocrisy and Flattery. The council perceiving the King had made that proposal, not to be consulted upon, but concluded, found arguments to prove it necessary for the interest of the Kingdom; and declared, that therein the public good was concerned, being for the preservation of the Kings life, for his goodness, and valour necessary to the state: That having run hazard of life in the loss of his wife, and running hazard of it now, by the affection he bore to his Daughter, it ought to be looked into, and he be satisfied therein. That the matter was not of such moment as the vulgar made it, seeing that though law and custom were contrary to it, nature supplied the custom, and new laws having power to derogate from the old ones. Yet was not this assembly so voided of men, but that there were some opposers in it, wherein was taught us by their dis-favours, that Princes love to have justice done, but not against themselves. The Nuptials were decreed between the Father and the Daughter, changing the name of Igene into that of tamarisk, as if by this means the substance were changed, and as if the Gods would subject to the new declarations of mortals, the old decrees of their divine providence; wherein if there were no written law, yet is there an internal one, which cries and proclaims it within man. The princess hearing of this Declaration, not by secret relation, but public proclamations, resolving to die, rather then consent to such a wicked and incestuous marriage, retired into her Chamber; where having called her Nurse to her, she related the present danger, to obviate the which, they found no other remedy but to fly. Amongst all her servants, I alone was made choice of to provide a Vessel, which I did with so much secrecy, that the princess was embarked, and had put out to Sea before the King heard of it, it being done with great ease in the night. But the nights being very short at that season of the year, the King being I know not how advised of her flight, got in person into a very swift Vessel to fetch us back. We were but a little way off, when we espied him in pursuit of us, and though we hanged out as much cloth as we could, and endeavoured as much as men could do, at last he overtook us, and he himself commanded our mariners to lower the sails.  
But I shall relate a wonderful thing to you; there arose at the same instant such a tempest, that the two vessels which were ready to touch, were suddenly separated, and in less then half an hours time had lost sight of one another; whether their Ship did sink( which we much doubt) or that the height of the waves took away the sight of her from us. We after having fought with the winds and Sea for the space of sixteen days, were cast upon this iceland, where we had lost both ourselves and the ship, if at the same time the tempest had not ceased. We were holpen ashore by these people with little Boats, without the loss of any thing. Now the princess is here in great perplexity; she believeth her Father to be drowned, having been advertised of so much by himself in a dream. Neither is it above four nights since he appeared unto her so again, commanding her to mary a Druide, saying, he had contracted these espousals for for her with this druids sister, and himself: a thing which hath put her into great perplexity, she not knowing how to understand these visions, nor how to believe them, and he threatening her ruin if she did any otherwise. Our ship is lost, neither have we any means to get out here, if your courtesy( Sir-Knight) do not free us from her bringing us to some place where we may with incommodating any one either stay or provide ourselves of a new vessel, as best shal please the princess my Lady, who shall for this favour remain for ever obliged to you.  
After Feredo had thought a while upon those things which he had heard( not without amazement of the Knight, who began to doubt he was loathe to do the princess this service) answered him; Sir-Knight, I was born to perform the same duties as my profession binds me to serve and help that sex, especially when a Lady of so high a degree is concerned as the princess Igene is. Wherefore I hold my mishap well employed, and hereafter call it my good Fortune, which hath brought me hither with so much danger, against my design and expectation, to become author of so much good. I will willingly carry her away and all her followers out of this island, and convey her whither she shall please. Dinacre( for so was the Knight called) was much comforted by this courteous answer, and would have kissed his hands for it, having stood all this while in great fear of being stayed, or carried away again into Norway, or to have remained confined in that island for want of shipping, there coming none thither but very seldom upon occasion of fishing, which would have come late, and proved incommodious and uncertain for the Princesses use. Wherefore having thanked Feredo, he appointed to come to him again in the afternoon, to bring him to the princess. In the mean time returning to her lodging he related to her this happy encounter, and what had passed with him, which was very comfortable tidings to her, hastening the time of her departure, fearing every hour to fall into her Fathers hands again: the Orcades being at that present, subject to the Crown of Norway, and not in a long time after sold to the King of Scots. And to this end she had given order all that while to her followers, that they should by no means make known who she was, for fear of being retained there. Dinacre went according to his appointment to fetch the Prince to the princess, who longingly expected him, with great desire to be presently shipped away. Feredo had never before met with any such beauty, neither did he know whether to admire, or be ravished with it most; various, yet possible effects where a new bud of amorous affection begins to spring. Igene receiving him with extraordinary courtesy( satisfied by the beautifullest presence that ever she beholded in man) thanked him for the offers he had made to Dinacre: assuring him she should never forget it,& that it grieved her, she was brought so low by fortune, that she could not requited him with effects equal to his courtesies. Feredo recollecting his spirits, answered, Madam, I come hither to offer you, myself, my ship and whatsoever I have. You have no need of your former fortunes to oblige me. Nature, inclination, and the order of knight hood having already sufficiently bound me. I see you are but hereby lodged, the weather is fair, the ship provided of water, therfore it will be time to ship yourself, when you please. You shall command the ship, and I hope the winds also, for there will no creature be able to disobey so much beauty. My voyage is into North-wales a Kingdom of Albion, a Country not far distant from hence. If you please to come thither, it shall be at your disposal, if not, my will shall be to go where you command me. Igene blushing at her own commendations( though very well deserved) having given him thanks for his good will. answered; That any part was indifferent to her. Therefore his first proffer should be sufficient trouble to him, to accommodate her and hers( meaning her mariners which were many) with passage, without going out of his way, she having no need of it. And having caused all her goods to be shipped, she went aboard, joyful to have escaped all her conceived dangers, Feredo proud of having gotten such precious ballast in his Vessel. They sailed with a prosperous Gale, and having no foul weather to make them Sea-sick, he went often to entertain her in her Cabin, where she having heard who he was, excused her self for not having given him those due respects his greatness merited. And because she had as far as Norway heard something of his misadventures, she entreated him to relate unto her the History of them, which he willingly did: Not concealing how he had been a Druide a long time. The apparition of his sister, with her Father in Tule. The order given him, to mary Igene or none. He described the face, habits, and age of Theodogilus as if he had been there present: and at last he said, Now Madam you may apprehended, if I having heard your adventures by Dinacre, and the name of Igene( which I knew not in that part of the world to inquire for) I did esteem myself happy. Therefore since destiny hath made me your servant, I beseech you what your will concurring thereunto, you will declare me such: which having said, he kneeled before her, and took her hand to kiss it, and did so, though she courteously would have refused it. The princess much moved, knew not which to do first, lament her Fathers death or answer Feredo. She did both, and though confusedly, and with words mingled with tears; yet she modestly declared she was content with her destinies good disposal. There were present at these espousals Dinacre, the Nurse and the waiting gentlewoman, so that being full of joy, they mutually congratulated the fatal meeting of so fair a couple. They arrived within few daies with prosperous winds into North-Wales, landing at Bangor in the streight of the Ile of Mon about four and twenty miles from Arlech, where at that time the King held his Court. The famed of his arrival was presently spread all the Country over, men of all sorts, and women flocking thither, desirous to see their Prince after so many years as it was since they had lost him. His Father being advised thereof by reiterated messengers, commanded all the nobility to go and meet him, and being more particularly informed by Cataulo( who was ridden before) how all things stood, and particularly touching Igene; And notwithstanding he was very aged, yet he got upon horseback to meet them, accompanied by all the noblest Ladies of the kingdom; Feredo was welcomed by his Father with tears of tenderness and joy. Igene received as a daughter, and honoured as Queen. And after the daies appointed for rest, and preparation of the nuptials were past, they were married, peaceably enjoying their fatal loves, with prosperity worthy both their perfections.   

THE THIRD BOOK OF CORALBO.  
CORALBO languished a long time in Ericusa, not without great danger of death, several times being upon the very point of losing his life, had it not been for the diligent care of the duchess Chrisanta. The wounds were not mortal, yet so dangerous, that he was often bemoaned for dead. Let us for pitty let him rest, let us forbear being cruel to him, and let us not put him into actions and journeys before his wounds be cicatrized. We will speak of Almadero arrived into Lusitania, with his second pretended Wife: We will admire in a Prince of so constant nature, the unlook't for effects of such inconstancy, that we may thereby gather, that as all good causes do not produce effects( like unto themselves, so that of evil effects, some there be which have their Origine from good motions of the soul, or from the motions of another understanding of a better soul, by us not completely understood.  
After Philarchus had taken( as we said) Almadero's armor, to make himself thought to be Almadero, he scarcely arrived into Gaules, but he heard of Viriato's death; wherefore returning into Lusitania, and not finding Almadero there, he resolved,( having seen the Government of the Interregnum first set in order) to seek him every where. His first journey was to Leuciana, but fortune left him there no light at all of him; the Priest, who had unburied Liarta, being dead, and Dorcallo as ignorant of all the secrets concerning it, as it was confused, because he knew no what was become of his Brother, so that departing from thence, he happened in the entrance of the Kingdom of Castile into the same harbour Almadero had lodged, where by divers circumstances comprehending that it was he, he came upon his tracks by the marks of his armor into Italy, where he sought to no end in all the Princes Courts, till at last arriving at Parthenope, he met some body who gave him certain news, that he was come to Ericusa. Wherefore having crossed that Kingdom, he came amongst the Salentines, and taking a Vessel at Hydrontum, he presented himself unlooked for to the sight of Almadero, almost at that time as the Prince of Pheacia lay a dying, the advices he first gave him were of his Fathers death; the desire with which he was expected by all the orders of the states, the need of his speedy return into Lusitania. Almadero contrarywise, related unto him his new loves; and though the memory of the old ones caused tears to trickle from his eyes, yet the propriety of nature caused him to comfort himself, opinion having taken from him all hope of ever possessing her again: a thing( as well as all others) most wisely disposed of by nature, otherwise this course of life would be unusefuly and contrary to its ends, employed in nothing but passions and dolours. Resolved then( upon the supposition of this privation) to take to him the princess of Pheacia in stead of his deceased wife. He sent Philarcus back into Lusitania with Orders from him, commanding him to return again presently, with a fair Fleet, and a sufficient train of Ladies, for the supposed Queens attendance. But no sooner were the King and his pretended Queen arrived to Olisippo, and crwoned, but there revived again in Almadero, the ancient affections of his deceased wife, with such bitter passions, that finding no consolation, he desired to see her once again, under pretence of having her butted with her young son in the Tombs of his predecessor Kings. Which though it did not please the Queen very well: yet she would not be seen to oppose him in so pious an office, worthy the grateful remembrance of so good a Prince; and so much the rather, that the other having been his wife, and had a Child by him, it seemed to be an unworthy thing, to leave those bones in an ignoble and unknown Tomb, without any inscription, whereby it might so much as any way be known that there lay Liarta. Clothing himself therefore, and the whole Court in mourning, he went to Leuciana, where looking upon Dorcallo with an evil eye, and having opened the Tomb, he found the Child, but no Mother, no sinnen, nor bones, or any thing else belonging to her. Almadero raged at it, for every one knew that there she was butted, and no man could imagine how she should have been taken from thence, unless she had been conveyed away by Dorcalloes means, at Viriato's command, or burned, that the ashes being thrown away, the memory of her should utterly perish: For he had no reason at all to think her alive: or what could Dorcallo answer, being utterly ignorant of what had happened, and he dead who alone could have  told the true cause of that bodies being wanting? He was therefore beheaded, and though unjustly for what was alleged against him; yet justly, insomuch that he through his indiscretion, had been the only cause of all the evil had happened in this business: Nothing could be drawn out of the innocent criminal in his torments, but bitter execrations of his ignorances confessing himself worthy of any punishment whatsoever, if he falsified in any thing which was demanded of him. So that the Judges being in a confusion, and Almadero more then they, he was constrained to return to Olisippo, with the body of the Child, and lay alone( after the funeral Obsequies were performed) in his Ancestors Monuments. whilst his desire increased every day to lay the Mother by it, she being alive, and therefore incapable of bearing the Child company in that place. The grieved King was come to that pass, that he took no joy in any thing. And as his goodness being great, forced him to use the new Queen well, yet could not he force his luke-warm affection to be reinflamed, one evil being produced by another: For finding no comfort in the loss of his first wife he was in despair because he could not love, but even by a secret and occult violence, constrained to abhor the second, and that( as he thought) against reason; she being innocent and blameless. Extravagant dreams also increased this new humour in him, which every night represented Liarta alive unto him, reproaching him with the violation of his marriage laws, by making another woman participant of his bed, she being yet alive, and which was worse, with the title of wife: Whether this chanced through the extreme— of his new thoughts, which altering his spirits, represented these new phantasms unto him. Or because souls really participating of the Graces of divinity, come even in the very abyss of ignorance in some manner illuminated with truth. The Queen on the other side( in whom her Husbands melancholy grew so much the more insupportable for the present, as his precedent favours were before grown to a kind of excess) finding her self brought to a worse state then a widdows, resolved one day to say thus to him: My Lord, If in one that is accustomend to evil, custom may dispose the mind to suffering, without sufferance. Certainly one that is used to well-being, cannot endure to suffer a privation of it, without extreme grief, I shall have little labour then to make you capable of my sences: in the horrible change of your carriage I discover some time since towards me, a change to opposites. I should say from love to hate, if I doubted I had gigiven you any cause to deserve it by any defect in myself. as without cause I find it, thanks to the monstrous effect of your unheard of inconstancy. I am a woman, and born a Princess, you a Knight and a King; wherefore if we speak of courtesy, you owe it to the sex as a Knight: if of duty, you are manifoldly obliged unto me as a King. Wherefore I cannot choose but style myself grievously offended by you, if not fully deceived: I accuse you therefore for it, before your own tribunal, desiring that you may tell me in what I have so far erred, that I should deserve to be in Lusitania dispossessed of that affection, which you esteeming me worthy of, voluntarily bestowed upon me in Ericusa? she would have said more, but that her sobs and sighs stopped the passage of her words, which made her give way to Almadero's answer, who being by her speeches surprised and confused, after he had a little bethought himself, answered her thus; Madam, I first of all promise you, not before mine own tribunal seat, but before the high tribunal of the divine powers, that I will honour you as long as I live, with the same terms of honour, as heretofore I have done. I aclowledge myself obliged unto you in every distinction and title; I assure you, you can not more efficaciously illustrate your right, nor more grievously obscure mine, then I do myself. One thing only I beseech you, that in this mine injustice, you would repute me innocent and guiltless. I made choice of you( Madam) for the only moderatrix of all mine affections, while I believed there was none other before you, that could be an object of them, or moderate them, which I did with that constancy, and sincerity of mind, of which I will not say the effects,( seeing to you they seem to diminish) but the Conscience may afford such witness to, as I alone know to be upright and voided of deceits. But( alas) what shall I do if the heavens protesting unto me that another is living, bury me in ignorance of her death, and force me, having failed in my duty towards my first wife, to fail now in the second towards you, for no other cause, but only because I doubt that I have formerly failed? My fore-past mis-fortunes are not unknown to you Madam, my marriage to Liarta, nor after her marriage, her presumed death, her not being found in the Grave where she was butted. Add to this, how there passeth scarce any night, but she appears to me in a dream, tells me she is living, reproves me for being wedded to you, assures me it will not be long before she comes to revisit me, advising me in the mean time, to provide for your honour and person before she comes. I cannot so much as dream on believing of dreams: Heavens do not deceive; and when for a punishment they lull our understandings asleep; they do not do it by manifest visions, but by terms wrapped up in clouds, to the end that the judgements eyes may not pierce thereinto. In my case, there are the evidences of an understanding, illuminated by that special grace which( flying a malicious soul, that in the abominable way of interests, imagines it cannot err, when it is ready to precipitate) doth not fail a well disposed mind; and in the thickest darkness discovers to it the rays of its light that it may not fall. If mine instinct was always remote from all manner of deceit, why should I deceive you, a princess of such merit, to the damage of my reputation and honour? I have espoused you, choose you for companion of my life, and Lady of the Kingdom, it is true: but I did it not for any interest in your states and fortunes, but only for the worth of your person, for those rare beauties which after Liarta's incomparable ones, had only power to bind me. I have believed her dead, and upon this supposition I erred against her, against you, against myself; and if now, I err again, and am again deceived, I shall not deceive others. For dead( and to discover this, I desire but four months time) you shall find Almadero the same to you in Lusitania, as he was in Pheacia: and being dead, take what amends you please for my fault, so that you judge it as it is, voided of malice and deceit.  
