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

The sequel of Parthenissa's and Artabbanes's Story.

THe day (said the Princess) began but to expel the obscurity of the Night, when Surena according to his promise, came into my Chamber, to let me know all things for our intended journey were ready; but he was so pale and weak, that Zephalinda, Lyndadory, and I, began to consider that strange alteration, as the effect of a new Misfor∣tune; but he assured us it only proceeded from some loss of blood in his late Combat; that he found himself better able to perform a journey, than he seemed to be; and that by riding in a Chariot, he should feel no inconveniency, but what proceeded from being in a less fitting po∣sture to serve me. I must acknowledg he appeared in so sad a condition, that I not only thought it less dangerous for him to indure a siege, than a journey, but told him so; and though we jointly and pressingly conjur'd him to reflect on his own safety, and that we would hazard ours by a residence with him, rather than so much indanger his; yet Solicitations were fruitless; for he protested 'twould be more hazarded by the danger of my continuing in Eden, or by his not waiting on me out of it, and fetling me in a secure residence, than any other way: His Chyrurgeon too assured us, he might without any great hazard travel in a Chariot. This last operated more with us than all the rest; for we knew the Laws of

Surena's Civility obliged him to contemn all danger; but we knew those of the Artist, as much obliged him to preserve his Patient from any; we therefore descended into the Court, where we found all things in a desired Posture, and some fifty Horse for our Convoy. Zephalinda and Lyndadory rode in one Chariot, and Surena (by my reiterated desires) and I, rid in another; there was a Third for our Women: but alas, we were not gone a furlong from the Castle, when some Scouts came in, and with frighted looks, commanded the Chariot-Drivers to turn back, if they had a mind to preserve themselves, or those they drove. Surena at this Allarm, inquired the cause of it; which those that brought it, told him, proceeded from 500 of the King's Horse, which were come a round Gallop from Nineveh, had seized on all the Boats were to ferry us over the Tygris, and were by their help transporting themselves into the Island. Surena amazed at so fatal a Disaster, and as much, how what he had done could already come to Arsace's knowledg, told me, We must, Madam, return; unless you will rather indure the Siege of Orodes's Love, than that of his Force: He had hardly said these words, when we perceived a cloud of dust, which some of our Convoy that were most advanced, came running to tell us was the Enemies Troops: this made us retire hastily to the Castle, into which we were scarcely entered, when Surena fell into a Swound, and his wounds appeared so inflamed, that a Chyrurgeon of our Convoy, who first at my cryes ran to his assi∣stance, protested to me, our return was the happiest accident could have arrived his Prince, for he could not have continued his journey, and his Life; we had him therefore brought with great care, and no less haste, to his Appartment, from whence we saw a Body of Horse, which came a full Gallop near the Castle; where they drew up, and by waving their bright Swords, seem'd to invite those in it to a Combat which might change their colour. There was in Eden a young Gentleman called Arzimin, to whom Surena, as soon as he was restored to his sences, committed the care of the Siege, till his own health would permit him to assume it. Four days were spent in preparations for defence; and the night of the last, there came into the Castle 500 Horse, and as many Foot; who told us, That more by Art than by Force they had pass'd the King's Army, which next morning faced the Castle, and sent a Herald to Surena, who not being in a condition to receive his Message, sent Ar∣zimin to do it; who brought his Prince word, That Arsaces had sent purposely to know what provocation he had received that could invite him to so precipitate and dangerous a design; That though the highest Revenge would be but a proportionate Justice for abusing his Autho∣rity and Favour; yet if he would submit himself to the former, he would restore him to the latter. Surena turning his Eyes towards me, seemed to implore the answer he was to make; but I told him, I had referred all things, as well as my protection, to him; he therefore commanded Arzimin to let the Herald know, That by reason of an indisposition which rendered him uncapable of making any return to the King with his own hand, he was determined not to send any till he could so do it. This he did to protract the time, and not to thrust Arsaces on extreams, till Vixores (who Surena then told me was raising an Army of his Parti∣zans) came to his relief. The Herald delivered the King the Message he received, which Arsaces considered rather as an affront than a respect; and immediately by a Trumpet sent to know where our Appartments were, that he might prohibit any shooting of Arrows at those parts of

the Castle; which having learned, he began by approaches to attempt the winning of a place, which contained in it the objects of his most predominant Passions, his Love and Revenge. Above a Moon was em∣ployed in bloody assaults and defences, by which time Surena was so well recovered of his old wounds, that he was in a condition to receive new ones; which before he did, by a Trumpet, and a Gentleman, he sent the King a Letter, which he first communicated to me, and which contained these words:

Surena, to his Soveraign Arsaces.

IF I have been so unfortunate, as seemingly to take up Arms against my King; yet I am so happy as to be satisfied they are really for him. Your resolves (Sir) to make Parthenissa yours, and hers to decline a Crown of Empire, for one of Constancy, creates my performance, which I cannot call a crime, because 'tis to preserve you from one. This only being the cause of my Arming, I esteemed it not fit to divulge it, but rather appear a Rebel, than manifest your Passion is one to you; when you can command it, you shall command both me, and those with me; but till then, I must preserve you from what virtue should; and thereby me∣rit the honour of your favour, if I possess it not.

Arsaces detained this Messenger till he had formed a Reply, which he was not a little troubled to do; for if he continued his Passion, he must the War, and perhaps the despair of taking the cause of it; and if he seemed to decline his Passion, he must violate his engagement, or what it may be he valued more. Whilst this Dilemma was debating, the Army and Garison were so too; for there was during the Treaty, no suspension of Arms; and the Arsacians stormed an Out-work, from whence they were beaten with loss and shame: Surena to let his Enemies know he was well, and could use his success so, With the greatest part of his Garison, and himself at the head of them, made so resolute a charge upon three great Squadrons of Horse and Foot, who were to justifie the Assaliants retreat, that he forced them all to a precipitate one; and doubtless had carried his Success to a sublimer degree, had not Orodes in person with 3000 select Horse, first put a suspension, and then a period to his victory. We saw all this from off the Castle, and that Surena did miracles in his person to regain the victory, or it; but at length most of his Forces being cut in pieces, or taken Prisoners, he followed the fate of the latter, which he received from a Gentle∣man in black Armour. But we had hardly the leisure to deplore so sensi∣ble a loss, since he that imposed it, did redress it too, by not only giv∣ing Surena his liberty again; but by securing it, till he came to the Graffe of the Castle: Surena had but few wounds for so many dangers he had been engaged in; but of 1000 Horse and Foot which made the Sally, only two hundred returned alive, and half of those by their wounds continued not so six days. Our impatience to learn from whom both Surena and we had received so signal an obligation, made us go meet him in the entrance of the Castle; where he told us privately, that it was from the Prince Ariobarzanes, who upon his knowledg of him, desired no other ransom for the restoring his freedom, than to grant him his Pardon, and procure him Zephalinda's, for having de∣prived him of it. This Gallantry both the Brother and Sister extolled,

in terms as great as it self; and the latter perhaps esteemed her necessi∣tated ingratitude to him as high a misfortune, as Artabbanes's was to her. The great loss we sustained by his Sally, reduced us to a condi∣tion so deplorable, that Surena himself began to apprehend it, and to confess his best consolation was, He should lose his Life in a Service, in which he had vowed to spend it; and thereby if he could not prevent my misfortunes, yet he should not live to see them. The morning which succeeded this sad day, there came a Gentleman from the Camp attended by a Trumpeter, who telling the Guards he was employed from the King to their Prince, was admitted and received by him in the Court, where to conceal our deficiency, all the Garison but the Centries on the Line were assembled. The Express presented from Orodes a Letter to Surena, which without opening he immediately came and presented me in my Chamber, where Lyndadory and Zephalinda were, to learn the effect of it; having there unsealed it, we found 'twas all written with Arsaces's own hand, and contained these words:

Arsaces King of Parthia, To Surena.

THough the condition the gods have reduced you to, might invite me by resentment, as well as justice, to employ my Power, rather than my Mercy; yet because you attribute your crime to a service to Parthenissa, I shall esteem it one to me, and not only pardon your ha∣ving given her so bad a character of my Passion, as what you have acted must make her assume; but to divest her of Fear, and you of Ex∣cuse, I do hereby engage my self by all those obligations I esteem most sacred, I will be so far from forcing her to be my Queen, that I will not solicite it; and I would even give her leave to seek a Sanctuary under some other King, did I not know that would but too much cloud the Government of her own, which could not but be abhorred, when so much Beauty and Virtue should be necessitated to implore a Foreign Protection.

