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

The Aethiopian History of Heliodorus.

The firste Booke.

AS soone as the daye ap∣peared, and the Sunne began to shine on the toppes of the Hilles, Menne, whose custome was to liue by rapine and violence, ranne to the toppe of a Hil that strecheth towarde the mouth of Nylus, called Heracleot: where standing a while, they vewed the Sea vnderneath them, and when they had looked a good season a farre of into the same, and coulde sée nothinge that might put them in hope of praie, they caste there eies somewhat neare the shoare: where as a shippe, tied with Cables to the maine lāde, laie at roade, without saylers, and full fraughted: whiche thinge, they who were a farre of might easilie coniecture: for the bur∣den caused the shippe to draw water within the bourdes of the decke. But on the shoare euery place was full of men, some quite deade, some halfe dead, some whose bo∣dies yet panted, & plainely declared that there had benne a battell fought of late. But there coulde be séene no signes or tokens of any iust quarell, but there séemed to be an ill and vnluckie banket, and those that remained, obtained such ende. For the tables were furnished with delicate dishes, some whereof laie in the handes of those that were slaine, beinge in stéede of weapons to some of them in the battaile, so suddenly begunne. Other coue∣red suche as crope vnder them to hide them selues, as they thought. Besides the cuppes were ouerthrowen and fell out of the handes, either of them that dranke, or those, who had in steade of stones vsed them. For that suddaine mischiefe wrought newe deuises, and taught

them in steade of weapons, to vse there pottes. Of those who lay there, one was wounded with an Axe, an other was hurte with the shelles of Fishes, whereof on the shoore there was great plētie: another was all to crushed with a leuer, many burnte with fire, and the reste by di∣uerse other meanes, but most of all were slaine with ar∣rowes. To be briefe, God shewed, a wonderfull sight in so shorte time, bruynge bloud with wine, ioyninge bat∣tayle with banketting, minglinge indifferently slaugh∣ters with drinkinges, and killing with quaffinges, pro∣uidinge suche a sight for the Théeues of Egypte to pause at. For they when they had geuen these thinges the loo∣kinge on a good while from the Hill, coulde not vnder∣stande what that sight meante, for asmuch as they sawe some slaine there, but the Conquerours coulde they sée no where, a manifest Ʋictorie but no spoiles taken away a shippe without Mariners onely, but as concerninge o∣ther thinges vntouched, as if shée had bene kepte with a garde of many men, and laie at roade in a saulfe Har∣boure. But for all that they knewe not what that thing meante, yet they had respecte to their Lucre and gaine. When therefore they had determined that them selues were the Ʋictors, they drewe neare vnto the same: and not beynge now farre from the shippe, & those that were slaine, they sawe a sight more perplexed then the reste a greate deale. A maide endued with excellent beawtie, whiche also might be supposed a Goddesse, satte vpon a Rocke, who séemed not a littell to be gréeued with that present mischance, but for all that of excellent courage: she had a garlande of Lawrell on her head, a Quiuer on her backe, and in her lefte hande a Bowe, leaninge vpon her Thighe with her other hande, and lookinge downe∣warde, without mouinge of her head, beholdinge a cer∣taine yonge Man a good waie of, the whiche was sore wounded, and séemed to lifte vp him selfe, as if he had be wakened out of a deade sléepe almoste of deathe it selfe?

yet was he in this case of Singuler beawtie, and for all that his chéekes were be sprinkled with bloud, his white∣nes did appeare so muche the more. He was constrained for gréefe to wéepe, yet caused he the maide to looke sted∣fastly vpon him, and these thinges muste they néedes sée because they sawe her. But as soone as he came to him selfe a littel, he vttered these woordes very faintly. And arte thou safe in déede my swéete harte, {quod} he? or els haste thou with thy death by any mischaunce augmented this slaughter? thou canst not, no not by deathe be seperated from me. But of the fruition of thy sighte and thy life, dothe al mine estate depende. Yea in you (answeared the Maide) doth my whole Fortune consiste, whether I shall liue or die, and for this cause, you sée (shewinge a knife in her hande) this was hitherto ready. But onely for your recouering was restrained, and as soone as she had saide thus, shée lepte from the stoane, & they who weare on the Hill, as well for wonder, as also for the feare they had, as if they had benne striken with lightninge, ranne euery man to hide them in the busshes there beside. For she séemed to them a thinge of greater price, and more heauenly, when shée stoode vprighte, and her Arrowes with the sudden mouinge of her bodie, gaue a clashe on her shoulders, her apparell wrought with Goulde gliste∣red againste the Sunne, and her heare vnder her Gar∣lande, blowen aboute with the winde, couered a greate parte of her backe. The Théeues were greatly afraide of these thinges, the rather for that they vnderstoode not what that should meane which they sawe. Some of them saide in déede that it was a Goddesse and Diana, other saide it was Isis, whiche was honored there: but some of them saide it was some Prieste of the Goddes, that re∣plenished with diuine furie had made the greate slaugh∣ter whiche there appeared, and thus euery man gaue his verdite, because they knew not the trothe. But shée ha∣stely runninge to the yonge man, embraced him, wepte

for sorrowe, kissed him, and made pitifull moane, beinge very carefull for his sauftie, whiche thinge when the E∣gyptians had séene, they turned there opinions: And are these, saide they, the woorkes of a Goddesse? woulde a Goddesse kisse a dead man with suche compassion? they determined therefore with them selues, that it was best to take harte of grace, and goe knowe what the matter was in déede. When they had therefore encouraged eche other a little, they ranne downe, and founde the Mayde busie in dressinge the younge mannes woundes, and co∣minge behinde her sodainely stoode still, and durste nei∣ther speake nor doo any thing more for there liues. Whē shée harde the sounde of somewhat aboute her, and their shadowes before her eies, shée lifted her selfe vp a litle, and looked backe, but stouped againe straight, no whitte abashed to sée the Théeues in harnes, but applied her selfe onely to binde vp his woundes that lay before her. Sutche is the force of earnest desire and true loue, it de∣spiseth all outwarde chaunces, be thei pleasant or other∣wise, onely beholdinge that whiche it loueth, and there∣aboute bestoweth all diligence and trauell. But when the Théeues passed by, and stoode before her, and séemed that they would enterprise somewhat, shée lifted her self vp againe, and beholdinge them blacke coloured, & euell fauoured, said, if ({quod} shée) you be the Spirites of those who are slaine here, you trouble vs wrongfully, for moste of you were slaine with yo•••• owne handes. As for vs, if we flewe any, we did it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in our owne defence, to repelle the violence whiche was profered to my Virginitie, but if you be men aliue, it séemeth you are Théeues, as maie be déemed by the time you come in, you maie doo vs a pleasure to ridde vs from these presente miseries, and by deathe to finishe this our vnhappie Tragedie. Thus did shée sorrowfully lamente, but they not vnderstan∣dinge what shée saide, leafte them there, accountinge their owne inūrmitie, a sufficient garde to kéepe them,

and hasted to the Shippe, and brought out that whiche was in the same: euery man bearinge out as muche as he could of Gould, Siluer, Precious stoanes, and Silke, not regarding other thinges whereof therein was great stoare. And when they thought, they had enough, and there was suche plentye as mighte séeme to satisfie the Théeues desire, layinge their praye on the shoare, fell to diuision of the same, not accordinge to the woorthe and value of that they had, but contented them selues with equalitie of waight. As for the yonge Man & the Mayde, thei would take order for them afterward. In the meane time an other companie of Théeues, wherof twoo Horse∣men were Captaines, came towarde them: whiche thing as soone as those sawe that had benne there before, not of courage to sturre against thē, ranne away as fast as thei could, without taking with thē any parte of the Praye, that they might geue their enemie no occasion to pursue them. For they were in number but tenne, and those who came vppon them, were thrée times as many. And nowe was the Mayde a prisoner againe, but yet, not in durance at all. The Robbers, although they hasted to the spoyle: yet partely, bicause they knewe not what those thinges signified whiche they sawe, and partely also for feare staied them selues a while, thinkinge that the for∣mer slaughter had benne made, by the Théeues that had benne there before. But when they behelde the Mayde, though straungly, yet séemely apparailled, whiche despi∣sed those daungers that hanged ouer her head, as though they had benne none, and altogeather imployed her tra∣uell, to ease the yonge Mans woundes, & tooke his gréefe as heauily as her owne sorowe, they were not onely stroken with her beawtie and hawtines of minde, but wonderfully moued with the cumlines of the wounded Mans person. Suche was the séemelines of his counte∣nance, and talenesse of his stature, euen as he laye along afore them. For by this time was he a little amended,

and his personage had recouered his olde handsomenesse againe. At length after they had behelde them a good while, and he drewe neare who was theire Maister, he laide hande on the Mayde, and bad her arise and folowe him. Shée, although shée vnderstoode not what he saide, yet coniecturinge what he willed her to doo, drewe the yonge Man with her, otherwise shée woulde not onely not departe from him, but pointinge with a knife to her harte, threatned that shée woulde kill her selfe, if they carried them not bothe togeathers. Which thinge, when the Maister partly by her talke, but more plainely by her gesture, vnderstoode, hoping also to vse his further helpe in great affaires if he might recouer his health againe, a∣lighted himself from his Horse, & cōmaunded his hranes∣bearer likewise so to doo, & sette his prisoners on them, Commaundinge the rest when they had gathered vp the praye to folowe them, him selfe like a lackie ranne by theire side and staied them vpright, if by meanes of their infirmitie they were in daunger to fal. Surely this déede was not without muche glorie, for he, who was their Maister, waited vppon them, and he who tooke them pri∣soners, was contente to serue them. Suche is the appea∣rance of very Nobilitie, and the force of cumlines, which canne subdue the disposition of Théeues, and bringe vn∣der the wilde and sauage. When they had gone aboute a sixtene furlonges, by the Sea side, they turned downe straight to the foote of the Hill, and left the Sea, on their right hande. And hauing gone ouer the toppe of the said Hill, they hasted to a Poole that laye on the other side thereof, the maner whereof was thus. The whole place is called the Pasture of the Egyptians, about the whiche is a lowe Valeye, which receiueth certaine exundations of Nylus, by meanes whereof it becommeth a Poole, and is in the midste very deape, aboute the brimmes where∣of are marishes, or sennes. For looke, as the shoare is to the Sea, suche is the fennes to euery greate Poole. In

that place haue the Théeues of Egypte, howe many so euer they bée, their common Wealthe. And for as much as there is but a litle land without the water, some liue in smal Cotages, other in Boates, that they vse as wel for theire house, as also for passage ouer the Poole. In these doo theire women serue them, and if néede require, be also brought to bedde. When a Childe is borne firste, they let him sucke his mothers milke awhyle: but after thei féede him with Fishes taken in the Lake, and rosted in the hoate Sunne. And when they perceiue that he be∣ginnes to goe, they tie a corde about his legges, and su••∣him but onely to goe aboute the Boate, teachinge him euen at the first after a new fashion to goe by a haulter. And thus what rudesbie so euer is borne and bred in the Poole, accounteth the same his countrie, and a sufficient defence, for the saftie of Théeues. And for that cause all suche people come thether very faste, for they all doo vse the water in stéede of a wall. Moreouer the great plenty of Réede that groweth there in the moorie grounde, is in manner as good as a Bulwarke vnto them. For by deui∣singe many crooked: & comberous waies, thorough which the passages to them by ofte vse are very easy, but to o∣thers harde, they haue made it a sure defence, that by no sodeine inuasion they maye be endamaged. And thus muche as touchinge the Lake, and those Roges that in∣habite the same. About the sunne setting commeth home theire Captaine with all his retinew. Then tooke they the yonge couple frō their Horses, and laide their praye aboorde. Certaine Boates, and the reste of the Robbers that taried at home whiche was a greate sorte, ranne to méete the Captaine from out euery parte of the Fenne, and welcomed him as if he had benne theire Kinge. But when they considered the multitude of the spoyles that they had wonne, and sawe the beawtie of the Mayde to be so heauenly a thinge, they geassed that their compa∣nions had robbed some Churche, & that they had brought

awaie the Prieste of the Goddes, or rather the liuely pi∣cture of the Goddesse her selfe. And this they coniectured to the Mayde, bicause they knewe not what had benne donne. And therefore they gratulated theire Captaine in hartie wise, for his valiante exploite, and so brought him into his owne house, whiche was an Ilande, farre from the reste, separated to his onely vse, and a fewe other, who moste commonly vsed to kéepe him company. Whither after he was broughte, he commaunded the o∣ther to departe euery man to his owne house, charginge them the nexte daie all to wayte vppon him. Him selfe with a fewe other that taried with him, after they had made a shorte supper, deliuered the yonge folkes to the custodie, of a Grecian (whome he had taken a fewe daies before, that he might be their Interpreter) lettinge them haue a corner of his owne house, not farre from his lod∣ginge, with commaundemente, as wel diligently to sée the wounded yonge Man, as curiously to looke to the Mayde, that shée by no meanes shoulde be anoyed. But he, what with his former trauel the daie before, and also with care of his present affaires, fell a fléepe. And when al was whist in the marishe, and euery man at reste, the Maide tooke that occasion, and absence of men, to be a fyt time, to lament and waile, and the rather for that in the night, shée coulde neither sée or heare any thinge, that might comforte her, but contrariewise moue her to so∣rowe: when therefore with her selfe secretely shée had wailed alone (for shée was by the Captaines commaun∣dement separated from companie, and layde in a simple bedde,) and wept very bitterly. Apollo (saide shée) howe much more gréeuous punishement doest thou take of vs then wée haue deserued. Hast thou not benne sufficient∣ly reuenged on vs, with that, that is paste? For as much as wée are farre from our friendes and kinsfolkes, and that we were taken by Pyrates, and subiecte to sixe hun∣dred daungers more by Sea, but that nowe againe we

muste on the lande fall into the handes of Théeues and Robbers? beside who knoweth wither any thinge worse is like to light vppon vs? when wilt thou make an ende? if in deathe, that shalbe voide of Iniurie. Oh that deathe woulde like me well: but rather then any man shoulde filthely knowe me, whiche Theagenes neuer did, truely with halter I woulde ende my life, referringe my selfe pure and chaste (as hitherto I haue donne) euen vnto deathe, and thereby gaine a bewtifull Epitaphe for my singuler Virginitie, and no Iudge shalbe so cruell as thou. While shée spake thus, Theagenes willed her to be contente, and saide: Mine owne deare harte and one∣ly ioye Eariclea, sease youre mourninge, I knowe you haue iuste cause to complaine, but in youre thus dooinge, you displease God a greate deale more then you thinke, neither haue wée néede to prouoke God to wrathe, but rather to praye for that whiche is mightier, muste with Praiers, and not with accusacion be appeased. You geue me in déede good Counsell ({quod} shée) but I praye thée tell me howe you fare: Better (saide he) then I did yester∣night, since this yonge man trimmed my woūdes, wher∣by the burninge heate of them is wel cooled. Yea ({quod} he who had the charge to looke to them) in the morning you shal sée they shalbe in better case, for I wil prouide suche an hearbe for you, that within thrée dressinges shal heale vp your wounde. And this I haue proued trewe by expe∣rience, for if any that were vnder this Capitaine since I was taken prisoner, in any conflict happened to be woun∣ded, he neuer néeded many daies to be cured. For that I am greatly moued with your estate, you néede not mar∣uell at al, for you séeme to be in as ill case as I, & I haue the more compassion on you for that you be Grecians, be∣cause also I my selfe am a Grecian borne. A Grecian, Oh immortal God, cried they out sodenly for ioie, a Gre∣cian in déede bothe tongue & countrie. Hereafter we trust to haue some respite from our mishaps. But what must

wée calle you, saide Theagenes? Cnemon answeared he. Of what parte of Greece saide Theagenes? Of Athens an∣sweared he. And howe came you here, saide Theagenes? Peace I praie you ({quod} he) & aske me that questiō no more, let vs leaue that to such as write Tragedies. Neither at this time woulde I gladly encrease your sorrowes, with repeting mine, besides that, the night is so farre spent, that the reste would not serue to tell you the same, and wée haue greate néede to take reste, and sléepe after our greate trauel. But when they would not cease, but were stil very instant to haue me tel the same, accompting it a greate comforte, to heare any man haue as ill lucke as they had them selues, Cnemon beganne in this sorte. My Fathers name was Aristippus, he was borne in* 1.1 Athens, one of the vpper Senate, as riche as any Como∣ner in the Cittie, he, after the decease of my Mother ap∣plied his minde to Marrie againe, thinkinge it an vn∣reasonable thinge for me, his onely Sonnes sake, still to be of an vncertaine and doubtful minde. He dothe ther∣fore bringe home a little woman somewhat fine, but pas∣singe malicious, named Demeneta, as soone as shée was Maried, shée reclaimed my Father al to her owne lure, & made him doo what shée liste, entising the olde Man with her bewtie, & was very curiouse in many other pointes, for if any woman euer knew how to make a man madde of her, shée was better skilled in that Arte, then any man woulde thinke, but especially when my Father wente foorthe, shée would be sorrowfull, and renne to him when he came home, and blame him mutche for his longe tar∣riynge, and not sticke to tell him, that shée woulde haue died, if he had taried neuer so little longer: At euery woorde woulde shée imbrace him, and moiste her kisses with teares, with whiche meanes my Father was so be∣witched, that he neuer was well, but when he either had her in his Armes, or els looked vppon her: aboue all o∣ther, shée woulde haue mée in her sighte, as if I hadde

benne her owne Sonne, by this meanes also makinge Aristippus to loue her the better. Sometimes would shée kisse me, oftentimes woulde shée wishe, that shée might pastime her selfe with me, whereof I was well content,* 1.2 mistrustinge nothinge lesse, then that shée wente about, maruelinge also that shée bare sutche a Motherly affe∣ction towarde me. But when shée came to me more wan∣tonly, and that her kisses were more hote then besée∣med an honest woman, and her countenance passed mo∣destie, then many thinges caused me to suspecte her, therefore I conueyed my selfe awaie, & woulde nothinge regarde her faire woordes. I will lette other thinges passe, whiche would be to longe to tell, by what meanes shée wente aboute to winne me, what profers shée made, howe sometime shee would call me her Prety boye, some∣time her Sweete harte, then her Heyre, after, her owne Life, laste of all to these her faire names, would shée adde many intisementes with especiall consideration what I liked beste: so that in graue affaires shée woulde behaue her selfe like my Mother, but if shée liste to dally, then would shée manifestly declare her loue. At lengthe suche a chance befell, when Pallas highe feaste called Quinqua∣tria* 1.3 was celebrated, on whiche the Athenians were ac∣customed to consecrate a shippe by lande, and I (for I was not then sixtene yéeres olde) had Songe the vsuall Hymne of her praise, and donne other Ceremonies, and Kites due to the same, euē as I was attyred in my robes. & my Crowne on my head, I came home, shée, as soone as shée espied me, was by and by distraught of her wittes, and not able with pollicie to couer her loue any lenger, but for very desire ranne to me, and tooke me in her Armes, and saide, Oh my younge Hippolitus, and my deare Theseus? In what case was I then thinke you, who euen nowe am a shamed to tell you the same. That nighte my Father supped in the Castell, and as it often

happeneth in suche companie, and publique resort, he de∣termined to lie there all night: that night shée came to me, and striued to haue an vnlawful thinge at my hand. But I with all my powre withstoode her, and regarded, neither her flatteringe woordes, nor faire promises, no, nor her threateninges, wherefore, fetching a sighe from* 1.4 the bottom of her harte, for that time departed, but with∣in twoo nightes after, like a mischieuous queane shée sought all meanes possible to enterrupte me. And firste of all, shée kepte her bedde, and when my Father came home, and asked her how she fared, made him answeare, that shée was sicke, but when he was very importunate, and desirous to knowe what shée ailed, The goodly yonge man (saide shée) that loued me so well, Sonne to vs bothe, whome I (the Goddes knowe) loued a greate deale better then you, when he perceiued by certaine to∣kens that I was greate with childe by you, whiche thinge I conceaued from you (vntill I knewe the cer∣teintic my selfe) and waytinge for youre absence, when I counsailed him, as my manner was, and perswaded him to leaue hauntinge of Harlottes, and too much drin∣kinge (whiche thinges I knewe well ynoughe. But woulde neuer tell you of them, leaste thereby I shoulde incurre the cruell suspicion of a Stepmother with you) while I saie, I talked with him of these things alone, no more but he and I, leaste he shoulde be ashamed, I will not tell the worse, for I am abashed so to doo, nor in what manner he reuiled bothe you and me, lastely spurned me on the belly, and hath caused me to be in suche case as ye sée. As soone as he hearde this, he saide nothinge, nor* 1.5 asked me no questions, neither gaue me leaue to speake for my selfe, but perswadinge him selfe, that shée, who lo∣ued me so well, woulde by no meanes belie me, as soone as he founde me in a certaine corner of the house, boxed me with his fistes, and callinge his seruantes togeather,

scourged me with roddes, and woulde not suffer me to knowe (whiche al menne doo) why I was cruelly beten, when his anger was wel cooled, and he came to him selfe againe, I saide to him, Father, yet nowe at length I pray you tell mée, why I haue had thus many stripes, where∣with he much more incensed, Oh cleanly desembler (saide he) he would know his owne misdéede of me, he wente in againe to Demeneta, but shée not content with this, de∣uised* 1.6 suche another shifte againste me. Shée had a mayde called Thisbe, which could playe wel on the Virginalles, and was otherwise faire, and a very propre wenche. Her she made calle for me, and commaunded her to loue me, & by and by shée did so in déede, and where shée refused, of∣tentimes attemptinge her before, nowe allured me with countenaunce, beckes, and many other signes. Nowe was I somewhat prowde, for that of a sudden I was be∣comme bewtiful, and in déede on a night, when shée came to my bedde, thought no scorne to make her roome, shée liked her interteinement so well, that shée came againe, and continually haunted my bedde, at length, when I gaue her counsel to vse circumspection in this mater, and take héede that hir Misters found her not with me. Cne∣mon (sayde shée) you séeme to be too simple, if you counte it a daungerous mater, for me beinge a bonde mayde, bought with money, to be taken a bedde with you, what pounishement thinke you her woorthy, that professinge her selfe a frée woman, and lawfully married to a hus∣bande, and yet plaieth the naughty packe? Peace ({quod} I) I cannnot beléeue that. Yes (saide shée) if you wil, I wil de∣liuer the Adoulteroure to you, euen in the déede doo∣inge. If you wil so doo ({quod} I) you shal doo me a pleasure. With al my hart (said she) not onely for your owne sake, who haue benne iniured by hir tofore, but for mine also, who for that shée hathe me in Ielousie, am vsed of her ve∣ry extremely: wherefore, if thou be a man, apprehende him. I promised her I would so doo, and shée for that time

wente her waie, aboute thrée nightes after, shée came, & waked me out of my sléepe, that an Adulter was come in, and that my Father vppon occasion suddainely was gonne into the countrie, and he accordinge to the ap∣pointmente, was gonne to bedde to Demeneta, therefore it was erpediente for me to haste me to be reuenged, and put on my swoorde, that the knaue mighte not escape. I did so, and takinge my sworde in my hande, followed those whiche carried a candle before, and wente to the beddechamber. When I came neare the doore, and perceiued the glimeringe of a candle through the sliuers, and the doores lockte. Very angrie as I was, brake vp the doores, and ranne in crieinge out, where is that* 1.7 same villaine, the woorthie louer of this chaste Dame▪ Whiche when I had sayde, I came to the bedde in minde to slea them bothe, but there with my Father, (O God) leapte out of the bedde, and fallinge on his knées, be∣fore me, saide, my Sonne, haue pittie vpon thy Father, spare his white heares, that hath brought thée vp. Wée haue donne thée wronge in déede, yet not so greate that therefore with deathe, thou shouldeste be reuenged on me. Géeue not so much to thy wrathe, neither by thy Fa∣thers bloude imbrewe thy handes, this with muche more spake my Father, humbly vpon his knées, desiringe me to saue his life. But as I had ben striken with a thonder boulte, stoode still amased, and looked rounde aboute after Thisbe, who had, I knowe not howe, conueied her selfe awaie, neither had one woorde to saie, neither coulde I tel, what was beste to doo, and in this case my sworde fel out of my handes, which Demeneta straight way caught vp, & my Father then out of daunger, laied handes vpon* 1.8 me, and commaunded me to be bounde. Demeneta in the meane while many waies mouinge, and setting him on, did I not tell you this before (cried shée) that it was beste to looke to the princokes: which woulde no doubt if time serued attempt somewhat. I looked in her face, and per∣ceiued

her minde well yenough. And he answeared, you tolde me in déede, but I beléeued you not. And thus was I in bondes, and he would not géeue me leaue to tel him, how the mater was handled. As soone as it was date, he brought me bounde, as I was, before the people, and strewinge asshes on his heade, saide, I brought not vp my Sonne (Yée menne of Athens) to sée him come to this ende, but trustinge he would be a staffe to staie mine age vpon. As soone as he was borne, I brought him vp gen∣tlemanlike,* 1.9 and set him to schoole, and when I had well placed him amonge our kinsfolkes, and written him in the number of other yonge menne, his equalles, and ac∣cordinge to the lawes of this Cittie, made him one of our Citizens: Lastly, I leade not a very quiet life for his sake, he hath not onely forgotten al these thinges, but also di∣uersly iniured me, & beaten this woman, who accordinge to our Lawe is my second wife. At length he came to me by night with a sworde in his bande, and was no further from beinge a parricide, but that Fortune hindred him, & by a suddaine feare, his sworde fel out of his hande, I flie to you, and tell you thereof. And althoughe by the Lawe I might with mine owne hande slea him, yet I woulde not: therefore remit I my whole cause to your discretion, thinking that I shal doo better, if I pounishe my Sonne, rather by publike Lawe, then priuate bloudeshedde: and therewithall he weapt, so did Demeneta also, and fained her selfe to be very sorrowfull for my mishap. Callinge me an vnhappy Creature, as truely shée mighte, beinge in daunger to die before my naturall time, whome euill sprites had sturred against my Parentes. Not onely did shée so much outwardly lament, as shée testified the same with her teares, and as though her accusation had benne true, with wéeping shée confirmed the same. And when I craued licence to speake for my self, the Scribe came to me, & propounded this streight questiō. Whether I came to my Father, or not, w^t a sworde in my hand, I did ({quod} I).

But I wil tell you, how therewith euery man cried out, & saied, that I ought not to speake for my self: wherefore,* 1.10 some iudged me woorthy to be stoned to death, other to be hanged, and some to be caste hedlonge into the dungeon. Al this while that they weare consultinge of my punish∣ment, I cried out, oh my cruell stepmother, alas for my Stepmothers sake, am I thus troubled, my Stepmother killeth me without Iudgemente, and many marked my woordes very well, and beganne to suspecte as it was in déede, but for al that, at that time, could I not be hearde, suche was the tumult, and noyse of the people, and when the voyces were reckned, those, who condemned me to die, were a thousande seuen hundred, whereof the one halfe woulde haue me stoned, the other caste into the dungeon, the other, of whome was aboute a thousande creditinge somewhat the suspicion that they had concei∣ued of my Stepmother, gaue sentence that I shoulde be bannished for euer, yet those preuailed, for although they were fewer then the whole number of the reste, yet for∣asmuche as the other voices differed, seuerally compared with euery one alone, a thousande was the greater num∣ber, and thus was I bannished from my Fathers house, & Natiue countrie. And for al that, yet was not Demeneta vnpounished, but howe, you shal hereafter knowe. Now wée muste fall to sléepe, for it is farre in the nighte, & you haue néede to take a great deale of ease. Nay saide Thea∣genes, you shall more greue vs, if you telle vs not howe this mischiefous woman was pounished. Sith you wil néedes knowe, then saide Cnemon, geue eare, I in suche case as I was, after I was absolued, came to the hauen,* 1.11 and findinge a shippe ready to departe, sayled to Egnia, for I knewe I had some kinnesfolkes there by my mo∣thers side, when I arriued there and had founde those I sought for, at the firste, I liued pleasantly ynough there, aboute a twentie daies after, runninge aboute as I was woonte to doo, I walked downe to the hauen, and beholde

a barke was within kenninge. I staied there a little, and deuised with my selfe whence that barke shoulde come, and what manner of people should be in her. The bridge was scante wel placed, when one leapte out, and ranne, & imbraced me (his name was Charias, one of my compa∣nions,) and saide Cnemon, I bringe thee mery tidinges,* 1.12 nowe arte thou wel reuenged vpon thine Enimie, De∣meneta is deade. Charias sayde, welcome, but why doo you not tell me these ioyfull newes, but passe ouer them, as if they were not needefull to be knowen, I praye tell me the manner of this reuenge. Surely I feare mutche that shée died not as other folkes doo, neither escaped shee suche deathe, as well shee had deserued. Iustice quoth* 1.13 Charias, hathe not vtterly foresaken vs, accordinge to Hesiodus minde. But althoughe shée wincke a while vpon the misdéedes of menne, and prolonge the Re∣uenge a good season, yet althoughe shée casteth a ter∣rible eye vpon sutche offendours, who also hathe taken iuste pounishemente of the mischeiuous Demeneta, nei∣ther was any thinge either saide or donne, whereto by Thisbe, for our olde acquaintaunce, I was not made pri∣uie. After thine vnhappy Father had procured thine* 1.14 vniust bannishement, repentinge of that he had donne, conueied him selfe to a certaine solitarie manoure of his, from the companie of menne into the countrie, and there liued eatinge, (as the Prouerbe saithe) his owne harte out. But shée straight waie became madde almoste, and* 1.15 with more hotte desire loued thée absente, neither at any time seased shée from sorrowe, although shee lamented thy chaunce, but rather in déede her owne mishappe, (and oh Cnemon, by pretie Boye, daie and nighte woulde shée crie) callinge thée her owne life, in so muche, that when wéemen, or her acquaintance came to visit, and comforte her, they wondred greately, that shée a Stepmother, shoulde beare sutche motherly affection towarde thée, but shée woulde make them aunsweare,

that it was a greater griefe to her, then, that by any com∣fortable woordes it might be asswaged, and that fewe of them knewe what a coresey it was to her hart, and when shée came againe to her selfe, shée woulde muche accuse* 1.16 Thisbe, in that shée had not serued her well: Oh howe ready arte thou (woulde shée saie) to doo mischiefe, who haste not nowe helped me in my loue, but rather caused me to lose, in the turninge of an hande, my moste ioye, neither grauntedst thou me any time to chaunge my minde: and therewith gaue manifeste tokens, that shée woulde doo her somme harme. Shée percesuinge her to be very wrothe, and almoste ouercomme with sorrowe, & prepared to doo somme greate mischiefe to her, beinge set on, aswel with angre, as loue, determined to preuēt her, and by beguilinge her, to prouide for her owne safetie. Wherefore shée entred in to her, and saide, what a doo is this Misters? And why doo you accuse thus your mayde, for my parte I haue alwaies heretofore donne, and euen now also did as you commaunded me. If any thing hap∣pened not accordinge to your minde, you muste ascribe that to Fortune, and if nowe also you will commaunde me to diuise somme remedy for your present sorrow, you shall easily perceiue, you shall not wante my good will. What remedy (replied she) is there possible to be founde, séeinge he, who canne doo the same, is by distance of place separated from me, and the vnhoped for lenitie of those, that gaue sentence of him, hathe killed me? For if he had benne stoaned, then also in one, had benne quenched, & deade the blasinge flames of my burninge desire. For that, whose hope is paste, is taken from the harte, & that whiche is looked for no more, causeth gréeued mindes to intermit all manner of sorrowe. Nowe me thinketh I sée* 1.17 him, and in his bannishement heare him, how he casteth in my téethe the vniust guiles, that I ensnared him with, as a thinge shamefully donne, so that I blusshe to speake to him: sommetime me thinketh, he commes towarde me,

and I shall enioye him: sommetime I determined to goe towarde him, in what coaste of the worlde so euer he be. Theise thinges sette me on fire: theise thinges made me madde. But, oh yée Goddes, I haue as I deserue, for why did I not rather with good wil speake to winne him, then by crafte to compell him? Why did I not rather hum∣bly praye him, then like an enimie persecute him? He woulde not take me at the firste, and by good reason, for I was an other mannes. He feared to defile his Fathers bedde, but happely either by time he might be allured to be more gentill vnto me. But I rude, and cruell, as thoughe I loued no man, and had authoritie to compell him, bicause he obeyed me not at the firste, and for that he despised Demeneta, whom in bewtie he farre excelled, haue committed an heynous crime, but O my Thisbe,* 1.18 what remedie is that, whiche thou wouldeste me, or what is easy? Misters ({quod} shée) many menne thinke that Cnemon is gonne out of the Cittie, and Lande of Athens, as he was iudged to doo. But I knowe well ynoughe, who haue searched all thinges narrowely for your sake, that he kéepethe him selfe secretely in a cer∣taine place, before the Cittie. You haue hearde of one Arsmoe I knowe well, shée that plaiethe so well on the Virginalles, with her he liethe, for the Mayde after his miserie tooke him in, promised to goe awaie with him, and kéepeth him at her house, vntill shée canne prouide all thinges ready for her iourney. Oh happy Arsmoe (sayde Demeneta) bothe for the former acquaintaunce which shée had with Cnemon, and for the bannishment, whiche shée shall haue with him: but what doo theise thinges touche vs muche. Misters, sayde shée, I will saie, I loue Cnemon, and wil desire Arsmoe, with whom I haue benne well acquainted a greate while, by reason of my arte, that shée woulde in her stéede suffer me to lie with him one nighte. Whiche if I shall obtaine,

it shalbe youres, and he shall thinke you to be Arsmoe, and in her place shal you be with him: and I will pro∣uide for that also, that when he hathe drunke a little, he shal goe to bedde, and if you gette that you desire, then shall it be beste for you to géeue ouer your loue. For in many the firste experimente hathe quenched suche ear∣nest desire, for the séede of loue, wherewith wée prose∣cute any thinge, is to haue ynough thereof, but if this de∣sire shall then also remaine (whiche God forbidde) then shall wée make (as the Prouerbe saithe) a newe viage, and speake a newe waie: in the meane time, let vs apply that whiche the presente oportunitie permitteth. De∣meneta allowed, and praysed this well, and praied her not to slake this determination at all. Shée craued of hir Misters but one daie to bringe this aboute, shée went to Arsmoe, and asked her if shée knewe not Teledemus, shée aunsweared, yes. Lette vs haue a chamber I praie you quoth she, for I haue promised him this night, that he shall come firste, and I will followe as soone as I haue brought my Misters to bedde. This donne, shée wente to Aristippus into the countrie, and saide to him thus, Maister, I come to you, to accuse my selfe, and ready to* 1.19 take suche pounishemente at your hande, as your discre∣tion shall thinke good. By me haue you loste yours Sonne, not willinge in déede so to doo, yet of truthe an healper to the same. For when I perceiued, my Mi∣sters liued not well, but was iniurious to your bedde, fearinge not onely my selfe, if the mater came to lighte by any other, for kéepinge her counsell, shoulde haue some shrewde tourne, but especially sorrowe∣full for your mishappe, whoe for louinge youre wife so interely, shoulde haue suche recompence, daringe not my selfe, came one nighte, that no man shoulde knowe thereof, and secretely made you priuie to the same, tolde to my yonge Maister, that there was one,

who vsed to plaie the harlot with my Mistris, he thin∣king that then there had bene one with her in bedde (for he was vexed before by her, as you knowe wel ynoughs) takinge his swoorde in his hande very angrie, and not estéeminge that I saide: then there was none, but thin∣kinge that I had repented me of bewraieinge the same, ranne like a madde mā to your beddes side, what folow∣ed you knowe, now is the time that you maie cleare your selfe of your Sonne, though he be in bannishement, and maie take reuenge on vs bothe, who haue donne you wronge. I wil shewe you this night, Demeneta (whiche maketh the mater a greate deale more heynous) lieinge with her Friende in an other mans house without the Cittie. If, saide Aristippus, thou wilte shewe me this, I I will make thée frée, and my selfe should reuiue againe, if I were reuenged of mine enemie. I haue benne gre∣ued aboute the same in my conscience a greate while, yet for all that, though I suspected no lesse, because I coulde not conuince it by manifest proufes, I helde me content. But what muste I doo. You knowe ({quod} shée) the Garden wherein remaineth a monument of the Epicures, thither* 1.20 come a litle before night, and tarry for me, when shée had saide this, shée returned, and comming againe to Deme∣neta, make ready your selfe, saide shée, you muste be fine, all that I promised you is donne. Shée apparelled her selfe, and did as Thisbe commaunded her, and when the eueninge was come, shée carried her to the place, as was appointed. When they came neare the house, shée willed her to staie a while, and went in her selfe before, and de∣stred Arsmoe to goo aside into another house, and lette al thinges be quiet, for shée saide, the yonge man was some∣what shamefaste, beinge but of late inured with Venus sportes. Shée was soone perswaded. Where returninge, tooke Demeneta, and brought her in, & laied her in bedde, and toke the candle awaie (leaste you should knowe her, who were then in Egma) and willed her to take her plea∣sure

and saie nothinge, and I (shée saide) will fetche this younge man in to you, for he is makinge merry hereby. Thus shée wente foorthe, and founde Aristippus at the place appointed, and willed him all the waie as he came to binde the Adulterer faste, he followed her, and when they were come to the house, he ranne into the chamber, and findinge the bedde by Moone light, I haue thée (saide* 1.21 he) O thou muche hated of the Goddes: While he spake thus, Thisbe ranne to the doores, and made them geue as greate a crashe as shée coulde, and cried out, O wonder∣full thinge, the Adulterer is fledde, Maister take héede you be not deceiued againe. Peace ({quod} he) and be of good cheare, I haue this wicked, & mischeiuous woman: which I moste desired, and thus after he had taken her. brought her towarde the Cittie. But shée wayinge with her selfe (as is like) in what case shée was, the beguilinge of her exspectation, the shamefulnes of her offence, the punishement decreed by the Lawes, moreouer vexinge her selfe because shée was taken in suche sorte, but espe∣cially takinge in heauily, that shée was thus deluded, and flouted, when shée came to the pitte, which is in the com∣passe of the place where Platoes schoole was, you know it I am sure, where the Noble men, and Captaines doo ce∣lebrate the honour of such as are deceased, after the man∣ner of our Countrie, sodenly pullinge her selfe out of the Olde mans handes, leapte hedlonge into the same, and* 1.22 suche an vnhappy ende had that mischeiuous woman. Then saide Aristippus, in déede thy pounishemente hath preuented the Lawes. The nexte daie he declared the whole matter to the people, and scante hauinge obtai∣ned pardon for that déede, he wente to diuers of his frendes, and deuised with them, by what meanes he mighte obtaine leaue for you to come home againe. Whether he haue donne any thinge or no, I cannot tell, for as you sée, before any thinge coulde be finished, I sayled thither aboute certaine busines of mine owne.

Notwithstandinge you ought to be in good comforte, that the people will consente easily to your returne, and that your Father shortely will come to séeke you, and fetche you home againe. Thus muche Charias tolde me. What followed, and howe I came hither, requireth both longer talke, and time to tell: and therewithal he wept. So did the straungers also vnder colour of his calami∣tie, but in déede for the remembraunce of their owne mis∣happes: and they had not seased from wéepinge, if sléepe in a manner flyinge vnto them, for greate desire, had not asswaged theire teares. And thus they fell a sléepe. But Thyamis (for so was the Maister of the Théeues called) when they had passed the greatest parte of the night qui∣etly, was after troubled with certaine dreames, & there∣with sodainely awaked, for aboute the time, that Cockes* 1.23 crowe, whether it be for that (as men saie) they Natu∣rally perceiue the conuersion of the Sunne, when he ap∣procheth neare to vs, & so are moued to salute that God, or elles, for too muche heate, or desire of meate, by theire crowinge, thei geue suche, as dwel with them warninge to rise to their woorke, such a Vision sente from God, ap∣peared vnto him. As he entred into Isis Church at Mem∣phis* 1.24 in his owne Cittie, he thought that al was on fire, & that the Altar filled with al kinde of beastes, did swimme with bloude, & that the Churche porche, the Churchyarde, and euery place thereaboute, were filled with the noyse, and tumulte of menne: and that when he came into the Priuiest place of the Church, the Goddes mette him, and gaue Cariclia into his handes, and said, Thyamis, I com∣mitte this Maide vnto thy fidelitie, yet hauing, thou shale not haue her, but shalte be vniuste, and kill a stronger, yet shall not be killed. After he sawe this, he was trou∣bled in his minde, castinge this waie and that waie, how that whiche was foreshewed vnto him, might be taken, at length, beinge weary of beatinge his braines therea∣boutes, he drewe the meaninge thereof to his owne will.

And construed it thus. Thou hauinge, shalte not haue* 1.25 her, that is a wife, not a mayde, any longer. By that thou shalte kill, he coniectured to be meante, thou shalte breake her limmes, whereof for all that Cariclea shoulde not die, and thus did he Interprete his dreame, follow∣inge therein his owne luste, and desire. As soone, as the daie appeared, he commaunded the chiefe of those, who were vnder his iurisdiction, to come vnto him, & charged them to bringe foorthe theire Praie, whiche by a grauer name, he termed their spoiles: and callinge for Cnemon, willed him also to bringe those with him, who were committed to his custodie, as they were thus carried, oh (saide they) what shall become of vs? and therewith they desired Cnemon, if by any meanes he mighte, that he woulde healpe them. He promised so to doo, and badde them be of good cheare, affirminge that theire Captaine was not altogether barbarously disposed, but had in him some Gentlenes, and Courtesie, as one that was come of a noble stocke, but by necessitie compelled to followe suche trade of life. After they were brought thither, & the reste of the company made haste also, and Thyamis was sette in a hier place, then the reste in the Ilande whiche he appoincted the place of theire méetinge, and had com∣maunded Cnemon (for he vnderstoode by this time the Egyptian tongue perfectly, but Thyamis was not very well skilled in the Greeke) to interprete what he saide to the Prisoners: my mates ({quod} he) of what minde I haue* 1.26 ben euer towarde you, you know very wel. For I (as you can beare me witnes) as though I were the Sonne of the Prieste of Memphis, frustrate of the Priestely ho∣nour, for that my yonger brother by crafte beguiled me of the same, when I fledde to you, the better to reuenge my wronge, and recouer mine Aunciente estate, by all your voices, made youre Captaine, haue hitherto liued with you, and not geuen any special honour to my selfe, more then to any of the common sorte. But whether

monye were to be deuided, I euer loued equalitie, or pri∣soners* 1.27 solde, I alwaies brought the summe foorth to you, accomptinge it the office of him, that wil rule well, to doo moste him selfe, and take equal parte of that is gotten, as others of the prisoners doo, suche as were stronge, I euer Iudged to you, and the feble sorte I solde to make mo∣ney of: I neuer did wronge to wemen, for suche as were of good Parentage, I suffered to departe, either redéemed with monie, or els, for pittie of theire ill happe, and suche as were of inferiour cōdition, whom not onely the Lawe of Armes made prisoners, but also theire continuall vse had taught to serue: I distributed to euery one of you, to doo you seruice. At this time, of al the spoiles, I craue, one* 1.28 thing onely of you, this straunge Maide, whom although I might géeue vnto my selfe, I thought▪ I should doo bet∣ter to take her with al your consentes. For it is a foolishe thinge, by constraininge a Captiue, to séeme to doo any thinge contrary to his frendes pleasure. Wherefore, I craue this good tourne at youre handes, not for nought, but rewardinge you againe in suche sorte, that of all the other bootie, I will haue no parte at all, for séeinge the Prophetical sorte of men, despiseth the common sorte of wemen, I haue decreed to make her my companion, not for pleasure so muche, as to haue issue by her: and therefore am contente to rehearse to you the causes that moue me thus to doo. Firste, shée séemeth to be of a good Parentage, whiche a man maie easily gheasse by the Ritches founde aboute her. Secondely, for that shée is nothinge broken with these aduersities, but euen nowe also of a hawtie stomake againste Fortune. Lastly, I sée shée is of an excellente nature, and good disposition by diuers argumentes: for shée doothe not onely passe all other in bewtie, and modestie of countenaunce, but also moueth all suche as looke vppon her, to a certaine kinde of grauitie, and shall shée not therefore leaue behinde her, a woorthie estimation of her selfe? and whiche is

especially aboue all that is spoken, to be considered, shée séemeth to be the Priest of somme Goddesse. For euen in her aduersitie, shée accompteth it an intollerable, and heynous offence, to leaue of her sacred stoole, and Lawrel garlande. Can there be therefore any Marriage (oh you that be presente) more méete, then that a man beinge a Prophete shoulde Martie one consecrated to somme God? All they that were presente approued his saie∣inges, and praied the Goddes to géeue him ioye of his Marriage. Whiche thinge, when he hearde, he saide to them againe, I thanke you all, but in mine opinion, it shall not be amisse, if aboute this matter wée enquire the Maydes minde, for if I liste to vse mine owne au∣thoritie, my will were sufficiente, because it is a néede∣lesse thinge to aske theire good will, whome a man maie constraine. But in this case, séeinge wée intreate of a lawefull Marriage, it is conuenient to be donne with bothe consentes: and so turninge his talke to them, asked the Mayde howe shée liked that, whiche was propounded* 1.29 as touchinge her Marriage, & therewithal willed them to declare what they were, and where they were borne. But shée castinge her eies to the grounde, firste, after a good season lifted vp her head, as though shée had preme∣ditated somewhat, and therewithall looking vpon Thya∣mis, and with the brightnes of her bewtie, abasshed him more then euer shée did before (for by the inwarde cogita∣tion of her minde, her chéekes became more redde then accustomably they were, and her eies were very earnest∣ly* 1.30 bente vpon him) spake thus by Cnemon her Interpre∣ter. It were more méete, that my brother Theagenes here shoulde haue tolde this tale, for mine opinion is, that a* 1.31 woman ought to kéepe silence, and a man emongest men shoulde make answeare. But séeinge you haue geuen me leaue to speake, it is an especiall token of your courtesie, that you rather meane by perswasion to attempte that, whiche is iuste, then by force to compell: and the rather,

because that which hath benne spoken, most touched me, I am constrained to passe these bondes: I prescribed my selfe, to answeare to the Victors question in so greate an assembly of men. We were borne in Ionia, and are come of a Noble house of Ephesus. When wée came to the age of fouretiene yéeres, by the Lawe (whiche calleth suche to the office of Priesthoode) I was made Prieste, to Dia∣na, & this my brother to Apollo. But for asmuche as this honour lasted but for a yéere, and oure time was expired, we prepared to goo to Deles with our sacred attyre, and there to make certaine Plaies, and to géeue ouer our Priesthoode, according to the manner of our Auncesters. And for this cause was our Shippe loden with Golde, Siluer, goodly Apparel, and other necessaries, asmuch as were sufficient for the expences of the same, and to make the people a publike feaste: & thus we losed out of the Ha∣uen, but our Parentes for that they were olde, and fea∣red the daungerousnes of the viage, taried at home: but many of the other Citezens some in our shippe, somme o∣ther in shippes of theire owne, came to accompanie vs. After we had ended the greatest parte of our viage, a tempest suddainely arose, and a vehement winde, with feareful blastes, mouing great waues of the Sea, caused vs to leaue our determined Iourney, and the gouernour ouercomen with the greatnes of the daunger, gaue ouer the gouernement, & within a while after, comminge out of the Hulke, committed the rule thereof to Fortune. Then were wée driuen with the winde seuen daies, and seuen nightes, at laste, wée were caste vpon the shoore, where in you founde vs, and sawe the greate slaughter in which place the Marriners, as wée were bankettinge, for ioye vnlooked, for deliuery, assaulted vs, and for our ritches sought to destroie vs, but they were all slaine, not without the destruction of oure Fréendes, and ac∣quaintaunce, and wée onely miserable Creatures (which woulde God had not happened) obtained the Victorie.

But séeinge it is thus, we haue good cause in this pointe, to accompte our selues happy, bicause somme God hathe brought vs into your handes, where those who feared deathe, haue nowe space to thinke on Marriage. Whiche surely I wil not refuse. For, that the Captaine should be* 1.32 iudged woorthy the Victors bedde, doothe not onely passe all other felicitie, but that a Pristes Sonne shal marrie a woman cōsecrated to the Goddes, séemeth not to be done without the singular forefight, and prouidence of God. I therefore craue but one thing onely, at thy hand Thya∣mis, suffer me firste, as soone as I shal come to my Cittie, or any place where is an Altare, or Church sacred to Ap∣pollo, to surrendre mine office, and the tokens thereof. This might be donne very commodiously at Memphis,* 1.33 when you haue recouered y^e honour of your Priesthoode, for by that meanes it should come to passe, that Marriage ioined with Victorie, & after good lucke celebrated, shalbe muche more merie. But whither this muste be donne be∣fore, or after, I leaue it to your discretion: onely my re∣quest is, that I may fulfil the Rites of my Countrie, be∣fore I knowe that you wil hereunto agrée, who haue ben brought vp from your childehoode, aboute holy Offices, & thinke also very well, & reuerently of the Goddes. With this shée made an ende of speaking, and beganne bitterly to wéepe. All they, who were presente, praised her, and willed, that it should be donne euen so, & for their partes, they promised theire ready aide, to doo what so euer he woulde. Thyamis also partely willinge, partely against* 1.34 his will, consented thereunto. For the more desire that he had towarde Cariclia, he accompted that same houre wherein these thinges were a dooinge, to be an infinite time. Againe he was pleased with her Oration, as it had benne with somme Meremaydes songe, and was en∣forced to consente to her, and therewithall he thought vpon his dreame, supposing that he should be Married at Memphis. This donne, hauing first deuided their bootie,

and takinge somme of the beste Iuelles, whiche of theire owne accorde they gaue him, he suffered euery man to departe, with further commaundemente to be ready the tenth daie after, to goe towarde Memphis. He let the Greekes haue the Tabernacle that they had before: And with them was Cnemon, not as a Kéeper nowe, but as a companion, and Thyamis furnished them with as good victuall, as there might be gotten. Whereof also Thea∣genes, for his sisters sake, had part. He determined not to* 1.35 looke vpon Cariclia very ofte, that her bewtie mighte not moue his hotte desire, to doo somewhat contrarie to that, which by common counsell was Decreed, as was before rehearsed. And for these causes, Thyamis would not looke vpon the Mayde, thinkinge it an vnpossible thinge, that a man shoulde bothe looke vpon a faire Mayde, and kéepe him self within the bondes of temperance. But Cnemon after euery man was quickly dispatched, and were crept into theire corners, which they had in the Marishe, went to séeke the Herbe, whiche the daie before he promised Theagenes. At this time Theagenes hauinge gotten fit oportunitie, weapt & cried out, speakinge neuer a woorde* 1.36 to Cariclia, but without seasing called vpon the Goddes. And when shée asked him whither after his accustomed manner he deplored the common mishappe, or had any newe gréefe befallen him: what ({quod} he) can be more newe, or contrarie to equitie, then to breake an othe, and finall agréemente? Cariclia hathe forgotten me, and is content to marrie another man. God defende, saide the Mayde: I* 1.37 praie you be not more gréeuous vnto me, then the mise∣ries I haue already, neither misdéeme any thinge, by my talke applied to the time, and perhappes to somme pour∣pose, seinge you haue before by many argumentes, tried howe I am affected towarde you. Excepte perchaunce, the contrarie maie happen, and that you sooner chaunge your minde, then I wil departe from any the leste iote of my promise. For I am contente, and take in good parte

all theise calamities, but that I shall not liue chastely, and temperatly, there shalbe no torment, that maie con∣straine me. In one thinge onely I know, I haue not ru∣led my self, that is, in the loue that I haue borne to you, from the beginninge, but notwithstandinge it is bothe lawfull, and honeste: for I like not your Louer, but at the firste concludinge marriage with you, haue commit∣ted my selfe to you, and haue liued chastely without co∣pulation hitherto, not without refusinge you often∣times, proferinge me such thinges, and haue waited for occasion to be married, if any where it might lawfully be donne, whiche thinge, at the firste, was decreed bitwéene vs, and aboue al thinges, by othe established. Beside this, consider how vaine you are, if you suppose, that I estéeme more of a Barbarous fellowe, then a Grecian of a théefe, then of him, whome with my harte I loue. What did those thinges then meane, said Theagenes, which in that goodly companie were of you openly rehearsed? For in y^t you fained me to be your Brother, it was a very wise diuise, whiche caused Thyamis to be farre from the Ia∣lousie of our loue, and made vs to be togeather safely. I perceiued also to what ende that tended, whiche you saide of Ionia, and of wandringe aboute Delos. For they were shadowes which might easily couer the truth, and deceiue in déede the Auditours. But so readily to* 1.38 approue the marriage, and openly to conclude the same, and to appointe the time, therefore what that shoulde signifie, neither coulde I ghesse, neither woulde I. But I wished that the Earthe mighte haue clouen, and swal∣lowed me vp, rather then that I shoulde haue séene suche an ende of the trauelles, and hope that for your sake I* 1.39 vndertooke. Herewithall Cariclia embraced Thea∣genes, and kissed him a thousande times, and bemoy∣stinge his face with her teares, oh in howe good parte, saide shée, doo I take these feares, that for my sake you sustaine? For hereby you declare, that you quayle not

in your loue towarde me, althoughe many miseries de∣pende thereupon. But knowe for a truthe Theagenes, that at this time wée had not talked togeather, If I had not made him such a promise. For drawinge backe with labouringe a contrarie waie, doothe muche kindell the force of vehemente desire: Whereas in yéeldinge talke,* 1.40 and applieinge the same to the mouinge of his wil, hathe quieted his burning loue, & with the pleasantnesse of my promise, hathe broughte on sléepe to his hastie appetite. For rude Louers at the firste, thinke that they muste laboure to haue a promise, & after are of quieter mindes, still houeringe in hope, and trustinge, that at lengthe,* 1.41 they shall enioye that, whiche was promised. All whiche thinges I foreséeinge, by my present talke, com∣mitted my selfe to him, commendinge that, whiche shall followe, to the Goddes, and the Angell, that at the firste hathe obteyned the tuicion of our loue. Oftentimes the space of a daie, or twoo hathe benne very healthefull, and brought thinges to happy passe, whiche before by no de∣uice coulde any man bringe to prosperous ende: Where∣fore I also at this time haue preferred this inuention be∣fore all other, ponderinge with vncertaintie, that which is moste sure. Wée muste therefore (swéete loue) vse this policie wisely, and kéepe it secretely, not onely from all other, but also from Cnemon too. For although he séeme to fauoure oure estate, and is a Grecian, yet beinge at this time a prisoner, will perhappes, if occasion serue, be ready to doo the Captaine a good turne. For neither this time of friendeshippe, neither Countriemanshippe, is a sufficiente pledge to vs of his fidelitie, and truthe: Wherefore if at any time by suspicion, he geather any thinge touchinge oure estate, at the firste wée muste denie it. For that manner of a lie is tollerable whiche* 1.42 profitethe the Inuentoure, and hurtethe not the hea∣rer. While Cariclia spake these thinges, and many suche

other to this pourpose: Cnemon ranne in hastly, and de∣claring a great perturbation by his countenance. Thea∣genes ({quod} he) I bringe you this Herbe, wherewith I praye you dresse your owne woundes. But I feare me, you must prepare your self, to receiue other as great woūdes, & trauelles as these. But he asked of him, what the mater was, and desired him to telle it more plainely. The time (aunsweared he) will not suffer me: for it is to be feared, leste wée shoulde féele the stripes before, I coulde tel you the circumstances. But followe me quickly, and Cariclia also, and thus he carried them bothe to Thyamis. Whom when he founde scouring of his Helmet, and sharpening the pointe of his Speare, in good time (saide he) are you in hande with your Armour, put them on quickely your selfe, and commaunde the other to doo the like. For* 1.43 suche a companie of enimies is at hande as I neuer sawe before, and are so neare vs, that I standinge on the toppe of the nexte Hille, sawe them, and for that cause came runninge as faste I coulde to tel you of their comminge, and haue moreouer by the waie as I came, commaunded suche as I sawe, to be in a readinesse. Thyamis, when he he hearde this, looked vp, and asked where Cariclia was, as though he he had benne more carefull for her, then for him selfe. Whome when Cnemon had shewed to him, standinge at the doore, carrie her alone ({quod} he) into the* 1.44 Denne, where our treasures are safely keapte, so that none sée her. And leauinge her charely there, couered her face with a muffler as the manner is, and came quickely againe. As for the warre, let me alone with it. He bad his Shielde bearer bringe his offeringe, that after sacri∣fice donne to the Goddes, they might beginne the bat∣tell: Cnemon did as he was commaunded, and carried Cariclia awaie diuersly lamentinge, and ofte lookinge backe vnto Theagenes, and at the length, put her into the Denne. This was no naturall woorke, as many are* 1.45

bothe in, & vnder the Earthe: but deuised by the witte of Théeues, that followed nature, and digged out by their handes very artificially, to kéepe theire spoyles. And it was made after this sorte. It had a very narrowe mouthe, and was shut with priuie doores, so that euen the Threshoulde was in stéede of a gate when néede re∣quired: and woulde open and shut very easily: the inner part was countermined with diuers ouerthwart waies, the whiche sommetime woulde runne alonge by them selues a greate waye, sommetime, they woulde be en∣tangled like the rootes of trées, but in the ende, they all leadde to one plaine place, whiche receiued a little lighte out of the marishes at a little lofte in the toppe, when Cnemon was well experiensed in that place, and had put Cariclia into the same, and comforted her many wayes, but especially in that he promised her, that he with Thea∣genes, at nighte woulde comme vnto her, and that he would not suffer him to strike one stroke in the battaile, but priuelie conueyed him out of the same, he lefte her, who spake not one woorde, but was striken with that mi∣schiefe, as if it had benne with deathe, in that shée was depriued of Theagenes, whome shée loued as her owne soule, and wente foorthe, and in shuttinge of the outmost doore, he weapte a little, not onely for that of force he was constrained so to doo, but for her sake also, in as∣muche as almoste he had buried her quicke, and commit∣ted the ioyfullest name in the worlde, Cariclia, to night, and darkenesse. This donne, he ranne backe to Thyamis, whome he founde very desirous to fighte with Thea∣genes, well armed, and makinge those that were with him, almoste madde with his earnest Oracion, for as he stoode in the middest of them, he sayde thus, my mates,* 1.46 I sée not to what ende it shoulde tende, to vse many woordes in exhorting you, who néede no incouragement at all, but euer haue accoumpted warre, the pleasantest

life: especially, for that the suddaine approchinge of our enimies will not permitte vs to vse many woordes, for séeinge our enimies doo nowe violently assaulte vs, if wée shoulde not with like courrage propulse theire vio∣lence, it were altogeather a pointe of those, that in like case, were voyde of Counsell, and at theire wittes ende. Sithe therefore wée knowe, wée fight not for our wiues, and children, whiche onely in somme were ynoughe to make them plucke vp theire hartes, (although in déede they are not of greate valewe, and wée shall haue all that whiche the Conquerours doo gaine, if wée gette the victo∣rie) but for our owne liues, & safetie, for warre amonge Théeues, is neither taken vp with truce, nor ended with* 1.47 league, but it muste néedes be, that the Victours shall liue, those who are ouercommed muste die, let vs euen with our hartes, and handes haste to méete our cruell enimies. When he had sayde thus, he looked aboute for his Shielde bearer, and called him by name, Ther∣mutes, but when he coulde not sée him any where, gréeuously threatninge him, he ranne as faste as he coulde to the landinge place. For by this time was the battell begonne, and a man mighte sée those that dwelled a farre▪ euen in outer coaste of the Fenne come into theire enimies handes, for they, who came vp∣on them, burned vp the Boates, and Cotages of suche, as either were slaine, or els fledde out of the Battaile, whose eyes also were daseled with the greate, and in∣tollerable brightnesse of the fire, that burned vp the Kéedes, whereof there was greate plentie, and theirs cares filled with the greate noyse, and tumulte, so that now a man might bothe sée, and heare the whole manner of the skirmishe, those who dwelled there, mainteininge the Battaile with all theire power, and strengthe, and theire enimies beinge more in number, and takinge them at a suddaine, killed somme of them on the earthe,

other somme they drowned in the Poole with Boates, and houses too, of all, whiche, aswell of those that fought by lande, and lake, did kill, and were killed, as also of those, who were besette with Fiere, and Water, arose a marueilous sounde in the Ayre, whiche when Thyamis sawe, he remembred his dreame, wherein he sawe Isis, and her Churche filled with fiere, and deade menne, and supposinge thereby to be meante, that whiche he nowe had séene, geathered thereof a contrarie interpretation to that he made before, that hauinge, thou shalt not haue Cariclia, as taken awaie by Warre, and that he shoulde kill, and not wounde her, that is, with his sworde, & not with Carnall copulation. At lengthe railinge on the Goddes, as though shée had beguiled him, and thinkinge it not méete, that any other shoulde enioye Cariclia, com∣maundinge his men to kéepe their places, and mainteine the Battaile as longe as thei might: him self fighting in euery parte of the Ilande, and diuers times making pri∣uie erruptions, out of euery quarter vpon his enimies, thinkinge it also to be good, if that waie he could preuaile againste them, him selfe as though he wente to seeke for Thermutis, & doo certaine Sacrifices to his priuie Goddes, sufferinge no man to goe with him, in haste wente to the Caue. Surely a barbarous nature cannot easily be with∣drawen, or turned from that, that he hathe once deter∣mined. And if the Barbarous people be once in dispaire of theire owne safetie, they haue a custome to kill all those, by whome they sette muche, and whose companie they desire after deathe, or els woulde kéepe them from the violence, and wronge of theire enimies. For that same cause also Thyamis, forgettinge all that he had to doo, beinge inclosed with his enimies armie, as if he had benne caughte in a Nette, almoste enraged with loue, gelousie, & anger, after he came in haste to the Caue, goeinge into the same, crieing with a loude voice,

and speakinge many thinges in the Egyptian tongue, as soone as he hearde one speake Greeke to him aboute the entrie of the Caue, & was conducted to her by her voyce, he laied his lefte hande vpon her heade, & with his sworde thruste her through the body a little beneath the pappes, and after this sorrowfull sorte, that woman geuinge vp her laste, and ghostly grone, was slaine. But he, after he came out, and had shut the doore, and caste a little grauell thereon, with teares, saide, these espousalles hast thou at my hande: and comminge to his Boates, founde a greate many ready to runne theire waie, as soone as they laide eies on theire Enimies, & Thermites also com∣minge to doo sacrifice, chidinge him sharpely, for that he had offered the moste acceptable offeringe already, went with him into a Boate, and had an other to rowe them, for the Boates that they vse in the pooles, will carrie no more, beinge but rudely hewed out of the whole Trée. Theagenes also, & Cnemon tooke an other Boate, so did all the reste. After they had gonne a little from the Ilande, and rather rowinge aboute the bankes then venturing into the Déepe, they staied their Ores, & sette theire Boates a fronte, as thoughe they woulde haue receiued theire enimies face to face. After this proui∣sion, goeinge forewarde a little, but not mindinge to a∣bide the mouinge of the Waters, as soone as they sawe theire enimies, fledde, and woulde not abyde the firste Clamor, and Noise of the battel. Theagenes also, and Cnemon, but not for feare, by little, and little with∣drewe them selues, onely Thyamis accompted it a shame to flie, and not in minde to liue after Cariclia, thrust him* 1.48 selfe into the thickest presse of his Enimies, and as soone as they were comme to blowes, one cried out, this is Thyamis, let euery man doo his beste to take him aliue, and therewithall they compassed him aboute, and helde him enclosed as a ringe, in the middeste of them.

