An Æthiopian historie written in Greeke by Heliodorus: very vvittie and pleasaunt, Englished by Thomas Vnderdoune. With the argumente of euery booke, sette before the whole vvoorke
Heliodorus, of Emesa., Underdown, Thomas.

The Tenth Booke.

THus let this suffice to be spoken of that whiche was donne aboute Siene, which after it was come into so great a daun∣ger, by the clemencie, & equitie of one man, sodenly receiued so good a turne. This donne, Hidaspes sente a greate parte of his Armye before, and wente him selfe into Aethiopia, and the people of Siene, & other Persians folowed him a great way, and praised him much & made many Supplications for his good, and prosperous healthe. First he tooke his iourney on the bankes of Ny∣lus, and suche other places as were neare vnto the same. After he came to Cataractae, and had donne Sacrifice to Nylus, and the other Goddes of that Countrie, he turned aside, and wente throughe the middest of the Countrie. When he came to Philae, he gaue his Army leaue to rest, and refreshed them selues twoo daies. There againe he Page  132 sente awaye a greate number of his meanest Souldiers, but tarried him selfe to fortifie the walles, & place therin a Garrison. This donne, he chose twoo Horsmen which should ride in poste before him, and in certaine Townes, and Villages chaunge their Horses, with Letters to Me∣roe to certifie thē of his Victory. To the wise men which are called Gymnosophistae, and are of the Kinges Coun∣cell he wrote thus:

To the Diuine Councell Hidaspes sendeth gréetinge.

I certifie you of the Victory whiche I had of the Persi∣ans,* yet I make not any great accoūpt of the successe that I had in spéedinge so well, because I consider the chaun∣ges, and vnstablenesse of fortune, but salute, & commend by my Letters the Priestehoode, whiche as at all times, so hathe it very wel at this time tolde me trothe. There∣fore I praie you, and as I maye commaunde you, to come into the place appointed, that with youre presence you may make the Sacrifice more acceptable to all the people of Aethiopia.

And to his wife Persina thus:

Vnderstande that wée haue wonne the fielde, and that* toucheth you moste neare, are in good healthe. Wherfore make somme sumptuous prouision to doo Sacrifice of thankesgeuinge to the Goddes, and when you haue she∣wed the wise men our Letters, and exhorted them to be presente, make haste to be in the fielde before the Cittie, which is consecrated to our Gods, the Sunne, the Moone, and Bacchus. When Persina had readde this Letter, shée saide: Surely this was my dreame that I had this night,* I thought that I was with childe, and broughte foorthe a Daughter which was mariageable presently, & I gheasse that my sorrowe in trauell betokened the Battaile, and my Daughter the Victory. Wherefore goe into the Cit∣tie, and tell them of these ioiful newes. The Postes did as shée commaunded them, and with Garlandes of the Page  [unnumbered] hearbe Lotos, that groweth by Nylus, vpon their heades, and braunches of Palme in their handes which they sha∣ked, and shewed in the chiefe places of the Cittie, vpon greate Horses, made reporte of the Victory, and if they had saide nothinge els there to, their gesture, and the ha∣bite of their bodies, would haue declared the same. Ther∣fore all Meroe was suddainely full of ioy, and the people flocked togeather, and Sacrificed day and night in euery Family, Streate, and Tribe, and went oft to the Chur∣ches, and were not so gladde of the victory, as that Hi∣daspes was well, because that man had by equitie and* courteous vsage of his Subiectes, so wonne the hartes of them, that they loued him as their Father. Persina after shee had prepared great droues of Oxen, & Horses, and many Shéepe, Quailes, and Griphes, with all man∣ner of other liuinge thinges, and sente them before into the sacred fielde, that of euery one kinde of them mighte be a iuste Hecatombe, & suche as were lefte should serue for that publike feaste, shée went to the Gymnosophistae, whiche dwell in the groue of Pan, and gaue them Hi∣daspes letters, and praied them to fulfill the Kinges re∣quest in that behalfe, & doo her a pleasure, and be an Or∣nament by their presence to the Sacrifice. They willed her to staie a while, and went them selues into the Tem∣ple to praie, and aske Counsell at the Goddes, what was beste to doo, and retourned by and by. And Sisimithres whiche was chiefe of the Kinges Councel, saide: wée wil come, Persina, for the Gods commaund vs so to doo: Mary they foreshewe that there shal be a sturre and businesse in the Sacrifice, but it shal haue a very good and delecta∣ble ende, because that destiny shal without your trauaile bringe to light a member of your body, and parte of the Kingdome which was loste. All terrible thinges, saide Persina, shall haue the better successe, if you be by: And I wil sende you woorde, when I heare that Hidaspes is al∣moste come: you néede not ({quod} Sisimitres) sende vs any Page  133 woorde when he will come, for to morrowe morninge wil he be here, and so shall you haue knowledge by his letters anon. And it happened so in déede: for as soone as Persina was departed, and almoste come home to the Kinges Palaice, a post gaue her Letters from the Kinge that tolde her that he would be there the next daie. Then by and by the Contentes of these Letters were notified in the Towne, and the menne onely were commaunded to méete them, but the woomen might not goe out of the Cittie, because that the Sacrifice should not be desiled by any meanes, in as muche as at that time they Sacrificed to the cleanliest Goddes, the Sunne, and Moone, & there∣fore might no woomen be present, but the Prieste of the Moone alone, whiche was Persina, for that the Kinge is the Sunnes Prieste, and the Quéene the Moones, by the custome of the Countrie. Cariclia also should be there, not as a looker on, but a Sacrifice to the Moone. Then* was there greate adoo in the Cittie, so that the menne woulde not tarry till daie, but laboured all the night, to goe ouer the floudde Astabora, some by the Bridge, other that dwelled a farre of in Boates that were made of Réedes, whereof many growe there on the bankes sides: the boates be very swifte as wel for the mater that they be made of, as also for their burden, for they neuer carry aboue twoo or thrée persons, for the Réede is cut into twoo partes, and of either will they make a Boate. Meroe is* the chiefe Cittie of Aethiopia, in manner of an Ilande thrée cornerd, about the which Nylus, Astabora, and Asa∣soba doo runne. At the heade is Nylus, and that is deui∣ded into twoo partes: the other twoo flouddes runne on bothe sides one by an other, and méete at length, and fall bothe into Nylus, by reason of the greatenesse thereof, whiche is suche that almoste it maketh the Iland imitate the mayne lande (for it is thrée hundred thréescore and* fiuetene mile longe, and sixescore and fiue broade). It in∣gendreth beastes of woonderfull greatnesse of al kindes, Page  [unnumbered] but especially Elephantes, & as there growe trées with∣out the trauaile of men, so dothe it bringe foorthe muche other fruite. For beside that, there are Palme trées of greate height, whiche beare stoare of Palmes, there is* Corne and Wheate of suche talenesse, that it will hide a man on Horsebacke alwaies, and sometimes though he sate vpon a Camele, and it bringeth foorthe so muche that thei reape thrée hundred times so much as thei sowe, & the Réede that growes there, is suche as wée spake of before: so that al that nighte was bestowed in passinge ouer the Riuers: whiche donne, they went to méete Hidaspes, and receiued him with greate shoutes and clamours, as if he had ben a God, and those went a great way before. Whē he was almost comme into the sacred fielde, the Gymno∣sophistes came, and gaue him their handes, and welcom∣med him with kisses. When these had donne, Persina met him in the Church Porche. When they had made an end of their praiers, and thankesgeuinge for his Victory, and safe returne, they made them ready to the publike Sacri∣fice, and he sate in a Tabernacle made ready before for that pourpose: that same was made of foure Réedes, new∣ly* cut downe, foure square, so that at euery corner stoode a Réede to staie it vp in stéede of a Piller, the toppe was made rounde, and couered with diuers bowes, the fairest whereof were braunches broken from the Palme trées. In an other Tabernacle harde by this vpon places aboue were set the Images of that Country Gods, and the Pi∣ctures of Noble men, especially of Memnon, Perseus, and Andromeda whom the Kinges of Aethiopia suppose to be the Authours of their stocke. In other seates beneath sate the Gymnosophistae, & had in a manner their Goddes ouer their heades: aboute these stoode a crue of Souldiers round, which with their shieldes before them kepte backe the multitude, and reserued a place in the middest for the Sacrificers without al