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

PARTHENISSA.

THE FIRST PART.

BOOK III.

I Left off the last night in so glorious a p••osperity, that it was hardly capable of accession, but by being un∣capable of Diminution; but alas, all those morning glories were soon clouded: for Parthenissa was so per∣fect, that whereas in other Women, Fancy is the Rule for Beauty, in her, Judgement was; and where there were Eyes to see her, there was a Heart to adore her. In the beginning of my Fortunes, I acquainted you with a Prince of the Parthians, called Surena, whose Person, Extraction, and Parts, render'd him very considerable. This Gentleman one day, saw the fair Parthenissa, and consequently fell in love with her (for that was an unsever'd effect of seeing her) and as all things naturally desire their satisfaction, and pre∣servation, so the wound which those fair eyes had made (though unvo∣luntarily) was too dangerous to delay the cure; he found, after a long debate, that the Fire was too pleasing to be quencht, that the end was so inviting, the way could not be the contrary, although none could heal the wound but she that made it; and to say truth, my Rival had too vi∣olent a flame to conceal it long, and thought it was to be unjust unto himself, to languish without acquainting the Author of his Torments with them, who perhaps, might be as willing to ease him, as he was apprehen∣sive of the contrary. This resolution once assum'd, he conveys a Letter one evening into Parthenissa's Night-cloaths (but by what Art I could not then imagine) pre-supposing she would perceive it there, and so out of curiosity read it. That which made Surena hasten this Essay, was, That the next morning Lindadory being to Hunt a wild Bore, to sacrifice it to Ceres, as an Annual Duty, and having learnt Parthenissa would accompa∣ny her, he imagin'd, that during the Chase, he might discover what effect his Letter had produc'd; for not having the happiness to be known to her, he could take no just pretence, to be inform'd of it at her own house.

The morning destin'd for Hunting being come, and she intending to honour my Sister with her company, I went to wait upon her to Court, and coming something early, I found her not drest; it happen'd too, that when I came in, Zianthe, that waited on Parthenissa, and who was the onely Confident in her Amours, was gone out about some occasion; and my Princess uncovering her Night-Linnen, I perceiv'd Surena's Let∣ter, but not knowing what it was, I told her (Laughing) I see Madam, you have a Servant, besides Artabanes, that dares declare he adores you; for by the place you think fit to give that Paper, I cannot but imagine

'tis sent from some body that has a Passion for you. Parthenissa, who thought it had been some Verses I had made, and hidden there purposely, told me, smiling, I renounce all Servants but Artabanes, and to shew you I am real in what I say, I give you leave to unseal the Letter, and conjure you to read it aloud. And I, conceiving it had been somewhat of Raillery open'd it, and read these ensuing words.

SVRENA to the Princess PARTHENISSA.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 you knew how tedious, and how vast my sufferings have been before I took this confidence of declaring them, you would rather admire so long a silence, than condemn me now for breaking it: neither would I have ever dis∣clos'd my Flame, but have dy'd silently, admiring you, had I not thought this Letter a lesser crime, than by an unlicens'd death, to have depriv'd you of your passionatest Servant. But, Madam, my Reprieve is but short; for if you now reject the faithfullest Heart that ever Love did yet inspire, I shall receive it as your Commands, to decline adoring you, which since I cannot whilst I live, I am resolv'd by death, to obey you, which I shall embrace with joy, if it can produce any in the fair Parthenissa.

O gods! if Thunder had fallen at my feet, my amazement had been far short of what it was at the ending of this Letter, and if silence had been a sign of guilt, I might have thought Parthenissa capable of it: For my part I knew not what to say, to suspect her constancy was a crime too great to enter into my thoughts, and how that Letter was brought in the place I found it, I could as little imagine, but lest my silence might breed in her, a sinister opinion of my belief, I told her. Madam, I hope this experiment will make you acknowledge, that my saying, I had as many Rivals, as be∣holders of you, was rather a Truth than any thing else. I must confess, she answer'd, I had rather believ'd you than have had this witness brought to convince me; but that Truth cannot be greater than my admiration, how this Letter came hither, unless for your diversion you writ it your self, and fixt a name to it, which I believe as little dreams of Love for me, as I do to confer mine on him: And therefore, I beseech you Arta∣banes, rid me of the trouble I am in, by telling me the truth. Madam (I reply'd) by the respect I owe you, I neither writ the Letter, nor ever saw it till now, but I do know the Hand to be Surena's. Upon this as∣surance, I saw her put on a more serious countenance, and having conti∣nued silent a while, she told me, I was, till now, confident, Artabanes, that you should need no other way to reap my Heart, than by my Actions: but now I fear, to continue me in your good opinion, I must make use of Vows, and consequently owe that to your goodness, which I assur'd to my self always to obtain from your Justice. Therefore I swear by all that is most holy, and by our endless Passions, I never knew that Surena lov'd me, nor can fancy how this Letter came to my hands; besides these Pro∣testations, you may imagine, if I had had the perfidious design of recei∣ving any addresses but yours, I would never have disclos'd it my self. I had not the patience to hear her further, and begging her pardon for it, I reply'd, Ah Madam, what do you mean, you could not use me thus, but by esteeming me guilty of believing you unconstant; for the punish∣ment you now impose on me, is too great for any other crime: when you would raise my Faith to credit any thing you speak, if you make use of Vows, or imagine there can be a higher reason to induce my belief,

than your commanding it, you do me as great an injury, as I should do your Virtue, or my own Felicity, could I think you capable of change; neither can I be more certain that your eyes conquer whosoever they look upon, than I am, that your generous Mind despises every Victory, but that over the too too happy Artabanes. Truly (said she) if there be an obligation in doing Justice, I now received one from you, and must increase the score, by beseeching your advice, how to suppress this growing flame, with such secresie, that none may know it liv'd, but we that know 'tis dead; for if I do not answer him, he may feed him∣self with hope; and if I do, I then acquaint him that I know his Passion, and though my return be never so cold, he may impute it to a wrong cause, and so that which we elect for the extinction of his Passion, may prove the nouriture. As I was about to answer her, Zianthe came in, of whom Parthenissa ask'd very strictly, how that Letter came, where 'twas found, who seem'd to wonder at the accident, as much as we, and upon her as∣surance of endeavouring to discover the Actor, we gave over any fur∣ther enquiry of it, and apply'd our selves, how to remedy the business, and to ease the fair Parthenissa of it; I undertook so to manage this new Love, as I would free her from any future trouble by it. Zianthe, who imagin'd I would elect that course, which all Rivals use, to rid them∣selves of their competitors, presently told her softly, that she foresaw I would decide this difference by a Duel, which could not but be fatal to her, which soever way Fortune inclin'd: For if Artabanes prov'd victo∣rious, the strict inhibitions the King had so often reiterated against Du∣els (though it were his own Son that fought them) and the powerful prosecution of Surenas's Friends, will, if he escape not the hands of Justice, assuredly bring his Head upon the Scaffold; or if he do, then a perpetual banishment will inevitably follow, and you must not expect, that his be∣ing the first Prince of the Blood, will be any Title to hope for a sparing of his; on the other side, if Surena's Sword prove victorious, you cannot any way fancy the greatness of your grief, but by comparing it to that of your loss, and which soever way the chance does fall, you must come upon the Stage, and then you are at the mercy of any that will blemish your Reputation, which though unjustly taxed, is of so pure a tincture, the stain will never be effac'd. These reasons of Zianthe's, and many others of the like quality, were so prevalent with Parthenissa, that she came to me, and conjur'd me by the strictest tyes she could invent, not to take any notice to Surena of his Letter, which if I did, she would esteem it as an argument I suspected her constancy needed my help, and she ambiti∣on'd I should derive the entire possession of her Affection, onely from Her, and not from my Sword: Besides (she continued) what greater punishment can you inflict upon your Rival, than to see him deny'd what you so absolutely possess; and if his Perseverance be great, my Ri∣gor shall not be inferior to it, which will render him an object fitter for pity, than your hatred. Many other reasons she alledg'd, and after all she would not quit her Chamber, till I had faithfully promis'd to obey her. Immediately after we went to prosecute our intended sport. That day Surena seem'd to accompany the Prince Phraates, but it was indeed, to wait an occasion, to know what effect his Letter had produc'd. The assurance I had in Parthenissa's Vertue and Affection, made me further all I could, my Rivals designe, that she might find my confidence was more in her, than in my self. But I easily saw, that Surena did not more endeavour to meet her, than she to avoid him, yet at last in a narrow lane, where 'twas im∣possible

to do so any longer, I saw him fall into discourse with her, but being at too great a distance, I could not hear it, yet I perceived by some passionate gestures, he was very earnest in what he said, but after a quar∣ter of an hours time, the company parted them, and I easily read in his looks his success. The Sun by his declining, warn'd the Hunters to retire, and Parthenissa, accompanying my Sister to her Lodgings, begg'd her, that we might be private, and then having acquainted her with my Ri∣vals Letter, she told me, You remember Artabanes, the long narrow lane we rid through, it was there where Surena overtook me, and if he deri∣ved any pleasure from his entertainment, he owed it not to my inclinati∣on, but my necessity. After a few indifferent discourses, he told me, with some disorder, I perceive, Madam, by your shunning of me, that my Letter, which declared my Passion, is fallen into your hands, and I now find my apprehensions were not unjustly grounded. Sir, (said I) I must confess this morning I found a Letter in my Chamber, which I burnt, if it were, as you say, a declaration of your passion, would that were also reduc'd to that nothing the Paper is. Ah Madam (he reply'd) can you be so resembling to the gods in Beauty, and not in disposition? for they are never offended with a Heart which does adore them with that devoti∣on, which mine does you: if it be a crime for me to love you, then it is a sin for you to be so lovely: and if my Flame be an offence, you must quar∣rel with your perfections, which are the causes of it. If your Passion (I reply'd) be so great as you say it is, I must then believe your imagina∣tion, not your judgement, attributes those perfections to me which has rais'd it, for Beauty being but Fancy, you may perswade those, which otherwise would tax your choice, that you pereive as many perfections in me, as I know I want, but lest your affection may prove a deceitful optick, my Charity shall put you in the right way, which is to decline your addresses to me, for besides my great want of merit, I am as rigid as the perfectest of my Sex, therefore, I beseech you, owe this cure to your Reason, and not to Time. Madam (he answer'd) 'tis Reason gave the wound, and neither Time nor your Disdain, shall ever make me alter the resolution I have so justly assum'd, you may as easily hope to separate Light from the Sun, as my Heart from that Passion which possesses it: no, fair Par∣thenissa, I am resolv'd, if I cannot be Loves Favourite, I will be his Martyr, and if your Scorns cannot extinguish my Desires, the coldness of the Grave shall never triumph over them, but the gods will preserve so pure a Flame a live, to be a pattern for future Lovers to imitate. Sir, (said I) so much affection deserves all that I can return, which is my Friendship, and that again conjures you not to cast away so noble a Passion on one that must be necessarily ungrateful, for that which you desire I have given to another, and were it in my Power to recall it, it is not in my Will. I hope this will shew you with how much justice I intreat you not to ingage your self in so ruinous a design, for should I now confer on you my Love, and you receive it, your indiscretion will be as great as you would perswade me your passion is, for my constancy, (the cause of your contentment) would be always the occasion of your fear. Ah Madam (he reply'd) would to the gods you were but yet pleased to bless me with your Affection, for then the joy would be so absolute, that I should onely have the Power to contemplate it, and not how I came to the fruiti∣on of it. But Madam, I am too bold to hope for any pleasing answer, till my Services assure the vastness of my Passion. I bless this hour, that gave me opportunity of telling you of it, and that your Rigor

cannot be greater than my perseverance. Thereupon (without sta••ing for an answer) he went away; But I impute those words (she continu'd) to the first flame of Love, which commonly is the most violent: For my part, I am resolv'd to wear so much coldness on those actions which re∣late to him, that if he have that spirit men believe, I am confident 'twill change his love into resentment. Madam (my sister reply'd) I foresee many sad accidents will oppose your loves, if by a speedy overture un∣to your friends you do not consummate a Nuptial; What should divert you from that election? Your Flames are too virtuous and too just not to be owned; and being so, who will oppose them; this declaration will silence all Rivals growing Loves, and make your happiness as sure as 'twill be great. Ah Sister (I answer'd) 'tis true, our Passions are so pure, they know not a comparison; but yet my Father (whose commands I re∣ceiv'd last night) will, I am fearful, resist this vast felicity; for as soon as I had left you, he sent for me to wait on him, which I did, and after he had walked two or three turns without speaking one word, he at last told me: Artabanes, The gods having given me the blessings of a son, I have found so high an one in it, that I shall enjoin you to endeavor to partake of the like contentment; I should think my death as full of contentment as my life has been of honor, could I see you matcht in a Family that might assure me you should have a successor wor∣thy of ours: To effect this has been long my care, and never till now could accomplish it: It is but lately I had a motion made me, which I much approve; 'tis the Princess Zephalinda (Surena's Sister) whose Vir∣tues, Beauty, Person, and Blood, assures me you will think your self highly satisfi'd with such a Marriage, at least I shall be. I must confess this de∣claration did infinitely surprize me; but least he should guess the true cause of my astonishment, I told him: In the first place Sir, as I cannot but return my humble thanks for your care, so I must not but acquaint you, that I am not ignorant of how high a concernment Marriage is, be∣ing happiness or misery, till death dissolves the knot; and since Felicity is onely opinion, there is none can prescribe positive rules for the making it; but every man must be his own judge; contentment something resem∣bling mens tastes; that which is pleasing to one, to another may be poy∣son. The consequence being so great, and the choice not to be made by Proxy, I shall beseech you give me leave to learn whether that Princess be possessor of such perfectious as may assure me of such happiness: this nothing but time can do; and if she appears not such to me as she does to you, I will then acquaint you with it, and hope you will not compel me to make her and my self miserable. As I am (said he) Artabanes in∣dulgent to you, so I expect that you be obedient unto me; and then he withdrew himself into his Closet. This was the substance of his pro∣posal, and my return to it, for I did not hold it fit to acquaint him with my Passion till first we had advis'd together: for I perceiv'd by his last words how his inclination stood, and I too well knew how difficult he is to be removed when he has once taken up a resolution not to be so. Then I besought Parthenissa to honor me with her advice, since I had put all that was dear unto me to her ordering. To which she told me. Moneses hu∣mor (which I am absolutely ignorant of) being the chief thing in this affair, by which we are to be guided, makes me as unfit to advise; as your knowledge of it renders you most capable. Madam, (I reply'd) that my Father is resolv'd to be obey'd is not more certain, than that I am determin'd the contrary, for in this case obedience is a crime, so that