And fought againste them stoutely, and to sée howe he wounded somme, and killed other somme, it was a woor∣thy sighte. For of so greate a number there was none, that either drewe his swoorde againste him, or elles caste any darte, but euery man laboured to take him aliue, he fought againste them a greate while, but at length, he loste his speare, by reason that many fell on him at ones, he loste also his Harnesbearer, who had donne him very good seruice, for he beinge deadly wounded (as might be gheassed) despairinge of his safetie, lepte into the poole, and with muche adoo did swimme to lande, in as muche as no man remembred to pursue him. And now had they taken Thyamis, and with him thought, that they had gotten the whole victorie: and although they had loste so many of theire companions, yet in asmuche as they had him in theire handes (by whome they were slaine) they had a greater ioye thereby, then sorrowe for all theire* 1.49 deade Frendes, and Kinsfolkes. Suche is the nature of Théeues, that estéeme more monie then theire owne liues, and make much of the name of frendshippe, and af∣finitie, so farre as Lucre, and gaine shall extende. Which might easily be gathered by these, for they were those, who at the Mounte of Nilus called Heracleot, fledde for feare of Thyamis, and his Companions, and were no lesse gréeued for the losse of other mennes goodes, then if they had benne their owne, and therefore tooke vp aswel all suche as were theire housholdfrendes, as also those that dwelled neare aboute them, promisinge them equall parte of theire bootie, and that they woulde be Condu∣ctors, and Captaines to guide them thereunto. Nowe why they tooke Thyamis prisoner, this was the cause. He* 1.50 had a Brother called Petosiris at Memphis, who contra∣rie to the manner and ordinaunce of the Countrie (in as muche as he was a yonger Brother) had by crafte begui∣led him of the Priesthoode. And hearinge nowe that his Brother was become a Captaine of certaine Robbers,

and fearinge, leaste that if he gatte good occasion he woulde retourne, and manifestly detecte his subtle dea∣linge, and beside this, consideringe the voice of many people, that supposed he had slaine him, because he coulde no where be séene, he promised a greate Summe of mo∣nie, and other goodes, to those who woulde take and bringe him aliue. Wherewith the Théeues beinge allu∣red, no not in the middest of their warre, forgettinge theire gaine, after one knewe him, with the deathe of* 1.51 many of them, tooke him aliue, and carried him to lande, and placed the one halfe of them, as a garde aboute him, castinge into his téethe diuersly the curtesie that they v∣sed towarde him, (although in déede he misliked woorse theire bandes, then deathe it selfe) and the reste wente to searche the Ilande, in hope to finde other Treasures that they sought for. But after they had gonne ouer the same, and had lefte nothinge, either vntouched, or vn∣searched that was there, and had founde nothinge of that they hoped for, excepte a fewe thinges of littell valewe, if oughte was lefte aboute the mouthe of the Caue, while they conueyed the reste into the grounde, settinge fire on the Tabernacles, when it drewe to∣warde night, and that they might tarry no longer in the Ilande, for feare they shoulde falle into the handes of those, that escaped out of the Battaile, retourned to their owne Companie.

Here ended the Firste Booke.

The Seconde Booke.

AND thus was the Ilande with fire and flame destroyed, Theagenes, and Cnemon, as longe as the Sunne shi∣ned vpon the earthe, knewe not of this mischiefe: for the brightnes of the fire, by reason of the Sunne beames in the daie time, is muche dimmed. But af∣ter the Sunne was sette, and the nighte drewe on, and the fire without impediment mighte be séene a farre of, they somme what couragious, came out of the Poole, and perceiued the whole Ilande to be on fire. Then Thea∣genes* 1.52 beatinge his heade, and tearinge his heare, saide: Farewel ({quod} he) this daie my life, let here, al feare, dan∣gers, cares, hope, and loue, haue ende, and be dissolued, Cariclia is deade, Theagenes is destroyed, in vaine was I vnhappy man afraide, and contente to betake my selfe to flighte, whiche no man would haue donne, reseruinge my selfe to thée my swéete harte. Suerly (my Ioye) I will liue no longer, sith thou arte deade, not accordinge to the common course of nature, whiche is a gréeuous thinge, & cōtrary to thine opinion, & not with these handes, which was thy whole desire. With fire (alas wretche that I am) arte thou consumed, & in stéede of lightes at thy Mariage, hathe God ordeined suche lightes for thée? The brauest bewty in the worlde is loste, so that no token of such sin∣gulare fairenesse remaineth in the deade bodie. Oh mar∣ueilous crueltie, & vnspeakeable wrathe of the Goddes. I haue no leaue to geue her my last imbracinges, I am de∣priued of my last kisses. While he spake thus, & looked a∣boute for his swoorde, Cnemon rebuked him, saiyng, and* 1.53 what meaneth this Theagenes, saide he? why doo you thus bewaile her y^t is aliue, Cariclia is safe, feare not. Cnemon (saide he) you may telle madde men, & children this tale. Surely you haue deserued death, for hinderinge me from

so pleasante deathe. Therewithall Cnemon sware to him, and tolde him altogeather the commaundemente of Thyamis, how he placed her there, the nature of the same Denne, and howe that it was not to be feared, that the fyre coulde comme to her, beinge broken, and put backe by sixe hundred Crankes. Theagenes beganne to comme to him selfe againe, when he hearde this, and hasted to the Ilande, and thought in his minde, that he was in the same already, and made the Denne his chamber, not knowinge the sorrowes whereunto he should falle. Thi∣ther they were caried therefore with muche adoo, them∣selues plaieinge the watermen, for he, who rowed them, with the noyse of the firste conflicte, as it had benne with a Leuer, was striken ouer boorde into the lake, thei were therefore carried awaie hither and thither, aswel for that they were bothe ignorant in rowinge, and not placinge the Ores equally, as also for that they had a contrarie winde: But for all that, the readines of theire willes, gotte the victory of theire Ignoraunce in that Arte. When therefore with muche adoo, they were arriued in the Ilande, they ranne to the Tabernakle as faste as thei coulde, which also they founde burned, & could not know it, but onely by the manner of the place, for there coulde nothinge be séene, but the greate stoane, whiche was the Thresholde, and couer also of the Caue, for a vehemente winde blowinge the fire vpon the cottages whiche were made onely of slender Reede, and suche as grewe on the Marishe bankes, burned them vp euery where, & made them almost equall with the grounde, but when the vio∣lent fire slaked, and was turned into Asshes, whiche also was driuen awaie by a blaste of winde, and that whiche remained, beinge but a little, was quenched, and graun∣ted them frée passage, they came to the Caue, the Postes thereof and the Réedes, they also founde halfe burnte, and openinge the doore, Cnemon leadinge the waie, they ranne downe apace. But after they had gonne a little

waie, Cnemon suddainely cried out, O Iupiter, what meaneth this? wée are vndonne: Cariclia is slaine. And therewith he caste his lighte to the grounde, and put it out, and holdinge his handes before his face, fell on his knées, and lamented. But Theagenes as though by vio∣lence* 1.54 one had thrust him downe, fell on the deade body, and helde the same in his Armes a greate while without mouinge. Cnemon therefore perceiuinge that he was vtterly ouercomme with sorrowe, and fearinge leaste he should doo him somme harme, tooke his swoorde out of his scabbarde, and ranne out to lighte his Linke againe. In the meane time Theagenes Tragecally, and with muche sorrowe lamented: And oh greife intollerable, oh mani∣folde mischiefes, sente from ye Goddes, saide he. What insaciable fuery so muche rageth still to haue vs destroi∣ed? who hath bannished vs out of our Countrie, caste vs to dangers by Seas, perilles by Pirates, and hath often deliuered vs into the handes of Robbers, and spoyled vs of al our Treasures? onely one comforte wée had, which is nowe taken from vs, Cariclia is deade, and by enimies hande (my onely Iote) is slaine: while shée no doubte de∣fended her Chastitie, and reserued her selfe vnto me, shée unhappy creature is deade, and neither had shée by her bewtie any pleasure, neither any commoditie. But oh my swéete hart, speake to me lastly, as thou werte wont to doo, and if there be any life in thée, commaunde me to doo sommewhat. Alas thou doest holde thy peace, that goodly mouthe of thine, out of the whiche procéeded so heauenly talke, is stopped, darkenesse hath possessed her, who bare the starre of bewtie, and the laste ende of all hath nowe gotten the beste Minister that belonged to a∣ny Temple of the Goddes. These eies of thine, that with passinge fayrenesse looked vpon all men, are nowe without sighte, which he, who killed thée, sawe not, I am sure. But by what name shall I calle thée? my Spouse? thou werte neuer Espoused my wife? thou werte not

Married, what shall I therefore calle thée, or howe shall I lastly speake vnto thée, shall I calle thée by thy most de∣lectable name of all names, Cariclia? Oh Cariclia heare me, thou haste a faithfull louer, and shalt ere it be longe, recouer me, for I will out of hande, with mine owne deathe perfourme a deadly Sacrifice to thée, & with mine owne bloude will I offer a frendly offeringe vnto thée, and this rude Denne shalbe a Sepulchre for vs bothe. It shalbe lawful for vs, after deathe, to enioie either other, whiche while wée liued, the Goddes would not graunte. As soone as he had spoken thus, he set his hāde, as though* 1.55 he would haue drawen out his swoorde, whiche when he founde not, O Cnemon saide he, howe haste thou hurte me, and especially iniured Cariclia, depriued now againe of most delectable company: while he spake thus, through the hollowe holes of the Caue, there was a voice hearde, that called Theagenes, he hearde it well, & was nothinge afraide, & O swéete Soule, pardon me, saide he: by this it manifestly appereth, that thou arte yet aboue the earth, partely for that with violence expulsed out of suche a bo∣dy, thou canst not departe without greife, partely for that, not yet buried, thou arte chased awaie of infernall Spirites. And when Cnemon came in with a lighte in his hande: the same voice was hearde againe, callinge Theagenes. O Goddes, saide Cnemon, is not this Cari∣clias voice? Suerly Theagenes, I thinke that shée is yet saued. Wilte not thou yet leaue, saide Theagenes, so ofte to deceiue, and beguile me? In déede, saide Cnemon, I deceiue you, and am my selfe deceiued, if this be not Ca∣riclia that lieth here. And there withal, he streight waie turned her face vpwarde, which, as soone as he sawe, you Goddes (saide he) whiche be the Authours of al wonders, what strange sighte is this? I sée here Thisbes face, and therewith he lepte backe, and without mouinge any whitte, stoode quakinge in a greate admiration. There∣withal Theagenes came some what to him selfe, & began

to conceiue somme better hope in his minde, & comforted Cnemon, whose harte nowe failed him, and desired him in all haste to carrie him to Cariclia. A while after, when Cnemon came sommewhat to him selfe againe, he looked more aduisedly on her. It was Thisbe in déede, and knew also the Swoorde that laie by her, by the Hiltes to be Thyamis his, whiche he for angre, and haste lefte in the wounde. Laste of all, he sawe a little scrowle hange at her breaste, whiche he tooke awaie, and would faine haue readde it, but Theagenes would not lette him, but laie on him very earnestly, saieinge, lette vs firste receiue my swéete harte, leaste euen nowe also somme God beguile vs: as for these thinges, wée maie know them hereafter. Cnemon was contente, and so takinge the Letter in his hande, and the Swoorde also, wente in to Cariclia, who crepinge bothe on handes, and féete to the light, ranne to Theagenes, & hanged aboute his necke, nowe Theagenes* 1.56 thou arte restoared to me againe, saide shée. Thou liuest mine owne Cariclia, {quod} he, oftentimes. At length they fell suddainely to the grounde, holdinge either other in their Armes, without vtteringe any woorde, except a lit∣tle murmuringe, and it lacked but a litle, that they were not bothe deade. For many times too muche gladnes is* 1.57 turned to sorrowe, and immoderate pleasure hath ingen∣dred gréefe, whereof our selues are the causes. As also these preserued cōtrary to their hope, and opinion, were in perill, vntill Cnemon takinge a little water in his handes, sprinkled it on their faces, and rubbinge their nostrelles, caused them to comme to them selues againe. When they perceiued that they were so familiarly em∣braced, and on grounde, they starte vp suddainely, and blushed (but especially Cariclia) because of Cnemon, who had séene these thinges, and desired him to pardon them. He smilinge a little, and willinge to turne their mindes to some mirthe, In mine opinion (saide he) or any mans elles, who hath before wrastled with loue, and hath plea∣santly

yéelded thereunto ineuitable chance therof mode∣rately, these thinges are muche prayse woorthie. But Theagenes, I could by no meanes commende that, wher∣of I also was ashamed, when I sawe you shamefully em∣brace a strange woman, and one to whome you were bounde, by no bonde of fréendshippe, for al that I boldely affirmed, your dearest frende was aliue, & safe. Cnemon ({quod} Theagenes) accuse me not to Cariclia, whome in an o∣thers body I bewailed, thinkinge her who was slaine, to haue benne this wenche? But forasmuche as the good will of God hath nowe declared, that I was in so doinge beguiled, remēber I praie you, your owne cowardenes, in asmuche as firste you deplored my case, in the suddaine knowledge of her, who laie there, and though you had a swoorde by your side, yet you like a stoute, and valiant warrioure, were afraide of a woman, and shée deade, no∣lesse then if the Goddes had benne in presence. Hereat they smiled a little, but not without teares, as it happe∣neth to men in suche miserie. After Cariclia had staied a little, and scratchinge her chéeke vnder her eare, I iudge (saide shée) her happy, who soeuer shée was, whom Thea∣genes lamented, and kissed also, as Cnemon reporteth, but excepte you thinke that I am in Ialoufie, I woulde gladly knowe, what happy woman that was, for whiche were woorthy Theagenes teares. If you can tell me, and by what erroure you kissed her in stéede of me. Suerly (said? he) you wil wonder at it greatly, for Cnemon saith it was that cunninge Player of the Harpe, whiche was Thisbe, the deuiser of the wyles against him, and Deme∣neta. Herewith Cariclia afraide, asked him, how is it like, that shée should come out of y^e middest of Greece (as of set pourpose) into the farthest parte of Egypte? or howe is it possible, that when we came hither wée sawe her not? As touching this, saide Cnemon, I haue nothing to saie. But thus much I hearde of her. After that, Demeneta preuen∣ted with her crafte, had caste her selfe into the ditche,

and my Father had opened the mater to the people, he, at the firste obteined pardon, and was altogeather busied that he might gette leaue of the people to restoare me a∣gaine, and make preparation to séeke me. Thisbe nowe* 1.58 bicause of his busines, hauinge little to doo, and banket∣ting without care cōtinually, set, as it were at sale, both her selfe, and her arte: and in asmuche as shée passed Ars∣moe in grace, & cunning play, bothe in quicke fingering, and also swéete singinge to her Intrumente, shée percei∣ued not that she gotte thereby woorship, enuie, and emu∣lation, conioyned with singuler indignation: chiefely for that shée was beloued of a certaine Marchaunt of Man∣cratia, named Nansicles, who despised Arsmoe, with whom he accōpanied before, for al that while shée songe, her chéekes swelled, and were vnséemely, with staringe eies, almost leauinge their accustomed place. Wherefore Arsmoe swellinge with anger, and emulation, came to Demenetas kinsfolkes, and tolde them the whole maner of the whiles that Thisbe vsed againste her, whereof somme shée suspected, and Thisbe had tolde her other some, for the familiar acquaintance which was bitwéene them. When therefore Demenetas kinsfolkes came to∣geather to haue my Father condemned, and had procu∣red the most eloquente Oratours, with greate Summes of mony to accuse him, they saide, that Demeneta was killed without Iudgement, and not conuicted, and that the Adulterie was pretended to colour the murther, and therefore they required to haue the Adulterer either quicke, or deade, or at leste, to knowe his name. Laste of all, that Thisbe might be brought to examination, which when my Father had promised, & coulde not perfourme, (for she had prouided that before the daie of Iudgemente was assigned, and wente her waie with the Marchaunt, as they had appointed) the people takinge the mater in euill parte, Iudged him not the killer, in as muche as he had tolde the mater plainely as it was donne, but he hel∣ped

to the death of Demeneta, and mine vniuste bannish∣mente,* 1.59 exiled him out of his Countrie, and confiscated al his goodes, and this commoditie gotte he by his seconde Marriage. But the moste wicked Thisbe, who is slaine in my sight, sayled from Athens for that cause. And thus muche ouely coulde I knowe, whiche Anticles tolde me in Egma, with whom I sayled twice into Aegypt of pur∣pose, if I might finde her in Mancratia, to bring her backe to Athens, and-deliuer my Father from suche suspitions, and accusations, as were laide against him, and take re∣uenge of her, for all the mischieues that shée did vnto vs: and hereof in your presence I make enquirie. Nowe as touchinge the cause of my comminge hither, the manner thereof, and the daungers that I suffered in this space, you shal hereafter knowe. But howe, and by whom Thisbe was slaine in this Denne, wée shall haue néede perhappes of some Oracle to tel vs. Neuerthelesse, if you will, let vs looke vpon the Letter whiche wée founde in her bosome: it maie be, that wée shall learne sommewhat beside this in it. They were content, and he openinge it, beganne to reade as foloweth. To Cnemon my Mai∣ster,* 1.60 Thisbe his enimie and reuenger. Firste I tel you, of the deathe of Demeneta, whiche for your sake I deui∣sed againste her, the manner howe I brought it to passe, if you doo Ransome me, I wil tell you betwixte vs twoo. Vnderstande, that I was taken by one of the Théeues* 1.61 that are of this crewe, and haue benne here tenne daies already: he saithe, that he is the Captaines Harnesbea∣rer, but he will not géeue me leaue so muche as to looke abroade, and thus he pounished me, as he saithe, for the loue he hathe towarde me, but as farre as I can geather, it is leste somme man els should take mée from him. Yet for all that by the benefite of the same God, I sawe you (my Maister) yesterdaie, and knewe you, and haue there∣fore sente this Letter to you by an olde woman my bed∣fellowe, charginge her to deliuer▪ it to a bewtifull yonge

man beinge a Grecian, & the Captaines friende. Redéeme me, I praie thée, out of the handes of the Théefe, and en∣tertaine your Handmaide, and if you will preserue her, knowing this first, that when so euer I offended against you, I was constrained to doo it, but in that I reuenged you of your enimie, I did it of mine owne frée will, but if your anger be so gréeuous againste me, that it will not be asswaged, vse it towarde me as you shall thinke good: so that I maie be in your hande, I care not if I die, for I couet muche better to be slaine of your handes, and to be buried after the manner of the Greekes, then to leade a life more gréeuous then deathe, or els to susteine suche* 1.62 Barbarous Loue, as is more intollerable, thē the hatred of Athens. And thus spake Thisbe in her Letter. But Cnemon saide, Thisbe, as reason is, thou arte slaine, and thy selfe art messenger to tell vs of thy miseries, making declaration of them by thine owne deathe. Thus hathe the Reuenger (as now maie it appeare) driuing thée ouer all the worlde, not withdrawen her scourge, before shée made me, whom thou haste iniuried, although liuinge in Aegypte, to be y^e beholder of thy pounishment. But what mischiefe was that, whiche thou diddest deuise againste me, as by thy Letters it maie appeare, whiche Fortune woulde not let thée bringe to ende? Verily, euen nowe also I muche mistruste thée, and am in great doubte, leste the death of Demeneta be but a tale, and that, bothe they beguiled me, who tolde me of the same, and that thou art come by Sea out of Greece, to make in Aegypte another Tragedy of mée. Will you not leaue (saide Theagenes) to be too valiant, and feare the Shadowes, & Spirites, of deade folkes? For you cannot obiecte and saie, that shée hather either beguiled me, or deceiued my sight, séeinge that I haue no parte in this plaie. But be sure Cnemon, that this body is deade, and therefore, haue you no cause to doubte. But who did you this good turne in killinge her, or how shée was brought hither, or when I, my selfe

am in greate maruill. As for the reste (saide Cnemon) I cannot tell. But surely Thyamis slewe her, as by the sworde whiche laie by her beinge deade, wée maie ghesse.* 1.63 For I knowe it to be his, by the Hilt of Iuory, wherein is an Aegle grauen. Tell me therfore, saide Theagenes, how, when, & wherefore he killed her. How can I tel you, aunsweared Cnemon? For this Caue hathe not made me a Soothsaier, as doothe Apolloes Churche, or those that enter into Trophonius Denne, which rapte with Diuine* 1.64 furie, doo proficie. When Theagenes, and Cariclia hearde this, suddainely lamentinge, O Pitho, O Delphi, cried they: wherewith Cnemon was abashed, and wiste not what they had conceiued by the name of Pitho: and thus were they occupied. But Thermutis, Thyamis Harnes∣bearer, after he beinge wounded, had escaped the battail, and sailed to lande: when nighte came, he gotte a loose Boate, and hasted to goe to the Iland, & Thisbe whom he* 1.65 tooke a fewe daies before frō Mansicles a Marchant, in a narrowe waie, at the side of the Hill. But after the broile began, and the enimies approched, when Thyamis sente him to fetche the Sacrifice to the Goddes, he desiringe to place her without the daunger of weapons, and to kéepe her for him selfe in safety, put her priuily into the Caue, and for haste lefte her but in the entrie thereof. In which place, as shée at the first was lefte, partly for feare of the present perilles, partly for that shée knew not the waies* 1.66 that wente into the bottome of the Caue. Thyamis fin∣ding her in stéede of Cariclia, slewe her. To her therefore Thermutis made haste, after he escaped out of the bat∣taile, & as soone as he was landed in the Ilande, he ranne to the Tabernacles, where beside asshes he founde no∣thinge. But findinge at length the mouthe of the Caue by the stoane, and the reade, if any were left, on fiere, he ranne downe in great haste, and called Thisbe by name: whom after he founde deade, and standinge a good while without mouinge, in a greate studie: at length, hearinge

out of the inner partes of the Caue, a certaine noyse, and sounde, (for Theagenes, and Cnemon were yet in talke) he straight déemed that they had slaine her, was there∣fore much troubled in his mind, & could not wel tel what to doo: For the Barbarous angre, and fearcenesse whiche is naturally grafted in Théeues, kindled the more, for that he was nowe beguiled of his loue, moued him to set vpon them whome he déemed to be, the Authours of that murther, but for that he neither had armour nor weapō, he was constrained whither he would, or no, to be quiet: he thought it good therfore, not to come vpon them, as an enimie at the firste, but if he could get any Armour, then to set on them after. When he had thus determined, he came to Theagenes, and loked about with eies frowning, and terribly bent, so that with his contenance he plaine∣ly bewraied the inwarde cogitation of his minde. They séeinge a man comme in vppon them suddainely, soare wounded, naked, and with a blouddy face, behaued not them selues all alike, but Cariclia ranne into a corner of the Caue, fearinge perhappes, to looke vpon a man so de∣formed, and naked. Cnemon séeinge Thermutes contrary to his expectation, and knowinge him well, mistrustinge that he woulde enterprise sommewhat, helde his peace, and stepped backe. But that sight did not so muche feare Theagenes, as moue him to wrath, who drewe his sword, and made as though he woulde strike him, if he sturred, and bad him stande, or els ({quod} he) thou shalte knowe the price of thy comminge, and the cause is, for that I knowe thée not, nor why thou commest. Thermutis came neare him, and spake him faire, hauinge rather respecte to the presente time, then for that he was accustomed so to doo, and desired Cnemon to be his friende, and sayde, that he had deserued to be holpen at his hande, bicause he neuer had donne him wronge, and had ben his companion the daie before, and that he came to them as to his friendes. Cnemon was moued with his woordes, and comming to

him, helped him vp, for he helde Theagenes by the knées, and enquired of him where Thyamis was, he tolde him euery thinge, howe he fought with his enimies, howe he wente into the thickest presse of them, and neither feared his owne safetie, nor their healche, howe he slewe euery man that came within his reache, but him selfe was gar∣ded and compassed about, and straight charge giuen, that euery man shoulde for beare Thyamis. But what became of him at length, he coulde not tell, & I gréenously woun∣ded, ({quod} he) swomme to lande, and at this time am comme into the Caue to seeke Thisbe. And there with they asked him, what he had to doo with Thisbe, or howe he came by her. Thermutis then tolde them also, howe he tooke her from certaine Merchantes, and howe he loued her won∣derfully, and keapt her priuily in his owne Tabernacle, and before the comming of the enimies, put her into this Caue, and that he now founde her staine, by some, whom he knewe not, but he woulde be gladde to vnderstande, why, and for what occasion it was donne. Cnemon here∣with desirous to deliuer him selfe, quickly from all suspi∣tion. Thyamis killed her, saide he, & therewith for proufe he shewed him the sworde whiche they founde by her, when shée was slaine, which as soone as Thermutis sawe blouddy, and almoste warme with the late slaughter, and knew that it was Thyamis sworde in déede, fetching a great sighe from the bottome of his hart, not knowing what was donne further, wente out of the Denne, and sayde neuer a woorde, and comminge to the deade body, and laieinge his heade on her breaste, O Thisbe, saide he ofte, but nothinge els, repeatinge the name onely, and within a while his sences faylinge him, he fell on sléepe, Theagenes, Cariclia, and Cnemon, beganne to thinke of their owne businesse, and séemed as thoughe they woulde consulte thereof: but their manifolde miseries passed the greatenesse of their calamities presente, and the vncer∣tainetie of that whiche was to come, did hinder & darken

the reasonable parte of the minde, so that they looked one vpon an other, and euery one looked what his fellowe woulde saie, as touchinge their present state, after this, their hope faylinge them, they woulde caste their eies to the grounde, and with sorrowfull sighes, and gréeuous mourninges lift them vp againe, at length Cnemon lai∣ed him selfe on the grounde, Theagenes satte downe on a stoane, and Cariclia leaned on him, and striued a great while to ouercomme fléepe, for desire to consider somme∣what of theire presente affaires, but they with sorrowe and labour much abated, although against their willes, were constrained to obey nature, and out of their greate heauinesse they fell into a pleasant sléepe. Thus was the reasonable parte of the minde, of force constrained, to agrée with the affection of the body. But after they had slumbred a while, so that their eies were yet scante shut, Cariclia, who laie there with them, had a marueilous dreame, & this it was shée thought. A man with a roughe* 1.67 head, terrible scowlinge eyes, and bloudy handes, pulled out one of her eyes, herewith shée suddianely cried out, faieinge, that shée had loste one of her eyes, & called for Theagenes, who straight was at hande, and did bewaile her harme, as if in his sléepe he had felt the same. But she put her hande to her face, and felte euery where for that eye, which was loste, and as soone as she knewe it was a dreame, it is a dreame Theagenes, saide shée, I haue mine eie, come hither and feare not: Theagenes was herewith well pleased, and as méete is, ({quod} he) you haue your eyes as bright as Sunne beames: But what ailed you, or why were you so afraide? An ill fauoured frowarde fellowe ({quod} shée) nothinge fearing your inuincible strength, came to me as I leaned on your knées, with a sworde in his hande, in suche sorte, that verily I thought he had pluckt out my right eye. And I woulde to God (saide shée) it had ben so in déede, rather then appeared to me in my sléepe. God defende (saide he) and sende vs better lucke, I wishe

it, saide shée, bicause it were better for me to loose bothe* 1.68 mine eies, then to be sorrowful for the losse of you. Sure∣ly I am soare afraide, leste you be mente by this dreame, whom I estéeme as mine eye, my life, and al my ritches. Not so, saide Cnemon, (for he hearde al, beinge waked at the firste crie of Cariclia) it séemeth to me, y^t your dreame shoulde meane an other thinge, & therefore tell me whe∣ther your Parentes be aliue, shée sayde yea, if euer they were aliue. Then Iudge sayde he, that your Father is* 1.69 deade, and that I geather by this, for as muche as wée knowe that our Parentes be the cause, and Authoures of our life, and that wée sée the light of daie. Wherefore by good reason, dreames doo liken our Father, & Mother to a payre of eyes, for as muche as they be the cause aswell of the sight, as of that maie be séene. This is much, saide Cariclia, but God graunte that this be rather true, then the other, and that your interpretation preuaile, & I be called the false Prophete. These thinges shal thus come to passe, no doubt sayde Cnemon, & therefore you must be tontent there with, but wée in déede séeme to dreame trif∣ling thus longe about dreames and fansies, without any consideration of our owne businesse, & the rather séeinge that this Aegyptian (he meant Thermutis) is absent and be wayleth his breathlesse Loue. Theagenes answeared him, and saide, Cnemon, for as muche as some God hathe ioyned you to vs, & made you partaker of our calamities. Let vs heare your aduice first, for you are skilled in these Countries, and vnderstande their tongue well, and wée are not so méete to consult of that which is necessary, for y^t wée are drowned with greater dangers. Cnemon ther∣fore musing a litle, spake thus. Which of vs is in greater miserie, I cannot tel, for I am sure that God hathe layde calamities ynough vpon my backe also: But for that you bid me, as the elder, to geue mine aduise as touching the* 1.70 present case, this is my minde, This Ilande as you sée, is deserte, & hathe no man in it, but vs; moreouer of Siluer,

and Gould, & Precious apparel, here is great stoare. For of suche thinges Thyamis, & his companions, haue taken much, as wel from vs, as also from others, & hath layed it here, but as for Corne, & other thinges whereby our life may be maintained, there is not one whitte. Wée are in daunger therfore if we tarrie here longe, either to perish for foode, or with the returne of our enimies, or of those who haue benne of this felowship, if they come to fetche this monie, whereof they all knowe. If any of these thinges happen, it shall not be possible for vs to escape without deathe, or if they deale more fréendly with vs, wée shalbe subiecte to their reprochful dealing, & scornful behauiours. For seinge that these Heardsmenne be al∣waies* 1.71 faithlesse, now are they moste, for that thei wante a Captaine, & Ruler, that may constraine them to be mo∣derate, wée must therefore leaue and forsake this Iland, no lesse then harmefull snares, or a very pryson in déede. And firste dispatche awaie Thermutis, vnder pretence to enquire, and séeke to know some certainetie of Thyamis. Then shall wée consulte more safely togeather, & thinke of those thinges that are néedefull. And if this were not, yet it is a pointe of wisedome, to put out of our company a man by nature vnconstant, indued with rude and vn∣curteous maners, whiche els mistrusteth somewhat of vs for Thisbes sake, and will not reste, till he haue (if oc∣casion serue) by fraude beguiled vs. They allowed his saieinge well, and thought it good to doo euen so: where∣fore they wente to the entrie of the Caue (for they per∣ceiued it was daie by this time) and waked Thermutis very drowsie with sléepe, and when they had declared to him the likelihoode of their Counsell, and had easily per∣swaded him, beinge a fickle felowe, and had caste Thisbe* 1.72 into a litle pitte, and as muche duste on her, as was to be founde aboute the Tabernacle, and donne to her as Re∣ligiously as the time woulde suffer, and with teares, and wéepinges, in stéede of all other Ceremonies buried her,

they sente Thermutis aboute the pretended busines, as was decreed, but he, after he had gone a little waie, re∣turned againe, and saide, that he woulde not goe alone, neither rashly obiecte him selfe to so presente a daunger, as to be a spie, excepte Cnemon mighte goo with him. Whiche thing when Theagenes perceiued, that Cnemon did detracte (for when he harde what the Aegyptian said, he séemed to be muche troubled in his minde, and sore a∣fraide) saide to him. Thou arte able to géeue good Coun∣cell, but thy harte faileth thée, which thinge I haue bothe at other times well perceiued, but especially nowe. But plucke vp your sprytes, and take a good harte to you, for at this time it séemeth necessarte to consent, and goo with him, that he conceiue no suspicion of our determined flight (for there is no daunger for him that is armed, and hath a swoorde, to goo with one vtterly Vnarmed) and then if occasion serue, to slippe from him, and come to vs into some Village hereby, whiche wée will agrée vpon. Cnemon was contente, and appointed a certaine towne* 1.73 called Chemmis, very Ritche, and wel peopled, Cytuated on a Hill vpon the banke of Nylus, that it maie thereby be the better defended, frō the inuasion of the heardmen. And it was to it after they were ouer the lake, almoste an hundred furlonges, and they should goo right foorthe. It wilbe harde, saide Theagenes, especially for Cariclia, who hath not benne accustomed to goo any longe iour∣neies. But for all that, we will goo, and counterfeite our selues to be beggers, & suche as goo aboute with certaine Iuglinge castes to gette our liuinge. That wilbe well (saide Cnemon) for you be very euill fauoured people, but moste Cariclia, whose eie was lately pulled out, wherefore me thinketh, you wil not onely aske péeces of breade, but Couerletes, and Caldrons. Hereat they smy∣led a little, so that their laughter moued but there lippes onely. When therefore with Othe they had confirmed that, which was determined, and had taken the Goddes

to witnesse, that they woulde neuer by their willes for∣sake one an other, they wente eche of them aboute their decreed busines. Cnemon therefore, and Thermutis, ha∣uinge in the morninge early passed ouer the lake, tooke their iournie through a thicke woodde, wherein it was harde to finde any waie. Thermutis wente before, for so Cnemon woulde haue it, pretendinge the cunninge he had in that harde passage, and willinge him to leade the waie: but in déede rather prouiding for his owne safetie, and preparing a iust opportunitie to geue him the slippe. After they had gonne a good waie, they espied a flocke of shéepe, and after those, who kepte them were fledde, and crepte into the thicke woodde harde by, they killed one of the fayrest Rames, that wente before the flocke, and ro∣stinge him at a fire, which the Shepherdes had made, did eate of y^e fleash without tarying, before it was thorough∣ly roste, because their bellies were maruelously pinched with hunger. Like Woulues therefore, or Cormorantes they deuoured euery parte, though it were but a litle baked againste the fire, so that while they did eate it, the bloude ranne aboute their téeth. But after they had fil∣led their bellies, and quenched their thirste with Milke, they wente forwarde, and now was it time for Cnemon to put his deuise in practise. When they had therefore gone vp a little Hill (vnder which, Thermutis saide, was the Village, and in it Thyamis, beinge taken in the Bat∣taile, was either kepte Prisoner, or slaine, as he coniectu∣red) Cnemon made an excuse that his bellie was trou∣bled with too much meate, and by reason of the Milke, he had a painefull laske, therefore he desired Thermutis to goo softely afore, and he woulde by and by ouertake him. Thus did he ones or twise, or thrée times, so that nowe he séemed to deale truely, affirminge that he had muche adoo to ouertake him, after he had thus acquainted the Aegyptian, at laste, without his knowlege, he taried be∣hinde, and as faste as he coulde canne downe the hill, in∣to

a very thicke woodde. But he when he came to the toppe of the hill, satte him downe on a stoane to reste him, tarriynge till night came, in whiche they appointed to goo into the village, to heare in what state Thyamis was, and therewithall he looked aboute for Cnemon, to whom if he came after him, he deuised to doo some harme. For he had not yet lefte his conceiued opinion, that he slewe Thisbe, and therefore he bethought him selfe, how he might kill him againe, and afterwarde he was with a certaine madnesse moued to set vpon Theagenes. But when Cnemon appeared not, and it was nowe farre on the night, he fell a sléepe, and with the biting of an Aspe, hauinge gotten like deathe to all his passed life, by the Ladies of destinies pleasure perhappes, he slepte his tra∣son and laste sléepe. But Cnemon after he had forsaken* 1.74 Thermutis, lefte not runninge, till darke night restrai∣ned his violente course, so that in that place where the night ouertooke him, he hidde him selfe, and laide as many leaues as he coulde vpon him. Vnder whiche he liynge, was muche troubled, and slepte but little, suppo∣singe euery noyse, and blaste of winde, and wagginge of eche leafe to be Thermutis, and if at any time sléepe ouer∣came him, he thought that he fledde, and looked backe for him, that pursued him not. And when he had luste to sléepe, he woulde refraine, for that he woulde not sléepe longer, then néede required. Laste of all, he séemed to be angry with the night, and thought that it was longer then any other was. As soone as with greate desire he sawe the daie, firste he cut of so muche of his heare, as he had let growe, that he might be like vnto the Théeues, to* 1.75 the intent, that those who mette him, should not trouble, nor suspecte him. For the Théeues beside other thinges that they doo, whereby they maie séeme more fearefull, let their heare growe so longe that al men lothe it, which they shake hanginge on their shoulders, knowinge very well, that longe heare maketh them more acceptable,

whiche are in Loue, but Théeues more terrible. When therefore Cnemon had cutte of so muche of his heare, as woulde make him séeme the more trimme, and not be thought one of the Théeues, he made haste to goo to Chemmis, where he appointed to méete with Theagenes. And beinge now come to Nylus, and ready to passe ouer, he spied an Olde man walkinge on the banke, vp and downe, who séemed to communicate somme of his cogi∣tations with the fludde, he had longe heare after a holy faciō, but a very white, & roughe bearde somewhat lōge, his Cloke and other Apparell like a Grecian. Cnemon therefore staied a little, but when the Olde man passed vp and downe diuerse times, and séemed not to sée any* 1.76 man by him (he was in suche a muse, & sure cogitation) he came before him, and saide, al Hayle Sir, I cannot, {quod} he, for that Fortune will not so. Whereat Cnemon mar∣ueiled, and saide, are you a Greeke? or what Countrie man els? Neither a Greeke answeared he, nor any other Countrieman, but of this Countrie, an Aegyptian. How then happeneth it, saide Cnemon, that in your apparaile you imitate the Greekes. My miseries, sayde he, haue* 1.77 changed this handsome apparayle for others. Cnemon maruailed that any man coulde trimme & decke him selfe for any mishappes, and faine woulde haue knowen the cause or manner thereof. You cause me, saide the Olde man, to remember many troubles, and doo also moue by them a wonderfull grudginge againste your selfe: but whether be you goinge, or from whence come you, or how happeth it that you speake Greeke in Aegypte? That were a merie ieste in déede, saide Cnemon, in as much as you first asked me, & wil tel me no part of your estate, yet you woulde know of me, mine. I am well pleased ({quod} the Olde man) for that you séeme to be a Grecian, and some Fortune as I ghesse, hath trāsformed you into an other Figure also. Beside that you so earnestly desire to heare in what state I am. Surely my gréefe desireth to be vt∣tered,

& if I had not happened on you, I thinke I shoulde* 1.78 haue tolde it to these Réedes accordinge to the tale. Lette vs therefore leaue these bankes of Nylus, and Nylus it selfe too, neither is the border of this banke fitte, to tell a longe tale in, sithe that it is subiecte to the vehemente heate of the Southe Sunne. Let vs therefore goo to the village that wée sée ouer against vs, if you haue no grea∣ter businesse, there shall you be my geste, not in mine owne house, but in a very good mans, who hath entertai∣ned me in aduersitie: In his house shall you heare all my Fortune, if you will, and in like manner you shall tell me yours. Contente, saide Cnemon. For if I had not mette with you, I muste haue gonne to this village, to tarrie by appointment for some of my companions, they tooke a Boate then (wherof there was great stoare, rea∣dy to transporte any man for hyre) and came into the Towne, and so into the house, wherein this Olde man was hosted, the good man of the house was not at home, but his daughter now Marriageable, & the other Maides: as many as were at home entertained them very cour∣teously, & intreated the Olde man, as he had benne their Father. For so I thinke their Maister had commaunded. One washed their legges, and sweapte the duste from vnder their féete, another made their bedde, and proui∣ded a softe lodginge for them, an other brought in the potte, and made a fire, another couered the Table, & sette wheatē breade thereon, & diuers other kindes of fruytes. Whereat Cnemon maruailed, & saide, Father, perhaps* 1.79 wée are comme into Iupiter hospitalis house, wée are so muche regarded, and that with so good minde. Not into Iupiter saide he, but into suche a mans as knoweth Iu∣piter hospitalis, and the Patrone of suche as be in aduer∣sitie well. For, sometime he leadeth his life in trauaile, & Marchandise, and hath séene many Citties, and knoweth the manners and facions of diuers Nations. For which cause, it is like, that he entertained me into his house,

wandring & trauelinge a fewe daies agoo, aboute as also he hath donne, & many moe others. What trauell, Fa∣ther, saide Cnemon is it, which you speake of. I am, saide ••e, in this place, berefte of my Children, and knowe the misdooers wel, but cannot be reuenged: wherfore I with waylinge bewéepe my sorrowe, like a Byrde whose nest* 1.80 a Dragon pulleth downe, and deuoureth her yonge be∣fore her face, and is afraide to come nighe, neither can shée flie awaie: at suche controuersie is loue, and sorrowe in her, but makinge greate noyse, flieth aboute the mise∣rable stéepe, and powreth in vaine her Motherlike, and humble teares into those cruell eares, who haue of Na∣ture benne taught no mercie. Will you therefore, saide Cnemon, tell me, howe and when you had this cruell happe? Hereafter, saide he, I wil. Now it is time to looke* 1.81 to our bellies, to whiche Homer hauinge respecte not without good consideration, called it pernitious, for that in comparison thereof al thinges els were counted little woorthe. But firste, accordinge to the wisedome of the* 1.82 Aegyptians, let vs doo sacrifice to the immortal Goddes, for nothinge shall euer cause me to breake this custome. Neither shall any greife be so greate, whiche shall cause me to put the remembrance, and seruice of God out of my minde: when he had saide thus, he powred a litle cleane water out of a viall, and saide, I doo Sacrifice to the Goddes of this Countrie, & to the Goddes of Greece, to Apollo of Delphos, and beside, to Theagenes, and Cari∣clia, good and honest Creatures, for as muche as I make these Goddes also: and therewithal he wepte, as though he woulde doo an other Sacrifice to them beside, with so∣rowfull teares. When Cnemon hearde this, he was a∣bashed, and looked earnestly on the Olde man rounde a∣boute.* 1.83 What saie you ({quod} he) be Theagenes, and Cariclia your children in déede? They are my children, saide he, borne without a Mother. For the Goddes haue made them my children by chance, and caused me to be sorow∣full

for them, so that I haue a naturall affection of minde towarde them, by which they haue estéemed me as their Father, and so called me also. But I pray you tel me how you knewe them. I doo not onely know them, saide Cne∣mon, but tell you that they be safe and in good healthe. O Apollo, and the reste of the Goddes, saide he, tell me in what Countrie they be, and I will call you then my Sauiour, and make equall accoumpte of you as with the Goddes. What rewarde, saide he, wil you geue mée? At this time, saide he, thankes, which a wise man coumpteth* 1.84 a goodly rewarde. And if yee comme into my Countrie, whiche the Goddes tell me shalbe shortely, you shal haue greate ritches. You promise me, saide he, that whiche is to come, and very vncertaine, and maie yet presentely sufficiently recompence me. If you sée any thinge pre∣sente tell me. For I so muche desire that, that I coulde be content to loose some part of my bodie, and yet thinke that I am not maymed of any member, but haue euery iointe whole. I require this (saide he) that you woulde vouchesafe to tell me of them, of whence they are, who be their Parentes, and what Fortune they haue had, thou shalte haue, answeared he, a greate rewarde, and suche a one as to it nothinge maye be comparable. Al∣though you had asked all the Treasure in the worlde. But lette vs nowe eate some meate. For bothe of vs as well you to heare, as I to tell shall haue néede of longer time. When they had eaten Nuttes, Figges, Palmes newe gathered, and suche other fruite, as the Olde man was accustomed to féede on, (for his conscience made no difference of meates) they dranke, he water, and Cne∣mon wine, after a little whyle, then Cnemon saide, Father, howe well Bacchus is pleased with Tales, and* 1.85 banquetinge Songes, you knowe well inoughe. Wherefore nowe also séeinge he hathe chalenged me to himselfe, he moueth me to desire to heare somewhat, and constraineth me to craue my promised rewarde, & nowe

it is time for you to make prouision to plaie this commo∣die as on a stage, as the Prouerbe is. You shall heare it, sayde he, and woulde to God, that thriftie Mansicles had ben here, whom I haue ofte by diuers delaies deluded, very desirous to heare this tale. After Cnemon hearde Mansicles name, he asked where he was then. He is gonne, {quod} the olde man, on huntinge. What manner of hunting, saide he? Of wilde beastes very cruel, which be called in déede menne, and Heardmen, but liue by theft, & can hardely be entrapped, for that they vse bypatches, and Caues in the Marishie grounde. Whereof doothe he accuse them saide he? Of the taking awaie of a Leman of his, whiche he broughte from Athens, whome he called Thisbe. Lorde God, saide Cnemon, and therewithal sud∣dainely helde his peace, as though he would saie no more, and when the olde man asked him, what he ailed, Cne∣mon willinge to bringe him to other matters, saide, I marueile how, or with what armie emboldened, he durst set vpō them. He answeared, Groondates is made Depu∣tie* 1.86 of Aegypte, by the greate Kinge, by whose commann∣demente Mitranes Captaine of the Watche is made Go∣uernour of this Towne. Manclises hired him for a great summe of mony, and with great companie of Horsemen, and footemen conducted him againste them. He taketh in very ill parte the losse of that mannes Mayde, not so muche for that shée was his friende, and plaied well on instrumentes, but muche more, bicause he was in minde to carrie her to the Kinge of Aethiopia, as he sayde, that shée might be his Wiues drinking gossippe, & Familiare after the manner of the Greekes, as though he were de∣priued* 1.87 therefore of a greate summe of mony, whiche he hoped to haue for her, he maketh all prouision possible to recouer her againe. My selfe willed, and exhorted him so to doo, supposinge, that he by some chance might happe to finde my children, and helpe me to them againe. Wée haue talked ynough, saide Cnemon, nowe cuttinge him

of those of the Heardmen, Captaines, and of the Kinges them selues. It wanted but litle, that you had not with your talke turned my minde an other waie, you haue ad∣ded this glaunce, nothinge apperteininge to Bacchus, as the Prouerbe is. Wherefore returne your talke to that you promised. For I haue founde you like Protheus of Pharos, not turninge your selfe into diuers Figures, as he did, but attemptinge to bringe me from my pourpose. You shall knowe, saide the olde man. But firste I wil tel you of my selfe, not beguilinge you in my tale, as you thinke: but propoundinge such talke as shalbe true, & wel agréeinge to that whiche foloweth. The Cittie wherein* 1.88 I was borne, is called Memphis, my Fathers name, and mine also is Calasiris. As touching my trade of life, I am now a Vacabonde, who was not longe before a Prieste, I had a Wife by the ordinaunce of the Cittie, but lost her by the Lawe of Nature. After shée had passed out of this body in to an other reste, I liued a while without any miserie, delighting my self with twoo Sonnes that I had by her. Not many yéeres after, the course of Heauen pre∣scribed by destinie, doothe chaunge all our estate, and Sa∣turne* 1.89 caste his eye into our house, makinge the chaunge still worse and worse, without any hope of auoidinge the same, onely foresighte, as in suche matters is common, was my gaine, which muche abated the violence, & heate of these misaduentures. For those miseries (my Sonne)* 1.90 that came on thée suddainely be vntollerable, but such as are foreséene, are borne with more equall minde. For the minde being occupied with feare, is abashed of those, and taketh them heauily, but custome by reason maketh these more familiare, suche a thinge happened vnto me. A wo∣man of Thrace, of ripe yéeres, and except Cariclia the fai∣rest in worlde, whose name was Rhodopis, I knowe not whence, nor how by the ill lucke of her Louers, leauinge her Countrie, trauailed ouer all Aegypte, and came in very wanton wise, to Memphis, with a greate sorte of

Maydes, and Seruantes waytinge on her, very perfitly instructed in all venerious entisementes, and wanton behauiour, so that it was possible for none that looked on her, not to be entangled with her loue, of suche an vna∣uoidable force, was the Whoorishe allurement, that pro∣céeded from her eies. Shée entred into Isis Temple ofte, whose Priest I was, and woorshipped the Goddes daily, and offered diuers Sacrifices, and giftes, whiche coste many Talentes, (I am ashamed to tell it; yet I wil) with* 1.91 often beholdinge her, shée ouercame me, and that tempe∣rance also, whiche in al my life, with greate studie I had conserued. A great while, I withstoode the eies of my bo∣dy with y^e inwarde eyes of my minde, yet at laste, ouer∣come with this affection of loue, as those who are heauy loden, I was constrained to yéelde. When therefore I vnderstoode that a woman shoulde be the beginninge of all the ill lucke, whiche the Goddes had appointed me, of whiche I was not ignorant before, and perceiued that by Fatall destinie, it was so decreed, & that the God, whose turne was then to rule, woulde plaie that parte: I deter∣mined not to dishonest the Priestehoode, in whiche from my youthe I had benne brought vp, neither to defile the Churches, and secrete places of the Temples of the Goddes, and to auoide that, whiche was by destinie de∣creed, not for dooinge the déede (whiche God forebid) but to pounishe my desire with conuenient pounishment, as in my minde I determined, whiche by reason rulinge in that Iudgemente, I bannished my selfe, and vnhappy* 1.92 name foresooke my Countrie, as well to yéelde to the ne∣cessitie of the Ladies of destinie, & geue them leaue to de∣termine of vs what they would, as also to leaue the cur∣sed Rhodopis. For I was afraide, my gest, leste if he, who then had Dominon, should violently enter into the Cit∣tie, & I should be forced to doo some viler thinge. But the chiefe cause, aboue all other, that bannished me, were my Sonnes, for the secrete wisedome, that I had of the

Goddes, foreshewed to me, that they shoulde fighte a blouddy battaile bitwéene them selues, that I might therefore remoue suche a cruell spectacle from mine eyes (which I thinke the Sonne him selfe would not beholde) and to acquite these fatherly eyes, of the sighte of my Sonnes death, I went my way to preuent these thinges, pretendinge as though I woulde goe to greate Thebes, to sée my elder Sonne, who was then with his Grand∣father, his name was Thyamis. Cnemon started when he hearde the name of Thymis, yet he kepte his counsell, as well as he coulde, the better to heare that whiche fo∣lowed: but he tolde on, as foloweth. I omitte that whiche happened to me by the waie (yonge man) for it nothinge apperteineth to that, you aske for. But when I hearde that there was a certaine Cittie of Greece Sacred to A∣pollo, whiche was a Temple of the Goddes, & a Colledge of Wise, and farre from the troublous resort of the com∣mon people, I wente thither, thinking that Cittie which was dedicated to Holinesse, & Ceremonies, to be a méete place for a man beinge a Prophete to resorte vnto. So* 1.93 when I had sailed by y^e coaste of Cressye, & was arriued at Cirrhus, I went in haste out of my shippe to the Towne, whither after I was comme, I felt a certaine Diuine O∣dore bréeth vpon me. So that for many causes I accoūp∣ted that Cittie a méete place for me to abide in, the leste wherof was not the natural sighte of the same. For as it* 1.94 were a naturall defense, or Tower, Pernassus reacheth ouer it, inclosinge the Cittie, as it were with a Walle with his twoo toppes. You saie very wel ({quod} Cnemon) and like one in déede who had tasted of Pithos Sprite, for I remēber that my Father tolde me, y^t sighte of the Tower was suche, when the Athenians sente him to the Councel of Thamphictiones. Are you then an Athenian Sonne, saide he? Yea sir, saide Cnemon. What is your name? Cnemon, answeared he. How came you hither? You shall heare that hereafter, nowe tell on your tale. Contente,

quoth he. I wente into the Cittie, and praysed it muche* 1.95 in my minde, for the places of exercise there, and the plea∣sant fieldes, and the springes, with the fountaine of Ca∣stalius, this donne, I wente to the Temple. For the re∣port of the people, that saide, the Prophetes would geue answeare, presently moued me so to doo, as soone as I had gonne into the Churche, and saide my praiers, and made* 1.96 a certaine secrete request to the God, Pythias answeared me thus.

To shunne the destinies sure decree thou takest all this toyle: And therefore leaust the fruitfull coast of Nilus fertile soyle. Haue a good harte, for I will geue the blakishe fieldes againe: Of Aegypte vnto thee, till then, our friende thou shalt remaine.

As soone as the Oracle had geuen me this answeare, I tell grouelinge on the Aultar, & desired him in al thinges to be my good God. But a greate sorte of those that stoode by me, praised the God muche, for geuinge me suche an answeare at my firste comminge. Euery man talked of Fortune, and behelde me, and saide, that I was the wel∣commest man to the God, that euer came there, but one Licurgus of Sparta, wherefore when I desired to dwell* 1.97 in the Churcheyearde, they gaue me leaue, and decreed, that I shoulde be nourished of their common charges. To be shorte, I wanted no good thinge. For there I in∣quired the causes, and manner of the Sacrifices, whiche were very diuers, and many, that as wel the menne that inhabite there, as also strangers make, or els. I conferred with Philosophers, vnto whiche Cittie no final number of suche menne comme, so that the Cittie is in manner a studie dedicated to Prophesies vnder the God, who is Captaine of the Muses. And at the firste there were di∣uers* 1.98 questions, as touchinge many matters moued

among vs. For some would aske after what sort wée Ae∣gyptians honoured our Gods, an other, why diuers coū∣tries woorshipped diuers kindes of Beastes, & what they could say of euery of them, other inquired of the maner, & forme of the building{is} called Pyramides, many of their framinge of instrumentes, and their diuers tunes. At a woorde, they lefte nothinge that apperteined to Aegypt, vnsearched. For the Grecians eares are wonderfully de∣lited with tales of Aegypte. At laste, certaine of the ciui∣lest sort, fel in talke of Nylus, and asked me whence were his heades, and what speciall propertie it had aboue o∣ther Riuers, and why it alone of all others in Summer did rise. I tolde them what I knewe, and was written in the Holy Bookes, and was lawful onely for the Priestes to knowe. Howe that the heade thereof was in the hiest partes of Aethiopia, and formoste boundes of all Libia, at the ende of the Easte Clime, and beginninge of the South. It floweth in the summer, not as some thinke, by reason of contrarie blastes of the Windes, called Etestie (as some thinke) but for that those same windes blowing out of the North, gather together, & driue al the cloudes of the Ayre into the South (about the middel of the sum∣mer) till they come to the burning Line, where their vio∣lence is abated, for the vncredible heate thereaboutes, so that al the moysture, whiche was before geathered to∣geather, and congeled, Melthethe, and is resolued into a∣boūdance of water, wherwith Nilus waxeth proude, and wil be a Riuer no longer, but runneth ouer his bankes, & couereth Aegypte with his waters, as with a Sea, and maketh the grounde very fruitefull. Wherefore it mini∣streth sweete waters to drinke, as is like, for that they come from Heauen, & is pleasant to be touched, not now so hoate, as at the firste, yet is it luke warme, as one that springeth in such a place. For which cause of that stoude, and none other, arise no Vapors, for if there should, then were it like that it receiued his encrease of snowe resol∣ued,

of whiche opinion some learned men of the Greekes* 1.99 haue ben, as I talked of these matters in this sort Apol∣loes Preist, called Caricles, my familiare friende, said vn∣to me. It is very well saide you, &, I my selfe am of your opiniō also, for I haue harde the Priestes of Aegypt that inhabite about Nilus, saie so also. And haue you ben there then Caricles, {quod} I? I haue, quoth he, Calasiris. What mis∣chance draue you thether? I asked him then. The ill lucke that I had at home, saide he, whiche for al that tur∣ned to my great felicitie. I wondred at that, and thought it coulde not be so. You will not marueile ({quod} he) if you heare the whole processe of the matter, whiche you shall doo when you please. Then ({quod} I) tel me nowe, for I am wel pleased you should so doo. Caricles then, when he had let the people depart, said, know, that for a certaine cause I haue desired a greate while, that you mighte be made priuie to mine estate. A longe time after I was maried,* 1.100 I had no Children: yet at lengthe, when I was olde, and had made earneste Praiers to God, I had a Daughter, the whiche, God foreshewed me, shoulde be borne in an il time. For al that, shée became mariageable, and I pro∣uided her a Husbande of one of her Suiters (for shée had many) whiche in my iudgemente, was the moste hone∣stest* 1.101 man. The firste nighte that shee, vnhappy wenche, laie with her Husbande, died, either with a Thunder∣bolte, or els, for that by negligent handelinge, her bedde was set on fire. And thus the Marriage Songe, not yet ended, was tourned to mourninge: and shée was carried out of her Bridebedde, into her Graue: and the Tapers that gaue her lighte at her Wedding, did nowe serue to kindle her Funeral Fire. Biside this vnhappy fortune, God gaue me an other Tragicall missehappe, in that he tooke the Mother from me, beinge too sorrowful for the Deathe of her Daughter. I therefore (not able to beare this greate pounishmente at any Goddes hande, did not kil my selfe, in obeieinge their Preceptes, who are occu∣pied

aboute Holy controuersies, and affirme it not to be* 1.102 lawful, but) leafte my Countrie priuily, & fledde far from the sorrowes I fcalte at home: for the quicke remēbrance of the minde, is greately holpen, to forgeate euilles pas∣sed, if it be obscured, and darkened by tourninge of the eies from the same. After I had trauailed ouer many Countries, at length I came into your Aegypte, and into the Cittie Catadupi, to sée the Sluces of Nilus. And thus,* 1.103 my frende, I haue tolde you the manner of my trauaile into those places. But I desire, that you shoulde knowe the principal cause, why I tel you this tale. As I walked aboute in the Cittie, as my leasure serued, and did buie sutche thinges, as are very scarce in Greece (for newe by continuance of time, hauinge wel digested my sor∣rowes, I hasted to returne into my Countrie) there came a sobre man to me, and sutche a one, as by countenance, appeared to be wise, that had lately passed his youtheful yéeres, of coloure blacke, and saluted me, and saide, that he woulde talke with me aboute a certaine matter (not speakinge Greeke very wel). And when he sawe, that I was willinge to goe with him, he brought me into a cer∣taine Temple, and by and by, saide, I sawe you buie cer∣taine Hearbes, and Rootes that growe in India, and E∣thiopia. If you wil buie such thinges of me, in good faith, & without guile, I wil shewe you them with al my harte. That I wil, {quod} I, shewe me thē I praie you. With that he tooke a little bagge from vnder his arme, and shewed me certaine precious stoones of wonderfull price. For there were Margarites among them as bigge as a little nutte, perfite rounde, and Smaragdis, and Hiachinthes, they were in coloure as the gréene Grasse, and shined very bright. These were like the Sea banke, that lieth vnder a harde rocke, which maketh all that is vnderneath to be like Purple coloure. At fewe woordes, their mingled, and diuers shining colour, delighted and pleased the eies wonderfully, whiche as soone as I sawe. You must séeke

other Chapmen ({quod} I) good Sir, for I, & al my ritches are scant able to buie one of the stoones that I sée. Why saide he, if you be not able to buie thē, yet are you able to take them, if they be géeuen you. I am able, saide I, to receiue them in déede, but I knowe not what you meane so to mocke me. I mocke you not, {quod} he, but meane good faithe, & I sweare by the God of this Churche, that I will geue you al these thinges, if you wil take them, beside an other gifte, whiche farre excelleth them all. I laughed when I heard this, he asked me why I laughed. Because, {quod} I, it is a thinge to be laughed at: séeinge you promise me thinges of so greate price, and yet assure me to géeue me more. Truste me, saide he: but sweare that you will vse this gifte well, and as I shall teache you. I maruailed what he meante, and stayed a while, yet in hope of those greater rewardes, I tooke an Othe. After I had sworne, as he willed me, he brought me to his Lodginge, and shewed me a Mayde of excellente bewtie, which he saide, was but seuen yéere Olde, me thought shée was almoste Marriageable, suche grace dothe excellente bewtie geue* 1.104 to the talenesse of Stature. I stoode in a mase, aswell for that I knewe not what he meante, as also for the vnsa∣ciable desire I had to looke vpon her. Then spake he thus to me. Sir, the Mother of this Mayde, whiche you sée, for a certaine cause, that you shal knowe hereafter, laide her foorthe, wrapped in suche Apparell as is commonly vsed* 1.105 for suche pourposes, committinge her to the doubtful∣nesse of Fortune. And I by channce findinge her, tooke her vp, for it is not lawful to despise and neglecte a soule in daunger, after it hath once entered into an Humayne bodie. For this is one of the VVise mens preceptes, that are with vs, to be, whose Scholer my selfe was once iudged woorthy. Besides that euen in the Infantes eies there appeared some wonderfull thinge, shée behelde me with suche a steadie, and amiable countenaunce, as I loo∣ked vpon her. With her was also founde this bagge of

precious stoanes whiche I shewed you of late, and a Sil∣ken clothe wrought with letters in her Mother tongue, wherein was her whole estate contained, her Mother as* 1.106 I ghesse procuringe the same. Whiche after I had redde, I knew whence, and what shée was, and so I carried her into the Countrie farre from the Cittie, and deliuered her to certaine Shepeheardes to be broughte vp, with charge that they should tel no man. As for those thinges that were founde with her, I detained with my selfe, leaste for them, the Maide shoulde be brought into any daunger. And thus at the firste this matter was concea∣led: But after, in processe of time, the Mayde growinge on, and becominge more fayre, then other wemen were (for bewtie in mine opinion cannot be concealed, though* 1.107 it were vnder the grounde, but woulde thence also ap∣peare) fearinge leaste her estate should be knowen, and so shée killed, and I brought in trouble therefore, I sewed, that I might be sente in Ambassadge, to y^e Depu∣tie of Aegypte, and obtained, wherefore I come, and bringe her with me, desirous to sette her busines in good order. And now muste I vtter to him the cause of mine Ambassadge, for he hath appointed this daie for the hea∣ringe* 1.108 of me. As touching the Mayde, I commende her to you, and the Goddes, who haue hitherto conserued her, vpon such conditions, as you are bounde by Othe to per∣fourme. That is, that you wil vse her as a Frée woman, and marrye her to a Frée man, as you receiue her at my hande, or rather of her Mother, who hathe so leafte her. I hope that you wil perfourme al thinges whereof we haue commoned, aswel by credite of your othe, as also by trust y^e I haue in your maners, whiche I haue by many daies experienced to be very Greekishe in déede. Thus much I had to say to you, before I executed my cōmission, as con∣cerninge mine Ambassadge: as for other secresies belon∣ging to the maide, I wil tel you them to morow in more ample wise, if you wil mete with me about Isis temple. I

did as he requested, and caried the maide muffled to mine owne house, and vsed her very honorably that daie, com∣fortinge her with many faire meanes, & gaue God greate* 1.109 thankes for her, from that time hitherto, accoumpting, & meaning her my daughter. The next daie, I went to Isis Temple, as I had appointed with the stranger, and after I had walked there a greate while alone, and sawe him not, I wente to the Deputies house, & inquired whether any man sawe the Legate of Ethiopia. The one tolde me, that he was gonne, or rather dryuen homeward, the last day before Sunne sette, for that the Deputie thretned to* 1.110 kyll hym, if presently he departed not. I asked him the cause, for that, quoth he, by his Ambassadge he willed him not to meddle with y^e mines, out of which, the Sma∣radges were digged, as those y^t appertained to Ethiopia, I came home againe, much greued, like one that had had some greate mishap, because I coulde not knowe any thynge as touchynge the mayde, neither whence shée was, or who were her Parentes. Maruaile not thereat, saide Cnemon, interpretinge him, for I my selfe take it heauily, that I cannot knowe it nowe: yet perhaps I shal knowe it hereafter. You shal in déede, saide Calasiris. But nowe wil I telle you, what Caricles saide more. Af∣ter I came into my house (quoth he) the maide came foorth to méete me, but saide nothinge, bicause shée coulde not yet speake Greeke: yet shée tooke me by the hande, and made me good chéere with her countenance. I marueiled, that euen as good Grayehoundes doo fawne vpon euery one, though they haue but litle acquaintance with them, so shée quickly perceiued my good wil towarde her, and did imbrace me, as if I had benne her Father. I deter∣mined therefore, not to tarry longer in Catadupi, leste some spite of the Goddes shoulde depriue me of my other Daughter too, and so comminge by Boate dawne alonge Nilus, to the Sea, I gotte a Shippe, & sailed home, & now in this my Daughter with me, this Daughter, I saie,

surnamed also by my name, for whose sake, I leade scant a quiet life. And beside other thinges, wherein shée is* 1.111 better then I could wishe, shée learned the Greke tongue in so shorte space, & came to perfite age with suche spéede, as if shée had benne a péerelesse branche, and so farre pas∣sed al other in excellente bewtie, that al mennes eies, as wel strangers, as Greekes, were set on her. To be shorte, whersoeuer she was, either in the Tēples, or at Publike exercises, or in the places of Commō resort, shée tourned al mens mindes, and countenaunces vnto her, as if shée had benne the Image of somme God, lately framed. And althoughe shée be suche a one, yet shée gréeueth me soare. Shée hathe bidden Marriage farewel, and determine the* 1.112 to liue a Maiden stil, and so becomming Dianas seruant, for the moste parte, appliethe her selfe to huntinge, and doothe practise shootinge. For my parte, I set litle by my life, who hoped to marrye her to my Nephew, my Si∣sters Sonne, a courteous younge man, wel mannered, and faire spoken, but I can, neither by praier, nor pro∣mise, nor force of Argumente perswade her thereto: but that whiche greueth me moste, is that (as the Prouerbe saithe) shée vsethe mine owne Fethers againste me, and addethe greate experience, and many reasons to proue that shée hath chosen the beste kinde of life, commending Virginitie with immortal praise, and placing it in Hea∣uen by the Goddes, callethe it immaculate, vnspotted, and vncorrupted: as for Loue, Venus disporte, and euery Ceremonie, that apperteineth to Marriage, shée vtterly dispraisethe. In this matter I require your helpe, and therfore nowe I hauinge good occasion, whiche hathe in a manner profered it selfe to me, vse a longer tale, then néede requirethe. Doo thus muche for me, good Calasiris, vse somme pointe of your wisedome, though it be by In∣chantemente, to perswade her, either by woorde, or déede, to knowe her owne nature, and to consider, that shée is borne of a woman. This you can doo, if you wil. For shée

disdaineth not to talke with men, for that shée hath bene commonly brought vp amonge them. And shée dwelleth in the same house with you, here I meane within the cir∣cuite and compasse of this Temple. Despise not mine humble Prayers, and suffer me not to liue in mine age without children, and comforte, and hope of any to suc∣céede me: This I beséech you to doo for Apolloes sake, and all the Goddes of your owne Countrie. I wepte when I harde this, Cnemon, because he him selfe not without teares thus humbly besought me, and promised to doo what I coulde for him in this pointe. While wée yet tal∣ked of these matters, one came to vs in haste, and tolde vs that the Captaine of the Aenians ambassadge, was at the gate, and made prouision, and therefore desired the Prieste to come awaie, and beginne the Sacrifice. I as∣ked Caricles what those Aenians were, and what holy* 1.113 message theirs was, and what sacrifice they made. The Aenians, saide he, is the noblest parte of Thessalia, and right Gréeke, whiche fetche theire petigrée from Deuca∣lion, and stretch to the borders of Malia, their chiefe Cit∣tie is Hipala, so called, as they saie, because it is Mistres, and ruler of the reste, but as other thinke for that it is ci∣tuate vnder the Hill Oeta. This Sacrifice the Aenians sende to Pirrhus Achilles sonne euery fourthe yéere, at suche time as the feaste Agon is kepte to Apollo (whiche is now as you knowe) for here was he killed at the very Aultars of Apollo, by guile of Orestes Agamemnons Sonne: This message is donne more honorably then any of the reste, because the Captaine saithe, he is one of Achilles line. By chaunce I mette with him too daies a∣goo, and there semeth verily to appeare in him somewhat woorthy those that come of Achilles bloude, suche is the comelinesse of his person, and talenes of stature, that it may easily proue he was borne of somme Goddesse. I marueiled how they beinge Aenians, did saie they came of Achilles bloude, because the Egyptian Poete Homer

safeth, that he was borne in Phthia. The yonge man,* 1.114 and the reste of the Aenians, saie plainely that he is their progenitoure, and that Thetis was maried to Peleus out of Malia, & that in olde time Phthia was there aboutes, and that who so euer beside them doo chalenge the noble man for his valiaunt actes, saie vntruely. For his parte, he proueth him selfe to be of Achilles bloude by an other reason: for that Menesthius his Grandfather, who was the Sonne of Sperchius, and Polidora Peleus daughter, which went with Achilles amonge the noble Captaines to Troye, and because he was his Kinsman, was one of the chiefest Captaines of the Mirmidones. And although he him selfe be very neare on euery side to Achilles, and ioyne him to the Aenians, yet he accoumpteth these fune∣ralles to Pirrhus, for a moste assured proufe, whiche all the Thessalians (as he saith) haue graunted to them, bea∣ringe them witnesse that they be the nexte of his bloude. I enuy them not Caricles ({quod} I) whether, they chalenge this to them selues vntruely, or it be so in déede. But I praie you, sende for y^t Captaine in, for I desire muche to sée him. Caricles was content: Therewith entered in a* 1.115 yonge man of Achilles courage in déede, who in counte∣naunce, and stomake appeared no lesse, with a streight necke, hie forehedded, with his heare in comely sorte re∣bendinge downe, his nose, and nosthrilles wide inoughe to take breathe, whiche is a token of courage & strength, his eies not very greye, but greye and blacke, whiche made him looke somewhat fiercely, & yet very amiably, not muche vnlike the Sea, whiche is newe calmed after a boysterous tempest. After he had saluted vs, as the ma∣ner was, and we him againe, it is time, saide he, to doo Sacrifice to the God, that wée may finishe the Noble mans rightes, & the pompe thereto belonginge by times: let it be so, saide Caricles, and as he rose, he tolde me soft∣ly, you shall sée Cariclia to daie, if you haue not séene her before, for shée muste be at the pompe and Funeralles of

Neoptolemus by custome. I had séene the maide before, Cnemon, and done Sacrifice with her, and shée woulde enquire of me, of our holy customes and ordinances. Yet I saide nothinge to him, waytinge to sée what woulde come hereof, and so we wente to the Temple bothe to∣geather. For all thinges that belonged to the Sacrifices, were made readie by the Thessalians. Assoone as we came to the Aulter, and the yonge man beganne to doo the Sa∣crifice, hauinge leaue firste of the Prieste. Phthia saide thus:

Yee men of Delphi singe of her,* 1.116 and Goddes ofspringe prayse: VVho nowe in grace beginnes to growe, but fame shal ende her daies. VVho leauinge these my Temples here, and passinge surginge streames: Shall come at length to Countrie scortche, with Phebus blasinge beames. VVhere they as recompences due, that vertues rare doo gaine: In time to come ere it belonge, white Miters shal obtaine.

