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

THE SEVENTH BOOKE. (Book 7)

The Argument.

Thersander to bee revenged on Leucippe intends to poison Clitophon, but fearing the rigour of the law, he takes this course: hee casts one into the prison where Clitophon was, who should tell him that he chanced to be in company with one who was apprehended for murthering Leucippe, by the in∣stigation of Melite, and that the party himselfe which did the deed was fled, and hee was cast in prison upon suspicion that he was his confederate. Clitophon beleeves this, and in publique court (to revenge himselfe on Melite for the supposed killing of Leucippe) confesseth not onely that hee lay with Melite, but also that hee conspired with

her for the making away of Leucippe, both which crimes his friend Clinias, who was then in place, endeavoured to cleare him from, but both hee and Clitophon misse of their aymes, for sentence is given by the Iudges, that according to the lawes of the Land, Clitophon for accusing himselfe should suffer death, and Melite should have some lesser punishment inflicted on her: but as good for∣tune would have it, by reason of some solemnity whereof Sostratus Leucippes father was the chiefe author, Clitophons execution is deffered; Sostratus as hee had beene told the night before by Diana in a dreame, findes Clitophon, at whom he is much offended for the stealing away of his daughter Leucippe; but afterwards it is told him that Leucippe was in the Temple of Diana (whither she had fled as to an asylum, having ta∣ken opportunity to steale away when Sosthenes was absent) by which meanes he is not onely ap∣peased, but Clitophon is also freed from his owne accusation for the present: afterwards he walkes under bale of the chiefe Priest, till hee come to his second appearance, to be fully set at liberty.

THersander therefore seeing Leucippe so obstinate, was much distracted, for he grieved that his hopes were frustrate, and was angry that his faire profer should bee so negle∣cted and contemned; which made him like one wounded with love, study what he were best in this plight to doe; he spake not a word to Leu∣cippe, but in a rage runne speedily out of the roome: after that talking with Sosthenes that hee might put a period to his distracted thoughrs, he went to him which was keeper of the prison, and would have had him poisoned mee, which course upon better consideration hee disliking (for that the people were very severe against such delinquents, and had not long before that time caused one to be put to death for the same crime) obtained thus much of the keeper, that he might cast a man into the prison who was no malefactor, but privy to his designes: who should undermine me, and catch me tripping, if he could, in my discourse▪ this fellow had Ther∣sander cunningly instructed to make mention of Leucippe by some meanes or other, and to say that shee was slaine by the consent of Melite; which plot he invented, that though I had quit∣ted

my selfe of the crime which I was accused of, yet I would never make further search after her who was dead: And the reason why hee would have him say that Melite slew her, was lest Leucippe being slaine I should marry Melite, whom he meant to put away, (and this he might justly suspect, seeing it was plaine that I loved her) which if I had done he could not so safely have enjoyed Leucippe; wherefore thus hee thought with himselfe, that when I should hear that Melite had done mee this injury, I should hate and detest her for it, and (as having little heart to stay with such an enemy) in a rage leave the Citie.

The fellow comming into the prison to mee began his tale, but first gave a great sigh, saying; What hope of life is there, or how shall a man be secure, seeing danger attends on him for wel∣doing, and that to live justly is a sufficient accu∣sation? Alas how was it possible I should ghesse what hee that travailed with mee had commit∣ted? to this purpose would he many times talke to himselfe in my hearing, to the end that I should aske him the meaning of what hee spake, but, alas, I was otherwise emploied, my griefs had so taken me up, that I had not leisure to enquire after anothers: But one which was bound with us

seeing him to weepe so excessively (for those which are in any distresse are desirous to know anothers misfortune as well as their owne, for that the communicating of their griefes each to other, is a kinde of easing their afflicted minds) said, What hath befallen thee, for it should seeme thou art attached for that whereof thou wast never guilty, which I gather from what hath happened to mee. Then hee began to tell mee the cause of his imprisonment, which I did not much listen to; afterwards he demanded of the other his story, to which hee began on this manner;

Yesterday departing from this citie, and jour∣neying toward Smyrna, one met me, and deman∣ded of me whither I was travelling; when he had understood that I was going to Smyrna, he told mee that it was the very place hee was bound for too; together we went, and as the custome of travellers is, we eased the length of our jour∣ney with a great deal of good talke; but turning into an Inne to bait, foure men followed us, and making as if they came in to dine there, sate downe by us, and looked very hard upon us, nodding their heads one to the other, which made mee suspect that they talked of us, though I knew not the reason: The fellow that was

with me began straightway to waxe pale, stam∣mer in his speech, and tremble; which they perceiving, laid hold of us both, bound us with ropes, and smote my fellow traveller on the face; who as if he had beene already upon the racke, cryed out though no man examined him, I slew Leucippe, having of Melite, Thersanders wife, a hundred pieces of gold for my paines, for it was shee that hired mee to doe this villa∣ny; the money here I give you to a farthing, spare my life I beseech you, and defraud not your selves of so much treasure.

