Clelia, an excellent new romance the whole work in five parts, dedicated to Mademoiselle de Longueville / written in French by the exquisite pen of Monsieur de Scudery, governour of Nostredame de la Garde.

The History of Aronces and Clelia.

I Cannot tell, Madam, whether my words may seem impertinent when I tell you that 'tis not possible for you to comprehend the present for∣tune of this Prince, if I do not intermix in my rela∣tion some particularity reflecting on the King his Fa∣thers life. What, said the Princess of the Leontines interrupting him, is Aronces a Kings Son? Yes Ma∣dam, replyed Celeres, Aronces is Son of the most Il∣lustrious King of all Etruria, and the unhappiest King of the Earth, for the King Porsenna is his Fa∣ther: I pray you, replyed the Princess of the Leon∣tines, if it lyes in the sphere of your knowledge, to acquaint me with the adventures of Porsenna as well as those of Aronces, not concealing any thing from me, if it please you, for though I reside sometime in this Country, I have heard them but very confu∣sedly, because I have had so many unquiet thoughts which have disturbed my Spirit, that I had not any curiosity to inform my self of the misery of others, when I had no power constantly to support my own: Since you command it, Madam, and that you desire of me is necessary to instance you of the deplorable estate of the Prince Aronces, I must deduce my di∣scourse further than I at first intended, and tell you that the precedent King of Clusium, Porsenna's Father, waging War against the Prince of Perusia now re∣gnant, gained a famous Battel but the sequel proved unfortunate: for the Prince his Son under whose

Command his Troops were Victorious too far, pur∣suing those he had vanquished, was taken prisoner, so that Mezentius believing to have had as much ad∣vantage in this occasion as his Enemy, the Victory produced no peace between these two Princes, but the War continued as before.

In the mean time, Porsenna who was one of the fairest Princes in the World, and who is now one of the ancientest Illustrious Kings in the Earth, was used with as much Civility as one in his condition could expect, though he was kept with as much exactness, as if instead of being a Prisoner of War he had been a Prisoner of State; he was therefore put in a Castle about six miles from Perusia, and which is so advantagiously scituated, that one hundred men may defend it against one thousand; but for his good or ill fortune, I know not which to term it, the Princess Nicetale the first Wife of the Prince of Pe∣rusia being very sick, was ordered to go for the re∣covery of her health to an Air less subtle than that of Perusia, and her Physicians finding none more commodious for her than the Castle in which the Prince Porsenna was kept, advised her to go thi∣ther, for as it's very great, and that it hath one Tow∣er, which is so far divided from it, she might reside in the Castle without the knowledge of any of his Guard; but going thither she carried along with her the Princess Galerita her only Daughter, who was then about fifteen years old, and who was of such a piercing and prodigious beauty, that she could not be seen without admiration; the Prince Porsenna whom Nicetale visited many times in the Tower where he was kept, would not see her with∣out being sensibly told, that he became more captive of the Daughter, through the love she gave him, than the Father by the Laws of War: Nicetale being a Princess of great Spirit, no sooner perceived the passi∣on that the young Galerita had produced in Porsenna, she joyfully countenanced it, for she being naturally inclined to Peace, pitch'd upon this productive love, as the only means which might establish it between the King of Clusium and the Prince of Perusia her Husband, and far from opposing its continuation contributed much to the progression thereof, by the frequent visits she vouchsafed this Illustrious Cap∣tain, who seeing the bloing youth of the Person whom he loved, and not seeing her without the Princess Nicetale, judged that to acquire the love of Galerita, he might first gain the friendship of Nice∣tale, and indeed he had such an ascendant over her, that she loved him as if he had been her Son.

In the mean time he managed his love so discreetly, that the young Princess of Perusia knew that he had for her, that as she had heard term'd love, and she likewise felt, that she had for him I know not what tenderness that she never yet had for any Person; but in the end without expatiating my self to tell you with what Gallantry and address this loving Prisoner perswaded his love to her which had produced it; I shall only tell you that he acquainted her with it by writing, and obtained Nicitales permission to speak to her of it, which in the high esteem she had for him, received this confession of his love for her Daughter in a most obliging manner, for she then unlock'd to him the secret of her heart, telling him that she knew that the touching of the Estate of the King of Clusium, and that of the Prince of Perusia was without doubt the way to put him in a capacity to give law to all Etruria, and to dispute the power with the famous Vulturnum, and with proud Rome it self, but knowing the resentments the King of Peru∣sia had against the King of Clusium his Father, she was strongly perswaded that he would never con∣sent to hearken to any terms whilst he was in prison, or that if he did hearken to it, he would never give his Daughter to his Prisoner; 'tis therefore, said she to him, we must contrive a way to render you hap∣py, and to give the Peace to two Estates, which can∣not subsist in War: Alas Madam, what expedient, may a Prince find overwhelmed with so many diffe∣rent chances, as I highly esteem your vertue, I will propose to you a proposition, which according to all appearances may effect happily your design, if you follow my advice.

But generous Porsenna, pursued she, before I tell it you, you must solemnly swear to me, and do not pro∣mise me that which you will not inviolably keep, I promise you Madam, said he to her, that I will never violate my word I give you, and that I will not make use of the priviledge that may be granted to Priso∣ners not to perform their promise, but likewise pro∣mise me, that you will not command me to disrespect you, or not to affect Galerita: on the contrary repli∣ed Nicetale, I intend to put you in a possibility al∣ways to love her, and to permit her to love you in∣nocently, till the expiration of her life; but to make this design succeed happily, I must steer my course so, that you may depart from prison without any suspition, that I was privy to it: you must therefore said she, not go to Clusium, for fear you should not be there Master of your self, but you must go to the King of Cera, who remaining neuter during this War, is very fit to be a Mediator between the King of Clusium, and the Prince my Husband; but before it's put in execution, you must promise me, that in case by your solicitations and address, you can neither conclude a Peace between these two Princes, nor to oblige them to consent, that you may espouse Galerita, you will come back to reassume your chains; for it is not just, knowing your valour and good for∣tune in the War, I should put such a valiant man as you in the head of an Army, which must fight against Mezentius, for though he is sometimes violent and unjust, I am his Wife, and ought to espouse his inte∣rest against all the World, think therefore if you are capable to accomplish my desires, as Porsenna was amorous, and Nicetales proposition was equita∣ble, he promised her with joy to perform all the de∣sired, on condition, she would likewise promise him to use all her power, that he might espouse Galeri∣ta; so the agreement being fully concluded, they resolved that this Princess should return to Perusia, and he that commanded the Castle, absolutely de∣pending on Nicetale, should give him leave to escape, and Porsenna through an interest of love was obli∣ged to wish the absence of his beloved object, as Ni∣cetale desired passionately Peace should be concluded before the beginning of the Spring, she hastened her return to accelerate the execution of her design, but as she now look'd upon Porsenna, as a Prince which should espouse her Daughter, she permitted them to have some particular conference the day which preceded her departure, whilst she entertained be∣low a Lady of Quality which had arrived there that Morning; so that Porsenna in this manner bid adieu to that young and fair Person, the Grandeur of whose Spirit, equalling her great Beauty, made her to tell things most judicious to the Prince whom she

was about to leave: for after he had made to her a thousand Protestations of fidelity, she told him she would not oblige him to so many things, as the Princess her Mother had, in case that he could not make a pacification between the King of Clusium and the Prince of Perusia, she would only desire him not to bear Arms against the Prince her Father; but Porsenna having answered her, that if he was free, honour would force him to fight for his Father; and both love and honour equally engaging him to her, if he could not conclude a Peace, he would come back to re-assume his Irons, which seemed to him much lighter than those with which love had chained him; in fine Madam, this separation was so tender and sensible, and those which have related this Adventure, say, that it was scarce credible, that so young a Person, as Galerita should have power to draw her self from his conversation with so much judgment and address, and assuredly this particular entertainment much encreased the Princes affection. In the mean time, Nicetale, after she had reconfirmed her promises to him, and he had renewed his to her, returned to Perusia, leaving a secret order with him which commanded the Castle, who was the Son of the Princess Galerita's Governess, to favour Porsen∣na's escape in four or five days, but so privately to act it, that he might not in the least appear culpable of it; this man over whom his Mother had as much power by her address, as by that which nature gave her, disposed himself to hazard his Fortune in hopes to advance it, and executed it so happily, a few days after, the Princess Nicetale was returned to Perusia, that Porsenna saved himself, as if he had suborned some of his Guards who went with him, neither did Mezentius know any thing of Porsenna's love to Ga∣lerita, nor the Intelligence of Nicetale with Porsenna. In the mean time, this Prince according to his word went to Cera, from whence he sent to the King of Clusium to intreat him to endeavour to conclude a Peace with the Prince of Perusia by proposing his Marriage with the Princess his Daughter, and he to whom this imployment was committed, being a man of Quality very fit to perform this Commission Por∣senna fully instructed him of all the reasons which might oblige the King his Father to consent to his Propositions, charging him that if he would not effect it, to tell him that he was not free, but in ap∣pearance, and that he would return to the Prison of the Prince of Perusia, when his hopes were fru∣strated of espousing the Princess Galerita, and to give Peace to two of the most considerable Estates of all Etruria; at first the King of Clusium was strangely irritated against the Prince his Son; be∣cause he went to Cera, and not to him, and vented his anger against his Proposition, but Porsenna having secretly wrote to those which had some credit over this his Father's Spirit, that they might induce him to make Peace, they knew so well how to represent to him, that his people were weary of War, and the advantage that the Marriage of his Son with the blooming youth of the Perusian Princess would bring him, that in the end he resolved to send to offer Peace to Mezentius, whose courage was much abated at Porsenna's flight, for he knew not the conditions, on which he departed from his Irons, but having a fiery heart, and a vindicative spirit, he would not re∣solve with himself to hearken to any Proposition of Peace, nor Alliance with a Prince whom he hated, and that which fed this humour, was, that the Prin∣cess Galerita was much affected by a Prince of this Court, named Bianor, who forgot nothing that might hinder that the Peace should deprive him of his Mistress; that which rendred his credit so great: was that Mezentius was amorous of his Sister, who is now that Princes Wife, and who was then very beautiful and ambitions, so it was not without great difficulty, that Nicetale made him consent to her de∣sires, but she could not have done it, unless having divulged the advantageous Proposals of Peace by the King of Clusium: the people were no sooner ad∣vised of it, but they murmured at him, and so highly began to testifie their aversion to War, that Mezenti∣us knowing very well, he could not without danger excite a revolt in his Estates, (having given a great charge to Bianor to appease the Person whom he loved) he consented in the end to treat with the King of Clusium.

In the interim there passed few days, but Porsenna wrote to Nicetale and Galerita, to pray the first to re∣member her promise, and to give a thousand testi∣monies of love to the latter: but in the end, after a long Negotiation, the Peace was concluded, and the Marriage of Porsenna and Galerita resolved on, on condition Porsenna should remain at Perusia, as long as his Father lived: Mezentius imagining that the King would renew the War, in despight of the Alli∣ance, if he retained not the Prince as Hostage, it is true, this Article was easily accorded to, for though the King of Clusium very much loved his Son, he was not sorry for this advantageous absence, which reu∣nited in his Person all the obedience of his Subjects, so that the Marriage was happily concluded in de∣spight of the Clandestine Machinations of Bianor, and the natural aversion of Mezentius; but hardly had Porsenna and Galerita the leasure to contemplate the happy Sun-shine of their good fortune, when it was eclipsed with grief; for the sage and prudent Nicetale died a little after the Celebration of the Nuptials, and she dyed with much regret, because she knew the secret aversion Bianor's Sister enter∣tained in her heart against Porsenna, and it was prin∣cipally because she saw him adored by all the Court, and very much loved by the People. In the mean time the death of Nicetale put such a great conster∣nation in all her House, and in the Princess her Daughters, that there were few in the one and the other which were not entirely swayed by grief, so that in this great disorder, it unhappily fell out, that one of the Women of this Queen, which had been alwayes favourable to Porsenna's Rival, found all the Letters the Prince had written to Nicetale, during his residence at Cera, by which he entreated her ex∣actly to keep her word, and to oblige the Princess her Daughter to keep the promise she made him to espouse none but him; so that this Person being seised of these Letters, to evidence to Bianor, that if she had not had the power heretofore to serve him nigh Galerita, it was not for want of address, but because an invincible obstacle opposed her in∣tentions, but shewing all those Letters to Bianor, she excited a great confusion in his Spirit, which made him resolve to revenge himself both of Porsenna and Galerita, for as he knew Mezentius was jealous of his Authority, that he was violent and vindicative, and that he noted, he did not very much affect Porsenna, he believed that when he knew the commerce which had been between him and the Princess his Daughter, he would be much exasperated against him, & having

consulted with his Sister thereupon, she confirmed him in his design, for not seeing now that it was im∣possible Mezentius should espouse her, being a Wid∣dower, and that he was very amorous of her, she imagined it would be most advantageous to effect her Marriage with that Prince, and the only way to excite his anger, both against Porsenna; and the Princess Galerita: So that this Maid reasoning as an Ambitious Person, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as a Vindicative Lover and an Ambitious Rival, they absolutely re∣solved to shew the Prince of Perusia all Porsenna's Letters, but as they were not absolutely assured what impression they would make in Mezentius Spi∣rit when he saw them, they would not give them to him with their own hands, but laid them on the Table of his Cabinet, where he found them with∣out knowing who put them there; he was strange∣ly astonish'd to see them; for as he well knew the writing of Porsenna, and easily comprehended their Contents, he would not make appear his astonish∣ment nor anger, because he would be better satisfied of them, though those Letters almost learn'd to him all that which was passed, the Article only ex∣cepted which might justifie Nicetale, for it was not positively written in the Letter that he should re∣turn to Prison if the Peace was not concluded, be∣cause he judged Nicetale would understand it, if he did but express in general terms that he would not violate his promise: Mezentius then being willing to be better instructed in that which was but dubi∣ously mentioned in the Letters, sent to find out the Lady who had been the Princess his Daughters Go∣verness before her Marriage, judging that this secret might be known to her, she being very much belov'd by Nicetale, but the better to palliate his Design, he shewed to her all Porsenna's Letters to Nicetale, with∣out expressing the least resentment of anger, to have learn'd the Intelligence which had been between the Princess his Daughter, and Porsenna during his Imprisonment; but on the contrary he said to her the more to deceive her, that he had not the curio∣sity to know particularly all the passages between them, and who were those which had contributed to unite their affection, but to the end, to know to whom he owed that obligation of Peace which his People enjoyed by the Marriage of those two Per∣sons; Mezentius thus speaking with a feigned dissi∣mulation, and the Lady believing in the estate things were, his designs were consonant to his words, dis∣guised nothing from him, and recounted to him all that was passed; but though she told him that Por∣senna was set free on a limited condition to come back thither if he espoused not Galerita by conclu∣ding Peace, but he believed it not, but believed 'twas this Ladies invention, and judged 'twas her Son which had facilitated the flight of that Prince, though she did not acquaint him with it, but told him that Nicetale had suborned some of his Guards, but she principally aggravated the Grandure of Por∣senna's love to Galerita, and that powerful inclinati∣on of Galerita for Porsenna, seeming to her that no∣thing was more proper to mollifie the heat of a Prince which was himself susceptible of Loves slames; but scarce had this Lady finish'd her Speech, but Me∣zentius unmasking his anger, what, said he to her, beholding her with a terrible aspect, which would make the constantest Person tremble? Have I then put my Daughter to you, to teach her to love my Enemy and those that my Valour had subdued? Was it to inspire her with such degenerate thoughts that I preferred the care of her Education to you be∣fore many others? Sir, said she unto him, I have but obeyed the Princess Nicetale, and I do not see that this obedience hath had a preposterous Event, since you have for your Son in Law, the Son of a great King, and which merits to be greater as much by the qualities he possesses, as by his highness of his birth, If I could resuscitate Nicetale to punish her for her treachery and perfidiousness, pursued he, I would do it with all my heart: but since 'tis not possible, you shall answer for the fault she hath committed, and I will so severely punish you for your Treason, that you shall wish your death all the rest of your life; this Lady would have then allayed the fury of this violent Prince, but the more she spoke the more it excited his anger, and at this instant they came to advertise him that Bianor had something of consequence to im∣part to him, so that he having commanded some of his Attendants to carry that Lady to her Chamber, and not to let her speak to any person, he hearkned to Bianor, who assured him that he had news that the King of Clusium was upon the point of expiration: Porsenna not knowing of it, from whom he would conceal it, to the end he should not depart from his Court; for fear he should be retained there by his people, who would never consent that their Prince should reside at Perusia, hardly had Bianor learn'd un∣to him the Estate of the King of Clusium, but he took a resolution to satisfie three passions instead of one, for he pretended to satisfie his vengeance in arresting Porsenna, and declaring his marriage void, he easily pretended to satisfie his Ambition in usurping his E∣states after the death of the King his Father, and he pretended to satisfie his love by espousing Bianors Si∣ster, on pretext to revenge himself of Galerita and to dis-inherit her, because she had had a secret love with the Prince she had married, when there was war with the King his Father, so that confusedly reason∣ing with all the preoccupation of a person which had love, ambition and anger, he considered neither ju∣stice nor resentments of nature, nor the sequel of his resolution, hinting on nothing but to execute his un∣just designs, he therefore acquainted Bianor with all his intentions, communicating to him all that he would act against Porsenna, and for Sextilia his Sister, and as Bianor had an artificial spirit, he more stirred up Mezentius anger, and offered himself to execute his commands whatsoever they were, so that the Prince of Perusia without deferring a moment, gave all the orders necessary, to arrest at the same time Porsenna and Galerita, and it was so speedily resolved on, and so diligently executed, that Porsenna was al∣ready returned to the prison where he had been, and Galerita and her ancient Governess, were already in the greatest Isle of the Lake, that you may see from your windows. And they did not yet know in the City whether they were arrested or no, and Mezen∣tius was at first so happy in his unjust actions, that all succeeded according to his desire; for he had cruelly revenged himself both of Porsenna and Galerita, and saw himself in an estate to possess the person whom he lov'd, and he hop'd Clusium would soon obey him, for he knew the next day that Porsennas Father was dead, and that the Grandees of the Realm were di∣vided, and he had the good fortune, that though the people of Perusia very much lov'd Galerita and Porsenna, they revolted not because Bianor published many things disadvantageous to these two illustrious

persons, so that they at first, not being able to discern truth from falshood, they opposed not the injustice of Mezentius, who a few days after espoused Sextilia, in hopes to have a successor, which would deprive Galerita from having the power one day to possess his Kingdom, but to satisfie either his ambition or re∣venge, he promised protection to one of those par∣ties in Clusium, to endeavour to oppress the other, and sent into that Realm a manifesto filled with im∣postures and false reasons, to palliate Porsennas im∣prisonment.

