The most pleasant historie of Ornatus and Artesia Wherein is contained the vniust raigne of Thaeon King of Phrygia. Who with his sonne Lenon, (intending Ornatus death,) right heire to the crowne, was afterwardes slaine by his owne seruants, and Ornatus after many extreame miseries, crowned King.

CHAP. VI. Howe Ornatus loue was hindered by the newes of Arba∣stus death. Howe Floretus to attaine Sylulans loue, both confest hee slew Arbasius, and intended to poyson Artesia. (Book 6)

TO augment Artesiaes teares, a messenger hastily running, came in and brought this newes, vttering the same with a gastly counte∣naunce.

O Artesi••, heare my tragicke discourse, your Father as you know, rode forth this morning to chase the fearefull Déere, who wandring from his company, at last by his long stay was mist, and all of vs comming together, studied amongst our selues, what should be become of him, at last wée were commaunded by Floretus your Vnckle, to poste seuerall wayes in search of him: whom at last we found most gréeuously wounded and dead. Ar∣tesia hearing his words, with suddaine gréefe, fell downe deade. Which when Sylnian perceiued, caught her in his armes, rub∣bing her pale chéekes, vntill shée was reuiued againe. Then they conueyed her to her bed, in such extremitie with that suddaine gréefe, that they feared to loose her life, which exceedingly tormen∣ted Syluian to behold. Then was there such an vprore in Ar∣bastus house, as al séemed in vtter dispaire, one coniecturing this, an other that of Arbastus death, but all in generall conclu∣ding, that it was done by Allinus in reuenge of his brothers death.

Arbastus wife, likewise conceiued such sorrow at this vn∣expected euent, that with very gréefe thereof shée dyed. Artesia with both together, was readie to yéelde vp her latest breath, and had done so, had shée not beene carefullie preserued by Syluian, and Adellena. Who by their counsaile and indeuours, pacifi∣ed the extremitie of her perplexitie. This newes was soone spred into most places of the countrey: but because there was no iust proofe of the murtherer, there was no great question made thereof: Arbastus hauing neuer a trustie friende to prosecute reuenge. Floretus now tooke vpon him to rule and gouerne all that belon∣ged to Arbastus, as his brother, and soone caused him and his La∣dy to be worthily interred, and built a sumptuous monument in their remembrance. Which being ouerpast, he came againe to Artesia, (as in the meane time he had oftentimes done) and fin∣ding her very weake, vsed many spéeches to comfort her, giuing such as were about her speciall charge, to minister all things ne∣cessarie to restore her to her former health: Séeming to bee most carefull of her guard, promising and protesting to bée vnto her in¦stead

of a Father.

Syluian all this while was excéedinglie gréeued in mind to sée his loue growne so weake, and in such danger of life, not once forsaking her in all the time of her siknesse, but continually comforting her with heartie spéeches, carefull tendance, not so much as once departing her chamber, but taking excéeding pains to pleasure her, that shée tooke great comfort in her supposed Syl∣uian, who oftentimes would steale a swéete kisse from Artesiaes lips, which she permitted, taking the same to procéede from a cur∣teous minde, when Syluian did it of déepe affection: accounting the estate wherin hée liued, to excéed all ioyes, and his delight past compare, profering many familiarities that Artesia tooke in kind part, which otherwise she would haue refused, had shée knowne whom her companion Syluian had beene. Ornatus marueiled that all this time she spake not of him, which he deuised to vrge her to do, by many occasions: but these extremities had banni∣shed all remembrance of him out of her minde: Which excée∣dingly tormented Ornatus, fearing this delaye would some way turne to his ill. That wheras before time, he was pleasant, mery, and oftentimes would mooue Artesia to myrth by his disporte, now that humour was alienated, and he became continually melancholly and sad, oftentimes when Artesia was from him, getting into a sollitary place, to bewayle his hard fate. Which shée noted and woondred at, thinking the same had procéeded from being so long absent from his countrey and friends. One day she found her déemed Syluian sollitarie alone, and comming vnawares, heard her vtter these words. Oh how vnhappy am I, to loue and not to be beloued.

Syluian espying her, left off: to whom Artesia said. Why how now Syluian, are you in loue, can it be, that your mind is at∣tainted with that venemous serpent, that poysoneth the sences, altereth the complexion, & troubleth the head and heart? Shake it off, and cast it out of your sight, for it neuer did any good, but hath brought many to perpetuall miserie.