the end being now resolv'd, we have nothing to advise upon but the means that may best conduce unto it. Which in my opinion Madam (said Lindadory) is, that Artabanes, make some seeming addresses to Zephalin∣da (for Moneses is sooner vanquish'd by yielding than resistance) and doubtless she cannot be so perfect (especially being compar'd with the fair Parthenissa) but he may find some defect in her person or hu∣mour, which may make his declining her appear an effect of his judge∣ment, not disobedience: for if my Father find his refusal of serving her, roceeds from his being possest with a Passion for another, he will impute my Brothers deserting Zephalinda to his Pre-ingagement; and then I am so well acquainted with his disposition, that it will be impossible to alter it. Thus by concealing your Flames a little longer, you may attain that happiness which by a speedy declaring of them, may receive many ob∣structions, if not an absolute ruine. Madam (said Parthenissa to Linda∣dory) I much apprehend if Artabanes can have no other inducements to obtain Moneses's permission of declining Zephalinda, and making his ad∣dresses to me, than her imperfections, and my having none, that the ar∣gument may be justly reverted by your Father, who may more aptly apply that to Zephalinda, which your goodness confers on me. My Princess (I reply'd) there could be no greater joy befall me than that Moneses were to consider both with the eyes of justice, and that I were to possess his election, you will then quickly find how injurious to your self modesty has been, and how vast a felicity his judgement will confer on me. I have (said Parthenissa) so good an opinion of yours, that I will banish those apprehensions the knowledge of my own defects do raise in me; and they being supprest, I have nothing to say against the fair Lindadory's advice. 'Tis not enough (I reply'd) that you have nothing to say against it, but if you will have it observ'd (Madam) you must strictly enjoin it me, for I have so great a reluctancy to that action, that it must be some powerfull Charm as your Commands which can make me undertake it. Since (reply'd Parthenissa) the performance is so necessary, and that you assure me the onely means that must enable you to do it, is my Commands, I do enjoin you it, but my affections make me (I fear) uncharitable to Zephalinda, by wishing, you may quickly find as many defects in her, as I desire perfections to merit your esteem. Madam (I reply'd) the first of your wishes is as unnecessary as the last; for when Zephalinda is to be paralell'd to you, it would be as difficult to find no imperfections in her, as to find any in you. Having taken this resolution, I began to apply my self to put it in practice; and that which gave me some probability of its suc∣cess was, that Zephalinda had as much aversion to Love, as Beauty to create it. The first addresses I made her, were receiv'd with a coldness proportionate to her practice and my desires. But I must confess, I contributed as much as I could to it, and apprehended nothing so much, as that which most men in Parthia would have esteem'd their highest Felicity. I know not whether that which I intended as the means to want her affection, pro∣cured it: for I have been told, that some Women, where they find but an indifferency, make it their design to bring it to an extreme; and so mens coldness does often ingender their Flame: But whatsoever was the cause, I began too soon to perceive that which I too much fear'd; and knowing now she once honor'd me with her affection, it would be difficult if not impossible any longer to conceal mine; I resolv'd forthwith to acquaint Parthenissa with it, who I found exceedingly satisfied with the ingenuity of my proceeding, and by the greatness of her contentment for an action

she could but in justice expect; I somewhat believ'd she had a diffidence, whether that which was begun as a pretence, were not turn'd into a re∣ality; having once taken up this opinion, I cast out some words which might give her a rise to conceive it, and she who had as piercing an in∣spection as any Creature was capable of, soon conceiv'd my suspitions, and as readily acknowledg'd the justice of them, but with words so apt∣ly appropriated to her design, that she made that little jealousie the high∣est obligation she could place on me, as proceeding from a proportionate Passion: and to say truth, Zephalinda was capable of shaking a constancy less firm than mine; for besides her Beanty, which was fitter for wonder than description, she had a freeness and a grace in all her action, peculiar to herself, and surpast by none but Parthenissa; her wit and virtue were resembling unto all her other qualities, and (in a word) she enjoy'd so many perfections, that had I not been prepossest with a former Passion, I had esteem'd hers as great a happiness as I then thought it a misfortune. But perceiving by Parthenissa's words, that she had contracted some little diffidence of me, and knowing that where there is once a jealousie, eve∣ry thing contributes to the growth of it; I told her, Madam, since I find, that there may be an ill construction made of that which I under∣took but by your commands, I am resolv'd with your permission (which I humbly beg) to take away all occasion of such a misfortune; for being innocent I would not look like guilty. The way, Madam, which I would propound, is, freely to acquaint Zephalinda with our Passions; and truly I have discover'd so much virtue and discretion in her since my feign'd addresses, that my duty to them, if not you, would confine me to this; and which proceeding will not onely take off her resentment for what is past, but invite her assistance in the future, and that in my opinion can in no way be so effectually done, as by obtaining from her to use me with a disdain so unsufferable that my declining her may appear as just to my Father as it will be necessary to me. Parthenissa would not grant my desire, till first she had received reiterated assurances from me, that I made it, not to satisfie her suspition, which my expressions had not done sufficiently, but as I held it a justice to Zephalinda, and the best way in order to our affairs. This was no sooner fixt upon, than I apply'd my self to out an opportunity to act it: and not many dayes after, I lighted upon one, such as I desir'd; for going to wait upon Zephalinda, I found her alone in her Closet, where (having shut the door) I flung my self at her feet, and told her, Madam, I know not with what face I shall disclose a secret to you, neither do I well know how I can longer conceal it: Your goodness makes me desire to tell it, and the same goodness makes me a asham'd to do so; but since persevering in my crime, will make the mercy I beg of you an injustice, I will no longer conceal it. 'Tis Madam, though I have made my addresses unto you, I have given my heart and liberty to Parthenissa; I was forc'd to this crime to obey Moneses, and disguise a Passion as great as the offence by which I did so; but that which some∣what extenuates my sin is, that as soon as I had the honor to know you, I made my self known unto you, and as a testimony of the high and just opinion I have of your virtue, the same instant in which I declar'd I have injur'd you, I trust you with the power to punish it; my ignorance of you made me commit my crime, and my knowledge of you makes my pennance, which I am confident is more severe than your justice can be. The gods shall bear me witness, had I not been preingag'd, I should have implor'd the joy of your affection with raptures as worthy the felicity,

and I do ill deserve it; but since it was otherwise destin'd, give me leave to conjure you to convert your affection into friendship; I am ca∣pable of that, though not worthy of it; and since I cannot give you the first place in my heart, permit me to give you an equal one in my esteem: This Madam is the condition, and this is the request of the crimi∣nal Artabanes; who can hardly have the confidence to beg your pardon, because he knows himself unworthy of it; and having so highly wrong'd your goodness, must not expect that for his satisfaction you will wrong your justice. Though I know this discourse did trouble her, yet she conceal'd hers with so much art, that I almost doubted what I was certain of; but judging by my silence that I expected an answer, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as∣sur'd me, she would not give i•• till I were risen, in which I obey'd her, and then she told me, That you have obtain'd a Mistress, Artaban••••, more worthy of you than I am, shall always be my satisfaction, and not my trouble; if I have receiv'd your counterfeit Flame, 'twas because you as∣sur'd me it would create your felicity; and if I paid you a reall one, 'twas a duty to your merit; but since I lov'd you more than my self, and that the declining of my affection will be more pleasing than the continuance; the same consideration which made me give it you, will reduce me to recall it, yet I could wish you had never rais'd it, or that you had ap∣ply'd some other cure for its suppression; but I hope I shall be so much Mistress of my inclinations, as if they have an existence, yet they shall be invisible; and if they must trouble any, it shall be Zephalinda onely, Who believing your professions before her no title to them, too soon en∣tertain'd a hope of that, which 'twere an injustice to confer upon her: for that friendship which you beg, it shall be pay'd you, with a con∣stancy and zeal worthy the object; and I will value yours at so high a rate, that I shall esteem it almost a sufficient reparation for that pleasing happiness you have robb'd me of. Ah! Madam (I reply'd) can you so soon pardon, and so soon oblige? Will you then allow no interval be∣tween my fault and your reward? If any thing could make me think my being Parthenissa's misfortune this would; but my condition is such, that the breath I should spend in the expressions of my gratitude, I must employ in begging you to increase the causes of it; 'tis Madam, that you would henceforth use me in publick with your highest scorn; This my unwor∣thiness and your resentment may quickly lead you to; and upon this de∣pends my future joy; but if you should entertain me so in private, 'twould blast all my happiness, and destroy what it should build; for by the know∣ledge of your virtues, I find your friendship is as necessary to my content∣ment as Parthenissa's love. I know not (said Zephalinda) to what intent you mean this; but if it be to delude the World, the action will be so op∣posite to my inclination, that my ill counterfeiting will reveal what you would strive to hinder. Then (I reply'd) I am undone, and to make my ruine more sensible, 'tis by the greatest virtue that ever was possest: but even now I suspected your resentment would ruine me, now I find your goodness will: for justice to condemn is common, but for friendship to destroy, is a fate onely fit for the crime of Artabanes, who is so unfortu∣nate, that virtue loses its nature where he is concern'd. Zephalinda ex∣tremely perplext to see me in so great a trouble, told me, if by any acti∣on of mine I may convert your disorder into as great a joy, assure your self Artabanes, I will force my inclination to an obeying of you, and no∣thing but an impossibility shall hinder me from it; therefore I conjure you acquaint me for what great advantage you would imploy my friendship,

in a thing so inconsistent with it. Madam (said I) my Father, who knows your merit, has so strictly enjoyn'd me to serve you, that if by any fault of mine I should decline adoring you, I must expect all that his in∣dignation can inflict on me, and lose the hopes of possessing Parthenissa by his consent: your scorn may make the discontinuance of my addres∣ses to you appear a kind of justice to him, and so incline him to listen to my making them to Parthenissa. You see by this how much I am therein concern'd, and by it too, how much I do respect you, for sooner than the world should say I forsook the fair Zephalinda, I had rather give it so strong a testimony of my unworthiness, as her neglect. Alas Arta∣banes (she answer'd) I had rather the world should think you just by deserting me, than give it so infallible an argument of my want of judge∣ment as to decline your Passion; but since your happiness depends so much upon my counterfeiting scorn, I will endeavor to build your joy by the ruine of my own, and care not what men do think of me, so you thereby obtain the happy Parthenissa. Judge Sir! if ever there were a higher generosity than this of Zephalinda's: instead of revenging an injury, she pardons it, instead of punishing an offender she obliges him, and so much to her own prejudice, that to establish her Rivals content∣ment she ruines (by her confession) her own. I must confess her virtue had so great an ascendant over me, that I had almost deplor'd the hopes of my own felicity, since they were so likely to ruine those of hers. You may easily guess, I left her with as high a satisfaction of her virtue as I was troubl'd at the necessity of being ungrateful to it. As soon as I came to Parthenissa I gave her by my relation so just a cause of affection to Ze∣phalinda, that from that hour she vow'd her the second place in hers. and in process of time, they contracted so firm a friendship, that though her Brother were highly concern'd in the breaking off Parthenissa's affe∣ction and mine, yet she was not onely our Confident but our Counsel∣lor, and discharg'd both with such secrecy and judgement, that we knew not which was most meritorious. But this friendship could hardly be greater than that which Arsaces had for Surena, which did every day so clearly manifest it self, that the Courtiers ador'd him as the rising Sun, and found the onely way to obtain any thing from the King, was to be promis'd it by his favorite, who truly (setting the imperiousness of his humour aside) which doubtless he had whilst he courted the Kings favour, he had charms hardly to be resisted: Neither could Arsaces's af∣fection to the Brother be greater, than the scorns I receiv'd in publick were from the Sister, which at first she personated so well, that I was con∣strain'd often to wait upon her in private, to learn whether that which we design'd for a fiction were not metamorphos'd into its contrary; but at last she acted them as a task, and so constrain'd, that her behaviour seem'd to condemn me of that unkindness which her modesty would not per∣mit her words to do. But one evening I receiv'd a testimony of her friendship proportionate to that Character she had given me of it; 'Twas a little note which she convey'd into my hand, and though many were present, yet it was so artificially that 'twas impossible any could take notice of it. The words were these:

ZEPHALINDA to AR∣TABANES.

SUrena has not onely discover'd where you love, but that you are lov'd again, he is resolv'd whilst you seemingly make your addresses to me, to make his real ones to Parthenissa, and gain the King of his party, This you cannot resent as an injury from either, having publiquely declar'd a Passion to one, for whom you have none. You had best therefore suddenly break off the false, and manifest the true Flame; before Arsaces appear too openly for your Rival, who then may look on your affection, as a contempt to his authority. Tell me Artabanes, does not the betraying of a Brother, the advancing of my Rivals, and the ruining of my own hopes, at least, deserve your friendship, and yet that is all I demand, since the impossibility of expecting more, would be as great, as the sin of doing so.