After the God had saide thus, those that stoode by caste many doubtes, but knewe not what that answeare shoulde meane. Euery man had his seuerall exposition, & as he desired so he coniectured, yet coulde none attaine to the true meaninge thereof, for Oracles and dreames are for the moste parte vnderstoode, when they be come to passe. And although the menne of Delphos were in amaze, for that was saide, yet they hasted to goo to this gorgeous solemnitie, not caringe to make any diligent enquirie of the answeare whiche was geuen.

Here endeth the Seconde Booke.

The Thirde Booke.

AFter the Pompe and Funerall was ended: Nay Father ({quod} Cnemon, in∣terruptinge him) it is not donne yet, seinge your talke hath not made me also a looker thereon. But you slippe from me, who desire, wonderfully to beholde the whole order thereof, no lesse then one (who as the Prouerbe is) came after a feast, in as mutche as you haue but opened the Theater, and straight shutte it vp againe. Cnemon (saide Calasiris) I woulde not trouble you with suche impertinent mat∣ters as you doo nowe desire, but would haue brought you to the principall pointes of my tale, and that, whiche you desired at firste. But because you desire by the waie to be a looker hereupon, hereby you declare your selfe to be an Athenian, I will briefly declare to you the brauerie thereof, as wel for it selfe, because it is famous, as also for certaine thinges that happened thereat. The He∣catombe* 1.117 wente before, & suche menne as were but lately entered into the Holy Ministerie, leadde the same: eche one had a white garment knitte aboute them, their right hande, and arme with their breast naked, and a Polaxe therein. All the Oxen were blacke, but very lustie, wag∣ginge their heades, and liftinge them vp a little, they had euen hornes, parte whereof was gilded, other had* 1.118 Garlandes of flowers, vpon them their legges were somewhat crooked, & their throtes hanged beneath their knées, and there were so many as woulde make a iuste Hecatombe in déede. After these folowed a greate sorte of other offeringes, & euery kinde of beastes was leadde by it selfe in order alone, with an instrumente that ap∣pointed when & with what they shoulde beginne. These beastes, and their leaders did certaine virgines of Thes∣salia standinge in a ringe, with their heare loose aboute

their eares, intertayne. The Maides were deuided into twoo companies, those who were in the firste, carried flowers and fruite. The other caried in baskettes other fine knackes, and perfumes, and filled all the place with pleasant odor: they caried not these thinges in their handes, but on their heades, for that they helde their handes forwarde & backwarde, that they might the more easily bothe goe and daunce. They receiued their Songe of an other cōpanie, for it was the duetie of these to singe the whole Hymne. In the Songe was Thetis praysed, and Peleus, then their Sonne, and after his, after these Cnemon: what Cnemon ({quod} Cnemon? Now Father yée take from me the pleasantest parte of this tale, as though you woulde make me a beholder onely of that, that was done in this Royalite, & not a hearer also. You shal heare it, said Calasiris, séeing it pleaseth you, this was y^e Songe.* 1.119

O Nereus God in surginge Seas, we prayse thy Daughter deare: VVhom Peleus at commaundemente, of Joue did make his feare. Thou arte our Lady, Ʋenus braue, in Sea a glimsinge Starre: VVho, thee Achilles, did bringe foorthe, a very Mars in VVarre. And Captaine good vnto the Greekes, thy glorie scales the skyes: To thee did thy redheaded VVife, cause Pirrhus rough to rise. The Troians vtter ouerthrowe, but staie to Greekishe hoste: Be thou good Pirrhus vnto vs, a fauourable ghoste. VVho here in graue intombed liest, in Phebus sacred grounde: Bowe downe thine eare, to t'holy Limmes, that we to thee doo sounde.

And this our Cittie suffer not, in any feare to bee: Of thee, and Thetis is our songe, Thetis al hayle to thee.

Thus was the songe made: Cnemon, as farre as I re∣member, and there was so good order in the songe, & the measure of their dauncinge, agreed so wel to the sounde of the instrument, that the eies neglected that thei sawe, in comparison of that they hearde, & those that stoode by, would folowe the Maides that passed on, as though they had benne constrained with the pleasantnesse of theire songe, vntill the lusty youthes with their Captaine ap∣peared, the sight whereof was better, then al that they had séene before. The whole nūber of these youthes was fiftie, whiche was deuided into twise fiue & twentie, in a manner garded their Captaine, who rode in the middest of them. Their Bootes wrought with Purple Lether,* 1.120 were foulded finely alitle aboue their ancles. Their clokes were buttened with Buttons of Golde before their breastes, and were laide on with rownde blewe Buttons, downe vnto the nethermoste hemme. Their Horses came all out of Thessalia, whiche also shewed by their pleasaunt countenaunces, the good Pasturage of their Countrie. They fomed on their brideles as though they thought scorne, of such as rode on thē, yet they tur∣ned very readily as theire Riders woulde haue them. Their Sadels, and the reste of their Harnesse was so be∣set with Siluer, and Golde, that in this point the yonge menne séemed to striue who shoulde be brauest. But, Cnemon, those who were present, did so despise, and passe these menne thus apparailed, and looke on the Captaine Theagenes (on whom was my care) that all, whiche she∣wed* 1.121 before very bright, was nowe darkened, as it had benne with some passinge lightninge. Suche brightnesse did his sight bringe vnto vs, in as muche as he was on Horsebacke also, with a Speare of Ashe, pointed with

stéele in his hande, he had no Helmet on: but was bare headed. His cloke was of Purple wrought with Golde, wherein was the battaile of the Centaures, and Lapithes: on the Button of his cloke, was Pallas pictured, bearing a Shilde before her breaste wherein was Gorgons head. The comelinesse, and commendation of that which was donne, was sommewhat increased by the easy blowinge of the winde. Whiche moued his heare about his necke, parting it before his forehead, and made his cloke waue, and the nether partes thereof to couer the backe, & but∣tockes of his Horse. You woulde haue saide, that his* 1.122 Horse did knowe the bewtie of his Maister, and that he beinge very faire him selfe, did beare a passinge séemely man, he rained so, and with priked vp eares, he tossed his heade, and rowled his eies fiercely, and praunsed, & leapte in so fine sorte. When he had the raines a litle at will, he woulde set forewarde couragiously, and turne a∣bout on bothe sides, & beate the grounde with the tippes of his houfes lightly, and moderate his fiercenesse, with the pleasantnesse of his Pace. Eche man was amazed thereat, and gaue the yonge man the principal praise, as wel for his courage, as also for bewtie, and comelinesse of personage. At a woorde the common sorte of women,* 1.123 and suche as coulde not moderate theire affections, caste Apples, & Floures vpon him, by that meanes, as might be geassed, séekinge to get his fauoure. For they were al of this opinion, that there could be no humaine shape, whiche coulde surmounte the séemelinesse of Theagenes. But after that Aurora, with rosiall fingers, as saithe Homer, appeared, and the bewtifull, and wise Cariclia, came out of Dianas Temple. Then I perceiued that* 1.124 Theagenes coulde be conquered, but so farre conquered, as the natural séemelinesse of womans bewtie hath the more, and greater force at first to bringe vnder. For shée was carried in a Chariot, drawen with a yoke of white* 1.125 Oxen, shée had on a purple Gowne downe to her foote,

spangled with Golde. Shée was girded with a girdel, in making wherof, the woorkeman bestowed al his craft, in y^t he neuer made the like before, nor hable to frame such* 1.126 an other after. For he tied twoo Dragons tayles behinde her backe, bitwéene her shoulders, bringing further their contrarie neckes vnder her pappes, with an artificiall knotte, sufferinge bothe theire heades to hange downe after it was fastened aboute her. You woulde haue saide that the Serpentes, did not séeme to créepe, but crepte in déede. They were not feareful with their terrible lookes, but séemed as though they had ben wantonly a sléepe. As touchinge their matter, they were Golde, but in colour blewe. For the Golde by arte, was made blacke, that blacke, and blewe, might in déede represente the sharpe∣nesse, and diuersitie of scales, and suche was the Maides Girdel. Her heare was neither al bounde vp, nor al loose: but the moste parte thereof that grewe behinde, hanged ouer her shoulders, that whiche grewe from the crowne of her head downewarde to her forehead, being yealowe coloured, was crowned with a Garlande of yonge Law∣rell, whiche did not suffer the whole to be blowen more then was séemely with the vehemencie of the winde. In her leafte hande shee bare a gilted Bowe, and a quiuer of Arowes hanged on her right shoulder, and in her other hande shée bare a Taper burning, and although she were so attyred, yet there came greater lighte from her eies, then from the Taper. Those same are Theagenes, and Cariclia in déede, saide Cnemon. Calasiris thinkinge that he had spied them somewhere, asked him, and where be they? shewe me them for Goddes sake. Me thought, Father ({quod} he) I sawe them, beinge not here, you haue described them so wel, and as I my selfe remember wel,* 1.127 I haue séene them. I cannot tell, quoth he, whether you sawe them so attyred, as at that time al Greece, and the sonne him selfe did sée them. So faire and so happie, were they as menne had felicitie yenough, if they were like

him, and wéemen if they were like her. For they coun∣ted it an immortal thinge to be suche a couple. Although the people of that Coūtrie rather praised the yong man, and the Thessalians, the Maide, bothe praising that won∣derfully whiche they neuer sawe before. For a newe countenance, and seldome séene doothe more moue the minde, then that wherewith wée are dayly acquainted. But oh delectable deceite, O acceptable opinion, howe didest thou comfort me, Cnemon, whē I hoped that thou haddest séene my deare Childrē, & wouldest haue shewed me them? But thou goest aboute vtterly to deceiue me. For whereas you promised me at the firste, that they would come by & by, and had for rewarde of so dooinge, obteined of me this tale of them, yet cannot you shews me them, although the eueninge approche, & it be darke night. Be contente, quothe he, and feare not, for they wil come without doubt. Perhaps there is some let, that they come not so soone as was appointed betwixte vs, o∣therwise, If they were here, I woulde not shewe you thē, before I had the whole Hier that you promised me. Wherefore, if you desire to sée them in haste, perfourme that you promised, and make an ende of your vnperfite tale. I, quoth he, am very vnwillinge to doo that whiche bringeth me in minde of that whiche gréeueth me much, and I supposed that you had benne weary of this my so longe pratlinge. But séeinge you be so desirous to heare, and can neuer be wearied with a good tale, goe too, let vs procéede where wée lefte. Yet firste let vs light a Candel,* 1.128 and doo Sacrifice to the Gods, that gouerne in the night, that hauing perfourmed the accustomable Ceremonies, wée maie lie quietly, and tel forewarde our tale. He saide thus, and foorthwith a Mayde brought in a Candel ligh∣ted, and he finished his Sacrifice, and called vpon diuers of the Goddes, but especially vpon Mercurie, and desired to haue some happy dreame that night, & that his derely beloued children, mighte appeare vnto him in his sléepe,

he praied humbly, when he had thus donne, he saide, af∣ter that the yonge menne had gonne thrée times aboute Neoptolemus his Sepulture, in their brauerie on horse∣backe, the Wéemen cried out pitiously, and the Menne made a strange noyse. Therewithall suddainely all the Oxen, Rammes, and Goates, were killed, as if they had benne slaine at one stroke: laste of all, when the Aultare beinge of wonderful greatnesse had sixe hundred clouen logges laide vpon it, & all manner of lawful offeringes were added thereunto, they made request, that Apolloes Prieste might beginne the Sacrifice. Caricles saide, that* 1.129 the Sacrifice in déede apperteined vnto him, but the Captaine of this Holy Legation, should take the Taper of her, that was President of those Ceremonies, and set the Aultar on fire, for so was the Coūtrie fascion. This he saide, and did Sacrifice, and Theagenes tooke the Ta∣per. Surely, Cnemon, that the minde is a heauenly thinge, and of grete affinitie with the superiour nature, wée maie knowe by the déedes, and woorkes thereof. For they looked one vpō an other, as though the minde knew firste that, whiche was like to it selfe, and did approche neare to that, whiche bothe in excellencie, and Dignitie was of affinitie to it. At the firste therefore they stoode still suddainely, as though they had benne amazed. And shée deliuered her Taper with a constant countenaunce, and he likewise receiued it, and viewed one an other* 1.130 with so stedie eyes, as if either had séene, and knowen other before, and nowe coulde not call to remembraunce where. This donne, they smiled alitle, but so that it coulde scantly be perceiued by their countenaunce. Af∣terwarde as though they were ashamed of that they did, they blushed: within a while after, when this affection, as I thinke, had griped theire hartes, they became pale. At a woorde, sixe hundred countenaunces appeared in theire faces in shorte time, and the changinge of all kinde of coloure, and the rowlinge of their eies, plainely

betokened the troubles in theire minde. The people y^t were presente, as maie be gheassed, perceiued not this, bicause euery one thoughte of diuerse matters, neither Caricles, who at that time, repeted the vsuall Prayer. Onely I did nothinge, but marke the yonge Couple, after that the Oracle spake of Theagenes, dooinge Sacri∣fice in the Temple, and by coniecture of their names, was moued to suspecte that, whiche after shoulde come to passe, yet I knewe nothinge exquisitly, of that whiche was signified in the later parte of the answeare. But after that at length, and as it were by force, Theagenes was withdrawen from the Mayde, and with his Taper set fire on the Aultare, the Pompe was broken vp, and the Thessalians wente to bankettinge, & al the other peo∣ple wente euery man to his owne house. Cariclia also puttinge on a white cloke, with a fewe of her familiars, wente into her owne Chamber, whiche was within the compasse of the Temple. For shée dwelled not with her supposed Father, but altogeather separated her selfe from him, that shée might not be dissuaded from her pourpose. I beinge nowe made more curious, by reason of that I had harde, and séene, came to méete Caricles of set pourpose. Who asked me, sawe you Cariclia, my ioye, and the honoure of the people of Delphos? This was not the firste time (quoth I) but I sawe her before, as ofte as the people resorted to the Temple, not as one that stoode a farre of, as the Prouerbe is, but shée hath donne Sacrifice togeather with me, and if shée doubted of any pointe, either of Diuine, or humaine matters, shée woulde aske me, and I tolde her. Howe liked you her at this time, quoth he? Did shée set foorthe this braue sight any whitte? Mary Sir Caricles (quoth I) you séeme to aske me, whether the Moone doo excéede any whitte the the lesser Starres. They praysed, saide he, the Thessa∣lian yonge man, geuing him the seconde place after her, yea and the thirde too, quoth I. But in déede they ac∣knowleged

your Danghter to be the principall shewe, yea and the very eye of the Pompe. Caricles was well pleased with this (and I beganne nowe to drawe to the pourpose, especially desiringe that he woulde be of good harte, and doubte nothinge) who smilinge alitle sayde, I goe to her nowe, and if it please you, goe with me, and let vs sée, whether this greate companie hathe benne any thinge noysome vnto her. I was very glad of this requeste, yet I made as though, I had other bu∣sinesse to doo: but was contente to leaue that, and goe with him. After wée came where shée was, and had gonne into her chamber, wée founde her sicke on her bedde, and coulde take no reste, and all her eyes be∣dewed* 1.131 with lowe droppes. After her Father was come in, and shée (as was her manner) had imbraced him, he asked her what shée ayled. Sée made him answeare, that her heade did ake, and that shée woulde fayne sléepe if shée might. Caricles mutche gréeued with this, wente out of her chamber with me, and commaunded the Maydes, to make as litle noyse as mighte be, and after he came before his owne house, he sayde. What shoulde this meane good Calasiris? What disease hathe my deare Daughter? Maruell not, quoth I, if shée hauinge shewed her selfe in sutche a companie, hathe benne spied by somme spitefull eye. He smiled at this, and sayde in iestinge wise, you then doo beléeue, as menne commonly doo, that there is Witchcrafte. Yée mary, quoth I, and verily, as I thinke there is any thinge true, and that for this cause. The ayre* 1.132 whiche is aboute vs on euery side, enteringe into vs by our eies, nosthrilles, mouthe, and other Pores, cariynge with it suche outwarde qualities as it is in∣dewed withal, dooth in graffe alike infection in them, who haue receiued it. For whiche cause when a man hath enuiously looked vpon any excellente thinge, foorthwith he hath filled the ayre with that Pestilent qualitie, and

sente forthe also that poisoned breathe to that whiche is neare at hande. That same ayre beinge a sclender and subtile thinge, perseth euen to the boanes, and very ma∣rowe, and by that meanes hath enuy benne cause to ma∣ny of that disease, whiche wée call by a proper name Be∣witchinge. Consider that also Caricles, how many haue gotten sore eies, and the plague, though they neither touched those that had suche diseases, nor eate at their table, nor laie in their beddes, but onely by beinge in the same ayre: as well as any thing els. Let loue be an argu∣ment,* 1.133 or proufe of this, who taketh his beginning & occa∣sion of that whiche is séene, & so as if it were some preuy passiō, by the cies is suffered to enter into the harte. And this is like to be true. For seinge of al our other Pores, & senses, sighte is capable of moste mutations, and the ho∣test: it muste néedes receiue suche infections as are about it, & with a hote spirite, entertaine the changes of Loue. Yf néede be, I will bringe, for examples sake, some rea∣son out of the holy Bookes, gathered of the consideration of Nature. Charadrius healeth those that haue the* 1.134 Kinges euill, whiche birde flieth awaie, as soone as any that hath this discase, hath spied her, & turneth her taile towarde him, shutteth her eies. Not (as some say) because shée would not helpe him, but that in lookinke vpon him, shée draweth that euill disease vnto her by nature, and therefore shée declineth suche sight as a presente perill. And perhaps you haue hearde how the Serpēt Basiliscus with his onely breathe and looke, dothe drie vp and cor∣rupte, all that it passeth by: and it is no maruell if some doo bewitche, suche as they holde moste déere, and wishe beste vnto, for seinge they be enuious by nature, thei doo not what they woulde, but what by nature they are ap∣pointed. After he had staied a little at this, he saide, you haue discussed this doubte right wisely, and with very probable argumentes. I woulde to God that shée might once féele what affection and loue meaneth: Then would

I not thinke that shée were sicke, but in moste perfite healthe, and you knowe that I haue craued your healpe to bringe this aboute. But now nothinge lesse then this is to be feared, to haue happened to her, who hateth her bedde, and will be wonne with no Loue, but shée ra∣ther semeth to be bewitched in déede: and I doubte not, but you will vndoo this witchcrafte, for the friendshippe whiche is betwixte vs, and to shewe vs some pointe of your singular wisedome, I promised him if I coulde per∣ceiue her gréefe, to healpe her what I coulde. And while wée yet talked of their matters, one came to vs in hast, and saide: Good sirs, you make suche tariance, as if you should come to a battaile, or skyrmishe, and not to a ban∣ket: The maker whereof, is the excellent Theagenes, and great Neoptolemus the president at the same. Come the∣ther, neither let the Banket through your defaulte, be continewed till nighte, seinge none, but you, are awaie. This felowe ({quod} Caricles to me in mine eare) biddeth vs with a cudgil in his hand. O what a lofty felow Bacchus is, if he be well washed. But let vs goo, for it is to be doubted, least if wée tarrie, he wil driue vs forward. You iest, saide I, yet I am pleased, let vs goo in déede. When wée came, Theagenes placed Caricles beside him selfe, and honoured me also somewhat for his sake. Why doo I trouble you nowe, with tellinge how the Maydes daun∣ced, and what instrumentes were there, and howe the yonge youthes daunced the daunce called Pyrricha in armoure, & others, whiche Theagenes had mingled with fine and delicate meates, orderinge his banket, as if it had benne but a Drinkinge, but that whiche is néedefull for you to heare, and pleasaunt for one to tel, was thus, Theagenes sette a mery countenance on the matter, and strained him selfe wonderfully that he might intertaine* 1.135 his gheastes courteously, & make them good chéere. But I perceiued whereto his minde was bente, by the row∣linge of his eyes, and suddaine sighinge without cause.

Sometimes he was sadde, and in a muse, streightway, as though he knewe his owne faulte, and woulde correcte him selfe, he would be merie: to be shorte, he changed his countenaunce a thousande waies. For the minde as wel* 1.136 of a louer, as of a dronken man is flexible, and can tarie in no certaine state, as though they bothe swimmed in a moiste affection. And for that cause a Louer wil soone be dronke, and a dronken man soone in Loue. Afterward by his sorowfull gapinge, and careful countenance, al those who were there, sawe that he was not well. So Ca∣ricles also perceiuinge that, saide to me softely. What meaneth this varietie? Some enuious eie hath looked vp∣on him also. Me thinketh that Cariclia, and he, haue one disease: They haue one, & the same in déede, by Isis said I, and not without cause, in as muche as in this royaltie nexte to her, he was the fayrest person. Thus talked we. But after the cuppes should goo about, Theagenes dranke to euery man, although againste his will, for courtesies sake. When he came to me, I saide, that I thanked him for his gentel proferre, but dranke not. Thinkinge that I had despised him, he looked vpon me angerly, and with burninge eies. Whiche assoone as Caricles percei∣ued, he saide, this man drinketh no wine, nor eateth of the fleashe of any liuinge thinge. He asked, why? He is,* 1.137 {quod} he, an Aegyptian, borne at Memphis, and Isis Prieste. When Theagenes perceiued that I was an Aegyptian, and a Prieste, he conceiued a woonderfull pleasure, and stretched him selfe for ioye, as those, who haue founde some greate treasure, and called for water, and after he had dronke a good draught, he saide, Right wise man, I haue dronke to you of that whiche you like beste, and I praie you, let this table make a lasting league of Amitie betwéene vs. Let it doo so woorthy Theageanes, {quod} I, for I haue a good while desired the same, and so receiuinge it at his hande, did drinke, and with suche talke wée made an ende of the banquet, and went euery one to his owne

lodgynge. But Theagenes imbraced me very louingly, and with diuerse kisses, bothe oftener, and more fami∣liarely then our former acquaintance suffered. After I came home, I sleapte not the firste parte of the nighte, thinkinge diuersly of the yonge couple, and diligently studied, what the later ende of the Oracle should meane.* 1.138 When it was midnight, I sawe Apollo, and Diana, as I thought (if I thought, and it was not rather so in déede) and he deliuered Theagenes to me, and shée Cariclia, and callinge me by my name, it is time, saide they, that you retourne into your Countrie, for so the Ladies of desti∣nie, commaunde you. Goo therefore hence thy selfe, and take these with thée, and loue them as thine owne Chil∣dren, and bringe them out of Egypte, whether, and howe it shall please the Goddes. When they had saide thus, they wente away, and gaue a token, that it was not a dreame whiche I sawe, but a thinge donne in déede. I vnderstoode all the reste as I had séene it, but into what Countrie, or to what people thei should be caried, I could not tell. You wil tell me hereafter Father ({quod} Cnemon) if you know your selfe, but howe saide you, the Goddes were shewed to you, not in your sleape, but manifestly appeared? Euen so my Sonne ({quod} he) as wise Homer in a* 1.139 maner by a Riddle did notifie, mary many doo lette the hardnes of the sayinge passe, as he saithe somewhere.

His feete and thighes behinde, by goeinge easily I knewe: The Goddes also may be espied, and knowen, this is trewe.

And I my selfe séeme to be one of that sorte (saide Cne∣mon) & perhaps to reproue me, you Calasiris, haue made mention of these Verses, the woordes whereof I well re∣member, since the time I firste learned them, but that there is Diuinitie conteined in them, I knowe not. Ca∣lasiris staied at this a little, and made him ready to tell him the secrete meaninge of them, and saide. The Gods,

Cnemon, and other heauenly powers, comminge too, and goinge frō vs, doo chāge them selues seldome into y^e like∣nesse of other Creatures, but cōmonly into men, that we supposing, by the likenesse of the Figure, that we sawe, was a dreame, maie so be beguiled. So although the rude, and prophane people knowe them not, yet can they not escape a wise man, but he will know them, either by their eies, in that they looke stedfastly, and neuer shutte their eie liddes, but beste by their gate, in that they moue not their feete, neither sette one foote before an other, but are caried with violence of the ayre, rather slidinge through, then stridinge ouer the windes. Wherefore* 1.140 the Aegyptians make the Images of the Goddes, with their féete ioyned togeather and not seperable asonder. Whiche thinge the skilfull Homer, like an Egyptian, and one well instructed in the holy doctrine, secretely, & close∣ly signified in his Verses, leauinge it to the vnderstan∣dinge of suche as coulde attaine thereto. Of Pallas he speaketh thus:

Also her terrible eies did glister as shee looked.

And of Neptune thus:

His feete and thighes, by goinge easily, I knewe.

As though he swimmed in his gate, for thus muste you take it, by goinge easily, not as some beinge deceiued, haue thought easily I knewe. You haue well instructed me in these thinges, {quod} Cnemon. But in that you oft call Homer an Egyptian, I can not beléeue that, and therfore am in muche maruell aboute it. I praie you, discusse this doubte also. Although Cnemon, it be nothinge neare to* 1.141 our pourpose, to talke of suche thinges, yet I will briefly tell you. Homer by reporte of diuers men, is ascribed vnto diuers Countries, and in déede, to a man of good courage, no Countrie comes amisse But to tel the troth, he was our Countryman, an Egyptian, borne at Thebes, which hath an hundred gates, as of him selfe a man may know, and his Father a Prieste, as some thinke, and not

Mercury as is falsely fained. His Father was supposed to be a Prieste, because as he celebrated certaine Sacri∣fices in the Temple with his wife, who by chaunce slepte there, the God laie with her, and ingendred Homer, who had aboute him a token of vnlawfull generation, for on bothe his thighes there grewe from his byrthe a greate deale of heare. Wherof as he traueled, as wel in Greece, as in other Countries, and made his Poeme, he gained his name. He him selfe neither woulde tell his name, nor his Countrie, nor kinred: therefore those, who knewe that qualitie of his bodie, gaue him a name thereof. To what ende, Father saide Cnemon, would he not tell his* 1.142 Countrie? Either ({quod} he) because he was ashamed of his banishmente, for he was driuen out of his Countrie by his Father, at what time, hauinge passed the age of four∣tene yéeres, he should haue ben numbred amonge those, that were consecrated, for that by the marke on his body, he was knowen to be a bastarde, or els for policie, that while he concealed his owne Countrie, he might lawful∣ly saie, that he was borne euery where. You séeme to dis∣cusse these thinges very well and wisely, saide Cnemon, gatheringe your coniecture of his Verse, whiche is stuf∣fed with all pleasure, and delectation, righte Egypt like, whiche no doubte shoulde not so farre haue passed all o∣ther, if he had not had some heauenly foundation. But after (as Homer did) you perceiued that thei were Gods, tel me, Calafiris, what folowed. Surely, Cnemon, suche thinges as wente before, I slepte little, deuised muche, and fell into suche cogitations, as liketh the night well. I was very gladde in hope to finde suche thinges as I thought vpon, and also looked for returne into my Coun∣trie. Yet was I sorowfull that Caricles shoulde loose his Daughter. I bethought me, howe I mighte carrie the yonge folkes with me, and some meanes was to be deui∣sed howe to gette awaie. Then was I troubled as tou∣chinge our flight, howe wée might doo that priuely, and

whether wée should directe it, whither by Sea, or Lande. While I laie thus, a thousād thoughts arose in my head, and I slepte no more that night. And it was scante daie, when one knocked at my doore, and I hearde a boye call, my man asked who called, and what he woulde haue? who answeared, that Theagenes y^e Thessalian was there. I was gladde of those tidinges, and badde him be called in, thinkinge that this beginninge did profer it selfe, that I might learne, how to bringe to passe, that whiche I was aboute. For I gheassed that he came to craue my healpe to obtaine his Loue, because he heard that I was an Egyptian, and a Prieste. So affected (as I thinke) as many be, who suppose the wisedome that the Egyptians haue, to be one, & the same, but are deceiued. For there∣of* 1.143 is one kinde common, and (as I maye terme it) cre∣pinge on the grounde, which ministereth Signes, and is occupied about dead bodies, vsing Hearbes, and addicted to inchauntmentes, neither tendinge it selfe, nor brin∣ginge suche as vse it, to any good ende, but is ofte decei∣ued by the owne practises, sometimes shewinge terri∣ble, & vile tokens, that is to saie, visions of suche thinges, as are not, as though they were, and beguileth menne of suche thinges as they looked for, a deuiser of mis∣chieues, and minister of all fowle, and loste pleasures. The other, my Sonne, which is the true wisedome, and from whence the other conterfaite hath degenerated, whiche wée Priestes, and holy men doo practise from our youthe, is conuersante with heauenly thinges, liueth with the Goddes, and is partaker of better Nature, con∣sideringe the mouinge of the Starres, and countinge it a vantage to knowe thinges to come, farre remoued from these earthly euils, and directeth all thinges, to the honestie, and commoditie of menne. By whiche, I also lefte my Countrie for a time, if by any meanes I could auoide such things, as I tolde you of before, y^t were foreshewed vnto me, & the battaile betwéene my sonnes.

But lette vs committe these thinges as well to the other Gods, as also to the Ladies of destinie, in whose power it consisteth, whether they shall doo this or not, who as well decreed my banishment, for suche thinges as I ga∣thered before, as also that I shoulde finde Cariclia, howe that happened, you shall knowe by that which folowed. After Theagenes was come in, and badde me good mo∣rowe, and I had saluted him againe, I sette him on my bedde beside me, and asked him, what earnest matter draue you hether to me thus early? After he had stro∣ked his face a little, I am in great daunger, {quod} he, and I am ashamed to tell you howe. I thought it then a fitte time to glose with him, and to gheasse at that, whiche I knewe well inough. Therefore lookinge vpon him chere∣fully, I saide, although you be ashamed to tell me, yet nothinge can be hidde from my Wisedome, and the* 1.144 knowledge of the Goddes. And after I had lifted vp my selfe a little, and made as though I woulde haue caste some accounte with my fingers, and spredde my heare aboute mine eares, like one that woulde haue Prophe∣sied, I saide, my Sonne thou arte in Loue, he started at that woorde, and when I had added, with Cariclia, then he supposinge that I had knowen it of God, missed but a little, that he had not fallen downe and woorshipped me. Whiche when I would not lette him doo, he came to me, and kissed my heade ofte, and gaue God thankes that his hope had not fayled him, and prayed me hartely that I woulde saue him: For he shoulde not liue if he had not healpe, & that presently: so greate was the mischéefe that he had, and so vehemently did his harte burne, the rather for that he neuer was in Loue before. For he sware vn∣to me many othes, that he neuer had to doo with woman, & that he vtterly refused Mariage and Loue, if any were profered him, vntil Cariclias bewtie had ouercomen him. Not bicause he was chaste of nature, or coulde not doo like other menne, but bicause till then, he neuer sawe

woman woorthy to be loued: & as he said thus, he wepte,* 1.145 in token that by force, and againste his will, he was sub∣dued by the Mayde. I tooke him vp, and comforted him, and sayde, be of good chéere, for séeinge you haue come to me for helpe, she shal not be stronger then my wisedome, in déede shée is stoute, and will hardly be made to loue, vtterly despisinge loue, and maie iudge, if shée but heare them named, but for your sake, wée must trie al meanes. Arte can breake nature, onely you muste be bolde, and* 1.146 of necessitie, doo what so euer I commaunde you. He promised to doo al that I would wil him, and thus, while he was praying, and beséechinge me, and for my paines, promised to géeue me al that euer he had: One came from Caricles, and saide, Sir, Caricles desireth you, to come to him. He is in Apollóes Churche hereby, and prayeth to God, for that he hath benne troubled, I knowe not how, by certaine dreames. Therewithall I rose, and when I had sent Theagenes awaie, & was come into the Church, I founde Caricles sittinge in a stalle very sadde, and so∣rowfull. I came to him, and why be you so sadde, {quod} I▪ He answeared, why shoulde I not▪ Séeinge that diuerse visions in my sléepe, haue troubled me, & my Daughter, as I heare, is very sicke, and sleapte neuer a winke this nighte? For my parte, although for diuerse causes her disease gréeueth me, yet the greatest is, for that to mo∣rowe is a daie ordained for sporte, & the custome is that* 1.147 shée, whiche is entred into these holy Orders, shoulde holde the Garlande to those that runne in armoure, and ouersée that pastime, one of these twoo thinges muste néedes happē, that either her absence must breake of this longe accustomed Order, or els by comminge againste her will, shée shalbe more sicke. Wherefore if before you could not, yet now helpe her, and doo vs this good turne, whiche shal wel beséeme our friendship, and deserue good at Gods hande. I knowe that it is easy for you, if you will, euen to heale one (as you saie) bewitched. For i•• is

not impossible for suche holy Priestes, to bringe woon∣derful* 1.148 thinges to passe. I tolde him, that I had estéemed lightly of it til then, bringing him also into a vaine opi∣nion, and nowe I craued libertie, but one daie, that I might make some medicine for her. At this present, saide I, let vs goe to the Mayde, to consider of her more dili∣gently, and to comforte her as much as wée maie. And I would also y^t you, Caricles, shoulde haue some talke of me with the Mayde, and by your commendation bringe me into better credite with her, that shée beinge more fami∣liare with me, maie the boldelier suffer me to heale her. Contente, saide he. After wée came to Cariclia, to what ende shoulde wée make many woordes? Shée was altoge∣ther vanquished by affection, & the bewtie of her colour, was gonne out of her face, & the heate therof, was quen∣ched with teares, as if it had ben with water, yet when shée sawe vs come in, shée framed her selfe, and wente aboute to call againe, her accustomed countenaunce. Ca∣ricles imbracinge her, and makinge much of her, leauing no kinde of courtesie, my Childe, my déere Daughter, {quod} he, wilte thou not tell thy Father, what thy disease is? And séeinge thou arte ouer looked, doest thou holde thy peace, like one that had donne wronge, and not benne iniuried thy selfe by those eyes, which haue so vnluckely looked vpon thée? But haue y^u a good harte. This wise mā* 1.149 Calasiris, is requested by me, to finde some remedie for thée, whiche he can wel perfourme, for he is as excellente as any man els, in heauenly knowledge, as one by pro∣fession, a Prieste, and that, whiche is the beste my very friende. Wherefore you shall doo very well, if you suffer him without any impedimente, to vse for your healthe, either any inchauntment, or what els so euer he will, for as muche, as otherwise you are wel pleased with the fa∣miliaritie, and companie of such wise men. Cariclia saide* 1.150 nothing, but by countenaunce made as though shée were well pleased with the councel he gaue her, to suffer me

to deale with her. When these thinges were thus orde∣red, wée wente our waie, and Caricles alwaie put me in minde, that I shoulde haue regarde to my promise, and bethinke me, howe I might make her haue a fansie to mariage, and a desire of menne. I therewith made him very gladde, when I tolde him, that within short time, I woulde satisfie his minde.

Here endeth the Thirde Booke.

The Fourthe Booke.

THE nexte daie Apolloes games did ende, but youthful disportes beganne, Cupide (in mine opinion) moderatour, and Arbiter thereof, beinge in ful de∣termination,* 1.151 to declare his force, in most ample wise, by these twoo Cham∣pions, whiche he had set togeather. Sutche was the sight. All Greece looked on, and Tham∣phictiones sate in Iudgemente. After all other disportes were sumptuously finished, as Runninge, Wrastlinge, fight with Plommetes; at laste, the Crier by Proclama∣tion, called these in, that shoulde runne in Armour. And therewithall Cariclia glistered at the race ende. For shée came, althoughe againste her will, for the customes sake partely, but rather, in my iudgemente, vpon hope to sée Theagenes somewhere: in her lefte hand, shée had a bur∣ning Taper, and in the other hand, a branche of Palme, and as soone, as shée appeared, euery man looked vpon her, but I cannot tell, whether any sawe her before* 1.152 Theagenes, for a Louer is very ready to spie. That,

with Loue whereof he is detained. But he, beside, that after he knewe what should be donne, thought vpon no∣thinge, but to sée her. Wherefore he coulde not keepe his owne councell: but saide secretly to me (for he satte nexte me of pourpose). That same is Cariclia, but I badde him be quiet. After the Proclamation was ended, there came foorthe one of goodly Personage, and of greate cou∣rage, like whom in honour was none in y^e whole compa∣nie, who in many courses before, had wonne the Gar∣lande: mary then there was none to contende with him, for that as I thinke, none durste be so bolde. The Tham∣phictiones therefore let him goe. For by the Lawe he maie not haue the Crowne, that hathe not ventured for* 1.153 the same. Yet he made requeste, that chalenge mighte be made against all menne. The Iudges gaue commaunde∣ment, that it should be so, the Crier called for some man, to runne with that other. Theagenes saide to me, This mā calleth for me. For me, {quod} I, what meane you by that? It shalbe so, Father (quoth he). For none but I, if I be in presence, and looke on, shall receiue rewarde of Victorie at Cariclias hande. Doo you neither care for, nor estéeme the shame that ensueth, if you be ouercommed, sayde I. What man, saide he, wil looke on Cariclia, and appreche to her so hastily, that he can get before me? To whome ••an her eies, geue like Winges, as to me, and cause him flie so faste. Knowe you not, that Painters make Loue* 1.154 with twoo Winges, declaringe, as by a Riddel, the nim∣blenesse of those that be in Loue? And if I muste néedes boaste, beside that I saide already, hetherto neuer any man vaunted, that he out ranne me. When he had saide thus, he leapte foorth, & went downe, declared his name, and Countrie, and wente to the leaste ende, and when he had put on his Armoure, he stoode at the place appoin∣ted, pantinge for great desire he had to runne, and was very vnwillinge, and bad much adoo to tarrie the sounde of the Trumpet. It was a goodly sight, and woorthy to

be looked on, muche like that, wherin Homer bringeth in Achilles, as he ranne at Scamander, al Greece was muche moued at this déede, which fel contrarie to their expecta∣tion, and wished the Victorie to Theagenes, as hartily, as if euery man had runne him selfe. For the comelines of* 1.155 Personage, is of great force to get the good will of men. Cariclia also was moued out of measure, and I sawe it, by reason I looked vpon her a greate while, and espied howe her countenaunce changed diuersly. For after the Crier had in al mens hearinge, named those that should runne. Ormenus, an Archadian, and Theagenes a Thes∣salian, they lefte theire standinges, and finished theire race, as faste almoste as menne coulde looke after them, there coulde not the Mayde be quiet any more, but her body was moued, and her féete leapte for ioye, as though her minde had benne with Theagenes, and helpte him in his race. All those that looked on, waited to what ende this woulde come, and were very careful. But I aboue* 1.156 the rest, who had now determined with my self, to haue like care of him, as if he had ben my sonne. No maruell, saide Cnemon, if those that were there, and sawe him, were carefull: nowe I my selfe am afraide for Theage∣nes, and therefore if he get the price, I praye you tell me so muche the sooner, after they had runne the middel of the race, Cnemon turned him a litle about, and frow∣ninge vpon Ormenus, lifted vp his Shilde alofte, and stretched out his necke, and with face faste fixed vpon Cariclia, at laste he got to the race ende, and starte so far before, that the Archadian was many yardes behinde, whiche quantitie of grounde was after measured. This donne, he ranne to Cariclia, & of pourpose fel in her lappe, as though he coulde not staye him selfe, and when he had* 1.157 taken the Garlande, I sawe wel yenough, that he kissed her hande. O happy turne, that he got the Victorie, and kissed her too. But what then? Thou canst not onely be satisfied with hearinge this tale, neither easily ouer∣commed

by sléepe, and although a great part of the night be paste, yet thou watchest, and art not wery of so longe* 1.158 a tale. I blame Homer (Father sayde he) for that he sayd, a man might as well be wery of Loue, as of any thinge els. Whereof in mine opinion, a man can not be wery neither if he be in Loue him self, or heare of others Loue. And if any man talke of the Loue of Theagenes, and Ca∣riclia, who is so stony or harde harted, that he would not conceiue delight therein, although he shoulde heare no∣thinge els a whole yéere. Wherefore goe forewarde with your tale. Theagenes, Cnemon, was crowned, and proclaimed Victor, and brought backe with all mennes ioyfull gratulations. Nowe was Cariclia quite vanqui∣shed, and bounde to Loue more, then shée was be∣fore. When shée had séene Theagenes the seconde time. For the mutuall sight of Louers, is a remembrance, and* 1.159 renewinge of Loue, & dooth as much inflame the minde, as fire when it is put to any drie mater. After shée came home, shée abode a like night to the other, or a woorse. I also sleapt but litle, for consideringe, whether we should goe to councell our flight, and into what Countrie God woulde haue the yonge couple carried, and I coniectured that wée muste take oure voiage by Sea, by the Oracle where it sayde.

And saylinge surginge streames: Shal come at length to Countrie scortche, VVith burninge Phebus beames.

But whether they shoulde be conueied, I coulde finde but one waie to knowe, if I coulde by any meanes gette the fascia whiche was laide out with Cariclia, wherein Caricles saide, that he hearde saie, all the Maydes estate was notified. For I thought it was like that, by it I shoulde knowe the Maydes Parentes, and Countrie, whiche I beganne already to suspecte, and perhaps also whither the Ladies of destinie woulde sende thē. When I came the next morning very early to Cariclia, I founde

all her kinsfolkes wéepinge, & Caricles, as muche as any other: when I came in, what a doo is here, saide I? My Daughters disease (answeared he) waxeth woorse, and woorse, and shée hath had a woorse night of this, then shée had any yet. Get you hence, {quod} I, and al the reste auoide, and let one set me a thréefooted stoole here, and a litle Lawrell with fire, and frankensense. And let none come in to trouble me before I call, Caricles willed the same, and it was donne. Nowe, hauing gotten good occasion, I began to playe my Pagent, as if I had benne on a stage, and burned Frankensense, & mumbled with my lippes, and layde Lawrell on her, from toppe to toe, & at length when I had drowsily, or olde wiselike gaped, and plaide the foole a greate while with my selfe, and the Mayde, I made an ende. Shée, while I was thus dooinge, wagged her heade ofte, and smiled, and tolde me, that I was de∣ceiued, and knew not her gréefe. Therewith I sat neare her, and saide, my Daughter be of good chéere, thy gréefe is common, and easy to be healed, without doubte, thou art ouer looked, not onely when you were at the Pompe, but more when you were ouerseer at the race, whiche was runne in Armoure. And he that hathe thus looked on you, I thinke, is Theagenes, for I perceiued wel, that he ofte behelde you, and cast many wanton lookes at you. Whether he did so, or not, saide shée, well fare he. But what Countryman is he, or of what Line is he descēded? For I sawe many woonder muche at him. You hearde that he was a Thessalian, by the Crier that vttered his name, and he fetcheth his petygrée from Achilles, and in my iudgemente, he maye doo so by good reason, who doo* 1.160 déeme no lesse by his tale stature, and comly Personage, which manifestly confirme Achilles bloude. Sauing that he is not so arrogant, & prowde as he was, but dooth mo∣derate, & assuage the hautinesse & fiercenesse of his minde, with cōmendable courtesie, which thinge séeinge it is so, although he haue an enuious eye, & with his lookes hath

bewitched you, yet hath he him selfe more payne, then he hath caused you to haue. O Father. {quod} shée, I thanke you, that you be sorowfull for our mishappe, but why doo you speake euil without cause of him, who hathe donne vs no harme. For I am not bewitched, but haue, as I gheasse, some other infirmitie. Then Daughter, saide I, why doo you conceale it, and not franckely vtter it, that wée maie with more ease finde remedy thereto. Am not I in age, yea rather in good wil your Father? Is not your Father familiarly acquainted with me? Are wée not of one pro∣fession? Tell me your disease, I will kéepe your councell: yea, & if you wil, I wil be bounde by othe to you so to doo. Speake boldly, & suffer not your infirmitie to increase by silence. For euery gréefe, which is soone knowen, can ea∣sily* 1.161 be cured: but that whiche by long time hathe gotten strength is almost vncurable: for silence dooth much suc∣cour any disease, but that which is vttered, maie by com∣fort easily be remedied. With this shée staied a litle, & de∣clared by her countenance many changes of her minde, & sayd, let me alone to daye, & you shal knowe it hereafter, if you knowe it not before, bicause you woulde haue vs thinke, that you are a Southesaier. Therewith I rose, and departed, geuinge her leaue to moderate the bash∣fulnesse of her minde. Then Caricles mette me, and haue you any good newes to tell me, quoth he? All shalbe wel, saide I, for to morow shée shalbe healed of her infirmitie. When I had sayde thus, I made haste to be gonne, that he might aske me no moe questions. After I was gonne a litle from the house, I spyed Theagenes walkinge a∣bout the Church, and the Cloysters, reasoning with him selfe, as though he had yenough, if he sawe but Cariclias* 1.162 house. I turned a litle aside, & passed by, as I had not séene him. He sawe me, & sayde, God spéede you, & tarrie I praie you, for I waited for you. I turned suddainly aboute, & sayd, is this bewtiful Theagenes, surely, I sawe him not. How is he bewtifull, saide he, that doothe not please Ca∣riclia?

I sette a face on it, as if I had benne angrie, and saide, will not you leaue to speake euill of me and my skill, by whiche shée is intrapped and constrained to loue you, and dothe desire to sée you, as one that is better then her selfe. What saie you Father, saide he? Dothe Ca∣riclia desire to sée me? why doo you not then carrie me to her? and therewith he ranne foorth. But I caught him by the clocke, and saide, stande still here, although you be very light footed, for you muste not handle this matter as if it were a praye, or easie for euery man that liste to gette the same? But it must be donne with great Coun∣sell, and performed with no small prouision. Know you not that her Father is the Noblest man in Delphis? Doo* 1.163 you not remember that the Lawes appointe deathe a re∣warde to suche? The matter were not greate, {quod} he, if I died, after I had my will of Cariclia. But if you thinke it good, lette vs goo to her Father, and desire her of him to be my wife, for I am woorthy yenough to be Caricles kinsman. Wée shall not preuaile, saide I, not because he can finde any faulte in you, but for that he hath promised her, in Mariage to his Sisters Sonne. He shall repent it, saide he, who so euer he be, for while I liue, there shall no other wedde Cariclia, this hande of mine is not yet so benummed, neither my swoorde so blunte. Be con∣tente, saide I, wée shall haue no néede of any of these thinges, be onely ruled by me, and doo as I commaunde you, for this time departe, and take héede you be not spied to talke with me ofte, but when you come, come priuely, and alone: He wente his waie very sadde. Caricles mette me the nexte daie, and assoone as he sawe me, he ranne to me and kissed my head oftentimes, continually criynge of suche force is your wisedome, suche is our Fréendship. Thou haste brought a great businesse to passe, shée is ta∣ken now, that was harde to be wonne, and shée that was before inuincible is nowe subdued: Cariclia is in Loue. I beganne to wagge my heade at this, and knitte my

browes, and yet proudely, and saide there was no doubt, but that shée should not be able to abide the first assaulte, when as yet I haue donne no greater thinge to her. But tel me, Caricles, how you perceiued that shée was in loue? When I had gotten very trusty Phisitions, as you gaue* 1.164 me Counsell, I brought them to her, and promised them all the ritches I had, if they coulde cure her. As soone as they came into her, they asked what her disease was, and where her paine helde her. Shée turned her face from them, & repeted with a lowde voice, this Verse of Homer.

Achilles is the brauest man, of al the Greekishe rowte.

Acestinus a wise man (perhappes you knowe him) tooke* 1.165 her wriste in his hande, although againste her will, and séemed to iudge her disease, by the beatinge of her pulse, whiche declareth (as I gheasse) the state of the harte: af∣ter he had felte her pulse a good while, and had looked oft vpon euery parte of her, he saide, Caricles, you haue brought vs hither in vaine, for Phisicke can doo her no* 1.166 good. O God, saide I, why saie you so, muste my Daugh∣ter die without all hope of recouerie? Make not suche a∣doo, saide he, but heare me, and so when wée were in a corner, that neither the Maide, nor any other could heare vs: he saide. Our Arte dothe professe the curinge of dis∣tempered* 1.167 bodies, & not principally of the diseased minde, but then when it is afflicted with the bodie, so that when that is healed, then is it also cured. The Mayde in déede is diseased, but not in bodie, for no humour aboundeth, the head ache gréeueth her not, no ague burneth her, nor any parte or parcelles of her body, is gréeued: accoumpt this, and nothinge els to be true. I hartely prayed him, if he perceiued any thing by her, to vtter it to me. Dothe not the Mayde know ({quod} he) that Loue is an affection and* 1.168 manifest gréefe of the minde? Doo you not sée that her eies be swollen, and looketh euery waie, and is pale in her face, but findeth no faulte with her harte? beside this shée raueth, and vttereth what so euer cometh into her

minde, & watcheth without cause. At a woorde shée hath sodainely loste the moisture of her bodie, and iuste am∣plitude thereof. You must, Caricles, if it be possible, finde her out a man: and when he had saide thus, he departed. I come in haste to you my Sauiour and God, whom both I and shée doo acknowledge, to be onely hable to doo vs a good turne. For when I desired her ofte, and diuerse waies besought her, to tell me what shée ailed, shée made me this answeare, that shée knewe not what disease shée had, mary shée knew that none could healpe her, but Ca∣lasiris, and therefore, shée desired me to call you to her. Whereby I chiefely gheassed, that your wisedome had brought her vnder: Can you (saide I to him) tell as well whome shée loueth, as that shée is in Loue? No by Apol∣lo, saide he. For how, or by what meanes should I know that. Mary I woulde aboue all thinges, that shée loued Alcamenes, my Sisters Sonne, whom, as muche as lieth in me, I haue appointed to be her Husbande. You maie (saide I) trie and bring him in, and shewe him to her. He liked my Counsell well, and wente his waie. When he mette me the nexte time, in the middle of the Towne, where greate resorte was, you shall heare saide he a pi∣tifull thinge, my Daughter séemeth to be out of her wittes, suche a strange infirmitie hath shée. I brought in Alcamenes as you badde me, and shewed him her very freashly apparailed, shée (as though shée had séene Gor∣gons* 1.169 head, or some more fearefull thinge) cried with a lowde voice, and turned her countenance to the other parte of the chamber, and put her hande to her throte in stéede of an halter, and threatned, that shée woulde kille her selfe, & bounde it with an Othe too, if wée dispatched not our selues out of the chamber quickely. Wée wente from her in lesse while then shée spake the woordes, for what shoulde wée doo, seinge so fearefull a sighte? Nowe I come to beséeche you againe, that you will neither suf∣fer her to perishe, nor me to be frustrate of my pourpose.

