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CHAP. XIII. How Ornatus had the custodie of Artesia: how he discouered himselfe vnto her: how Allinus and Trasus arriued in Ar∣menia, and gat the King to send Ambassadors into Phry∣gia. (Book 13)
ORnatus at his first comming, found her sit∣ting in the darkest corner of the Chamber, bewayling her misfortune, with salt teares bedeawing her purple cheeks: her ornaments disorderly put on, and her golden tresses han∣ging carelesly downe, which added bewtie to her swéete beawtie, and though disordered, most comely. Leaning her arme vppon a Chaire, and her chéeke laide vppon the backe of her hand: when hee beheld her sitting in this discomfortable sort, his hart was rea∣dy to melt with remorse: and hée breathed forth so bitter a sigh, that shée heard the same, which he perceiuing came towards her with humble behauiour, saying. Most vertuous Ladie, pardon my presumption, in presuming thus vnmannerly to interrupt your quiet: Lenon the Prince hath appointed me to be your attēdant, therefore I beséeche you, notwithstanding I am his substitute: commaund me in any doubtful sort, and I will most willingly im∣ploy my vttermost indeuours to purchase your content. Artesia raising her selfe from the ground, said. Pilgrim, I thanke you for your kinde profer, and am glad you are my keeper, for two cau∣ses: one, for that I trust your vertues will not suffer me to be in∣iured, the other, for that I would heare out your discourse of my deare friend Ornatus, which I was hindred from by Lenons suddaine finding me. Ladie, (quoth he) you shalbe assured of the one, and heare more of the other, if first you will vouchsafe with∣out offence, to heare my spéech, and suffer me to execute the charge Lenon hath giuen mée, and I haue vndertaken. Why what is