Parthenissa, that most fam'd romance the six volumes compleat / composed by ... the Earl of Orrery.

PARTHENISSA.

THE THIRD PART.

BOOK III.

GReat gods! (continu'd Artavasdes) you only know my Transports at the seeing of so many Beauties, and of him which ravish'd them from me! Ah! (said I to my self) go Artavasdes, and prostrate at thy Princesses feet, conjure her not to make herself the reward of any thing but her perfectest Adorer, and in that quality implore her for thy self: If Pacorus pretend a Title to her under that Notion, decide it be∣fore the Judge, and recompence of the Combat, and by vanquishing thy Rival, conquer her disdain, and inconstancy, or by being vanquisht by him, end thy torments, and thy life: This Artavasdes, is the noblest, as well as readiest expedient; but alas! (I continu'd) she that prefer'd Pacorus be∣fore thee, will not so much hazard the object of her love and inconstancy, as to expose his life to a hand, which strikes with the Sword of Justice and Revenge.

Whil'st I was building and destroying a thousand such resolutions, and thoughts, Pacorus was entertaining Altezeera with all the respect and de∣votion, so great a beauty and flame could inspire. I must confess my disor∣ders for awhile gave me not leave to consider what he was doing, or what he said; but when they did, I endeavor'd by an extraordinary attentive∣ness to repair that precious time I had so misimploy'd; and I was no sooner compos'd to a setled hearing, than I heard Pacorus, who kneel'd before Altezeera, thus speak to her: My Princess, alas! why did you confine my joyes from being perfected till you came into Parthia? Was it to torment the ambition of my desires, by so long a protraction of them? or to punish my crime in my continuance of it? or else did you so much injure my fe∣licity, to esteem it of so common a quality, that circumstances could in∣dear it? and that the suspension of the blessing, could bring any accession to it? If it be the first of these, to continue the punishment of an aspiring which my Princess hath so often pardon'd to my reiterated prayers and tears, is to be as much unjust as she is capable of; and if the latter, she is al∣most as injurious to herself, as cruel to me.

Ah! (thought I) how unjust are the gods rather, to confer their bles∣sings on one who has no title to them, and who if he had, merits none, by exclaiming against a felicity which nothing but a little time will place him in, and perfect; when at the same instant they divest me, not only of the joyes, but hopes of them, when she too which ought to be the distributer of them is mine, by services, by gift, and by vows. That distance betwixt

the place where Altezeera was, and where I remain'd so sad an Auditor, was so great, that she not uttering her answer with that violence Pacorus had done his question, I could not hear it, but I remember after he had printed an ardent kiss upon her hand, he rose up, and told her, I will go rather Madam, and implore the gods either to hasten the motions of time, or re∣tard those of my impatiency; for whil'st they both continue as they are, my torments must do the like: Then after some discourses, which I heard but in broken parts, he withdrew himself. I observ'd, that for a short time after, none appear'd in the Chamber, nor that any noise was made about it, and believing I deriv'd this opportunity from Evaxes's favor and engage∣ment, not to lose it, I came trembling and pale, out of my concealment, and going to Altezeera in an unequal pace, I no sooner came to her feet, than prostrating my self at them, I told her, If Madam, the miserable Artavasdes presents himself before you, 'tis not to reproach you having made him so, nor to summon you of those holy and passionate vows, which rais'd his joyes to a transcendency nothing can proportion, but the torments your having conceal'd them has cast him into: Neither, fair Princess, can you tell him it can be more his duty, than he does you, that 'tis his inclination, to create your felicity by the ruine of his own. He does not therefore come to conjure you, not to give that blessing to the greatness of Pacorus's Ti∣tle, which you a thousand times have promis'd to the greatness of his Pas∣sion; for he alwayes esteem'd it so unjust you should bestow the divine Al∣tezeera, on one who is almost as much her Subject by the advantage of her birth, as by that of her beauty, that he would have kill'd himself, that he would have dy'd to prevent in her so criminal a mercy; and if he hath liv'd in a contrary flattering hope, 'twas only because he esteem'd no sin so great, as to disobey her.

Whil'st I was speaking a thousand things of this quality, which too I ut∣ter'd in the pressingst Accents that ever the highest grief and flame was ca∣pable of; Altezeera was so surpriz'd, and astonish'd, that had her affection remain'd as fix'd as her body then did, I had been exempted from transcen∣dent torments, by resembling felicites; nor did she awhile after I had ended speaking, give me any Answer which might have resolv'd my doubts, whether her silence proceeded from a cruel, or obliging cuase; for all she said when she broke hers, was only, Oh gods! Is this Artavasdes that I see? Yes Madam (I reply'd) 'tis that Artavasdes who has given the di∣vine Altezeera so absolutely his life, that he durst not without her permission put a period to it, though what she has of late acted, has made him languish in such torments, that the best way of making them cease, next to that of the blessing of her esteem, is to make them cease, next to that of the blessing of her esteem, is to make them cease, by the blessing of death: 'Tis therefore (Madam) I present you this Poniard, that if you will not be just to your vows and promises, yet at least, that you will be charitable to him, to whom they were made; and if I implore any thing before I die, 'tis only that I may do it with the consolation of receiving my ease from her, from whom I have my sufferings, and that she will declare I dy'd as in∣nocent, as unfortunate. This (fair Princess) if your justice does now deny me, your pity cannot long; for my languishings will evince, death is the lesser ill: Neither, Madam, do I implore it on any score but yours, for my sufferings proportionating my loss, will make such deep impressions in you, that your joyes in your intended Nuptials, will receive a resembling disturbance, at least if you have not as absolutely banish'd Compassion from your heart, as Love; thereupon kissing the hilts of the Poniard, I offer'd that part of it to her, and presenting her my breast, I implor'd her to make

what had been the Scene of her highest Empire, now that of a proportio∣nate pity. But alas she declin'd making use of that Weapon, to wound me with a more curel one, I mean her words, which accompany'd with an inflam'd look, told me, Traytor Artanasdes, though thy Crimes merit I should become thy Executioner, as well as thy Judge, yet I decline being the former, to make them appear the greater; and if (as thou say'st) thou dost esteem no sin higher than to disobey me, I command thee evince the truth of that profession, by never coming again into my sight. Then ri∣sing up hastily, she went out of the Chamber by the same door she came in∣to it; and though her remove was very sudden, and that my amazement was as great, yet I cry'd out, Stay Altezeera, though Altvasdes know him∣self innocent, yet because you do not think him so, behold how he will punish not his guilt, but his misfortune: Then running to that Poniard she had flung away, I took it up, and in the horror and despair of my conditi∣on, I had sheath'd it in my heart, if Evaxes (who listen'd at a back-door) had not has••ily come in, and snatching it out of my hand, prevented it. Though it be a transcendent wrong, when one is in proportion at misery, to take away the cure of it, yet my rage not having so absolutely blinded me, but that knowing what was in its own nature an offence, was intended for a charity, I only told Evaxes (having first furiously look'd on him) 'tis in vain Evaxes, 'tis in vain you think to keep mefrom death, by having on∣ly took from me one means of acting it, when the wayes which lead unto the Grave cannot be more, than the causes which invite me to it: Then turning from him, and observing Altezeera was gone, I ran precipitately af∣ter her, but alas she had lock'd the door upon me, and thereby I found she had not only excluded me from the hopes of possessing her, but from those of clearing an imaginary guilt, to which she implicitely ascrib'd that fatal deprivation. In the rage of so strange an usage, I was a thousand times about to have forc'd it open, had not Evaxes hinder'd me, by representing, that if Altezeera had not apprehended my vindication, she would neither have then deny'd listning to it, nor debar'd me the means of discovering how passionate I was to evince it; That since her Actions so evidently de∣monstrated that Truth, I ought to impute her objecting Crimes to my charge, but as a cloud for her own, and consider that to be her inconstan∣cy, which she disguis'd under the name of her resentments; That since she was of so volatile a disposition, 'twas better I had made that discovery in the condition I was yet in, than in that which Pacorus was so near embra∣cing, since I might consider, that as my felicity, which he could not learn but as his torment; That it was still an Argument she loved me, when she declin'd imposing those miseries on me my desires ambition'd, to confer them on another, whose subsequent troubles I should pleasingly disclose those I had so happily avoided.

These reasons would have appear'd so to any but me, and would too so to me, had I but listen'd to them, which then I did not; for all the while he was speaking, I was so too, sometimes resolving to go and punish Arta∣bazus, for having been so far from hindring his Sisters inconstancy, that he sollicited and provoked it; but then the reflection on the greatness of the Sin, hinder'd me from acting it, especially too when that reflection was fortify'd by that on his quality, which made it a greater injustice not to act for the safety of his Subjects in general, than to do it for any one of them in particular, so that I had no just cause to be offended with him, for ha∣ving of two evils elected the least. My fury not finding a fit object in

him, I began to contemplate Pacorus as one, who was not only the cause of Altezeera's inconstancy, but the continuer of it, and whose destruction would both revenge me on him and her. But then the reflection on the occasion of his Sin, appear'd a sufficient Apology for it, and knowing how impossible 'twas to see, and not love Altezeera, in the very necessity of his fault,; besides, by services and engagements, she could not be more mine, than upon both those scores she was Pacorus's; and yet I had been so un∣just, as to sollicit her for Artavasdes, and therefore 'twere to be more so, to punish that in another, which I practic'd in my felf; that she was only mine by the first grant, and his by the last, which in all concessions of Love is the bindingst Title; and lastly that I ow'd a life unto him, which till I had repaid, I was his Debtor, and therefore should not be his Mur∣therer.

Whil'st my Reason and my Passion were thus making War against each other, Evaxes, who still apprehended the last of them would fling me in∣to some strange Crime, and that my continuance where I was, might into a proportionate danger, (all the Guards in the Castle being Parthians) he conjur'd me so passionately to retire to an Apartment he had provided for me, and there establilsh my resolutions, when my resentments were so quali∣fi'd, as not to silence the dictates of my reason, that at last by following, rather than by promise, I obey'd him, who led me by a stolen passage to my Chamber, not meeting any one by the way, which though we had, I am confident I had not been discover'd, if at least I had been as unknowable to all, as I was to my••••lf. There I told Falintus, and Philanax, what had happen'd, and there 'twas that Evaxes repeating those reasons my rage hin∣der'd me from hearing, (which too were strengthen'd by many others as powerful from Falintus) I determin'd the next morning as an evincement of their operation, to retire into some solitude, and there spend as much time as the banishing Altezeera from my heart, would take up, whose influ∣ence there was not already a little eclips'd, since I could form a resolution of extinguishing it.

This Declaration prov'd as pleasing to them, as that which created it, was the contrary to me; but they having retir'd themselves, I past the night in such confused thoughts, that it had been difficult to have collected any thing from them, but that they were the productions of an exorbitant di∣••••emper. The day no sooner appear'd, than telling Falintus and Evaxes, whither I intended to go the next night, and having commanded Philanax to follow me, as soon as he had learnt from them, whether my being in Ar∣menia, and my last Action were discover'd, how they were both relish'd, and whether I might safely demand justice of Artabazus for Anexander's Mur∣ther, that in the certainty of being deny'd it, I might thereby act it myself, immediately (before the Court was up) I took Horse, and was accompa∣ny'd out of the Castle by Evaxes, (who for a long while made no scru∣ples to trust me alone, being so newly recover'd from a despair, whose ef∣fects were yet somewhat visible in my face; but having secur'd his jealou∣sies by many vows, and by the improbability of my so much contributing to my Enemies triumphs, I finally took leave of him, and had not Travel'd above an hundred Furlongs, when coming into a Wood at the extremity of a great Plain, I was stop'd by a violent Cry behind me, which turning about to learn the cause of, I saw the man that utter'd it, come running to∣wards me, as fast as his Horse could carry him; as soon as he came near me, he drew his Sword, and bade me defend my self, if my Crimes had not di∣vested

me of the Courage to justifie them: This Declaration, though it much surpriz'd me, yet I did not near so much as the knowledge that 'twas Phanasder which made it; but being confident he mistook me, I prepar'd my self for nothing but to embrace him, and offer him my Sword and Life to join in his revenge; but perceiving he esteem'd himself discharg'd of all other Ceremonies, by having denounc'd the Combat, I cry'd out to him, hold Phanasder 'tis Artavasdes speaks to you. 'Tis he (Phanasder briskly reply'd) that I seek, and who to his other Triumphs must add that of my Life, or in the loss of his, I must repair my wrongs.

Oh gods! (I answer'd) if my Death could be but as great a satisfacti∣on to Phanasder, as to me, he would oblige us both in acting it; but since such a satisfaction cannot be perfected without as great a Crime, let me un∣derstand first wherein you esteem me guilty; for if I do not so entirely vindicate Artavasdes, that you must acknowledge Phanasder criminal, for having thought him so, I will employ my Sword, not to resist, but execute your Revenge. If thy Crimes (said Phanasder) were not too-too-much apparent, I should not have sought this opportunity, which since they are, I will not spend it to shew thee thy sins, but to punish them. Then, having again bid me defend my self, or my submission should not be my Sanctuary, he charg'd me with such fury, that I found by experiment the high chara∣cter I alwayes had of his Courage, was but too dangerous a truth. But his rude Reply to an offer he could not have declin'd without seeking to be my Enemy, and the certainty I found, that I must derive my safety not from my innocence, but resistance, though they made me finally draw my Sword, yet I made but use of it to keep him from acting a sin, I know he would in a right understanding as much deplore, as now he was sollicitous to perform; and indeed he prest me so incessantly and vigorously, that had not an unex∣pected Accident ended the Combat, my death or his must have done it; for making a furious blow at my head, and I defending it with my Sword, his flew out of his hand in two pieces.