tumulte or disease. As soone as Hidaspes had in fewe woordes declared to the people his Page  134 Victory, & what he had donne els luckely for the Common Wealthe, he commaunded them who had to doo with the Holy affayres to beginne theire Sacrifice. There were* thrée Aultars made, twoo which apperteined to the Sunne and Moone were set togeather: the thirde that was Bac∣chus, was erected a good waie of, to him they sacrificed all manner of liuing thinges, because that his power is wel knowen, as I suppose, and pleaseth all. Vpon the other Aultars to the Sunne were offered yonge white Horses, and to the Moone, a Yoke of Oxen, by reason that they helpe them in theire Husbandrye, not farre from thence. While these thinges were in dooinge, there was a sud∣daine vncertaine voice heard (as is like would be emong suche a multitude) whiche cried: Let the Sacrifice whiche our Countrie accustometh to doo, be now made for al our safties, then let the firste fruites that were gotten in the warre be offered. Hidaspes perceiued that they called for Humaine Sacrifices, whiche are woonte to be offered of those that are taken in straunge warres, and beckened with hande, and tolde them that he woulde by and by doo what they required: and therewith he commaunded the prisoners appointed for ye pourpose to be brought foorthe, emong whom came Theagenes, and Cariclia not bounde, but garded aboute with men: all the other were heauie, and good reason why, sauinge Theagenes, and Cariclia smiled, and wente with a chéerefull countenaunce, and alwaye looked vpon Persina, so that shée also was moued therewith, and soare sighinge saide: O Husbande, what a maide haue you appointed to be sacrificed? I know not whether euer I sawe so fayre a Creature? what a stoute stomake: what a bewtifull visage hath shée? with howe couragious a harte beareth shée this Fortune? how doth shée moue my minde, by reason of her flowringe age? If the Daughter that I had by you, which was so euil loste, had liued, shée woulde haue ben almoste as olde as shée. But Husbande, I would to God ye might deliuer her by Page  [unnumbered] some meanes from this perill, surely I should haue great comforte if shée serued at my Table & wayted vpon me. Perhappes also the vnhappy Creature is a Greeke for neuer was there suche a face in Egypt. Shée is a Greeke answeared he in déede, borne of Father & Mother, whom shée hath promised to shewe at this time, but I am sure shée shall neuer be able to doo that. But that shée shoulde be deliuered from this Sacrifice it is not possible, though I woulde, and yet am I moued somewhat too with the Mayde, and haue compassion vpon her: You knowe that the Lawe requireth a man to be offered to the Sunne, and a wooman to the Moone, and because shée was broughte me firste and ordeined for this purpose, the people would be content with no excuse, onely one healpe there is, if shée be founde not to be a cleane Mayde, without med∣linge with man, when shée shal goe to the fire, seing that the Lawe willeth that shée be as well cleane also, that is offered to the Moone, as he that is Sacrificed to the Sunne, as for Bacchus it made no greate matter. But take héede that if shée be founde to haue accompanied with men, it be no honesty to take her into your house. Then saide Persina, let her be founde to haue donne that,* so shée may be saued: Captiuitie, Warre, and banished life, so farre from her owne Coūtrie, excuseth her though shée haue donne any suche thinge, whose bewty is suffi∣cient to make her to be forced. While shée spake thus, and wept, but would not haue them that were by to perceiue so muche, Hidaspes commaunded fire to be brought, then were the yonge Children gathered togeather, and the* Priestes (which onely may touche it without any harme) brought it out of the Churche, and set it in the middest, and badde al the prysoners treade vpon it. All those that trode vpon it were burned in the soles of their féete, and were not hable to abide it any while, there were spittes of Golde laide to the fire, whiche was wrought to suche purpose, that it would burne euery vnchaste person, and Page  135 him that was forsworne, but suche as had liued other∣wise, might treade vpon it and haue no harme. Where∣fore they appointed these to Bacchus and other Goddes, sauinge twoo or thrée Maydes of Greece, whiche were founde to haue kepte theire Virginitie. After Theage∣nes also put his foote to the fire, and was founde a Maide, there was great wonderinge, bothe for that he beinge so tale and bewtifull, as also because he was so yonge and lusty, and had neuer to doo with any wooman, and so he was appointed to be offered to the Sunne. Then spake he softely to Cariclia, and saide: Is Sacrificinge the re∣warde of such as liue cleanly in Aethiopia, and shal they be slaine, that kéepe their Virginitie? But Cariclia why doo you not nowe manifest your selfe? What other time doo you looke for hereafter? will you tarry till one come to cutte our throtes? vtter I praie you, and tell your estate, perhappes when you are knowen you shall saue me, if not, yet you with out doubt shalbe out of daunger, whiche thinge when I sée, I shalbe better content to die. When shée had answeared him, that her time was nowe at hande, and that the whole estate of her Fortune was sette vpon sixe and seuen, shée tarried not, till they com∣maunded her, that had charge of that matter, but put vpon her the holy Garment, that shée brought from Del∣phi, whiche shée alwaye carried in a little Fardell a∣boute her, wrought with Golde, & other costly Iuelles, And when shée had cast her heare abroade, like one taken with Diuine fury, ranne and leapte into the fire, & stoode there a greate while without harme, and her bewty then appeared a greate deale more, so that euery man looked vpō her, and by reason of her stoole thought her more like a Goddesse, then a mortall wooman. Thereat was euery man amazed, and muttered soare, but nothing they saide plainely, and woondred beside all other thinges that shée beinge more bewtiful then any mortall wooman, and in her beste youth had not loste her virginitie: so that diuers Page  [unnumbered] in the company were sorrowfull that shée was fitte to be offered, and woulde if they wiste howe, gladly haue deli∣uered her, for al that they were very superstitious. But Persina aboue al other was moste sorrowful, so that shée saide to Hidaspes, howe vnhappy is this wenche, whiche boasteth so muche of her virginitie at such vnreasnnable time, and muste die for all this praise, But Husbande, howe shal wée doo with her? He answeared, you trouble me in vaine, and for naught take you pitie vpon her that cannot be saued, but hath benne kepte from the begin∣ninge (as may be gheassed) for the excellency of her Na∣ture to the Goddes alone. Then spake he to the Gymno∣sophistes, and saide: Right wise menne séeinge that all thinges are ready, why doo you not begin to doo this Sa∣crifice? God defende (saide Sisimithres in Greeke, that the people might not heare it) for wée haue defiled bothe our eies, and our eares too muche with this that is donne al∣ready. As for vs wée will goe aside into the Churche, for wée our selues mislike, and suppose that the Goddes doo not allowe suche abominable Sacrifice, as is donne with menne and woomen, and I would to God that wée might also disalowe and fordoo all the other Sacrifices,* whiche are made with slaughter, for as muche as in our opinion that sufficeth which is donne with Prayers & o∣ther swéete sauours. But tarry you (for there is no doubt but the King must néedes be there to appease the people) and doo this vncleane Sacrifice, because of the Olde cu∣stomes and Decrées of Aethiopia, that muste néedes be donne, yet so that you shal haue néede to purge your selfe afterwarde, and shall scante be hable to doo it, I thinke that this Sacrifice shal not come to any good ende, for di∣uerse causes, but especially for that God hathe tolde me so, & because the fire standeth aboute these Straungers, and signifieth that there is somme God that defendeth them. When he had saide thus, he and the reste that sate by him arose, and went their waie. Then Cariclia leapt Page  136 out of the fire, and ranne to Sisimithres, and fell flatte at his knées (in spite of the Officers, whiche woulde haue staied her, because they thought that her humilitie was for nothing els, but to craue that shée might not die) and saide: Moste wise menne stay a while, for I haue a cause to pleade with the Kinge and Quéene, and muste haue Iudgemente thereon, and I heare that you onely geue sentence vpon suche Noble persons. Wherefore abide, and be you iudges of this plea of life and deathe, for you shall knowe, that it is neither possible, nor iuste to of∣fer me to the Goddes. They hearde what shée saide gladly, and spake to the Kinge, sayinge: Heare you ô Kinge this appeale, and what this Straunger requi∣reth? Hidaspes smiled a little, & saide, what