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. XII. How Ornatus found Artesia, and preserued her life: and how shee was againe taken from him by Lenon, and what after∣wards befell. (Book 12)

LVprates and the rest, being landed, came in the night into the plaines to steale Cattell, and by chaunce lighted on the place where Ornatus haunted, being directed to him by the sound of his lamentations: Luprates de∣maunded what he was, I am (quoth he) a most miserable forlorne creature, by misfor∣tune drawne to all extremitie. Then quoth hée, art thou not for our company: and with that they departed, leauing him ther••. Ornatus heart began presently to misdoubt that they were the verie same that had taken Artesia from Alli∣nus which made him presently studie how to haue them appre∣hended: remembring that he had heard many complaine that their cattell were often stolne, hée supposed verily them to be the théeues, that with all the haste hée could, he ranne to the next vil∣lage and raised the Townes-men, telling them what he had seene, who presently issued out, and with such weapons as came next to hand followed the Pyrates, and soone found them, setting vppon them, tooke two of them, and the rest, some sore wounded & hurt, fled to their Shippe, and with all the haste they coulde get to their harbour.

Early the next morning, the inhabitants conueied the Pyrates to the Court, who being come before the King, confest the man∣ner of theyr life, and where they liued. Then Lenon presentlie supposed, that they were the very same that had taken Artesia from Allinus, and demaunding the same of them, they tolde him that there was su••h a Damosell in their Caue, and that shee tolde them her name was Artesia. Then Lenon without delay strōg∣ly accompanied, rode to the next Hauen, and there gat shipping by the Pyrates directions, to finde out their fort. Ornatus like∣wise, after he had raised the people, secretlie followed the Pyrates vnto the place, where their ship lay, and amongst the rest entred the same: who by reason of their haste & excéeding feare, regar∣ded him not, who thrust himselfe into that daunger, onely to sée it Artesia were in their custodie, not reking how his life might be indangered thereby, but the Pyrates by Luprates directions hasted to the fort, and from thence tooke Artesia into their shippe, not daring to stay there, for that they knew some of their fellowes were taken, who might by compulsion be constrained to reueal•• the place of their abode.

Ornatus no sooner espied Artesia, but he knew her, and his heart leapt within him for ioy to sée that happie sighte, but he durst not speake to her, nor scarce settle his eyes to behode her, for feare of suspect, for that Luprates meruailed how hee came amongst them: demaunding what hee was, and what hée made thrre? I am (quoth hée) a poore Pilgrim, that against my will was by some of this company constrayned to come aboord.

Luprates beléeuing he said true, made no farther question, but with hast sayled from Phrygia, conueying A••tesia into his Cabin, vsing many spéeches to comfort her.

They hadde not sayled many houres, but a contrary winde began to arise, and the Heauens were darkened with thicke Cloudes, and such a mightie tempest arose, that the shippe was by violence driuen backe, theyr maine Maste broken and throwne ouerboorde, and all in daunger of de∣struction, had not the land béene neare, for the shippe driuen

by violence of the Sea, ranne a grounde, and there splitte in sunder, and the Pyrates with great hazard escaped drowning: none of them nor Luprates once regarding Artesia, but Orna∣tus seeing in what perill she was, caught holde on her, and get∣ting on to a planke, being withall somewhat skilfull to swimme, with much adoo ga••e on to the firme lande, and preserued her from a miserable death by drowning.

He was no sooner past daunger, but Luprates would haue ta∣ken her from him, but Ornatus séeing none but himselfe there, & all the rest fled for feare, tolde him since he had forsaken her in ex∣tremitie, he was not worthie of her, and therefore should not haue her. Villaine (quoth Luprates) yéelde her me with quiet, or else thy life shall not deteine her. With that Ornatus caught holde on a boord which he cleft in sunder with his foote, and with the same gaue Luprates so suddaine and deadly a wounde, that the braines fell about the place, and he died. By this time the storme was quite ouerpast, and Ornatus séeing his deare Loue verie weake with feare and distemperature, by the arme led her vnto a mossie banke, where the Sunnes bright beames had full force to drie her garments dropping with wet.

Artesia séeing howe tenderly this straunger regarded her, and with what paine he had preserued her, when she was of all but him forsaken, being willing to shewe that she was grate∣full, said▪ Sir the paines you haue taken, and friendship you haue showne to me, deserue more thankes and recompence then I am able to giue: and therefore I desire you so thinke, that if I were able I would requite the same: but my mis••ortunes are so excéeding, that they withholde me from dooing that I would: onely thankes is the small requitall I can yéelde in token of a gratefull minde: being by your meanes at more quiet then many dayes I haue bene, though more disquietted then you would iudge: but now I relie vpon your vertues, with hope thereby to be preserued, and not driuen to further miserie.