O Caricles, saide I, you saide truely that your Daugh∣ter was madde: for shée is moued with the multitude, that I haue burdened her with, whiche are not of the least, but suche as should force her to doo, that whiche shée abhorred, as well by nature, as determination of minde. But I suppose that some God taketh an him to hinder this businesse, and to striue with my ministers. Where∣fore it is time that you shewe me her safetie, whiche you saide, was founde with her, with the other Iewels. I am afraide, leaste that be inchanted, and wrought with such thinges, as doo nowe exasperate her minde, by reason, that somme Enimie had ordeined this for her as soone as shée was borne, that shée shoulde be estraunged from all loue, and die without Issue. He allowed, that I saide, & within a while after, he brought me the same, wherein were Aethiopian Letters, not common, but suche as the Princes vse, whiche are like the Letters that the Aegy∣ptians vse in theire Holy affaires, as I readde it ouer, I founde suche thinges written therein. Persina, Quéene* 1.170 of the Aethiopians to her Daughter onely, in sorrowe, by what name so euer shée shalbe called, doothe write in haste this Lamentation conteined herein, as her laste gifte. I was astonied, Cnemon, when I hearde Persinas name: yet I readde that whiche folowed, whiche was thus: My Daughter, the Sunne beinge Authoure of our stocke, is witnesse, that for no misdéede, I haue caste thée foorthe, and concealed thée from thy Father Hydaspes sighte: yet my Daughter, I would haue my selfe excused to thée, if thou happen to liue, and to him, who shal finde thée, if God procure any, and to al menne, and therefore I declare the cause of thy Exposition. The greatest of* 1.171 al our Goddes, are the Sunne, and Bacchus: The noblest nexte to these, are Perseus, Andromeda, and Memnon, after them. Those, who haue by Succession edified, and finished the Kinges Palaice, haue portraied there many thinges that they did: as for the dwellinge houses, and

Galleries, they haue sette diuerse Images, and Noble actes of theires in them: but all the bedde chambers are garnished with Pictures, containinge the Loue of Per∣seus, and Andromeda, in one of them, after Hidaspes had benne Married to me tenne yéeres, and wée had neuer a childe, wée happened to reste after dinner in the Sūmer, for that wée were heauy a fléepe, at which time your Fa∣ther had to doo with mée, swearinge that by a dreame he was commaunded so to doo, and I by and by perceiued my selfe with Childe. All the time after vntill I was deliuered, was kepte Holy, & Sacrifices of thankes ge∣uinge were offered to the Goddes, for that the Kinge ho∣ped to haue one nowe to succéede him in his Kingdome. But thou werte borne white, whiche colour is strange amonge the Ethiopians, I knewe the reason, because I* 1.172 looked vpon the picture of Andromeda naked, while my Husbande had to doo with me (for then he firste brought her from the rocke, had by mishappe ingendred presently a thinge like to her) yet I determined to ridde my selfe of shamefull deathe (countinge it certaine that thy colour woulde procure me to be accused of Adulterie, and that none woulde beléeue me, when I tolde them the cause) and to committe thée to the vnstablenesse of Fortune, whiche is a great deale rather to be wished, then present deathe, or to be called a bastarde. And tellinge my Hus∣band that thou werte straight dead, I haue priuely laide thée forthe, with the greatest Kitches that I had, for a rewarde to him that shall finde thée, and take thée vp. And besides that, I haue furnished thée with other thinges, I haue wrapped thée in this blankette, wherein is conteined the summe of bothe our Estates, whiche I haue written with teares, and bloude that I haue shedde for thée, by reason that I bare thée, and fell into muche sorrowe for thée, at one and the same time. But ô my swéete Childe, and but for a small while my Daughter, if thou liue, remember thy Noble parentage, and loue

Chastitie, whiche is the Character and marke of woman∣ly* 1.173 vertue, and Princely minde, & folowe thy Parentes, by keepinge the same. Aboue all thinges remember that thou séeke for a certaine Kinge, amonge the Iewelles that are aboute thée, whiche thy Father gaue me, when wée were firste made sure, in the hoope whereof is a Princely posie, the stoane is a Pantarbe, of secréete ver∣tue, consecrated in the place where it is sette. These thinges haue I saide to thée, inuentinge my writinge to this vse, sithe that God had taken from me the Habilitie to tell thée them to thy face, whiche as they maie be voide of no effecte with litle laboure, so may they be profitable hereafter. For no man knoweth the vncertainetie of* 1.174 Fortune. To be shorte, that I haue written, if thou liue, shalbe tokens to thée (my bewtifull Daughter in vaine, whiche by thy bewtie procurest my blame) of thy birthe. But if thou die, whiche God graunt I neuer heare, they shal serue to burie thée. After I had redde this, Cnemon, I knewe what shée was, and marueiled greatly at the gouernance of the Goddes, and was full of pleasure and sorrowe, and altogeather newely affected, wéepinge and laughinge at ones, my minde nowe became gladde for the knowinge of that whereof I was ignorant before, and for remembringe that whiche was answeared by the Oracle, but very muche troubled for that which was to come, and had greate pitie and compassion of the life* 1.175 of man, as a thinge very vnstable and weake, and ben∣dinge euery waie, whiche I knewe them firste by the happe of Cariclia. For I thought of many thinges, of what Parentes shée was come, whose Childe shée was thought to be, howe farre shée was from her Countrie, and was now called Daughter by a false name, whereas shée had loste her naturall Countrie soyle, and royall bloude of Aethiopia. To make fewe woordes, I was a greate while in studie, for that I had good cause to haue pitie, and bewaile her state passed, and yet durst not com∣mende

that whiche was to come, vntill pluckinge vp my harte, I concluded, that nowe it was not good to delaie the matter, but with spéede to execute that I had begone. And when I came to Cariclia, I founde her alone, alto∣geather weried with loue, and striuinge to withstande her fancie. Mary her body was muche afflicted, by rea∣son that it yéelded to her infirmitie, and shée was not hable with any force to withstande the violence thereof. After I had then farre put them awaie, who were with her, and gaue them charge that they shoulde make no noyse, in maner as if I had made some Prayers and in∣uocations aboute the Mayde, I saide to her. Now is the time come Cariclia, (for so you promised yesterdaie) to tell me your griefe, & not to conceale it any longer from a man that loueth you hartely, and also can knowe it though you holde your tongue: shée tooke me by the hand and kissed it, and therewithal shée wepte. And saide: wise Calasiris, graunte me this fauour firste, suffer me to holde* 1.176 my peace & be vnhappie, in as muche as you (will séeme to) knowe my disease all readie, and to account auoyded ignominie, my gaine, by concealinge that whiche to suf∣fer is euill, but to vtter woorse. Although mine increa∣singe disease dothe muche gréeue mée, yet that gréeueth me more, that at the firste I ouercame it not, but am yéelded vnto Loue, whiche by hearinge onely dothe de∣file* 1.177 the honorable name of Virginitie. With that I com∣forted her, and saide. My Daughter you doo wel, for twoo causes, to conceale your estate: For I haue no néede to knowe that againe, whiche by my skill I knewe before.* 1.178 And not without cause you blushe to vtter that, whiche it becometh wéemen to keepe secrete. But bicause thou haste ones tasted of Loue, and Theagenes hath subdewed thée (for thus am I by diuine inspiration informed) know that neither thou arte alone, nor the first that hath benne thus affected, but many other Noble wemen, and many Maidens (if you consider other thinges) very chaste haue

tasted hereof as well as you. For Loue is the greatest of the Goddes, and is saide also sometime to ouercome the Goddes them selues. But nowe consider howe pre∣sently you may beste order your businesse, in as much as at the firste, not to be in Loue, is a kinde of happinesse, but whē you are taken, to vse it moderately, it is a point* 1.179 of excellente wisedome, which thinge you may well doo, if you wil beléeue me, by puttinge awaie the filthy name of luste, and imbracinge the lawfull bande of weddinge, and turninge your disease into Matrimonie. After I had saide thus, Cnemon, shée was in a great swelte, and it was euident that shée was gladde of that shée hearde, and greately in feare, and muche troubled for that shée hoped: at length shée waxed redde, to thinke in what ma∣ner shée was taken. After shée had stayed a while: Fa∣ther, saide shée, you doo tell me of Mariage, and bidde me imbrace that, as thought it were plaine that either my Father woulde be contente therewith, or mine enemy, séeke that. As for the yonge man, saide I, it is out of doubte. For he is more in Loue then you, beinge moued with like meanes so to doo, by reason that bothe your mindes (as is like) at the firste sight knewe others excel∣lencie, and fell into like affection, and I my selfe haue made his Loue the more, to doo you a pleasure. But he that is supposed to be your Father, prouideth you an o∣ther Husbande, Alcamenes whome you knowe well ye∣nough. Lette him ({quod} shée) rather séeke to late him in his graue, then Marry him to me. Either Theagenes shall* 1.180 haue me, or that whiche is destinied to all men shall re∣ceiue me. But I prayeyou, tell me how you knowe that Caricles is not my Father in déede, but supposed so to be. By this fascia (saide I) and therewithal I shewed it her: Where had you that, or howe came you by it, saide shée? for after he had receiued me in Egypte, of him who brought me vp, he brought me hither I knowe not, how, and tooke that from me, and keapte it in a Cheste, that by

continuance of time it might not be spoyled. Howe I came by it (saide I) you shall heare afterwarde. But tell me presently, if you can tel, what is contayned therein: when shée tolde me that shée coulde not tell, it declareth (saide I) your Parentes, your Countrie, and all your Fortune. At laste for that shée requested, that I woulde tell her what I knewe, I tolde her al, readinge it woorde by woorde, and interpretinge it to her. After shée knewe her selfe, and had taken stomake vnto her, shée drewe more neare her owne Petigrée, and saide, what muste wée doo? Then beganne I to tell her plainely all our de∣uise, and made her priuie to euery pointe. I, my Daugh∣ter (saide I) haue gonne into Ethiopia, to learne some of theie wisedome, and was well acquainted with Persina.* 1.181 For the Kinges Courte is a place for all wise men to re∣sorte vnto. Mary I had a little prayse the more, by rea∣son that I ioyned bothe the wisedome of Egypte, and Ethiopia togeather, whiche made me of more credite a greate deale. After shée vnderstoode that I woulde re∣turne into my Countrie, shée tolde me all your affayres, bindinge me by Othe firste, to kéepe it secrete, and sayde moreouer that shée durste not tell it to the Wise men of that Countrie, and shée desired me to aske the Goddes, firste whether after your exposition, you liued: then in what Countrie you were. For shée coulde heare of none suche in Ethiopia, although shée had made thereof dili∣gent inquirie. I learned all of the Goddes, bothe that you were aliue, & where you leadde your life. Then shée* 1.182 besought me, that I woulde séeke you out, and will you to returne into your Countrie. For, shée saide, that shée liued without issue and Children, by meanes of the great sorrowe shée conceiued for your sake, and that shée was nowe ready to confesse no lesse to your Father, if you at any time came to light, and that shée knewe he woulde be perswaded, as well for that he had experience of her, by longe continuaunce of time, as also for great ioye and

desire that he should haue by one to succéede him contra∣ry to his expectation. Thus muche shée saide, and desi∣red* 1.183 me to doo it, by the Othe that I had sworne by the Sunne, whiche may not be violated of any of the Wise men. I came hether to perfourme the Othe, and made, although I tooke not this viage for this cause onely, yet I accounted it by the will of the Goddes, an aduantage gotten in my longe iourney. I haue benne busie aboute this longe, and haue lefte no conuenient seruice vndone to you, yet I tolde you not the matter, waitinge for iuste opportunitie, and to gette the Fascia also by somme meanes to make dewe proufe of that I woulde saie. Wherefore you maye, if you wilbe ruled, and goo a∣waye with vs (before you suffer any thinge by violence whiche you woulde not, of Caricles, who prouideth ve∣ry busily to matche you with Alcamenes) recouer your Kinred, your Countrie, and Parentes, and dwell with Theagenes, who is ready to folowe vs into what Coun∣trie so euer wée wil, and to reigne with your déere lone, that is contente to change his natural, and princely life, for our strange, and vncertaine state, if we shal geue cre∣dite, not onely to the Gods, and other thinges, but also to the Oracle of Apollo. And with that, I brought the Oracle into her remembrance, and declared to her, what it meante, whiche Cariclia knewe before, in as muche as it was in euery mannes mouthe. Shée starte backe a li∣tle at this: and after saide, Father, séeinge you saie, the Goddes woulde haue it so, and I beleue no lesse. What muste wée doo? You muste (quoth I) make as though you were content with Alcamenes Marriage. That is, said shée, very muche, and scante allowable, to preferre any man onely in promise before Theagenes? But Father, for as muche as I haue geuen my selfe into the handes of the Goddes and you, tel me the ende of this tale, and* 1.184 howe it maie be vndonne, before it be brought to effecte. You shal knowe (saide I). Many thinges tolde before

hand to woomen, haue greately hindered the mater in hande: whiche beinge suddainely put in practise, are by them more boldely atcheiued for the moste parte. Onely folowe my counsel, as wel nowe, as at other times, and be contente to allowe the marriage, whiche Caricles wil prouide for you, who wil doo nothinge without my coun∣sel, and helpe. Shée made promise so to doo: and I wente my waie, and leafte her wéepinge. I scantly was gone out of her Chamber, but I sawe Caricles, very sadde, and ful of sorrowe. Ah good Sir (saide I) when you shoulde folowe me, and reioice, and doo Sacrifice of thankesge∣uing to the Goddes, for that you haue gotten, that which before you desired, Cariclia, at length by muche skil, and manifolde wisedome, made content to take a Husbande, then are you sadde, and heauie, and can scante refraine from teares, but I knowe not why. Why shoulde I not (saide he)? séeinge it shal come to passe, that the thinges, whiche I holde dearest in my life, shal be carried into somme other Countrie, if we maie geue credite, as wel to the Dreame that I had this nighte, as to others, wherein, me thought, that an Egle, let flie out of Apol∣loes* 1.185 hande, came downe, and tooke my Daughter out of mine armes, and carried her into, I knowe not, what far Countrie, whiche was full of blacke, and ougly sha∣dowes. At a woorde, I coulde not tel what he did with her, by reason that the infinite distance of place tooke a∣waie* 1.186 the sighte of mine eies. As soone as he had saide thus, I knewe whereto his dreame tended▪ But that I might withdrawe him from this despaire of minde, and bringe him farre from suspition of that whiche shoulde comme to passe, I saide, Sir Prieste, you séeme not to* 1.187 déeme arighte of this Vision, in as much as it for sheweth to you, the marriage of your Daughter, and dooth secret∣ly signifie by the Egle, that shée shal haue an Husbande, and that this shalbe so, Apollo wil bring her an Husband with his own hande, yet you séeme to be angry, and con∣strue

your Dreame woorse, then it is meante. Where∣fore, Caricles, let vs be mery, and addicte our selues to the wil of the Goddes, labouringe euery waie the better to persuade the Maide. He asked me what was beste to be donne, that the Maide mighte be more obediente. If ({quod} I) you haue any pretious thinge in stoare, or apparell wrought with Golde, or any Iewel of price, bringe them to her, as Tokens from her Spouse, & appease her with giftes: For Gold, & Pretious Stoanes are woonderfully estéemed with woomen. You must prouide other thinges for this Solemnitie also, and this Mariage muste be dis∣patched presently, while her desire thereto, whiche is wroughte by Arte againste her wil, is stable, and vn∣changed. After Caricles had saide, thinke that I wil omit nothinge whiche I can doo, he wente home, and for ioie, as soone as I had leafte talkinge with him, he made haste* 1.188 so to doo. And he did in déede, as I perceiued afterward, that whiche I commaunded him, without delaie, in brin∣ginge, as wel the costly Garmente, as also the Iewesl of Aethiopia, which Persina laide foorthe with Cariclia, that shée mighte knowe what shée was, as thoughe they had benne Tokens from Alcamenes. Then mette I with Theagenes, and asked him where those were, who were the Dooers of the Roialtie aforsaide. The Maides (quoth he) are gonne awaie before, that thei maie take the easier iournies: and the yonge menne wil tarry no longer, but make much adoo, and greate prouision to returne to their Conntrie. When I knewe this, I tolde him what he should both saie to them, and doo him selfe, and gaue him charge, that he should waite vntil I gaue him a Token, what he shoulde doo. And so I leafte him, and wente to the Temple of Apollo, to praie the God, that he woulde instructe me as concerninge my flighte with the yonge* 1.189 couple. But the God was quicker then any man would thinke, who helpeth those that doo their businesse, accor∣dinge to his wil, although he be not called vpon, often∣times

preuentinge theire praiers with the readinesse of his good wil: as euen then it happened, that he preuen∣ted my question with the answeare, and did in déede de∣clare his helpe, and pleasure. For as much as a certaine voice staied me as I wente by, to a Prophetesse, and was very careful for the perfourmance of that I determined: whiche saide, you maie make haste when the strangers calle you, who at that time, with the noyse of Shames, made a Banquette in the honoure of Hercules. I wente not so faste after I hearde this, for I might not goe paste when God had called me. After I had with Franken∣sence perfumed, & offered water, they séemed to woonder at the coste of my Oblations: yet for al that, they desired me to take parte of theire Banquette. I did so, & after I sate downe on a Benche whiche they had strewed with Myrte, & Lawrel for strangers, and had eaten such meate as I was accustomed to doo, I said vnto thē, good felowes, I thanke you for my goo chéere. But I am vtterly igno∣rante of your Demeanour: wherefore it is time that ye tel me, what ye are, and whence ye comme. For it is an vnséemely, and very rude thinge, that those, who haue donne Sacrifice, and Banquetted togeather, and made holy meate at the beginninge of their friendeship, should departe without either knowinge others affaires. Then they tolde me, that they were Merchauntes of Tyros in Phoenicia, and that they sailed to Carthage in Aphrique, with a Shippe fraughted with Merchandyse of India, Aethiopia, and Phoenicia: At this time we make a Ban∣quette* 1.190 to Hercules of Tyros, for a Victorie which we haue gotten, in as muche as this yonge man, pointing to him that sate before me, gotte the beste game at Wrastlinge: whereby he hathe proued, that a Tyrian maie gette the Victorie in the middest of the Greekes. For he, after wée had sayled paste Malea, and by force of Tempeste were constrained to lande at the Ilande of the people of Ce∣phalem, sware vnto vs by this our Countrie God, that

in his sléepe it was tolde him, he shoulde obtaine the Vi∣ctory in these sportes of Apollo. And when he had per∣swaded vs to turne from our intended course, and lande here, he made proufe by déede, that his Prophecie was true. So that nowe he is denounced a famous Conque∣rour, that was but late a Marchante, who also as a thankes geuinge for his victorie, dothe this Sacrifice to the God, who was his Conductor. And to morowe if the winde serue, wée will leaue this coaste. Haue you deter∣mined this in déede saide I? Yea verily answeared they: you shall then if you please; haue my company: For I haue a viage into Sicilia for a certaine cause, and you sai∣lynge into Aphryke, muste passe by it. You shall be wel∣come ({quod} they) if you will: for wée suppose wée shal want no commoditie, if wée haue with vs a Wise man, and a Grecian, and suche a one as by experience may be proued, that he is wel beloued of the Goddes. I would (saide I to them) if you will graunte me but one daie, to make my prouision. You shall haue to morrowe ({quod} they) on condi∣tion that aboute night you wilbe at the Sea. For wée commonly sayle by night, for that the windes that come then from the earthe, doo calmely fill our sayles. I made bargayne that I woulde doo so, bindinge them firste by Othe, that they should not departe before their promised time was expired. And so I lefte them there, yet pipinge and dauncinge, after the manner of the Assyrans, some∣time leapinge alofte, sometime bendinge their bodyes downewarde, and like suche as were inspired with some God, writhinge them selues. Then wente I to Cariclia, and founde her holdinge in her lappe the Iewels whiche Caricles gaue her, and earnestly vewed them. After I wente to Theagenes, and when I had tolde them bothe what they shoulde doo, and when I wente to mine owne* 1.191 lodgyng, diligently consideringe of that which should be done. The nexte daie thus did thei. About midnight whē al the Cittie was faste asléepe, a crewe of armed yonge

men came to the house of Cariclia, the Captayne of this amorous warre was Theagenes, who taught his youthes after their braue Pompe to plaie the Souldiers. They suddainely made those afrayde, which perceiued a little, with their greate clamour & classhynge of their armour, so that with greate lighte they brake into her house, lif∣tinge the doore aside easily, for that it was prouided be∣fore, it shoulde not be very harde barred, and tooke her a∣waie wel prepared, for that shée knew hereof before, and with good will suffered this assaulte, and caried a greate deale of stuffe suche as the Mayde commaunded them, away also. After they came out of the house, they soun∣ded a warlike crie, and made a terrible noyse with their Harnesse, and so passed through the Cittie, and caste the Inhabitantes thereof into a woonderful feare, by reason that they had chosen the night for none other pourpose, but that they might be the more feared. So that Pernas∣sus gaue an Eccho backe to their noyse. After they were gone out of the Cittie, as faste as they coulde, they hied them on Horsebacke into the Mountaines of Locrus and Oeta. But Theagenes and Cariclia, as was before con∣cluded, foresooke the Thessalians, and came to me priuily, and fell bothe in greate feare at my féete, and still cried, saue vs Father. Cariclia saide no more, but helde downe her heade, as though shée were ashamed of that shée had donne. But Theagenes saide more. Calasiris saue vs beinge Strangers, and bannished our Countries, depri∣ued of all our Friendes, that amonge them all wée might winne our selues. Saue our bodies hereafter commit∣ted to Fortune, whiche also are made bonde to chaste Loue. Saue vs by our owne accorde bannished, yet glad thereof, and suche as haue sette all their sauegarde on you. I was moued herewith, and after I had wepte, ra∣ther with my harte, then mine eies, so that the yonge folkes perceiued it not, yet it eased my griefe, I comfor∣ted and imboldened them. At a woorde I badde them

hope for a luckie ende, in that this matter was begonne by the will and Counsell of the Goddes. As for me ({quod} I) I will goo and dispatche the reste of our businesse. But tarry you me in this place, and take diligent héede that no man espie you. When I had saide thus, I went backe, but Cariclia caught me by the coate, and helde me faste,* 1.192 and sayde: What Father, this beginninge is vniuste or rather Trayterous, if you will departe, and leaue me alone with Theagenes, and will not consider howe vn∣méete a man, a Louer is to be a kéeper, if that be in his power to enioye whiche he loueth, and wante suche as may make him ashamed thereof. For, I thinke, that he is rather incensed, when he seeth, that which he desireth, without any defense before his face. Wherefore I will not let you departe before, as well for the time present, but rather for that whiche is to come: I maie be sure by Theagenes Othe, that he shall not fleashly haue to doo with me, vntill I haue recouered my Countrie, and Pa∣rentes, or if the Goddes be not content herewith, at least vntill I by mine owne frée will be content he shall Mar∣rie me. Otherwise neuer. After I harde what shée had saide, I woondered and was determined it should be so, and made a little fire vpon an Aultare, and burned In∣cense. Theagenes sware, sayinge that he had wronge, for that the faithe which he had determined in his minde to kéepe, was taken away by reason of an Othe, and that he coulde not prayse that will, whiche was forced by a* 1.193 greater power, yet for all that he tooke his Othe, by A∣pollo of Delphos, and Diana, by Venus her selfe, and all Lawes, that he woulde doo all thinges in suche sorte, as Cariclia would haue him. This and many other thinges they concluded betwéene them selues, callinge the Gods witnesses thereto. I comminge as faste as I could to Ca∣ricles, founde all his house on a hurlyburly, and sory be∣cause the Ministers were now come to him, and had tolde him of the takinge awaie of the Mayde, and the Citizens

came by heapes & stoode rounde about him, while he soro∣wed, at a woorde, what for ignorance of that was done, & wante of counsell for that was to come, they were at their wittes endes. There beganne I with my bigge voyce to thunder, and saye: Yée vnhappy people, howe* 1.194 longe will ye sitte still, dombe like stockes, as though your courage were also taken awaie with ill Fortune? Why doo you not in Armoure pursue your enemies? wil you not take, and punishe them, who haue donne you this wronge? It is in vaine perhappes (sayde Caricles) to striue any longer with this present Fortune. For I vn∣derstande perfitely, that I am thus punished for the an∣ger of the Goddes, whiche was foreshewed me, since I wente in an vnlucky time, into the priuie Chappell, and sawe there that whiche was not lawfull to be séene, that therefore I should lose, that I sette moste stoare by. But there is no impediment (as the Prouerbe is) that shoulde let vs to fight with the Goddes, if wée knewe whom to pursue, or him, who hath donne vs this mischiefe. That is (sayde I) Theagenes the Thessalian, & the yonge men, whiche were with him, whom you praysed so muche, and made my friende. And so you maie yet finde some man in the Cittie, who hath till this time stayed here: where∣fore arise, & call the people to Councell: so was it donne. The Captaines appointed a méetinge, by Trumpet pro∣clayminge the same in the Cittie, the people straight came together, the Theater was made a Courte by night. Caricles came foorth, and fallinge suddainely a∣wéepinge, beganne to saie thus: Perhappes ye (menne* 1.195 of Delphi) suppose, consideringe the greatnesse of my mi∣series, that I come hither, and haue gathered this multi∣tude of people, to vtter mine owne mishappes vnto you. But it is not so: For although I suffer ofte such thinges as may be compared with deathe it selfe, and at this pre∣sent time my house is desolate, and destroyed by the Goddes, solitary, and robbed of those that I helde moste

déere, in whoes companie, and pleasant behauiour I con∣tented my selfe: yet the common frustration, and vaine hope of al, doothe comforte me alitle, and causeth me to suffer, who promiseth to finde my Daughter againe, whiche thinge in déede maie be donne: but the Cittie mo∣ueth me more, which I desire, and looke shalbe Victorious firste, and take reuenge of those, that haue wronged it. Excepte these Thessalian youthes haue taken awaie our loftie courages, and iuste wrathe whiche wée shoulde re∣ceiue for our Countrie, and Countrie Goddes. For, that whiche is moste intollerable, a fewe dauncinge Boyes, sente about a Sacred message, doo depart after they haue wasted the most Noble Cittie of Greece, and haue taken out of Apolloes Churche, the moste Pretious Iewell thereof, Cariclia, which also was my Life. O implacable and too obstinate anger of God, towarde vs: Firste (as you al knowe) it killed my natural Daughter at the daie of her Marriage, and her Mother also with the griefe that shée tooke for her Deathe, and bannished me from my Natiue Countrie. But all this was tollerable after I had founde Cariclia: Cariclia was my life, my hope, and staie of my stocke: Cariclia onely was my comforte, and, as I maie terme her, mine increase: whiche also this mi∣serie (what so euer it be, that nowe came vpon me) hathe taken from me. Neither hathe it donne this simply, or by chaunce, but as it accustomably triumphethe ouer me with moste crueltie, it hathe taken her euen almost from* 1.196 her Husbande, in as muche as the daie of Wedding was already spreadde abroade amonge you all. As he spake thus, and fel quite from the mater into sorrowinge, He∣gesias the Captaine, badde him be contente, and get him awaie: and said, you that be here, Caricles shal haue time yenoughe to lamente hereafter. But let vs not be drow∣ned with his sorrowe, nor carried awaie vnaduisedly with his teares, as with a greate streame of water, let∣ting passe al due occasion, whiche as it is in al thinges, so

in Warre it is of most force. For nowe if wée pursue as soone as wée shal diminishe this Companie, there is some hope that we shal ouertake our enimies, which now tra∣uel without care, for that they knowe we be vnprouided. But if wée stil lamentinge, or rather wailinge like wée∣men, shal geue them longer time, that they escape, with our tarryinge, we shal deserue nothinge, but to be scor∣ned, and that of the yonge menne them selues: whiche, I saie, ought to be hanged as soone as they be taken, and somme of them ignominiously dealt withal, so that their pounishmente also redounde to theire Families. This maie easily be donne, if wée shal moue the Thessalians to displeasure againste these that be fledde, and their poste∣ritie, by forbiddinge thē to doo any more this Holy Lega∣tion, and due Funeralles of the Noble man, whiche wée had decreed, shoulde be donne of the coste of the common Treasurie. After all this was praysed of the people,* 1.197 and by theire Decrée established: Let this also, saide the Captaine, if it please you, be ratified by your voices, that the wooman, who hathe the charge of the Sacrifices, be shewed no more to them that runne in Armoure. For, as I can coniecture, thereof hath growen the beginning of this impietie in Theagenes, who also thought (as maie be denied) of this Rape, euer sithence he firste sawe her. For it is good hereafter to take awaie the occasion of such like attempte. After this was graunted by the voices, and handes of al that were present, Hegesias gaue them a Token to goe foorthe, and gaue a signe of Warre with a Trumpette, so that the Theater was dissolued into Warre, and euery man ranne hastily out of the Councel to Battaile, not onely the stronge men, and such as were able to weare Armoure, but boyes also, and striplinges without order, durste be partakers of that voiage, by theire readinesse greately augmentinge the number of lustie menne of that time. many woomen also behaued themselues more stoutely, then their nature permitted,

euery one takinge vp for a Weapon, that whiche came nexte to hande, and folowed in vaine: who, for that they missed of theire pourpose, perceiued wel the infirmitie of theire kinde. You might then haue séene olde men striue with age, and in a manner the minde drawinge their bo∣dies, and for greate and ardente desire to fighte, obiected weakenesse, as a shame to it. So greate griefe tooke the Cittie for the Rape of Cariclia, and prepared them selues suddainely to the pursuinge, as if they had had but one minde, and would not looke for daie.

Here endeth the Fourthe Booke.

The Fifthe Booke.

THus therefore was the Cittie of Del∣phi occupied, but what they did in the ende, I knewe not, sauinge that their pursuet gaue me good occasion to con∣ueye my selfe awaye. So I tooke the yonge folkes with me to the Sea, and put them into the shippe of Phenices, whiche was by and by ready to departe. For as soone as the morning beganne to appeare, the Phoenicians which promised to tarry for me a day and a night, thought now that they should not breake the Othe whiche they sware to me. When wée came they entertained vs very ioyful∣ly, and forthwith they launched out into the déepe, with Ores first, then, after a calme gale blewe from the earth, the waues quietly came vnder our shippe, and in a man∣ner smiled vpon her, & suffered her to goo with full saile. And thus wée passed with our shippe, the coast of Cyrrha,

and Pernassus with his hie toppes, and the Rockes of Actolia, and Calidonia, & by the time that it was Sunne setting, wée discouered the Ilandes, as well by Figure, as name Acute, and the Zacynthian Sea. But (in an vn∣happy time) why doo I tell this? why doo I forgette my selfe, & you, & continewe my tale, bringyng you hereafter in very déede to the Sea? Here let vs leaue y^e reste of our talke, & sléepe a litle. For although thou, Cnemon, be no∣thinge weary to heare, and stifly striue with sleape, yet I thinke that now you begin to quaile, in that I haue con∣tinued my talke farre on the night. And besides this, my Sonne, bothe age dothe burden me, & the remembraunce of my miseries dissoluinge my minde, dothe driue me to sléepe. Doo so Father, saide Cnemon, not as though I willed you to make an ende, for that as I thinke, I could not doo, though you would tel it many daies & nightes to∣geather, with suche singular pleasantnes, & excellent sua∣uitie is it seasoned. But me thinketh I heare some noise & businesse aboute the house, & haue benne troubled alitle therefore, but forced my selfe to kéepe silence, for y^e great desire I had to heare your tale. I hearde it not, sayde Ca∣lasiris, either for that age maketh mine eares somewhat* 1.198 dull, & harde (for age bréedeth many infirmities, bothe in y^e other partes, but chiefly in the eares) or els for that my minde wholy was occupied about my tale. I thinke, Nau∣sicles y^e owner of this house is come. But ô yée Gods, how hath he spedde? As I desired (saide Nausicles) stepping in suddainely to them. For I knew wel inough, good Cala∣siris, that you were carefull of my businesse, & almost tra∣ueled with me in your minde. But I perceiue your good will towarde me, by diuerse courtesies shewed me, bathe at other times, and also by this, whereof I heare you tal∣kinge here. But what Straunger is this? He is a Gre∣cian, said Calasiris, you shal heare more of him hereafter. But tell you vs quickly what good lucke you haue had, that wée may reioyce with you. You shall heare to mor∣rowe

saide Nausicles, as now be content to knowe that I haue gotten a better Thisbe: for I haue néede to sléepe a little, to abate my griefe whiche I haue gotten, as wel by my iourney, as other cogitations. This saide, he went his waie to doo as he had saide. But Cnemon was muche abashed whē he hearde Thisbes name, and turned al his cogitations to the time paste, with muche and continual sorrowe tormentinge him selfe all the reste of the night, so that Calasiris though he were faste a sléepe, perceiued it, who sittinge vp a little, and leaninge on his elbowe, asked what he lacked, and why he was so disquieted, as if he were almoste madde. Haue I not good cause (sayde Cnemon to him) to be madde, seinge I heare that Thisbe is aliue. What is this Thisbe ({quod} Calasiris) or how doo you know her, by hearinge her name, and are so gréeued that shée is aliue? You shal heare the reste ({quod} Cnemon) when I tell you mine estate. But her I sawe slaine with these eies, and with mine owne handes, I buried her with the Heardmen. Sléepe, sayde Calasiris, and wée shall knowe how this goeth ere longe. I maye not ({quod} he) but lie you still and sturre not: For my parte I know not whether I can liue, excepte I goo for the secretely, and make dili∣gent inquirie, how Nausicles is deceiued, and howe one∣ly with the Egyptians, suche as were deade, reuiue a∣gaine. Calasiris smiled a little at this, and so fell a sléepe. Cnemon wente out of the chamber, and restrained him selfe muche, as is like one would doo that is in the darke, and in an vnacquainted house: but he tooke all in good parte, for feare of Thisbe, being desirous in haste to ridde him selfe out of this doubte: till at lengthe with muche adoo, after he had gonne vp and downe oft in one place, as if he had benne in diuerse, he hearde a woman like a Nightingale in the Springe, dolefully lamentinge, and with sorrowfull tunes, so that by her mourninge (as if one had taken him by the hande) he was brought to her chamber, and layinge his eare to the doore, hearde her yet

complayninge in this sorte. I poore wretch supposed,* 1.199 that I had benne deliuered out of the handes of théeues, and escaped deathe, whiche I alway looked for, and that I should after haue lead, though a strange & banisht life, with my déerest friende, yet suche a one, as in his compa∣nie, should haue benne moste delectable, for there is no∣thinge so troublesome and grieuous to me, whiche is not tollerable with him. But nowe the God who hath had charge of our businesse from the beginninge, and hath graunted vs but small pleasure, not yet satisfied, hath de∣ceiued vs againe. I thought that I had escaped bondage, but now I serue againe, and am kepte in pryson: I was in an Iland and darke place before, this present state is like too it, or rather, to saye the trothe, woorse, because he, who bothe coulde and woulde by comforte abate these so∣rowes, is violently seperated & taken from me. A denne of Théeues the daye before was mine Inne, and what was that habitation, but a very Hel, or woorse place? yet my déere Louer beinge with me, made it easie to be suf∣fered. There he lamented me aliue, and shedde teares for me, beinge (as he thought) dead, and bewayled me as if I had benne slaine, nowe am I depriued of all this: he is gonne, who was partaker of my calamities, and who would haue deuided them, as though it had benne a bur∣den. And I alone am forsaken, a prysoner, and by many waies to be lamented, am obiected to the arbiterment of cruell Fortune. And doo reteyne my life onely, for that I hope my moste déere friende is aliue. But ô my harte, where art thou? or what Fortune haste thou? arte thou also alas bounde, whiche haste a frée minde, not able to abide any seruage, but of Loue? well, doo nothinge but saue thy life, to the intent thou mayst once beholde thy Thisbe againe: for so shalte thou call me, whether thou wilt or not. Cnemon coulde abide no longer, after he hearde this, too heare the reste: though he gheassed by the beginninge somewhat els, yet by that he hearde in the

ende, concludinge that it was Thisbe, wanted but litle* 1.200 that he sounded not at the gate. But after he had ouer∣commed that passion with muche adoo, for feare least he should be spied of any man (for nowe the Cockes crewe the seconde time) he ranne backe slumblinge, sometime hurtinge his toes against the selles, sometimes hittinge his head against the walles and doore postes. When he came to his lodginge after muche trauell, he fell into the bedde, and all his body trembled, and his téeth chattered sore: and he had perhappes benne in extreame perill, if Calasiris, had not perceiued it, and comforted him, and brought him to him selfe againe. After he was reuiued a little, he asked of him the matter. I am vndonne ({quod} he) for that most wicked Thisbe is aliue in déede: and there∣withall he sounded againe: and Calasiris had much adoo to call him agayne, and comforte him. Surely some God plainely scorned Cnemon, because (as otherwise, for the most parte it maketh a ieste, or toie of humaine affayres: so nowe it woulde not suffer him peaceably without dis∣quietnesse, to enioye that whiche was most pleasant and welcome to him, but that whiche shortely after woulde make him very ioyfull, was nowe turned into sorrowe) either for that it shewed then the nature, and custome of it selfe, or els because the Nature of man can not take true ioye as should be. Wherefore Cnemon stedde from that, whiche he then should moste haue desired, & suppo∣sed that to be fearefull, whiche was moste delectable to him. For the woman that wepte was not Thisbe, but Cariclia. For thus it was: after Thiamis came into his Enimies hande aliue, and was kepte Prysoner, the Ilande was sette on fire, and the Heardemen, who in∣habited it, were fledde, Cnemon, and Thermutis, Thia∣mis Shielde Bearer, in the morninge rewed ouer the Lake, to spie in what case theire Captaine was with their Enimies: the manner of their iourney was such as is declared before. Then were Theagenes, and Cariclia

leafte in the Denne alone, who accoumpted the prolon∣ginge of their calamities a singulare benefite, that was the firste time that euer they were by them selues, and deliuered from al that mighte trouble them. Wherefore they considered of theire estate, not forgettinge to kisse and imbrace eche other, so that they foregat all that they had to doo, & stoode either in others armes a greate while, as if they had benne made one Body, contente yet to sa∣tisfie them selues with Chaste Loue, temperatinge their affection with teares, and clenly kisses. For Cariclia, if at any time shée perceiued Theagenes to passe the boundes of séemelinesse, and deale with her ouer want only, would rebuke him by tellinge him of his Othe: and he woulde suffer him selfe to be refourmed with litle laboure, and brought againe to temperatenesse, in as much as he was* 1.201 in Loue inferiour to her, but in pleasure he far surmoun∣ted. But at length, though it were longe firste, thei re∣membred what they had to doo, and by force were con∣strained to contente them selues, and then Theagenes be∣ganne to speake thus: That we, Cariclia, maie enioie one an other, and attaine vnto that, whiche we haue prefer∣red before al other thinges, and for whiche we haue sus∣teined al our troubles, bothe wée doo wishe, & the Goddes of Greece graunte. But for as muche, as wel because al worldly thinges are vnstable, and incline diuerse waies, and wée haue borne muche, and hope for many thinges, wée must nowe haste vs to Chemmis, as wee haue conclu∣ded with Cnemon, as also bicause wée knowe not what fortune wée shal haue, & wée haue (as it séemeth) a greate, and woonderful deale of grounde to passe, before wée can comme to the Lande whiche wée hope for: Let vs diuise* 1.202 certaine Tokens, whereby wée beinge one in others sighte, maie knowe our secretes: and if it happen vs to be Seawinded, wée maie in absence séeke one an other.* 1.203 For a watche woorde of friendes, which is keapte in hope to finde, is a greate easemente of longe trauel. Cariclia

praised his diuise, and they agreed, if they were sepera∣ted, that Theagenes shoulde write, Pithicus: Cariclia, Pi∣thies vpon al famous Churches, Pictures, Monumentes, and greate Stoanes in Crosse waies, whether they were gonne the right hande waie, or the lefte: to what Cittie, Village, or Countrie: and lastely, that thei should declare the very daie, and houre. And if they might, it shoulde be sufficiente one to sée the other. For they thoughte no time shoulde be hable to put out of theire mindes suche Loue: yet for the better assurance, Cariclia woulde shewe her Fathers Kinge, whiche was laide out with her, and Theagenes a Scarre in his Thighe, that a wilde Bore gaue him. It was further concluded betwéene them, that in stéede of woordes, shée shoulde beare a Taper, and he a Branche of Palme. To confirme this, they imbra∣ced eche other, and wepte, powringe out their teares in stéede of Sacrifice (as I gheasse), and for an Othe, they vsed many kisses. After these thinges were thus orde∣red, they came out af the Caue, without touching any of the Treasures whiche were laied vp there. For they coumpted those goodes vncleane, whiche were gotten by Robberies: but that which they brought with them from Delphi, and that the Théeues had taken from them, that they gathered togeather, and carried with them: And Cariclia chaunged her Apparaile, and put it into a litle Packe with the Coppie of their Vowe, and her Garland, and Sacred Garmente: and that it might be more priuie, they laied the reste of their woorste stuffe vpon it. As for her Bowe, and Quiuer, shée gaue them to Theagenes to beare, whiche was a passinge pleasante burthen to him, séeinge they were the proper Weapons of the God, who had the power ouer him. As soone as they came neare to the Lake, and were aboute to take Boate, they spied a bande of Armed men rowinge ouer to the Ilande. They∣fore abasshed at that terrible sighte, stoode a great while astonied, as though with the greatnesse of their sorrowe

whiche they conceiued of the vnstablenesse of Fortune, which so raged still against them, that they had lost their sences: yet at length whē they were ready to arriue, who comming towarde them, Cariclia desired to retire backe, and créepe into some corner of the Denne, and there hide them selues, and therewithall shée ranne her waie. But Theagenes caused her to abide, and saide how longe shal wée flée the fate that foloweth vs euery where? Let vs yéelde to Fortune, and withstande no longer the violēce which is ready to assaulte vs, for what els shal we gaine, but fruitelesse trauell, and a banished life, and from time to time, be scorned of the Goddes? Doo you not see howe they ioine the Robberies of the Pyrates to our banish∣ment, and goe aboute with greate diligence and tra∣uell to bringe vs into greater daungers, by Lande, then earst wée haue founde by Sea? not longe agoo they made afraie aboute vs: within a little after, they broughte Théeues vnto vs, ere while thei made vs prisoners, then lefte they vs alone, but at libertie, and made vs beléeue wée might goo whither wée woulde, then streight haue they brought vs into the handes of suche as shall kill vs. This warre for their disporte haue thei made against vs, making as it were, a Comedie of our affayres. Why then doo not wée breake of this Tragical Poeme of theirs, and yéelde vs to those that wil kill vs? least perhappes if they meane to make an intollerable ende of our Tragedy, we be forced to kill our selues. Cariclia allowed not al that he saide, mary shée thought that he iustly accused For∣tune, but not that it was any pointe of wisedome, to yéelde them selues willingly into their enimies handes, for they were not sure that they would kil them as soone as they had them, neither had they to doo with so gentle and friendly a God, that woulde make a quicke ende of their miseries, but woulde perhappes reserue them to a further bondage. Which thinge, then what death should it not be more gréeuous? If wée geue our selues to the

iniuries of barbarous people, wée shal be so vnwoorthely handled, as I am lothe to gheasse. Whiche thinge by all meanes, and as longe as wée can, let vs auoide: measu∣ringe our hope of time to comme, with experience of that whiche is paste, howe wée haue benne diuersly preserued at suche time as is not credible. After Theagenes had saide, Let vs doo as you wil: shée wente before, and he fo∣lowed her, as if he had benne tied to her. Yet for al their haste, they came not to the Denne before their Enimies: but while they looked on them that wente before them, they wiste not that with an other bande whiche came in∣to the Ilande at an other place, they were compassed, and enclosed. Wherewithal they sore abasshed, stoode stil, & Cariclia ranne vnder Theagenes arme, that if shée must néedes die, shée woulde die in Theagenes handes. One of those, who were landed, wente aboute to shoote at them, but after the yonge folkes had looked vpon them, theire hartes failed, & their righte handes quaked. For the very* 1.204 barbarous handes (as may appeare) doo feare the bewtiful personages, and a right cruell eye will be made gentell with a lowly looke. As soone as thei had taken them. they carried them to the Captayne, greatly desiringe to carry the fayrest of the spoiles to him at the first: & thei brought nothinge els, for although they had compassed the Iland with their Armoure, as with a nette rounde aboute, and had searched it from one parte to another, yet could they finde nothinge, for all that was in the Ilande, was bur∣ned in the former skirmishe, sauinge the Denne onely whiche no man knewe. And thus were they brought to the Generall of y^e warre: his name was Mytranes, whom Groondates had made Captayne of the watches: This Groondates was deputie of Egypte in the greate Kinges behalfe, who beinge hyred with a greate summe of mo∣ney, by Nausicles, as is aforesaide, to séeke Thisbe, came into the Ilande. After Theagenes, and Cariclia were brought almoste into their sighte, Nausicles by a crafty

deuise, Marchauntlike stepped foorthe, and cried with a* 1.205 greate voice, this is that Thisbe, of whom I was robbed by the mischieuous Heardmen, nowe doo I recouer her againe, Mytranes, by benefite of you, and fauour of the Goddes, then he caught Cariclia, and fayned him selfe to be very gladde, and whispered in Greeke to her priuily in her eare, that none who were by, might heare him, that shée shoulde saie, her name was Thisbe, if shée desired to escape daunger. And his policie tooke effect, for Cariclia, when shée hearde him speake Greeke, thought that he wente aboute somewhat for her commoditie, and ordred her selfe as he desired: and when Mytranes asked what her name was, shée saide, Thisbe. Then he ranne and* 1.206 kissed Mytranes, and cōmendinge his Fortune, made the barbarous man prowde, for that he had not onely atchy∣ued many other warres well, but had brought also this to prosperous end, he prowde of his praise, and thinking by the false name, that it was so in déede. Although him selfe was taken with her bewty, whiche appeared in her simple apparell, as if the brightnesse of the Moone should shine out of a Cloude, yet because the vnconstancie of his minde, was ouerraught with the quicknesse of the crafte, and all time to repent was taken from him. Nowe shée* 1.207 is recouered ({quod} he) take her with you seing shée is yours. And when he had saide thus, he deliuered her to him, still lookinge backe vpon her, and plainely declaringe that it was againste his will, and for the money that he had re∣ceiued before, that he suffred her to departe. As for this yonge man (pointinge to Theagenes) whatsoeuer he be, he shall be our pray, and goe with vs, and be kepte dili∣gently to be sente to Babylon, because the comelinesse of his body is suche, that he may waite at the Kinges table. This sayde, they rowed ouer the water, and departinge one from an other, Nausicles hauinge Cariclia, came to Chemmis. But Mytranes goinge to vewe other Townes vnder his Iurisdiction, without delaye sente Theagenes

with Letters to Groondates, who was then at Memphis in this wise indyted.

Mytranes the Captaine to Groondates the Lieutenant.* 1.208 I haue sente vnto you a yonge man of Greece too good to serue me, and méete onely to waite in the sighte of our God, the greate Kinge geuinge you leaue to present such an excellente gifte to him, who is Maister to vs bothe, as the Kinges Courte hitherto neuer sawe, neither yet shal hereafter. This was the Contentes of his Letter. But Calasiris, and Cnemon hopinge to knowe that they were ignorante of, came to Nausicles before daie, and as∣ked him howe he had spedde. Then Nausicles tolde him all: howe they came to the Ilande, and founde it deserte, and no man therein to méete them: howe he had craftily be guiled Mytranes, & had gotten a certaine Mayde which was there, in stéede of Thisbe: and that he had spedde better in gettinge of her, then if he had founde Thisbe. For there was no small difference betwéene them, but as was betwixte God, and Man, and that there was no bewtie so excellente, that might staine hers, and that it was not possible to set foorth the same iustly by woordes, for that he mighte shewe her before them. When they hearde this, they beganne to surmise the thing as it was in déede, and praied him instantly to bidde her comme in straight waie: for they knewe, that it was not possible, by woordes to expresse Cariclias bewtie. After shée was broughte in, and Nausicles (because shée caste her eies to the grounde, & had muffled all her face, saue her browes) beganne to comforte her, and badde her be of good chéere. Shée looked vp a litle, & contrarye to her expectation, shée sawe, & was séene: so that they al thrée began to crie out, & howle suddainely, as if there had benne a token geuen them when they should haue begonne: & you might haue hearde often these woordes, ô my Father, ô my Daughter Cariclia in déede, and not Cnemons Thisbe. Nausicles for woonderinge, had almost forgotten him selfe, & was asto∣nied

when he sawe Calasiris imbrace Cariclia, and not re∣frayne from teares, and knewe not what that suddaine acquaintaunce, as if it had benne in a Comedy, ment, vntill Calasiris had kissed him, & saide thus: The Goddes geue you (good man) so muche as maye content your de∣sire and will, who haue saued my Daughter whiche I neuer looked for, and caused me to beholde the déerest thinge that I mighte possible sée. But ô my Daughter, where haste thou lefte Theagenes? shée cried out when he asked her that question, & after shée had staied a while, shée answeared, he that deliuered me to this man, lea∣deth him away prysoner. Calasiris then besought Nausi∣cles, to tell him what he knew of Theagenes, who it was that had taken him, and whither he woulde carry him. Nausicles tolde them all, after he perceiued, that these were they, of whom the olde man had talked so oft with him, and to finde them, had ledde a wanderinge life in great sorrowe. He sayde moreouer that they should gette little there, but the knowledge of him beinge poore and néedy folkes, for as muche as it were a greate matter, if Mytranes would be content to lette him goe for a greate summe of Money. I haue Money (saide Cariclia softely to Calasiris) promise him as muche as you wil, for I haue aboute me the Iewelles, whiche you know of. Calasiris was gladde hereof, but fearinge least Nausicles shoulde suspect what Cariclias profer was, he saide, good Nausi∣cles,* 1.209 a wise man neuer wanteth, but dothe measure his Riches by his will, receiuinge so muche of his betters, as he déemeth woorthy to aske. Wherefore tell me onely where he is that kepeth Theagenes, and Gods gracious liberality will not lette vs wante, but will géeue vs so* 1.210 muche, as well may content the couetous minde of the Persian. Nausicles smiled at this, and saide: Then shall you make me beléeue, that you can suddainely, as it were with some deuise be made Riche, when you haue payed me the raunsom for this your Daughter, for you knowe

that aswell Merchauntes, as Persians, labour to gette money. I know it well, saide Calasiris, and you shal haue money, but why doo you make such haste, and beside that you pretermitte no kinde of courtesie towarde vs, you also of your owne accorde, approue and allowe the resti∣tution of my Daughter. I shoulde firste haue requested this at your hande. I am pleased ({quod} Nausicles) and if it please you, come and praie to the Goddes (for I will doo Sacrifice) and craue that you maye haue goodes to geue me. Ieste not, neither be of so littel faithe ({quod} Calasiris to him) but goe and prepare the Sacrifice, and when all thinges is ready, wée wil come. They did so, & within a while came one from Nausicles that called them, & badde thē make haste. They (for by this time thei had concluded what to doo) wente foorthe wyefully. Calasiris, and Cne∣mon wente with Nausicles, and the other gestes, for he made a Publique Sacrifice. But Cariclia wente with Nausicles Daughter, and other woomen whiche comfor∣ted her diuersly, but had muche adoo to perswade her to goe with them: and I know not, whether euer shée would haue ben perswaded, if vnder pretence of the Sacrifice, shée had not determined to praie for Theagenes. After they came to Mercuries Temple (for Nausicles made his* 1.211 Sacrifice to him, as the God that had moste care of Mer∣chauntes, and honoured him more then the reste) and the Offeringe was begonne, Calasiris looked a litle vpon the Intrailes, and by the diuerse chaunges of his counte∣nance, declared the pleasure, and paines of that whiche was to comme. And while the fire yet burned on the Aultare, he thruste in his hande, and made as though he pulled out of the fire, that whiche he helde in his hande* 1.212 before, and saide: This price of Cariclias redemption, the Goddes profer thée, Nausicles, by me. And therewith he deliuered him a Princely Ringe, a passinge Heauenly thinge: as touchinge the Hoope, it was of Iuory, wherein was set a bright Amethyst of Aethiopia, as greate as a

Maydens eie, in bewtte farre better, then those of Iberia, or Britayne. For those haue but an ill colour, which shine not at all, but are like to the Rose budde at the firste, whiche after with the heate of the Sunne waxe perfite redde. But the Ethiopian Amethyst, hath a perfect Ori∣ent colour, & shineth through out, and if you turne him aboute, as you holde him, he casteth foorthe a Golden beame, whiche dothe not hurte or dimme the sighte, but maketh it muche better and clearer, and he hath a natu∣rall vertue, more then the Westerne stoanes: for it hath not his name without effecte, but will not lette him be dronke in déede, that weareth him, but kepeth him fober at all feastes: and of this qualitie is euery Amethyst, of India, and Ethiopia. But that stoane whiche Calasiris gaue Nausicles, did passe these farre: For there was a Pi∣cture grauen in it, representinge certaine beastes, which was donne in this sorte. A boye sittinge not vpon a ve∣ry hie Hill to looke aboute him, kepte Shéepe, appointing his flocke their seuerall pastures with his pipe, they sée∣med to be ruled, and tarry at their féedinge, accordingly as he sounded his instrument. A man would haue saide that thei had Golden fléeses, not by reason of the woorke∣manship, but for that the Amethyst shyninge with his rednesse vpon their backes, made them shewe so fayre. There were grauen yonge Lambes leapinge vp and downe, and some by heapes wente vp the Rocke, other some daunced rounde aboute the Shéepherde, so that the toppe of the Rocke was made a Shepeherdes disporte. Other skipped in the flame of the Amethyst, as if thei had benne in the Sunne, who with the tippes of their féete, scraped the stoane. Many of the yonger forte beinge of greater courage, séemed as though they woulde goe out of the compasse, but were letted by the woorkemanship, whiche set a pale of Golde in manner of a wall, aboute the Rocke and them, and it was a Rocke in déede and not a counterfeite, for when the woorkeman had wrought

the Golde aboute the outer parte of the Stoane for that pourpose, he shewed that very liuely whiche he desired, thinkinge it to no pourpose, to counterfeite one Stoane in an other. Suche a one was the Ringe. Nausicles, mo∣ued with the straungenesse of the thinge, but more with the value thereof: estéeminge the Ringe of more price, then al the goodes he had beside, spake thus: Good Calasi∣ris, I did but ieste: and where I asked somewhat for the Ransome of your Daughter, it was but woordes: for I determined to let you haue her for nothinge. But for* 1.213 as muche as the giftes of the Goddes are not to be refu∣sed (as you saie), I take this Stoane sente from Heauen, perswadinge my selfe, that this was sente from the God that is moste beneficial to me, according as he is woonte, and hathe geuen this to you, through fire, as maie yet be séene by the flaminge thereof. Otherwise I déeme that* 1.214 vantage to be beste, which without damage of the geuer, doothe enriche him that receiueth it. After he had saide this, and made an ende of the Offeringe, he wente to méete with the reste, placing the woomen by them selues in an inner parte of the Temple, and the menne in the porche. After they had eaten yenough, and the Cuppes were sette on the Table, the menne called vpon Bacchus with an offeringe, and songe the Songe accustomably v∣sed, when menne goe aborde their shippes, and the wée∣men daunced after a ditty made in the honour of Ceres. But now when the banquette waxed somewhat warme, and eche man after his sorte solaced him selfe, Nausicles holdinge in his hande a glasse of cleare water, saide: I drinke to you in water, good Calasiris, and if it wil please you, to beginne to vs the tale whiche wée sore desire to heare, it shalbe more pleasant to vs, then all the Cuppes on this borde. For you heare howe the woomen nowe be at leasure, and haue well banqueted them selues, be∣ginne to Daunce: but your trauell, if it please you to make reporte of it to vs, shall shorten woonderfully well

our feaste, and be more pleasant to vs, then any daunce or instrument. The tellinge whereof, for as muche as you haue (as you knowe differed diuersly, for that your mischaunces ouerwhelmed you) you can reserue to no better time then this, because your Daughter, one of your Children is well, and your Sonne by the Goddes helpe shalbe recouered by and by, if you anger me not a∣gaine, by driuinge it of any longer. Gods blessinge on your harte ({quod} Cnemon to Nausicles) catchinge holde of his talke, who for all that you haue brought to this feast, all manner of Musicall instrumentes, doo sette light by them, and geue the ruder sorte leaue to heare them, but you your selfe are desirous to heare secrete affayres, and suche as are seasoned with singular mirthe, and me thin∣keth you well vnderstande the Nature of the Goddes, who ioyne Mercury, and Bacchus togeather, and adde pleasauntnesse of speache to the finesse of your banquet. Wherefore although I haue for iuste cause marueiled at the other sumptuousnesse of the Sacrifice, yet I knowe not whether a man maye by any meane please Mercury better, then to talke at his feastes, whiche thinge is his Badge aboue all other. Calasiris was content, as well to doo Cnemon a pleasure, as also for that he would curry fauour with Nausicles, for that whiche should ensewe, he tolde them all, briefely repetinge the principall pointes of that whiche he had tolde Cnemon before, and of pur∣pose passinge ouer with silence, that whiche he thought was to little purpose for Nausicles to knowe, but that whiche had not yet benne tolde, and did depende vpon that whiche wente before, he tolde in this sorte. After they were aborde in the shippe of Phoenicia, and were gonne from Delphi, they sayled as they would wishe at the firste, & had very prosperous winde. But when they came into the Calidonian Sea, they were greatly trou∣bled, because thei had happened into a Sea, whiche of his* 1.215 owne nature, was very disquiet & troublesome. Cnemon

desired him that he would not passe ouer this, but tell it, if he knew any reason of the ragynge of the same, in that place. The Ionian Sea ({quod} he) beinge restrayned of his* 1.216 great breadth, and in a manner brought into straightes, fallinge into the coaste of Crisa, and hastinge to come in∣to the Sea called Egeum, is stopped by Isthmus in Pelo∣ponnesus, so perhappes by the prouidence of God is the Hill placed there, least by the violence of the water, it should ouerflowe the lande on the contrary coaste. And for as muche as from hence the water beaten backe (as may be by reason) is restrained of his course, rather a∣bout this Sea, thē in any other parte, because that which yet floweth, falleth into that, whiche nowe by Isthmus was made to returne, so that the water is much troubled & very boisterous, by reason of the continuall concourse of the waues, in all the Ebbes and Floudes: whiche opi∣nion of his, after all these who were present praysed, and affirmed to be trewe. Calasiris tolde on his tale, saying: After wée had passed the Sea, and had loste the sight of the Acute Ilandes, wée thought that wée discouered a Mountaine of Zacynthus, in manner of a darke cloude before our eyes, and therewith the Maister badde strike some of the Sailes, and when we asked him why, he aba∣ted them, and wente more easily, seinge that the shippe had a very good gale of winde, because (saide he) if we wente with full saile aboute the firste watche wée should ariue at the Ilande, and so were it to be doubted, leaste in the darke, wée runne vpon some Rockes whereof are there greate stoore, and those very hie. It is therefore wisedome to lie all night in the Sea, and take the winde in suche proportion, as shal serue to bringe vs thither to lande in the morninge. Thus saide the Maister, Mary wée did not so Nausicles, but euen with the risinge of the Sunne, wée cast Ancore. The inhabitauntes of the same Iland, whiche dwelt aboute the Hauen, whiche was not farre from the Cittie, came by heapes to looke vpon vs (as

if it had benne some straunge sighte) in greate woonder (as might séeme) to sée the handsomnesse of that greate Shippe, whiche was builte very faire, accordinge to her height, and saide that the industry, and excellent woorke∣manship of the Phoenicians, might be knowen by that, and that wée had woonderfull good lucke, that made so good a viage in the winter, aboute the time the Pleiades* 1.217 were reddy to sette. All our company, ere the tacklinges and sayles were in good order, lefte the Shippe, & wente aboute their Merchandise, to the Citty Zacynthus. But I (because I hearde by chaunce, of the Maister, that they would winter there) wente to séeke me some Inne about the shore, esche wing the Shippe, for that it was vnméete by reason of the rudenesse of the Marriners, and the Cit∣tie, for that it was not conuenient for the flight of the yonge couple. After I had gonne a little way, I sawe an Olde man which was a Fisher, that satte mendinge his broken nettes, before his doore. I came to him, and saide good man God saue you, and tell me I pray, where a man may gette lodginge? He answeared me: It was rente a∣boute a promontory hereby, beinge lette slippe vpon a rocke, whiche they sawe not. I aske not that {quod} I, but you shal shewe vs great curtesie, if either you your selfe wilbe our Hoste, or elles shewe vs some other Inne. He answeared, not I, for I was not aborde with them: God defende that Tyrrhenus shoulde doo so muche amisse, or haue suche a spite though he be Olde, but it was my Sonnes defaulte, who knowinge nothinge of the rockes here in the Sea, caste their nettes where thei should not. At length when with muche adoo, I perceiued that he was somewhat harde of hearinge, I spake alowde to him and saide: God spéede you Sir, and I praye you, tell vs where wée may haue an Inne, you are welcome saide he againe, and if it please you abide with me, except you be any of those, that séeke for the houses wherein are many beddes, and haue some greate trayne after you. I haue