At this Phanasder was not more astonish'd, than I was satisfi'd, which I exprest by telling him, Phanasder, Let that Life I give you, convince you that I am still your Friend. No, no, Artavasdes, (he hastily reply'd) it con∣vinces me thou art the contrary; for if thou were not, having loaden me with such sorrows, thou wouldst not deny me their cure, being it is in thy power, therefore I declare, if thou canst be yet concern'd in having me esteem thee my Friend, nothing can be more contributory to it, than to make use of thy Victory, which the more to induce thee to, I protest by all those wrongs thou hast done me, I will leave no place unsearch'd, nor no means unattempted for my revenge. If (said I) my giving you your life af∣ter your first declaration, has not convinc'd you that I am your Friend, I hope the doing it after this latter, will sufficiently effect it; for were I con∣cern'd in your death, I have not only the power, but the provocation to act it. But, Phanasder, I had rather expose my life to your fury, than secure it by the destruction of what I prefer a thousand times before it, which not only my friendship for you, but even your hatred to me makes me profess, and which I still implore to learn the subject of, that if I do not extinguish your desire of revenge, I may present you wherewithall to act it. Oh gods! (reply'd Phanasder, lifting up his eyes) why do you give unto guilt the same expressions with which innocency should be cloath'd? Then turning them to me, he told me, Artavasdes, thou wilt not then by ending of my tor∣ments, shew methou hast some pity, if not friendship for me.

No, (I reply'd) for should I so put a period to yours, I should create in my self greater than I cen extinguish in you. Remember then (he re∣ply'd) that there being no way to end those I groan under but by my death, or thine, that denying me the former, thou necessitatest me thereby as much as by thy crimes, unto the latter, which I will perform, though thou shouldst conceal thy self in that heart, which thou valu'st more than thine own; then turning about his Horse, he thrust himself into the Wood full speed, my pity at his condition not being greater, than my ignorance of what created it, I follow'd him, to learn what he had twice deny'd me; and when I found I could not overtake him, I endeavored to make my voice do it, which was so far from retarding, that it did but hasten his course, so that I soon lost sight of him, yet for above four Furlongs I follow'd by the track of his Horse, but then mine began to faint, and suddenly after fell dead under me, by a deep wound he had received in the fight, and which my earnest prosecution of Phanasder made me not observe. 'Twas there∣after my heat was mitigated, that I began to find how much the gods took delight to torment me; and after I had a little reflected on those strange Accidents which had arrived me in so short a space, I could not abstain from saying, Great gods! was it not enough misery for the unfortunate Arta∣vasdes to lose his Princess, but you must add unto it, the losing of his friend? And were not both those losses sufficient to glutt your hatred, but that you must give me resolution and fortitude to survive them? Ah cruel Powers, did you give me Innocency but by punishing it as Guilt, to change mine into it? And are you so sollicitous to make me blaspheme, that you make Innocence unfortunate, to invite me to it? But (I continu'd, after a short silence) if I have offended you, let the world read my sin in my punish∣ment; but since I have not offended either Altezeera, or Phanasder, why would you induce the world to believe I have, by making them my Per∣secutors?

'Twas with as many extravagant Reasonings as these that I fed my de∣spair, and my rage not permitting me to rest, I found my self out of the Wood, as soon as I remembred I had been in it, and seeing a Village not far off, I went thither, where having hired a Horse, I prosecuted that journey Phanasders strange distemper had interrupted. As soon as I came into my Inn, I found, that Falintus and Philanax (having met with no obstructi∣ons) were gotten thither before me, from whom I was informed, that though they could not find by any intelligence they had learnt, that my be∣ing in Armenia, nor my having been at Evaxes Castle were known, yet they had cause to believe both were, for Crassolis that morning was retir'd from the Court; neither could they any more discover the cause of his depar∣ture, than the place of his retreat, so that Falintus told me, I might be con∣fident Artabazus would not deny me justice for my Fathers murther, since Crassolis to think his own guilt, only not my knowledge of it, made him flie, and in that faith he might return; which as soon as he did, then was the time of demanding justice: For the giving of it then, would give me revenge with it; and to implore it now, were absolutely to miss of the lat∣ter, by a concession of the former, since to condemn him, were but giving him advice to secure himself.

These Reasons since I could not suspect, either them, or the Author of them, I determined to obey, I then told Falintus, what as unfortunate, as

strange an Accident had arrived me with Phanasder, which he admir'd at as much as he was ignorant of the cause, and told me, This morning, Sir, I met him coming from the Princess Theoxcena's Apartment, and with a coun∣tenance whose disorder he could not conceal; after he had by some short embraces and expressions congratulated my happy return, he then precipi∣tately asked me where you were, for he had some business of high concern to communicate unto you.

I told him, that both Philanax and I, continued at Court, purposely to learn, and send you things of that quality; and that if he were over-harrast with his late journey, and that he would acquaint me with the secret, I would overtake you that night, and stop you till his coming.

To this Phanasder replyed, That he would trust me with his heart, but that the business he had with you, was of a nature which would lose its virtue, if it were delivered you by any but himself, and therefore he pas∣sionately conjured me to let him know which way you had took, and to pardon a silence which I could not condemn, when I should be instructed in the cause. I did therefore satisfie both his requests, and 'twas by my infor∣mation that he so unfortunately found you out; but could not you, Sir, (continued Falintus) in his passion, collect something which might tell you what created it?

No, (I replyed) though by reiterated intreaties I conjur'd him to tell it me; and with faithful promises, if I were guilty, to contribute to, and not oppose his revenge; but all was in vain: and I could collect nothing but that he was as confident I was criminal, as I am, that I am not. The best part of the night we entertain'd our selves in resembling discourses, which at length I put a period to, by conjuring Falintus to continue about the Court, to en∣deavor to learn the cause of Phanasder's change; that though his carriage render'd him not absolutely worthy my care, yet thinking the knowledge of his error would not only punish the Criminal, but restore unto me the gallant Phanasder, I was passionately concerned therein; That he would enquire after Crassolis, and send me constant intelligence to a Solitude near Satala, which I had elected in a great measure by his persuasions and rea∣sons, and where I would pass away the reliques of my melancholy and love.

Falintus would have accompany'd me thither, which I absolutely de∣clin'd; and then he having as absolutely promised to obey my former re∣quests, the next morning we separated our selves, he taking the way to the Court, and I to Thospia, where I intended to visit Lyndesia, before I seclu∣ded my self from the World. There that excellent Woman gave me such admirable Reason, for the suppressing of my Passion, that I must havebeen entirely divested of the former, had I not divested my self of the latter; which whil'st I did not (for I shall not scruple to confess, that sometimes I made a start into Love) by the reflection on Lyndesia's reasoning, I acknow∣ledged my self void of any, and knowing my self to be so, I excused my fault, in the knowledge of my condition: Neither did she only give me precepts, but example against the assaults of Fortune; and what she would have had me practice in Altezeera's case, she did in herself Anexanders, though in it she found so little reason to fortifie herself with, that perhaps that was the only reason with which she did it; neither did her calmness in so high an essay, appear anything like insensibility, no, it shew'd its cause in its effect, and the gods did in some degree repair her loss, by making it so largely evidence her virtue: I have been (continu'd Artavasdes) some∣what the more particular in Lyndesia's character, because her perfections are

of a resembling quality, as also to oppose a Maxim as absurd as common, which is the declining the praise of those to whom we have a near relation; whereas those that have not any, can hardly make an exact character; and by this low rule, the chief, if not the only way by which we must attain to the knowledge of a perfection, must be the Argument for not publishing it. I continued two dayes at Thospia with Lyndesia, from whose actions, as well as words, I received that consolation I fear'd she would have needed. The third day I took my leave, and desired her to continue Udozia where I had given her an absolute power, not only as it was a place near which I intended to reside, but being on the frontiers, Ventidius, (whose passion I had not only at large acquainted her with, but made her approve) upon the making his Addresses to Udozia, might not be necessitated to put him∣self in any hazard, by coming unaccompanied, or Armenia, by coming with an Army. This Lyndesia having granted, I left Thospia, and in twelve days came to my little retirement, where retaining none but Philanax with me, and two or three servants for necessary uses, I began to make a fierce War against my Passion, and my Sadness, which I found were Enemies easier to be conquered, than extirpated, and like some barbarous people, were in∣visible, when any power was extant to oppose them; but when that power appeared no more, they instantly did, and assum'd as high a Sovereignty, as if they had been Conquerors. This made me incessantly continue in Arms, and those I made use of, were the remembrance of the services I had rendered Altezeera of her vows, and of her unconstancy; for which I found so little excuse, that what had given the wrong, I thought would al∣so repair it: A thousand times in this resolution I was going to abandon my Solitude, and by a publick undisturbed serenity, evince I rob'd her of so much of her triumph, as that my sorrow compos'd no part thereof; but alas immediately I fancy'd Altezeera in all her charms, and captivating my resolution, with the same eyes with which she had my liberty, with whose influences, my trayterous fancy so conspired, that though I were at too great a distance to receive their real impressions, yet by that false helper I carried still their effects about me. Never man endured those torments the miserable Artavasdes did, and his fate was so particular, that whil'st he yet disputed the Victory, he resented more pregnant sufferings than he could have in the very losing it: And if mine received any intermission, 'twas from the visits of Vdosia, in whose sight and conversation I had some good intervals, which continu'd me in some charity to the Sex, by receiving from one of it the ease of those pains another had made me resent. 'Twas thus for a long while that I languish'd away my time, during which I received frequent and faithful intelligences from the generous Falintus; his first was, that notwithstanding a scrutinous enquiry and search, he could never learn either waht was the cause of Phanasder's change, or what was become of him: That the fair Theoxcena, as Author of, or participater in his dis∣contents, had retired herself either absolutely, or conditionally from the world; and that he was as ignorant of the place of her retreat, as of what was the occasion of it: That Altezeera had been solemnly married to the Prince of Parthia, immediately after her arrival in that Kingdom: And that Crassus had lost his Army, and his Life, in a furious Battel against the Parthians, who had been assisted by a visible Divinity, that vanish'd as soon as did the Roman hopes. These three Intelligences were as sensible un∣to me, as any others I was capable of; for in the first of them, I lost my friends; in the second, my Mistriss; and in the third, my hopes of reveng∣ing or repairing that loss. I will pass over the many sighs and complaints I

gave to those accessions of sorrow, to let you know, that the Solitude which Reason could not make me abandon, Friendship did: For I received an ad∣vice from Udozia, that Ventidius with an Army (as formidable from the Nation, as the numbers which compos'd it) had already crost the Helles∣pont, and was so far advanc'd into the letter Asia, that if intended to see him before he entered Armenia, I could not any longer delay my visit. This Alarm I joyfully receiv'd, and in some degree I was reconcil'd to the gods, who, though they had deny'd me the establishment of my own felicity, had yet blest me with the power of setling my friends. In two dayes I had fitted my self to leave my retirement, which I could not do without some reluctancy, as an acknowledgement of those uninterrupted hours of me∣lancholy I had spent in it; my first journey was to Satala, where having formed my Equipage and receiv'd those reiterated assurances from Udozia, which were to settle Ventidius's, and my felicity, I crost the mountain Scor∣dicus, which separates Armenia from Cilicia, and in two dayes after came to Tharsus, the Metropolis of that Province, where Ventidius then lay; who having Advertisement of my Arrival, drew out all his Army (which con∣sisted of 50000 natural Italians) into a large Plain on the East-side of the City, where he receiv'd me with a million of Embraces at the head of them, and where I found nothing more worthy admiration than the For∣ces, but their General. 'Twas at this first meeting (after I had saluted all the Roman Tribunes) and as we were riding to Tharsus, that he told me: If (my dear Artavasdes) I have so long abstained from acknowledging Udozia's victory at her feet, 'twas only to evince my respect equal to my Passion, and not to declare my self her Subject, till I presented her with an Army that might make those so by her commands, which were unworthy to be so by her sight: The gods know how just this duty is, by esteeming it fitter to abandon their Rome in Crassus's defeat, than that I should be any longer suspended from paying it: Yes (my Artavasdes) I am now come to implore that Assistance you have so generously promis'd me, and by which if I am victorious, I shall no more fear any other Conquests, than desire them. He told me many as passionate words as these, and deliver'd them in an Accent which was so full of grace and concern, that I easily per∣ceived what inspir'd them, and from whence they came. Ventidius had no sooner ended speaking, than I told him: If after those miseries the cruel gods have impos'd on me, I have found sufficient fortitude to outlive them, I deriv'd it principally, perhaps intirely, from my concerns in the generous Ventidius; and if since my torments began I have relish'd any thing of joy, I attest the gods, 'twas only by reflecting on my success for him, which has been as proportionate to my desires, as to his. Yes (my Ventidius) Vdo∣zia sets that value on you which you have ambitioned, and if by my imper∣fect character she has assum'd such an esteem of you, judge then what it will rise unto, when she sees your person, and has heard the charms of your con∣versation? Ah Artavasdes, (said Ventidius) I apprehend you have been so much more my Friend than Nature and Education has, that to continue in the blessing of her esteem, I must live in it by your character, and to continue that felicity, I must deny my self the other of seeing her. If this (I reply'd) be your fears, you have not many hours Travel to clear them; but certainly you could not have so good an opinion of Udozia, if you had so ill an one of her judgment. 'Twas in such discourses as these that we entertain'd one another till our entring into Tharsus, where that necessary formal Civility for awhile deny'd us a privacy, which, as soon as we enjoy'd, Ventidius employ'd a part of it, to tell me those admirable vicissitudes of

the Roman State, in the victories and death of Iulius Caesar; which latter, though the Conspirators believ'd would either have restor'd the Roman li∣berty, or made them Lords of it, yet they had fail'd of both, and the event did manifest there was more difficulty in making the Romans assume their freedom, than there had been in making them lay it down. That the gods had evinc'd how they disrelish'd the spilling of that great Mans Blood, not only by depriving the Actors in it of that end they promis'd themselves, but by bringing all those to an untimely death, which had brought Caesar to one.