No reason, be it never so pregnant, can comfort a woman in the midst of her passions, especially if she have likelihoods and reasons on her side, as indeed Laodomia had many. She judged Almadero's visions to be but imaginations raised up by Liartas old love, her new love failing. This defect proceeding( as oftentimes it happens in lovers after a violent desire) from the possession of the person. But she could not grow so fierce, but he humbled himself the more, desiring onely to have patience but for these four months, which were notwithstanding rather extorted from her then granted by her. Leaving her therefore in the City, he went to Leuciana, intending to spend that time there. Having caused Radimiro and Dorilla to be inquired for every where. Their absence( with very good reason) more then any thing else, making him believe Liarta to be alive, for if she were dead they had no reason to absent themselves out of Lusitania whilst he reigned. He would lodge in the same rooms where she was Prisoner, passing his time in lacrimous invocations. He complained by reason she came not, as if a promise had been already made to delay it no longer. It was in the mean time divulged abroad by an open murmuring, that Liarta's shadow had been seen near to her tomb, which went so far, that Almadero being one night at supper, there was news brought to him of it, as of a thing affirmed and seen by divers. Who, being sent for, averred that they had seen the princess( whom they knew very well when she was living) clothed in fine white linen, sitting by the ston which closed up her tomb: And whilst between questions and answers they stood in great suspense and silence, there was a delicate voice heard, which without the Castle ditch as it were one that called, pronounced twice the name of Lilla. The King heard it and knew it, rose from the Table, and going to the window, and chiding the sentinel for showing himself too slacken in his office in that occasion: he could see nor hear no more at that time. The night was very dark, yet for all that the sentinel related he had seen one clothed in white, come, call, and go away. That he was once about to have shot, and had wounded her, if he had not thought her to be a woman. The King commanding him expressly to say nothing to it, retired, and was all the rest of the night himself a careful watchman, sending also into the Churchyard to see if it did not appear there. But dead she might well be there, for alive as he desired to have her, she could not; the voice being heard without the-Castle-walls: whose ingresses and gates were kept shut every where. The day-break hardly appeared in the horizon, when Almadero seeing his expectations prove vain, resolved to go to sleep, if the perturbation of his troubled spirits would have afforded him any rest. But he soon perceived that troubled minds carried with them their torments. Wherefore rising and going out, with Philarchus alone, he looked in all the plces thereabouts, and finding nothing, not so much as his old master( to whose Cottage he went) gave Philarchus occasion( reputing these pains useless, and his afflictions hurtful) to pray him to return, remonstrating to him that the voices he had heard were imaginations, and mere illusions. The shadows of Liarta, that if they were real thing( being aereal forms, and spiritual substances) they could not appear but in the night. Daylight being an enemy and a powerful dissipatour of phantasms and Ghosts, Almadero knew not how to dispute these things. But his own practise seemed to him to be of as much authority as any mathematical demonstration, which in a corrupted sense implies to any imagination. Wherefore returning into the Castle, he passed the rest of the day in the same trouble, and was very excusable for it. There being no resolution more difficult to be taken, then that which hangs between ambiguity and truth. Night being come, he went to those Balcones from whence Liarta was wont to speak to him: and causing the lights to be taken from thence, that they might be no more hindrance, and that he might the better see without being seen, stayed there till past supper time; but nothing appearing, moved rather by shane then hunger, he supped and went to bed. he had not scarce slept his first sleep, when there was a great noise all about, and his servants being awake came in, and  told him, Sir, my Ladies Ghost stands firm in the Church-yard, where any one may behold it. Almadero rousing himself out of his sleep, calling for a night-gown, ran almost naked, accompanied onely by Philarchus and some few household servants who were with him.  
Liarta( after we left her) having taken Harbour in Barcinone, weary of the Sea, not so much to end her journey on horseback, and be informed of Almadero's business, as to conceal her arrival, which would have been easilier known if she had taken harbour in Lusitania. All which she did, being not yet resolved on the manner whereby she should make her self known. She heard with uncredible pleasure the grief which Almadero suffered for her, and how he was resolved to sojourned at Leuciana. She arrived thither with all the secrecy as might be. There came into her fancy divers expedients, whereof she choose one which was the strangest and most fantastical; either because she would make more certain trial of Almadero's love, or because being naturally inclined to mirth, she desired to take some pleasure after so much sorrow. She was of a most pleasant humour, a perspicuous understanding, inventive, ready,— so that though she had not been possessed of such a rare beauty as she was adorned withall, yet the conditions of her internal mind, which appeared so resplendent in all her actions, had been sufficient to ensnare any affection whatsoever, much more Almadero's which was long since enflamed with love. Qualities, which if in domestic conversation deserved the name of amiable, changed their title in matters of greater importance, wherein she was esteemed a worthy parallel of any prudence. And though her adversities had turned her pleasantness into sadness; yet hearing of Almadero's amorous disposition towards her, she presently put away melancholy, that ingratefull adoptive Child, having again entertained mirth, her natural legitimate daughter. She might have written or sent by Radimiro, and so have ended the play at one game or two; but she would not, rather inclined to bring him about another way.  
Being arrived by night to Leuciana, to Terrino's Cabin( who was Almadero's old Master) she lodged there, having  told him what she would have him do. But having heard of the old Priests death, who had taken her out of the Grave, she thought to make use of his successor; wherefore having delivered some small presents to Terrino, she sent them to the Priest by him, and to entreat him to come forth of the Fort to visit a sick body, who had a certain secret to entrust unto him before it dyed. Terrino did his ambassage faithfully, and brought him out to his little cabin. Bermondo( for such was the Priests name) had known Liarta, and had with others been at her funerals: wherefore the terror, for seeing her now alive, would have been great, if she had not emboldened him by preventing him; and this also upon the sudden would have done but little good, if the presence of Radimiro and Dorilla had not encouraged him. She recounted unto him what had happened to her, how she revived, and how she was taken out of the Grave. She entreated him to assist her, in bringing to a happy period, her hitherto unhappily represented Tragi-comedy, showing nothing could thereby redound unto him, but weal, benefits, and favours. Bermondo having considered all things, embraced the occasion of so good a fortune without any contradiction, and having concluded what was to be done, returned home again, and having given her the best directions he could, he came forth again to fetch her together with Radimiro and Dorilla, the two clothed like Country Lasses, the third like a Country fellow laden with provision. The two maidens were passed unknown, when as chance would have it( to bring the business the better to pass) at the turning of a corner of a wall, Radimiro meeting with a familiar acquaintance of his, presently knew him notwithstanding his disguise; yet was so circumspectly, that imagining such a habit could not be without some mystery, followed him voided of any evil thought, knowing Radimiro well enough already to be wondrous honest: and the Castle at that time free from any jealousy, and no confines any way suspicious, did let him go into the house, thinking he would have come out again presently; but seeing he stayed, he knocked at the door, and  told Bermondo who came out to answer him; he desired to speak with the Country-man, who came but now into the house: Bermondo no whit dismayed, though somewhat displeased thereat, yet being it was to no purpose to deny that which was already evident; he went in and  told Radimiro who it was inquired for him. Who after he had caused him to come in, and lovingly embraced him, related unto him the occasion of his coming in such manner, recommending the secrecy thereof unto him, and desiring assistance of him if need should require. Poncius( for so this friend was called) hearkned to this news with great joy, considering that the Queen being alive, the King would be free from all troubles, and offering him all assistance he was able to give, came outagain presently. Night being come, Liarta clothed her self in white linen, like unto that wherein she was butted, and as all women used in those days to be butted. She came into the Church-yard, and sat her down upon the Tomb side, in which the precedent year she had been enclosed, it happened then very luckily, that Poncius knew Radimiro, for being instructed by Bermondo, taking some friends along with him( pretending to invite them home to supper) passed along by the Church-yard, where that white appearing to them, every one was affrighted at it. But when Poncius, who made show of being in greater fear then any of the rest, said, that it was Liarta's Ghost, they all ran away, and he the foremost. There was at that time in Leuciana, an old woman called Safilea, who had been a Washer-woman to Laarta, who had so grieved at her pretended death, that she had like to have dyed with sorrow: so that Dorilla relating many times to her mistress, the accidents which befell in that unfortunate mishap, telling her this poor womans affections towards her, she was afterwards very beneficial to her, affording her very good means to live, and leave store of wealth to her Heirs. This woman was then coming from a house where she had been a washing according to her wonted custom, and because it was dark, had gotten a great lighted firebrand in her hand in stead of a Torch to light her, and the way to her poor Cottage being along by the Church-yard side, Liarta being risen off the Tomb, and leaning on the Church-yard wall, which was not above girdle high, to see Poncius and his companions run, or rather tumble one over another; this old woman came by, agitating and stirring the Fire-brand up and down, that it illuminated the ambient air so much, that Liarta knew her, and called her by her name: the good woman knowing the voice, and calling her to mind, amazed with horror, stood as she had been grown into the ground, not able to move any part of her, not so much as her eyes, already fixed on Liarta's face, for want of spirit. All the motion was, and this also an effect of immobility, the falling of the Fire-brand out of her hands, and burning her shoes, and the hem of her Garments, which Liarta perceiving, came out of the Church-yard, and shaking her by the hand,  told her she was alive, and bid her not be afraid: But all this would not serve, she was forced to run in and sand out Bermondo, Radimiro, and Dorilla, to carry her home, where after much difficulty and trouble, she came to her self again. She in the mean time, taking pleasure in others fears, delighted the more therein, the greater and more dangerous the fright was. The ordinary of such humours being to delight inventions; deceiving of others being the object of their pastimes. She would fain have affrighted Almadero, to revenge the injury done her in marrying another wife so soon, she threatened him therewith, and used her best endeavours to do it, but she could not, love being sovereign above all terrors and affections. Dorilla being come again from Safilea, weary with toiling, and tired with laughter said to Liarta. Madam, I know not what is in your mind: You have been dead, you have been butted, and have certainly contracted some friendship with those of the other world. I would not go alone into that Church-yard upon no conditions whatsoever. Because thou art a fool answered Liarta, who can hinder thee, but onely thy credulity to others fantastical imaginations? fill not your head with such imaginations, and yond will be voided of terrors. What harm can the Church-yard, or the dead that lye in it do you? One enemy kills another nature prompting him, that after he is dead he could do him no harm. For if he thought he could trouble him being dead, it would no way avail him to take away his life. And on the other side, it would be good for him that wants strength in his life time to revenge himself of his Enemy, to die, that he might after death be avenged on him. Dead men do not affright nor endamage any. I am exceeding fearful replied Dorilla, and so would you too,( Madam) if as I said before, you had not made a league with them. I am in league with them indeed( said Liarta) but it was contracted by my Father, who caused me to be brought up without any such terrors, as contrary to all reason, they use to affright little children withall: whereby not onely fearful women, but courageous and stout men also come before they be ware to be awakened, and made subject to such vain fears. I believe nevertheless that the Gods have sometimes given us documents this way, neither could this either be credible by any arguments of nature, if those of piety did not teach it us; but to make an ordinary and common practise thereof, is a foolish thing unworthy a solid and well instructed understanding. Believe me; that of so many that have professed they have seen phantasms and apparitions; either they have been mistaken, or have feighned, to laugh at others simplicities; or have been deceived, as Poncius& Sasilea were even now. Dorilla notwithstanding stood obstinately in her former opinion, thinking it was no pleasant thing to be such ways deceived. Liarta went out of the Castle the next day before the Gates were shut, and all her company in the same manner as they went in. Poncius assisting thereunto whatsoever might happen. She being gone to Terrino's house, came towards midnight to the out side of the rampires to cry Lilla, and then it was that Almadero heard her. There remained now the last act to play for which she was forced to go into the Castle again: where having clothed herself to the best advantage for her beauty, though plain in white as beforetimes, she would have Bermondo and Radimiro put on white habits also. Which they did, and taking some instruments with them, they opened the Tomb for her, as she had commanded, a work, which being it could not be done without making a noise, gave the neighbours occasion to look out, and seeing the men in white linen, and the Ghost walking in the Church-yard( which they had heard speak of peradventure more then was true) all ran in and locked themselves in at doors. Bermondo in the mean time was gone into the grave with a candle and lantern, and taking out the candle, had set it upright in the middle of the Grave, which reverberating its light towards, shewed with a shadowing light, the grave open, and Liarta sitting upon the side of it. Pencius on the other side, had taken two men along with him upon occasion of going the round, and passing along by the Church-yard, seeing the light which came out of the grave, and Liarta there, carried news thereof to the Court, whereupon the King as we said before came in person to behold the thing he so much desired to see. Liarta stood attentive, to act her part well: and espying a far off by the lights the company which was coming, she besought her self how she was to speak with Almadero himself; which so far moved her, that her blood freezing, as it were, within her, she grew pale, as if she had done it a purpose, to make her seem to be, as she feigned her self, namely dead. Almadero had sent a servant before, to bring him news of the apparition: but his ardent affection making him swifter then the messenger, he overtook him,& was assured of the desired object by his own eyes. Liarta was troubled a second time, and wanted but little of swooning. The tears streamed out of those two Fountains, which being alive were pretended dead. Almadero stood wavering what he had best to do, but spying the tears, he could not choose but  shed some for company. The little wall which encompassed the Church-yard, or rather fear had stayed the company. The King being got in, not through the entrance which was on the other side, but vaulted over the wall, commanded the rest to stay behind, and not follow him, wherein he was easily obeied, the affections of the standards by being divers, according to the variety of their temperaments. Some not onely not daring to look upon the spirit, but doubting that, if it had looked upon them, they might receive some great damage by it. Others seemed to be much comforted by that vision, fearing nothing but that it would vanish away too soon. Some observed that the behaviour of the other world, was like that of this world: the motion the same as that of animate bodies in this life. Others more tender, and compassionate seeing her weep, wept for company, not perceiving that spirits had no need of handkerchiefs, to wipe off their tears as this did. Liarta was extremely well pleased to see Almadero in the Churchyard alone: he contrariwise, was extremely amazed seeing the tomb enlightened within side, which he had not at first discovered: and never having before seen such a sight, it there fell in his mind whether this spirit had not some dangerous and mischievous intention against him, because he was married again to another, a suspicion which suddenly vanished away again, this fear, though great, being banished by the violent affection of an excessive love. This meeting would have been one of the greatest trials that ever was of Almadero's valour, if his being in love had not eclipsed the transcendency of it. Being come within some four paces of her, he stood still amazed, and distilling could drops of sweat burst out in such words, Lady, Spirit, angel, or Goddesse, whatsoever thou be: as the seeing of you heretofore was to me the chief of all happinesses, so would it be now the supreme of comforts, if you did but show yourself such here, as you have been pleased to show your self to me in my dreams. I esteemed you alive, and such have you appeared to me in my visions. But( alas) these your last apparitions, this open tomb, this beautiful, but pale visage, show me the contrary of that which to mine inestimable beatitude I had undoubtedly promised myself. Which being so, I believe that your being yet willing to make me participant of your sweet presence proceeds from this, that you being not able any more to come to me, I should sit myself to come to you. I am exceeding well content with it, and need no preparation for so desired a voyage. Uncase me out of this body, and do it quickly, for with it I dare not come near you. I fear my hands would tear, and my embracements discompose the natural connexion of your so fair and so much by me adored shadow; wherefore to prevent me the falling into such an error, make me a free spirit, because the body being dead, and by such a means perpetually coupled to you, I may embrace you free from all danger of losing you any more, by death or any other casualty. Liarta had much ado to bridle her tears, incited to a rapide course by the spurs of tenderness. But virtue that ambitious Goddesse, never failed of aid to those as idolize her: wherefore with a placid look she answered him. My beloved spouse, The visions of the happy do not deceive but mortal sences, are of no use, where I now sojourned. Our idioms and significations are far different from yours. If I  told you I lived, I do not lye; nothing is wanting me towards a perfect life, you onely excepted. Therefore I come to you. I desire to have you, and shall have you; if two repugnant loves take you not away from me. That of the world, and of Laodamia. For to leave her that is alive, you living: to follow one in death, who is likewise dead, hath some impossibility in a thing, composed of sences as man is. Peradventure that your having loved me so dearly, makes you yet retain some of that holy and legitimate flamme unquenched after my decease. But suppose you should take upon you, so good and so worthy a resolution; what would you do with your second wife? Will you having brought her out of the East, leave her as a stranger, to the arbitrement of such as wish her evil? you have done well in not adventuring to touch me: not because blessed souls suffer any such divisions as the Poets fain, but because the essay of sences is not permitted to any living creature in spiritual substances; And I doubting of the same in you, would with remedies prevent it: Behold me then in my former natural body, now to this end reassumed. No longer a mere spirit am I, but of flesh and bones, for without them I could not articulately utter those word, which you plainly hear me pronounce. Wherefore with my permission you might lawfully touch and embrace me if I would suffer you, Almadero hearing thus much, would have embraced her presently, but she stretching forth her hand with a mildred smile said. Stir not from thence( my dear Almadero) for you are not yet permitted to touch me, Answer me first to what I have demanded of you. He having laid aside all fear, answered. Will you do me then so much wrong( Madam) as to believe, that I can put in an equal balance of comparison that affection which I bear to you, with that towards others, and make a doubt of mine elections? The love of the world and of Laodamia, were always in respect of that which I shall eternally bear to my Lilla, of none esteem. The first was born with me, and you being dead, it dyed. The latter was a small sparkle, of that inextinguishable fire, wherein my heart burns continually for you: wherefore an effect which so far comes short of its cause, can not offer to be parallel to it, and have those formalities you ascribe it. I call heaven to witness, that had I not thought it pusillanimity to not suffer dolours, I had opened myself a passage to another life, and opened my breast to have followed you. Neither had this withheld