Since you haue ouerheard me (quoth Syluian,) I must néeds

confesse I am in loue, which doth not any way worke any such effect in me as you speake off, but I take all comfort therein, my sences, heart, head, & all my parts, take excéeding pleasure therein. Why then (quoth Artesia) sit you thus pensiuely alone, as it sée∣meth to me bewayling your estate to be in loue? I do not (quoth Syluian) sorrow that I am in loue, but that I am not beloued a∣gaine: for being in loue, I haue vowed to liue so euer, and sooner shall end. What hard-harted man (said Artesia) is he y^e know∣ing you loue him, wil not loue you againe? Such is my har•• estate (sayd Syluian) that the partie whom I loue, knoweth I loue, and yet causelesly doth hate me: neither am I farre absent from him, but inioy his company, without which, my life would decay. Is he in this house you loue? can it bée you are intangled since you came hither? No (quoth Syluian) I loued before I came hither. How can that be, when you are a stranger, and cast in this coun∣try by shipwracker? eyther you must néedes be some other then we take you for, otherwise, these things are impossible. But if you dare put trust in my secrecie, impart your minde to mée: and I promise you I will do the best I cā to further your loue. You may do much therein (quoth Syluian) and none more then your self, but I beséech you pardon me for reuealing the same, before you assure me of one thing, which you may do without any harm to your self and be not offēded with me if I ask you. Tel me what it is (quoth she) & I will answer you? Then (said Syluian) I wold first know whether you loue Ornatus or no? With y^e she started? saying: Ay me, that name bringeth death to my heart, & thou woundest my souls with gréefe, to heare him named. Dost thou thinke I haue cause to loue & not rather aboue al men to hate him: dost thou not sée my father lately murdred by him, or some by his appointment, and thinkest thou I can loue so deadly a foe, by whom I am brought to this miserie? No assure thy selfe Syluian, according as I haue iust cause I do hate him, as the greatest enemie I haue. Whose very name affrighteth mée with terror, and if thou hadst loued me as I was perswaded thou didst, thou wouldst not haue

troubled my heart with that omnious name. And yet for all this mischiefe that he hath done me, didst thou not see how he sued for my loue, and had so much preuailed, that my heart beganne to yéeld to his sute? With that she pulled out of her pocket the letter, saying: these lynes the trutes of his dissimulation, were actors in his villainie: with that she tare them into a thousand péeces. Syl∣uian séeing the same, was readie to sound with gréefe, brea∣thing soorth a hart burning ••igh, said. O how is poore innocencie suspected.

And being readie to say more, was disappointed by Floretus comming, who euen then entred the garden, and finding them out, vsed many curteous spéeches to thē both, especiallly cōforting Artesia. To whom he said. Dear coozin, since these mishaps cānot be remedied, let wisdome now ouersway your passionate sorrow: and with patience remit all further gréefe, for things past cure are not to be lamented: but now commit the care of your safety to my trustines, y^e will as tenderly regard your good as mine owne life. Therfore be of comfort, & whatsoeuer you desire, shalbe to y^e vtter∣most accomplished. Artesia yeelded him many thanks, and so they went in. Artesia being alone by her selfe, could by no means for∣get what spéech she had with Syluian: eyther thinking shée did dissembl••, or was some other then she seemed: or else that she was in loue with Floretus. Then she remembred her spéeches, saying. Howe is innocencie suspected. Which she knew she spake by her accusing of Ornatus▪ which braue her into many doubtfull cogi∣totions, and troubled her sences excéedingly: but by reason of her little suspect of Syluians disguise, shée could not iudge any thing thereof. Syluian likewise not daring to offend her, and louing her so dearely, that hee could not indure to sée her disquietted, vsed no more spéeches tending to loue, but frequenting her company wherein hée tooke his whole fel••ci••ie, accounting himselfe most happie to liue and enioy her swéete presence, béeing out of hope to attaine her loue, refreshing his heart with many sollaces of sweete delight, in beholding that which shée little thought he had noted.

