The faire Æthiopian Dedicated to the King and Queene. By their Maiesties most humble subiect and seruant, William L'isle.

THE Faire AEthiopian.

THe King then sent his Army part before, And followes with the rest along the shore Of flowrie Nile, vntill he came beyond The Cataracts, he there forsooke the strond, And drew to Midland-ward as far as Phile, From Sien (as I said) some thirteene mile. And thence he sent another multitude, Led well as need was (for they were but rude) Of common Souldiours marching merrily Before the King, who staid to fortifie. When that was done, he sent two horse-men post, To signifie, the King with all his Hoast Is comming home, and means to gratifie The Gods with Sacrifice for victorie: As by his letters more at large is seene, Both vnt' his sacred Councell and the Queene: To Councell thus; These are to let you know My conquest of the Persian forces; though I vaunt not of it: Fortune is vnstable; And all her turnings hold I venerable: But you, that alwayes heretofore and now Foretold me truth, I cannot but allow This testimony for your Priesthoods sake; And pray, and charge you further paines to take; And come in person, answering our hopes, At full Assembly of our Aethiopes,

To grace the businesse with your grauitie, While we doe sacrifice for victorie: And thus to Queene; We haue quite ouerthrown Our enemies, and herewithall be known (That most concerneth you) in health we are: A solemne sacrifice therefore prepare, And call our Wisemen to the sacred field, And meet vs there your selfe, due thanks to yeeld Vnto the Gods, protectors of our Land, The Sun and Moone, and all that for vs stand, I haue my dreame, quoth she; last night me thought, A goodly daught'r into the world I brought, Of marriageable state. The Warre my throwes, And Victorie my goodly daughter showes. Then to the Citie messengers she sent: That Loto-garlands had for ornament; A flowre (not much vnlike the flowre of Franks) With growing gold that crowneth Nilus banks; And shaking Palmes in hand on horse they road Th'rowout the Citie and Suburbs all abroad. The people know the signe without the voyce Of Victorie, and greatly gan reioyce: Yet more for safetie of that their gracious King, Than for the Persian Army conquering. They thicke and three-fold to the Temples crowd; And offer sacrifice, and sing alowd In Citie, Parish, Ward, and Family; They him so loue, for right and clemencie; For ruling them with tender pietie, And neuer shewing point of tyrannie. The Queene then sent into the sacred fields, All manner beasts and fowle the Countrey yeelds; Enough to sacrifice with foule and beast, And furnish-out a solemne publike feast. Then goes she to the wise Gym••••osophers, Acquaints them with the Kings desire and hers,

But stayes a while till they their Gods demand, What should be done; and loe in turne of hand Sisimithres comes forth, their chiefe Anoint, And saith they come; for so the Gods appoint; But some great tumult, by their prophesies, It seemes there will be made at sacrifice; Yet well shall end: as though part of your ground, Or of your selfe, were lost, and shall be found. I doe not feare (quoth she) those fearfull signes, In presence of such reuerend Diuines: But when I heare the King is come I shall You certifie. That need you not at all, Sisimithres reparted, I know't well; And ere't be long a letter shall you tell. And as they spoke came letters from the King Vnto the Queene faire-sealed with his ring. Then straight an Herauld sent is to proclame Th'effect thereof; in Queene and Councels name; Commanding there should be no woman seene, But she, that was Diana's Priest, the Queene, And such as must be sacrificed there, As was the custome, then from eu'rywhere The men come flocking; and, a day before The time appointed, some crosse Astabore, Some Arsasoba, some the broader Nile In Reeden boats; for Meroë was an Isle With these three riuers compassed for strength; An hundred broad, three hundred mile in length: A faire and fruitfull soyle; it bore a reed That made a boat, would carrie three with speed, All wer't but slit, at leauell line and poynt, No more than Nature gaue twixt joynt and joynt. It bore some wheat so high, would hide a packe, Or man that sate on tallest horses backe: And for the seed (so mellow was the mold) It paid the husband-man three hundred-fold:

Nor only rich in these and other plants, But yearely brought the hugest Elephants; Whose ell-long tuskes (beleeue yee them that saw) Grow not in the vnder, but in th'vpper jaw; Nor were the lower jaw-bone deepe and strong Enough, to beare a tooth so large and long. And there Rhinocerots, ••ight Vnicornes, With all beasts else that haue, or haue not hornes, This Island bred, of greatest height and size, Whereof they brought for solemne Sacrifice, And for the feast, a wondrous multitude To satisfie both ciuill men and rude. Some meet the King a great way off for ioy, Some neare, and all cry-out Ʋive le Roy. The graue Gymnosophists maintaine their state, And meet the King not much beyond the gate Of sacred field; and there they kisse his hands. The Queene within the porch of Temple stands; Receiues him there with men of noble ranks, And all for victorie the Gods giue thanks. Then out of Cloyster to the place they went Of Sacrifice, and set them in their Tent: Foure-square it was, and (pillarets in steed) At eu'rie corner born-vp with a reed As big as trunke of Oake; in Canopee Met close aboue with boughs of Phoenix tree. Another Tent there was two stories high; Wherein, aboue, the pictures set are by Of Memnon, Perseus, and Andromeda: Of whom the Blackmore Kings (I cannot say How true it is, but as it is pretended) From time to time are lineally descended. Hereunder sit the graue Gymnosophists, Round about the Souldiours keepe the lists; That force of people breake not vpon those, Who should doe Sacrifice amid the close.