I hearing Thersander and Melite named, began to prick up my eares, & to listen more attentive∣ly to what he said; then turning mee about to him, I asked of him, What is this Melite? Hee answered, one of the chiefest women in this Ci∣tie, who is in love with a young man here, (they say he is of Tyre) who having by some chance lost his sweet heart, and found her againe at home in Melites house, she out of a jealousie that the maid should draw his affection from her, committed her into the hands of him whom it was my hard fortune to accompany in my jour∣ney, to be slain; and he did the deed, but I poore wretch who was neither witting nor willing to it, or privy to the least word or deed which past

about it, am apprehended for it; but which is worst of all, after these foure men had gone a little from the Inne, they took the money of the fellow, and let him goe, but me they brought before the Iudge.

Having heard this turbulent story, I could neither speake nor weepe, for my tongue was tyed, and my teares dried up, every joynt trem∣bled, my heart fainted, and my soule was well nigh fled out of my body; but after I had reco∣vered my selfe out of this drunkennesse of grief, I asked of him, how did this fellow which was hired kill her? where did he bestow her body? but he having once pricked me in this veine, and knowing that he had what he desired, was ever after so mute, that I could not extort a word more from him; for when I asked him any more questions, he told mee churlishly that sure I sus∣pected him to have a hand in it, whereof he was utterly guiltlesse.

So that concerning the murderer, after my much inquiry, I could learne nothing of him, onely this, that the maid was slaine, but where, or how, he would not tell mee, which made the teares trickle downe my cheekes, and discover that portion of griefe which had lay hid all this while in my breast. For as in a body beaten with

rods, the impression they leave is not straight∣way seene; or as in one who hath beene newly bitten with a Bore, the wound appeares not sud∣dainly, being deep, but a while after there arises a white streake, from whence straightway the bloud flowing shewes where the wound is: so in a minde wounded with some bad newes, the print it makes is not seene, not doe any teares fall (which are the bloud issuing from such a wound) till griefe hath fully satisfied her hun∣gry appetite; then doth the wound gape, and the teares forcing a passage through the eyes, stream down like the water of some fruitfull spring: all this I found to be true in me, for being first struck with the news of Leucippes death, as with a dart, I could neither speake nor weepe, till my griefe having tooke time to breathe it selfe as it were, with many a teare and sigh I burst forth into these words.

What divell was it which first tempted mee with this momentany joy? who did me the mis∣chiefe first to shew me Leucippe, on whom my eyes could scarce yet ever have their pleasure? for if I did chance to see her, yet could I never bee satisfied with seeing, but all the pleasure which I have yet had has beene like a dreame: alas my poore Leucippe, how often wilt thou re∣new

my griefe by thy often dying? I think for ever: seeing every day one death comes on the necke of another: but as yet fortune hath but mockt, and dallied with me, making me beleeve that thou wert dead; now therefore thou art dead in good earnest, and I feare thou art quite taken from mee: before from that personated death of thine I had some comfort, first by in∣terring thy whole body, next thy carcase with∣out a head; what profited it thee alas that thou twice escapedst the hands of theeves, and shoul∣dest bee slaine by Melite? that vile woman I whom though thy murderesse, I more vile have so often kissed and embraced, nay imparted more to, than ever I did to thee.

While I thus reasoned with my selfe, Clinias came to see me, whom I told that I had decreed to dye; but he bid me be of good comfort, tel∣ling me that I knew not whether she might once more be alive againe, or no; hath she not beene divers times dead already, yet revived? if you have a minde therefore to kill your selfe, be ad∣vised, and stay till you are sure the newes you heare is true. Thou triflest, (said I) what further evidence wouldst thou have, or what better in∣telligence wouldst thou desire? I am resolved therefore to die, and I have thought upon such a

course, as that eyes sore of the gods Melite shall fall with mee: I had intended thou knowest to have cleared my selfe of the adultery whereof Thersander accused me, but now I have decreed the contrary; I will acknowledge the fault; and further confesse, that Melite and I being in love, conspired to the making away of Leucippe; by which meanes I shal be freed from this wretch∣ed life of mine, and the wicked Melite shall have her just reward. The gods forbid, will you by making your selfe guilty of so foule a fact as the death of your Leucippe, forfeit your life? I an∣swered him, that no fact was foule whereby a man might revenge himselfe on his enemy, and so the case stood with mee.