my hand, it was fear of rendering myself unworthy by any such act of your fellowship, that stayed me from any such violence. And this passage being shut to me, I sought by betaking myself to a new love, to apply a plaster to mine incurable sore, not thinking thereby to heal it, but only to mitigate it, hoping it would be a lenitive fitting to mitigate the corrosivenesse of my wound. I did like those diseased men, who being by some continual pain deprived of sleep, and it being necessary for them, make use of soporiferous Medicines, drawing from a natural Artifice that rest, which nature denieth them, and yet necessary requireth. As for the rest( Madam) to provide for the necessities of my present wife, is a matter of no moment, for one to whom dying is the least of all cares. I have a Brother who is mine Heir: I will appease my wife with gifts, I will fit her with a Fleet to carry her home, she shall be gone, and I will come. Liarta inwardly joyed hearing of this, but it not sufficing her, lovers being greedy and desirous in their joys, she replied; The course you mean to take( my Almadero) will be very good, if you be as well resolved to die as you imagine you are: Examine yourself, look well whether you be free from those affections which humanity brings along with it: Whether heaven be your scope: whether death which is a terror to others, be a comfort to you, representing itself unto you: not as it brings impossibility, and a disannulling, but pain, and glory, light and darkness, a sempiternal day, or a sempiternal night: Otherwise your resolution would be very unadvised, as contrary to sense, nature, and reason, and to the disposition of heaven itself, which doth not condescend to others passionate affects; to mine I say, to those for which I desire you. Here Liarta made a short stop, sorry she had let any such thing come forth of her mouth. Yet presently( thinking she might blanche it over) she proceeded; I say this, as misdoubting myself: I examine that such a desire can have no place in me, but by virtue of mine old flamme of that ancient amorous affection, a human passion, an effect of sense, from which( thanks to death therefore) I now feel myself freely enfranchised. Madam( replied Almadero) you tell me of things I do not understand. But as for what concerns you, none but you can plenarily resolve me; and as for that belongs to me, I can expressly affirm. That my desire is good; that God may as well be loved in the honest love of his creatures, as comprehended in the incomprehensible artifice of his works. Dying can be no annoyance to me: and if for the before alleged reasons it doth bring any to others, the goods and the evils are different, according to each ones different imaginations. I am young, health-full, a King, conditions which may move me to love my life, yet I believe the contrary, is lawful to me, by reason, by sense, by nature; The happinesses or miseries, though in an equal degree, are not equal in all, being diversified by the diversities of fantasies, wants of health, and wants of means, are the real causes why men grow weary of their lives; of which wants( God be praised) I am voided; it remains then, that dying without any natural contradictions, depends upon those passions which have tyrannicall Monarchy over others: I find myself in that sick mans condition, who wanting no delicious kind of food, wants tastes to feel the savouriness of it. If my delight be not in any human felicity, why should I refuse to die? My appetite serves only for that which I have, not am like to have, which is yourself. If you then dead, can not live again, nature having no such regress; why shall I not die, to live with you who are my life, and to terminate those torments which are never like to end in me, but only by death? as for the rest, unfold I pray you( Lady) the enigma's, or Riddles which you have propounded unto me, I clearly comprehending what you before said to me, namely that your idioms and significations, are far beyond our capacitites, seeing they are not only far off, but to my capacity impossible and contradictory. You say you are come to me, to the end I should come to you: This hath no repugnancy in it; yea, there is nothing I more approve of, or better understand: But this seems to me to be repugnant, when you say you do not know, whether that be it precisely, for which you would have me,& if you do will it, whether you can will it; for such a will being but the effect of the ancient love, love a human passion, you by death freeed from passions, can not will, that which you can not; and being able, that incertainty should arise, whether the heavens do condescend to these affections or no● wherefore whether blessed souls be capable of implicities, or whether a body already consumed by time( as yours should be) may show itself uncorrupt without illusions, are such things as I not knowing, desire to be informed in them by you my sweet Goddess; Liarta remained confounded by this request, being taken on a sudden upon a subject, if not quiter remote from her notice, yet so difficult, that it availed her much to have been brought up amid the eases of her Fathers house, against the style of her sex, in learning: So that having recourse to her memory, that faithful Treasurer, and from her borrowing that little which she could sophistically answer to that purpose; she said to him, You ask me( my Almadero) to know things which naturally exceed the faculty of yours and my understanding, and that which is impossible either for me to know, or you to be satisfied in: Yet thus much I will tell you, That human intellect wanting power to have full knowledge of us, namely of the substance of separated souls; when it is once come to know, that we are, it proceeds no further: And if it doth proceed, that knowledge which it gains, extends not to those things which are in us, but to those which are not; just as Philosophers do touching celestial bodies: they comprehend them in their being: no, but in their not being, averring them to be without gravity, without levity, ingenerable, incorruptible. Moreover, the intellect not apprehending but by the means of senses; it is impossible for one that is born blind, to have the knowledge of colours. The things which you require, are so much beyond all your senses, as it being born without eyes, you would know the difference between black and white; whilst in the first principles you do not know what the meaning of this act is, significied by this word Colour. And the impossibilities of conceiving it in you, proceeds as much from the defect of your nature, as from that of mine, who am not able to give it you to understand: for though I at the present comprehend mine own proper essence in a more perfect manner then when I lived; yet there is much wanting in that apprehension: for otherwise there would be some Analogy( which can not be) between the knowledge of myself, and the act by which God knows himself. As concerning the contradictions which you allege, they would be such, if the spiritual essences had that communion with the senses, which they have not. That I will have you, and do not know whether I will have you or no, is not because that first motion which sprung up in me, separated from the body, was not free and clear; but because being now joined, I do find myself to be participant of the defects thereof, a thing which I did not expect, falsely supposing that an accidental conjunction, besides the providence of nature, would not restore me to that first natural ignorance, into which I perceive myself to be fallen: so that my present understanding is not of a separated, but of a conjunct spirit, and subject to the defects of this union, which prompts unto me such doubts as I had not before. And as the severed soul doth not apprehended your business with a new understanding, but by the benefit of memory; so being incorporated, it cannot understand but only in that manner as is proper to this conjunction, and loseth in the laying down of its first habit, that first perfection which was proper to that first habit. But let not these these things trouble you,( my Lord) they happen not but by Gods extraordinary disposition. They are not to be seen but in me onely at this present; wherefore to frame thereon an undoubted conception, would be dangerous. A human way of Philosophating, is too weak and lowly, to climb up to such a height: Almadero was now more confused then at first; these reasons giving him no satisfaction: for to believe that ablessed soul should in its operations be ignorant of Gods will, he thought to be, both an absurd and impious opinion, and suddenly entered into his thoughts a doubt, whether Liarta were one of the blessed; or rather come to deceive him: which much troubling him, he replied, Madam, I confess I now understand you less then I did at first: either your resolution towards my person, is good or bad. If it be good, it cannot be contrary to heavens will, neither do human senses debar any one of such a knowledge. If it be bad, evil hath no compatibility with blessed spirits: every one believes them to be free from all uncertainties, and false opinions, and that their will being regulated, makes them alien from applying themselves to such actions, as do not belong to them. Things which you cannot be ignorant of, if you be of the blessed ones. Liarta presently descried his new suspicion; and though she inwardly laughed at it, yet seeming to be offended therewith, she said; You are mightily mistaken ( Almadero) if having always in this world found me just, and a teller of truths, you will now imagine me to be in the other a liar, and one of the damned. I do not know myself guilty( to my knowledge) of deserving eternal punishment by any greater sin, then by idolising you, and equalizing you in a manner in adoration and love to the Gods. I speak it not to reproach my love to you, but you for the injury you do me. Seeing I now loving you more then ever I did, you pretend me to be come hither, to damn you with me: as if the damned souls did in the Abyss retain the comfortable affections of a legitimate love, and feel such a delight therein, as I did to the very instant of your present ingratitude. With that she hastily turned about, making as though she would creep back again into her Grave. The order she had formerly given Almadero to not touch her, could not retain him from taking hold of the skirt of her Coat, and saying to her: Madam, the tears I  shed for you at your death, and my tedious mournings since, might beg some excuse for mine ignorance, and of you not to be so penurious of your presence to me, as you threaten you will: otherwise what shall I think, but that you angry at my remaining alive after your death, will have me die now, not through any desire you have of my company, but rather in revenge, because I came no sooner to you: and having no visible steel weapons( being a spirit) you seek to kill me with invisible arms of grief? Is such a cruelty conformable to a blessed soul? I will with good will die, but I beseech you let it not be, to live afterwards eternally in such jars. Liarta stopped there, desiring not to proceed any further, and clearing up her countenance as appeased, she answered him, No my beloved espouse, none of these things shall be, Heaven is no place for rancours, and mine though they seem to be such, are not so: neither am I cruel to you, nor you to me, nor will I have you die: Not die, said Almadero? it is impossible: for if living be forbidden me by your not living, you being dead, it must of necessity be lawful for me to die. And though you by repenting alter your resolution, yet will not I refuse the purchasing of an everlasting pleasant life, by means of momentary despicable death. Liarta was come to the same pass as those Architects are, who having laid the foundation of a great Vault, meet in the practise of the closing it up, with such difficulties as the speculative theoric had not before put into their mind. She knew not how to conclude her discourses with Almadero: who though he was of a mildred humour, yet was no way inclining to folly or simplicity▪ He would not yet have suffered himself to have been wrought to so much credulity, if his dreams had not altered his understanding. She would have made him believe, that she might live again, that her carcase had been preserved in certain Mountains under the equinoctial, in so proportionable a situation, that neither the repercussion of the Solar beams from the earth, nor the coldness of the air could corrupt her. That the temperament alone had maintained it in the being in which it was at that time, having obtained means to revive it with the same soul, which was the year before departed out of it.  
But having lost her self in these Fables, Almadero's understanding was cleared, and he plainly perceived this to be his true corporeal Liarta: though not in that manner as she described it. Wherefore hearkening to her a little while( for long it was impossible) and helping her in relation, in that wherein liars are commonly failing, objecting the frequent contradictions to her which oftentimes met in so many lies, she was at last forced to disclose her self, and suddenly casting her arms about his neck, shedding tears of tenderness, she said unto him, Behold here I am( my Lord) alive, since you will not believe me dead. And if heretofore I could not die, being deprived of you, and daily wounded by hard oppositions of adverse fortune; much less shall I die now, being vivified by your happy presence, and the spirits of that true love, which heretofore reputed inconstant, proves now beyond all expectation most firm and loyal. Almadero( as I said before) did conceive Liarta to be alive; and if he could have penetrated into the manner how that came to pass, it had not lain in his power to have retained the least scruple of his former false impression: but now perceiving the business plainly( as if he had been in an instant raised from the dead) interchangeably embracing her, Do you then( said he) so cruelly purpose to revenge your wrongs my dearest Lady? Is that true which you tell me, or do you yet in pastime equivocate? are you my true Liarta or not? But she giving him no answer, onely bedewing him with tears, and smothering him with kisses, went on and said, Let these arms kill me, and this soul vivify me, if thou yet breathest, O thou long lamented love, kiss and kill, kiss and revive, for both are indifferently pleasing: either to live or die. Radimiro and Dorilla stood all the while within the house, where they might easily behold the actions, and hear the discourses of the two lovers, prepared to come forth according as they had agreed. Now they thought their mistress having disclosed her self, it was no longer time to delay: Wherefore presenting themselves before the King, their unexpected sight was the demonstrative argument of the truth: the clearness whereof had till that time been shadowed by the darkness of so many confusions. The King presently left Liarta laying aside all majestic stateliness embraced their both, kissing Dorilla. Fhilarchus seeing the appearance of these two new persons, feared no spirits, but leaping into the Churchyard, ran to kiss the King and Queens hand. The Priest came out on the other side. The King would have been resolved at the same time, and in the same place how all those things had come about, but being advised by Philarchus, he deferred it till more conveniency. Liarta admitting every one to kiss her hand: Leuciana seemed to be all on fire, so many bonfires were kindled; some for joy spared not their own bedsteads. To relate what they said to one another after they were come home, is a subject fitter for a discreet imagination, then for a pen. Let us then leave them, and return to the City whither Laodomia calls us.  
This good Lady, endeavoured whilst the Prince of Feacia lived, a a weak sick and decrepit husband, to pass away her time the best she could: Restoring the infection her own youth received, by her husbands decrepitnesse, with the help of persons of younger age, inclined to any man but to her own lawful spouse. Those as related the History of her actions, described her to be framed of repugnant affections. Lascivious, and disinamoured, malicious, and foolish, unboundedly impudent, yet subject to blushing. She tried people of all degrees and conditions for her lust, driven thereunto by her hot inclination. For she could not meet with persons of her own quality in Feacia nor Ericusa, unless it were by chance of passage. The evil would not have been ascribed to her for so great a fault, if her allurements used for the satisfying of her desires had been no other, but grace, nobleness and merit. The two which were by her worthily beloved we already know. The one Feredo, by her not enjoyed. The other Almadero who became her husband. There were two more, and besides them there was not any one of quality that possessed her beauty. There lieth over against the island of Feacia, Epirus a warlike Kingdom, possessed by a warlike King, the Father of many children: amongst which it happened that Raico the second being gone to invite the Prince to his wedding, as being his near Kinsman( for Feacia was a member of the Kingdom of Epirus given in portion to a second brother, Father to this Prince) fell in love with Laodomia, in such sort, that being young and very respectful, he fell sick upon it; and cured by his hostesses piety, she being a very clear-sighted Physician, and learned in the cure of love-diseases. But their delights being interrupted by his Fathers commands, which recalled him home, this affection remained so deeply rooted in his mind, that he thought( as second brother) hearing of the Princes death, to demand to be in vested Prince of the island, and espouse Laodomia, before he knew another had gotten her from him. But when he heard it, he was so enraged at it, that he was once resolved to have taken her away; rapes being very customary in the Eastern Countries; if the King having had notice thereof, had not caused him to be stayed till she was gone. By which discreet advisement he being crossed in the performance of that, which he must unadvisedly and rashly had resolved to do, having obtained his liberty again, he ravingly resolved upon another desperate course. To go into Lusitania there to see her, and take her away from thence: his rash youthfulnesse, representing his own merits to himself to be greater then Almadero's: not considering that voluptuous love terminates in the act of terminate pleasure, especially in women, and chiefest of all in such a woman as Laodomia; yet this his design contrary to all these reasons came to a good issue, though by another way which he little dreamed of. For taking a faithful Squire along with him, he went away secretly, without acquainting his Father or any one else whither he went; and arrived into Lusitania a little after Almadero was come there, before ever his fresh passions for Liarta began to revive in him. So that seeing Laodomia seated happily in her Royalty, he was put quiter out of all hopes. She being forced to apply& incline her self,( if one may so speak of her) to the best and comeliest Prince on earth. Wherefore it seeming a folle to him to aspire thereunto, altering his mind, if not his love; he resolved to stay in Lusitania, to feed his eyes, though he could not satisfy his other sences. And judging that if he had frequented the Court in a cavaliers habit, he should quickly be forced to leave it, being discovered by one or other, heresolved to cloth himself like a Hermit, and having settled a habitation, to forget both Father, Country, and himself. Considering therefore the situations thereabouts, he resolved upon a place standing along by the River Tagus, near Lancobridge, a royal habitation, which at that time Almadero had newly bestowed upon Laodomia. And having bought the ground, he caused a place of devotion to be built there, with Cells, springs and a garden, all with such symmetry and proportion, that devout persons flocking thither, left behind them, without asking many alms, thinking the Hermit had built this sumptuous fabric by the help of such pious contributions: which alms therefore he was( though unwilling) constrained to take, the better to colour the present profession he made show of. Vassilius( for so was the squire called) retained his former habit, that he might the better without any scandal pry into the Queens actions, and observe her when she went abroad to her devotions: whither Raico also went: this manner of life no way displeasing to him: for endeavouring to please his Masters will, he unexpectedly met with a kind of affection, which inclined him to solitude, falling in love with gardening, wherein he took such delight, that whereas before he learned it as an art, it now proved a pleasure to him, being so taken with it, that whereas Raico thought on nothing but love, he doted on nothing but his flowers, placing them in such manner, that they were all ordered according to their nature, in shade or sunshine, as each one most delighted. But who would ever have believed that an amorous hypocrisy, should be reduced to an act of a formal devotion, as it was almost in the person of this Prince? I said almost, because if imagination in a ambitious man, hath power to make him believe those honours to be true which he doth but dream of much more may it in a melancholy man make that seem devotion, which cannot be such. Raico was so ingulphed in the difficulty of his enterprise, that finding no way how to bring it to pass, he thought to give it over. He imagined( and that not amiss) that the Gods had brought him there to save him. He tried to abstain from seeing of Laodomia, but could not, which was the touchstone to try the mettal of this his spirit; yet he thought otherwise of himself, so much can self-love prevail in us. He was not ashamed in the theatre of his own conscience to flatter himself, and in good earnest to believe himself to be grown spiritual. To draw out a real sense with pencills of seemingnesse, giving it lights and shadows, not with plain natural colours, but with a mixture of troubled passions: so that to one who did not well heed him, he seemed to breath nothing but heavenly affections, and heavenly they were, but of that heaven where Venus presided. The report was spread about of the Hermits holinesse, and bruited at the Court, his age making him more recommendable to the Ladies then to the Knights, and many perceiving in him, besides youth, a kind of manly beauty, were pricked by some spirit more then that of devotion. Laodomia heard the report of it, but headed it not, her contents in a sumptuous and well-frequented Court, being incapable of such thoughts: But being fallen into disgusts, ordinary provocations to raise us from the earrth, she thought upon the visiting of this famous