He further acquainted me, how that after the defeat and death of Crassus, he found little opposition to be General in his stead, and as lit∣tle to raise an Army to revenge the Roman honour and loss; and though the Command was of a quality which might have rais'd desires of posses∣sing it in the most recluse spirits, yet he had only sought and embrac'd it, but to have a handsomer way to make his Addresses, and a more powerful one, to revenge my wrongs; That therefore he had procur'd from Mark Anthony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus (who then compos'd the second Tri∣umvirate) a full liberty not only to revenge on Artabazus the violating of that League Anexander had concluded with the people of Rome, but also if he esteem'd it requisite, to make that Revenge a dethroning of him, and establishing in his room such an Armenian Prince, as he was confident would have honesty enough to value that virtue above interest: That this power he had the more easily obtain'd, because the Princess Altezeera by marrying Pacorus, had declar'd herself as much an Enemy to Rome, as to me; and be∣ing the apparent Successor of Armenia, the Senate were justly jealous of uniting that Crown with the Parthian: That too he had the earnestlier ambition'd this, because that forfeiture of Artabazus's gave me a right to Armenia by my birth, which a Roman Army would so confirm, that he would find in injuring Artavasdes, he had as much wrong'd his interest, as his ho∣nesty.

The gods forbid (I reply'd, interrupting him) that you should em∣ploy your Arms so unjustly, and that I should for my Kings crimes, do any thing but lament them; besides (generous Ventidius) had Artabazus for∣feited his right (which I know he cannot, being answerable for his Actions to none but the gods) yet still the Princess Altezeera has a Title as firm, as my resolution not to oppose it: For to be Wife to Pacorus, and Friend to Rome, are not inconsistent; and we have examples, that the Conjugal and Regal rights, are not so incompatible, but they may jointly subsist. But were they not, I am so far from divesting her of her Empire, that had I that of the World, I would prostrate it, as I did my Liberty at her feet, and esteem the Title of her Subject, and the visible effects of so transcendent a Virtue and Government, a far higher satisfaction, than to take the Reins of it into my own hands: That since I had neither the power nor the will any other way to revenge my self on the fair Altezeera, than by manifesting my inno∣cency, I was confident the declining so large an Empire to maintain her right after such insensible injuries, would fully do it; and the knowledge of her fault, would in some degree repair it.

I further implor'd Ventidius, That the Armenians for Udozia's sake, might avoid a storm, which perhaps their King had deservedly drawn upon them; and that the greater his Title was to their destruction, the greater would that mercy appear which declin'd acting it. I too well observe (Ventidius re∣ply'd) that you are born under a Monarchy, by giving Sanctuary to the of∣fence, in the Title of the Offender, and making his quality annih••late his

crimes, which aggravates them: for faults in Kings are more unpardon∣able than in others, since they have so great influence over all, and since those can hardly punish offences which commit them. We that are Ro∣mans allow no Sanctuary but to Virtue, and esteem it too troublesome a respect to put the Gods to punish, what we our selves have the Power: Besides, their goodness is so transcendent, that 'tis often an invitation to Princes and Magistrates to relie on it; but they seldom do err when the punishment and the sin are inseparable, and when those they wrong are to be their Judges. That Kings do publish they are to give an accompt of their actions to none but the Gods, is not a greater Tyranny in them, than imbecility in such as either believe it, or grant it. The giving them that Power, is to encourage them to be Tyrants, by having no Obliga∣tion on them not to be so, but what they impose on themselves; Where∣as we Romans, though we leave our Governours a latitude to shew they are virtuous, yet we also leave our selves one to punish them, if they prove otherwise; and indeed wise men will avoid such temptations, and perhaps few that are so will give it them: Besides, you that subject your selves to a successive Monarchy, are tyed to your Rulers as to your Fate, you must submit to the bad as well as to the good; whereas we are con∣fin'd to ours but as to our Cloaths, if they are sullied, unfit, or worn out, we make our selves new ones: You at best have but the bare word of a Woman for your Governours, we the word of Virtue for ours: You by making Blood a sufficient Title to Rule, invite them to dulness and vice; We by making Desert the way unto it, necessitate them to Virtue and Merit: You by trusting the Power to one, run a hazard which we avoid; for there needs but imbecility, or corruption in one, to ruine all; but we trusting to divers, many a one must be weak, and perfidious, to create our misfortunes; and none being absolute, 'tis Reason, and not Power, which forms our results and actions. To omit many other Pre∣eminencies, Commonwealths are not subject to Personal Vices, as Lust, Avarice, Luxury, Inconstancy and Cruelty. That there is (I reply'd) a necessity of a Supreme Power in all Governments, to whom final appeals and resolutions are to be left, (to avoid perpetual disputes and uncer∣tainties) is not more true, than that Power is absolutely best invested in a Monarch; which to evince, I shall desire you but to reflect on the greatest States and Empires that were, or are, and you shall find, 'twas from the virtue of one Man they had their Beginning or Laws. Moses made those of the Jews; Lycurgus those of Sparta; Solon those of Athens, (though indeed of short duration;) Nimrod the Empire of Babylon; Ar∣saces that of the Parthians; Alexander that of the Grecians; Cyrus that of the Persians; and to omit many others, Romulus that of Rome; and 'tis a Maxim as general as true, That what creates, is the best of perfect and preserve. Neither when Monarchy was banisht from Rome, was there any mutation in the Monarchical Laws, but the change of perpetual Kings into annual Consuls: 'Tis too, no small manifestation that Monar∣chy is the best Form, seeing 'tis the Government of Heaven: Besides, that which is the most desirable and seldomest found in Aristocracies, Oligar∣chies, and Democracies, is almost inseparable from Monarchy, which is, an internal quiet that proceeds from a general submission to one Autho∣rity, which is that, which gives a power and ability to defend or enlarge a State; whereas in Republicks the greatest and commonest aim is to make many an Individual what a King is already; or else eternal differences between the Nobility and People, or among each other, if either has

supprest the other: Besides, in a Commonwealth a Man is seldom famous without Envy, nor lov'd without Fear, those very actions which evince him to be capable of serving a State, rendering it dangerous for that State to be served by him; so that to be esteemed well, one must not deserve too well, and a great Merit is as usual a Title to Ruine or Banishment, as it ought to be to Reward. But in Monarchies, the Prince is above those fears, and consequently not only leaves a latitude, but gives an invitation to the highest Merits and Actio••s, by rendring them acceptable, and not dangerous duties: It is evident also that there ought to be a Supreme above the Law, for what invitation have those to preserve That, with∣out which they can neither commit an offence, nor deserve a punishment? whereas a Monarch, besides the Obligation of Trust, the Laws are not only that which gives him the Power, but that too which maintains him in it, by being as it were his Guard, in making Death the Reward of all attempts against his Person or Authority; so that he is likelier to preserve the Laws which receives a benefit by them, than he which can receive no prejudice but from them; and to give the Power to those who must live under it, is in effect to invite them to favour themselves; to let the Peo∣ple too be Judges whether the Dispencers of the Law do it equally, is to give them a latitude to destroy those Laws which should govern them; since the greater part of People conclude the less, and the greater part of all Nations are the worst. Besides, it makes a Judge apprehensive to di∣stribute the Laws without partiality, when those he gives his Sentence upon, are those who must pronounce his, and so, often, out of hope of a mutual lenity, mutually prove unjust. But it may be objected, The People will not repine at the executing those Laws to which they have assented, or which they themselves have constituted. To this I answer, Those Laws which are propos'd, are commonly so equal in themselves, that none can decline his assent unto them, without publishing he intends to violate them, which were an antedated folly no rational Creature would be guilty of; and those too, which give their Votes to the fra∣ming of Laws, are then commonly clear of those crimes, which those Laws are made against; so that what they assent unto a first out of shame, or innocence, when yet they incur the penalty of those Institutions, they wish they had never been made; and indeed the People are far better pleas'd to make severe Laws, than to have them observ'd; since the first of these is an excellent demonstration of their goodness, and their unal∣terable resolution of continuing it; and in the last, they cannot divest themselves of Nature, which violently inclines all men to a self-preserva∣tion, as the highest, and first principle. To let the Supreme Trustees of the People be subject to be call'd unto accompt, is the certain'st way to make them Tyrants, since the apprehension of punishment induces all Men to act what may secure them from it; and if they have done any thing amiss, either by design, frailty or ignorance, it invites them to invest them∣selves with a Power which may defend them from Ruine, and thereby, the acting of one Injustice, renders the acting of a greater necessary; as Thieves, who out of apprehension of having their Theft reveal'd and punisht, add unto it Murther; and as your Catiline, who told his Soul∣diers, That the Ills they had done, could not be secur'd but by acting greater: Whereas the Monach being above those apprehensions, if he commit a fault, he needs not run into that necessary wickedness, but is rather oblig'd by so noble a priviledge, to repair it by some generous actions, which may render him worthy of it. Besides, 'tis seldom that a

Commonwealth is grateful to a deserving Man, which is not only a large de∣terring of any from being so, but also as large an invitation if he be so, to pay himself; was there ever a People more beholding to Men, than the Romans were to Camillus, and Publius Cornelius Scipio; the first for resto∣ring the Roman State to the Roman People, when not only in all probabi∣lity he might have made himself Lord of it, but even when they were so low reduced, that there were hardly enough Senators left to give him a Commission to serve them, and when he had been us'd at a rate, which might have clouded his Ambition with the name of a just Revenge: And the last of these, for not only preserving the Roman State, but by adding to it as great a one; yet their returns were such, that if a Stranger had but known their usage, and not their actions, he would have esteem'd them the destroyers, not the restorers of their Countrey. These two are not the only, though the most famous examples; Marcus Livins, Caius Martius Co∣riolanus, Lucius Amilius, the Asiatick Scipio, and such a vast Catalogue of o∣thers, that 'twere much the more difficult task to name who they were un∣grateful unto, than to whom they were not. Neither is this Vice the appro∣ate one to the Republick of Rome, but common to that Government. The Syracusians were the like to Dion, and Hermocrates; The Spartans to Agis, and part of his Family; and, as some have thought, to Lycurgus; The ••a∣cedemonians to Pansanius his first Virtues, and Victories; which, it may be, made him think, Vice was the Virtue, by their ingratitude to the latter; and the Athenians to Themistocles, Pericles, Cimon, Alcibiades, Aristides, Phocion and Miltiades.

Doubtless the example of these, inspir'd Marius and Sylla with those designs of rewarding themselves, and of making the People grateful against their wills. And what King form Romulus to Lucius Tarquin, did ever spill so much Roman blood, and fill'd Rome with such disorders, as those two did in disputing for that Title: Neither did all the Kings empty so many Roman veins to maintain their name, as Caesar did to restore it, and Pompey to hinder it. Is it not then irrational to spend more in resisting Monarchy, than can be lost by it? The same Caesar doth both wayes evince this truth, for till he won the Crown, the storms were not greater, than the calms af∣ter it. Besides, what you told me of the Romans being now under a Triple Monarchy (for so I account the Triumvirat) palpably manifests, that that Form of Government they have found by experience is the most perfect; for the Conspirators by killing of Caesar, so clearly left them their voices, that their election of Monarchy evinces 'tis their choice, and not their con∣straint. Their Banishment of the Tarquins, was evidently as much an action of choler, as this of premeditation, so that I may say, they did then but lose their way into Aristocracy. If too the Roman actions are to be credited before their professions, we find they are absolutely convinc'd, that the Go∣vernment of One is the best; for seldom was there any thing of danger in the Commonwealth, but they immediately created a Dictator, who is an absolute Monarch for the time being, and to whom the very Senate and People, do absolutely resign themselves, as appears by Camillus, who com∣ing to relieve Rome, as she had agreed for, and was paying for his Li∣berty to Brennus King of the Gaules, he brake off the Bargain; and that barbarous Prince taxing him for violating an Agreement made by his Superiors: He reply'd, That being Dictator, he had none but the gods, and acted accordingly; and to evince 'twas the Truth, and not the Success, which made the Romans approve of Camillus's Reply, Quintus Cincinnatus when Dictator, in that Quality, not only

degraded Minutius from his Consulship, but constrains him to be a Lieu∣tenant over those Legions, the Equians had worsted under his command. Five times was that great Camillus in resembling dangers, created Dictator, and I believe his, and Cincinnatus's happy conduct, gave the people no ill relish of Monarchical Government. The Military Tribunes, and Decem∣virs, though instituted by the people, were of no constant, or long durati∣on, as alwayes finding that Government which was farthest from Monar∣chy, the most confus'd; this made the Consulary Dignity, and Dictator∣ship, of longest continuance. Two illustrations of this are very pregnant; the first was in the institution of the Dictatorship, which proceeded from the revolt of the Veians, and Fidenates, who having cut in pieces a Colo∣ny of the Romans, and they desiring revenge, created four Tribunes with Consular Authority, and sent three of them to this War, who through Am∣bition and Variance, did nothing considerable, but that they did nothing which was so; upon which, the Romans finding the error of this Demo∣cratical Generalship, immediately created Mamercus Dictator, who almost as immediately revenged their losses and wrongs; the other is, of Quintus and Agrippa, who being both sent against the Equians, the latter was ••o much a Friend to Truth above Ambition, that he desir'd Quintus might go alone, since no great Affairs could ever be perform'd, without the Sovereign Au∣thority were invested in one: And if you observe it, Rome never obtain'd such Victories as under a single General, and never receiv'd such losses as un∣der a plural; which fi••st as clearly appears, besides those famous examples of Camillus and Scipio, in Posthumius at the Battel of Regillus, in Cincinna∣tus, in Caesar, and in Pompey, who both triumph'd over Europe, Asia and Africk; the latter also being chosen single to defend the Roman liberty, when Consuls were not only in being, but in Authority; as the last does, in the examples of Fabius the Great and Minutius, in Varro and Paulus Emi∣lius, at that fatal Battel of Cannes, in Marcellus & Crispinus, in Gellius & Lentu∣lus; and to omit many others, so recently in Brutus and Cassius; neither has this been a particular fate to the Roman State, but to all others who have practic'd the like Discipline; as the Carthaginians, when Hanno and Bo∣milcar commanded against the Tyrant Agathocles; to Asdrubal and Sy∣phax, when they commanded against Scipio; to the Athenians in the Sici∣lian War, first under Nicias and Alcibiades, who did nothing jointly, and all things asunder (as in discourse, two Negatives make one Affirmative, so in War two good Generals makes one ill one) afterwards in the same Coun∣trey under Nicias and Demosthenes; and the State of Athens obtaining that famous Victory of Marathon, must not be attributed to the ten Gene∣rals, but to the ten Generals having the judgment which the Athenians wanted, of giving the sole power to the only Miltiades. The same misfor∣tune attended Antiochus's Fleet, when jointly commanded by Polinus and Hannibal, against the Romans, which latter found sufficiently the obstructi∣on of a Commonwealth, the Hannoan Faction in Carthage fighting against him, more than the Romans in Italy; and had he been King of Carthage, he had doubtless been the like of Rome; so that if Rome affect an Aristo∣cracy, 'tis perhaps more out of Gratitude than Reason, neither can I omit (to illustrate what I affirm) two remarkable Adventures: The first, when the Latins came to re-invest Lucius Tarquin, in his Thronne, the Romans be∣lieving nothing could oppose a Monarch, but a Monarchical General, gave the sole command of that great day to Posthumius, who gave them the Victory: The other was, when Torquatus and Decius were Consuls, and fought a furious Battel against the same People, the latter to obtain the

