The Fourth Book.

THe hard-hearted ice had now dissolved it self in tears, through rage to see it self conquered by its enemy the Sun, who advancing to his former height, from which that rebel, Winter, had degraded him, was sending forth his beams in troops, to subdue Winters auxiliaries; and in that sweet moneth of May, wherein the earth, as a badge of her gratefulness to the Summer, begins to put on its livery; and when the air layes aside that vail of thick mist, wherein it lapped it self during the coldnesse of the Winter. In a Page  344 sweet morning of that sweet season, the two Ladies, Agapeta and Aretina, who had lien together the last night (resolving to overtake the Sun in bed) did rise very early, leaving their Waiting-maids lying in Morpheus im∣braces, who was begetting on them that bastard babe called Laziness; and so were necessitated to play the hand-maid to each other, which was notwithstanding no great task, seing their cloathes seemed most willing to hing upon them, as if they knew how much they were honoured by being theirs. Yet the Ladies were no sooner entered the Garden, than they per∣ceived the Sun walking in the heavens, who had risen that morning sooner than formerly, to view that pleasant prospect which the earth afforded him; and, like an indulgent father, seemed to rejoyce, to see those lillies and roses, which were the off-spring of his own rayes. At the corner of a hedge they encountred Megi∣stus and Philarites, who were signetting that sweet air, with the yet more sweet names of their matchless Mistrisses. Philarites would willingly have tendered his respects to them, but his heart, which did climb up his throat, as if it would have propined it self to Aretina, had already stopt the passage: which Megistus perceiving, and bowing, as if he would have by that posture, shewed the Ladies how much Page  345 he esteemed himself below them: Fair Ladies, said he, if our attendance upon you might suit with your diet and quiet, we should court the imployment with thousands of wishes, and ac∣quit our selves of it with all possible endea∣vours. Gentlemen, replied Agapeta, seing we cannot meliorate you by our society, we dare not vex you by such fruitlesse attendance, nei∣ther is there any thing in such a barren imploy∣ment, whereby ye could advantage your alrea∣dy accomplisht spirits, except in evidencing the strength of your patience, in vanquishing with∣out anxiety the importunacy and impertinen∣cies of two, rather innocent than well accom∣plisht Ladies. Accomplishments, said Megi∣stus, were very imprudent if they choosed not to lodge in such rare bodies as yours are; for, I am confident they may travel the world over, before they finde any such other receptacles; and as for us, seing nature glories of you as of her master-pieces, the best of men, and much more we, may be vain of the title of your servants; an honour rather to be wished than merited. Gentlemen, answered Aretina, if nature had intended to glory in our shapes, she would have made us Megistus and Philarites, whose praises are so large and numerous, that no mouth is large enough to contain them, but all mouths run over of them; and to express Page  346 whose praises, duty endeavours to make each tongue eloquent. Incomparable Ladies, said Philarites, we have acted nothing since our arrival here, but what we have acted as your servants, so that if men admire us, it is because we are persons upon whom ye are pleased to lay your commands (attributing that to de∣sert, which is the meer effect of favour) and so by telling us that we are admired, ye remem∣ber us of those vast obligations which we owe you. Well, Sir, replied Aretina, since ye have disarmed my tongue of complement, and hath turned the edge of my own weapon against me, it were high time to yeeld, to which I am the rather willing, that I know that all that I can yeeld to you, is yours by merit formerly; for since we owe our lives to you, and since all that a man hath he will give for his life, it is clear, that ye may challenge as yours, all that we could bestow as our own. Agapeta desired them to end these complements, and that each of them would remark something in that Gar∣den, where every thing was remarkable, and that I may begin, look how the flourish peeps out of its green palace, to behold this sweet moneth, and to smell that excellent perfume, wherewith the Sun hath poudered the heads of the undergrowing hills. Aretina remarked how time had borrowed youth from an old Page  347 apple-tree, to lend it to a young cherry-tree which grew not far from it, whose coat was so long worn, that it was now all in rags; See ye not (continued she) how it hath stood so long that it is now weary, and would willing∣ly lie down, if the carefull Gardener had not provided a staff for its age to lean upon? and yet in spight of age, ye see how its fruits do flourish, ripening alwayes as the tree grows old, and bringing seeds in their bosome where∣with to plenish the earth after they are gone, and the tree fallen. Observe, fair Ladies, said Megistus, how these red roses blush, and these tulips grow pale, through anger to see their beauty so outstript by yours, and how these cherries, albeit they be but hard hearted crea∣tures, yet understand their duty so well as bow downwards to do you obeisance, and would willingly throw themselvs at your feet, if their stalks did not hinder them; and how yonder pond hath drawn your picture, and placed it in its bosome, presenting it to you when ye ap∣proach, to indicate the high value it sets upon your beauty, and concealing it when ye are gone, fearing lest any should rob it. Phila∣rites recommended to them, to advert, how the gods had cleared the sky purposely that morning, that they might have the fuller view of them; and how the grass propi•e• their Page  348 shoes with their pearly drops, which seemed to kiss their feet in token of subjection. This gave them occasion to laugh at one anothers pretty conceits, wherein their wanton inventi∣ons seemed to sport themselves.

After this, they went to repose themselves a little in an Arbour, where all the branches had laid their heads together, to resist the scorching Sun, and to shelter those who refu∣ged under its protection, and whose walls like strainers, did separate the light from the heat, keeping out the one, and letting in the other; refuting thereby the opinion of some Philoso∣phers, who opinion that light is nothing but fire dilated, and that fire is nothing but light contracted. Megistus and Agapeta stayed a little behind, both that they might the more freely entertain one another, and that they might give Philarites the conveniency of en∣tertaining Aretina, who finding that none eyed him, threw up his eyes, as if he durst not fix them upon Aretina, and passionatly sighed up these few words. O heavens, what favour have I done you, that ye should lend me this hand? or rather, wherein have I offended you, that ye should, as a punishment, crown my soul in this ocean of joy? Can I, miserable Philarites, be so happy, as to find an occasion of evidencing to Aretina, how that his happi∣ness Page  349 depends solely upon her? Whereto Are∣tina smiling, replyed, Can passion conquer un∣conquerable Philarites? or, is it Philarites pleasure, to act the personage of an enamorato, to testifie how exquisit he is, not only in real vertue, but even in apparent passion? Phila∣rites would have proceeded further, but was interrupted by the cryes of one who came run∣ning to him, and who look'd like one who had propined his wit to love for his Mistris sake, thinking all donatives besides, unworthy pre∣sents for so divine a passion; his flaming zeal which had stayed within so long as there was any thing unconsumed for it to feed upon, did now flash abroad at his nostrils, and by its smoak had obfuscated his native colour: his eyes by their rolling and continual motion, wit∣nessed that they missed the object, whereon they desired to fix their rayes; and the variety of his motions, shew the lightness of the body which was moved, his words were cut to pieces by his inconsiderate irresolution, and the torrent of his discourse resembled a river, which the broader it grows, grows always the shallower; such was the heat of his passion, that it made him tear off all his cloaths, and his looks and thoughts strove, which should change oftest. This was the miserable Moragapus, who was enamoured of a young Lady called Page  350 Calista, who gave him a very kindly requittal of his love, which an Alexandrian Gallant, who was his rival, perceiving, perswaded him that Calista had deserted him, and had bestow∣ed her affection upon another; whereupon Moragapus, who lived then in the Country, desires to return to the City, but was impeded by his father, who conjectured his errand, and who protested withall, that as he had fettered himself by love, so he should be fettered by chains, if he turned not proselyte to a fathers entreaties. This made Moragapus melancho∣ly, and his melancholy did dictate to him some expressions, which enraged his father, so that he hermitaged him in a chamber, denying him company, which was the sole cure of his sick fancy, and diversion, which was the only pro∣bable mean to recover him out of his frantick love: this restraint did fully fling him over the rock of distraction, upon whose edge he stood formerly (passion resembling those spiritfull horses, who stir most and are maddest, when the bridle is most straitly held by the rider; and men resembling oft fine cloathes, which corrupt most when they are kept closest; and the will is of the nature of these things, which spill by being packed up in too narrow bounds) and thereafter he became so demented, that where∣as they kept him formerly under restraint for Page  351 prevention, they were obliged to do it now, through necessity: at last the mercilesse fire having one night seized upon his fathers house, he was brought out, and amidst the confu∣sions wherein all were involved at that time, he escapes their hands, and comes streight to Alex∣andria, and finding the Garden door open, he enters, and apprehends Aretina to have been Calista, whereupon he runs to her, and flings himself at her feet, quivering out the irregular notes of his ill tune'd passion; leap∣ing from sentence to sentence, and sometimes running over one sentence twice, till Aretina, sorry to see this tyranny of madnesse, assured him, that Calista was in another corner of the Garden, which information posts him away, (his light body being easily blown away by the least puft of perswasion) and accidentally he spieth Calista walking upon the brink of a deep pond, which was hemmed in with marble, he no sooner spies her, but he runns to her, and she no sooner spies him, but that terrified with the unexpectednesse of the sight, (for it had been concealed from her) and fearing some outrage, she offered to step back, but her gown feltring her feet, trips up her heels, so that she falls in the pond, her weight and haste carry∣ing her to the bottom: but the water, which seemed to glory that so rich a pearl was to be Page  352 found there, did throw her body presently up again, as if it intended to shew that she was in its possession; yet albeit the water shew her, she could shew no appearance of life, for death (that rather tyrant than conquerour) who like a rigid creditor, exacts of us that last debt oftimes before the ordinary term of pay∣ment) had possest it self of all the chief forts of her soul, and had displayed his ordinary standard, paleness, in her face, to shew that the place was conquered: at her fall, the wa∣ter did flee circular-wise from her body, fearing to be accessory to the murder of so choice a person, and look'd drumely at so tragick a mis∣fortune; yet she might have escaped, if the thrice infortunate Moragapus had not leapt in after her, and there by strugling to save her, had not drowned both himself and her.

