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

PARTHENISSA.

THE SIXTH PART.

The Third BOOK.

OUR Navigation was so prosperous, that the Sun at his rising the second Day, discovered unto us the North-west Pro∣montory of the Bay of Nicomedia; and by Noon we were come so near it, that to our wonder we perceived several Horsemen quit their Horses: and with their Swords drawn, run into a Wood, in which Mithridates had made a Wilderness, and often delighted himself in visiting it. Remembring this, and seeing what I did, I told my Apprehensions to the Princess, who was come on the Deck at this News; and though we could not imagine the Cause of what we beheld: yet the late Treachery that had been acted on her self, made me doubt something of the same nature might have been practiced to∣wards the King. Which being her apprehensions as well as mine, I com∣manded, that my Galley should be rowed as near the Shore as might be; and ordered all that Gallant Nobility, and Youth which was in it, to Arm themselves, and follow me. This was immediately performed, and our Boats had no sooner set some fifty of us on Shore, but we were too well guided by the Shreeks of some Women, to the Center of the Wood, where we found all the King's Guards kill'd, or routed: and by one that was flying away, we learned, that about three Hundred select Men had lain in Ambush in the Wilderness. And when the King with the Prince Atafernes, the Queen, the Princess Nisa, and the Princess Cleopatra were diverting themselves in that pleasant Place, they were forthwith assault∣ed by unknown Men; And the Guards running to their Rescue, not be∣ing able to make use of their Horses by reason of the thickness of the Wood, were after a brisk Fight, killed and dispersed; only the King, and Prince with some of their Attendants, getting into a Summer-House where the Queen and Princess were, defended the door of it in hope of Relief; but he had even then seen it forced, and many of the Enemy enter it. This Relation he told us, whilst we were running to their Res∣cue; and lest our endeavours might be fruitless, I sent forthwith Or∣ders to my Galley, which was advanced a League before all the rest of the Fleet, to make all possible diligence to the Western part of the North-west Promontory, to hinder any Vessels from escaping that way:

for the place in which this Attempt was made, easily perswaded me to believe it was from the Sea that these Enemies were come. These Or∣ders given, we continued our March with such speed, that we discover∣ed our Enemies, whom immediately we assaulted; and who received us with that Resolution which became Men, that attempted their Design. The Fight was bloody, and my small Troop being heightened by the glory of so Noble an occasion to evidence their Courages, did it in so unresistable a degree, that the resolutest of our Adversaries began to lose their Ground as well as their Number, though still fighting and retreat∣ing towards the Sea-side. I easily judged thereby, that their intenti∣ons was to recover their Vessel; and therefore by a resolute Charge, we so discomposed them, that they turned their backs, and made precipi∣tately to their Boats, into two whereof some of them got, and imme∣diately Launced out towards a Galley, which then we discover'd riding in a Creek in the Promontory. The trouble we received by their then Escape, was raised to a height above my description; when by one of our Prisoners we learned that in the largest of those Boats they sent away the King, and Prince much wounded; and all the Princesses, Priso∣ners. 'Twas time to act, and therefore though we had cause, yet we had not leisure to grieve: we seized upon one Boat that remained, and pursued after them, as well as four Oars could carry us▪ which were all we could find. But alas! we soon found how fruitlesly we labour'd; for before we could get half way to their Galley, we saw them enter into it with their Noble Prize: and cutting their Cables with as much hast as Oars and Sails could lend them▪ bent their course for Greece. Whilst we were in the trouble of this Prospect, I was revived by the fight of my own Galley, doubling the Point. Her Celerity in the obedience of my Orders was unspeakably welcome. I hastily got on Board, told the fair Statira what we had done, and what we had failed of; and promising all the Slaves their Liberty if they overtook the flying Galley, they so powerfully plied their Oars, that we immediately found we gained visi∣bly of them. The rest of my Fleet, which were above twenty Furlongs behind, seeing me alter my course, and not knowing the cause of it; for though I saw the Galley I pursued, and my Fleet saw mine, yet by the interposition of the Head-Land they saw not what I chased: And having positive Order to sail directly into the Bay of Nicomedia, and none to the contrary, continued their Course thither; so that by the time I was gotten within half a League of the Enemy, they could discover no Ves∣lel was within two Leagues of me; and therefore scorning to flye from a single Galley, saved me the labour of following them, and turning about their Prow, came as fast towards me, as a little before she had fled from me.

Over-joyed with this unlooked for Gallantry, I went into the Prin∣cesses Cabbin; and told her, I hope now, Madam, (telling her what the Enemy had done) to do you that Service on the Sea, that I fail∣ed of paying you on the Shore: and I am come now only to beg you to permit the lights of your Cabbin to be stopt up, lest any Darts or Jave∣lins of the Enemy might fly into them. You see, Callimachus, she re∣plied, how the sins of our Family afford you too often occasions to ob∣lige it; and you may perceive how fallacious even the best judgments are in Humane things: when you could yesterday believe, I was in a Condition above your Services, and this Day all the Royal House of Pontus, depend upon your Sword. The gods, I reply'd, who have de∣stined

it to so high a Glory, will, I question not, give it a proportionate Success: And having only permitted the Royal House of Pontus to receive some of their frowns, that it may be the more sensible of their smiles; they had rais'd it so high, that it being uncapable of accessions, they have subjected it to Changes, and then to Restaurations; that in those vicissitudes, the impossibilities of additions might be repaired. Your Virtues, Madam, are a security to your whole Family; and since I now fight to restore them, and to preserve you, to doubt Success were to in∣title me to a denial of it. The Princess at the end of what I had spoke, perceiving some blood trickle down from a Wound I had received in my left Arm, had the mercy to lament it, and the condescension to take off a Ribband of her own, and to bind it up; which unvaluable Civi∣lity was no sooner conferred, than Demetrius came to the Cabbin-Door to tell me the Enemy was at hand. I therefore hastily took my leave, and was scarce got at the head of my Men, when our Galleys shook one another with their Brazen Prows; and then, as if it had been by mutual consent, grappled so strongly, that nothing but Victory was able to unloose them: never possibly in so little Room was performed so great things; our Numbers seemed equal, and our Resolutions the same, which were to Conquer or to Die. Twice they got into my Galley, and once oftner I got into theirs, which in the End proved fatal to them; for perceiving with how much difficulty we had purchas'd that advantage, we as resolutely kept it; and so many of mine got in after me, that the Commander of our Enemies, called Enastes, who was a Lord of Pontus, who was in highest esteem with Nicomedes, and his Vice-Admiral, per∣ceiving since they could not keep us out, it would be difficult, if possible to keep us from vanquishing them now we were got in, with a loud Voice called me twice by my name; and told me, Callimachus, There is already too much blood spilt on either side; but since that precious loss is not to be repaired, Let us prevent the increase of it, and let thou and I decide the Quarrel. I was not a little pleased at this mo∣tion which gave me an opportunity singly to do a Service to my Princess and all her Family, which otherwise had been divided amongst so many, that my share of it had been inconsiderable. I therefore told him, The advantage which my Friends have over thine, is already so visible, that in this Combat they have acquired as much Honour as it is capable to present them. A farther progress may increase the number of the Dead, not the visibility of their Success; and though thou esteemest it no un∣hopeful expedient, in the ruinous Condition to which thou art reduced, to bring the decision now to an equal number, which the Valour of my Friends have reduced to an unequal one: Yet to let thee see the justice of my Quarrel needs no advantage to end it, I accept of thy desire.

