The history of Polexander in five bookes / done into English by VVilliam Browne, Gent. ...

The History of Alcidianaes divers Humors.

AFter that the impudent Siziphus had by your valour receiv'd the chastisement that his Rebellion and pride ought to have expected: Alcidiana testifyed, publiquely, •…•…hat the service you had done her, was such as Kings could not worthily acknowledge, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 least, then in giving up their crownes with themselves. But in particular, she found 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…lte offended with your good fortune and courage; and the greatnesse of the obli∣gation •…•…ut her into choller against him that •…•…ad oblieged her. After shee had long time •…•…used, and a great while given eate to these proud motions, •…•…he called to her the dis∣•…•…eete Amintha, and being shut with her into her Closet. Doe not you beleeve (said •…•…he) that the rash Syziphus had intelligence with the man that overcame him, and tha•…•… •…•…e had not taken armes against us, but to cause that stranger to merit the glory to ha•…•…e

sav'd us. To what may not Polexander pretend? since that if We reigne over our selfe and subjects, we owe that double Empire to his courage. But what said I Amintha? No, no, we reign no more, Polexander is the person alone which hath right to govern in this Island. Fortune hath put us into his discretion, and the liberty wee so much brag of, is not ours, since we owe it to his victory. Deplorable Alcidiana; give over this impe∣rious minde, and these insolent contempts, with which thou hast hitherto regarded all men. It behooves thee to learne to honor them, and after thou hast disdain'd so many Kings, to accustome thy selfe to respect a stranger and acknowledge him to be thy deli∣verer. Polexander could not endure that Pallantus should continue his discourse, but in∣terrupting him, made shew how much the reproaches of Alcidiana were mortall to him. Truly (said he) Pallantus, thou hast not deceiv'd my expectation, though thy words seemed to promise me great cause of hope and consolation; I have ever yet beleeved that the divine wit of Alcidiana was not capable of being deceived. It hath presently noted the falsity of such things as some flatterers have published of me, and discovering in the bottome of my Soule, an extraordinary pride and a prodigious ambition; it hath well beene perceived that all my actions were criminall, and that I wore not the maske of virtue, but to make way for my crimes with the more cunning and impu∣nity. Pallantus thinking Polexander had too fayre a Subject to talke for himselfe, to be silent, interrupted him as tother had done: and having most humbly intreated him for his attention.

Doe not hope (said he) that I will goe on a jot further, if you doe not promise to hearken to what I shall tell you, with that constancy that generous men attend even when they are innocent, the judgement of a Judge that pronounceth the Sentence of death. Polexander, knowing that he had suffered himselfe too easily to be led away by his passion, intreated Pallantus to pardon him that heate; and swore to him even by Alcidiana, that he would not violate any more the silence prescribed him. Pallantus would not doubt of an oath which hee beleeved inviolable, for Polexander, continu∣ed in this manner the recitall of Alcidianaes opinions. As soone as the Queene had en∣ded reproaching her selfe, she addressed her speech to Amintha, and desirous to obliege her to an answere: What shall we doe (said she) betweene two extremities, to us e∣qually dangerous? If we have not an extreame resentment of the Combat, wherein Polexander engaged himselfe for our conservation, wee shall live esteemed the most unworthy Princesse that ever yet with ingratitude hath payed the Services that have beene done her. And if those of this stranger be confessed, as our importance obliegeth us, we not only uncloathe our selves of all that Nature hath given us of high and great, but bring our selves to the infamous necessity of living and dying slaves. Amintha, who hath alwai•…•…s testifyed how much your virtue wrought her to love what imported you, answered the Queene, that how great soever the dangers were, they were never such as cowardly mindes imagined them. That the two extremities which her Majesty spoake of, were equally to bee feared, but that 'twas easie to avoide them. That be∣tweene those two vices there was a virtue, that by a stable firmity neyther lean'd to the one nor to the other, and which by a just domination raigned imperiously over them both. That she should take hold of that virtue, and not looke on her selfe as in∣gratefull, or as a slave, but as a powerfull Queene, that being serv'd by a person infinitely belowe her selfe, could not imagine in him, eyther so much pride to demande exces∣sive recompences, nor so much weakenesse to complayne, though he should not receive eyther great or little. Alcidiana, finding not in Aminthaes answere the satisfaction she looked for: If (said she) all things were in that order which heaven prescribed them, I could make use of those expedients you propose. But if I abide in that mediocrity what will not a people say, which blames all that crosses their fancy; and who weigh∣ing all rewards and labours in a false ballance, neither beleeve the one nor the other e∣quitable, if they be not conformable to what they have prejudged. Yet let us imagine that my Subjects will be more discreete and judicious then those of other kingdomes. and let us beleeve that they will even approve the resolutions I have taken to acquit me of that which Iowe to Polexander: Doe you thinke that Polexander dazelled with the victory he hath newly gotten over his Enemy, •…•…nd possessed by that unmeasurable