The Knights and Ladies who knew nothing of this sad occurrant, were sitting all this while in the Arbor; and Megistus was remarking from Moragapus looks (wherein all might have read his distraction) how much they were to blame, who blamed Phisiognomy, as an Art both artless and uncertain: for, said he, seing the dullest amongst men, may perceive by that fellows looks, his madness; certainly others of more prying spirits, and a more frequent ob∣servation, may come to discern the nature of Page  353 less observable looks, for there is not so great a disproportion, betwixt those evidently known looks, and others that are less discernable, than there is betwixt an artlesse observation, and a serious and experimental remark; for as an un∣experienced clown, can see nothing in the face of heaven, albeit a skilfull Astrologue can pro∣gnostick from it, what weather is to be expect∣ed; So a skilfull Phisiognomist may perceive, what is undiscernable by the eye of a skillesse guesser: And we see, that different tempers have different faces, the Melancholians looks, differing for from those of a Flegmatician; and so, since these temperaments are natural, we may conclude, that the difference of those looks which are proper to them, must be likewise na∣tural, and if natural, why not discoverable by Art? seing it is natural to man, to know all Natures operations: for, albeit there be many Provinces in the Globe of Learning, which are yet unknown (mans laziness restraining him from such new adventures) yet the Needle of Reason being observed, we may come to coast Natures greatest difficulties. We see likewise that a mans looks, changes as his thoughts, which argues clearly, that there is some con∣nexion and dependance betwixt the thoughts and looks: for, our bodies do resemble a lant∣horn, wherein that divine light, the soul, is Page  354 placed; and our faces are the horn through which may be easily perceived, whether the within shining light be in it self clear, or not; and it would appear very suitable to divine Providence, that ingenuity should wear some badge whereby it may be known, and being known may be respected; whereas roguery, wearing its own colours, may be found out, and so evited, lest else honest men should be chea∣ted upon all occasions by soulless knaves.

Your sex is much obliged to this poor fel∣low, said Agapeta, for he hath vindicated you of that aspersion wherewith generally all men are tainted, which is, That all their passion is but simulate; wherefore, Sir, I could wish to hear from you, whether men can be really ena∣moured of such ugly faces at all, and whether they can be so deeply taken with the best, as to become distracted through missing them?

Madam, replyed Megistus, providence seems for ornament, to have filled the gallery of this world with faces strangely different; yet, on the other hand, when we consider, how the most exquisit pencile is not able to draw two faces in nothing unlike, we may judge, that this variety hath been rather the effect of chance, than pains; and if we consider what a great va∣riety of thoughts are to be found in the world, there being some dependance betwixt thoughts Page  355 and faces, we need not admire the difference of faces: for, mans face being patched up of so many traits and colours; and the eye (which influenceth hugely upon the looks, the face changing according to the difference of the eye, as a picture doth by the several positions of an optick glasse) being so varying in it self, it is rather a wonder, to see how two faces should be found any-wayes like, than that two faces should be so dislike; wherefore, Nature having produced all men and women to be coupled to∣gether, and nothing being so able to couple them as affection, it hath given several inclina∣tions to men and women, whereby they are in a manner constrained to love those different faces; for, man being naturally incompleat, needs a fellow-helper to accomplish him; and as every piece will not serve to accomplish and fill up the vacant room of what is wanting, neither is it enough that it be either greater, or of better stuff, So it is not sufficient, to make a man love a woman, that she is of nobler ex∣traction, richer, or wittier than her whom he loves: no, that is not sufficient, for it is likewise requisit, that she be exactly adapted to his fancy; for, if all men loved only those who were wise, rich, or noble; there being many women who can pretend to neither, there should be many who behoved for ever to live Page  356 unmarried, and albeit a man may think that he could marry any of many hundreds whom he sees, yet he is in that mistaken; Not unlike an Artisan who takes up several pieces, thinking them fit enough to fill a void, which when he applies he finds most unfit. And the difference of the eyes which look, makes the difference oft of what is looked upon; for as in a plain glasse, that object seems great which is lessened much by a concave mirrour; so some eyes judge that beautifull, which others account ugly; and if reason were imployed as the only proxenet, yet we should see as much of this variety in the love of faces, as we see there is in the love of opinions; and as there is no opi∣nion so absurd but it will still find a patron; so there should be no face so ugly, but it should find a lover: And seing there would be such different choices, even albeit reason were um∣pire; what may we expect from fancy, whose acts being but simple apprehensions, must be more different than the acts of the judgment, which never traces in any path except where reason is its guide. And as to the other que∣stion, which your Ladyship proposed, Whether loves storms may blow so furiously, as to shat∣ter our reason, and may appear so terrible as to fright us out of our wits: I believe certainly, Madam, that it may; for, as a person may Page  357 over-reach himself so, to the effect that he may grasp that which is placed in a high place above him, that he may disjoynt his body thereby; so the soul of man may endeavour so to reach up the hand of desire, that it may disjoynt it self by its nimious attempt; and a mans reason may flie for shame to see it self so disappointed, as that what it desired most to enjoy, should be enjoyed by another: And as the body may weary it self so, in hunting and traversing to and fro, as that it may by that immoderat tra∣vel, fall in some uncurable disease; so, the soul may by too anxious cares run it self in some in∣superable distemper; Neither can I blame al∣together such a generous wit, as scorns to out∣live its own felicity, and who desires to under∣stand nothing, after he understands that his Mistris disaffections him; for then, the wit which formerly served him as an ornamen•, will then serve him only as a torturer. And such a lover may appositly be compared to one who draws a cord, or any thing else to him, with such vehemency, that if it break, he must undoubtedly fall; and his wits may be said to leave their old residence, that they may by roaving up and down, try if they can find her whom they so much admire, and adore so in∣tensly; Yet, Madam, albeit I revere passio∣natly that divine vertue, Love, I cannot not∣withstanding, Page  358 but hate that species of it, which being nursed by avarice, languishes thereafter in discontentment (and no wonder that such foul milk should occasion an ill tempered complexi∣on) neither can I comprehend how true lovers can be soldered together by gold, a mettal which the gods seems to have hid in the bow∣els of the earth, lest our avarice should have taken notice of it; must that dross which car∣ries only the impressa of some Monarch, be pre∣ferred to the rich mettal of true love? which bears the effigies of the immortal gods, and which is only forged in heavens mint-house, whence nothing that is impure proceeds, and where nothing that is pure is lacking: And must the Suns bastard be preferred to that ce∣lestial off-spring? Are Venus chains become weaker than formerly through too much usage? or hath the Suns continued influence, refined gold to a greater excellency than it was of in the dayes of our predecessors? Can avarice, which ingendreth murders, rapines, thefts, and rebellion, be the parent of so divine and he∣roick vertues? or can that which cannot incite a man to the acts of generation, be the basis of that whereby all true generation is warranted? as also there is much imprudence in this choice, for gold having made a man dispense with the tenderness, lameness, or uncomliness of a wife, Page  359 she brings him forth such children, as that their ugly shapes, and crabbed humours, makes him ashamed to term himself their father; and who needs more money to patch up those im∣perfections in each of them when they are to be matched, than he received by his match with their mother? beside what treasure he must squander daily amongst Physicians and Apo∣thecaries (from whom they must buy a lease of their life) to maintain that ruinous fa∣brick which totters from the first day it was founded; neither need I swell up this sum of their fathers miseries, with either his inward frettings, which must be as numerous as are the views which he hath, either of his defor∣med wife, or formless children: or the outward opprobries, wherewith he hears both her and them daily aspersed, by jeering neighbours and railing adversaries, who are glad to find some∣thing whereon to fix the teeth of their envie; who will not miss to upbraid him with his avarice, and them with their defects; and al∣beit there be no infallibility, yet there is much probability in that conjecture, that such as is the body, such must be the soul, Nature having like a wise merchant, bestowed the finest cases upon the richest Jewels or Watches. There are lkewise another race of Cupids bastards, who love assoon as they are acquaint, and these love Page  360 oft times because they are not well acquaint; they love oft, before they try one anothers tempers, and so joyn oft with those of con∣trary tempers, and this being as opposit in their humours, as fire, water, and the other elements, they agree oft as these assimbolick elements do, the one extinguishing the other, and the one devouring the other; and as the conjunction of these can never parentate any production, so their copulations are oft barren, and never very fruitfull. Neither do the inconveniencies which accress from hence sist in their personal preju∣dice only, but turns also to the prejudice of many others, for of these two who are so un∣fitly matched; the one might have been a good wife, if she had marryed another husband, and so it occasions that others misfortune; and the other might have proven a good husband, if he had married another wife; and so that match hath occasioned that other womans prejudice. Wherefore seing willing rashness marreth so many marriages, I admire why Judges and Le∣gislators should by constrained inconsideratness occasion moe; for, if a fantastick youth, de∣mented by a fond passion, do promise marriage to a woman, they oblige him to marry her, al∣beit •e neither understand what is the strength of a promise, nor the nature of marriage, a thing in it self not so reasonable as legal; and Page  361 yet, if straitly examined, will scarce be found legal: for, if the consent or promise of a mad man, or a fool, will not oblige him to a perfor∣mance, why should they who are both mad and fond, either through love, or lust, be so straitned? and that they are either ideots, or furious, may be conjectured by the effects, (which are the means whereby in all cases such persons are dig•osced) for if they were not such, they would never throw themselves away upon such bargains, nor sell themselves and their liberties at the rate of one hours pleasure; and if we may justly account him distracted, who sells an opulent fortune for a toy, how much more may we conclude him such, who exchanges his liberty, which is by far more ex∣cellent than his fortune, for that which is much worse than a toy? and if the Law rescinds bar∣gains, where the buyer is cheated in a half, why should they confirm this, wherein he is cheated in all, and where he gains nothing but discon∣tentment, which is worse than nothing? and if we will turn over the Records either of hi∣story or experience, we will learn there, what murders, rapins, and massacres have budded from this same root, which this same promise springs from, even from distracted love, whose slames burns oft reason to ashes, and conta∣gins all the faculties of him with whom it re∣sides; Page  362 and if the Law obliges not him, who hath tied himself by a causeless paction, albeit of the smallest importance; how can it tie him to perform a promise which hath no cause, or if it hath any, is such a cause, as is abominable and filthy, and so rather invaliditats than cor∣roborats the thing promised; and I am confi∣dent, that the expectation of a promise, in∣duces many to whore, who otherwise would continue chaste (many being content to sell their chastity who would never bestow it free∣ly) and it is most sacrilegious to see that divine contract, which should be only celebrated in the temples of the immortal gods, celebrated in bordels and whorish beds.

