The loves of Clitophon and Leucippe A most elegant history, written in Greeke by Achilles Tatius: and now Englished.

THE SECOND BOOKE. (Book 2)

The Argument.

Clitophon meeting Leucippe courteth her, they breake their mindes each to other, and after many kisses and embraces part. Clitophons father, who had intended to espouse him to another, pro∣videth for his marriage, for the better successe whereof hee doth sacrifice: now a dissolute young man, named Callisthenes, who had desired to have Leucippe to wife, and was denied, resolved to take this opportunity to steale her away; but mistaking Calligo Clitophons sister for Leu∣cippe, he carieth her away by violence, with which tumult the sacrifice and marriage are both defer∣red, and Clitophon solliciteth Leucippe againe; afterwards being admitted to her bed-chamber by Clio, is almost caught by Panthia, who hearing a noise in the chamber, strictly examineth Leucip∣pe,

but she pleads ignorance; afterwards fearing lest the matter should be knowne, hee, Leucippe, Satyrus, Clinias, and two servants, resolve to flye; and finding a shippe bound for Alexandria, they enter into it, where they fall acquainted with an Aegyptian called Menelaus.

WHilst wee were thus commending our selves, wee came to Leucippe's chamber to heare her sing to her Lute, whose voice was so plea∣sant, and musicke so sweet, that I could not withdraw mine eare from it: for first she sung the combat betwixt the Bore and the Lyon, described by Homer; next a more plea∣sing song in commendation of the Rose; and if I shall wrong it so much as to say it, and not sing it, thus it was:

Should Kings o're flowers appointed be, The Rose should beare the soveraignty, That maiden blush of modest earth, Appearing ere she ha's brought forth Her summer fruits, that flowre so faire Perfuming, where it growes, the aire; Giving our sense the sweetest kisse, It patroniz'd by Venus is.

This was her song, though me thoughts the rose was all this while on her cheekes; which she had scarce ended, but immediately it was supper time. Now about this time were the fe∣stivals of Protrygaeus Dionysius celebrated, whom the Tyrians make their tutelar god, the originall of which solemnities sprang from hence. In for∣mer time there was no wine in the world, for the blacke wine which they call Anthosmia, was not yet found out, nor Bibline, Maronian, Chian or Icarian, but all these came from the Tyrians, and the first inventer of them was borne amongst Them: for they say that Dionysius upon a time happened into the house of a certain shepheard, who was much famed for his hospitality, and when this shepheard had set before him all which the earth would afford, or his team could labour for, he had no other drinke for him but that which his cattell dranke: So Dionysius highly commending his liberality, in recom∣pence thereof invited him to a cuppe of wine; which when hee dranke, hee demanded of the god whence hee had that purple water, or in what countrey she found such sweet blood, for it was not such he thought as ranne in the veins of the earth, because that goes not downe halfe so pleasantly; but you may feele this in your

nose as soone as you put it to your mouth, and though to the touch it seeme cold, yet it heates the stomacke. Then Dionysius answered, This is the water of the grape, and the bloud of the vine; so straightway bringing him to a tree, and pressing a cluster or two of the fruit, said, This is the water, this is the fountain, by which means (say the Tyrians) wine was found out; where∣fore this day was solemnly kept in honour of that great god, which my father willing most magnificently to celebrate, provided a costly supper, drinking out of a goblet of wrought glasse, in the which was the picture of Dionysius crowned with a vine, the grapes whereof hang∣ing downe on the inside of the cuppe, seemed greene while it was empty, but red and ripe when it was filled with wine.

By that time that two or three of these boules had gone round, I began to eye the maid most shamefully: For Bacchus and Venus two power∣full deities, invading a man, doe so inflame him, that they make him exceed the limits of all modesty, the one setting him on fire, the other adding fuell to that fire: for what is wine but the nourisher of lust? nor was the maid much afraid to looke on me then: so we spent ten dayes, receiving nothing from each other, save a looke, not daring to doe any

more. At length I made my minde more fully knowne to Satyrus, and desired his helpe in the businesse. All this I knew before (saith hee) but seemed to be ignorant of it, for a secret lover, if any reveale his intents, hates that man worse than a backbiter or slanderer. But my good for∣tune, I thanke her, tooke care for you, for Clio who hath the charge of Leucippes bed, is growne in favour with me, and yesterday shee told mee that you neede not trouble your selfe, for shee would helpe you to faire opportunities, and the like. But in the meane time this is but a weake triall which you make of the maides good will towards you by her eye onely, I would councell you to speake to her, which perhaps may bee more prevalent. So Pallas helpe me (said I) you councell me well, but I am afraid, for in these kindes of warres I am but a fresh water souldier. Satyrus replyed, Cupid hates a coward, for hee marches arm'd like a warriour, his arrowes, qui∣ver, darts, fire, you see are weapons shewing his audacity. Canst thou entertaine the least co∣wardly thought▪ being inspired with such a dei∣tie? Take heed I finde you not a dissembler all this while, and that at length you prove not to be in love. What I have promised I will per∣forme. I will make Clio privy to your designe,