Within a short while after my fellow priso∣ner, who had told mee of Leucippes death, was sent for (as I was told) to answere to the accusa∣tions which were laid against him before the Judge: The very day that this was done Clini∣as and Satyrus who still continued comforting mee, hired a house and thither went, that they might not bee discovered to bee in company with me, who was suspected to bee Melites bed∣fellow.

The day after to the Court I was brought, where Thersander was ready with no small pre∣paration,

having entertained no lesse then ten advocates against me, and as sollicitous was Me∣lite in her owne defence as hee; after they had made a long invective to the Judge against mee, I being permitted to speak for my selfe, beganne thus▪

What either Melite or Thersanders advocats have hitherto said, are but toyes wherewith they have gulled the Court, will you but lend mee your eares a while, I shall as faithfully and carefully as I can, relate the whole matter. had sometime a sweet-heart, shee was by birth a Byzantian, her name was Leucippe, whom I sup∣posing to bee dead, (for the pirats had stole her away in Aegypt) fell by chance in league with Melite, whom I accompanied to this city▪ where I found Leucippe made a slave to Sosthenes her steward; but how he durst make a bond woman of a free, or what commerce there was betwixt him and the pirats, I leave you to decide.

Melite understanding that I had found my old sweet-heart, fearing lest shee should share most of my love, tooke counsell to slay her; which counsell I my self did very well approve of, (for why should I deny what is truth?) and upon condition that shee should make mee lord of all shee had, I hired a fellow to kill Leucippe,

who having dispatched his businesse, and for his paines had of me an hundred pieces of gold, fled his countrey, and was never since seene: but love did presently revenge himselfe on me, for ever after that I was so prickt in conscience, that I could not forbeare weeping, nay and at this very instant, though shee bee dead I love her, nor have I accused my selfe for any other end then that I might be sent to my sweet-heart, whose murderer I have beene, and yet whose love I now am.

When I had said thus, all that were present, but especially Melite, were astonished at the sud∣daine and unexpected issue of the businesse; while Thersander and his advocates shouted most plausibly: which made Melites advocates ask of her the meaning of what I spake, but she much troubled, denyed somethings flatly, others she confessed, yet so obscurely that they could not well know whether shee were guilty or no; ne∣verthelesse all I spake about Leucippe, onely her death excepted, she told them was true: where∣fore seeing the greatest part of my confession was true, they began thereupon much to suspect Melite, and were in a great streight how they should study a defence for her.

But Clinias when there was a great hurly bur∣ly

in the Court steps mee forth, and saith. Give mee leave I pray to speake a little in my friends behalfe, seeing it is a matter concernes his life, which when hee had obtained, hee began with weeping eyes thus;

You men of Ephesus, condemne not rashly this young man, who is so willing to die, seeing he rather desires death as a remedie of his mise∣rie, than the due punishment of any crime he is guilty of: he hath accused himselfe of anothers fault, that he might be rid of his life, which his unhappy fortune hath made so loathsome to him; what his misery is I shall briefly shew you.

That he had sometimes a sweetheart is most true, and that she was stolne from him by Pirates and sold to Sosthenes, I deny not, for every tittle of what he said ere he came to tell how he was consenting to Leucippes death, I can safely justi∣fie; also that it is reported she is dead, but how, or by what meanes, whether she be slaine, or a∣gaine stole away by pirates, or whether shee bee yet alive, it is uncertaine: but that Sosthenes was in love with her, and not obtaining his will on her, did most severely use her, will appeare by witnesse: now Clitophon supposing he hath lost her utterly, is willing to dye, and therefore feignes himselfe her murderer, for by his owne