({quod} I) but two children, and I am the thirde my selfe, you are a good company ({quod} he) you shall finde one more of vs, for I haue twoo Sonnes that dwell with me (for mine eldest Sonnes are Married, and kéepe houses them selues) & the fourth is a Nurse for my children, because their Mother died but a while agoe, wherefore good man come on and doubte not, but wée will be gladde of you, who are a man which séeme to be some Gentleman euen by your talke. I did so, and shortly after I came with* 1.218 Theagenes and Cariclia, and Tyrrhenus intertained vs gladly, and lette vs haue the warmer parte of the house. Truely we were very wel at the firste, and had good lea∣sure, to conferre whole dayes togeather, and when wée should sléepe, Cariclia wente to bedde with the Nurse, in one place by her selfe, and I with Theagenes laye in another. Tyrrhenus and his Children in a parlour also alone tooke their reste. Wée did eate at one Table all, and suche thinges as were néedefull, wée prouided of our owne coste, beside Fishe whiche Tyrrhenus tooke in the Sea, as he woulde sommetime fishe alone: sommetime wée woulde helpe him at leasure. For he had all manner of waies to fishe, and for all seasons, and the place was well stoared, and very conueniente to caste Nettes: so that many woulde ascribe that gayne whiche they got by their Arte to the benefite of Fortune. But there was* 1.219 none other remedie, but as the Prouerbe is, once vnhap∣py, and euer vnhappy. Cariclias bewtie, euen in this so∣litary place, was not without great broyle: for that Mer∣chaunte of Tyre, which was denounced Victor at Delphi in the games of Apollo, called Pithia, with whom wée sai∣led, came to me alone, and was very importunate, and gréeuous vnto me: beséechinge me, as if I had benne her Father, that I woulde geue her him to wife. He talked much of him selfe, partely by telling of his Noble stocke, partely by shewinge vs of his riches, and that the Hulke wherein wée sailed, was his owne, and that the greater

parte of the Merchandise therein, as Golde, Pretious Stoanes of great valewe, and Sylke was his aboue the reste: and he added also his late obteined Victorie, as no small increase of his honoure and name, and a thousande thinges beside these. But I alleged for my selfe, our presente pouertie, and that I woulde neuer marrye my Daughter to one that dwelte in a straunge Countrie, so farre from Egypte. Leaue this talke, Father ({quod} he) for I will accoumpte the Mayde a Dowrie woorthe many Talentes, and all the ritches in the worlde. As for my Countrie I will chaunge it for yours, and wil turne my pourposed viage to Carthage, and goe with you whither so euer you will. When I sawe that the Phoenician woulde not geue ouer his determination, and pourpose, I determined with faire woordes to driue of the matter, leaste he shoulde attempte any thinge forceibly againste vs, and promised that I woulde fulfill al his desire when I came into Egypte. When I had by this meanes paci∣fied him, God laied one mischiefe vpon an other, as the Prouerbe is. For Tyrrhenus not many daies after, when he had carried me into a secrete place, on a croked shore, saide thus to me: Calasiris, I sweare by Neptune, and all other Goddes of the Sea, that I haue loued you, as if you had benne mine owne Brother, and youre children, as if they had benne mine also. I will tell you a thinge whiche is woorkinge againste you, very grée∣uous, and painefull to you: but suche as is not lawful for me to conceale, for that wée dwel bothe in one house, and it apperteineth altogeather for you to knowe it. There is a Pyrate which waiteth vpon the Hulke of Phoenicia, whiche lieth secrete vnder the side of this Promontory, and sendeth out Spies daily to enquire when this Ship will goe foorthe.: wherefore looke to your selfe, and take héede what you doo, for as muche as this shamefuul facte, vsuall to them, is enterprised for you, or rather for your Daughter. The Goddes ({quod} I to him) geue you suche

thankes for these tidinges, as you deserue. But Tyr∣rhenus, howe vnderstoode you these thinges? By reason of my Crafte I am acquainted with them (saide he): and when I bring them victualles, I haue more of them then any men els. Therefore when I drewe my Pottes about the falle of yonder Hill, the Maister Pyrate came to me, and asked, whither I hearde when the Phoenitians would leaue their harboure. When I perceiued the suttlenesse of his talke, In faithe Trachynus ({quod} I) I can tell you no certaintie: but I suppose that at the beginninge of the nexte Spring, they wil saile. Wil the Mayde then saile with them ({quod} he) whiche lieth at your house? I cannot tell ({quod} I). But why doo you aske that? Because ({quod} he) I loue her in suche sorte, that I am scante in my wittes, yet I neuer sawe her but ones, and I knowe not, whe∣ther I euer sawe so faire a wooman before: yet I haue ta∣ken many prisoners, and somme of them very bewtifull. That I mighte the better cause him to tell me all his counsell priuely, I saide vnto him: What néede you to fighte with the Phoenicians, & not rather without Bloud fetche her out of my house before they goe aborde. He answeared me, that Théeues did vse gentlenesse, and* 1.220 courtefie to suche as they were acquainted with. I leaue that therefore for your sake, leaste my so dooinge shoulde bringe you into trouble: in as much as the geastes which you interteined, would be required againe at your hand. Also I desire to haue twoo thinges at ones: the Riches in the Shippe, and the Marriage of the Mayde: one whereof I muste néedes lacke, if I attempte this by Lande, and beside it were very dangerous, if any such thing should be enterprised so neare the Cittie, leaste the Rape would be perceiued, and pursute made after. When I had muche commended him for his wisedome, I leafte him there, and am come to tell you of the Waites which these pastegraces haue laide for you, desiringe you hartely to deuise diligently howe you maie saue you, and yours. I

wente from him very heauie after I hearde this, and thoughte vpon many thinges, vntill the Merchante by chaunce mette me: and fallinge in talke about these mat∣ters, gaue me a prety beginninge of a wise deuise. For I concealinge what I liste, of that Tyrrhenus had told me, opened vnto him onely this: That a man thereaboutes, whom he was not hable to withstande, wente aboute vi∣olentely to take the Mayde from me. But I ({quod} I) had rather marry her to you, both for that knowledge which I haue had of you, and also for your wealthe: but especi∣ally for that you promised to dwel with vs in our Coun∣trie, if you haue her. Wherefore if you desire to haue her, let vs saile hence quickely, before wée be preuented, and haue had somme extremitie shewed vs. He was woonderfully gladde when he hearde this, and saide: Fa∣ther, this is well deuised, and therewithall he came and kissed me, and asked when I woulde commaunde him to departe. Although ({quod} I) it be vnseasonable nowe, yet I would haue you to get you into somme other Porte, that wée maie auoide the guiles prepared againste vs, and there abide for better time. Therefore ({quod} I) if you will be ruled by me, at the beginninge of the nexte night wée woulde departe. And he, when he had promised so to doo, wente his waie. I came home, but tolde nothinge of this to Tyrrhenus: mary to my Children I saide it was be∣hoouefull for vs to goe aborde in the eueninge. And al∣though thei marueiled at the suddainenesse thereof, & as∣ked the mater, yet I draue them of, saying, that I would tell them afterwarde, and that there was no remedie nowe, if wée woulde doo well. After wée had eaten a slender Supper, and were gonne to bedde, an Olde man* 1.221 appeared to me in my sléepe, whose Body was dried vp, yet he had a Disshe tied to his Girdle, who séemed in his youthe to haue benne a talle man: he had a Hatte on his heade, and séemed by his countenaunce, that he had bene a wise, and subtile man: mary he halted a litle, as if he

had gotten somme Wounde in his Thighe: who, after he came neare me, smiled a litle with an angry counte∣naunce, and saide: You good man, alone of all that haue sailed by Cephalene, and looked vpon my house, and ac∣coumpted it a great matter to knowe my renoume, haue had no respecte to me, but haue sette so lighte by me, that you woulde not speake to me, whiche euery man doothe, for all I dwelt so neare you, but you shall ere longe be punished for this, and shall haue like perilles as I had, & fall into your enemies hande, as wel by Lande as Seas. As for the Mayde that thou carriest with thée, speake to her, & gréete her in my Wiues name, because shée estée∣meth more of her Virginitie, thē any thinge in y^e world, wherfore shée shal haue a luckie ende. I started for feare of this Vision, and when Theagenes asked me what I ayled, wée had ({quod} I) almoste forgotten the goinge of the shippe out of the Hauen, for when I waked, I was sore troubled with thinkinge thereof. Wherefore gather vp your stuffe, and I will call Cariclia, who as soone as I gaue her warninge came. When Tyrrhenus wist of this he arose also, and asked what wée meant to doo. What so euer it be ({quod} I) that wée doo at this time, it is by your ad∣uise: wée goe aboute to escape from them, that awayte vs with mischiefe, and the Goddes kéepe you in safety, who hath plaied the right honest man with vs. One good turne I praie doo vs at partinge, goe ouer into Ithaca, & doo Sacrifice for vs to Vlysses, and praye him to appease his wrathe towardes vs, for that as he hath tolde me to night in my sléepe, he is greately offended, as if he had benne dispised and set at naught. He promised he would so doo, and conducted vs to our shippe, and wepte woon∣derfully, and prayed to God that he would graunte vs a prosperous viage, accordinge to our hartes desire. To be shorte, by daie wée were in the middest of the Sea, but the Marriners at the firste were greatly againste it, yet at length thei were perswaded by the Merchant of Tyre,

because he tolde them that they fledde certaine Pyrates that pursued thē, of whiche he had warninge. He meante* 1.222 to tell them this for a tale, and knewe not that he sayde truthe. But the windes and weather were sore against vs, so that the Sea was very rough, and wée in a greate tempest, very neare to be cast awaie, yet at length when wée had loste halfe our rudder, and broken the most parte of our sayle yardes, wée arriued in a certaine Harboure of Crete. We thought it good therefore to tarry there cer∣taine daies, aswell to repayre our shippe, as also to ease our selues. When these thinges were donne, it was a∣pointed that wée shoulde sayle, the firste Mondaie after the chaunge of the Moone, we were carried into the déepe Seas, with the Easterly winde, a daye and a night, and our Maister directed our Hulke to the coast of Aphrique. For he saide that if the winde blewe, and wée kepte a straight course, wée might passe the mayne Sea, and he made all haste possible to come to the mayne Lande, or into some Hauen, for the Barke whiche he sawe out of the pupe was a Pyrate. For euer sithence wée loosed frō the promontory of Crete, he followeth vs, and neuer de∣clineth one iote from our course, but pursueth our shippe, as if it went our viage with vs: for I haue perceiued this diuerse times, when I turned aboute of purpose our ship from his right course, that hath also turned. When he had saide this, some were moued, and exhorted the reste to make them ready to defense, but some made lighte thereof. Sayinge that the shorter shippes might well o∣uertake suche as are greater, for that thei know by more experience the certainety of theire waye. While these things were disputed on, vpon bothe partes, it was that time of the daie, that the Husbandman dothe vnyoke his Oxen from the ploughe, and the vehement winde began to waxe caulme, so that within a little while it was al∣most downe, & blewe softly to no purpose on our sailes, whereby it rather huffed them together, then made any

way for our shippe. At length it ceased quite, as if at the Sunne settinge it had appointed to leaue blowinge, or rather (that I may speake more truely) to doo them which followed vs a good turne, for thei that were in the Barke as longe as wée had winde, were farre behind our shippe whiche was ful fraughted, as is good reason, for that our greater sayles receiued more winde. But after the Seas were caulme, and wée of force constrained to rowe, the darke came vpon vs sooner then a man would thinke, in as muche (as I thinke) euery one of them rowed, and so made the light barke whiche was more fitte for that purpose, goe the faster. When they drewe somewhat néere, one of the menne of Zacynthus which came aborde with vs cried out. This is a Pyrates shippe, mates, I knowe Trachinus barke: al y^• Hulke was moued at these newes, & in a calme weather had it a great tempest, eue∣ry parte thereof was filled with great noise, lamenting, and runninge vp and downe, somme ranne into the ne∣ther partes of the Shippe: somme stoode vpon the Hat∣ches, and exhorted one an other to fighte: somme were of opinion, that it was beste to goe into the Cocke Boate, and be gonne. Vntill (before they determined any thing) the presente skirmishe appeased their adoo, for that euery man must néedes by that time méete one in Harneis. I, & Cariclia hung about Theagenes, who desired sore to fight, & coulde scante make him geue ouer. Shée saide to him, that shée woulde not be parted from him by Deathe, but that shée would, with the same Swoorde, & like wounde, abide suche happe, as he felte. But I, after I perceiued that it was Trachinus, whiche came on, thoughte vpon sommewhat whiche mighte doo vs good afterwarde, whiche in déede tooke effecte: for as soone as the Pyrates were comme, they wente aboute vs, without castinge a∣ny Dartes at vs, so tryinge, if by any meanes they mighte take the Hulke without battaile: mary they ro∣wed rounde aboute vs, and woulde suffer the Shippe to

goe no further. So that they were like, as if they had be∣sieged vs, and desired to take our Shippe vpon certaine Conditions, and saide: Why be you so madde (you vn∣happy folkes) why attempte you to sturre againste suche inuincible strengthe, and that whiche farre surmounteth yours: thereby to purchase youre certaine Destruction? Yet wée vse you friendely, and geue you leaue to take your Cocke, and saue your liues, if you will. Theise Conditions they propounded. But they, who were in the Hulke, as longe as they were without daunger, and the Battaile was without bloude, were very stoute, and saide plainely, that they would not departe. But when one of the Pyrates bolder then the reste, stepte aborde,* 1.223 and with his swoorde flewe al them that he mette, and taughte them, that Warres were accustomably made with Slaughter, and Deathe. Then the Phoenicians re∣pented them of theire so dooinge: and fallinge flatte on theire faces, praied them of mercie, for that they woulde doo what they would haue them. They, for al that they were nowe gredy to kill (for the sighte of Bloude is a* 1.224 greate mouing to the minde): yet by commaundement of Trachinus, contrary to al hope, they spared them. Surely their Conditions were hainous, & for al the coūterfeited name of Peace, it was cruell Warre in déede by reason of the Truce which was propounded to them, more tol∣lerable then the Battaile it selfe. For straighte com∣maundemente was geuen, that euery man shoulde goe out of the Shippe with one sute of Apparell onely, and that he shoulde die that brake the same. It séemeth, that* 1.225 men sette more by theire liues, then any thinge els: for which also, the Phoenicians without al hope of the goodes in the Shippe, as if they had loste nothinge, but rather made a good Market, got out of the Ship, euery man de∣siringe to saue him selfe firste. After wée also were there ready to obey theire Decrée, Trachinus takinge vp Cari∣clia, saide vnto her: This Warre nothinge belongethe to

thée, my Déere, but hathe benne enterprised for thy sake, and I haue folowed you euer since you sayled from Za∣cynthus: onely for you haue I aduentured these perilles by Sea. Wherefore feare not, but be of good comforte, and knowe, that you shal be Ladye of al these with me. Thus he saide. But shée (for it is a pointe of wisedome* 1.226 to haue respecte to time, and to turne al to the beste (very discretely, beinge greatly chéered with mine aduice, and what I had tolde her, as touchinge these presente mis∣happes, with a countenance so séemely, as woulde haue allured any man, saide, I geue the Goddes thankes, who haue geuen you a harte to deale more gently with vs, then the reste. But if you will haue me to be bolde in déede, and to tarrye, shewe me this for a token of youre good wil: saue this my Brother, and my Father, and com∣maunde them not out of the Shippe also: for if these be from me, there is no waie to saue me aliue. And when shée had saide thus, shée felle at his knées, and helde him faste. Trachinus was wel pleased with her so holding, and deferred his promise of pourpose. At length moued with her teares to compassion, was by her countenance forced to fulfil her wil, after he had taken vp the Mayde, saide thus: I geue this your Brother to you with all my harte: for I sée he is a yong man of stoute courage, which maie doo vs good seruice. As for the Olde man, whiche is but a chargeable burthen without profite, let him tarrye onely for your pleasure. While these thinges were say∣inge, and dooinge, the Sunne came out of his course, to his settinge, and made that space betwéene the daie, and the nighte darke: the Sea, either changinge by reason of the time, or els by the wil of Fortune, beganne to waxe roughe, and a man mighte heare a greate noyse of the Windes arisinge, whose greate and valiante Blastes suddainely muche abasshed the Pyrates, by reason that they al had lefte the Barke, and were busie in the Hulke aboute spoylinge of the Merchandise therein, and knewe

not howe to vse the greatnesse of the same. Wherefore* 1.227 euery parte was ordered of euery man vnaduisedly, so that eche of them beganne to practise that, whiche he had neuer donne before: somme stroke the Sailes on heapes: other intangled the Ropes without skill: one ignorante felowe tooke the Rudder in hande: an other as wise as he was in the Foreship. The greatest thinge that brought vs into perill, was not the Tempeste, which was not yet very greate, but the vnskilfulnesse of the Maister, who as longe as he coulde sée any lighte of the daie, stoode to it, but when it was darke gaue ouer his charge. When therefore they were in daunger of drowninge, and al∣moste sunke, somme of the Pyrates woulde haue gonne into their owne Barke againe, but they helde thē selues contente, beinge disappointed of theire pourpose by the force of the Tempeste: and Trachinus counsel, who per∣swaded them that they shoulde haue sixe hundred suche litle Barkes, if they keapte the Hulke and the Kitches therein whole: and at laste he cutte of the Rope whereby it was tied to the Hulke, saieinge, that it woulde bringe them into an other Tempeste: wherefore it was beste to woorke wisely to be safe afterwarde, for it was a suspiti∣ous* 1.228 matter to ariue in any place with twoo Shippes, se∣inge it muste néedes comme to passe, that inquirye must be made of those that sailed in the one. And he séemed to speake probably, and by dooinge that one thinge, to ap∣proue his deuise in twoo matters. They had but litle re∣medie when the Barke was gonne, neither were they out of peril, but tossed with continual Waues without ceasinge: so that they loste many partes of their Shippe, vntil after that nighte aboute the Sunne settinge of the nexte daie, they landed by chaunce at a certaine Mouthe of a Hauen of Nilus, called Heracliote in Egypte againste our willes, vnhappy creatures. Somme were gladde thereof, but wée wer very sorrowful, and accoumpted the benefite of our health that wée had of the Sea, a great re∣proche:

in as muche as it enuied vs a Deathe without* 1.229 al iniurie, and committed vs to lande, whiche was more sorrowful then it: in as much as nowe wée were subiecte vtterly to the Pyrates, that they might doo with vs their will, whiche mighte easily be gheassed by that whiche those Villaines attempted before they came ashore. For by reason that they saide they woulde doo Sacrifice to Neptune, to geue him thankes for theire safetie, they broughte alande Wine of Tyre, and many suche thinges els out of the Shippe, and sente somme of their mates to the Borders adioining to buie cattel with a greate deale of Money, and gaue them charge to paie what so euer was asked at the firste woorde. After so dooinge, they straight waie returned, and brought with them a whole Hearde of Swine and Shéepe, and they whiche tarried behinde, had made the fiers, and fleaed the beastes ap∣poited for the Sacrifice: they wente to theire Feaste, Trachinus tooke me aside, so that none mighte heare, and said to me: Father, I am determined to take thy Daugh∣ter* 1.230 to wife, and marry her this daie, so that I pourpose to ioine this pleasante Solemnitie with the Sacrifice of the Goddes. Wherefore leaste you in the Feaste (if you hearde not of this before) should be any thinge sadde: but that you mighte tell youre Daughter hereof, and cause her to be of a chéereful courage, I thoughte it good to tell you my minde, not for that I néede your consente, for I haue Absolute power to doo what I liste. But bicause I accoumpte it more luckie, and séemely also, if the Bride* 1.231 more chéerefully prepare her selfe, beinge admonished thereof firste by her Father. I praised his opinion, and made as though I had benne gladde, and gaue thankes to the Goddes that they had appointed my Maister to be my Daughters Husbande. And when I was gonne, I beganne to thinke on that whiche was to comme, and came to him againe, and besought him, that that whiche was newe begonne, mighte be donne more solemnely,

and that he would appointe the Hulke to be the Maydes Bedchamber, and geue commaundemente that no man might goe in and trouble her, that shée migt prouide that whiche was méete to furnishe, and sette foorthe a Bride by leasure. For it were il ordered, if shée, whiche is of a good stocke, and very ritche, and (that whiche is greatest) shalbe Trachinus wife, shoulde not be made so handsome as shée might be, althoughe time and place wil not geue her leaue to be very trimme. Trachinus was very glad of this, and promised it shoulde be so with all his harte: and therewith he gaue charge, that all suche thinges as they shoulde haue néede of, shoulde be carried out, and that after none shoulde comme neare the Shippe. They did as he commaunded them: they brought out Tables, Cuppes, Carpettes, Cloathes of Arrace, Woorkes of Si∣don, and Tyre, & other suche thinges, as were expediente to the furniture of a feast: eche one brought out of y^e Ship thinges vpon their shoulders, without respecte or order, suche as diuerse men with greate trauel, and thryftie v∣sage had gathered togeather: but now Fortune had pre∣pared them to serue their Prodigal Banquette. But I tooke Theagenes with me, and when we came to Cariclia, and founde her wéepinge, saide, Daughter, this is no newes to you: marry I knowe not, whether it be for your olde il fortune, or any newe mishhappe. For bothe ({quod} shée), but aboue al thinges, for that which I am afraid of, which is the hated good wil of Trachinus, which time, as is like, procureth for such successe, as is not looked for,* 1.232 is accustomed to moue menne to doo il. But Trachinus, and his Loue whiche I hate so muche, shal be sorrowful, which I wil preuente with Deathe. And to thinke that I shoulde be deuided from you and Theagenes before the ende (if that came to passe) caused me to be thus heauie. You thinke ({quod} I) in déede as it is: for Trachinus, after the Sacrifice, meaneth to chaunge the Banquette into his, and your Bridall, and made me (as I had bene your Fa∣ther)

priuie thereto, who knewe before his vnreasonable loue that he bare to you, by Communication that I had with Tyrrhenus in Zacynthus, but I did not tell you thereof, leaste you shoulde haue benne discouraged for feare of those mishappes, seinge also that we might haue auoided his snares. But my Children, séeinge God wil not let this comme to passe, and that wée are nowe in ex∣treme perill, attempte somme woonderful, and courragi∣ous enterprise to withstande this increasinge euill, whereby wée shal liue fréely euer after, if wee haue good lucke: or els accoumpte it aduantage if wée saile, to die Chastely, and like menne. After they promised to doo what I woulde commaunde them, and I had taughte them what was beste to doo, I leafte them makinge such prouision as was requisite, and came to that Pyrate, which was chiefe next Trachinus (whose name I thinke, was Pelorus) and saide, that I had a thinge to lel him for his profite. He was ready. And after I had broughte* 1.233 him where none mighte heare, I saide: Geue eare my Sonne shortely, for the shortenesse of the time will not suffer me to be very longe: my Daughter is in loue with thée, as ouercomme with the better man: marry shée sus∣pecteth that the Archepyrate maketh this Banquette to marrye her, for he séemed to meane somme suche thinge, when he gaue her commaundemente to decke her selfe somewhat finely. Wherefore consider howe you maie vndoo that, and haue her your selfe. For shée saithe, shée wil rather die, then marrye Trachinus. Then saide he, be of good chéere: for in as muche as I haue benne aswell minded that waie, as the Mayde, I desired to haue some occasion, and meane profered to take that mater in hand a good while agoe. Wherefore Trachinus shal suffer me to marry her of his owne frée wil, or els he shal haue but a soary Marriage, by sufferinge that at my hande, that he hathe wel deserued. I hasted backe for feare of suspi∣tion, when I hearde him saie thus, and comminge to my

Children comforted them, and tolde them howe my de∣uise tooke good effect: Within a littell after we wente to Supper. Then I, when I sawe them well whitled with wine, and wantonly bent, whispered Pelorus in the eare (for I satte nexte him of purpose) and sayde, haue you séene howe the Mayde is dressed? He answeared me no: But you may {quod} I nowe, if you goe priuely to the shippe, for you knowe Trachinus hath geuen contrary com∣maundement, you shal sée Diana her selfe sitte there: but so behaue your selfe, that you be not ouer bolde to behold her, least you purchase deathe to you bothe. He tarried not, but as if he had some very earnest businesse, arose & came priuily into the Hulke, and when he sawe Cariclia were a Crowne of Lawrell on her head, and glister in her Garment garnished with Golde, (for shée had put on the holy apparell whiche shée brought from Delphi, to be a furniture either to her Victory, or els bewtie to her bu∣riall) & suche other thinges aboute her, as might beséeme a Marriage well, was set on fire (as was like he woulde be) with that sight, in as muche as desire and emulation pricked him forwarde, and it was euident by his counte∣naunce when he returned, that he intended to doo some mischieuous thinge, for ere he was well sette downe, he saide, why haue not I the rewarde dewe to him that first ••ourded the enemies shippe? Because, saide Trachinus, yet you haue not asked it, neither is that which wée haue gotten diuided. Then I wil haue {quod} he, the Mayde which is taken prysoner. But when Trachinus had saide, beside her take what you will. Pelorus beganne to saie, then doo* 1.234 you disanull and abrogate the Lawe of Pyrates, whiche geueth him, which firste entreth the enimies shippe, and hath for all his mates aduentured him selfe to the moste daungerous parte of the skirmishe, leaue to chose what liketh him beste. I breake not good Sir, sayde Trachinus, this, but I leaue to another whiche willeth that place be* 1.235 geuen to the Captaines. For my parte I loue the Mayde

woonderfully well, and meane to take her to my wife. And I saye plainely it is reason that I chose before you, and if you doo not as the Lawe willes you, you shall re∣pent it with a blowe of this potte. Then saide Pelorus to those that were by, you sée what is the rewarde of our trauell? so shall any of you hereafter be put beside your due. What els might any man sée there Nausicles? you might haue compared those men so suddainely, moued to the Sea: so blinde and foolishe a quarell drawe them to so greate a broyle, beinge with Wine and anger almoste made starke madde. Some tooke this mans parte, some his, one sorte would haue the honour geuen to the Capi∣taine, an other saide that the lawe and ordinance might not be broken. At length Trachinus bente him selfe to* 1.236 caste a potte at Pelorus, but he preuented him (for he was prouided before) and thrust his Dagger to his harte, and there laye he wounded to deathe. Betwéene the reste was a cruell battell, for as they mette they spared not them selues, some to reuenge the Capitaine, other to de∣fende Pelorus his right, so that they wayled al a like, and fought with Battes, Stoanes, Pottes and Tables. But I wente a greate way of, and from the toppe of a little Hill looked vpon them out of all daunger. Neither was Theagenes and Cariclia, frée from this warre, in as much as they dooinge as was agreed vpon, he came with a swoorde, and ioyninge to one side, behaued him selfe as if he had benne distraught, shée when she sawe the battel begonne, shotte out of the shippe in such sorte as shée ne∣uer missed one, & spared none but Theagenes, shée shotte into no one parte of the Battayle, but him shée hilte, that shée first spied, for that shée was not séene, but did easily sée her enemies through the fire, so that they knewe not what mishappe that was, but some supposed it a plague* 1.237 sentefrom Heauen, vntil euery man was slaine, & Thea∣genes onely lefte fighting hande to hande with Pelorus, a stoute man, and practized in many Murthers. Now could

Cariclias shootinge doo no more seruice, shée was sory that shée could not helpe him, and afrayde leaste shée shoulde loose him, now they twoo were come to hande blowes: but at length Pelorus was not hable to stande againste him, for though that Cariclia with her déede, could healpe him no more, yet with her woorde shée comforted him, crying out: Nowe my harte plaie the man, then was Theage∣nes farre too good for Pelorus, as though her voyce had made him stronge, and bolde, and declared what was the rewarde of that battayle. For then he plucked vp his harte, whiche was sore wounded before, and leapt neare Pelorus, and with his swoorde stroke a full blowe at his head, but missed thereof, for that he auoyded the blowe a little, but he cutte his arme from his shoulder, & there∣with he fledde, & Theagenes pursued him, what followed I cannot tell but that he returned againe, and I sawe him not, for that I tarried on the Hill, and durste not be oner bolde to walke in the nighte in a place so full of eni∣mies, but Cariclia espied him wel yenoughe, for I percei∣ued when it was day, that he laie like a deade man, and shée sate by him, and wepte, and declared that shée would kil her selfe, but shée helde her hande for a litle hope that shée had of his life. But I vnhappy man, could not speake to them, nor know the trothe, nor comforte their calami∣tie before that as greate mishappes by Lande, as these were by Sea, happened to vs without any delaie. For as soone as I sawe the daie appeare, and was comminge downe the Hill, I spied a companie of Théeues of Egypt, runne from a Mountaine whiche stretcheth that waye by séeminge, and by this time had taken the yonge cou∣ple, and within a while after carried them awaie, and what so euer els they coulde out of the Shippe. I spake to no pourpose a farre of, and bewailed my Forture, and theirs in vaine, for that I coulde not defende them, nei∣ther thought I it beste to comme emong them, for that I would reserue my selfe, in hope to helpe them afterward.

So I tarried behinde, for that by reason of mine age I was not so wel hable as the Théeues to runne downe* 1.238 the stéepe, and combersomme places, but nowe haue I v∣sed your heple, Nausicles, and the fauoure of the Goddes in recouery of my Daughter, though I did nothing ther∣to els, but wéepe and lamente abundantly. And then he wepte him selfe, and they also who were presente: to be shorte, the Banquette was turned into suche wéepinge, as was mingled with a kinde of pleasure (for Wine in a manner maketh men ready to teares) so longe, til Nausi∣cles comforted Calasiris, and saide: Father, hereafter be merry, & of good chéere, for that you haue recouerd youre Daughter, and after one nighte onely you shal sée youre Sonne also. For in the morninge wée will talke with Mytranes, and doo al that we can to Ransome good Thea∣genes. I woulde with all my harte, saide Calasiris. But nowe it is time to make an ende of our Banquette. Let vs remember God, and conioine to our Offeringe a Thankesgeuinge for her deliuery. After this, the Offe∣ringe was carried aboute, and so the Banquette ended. Calasiris looked for Cariclia, and when he founde her not emonge the company that wente out, at the laste with muche adoo, by the tellinge of a wooman, he sawe her hol∣dinge the féete of the Image, and either for the lengthe of her Praiers, or greatenesse of her sorrowe, shée was fallen into a sounde sléepe. So that he wepte a litle, and praied the God humbly to graunt her better successe, and so softly he awaked her, and broughte her into a Cham∣ber, sore ashamed belike, that sléepe at vnwares had so ouercommed her. Thus shée laied to sléepe in a place, where onely woomen comme with Nausicles Daughter, for the moste parte wakinge, thoughte vpon her cares, and that whiche after was like to ensue.

Here endeth the Fifthe Booke.

The Sixte Booke.

WHen Calasiris and Cnemon, had taken their ease, and slepte in the mennes chamber, & the reste of the night was passed more slowely then they desired, yet sooner then they thought, because the greatest parte thereof was consu∣med in the Banquette, and long tale, of whiche they coulde not be weary, it was so pleasant, not lookinge for daye, they came to Nausicles, & besought him, that he woulde tell them out of hande, where he thought Theagenes was, and bringe them thither. He was content, and they went together, Cariclia besought them muche that shée might goe with them, but shée was forced to tarry behinde, because Nausicles tolde her, they neither woulde goe farre, and that they woulde safe re∣turne againe, & bringe Theagenes also. Thus they lefte her waueringe betwene sorrowe for their departinge, and ioye for hope of that shée desired. They were no sooner out of the Village, and paste the bankes of Nilus, but they sawe a Crocodyle, which crept frō the right side to the other, and diued vnder the water, as faste as it coulde. The other were nothinge moued with the sight because it was ordinary, sauinge that Calasiris prophe∣sied,* 1.239 that it signified how they should haue some lette in their iourney: but Cnemon was woonderfully afrayde of that sight, although he sawe it not perfectly, but a glimsinge thereof, so that he wanted but little, but that he would haue runne backe. Therewith spake Calasi∣ris, after he sawe Nausicles laughe and saide, Cnemon, I thought that you had benne onely afraide by nighte, for the noise and darkenesse thereof, but you are ouer hardy euen by daie as maye appeare, that are not afraide of names alone, but of suche thinges also as are common, and euery man knoweth, and are not to be regarded.

What Goddes name, or heauēly Creature is it, that this good man cannot abide, saide Nausicles? Nay, if it were a God, or any heauenly Creature, saide Calasiris, then had I nothinge to saie, but it is an humaine name, and that whiche is more to be marueiled at, not any mans whiche hath benne famous for his renoumed Actes, but a wo∣mans, and shée dead (as he saieth) if à man maye be bolde to speake it. For yesternight when you brought me home Cariclia safe from the Heardmen: he hearinge this name that I talke of, I knowe not why, nor wherefore, woulde not suffer me to sléepe any whitte, beinge ready still to die for feare, so that I had muche a doo to call him againe, and if I thought that I shoulde not gréeue him, nor make him afraide, I would name it nowe also, that you might laughe the more, and therewithall he named Thisbe. When Nausicles hearde this, he laughed no more, but was very sadde, and stoode in a study a greate while, musinge in his minde what Cnemon had to doo with Thisbe, or how shée harmed him in any sorte. Then beganne Cnemon to laughe woonderfully for ioye and saide: you sée good Calasiris, of what force this Name is, and that it dothe not onely abashe and feare me, but our good friende Nausicles also: for it hath brought him to a woonderful change of his chéere. As for me now I laugh because I knowe shée is not aliue, but lusty Nausicles laughed other menne to scorne not longe agoe. Make an ende, Cnemon, saide Nausicles, for you haue taken reuēge inough of me nowe. But I praie you tel me by the Gods of Hospitalitie and friendshippe, and by the mirthe and chéere, whiche with especiall good will (in mine opinion) you haue had in mine house, what meane you by Thisbes name, whether you knowe whence shée was in déede, or doo it to feare me, or els haue deuised it as a ieste against me. Then spake Calasiris, now it behooueth you to tell vs of your Fortune, Cnemon, whiche, for al that you of∣tentimes promised to communicate with me, you haue

by diuerse shiftes driuen of. But nowe you maye doo it very well, bothe to pleasure Nausicles, and also to take awaie with your talke the wearinesse of our iourneye. Cnemon did so, and tolde them al briefly, which he before had tolde to Theagenes and Cariclia, that he was borne in Athens, and Aristippus was his Fathers name, and Demeneta was his Mother in lawe. He tolde them also of the wicked Loue whiche Demeneta bare to him, and how that when shée coulde not come to her purpose, shée awaited him with crafty sleightes by meanes of Thisbe, who was suborned by her so to doo. He added the manner also, and then that he was banished his Countrie by the people, so punishinge him, as if he had benne a Paricide, and that Charias firste one of his companions tolde him lyinge in Egina, that Demeneta was dead, and the man∣ner of her death, being also beguiled by Thisbe her selfe. After this that Anticles tolde him, how his Father was brought into miserie, by confiscatinge of his goodes, for* 1.240 that Demenetas kinsfolkes gathered them selues togea∣ther to condemne him, and brought the people in suspec∣tion that he had donne that Murther. Then how Thisbe fledde from Athens with a Louer of hers, whiche was a Merchant of Naucratia. Laste of al he rehersed, how that* 1.241 he with Anticles sailed into Egypte to séeke Thisbe, that if by happe they coulde finde her, they woulde bringe her backe to Athens, and deliuer his Father from that slaun∣der, and take reuenge of her, and after he had fallen into diuerse mishappes by the waie, at length he was taken by Pyrates, then after he had escaped by a meane, he ar∣riued againe in Egypt, and was taken of the Heardmen, and there fell acquainted with Theagenes and Cariclia. And thereto he added Thisbes deathe, and other thinges in order, vntil he came to that whiche Calasiris, and Nau∣sicles knewe well yenough. This tale ended, Nausicles had sixe hundred thoughtes in his minde, sometime thin∣kinge to tell them of Thisbe and him selfe, and yet de∣termininge

to deferre it a while. At last with muche adoo he helde his tongue, partly for that he thought it beste so to doo, partely also for that an other chaunce stayed him. For after they had gonne about seuen miles and a halfe, & were almoste at the towne, where Mytranes dwelled, they mette one whom Nausicles knewe well, and asked him whither he wēt so faste. Doo you aske ({quod} he) whither I goe, Nausicles? as though you knewe not what I haue to doo at this time? all that I doo tendeth to one ende, to doo the commandementes of Isias of Chemmis. For her I till my Lande, for her I séeke and prouide all thinges, for her I wake night and daie, refusinge nothinge (al∣though thereby I gayne nothinge but griefe and sorrow for my paines) that the same Isias commaundeth me: and* 1.242 I am in haste to carry this birde Phoenicopterus, whiche vseth aboute Nylus, as my déere Mistris hath bidden me. O howe easie a Louer haue you gotten, saide Nausicles,* 1.243 and howe light be her commaundementes, in that shée badde you gette her a Phoenicopterus, and not rather a Phoenix it selfe, whiche Byrde commeth to vs euen from the Ethiopians, and men of Inde. Shée ({quod} he) againe ma∣keth but a ieste of me and my trauelles: but tell me now whither and where aboutes you goe? When they had tolde him, to Mytranes. You loose your labour ({quod} he) for Mytranes is not here nowe, but this night with his Ar∣mie, is gonne againste Heardemen the inhabitantes of Bessa. For they with their Capitaine Thiamis, haue ta∣ken away & kéept a yongeman, whiche he sente to Mem∣phis to Oroondates. From thence to be carried to the greate Kinge for a present. When he had sayde thus, he wente his waie, sayinge I muste in haste to Isias, who e∣uen nowe perhappes with her angry eies looketh aboute for me, least this longe tariynge, be any impediment to me in my Loue: for shée is too politike to accuse and finde faulte with me without cause. When they hearde this, they were amased, and stoode still a great while without

saying any woorde, for that they were disappointed con∣trary to their exspectation, vntill at length Nausicles cō∣forted and chéered them, sayinge that they ought not, for beinge a little disappointed, whiche shall not be longe to dispayre of al that they haue in hande. But now it is best to returne to Chemmis, and there to consulte of the mat∣ter, and goe to séeke Theagenes with better prouision, whether he be with the Heardmen or els wheresoeuer, and to haue good comforte to finde him euery where. For wée maie not thinke this is donne without the proui∣dence of God, that wée mette with one of our acquain∣tance, who by that he tolde vs, hath ledde vs as it were by the hande thither, where wée maie séeke Theagenes, and hath taught vs the waie to the place where the Heardmen dwell, as to a certaine place of spéede. When he had saide this, he easily perswaded thē, for as I thinke they gathered a farther hope by that whiche was tolde them. And Cnemon also by him selfe comforted Calasi∣ris, and badde him be of good chéere, for that Thiamis woulde vse Theagenes well. So it pleased them to re∣turne: when they were come home, they foūde Cariclia in the doore, lookinge for them into euery coaste, who seinge not Theagenes with them, tooke vp a pitifull crie, & saide: Are you comme home alone as yée wente hence Father? Without doubte (as I may gheasse) Theagenes is deade. Wherefore I pray you by al the Goddes, if you haue any thinge to saie tell me, and increase not my sorrowe with prolonginge the rehersall thereof. Surely it is a pointe* 1.244 of curtesie, to tell a mishappe quickly, as that which cau∣seth the minde to be ready to resist the greatnesse of the euill, and soone maketh it weary of the griefe. Then Cnemon with much adoo, breakinge of her sorrow: saide, for shame Cariclia what fascion is this? you are alwaies ready in a manner to iudge the woorste, but that falsely, in whiche pointe you doo well. For Theagenes is, and by grace of the Goddes shall be well: and therewith he tolde

her briefly how, and with whome. To that sayde Calasi∣ris, it séemeth by this that you haue saide, Cnemon, that you were neuer in Loue, for then shoulde you know for certaintie that thinges wherein is no daunger at all, are fearefull to Louers, and they truste nothinge but theire* 1.245 owne cies, in that whiche they beste like, and would fai∣nest haue, the absence of whiche bréedeth feare and hea∣ninesse in the hartes, that be entangled with such desire. Another cause is that either moste déere to other haue perswaded them selues, that they will neuer be parted, except some great impediment procure their seperation. Wherefore Cnemon wée pardon Cariclia, who loueth perfectly in déede, and lette vs goe in and consulte of that wée haue to doo. This saide, he tooke Cariclia by the hand, and with a certaine Fatherly obseruaunce, he brought her into the house. Nausicles willinge to refreshe them after their cares, and also goinge aboute somme other thinge, ordeined a more sumptuous Banquette then he was wonte to doo, & placed them alone with his Daugh∣ter, deckinge her in more braue and costly sorte then be∣fore. And after they were well suffised with the feaste as he thought, he spake thus to them: My gheastes (the Goddes are witnesses of that I saie) your presence is ve∣ry* 1.246 acceptable to me, if you would liue here alwaies, and take all that is mine (though I estéeme it neuer so well) for your owne. And for as muche as I accoumpt you no Straungers, but as my Louers and trewe Friendes, henceforwarde it shall be no burthen that I bestowe vpon you: And also I will be ready as longe as I tarry with you, to craue of my friendes to doo for you, what so euer they can in all matters. But you your selues know, that my trade of life standeth by Merchaundise, and this I vse and practise as if it were a Farme. Now therfore seinge that the Easterly windes blowe very commodi∣ously, so that they make the Sea easie to be sayled, and promise good spéede to Merchauntes, and my businesse doo

call me as it were a Trumpette into Greece, you shal doo very well if you tell me your minde, that I may order my businesse to suche ende as I may pleasure you. After this Calasiris pausinge a while, saide: Nausicles, God send you a good viage, and Mercury who geueth the gaine, & Neptune geuinge quiet passage, beare you company, and be your Guides, and make euery Hauen a good Harbour to you, and euery Cittie easie for you to trade in, and de∣sirous of Merchauntes, because you haue intertained vs so friendly while we haue benne with you, and now wée minde to departe, doo suffer vs to goe so gently, obser∣uinge in euery pointe the Lawes of Hospitalitie, and Friendshippe. As for vs although it grieue vs greatly to departe from you and your house, whiche you haue caused vs to take for our owne, yet wée must néedes goe séeke those whom wée holde moste déere, and this is Cari∣clias determination and mine. Mary what Cnemon is minded to doo, and whether he will trauell with vs to doo vs pleasure, or hath appointed to doo any thinge els, lette him saie him selfe. Cnemon was willinge to answeare this, and as he was aboute to speake, he sighed sore, and the teares whiche trickled suddainely downe his chéekes stopped his tongue, vntil at length comming to him selfe againe, he saide with a sorrowfull voice, Oh humaine* 1.247 estate moste vnstable, and full of all manner of changes, what stoare of mishappes haste thou shewed as well in me, as many other. Thou haste depriued me of my Kins∣folkes and Fathers house, thou haste bannished me from my Countrie, and Natiue Cittie, whiche I accompt most déere, thou haste brought me into Egypt, and (that I leaue to speake of many mishappes by the way) haste brought me into the handes of the Théeues called Heardmen, and there shewed me a little hope of good Fortune, by ac∣quaintinge me with menne, who though they were in misery, yet were they Greekes, with whom I thought to liue all the reste of my life. But thou séemest to take this

from me againe: whither shal I turne my selfe? or what shall I doo? shal I leaue Cariclia who hath not yet founde Theagenes? that is vntollerable and may not be donne: shal I goe with her to séeke him: if wée were sure to finde* 1.248 him, it were well donne to take paynes in hope of a hap∣py ende, but if that whiche is to come be vncertaine, and wée happe to fall into greater sorrowe, no man can tell where my trauell shall ende. But what if I craue par∣don of you and the Goddes of friendshippe, and nowe at length make mention of returninge into my Countrie and Family? Seinge that Nausicles in so good time (by the prouidence of the Goddes as I thinke) saithe that he will sayle into Greece, least if my Father die in mine ab∣sence our house be left without an heyre. For although I* 1.249 shal liue in penury, yet that there should be somme lefte of our stocke by me, is a thinge very honest, & for it selfe to be desired. But oh Cariclia I would be excused to you especially, and I craue pardon at your hande, and praye you to shewe me thus muche fauour, lette me goe with you to Bessa, and I will desire Nausicles to tarry for me a little while, although he make great haste. And if I de∣liuer you there to Theagenes, let me be counted one, that hath wel kepte that he deliuered to me. Whereby I may haue better hope also to spéede well afterwarde, séeinge wée parted so well: But if we fayle of him there (whiche God forbidde) laye no faulte in me; for that I leaue you not alone, but with Calasiris your good Father, who also will sée to you very well. Cariclia perceiued by many Signes, that Cnemon was in Loue with Nausicles Daughter (for a Louers eye is very quicke to espie an* 1.250 other who is like affected) and that also Nausicles wente aboute (by that whiche he spake) to make a marriage, entised Cnemon diuersly, iudgeinge him also to be no méete Companion for their company, and woulde breade suspition also, made him answeare: Doo as it pleaseth you, and I geue you hartie thankes for that you haue

donne to vs already, and confesse my selfe to be in youre debte. As for the time to comme, it is not néedeful that you should haue any care of our businesse, nor be in daū∣ger in other mennes matters againste your will. But God sende you well to recouer your Countrie, Cittie, and house, and make not light of Nausicles, nor of the pro∣fer he maketh. As for me, and Calasiris wée wil contende so longe with al that whiche shal happen to vs, vntil wée shal finde an ende of our trauel, and althoughe no man beare vs felwshippe, yet I truste the Goddes wil be our companions. With this spake Nausicles, The Goddes sende Cariclia her hartes desire, and beare her companye as shée hathe praied, and graunte that shée maie recouer her Kinsfolkes, in as much as shée is of so noble courage, and excellente wisedome: and to you, Cnemon, be no longer sorrowful for that you cannot carry Thisbe with you to Athens, for that you haue me, who haue carried her from thence so craftely, for I am that Merchante of* 1.251 Naucratia, Thisbes Louer: and if you will be ruled by mine aduice, you shal gaine a greate Summe of Money, and recouer your Countrie, and House very wel by my conducte, and if you liste to take a wife, you shal haue my Daughter Nausiclia, and a greate Dowrie with her, and I wil thinke, that shée hathe so muche, as shée maye looke for at your hande, because I knowe of what Kinred, and House you be comme. Cnemon made no staie at this, but tooke that whiche before he desired, and was nowe perswaded contrary to his expectation, and saide: Al that you promise me, I accepte with al my harte. And ther∣withal he gaue him his hande, and Nausicles affianced,* 1.252 and deliuered his Daughter to him: and commaundinge the Songe vsually songe at Marriages to be songe, be∣ganne to daunce first him selfe, for makinge so suddaine a marriage of that prepared Banquette. Al the reste ce∣lebrated the marriage with dauncinge, and singinge, so that al the House was lighted with suche Candles as are

vsed at Weddinges. But Cariclia, departinge from the reste, wente into her Chamber, and boltinge the Doore, because that none shoulde trouble her, vntied, and caste abroade her Heare, as if shée had benne in a rage, and cuttinge her Apparel, saide: Wel, let vs also daunce in* 1.253 the honour of the God, who hathe care ouer vs in suche sorte, as our estate requireth: Lette vs singe teares vnto him, and daunce with Lamentations: Let the darkenesse resounde of the obscure nighte, (nowe this Candle is out) be iudge of that I meane to doo: what a House hathe it made for our sake? what a marriage Bedde hathe it prepared for vs? The God that hathe charge of me, hath me nowe alone, and without my Husbande. Alas wretch that I am, I meane him, that by name onely is my Hus∣bande. Cnemon daunceth, and is married: Theagenes is abroade, and perhappes a Prisoner, and in Holde, and if he be aliue, Fortune is sommewhat gentle: Nausiclia hathe a Husbande, and is seperated from me, who vntill this nighte laste paste, laie with me, onely Cariclia is a∣lone, and forsaken of al. I am not for al this offended with her Fortune (ô ye Goddes, and Heauenly Powers) but praie that they maie haue their hartes desire: but at our Fortune, that ye be not so fauourable vnto vs, as to them: You haue drawen our acte of suche a lengthe, as it now passeth al sense. But why doo I complaine of the mi∣series which the Gods sende vs: let the rest also be fulfil∣led vntil they be pleased. But ô Theagenes, ô care onely pleasante to me, if thou be dead, & I heare thereof (which God grante I neuer doo) I wil deferre no time to be with thée, for this time I offer this Funerals to thée (& there∣withal shée pulled of her Heare, & laied it on her bedde) & poure out these Libations out of y^e eies which thou louest so déerely (& then shee moysted her Bed with her teares). But if thou be wel (as thou of good righte oughtest to be) come & sléepe with me, appearinge to me in thy shape: yet spare me, spare me thine owne Mayde, I saie, and vse me

not after the guise of married folkes, and haue not to doo with me, no not in my sléepe: beholde I imbrace thée, and thinke that thou arte here and lookest vpon mée. And as shée had spoken thus, shée caste her selfe grouelinge on her Bedde, and sore sighinge, and pitifully mourninge shée clasped her armes harde togeather, vntil a certaine amasednesse, and dazeling, caste as it were a miste before her, vnderstandinge parte of the minde, and brought her asléepe, and helde her til it was lighte daie. Wherfore Calasiris marueiled that he saw her not as he was woont to doo, in searchinge for her, came to her Chamber, where knockinge sommewhat harde, and callinge alowde, Ca∣riclia, waked her at lengthe. Shée was abasshed at that suddaine calle, and came as shée was attyred, and vnbol∣ted the doore to lette in the Olde man. Who séeinge her Heare disordered, and her Garmentes cutte before her breaste with her eies ful of water, vnderstoode the cause: and when he had broughte her to her Bedde againe, and had caused her to attyre her selfe, & cast a Cloke vpō her, he saide: for shame, Cariclia, what arraye is this? why doo you vexe your selfe so sore without ceasing? why yéelde you to all chaunces without reason? Surely nowe I knowe you not, whom till nowe I euer knewe to be of excellente courage, and very modest. Wil not you leaue* 1.254 of from this woonderful madnesse? Wil you not thinke that you are borne mortal: that is to saie, an vnsteadye thinge, bendinge for euery light occasion sundrie waies? Haue pitie on vs, my Daughter, I saie, haue pitie, if not for your own sake, yet for Theagenes cause, who desireth to liue with none, but you, and accoumpteth it a vantage that you are aliue. Cariclia blusshed when shée hearde him speake thus: and after shée had held her peace a great while, and Calasiris desired her to geue him somme an∣sweare, shée saide: Father, you haue good cause to chide, but perhappes I deserue pardon, for neither any com∣mon, or straunge desire hathe forced me, vnhappy Crea∣ture,

to doo this, but pure, aud chaste Loue that I beare to a man (although he neuer touched me) & y^t is Theagenes, who maketh me thus sadde because he is not here with me, & I am the more afraide also, for that I cānot knowe whether he be aliue or not. As touchinge this matter saide Calasiris, be of good chéere, and thinke that he is a∣liue, and one whom the Goddes haue appointed to liue with you: if wée muste geue any credite to that whiche the Oracle hath foreshewed vs. Wée muste also beléeue him, who tolde vs yesterdaie that Thyamis tooke him prysoner, as he was carried towarde Memphis, and if he be taken without doubte he is wel, for as muche as there hath benne acquaintaunce and familiaritie betwixte thē before. Wherefore wée ought not to staie but goe to Bessa and séeke, you for Theagenes, and I for my Sonne, for you haue heard ere now that Thyamis is my Sonne.* 1.255 Then was Cariclia in great thought, and saide: If Thy∣amis be your Sonne in déede, then are wée in woorse case then euer wée were. Calasiris marueiled hereat, and asked her why. You know ({quod} shee) howe I became priso∣ner to the Heardmen, where the vnhappy bewty with whiche I am indewed, forced Thyamis to Loue me: and it is to be feared least if he finde vs, as we make inquiry, and sée me, remembringe that I am shée who dalied and draue of with diuerse disceiptfull promises, the Mariage whiche he meante to make with me, that he wil take me, and by force compell me to finishe the same. God defende sayde Calasiris, that the vehemency of his luste should be suche, that the same should disdaine his Fathers counte∣naunce, and not represse his licencious desire, if any such moue him. But for all that, why cannot you inuent some deuise to delude that whiche you stande so in doubte of? for you are very diligent, and crafty also to make shiftes and delaies against them, that séeke to haue you. Cari∣clia was sommewhat mery with these woordes, and an∣sweared, whether you speake this in earnest or in ieste

lette it passe for this time. But I will tell you the waye that Theagenes and I deuised, but Fortune woulde not let vs put it in practise because it was very good. For when necessitie forced vs to leaue the Iland of y^e Heard∣men, it pleased vs to change our apparell, and wander aboute in the Villages, and good Townes ragged like beggers. Wherfore if it please you, lette vs counterfeite this habite and playe the beggers, so shall wée not be so* 1.256 muche in daunger of those who would our harme. For in suche a case by pouerty wée shalbe more safe: for com∣monly it is rather pittied then enuied, and thus shal wée gette our dayly sustenaunce more easily. For al thinges are more déerely solde to Straungers whiche haue néede to buie and knowe not the manner of the Country, but will be fréely geuen to suche as begge. Calasiris praised her deuise, & made haste to be gonne: therefore the nexte day after they came to Nausicles and Cnemon, and tolde them when thy were determined to departe, thei set for∣warde (but tooke no Horse with them, though one were profered them) nor suffered any man to beare them com∣pany, saue that Nausicles and Cnemon, and the reste of the house broughte them on theire waye. Nausiclia also wente with them, crauinge so muche of her Father, for that the Loue shée bare to Cariclia, was more then her late Marriage permitted. And when they had accom∣panied them almost thrée quarters of a mile, eche one ac∣cordinge to their kinde, tooke theire laste leaue and fare∣wel and shooke handes, and after thei had shedde a great many of teares, and prayed that the partinge mighte be lucky to them, and Cnemon craued pardon, for that he wente not with them, by reason of his newe Mariage, and had tolde them that if he coulde gette occasion he would followe them, they lefte either other, and these wente to Chemmis, but Calasiris & Cariclia, turned them selues into beggers habite, and put on suche ill fauoured clowtes as they had prouided before for that pourpose.

This donne, Cariclia defowled her face with durte, and soote, and tied a parte of her Fascia that was foule about her heade, fufferinge it to hange ilfauouredly ouer her eies in stéede of a Bonnegrace: shée had moreouer a scrip vnder her arme, as though shée would put péeces of bread and broken meate therein, but in déede to carry the holy Vesture whiche shée brought from Delphi, her Crowne and the reste of the remembraunces whiche her Mother layde foorthe with her. Calasiris carried Cariclias quiuer wrapped in a torne and naughty péece of leather, the wronge ende downe warde on his shoulders, as if it had benne some other thinge, and he vsed her Bowe (whiche as soone as it was vnbent stoode very straight) for a staffe leaninge very heauily thereon: and if happily they mette any man, of pourpose he would make his backe more cro∣ked then his age required, and be lame of one legge, and sometime be ledde of Cariclia by the hande. When they could play this parte well, and had iested one at another, and besought the God that had their affaires in charge, that he would be content with that whiche was past, and suffer their euill lucke to procéede no farther, they went to Bessa, where hopinge to finde Theagenes and Thya∣mis, they failed of theire pourpose: for comminge neare to Bessa aboute the Sunne settinge, they behelde a great slaughter of men lately made, of whom the moste were Persians, which might easily be knowen by their armour, and a fewe of those that dwelled there also: so that they might coniecture that there had benne a battaile, but thei knew not what y^e parties were that had foughten it: vn∣til at length by raunginge about the deade bodies, & loo∣kinge if perhaps any of their friendes were there slaine:* 1.257 (for hartes whiche be in feare, and careful for that they loue beste, oftentimes doo déeme the woorste.) At laste they sawe an Olde wooman whiche laie vpon a deade body of one of those Countrie men, and wayled woon∣derfully. They determined therefore if they mighte, to

enquire sommewhat of her: and so comminge to her, at the firste wente aboute to comforte her, and appease her greate sorrowe. Whiche when shée accepted, they asked for whom shée lamented, and what Battaile had benne there: Calasiris talkinge to her in the Egyptian tongue, shée tolde them al in fewe woordes, that shée sorrowed for her Sonne, and came of pourpose to those deade bodyes, that somme armed man mighte runne on her, and kill her, and in the meane time shée woulde doo suche Kites to her Sonne, as shée was hable with teares & lamētati∣ons. As touching the battaile shée told them thus: There was a strange yonge man carried to Memphis, of goodly stature, and excellente bewtie to Oroondates the greate* 1.258 Kinges Deputie, he was sente from Mytranes the Cap∣taine of the Watches for a great Present, as they saide: him did our men that dwel in this Towne (shewing thē a Towne harde by) saie, was theirs: whether it were so in déede, or they made it a colour for them, I knowe not. When Mytranes hearde this, beinge angry (and good cause why) he conducted his Army hither twoo daies a∣goe, and the people of this Towne are very warlike, and liue euer by spoylinge, and sette not a strawe by Deathe, and haue therefore taken from me, as wel as o∣ther woomen at other times our Husbandes and Chil∣dren. When our menne knewe certainely of his com∣minge, they placed their Ambushmente in places conue∣niente for this pourpose: and when their Enemies came emonge them, they easily subdued them: somme with Banners displaide comminge before them: and other breaking out of y^e Ambushment with greate clamour set on the Persians backes. So Mytranes was slaine as he* 1.259 fought with the foremost, & almoste al the reste also, for y^t thei being inclosed, had no way to flée, & a fewe of our peo∣ple also. Of whom, by the great wrath of God my Sonne was one, who had a woūde in his breaste with a Persian Darte, as you sée: and for him thus slaine, doo I, vnhap∣py

Creature, sorrowe: & shal I feare to doo the like hereaf∣ter for him y^t is yet aliue, because yesterday he went with the reste against the Inhabitantes of Memphis? Calasiris asked her why they tooke vpon them that viage. And the Olde wooman answeared, that shée heard her Sonne saie which was aliue, that they knewe wel yenough, that be∣cause y^e Kinges Souldiers, & their Captaine were slaine, that they shoulde be, for that they had donne, not in any small perill, but in daunger of al that they had: for that the Prince Oroondates, who lieth at Memphis, hath ve∣ry greate power with him, who as soone as he shal be cer∣tified hereof, wil come and compasse this Towne aboute at the firste, and reuenge this iniury with the destruction of al the Inhabitauntes of the same: and are therefore determined, seinge that they are once in so greate daun∣ger, to redéeme theire greate attempte with a greater if* 1.260 they maie, and to take Oroondates vnprouided: suppo∣sing that if they maie comme on the suddaine▪ either they shal kill him if he be at Memphis, or if he be not there (as reporte goeth) that he is busied in the Aethiopian warre, that they shal the sooner force the Citie to yéelde, for that it is without suche as maie defende the same, and so they shal be safe afterwarde: and moreouer to doo their Cap∣taine Thiamis seruice in recoueringe the Office of the Priesthoode, whiche his yonger Brother by violence hol∣deth from him vniustly: but if al theire hope faile them, then are they determined valiauntly to die, and not to comme into the Persians handes to be scorned, and tor∣mented of them. But for as much as you be straungers, wither goe you? To the Towne, saide Calasiris. It is not good ({quod} shée) for that you be not knowen, and comme at suche vnlawful time to be emong them that are lefte. If you will vouchesaue to entertaine vs, saide Calasiris, wée hope wée shalbe safe. I cannot saide shée nowe, for I muste doo certaine nighte Sacrifices. But if you can ••arry, as perhappes there is no remedie, but you muste

whether you wil or not, gette you into somme place be∣side these deade bodyes, to passe this nighte, and in the morninge I promise you I wil entertaine you, and be your warrante. Thus shée saide. Calasiris told Cariclia al, and tooke her with him, and wente their waie. And hauinge gonne a litle paste those bodies, they chaunced vpon a litle Hil: there he laide him downe with her Qui∣uer vnder his heade. But Cariclia fate vpon her scrippe in stéede of a stoole: at that time the Moone arose, and with her brightenesse lightened al thinges, for shée was nowe thrée daies paste the full. Calasiris beinge otherwise an Olde man, and weary of his trauel fel faste asléepe: mary Cariclia by reason of the cares that troubled her, slept not that night, but behelde a wicked & abominable facte, yet such as the woomen of that Countrie commonly vse: for y^e Olde wooman thinking that shée had nowe gotten a time* 1.261 wherin shée should neither be séene, nor troubled of any, firste digged a Pitte, then made shée a fire on bothe sides thereof, and in the middes shée laide her Sonnes bodye, and takinge an Earthen Potte from a thrée footed stoole, whiche stoode thereby, poured Hony into the Pitte: out of an other shée poured Milke, and so did shée out of the thirde, as though shée had donne somme Sacrifice: Laste of al shée caste a lumpe of Dowe hardened with the fire whiche was made like a man, and had on a Crownè of Lawrel, & the trée called Bdellium into the Pitte. This* 1.262 donne, shée tooke vp a Swoorde that laie emonge the dead mennes Shieldes, and behauinge her selfe, as if shée had benne in such fury, as the Priestes of Bacchus commonly are, said many Praiers to the Moone in strange tearmes: then did shée cutte her Arme, and with a braunche of Lawrel shée besprinkeled the fire with her Bloude: and dooinge many monsterous and straunge thinges beside these, at lengthe bowinge her selfe downe to the deade Body of her Sonne, and saieinge sommewhat to him in his eare, awaked him, and by force of her Witchecraftes,

made him stande vp suddainely. Cariclia, who hitherto had not looked on her without greate feare, then trem∣bled, and was vtterly discomforted with that woonder∣ful sighte, so that shée awaked Calasiris, and caused him also to beholde y^e same. They could not be séene in a darke corner, but they sawe easily what they did in the lighte by the fire, and hearde also what shée saide, for that they were not far of, and the Olde woman spake very plaine to the Bodye. The question was this: Whether her Sonnes Brother whiche was yet aliue shoulde returne safe, or no? The Bodye made no answeare, but with noddinge gaue his Mother a doubteful hope of good suc∣cesse according to her minde, and so fel groueling downe againe: but shée turned the face vpwarde, and ceassed not to aske that question, and with more earnest enforce∣mentes (bilike speakinge many thinges in his eare a∣gaine, and leapinge with a Swoorde in her hande, some∣time to the Pitte: sommetime to the fire, made it stande vprighte againe, and asked the same question, compel∣linge him not to answeare by noddes and beckes, but plainely by mouthe to the question shée asked. While* 1.263 this was in dooinge, Cariclia praied Calasiris that they mighte goe neare, and aske the Olde Woman somme tidinges of Theagenes: but he woulde not, saieinge, that that sighte was wicked, but there was no remedie but they muste néedes be contente with it: for it becommeth not the Priestes, either to take delighte, or be presente where suche thinges are dooinge. But they oughte by Sacrifices, and lawful Praiers enquire, not by shameful Sorceries, whiche are conuersante aboute the Earthe, and deade Creatures, of whiche sorte is the Egyptians practise, whiche chaunce at this time hathe caused vs to sée. While he spake thus, the deade Bodye spake very terribly with a hollowe voice, as if it had comme out of a déepe Caue, saieinge: Mother, at the firste I spared thée, and suffered thée to sinne woonderfully againste the na∣ture

of man, and breake the Lawes whiche the Ladies of* 1.264 Destinie haue appointed, in attemptinge to make those thinges moue, whiche by nature are vnmoueable. For euen the deade men haue a reuerence as muche as they maye to theire Parentes. But for as much as thou brea∣kest* 1.265 this, and procedest in thy wicked and shameful déede, whiche at the firste thou haste begonne, and arte not contente that a deade Bodye stande vp, but wilte compel him to speake also, nothinge regardinge my Bu∣rial,* 1.266 and wilte not suffer me to comme into the company of other Soules, whiche thou arte bounde to doo for pri∣uate friendshippes sake. Heare now that whiche before I was afraide to tel thée: Neither shal thy Sonne comme safe home, nor thy selfe escape deathe with Swoorde. But in as muche as thou haste spente thy life in suche wicked déedes, thou shalte haue shortely violent deathe, appoin∣ted for all suche. Who haste benne coutente, not onely to doo these so secrete and hidden Mysteries alone, but in the sighte of other also: so that thereby thou bewraiest, and settest foorthe to them the state of the deade, whereof one is a Prieste, and is therefore so muche the better, for he knoweth, suche is his wisedome, that suche thinges shoulde not be blased abroade, but kepte in secrete, and is also wel beloued of the Goddes, and he shal, if he make spéede, agrée his Sonnes, who are ready armed to fighte a bloudy Battaile hande to hande. But the other which is so muche woorse, is a Mayde, and looketh vpon that thou dooest to me, and heareth al that thou saiest, a woo∣man farre in loue, who traueleth al the worlde ouer, al∣moste for her Louers sake, with whom after infinite tra∣uelles, and sixe hundred daungers, in the furthest parte of the worlde, shée shal liue in prosperitie, and Kinges estate. The Body fel downe when he had saide thus: but the Olde wooman perceiuing that they were straun∣gers that looked vpon her, armed as shée was with the Swoorde in her hande, like a woodde wooman soughte for

them, and raunged rounde aboute emonge the dead Bo∣dyes, thinkinge that they had benne there, meaninge that if shée coulde finde them, to ridde them out of theire liues, as crafty folkes, and suche, who by their lookinge on her, caused her to haue so il successe in her Witche∣crafte. Vntil at length séekinge sommewhat negligent∣ly, for anger emonge those, a trunchion of a Speare that* 1.267 stoode vp, stroke her through the belly: and thus died shée, fulfillinge straighe waie by dewe deserte the saieinge whiche her Sonne prophesied to her before.

Here endeth the Sixte Booke.

The Seuenth Booke.