The King them told, what for the Common-wealth Was lately done, and all pray for his health: He then commands, according t'ancient guise, Whom-to it long'd, proceed to Sacrifice; For now the time of day grew toward Noone. Three Altars were there, two for Sun and Moone Together set, the third for Bacchus was By't selfe alone; and this for offring has All sorts of creatures: to the God of wine Th'vncleane and cleane, th'impure and pure encline. But th'other two, for either heau'nly light That all the world about doe shine so bright, The Sun white horses had, for swiftest flight; The Moone, for helping tillage, oxen white. And, while men busie be preparing those, Confused cries among the peopl' arose For humane Sacrifice of strangers tane, That, after custome, first should there be slaine. The King them all appeas'd with beck'ning hand, And for the strangers bringing gaue command. They brought are loose; the rest all heauie and sad; The Greekes vndaunted; rather seeming glad; And cheerfully Chariclia cast her eyes Vpon Persina, which the Queene espies; And marking was affected much, and said With deep-set sigh, O husband what a Maid Haue you pickt-out to kill? so sweet a face I neuer saw. With what a cheerfull grace, And haughtie courage comes she to her death? The daught'r I brought you, had she drawn her breath Till now, I thinke should beare the selfe-same age. What pitie it is, that on this bloudy stage The flowre of Maids is brought! I should delight In such a waiter, if I saue her might A Greeke I thinke, the more I pitie her case; For, if you marke it, sh'hath no Gypsie face.

A Greeke indeed, quoth he, and though she said Here parents will be here, it cannot aid. I pittie her my selfe; but cannot stead, Except it proue sh'hath lost her Maiden-head; Which must be tri'd by fire. And, if't be so, For you to take her, were it fit or no? No matter, quoth the Queene, or maid, or wife, Or otherwise; so I but saue her life. Captiuitie, and warre, and banishment, Though fault committed were, excuse intent. So said sh'and hardly could her swelling eye Conceale th'affection from the standers-by. Then call'd the King for th'artificiall fire, That wont discerne the broken from th'entire: For, though it were with burning gold made hot, Yet man or woman virgin burnt it not. That gold by fire, and woman's tri'd by gold, And men by women, cannot be control'd: Though Maid to try, by scaping thus enfir'd, It cannot be but from aboue inspir'd. Theagenes is call'd, and all admire So young, so goodly a man, t'endure the fire. To see him tri'd so, was Chariclia glad, Though no suspition of his loue she had. And grieu'd againe (when triall was so done) He should be sacrifis'd vnto the Sunne, As said the King. To her Theagenes Then softly said; among such peopl' as these Is Sacrifice reward of chastity? And death of honest life? Sweet heart, but why Reueale you not your selfe, to saue our life? You see me neere the Sacrificers knife. Or will you stay vntill you see me dead? Or till your mothers sword strike-off your head? I prethee saue me! yet I care not, I, So thou be sure to liue, although I die.

The time's at hand, quoth she; what shall I say? Our fortunes now are all at Hay now hay: Then op't her fardell, quickly drest her selfe In sacred mantle that she brought from Delph, Dispred her golden haire about her shoulders, And, to th'amazement there of all beholders, On fire she leapt in furie as 'twere diuine; That made her beautie more and more to shine, And hurt her not. All wonder, many weepe, That she her maiden-head so well should keepe, To make her die; Persina most of all Affected is, and (rising from her stall) Entreats the King. In vaine you speake, quoth he, And troubl' vs all, for that which cannot be. The Gods (you see) doe choose her, since she leapt Vpon the fire, and therefore haue her kept Vntainted hitherto: but, O yee Wise, Wherefore begin you not the Sacrifice? Sisimithres replies then out of hand, In Greeke, that all there might not vnderstand; Far bee't, O King! with Sacrifices such Polluted are w'already too too much. But wee'll aside into the Temple draw, And not assist man-sacrifising Law; Wherewith the Gods offended are we know; Yet, sith the people needs will haue it so, 'Tis meet the King doe stay and see it done; For feare the vulgar to disorder run. And after shall your Maiestie haue need Be cleansed, for assisting such a deed. And yet not so, for done it shall not bee; A beame about the strangers heads I see. Which plainly tels me that some Pow'r Diuine, In tok'n of aid hath cast on them this shine. So saying rose, and all his company So parting were Chariclia presently