confession the sole cause which hath moved him to accuse himselfe, is the grief he conceives for her departure. Consider with your selves againe and againe, I beseech you, whether it bee probable, in any likelihood or reason, that a man should desire to dye with one which hee hath killed; or that any one should bee so lovingly malicious as to take pitty on the party hee hath slaine; such hatred is not so soone appeased. By all the gods beleeve not what he saith, and ad∣judge not one to execution, who should rather be an object of your pity, than your justice: if it be so that he hired one to doe the murder, let him produce the party, or shew the dead body; but if he can doe neither, why should you judge this to be murder? I loved Melite, saith he, and therefore I slew Leucippe; but then I would faine know why hee should call her name in question whom he so much loved? why hee should dye for Leucippes sake, whom he caused to be slaine? what doe you thinke any man so senslesse, that he would love whom he hates, and hate whom he loves? should one not rather thinke that a lo∣ving man would deny the fault, though he were convicted, that he might save her life whom he loves, lest the griefe for her death might cost him his life? it were worth the examination al∣so

why he should accuse Melite▪ if shee bee not guilty. But I beseech you againe and againe that you construe not my speech, as tending to the disgracing of this woman, but rather to the opening of the cause: Melite was in love with this young man, and before her husband, who had beene long at sea, returned, there was talke that they should have beene married; but this young man was so farre from consenting to her unchaste love, that he would by no meanes bee inticed to marry her: besides, having found his sweet-heart with Sosthenes, whom he supposed to have beene dead, hee began more and more to sleight Melite; who seeing the maid, but not knowing her to be Clitophons sweet heart, tooke pitty on her, loosed the chaines wherewith Sosthenes had bound her, and because she saw her lookes to be ingenuous, and speak her free-born, courteously entertained her, and afterwards sent her to her Country house, to oversee some gardens she had there: since which time shee was never seene. That what I now speake is truth, not only Melite, but the two maids which were sent along to accompany her can testifie: and that which makes the poore young man so desperate, is, he suspects that Melite hath caused Leucippe to be slaine, which suspicion of his hath

beene much augmented, and hath incensed him not onely against Melite, but himselfe, by this occasion: There was a fellow-prisoner of his yesterday, who bemoning himselfe and his for∣tunes, told him that as he travailed on the way, he chanced to fal in company with a cutter, who had beene hired to kill a maid, shee that hired him was Melite, shee that he slew was Leucippe; which story how true it is, is not yet knowne; it were good you would search it out: it is a mat∣ter of no great difficulty to finde out, especially having this prisoner in your gaole, who saith he was in company with this murderer; whom in my judgement it were very fit you examine; Sosthenes also may be summoned to appeare, and those maids may bee brought into the Court: of him you may enquire how hee came by Leu∣cippe, of these how she came to be made away: before all these witnesses are throughly exami∣ned, it is neither just nor right that you put him to death upon no other grounds than his madde speeches; for griefe hath quite distracted the man, and bereft him of his senses. So Melite caused the maids to be brought, and desired that Thersander might produce Sosthenes, whom Me∣lite thought the likelier of the two to kill Leu∣cippe, for those who pleaded Melite's cause put in that condition.

But Thersander fearing least all should come to light, sent one of his servants privately to Sost∣henes, that he should with what speed he could get him out of the way, before those who were sent out to apprehend him should come thither. The servant rides to him, tels him the danger, and withall, that he was likely to be strictly ex∣amined, if he suffered himself to be taken: Sosthe∣nes was then by chance with Leucippe, seeking by his smooth and flattering speeches to ease her afflicted minde: Wherefore after much knock∣ing and calling, out hee came at last, where un∣derstanding how the businesse went, full of fear, and supposing the apparitors to bee at his heels already, hee tooke horse, and went straightway to Smyrna; the messenger returned to Thersan∣der. But ere I goe further let mee tell you that the proverb is true, FEARE is the mother of for∣getfulnesse: For when Sosthenes was in this fright▪ hee forgot his businesse in hand, and did not so much as thinke upon shutting the doore where Leucippe was kept: for your slavish natures when they are in the least dangers are most timo∣rous.