AS soon as I had done reading these few lines, I communicated them to my Princess, who did not onely much approve of the advice, but more of the gallantry of her that gave it. The same night I waited upon Zephalinda, and taking an opportunity, I made her Parthenissa's, and my own retributions, for so unimitable a friendship; but time being exceeding precious, and there being then with Zephalinda, Surena, Silla∣ces, Lindadory, Parthenissa, and many others, the chiefest of the Court, I resolv'd no longer to delay that which was design'd between us, and ha∣ving privately advertis'd Zephalinda of my intention, I began a discourse of the importunity of Lovers, as a Rise to effect it; The subject was so copious, that there wanted no matter of entertainment, but that we in∣sisted upon most, was occasion'd by Zephalinda's saying, that she admir'd at those, who when their Mistresses declar'd they could not love them, would yet continue their loves: as if importunity could ingender Affecti∣on. To which Surena, as believing himself most concern'd, reply'd: I should (Sister) have an ill opinion of that General, who designing to take a Town, would, upon its refusal to yield at the summoning, raise his Camp, and march away: 'Tis just so in this case, what our desires can∣not perform, perseverance must, and since modesty and practice does al∣low Women at first to deny their Servants, 'twould be a great want of discretion to take that for their disdain, which is but their Passion. Ma∣dam (said I) there may be something more added in this particular, for since by daily experience we find, that a high Passion ingenders a pro∣portionate Scorn, the first giving the Power, if not the Cause unto the last, why may not we as well expect that an opportunity may beget an affection, the difference being but equally great? That which you say (answer'd Zephalinda) is a clear mistake, for certainly never any Woman hated a Man for loving her, but she having some aversion to the person, he imputes it to his Flame; but to that which my Brother says, I must confess I think it a madness, where there is an affection to abandon it upon the first refusal, but sometimes Men are apt to give our bashfulness a longer being, than indeed it has, and have so good an opinion of them∣selves, that they often call that which is our aversion, our modesty, and

by making us better natur'd than we are, trouble themselves more than they should: for my part, I would deal ingeniously with my Lovers (if I had any) and tell them what is modesty; and what is aversion, that they may owe their suffering to themselves, and not to me, for I think it a Tyran∣ny to make Mens Torments the witnesses of my Beauty. I must confess, Madam (I reply'd) if all your Sex would practice what you declare, we should have as much cause to admire their goodness, as their beauties, but that which deludes many, is, that some Women have hated two or three years, sometimes more, and then at last have loved those, whom they so long slighted; and though examples of this quality be very rare, yet some proving the possibility of it, every one flatters himself with a belief it may be his fate; just as in War, where though but one amongst a hundred thousand raises himself from a common Soldier to a General, yet the success of that one, does raise more expectations, than the miscarriages of so many others doe deject. Besides Madam (said Sillaces) other Wo∣men, whose beauties have not charms so strong, but their Rigor may prove their Lovers cure, do often hold on their Servants by expectation, and so by Art supply the unkindness of Nature, but where so many perfections reign, as you are Mistress of, that declaration which you would have pass as an excess of goodness (and perhaps mean it so) may appear as high a mark of your power; for knowing your servants to be surely charm'd, you may well advise them to assume their liberty, and they be no more oblig'd to you for it, than when a Gally-slave is bid by his Keeper to get free, and yet is still kept fast in Chains. I should too much trespass on your patience, did I tell you all the particulars of that entertainment, I will therefore onely acquaint you, that some words were spoken, which gave me a fit opportunity to beg Zephalinda, that since she had made a decla∣ration of dealing clearly with her Servants, in what related to her reso∣lutions concerning them, she would give me my sentence, by acquaint∣ing me what return that Passion, I so justly paid her, might expect. Tru∣ly Artabanes (she answer'd with a gesture as full of disdain in appearance, as it was obliging in effect) I thought my actions would have exempted my words from that trouble, but since you will have it in as much plain∣ness as reality, you must know, I cannot receive your passion, but if my saying will be a diminution of your grief, that it proceeds not from any defect in you, or from any aversion to you in particular, but out of a ge∣neral aversion to Love, I may very truly profess it. Ah Madam, (I reply'd) you are cruel in thinking to be merciful, and at once load me with so much misery, that I must sink under the burthen: You should have prepar'd me by degrees for my ruine, and thereby have lessen'd it, at least of one misery, which is the suddenness and unexpectedness of it: But Madam, do not think that my discontent is of so mean a nature, that the consideration of the cause, can lessen the effect: No, fair Zephalinda, that with which you would console me, does but augment my Torments, for had you been capable of Love, I should by Zeal and Sufferings have had some expectation to have cre∣ated yours, but this general hatred to the sweetest Passion, cuts off all ex∣pectation, and leaves me as full of misery, as my ambition for so high a flame can merit: but Madam, may not I fear some conceal'd love is the cause of this cruelty, or that some happier, or more deserving Man, may make you alter this ruinous resolution? Neither of both (said Ze∣phalinda) I attest the higher Powers, that were I to have any man, it should be Artabanes, but not having him, I vow by the domestick gods,

that listen to my oath, never to marry any other, and I conjure you by your own quiet as well as mine, to speak to me no more of Love, nor con∣ceal for me any, lest you force me to that aversion for you, which no∣thing but your perseverance can render legitimate; carry that noble Flame unto some other object, whose antipathy to Love may not so blind her Judgement, as to refuse your Passion, which I shall pray may be successful, and that your Felicity may be equal to your merit; But if instead of my affection, you will receive my friendship, I do ingage my self to pay it you, and shall endeavour by the perfectness of that, to repair the deficiency of the other. Ah Madam (I reply'd) all the consolation you then give me, is, that every one that dares offer you his Heart; shall be cloath'd in my Livery: but to make my torment per∣fect, my sufferings proceed from one that at the same instant in which she professes her self my friend, ruines me; yet I shall strive by my obe∣dience, to manifest how ill I did deserve my misfortune, and since ma∣king my self perfectly wretched, must be an argument of that Truth, I attest the self-same Powers, which even now you invok'd, never to im∣portune you any more with my Passion; but by silencing or transport∣ing it unto some other object, take from us both the trouble, the conti∣nuance of it would create: but the high honor of your friendship I embrace with a joy proportionate to the vastness of the benefit, and will pay you mine, with a constancy, as great as you assure me your aver∣sion is to love. Who could express the astonishment of Surena, at this profession? his endeavours truly were so pressing, to alter his Sisters re∣solution, that it sufficiently revealed his concern in it; but all was in vain, for after those protestations, we remain'd unchangeable. This busi∣ness thus handled, was, for a good while, the entertainment of the Court, and made Surena so to hasten Arsaces to appear for him, that though an unexpected accident fell out, which much contributed to the publique, declaring my self a Servant to Parthenissa, yet before I could effect it, Surena obtain'd from the King a visit to her in his favour, which did exceedingly perplex our affairs, and forc'd me to mannage my Flame with as secresie a troublesome as great; but that which I told you, did so much advance my being at liberty to profess my Passion to my Princess, was, that my Father, either out of the knowledge of the World, and consequently of the emptiness of it, or else not be∣ing able to see Surena in higher Power than himself, forsook the Court, and resigning up his Estate and Offices to me, retir'd into a Solitude, where under a seeming banishment from all Earthly Fruiti∣ons, he more perfectly enjoyed them, and either out of a dis-af∣fection to Surena, or out of his indulgence to me, he gave me the free Election of my Mistriss, and then (as I told you) withdrew him∣self from those cares, which take away the relish of all our Enjoy∣ments. But Moneses could not more contemn the vanities of the Court, than Surena was in love with them, he had nothing but succeeded as he desir'd, unless it were his Passion, in which (though he neglected no opportunity, nor omitted to make use of his Masters Pow∣er) his progress was so slow, that it clouded all his other pleasures; and by his daily frequentation of Parthenissa discovering new charms, it made his misfortune the more unsupportable; For my part, though I had those publique advantages of entertaining her freely, and the Kings Power and Countenance to second my addresses, yet in those happy days I receiv'd in private so many fresh assurances of my Princesses af∣fection

and constancy, that I could hardly wish my Rival a greater mi∣sery than the continuance of his. In this condition I was, when Fortune began to declare an irreconcileable hatred to me, in which she has been so firm, that I admire from whence she has merited the name of Inconstant. The Province of Tabiena, one of the most considerable ones of Parthia, generally revolted, and the Rebels having, in a pitcht Battel, defeated the Kings Lieutenant, and kill'd 10000 upon the place, so exasperated Arsaces, that he rais'd an Army of 80000 Men, to vindicate this disgrace, and till it was upon its march, never would declare who should be General; but then with a high obligingness, he told me, that he had made choice of me, as well to follow his Inclination as Judgement, that I must perform Mira∣cles, onely to justify the opinion he had of me, and that the next morn∣ing by the dawn of day, as I valu'd his service, I was to repair unto my Command. I must confess I was surpriz'd, both at the thing, and at the suddenness of it, but since 'twas the way to serve my Prince, and to Glo∣ry, I supprest all those troubles which my separation from Parthenissa be∣gan to create, and having with an humility sutable to the obligation, accepted the Kings Commission, I went that evening to kiss the fair Par∣thenissa's hands, and to offer up those sighs, which that sad departure so justly exacted; but not finding her within, I expected her return, and till then, I entertain'd Zianthe, my Princesses Favourite, who after some dis∣course, drawing her Handkerchief, let fall a Letter out of her pocket, and perceiving it seal'd, I snatcht it up, more out of curiosity, than any other design, as soon as she saw I had it, she begg'd me with so much earnestness, and in such pressing terms to restore it, that I began to suspect it was some∣thing of concernment, and finding the Superscription a Cypher onely, I broke open the Letter, thinking it had been some private Amours of hers; but alas,, soon found it was Surenas Hand, which Zianthe imagining by my amazement, she gave a great shreek, and flinging her self at my feet; with her hands held up, conjur'd me to restore, and not read it; but be∣ing thrust on by my ill Fate, I kept her off, and read these words;

SVRENA to the Princess PARTHENISSA.

YOur apprehensions, Madam, are extream just, for if Artabanes should discover the change you have made in my favour, his revenge would be equal to the greatness of his loss: I therefore highly approve of your opinion in employing him to command the Army now design'd for the suppression of the rebellious Tabienians, and in observance of it, have got the King to sign his Commission, and strictly to enjoyn him to repair to his Charge by the break of day, his absence will give us that liberty, which his being here will deprive us of, and consequently render unfortunate,

SVRENA.

Oh gods! how many thousand distractions did the reading of this Let∣ter involve me in! I that resented the torments, cannot describe them, at first I was pale as Guilt, and an universal trembling seiz'd upon all my Bo∣dy, yet presently, the consideration of all my wrongs inflam'd me with so much fury, that had Parthenissa then come in, I had sacrific'd her to it. But at length I cry'd out, great gods! where shall Virtue inhabit, if Par∣thenissa be not a fit Mansion for it? and who shall ever expect a recom∣pence

for his Fidelity, when mine is thus rewarded? then looking upon that cruel instrument of my undoing; I told her. Ha! Zianthe: how could you thus long conceal this Treachery? Sure Parthenissa's wicked∣ness is contageous, else your pity (if all other motives had fail'd) would have made you disclose what the just gods could no longer conceal. The wretched Maid finding my Choler rais'd to the highest pitch, flung her self again at my feet, and with a flood of Tears told me. The conceal∣ment (Sir) of your being so long betray'd, was as great a grief to me, as the knowledge of it is to you, but I could not reveal that treachery with∣out being guilty of one to Parthenissa, and drawing by it a ruine on her as certain as just. My innocence shall bear me witness, how I labour'd to divert her from an action so perfidious, but when I found all was in vain, I was forced to submit to what I could not oppose, yet with a grief, which equalled the greatness of her crime; but since the gods have so evidently declared themselves in revealing a treachery so secretly carried, I think it rather a Charity than a Sin to acquaint you with that which I hope will prove your cure. After that Surena began to possess the Kings esteem, I found a beginning of a coldness in Parthenissa for you, and something of inclination for your Rival, which increast proportionably, as Arsaces favour did, and that being come unto the highest degree, this resembl'd it; in a word, I cannot compare the greatness of her passion to him more fitly, than to that she formerly paid you: but perhaps you may wonder why they should write to one another, having the opportunity and free∣dom of conversation. To which I answer'd, Surena was suspicious, that all Parthenissa did profess in his favour, was but meerly to gain time, and to free her self from the Kings importunities, who never left solliciting for his Favourite; Now he knew, Letters were a proof that she could not deny, when she might her words, therefore he put her to that tryal, and besides, he shewed them to the King, as an evincement of his victory, which as he said, Arsaces would not credit, but by some such undeniable testimony. Things being come to this height, all their designes were, how to delude you, which truly they were so industrious in, that I have as often admir'd at Parthenissa's Art in dissembling, as at her treachery it self. Amongst all those Presents which Surena sent her, she places on none so much value, as on a little pocket Looking Glass, which of late you have seen her wear; and though the excellency of the Workmanship might induce her to value it, yet the esteem she places on it, proceeds from another cause, for between the Glass and the Case, in a little Draw∣er, which is artificially shut with a screw, there is her Lovers Picture; and, as if all things had contributed to undelude you, yesternight some∣thing being amiss in it, she left it off to be mended. Zianthe without straying to know whether I had a mind to see it, went and fetcht it, to shew the truth of what she had alledged. The Glass I very well remem∣ber'd, having seen Parthenissa lately wear it, and set even a doting value on it; but the rage of being so egregiously deluded, stifl'd those resent∣ments my fury inspir'd, which silence Zianthe attributing to my attenti∣on, she thus continued her discourse. I have, Sir, given you a clear Nar∣rative of my Mistresses Infidelity, which indeed, is so excessive great, that I hope you will think it a sufficient happiness to have mist her, and your Rival sufficiently punisht in obtaining her; in my opinion, the crime is so odious, that with the first opportunity I will abandon her service, and think it more contentment to have but a bare subsistance, where in∣nocence is cherisht, than to possess all the plenties of the Court, where

Vice has so much dominion: all that I have to beg of you is, that you will make the best profit of this discovery, without revealing the Author of it, for it can be no advantage to you, and will be an unavoidable ruine unto me. Zianthe thus ended her discourse, and filld' me with so much fury, that without saying one word, I left her: but as I was going out, I met a Servant of Surena's, who mistaking me for one of Parthenissa's meni∣al ones, desir'd me to tell Zianthe, that her Princess lay that night at Su∣rena's with Zephalinda, and that he was come to wait on her thither. This additional proof of her inconstancy, made me say to my self: Is she then not onely contented to be wicked, but to glory in't? and has she no sooner led me into misery, than she forsakes and insults over me? but yet (I continu'd) why do I blame this action, for since she has stain'd her Beauty with infidelity, 'tis an obligation to me not to hide it. Then, with∣out so much as answering Surena's servant, I went to my Lodging, but in such a posture, that had I met with any, betwixt that place where I recei∣ved so fatal a poison, and my Chamber, my actions had discover'd my condition. Being come home, I flung my self into my Bed, and by a thousand extravagancies, exprest the miseries I groan'd under; at first I re∣solv'd to kill my self, having so much out-lived my hopes, but the hor∣ror of so barbarous a crime, and to leave the world without revenge, retain'd me. Then casting up my Eyes to Heaven, my Tears invok'd that Justice my rage hinder'd my words from demanding. At length I cry'd out, Great gods! Why do you tempt frail Man, so justly to destroy himself, and yet make it a sin to do so? Or why is life esteem'd a blessing, when without it we could not suffer misery? Then pausing a while, and after starting up, I continu'd; Ah! no, were to destroy my self no sin, I would not do it: First, those that have injur'd me, shall dye, and then the triumph of my revenge will be pleasing: Yet Parthenissa must not fall, her Sex preserves her; but to kill her Lover, will be a more sensible grief to her, and consequently, a more pleasing joy to me. But couldst thou, (I continu'd) Artabanes, look upon her with any satisfaction, were her miseries proportionate to her crimes? O no, those charms would melt thy anger into pity, rather kill thy Rival nobly, and shew by his de∣struction, how much she has mis-chosen; then fly into some Desart, where thou shalt never hear again th' enchanting name of Parthenissa; and in the horror of some silent Grove, pine away thy life as a Pennance, for having believ'd any of her sex, could prove constant.