Victory, devoted himself to a voluntary death, as if the gods had destin'd it to a Monarchical Generalship, and deny'd it to a Democratical. Besides, in Commonwealths, the giving of none the Superiority, gives all a desire of it, and makes that every ones hope, by being no bodies possession; so that those Abilities and Courages which in a Monarchy manifest and vent themselves, for the increasing the State, in other Governments, are employ'd to possess it; I confess indeed that there must be many weak or perfidious, to ruine a Commonwealth, but then there needs but one able and honest to preserve a Kingdom; which proves, that to make your happiness, you must have many blest with those virtues, which one needs but have, to make ours; so that, as much as 'tis more likely to have one able and honest man than many, so much 'tis more likely that Monarchy should be a better Government than a Republick. Neither are Commonwealths free from personal faults, for never was any King more cruel, avaritious, or un∣constant, than Athens and Carthage; and though the Body of the People are exempt from some particular Vices, only because they are inconsistent with many, and inherent to one, or perhaps their not knowing them, or not having the power and means to act them, yet those that govern, being par∣ticulars, are not at all free from them; and that which was the pretence of depressing Monarchy in Rome, was the real cause of depressing the Decem∣virs, for 'twas but the Son of the King acted the Rape on Lucretia; but 'twas Appius Clodius in person, and a Decemvir that would have acted that of Virginia, had not her death reliev'd her misfortune. It was (doubtless) too, the justice of the gods to shew the People that sin in a Governor, which they had so severely punish'd but in a Governors son. As to our being necessitated to take a womans word for our Kings, if there be any misfor∣tune in it, you must except not against us, but the gods, who have made them witnesses in their own Cause; yet that great Trust invites them to a proportionate virtue, and 'tis also the onely proof you have at Rome, of that so ador'd Title of Patrician.

That there is (Ventidius reply'd) a necessity of a Power, to which all final Appeals ought to be made, cannot be a greater T••uth, than it is, that That Power is best plac'd in the Representatives of the People, since what ever can be said, for the having it in a King, can be said for the having it in Those Representatives, and much more also: For besides the high obliga∣tion of Trust, which is common to both, and indeed the chief, if not the Onely upon Kings (at least if we credit what they say, That they are ac∣countable to none but the gods) That Authority is likelier to be careful in making, and maintaining of Laws, to which they and their Posterities must submit, than that Authority which is so far from receiving a prejudice by ill Laws, that thereby it receives an Advantage; for the less the People have, the more the King hath. Neither can the Law be more the Monarchs Guard, than it is the Peoples; for as a King owes All he hath to the being Above the Law, so the People owe All they have to their being under it; so that Both deriving Both their All's from that Principle, 'tis likely the Concern for maintaining it, will be equal; for though a King may lose more in quality than any Individual in a Commonwealth, yet he cannot lose more in quantity; for the greatest Loser, never knew a degree beyond All; where All is lost, the disproportion may be in the losing, but cannot be in the Loss.

Neither has the aspiring of any Individual, more or oftner, involved Commonwealths in War, than the same Passion in Subjects or next Succes∣sors,

has involv'd Kingdoms; so that that fault is not produc'd by the ill constitution of that Government, but by the ill inclinations of some un∣der it; for where Ambition does Reign, those desire to do so who are pos∣sest by it, under either Government. And if those ills are unlikest to be attempted, or acted, which are likest to meet with most opposition, then doubtless the design of Usurping the Sovereignty, is less like to be under∣took, under the Government of a Commonwealth, than under that of a Monarch; for if the intended Usurper have success against the Forces of a King, he finds the People prepar'd to embrace that form of Regiment; but though he have success against the Forces of a Com∣monwealth, he will find a new difficulty, in constraining the People to submit to Monarchy; in one He is to destory but the Governor, but in the other, the Governors and Government: The People too are much more apt to fight in defence of Both of those, than in defence of One, es∣pecially their own concernment being in the Last, and but their Rulers in the First Besides, Reason (the health of the mind) is much more satisfi'd the Possessor of it should acquiesce in the certainty of having no Superior, than run a hazard of that, to have no equal; so that 'tis the rational part of man, which keeps him to the Government of a Commonwealth, and the Passionate onely which makes him an Enemy to it; which evinces, that as much as 'tis likelier that Reason should actuate Rational Creatures than Passion, so much 'tis likelier that a Commonwealth should be quiet, than disturb'd.

I confess indeed, that you need but One exactly Wise and Honest, to make your Government happy, and that we need Many to make ours so, yet 'tis much probable that Choice should find Many Wise, and Honest, than that Nature, or Education, should alwayes make the Eldest of One Family to be so; to which be pleased to remember, the discovery of your Governors Crimes, creates the trouble, but the discovery of ours, ends it. I acknowledge Commonwealths have been ungrateful to deserving men, but I cannot acknowledge, nor can you I am confident prove, that their having been so, proceeded from their Form of Government. But because you have instanc'd some Examples of their Ingratitude, lest thereby you would cast that aspersion on the Government, which is due but to the Go∣vernors, I will name some celebrated Kings who have been guilty of the like Crime; that either thereby you may acknowledge the Error of such a misdistinguishing, or else that I may make use of it to retort it on you, and evidence by your own Arguing, that if the faults of Governors must be ascribed to the Regiment, Monarchies therein are equal with Common∣wealths.

The first instances, shall be in two Kings of the Iews (the Father and the Son) whose Subjects do glory in being (as it were) the Menial Ser∣vants of the God they worship, and do owe the Institution and Progress of their Government to Miracles; their names are David and Solomon: The one signal for the Sword of War, the other for the Sword of Peace: The first a Man after their Deities own heart, and the last a Type of that great Prince, their Prophets have so often foretold, and they so certainly and intently expect; yet the former made one of his last injunctions to his Son, the not permitting Ioab's hoary head to go down in peace into the Grave: Ioab, who (in effect) made David King, when he was not, and kept him King, when he was; who would not take a Town till he came, that he might have the honour as well as benefit of success; and Solomon so well obey'd his King, or rather so truly Acted that Part, that Ioab's life

which deserv'd an Altar, could not be secured even in the embracing of one, but was there offer'd as a Sacrifice, to the obedience (at least) of one of his Kings, and to the jealousie of another; some faults overballan∣cing many services; the former writ in his Kings Heart, the latter in the Air.

Another instance is in Alexander surnamed the Great, as much perhaps for his C••uelty as Success; Calistines more justly famous than him, dyed by him; Clytus, bolder for his King, than to him, yet did the like; Par∣menio, without whom he hardly got a Victory, and with whom he never lost one, had the like Fate.

In a word, this King destroy'd more gallant men of his friends, than of his enemies. But yet since you have mentioned him for the Founder of so great an Empire, as the Grecian, I shall desire you to observe who 'twas he esteem'd fittest to Govern, and when it was he made that Declaration, or rather Law; it was when death was forcing him from his Empire, and and when his Queen Roxana was ready to present him with a Successor to it: Yet even then he order'd, and seal'd it with his last breath, that the worthiest only should bear that Title; evincing thereby, that he alone was next to the Crown, that was so to him in virtue, not in blood; he found he should injure truth, more than his posterity, if he allowed not virtue the highest, nay the only Title to Government. An Action so every way excellent, that if any thing could, this might have clear'd his Fame from those stains, cast upon it, by the blood of Calistines, who, had he lived un∣der a Commonwealth, the sincerity of his heart, and the eloquence of his tongue, had engaged him in no more danger, than Cato's and Cicero's did them whil'st under that Regiment; thier words and actions needing no pardon under a Commonwealth, and finding none under a Monarchy; the fi••st dying, in appr••hension Caesar had too much clemency, and the last find∣ing Antony had too little.

Nor can you say it is peculiar to Commonwealths to be ungrateful to their Soldiery, were there no more to illustrate the contrary, than the pre∣ceding Examples in the Iudaick, and Grecian Empire; but the truth is, all Authorities have been shie of their Soldiery, for since the Sword hath introduced most Governments, since it does maintain all, and since it only can ruine any Government, 'tis not so strange that Rulers are jeaous of those which wear it, as it would be if they were not. As to what is so much insisted upon, and so often mention'd of Prescription by Time, to prove a Government just; that, to any rational person will appear, is not to uphold Truth, but Power, which if illegitimately acquired, the longer the posses∣sion lasts, the greater the injustice is; for perseverance in ill, in any other case, never turn'd ill into good, so that in this, 'tis granted as a Conveni∣ence, rather than a Right; besides, if any person under any Government, declare he has a will to destroy it, he thereby gives that Government the Right to destroy him. If then a Will in any particular to subvert a Go∣vernment, merits such a punishment, probably that Government will believe a power to do it, deserves as much; for the Will in an Individual of de∣stroying the Authority he is under, never created the Power, but the Power hath often created the Will; so that if the lesser danger is esteem'd justly punishable you may thereby judge what is concluded of the greater. It hath been also not only the Maxim, but the practice of many Kings and Commonwealths, to make a War, and seek the depression of a Neighbor State, only because that State was increasing to a greatness which might de∣press

theirs, and this, because a preventative care, has been allowed of as a just one; so that if States, towards the preventing of a real or imaginary danger, from those they have no Authority over; from those which have not then the power to hurt them; and from those which perhaps may never have the will, and who have not so much towards the ingendring of it as the power, may justly according to the principles of Safety and Go∣vernment (the last being chiefly establish'd for the first) even by a hazar∣dous War suppress such, how much more will they believe it just, to sup∣press those, from whom a nearer and pregnanter jealousie doth arise, and where the safety that performance presents and ascertains, is not derived from the Rules of Policy, which makes Success Justice, but is derived from the Rules of Authority, which makes the safety of the People, the supre∣mest Law, and those the best, if not the only Judges of that safety, who are by the People entrusted with it.

To all which may be added, that Maxim as General, as Wicked, and at least as usual in Monarchies as Commonwealths, to hate what they fear, and to depress what they hate. These, and a throng of such other Arguings, the Craft, or rather Wickedness of Governors under either Regiment, have establish'd as principles to destroy the generousest Calling; a Calling with∣out which they could do nothing, and for which they seldom do any thing; sometimes they make the prosperity of it necessary to the existence of a State, and sometimes the destruction of it as necessary; sometimes they say it hinders, or revenges oppression; and sometimes it invites, and continues it; sometimes they make it a Scaffold, to raise their structure to the Clouds; then use it like a Scaffold, and lay it in the dust. These last words I spake, to evince the most noble, is the most unfortunate profession; it sowes merit, and reaps ingratitude; yet the knowledge of the last, has never frighted the generous followers of it from the first; perhaps prove, that what would deter in all other professions, is the encouragement of theirs; and that true virtue, unlike material things, the less'tis fed, the lar∣ger it grows.

I hope by this time you are satisfi'd, That ingratitude to gallant men which are Soldiers (for unto such only as I remember you have proved Commonwealths have been ungrateful) is not a sin inherent to that Go| vernment alone, but unto all Regiments. I must confess, if to Govern ma∣ny by one, is good, it is chiefly so in an Army; for not only where the su∣preme Power is divided, the affection of the Soldiery is so; and where Fa∣ction is, Ruine is not far off; but also the greatest Actions of War, depend so intirely on the embracing of opportunities, that whil'st two are dispu∣ting a thing, the time of acting it is expir'd. Besides, 'tis a rare felicity to have two in supreme Power, so much friends to their Duty above their Am∣bition; as for the first, intirely to silence the last; and rarer to have them both blest with what we call, presence of mind, in the highest, and pres∣singst dangers, and actions, and equally invested with it; for if there be but the least disproportion in that essential virtue to Generals, it may be as pre∣judicial and destructive, as if that difference were in an extreme. But after all this, I cannot but remember you, that as our plural Generalship in Con∣suls is order'd, where every day one of them commands in chief by turns, there is little hazard to the Commonwealth, and less advantage to the ene∣mies of it: But because you have instanced some signal losses we have sustained under a double Generalship, lest you might too ascribe it to that form of Ruling an Army, I will only mind you of a couple of as eminent

Victories as ever Rome was happy in, purchas'd under that sort of Gene∣ralship.