Many daies continued Syluian in this disguise, in which time, Arbastus death was almost forgotten. And Floretus drawn by Syluians manifolde vertues, began exceedingly to affect her, shewing such kinde behauiour towards her, that she suspected that which afterwards she found true: for Floretus cōcealing his loue, felt the flame to burne the more inwardly, and liuing in that scor∣ching pennari••, thought it better for him to manifest his loue, thē by hyding the same, augment his torment. Assuring himselfe to obtain his desire, for that Syluian was a stranger, far frō friends, and without his friendship, likelie to come to pouertie, which hée thought woulde bée a meanes of importance to drawe her to like of him: besides, hée thought that hée might do as hée list with Artesia, for that shée was onelye in his custo∣die.

And on a day finding Syluian alone in the garden, comming to her with a submisse behauiour, he said as followeth. My dear•• Syluian I would gladlie vtter a matter of an importance, if you will vouchsafe me gentle audience: So it is fayre Damosell, that my heart hath long time béen inthralled to your bewtie, which I haue retrained to vtter, fearing to be refused: but knew you how faithfully my heart is deuoted to your seruice, and with what tor∣ment I haue concealed the same, you would pittie me. My estate is sufficient to maintaine you well, though not so worthily as you deserue: you shall liue with me in contented ease, and haue so faithfull and constant a friend, as no torment nor affliction shall alter.

Therefore I beséech you, let me receiue some hope of com∣fort by your gentle spéeches, which shall expell many cares from my troubled heart.

Syluian had much adoo to abstaine from smiling, to thinke how vnfit he was so yéeld such a reward as Floretus expected: committing further consideration thereof, to time more conueni∣ent, gaue him this answere. My minde sir is vnapt to enter∣taine loue, considering how farre I am from my countrey, and how soone I may bée ouertaken, therefore I pray you séeke not

that at my hands which I wil not graunt, but if with your fa∣uour I may liue so quietly as since my comming I haue done, I shal thinke my selfe more beholding to you for that; then for your porfered loue, which I cannot yéelde vnto, Floretus thinking her soft answere was a signe she would soone yéeld, stil prosecuted his sute with earnestnesse, in so much th••t Syluian tolde him that as yet she could not fancie him, because shée had no triall of him, but that she would consider further thereof. And so for that time they parted. Floretus in hope to attaine that which was not to bee had, and Syluian in hope by this meanes the sooner to attaine Artesias loue. First considering that Floretus had the disposing of her, and therefore he must please him: least otherwise he might bée depriued of her company. Then he began to thinke of Arba∣stus murther, knowing assuredly, that it was not acted by his fa∣thers counsel, but rather by some secret foe, that might as well bée Floretus as any other, for that hée was the next heire, if Artesia hindred him not: which conceit tooke such effectuall instance in his fancie, that with that his suspect, beholding Floretus beha∣uiour, countenance, and little inquiry for the murtherer, he plain∣ly inspected him, which by the diuine prouidence, rather then by any euident proofe, was stirred in his opinion. Such murther is neuer vnreuealed, and though neuer so closely done, yet God by some extraordinary meanes or other reuealeth the same. So came it to passe with Ornatus, although hée was no war priuie to any such act, or had any probabilitie thereof, yet hée thought that Floretus countenaunce bewrayed his treacherie, and therefore hée longed to haue some conference with him, to sée if hée could ga∣ther the truth, whereby he thought both to discharge himselfe of that suspect Artesia had of him, and also when shée sawe his inno∣cencie and constancie, she might yéelde to loue him: purposing to leaue no meanes vnattempted to trie him: which he did the next time be spake with him, in this sort.

E••rly the next morning, Floretus not vnmindfull of his loue which kept him from his sléepe that night, neuer left till bée had found Syluian, and comming to her, with manifolde submisse spée∣ches,