Faire Ladie, (quoth Ornatus) my life shall be spent in your defence, neyther will I parte from you vntill I haue brought

you to the place which you desire, requesting you to make us doubt of my loyaltie. I suppose your name is Artesia, because (quoth hée) in my trauels I haue met a Gentleman of this coun∣trey named Ornatus, of whome I learned the truth of many of your misfortunes: who I assure you is in good health. O bles∣s••d newes (quoth shée,) then will I hope once againe to se•• my deare Ornatus, whose absence hath beene my onely cause of woe.

She had scarce ended those words, but Ornatus espied a ship euen then come a shore, where theirs was cast away, most of the men landed, which was the shippe wherein Lenon was, who beheld the other shippe cast away, and the storme being ceased arriued there. From whome Ornatus knewe not howe to hide himselfe: and Artesia not so much as thinking Lenon had bene in it, but that it was some ship that likewise by the storme was driuen to lande there. Presently the men beganne to spredde themselues euery way, and some of them soone espied Arte∣sia, giuing Lenon knowledge thereof, who immediately came towardes her, most kindely saluting her, but shée beeing excée∣dingly dismayed with his sight, whome shée most mortally ha∣ted, for verie griefe burst into teares, that in aboundance gusht from her eyes.

Lenon maruelling thereat, (and little thinking howe much shée hated him, and how vnwelcome he was) rather expecting thankes for his paines then reproofe, said; My deare Artesia, bee not now discomforted, since there is no further cause of care, I haue most diligently laboured to release you from griefe euer since Allinus by treason conueyed you from my custodie: ta∣king your absence in great heauinesse, for that it pinched my heart to thinke you shoulde fall into suche distresse: but nowe that all those misfortunes are past, I beseech you goe with mée to the Court, where I will labour to procure your content.

Artesias heart was vexed to heare his speeches, that she made him this answere.

Most discurteous Lenon, none but your selfe are cause of my woe, whose sight more tormenteth mée, then all the afflictions I euer endured: Allinus carried me indéed from the gréene For∣tresse, not by treason, but to shelter me from dishonour, which you did intend, else would you not haue inffered mee to endure such miseries as I did by my hellish kéeper. Thinke you I haue cause either to thinke you intend my good, or take any comfort by your presence, when you onely disquiet me, not suffering me to enjoy my libertie, but would perforce constrain me to that I can∣not like. Had you left me in Adellenas house, then had I not fal∣len into such miseries as since that I haue endured, nor Allinus for his vertue haue bene brought to pouertie, that being before my professed enemie, séeing my miserie, it so mollified his heart, that he hath pittied me, and sought my libertie, and onely by cru∣eltie, not by iustice, haue you sought his ouerthrow. Then I be∣seech you leaue me here, for I had rather indure the hazard of my misfortune, then liue to be tormented with your importunacie. Lenon was so amazed to heare her vnkind reply, litle thinking he had bene so much out of her fauour, that he could not tel what to say: sometimes thinking to leaue her there, and vtterly to for∣sake her, but that thought was soone ouercome by his affection or violent sting of desire to enioy her loue: that once againe he said; Why Artesia doo you regard my good will no more, then for my paines, to yéelde me rebukes: and for my loue, disdaine? That I caused you to be brought from Adellenas house, was, for that being there you were subiect to many misfortunes. And if I imprisoned Allinus, it was for that I supposed him your enemy, and feared he would haue done you wrong: so that what∣soeuer I did with intent of good, you repay me with dislike: & con∣uert all my doings to the worst meaning: wherein you shewe your selfe too cruell, that will not yéeld me the least fauour for my constant loue. O Artesia be not so hard hearted, Artesia not∣withstanding many faire promises, vowes, and protestations he made, would not yéeld to go with him, but desired rather that he would leaue her there. Lenon tolde her, though not for his sake,