In the interim, Bianor being amorous of Galerita, powerfully sollicited his sister to perswade the King to nullifie the marriage of Porsenna, that he might e∣spouse her, for he imagined (induced thereto by love) that Nicetale had a greater hand in this match than Galerita; so that conceiving some hope, he gave no repose to Sextilia, who to satisfie her brother, for∣got nothing that was possible to endeavour to make void the marriage of Porsenna, and so far perswaded Mezentius, that he went in person to induce her to desert that Prince, and to tell her that she was forced to marry him, more by her Mothers command than her own inclinations, and that he would not only put to death Porsenna, but her self also if she repugned his will, making likewise to Porsenna the most unjust propositions that could be imagined; for he offered him his liberty, if he would yield to him the half of his estate, and consent to the nullifying of his marri∣age, telling him he was in a place where he could not be too prudent to refuse any thing: but whatsoever he could say to that Prince, or the Princess his daughter, he could not shake their constancies, and they both told him, they would never forsake one another, so that Mezentius now remained satisfied, in hope that time would alter their opinions, and thought on no∣thing but how he might entirely usurp the estate of that unhappy King, who though unhappy as he was, was not so much as the Queen his wife; for Madam, I must tell you, that two Months after her Imprison∣ment, she began to fear her self to be with child, at first she imagin'd it proceeded from a simple effect of her Melancholy, but as she had her ancient Governess with her, this Lady to whom age had given much ex∣perience, told her that without doubt her fear was really grounded, so that she finding her self in the saddest condition can be imagin'd, seeing the horri∣ble threatnings of Mezentius, believed that there could be no assurance for the life of Porsennas child; and her Governess was of advice at first, that if Me∣zentius knew her estate, he would not insist on the rupture of the marriage, but considering he had told her, he would put to death both her and Porsenna, she could not hope that a Prince which had the cruelty to threaten his own daughters death, would spare the life of a child that he looked upon as the child of a Prince whom he esteemed his enemy: this Lady likewise who was her only consolation, told her that after Mezentius had reduc'd things to the estate where they were, he would not be capable to be mollified by the consideration of a child, which was but in conception, and who had nothing but tears to bow his obdurateness, when he should come into the world, so that they thought it was expedient to conceal that indisposition, which produced their fear, but the thing at first appeared so difficult to them, that their consolation ended in tears.

But after a little mature deliberation, they be∣lieved that if they could gain his wife, who com∣manded the Castle, it would not be impossible to conceal so great a secret; for as she was the only per∣son which had the liberty to see this young Queen (except two slaves which served her) they should fear nothing, if they could procure her to be of their intelligence, so that all the care Galerita used was to entirely to acquire that Lady who was called Flavia, and who is sister to Nicius, here present; but to speak truly, it was not difficult for the Princess to oblige her to serve her, and to be faithful to her, for she being naturally tender and compassionate, had a par∣ticular inclination to love Galerita, who knew so ad∣mirably how to acquire their spirits of those from whom she would obtain any thing, that it had been very difficult for Flavia to resist her intreaties, who much deplored the misery of so fair and vertuous a Queen, but Galerita deferred the discovery of it, as long as she could possible, to see if the Prince of Perusia could desist from his injustice, but hearing by some of her Guards, that he always appeared more inveterate against Porsenna, and that he used all the means possible to usurp his estate, and that when Clusium was submitted, he would assuredly put to death this Prince, she determin'd to confide on Flavia, to whom she learnt her present Estate, and the fear Mezentius should know it, but she told it her with such melting language, and tender considerations to procure her fidelity to assist her in saving the life of of an innocent Babe, which did not yet enjoy the light, that this vertuous woman, which had no obdu∣rate heart mingled her tears with Galeritas, and would not promise her (without evaporating many sighs) the accomplishment of all her desires, so that the true cause of her indisposition might be conceal'd. But without troubling my self to recite impertinent particularities, I shall tell you in few words, that Ga∣lerita having feign'd to be seiz'd with a greater ma∣lady than really she was, to obtain that her Guards should come no more into her Chamber, and Flavia (who was very much belov'd by her Husband) being wholly gain'd by her, and they having gain'd the Phy∣sician which should see Galerita: the design was in the end conducted with so much precaution, judgment, and sense, that the true cause of Galeritas indispositi∣on was not in the least suspected, and she had the ad∣vantage to salute the times with a Successor to Por∣senna, it being not then known, and the generous Flavia acted her part so handsomly, that the Son of the Queen of Clusium came into the world, without being publickly known, and was taken out of her Chamber without being discovered, for having fore∣seen what she would act, she had so order'd it that the Queen of Clusium having seen from her Chamber a lit∣tle child, she had which was very fair, and that one of her slaves held in his arms desired to see it, so that insensibly she had used the Guards of this Princess to enter daily, and go out with that person which car∣ried Flavias young Son into Galeritas Chamber, and which carried it sometimes divested and sometimes wrapt up in sumptuous swath bands, as if it were a∣sleep in her arms, to the end to use this artifice, when it should be necessary, and as Flavia was his wife who commanded the Castle, none which depended on her were suspected by Galeritas Guards, so that when this Queen was in estate to have need of the address of Flavia, she caus'd her which had accustom'd to bring the Son of this Lady to the Chamber of the Princess to come thither with the same swadling clouts where∣with she used to envelope it, when she carried it asleep

thither, having taken a great bundle of flowers in going through a Garden, which she carried as if it had been really the child she used to carry in her arms, so that being entred in this manner into Gale∣ritas Chamber with Flavia who followed her, and ha∣ving stayed there till the Queen had given Porsenna a Son, she departed afterwards from thence with the child of this Queen, whose face was covered lest the fallacy should be discern'd, and this young Prince was carried to the Apartment of Flavia; from whence she caus'd it to depart the same night, to commit it to the care of Martia her Sister in Law, to whom without any fear she confided this secret, because she had always had so great a dependance on the service of the precedent Princess of Perusia, that there was nothing to be fear'd, but as of necessity, that this child stould be carried in a Bark to the other side of the Lake, to transport it to the house of Martia, which was ten miles from thence.

There was a few days after some noise dispers'd of that which Galerita fear'd should be known, and it so suddenly receiv'd an augmentation, that Bianor hear∣ing of it made it known to Mezentius, and this Prince caus'd to be arrested the Physician, which had assisted the Queen of Clusium, and by most cruel threatnings, he obliged him to confess the truth, but hardly did he know it, but fury wholly possessing him, he commanded an exact search should be made for Galeritas Child, he caused Flavia and her husband to be arrested, and chang'd all the Guards of the Queen his daughter, and so rigorously treated this Princess, that she now fear'd Mezentius would kill her Son if he came into his hands, 'tis true, she long time fear'd this mishap would arrive, for knowing the humour of Mezentius, and having understood from Flavia, that some noise was dispers'd of the birth of this young Prince, she oblig'd ber to com∣mand Nicius and Martia on her part, to seek speedi∣ly a pretext to perform a voyage to carry this young child from the estate of a Prince, whose violence and injustice she equally fear'd; she gave Flavia pre∣cious stones of a very considerable value to give to Martia, that she might make use of as occasion ser∣ved during the exile of her Son, and Flavia having instructed Nicius and Martia of Galeritas intentions, return'd not to the Isle where she was kept, till she had seen Nicius and Martia depart to seek an Asylum for Porsennas successor, at first they had a design to put themselves under the protection of those which held the part of that unhappy King in his estate, but Ni∣cius who is very prudent, learning how that estate was divided, and that the faction Mezentius protect∣ed was the most powerful, it would be dangerous to trust this young Prince to men, which in the low e∣state to which they were reduced, would make use it may be of that occasion to make an accommodati∣on with Mezentius, instead of defending him against him, as the Son of their King, so that to put him in more safety, Nicius and his wife, leaving Clusium on the right hand, they embarqu'd at a Port, which was not above six miles from the famous City of Ce∣ra, with intention to pass to Syracusa, where Nicius had heretofore resided a long time, seeming to them that the Isle of Sicily was a safer retreat for the young Prince, which they conducted, than any other place they could chuse; for as Rome was at this time under the dominion of a violent Prince, that they spoke of nothing but exile, Volternum was not far enough, Tarentum was then divided, Capua was too delicious to sojourn for the afflicted, and Syracusa seem'd a Ci∣ty where they might remain, without informing who they were, because of the great resort of strangers thither from all parts, this City having the com∣merce of Africa and Italy, as well as Greece, Taren∣tum, and a great part of Etruria, but to conceal bet∣ter so great a secret, Nicius and Martia resolved to say that this young Prince was their Son, and with∣out having any other company with them, save his Nurse, and two most faithful slaves, they embarqu'd as I have told you, with intention to go to Syracusa, but Madam, before I relate the issues of their voyage, I shall briefly tell you, that Mezentius not only acted all I have told you, after he had known that Galerita had a Son, but he swore he would declare war to all Princes, and all Republicks, which gave him a re∣treat, and that Porsennas party in Clusium being sup∣pressed by the others, Mezentius had the power to persecute impunely that unhappy King, and men of the greatest knowledge are perswaded, that if he had not had a Son, his life had been in great danger, but as Mezentius saw, that if he put him to death, it would give a pretext for a new war, which he would not undertake, since those which had the Prince in their power would use his name to revenge the death of the King, he spar'd his life, and seeing himself so absolutely master of Clusium, as he hop'd, for those that he had protected against the faithful Subjects of Porsenna, had ever been there of the greatest Autho∣rity.

In the Interim Bianor endeavour'd to consolate him∣self by the great credit he had with Mezentius, and by the hope that Galeritas child would perish, and Porsenna die in Prison, and that he should one day en∣joy his Mistress.

But to return to Nicius and Martia, they were no sooner embarqu'd, but the wind which was at first favourable, suddenly chang'd, and became so out∣ragious that for fear of shipwrack, they must leave their intended course, and abandon themselves to the wind, which was stronger than the Pilots art, who conducted them: and the Sea was so tumultuous, that the waves often passed from one side of the ship to the other, with such impetuosity, that they nigh over∣whelm'd all that were there, and these waves meet∣ing sometimes together in such a manner that they form'd within themselves great foamy mountains, that the other waves bore away in wheeling about, and they saw a kind of fight between them, which threatn'd shipwrack to all the vessels which were then on the Sea: This Tempest became most dangerous to that Ship in which Nicius and Martia was, for the wind after it had tost it in divers manners, pusht it to∣wards the Cape of Lylibeum, so that as there is no greater danger for vessels when the Sea is angry, than to be nigh the Land, Nicius and Martia had much reason to fear the loss of their Vessel, but that which more confirmed it, was, that they saw the Pilot, who was very skilful, after to have unprofitably used his art to resist the impetuofity of the winds, and the tempestuousness of the Sea, had left the helm and fell on his knees to make vows to Neptune, decla∣ring by this action, that he no more hoped there, but in the assistance of the Gods, yet they ap∣pear'd in his face, that he did not hope to obtain that he demanded, for he had all the marks of despair in his eyes.

In the mean time, in the middle of this tempest, this young Prince which was Nicius and Martias principal

peaceably slept in his cradle, without knowing his life was in peril, but though he feared not, Martia and Nicius feared for him, and there was other ves∣sels in this place, which were exposed to perish, as that of Nicius: and by fortunes capriciousnesse, the tempest had brought together in a little space many ships, which held divers wayes, when it began, for there was one of Carthage which being parted from Syracusa to return to its Country had been con∣strained to leave its course, there was another from Tarentum, two from Ostria, and one from Corinth, so that the wind seemed not to have formed this little Fleet but to destroy it, these Vessels then fearing to be rocks to one another, and to beat by clashing together, performed all which they could to sepa∣rate them, but as usually the sea being angry dis∣perseth the Fleets, it seemed to have brought these ships together, and would not separate them, till they should be broken by one another, and had co∣vered the shore with their ruines: but Madam, the better to comprehend the marvellousnesse of this adventure, you must know that there was in this vessel that went to Carthage, an illustrious Roman family, who to fly the persecution of Tarquin the proud, which now reigns in that famous City, had taken a resolution to seek an asylum in Africa, be∣cause there is no great commerce between Italy and it, except it be casual by the way of Sicilie; and Cle∣lius who was chief of it saw him self unfortunate, and more unfortunate than Nicius, for he had an onely son in the Cradle, that was exposed to pe∣rish as well as he, it is not that Clelius feared death, through a resentment of weakness, but that having all the generosity which true Romans make profes∣sion of, he lookt upon his losse, and his sonnes as a gain to Tarquin whereof he was enemy and he did not consider the losse of all his family and his own. His wife, who was named Sulpicia, was not so troubled by the apprehension of death, as by a resentment of glory, who desired, that if they pe∣risht, the enemy should not hear of their shipwrack, so that Clelius and Sulpitia, without concealing them∣selves during the tempest, as usually all passengers do, which are in vessels, came on the poop, to look upon this terrible agitation of the waves, which momentarily exposed them to perish, at least just gods (said then this generous Roman, lifting up his eyes to heaven) if ye have resolved my destruction, save my Country, and to die like a true Romane, let me rather make vows for it, than for my self, do then, you just gods I entreat you oppresse Tar∣quin the proud by his own tyranny, let him be tram∣pled under the Throne to which his crimes have carryed him, and let the cruel Tullia, which passed over her fathers body to mount the same Throne dye cruelly, let all his family be exterminated, let the name of the Tarquins be an horror, and since Rome hath no more legitimate Kings, let it I say be free, and let it never have tyrants, Clelius having thus spoken, and Sulpitia by her sup∣pliant action seemed to joyn her prayers with her husbands, a gust of this enraged wind bearing Ni∣cius his vessel on theirs, split them both in an in∣stant, and covered all the sea with their ruines; the Carthaginians were seen mingled with the Romans and the Romans with the Sicilians, who in particular used all the means they were able to save their lives, but amongst others Clelius who could swim ad∣mirably, and who had a strong heart, incapable of disturbance by the sight of any certain death, en∣deavoured to swim to discover his wife or his son, amongst that masse of planks, which there floated, and men clinged unto them to save their lives, but as the violence of the waves, soon dispersed the splinters of the ships, Clelius without finding his son or his wife, was constrained to think on his own safety; and having discovered the point of a rock which overlookt the sea, where he might retreat in such a pressing necessity: he that endeavoured to gain it in despight of the impetuosity of the waves, in hope all the vessels which he had seen in the be∣ginning of the tempest were not perished, and that some of them would take him from the rock when the sea was a little calm; but as Clelius vigorously did swim to attain that rock, he saw on his right hand, a cradle which floated, and a young child, which without appearing affrighted at the horri∣ble peril where he was, smiled assoon as he per∣ceived him, this pitiful object sensibly touching the heart of this generous Roman, and at that in∣stant not thinking there was any other Child but his in any of the vessels which were shipwrackt, believed it was his son and did swim with more swiftnesse to go to succour that Cradle, which the waves so rudely tossed, but approaching it, he knew distinctly, that it was not his child; for he had different swadling clouts and very remarkable which gave him no doubt of it; neverthelesse, Clelius incited by a compassionate feeling, and wish∣ing his child were in the same estate, who might find one which would succour him, continued swimming towards the cradle of the young Prince of Clusium; for it was Madam the son of him whom Clelius saw in imminent danger, and which would have infalli∣bly perished without his assistance: this illustrious Cle∣lius did swim with so much force and address, for to take hold of a corner of the Cradle of that young Prince whom he knew not; but that which was most cruel, was, that the waves which pusht it, carried it from the point of the rock, that he lookt upon as an Asylum; nevertheless having found this Cradle, he sustained it with one hand, and swimming with the other, he turned his head to the rock, where afterwards arrived with much difficulty, and assoon as he was there, he put the Cradle of this young Prince, on the highest part of that rock, and seated him by it, to behold the place where he was shipwrackt, but looking on it, he saw his own sons cradle which floated, and which being intangled among the planks, that the Sea tossed in a strange manner, appeared to him ready to be drowned, so that not having the power to resist his paternal pity, weary as he was, he left the young child which he had found, and cast him∣self again into the sea, to endeavour to save his, but going thither had the misfortune to see that a gust of wind having pusht the prow of one of those broken ships, between him and his son, just as the cradle had been disintangled from the planks which supported it, hindred him from seeing any more the cradle or the planks; for at that time there fell a shower of rain so abundant, that Clelius could hardly perceive the rock, where he had left Porsennas son, when he believed to have seen his own son perish, he would return to him which heaven had given him, and having nothing else to do, he regained that Refuge, but when he was there, he sometimes be∣lieved, that he and this child would likewise die

there; for after the cessation of this terrible show∣er, he saw two vessels which had not been ship∣wrackt, instead to approach the place where he was, did all that they might to estrange themselves from it, for as the Pilots knew that rock, they would not by any means possible approach it; so that Clelius finding his deplored estate, judged that it may be, if he enterprised to swim to gain those vessels, it would not be impossible for him to do it, if he went alone without enterprising to sustain the Cradle; but as he would not forsake the child which heaven had put into his protection, he could not resolve to do it; for he was no sooner on the rock, but the wind changed, and pushed thither such an abundance of foam, that if Clelius had not held the Cradle of this young Prince in his arms, he had been drowned in the sea. Clelius being in this deplorable estate, believed when he see his son perish, he did not doubt of his wifes death, his generosity hindred from thinking of preserving his own life, and he saw little appearance to pre∣serve that unhappy infant; but in the end, one of these Carthaginian vessels which had not perished, being pushed in despight of him towards that rock and Clelius having made divers signs, was in the end perceived by him which commanded it, which being capable of humanity, had taken a particular care to save the most of those men he could, which were shipwrackt, and in the end, the wind having ceased on a sudden, it was easie for him without danger to approach the rock: and Clelius put him∣self again in the water, charged with the Cradle of the son of Porsenna to gain the vessel, where he had the joy to find again his dear Sulpitia, that a faith∣full slave had saved her by bearing her upon the water, and making her to board the ship where he sound her. This interview had something very delightful: for Clelius was much comforted by find∣ing his wife, and Sulpicia was very joyfull to see a∣gain her husband, she believed at first she had reco∣vered her son, when she saw Clelius with a child in his arms, but she was soon disabused, and in the end they both comforted themselves for the losse of their child by him fortune had given them, and by the consolation they had to see one another, after they had believed never to have seen one another again, and it seemed, that in the shipwrack, where they had believed to have lost all, they saved that which was of most value; for they found a part of their vessel run on ground on a heap of sand, where the richest things which they had were, and Sul∣picia strugling in the water had seised on a plank of another broken vessel, upon which was a casket fastned by divers cords wound round about it in that turning which was made at the time of the shipwrack; so that this faithfull slave of Clelius, who had saved Sulpicia, having found her sustaining her self by this plank, which was ready to sink by the weight of this casket, supported her, and brought her to the vessel where Clelius found her (for it was ve∣ry nigh) bringing likewise in his hands the casket which was fastened to the plank, imagining without examination, that it was hers, so that after Clelius and Sulpicia had had the leasure to meditate on the accident which was arrived, they found that their losse was lesse then they thought of in this occa∣sion; for they had found a child instead of theirs, and stones of an inestimable value in that Casket-

In the mean time, Clelius believing that he could not better acknowledge the favour that the gods had afforded him by saving his life, than in having a particular care of that child he had found, prayed Sulpicia to nourish it instead of hers, and to love it as her own, and as they both felt the grief they had for the losse of theirs, they would have restored this child to those which had lost it, if they were not perisht themselves, but they could not hear of them, for the misfortune was, that those of the Carthaginian Vessels saved none but those which were with Clelius and the other vessels, which were nigh that in which Porsennas son was shipwrackt, succour∣ed those which escaped there, but as the tempest se∣parated them, and their wayes being different, Cle∣lius could learn nothing of the birth of this child, neither of what country he was, neverthelesse his hope was, that the vessel which had saved him, went thither where he had a design to go: he obliged the Captain, to whom he owed his life, to bring him to Carthage, where he had a design to passe the time of his exile, to the end said he, that I may not have my spirit troubled by the recitall of Tarquins tyranny. But to make Sulpicia love the child better, the gods had given them, he desired he should have the name of Aronces, which was the name of the child he had lost; but he would not say, when he came to Carthage that Aronces was his son, though he had for him a paternal affection, for fear that should obscure his knowledge, and not knowing whether he should have other children, he would not disguise the truth, but he would carefully keep the Cradle, and the swading bands in which this child had been found, and likewise imagined that the stones he had found in that Casket might con∣duce to his knowledge: And he had for this child which was unknown to him, all the cares which his high birth rendred him worthy of, but whilst Clelius rendred to him all the offices of a true father, Nicius and Martia which had been saved by a Syra∣cusian vessel, were in so strange a despair for the losse of this young Prince, which was trusted to their care, that they durst never declare his death to the particular friends of Galerita, though they were strongly perswaded he had perished; for as things were then, if this young Prince had been in their power, they durst not in any wise have re∣vealed his birth, and they remained at Syracusa, where they learnt that Porsenna was more strictly kept, that Bianor persecuted Golerita, and that Sex∣tilia had no children. But to return to Clelius and Sulpicia, you shall know Madam, that they lived at Carthage, where their vertue soon gained them ma∣ny friends, and the young Aronces comforted them so well for the losse of their son, that if they had had a desire to destroy him to resuscitate the other, they could not resolve to do it, and indeed I have heard them say, he was amiable even from his Cra∣dle, and that he ever appeared to have something so great in him, little as he was, that it was easie even then to imagine that he should be of illustri∣ous extraction, he was likewise more dear to Cle∣lius and Sulpitia, because they were four years with∣out any children, but in the end Sulpitia had a daughter, which was called Clelia, but a daughter so fair, that they spoke of her beauty even at her birth, I shall not trouble my self Madam to exag∣gerate to you all her first attraction, though I have heard Aronces say, she testified so much spirit, even before she could speak, for as I have things of more

importance to tell you, I shall not weary your pa∣tience by a recital of that nature, and I shall content my self to assure you, that if Clelius forgot nothing to bring up the young Aronces, Sulpicia likewise forgot nothing to bring up the young Clelia; nei∣ther shall trouble my self Madam, to tell you many particularitis of the Grandeur and Magnificence of Carthage, to make you comprehend that these two Persons could not be better in any place of the Earth; since it is true, they found in it all they might find in the most political Republicks, and in the most flourishing Monarchies; but as it is not that of which I must treat, but it is the life of A∣ronces you must know: I shall tell you in two words, that Carthage is one of the richest and fairest Cities in the World, and that as all the Africans have a na∣tural inclination to delight, though they are a war∣like People, all pleasures were found in this Magni∣ficent City, as much as in any place of the Earth.