and will see that you have an opportune time to converse with Leucippe, where no body shall in∣terrupt you. When he had said this he went his way. So I being alone, and somewhat heart∣ned with Satyrus words, strived so to compose my looks, that when I came in her sight I might not bee dasht out of countenance, saying thus with my selfe: How long thou effeminate foole wilt thou feare? why art thou so obstupified, being the souldier of so powerfull a god? what doest thou looke that shee should wooe thee? Then a little while after my minde changed, But why doest thou not rather repent thee that thou shouldest so immoderately affect her, see∣ing thy father hath provided another for thee, and she none of the deformed'st, love her I say, and thinke on her whom thou maiest marry without danger, so I seemed to perswade my selfe to this: but on the contrary straightway love speaking as it were from the bottome of my heart, gave me this answer, Durst thou take so much upon thee as to resist my power? I have wings to flye after thee, arrowes to wound thee, torches to burne thee, how canst thou thinke to escape mee? Thou maist perhaps shunne the stroke of the dart, but the fire of the torches will burne thee, and though thou hold up the shield

of continence against that too, I shall catch thee by my flight. While I was reasoning thus with my selfe, I straightway met Leucippe, whom as soone as I saw I waxed pale, and presently again blusht, (she was then all alone, for Clio had left her) and though greatly astonisht, and partly with feare, partly with shame much dejected, yet I cryed God save you mistresse; at which she sweetly smiling, and by her smile signifying that shee knew to what end that salutation ten∣ded, replyed, Am I your mistresse Sir? you doe not well to say so. Sure I doe, for I am solde to your service, as Hercules was to Omphale's. As Mercury, said you? for Iupiter gave the selling of her to him, and then she laught. What Mercu∣ry meane you, sweet? what trickes are these, see∣ing you know wel enough what I meane? while thus we wove our speeches one within another, a certaine accident stood me in much stead, for by chance the day before, about noone, Leucippe was playing on her Lute (where I was also pre∣sent) and Clio sate by her, at that time a Bee fly∣ing unexpectedly into the roome, stang Clio on the hand, with that she cryed out, and Leucippe throwing her Lute aside, lookt on the wound, and bid her be of good cheere, promising her with two words to ease her of her paine, for shee

had learn'd of a gypsie how to cure those which were stung either with Bee or Wasp; so straight∣way shee repeated some certaine spells, after which Clio confest her selfe to bee much eased: now at this very time as I was talking with her, a waspe flew about me, so catching hold of this occasion, I clapt my hand to my face, feigning my selfe to be stung, and in great paine: she pre∣sently running unto me snatcht away my hand, and askt me what part was hurt? I answered, my lips, my dearest Leucippe, why dost thou not con∣jure? then shee put her mouth to mine as if shee would have charmed, and touching my lips she mumbled I know not what; in the meane time I stole many kisses from her, whilst shee in spea∣king, sometimes opening, sometimes shutting her lips, made her inchantments kisses, wherfore I grew bolder, and kist her againe, offering also to imbrace her, but she straightway started back, saying, What will you doe? will you conjure too? Yes said I, but I will kisse out my conjura∣tion, for by that meanes you cured mee even now. Which when shee had understood, and smiled on me, I beganne to take courage, and spake to her on this wise: Ah my dearest Leu∣cippe, I am prickt worse than I was before, for the sting hath pierc't even to my heart, and re∣quires

thy helpe to cure it, thou truly carriest the Bee in thy mouth, for therein thou hast ho∣ney, and in thy kisses a sting, wherefore prithee once more charme againe, but dispatch not so soone lest the wound bleed afresh. So I embra∣ced her, which shee seemed to resist, yet never∣thelesse suffered mee to doe: meane while her maid comming a farre off, wee parted each a se∣veral way, I very unwillingly, but she with what minde I know not. Ever after that, my hopes were augmented, and the kisses she gave me, me thoughts I plainly felt still on my lips, the sweet∣nesse whereof I was as wary in keeping, as of a magazen of treasure, for this is the first and greatest pleasure which lovers take, comming from the most comeliest and beautifull part of the body. For the mouth is the instrument of the voice, and the voice is nothing but the shadow of the minde; now the touch of the lips working delight in the heart, drawes our mindes to kisse each other. Nor truly doe I remember that ever my senses had a more pleasing object, for I never tasted any thing halfe so sweet as those kisses shee gave mee.