This Letter gave me joys which were uncapable of accession, but by both your returns; I told Surena, that the cause of the War being taken away, the effects ought to cease; that doubtless Arsaces was real in his promises, since he had (when they were freely made) as much the power to violate them, as he could have when I was in his; that probably my coldness had extinguished his flame; which though it were no common operation in Love, yet it was (as Surena experimentally knew) a possible one; and therefore since Arsace's taking the Castle, which he had as much the power as the will to do, might inspire him with intentions, our submission and reliance on him would suppress, I esteemed it the best course to accept of what we could indeed no lon∣ger decline. Surena was about to have replyed, when one of his Ser∣vants advertised him, That the Gentleman employed by the King, had a Message to deliver him, which he desired might be without wit∣nesses. I observed him a little surprised at my motion, and it may be he was glad to cloud his disorder by this opportunity, which he begged me to permit him to accept, since it was not improbable, but it might be much conducive to the forming our resolutions. I know not whe∣ther he thought the making his request was sufficient towards the grant∣ing; but he had no sooner desired my permission, than he took it, and

whilst he was entertaining the King's Express, the fair Zephalinda was entertaining me with some fears she but then had assumed; which were, That I had avoided being a Prey to one of my Lovers, but to be one to another. This free declaration made me conclude she had but too pregnant evincements for the making it; and that it was her knowleg, not her suspition, which gave me one of her Brother. I acquainted her with this belief, with as much clearness as she had me with hers; but when she protested to me her apprehensions had only their being from the minute of Surena's disorders, and at the overture which had created them: I began to hope her affection for me, made her suspect her Bro∣ther's having too much; which the better to determine, we jointly re∣solved to press the accepting the King's offer. Surena by his return, gave me leave to execute what we had resolved; which after I had by the pressing'st reasons I could disclose, he told me, The just gods, Madam, who know how unfit it is for you to put your self into the hands of one who prefers his Lust before his Faith, have sent me an Intel∣ligence, which may so far absolve their Providence, that if that misfor∣tune must be yours, it shall be your fault, and not theirs: For the Gen∣tleman sent by the King, is employed by the generous Ariobarzanes; who knowing all Intelligence both by Land and Water, is debarred me; lets me know, that Arzimin, who I thought in the last Sally had lost his Life, has lost but his Liberty; and that Vixores is hastily raising an Army of 30000 Horse, and as many Foot for my relief: so that, Madam, you have but to assume a few days patience, and you may derive that real security from my Sword, which will prove but an imaginary one in Arsace's protestations. The gods forbid (I replyed, much more con∣firmed in my Fears, by this answer), that so many thousand Lives should be sacrificed as Victims for the suppression of my doubts; but allow they were of so criminal a quality, as that nothing but so much blood could wash them away; yet what advantage could we propound unto our selves by a Battel, which we are not more certain of without one; for you must either resolve to expel Arsaces out of his Throne and Em∣pire, or at length you must trust him, and that too when the resent∣ments of his losses, and our opposition, may give him a rise and provo∣cation to evince the justice of our Fears, by his acting them: which a Confidence in him may as much deter him from, as his very oaths; so that since of necessity we must, to prevent his Crime, act a greater, or put our selves into his Mercy, when it may be the world may esteem his conferring it (by our provocation) an injustice; I do not only approve of embracing his offer, but conjure you we may do it: and this I desire the more pressingly, because that having a power to oppose his, our sub∣mission may appear our election, not our constraint, and thereby have two obligations on him, that of Religion, and that of Trust; which latter will confine him, if he considers his honour; and the former, if he considers the gods. Are you then, Madam (he reply'd), so little vers'd in the Maxims of Kings, as to think your self secure under him, when you have demonstrated you have a Power of being so without, or against him; by shewing that Truth, and then divesting your self of it? we do not only shew him he is not absolute; but provoke, and which is worse, enable him to become so: the folly of yielding to an offended Prince, is greater than the Sin which made him so; and if we must at length submit, 'tis better doing it when our necessity is the motive; for the extending his Mercy then, is a greater, as well as safer virtue: Do

not, Madam (I beseech you) tempt Arsaces's honesty, by prejudicing his Power and Love: There is no necessity of ending the War by either expelling him his Throne, or submitting to his Mercy; a successful Bat∣tel may procure us such conditions, as it shall not be in his Power to in∣fringe them; or when he sees his Passion or Empire must cease, he will relinquish the former: which were it founded on Virtue, would be as permanent as the reward of it; but being on Lust, and meeting such dangers and obstructions, it will as soon expire, as would the pleasures of it. I confess this discourse made me tremble, and I could not ab∣stain from replying, Certainly, Surena, there are Passions of another quality than you have now given me a character of, or else you have given me an ill one of yours, or of your self; for if those which are built on Virtue never expire, I must conclude, yours had not that foundation, or else is still existent.

Surena found himself as much surprised at my inference, as I was at what gave me the rise to make it: But after a short silence, he told me, There is (Madam) no general Rule but has some exception; and 'tis I only make it in this: Neither, Madam, should I tell you an untruth, if I assured you my love for you, makes me not love you; I esteemed it but an ill effect and character of my Flame to oppose and injure yours; and since the gods have made the perseverance in my Passion as great a misfortune, as your not rewarding it; I transplanted that permanency the gods had given me for a virtuous affection, on a virtuous Friendship, and they will not so much lessen their obligation in this change, as to evi∣dence it no miracle; which it would neither prove nor appear, did they produce in Arsaces a resembling operation. I told him, that to repeat was not to annihilate a Miracle; That I could not esteem a production of reason, to be one; or if there had been one in his affection, it was in that he had assum'd, and not declined it; since he could not be more powerfully invited to relinquish his addresses from the unworthiness of their object, than from her preingaged Love; which she resolved as eter∣nally to cherish, as his Friendship, that had so generously contributed there∣unto. I further told him, That since the extinction of his Flame evinced a possibility of Orodes doing the like, and that the hazard in trusting his vows, could not be greater than that of a Battel; I conjured him, if 'twere upon my score, and not his own that he drew his Sword, that he would sheath it again, and not so far engage himself in hazards, as to find both our destructions, in what he intended as an argument of a Friendship, I could not be more desirous, than satisfy'd of. I began my request again (Parthenissa continued) to retrench all discourse of his Passion; which like a Relique, might lose its respect by becoming common. To this Surena replyed, By what I have done, Madam, I know what will be done unto me; and that Orodes when ever he has the Power, will make use of it to render me a sacrifice for the fair Parthenissa. This being both my faith, and my ambition (so it may be in a handsomer way, than on a Scaffold) permit me to stand upon my defence; if that succeeds, you may command your own desires; and lest it should not, let me publish, I did but conceal, not suppress my Passion; and do you assure the King 'tis your constraint, not your inclination detains you here; and that you will accept of his offer, as soon as I permit you. This (Ma∣dam) will secure you against all misfortunes, for Arsaces cannot decline his Concessions at the very last, because your not receiving them at first was your misfortune, not your fault. All the while Surena spoke, I

blush'd, and sometimes trembled, in apprehension what he said, was not his motion, but his resolve; but not to let him know my fears by my disorders, I told him, The generous Surena has already so much ob∣liged me, that if he is capable of doing it more, it must be by pre∣serving, not hazarding himself: The latter, he will but too abundantly do, by performing what he propounds; since Orodes will be a more dan∣gerous Enemy on the score of Love, than Power; and will be too suspi∣tious we will delude him, not to conclude we do it, in so palpable a Fiction. It is not impossible too, but such a proceeding may lessen the heat and affections of your own Partizans; who though they take up Arms to defend me from being the King's Prisoner, will hardly em∣ploy them, to continue me yours; which they must believe, or Arsaces cannot long; from whose power you shall not need create any apprehensions, since before you put your self into it, I will extort as much for your security, as I receive for my own. In brief (said Parthenissa) my requests, or my reasons were so moving, that Surena assured me, if at the end of Four and twenty Hours his arguments could not appear con∣vincing ones to me, mine should prove so to him; and then he withdrew himself, to let the King's Express know, That then he might return for his positive answer, whom (he said) he would not so long detain in the Castle, lest it might look rather like an imprisonment, than an atten∣dance. I will pass by the joys we all three assumed at Surena's engage∣ment, and those reasons we deduced for and against the accepting Arsa∣ces Concessions, since those for the former, were so many, that they had exhausted all from the latter. I pass'd that afternoon and the night, in as much rest, as the thoughts of suppressing so dangerous a War and Lover, could permit; and the next day I was hardly dress'd, when I heard a great noise in the Castle, and observed most of the Soldiers running to the Battlements of it: The two Princesses, and I, did the like; where, when we were come, we might perceive all those Plains towards the Sun-rising covered with Troops; we concluded 'twas Vixo∣res's Army, because we saw the King's under their Ensigns in the Camp. This made me apprehend Surena had taken those 24 hours of delay, to put affairs beyond a capability of reconciliation; and that he had dis∣patched the King's Express, but to accellerate Vixores's march: As soon as I had told Lyndadory and Zephalinda my fears, they became theirs; and because by the help of a Perspective Glass we perceived a Herald go from the King's Army to the other, and that in all probability he was employed to let Vixores know, how that Arsaces expected a return from the Castle, which might put a period to all disputes, till which were come, he would begin none: we determined in a conjuncture of time so pressing, to be so with Surena for his positive resolve, since a longer protraction might engage us in those miseries I was so solicitous to avoid. Surena's coming to us, seemed to contribute to so necessary and just an intention: 'twas therefore I immediately acquainted him, That the longer I reflected on my Arguments for relying on Arsaces's vows, the more pregnant I still found them: that the resolution I had then assumed, would be so far from receiving a change by the effluction of a few minutes, that it would a confirmation: That before the 24 hours were expired, such misfortunes might arrive, as we might deplore all those of our Lives: and therefore 'twas, I conjured him by that Friend∣ship he had for me, and by the just value I placed upon it, to permit me to go out of Eden; and that if he could not silence his suspitions, with