Moreover, as Carthage is dreadful to her Neigh∣bours, it is never without the residence of men of Quality from all bordering Estates, and it hath in its Neighbourhood a Prince which is called the Prince of Carthage, because he derives his descent from an Aunt of Dido, which did likewise reside there, before he imbroyled himself with this Re∣publick: the Prince of Numidia here present, was at this time there, and there was no Prince in Afri∣ca, which desired not to send his Children to Car∣thage, so that Aronces saw even from his Birth, Per∣sons whose conditions were proportionable to his, for as Clelius was much esteemed in this City, and Aronces was of a pleasant disposition, and a dexte∣rous wit, he easily familiarised himself with the Car∣thaginian and Numidian Princes, they being all of one Age; the Prince of Carthage so entirely affect∣ing his Conversation, (that when he went to a City under his power called Utica, not far distant from Carthage, he always accompanied him) Aronces by this means being very little in Clelia's company, whom he then considered, but as Clelius his Daugh∣ter to whom he was obliged both for his life and education; and it is as natural for those of fifteen or sixteen years, to seek those which are elder, he having nigh compleated a lustre more than Clelia, did not at this time much esteem her, the pleasures he found with the Carthaginian and Numidian Prin∣ces diverting his eyes from that amiable Object, whose Beauty (as he hath since confessed to me) be∣gan then to emit those rayes, which have since wounded his heart, but he so well behaved himself towards Clelius and Sulpitia, that they loved him as if he had been their Son, and expended for him, as if he had been their Child; but Madam, that you may the better understand my Narration, you must know that the Prince of Carthage hath a man of Quality depending on him, named Amilcar, whom he much loved, and which is the most agreeable and accomplished man in the World, who contracted so great a friendship with Aronces, that it is reported Amilcar was no more loved by the Carthaginian Prince, than Aronces was of Amilcar.

And this young Prince having taken a resolution to travel unknown, Amilcar desired that Aronces should accompany him, (and Clelia having consented thereto) Aronces being then sixteen years old, and the young Clelia twelve, departed with the Prince of Carthage and Amilcar to see Greece; but that which was most remarkable, was, that at their return, the Tempest having cast them in Sicyly, instead of re∣turning to Carthage, as they intended, they resolved to see Rome, and the greatest part of the principal Cities of Tuscany, and these two opposite Voyages requiring some time to perform them, they were four years before they returned to Carthage. Aron∣ces being twenty, and Clelia sixteen when they finished their peregrination; but before I tell you what pas∣sed between Clelia and him at their first enterview, it will be requisite to acquaint you, that at their de∣parture from Rome, where the violences of Tarquin continued, the Prince of Carthage who travelled un∣known, encountred an Illustrious Roman, named Ho∣ratius, whom the unjust Tarquin had banished, who without knowing where to pass the time of his ex∣ile, acquainted himself with Aronces, who very well understood the Latine Tongue, because Clelius who loved his Country, even to sacrifice his life for it, would not have Aronces ignorant of that Language: Horatius having a desire therefore to leave it some time to go into a strange Country, was very glad to find one endowed with so many rare qualities, which spoke his Language, and who having learn'd his de∣sign, proposed to him to go to Carthage, where he assured him he should find Clelius, whose name and vertue Horatius very well knew; for his Father and his, had been alwayes friends, though they had been Rivals, and Aronces having an Inclination to serve Horatius: not only because he appeared to have much Spirit, but because he was a Roman, and Son to one of Clelius's his Friends, entreated Amilcar, to pray the Prince of Carthage that this illustrious exile might accompany him, and find an asylum with him, and A∣milcar following his natural generosity, and willing to satisfie Aronces whom he loved, easily obtained of the Prince of Carthage that which he demanded, who became from this time Aronces's particular Friend, he not foreseeing that which should one day divide them: but Madam, before I declare the Arrival of this Illustrious Troop at Carthage, you must know, that leaving them at Capua; I shall somewhat enlarge my Discourse, and tell you, that during the four years of Aronces's absence, Clelia was mounted to such a transcendent height of perfection, that there was nothing spoke of at his Return, but her Beauty at Carthage, and she had had so many attractive Gra∣ces, that she took all hearts captive, and made them do vassalage and homage to her. He who had the greatest Authority in Carthage, and who was named Maharball, was become so amorous of her, that he was not in estate to observe the Laws of the Coun∣try, acknowledging no other than those love had imposed upon him; but as he is a violent man and very rich, he imagined that if he did but demand Clelia of her Father, he should without doubt ob∣tain her, and if Clelius had been a Carthaginian, he had easily given him his Daughter, but as he had a Roman heart, and had not renouneed his Country, he could not resolve to give Clelia to a man which was not of his Country, and without disguising his thoughts, he would have at first explicated himself, when this Marriage was proposed to him, though it appeared to be very advantagious for him, for without doubt Marharball's Authority was greater there than any others; for the Prince of Numidia who was captivated by this fair Person, durst not openly testifie his love, for as he was than an Ho∣stage with the Carthaginians, by reason of a Treaty his Father had made with this Republique, he had

been very, imprudent, if he had declared himself his Rival, who held him in his power, and which it may be upon sleight pretexts, would have arrested him, or at least made him depart from Carthage, and estrange himself from his beloved Object, to whom he only endeavoured to make his love appear, though he knew very well, that Clelius had said, he would not marry his Daughter, but to a Roman, yet he doubted not, but if he could touch Clelius heart, to make him alter his resolution, and to prefer him before that Puissant Rival, who so highly declared himself, for he believed that a Numidian Prince ought to be more considered by Clelius, than a man which had but a limited Authority, and which had it not for ever.

Thus you see Madam, in what estate things were, when the Prince of Carthage, Aronces, Amilcar and Horatius arrived there, but as Fortune from very inconsiderable beginnings discloseth those Events which oftentimes prove remarkable: Aronces revi∣sited the Fair Clelia in such a gallant manner, that it much contributed to that passion, which since hath tormented his life, for be pleased to know Madam, that as Carthage hath been heretofore begun to be builded by the Illustrious Dido, in a place which was bought of the Phenicians which then inhabited there, and since finished by them, it hath ever re∣mained as a mark of dependance of that proud City to that of Tyre, for there is built there every Year a Magnificent Vessel, in which they send to the Phe∣nicians the tenth part of the Republique Revenue, with the tenth part of the Booty and Prisoners that are taken in War, they likewise exchange every Year two Virgins chosen by lot, and those which come to demand this tribute bring two Phenicians, and receive two Carthaginians, which are always most advantagiously married in both Countries, as this Ceremony is famous, there is in one day desti∣ned to the renewing the Alliance of these two Peo∣ple, which is spent in nothing but publick rejoycing, for there hath ever been two men of Quality sent from Phenicia, which come to receive this Tribute, and which usually make a Magnificent Feast to the principal Magistrate of the City, in that proud Vessel, and assoon as they are returned to Shore, they ply their Oars, and hoist their Sails. And as Maharball ought to perform this Ceremony, and to renew the Aliance with the Phenicians and Car∣thaginians, he to content his passion, obliged the Ty∣rians which were to make this sumptuous Feast, to invite thither the principal Ladies of the City, so that at the going out of that famous Temple of Dido, where this Alliance was to be renewed, all the Ladies conducted by Maharball's Sister, which is a vertuous Person, were brought the two Carthagini∣ans which were to go into Phenicia, and received the two Phenicians, which were to remain at Carthage; but as this Feast was indeed made for Clelia, she was there with her Mother, Clelius not daring to oppose her going where so many other Ladies were, though Marharball's passion displeased him, she being indu∣ced thither more by reason than inclination, for Clelia's heart was not yet submitted to loves flame, neither had any of her Adorers made any impressi∣on in it, and it might very well be discerned, that she did affect nothing but glory, it giving an augmen∣tation to her Beauty; but to relate the real truth of things, I believe she loved it not too much, at least, I have not seen a fairer in my life, in whom there appeared less affectation.

In the mean time, we arrived at Carthage the day of this Feast advantageously for the Phenicians, and very gloriously for our selves; for Madam, two dayes hefore the Vessel in which we were, had taken two of the Isle of Cyrene, with whom the Carthagini∣ans had some contest, there being War between Sicy∣ly their Confederate, and this Isle: but without re∣citing all the particulars of this action; I shall tell you in few words, that the Prince of Carthage, A∣ronce, Amilcar, and Horatius did highly signalize themselves in this occasion, and that we took in the end these two Vessels, in which we found a very rich Booty, though those of the Isle Cyrene were not rich, they having before taken it in a Sicylian Vessel which came from Corinth: So that we took in this occasion a considerable Prize, whether by the rich∣ness of the Merchandize, or the number of the Slaves: but not to obscure the glory of Aronces, it is certain, that all those which were in our Ship, agreed that he had more contributed to this Great Action, than any other, and as I have told you, we arrived very opportunely for the Phenicians, to whom the tenth part of our Booty belonged, and very agreeable for our selves, for when our Vessel entred into the Port Clelia and three or four other Ladies were on the Poop of that Magnificent Ship that the Carthaginians sent to Phenicia, and she was there entertained by Maharbal, and by the Numidi∣an Prince; when we approach'd it the Prince of Carthage, Aronces, and Amilcar knew what was the Feast they made, and told it us, but when they were nigher and might discern the Beauty of Clelia, they were extremely surprized at it, and Aronces was sometime without knowing her, but as he was at first known by Clelia, she so obligingly saluted him, that he knew very well, that this fair Person was that dear adopted Sister, with whom he had passed his minority; so that he took much part in all the praises that the Prince of Carthage, Amilcar, Horati∣us and I attributed to her Beauty; but if Aronces was sensible of her Glory, Clelia was likewise of his, when that the Prince of Carthage followed by Aron∣ces, Amilcar, Horatius and I were in the tributary Vessel where all the Ladies were, to render account to Maharbal of the Prize he had taken, for as the Vessel was not his, but belonged to the Republique; the glory only of this action appertained to him, which he would have given entirely to Aronces, to whom he gave all the praises, speaking to Maharbal in presence of Clelia, that he made him be looked on with admiration by all those which understood him; but as Aronces hath without doubt all the modesty of a truly brave man, he departed from the place where they spoke so advantagiously of him, and approaching Sulpicia, he demanded of her news of Clelius, he not being there, and a little af∣ter, not being able to hinder himself from speak∣ing of the Beauty of her admirable Daughter, he rejoyced with her to see her so fair, and after∣wards seeking occasion to speak to her in particu∣lar, whilst Maharbal, the Prince of Numidia enter∣tained the Prince of Carthage and Amilcar, he testi∣fied to her his joy to see her endowed with such ex∣celling Features, Clelia on her part, who knew how her Father loved Aronces, received him with as ma∣ny testimonies of friendship, as if he had been her Brother, as Clelius had desired her to stile him, and that Aronces should call her his Sister, so that when he was nigh her, this charming Virgin thus said to

him, before he could frame himself to speak to her, the admiration of her beauty having for some time suspended his speech: Tell me my Brother, said she to him, hath not absence made you forget Carthage and Greece, and Italy, have not they made you hate Africa? but before you answer me, added she smil∣ing, remember I pray you, that though I was born at Carthage, I boast my self to be a Roman, for fear that without thinking of it, you put it before Rome, and prefer some other Country to my true Countrey. I now remember said Aronces so little of all I have seen during my voyage, that I cannot tell how to render you an account of it, for in the end my dear sister (if it is permitted an adopted brother to tell you my thoughts) you are the fairest creature I ever saw, and if Rome knew your beauty, I am perswaded it would wage a bloodier war to draw you from it, than that as Greece heretofore made against Troy, for to reconquer that fair Princess, whose name shall last as long as the world; at least, I know well, added he, that the most famous beauty of Rome, which is that of a person of great quality called Lucrece, is not comparable to yours; for all I see replyed Clelia, smiling, you are become such a flatterer, that I dare no more name you my brother, but for to tell me something, that I may hear without blushing, pursued she, tell me, I conjure you, if you are satisfied concerning Rome, and if Tarquin ever merits by his violences the attribute of proud Rome is assuredly replyed Aronces, the first City of all Italy, and it deserves to be the worlds Metropolis, since it may boast to be your true Country, but for Tarquin, he is so absolute there, that though all peo∣ple murmure secretly against him, there is no appea∣rance that his tyranny should soon finish, for hardly doth he know that any one is against his Interests, but he exiles him, or puts him to death: As Aronces had thus sayd, they saw enter in the vessel where he was, the tenth part of the slaves that the Prince of Carthage had taken, and that he had sent as an ho∣mage to the Phenicians, which gave a thousand prai∣ses to him in receiving them; but Clelia hearing the Prince of Carthage say, that those slaves belonged to Aronces, she put an obliging war to him in demand∣ing an exact account of his conquests; it is rather for me replyed he gallantly to demand of you an ac∣count of yours, which are assuredly more illustrious than mine; for I do not doubt, but if I saw all those which have been inslaved by the attractive lustre of your eyes, since my departure, I should see them in a far greater number, than those the Prince of Carthage attributeth to me, at least I know you may vanquish the vanquisher of others, If you enterprise it: After that Amilcar approach∣ing, Aronces demanded of him, shewing Clelia to him, if he did not fear to be shipwrackt at the Port? and the conversation being become generall, I gave my verdict as well as Amilcar.

But Madam, I must ingeniously confess unto you, she is the fairest nature ever made for wonder, and in her alone are concentred all those graces (may be imagined) to compleat a perfect beauty, the brightness of her hair adding a lustre to her sparkling eyes, and the circumference of her face framed after such exact rules of proportion, that no pencill is able to delineate her mouth for shape, shaming the imitation of the best artists, and the liveliest co∣lours, (though tempered with the hands of the most exquisite Painters) are but dull shadows, and imperfect Representations in comparison of that perfect mixture of red and white, which tinctures her complexion; but she is furthermore imbellish'd with all the Charms of a tempting beauty, for she hath a gallant and modest ayr, a lofty yet lovely Countenance, not any imperious deportment, but such an affable behaviour, that she commands both Love and Respect from all those who behold her, and though she hath a firm and bold spirit above those of her sex, she hath such an engaging sweet∣ness that none can resist, and that grandeur of spi∣rit which makes her despise the greatest perills if she be threatned with them, hath imprinted a cer∣tain timerous modesty on her visage, which heigh∣tens her unparallel'd Features.

Clelia being adorned with all these superexcellent embellishments of Nature, gave so much admiration to Aronces, Horatius, and to me, when wee saw her in that vessel which was going to Phenicia, that she was the sole subject of our discourse the Re∣mainder of that day, for Horatius he spoke of it less then me, for besides that naturally hee doth not love to declare his thoughts, I have known, that he felt himself so wounded with Clelias beau∣ty at this first fight, that he would not hinder his spirit from being wholly possessed with that fair person whom he alone contemplated, without communicating his Resentments to any persons, as for Aronces, he was more happy then Horatius, for as he resided in Clelius his house, he passed there the rest of that day and all the night, but he lod∣ged no more there, because the Prince of Carthage would absolutely that he should lodge in his Pal∣lace, and that he should be depending on him, and that Aronces having nothing but what Clelius had gi∣ven him, was not sorry to find such an illustrious way to subsist by his own virtue receiving the be∣nefits of so great a Prince.