ambition which youth and valour inspire in all great Spirits, can give any bounds to his pre•…•…mions? What presents or promises soever we make him, hee will value them in∣fe•…•…iour to his deservings. Amintha here with spoke, and desirous to cut up by that roote the Queenes perturbations. Madam (said she) be pleased that without losse of the re∣spect which I owe to your Majesty, I tell you that these feares are not considerable since they proceede not from a peacefull and reasonable Soule, but from a minde full of scorne and sorrow, and by consequence loaden with such motions as perplex it. Doe better Madam, doe not feigne to your selfe these disp•…•…asures, which may bee you shall never feele, let time worke and Polexander; and put off the resolutions you would take, till you be oblieged to them, eyther by the necessitie of your affaires, or the propo∣sitions of Polexander. Alcidiana wanting power over her selfe to resist Aminthaes Councell, made all her feares give place to a compleasancy. From that very day, if you remember it, she sent to visite you, and gave you as a token of extraordinary favour the priviledg to enter the Pallace. You came thither, & as if your victory had been to you a cause of mortification and shame, you presented your selfe to the Queene with a con∣fusion and a trembling, which was noted by all the Court. Alcidiana, who first percei∣ved it, imagined (yet without any likeliehood) that your anger for being unrecompen∣ced after so great a service was the cause of your alteration, and that error recalling all the precedent; she grew in choller against you and her selfe. What (said she unheard of any) Fortune then hath made me to be borne a Queene, and Nature hath bestowed on me those qualities she hath refused to many other Princesses, to the end that becom∣ing slave to a stranger, I should have a more lively feeling then others, how rude that necessity is which forceth us to leave a Throne and enter into servitude. Amintha, well judging, that Alcidiana had great agitations, came neere to you, and heartning your a∣stonish'd minde, by the actions of thanks, which shee gave you in the name of all the kingdome, made you by little a•…•…d little to recouer both the use of speech and discourse. I recount to you these small incidents, since in the estate you then were when they hap∣ned, it is not to be beleev'd that you can now remember them. Know then that you blush'd at the prayses Amintha had given you, and that you spoake of your Combat not only as of an action not to be thought on, and by consequence that neyther deserved honour nor recompence; but as of an attempt which should rather drawe on you the indignation and vengeance of Alcidiana. Amintha seeing things growe to that passe which she had foreseene; turned towards the Queene, and drawing her out of her musings; your Majesty (said she) may be pleased to free Polexander from the strange error wherewithall he is preoccupated. I had thought till now that pride was the only source of all pernicious beliefes, but this Prince makes me see that humility produceth some that are not lesse dangerous. He perswades himselfe Madam, that the Combat he vndertooke for your Majesty, may have offended you, and that he then began to be faulty; when he had so much boldnesse to declare himselfe your Champion. Alcidiana quickly imagining what was t•…•…e intent of her discourse; was very much pleased with it, and glad to have it continued, that it might take off those perplexities that trou∣bled him: the opinion (replyed she) that possesseth Polexander is more injurious to me then himselfe; for he cannot beleeve that his Combat hath displeased me, without conceiting that the audaciousnesse of Syziphus was not •…•…o too. Streight, Amintha cast her Eyes on you, as to invite you not to suffer so injust an explication, and to make your selfe the Interpreter of your owne thoughts. But understanding that you were too much interdicted to undertake that answere; shee spoke for you, and ex∣pressing the dexterity of her wit in so nice a businesse: I know Madam (said she to the Queene) that our actions are no otherwise innocent or criminall but as they are agree∣able to those sacred personages, whom God hath pleased to appoint, to command, de∣fend and judge us; and that those visible divinities, endowed with those lights we en∣joy not, seeme no lesse to be elevated above us by the greatnesse of their wit, then they are by that of their byrth. Your Majesty yet may give me leave to suspend a while this verity, and to tell you with all the reverence and humility enjoyn'd me, that you have given that interpretation to Polexanders words, which hee would already have disa∣vowed, if the Law of duty and respect had not closed his •…•…ps and forbidden him to