From fire downe running fell before his way, And said, O reu'rend Sire, beseek you stay: I haue to plead against his royall grace; And you are only iudge in such a case; As I am told: then heare and quickly know That such a death I ought not vndergoe. The stranger then (quoth he) O King, appeales: Now doe her right, as father of Common-weales. Hydaspes smil'd, and said, how can it be, Or what hath such an one to doe with me? That shall you know (quoth he) if she declare. But (Sir) repli'd the King) you must beware You giue not way for iudgement or Appeale, To wrong a King and Fath'r of Common-weale (As you me terme) and doe me this disgrace, Against a Captiue so to plead my case. Sisimithres reparted: Equitie Respects not high Degrees, or Maiestie; But he that right with reason best maintaines At Iustice bar, is only man that raignes. But with mine owne (repli'd the King) and not With strangers ought I thus to try my lot. O Sir, a thing to subiect equitable (Repli'd the Iudge) to stranger's honourable. Then saith the King, 'tis plaine sh'hath nought to say, But only seekes to trifie time away, As loth to die: but let her speake, because Sisimithres so forward that-way drawes. Chariclia courage had enough before And hope of safetie; that name gaue her more. For she had heard that one Sisimithres Was he that gaue her first to Charicles; And then but seu'n yeeres old, ten yeeres agoe; No maruell now that him she did not know; Nor yet her he; who, then Gymnosophist But one of common sort, now led the list,

And Primate was of all. That made her raise Her hands and voyce to Heau'n; and thus she prayes; O Sun, the Founder of my Pedegree, And Gods, and Demi-Gods, mine Ancestree! Me heare and helpe! To witnesse call I you, That nothing shall I here alleage, but true. And thus begin; O King, are they your owne That thus mun die, or strangers and vnknowne? And strangers only said the King: Then she; Then must you seeke some other here for me. For I shall easly proue and make it knowne, That I no stranger am; but eu'n your owne. He maruell'd much, and call'd her Counterfetter: Small things are these (quoth he) now heare you greater: For I shall proue me not borne only here, But of Bloud royall, to your selfe full neere. The King it scorn'd, and her, for words so vaine And new deuised; she reparts againe, With sober count'nance and behauiour milde; Most royall father scorne not so your childe! The King was wroth, and said, Sisimithres, And you the rest, how long thus will it please Your sacred Wisdome, that I this endure? Away with her: I haue no childe I'm sure: Though once I had a guirle that quickly di'de, As all you know; and I had none beside; Away with her. Not till the Iudge so say, Quoth she; you iudge not, but are iudg'd to day. Your Law perhaps you suffers stranger kill; That childe you slay, nor Law, nor Nature will: And that your childe I am, though you say no, The Gods themselues this day will plainly show. Two kindes of Arguments, as I am tould, Are chiefly vs'd in proofe: the first enroul'd By writing are, the second firmly stand On witnesse vnexcept on either hand.

I bring them both; and offer'd to be seene Her cradle-band displaid before the Queene: She lookt thereon amaz'd at case so strange, And at her guerle, with many a counter-change. Now it, now her she view'd, then her, then it; And fell a sweating with a shaking fit, For ioy, and feare, and doubt what might befall; And what the King would thinke, and what they all, That she with honour could a daughter bring So much vnlike her selfe, vnlike the King. The King perceiu'd her passion, and, what ill, (Sweet heart, quoth he) hath done thee that same Bill? What ailes my Loue? she not a word, but O King, Lord, and Husband, read it you and know: Then sad and silent gaue it him; and hee The Wisemen call'd, with him to read and see. They looke well on it all, and, as they looke, With much amaze Sisimithres was strooke; And now the writing, then the Princesse ey'd: And when the King was partly satisfi'd About the Babe, and putting forth, and cause That mou'd the Queene thereto; with little pause He said, I know a guerle I had; but told Was by Persina dead and laid in mold; Put-out now first I heare: but where's the man That tooke, brought-vp, and kept her? shew who can. How came sh'int'Aegypt? wherefore was not he, That brought her thither, tak'n as well as she? How are we sure that this is she, and not One foysted-in by politike complot Of such as may true babe extinguished, Or got these tokens after she was dead, Abusing them and my well-known desire Of childe, me to succeed in this Empire? To that Sisimithres; Your Maiestie Well knowes I may not, nor haue cause to lye.