and so much spoken of fabric: she delayed it not, so soon as she came to Lancobridge. The change of places, and the variety of objects, having power, if not to take away, at the least to ease oppressed hearts. Raico had already heard the common report of Liarta's being alive, of the Kings passions, of Laodomias disgusts, which like to so many thorns, did rend in pieces his ill applied Garment of Devotion: He was partly ashamed of it himself, that shane proceeding from Vassilius discreet reproofs sometimes used to him. But every one, when once he begins to deceive himself, delights in it: Wherefore having cast himself upon these new hopes, he retained no hypocrisy but th'external to deceive others; to observe how things went, and expect till time and fortune should open him a way to carry forward his designs. He took all occasions that were proffered him to bring him to the sight of her: But Almadero living in Olisippo, he could never come to be seen of her, he inwardly suffered for the griefs which she endured: neither could he hear any better news, then of Almadero's going to Leuciana, resolving to make himself known unto her, and provide for both their occasions. But when he heard she was coming to dwell near him, he doubted not but happily to convert into good, that evil which he before reputed he had unhappily undertaken; she now kept no other company but Priests, held no discourse but of the vanities of the world, of which she held the greatest to trust men, and especially if they were Princes; she had resolved, being angry with the King, to deny him the fellowship of her bed, which he without any cause, had for so many months exiled her from, to give herself wholly to a spiritual life, bing distasted of a sensual one, being arrived to the height of all her delights; then having heard a report of the Hermit, she resolved to see him: She went disguised in a private brown habit, with a veil over her face: Raico, who stood in a place where seen by no man, he could see every one that came into the Temples did not know her: But took her for some Lady of the Court, who to follow the Queens humour, did affect grief and devotion, with feigned ostentations. Finding the Temple extraordinarily well kept, she was exceedingly satisfied with it, but examining the particulars, she wondered to see the Gods habited, after the Eastern fashion, TO THE TUTELAR OF LEUCADIA, was the inscription under Apollo's image, which Leucadia was her own Patrimony, and this God was adored in that iceland, in a most famous Temple dedicated to him, TO THE TUTELAR OF EPIRUS, was written under Pallas, whose image well considered, might by every one be imagined to be made under the likeness of Laodomia her self, there were they therein deceived, for Raico had caused it to be so carved at great charge, by a prime workman in Lusitania. Wherefore no small curiosity being raised within her, she caused the Priest to be called to her, who by her voice, knowing who it was that called for him, was so amazed, that he knew not how to stir. Vassilius did run to do his message, but being constrained to give him time, he was fain to answer, that he would come so soon as he had ended some few prayers. Which delay being but impatiently taken, made her again look towards her own image, and finding therein her self naturally represented, considering the Gods clothing in her own Country habits, and the names of Leucadia and Epirus, she knew not what to judge of it, and observing in Pallas hand a wreathe very richly wrought with Needle-work with the two Letters L. and R. capital ones for Laodomia and Raico, which wreathe she had formerly wrought with her own hand, and given him in those days when she enjoyed him; she conceived presently how the truth of the business stood, and fixing her eyes upon Vassilius, she presently, so soon as she had but recollected her senses remembered him. The Hermit came, she knew him, her memory calling to mind, the sweet pleasures she had enjoyed with him; his Beard and habit able to change his hair, but not his visage. He had hardly leisure to recollect his spirits, whilst she kneeled the other way, not without scandal( as every one may piously gather) of the assistant invisible spirits, the divinity in outward show religiously venerated in Temples, and inwardly most impiously profaned in the hearts. After he was risen, he feigned that he had not known her: he could hardly hypocritically join three or four stammering words together, enterlacing between them the names of Apoll and Minerva. The Queen was moved at the sound of that voice: her phantasy was suddenly possessed with such thoughts, as enter into womens minds, who thinking themselves abused by their Husbands, breath nothing but revenge against them. She would, to avoid the danger, make him believe she had not known him, and repented her self that she had sent for him: wherefore she went away saying no more, but that being persecuted by adverse fortune, she recommended her self to his prayers. The other Ladies wondered at it, such a holinesse worthy of being expressed more frequently. This sudden departure displeased Raico, and if he had believed he had been known, he would have run mad with it. He had seen her contemplate her self in Pallas: he could not believe she had so soon forgotten the wreathe which she had wrought with her own hand, and seen in the Goddesses, to go away without curiosity of knowing how he had lighted upon it, or asking the cause why he was so much devoted towards the Tutelars of Epilus and Leucadia. It seemed strange to him, he having a purpose gotten them carved after that similitude: The ebbing and flowing of judgements, lasted on both sides, till the news of Liarta's return being certainly known, all dissimulation was banished; Raico was known, and the unknown Hermit under his ragged Cloak perceived: Rage and Disdain did so oppress the Queen, at the first news she heard thereof, that her understanding was totally disturbed and troubled. But the first tempest being appeased, she judged she could build her designs upon no man so fittingly, as upon him: She went to him to his Cell, having no body in her company but two graecian Maids, her especial favourites. She desired to speak to him within his house, without any assistants: the Temple a place of holinesse wholly opposite to rage and fury: Raico wondered to see her before him, without any mask or veil; but she losing no time, in her wrath laying all cunning aside, said unto him, Prince Raico, I cannot believe you are come hither into this Country in habit and profession, so different from your own, unless it be for love of me; Seeing divine love, which your external port pretends, ought to persuade you to any other habitation then that where I dwell, howsoever I will know the truth of it: wipe off these tears then, only due to me. The Knight was fallen on his knees before her, with his eyes as abounding with tears, as his mouth was voided of words: He wiped them to obey her, he arose, and smothering his rising affections, anfwered her, Madam, That sad coloured habit, which I was resolved, being deprived of you, to wear perpetually elsewhere, was changed into this ash-coloured one, for an evident symbol of the hidden burning of my heart. I came into Lusitania, I blame myself for it, not to serve God, but to do him disservice: Your love not his, was the Quarter-master which appointed me out this lodging: I have plainly  told you the truth to obey you; let the love of you be a sufficient excuse, for my being maliciously become an hypoctite so to do: The evil( replied Laodomia) which hath good successses, deserves to alter its name, but the love of a true affection, can falsely cause bad effects: In love all things are becoming, to govern ones self evil for his sake, is but to be ruled by reason, he being the compendium and Epitome of all reason that can be found in nature: and if you have offended other Gods, who have at other times been subject to his Darts, you need not much to care, he having power to restore unto you without their help, that which you most desire. And saying thus, laying her hand upon her breast, as pointing to her self, she went on saying: behold, here he bestows me upon you, if for my love you came into Lusitania. Now shall I see whether your judgement be conformable to that of Paris; choosing Venus, and for her sake neglecting Juno and Pallas. Raico stayed for no more words. The embracing and doing homage to her, if it were not both at once, yet were they successive things. And though the action was somewhat voluptuous, yet was it not quiter voided of false devotion: seeing the rigidness and hardness of the pressed bed( no mark of the lovers compunction gave him so) gave him some colour of framing such a thing to himself. After she had been thus humbled, you would have taken her to be some general, that remained Conqueror after he had given battle. She thought she had sufficiently paid Almadero, making his head to swell. But after( with resting their bodies a while) they had somewhat refreshed their spirits, she broke out into such like speeches. Prince Raico, never did man oblige woman as you with coming into this Country have obliged me, and if by my coming I disobliged you, consider that I came hither a Queen, your love being unjustly taken away from me, and unduly bestowed upon the princess of Acarnania. Raico would not have let her go forward, but would have made known his fidelity unto her; but she who to prevent the objections which might have been made against her for inconstancy, had framed this tale, following her discourse said. Disdains ( Raico) are sucessive to loves, and these the purer they be the more subject they are to stains of suspects and jealousies: My lot would have me to believe what was  told me, and upon this supposition, reputing myself abandoned, I cast myself down the precipice of this unlucky marriage. I came into Lusitania, I would I had never come: and I would you had been more careful in giving me notice that I should find myself free from an evil which cannot choose but wound me beyond all measure; But wounds have their plasters.  
The King as you know hath discovered his first wife to be alive. What wife said Raico? his wife which had been butted answered she. He knew the History of it but not the success: you may well imagine whither he was well content therewith or no; But seeming to him, that she loving him, he needed not to care for it, he was troubled discovering the contrary; But what marvel was it, if that which he supposed was false? love being as easy to be persuaded in its own nature, as they by their nature are inexorable in their hatreds and revenges. The deceived Prince did not penetrate into the secret malices of that deceitful woman, his object being that love which held to be reciprocal was not so; Wherefore wheeling about divers things in her mind, she found no other remedy but this one, to return without delay into the East: whereupon holding silence a great while, as though she had not liked it; And how shall I go( at last said she) injured and unrevenged? But Raico not apprehending any injury, and consequently no cause of revenge, the business having happened without any deceit; having been well used, honoured and respected; She was forced at last to lay open her cruel intentions, by vomiting out of these words My condition ( Raico) is such, that I can find now no place to receive me amongst mine equals. Who will esteem me brought into Lusitania under title of Queen, seeing me driven out thence with so much contempt? who will believe the death and burial of Liarta, and give credit to her life and return? But say they should believe it. Truth and falsehood in my case are equally shameful? to have been as it were upon a stage acting the parsonage of a Queen, and as a Concubine to be sent home with disgrace, my temples environed with scorns instead of Crowns: No, by God Mars, I will not unrevenged, I will not( in despite of all the aspects of the Heavens) have a mind so base as to let my patience augment mine injury. Almadero shall die, I will make him an example to others, to know that my equals ought to be free not onely from affronts, but even from the least disgusts. Raico felt himself as it were thunderstrook with the sound of these words, conceiving the womans intents. He was ashamed, would not believe her, and remitted his judgement to a more open declaration: which was not long before it was made, it being declared by her she would have Almadero die, and him to be the murderer. Oh how his affections were changed! Her beauties which he before so highly esteemed, were by him accounted but mere illusion, her face shewed like a piece of painting. Oh how he blushed, how in at winkling of an eye did he see more then ever he did before. He found himself in an instant cleared from all traps and snares, free from errors, and totally restored to his former judgement, and the further he receded from all blamable thoughts, the more he inclined to good ones, discretion only assisting him in this extreme encounter. He had much ado to frame himself, not to a refusal( for of his own nature he could not approve of such an abominable thing) but even to the hearkening to so horrid a request. He thought to persuade her to alter her design, by showing her the abomination of the act. But a transcendent wickedness never attains to its pretended end till it comes to that height, that no punishment can be invented to equal it. It was in vain for Raico, and impossible to find out any reasons to remove Laodomia from this resolution. For in the loss of his affection he had lost the authority of a lover, as well as he had before in his dishonest acts lost that of Hermit. At last he said, Madam, I was born a Prince, and you the like: you require a thing of me too unworthy either of us. The King hath not offended you, and I do not see, how as a Knight I can pretend to exact any revenge of him. To murder him basely, as you would have me, I will not, may the Earth open and swallow me first. But if I should be so basely cowardly, how will you save yourself? care not for me, we will remit the questioning of that to another time. The question now is onely, whether Heaven would be satisfied with my shane and damage onely. No sure, Heaven should err in its providence if it did suffer it. I will if you please conduct you into Leucadia presently, if you cannot endure the sight of Almadero or Liarta: and if this will not satisfy you, assure yourself love never obliged a Knight to any villainous act. She with an inflamed and and angry visage answered, You a Prince? you a Knight? Nature sure erred when she made you such. Cowardly, base, and ingrateful as you are. These abject habits you now wear are fittest for you, not to represent that devotion, which( being feigned) doth but deceive the world: but your baseness, which( being true) doth undeceive me. If ever you dare to gird on sword I will cause it to be taken off again with such shane and damage, as shall be most fitting for you. I am sorry I have made proud with my favours so unworthy an one. I will do pennance for it, I will forget it, and think the worse of myself for thy sake, whom I esteem the basest wretch on Earth. And thus without expecting any reply, driven by the fury of her perverse thoughts, she went away drawing the door after her because she would not be followed. The damsels seeing her past all bounds of melancholy, entred into a mere fury, knew not what to think of it. She was all that day& the night following without rest, or food: continually revolving in her mind a thousand pernicious resolutions: She would have put them all in practise if she had been as sure of the events, as she was of the malignity of her own will. She knew not to whom to address her self, to kill Almadero, she was now resolved Raico should die. She held her self deceived, injuried and vilipended by him. She could find no reason sufficient to stay her. No reason durst present itself unto hers, she was so full of infernal violence, having voted her self to hell; she sent at length for Dragante: this was not onely a servant of her, but also a born subject in Leucadia, bread up amid strife, and treacheries, and had been a pleasing instrument to appease her angry mind causelessly moved, by the damage or murdering of many innocents. Go( said she) to the Hermitage here by, and find out the Hermit and let him die: and while thou killst him, let him know I sent thee. Thus must lascivious dissembling Hypocrites be punished. I went to receive comfort from the villain, esteeming him to be an holy devout man, and he durst request that of me which is lawful for none but husbands to do. Go and bring me news presently that it is done; for you do know I am a grateful Lady and mistress to you. He needed not a more authentic mandate. It is a sweet thing to a cruel man to bath himself in blood without any danger. He thought he should find no danger in murdering a peaceable man( for so he thought him) suddenly. And he feared no danger of punishment being commanded by the Queen, the command being just, and the cause honest. But traitors likely, being cowards, he would not go alone. He thought that assaulting a a man, who was esteemed good by the world, he might find some opposition; wherefore taking some along with him, whom she had with her own mouth commanded, he went presently to the Hermitage, and telling him what the Queen had enjoined him, he desired them to let him alone with the Hermit, and they( in case any people should come in) should onely suppress the tumult. No man contradicted him, the evil which was to be committed thought too meritorious. Raico in the mean time, being remained free from all those passions, which before had blinded his understanding, thought that staying longer in Lsitania might hurt him. Laodomia's conditions being such, that one might thence expect nothing but scandals. Having  told Vassilius what was befallen him now last, as he always imparted all his other secrets to him. He commanded him to provide him with two Horses to be gone presently, a resolution which the good Squire had long looked for; who being gone out for that purpose, could not come home till late at night, at which time he had provided two stout ones. Raico had kept his arms all this while in a press, and having renewed them, expected day, the time seeming long to him, till he could forsake his pretences, and together with the Country, the habit wherein he had till that time corruptly lived. But the difficulties which usually happen upon suchunexpected voyages did hinder him, being forced to furnish himself with many things, and Vassilius not returning till noon. Being come, and having set the Horses in a Court near that place, he began to arm him, and having put on his Corselet, going to put on his— some body knocked at the door: And being that time at which devout persons did use to sand them refreshment: it being fitting to open doors, he put on his Hermits Gown over his corselet, and whilst Vassilius laid up the— he opened the door himself, never asking who it was that knocked. Dragante seeing there was no body in the Church, drew his dagger,( telling him, the Queen chatisted him for his rashness, by that stab she sent him) stabbed at him with such force, that he had like to have fallen backward, so that his corselet saved his life. Dragante thought he had strook against hard Marble, and not knowing the reason of it, superstition did so daunt him, that Raico had time to recover, and going to close with him to take his dagger from him, the other discovering his armor, and finding that it was not by miracle( as he believed) that he had not wounded him, he run him through the arm with a second stab, and lowering his dagger to thrust it into his unarmed side, Raico threw him down under him, holding his dagger hand fast Vassilius had upon the first stab opened the press again, and having taken out thence sword and buckler, was hastening to kill the villain, but his companions drawing their swords, constrained him to turn towards them. Raico in the mean time, having with little labour taken away his Enemies dagger thrust it in his throat, and seeing he dyed not with that, made an end of him, thrusting it up to the hilts into his heart, and taking his sword, he went out to aid Vassilius. The Epirotes are ordinarily warlike people, and Raico, who was very valorous, had in an instant with ease, dispatched two of the four which assaulted them, and had done the like with the other two, if the glistering of the swords had not given warning to those who were within sight of the place, who running thither, wondering to find the Hermit with a sword in his hand, and three dead bodies at his feet. They would at first have partend the fray, but being accused for having lasciviously solicited the Queen, they were in such manner scandalised at the matter, that they all fell upon him, and he was forced after he had long resisted to yield himself to the turbelant multitude which threw stones at him every way; and being grown to a great number, over-pressed him: there being added to his unknown fact, this last apparent one, of having slain so many men. The innocent Hermitage was strictly preached, and there being arms, horses, jewels, and no small store of money found there; how could one judge well of him, being clothed with such a habit? Vassisius grieved extremely to see him in such a case, bleeding on every side, especially about the head, which he was partly cause of himself, having refused a buckler which he had several times proffered him. He had a long time defended him with it from many blows: But to safeguard him from the tempest of stones which showered on him every way, would have required a vaster largeness. He could not endure to see him tied, he would have  told who he was; but Raico would not suffer it, but imposed him silence. There came already to the shore of the River Tagus, many little Boats and Passengers which went and came from Olisippus, who forsaking the high-way which was nor far distant from thence, came to the tumult, and among them were many Knights, to whom the Hermits fault seemed unlikely to be true: For if it were so, why should they seek to take away his life by the hands of five murtherers, whilst they might without any such scandalous means, be punished by way of justice. Silence had force in him, rather to confirm, then confute this conceit, attributing that to excellence of perfection, which was the excellency of a most perfect mind. On the other side, the arms and horses, the Jewels and money, accoutrements not of peace nor poverty, but things rather belonging to a man of a contrary profession, confounded mens judgements. Others who were quicker scented, smelled out the business just as it was: they examined that presence too noble, for such a poor habit, and together with that his