As soone as supper was ready we sate downe againe, and Satyrus which filled our wine would change Leucippes cup for mine promiscuously,

so I observing which part of the cup she put her lips to put that to my mouth, feigning it to bee a kisse sent unto me, which shee observing did the like to me; this pleased mee the more, because we did not doe it once, or twice, but all the day long. When supper was done, Satyrus met mee and told mee, now is the time for you to shew your selfe a man, for the maids mother is gone to bed you know, and Leucippe will walke with Clio, and her I will draw away with some talke or other; so every thing went as we wisht; for Clio was led away, and Leucippe was walking by her selfe, wherefore taking the advantage of the evening, and imboldened with the successe of my former onset, I came upon her like a souldier that had already conquered, not fearing the danger of the battaile, for I had many weapons to trust to, to wit, wine, hope, love, and solitari∣nesse; so I saluted her, and when we should have conferred farther for our marriage, wee heard a great noise behinde us, at which affrighted, wee parted, Leucippe to her chamber, and I to another part of the house, much grieved that I had lost so faire an opportunity, and cursing those that made the noise; whilst suddenly Satyrus meetes me with a merry countenance, who seemed to be an eye-witnesse of what we did, while he sate

under a tree to watch whether any one came, so spying some body, he knew not who, comming towards us, he made the noise.

Some few dayes after, sooner than he had in∣tended, my father beganne to provide for my wedding, by reason of many strange dreames that troubled him, for he dreamed that so soone as hee had kindled our nuptiall torches, they were immediately put out, and which troubled him most of all, the bride and bridegroom were stolne away; so the day of our marriage was ap∣pointed, and all things necessary for the bride; an ornament for her necke set with divers pre∣cious stones, her garment all of purple, only that part which in other garments is purple, was in hers woven with gold. The precious stones seemed to contend with each other in bright∣nesse, the Iacinth was the colour of the rose, the Amethist inclined somewhat toward the colour of gold; in the middle were three stones so pla∣ced, that one received the colour from the o∣ther, for they were all joyned in one, the lower part was blacke, the upper part which was sharp as the top of a speare, was red; the bottome be∣ing white cast his rayes on the red and blacke: the stone it selfe set in gold lookt like a golden eye: nor were her garments of the common

purple, but such as the Tyrians say was found out by the Shepheards dog, & such as Venus veile is dyed in. There was a time whē the use of purple was not knowne to men, for it was hid in a little shell, some few wherof a certain fisherman took, supposing them to be fish, but seeing the shell so rough, hee cast them away, which by chance a shepheards dogge lighting on, brake with his teeth, the bloud whereof dyed his jawes; so the shepheard seeing his dogges mouth bloudy, and supposing him to bee wounded, went to the sea side to wash it, but the colour was the brighter for washing: hence the shepheard knew the na∣ture of the shell, that it had in it some excellent tincture, and that he might the better search out the whole matter, hee let some of it drop into a piece of wooll, by this meanes unlocking the rare mystery of purple, and adding a new trea∣sure to the fullers trade.

My father now as the custome was, did sacri∣fice before the marriage, which when I percei∣ved I judged my selfe quite lost, and was think∣ing on some meanes to defer all till some other time, when suddenly as I was thus thinking, a great shout was made, the reason whereof was this: when my father had slaine the sacrifice, and laid it on the Altar, an Eagle snatcht it a∣way

maugre all the standers by.

This being taken as an ill omen, there was no wedding kept that day, but my father sent for Augurs, and related to them what had hap∣pened, so they councelled him to goe to the sea side, and to sacrifice to Iupiter Hospitalis, for that way the Eagle flew: but this matter was quickly husht, for the Eagle was never seene af∣ter; at which happy event I was much deligh∣ted, commending the Eagle above measure, and saying that for this one act shee well deser∣ved to bee styled the Queene of birds. But that which was portended by this omen not long af∣ter came to passe; for Callisthenes a young man of Byzantium, who having a faire estate left him by his parents (which not long before dyed) was rich, yet withall very luxurious. This Calist∣henes hearing that Sostratus had a very beautifull daughter, though hee had never seene her, de∣sired to have her to his wife: For so inordinate are the desires of an intemperat man, that a rumour will set him on fire, and his eare can challenge as much part in his love as his eye. Therefore before the warre beganne, hee desired of Sostratus that hee might have the maid to wife, but he, misliking it seemes his debauched life, denyed him: at that Callisthenes supposing himselfe to bee underva∣lued,

and condemned by Sostratus, was much enraged, yet dissembled his anger, & bethought himselfe how hee might have his will on the maid, and be revenged on Sostratus. Now there was a law amongst the Byzantians, that if any one had stole away a Virgin, and had offered violence unto her, he should have no other pu∣nishment inflicted on him than to marry her. Callisthenes calling this to minde, thought on a fit opportunity to steale her away, and though the warre was hot, and hee knew shee was at my Fathers house, yet he desisted not to lay wait, in which businesse this matter was a great helpe to him. There was this Oracle given to the By∣zantians.