Both parties at what we had said, suspended fighting; and mine ha∣ving gotten the Prow of his Galley, and his defending the residue of it, we had close by the Main-mast a Stage for our Duel, in which Enastes was as Unfortunate as Valiant: and after no inconsiderable resistance, he fell dead under my Sword, oppressed with Wounds. I was sorry at his Death for the obligation he had laid on me, by inviting me to the Com∣bat, and by declining a further Flight. When he saw himself pursued by one Galley, all his Soldiers when he was vanquish'd, in the fury of that loss renewed the Fight with much obstinacy; and one of them see∣ing all was lost, resolved to accompany his own Death with an Action which might take from us all cause of rejoycing at it; for running hastily

to the Stern-Cabbin, where the Queen, the two Princesses, Atafernes and Mithridates were kept Prisoners; he opened the Door, and in a furious Voice he cryed out, King of Pontus, I must now be revenged on thee, for having so long usurped the Throne of the King of Bithynia; and Thine, and thy Sons Blood, must answer for the Blood of so many of my Friends, as thine have spilt, and which but in this way I cannot revenge. This threatning was not more Cruel, than Friendly to those against whom it was made; for the warning it gave them, not only raised them from their Beds on which they were laid for the ease of their Wounds: but also gave Monyma, the Princess Nisa, and the Princess Cleopatra, leisure to put themselves before the King and the Prince; and by their shreeks to call for assistance, which admitted no delay. The Galleys being grap∣led, the sides of each of them touched one another; and therefore those Cries reached the fair Statira, who abandoning her Cabbin, came upon the Deck, and told me, Alas Callimachus Whilst you dispute my Fa∣ther's and Brother's Liberty, they are losing their Lives. This Adver∣tisement made me fly to the Cabbin, and so timely, that the Monster in it having flung down all those weak impediments which had opposed him, had his Sword bloody with one Wound he had given the King, and with another he had made in Atafernes's shoulder; who being un∣able to stand to defend Mithridates, had generously cast himself on his knees before him: and with some of his Bed-cloaths wrapped about his Arm, endeavoured in that posture, and with that pitiful defence, to save his Father's Life with the loss of his own. The horrid Cruelty of this Bithynian, and the admirable piety of this great Prince, gave such Wings to my Revenge, that they saw that Monster kill'd, before they saw him who did it; But as soon as I had lifted up the fight of my Helmet, and that thereby they discovered who had paid them so seasonable a Service, I saw in Atafernes's Countenance a Joy as great, that I had saved his Fa∣ther and him, as that they were so unexpectedly saved. Mithridates too, though much wounded, took me in his Arms, and in Elogies and Embraces testified his Joy and his Kindness. The Queen in the raptures of this unlooked-for Safety, gave me Eminent marks of her Satisfaction and Friendship; And, though possibly they might have been mixed with fome other Ingredient; yet all was attributed meerly to the Transports of their then Condition, compared with what so lately it had been. In the midst of this Noble Entertainment, the Princely Statira came into the Cabbin. The sight of her fill'd all that were in it with new Won∣der; for the King having in the cool of the Morning left Nicomedia, the Galley I had sent to advertise him of our Victory, was not then arrived, which had hinder'd him from receiving an Account of it. Mithridatia therefore told him of our Naval Success, of the rate at which we had bought it; and how she was exchanged. The loss of Ascanius, who the Pontick King intirely loved, qualified not a little the Extacies he was in; and even in his Sorrow for the King of Cyprus, he evidenced how much he had esteemed him. But at last Mithridates thinking 'twas to be un∣grateful to the gods, to let one cause of Trouble cloud so many causes of Satisfaction, He wiped off those Tears he had shed for his intended Son-in-Law; and in embracing his Favourite-Daughter, seemed by that happy priviledg and posture, to know and act a certain Cure for the deepest Afflictions. I therefore told him, Now that you have the Prin∣cess Statira in your Arms, I believe Sir, you will think your Civilities to Ariobarzanes whilst he was your Prisoner, were not misplaced; for

but in the Duty he owed her, and the retributions he owed you for them, he could not have made so unequal a Bargain, as to have exchang∣ed a Princess above Ransom, for the dying Body of Nicomedes. And if I presumed to dispose of such a Prisoner without your knowledg, I will hope for your Pardon upon two Accounts; The first is, his Wounds were so many and dangerous, that had I sent for your Orders, he might have been unexchangeable before I had received them. The second is, That having an offered Exchange for the Princess, the Crime of after∣wards permitting her so long to continue Prisoner, as must have been employed in sending for your Commands, and receiving them, would have been greater, than the releasing her without them. These were my Inducements, Sir, to do it, when I lay before the Island of Scyros; but now I find that the gods themselves have approved thereof. For had I not done what I did, the Punishment would have equalled the Sin; for the Royal House of Pontus h••d now been what the Princess lately was: whereas by her freedom the gods have acted yours, and made that a Con∣sequence, or Product of this.