In the mean time, after Clelius had imbraced A∣ronces with a Paternall affection, he had likewise much joy to see Horatius which was son to one of his dearest friends, and prayd Aronces to love him as if he had been his Brother, and commanded Sul∣picia and his amiable Daughter, to take a particular care of him, for when Clelius entertained Horatius of the present Estate of Rome, he found such a Sym∣pathy in his thoughts, and that he so much hated Tarquin, and the fiery and cruell Tullia his wife, that he loved him much more for it, so that Aronces who very much esteem'd Horatius, and which was very much beloved by him, performed all that he could imagin to render his Exile less rigorous; but as freindship is not alwaies dispensed by exact Justice, though I had less merit then Horatius, I had a greater part in the affection of Aronces, being his entire Con∣fident so soon as we arrived at Carthage, we knew the next day Maharballs love for Clelia without knowing the Prince of Numidias, which as I have already told you, made it appear but to her which caused it, but as he soon noted the credit that A∣ronces had with Clelius, Sulpicia, and their admirable Daughter, he endeavoured by all meanes to gain his friendship, in which without doubt he had much part, and since that time, as Liberty is much greater at Carthage, then Rome; the Prince of Numidia, A∣ronces, Horatius and I were almost alwaies with Sulpi∣cia, and we had the Advantages, not to be often importuned by Marharballs presence, because as he nigh sustained the weight of the Republique, it was

impossible for him absolutely to renounce his duty, to satisfie his Love; and relying on his Authority, he easily dispensed with all those petty cares, he thought unnecessary. And since none imbarqued from Carthage, without his provision, he did not fear Clelius would go from thence, nor that any man of quality in the City durst be his Rivall, as for the Prince of Carthage, he turned eyes another way, Amilcar seemed to have two or three designs in∣stead of one, and the Prince of Numidia was not in estate to dare to oppose him openly, he lookt upon Aronces as one unknown, which durst not turn his eyes towards the Daughter of a man, to whom he owed his life, and he considered Horatius and I as two strangers which would not stay at Carthage, and which would not make an enemy of him which should protect us. Clelia being by these considera∣tions importuned by him, and we were more happy, for though Maharball hath Spirit, it is an incommo∣dious spirit, he having a formed eloquence with an insupportable slownesse, and which would enforce attention from his auditors, as if his discourse con∣tained much ingenuity, who believes himself to be above all, he knowes who boasteth himself to be of a great house, great spirit, and great heart, and who is the violentest man in the world; but in des∣pight of all his violence, the Prince of Numidia was his Rivall, tis true, he was in so discreet a manner, that no person perceived it but Clelia only, and he had perswaded Maharball that the reason which so often induced him to Sulpicias house; was, that he was charm'd with her Language, and indeed the Prince with so much assiduity studied the Roman lan∣guage to have only the power to speak of his Love to Clelia, (as I have known this morning by himself) and to vent his passion the first time to that fair per∣son, for as he had lately left a man which depended on Clelius, who taught it him, he feigned to enter∣tain himself alone with her, whilst Sulpicia spoke to other Ladyes to have forgotten some instructions he had given him, so that he made divers questions to her saying, he should be very much obliged to her if she would be his mistress, as the language you lear∣ned said she to him, is nigh as strange to me as you; (though I have learnt it from my Cradle) since I do not ordinarily speak it, I should teach you my errours instead of correcting yours. As I principally learned that Language, sayd he to her, because I know you love it; and that for to speak it with you, I ought chiefly to speak as you, since I would be understood but by you alone, refuse not mee therefore the fa∣vour to clear my doubts, and to assist me to express my self when I entertain you, for it is certain, that how fair and copious the Language of your Coun∣try is, I find it poor and steril, every time I would tell you I love you, and I beleeve, tis rather because I have not found terms enough to declare it to you, then any defect of boldness: But in fine cruell Clelia, since you will not teach me to tell it you bet∣ter I now tell it you, and tell it you with a resoluti∣on, to tell it you when any occasion presents, and with a resolution carefully to seek it, I will take such a particular care to shun you, replyed Clelia, that if it is true you love me, you will more then once re∣pent what you have sayd, it hath been so long that I have repented for not discovering my Love to you sooner, replyed the Prince of Numidia, that I can hardly believe I shall ever repent to have told you that I love you, for in sine you cannot inflict any pu∣nishment upon me, for which I am not prepared, I demand of you therefore the favour, added he, to tell me only if you have as much aversion for me as Maharball, that which you have told me, replyed she, hath so much exasperated me, thar I cannot now tell whether there is any other person in the world then you which displeaseth me, ah rigorous Clelia! cry'd he, you carry too far your hatred by not being willing to tell me that you hate me lesse then a man that I know is very odious to you, and to make me beleive that I am the only person to whom you are averse, see then Madam what was the declaration of the Prince of Numidia's Love, and in what manner the admirable Clelia received the discovery of his affection, she kept her word as she said, to avoid his particular conversation; but she had the generosity to do it so carefully, that none should perceive it for fear they might divine the cause, and that Maharball should not have occasion to treat this Prince with any severity, as she told it to one of his friends, to the end to make him com∣prehend, that if she did not openly testifie her ha∣tred against him, 'twas not that he ought to con∣ceive more hope; since, twas but by a bountry which was entirely dissentaneous from all his pretenti∣ons.

In the mean time Aronces seeing the admirable Clelia every day, and seeing her with much familiari∣ty, was taken in the snares of her beauty, and not being one moment ignorant of the nature of that affection which began to cloud his Liberty, as usual∣ly those are which have had no passion, he really imagined in what fears and disquietudes this Love would involve his Soul, for though he was much esteemed by Clelia, and tenderly affected by her Pa∣rents, he little expected ever to attain that hap∣piness he so much desired, and his birth being un∣known, it would be esteemed an high presumption if he should levell his thoughts at Clelia, but what considerations soever he used to oppose this new born passion, proved too weak to resist those Charms shot from such a tempting beauty. On the other side, Horatius was at first so powerfully touch'd with Clelia's perfections, that I am assured, he lo∣ved as soon as his eyes surveyed those inimitable Graces Nature had bestowed upon her, he not then imagining Love had stole his Heart, but contrary to Aronces, called that Esteem and admiration which might have admitted the term of Love, and these two Rivalls not being acquainted with one anothers affections; spent their time in an amicable familia∣rity, the Prince of Numidia much esteeming them, and Clelia had three Lovers which knew not them∣selves to be Rivalls, and of whom but one had dis∣closed his amourous intentions; I put not Maharball in this number, for his passion was so generally known, that no person could be ignorant of it.

In the mean time, The Nuptialls (of the two Phenicians, exchanged for the two Carthaginians the day we arrived there) were solemnized, and as these marriages were performed at the Republicks expen∣ces, there was a great Feast made, and nothing but publick acclamations of joy during the space of eight days; but I consess Madam, Clelias Conversa∣tions was to be preferred before those Festivall de∣lights, she having a spirit suiting the pleasantness of her disposition. I remember one day amongst the rest, Aronces, Horatius, and I were with her, with two Ladies of the City, the one named Sozo∣nisba,

and the other Barce, for it is certain we could not better spend our time then with Sulpicia, the ground of this discourse proceeded from two men which had married the two Phenicians, one being amourous of her whom he had espoused at first sight, and disaffected her soon after the Nupti∣alls, the other which had espoused her, which was destin'd to him not being amourous, was become amourous since his marriage, so that this event being singular and agreable, they at first examined this fantasticall adventure; for my self sayd, Clelia I cannot conceive that it is possible to one to love, that he hath not the leisure to know, I easily ima∣gine that a great beauty pleaseth at first sight, but cannot conceive how Love should be produced in a moment, and I am strongly perswaded that one can∣not at the first time that they see a person, as a∣miable as can be imagined, feel any thing in his heart but some disposition to love, as you have ne∣ver been in Love, replyed Horatius, tis not very strange that you do not know how this passion pos∣sesses hearts, and it is certainly true, that one may love at the first sight if they see a person that is ca∣pable to be beloved, and I confess that if they should love her at first sight the love would not be, it may be, strong enough to give a long inquietude, and that it would finish as speedily as it begun; as at first a spark cannot make a great fire if care be taken to extinguish it, so Love hath need of entertain∣ment to increase it; but as this spark is fire, though it casteth no great heat nor light, so Love at first is Love, though it is but newly begun. It is certain replyed Aronces, that Love as friendship may be born in an instant which usually is preceded by many good Offices, but I am perswaded that that Love which hath no sudden beginning, and which is ad∣vanc'd by great esteem and very much admiration, is more strong and solid then that which is tumultu∣ously born without knowing whether the person beloved hath either virtue or spirit, for I have heard say, that there are men which become amor∣ous of women, with whom they had never changed aword; and there are some sayd Sozonisba which have loved women having never seen them, and which have even loved a picture; for those added Barce, I think they may be rather rank'd with those which have no reason, then in the rank of those which have Love. Indeed replyed Clelia, tis not so strange to see a man very amorous of a fair picture, as of a woman which hath neither Beauty spirit or virtue, as there are some which are; For my particular, re∣plied I, I find the fair Clelia hath reason, and that it is the greatest folly imaginable to love that which is not amiable. I am of your opinion, replyed Ho∣ratius, but be likewise of mine, and confess that all great passions have a violent beginning, and that there is nothing which more demonstrates an ardent and durable Love, then when it is born in an in∣stant without consulting our reason, I casily am of your opinion, replyed Aronces, that one may begin to have love at the first sight of an amiable person; but I will not confess that those which have this first thought of passion more violent than o∣thers, love more or longer, for 'tis rather an effect of their temperament, than the grandeur of their passion, so that ordinarily those which are of a hot nature love not so constantly as others, because not having power over their own dispositions, they must necessarily change Love as other things, and it consequently follows, that those which love the speediest are not the most constant: But in fine, said Clelia, it matters not whether they change or not, 'tis not of that I intend to speak, for that I maintain is, that one cannot have Love at the first sight they see a woman: I assure you Madam, replyed Horatius, I know a man which from the first day he saw one of the most admirable persons in the world, had I know not what in his heart which entirely possest it, which gave him joy and inquietude, desires, hope and fear, and which in fine, rendred him so different from himself, that if it was not love he had in his heart, it was something which very much resembled it. I know another, replyed Aronces, without suspecting Horatius his Passion for Clelia, which hath long time had esteem and admiration without loving a marvel∣lous person; 'tis true, I am perswaded, that the reason which then hindred him from it was, that he believed himself not permitted to love that which he should adore: but beginning to love, replyed Clelia, hath he left adoration, for if so, I find that which he adored ought to wish he should not love it, these two Resentments are not incompa∣tible.

Madam, replyed Aronces, and though we might adore things we love not, because they surpass our knowledge, we do nevertheless love that which we adore; for my self, replyed Barce, between those two thoughts, I should love him better which belongs to a mistress than him which appertains not but to a Goddess, and the tenderness of the heart is so to be prefer'd before the admiration of the spirit, that I put no comparison between those two things, indeed added Sozonisbe, tenderness is a quality so necessary to all manner of affections, that they cannot be agree∣able or perfect if it is not there, I comprehend well said Clelia, that we may say a tender amity, and there is a notable difference between an ordinary and a ten∣der amity, but said Sozonizbe, I have never heard of a tender amity, and I ever sigur'd it to my self, that this affected and significative term was consecrated to perfect amity, and that it was only speaking of it, we might sitly imply the word tender, so many men use it now replyed, I that we know not a truer signi∣fication of it. I would therefore hinder, said Clelia, that that word which signifies a thing so sweet, rare, and agreeable, should be prophan'd though Celeres hath said every one useth it. For my particular, re∣plied Sozonizbe, I promise you always to make use of it, if you can make me understand its true significa∣tion: I promise the same thing added Barce, for I in∣genuously confess unto you, that though there passes never a day but I tell some of my friends that I love them tenderly, and some friends accost me in the same Language, I confess it may be that it appertains not to me to use it: As I am perswaded, added A∣ronces, that there is a species of an amorous tender∣ness which puts as much difference between the Loves of those which have it or have it not, as ordinary tenderness puts to amity, I shall be infinitely obliged to the fair Clelia, if she will define tenderness, and decipher how I may know it, and what value it sets on friendship, to the end I may prove in the sequel of it, that tenderness joyned to Love, much aug∣menteth its estimation; as I have naturally a tender Spirit, replyed Clelia, I think it appertains to me more than any other, to speak of tenderness and that Barce with all her Spirit, cannot do it so well as I.

I have already confessed, replyed that fair person, that I do not well know how to make use of this word, neither do I precisely know, whether I have any tenderness or not, therefore I shall be infinitely obliged if you please to tell me the difference be∣tween an ordinary and a tender amity; it is so con∣siderable, replyed Clelia, that I may very well say, there is less between the indifferent amity, than be∣tween these two. For in fine, that which hath no tenderness, is a kind of a tranquillous friendship, which gives neither great contentments, nor great inquietudes to those which are capable of them, they have even friendship in their hearts, without expres∣sing any sensibility; depart from them without being melancholy, they think not of them if they see them not, they render them courtesies without great joy, and they receive them without much acknowledg∣ment, they neglect all petty cares, the evils of those they love touch them not, generosity and ostentation hath as much part in all they act as friendship, they have a certain Lethargy of heart, which makes them not feel the joy to be beloved of those they love, they put little difference between the conversation of other persons, and those to whom they have promised ami∣ty: In fine, they love with so much lukewarmness, that the least contestation there is between them and their friends, they are ready to infringe their pro∣mised friendship: Furthermore they are not enough sensible, neither of the good or evil of those to whom they have promised friendship, for usually they cold∣ly oppose those who defame them, and praise them themselves without order or aggravation, and we may say they love as if they loved not, so lukewarm is this sort of friendship, and usually their affection is very much interessed, and if any one seek the cause of it they would be found but in themselves. And indeed we see every day that those friends without tenderness abandon those to whom they have promi∣sed affection, as soon as fortune frowns on them, there is likewise some of them which cannot suffer the long sickness of those they love, and which desire to see them with assiduity, when they are not in estate to divertise them. That which you now say, happened once to me replyed Sozonisbe, for I had a languishing malady, which made me know there are few tender friends, in the beginning when I fell sick, pursued this fair person, they had very great care of me, but when the length of my sickness had made me become melancholy, and that I demanded no re∣medies, but of those which came to see me, in∣stead of then demanding news of me, or to tell them of it, I was soon in a very great solitude, and I knew that those whom I esteemed my best friends derided at me in effect, a man one day of my acquaintance was asked how long it was since he saw me, he answered, that till he was become so experienced to find some remedies to cure my melancholy, he would not see me, and the same question being demanded a Lady, she said cruelly that unless she knew the vertue of all vegetables, she could not make me a visit which would be plea∣sing to me, and that it was better to leave me at quiet, than to weary themselves by importuning me. 'Tis true, said Aronces, what this fair So∣zonisba hath said, and it is true, added Horatius, because we usually content our selves to deplore their mishaps without comforting them, judge then I pray, added Clelia, if friendship without tenderness is a sweet thing, and if I have not reason not to ac∣count them friends which have not a tender heart, as I have expressed to you, for in fine it is not that only which makes the sweetness of amity, and which makes it constant and violent together, ten∣derness hath yet that of more particular, that even a∣scribeth to it, I know not what character of gallantry which rendring it more divertising, it inspireth civi∣lity in those which are capable of it, and there is as great difference between a tender friend and an ordinary friend, as between a tender friend and a lover, but better to define tenderness. I think I may call it a certain sensibility of heart, which never soveraignly operates, but in those which have noble souls, vertuous Inclinations, and well weighed spirits, and which makes them when they have friendship, to have it sincerely and ardently, and to feel lively the griefs and joys of those they love as their own, 'tis this tenderness which obliges them to love better to be with their unhappy friends, than to be in a place of divertisement: it is this which makes them excuse their faults and defects, and to praise with exaggeration their least virtues, 'tis this which makes them do great services with joy, which makes them not neglect the least cares, which renders particular conversations more sweet than general; which entertaineth Confidence, which easily appeaseth any disorder, which happeneth a∣mongst friends, which uniteth all their desires, which makes complacency, equality as agreeable to those which have it, as to those for whom they have have it, and in a word comprehends all sweetness and affection of friendship, and in effect it's this a∣lone which puts joy there, and which by a particu∣lar priviledge savours nothing of the irregularity of Love; but resembles it in many things else, those which have but a stupid and common friendship, take only the care to keep the fairest Letters of their friends; but those which have a tender friendship, keep with pleasure even their least notes, they hearken to an obliging word with a joy, which obliges those which told it them, they take pleasure in the least things, and by an inex∣plicable charm those which have a true tenderness in their hearts, are never troubled to assist those for whom they have friendship, if they should be sick or melancholy, judge then what diffe∣rence there is between friends without tender∣ness and tender friends. Ah Madam, replied Aronces, if I would as well define the tender∣ness of Love as you have deciphered that of friendship, I should assuredly make this company con∣fess, that there is Love without tenderness as well as friends: 'Tis true added Horatius and the fair Clelia hath admirably represented that preci∣ous and delicate part of friendship few are acquainted with. For my pariicular said Barce smiling, I confess in my life I never fitly used the word tenderness, if it be true that it must have positively seat in the heart as Clelia hath said, to have it right, that is to say, to love tenderly. It is not so with me, added Sozonisbe, for it seems that I have an heart made in the manner as it ought to be, to beast of tenderness. For my part, replyed I, which have had more Love than friendship in my life, it more imports me to know what that amorous tenderness which puts a dif∣ference between Lovers, than that which is between friends, I would therefore desire the fair Clelia to permit Aronces to give his judgment of it: though I have less Interest in that kind of tenderness,

replyed she, then you have in that I have spoken of: I voluntarily consent that Aronces tell it you: If tis true you do not know it. Since you then per∣mit me Madam sayd Aronces; I will boldly say, that tenderness is a quality more necessary for Love then friendship, for it is certain that that affection which is produced by the help of reason, and which is con∣ducted and governed by it, may sometimes act in the hearts of those in which it is as if they had ten∣derness (though naturally they had it not) but for Love which is ever incompatible with reason, and which at least can never be subject to it, it hath ab∣solutely need of tenderness to correct its brutality stupidity and inconsideration. In effect, a Love without Tenderness hath nothing but impetuous de∣sires which can be confined to no bounds nor limits, and a Lover which hath a like passion in his Soul, considers nothing but his own satisfaction without considering the honour of the person belov'd, for one of the principal Offices of true tenderness is, that it takes much more care for the person it loves then its own, and a Lover which hath it not would do all that which might please him without any Reservation, and he would demand in a rude and uncivill way the greatest favours, as if they were due to him as a Tribute in effect, those freer Lovers, which are enemyes of tendernes, and who defame it, are ordinarily insolent, uncivill, full of vanity, easie to anger, difficult to appease, indiscreet when they are favour'd, insupportable when they are mis∣used; They believe the greatest work of Love they can give; is alwaies to wish to be made happy; for without that they know not neither favours nor graces: They are not contented with favourable regards, sweet speeches, and all those petty things which so elevate the beatitude of those which have tender souls, they are Lovers I say which read but once the Letters of their Mistress, whose hearts have not joyfull emotion when they receive them, who neither know how to rave, speak idly, nor sigh agreeably, and are utterly ignorant of a cer∣tain pleasing melancholy which proceeds from the tenderness of an amorous heart, and which is some∣times more pleasing then delight. These are Lovers I say of great noise, which makes all the prooves of their Love consist in excessive expences, and which feel nothing of all those delicacies, this passion inspires their jealousie, even as more brutall then that of the Lovers which have a tender heart, for they often pass from hating their Rivalls to hate their Mistresses, when on the contrary, those Lovers whose loves are mingled with tenderness, somtimes so respect their mistresses, that they restrain their anger against their Rivalls in some occasions, because they cannot do it without exasperating them. For my self sayd Horatius, I cannot discern Tenderness from Love in an amorous heart, for that passion when it is violent, so strongly operates in those hearts it possesses, that all the quality of their souls become as it is, or at least assume some amorous im∣pression. Tis true replyed Aronces, that love entire∣ly possesseth the heart of a Lover, and it is like∣wise true, that he which hath an heart naturally tender, shall love more tenderly, then he which shall be of a temper more fierce and rude, and I maintain, to love well, a Lover must have a naturall tenderness, before he hath Love, and this precious and rare quality which is so necessary, to love well, can be hardly acquired, and it is truly a gift of the Gods, of which they are never prodigall, we may gain more spirit, we may correct our vices; and ac∣quire all vertues; but we can never acquire tender∣ness, we may without doubt sometimes disguise our∣selves; but it cannot be long, and those which have tenderness, know not how to deceive; In effect, all the words, all the regards, all the cares, all the actions of a Lover, who hath not a tender heart, are entirely different from those of a Lover, which hath tenderness, for he hath sometimes respect without having a kind of sweet submission, which pleaseth much more, of civility without agreement, of obeysance without sweetness; and even Love without a certain delicate sensibility, which alone causeth all the punishments and all the felicities of Lovers, and which is in fine the truest mark of a perfect Lover, I likewise put for a foundation, that a tender Lover knows not how neither to be un∣faithfull, cozening, vain, insolent, nor indiscreet, and not to be deceived neither in Love not friend∣ship, we must as well examine if a Lover or a Friend have tenderness, as if they have Love or Friend∣ship.