My distractions were so high, that it was day, e'r I could elect any re∣solution, yet in the end I assum'd this last, as finding it fittest for my re∣sentment and despair, and immediately calling Simander, I commanded him with secresie, and without dispute, to carry a Paper I gave him to Su∣rena, and tell him, I expected him in the Eastern Meddow, near the sa∣cred Grove.

The Challenge contain'd these words.

ARTABANES to SVRENA.

TO possess Parthenissa, 'tis not enough to have her declare she loves you, but you must dispute the Conquest with your Sword, and by that Tryal prove, whether the gods will be as favourable to you, as her infidelity. In a word, my death must secure your Affections, and yours must revenge me on your per∣fidious Mistriss; and though her inconstancy render her unworthy my Resent∣ments,

yet your addresses to her, after you knew of mine, renders you worthy of my revenge.

Simander immediately suspected what it was, but not imagining the cause, began to make some question, for which I took him up so short, that I put a silence to all his doubts, and sent him away to perform what I had commanded; then dressing my self, I took one of my best Horses (for 'tis the custom in Parthia, for all Men of quality to fight on Horse∣back) and went to the place appointed, where I had not long been, but Simander came, and acquainted me that Surena would be with me instantly. These words were hardly deliver'd; when I might perceive him that sent them, onely attended by one of his Servants. I had not the pa∣tience to delay my revenge by any expostulation, but drawing my sword, and galloping up to him, bade him defend himself. The first encounter, he gave me a slight hurt upon the Bridle-hand, and I him in his right Arm, and after a few passages for the gaining of the Crupper, I won his, and ran my Sword through him up to the Hilt, with which he fell, and go∣ing to repeat my thrust, the remembrance of his excellent Sister, stopt my hand, and made me tell him, That which I have done, though it be too little for my resentments, yet it is too much for Zephalinda's Brother, for which Relation I give thee thy life. If (reply'd Surena) thou payst Zephalinda any affection, evince it in taking that little I have left, she is so generous, she had rather hear I am dead than live by my Enemies Mercy, therefore I conjure thee by those wrongs thou sayst I have done thee, and by thy affection to my Sister, finish what thy good fortune has so far advanc'd, and by one wound more, end those torments, my being vanquisht will throw upon me, and secure thy love to Parthenissa, which whilst I live, will be unsafe. Why (said I) dost thou by that name, tempt my fury, and revive an anger, whose justice is declar'd in thy defeat; fare∣well, for I dare not trust my self with my resentments. Ending these words, I turn'd to Surena's Servant, and bade him have a care of his Master. Then going to my own, I told him, come Simander, since death refuses to ease my misery, I will seek some other cure, and commanding him to follow, I gallopt away whether my Fortune would conduct me, and continu'd moving, till towards night, where coming into a Grove, whose unfrequent∣edness was fit for my melancholly, as well as safety (for I was loath Par∣thenissa should satisfy her Eyes with my Execution) I lighted off my Horse, and giving him to Simander, I flung my self upon the Grass, and there be∣gan to consider the sad condition I was in, which was so much the more so, by how much my happiness had been so lately great. Parthenissa's incon∣stancy appear'd so odious, that I could not have the patience to think on her, nor it. But that which caus'd indeed, my real grief, was, the unwor∣thy return my sad condition forc'd me to make the fair Zephalinda, who for all her gallantry and friendship, had no other payment but the neg∣lect of her Affection, and the murther of her Brother. These thoughts were more insupportable than my own misfortunes, and that which brought an accession to mine, was, that my actions of Ingratitude would be as apparent, as my sorrows for them would be the contrary. After a thousand reflections of this quality, I resolv'd at last to write to her, and finding no Ink more proper for the occasion than some Bloud which ran from a slight hurt, I made use of it, and writ these few words.

ARTABANES to the Princess ZEPHALINDA.

'TIs in bloud that I have offended you (Madam) and 'tis in bloud that your pardon is begg'd by the miserable Artabanes, whose Love and Hatred to Parthenissa were ordain'd to make him equally injurious to your quiet. I must confess, it had been more suitable to my despair, as well as friend∣ship, to have fallen by Surena's Sword, and so have merited your pity, rather than to have been necessitated to implore your Mercy. But great gods! to what a strait did you reduce me? To dye, had been the triumph of my Enemy, and to kill, makes the trouble of my Friend; the first rendring me unfortunate, the latter guilty: But since those Powers which create our destinies, has made the last of these mine; I am resolv'd to take some such forlorn course, that though you cannot commend the past actions, yet you shall the future suffer∣ings I will inflict upon the Criminal Artabanes.

I writ another Letter to Arsaces, wherein I told him, that I was almost as much troubl'd to draw my sword against his Favourite, as at the cause of it; that I had injur'd his Laws, to avoid doing the like unto his Judge∣ment, which might have receiv'd some blemish by his electing one to re∣venge a publique affront that wanted courage to resent a private one of the highest nature; that though by this action I had render'd my self unca∣pable of serving him, yet by declining it, I had made my self unworthy of that honour; so that of two crimes, I elected but the least. And since the gods by Surena's defeat, declar'd him guilty, I could not believe that he which bore their Image, would be of a different opinion. I folded these two Letters in a third, to my generous friend, the Prince Sillaces, to whose care I commended Lindadory, and all things else I had any concern for, and from whom I begg'd a thousand pardons, for not having acquainted him at first with the cause of those miseries, which forc'd me to a voluntary, and eternal banishment. Whilst our Horses were taking that refreshment which their hard travel requir'd, I was disputing what course to elect, and after many Proposals, I resolv'd to pass through Mesopotamia and Syria, and so thence by Sea for Italy, and in the darkest horrors of those Moun∣tains, which separates that Countrey from the Gauls, spend those sad days allotted to miserable life. That which made me fix upon this place above any other, was, that the horridness of the Alpes would be more sutable to my melancholly than any other, and by being in the heart of the Roman Empire, I knew the innate hatred of the Parthians to that people, would never permit those which should search after me, to doubt of my residence, or if they did, the danger of coming into an Enemies Countrey, might deter them from following me.

Here Artabanes putting a stop to his Narration, addrest himself to Callimachus, and told him, I have, Sir, to obey your commands, forc'd my inclination to relate unto you, a part of my unfortunate Life, least you might have fail'd in the knowledge of those particulars, which perhaps Simander was not perfectly acquainted with: But now, what is remaining he has been an Actor, or a Sufferer in, and consequently, will omit, no∣thing that is worthy your knowledge; I shall therefore beg you (if you are not already tir'd with the hearing of my misfortunes) permit Siman∣der, to put an end unto their Story, and give me leave to absent my self

from a relation that will awaken despair, which of it self is but too apt to torment me. The good Callimachus having by a thousand expressions, excus'd the rudeness of his curiosity, told him, Generous Artabanes, I have already (I fear) so far transgress'd, that I cannot expect a pardon from a less goodness than yours, and therefore will not persevere in a crime which may make you as justly my enemy, as Fortune is unjustly yours. Artabanes having made Callimachus a return suitable to his civi∣lity, commanded his faithful Simander (who was present at the latter part of his relation) to satisfy his engagement, and then retir'd into a So∣litude, to entertain his Melancholly, which was too just not to be great. Artabanes was no sooner gone, than Callimachus invited his faithful Si∣mander to obey his generous Prince, which he did, by continuing his Adventures in these words,

AFter my unfortunate Master had assum'd a resolution so suitable to his despair, and that all those reasons my affection furnisht me with, could no way alter it, I thought it my duty as much as 'twas my inclination, to bear a share with him in all his miseries, and justify by my sufferings how ambitious I was to deserve a favour which I had no title to, but his having conferr'd it on me; and though by many per∣swasions, and commands, he disswaded me from tying my Fortunes upon one to whom (he said) the gods had so much declar'd themselves Enemies, yet I was as firm in my resolution of waiting on him, as he was in his of abandoning the World. By this time our Horses having taken that rest which we thought fitting, we began to continue our journey, the Moon affording us her Light, and the first Village we came unto, we waken'd some Peasants, where my Prince having seal'd his Packet, en∣gag'd one of them (by giving him a good reward) to carry it the next day to the Court, and present it to the generous Sillaces. This being done, we continued our voyage, but because I have so many essential things to relate, I will not load your patience by repeating all those accidents which happen'd in our crossing of Syria, and Mesopotamia, nor till our coming to Antioch, since without any considerable adventures, we at last safely arrived there; onely I may not omit to inform you, that in twenty days travel, I never heard Artabanes repine at Parthemissa's cru∣elty, either that his wrongs had extinguisht his Love, or the greatness of his resentments hinder'd the expressions of them; but I am the more inclin'd to believe the latter, since his Sighs and Tears (his inseparable companions) acknowledged some internal grief, produc'd them; and truly he was thereby so chang'd, that had not his griefs been an unde∣niable proof of him that utter'd them, I should have suspected I had chang'd my Master. But as if all things had contributed to hasten my Prince unto his solitude, we met a Ship at Antioch, ready to weigh An∣chor for Cyprus, where she was to unload her Merchandize in a Man of War, that was directly bound for Ostia, which is a small Harbor the Ti∣ber makes, when it falls into the Mediterranean sea. This conveniency we joyfully embrac'd, and the Wind blowing fair at East, we were full of expectation in few days to arrive safely in that famous Island where the Queen of Love had chosen her earthly Residence. We were not many Leagues from our desired Harbor, when those upon the Main-top that were looking for Land, cry'd out, a Sail, a Sail; the Master of our Ship went instantly up to discover the truth of this Alarm, and had not been long there, but clapping his hands upon his Breast, he said with

great Passion we are all undone, 'tis Menas, This was that Menas, Pompey the Great took at Sea, when he commanded the Roman Fleet, and ask∣ing him how he durst commit so high sins, as to kill those, and take a∣way their Goods, which never did him any wrong, was thus answer'd: If (said he) my Actions are Crimes, why then dost thou practise them? but because thou rob'st securely with a whole Fleet, thou givest thy self the name of a Conqueror, and because I rob with more hazard, and but with one single Gally, thou call'st me a Pirate, when there is no diffe∣rence between our performances, but that which Force and Numbers create. This bold, (and perhaps true) reply so operated on the ge∣nerous Pompey, that he gave Menas his life, for which he did him such signal services, that at last he gave him too his liberty; but being ac∣customed from his Youth, to that barbarous profession, he could not decline it, and in a short while after fell to a relapse. He was indeed so fa∣mous in all those Seas, that oftentimes his name presented him with Victo∣ry: and truly I believe we should have felt, as well as heard that Truth, had not Artabanes, (perceiving our fears) by a generous exhortation, in∣vited us to a defence. For, if (said he) your Enemies are generous, your Gallantry, if you be vanquisht, will make your usage so: if they are not, your resistance may purchase your safety, at least, 'tis more like Men to owe our sufferings to our misfortunes than our selves. To be brief, his ra∣vishing Eloquence furnisht him with such powerful Arguments, that those timerous Spirits, which even now were ready co yield without disputing the Victory, were now so alter'd, that they breath'd nothing but the combat. We were in all, (Passengers and Seamen) about an hundred, and my Prince taking upon himself the whole charge, divided his Men into two Squadrons, the one he took to himself, the other he gave me the honour to command. Then, lest those new-rais'd courages should cool, he commanded the Pilot to tack about, and resolv'd to save Me∣nas the labour of overtaking him, who was chasing us with Oars and Sails. 'Twas then I perceiv'd in my generous Prince's Face, a dissipa∣tion of those Clouds, his Miseries had there created, and in their place, a Countenance so Martial, and so Charming, that 'twas as impossible for his Enemies not to fear, as for his Friends not to admire him. By this time the Pirates were so close come up, that Artabanes commanded the Seamen to grapple Menas's Gally, and not giving him leave to Assault us, he leapt into the thickest of the Enemies, and with his Sword made the Pass easy for those that follow'd him. Our Adversaries, who were not accustomed to resistance, found this Action as strange, as we knew it to be generous; and I believe their amazement something contributed to our seeming Victory, but when those that fled the fury of my Prince's Arms, had acquainted Menas, that unless he appear'd, and acted, all would be lost; that old Pirate, who at first thinking us unworthy his Sword, had commanded one of his Lieutenants to take us, finding our resistance need∣ed all his Power, instantly arm'd himself, and with a select number of Sol∣diers, which he always reserv'd for some such desperate exigency, came out upon the Decks, where by the greatness of his loss, judging at the greatness of his danger, he call'd up that Courage, which had made him so justly famous, and therewith renew'd the Fight with such resolution, that many of our Men, being terrified with the Fury of his blows, began to shrink, and at last, to retire unto their own Ship; this cowardice heightned our Enemies, which Artabanes easily perceiv'd, and observing, the turn proceeded onely from the Valour of Menas,