youth, beauty, valour, wealth, and the Queens present disgusts: her going to him alone to his Gell, where for conveniency, at least there ought to have been some of her maids present. The little likelihood that any man, much less a religious man, should dare to desire such a thing at her hands: and grant it should be so, no woman would be so severe, or austere, to make such a stir about it. Wherefore having sought to put him to death unheard, was likelier to be, because she having desired some dishonest thing at his hands, was by him denied to perform it. There were sent together with one of the five which remained alive, some others to Lancobridge, which was not above three bow-shoots from the place, to know of the Queen, what was her pleasure should be done with the prisoner: news which was more troublesone to her then Liarta's return: wherefore misdoubting her own wicked facts, would be made manifest by Raicos deposition, it was convenient for her to be rid of him, neither knew she which way; at the last dissembling her fears, she feigned her self transported by excessiverage, such as never had possibly any place amid fear, and called out toward her Knights: Will you endure me, said she, then to be thus dishonoured, and suffer the Traytors to live before my face in despite of me: Go I command you, and do not let them live: I shall by this, see who among you will make most hast in purchasing my favour: and turning towards the messengers which were sent to her, she said, Tell them who sent you, that my pleasure is they should die presently: that I will have this justice done, seeing the injury was done to my royal person. This command seemed harsh to the Grecians, and to the Lusitanians most cruel. The Messengers being returned to the Hermitage, caused much whispering, especially amongst the Knights. They conceived that the Prisoners being put in prison, ought by way of justice to be tried for their offences, if they had committed any: The Courtiers in the mean time were arming themselves, disposed, though unwillingly to obey their Mistresses command. Now whilst they were expecting some strange event in this business, behold, there came in a Knight, armed with exceeding rich sumptuous arms, which made show of so free and bold a courage, that the enviousest eye in the world would have been delighted in the sight of him. He had two squires, and a dansel with him; and seeing such a multitude of people, he had a great desire to know what the cause was. One could not perfectly discover Raico's face it was so bloody; but seeing Vassilius stand with tears issuing from his eyes, beseeching the standards by, that he might be permitted to dress the Hermit: the Knight seemed to be somewhat troubled at it, and calling the damsel to him, he whispered somewhat in her ear, pointing at Vassilius, whereupon she growing pale, the tears gushed presently forth of her eyes, and were again as suddenly stopped, the Knight having given her but a little shake. This act, which was particularly observed by the Knights, made every one wonder: advancing forward then, and a little more seriously looking upon the Hermit, he stood still a while in suspense; and hearing the Queen was the cause of this his evil usage, he shook his head, and lifting up his eyes towards the Courtiers, which cried as they came, that they should be killed, he said to the Hermit so loud, that every one might hear him. Let not these outcries affright you Prince Raico; you shall not die, or if you do, I will die with you: and spurring his Horse forward, he went to meet them; and as soon as ever he came near to them, he said, Knights, I pray go no further, to obey so unjust a command will procure you nothing but pain and repentance. The Princess of Feacia is no longer Queen in Lusitania; Queen Liarta being alive, and returned. But suppose she were, where is it permitted to Queens to put men to death without any form of justice. Let the Prisoners be put into the Magistrates hands, and if they be found culpable, let them be punished. These reasons liked the Knights very well, neither were they displeasing to the common people; when the boldest among the Grecians answered: And who are you, you unadvised fellow, that dare pronounce sentence concerning the Queens marriage? Will you be so mad as to oppose yourself against her commands? We have order to kill them presently, and if you contradict us, we will do the same by you. They shall live( answered the strange Knight) and I with them to your shane: and you only base Traytors shall die by this hand; and turning to the Knights who followed him; he prayed them not to meddle with the fight, but to leave it to him alone: this was not their intention, being all resolved to not see the Prisoners wronged, yet they obeied him, rather to see whether the effects were correspondent to so much confidence, then because they judged him such as to have no need of them. The threatening and assaulting of them with his sword in his hand, though divers things were in an instant performed: The gentleness which appeared in his external, altered in aspect, and in an instant became fierceness and terror: His beautiful and rich arms, were in small time all besmeared with blood and brains: he never strook stroke but he killed, he never killed, but he dismembered: his stead obedient to his hand, emulating as it were his Master, past and repast amongst them like swift lightning. Never did Engine so easily over-throw a tottering and ill-founded Tower, as he over threw men and horses. You would have judged him by the champing of his Bic an enraged mastiff: by his kicking, a new, but more untamed Bucephalus. The Knights well perceived they should have nothing else to do, but to behold his Prowesses, neither could they behold them without admiration. He maimed and cut in pieces as many men and horses, as he stroke blows: It is written for a wonder, that Ailas bore up the Heaven, but it was a greater wonder to see the earth bear such a Wartior. None of all these went forward to kill the Prisoners, for they all lay slain in the place, and if one escaped with the sad news to Laodomia, there was never race run so swift, as he flew to the unfortunate Palace, thinking himself happy, he only had fortune to escape out of the general Massacre: Vassilius whilst they fought, knew the damsel, who without speaking a word, stood by him; neither should he have thought of looking upon her, if the Knights words, who called his master by his name, had not awakened him: whereupon rejoicing, gentle Darice( said he in the Greek tongue) what pitiful God hath hath brought you hither at this time, in such an extremity to save the Prince, my Masters life and honour? make yourself known unto him, I pray you, lo where he is, his face all besmeared with blood, his Clothes torn, his body wounded, and bound like a wild beast. The damsel was so overcome with compassion, that she had neither power to answer, nor yet to obey him: When Raico hearing that name, though he were attentive beholding of the Knights prowess, turning about knew her, and astonished too see so unlooked for a sight, said, I have no leisure Darice to testify unto you, how joyful I am to see you here, since the obligation by which I am obliged to that most valiant Warrior, makes me desirous to know him, since he knoweth me, tell me I pray you who it is; She bowing her self down upon the Horse neck, answered him, My Lord, Time will not permit to rehearse how much I am grieved to find you in this estate, and if I were not certain that the end of this skirmish, will be the period of your imprisonment, I should die with grief. As for that Knight, I beseech you to pardon me if I conceal his name, for I am commanded so to do, and if I should tell you it, I know not whether it would be pleasing unto you. Raico was confounded with these lost words: though silence( in his conceit)  told him that name which she pretended to hid from him, but being unwilling to press upon her too much, casting his eyes upon the Squires, he presently called them to mind both, whilst she with a weeping tone desired him to suffer her to dress his hurts. He like one that esteemed not the imminent dangers, answered with a smile, Saying, seemeth it unto you Darice, that I am in case to receive this courtesy at your hands, you must ask those who keep me, leave, and these bonds which bind me. But where is the princess of Acarnania my Lady? how doth she? Happy, I, if I had not to my great confusion been so ingratefull to her, but I am justly punished for it. She being satisfied with these last words, said unto him, My Lady, Sir, is as well as that Knight whom you see fighting for you, from him you shal have more particular news he being come to you from her. Raico was much confounded at these words, and thinking he was deceived concerning that Knight, he imagined he was come to challenge him and fight with him at her request; On the other side, knowing her to be most valiant, and in martiall affairs far from employing any others for her, he knew not what to think. In the mean time the battle was reduced to terms of a certain victory on the knights side, with so much amazement to the beholder, that every one judged it impossible that a squadron of armed men could have performed that which he alone had done And being remained but one of ten, who recommended his life to the fleetnesse of a swift horse, he returned to the rest, by whom he was received with such honour as his singular virtue was singularly well worthy of. And coming amongst them who applauded him for being as courteous there, as he had been terrible amongst his enemies, being come to the place where Raico was, he said unto them; Gentlemen, I have undertaken to defend this Knight, not upon terms of violence, but of reason, He is not what he seems by his habit, but a great Prince. I think I displease him by telling it, but it is requisite I should do it He is but too well known to Laodomia, and Lusitania is not the first of their acquaintance. Yet that which she at this present layeth to his charge is mere malignity and calumny. Will you be pleased to deliver him into my hands that I may see him cured. I will be surety for him, and present him before Justice, whensoever it shal call for him. If his case be to be debated by the rigour of Law, he shall not want reasons on his behalf. If by arms, he shall be his own Champion, his sword being the best in the East. I do not speak it to spare mine own, but because I would not do him wrong: and if his health will not permit him. I will adventure myself against any one that shall accuse him. Having thus said, he stayed expecting an answer. The Knights looking one upon another, no particular man daring to make any resolution of himself, drew together with some of the chief of the multitude, and there resolved to give such a Knight satisfaction. That the reputed hermit, had been made prisoner tumultuarily, without the authority of any magistrate, and if he had killed any, it was lawful for him to do it, in his own defence. That the laws of Lusitania did not oblige them to retain malefactors, such a thing belonging onely to Sergeants and other like officers. The prisoners therefore being loosed, Raico was dressed in the Hermitage by the dansel, there being no wound of any danger found about him, and being provided with a convenient boat, they were embarked together with some others with the Knight, who would go along with them to get them good lodgings, being strangers and people of worth. Raico used all manner of thankfulness( not omitting any kind of generous humiliation) towards his defender, yet could not obtain of him to see him without an helmet, or know who he was. Being arrived to Olisippo, they were placed in two several lodgings, after the Hermits jewels, arms, and horses were restored to him, and there for a short time we will leave them.  
Liarta having reposed some daies with her Almadero: the concourse of Nobility which came to kiss their hands was so great in Leuciana, that the smallness of the place being not able to entertain them, they were forced to think on removing to Caurio, a City situate between the River Tagus, and the Mount of Venus, and on that side which was fittest for the convenient sojourning and abode of a great Court. They had gone directly to Olisippo, if the means of taking leave of Laodomia had not a little troubled them. The King had written to her divers times, and sent divers messengers, but all in vain. He had kept divers counsels about it, and there was resolved an embassage of six of the chiefest, who being arrived to Lancobridge were somewhat scandalised at the Hermits business; believing the business to be rather according as truly it was, then according to the false rumour which Laodomia had raised. Notwithstanding this did not hinder them from doing that wherefore they were come. Having given notice of their arrival, and that they had order to confer with her in a public place touching some business of importance, they were referred to the next day. Their ambassage was already known by some advices come from Court, neither was there any Knight in Olisippo or thereabouts, nor much less any stranger, but came thither, desirous to here what would be said there, so that the next morning the great Hall was so full of people, that the Ambassadors had much ado to reach to the cloth of state, under which the Queen leaning against a chair expected them. After they had made her a low congee; But without kneeling as they were wont formerly to do, he that had order to speak to her, after a short and well fitted exordium related to her; That Liarta their ancient Queen being come again, they had order to give her notice of it; the King praying her to prepare her self for her return into Leucadia, or where she best liked. For since Heaven was not pleased to have the marriage betwixt them to last any longer, it would please to grant them in stead of that a perpetual friendship not subject to divorces, such an one his majesty proffered under name of her Knight while his life should last. That the Fleet should shortly be ready to reconduct her: that she should in the mean while bethink her wherein his Majesty might do her any service, seeing she should still keep the possession of the same authority she had, till that time had in that Kingdom. That in token of their former conjugal bonds, he bestowed on her all those domains which formerly belonged to Queen Liarta's Father, and with them the Title of Queen, to enjoy the profits thereof during her life, and dispose of all the offices within them, and of the Government thereof. And if she desired to have her departure solemnized by any public demonstrations, the King would not spare any kind of honour: he would come himself in person to see her embarked, and give her such an affectionate adue, as could be given by any well affencted friend, if not, she should her self prescribe in what manner it should be. He onely gave her notice, that her departure would defer the coming of Queen Liarta, not because she would not willingly see her, but because she, feared the sight of her might be troublesone to her. Laodomia heard them with an impatient sufferance. She turned her self every way, without finding any object to satisfy her; She looked upon them by intervals with angry and watery eyes. She changed, with the diversity of passions which altered in her by turns, even the very lineaments of her face. She grew pale, she sweat, she trembled: uttering no signs, but of an enraged and troubled mind. She would no longer, through anger, stand upright, but sate down, and supplying the unfortunate failing of her judgement, in well resolving, with the happiness of a faithful memory in answering of all these particular articles; She spake in this wise, I know that Liarta is come into Lusitania: but I see no reason why her coming should cause my departur. The King if he be just ought to lessen, not increase injuries upon those who receive them: his deceased Father, denying him to have Liarta to be his wife, knew wherefore he did so. Clandestine and lustful meetings were never by any good laws allowed for lawful marriaages. Liarta is not his wife, I am: If any one of you know she is his wife, he must likewise know, where the marriage was contracted, where the wedding was celebrated, and what witnesses were present. As for my part, I can affirm, and there is none of you that are ignorant of it, how I was fetched from Ericusa, publicly espoused, solemnly brought hither, and crwoned with general applause. To reward me with proffers of domains and vanities of Titles, are not things to be propounded to a sovereign princess born as I am. And I being unwilling to live a widow, seeing my youth, and my subjects interests will not permit it, what recompense can be given me if I cannot find a husband conformable to my condition, as questionless I shall not, bearing that mark of shane which I here receive? Lost honour cannot be restored, nor have out of itself, any thing to countervalew it; it is a ponderous and weighty thing, which not small rewards, nay, nor great ones can encounterpoise It is thought a great favour to permit me the title of Queen, neither is it regarded that nothing is offered me but what cannot be taken away from me, that which death itself cannot deprive me of. A Queen I am, and a Queen I shall be so long as the world lasts, and so long as the memory of my name shall last to posterity or in histories. The friendship which the King presents to me is due to me conjoined, and not divorced, neither is it sufficient for him to profess himself my Knight, if he deny to be my husband. If Liarta will not come till I be gone, she never is like to come, and if she thinks her sight will offend me, she does not think amiss. The worst consciences are sometimes accidentally good, as now hers is, not to clear her of her dishonesty, but to show it her, that her obstinacy may render her inexcusable. What will the world say when it shall know, that the favours shown by the King and others to a concubine, have emboldened a false and a counterfeit Hermit so far as to attempt Laodomia his wives honesty, and kill her servants before the eyes of the people, without scandal or punishment? Has Liarta roved all the East over, and having with her person satisfied Coralbo Prince of Arabia, doth shre return into Lusitania to receive the Crownfor her reward? I confess she deserves it, being a fit Queen for such subjects, who would persuade me to such di shonest things. She would have said more, but she was hindered by a Knights coming, who making his way through the throng, cried out he must be heard, and so made her stop, wondering that any one durst to interrupt her. The ambassadors thought to have chid him, but he being come up to the place where they were, was in such rich armor, and had so brave an aspect, and so full of authority, that they would say nothing to him. He looking upon Laodomia, and wondering to find her so much altered from what she was, when he saw her in Ericusa, he said thus, I am the banished Lady, daughter of Polimero, and Eromena Princess of Sardinia. Coralbo Prince of Arabia is mine acquaintance and friend. Queen Liarta is reputed so good, that I should do very ill to esteem that good opinion which all the world hath of her to be otherwise then true. And were it otherwise, honesty( O Laodomia) should teach you that business of this nature ought to be more modest. That which I pretend is to maintain your accusation to be an open calumny. That Liarta was always, and is chast, and that Coralbo accompanied her to serve her, and not to defame her: here is my gauge. And having thus said, she threw down her glove. Whilst she yet spake; there was a Knight drew near her, whose grace and comeliness was so remarkable, that it drew every ones eyes towards him, especially Laodomia's; who astonished at this unlooked for challenge, thought he was advanced to undertake the battle for her. The banished Lady had scarce done speaking, when the Knight kneeling to her suddenly, kissed her bare hand, and giving her many thanks for so special a favour: besought her to suffer him( seeing he was present) to defend his own cause. The warrierresse remained in suspense, far from imagining who it was, but remembering the accent of his speech, she joyfully answered, she was content, seeing his honour, which she intended to be jealous of, did require it: he humbling himself again to her, the occasion and place affording him no longer time of compliments, advanced towards Laodomia, saying; I am sorry Princess of Feacia, that you are a woman, and that I being a servant to this sex, am forbidden to use such terms to you as I should, were you a man: Yet is it not lawful for you to calumniate a Lady far better then yourself, and an innocent Knight without reproof. I am that Coralbo whom you falsely accuse: Queen Liarta I never knew, but to commiserate her disasters, and pitty her griefs. That which you allege to the contrary, if it be not your own invention( as I believe it is not) it was a wicked malice in him who made you believe it. If he be a base fellow, that shall not prejudice him, let him have the privilege of a man without exception; I will subject myself to the laws; I will produce witnesses, that when I first knew Liarta, I took her to be a Knight, that upon this supposition I kept company with her, that our meeting was upon the Sea, in the sight of the mariners and Squires, and was never alone with her. If he be a Knight, he is an unworthy one, here is my gauge( which saying, he threw a Glove before the Ambassadors) I will prove him alyer, and put him to death. These last words were no sooner spoken, but a Knight who stood not far from him, stooped and took up the Glove, and holding it up in an affencted and ridiculous manner, said, the author of this truth is not far off. I the Lord of Ithaca am he that spake it, he who with the point of his sword will drive the lye back from whence it came, we are in arms already: and withall he lowered his Vizard, which only was raised up( as those of all the unknown Knights were) he laid his hand on his sword. Coralbo drew his also, though it seemed very impertinent to him to fight in that place where they could not wield their swords without danger to the standards by: Laodamia who was much refreshed at the unlooked for appearance of this new Champion, commanded them to delay the fight, and so did the Ambassdors, when lo there appeared a fourth Knight: It was no hard matter to know him, for it was he, who in defence of the Hermit, had made such a slaughter of Laodomia's servant; who in a majestic and decent manner, standing between them two, said, this is no place to debate or combat, but a place to agree quarrels, I pray forbear: and turning her face towards the Chair of state, she said with a loud voice, so that every one might very plainly understand her.  