As Aronces had thus spoke, the Prince of Numy∣dia entred, and a little after Maharball, so that the subject being changed by their coming, all the company after a little discourse went away with that violent Lover of Clelia. At our departure from thence, I went with Aronces to the Prince of Car∣thage, but though the incomparable Amilcar had this night there all the merriness of his pleasant dis∣position, and that all those which were with the Prince of Carthage confessed they never had heard from him more agreeable things. Aronces appeared to be very melancholy, and his melancholy was so generally noted, that Amilcar demanded of me if I knew not the cause of it, so that having observed him more carefully, I noted that Aronces was not where he would be, so that when we were retired, for we then lay together, I pressed him to tell me the cause of his melancholy, at first he would dis∣guise the truth from me, but in the end when I did not think to ask him any more about it, because I beleeved he would not tell me, he stayd himself after he had walked sometime, and looking stedfast∣ly upon me, thus sayd, You are not very inquisitive, said he to me, to demand that which you would know and you have sure little desire to redress my melan∣choly; since you press me no more to tell you the cause of it, no Aronces, cryed I to him, fixing my eyes on him, nothing but to demand of you, to tell me whether you are amorous, your expressions al∣most betraying it; for in fine, I prayd you with tenderness to tell me that which caused your grief and you refused it me: Nevertheless, a little after that you were angry, I demanded no more of you that you refused me, and I find you are even now disposed, to pray me to hearken to that you would never tell me, but in an instant, it is therefore I conclude with reason, and it seemeth to me that you are amorous, since tis true that there is nothing but Love only which can frame such a fantasticall thing as this: Tis true Celeres, sayd he to me, I am amorous, and though you tax me with Injuries, you must be the only confident of my Passion, and I tell you that which it may be shall never be known to the admirable person whom I adore, though I see her daily, you love Clelia then sayd I to him; for it seemeth to me that tis but she alone you daily fre∣quent,

yes Celeres, I love Clelia, replyed he, and I love her ardently and so tenderly, that according to all appearances, I shall become the unhappiest man in the World; but it seemes to me sayd I to him, that if I was in your place I should account my self very happy, for in fine, as you have been brought up in Clelius his house, you live with Clelia with the same Liberty as if she was your sister, and her Father and Mother look upon you in effect as if you were her Brother; tis true Celeres replied he, but they look not upon me as her Lover, and I am strongly perswaded, that if they looked upon me as such, they would hate me as much as they love me. And they would think to have right to accuse me of an horri∣ble Ingratitude and terrible presumption. In effect I owe my life to the generous Clelius, and I know not to whom I owe my birth, he found me in the sea, he saved me from an eminent peril, he hath carefully educated me, and I owe to him all my virtue, and I should be without doubt the basest of all men if I should voluntarily do any thing which might dis∣please him; but though I am assured he will take it ill, that one unknown dares lift his eyes towards his admirable daughter; I cannot hinder my self from doing it, and I feel I can never desert her love seeing my self likewise destin'd to live without hope I must prepare my self for imaginable torments, and I know nothing more cruel, then to have power to love without having Ingratitude. You have a soul so great, and an heart so well made, replied I, that Clelius can∣not doubt but your birth is illustrious, and if it was so replied he, I should not be in hopes to possess Clelia, though she affected me, for since Clelius refused her to Maharball, who is of an high birth, rich in possessi∣ons, and who hath the chiefest authority in one of the first Cities in the world, he would refuse an un∣happy man, that he alwaies lookt upon as an ungrate∣ful, and who it may be would be lookt upon by Clelia, as a man who thinks to enrich himself by marrying her, and not to render himself happy by the only possession of her person; likewise my dear Cele∣res, my hopes are destitute of all releif, for if Clelius remains in his wonted opinion he will never give his daughter but to a Roman, and if he changes it, he will give her apparantly to Maharball, but to tell you truth, I do not much fear, it, and I have likewise cause to complain that I am not a Roman, and if per∣haps I should be of a birth proportionable to my thoughts, Clelius would refuse me Clelia, as he hath refused her to my Rivall; but alas! I am far from that Estate since I know my extraction, and the ac∣cording to all appearances, I shall never know it, ne∣vertheles I love Clelia, I love her without hope; and I love with a resolution not to tell her of it; and not to murmure if she is angry to be beloved of me, in case she denyes my passion, judge then my dear freind, if I have no cause of melancholy. For my self re∣plyed I, am perswaded; that too great prudence is often needless in Love, without considering those things you have done, I would act divers wayes, for I would strive against my passion as much as I could, and if I could not vanquish it, I would seek to per∣swade my self by all that which might flatter it, and I would forget nothing of all that which might a∣greeably deceive me. For the first, replyed Aronces, I am resolved to do it, though I am perswaded I shall do it unprofitably; but in fine, I owe that to the gene∣rosity of Clelius, and it behoves me if he hath some∣thing one day to reproach me of, that I have at least nothing to reproach my self, but for the last, I shall never be in a capacity to follow your counsel for fear from seeking agreeably to deceive my self, I seek in despight to render my self most unhappy in effect, there are many instances which makes me believe that Clelius shall never know my birth more than I, and there are others where I believe that I and he shall learn that I am Son of some Enemy to Rome, or some friend to Tarquin, I strangely deplore the mis∣fortunes which happens to my friends, replied I to him, but I can never take pity of those they make themselves, therefore you may not expect any com∣passion from me, when you weave the web of your own miseries, after that as 'twas late we lay toge∣ther, but I should falsifie the truth, if I say we slept, for Aronces did not sleep at all, and he waked me di∣vers times to speak to me of his passion, but in fine Madam, as he hath a marvellous generosity, he effe∣ctually fancied with himself, to oppose his Love with all the power he could possible: and he forgot nothing to do it, for he went as little as he could to the places where Clelia was, he sought Clelius in par∣ticular, without seeking his admirable daughter, and he so strongly attach'd himself to the Prince of Carthage and Amilcar, that there was no person but believed he had more Ambition than Love. Hora∣tius though he was both his Friend and his Rival per∣ceived not his Love for Clelia, the Prince of Numi∣dia likewise suspected it not, and Clelia did not ima∣gine it, and because she would avoid to give any oc∣casion to the Prince of Numidia to mention his Love, she had given such a general order not to leave her alone, that if Aronces had been bold enough to de∣clare his affection to her, he would not have found an opportunity to have done it, so that as nothing more augments a breeding Love than the difficulty to tell it, Horatius on this side soon became as amo∣rous as Aronces; but as he naturally loved to conceal all things; he declared nothing of his passion either to Aronces or to me, these two friends were likewise Rivals without having cause to complain of one ano∣ther, they being both ignorant of their Loves, for the Prince of Numidia as he looked upon Aronces as if he had been Clelius his brother, he gave to him many testimonies of friendship, without discover∣ing his passion to him, to the end that being his friend he might favour him when occasion should present. For Maharbal the less correspondency he found in Clelias heart, the more his passion augmented, and the more reasons Clelius obliged him to prove that he ••ught not to think of marrying his daughter at Car∣thage since he had an intention to go speedily to Rome, the more obstinate he was to compass his design, so that Clelius and Sulpitia were extremely afflicted to see themselves in the power of an amorous person to whom they would refuse all that which might give any satisfaction to his Love. On the other side, though Sulpitia testified to have much friendship for Horati∣us because Clelius would have it so, 'twas true, that in the bottom of her heart she had a secret disposition not to render Justice to his merit, because he was son to a person of whom Clelius had been very amorous, and whom he thought heretofore to have married, so that Sulpitia yet retaining some resentments of jea∣lousie which perswaded her that her Husband did not love Horatius, but because he had yet some agreeable remembrance of the love he had for his Mother, had without doubt less disposition to love him than Cle∣lius, and she loved more tenderly Aronces than Hora∣tius,

for Clelia she esteemed them both; but as she was equitable, she saw that if there was any equality between these two men as reflecting on the qualities essentially necessary for virtuous persons, there was not so much for the agreement of the humour as that of their person, being certain that Aronces as much excells his Rivall, as his Rivall exceeds all others, so Clelia leand, by choice, on the side of Aronces, and having lived with him from her infancy, as if he had been her brother, there was between her and him a greater familiarity then between Horatius and her, though Clelius commanded her to live with him, as if she had been his sister, things being then on these terms there was some factions at Carthage which are unnecessary to mention wherein the illustrious Prince that Amilcar followed, had some part, so that the interest of his affairs obliging him to retire to Utica which depends on him, he went thither followed by his creatures, so that Aronces finding this occasion to separate himself from Clelia for to endeavour to heal himself by his absence, followed him likewise, for Clelius voluntarily consented that Aronces to whom fortune seemed to have not left any esta∣blishment should seek one nigh a great Prince, so Aronces departed from Carthage with his consent, he not imagining he went from thence to endeavour not to have more Love for his admirable daughter, but that which is most remarkable, was, that the Prince of Numidia and Horatius who knew not that Aronces was their Rivall, did all what they could to hinder him from following the Prince of Carthage; for as they both knew he was much their friend, and that they noted he was very well beloved by Clelia they imagined they should loose much in loosing him, and that when the time should come when they might discover the passion they had in their souls, they should be much assisted by him; but in fine, the Prince of Numidia and Horatius without telling the true reason which obliged them to counsell Aronces, not to go with the Prince of Carthage, and Aronces without telling them why he did not follow their counsells, we departed as I have before told you: Aronces not having entertained Clelia in particular, for he bid her adien in the presence of Sulpicia and Horatius, and I who knew only the secret of his heart alone, perceived the reluctancy which he had to de∣part from Clelius his house, for we entred in again three times upon such pretences, that at last he was constrained to say he had forgotten that which obli∣ged him to reenter, so litle true resemblance he found in the pretences he invented to see Clelia once more, but in the end, Madam, we went to Utica, where Aronces became more amorous, and by consequence more miserable then at Carthage, where there arri∣ved many things since our departure. For you shall know Madam, that Maharball who had a passion in his soul the most violent in the world, not suspecting that the Prince of Numidia who was his Hostage had any design, for Clelia spoke to him of nothing but his Love, of the Injustice of Clelius, and the cruelty of his Daughter, conjuring him to counsell them both to change their thoughts. For in the end, said he, to the Prince Adherball, if it be not a terrible thing to hear Clelius say he would not marry his Daughter till he return to Rome, he which hath been exil'd so long from it, he which is Tarquin's mortal enemy, who raigneth with so absolute an authority, that tis not credible any power can pull him from the Throne on which his cruelty hath so firmly seated him, yet Clelius pretends not to marry his Daughter but when he shall return to Rome, or at least not to marry her to any but a Roman, it must then of ne∣cessity be, that he will give the fairest and properest person on the earth to a banished Criminall, or at the most to an unhappy Exil'd: Judge then if I have no reason to complain of Clelius, and if I may not be∣leive, that either he or Clelia have a secret aversion against me, which they dare not testifie to me because they are under my power, but to hinder these things, pursued he, I pray you when you find a fit occasion to endeavour to make them take better thoughts for fear they force me to act those things which will not be pleasing to them, the Prince of Numidia hear∣ing Maharbal speak in this manner, was so surprized and astonished at it, that the agitation of his heart appeared in despight of him in his eyes, and it being discernd by Maharball, he endeavoured to recall himself; but he wholy discovered it by his words, for as he would not tell Maharball that Clelius was to blame, and that he durst not tell him that he had reason, he took a mean; which perswaded him to whom he spoke, that he was his Rivall; in effect, he so aggravated the Love the Romans have for their Country, the Injustice they had to put a vast diffe∣rence between strangers and them, and to perswade him, that as Clelius had sought an Asylum in the City where he had the greatest authority, he was obliged not to violence him in a thing which ought to be done freely with many other reasons which served not; but to evidence to Maharball that this Prince was amorous of Clelia; and that he had chosen an ill Confident, so that this thought exciting a grand di∣sturbance in his spirit, he left the Prince of Numidia, and without any delay went to Sulpicias house, where after some generall conversations, he found occasion to speak particularly to Clelia, and he endeavoured to perswade her that it should be very strange to her that Clelius should pretend to marry her, but when he returned to Rome, or at least not to marry her but to an unhappy exile, when he might give her the first rank in one of the cheifest Cities in the world, Sir said Clelia to him, it is not for me to examine my Father the reason why he refused the honour you do him; and it implyes I know that I should commit a great offence by not obeying him, for to oblige me with blindness to follow his desires, but to the end, that all your hatred should not fall on him, I ingeni∣ously confess that I should obey him with an extream grief if he should command me to espouse an Affri∣can, and so destroy my hope of seeing Rome. For it is true that there is in my heart so strong a Love for my Fathers Country, that would render me very unhappy to take from me the hope of dying there. If I dye not soon at Carthage, replyed Maharball, there is no appearance you will ever live at Rome, alas sir, replyed Clelia, as long as it is under the power of Tarquin, I shall not go thither, but I should be very sorry to loose the hope of it, therefore I intreat you not to persist to oblige my Father to consent to your desires, and to have the generosity to enter in his thoughts, and to beleive that if he were a Roman, he would prefer you before all other Romans, and since, added this discrect mayd, he re∣fuses you a thing which is so little advantageous for you, that you ought rather to thank him then to complain, for in the end, if he accords to that which you seem to desire, every one will reproach you, for your preferring the daughter of an unhappy Exile

before so many fair persons which are at Carthage, and whose alliance may be more suitable and agreeable for you. No, no, unjust Clelia, said he to her, do not seek to perswade me that there can be any thing more agreeable or glorious then the conquest of your heart, for it cannot be, and permit me to tell you, that if you were as prudent as fair, you might tell the unjust Clelius, that Tarquin is more powerfull at Rome than ever, and that according to all appearan∣ces, he will not permit him to return thither, that it is very dubious whether fortune hath sent more Romans to chuse exile then he hath put to death, and if it was not so, it would be easie to consummate your Nuptialls at Carthage, if it were for any other then Maharbal, and tell to him I pray you that he may be happy if he will, and that he may render himself mi∣serable if he renders me so. Ah Sir, replyed Clelia generously, I know not how to threaten my Father, but I can tell him that if my life is an obstacle to the tranquillity of his, I am ready to sacrifice it for his content so that taking form you the cause of your Love, I might take away your hatred against him. As Clelia had thus spoken, the Prince of Numidia entred, and seeing Maharball with her, he blusht for anger, and he seeing the change of his counte∣nance was confirmed in those thoughts he already had, and the better for to clear his suspition, he continued to speak low to Clelia, whilst Aderbal spoke to Sulpicia, and to the other Ladyes which were with her; but as he is naturally violent, he could not suffer this long particular entertainment without testifying much anger, so that Maharball not doubt∣ing but that he was his Rivall, took a resolution to distrust him instead of considing in him, as he had designed, and as the generall affairs of the Republick gave him not so much leasure as his passions re∣quired, he must of necessity go from thence and leave his Rivall with his Mistress, and in effect, though Clelia sought carefully to avoid speaking particularly to the Prince of Numidia, since he had discovered his Love to her, she did not do it this day with the same care, for she had her spirit so distracted with Maharballs expressions, that she thought of nothing else, so that she not taking notice of it, the Prince of Numidia came to her, and began to speak to her as a man which had some particular thing to tell her, Clelia coming to her self, turned towards him and prayd him not to oblige her to fly him, as she would ever do, if he continued to speak of his Pas∣sion, for in the end, sayd she to him, if you perse∣vere in it, you will force me to take a resolution not to consider you as you are a great Prince; but to look on you as a man which esteems me not, since he takes no care but to displease me. Would to the Gods Madam, said the Prince of Numidia to her, that I had never told you I loved you, this wish with∣out doubt is a wish very extraordinary from a passi∣onate Lover as I am, but tis true that I now do no∣thing but strive to repell the passion I have in my soul that you might be ignorant of it, though I know't will continue till Death. But Madam, that which makes me speak as I do, is, that I must adver∣tise you that if you do not soon depart from Carthage you expose your self to be the unhappiest person in the world, and that offering you an Asylum in the Court of the King my Father, I fear you will not go thither, because I have discovered to you my Love. Nevertheless I swear and protest unto you, that though I am more amorous then Maharball, I will never be so unjust as he.

Clelia hearing the Prince speak in this manner, was extreamly surprized at it, for she knew well that he knew somthing where she had an Interest, and spake to him with more affability then usual, to the end to oblige him to tell her, that which made him use this Language, and in effect the Prince recounted to her the conversation whith he had with Mahar∣bal, continuing in pursuit to offer her an Asylum in Numidia, and protested to her with as much Gene∣rosity as Love, that if he should be constrained to make war to defend her, he would do it with much joy; Clelia thankt him very civilly for the offer he made her, assuring him nevertheless that she beleived that her Father would not nor ought not to accept it, adding further, that for all that she should re∣main much obliged to him for it; but Aderball not holding himself refused for what Clelia said to him, spoke the next day to Clelius, and so lively represented to him the grandeur of Maharballs Love, his autho∣rity, and the violence of his Nature, that he made him easily comprehend that his sojourn at Carthage was very dangerous, but after that he offered him that which he had already offered to Clelia, so that Clelius who knew not that this Prince was amorous of his Daughter, admired his generosity, and gave him innumerable prayses, but after all Sir, said he to him, when he had left praysing him, it would not be just it may be to begin again the war between Numidia and Carthage, for a thing where my unhappy family have only interest, you are in a hostage for a treaty of peace which is not yet entirely executed. Likewise Sir, I should expose you to be evill treated by Maharball, and if I should involve the King your Father in new wars with this Republick; and there∣fore since Carthage is no more an Asylum for me, I must endeavour to depart from it, and to go seek one farther of, where Maharball hath no power to hurt me, for I have long had a great desire to approach Rome: the Prince of Numidia was not fully satisfied with these reasons, but told Clelius that it would he difficult for him to go by sea, and that it would be easier for him to go by Land into Numidia, but what∣soever he could tell him, the generous Clelius believed not, that seeing the terms in which were the things between these two States, he ought to accept the offer of Aderball, and having an effectuall desire to approach Rome, it was more easie for him to be ge∣nerous, and to refuse the Prince of Numidia, who found himself in a strange perplexity, so that he saw himself necessitated to desire her absence, whose person he loved, and to be separated for ever from her, but be found himself yet in a greater inquietude, for as he observed Maharball more narrowly, he discovered that he had a design to arrest Clelius, making him to be accused for machinating somthing against the Republick, and to have secret Intelli∣gences with the Prince of Carthage with whom A∣ronces was then, for things were very much imbroyled since the departure of this Prince. That which o∣bliged Maharball to contrive this design, was, that he hoped that being Master of the life of Clelius, he should soon gain Clelia, whom he thought would not refuse to marry him to give life and liberty to her Father; so that the Prince of Numidia believing that the design of Maharball might succeed, and that he should see him possessed of Clelia, if he should not ad∣vise Clelius speedily of it, he ballanced it not long, and went to see Clelia at the same time, though he believed this advice would accelerate his departure,

tis true, that in the force of his passion he had a design to follow her without telling her any thing of it; but in fine Madam, to hast my self to tell you that which passed, you shall know that the Prince of Numidia after he had told Clelia the most passionate things that can be imagined, spoke to Clelius, to whom he had made known so precisely the unjust de∣sign of Maharball, that after he had consulted with Horatius and Sulpicia about it, he was resolved that they should think no more of any thing but to depart speedily from Carthage, the occasion presented it self very favourable, for there was a Syracusian vessell ready to set sayl, so that Clelius secretly treating with him who commanded it, he promised to re∣ceive him and all his family into his ship, the next night which preceded his departure, and in effect without troubling my self to tell you the unprofita∣ble particulars, it suffices that you know that in despight of all the foresight of Maharball, the care of the Prince of Numidia, Clelia and Horatius came to so good a conclusion, that this illustrious Roman family embarqu'd one night without being perceiv'd, so that this vessel of Syracuse departed from the port at the break of day. Maharball not knowing any thing of it till night, for as he believed Aderball was amorous of Clelia, he suspected not he would have assisted her flight, so that having seen him all the day, this Prince had dextrously hindred him from going to Clelius his house, to the end he should not follow Clelia, with hope to find her. For the time had been so favourable, that there was no appearance that any other vessell could joyn that which carried this fair and admirable Virgin, but though the Prince of Numidia constrained himself as much as be could that he might not appear too melancholy, he was so pensive that when Maharball came to know the departure of Clelius and his family, he doubted not but Aderball was acquainted with it, he learnt like∣wise his departure in such a manner, which much ex∣cited his anger; since he knew not that Clelius was departed; but when he sent at night to his house to arrest him as a Criminall, he used the slight of Clelius to authorise this violence, for he assembled all the Suffects, (for so they call those who share the Go∣vernment of the Republick) and told them it did evidently appear he was a Criminall, because he was fled.