what I did Mine, that at least I might receive the satisfaction of not being the Authoress of shedding so much Blood, and of involving my Countrey in a Civil War, Surena having commanded all the Soldiers to their Posts, prostrating himself at my Feet, told me, 'Tis now, Madam, no longer time to dissemble a Passion which I clouded, but could not extinguish; I had too unresistable a Rival in Arsaces, to continue and declare my self his; I was necessitated therefore by Art, to supply the defects of Power: neither did I, Madam, delude, but serve you in this disguise: I believe you will find I do so too in this discovery, since without it you must have put your self in the hands of one, who would be satisfied with nothing but possessing you; whereas you are now in ones, that if he cannot from a perfect Passion enjoy that blessing himself, he will never pretend higher, than to keep all others from it. I go now, Madam, to take from Arsaces as absolutely the power of making you his Queen, as the just aversion you have contracted for him, has already taken away all means of becoming so, but that; and I hope before the Sun sets, to evince, by the sacrificing of so many Thousand Lives for your preservation, how precious 'tis unto me. Surena had no sooner done speaking, than he rose up; and having saluted me, went hastily away: I had neither the design, nor the power to stay him; the first proceeded from my aversion from seeing, and the latter from my disor∣ders of having heard him; which were so transcendent, that the consola∣tions of Lyndadory and Zephalinda, were so far from silencing my trou∣ble, that they created it, by believing Mine was capable of being suppress'd. Oh gods! what did I not utter against so black an infide∣lity! and how I quarrelled with my self, for having trusted my pro∣tection to him, who made me need any! But whilst I was in the highest resentments those reflections inspired me with, they were interrrupted by many shouts and cryes; and turning about to learn from whence they proceeded, I perceived it was from a great Body of Vixores's Army, which were fallen upon one of the King's Guards, that was most advan∣ced towards the Castle, which after a bloody dispute they beat up, and thereby gave Surena the liberty of joyning with him, which he omitted not, for we saw him immediately row over the Tygris, and recover his Army: soon after the Kings was drawn out of their Camp, which we learn'd, proceeded from Surena's having assured him in a Letter, of all that he had me; which so filled Arsaces with fury, that finding he could not end the War by continuing the Siege, he resolved to attempt it by a Battel; and because his rage was of a quality that could not admit of de∣lay, and there being light enough left for so bloody a decision, they in∣stantly began it, but it ended not till the day did, which proved a glo∣rious one to Arsaces, whose Victory was witnessed by the death of 40000 of his Rebels; which number yet had been much increas'd, if the obscurity had not hindered it. The two Brothers, better followed in the Flight, than in the Charge, took several ways; Vixores to raise a new Army, and bring their Fates to another experiment; and Surena, who had secured that Post upon the Tygris which his Army had reco∣vered before the Battel, made it the place of ralliment; where finding too many for the Siege, and too few for the Field, he selected 2000, and dismist the rest; who by several ways found several Fortunes, some scaping, some losing their Liberties, and others their Lives. Surena employed all that night to ferry over his Men into Eden, which he did, though with the loss of a Fourth part of them, who being left to justi∣fie

their Post, were killed in it, by a successful assault of the King's; so that all the advantage Surena derived from the Battel, was to get a Garison to maintain a Siege. The day after this troublesom one to him, he made it a resembling one to me, by giving me a visit: but as soon as he came into my Chamber, without permitting him to speak, I told him, Traytor, with what Face canst thou present thy self before me, when thy actions, and the gods by thy defeat, have bestowed on thee that Name? 'tis doubtless to increase thy Crimes, by the continuing of my Punishment, which the seeing thee but too abundantly does: Madam, (said Surena) I do now no longer wonder the gods deny'd me success, when you deny'd me your Prayers for it; 'twas the want of them gave our Enemy the Victory; which it may be if he had entirely the Power, he would employ it to act worse designs than you can esteem me capa∣ble of thinking; but I have so many fresh recourses of Men, that before you fall into Arsaces hands, he must leave himself as few Subjects, as now he besieges; and it may be rather than cause the ruine of your Countrey, you will hinder Mine. Yes, Madam, you will see Armies again in the Field, which shall invalidate your Prayers; and the gods, who know how much fitter 'tis to give you your security, than your revenge, will confer the victory on him, who will less offensively em∣ploy it. If the gods (I replyed) should take so strange a Course for the punishment of Orode's Sins, as to let one of his Vassals act it; yet the end to which thou believest that Victory conducive, shall be denyed thee: I have resolutions which no material power can so much as reach, much less conquer; and if I were not confined to love Artabbanes as his reward, I would do it as thy punishment. Certainly, Madam (Surena coldly replyed), if you love Artabbanes still, you sufficiently evince you are confined to it; his jealousie else had made you deny him afterwards that honour: and it cannot be but Fate, which makes you have a Passion for one who suspected your virtue, and an aversion for him who adored it, though it has proved as cruel to the Latter, as kind to the Former.

Here (said Symander) my Prince who had hitherto listen'd with a wonderful silence, was necessitated to break it, by telling his Princess, I hope, Madam, you gave him no other reply, than what is the only and the true one; which is, that 'twas not my jealousie but my reason made me apprehend the fair Parthenissa was too great a Blessing ever to become Artabbanes's. Parthenissa blush'd a little to have spoke what had neces∣sitated Artabbanes to interrupt her Story, and to make so flattering a justification; 'twas therefore she hindered the continuance of it, by telling him, I had but too much truth to alledg in your vindication, to make use of a return, which had nothing of that virtue in it; where∣fore the answer I gave him was, It would rather appear an effect of Fate, did I decline a Passion for Artabbanes, to confer it on one whose mani∣fested Treachery so Artificially made him doubt mine, that the Offence of doing so could not be so great, as the impossibility of avoiding it. Thou canst not therefore mention Artabbanes's seeming crime, but thou must publish thy real one: But to take from thee all fresh occasions to injure the gods, as well as me, I protest by them, That if their power know any limitation, 'tis in the impossibility of making me receive thy Passion, or so much as listen to thy addresses with Patience. There is, Madam (he replyed) nothing impossible but to him that believes it; 'tis only the Faith of apprehension, not reason; or if there be impossi∣bilities,

my declining the ambition of possessing you, or permitting any other the doing it, are the only ones.

He spake something else, though I did not hear it; for I withdrew, and lock'd my self up in my Cabbinet, which for six Moons was my only sanctuary from such importunate visits: But his generous Sister assum'd at his change so exorbitant a grief, that it even brought an accession to mine; the fair Lyndadory by hers did the like; and though I both conjured them to lessen the cause of their Tears, by removing themselves from the subject of them, yet they would never consent to my request: neither had they, would Surena have permitted it, who one day let me know so much, when I motioned their removal to him, and who transferred his denyal upon the indecency of wanting some of my own Sex to be near me. Zephalinda a thousand times fruitlesly essay'd to let Ariobarzanes know the truth of our condition, which she suspected her brother had kept from his knowledg, and thereby made that seem an effect of his Art, which was one of his Treachery: This she was the more intent upon, knowing that every opportunity Ariobarzanes (who was Lieutenant General to Arsaces, and condemned his desires on me, which by the infusions of Surena, he considered through a false optick) sent him constant Intelligence, under pretence of concluding an ex∣change of Prisoners, mutually made so by fortunate and unsuccessful Sallyes, whose retail I decline telling you, since 'tis sufficient you know they were frequent and bloody. I believe you are confident, that I was so of Surena's not attempting against my honour, since I solicited the removal of those, whose presence might have restrained any desires of so criminal a quality; and truly I must do him that justice, as to ac∣knowledg he had nothing offensive in his Love, but his Love, which was as civil, as unsuccessful.