This discourse ended, Agapeta entreated the Knights to remove a little, to prevent miscon∣struction; for, said she, our tender repute may be easily wounded, except it be armed with caution, and our favours which we bestow up∣on you as strangers, will be certainly envyed, except they be palliated by prudence: The Knights, in obedience to their desire, removed presently, leaving the Ladies to their private entertainment, and congratulating their own indicible happiness: but Philarites was scarce arrived at his chamber, when a Letter was pre∣sented to him by a Gentleman, whose joy could scarce suffer him to deliver it. Philarites as Page  363 impatient to know what was in it, as fearfull that it was to recall him home, broke it open, and trembling did read it thus.

This fatal Letter did put Philarites resolu∣tion to a bay, his fathers condition, and his own affection divided equally the forces of his mind betwixt them; his fathers condition required a cure, and yet his affection to Aretina would not suffer him to be the Physician: knowing that whilst he endeavoured to recover his lost Crown, he hazarded the losse of Aretina, who was dearer than his Crown to him. To un∣kernel which doubt, he sends for Megistus, who perswaded him, presently to obey his fa∣ther; For, said he, will ye hazard Aretina's Crown by your lingring? or, would ye wish to marry her, except ye had a Crown to bestow upon her? or think ye, that she will mind him who minds not his own businesse? Sir, Love requires that ye should ensure your Ladies Kingdom, Nature requires that ye should as∣sist your old Father, Justice requires that ye should punish Traitors, and Gallantry requires that ye should rather follow, than flee dangers. Let not your Valour be like the Physician, who can cure others, but not himself: and whilst those who know you not, talk of your courage and conduct, let not your subjects, who know Page  365 you, smile at your esseminate cowardishnesse.

This discourse determined the question, be∣twixt Philarites affection and his courage: so leaving Megistus, he march'd streight to Are∣tina's chamber, where finding her alone, (Mo∣nan•hropus being gone to the country) he en∣ters, waited on only by a chearful countenance, and after a low obeisance made, he thus ex∣presseth himself to her: Incomparable Are∣tina, my Fathers commands, and the necessi∣ties of my Nation, rather drives, than takes me away from this place: neither is it so much to ensure a Crown, as it is to ensure your Crown, that I undertake this pilgrimage. If I wanted natural affection, I were unworthy to be your Servant; and if I wanted a Crown, I were unworthy to be your husband: Wherefore I come to beg your permission to return home, to satisfie the one, and to fix the other; hoping in my absence, to testifie my constancy, and by my speedy return, to witness what a high value I put upon your presence, in which I taste the choicest of contentments, and without which all things besides seems but tastless to the pa∣late of my pleasure. Aretina surprized, but not dejected at what she heard, did, much to his satisfaction, deceive his expectation; re∣turning him this sweet answer. Philarites, Vertue and I are not at such odds, as that ye Page  366 must displease the one, to obey the other; no▪ Philarites, I am confident the gods will prove a target to defend you, whilest ye prove the sword of your family: my sex makes me fear∣full, yet my experience makes me confident of the unalterableness of your affection; and I know you to be too generous in every thing else, to prove base in that, wherein the basest of men prove often generous. Wherefore go, in∣vincible Philarites, victory waits for you; on∣ly, remember your friends, when either your leisure, or pleasure, can steal an hour from your more weighty imployments, and with that she imbraceth him, and intreats him instantly to be gone: for, said she, a womans courage should be tryed, not tempted, and if ye would wish me to pers•vere, take from me by your speedy removal, the means of repenting. Philarites was confounded by this command; for albeit she gave him leave to go, yet she did that with so much grace, that it invited him once yet to stay wholly. But whilst he was thus debating what was fittest to be done, she fell upon an expedient her self, of taking at her own hands what she desired from him; for stepping in to her closet, and closing the door, she left him alone, obliged in civility to depart her chamber. Yet in retiring, she glanced over her shoulder, and then, only one tear broke the pr̄ison of her Page  367 fair eyes, prest out by the multitude of those other tears which stood behind it; but no sooner was she entered, but that unruly crowd forced themselves a passage, and as a volley of small shot, discharged themselves in honour of Philarites intended voyage: who rather dis∣sembling than quenching his passion, went to Agapeta's chamber, accompanied by Megistus, to tender his respects to her, for his Majesty was then gone abroad; to whom, immediatly upon his return, he addressed himself, and by whom he was dismist with many extraordina∣ry testimonies of his singular affection to him, ordering his Guards to wait upon him to the utmost confines of Egypt, and all the Ordnance to send their shot a piece of the way with him: he ordered likewise by the Lord Chamberlain, that his Master of Ceremonies, should carry to him some Jewels, and that the Kings Jeweller should carry to him some Plate (for these were the formalities of all those Nations) all which he refused, accepting only from the hands of Agapeta (to whom the King entrusted that particular, hoping by the quality of the giver to oblege him to accept the gift) his Majesties Portrait, richly deckt with inestimable Jewels, which he accepted, telling her, that he thought himself much honoured, by having the means when he pleased of coming in his Majesties Page  368 presence: and so he departed Alexandria, all who met him, proffering him their attendance; but he, acknowledging their courtesie, told them, that his business with Megistus required some retiredness: and thus they two rode out together, followed only by Kalodulus, whom Megistus commanded to wait upon Philari∣tes, and prest him further to accept of his at∣tendance, alleadging, that he could not now abandon him in difficulties apparently greater, and certainly such as related to him more near∣ly, than those wherein they had been formerly joyntly engaged; but Philarites declined it most resolutely: for, said he, our affairs here requires that one of us should be present, and my pressures at home are not yet come to that maturity, but that I alone may suppress them, So that since your presence is necessary in the one, and would be superfluous in the other, I will entreat your stay; and if these weeds wax higher, I will then, and not till then, entreat your absence; and will in this play the wise General, who keeps the choice of his forces as a reserve, till the latter end of the day. Where∣upon, locking themselves in one anothers arms, they shewed more compassion than could be expect•d from men of such a vast courage, bold mens veins and eyes being filled with bloud, whereas those of compassionat men are filled Page  369 with tears, for those objects which move the one to compassion, move the other to revenge; We see ordinarily that steel cannot be softned, nor can the fiery flint be hollowed by the fal∣ling drops of water, as the softer stones are: yet sometimes sorrow, which cannot beget re∣venge, nor ease it self that way, breaks out in compassion, and when the heat of affection tempers the steel of courage, it becomes plyable at pleasure. After this Philarites ships in, and by the help of the complacent winds (who whistled like a waggoner to move the ship to run more swiftly) in a short space, takes leave of Megistu• long-tracing eyes, who stood up∣on the shoar both sorrowfull, and glad of his so ready passage. After a fortnights journey, he arrives in Thracia, and writes to Evander his father, to provide Coaches, Suits, and Atten∣ders for him, and shortly enters Bizantium the capital City of Thracia, and passeth alongst all its streets, with a cavalcade of all the Nobi∣lity and Gentry of the Nation, who, conscious to their own guilt, and fearing that it would be revealed by some of their Colleagues, each la∣boureth by his discovery to prevent the rest of the Complot: and thus, every one fearing to speak to his neighbour of a Combination, they acquiesce to what Philarites commanded; yet he, desirous, like a good Physician, that that Page  370 ulcer should ripen, that so it might break, and purge the body of some pestilential humours, suffereth some to be dissatisfied, who running to their arms, flocked to one Philenus, a Thra∣cian Nobleman, whom he had immediatly upon his return secured, and whom he caused the Jaylor suffer now to escape, who rendevouzed shortly six thousand men; for he expected, if not to gain the field by fighting, yet at least, to ensure his life and estate by capitulation; to which effect, he writes presently to Philarites, promising to draw all under his command to his Highness obedience, upon the security of his life and fortune: This Philarites no sooner received, but he dispatches copies of it to his Agents in Philenus Armie, who disseminate amongst the Soldiery Philenus treachery, who used them only as means to gain his own, and not their peace, which so alienated the hearts of his dependers from him, that they quit him peice-meal; whereof Philarites (who with two Regiments of Horse waited this occasion) being ascertained, falls upon him and his Con∣federates, and suffers few of them to escape; which catastrophe of these bold rebels brought the Nation to its former obedience.