CAlasiris and Cariclia, after they had sca∣ped suche a scouringe, as well to gette them out of the present daunger, as al∣so hastinge for that was shewed them, to Memphis, sette forwarde apace, and they came to the Cittie, as those things were adooinge, whiche the deade man, that his Mother called vp foretolde them. For they who were at Memphis, had shutte the gates a little before Thyamis came with his Army from Bessa, for that they had warninge of his comminge, by a Souldiar that ser∣ued vnder Mytranes, & had scaped from the Battaile at Bessa. Then Thyamis commaunded his Souldiers, at a parte of the walle to laye aside their Armoure, and after their continuall trauell to take some ease, and he deter∣mined to laie siege to the Cittie. The Townes menne

whiche were before afrayde of a great Army, when they sawe there were so fewe from the walles, dispisinge thē, by and by gathered the fewe Archers, and Horsemenne whiche were lefte in Garrison in the Towne, and the reste of the Citizens also tooke suche weapons as came to their handes, and determined to goe foorthe, & fight with them, againste the will of a wise and noble man in the Towne, who saide that although it happened the deputy to be at the Warre in Ethiopia, yet the matter ought to be brought before Arsace his wife, that the Souldiers whiche were in the Cittie might be the rediar to defende the same. And because he séemed to speake well, they wente all to the Kinges Pallaice, wherein the Deputies lodge in the Kinges absence. Arsace was a bewtifull* 1.268 woman, and of tale stature, & singuler wisedome to doo any thinge, and of a stoute stomake for the Noblenesse of her birthe, as is like would be in her, that is Sister to the great Kinge, yet for her vnlawful and dissolute luste shée was not without reprehension and blame. And beside o∣ther factes, shée was in a manner parte of the cause of Thyamis bannishmente, when he was constrained to forsake Memphis. For presently after Calasiris wente priuily from Memphis, for that whiche was tolde him by the Goddes of his Sonnes, and coulde not be founde, so that it was thought he was deade, Thyamis as his elder* 1.269 Sonne, was called to the Office of Priesthoode, and as he was dooinge sacrifice, publikely at his first entry into Isis Churche, Arsace seinge him to be a proper yongue man, and of good age, for that he was the handsomest man in that company, & best attyred, caste many wanton lookes and dishonest countenaunces at him. Whiche Thyamis regarded no whitte, bothe for that he was of nature ve∣ry honest, and well instructed from a childe: and per∣happes that whiche shée did was further fetched, then that he perceiued it, or he thought perhappes shée did it for some other pourpose, for that he was altogeather bu∣sted

aboute his Sacrifices. But his brother Petosiris,* 1.270 who before enuied that his Brother shoulde be Prieste, and had wel marked Arsaces allurementes, tooke her vn∣lawful intisementes for a good occasion to endamage his Brother. Wherefore he came to Oroondates secretely, and tolde him not onely her desire, but that Thyamis al∣so had made the matche with her, adding that very false∣ly. He suffered him selfe easily to be perswaded for suspi∣tion that he had conceiued of Arsace, yet he molested her not, either for that he could not manifestly conuince her, or els thought it beste to conceale, and wincke at it for reuerence and honour that he bare to the Bloud Royall. But he tolde Thyamis plainely & neuer ceased, to threa∣ten to kill him, vntill he put him to exile, and placed his Brother Petosiris in his roume: but this was donne be∣fore. At that time when the whole multitude came on heapes to her house, and certified her of the comminge of theyr enemies, and besought her that shée woulde géeue commaundement, that the Souldiers should be in a rea∣dinesse, answeared that shée would not lightly so doo, for because shée knewe not of what force her enimies were, nor what they were, nor whence they came, nor for what occasion. It was therefore beste firste to goe on the walles, and sée all their ordinaunces, and then prouide such thinges as shalbe thought cōuenient. They thought shée saide wel, and wente euery man to the walles, there* 1.271 by Arsaces commaundement was a tente of purple silke garnished with Golde pitched, and shée her selfe very costly arrayed, came and satte in a hie seate, with her Garde about her glisteringe in gilte armoure, shée helde out her Mace in token of a peaceable Parlamente, and commaūded the Captaines of their enimies to approche neare to the Walles. After Theagenes and Thyamis elected of the Army, came all armed saue theire heades, and stoode vnder the wall, the Heraulte at Armes saide vnto them: Arsace wife of Oroondates, chiefe Deputie,

and Sister to the greate Kinge asketh what you are, what your meaninge is, and wherefore you are so bolde to comme hither. They answeared, that they were of* 1.272 Bessa, but of him selfe spake Thiamis what he was, and that wronged his Brother Petosiris and Oroondates, and depriued craftily of his Priestehoode, was broughte to be restoared againe by the Bessians, and if he mighte recouer the Priestes Office, then shoulde it be Peace, and the people of Bessa returne home againe without any more harme dooinge. If not, he meante to committe the mat∣ter to the iudgemente of Warre, and force of Armes, and that Arsace had good cause, if shée remembred that whiche was paste, to take reuenge of Petosiris for the falsehedde he practised againste her, and the vntrue occa∣sions that he laied againste her to Oroondates, whereby he broughte her into suspition of vile and vnlawful dea∣linge with her Husbande, and caused him to be banni∣shed by his subtile and craftie meanes. All the Cittie of Memphis was troubled with these woordes. When they knewe Thiamis, and the cause of his bannishmente, whiche when he was bannished, none of them knewe, and denied al that he had saide to be trewe: but Arsace of al other was moste troubled, so that a whole storme of thoughtes in a manner ouerwhelmed her, for shée was soare incensed againste Petosiris, and callinge to minde that whiche was paste, deuised with her selfe howe shée mighte be reuenged. Then beholdinge Thiamis, and after him Theagenes, was diuersly affected to them both, to the one by callinge to minde her olde loue: but in the other shée founde occasion of newe, and that more ear∣nest loue, so that those that stoode by her mighte wel per∣ceiue the troublesome carefulnesse of her minde: yet for al this, when shée had pawsed a while, and came to her selfe, not muche vnlike one who is recouered of the Holy Euil, shée saide thus: Good menne, surely you were not wel deuised to take this Warre in hande, for you haue

nowe brought as well al the people of Bessa, as also your* 1.273 selues beinge youthfull yonge menne, and therewithall bewtifull, & of good parentage (as may be gheassed) into apparent perill for the Théeues quarrell, in as muche as if wée woulde fight with you, you were not hable to sus∣taine the firste assaulte of our force. For the greate Kinges estate is not brought to so lowe an ebbe, but that you may be inclosed of the leauinges of the Army, which is behinde him in the Cittie (though the Deputie him selfe be away) but in mine opinion the whole powers on bothe sides néede not to be troubled, and it is better, se∣inge that the quarrell is priuate and not common, that it be priuately ended, and so be finished as the Goddes shal appointe. I thinke it reason therefore, and I géeue com∣maundement too, that al the menne of Memphis be quiet, and that they sturre not without occasion, and that they* 1.274 whose is the quarrell aboute the Priesthoode, fight for it hande to hande, on condition that the Conquerour haue the same. When Arsace had saide thus, al the Memphites shouted woondersfirisly and praised her aduise, for that they beganne to suspect the mischieuous attempt of Petosiris, and euery man was gladde to laie the imminent and present daunger, whiche was before their eies, on an o∣ther mans backe. But the people of Bessa were not con∣tent with that order, neither woulde they venture their Captaine so daungerously, vntill Thyamis perswaded them, telling them that Petosiris was but féeble, and vn∣skilful to fight, and that he shoulde haue a greate aduan∣tage in the Battaile by reason of his practise. So thought Arsace also as may be déemed, and therfore ordained the battaile to be betwéene them twoo, that shée mighte haue her desire without suspicion, and be reuenged of Petosi∣ris sufficiently, if he fought with his Brother Thyamis, who was the better man a greate deale. There a man might sée that donne, as soone as shée had commaunded it, and Thyamis with all his might hasted to doo what shée

had denounced, and tooke the reste of his Armoure that he wanted, with a chéerefull countenaunce, and Theage∣nes comforted him diuersly, and sette on his head piece, wherein was a very fayre plume of feathers, glisteringe by reason it was well gilted, and fastened the rest of his Armour surely about him. But Petosiris was thrust out of the gates by violence, to fulfill that whiche was com∣maunded, though he vsed many prayers to intreate that he might not fight, and he tooke weapons in hande sore against his will. When Thyamis sawe him, he saide, doo you not sée good Theagenes, how Petosiris quaketh for feare? I see it well answeared he: but how will you doo with this you haue taken in hande? for he is not a plaine enimy, but your naturall Brother, that you muste fight with all. You saie well ({quod} he) and as I my selfe thought: by the grace of God I meane to ouercome him, and not* 1.275 to kill him. For God defende that my wrath and indi∣gnation should procéede so farre, that I shoulde with the bloude and slaughter of my naturall Brother, either re∣uenge iniuries paste or purchase honour to comme. You speake like a noble man, saide Theagenes, and one that wel vnderstandeth the force of Nature, but what will you haue me doo? He answeared: there is no doubte of this battaile so that it maye be despised: yet for as muche as the varietie of humayne Fortune, bringeth many thinges to passe cōtrary to our exspectation oftentimes, if I gette the victory you shal enter into the Cittie, and liue in equall authoritie with me, but if any thinge o∣therwise then wée hope for, happen to me, then shal you be Captaine of these Robbers of Bessa, who loue you well, and so liue vntill God haue appointed some better ende for your affayres. When these thinges were or∣dred thus, they with wéepinge eies imbraced and kissed either other. And Theagenes as he was sette downe to sée what would happen, and gaue Arsace leaue, though he knewe not so muche to take pleasure in lookinge vpon

him, and to vewe him rounde aboute, and suffer her eies to take suche pleasure as shée wished. But Thyamis* 1.276 wente to Petosiris, who tarried not to strike one blowe with him, but as soone as he sawe him come towarde him he turned to the gates, and woulde haue gonne into the Cittie agayne: but he lost his labour, for that those who kepte the gates woulde not lette him in, and they that were on euery parte of the walle whereto he drewe, ex∣horted one another not to healpe him: he therefore caste away his weapons and fledde as faste as he could aboute the Cittie. Theagenes also ranne for feare of Thiamis, & staied not but sawe all that was donne, marry he was not armed, leaste menne would thinke that he meante to helpe Thiamis, but laide his Shielde, and his Speare at that side of the walle where Arsace satte, geuinge her leaue in his absence to looke vpon them, and he folowed them. And yet was not Petosiris taken, nor very farre before, but almost ouergotten, and so farre before, as a man maie gheasse, one vnarmed able to outrunne an o∣ther in Armoure, and by this time had they runne once or twise about the walles: But as they ranne the thirde time, Thiamis bente his speare againste his Brothers backe, and commaunded him to abide, or els he shoulde haue a blowe, in the sight of the whole Cittie who looked vpon them, and was iudge of that controuersie, either a God, or some manner of Fortune whiche gouetneth hu∣mayne affayres, by a newe deuise augmented that, that was donne, and in a manner beganne a newe Tragedy like the other, and made Calasiris a felow of their course,* 1.277 and a beholder of the vnhappy battayle of his Children for life and deathe, at the same daie and hower, as if it had benne deuised of sette purpose before. Who although he suffered muche, and attempted many waies, and in a maner bannished, gotte him selfe into a straunge lande to auoyde that cruell sight, yet ouercomed by destinie, he was cōpelled to sée that, whereof the Goddes by Oracle

gaue him warninge before. So that he séeinge this chase and pursuite a farre of, knewe that they were his Chil∣dren, by tokens that were diuerse times foreshewed him, wherfore he rāne faster then his age permitted, & enfor∣ced him selfe to cutte of the ende of the Battaile whiche was like to ensue. After he came neare & ranne with thē, he cried out oftentimes, my Sonnes what rage is this? Why are you so madde? But they knewe not their Fa∣ther, for that he was yet in his beggers wéede, and their mindes were altogeather on theire course, so that they wente by him as by one that had ben out of his wittes. Somme of them, who were on the walles, mused that he spared not him selfe, but ranne euer betwéene theire Swoordes: other laughed him to scorne, as though he had benne madde. But the Olde man perceiuinge that he could not be knowen by reason of his vile Apparel, caste of his Ragges whiche were vpon his Garmentes, and the staffe also that he had in his hande, and fel to intrea∣tinge them, and saide with teares: My Sonnes, beholde, I am Calasiris, I am your Father, make an ende here, and refraine the rage which il happe hath raised betwixt you, in as muche as you haue a Father, and owne obedi∣ence to him. Then beganne they to quaile, and fallinge downe at theire Fathers féete, imbraced him, and with stedfaste eies looked vpon him, not perfectly knowinge him: but when they perceiued it was no vision, but him selfe in déede, there arose diuers, yea and contrarye thoughtes in their mindes. They were gladde of theire Father, whiche contrary to their expectation was aliue, but were angry, and soare ashamed of the case he founde them in, and they were in doubte also of that whiche af∣ter shoulde befall. And while they of the Cittie maruei∣led at this that was donne, and neither saide, nor did any thinge, but stoode in a manner like doumbe Pictures, be∣cause they knewe not what it meante. An other acte was interlaced in the tragedie. Cariclia, as shée folowed

Calasiris, spied Theagenes a farre of (for a Louers eie is* 1.278 quicke of sighte so that oftentimes though it be a greate waie of, yet wil it iudge a likelihoode by mouinge, or ha∣bite, or gesture, and that behinde) and as if she had benne striken with his visage, ranne to him like a madde woo∣man, and hanginge by her Armes aboute his necke, saide nothinge, but saluted him with certaine pitieful La∣mentations. He séeinge her fowle face, (belike of pour∣pose beblacked) and her Arparel vile, and al torne, suppo∣singe her to be one of the makeshiftes of the Cittie, and a vacabonde, caste her of, & put her awaie, and at lengthe gaue her a blowe on the eare, for that shée troubled him in séeinge Calasiris. Then spake shée to him softly, Pi∣thius, haue you quite foregotten this Taper? Theagenes was striken with that woorde, as if he had benne pearsed with a Darte, and by Tokens agreed on betwéene them, knewe the Taper, and lookinge stedfastly vpon her, espi∣ed her bewty shining like the Sunne appearing through the Clowdes, caste his Armes aboute her necke. To be shorte, al that parte of the wall where Arsace sate (which* 1.279 was soare swollen, and coulde not without greate ia∣losie looke vpon Cariclia) was ful of suche woonderful af∣fections, as is commonly represented in Comedies. The wicked Battaile betwéene the twoo Brothers was en∣ded, and that whiche menne thoughte shoulde be fini∣shed with Bloude, had of a Tragical beginninge a Co∣mical endinge. A Father sawe his Sonnes in Armoure one againste the other hande to hande, came to that pointe, that almoste before his eies he sawe his Chil∣drens Deathe, made him selfe their louedaie and peace:* 1.280 who coulde not escape the necessitie of Destinie, but sée∣med to vse Fortunes greate fauoure, for that he came in dewe time to that whiche was determined before. The Sonnes recouered theire Father after tenne yéeres ab∣sence, and adourned him with the furniture of the Priestehoode, who, aboute the same had almoste benne

the cause of a Bloudy strife, and so broughte him home. But emonge al the reste, Theagenes and Cariclia whiche plaied the Louers partes in this Comedie, were moste talked of, and for that they had founde eche other, con∣trary to theire hope, made the Cittie to looke vpon them more then al other sightes whiche were there to be séene: for great companies of euery age came out at the Gates into the open fieldes, & suche as were youthful, & newely comme to mannes estate, came to Theagenes: suche as were of riper yéeres, menne growen in déede, drewe to Thiamis, for that they also by reason of their age knewe him wel: but the Maydenly sorte, who now thought vpō Husbandes, flocked aboute Cariclia: but the Old menne, and suche as were of the Holyer kinde, stoode aboute Ca∣lasiris: and thus was there made a suddaine Sacred Pompe and brauerye. After Thiamis had sente backe the people of Bessa, & geuen them thankes for the paines they tooke in his quarrel, with promise that at the nexte full Moone he woulde sende them a thousande Oxen, a thousande Shéepe, and tenne groates a péece in Mo∣ney, he suffered his Father as he went, for ease, to leane vpon his shoulders, who nowe for his suddaine ioie be∣ganne to ware féeble, and very fainte. Petosiris did the like on the other side: & thus was the Olde man brought into Isis Temple with Tapers lighted, and with greate ioie, and many Instrumentes of Musike, so that the lusty youthes beganne also to daunce. Beside these, Arsace al∣so was not behinde, but with her traine folowed in braue wise, and offered greate giftes of Golde in Isis Temple, vnder pretence to doo as other did in the Cittie, but in déede her eies were alwaies vpon Theagenes, and shée looked more on him then any other, and was not very ho∣nestly minded towarde him. And when Theagenes ledde Cariclia by the hande, and put the thrust aside that shée might take no harme, Arsace conceiued a woonderful Ia∣lousie. But Calasiris after he came into the inner parte

of the Temple, fell vpon his face, and helde the féete of the Image fast, and laie so, so longe that he was almoste deade: so that he had muche adoo to rise when they called vpon him, who stoode by. And when he had donne Sacri∣fice to the Goddes, and perfourmed his vowes, takinge the Crowne of the Priesthoode from his owne heade, he Crowned therewith his Sonne Thiamis, tellinge the* 1.281 people that he was Olde, and sawe that he shoulde not liue longe, and that his eldest Sonne ought to succéede him by the Lawe, and that he had all thinges requisite, bothe to body and minde, sufficient to vse the same. Af∣ter the people had by a greate shoute declared, that they approued y^t whiche he did, he wente him self to a certaine parte of the Church, which is appointed for the Priestes, and remained there with his Sonnes, and Theagenes quickly. Al the other people wente euery man to his owne house. Arsace also departed with muche adoo, but shée returned diuers times, and vsed as it were great di∣ligence aboute the seruice of the Goddes, yet shée wente awaie at lengthe, turninge her selfe as longe as shée mighte to Theagenes. As soone as shée came into the Palaice, shée wente straighte waye to her Bedde, and caste her selfe thereon attyred as shée was without spea∣kinge any woorde, beinge a wooman otherwise very laci∣uiously bente, but then especially enflamed when shée had séene Theagenes excellente bewtie, whiche farre passed* 1.282 al that euer shée had séene before. So laie shée al that nighte tossinge her bodye from one side to an other, soare lamentinge: sommetime woulde shée rise vp: sommetime leane vpon her Elbowe: sommetime woulde shée caste her Cloathes almoste al from her: then woulde shée sud∣dainely fal into her Bedde againe: sommetime woulde shée calle her Mayde, and without biddinge her doo any thinge, sende her awaie againe. To be shorte, loue had made her madde, and none shoulde haue knowen why, if and Olde wooman called Cibele, her Chamberleine, and

Bawde had not comme into her Chamber: for shée might wel perceiue al that was donne, by reason of a Candle that burnte, and made Arsaces face more vehement also, saieinge: Mistresse, for shame what adoo is this? Dothe* 1.283 any newe, or straunge disease paine you? Hathe the sighte of any man troubled my Darlinge? What man is so prowde, and madde, that wil not be entangled with your bewtie, and accoumpte it a passinge blessed estate to lie, and haue to doo with you, but wil despise your de∣sire and wil? Tel me, my déere Daughter, for there is no man so stoany harted, but he shal be made to yéelde with our flatteringe allurmentes. Tel me quickely, and you shal haue your hartes desire, as in effecte, I thinke you haue oftentimes proued before now. These woordes, and many moe like these, did this Olde queane speake, vsinge diuers flatteringe fasshions, more to make her confesse her paine, who after shée had staied a while, saide thus: I am soarer wounded nowe Mother, then euer I was before, and for that I haue vsed your readye healpe many times in like cases: yet I doubte whether nowe you shal haue suche like happy successe. The Battaile whiche this daie was like to haue benne foughten before the Walles, to al other men was vnbloudy, & concluded in peace: but to me it is the beginning of a woorse warre, who haue a wounde, whereby I am like to loose, no one Lymme, or Member, but my witte, and senses, because it shewed vnto me in an ill time the straunge yonge man, who in the time that the twoo Brothers foughte, ranne by Thiamis. You knowe wel yenough Mother, of whom I spake. For there is no smal difference betweene his bewtie, and other mennes, whiche it (as it had benne the Sunne) dimmed, so that any wilde, and sauage Creature whiche coulde not be inamourdd, of comely personage, mighte perceiue the same. Wherefore youre manifolde wisedome must néedes perceiue it. Therefore déere Mo∣ther, séeinge you knowe my griefe, it is time for you to

put in practise all manner of meanes, all Olde woomens deuises, and flatteringes, if you wil haue your scholer to liue, for there is none other way to kéepe me aliue but to enioye him. I know the yonge man well, saide the olde* 1.284 wooman: he was broade brested, and large betwéene the shoulders, straight necked & comely, taler then the reste, and at a woorde to make an ende, he passed farre all other menne: his eies were a little fiery, so that he looked very louingly, and couragiously also, it was he whose heare was smothe commed, and had but a little yonge yellowe bearde: to whom a straunge wooman, marry not fowle, but passinge impudent, as might be thought, ranne sud∣dainely and caste her armes about him, & helde him faste and woulde not goe from him: Doo you not meane this man Mistresse? Yes euen this, Mother answeared shée, and you haue donne very well to bringe to my remem∣brance that impudent queane, who hath kepte her bewty secrete at home, & painted her selfe, so that shée is prowde thereof, yet is shée but of the common sorte, but sure shée is muche more happy then I, that hath gotten such a Lo∣uer. The Olde wooman smiled at this a litle, and saide: Mistresse take a good harte, and be no longer sorrowfull, the Stranger counteth her bewtiful but for this day, but if I can bringe it to passe that he haue the fruition of you and your bewtie, he will chaunge Golde for Brasse, as the Prouerbe is, and sette naught by the Harlotte which now maketh so muche of her selfe. If you doo this my déere Cibele ({quod} shée) you shal heale twoo woundes in me at once, Ialousie and Loue, deliueringe me of the one, and satisfiynge me with the other. Lette me care and thinke vpon this, saide shée, but it is your parte, to chéere your selfe, and take your ease nowe, and dispaire not, be∣fore wée beginne, but liue in hope. Shée saide thus, and tooke the Candell awaie, and shutte the chamber doore. Shée scant spied the day, but she called one of the Kinges Enuches, & a Mayde with her, to whom shée gaue a fewe

small cakes, and other thinges necessary to doo Sacrifice, and wente to Isis Temple. When shée came to the doore, and saide that shée muste doo Sacrifice for Arsace her Mi∣stresse, who was troubled this nighte with certayne Dreames, and appease the Goddes. One of the Sextens would not lette her in, but sente her awaie, tellinge her that the Churche was full of sorrowe: for that Calasiris the Prieste, after he came home from his longe iourney, made a sumptuous feaste, and endeuoured him selfe to be more merry and ioconde then euer he was, and after the feaste Sacrificed, and made his earnest prayers to the Goddes, and tolde his Sonnes that they had séene their Father till that time, and geuen them charge of twoo yange Greekes that came with him, that they shoulde doo what they were hable for them, wente to bedde. Then either for the excéedingnesse of his ioye, his pores waxed ouer wide, by reasō that his body with age was infebled, wantinge of a suddaine his dewe strength, or by graunt* 1.285 of the Goddes of whom he craued this, aboute the Cocke crowinge was founde deade, for his Sonnes watched al that nighte withe him for causes he tolde them before. And nowe haue wée sente for the reste of this Priestely crewe in the Cittie to doo his Deathe Rites accordinge to the Countrie manner. Wherefore you muste nowe departe, for it is not lawful for any man to enter into the Temple, nor to kil any thinge these seuen daies, but for those who are Priestes. Howe shal these straungers then passe this time ({quod} Cibele). The newe Priste Thia∣mis hathe commaunded a House to be dressed for them without the Temple, and you maie ••••e them geue place to this Ordinaunce, by goeinge out of the Temple for this time. Cibele taking this for a good occasion to gette them a waie, and to make it the beginninge of her polli∣cie, saide: Then good Sexten you may doo the straungers, and vs presentely a very good turne, but especially Ar∣sace the great Kinges Sister, for you knowe howe great

fauour shée beareth to Greekes, and howe courteously shée entertaineth straungers. Wherefore tel them by Thi∣amis Commaundemente that their Lodginge is prepa∣red in our Palaice. The Sexten did so, suspectinge no∣thing lesse, then that Cibele went aboute, but he thought that he shoulde doo the straungers a greate pleasure, if he by his meanes mighte procure theire Lodginge in the Princes Courte, and doo them, which requested the same, a good turne, without harme or peril to any. And when he came to Theagenes and Cariclia, who were very sor∣rowful, and wepte pitiefully, he saide: You doo not as be∣séemeth you, nor as the Manners, and Ordinaunces of our Countrie beare, especially séeinge you haue had com∣maundemente that you shoulde not mourne. That you be waile the Prieste, for whose departure hence, our Di∣uinitie bidde the you to be gladde, and reioice, as one, who hathe gained a better estate, and quieter reste. But you deserue pardon, who haue loste, as you saie, a Fa∣ther, and a Patrone, and one, in whom was al your com∣forte: yet ought you not altogeather despaire, for Thia∣mis (as is to be séene) hath succéeded him, not onely in the Office of Priestehoode, but in good wil towarde you also, and hath geuen especial charge for your welfare. Wher∣fore your Lodginge is prepared in the beste sorte, and so as maie beséeme menne of higher estate then you, and that of this Countrie also, and not straungers, and such, who are nowe at as narrowe pinche, and lowe ebbe as maie be déemed. Therefore folowe this wooman (she∣winge them Cibele) and make accoumpte of her, as Mo∣ther to you bothe, and be contente with her entertaine∣mente.* 1.286 Thus muche saide he: and Theagenes did so, either for that he was ouerwhelmed with the skorne of those thinges, which happed to him contrary to his hope, or els for that in suche cause he was contente to take any lodginge in good parte. I thinke he would haue taken héede to him selfe, if he had suspected what tragicall, and

intollerable thinges, that lodginge woulde haue procu∣red them, to their great harme. But then the Fortune whiche gouerned their affayres, when it had refreshed them well a fewe howers, and geuen them leaue to be merry one daie, suddainely ioyued thereto heauy and terrible thinges, and brought them into their enimies hande, in manner as if they shoulde haue yéelded them selues to be bounde. Makinge them prysoners vnder co∣lour of courteous intertainement, without any know∣ledge of that whiche shoulde happe to them afterwarde. Suche folly and in manner blindnesse, dothe the wande∣ringe life caste before theire eies, who trauell through* 1.287 straunge and vnknowen Countries. When they came vnto the Deputies house, and wente through the sump∣tuous entries, whiche were greater & higher, then might beséeme any priuate mans estate, furnished with the Princes garde, and the other Courtly route, the whole Pallaice woondred and was troubled, seinge theire pre∣sent Fortune so farre to excell. Yet for al that they fol∣lowed Cibele, who comforted them many waies, and badde them be of good chéere, & promised that they should haue excellente good lucke. At length when shée had brought them into a parlour wherein dwelt an olde woo∣men, whiche was farre from the noise of the Courte, sit∣tinge by them alone without more company, saide thus, my Children I knowe that you take this griefe and sor∣rowe wherein you be nowe, of the deathe of the Prieste Calasiris, whom for good cause you honoured as your Fa∣ther. Mary it is requisite that beside this you tell me what you be, and of whence, for that you be Grecians I vnderstande, and it may appeare also by that whiche is in you, that you be of good Parentage: for so comely* 1.288 countenaunce and elegant bewty, is a manifest token of hie bloude: but I pray you, tell me of what Country in Greece, and Cittie you be, and how you happened to tra∣uell hither, for that I desire to heare the same for your

commoditie, and may certifie my Mistresse Arsace therof also, who is Sister of the greate Kinge, and wife of O∣roondates chiefe Deputie, a Louer of Greekes, & al hand∣somnesse, and very liberall to straungers, to the intent you may come into her sight, in suche Honorable sorte as your estate shal require: You shal tel it to a wooman who is not vtterly your enimie: for I my selfe am a Grecian borne in Lesbos, surnamed of the Cittie wherein I was borne, brought hither Captiue, yet haue I had better Fortune here, then in mine owne Countrie. For I serue my Mistresse in all matters, so that without me shée doth nothinge but breathe, and liue: I am her minde, I am her eares, to be shorte, I am all: to bringe her acquainted with good and honest menne. Theagenes comparinge that whiche Cibele saide, with that whiche Arsace did the daie before, and thinkinge howe wantonly with steady eies, continually shée behelde him, so that her beckes de∣clared scante a chaste minde, whereby he gathered, small good would ensewe, and now beinge ready to saie some∣what to the Olde wooman, Cariclia saide softely to him in his eare, in your talke remember your Sister I praie. After he perceiued what shée meante by that shée saide to him, he gaue suche answeare. Mother, you know that we be Greekes already: Then knowe this further, that wée be Brother and Sister, who takinge our viage to séeke our Parentes, taken prisoners by Pyrates, haue had woorse lucke then they, by fallinge into crueller mens handes. Whereafter wée were robbed of all our ritches (which was muche) scante wée escapinge with our liues, by the good will of God mette with the noble Calasiris, came with him hither, in minde to passe y^e reste of our life here, but now are (as ye sée) foresaken of al men, & lefte quite alone, & haue loste him, who séemed, & was in déede a Father to vs, with our other Parentes, & suche is our estate. As for the courteous, and gentle entertainement whiche wée haue at your hande, wée geue you therfore

very harty thankes, and you shal doo vs more pleasure, if you procure vs a dwellinge alone from other company, deferringe the courtesie whereof you talked. But now that is to acquainte vs with Arsace, and neuer bringe a straunge, bannished, and restlesse life into so excellente hie Fortune: for you knowe wel yenoughe that friend∣shippe, and acquaintaunce ought to be betwéene suche as* 1.289 are of one condition. When he had saide thus, Cibele coulde not rule her selfe, but gaue manifest tokens by the chéerefulnesse of her countenaunce, that shée was very gladde to heare the names of Brother, and Sister, thin∣kinge then surely that Cariclia should be no impediment to Arsaces disportes, and saide: O bewtiful yonge man, you wil not saie thus of Arsace, when you haue tried her fashions, for shée is conformable to al Fortune, and is readier to healpe them, who vnwoorthy to theire estate haue had mishappe. And althoughe shée be a Persian, yet in her nature shée imitateth the Greekes, much reioicinge in those, who comme from thence, and is woonderfully delighted with their companye, and manners. Where∣fore be you of good chéere, for that you shal be adourned with al honoure that maie happen to a man, and youre Sister shalbe of her familiare, and neare acquaintaunce: but I muste tel her too what be your names. After shée had hearde them saie, Theagenes and Cariclia, shée badde them tarry there a while, and shée ranne to Arsace, ge∣uinge charge to the doore kéeper, which also was an Olde woman, that shée shoulde let no man comme in, nor suf∣fer the yonge folkes to goe any whither abroade, no said shée, not if your Sonne Achamenes comme: for he wente out a litle while after you were gonne to the Churche to dresse his eie, whiche yet is sommewhat soare. No ({quod} shée) not if he comme, but locke the doore, and kéeping the Baye with you, saie I haue carried it awaie. And so it happened. For Cibele was scante gonne foorthe, so soone as that they beinge alone ministred to Theagenes and

Cariclia good time to lamente, and remember their olde ill happes, so that they both in manner with one minde, yea and almoste with the same woordes bewayled eche other, oft cried shée, ô Theagenes: ô Cariclia, oft saide he. What Fortune haue wée ({quod} he)? In what case are wée (saide shee)? And at euery woorde they imbraced ehch o∣ther: and when they had wepte a while, then fel they to kissinge againe. Laste of al, when they thoughte vpon Calasiris, they bewayled him with teares: but espectally Cariclia, because by longer space of time shée had tried his loue, and good wil towarde her. Wherefore with teares shée cried out, ô good Calasiris: for I am berefte of a dele∣ctable* 1.290 name, so that I maie not calle him Father, in as muche as God hath euery way cutte from me that name. I know not the Father that begotte me: him, who made me his Childe by Adoption, alas I haue betraied. More∣ouer I haue loste him, who tooke charge of me, and hathe saued, and nourished me hitherto, and the crewe of Priestes wil not suffer me to wéepe ouer his deade Body as is accustomably donne in Burialles. But sure my Nourse and Sauiour, I wil also call thée Father, though God saie nay, yet will I as I maie, and where I maye offer to thée of my teares & doo they deathe rightes with my lockes. And therewith shée pulled of a great handful of her heare, but Theagenes appeased her, and helde her handes softely, yet shée lamented neuerthelesse, sayinge: To what ende shal wée liue any longer? after what hope shal wée looke? He that conducted vs through straunge Landes, was the staie of our errour, and our guide into our Countrie, the knowledge of our Parentes, our com∣forte in aduersities, the ease of our ill Fortune, the An∣core of al our affaires, Calasiris is dead, and hath lefte vs twoo, a miserable payre in a straunge Lande, not know∣inge what is beste to doo. Hereafter euery Iorney by Lande, euery viage by water through ignorance is cutte of: a graue and courteous, an olde & wise heade, in déede

and is gonne, who neuer made ende to doo for vs. As shée in this, or suche like sorte lamented, and Theagenes concealed his own griefe, the rather thereby to cause Ca∣riclias sorrowe to abate, came Achemenes, and findinge the Gate locked, asked of the Porter what adoo is here? And when he knewe it was his Mothers déede, he came neare the doores, and consideringe of the cause therof in his minde, he hearde Cariclia lamente: and bowinge down him selfe, looked in by certaine riftes in the iointes of the doore, & sawe al that was donne. And then he asked her that kepte the doore againe, who were within? Shée answeared, that shée knewe of no more but that there were twoo straungers, belike a man, and a mayde which his Mother broughte in a while agoe. Then he knéeled downe againe, to sée if he mighte more perfitely knowe them. Of Cariclia he was neuer the neare, yet he mar∣ueiled at her excellente bewtie, and considered what a manner a one shée would be, if shée were not in suche sor∣rowe,* 1.291 and heauinesse, and with this woonderinge he pri∣uely fel in loue with her: but he thought he should know Theagenes, if he coulde calle him to minde. While A∣chemenes was thinkinge hereupon, Cibele returned af∣ter shée had tolde al howe shée had handled her selfe about the yonge folkes, and called her oft vnhappy for her good Fortune, who had brought so much to passe by chaūce, as by sixe hundred deuises, one would scante haue thought, coulde be donne, that nowe shée mighte haue her Louer in the House with her. And when shée had with many suche woordes sette Arsace on fire, shée coulde scante rule her, shée was in suche haste to sée him: yet shée caused her to be contente, for that shée woulde not haue him sée her while her eies were swolne for lacke of sléepe, but a daye after, when shée had recouered her olde bewtie againe. Thus, when shée had made her merry, and ful of hope that shée should haue her hartes desire, and had taken or∣der with her what was beste to doo, and howe shée should

entertaine the straūgers. As soone as shée came downe, shée saide to her Sonne, why be you so inquisitiue: tel me what straungers be those within, and of what Countrie? It is not for you to know (saide Cibele): but conceale that whiche you knowe, and tel it to no man, neither be much emonge the straungers, for so hathe our Mistresse geuen charge. So he departed as his Mother badde him, and déemed that Theagenes was kept to serue Arsaces turne by nighte. And as he wente, he saide thus to him selfe: Is not this he, whom Mytranes Captaine of the Watch, deliuered to me, to be carried to Oroondates, and from him to be sente to the greate Kinge, that the people of Bessa tooke from me, at what time I was in daunger of my life, so that I almost alone of al that carried him, esca∣ped with my life? or doo mine eies beguile me. But I am wel yenoughe nowe, and sée as I was woonte to doo. Moreouer I heare that Thiamis is comme a daie, or twoo agoe, and in a Combat with his Brother, recouered the Priestes Office againe. It is he, but I maie not saie so muche nowe, but wil marke howe our Mistresse is affe∣cted towarde these geastes. Thus he talked with him selfe: and Cibele wente in to them, and perceiued well what they had done, by reasō that their eies were yet ful of water, for al that they went aboute, when they heard the doore open, to trimme them selues, and counterfeited theire woonted guise. Wherfore shée cried out, and saide: My déere Children, why wéepe you out of season, when ye shoulde reioice, and thanke your good Fortune, for that Arsace thinketh to doo al the good to you shée can de∣uise, and is contente, that to morrowe you shal comme into her presence, and in the meane time she weth you al manner of courtesie, and gentlenesse. Wherefore you muste leaue of these foolishe, and Childishe teares, and looke vp, and decke your selues, and in euery pointe doo as Arsace woulde haue you. The remembraunce of Cala∣siris Deathe ({quod} Theagenes) caused vs to wéepe, who haue

loste the fatherly affection whiche was in him towarde vs. These be toies ({quod} the Olde wooman) Calasiris, and what so euer fained Father els, who hath geuen place to the common Lawe of nature, and age: by one wooman shalt thou haue Rule, Ritches, Daliaunce, & the fruites of a florishinge youthe, at a woorde thinke it to be your Fortune, and woorship Arsace. Onely be ruled by me, how you shal come into her presence, seinge shée hath ge∣uen suche commaundement, and howe you must vse her, if shée bidde you doo ought: for her stomacke is greate (as you knowe) hie and Princely, augmented by youthfull age, and excellent bewty, whiche wil not haue a naye, if it make any request. Theagenes staied hereat, & thought within himselfe, that in this talke was contained some∣what that was very beastely, and not to be admitted. Within a while after came certaine Eunuches, whiche* 1.292 brought in plate of Golde, meate from the Princes Ta∣ble, whiche passed al manner of coste and sumptuousnes, and when they had saide, that their Lady had sente them this first intertainement for Honours sake, and sette it on the Table, they departed. They, least they shoulde not doo their dutie, tasted a little of that which was sette before them, and this was donne at night, & ordinarily euery daie after. The nexte daie aboute one a clocke, the same Eunuches came to Theagenes, and saide: Right happy man, our Mistresse hath sente for you, and wée are commaunded to bringe you to her presence: Wherefore goe and enioye that happinesse, which shée voutchsaueth to very fewe, and at seldome times. He staied a while, but at length as if he had bene violently drawen, he rose against his wil, and saide vnto them: is her commaunde∣mente that you bringe me alone, or that this my Sister shal goe with me also? You must goe alone, saide they, & shée shall goe alone also another time: Mary nowe there are certaine noble men of Persia with her, and it is a cu∣stome to talke with men by them selues, & with woomen

alone at another time. Then Theagenes stouped downe, and saide softely to Cariclia, sure this is neither honest dealinge, nor without great suspition. Shée answeared him, that there was no gainesayinge, but that he muste goe and make suche countenaunce, as if he woulde doo all her will: This donne he followed them, and when they taught him howe he should speake to her, and that it was the custome that such as went in to her, should fal downe and woorshippe her, he gaue them no answeare. When he came in and sawe her sittinge in her Chaire of Estate, clothed in Purple and clothe of Golde, glorious with iolly Iewelles, and her costly Bonnet, finely attired and decked, with her Garde aboute her, and the chiefe Magi∣strates of the Persians by her, he was not abashed a whit but rather the more incouraged against the Persian bra∣uerie, as though he had quite forgotten that, whereof he talked with Cariclia as touchinge Reuerence, and woor∣shippinge, so that he neither bowed knée, nor fell downe to her, but holdinge vp bis heade alofte, saide: Arsace of Royall bloude, God saue thée: whereat when those who were presente, were offended, and grudged against him as one rashe and ouerbolde, in that he had not woorship∣ped her, Arsace smiled a little, and answeared for him thus: pardon him as one ignorant of our customes, and a straunger borne in Greece, who by reason of the soyle despiseth our pompe: and therewithall shée put of her Bonnette, sore againste their willes that stoode by, for so doo the Persians, to render Salute to those who firste sa∣luted them. And when shée had bidden him to be of good chéere, by an interpreter (for although shée vnderstoode, yet could shée not speake the Greeke tongue) and willed him to speake if he wanted any thinge, and he shoulde haue it. Shée sent him backe againe, commaundinge her Eunuches, and Garde to wayte vpon him: there Ache∣menes seing him againe, called him better to his remem∣braunce, for al that he iudged the cause of the ouer greate

Honour he had, yet he saide nothinge, but determined to doo that whiche firste he intended. Arsace made a sum∣ptuous Banquette to the Magistrates of Persia, vnder colour to Honour them as shée was wonte to doo, but in déede for ioie that shée had talked with Theagenes. To whome shée sente not onely parte of her meate as shée was wonte to doo, but Carpettes & Coueringes of sundry colours, wrought in Sidon and Lydia: shée sente also to waite vpon them a boye for him, and a Mayde for Cari∣clia, whiche were borne in Ionia, and aboute foureteine yéeres of age. Shée desired Cibele hartely to make haste and out of hande to doo what shée entended, because shée coulde tarry no longer, who before lefte no waie vn∣searched, but tried Theagenes minde by all manner of meanes: Marry shée did not tell him Arsaces minde plainely, but by diuerse biewaies and circumstaunces shée meante to make him vnderstande the same, by tel∣linge him her Mistresse good will to him, not onely com∣mendinge her shape and bewty that all menne sawe, but shée tolde him also of that whiche was vnder her Appa∣rell, by certaine reasonable occasiōs, then praised shée her manners, for that thei were amiable, and nothing coye, & that shée had greate delighte in fine, and hable yonge menne. The drifte of al her talke was to perceiue if he had any pleasure in Venus disportes. Theagenes com∣mended her good will that shée bare to the Greekes, and her friendely fashion, and els what so euer shée talked of, and further for the same gaue her hartie thankes: but he passed ouer that which conteined any dishonest thing, as thoughe he vnderstoode it not at the firste. Where∣fore the Olde wooman was soare grieued, and nipped at the harte, for that shée thoughte he vnderstoode what shée meante, but vtterly despised, and sette at naughte al that shée did: shée knewe moreouer that Arsace woulde abide no longer, but beganne euen now to be angry, and tell her plainely shée coulde not rule her selfe: wherefore

shée craued of her the perfourmonce of her promise, which Cibele had deferred by diuers delaies: sommetime saie∣inge that thoughe the yonge man woulde, yet he was a∣fraide: sommetime that one, or other mischaunce fell in the waie: and nowe, because fiue, or sixe daies were past, and Arsace had called for Cariclia ones or twise, and v∣sed her honourably to doo Theagenes a pleasure, shée was forced to speake more plainely to Theagenes, and tel him of her loue without circumstances, with promise that he shoulde haue sixe hundred good turnes, if he woulde consente: addinge moreouer, for shame what lingringe* 1.293 is this? Or what may be so farre from Venus delightes, as so faire a yonge man, and of good age to refuse to lye with a wooman like him selfe, that dieth for his loue, and doothe not rather coumpte it a vauntage to haue to doo with her, especially for that he néede to feare nothinge, and because her Husbande is out of the waie, and I, who broughte her vp, prouide the same for him, and kéepe all her counselles, be they neuer so secrete, and to you, for that you haue neither Spouse, nor Wife to lette you, whiche also many menne that haue ben in theire wittes haue contemned, for that they knewe they shoulde doo no harme at home, and shoulde doo them selues good by gay∣ninge greate Ritches, and coumptinge the fruite of this pleasure also a good rewade. At lengthe shée interlaced certaine threates in her ta••ke, saieinge: Gentlewoomen, and suche as longe for men, wil not be appeased, but con∣ceiue greate displeasure when they are cruelly deceiued, and wil pounishe the stubborne, as if they had donne thē greate wronge, and that not without cause. Moreouer, consider of her that shée is a Persian borne, and of the Bloude Royall, as you confessed, and of greate power, and authoritie, so that shée maie prefer to honour, whom shée will, and pounishe suche as withstande her pleasure without controlment. As for you, you are a straunger, a∣lone without any to healpe you. Wherefore partely

spare your selfe, partely fauour her: Surely shée is woor∣thy that you shoulde haue regarde to her, who is so furi∣ously inflamed with your Loue, which shee of right ought to reioice at, & stande in doubt of the wrathe whiche pro∣céedeth of Loue, and beware of the reuenge whiche fol∣loweth like contempt. I haue knowen many who haue repented afterwarde suche a stomake as this. I haue greater experience in these Venerious affaires then you: This white head that you sée, hath benne at many suche Banquettes, but I neuer knew any so violent, and vn∣cureable as you. At laste shée spake to Cariclia (for shée was necessarily compelled to saie this in her presence) my Daughter perswade this thy Brother also, whom I know not how to terme. This wilbe for your auaile too, you shall not be loued the weight of a heare the lesse of her therefore, you shal haue Ritches yenough, & shée will prouide to marry you wealthely, whiche thinges are to be wished for of those, who be in happy estate, and not of straungers, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as presently are in great pouertie. Cariclia looked vpon her frowningly, and with burninge eies, saide: It were to be wished also, and were very wel too for euery bodie, that good Arsace had no suche infirmi∣tie, but if shée haue, to vse it discretely. But séeinge that suche a humaine chaunce hathe happened vnto her, and shée is ouercommed as you saie, I woulde counsel Thea∣genes my selfe, not to refuse the facte, if he maie doo it without daunger, least that his déede through folly may bréede him harme, and her no good, if this come to lighte, and the Deputie happe to know of so shameful a thinge. Cibele leapte for ioye when shee hearde this, and imbra∣cinge & kissinge Cariclia, saide: My Daughter, thou doest very well, that thou haste pittie vpon a wooman like thy selfe, and séekest for the safety of thy Brother: but thou needest not doubt hereof, for that the Sunne (as the Pro∣uerbe is) shal not know thereof. Lette me alone for this time, sayde Theagenes, and geue me leaue to consider

hereupon: and herewith Cibele wente out, and as soone as shée was gonne Cariclia saide thus: Theagenes God geueth vs suche successe wherein is more aduersitie har∣bored, then our outwarde felicitie can conteruaile: which thinge seinge it is so, it is the pointe of wise menne to turne their il happes as muche as they maie, to better, whether therfore you be in minde to doo this déede or not I cannot tell: Although I would not be greatly against it, if there were no other waie to preserue vs, but if you doo déeme that a filthy acte (as honesty and duety would you should) whiche is requested of you, faine your selfe to be contented, and with fayre woordes féeding the bar∣barous woomans desire, cutte of the same with delayes, and lette her liue in hope, leaste in her rage shée put some cruell deuise in practise againste vs. For it is like by the grace of God, that space of time may prouide some reme∣dy* 1.294 for this: but in any wise Theagenes, beware that you fall not out of your consideration into the filthinesse of the facte. Theagenes smiled hereat a little, and saide: I perceiue you are not without Ialousie, woomens natural disease, no not in aduersitie, but be sure I cannot faine any suche thinge: for to saie and doo vnhonest thinges, are bothe almoste alike dishonest. And that Arsace may be out of hope to obtaine, bringeth an other commoditie with it, that shée wil cease to trouble vs any more. If I must suffer any thinge, as well Fortune, as also the con∣stant opinion of my minde, haue inured me ere now ma∣ny times to take what so euer shal happen. Then thinke, {quod} Cariclia, that so you shall bringe vs into greate mis∣chiefe, and therewith shée helde her tongue. While they considered of these matters, Cibele wente to Arsace, and incouraged her to looke for better successe, and that The∣agenes was contente, whiche donne, shée came into the parlour alone, and saide nothinge that night, but exhor∣ted Cariclia diuerse waies, whom at the firste shée made her beddefellowe to healpe her in this case, and in the

morninge shée asked Theagenes what he meante to doo? He gaue her a plaine deniall, & willed her neuer to looke for any suche thing at his hande. With which answeare shée wente heau••••y to Arsace, where shée made reporte of Theagenes stoutenesse. Arsace commaunded to breake his necke, and wente into her Chamber, and vexed her selfe cruelly on her Bedde. The Olde wooman Cibele was no sooner in the Parlour, but her Sonne Acheme∣nes séeinge her sadde, and wéepinge, asked her: Mother, what mishap is befallen? Are there any il newes come? Are there any il tidinges comme from the Campe? Haue our enimies in this warre the vpper hande of our Lorde Oroondates? And many suche questions he moued. Tushe ({quod} shée) thy pratinge is to no effecte. This saide, shée made haste to be gonne, but he woulde not let her a∣lone, but wente after her, and takinge her by the hande, besoughte her, that shée woulde tel her Sonne the cause of her griefe. Then shée tooke him by the hande, and leadde him aside into a parte of the Orchyarde, & saide: I woulde neuer haue declared mine owne, & my Mistresse harmes to any other man. But séeinge shée is in perill, and I in daunger of my life (for I knowe, that Arsaces maddenesse wil fall in my necke): I am constrained to tel you, if happily you can helpe her any thinge, who concei∣ued, and bare you into the worlde, and nourished you with these Breastes. Our Mistresse doth loue the yonge man which is in our House, not with tollerable, or vsual Loue, but so that shée is almoste madde therewith: about whom, shée, & I hopinge to spéede wel as wée would, loste our labour: hence came al courtesies, & manifold good wil toward y^e straūgers. But now séeing the yonge man like a foole, and cruel felowe whiche wil not be ruled, hathe refused to doo as wée woulde haue him. I thinke shée wil not liue, and I looke to be slaine, and in this case are wée nowe. If then thou causte helpe me any thinge, doo it: if not, yet when thy Mother is deade, sée that her Deathe

Kites be duely finished. What rewarde shal I haue Mo∣ther (saide he) for I haue no leasure to boaste my selfe, or with longe circumstances to promise you any helpe, sée∣inge you be in suche, and so desperate a case. Looke for what so euer you wil, for shée hathe made you her chiefe Cuppe bearer for my sake already, and if thou haue any higher Office in thy heade, tel me. As for the Ritches that thou shal haue in recompence, if thou saue her, vn∣happy Creature, of them shalbe no number. Mother, ({quod} he) I perceiued as muche a good while agoe, but I saide nothinge, and looked euer what would comme of it. But I care for no honour, nor regarde any Ritches, but if shée wil geue me the Mayde whiche is called Theagenes Si∣ster to wife, shée shal haue her hartes desire. For Mo∣ther, I loue that Mayde without measure. Wherefore seinge our Mistresse knoweth by her owne case, what kinde and how great a griefe loue is, shée hath good cause to healpe him who is sicke of that disease also, seinge fur∣ther* 1.295 he promiseth her so good lucke. Haue no doubt, saide Cibele for our Mistresse wil requite you without delaie, when you shal haue donne thus muche for her, and saued her in suche distresse: Beside perhappes wée maie per∣swade the Mayde our selues, to doo this without trou∣blinge her, but tell me howe you will healpe her. I will not tel you (saide he) before I haue a promise confirmed by the Othe of our Lady: as for you til then saie nothing to the Maide, least you marre our markette against your will. For I sée well that shée hath a lofty stomacke al∣so. Shée promised that he should haue his desire, & there∣with shée wente into the chamber to Arsace, and fallinge vpon her knées, badde her be of good chéere, for by the grace of God all shalbe well, onely sende for my Sonne Achemenes to come to you. Lette him be called ({quod} Ar∣sace) if you meane not to deceiue me againe. Acheme∣nes* 1.296 came in, and when Cibele had tolde her al the mater, Arsace sware by expresse woordes, that he shoulde haue

his destre, as touching the Marriage of Theagenes sister. Then saide Achemenes, lette Theagenes hencefoorthe be quiet, because for al that he is your bonde man, yet he behaueth him selfe so stubbernly againste his Mistresse. How saie you this, saide Arsace? Then Achemenes tolde her all, that Theagenes was taken prisoner by order of Warre, that Mytranes sente him to Oroondates, from him to be conueyed to the greate Kinge, that he him selfe as he carried him, by meanes of the comminge of the in∣habitantes of Bessa, and Thiamis loste him, that he hard∣ly escaped with his life: lastly beside all this he shewed Mytranes owne letters to Arsace readily: and if there were néede of any more proufe, he woulde haue Thiamis for a witnesse. Arsace came somewhat to her selfe when shée hearde this, and made no delaie but came out of her Chamber, and sittinge in the seate where shée was woont to heare and giue Iudgemente vpon matters, shée com∣maunded Theagenes to be brought before her. As soone as he came, shée asked him if he knew Achemenes whiche stoode by him. He saide yea. Were you not once his pry∣soner, {quod} shée? Theagenes confessed that he was. Then are you our bonde man, saide shée, wherefore you shall doo as becommeth a lowly seruaunt, and be ruled by my will whither you will or no. As for your Sister I haue be∣trothed her to Achemenes, who is chiefe about vs, as wel for his Mothers sake, as also for his owne good will and behauiour towarde vs, so longe delayinge the Mariage, vntil we maie gette such thinges, as are néedeful against that daie to make a sumptuous feaste. Theagenes was hitte with these woordes, as with a grieuous wounde, yet he woulde not contrary her, but woulde auoide her force, as a man would shunne the violent assault of some wilde Beaste, and saide: Lady, the Goddes be thanked, for that in as muche as wée are wel borne, in our aduer∣sitie it is our good happe to be bounde to none but you, who haue shewed vnto vs Strangers and Aliens borne,

so greate humanitie and good wil. But my Sister for all that shée is not prysoner nor bonde, yet shal shee be ready to doo you seruice as shall please you, wherefore tell vs what you will haue her to doo with reason. Lette her ({quod} Arsace) be one of our waiters at our Table, and learne to serue our Cuppes of Achemenes, that shée may be inured before to serue at the Princes Table. This donne they wente out, Theagenes was very heauie, and deuised of that whiche he had to doo, but Achemenes laughed, and scorned him with suche like woordes. Loe you who were but lately so prowde and loftye, and bare your heade so highe, that you séemed to be frée alone, and thoughte scorne to submit your selfe and woorshippe Ar∣sace, what kinde of felowe are you nowe: surely if you stoupe not now, you shal be taught with Fistes to know your duetie. Arsace, when shée had sente al other from her, saide to Cibele: Nowe Cibele he hathe no moe excu∣ses, wherefore tel this prowde felowe, that if he wil be ruled by vs, and doo our wil, he shal be made fée, and haue plentie of al thinges: but if wil be stil in contrary minde, and despise his Louer, he shal vnderstande that his Mi∣stresse is angry, and be made the vilest slaue of al other, and be tormented with all manner of pounishementes. Cibele came and tolde Arsaces Commaundemente, and added of her owne, what shée thought was auaileable to perswade him. Theagenes desired her to staie a while, and tooke Cariclia alone, and saide thus: Nowe are wée quite vndonne, Cariclia, euery Cable (as is the Prouerbe) is broken, euery Ancore of hope is loste, nowe are wée no longer with frée names in miserie, but are bonde againe: (and therewith he tolde her howe) nowe are wée sub∣iectes to the reprochful scoffes, and tormētes of the Bar∣bariens, so that either wée muste doo as they wil haue vs, in whose handes wée are, or els shal wée be numbred e∣monge the condemned personnes: yet this were tollera∣ble, if Arsace had not promised (whiche is the moste grie∣uous

thinge of al) to marry you to Achemenes, Cibeles Sonne. And it is plaine, that either that shall not be donne at all, or I wil not sée it donne, so longe as life wil geue me leaue, with Swoorde, and Armour to withstand the same. But what shall wée doo? Or what waie shall wée deuise to breake of my abominable facte with Arsace, and youre shameful marriage with Achemenes? You maie ({quod} Cariclia) in approuinge the one, disanull the o∣ther whiche toucheth me. Be contente ({quod} he). God de∣fende that the anger of any Heauenly minde shoulde be so vehemente againste vs, that I, who had neuer to doo with Cariclia, should incesteously meddle with an other.* 1.297 But I thinke I haue founde a good remedie presently: surely necessarye is a Deuisoure of al manner of shiftes. And therewithal he wente aside to Cibele, and saide: Tel your Mistresse that I woulde speake with her alone, so that no man mighte heare. The Olde wooman thinking this to be that they looked for, and that Theagenes would nowe doo what they woulde haue him, wente hastely to Arsace, and receiued Comnaundemente to bringe him after Supper, whiche shée did. For after shée had char∣ged those, who were neare at hande to be stil, and let her Mistresse take her case, without sturringe aboute the Chamber. Shée conueied in Theagenes priuily, for eue∣ry place was very darke, so that one mighte woorke se∣cretely yenough, and there was no lighte but a Candle in her Chamber. When shée had thus donne, shée would haue shrunke away, but Theagenes staied her, and saide? Mistres, for this time let Cibele be here, for I know that shée is very trusty to kéepe Councel. And then he tooke* 1.298 Arsace by the hande, and spake thus: Mistres, I prolon∣ged not the dooinge of that you commaunded me because I woulde anger you, but that I mighte prouide securitie for my facte. And nowe séeinge that Fortune by very good lucke hathe made me your seruaunte, I am the more readyer to doo your wil in al pointes. But firste I must

pray you to graunt me one thinge, in stéede of the great, and manifolde benefites that you haue promised me: Breake of the marriage of Cariclia and Achemenes. For* 1.299 (that I saie no more) it is no reason that a wooman of ve∣ry highe Parentage shoulde be matched with a vile, and bonde slaue: els I sweare to you by the Sunne, the fairest of al the Goddes, & by al the rest of the Goddes also, that I wil neuer doo what you woulde haue me, and before Ca∣riclia sustaine any violence, you shal sée me slay my selfe. Arsace answeared him, thinke not, but that I will doo what I maie to pleasure you, as one who is ready to de∣liuer her selfe into your handes. But I haue promised by Othe to marrye youre Sister to Achemenes. It is wel then ({quod} he). Marrye my Sister if you liste: but her, whom I loue, and is my Spouse, yea and my wife, I knowe you wil not marry: neither if you woulde, maye you. What meane you by this (saide shée). I meame the trothe (answeared he), for Cariclia is not my Sister, but my Spouse. A manifest token whereof, you shal haue when you please, if you liste to make a Bridal for vs. This nipte her, when shée hearde that Cariclia was his wife, so that shée fel into a greate ialousie: yet for al that shée said, you shal haue your desire, & wée wil appease A∣chemenes with an other wife. And I wil perfourme my promise (said Theagenes) when this is vndonne. And thē he bent him self downe to kisse her hande, but in stéede of her hande, shée kissed him with her mouthe. And so The∣agenes wente out with a kisse of hers: but he kissed her not againe. And as soone as he gotte leasure, he tolde Cariclia all, who hearde sommewhat that made her ia∣lous also. He added moreouer the straunge ende that his promise tended vnto, and howe by that thinge alone he had wroughte many feates. Achemenes Weddinge was defeated, and a delaie was founde for Arsaces luste. But that whiche was the chiefe of all, was that Ache∣menes woulde sette all on a broyle, beinge offended, as

wel for that he was beguiled of that he hoped for, as also because he sawe me in better fauoure with Arsace, then him selfe: for he shal knowe of all this by his Mother, in as muche as I foresawe that shée should be there to heare that I saide, bothe because I woulde haue her tel Ache∣menes this, and haue her a Witnesse also of the familia∣rity wihiche in onely woordes passed betwéene vs: for al∣though it were yenough before God to haue a cleare con∣science,* 1.300 yet it is honesty for a man to leade his life so, (whiche lasteth here but a litle while) that men may haue suche opinion too. He tolde her moreouer, that it was to be thoughte Achemenes woulde be reuenged of Arsace, beinge a slaue borne (for it is almoste séene euery where, that that whiche is vnder Obedience, is contrarye to that which hath Authoritie ouer it) and wronged beside, and beguiled of an Othe, séeinge other better estéemed then him selfe, whose minde is guiltie of al mischiefe, and ill behaueour, and néedeeth to be taughte to woorke no manner of Knauery, as many menne beinge angry haue attempted the like, and séeinge he hathe a iuste quaurell whereupon to séeke reuenge. The nexte daie after he had tolde Cariclia these thinges, and exhorted her yet to haue a litle hope, he was leadde of Achemenes to waite at her Table, for so Arsace commaunded him to doo. For that pourpose shée sent him costly Apparell, a Chaine and Bracelettes of Golde, and other ritche Iewelles: parte whereof willingely, parte againste his will he putte on. And when Achemenes beganne to teache him howe he shoulde serue her the Cuppe, he ranne to a Table by, whereon stoode muche Plate, and takinge a Pretious Glasse in his hande, saide: I néede not to be taughte, but I wil of mine owne heade serue my Mistres, without* 1.301 suche curiositie in these so easie matters. As for you, Fortunes fauour caused you to knowe suche thinges, but nature, and time can teache me what I haue to doo. And then he powred in Wine softly, and holdinge the

Glasse finely with the tippes of his fingers, goeinge with a séemely, and fitte pase, deliuered it to Arsace: and this draught sette her more on fire then shée was before, because shee drinkinge, and lookinge vpon Theagenes at one time, supped more of his Loue, then of the Wine, neither did shée drinke that quite of, that was filled, but in greate sleighte, in a manner shée drunke to Theage∣nes, and leafte him a litle. On the other side Achemenes was offended too, & moued, as wel with Anger, as Emu∣lation, so that Arsace perceiued it, for that he so scorne∣fully looked vpon him, and whispered sommewhat to those whiche stoode by. When Dinner was donne, The∣agenes saide: Mistres, I praie you graunte me this my firste requeste, let none but me weare this Towel in ser∣uinge at your Table. Arsace was contente. And when he wente out as he was woonte to doo, Achemenes wente out with him too, and taunted him soare for his too muche diligence, and tolde him that suche rashenesse was very childishe, and that their Mistres at the firste winked at this facte because he was a straunger, & knew no fashion: But if you continewe and be so stubberne still, (saide he) you shal not please her longe: And that he counselled him as a friende, and one that shoulde be his Kinsman short∣ly, and muche more like this he saide: but he passed by him as though he hearde him not, but looked still downe to the grounde, vntill Cibele came by chance, and wente to haue her Mistresse to sléepe in the after noone. And se∣inge her Sonne sadde asked what he ayled, he answeared this Straunge yonker, is honoured aboue me, bothe ye∣sterdaie, and to daie, who for a shewe of finesse is com∣maunded now alone, to be her Cupbearer: and biddinge vs who are her chiefe Seruitours farewel, he raught her the Glasse, and stoode nexte the Princes body, so that our Honour, whiche is but an Honour by name, is vtterly despised. And that were not so ill, that he shoulde be more honoured and better preferred, and be more

priuie then wée, who by too péeuishe reason doo kéepe his Counsell, and healpe him therein, but this ought by no meanes to be suffered, that he shoulde vse vs, who are Seruitours, and his companions in the waie of honesty in such sorte, without checke or taunte: but wée wil finde an other time to talke of these matters. Now Mother I would faine sée my wife Cariclia, if by lookinge vpon her I maie somewhat abate this griefe of my minde. What wife Sonne, saide Cibele? You séeme to chafe at trifles and knowe not the greatest matters. Now shalte thou not marry Cariclia. What saie you Mother ({quod} he) am I not woorthy to Marry her, who is my fellowe Seruant? Why so I pray you? For our too good will and vnlawful seruice towarde Arsace, answeared shée. For although we sette more by her, then our owne ease, and preferred her desire before our owne liues, in doinge all that wée coulde to pleasure her. Yet as soone as this gentle and goodly Louer of hers, came into her chamber, the sight of him did so muche perswade her, that it made her breake the Othe shée sware, and caused her to assure Cariclia to him, tellinge her that shée was not his Sister, but his spouse. Did shée then promise him this Mother ({quod} he)? Yea Sonne, answeared Cibele, shée promised him this, while I was by and hearde it, and meaneth within these fewe daies to make their weddinge in sumptuous sorte, and wil marry thée to some other. Achemenes was ve∣ry sorrowful for these tidinges, & wringinge his handes, he saide thus: I wil make this a sorrowful weddinge to them all. Onely healpe me to prolonge the same for a while, and if any man aske for me, saie I am sore sicke in the Countrie. And dothe this Gentleman cal his Sister his wife? as though it might not be vnderstoode, that he doothe it for none other pourpose, but to disanull that whiche was graunted me by promise, as though it were not his Sister but his wife, if he imbrace, colle, and kisse her as now he doothe, yea although he lie with her, I and

the Goddes whose Religion is violated by breakinge of an Othe, wil sée to this wel yenough. This saide, anger and Ialousie, Loue and frustration of that he looked for, sette him on suche fire (al whiche thinges were sufficient* 1.302 to trouble an other man, though no barbarous fellowe) that without waying reasonably what he meante to doo, but likinge his deuise at the first, he leapte vpon a Horse of Armenia, whiche the Deputie kepte for Royalties and braue sightes, as soone as he could conueniently get him, and wente to Oroondates, who then was mustringe his Army against the Ethiopian, and makinge al manner of prouision, as wel of menne and weapons, as also other thinges necessary for the Warre.

Here endeth the Seuenth Booke.

The Eight Booke.