Though the violence of the Winter were great, yet it lessened not that of the Siege, which was so active, as it left no time to feel the rigour of the Season. But the Spring, which brought weather fit to continue the War, brought Surena news of his impossibility of doing it: for by the return of a Prisoner (purposely made so) for that end, he received from Ariobarzanes the certainty of Vixores's repeated defeat, which was given him by the Prince Phraates, expresly sent by his Father to interrupt his levies, or destroy them; which latter he effected, though much of the Glory, and more of the Danger fell to the young Phraata∣ces, illegitimate Son to Phraates, not then above 16 years of Age, whose Mother by her excellent Beauty had been Concubine to Caesar, and who by him had been presented to Phraates, as another was at the same time of resembling Beauty, and profession, to Pacorus: But he returned her again to Caesar, as a fitter present for his restitution, than acceptance. Surena at this fatal Intelligence, found as small hopes to preserve me from his King, as to obtain me for himself; and I began to assume some, that what he had denyed to me, he must grant to his necessity. But Vixores, though he had lost the possibility of raising the Siege, yet he had not of enabling his Brother to continue it; which to effect, with the reliques of his broken Army, of which he had lost 22000, he ad∣vanced by long Marches and unfrequented ways, with 2000 Foot, which he had mounted, and by his admirable celerity and silence, came so un∣expectedly to the Banks of Tygris, that the King's Eyes gave him the first intelligence of his being there; which was no sooner received, than all the Boats upon the River were drawn to one place, for the ferrying over

some Horse to cut off this relief: Surena to facilitate the entry of it, made a furious Sally; and Vixores, the better to palliate his fiction, made a brisk one against the Arsacians, with Two thousand Horse, with which he had convey'd the Two thousand mounted Foot, who all this while having quit their Horses, lay conceal'd in a Grove two Furlongs above Arsaces's Guard, which was next to the Castle; from whence during the Allarm, they sent over some excellent swimmers, who fastening Ropes on that side the River, by Ten Flat-bottom'd Boats, which as many Dro∣medaries had brought, and which for the conveniency of carriage, were made of Wicker, cover'd with Hides, without rowing, or driving down the stream, in one hour, they had transported over all the Soldiers; but as they were beginning to do the like to the Provisions, which Surena wanted more than the Men; some of the Kings Horse, who by a Priso∣ner taken from the Convoy had gain'd intelligence of this relief, came, and by a furious charge render'd themselves Masters of the most necessa∣ry part of it. The Soldiers who were in the Island, seeing the loss of their victuals, and knowing it irrecoverable, lest a longer delay might render the Castle so too, by a hasty march under the Banks of the Tygris, which by a continu'd frost had left a large strand, and by the obscurity of the Night (which then had for above two hours cover'd the Heavens) they safely arriv'd in Eden; but Surena's joy at it immediately vanisht; for by the loss of his Provisions, he found his Brother had sent an increase, rather than a relief of his wants; who concluding he had given time enough for the entry of the supply, by degrees began to diminish the vio∣lence of the Combat, which finally an hour after, absolutely ceast. Vixo∣res in this performance shew'd himself so much a Soldier, that none which was so, could not but conclude his precedent defeats proceeded not from his not being one. That night by a long March, he put himself out of the necessity of making a second; for he had so far out-gone those Troops which follow'd him, that by easie journeys he reacht again the Province of Hircania, which though Phraates had much destroy'd, yet Vixores despair'd not, but from those warlike people, and that provocation, to bring again a third Army into the Field, which might render him Ma∣ster of it. Surena was constrain'd by his little Victuals, and many Soldi∣ers, to make frequent and furious Sallies, where to lose of his own Men, or to kill of the Kings, were equal advantages. One Evening as the two Princesses and I, were walking on the Battlements of the Castle, we heard a noise in the Court, which we learn'd proceeded from the arrival of Arzimin, who having deceiv'd, or corrupted his Guards, had then fled from the Camp, and recover'd the Castle. Surena assum'd a visible joy at the escape, and return of so considerable a Friend. Three or four days successively after, I fancy'd Arzimin by his looks had some desires to speak with me; but apprehending he had taken them up upon Sure∣na's score (whom I never after our first discourse, permitted to make me a second) I declin'd all opportunities of facilitating his design; but at length, having acquainted the Princesses with my belief, and suspitions, they were jointly of opinion, That I should no longer defer giving Arzi∣min an opportunity I had hitherto deny'd him, since if he had any thing to act for me (which his strange escape from the Camp render'd no irra∣tional belief) by retrenching all discourse vvith me, I did too, all possi∣bility of serving me; and if what he had to deliver were on Surena's account, I ought speedily to give him one Audience, to have a just ground for denying him for ever another. Their opinion was my re∣solution,

which immediately after I had assum'd, I had the opportunity to put it in practice; for the same day, as we went to take the Air in the Gardens of the Castle, which because we frequently did, Arsaces had given an obeyed command, that no Arrows or Darts should be shot or flung that way; Arzimin, who waited for me at the Door, came and presen∣ted me his hand to lead me down, which I accepted; and which I had no sooner done, than he told me softly, I have something, Madam, of concern∣ment to inform you of, but I must humbly beg it may be without wit∣nesses; I told him in the same tone, That I would give the opportunity he desired as soon as we were in the Gardens; whither being come, we insensibly lost the two Princesses, and those that followed us; which Ar∣zimin being convinced of, by looking diligently every way, he flung himself upon his Knees, and presented me a little Note, which I opened, and found was all of Arsaces's hand, and only contained these words, Madam, I beseech you believe all he shall tell you, and be satisfied of his Fidelity, on my engagement for it. After I had read these few words, and assured him they had all that efficacy both the King and he could expect, I made him rise, lest being surprised in that Posture, it might raise a suspition, which continuing our walk, would prevent; when he was up, he told me, I believe, Madam, you are not ignorant I was dan∣gerously hurt, and taken Prisoner in that unsuccessful Battel Surena fought against his King; and that I might not have so noble a fate as that of dying by my wounds, they were diligently cured, and then my sen∣tence was, That that Life I had employed against my Prince, I should lose upon a Scaffold; whither when I was brought and expected the fatal stroak, I received a Pardon: Arsaces making a distinction between those which fought against him, and those which fought for surena; of which latter quality he was assured I was, from the Prince Ariobarzanes, This grace which I as little expected as deserved, produced so just an effect in me, that I determined to employ my Life for him that had given it me; in pursuance whereof I obtained a private Audience from the King, without so much as the knowledg of Ariobarzanes, who I knew too much favoured Surena's designs to be trusted with mine. There 'twas, Madam, I told the King a Truth, of which I believe you are yet ignorant; which is, That Surena having long form'd a design of carrying you away into Media, and of living there under the protection of Me∣rinzor, (of which you may be partly convinced, by his having declar'd himself to you to be, what he never yet but was) finding by those unex∣pected wounds he receiv'd, when he made your Guards your Martyrs, that he was unable to flie with you thither, and as unable to trust you there without him; the better to delude your belief, he caus'd one of his Chyrurgeons to tell you, and the two Princesses, he was in a condi∣tion to perform the journey, when he had not the power to do it; and which to prevent, he caus'd five hundred Horse, he had covertly drawn together, to be his and your Convoy into Media, to appear as so many of the KIngs; and thereby made you return hither, as if it had been by misfortune, not design; and if you remember, Madam, a Chyrurgeon of the Convoy, who knew nothing of his Prince's intentions, told you when he fell into his fainting, that he could not continue his journey, and his Life, I remember'd that passage (said Parthenissa) very well, and from thence concluded Arzimin told me a Truth, I had but too many preg∣nant Testimonies no longer to doubt. Orodes, Madam, (continu'd Arzi∣min) was as much surpriz'd at this intelligence, as I perceive you are;

and those Troops which were your seeming besiegers, till those of Ar∣saces were really so, then became your defenders; and when Orodes sent you an assurance of attempting nothing against the Laws of Honour, in obtaining that of your Affection, Ariobarzanes (as you know) sent Surena word, that Vixores with a numerous Army was ready speedily to Attempt his Relief: 'Twas then, Madam, to avoid the spilling of so much blood, and of not demonstrating any diffidence in the King's so solemn engagements, that you press'd Surena to permit you to rely on them; who finding your desire was your resolution, begged you to consider of his Arguments for 24 hours, and then he would obey your election. He did this only, that in the mean time he might engage both Armies, that if the victory inclined to his side, he might keep you in his Power as an effect of his Friendship, not his Love; and if it inclined to the King's, he might ascribe the Battel, by his being so strictly besieged, to the impossibility of his preventing it; and then by accepting the King's, offer, reserve the disclosing his Passion to a more promising opportunity. This, Madam, was the Cause, that under a pretence of not detaining the King's Mes∣senger so long, he immediately dispatched him to Ariobarzanes, whom he pressingly desired to let Vixores know, That if within 24 hours he brought not their Fates to a decision, no misfortune could be greater than that delay. Ariobarzanes did this to serve Surena, who has promised him his Sister; and to end a War, which would as long as it continued, deny him the felicity of seeing Zephalinda. This design had doubtless succeeded, if the gods (who cannot more convincingly manifest them∣selves to be what they are, than by punishing infidelity) had not neces∣sitated Surena to disclose so criminal a fallacy: for though Vixores with all his Army came early enough, and by a Thousand provocations soli∣cited the King to a Battel before the 24 hours were effluxt; yet Arsaces, though equal in forces, would not accept it, hoping by the return then promised, without blood to end the difference: Surena by this delay concluded of the cause of it, and thereby observing he could not any longer cloud himself, and that so powerful an Army might justifie his Crime, boldly confess'd it to you, and then went to punish in his King what he practised in himself; but he soon found in his defeat, how the gods disavowed his Quarrel; which (said Arzimin) I am now con∣viced of, and consequently will no longer defend. 'Tis therefore (Ma∣dam) as an expiation for having done it so much already, that I have engaged my self to Arsaces to deliver you out of this Captivity, or to lose my Life in attempting it; and as one of your Protectors, become your Keeper; so to make one of your Keepers become your Deliverer: The two Princesses, if they know of your escape, must not accompany you in it; neither is it necessary, for being Prisoners but upon your account, your liberty will restore them to theirs. I found this rational, but not kind; and therefore determined, if 'twere not their desire, as well as opinion, I would repay them the obligation of continuing a Prisoner with them, as they had with me; but this I told not Arzimin, who thus prosecuted his discourse: To morrow Night (Madam) I have the Guard, and I have ordered it so, that those which compose it are my Creatures, especially such as are of the water-gate where the Galley which belongs to the Castle is at Anchor: In her, Madam, I design to carry you away, which Arsaces approves; and because I suspected Sure∣na has so many Partizans and Spies in the Army, that if the King should give orders to any of those Guards upon the River, to receive the Galley