Let us again glance a little at Aretina; upon whom Ophni Duke of Iris had look'd through the prospect of respect; which usually aggran∣dizes Page  371 all things that are represented by it; which dye had tinctured so all his thoughts, as that neither the soap of pains, nor the Fullers earth of reason, were able to return them to their former colour: love being like pitch, which no sooner touches than it sticks; and which when it once sticks, can hardly be removed: wherfore finding that this barbed arrow which Cupid had stuck in him, could not be drawn back, without leaving its head in the wound, he resolves to drive it forward, and resolves either to lose himself, or to gain her; seing without her, he concluded himself fit for no∣thing: and albeit the vastness of her fortunes (being only heir to a potent Duke) were gol∣den mountains, over which his meaner condi∣tion (being low in his estate) could scarce scramble; and which being past, the difficulties were not yet all overcome, for she was yet for∣tified by her fathers honours, and her own beauty; to batter all which ramperts, he could bring no other engyns, besides those of impor∣tunity, patience, and confidence: but alas, poor Ophni, the fort of her affection is strongly man∣ned by the high thoughts she hath of Philari∣tes, and is provisioned daily by the perswasions and cunning of Megistus and Agapeta, and all the avennues of her servants and familiars are already blocked up with gold (cemented with Page  372 civility) by Philarites during his last residence at Court; and as to thy pains, these small ord∣nance will never reach her, love being like to these shapes which are casten in a mould, which if they be not rightly moulded at the very first, can never (or at least hardly) be helpt by any future endeavours; and the wild fancy is of the nature of all other untamed beasts, which must be taken at a start, else can hardly be laid hold upon.

He endeavours by company, to conjure away these hopgoblin fancies, but all in vain; for, al∣beit whilst he is with his friends it leaves him, yet no sooner leaves he them, but instantly it returns to him; for albeit a melancholian may, like an ill-going clock, have the index of his humour put right by the hand of a friend, or of company, yet the in-works of his soul being distempered by that corrupt rust, he will pre∣sently run wrong as formerly. Finding no so∣lacement here, he wanders in woods and groves (the ordinary galleries of such enamorato's) but there he is more distempered than former∣ly; for those fancies which could not follow him foot for foot in the crowd of Court, finds now room to walk side for side with him; for meditation being but a digested representation of what species and ideas were hudled up in the memory formerly, it can do nothing else, but Page  373 make a more of what was but a much former∣ly: and so, if it find a man to have much pru∣dence, or piety, it will make him to have more of both; whereas if it find him to have much impiety, or passion, it will screw them up to a greater height: and hence springs that proverb, that a solitary person must be either a Saint or a Devil; for, it being an extraordinary custom, it must argue an extraordinary genius; and al∣beit meditation be a mirrour wherein one may see himself represented without errour or flat∣tery, yet it is such a mirrour as is the Sea, which if troubled, can represent no object whatsoever: Even so, if meditation be tossed with the storms of passion, its surface can re∣present nothing but horrour. And man being sociable naturally, as we see by all the faculties of his soul, and number of his senses, which were useless, if he were cloistred up in an Her∣mitage: for, why was the tongue given him, but to express to others his own thoughts, and to answer theirs? why his ears, but to hear others, &c. doubtless therefore his retiredness must be supernatural; and so either angelical, or diabolick. And the gods by distributing some perfections to one, some to another, have ne∣cessitated us either not to aim at any further accomplishment, or if we do, to learn it from one another; and how can that be done but in Page  374 society? As also, in heaven we shall be fully happy; and yet there shall be there no hermi∣tages, but we shall cleave together; which evidences, that hermitage and happiness roul not upon the same axletree. But neither could Ophni sing a requiem to his passion here, for his love presents to him the disparity of their fortunes, and this starts avarice; his love mu∣ster• to him all those who may pretend to be his rivals, and that starts up his envie, or at least, a passion less vertuous than emulation: his love terrifies him with the numbers of her fathers honours, and that puffs up his ambition. And thus hounded by all these raging passions, he knows not where to run, nor how to shel∣ter: he tumbles down upon the ground, as if like an itchy horse, he meant to ease himself by rubbing with it; and immediately starting up, with his arms crost, he pawes with his foot, as if he intended to beat the earth, because it could not relieve him; but finding the earth could not help him, he throws up his eyes to heaven (an ordinary posture even amongst disconsolat Atheists, fore-ordained by providence to prove their dependance upon supernal powers) think∣ing that the other goddesses had taken her up there, to be their colleague. After this he turns to the by-running streams, but they glide away so swiftly, as that they will not stay to hear Page  375 him; and the fishes, as if it were in derision, leaps up, to shew him what a priceless thing is freedom. The inhospital air likewise, to aggrege his misfortunes, no sooner receives his dolean∣ces, but each part of it, as if it were weary of them, posts them away immediatly to another part yet remoter, and at last refuses flatly to carry them any further: he vexes to see the crows, like frugal masters of families, build their nests, and feed their young ones; and to see those organists of heaven, the chanting larks, from their natural cage the firmament, quiver out their melodious notes, the air opening it self willingly to receive such a pleasant harmo∣nie: and all these free from court care, and af∣flicting affection; whereas he, who brags of being created the master of all these, hath his head toiled with the cares of his family, and his breast burnt with the flames of love. At last, being refused shelter by all these, he addresses himself to that bold undertaker, confidence; who perswades him to return to Court, and promised to make way for him. I am (said con∣fidence) that skilfull Physician, who hath reco∣vered thousands of patients, after that others have condemned them to die; I am that bold Warriour who hath oft recruited desperat Ar∣mies; and by my hands have gallant and over∣weening Ladies been thrown in the arms, of by Page  376 them despised Gentlemen. Goutish fear is ne∣ver able to overtake his prey, and he stands so long hearkning to reason, that the bird is flown before he come to the nest; I strike so oft that I must kill at sometime; and I rally so sudden∣ly, that I can never be beaten, or if I be beat, none dares twit me, lest I fall foul on them also. And I pray you (continued confidence) as a La∣dies favour is the greatest prize in the world, so her refusal is one of the smallest affronts: for, since all men confesse that none can sufficiently merit a Ladies favour, what wrong is done, or what affront is received in not obtaining what was not merited; and seing a womans choice is attributed to her fancy, what wise man will esteem you a whit the worse, that her fancy conceited that ye were worse than ye are? He may be a good archer who misses his mark once, and an excellent merchant who loses one ad∣venture: choice things are like diamonds of the rock, to gain which, pains are required; nei∣ther is the lame hands of fear, fit to dig in the mine of golden love. Fear is a cold humour, and so extinguisheth these divine fires, whereas courage is an oyl fit to conserve it. She loves you possibly, albeit she proclaims it not; and there may be fire in that which seems only an hard flint; she intends like all other women, to set a price upon her affection by the difficulty Page  377 of obtaining it, and will have the race to be long, •eing the prize is great; she will have you to •ause the world take notice of her worth; and •elf-love, and vanity must needs have that come∣•y of Courtship entertained, because they are so •ickled by it. And it is reason, that she should have some time to try his humour, to whom she •ntends to subject hers at all times. When we buy that which is of any value, a slight view will not satisfie us; neither would ye your self bestow your childe without a most strict enquiry what his qualities and estate were upon whom ye be∣stowed her.