A little Iland you shall see, Which tooke its first name from a tree, Seeming by a small streake of land, To take the continent by th'hand: You may bee sure to finde the place Where Vulcan Pallas doth imbrace, There see that to Amphytrions sonne, A solemne sacrifice bee done.

Whilst they were doubting what Iland the O∣racle meant, Sostratus for he as I told you was a

chiefe commander in the warres, said, that it was time that they should to Tyre to do sacrifice to Hercules, for by all likelyhood that should be the place the Oracle intended, since the answer was this, the Iland took its name from a tree, & Phoenix in the Tyrian tongue signifies the branch of a Palme tree. Now Tyre is an Iland of the Phoenicians for which the sea and the earth con∣tend, this drawing it to her selfe, the other stri∣ving to wash it away being it lyes on the sea, and yet is not parted from the earth, but by the help of a narrow path, is joyned to the continent, which path is as it were the neck of the Iland, not lying on the bottome but floating upon the top of the water, affording a strange spectacle, a City in the Sea, and an Iland on the land. Now what was meant by Vulcan and Pallas wee may construe to bee oyle and fire, both which are there joyned together; for in a certaine holy place an Olive tree growes, incompast in with flames, which consume not the tree but make the Olives the better, as if betwixt them there were a mu••••••ll league▪ and here Minerva refuses not the society of V••••can.

Then Chaerephon Sostratus colleague in the warre, and of more authority than him, because hee was of Tyre, extolling him above measure

said, thou hast well interpreted the answere of the Oracle: but dost thou think that the nature of fire onely is to bee admired, water hath its miracles too, some whereof I my self have seen. There is a fountaine in Sicilia containing water mingled with fire, wherein you may see the flames leaping up from the bottome, yet if you but touch the water, it is as cold as snow; nor yet doth the water extinguish the fire, or the fire heat the water, but betwixt them there is a truce. There is also in Spaine a river, which you would thinke at the first sight differed not at all from other rivers, but if you listen more atten∣tively, you shall heare it make a great noise; for when a little winde hath raised the waves there∣of, they are like so many strings of an Harpe, which the winde being the quill playes on. There is also a Lake in Lybia, the sand whereof differs not much from that in the Indian rivers, which Lake the Virgins in that Countrey know to bee rich for its wealth, which lies hid under water, mingled with the mud; a fountaine of gold flowing there: now they let ••••wn a long staffe besmear'd with pitch▪ & even as the hook is to the fish, so is this sticke to the gold; for it catches it, and the pitch serves in stead of the bait, to which as much gold as it toucheth stick∣eth,

and by this meanes they take it out of the the Lybian Sea.

Chaerephon having spoken this he sent those to Tyre which should do sacrifice, the City allow∣ing of it, wherefore Callisthenes feigning himselfe to be one of the overseers of the sacrifice, made what haste he could to Tyre, and having learned where my father dwelt, laid snares for the wo∣men who came to view the pompe of our sacri∣fice, which was most sumptuously set forth, with great store of incense, & all varieties of flowers; the chiefest of the incense was Cassia, Franckin∣cense, and Saffron; of the flowers, the Rose, Daf∣fadilly, and Myrtle. All of them smell'd so sweet that they seemed as it were to contend which should delight much. The beasts to bee sacri∣ficed were many, the chiefe whereof were Ae∣gyptian Bulls, which are not only admirable for their colour but their height: a huge stature they are, of having a fat neck, broad shoulders, a great belly, and hornes not like those of Sicilia bending downward, or deformed as those of Cyprus, but such as sprouting out to a great length, are by little and little so bowed, till their toppe come to be distant each from other no further than the rootes; representing in a man∣ner the forme of a full moone; the colour they