What since became of her I little weene, But I am he that tooke her from the Queene, And seu'n yeeres kept her close, till you in fine Me sent int'Aegypt for the Smaragd-mine. Then thith'r I take her with me; there I seeke To place her safe, and with an honest Greeke. And this no doubt is her owne swadling-band, A th'inside writ with Queene Persina's hand. But heare (young Lady) said he more, and smil'de▪ I other things then left him with the childe. Loe here, quoth she, and jewels shew'd, whereon The Queene well looking, stood as still as stone. How now (then quoth the King) what finde you more? Something (quoth she) that Ile not speake before So many men, but I shall be your debtor To tell you all, albeit in priuate better. Chariclia saw the King yet full of doubt, And smilingly these words-into burst-out. Sir, these my mothers tokens are, but (see) This one is yours, and shew'd the Pantarbee. The King it knew full fell, and said at sight, This was mine owne indeed; how came you by't? For why? your colour, here so peregrine, Doth plainly shew you can be none of mine. Then said Sisimithres, the childe was white That I so tooke; and time accordeth right With age of this young Damsell; yea me thinks Her face the same, both when she lookes and winke: And such a beautie neuer haue I seene Before, nor since, and this had of the Queene. More like a Patron than a Iudge you say, Repli'd the King: but yet take heed, I pray, Lest one doubt cleering, you a greater bring, And moue suspect betwixt the Queene and King: For how can we, that are a Blackmore paire, Beget a childe so beautifull and faire?

The Wiseman lookt on King with twiring eyes, And said, a Iudge must justice patronize. Yet still (my Liege) I thinke I speake for you, As well as her, and helpe you to your due. And what if I for her, now growne, doe striue, For whom, a childe, I stroue, to keepe aliue? That of your body you might leaue an heire; And will you cast her off, because so faire? For that, the roule, of Queene Persina's hand, Will satisfie you, if it well be scand. To cleere the case yet further, call I pray (At hand it is) for your Andromeda: The picture's brought and set hard by the Maid, And all that lookt on them admiring said; O father know your childe, mistrust not mother, For, but by life, we know not t'one from t'other. Hydaspes doubts no more, but of his dreame Then spoke againe, to ratifie the theame: So did the Queene, and both the Parents gaze▪ On daughters face, and on Andromeda's. Yet said Sisimithres; Royall Descent, And Crowne, and Scept'r is waightie consequent: And truth most waightie of all: another signe I know, may best th'Imperiall cause define. Your left arme (Lady) shew; 'tis no disgrace To shew a naked arme in such a case. If you be that same royall childe I knew, Aboue your elbow a marke there is of blue. She shew'd, and so it was; like azure ring On pollisht Iu'rie; this when saw the King, He was perswaded; and Persina then, Forgetting state among so many men; Ran from her Throne as if sh'had beene halfe wilde, Embras'd, and kist, and hugg'd so fast her childe; That, through so sudden ioyes extremitie With mourning mixt, she fell int' extasie.

Hydaspes pittied her, yet like affect He felt in minde with manly courage checkt. But, when he saw them both together fall, He rais'd them vp, and kist them both withall. And on his daughter wept, to make amends For hard beleefe: Yet thus said; You my frends, And loyall people see this strange euent, And will (I thinke) if I desire, consent To saue the life of this vnhoped Heire Apparent to my Crowne, although so faire: But for your sake and safetie, for the Law, I may not spare her; so began to draw Her toward th'Altar; All cry-out on high, The Gods haue well declar'd she should not die This cruell death; O saue the Royall Bloud! And stept betwixt, and crowding stiffly stood To stay his passage; and yet further cry, You fath'r of people fath'r a family! I thanke you for your loue, quoth he, and staid, And turn'd about, and to the Princesse said; That you, so faire one, yet my daughter are, Howeuer call'd, the Gods and these declare. But what is he, that was with you surpris'd, And stands at th'Altar to be sacrifiz'd? How hapt you call'd him brother heretofore? For, but your selfe, I children had no more. Chariclia bent her eyes downe to the ground, And blushing said; it was that fearfull stound Constrain'd me so; but what he is indeed (Please you him aske) himselfe can best arreed. I crie you mercie (smiling quoth he than) That blush I made you, speaking of the man. But stay and keepe your mother companie, And of your fortunes tell her th'historie; So may you bring her now more ioy and mirth, Than at the day of your admired birth.

Of solemne Sacrifice I must haue care, And in your stead another Maid prepare To die with him. The Princesse at that word Was like to skreame, yet held, and said; my Lord And royall father, sith the peoples minde Is, for my sake, to spare the femall kinde; They looke not for another, or if need Require a paire must on your Altar bleed; 'Twere good you had another man; for he Cannot be sacrificed, but with me. The Gods forbid, quoth he; why say you so? Because with him (quoth she) I stay, or goe; I liue, or die, as Destin hath defin'd. I like (quoth he) your charitable minde To saue your fellow-pris'ner; but in truth It cannot be: to th'Altar must this Youth: And that the people were content to spare Mine only thee, was heau'nly Powers care. O King (quoth she) the Gods that had the care This body of mine, so little worth, to spare; Will spare my soule; and what that is they know, That haue ordain'd (before) it should be so. If otherwise, and that this man must dye; This one thing grant m'I pray, that none but I Him sacrifise, to shew these all about Your daughters heart, like true bloud-royall stout. The King was vext, and said; of this your minde, So contrarie, no reason can I finde. At first this stranger sought you to defend, And now, as if he neuer were your frend, But vtter foe, you would your selfe him kill: I see no good can thence arise, but ill: Nor can it with our reputation stand, For you to take that office now in hand. For none weilds here the sacrificing knife, But Priest of Sun and Moone, the man and wife.