I( O Laodomia) am the Princess of Acarnania; thou know'st what tricks thou hast played me, so thou knowest likewise, thou canst not dissemble with me, because I know thee two well If thou hast such another( for better thou canst not have) then this thine, and my neighbour of Ithaca, to oppose unto me, do it: then turning towards the ambassadors, she proceeded. She that will here be esteemed a new Penelope, whilst old Lamia was not more prostitute then she, endeavours to make us believe she was dishonestly solicited by the Hermit upon the River of Tagus. The Hermit is Raico, the King of Epirus his Son, who having lost himself in the love of this Adulteress, and having enjoyed her before e're King Almadero came to Ericusa, came hither unknown to his Father, drawn by the enchantments of her lascivious dalliances, and clothed himself in this habit: She was in his Cell to visit him, and stayed with him alone, under pretence of receiving comfort from him in her present deserved afflictions, which might far more conveniently have been done in the presence of some of her Damsels, who might very well have been ear-witnesses of these their pretended spiritual discourses. We need not doubt but Prince Raico alone may inform us of the truth, but he being so generous a Knight, I dare assure myself, that since he believes it lawful for him to defend her innocency by way of arms, he will not think it fit to accuse a woman of so much dishonesty, though she be his Capital enemy: I therefore who know them both, will maintain Laodomia speaks false, here is my Glove. Laodomia hearing the Princess of Acarnanias name, and seeing her present, had like to have fainted: she presently reputed her self lost, if not dead: all her hopes she had before gathered together with her cunning, and treacheries being now dispersed, knowing she had a Register of her dishonest actions now by her, and no place left for denials or excuses: and finding her self not only pricked, but wounded by the edge of a truc-telling Tongue, an unspotted maiden, a warlike Princess, who was both her rival and enemy. If she did not die, it was divine mercy that reserved her for repentance: then casting her languishing eyes about, which in silence begged for relief of the standards by, nor seeing any one stir in her behalf, contrarywise all to be very well contented with what was said of her; she thought to follow the custom of nature, and make fear to produce boldness, and dishonesty, right, being sure that if she were overcome every way else, yet she would conquer every one in shameless impudence: But the Lord of Ithaca, who being of Ulysses Genealogy, was Heir of his malice and cunning, his prudence and valour being inherited by his other Brothers, was a great while in doubt, whether he should say any thing or no; seeing the battle he had already undertaken against Coralbo, might free him from it. But being in particular offended by the Princess of Acarnania, and no body appearing for Laodomia, he was forced to answer her: No mean resolution of virtue( if virtue it were) to smother the inward fear he had of the Princess being by it overcome. The laws of honesty( said he) which indifferently oblige both men and women, ought with the same indifferency bind women with a double tie; these have you at the present broken O Princess of Acarnania. The chastity of Queen Laodomia, hath all the East for witness; your calumnies none but yourself: if you were in place where adultery is not proved without the deposition of two at least, that have punctually at the same time seen the act, you would be mightily troubled, nor would your being famous in arms, free you from punishment. If what you say were true, the Prince of Epirus needed not to have disguised himself to enjoy her love, all is false, they are all lies: and if this Knight, with whom I have already passed my word to fight? will give me leave, I will take up your gauge, that you may not have neither a better, nor one like to me, but me myself to chastise you. I find myself( answered the Princess with a scornful smile) so much chastised, that I can endure no greater punishment by suffering your impudent shamelesseness. If you did know those laws of honesty which you so master-like do teach us, you should know two things, which being ignorant of, you ought to learn of us. The first is, to make use of your own reasons, if you have any, without objecting to others invented guilts. Recrimination being a mark of a guilty and cauterized conscience. The second, that not he who answers and justifies himself, but he who impudently calumniates, and falsely accuses, is the breaker of these laws. You say all the East is witness of this womans chastity? and why not the West? Why not King Almadero, who enjoyed her while her husband lived? Did not the King of Epirus keep his son under custody, till this chast woman went from Ericusa for fear of some scandal. The East accusing them for their dishonest conversation? But of yourself good my Lord of Ithaca, what think you the East saith of you and her? as for the laws which you allege to me, if they were of force here, in what case do you think you should be if you were forced to prove that against a most chast Queen and a most noble Prince, that which never was, nor never came to pass in any ones hearing neither in the East nor in the West, but is onely now bruited by your two dishonest tongues. To you two most worthy couple, the Epitome of the East and West, to you the Ul●●y●s and Penelope of our age it is lawful to speak what you please without fear of God or man. But let the Lord of Ithaca be pleased to give us leave to ask her; why she once would have bribed my own servants to poison me, and at another time to sand three murtherers to kill me when I was a hunting? If she be ashamed to tell you, I will not. It was because Prince Raico was appointed to be my husband, which being once come to pass, he should have been forced to leave her. And to free him from this bond, she knew no readier way then to rid me of my life. Laodomia had till then held her tongue fastened to the roof of her mouth, advised by her own evil conscience. But when she saw the princess going on in full career, to reveal all her shameful acts, she thought it was time to interrupt her, crying out they were all falshoods and lies. I will make thee confess them( thou impudent strumpet) to be all to thy knowledge, and as she would have gone nearer to her, Ithaca opposed her; There was never enraged Tiger so fierce as the furious warrieresse became at that time, she took the Iron guantlet which lay upon the ground before her, striking him on the mouth with such force that the blood gushed out in abundance. He had by misfortune lifted up his beaver before because he would have his words better heard. Now feeling himself thus evil entreated he lift up his sword which he had ready drawn in his hand, and striking at her head, he cut the latchets wherewith her Helmet was fastened. She feeling it loose( not fearing any second blows, threw it on the ground, and closing with him took away his sword, and throwing him on the ground, I know not whether with more dexterity or strength, she laid him at her feet, striking him continually with the gauntlet. There was never such a battle seen. The Ambassadors would have taken him out of her hands, but she being enraged, said unto them, I pray let me alone with him, you do not know him as well as I do, this fellow is fit to be used in no other manner, and as he would have gotten from under her, she gave him a kick on the breast, that she tumbled him down again backward, continuing the torment of the gauntlet upon him, till sownding he spit out all his teeth. Then being satisfied, she turned the other way; Laodomia had that morning put on a royal Crown, thinking it should serve her for an idol of adoration. The first thing the princess did, was to take it off her head, and presenting it to the ambassadors, she desired them to give it to Queen Liarta, as duly belonging to her. In the mean time, the coif which held up her hair being unknit fell down to the ground. There was no rigor but was appeased at that sight, that aspect made an end of eclipsing Laodomia's beauty. The gelsomine and the white bind which knit up the vermilion of those beautiful roses, made the white and read which was in her seem a— Her delicate resplendent hair hanging down to her knee, waving up and down in the eye of the mullitude, made those of Laodomia( fallen loose in the pulling off of her Crown) appear as things spoiled with rain and weather. The one was neat in her natural beauty as Heaven had made her; the other in her feigned beauty, more artificious then befitted art itself, to beautify her. But the beauty fullest of colours, being raised at the falling of her hair, manifested that warlike rigidness did not take away, but beautify the best, which so well becomes Virgin-modesty. Wherefore carefully gathering and binding up again her hair about her head, she asked whether any among those which were present there, would undertake that unhappy womans defence? But no man stirring( and the whole Hall being in a deep silencee) she turned to her and said, Laodomia thou seest to what a pass thy continual evil actions have brought thee Thou art no longer Queen, dally not with thyself Heaven and Earth abhor thee. I am sorry for it. Thou wert a princess born. If ever thou return to Leucadia I cannot choose but denounce fire, war and death against thee; a particular punishment due unto thee for the old injuries particularly done to me. As for the public injuries to which thou oughtest to give satisfaction, two things are required. One to produce the author, or confess thyself to be autrix of the calumnies raised against the Queen and the Prince of Arabia. The other to tell us the cause which moved thee to desire to have the Hermit killed. If thou confessest thou shalt have pardon, we will procure it thee from her whom thou hast so maliciously offended. Otherwise never hope to escape hence uncondemned. To one that is by fortunes favour grown proud, if she once forsake him, nothing can be expected but dejection and baseness: a truth which proved itself infallible in Laodomia; for astonished by such an unexpected accident, she stood a long time without motion, her women and damzells rending their garments, and tearing their hair after a most barbarous manner, calling in vain upon already banished compassion of the standards by. At last being come to her self again, and seeing she was come to that pass that she could not— without precipitating; Liarta too grievously offended in her honour. The Princess and Raico, testimonies without exception. The truth— Mercy without confession of the fact, an useless advocate, with sobs caused by a most bitter dolour, taking her by the skirt of her garment with a submissive manner, answered her in this manner. Valiant Prncesse, If against reason, I cruelly offended you: justly with as much just cruelty have you revenged yourself; for your particular, it shall be as you please. I will remit Leucadia with myself into your hands. As for the rest I beseech you to take undeserved pitty of one most deservedly unfortunate; and requiring such an extreme shameful pennance of her, to be pleased to accept of it else whereout of the presence of so much company. Hearing these submiss and lamentable entreaties, the Princesses wrath was appeased, and having related her desire to the ambassadors and Princes there present,( after some just debate thereupon) they granted her request. Retiring with her, into one of the innermost rooms: the Lord of Ithaca had been carried out of the hall to Olisippo, to be cured. Other seeing the meeting broken up went out, though they much desired to hear the event of it. Laodomia thanking them for this favour, broken out into such speeches. My Lords, calumny in innocency, remaines extinguished like fire in water. I have defamed this Prince( pointing at Coralbo) with Queen Liarta, not that Ithaca did ever tell me so, though he said he had; But because her self having related to the King, how she had kept company with him upon the Sea, I thought to frame this falsehood thereupon, hoping that by raising some suspicion in his mind, I might alienate him from her. As for Prince Raico I went to see him, having not spoken with him before in Lusitania; For though I saw him once before and knew him, yet I did as though I had not known him. That which I requested of him was to kill the King, to revenge myself for the divorce which I expected. But he denying to do it, I went angry from him, and under pretence that he had required some dishonesty of me. I endeavoured to have him slain. This is all which without making any circumstances I can tell you. As for the rest, I confess I have erred: and as I do not excuse myself, so I do not pretend that my plots having taken no effect, makes me guiltless. I know that not the event, but the deliberation makes the guilt, especially in the person of Princes. I crave pardon of all, and humbly beg, that if any punishment be decreed me, it may not be as this daies public one was. I am a princess, and this favour ought not to be denied to my quality, though I be guilty. If my wickednesses( which trouble my mind more then any punishments can affright me) make me to undergo for aggravation, the odious scoffs and scorns of a tumultuous multitude. I will procure my death with mine own hands. I sought once to have this worthy princess of Acarnania poisoned, and that not hitting, I sent three murtherers to kill her, to break off her match with Raico, and enjoy him myself; But the revenge she hath this day taken, is far greater, then if she had killed me a thousand times. The tears which gushed from her eyes as she spoken these words drowned all those words which she intended to speak more. The princess would have had the ambassadors answer her; but they renouncing this honour to her( she having been the instrument of terminating that instantly which they could not have ended but by long and tedious ways) laying aside all her former rigidnesses, sought to comfort her with a wise corrective discourse, saying. That as for the public disgrace, she ought to complain of none but her self. She having not failed on her side publicly to defame the Queen and the Princes of Arabia and Epirus. And that even this present recantation( which also should have been public, was by these Princes and ambassadors by special grace, granted her to be in private. That they would for the future think well of her, confession of the fault being a sign of repentance. That as for what belonged to her self, she pardonned all former injuries. And did beseech the Prince of Arabia to do the like, and those Lords to mediate with the King and Queen, to the end that having leave she might depart without having any word spoken of things past Coralbo was not penurious in pardoning what was desired of him, and the Ambassadors promising to procure the like from their Majesties left her, the one returning to the Court, and the others to Olisippo. Liarta receiving the Crown, wondered when she heard the success, but much more Almadero. For he would never have imagined, that one esteemed by him an angel in person, would in practise have proved to be such a wicked and black fiend. He sent the same Ambassadors to invite to Court the above name Princes, Liarta desiring to know them and give them thanks: but especially to see Coralbo again, to whom( disdaining all calumnies) she professed her self, duly affectioned. Neither was it forgotten to give strict orders for a Navy, that Laodomia might be gone, so soon as possible might be. But while these Princes advance towards Caurio, it is fitting we should relate by what fortune they all met, from such remote parts, in Lusitania all together. And the princess of Acarnania, as the greatest stranger shall be our first subject. Acarnania and Epirus having from the beginning been but one Kingdom subject to one Crown, remained( after they were divided) in great question between them: which differences being agreed between the two present Kings, the agreement was sealed by a double affinity. The Prince of Acarnania taking a sister of Raico's to wife, and Raico having espoused Leuriana( which is this of whom we speak) the sister of the said Prince. The marriage of the first was consummated, that of the second was deferred, being contracted in the parties too tender age. Whereby Raico came to fall in love with Laodomia, who with her allurements kept him so entangled, that the poor Prince did not imagine there had been any beautiful or gracious women in the world besides this. His Father had from the beginning sent him to live with his spouse in Acarnania, to the end that her daily sight and conversation, through amity might beget such love as ought to be among married people, a design which took no effect but on Leuriana's side, she so enflamed of the Prince, that she joyed in nothing more, then in being near him; and being inclined to warlike exercises, she loved him the more, not judging any other Prince worthy of her love, considering him for an addition to his other virtues, to surpass in feats of arms all the Knights of his time. So that such active strength and excellent spirit never wanting exercises, and new delights to entertain him, she thought all time evil spent which was without him. But he going into Epirus, and from thence into Feacia, to invite that Prince to his wedding, by misfortune fell in love with Laodomia; so that forgetting his former espousals, he had not returned home, if his Father by reduplicate letters and messages had not recalled him. Yet he could not persuade him to return into Acarnania, being so besotted with the sweets which he had tasted, that all other delights seemed bitter and unsavoury to him: being by Laodomia again entangled in the snares of her obedience by reiterated letters, promising she would become his wife after her husbands death, which was looked for every hour by reason of his continual and dangerous diseases; and fearing his Fathers obstinate severity, might force him to obedience, She thought her readiest way would be to have Leuriana poisoned. Sending therefore a trusty favourite of hers, she did with gifts corrupt her Cupbearer to that purpose, who being discovered and put to death, a little afterward she caused her to be set upon by three murtherers advantageously armed, as she was a hunting of a Stag, whereof she having killed one, the other two were taken by the huntsmen which came in, and being questioned, confessed they were sent by Laodomia, which happened at that time that Almadero arrived at Ericusa, wherefore she betaking her self to this new love, and forbearing writing to him, there happened the so long wished for death of her husband. Which was no sooner heard of by Raico, but he intending to take his journey that way, was by his wary Father stayed, being the first that  told him that Laodomia was married. But he having obtained his liberty after she was gone, resolved to go after her into Lusitania, as we have related. Leuriana in the mean time combated by disdain, and forced by love went in quest of him, thinking she should find him in Lusicania,& after many troubles and dangers she arrived there so late, that if she had delayed but one hour longer, she had found him dead, and having theresaved his life, she brought him to Olisippo, as you have heard, but would not make her self known to him, enraged, that she was so basely and causelessly contemned for such a kind of woman. Then hearing of the coming of the ambassadors to Lancobridge, she went thither, there employing her self as you have heard: and being again returned to Olisippo, she related to Raico what things had befallen her, and made her self known to him: he repenting he had undeservedly neglected her. Wherefore these new obligements added to the ancient love, he begged pardon of her, and having without much difficulty obtained it, she recommended him to the care of her damsel being to her great grief forced to leave him in that manner alone and wounded.  
The Lord of Ithaca, the elder of the two younger brothers of the Prince of Cephalonica, and Son of a Sister to the Prince of Feacia, had upon occasion of visiting his Uncle contracted an unseemly kind of acquaintance with his aunt, which he perceiving banished his Nephew his house and dominions; and finding himself by reason of his unworthy conditions, to be hated by his neighbours and brethren, resolved, hearing Laodomia was married to go into Lusitania, and there under the mournful omens of his old loves to better his fortunes: but there he found his hopes mightily changed, seeing that while he purposed to oblige her with undertaking her defence, he was so buffeted, that he was hardly whole time enough to accompany her into Leucadia, as he did.  
I will not rehearse the acts of Lindadori, since we left her in Parthenope. Onely I will say that the feasts being ended for the return of Corianna( in which she obscured the famed of all the Knights that came thither) a mind took her to see all Italy, and then France, and Spain; where hearing of the wonders of Liartas visible spirit she came to Olisippo, and being informed of the truth, she went away at the Ambassadors arrival to Lancobridge, there befalling her what we have already said.  
Corallo remains, who after Liarta was gone from Ericusa, tarried there almost a whole month, cured by the affections, no more of lasciviousnesses and loves, but of true amity of the duchess Chrisanta. Honour and age, and especially troubles( which were the raisers of these respects) giving her understanding. The violence and anger of his evils being past, entering in discourse of the disasters befallen her, he besought her to relate the successses thereof to him, and how being reputed dead by the world, she was now, praised be Heaven, healthful and safe. Whereunto after a short praeludium of tears she thus answered. You command me( O Prince Coralbo) to rehearse a Tragedy, whereof( if the miseries were not of the highest kind) I might with dry eyes make relation, but they being such as they are, it will be impossible for me to perform it without shedding of tears, lest there issue drops of blood out of my heart. Yet I mean not upon this consideration to show myself discourteous to you: your just desire having an interest in mine affairs, yea, you being the fatal cause( though without any fault of yours) of all my disasters. Know then, that after you had killed Cripasso, and that mine unfortunate dansel was slain by my sons, they had at the same time a thought to kill my me too; But the consideration of their own honours dissuaded them, seeing the cause of my death could not be shadowed without scandal: Wherefore contenting themselves with causing me to retire into an other lodging, by reason of the dead which lay in mine, and to cause my trunks to be carried thither, as though I had been to remain there for a while, they took away all my servants, leaving none to wait upon me, but onely the slave Selucca, and went away, giving me no answer to any thing I asked them: and some few dayes being past, they spread abroad a rumour, that I was mortally sick, forcing my physician to say the same. I, who knew nothing of it, and should rather have imagined any thing, then such an inhuman resolution; the slave came to me with a Letter from Labenus, I opened it and red it, wherein was written, That my Sons not willing to suffer me to live any longer, had resolved to cause me to die the next night: Wherefore if I would save my life, there was no other way but to come down while they were at supper into the entry below in the slaves habit, where I should find him, and thence go out at the Garden door, which went out into the Town dike, whose key I had in my keeping. You may imagine how I found myself after this news, but considering the prudence and fidelity of Labenus, the manner how I was used, how I was a prisoner, banished from my servants, my Children denying me the sight of them, I made no more doubt of it, but taking a little Cabinet full of Jewels, and as much Gold as I could well carry: I put on the wretches Clothes, she laughing at it, and making her lye down in mine own bed, I commanded her to sleep, which she did immediately, and I went away leaving her in her last sleep.  