contradict your opinion. It seemes (replyed Alcidiana) that Polexander understands our language well, to have no neede of an interpreter, and that if hee were of your o∣pinion, he would case you of the paine you take to defend him. Amintha that needed not to have any thing twice spoken to make her understand it; looked on you, and calling you to your owne defence. 'Tis in your choice (said she) to contradict me, or to make it knowne to the Queene, that I have said nothing but what shall be confessed, You then began to speake; and, as I have heard from Amintha, spoke in such a fashion that Alc•…•…diana had not beene what she is, if shee had not beene fully satisfied with it. This conversation ended, she re•…•…yred with Amintha, and remayning some time with∣out saying any thing to her, at last she signified that she was cured of her former feares, Amintha confirmed her in an opinion very advantageous for you, and spoke of your discretion, as of that which was no lesse admirable then your valour. I acknowledge (said the Queen to her) Polexander is a brave man, he hath an extreme sweetnesse in his conversation, and his modesty denoteth the solidity of his Wit. But when I thinke on that which he hath but lately done for me, I confesse to you that his sight much troubles me, and as long as I see him, me thinks, I know not what voice whispers in mine eare: Doe not boast any more Alcidiana, neyther of the greatnesse of th•…•… birth, nor of that absolute power which thou beleevest to have over so many people. Looke on this Stranger, thou owest to him all those things that give thee that advan∣tage and glory. I doe my utmost to rid me of an opinion which I well see you con∣demne: But the more that I would perswade my selfe that I owe nothing to Polexan∣der, the more doth the happy estate wherein I am, and the ruine of mine Enemies make me know, that when I shall be to him the most ingratefull in the World, yet cannot I be otherwise to him then the more oblieged. Amintha, that thought it not fit to leave this yong & fair Princes, in such perplexitis as might much wrong her: It wil not be hard for you (sayd she) to reconcile two enemies that will not yeld in any thing to one ano∣ther. Tis fit that those generous thoughts wold preserve you in that independacy where heaven hath put you, should raigne as absolu•…•…ely as ever they have done. It behooves likewise, that you give some roome and place to those that speake to you of Polexanders Combat, and that by a just regulating, having put all things in the or∣der they ought to observe and keepe, you consider the service of this Prince, as •…•…o many homages which he hath done to your state and merit; and not as ayde which the necessity of your affaires hath compelled you to implore from his courage. In a word, you ought to looke on Polex•…•…nder as a man who allured by the charmes of your virtue, and the sound of your fame, is come to offer you his sword and his life; and not as a Tyrant, who hath secretly contrived the rebellion of your people to thrust you into slavery. Alcidiana having not power to be so soone capable of Amintha's councell, though she thought it extreamly reasonable; told her, that she needed a great deale of time to be disposed to follow her advice. And indeede she was five or six dayes, without being able to suffer your presence, or resolve for your departure. Time at last plucking from her minde, all her feares and scruples, she came againe to her former mirthsomnesse; and causing to shine againe in her eyes that celestiall fire which had been hidden for a time, witnessed that her disquietts were at an end, and that her Soule had found againe that former peace it injoyed before Syziphus revolt had made it to you so considerable. Amintha noted this change, but her respect not permitting her to make it appeare; she wayted when some word or action of Alcidiana would give her the liberty of speach; And she got it in the great Garden of the Pallace. For one day the Queene walking there, tolde her that after she had well examined her councell, she was resolv'd to follow it. But (sayd she) this secret must rest betwixt us two, and let us consult together, in what manner we shall ac∣quit us of a Debt that ought already have been payde. Your Majesty, answered A∣mintha smiling, have not to doe with a Creditor that presseth you. The glory to have serv'd you, is the only payment which he expects for his paines; and if your Majesty will beleeve him, he will perswade himself as he hath done already, that his services merit no acknowledgment. Alcidiana turning her to Amintha▪ I know not, said she, why 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stick •…•…o strongly on this thought, I finde, that there are fa•…•…re more •…•…her things