FOr the Kinge of Ethiopia, when he had beguiled Oroondates, and obtayned halfe of that, they contended for, and wanne the Cittie Philae, whiche al∣waies is easie to be conquered, by his spéedy comminge vpon them, draue him to greate wante, so that for the moste parte he inforced him to trauaile in haste, & with∣out* 1.303 order. For the Cittie Philae, is Cituated vpon the bankes of Nilus, a little aboue the lesser sluces, aboute twelue mile & a halfe from Siene, and Eliphantina. This Cittie because the outlawes of Egypte tooke and inhabi∣ted it, caused the Ethiopians, and Egyptians, to contende

aboute the same. The Ethiopians will haue the borders of Ethiopia to stretche vnto the sluces, and the Egyptians chalenge Philae, because their Outlawes inhabited the same, as if it had benne wonne by warre. And because that Cittie cōtinually was now vnder the one, and then streight vnder the other, and would be theirs who firste came and conquered it, at that time therein was a Gar∣rison of Egyptians, and Persians. The Kinge of Ethiopia required to haue Philae, and the Mines out of whiche were digged the pretious stoones called Smaragdi, of O∣roondates,* 1.304 and hauinge made suche request as is saide before, and coulde not obtayne, he commaunded his Le∣gates to goe a few daies iourney before, and he folowed him selfe well prouided of all manner of furniture, as if he woulde haue made somme other Warre, but he tolde no man whiche waie he woulde bende the strength of his Army. After he supposed that his Embassadours were paste Philae, and had filled the Inhabitauntes with securitie, and carefulnesse, for that they bruted abroade that they wente with Commission to conclude a Peace, and amitie. He came suddainely vpon them, and cast out* 1.305 the Garrison whiche was not hable to susteine the force of their enimies, & the Engins where with their Walles were battered aboue twoo or thrée daies, and so tooke the Cittie, and did no manner of wronge to any of the In∣habitauntes thereof. For by reason of these newes, A∣chemenes founde Oroondates soare troubled, beinge by this time certified of all that happened by one who fledde from thence, but he troubled him a greate deale more, because he came so suddainely, and vnsentefor. Where∣fore he asked him foorthewith, whether any mischaunce was befallen Arsace, and the rest of his Family at home. He answeare that there was, but he woulde tell him in councell. When euery man els was departed, he tolde him howe Theagenes was taken Prisoner of Mytranes, and sente to him, so to be conueied to the greate Kinge, if

he thoughte it good: for the yonge man was woorthy to be* 1.306 placed in the Courte, and to waite at the Kinges owne Table. Then how he was rescued by the Inhabitaūtes of Bessa, who also slewe Mytranes, and after that came to Memphis, and thereto he added Thiamis estate. Laste of all he tolde him of Arsaces loue towarde Theagenes, and howe he was brought to the Kinges Lodging, with the honour which shée gaue him in token of her good wil, and al the seruice he did, and howe that yet there was no harme donne, by reason that the yonge man with∣stoode, and woulde not: Mary it was to be doubted that by continuaunce of time, or violence he might be forced, if somme man did not the sooner fetche him from Mem∣phis, and so cutte of al the reste of Arsaces loue. And for that cause he came priuily to tel him spéedily thereof, for that his loue to his Maister was suche, that it coulde not conceale what he knewe to be contrarye to his pleasure. When he had angred Oroondates with this tale, and he was nowe thorowly chafed, and in wil to be reuenged, he kindled in him a newe desire, by talkinge of Cariclia, commendinge her highely, praysinge woonderfully her bewtie and comelinesse, as shée wel deserued, saieinge: that there neuer was séene suche a one before, nor might not be suche an other after. Accoumpte ({quod} he) all youre Concubines, not onely those that are at Memphis, but those also whiche folowe you here, not to be woorthe a Rushe, in comparison of her. He tolde him many other thinges beside this: trustinge that although Oroondates had to doo with Caricha, yet within a while after he shoulde haue her to wife, when he required her in recom∣pence of this talke. By this time was the Deputie soare moued, beinge wrapped as wel in the snares of anger, as desire. So that without delaie he called for Bagoas,* 1.307 one of his Eunuches, whiche was in greatest Authoritie, and best trusted of him, and deliuered to him fiftie Horse∣men, and sent him to Memphis, with Commaundement

to bringe Theagenes and Cariclia, where so euer he firste might sée them, to him: He wrote a letter to Arsace beside in this manner.

Oroondates to Arsace.

* 1.308

Sende Theagenes and Cariclia Brother and Sister, beinge the Kinges prysoners to me, to be conueied to the Kinge: and sende them willingly, because whither you wil or not, they shal be taken from you, and I will cre∣dite Achemenes.

To Euphrates chiefe Eunuche at Memphis,* 1.309 he wrote thus.

Of the negligent ordering of my house, you shal here∣after giue accompt. At this time deliuer to Bagoas the twoo Grecian Prisoners, to be brought to me, whither Arsace be content therewith or not: without excuse lette them be deliuered, els knowe that I haue commaunded to bringe thée also in bondes, that thou maiest be put out of thine office. Bagoas wente aboute his businesse, & had his Letters sealed with the Deputies one Signet, that those who were at Memphis shoulde the better credite them, and deliuer to him the yonge folkes. Oroondates also wente him selfe to warre againste the Ethiopians, Achemenes was commaunded to folowe him too, and certaine menne were priuily sette to kéepe him (he thin∣kinge nothing lesse) vntil that was proued trewe, which he had shewed him. And at this time these thinges were donne at Memphis. Presently after Achemenes was gonne, and Thiamis was full Prieste, and therefore the chiefe of that Cittie, and had perfourmed what so euer appertained to the burial of Calasiris within the appoin∣ted daies, he remembred to make enquiry after Theage∣nes, and Cariclia, because nowe it was lawfull for the Priestes by theire owne ordinaunces to deale with Straungers. After he had made diligent searche euery where for them, he hearde that they were lodged in the Princes Courte, wherefore he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Arsace in haste,

and asked for them, as though for many causes they ap∣pertained* 1.310 to him, but especially for that his Father Ca∣lasiris, with the laste woordes he spake, commaunded him to prouide for their liuinge, & defend them from wronge. And that he gaue her thankes, for so curteously intertai∣ninge them, those few daies, wherein it was not lawfull for any, but suche as were in orders to be in the Church. Mary nowe he desired to haue them him selfe againe. Arsace answeared him thus: I maruaile that for all you with your owne woordes commended vs, for our huma∣nitie and gentlenesse, that yée wil condemne vs straight againe, of discurtesie and inciuilitie, whilest you would haue vs séeme, that either wée can not, or wil not prouide for straungers, and doo for them as reason shall require. I meane not so saide Thiamis: for I know that they shal fare better here with you then at my house, if thei would abide, but seinge they be of good Parentage, and haue benne diuersly tormented with Fortune, and presently* 1.311 are from their Natiue Countrie: they care for nothinge so muche as to recouer their Friendes, and gette home againe. Wherein that I should healpe them, my Father hath leafte me his heire, who haue also beside this fur∣ther causes of amitie with them. You doo wel saide Ar∣sace that you leaue brawlinge, and pleade equitie: which shal be so muche the more on our side, by howe muche to Rule is of greater force, then fondely to prouide for. Thiamis wondred at this, and saide, haue you rule ouer them? how I praie you? By martiall Lawe ({quod} she) which maketh prisoners bonde seruantes. Then perceiued Thi∣amis that shée spake of Mytranes, and saide: But there is* 1.312 no Warre, Arsace, but Peace at this time. The proper∣tie in déede of the one, bringeth into Bondage: but the o∣ther maketh frée. The one is a Tyrannous wil: the other a Princely decrée. At a woorde Warre, and Peace ought not to be scanned by theire names, but by the meaninge, and intente of those who haue to doo therein. Wherfore

you shal make a better definition of Equitie, if you con∣sente to this. So shal neither honesty, nor profitablenesse come in question. For what honesty is it for you, or what gaine to saie vnreasonably, that you wil withhold from me these straungers. Arsace could rule her selfe no lon∣ger, but that chaunced vnto her, whiche is common to all Louers, so longe as they thinke they are not spied, they* 1.313 blushe, but when they are perceiued, they are paste all shame. The secrete Louer is not very hasty, but he that is taken with the manner is made more bolde. As her guilty minde accused her, who thinkinge that Thiamis suspected sommewhat, set not a Rushe by the Prieste, nor the Honoure of his Priestehoode, but castinge of all woo∣manly shamefastnesse, saide: You shal not be pardoned, neither for that you did to Mytranes, but there wil be a time, when Oroondates wil take reuenge of them, who ••lewe him, and those also who were with them. As for these, I wil not parte with them, who presently are my seruanntes, and within a shorte space muste be sente to my Brother the greate Kinge, accordinge to the Persian custome. Wherefore plaie the Oratour as longe as ye liste, and define Iustice, Honesty, and Vtilitie, you loose your labour, because he who hath power ouer an other, néedeth none of these, but measureth eche of them as he thinketh good, and gette you straight out of our Courte, and that willingly, leaste if you deale vnaduisedly, you be forced to departe spite of your Téeth. Then wente Thiamis a waie callinge the Goddes to witnesse, & saide nothinge els, but that these thinges woulde not come to good ende, yet he thought to tell this to the Cittie, and craue the ayde thereof herein. When Arsace had saide, I care not for your Office (for Loue careth onely for that whiche maye healpe to geite that it desireth) shée wente into her chamber, whither sendinge for Cibele, shée deui∣sed of that they had to doo. For by this time shée began to suspect that Achemenes was gonne to Oroondates be∣cause

he came not into sight. And Cibele if at any time shée asked for him made diuerse and sundry excuses, to perswade her any thinge rather, then that he was gonne to Oroondates: for al that shée was not beleued alwaies, but nowe for the continuaunce of time shée loste her cre∣dite quite. Then spake Arsace, and saide: Cibele, what shal wée now doo? what waie maie be deuised to ridde me out of all these perilles that I am in? my Loue relenteth no whitte, but is rather greater and greater, as though the yonge man by his obstinatenesse gaue me occasion thereof, who is cruel and wil not be ruled, and was more gentell before then nowe: then he comforted me with fayre promises, but now he openly refuseth to doo any re∣quest, and I am grieued the more for feare least he haue hearde of Achemenes, that whiche I suspect, and there∣fore is the rather afrayde to doo it. Surely Achemenes angreth me aboue all other thinges, who is gonne to O∣roondates, and is like either to perswade him, or els tell him a woonderful tale. But lette me onely sée Oroonda∣tes, I know he will not be hable to abide one flatteringe* 1.314 welcome, or the least teare of Arsaces cies. For woomens eies and such as dwel in one house togeather, be of great force to perswade menne. But this grieueth me moste, if happely I be accused, yea and punished before I haue re∣ioyced Theagenes, if Oroondates heare any thinge here∣of. Wherefore Cibele now turne euery stoane, deuise al maner of meanes, seinge you know that wée are brought into extremitie. And thinke sithe I despaire of my selfe, that I will spare no other: For thou shalt haue the firste cōmoditie that ariseth of thy Sonnes attemptes, wherof how thou shouldest be ignoraunt, I cannot surmise. Ci∣bele answeared: as touchinge my Sonne, and my fideli∣tie to you Mistresse, you shall know in the ende that you are deceiued. And further for that you so slackly handel your owne Loue, there is no cause why you should blame other, that are blamelesse: for you commaunde him not

as a Mistresse, but flatter him like a Seruaunt, whiche perhappes was well donne at the first, when wée déemed him to be of a weake and youthfull courage. But now* 1.315 because he standeth so stifly against his Louer, lette him trie and knowe you for his Mistresse, and with whippes and tormentes be gladde to yéelde to your pleasure: for yonge men regarde not, when they be prayed, but when they be forced then beginne they to stoupe. Wherefore this also with paine will doo that whiche before he was gently handled, he woulde not. You séeme to saie well ({quod} Arsace) but how can I abide with mine eies to sée that body of his scourged or otherwise to be tormented? Shée answeared againe: You are too pitifull as though a little payne wil not make him better aduised, and you with his little griefe shall haue al your desire. But you néede not with your eies sée what shalbe donne to him, but deliuer him to Euphrates and commaund him to pounishe him as it were for somme other offence, so shall you not sée that* 1.316 whiche will put you to paine (for it is nothinge so grie∣uous to heare of an ill chance as with eies to sée the same) & if wée perceiue that he relente and chaunge his minde, wée may deliuer him from his paine. Arsace was con∣tente to be perswaded, and sente for Euphrates the chiefe Eunuche, and commaunded him to doo as they had deui∣sed. He, as well for that he was in Ielousie as al Eunu∣ches* 1.317 are, as also for other thinges that he sawe & surmi∣sed, was offended with Theagenes, by and by laid him in Irons, and tormented him with Honger and Stripes, beinge inclosed in a darke house. And when Theagenes who knew the cause hereof wel enough, but would séeme to be ignorant, asked him why he was thus handled, he would geue him no answeare: But euery daie augmen∣ted his paines, and tormented him more then either Ar∣sace would, or had commaunded, and neuer suffered any man to goe in to him but Cibele, for so had he cōmaunde∣ment. Shée came to him very ofte, & made as though shée

had brought him meate priuely, as if she had benne soary for his mishap by reason of the acquaintaunce which shée had with him, but in déede to sée if he relented any whitte for these paines, & howe he was presently minded. But he plaied the man a greate deale more, & withstoode them moste of al then, & suffered his Body to be afflicted: but by reason of his Chastitie, he tooke a lofty stomake to him, & reioiced, & gloried in that Fortune, because though his greatest parte was tormented, yet his beste, & moste no∣ble parte was wel pleased, & for that he now had occasion to declare what good wil he bare to Cariclia. He thought it wēt very wel with him, if shée might but know therof, and stil would cal her his ioie, his harte, and life. Which when Cibele sawe, althoughe shée, contrarye to Arsaces minde (which was, that he should be but litle pounished, vntil he relented, and not tormented to Deathe) had broughte Euphrates woorde to augmente his pounish∣mente, and so coulde preuaile no whitte, but was quite without hope, and shée beganne nowe by experience to perceiue in what miseries he was: sommetimes shée was afraide of Oroondates, if Achemenes tolde him hereof: sommetime leaste Arsace, if her loue were perceiued, woulde kil her selfe, shée determined to labour contrary to al that was like to fall vpon her, and with somme pas∣singe mischiefe, either to execute Arsaces pleasure, and so to auoide her presente perill, or els to take aware all that mighte make oughte againste her, by killinge of them all. And in that minde shée went in to Arsace, and saide: Mistresse, wée loose our labour. For that obstinate felowe relenteth no whitte, but is more wilful, and hath Cariclia alwaies in his mouthe, and comforteth him selfe with her name, as if it were the dearest thinge in the worlde to him. Wherefore if it please you, let vs as the Prouerbe saithe, caste our laste Ancore, and séeke somme meanes to take her awaye, whiche is so greate a lette to vs. For if he shal knowe that shée is deade, it is like that

he wil chaunge his minde, when he shal be out of al hope of her loue. Arsace was ready to beleue her, for that through her woordes, the Ialousie that shée was in a good while before, was nowe by anger increased, and saide: You geue me good counsel, I wil take vpon me to com∣maūde this stop to be remoued. Who wil doo your Com∣maundemente in this pointe ({quod} Cibele)? For althoughe you haue al thinges in your handes, yet the Lawes will not let you kil one without the iudgemente of the Persi∣an Magistrates. You shall haue néede therefore to take greate héede howe you accuse the Mayde, and then it is doubteful whether wée shall be hable to proue that which wée laie to her charge. But if you shal thinke it good (for I am ready to doo any thing for your sake) I wil dispatch* 1.318 this matter with poyson, and by meanes of a subtile Cuppe, ridde our Aduersary of her life. Arsace allowed her deuise, and badde her put it in practise, and shée went aboute it foorthe withal. And when shée founde Cariclia wéepinge, and makinge greate moane, and did nothinge but deuise many waies to die (for by this time shée per∣ceiued in what case Theagenes was, althoughe Cibele at the first had by diuers subtill meanes deluded her, and made sundrye excuses, for that shée sawe him not as shée was woont to doo), she saide: vnhappy Creature wilt thou not yet leaue to pine thy selfe, and consume awaie to no pourpose? Beholde, Theagenes shal be sette at libertye this nighte, and comme to thée, for our Mistresse, who for a certaine offence that he committed in seruing her, was angred, & commaunded him to Warde, & hathe promised this day (partely at my request) to set him at libertie, & to celebrate a sumptuous Feaste accordinge to the custome of this Countrie. Wherefore arise, and be mercy, and at lengthe yet eate sommewhat with vs. Howe should I beleue you (saide Cariclia)? For your continual lieinge hathe so ofte beguiled me, that I cannot geue credite to any thinge that you saie. Then saide Cibele, I sweare

vnto you by al the Goddes, that al your businesse shal be dispatched this daie in suche sorte, that you shall neuer néede to take more care hereafter, if you kil not your selfe before, by refraininge thus many daies without meate. Wherefore eate somme bitte of that whiche is prouided at this time. Cariclia was contente with muche adoo, neuerthelesse shée doubted that shée woulde decieue her as oft as shée had donne before, but because of her Othe shée partely agreed, and was gladde to take holde of that whiche was promised: for the minde dothe quickly geue* 1.319 credite to that whiche it earnestly desireth. So they sat downe togeather, and did eate. And as Aura serued thē of drinke, Cibele becked to her that shée shoulde bringe firste to Cariclia the poysoned Cuppe, and after her shée dranke her selfe of an other Cuppe. Shée had scante dronke it of, but shée beganne to swell, and was cruelly tormented within: wherfore shée powred out that which was lefte, on the grounde, and looked cruelly vpon the Mayde. Cariclia was abasshed, and soare troubled with this, and beganne to staie her vprighte. So were al the reste that were there. For a Cuppe impoysoned is swif∣ter then any Arrowe, and is of force sufficiente to kill one that is yonge and lustie. But then when it was in an Olde, and drie Body, it creapte into the principall partes of her, sooner then any man coulde tell the tale. Thus was the Olde wooman consumed, and all her members were with the pinchinge of the Poyson dissol∣ued, and quite without life, and all her Body was very blacke. But verily I thinke that her crafty minde was more mischeiuous, then the Poyson was, in as muche as Cibele now yéelding vp her Ghoste, foregot not her sub∣till deuises, but partely by Signes, partely by vnperfite woordes, and dieinge speache, shée signified that Cariclia was shée who had poysoned her. So the Olde wooman died, and Cariclia was bounde, and broughte straighte waie to Arsace, who asked her, whether shée had prouided

that Poyson, and threatened to tormente her on the Racke, if shée would not confesse the trothe. Nowe was Cariclia a straunge sight to those that looked vpō her, for shée was not sadde, nor bare any coūtenance that might argue a fainte harte, but came smilinge before her, and made an accompt of that shée had in hande, either for that shée passed not of that slaunder because shée was giltlesse, or els for that if Theagenes were not aliue, shée woulde also die, and estéemed it a vantage to take vpon her a déede whiche other menne had donne. And saide: Iolly Dame, if Theagenes be aliue, I saie that I am not guilty of this murther. But if he haue miscarried through thy mischieuous attemptes, thou shalte néede no tormentes to make me confesse the facte. I am shée who hath killed thy Nourse, that hath brought thée vp so wel, and taught thée so muche good, kill me out of hande: for I coulde doo Theagenes no greater pleasure, who by good right hath resisted thy wicked deuises. These woordes made Ar∣sace madde, and when shée had commaunded her to be beaten, shée saide carry this queane away bounde as shée is, & shewe her to her goodly Louer, who is in like plite, and when you haue bounde her hande and foote, commit her to Euphrates also to be kepte vntill to morrowe, to be condemned to deathe by the Persian Magistrates. As shée was ledde away, the Mayde who was Cibeles cuppe bearer (shée was one of the Ionians, whiche at the firste was willed to waite vpon them) whither it were for good will whiche shée bare to Cariclia, by reason of the ac∣quaintaunce and familiarity whiche shée had with her, or moued by the wil of God, wepte and lamented pitifully, & saide: ô vnhappy wooman whiche is without al faulte. They who were by woondred at her, and compelled her to tell plainely what shée meante. Then shée confessed how shée her selfe gaue Cibele that poyson, and had recei∣ued it afore of her to giue it to Cariclia. But shée either tro••••••••d with the straungnesse of the facte, or els called

hastely vpon by Cibele, who badde her bringe the firste cuppe to Cariclia, chaunged the pottes, and gaue the Old wooman that wherein the Poyson was. So shee was carried forthwith to Arsace, and was very gladde if Ca∣riclia mighte be excused of this facte, for euen the very Barbarous people haue pittie vpon a Gentle and Noble countenaunce. And although the Mayde saide the same to her, yet shée preuailed nothinge, but Arsace commaun∣ded her also, as helpinge and consentinge thereto, to be put in prison, and kepte to Iudgement. The Persian Magistrates in whose handes it was to determine con∣trouersies, and punishe offences as touchinge the weale publike, were sente for in haste to sitte in iudgement the nexte daie. Aud when they were come, and satte, Arsace accused her for poysoninge her Nourse, declaring al that had happened, and woulde ofte moyste her woordes with teares, because shée was spoyled of her, whome shée ac∣compted more déere then any other thinge, and aboue all other loued her beste: shée tooke moreouer the Iudges to witnesse howe shée had intertayned Cariclia beinge a straunger, and shewed her all manner of courtesie, and was nowe thus wronged in stéede of thankes, which shée had well deserued. To be shorte Arsace layde sore accu∣sations againste her, but Cariclia made no Answeare, but confessed the facte againe, and saide that shée gaue her the poison, and moreouer shée added, that shée would haue poysoned Arsace also, if shée had not benne preuen∣ted, and many other thinges els, and euer among would shée directly raile vpon Arsace. For after shée had benne the night paste with Theagenes in pryson, and conferred with him of al other affaires too and fro, and had conclu∣ded that if néede were shée should willingly die any man∣ner of death, whereto shée should be condemned, and to departe out of a life ful of troubles, and endlesse trauels, and cruell Fortune, and belike had geuen him his laste farewell louingly, and taken the Iewels that were laide

foorthe with her, whiche shée was euer accustomably wonte to beare priuily of pourpose, and tied them at that time about her in a bagge, to the intent that they should furnishe her Buriall, shée confessed euery accusation that was laide againste her, and refused no manner of death, and rehearsed her selfe many thinges also, whereof shée was not accused. Wherefore the Iudges made no de∣laie, but had almoste adiudged her to a more cruell and Persianlike deathe, yet because they were moued with her countenaunce a little, and yonge surpassinge bewty,* 1.320 they condemned her to be burned with fire. Then was shée had awaie presently with the Executioners, and car∣ried a little without the Cittie, al the while shée was lead foorthe, one made a crie, that shée should die for poisoning one, wherefore a great company more followed them out of the Cittie. Some whereof sawe her as shée was lead, other hearde thereof by reporte, whiche quickely flewe ouer al the Cittie, and so hasted thereto. Arsace came also, and sawe that whiche happened from the walle: for shée thought it a paine, if shée satisfied not her selfe, with séeinge her die. When the Executioners had laide a greate deale of woode togeather, & put fire thereto, that now it beganne to flame, Cariclia praied them who lead her, to geue her a little leaue, & promised that shée would goe into the fire alone, whiche graunted, shée saide with a lowde voice: ô Sunne, and Earthe, and all you bles∣sed* 1.321 Creatures, that are aboue and vnder the Earthe, whiche sée and take reuenge of all wicked woorkers. You are witnesses that I am not guilty of that whereof I am accused, and that I am willinge to die, for the intollera∣ble griefes of minde whiche burthen me, vouchesafe to take me into your handes gently. And in all haste take reuenge of this shamelesse Arsace, who hath defiled her selfe with so many filthie factes, and is a Harlotte, and dothe all this to robbe me of my Husbande. When shée had saide thus, euery man that was there saide some∣what

to that shée had spoken: wherefore some woulde haue the Executiō staied til an other time of iudgement, and somme were ready to take her awaie: shée preuen∣tinge them all, wente into the middest of the fire, and stoode there a good while without harme, & the fire wente* 1.322 euery waye aboute her, and woulde not approche néere her, so it hurte her not, but gaue place when shée came thereinto, by meanes whereof shée was with the lighte that was aboute her, made fayrer, and woondred at the more, by reason of her bewty, so that in a manner shée was married in a firy chamber. Shée wente sometime into this side, sometime into that, maruelinge what it meante, and hasted to be deade, but it preuailed not, for that the fire alwaie gaue place, and as it were fledde frō her: the Tormentours ceased not but layde on more woode and réede (Arsace with threatninge countenance charginge them so to doo) to make it burne more vehe∣mently: But it did no good, saue that it troubled the Cit∣tie more, whiche supposinge that shée had healpe from Heauen, cried out the wooman is cleane, the wooman is not guiltie, wherefore they came to the fire, and put aside the Tormentours. The firste that so did, was Thiamis (for by this time he was comme, beinge admo∣nished of that whiche was donne, by the greate brute in the Cittie) and he encouraged the people to healpe her, and beinge in wil to deliuer her, they durste not comme neare the fire, but willed her to comme foorthe. For shée that had benne in the fire without harme, if shée liste to comme out thereof, néede feare nothinge. Which when Cariclia sawe and hearde, thinkinge also her selfe that God had preserued her, thoughte it beste not to be vn∣thankeful to him, nor to sette lighte of that benefite, but leapte out of the fire. Wherewith the people, what for ioie, and woonder gaue a greate shoute, and thanked the Goddes for the same. But Arsace not wel in her wittes, skipte from the walles, and came out at a Posterne with

a greate company of her Garde, and other Noble men of Persia, and laied handes vpon Cariclia her••elfe, and loo∣kinge frowardely vpon the people, saide: Are you not a∣shamed to goe aboute to deliuer a gracelesse wooman, a Witche, and a Murtherer, taken with the deede dooinge, and confessinge the same from her deserued paine? See∣inge that in your so healpinge suche a wicked queane, you striue againste the Lawes of Persia, and againste the Kinge him selfe, his Deputies, Nobles, and Iudges al∣so. Perhappes you be deceiued, for that shée burned not this daye, and therefore you ascribe that hap to the Gods. Wil you not be wiser, and vnderstande that this is a greater proufe of her Witchcraft, who hathe such sloare of sleightes, that shee can withstande the strengthe of the fire? Comme you to morrowe into the Councel house, if you wil, for it shalbe by al your consentes: there shall you heare that shee will confesse the same, and shall be conuinced by suche of her felowes, as are priuie thereto, and I keepe in Prison. And therewithal shée carried her awaie, holdinge her by the necke, and commaunded her Garde to make her roume. But somme of them were angry, and in minde to withstande: other gaue ouer, be∣cause they were somewhat blinded with the tale of poy∣soninge, but moste for feare of Arsace, and her authority. Then was Cariclia deliuered to Euphrates againe to be kepte to a newe Iudgemente, and had more yrons laide vpon her. The greatest comforte that shée had in this aduersitie, was that shée had time to telle Theagenes of her affayres, for this was Arsaces inuention too, to put them to the more paine, that the yonge Creatures beinge in one place prisoners, might behold either others* 1.323 tormentes, and griefes, for shée knewe wel yenough that a Louer is more grieued at his friendes paine, then his owne disease. But they coumpted this a comforte, and to be pained alike they thoughte it a vauntage, and if ei∣ther had lesse tormētes then the other, eche supposed him

selfe vanquished, and as it were more fainte, and weake in loue. For nowe was it lawful for them to be togea∣ther, & encourage eche other to take in goodly wise what fortune so euer came, and refuse no perill whiche shoulde ensue of their vnfained Chastitie, and stedfaste Faithe. After they had continued their talke of such matters, as is likely they woulde talke of (who neuer hoped to talke togeather againe) til it was night, and had satisfied them selues as wel as they mighte: at laste they fell into com∣municatiō of the Myracle which happened about the fire. Theagenes referred the benefite therof to Gods goodnes, who had saued her being guiltlesse from Arsaces vniuste sclaunder. But Cariclia séemed to doubte thereof. For ({quod} shée) this straunge kinde of deliuery maie be thought in déede to procéede of God. But still to be afflicted with suche miseries, and tormentes without al measure, is ra∣ther a token of those who are plagued by God, and are like to fall into greater ineonueniences: excepte there be some more hiddē mistery which casteth into extreame pe∣ril, & when al hope is paste, findeth a remedy. When shée had saide thus, & Theagenes willed her to take all in good parte, and be of a godlier minde, shée cried out alowd, the Goddes be fauourable to vs. Nowe I remember what a Dreame, or Vision I had this laste nighte, but had for∣gotten it before, I know not howe. It was a true verse, and noble Calasiris expounded the same to me. The mea∣ninge whereof was thus:

By vertue of Pantarbe, let feare* 1.324 of fire remoued be: An easie thinge to pearse it is, though els right straunge to see.

Theagenes also when he hearde this, was moued like those who haue some Diuine spirite, and gaue as great a leape as his Bandes would let him, & saide: The Goddes in déede be good to vs: for I also am made a Poete by re∣membringe an answeare whiche somme like spirite gaue

me, whether it were Calasiris, or any other of the Gods in Calasiris fourme, who séemed to saie thus to me:

Tomorrowe shalte thou with the Mayde, escape Arsaces bande: And soone be brought with her into the Aethiopian lande.

As for me I can wel gheasse wherto this Oracle tēdeth. The Lande of Aethiopia séemeth to be that which is vn∣der the grounde. With the Mayde, that is to dwel with Proserpina. And the escapinge of Arsaces bande, to be a Departure of the Soule from the Body. But what should your Verse meane, wherin is so many contraries? For Pantarbe signifieth al feareful, and yet it woulde not haue you be afraide of the fire. Then saide Cariclia: My déere harte Theagenes, our continual calamttie ma∣keth you take al of the woorste. For commonly menne applie theire minde to that whiche accustomably happe∣neth. But I thinke that this answeare séemeth to fore∣shewe better lucke then you suppose. So that I perhaps shal be the Mayde, with whom you haue a promise that you shal recouer my Countrie Aethiopia: when you shal be deliuered out of Arsaces bandes. But howe that same shal be donne, wée knowe not, neither is it incredible, but it is possible for the Goddes to doo it, and let them sée thereto who geue vs these answeares: for as touchinge that whiche was foreshewed of me, it is fulfilled as you your selfe knowe, and I liue of whom there was no hope at all, and I, who then carried mine owne saftie aboute me, was ignorante thereof: but nowe me thinkes I vn∣derstande it. For whereas at all times before, I carried with me the tokens that my Mother laide foorthe with me. At that time, aboue al other, when I looked for my laste Iudgemente, I priuily tied them aboute me, that if I were saued, they might finde me such thinges as were necessary for me to liue by: but if I miscarried, that they shoulde be my laste Ornamentes, and dewe Furniture

to my Burial. Emonge these, Theagenes, whiche are Iewels of a greate valewe, and very Pretious Stoanes of India, and Ethiopia, there is a Ringe whiche my Fa∣ther gaue vnto my Mother, when he was ensured to her, wherein is set a stoane called Pantarbe, and aboute it are certaine holy Letters written, to be shorte that Ringe hath somme heauenly vertue whiche withstandeth fire, geuinge them grace that haue the same, neuer to be en∣damaged with it, whiche also perhappes by the will of the Goddes hath preserued me. Thus maie I thinke be∣cause Calasiris told me the same was written in my Fas∣cia, wherein at this time is the reste of my stuffe wrap∣ped. This is probable and like to be trewe ({quod} Theagenes) because of your deliuery. But what other Pantarbe shal wée haue to ayde vs out of the nexte daies daunger? for the moste wicked Arsace dothe not promise immortality for auoydinge the fire (whiche I woulde to God mighte happen) but deuiseth in the meane time some other newe and straunge pounishment. And I would to God that shée woulde condemne vs bothe at once to one kinde of death, verily I would not call that death, but a rest from al our troubles. Be of good comforte, {quod} Cariclia, we haue another Pantarbe, this promise which was made vs this night paste, and if wée trust in God, either wée shal haue more pleasure if wée be saued, or die with better mindes if neede require. Thus were thefe occupied, sometimes lamentinge and be wailinge more either for others, then for their owne estate, sometime woulde they take their laste leaue, and make newe promise, and sweare by the Goddes and theire presente Fortune, that they woulde holde their Faithe in Loue inuiolable to the deathe. Ba∣goas* 1.325 and the fiftie Horsemen which were sent with him, came to Memphis late in the night, when al were a sléepe and when he had waked them, who laye neare the gate softely, & tolde them what thei were, and were knowen, they wente into the gates al togeather in haste. There

Bagoas lefte his Horsemen inclosinge the Deputies lod∣ginge rounde about withthem, that they might be ready at defense, if any man would with stande them. Him self wente out by a certaine Posterne, which the other knew not, and hauinge with smal adoo broken downe a slender doore, and tolde him who dwelled thereby what he was, and commaunded him to make no noise, he wente to Eu∣phrates, knowinge the waie readily by continuall vse be∣fore, and yet the Moone shoone a little. Whome findinge him in his bedde he awaked, and as he made a noise, and asked who was there, he badde him peace: Sayinge, it is I, bidde one bringe a candell hither: Then he called a boye which waited vpon him, and badde him light a can∣dell, and awake no man els, when the boye was come, and had sette the candell in the Candelsticke, Euphrates saide: what newes that you come so suddainely and not looked for? I néede not, answeared he, vse many woordes, but reade these Letters, and marke this Seale, and vn∣derstande that it is Oroondates that geueth this charge, and thinke that it is good to fulfill the contentes of them. As soone as Euphrates had reade bothe the Letters, he saide: Arsace wil be sorrowfull, & at this time is in great peril, by reason that sée hath had an ague, which I thinke the Goddes haue sente her yesterdaie, and now is shée in a burninge heate, so that wée haue small comforte of her life, I would not deliuer this Letter vnto her, though she would aske for it, who rather would die her selfe, and kil al vs too, before shée would deliuer these yonge folkes to you, and know that you come in due time, and take them with you, and healpe them all that you maie: haue pitie vpon them who are pitiful and vnhappy, and haue benne afflicted sixe hundred waies fore against my wil, but Ar∣sace gaue commaundement. Marry they are (as maye appeare by them) of a good stocke, and as I by experience haue séene very modest in al pointes, and so he leade him to the pryson. When Bagoas sawe the yonge prisoners

though they were pined awaye with tormentes, yet he woondred at their tale stature and excellent bewty, they were troubled a little, because they thought that Bagoas came at suche vntimely season by nighte, to geue them their laste and deadly iudgement, yet they tooke harte vnto them, and looked chéerefully as though thei cared for nothinge, and gaue them who were there, manifeste to∣kens that they were very gladde thereof. When Eu∣phrates came neare, and sette to his handes to take away the stockes, whereunto their bandes were tied. Theage∣nes cried out: ô goodly Arsace, shée thinketh to hide her* 1.326 mischieuous déedes by night and darkenesse, but the eye of Iustice is quicke to reproue, and will bringe to lighte all wicked déedes, be they neuer so closely and priuily donne: but doo you as you are commaunded, and whe∣ther it be Fire, Water, or Swoorde, that is appointed for vs, lette vs bothe togeather, and at one time, haue one manner of deathe. Cariclia made the same peticion too. Wherefore the Eunuches wepte (for they partely vnder∣stoode what they saide) & brought them out with bandes and all. When they were out of the Deputies house, Eu∣phrates tarried behinde, and Bagoas with the Horsemen that came with him, tooke many of their Irons, and leaft them no moe but so many as mighte kéepe them safely, & not annoye or hurte them, and sette them vpon Horses, and goinge rounde aboute them, wente as faste as they could to Thebes. When they had ridden all the nighte after, and till thrée a clocke at after noone the nexte daye and neuer alighted, and then not hable to abide the heate of the Sunne, as is like in the middest of the Sommer in Egypt, and hauinge a wil to sléepe, but most for that they sawe Cariclia wery of ridinge, they meante to ride some∣what aside, to ease them selfes, and bayte their Horses, and lette the Maid: reste. There was a little Hill vpon the banke of Nilus, aboute the whiche the water wente, not kéepinge his straighte course, but was turned in

manner halfe round, so that it made the place like a little Ilande, that whiche was thus compassed with the water, was full of ranke Grasse, by reason that it was so néere the water, so that it was very good for Cattel, and Horse to féede in: it was shadowed moreouer with trées of Per∣sia, and greate Figge trées, and suche other as doo com∣monly growe aboute Nylus. There Bagoas, and his com∣pany alighted, and vsed the trées in stéede of a Tente, and did eate meate him selfe, and gaue Theagenes, and Cariclia somme too, who at the firste woulde eate none, sayeinge: It was néedelesse for them to eate, whiche shoulde by and by be slaine, but that he compelled them in a manner, and perswaded them as well as he coulde, that there was no suche matter, and be tolde them that they shoulde be carried to Oroondates, and not be killed. When the heate of the daie was paste, and the Sunne shined on theire side, and out of the Weaste, there came one on horsbacke to Bagoas, who for hast that he made, panted him selfe, and his Horse had sweatte so muche, that he coulde scante sitte vpon him. And when he had saide sommewhat to Bagoas secretely, he made no more haste, but helde downe his heade a litle, and as it were mused at that which was tolde him, and after saide: Straungers, be of good chéere, you are reuenged of youre enimie, Arsace is deade, who when shée hearde that you were gonne, hanged her selfe, preuentinge of her owne* 1.327 will, Deathe, whiche necessarily should haue ensued. For shée coulde not haue escaped Oroondates, and the Kinge without pounishmente, but either shée shoulde haue ben put to deathe, or continual shame al her life after. Suche woorde doth Euphrates sende by this messenger. Wher∣fore be merry, because I knowe wel yenoughe you haue hurte no body, and shée that hurte you is deade. Thus saide Bagoas to them, not speakinge Greeke very well, but lettinge many false phrases escape him, yet he staied not, but tolde them, for that he was partely gladde him

selfe, because he was scante contente with Arsaces fro∣wardenesse: who while shee liued, plaied the Tyrant, and also to cheere, and comforte the yonge folkes. For he ho∣ped that Oroondates woulde accepte well of his paines, (whiche was a harde matter) if he coulde keepe the yonge man well, whose comelinesse woulde staine al the other Courtiers: and the Mayde of suche singulare bewtie, to be his wife after Arsaces deathe. Theagenes, and Cari∣clia were very gladde these newes & thanked the mighty Goddes, and Iustice therefore. For then they thoughte they shoulde haue no more paine, though they had neuer* 1.328 so ill lucke, séeinge that their mortall enimie was deade. So great a pleasure haue somme thought it were to die, so that they mighte die with theire enimies destruction. When it drewe towarde nighte, and the heate beganne to abate, so that it was better to trauaile in, they set for∣warde, and roade al that euening, and the night, and the nexte morninge, makinge the more haste to take Oroon∣dates at Thebes, if they might, but they loste their lobour. For after that one of the Hoste met him, & tolde him that the Deputie was not at Thebes, but that he was sente to take vp al y^e Souldiers that were in wages, though they were any where in Garrison, & bring them to Siene, whi∣ther he willed them to goe: for all was in trouble, and hurly burly, and it was to be doubted that the Citie was taken, by reason that the Deputie came too late, and the Aethiopian Army vsed suche celeritie, that it was there* 1.329 before any newes came, that it was comminge. Bagoas leafte his intended iourney to Thebes, and wente to Sy∣ene. And beinge nowe almoste there, he fell into the Ae∣thiopian Scoute, a valiaunte crewe of lusty Souldiers, that were sent before to spie the Countrie, that the great Army haue safe passasse, who at that time, as wel because of the nighte, as also for that they were not very skilfull of the Countrie (for so they had commission to laie theire Ambushment where so euer they sawe any commodious

place) hidde them selues vnder certaine Bushes for their owne defense, and the better to grieue their enimies too, and slepte not. Early in the morning, when thei hearde Bagoas, and the other Horsemenne ride by, and sawe that they were but a fewe, they suffered them to ride on, and when they knewe certainely that none folowed them, they brake out with a greate noyse, and pursued them. Bagoas, and the other Horsemenne that were with him, beinge amazed, as wel with their suddaine crie, as also for that they knewe them to be Aethiopians, by their co∣lour, and them selues not hable to withstande the num∣ber (for they were a thousande sente to scanne the Coun∣trie, in lighte Harneis) tarried not so muche, as to looke them in the faces, but fledde, not so faste at the firste, as they mighte, because they woulde not haue their enimies thinke that they would flée in haste. These chased them, and sente out aboute twoo hundred of the people called Trogloditae. The Trogloditae are a people of Aethiopia* 1.330 that liue in Husbandrie. They boorde vpon the Arabians. They were very fwifte of Nature, and practise the same from their youthe. They neuer weare heauy Armoure, but vse Slinges in battaile, and suddainely inuade their enimies, and so indamage them. If they perceiue that they be too weake, they flée: theire enimies neuer pursue them, for that they knowe they are ouer swifte, and will hide them selues in euery corner. Thus these ouertooke the Horsemenne, beinge them selues on foote, and woun∣ded them in casting out of their Slinges. But when thei returned vpon them, they would not abide by it, but fled backe by litle and litle to their felowes: whiche when the Persians perceiued, they despised them because they were no moe: wherefore thei chased thē as faste as they might, and when they had folowed them a litle, then roade they forewarde againe with as muche spéede as they coulde, and spurred their Horses, and gaue them all the Raines at will. By whiche meanes somme escaped, and fledde

vnto a Hill that standeth by Nylus, vnder the which they couered thē selues that their enimies might not sée them: But Bagoas was taken because his Horse stumbled, and he fel, and hurte his legge that he coulde not sturre it. Theagenes also, and Cariclia were taken prisoners, who* 1.331 thought it shame to foresake Bagoas, whose good wil they had tried towarde them already, and hoped to finde more at his hande afterwarde, and therefore tarried by him, partely for that they coulde not flée, but especially as I thinke, willinge to yéelde them selues to them. Then Theagenes saide to Cariclia, Thus is our Dreame comme to passe: these be the Aethiopians, in whose Land it is our Destinie to comme. I am determined therefore to yéelde to them, and commit our selues rather to doubtful For∣tune with them, then to presente peril with Oroondates. Cariclia vnderstoode al the matter, which was now ledde thereto by Destinye, as if shée had benne taken by the hande, and conceiued better hope in her minde, supposing those who tooke them, rather to be theire friendes, then enimies, yet shée tolde nothing to Theagenes of that shée thought, but said: shée was wel content. When the Ae∣thiopians were comme to them, they knewe Bagoas to be an Eunuche by his face, but made further inquiry what these shoulde be, because they sawe them bounde, and without Harneys, of an Egyptian of theire owne compa∣ny, and an other who coulde speake the Persian languge, thinkinge that they shoulde vnderstande either bothe, or one of them at the leaste. For Espialles, and Fore∣riders are taught of necessitie to haue such with them as can speake the language of the Inhatauntes, and theire enimies, that they maye the better vnderstande that, whereaboute they are sente. After Theagenes, who by continuance of time had learned the Egyptian tongue a litle, and coulde answeare to a shorte question, had told them that he was the chiefest seruaunte aboute the Per∣sian Deputy, and them selues Greekes, taken prisoners

first by the Persians, but now through better Fortune of the Aethiopians, they determined to saue their liues, and take them prisoners, and make a presente of theire firste praye to theire Kinge, of the chiefest Iuell his Persian e∣nimie had. For Eunuches are in the Courtes of Persia* 1.332 eies, and eares too, who because they neither haue Chil∣dren, nor Kinsfolkes, to whom their mindes mighte be bente, they depende onely vpon him who hath commit∣ted him selfe to them, and they thought that the twoo yonge folkes woulde be a goodly present to waite vpon theire Kinge, and a grace to his Courte. And thus they sette them vpon Horses, and so carried them awaie, be∣cause els he beinge wounded, & these hindred with their bandes, could not goe so faste as they. Surely that which was donne, was like a Prologue of a Comedy, straun∣gers beinge prysoners, who a litle before were afrayde still of deathe that they sawe before their eies, were not now carried any more Captiue, but garded with a num∣ber of suche, as should within a shorte time become their* 1.333 Subiectes, and in suche case were they.

Here endeth the Eight Booke.

The Ninthe Booke.

BY this time was Siene besieged rounde a∣boute,* 1.334 and inclosed with the Aethiopian Army, as if a man would haue set nettes about it. For Oroondates when he hearde that the Aethiopians were at hande, and that they lefte Cataractae, & came to Siene, gotte into the Towne before them a little, and closed vp

the gates, and when he had planted his Slinges, and o∣ther Ordinaunce vpon the walles, he waited to sée what they would doo. Hidaspes Kinge of Aethiopia, hearinge a great waie of that the Persians were entred into Siene, by his spies, and for all that he vsed the same celeritie in their pursuite, by whiche he was in hope, he should haue benne before them, yet came shorte, lodged his Army be∣fore the Cittie rounde about without any Skirmishe, as if he should haue sitten at a playe, & filled all their Coun∣trie with thrée score hundred thousande men and Cattel, so that they draue them into a streight corner. There* 1.335 his espialles findinge him, presented their prysoners, be tooke great pleasure to looke vpon the yonge couple, and had good affection to them in his minde, as those that shoulde be his owne Children afterwarde, although he knewe not so muche, but especially he accompted it good lucke that they were bounde. And saide: Loo at the first the Goddes deliuer our enimies to vs in bandes, and se∣inge that these be the firste prysoners, they shalbe kepte to the ende of the warre, to be Sacrificed at our Triūphe to the Goddes, accordinge to the olde custome of the Ae∣thiopians. After he had rewarded his Spies, he sente them and the prisoners to their impedimentes, and sette a company to kéepe them, whiche could well speake their language, and gaue them streight commaundement to looke well vnto them, and let them fare of the beste, and kéepe them from al manner of vncleannesse, as thinges appointed for Sacrifice ought to be kepte, and that their bandes should be chaunged, and haue Chaines of Golde for them. For wherefore so euer Iron serueth in other* 1.336 Countries, Golde serueth in Aethiopia, and they did as they were commaunded. When they tooke of their for∣mer Chaines, and without doinge any thinge els put them in comforte, that they should liue more at ease, and fitted for them fetters of Golde. Theagenes laughed, & saide: Good Lorde whence commeth this trimme change?

truely Fortune flattereth vs woonderfully, wée chaunge Iron for Golde, and in pryson wée are enritched, so that wée be more woorthe in our Bandes. Cariclia smiled too, and woulde haue him of an other minde, and therefore brought him in remembrance of that whiche the Goddes had foreshewed vnto them, and so put him into better hope. But Hidaspes him selfe assaulted Siene, and where as he thought before, that with his greate Hoste at the firste approche he should haue ouerthrowen the Towne, Walles & all, he had almost benne then repulsed of them that kepte the same, who dallied not, but valiantly with∣stoode their enimies force, and railed on them spitefully, to anger them the more. He very wrothe that they were fully determined to indure to the ende, and had not straighte yéelded them selues to him, thought it good not to trifle the time with his Army, and doo nothinge, nor to laie suche a siege whereby somme mighte escape, and somme be taken, but vtterly in shorte space to spoyle the Towne. Wherefore he diuised suche a piece of woorke, he parted the compasse aboute the walles emonge his Souldiers, and to euery tenne men he appointed tenne yardes, the length, and bredth thereof was very greate, and commaunded them to make a Ditche: some digged, other carried the grytte away, and somme therewith did raise vp a Counter wall againste that whiche was besie∣ged. No man durste comme out of the Towne, because of the greate Army, to hinder, or let the woorke that it mighte not be made rounde about the Towne, and their Slinges, and other Engins serued to no pourpose, be∣cause they sawe that the space betwéene the twoo walles was so greate, that they who made the Ditche, were without their daunger. When they had soone dispatched this, by reason of the greate number of the labourers, he beganne such an other thinge. He lefte betwixte the twoo endes of the Ditche, the breadthe of one hundred foote whiche he ditched euen vnto Nylus, bringinge the same

still from the lower grounde to that whiche was high∣er, and more harde. A man mighte haue likened that woorke to a longe wall, because it kepte equally an hun∣dred foote in breadthe, and was so longe as the grounde whiche is betwéene Nylus and Siene. When he had brought this to the bankes of Nylus, he turned the water into his Riuer, which in falling from a higher place into that whiche is lower, and out of the woonderful breadth of Nylus into a narrowe Riuer wrought by hande, made a greate noyse; as wel at the entry thereinto, as also in the Ditche when it was in, so that they mighte heare it, that were a greate waie of. Whiche when they who were in Siene sawe, and vnderstoode into what daunger they were broughte, because he meante by so compassing them aboute, to drowne theire Towne, so that none of them mighte flée, for that they were so inclosed with the Walles as wel by Lande, as Water, and that they could not be assured: thoughe they aboade within they made a good shifte, as the time would suffer to saue them selues. Firste, when the gates, and the boorde woorke aboute them failed, they laied vpon it Plaister, and Pitche to make it the surer, and they vnderpropped their walles that they might stande the stronger. Somme brought earth thereto, and some stoanes, many brought olde tim∣ber, and euery man that whiche was next hande: no man was vnoccupied, but woomen and children, yea and Olde men too laboured harde. For daunger of deathe refused the ayde neither of any age, nor kinde. The sturdier yonge menne, and those that were in wages, were sette to make a little Countermine that shoulde stretche to theire enimies Fortresse, the manner whereof was thus: They digged a Pitte almoste fiue yardes righte downe harde by the wall, and there laied a sure Foundation. Then digged they forewarde straighte to their enemies Bulwarkes by Torche lighte, and those that came after in order, cōueied the grytte from those that went before,

and carried it into a certaine parte of the Cittie, where their Gardeins were. And this did they for this pour∣pose, that if the water came into that place whiche was without earthe, it mighte haue a waie to breake out, and fall awaie. But this calamitie preuented the readinesse of the Cittizens. For Nylus hauinge nowe passed the longe Ditche fell very faste into the rounde Riuer, and flowinge euery where ouer the Bankes, drowned al the space betwéene the twoo walles, and made it like a stan∣dinge Poole. And thus was Siene made an Ilande, and a Cittie whiche standeth in the middest of a Countrie was compassed about with water, and beaten vpon soare with the waues of Nylus. The wall of the Towne with∣stoode the force of the water but one daie. But as soone as the water increased, and waxed hie, so that it sonke into the grounde, by reason that it was blacke, and fruit∣ful, and wéeted sommewhat deepe, and tooke the Foun∣dation of the wall, so that the weighte aboue beganne to shake, and doo as thoughe it woulde fall in euery place, where the softnesse of the earthe caused it to shrinke, in suche sorte that al their prouision trembled, and the war∣ders vpon the wall were afraide of drowninge, and by that time that it was nighte, a parte of the wall where the Towers stoode, fell downe, not so that the fall was lesse then the water, nor hable to receiue the same, but that it was fiue yardes higher, so that almost it put them all in feare of drowninge. Wherefore there arose a pi∣tiful crie of al manner of folkes that were in the Cittie,* 1.337 so that their enimies mighte heare it, who lifte vp theire handes to Heauen, and called to the Goddes for healpe, whiche was all theire hope that was leafte, and humbly besoughte Oroondates to sende Messengers to Hydaspes to intreate of Peace. He was content, now beinge made the seruaunte of Fortune, were he neuer so loathe. But howe he shoulde sende to his enimies, because the waters wente rounde aboute him, he coulde not tell, but as ne∣cessitie

taughte him. For when he had written what he woulde, and tied it to a stoane, with Slinge he caste the same in stéede of a Messenger to his enimies, by that meanes sente his humble praiers ouer the Sea. But he loste his labour, for that the strength of the Slinge could not ouerreach the lengthe of that space, but fell into the water before it came to them. He caste againe in like sorte, and was deceiued: so did al the Archers, like such as contended to shoote at somme marke, & laboured to shoote beyonde the drowned grounde. Laste of al they helde vp theire handes to their enimies that stoode on their For∣tresses, who had good game at their miscries, and declared by signes as well as they coulde, what those throwes meante: sommetime they helde vp theire handes before them, like such as craued mercy: sommetime would they holde them behinde their backes, in token that they were ready to receiue Bandes, and becomme theire bondmen. Hidaspes perceiued that they desired healthe, and was ready to graunte it them. For the enimie that yéeldeth, dothe make, and in a manner force a Noble man to be gentle. But because he had no ready waie thereto pre∣sently, he determined to trie them better. There were certaine Boates whiche he suffered to comme out of Ny∣lus into his Ditche, & there he withhelde them. When he had chosen tenne of the newest of them, and furnished them with Archers, and other armed Souldiers, & tolde them what they should saie, he sent them to the Persians. They rowed ouer in good order, that if theire enimies would doo any thinge that they looked not for, they might be ready to fighte. Truely this was a straunge sighte, that a Ship shoulde sayle from wall to wall, and a Mar∣riner shoulde practise his skill in the middest of the drye lande, & a Beate be rowed where the Plowe was woont to woorke. And although the toile of warre euer deuiseth* 1.338 newe thinges, yet then inuented it the straungest thing, when it made those that were in Shippes fighte with thē

that stoode vpon the walles, and ioined twoo Armes by Sea, and Lande togeather. Those that were vpon the walles séeinge the Boates ful of armed men driue neare to that parte where the wall was fallen downe, beinge men amazed, and ful of feare for their present daungers, suspected them who came for theire safetie (because in ex∣tremitie,* 1.339 all that happeneth is feared, and suspected) and so caste stoanes, and shotte toward the Shippes. In such sorte deale men that are in a desperate case, accoumpting euery small protractinge of their life, a vauntage. Mary in their castinge they so directed theire handes that they woulde not hurte them, but forebidde them the Lande. The Aethiopians also shot, but more certainely, and as men that vnderstoode not the Persians minde, and killed them by twoo or thrée at ones, so that somme of them sud∣dainely wounded, fel ouer the walles headlonge into the water. And the skirmishe had ben woorse while the one spared, and did but defende them from land, and the Ae∣thiopians foughte very angerly, if a certaine Olde Gen∣tleman of Siene had not comme and spoken thus to them on the walles: O madde men, and too much amazed with* 1.340 youre miseries, doo wée nowe kéepe them of, whom wée humbly praied to helpe vs before, séeinge that they come to vs contrary to all hope? who if they come friendely, and bringe vs Peace, they shalbe our sauiours: but if thei meane to deale like enimies, they may with litle labour be slaine when they be landed: but what shall we be the better when wée haue slaine these, séeinge that so blacke a clowde hangeth ouer our heades bothe by Water, and Lande? why doo wée not rather let them comme in, that we may vnderstand what they haue to say? Euery man thought that he saide wel. The Deputy also commended his deuise. Wherefore euery man wente vp and downe, and laide his Weapons aparte. When that space be∣twéene the Towers was without Defendantes, and the people gaue them a token with a Banner that thei were

contente that they shoulde lande, the Aethiopians came neare, and as it were preached out of their shippes to the* 1.341 besieged cōpany thus: Ye Persians, and men of Siene that be here, Hidaspes, Kinge of the Easte, and Weast Aethi∣opians, and at this time yours also, knoweth bothe howe to ouercome his enimies, & is ready of nature to graunte mercy to thē that hūbly aske it, iudging that to be y^e ver∣tue of his Souldiers manhoode, but this his owne praise and honoure procéedinge from courtesie. And althoughe he haue your liues in his hande, either to graunte it you, or take it awaye: yet because you humble your selues to him, he willeth you not to be in feare, and he wil not him selfe, but geueth you leaue to appointe what conditions you wil to be deliuered from this peril: for he is not min∣ded to deale Tyrantlike with you according to his owne will, but gouerneth mannes estate with mercie without enuie. The people of Siene made answeare, that they cōmitted them selues, their children, and wiues to him, to doo with them as he shoulde thinke good, and that they would render vp the Cittie also if they might liue, which nowe was in a desperate case, and vtterly loste, excepte the Goddes, and Hidaspes doo preuente the Ruinous de∣caie. As for Oroondates, he answeared that he would de∣parte from all that for whiche the warre beganne, and* 1.342 that he would let him haue the Citie Philae, and the Sma∣radge Mines, but he made requeste that he woulde not deale hardely with him, nor cause him to yéeld him self, & his Army. But if Hidaspes woulde kéepe all the pointes of courtesie, he shoulde geue him leaue to departe quietly with his Souldiers to Eliphantina, whiche shoulde doo him no damage, nor lifte vp any weapon againste him, els he had as lieue die nowe as to liue any longer, and be condemned by his Kinge for betrayinge his Army: and perhappes that also woulde be woorse, for that nowe he shoulde haue but a simple and vsual death, then he should haply haue newe tormentes deuised for him. When he

had saide thus, they desired them to take into their com∣pany twoo Persians, vnder pretence that they shoulde goe to Eliphantina, and if they would yéelde that were in the Towne, he woulde doo the like without further delaie. With this answeare the Legates departed, and tooke the twoo Persians with them, & recoumpted to Hidaspes howe they had saide. Who after he had smiled a litle, & much blamed Oroondates for his great foolishnesse, that he be∣inge a man not in his owne power, but in an other mans either to liue or die, would argue of any conditions, said: It were very fondly donne, to destroye suche a number for one mannes madnesse, and so he let those departe to Eliphantina that Oroondates sente, as thoughe he cared not if they made what prouision they could to withstand him. But of his owne men he appointed some to make a Damme at the entrance of Nylus, into his Ditche, and other some to turne the water an other waie, that so the water (if there came no more in) mighte be the sooner a∣uoided out of the space betwéene Siene, and them, and the harder to trauell in. They beganne the woorke a litle as they were commaunded, and woulde haue procéeded the nexte daie, but then they could doo no more because of the nighte that came vpon them. Moreouer they that were in the Cittie soughte al meanes they coulde to saue them selues, and were all comforted with this health that was promised them vnlooked for. And those that made the Mine vnderneathe the grounde, drewe somewhat neare to the enimies Ditche: whiche thinge they gheassed, be∣cause they tooke the measure of the space with a Line: o∣ther set proppes to staie vp the walles, which thinge they mighte easily doo, because of the Stoanes when the wall fell inwarde. Yet when they had donne all that they coulde, and thought them selues in saftie, they were not a litle troubled, but about midnight a great parte of that the Aethiopians beganne to digge before night (whether it were because the grounde was loose, and not thicke ye∣nough

where the Damme was made, and so the founda∣tiō was throughly wetted: or els by reason that the wor∣kemen lefte some empty place in the grounde, and there∣fore it decaied, or whither the water came into that place, where was not grytte yenough layed, when the woorke∣men were gone, and so the Damme was broken, by rea∣son that water did increase and swell, or whether a man may iudge it the prouidence of God, brake & made suche a noyse, which so abashed them, that they knew not what was hapned, but bothe y^e Aethiopians, & Sienians thought that the moste parte of the Walles was fallen downe. They whiche were in the Tentes, kepte thē selues close, because they were wel, & thought thei should know what it was in the Morning. But the Citezins wente rounde aboute vpon the walles, & seinge that all was wel there, they thought that their enimies had had some mishappe, vntil y^e morninge tooke a waie al this doubt, & the breache was espied, & the water suddainely auoided. Thē did the Aethiopiās Damme vp the entrie of their ditche, & made fludde gates of woodde, & layde many thousand loades of earthe therein, whiche they fetched as well from the lande, as by water in their boates, and thus wente the water awaie at length, yet could neither of them come to the other: for the earth was couered with a thicke inued, and vnder that whiche séemed to be drie at the toppe, there was muche wetnesse, whiche as well deceiued men as Horses. So they passed their time twoo or thrée daies, and in token of peace the people of Siene sette open their gates, and the Aethiopians laide a side theire Armoure. And so was there a truce, yet came they not togeather, neither was there kepte watche and warde, with either of them. But they that were in the Cittie gaue them* 1.343 selues to pastime & pleasure, for then it hapned that the hiest feast that the Egyptians haue fel, which is kept holy aboute midsomer, at what time the Floudde encreasde, and it is honoured more then al other for this cause, The