which should come out of the Castle as Friends, it would inevitably come by the multitude of Surena's, to his knowledg. I have perswaded Arsaces under the pretence of an intelligence, to draw all the Boats on the River to the upper end of the Island, so that none of the Guards being able to follow us, we need not trust their Faiths with so dangerous a secret. And the Tygris is of such a breadth, that in the obscurity of the Night, keeping under the Island-shore, they can hardly discover us; or if they do, not reach us with their Arrows: I am necessitated too to let the Galley drive down the stream under the Banks of the River, lest crossing over it, some of our own Centries on the Towers, might discover and offend us; for they will know by the smallness of our Numbers, and by Surena's not seeing, or acting in our attempt, that it is not a Sally; but a flight. The King, Madam, will expect you at a little Village some Twenty Furlongs below the Castle; and to secure you from any fears, that you do but avoid one Imprisonment to fall into another, he has com∣manded me to protest in his behalf, by all the tutelary gods of his Em∣pire, and by whatever else he holds in highest veneration, He has ba∣nished all those Thoughts from him, which have so long banished you; and to take from himself the power of a relapse, if ever he should have the will, he has already given order for the revocation of Artabbane's exilement; and to repair his having sent him into it, he will with the restoring him to his Country, restore him too to his Princess. Arzimin had more particularly acquainted me with the residue of what he was to deliver, had not he perceived (afar off) Surena coming into the Garden, which made him desire me to hasten my joyning with the Company; which whilst we were doing, he told me, That the Night appointed, four hours after the close of the Evening, he would not fail to come to my Chamber with my disguise, and to have all things so exactly prepared, that it must be Fate, and not Chance if his design suc∣ceeded not. I had hardly assured him there should be no omission on my Part, but we had recovered the Company, and suddenly after Sure∣na appeared in the same Walk we were in, which made me quit it, and retire to my Appartment; where having shut our selves up, I told Lyn∣dadory and Zephalinda, all that Arzimin had me: To be brief, those two admirable Women, for all my reiterated Prayers, would not be sharers in my escape, lest they might prejudice it; and if I condescended to their commands of going away alone, it was purely from a confi∣dence, that as soon as I was out of the Castle, Surena would yield it, and consequently the Princesses would be restored to a liberty by me, which they would not accept of with me; Zephalinda too, by not going with me, could leave her Brother nothing but suspitions that she knew of my Flight; and Lyndadory was so apprehensive, that her accompa∣nying me in it, might convince Surena, 'twas the craft, and not the ig∣norance of his Sister, detained her, and so pleased with a recluseness, which both your absences made her cherish, that upon those scores as well as the former, she determined to remain with the fair Zephalinda, who conjur'd me I would employ that Power I had with Arsaces, to procure a Pardon for her Brother, who had no other Title to my Mercy, than that he de∣served it not: I assured her, that what should now be my obedience, had been my design: and that one so near in blood to Zephalinda, could not but be so, in my care. At length, the so impatiented night and hour came, and with it Arzimin, who brought me one of his Pages Clothes, which he said was necessary for me to wear, and that

I should do it no longer than till I were out of the Castle; I joyfully put on that Livery of Freedom, and having a thousand times embra∣ced the Princesses, I took my final leave; and only with Arzimin, whom I followed as his servant, came to the Guard of the Water Gate, where I found the Soldiers sleeping on the Ground, and in so wretched a way, that I have never since esteemed it courage, but to judgement, to cast themselves upon whatsoever hazard may finish such miserable Lives, Arzimin immediately put me into the Galley, and taking seven Men to row, and steer her, without any noise got out of the Water-percullis, and in the same silence descended the Current for above Three hours; during which, I had again put on the habit of my Sex in the Cabbin, in which I had lock'd my self up: when I was dress'd, I came out, and found of our Seven, but Three in the Galley, of which Arzimin was one, of whom I ask'd, what was become of the rest, and how soon we should land? he told me the other Four were gone in a little Skiff which belonged to the Galley, to tell Arsaces of my approach, and that it would be an hour before we should go ashore, because he durst not make use of his Oars: I retired my self satisfied with that reply; and at the ex∣piration of the hour, Arzimin came to let me know I was safely arrived where he intended; immediately after, one of the Galley carried me out of it in his Arms to a Chariot, which with some Thirty Horse expected us. I thought it something strange that Arzimin himself did not do it, or that he commanded not some other fitter for the employment than he which had undertook it; but I thought it much stranger, when I saw him too, come only into the Chariot with me, and when I found him by the help of the Light, which then began to dawn, to be Surena: Oh gods! as soon as I knew him, I knew my self betrayed: I had only force enough to say so, for all my Senses were so obliging as to cease their actings, rather than by continuing them, so extreamly to afflict me: But Surena, who had more care of my life, than me, by powerful Cordials brought me to my self; I pay'd his care with a Thousand Injuries; and if my hate were as great a torment to him as that Life he restored me to, was to me, I could neither have desired, nor acted a more sublime re∣venge. 'Twas either his respect, or his guilt, which all that day kept him in a deep silence; and if he any way evinced how much my discon∣tent was his, it was only in sighs. The first Night (after a very long Journey) we lay at a Castle which was scituated in so solitary a place, that I believe it was only built for that end to which Surena then employ'd it: He led me to a Chamber that wanted nothing but his absence; and that conveniency it soon enjoyed; for without speaking one word, he saluted me with great humility, and left me to the company of my Thoughts, which in the condition I was in, was the worst I could keep, but his. I had not long the liberty to entertain them, for a young Gen∣tle woman came into my Chamber to offer me her Service then, and if I pleased for ever; I accepted of it in the first limitation, but de∣clined it in the latter, lest she should have served Surena, and not me. An hour after, Supper was brought in; and that being ended, my new woman resigned her place to Surena, who kneeling at my Feet, told me, You see (fair Parthenissa) prostrate before you, one who should not have the confidence to do it, did he not believe the not imploring your pardon a greater misfortune than any, but the not obtaining it: If I have deluded your hopes, I will not your belief; for though I have not given you into Arsace's power, yet I protest by your self, I will employ

mine to defend and serve you, which I am confident is your Faith, and which I assure you cannot be more so, than it is my inviolable resolu∣tion; 'twas necessity, Madam, and not election, made me draw you from a place, where I had no longer the means to preserve you from abandoning a Servant, who is as much concerned in your honour, as you are to put your self into the power of another, who would have employed all his to destroy, not defend what you value most; I do not accuse my King, that you may the less condemn me; I am so far from desiring his crimes, that I would give my Life he had none; for thereby you had been exempted from inconveniences, which would be unsup∣portable, were they not in order to the preventing of greater. Your residence, Madam, with Arsaces, I am convinced, would make you wish, when perhaps too-too late, that you had prevented it by greater troubles than I hope you will suffer in your journey; for I have so well deluded him, that you may take your own hours of travel; and that which will end yours, will be a Castle of Merinzor's in Media, the first place to which we intended our flight, had not an unhappy accident prevented it; and Media, Madam, being the Kingdom your Artabbanes must one day possess, I elect to wait on you thither, that your Reason, if not your justice, may be secured of the innocency of my designs; for had I any which were criminal, I would not have chosen that place for the Scene to act them, where your happy servant cannot want hands to act his Revenge. Surena (said Parthenissa) told me many things of this quality, and so protested, his ambition was to solicite, not force my Affection; that I determined, since I could not prevent the former, not to provoke him to the latter, which the uttering of my just resentments, I apprehended would; 'twas therefore I told him, Though your past Crimes might invite me rationally to conclude you capable of any, yet I will not disbelieve your vows and professions; which if ever you design to violate, I have the power and the resolution to prevent: Do not necessitate me to owe that safety to my self, which I am not unwil∣ling to derive from you; nor attempt to practice that which you so justly condemn in another, and which you esteemed so foul a Sin, that to pre∣vent it, you esteemed Rebellion None. Madam (said Surena) did it not too much wrong the Beauty of Truth to arm it with many pro∣testations, I should by reiterated ones, bind my self by Religion to that which I am sufficiently confined unto without it; and were it lawful for Surena to repine at any thing the fair Parthenissa says, he had now but too abundant an occasion to do it; for she must believe him as wicked as unfortunate, to conclude he stood in need of any other Argument to deter him from attempting against her honour, than the greatness of the Crime; but Madam, my deportment shall be so innocent, that you will in the future esteem your doubts as great an injury to your self, as I can now esteem them to me. I found, though his Expressions were humble, that he was highly mov'd at the cause of my fears; 'twas therefore I replyed, I hope, Surena, you will not much condemn me for running into an error, where the discovery of its being one, will prove my satisfaction. Your satisfaction Madam (said Surena) shall be still more considerable to me than my own; and since I have that invitation, as well as that of virtue, I shall as much apprehend any criminal designs, as the fair Parthenissa does detest them; thereupon having wish'd me but as much rest as I could confer on him, he withdrew himself to leave me to mine. But I took none, out of an apprehension that I had done