To extricate himself from these jarring debates, he sends for an old Priest who was Monanthro∣•us intimate acquaintance, and had likewise ser∣ved his own father formerly, and communicates his design to him, and entreats him to deal with Monanthropus, which the Priest undertakes, and represents so cunningly to Monanthropus Lady, that he gains by her mediation her husbands con∣sent; with this proviso, That Ophni should be∣stow his daughters estate upon her eldest son, who should carry her Name and A•ms, and that the second should have the Dutchy of Iris. To which Ophni agrees, since the honour of his own family was not in the least obfuscated thereby, which was to be maintained intire, in the person of his second son. This being agreed to, betwixt Page  378 Ophni and the parents, they begin to sound the daughters inclinations, and her mother presses first, that she should marry, that the estate might be entailed upon her; whereas if she who was her mother, dyed, her father might marry a se∣cond wife, and so settle the estate upon her chil∣dren. Aretina seems not to heed that discourse only she said she would consult with time (• Counsellour whom experience had made wise) and that many young Ladies had been accounted famous, for living chast•, but never any for mar∣rying too soon; that the bearers were oft-times broken by pulling fruit too soon; and that she would rather live without a husband, than mar∣ry without singular affection; for, seing a con∣jugate life was hedged in with so many thorny difficulties, and attended by so many dangers to those of her sex, she resolved never to marry, til• she found one for whom she would be willing to hazard dangers, and encounter difficulties. At last the mother thinking that her daughter was like those who wil never bargain til they see their merchant; or like those merchants, who wil never sell freely till they see money; proposed to her a match with Ophni Duke of •ris (having formerly commanded her Nurse and Maids to speak of him with all respect possible) wherat Aretina smiling told her, that such a big tree as a Duke, was not fit to be engrafted upon any other root; meaning Page  379 ••at he would never relinquish his own family, •o maintain the honour of any's else. What, said •onaria, if he bestow the estate which comes with you upon your eldest son, and his own up∣•n his second son? really, replyed Aretina, I would not marry one, who honoured so little •is ancient family, to which he owes all the dif∣ference, which there is between him and his ser∣•ant, and for whose support his predecessors have •oiled so much: for as a man should, and doth •ove his father more tenderly than his Prince; so 〈◊〉 man should love his old heritage better than his Country: and I should hate him, who be∣trayed his Country to pleasure a Mistris.

Ophni had always hitherto with much instance •nd a superstitious observance payed his respects •o Aretina, speaking with his eyes what his mouth durst not; but at last finding that darts thrown at so great a distance could wound but •ightly, imboldned by her parents assistance, he expresses thus his passion to her one morning.

Madam, it appears that Nature, like all Artisans, becomes daily the more skilfull, and that in shaping •thers she hath been studying how to shape you, and hath also as they do, reserved the choicest of her stuff till she was fully assured of her own skill. Since therefore every thing that is new excites admiration, and since every •hing that is ex•raordinary is new, I hope, incomparable Lady▪ that ye will pardon those who adore with respect, •hat nature hath made matchless by her skill, and since Page  380 she shews more art than formerly, why should not we a••mire more than formerly? As for me, Madam, I a••knowledge that admiration invited me to know, and th• knowledge engendred love; but oh! better to have co••tinued ignorant, than to have become arrogant: for sin• love intends a conjunction, it must make a parity; and is arogance to wish that love should make a parity, whe•• nature hath made such an imparity. Yet, Madam, suff•• me to respect you, since respect hath imbosomed in it 〈◊〉 subordination; and be confident, that my desires sh•• never advance beyond the skreen of a profound respec•• till it be ushered-in further by your irresistable com•mands, or at least connived at by your permission.

Aretina shunned to use any eloquence in he• answers to him, but rather in discourse, gesture• and all her other actions, endeavoured to reclai•• him from his passion by a feigned shew of imper•fection; but all in vain, for his disease had con•tinued too long to be now cured, neither was h• so blinded by his passion, but that he saw he• dissimulation: which because it argued so much wit, did engage his affection more deeply tha• formerly. Her father continues to press her, but she declines the match, protesting that albeit she had no inclinations for any else, yet she had a• aversion from Ophni; and to marry her to him▪ were to tye an eagle to a stone, or make a fish flie• in the air: for that was as much contrary to he• humour, as these actions were contrary to theirs.

Aretina finding her fathers perseverance in Page  381 〈◊〉 wherein she intended to shew so much ob∣••acy, acquainted Agapeta with it, who revea∣•• it to Megistus, and disswaded her likewise 〈◊〉 it; and one day it was Megistus good for∣•e to have an occasion to flout Ophni; for at Marriage of one of the Officers of the Crown, ••re was a solemnity to be used of running at ••e Tilt, wherefore Megistus feigns himself in∣•sposed a day before, but at the day appointed 〈◊〉 mounts himself in a blue armour, over-spread •ith the Ivie and the Vine twisted together; in 〈◊〉 shield for a device, he carried two Hands ••asping one Sword, and defending one Heart; ••e word was, If against one, against both. •fter that the Kings nephew had run his course •gainst the Martial Knight (who was now retur∣•ed to Court) and had almost broken his heart •ith rage, because he could not break a spear •ith success in presence of Agapeta, whom all •he Nation did destinate for his Mistris; Ophni •ppeared next, who longed to give proof of his •itherto unexperimented valour before Aretina; •is armour was painted over with a green field, •herein some fruits and flowers were beginning •o flourish, but lookt as if blasted with a cold ••ost, and their leaves engrailed or beaten with •ail; in his shield he bore Cupid, piercing a fla∣•ning heart, and yet trampling upon it; the word was, Too cruel to be a god. Against him appeared Page  382 Megistus, who had but presently entered th• field; carrying upon the top of his spear Aret•∣na's Picture, which made Ophni presently t• single him out of the croud to be his antagonist 〈◊〉 but the other sent a Trumpet to meet him, an• desired to know if he carried her Picture also which Ophni presently produced; whereupo• both the Pictures were delivered to the Judges to be given to the Conqueror. This done, they begin their carreer, and at the first encounte• breaks both their staves, with equal success; an• then drawing their swords, they bestow many blows very freely, but courage was not able to defray Ophni's charges in contesting after tha• fashion with Megistus; and albeit Ophni fough• for a Mistris, and Megistus only for a Friend, ye• there was greater disparity betwixt the Cham∣pions, than there was betwixt the Quarrels. Yet even in the Quarrel, Megistus had the advan∣tage; for albeit he fought not for his Mistris, yet he fought before his Mistris, from whom no vizard could disguise him; neither desired he to be so disguised, but that she should know him; wherefore enraged to see an apprentice so resist him, he ramasses his courage, and by an irresistible blow, bears Ophni to the ground, so bruised that he was scarce able to recruit himself; and there∣after rides to the Judges, who deliver him both the Pictures.

Page  383 Whilst all the eyes of the company are fixt upon Megistus, some enquiring after his name; others admiring his courage; and none daring yet to appear against him. The Kings Nephew vanquish'd by grief, aswell as by the Martial Knight, falls a swouning (shame contracting the heart, and denying the body a fresh supply of spirits; as its opposit, confidence, dilatats it, and sends it fresh supplies flushly) which withdraws •ll mens admiration from Megistus, each running to recover the other, giving Megistus leave to re∣••re secretly to his bed without being noticed.

The Tilting ended, Ophni retires to his cham∣ber, distracted with rage, and confounded with shame, trembling by the chilness of the one, and burning by the heat of the other; cursing provi∣dence for the niggardly allowance of strength it had bestowed upon him; and his own heart, for daring to engage in a quarrel which it was not able to maintain. Yet Monanthropus and his Lady, who valued not much such trifling affronts, did prosecute their former intention, but with very bad success: for Aretina, who could never remember Philarites but with affection, could never remember Ophni but with disdain: neither could her affection taste any more satisfaction in his society, than a stomach which is full already of excellent entertainment, is able to rellish an ordinary dish which is set before it. Which at last Page  384 Ophni perceiving, he resolved to undermine, what he could not storm, and plots this project.