are of is that which Homer commends in the Thracian horses: this beast marcheth with his head stately erected, as if hee were King of the rest, into this kind of Bull sure did Iupiter turne himselfe, if the story lie not, when hee stole Eu∣ropa. Now at that time it happened that my mother in law was not well, Leucippe also feign∣ing her selfe to bee sicke, (for wee agreed it should bee so till all were gone forth) stayed at home, so that no body but my sister Caligo went forth with Panthia, Leucippe's mother. So Calli∣sthenes which had never seene Leucippe, took Ca∣ligo to bee her, for hee knew Panthia very well, and consulting with no body whether it were her or no (for I thinke now he was quite blind) made no more adoe but shewed her to one of his servants, in whom he put trust, and comman∣ded him to provide theeves to steale her away; prescribing withall the manner how it should be done, telling him that the solemnity was at hand, wherein all the virgins were to goe down to the sea side; which when he had spoken, ta∣king no care for the sacrifice, he departed. Now he had a private ship, which hee had furnished before hee came forth to the furtherance of the businesse which hee intended; the rest of his company, which seemed to be of those who had

the overseeing of the sacrifice, launcht into the middle of the sea, but Callisthenes went not farre from the shore, that he might not only see what company came, but also lest his ship being neare Tyre, after the fact was done, he should present∣ly be pursued and taken. As soone as hee came to Saraptas, a street of the Tyrians situate in the sea, there he provided those which should lye in ambush, and committed them to Zeno, that was the servants name who had the charge of stea∣ling her away. He was a man of a strong body, and had beene a pirate, who came to Tyre by chance, and meeting there with some fishermen which were pirates, fell into their company. There is a little Island neare Tyre called Orodo∣pes tombe, where the Tyrian ships harbour, there he set his pinnace. Wee made our selves ready in the night to doe sacrifice the next day, which was not unknowne to Zeno, wherefore when we set forth, he followed us. Now it was our chance to goe out in a very opportune time, for Zeno lift up a certaine ensigne, whereupon the pinnace made to shore: There were in it tenne men, and there were eight more lying in wait on the shore, dressed in womens apparell, and their beards shaven; all these had swords hidden un∣der their garments, and to avoid all suspicion,

attended on the sacrifice; insomuch that none could discerne them from women. After fire was ready to be put to the sacrifice, they put out their torches, and set upon us; whilst wee asto∣nisht, ranne, one this way, another that way: so with their swords drawne they carried away my sister Caligo, and going a ship board with her, flew away as fast as an Eagle with her prey; some of us ranne away, neither hearing nor sce∣ing this, others saw it and cried out, The pirats have borne away Caligo; by this time the pin∣nace had sailed halfe way over the sea, and drew neare to Sarapta, where Callisthenes, knowing the signe, met them, and taking the maid of them, fled. Our marriage being so fortunately and beyond all expectation broke off, I beganne to take courage, though it grieved me much that this mishap should befall my sister, and a few dayes after thus I began to say to Leucippe.

Dunces in love, how long shall we Be poring on our A. B. C? For such are kisses, which torment Rather than give my soule content: Letters from which you scarce will prove, The wisest scholler can spell love. What though the lilly of your hand,

Or corall lip I may command? It is but like him up to th' chin, Whose mouth can touch, but take none in.

Having often sung her this song, I prevailed so farre as to be admitted to her bed, being assisted by Clio, who had the charge thereof.

There was a faire roome in our house, having in it two places for beds, one on the right hand, and two on the left; betwixt them was a narrow passage, through which you might come at them; at the entrance into this narrow passage, were two folding doores; on one side of the roome lay Leucippe and her mother, in the third bed lay Clio. And in the place where the fourth bed should be set, their provision. Now Leucip∣pe's mother accompanied her still to bed, and did not onely shut the doores on the one side, but gave out the keyes to one of her servants, through a crevise, to have them lockt on the o∣ther side; and tooke the keyes in againe. Then the next morning calling the same servant, and giving him the keys, she commanded him to un∣locke the doores againe. So Satyrus made some other keyes like them, and having tried them, and found them fit for his turne, he charged Clio not to hinder him in any thing that he did. But

there was a servant in the house, a busie prating medling fellow, whose name was Conops, a name very fit for him, he would still have an eye over us, but more especially at night times, for hee would sit watching at the chamber doore, so that it was impossible to escape him, wherefore Satyrus endeavouring to fall in league with him, would many times jest with him, and play upon his name, which is in English a gnat▪ he percei∣ving Satyrus cunning, made as if hee would jest too, yet bore a base malicious minde to us all the while. Goe to now, saith hee, because you jeere me so of my name, heare what a pretty tale I will tell you of the gnat.

