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. XI. How Ornatus gatte shipping into Phrygia. Howe Allin••s was set al libertie: and how the Pyrates cast lottes who should possesse Artesia. (Book 11)

ORnatus all this while remained in the coun∣trey of Natolia, with Alprinus and Luci∣da, in great griefe, for want of meanes to depart into Phrygia, to sée what was be∣come of his deare Loue Artesia: but being a long time frustrated by reason none of the ships that were at sea came home, he began to dispaire, thinking that Artesia supposing him to be dead by reason of his long absence, would now marry Lenon, which griefe, and many other doubtfull thoughts opprest his heart with such passion, that he began to waxe sicke, and af∣terwards fel into an excéeding feuer, which held him for the space of thrée moneths in great extremitie, which surely had abridged his dayes: had hee not bene most carefully nourisht by Lucida, who had an especiall care of his good. During which time of his sicknesse, certaine ships of Phrygia arriued on the coast of Na∣tolia, some fourtéene miles distant from the Towne where Or∣natus was, of which he had intelligence by certaine Factors be∣longing to Lucidas Father, which newes reuiued his spirits with ioy, before drouping with care, that within few dayes he recoue∣red his former health, which greatly reioyced Alprinus and Lu∣cida, whose hearts were linked vnto him, in hands of vnsepara∣ble friendship: who likewise dealt so effectually for him, that they attained warrant for his passage, and furnished him with all kinde of necessaries, and sufficient store of gold to beare his char∣ges.

Lucida likewise intreating her father to agrée with the Phry∣gian Marchants for his conuoy, for that himselfe would not be

knowne, disguising himselfe into the habit of a Pilgrime, whic•• kinde of people, might without disturbance passe vnexamined, and without molestation. And the time of his departure being come, he tooke his leaue of Lucida. Who tooke his departure with such excéeding sorrow, that the abundance of her flowing teares stopt the passage of her spéech. Alprinus likewise with many curtesies bad him farewell, and wished his prosperous successe. Thus departed he the confines of Natolia, where he was in so short space so well beloued, and so kindly vsed, that had not his, loue to Artesia, and hope to finde her in safety constrained him, he could haue bene contented to haue spent the terme of his life in that place.

The Merchants of Phrygia had not sailed many dayes, but they arriued in a hauen some ten myles distant from the Court, whither Ornatus determined to trauell, and hauing taken his leaue of the Marriners, and paide them their due, furnished with all things fit for his disguise, he tooke his iourney, and the first night lodged at a village neare adioyning to his fathers Castle, the custome of which place he well knewe before, and therefor•• framed his behauiour accordingly. And beeing set at supper a∣mongst such gues••s as lodged in that house with him, the Hoste named Mylo, suddenly fight, which one of them noting, deman∣ded what inward griefe draue him thereto. Marry sir quoth he, if you haue not alreadie heard the newes, I will tell you so much as I knowe, which I would I had neuer knowne. Within few•• dayes there dwelt an auncient Knight heereby named Allinus, excéedingly well beloued of all men, who is lately fallen into great miserie, the occasion whereof was this, then did hée declare the maner of all that had happened vnto Allinus, how Artesia was taken from him, but by whom no man ••nows, himselfe in prison, his goods confiscated, and his wife & seruants turned out of doores, with commaund that none should succour them.

Ornatus heart was so pincht with this newes, that hée was readie to fall vnder the Table, which olde Mylo and the rest no∣ted, perceiuing such a chaunge of countenance in him, that they

all denied him to be excéedingly sicke: but hée fearing to discoue•• himselfe, told them it was but an ordinarie course with him, to be so troubled: but being vnable to mittigate that passion, hee rose from the table, and gat to his chamber, where being alone, he began to meditate the depth of these mischances, imputing the originall thereof to procéed from himselfe. That he entred into these bitter plaintes. My misfortunes are without compare, and I more miserable then any wretch liuing: By my euill deste∣nies, Artesia was first left in miserie, afterwards imprisoned, and now surprised by those that will intend her ruine, or dishonor. My father imprisoned, my mother bannished: all his landes, liuings, seruants, and friends, taken from him, and he subiect to Lenons mercie, that is mercilesse, cruell, deceitfull, and ma∣litious.

Onelie by my follie, are these mischances befallen. Can there then be any more wretched then my selfe? hath not my fa∣ther cause to wish that hée had neuer begotten mee, and my mo∣ther that shée had neuer borne me? Hath not Artesia cause to ac∣cuse me, hate me, and forsake me? When for my sake, by my fol∣lie, and want of wisedome, she is brought to so many miseries? What shall I doo? or what remedie shall I séeke, when all things is past recure? Whome may I blame, but my selfe? Is there any that is interressed in the cause of these woes, but my selfe? Le∣non, Lenon, as well as my selfe, hath procured these euils: his affection to Artesia, hath caused my banishmēt, my parents wo, and her losse. To trauell in her search, and leaue my father in pri∣son, the one would be in vaine, when I knowe not whither shée is conueied, and the other dangerous to his sa••etie, for Lenon no doubt of malice will séeke his death.

In these and suche like plain••s hee spent most part of that night.