Monanthropus had now retired to hsi own Country-house, for a fortnight, where Ophni goes to give him a visit, after that he had first hi∣red a Pirat, who frequented those coasts, to go and lye before the house secretly. At his coming there he deals with Aretina's Nurse (whom on∣ly of all her servants his bribes, and her Mothers commands, had gained to his faction) to tryste Aretina down to the shoar one morning very early, where she was no sooner come, than the Pirat who waited behind a rock with fourteen men, falls upon her, and her Nurse, and Maids, and makes them prisoners; which Ophni at some distance perceiving, comes running to them, with his sword drawn, as if he would have rescued her, and begins to combat with the Pirat, where∣upon he who held Aretina, holding a sword to her breast, swore that he should kill her, if he yeelded not: This seemed so to prevail with him (joyned to the cryes of her hellish Nurse, who knew all the mysterie) that he submits, and be∣comes their prisoner, and are all carried a ship∣board, Aretina's Maid only excepted; whom Ophni had ordered, that she should be suffered to escape, both fearing that she favoured too much Philarites, as also, that she might inform Monanthropus, that Ophni was not accessory to Page  385 the plot, but rather testified much courage in fighting, and much affection in rather yeelding, than that she should have suffered by his resist∣ance. At their entry a ship-board, the Pirat te∣stified very much respect to Aretina, protesting that he had no design in her surprisal, but only to oblige her father thereby to mediate his peace with the King: For which reason likewise, he thought himself most fortunate, in having in∣trapped Ophni, whose friends at Court might be very stedable to him: wherefore he permitted them for their mutual solacement to stay all day long in one cabine, allowing each of them a seve∣ral cabine at night. But all these opportunities, albeit seconded with much importunity, both from Ophni, and the old Nurse, could not pull Aretina's ear so low, as to hear what they pres∣•ed in relation to that match; she seemed to un∣dervalue those dangers, which would doubtless have seemed terrible to others; For, as she said one day to the Master, high spirits were like high mountains, whose tops being abvoe the cloudy firmament, were no wayes troubled with the storms and tempests which molest the valeyes; •nd that great minds were like great bodies, which scarce the greatest windes could move out of their places; these discourses astonisht the •yrate, and rendered Ophni yet more desperate •hen formerly; finding that neither fear nor Page  386 love, necessity nor affection, were able to effectu∣ate his design; for when he spoke to her of his passion, she told him that neither the present place, nor her present humour could permit her to treat of such matters; which required calm∣ness of spirit, and the assistance of friends, of both which she was destitute at that present; as also, that she was confident, the world would miscon∣struct that love, whose birth-place was a prison; and would blame that choice, which was made when there was none else present to be chosen.

These endeavours were unexpectedly blasted by an accident, which manifested how much the divine powers affected that match, betwixt Phi∣larites and Aretina, which they themselves had at first made. For Aretina one morning, alledging that she was indisposed, entreated the Pirate to set her ashoar to take the air, and the rather, be∣cause she heard that the coast whereupon they failed was the coast of Thracia, where she knew her dear Philarites residenced for the time. To which the Pirate, at the entreaty of Ophni, after some reluctancy, condescended, knowing that the adjacent Land was a meer Wood and Desert, where no surprisal was to be feared; and suffered Ophni to go alongst with her, in company with himself and twelve others of his train, well arm∣ed; and after they had sent one to view the shoar, who returned, assuring them that all was secure: Page  387 They came ashoar themselves, and for their re∣creation went up to a pleasant Wood, where the thickness of the trees afforded them a pleasant shade. They were but immediatly seated, when the clashing of armour near the shoar, invited their curiosity to try who were the combatants, and so starting up, they perceived two Knights, disputing with equal courage, a quarrel wherein their fury made Ophni believe that they were much interessed. Ophni who never used to be an idle spectator of such disputes, girding himself in the Pirats armour, after he had past his parole to return a ship-board (lest else his complot with the Pirate might have been discovered) he runs down to them, offering to be umpire betwixt them: But they were so busied with their con∣test, that they had neither time, nor desire to im∣brace or thank him for his proffer. At last the Knight with the black feathers called to the other, to leave off their groundless combat, assu∣ring him, that Aretina was the only Lady living, for whom he carried any affection; and that al∣beit he had spared to strike at him hitherto, en∣deavouring only his own defence, yet hereafter he was to expect no further favour: and as to Arethusa he disclaimed any interest in her, be∣sides what all others of her sex and endowments might justly challenge. The other (who because of his mask) was only to be designed by his buc∣quet Page  388 of white and red feathers, throwing imme∣diatly down his sword, lighted from his horse, and craved the other pardon; protesting, that next to Arethusa, he would honour him above all the world. Whilst they are thus imbracing one another, Ophni who raged to hear Aretina owned by any besides himself, cryes, Sir, what∣ever you are who wears the black feathers, you must satisfie justice for daring pretend to Areti∣nas favour, and before ye depart from this place, my sword shall punish such unpardonable arro∣gance, and with that drawing upon him, he forced the Knight with the black feathers to depute his sword to answer for him, and in sharper terms than Ophni expected; for at the second blow, Ophni's armour suffered the black feathered Knights sword to enter at a breach, which his strength had made for it, near the heart, out of which, in a very short time the life issued out, waited upon by a floud of blood, running away, as it seemed, from the merciless hand of pale death. The Pirat and his attenders perceiving Ophni en∣gaged, had hitherto keeped back, fearing to rob him by their assistance, of a victory which might possibly endear him to Aretina, but now seeing him fall at his enemies feet, did run down to re∣venge a death, which with so much grief they re∣sented: the two Knights did joyntly encounter them with so much courage and resolution, that Page  389 four of these Pirats were killed before either of the Knights had received one wound, and whilst the Knight with the black feathers was dispatch∣ing another, two Gentlemen who missing their Master the black Knight in the morning, had tra∣ced him thither, came galloping up, one whereof struck the head from a fellow who was drawing a blow to strike his Master. The other Knight likewise had by killing the master Pirat, perswa∣ded the other two to flee to their boat; but they were easily overtaken by these two Gentlemen, who were on hors-back, from whom they begged their lives upon their knees, which was granted them, and so they were brought back to the two Knights; the one whereof, and who wore the black feathers, was the generous Philarites, who stood disarming Ophni, whose head-piece he no sooner took off, than he knew him to be his inti∣mate friend the Duke of Iris, to whose civilities he had been so much addebted during his resi∣dence at the Court of Egypt: it astonisht him to see the Duke in that place, and it grieved him to consider that his sword should have put him in that condition: and albeit he remembred how the quarrel was for Aretina, yet friendship pro∣voked him to a compassionat resentment, and to deck the mournfull hearse of the Duke of Iris with pearly tears; albeit he could not but hate the lover of Aretina: But whilst Philarites Page  390 eyes were writing in tears Ophni's epitaph, Are∣tina (whom her two keepers had abandoned) not knowing who these Knights were, had flung her self at his feet; but no sooner raised she her eyes, nor threw he down his, but the rayes which were darted from either, seemed to know one another at their first approach, and posted as it were back to acquaint the body from whom they were sent, what a strange encounter they had met with. Philarites no sooner perceived that this was the divine Aretina, than presently rai∣sing her with both his hands, he throws himself at her feet, who was lying at his formerly, and with an accent which spoke passion, he thus ex∣presses himself. Peerless Aretina, it is a crime to doubt who thou art, seing none resembles thee; or, how can he forget thee, who minds nothing besides thee? for the meanest of those hundred curious traits (which are but mean when com∣pared with what we see not) is able to convince the dullest amongst men, that ye are doubtlesse Aretina; and the only thing which disswades me from believing it, is, that my destiny hath been so hard formerly, that I can hardly now believe that it would permit Aretina to land in a place where Philarites might be serviceable to her. Here Aretina interrupted him, saying, That he was injurious to the most and ever just gods, in alled∣ging that they favoured not a person of his high Page  391 deserts; neither were his petty afflictions to be listed amongst real misfortunes: for as the earths off-spring is ripened by the cold and dark nights, aswell as by the hot and bright Sunshines; even so, generous minds are accomplisht oft-times as much (if not more) by their misfortunes, aswell as by their success: wherfore use moderatly this occasion, which ye seem so to value, and lose not by your insolence that affection in Thracia, which your modesty & patience gained in Egypt.

After this, she entreated him to lead her to some retired house, where she might recreate her weather-beaten body; which sickness formerly, and joy now both had, and did infeeble extream∣ly; for our life being a lamp, it cannot no more be said to burn well, when by the nimious heat of joy it is all on a fire; then when cold melan∣choly seems to extinguish its flames. By this time the other Knight, who was the renowned Ari∣stobulus had come up, and after his surprisal (oc∣casioned by the extraordinariness of Aretina's beauty) was somewhat over-past, he accoasted her thus. Madam, I hope ye will pardon me for calling in question what you are; for my heart, as a subject to the divine Arethusa, hath taken oaths of supremacy and alleagiance, whereby it is bound to acknowledge none her equal, either in beauty or endowments; wherefore, Madam, I wish ye were no mortal, lest your being such Page  392 should tempt me to commit treason against her beauty, by forcing me to acknowledge that it is but second to yours. Arethusa's beauty (replied Aretina) is so much noted and admired by all who have but heard the smallest catalogue of beauties recited, that it's rather a jest than a com∣plement, to place such an ordinary face as mine in one file with hers, to whom it were a disparage∣ment, to say that my face and hers had any traits that were common to both; the one having no∣thing, and the other wanting nothing, which the proudest amongst men can esteem praise-worthy. After this they retired to an house of pleasure, which Philarites father had caused build for himself, whilst he was young; and which Phila∣rites self had caused repair and replenish, wherein he did often solace himself with the remember∣ance of her whom he now enjoyed; after their arrival, Aretina fetcht a short walk about that sweet place; which lurked in the bosom of a wood, fearing (as it were) to be discerned by any, upon the brink of a shallow river, to whose bottom the weakest eye might easily travel; and whose streams mumured as they past by, because they were not suffered to stay longer in so sweet a place; and where the hand of accident, had carved in the surface of the over-topping rocks, thousands of various shapes and figures, to re∣create a melancholy fancy, and which, like a stone Page  393 book, seemed full of apprehensive memento's. Here Philarites used oft to read, as he imagined, the story of his love. Something represented to him Aretina, something Agapeta, and some∣thing his kind friend Megistus. At other times he thought them emblems of his love, and at a third time, he thought them horoscopes of his good or ill fortune, accordingly as he himself was for the time affected. After this they entered a chamber, wherin pleasure had made parade of all her richest furnitur, and here, whilst the supper was a preparing, and Arist•bulus was gone to sleep after his long watching, occasioned by his torturing jealousie; Aretina leaning upon a win∣dow (in at which the vine and orange trees see∣med to peep, as if they desired to admire the sum∣ptuousness of the room) entreated to hear a brief relation of his adventures since his departure from Egypt.