The one under Marcus Cornelius, and Quintilius Varrus, in a furious Bat∣tel in the County of the Insubrians, where the Carthaginians not only lost the Victory, but what was more deplor'd, and more justly so by them, even the generous Mago, Brother to their great Hannibal both in blood, and in virtue.

The other, under Nero and Livius, on the famous Banks of Metaurus, which River chang'd its colour as much with Carthaginian blood, as ever Aufidus did with Roman; there the Noble Asdrubal, a true Son of Amil∣cars, found his Fate, and the Manes of above 50000 Italians were appea∣sed, did resign their solitary Walks to those Africans, which had sent them thither; there the Carthaginian glory was first eclips'd, and the Roman prosperity breaking through so thick a cloud of blood, was never hinder'd from shining by another. Not to let the Trustees of the People be call'd by them to an account, lest thereby, if they have err'd, they should defend their Crimes by Arms, is like killing ones self, for fear of being kill'd; the highest Tyranny, cannot transcend, what this way the People give, to avoid Tyranny. Indeed by such a Donation, Trustees may be hinder'd from sin∣ning, because they are elevated above the Law; and where there is no Law, there is no Sin, but the People will not be thereby hinder'd from Ruine, but theirs will be rather ascertain'd and accelerated; for if both Honesty and Fear, will not deter Governors from ill Governing, certainly Honesty alone is much unlikelier to do it; and if they will be Tyrants against the Law, they will be much more above it. 'Tis true, the Title of Patrician is in high veneration at Rome, and one of our Consuls is to be of that order; but yet though we take the word of a Woman for his being a Patrician, yet we take the word of Virtue for his being a Consul; the former makes him electable, but the latter makes him elected. But (continu'd Artavasdes) why do I tell you (and so confusedly) our opinions, when I only under∣took to tell you our actions? Not to continue this fault, though we had several of this quality, yet I will relate no more of them, to obtain your par∣don for having particulariz'd so many.

For conclusion of all, I told Ventidius, that I was confident he had argued against Monarchy more for his diversion, than as 'twas his judgment, were it for no other reason, than that he persuaded me to be a King, which if he esteem'd an ill, I knew he would never have invited me to.

If (said Ventidius) I invite you to be a King, 'tis not only that the Ar∣menians have unreluctantly submitted to that Government, and that you have now every way the justest Title to it; (for as to that which you al∣ledge for Altezeera, that the tyes of Marriage and Empire are not so insepa∣rable, but she may severally act the duties of both, I must answer, That where there is on the one side, but a possibility of an advantage; and on the other, an appearance of a vast prejudice, it is inconsistent with the Max∣ims of State, in expectation of the former, not to prevent the latter) but also that I esteem no form of Government so bad, but to change it by a War is worse; and that where the Governor is good, the Government will be so. At last Ventidius found himself in no small perplexity by my unaltera∣ble resolution of usurping neither upon my Kings, nor my Princesses rights; for at his departure from Rome, he had so clearly satisfi'd the Triumvirat, and especially Mark Antony (to whom Asia was alotted) that they both had lost theirs, the better to invest me in them, that he much apprehended,

if after having demonstrated the danger of Artabazus possessing the Crown of Armenia, and Altezeera's continuing the right to it, he permitted both, it might prove of ill consequence, and either leave the Roman Lords an im∣pression that he was careless of his Trust, or intended some sinister end by so palpable an omission. I must confess, I found as much reason in his fears, as in that resolve of mine which created them; but hoping whil'st we con∣tinu'd at Sattala, we might find out some expedient for their redress, or that if we could not, yet his leaving Armenia in quiet, would not only be more probably, but better effected by the intreaties of a Mistriss, than a friend, I desir'd him to suspend all determinations till we came thither, towards which next morning we intended to go; and because Ventidius's leaving his Army (and leaving it too so unaccompany'd) might not relish of any thing but his care of it, he assembled his chiefest Officers, and told them, He was to make a short journey which would exempt them from a long one; that he was hopeful by a private interview with Artabazus, and my assistance, to make the Armenians more useful to Rome, than they could ex∣pect by ••n entire conquest of them; that upon these hopes he must leave them for a few dayes; and that his absence might not retard their march, he order'd them to continue it, till they came to Alexandretta, since if there were a necessity of subjecting Armenia in their way to Parthia, their seem∣ingly passing by it, would render Artabazus more secure, and manifest be∣sides, they had a strong belief of his returning to the Roman friendship, since in a confidence of it, they had march'd beside his Kingdom, when they might have invaded it; Ventidius further told them, That the entry into Armenia out of Syria by the mountain Imanus, was less difficult, than to enter it out of Cilicia by the mountain Scordiscus; that 'twas better to try moderate wayes, than extremes: and lastly, they should not move from Alexandretta, where in 14 dayes he would not fail to meet them. The deep respect all Ventidius's Officers paid him, and the just opinion they had of his sincerity and judgment, made them perfectly relish this motion, which they had no sooner declar'd, than taking some light Numidian Horse for his Guard, we went to Sattala, with as much secresie, as expedition; whither as soon as we were come, and lighted at Udozia's Palace, I perceiv'd that great mans countenance and discourse, so sensible an alteration, that had I not experimentally known those violent emotions which are inseparable from perfect Lovers at their approach near their Mistrisses, I should have as much admir'd at, as I was satisfi'd with them; but these confusions hardly merited that name, if compar'd to those which succeeded them as soon as he saw Udozia, who came to meet him in the great Hall of the Palace, and who participated in no small degree in his disorders; but truly hers were such, that methought they perform'd something near to a Miracle, by bring∣ing an accession to her beauty, which the generous Roman was so justly ra∣vish'd with, that his wonder spoke his passion more significantly, than any expressions were capable of; but as soon as he found his too-much admira∣tion and silence, might intrench upon his civility, he went towards Udozia with a grace and majesty peculiar to the only Ventidius; and having with a deep respect kist the bottom of her gown, he told her, That freedom, Madam, which without dispute I have long since yielded to your Picture, I am now purposely come to pay you, whose Power perhaps could not more transcendently manifest it self, than by conquering a Romans liberty by a shadow, as far short too of the charming substance, as all other reall beau∣ties are short of it. But if the Copy infus'd a high flame, judge then what

the transcendent Original has done, and judge I beseech you Madam of mine, only by that Rule, since nothing can equal the vastness of my pas∣sion, but the vastness of that beauty which has created it, which former shall be as infinite in the duration, as that which gave it a being is in per∣fection. This Compliment could not be fuller of Passion, than the answer to it was of Civility, which I pass over as being nothing essential to that Story you have enjoin'd me to tell you; but yet though I omit the parti∣culars of this first interview, I must not the acquainting you, that as soon as I had brought Ventidius to his Apartment, I retir'd with Udozia to hers, where I told her at large, how absolutely her servant had offer'd me the Crown of Armenia, and how as absolutely I had declin'd it: Udozia was infinitely more satisfi'd that I had refus'd it, than that I had the power to wear it; and gave me such handsom retributions for the former, that I found there might be as great a reward for having been virtuous, as in being so: but knowing how much higher an influence an ador'd Mistriss has over a Lover, than any other confinement is capable of, I conjur'd her, as I did tye my self from doing Artabazus any harm, that she would Ventidius, and give as good an account of her servant, as I would of her Brother; Udozia at first made some scruples to implore from Ventidius what he had obliquely deny'd me, since it would evince she thought she had a power over him, which she very much doubted she had not; but yet at last she determin'd to do Armenia a considerable service, or by hazarding so sensible a disgrace as a repulse would amount unto, manifest she apprehended nothing more than not obliging her Countrey, and nothing at all, when the safety of it, came in competition with any thing else: 'Twas therefore some three hours after, being inform'd Ventidius was gone to divert himself in the Palace Gardens, that Udozia, arm'd with such generous and publick thoughts, went thither to him, waited on by none but me, where after a short search, we perceiv'd him lying upon some Grass, shaded with Lemmon, and Pomegra∣nate Trees; and truly he was so intent on what he was doing, as we percei∣ved that was the viewing Udozia's Picture, before he saw her, which as soon as he did, he rose up surpriz'd, and told her, I have been, Madam, compa∣ring together the Charms of my first and second Vanquisher, and find the disproportion so transcendent, that I have no way to excuse my first sub∣mission, but to remember I made it to a Conqueror, who though she made not use of such unresistable Arms as my second, yet she did of her name. If (said Udozia) I esteem'd it not a higher wrong to the generous Ventidius, to believe so small a beauty as Udozia's could captivate him, than not to credit what he has so often repeated, I would not conjure him by some de∣monstration to evince a truth, which he cannot be more concern'd to make me believe, than I am to have pregnant cause to do it. Ah Madam (said Ventidius) I shall acknowledge your furnishing me with an occasion to manifest so high, and just a truth, to be as transcendent an obligation, as 'tis an impossibility and cruelty, if the way you propound unto that end, be by merit or time; neither can such injunctions be more a torment to me, than an injury to your Beauty. I have already (said Udozia) told you I am so much concern'd in believing what you endeavor to persuade me, that I shall not so long protract my own satisfaction, as to prescribe any length of time to confirm it; nor so flatter my self, and wrong the generous Ventidi∣us, as to motion merit in that sense he seems to do it; that which I have to propound, is of a quality, which if he will grant it, 'twill take up no more time than to say he does so.

Oh gods! (reply'd the impatient Ventidius) the highest favor next to finding out so obliging an expedient, is immediately to name it. 'Tis (said Udozia) to pardon Artabazus's and Armenia's fault, which perhaps the necessity they were both reduc'd unto by Arsaces's activeness, and Crassus's remissness, may in some degree extenuate; or if both those do not, yet still in the Concession I shall find the greater proof of what I am not a little concern'd to be convinc'd of.

Would to the gods, fair Princess, Ventidius reply'd, their Faults were as great, as the Power she has over me, which commands me to excuse them, I should the sooner do it, since thereby the greatness of the proof of the truth, would be the more proportionate to the truth itself: Yes, Madam, I do absolutely forget them; and though I know of how vast prejudice it may be to me to disobey the people of Rome, yet I know 'twill be of infi∣nitely more, to disobey the fair Udozia, for whom the reason that I should eternally obey her, cannot transcend the inclination which I have perpetu∣ally to do it.

The generous Ventidius (I reply'd) shall not run any hazard to obey Udozia; and though I am much concern'd in my King, and my Countrey, yet I am much more my Friend, so that I determine immediate•• to make a journey to Artabazus, who, if he gives you not a rise to oblige him, and such an one too, as may apologize sufficiently for your doing so, you shall not hazard your destruction, to manifest your civility.

All (said Ventidius) I will desire, since he is in the blessing of fair Udozia's concern, is, that he will not, by being an Enemy to Rome, pro∣voke me to disobey her commands, or after such a provocation, by not do∣ing so, render my self unworthy to have been honor'd with them. But (he continu'd) is there no other way, but by Artavasdes's absence, to settle Armenia?

No, (I reply'd) I believe mine will accelerate this great work better than any others. 'Twere to be too prolix, to tell you Udozia's retributi∣ons and mine to Ventidius, with his civilities on them: I will therefore on∣ly acquaint you, that being ready to take horse, I recommended the care of Ventidius to Udozia, and enjoin'd her so to use her Prisoner, that he might have no desires of altering that name; Ventidius answer'd me for her, 'twas impossible she should deny me that request, since 'twas so, that he should ever desire a more noble Title. Then (after having beg'd me to tell Artabazus from him, that for some powerful considerations, he would desire no greater pennance for his past fault, than to repeat it, which was, to continue a Neuter) I began my journey, which prov'd not very long, because above my expectation, I found the King at Cammona, whither the necessity of his Affairs, by the intelligence of Ventidius being on the Fron∣tiers, drew him; all the Court admir'd at my coming to it, and Artabazus when he saw me come into the Palace Garden, (where he was then walk∣ing with some of his Council) was as much surpriz'd one way, as after I had told him the occasion of my visit, he was the other. He made me a thou∣sand excuses for the necessity of his Crime, (for so he term'd what he had done with Altezeera) and with as many embraces, acknowledg'd my care, and my affection, when (as he said) he was so far from meriting either, that he did the contrary.

In a word, after I had told him on what terms he might have Ventidius his friend, not only (with raptures of joy) he condescended to them, but by a Letter to him, acknowledg'd he had twice deriv'd both his safety, and his Crown, from his generosity to Artabazus, and friendship to Artavas∣des.