That hinders not, quoth she at mothers eare; For I haue one that may that title beare. You shall, repli'd the Queene in softly voyce, When for your good and ours we make the choyce. There need no choosing one already had, Quoth she. Alas (quoth he) my daughter's mad; Or, ouerjoy'd with sudden change, in chat, As in a dreame, she speakes she knowes not what; Him brother cals, that is not; saue him would At first, and kill him now: She thinkes she could Be maid and wife at once: Deere wife her take Into your Tent, and see what you can make Of these her words; or labour to recall Her wits againe before she lose them all; I must send-out to seeke some other Maid, For her to die; and meane time shall be staid To giue Embassadours their audience, That late are come (I know not yet from whence) I thinke our conquest to congratulate: Soone after set himselfe in chaire of State, And orderly them call'd Harmonias; That for the time thereto appointed was. Meroebus first, the Kings owne brothers son, Comes-in, and with his present thus begun; My Sou'raigne Lord and Father, (for entail'd The Crowne was on him, if Kings Issue fail'd) For safe returne of your high Maiestie, And for our gladnesse of your victorie, We all bring presents; and my selfe this man, That oft hath plaid his prize, and euer wan; At running, wrestling, cudgelling, and cuffes, Can none come neere him. Then the fellow-puffes, And makes a present challenge; Come who dare; And naked gan there round about him stare. The King makes proclamation; Come who would: But not a man in all his Camp so bould.

So great his bulke was, post-like his vpholders, And taller he than all by head and shoulders. I thanke you sonne Meroebu••, quoth the King; And I will giue him such another thing. So did; and Elephant so growne with yeares, That all the rest about him seem'd but Steares. The beast was brought, and like the man did stare; And all the people laught at that compare. Now next to these came in the men of Sere, Who brought the King two silken robes to weare, Of daintie sleaue drawne from their wormie trees; And aske a boone vpon their naked knees. And, what it was, is vtter'd be their Prime; A pard'n of all their pris'ners for the time. The King it grants: then came-in th'Embassie Of such as dwelt in Happie Arabie. Vnhappie since, for bringing forth the sword Of Prophet false, that fights against the Word. They brought a present did such odours yeeld, As sweetly soone perfumed all the field, With Aloës, Amomum, Cassia, Canella, Stacte, Nardus Pistica, Mirrh, Ambergris, Mahaca, Labdanum, Keranna, Stor, and eu'rie precious gum; Worth many tallents. Then brought they that haue None other house, but eu'rie man his Caue; The Troglodytes, of Countrey no where cold, A yoke of Gryphons chain'd with that fine gold, Which Emmots nigh as big as Norfolke sheepe, At sand-hill-side are said to gath'r and keepe. Then came that wore, for Turban, straw in net With arrowes round about the brim beset, Point vpward, feathers downe; a radiant show They made, and stucke still ready for the bow: And bow, with shafts of hurtfull Dragons bone, These men of Blemmy brought, and thus saith one;

In all our Countrey (high and mightie King) We haue no better present now to bring, Than these; but hope your Maiestie will say They did good seruice on the battaile-day. They did indeed (repli'd the King) and were The chiefest cause of other presents here: Then aske what will you. They be seeke his Grace T'abate their tribute. He for ten yeeres space Remits it all. At last come th'Axumates, No Tributaries, but Associates; And they reioycing at this his victorie, Present him with a Camelpardalie: So strange a beast, as neuer there was seene; With Beuer-colour'd haire all dappled greene. As Camell high before, but low behinde, Doth eu'rie way his small head nimbly winde; With necke vpright, and long and slender throte, And great and rowling eyes, that stare and glote, As if he cruell were; yet is, to keepe, As debonaire and tame as oxe or sheepe. But sith his legs behinde both equall-short, Both equall-long before, could not consort With ambl' or trot, in pace his feet he sets Iust as an horse doth when he well curuets; Hath higher bounds and turnings vp and downe; And but a cord, made fast vnto his Crowne, To guide him by. When this strange beast appeer'd, And with his eyes so goggle-gloting leer'd At Horse and Bull, that ti'd were fast to th'Altars, They, scar'd therewith, broke suddenly their halters; And snorting Horse, and roaring Bull amaine Ran vp and downe that Army-closed plaine. The people gaue a shout thereat; and some For feare of harme, the beasts so nigh them come: And some cry-out and laugh, for game and sport; Not so to see their trod-downe fellowes hurt;