he made a lane through all those that oppos'd his doing so, and at last, joyning with the old Pirate, with one blow, he struck him at his Feet, and finding by the rare temper of his Helmet, that his fall proceeded from being stunn'd, not kill'd, he was searching the defects of his Armor, to finish his Victory: which whilst he was doing, one of the Pyrats coming behind him, had lift up his Sword to kill my generous Prince, but as the gods would have it, I came to his rescue and with one blow cut that sacrilegious Arm off, and with a thrust, ended his life. The noise which the Pirate I had kill'd made in falling, saved Menas's life, for my Prince turning about, to learn from whence that death proceeded, some of the Enemies (taking the opportunity) dragg'd their Captain into the Stern-Cabbin. But to be brief, our companions, whose Courages (by the sight of so much Blood) were quite drown'd, abandon'd the generous Artabanes, who being too weak of himself, having onely so unworthy a Second as Simander, to resist such numbers as came fresh upon him, receiv'd so many wounds, that his strength began to fail him, but yet upon his knees, he so generously disputed the Victory, that Fortune by it appear'd sufficiently blind, for could she have seen his vertue, she could not but have rewarded it, but at length he lost such a Sea of Blood, that he could make no more re∣sistance, and crying out, Ah Death! thou art merciful, and curest the wounds which Parthenissa gave, He fell, (as I then thought) eternally. Oh gods! what did not my rage then make me utter? I found my grief so much, that bestriding my generous Princes Body, I cry'd out, finish, finish, ye barbarous Tyrants your cruelty, and bend all your Swords ••a∣gainst my Breast, for since you have by Numbers, not Valour, destroy∣ed the perfectest of Men, I will no longer survive that loss; and indeed, their desire of Blood so well seconded my desire of losing all mine, that having received as many wounds, as I was confident would not give me the misfortune of out-living my Prince, I flung my self on his pale Body and having a thousand times embrac't him, and kist his hands and feet, I there fainted, acting those last expressions of my Fidelity. In the mean while, Menas by the care of his Soldiers, being come again to himself, de∣manded what was the issue of the fight, and what was become of him, whose Valour he had, so much to his prejudice, resented? they answer∣ed him, that all but the valiant Enemy he enquir'd after, and one more, had long since yielded themselves to mercy, but he, as if his forces had been increased by his Companions fears, was yet nobly disputing his life, which was so weakn'd by many wounds, that if he were not yet dead, the time of his fall could not be long. Menas, whose Nature had some light of generosity, though clouded by his Profession, and the daily exam∣ples of cruelty, was so taken with Artabanes's courage, that causing him∣self to be carried upon the Deck, did there intend to preserve him, if it were in his power. I knew not whether the belief of our being kill'd, hin∣der'd our Conquerors from doing us any further harm, or whether my ex∣pressions and actions to my Prince, did suspend for a while the cruelty of those Monsters, but whatsoever was the cause, they wounded us no more after we were fallen, and Menas coming when the Pirats were beginning to strip us, forbad it, and commanding his Chyrurgeons to employ all their skill in our recovery, or if it were past their Art, then he ordered Galippus his Lieutenant, to give us burial, as if himself had been in our condition. And because his care should equal our need of it, he caus'd us to be brought into his own Cabbin, where our wounds being searcht,

the Chirurgeons assur'd him, my Master had none that were mortal, and that onely the loss of Blood had reduc'd him to that extremity; For what concern'd me, they told him, I was in much more danger, but if they could draw out the head of a Javelin that struck in my back, there might be some hope of my recovery. In the mean time, by strong Cordials we came to our selves, but my Prince, long before me, and to my great glory (as those that waited on us, told me) the first thing he said, was, Ah poor Siman∣der. For my part, as soon as I found my wounds drest, and remember'd with what design I receiv'd them, I tore off all my Plaisters, and calling those that were by me, a thousand names for their care, I vow'd by all the gods I would no longer live. Then I begg'd them with Tears, to bring me to my Masters Body, and permit me to expire upon it. They seem'd to be very glad, that my despair proceeded from a cause they could so easily re∣move, and therefore to console me, they vow'd my Master was alive, and in the same Cabbin; but I could not credit so great a happiness, till some of them acquainted him with my diffidence, which made him force himself to say, yes Simander, I live, Fortune is yet too much my Enemy, to end my miseries. Ah Sir, (I reply'd, with excessive raptures of joy) your Ver∣tue will at last conquer her. 'T is a strange thing, how after the knowledge of my Prince's being alive, I willingly endur'd all those hideous pains, which conduc'd to my recovery, courting my Chirurgeons to hasten my cure, though by the increase of my torment, that I might be quickly well, to be near my Prince, and to pay him that service I have ever vow'd him. During the space of a quarter of a year, whilst our wounds were heal∣ing, we receiv'd as many civilities from Menas, as we could have expected from our Friends, but we were no sooner perfectly recover'd, than he com∣manded my Prince to be brought unto him, (and with a countenance (as barbarous as his Profession) told him, I have sent for thee, to know what madness 'twas invited thee to make a resistance, where hope, (as flattering as 'tis) could not afford thee a probability of success? To which my Prince reply'd, with an assuredness more suitable to his mind than his con∣dition; I know not why thou shouldst think it strange, that the desire of preserving my liberty, should not be as powerful with me, as that of de∣priving me of it, or of a little gain was with thee; but when my life was as great a blessing to me, as now it is the contrary, I never knew why Death was not a better election than Chains. Yet me thinks (said Menas) thou shouldst not prefer Death before Captivity, since the former cuts off all expectation, and the latter allows thee some. The first (reply'd Arta∣banes) as it cuts off all hope, so it cuts off all shame and suffering; and the latter, whilst it leaves us onely expectations of good, makes us resent all evil: but if there be any Spirits so low as to make such a choice, I wish it may be their fortune. How dar'st thou (said the old Pirat) so far provoke me, when thou knowest thy life is in my hands? because (reply'd Artabanes' tis in thy hands. But why (continued Menas) didst thou tye thy self so ob∣stinately to me, rather than any other, when thou knewest, that by it thou gavest him the Will that had the Power to punish thee? I found thee (said my Prince) the worthiest of my Sword, and an action is gallant, 'tis not my custom to consult with Fear. Artabanes had no sooner spoken these words, than Menas imbrac't him, and cry'd out, O the most generous amongst Men! if Pompey the Great were not living, thou deservest thy liberty: but to be his, is more glorious than freedom, and 'tis to that Honor I design thee. After a million of barbarous Expressions of the highest esteem he had of my Masters generosity, he declar'd, he should be his companion

till his arrival at Ostia (which was the place we had at first design'd, though for a different intention) where in few days after we came, and there Menas elected fourscore of his best slaves (the most of the•• Gentlemen) amongst which my Prince and I were two) and having tied to every of them a little Chain of Gold as an evincement of servitude; he sent us ashore under the conduct of Gallippus a Silesian, in whom he put his greatest confidence, and who was ordered to present us to Pompey. The next day after our landing, we came to Rome, and saw that glorious Town proud with the spoils of all the World, and some of those great Men who from private Citizens rais'd themselves by their virtue to give Laws to mighty Kings, and have in time added more Crowns to the Empire of Rome than there are almost inhabitants within her Walls. But we soon learn'd that Pompey the great had but lately under∣taken the voyage of Asia, to receive Lucullus's Command and Army, who was sent for back by the Senate, being, after all his Victories, become a triumph to his Soldiers. Yet though Pompey had left Rome, he was not gone out of Italy, but was necessitated to remain at Capua, for some dis∣patches were not yet perfected. This made Gallippus send a messenger to Menas for his orders, and us continue for some time longer in Rome than otherwise we should have done. I cannot here omit a very remar∣kable accident that besel my Prince, who as he slept, had a Snake which came and inviron'd his Temples, in the form of a Lawrel, which a slave possest with Bacchus's spirit of Divination observing, cry'd out, that it was an infallible sign of his being victorious and successful in the Wars. By this Menas had sent directions for us to go by Land to Capua, where Pompey then was, and where at last we arriv'd, and were by Gallippus pre∣sented to him, just as he was going to take ship for Asia. This great Man (when he saw Artabanes) fixt his eyes on him, and calling some of his fa∣miliar Friends, told them, Either all the rules of Physiognomy are false, or that slave (pointing at my Prince) is not what his present habit speaks him, but possesses a mind that deserves as good fortune as that he is now in his ill. Sir (reply'd Gallippus) his looks cannot promise more gallan∣try than his actions will make good; and had not Menas esteem'd it a higher hap-piness for him to be your Slave than to be free, he had long since restor'd him to that liberty his misfortune not his want of courage made him lose: Thereupon Gallippus told him all the story how my generons Master was ta∣ken Prisoner, which when Pompey had heard, he reply'd, The gods forbid, that because your Captain has a better opinion of me than I merit, that therefore this Prisoner should undergo a misery which by your own confes∣sion he does not but upon that score. Thereupon he commanded Gallippus to set my Prince and me free, and to tell Menas, that furnishing him with an occasion to oblige a gallant Man, was a greater present than all those other slaves he bestowed on him. Gallippus who had contracted a high opinion for my Masters virtue, was going with a great satisfaction to observe Pompey's directions, when Artabanes's ill fate (which has never been tir'd with affli∣cting him) made Lentulus Batiatus (who was extremely taken with my Prince) so earnestly to beg him of Pompey, that at last (though with much reluctancy) he revok'd his promise, and not onely granted Batiatus's re∣quest, but also gave him all those other slaves which Menas had presen∣ted him. This Batiatus was the chiefest Citizen in Capua, and one who Pompey durst not disoblige, being of his Council in that great design of making himself Emperor of the World, whose foundation was then laid, but after was destroy'd by the happier fortune of Iulius Caesar, who pos∣sest

what this did but imagine. Batiatus having waited upon Pompey out of Capua, was no sooner return'd then calling for my Prince, he ask'd him, his Name and Countrey. Artabanes, whose hatred for him was as great as just, told him, with an accent which exprest his resentment, That be∣ing a slave, he had neither Name nor Countrey. Which reply so incens'd the barbarous Batiatus, that he commanded him instantly to be put into Chains, and kept with his other common Slaves. Great gods! when I saw those hands loaden with Irons, which if virtue had been a title to Empire should have sway'd the Scepters of the World; What did not my fury suggest in me? I curst a million of times Parthenissa's incon∣stancy, that had cast my dear Master into miseries almost as great as his virtue, and condemned with many imprecations the weakness of Pompey's, which the desire of an unworthy Citizen could soon destroy: at last I was resolv'd to acquaint our Tyrant with my Princes quality and birth, and by the assurance of an excessive Ransom, free him from that Captivity his unjust Fate had flung him into. But then the considerati∣on of those sacred Oaths Artabanes had extorted from me never to reveal that secret but by his consent, supprest my resolution, and made me take up that of endeavouring to perswade him to it himself, or else to give me his permission for it. Therefore taking my opportunity, I begg'd him with a stream of Tears, that he would not by any obstinate silence un∣dergo so low a destiny, but by acquainting Batiatus with his quality, procure a civil usage till his Ransom came: That then he would return into Parthia, there having obtain'd a pardon for Surena's death, evince to Parthenissa, by a carriage void of all trouble, how easily he could di∣vest himself of his Passion, when she could throw off her Constancy; that it was her virtue not her beauty onely he ador'd: and since she could decline the first, he could as easily the latter. Hold thy peace Si∣mander (said my Prince, interrupting me) do not add unto my miseries by thy impious discourse of Parthenissa, she is yet the highest thing in my esteem; for I am upon better consideration apter to believe 'twas some defects she found in me than any which were in her, that made her re∣call the blessed joy of her affection; and so that which thou termest in∣constancy, may be her Justice. No, no, Simander (he continu'd) since the gods have profest themselves so much my adversaries, tie not thy for∣tune unto the most wretched of men: I have some Jewels that scapt the Pirates, take them and buy thy freedom, then return into thy Coun∣trey; where I shall pray thou may'st enjoy a felicity equal to thy virtue; and let me alone to wrestle with my misfortunes; for I had far rather pe∣rish in this miserable Prison, and under the weight of these Chains, than see Parthenissa scorn my Flame, or by her embraces recompence any others. By this thou may'st in some sort guess at the greatness of my torments, when slavery is a comparative happiness. My Prince had no sooner done speaking than flinging my self at his feet, I told him, Oh Sir! Have all my miseries not yet obtain'd your leave to bear a share in your misfortunes? Can you speak to me of felicity when you are loaden with Irons? Alas, What fault have I committed, that you should esteem me worthy the mi∣sery of liberty? I attest the gods, that the sence of your torments create the greatest I endure, and that I can drown my own by the consideration of yours; whose liberty I would joyfully purchase by the loss of my own eternally. Therefore, Sir, (I continu'd, embracing of his knees) I con∣jure you by your virtue, and those services which I hope I shall live to pay you, and by that Parthenissa, whom you do yet so highly reve∣rence,

do not banish me from the glory of suffering with you, nor have so low an opinion of my fidelity, as to think any thing but death shall separate me from you. To which Artabanes reply'd, That his knowledge of my affection for him, and not his diffidence of it, made him press me to return into Parthia, but since I assur'd him, to be near his person, was a higher satisfaction, he granted my request, though it were to the aug∣mentation of his misery, which he profest to me was much increast by the share I had in it. I had scarce kist his hands as an acknowledgement of his favour, and my joy, but Batiatus came in, who commanded his Chains to be taken off, that he might be the fitter for that employment to which, next morning, he design'd him; then he selected some twenty of the ablest Slaves, who, together with Artabanes, were set apart for Gladiators, and then went away. The Gladiators (as the Romans call them) are certain Captives who are kept to fight at sharp, one against an∣other in Amphitheaters, for their Masters, or the Peoples pastime, which sort of Combats, always ends at least with the loss of much Bloud, and oftentimes with the lives of the Actors. As soon as my Prince learn'd by some of the other Slaves what he was destin'd to, he curst a hundred times his ignorance of the Roman Customs that had sav'd Batiatus's life; for cer∣tainly, had he known the cause why his Chains were taken off, he had em∣ployed them to kill the Commander of it. But after having walked two or three turns, with looks and actions, expressing his just resentments, he at last desir'd his fellow-prisoners silence and attention; which being easily obtain'd, he spoke to them much to this purpose; Friends and Com∣panions in misery, That Fortune has made us Slaves is her fault, that we should continue so, will be ours, since a quiet submission to her cruelty tacitely acknowledges we deserve it, and makes that which is an effect of her blindess, appear a confession of her justice. You have assur'd me often, that you are all Gentlemen, that Title obliges you sooner to wear death's Livery than Batiatus's; let us therefore, by some gallant at∣tempt, shew how worthy we were of Liberty, or by dying hand∣somely, how unworthy we are of Chains: Death is the worst can befal us, yet it is a comparative happiness to our present condition: If the gods do not favour our endeavours, but take from us all those ways that lead to freedom, they do thereby invite us to kill our selves; which to perform, is not to sin, but to obey them. To move us to this, you see to what the cruel Batiatus designs us, let us therefore resolve to mor∣row, when we are upon the Theatre Arm'd, to make use of our Swords to a contrary action to that, for which they were given us; and since they delight in Bloud, let us make them surfet of it, by employing our lives which they destin'd for their pleasure, unto their punishment: This is the way, if we cannot reach our liberty, yet at least to reach revenge, which will be as pleasing as the Irons we now wear are insupportable. My Prince had no sooner done speaking, than, Canitius, (one of the chief∣est amongst the Slaves) reply'd, That he was sorry such powerful in∣ducements were laid down to invite them to that action, since their un∣dertaking of it now, would rather appear to proceed from their judge∣ment, than their inclinations: That he so well understood the hearts of his companions, he durst engage himself they would every one of them elect Death before Slavery, but that he was of opinion, they might obtain their liberty by a less hazardous way, than what was then propound∣ed; for every day (said he) the Gladiators are to fight, 'tis the custom to feed them very early, that they may digest their Meat before the

