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. VIII. How Artesia departed to the Lodge with Syluian, and from thence secretly departed to Adellenas house, and how Or∣natus taken to be Syluian, was by Floretus accusation, and Artesias want, banished. (Book 8)

IT fel so out the next day, that the King with diuers of his company, amongst whom was his only sonne and heire Lenon, being wea∣ried with trauell, arriued at Arbastus house, thinking to haue founde him there, but the King hearing of his suddaine death, was ex∣céedingly sorie, perswading himselfe as all men else did, that he was slaine by some of Allinus house? which made him make small tariance there, but departed to his Pallace. Now it fortuned that Lenon behelde Artesias bewtie, and was with the first view thereof, excéedingly bewitched, that after he was gone, he could by no meanes forget her? but determined ere long, to returne to sée if he could attaine her loue. Now the time was come that Floretus had appointed to set abroach his villany, and (according as Ornatus had before told Artesia) he came to her, perswading her for a season to lie in the Countrey, which she as forearmed consented vnto, and so the next morning, she with Syluian, Floretus, and diuers others, de∣parted: at night Floretus returning, and leauing with her ac∣cording as he had promised Syluian, and onely two seruants that were to prouide them necessaries, but knew no part of the conspiracie. When Ornatus and Artesia were alone togither, for that she was vndoubtedly assured of his loue, faith and sideli∣tie, she vsed these comfortable spéeches to him. Ornatus, whereas alwaies before this time too vnkindly I haue reputed you as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, I now craue pardon, being sorie that my h••a••t hath done you so much wrong, which now I will requite with kindnesse. I car∣resse

it was strange to me to entertaine loue, but now I willing∣ly yeeld my selfe to be her subiect, and your true and faithful friend: committing my life to your custodie, and my loue and selfe to be yours to dispose of. Ornatus hearing her spéeches, was rauished with a heauen of ioy, with a gentle and kind behauiour, foulding her in his armes, and imprinting a swéete kisse vpon her rosiate lippes, he said. Neuer was poore wretch exalted to more happi∣nesse then I am, by being inriched with this inestimable trea∣sure of your loue. O how rich a reward haue I now reapt for my cares, and what glorie, ioy or wealth, can be compared to the ri∣ches of your loue? O heauenly Artesia, how fortunate haue you made Ornatus? how haue you blest Ornatus? how full of ioy is Ornatus, by your swéete consent? was euer any so vnworthie, so exalted, for his kindnesse and loue? I wil performe more then my tongue can vtter, and bee more faithfull then your heart can wish. Then began they to imbrace each other, and to surfet them∣selues in the sollaces, true loue yeeldeth. He sometimes lending her a kisse, and she with interest paying two for one: for one swéet looke two, and so many imbracings as are not to be explicated: their hands and hearts ioyned in such firme bandes of true affec∣tion, as is not to be dissolued: and sur••etting with such excéeding content, as is impossible to be described. These stormes of loue somewhat mittgated, they began to consult of their daungerous estate, and to deuise how to preuent the intended mischiefe. In this place they continued some two dayes in excéeding content, still expecting to heare from Floretus: who the third day fearing to trust any with a matter of such waight, came himselfe to bring the potion, (yet in shew of kindnes to visite Artesia) deliuering the same to Syluian, willing her the next night to giue it her, which she promised him faithfully to accomplish.

When he was gone, Artesia came to Ornatus to knowe what newes Floretus brought, who tolde her all, and shewed her the poyson in a glasse, which he had charged should be giuen to her the next day. With that Artesia beganne to wayle and exclaime against her Vnckle, in most extreame sort. But Or∣natus

intreated her to cease such vaine griefe, which could not hurt him, but her selfe, promising her to preuent the same, if shée would follow his counsell▪ which she willingly yeelded vnto. Then quoth hée, let vs presently depart hence to Adellenaes house, which you know is not farre off, who you know is agreed with vs alreadie, where I will leaue you, and returne. Which said, while the seruants were absent vpon some speciall occasion, they departed with little labour, arriuing at Adellenas house, who was readie to receiue them, and after many farwels, Or∣natus returned backe to the Lodge. And when it was supper time, the seruants brought vp meate, but Ornatus tolde them that Artesia was scarce well, and therefore they would not sup that night. And being alone by himselfe, he studied what excuse to make for Artesias absence, when Floretus should come, spending that night in much care, and many vnquiet cogitations, which tooke away his sleepe.