Mithridates, though the Chyrurgeons were dressing his, and the Prince Atafernes's Wounds, made me this Reply. You have, Callima∣chus, employed that Power I gave you, so much to my Honour and Satisfaction, that your desiring a forgiveness is really a greater Offence, than that for which you ask it; and to evidence you have not only ob∣liged me to the height, but that I am sensible you have done so, I pro∣mise before the gods and all these Witnesses, that whatever you ask of me, without any exception, I will grant it you; for you have given me more than you can ask of me. And lest your Modesty might hinder you from asking, I enjoyn you to ask; nay, by that Friend∣ship you have for me, I command you to do it: but lest this Injuncti∣on might be a surprise, I give you three days time to deliberate, that you may think of something worthy your mentioning, and worthy my giving. To convince you too, how fixed I am in this Resolution, and how knowing I am in your Vertue, I conjure you make me no Reply, nor Excuses; and grant me this Request, as an Evidence you believe, I will grant you yours. All the while the King was speak∣ing these charming words, my Eyes were fixed on my Princess; and her Blushes thereat told me her Apprehensions were, I would fix my Request where I had fixed my Sight: But Mithridates having done speaking, to obey him, I only bowed my self to his Feet, as an evince∣ment both of my Joy and Obedience. The generous Atafernes di∣ligently observed my Looks, and his fair Sisters Blushes; and had the goodness to whisper me these ravishing Words: Your Eyes, Callima∣chus, have spoke your Request; and Statira's readiness seems to be no Irreconcilable Enemy to it: Leave the Management of your happi∣ness to my care. I whispered to him this Answer, 'Tis the Compa∣ny, Great Prince, and not the want of resentment, that hinders me from prostrating my self at your Feet, as some sign of my acknowledg∣ments. My Fortune cannot be but glorious, since you have under∣taken the care of it: And what I despair of on my own account, I will presume of upon yours. I will not, generous Princes, continu∣ed Callimachus, particularize all the Discourses which then entertain∣ed the Company; Only I observed the Princess Statira, who in less Services had honoured me with her taking notice of them, did not so much as speak to me of this; which I durst not so flatter my self, as to

attribute to her intentions of giving me more lively and ambitioned Cha∣racters of her Resentment, than Verbal acknowledgments could be: But rather to her fear, That I would by my request to the King, owe that to her Obedience which I could not hope for from her Inclination or Justice; and thereby punish my offence, before I had committed it. To remove therefore from the observation of others, those disorders which such thoughts raised in me, I told the King, That all his Enemies having paid by their Deaths the last Crime of their Lives, I came to receive his Commands for his return to Nicomedia; and how the Enemies Galley, and their dead Bodies should be disposed of: begging him to remove in∣to mine from the blood and noysomness of that he then was in. He forthwith appointed all those dead Bodies to be flung over-Board, That they might, as he said, receive their Burial where they had acted their Sin, and suffered their Punishment; and that if any one of them were alive, he should be brought to him, who should save him the sending of an He∣rauld to Nicomedes. The Galley being diligently searched, one Soldier was found, who having bloodied himself all over, lay amongst the Dead to avoid encreasing their number: But when he found they were cast∣ing his Companions into the Sea, he discovered himself, hoping the fury of the Execution was over. He was therefore brought to Mithridates, who told him, I thought thy King would have endeavoured to recover Bithynia, only by such Arms, and by such ways as he lost it: but since with the loss of his Kingdom, he has lost his Kingly Vertues, and employs his Soldiers to surprize Women, and murther his Enemies after they are his Prisoners; Tell him from me, That by all the gods, and the Sacred Ashes of my glorious Ancestors, if ever he comes into my hands, he shall suffer that Death which it seems he had appointed for me. I give thee, he continued thy life and liberty, to carry Nicomedes, if living, this Mes∣sage; and I shall appoint thee a Vessel to transport thee to him. The trembling Prisoner, who expected Death himself, was so confounded with the assurance of life and liberty, and at the rate at which he was to buy it, that he could not speak: and his silence being taken for his consent, the King appointed the Captain of my Galley to see him sent away from Nicomedia.

The Obligation I so recently had received from Nicomedes, and the high and just Value I paid his Gallantry, made me abhor this Oath and Message; And therefore I began to move the Pontick King to consider, how much better it would be to stop, than to send such a Denunciation. I represented to him, That if Nicomedes had given Orders to kill him, he had not been made a Prisoner; for it was easie to have acted the first. Therefore that his having been taken alive whilst Enestes Commanded his Enemies, and his being in danger of being Murthered, but Enestes was killed, evidenced that the first proceeded from Nicomedes's Orders, the last from a Soldiers despair; that the Noble usage the Princess Sta∣tira had received, and the Prince Pharnaces does receive, were suffi∣cient Manifestations how much a friend he was ever to Civility: and therefore could not be capable of a Sin so far below a King, that it was below a Man. Consider, reply'd Mithridates, Whether one of Nico∣medes's Subjects durst kill a King that was his Prisoner, had their Orders been only to have made me such; and had he not known that perfor∣mance, intitled him rather to Rewards than Punishments. To which I answered; Consider also, I beseech you, Sir, that when that Monster was about to kill you, you were not likely to be his King's Prisoner, nor

he himself ever to see his King; and therefore neither to receive Re∣wards or Punishments from him. Even that, said Mithridates, evidences the Truth of my belief; for 'tis not probable, that a Subject which endures Banishment for the Love and Duty he owes his Prince, and daily in his Service ventures his Life, would make the last Action of it a violation of his Commands. If he thought you should be Victo∣rious, how durst he have rob'd his King of such a Prisoner as I was? Nay, and believing what you believe, against his Kings Orders: And if he thought you would be Victorious, how drust he contrary also to those supposed Orders, have taken away a Life which he could not but know you would revenge by the loss of his, and all his parties. No, no, Callimachus, he was confined to what he did by Nicomedes; and nothing but Obedience could have tied him to his Attempts. Sir, I replyed, even the unseasonableness of his Attempts, evinces it rather an Action of despair, than obedience; no Duty to reasonable Men be∣ing greater, than the Duty to Reason. His was a fury, and pardon me if I say, 'tis not fit to judg by the Rules of Reason, of an irrational Acti∣on: But if the contrary were allowable, I might say, he never began his Villany, but when he was certain never to be accountable for it to his King. And since the design denied him the hope of Life, if your Servants had Success; and that he was so confident of their having it, that he fled from the Combat; we may well ascribe his Action to de∣spair: and having failed of being Famous for succeeding in a bold at∣tempt, he resolved to make himself so for an impious one: The height of wickedness is not attained unto at once, but gradually. The attempt against your person being such; and Nicomedes in the whole course of his life, having never done what misbecomes a Prince, proves him free from Commanding, or permitting such a Crime. 'Tis but a Justice due unto the whole course of his Gallantry, to believe him free from one Action of the highest Guilt; at least, Sir, whatever you judg him to be in your own thoughts, it will be but consonant to your usual Ju∣stice, not to condemn him till you hear him: you would not deal so with your meanest Subjects. Therefore I will believe you will not use a great Prince worse; if he owns the Action, he Authorises your intended Re∣venge of it: and if he denies it, why should you credit the despair of a Subject, more than the word and assurance of his King.