combat, and be the better able to perform it. This being most certain, my advice is, when our keepers to morrow come in to feed us, we seize upon their Swords, and kill them, lest they should make any noise; then with their Keyes we may open the doors to our liberty, and per∣haps (being early) the Streets may be so empty of people, that with lit∣tle resistance we may get out of the Town, and recover the Mountains of Pettely, where it will be difficult, if not impossible to take us. This motion was highly relisht by all the company, and the onely thing my Prince dislik'd in it was, that Batiatus would scape unpunisht, but the rest consenting, he saw 'twas in vain to oppose it. You may easily ima∣gine we were not a little impatient till the break of day, which no sooner appear'd than our Keepers (which were four in number) came into our Prison, where whilst they were distributing of victuals and blows toge∣ther (for Cruelty is a badge inseparable from their Office) Artabanes, Ca∣nitius, one Castus, and I, drew out their Swords, and sheath'd them in their own bodies, with such expedition, that they had their fate before they could fear it: Then taking their Keyes, we open'd the doors of the Pri∣son, and coming into the great Court of Batiatus's house (which we were necessitated to pass thorow to get into the Street) we might perceve him (as the gods would have it, who always punish cruelty) attended one∣ly by a couple of his menial Servants, and (as we conjectur'd) coming to visit us; his amazement was so great when he saw us all at liberty, that he had not power to fly, which gave Castus sufficient time to take away his life, but his Servants scapt, and by their cryes drew many people in∣to the Streets, most of them in their shirts, for it was very early: Those of the Capuans that had Arms, perceiving we had but four Swords, fell upon us very resolutely; and (doubtless) had cut us off had we not reco∣vered a narrow Lane, where my Prince, Canitius, Castus, and I (who were those onely that had Arms) making good the entrance of it, gave our Companions time to break into a Cooks-shop that was behind us; where having fitted themselves, some with spits, others with long knives, and such kind of Weapons, observing how our Enemies increast, and that delay would bring a certain ruine, we charg'd them so furiously that we made way through all those that oppos'd us, and by the death of some 30 or 40, ecover'd that Gate of the Town which leads to the Mountains of Pettely just as some of the Inhabitants were going to shut it, who as soon as they perceiv'd us, fled and left us a free passage, the Capuans not daring then to pursue us any further. In this Retreat, my Prince and Ca∣nitius brought up the Rear, Castus and I led our Companions; and though we were four wounded, yet it was so favourably, that it hin∣der'd not our march. We were not sixteen furlongs out of Cap••a (which according to the Roman account makes two Miles) when we overtook some Horses loaden with Weapons for Fencers, going to Salapia, those Horse and Arms we seiz'd on, (but did the owners no harm) and had scarcely fitted our selves with them, when we might perceive 300 Capuaus, that follow'd us with an eagerness that spoke their intentions. The inequa∣lity of our numbers did somewhat startle our Companions at the first, but my generous Prince so animated them, that he made them not onely resolve to fight, but save the Capuans the labor of half their march; the Enemy perceiving our intentions, receiv'd our charge with much resolution, but Artabanes gave it with more, and did act in that occasion things so wor∣thy himself, that at last the Capuans were routed, and most of them kill'd, for we follow'd the execution to their very Gates, which we found

so ill guarded (an universal fear having seiz'd upon all the Inhabitants) that had our numbers been proportionable to our advantage, we might have possest that great City. But we were satisfi'd with our success, and at night retir'd our selves to a place of very strong scituation, which Ca∣stus shew'd us, who, by good fortune was perfectly acquainted with that Countrey. This place I speak of was a Hill of a great height, in the middle of a Plain, about eight Furlongs circumference, and inaccessible every way but one, by which also there could not come above five a-brest; The next morning we met together to chose our selves a Captain, know∣ing a body how little soever without a head is a Monster. My Prince was elected, whose valor and conduct in the late Fight gave him that place without either opposition or envy, to whom we all swore obedi∣ence till we might get out of Italy, and so return to our own Countreys, for we were of several Nations, though the most of any one were Thra∣cians. Then our new Soldiers desiring to know their Captains Country and Name, came and begg'd of him the knowledge of both, but my Prince, who would not acquaint them with either, lest it might in time discover him, desir'd their excuse, telling them he was ty'd to a concealment of both by some considerations: The Thracians then; who I told you were the most in number of any one Country, cry'd out, that they would thenceforwards call him Spartacus, which in their Language signifies Captain or General, and all the rest willingly con∣sented to it, which I shall beg you, (said Simander to Callimachus) to take notice of, for I shall for a while call my generous Master no more but by that name, since 'twas under it he purchas'd so great a proportion of Glory, that it cannot have an end till the World have. O gods! (said Calli∣machus to Simander) Is it then Artabanes, that under the name of Spar∣tacus, did from so weak a beginning shake the Roman Empire worse than ever Hannibal did? And who so fill'd the World with his generous Acti∣ons, that not to have heard of him is as great wonder as any he perform'd? This (reply'd Simander) is that same, Spartacus, who coming into Italy a Slave, loaded with Chains and Miseries, by his virtue and courage had certainly subjected the greatest Empire of the World, if at lest his Souldi∣ers had been of that temper which Hanniballs were; for Spartacus knew as well how to make use of a Victory as to win it, if that great general had done the like, and had follow'd success as much as success did him, he had made the Carthaginians Lords of all the World. One great advantage Hannibal had, which was, though his Army were compos'd of several Nati∣ons, yet they never mutiny'd, but with as much satisfaction as duty observ'd his orders. If my generous Master had enjoy'd that blessing, the Par∣thians had now held that Empire in possession, which the Carthaginians only had in expectation, as you shall hear by the sequel of my discourse. Which said Callimachus, I must interrupt, to beg you to resolve me two doubts, the first is, Why the Romans gave out that Spartacus was a Thracian? and the second, Why they said he was kill'd in that famous Battel of the Trenches, which he fought against Marcus Crassus? To satisfie your first doubt (reply'd Simander) I must acquaint you that those Thracians which gave him the name of Spartacus, when they saw his glorious Victories, and that he would not then discover where he was born, resolv'd since he took his name out of their Language to give him his original from their Countrey, which my Prince did not contradict for those reasons I formerly specifi'd, so that the Romans when they said he was a Thra∣cian, gave out but that which they credited themselves. To your se∣cond

cond doubt, which concerns his supposed death, I shall beg your pati∣ence but a little, that I may tell it you in its due order; for I perceive by your questions you are already acquainted with so much of my Prince's adventures, that it will very much shorten the Relation of them. I must confess (reply'd Callimachus) though my profession and inclination have made me these few years live a recluse life, and give me no great curio∣sity to enquire after news, yet your generous Princes actions have reach'd my ears, but in so confus'd a way, that you will do me a singular favour to ac∣quaint me with all the particulars, being so enamour'd of his virtue, that I cannot but be highly interested in any thing that relates unto a further knowledge of it: then begging Simanders excuse for having desir'd to an∣ticipate his Relation, which he besought him to receive as an argument of his great concernment in Artabanes's safety, by his silence invited him to continue his discourse, which Simander did in these words: I left off where Artabanes under the name of Spartacus was chosen Captain by his compa∣nions, which title oblig'd him to provide for all their fafeties: his first cares were, to fortifie our Fort, (which he did by making many Traver∣ses upon the Avenues) and to procure a Magaxine of Victuals, which at last he accomplisht; but with much difficulty, being constrained to fight for every thing he brought in. The Capuans too were taking order for their safeties; and having found by their first essay, that 'twas not an easie thing to conquer us in the Field, but far more hardly to be effected in the strong Fort we were in, having furnisht it with all necessaries for three Months, dispatcht away some of their Citizens to Rome, to acquaint the Senate with what was past, and to implore their aid for the suppressing of their Bondmen (for so they always term'd us.) The Senate taking their motion into debate, and finding how great prejudice all Italy had re∣ceived by the Slaves that were risen in Sicily (which were not then quite supprest) how that from a weak beginning, they had made a dangerous progress, and that it would bring their Fame and their Empire into con∣tempt, when that their very Slaves could endanger both, resolv'd for this expedition to employ Clodius the Pretor, with Three thousand Men, who, having receiv'd his Commission (which was to put us all to the Sword) left Rome, and by great marches advanced towards us: we were not ig∣norant of these preparations by the industry of Castus (who knowing the Countrey was empoly'd as a Spy, and till we were besieg'd, brought us frequent and true intelligences; but at last the Pretor and his Army, (which was recruited by some additional Forces out of Capua) were come so near us, that they drew up in Battalia, and faced our Fort. Spartacus, who was resolv'd to make them dispute every foot of ground, made some such vigorous Sallies, that the Romans were hinder'd from Camping above 24 hours, and had our numbers been equal to our resolutions, we had made our Enemies know, that those they had to deal with, had nothing of Slaves but the Name. My Prince having acquainted Clodus, by the loss of Two hundred of his Soldiers, of what temper we made, gave him leave to settle his Camp, lest he might harrass his own Men more than the E∣nemies. The Pretor, who understood the art of war, and knew the truth of this Maxime, That a place strong by scituation is easily blockt up, elected that way of conquering us; But since I have so many things of Soldiery to acquaint you with, I must run them over briefly, by telling you, That though the season of the the year were very incommodious to lodge in the open air, yet the Romans having endured a world of mi∣series by the fury of the weather, would not (for all) decline their

Seige, but by the continuance of it reduc'd us to that extremity for want of Victuals, that we resolv'd, rather than suffer the torments of Famine, to fall upon all the Army, and with our Swords in our hands dye, acting our revenge; which determination we had the next morning put in practice, had not I found out a strange way for our deliverance: for the evening preceding that day, in which we resolv'd to perform our despe∣rate enterprize, as I was looking over our Fort, I took notice of certain wild Vines, that grew upon the side of the Rocks, so thick, and in such abundance, that I began to fancy it no very difficult thing, by their help, and our own industry, to get down into the Plain. This imaginati∣on I instantly communicated to Spartacus, and to the rest, who having viewed the place, were all of my opinion; we therefore began to make Lad∣ders, like those in Ships, for the Vines being supple, of a great length, and strong, were almost as useful as Ropes, and the Rocks not making one conti∣nued precipice, but in some places resembling Scaffolds and stages, did so facilitate our attempt, that two hours before day, we all safely descend∣ed on the Plain; my generous Master having led us the way, which was always his practice, where there was any danger. Then as we were go∣ing to advise with Castus, what way to take to recover the Mountain, my Prince over-hearing it, came, and begg'd us to make use of no other guide but him, and to take no other way, but that which led to the Roman Camp, where Victory, as certain as it would be glorious, did attend us: In a word, he told us so many arguments for embracing so happy an op∣portunity, that they preferr'd the honor of the attempt before their own safety, and obeyed Spartacus, who leading them some ten furlongs about, fell into Clodius Camp, and found them so unprepar'd, (for they kept no Centuries, but towards the Advenues of our Fort, having all Italy to friend besides) that we kill'd above 500 of them in their Hutts, before they took the Alarm, which at last was so hot (not knowing from whence so great an execution proceeded) that Clodius and all those that escap'd the fury of our Swords, were obliged to their Feet for their safeties, and left us the quiet possession of their Camp, with all the Riches, Victuals, and Arms in it. The report of this great success, was so suddainly dispersed, that in less than ten days, above 1000, as well slaves, as discotented and poor Men, came to offer their service to my Prince, who willingly re∣ceived them, and gave Arms to such as wanted any, out of those he had taken from the Pretor. But Spartacus having no bank of Treasure to maintain such a confluence of People, as every day came thronging un∣der his Ensigns, and knowing, that to live upon the spoil, was as dishonest as unpolitick, and would so scatter his Army, that the Romans could not miss an occasion of destroying it, publish'd, that if the Countrey would send him in a competent proportion of Victuals and Money, they should receive no prejudice, but if they neglected so favourable an offer, what∣soever miseries they suffered by it, must be cast upon the score of their obstinacy. This in some places prevail'd, but in others it did not, those enjoyed the effects of his clemency, and these resented the reward of their wilfulness. But to confine my self to my ingagement of running over briefly all my Princes generous actions in this War, I will acquaint you, that the Romans, after the defeat of Clodius, sent Varinus the Pretor with 800 Men against Spartacus, and because his Army was to be formed out of several Garrisons, which of necessity would take up some time, he sent Furius his Lieutenant, with 2000 Soldiers before him, to preserve the Countrey from our incursions, which my Prince having intelligence of,

drew out a thousand of his select Men, and marcht all night with them towards a Valley, which Furius was to pass through next morning, and there, an hour before day, in two small Groves about a furlong asunder, he lodg'd his party. We had not long continu'd in expectation of our enemies, but we saw Furius in the head of his Army, marching in very good order, which Spartacus soon broke, for discovering himself with six hundred of his Soldiers, he gave the Romans, so resolute and unexpect∣ed a charge, that at first he discompos'd them. But Furius, who percei∣ved how unconsiderable our numbers were, soon rallied his men, and then gave us so vigorous a repayment, that we found it high time to give the signal for Canitius and Castus, with those four hundred Men that were yet in one of the Groves for our reserve, which no sooner appear'd, than the Enemy fled, not knowing but that every Wood might have been so furnisht. The Countrey being very fit to follow the execution, there escap't not above 100 in all, of which number, Furius was none, who scorning to owe his safety to his flight, thrust himself into the midst of us, and there found that fate which Spartacus endeavoured to prevent; but the eagerness of his Soldiers was such, that he could only oblige him in design, and not in action, yet after his death, he gave him a Burial suita∣ble to the esteem he had conceiv'd of his Courage. This defeat increas'd our Army much more than the Romans lost in it, and the Senate no soon∣er heard of it, but they resolv'd by a powerful force, to pluck up this War by the Roots, and not to send inconsiderable numbers against us, which did but serve to increase our reputation, and eclipse their own.