Earlie the next morning comming out of his Chamber, hée heard a great tumult in that Village: the occasion whereof, was this: Such as were Tenaunts and friendes to Allinus▪ hearing of his vniust imprisonment, and with what crueltie Le∣non

sought his ouerthrow, assembled themselues togither, with purpose to intreat the King for his release: that in the end there was thrée hundred of them assembled. The common people, and such as were idle persons, and readie to any attempt, misconcei∣uing their intent, and bearing a minde desirous of libertie, which they thought they were restrained from, by certain strickt lawes the King had made, gathered vnto them, that contrarie to theyr expectation, there was a multitude: the intent of whose assem∣blie, being demanded, they answered, that they meant to redéeme Allinus: amongst whom, Ornatus in his disguise, thrust him∣selfe, vsing many forcible perswasions to vrge them forwardes to that attempt. That they were readie to runne confusedlie to the Court, not regarding daunger, nor the displeasure of the King.

One of Allinus friends named Thrasus, standing vppe a∣mongst the rest, craued audience, to whom they all listned, whilest he said.

I perceiue your intent is to release Allinus, wherein you shall shewe your loue to him, and doo a déede a worthie to be eter∣nized, for that hée hath not at all deserued to haue such iniustice ministred vnto him: therefore be wise in this attempt, and first know against whom you beare armes: that is, against your lawfull King, who may punish this fact with death: for that we•• vndertake to breake those lawes which he hath ordained.

But followe my counsell, and I will sette you downe a course, whereby you shall attaine your desire, and bee voyde of any such daunger, which is this. First lette vs all repaire to the Court, and humblie intreate the King for his release, if hee will not graunt that, then that hée woulde haue his cause tryed by the rest of the Péeres of the land; Which if hee also denye, then may wée with good cause venture our lines in his rescue: The multitude hearing Trasus, in signe of consent, all cryed, Trasus, Trasus, shall be our Cap∣taine.

Then presently euerie one with such furniture as they had, hasted to the Court, and comming togither, would not seeme to enter by force, but with a full consent yéelded to Thrasus directi∣ons. Who desired one of the guard to certifie his Maiestie that there were a number of his subiects gathered togither, with no intent of euill, but onely humbly to craue a boone at his highnesse hand. The King being certified hereof, was much troubled in his minde what the thing shoulde bée they would demaund, and be∣ing perswaded by Lenon, would not himselfe come out, but sent one of his Knights to demaund what was there request. Thrasus declared vnto him the cause of their comming, and what they de∣maunded. Which when the King vnderstood, béeing exceedingly inraged at their boldness••, bad the knight make them this aun∣swere, that he was not by his subiects to be controlled, and there∣fore denied to performe the least of their demaund: commaun∣ding them presently to depart euery man to their seuerall place, least hée punished their presumption with death. The messenger had not scarce ended his wordes, but presently the vnruly multi∣tude began to rush in at the Court gates, some carelesly ruina∣ting whatsoeuer came next hand, some breaking downe win∣dowes, some assayling such as resisted them, and euery one bent to doo mischiefe. The King fearing the peoples vnruly rebellion, would come to some greater mischiefe then cou••de suddeinly bée preuented, and might also indaunger his person, not knowing who had instigated them thereto, with the Quéene and Lenon fled. Which when Thrasus knew, calling to the multitude, hée willed them in any wise not to destroy the Kings house, not at∣tempt any thing more to displease his Maiestie, for that the King was departed, and he had Allinus at libertie. But notwithstan∣ding some bent onely to inrich themselues, spoyled the Kings treasure, and vtterly defaced the house: by which time the night drew nigh, and euery one began to withdr••w themselues. Alli∣nus séeing what excéeding mischiefe this attempt had bred, which was done contrary to his thought, and without his consent, yet thought it best not to trust to the Kings mercie, though hée were

neuer so innocent, for notwithstanding that he would suppose it was done by his procurement, therefore (after Thrasus had wil∣led the vnruly multitude to depart as secretly as they could, eue∣ry one to his house, to preuent further daunger & saue their liues, by kéeping themselues vnknowne) hée and Thrasus that night, without delay disguised themselues, and fled towards the coast to get shipping for Armenia, whither they intended to trauell.

Ornatus was by and beheld all this, glad of his fathers escape, not purposing at all to discouer himselfe, vntill he had found Ar∣tesia, in whose search he meant presently to trauell: but such con∣fused thoughts, whither to direct his steps, did so ouerwhelme his conceits, that hee rested like one metamorphosed, not knowing whether he would ••éeke her by sea or by land. By sea he thought his labours would be in vaine, and if he should go to finde her by land, he knew not whether she might be at sea, and so conueyed into forraine Countries. At last remembring he had heard Mylo say she was rescued from Allinus in the desert where his Cattel fed, hée determined to trauell thither, though he had little hope to finde her there. And being come thither, sometimes bewayling her absence, accusing his hard fortune, breathing foorth bitter ••ighs in remembrance of her losse, and renuing the remembrance of their loue, be spent some thrée daies in that place, vttering those plaintes to the trées and birdes, for otherwise there was none to heare him. Where for a while we will leaue him.