In the mean while, as he was most violent, he heard somthing from Aderball, which made him be∣lieve he was acquainted with Clelius his flight, so that he secured his person, publishing that he had a hand in all that Clelius had plotted with Aronces and Amilcar, Maharbal seeking by this means to revenge on his Rivall the insensibility of his Mistress, and it may be, he believed likewise to find Clelia, because he imagined that the vessel of Syracusa, in which she was embarqued should not be used, but to depart from Carthage, and should land her, to go to seek an Asylum where Aderball would meet her as soon as he should be free, so that in this opinion the Prince was kept very exactly, and treated with much ri∣gour. Maharball likewise sent divers vessells after that, which had conveyed away his Mistress, though with little hope; for besides that he believed not, she took the way of Syracuse, it had been so long since her departure, that there was no hope to find her again. Nevertheless as tis the property of Love not to neglect anything; Maharball had rather do an hundred unprofitable things then to miss one which might serve him.

But whilst this irritated Lover knew not on whom to revenge the unhappy success of his Love, and that he revenged himself on another Lover which was no better used then he, during I say that, that the unhappy Aderball suffered an unjust Impri∣sonment, and that he endured incredible evills.

Aronces who knew nothing of that which passed at Carthage, knew that absence could not heal him; and repented himself for leaving Clelia, for in the Estate in which things then were, there was no means to think of returning to Carthage, so that Aronces was so sad and melancholy, that his grief could hardly receive any increase; but melancholy much more in∣vaded his cogitations, when a slave brought him a Letter that Clelius had written him upon his depar∣ture, and that he had trusted to that slave which gave it him, at first he had much joy because he hoped to have news of Clelia, but he had in pursuit an une∣qualled desparation when he saw that, that Letter which was given him contained these words, if my memory deceive me not.

Clelius to Aronces.

DIvers important reasons make me depart from Car∣thage, to come nigher Rome, I know not whe∣ther I shall chose Syracuse or Capua for my Asylum, but in what place of the world soever I am, I shall be alwaies ready to receive you as if you were my son, in case the changes of the Court wherein you are, oblige you to leave it, and if the Gods hinder me from making a second shipwrack on the same sea, where they put you into my arms, you may assure your self of a house in all places where I shall have one for my self. I mention nothing of Sulpicia, Horatius and Clelia, for they know not of my writing to you.

After that Aronces had read this Letter, he gave it me to read, and told me many touching things which would excite compassion in your heart, if I should relate them to you, Amilcar a little after, coming into his Chamber, learnt us the Imprison∣ment of the Numidian Prince, the fury of Mahar∣ball, and confirmed the flight of Clelius, Sulpicia, Ho∣ratius, and Clelia, and likewise told us Maharballs design to arrest Clelius, and that they had carried their most precious things along with them, and this design had been so discreetly carried that not any one suspected it, but as Maharball, added he, used the Prince of Carthage his name to prosecute Clelius, though there is great likelihood he acted rather the part of an incensed Lover, then of a good Citizen I come to assure you on the Princes part, that he will recompence you for all the misfortunes Clelius hath suffered, and that there is nothing in fine, but you may expect from him. For my parti∣cular pursued he, I offer you all that which is in my power, and I think you may assure your self to be happy, Amilcar added in pursuit many obliging things where I might take part, and where Aronces and I answered with all the civility and acknowledg∣ment that we ought to have for such generous of∣fers, but though Aronces strangely constrained him∣self, it was impossible for him to conceal his extream melancholy; Nevertheless at first he was not asto∣nished at it, for as he knew that Aronces loved Cle∣lius, as if he had been his Father, he imagined twas a grief which proceeded from his tenderness for him. But as he saw him daily become more melan∣choly,

he suspected something of the true cause of his sadness, and drawing me apart he prayed me to tell him, if Aronces was not amorous of Clelia, so that not judging that it was disadvantageous to my friend to confess the truth to Amilcar; I told him that I believed he was not deceived, and that I ex∣treamly feared that his grief for her absence would bring him to the margin of his grave. As Amilcar dearly loved Aronces, he did all that which he could to divertise him, he which is the most divertising of all men, by his grief was too strong to be over power'd: and I can assure you that since he knew the departure of Clelia, there past not a minute but his grief augmented: that which rendred it more power∣ful was, that he knew that reason would have him oppose his passion, and remain with the Carthaginian Prince, where he found all that he could wish for in his present estate of fortune, for as this Prince very much esteemed him, he might hope a considerable establishment with him; Amilcar dearly loved him, this Court was most splendent and delectable, and considering the state of things, the Prince of Carthage would soon set on foot a great design, the happy suc∣cess whereof would put him in a capacity to accumu late honour and riches on all those which should be followers of his fortune, as Aronces one day told me (aggravating his misfortune) that he was the most unfortunate of all men, for in fine my dear Celeres, said he to me, after he had confessed to me, he was resolved to leave Africa, and to go to find Clelia. I I do not believe there is a more miserable man than I, and whosoever considers the deplorable condition in which I now am, shall without doubt find that since Love makes men unhappy, there never hath been no Lover which had so little reason to hope to be be∣loved or to continue to love. First Clelia, pursued he, knows not that I love her, and I ought not to make it known to her, whilst I know not who I am.

Moreover, Clelius seeming to be resolved not to give his daughter but to a Roman, 'tis assured that I ought never to pretend thereto, since according to all appearances I am not a Roman born, if it should be so, it should be then of some unhappy Roman, without virtue or quality, for if there had been any man of quality exiled which had been shipwrack'd, and who had lost a Son in the Sea, Horatius would have told it Clelius, having told him all the sad acci∣dents which hapned at Rome since his departure, be it those which he hath seen with his own eyes, or that which he heard from others; but though I know not whence I am, yet it seems I certainly conjecture that I am not a Roman, and that consequently I can never pretend to Clelia, you are so ingenious to persecute your self, I told him that if you would as much seek to asswage the evil which torments you, you would quickly come to the end of it. Ah Celeres, cryed he, if you knew the nature of the evil of which I speak, you would soon see it is immedicable, for if I remain here I shall dye the most despairing of all men, and if I go to find Clelia, as I will infallibly, I shall with∣out doubt act the most irrationalst thing that can be, since I ought not to tell her I love her: If I would not reward Clelius with Ingratitude to whom I owe all things, and so I shall leave a great hope of fortune to undertake a voyage to go see a person whom I adore, with intention never to tell it her, and with a strange desire to tell it her a thousand times a day if I could; Judge then Celeres if I am in a happy condition: Ne∣vertheless I must and will part, for my Love per∣swades there is no misery which equals absence, when absence is not strong enough to destroy Love. I therefore find my self so perplexed, when I think Clelius will demand of me that which so soon obliges me to return to him, for shall I tell him a lye if I tell him that I am exiled? and that I am unworthy the care he hath taken of me? and likewise if I should tell him that my friendship towards him could not permit me to stay longer, and ought I not to fear, that when he demands the cause of my return that he would hate me, and that he will force me to depart for ever from the person whom I love? But after all, let happen what pleases the Gods, for I declare to you I cannot do otherwise. In Effect, Madam, Aronces relying on Amilcar's friendship, told him all that which I could not deny him, and caused so great com∣passion in him, that he commanded him in the name of the Prince of Carthage to go to Clelius; but for to dissemble his return, Amilcar obliged the Prince to charge Aronces to negotiate something at Syracusa, for to endeavour to disunite Sicyly from the interest of Carthage, and Amilcar to finish his generosity, made him such Magnificent presents, that he put him in a conditlon not to want the assistance of Clelius when he should return to him. So Madam there be∣ing a ship of War prepared for us, we parted from Utica, and took the way of Syracusa, with intenti∣on if we did not find Clelius there, to land nigh the mouth of the River Vulturnus, to go by land to Ca∣pua, which is but twelve miles from the sea. I shall not tell you Madam, what was Aronces affliction when he went to take his leave of the Prince of Carthage, and separated himself from Amilcar, for I cannot ex∣press unto you, all that the tenderness of friendship and the violence of Love made him feel in this en∣counter, but 'tis true that when he was ready to de∣part, he began to fear he should be more unhappy, when he should be with Clelia, than when he was from her: but he changed his thoughts when we were em∣barqued, for as the wind was favourable he had a joy that I cannot express in the thought, that every moment he approached nigh Clelia: 'Tis true that this favourable wind lasted not long, for the next evening we saw a far off a light cloud rise out of the sea, which without terrifying us we fixt our eyes on it, but we were suddenly astonished when we saw the Pilot who guided us, affrighted at it, and begun to give orders to all the Mariners of our Vessel to the end they should prepare themselves for a great tem∣pest, at first we believed he abused us, and we could not comprehend that a thing which had nothing ter∣rible to look upon, should be the forerunner of a dreadful tempest, but hardly had we the leisure to think the Pilots supposition was but ill grounded, when we saw insensibly the sea cover'd with great bil∣lows of foam which did the same effect over this im∣mense sea, as flocks disperst over great vast plains, a little after we heard a roaring which was something terrible, though it seemed to come afar off, and a little after we heard a clash of Thunder on our left hand, which by a sudden flash of Lightning, gave us a happy presage, for you know Madam, the Etrurians which are the most skilfullest people in the world in matter of Divinations, have learnt us, that when the Thunder goes from the left to the right 'tis a happy presage, but when it goes from the right to the left 'tis an in-auspicious Omen. Nevertheless though A∣ronces and I knew this sign was not unhappy, we saw a little appearance of good luck, for it seemed this

Clap of Thunder bad been a signal to unchain the winds, and the sea roared horribly, and all the waves clasht so rudely against each other, that they utter∣ly destroyed our hopes, and truly Madam, I cannot tell you in what extreams we then were, when the night stealing on us on a sudden, exposed us to the fury of the waves and winds as long as it lasted, sometimes our ship climb'd the Clouds, and in a mo∣ment seem'd to descend into a profound Abyss, and the tempest turned it in despight of the Pilots art, and put us every moment in estate of shipwrack, like∣wise all the Mariners left their Offices, and the Pilot supplicated himself on his helm, and invoked Ne∣ptune with a high voice, expecting succour but from him alone, for Aronces I confess his constancy gave me it, for after he had remitted himself to the con∣duct of the Gods, he had as much tranquillity in his soul, as if he had not been in danger, and for to give you a sensible mark of his constancy, I shall tell you that in the middle of this terrible tempest, he spake to me of Clelia, and told me that if he dyed, as there was great appearance, he should dye with grief not to have made known to that fair person the love he had for her. But in fine Madam, as the tempest began at the setting of the Sun, it diminisht at break of day, and that glorious celestial Lumina∣ry bringing back the calm with the Light, we saw a little after the waves by little and little to abate, but we perceived at the same time, that we were so nigh a great vessel, that we might discern it was a vessel of War, our Pilot who seemed not to be destin'd this voyage, but to anounce us evil news, told us that the tempest was past, but that we were no less in danger, because the Ship we saw was a cruel Py∣rates which did nothing else but interrupt the com∣merce of Sicily and Carthage by the continual prizes he took. At these words, Aronces taking the word to answer him, as 'twas your part to command du∣ring the tempest, said he to him, it is for you to o∣bey during a combat, therefore make us board this vessel, for as it hath been beaten hy the tempest as well as ours, we fight with equal advantages; and we shall fight it may be better than Pyrates, at first the Pilot made a difficulty to obey, and would at least reason on the thing, but Aronces having abso∣lutely commanded him to follow his Orders, and to endeavour to gain the wind that we might be the assailants, he obeyed with fear and so well played his part, that we got the wind of the Pyrate: 'Tis true that as he was accustomed to vanquish, and that our vessel was less than his, he persisted not in endeavour∣ing to gain from us this advantage, and seeking to board us as we did him we joyned together, and we saw on an instant the enemies deck fill'd with armed Soldiers, which by their countenance only might intimidate those which saw them, for as they were men which a long time had been continually inur'd to War and the Sea, they were more swarthy and black∣er than Africans though they belonged to the Isle of Cyrne, and they had such a savage and sierce ferocity on their faces, that 'twas easie to judge they passed all their life in slaughter and blood, they had like∣wise the rusticity of Seamen, the cruelty of Soldiers determin'd in their eyes, their hair long black hang∣ing negligently, their habits were not uniform but different, because they were such as they had took from those they vanquish'd, but for their arms they were magnificent, and it appeared so well by their countenance that they were accustomed to sight and overcome, that I believed we should be vanquished; for we had not so many men as we saw in their vessel, and they were not without doubt so warlike.

Aronces thought to dye with honour, rather than to have the victory; when he saw that multitude of Enemies which so resolutely expected him: The Captain of those Pyrates put himself at the head of the others when our vessel joyn'd, he was well ad∣vanced in age, he had many hurts on his face which dissigured him, but he was so magnificently armed, and he had so fierce a countenance, as disfigured as he was, he was easily known to be the Master of those which inviron'd him. As we were in this posture Madam, and ready to grapple, we heard that cruel Pyrate insolently command some of his men, that they should prepare chains ready to chain us, ad∣ding, that it would not be difficult for him to van∣quish us; but as soon as he had pronounced these words, Aronces who felt himself outraged, cast at him a Javelin he had in his hand, and leaping into the Enemies vessel followed by me and ten or twelve others, we began the terriblest sight which was ever seen, I shall not exactly particularise it, because I have many other things to tell you, but you must know that Aronces gave such testimonies of such a prodigious valour, that I may say, he only merited all the glory of this great action: At first he assailed the Captain of the Pyrates, being closed together they were both ready to fall in the sea, when they heard a great noise at the other end of the vessel, which suspending the fury of these two fierce Ene∣mies, made them retain and leave one another, and they turn'd their heads towards the place where the noise was, but Aronces was astonished when he saw Clelius and Horatius with some others loaded with chains, who did all they could to take Arms from the Soldiers which would reinchain them, this sur∣prising object making Aronces believe that Clelia was this Pyrates captive, heightned his courage; but that which augmented it was that this fierce Pyrate against whom he fought, no sooner saw some of his men endeavouring to re-inchain Horatius and Clelius, but he commanded them to kill them instead of trou∣bling themselves to remit them to their Irons, and in effect the cruel ministers of such a bloody man put themselves in duty to obey him, and would effectu∣ally have done it, if Aronces after he had given him a reverse blow on the head which stun'd him, had not gone directly to those which would have killed Cle∣lius and Horatius, if he had not relieved them at that instant; but as he at first killed the one and hurt two other, he had the advantage to render to Clelius that which he owed to him by saving his life, and he like∣wise saved his Rivals, thinking he had only saved it to his friend. Nevertheless, this cruel Pyrate be∣ing come from his stupification, came again to the charge, followed by his men; but as Clelius and Ho∣ratius had taken swords from those Aronces had hurt, they seconded him, and I likewise whilst the rest of our men fought at the other end of the vessel: The Pyrate then seeing that which he little expected, gave command to rally all his men; and to cast all the prisoners and the captives into the sea, to the end that those which kept them might come to fight, so that Aronces hearing this terrible command, and Cle∣lius crying to him, that it was not sufficient to have saved his life, if he did not likewise save Sulpitias and Clelias. Aronces performed actions I cannot re∣present to you, for he kill'd or hurt all those he met,

and that which wound up his courage to such a pro∣digious height was, that he heard Clelia's voice which endeavoured by her complaints, to at∣tenerate the hearts of those merciless Pyrates, which would have cast her into the sea, so that precipitating himself in the middle of those which environ'd the Captain of those Pyrates, he thrust his sword through his body, and after he had seen him fall down dead, he went to the place where he heard the voice of Clelia, and he arrived so hap∣pily that he hindred her from being cast into the sea, by killing him that would have committed that barbarous action. 'Tis true Horatius followed him very nigh, hut 'twas Aronces that saved the life of that admirable Virgin and her vertuous Mother; but in exchange Horatius saved Aronces by killing a man which would have wounded him behind, and as the death of the Pyrates Captain had abated the hearts of the others, and that the most part of our men fol∣lowed us and fought very valiantly, the Pyrates saw themselves constrained to render their Arms, and to receive chains from them to whom they would have given them, so that by this means Aronces sav'd Clelius his life, his wifes, and the admirable Clelias, Horatius and many others, and saw himself Master of the richest booty that was ever taken in one vessel, without having received one hurt, though he had been in great danger, but that which was the sweet∣est victory was, that he received a thousand praises from Clelius, and as many thanks from Clelia, and after he had caused the dead to be thrown into the sea, chain'd all the vanquish'd, and commanded to have a care of the wounded, and established Orders in these two vessels. Aronces made Clelius, Sulpitia, and his admirable Daughter come into ours, and lest me with some soldiers in that we had taken, for my part I would have had Horatius have staid there like∣wise, but he so resisted it, that he followed the ob∣ject of his passion, we suspecting nothing of his Love: But in fine, Madam, we knew afterwards that this cruel Pyrate that we had met, had taken the vessel in which Clelius and his family were embarqu'd at Carthage, and that when we had found him, he had resolv'd to take the way of Cumes, for to go to sell Clelia to the Tyrant Alexidesme who now reigneth there, and whom you know Madam, to lead the most irregular life of any man in the World. We knew likewise, that this Pyrate after he had carried into his vessel all that which was in that of Clelius, had treated with those he had commerce for all the prizes that he had taken, and that which was admirable was, that he found there all that which belonged to Clelius, even to the Cradle in which Aronces was found on the Sea by that illustrious Roman.

In the mean time we consulted on the way we should take, and for to hold this council, our vessels were joyn'd together.

