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. 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

that (quoth Artesia) I wil not be offended? Lenon hath made knowne to me his loue, and how long, and with what constancie it is grounded, commaunding and intreating me in his behalfe to become an humble suter vnto you: he telleth me that stil you vn∣gently disdain him without cause, reason, or consideration. There∣fore I humbly desire, both for that he is constant, a Prince, and of good and vertuous gifts, yéelde to his loue or else to satisfie me of the chiefest reasons that withold you from the same. Pilgrim (quoth she) for that my minde perswadeth me, you in wisedome will conceiue of reason: and will be faithfull in concealing that which I shall disclose: I answere you thus. First, admit Lenon did loue mée (yet by his vsage I finde the contrary) nor I cannot fancie him, for that I alreadie haue plighted my faith to another, more worthie then himselfe, which is that most vertuous & kinde Gentleman Ornatus, who likewise equalleth me in affection: and therefore I should dishonour my name, breake my faith, and reape perpetuall infamy, if I should shewe my selfe so inconstant. These I thinke are reasons (to a reasonable creature) sufficient, and of such force, as none can contradict: and therefore no more can be said therein. Besides were not all this so, you haue no rea∣son to perswade me to that which I haue so often denied, and will neuer yéeld vnto. Your reasons indéed (quoth he) are great, and the cause such, as should no way be violated: but now you are subiect to his mercie: and he may inforce you to that which you are most vnwilling to haue done: then what remedie haue you, but rather to yéelde, then indure such extremitie as he may vse? Yes, (quoth she) when I can preserue my selfe no longer from his lust, death shall rid mee from his power, which I will execute vpon my selfe, rather then condiscend to yéeld him so much as an outward shewe of fauour. Therefore I pray vse no more words tending to the breach of my faith, and furtherance of his loue, for kne•• you but how hatefull his name were vnto me, and howe odio••s to thinke of his doting loue, you would of pittie desist to ••orment one with the sound of that ominous monster, but rather seeke to comfort my distressed ••tate, and poore pining heart, al∣most

most drowned with sorrow: being more vnfortunate, then euer any was by these afflictions, and the losse of my déere Ornatus, whose presence should release me from this thraldome, and laby∣rinth of discontent. Of whom if you can tell me any tidings, I be∣séech you impart them vnto me: thereby to adde comfort to mitti∣gate my care.

Ornatus was so rauished to heare her vtter such heauenly spéeches, that he had much adoo to refraine from imbracing her: vttering these spéeches. How happie is Ornatus by attaining the loue of so vertuous and constant a Ladie, worthy to be admired, eternized, and for euer honored? what comfort may these pleasing words bring to his heart? What torment can be not account plea∣sure, indured for so swéet a Ladies safety? and what paines should he refuse to procure her swéet content? O Artesia, diuine Artesia, Ornatus is not able to expresse his content, nor your desert: vna∣ble to recompence your kindnesse, and euerlastingly bound to you in all f••r••••e bands of faithfull loyaltie. In your heart is the harbor of true loyaltie, grounded vpon vertuous loue. Then how happie is he by being inriched, and possest of such a loue? His reward is greater then his paine: his pleasure more then euer his sorrowe could be: and his gaines a thousands times beyond his losse. Why shuld I then conceale the troth of his safetie from you? With that he said: Behold Artesia, your Ornatus: with that he discouered himselfe vnto her, & she perfectly knewe him. Being almost ama∣zed with that heauenly sight: when with a swéete behauiour, they both imbraced eache other, intermingling their kisses, with teares of ioye that in aboundance distilled from their eyes, surfetting so much in that sweete delight, that they were loath to part, but that feare to be espied, compelled thm. Taking such excéeding com••ort in each others presence, as is not to be expres••: withal, vsing many kindnesses vsuall betwixt faithfull friends, to expresse their ioy, hée somtimes imbr••cing her, & she againe with a sweet kisse, welcom∣ming him, being so many, kinde, and hartie, as wold ask a skil∣full discretiō. At last hauing somewhat recreated themselues, and with sodaine ioy bannisht some part of their care, they thought it

time to studie how to procure their happinesse, least y^e same might againe be crost by Lenon. Who by that time expected to heare from him. Therefore Ornatus said? My most deare and kind Ar∣tesia, by whose loue my life is preserued. I am not able to expresse the ioy my heart conceiueth, by this fortunate méeting, béeing likewise as sory to thinke of the misfortune you haue indured by my carelesse ouersight, and how to get you from this place, and from Lenons affection, whom I know to bée of such vnciuill a disposition, that he will leaue no disloyall meanes vnattempted to further his intent.

Therefore in this vrgent extremitie, if you will be contented to estéeme me as your friend, and follow my directions, I will labor all that I can to get you from this place. My true friend Orna∣tus (said Artesia) I haue dedicated my self to your disposition, and made my selfe all one with you, both in heart, body, and minde, that whatsoeuer you would wish your selfe, you do to me, & what∣soeuer pleaseth you, cānot displease me, for I am your selfe: therfore I commit all things to your wisdome & rest to be ruled, counsel∣led and ordered by you, in whatsoeuer you shall thinke conuenient: and will doo any thing you shall counsaile me vnto, both for our escape from hence, or otherwise: accounting my blisse yours, and yours mine, your cares mine, and your quiet, my content.