In order to which, they gave Cossinius the command of 10000 Men, and joyn'd him in Commission with Varinus, who by this was recruited with more than Furius had lost. Spartacus quickly found, that if these two Armies should joyn, 'twould be difficult, if not impossible, any lon∣ger to maintain a War, and therefore was projecting some way to avoid this storm, but fancied none so probable as by taking the field, which might furnish him with an occasion to fight with them asunder. His Army then consisting of 8000 Men, he marcht directly towards Varinus, who lay encamped 60 Furlong from our Fort, in expectation of his Colleague, who had then newly left Rome. My Prince having faced his Camp, in∣vited him out of it, and by many other ways endeavour'd to provoke him to Battel, but when he perceiv'd all was fruitless he entrencht him∣self eight Furlongs from the Pretor, gave out, that his Men ran away daily, and for four nights successively kept great Fires in his Camp, and permitted none of his Soldiers to appear without, nor within his Trenches. The first night having advertisement, that Cossinius was within a little days march of Varinus, with as much silence as an Army could rise, he quit his Camp, leaving some few to continue those accustomed Fires in it, and marcht all night towards Cossinus, whose Scouts being taken by some of ours, after a few threatenings, confest that their General was not then in his Camp, but lay at a small Village not far distant from it, to make use of certain Baths which were there. Spartacus immediately sent Castus with a commanded party of select Horse to surprize him, and con∣tinu'd his march towards the Enemy, but Cossinius got the Alarm time enough to recover to his Camp, which he was no sooner come into, than our Army stormed it, and after a bloudy resistance entred. There Cossi∣nius observing how my Prince pierc'd, and broke his resolutest Troops, had the confidence to fight with him, which cost him his life. His fall was no sooner divulg'd, but all his Army sought their security in their

feet, having found their Swords were unable to give it them; some two thousand escap'd, the rest were kill'd, and a few taken. The day by this time appear'd, and shew'd our Soldies, that the riches they had purchas'd by the victory, was as great as the Honour. Having rested and refresh∣ed themselves awhile, the next night we return'd to our own Camp, where we found how well Varinus had been deluded by our Fires, and our Soldiers not shewing themselves the five precedent days. This, Sir (con∣tinued Simander) is so strange, that were it not as general a known truth, I should not have the confidence to tell it you. The next morning after our return, Spartacus sent five hundred prisoners (taken at Cossinius's de∣feat) unto Varinus, and bid them tell him, though the Romans usage to him, and their barbarous Commissions they gave their Generals of shew∣ing no Mercy, deserved in justice, a proportionate return, yet he esteem'd an ill action fitter to be avoided than imitated, therefore presented him those Captives, having only exacted an oath from them, of not bearing Arms against him for a year. 'Twere hard to tell the severall conjectures our Enemies had in their Camp, when they perceiv'd those five hundred unarmed Men march up to them, but 'twere far more difficult to describe their grief when they knew the cause of it. The rage of this defeat, and the confidence Varinus had of not being reliev'd, made him alter that cold resolution of protracting the War, and by erecting a Scarlet Coat-Armour over his Tent (which is the Romans signal of Battel) gave us as much joy, as our success did afterwards afford him discontent. But his fury not having absolutely blinded his judgement, he drew up his Army in so advantageous a place, that he might retire safely into his Camp, if he found the Victory inclin'd to our side, which precaution he soon made use of, and by it deferr'd his ruine for a few days, which after∣wards happen'd near Salapia, a considerable Town in the East part of Italy, where the success was so entire, that not above fifteen hundred escaped, in which number Varinus was, having lost his Axes and Rods, the badges of his Pretorship, with the Officers that carried then, to whom Spartacus soon restor'd them, and them to their liberty; but our Army commanded them to tell the Senate, that their General would not make use of the Regalia's, till he had the Empire too. Amongst those Pri∣soners then taken, there was some young Men of Salapia, who thinking to have a share in Varinus Victory, were (the day before his defeat) come into his Army, and finding so different a fortune to that which they ex∣pected, desir'd to speak with Sparta••us, where they told him, that Sala∣pia was without any Garrison, that the chiefest Citizens in it, were their Friends and Kindred, and such with whom they had much power, which they would employ for the reducing of it into his hands, if he would restore them their freedom, and engage his faith that their Town and Townsmen should enjoy the same Immunities and Priviledges under him that they did under the Romans; in a word, they so represented the ter∣ror the Salapians were in, and the interest they had in them, that Spartacus granted un••o them whatsoever they desir'd, and immediately march'd di∣rectly thither. That which induc'd those Prisoners to make that overture, was, that some of our Officers in their d••scourse, had not only assur'd them, that the first design we should go upon, was to take in their City, but that they themselves must expect the last rigor of War, if they did not contribute their assistance in the reducing of it, which if they would undertake, and perform, might not onely be a singular advantage to Salapia, but preserve their own lives, which were so justly forfeited to

the Law of Arms. These Men, through such like infusions, were so ter∣rified, that partly out of relation to themselves, and partly out of care of their Town, which (without yielding) by the greatness of our Army (then indeed grown very considerable) must become in few days a prey to the insolent Soldier, inclin'd them to that motion, which was the cause of furnishing my Prince with an occasion of serving two of the most virtuous Lovers that time did produce, and in obliging them, he receiv'd a far higher satisfaction, than by taking of so important a place. By this our Army having fac'd Salapia, half those young Men were per∣mitted to try their power, the other half remaining as Hostages for them, and truly they were so successful in the attempt, having terrified the Salapians with the vastness of our Forces (which impressions they were apt enough to receive by the bloody defeat of Varinus the Pretor) that immediately they deputed some of the chiefest Citizens to treat with my Prince, for the conditions of their surrender, and had so far advanc'd the work, that every thing was on the point of conclusion, when a Mes∣senger from the Town desiring, and being admitted to speak with the Deputies, whisper'd them something in the Ear, after which, they all begg'd leave of Spartacus, to return for a while, there being in their ab∣sence some tumults happen'd amongst their Salapians, which nothing but their Presence could appease, which being granted, and they not a quar∣ter of an hour return'd, but those young Men that were imploy'd into Salapia, were sent back into the Camp, all the Walls Mann'd, and bloody Colours hung up, of which so sudden an alteration we could not imagine the cause, till those Prisoners told us, that during the Treaty, a young Gentleman called Perolla, who under the Romans had purchast much Glory, had by an Oration so perswaded the Salapians, that they were resolv'd rather to hazard their ruine by re∣sistance, than purchase the avoiding of it by a submission; that the Ci∣tizens having taken up that determination, would have detain'd them, lest Spartacus, incensed by their inconstancy, might inflict the punishment of it on them: Against which, they represented the injustice of the action, the certain death of their companions; and how 'twould give one that had the Power, the Will to destroy Salapia; but finding all their Rea∣sons rejected, they went to Perolla, whose Gallantry, they said, was as great as his Courage, and having acquainted him with the conditions on which they were sent into Salapia, and their desires, he not onely highly commended their honesty, but gave strict order they should return to the Camp, which no one durst oppose, all of them having trusted him for the time being, with the absolute Command, We soon found by this relation, the occasion of so sudden a change, and that Salapia must be pur∣chast with as much difficulty as a little before we were perswaded to have obtained it with ease. But Spartacus having fac'd it, found himself bound in Honour to make them repent the contemning of his Mercy, and there∣fore instantly securing all the Avenues, he gave directions for many s••aling Ladders, Rowling Bridges, and Faggots, to be forthwith provi∣ded: Then calling for all the Salapians, who were fifty in number, he told them, That he was sorry their Citizens had deluded him, but 'twas onely in relation to themselves, since it would render their de∣struction as just, as it was inevitable: that to conquer so considerable a place, was more for his Honour, than to have it given him: That he had endeavour'd to make them yield by fair means, because he preferr'd the saving of Blood before the Glory of his Army: That for their own par∣ticulars,

their declining the temptations of their friends, and returning to his Camp, when they could not but doubt his resentment was a strong proof of their Gallantry, or of the high opinion they had of his; either of which causes were equally obliging: that by the character they had given him of Perolla▪ he was more ambitious to have him for a Friend than an Enemy, but would not desire that happiness then, left it might deprive him of a certain Victory: That he so much valued Virtue (though in his Enemies) that lest Perolla's might not be well seconded, he gave them all (as well for his sake as for their own) their liberty, and leave to imploy it in his service, for the defence of Salapia, which he assur'd them would be all little enough, against an Army on whom Victory did as constantly as justly attend. The Salapians, who expected a quite contra∣ry entertainment, after many expressions of their joy and gratitude, re∣ply'd, That if upon their return, they could not perswade their Citizens to yield unto so generous a Conqueror; that yet at least upon their Ram∣parts, they would confirm the good opinion he had of their Coura∣ges, and either make his Victory worthy that name, or his defeat the more excusable by their resistance. Spartacus extremely pleas'd with this promise, assur'd them, that he would in very few days summon them of their promise, and observe, if they would satisfy this last engagement, as punctu∣ally as they had their first, which if they did, he would confess in giving them their freedom, he had more oblig'd himself than them. These young Men being come to Salapia, so magnify'd my Prince unto Perolla, that he knew not whether the misfortune was greater, in having so much Virtue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Enemy, or the happiness in having so ample an occasion of glory. Two days were past in light skirmishes, whilst our preparations for an As∣sault were perfected: The third, an hour before 'twas light our Army ad∣vanc'd, and every Division having receiv'd their Orders, began a furious Storm, which was receiv'd with an equal Resolution: Six hours together the business was disputed, without any apparent advantage on either side, and every place fill'd with Horror and Blood, Death being given and re∣ceiv'd in a thousand several ways: at last Canitius, who had the Command of all the Germans in the Army, planted one of our Ensignes upon the Walls, but was so suddainly repulst, that before my Prince could have time to commend his courage, he had cause to pity the misfortune of it: Nine of our several Commanders had the same fate that day, aswell in their resolutions as misfortunes, and Spartacus perceiving, that they at last fought, rather by Duty than Inclination, sounded a Retreat, which was so readily obey'd, that the Enemy found, it rather proceeded from apprehension than discipline, and therefore fell so briskly in our Rear, that it had endanger'd all the Army, had not my Prince in Person with 500 of the resolutest Men, made head against them, and though he stopt the execution, and at last made them retire, yet it was so leasurely, and in such good order, that their Retreat appear'd rather their Election than their Necessity. Spartacus having doubl'd his Guards, and taken strict Order for the rendring ineffectual of all Sallies, return'd to his Tent more unsatisfy'd with the repulse, than with the loss, where all those Officers, whose wound permitted them, and who had that fatal day escap't Perolla's Sword, came to justify themselves, professing that they were not more troubl'd at their disgrace, than desirous the next morning to repair it, and manifest by their Victory, that the suspension of it proceeded from their want of Fortune, not of Courage, or by their death shew whose Soldiers they were; That their affront (by a joynt concurrence, of all

their observations) proceeded from Perolla, who was ubiquitary, and knew no certain Post, but where there was the certain'st danger, which he courted with an eagerness as great as his success. Many other expres∣sions they made, to vindicate the affront, and to shew how willing they were to repair it, which would be too tedious to relate, and to which my Prince reply'd, that he was as much satisfy'd with the sence they had of their misfortune, as troubled at the occasion of it, that according to their desires, the next morning he would again storm the Town, and help them to vindicate their Credits, or bear a share with them in their failer: and in pursuance of that resolution, commanded them back to their several charges, with Orders, as soon as the day dawn'd, that they should begin again the Storm, that the Enemy (if overcome) might acknowledge by the not altering the Assailants, nor the order of the Assault, that it was their Fortune onely had suspended their destructions, The Officers by many expressions having thank'd Spartacus, for so high a Compliment plac'd upon their Courages, were retiring, when there came in news, that Granicus, with most of those others which we thought had been kill'd by the Salapians, were coming to my Prince, who extreamly surpriz'd at the accident, sent for them in; Granicus therefore, (with Six∣score of his companions) immediately presented himself, and told him: after the Assault, Sir, was ended, Perolla commanded all the Prisoners to be brought unto him, and having learn'd, that I was of the most conside∣rable quality amongst them, addrest himself unto me, and spoke to this effect. That liberty which both you and your companions have lost, by my fortune, I here again restore you, and for your Ransome, I shall one∣ly desire you to tell the generous Spartacus, I am exceedingly trou∣bled that he has so much cause to look upon this action, as an expres∣sion of Gratitude, and not of that Affection his Gallantry has created me; and though his usage to the Salapians he sent me, expects this as a just retribution, yet the high opinion I have of his Vertue, was no way an inferior motive: tell him besides, that those, whose wounds will not per∣mit them to go off with you, shall receive an entertainment which shall speak the opinion I have of their General, that their healths and Liberties shall be the same thing, and that I almost think it a misfortune to defend my Countrey, since by it I am necessitated to be his Enemy. This high Generosity had so powerful an influence on my Prince, that had not his Honor been so deeply engag'd, he had rais'd the Siege, and would have thought it more Glorious to decline fighting against so gal∣lant and civil an Enemy, than to have conquer'd him; but that Ty∣rant which binds us to follow other Mens opinions more than our own, forc't him to continue his former designe of storming Salapia next morn∣ing, and I dare truly affirm, the desire he had of taking so considerable a place, was more prevalent with him, out of an expectation, that there∣by he might evince himself worthy Perolla's friendship, and find an oc∣casion to oblige him, than any other consideration whatsoever; which lest the fury of his Soldiers might prevent, he assur'd those that could save the generous Perolla's life, should have a more considerable reward than his Ransome. The day no sooner appear'd, but Castus began the Assault on the East side of the City, and Canitius with his Germans on the West, where Spartacus himself was, who perceiving many of his Men kill'd, and the rest extreamly shaken, to avoid the precedent days fate, took up his own Colours, and cryed out; Those that love their Honour, or their General, let them follow me, then marching a round