After this Thersander omitting the first con∣dition, mentioned by Melites advocates, be∣gan to plead on this manner; This young fel∣low

whosoever hee bee, hath plaid the lawyer wisely: But I wonder much at your stupidity, who seeing the murderer manifestly deprehen∣ded in the fact, though his owne confession bee a farre greater evidence against him, keep him in ward so long, and send him not to execution, but sit listning to this dissembling, jugling fel∣low, who hath as good a facultie in lying as in weeping: whom I begin to suspect to have had a hand in the murder himselfe: but I am unwise to make so many words, seeing the case is so cleare: what I feare is this, I shrowdly suspect that hee hath done another murder since this, for that Sosthenes whom they so call for, hath not beene seene in my house this three dayes, it is not unlikely that they have plotted to make him away too, because at my first comming home he told me of my wifes loose behaviour▪ therefore my adversaries knowing I cannot produce him, have cunningly put in this condition; well, I would Sosthenes were alive, that I might bring him as a witnesse: but goe to, let us now sup∣pose Sosthenes to bee here, all that you can aske him is this, whether hee bought the maid, and whether Melite tooke her out of his hands? all this I will confesse; it is granted that he bought her, Melite released her; is there any thing else

you would aske him? surely no; why then So∣sthenes is dismist.

But now let mee turne my speech to Melite and Clitophon. What have you done with my servant you stole from me, for she was mine, and no mans else (this Thersander craftily put in by the way, that if Leucippe were yet alive shee should still continue in his service) he added this moreover: Clitophon saith he kild the maid, Me∣lite denies it; but her the maids testimonies con∣fute, for if it appeare, as it doth already, that Me∣lite gave them the charge of her, and they never restored her, what must be become of her? why she was sent out: sent out, to whom? that they tell you not: is it not therefore palpably mani∣fest, that she was delivered into some mans hand to be slaine? which it is likely was concealed from the maids, lest many being privy to it there would incurre a greater danger of having it di∣vulged: for they left her among a company of theeves, where it is very probable they durst not stay to see what would become of her. A∣gaine he tels you a flim flam tale of a fellow pri∣soner of his, who should make mention of this murder, but who should this bee which should tell him all, and the Iudges never a word? had he not denyed that he knew him, he might per∣haps

have beene bidden to produce him, and have beene caught in a lye. How long will your grave and judicious eares suffer themselves to be abused with such trifles and gewgawes, as these are? can you thinke that a man should ac∣cuse himselfe, were he not guilty, and did not the gods by speciall providence compell him to it?

Here when Thersander had made an end of speaking, and had taken his oath that hee knew not what was become of Sosthenes, it seemed good therefore to the chiefe of the Iudges (hee was of the bloud royall, and sate still in capitall causes concerning life and death, though hee had some other of the elders of the Citie which did assist him in the administration of justice, and with whom he frequently consulted) it see∣med good to him I say, after he had imparted the matter to his colleagues, that I should suffer death, according to the law, which had provi∣ded, that in case a man did accuse himselfe of murder, without any other evidences, he should straightway bee put to death: some other pu∣nishment they intended for Melite, after they had examined her; and for Thersander, they in∣joyned that the oath hee had taken concerning Sosthenes should be registred; but for mee it was

decreed, that I should bee wrackt to confesse whether Melite were guilty of the murder or no; so my cloathes being taken off, I was moun∣ted upon an engine, where I hung, while some brought whips, some fire, another a wheele; Cli∣nias all this while stood by weeping; when sud∣denly the Priest of Diana was seene to come in∣to the market place, crowned with a laurell, which is a signe alwayes that there are some strangers come from forraigne parts to doe sa∣crifice to the goddesse Diana: this accident if it happen while any malefactor is about to be pu∣nished, causes his execution to bee deferr'd till the sacrifice is ended; therefore at that time I escaped.

Now who doe you thinke was chiefe author of these solemnities, but Sostratus Leucippes fa∣ther? for when the Byzantians by the helpe of Diana had got the victory over the Thracians, with whom they waged warre, they thought fit by way of gratitude to the goddesse for her as∣sistance, to offer her some great sacrifice: be∣sides, Diana her selfe had privately appeared to Sostratus in a dreame, foretelling him that hee should at Ephesus finde his daughter and his ne∣phew.

At the same time Leucippe perceiving the

doores open where shee was, and fearing lest Sosthenes whom she saw goe forth, should stand before the doore, shee was fearfull to steale a∣way; at last seeing he came not in againe, shee tooke heart of grace; for recounting with her selfe how many times before, and how unex∣pectedly she had been freed out of greater dan∣gers, and when she was almost past all hope, she decreed to take hold of this faire opportunity fortune offered her; for the temple of Diana be∣ing not farre distant from the place where shee then was, out she went, and thither betooke her selfe.