which in all likelyhood should take up my minde as much as this doth: and yet as i•…•… on this alone depended the preservation of my authority, and the felicity of my life; I forgot all the rest, and think my selfe much troubled, when the care of my Estate, and the remembrance of other services that have been done me, divert me from this pleasing meditation. I confesse Amintha, that in this I am cleane contrary to my selfe, and that this change threatens me with some strange mishap. But I will prevent it if it may be prevented by any humane pollicy, and give end to my unrests in exiling from me the person that is the cause of it ae•…•…l. If your Majesty (answered Amintha) will per∣mit me to leave soothing, and give me leave to lay before you how your deliberations undoe one another, you may easily free your selfe from that perplexitie which your too n•…•…e opinions bring on you, and without forcing your minde to any thing that may •…•…exe it, may reduce your cogitation only to that of reigning, with that tranquility and justice, which have made you the admiration of all your Subjects, and the desire of all the Princes of the World. The difficulty (Madam) is to worke the greatnesse of your mind to give way that a stranger (after he had with successe enough, most beneficially done you service) should receive some little part of that honour which you would have to be wholly restored to your selfe: And to give his valour the recompence which your Majesty beleeves he hath deserved.

Indeede (said Alcidiana) there are but those two points in question. Now that your discourse hath diverted my thoughts, I see nothing more facil nor more reaso∣nable, but when I thinke a little on the execution of these things, I see so many obsta∣cles, and frame to my selfe so many difficulties, that my minde cannot so settle on it, but that in stead of disintangling them, it becomes worse incombred in it selfe. Scarce have I well framed an intention to submit me to your judgement, but I meete a second thought that opposeth the first. My Will strives with my Will, my feare curbs my desire, and to speake freelie to you, I would willingly without ingratitude bee unthankfull to Polexander. Amintha who (may be) would engage the Queene to make a more am∣ple declaration of her intentions; Will not your Majesty (said she) thinke mee too fancy if I take the boldnesse to aske you, whence proceeded these strange contrarieties? Doe you not feele in your selfe, a certaine desire and feare that causeth this ebb and flood in your Will? That's it (answered the Queene) that I could never yet come to acknowledge. These disorders are not begotten by any cause at all, at least not by any whereof I am sensible. The wise Radiotez, who hath so often spoken to mee of the trou•…•…les and passions of the Soule, hath taught me nothing that hath any resemblance with my afflictions. I have forgot nothing of his Lectures, and know very well, if I deceive not my selfe, in what manner hatred and amitie are bred in us. But when I apply that which I know, to the affaire with Polexander, I finde that as I have no rea∣son to hate him, so have I no inclination to love him. Polexander not daring to com∣plaine, for feare of violating the Law that was so necessarilie enjoyned him, sighed a∣lowd when he heard these last resolutions of Alcidiana. But the faire slave seemed to take no heede to it, and thus continued his discourse: After the Queene had ended this declaration, she stayed a while gazing on Amintha. Amintha on her part looked on the Queene and said nothing, and so eyed her, that Alcidiana saw well she required a more ample manifestation of her minde. But she, shewing I know not what plea∣sing anger. Expect no more of me (said she) I have laid open my heart to you, if you be not satisfied you must finde fault with the want of my wit and not of my affection. I perceive well that I unfold not my selfe cleere enough. But how or by what meanes can my discourse be lesse perturbed then my thoughts? Or how can I expresse that in order, which I conceive but confusedly. See; all that I can recollect most neate and intire is; That •…•…nce my ill fortune hath brought me to be oblieged to Polexander, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 passionately desire to be freed of it; but that which I wish more earnestly, is, if it could be brought to passe, that I were not at all engaged to him. Amintha, judging that to urge Alcidiana any more. was to cast her againe into her perplexities from whence she was scarce well gotten▪ It will be only your Majesties fault (said she) i•…•… your wishes have not their full satisfaction. You are free, if you please, and if your ge∣nerousnesse cannot consent to this imaginary requitall, you may satisfie Polexander at