The Pyrates hauing as is before saide, taken Artesia from Allinus, and with her such wealth as they could find about them, hauing withall furnished themselues with the spoyle of such Cat∣tell as fed in those places, returned to their Ship, and with haste hoy••ed faile, the night being nowe past. One that was chiefe a∣mongst the rest, named Luprates, went downe to viewe Artesia, hauing as yet not séene her beawtie by reason of the night, and now comming neare her, and beholding her diuine forme, his mind was presently rauisht with that sight, and he thought that none but himselfe should enioy her, which tooke such efficacie, that whereas before he intended nothing but her dishonour, his

minde was now altered, and he intended to vse her in most reue∣rent and decent sort, and not by crueltie, but curtes••••, to winne her loue. But beholding her teares, and excéeding lamentation, and how impatientlie she indured the extremities shée was driuen vn∣to, comming towards her with a most submisse gesture, friendlie countenaance, and gentle spéech, hée said. Faire Lady, be not any thing disquieted that you are made captiue to suche as delight in spoyle, for though our mindes are otherwise bent to all inciuilitie, yet to your selfe shall no wrong be offered, such vertue hath bew∣tie imprinted in my heart, and whereas heretofore without mer∣cie, both I and the rest of my consorts haue not regarded the plaints, distresse, nor what wrong wee haue offered either to La∣die or damosell, yet towards your self is my heart altered, and my meaning honestly bēt: that I assure you not onely of quiet, and to bée voyd of all wrong by vs to be done, but also, wherein soeuer I may work your wil, quiet, ease, or desire, I wil most willingly im∣ploy my vttermost indeuours. Then I beséech you mittigate these cares, bannish this sorrow, & drie vp your teares: for you haue no cause of care, nor occasion of sorrow: but rather to say, this vertue resteth ••••me, to alter rude and barbarous mindes, to ciuill & ver∣tuous behauior. Artesia looking earnestly vpon him, being indued with an excéeding wit, and thinking it best to speak him faire that vsed her so kindly, said. Sir, I know not how to mitigate my grief, when it increaseth: or how can I be voyd of care, vnlesse I should grow altogither carelesse, being only subiect to woe, & none so vn∣fortunate as my selfe, hauing indured so many afflictions & crosses in all respects, that I know not how to assure my selfe of the least quiet? Then giue me leaue to continue my endlesse plaints, & doo not blame me of impatiencie, nor think I suspect your speeches, or distrust your fidelitie, if in some sort I continue my sorrowes: for I haue so long continued in them, as I can better away with thē then mirth: for that to me is a stranger. Yet notwithstanding my hart will harbour some quiet, if by your curtesie I may rest in se∣curitie, and bée sheltred from wrong. By this time they were arriued at their place of harbour, which was betwixt the hollow

of two Rocks, or rather Rockie Ilands, where their ship lay safe from weather, and so farre vnder their shadowe, that it could not bée séene. Themselues conueying such wealth as they from time to time got into hollow Caues, of great largenesse, where was al things necessarie; and the rest of Luprates fellowes called him vp. When hauing fastned their ship, Luprates brought Artesia into the Caue, who beholding the same, was surprised with an excéeding discomfort, of euer getting from thence.

Some of the ruder sort liking Artesia, began their rude be∣hauiour towards her, but Lupratus stepping vnto them, vttered these spéeches. My maisters, thus long haue I liued your Cap∣taine in this place, with care respecting your good as much as mine owne, and taking but an equall share with you, of such pri∣zes as wée haue taken, and rather the least part, now onely in re∣spect of my faith and fidelitie, I request to haue this Damosell as my prize, the rest of the wealth take you. In dooing which, you shall binde mée vnto you for euer. One of the rest liking Artesi∣aes bewtie as well as hée, and of a more rude minde, disdaining that hée alone should haue her possession, said. Captaine, all which you say wée confesse to be true: neither hath our care bin any way lesse thē yours: therfore, there is no reason why you shuld claime any peculier priuiledge aboue any of vs: besides, you knowe wée made a law, and bound our selues to performe the same by oath, which was, that none should possesse any thing without the gene∣ral consent of vs all. Then performe those conditions, and let her belong to vs all, or to the chiefest of vs, & in so doing, neither of vs shall sustaine wrong: thus began they to contend about Artesia, euery one desirous to possesse her, & yet neither willing any shuld haue her but himselfe, that they were likely to mu••inie and fal out, till at the last they cōcluded to cast lots & she fel to Luprates share, that was the most worthy of that priuiledge, for that hée bare the most vertuous mind. Thus for a time this strife was ended, and Artesia was by Luprates kindly vsed for many daies: in the end their victuals began to waste, & they thought it high time to seek for more, y^• they determined to fetch in some as before they had done.

But then began Luprates to take care in whose custodie to lea•••• Artesia, least in his absence they should do her wrong. Amongst the rest he chose out one whome he thought fittest, and to him hée committed her, by whose meanes Artesia rested voyd of distur∣bance, though not void of excéeding care that continually tormen∣t••d her, fearing neuer to sée Ornatus againe, nor to be released from that place of bondage.