iudgement maye this be? or what haue I to doo with her? by what meanes should I come in her daunger? That which shée wil saie ({quod} Sisimithres) shal declare. But ({quod} Hidaspes) take héede, leaste this that you doo, be no iudgement, but plaine wronge. If I that am Kinge, shal stande to pleade with a prisoner. Sisimithres answeared, equitie, and iu∣stice* haue no respecte of honour, and estate, but he, spée∣deth beste, that bringeth beste reasons. Hidaspes saide: The Lawe geueth you leaue to determine the contro∣uersies betwéene the Kinge and his Subiectes, not with Aliens and straungers. Sisimithres answeared: wise, and discrete menne doo not measure iuste thinges by counte∣naunces, and outwarde appearannce, but rather with e∣quitie. Wel ({quod} Hidaspes) let her speake, séeinge it is Si∣simithres pleasure, but it is manifest yt shée wil speake no∣thing to pourpose, but some soolishe deuised thing, as such as are in extreame peril are commonly woont to doo. Ca∣riclia, though els shee were of a very bolde spirit, for hope of her deliuery out of these daungers, whiche shée trusted would come to passe, then was shée passinge merry when shée hearde Sisimithres name, for that was he that firste tooke her, and gaue her to Caricles a tenne yéeres paste Page  [unnumbered] when he was sente Embassadoure to Oroondates aboute the Smaradge Mines, and at that time he was one of the Gymnosophistae, and chiefe of al the reste. Then knewe not Cariclia him by his face, because shée was sepera∣ted from him very yonge, and but seuen yéeres olde, mary shée remembred his name, and was the gladder for that, because shée trusted that he would be her Aduocate, and healpe her to be knowen. Therefore shee helde her handes vp to Heauen, and saide alowde that all mighte heare: O Sunne, the fonnder of my Ancestours petygrée, and yée other Goddes, & Noble men, you shall beare me witnesse that I saie nothinge but truthe, and healpe me in this place, to which I wil bringe due proufe: and there beginne. Doo you commaunde, ô Kinge, straungers, or this Countrie menne to be offered? Straungers ({quod} he). Then is it time (saide shée) that you séeke other to be Sa∣crificed, for you shall finde me to be one of this Countrie borne, and youre Subiecte. He marueiled at this, and saide shée lied. Softe ({quod} Cariclia) you woonder at small thinges, there be greater maters then this, for I am not only one of this Countrie borne, but of the Bloud Roial. Hidaspes despised her woordes, & turned away as though they had ben to no pourpose. Then ({quod} shée) Father, leaue of thus to despise, & refuse your owne Daughter. Ther∣with the Kinge not onely despised her, but waxed very wrothe, accoumpting that iudgemente a greate scorne, & intollerable wronge, & saide: Sisimithres, & the reste, how longe shal shée abuse my ouer great pacience? Is not the mayde starke mad? who of singulare boldenesse with lies séeketh t auoide deathe, and saith shée is my Daughter, as if it were in a Comedy, and this but of a desperate minde, and fonde deuised matter? For my parte (as you knowe) I neuer had so good lucke, as to haue a Childe, onely ones it was tolde me that I had one, but I loste her by and by. Wherefore lette me carrye her awaye that shée delaye the Sacrifice no longer. No man Page  137 shall carrye me awaye, Cariclia sayde, excepte the Iudges commaunde, and you youre selfe are iudged nowe and doo not iudge, nor determine. Perhaps ô King the Lawe suffereth you to kill Straungers, but neither this Lawe, nor the Lawe of nature will, that you kill your owne Children, for the Goddes shal proue this daie that you are my Father, though you say naie. Euery controuersie in Lawe ô Kinge standeth vpō twoo pointes especially, that is to saie, proofe by writinges, and confir∣mation by witnesses. I wil bringe bothe to proue that* I am your Daughter, for a witnesse I will bringe none of common sorte, but him selfe the Iudge, for the Iudges opinion maketh greatly on his side that pleadeth any matter: And I will laie before you a writinge whiche shal tell you bothe mine and your estate. As soone as shée had saide this, shée tooke her Fascia, that shée carried aboute her, and vnfoulded it, and gaue it to Persina. As soone as shée sawe it, shée was straight so amased that she coulde saie neuer a woorde, and looked a great while vpō that whiche was written therein, and the mayde togea∣ther, so that for feare shée trembled, and sweate sore, and was gladde of that shée sawe, mary shée was muche trou∣bled with the suddainnesse of the chaunce, which hapned in suche sorte as no man would beleue it. Beside this shée feared if it were opened, leaste Hidaspes would suspecte somewhat, and be too light of beliefe, or angry and per∣happes pounishe her, in so much that Hidaspes seing her so amazed, saide: Wooman what meaneth this? Dothe ought contained in this writinge, thus trouble thée? O Kinge, my Lorde and Husbande ({quod} shée) I haue nothinge to saie thereto, but take it and reade it your selfe, the same shal teache you well yenough: and as soone as shée had geuen it him, shée satte downe againe very sadde. When Hidaspes had it, & had called the Gymnosophistae to reade it with him, he ranne ouer the same, and mar∣ueiled muche thereat him selfe, and perceiued well that Page  [unnumbered]Sisimithres was abashed, and that sixe hūdred thoughtes arose in his minde, so that he looked oft vpon the Fascia, and oft vpon the Mayde: When he had readde all, & was throughly instructed aswel of her exposition, as the cause thereof, he saide: I knowe well that I had a Daughter, whiche for all that it was tolde me shée was deade, and Persina saide so her selfe also to me, yet now I know that shée was sente abreade to séeke her Fortune. But who was he that tooke her vp, saued her, and nourished her thus, or who was he that carried her into Egypte? Was he taken with her? to be shorte, howe may I knowe that this is she, and whether that which was caste foorthe be not deade, and some man when he hapned to finde this, would abuse his good lucke, and geue them to this Maide, and make her playe this parte, and so scorne the greate desire that wée haue, to haue a Childe, by suborninge some chaungelinge, and couloringe the truthe with this Fascia. To this Sisimithres answeared, I can resolue you of your firste doubte: for I am he that tooke her vp, and kepte her secretely, and carried her into Egypt, when you sente me Embassadour thither. You knowe well ye∣nough that wée maie not lie. And I knowe this Fascia, whiche is written with the letters of the Kinges of Ae∣thiopia: Wherefore wée néede not doubte, that it was deuised any where els, and you haue good cause to know it, because it is written with Persinas hande. But there were other tokens also that I gaue to him, who receiued her of me, whiche was a Greeke, and by séeminge a good and honest man: I haue them also saide Cariclia, and so shewed them the Iuelles, with which sight Persina was more astonied then shée was before. And when Hidaspes asked her what they were? and whether shée knewe any of them? Gaue him none other answeare, but that shée knew them, mary it was better to make further triall of these thinges at home. Then was Hidaspes troubled a∣gaine, and almost beside him selfe: but Cariclia saide these Page  138 tokens my Mother gaue me, but this Kinge is yours, & then shée shewed him the Pantarbe. Hidaspes knewe it, for he gaue it to Persina, when he was betrothed to her, and saide: these tokens be very good and mine owne, but yet I know not that you haue them as my Daughter, & haue not come by them by any other meanes. For to o∣mitte other thinges your colour is strange, and the like is not séene in Aethiopia. Shée was white too (saide Sisi∣mithres) that I brought vp, and the terme of yéeres dothe well agrée with the age of this Mayde, for that the time of the exposition was seuentiene yéeres agone, and shée is seuentiene yéeres olde, more her eies wil prooue no lesse, and all the habite of her bodie is like her that I sawe at that time. Sisimithres ({quod} Hidaspes) you haue saide very well, & rather haue defended this cause as an Aduocate, then satte vpon it in Iudgement: but beware that while you goe aboute to take awaye parte of this doubte, you charge not my wife with a very harde matter. How is it possible by reason, that seinge wée be bothe Aethiopians shoulde begette a white Childe? Sisimithres then looked aside vpon him, and smilinge scornefully, saide: I cannot tell what ayleth you, that you presently be thus affected, that you obiecte this Patrocinie to me as a facte woorthy blame, whiche I thinke I ought not to neglect. For wée* call him the beste iudge whiche is a Patrone and defen∣der of equitie: but why doo I not rather defende you then the Mayde? seinge that I haue proued you to be a Father by the healpe of the Goddes. And should I now despise her, whom I haue kepte for