The Lion was wont to complaine much to Prometheus, seeing hee had made him such a comely great creature, and armed his mouth with teeth, his feet with clawes, and made him stronger than all other beasts, yet that he should stand in feare of a cocke; to whom Prometheus replyed, Why dost thou rashly accuse me? it is not my fault, but thine owne cowardlinesse▪ at which the Lion wept, and accusing himselfe had resolv'd to pine away for griefe, and dye; while he was in these dumps, he met with an elephant, whom after he had saluted, he fell in talke with, as they were discoursing, the Elephant would

still shake his eares, for there was a gnat hove∣ring about him; what is the matter, saith the Lion, you let not your eares be at rest? The E∣lephant replyed, This little beast which you see flying about mee, should hee but get into mine eares would kill me: when the Lion heard this, What a foole was I, said he, to resolve to die, see∣ing I am as much better than an Elephant, as a Cocke is better than a Gnat? You may see, saith Conops, how little strength there is in a gnat and yet how greatly the Elephant feares him. Satyrus perceiving his taile to bee a crafty one▪ and ful of deceit, smiled a little, and said, I thank you for your story of the elephant and the gnat. Now heare mine of the Lion and the Gnat, as it was told me by a Philosopher.

Once upon a time the Gnat bespoke the Ly∣on thus, Surely thou art much deceived, O Ly∣on, if thou thinkest thou art King of me as well as of other beasts, seeing thou art neither fairer, stronger, nor better than mee, though in some kinde of strength thou exceed mee, thou tearest with thy talons, and bitest with thy teeth, what scolding woman cannot doe the like? what beauty, what greatnesse hast thou? no∣thing but a huge breast, and a broad paire of shoulders, and thy hinder partswhich thou canst

not see are farre uglier than these; my greatnesse is the whole aire, so much I meane as I can in∣compasse with my wings: my beauty the flow∣rishing colours of the meadows, which when I please I put on: nor laugh at mee if I style my selfe strong and valiant also, for I am nothing but an entire engine of war, never entring com∣bate without the sound of a trumpet, my mouth striking up the alarum & giving the blow both at once. I am also an arrow shooting my selfe through the aire, and when I am shot I wound, which wound he that receives cries out sudden∣ly, looking about him to see who hurt him, whilst I stand by him and straightway leape a∣way, and am here and there in a trice, skipping and laughing to see him ••tampe and fret; but why doe we parley so long, let us enter the lists, so immediatly hee fell on the Lyon, stinging him by the eyes, and all other parts where there grew no haire, the Lyon was inraged, and turn∣ing himselfe up and downe, beate the aire: the Gnat taking more pleasure to see him angry, flew at his lips: the Lyon turning himselfe to come at the place which smarted, fell downe; the Gnat like a nimble wrastler bending his bo∣dy, crept through his teeth, and againe sliding through his mouth, which was shut, got away:

wherefore his teeth failing of their prey, knockt one against another: at length the Lyon wea∣ried out with his bootlesse striving, and as it were, yeelding himselfe conquered, lay still: the Gnat flying about him, singing a triumphant song; at last puft up with▪ the greatnesse of his victory, and fetching a greater compasse than before, fell unawares into a cobweb, and was straight caught by the Spider; wherfore seeing no way to escape, and detesting his owne folly hee said, Foole that I was to provoke a Lyon, and am not able to shift from a Spider; which when Satyrus had said, hee bad Conops that hee should take heed of a Spiders cobweb. So a few dayes after, when hee saw this Conops very hungry, hee provided a sleepy potion and invi∣ted him to supper, hee suspecting something to be in the winde, denyed him; but being over∣come with the perswasions of his belly, (the best oratour) at length came, and in his grace cup had this potion administred to him; which as soone as hee had taken up, hee could scarce hold his eyes open▪ till hee went into his cham∣ber: presently Satyrus meeting with mee, told mee that Conops was laid fast, and bid mee like Vlysses bee of good cheare; at which words wee went both to Leucippes chamber, he stood at the

doore, I entred by the helpe of Clio, who con∣veighed mee in by stealth; at my entrance I trembled partly for joy, partly for feare, for my mind was perplexed with the suspition of some ensuing danger, and yet overjoyed, as it were, with the hope of successe, which hope qualifi∣ed the greatnesse of my fear: but to see the mis∣chiefe, ere I entred the chamber, her mother Panthia did dreame a terrible dreame, for shee thought shee saw a thiefe enter the chamber, with his sword drawne, which took her daugh∣ter out of the bed, and throwing her along ript up her bowels; wherefore affrighted with this dreame, shee leapt of her bed, and ran to Leu∣cippes (which was close adjoyning), before I was halfe in bed; so I hearing the noise, made what haste I could forth, knowing what a case I was like to be in if I were caught: Satyrus was at the doore ready to receive mee, trembling and halfe dead with feare; then both of us stea∣ling away through the darke, went each of us to his owne Chamber: her mother good woman fell straightway into a swoone; afterwards be∣ing recovered fell a beating of Clio, and tearing her own haire, and with many a sigh and groane uttered these words to Leucippe, Thou hast fond wench frustrate all our hopes. Thou good man,