all times when you have a will to it. And that shall be instantlie (replied the Queene) with a countenance that witnessed her satisfaction, and in so saying, shee turned to the Pallace, sent for her chancellor, and made him seale a gift of the Principallitie which Syziphus sometime possessed. She with her owne hand filled up the blanks which shee expressie had caused to be left for a Name, and blushing at every letter she writ, made it be seene she had extremely constrained her selfe to finish the Name of Polexander. She did me the honour to be chosen to carrie you that Expedition. I presented it to you when you thought of nothing lesse; and I admired the Grace wherewith (after your refusall of so royall a Present) you accompanied that refusall with all the thanks, all the acknowledgments and all the submissions that the gift of some great Empire could exact from a minde extremely generous. The Queene, who (as I have told you) had beene extraordinarilie troubled at her engagements to you, was ten times more per∣plexed when she knew that you would receive no recompence. She was alone when I presented her the Grant which you refused. The blood rose in her cheekes at it, and her extraordinary beauty, borrowing a new lustre from a red so sweete and lively, she appeared to me as beauty her selfe, environed with her lightnings, and holding in her hand the thunderbolts wherewithall she knowes how to humble the most insolent hearts, and overcome the most invincible. Sometimes shee stood to consider what I had brought her, and afterwards, lifting up her eyes and looking on me, and speak∣ing with a contempt which was yet winning: What doth Polexander then hope for, since he hath refused that which might bound the desires of the most ambitious amongst men? I fell on my knees assoone as she began to speake: and extreamely desiring to answere her demand: Madam (said I) if your Majesty vouchsafes the least of your slaves the glory to speake to you, I will relate the very same words Polexander used, to make me knowe that he was unworthy of those extraordinary favours he receiv'd from your magnificence. And with that I held my peace; but the Queene commandig me to continue my discourse, I did it in these termes:

Sure Madam, it were needfull that either by miracle the stranger Prince had in∣spired me with a part of his admirable qualities, or that he himselfe were here to re∣present to your Majesty the graces and charmes with which he intymated to me the confusednesse whereinto your incomparable favours had thrown him. A hundred times he kissed the happy vellom, enrich'd by the name and portract of your Maje∣sty, and testified even by some acts of adoration, that all that came from your Maje∣sty, as well as your self having some participation with divinity ought to be considered with that reverence we beare to things coelestiall At last, when his admiration and ex∣tasie ended and that he had recov•…•…red his speech lost by the contemplation of your virtues. 'Twere fit (sayde he) deare and too-happy Pallantus, that my words were of an inestimable price, to have the merit to be imployed in that thankfullnesse which the wonderfull liberality of your divine Princesse exacts from my acknowledgment. But when I consider that there is no proportion, betwene vaine words and bene∣fits, no lesse solid then eniment, my own shame ties my tongue, and forbids me, even those things which reason and duty command me: I would presently go and throw my selfe at her feet, to make her see the confusions and disorders of my minde; and to beseech her most humbly to receive as the actions of thanks the least unworthy that the greatnesse of her liberalities can expect from my resentment. But since it is a happynesse, which without a pride as monstrous as that of Siziphus, tis not permit∣ted me to hope for: I entreat you Pallantus to imploy in my fauour the priviledges of your glorious servitude; and throwing your selfe for me at the feete of your di∣vine Mistris, to assure her that the glory to have employed my arme in her service and the honour to be in her remembrance, are to me so high and pretious recompences; that the Crownes of the chiefest Kings of the world were not illustrious enough to be compar'd with them: Let her therefore (if sheep ease) desist from adding so many rewards one on another, and that by their number aswell as value, she do not reduce me to that necessity of not being able either to acknowledge or to support them. Go Pallantus, deliver back into the hands of her Majesty, these last tokens of her mag∣nificence; and for feare least she impute that to pride which I doe out of a true know∣ledge