pace thorough Canitius's Men that were flying, he came against a cloud of Arrows to the foot of the Wall, where erecting some Scaling-Ladders, he resolutely and successfully climb'd up, and after a bloudy dispute, beat off the Defendants, and planted that Colours he had in his hand upon the Rampire; I had the honour to be the nearest to him in this action, where he did so many noble exploits, that Fortune must have been as unjust, as they say she is unconstant, had she refus'd him this Victory. No sooner had our Army perceiv'd how easy a passage my Prince had made, than above 6000 of them enter'd by that way, and without shedding any more Bloud, rendred themselves absolute Masters of the City; but whilst Spartacus was taking order to preserve the Sa∣lapians, as much as in such an occasion was possible, and that he had dis∣pers'd many of his Officers, and I with them to do the like, as I was go∣ing through one of the fairest streets, I saw a great confluence of Soldi∣ers about a House, whose Structure sufficently spoke the magnificence of the owner, and being come thither, I inquir'd what was the cause of it, one of the Officers soon inform'd me, that a company of young Gen∣tlemen onely, considerable for their resolutions, had made so generous a defence, and so slighted all Quarter, that they were necessitated to make use of numbers to suppress them, and that now at last they had kill'd all the Defendants but one, who having gain'd a narrow Stair-case, was yet making of it good, with so much courage, that he deplor'd the destroying, as much as the effects of it, and that he understood this generous man's name was Perolla. You may easily imagine the hearing of that name, gave me an unexpressible desire to save the Master of it, and having conjur'd the Officer to run and acquaint Spartacus with it, I thrust my self into the croud, and by many actions which shew'd my con∣cernment and haste, commanded them in Spartacus's name, to forbear any further attempt against so generous an Enemy. This Order found a ready obedience, as well out of the knowledge they had of the affecti∣on my dear Master honor'd me with, as out of a desire to preserve Pe∣rolla, who they now fought against, rather to shew that an Army might kill him, than out of any design, they had to doe so. At last by the help of our Officers I came to the place where the gallant Perolla stood, who appear'd to me to be less weary with conquering than our Soldiers were with assaulting him, and spight of that Bloud which endeavour'd to dis∣figure his Face, I perceiv'd a Countenance so Spiritual and so Lovely to∣gether, that I knew not which most to admire, but my wonder was quick∣ly rais'd to a higher pitch by the sight of a Lady, who possest the seve∣ral Beauties of shape, stature, complexion, and features, in so inaccessi∣onal a degree, that an affection for her could not so properly be called Passion, as Reason. The contemplation of so many perfections had almost made me forget the design I was come for, which fault I soon repair'd, by addressing my self to the generous Perolla, and telling him. The great Spartacus (Sir) who cherishes Virtue whereever it is plac'd, has sent me hither to preserve so great a possessor of it as you are, for he believes your Gallantry is a stronger obligation on him to serve you, than your imploying of it against him, is to make him your Enemy. Since (reply'd Perolla) that is your Generals Principle, the fair Izadora here is a wor∣thy object to employ that generosity on, which I believe you cannot doubt, when I assure you, that her exterior parts are as far short of the Beauties of her Mind, as the Passion I pay her is unworthy the Object: for her sake I can beg, though not for my own, and will acknowledge you

civility as great as your courages, if you will promise me she shall re∣ceive an usage as proportionate to her merit, as you can possibly pay her: this engagement will be more obliging farr than my own safety, and make that death which my sad fate now renders necessary, as full of happiness as such a deprivation is capable of. As I was about to answer him, I was hindered by a great noise, which turning about to discover the cause of, I perceiv'd it was my Prince, who with incredible haste was breaking through the Croud, and came time enough to see the perfect Izadora fling her self at her Lovers feet, and tell him, Alas Perolla! can you talk of hap∣piness in death, and yet think of leaving me behind you? did you ever find any felicity in separation, that you beg it even of your very Ene∣mies? or have you so low an opinion of my passion, as to think I can survive you? Ah Madam (said Perolla, interrupting, and putting him∣self in her posture) if you will lessen my trouble, give me rather marks of your disdain, than of your love? since the vastness of that score now creates my sufferings, which are so great, they cannot be increast but by new additions of your favour: Judge then, if it be not time to dye, when my highest blessing, that of your Affection, proves my torment. Then (reply'd Izadora) my condition will as much require death as yours, for 'tis as impossible for me not to augment your sufferings whilst I live, as 'tis to survive you, which since my sorrow will not permit, let my Love anticipate the effects of it: this will be more proportionate to my vows, and cut off the tortures of a lingring life, so Death, the enemy to other passions, may prove the friend of ours, and conferr that union on us in the other life, which our Fates and cruel Parents have deny'd us in this. Izadora (said Perolla) flatter not my hopes with an union in the other World, the gods which held me unworthy of you here, will have much more cause to continue that belief, when instead of your mortality, they shall cloath you with the reward of Virtue; alas, then you will be fitter for their adoration than mine. Can there be (she reply'd) a felicity in the other World for Izadora, if she be divided from Perolla? do not by such suggestions fright me into a hatred of Elizium, which, if what you say be true, will lose its quality, and fancy not the gods unjust, onely to make us miserable: no Perolla, we have walkt too exactly in the paths of Virtue, to fear Death, and as an argument of this truth, that minute which separates your Soul from the fair Mansion it now inhabits, shall give mine freedom, for to dye, is a Blessing or a Curse, if the first, I will not be deny'd it too, if the latter, I hope 'twill hinder your despair, when you know I will involve my self in it. This noble dispute had con∣tinu'd longer, had I not told Perolla, that Spartacus was come, who in∣deed was so ravished with the Virtue of these Lovers, that his admira∣tion made many who knew him not, suspect that his suspense proceed∣ed from his being as absolutely vanquisht by the Eies of one of his Ene∣mies, as his Sword had been victorious over all the rest; But Parth••nissa was too deeply fixt to be defac'd, and her Beauty had got so absolu••e an Empire over Artabanes Heart, that since her inconstancy could not destroy it, nothing else could have that power. But the Lookers on, who took his Affection to Vertue, to be a Passion of another quality, were not long in that error, for Izadora, who perceiv'd Perolla's great Heart could not make any desires to my Prince, esteem'd it an action fitter for her Sex to undertake, and addressing her self to him, put him out of those raptures their gallantry onely had created, by saying, Generous Spartacus did not that Title assure me you will receive a greater contentment in giving

Perolla his Life, than he can resent by receiving it, and that I furnish you with an occasion to oblige your self more than him, I should now have been silent, and joyfully participate in his Fate, rather than be indebted for his preservation to a less noble Enemy: but your Gallantry is such, that the cause of his being conquer'd, takes away all resentment from the Effect. Izadora had continu'd speaking, but that her gallant Lover interrupted her, crying out, Oh Madam! Can you think Perolla will live after he has been so unworthy and miserable, as to obtain your safety by his Prayers, whilst he had a Sword to purchase it? add not so much to my misfortunes, as to make your Affection the cause of all those Torments I must hereafter suffer, should I now live; no Izadora, my death shall shew, that nothing but the desire of your safety could have induc'd me so long to survive my Honor. Finishing those words, he had flung him∣self upon the point of his Sword had not my Prince (guessing at what he meant) ran to him, and though it were time enough to hinder his fa∣tal determination, yet it could not prevent a slight wound which ma∣nifested his sad intention. Izadora, on the other side, thinking Perolla had been his own Executioner, resolv'd to bear him company, and with a courage which disdain'd exclaiming against Fate, drew out a Ponyard which she had conceal'd for some such desperate exigency, and cry'd out, this stroke Perolla shall prove more kind than you, and give us that union you would so cruelly deprive me of: then lifting that fatal weapon, she had (doubtless) perform'd what she spoke, but that by thrusting away her Hand, I made that wound light upon her Arm, which she intended for her Heart, but having mist her aim, she was going to double her stroke, had not I forced the Ponyard from her. Whilst I was thus imploy'd Spartacus obtain'd an easy conquest over Perolla, who no sooner heard his fair Mistress cruel determination, than the bare sound of her death, banish'd all thoughts of his own, and having perceiv'd the service I had render'd him, he flung himself at her feet, and told her, I will live, Ma∣dam, since this wretched life is so dear unto you, and on that score I shall cherish it, as much as I should detest it upon any other: Judge Iza∣dora then, how precious your life is to me, since to continue it, I can be content to live in infamy. Live, generous Perolla (said my Prince) and since the belief of your being vanquisht is the cause of your despair, banish that groundless doubt, for you are so far from that condition, that you are the Conqueror, your Vertue has made you invincible, nor was it fit the fair Izadora should derive her safety from a less noble cause; I renounce all right to her preservation, and the wonders which your Sword has hitherto acted, shall be increast by this addition of remaining victorious in a Triumphant Army. Ah Sir, (reply'd Perolla) whilst you endeavour to make me a Conqueror, you are doubly so, your civility acts now what your courage did before, both which are so unresistable, that when I consider who you are, I shall excuse my self in my misfor∣tune, and since you attribute miracles to my Sword, I will make it per∣form one, which is to yield it self up. Perolla had satisfy'd this ceremo∣ny, had not Spartacus so absolutely declin'd it, that all those which were present easily perceiv'd, his denial proceeded as much from his justice, as his civility. Whilst these two great Persons were by a thousand embraces confirming that friendship which they vow'd to each other, Perolla un∣fortunately espy'd some Bloud runing out of the fair Izadora's Arm: alas, how fatal was that object like to prove, his passion made him act many extravagancies, which nothing but Love could render legitimate: but

when he remember'd the cause of her wound, how soon was that new created harmony dissolv'd? and having again found, that all his attempts against his life were fruitless, he prostrated himself at his fair Mistresses feet, and told her: Must I then, Madam? must I the••see that precious Bloud shed for my sake, and at the same time be render'd uncapable of emptying all my veins to bear it company, and expiate my crime? must you spill your Bloud to preserve my life, whilst I make use onely of Pray∣ers to preserve yours? Ah Izadora! be merciful, and permit me by one stroke, to end the miseries which these thoughts will still create. Alas (said Izadora) has your rage so much blinded your Judgement, as to think, that what is the cause of this slight hurt: if continu'd, will prove its reparation; rise, rise Perolla, and believe me, if these few drops have either manifested my Passion, or sav'd your Life; they are too gloriously spilt to be deplor'd, and if they create any resentments in you, they should be of a contrary nature to those which now appear. I must confess (con∣tinued Simander) that my memory does not contain all the particular passages of so rare an entertainment, and therefore I will not so much wrong such virtuous persons, as to cloath their conceptions and expres∣sions in any other language than their own; I will therefore in expecta∣tion of your pardon for so high an omission, continue my discourse, by acquainting you, that after a friendship was contracted, which was as perfect as the friends themselves were, that Perolla's despair was abso∣lutely conquer'd, and that his, and his Izadora's wounds were drest, my Prince invited them to his Quarters, out of that Massacre and deluge of Bloud, which his new friend had made, and though his many wounds render'd the least motion, both dangerous and painful, yet he thought the greatest torments would be in his separation from the fair Izadora, and therefore having made his pain appear the less, to make his happi∣ness really the greater, he assur'd my Prince, that without any inconve∣niency, he would wait upon her and him to those Lodgings he had as∣sign'd her, whither as they were going, they might perceive some barba∣rous Soldiers driving before them two Gentlemen, whose Age and Coun∣tenance merited a different usage (though their past actions did not) and I dare avow, though their sufferings were great, and that the manner in which they were inflicted, was as sensible as the pain; yet they did bear them with much joy, for each of them by the knowledge of his own usage, guessing at that of his Enemies, found his satisfaction in his very tor∣ments. But they were no sooner perceiv'd by Izadora and Perolla, than both of them with many Tears, and passionate actions, begged my Prince that their Irons might be taken off, which was no sooner motion'd than granted, though those which kept them, alledged, that they were the Men which had spilt most of their companions bloud at the assault: then my dear Master desir'd Perolla to acquaint him what high relation could produce such rare demonstrations of affection, as he expret at their captivity? to which he reply'd, Sir, I must acknowledge that Gentleman (shewing Blacius) to be the fair Izadora's Father, and the other, (shew∣ing Pacuvius) to be mine, though truly they have retain'd nothing, but the name and the power of Parents, they are those which we have reason to hate, and yet cannot; and though they have stifl'd all the dictates of nature, and oppos'd the purest flame that ever burned; yet we pre∣serve out Duties to them so entire, that we resent any affliction which be∣falls them, with a grief proportionable to their joy, if the self-same ac∣cidents had arriv'd to us. Spartacus being inform'd of their qualities, sa∣luted

them with much respect; but he perceiv'd, assoon as they had learn'd to whose intercession they owed that favour, that the means of their de∣liverance supprest the contentment of it. This action made him extream∣ly admire, what strange causes they were, which could have so unusual an operation, and having found at last, that each of them rely'd upon the justice of his cause, he desir'd to hear their difference, to which the Fathers willingly consented, as being confident in their right, and ha∣ving heard a true character of my Prince's Justice, as on the other side, Izadora and Perolla willingly submitted to it on the same grounds. The next morning then being appointed for this Audience, my Prince having conducted our virtuous Lovers to his own Quarters, which when he had surrender'd them, and there (as a mark of his confidence and friend∣ship) acquainted Perolla with the word, he withdrew himself to settle and secure his new Conquest, leaving them in as high an admiration of his Gallantry, as he had conceived of theirs. The next day was not many hours old, but he was inform'd by the messenger he had sent to complement the generous Lovers, That they expected with much impa∣tiency, the Judge of their Felicity or Misery: to satisfie their longing, he waited immediately on them, bringing with him their Fathers, where finding by the Chirurgeons, that so long a disourse as their fortunes must amount unto, might prejudice Perolla's health, they prevail'd with Izadora to undertake the Relation, which a general silence inviting her to perform, she began it in these words.