you from her Cradell? But thinke as you will of vs, wée passe not a pointe. For wée* liue not to please other menne, but séeke to contente our owne consciences, with onely honesty, and mere equitie. As touchinge your question of her colour, the Fascia an∣sweareth you, that Persina conceiued suche a Figure by looking vpon Andromeda, when you had to doo with her: if you desire to be fully satisfied herein, and be made to Page  [unnumbered] beleue without denial, the Picture is at hande, looke vpō Andromeda, who is as wel expressed in the Mayde, as in the Picture without any difference. This saide: the Of∣ficers brought the Image whiche was carried awaye be∣fore, and when they had set it by Cariclia, there was such a shoute amonge the people, by reason that those who were neare, tolde them that were a farre of, and coulde not heare what was donne, that for ioye they wiste not what to doo. So that Hidaspes also coulde not distruste any longer, but stoode a greate while, what for ioye and woonderinge, still and sturred not. Yet ({quod} Sisimithres) wée wante one pointe, strippe vp your sléeue Mayde, for there was a blacke spotte aboue your Elbowe: it is no shame to be stripped for triall of your parentes & kinred. Cariclia vncouered her lefte arme, & aboute it there was in a manner a mole, muche like to the strakes, that Ele∣phantes haue. Persina coulde rule her selfe no longer,* but suddainely wente out of her Throne, imbraced her and wepte, and for the excéedingnesse of her ioye, whiche shée could not conceale, shée made a certaine muttering, and shée wanted but little, to haue fallen with Cariclia. Hidaspes had pitie vpon the wooman, when he sawe her lamente so, & him selfe was like affected in his minde too, but he kept teares out of his eies, as if thei had ben made of Iron or Horne, & so looked vpon that which was done. And although his minde was moued as well with a Fa∣therly affection, as with a manly courage, so that he was drawen bothe waies, yet he was at length ouercomed of* nature, whiche ouercommeth al thinges, & did not onely suffer him selfe to be perswaded that he was a Father, but was also affected like a Father: so that when he sawe Persina fel with her Daughter, he tooke her vp, imbraced Cariclia, and with teares, as with an offeringe, made a Fatherly League with her. Yet did he not foreget what he had to doo, but stoode still a while and looked vpon the people, whiche were affected like him, and throughe ioie, Page  139 and pitie wepte to sée that straunge hap, and woulde not heare the cries whiche commaunded silence. Wherefore he stretched out his hande, & bad them be still. And when* he had appeased them, he saide: Yée that be presente, the Goddes contrary to all hope, haue declared that I am a Father, as you both heare & sée, & that this is my Daugh∣ter it is proued by many argumentes: yet doo Iowe such good wil to you, and my Countrie, that without regarde either to the succession of my Bloude, or ioye that I haue to be called a Father, whiche all by her are like to ensue, am ready to offer her to the Goddes for your behoofe: and although I sée you wéepe, and are affected like men, and haue pity vpon the vntimely age of the Maide appointed to die, & to see me without al hope of succession hereafter: yet must I néedes, though you say nay, perfourme the cu∣stome of our Countrie, and rather haue regarde to the Soulelike vtilitie, then my priuate profite. Surely I knowe not, whether it be the Goddes wil to geue her to me, and take her away againe at one time (as they did at the first when shée was borne, and now are like to doo af∣ter shée is founde) but I leaue that to be scanned by youre discretion: for I cannot determine whether they woulde haue her sacrificed, whom they haue bannished into the furthest parte of the world, and by a woonderful chaunce brought to me againe like a prisoner. Which thinge sée∣inge it falleth out thus, thoughe I haue not slaine her as an enimie, nor indamaged her since shée was prisoner, yet nowe I know that shée is my Daughter, I wil make a Sacrifice of her, if you desire it, without more adoo: nei∣ther wil I yéelde to affection, whiche in an other Father perhaps deserued pardon, not be abashed, nor desire you to be good to me, and graunt me this fauour that ye Lawe of nature requireth, in sparing her for my fansie, because wée may appease the Goddes some other waye, but euen as you haue ben like affected as I, and as sorrowfull for my mishaps as your owne: so wil I make more accoumpt Page  [unnumbered] of your Weale Publike, thē mine owne priuate commo∣ditie, without any respecte at all to this miserie, neither will I set by sorrowful Persinas teares, who hath now at this time séene her first childe, and is a Mother, & shal by and by be spoyled thereof. Wherefore if you will, leaue your wéepinge, and fruitelesse pityinge of me, and let vs goe to our Sacrifice. Now to thée my Daughter (for first & laste wil I cal thée by this pleasant name) whose bewty is péerelesse to no pourpose, and hast found thy Parentes in vaine, which haste in an ill time happened vpon thine owne Country, woorse to thée then any straunge Lande, who haste ben safe in other Countries, but arte in daun∣ger of deathe in thine owne, trouble not my minde with sorrowful wéeping: but if euer thou diddest shew thy self to be of stoute courage, and Princely minde, now plucke vp thy harte, and folow thy Father, who cannot prouide a marriage for thée, not bringe thée to bedde in any costly Bowers, but make thée ready for Sacrifice, and beare be∣fore thée, not suche Tapers as are vsed at Bridalles, but appointed for Sacrifice, & is in wil to make an offeringe of thine vnspeakeable bewty: & you Gods beare with me, if affection hathe caused me to speake any thinge scante godly, or religiously, who haue both called her my daugh∣ter, and am readye to take her life awaye. When he had saide thus, he tooke Cariclia by the hande, and made as thoughe he woulde haue carried her to the fire vpon the Aultars aboue, and desired them to let the woordes that he spake take such roote in their mindes, that they would suffer him to doo as he saide. The whole multitude of the Aethiopians was moued with this that he saide, & would not suffer him to leade Cariclia one foote farther, but cried out suddainely alowde, saue the Mayde, saue the Bloude* Royall, saue her whom the Goddes will haue saued, wée thanke you, you haue donne to vs so muche as the Lawe requireth, wée acknowledge you for our good Kinge, ac∣knowledge your selfe to be a Father, the Gods foregeue Page  140 vs this offence, you shal more displease them if you with∣stand their wil: let no man be so bold as to kil her, whom they haue preserued: you that are ye Father of the people abroad, be Father in your owne house at home also. And sixe hundred thinges like these spake they to him. Laste of al to declare that they would not let him in déede, they* stepte before him, and woulde not suffer him to goe fore∣warde, but desired him to appease the Goddes with some other Sacrifice. Hidaspes was content with all his harte to yéelde in this matter, and without muche adoo to beare this wished inforcemente, and gaue the people leaue to wishe him ioy of his good lucke that he had, whom he saw to be very ioiful, thinkinge that anon they woulde make an ende of their owne accorde. But he standing neare to Cariclia, saide: Déere Daughter, that thou arte my child, bothe by tokēs is proued, & wise Sisimithres beareth wit∣nesse, but aboue al, the fauour of the Gods hath declared. But what felowe is this, that was taken with thee, and is nowe at the Aultare ready to be sacrificed, or howe did you cal him your Brother when you were broughte into my presence at Siene first? For I thinke that he shal not be proued my Sonne too. For Persina had no more but you at one time. Cariclia blushed, & caste downe her eies, and saide: I tolde you an vntroth in that I saide he was my Brother, but necessity forced me to make that excuse. But what he is in déede, he can tell you better then I: for he is a man, & therefore wil not be afraide to speake more boldely then I that am a wooman. Hidaspes not percei∣uinge what shée meant, saide: My Daughter, pardon me, because I haue caused thée to blushe in askinge thée a que∣stion, whereto a mayde oughte not answeare. But sitte you in the Tabernacle with your Mother, who will be more gladde of you nowe, then when you were borne of her, and whereas shée is ill at ease, comfort her with your presence, and tel her your affayres. I wil sée to the Sa∣crifice, and séeke out somme other mayde, if there be any Page  [unnumbered] to be found, that in your stéede may be sacrificed with the yonge man. Cariclia almoste cried out, when shée hearde* that the yonge man shoulde be Sacrificed: yet (because it was best) with muche adoo shée concealed her madde affe∣ction, and touched the marke againe almoste, and saide: Sir, you shal not néede to séeke any other wooman, séeing the people haue remitted throughe me that parte of the Sacrifice. But if any require it, you shal not onely séeke an other wooman, but an other man too: if you doo not, thē muste you Sacrifice none other but me with him. God forbid (saide he). But why saie you so? Shée answeared, because that the Goddes haue appointed that I muste bothe liue, and die with this man. Hidaspes not yet per∣ceiuing the effect of the matter, saide: Daughter, I praise this your courtesie, in that you haue pity vpō this Greeke straunger, and your felowe, with whom in your iourney you haue fallen acquainted, and desire to saue him. But he cannot be deliuered from this offeringe. For nei∣ther pitie, nor Religion will admitte that the custome of our Country be al broken as concerning the makinge of sacrifice for victory: beside this the people wil not be con∣tent, which scant was moued by the goodnes of the Gods to pitie thée. Then saide Cariclia, ô Kinge, for perhaps I may not cal you Father, if the gentlenesse of the Goddes hathe saued my body, lette the same gentlenesse also saue my harte, who is my harte. These Goddes whiche haue by fatal destiny appointed this doo knowe very wel. But if this wil not be graunted, and that the slaughter of this straunger must néedes adourne this Offeringe. Graunt me one requeste, let me kill the Sacrifice, and I will get me a name of stoutenesse emong the Aethiopians, with a Swoorde whiche shal be the greatest thinge, and déerest that euer you shall be hable to geue me. Hidaspes was troubled with this, & saide: I vnderstande not what this contrarietie in your minde meaneth: who euen nowe did goe aboute to defende, and saue the straunger, and nowe Page  141 would with your owne hande kil him, as if he were your mortall enimy: neither doo I sée what honestie or glory can be in this facte, for one of your age: but put case there were, yet maye you not by the Lawe, for this is onely lawfull for the Priestes of the Sunne, and Moone, and that not to all, but to the man that hath a wife, and the wife that hath a Husbande. Seinge it is so your Virgi∣nitie wil not lette you haue your request, whiche where∣upon it should growe, I cannot tell. Truely saide Cari∣clia to Persina in her eare, that néede not to lette me, for if you wilbe content Mother, there is one that can sup∣ply that name wel yenough. Wée will be content saide Persina merily, and God willinge wée wil Marry thée to suche a one, as wée shal thinke woorthy bothe for you and vs. Cariclia spake more plainely, you néede not choose him that is choosen already, and as shée was aboute to saie sommewhat more openly (for the present perill that shée sawe Theagenes in before her face imboldened her, and made her laie aside her Maydenly shamefastnesse). Hi∣daspes would heare her no longer, but saide ô yée Gods, howe séeme you to mingle euill thinges, and good togea∣ther to vs, that you may lessen one waie or other this vn∣looked for felicity of mine, in as much as you haue geuen me a Daughter, that I thought not vpon, but haue made her in manner madde: for shal wée not iudge her foolish, that speake too fonde thinges? Shée called him her Bro∣ther that was not so. When shée was asked what this straunger was, shée answeared, shée knew him not: then sought shée to saue him as her Friende, whom shée knew not: whiche when it was denied her, shée besought me that shée might kill him as her moste enimy. When this coulde not be graunted her, because it was lawfull for none to doo it, but suche a one as had a Husbande, shée saide that shée was Married, and named not to whome. How can shée haue a Husbande, whom the fire declared had neuer to doo with her? excepte this doo erre in her Page  [unnumbered] alone, which is the surest rule that the Aethiopians haue, and neuer yet was proued contrary, and would geue her grace, when shée trode vpon it, to be vnburned though shee had loste her Maydenhead. At fewe woordes I ne∣uer sawe any but shée, that made the same mā her friend, and enimy in one minute of an hower, and fained to haue a Brother, and Husbande, whiche neuer was so. Wherefore wife goe you into the Tabernacle, and sée if you can bringe her to her wittes againe, whiche is either made madde of the God that commeth to this Sacrifice, or els is beside her selfe with too muche ioye, for the good lucke that shée looked not for. And I will goe answeare the Embassadours which came from diuerse Countries, and receiue suche thinges, as they bringe to welcome me home after my Victory, vntil they haue founde out an o∣ther to be killed in her place, whom I haue appointed for that pourpose. As soone as he had saide thus, he satte in a hie Chaire, not farre from the Tabernacle, and com∣maunded the Legates to come, and let him sée what they brought, Harmonias the Herault asked him whether all shoulde comme togeather, or orderly euery Nation by it selfe. Lette euery one comme orderly ({quod} he) that I may honour euery man as he deserues. Therefore ({quod} the He∣raulte) shal Meroebus your Brothers Sonne come first,* who came euen nowe, but he tarrieth till the Souldiers that be aboute vs doo make him roume. Thou dolte ({quod} Hidaspes) why diddest not thou tell me of him presently? seeing thou knowest that he was no Legate, but a King, and my Brothers Sonne that deceased but late, whom I haue placed in his Throne, and by adoption haue made mine owne heyre too? All this I knwe ô Kinge, saide Harmonias, but I thought it beste to tarry a time, for if a Heraulte, haue néede to doo any thinge especially he ought to tarry and waite for opportunitie of time. Par∣don me therefore I beseche you, if I durst not be so bolde as to breake of the pleasant talke, that you had with the Page  142 Quéenes. Let him come therefore now saide the Kinge. He wente as he was commaunded, and came by and by againe with his charge. Then came Meroebus, a tale & proper yonge man, at that time comminge to mans e∣state, for he was seuentiene yéeres olde, and hier then all other that were there, and had a comely crewe of goodly fellowes that wayted vpon him, and the Aethiopian Ar∣my with greate admiration and reuerence, made him ready waie. Neither did Hidaspes tarry in his seate, but arose to welcome him, and imbraced him with a Father∣ly affection, and sette him beside him, and takinge him by the right hande, saide: My Sonne you come in good time, you shall beside celebration of this solemne Sacrifice, with me for my Victory, be Royally Married. For our Goddes and the Founders of our stocke, and the other Heauenly personages, haue prouided me of a Daughter belike whiche shal be your wife: The secresies whereof you shal know hereafter, at this time if you haue ought to doo with the people vnder youre dominion tell me. Meroebus when he hearde of a wife, what for ioye and shame, coulde not hide him selfe so in his blacke colour, but that men mighte perceiue that he blushed, and after he had staied a while, he saide thus: Father the other Le∣gates that come, wil geue you of the beste, and most pre∣tious thinges that growe in there Countries: but I be∣cause you haue ben valiant in Battaile, & declared your excellente manhoode in noble Exploytes, haue thought it* good to geue you a like gift hereunto, and therfore I geue you a man so wel practised in bloudsheadde, and warre, that there can none be founde whiche dareth to haue to doo with him: in wrastlinge, and fighte with plummettes of Leade, and in all manner of other exercises so sturdy, that no man is hable to withstande his strengthe. Ther∣with he badde the man come foorthe. He stepte out, and fell downe before Hidaspes, and was of suche stature, be∣inge a man of the olde makinge, that when he stouped to Page  [unnumbered] kisse the Kinges knée, he was as highe almoste as those that stoode aboute him. This donne, he tarried not til he was commaunded, but put of his apparel, and stoode na∣ked, and made a chalenge againste al that woulde come, either with weapon, or with hande. After the Kinge sawe that none woulde come foorth, though he had made diuers proclamations, he said: You shal haue a gifte of vs like youre selfe. And then he commaunded to fetche an olde Elephante, which was very greate. When the beast was broughte, he receiued it gladly, and the people sud∣dainely fel in a greate laughter beinge wel pleased with the Kinges ciuilitie: mary after they had laughed, and ie∣sted yenough, it séemed they were ashamed of their facte. After him came the Embassadoures that the Seres sente,* and brought to him twoo garmentes, one Purple, and an other White, the yarne whereof was spunne of the Spi∣ders that bréede in their Country. After these giftes were receiued, and they had desired the Kinge that suche of their Countrie men as were condemned in his prison might be deliuered, and had obteined their sute, the Em∣bassadours* of Arabia foelix came and offered