amiss in acquainting him with my fears; for 'twas not impossible, but to think him capable of that Sin, was to provoke him to it; since the very performance could not raise in me a worse belief of him, than that was of fearing he would perform them. This reason, and many ano∣ther of a resembling efficacy, made me conclude, that my having de∣clared my doubts was a greater prejudice, than those assurances I had from thence derived, was an advantage. You may believe, in such di∣sturbances of the Mind, the Body could not but participate; so that I was earlier up than he that was more concerned in my being so; and I quitted my Bed, not only because I could take no rest in it, but that I resolved to add to the obligation of virtue, that of trust, and to go freely to what else I knew I should be constrained unto; Surena there∣fore found me dress'd when he came to tell me all things were ready for our Journey, if I was; which having told him, he led me to the Chariot, that had all the Journey the same 30 Horse for Convoy, that it had at first: Surena begged and had my permission to ride with me in it.

The Fifth day after we had left the Castle of Eden, we came into Media, which we learned was all involved in a Domestick War. This made Surena travel with more caution than he had thitherto observed; so that constantly he left a couple of his Guard some four or five Fur∣longs behind, and sent half a score before, that he might not be sur∣prized. The third day after he had settled this order, one of those to whose care all Intelligence which should happen in the rear, was left, came full speed to acquant his Prince, that his Companion had been killed by a Party of Horse which followed him a round Gallop. Surena at this Intelligence leap'd out of the Chariot, and whilst he was arming himself, made me many apologies for so rude a proceeding; but he was no sooner fitted to receive his Enemies, than he perceived them, who without any cheapening, charg'd him so roundly, that he found he might need those Ten Horse for the Fight, which he had sent for Intelli∣gence; one of his Pages went therefore to call them; but two of the unknown Party having charged through all Surena's, came to my Chariot, and having beg'd me to pardon a rudeness which was for my service, one of them immediately killed the Driver of it, and the other with his sword cut the Traces asunder; but this performance cost them their Lives, which they lost by Three of their Enemies, who feared those came not to hinder my flight, but to contribute to it. The Com∣bat being performed by Men of singular valour, was very bloody; and in less than half an hour, were reduced to so few, as only the chief of either Party: He of the unknown one, by his unimitable courage, had reduced his Adversary to a condition which needed help, when the generous Artabbanes interposed himself for their reconciliation, and then, from an Intercessor, became a Party, not knowing he that was vanquished was guilty; but he abundantly repaired that mistake, by defending (after the return of those Ten Horse which were recalled) a Life, I am much more concerned to have preserved, than to have Sure∣na's destroyed.

'Twas thus (said Symander) that the fair Parthenissa put a period to a relation, which had as much taken up Artabbanes and Sillace's wonder, as attention. I will not tell you how infinitely the first of them exclaim'd against the perversness of his Fate, for having rendered the acting his Revenge as great an offence against his Friendship, as the omission of

it was one against his Love. But the fair Parthenissa, who desired no greater punishment for Zephalinda's Brother, and who indeed could wish him no greater than to be out of his protection, and under his Rivals, conjured him to be contented with that Revenge with which she was. Artabbanes was not sorry, that to the invitations of Friendship, he had that additional one of obedience, for the silencing his designs of vindicating his wrongs; but they being of too sublime a nature abso∣lutely to be forgotten, lest his disorders might discover he disputed whether he should obey Parthenissa, with her permission he conjur'd the generous Sillaces to acquaint them, by what strange adventure he was presented with the blessing of serving her. Sillaces, who receiv'd as sublime a satisfaction in his obedience to Artabbanes and Parthe∣nissa, as he had in hearing her story, began his own short one, in these terms:

From the time I left Rome, till I came to Nineveh, there happened nothing worth relating; but that there happened nothing that was so: But alas, this calm was but too severely interrupted, for there I under∣stood, how that both the Princess Lyndadory and Parthenissa could not more want my service, than I did the power of paying it them: My duty to Arsaces, and hope, that by being nearer the Castle of Eden, I might be so to an opportunity of what so extreamly and justly I am∣bitioned, made me immediately repair to the Camp, where by the King I was received with such demonstrations of affection, that I thought Surena's past favour, and present condition, had thitherto de∣prived me of that usage, and then conferred it on me; but my igno∣rance, whether this proceeded from his goodness, or design, made me keep him in a perfect one of your condition and resolutions; and though I endeavoured all imaginable ways to serve you, and my self, in the Princesses; yet the only one in which I did it, was, in perswading the generous Ariobarzanes to do Surena no more services, unless he re∣ceived an assurance from the fair Zephalinda, that in doing them to her Brother, he did them too to her: This I did out of a confidence Surena had deluded him; and this Ariobarzanes did, not to shew me in that confidence, that I was so; but when to many Letters of his to Zephalinda he never received any return, he began to disclose a Truth which his so long ignoring had rendered obstructive to his King's ends, and his own: I believe this proceeding hastened Surena's; for with his Intelli∣gence, he lost his hopes; but whilst I lay languishing in desires and fears, a Packet came from Merinzor to Surena and by the Carrier of it was delivered to Ariobarzanes; but by what I have related, he was be∣come from his Confident, his Enemy; wherefore opening the Letters, he found in them a black conspiracy of raising a mutual Rebellion against their Kings, and of affording each other reciprocal assistance. This I esteemed our duties to acquaint Arsaces with, and this Ariobarzanes did so too, as an expiation of having formerly convoy'd some of Sure∣na's Letters to Merinzor, when he knew not what they imported, and when he was made believe they only were to preserve a Correspon∣dency, which might preserve the latter a sure retreat; but the diffi∣culty was, how to let Orodes know of these Letters, and not to let him know we had seen them before; this at length we did, by causing a Confident of ours to bring them hastily into the Camp, as having taken them from one who by the River was stealing into the Castle, and which by his Death he had prevented. Orodes having perused

them, found Surena's Rebellion the more dangerous, and that a For∣raigner fomenting it, would render it as long, as hazardous. 'Twas therefore he immediately called me to him, where after having told me, That since Ariobarzanes had the next Command under him, all others in the Army would be under me; and that therefore till he could find me out a fit employment, he desired I would take upon me that, of being his Ambassador to the King of Media, to acquaint him with this fresh Treason, and to procure a League between them, That as two of their Subjects had reciprocally bound themselves to ruine their Kings; so that they should do the like, to ruine them. This (continued Sillaces) I obey'd, partly because I had no employment in the Army, but chiefly that my hopes were less, of serving the Princesses in the Siege, than in my Embassy: For I had understood 'twas Merinzor's Power in Media, which hindered Moneses from having any; and I had more than a belief, that this favourite having rendered himself uncapable of becoming so again, you might assume his place, or at least your Right, which I was confident to advance, being employed as a publick Minister. I was also but too certain the Siege would last longer than the journey, which six days after I began, that time being effluxt in giving me my Commis∣sion, with my private and publick Instructions: but because I designed so short a residence in Media, I took only Twenty Gentlemen, and some Servants to wait on me; and being informed on the Confines of this Kingdom, that it was freshly involved in a Domestick War, I sent a couple of my Company before the rest, to avoid Surprizes: These it seemed saw those two of Surena's, who fearing Mine, began a round Gallop to recover their Companions; but they were so briskly followed, that one of them was overtaken, and so wounded by a Javelin, that he not only lost the hopes of his safety, but almost of his Life; you will believe when I came up, that I was not a little surprised, when I found this wounded Prisoner was Palurus, who had the same employment under Surena, that his Brother had under Phraates; I concluded by the Ser∣vant, that the Master was not far off: and by threatning to torture him if he acquainted me not where his Prince was, and by promising to have a care of his Life if he did: he told me, How you, Madam, had been deluded by his Prince, and that you were both but a few furlongs before us. Oh gods! how was I surprised at this strange intelligence! and how many oaths did I extort from the dying Palurus before I could believe him! but as soon as I did, leaving him to the care of some Peasants which were present, I ran full speed upon the Traces of Surena; two of my Troop I commanded to kill the Chariot-Driver, and to cut the Har∣ness, lest during the fight I might lose the reward of it; with the rest I charged my Enemy, in which, the first that fell was the false Arzimin. You were, Madam, a Spectator of the residue of my Story, and so was Artabbanes, who came in when all my Company had killed Su∣rena's; and when they had had the honour to sacrifice all their own Lives, in an employment which rather deserves my Envy, than my Grief.