As more to thinke in accident so rare Of others harme, how safe themselues yet are. The noyse so great, prouokt the Queene to draw Her curtaine, so she and her daughter saw. Theagenes at Altar kneel'd, expecting The stroke of sword; yet herewithall erecting Himselfe to see, and, seeing keepe•••• gone, That other horse, which lest was, leapt vpon; With faggot-sticke in hand from Altartane, And for a bridle holding fast the mane, And kicking hard, him se•• to run so fast, That Bull they chase, and ouertake at last. At first attempt the standers by surmise The pris'ner sled to scape the sacrifice: But when they see him touch the beast behinde, And course him round, they sudden change their minde; Yea take delight, to see the Bull in drift, And held by taile, and yet the man him shift So nimble at eu'rie turne; and tame him so, That close together side by side they goe, As well acquainted now. And all admire The man that made so Horse and Bull conspire; And, that which many there admiring spoke, As 'twere to draw, had joyn'd them without yoke. But other thoughts had then the royall Maid; She of his hurt, or fall, was sore afraid: And that perceiu'd the Queene, and said; my childe, You seeme t'affect the stranger now so wilde: My selfe doe wish, him scapt these jeoperdies, To keepe him sound and fit for sacrifice. Good mother wish the man more graciously, (Quoth she) than that he scape this death to dye; Sith of your fauour this small signe you gaue him, Doe somewhat more for my sake now, and saue him. Persina thought it sauour'd of some loue, But knew not all; and said, what should you moue

T'affect him so? for sure you make me muse; Then tell me plaine: a mother can excuse Her daughters weaknesse, and well with it beare▪ Chariclia then, downe dropping many a teare, And sighing said; I speake before the wise▪ Yet am not vnderstood, and then she cries, And speakes againe; I cannot so abuse My selfe, to tell that shall my selfe accuse▪ And as she thought t'haue vtter'd somewhat more, They interrupted were with great vp rore, And shout the people made: For at the last Theagenes that horse let goe, and cast Himselfe vpon the Bull; and laid his head Betwixt the roarers hornes, and roundly sored His armes about them, clasping fast his hands Before the front; and neither sits nor stands, But on the beasts right shoulder hangs downe right, And tires him so: at length by daintie sleight, When he had run him thrice about the ring, And came to place now iust before the King, In course him tript, and on his backe with bound He laid him flat, and pight his hornes aground; They stucke so fast, he could not wag his head; But kicking lay with all foure quarters spred. The man with left hand held him downe (his right Held vp to Heau'n) and made a cheerfull sight To King and people: so much eke the more For that, as trump, the Bull began to rore And sound the praise of him that ouercame; The roring multitude then did the same; And cri'd, now let him trie his skill at full, Th'old-Elpen-man, with him that cast the Bull: Meroebus man they meane, and for him call; That this young Greeke and he may try a fall. Then at their instance was the King content; And for the Champion a Waiter sent.

Full soone came in the gyant Aethiops, On tip-toe strutting without coat or ••••ops, And eu'rie way began to goggl and start, To see the man that with him wrestle dare. To th'other then in Greeke thus said the King; You stranger, 'tis the will of all this ring, To see a combat 'twixt this man and you. I am content, quoth he; what shall we doe? No more then wrestle, quoth the King. Nay, nay, Lets fight at sharpe (quoth he) that I to day May doe some famous deed, or with my death Content Chariclia, that still holds her breath, And all this while our cases would not tell; Or hath alreadie bid me quite farewell. I know not what you mean•• by that same word, Chariclia (quoth the King) but fight with sword You may not: 'tis against the Law and guise, That bloud she shed before the Sacrifice. Theagenes, perceiuing King affraid He should be slaine before his offring, said, 'Tis well you keepe me for the Gods, and they I trust will thinke vpon my right to day. But let him come: then strid, and strongly pight H••s feet on chosen ground, with armes out-right, Backe, necke, and shoulders bent; as I suppose, To take the best aduantage at the close. The Gyant comes, as 'twere at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where can, But playes at first the Boobie more than man: For catch he meant not, though he made a show; But gaue Theagenes a waightie blow With arme on necke, and laughing started backe, And came againe to set his limbs in ••acke: Then both together grappling, tugging, springing, Aduancing, crouching, heauing, shouing, swinging, Retiring, spurning, locking, loosing, make Both aire aboue, and earth beneath them shake.