I know not whether you remember this wretches qualities, not only to conceive what I lost in losing of her, but rather to admire how often heaven infuseth in contemptible persons, conditions of inestimable value. Selucca was sold me a child, she grew stupid, and ended mad: her apish tricks rather then follies, were all pleasant save onely when she was frighted: amongst wild beasts, the Bear was to her as the Cock is to the Lion, the naming of him only would startle her. If any one had but hanged a handkerchief before his face, and said he was a Bear, she would have leaped out at a Window, if she could have got away by no other way; and if she could not shun him, she would have become outrageous, and fallen upon him and beaten him: She loved to wear gay Clothes, so that being ill-favoured, and a head no bigger then ones fist, brave Clothes did dis-figure, her making her look more like a changeling or an elf, then like a woman. She was very cleanly, and extreme neat in all she did: She never went from me, and was as it were inseparable from me, but without any trouble; for I discoursing of business, she neither understood it, nor applied her self to the understanding of it; her understandsting having no part of reflection in it: and if I had need of any thing, I needed not have called to any one else for it, she served me with so good a garb, manners and behaviour, that it was impossible that such rich qualities should harbour in so poor a Cottage. The imagination wrought the effect in her in this, for if I had bid her sleep, she would have slept, lying upon the ground, leaning her head upon the hearth of the Chimney. The Duke my Son, made her once( I have forgotten upon what occasion) put on mans apparel, and being very could weather, going near the fire with her, he made her come so near it, that she burned her lgges, and she saying she burned, the Duke answered her no; for the legs which burned were not Seluccas, but his: Which she rejoicing at, the more the fire scorched her, the more she laughed, imagining it did not scorch her but the Duke: and though her legs were scorched therewith a long time after, yet she always was of that mind, it was her Master that had burned his legs, and would laugh at it as a fruit of her wit, the fruit of her cunning and well turned brain. When Labenus gave her the Letter to bring to me, she had so much understanding, as to know that no body else was to see it, and putting it into her bosom, she did not take it out till she came into my presence. I caused her to lye in my bed, to her and my disadventure, intending to cousin my son; but had I imagined such a success, I would have done any thing but what I did. Having found Labenus, and given him the Cabinet, and most part of the money, I went down into the Mote, where having laid down Selucca's Clothes, I put on mans apparel, which he had hidden there before for me, and went not far off from thence to Boviano, to the house of Ceriale my most faithful servant, who kept two very good Horses for me, upon which getting up, taking that way my Dominions reached least, which was towards Daunia, coming about break of day to the River Frento, having crossed which, we had been out of my jurisdiction of Sannio. I had stayed there willingly, having need of rest, but fearing to be known( having refreshed our Horses, we went beyond Luceria, riding all night without resting. Being come to the River Aufidus, not far from Canusio, I restend there that night, and the day following, expecting that Ceriale( according to order given him) should come or sand me some news: He came himself, and  told me, that my sons accompanied by two servants onely, were that night gone into my Chamber without any light, and finding Selucca in my bed, thinking it had been I, they had caused to be her strangled, and by twi-light having opened the windows, they had caused her to be put into a Chest, and the next day to be butted without any solemnity at all: That afterwards seeking for Selucca, and finding her Clothes in the Mote, and not her, they entred into suspicion that she was gone, having stolen somewhat of great value: Therefore searching the place where I kept my Jewels, they found the keys upon the Desk( which I had left there at random, after I had locked it up) opened it, and not finding the Jewels, the suspicion increasing they had sent after her to take her, and bring her back: I know not which I lamented most, either the innocent wenches mis-fortune, or my Childrens cruelty against myself: I remained not knowing what course to take, but being advised to stay here( the place being secure, although I had been known) I writ divers Letters of credency by Ceriale, to some of my Vassals that hearing I was alive, they might know how to find occasions to serve me. The news of my mis-fortune in the mean time being bruited abroad about the confines, was of great scandal, and cause of unspeakable disdain to all my kindred, believing the two Brothers had taken such a wicked resolution to divide the inheritance between them, being both prodigal,& consequently enemies to my frugal, though not ignoble oeconomie. They had sent, as I have  told you, every way to seek out Selucca, and finding no rest within themselves,( their hearts being continually gnawn by the beak of Conscience) nor any place in the house free from my shadows threatening of them; they resolved to go out of it, with pretext of seeking her themselves, willing to have no other company with them but two Pages: and coming at night( for the accumulating of all mis-fortunes) to lodge where I lay; they found me in a little Parlour, with my face towards the door. There was no other light but that little which came from the Chimney, the flamme being weak, and the wood almost quiter consumed; wherefore to know me in the habit I was in, would have been hard for any else, and especially for them which thought me dead, if the flying Atoms had not taken my shape upon them, and flying about them, had not made me known; Reputing me therefore to be not that carnal Mother which had brought them forth, but her offended spirit; Their affrightment was such, that the younger tumbling down the stairs, made such a noise, that all the guests in the Inneran to the noise: and Labenus being gone into the kitchen to bespeak my supper, ran to the noise with the rest, yet presently went back again as soon as he saw them: But it was more then needed: for being by the terror of sight bereft both of sense and reason, one with his head broken with the fall down stairs, the blood running about his ears, and both of them mad; they took their Horses, which the servants of the house were walking in the yard, rid away as fast as they could. Labenus advised me to be gone presently; thinking that they hearing I was alive, were come to find me out: But if it had been so, having found and known me, they needed not have ran from me. I stayed therefore, and taking heart, I supped; but as I was going to bed, we heard a whispering that put us again into confusion. Labenus shutting the door after him, went down the stairs, and finding two guests new come in to the inn encompassed with others, he heard them say, Vengeance is divine. The world believes,( and I doubt it is true enough) that with their own hands they killed their Mother. The Gods have punished them, to show how they abhor parricide: But how happened it, said one of them that stood by. I will tell you said the other; They had both been here where they intended to lye all night, but a Ghost appearing unto them here( as a page. relateth who saw it as well as they) they fled away. Now whilst upon the way one followed the other with a full Gallop, who by a fall down the stairs, felt himself in a very evil case; he saw him stop on a sudden, and drawing his sword hit his own horse between the ears, that were it the force of the blow, or because he hit him in a mortal place; the horse fell dead to the ground. This terror added to the former, made him conceive some great frenzy in his brother, he alighted to help him, and coming to him asked him what he ailed. But he muttering( so that one could not understand what he said) wounded the eldest with a thrust in the belly, and alighting from his horse, followed him so close, that he forced him to defend himself. The pages alighted, came too late to part them. For having run one another through, closing together they continued the battle with fists and nailes: till falling asunder they died howling, and groaning in such hideous manner, that my companions and I coming thither just at that time, were extraordinarily affrighted with it. Seeing them in the pangs of death bite the Earth, wallow up and down in their own blood, and draw their faces awry in such a distracted manner, as had been able to affright any as looked upon them, were their courage never so stout: The Pages thinking it impossible( that two young men even now alive should so suddenly be dead) could not imagine them breathless till having in vain tried, they with the help of others who came by chance thither, laid them across their own horses, accompanying them with tears, bringing many witnesses along with them, how the case had happened, for fear they should be suspected to be the murtherers of them.  
When Labenus came down the stairs, I looked out at the window, curious of mine own evil, and punctually heard what I have related unto you. Here Chrisanta stopped, and her eyes gushed out tears: Coralbo not able to restrain his: But after he had sufficiently satisfied the laws of piety and friendship, he endeavoured with the best reasons he could to comfort her, so that she forbearing weeping went on. Labenus being come, found me as if I had been dead. And perceived both by the window being open, and by finding me in that case he needed not to relate to me how the business had happened, his office was to comfort me, and partly did: but could by no means persuade me to return: he found no reason sufficient to convince me, desperation and grief being more efficacious orators then he. He writ presently to Ceriale, and gave him an account of this mine unheard of resolution, and made duplicated letters thereof, leaving one with the host of that house, and sending the other by an express messenger, to the end that my vassals should not suffer the pretenders to that inheritance to take possession I being alive: and in case they would not give faith to his relations, or did deny the letters of credence which I had formerly written by him, they should dig up the coffin in which it was esteemed, I lay butted, that they might see there was none but Selucca. And that sending Ambassadors to me( as the case required) they should come directly to Ephesus, and there they should find me. Ceriale( as I  told you) should have come again to this inn, but I would not stay for him. I rid the next morning towards the Sea side, and he meeting the messenger with the letter, and receiving the Duplicate from the host, riding after me, having done what he could to alter my resolution, accompanied me( finding me obstinate) to Idrentum where I embarked myself, he having left orders with Labenus to not fail me. I sailed into Greece, and being arrived to Ephesus, I got acquainted with Dianaes chief Priestesse. I found many obstacles against my admission. That I had been married, and had children, my coming to the Goddesses service in the autumn of my daies, driven to it, not by election, but by misfortunes, and for these causes I was not admitted. It much distasted me, I fell sick, and was many times likely to die, and one of the chief things which persuaded me, the Gods were angry with me, was because they would not hear my prayers in suffering me to die, Ceriale returned within two months alter our arrival, and four ambassadors with him, with some of my damsels and servants. They related to me the damages of the Province, the pretences of the Dukes of Daunia, and Frento: that the Coffin was digged up in their presence, in which was found the body of Selucca by all sufficiently known. That they had with much difficulty condescended to suspend their pretences for a year, more for fear of war itself, then because they had any will to do it. They beseeched me to resolve either to return( which they all humbly begged of me might be the resolution) or to declare mine heir, to appease the wars and tumults which were like to rise between those two Princes. The State of Sannio mine own patrimony free for me to leave to whom I pleased, so he were of mine own blood. And those two Princes, being in equal degree of consanguinity with me, it would be impossible, to take off their pretences, without my special declaration. The repulse given me by the Priestesse, and these remonstrances made me alter mine opinion, I embarked and came hither to your great damage and mine. And when I shall see you in secure state of health, I will continue my voyage, to comfort my subjects, and live the remainder of my daies in sorrow, mourning after the loss of my Children. Coralbo had been attentively hearkening to all this discourse, and hearing it to be ended, he said, Madam, is it an ordinary thing, that where passion reigns, reason be a slave, and the domination tyrannicall? But in you it is not so, each of them must have their place prescribed without these disorders. Reason ought not to change her estate, nor become of directrix, a slave; but give Law, and govern the affections, as their sovereign, perpetual, and natural Lady. The possession of your passion is just, and reason which gave it her, consents thereunto, but not for perpetuity. It lies in reasons power to take it away, for fear, least rebelling, she should seek to make a state apart, in prejudice of that sovereignty, which reason cannot despoil her self of, unless she cease to be what she is. A wound which is given in a moment cannot in the same time be healed: Chirurgery requires its progresses, and to close it well, it is necessary it should distil and purge, to the end, that the humors being taken away, the danger may cease of its opening again. I( Madam) am of the number of those which being born men, pretend to live such who esteem human nature ought not to harden itself against the motion of passions; and under pretence of a beastly stoic constancy, dishumanate or unman themselves: for whosoever attains to the height of impassibility in passions which annoy, attains that of insensibilitie in those which delight. Wherefore he that hath no sense of evil cannot have any of what is good; and the advantage of not being afflicted in misfortunes, bringeth along this disadvantage with it of not rejoicing in prosperities. I hold that wisdom alterable and foolish, which pretends to alter and make wise nature; when the effects thereof are to render men inhuman, churlish, and savage. If our passions then be such that reason permits them; If sores ought to be purged before they heal, and if nature have made us to be passable, let us weep( for it is lawful for us,) when we find ourselves afflicted, let us give vent to our affections, open the Chanells to our tears that they may not overflow us, and that which reason cannot correct in you in an instant, time will consume it with pleasure and by degrees in his progresses. Chrisanta wept bitterly hearing of these discourses, when Coralbo thus went on. Madam, that which till now hath been allowable in you, is the payment due to blood and nature. But if you be so ready to these, you ought not to deny the same readiness to Reason also. To her that cancels your debt and makes you no longer to remain a Creditor to them. Chrisanta did not well understand the meaning of these last words, wherefore suspending her weeping, she prayed him to explain them. They are not obscure as I believe, answered Coralbo; You have by lamenting paid that which by a mother is due to Children, and the debt which reason cancels, is their not having paid to you, that which Children owe to a mother, wherefore the injury received ought in their loss to bring gain unto you. You have lost two children to whom you gave life, you have delivered and quit yourself of two Enemies that would have procured your death. If therefore they so inhumanly failed in their filial duty towards you, wherefore shall you so tenderly superabound in motherly affection towards them? That your love hath more power then their ingratitude is laudable in you, but you will deserve more commendation, if mixing them both together you make a cataplasm therewith to cure your passions. Ah Prince Coralbo answered the duchess) you are not yet a Father, and if you were, yet were you not capable of a Mothers passions: I confess my Children have deserved ill at my hands, but I must likewise confess, they could not evacuate in me the affections of nature. I am not only with you of that sect which condemns the privation of passions, but also am with those who esteem it to be contrary to the prescriptions of everlasting providence, if man shall have no feeling of the loss of a friend, vain will be both the name and all manner of friendly affection. Hatred and love will be indifferent, and all things indifferent though naturally subordinate to one of these passions. If passions in evil have their sorrows, in good they have their delights; and human nature is compounded no less( as far as concerns the spirit) of these two contraries, then the body is of the four Elements, contrary amongst themselves. If I live, it is because living is pleasing to me; neither hath the conservation of this life any means, but hath its being from some sweetness. Those who undertake to live spiritually, and that abhor worldly delights, are not without pleasures, the contemplation of divine things is their delight. When nature( we being arrived to old age) begins to be weary of us, it takes away out taste, to the end that being weary of her, it may not grieve us to die. Finally, If it were not enough for man to moderate his affections, but that he might( when he would) leave them,( granted that the souls retain the habits of vices and virtues.) God had failed in his power, that happening which he did not fore-see, seeing that having erected paradise for glory, and Hell for punishment; Glory not delighting, nor punishment afflicting, he had need either to correct nature, or make new orders in reward and punishment. I accept therefore of your counsel my Celio, I dispose myself not to renounce, but to moderate my affections; and so doing, I hope none shall have cause to complain of me. Not nature, having made me sensible of its motions. Nor reason, I running with open arms to receive its Oracles. Now that which I desire at your hands is, that since you have heard my mis-fortunes, you will be pleased to let me know your adventures. Coralbo did not deny her, and beginning at his departure from her, he related all had happened to him to that instant; concealing nothing but his love. He said he was going into Sardinia, to give satisfaction for the favours he had received from Prince Polimero, and then to go about in the world, till the fates having had their course, would be pleased to call him to some rest. But that having had the fortune to meet her, laying all other journeys a part, he was resolved to accompany her in her voyage to Sannio. Chrisanta heard him with affectuous intention. She refused( but with very thankful and courteous words) his company, remonstrating to him the report which had formerly been raised upon the love she had born him, and how he was hated for the death of Cripasso, both of too much jeopardy and danger. That she was doubly grieved at his being wounded, she being constrained thereby to stay in Ericusa, and discover unto others the continuation of their love: But that having many dayes since sent home the ambassadors, she cared the less for it, being secure of the good inclination of her servants, by whom he also was unfeignedly honoured, having heard of his greatness, and of the title of Prince which he most deservedly bore. She desired him to rest assured of her good will, and that save her honour, he should make use of her, and her fortunes at any time. That disasters had not changed her love, but her passions, to love him for time to come as her Child, so that as Mother, she did at present offer her self to him; that at her return home, she must live after the manner of a widow as she was, and without Children: To wash away the spots she had been stained by, the suspected love she formerly had born him. Coralbo could hardly consent to leave her alone; but being convinced by reasons, he attended to the cure of his wounds, and they requiring a long cure, having not long after caused a Vessel to be prepared, he would( howsoever against her will) go away, to the end that long delaying might do him no wrong.  