As soon as I had thus setled my business to my Kings liking, as well as Ventidius's, (for the latter could not more joyfully embrace the occasion offerving Udozia, than the former did the friendship of the Romans, against whom he was so ill provided, by the absence and discontents of Phanasder, and, as he said, of Artavasdes too, that he was determin'd to have submit∣ted to their mercy, to avoid doing so to their force) I took leave of the King, without letting him know how I had refus'd that Title, or imploring his justice against Crassolis, who, I learnt, was still conceal'd, and which con∣sequently I thought had been a fruitless, and probably a prejudicial request. Artabazus, who found me positively resolv'd to depart, seem'd to be as much griev'd for my leaving him, as he had been pleas'd at the cause, and the result of my visit; and to invite my continuance, he offer'd me large advantages, amongst many others, that of commanding, during my life, the Armenian Militia; yet this, as well as the rest, I entirely declin'd: for though I thought nothing could dispense me from a general care of Armenia, and the King of it, yet I esteem'd my wrongs might not only excuse my not living at Court, but also my refusal of any Command which was not con∣ducing to my revenge on Pacorus, who, though he had by giving me my life, thereby confin'd me to act nothing particularly against his, yet by his having render'd it my torment, I esteem'd my self thereby not concluded from ending it by his hands at the head of an Army; besides, I resolv'd my self not a little disenfranchis'd from that obligation, by restoring him so many considerable Prisoners after the Battel on the Banks of Euphrates, and by the care I had of his person before, and in it. 'Twas therefore that I implor'd the King to excuse my not accepting a Command, which though of infinite honour, yet was consider'd by me less out of that respect, than from an assurance I thereby receiv'd, that he thought I was not his Enemy, though he had given me the highest provocation to be so; which good opinion he had contracted of me, I could not better merit, than by decli∣ning so advantageous an offer, to put my self in a far meaner condition for his service, which I esteem'd my attending on Ventidius was, and would prove, and for the doing of which, I humbly beg'd his permission. Artaba∣zus granted me my request, because I would not grant him his; and ha∣ving again convinc'd my belief, that he would not be an Enemy to the Ro∣mans, by many pregnant reasons, and by others, I took a final leave, and with as great expedition in my return to Sattala, as in my going from it, I safely arriv'd there, and found (during my absence) that Udozia had so well discover'd her servants merit and perfections, that any intercession of mine for him could not have been more just, than 'twas unnecessary. Ven∣tidius seem'd almost as much satisfied with the success of my journy, as with my return; and finding by the former he could not make a longer resi∣dence at Sattala, without as largely intrenching on his honour, as by his abandoning it, he should on his felicity, he declar'd the next morning he intended to force himself from his joyes, to return to his Army. This re∣solve, and my former observation, made me esteem it as fit, as I did believe it would not be difficult, to obtain an assurance from Udozia, that when Ventidius did crown himself with Lawrel, she would with Myrtles, and make him a Conqueror in Love, after he had made himself one in War; to make her confess to me this was her resolution, was far more facile, than to make her do it to Ventidius; but at last the passionate conjurations of a meritorious servant, united with those of a beloved Brother, were so pre∣valent, that they extorted a declaration, which she could not deliver with more blushes, than he in whose favor 'twas made, receiv'd it with extasies

and Transports: I remember amongst many other expressions of the ge∣nerous Ventidius's, this was one; I bless the gods (my fair Princess) that they have made it my destiny to fight against a Nation, which never yet was vanquish'd, that the world may be convinc'd, this high conquest was reserv'd for Udozia's Soldier, who can no more be deny'd Victory, bear∣ing that most glorious Title, than it can be, that that Title is so. These ne∣cessary Productions of a transcendent Joy, and Passion, were no sooner qualify'd, than I assur'd Ventidius, I would wait on him in this War, to fatisfy my Friendship as well as Revenge. This promise was receiv'd with new raptures, and I found how agreeable my company was to him, since it could appear as a great joy, in his being already possest with so high an one. Udozia made no small scruples to deprive her self at once of both her concerns; but when I assur'd her my Presence might in no unconsidrable degree contribute to the preservation of Ventidius, whose too-high Ap∣petite to Glory, might cast him into resembling dangers, and that his con∣versation, and the diversion of War, might efface the Reliques of a grief, whose entire distinction was not indifferent to her, she at last consented to my voyage, and perhaps my departure with Ventidius the next morn∣ing, did not a little contribute to the free liberty of her weepings, for since in the very Tears themselves, none could read their cause, she shed hers the more unrestrainedly; and her Brother, and her Lovers joynt de∣parture, made them as equally ascribable to Affection, as Passion; though for my part, I not only believ'd, but was satisfy'd with their relishing more of the last, than the first. But Ventidius now assur'd his victory over the Parthians, would give him a more noble one in Udozia (at least one that he valu'd so) flew to his Army, resolving to bring his own, and that Empires fate to a suddain tryal. All along the way as we went to Alexan∣dretta, he entertain'd me with such passionate discourses of his Flame, tha•• I must acknowledge, they set my old wounds fresh a bleeding, and by his admirable expressions of a successful Love, he not only made me resent more pregnantly my own misery in a contrary Fate, but inflam'd me with resolves, to act in this War such performances, as might force Al∣tezeera to esteem me worthy her Affection, though she were uncapable to confer it on me; or by a noble Death, and my misfortunes, and desires together. The joy of the Roman Army at Ventidius's coming to it, appear'd as great as it could do in a Victory, and they were so satisfy'd with it, that though he had brought them nothing but his person; he had been as welcome, as bringing with it the assurance that he had ty'd Artabazus's hands; at which, all the Romans seem'd to be much satisfy'd, not that they wanted the vanity of believing themselves soon able to have done it, but that they consider'd all things as misfortunes, which retarded their reveng∣ing the death, and appeasing the Manes of so many of their Citizens, as fell with Crassus. Ventidius extreamly pleas'd to observe, his Army were in so obliging a temper, began his March the next morning, towards the River of Euphrates, where his Intelligencers assur'd him a vast Army of the Par∣thians lay, to justify their Frontiers, The Roman General sent an Herauld to them to denounce the War, which he said the Romans were not wont to steal upon, but to make with their Enemies; that since he was determin'd to prosecute them to the end of the World, and that nothing could avoid a Battel, 'twould be more generous, if they would exempt him from a te∣dious march, by dividing the length of it between them. This denuncia∣tion and desire being sent, found a generous return from Labienus, who com∣manded the Parthian Army, and who advanced four days march into Syria, to decline all disadvantages over the Romans, since (as he said) the Par∣thians *

thians needed no greater, than they had in their Courages; which because so pregnant an Argument as the loss of Crassus, and 40000 of his Coun∣treymen could not convince them of, he was coming purposely to mani∣fest, by a fresh demonstration, which he was confident would be so signal a one, that though none of them should live to acknowledge it, yet their deaths should do it for them. Ventidius excus'd this high reply, by the Parthians putting themselves in a condition, which he was more than per∣swaded would soon afford him a certainty of revenging it. The two Ge∣nerals having agreed upon a sett day to decide the Quarrel, by one of the Parthian Trumpets, which past between both Armies, for the making of this bloudy bargain, I diligently enquir'd after my dear Artabanes, who I concluded was not in the Parthian Army, because another Commanded it; but this Trumpeter, either through obedience or ignorance, continu'd me in mine; but the joy that I should not fight against my generous friend, could hardly transcend my grief, when I knew I should have the like Fate against Pacorus, yet I hoped this Battel would facilitate my desires against another opportunity. At last the fatal day came, and 'twas then I perceiv'd in Ventidius, so many Martial Charms, as well in his Knowledge, as in his Looks, that had Udozia but then seen him, she must have unavoidably compos'd a part of his that days victory. The General of the Romans would have in this Battel, resign'd that Title to me, but I appear'd as much of∣fended at the offer, as he was generous in it, and 'twas then he protested, he deplor'd his not being a Monarch, since thereby he had been account∣able to none but to the gods, and Reason, for his Actions, and consequent∣ly would have forc'd me to have taken that days Command. I will not tell you (continu'd Artavasdes) my return to this flattery. 'Tis enough you know I did decline it, but yet could not, the Command of the Italian Ca∣valry, which was compos'd of the Youth and Gallantry of Rome, and by which charge I found Ventidius gave me means, as ample as my desires, to purchase Glory. He himself took his place at the head of the Legionary Sol∣diers, and the signals were no sooner given, than the Armies began the Battel, with such fury, that had I not known they were both compos'd of the Warlikest Nations in the World, I could then no longer have been in that ignorance; I will not amuze my self, to give you the retail of this fa∣mous day, 'tis enough you know Ventidius did like Ventidius, and conse∣quently pierc'd and broke whatever oppos'd him; and though he found a virtuous resistance, yet it was so far from hindring his victory, that it did but set if it off the better. The Parthian Cavalry are generally the best that are, and their numbers much exceeding ours, we found we needed the Legionaries help, which as soon as Ventidius had, he advanc'd a precipi∣tate pace to afford it us. I include my self in the number of those that wanted it, though the gods gad given the Right-wing, which I command∣ed, as entire a victory, as Septimus a defeat, who commanded the left; So that the General of the Parthian Horse and I, observing our mutual succes∣ses, rally'd Troops together with what expedition we could, but that Nati∣on being more active of their Feet, when they cannot use their Hands, than the Romans, and the execution remaining more bloudy on our side than theirs, their Commander had sooner brought his Soldiers under their Co∣lours, and in greater numbers, than I could possibly under mine; yet Ven∣tidius's arrival so well redrest that misfortune, as I found it none; our new dispute seem'd a second Battel, and Ventidius found he must obtain two Victories, to win one. I cannot with Truth decline telling you, That ob∣serving the General of the Parthian Horse, who was much more remarkable

for his Courage, than his Arms, which yet were in the beginning all co∣ver'd with Rubies, though now with a nobler, but resembling colour, I rid up to him, and having singl'd him out, I endeavour'd to take a revenge of those many deaths he had given divers which serv'd under me; but those which were spectators of our Combate, fear'd, and believ'd I would increase his Victories, rather than punish them; I must confess, his first strokes were so unintermissive and brisk, that I might have made that my own opinion too, and perhaps the rage of its being mine, did not a little contribute to the giving of those wounds, which soon made the be∣holders to alter it, but in bestowing on him some which were very dan∣gerous, I receiv'd many which were so, but mine were so much more obli∣ging, or my constitution so much stronger than his, that uniting all his Forces to give me one blow (which might revenge my having so much di∣minsh'd them) as his Sword was in the Air to act it, his Spirits abandon'd him, his Arms fell softly to his side, and then he himself fell off his Horse on the ground; some Romans, according to their barbarous custom, ran to cut off this valiant Parthian's Head, to present it to their General, but perceiving their intent, I lighted hastily to prevent it; but I found my self so weaken'd by the loss of Bloud, that I no sooner toucht the ground with my Feet, than I did the like with all my Body, yet as the gods would have it, remembring the cause why I had abandon'd my Horse, I crept where the generous Parthian lay, where not being able to defend him by my Commands, I did it with my Sword, and receiv'd some wounds to preserve him, who had given me so many; my assistance had been fruit∣less to him, if Ventidius had not then come to mine, of whom I had only strength enough to beg, as he lov'd Udozia, or Artav••jdes, that he would preserve my valiant Enemy; which words I had no sooner utter'd, than I fell off my knees by him, and almost in as unpromising a condition as he was in. Ventidius, (one of the most generous Friends) thought he could not better merit that Title, than by having as much care of my desires, as of me; this made him at the same instant in which he sent for the Chirur∣gions, to beat off those Soldiers, who endeavour'd by the death of the Parthian to revenge, my supposed one, and many of their companions real deaths, which he had that day acted; Ventidius found so much difficul∣ty to effect this, that as he afterwards confest, had not my pressing con∣jurations inviolably engag'd him to it, he had given his Soldiers a liberty, which the Parthian usage to Crassus, made it almost as high an injustice to deny them, as did the sad condition this had reduc'd me to; but at l••ngth, having made himself to be obey'd, he caus'd (and help'd) me to be car∣ried to my Tent, and set up another near mine, to which he made my Ene∣my be brought; but he was so sensible of my danger, that he was no long∣er so of his Glory and Success; for commanding the Tribunes to prose∣cute the Victory, and bring him an account, at what rate they had bought it, and how dear the Parthians had lost it, to my Tent he immediately re∣turn'd thither again, where he found me so much restor'd, as that I had strength enough to congratulate his glorious success, which was so much the more so, by his having chiefly, and almost solely purchas'd it, and to ask him afterwards what was become of my valiant Enemy whose usage I implor'd from him once again might be as re••embling to mine, as his dan∣ger was. Ventidius gave me that account of him, which I have given you, which made me send one of my Domesticks to enquire after a Life, I was as much concern'd to preserve, as I had lately been to destroy; my Mes∣senger brought me word, that as yet he was not recover'd from his faint∣ing,

but that the Chirurgions by some certain symptomes, found he would not long continue in it. I was as glad at the last part of this information, as troubl'd at the first; and observing that Ventidius only call'd him the Par∣thian prisoner, I ask'd him whether he had not yet learnt his Name and Quality. I have not, (Ventidius reply'd) discover'd either, but I am con∣fident, all the rules of Phisiognomy are false, if his Quality be not answer∣able to the richness of his Arms; for the Chirurgions to stop his bleeding, having taken off his Helmet, I perceiv'd, in spight of his paleness, a Meen, and Features, which could not but be charming in a perfect health, since they were almost so in the condition he was then in. This Character (con∣tinu'd Artavasdes) would have made me suspect it was Artabanes, but that my success secur'd me from that fear; and as I was begging Ventidius to en∣quire scrutinously who the Parthian was, Septimus came in, and assur'd his General that by the least partial computation on both sides, the Ro∣mans had lost 2000, and their Enemies 27000. Ventidius finding me in so promising a condition, suspended awhile the duties of a Friend, to act those of a General, but he had no sooner hastily dispatch'd his Spies▪ to learn the Countenance and intentions of the Enemy, and settl'd his Guards, than he return'd to me again, and gave me no small hopes, but those he had employ'd, would next morning satisfy my curiosity, and learn who the Prisoner was; with this flattering expectation we entertain'd one another till the hour prescrib'd me for sleep, which I could not do, till I had first sent to enquire how the Parthian did, and learnt that he was restor'd to Life, though not to his Sences. The next morning the Sun was hardly risen, when Ventidius came hastily into my Tent, and having sent out all those in it, he told me, with a Face cover'd with joy. At length Artavasdes, at length the gods have manifested themselves to be so, by having given you wherewithal to revenge your wrongs, and that Al∣tezeer•• in a posture to repair those she has so unjustly loaden you with; Yes Artavasdes, that Prisoner which yesterday was made one by your Cou∣rage, is Pacorus, who understanding of my intention to decide our quarrel by a pitcht Battel, came in post from Selutia, and from Altezee∣ra to the Parthian Army, which also he was the more invited to, by its being commanded by Labienus (his Favourite) This is confirm'd by three several Spies, who all assure me, that the Gentleman with the Arms co∣ver'd with Rubies, is Pacorus, whoseloss the Parthians as much lament, as that of the Battel, and of their General, of whom as yet they can learn no news; you will have also (continu'd Ventidius) the Felicity of seeing your Revenge acted, without being the Judge, or Guilty of it; For one of my Instructions from the Triumvirat and Senate, is, neither to give, nor receive Quarter, so that in my necessary obedience, you may derive a satisfaction, which perhaps your own nice Gallantry would scru∣ple to confer on you. Judge generous Friend (said Artavasdes) Judge if my astonishment were great at so strange and unexpected an adventure, in which I had on small debate, whether it were an accident fitter for my joy or grief; but after a short reflection, and dispute on it, I reply'd; Ah Ventidius, Pacorus must not dye, my Honor as well as Reason will oppose it, for to let a Prisoner be executed by the Sword of Justice, which avoided it by that of War, cannot more intrench upon both our Reputations, than it must on my Felicity; for though Pacorus's death will free me from an injoyning Kival, yet alas, the way in which 'tis done, will raise me as great an obstruction, as it removes; for with what confi∣dence and hopes, can I present my self to Altezeera, having been in effect the murtherer of her Husband? by so horrid a crime, if she has any aver∣sion