of my selfe; intimate to her that those things which seeme the most vast and the farthest extended, have bounds beyond which they cannot passe: and by con∣sequence, that even ambition the most inregular, hath sometimes met with that which hath contented those insatiable desires which the possession of many worlds seemed not sufficient to have glutted. This verity being too wellknowne to be controver∣ted; let her Majesty not disdeigne to let fall a looke on a wretched stranger, and understand that having never hoped for any thing from fortune, he findes himselfe now raised so high that he cannot without being dazled, looke on the bottom of that pr•…•…pice whence her royall hand hath as it were miraculously drawne him. 'Tis then for want of power to possesse, or desire any thing more, that I must ne∣cessarily remaine as I am, And therefore give her Majesty most humble thanks for those new, benefits which her unwearied magnificence sheds on me, and do it as I have now told you, not out of a vanity of refusing, but an incapacity of receiving them. Alcidiana not permitting me to say more: go (sayd she) and if you see Po∣lexander againe tell h•…•…m, that your Queen loves obedience better then adoration: I presen•…•…ly arose, and knowing that the Princesses minde was not so calme as it had been some dayes before. I retir'd w•…•…th an opinion that you had either offended her by your refusall, or you had much mov'd her by your generosity. Assoone as I was gon she sent for Amintha, and as I have understood from her selfe, recounting to her that you had refused Syziphus Principalitie, made use of the same tearmes which Iu∣sed after you, to make her comprehend your conceptio•…•…s. What a bu•…•…inesse is this (said she) must a stranger come and tryumph over me in mine owne kingdome? And that a private man dispute of magnificence, and noblenesse with Alcidiana her selfe? Speake Amintha, and thinke not that I will longer endure, without revenge, the wrong you have done me. You were the first that spake to me of this Polexander, you gave me the curiositie to see him, you begot in me the desire to make use of his service, and at last to become indebted to him. I therefore absolutely command you to worke so, that I may owe him nothing, or that I may never thinke of it more. Amintha perceiving well t•…•…at at the Queen was angry in good earnest: It those two things (said she) which your Majesty proposeth were equally in my power, you should presently bee obeyed. This Ins•…•…lent who hath had the Front to refuse that which by a liberalitie without ex∣ample you have deigned to offer him, should be for ever blotted out of your memory. But Madam, give me leave to tell you, that if you•…•… Majesty will take the paines to la∣bour on your part, as I will doe on mine; I dare assure you that before night, you shall not only be free, but even never more remember that there was ever any such man as Polexander in the world.

Be pleased then to give that into my hands which you gave in charge to Pallantus. I shall not be so complaisant as he hath beene, I will make Polexander know, 'tis not in his choyce to refuse that which your Majesty gives him, and that you have not cal∣led him to your succour, as she would have done some Prince her Ally, who should have serv'd her for honour only, but that you employed him as a mercenary, to whom we use to give at the end of his labour, the Sallary that Wee thinke he hath deserved. This done, Madam, your Majesty must act the rest. Amintha hath often told me, that whilest she spoake so much against you, the Queene •…•…lush'd twice or thrice, and was opening her lips, as if she would have taken your part; But yet she did nothing, but sending away Amintha, with an ea•…•…ernesse that shewed enough what she would have hidden: Performe (said she) punctually that which you have promised me, for you know I use to ch•…•…stize those that fayle in what they owe me. Amintha made a very lowe obeysance, and departed with a firme beleefe that Alcidiana, had not that perfect indifferency wherewith she had spoken to her some few daies before. You know bet∣ter then I, the reasons she used to get you to accept the Principalitie of Syziphus: But I know better then you what Alcidianaes thoughts were, when she heard you had re∣ceived it. What (said she, thinking no body heard her) it is not then the considerati∣on of my Present that hath made him take it? 'Twere Aminthaes intreaties, that made him like of it? but I am overjoyed that my debt is so well acquitted, and that I have no more cause of obligation for this stranger. Amintha was in the right, to make him goe

for a M•…•…rcenary; certainly he is so, though he counterfeit the Generous, and I now know well, that hee refused at first the Salary for his paines, but only in hope to get more.

When she had said thus, she was silent; and after a great sigh, but how (said shee) shall I know that Amintha hath faithfully related to me those words, she said to him? Is it not to be beleeved, that to make him receive my Present, she hath told him, that twas my will he should give me that tryall of his obedience, and that 'twas by it alone that he could avoide my indignation? Your humilities (doubtlessely shee hath said to him) are artificiall vanities; you would be taken for one unworthy of a Gift, whic•…•… •…•…n your owne Conscience you thinke unworthy of you. You play the modest, when indeede you are the most ambitious, and (tis possible) you will not receive a•…•… art •…•…cause you thinke you deserve the whole. Be a little lesse jealous of your selfe, and •…•…leeve, that how great soever your merit be, and of what importance soever the service you have done the Queene, the recompence she offers you is infinitely above both the one and the other. But I hold you too generous to stick at the estimation of what is offered you. If there be any thing great in this gift, if there bee any thing that ought to come neere your ambition, tis the dignity of the person that sends it you: Deliberate no more then on what you have to doe; for as tis impiety to refuse what the Gods give us, so is it insolency not to receive what is reached to us by the hand of a King, Alcidi∣ana would be out of your debt. Bee not so overweening to wish that she should bee still beholding: in a word be assured, that your offence shall not be lesse prodigious then that of Syziphus if you persevere in your refusall. Pride hath beene the losse of his Prin∣cipallity, let the same thing make you refuse it; howsoever Alcidiana will bee obeyed. Dare you have the impudence to gainsay it? See the reasons (continued the Queene, raysing her voice) that Amintha hath made use of to winne Polexander to receive my Present: and if it be so, as I doubt not of it, why should I give that to Aminthaes intrea∣ties which is only due but to the merit of my Gift? But whence come these disquiets on me? What matters it whether my Present or Amintha hath acquitted me? One way or other I am so, and Polexander is to me too indifferent to desire from him that which I never asked from any one of those whom my benevolences have enriched. See what the discourse was which the Queene thought she had by her selfe: Tis your part now to give it the interpretation it may receive without wresting. But what comfort soe∣ver it brings you, keepe it to your selfe for this time, for at the least diversion you throw athwart my memory, many things will escape it, which might serve you for excellent remedies against those ills that afflict you.