Madam (replyed Philarites) my journey was rather pleasant than memorable: for after that a gentle gale had civilly convoyed me over to Lacedemon, as if I had been related to Neptunes family. I landed at •pis, where I did meet a great many officious servants, some whereof carried my boots, and others my spurrs, and I believe some were so willing to testifie their respects to me, that they would have carried my purse also, if I would have suffered them: At supper my Page  394 Landlord came to taste my wine, and alleadging it was not good enough, desired the Drawer to fetch some out of another tun, which liked him not neither, wherefore he desired (after he had chided him) that he should bring some of ano∣ther colour; but finding that my servant grum∣bled (which was really to see so much wine for∣ced upon us by a cheat) he rose himself from the table, and as if my servant had been offended at the badnesse of the wine, he said that he him∣self should go fetch some better, and albeit my servant entreated him to stay, telling him that he was mistaken, yet he would needs go, craving us still pardon for his Drawers mistake: so down he goes, and brings up that same wine which had been presented to us formerly in a flaggon, and fearing lest my servant should discern that it was but little more than half full, he did out of civi∣lity to my Lordship, fill it himself; and pouring it in a glass, coloured somewhat like the wine, to conceal its sophistication, he holds it up to the candle, sweating that it was a lovely wine, but that it had ripened no where so well that year as it did the last. His discourse all the time of sup∣per, was in praise of the Egyptian Nobility, whose generosity and liberality he commended much, without mentioning any other vertue. Af∣ter supper, he caused remove my clogbag out of my servants chamber (as my servant told me Page  395 afterwards) telling the Chamberlain, that albeit he served a Nobleman, yet he knew by his looks and deportment, that he was a Gentleman, and so it was not fit so to embarass his chamber; but to morrow he made us pay for that chamber also, alledging that if it had been void, he might have had a guest for it, but if that occasion had not offered, we should not have payed for it. Thereafter when I askt why there were so many cheaters in that Town? they told me, that all frontier Towns were so: for being accustomed with strangers, whom they prefumed ignorant of all prices, they extortioned them at their pleasure.

The next morning I took horse, and having dined at Elpis, I strayed in the afternoon, and could find no house, till at last the dark clouds clad in the nights livery, did usher their melan∣choly mistris into our hemisphere, and told me, that after that darknesse did set its guard, stran∣gers were not permitted to passe. Wherefore I retired to a castle, which I saw afar off; and by the time I came to it, the charitable heaven had set forth its lanthorn the Moon to shew passen∣gers the road: and as I entered at the gate, I saw a poor fellow helping an old bridle at the moon∣shine: My servant thinking it had been the host∣ler, called to him to hold the horses: but at last came one of the servants, who hanging out the sign of a, Please your Worship to that poor fel∣low, Page  396 gave us to understand that he was a Knight, he advances to us, and told us that we were out of the road; for Thesbone the next Village was but two leagues off, where we would be very well accommodated; but Kalodulus assured me that it was three, and entreated me to stay: wherefore I at last perceiving that this was the Master of the house (who stood helping his bri∣dle at the Moonshine to save a candle) I told him, that I behoved to stay that night. This made him reply, that he could not accommodate me, for all his furniture was transported to his other house. At this reply, his son who was an ideot, cryed out, Ha, ha, father, devil another house have ye. This put the father out of coun∣tenance, but he desired us not to notice what he said. At last, overcome by our importunity, he rather suffered than invited us to advance, and welcomed us as an old miser welcomes death, when the Physician assures him that he cannot live: but all the sport was, to see with what a troubled countenance, the Lady was brought to bed of a consent to let us stay; meer necessity supplying the part of a Midwife to that hard and painfull birth. After we entred the house (which seemed because of the infrequency of the indwel∣lers, like a body without a 〈◊〉) the Knight with a discourse of the poverty of the Nation, and of the greatness of the taxes, joyning to this, that Page  397 large houses, such as his, were monuments of the builders folly; for besides the money spent both in building and maintaining them, they did like∣wise invite strangers to lodge, and enemies to garison in it. Whilst we were thus passing time, I heard my Lady scold at her servant, for suffer∣ing all the beer to run out, by pulling the spigget out of the barrel, and thereupon coming in to us in a chafe, she ex•used her own misfortune; but she told us that we should have a drink of whey, which was very wholsom in that hot season; as also, we should have sack to correct its coldness: so the sack is brought in a great bottle, and all is filled out in a big glasse, and given to the Lady, who drinks to me, but when I intreated her to taste it a little better, she told me, that albeit that sack was not hot in the mouth, yet it was very hot in the stomack, and that the Physicians had forbidden her husband to drink any more than two spoonfulls of it; but I no sooner got it in my hand, than I drank it off: foreseeing that I was in a place, where all the year was a conti∣nued Lent, wherefore I resolved to make drink aliment, albeit Philosophers and Physicians both call that much in question. At supper we had some pulse, egs, and pease, but no flesh; for, as the Lady said, she could hardly in conscience suf∣fer a poor pullet to be murdered to satisfie her appetite. Truly wife, added her husband, that is Page  398 good philosophy; for flesh is not thought natu∣ral food for man: for we see that children (in whom nature is not adulterated by custom) love fruit better than flesh; as also, if it were natu∣ral, we might eat it as nature hath provided it; but now we see that we roast, seeth, and fry it, else it cannot be eaten: as also, nature hath be∣stowed long and small teeth upon those beasts, and long beaks upon those fowls, which most de∣vour flesh for their aliment; whereas it hath gi∣ven man teeth long and broad. Physicians also esteem it not so wholsome as other meats are, for it being before concoction, equal to our flesh, it is by concoction sublimated above it, and so not fit to feed us: and we find that when it corrupts (for all of it cannot become aliment) that it is of all putrefactions the most hatefull; for bread, roots, and such like things, albeit they putrifie, yet stink not; but flesh, when corrupted, stinks ex∣treamly. After supper, we went to bed, without having any drink put in our offer, to excuse which, the Knight alleadged, that he heard that it was the custom of our Country, for the Egyptians used to say by way of proverb, that he who goeth to bed thirsty, riseth wholsome; for thereby de∣fluxions were occasioned. The next morning the Knight appeared in an old sattin doublet, having a little piece taffata hanging down from it, to per∣swade us that it was lined with it, but I per∣ceived Page  399 that it was only doubled with green linen. He wore likewise silk stockens, but exceedingly shattered by age, to conceal which he had folded them all in degrees. After I rose, I went to the Garden, where my Lady was gathering nettles to make broth for us; I perceived she wanted her stockens and shoes, which she thought was con∣cealed by the length of her gown; whereupon (to revenge my self upon her for my bad enter∣tainment) I took her hand and walked alongst a place with her full of nettles, which, as I perceived by her countenance, did burn her feet; yet durst she not complain, fearing to discover thereby her own nakedness. After my departure from this, my stomach had almost expired, leaving me no∣thing but hunger in legacy; a debt so urgent, that I behoved to ride to a neighbouring Village to satisfie it: but whilst I was in my way to it, the angry heavens, sighed wind, and weeped rain for the suns absence, which some troubled clouds had imprisoned all that morning; I over-hyed a fellow, whose gray hairs, rather than grave garb, informed me that he was ancient; he was riding in a pair of Spanish leather boots, which the ex∣cessive rain had mollified so, that they seemed to become tender-hearted at the heavens weeping condition; his head had been well poudered, and by the rains assistance had made excellent mor∣ter; yet all the morter which was there, could Page  400 hardly have patched up those cracks which I per∣ceived thereafter to be in his brain: His cassock was of black satin, which was so hospital as not to refuse the rain lodging; thus he rode and ba∣thed all at once. After we had ridden half a mile together, he asked if I had ever heard of a Phy∣sician called Nisus, who lived in that Country, whose skill had kept so many alive, that the inha∣bitants complained that the place was become too populous. I who perceived, or at least con∣jectured by his habit, that he was of that faculty himself, told him that I had oft heard of him; and that it was reported that he could defend the weakest body against the strongest assaults of death, and that he could chase out deaths ordi∣nary avantcurriers, melancholy and sickness, al∣beit they were once entred; and that the great-grand-children of ancient families had conspired against him, for starving so their wearied expecta∣tions, for none dyed (as I heard, except some few Sextons, whom want of imployment had quite famished; Truly (continued I) I would ride forty miles to see him. Good Sir, replied my companion, ye extoled him too much; but such as he is, Sir, he is your servant, for I am the man: At which I seemed so overjoyed, that grasping him kindly (though rudely) in my arms, I pulled him quite from his horse; and thereafter, craving him pardon, I helpt him up again. After a miles Page  401 march, his horse did begin to weary, and at last became so uncivil, as to refuse to bear his master company; whereupon the Doctor lights down, and taking up his foot, he endeavours to find his pulse, which he swore was a caprezant, and that he behoved to cause give him a clyster; but (ah misfortune) whilst he is musing upon the disease, the horse, weary of standing upon three feet, kicks his Lordship into a ditch which stood near by, whence we could hardly pull out: when we had pulled him out, Kalodulus sayes to him, Truly, Sir, it appears ye dive deep in any thing wherein ye once enter; but I admire why ye carry with you such a horse, except it be that because ye are a Physician, ye cannot want a skelleton for your anatomy. After he was re-mounted, he enter∣tained me with a description of a Lady in Nisbe∣na, whom he loved dearly, describing all the parts of her body, as if he had been anatomizing; and to conclude all, he took a Letter out of his poc∣ket, which he had directed to her, and whereof he bestowed upon me this copie afterwards.