for me, it will be as abundantly as justly increast, or if hereafter she should discover my Innocency (which is too-bright to be eternally cloud∣ed) I should hereby render heruncapable to reward it. No generous Ven∣tidius, the gods have too palpably taken the protection of Pacorus, to make me become his destroyer, and they never yet permitted sin to be the way to Felicity; besides, I owe him a Life, which if I now repay, I shall ease my self of a burthen, that next to Altezeera's Inconstancy, does most load me; neither is it impossible, but so high a demonstration as this is, of my concern in her satisfaction, may create in her a proporti∣onate one for mine, and induce her to confess, what she has done was her fault, or at least her misfortune, which acknowledgement of her offence, I shall esteem the highest blessing, next to her repairing it; neither shall I ever hope her pardon, for having made Pacorus a prisoner, but by setting him at liberty; and those wounds I have given him, cannot more nobly be excus'd, nor by so pregnant an evincement, that I was igno∣rant to whom I gave them, as that of restoring him his liberty, when I knew it. I shall therefore (generous Ventidius) conjure you, by all those motives which you esteem most prevalent, permit me to dispose of Pa∣corus before his qual••••y be known to your Army, lest so great a gift af∣terwards might prove a proportionate prejudice to the Giver. That this Prisoner (said Ventidius) is Pacorus, is not more certain, than that before now all the Army know it, for my Spies never being employ'd but a∣bout publick concerns, I never us'd to receive their intelligences, but before such of the Army, with whom I use to advise how to improve, and act upon them, so that this being given me, as the custome is, and being a thing of so great encouragement to the Soldiers, and Honor, and advantage to you that took him, I was so far f••om endeavouring to suppress it, that I contributed on both those scores to the divulging it; neither can I think, but therein I heve abundantly serv'd you, which I believe will be your opinion too, if you act not as much againct your self, as the gods do for you; for I know you are too-much a Friend to Virtue, and too-knowing in Altezeera's, either to desire, or expect a re∣ward of your Passion and Services, in the condition she now is in; so that their being but two obstacles to the attaining of your felicity, that of her real Marriage, and that of your imaginary Guilt, the greatest of them by Pacorus's death, will be remov'd, and who knows whether there∣in both of them will not be so, for perhaps the danger Armenia was in, did invite her to her crime, and it may be the more to supress Pacorus's jealousies (who could not but learn her pre-ingagement to you) she broke with you on your pretended, and unmention'd fault, the better to palliate her own; neither is it unlikely, but that Pacorus by some Arts of his, has setl'd this misunderstanding betwixt you, and after his being possest of Altezeera, lest she should learn it privately by some other way, and so as a reparation recall you to her, has himself disclos'd it, thereby to hinder her from such a proceeding; besides, should Altezeera come to learn your innocency, 'twill be so far from being an advantage to you, that it will be a torment to her, and consequently to you; and Pacorus, ac∣cording to the course of Nature, being as probable to live, as either Al∣tezeera or you, all you can derive from the manifestation of your Integri∣ty, is only to let her know, but not render her capable to acknowledge, or reward it; whereas if Pacorus be sent into another World, at the same instant your innocence is clear'd, it will undoubtedly be recompenc'd: These reasons (continu'd Ventidius) cannot more evidently manifest that

Pacorus's death is necessary to your Felicity, than I will, that it cannot be so much as suspected to be your action, or by your consent, for his be∣ing a prisoner cannot be more generally known, than that my Commissi∣on commands me to take none, or if any be taken, to execute them; so that that which is a general order, no body, nor Altezeera her self, can consider as a particular act for your satisfaction, or interest; what you have already done for Pacorus, evinces also that Truth, since when you had the power to kill him, you not only declin'd doing so, when too he had sufficiently invited you to it, by leaving only strength enough to perform it, but also employ'd that little remnant of life you had left, to preserve his, which had reduc'd you to that extremi∣ty; and (said Ventidius) you must give me leave somewhat to men∣tion my own safety in this particular, which will run an infinite ha∣zard, by not only infringing my Commission, but by letting goe so considerable a Prisoner. Would to the gods (I reply'd) I could as ea∣sily answer all your objections, as the last, since then I could promise my self a Concession of my request, as much from your Reason, as Friendship; for whatsoever is the cause of Altezeera's change, I am con∣fident Pacorus being thus remov'd, will not leave her a Latitude to re∣pair it; but on the contrary, 'twill make me for ever uncapable of appearing what I am; though you alleadge, that my having once pre∣serv'd Pacorus, will evidence I am clear of his death, yet I am satis∣fy'd it will prove the contrary, for, to save him when I knew not who he was, and to permit his death when I knew him to be Pacorus, will justly shew, she was oblig'd by my ignorance, and wrong'd by my knowledge; and indeed will render me as guilty to her, as to my self, for knowing the perfect friendship Ventidius blesses me withal, she can∣not doubt if I had embrac'd Pacorus's preservation with earnestness, but my success, would have been proportionate to my desire; besides, should she never know I was consenting to his death, 'twere enough perpetually to banish me from her, that I did. Ventidius was about to answer me, when Septimus, and a great many Officers, came into my Tent to visit me, and to give him an advice of such importance, as necessitated him awhile to leave me alone, which I no sooner was than I began to dispute with my self on my admirable and strange fate and to elect some course upon so emergent an occasion; at length the gods made me pitch upon one, which at Ventidius's return I resolv'd, to communicate to him, in the expectance whereof, I sent for one of my Physitians and Chirurgions, who waited on Pacorus, to learn how he did; they told me, that as yet he had not recover'd his senses per∣fectly, nor spoke, but they durst undertake his cure, if I were concern'd in it; Yes (I reply'd) I am so, infinitely, and enjoyn you, as you value me, to have a care of him, and that you will not only keep from his knowledge, that 'twas I which he fought against, but my being in the Roman Army, both which you may imagine, are of no small importance to me, since I commend them to you asmuch as his cure, or my own. This they not only promis'd, but undertook to perform, which they might the more easily, because he was only waited on by my Servants. An hour after, Ventidius return'd to my Tent, where he told me the occasi∣on which drew him from it, was, an Advertisement brought him, that La∣bienus, who was left for dead amongst many thousands that were so, was by the care of one of his servants, the foregoing night brought to a Countrey∣house not far off, where beyond all expectation they found him give some

symptomes of Life, which the diligent Servant to improve, went to a Vil∣lage not far off to fetch a Chirurgion, to send advice to the Parthian Ar∣my of this rare accident; and to let them know how dangerous a place their General was in, that they might suddainly remove him from it; one of my Spies by good fortune was then in this Village, and so industriously play'd his part, that he got perfect information of this Truth, which then he came to discover to me, and which occasion'd me to send a party of Horse to seize upon Labienus, and bring him hither; they are just now re∣turn'd, but without him, for an hour before, 2000 Parthian Horse had carry'd him away in a Litter. Ventidius having made me this little Relati∣on, began afresh to assault me about Pacorus, but when he found my reso∣lution, if not my reason, was unconquerable, he told me, since I was so absolutely fix'd upon my prejudice, he would afford me his assistance in it, were it only to convince me he would not deny it me in anything, and that what he had mention'd concerning his own danger, was purely to in∣vite me upon his score, to yield to what was to prevent mine, since I de∣clin'd it upon my own; that therefore he was determin'd to send an express to Rome, to let the Senate know his victory, and the taking of Pacorus, whose liberty he would represent (as his own opinion) would sooner settle the Eastern World, than his death, since his being of a gene∣rous disposition, an obligation that was so, would invite him to be a friend to Rome, which would be a more virtuous Conquest over the Parthians, than they had over Crassus; whereas his death by rendring the Parthians desperate, will render the War so too, which otherwise might be concluded without hazard, and with glory; I will (continu'd Ventidius) so fill my Letters, not only to the Triumvirate, and Senate, with inducements to Mercy, but also all those I shall send to my particular Friends, that I hope they will produce what you desire, at least if they do not, I will be ad∣vertiz'd of it by a Post, who shall arrive before my Express, that if Paco∣rus's death be commanded, before I receive that order, I will by letting him escape, render it impossible to be executed: this course (said Venti∣dius) I elect, because perhaps I may have no cause to break my instructi∣ons, and if I have, the doing it, may prove a greater obligation to Ar∣tavasdes; besides, Pacorus's wounds cannot possibly be cur'd before an Express do goe, and return from Rome; neither will it be amiss we learn what countenance Altezeera put upon the news of his death, or impri∣sonment. This generous assurance made me embrace the maker of it, and then I told him, since his departure, I had given strict Order Pacorus should be kept in a perfect ignorance, either of my having been his Enemy, or of my being in the Roman Army, which I had done in expectation that some advantagious expedient might be found out for me, if he gave the Parthian his liberty, who I intended to visit in excellent disguise, thorough which, if Pacorus did not discover me, I might be satisfy'd Altezeera could not; and having made him know 'twas from me he deriv'd his liberty and life, I would return into Parthia with him, where I made no doubt to learn the cause of my disgrace. But (said Ventidius) suppose Pa∣corus should know you, and yet not seem to do it, till he came where he has a power to ruine you; and what good too, can it do you to learn the cause of your disgrace, when it lies not in the Princesses power to redress it? If Pacorus discovers me (said I) which I will almost render an impossibility, I cannot yet suspect, but what I do for him, will confine him from doing any thing against me, and to learn the cause of my disgrace will at least silence the torment of my suspension, and re∣store

me to Altezeera's good opinion, which by her marriage, is the highest felicity I can now aspire unto; besides, who knows what accidents may happen, which being upon the place may improve; and I must tell you, I begin to flatter my self with a belief, that the gods are weary of per∣secuting me, since by this new accident they give me some signes of it. I will (continu'd Artavasdes) pass over the particulars of our discourses, to tell you the results, which were, That Ventidius yielded up his Reasons to my desires, and assur'd me, if he had no answer from Rome, by the time Pa∣corus was able to make use of his liberty, he should notwithstanding be re∣stored to it. Ventidius immediately after withdrew himself to make his dis∣patch to the Senate, and to let Udozia know of that success, which he deplor'd, since thereby I was disabl'd from giving her an account of it. Whilst we were in expectation of Pacorus's and my recovery,, the Roman Army Camp'd upon the same place, in which it had been so victorious, for I could not perswade Ventidius to prosecute his Victory by any hazard of my Life, which he thought would run no small one, by my remo∣ving with the Army, or my being left in any of those small Towns which were adjacent to it, so that I did more oblige the Parthians, by having fought against them, than the contrary in having done it. And though Ventidius sate still so long, yet he made his Army believe, it proceeded from the impossibility of doing otherwise, till the great number of the wounded were cur'd, which if left behind, that Guard, that unavoid∣ably must be so too, for their security, would endanger the marching Army. Yet during my cure, the Romans made a sharp war on the Parthians, by frequent and successful incursions; and I constantly sent to visit Pacorus, but under the name of Pharasmanes, which was, that I intended to assume in my disguise; but at length being perfectly recover'd, the better to act my part, by the same messenger which return'd with Udozia's answer to Ventidius (which was as obliging as he could desire, or perhaps expect) I gave out, I had advertisements of some stirrs in Armenia, which Ventidius perswaded the Romans, my Presence only would suppress; so that taking a publick and formal leave, I made all the Camp believe I was gone; but the same night I return'd privately again, sending all my Equipage to Udozia, and reserving only Philanax, with that Physitian, and Chirurgion, which attended Pacorus: and to shew you my Disguise was really what the name imports, I have but to acquaint you, that though Ventidius expect∣ed me at a sett hour, and knew I would wear one; yet we not only saluted one another, but I told him I was sent from Artavasdes, to beg his pardon, for not being able to wait on him till next morning, without discovering of me, which he did not, till I told him who I was, and which indeed was not strange, for my Hair, that naturally is of a dark brown, I had colour'd of a bright Flaxen, and by a certain composition, strangely alter'd the co∣lour of my Skin, and to perfect all, by the help of a certain Gold Wire fasten'd, and conceal'd in my Mouth, I had disguis'd my Voice as much as my Face; in a word, I had not known my self, if it had not been for some internal griefs, which nothing had the power, either to disguise or mi∣tigate, and which but too well forc'd me to remember, that I was still the unfortunate Artavasdes. Ventidius was extreamly satisfy'd with my having so deluded him, which he fancy'd an impossibility, till by expe∣riment he found his error. The next morning therefore I went to visit Pacorus, and to give him the Consolation, his condition, and the duty of a Gentleman requir'd; I found him well advanc'd on his recovery, but I found him perfect in all those charms of conversation, which till

then I never knew he so abundantly possest. I will not scruple my gene∣rous friends (continu'd Artavasdes) to tell you, I was not a little troub∣led at it; and truly by my constant frequenting him, I began to despair of my condition, by having cause to believe 'twas Altezeera's judgment only which had made me unfortunate.