Two dayes passed after this, during which time the Queene lived as if you had beene wholly blotted out of her memory. Amintha came to her with her wonted assiduitie, and tryed divers waies to get her to speake of you, but all in vaine; for Alcidiana a∣voyding those occasions with her incomparable dexterity, made this wise confident beleeve that she was resolved to treate you with the same scorne as till then shee had used all other men. Whilest these two rare wits did what they could to deceive one a∣nother; the news of the famous combat betwixt your selfe and the brother of Syziphus came to the Pallace. It was told the Queene with such circumstances, and to you so honourable, that all the hearts of the Court declar'd themselves for you, and twas who could finde best words to expresse most, the admiration he had of your valour and wor∣thinesse. The Queene her selfe was constrayned to breake the vow she had made, and to speake once more of you. 'Tis to be confessed (said she alowde) that this stranger hath a great deale of good fortune. Amintha that would not lose so faire an occasion to know the cause of Alcidianaes long silence; Your Majesty (said she) hath good reason to esteeme Polexander happy, since all things happen to him so favourably. But whosoever considers well the demeanour of this Prince, will confesse that he himselfe is the Author of his good fortune, and that the blinde chance of armes, and that rash and inconsiderate divinity, to whom we give the glory all that happens extraordinari∣ly, cannot be boasted of, with any justice, to governe the actions of Polexander, nor to place on his head the Lawrels wherewith he is crowned. Amintha ended this discourse just when the great Chamberlaine of Alcidiana sent her word that he was to advertise

her of your Combat, and to present her a Letter from you. The Queene went thence into the Chamber where she was used to give audience, and followed by all those rare beauties wherewith her private Court was composed, seated her selfe in that Throne shining with gold and precious stones wherein she was plac'd the second time you had the honour to see her. The high-Chamberlayne was straight admitted, and kneeling at the foote of the Throne, related to the Queene the manner of your Combat, and then presented the Letter you had written to her. The Queene commanded Amintha to take it, and turning to her Chamberlayne: I will see (said she to him) what the stranger hath written, and he shall know my pleasure. In the meane while (said shee smiling) intimate to him that his good fortune makes me jealous, and that if he goe on, hee wil make me so farre indebted that all my fortune will not be sufficient to furnish me where∣withall to acquit me. As for you Sarpedon, I doe not prescribe to you those things that are in your charge, I beleeve you too well know of what value Polexanders acti∣ons are, to entertaine him as a common person. When she had said this, Alcidiana a∣rose, and returning into her Cabinet with none but Amintha: Let's see (said shee to her) what Polexander hath writ to us. We shall infallibly know by this Letter, that hee is not much exempt from vanity as you would have me imagine. He was surely afraid that we should not heare of his Combat, or that the honour he got in it could not bee well related to us, if it were not done by himselfe. Amintha hath often told mee that she had an infinite desire to reply to the Queenes speech, but being confident that your Letter would make a better Answere, she unsealed it to give an end to the reproaches •…•…f my faire Princesse, and gave it to her all broken open. The Queene tooke it, and presently giving it her againe commanded her to reade it. Imagine Polexander, if she were slowe to execute that commandement. She read your Letter, and stopping at all things that made it appeare how much Alcidiana was deceived, brought her to that point to beleeve that she extemporarily compos'd the submissions and humilities that were expressed therein.