sollicited his sute: whom Syluian cunningly handled, stil put∣ting him in hope, and yet making him no promise, which set him the more on fire, being so farre ouergone with affection, that hee purposely determined eyther to win her loue, or hazard his owne life, and to leaue no meane•• vnattempted, were it neuer so dan∣gerous, to procure his owne content. That the more vnwilling he saw Syluian, the more importunate hee grew. Till at last Syl∣uian sayd as followeth. Floretus I know no reason you haue to bee so importunate, when I sée in you no token of fidelitie: but once hauing attained your purpose, you will esteeme mee as lightly as easily woon: besides, I see not wherein you can performe any such matter as you promise, for I beeing in a strange countrey, haue nothing: and you for ought I sée, as little: then by matching with you, I shall but bring my selfe to pouertie, and miserie, and then your loue now so hotte, wil be as colde: and I as reiected, cast off to vtter miserie. Floretus not suffering her to procéed any fur∣ther, made this answere. Syluian do you not sée A••bastus wealth, wil not y^e bée sufficient? the great possessions I now enioy by him, are of substance to maintaine you in all quiet, and yeeld you your heartes content. Arbastus wealth said Syluian, that is A••tesiaes by right, then how can you possesse the same she liuing? Doo but graunt me loue, sayd he, and I will quicklie satisfie you in that. I haue a meane to get ••ll into mine owne hands: and therefore I beséech you, let no such matter trouble your minde, but be assured, that in enioying me, you shal haue al happinesse and quiet, by my humble, dutifull, and constant loyaltie. Do but assure mee of this (quoth Syluian) and you shall knowe my resolution after∣wards.

Artesia entring the chamber, brake off their spéeches, whose pre∣sence vexed Floretus at the heart, beeing scarce able to speake, by reason of his inward rancor: for indéed hee hated Artesia, be∣cause she onely kept him from possessing his brothers liuing: the want whereof, kept him from attaining Syluians loue: therefore he resolued by some meanes to worke her downefall which with∣in short time he acquainted Syluian withall by this occasion.

One day finding her alone in a secret place in the garden, after many spéeches past betwixt them: whereby hée perceiued the chiefest things that hindred him, was his want of wealth, and af∣ter that Syluian had in some sort made him a grant (onely to trie him,) he began to vtter his intent in this sorte. My deare Syl∣uian, I am so well perswaded of your vertue, and put such confi∣dence in your trustinesse, that I wil reueale to you the very depth and secrets of my heart, would you but sweare to kéepe my coun∣sell: for to purchase your content, I haue determined to put in practise a matter of secrecie, which concerneth my life to bée re∣uealed.

Syluian hearing that, thought it better to sweare a thousand oathes and breake them all, then by nicenesse to indanger the life of Artesia, which she supposed he aymed at promised him by ma∣ny protestations, to kéepe secret whatsoeuer he tolde her: wherevp∣pon Floretus vrged with hope to win her loue, and imboldned in mischief, cared not what he did to attain his wil, said as followeth. Syluian, you sée Arbastus is dead, which was one stop that kept me from inioying great possessions, and my purpose is, so you wil but vouchsafe to ayde me therrin, to be ridde of Artesia: and then all that belongeth to her by her fathers death, shall bee yours to dispose of. Syluians heart throbde to heare his spéeches, but de∣termining to sift him to the full, said as followeth. Floretus I am sure you speake this onely to trie me, and so intrap me, and not of any intent you haue to performe the same, wherein you shall doo me great wrong, and your selfe no good: for I cannot beléeue you beare the least thought to do it. By heauen quoth hee, it is my full intent, and for that you may be assured thereof, it was I that slew Arbastus, howsoeuer the matter is imputed to Allinus, and purpose likewise to be rid of Artesia, onely for your sake.

Therefore make no doubt of my resolution: for I am ab∣solutely purposed to do it. (O thought Syluian) rather shalt thou sée my blood, then spill one drop of hers: why Floretus would you haue me do any thing therin? You onely may doo it (quoth he) with more safetie then any other, and the maner how is this.

Within some mile from this Castle, Arbastus hath a banquet∣ting house in his Parke, where oftentimes hée would for his recreation lye, whither I will perswade Artesia to goe for a season to take the aire, and to recreate her sences dulled with gréefe: and none but you to keepe her company, and some two seruants whose trustinesse, I am assured of. This done, I will get a drinke to be made, the force whereof, shall expell life, and yet by no meanes nor any cunning or skil be found out, when you shall thinke it most conuenient giue vnto her: & being once dead, who will make any enquirie, but that she died of a naturall sick∣nesse? and then you shall be mistresse both of her heritage and my selfe. Syluian said, when shall this be put in practise? Within these two daies at the farthest said he: in the meane time frequent you Artesiaes company, in such familiar sort as heretofore you haue done, and my selfe wil vse her with no lesse kindnesse. Many other spéeches being past betwixt them at that time, they parted.