Theagenes, that from a childe had ben Instructed well by cunning wrestle-men, Not only in Greece among the Mercurites, But in Great Britain with the Cornwallites, Got-vp this heauie Slouch at last on hip; And all-asudden gaue him such a trip▪ (His owne wait helping) by a Cornish knacke; That fetcht him o're, and laid him flat on's backe. And as he fell, was ecchoed equall sound, To lump of flesh so thrasht against the ground. As dead he lay at first, stretcht out at full, Then facing Heau'n shooke heeles as did the Bull. Where at Meroebus anger'd gaue a stamp; Though greatly pleas'd therewith was all the Camp. Chariclia's colour went and came the while; But at the fall she laught beyong a smile. This Queene of Di'monds, fairest of the packe, Was she that holpe the red suit win the blacke. But soone was dampt her victorie; for loe, The King arising from his Throne, said O What pittie 'tis that such a man should die Vntimely death! but helpe it cannot I. Come young man now remaines that you be crown'd For Sacrifice; and yet this deed renown'd Deserues no lesse: then set a golden stem Vpon his head, beset with pearle and Gem: And weeping said, triumph; though, by our Lay, The ioy thereof will haue an end to day. But, sith I cannot free you, though I strivve, Aske what I may doe for you, whilst you liue, And I shall grant it. Then Theagenes, If sacrific'd I must be, let it please Your Maiestie, that your so new-found heire May vse the sword vpon me, and Ile obey her. The King was strook, remembring how that clause Agreed with hers: yet would not search the cause;

But said, I promis'd what I might, but this I may not doe; against the Law it is; That saith the Sacrifice still out be laid By one that is a wife; not by a Maid. She hath an husband, quoth the Knight. To that Repli'd the King; you speake you know not what, And like a man to die: the fire hath cleane Refuted that conceit; except you meane Meroebus here, whom I intend t'aduance By marrying her, as you haue heard perchance. You neuer shall effect it, quoth the Knight▪ If I conceiue Chariclia's minde a right▪ And you may trust me as a Sacrifice▪ That of the truth diuinely prophesies. To that Meroebus, Sacrifices slaine Doe prophesie; not while they liue remaine. And (father) well you said, and hit himpat; At point of death he speakes he knowes not what. 'Twere good you sent him vnto th'Alt'r againe, And at your leisure put him out of paine. So sent he was. The Princesse that before Had some small ioy receiu'd, with hope of more, For game at wrestling won; now gan to droope, When vnto death againe she saw him stoope. Her mother comforts her, and saith; full well He might be sau'd, if she would further tell What was betwixt them. When she saw no way, But plainly must a Maidens loue bewray, And sith it was but to the Queene that bore her, She pluckt-vp heart, and laid the case before her. Meanewhile the King, Embassadours if moe Yet were to come, a Sergeant sent to know. The same brings word againe that from Sieen Are letters come with gifts to King and Queene. A graue old man comes in, as one elect To bring the letters, and to this effect:

T'Hydaspes King of Indies West and East, Orondates, of all his Traine the least. By Deeds of Armes your valour all men see, And bounteousnesse by fauour shew'd to mee. And, sith your all-admired Maiestie, Me gaue so soone th'Aegyptian Satrapie, It makes me thinke, this little suit that I Haue now to make, you will me not deny. A certaine Maid to me from Memphis sent (As I am told by some that with her went And are escapt) is by your high command, With others captiue brought to Meroland. I pray, me send her; this I vndertake, Both for her owne and for her fathers sake, Who seeking her was tooke by some of mine Before the peace, and left at Elpentine. Now prayest' appeare before your Maiestie, In hope to taste herein your clemencie. O King, returne him not with heauie thought; But glad to finde the grace we both haue sought. When this was read, the King said, where is he That seekes a daughter captiue? let me see. Th'old man, who brought the letters said, 'tis I. Then said the King, I will you not deny A fathers suit; and well it shall me please, To grant this first request t'Orondates. There are but ten, and one hath Parents knowne; Goe view the rest, and finding take your owne. The man for verie ioy began to greet, And fell before the King, and kist his feet; Then view'd them all, but his there could not finde, And told the King; you se (quoth he) my minde; Th'old man hung downe his head and sorely wept, Yet looking vp againe, to th'Altar stept, And as in sudden furie fast he goes, And on Theagenes, as'twere a noose,

His twisted tippet casts. The Knight gaue way And let th'old man alone to doe or say What ere he list: for, though by such a swing, Content he was to come before the King, And looke againe vpon Chariclia, Deiected since he last was sent away. The Dotard puls, and cries, I haue, I haue That false Aeacide, maiden-stealing Slaue; And drawes him, willing to be drawne, before The King and State, and thus begins to rore. O King behold! this is that wicked wight Who stole my daught'r, and now, like hypocrite, At Altar kneeles: they could not well arreed, What 'twas he meant; but wonder'd at the deed. And some it pittied, some it mou'd to laughter, To heare him cry; My daughter, O my daughter! My daughter thus far haue I sought in vaine? O Templ' at Delph! O Phoebus! O Diane! The King commands him tell his case more plaine; 'Twas Charicles, who thus began againe, The maine truth hiding; Sire, I had a childe, A guirle, although I say't, both faire and milde, As any could be seene of flesh and blood; Who seru'd Diana vowing maiden-hood, In famous Templ' at Delph: this Thessalite, Himselfe pretending Achillaean Knight, From Phoebus Templ', and from within the gate, Her stole a way, and left me desolate; Wrong is't to you, that place if one profane; Your Sun is Phoebus, and your Moone Diane. When I had sought all ouer Thessalie, Pelasgiot, Estaetin, Phthiotie, And found them not, I had intelligence, The Priest of Memphis had them guided thence: And him then seeke I, but I found him dead; A sonne of his then priesting in his stead;