Sostratus, wagest warre at Byzantium for others marriages, whilest here at home some body I know not whom hath seized on thy daughter, and defiled her. I little thought to have seene thee thus married, O Leucippe, I would thou hadst stayed at Byzantium, and that the fortune of the warre had cast this contumely on thee, or that some Thracian conquerour had deflowred thee, that so thou mightst have yet been chaste, for the violence vvhich had there been offered thee, vvould have taken avvay the disgrace of the fact, but novv thou art thy selfe the cause of it, and therefore must justly endure the infamy. My dreame vvas too true, better thou hadst bin ript up alive, then that this bloudy massacre should have beene committed upon thine ho∣nour: but that vvhich most troubles mee is, that I knovv not the author of this injury, nor my griefe: If it vvere some slave tell mee. But Leucippe being confident that I vvas gone farre enough out of sight, replyed, Mother, you vvrong mine honour much, thus to attach it of that vvhich it is not guilty, for vvhat I have done deserves not this harsh language from you; the party vvhich came so rudely into the chamber, vvhether hee vvere a heroe or a thiefe I knovv not, for I lay astonished and affrighted, not able

to cry out, being tongue-bound vvith feare, on∣ly this I knovv, that no violence vvas offered my virginity, in the meane time Panthia sighed, and fell dovvne vvith griefe; but vvee vvere all the vvhile plodding vvhat vve vvere best to do: and this we found at last to be our safest course, that before day (least Clio should bee rackt to a confession) vve should flye our Countrey. Ha∣ving resolved upon this course, vve got the Por∣ter to let us out, vvho supposed that vvee vvent forth to meete vvith a svveet-heart of ours: So vvee vvent streight to Clinias; it vvas then the dead of the night betvvixt tvvelve and one, so that vvee could not get in at his doore; but by good fortune Clinias lying in the forepart of the house, heard our tongues, and suddenly met us, straightvvay in comes Clio, for shee had inten∣ded to flye for it too: (Novv Clio knevv all our counsell and vve hers, and Clinias both) for the poore vvench knevv that shee must to the racke for all, if she stayed but till morning; wherefore she said shee would rather choose to die, than stand to the hazard of it. Then Clinias taking me by the hand drew me aside out of Clios hea∣ring, and told me that he had thought on a very good course to shift off Clio, and then to flye by our selves: for the old woman knew not whom

she caught, nor can she know unlesse it be revea∣led to her by Clio; now perhaps you may entice her to flye by her selfe, and upon these conditi∣ons he promised to accompany us in our jour∣ney. To this wee all agreed, concluding that Clio should be committed to one of the servants, who shipping her should hoist sailes and away with her, which wee perswaded her to, telling her that we intended to stay there and beare the brunt of the matter, come what would of it, so we stayed there some time to see this businesse dispatcht; the rest of the night we spent in sleep; betimes in the morning we returned home, not seeming to Panthia to know any thing that had past. Panthia commanded Clio to be call'd, that she might be questioned about it; she being not to be found, the old woman fell upon Leucippe, asking why shee would not tell her the truth of the matter, urging her also to bee privie to Clio's going away; then Leucippe being the more em∣boldened with that, answered, What would you have me to doe, mother? or what shall I say more? what arguments shall I use to perswade you? if you suspect the losse of my virginity, pray make triall of it. Thats a good one, quoth the old woman, we will have all the world to be witnesses of your shame, and with that she flung

out of the roome. Leucippe left all alone, and much perplexed with her mothers words, was almost distracted, she blusht that she was caught, grieved shee was that her mother had railed on her, and angry that shee could not be beleeved. Now shame, griefe, and anger are to the minde like three waves ready to overwhelme it, for shame get∣ting into the eye, deprives it of its liberty; griefe flowing into the heart abates its courage; anger snar∣ling and breaking in the breast, drownes reason in the flaming sea of madnesse: The tongue may be the cause of all these, for it is an arrow with three heads, name∣ly slander, a divulgation of the slander, and an expro∣bration of it; and the number of the wounds must needs bee proportionable, to wit, anger, griefe and shame: each of these wounds, though not bloudily, yet deeply, which cannot bee cured but by retorting them on him that smote with them, making your reply as sharpe as his onset; wherefore it is commonly seene how deepe an impression the words of a great man, or one in au∣thority doe make, because those that are provoked by them, dare not answere againe: For the greatest griefes unlesse they have a vent, prove the greatest burthens to themselves. This being Leucippes case, shee was halfe dead with sorrow: in the meane time I sent Satyrus to know of her whe∣ther shee would goe along with us, who pre∣venting