There were many tears  shed at this separation, both leaving Ericusa, and going from thence several ways. The duchess was with extraordinary honour received in Sannio, reducing her self to so virtuous and exemplary a life; that she was reverenced by all, though at last the former calamities, and the longing desire she always had after Coralbo, were in few years the cause of her death. A hidden and repressed love in a woman resolved to honesty, being a poison which by little and little consumes, and kills: Coralbo had taken the chirurgeon of Ericusa with him; and having the same conveniency with him aboard as he had on Land, being furnished with all he wanted, he advanced so far, that coasting all Italy from Port to Port( to secure himself from bad weather during his indisposition) he came to Sicilia, wanting but little of being quiter healed. There hearing of the departure of the banished Lady from Parthenope, he passed on to Sardinia, a little after the death of the old King, where he was entertained by the new one Polimero, and Eromena his wife, with all manner of courtesies. There were some few days before arrived Letters from Lindadori, with news of her passing over into Lusitania; so that he framing an excuse of going to see Liarta, and bringing back the Princess from thence, embarked for Iberia, and finding her in Lancobridge Champion of his honour; if he had not loved her before, this very courtesy would have been sufficient to oblige him to adore her. Wherefore as soon as he had leisure to speak, delivering her the Letters he had brought with him out of Sardinia: he said unto her,( Madam) after that in egypt I knew your valour, before I knew the greatness of your state, I was enflamed with so prudent a desire to serve you, that I could hardly resolve myself to stay in that Country, being not able in your absence to execute, so good an intention: and though I several times thought to abandon the interests I had there, yet I did not, doubting least the losing the opportunity of recovering my Kingdom, might be imputed to be for want of courage, and consequently I should render me unworthy of professing myself to be your servant. Now fortune( by the death of King Psemitides) having sovereign all my designs, I hasted to find you out. I had in Sicilia advice of your departure from Parthenope: I sailed into Sardinia, where from the King your Father I was  told of your coming into this Country; and obtained of him those Letters which I have presented you. I came, and while I was studying in what I might serve you, I find myself in such manner obliged by you at Lancobridge, that though fortune, and the stars should all conspire in my behalf, I shall not know how to come out of your debt; so much did you oblige me, by that your generous act of defending mine honour against the Lord of Ithaca. Let the confessing of my debt, Madam, avail something with you, seeing I shall never be able to pay it otherwise, but with rendering you most humble thanks, and assuring you, that if Coralbo was acquired by you, by the merits of your virtue, he is now more then ever yours, subjected unto you by the favour you have been pleased this day to show him. And having thus said, bowing his knee to the ground, he suddenly kissed her hand: Lindadori had ever since her being in egypt, preserved( not without delight) in her mind Coralbo's feature and behaviour, having not met with any since that had liked her so well: and though in love affairs she was rather could then otherwise, yet nature did not fail in her orders, and though she could not fix a violent affection in her; yet she besprinkled her with an affectionate kind of amity, which alone served for a foundation of the future affection: wherefore having heard his words, and apprehending the sense of them, she remained through discretion in such manner satisfied, that being of a free nature and voided of art, she openly answered him; Prince, If I knew myself such as you represent me, I might have occasion to think the better of myself. But finding myself much inferior to that your pencil would make me seem to be, I cannot without blushes hear your praises, nor dissemble how much I am obliged to you for it, unless I should be ingrate. The pains which you have taken for me by coming so long a voyage for my sake, doth doubly bind me to you. I will believe it done for the cause which you say, not because I know myself worthy of it, but because so virtuous a Knight would not so far abase himself as to scoff a silly maid without hope of gaining any thing, but only to please his own fancy. Your coming is therefore acceptable to me; I much esteemed the merit of your person, as soon as I had the honour to know you: I commended your valour, seeing the trials of it, and confirmed myself in the opinion I had conceived of you, having discovered you to be that Prince you are; I am exreamly grieved for the King of Aegypts death, but doubly by reason of your interests therein: I pray you to let us have from you such notice of the manner of it, as we can here but hardly have from famed, which arrives hither but weary and with unfeathered wings after so long a voyage. Coralbo weary well satisfied with so prudent and gracious an answer, recited to her Psemitides his Tragedy, and then to make her merry, he recounted to her, Eritreas love to her, esteeming her a Knight which they laughed at a long time together: Then replying the condolencies of his mis-fortunes, he made her all such proffers as friends use to make to one another; mere effects of courtesy; her heart thankful, not amorous. And though the ends of Coralbo were fully known to her, yet she was not moved thereby, she remained still the same; she cared not, neither was careless; she did not contemn them, neither did they obtain that advantage for him, as a young amorous Knight might pretend in a Damsels heart. Afterwards going with the princess of Acarnania to visit Raico, they stayed there some dayes, till the Ambassadors being come, they went together to Caurio, they were honoured, and entertained according to the merit and virtue of such Princes. They found the Court full, the Kings brother yet a Child, the Queens sisters, but not Branichilde, who was lost at Almaderoes first arrival, no body knowing how: and though she was carefully sought for, she could never be heard of, being vanished away without the company or knowledge of any one. Lindadori was received with particular honour, for the report of her valiant acts. Leuriana for their obligements to her, having been an effectual instrument of delivering them from Laodomia, and Coralbo for Liarta's friendship: Order being given for such pastimes as upon such occasions be not ordinary in all Courts: at which pastimes, if the two warrioresses did enamour the world with their gallantry and valour, Coralbo advanced no less in Lindador's favour, it being the only aim of all his actions. Liarta complained, that in so long a voyage as they went together, he had concealed what he was, therefore making her discourteous and uncivil, not having known him to be a Prince, but by the mariners after she was embarked: But he excused himself, because her afflictions at that time were great enough without being increased by participating of others: Raico was brought into the Kings Palace at Olisippo, by the Kings order, and there entertained till the return of the Court, which was sooner then was intended, because the respects of Laodomia being ceased, it came thither within few days without going to Lancobridge. The first thing the King and Queen did accompanied with the Princes, was to visit Raico. They found him still in bed, sore handled by the hardness of the stones, evil neighbours to his Hermitage. He was much jeered with it, and she that most vexed him was Leuriana. But he being freed from Laodomia, laughed at every thing, being glad he was rid of her at so reasonable a charge saying, that whereas love unties his bands with arrows headed with led, he had untied his with the blows of stones. The Lord of Ithaca did not pass away his time so pleasantly, seeing that alone, and infamous, he was lodged in one of the innermost lodgings, to the end he might not be heard of: solitude and darkness being fit places for him that hath lost his honour. As soon as the Vessels were prepared, the King sent Philarchus alone to Laodomia, who bringing her by night to Olisippo, shipped her, recommended her to the winds. Her friend of Ithaca embarking himself privately with her: The Port being found free the next day, there was great joy made of it, every one glad they were rid of so wicked a woman. Liarta was crwoned with general applause, and the Trumpets being ended, each one resolved to depart. Almadero had caused two Gallies to be prepared, one for Lindadori and Coralbo, the other for Leuriara and Raico. The separation was with many tears. They went away together sailing in company to Sardinia, where the two last tarrying many days, having refreshed their Galley with new provision, and protested perpetual amity to each other, followed their voyage towards Epirus. Lindadori could not have arrived in Sardinia in a more convenient time; the world being unexpectedly fallen into such a resolution, as it had not been in for many thousand years before: Archisander, King of the innermost Aethiopia was come, and as swift as lightning had run thorough Tingitania, at that time when the Tingitanian thought himself to be arrived to the end of being in effect, as well as in name, universal King. Metaneon who had lawfully succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Mauritania, seeing his dreadful proceedings, and the great corruptions which were amongst the great ones of his Court, had assisted Archisander to his power, thinking by this means to draw him to a resolution to assault his state. But the first advice thereof, came not till Coralboes arrival into Sardinia. Tingitania was troubled( whilst it troubled others) by two mighty factions, one for the King, and the other against him: and he believing he had already established his power against this last in such manner, as he should have no need to fear it, adventured either through imprudency, or through some immature zeal, to discontent Sassirius a great Prince, who had with great hurt to himself been most faithful to him, fearing lest for the future he might fail him in service, he having failed him in gratitude; and imagined that he being overthrown, he might render himself absolute over both, a design which proving unhappily in him, proved most happy in Metaneon; for finding the state in some danger, not unlike to that of the Tingitanian, by reason of the authority and forces of them who did share parts in it; he reduced them to obedience, some by force, and some by council, taking away their Governments, demolishing their Forts; so that the monarchy which at his coming to the Crown he found aristocratical, he reduced to an absolute one, and wholly depending upon Roall authority. The Mauripanians are a warlike Nation, inclined under the conduct of great ones to oppose their Kings. Not for the public good( an ordinary pretence,) but upon particular fancies. Whereupon that Kingdom which in itself is powerful, and had at all times achieved every where notable enterprises, could never enjoy the fruits of them. insolency, inconstancy, Infidelity in the managing of Money, and impatience in the managing of designs being the true causes of its disorders. It would have been suitable to defend itself, and to overcome peradventure the Tingitanian, but the internal factions disunited its forces, and many times brought it near the point of perishing. The Kings never went about any design, but it was broken by a civill war, whereby the arms which were prepared against foreign enemies, were divided and employed against one another, some for, and some against the Prince, so that when he again intended to pacify the Kingdom, he was forced to harken to them who advised old Governments to be abolished, new ones added, to recompense some honours instead of punishing of them, and disburse great sums of money to them under pretence of disbanding of souldiers: A foul and hardly corrigible abuse, drawn from the dissolute liberty of that government. The Nobility being in great esteem, depending upon Princes or the chief amongst them, who powerful by the governments of Provinces and strong holds, made the King weak, and contemptible. So that whosoever reads those Histories, finds in them continually the same humors, the same effects, no other difference but of persons and times. Metaneon's first scope was to separate them, and it proved as he would have it; For having beaten down one faction, which was generally odious to all the Kingdom, he cut the others way from partaking one with another, whereupon finding too late, that by the transfixing of others, they had transfixed themselves, at the same instant as they felt themselves weakened, they found themselves oppressed: Therefore having no other remedy, they thought to restore unto the Kings brothers their common— upon hopes of unconceivable commotions, vain hopes, and more dangerous then the evil itself. For they being fled to the Tingitanian, exiled and poor, in stead of bringing him any benefit, they were burdensome to him, he being constrained for his own reputation and honour, to entertain them according to their quality, with appearance of no other advantage but of a vain, flying, and unprofitable famed. Metaneon contrarywise having obtained with the absolute sovereignty, an open declaration by the effects, that there were not forces sufficient to resist him, established himself so much the more; his reputation being able to keep the rest within their bounds: In the mean time the complaints were great, they cried out an absolure King was a dangerous thing, power by nature burdensome, did tend towards tyranny, its centre. That an illimited authority did not well agree with the safety of mens goods and lives, imprisonment and other punishments, fitter to be inflicted by the laws, then according to mens wills, and the humours of a Prince: whereunto the others answered, that when it was spoken of receiving profits and favours, the King was cried up, as not subject to the laws: and if they would not formerly have been subjects to laws, why should he now be subject to seditions? shall the rules of these be more apt to keep Kings within their bounds, then the Rules of the laws? a Prince could not be a Tyrant, unless he were a wicked man: a soul piously organized, and that hath Registers in its own Conscience, would always recede from evil. Tyranny to be perpetually unjust, but injustice not always tyrannical; and if a Prince sometimes have run into it, he deserves to be excused for it. Many examples, though wicked, have caused a public safety: the subjects not to be exempt from that fault; and that which is worse, their injustices are always tyrannical, if they may: For a warlike people, and subject to alterations, an incertain danger of tyranny, to be better then a certain one of civill war. That great enterprises and conquests were never achieved but under Captaines or absolute Princes. And if moderation be difficult to all, in all things, it is much more so in Governments, and so much the less, the more they come near to unity. Optimacy amongst Common-wealths, to be of a better form then a popular state, but Monarchy more excellent then that: One Triumvirate to have done more hurt, the power of thirty Citizens more then all the Tyrants that succeeded them. That there are Governments which with a council hurtfully circumspectly, are repugnant to an absolute Authority, though conferred in time, while there was never any well governed Common-wealth, that upon urgent causes did not judge the supreme authority of a dictatory, or a general necessary. temporising in Councils, and depending irresolute upon others fancies, to be a cause of losing opportunities which are momentary, and with them is lost the reputation in warlike affairs, a bridge is made passable to an enemy for the invading of a State, which before was not: a most absurd thing, that a general by virtue of the Law of arms, should have authority for life and death over Souldiers, and that a Prince should not have it, by virtue of his royal plenipotency over seditious men and Rebels: He seeks the contempt of Kings, that would have him bound to the peoples arbitrement, not that the sworn Laws be dispensable, but to bind him to all of them punctually, is as it were to bind his sceptre to his hand, so that he may not be able to make use of either. The fundamental Laws only to be indispensible, and the people standing upon minutenesses, and the Prince upon his prerogatives, is capable to over-throw a Common-wealth. That there are faults on all sides, but they not all deserve repeal, and alterations. That there is no Monarch so absolute, but is subject to the Laws; God only free, being both the Law and Productor of nature. If the Prince doth not always make use of his Prerogatives granted him by the people, because he would not oppress them, no more should the people always make use obstinately of its privileges against its Prince, for doubt of offending him. To these vocal discourses, were also added Expositions in writing, falsehood more eloquent then truth, but the effects are not always correspondent to the Tongue. There are very few that hating Tyranny in others do not love it in themselves, being full of tyrannical desires; and having obtained of the Prince that which they desired, have not turned enemies to that liberty which they seemed before so fervently to desire and defend: Yea, there was never any people that did seem to be a lover of liberty, but its chief aim was the subjecting of the Laws, the Nobility, and Prince himself. The old deceased King of Numidia, Polemicus, was a Prince endowed with many virtues; and if his inclination to warring had but sometimes been willing to yield to the necessities of peace, he had had but few equals. courtesy, magnanimity, and valour, having made him respected amongst all Princes of his age. But the virtues which once come out of their Centers, and begin to run towards an extreme, if they be laudable some times, yet they be dangerous always. Numidia is situate in the midst, between the Tingitanian and the Mauritanian: But on the side of Mauritania it lies so open, that it received several times from thence extraordinary damages. Its dangers towards the Tingitanian were not alike; therefore that reason which they call of state, required a more indissoluble amity with one then with the other. Polemicus supposed that the reciprocal jealousies of these two great Kings, would be columns for the preservation of his state. His fall likely to be too prejudicial to him that had let him fall. A supposition though not false, yet alterable; policy teaching us, that Princes ought not to give themselves over to fortune, as Gamesters do to a throw of Dice, but keep themselves constant to him who can do them most hurt. Nature hath given us an instinct, which if it were not moderated by reason, would make us insupportable, namely to make use of our Forces insolently against him who is not so strong as we. If the Mauritanian be fallen into this defect against the Numidian, I can not tell( the fact being not very well known;) yet I will say, that Polemicus ought( supending his inbred generosity) to have winked at it. Wrath without forces of onws one being vain, and exceeding vain, being grounded upon anothers strength, especially the Tingitanians, whose dissembling promises he had to his own cost, many times had trial of. The first original of these disorders, was the death of the King of the inner Lybia, without Children. He had many kindred, but his true and lawful Heir was Retelmero, a Prince not onely bread, but born in Mauritania, and consequently a creature of Metaneons, acknowledged and accepted for King, by the greatest and foundest part of the Lybians. It was not convenient for the Tingitanian, that one, who was a vassal of the Mauritanian, should reign in a kingdom from which he might receive much damage, and therefore intended not onely to exclude him, but to possess himself of it, or install some one there of the same blood, but such an one as should depend on him. Polemicus on the other side, who had by ancient pretences very well grounded right in that Kingdom, could not well endure that Metaneon should put Retelmero in possession of that Kingdom, without having respect to him. For the damage which he received thereby, though great, was separated by the small account which he supposed was made of him by such an act. Wherefore taking that resolution which wrath did dictate unto him, he intended to try whether with the help of the Tingitanian, he might by force attain to those pretences which he could not possibly attain to by any other means. But whilst he fits himself for it, he feels himself on a sudden assaulted, fought with, and together with his state not onely oppressed, but little less then altogether lost. The Tingitanian on the other side being entred into the upper Lybia, and possessed himself of its Metropolis, whilst he aspires to the lower( from the conquest whereof depended the possession of the whole) delayed sending aid to him, weakly assisting him, not because he should gather strength, but because he should be longer a losing himself, to the end that Metaneon being kept busy, he might by others losses obtain the end which he proposed to himself in his gains. But it came not to pass as he would have it: for the inferior Lybia, being well defended by a great troop of Mauritanians which was gotten into it before hand, and Polemicus being dead unexpectedly, his Son Partenius succeeded him, a Prince of singular virtues, who balancing the Tingitanian perfidiousness, with the weight of so many dangers, agreed with Metaneon, and assuring him of his sincere inclinations, he obtained of him the restitution of what had been before gotten: receiving for the pretences which he had in the Kingdom of Lybia, what was between them friendly accorded for a recompense. This was the universal state, till the time as the Sun entred into Aries, the year of our Epoca 32. That which will succeed, the events will show. And if it be lawful for us to give a contingent judgement on future contingencies: we may say, That if those which have the reins of Government in their hand( I speak not of Princes) shall take their way along the paths of the public interest, they shall do that which honesty and duty directs them, rather then any private respect. No authority retained for a violent necessity, can be preserved without necessary violence. But if they go on the way of their own interests, the preservation of their persons and fortune will be in question, and their ruin certain hereafter. Phaeton did not more certainly set the earth on fire, being transported by the fury of his Fathers horses; then they will fire it, transported with the jealousies of their own safety.  
King Polimero, at the arrival of his Daughter and Coralbo, made the Drums beat all his States over in aid of his Brother, and they all without delay prepared for the enterprise. Eromena would not stay at the stern of Government, as her husband would have had her. Wherefore passing over with mighty armies into Mauritania, Coralbo had occasions first to deserve, then possess his beloved Lindadori, as the world may hereafter hear by some better fashioned Pen then mine.  
FINIS.