Whoever, replyed Mithridates, has the wickedness to Command such an attempt, will not want enough to deny it: And though I have not a sufficient proof thereof judicially; yet I have as much proof of it as the Nature of the Design can, or will admit. Acti∣ons of Darkness are rather judged by Circumstances, than Proofs. 'Tis enough I am satisfied of Nicomedes's guilt; and the Oath I have sworn, is too Sacred to be recalled, or violated; therefore I conjure you speak to me no more of it. I was, continued Callimachus, silenced, but not convinced; and the King, whose Wounds hinder'd him not from being able to go with help, led Monyma out of the Galley he was in, into mine. The Prince Atafernes supported by two, was able to re∣move thither, and the Princess Statira I led. But as if Mithridates's Vow of granting me my request, what ever it were, had a Magick-Charm annexed unto it, I neither had the confidence to speak to her, nor she the condescension to speak to me. Rebadates led the Princes Nisa, and the Captain of my Galley the Princess Cleopatra. By that time we were moving towards Nicomedia, we discovered the whole Fleet making to∣wards

us with all the celerity their Sails and Oars could give them; for being come near unto the Shore, they learnt how the King had been surprized, and therefore came to his Rescue. Galatides assured me, that when I had doubled the North-west Cape, he thought I had Rowed close along the Northern-shore; and that the darkness thereof had taken away his sight of us, else he had steered as I did: but as soon as they found their mistake, and learned the sad accident had befaln Mitbri∣dates, they flew to serve him, and follow me. The whole Fleet being met, Mithridates made a Triumphant entry into Nicomedia; and to avoid the like hazard again, order'd a Fort to be built at the end of the North-west Cape, where the Enemies Galley had concealed it self: and such of his Guards as had fled from his defence, he put to death in Tor∣ments.

The Pontick King was no sooner come into his Palace, but the Princess Nisa cast her self at his Feet; and in Tears and Prayers as moving as her Tears, besought him to permit her now, to accomplish her Vow of retiring into the Temple of Diana in Ephesus, which his Commands only had so long hinder'd her from accomplishing; and she made use of the late dan∣ger he had been in, as an Argument to perswade to allow one of that Family, to be constantly interceding with the gods for the safety of the rest, which had been so many times, and now so recently was endanger'd: but the King not denying her Request, but only putting off the acting it for a season, so grieved her, that she said, Since she was denied to ful∣fill her Vows at Ephesus, she was resolved to pay them to the gods at Ni∣comedia; and since she could not be allowed to go from a Court to a Temple, she would change a Court into a Temple: and from that hour so wholly confined her self to her Devotions in the Palace, that she ma∣nifested no force can hinder a resolved mind from serving the gods; and that they can be adored out of a Cloyster, as acceptably as in one. The Kings Wound requiring his silence, as well as bodily rest, all the Company that waited on him, paid him the Duty of retiring as soon as he was come to his Chamber; and the Queen, either to take from me the opportunity and happiness of conversing with my Princess, or to evidence the delight she had in being with her, accompanied me to her Appartment: where perceiving those sleight hurts I had received, were still undrest, they united their Commands unto me to retire to have them looked after. This Injunction gave me, a deeper Wound than any which their care was concerned for; But before the Chirurge∣ons visited me, I visited the Generous Atafernes, who was inviron'd by Craterus, and such a great croud of congratulating Friends and Servants, that I was unable to obtain a particular Entertainment with him. The best Lodgings in my Appartment, I had resigned to the Egyptian Stranger, of whom I then acquainted the Prince; who therefore enjoyned me to lodg in the next Chamber to his: which I obeyed until the hour destined to rest was come. Atafernes received the intermissive respects of his Friends and Servants; and when it was come and they gone, I thought it too rude by my waiting on him, to keep him longer from it: and therefore withdrew my self into the Chamber designed me, where most of the Night I had but too much Entertainment. To make no request to Mithridates, was to disobey him: to make any but that which I had not the presumption to make, was to injure my self: to beg to know of Statira what I should ask, was if she vouchsa∣••ed me any answer, certainly to receive one I wished not for; and which

yet I must not disobey. To speak any thing to Ataphernes after what he had spoken to me, was to doubt he intended not what he profer'd and promised; especially too, when what he mentioned was the only thing I could desire, and his mentioning it freed me from the guilt of having solicited him to so unjust an Action: and left me no other Crime, but not having declined what I acknowledg my self too too unworthy of. After having turned my affairs into all the postures my Reason or Fancy suggested to me, I determined it was best to wait the result of the Prince his undertaking: And if nothing could be acted by him before the time limited by the King for me to make my request in, then by a strict silence to evidence my request was of a Quality not to be spoken: and thus by not speaking, manifest what only I could speak for.

The succeeding day I paid my duty to Mithridates, who used me at a Rate, which might have assured me he would deny me nothing, but that alone which I feared to ask; And yet when I was going away, as if he had read my apprehensions to suppress them, he told me: Callimachus, you have now but a little time left to acquaint me with your desire, which again I protest before all the gods, I will grant whatever it be. Nothing could have been more welcome than that repeated Oath, unless to have had it reiterated. After I had made my Request, or rather af∣ter the Prince Ataphernes had made it for me, from the King's Appart∣ment I returned to my own; where I learn'd Monyma, and the fair Mithridatia had sent two of their Gentlemen to visit me, and know how I did. All that afternoon Ataphernes was visited by Statira and Cleopatra; for Roxana stir'd no more out of her Lodgings: and towards the Evening Monyma came thither. I do not acquaint you with the particulars of their discourses; for as soon as I found they consisted chiefly of those Obligations they all had to me, and of the Frights and Dangers they had been in, I gave my self wholly up to contemplate my Princess: in whom appeared a sadness so visible, that some of the Company took notice of it; and then of mine, as a consequence of it. Statira to take them off from that consideration, desired me to give the Queen some news of the Aegyptian-Gentleman; to whom I gave in brief an account of his Gallantry in the Battel: and how fainting in his being removed to my Galley, in the absence of his own Servant, Tomsones having cast Water in his Face, and rub'd his Temples and his Nostrils with Vinegar, the seeming blackness of his Skin had vanished; and he dis∣covered a meen, that even in the paleness of Death appeared lovely, and therefore could not be but charming in a perfect Health. And though I had done what Civilly I might, to learn from his Servant his Quality, and the Reason of Disguisement; yet could I not make any discovery of either, he having been tied to a strict secresie: But he gave me hopes, as soon as his Master was in a condition to do it, I might be satisfied in those desires from himself. All that generous Company after this short Relation, did express no small Concernment to know who this stranger was; which made me promise them, That the next day (which my Chirurgeons had assured me, would be the soonest that he could be able without danger to discourse) I would endeavour to learn of him that which every one of them seemed so intently curious to know. I was not long after called away from At••phernes by Craterus, to whom the King had left the care of drawing to the Sea-side so much of the Prince's Army, as was esteemed convenient to be landed in the Island of Scyros, to reduce it, and suppress the King in it; Ataphernes's own