I perswaded this illustrious company to seek a Re∣treat at Capua, where I promised Clelius and the o∣thers to give them for their Friends all those I had there, and to render them all the Services I might, nevertheless as Aronces told Clelius that his return was caused by some Orders that the Prince of Car∣thage had given him to go to negotiate something for him at Syracusa, he was resolv'd that it should be there that we should go to land, and that we should pass afterwards from thence to a port nigh the place where the River Vulturnus casts it self into the Sea, for as you know Madam, Capua is but twelve miles di∣stant from that place, and in effect the thing was so executed: we were some days at Syracusa, from whence we sent back the Vessels the Prince of Car∣thage had lent us, Aronces feigning to tender him an account of his Negotiation though he writ to him but to thank him, as likewise to Amilcar, but that, Madam, which was most fair to Aronces, was, that he would not attribute to himself that rich booty he had taken, and that he would content himself with the benefits of the Carthaginian Prince. Clelius said he had not any part therein, Horatius said the same, and I maintain'd as the others that Aronces alone had right to dispose of that prodigious riches, so that after a long contestation where we all declared it to him; Since tis so, said he to us, I give all the right I have to—he would say Clelia, but fearing to discover his love, after he had a little recollected himself, instead of saying Clelia he said Clelius, and in effect he would in despight of him that he should dispose of this precious Prize; tis true he disposed of it in a manner worthy of his generosity, for he gave a great part of it to Horatius, to have means to subsist during his Exile; he constrained me likewise to accept of a great part of this Booty: He gave one part to the poor Romans exiled by Tarquin which were retired to Syracusa, and made an offering of the rest to that famous Temple builded on the top of the renowned Mountain Erice: but in fine, Madam, without staying my self to tell you a hundred unne∣cessary things; I shall tell you in two words, that we passed from Sicily into Campania, and from thence to Capua where we had a favourable reception, for the chief Magistrate of the City that we call Media∣dusticks was my Uncle, so that by this means I was happy enough to find occasion to render some servi∣ces to the persons of the world I wished most to serve, so that in a few days Clelius, Aronces and Horatius were not treated as strangers in our City: Sulpicia and her admirable daughter likewise found amongst our Ladies so much sweetness and Civility that the first was constrained to remit something of her Ro∣man severity, and to suffer Clelia to accommodate her self to the custom of the place where she was and to the honest liberty of our manner of life, 'tis true, Madam, that twas not very difficult for her to do it for tis certain that tis not without reason that our City is called the delicious Capua, in effect one may say that as nature hath placed in our Country all that which might render a life delectable, it hath likewise inspired into the Inhabitants Inclinations which car∣ry them to pleasure and joy to the end to make them enjoy all the benefits she hath afforded them, for one may say there is nothing in this place but delight, and that the care which it had to entertain the pub∣lick tranquillity, hath no other motive than to hinder the disturbance of the publick and particular plea∣sures, so all the World thinking to divertise them∣selves one may say all the World divertiseth it self, the Ladies are there fair gallant and magnificent, the men are ingenious for pleasure, festival days and ex∣tremely liberal, and there is there led a life so sweet, calm, and delectable, that there are no men such ene∣mies to society which have no grief to depart from thence, and not any strangers which may not facilly accustom themselves thereto, but how agreeable so∣ever our City was, and though this fair Troop re∣ceived all manner of civility, there was none but Clelia there which found any sweetness or delectati∣on; for Clelius hearing that Tarquins authority was

greater, and that although he was generally hated by all, that did not hinder him from reigning peaceably, had a most sensible grief: Sulpitia who had the same zeal for her Country, had likewise the same afflicti∣on, and Horatius joyning the resentments of an ex∣iled Roman, with those of a Lover who durst not say he loved, found himself very unhappy, but A∣ronces believed that he was much more, and knew not sometimes if he ought to esteem himself more miserable for not knowing his birth, or that Clelia was Ignorant of his passion, but he found some sweetness as well as Horatius, to think that Clelia was in a place where the violence of Maharbal need not be feared, and those two Rival friends left not to have some pleasing hours in the conversation of Cle∣lia, they lived with more friendship at Capua than at Carthage, because Horatius owing his life to Aron∣ces, and Aronces his to Horatius, the acknowledg∣ment bound with a more stricter knot their affecti∣ons, they told not one another of the passions they had in their souls, for as I already was the confident of Aronces, and that Horatius was not of the humour to have any, they discovered not to one another their Love, and they told it not even to her which caused it; so that though they had most agreeable hours with her, they had some also very troublesome, for Horatius thought not that an Exile could hand∣somly make a declaration of Love. Aronces could not imagine that one unknown might be favourably treated, for Clelia though by a natural and generous inclination she interest her self in her Country, ne∣vertheless as she had never seen Rome, that she was fair and young, and that all pleasures courted her, she found her self sufficiently happy, but that which principally made her felicity was, that looking up∣on Aronces as her Brother, and believing that he had nothing but friendship for her, she accustomed her self to live with him, with a confidence infinitely sweet, and which left not to afflict Aronces as obli∣ging as she was, because that the more he knew the sweetness of Clelia, the more he believed it was dan∣gerous to tell her that he loved her; so that except∣ing me, he took an extreme care to conceal his pas∣sion: Nevertheless these two secret Lovers daily frequented Clelias company, to whose house all the virtuous men and fairest Ladies every day resorted, 'tis not but that the beauty of Clelia gave resentments of jealousie and emulation; but she was so a la mode and there was so many in Sulpitias house, that those which would see and be seen, could not other∣wise satisfie their curiosity; for there were few per∣sons in any other houses, or if there was any other company it was ordinarily neither great nor delecta∣ble: Aronces one day took pleasant notice of it, for knowing Madam, that being in a fancy to endeavour to heal himself, we went many days from quarter to quarter, from street to street, from door to door, from visit to visit, to the end to divert his spirit from the object which so entirely possessed it, but in what place soever we went we heard nothing spoken of but Clelia, for in one house we were demanded if we had been at her house, and in another if we were go∣ing thither, one of my kinsfolks told us she came from it, and one of my friends told Aronces that he came from thence: In another place there was a man who said she should no more he called Clelia but the Fair Roman, and in the house of a Lady who was of a brown complection, there was one of her Gallants who highly praised the beauty of Clelia, though she was yellow haired, in another place we found a Lady which needs would find some fault, saying she was too fair, and I can assure you that for four or five days we went into no place where we heard not Cle∣lia spoken of, and we went every where, where per∣sons of quality might go, but at the last house where we went the last day that Aronces had destin'd to these visits, where we knew not what we sought, there was a Lady who finished to make known to that Lo∣ver, that it was in vain to seek any place where he should not hear Clelia spoken of, for he heard her more spoken of in this place than in any other: But Madam, before I recount to you this conversation, you must know to understand it with pleasure, who this person is which we meet with, and I believe you will not be angry if I describe her to you, since 'tis certain that she whereof I speak who is called Arici∣dia is an in-imitable person. In effect, all that which is particular to her, cannot be seen in any other: For in fine: I must tell you for her honour, that with∣out being of illustrious extraction, without having any beauty, and without youth she is considerable a∣bove all those which are great in Capua, and that she is at all Feasts publick and private, but that which is most strange is, that she is continually in conversa∣tion with all the young persons of quality, and with all the fairest Ladies: In effect, Those men which make such a tumultuous garboyl, when they find that a fair woman hath her Nose a little too big, too little Eyes, the Chin too short, or Lips too pale, and can hardly suffer those which have passed four Lustres, have not their eyes troubled to see always Aricidia, though she never had any beauty, and though she hath fifteen Lustres to count as the Romans, or that she can recount near twenty Olympiads according to the calculation of the Greeks, you will demand of me Madam, without doubt by what charms a per∣son to whom Nature hath refused all the Graces or∣dinary to her sex, whom time hath deprived of youth and whom fortune hath not endowed with great fa∣vours; for to render her so considerable and so much desired, and I shall answer you 'tis by a great good∣ness, and by a natural grandeur of Spirit which be∣ing joyned to a long experience of the world, and to an agreeable humour that without taking care of her self, she divertiseth all those which frequent her, for as she is without ambition, as she hath a great and noble heart, that she knows not how to slatter, that she is not interested in any manner, that she clearly sees things, that she recounts them pleasant∣ly, and that she knows all that which passes in Ca∣pua, there is no person which doth nor desire her, and when there happens any remarkable occurrence, there is no body which wishes not to see her, to know that which she thinks, says, or knows of it; so that if she could be in twenty places at one time, she might be there, she goes likewise every where without being troublesome, because she is never in any place but where she is desired.

Moreover, though she hath something in particu∣lar in her Physiognomy, and very pleasant in her manner of speaking, she hath not any pleasantness of profession: In fine, she hath a certain jovial since∣rity, which makes her say things which surprise and which please, and the truth is that she hath a solid vertue, though it is not savage. In effect, she says things that she thinks not of, she sees the weakness of others without contributing thereto, and with∣out being ever the confident of any Love, she knows

all the Loves of the City, she blameth the tatling Gossips, she flatters not the Gallants, she gives plea∣santly her opinion of those that pretend to be fair when they are not, she endeavoureth to reconcile the differences of families, she is in friendship with all the husbands and wives, and without doing that but which she thinks she ought to do, she pleaseth men which are opposite in all things, she is a good friend and is both officious and free, all the greatness of the earth cannot make her change her opinion, when she thinks she hath reason; and to define her in few words, I may say Aricidia is a living mortali∣ty, but a Moralist without sadness: and who believes that the pleasantness of innocent Raillery is not use∣less to virtue; but the most incredible thing is, that though she knows all the maliciousness the world is capable of, she is nevertheless incapable of it, and though she hath an infinite spirit, she cannot find a∣ny invention to prejudice any, though she finds a thousand when she would serve her friends. In sine, Aricidia hath found the art to please and give diver∣tisements to all the youths without incurring any blame, for though she is not young she is sometimes at Balls, she sees all the great feasts, she is in the most gallant walks and the merriest company, and Arici∣dia is composed of so much delight, that I may bold∣ly say she cannot be parallel'd, and I even maintain that it would not be advantageous for her to be fair, for if she were she goes to an hundred places where she would not go, she says things that she would not say, and her physiognomy which retains more the andacity of my sex than the timidity of hers, addeth a far more force to her words, and gives a liking to her discourses, as I have said already she is so desired in all places, that the days should be longer for her than others, if she would content all those that desire her: Aricidia being then such as I have represented to you, came into a house where Aronces and I entred just as she spoke of Clelia to five or six persons which were there, and that she spoke of her with earnest∣ness, so that when we entred she changed not her discourse; on the contrary she no sooner saw us, but knowing we were Clelia's friends, she addrest her self to us with that familiarity which is natural to her.

You come very sitly, said she to us, to maintain my argument against a man you see with me, who says that Clelia would be fairer than she is, if she was a little more coy: Ah Aricidia cryed that man, which is named Genutius, tell at least to Aronces and Celeres, that which I at first said of the great beauty of Clelia, before you tell them what I have wished thereto: I shall tell it replied she, after I have deli∣vered my advice thereupon, for I find it so unreaso∣nable that I cannot endure it: The beauty of Clelia is so resplendent and perfect, replyed Aronces, that I cannot well comprehend of what addition it is ca∣pable, I think, added I, that without seeking to deny it, you had best demand if of Aricidia: I vo∣luntarily consent to it, replyed Genutius, so that she will not conceal the prailes I have given Clelia: For to content you, replyed she, I shall then say, that you are of my opinion: that all the lineaments of Clelia's face are admirable; that she is of a most rare complection, hairs very fair, of a courteous beha∣viour, and that she is in sine one of the greatest beauties in the world, but after that pursued she, rai∣sing her voice, I shall say I do not believe she can e∣ver cause any love in you, because she doth not imitate all fashions, or to say better all the ill favoured coun∣tenances of these which think themselves fair, and which do not one action where there is not an affe∣ctation which strangely displeaseth, but to the end you many excuse him, added she, turning her self to∣wards Aronces and me; I must tell you that I have seen him heretofore amorous of one of those Ladies who frame all their looks, who place their hands with art, who turn negligently their heads, who have an artificial languor or a borrowed joy, who fit their lips to the mirrors when they dress themselves, and which laugh in such a manner, that they shew all their teeth when they be white. Ah Aricidia, cryed Genutius, you treat me cruelly, I treat you yet too well answered she, since there are such men as you are, which detract from those which are fair; for if all these forgeresses of affected simperings should not be praised by their Gallants, they would soon leave them, since it is certain they make none, but to attract Lovers, and we should see no more that which is so unpleasing to the sight; in effect I see nothing which so much undervalueth beauty, as affectation and the so great care in desiring to appear fair; for in the end added she, there is nothing more base, than to see a woman which hath naturally great eyes and open, which always closes them half to have them more tempting, and there is nothing more insupportable than to see the care that certain wo∣men have continually to make their lips of a roseate colour, and to see the fantastical and extravagant remedy that they use thereto, is there any thing more insupportable, than to see women who rise twenty times out of their places, without having any thing else to do but to consult their glasses, if they have forgot nothing of their tricks they have accustomed to do, and which have such a fancy to look on them∣selves, that they not only look on themselves with earnestness in all the glasses they find, but in the Ri∣vers and Fountains, and even in the eyes of those which speak to them, but that which is yet true is, that when they cannot see themselves, they seek an hundred affected inventions, to make themselves to be said such as they believe themselves, and that which oftentimes they are not, for sometimes they say they have not slept, to the end it should be main∣tained that it appears not in them, another time that they have an ill countenance, to the end it should be said they have a fair teint in another occasion, that they are ill favouredly drest, to the end it should be said well, and they bear an affection even to the smallest things. In fine, those persons which make so many fooleries, and so many fashions, are ordina∣rily of those that hasten to take the new modes, and which take them with excess, for if there be two or three Ribands worn, they take an hundred, and if the dressing is a little long, they wear their hair down to their girdle, if a little short they shew their ears, and they perform in fine, so many disagreeable things, to those which have not a depraved tast that they can∣not be endur'd, and that which is most rare is, that those women which spend their days, to compose all their actions to please, horribly displease all honest men except certain persons which have particular fancies, as Genutius, yet I know not added she smi∣ling, if he is of the same humour he says, and if he will not find as I, that Clelia is admirable, principally because she hath no affectation.

It is certain, added the Lady in whose house we were, that though Clelia doth not any action but

what pleaseth, 'tis clearly seen that she doth not think upon any thing she doth, and that she hath formed her self so great an habitude to have a good presence, that it is not possible for her to have an ill one. That which seemeth to me worthy to be noted in Clelia, said Aronces, is, that though she hath no affectation, she does nothing of all that which other women do; who make profession to be fair. She hath I know not what noble audacity which sets off her beauty, which hindreth not any one from doubting but that she knows what is hers; but she hath it in such a manner, that 'tis apparent she be∣lieveth to have something more considerable, and that it is not by that alone by which she merits esteem, so that I know not how Genutius can find that this admirable person is defective in any thing.

It is sometimes pleasant to dispute with Aricidia, replyed he, that you ought not to think it strange, if I have contradicted her in something, 'tis not, ad∣ded he, that I am constrained to confess that I am not altogether any enemy to certain little affections which give a gallant air to some women, and I know some that if we should take away those particular ad∣ditions they have to heighten their beautie, and should hinder them from doing all those little things which I know not how to name (but which may ad∣mit the terms of mines and fooleries) we should leave them nothing to entertain our sight: And on the contrary, there are certain beauties so plain that they cannot please me: For to speak sincerely, I would have a woman conceit her self fair before I tell her of it, because I am perswaded that she will not believe me, if she says not it her self; and to say in a word what I think, a woman in my opinion is not perfectly lovely if she loves not her self, and if she desires not to be beloved.

In fine, said Aricidia, half angry to speak, truly you love wanton Gossips more than others, because it is more easie to be favoured by them, and that in the humour you are in, you are not fit to make diffi∣cult conquests. But to return to Clelia, I maintain that she is more amiable than fair, though she is the fairest maid I ever saw.

As long as Aricidia spoke, Aronces set his eyes as fixtly on her, as if she had all the youth and beauty of Clelia, for he took so much pleasure in hearing what he loved, commended; that even his very eyes par∣ticipated with the joy of his spirit. There were nevertheless some moments in which he had some se∣cret spight, in that he could not find any subject whereby he might withdraw part of his heart from that beautiful person, for in the design which he had to draw it wholly if he could from her; there were also some moments in which the praises were given to Clelia, offended him: But these instances were not of long durance, and in despight of himself he was glad to hear her commended, and he praised her himself more than he intended to do.

In the mean while, having endeavoured five or six days to go into some place where he should not hear Clelia spoken of, which he could not find; Aronces propounded to me at our going out of the Ladies house where we had seen Aricidia, to go and take a walk in a place which was very pleasant; for Madam, you must know that there is near Capua a great Mea∣dow which is one of the delightfullest walks in the world: That which principally beautifies it is, that there are many small Rivulets which water it, and that it is bordered on both sides, with four rows of Trees, which compose the pleasantest Umbrage that I ever saw, and this place not being far from Capua, we might with convenience after our visit go thither, and in effect we went thither, with an intention to hear no more speech of Clelia. But Madam, admire the chances of Fortune in certain occasions, and to be surprised by that which surprised Aronces and I, suffer me to tell you that as soon as we were come near this Medow, Aronces rebeginning this discourse fetching a deep sigh turned himself towards me, and looking stedfastly on me; in fine he told me, I am now in a place where I shall not have Clelias name mentioned, except it be by you or I. You speak of that, I told him, as if you were displeased to hear that incomparable Maid named, or to have any re∣membrance of her. Nevertheless I know it is not so. Alas said he, would you not have me forget Clelia, since I am bound to banish her from my heart? But in fine Celeres, said he to me again, let us speak no more of it, and contribute what you can to my re∣covery, and to unslave my Spirit from so lovely an object, speak to me of quite contrary things, and let us entertain each other as if we were strangers. Since you will have it so, said I, must entertain you with the pleasantness of this meadow, which is al∣together fit for pensive thoughts. It is very true, replied he, that there was never a more pleasant nor convenient place to entertain ones self, but because I will not think of Clelia, I must not be my own com∣pany keeper, for all my cogitations would be but of her.

After that Madam, Aronces held his peace, and I did so likewise, so as it were forgetting that we were together, we fell both into a profound pensive∣ness, we even separated our selves by some steps, and if I durst speak of a love which I had in my soul, in discoursing to you of that of Aronces, I must confess that that which agitated his thoughts did also mine, and as he had his Spirit possest but by Clelia only, mine was also, but by the beautifullest person of Capua, which is called Fenice.

But after we had gone two or three hundred pa∣ces without looking or speaking to each other, we heard at our right hand some body singing near the Ruines of a Castle, which are a little beyond the meadow, where there is an admirable Echo, inso∣much that we coming again together, we resolved to go see who were at the Echo.

In the mean while, after he who sung had made an end he held his peace, that thereby he might be answered by the Echo: After which we heard di∣vers voices of men and women which were speaking, and because we were far from them, we heard but a confused noise, which would not permit us to dis∣cern, neither what was sung, nor consequently what was answered: But Madam, that which was rare, was, that as soon as we were within a distance that we might distinctly hear, we understood that it was Horatius which sung, and that having made there some verses in commendation of Clelia, which was amongst those Ladies which hearkned the last when we would understand him, insomuch that Aronces and I heard distinctly these six verses which I shall now rehearse unto you, which extolled Clelia above all the fairest of Capua, in setting forth her praises by the fairest of all, and which was less accustom∣ed to praise the beauty of others. They were these.

The Carthaginian Beauties led the way, And ours like they, to her do homage pay Toth' Splendor of her eyes all beauties rear, Which makes her raign securely every where; Yea even Fenice publickly doth say, That nothing is so fair as Clelia.

So that Aronces who withdrew himself from Ca∣pua, not to hear the fair Clelia named, was strange∣ly surprised, for after Horatius had said,

Yea even Fenice publickly doth say, That nothing is so fair as Clelia.