To abbreviate my story, I will let you know, That at last Pacorus was so well recover'd, as my Physitian told me, within three dayes he might without danger make use of his Horse; two of which were scarcely expi∣red, when Ventidius's Messenger from Rome came privately into the Camp, and assured him his Express from the Senate, would be with him within 48 hours; That what had been propounded by him to the Senate, had been largely debated in it, and had been carry'd according to his desires, had not Mark Anthony oppos'd it, who suspected Pacorus's liberty would settle Asia in a perfect peace, and consequently take away the occasion of his going into the East with an Army, which he coveted, only to palliate that Passion he had for Cleopatra the Queen of Egypt, and which he durst not publickly manifest, lest it might create any differences betwixt him and Octavius Caesar, whose Sister the Princess Octavia he had married, and who in all mens eyes (but Anthony's) transcended her as much in beauty, as in virtue; That therefore he had so manag'd the business in the Senate, that they had sent a positive Order immediately to put Pacorus to death. Ventidius was not dishearten'd at this Advertisement, and to hinder me from being so, he immediately (but by wayes too prolix for a repetition) put things in such a certain posture, that I knew there would be no difficulty that night to steal away with my Friend, and my Rival; till when, I spent the time in ta∣king leave of my dear Ventidius: but as soon as the hour came, I went to Pacorus, and having brought him into one of the most obscure corners of the Tent, I told him, I believe Sir, you have already learnt, that he by whose good fortune you were made a Prisoner, hazarded as much himself for you; as he did against you, and thereby you were preserv'd from losing your life as absolutely, as you have your liberty. This Gentleman who was so much your Enemy, and your Friend, is in the latter quality so much mine, that though he is call'd Pharasmenes as well as I, yet there is an high equality be∣tween our minds, as between our names; in his success against you, he re∣ceived some such wounds, that though they were not as dangerous as yours, yet they were in such unfortunate and inconvenient places, that he has not been able to pay you those visits, which he knows is due to your virtue, as much as to your quality; 'twas therefore that I being sooner re∣cover'd of mine, he enjoin'd me to supply his place: But, Sir, that you may see his concern in you extends further than the formal parts of humanity, he has now sent me to you, not only to let you know there is an express Order come from Rome to put you to death, but also to attempt all imagi∣nable means I can to prevent it.

At this unexpected Advertisement, Pacorus appear'd in some disorder; and truly I should have wonder'd more at the contrary, than I did at it, ha∣ving by Altezeera a far dearer blessing to lose than life. I gave him a little time to reflect upon his condition, which the more he did, the more despe∣rate it did appear; Crassus barbarous death, and the Romans as barbarous usage to all Princes who they esteem'd, or at least term'd so, made him tell me, Your generous Friend, I believe, (Pharasmenes) by his desires, has already as much oblig'd me as he will have the power, for I know too well the condition of the Romans, to be ignorant of my own; I shall not yet but acknowledge my self extremely his Debtor, and as much as if what he

desir'd were acted. I beseech you therefore, tell him from me, that having no other way to pay what I owe him, I will do it in contributing to his glo∣ry, by the resolution of my sufferings, which perhaps I shall in some degree perform, if I endure my death with as much resolution, as I oppos'd it.

This generous Reply gave me new invitations to serve him, and confined me afresh to act against the dictates of my Love, to follow those of my Honour, which forc'd me to embrace Pacorus, and to assure him before next morning, I would participate in his intended punishment, or free him from it. To be brief, I perform'd the latter; & by learning the wo••d from Ven∣tidius, I brought him safe out of the Camp, where I told him, That having by that Action lost my Fortune with the Romans, I must depend for it on him; which if he approv'd I would wait on him into Parthia. The gene∣rous Paecorus embrac'd me a thousand times for this assurance, and gave me as many thanks for it, as for his life and liberty. We found some good and swift Horses in a little Grove, which by my orders were brought thither by Philanax, who I then sent to Udozia, he being as perfectly known to Alte∣zeera, as the contrary to her husband.

I need not tell you the Alarm Pacorus escape gave unto the Roman Camp, how seemingly diligent Ventidius was to recover him, what formal Letters he sent to the Senate, to excuse himself for a misfortune, which was so much the more extenuated as to him, because Pacorus was escap'd before he had receiv'd their commands for his execution, nor the vast promises he made of taking him again, or Parthia in his stead, 'tis enough you know, that what he said was receiv'd as he desir'd; for Anthony was satisfi'd, Pa∣corus was at least deliver'd in such a way, as would ascertain a War as much as his death. Whil'st these things were thus transacting amongst the Romans, the Parthian and I came safe to Seleutia, where the Cou••t then resided; Pacorus (who perfectly knew the Palace) led me to the Princesses Apart∣ment, where we found with her (for then Parthenissa, Lindadory, and Ze∣phalinda, were in the Isle of Eden) Arsaces and Phraates all in Mourning, but alas Altezeera having more in her looks, than cloaths, I cannot, if I would, tell you the Raptures and Transports at so unexpected a return from Death, or Captivity, (for they knew not which had been Pacorus's fate) but after the first celebrations of this joy, he led me by the hand to Arsa∣ces and Altezeera, and told them, 'Twas to me they ow'd his life and safety; and then acquainted them with all, with which I have you. Arsaces made me so many Compliments and Thanks, that in them I read his concern for his Son; but alas Altezeera did the like too, and wounded me a thousand times more with her gratitude, than she could have done with a contrary usage, manifesting by the esteem she plac'd upon the performance, how much a higher one she had for him for whom 'twas perform'd. I must confess, I was so confounded at it, though I had arm'd my self against it by having prepar'd my self for it, that had not the company been more intent on their joy, than me, they had discover'd me inspight of my disguise. To pass over what would but trouble you to hear, and me much more to remember, or relate, I will tell you, after a magnificent Supper, where the King and Prin∣ces constrain'd me to sit with them, (giving therein that honour to my ser∣vices, which they thought was not due to me) the Princess Altezeera leaving Pacorus, took me aside to reiterate her civilities for his deliverance.

Great gods! you only know, with how much difficulty 'twas I abstained from telling her, That her leaving Pacorus, to come unto Artavasdes, which she did in that way of Gratitude, she should have done in another; And that she had Reason to be Grate∣ful

for Pacorus's deliverance, if she knew from whom she deriv'd it; but I had then enough fortitude to suppress those risings, and to tell her, That had I but known so transcendent a reward as the satisfaction of so fair a Princess had attended that performance, I had acted it as much out of the dictates of Interest, as out of those of Honour or Friendship.

We entertain'd one another awhile with discourses of this quality, but the time was not long, for the impatient Pacorus came to ravish her from me, and to place himself in those extasies and raptures, which the cruel gods had eternally deny'd, the as-unconstant, as-unfortunate Artavasdes. This se∣paration was so operative, that had not the Prince Phraates, and the chief∣est of the Court came to conduct me to my Apartment, I had continu'd as fix'd to the place I was in, as to my infelicity; but their civilities drew me out of my thoughts, which I suspended till they had left me in my Apart∣ment, whither they accompany'd me against all my resistance. As soon as I was a Bed, the remembrance of Altezeera's gratitude for having continu'd the impossibility of Artavasdes's being made happy, came fresh into my thoughts, and made me utter things as disjointed as my hopes; but when I came to reflect, that in that same instant I was deploring Altezeera's cruelty to me, she was in my Rivals Arms, and affording him those joyes, which to be depriv'd of, could not be so great Misery, as to possess, was a Felicity, what did not my rage and resentments make me speak? Ah (said I Artavasdes) was it not sufficient that the gods, and Altezeera contributed to thy tor∣ments, but that thou must do it thy self, by bringing Pacorus not only to the embraces of thy Princess, but thyself also to be the Spectator of them? Never more, Artavasdes, never more complain of the gods, they had given thy Rival into thy hands; and when they began to declare themselves thy Friends, thou didst declare thy self thine Enemy, and by that performance hast not only divested thy self eternally of hope, but also of the ease of complaining against all but thy self, without becoming as unjust to them, as thou hast been to thy Love; whil'st my thoughts inclin'd me on this side, they suggested to me many such reasonings; but after a short calm, they began to incline me to consider Altezeera, arm'd with all those attractive charms and graces, which formerly had conquer'd me, and which by their yet retaining me in captivity, too sufficiently prov'd their being infinite, and confin'd me to believe all my sufferings for her, were too much my du∣ty, to be my trouble.

No, no, Artavasdes, (said I in those dictates) thou hast still the same quarrel to the gods; for, by the way in which they gave thee thine Enemy, thou couldst not restore thy hopes, but by becoming unworthy of them; and those same gods which afforded thee the power of revenge, made the acting it a greater sin, than it could be a satisfaction, and gave thee honour and virtue enough to suspend all the inspirations of resentment; do not then destroy the merit of thy performance, by repining against it, 'tis more noble to merit Altezeera without possessing her, than to possess her, without meriting her; neither can what thou hast done, but one day contribute to the disclosing of thine innocence; and that which discovers, must invite her to reward it; wait then (Artavasdes) the manifestation of what the gods (without declaring themselves none) cannot long conceal, and find thy satisfaction in thy very torment, by being pleas'd that Altezeera is so, though in Pacorus's arms; and by calculating thy own joyes, by the seeing of his, if ever the gods remove the obstruction of her marriage, and thy pretended guilt. It was above a thousand times that I built and destroy'd such resolutions, sometimes determining to discover my self, and know my

fault, or make her acknowledge hers, and then again declining that resolu∣tion; for I knew too well Altezeera's scrupulous virtue, to have any hopes of living near her afterwards, though I should prove my self innocent; and so the apprehension of being banish'd from what I lov'd to see, made me rather elect to be thought criminal, and enjoy that felicity, than to ap∣pear otherwise, and be depriv'd of it.

I had longer entertain'd my self in these disputes, had not the Suns ap∣pearing, and afterwards some of the Princes Officers, put a period to them: The first of them which came into my Chamber, gave me advice, That Pa∣corus had setled a large Pension on me, and form'd me an Equipage which I found proportionate to my real quality; But alas the next that visited me, were sent from the Prince and Altezeera, to know how I had past the night? Oh gods! what difficulty had I to abstain from sending them word, that their having past it so well, had almost made me pass it as ill: But though this strange Message set all my wounds fresh a bleeding, yet I had so much discretion left, as only to answer it with a Complement as civil, as theirs was seemingly so. As soon as I was drest, I went into the Palace Gardens, which were so admirably oblig'd both by Art and Nature, that they would have unavoidably prov'd a diversion, to a less inveterate Me∣lancholy than mine; I had not been above two hours there, when I might perceive Pacorus and Altezeera at the end of the Walk I was in, coming to∣wards me, at which sight I could not abstain from whispering to my self: Can you then Altezeera, after having past a whole night in Pacorus's embra∣ces, present your self without confusion before him, to whom you had first promis'd that blessing? And canst thou (Artavasdes) after being con∣vinc'd that she has done so, outlive that misfortune? Or if thou dost not do it, to be reveng'd upon the Ravisher of thy right and joyes? I could no longer continue any reflections of this quality, because I went to meet them, where Altezeera by many reiterated expressions for Pacorus's delivery, but too-too-palpably let me know how dear it was unto her: Neither was it only at this time that she did so, but so constantly upon all occasions, that it gave me no small Alarm she had discover'd me, for I fear'd she could not so incessantly persecute me out of Gratitude, but Hate. But (continu'd Artavasdes) if I should acquaint you in particular with all things that hap∣pen'd whil'st I resided in Parthia, I should take up almost as much time as did my residence there; I will therefore only acquaint you with those things which are most essential, and in pursuance thereof let you know, That one evening, when all the Court were walking in the Palace Gar∣dens, I had the honour to lead the Princess Altezeera, and being unde∣signedly gotten into a retir'd Walk, she earnestly conjur'd me to let her know the story of my life, since (as she said) 'twas from it, she deriv'd that which made hers her satisfaction. Would to the gods fair Princess (I was upon the point of saying) that my life had not lasted a moment longer, than when upon its own score, it had created the felicity of yours. But knowing such a Reply would have prov'd destructive to that resolution I had assum'd, of expecting in disguise, and with patience, what the gods had determin'd of me, I gave her an accompt of my life, such as my invention then suggested, till my arrival in Syria with Ventidius. But, Madam, (I continu'd) I cannot now obey you, without something violating a friends injunctions; yet if you command me to proceed, you shall find, I esteem nothing more highly, and justly, than the honour of obeying you. Truly (said Altezeera) you have told me so many admirable things in your life, and I have been so infinitely oblig'd unto it, that I should desire the con∣tinuation

of your story, did I not apprehend your granting my curiosity, might prove almost as great a trouble to you, as a satisfaction to me.

Madam (I reply'd) to convince you, I cannot but please my self, while I do the Princess Altezeera; I will acquaint her with the residue of my story, and the rather, (not only as 'tis her command) but as she has some con∣cerns in it.

A Rtavasdes was beginning to speak, and to finish that small remainder of his Narration, when Callimachus's servants interrupted him, by bringing in their Supper, which both he, and Artabanes would have dispen∣sed with, for what it hinder'd them of; but the sooner to repair that mis∣fortune, they took a little refreshment, and then Artavasdes having minded them, he addrest his discourse to the Princess Altezeera, continu'd it in these words.