to him odo∣riferous leaues, bothe of Oliues, & Cinamon, and other swéete sauours that growe in Arabia, woorthe many ta∣lentes, so that euery place was ful of swéete odours. Af∣ter these came they of Trogloditis, and broughte Golde,* and a couple of Gryphes with Bridles of Golde on their heades. Then came the Bleminges which carried bowes, and arrowes made of Dragons boanes, and saide: Wée bringe you, ô Kinge, such giftes as are not in value equal to the other, yet was there good accoumpte made of them (as you can saie your selfe) at the floudde in Battaile a∣gainst the Persians. They are ({quod} Hidaspes) more woorth then other of greater price, for these are the cause why the other are brought vs: and then he badde them tel him what they requested. When they desired to haue theire tribute abated, he released them of all fourtiene yéeres. Page  143 This donne, when all were come that had any Message to doo, and were as well, or better rewarded then theire giftes deserued. Laste there came the Legates of the*Axiomitae, who paied no tributes, but were his Confe∣derates, and in League with him, wherefore they reioi∣ced with him for his prosperous, and luckye viage, and broughte him giftes too, and emonge other a beaste of woonderful and rare nature, as bigge as a Camel, whose colour was spotted, and vpon his skinne there was like scales, his latter parte was very lowe, and Lionlike, but his shoulders, foreféete, and breste, were far beyonde the proportion of his other members: his necke was slender, and though the reste of his body was greate, yet was his throate very small, his heade was in fascion like a Camels heade, but it was not paste twise so bigge, as the Lybian Ostriches heade, wherein he rowled his eies terribly, as if there had benne in them somme redde leade: His gate was neuer changed, but wente not like no beaste either of the earthe or water, but he moued his legges on either side bothe at ones, so that he moued his right legges, and lefte legges, not in order, nor one af∣ter an other, but all his halfe body, with either of them: He was so tame and gentell to be dealte with all by vse, that he would be ruled of his kéeper with a litle coarde, and rather followe his will, then the line he was tied in: as soone as the beaste was brought in sight, al the people were afraide, and suddainely called it of the fascion and principal partes of his body Cameloperdalis, and it made a greate araye in al the place aboute the whiche the men stoode. For suche a chaunce befell, at the Aultare of the Moone stoode twoo Bullockes, and at the Aultare of the Sunne, foure white Horses to be Sacrificed: when the Monstrous and straunge beaste came in sight, they were as sore troubled, and afraide as if they had séene a sprite, and one of the Bulles, whiche as might be thought sawe the beaste alone, & twoo Horses brake out of their handes Page  [unnumbered] that helde them, and ranne aboute as faste as they coulde, mary they coulde not breake out of the compasse of the Armie, because the Souldiers with their shieldes had made, as it were a wall rounde, but they ranne here and there, and ouerthrewe all that stoode in their waie, were it vessel or any thinge els, so that there was a great shoute, as well of those to whome they came for feare, as also for ioye and pleasure that other had to sée them ouer∣runne their mates, and treade them vnder their féete. Wherefore Persina and Cariclia, coulde not be quiet in there Tabernacle, but commaunded to drawe the Cur∣taine aside, and looked vpon that, that befel. There The∣agenes either moued with his owne manly courage, or* els sturred forwarde with strengthe sente him of God, when he sawe his kéepers that attended vpon him, dis∣persed here and there, with the tumulte starte vp sud∣dainely (for before he knéeled at the Aultare, and looked euery minute to be slayne) and tooke vp a clefte sticke, whereof there laye a greate many vpon the Aultare, and leapte vpon one of the Horses that was broken loose, and holdinge him by the mane in stéede of a bridell, and with his héeles, and the clefte sticke makinge him to goe: fol∣lowed the Bulle, at the firste euery man thought that Theagenes woulde haue benne gonne, and therefore in∣couraged one an other that they would not lette him goe out of compasse of the Souldiers. But by that he did af∣ter, they sawe he did it not for feare, nor to auoide the Sacrifisinge: for when he had ouertaken the Bull, in ve∣ry shorte time, he tooke him by the tayle, and draue him forwarde of pourpose, to wery him in making him runne faster, whiche way so euer he wente, he followed after him, and with greate skill so tooke héede to his shorte turnes, that they hurte him not. After he had acquain∣ted the Bull with this, he rode at his side, so neare that their skinnes touched, and theire breathes and sweatte were mingled togeather, & he made them kéepe so equall Page  144 a course too, that those who were a farre of, déemed that they had benne made but one, & cōmended Theagenes to the Heauens, that had so straungely yoked a Horse and a Bull togeather. And vpon this looked al the people: but when Cariclia saw it, shée trembled & quaked, because shée knew not what he meant, and was as sore afraide of his hurte, if he shoulde by ill hap haue a fall, as if shée should haue ben slaine her selfe, so that Persina espied it, & saide: Daughter, what lackest thou? Thou séemest to be in e∣uery daūger that this straūger is in. Truely I my selfe also am sommewhat moued with him, and I haue pity of his youthe, and I wishe that he might be saued from this daunger, and not be sacrificed, so that the seruice of the Goddes might not be altogeather vnperfite, and negle∣cted of vs. That is a ieste in déede (said Cariclia) to wishe that he mighte not die for that cause that he mighte not liue. But Mother, if you maye saue the man, you doo me a pleasure. Persina not suspectinge the trothe, but that shée was a litle in loue with him, saide: Although he may not be saued, yet be not afraide to tell thy Mother what acquaintaunce thou haste with him, why thou shouldest be so careful for him, though in déede this be a youthfull motion, and seante conuenient for a mayde? A Mother∣ly* nature knoweth how to conceale her Daughters facte, and also one wooman an others escape, because perhaps they are like affected. When Cariclia had very sorrow∣fully wepte, shée saide: In this pointe aboue all other I am vnhappy, because when I speake to those that are ve∣ry discrete, and quicke witted they vnderstande me not, and when I tel them my calamities, they thinke I touch them not: nowe am I forced to tel the plaine trothe, and hereafter to accuse my selfe openly. As shée had saide thus, and was aboute to tell her the matter truely, shée was stopped by a greate crie of the people againe. For Theagenes, after he had lette the Horse runne as faste as he coulde, so longe till his breaste was equall with the Page  [unnumbered] Bulles heade, he let him goe at libertie, and fell vpon the Bulles heade betwéene his hornes, and caste his armes aboute his heade like a Garlande, and clasped his fingers on his forehead before, and let the reste of his body hange downe by the righte shoulder of him, so that the Bull in goinge hurte him a litle. After Theagenes perceiued that he was weary with the greate burthen, and his muscules were fainte with too muche trauell, and that he came before the place where Hidaspes sate, he turned him selfe before, and set his féete before the Bull, who beatte vpon his houfes still, and so tripped him. He beinge let of his course, and ouercomme with the streangthe of the yonge man, fell downe vpon his heade and shoulders, so that his hornes stucke so faste in the grounde, that he coulde not moue his heade, and his féete stoode vpwarde, with whiche he sprauled in vaine a greate while, and by his féebleuesse declared that he was ouercomme. Thea∣genes laye vpon him, and with his leafte hande helde him downe, but lifted his right hande vp to Heauen, and loo∣ked merily vpon Hidaspes, and al that were there els, who laughed, and were much delighted with that sight, and they hearde that the Bull with his lowinge declared the famousnesse of the Victory, as wel as if it had benne declared with a Trumpet. On the other side was a great shoute of the people, that saide plainely nothinge that one coulde vndestande to his praise, but with their wide throtes, and gapinge mouthes (as in like assemblies doth oft happen) thei séemed to extol him to the Heauens with one consente. Then by commaundemente of Hidaspes the Officers ranne, and somme broughte Theagenes to him, other tied Ropes aboute the Bulles hornes, and tooke vp the Horse, & leadde them to the Aultars againe. And as Hidaspes was aboute to saie somewhat to Thea∣genes, the people bothe delited with the yonge man, and singularly minded to him, euer since they sawe him first, and also maruailinge