Fairest of all created creatures, yea, fairer than Dia∣na and all her Nymphs, albeit they were chopt in one; the harmony of your well-agreeing colours, makes my pulses dance to their musick; and your beauty, like a great gale, hath so filled the sails of my desires, that it hath driven me out of the harbour of ease, into the ocean of Love. A surfet of your disdain, hath (as all cold things do) easten me in a feaver of rage: your Answer Page  402 to this Letter must be the crisis, by which I am to pro∣gnostick my death, or recovery; But I hope, Lady, that ye will not murder him, who hath saved so many, and who hath been born to s•ve mankind. Ye may perceive the strength of my love, which makes me so eloquent that I 〈…〉 Mercury if he were a woman; And albeit ye undervalue my plethorick eloquence, yet all our Ladies here are struck by it in a le•ha•gie of admiration. O my pret•y lovely thing, love him who loves thee best of all things, and send a receipt for this disease to your sick Nilus.

We arrived that night at Lacedemon, where at supper I did meet a young Gentleman, whose grave asp•ct did conc•l•at respect to what he was to speak; after supper I invited him to my cham∣ber, and there I did enqui•e how affairs byassed in that Nation, and who was the Axletr•e upon whom that large orb of Court did roul; after this we digressed from Courtiers, to Court-im∣ployments, whereupon he thus charactered to me the emptiness of that so much desired trade.

Sir, my experience hath pilgrimaged through most, and my meditation through all those fol∣lies wherwith our reason is ensnared, and where∣by our happiness is betrayed; yet amongst them all I perceive that none hath gained so many pro∣selytes, as Court-vanity: There it is that men run to ruine in Coach, and flee with feathers to folly; and I am confident, that if men took as much pains to gain favour in Heaven, as they do Page  403 •o ingratiat themselves at Court, that they could no• miss to be canonized as the most eminent in the Kalender of Saints. That is the Butt at which all men level the arrows of their affections, and that is the Idol which all men worship. Where∣fore, Sir, at my first arrival at Court, I endea∣voured to find out the reason why in the circle of humane happinesse, Court was made the only center, to which all the other pleasures, like so many lines, tended, and in which they were all terminated; but I must acknowledge, Sir, that without borrowing the eyes of those who so much admire it, I shall never be able to see in it that satisfaction and amiableness, which they so much dote upon: But to make your judgment judge, I shall relate to you the trade which I conceive most of them drives. All night they wrestle with their giant, fears and cares, til at last, necessary, with much difficul•y, draws the curtain of rather slumber than sleep before their wearied eyes: but yet their judgment no sooner leaves off, than their fancy begins to work; and as they thought whilst awake, so now whilst asleep they dream of competitors, and enemies; of mis-in∣formations, and challenges; and after some time their eye lids start up in spight of sleep, and then their minds are presented afresh with a large in∣ventory of by-pastaffronts, and future fears, all written with the black ink of disquietness. And Page  402 〈1 page duplicate〉 Page  403 〈1 page duplicate〉 Page  404 thus they toss and tumble, where a poor Coun∣try-man would find much refreshment; some∣times upon one side, sometimes upon another, their souls (which only in this, are masters of, and command their bodies) drawing the bodies after them, and making them toss and turn, as they are tossed themselves. After that the Sun hath sent its rayes to salute them in its name, then they must sleep, because sleep is then unna∣tural: the morning being thus spent, they spend (or rather mispend) the forenoon, betwixt a comb and a mirrour, consulting now and then their pages, whether they be well drest or not. And now they ask whether the King be gone a hunting, or not? (his motion being the only science which they study) and if not, they post to Court, putting that complement upon his Maje∣stie, that for haste to wait upon him, they dis∣pense with their matines. And there, like Demo∣critus atomes, they wander up and down in the sphere of chance, and possibly stand in some anti∣chamber, like those pictures which the cunning needle hath depenciled in the curious hangings; meditating upon nothing but how to make some Grandee take notice of them, or how to pay an earth-deep reverence to any whom they know to be a Court-darling. At dinner they surfet one day, and are starved another, their purses being like the damme of an ill-going Mill, which must Page  405 be clused up two dayes to make it go the third; there, if they meet with any Country Gentle∣man, they tax him for being unfashionable in his cloathes, and rural in his deportment, think∣ing thereby to disarm him of his confidence, that thereafter they may foil him at pleasure. And really, Sir, I perceive that they mould their fashions and modes of new every year, not so much to pleasure their vagrant fancies, as to make Courtship an Art which one must be al∣wayes learning: For, if these stood alwayes fixt upon the same center, a Gentleman who had spent a year at Court, and then had retired to the sweet bosom of a melancholy life, might know as much as they, but now they in this, (and in this only) must learn something from the nothing-besides-knowing Courtier. This done, they proceed to discourse of affairs of State, dropping a word or two of some myste∣rious forreign transaction, and stopping there, as if they would not decipher so great a pro∣ject; and shake their head, as if they could pro∣gnostick the event, of that whereof they know not the cause. Wherefore, Sir, I will recount to you a jest, put lately at this Court upon one of these State-mountebanks, by a Country-Gentleman, who coming one morning to visit the Courtier, he asks what news? none, sayes the Gentleman, save only that Thrastus, one Page  406 of the Thracian Nobles, is dead; which they say is an irreparable losse to our King. Thra∣stus dead, replyed the other, the gods forbid, for he was one of our intimate friends, and with that he fetches a turn or two, folding his hands, and testifying much grief; wherupon the Gentleman turning to one of the by-standers, tells him in his ear, with a smile, that in con∣science he never heard of any such person: Af∣ter dinner is ended, they return to Court, car∣rying alongst with them their Country friends, and in their way salutes hundreds of persons, whom they scarce know, pretending that these are their special good acquaintances: And if the King smile (though his smile be occasioned by some inward thought) they will swear it was upon them; or if he call them, though meerly by accident, and desire them to do any thing of the meanest concernment, they will pretend that it was a w•ighty particular which he did communicate to them. After this man∣ner they mis-spend much of that little time which providence hath not given, but lent them; making their bodies their souls, and their pleasures their paradise, till at last, after they have acted the personage of youth in this comedy of Court, age dismantles them of all those ornaments and perfections, which made them formerly be accounted Gallants, and then Page  407 they are turned off without any reward, be∣sides the hatefull name of an old Courtier. Oh then happy he who impales himself within the circuit of a Country Cottage, suffering his thoughts to travel all over the large orb of the creation; and when they return loaded with the spoil of solid knowledge, feasts them with home-bred morality; there none compets with them, neither are they opprest by any, their time is not trifled away by idlings, nor their humour violented by debauch'd persons; how much then are we obliged to Court, which like a boil in the body politick, draws to it all those malignant humours, which else might hugely annoy all the other members? But I admire what pleasure can the Country be debarred from, whereof the Court participates; for, whilst the species of all these soul-delighting pleasures, are in the eye, they are no pleasures, (else brutes might t•ste that true sweetnesse) and when they are from the eye conv•yed to the inward faculties; then they differ nothing from pleasures meerly imagined; so that a Country-man, may under the shade of some great Oak, or upon the bri•k of some mur∣muring River, tast as much pleasure, in envi∣saging or viewing his own contemplated hap∣piness, as a Courtier can in eying the real ob∣jects of Court delights. There are some who Page  408 (like the Whales) never leave the Ocean of pleasure and publick imployments, till they be wounded by the darts of affronts, or discon∣tentment; and then they run ashoar upon a private life, but, like ships beat into a harbour, stay no longer there than the boistering storms arrests them in it. These are not the true dis∣ciples of sacred prudence, else the same expe∣rience which sent them thither, would retain them in it, and their life and their resolution, should have the same period.

Philarites was interrupted here by a Troop of Gentlemen, all masked, who entering the Hall, made such a noise, that Philarites was thereby invited to visite these unacquainted guests; but no sooner did they see him, than rushing on him, they advertised him, that he was their prisoner, and thereafter carrying Aretina alongst with them, together with Aristobulus, whom they found asleep, they march down to the shoar, whence by their shallops they were carried a ship-board.