wounds denying him the strength to undertake that expedition, I found by the Generous Craterus's diligence, that by the Evening of that day, in which I was to make my Request, all would be in a readiness to set to Sea. At my return to the Prince's Chamber, I found none in it with him, but the fair Statira; and they were so taken up in what they were discoursing of, That though I presented my self before them, yet neither of them took any notice of me: which made me retire into my own Chamber, imagining what was the occasion of their entertainment. I had not been long there, but the Aegyptian-Strangers Servant came in to me from his Lord, to tell me, That being now in some degree re∣covered out of his fainting weakness, he beg'd me to oblige him with my company for a few Moments. I obeyed him, and was no sooner come to his Bed-side, than he told me, I have learnt, generous Callimachus, from Photinus, all that you have done for me; how, That by your gene∣rosity I live, and by your Civility I am now in this place; I owe you so much, That not to acknowledg to you my Obligations, and the sense I have of them, would have more endangered me, than the Chirurge∣ons tell me I may endanger my self, by so much, and so soon speaking. Generous Stranger, I reply'd, the Valour you manifested in that glori∣ous Quarrel in which we bore Arms together, and those fatal, yet noble Marks you carry about you, of having so prodigally acted in it, con••i∣ned me to those Services which are so much my debt to you, that they merit not your Acknowledgments to me; Especially such, as while you give them, you prejudice the giver of them. I conjure you therefore, not to hazard a Life by an excess of Civility, which by what I have al∣ready seen of it, is too precious to let it be endangered on any Account, especially on mine. Though I know few things, the other reply'd, which I more Ambition, than to assure you of my acknowledgments, unless it be the Acting of them; yet I should not, to have told you so much, been guilty of the confidence of inviting you to this place to have done it; but that Photinus having told me how desirous you were to know who I am, I have beg'd the honour of your Company, only to pay you that Obedience which his duty to me hindered him from; and thereby to convince you, by satisfying you in what is within my power, I would do it in all things, were my ability proportionate to my re∣sentments.

I shall, he continued, (having first made me sit down by his Bed-side in a Chair which Photinus brought me) trust you with a secret, which is such to all the World, but to these in this Chamber; and which I will not beg you, may be continued such, because you will find how requi∣site it is, and that will exempt me from the need of making such a re∣quest. My true Name is Auletes, my disguised is Achillas. I am by birth Prince of Egypt. Ptolomy my Father, who possesses that Kingdom, found from my infancy something in my humour or meen, that made his Natu∣ral affection receive so large an Accession, that possibly never Parent loved a Son more than he did me. All that Education could confer, 'tis my own fault if I received it not; and finding my Proficiency in what was taught me, was as much his contentment as mine; it doubled my Inclination, and my Endeavours: but as soon as I was capable to endure Travelling, I had a longing to form my self by the choice of my own Judgment, having first seen and experimented whatever was most con∣siderable in Asia, Greece, and Italy. This intention I communicated to my Father, but his fondness of me, made me receive a Denial, clouding

what disgusted him, with an assurance that it would disgust all Egypt; who having no Prince but I to succeed, he would not expose me to the hazard of Travelling in remote Countreys. I would not disobey a Fa∣ther, to whom by Nature and Friendship I was so bound; and though I paid him an actual observance, yet I could not hide my sorrow for his Denial: the visibility thereof, though it could not produce what only could end it, yet it made Ptolomy seek out all those Divertisements for me, which he thought might mitigate it. Alexandria was therefore fill'd with all things which might invite me to esteem it a more agreeable resi∣dence than any else I could elect; amongst other things, the greatest Gallery in the Palace was furnished on one side with the Pictures and Stories of all the great Men and Women of our Family, from Lagus to my Father: and on the other side, with the Pictures of all the considera∣blest persons of either Sex in that Age in which we live: And because Ptolomy found that in this Room and Furniture I took most satisfaction: he built another Gallery, which he intended to imbellish with the like Ornaments; and therefore imployed skilful Painters into the most emi∣nent parts of the World to Act this Design: who performed so well what they were imployed about, that when those sent into Asia were returned, they boasted the Furniture of the new Gallery, would much transcend that of the old: But above all the rest, The Artist which had been at Heraclea publickly avowed, that the piece he had drawn of the Princess Statira, had nothing comparable to it but the Original. It happened at the same time the Prince Ascanius was then in his Travels visiting Ptolo∣my's Court; for his Father had permitted that to him, which mine had denied me. He exprest a curiosity of seeing what was so much com∣mended, I waited on him to satisfie it; and having considered with much intentness all those pieces which adorned one side of the Room: at the last the Picture he was so impatient to look upon, was showed him. I never saw any surprize like unto his, even at the very first sight of it; and after he had a while contemplated it in silence, he broke it off to ask him that drew it, Whether Statira owed nothing to his Pencil? Yes, Sir, the Painter reply'd, She owes a Pardon to it for having done so little, where I should have done so much; for I could never get any opportunity to draw it, but when the Princess was at her Devotions: and then too, but by stealths and in imperfect lights. I must acknow∣ledg, He continued, that till I saw her, I believed I could produce a greater Beauty than Nature; for by my Skill I could make a Collection of all the exactest parts of every Woman, and draw them in one: so that Nature, whose productions are subjected to a Thousand casualties; and who cannot repair the least if it happen, which is an infelicity the Pencil is not confined unto; I did esteem my belief was rational: But when I saw the Princess Statira, and began to draw her, I found expe∣rimentally she had an Air, a Vivacity, and such a Harmony springing from the result of all her Motions and Graces, that I owned my self a Convert, and must own her above the faint representations of Art. And therefore I have endeavoured by my Words, to draw her better than I have done by my Pencil.