She snatched it out of my hands, and would reade it her selfe, hoping to finde it in some what to convince you of vanitie, and Amintha of falshood. But seeing nothing there that was not to your advantage. Why (said she somewhat angred) should not this man be made as all others? I confesse Amintha my beleefe hath wronged his virtue. But who would have thought that this stranger, being young, fayre, valiant, victorious, should be uncapable of vaine-glory. For mine owne part, I hold it for a prodigie, and not being able to be wonne from my first opinion, I imagine yet that Polexanders ex∣treme humilities want not their pride, and that the utmost of his vanitie is, to strive not to have it discernd. Your Majesty, answered Amintha, is too just to oppose, or con∣•…•…ost with a known truth, and to desire, that because a man appeares to bee extreamely innocent, he should therefore be exceedingly guilty. But why doe I strive to make that seen to your Majesty which incomparably you discerne better then my selfe? That which you feigne to beleeve, is but a turne of your good wit, and a signe that as often as you please, you can make humility taken for arrogance, valour for cowardize, and changing the face and constitution of things, bestow foulenesse and beauty, according as the force of your eloquence intends to obliege or damnity. I jest no•…•… (said Alcidiana) and if I had that absolute power which your ingenious flattery gives mee, I should not have so much injustice to imploy it to so ill purposes. I have beleev'd that Polexan∣der was a man, and I thinke so still; and therefore cannot consider him but with those weakenesses where withall the condition of men is accompanied. Were Polexander (replyed Amintha) so happy as to defend his owne cause, hee would very hum•…•…ly be∣seech your Majesty to be a little lesse cleare sighted then you are, and to imitate the e∣ternall justice, who never condemned a crime that was never committed. 'Tis possible Madam, that Polexander hath none of those faults which your Majesty supposeth; but if he have not beene so much favoured by Nature as other men, is it not a great deale of glory to him to have surmounted those vices that should have overcome him? or at least to keepe them so well concealed, that the eyes of envy it selfe are not penetrating e∣nough to discover them? Your Majesty doubtlesly will beleeve that I am too obstinate in the defence of a man that is almost altogether unknowne to me, and the love of vir∣tue

is not the sole motive, that makes me wave my respect and complying. I most hum∣bly yet beseech you, not to have that ill opinion of me, and to beleeve, that I will al∣wayes forsake Polexanders part, provided that you suffer me not to abandon that of verity. Let it be the love of virtue or of the vertuous (replied Alcidiana smiling) that makes you so generous, I will never condemne the conceptions that so faire and high a passion gives you; and to witnesse how much they are in my esteem, I would have them advise me what I ought to doe for Polexander: If your Majesty, said Amintha, speak in good earnest, and would doe me the honour to beleeve your intentions which have your fame and content for their chiefe and last object: I engage my selfe to finde you a moderation by which you shall preserve that advantage which you have over the grea∣test Kings of the earth, and send home Polexander with an eternall obligation to fill the world with the renowne of your bounty and magnificence. You shall be beleev'd, an∣swered the Queene, speake therefore, and speake what you thinke in your conscience you are bound to.

The honour (replied Amintha) which your Majesty hath done me, being considered, I should not be dutifull if I were silent: Nay, I should be disobedient. I will therefore speake, since it is your pleasure; and tell you, that the proofes of your liberality shewed to Polexander, should have filled him with admiration of your bounty. You have there∣fore me more to expediate but to let him know, that you are no lesse good then great. Sixe lines from your owne hand may make him beleeve this, and force him by a milde constraint, (even then when he shall be capable of envy or ingratitude) to praise eter∣nally your excesse of bounty, and make you honoured by all Nations that have any ve∣neration for vertue. But what should we write to him (said Alcidiana?) 'Tis not for so poore a wit as mine (replied Amintha) to give advice in a matter of this importance. It is for your owne, Madam, to furnish your Majesty with thoughts and words worthy your selfe. It hath embellishments and heights not to be met withall in other wits, and will cause that by one same and miraculous effect, you shall imprint in Polexanders minde, an admiration and love of your vertue, and make him blesse the obliging testi∣monies of your bounty. Alcidiana won by these faire words, sent for a Cabinet, where∣of she had the key, and taking thence what she needed, writ a letter which I will re∣peat, because you never saw it. I knew it by the meanes of Amintha, who gave it me some few daies after (with the writing tables, whereof I will shortly tell you more. These were the words.