Egyptians faine Nylus to be a God, and the greatest of al▪* 1.344 Gods, equal to Heauē, because he watereth their Coun∣trie without Clowdes, or Raine that commeth out of the Apre, and thus dothe he euery yéere without faile, as wel as if it shoulde raine. And this is the common sortes opi∣nion. But the cause why they gaue him so Diuine ho∣noure is, because they thinke that the mixture of moyste, and drie is the especial cause of the beginninge, and con∣tinuaunce of mannes life (as for the other Elementes, they depende vpon these, and are where so euer these be) and they deeme that moisture procéedeth from Nylus, and driues from the Earthe: but this euery man knoweth al∣so. Mary their Diuines saie, that the Earthe is Isis, and Nylus, Osiris, geuinge to either a newe name. Therefore the Goddesse is very desirous of his companie, and reioi∣seth when he is with her, but lowreth when he is absent, as if some vnhappy blaste by lightninge had touched her. This tale haue the skilful men in Natures secretes diui∣sed, because as I thinke, they woulde not make prophane personnes priuie of the secresies conteined therein: but they instructe those that are desirous to knowe these pri∣uities in their vestery by Candell lighte. And lette this suffise to be spoken at this time, by the leaue of the Gods, as for the greate secretes they shall not be reueled for re∣uerence sake. Nowe let vs procéede with that whiche was donne aboute Siene orderly. When the feast of Ny∣lus was come, the inhabitantes fel to killing of Beastes, and to doo Sacrifice, and for al that their bodies were bu∣sied with theire presente perilles, yet theire mindes, as muche as they might were godly disposed. Oroondates waytinge his time, when the Sienians were faste a sléepe after theire feastinge, conueyed his Army priuily out, for he had secretely geuen the Persians warninge before, at what howre and whiche gate he woulde goe foorthe, Euery decurion was charged to leaue all their Horses and other Cattell behinde, that they mighte not trouble

them in their way, nor make a noyse whereby that they did should be discouered, but euery man to take his Armoure, and a Boorde, or Planke vnder his arme. When they were comme togeather, as he had com∣maunded, he caste the boordes that euery man carried o∣uerthwart the Ose, and laide them in suche sorte that one touched another, and so conducted ouer his Army with little paine and great spéede, as if there had benne a bridge, for that they who came after, deliuered theire boordes to them that wente before. When he came to* 1.345 lande, he went priuily by the Aethiopians, who suspected nothinge lesse, nor kepte watche any longer, but sleapte soundly, as fast as his breathe woulde geue him leaue, & wente to Eliphantina, and was lette in by & by, for that the twoo Persians whiche were sente from Siene (as was appointed) wayted for his comminge euery nighte, and when they hearde theire watche woorde, they sette open the gates. When it was daye the people of Siene firste knew of this escape, suspectinge the same for that euery man missed the Persian that was Lodged in his house, and coulde not heare of them, and by the bridge whiche they sawe before the Towne. Then was the Cittie in great feare againe, and looked for grieuous punishment, for this seconde iniury, because they had shewed them selues so vnfaithfull, to let the Persians escape, after they had founde suche clemency at the Aethiopians handes. Wherefore they determined euery man to goe out of the Cittie, and yéelde them selues to the Aethiopians, and by Othe to confirme their ignoraunce, if happely they may mooue them to pitie. When all of euery age were come togeather, and had taken bowes in their handes, to de∣clare their lowlinesse and humilitie, and with Tapers burninge carried all their Goddes, and holy Images in tooken of peace, were come ouer that brydge to the Ae∣thiopians, they fell vpon their knées and sate a farre of, gaue all at once a sorrowfull & lamentable crie, crauinge

in humble sorte the forgeuenesse of their offence: and to* 1.346 obteine it the rather, they laied their Infantes before them, sufferinge them to goe whither they woulde, so as∣swaginge the wrathe of the Aethiopians with their age, whiche was without suspition and blame. Those chil∣dren for feare ranne from theire Parentes and Nources with a woonderful crie: somme crepte in the waie whiche wente towarde the Aethiopians Hoste: other laie, and cried whiche coulde not speake perfitely, and would haue made any man to take compassion vpon them, because Fortune euen in them printed out an humble estate. When Hidaspes sawe this, he thoughte that they craued mercye in more earnest sorte then they did before, and therefore sente one to knowe what they woulde haue, and howe it happened that they ranne out alone, and not the Persians with them? They tolde him all, the Persi∣ans Flight, their Innocency, the Hie Feaste of the Coū∣trie, and howe that they priuily slipte awaie while they were busie in the seruice of their God, and when thei had banqueted, and were fallen asléepe. Whereas perhappes if they had sente them without Armour they shoulde not haue ben hable to haue staied them beinge armed. When Hidaspes hearde this, he suspected (as the trothe was in déede) that Oroondates would doo sommewhat to entrap, and hurte him. Wherfore he sent onely for the Priestes, & when he had woorshipped the Goddes of greatest price, he asked them if they coulde infourme him of any thinge that they meante to doo, and whither they were gonne, and where in was their greatest truste. They answea∣red that they knewe nothinge certainely: mary they dée∣med that he was gonne to Eliphantina, where the chiefe strengthe of his Armye laie, and that Oroondates beste truste was in his Barde Horses. When they had saide thus, thei desired him to goe into y^e Towne as his owne, and to take from them all his displeasure. But Hidaspes would not enter into it at that time, yet he sente thither

twoo Troupes of Armed men, to sée whether there were any guile as he suspected, if not that they shoulde be a Garrison to defende the Cittie, this donne he sent away the people of Siene with gentle promises, and went him selfe forwarde with his Army, either to receiue the Per∣sians if they set vpon him, or if they would not, to charge them. He had scante sette his menne in araye, but his Spialles gaue him warninge, that the Persians were co∣minge in Battayle raye with Banners displaied. Oro∣ondates mustred a great Army at Eliphantina, but when he sawe that the Aethiopians were so néere, and he loo∣ked not for them so soone, he was forced to take Siene with a fewe Souldiers, where he enclosed on euery side, for all that he sued for saftie, and obteined it accor∣dinge to Hidaspes promise, yet was he the falsest man a∣liue, who caused twoo Persians to goe ouer with the Ae∣thiopians, vnder coloure that they shoulde enquire, and know howe they of Eliphantina would make peace with Hidaspes, but in déede to vnderstand whether they made them selues ready to Battaile, if he by any meanes could escape, whiche fraudulente, and guilefull deuise he put then in practise. And when he founde them well proui∣ded, he leadde them foorthe straighte, and protracted no time til he came to his enimies, puttinge all his hope in celeritie, if he mighte take his enimies vnprouided. By this time either Armye had fighte of other, and he tooke the fielde firste with al the Persian brauery, so that it gli∣stered with theire siluer and gilte Armoure, as if all the place had benne on fire. For then the Sunne arose, and shining vpon the Persians, gaue such a wonderful bright∣nesse from their complet Harneys, that it rebounded vp∣on those that were a greate waie of. In the right winge of his Army he placed the Medes, and Persians that dwel∣led* 1.347 not farre of, in the Forfrunte whereof wente those that were surely armed, & the Archers that were lightly Harnessed came behinde them, that they might shoote the

better, beinge defended by them. In his left winge were the Egyptians, and Aphricanes placed, and Slingers and Archers with them too, & them he charged ofte to breake out, and assaile the side of their enimies Battayle. Him selfe was in the middest of his maine Battaile, sittinge in a Chariote very brauely enclosed therewith rounde about, for his better safety, before whom were his barde Horsemen, vpon truste of whome he ventured to ioyne with his enimies. For this is a valiaunt crue, and is set before the other Army, as if it were a walle that might not be battred. They are armed thus: A picked fellowe* 1.348 of greate strength putteth vpon him an Helmet accor∣dinge, whiche is as sitte for him, as if he should put on a Visarde in a Maske: this couereth all his head downe to his shoulders, sauinge that there be holes left for him to looke out at, in his right hande is a greate staffe, bigger then a Speare, with his lefte hande he ruleth his Horse, by his side hangeth a Swoorde, and all his body is coue∣red with a Iacke. And a Iacke is made thus: with pieces* 1.349 of Brasse, and Iron, as bigge as the palme of a mans hande, they make a coate as it were of seales, layinge the ende and sides of eche of these vpon other (so that the nei∣thermost parte of one, goeth ouer the toppe of the other) and so they sowe them togeather, and this lieth vpon e∣uery parte of the body without any adoo: it compasseth euery iointe, and neuer letteth a man either to straine out his limmes, or drawe them in, for it hath s••éeues, and reacheth from the necke downe to the knées, sauing that necessitie forseeth that it be cut of betwixte the thighes, as one should sitte vpon his Horse: and suche is a Iacke, whiche beateth of all Dartes, and kéepeth of all manner of blowes. Ouer there legges to their knées, they pull on a Boate whiche is tied to their Iacke. Like vnto this doo they arme theire Horses too: aboute his legges they tie Bootes, and couer his heade with Frontales of s••éele, from his backe downe beneath his belly hangeth a clothe

with diuerse wreathes of Iron, which dothe bothe Arme him, & by reason of the space that is betwéene it hindreth not his course at all. Beinge thus appointed, and in a manner throwen into his Armoure, he sitteth vpon his Horse, mary he leapeth not vp him selfe, but other helpe him, he is so combred with the waight of his Armoure. And when the time of Battayle commeth, he geueth his Horse the Raines, and spurreth him with his heeles, and so faste as he can, he rideth vpon his enimies like a man made of Iron, or an Image fashioned with hammers. His great staffe at the fore end is tied to his Horse necke with a corde, and the hinder ende is made faste to the buttockes of the Horse, so that in the conflicte it flieth not backe, but helpeth the Horsemans hande, which doth but guide the same arighte, and by that meanes geueth the greater blowe, so that it rūneth through euery man that it hittes, and oftentimes it beareth through too menne at one blowe. With suche a Troupe of Horsemenne, & the Persian Army thus appointed, the Deputie set for∣warde toward his enimies, leauinge the fludde euer be∣hinde him, foreseinge, because he was farre inferiour to the Aethiopian in number, that the water shoulde be in stéede of a Wall to him, that he might not be compassed aboute with his enimies. Likewise Hidaspes broughte* 1.350 on his Army, and placed the Souldiers that came from Moroe, beinge very cunninge in fightinge hand to hand againste the Persians, and Medes in his enimies righte winge. He set moreouer against them, who were in his* 1.351 enimies lefte winge the Trogloditae, whiche came from that Countrie where the Cinamon groweth, being light harnished Souldiers, and excellente swifte of foote, and cunninge Archers. But againste the middell warde, whiche he hearde was the strongest, he set him selfe and* 1.352 his Elephantes, with Towres on their backes, and the Souldiers that came from the people called Blemmies, & Seres: whome he instructed what they shoulde doo when

they came to fight. When the token was geuen in the Persian Army with Trumpette, but in the Aethiopian with Drumme and Timbrell, Oroondates set forwarde as faste as he could, but Hidaspes at first went as softely as possible he might, by this meane prouidinge that the Elephantes shoulde not be farre from those that shoulde rescue and defende them, and that the Horsemen in the middell of his enimies Army, should be tired before they came to strokes, as soone as they were within daunger of shotte, and the Blemmies perceiued that the Horsemen were hasty to comme vpon them, did as Hidaspes com∣maunded, and leauing the Seres to sée to the Elephantes, they ranne a greate waie before their fellowes towarde the Horsemen, that those who sawe them woulde haue thought they had benne madde, that beyng so fewe, durst incounter with so many, and so well Armed. Herewith∣al the Persians spurred their Horses faster then they did before, taking their boldenesse in manner for a vantage, and thought without more adoo at the firste dashe to dis∣patche them. Then the Blemmies when they were al∣most come to hande strookes, and in a maner stocke vpon their Speares, suddainely all at once fell downe & crepte vnder the Horses, and knéelinge with one knée vpon the grounde layed their heades & shoulders vnder the Hor∣ses without any harme, sauinge that they were troden a little with their féete: But they did a wonderful straūge* 1.353 thinge, for contrary to all mens opinion, they wounded the Horses, and thrust them in the bellies, as they paste by them, wherwith a great sort fel downe by reason that their Horses for griefe would be ruled no lōger, & so cast them. Whom as thei laie on heapes, the Blemmies woun∣ded vnder y^e thighes, for y^e Persian Horseman is not hable to sturre, if he wante his Horse. They whiche escaped with their Horses whole, fel into the Seres handes. They as soone as their enimies came neare stepte behinde the Elephantes, as behinde a greate Tower, and moste sure

Couerte. There was a greate slaughter, so that theire Horsemen were almoste all slaine. For their Horses be∣inge afraide of the greatenesse, and straunge sighte of Elephantes shewed to them on the suddaine, some tur∣ned backe, other ranne aside, and caused the maine Bat∣taile to breake theire Araye straighte. They who were vpon the Elephantes, because euery Towre had sixe men in itso that on euery side, twoo fought saue behinde, shot so continually, and so straighte as thoughe they had shot at somme marke out of their Towers, and as if they had benne in somme steady Cas••le, so that the thickenesse of their Arrowes was like a Clowde to the Persians: espe∣cially for that the Aethiopians makinge theire enimies eies theire marke, as thoughe they foughte not alike for life, but contended whether were the better Archers, did so hit theire marke, that those who were striken ranne here and there with the Arrowes, as if they had benne Pipes in their eies. If any of them came againste theire willes out of the Araye because their Horses woulde not be ruled, they fel emong the Elephantes, where they died there being ouerthrowen of the Elephantes, and troden vnder their féete, or els killed of the Blemmies, and Seres who ranne out vpon them, as if they laie at receip••e be∣hinde the Elephantes, & wounded some with Arrowes, and other they killed when their Horses cast them to the grounde. To be shorte, who so euer escaped, did nothing woorthy talke, nor hurte the Elephantes any whit, for that the Beaste is couered with Iron when he commeth to Battaile, & if he were not, he hathe of Nature so harde* 1.354 a scale ouer his body, that no Speare can enter therinto. Lastly, when all that remained aliue were put to flight, the Deputie with shame yenough foresooke his Chariot, and got him on Horsebacke and fled, and the Egyptians, and Aphricanes who were in the lefte wing•• knewe no∣thing hereof, but fought manfully, and tooke more hurte a greate deale then they did: mary they bore it out vali∣antly.

For the Souldiers of the Countrie out of whiche the Cinamon commeth, being set againste them, charged them soare, and draue them to suche shiftes, that they knewe not what to doo, because when they set vpon them then woulde they flée, and runninge a greate waie be∣fore, would turne their Bowes behinde them, and shoote as they fledde: but if they fledde, then woulde they pursue them neare, and either with Slinges, or litle Arrowes impoysoned with Dragons bloud anoye thē greiuously, for euery one of them hathe a rounde Wrythe vpon his* 1.355 head, in which their Arrowes are set in order, they turne the feathers towarde their heades, and suffer the Arrow heades to hange out like the beames of the Sunne, then in skirmishe doo they take out their Arrowes as readily as if they had a Quiuer, and leapinge and daunsinge in and out. Satyre like them selues, beinge vnarmed, shoote at theire enimies, and haue no Iron heades vpon theire shaftes. For they take a bone out of the Dragons backe,* 1.356 whereof they make theire Arrowes an ell longe. This donne, as wel as they can, they sharpen the same, and make a naturall head thereof, so called perhaps y^e boanes that comme out of Greece. The Egyptians mainteined the Battaile, and kepte their order a greate while, and receiued the shot vpon their shieldes, either for that they be of nature greate sufferers, and make their boaste (not* 1.357 so profitable, as arrogante) that they care not for deathe, or els fearing to be pounished if they shrunke from their Standardes. But after they hearde that the Horsemen which was the chiefe strength, and greatest hope of their battaile, were put to slighte, and the Deputy gonne, and that the Meades, and Persians which were the best Soul∣diers had donne no notable feate, but a litle damage to the men of Meroe, againste whom they were placed, and receiued a great deale more, and that euery man els was fledde, they beganne to leaue fightinge, and turne theire backes too. Hidaspes séeinge this not able Ʋictory out of

his Tower, as wel as if he had ben on the top of an high* 1.358 Hill, he sente Heraultes to them that folowed the chase, not to kil any moe, but take as many as they could aliue: and aboue all other, Oroondates, whiche was donne. For the Aethiopians drawinge their maine battailes alonge, yet so that their Aray was very thicke, turned y^e winges rounde aboute, and so enclosed the Persian Armye, and lefte no place for them to flée, but through the Riuer: into the which when many fell, and were in greate daunger emong the Chariottes, and other multitude of men, thē perceiued they that that policie whiche the Deputie vsed in the conducte of his Army, was very foolishe, and to no pourpose, because at the firste when he feared least his e∣nimies shoulde beset him rounde aboute, and therefore so leadde his Army, that Nylus was euer at their backes, he marked not that he left no place for him selfe wherby he mighte flée. There was he him selfe taken, at suche* 1.359 time as Achemenes Cibeles Sonne (who by this time hearde what newes were at Memphis) wente aboute in that broyle to kill him selfe (for he repented that he tolde any thinge of Arsace nowe) séeinge that all argumentes whereby he mighte proue the same, were taken awaye, and yet was deceiued, and had not geuen him a deadly wounde, but he him selfe straight paied for it, being stro∣ken through with an Arrow of an Aethipian, who knew the Deputie, and desired to saue him as the charge was geuen, and was offended that any man in flight from his enimies, should so shamefully set vpō his owne felowes, and take that oportunitie which fortune profered, a time to be reuenged of his priuate aduersary. When he was brought by him that had taken him prisoner, & Hidaspes sawe him ready to sownde, and soare blodyed, whiche he caused to be stinted straighte with suche thinges as were prouided therefore, because he determined to saue him, if he mighte, he comforted him thus: I graunte you youre life with al my harte, for it is a greate praise to subdewe

the enimie in the fielde, as longe as he withstandeth by* 1.360 manhoode, but when he is ouercomme, with liberalitie. But what was the matter that you were so false? I was false to you, answeared he, but trewe to mine owne Prince. Then ({quod} Hidaspes) what pounishmente thinke* 1.361 you that you haue deserued, seing that you are ouercome? Suche as my Prince oughte to take ({quod} he) of any of your Captaines, that had kepte their allegeance to you. Tru∣ly (saide he) he woulde commende him, and sende him a∣waie highly rewarded, if he be a true Kinge, and not a Tyrante, and is desirous that other men by his example shoulde doo the like. But Sir (saide Hidaspes) you saie that you be faithful, but will not confesse that you plaied the foole in aduenturinge to matche so many score thou∣sandes. He answeared: I did not foolishly perhaps seinge* 1.362 I considered my Princes nature, who doth more pounish the cowardly Souldier, then rewarde the valiaunt man. I determined therfore to ioine with you, & doo some woon∣derful thinge contrary to the opinion of men, as the like occasion of well doinge dothe oft happen in warre, or if I* 1.363 hapned to escape, that I might haue a good excuse, because I remitted nothinge that I ought to haue donne. When Hidaspes hearde him saye thus, he praysed him greatly, and sente him to Siene, and gaue the Chirurgians charge to looke very well to him. Him selfe also entred the Towne, with certaine picked men of his Armie, and all the menne of what sorte or age soeuer they were, of the Cittie mette him, and caste vpon him & his Armie, Gar∣landes and Flowers, suche as grewe aboute Nylus, and commended him greately for his notable Victory. As soone as he came into the Towne, ridinge vpon an Ele∣phant* 1.364 in stéede of a Charriot, he busied his minde aboute the seruice of the Goddes, and sacred thinges, and asked of the Driginall of the feastes of Nylus, and if they could she we him any straunge thinge woorthy to be looked on. They shewed him a déepe well, whiche shewed the man∣ner

of Nylus, like vnto that at Memphis made of hewed* 1.365 frée stoone, wherein were lines drawen an ell one from an other, into the whiche the water of Nilus brought vn∣der the earthe by a springe, and fallinge into these lines, declareth to the Inhabitauntes the Ebbes and Fluddes of Nylus, by the number of the Figures, whiche bare or couered, doo plainely tell the risinge and fallinge of the water thereof. They shewed him also the strykes of Dialles, whiche made no shadowe, because the Sunne a∣boute Midsomer at Siene, goinge directly ouer the pointe thereof geueth no shadowe, and by the like reason it shi∣neth vpon the water whiche is in the bottome of theire welles. Hidaspes maruailed not at this as a thinge straunge to him, for he sawe the like at Meroe: but when they talked of theire feaste, and praysed Nylus woonder∣fully callinge him the summe, and Author of al fruiteful∣nesse, the vpholder of the vpper Egypte, and Father and maker of y^e inferiour, which bringeth euery yéere a newe inued thether, whereof the Grecians call it Nylus, and telleth them the course of the yéere, by flowing in Som∣mer, and ebbinge in Autume, and the Flowres whiche growe in it in the spring time, and the broode of the Cro∣codiles, and saide that Nilus was nothinge els but the yéere. Whiche opinion also the name approued, for if you deuide the Letters contained therein into vnities, if thei be put togeather will make thrée hundred sixtie and fiue, and so many there be daies in the yéere. To be shorte when they added thereunto y^e properties of the flowers, and beastes that bréede thereaboute. Hidaspes saide, This tale doth not only belonge to Egypte, but Aethio∣pia also. And séeing that Aethiopia bringeth this Floud* 1.366 to you, whether it be a God as you thinke, or a mingle mangle of al other Flouddes, you haue good cause to ho∣nour that whiche is the Mother of your God. Wée doo so saide the Priestes, as wel for other causes, as that it hath geuen vs a preseruour and a God, When Hidaspes tolde

them that they ought to prayse reasonably, he entred in∣to Siene, and solaced him selfe in the other parte of the daye in Banquetinge with the chiefe Lordes of Aethio∣pia, and the Priestes of Siene, he gaue leaue to his Army to doo so too. There were great heardes of beastes, flockes of Shéepe, many Goates, and Swine, whereof the Sieni∣ans gaue some to the Armie, and some they solde. The next daie after Hidaspes sittinge in his Royall Throne, deuided to his Army, the Cattel, Horses, and al the other booty, as well that whiche he had in the Towne, as that he wonne in the fielde, accordinge as euery man had de∣serued. When he was come to him that tooke Oroonda∣tes, Hidaspes saide to him, aske what thon wilte for thy labour. He answeared: I néede aske nothinge ô Kinge, but will be contente with that I haue, if you be pleased there with, whiche I tooke from Oroondates, and saued him according to your commaundement: and therewith shewed him the Deputies Dagger sette with pretious stoanes of great valewe, and woonderful much woorthe, so that somme of those that stoode by, cried out it was too muche for a pryuate man, and a Iewell more fitte for the Kinge? Thereat Hidaspes smiled a litle, and saide: what can be more méete for a Kinge, then that I shoulde be of suche courage of minde, that I am not mooued with his couetousnesse but despise the same? beside the Lawe of Armes geueth the victor leaue to take what so euer he findeth aboute his prysoners body, wherefore wée geue him leaue to kéepe that, whiche he might haue concealed and wée neuer the wiser. After him came they who tooke Theagenes, and Cariclia, and saide: ô Kinge our booty is not Golde, nor precious stoanes, whiche is little woorthe in Aethiopia, & are caste aboute by heapes in the Kinges Palaice, but wée bringe you a yonge Man, and a Mayde, Brother and Sister borne in Greece, whiche except your grace, are the talest and fayrest Creatures in the world, wherefore wée craue, that wée may be partakers also of

your large liberality and bounty: well remembred saide Hidaspes, for when you brought them to me, then I loo∣ked vpon them sleightly: wherefore let some man bringe them hither streight, and the other prysoners also. They were brought out of hande, for that one ranne foorthe to the impedimentes without the walles, and tolde the kée∣pers, that they shoulde bringe them to the Kinge foorth∣with. They asked one of their kéepers whole Father was a Greeke, whither they should be carried. He answe∣red, that Kinge Hidaspes would sée them, and therewith as soone they hearde Hidaspes named, they cried out, the Goddes be our comforte, because till then they were a∣fraide, leaste any other had Reigned. Then saide Thea∣genes softely to Cariclia, now my harte you shall tell the Kinge of our affayres, séeinge Hidaspes reigneth, whom* 1.367 you haue told me oft was your Father. Cariclia answea∣red, My déere, great businesse must be donne with great circumspectiō. For it is necessary that the endes of those thinges must be donne with many circumstances, whose beginninges the Gods woulde haue very troublesome, & it is méete not to detect that in a moment, whiche hath benne longe a woorkinge, especially for that the heade and principall pointe, whereupon this businesse and in∣uention depēdeth, I meane my Mother Persina is away, whom by the fauour of the Goddes wée heare is aliue al∣so. But if he geue vs away to any man, shall he not cutte of all occasion, how wée shall come into Aethiopia, saide Theagenes? You néede not feare that, answeared Cari∣clia, for wée haue hearde diuerse times ere nowe of our kéepers, that wée are keapte to be Sacrificed to the Gods of Meroe, wherefore you néede not doubt that either wée shalbe geuen away, or killed before wée come there, seing wée be consecrated to the Goddes, whiche thinge godly* 1.368 menne cannot vndoo, but if wée through this our woon∣derful mirthe in hope to spéede wel, doo without conside∣ration tell our estate, seinge that they be not here, who

may know and beare witnesse thereof. It is to be feared leaste through our negligence, and that woorthely, wée shal incense him that heareth vs, and make him angry, who will perhaps also make a mocke of it, that wée be∣inge prisoners, and appointed to serue, wil be so bolde to saie that wée are the Kinges children, and haue no proba∣ble, but fondly deuised Argumentes to prooue the same. But the tokens, saide Theagenes, whiche I knowe you* 1.369 receiued and kéepe about you, will make for vs, and de∣clare that we vse no frawde nor falsehoode. Tokens said Cariclia, are tokens to them that knowe them, and gaue me them, but to those that knowe them not, and cannot vnderstand the whole matter, they are but a vaine trea∣sure, & perhaps would make them lay thefte & robbery to our charge. And put the case that Hidaspes know some of them who shal perswade him that Persina gaue me them,* 1.370 as a Mother to her Daughter? The surest token, The∣agenes, that cannot be denied, is a Motherly nature, by whiche it commeth to passe, that that whiche dothe ingender, is pitiefully affected by some secrete of nature towarde that which is ingendred. Shal we then neglecte these thinges whiche maie make al the reste séeme true? As they thus talked of these thinges, they were almoste come into the Kinges presēce, & Bagoas also was brought with them. As soone as the Kinge sawe them stande be∣fore him, he lifted him selfe vp a litle from his Throane, and when he had saide: The Goddes be merciful to me, he sate downe againe, and was in a studye. When the Noble men of Persia asked him what he ailed, he made answeare: I thoughte this laste nighte, that I had a* 1.371 Daughter, which suddainely was growen to suche a sta∣ture as this wooman is of, and though I tooke no regarde to my dreame before, yet now by the bewtie of this mayd whiche is like her, I remember it againe. Those who were about him, saide that it was a fantasie of the mind, whiche oftentimes woulde foreshewe thinges to come.

But for that time he made no accoumpte of it, but asked them what they were, and of what Countrie borne. Ca∣richa helde her peace, & Theagenes spake, that they were Brother, and Sister borne in Greece. O Noble Greece (saide he) who doste at other times bringe foorth good, and honest Creatures, and at this time haste prouided vs of good Offeringes to doo Sacrifice for our Victorye. But why had I not a Sonne also in my Dreame? (saide he smilingly to them that were by) for as muche as reason woulde that I should haue seene this yonge mans figure firste before the Maydes. After this he turned his talke to Cariclia, and speakinge Greeke (whiche tongue is in price with the Gymnosophistae, & Princes of Aethiopia) saide: Thou Mayde, why dooste thou holde thy peace, and not answeare to my question? Cariclia answeared: At the Aultares of the Goddes (to whom wée vnderstande that wée are kepte to be sacrificed, you shal know me, and my Parentes. In what Countrie be they (said Hidaspes to her againe?) They be here ({quod} shée) and shalbe presente also when we shalbe offered. Thereat Hidaspes smiled, and said: Surely this Daughter borne to me in my sléepe dreames, that her Parentes shalbe cōueied out of Greece into the middest of Meroe. Therefore let these be carried awaie, and kepte as well as they haue benne hitherto, to set foorthe, and adourne our Sacrifice. But what is he that standeth by them so like an Eunuche? One of the men that stoode by, answeared that he was an Eunuche in déede, whose name was Bagoas. Let him goe with these also, not as a Sacrifice him selfe, but to sée to this other Mayde ordeined to be offered, that shée may be kept chast vntil the time comme that shée shal be offered. For Eu∣nuches are very ialous, and therfore be appointed to take héede that other doo not that, which they them selues are not hable to doo. When he had saide thus, he looked vpon al the other Prisoners whiche came orderly, and tolde them, somme whereof, suche as séemed were borne to be

slaues, he gaue awaye, but suche as were of good Paren∣tage, he let god fréely, sauinge that he commaunded ten yonge men chosen out of all the reste, & as many maydes to be carried with Theagenes for that pourpose, when he had answeared euery man that had neede of him. Last of all he spake to Oroondates, who was brought to him in a* 1.372 Chariot, sayinge: For as muche as I haue obteined that aboute which wée made this warre, I am not minded as many are. I abuse not fortune to desire to get more then other men haue, neither wil I make me a great Empire, because I haue gotten this Victory, but am content with those boundes, and markes whiche Nature made at the firste, whiche parte Aethiopia from Egypte by the sluces, wherein I obserue equitie, and returne, for as muche as I haue gotten that I came downe for. As for thee, if thou liue, be Deputy of as much as thou haste ben before, and tel the Kinge of Persia that thy Brother Hidaspes hathe with hande ouercome thée, but through the moderation of his minde hathe released to thée, al that was thine, and is desirous to kéepe the amity whiche is betwixt thée, and him (of whiche thinge he maketh greatest accoumpte of any thinge that is in the worlde emong men) and wilnot refuse to fighte againe, if thou shalte attempte any thing hereafter. As for these people of Siene I release to them the tributes that they were woont to paye for ten yéeres, & charge, & commaunde you to doo the same. After he had saide thus, as wel the Citizens, as the Souldiers that were by thanked him, and clapped their handes so lowd that the noyse mighte be hearde a greate way of. But O∣roondates helde vp his handes, and layinge them acrosse, fell downe and woorshipped him, whiche thinge the Persi∣ans are neuer woont to doo to any straunge Kinge, & said: Yée that be presente, me thinketh that I breake not the custome of my Country to my Kinge, if I adore him who hathe geuen me a Deputiship, neither doo I any euil, if I doo this to the tustest man in the worlde, who might haue

slaine me: he hathe graunted me life throughe his singu∣lare courtesie, and although he might haue ceased all into his owne hande, yet hathe he geuen me my Deputyship againe. Wherefore I promise bothe the Aethiopians, & Persians if I liue, that I wil kéepe longe peace, and conti∣nuall amitie, and perfourme to the Sienians that whiche I am commaunded. But if any thinge otherwise then well happen to me, the Goddes rewarde Hidaspes, and his House, and al his Posteritye for the goodnesse he hath shewed to me.

Here endeth the Ninth Booke.

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

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,* 1.373 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* 1.374 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,* 1.375 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

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* 1.376 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

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* 1.377 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* 1.378 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* 1.379 fiuetene mile longe, and sixescore and fiue broade). It in∣gendreth beastes of woonderfull greatnesse of al kindes,

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* 1.380 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* 1.381 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

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* 1.382 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 y^e 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

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,* 1.383 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* 1.384 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

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

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,* 1.385 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

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* 1.386 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 y^t 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

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

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* 1.387 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

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

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* 1.388 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* 1.389 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

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,* 1.390 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* 1.391 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,

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* 1.392 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 y^e 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

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* 1.393 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

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 y^e 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* 1.394 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

to be found, that in your stéede may be sacrificed with the yonge man. Cariclia almoste cried out, when shée hearde* 1.395 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

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

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,* 1.396 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 kn••we 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

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* 1.397 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

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,* 1.398 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* 1.399 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,* 1.400 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.

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* 1.401 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

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* 1.402 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

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* 1.403 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

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

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 y^t 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* 1.404 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.

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

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,

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,* 1.405 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.

They shewed him a certaine Old man, to whom he said:* 1.406 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

with her trewe Parentes. But he tolde that briefely that was little hurtefull in this sorte: I had a Daugh∣ter,* 1.407 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

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* 1.408 ({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

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* 1.409 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

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* 1.410 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:* 1.411

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 Persina

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.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cnemon his ex∣cellent tale.
• * 1.2

  His honest dis∣position.
• * 1.3

  The Athenians feaste called Quinquatria.
• * 1.4

  Demeneta in∣uentethe howe to greeue Cne∣mon.
• * 1.5

  Aristippus ••rathe against Cnemon.
• * 1.6

  VVeemēs wrath neuer hath ende.
• * 1.7

  Cnemon decei∣••ed by Thisbe.
• * 1.8

  Cnemon bound••.
• * 1.9

  Aristippus Or••∣tion against his sonne Cnemon.
• * 1.10

  ••ewe friendes in extremitie.
• * 1.11

  He telleth foorth
• * 1.12

  Charias brin∣geth Cnemon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of De∣mencias Death.
• * 1.13

  Though Iustice deferreth longe, yet shee striketh soare at laste.
• * 1.14

  Aristippus is sorowful for the losse of his Sonne.
• * 1.15

  Demeneta loued Cnemon better when he was gonne▪
• * 1.16

  Demeneta accu∣seth Thisbe.
• * 1.17

  Tokens of a guilty consciēce
• * 1.18

  Thisbe with like crafte deceiueth her Misiers, as before shee had Cnemon.
• * 1.19

  This••e accuseth Demene••a to her Maister A∣restippus.
• * 1.20

  The Monumente of the Epicures.
• * 1.21

  Demeneta is taken.
• * 1.22

  Dementas Deathe, woorse then her former Life.
• * 1.23

  Two•• reasons why the Cockes crowe.
• * 1.24

  Memphis Dreame.
• * 1.25

  His Interpreta∣tion thereof.
• * 1.26

  The Oration of Thyamis, to his mates.
• * 1.27

  The dewtie of a good Captaine.
• * 1.28

  Thyamis desi∣reth to haue Cariclia for his share, to make her his wife.
• * 1.29

  Thyamis asketh Cariclia her o∣pinion, and cō∣sente to the Marriage.
• * 1.30

  Cariclias an∣sweare.
• * 1.31

  The duetie of a woman in the presence of ••enne.
• * 1.32

  Cariclia see∣meth to consent, but taketh a delaie finely.
• * 1.33

  Shee appointeth the place of her Marriage.
• * 1.34

  Thyamis is scante contente to driue of the mater so longe.
• * 1.35

  Sight often∣times moueth a man to doo sommewhat contrarie to good tēperance, and therefore Thyamis shun∣ned this sight.
• * 1.36

  Theagenes is offended with Cariclias Ora∣tion.
• * 1.37

  Her wittie an∣sweare to him.
• * 1.38

  Theagenes is not al satisfied with the an∣sweare.
• * 1.39

  Cariclia taketh in very good parte his doubt∣fulnes of her stedfastnesse.
• * 1.40

  The propertie of a gentle an∣sweare, in yeeldinge talke.
• * 1.41

  Procrastination is sommetime profitable.
• * 1.42

  What lie is beste to be borne withall.
• * 1.43

  Cnemon telleth Thyamis of their Enimies at hande.
• * 1.44

  Cariclia carried to be keapte in the Theeues Denne, where their treasure was.
• * 1.45

  The propertie of that Denne.
• * 1.46

  The Oration of Thyamis to his companions.
• * 1.47

  Howe VVarre with Theeues is ended.
• * 1.48

  The description of theire Bat∣taile.
• * 1.49

  The nature of a Theefe.
• * 1.50

  VVhy Thyamis is taken aliue.
• * 1.51

  Thyamis throughe the deathe of many of his enemies, is taken aliue.
• * 1.52

  Theagenes thinkinge Cari∣clia to be brent, lamenteth.
• * 1.53

  Cnemon com∣forteth Theage∣nes.
• * 1.54

  Theagenes be∣waileth a dead body, and thought it had benne Cariclia.
• * 1.55

  Theagenes woulde haue slaine himselfe.
• * 1.56

  The ioye of Theagenes, and Cariclia.
• * 1.57

  Too muche mirthe often∣times tourneth to woe.
• * 1.58

  Thisbe is no•• becomme an Harlot, and is hated of Arsm.
• * 1.59

  Aristippus ban∣nished from Athens.
• * 1.60

  Thisbies Letter to Cnemon.
• * 1.61

  Howe Thisle came into that Ilande.
• * 1.62

  Barbarous Loue woorse then ha∣tred.
• * 1.63

  Thyamis his worde.
• * 1.64

  Trophynus Denne.
• * 1.65

  Thisbe taken by Thermutis.
• * 1.66

  Thyamis killed her in steede of Cariclia.
• * 1.67

  Cariclias dreame.
• * 1.68

  Cariclias expo∣sition of her dreame.
• * 1.69

  Cnemons exposi∣tion of Cartclias dreame, VVhy our Pa∣rentes be like∣ned to a praier of eies,
• * 1.70

  Cnemons aduice as touching their present affaires.
• * 1.71

  A good Cap∣taine causeth disordered peo∣ple to liue or∣derly.
• * 1.72

  Necessitas plus posse quàm pi∣etas solet, Se∣neca.
• * 1.73

  Chemmis a Towne of Ae∣gypte by Nylus.
• * 1.74

  Thermutis is slaine.
• * 1.75

  Why the Theeues lette their heare growe. Longe heare dothe becomme ••••uers well.
• * 1.76

  Thought maketh a man in maner blinde, yea and deafe, and doumbe too.
• * 1.77

  Miseries make a man somme∣times change his apparaile.
• * 1.78

  It is a greate paine to concele any mishappe longe.
• * 1.79

  Iupiter hos∣pitalis.
• * 1.80

  A pretye simi∣litude.
• * 1.81

  Homer calleth the bellie perni∣tious.
• * 1.82

  Calasiris will not forgette to doo Sacrifice to the Goddes, for any trauaile, and this is euery good mannes duety also. Calasiris Sacrio ficeth to Thea∣genes, and Cari∣clia.
• * 1.83

  Theagenes, and Cariclia, Cala∣siris children without a Mo¦ther.
• * 1.84

  A wise man coūpteth thākes a greate re∣warde.
• * 1.85

  Bacchus pleased with mery Songes, and Tales.
• * 1.86

  Groondates De∣putie of Aegypt.
• * 1.87

  The VViues of Greece haue their drinking•• Gossippes.
• * 1.88

  Calasiris borne at Memphis, he telleth him all his whole life passed.
• * 1.89

  Saturne an vn∣lucky Planete, and neuer good.
• * 1.90

  VVhat misteries be tollerable, and what vn∣tollerable. The beginnings of Calasiris his euil lucke. Rhodopis, a Harlot.
• * 1.91

  Calasiris falleth in loue with Rhodopis.
• * 1.92

  Calasiris banni∣shed him selfe.
• * 1.93

  Calafiris iour∣ney to Delphi.
• * 1.94

  The situation of Delphi.
• * 1.95

  The pleasant commodities of Delphi.
• * 1.96

  Apolloes an∣sweare to Cala∣siris.
• * 1.97

  Licurgus which gaue Lawes to the Lacedemo∣nians.
• * 1.98

  Pretie Heathe∣nish questions.
• * 1.99

  He confuteth the opinion of certaine Greeke Philosophers, that thought the increase ther had proceeded of the resolution of Snowe. Caricles A∣polloes Prieste.
• * 1.100

  Caricles telleth Calasiris al his estate.
• * 1.101

  He was per∣haps of Themi∣stocles opinion, who rather chose for his Daughter, a man without Monie, then Mo∣nie without a man.
• * 1.102

  It is not lawfull for a man to kil him selfe. But of sight out of minde com∣monly.
• * 1.103

  Catadupi a Cit∣tie of Aegypte.
• * 1.104

  What excellēt bewtie with talenesse of sta∣ture, maketh a womā seemely.
• * 1.105

  Cariclia layde foorthe, and committed to Fortune. That it is not lawfull to lette one die with∣out succoure, is a precepte of the Gymnosophisis.
• * 1.106

  Cariclias estate written in her Fascia. Sisimithres fin∣dinge Cariclia, prouideth for her bringing vp
• * 1.107

  Bewtie cannot be hidde.
• * 1.108

  Cariclia deliue∣red to Caricles.
• * 1.109

  Caricles calleth Cariclia his owne Daughter ofte, and named her after his owne name.
• * 1.110

  Sisimithers his Ambassadge.
• * 1.111

  Cariclia not onely passinge be wtifull, but very witty also.
• * 1.112

  Caricilia not willinge to Marrie.
• * 1.113

  Aenians a peo∣ple of Thessalia fetche their pe∣tigree from Deucalion. How farre the Aenians Coun∣trye goeth their chiefe Citie is Hipala, The maner of the Aenians sa∣crifice to Pir∣rhus, Pithius Agon. The Captaine of this legation is of Achilles race his name is Theagenes.
• * 1.114

  A prety dis∣course of A∣chilles Countrie with the argu∣mentes, that the Aenians haue to proue that they are of Achilles bloud, the chiefe whereof is this Sacrifice.
• * 1.115

  The description of a very come∣ly man.
• * 1.116

  Apollo his An∣sweare, as tou∣chinge Thea∣genes and Ca∣riclia.
• * 1.117

  The maner of the Sacrifice.
• * 1.118

  Hecatombe is a kinde of Sacri∣fice, wherein were a hundred beastes of one kinde slaine, as a hundred oxen, Sheepe, Swine, or Goates.
• * 1.119

  The songe that the Thessalia•••• Virgins songe in the honour of Thetis, and Pe∣leus, Achilles▪ and Pirrhus.
• * 1.120

  The Aenians apparell.
• * 1.121

  Theagenes his cloke with what was wrought there∣on.
• * 1.122

  Theagenes his Horse.
• * 1.123

  VVhat the com∣mon sorte of weemen did to Theagenes, and their opinion of him.
• * 1.124

  Theagenes be∣ginneth to loue Cariclia.
• * 1.125

  Howe Cariclia was attyred.
• * 1.126

  Cariclias Gir∣dell.
• * 1.127

  Menne and we∣men happy▪ if they were like Theagenes, and Cariclia.
• * 1.128

  Calasiris was very supersti∣tious.
• * 1.129

  The manner of the Sacrifice with the ductie of the Prieste of Apollo, and the ••••ians Cap∣taine of their holy Embas∣sadge
• * 1.130

  The sundrie countenaunces, and behauiours of Louers.
• * 1.131

  Cariclia in Loue.
• * 1.132

  Calasiris pro∣ueth by diuerse reasons that there is wit∣chinge.
• * 1.133

  The ayre is in∣fectious.
• * 1.134

  The byrde Cha∣radrius, if one that hath the Kinges euill see her, healeth him that is so disea∣sed, but dieth thereof her self. The Nature of the serpent ••••∣siliscus.
• * 1.135

  Calasiris espi∣eth that Thea∣genes was in Loue.
• * 1.136

  Dronken men and Louers in a maner like.
• * 1.137

  Isis Priesles drinke no wine, neither eate they the fleashe of a∣ny liuing thing.
• * 1.138

  Apollo and Diana, sente to deliuer Thea∣genes and Ca∣riclia, to Cala∣siris in his dreame.
• * 1.139

  A rule of Ho∣mer, howe to know the Gods: expounded by Calasiris.
• * 1.140

  Howe the Egy∣ptians make the images of their Goddes.
• * 1.141

  A prety dis∣course, whereby Calasiris pro∣ueth Homer to be an Egyptian. Thebes a Citie of Egypte.
• * 1.142

  VVhy Homer concealed his Countrie.
• * 1.143

  Twoo kindes of wisedome are professed of the Egyptians, and what they be.
• * 1.144

  Calasiris ma∣keth as though he were a south∣sayer to Thea∣genes, and so r••∣uinge at the cause of his co∣minge, happe∣neth to glaunce some what neare the marke. Theagenes pai∣ned the more because he was neuer in Loue before. VVherby may be gathered that the firste Loue pincheth •••• s••••.
• * 1.145

  Theagenes is in loue aginste his will.
• * 1.146

  Arte can breake nature.
• * 1.147

  It was Cariclias duety to holde the Garlande bicause she was Prieste.
• * 1.148

  Caricles thought that Calasiris coulde doo wonders belike.
• * 1.149

  Caricles com∣mendeth Calasi∣ris to Cariclia.
• * 1.150

  Cariclia loued the companie of wise menne.
• * 1.151

  Cupid fully de∣termined to trie all that he was hable to doo, with Theage∣nes, and Cari∣clia. The manner of their disportes.
• * 1.152

  A Louer is quicke eied.
• * 1.153

  He is not re∣warded that ventureth not.
• * 1.154

  VVhy Cupide is pointed with twoo winges. Theagenes light footed.
• * 1.155

  Comlinesse of Personage get∣teth the good will of menne.
• * 1.156

  Calafiris taketh Theagenes for his Sonne.
• * 1.157

  Theagenes got the Garlande for runninge.
• * 1.158

  Cnemon bla∣meth Homer for saieinge that a man might be wery of Loue. A man can not be wery to heare the Loue of Theganes, and Cariclia a whole yeare.
• * 1.159

  Mutual sight of louers is a rene∣winge of Loue.
• * 1.160

  A prety commē∣dation of Theas genes for cour∣tesie, with a nippe to Achil∣les for his ar••o∣gācie, and pride
• * 1.161

  To muche lin∣gringe maketh diseases vncu∣rable.
• * 1.162

  Theagenes glad to see the house of Cariclia.
• * 1.163

  Amonge the Delphiās, death is ordained to suche as steale awaie any Mayde.
• * 1.164

  Howe Caricles perceiued. that Cariclia was in loue.
• * 1.165

  Acestinus a Phisition.
• * 1.166

  Phisicke can doo Cariclia no good.
• * 1.167

  A prety dis∣course of phi∣sicke, where, and when it a∣uaileth.
• * 1.168

  VVhat loue is, and the quali∣ties thereof.
• * 1.169

  Cariclia madde almoste at the sighte of Alca∣menes.
• * 1.170

  The contentes of Cariclias fas∣cia, whiche de∣clareth who are her Parentes, and the cause of her exposition.
• * 1.171

  The Aethiopians Goddes are the Sunne, Bac∣chus, Perseus, Andromeda, and Memnon.
• * 1.172

  VVhy Persina beinge blake, brought foorthe a white Daughter.
• * 1.173

  Chastitie is the token of wo∣manly vertue.
• * 1.174

  Fortune is vn∣certaine.
• * 1.175

  Mans Life vn∣stable.
• * 1.176

  Silence pleaseth vnhappy people well.
• * 1.177

  The name of Loue disgraceth virginitie.
• * 1.178

  VVemen shoulde not discouer their owne loue. Many weemen and Maydes of noble race, haue benne in Loue before Cariclia.
• * 1.179

  Good Counsel for Louers, how they shal vse their loue well.
• * 1.180

  Cariclia wil haue Theagenes or none.
• * 1.181

  The Kinges Courte of Aethi∣opia is a place, whereunto is greate resorte of wise menne, and therein are they wel che∣rished.
• * 1.182

  Persina requi∣reth Calasiris to seeke Cariclia, and bringe her home againe.
• * 1.183

  The wisemen in olde time▪ might not breake their Othe, if they had sworne by the Sunne.
• * 1.184

  A woman is beste at a sud∣daine attempte.
• * 1.185

  Caricles dreame.
• * 1.186

  Great distance of place, taketh awaie the sight of our eies.
• * 1.187

  Calasiris subtile exposition thereof.
• * 1.188

  Caricles geueth Cariclia al the Iewelles that her Mother gaue her at the time of her Expositiō.
• * 1.189

  God is ready to helpe those that woorke by his will.
• * 1.190

  The Tyrians do Sacrifice to Hercules, for a victory that one of their compa∣nions had.
• * 1.191

  The manner of the takinge a∣way of Cari∣clia.
• * 1.192

  An example of passinge Cha∣stitie.
• * 1.193

  Theagenes thinketh paci∣ence par force, scant woorthy prayse.
• * 1.194

  Calasiris dis∣sembled Oratiō.
• * 1.195

  Caricles piti∣full Oration, aboute the ta∣kinge away of Cariclia.
• * 1.196

  Hegesias O∣ration, as tou∣chinge the pur∣suite of those, who tooke a∣way Cariclia. Occasion is of mos•••• force in VVarre.
• * 1.197

  The Thessalians are forbidden by common Councell, to doo Sacrifice to Pirrhus, for the takinge awaye of Cariclia. This is when the steede is sio∣len. to shutte the stable doore.
• * 1.198

  Age beside other discommodities maketh menne harde of bea∣tinge.
• * 1.199

  Cariclias piti∣full complainte, beinge sepera∣ted from Thea∣genes.
• * 1.200

  The name of Thisbe, troubleth Cnemon sore.
• * 1.201

  Cariclia more in Loue, then Theagenes.
• * 1.202

  A very wise de∣uise of Theage∣nes.
• * 1.203

  The commoditie of a watch∣woorde.
• * 1.204

  The propertie of bewtifull personages.
• * 1.205

  A Merchaunt like, that is to saie, a crafty de∣uise vsed by Nausicles, to get Cariclia, in steede of Thisbe.
• * 1.206

  Cariclia saithe her name is Thisbe.
• * 1.207

  Nausicles recei∣ueth of Mytra∣nes Cariclia, whom he be∣guileth, by a flatteringe praise. Theagenes and Cariclia sepe∣rated.
• * 1.208

  Theagenes is sente to Groon∣dates.
• * 1.209

  A wise man is neuer poore.
• * 1.210

  Persians and Merchantes, are alike conctous.
• * 1.211

  Mercurie the God of Mer∣chauntes.
• * 1.212

  The description of the Ringe, that Calasiris gaue Nausicles to redeeme Ca∣riclia.
• * 1.213

  The giftes of the Goddes ought not to be refused.
• * 1.214

  VVhat gaine is beste.
• * 1.215

  The Calidonian Sea is very trou∣ble some.
• * 1.216

  VVhy the Cali∣donian Sea, is so troublesome.
• * 1.217

  Pleiades, vuluc∣kie Starres to Marriners.
• * 1.218

  Calasiris with his children lodge with Tyrrhenus.
• * 1.219

  Once vnhappy, and euer vnhap∣py. The Merchaunt with whome Calasiris sayled falleth in Loue with Cariclia. That is a com∣mm practise whiche Louers vse.
• * 1.220

  Theeues vse courtesie to their acquaintaunce.
• * 1.221

  Vlisses appea∣reth to Calasiris and rebuketh him for not doo∣inge Sacrifice to him,
• * 1.222

  Many times Iestes turned to good earnest as did his now.
• * 1.223

  VVarres are made with slaughter and blondshedde.
• * 1.224

  The sight of bloude, maketh menne egar to fighte.
• * 1.225

  Men sette more by their liues, then any thinge els.
• * 1.226

  It is wisedome to haue respect of time.
• * 1.227

  A prety descri∣ptiō of a shippe in a tempest, in which are none but vnskilfull Marriners.
• * 1.228

  It is wisedome to foresee.
• * 1.229

  It is better to die with honour then liue with shame.
• * 1.230

  Trachinus would Marrie Cariclia out of hande.
• * 1.231

  It is a good sight at a Brydale, to see the Bride mery.
• * 1.232

  Successe not loo∣ked for, dothe make menne doo otherwise often times then els they would doo.
• * 1.233

  The crafty de∣uise of Calasiris to hinder the Marriage of Trachinus and Cariclia, wher∣by all the Py∣rates are slaine.
• * 1.234

  A Lawe of the Pyrates.
• * 1.235

  Another Lawe or decree.
• * 1.236

  The Pyrates fal together by the eares, and are al slaine with mu∣tuall woundes.
• * 1.237

  Theagenes and Pelorus, fighte hande to hande for Cariclia.
• * 1.238

  The firste booke declareth howe they were han∣dled afterward the beginninge and processe whereof, order∣ly foloweth, vn∣till the begin∣ninge of Cala∣siris tale almost in the ende of the seconde Booke. VVine maketh men apte to weepe.
• * 1.239

  Calasiris fore∣sheweth an im∣pediment in the iourney by the creepinge of a Crocodyle.
• * 1.240

  Aristippus vn∣donne by meanes of his seconde wife.
• * 1.241

  Naucratia a Cittie in Egypt.
• * 1.242

  Phoenicopterus a byrde.
• * 1.243

  Nausicles frend had a gentle Louer. VVhence the Phoenix com∣meth.
• * 1.244

  It is a pointe of courtesie to tell a mischaunce quickely.
• * 1.245

  Louers truste nothinge but their owne eyes.
• * 1.246

  Nausicles Ora∣tion tendinge to this end, to haue Cnemon marrie his Daughter.
• * 1.247

  No estate is sta∣ble in this worlde.
• * 1.248

  To what ende paines shoulde be taken.
• * 1.249

  To leaue Issue to succeede is a thinge specially to be desired.
• * 1.250

  One Louer can soone espie an o∣ther that is like affected.
• * 1.251

  Thisbe was car∣ried from A∣thens by Nau∣sicles.
• * 1.252

  Cnemon marri∣eth Nausiclia, Nausicles Daughter.
• * 1.253

  The sorrowe that Cariclia was in, at Cne∣mō his Mariage, with a plaine prouse of her excellent good nature.
• * 1.254

  VVhat it is to be mortall.
• * 1.255

  Thyamis was Calasiris Sonne.
• * 1.256

  The commodi∣ties of beggery▪ Pouertie is ra∣ther pitied, then enuied. Straungers buie deerely.
• * 1.257

  Feare maketh menne iudge the worste.
• * 1.258

  A great bat∣taile aboute Theagenes to reseue him frō Mytranes.
• * 1.259

  Mitranes slaine.
• * 1.260

  In extremitie desperation may stande for a sin∣gular vertue. Vna salus victis nullam sperare salutem: Virgi∣lius.
• * 1.261

  A very prety description of an olde woman▪ Sorceres play∣inge her pagent.
• * 1.262

  The tree called Bdellium.
• * 1.263

  The Priestes of Egypte, though they were Hea∣then dealte not with Sorcerie.
• * 1.264

  Sorcerie is a thinge againste nature.
• * 1.265

  Deade menne he saithe, reuerence theire parentes.
• * 1.266

  The Heathen Philosophers were of opiniō that the Soules of menne whose bodies were not buried, shoulde not come into the felowshippe of other their felowes.
• * 1.267

  The VVitche had suche death as all her for∣mer life well deserued.
• * 1.268

  Arsace Oroon∣dates wife, Si∣ster to the great Kinge of Persia.
• * 1.269

  Thyamis made Prieste after the departure of Calasiris his Father.
• * 1.270

  Petosiris dothe play an vnbro∣therly parte with Thyamis, and by meanes of Arsaces wā∣ton lookes, pro∣cureth his vn∣iust banishment.
• * 1.271

  Arsace inqui∣reth the cause why the people of Bessa comme in armoure to Memphis.
• * 1.272

  Thiamis decla∣reth the cause of his comminge.
• * 1.273

  Arsace dothe answeare This amis.
• * 1.274

  Arsace sentence betwene Thia∣mis and Petosi∣ris, as touchinge the Priesthoode.
• * 1.275

  An excellent example of Bro∣therly nature in Thiamis, wher∣by is plainely declared the force against his wil, caused him to folowe his former trade of lyfe. Nothinge is cer∣taine in this worlde.
• * 1.276

  The Battaile betwene Thia∣mis and Petosi∣ris.
• * 1.277

  Calasiris com∣meth to the Bat∣taile of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.278

  A Louers eie is quicke of sight.
• * 1.279

  Arsace in Ia∣lousie of Cari∣clia.
• * 1.280

  Calasiris agre∣eth his Sonnes.
• * 1.281

  Calasiris ma∣keth his Sonne Thiamis Prieste.
• * 1.282

  Arsace almoste madde with Loue to warde Theagenes.
• * 1.283

  Cibele Arsaces Chamberlaine and Bawde, doth comforte her, and promi∣seth to subdue Theagen••s.
• * 1.284

  A description of Theagenes.
• * 1.285

  Calasiris death.
• * 1.286

  Theagenes and Cariclia, are conueyed into Arsaces house, by Cibeles craf∣ty meanes.
• * 1.287

  The discommo∣dities of a wan∣dringe life.
• * 1.288

  Comely 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.289

  betweene whō acquaintaunce oughte to be.
• * 1.290

  Cariclias lamē∣tation, for the death of Cala∣siris.
• * 1.291

  Achemenes, Sonne of Cibele, falleth in Loue with Cariclia.
• * 1.292

  Theagenes and Cariclia, were serued very cor∣tuously at the firste, but their sweete meate had sower sauce in the ende. Theagenes is sente for to Ar∣sace.
• * 1.293

  After Cibele had by many circumstances vttered the Loue that Arsace bare towarde Theagenes, and he woulde not vnderstande the same shee was forced plainely to tell the same with a shame∣lesse Oration, wherein she de∣clareth the pro∣perties of suche like Lasciuious woomē passinge finely.
• * 1.294

  Ialousie▪ a natu∣rall disease to woomen, trou∣bleth Cariclia a little.
• * 1.295

  Loue is a mis∣chieuous thing.
• * 1.296

  Arsace swea∣reth to geue Cariclia in Ma∣riage to Ache∣menes, in re∣cōpence wherof he proueth The∣agenes to be her bondeman.
• * 1.297

  Necessitie deui∣s••th many shiftes.
• * 1.298

  Theagenes his talke with Ar∣sace, whereby is the Mariage of Cariclia and A∣chemenes bro∣ken o••.
• * 1.299

  It is not meete that a wooman of good paren∣tage, shoulde be Married to a bonde slaue.
• * 1.300

  An excellente sentence.
• * 1.301

  Theagenes ge∣ueth Acheme∣nes a cruell nippe.
• * 1.302

  VVhat anger Ialousie, Loue, &c. woulde make a mā doo.
• * 1.303

  Phaeil, Siene, Eliphantina, are Citties in E∣gypte.
• * 1.304

  Smaragdi.
• * 1.305

  A wise policie whereby Hy∣daspes tooke Philae.
• * 1.306

  Archamenes dothe accuse Arsace to her husbande Oro∣ondates.
• * 1.307

  Oroondates sen∣deth Bagoas, to 〈…〉〈…〉 Theage∣nes and Cari∣clia to him.
• * 1.308

  His Letters to Arsace.
• * 1.309

  His Letters to Euphrates.
• * 1.310

  Thiamis desi∣reth to haue Theagenes and Cariclia, to pro∣uide for them as his Father com∣maunded him.
• * 1.311

  Though a man do trauell all the daies of his youthe, yet he desireth to draw homewarde at length. There∣fore home hath no felowe.
• * 1.312

  The properties of warre and peace.
• * 1.313

  Arsace denieth the deliuery of the prisoners to Thiamis, and in so doinge dothe declare the pro∣perty of disclo∣sed Louers.
• * 1.314

  VVhat woomen whiche dwell togeather with menne be hable to doo.
• * 1.315

  Cibeles vnhap∣py Councell to Arsace againste. Theagenes.
• * 1.316

  VVhat the eye seeth not, the harte rueth not.
• * 1.317

  All Eunuches are by nature Ialous.
• * 1.318

  Cibele goeth a∣boute to poyson. Cariclia.
• * 1.319

  VVee soone be∣leue what wee woulde haue come to passe. Cibele dothe fall into the pitte, that shee digged for Ca∣riclia, whereby wee maie see that euill Coun∣cell is worste to him that ge∣ueth it. The propertie of poyson.
• * 1.320

  Cariclia is con∣demned to the fire.
• * 1.321

  Cariclies prayer.
• * 1.322

  The fire woulde not touche Ca∣riclia.
• * 1.323

  A Louer is more greeued at his friendes harme then his owne.
• * 1.324

  VVhy the Fire touched not Ca∣riclia.
• * 1.325

  Bagoas com∣meth to Mem∣phis, and taketh away Theage∣nes and Cari∣clia.
• * 1.326

  The eye of Iu∣stice doth bringe to lighte euill deedes, be they neuer so closely donne.
• * 1.327

  Arsace hanged her selfe, after shee hearde that Theagene•• and Cariclia were gonn••.
• * 1.328

  VVhat some would doo to be reuenged of theire enimies.
• * 1.329

  Celerity is a principall ver∣tue in warre.
• * 1.330

  VVhat people the Trogloditae are, and the māners of their Countrie.
• * 1.331

  Theagenes, and Cariclia are ta∣ken prisoners of the Aethiopian foreriders.
• * 1.332

  In what estima∣tion Eunuches are in the Court of Persia.
• * 1.333

  In what case Theagenes, and Cariclia were.
• * 1.334

  Siene besieged by Hydaspes, and the feates of Armes wrought before the same.
• * 1.335

  Theagenes, and Cariclia pre∣sented to Hi∣daspes.
• * 1.336

  Golde serueth for suche vses in Aethiopia. as I∣ron doth in o∣ther Countries.
• * 1.337

  Siene a paterne of a miserable besieged Cittie.
• * 1.338

  In warre be newe diuises alwaies.
• * 1.339

  In extremitie euery thinge is fearefull.
• * 1.340

  A wise Ora∣tion of a Gen∣tilman of Siene.
• * 1.341

  The Oration of Hidaspes Soul∣diers besieged in Siene, where∣in Hidaspes is commended for all the vertues requisite or needefull for a Kinge.
• * 1.342

  The folie of O∣roondates.
• * 1.343

  Niloa a feaste that the Egyp∣tians keepe in the honour of Nylus.
• * 1.344

  VVhy Nilus is in suche honour with the Egi∣ptians.
• * 1.345

  Oroondates sub∣tile escape from Siene to Ele∣phantina.
• * 1.346

  A pitifull sighte.
• * 1.347

  The order of Oroondates his armie.
• * 1.348

  Howe the Per∣sian Horseman is armed.
• * 1.349

  Howe a Iacke is made.
• * 1.350

  Howe Hidaspes ordered his Ar∣my.
• * 1.351

  Trogloditae a people of Ae∣thiopia.
• * 1.352

  Blemmies and Seres, are people of Aethiopia al∣so.
• * 1.353

  A notable facte of the Blem∣mies.
• * 1.354

  The Elephant is almost inuulne∣rable.
• * 1.355

  Howe the Tro∣gloditae weare their Arrowes.
• * 1.356

  VVhereof the Trogloditae make their Ar∣rowes.
• * 1.357

  The Egyptians care not for deathe.
• * 1.358

  Hidaspes dothe gette the victo∣ry, and Oroon∣dates flieth.
• * 1.359

  Achemenes woulde kill O∣roondates, but is slaine him selfe by an Aethio∣pian who taketh him prysoner.
• * 1.360

  The especiall prayse of a no∣table Captaine.
• * 1.361

  A prety cōmu∣nication be∣twene Hidaspes and Oroōdates.
• * 1.362

  The nature of a cruell and ty∣rannous Kinge.
• * 1.363

  In warre oft is occasion profe∣red of well do∣inge.
• * 1.364

  Good Kinges haue euer had their firste and greatest care to serue God well.
• * 1.365

  VVhat sightes the people of Siene shewed Hidaspes.
• * 1.366

  Nylus runneth through Aethio∣pia, before it commeth into Egypte.
• * 1.367

  Great matters may not be sleightly hand∣led, and here is a passinge wittie conference be∣tweene Thea∣genes and Ca∣riclia.
• * 1.368

  Good men will not breake a vowe to God.
• * 1.369

  To whom to∣kens are tokens.
• * 1.370

  It is by nature decreed that e∣uery Creature hathe a maruei∣lous loue to that whiche is in∣gendred of it selfe: and this appeareth moste in mankinde.
• * 1.371

  Hidaspes dreame.
• * 1.372

  Hidaspes his e∣qual minde and great ••lemencie to Oroondates, and he is also a perfitte paterne of all vertues whiche beseme a Kinge.
• * 1.373

  Hidaspes Let∣ters to the Coū∣sailours of Me∣roe.
• * 1.374

  Hidaspes Let∣ter to his wife Persina.
• * 1.375

  Persinas dreame
• * 1.376

  Hidaspes very wel beloued of his Subiectes.
• * 1.377

  Nilus, Asasoba, and Astabora flouddes of Ae∣thiopia beside Meroe.
• * 1.378

  Meroe.
• * 1.379

  The length and breadth of the Iland wherein Meroe is.
• * 1.380

  VVheate and other fruite of Aethiopia.
• * 1.381

  The Reedes of Aethiopia are great belike.
• * 1.382

  The manner of there Sacrifice.
• * 1.383

  Captiuitie, VVarre, &c. maketh many euill deedes▪ to be pardonned.
• * 1.384

  The maner how the Aethiopians tried the Virgi∣nitie of the yonge men and Maydes appoin∣ted to be Sacri∣ficed.
• * 1.385

  VVhat Sacrifice the Goddes like beste.
• * 1.386

  Sisimithres de∣fineth Iustice excellently well with all the duties and pointes thereof.
• * 1.387

  By Writinges and witnesses is euery contro∣uersie is Lawe determined.
• * 1.388

  VVho is the beste Iudge.
• * 1.389

  So ought all good menne to liue.
• * 1.390

  Cariclia knowē to be Hidaspes his Daughter.
• * 1.391

  Nature ouercō∣meth all things
• * 1.392

  All this Oratiō of Hidaspes, de∣clareth what is the duety of a good Kinge.
• * 1.393

  Tokens that the people loued their Kinge well.
• * 1.394

  The people will not lette Cari∣clia be Sacrifi∣ced.
• * 1.395

  Cariclia by many circum∣stances decla∣reth her Loue, but her Father vnderstandeth her not.
• * 1.396

  Meroebus a yonge Kinge, to whom Cariclia was after pro∣mised to wife.
• * 1.397

  Meroebus pre∣senteth Hida∣spes with a Champion.
• * 1.398

  The Seres geue Hidaspes twoo garmentes of very straunge worke.
• * 1.399

  VVhat the Em∣bassadours of happy Arabia gaue.
• * 1.400

  VVhat the Tro∣gloditae gaue, and the Blem∣mies.
• * 1.401

  The Axiomitae geue Hidaspes a straunge beast whiche is here described, and of the fascion of his body, called Cameloperdalis.
• * 1.402

  A wonderfull actiue feate of Theagenes.
• * 1.403

  The property of a Motherly na∣ture.
• * 1.404

  Theagenes wrastleth with Meroebus his man, and ouer∣commeth him.
• * 1.405

  Oroondates let∣ters to Hida∣spes.
• * 1.406

  Caricles com∣meth into Ae∣thiopia to seeke Cariclia.
• * 1.407

  Caricles telleth Hidaspes howe Cariclia came out of Greece.
• * 1.408

  VVho ought by Iustice to make restitution of a wronge.
• * 1.409

  Too muche ioye blindeth the wisest men of∣tentimes.
• * 1.410

  Theagenes and Cariclia, are married by con∣sente of Hyda∣spes, and are made Priestes, he the Sunnes, and shee the Moones.
• * 1.411

  The Prophecy in the ende of the seconde Booke fulfilled.