at his strength, but rather for spite Page  145 they had at Meroebus Aethiopian Champion, cried with one voice, let this fellow be matched with Meroebus mā, let him that receiued the Eliphant haue to doo with him yt ouercame the Bull. And because they were very instant Hidaspes was content: Wherefore the Aethiopian was brought foorth straight, who looked cruelly rounde about him, and went on his tiptoes stretchinge him selfe, & sha∣kinge his Armes very arrogantly. When he was come neare, Hidaspes saide to Theagenes in Greeke, straunger the people willeth that you shal haue to doo with this fel∣lowe. I am pleased to doo as they wil haue me saide The∣agenes: But in what sort must wée be matched? in wrast∣linge {quod} Hidaspes. Why shall wée not rather fight with Swoordes ({quod} he) that either I may doo some excellent fact, or els with death if I be slayne content Cariclia, who hi∣therto hath concealed our estate, or rather geuen me my laste farewell. What you meane ({quod} Hidaspes) to talke of Cariclia I know not, but you muste wrastle, & not fighte with weapon, because it is not lawfull to sée any bloude shedde before the Sacrifice be donne. Then Theagenes perceiued that Hidaspes doubted least he should be slaine, and saide: you doo well to kéepe me for the Goddes, and they shal haue respect to my businesse. And then he tooke* duste, and caste it vpon his armes and shoulders that were yet sweaty with the chasinge of the Bull, and sha∣ked that of, that it stocke not faste to his body, and then stretched foorthe his handes, and tooke some footinge, and bente his legges a litle, and stouped lowe, at a woorde all partes of his body were ready, so that he stoode, and with greate desire awayted for the aduantage at the close. The Aethiopian seing this laughed irefully, and trium∣phed scornefully vpon him: and ranne suddainely vpon him, and with his elbowe hit Theagenes in the necke, as sore as if he had siriken him with a leauer, & then drewe backe, and laughed againe at his owne foolishe conceite. Page  [unnumbered] But Theagenes like a man alway frō his cradel brought vp in wrastlinge, and throughly instructed in Mercuries Arte, thought it good to geue place at firste, & take some triall of his aduersaries strength, and not to withstande so rude a violence, but with Arte to delude the same. Therefore he stouped lower, and made semblaunce as though he had benne very sorrowful, and layde his other side to receiue the nexte blowe. And when the Aethio∣pian came vpon him againe, he made as though he would haue fallen flatte vpon his face: But as soone as the Ae∣thiopian beganne to despise him, and was incouraged well, and came vnaduisedly the thirde time, and lifted vp his arme againe to take holde of him, and puttinge his right arme vnder his leafte side, and by liftinge vp his hande, ouerthrewe him on a heape, and castinge him selfe vnder his arme pittes, gryped this gorbelly with muche adoo, and forced him with his héeles to fall on his knées, and then leapte on his backe, and claspinge his féete about his priuie partes, made him streatche out his legges, wherewith he did staie vp him selfe, and pulled his armes ouer his heade behinde him, and layde his bel∣ly flatte vpon the earthe. For this facte the people gaue a greater shoute then they did before, and the Kinge him selfe coulde staie no longer, but starte from his seate, and sayde: ô hatefull necessitie, what a man are wée for∣ced to kill by our Lawe? and when he had called him vn∣to him, he saide: Yonge man there lacketh nothinge, but that thou be Crowned before the Sacrifice: Sure∣ly this thy famous, and notable Victory, but vnprofita∣ble, and not continuall to thée, deserueth a Crowne. But for as muche as I cannot deliuer thée from this presente perill though I woulde, yet will I doo all that I may for thée, without breache of the Lawes. And ther∣with he put a Crowne of Golde vpon Theagenes heade, and diuers men did sée him wéepe. Theagenes saide, then Page  146 I require you to let me obteine this request at your hand accordinge as you haue promised. If there be no waie to escape this murtheringe, commaunde me to be killed by the hande of her that is found your Daughter to day. Hidaspes was bytten with this woorde, and considered Cariclias requeste, whiche was like this, yet he iudged it no greate matter to scanne it narrowly at that time, and saide: Straunger, I bad thée aske that whiche might be graunted, and I promised to perfourme it: beside, the Lawe precisely willeth, that shée that killeth the Sacri∣fice should haue a Husbande. Shée hath a Husbande too, saide Theagenes. This man is madde, saide Hidaspes, and beside him selfe, and one that hathe geuen ouer him selfe to deathe. The fire declareth that shée is a Mayde vnmarried, and neuer had to doo with man, excepte you meane this Meroebus (I cannot tell howe you shoulde come by knowledge thereof) whiche is not yet her Hus∣bande, but I haue promised her to him. Neither is he like to be, saide Theagenes, if I knowe Cariclias minde, and if you will beleue me as a Sacrifice. Good sir, saide Meroebus, no Sacrifices that be aliue, but suche as be kil∣led, and cut vp doo with their intralles tell the Southsay∣ers what shal ensue. Wherefore Father you saide wel that this straunge marchante was madde, and spake no∣thinge to any pourpose. Therefore if you will, let one carry him to the Aultare, and when you haue dispatched your other matter that you haue in hande, then may you goe aboute the Sacrifice. Then was Theagenes carried as commaundement was geuen. But Cariclia, who was comforted a litle because of his victory, and hoped for bet∣ter lucke. But when shée sawe him leadde away, was then in sorrow againe, and Persina comforted her diuers waies, and tolde her that he mighte happen to be saued, if shée woulde tell her the reste more plainely. Cariclia séeinge the time would permit her to driue of no longer, Page  [unnumbered] told the chiefe, and principal pointes to her. That while Hidaspes asked if there were any moe who had ought to saie. Hermonias answeared, here are no moe bue the peo∣ple of Siene, which with other presentes brought Letters from Oroondates, and they came but euen nowe. When Hidaspes gaue them leaue to come to him, they deliuered the Letters, which he opended, and readde, the contentes whereof were:

To Hidaspes the gentle, and fortunate Kinge of the Aethiopians, Oroondates the greate Kinges Deputie sen∣deth gréetinge.

Forasmuche as when you ouercame me in Battaile,* but more in lofty courage of mind, you gaue me a whole Deputiship of youre owne courtesie, I shall thinke it no marueile if you perfourme a smal requiste nowe. There was a certaine mayde who in carriage from Memphis happened to fal into youre handes by chaunce of warre, and it was tolde me, of suche as were with her, and esca∣ped out of your daunger, that you commaunded her to be carried captiue into Aethiopia, this wenche I desire you to sende me, bothe for her owne sake, but moste for her Fathers, for whom I woulde sée her safe kepte, he hath trauailed farre for her, and in this trauell he was taken prisoner in this time of warre by my Souldiers, whiche laye in Garrison in Eliphantina, whom I spied, when I tooke the vewe of those that escaped out of the Battayle, and he desired that he might be sente to your Clemency: You haue him suche a man emong the rest of the Ambas∣sadours, as may with his manners alone declare that he is a Gentleman, and woorthy onely with his behauiour to obtaine his desire at your hande. Sende him backe a∣gaine to me ô Kinge, mery, who is not called onely, but hath bene ere now a Father too: when he had reade this, he asked which of these is this y seketh for his Daughter. Page  147 They shewed him a certaine Old man, to whom he said:* straunger I will doo any thinge at Oroondates request, but I commaunded tenne onely to be brought hither, & for as muche as one of them is knowen not to be thine, looke vpon all the reste, if thou canst finde her take her with thée. The Old man fell downe and kissed his féete, & after he had looked vpon them al, as they were brought before him, and founde her not whom he sought he was very sadde, and saide none of these ô Kinge is shée. You know ({quod} Hidaspes) there is no wante of good will in me, if you finde her not that you séeke for, blame Fortune. For I geue you leaue to looke that neither hers is any o∣ther beside these, nor in the Tentes: when the Olde man had bente his browes and wepte, he lifte vp his face, and looked rounde about him, and suddainely ranne foorth as though he had benne madde. And when he came to the Aultare he did winde his cloke rounde like a rope (for he had a cloke on then by chaunce) & cast it about Theagenes necke, and cried that all men might heare: I haue founde thée mine enimy, I haue gotten thée thou mischieuous & accursed fellowe: And although the Officers would haue staied