All the while this Artist was thus speaking, methought I saw Ascanius receive Love by two senses at once; and indeed he was so wholly taken up with what he had heard and seen, That I think he had not stir'd out of the Place all that day, had not he been summoned thence to a Ball, which only waited his coming to be begun: And though he danced in

it, yet it was with a face so full of thoughts, and so little like unto that, in which in former ones he had assisted, that the effects were not more visible to Ptolomy, and all the Court, than the cause was to me. Seven days he continued at this rate, and the eighth a Cyprian Lord brought him the news of his Father's Death, who dyed of an Apoplexy; and the desires of all his Subjects by his presence to repair that loss, and fill the Throne. This sad and hasty Summons, accelerated his return to his Kingdom; from whence he sent Ambassadors to obtain Mithridates's permission of making his addresses to that admirable Princess. His go∣ing thither after he had obtained that leave he so passionately ambi∣tion'd; his losing his Brother in a Naval battel against the King of Bithy∣nia; and on the day of his intended Nuptials, losing another within the prospect of Nicomedia, and his liberty also; the Princess being carried away by the Treachery of some of the Inhabitants, and his Exchange for the King of Cappadocia, are better known to you than to me. I have therefore only to add, That he being engaged by three the most power∣ful Motives to repair his Misfortune▪ Those of Love, Glory, and Revenge, he left no means unattempted to assemble a Fleet powerful enough to act his desires; and because the Cilicians and Phoenicians were pre-en∣gaged in the service of Mithridates, though in the same War; yet co∣veting as much to end the War by his own Forces, as to have it ended, he came himself to Ptolomy to desire his permission to form a Fleet of his Subjects, which more through my perswasion than his own, he pro∣cured leave to do. The growing-greatness of the Romans, and the Uni∣versal Government of the World, which they aspired unto, making it the Interest of all Princes to oppose them that had not resolved to submit unto them. I had too a particular Interest of my own, which engaged me to joyn my request to Ascanius; for I desired to command this Fleet in this Action: But the first motion I made of it to Ptolomy, I found the impossibility of its success; intending therefore to do that by stealth, which I perceived was not otherwise to be acted, I seemed not much con∣cerned in the refusal, to take from my Father the jealousie of my inten∣tions. As soon as the Fleet was formed, without acquainting any Person living with it but Photinus, no not the Admiral, lest his knowledg of it might have been penal to him in Ptolomy's resentments, disguising my Face with a Colour as black as any Egyptians, I went on Board the Galley of the Vice-Admiral, who was a particular Friend to Photinus; and who in the first Fury of the Naval-Battel being killed, I assumed his place: and had no other Honour, but a while to fight Single against some of the Enemies Galleyes, and to avoid being made a Prisoner by part of a conquered Fleet. But I owe the avoiding of that unhappiness to your Civility and Courage, which I can in no way requite, but in owning it to all the World; and in assuring you, That what I owe unto you, I will on all occasions imploy and hazard for you: and in acquaint∣ing you that my chief Motive to this Voyage and Disguise, proceeded from a passion I had assumed at the Noble and high Character which As∣canius when last in Aegypt gave me of the Princess.

At this very word, continued Callimachus, the Prince of Aegypt's senses abandon'd him; which made Photinus and I hasten to afford him all the help we could: but finding ours was not proportionable to his necessity, we called in the Physician and Chirurgeons which were in the next Room; who having done all that their Art suggested to them, de∣sired us to withdraw, and to leave him to that silence, the breaking

whereof had cast him into that faintness, Photinus and I observed a little before, that his words came more languishingly from him, than when he began his Narrative: But both of us attributing it to the sense he had of his being reduced to need my assistance in that Battel, in which he had promised himself so much Glory, we did neither of us desire him to forbear prosecuting his Relation, till the swound he fell into, put a period to it. I was not a little concerned to ask of Photinus one word more than his Prince had spoke; But he protested to me, that was as great a secret to him, as it was to me. He only knew that as Ascanius had fallen in Love by the sight of a Picture, his Prince had assumed the same passi∣on by a Relation of the King of Cyprus; but who the Object of his Passion was, he was a perfect stranger unto. Photinus having accompa∣nied me to my Appartment, returned to pay his Duty to his Prince, and left me in no small perplexities; which had he spoke one word more, might have been increased or supprest. I was not without my Fears, that the Princess Statira's Beauty had ingaged him in this Voyage; for since the Description which had kindled his flame, had been made by Ascanius, 'twas but too likely he would most exalt that Perfection which in captivating him, had evinced it self to be the greatest, as well in Truth, as in his Estimation. Neither could I believe that the fear of speaking the Truth to Auletes, might have any Operation on the King of Cyprus in raising him so dangerous a Rival; since he had already engaged Mi∣thridates, and secured his raptures to a degree above the apprehension of Danger. I was too the more confirmed in that belief, by reason that Auletes kept himself disguised to Ascanius as well as any other; which sure he had not much cause to do, if his Aims had not been such, as ne∣cessitated him to such a proceeding: for if his Love was paid to any else, he might expect from the King of Cyprus's assistance, a powerful help; which by his not discovering himself to him, he was certainly to fail of. This consideration left me abundant cause to believe my apprehensions were but too rational; and therefore in Auletes's Person and Quality I found cause to think Ascanius had raised me as powerful a Rival as him∣self: and I remained only with this consolation, That by Ataphernes's favour I should know my Fate, before the Prince Auletes could be an ob∣stacle to the felicity of it. With these thoughts I went to wait upon my Prince, who though I had left in his Bed; yet I found him not in his Chamber. Some of those Gentlemen that waited on him in it, telling me he was gone to Mithridates's Apartment in no small pain, I fear'd I was the cause of this trouble; for the time of making my request was to end the next day: and he had undertaken my Destiny. I learned also, That all that time I had spent with the Prince of Aegypt, He had entertain∣ed in private the Princess Statira. I resolved therefore in his Chamber to expect his return, which I did in impatiencies and fears that were almost equal. I never had been in such troubles. When I was ignorant to what the gods had reserved me to, and when I thought they had alotted for me the deepest Affliction, as now I was in, when I was positively to learn what I was designed unto; My entertainments on this subject were so confused and irrational, that I will not trouble you with a repetition of them: neither did they cease, till the Gentleman came from Mithridates to call me to him.