Sillaces (continued Symander) having finished his Discourse, all those which had heard it (and he himself) were of opinion, the fair Parthenissa's deliverance, was replenish'd with so many strange conjun∣ctures, that it relished more of Providence than Chance; and that this effect of it, was but an earnest of a more sublime and obliging one. I know not whether so pleasing a belief, by having so high an influence on

Artabbanes's Mind, had a proportionate one on his Body; or whether so long a charming of his Prince, as that was whilst his Princess and his friend were speaking, did qualifie the violence of his Feaver; but I know, that after some discourses upon the precedent ones (Partheniss•• being retired) he found so sensible an amendment, that he not only acquainted us with it, but convinced us of it; and from that day, so un∣interruptedly recovered, that when the generous Sillaces was fit to con∣tinue his Embassy, my Prince's condition was so promising, that no just apprehension of his Friend, needed any longer to have suspended it: 'Twas therefore that the fair Parthenissa came to Artabbanes's Cham∣ber, he not being able to wait on her in hers; where she found already Sillaces and Zenophon; and though this meeting was to consult upon the managing of their designs, yet I was not excluded. I shall pass over their debates, to acquaint you with their results; which were, That Zenophon, with those Forces he had then raised, should no longer pro∣tract his advancing, since Tygranes stood so much in need of them: That Sillaces, as the Parthian Ambassador, should accompany Zenophon to his King, to treat and conclude on that league, which was so requisite and necessary to the ruining of my Prince's Rivals both in Empire and Love: That Sillaces should employ all his Power as publick Minister, for the restoration of Artabbanes, as being Nephew to his King; which he might the more safely negotiate, since Arsaces had really revok'd his Banishment, whether to increase Surena's Fears, or to silence Parthenissa's: That if he found any inclinations in Tygranes to receive him, he should then, and not otherwise, acquaint him where he was: That Zeno∣phon should depute (during his absence) such a Governour in Ar∣sacia, as was entirely to receive and obey Artabbanes's commands, and as much to conceal his so doing. The next day after this resolution was assum'd, it was put in a way of being practised; Sillaces accompanied with Zenophon, whose Troops consisted of near 10000 Horse and Foot, began their March towards Ecbatan, against which Merinzor with 15000 Horse and 25000 Foot was advanced, and Camp'd within sixteen Fur∣longs of her Walls, under which the King's Forces, which were near 10000 Horse, and as many Foot, were intrench'd. The Governor left in Arsacia, was called Cloriman, and had received his education even from his Cradle under Zenophon, who having found him replenish'd both with Courage and Judgment, had given him a large participation both in all his Commands and Fortunes. This young Gentleman was so assi∣duous in this duty of his employment, and to Parthenissa and Artabbanes, that they could not but commend Zenophon's Judgment in his Choice: I must confess, I had done so too, had I not observed he was as assiduous in more than his respects to the fair Emilia; but her carriage was such, that it gave me rather a satisfaction than an Allarm. Artabbanes, soon after his being left alone with Parthenissa, never left her so, at least when he could do it with civility; and my Prince could not be more intent in increasing Parthenissa's affection, than I was in obtaining Emi∣lia's; so that all that time my generous Master employed in his Loves, I did in mine: but whether it were a punishment for having so long con∣temned the power of a god, of which I then was sufficiently convinced; or whether it were the fair Emilia's disposition to behold the effects of her own Power, which could not be more visible, than in continuing my Passion without any demonstration of hers, for above three Moons; though I could not obey my Reason, I found more than I had thitherto

known, for my detesting of Love; and though at last I received the felicity of an assurance from the object of my Flame, that she approved of, and would reward it; yet it was accompanied with the misfortune that I derived that declaration from Parthenissa, and Artabbanes's prayers, as much as from my ovvn; yet the belief I had, that Emilia's Judgment, not want of affection, made her elect to oblige Three sooner than one, gave me a satisfaction which her words had denied me; but my Prince, who had already obtained the victory over those tedious formalities, now happily pretended to a more transcendent one, by successfully im∣ploring from his Princess, in an Hymeneal Crown, to give his Passion the lowest, and highest satisfaction it could ambition: But as Emilia's grant was accompanied with a qualification, so was Parthenissa's; for my Prince derived it from his reasons, as well as from her affection: Those he made use of were, That he could no more repine at the gods, but at her, if he were perpetually miserable, since she might hinder his being so, by a Concession of his request, which would not only prove a reparation for his past misfortunes, but a preservative from his future: That then the gods could neither make his Life short, nor unhappy, since the ex∣cellency of the felicities would repair their want of duration: That he concession would put a period to his external, as well as intrinsecal sufferings; for though his Rivals might have some hopes to conquer her Constancy, yet they could have none to do so to her Virtue. Here the fair Parthenissa interrupted him, by saying, Take heed Artabbanes, lest what you imagine will silence the fury of your Enemies, do not render it more fatal; for when they find you are from but a probable obstacle, become a certain one, they will no more scruple to take away your Life, than I will to take away my own, after such a loss. Madam (said my Prince) you may banish those apprehensions, for you have by par∣doning my criminal jealousies, so abundantly evidenced the Immuta∣bility of that esteem you honour me withal, that when to that you shall add a religious obligation, the known Truth, That thereby we can have but one destiny, will make them have the same care of mine, which they will have of yours; so that, Madam, to secure me from danger, as well as unhappiness, what I now implore at your Feet, is absolutely necessary. Parthenissa, more satisfied with his Arguments, than his motion (though she esteemed it not fit to mingle felicities with fears, nor to be in the embraces of her Prince, whilst those who had been her Companions in her sufferings, could not be so in her joys) yet at length she yielded to it, that her Artabbanes might not say, she deny'd him any thing with reason. Oh gods! (continued Symander) it is impossible I should tell you my Prince's transports, how often he prostrated himself before her, how many thousand times he embraced her knees, and kiss'd her hands: 'Tis sufficient I assure you, his joy was proportionate to what created it; and that it was impossible the Sence could relish those felicities, his Mind did: He bless'd a Milion of times the privacy of their then con∣dition, which admitted no other preparative but a Priest, lest the cele∣bration of the Nuptial solemnities might have so long protracted the celebration of the Nuptial delights: Artabbanes, after he had by innu∣merable testimonies of his satisfaction, convinced Parthenissa of it, retir'd to his Appartment, whither immediately he sent for Cloriman, whom he acquainted with his joys, and of whom he desired a Priest against the next day, to put him in the way of consummating them. Cloriman, by an erection of his Eyes and Hands, seemed to participate in my Prince's

satisfaction, which yet he somewhat clouded, by telling him, there was never a Priest in Arsacia to whose fidelity he durst trust so important a secret; but that within two days he would procure one, for whose se∣crecy he would answer. Artabbanes was so transported with his de∣sires, that he not only esteemed the Trusting of any Priest could not prove so high a prejudice, as a days protraction would amount unto: But even would have sent for any one, and have ventered on his fide∣lity, had not both Cloriman and I, by many allegations disswaded him from it. But at length, those two days expired, which he continually spent in Parthenissa's company, earnestly offering the gods as many years of his Life, for the cutting off those two days. The Night of the last he spent in as little sleep, as he would have done the succeeding one, and as he did the succeeding one, during one half of which, he was kept waking by his desires, and the other by his fears and danger; for some Three hours before day he heard all the City in an high Allarm, which made him immediately dress and arm himself to go and learn the dan∣ger, or prevent it; but as he was running to his Princesse's Appartment, which his Love and fear made him resolve to defend, and made him resolve was the place would most need his Defence, he heard the Palace Gates forced open, and by that time he was come to the top of those great stairs which lead to the fair Parthenissa's Chamber, he saw a Com∣pany of Arm'd Men, which were hastily ascending them; he was not near so much astonished thereat, as to see at the head of them the perfidious Cloriman; who lifting up his Helmet, told my Prince, 'Tis not my Treachery, Artabbanes, but my Love, has forced me to undertake what I should condemn on any other score: The fair Emilia was not con∣tent to scorn my Passion, but to receive Symander's, and even to confer hers on him; I had the heart to do any thing rather than to see this; and my despair only has made me listen to Merinor and Surena's solicitations, with whom I have agreed to deliver up this City, and from whom I have received a solemn engagement, that I shall have the fair Emilia, and that your Life shall run no hazard, unless by your own resistance you cause it. Traytor (said my Prince), my life has not been so bred up in Crimes, that whilst it has a Sword to defend it, it should derive its preservation from Infidelity. No, I had rather lose it to punish thy sin, than live by it; and either by thy death, and Surena's, I will hinder both your designs; or by my own, your Triumphs. My Prince's blows began where his words ended; and finding my self obliged both by duty, affection, and revenge, to become Artabbanes's Second, I assumed that noble employ∣ment, and being assisted with some of Zenophon's Domesticks, we soon drove before us into the Court, those which were come to assault us in the Palace. 'Twas in this retreat, that the false Cloriman had the honour to fall by a hand, which rather rewarded than punished his infi∣delity. In my Life I never envied any of my Prince's actions but this; for I esteemed it but just, that being the Author of Cloriman's Crime, I should have been of his punishment. Never did Artabbanes purchase more glory by his personal courage, than in this fatal Night; and never the Sun be∣held so admirable a sight, as then he lost, in not seeing the prodigious effects of it. The name of Surena, and the apprehensions he should again ravish from him the fair Parthenissa, made him act things, which if Su∣rena had seen, he could not but have as much admired, as feared. The place where my generous Master and his little Troop, had already made that of his Enemies less, was under Parthenissa's window, which soon