him, and plucked him from him, he hanged so faste vpon him, that he obtained leaue to bring him before Hi∣daspes, and the Councell. And there he spake thus: This man, ô Kinge, is he who like a Théefe hath taken my Daughter from me, this is he who hath made my house desolate, & without any childe, he hath taken my harte e∣uen from the Aultars of Apollo. And nowe he sitteth at the Aultars of the Goddes like a good and deuoute man. Al that were there were moued with that whiche he did, Mary thei vnderstoode not his woordes, but they maruai∣led at his woorke. And when Hidaspes badde him tell plainely what he meante: The Old man (that was Cari∣cles) concealed the truthe of Cariclia, fearinge least if shée were dead by the waye, that he shoulde haue muche adoo Page  [unnumbered] with her trewe Parentes. But he tolde that briefely that was little hurtefull in this sorte: I had a Daugh∣ter,*ô Kinge, if you had séene howe wise, and faire with all, shée had benne, you woulde haue thought that I had good cause to saie as I doo: Shée leade her life in Virgi∣nitie, & was one of Dianas Priestes, whiche is honoured at Delphi: That Mayde this iolly Thessalian, hath stolen out of Apolloes Churche: as he came beinge Captaine of a holy Ambassage to Delphi my Natiue Cittie there to celebrate a certaine Feaste. Wherefore it may well be déemed that he hathe offended also againste you, for that he hathe displeased youre God Apollo (whiche is all one with the Sunne) and defiled his Temple. Furthermore a false Prieste of Memphis was his companion in per∣fourmance of this his shameful, and heinous facte. Af∣ter I had benne in Thessalia, and required to haue this felowe, and they were all contente to deliuer him to me as a common plague of their Countrie, where so euer he were founde. I wente to Memphis, whiche I déemed to be a place whither Calasiris woulde goe, for diuers cau∣ses. When I came thither, I founde him deade, as well he had deserued, and was tolde by his Sonne Thyamis, of all that belonged to my Daughter: how that shée was sente to Siene to Oroondates, where not findinge Oro∣ondates (for I came thither too). At Eliphantina I was taken prisoner, and staied: from whence I came at this presente in humble sorte to séeke my Daughter, and you shall doo me (vnhappy man) a good turne, and a déede wel beséeminge a Kinge, if you will accepte the Deputies re∣queste made in my behalfe. And then he helde his peace, and wepte bitterly to confirme that he saide. Hidaspes turned to Theagenes, and what saie you to this ({quod} he?) Theagenes answeared, all that he hathe laide againste me in this accusation, is true: I am the thiefe, the vniust man, and the Robber. As touching him, yet haue I done Page  148 you a good turne. Therefore saide Hidaspes, restoare that whiche is not your owne, that because ye are vowed to the Goddes ye maye be a cleane, and glorious Sacri∣fice, and not séeme to be pounished for your offence. Nay* ({quod} Theagenes) not he that did the wronge, but he that hathe the commodity of it, ought by iustice to make resti∣tution. Saeinge therefore you haue her, restoare her, for it is Cariclia, whom he also will confesse to be youre Daughter. No man coulde rule him selfe any longer, but they were disordred in euery place. Sisimithres, who had withhelde him selfe a good while, for all that he knew the whole matter that was in handlinge, till it were boulted out, whiche by litle and litle came to lighte, then he came to them, and imbraced Caricles, and saide: Your Adoptiue Daughter, which I ones deliuered you, is wel founde, and knowen to be theire Daughter, whom you know your selfe well yenough. Cariclia also ranne out of the Tabernacle like a madde wooman, without regard what became of her kinde and age, and fell at Caricles féete, and saide: O Father, no lesse déere to me, then those that begat me, take what reuenge you wil of me, with∣out any regarde to the excuse, whiche somme man might alleage that it was the Goddes will, and theire dooinge. Persina on the other side kissed Hidaspes, and saide: Hus∣band, iudge that all this is so, and be sure that this yonge Greeke is youre Daughters Husbande. The people in an other place reioiced, and almoste daunced for ioie, and with one consente were all gladde of that whiche was donne: mary all they vnderstoode not, but gathered the moste parte of Cariclia. Perhappes also they were stur∣red to vnderstande the trothe by inspiration of the Gods, whose will it was that this shoulde fall out woonderful∣ly, as in a Comedy. Surely they made very contrarye thinges agrée, and ioined sorrowe and mirthe, teares and laughter togeather, and tourned fearefull, and terrible Page  [unnumbered] thinges into a ioyfull Banquette in the ende, many that wepte beganne to laughe, and suche as were sor∣rowfull to reioice, when they founde that they soughte not for, and loste that they hoped to finde, and to be shorte the cruell slaughters whiche were looked for euery moment, were turned into holy Sacrifice. Then saide Hidaspes to Sisimithres: Right wise man what muste wée doo? to refuse the Sacrifice of the Gods is a wicked acte, but to offer them whiche they haue prouided for vs is the duety of deuaute men: wée muste therefore bethinke vs what is beste to doo. Whereto Sisimithres answeared not in Greeke, but in the Aethiopian tongue, that all might* vnderstande him, thus: Through too muche pleasure, ô Kinge, the wisest menne are oftentimes blinded, you mighte haue perceiued at the firste that the Goddes li∣ked not the Sacrifice whiche was ordeined, who haue nowe euery waie declared that happy Cariclia is your Daughter euen at the very Aulters, and haue brought him, that brought her vp, out of the middest of Greece, as it had benne of pourpose: They haue feared and troubled the Horses and Bullockes too, that stoode before the Aul∣tars, whereby they declared that the greater Sacrifices, whiche haue benne vsed emonge our Auncesters shoulde nowe cease, and be vsed no more. And beside, declared this yonge Greeke to be the Maydes Husbande, whiche may be the ende and conclusion of this Comedie. Lette vs therefore suffer these diuine Miracles to sinke in our mindes, and be healpers of theire will, and doo more ac∣ceptable Sacrifices to them, and leaue murtheringe of menne, and woomen for euer hereafter. After Sisimi∣thres had saide thus so lowde that all mighte heare him. Hidaspes who vnderstoode also the tonge wherein he spake, tooke vp Theagenes and Cariclia, and sayde: Sée∣inge that these thinges benne thus appointed by the wil and pleasure of the Goddes, I thinke (howe séemeth it Page  149 to you that be here also) that it is not good to striue a∣gainste them: Wherefore before them who haue preor∣dained this, and you also whiche séeme with your con∣sente to followe their fates and destintes, I wishe that* these twoo may increase and growe in wedlocke, and geue them leaue to reioyce either other, that they maye engender and haue Children. And if you shall thinke it good lette this decrée be confirmed with Sacrifice, and lette vs fall to woorshippinge of the Goddes. The Army consented thereto, and with clappinge their handes gaue a Signe that they were contented with the matche. Hidaspes then came to the Aulters, and ready to beginne Sacrifice, saide thus: O Sunne our Lorde, and Lady Moone, for as muche as Theagenes, and Cariclia are de∣clared to be Man and Wife by your good willes, I am sure you will accepte of theire Offeringes, and suffer them to doo Sacrifice to you. This saide, he tooke of his owne Miter, and Persinas, which were the notes of their Priesthoode, and sette one vpon Theagenes head, whiche was his owne, and the other vpon Cariclias that was Persinas. When this was donne, Caricles remembred him selfe of the Oracles answeare at Delphi, and sawe that fulfilled in déede, whiche was promised before of the Goddes. Whiche was, that after they fledde from Del∣phi, they shoulde come at lengthe to Countrie scortche, with burninge Phebus beames:*

VVhere they as recompences dewe,
that vertue rare doo gaine:
In time to come ere it be longe,
white Miters shall obtaine.

Thus after they had on these white Miters, and were made Priestes by the voice, and opinion of Hidaspes, aud had donne Sacrifice very well, they roade in Cha∣riottes drawen with Horses, Hidaspes and Cariclia in one, Sisimithres and Caricles in an other, and PersinaPage  [unnumbered] with Cariclia in the thirde, but theirs was drawen with twoo white Oxen to Meroe with greate ioie, and melody of Instrumentes of Musike, to accomplishe the secreter affayres of Wedlocke in the Cittie for more solemni∣ties sake.

Thus endeth the Aethiopian History of Theagenes and Cariclia, the Authour whereof is Heliodorus of Eme∣sos a Cittie in Phoenicia, Sonne of Theodofius, whiche fetcheth his Petigrée from the same.

The ende of the tenthe and laste Booke of Heliodorus Aethio∣pian History.
Page  [unnumbered]