I found the King of Pontus in his Bed, and the Prince Ataphernes sitting by him; as soon as I came in, the King commanded every one besides to withdraw: then calling me to him, he told me; Callimachus, you may

conclude it was an important Affair which made me send to my Son to come to me, considering the indisposition he is under; and to let you see I will have nothing in reserve for you, I will now communicate to you what I have imparted to him: for owing all that I have to you, I will con∣ceal nothing from you. There is at this hour in this Palace, three per∣sons disguised, who have brought me strange news, and presented to me glorious offers, they are all three Romans: The first is Martius Variu••, Lieutenant-General to the Great Sertorius; the other two are Lucius Mannius, and Lucius Fannius, Senators of Rome, and Cabbinet-Coun∣cellors to Sertorius. They assure me, the gods by an immediate judg∣ment of their own, have taken out of this World my only dreaded Ene∣my, Cornelius Sylla; which has filled not only Rome, but even all the Roman Empire with such high confusions, as every one is now striving to diminish that entire greatness which so lately every one endeavoured to augment. Sertorius has already appropriated to himself all the King∣doms of Spain, and raised so powerful an Army there, and of his other Confederates; as even at that distance, the Capitol does tremble. He has got together so many of the Senatorian Order, that he has already constituted a Roman Senate in Spain; and disowns any Senate but that: so that he has not alone the power, but the Authority of the Roman People. He intends immediately to carry his Ensigns to Rome it self; and wants not Friends and Confederates there, nor at the East and Western-feet of the Alps: so that he is not only confident of an uninterrupted passage thither, but of Success and Victory when he comes there. Yet to expose his attempts to as little incertitude as actions of War can admit, He has sent to invite my assistance; assuring me, that if my Forces from the East, and his from the West, do unite in one common Design, the success can∣not be more great than it will be certain: But then we must move at once. He offers me for my Part, and to confirm it by a Decree of the Senate, That I shall for ever without acknowledging any thing to Rome, possess Asia so properly called, Bithynia, Paphlagonia, Cappadocia, Comagena, Pamphilia, Phrygia, and Galatia. He desires to oblige me to this, That if he needs my Armies, or Navies, I must afford him their help under his Pay; and offers me if I need his, he will afford me them under my Pay. These Proposals I did but this morning receive, and have accepted of them; only I have insisted upon this Addition of having into my Portion the Republick Cities and Countries of Greece, that Asia may have ano∣ther Sea and Bulwork between Italy and it. This they have not a Com∣mission to grant; But rather than not conclude the League, they have assured me of their utmost endeavours to have it granted by Sertorius and the Senate with him; or something else contented: and this Night I am to sign that Agreement which is to make Sertorius Lord of the West of the World, and me of the East. We must therefore divert to a Nobler End all our Preparatives for the reduction of Scyros, which will be as a consequence of our other successes; and if attempted now, would probably hinder us in one Moon, from greater advantages than it can ever present us. I have therefore designed out of Ataphernes and Phar∣naces Armies, to compose two others which I will strengthen with great recruits, that shall meet them on their March; and a small Army drawn out of both, shall under Craterus attend my Person, and secure Pithynia, which I find is so ready to revolt. To Ataphernes I have designed the conquest of Paphlagonia, and Phrygia; to Callimachus I have designed the

Conquest of Galatia and Pamphilia: And because I will not always be obliged by him, and never oblige him, I now require him to make his re∣quest unto me, which I again vow before all the gods I will grant him.

Mithridates at the end of these Words, paused a while; and having then twice commanded me to speak; and I as often looked upon Atafer∣nes, but not answering; the Pontick King thus continued: Since Callima∣chus, you will not make me a desire, I will make you an offer. Your Friend here has acquainted me with that great and respectful passion which you have for Statira; your not making her your request, tyes me to make her my grant. I do therefore not only give you my permission to solicite her affection; but I will also injoyn her to give it you: and if I mistake not, she has obeyed some Commands of mine with more repug∣nancy than she will do this.

Judg, Generous Princes, continued Callimachus, Judg, if ever any Astonishment could equal mine; if ever any Raptures of Joy could come near those I then resented. I cast my self on my Knees by Mithridates his Bed; and having kissed his Hand with transports, I told him; I confess Great King, I confess, That the first hour I saw the Princess Statira, I ador'd her: but it was with an adoration like unto that we pay the gods, who while we yield them all our Services, we expect no return, or reward, but their acceptance. I found the impossibility of expecting more, could not transcend the injustice of desiring more; and having placed such Re∣ligious Limits to my Flame, I thought it not unworthy of her; and there∣fore continued the duty of it: But this you have now condescended to mention, is so infinitely below her, and above me, That to make any other use thereof, than to admire your goodness, were almost as highly to injure it, as her. No, Sir, my Passion and Ambition have not so much blinded my Duty and my Reason, as to accept of exalting my own Feli∣city on so criminal a Foundation as the making of you unjust, and her unhappy. If your intention be to confine me eternally to your Service, the Offer more than the Acceptance will do it; for in that, I have already received too vast a reward, both for what I have, and for all that I can do: But in this, I should be as guilty as happy; and the way would be de∣structive to the end. I have by your mercy a double Glory, That of the Offer of the Princess, and that of having in duty adjudged my self un∣worthy to accept it. I can now convince Her, as well as the World and my self, That my adoration was as perfect, as it was great; and being free from those common and mean ends which other passions are animated with, I may in the future with the more satisfaction pay her mine: and she with the less reluctancy receive them. Rise Callimachus, rise, reply'd Mithridates; whilst you thus plead against what I offer, you but the more entitle your self to it. Besides I hope, you will allow that no man is a fit Judg in his own case; and that a Father has the best right to dispose of his Daughrer. These being granted, as they can hardly be well deni∣ed, I command you to dispute no more against what I have as rationally, as resolutely fixed upon; and because that either Nature, or the Ignorance of your condition has denied you a Crown, and that I never designed my Daughter to less, I give you an Army to Conquer Galatia and Pam∣philia: and I give those Kingdoms to you and your Heirs for ever, to hold of the Crown of Pontus; and wanting of Heirs, to revert unto my Successors again. But because Statira was so near being Ascanius his Wife, That meer decency will require she should for some time decline actually marrying another; and that I would not by a delay make any