Who told me all; how that my guirle was sent T'Orondates: then to Siene I went, And taken was, and staid at Elpentine; Vntill the Satrap hither sent m'in fine; And here I finde, yet her I cannot say, But this the man that tooke her first a way. So held his peace, and many brackish teares Fell downe his cheekes vpon his siluer haires. Then King to Knight, to this (Sir) what say you? Theagenes repli'd; Sir, all is true. Me thiefe and rauisher confesse I must, As vnto him; but vnto you am just. Restore him then the Damsell, quoth the King. Not he that stole, but he that hath the thing (Repli'd the Knight) restore it ought; your selfe The Damsell haue the Priestesse was at Delph: 'Tis eu'n your daughter faire Chariclia; And, if he see her, so the man will say. They all are mou'd; and then Sisimithres, Who knew it true, embraced Charicles, And said, your nursling whom I once you gaue, Is well, and her now her right parents haue. With that Chariclia, this old man to meet, Ran from the Queene, and fell downe at his feet, And said, O father, deere to me as they Who me begot; because I went away So rudely leauing you and holy Delph, Take what reuenge you will, I yeeld my selfe. With that Persina kist the King, and said, Beleeue, my Lord, of this our daughter maid This all is true; and no man else but he, That noble Grecian, must her husband be. And now by many signes all vnderstood The Gods would haue no more of humane blood▪ The King agreed, and glad was of such heires, To beare with him the burd'n of Kings affaires.

Then on their head he set in full renowne, The white silke Turban with the Blackmore Crowne: And two by two to M••roë they ride; Persina with her new-come daughter Bride; Hydaspes with his sonne Theagenes; And Priest of Delphos with Sisimithres: There many dayes together and many nights They celebrate with ioy the nuptiall rites. And as they sate at boord with royall cheere, What ere was daintie, were it ne're so deere, A curle-head blacke-boy (taught by Zanzibar, Who, th'Art to learne, had trauelled as far As th'Isle of Britain) sung to th'Irish harp How Sun and Moone about the Center warp, And, passing thr'ow the signes of heauenly Ring, Make Summer first, then Autumne, Winter Spring; How Greeke Achilles Troian Hector slew, And thrice about the Citie wall him drew; How mightie Memnon, faire Aurora's son, Before he fell, had many a battell won; How Perseus came int'Aethiopia, And from Sea-monster freed Andromeda; Whose picture faire, in black Kings chamber seene, That Faire-one made be borne of Blackmore Queene. This haue I wrought with day-and-nightly swinke, To file our tongue so rough: let no man thinke It was for wealth, or any vaine desire (As of a minde that aimes at nothing higher) T'enable me to till, or let more land; T'haue men and women-seruants at command; To stretch my selfe on costly bed of state, In faire-hung chamber furnished with plate; Or in Caroch to whirle the Towne about, With humble suitors follow'd home and out; To quaffe in chrystall glasse the deerest grapes, And make my guests therewith as merrie as Apes;

To weare the linnen fine and white as milke, And purpl' engrain'd of softest wooll and silke; With mule in street to see my foot-cloth fould; In field on horse to stamp the grassie mould At wilde-goose chase; or after hawke, or hound; Or run for siluer bell, and hundred pound: For none of these: what rhen? that abl' I bee Without debt, or restraint of libertee, At land and sea, peace and war, booke and sword, With more effect to serue my Sou'raigne Lord; To write, road, giue, keepe hospitalitee, As heretofore haue done mine Ancestree: That after-c••mmers know, when I am dead I som•• goo•• 〈…〉〈…〉 life endevoured 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I cannot mu•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vse▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Make causey, drai••••, bridge, ••••••mon 〈…〉〈…〉 Poore boyes binde Prentice, marrie 〈…〉〈…〉, When Common-wealth requires such kinde of aids: Nor purchase and restore vnto the Church Th'improued Tythes that Auarice did lurch: Nor yet build wall, fort, hospitall, or schoole, To keepe my name vndrown'd in Lethe poole: Yet will I labour what I can with pen To profit my succeeding Countrey-men: In vaine (may seeme) is wealth or learning lent To man that leaues thereof no monument.

FINIS.