This Temple heretofore durst no woman who was free borne enter, but to men and mai∣dens it was alway open, yet was it lawfull for such women servants as were accused by their masters for any crime, to flie thither as to an A∣sylum or place of refuge: then did the Iudges give sentence betweene the servant and her ma∣ner; for if it did appeare that the master had not wrong'd her, hee vvas injoyned by them to re∣ceive her againe into his service, and solemnly to sweare that hee vvould never any more so much as thinke of her running avvay; but if the maids complaint vvere just, then shee should continue there ever after, and attend the altar

of the goddesse. While Sostratus vvas leading the Priest (who had commanded the Court should breake up towards the temple,) Leucippe entred in and mist but a litle of meeting her fa∣ther.

When the assembly was broke up, and that I was set free, a great multitude throng'd about mee, some of them pitied my case, others pray∣ed for me, others asked me questions: amongst whom Sostratus standing, as soone as he saw me knew me, for as I told you at the beginning of my story, hee was sometime at Tyre when the festivals of Hercules were celebrated, and there stayed a great while before our flight; by reason whereof hee might easily know mee; especially being told in a vision that hee should finde us both here. So comming nearer to mee hee said, Here truly is Clitophon, but where is my Leu∣cippe? Then I knowing him, cast my eyes on the ground; while those that stood about mee told him all that I had accused my selfe of, which he hearing, sighed deeply, and smiting himself on the head, flew in my face, and almost digged my eyes out; meane time I was so farre from resi∣sting him, that I held my face to him while hee strucke mee. But Clinias stepping forth held his hand, and asked him what he meant, so violent∣ly

to fall upon one who loved Leucippe far dea∣rer then he did himself, and profered to dye be∣cause shee was supposed to bee dead? Many o∣ther arguments he added also to appease his fu∣ry. But hee calling often on Diana, began thus to complaine; Didst thou, O goddesse, bid me come hither for this end? were these thy pre∣dictions? I did beleeve thy dreames till now to bee true, and was confident that I should have found my daughter here, and see in stead of her I finde her murderer.

Clinias hearing him make mention of a dream, was not a little glad, and wisht Sostratus to be of good cheare, telling him that the goddesse would not falsifie her word, and if he would be∣the prophetique spirit which was in him, hee durst promise him that Leucippe without all que∣stion was yet alive, seeing Diana to make good her promise, had delivered Clitophon out of the the executioners hands. While they were yet talking, one of the keepers of the temple runne speedily thither, and brought newes to the Priest, that a Virgin which was a stranger was come to Diana for protection, and was at that time in the Temple. When I heard this, I be∣gan to looke more chearfully, and was almost revived againe. Clinias turning to Sostratus said,

My prophecies are true, you see. They asked afterwards of the Sexton whether she were faire or no: He told them that, Diana excepted, he never saw one fairer in his life. Then I leaping for joy asked whether her name were Leucippe; answere was made it was; and that shee said her Countrey was Byzantium, her father Sostratus: Clinias at this gave a shout for joy, but Sostratus good man swooned. I cut a caper as high almost as the clouds, and flew as if I had beene driven by some executioner to the temple, my keepers supposing I had beene fled from them, runne af∣ter mee, and cryed out stop the theefe; but had you seene how fast I runne, you would have said I had had Mercuries shooes on my feet: But as fast as I went some caught me, and fell a beating of mee, I began to take courage and strike them againe, but they went to haile me to prison: while wee were bustling the priest and Clinias were at hand; and Clinias asked them whither they would lead me, seeing I was acquitted of that whereof I had accused my selfe. But Sostra∣tus more punctually clearing mee, affirming that hee himself was father to her whom it was sup∣posed I had slaine, appealed them then, the stan∣ders by were so farre from hayling mee to pri∣son, that they were all most devoutly thankful to

Diana, that I had acquitted my self: The keep∣ers not daring to let me goe being a condemned man, and they having no commission to doe it, the Priest at Sostratus intreaty was bale for mee, that when ever I was summoned again, I should make my appearance. On these conditions my fetters were taken off, and Sostratus and I ranne joyfully to the Temple of Diana. But the old proverb I found true, That fame is swifter of foot than the speediest messenger, for though wee made such exrraordinary haste, yet was the newes there before us. Leucippe had intelligence of all, and specially of her fathers comming, which made her come out of the temple to meet him, whom though shee embraced, yet was her eyes all the while on mee: modesty and bashfulnesse made mee refraine embracing her at that time, yet did I looke earnestly on her, and this was all the salutation which passed between us at our meeting.

The end of the seventh Booke.