suspect my intentions to you, are no as clear and sincere as my Professi∣ons: to answer these two ends, I declare, That the twentieth Day after this, you shall solemnly be contracted before me to Statira; and as soon as by your Sword you have made your self Lord of Galatia and Pam∣philia, and thereby prepared a Throne for her to sit in, you shall as publickly marry her: and govern there as a King, with the limitati∣ons I have mentioned. Ah! Sir, I reply'd, since you Command me to dispute no more, I will obey you; and in that Obedience I hope you will be convinced of mine in all things else: for doubtless never man had at once so much Reason to be ravish'd with Joys, and so little Title to them. For to be the Princess Statira's Servant by your Commands, and consequently by her permission, is a Glory above the Empire of Galatia and Pamphilia; nay, of the whole World: But by what you have done, you have so transcended all that I can express, that I must not only be obliged to you for my happiness, but also for believing my sense of it is at once as great as it can be, and yet less than it should be. Alas! Mighty Prince, Why do you confer Fe∣licities on me which have no Limits? and command me services which have such narrow ones? I am but to conquer Galatia, and I am to be the happy Servant of the Princess: rather Sir, Command me to carry your Ensigns to the Capitol; and cast that proud Senate as low by your Arms, as they have exalted themselves by their own. Command me to make her Empire as large as her Title is to Empire; and then you shall see I will present her with that of the Universe, or perish in the duty of attempting it: and thereby gain what she is worthy of, or lose him that is unworthy of her. I do not, reply'd Mithridates, end your Victories in the conquest of Galatia and Pamphilia, I do but begin them there; Comagena is the next Country to which you shall carry your Conquest. And possibly by then, new Objects may be presented to your Volour; and the occasions of Glory will proportionate your de∣sire of it. Retire your self now, Callimachus, and leave Atafernes with me; for Statira by my appointment is coming hither, that I may signifie to her, what I have acquainted you with. This Command I obeyed; but before I did so, I again cast my self on my knees by Mi∣thridates's bed-side, and kiss'd his hands with such transports, that he told the Prince when I was gone, In those Actions he read my resentments as visibly, as in all my other expressions.

I was not many steps out of the King's Chamber, when I met the Prin∣cess Statira going thither; who asked of me, Whether I then came from thence? I told her I did. She enquired then of me, Whether Atafernes, was there? I told her he was. She then demanded, Whe∣ther I knew what the occasion could be which made her Father send for her Brother in the unfit condition he was in to stir out of his Bed; much more out of his Chamber? and whether I knew what She was sent for about? Yes, Madam, I reply'd, with a deep sigh twice repeated, I can answer all your Demands; but 'twill be less unfit you should receive an account of all those Questions from the King, than from me. But yet, Madam, to obey you as much as I can, I will presume to tell you, That you are now sent for, to be either the most disobedient, or the most un∣just person living; and I have endeavoured to prevent your being ei∣ther: though you are too likely only to find thereby, that your being made so, is rather an effect of my Obedience than Solicitation. By this time we were come to Mithridates's Chamber-door, where

Statira saluting me, with no little trouble in her Countenance, went in, and left me to pursue my first intention of going to Atafernes's Appart∣ment, there to wait the result of her attendance on the King.

I had not above half an hour entertained my self with the Felicities of my then Condition, but the Prince was brought back to his Chamber: and immediately being put to Bed, he commanded all his Servants to leave him and I alone.

The Room was no sooner emptied, than I cast my self on my knees by his Bed-••ide; and there in innumerable Actions and Words, endeavour∣ed to assure him of those Resentments which were above Demonstration. He had the goodness to embrace me, and to assure me, though he had done all he could, yet he had done too little in proportion to the friend∣ship he had for me. He then was pleased to acquaint me, how Mithri∣dates had disclosed his pleasure concerning me to the Princess; how he had particularized all those Services I had done for him, and had paid to her; how Miraculously her intended Nuptials had been broken off; and how when Ascanius was released, she was a Prisoner; and when she was released, he was defeated and kill'd: All which seem'd to evidence the gods were not more concerned in interrupting that Marriage, than in my Services, they seem'd to design me alone to that Glory. That he neither would nor could oppose what was so declaredly their Wills, and therefore whatever my extraction was, my Actions and his Bounty had made me worthy of, and should make me possessor of a Crown; and consequently not unfit for her Acceptance, or his Alliance. That there∣fore he did not only desire her to receive me as her intended Husband, but he enjoined her to do it; and that the more positively, because she was not ignorant who I was, and that my preceding Services had given me no small Title to the subsequent Honour he designed me to. I tell you in brief, continued Callimachus, Generous Princes, what the oblig∣ing Atafernes told me at large; But when he began to relate the Prin∣cesses Answer; The confidence I had in her exact obedience to her Fa∣ther, in her unequalled affection to her Brother, and in that glorious As∣surance when she was to marry Ascanius, which she gave me in these ne∣ver-to-be forgotten Words, I attest the gods, had they made me the di∣stributer of their Rewards, I would place Callimachus in whatever he ambitions, and that without any Reservation; could not secure me from a Fear which invaded me with Confusions; and those in such excess, That the Prince taking notice of them, interrupted his Relation, to en∣quire of me whether I were ill? I told him I was, and till I knew what the Authoress of my Fate had decreed of it, I should be in Horrors, whose visible Effects were the least uneasie part of them. I will then, reply'd, Atafernes, hasten to free you from sufferings in which I sympathize, by telling you, that after Mithridates had done speaking, Statira continu∣ed silent for some time; which made him say, I will not so much doubt your Obedience, as to think I need a verbal Assurance of it. I know you pay me an exact Affection and Duty; and I have enjoined you by both those to observe what I have signified to you.

Within twenty days my Army designed for the Conquest of Galatia and Pamphilia will be moving, and before Callimachus is at the head of it, I have resolved to contract you to him; and when he has subdued that Kingdom, to place you and him in the Throne thereof; Mithridates having done speaking, turned himself to me, and told me; Atafernes, I doubt I have too long detained you from your rest; to which now you

may retire; I leave it to your care to perfect with your Sister, what I have so far advanced for your Friend: I did therefore cause my self to be carried hither, and desired Statira forthwith to follow me, which she assured me she would: I believe she will be immediately here, therefore I would have you withdraw into the next Room, and as soon as I call you, to come hither again; for I am determined before I rest, to make my Sister give you such assurances as shall leave you no grounds to doubt of her Obedience to Mithridates, her Friendship to me, and her esteem of, if not affection for you. I was going again by new Evincements of gratitude to shew him some sense of my Resentments, when I heard the Princess coming: I did therefore hastily retire into my generous Friend's Closet which was contiguous to his Chamber, and had no sooner shut the Door, than Mithridatia came to her Brother's Bed-side; he com∣manded all out of the Chamber, and to let none come in till he Called. The Closet was so near the Bed, That I heard Atafernes thus discourse to his Sister.

The End of the Third Book of the Sixth Part of PARTHENISSA.