Floretus was no sooner returned from the Lodge, but hée met Lenon, who of purpose came to méete Artesia, whom Flo∣retus kindly saluted: maruelling much wherefore hée came: to ease which doubt, Lenon said.

My friend Floretus, I come to visite the faire Artesia, to whose beawtie I am inthralled, not as regarding her wealth, but her sweete loue, of whome you onely haue the gouernment: therefore I pray befriend me so much, that I may come to spéech with h••r. Floretus was so ••xcéedingly amazed to heare his spee∣ches, that he could not tell what answere to make, nor how to ex∣cuse her absence. Lenon séeing him in such a studie, continued his spéeches, saying: Floretus be not vnwilling I should match with Artesia, for that shall no way binder your preferment, who think peraduenture the longer shée liueth vnmarried, the more wealth you shall get by her, but to rid you of that doubt, be but a meanes to win her consent, and I vowe by heauen, I will not take one peniworth of Arbastus substance from you, but fréely giue it you all. For it is not her possessions I regard, but her loue, therefore I pray resolue me of your minde herein.

My Lord replied hée, your offer is so bountifull, besides my dutie vrging me, I am readie to performe your will to the vtter∣most of my power. I thanke you good Floretus quoth Lenon, then I pray thée bring mée to her, for my loue is impatient of de∣lay. My Lord replied he, that can I not do instantly, for Artesia some two daies past, with the straunge damosell Syluian, depar∣ted thence, and are nowe at the Lodge: whither (if you please to to take such entertainment as this place yéeldeth) wée wil both goe to morrow morning. Agreed quoth Lenon, I will accept your profer. When the time of rest was come, Floretus being alone by himselfe, entred into these cogitations. What inconueniences hast thou runne into Floretus? Thou hast hyred one to murther Artesia, in hope to get her wealth, and made Syluian acquainted with thy counsell, which wealth thou maiest now attaine by pre∣seruing her life: and besides, winning her to loue Lenon, thou shalt finde him thy faithfull friend for euer. What wert thou then best to doo? if thou shouldest murther her, hée would make enqui∣rie of her death, and so thou bée vndone: If not, then wil Syluian bée displeased, and so bewray thy drift: that the mischiefes thou by folly hast runne into, are so intricate, that thou knowest not which way to shunne them. Were it not better to saue her life, and winne her Loue for Lenon, then to poyson her, and so to die my selfe? If I saue her life, Syluian will be discontented: what of that? then let Sylùian smart for it, for if she wil not bée conten∣ted with that I shall doo, she shall neuer liue to bewray my coun∣sell. And therefore wil I first trie her, and finding any suspition thereof, I will stabbe her my selfe, whose death I may eastlier an∣swere then Artesias. Early the next morning, Lenon and he rode to the Lodge, where no sooner arriued, but he met with Syluian, to whom he said: How now Syluian, I haue newes of impor∣tance to bewray to thée, Lenon whome thou here beholdest, is sonne to the King, who is déeply in loue with Artesia, and hath giuen me assurance of all Arbastus liuings, if I can win Artesia to match with him, now I thinke it good to deferre our purpose as concerning her death, vntil wée haue made triall whether shée