yet for her safetie, it were best for her to goe: which said, he com∣maunded his seruants to place her in a Litter. Which when shée sawe shée must néedes doo, shee called to Ornatus, saying: Good Palmer go along with mée, that for the kindnesse you haue show∣en in preseruing my life, I may yéeld you some recompence. And (quoth shée) to Lenon, I request nothing of you for my selfe, but for this straunge Pilgrim, who when by the storme the ship was cast away, I readie to perish, caught me out of the water and pre∣serued my life: and do not for his good will to me, vse him as you did my deare Syluian, whom you banished, for that she preserued my life from my vnkind vnckle, with that shee wept excéedingly. Then Lenon asked Ornatus what hée was, I am (quoth hée) as you see, a Pilgrim, that was forced to come aboord the Pyrates ship, and (amongst the rest) was readie to perish, but that by the diuine prouidence, I was ordained to preserue that vertuous Damosels life. For that déede quoth Lenon, I will reward you most kindly: therefore go along with vs. Then they all departed to the Court. Lenon presently caused Artesia to bée lodged in a most sumptuous place of the Court, appointing diuers Damsels to attend her, thinking by those meanes to win her to consent to loue him: but all proued vaine, his care was cast away, his cost to little effect, and his kindnesse vnregarded. For Artesia was so constant to Ornatus, that shée hated Lenon: her heart was wholly imployed to wish his good, and Lenons ill. For she deter∣mined neuer to loue him, though shee were assured of Ornatus death: that she spent her time in continuall care & sadnesse, shew∣ing no signe of ioy, no shewe of comfort, but euen as one that re∣garded no rest, nor tooke felicitie in any thing, that Lenon both admired the same, and laboured by many meanes to alter that humour: but the more hée sought to please her, the more she was displeased: and more discontented at his kindnesse then any thing else. In this sort she continued many dayes, without the least shewe of alteration.

Ornatus all this while remaining in the Court, (making the cause of his state) to receiue Lenons promised reward, whereas

indéed he staied to sée what would become of Artesia, or by what meanes to get her from thence To effect which, he sawe no possi∣ble meanes, nor could in many dayes come to sée Artesia, which filled his heart with griefe: only comforted himselfe with remem∣bring her constant loyaltie And one day being by himselfe alone, hée entered into these cogitations. Ornatus thou hast remained many dayes in this place, kept from thy Loue, and sought no meanes to set thy heart at rest, or her at libertie. Doost thou make no more account of her loue, then to attempt nothing to attaine the same? or are thy spirits of no more courage? then they will do nothing: thy wit so shallow, thou canst deuise no stratagem••, or thy mind so cowardly, thou darest not reuenge the wrong Le∣non doth shée? What though hée be the Prince and heire of this land, is not both hée and his father hated, ruling by vsurpation, and with crueltie, not with iustice, hath sought the downe-fall of thy house? Can Artesia thinke either valour or vertue to rest in thée, when shée shall know how neare thou art her soe, but darest not touch him? will shée not estéeme shee a coward and vnworthie to enioy her loue? Nay when shée knoweth this, will she not alter her loue? Why shouldest not thou séeke thy owne content, though it bée with his discontent? thou art euery way as good as hée by birth, though hée now rule the land: hath not thy father said, that his father was but a Captaine in the last Kings dayes, and by treason put his lawfull King to death, and so wanne the rule? Then Ornatus reuiue thy spirites, séeme not dismaied with any daunger feare not misfortune, séeke to release thy Loue, and ven∣ture thy life therein: for liuing thus thou shalt be depriued of her loue. Lenon will by force or faire meanes ouercome her, and then maiest thou blame this delaie. The King is now sicke, and hee being dead, Lenon must raigne, who then may do what hée list. Then take the aduantage of the time, and do not frostrate thy blessed hope•• with slothfull delaie. Hauing ended this m••ditati∣on, he then began to studie how to performe his will: wherein hée found many contrarieties. But presently he beheld Lenon ente∣ring the Court, before whome he stood so opposite, that he could

not chuse but note him, and withall remembred how earnestly Artesia had intreated him on the Pilgrims behalfe, whome he thought she estéemed, and therefore suddenly this cogitation arose in his fancie, to vse him as an instrument to win her loue: that calling Ornatus vnto him, hée said: Pilgrim, I pray ••hée blame me not for forgetting to performe my promise made to Artesia as concerning thée, which I haue not neglected for want of good will, but by reason of thousands of cares that daily torment me, only procured by her vnkindnesse: but if thou wilt vndertake on my behalfe to perswade her to yéelde to my iust request, for that I thinke thou maist preuaile with her aboue any, I will not onely reward thy former kindnesse so shewen to her, but also for thy paines herein, promote thee to high dignitie. Therefore I pray thee giue consent to follow my counsel herein. Ornatus was wil∣ling to be imployed in that businesse, which fell out according to his hearts desire: and therfore made him this answere. My No∣ble Lord, for that I perceiue your intent is good, I will be readie to follow your directions, and do you any seruice I can: wherein I know not whether I shall proue fortunate or no: but assuring you that I will deale both faithfully and effectually in that which I shall vndertake.

Lenon was as glad as he, that he yéelded to do that which he thought least to performe: and therefore presently gaue command, that the Pilgrim onely should haue her in custodie, Artesia mar∣uelled that her keepers were chaunged, misdoubted some intent of hard vsage, but séeing it was the Pilgrim that now had her cu∣stodie, her heart was comforted.