after was hastily opened by Emilia, who cryed out, they were forcing the Princesse's Appartment. Artabbanes had scarcely heard that voice, when he flew from a victory to a fresh danger, with more celerity than the greatest Courages could to the former, or the greatest fears from the latter; I followed him as fast as my feet could carry me, and yet before I could overtake him, he had engaged himself in Parthenissa's out-Chamber, amongst as many Enemies as he had already killed▪ All the service I could do him was, by defending the Door, to hinder their increase, which I did as long as I could use my Sword; but I lost that and my senses together; yet to hinder that with my Body, which I could not with my strength, I fell cross the Door, and there lay as some little impediment. In the mean while Parthenissa hearing a strange noise at her Door, every moment expected when it would be broke open; and having a while fruitlesly attended that misfortune, she began to appre∣hend she was freed from it by a greater; her fears gave her no time to consult her safety; so that immediately opening it, she discovered they were but too-too-well grounded: For alas, my Prince, who thitherto defended it, had received so many wounds, and lost so much blood, that he was constrained to lean his back against it; so that missing his support, he fell backwards into the Princesse's Chamber, weltring in a Sea of blood: Parthenissa lost not her judgment, though she did almost her hopes, at so fatal an object; for in the twinkling of an Eye, she thrust to the Chamber Door, which by good fortune having a spring-Lock, was as soon lock'd as shut; our Enemies admired that their advantage was so soon turned to Artabbanes's; but Parthenissa, who apprehended they would immediately force so weak an impediment, conjured Artab∣banes to permit her to lead him down a back-stairs, which at least would preserve his Life from the fury of those whom he had so ex∣treamly incens'd, till the arrival of some of their Superiours, of whom (as she said) she made no question to obtain it, when she implored it with Tears. No Madam (said my Prince, sometimes reeling, sometimes leaning on his Sword, and all his Cloaths dropping with blood) I can but suffer Death by fighting against your Enemies, but I may deserve it by avoiding them: Neither, Madam, shall you pay to Surena so precious a ransom as your Tears, for a Life, which by your being in his Power, is far better lost than sav'd: Do not (fair Parthenissa) deny me the glory of dying at your feet, and for your defence; since 'tis the highest and pleasing'st I can (by your present condition) now aspire unto. My generous Prince spake these few words with as much trouble as the fair Parthenissa heard them; who so abundantly deplored his dan∣ger, by this fresh additional information, that she had lost the very thought of hindring it; neither indeed could she have done it, for the weak Door was instantly broken, and above a dozen armed Men came to rob Artabbanes of a Life that he then was but too desirous to lose; yet not to die unlike himself, recollecting that little strength he had left, he cast himself on the nearest to him, and with his Ponyard (for he had flung away his Sword, as a weapon his weakness rendered him unable to use) with two or three stabs, deprived him of Life; but my Prince fell with his Enemy, and all the rest taking that advantage, had doubtless acted the revenge of their Companions, if the generous Parthenissa (by flinging her self on Artabbanes's body) had not become his Armour, and preserved him, when he was no longer able to preserve himself; for as the gods would have it, Surena had given such universal and strict

order for their respecting of Parthenissa, that his Soldiers could not be more careful of her, than she had rendered it impossible (they being so) that my Prince should receive any father harm; for she so covered his Body with hers, that thereby she had rendered their Fates as insepara∣ble as their affections; but one of Surena's Soldiers more intent upon revenge than obedience, threatned the Princess, that if any longer she became his Sanctuary, she should be so far from hindering his Fate, that she should share in it. Parthenissa with a disdainful look, told him, What he said was rather an invitation to prosecute, than to desist from what she had begun: And though so generous a reply should have ra∣ther created the barbarous Soldier's admiration than rage; yet it did the latter: for he began so uncarefully to thrust at my Prince, that Parthenissa had then no more hopes, but to dye with him. The fai•• Emilia moved with so horrid a proceeding, and with her Princesse's skreeks, immediately, as if Artabbanes's Soul (which all this while seemed to have abandoned his Body) were flown into hers, took up his Sword, and guided by a divine influence, pass'd it through that Monster; yet the thrust was not so mortal, but that he had strength enough left to do more mischief, than if Parthenissa, Artabbanes, and Emilia had been out of his power, he could have done in all the world besides; and doubtless had effected it, if a Gentleman all covered with Arms and Blood, had not come running into the Chamber, and made an end of that Monster, who otherwise had made an end of Perfections, which even in degrees equalled his Crimes. All those that were present, knew him by his Armour to be Surena, and Parthenissa did so as soon as he had lifted up his Helmet, which he did to let her know who 'twas, that prostrate at her feet begged her Pardon for his Soldier's horrid insolency, whose Sins he could not be thought guilty of, since he had so signally punished them. Parthenissa, who till then had esteemed Surena's Passion as great a misfortune, as he had the unsuccessfulness of it, now began to hope that the gods would repair the injuries it had done her, by making of it save a Life, which it had so often endangered; and the sooner to try her power in so ambitioned an essay, she implored from Surena a Life which she more apprehended was not in his power to grant, than in his will. Surena with much humility protested, he was come to receive her Commands, not her Intreaties; and to evidence he would never decline any of them, he would not that; which by how much she did appear concerned in it, by so much did the desert of his obedience do so. The Princess having not only received his promise, but his pro∣testation of his Concession, ris from that Posture, which did not pre∣serve Artabbanes from more wounds, than it did give Surena; which he endeavoured to conceal, lest the greatness of his Merit, might have made Parthenissa question the reality of it; so that with a Countenance which rellish'd more of trouble for his Rival's present condition, than that he was going to improve and mend it, leaving the Princess weeping on her knees by Artabbanes's body, he ran and called his own Chyrur∣geon, and in her hearing commanded him (the first thing he did) to dress my Prince's wounds, and with the same care as if they had been his: But alas, that order was suddenly changed by Surena's perceiving some blood dropping down Parthenissa's Arm, which proceeded from a slight hurt she had received in the shoulder, defending Artabbanes. Oh gods! what did not Surena say, when he saw that precious blood spilt by one which had been under his command! he caused that dead Traytor

immediately to be carried out, and hung in Chains in the Allarm-place; and by presenting his Sword to Parthenissa, implor'd, and gave her the power to shed all his, as an expiation. But she (more concerned in Artabbanes's, than all things else) only enjoyed Surena the Penance, That his Rivals wounds might be dress'd before hers; which she assured him did not so much trouble her, as he seemed to be troubled at it: Parthenissa could not have imposed a more severe Penance on Surena; and doubtless he had not submitted to it, if it had been unaccompanied with that assurance; besides, imagining she would not expose such beauties to his sight, as were to be the reward of the Chyrurgeons Art, he hastily caused his Rival to be dress'd in the Princesse's bed, which he apologized for, by beseeching her to remove unto another Ap∣partment, and out of so much blood and confusion. Pathenissa nei∣ther heard his excuse, or desires; for the Chyrurgeons, by giv∣ing Artabbanes strong Cordials, by stopping his blood, and by binding up his wounds, made him by some deep groans testifie he was not dead. Never was any of his Addresses or Professions so pleasing to that fair Princess as were those groans; and never could she have believed till then, that the gods themselves could have made her take so much delight in Artabbanes's; whose recovery the Chyrur∣geons assured her would be infinitely prejudiced (if not worse) if he were, in so weak a condition, any way disturbed. Parthenissa therefore begging, and obtaining from Surena, that her Appartment might be the next to my Prince's, continued immoveable by him, expecting till it were made ready, and till he should give some fresh and more preg∣nant testimonies, of a Life, she could not be more joyed to recover, than if it were fled, she was resolved to follow.