wil loue him or no. Which if we can effect, we shall be quit of so cruel a déed, enioy her heritage, and haue an assured friend of Le∣non whilest we liue: therefore let me know your opinion herein. Syluian was excéedingly amazed to heare his spéeches, thinking that if he did tel him where Artesia was, she should be wrested from his possession, and so himselfe disappointed of her loue: and on the other side, he thought what michiefe would arise if he should say he had already giuen her the poyson, yet his loue ouer∣maistring the feare of any daunger, made him say, All this I like: but Floretus, it is now too late, for I haue caused Artesia to drink the poyson you deliuered me, and she is dead, which was of such force, that all her bodie purpled into blisters and swellings, which because I knew would bewray what we had done, I tooke her bodie and conueyed it into a deepe pit, where it is impossible to be found. Floretus now fearing to haue his treason bewrayed, thought to stabbe Syluian; and so to be rid of them both, that in a monstrous rage he drew his dagger, and vnawares strooke Syl∣uian in the left arme, who féeling the smart, with violenc•• more then Floretus expected, stept to him, and in spite of his vtermost strength, wroong the dagger out of his hands, and with the same wounded him in thrée places, and had not Lenon stept betwixt them, Floretus had bene slaine. With that Lenon parting them, demaunded what the matter was: Floretus thinking rather to accuse, then be accused himselfe, and terrified with affright, saide that wicked woman hath murthered Artesia. Syluian made no answer vntil Lenon laid hold on her, demanding where Artesia was, she answering, that by the intisemēt of that wicked Floretus, I gaue her a drinke that vnknowing to me hath poysoned her. O wicked creature saide Lenon, thou hast condemned thy selfe to death. With that he began to drawe his sword, but Ornatus thinking it now no time to ••ally lest hee might by them be mur∣thered, caught holde on Lenons sworde, hauing such aduantage, that he easily wroong it from him, and said; Worthie Lenon be aduised, do not thou s••eke to spil my innocent blood, without fur∣ther

cōsideration, least for the same thou loose thine owne. Thin∣kest thou I am as faultie and guiltie as Floretus is? be assured I am not. But if thou louest Iustice, late hands on that Traytor, for he not I, is culpable of sheading her innocent blood. By this time Lenons seruants perceiuing their contention, came run∣ning in with their swordes drawne, by their Lordes commaun∣dement, apprehending Floretus, and a••terwards saking by vio∣lence to take Syluian, but he standing in his owne defence, resi∣ste•• them, alledging innocencie, till Lenon vowed and protested if he were not accessary thereto, he should haue no other then iu∣stice, and that his cause should be heard before the King. Ornatus thought it better to yéelds by faire meanes, rather then by com∣pulsion, and esteeming it lesse griefe to be made a prisoner, then to bewray where Artesia was, and so haue her taken ••rom him, yéeldeth: both of them being conueyed to the Pallace, and for that night cōmitted to seuerall prisons. Floretus conscience so deeply accused him of villany, that he continued cursing and exclaiming against his hard fortune, with bitter bannings raging against himselfe for trusting Syluian, seeming with extreame feare of death, desperate.

Ornatus on the other side, tooke that trouble patiently, as en∣dured for Artesias sake fearing nothing, for that hee knew him∣selfe innocent, and could easily acquite himselfe of such accusati∣on, purposing rather to hazard the worst, then bewray what he was: which to conceale, was his greatest care. The next day they were brought before the Prince, where Floretus vpon Syl∣uians accusation confest the truth, both concerning Artesia, and how he slue Arbastus, for which hee was adiudged to die within two daies. And quoth he to Syluian, for that thou art a stranger, and by his counsell rather then of thine owne inclination, wer: drawne vnwillingly to doo that déed, I will pardon thy life, but adiudge thée to be banished this Countrey: and quoth he, because I feare that some wil séeke thy life, thou shalt presently be conuey∣ed hence. Which doome shall stand irreuocable. Then gaue he commandement, hee should be conueyed to the hauen presently,

committing her to the custodie of certaine rude Moores. Who not staying to heare what answer shée would make (whereof poore Ornatus was not readily prouided of, in that extremitie) immediately carried her away: to whom Ornatus would haue tolde the truth of all, but hée spake to them that vnderstood him not, who with spéede executing their soueraignes commaund, rudely haled him aboord, and hoysing saile, neuer rested vntill they arriued neare the coast of Natolia, where they were com∣maunded to leaue her.