him in his message, said, I beseech you by all the gods carry mee whither you will out of my mothers sight▪ for if you leave me behind you, there is no way for mee but to lay violent hands on my selfe: which when Satyrus told mee, I received no small comfort at the relation of it; so staying two dayes (my father being from home) wee provided all things necessary for our journey, & the rest of the potion which Conops had left, we got Satyrus to give Panthia as hee waited on her at the table, which shee had no sooner drunke but shee hasted to her cham∣ber, and there fell asleep. The chamber maide (for there was a new one chosen in Clio's roome) and the Porter, hee laid fast with some of the same potion. While this was doing a coach was made ready, and Satyrus stayed at the doore for us; so when they were all in a dead sleepe wee stole away making no noise. Now Satyrus led Leucippe by the hand, for by great chance Conops who was wont to watch us, was gone forth a∣bout some businesse for his mistresse, who ope∣ning the doore, we took coach; six of us, name∣ly, my selfe, Leucippe, Satyrus, Clinias, and two of Clinias servants poasting towards Sidon, whither before the night was halfe spent wee came, but making no stay there, wee hasted to Byritum,

expecting to finde some ship ready to set forth, nor did our hopes faile us, for we found one in∣to which we conveighed all our goods before we knew whither it was bound; and a little be∣fore day wee went aboord our selves, then wee understood it was bound for Alexandria, one of the famousest Cities of Egypt: As soone as I saw the sea, I was not a little glad while I was yet in the haven, afterward I rejoyced more that the winde served us so well: there was such running up and downe in the ship with the ma∣riners, some drawing up the ropes, others the saile-yards, others spreading the saile; so pre∣sently taking in one another, we launched forth into the deepe, the earth seemed to saile as fast as our ship, for to our thinking it went back∣wards: great shoutings there were and prayers to the gods that wee might have a prosperous voyage; so immediatly wee had a fine gale of winde which made our sailes svvell and drove the ship apace.

Now by chance there was a passenger in the ship, who because it was supper time and being by himselfe, desired us very courteously to take part of such as he had; whose courtesie I kindly entertained, and caused Satyrus to bring forth what hee had provided for our suppers, so put∣ting

them together wee supped all at one table, passing away the time in discourse; at length I demanded of the stranger what Countreyman he was, hee replyed an Egyptian, his name Me∣nelaus; which question also he asked mee, and I answered him, my name is Clitophon, this Cli∣nias, both of us Phaenicians; tell us the cause of your journey, and you shall know the cause of ours: then Menelaus began in this manner; I had a friend whom I tendred dear as my soule, he was but a very young man much addicted to hunting, from which neither I nor any could diswade him: on a certaine time I my selfe ac∣companied him to his sport, & being all moun∣ted, while as wee pursued the lesser beasts, wee prosper'd well enough in our game, but sudden∣ly a wilde Boare comming out of the wood, this desperate youth was so farre from being affrigh∣ted, that he voluntarily runne upon him, though I had reclaimed him, the Boare ranne fiercely at him, and hee at the Boare, which when I savv I was affrighted, & fearing lest the Boare slay∣ing his horse, should likewise teare him in pie∣ces, cast a dart, little dreaming it should light where it did, and it chanc't while my friend stept aside hee received the wound; in what a miserable perplexity I was then, who can judge?

but that vvhich grieved me most of all, vvas, that vvhilst the breath vvas yet in his body hee imbrac't me, and vvas so far from detesting me his murtherer, that til the last minute he held me by that hand which vvounded him. For this his parents endited me, to which I willingly agreed, and vvas so far from pleading not guilty, that I proclaimed my self vvorthy of death, but the Judges moved vvith pitty, spared my life; & ba∣nisht me for three yeers, so my time being expi∣red I am novv returning to my countrey. When Menelaus had told this story, Clinias could not forbear vveeping to think on Caricles: whereat Minelaus asked him whether for his sake he shed those tears, or vvhether the like unhappy acci∣ent had befell him: then Clinias vvith many a groane and sigh told him the story of Caricles & his horse, after which they had my story too; but seeing Menelaus weeping for his friend, & Clinias making moane for his Caricles, to put them out of their dumps, I began to tell love stories, and merry tales, at length to talke much in commen∣dation of women, but Menelaus who had alwayes been their enemie spake as much against them, so at last wee fel in a large discourse concerning the dignity of their sex, which I list not here to set downe.

The end of the second Booke.