Lenons loue is most hatefull vnto me, and iniutie to you, then what meanes can you work to ridde me, of that and reuenge your owne wrong, performe, for my consent is readie to yéeld to any thing you shall thinke conuenient.

I most humbly thank you, said Ornatus, and first I think this is the best course, to procure my good liking with him, and to rid vs from hence, that at his next comming, you shewe a little more friendly contenance vnto him, then heretofore you haue done, as shall best agrée with your wisdome, and he perceiuing that my seruice hath done more for him then euer he could attaine, will not only credit me, but also be ruled by mée in any thing I shall counsa••le him vnto. Which if you will performe cōmit the rest to me My deer Ornatus at your request I wil do this, which other∣wise

I would neuer of my selfe yéelde vnto, for that my loue to you, and hate so him, would not suffer me so much to dissemble: but I pray God deliuer me well from forth of his power, that I may in quiet enioy your swéete company. These spéeches being ended, they parted with a swéete kisse, he sighing, and she for griefe shed∣ding teares. Not long after Lenon came to Ornatus, requesting to know whether he had preuailed any thing with Artesia in his behalfe▪ My Lord (quoth he) I haue vsed many perswasions to her, which in some sort haue preuailed, but hereafter I doo not doubt by my perswasions, but to winne her full consent: if you with wisdome will be directed by me, and not with rashnesse marre all: therefore goe in vnto her, but not to rashly, and sée if she be not altered, Lenon imbraced him in his armes, saying: thou bringest me tydings of exceeding comfort, for which I will reward thee most bountifully, With that he gaue him a purse of gold: which Ornatus tooke, thinking that should be a meanes to further him, and hinder the giuer Lenon entred Artesias cham∣ber, vsing many kinde speeches and submisse behauiours, whome she vsed more kindly then euer she had before done, which both filled his heart with ioy, and made him according to the Pilgrims directions, more carefull of his behauiour, least by any boldnesse he might offend her, that hauing past some small time with her, he departed.

Now was Ornatus studying how to release Artesia, to fur∣ther whose intent, the o••casion thus fell out. Allinus and Trasus as is before said, gate shipping for Armenia, and arriued there with safetie: first directing their course to the Kings Pallace, where Allinus was most honourably entertained, being some∣what allied to the King, to whome he declared both the cause of his exile, and the iniury done to him by Thaeon, king of Phrigia. Turbul••s the Armenian King, comforted him all that he could, and bad him withall, request any thing at his hande & hee would graunt it him. Allinus alledging many things to perswade T••••∣bulus to yeeld thereto, requested him to send Ambassadours into Phrygia, either to request performance of certaine articles, or

else to giue him open defiance for war. The articles were these: that Allinus shoulde bée restored to his lands, and the dammage and losse he had sustained, should bée repaied to the full, that his wife should bée recalled from banishment, and that he should yéeld vp Artesia to Allinus, if shée should bée in his custodie and that the King and Lenon should bee sworne to performe all this. Tur∣bulus was easily wonne, and therefore presently sent foure of his Noble men as Ambassadors, to request the performance of those conditions. Who euen at that instant were landed in Phrygia, and newes thereof brought to the Court, the King being him∣selfe somewhat sickly, sent Lenon to méete them, and giue them entertainment: who was loth to go from Artesias sight, but as∣suring himselfe of the Pilgrims faith, committed her wholly to his custodie. Ornatus thought it now the fittest time to séeke to escape, but he was hindred by other of Lenons seruants, whome he had secretly appointed as ouerseers to looke into the Pilgrims action: that it was impossible for him to attempt any thing that way, but it must needs both be discouered and preuented. Orna∣tus séeing himselfe disappointed of his purpose that way, made Artesia acquainted with what hée intended, and how he was pre∣uented, spending the time of Lenons absence continually in her company. But hauing met the Armenian Ambassadors, brought them to the Court, where they were honourably entertained, and hauing declared their Embassage, Thaeon the King, tolde them they should receiue answere within two daies.

Lenon hearing the articles, counselled his father not to yéeld to performe any such conditions, but rather to send Turbulus defiance For (quoth hee) your Maiestie are as absolutely King of Phrygia, as hee of Armenia, and then what dishonour were it vnto you to stoope to his commaund, and shewe your selfe as it were affraid of his threats? for to binde your selfe to this, were to become his subi••ct: which would soone be published through the whole world to your dishonour. The King being ouerruled by his perswasions, gaue the Ambassadours this answere, that hée went not ••o performe the least of those articles they demaunded,

nor feared their Kings threats of warre, for that hee was able to deale with a mightier foe then hée. Vsing many other words, and some of reproach, that the Armenians denouncing open warre according as they were commanded, departed.