The Eccho repeated the name of this fair Virgin six times, so that looking upon me in a manner where there was some astonishment and grief mixt together: For any thing I see, said he to me, I must depart the world if I will no more hear Clelia named, for seeing the Ecchoes speak to the trees and fields of her; I believe I shall find no place which speaks not to me of her. Since 'tis so, said I smiling to him, I think you may better speak to her your self, than only to hear her spoken of by others; as I had said these words, we were so nigh that fair Troop, that A∣ronces had no time to deliberate with himself whe∣ther he should go to them or no, for the amiable Clelia, having turned her head on one side knew us and called us, 'tis true, I am perswaded that Aron∣ces who saw that Clelia was in this Troop, would nevertheless have approach'd her, though she should not have called him, though he intended to estrange himself from her, so that advancing towards this gallant troop; the first thing that Aronces did after he had saluted her; was to praise him which had praised Clelia, for my self, I confess I avoided with address to praise those verses though I knew the in∣genious malice of it, as much as any person in the company, for Madam, though by these six verses Horatius intimated that Fenice was the fairest person in Capua, and that it was advantageous for her, 'tis nevertheless true that there was malice in this praise, and that he reproached the defect, she hath not to find any thing fair, and 'twas easie to judge that he preferred the beauty of Clelia before Fenices, so that I being amorous of her, shunned as I have told you, to praise those verses of Horatius, and I spoke of the Eccho to a man in the company, for fear some one should tell Fenice that I had praised a man which had praised one other more than her, and which blamed her in such an ingenious manner, but my foresight was unprofitable: as I shall soon tell you, for this ad∣venture made a quarrel between Fenice and me, but to return to Aronces, he not only praised Horatius, in a manner whereof he praised Clelia, but he even praised her in so gallant a manner, that his prose was far better than his Rivals verse, and this same man which some days before had resolved to do all things possible not to love, changed his opinion on a sudden, and resolved in an instant with himself al∣ways to love her, and no more to oppose his passion, and to forget nothing that might make him love her, so that being delivered from the care of striving a∣gainst himself, he had his spirit more free, his hu∣mour more joyful, and he was so pleasant that night, that he infinitely pleased all the company, which in∣sensibly engaged themselves to examine the reason, wherefore the most part of fair women are covetous of praise and often very unjust, for said Aronces after many other things, they think some women are de∣form'd when they are beautiful.

For my part, said Clelia, my curiosity should be to know if effectually those which have the humour as you say are truly propossessed, or if they say things otherwise than they think them. There are divers sorts of them, replied Horatius, for I am perswaded that there are Ladies which know others to be fair though by an emulative resentment they say they are not, but I am likewise of opinion that there are some which so love themselves that they hate all others, and in whom effectually they find nothing that is fair.

For my particular, said a Lady in the company, who hath much spirit but is not fair, I think it not strange if envy make them speak which pretend to be fair against those which are, but I cannot wonder enough to see them which have no interest in beau∣ty, which because they are not fair, would not have others so, and which are likewise as difficult to please as if they had the fairest attractions in the world, the fairest complections, and all the charms which may be desired in an amiable person. As this Lady had thus spoken, Aricidia whom we had seen that day, came where we were with three women of quality, and three men, so that as Aronces and I had sought this place for its solitariness, we had the pleasantest company I ever saw, for except Fenice the most a∣miable of our Ladies were there, but as the subject of our conversation was then very curious when these two companies joyned, this Lady who spoke last, said they should oblige Aricidia to give her ad∣vice upon the subject they had before spoken of, so that after we had learn'd her what it was, she began to blame the fair ones which would only arrogate to themselves that title, but she blam'd them in a very pleasant manner, for it wanted but little that she re∣lated not all the histories of the City to those which have already some knowledge of them.

For my part, said she, I have been heretofore a∣stonish'd to see a fair woman and of as much spirit, which for to dispraise another said the most ridicu∣lous things that may be, for she found her too white and too brown: She likewise said she had eyes too sweet, mouth too little, and if my memory deceive me not, I think I heard her one day say she had lips too incarnate; what is this? thought I when I heard her speak so, am I a fool or wise, have I good eyes or hath she bad who speaks thus? but after a little consideration I found the cause of her injustice, for I knew there was a Lady which was fair flaxen-hair'd, who had eyes sweet, mouth little, and lips of a blush∣ing red, who had taken a Lover from her, so that after that I sought no more the cause of her prejudi∣cate opinion, likewise when I find some of those scrupulous beauties who think none fair but them∣selves, I examin'd what interests they may have to the fair and brown in general, I and what they might have in particular of those of which they spoke, and after that I did not want much to find the reason which made them unjust. In effect, I lastly saw one who because she had great eyes, maintained that lit∣tle eyes could not be agreeable, and I saw another which on the contrary, said that it appertained only to little eyes to make great conquests, and they only had I know not what of gallant and agreeable, which was fit to wound hearts, and that ordinarily great eyes open, were stupid and without agreement.

In another occasion, pursued Aricidia, I found a woman which contrary to them I have told you of, blamed in others that which she had, and praised that she had not, but she so faintly praised and blamed it, that after I had well examin'd her, I found that she blamed and did not praise it, but to the end to be contradicted, and that they might praise that she had, and blame that she had not: but usually I have alrea∣dy said we must know all the life of a fair woman, for to have power to divine what sort of beauty she may praise, 'tis not but jealousie may hinder her from finding any thing fair; but it more often happens, that there are more remote causes which procure this injustice: For in fine, all the company know a woman which would be very fair if she was fat, to whom I have heard say that a Rival she hath would be fairer than she is now, if she had ten or twelve fits of a Fever which might penance her body, and I know likewise one which because that a Lady is a∣nothers Confident, whom she believes to have a de∣sign on the heart of a man, that she would have for her gallant found strange defects in her, though she had not any, so that when I met with these critical choosers of beauty, I enquired who loved such an one? whether her Husband or her Lover betray her not, whether she is jealous, whether she is envious, whether she is wicked, whether she is frantick? I should never Madam, bring my discourse to a period if I should relate to you all those pleasing things Ari∣cidia said on this subject, but not being to trespass upon your patience, I shall desist from mentioning them, but shall only tell you that night beginning to cloath the earth with her sable mantle, the compa∣ny returned to Capua, and Aronces and I returned thither with Clelia and her company, but to tell you the truth, I was not a little surprised when that being returned to my Lodging, where I desired Aronces to lodge, I found that instead of not being willing to hear Clelia spoken of, he would not speak to me of any other thing.

In effect, if I thought to tell him four words on a∣ny other subject, he would not answer me but began to speak to me of Clelia: so that not being willing to contend with him; As far as I see, replied I smiling, you have changed your thoughts since our last Visit, for you desired to depart from the City not to hear Clelia spoken of, and you now speak nothing but of her. No, no, Celeres, said he to me, I have not changed my thoughts, but the truth on't is, I was not the same I thought my self to be, and that though I said I would not love Clelia, I was resolved always to love her, and to speak of her all my life: but if it is so, replied I more smiling, you must seek another Con∣fident than me, and I likewise must seek another than you, for if you have resolved always to speak to me of Clelia; at what hours and time may I speak to you of Fenice? 'Tis true he that's one; Lover is not fit to be anothers Confident; but cruel Friend, you are not amorous in such manner as I am, you love Fenice when you see her, pursued he, and you do no more love when you see her not, and your passion for her is rather a voluntary amazement than a true passion: 'tis therefore not very difficult for you not to speak so often of Fenice, and to let me speak of Clelia.

Have you then absolutely resolved, said I to him, not to think more of banishing her from your heart? On the contrary, I have taken a resolution, replyed he, to conquer hers if it be possible, and to acquaint her that she is the only Saint, at whose Shrine I of∣fer up my Devotion. In high thoughts, Madam, was Aronces at this time, and Horatius as I have since known, seeing Clelia give a favourable censure of those Verses; the Maid on a sudden when she oblig'd him to sing to the Echo, where we found him re∣solved to discover his Love to Clelia on the first occa∣sion which presented, and these two Corrivals though friends, not in the least imagining one anothers love, jump'd on one design when Clelia without thinking of it gave them the means to execute it: For know, Madam, she being desirous to have those Verses Ho∣ratius had made, and which she could not retain in her memory, Horatius having but twice sung them, demanded them of him the next day; but as he would make use of this occasion, instead of giving them to her at that time, he could tell her he would send them. On the other side you must know Madam, that as things change very much, by passing from one mouth to another, principally if it is to recount lit∣tle news of Cabala, where one word alter'd changeth all: It hapned that Aricidia having told some compa∣ny where she was, and that which passed at the E∣cho, those which heard it mis-related it to others, and those others worse to others, who told Fenice it was I which had made those Verses at the Echo, but instead of telling her this Song was for Clelia, they only told her 'twas against her; so that being much incensed against me, she complains of me with much inveterateness, in a place where Clelia arrived a lit∣tle after she departed from it: So that Clelia who is wholly composed of goodness, was very sorry that the praises Horatius had attributed to her, had been the ocasion of a quarrel between me and so fair a per∣son; therefore willing to acquaint me with the com∣plaints of Fenice, that I might justifie my self, and foreseeing she should not see neither Aronces or I all that day, because she knew Sulpicia spent the remain∣ing part of the afternoon in a place where we did not go. She wrote a Letter to Aronces to oblige him to advertise me of the anger of Fenice, for as she had been educated with him, and that Clelius would have her live with him with the same familiarity of a Sister, she made no difficulty to write to him, which she had done before in divers occasions, so that following those motions of goodness she had for me, she wrote a Letter to Aronces as I have already told you, which was somewhat nigh these terms.

Clelia to Aronces.

AS I know you love Celeres as much as I esteem him, and that I dare not write to him, I be∣lieved I ought to acquaint you that Fenice accuses him wrongfully of an Injury he hath offered her in praising me, to the end he may appease that fair per∣son to whom I willingly yield the Priority of Beauty; and I consent that Celeres should make some Verses, in which he should as much prefer Fenice before me, as Horatius by his Flatteries hath placed me above her, for I declare, it's not by the small beauty I have I would be esteemed, but there is something in my heart that merits praise more than my eyes, and in fine there remains no more but to call you my Bro∣ther, that delightful name my Father hath com∣manded me to give you, may hide those blushes which stain my Cheeks when I write unto you. A∣dieu, let not Celeres hate me for a quarrel I have in∣nocently

caused him and use all the power you have over him to hinder him from complaining of me.

See then Madam, the Scheme and nigh the words of Clelia's Letter that Aronces received as he was rea∣dy to depart, but as he received it in a time when his passion violently transported him, and in a time when he had resolved to discover it to her which caused it, he believed he ought not to let slip this occasion which presented it self, and that without staying to see Clelia, he ought in answering her to tell her clear∣ly that he was amorous of her, and in effect without any hesitation, and without one rase in all his Let∣ter he wrote with a strange precipitation, all the in∣spirations of his passion, for 'tis certain, this Let∣ter was rather a production of his heart than spirit, but after he had wrote it, he gave it to a discreet and faithful Slave, with order to attend Clelia's return, and to give it her without Sulpicia's seeing it, so that this Slave being very exact, executed it without much difficulty, for those which were with Aronces were in Clelius his house, as if they depended on him; so that 'twas very easie for this Lovers Slave to perform the command of his Master, and Clelia believing he wrote to her to inform her of Celeres quarrel, took the Letter without difficulty, but as she thought 'twas a simple answer to hers, she read it not at that time, because she was called at that in∣stant to go to her Father, and their conversation being somewhat long, she forgot Aronces his Letter in her pocket, and did not remember it until she was retired into her Chamber, and when one of her Maids had given her another which she said one of Horatius his Slaves had brought, so Clelia believing that he had sent her those Verses she demanded of him, and that Letter putting her in mind that she had one from Aronces which she had not read, she put her self in estate to read them both, but as she had without doubt much more inclination towards Aronces than Horatius, she opened his Letter first where she was astonished to find these words.

Aronces to Clelia.

YOu have given Celeres such singular demonstra∣tions of your Nobleness, that if I did not hope you had the same for me, I would not speak to you of him, and had rather give new matter to that high Vertue which gives so many Charms to your Beauty: but charming Clelia, as there cannot be testified more Nobleness than in pardoning a Crime in which ones self is solely interested: I must acquaint you that I have committed one which reflects on none but you, to the end that taking the generous resolution to pardon it, I may afterwards innocently commit it all my life. For not to draw a Vail over my thoughts, the Crime I have committed is, that I love you more than you would be beloved, and the glorious name of Brother you bestow on me, is so little agreeing with my thoughts, that I can no longer accept of it, permit me then to bear the title of your slave, if you will accumulate glory on me, but to the end my passion offend you not, know you have such an abso∣lute power over me, that I shall not desire any thing but what you will not refuse me: In fine I love you, but in so pure a manner, that if you could see my heart, you would never have the injustice to deface your Image from it; I know amiable Clelia that I am unfortunate, an unknown One, but if you knew my flame and the purity of my thoughts, you would not be offended to be beloved in the manner I love you; take then the pains to know them, and con∣demn me not without it I pray you. But to the end I may know if you consent to my demand, I de∣clare to you that if you answer me not, I shall believe that you favourably entertain my love, and that I shall have nothing but to render you thanks for it: but on the contrary if you take a resolution to treat me rigorously, I had rather receive a cruel Letter than receive none. I pray you make me not despair, for in the passion I have for you, I cannot lose hope without losing my life.

The reading of this Letter so much surprised Cle∣lia, that she could not tell what she felt in reading it; for as she much esteemed Aronces, and had much inclination towards him, she could not entertain a disobliging anger against him: Nevertheless, her natural modesty checkt her to do it. 'Tis true, as she knew her Fathers thoughts it was followed with some momentary grief, to see it was not permitted her to give any reasonable hope to the person in the world she believed most worthy of her if she had known his birth, and if her Father had not had an intention never to marry her but to a Roman; so that this astonishment, anger, and grief so much possessed her Spirit, that she thought not to read Horatius his Letter, and if her distraction had not made her o∣pen it without thinking on it, she would have slept without seeing it, but having opened it without any design to do it; and seeing the Song she demanded if Horatius was not there, and that it was only a Let∣ter, she read it, but not without less astonishment than she had done Aronces: For in fine Madam, I can shew you a Copy of it that I will read to you, see∣ing you will not be ignorant of any thing in which Aronces is interested.

Horatius to Clelia.

I Send you not those Verses you demanded of me, because having perused them I found they did not merit your sight, and (if I dare say so) they were even unworthy of me: but there is another reason which hinders me from o∣beying you; for in fine, amiable Clelia, I foresee I go to be so cruelly used by you, that you would not sing a Song which I made. T'is not but that I use all means possible not to be rigorously treated, but I sensibly feel that when I tell you now I love you, you will soon divine it, 'tis therefore I had rather declare it to you my self, to the end you may have some obligation to me to have concealed it so long from you: Know then, divine Clelia, that the first minute I saw you was the first of my passion, and that the last of my love will be the last of my life; I know I have not great quality enough to merit you, but I know I have divers things which may hinder me from being ill used: For in fine, I am a Roman, I am beloved by Clelius; my love and hate runs in the same current as his, I am an Exile as he is, I am unfortunate, and I love you more than can be imagined; dispose therefore absolutely of my destiny, but if it is pos∣sible banish me not from your heart as I am from Rome, if you will not be more unjust than the Tyrant which banisht me thence, and render me infinitely more unhappy by this second and more rigorous Exile, than I am by the first.

Clelia having finished the reading of this Letter,

was much perplexed to resolve what she should do, for she found something so various in this mishap which had made her receive two declarations of love in one moment, that she knew not what to imagine of it. That which most troubled her was, that A∣ronces and Horatius were friends, and that they might both say they had obligations to her, so that having thought a little thereupon, it came into her mind that that which gave her so much inquietude was not it may be but a simple gallantry agreed on between them to perplex her, for in our Caballa we make an hundred malicious intents one to another in divers occasions: Clelia therefore finding some sweetness in believing it, to draw her self from that perplexi∣ty where she was, made as if she really believed it, and hath since ingenuously confessed to me, that though the Letter of Aronces much vexed and afflict∣ed her, yet she felt in her heart that she sustained it more agreeably than that of Horatius; but after she had confirmed her self in this belief more by her will than reason, she took a resolution to answer those two Letters as if she had certainly known that these two friends desired to deceive her; but as she was not assured of it, she determined to write to both of them obscurely, to the end not to breed any contention between them if her thoughts deceived her, and not to discover to them that they had both discovered their Loves to her, if it was true they loved her. For in fine, (said this admirable Maid to her self) if Aronces and Horatius have plotted this invention, they will understand what I shall tell them, and know that they have not deceived me, and if it is not a deceit, and that they have written to me without one anothers knowledge, I shall not embroyl them, and I shall not find my self in the necessity to answer seriously to two Letters, wherein I shall find my self perplexed to do it, for I should answer it may be too roughly to Horatius and too mildly to Aronces: Af∣ter this Clelia taking a resolution to draw her self speedily from this perplexity, answered to those two Letters by two Notes that I shall tell you, for I think I never saw any of Clelia's writing that I have not retained, I so much esteem her: This Madam, was her answer to Aronces.

Clelia to Aronces.

YOur deceit hath not succeeded, and he with whom you have contrived it, shall have no more joy than you to believe it would deceive me, believe me Aronces it suffices not to have spirit to be a deceiver, but a certain maliciousness of which I believe you incapable, therefore enterprise no more to deceive me, and to prove that your design both effectually ill succeeded, I protest unto you, your Letter hath not angred me one moment, after this I think I need no more explicate to you my thoughts, and that you believe that I believe you are not amorous of me.

You see Madam, what was Clelia's Note to Aron∣ces, and so what was that she wrote to his Ri∣val.

Clelia to Horatius.

VVHen two have joyned to contrive a Cheat it is easier to be found out; pretend not then I con∣jure you, that yours hath happily succeeded, and to testi∣fie unto you, that I believe not to be so well with you as you may be evil with me, I pray send me the Verses I have demanded of you, but I likewise pray you to be strongly perswaded that you can never enterprise any thing that less resembles truth than what you have undertook: for in fine, to speak sincerely I live after such a manner in the world, that one must have lost ones sense and reason, if he think to procure my friendship and not my hatred, by disclosing his affection to me in an amorous Letter.

I am assured Madam, you know that though these two Notes were written on one subject and by one person, and that this person had an equal design in writing them, that that which addressed to Horatius was clothed with more rigorous and severe language than the other, but I must tell you the effect they pro∣duced in the minds of those which received them the next day: imagine then Madam, that when Aronces received that which appertained to him, there was a strange emotion in his heart, for as he writ to Clelia that if she answered him not, he would believe she was favourable to him, he thought seeing she wrote to him, he was going to receive his arrest of death, and that which made him think so was, that Clelia's Slave by the orders of her Mistress, had given him this Note without staying for an answer, so that he opened it with an extreme Inquietude, but when he had read it his spirit was a little more setled, but he was much perplexed to divine what Clelia would say, when she told him that he had contriv'd with another this deceit: Nevertheless after he had well consider∣ed on it, he believed that Clelia had purposely pre∣meditated it, not to be obliged to evil treat him, and that it was I that she made him seemingly think which had part in this pretended deceit of which she spoke in her Note; so that looking upon this Arti∣fice of Clelia as an obliging procedure for him, he found himself more happy than he hoped. He like∣wise received me with much joy when I entred into his Chamber a quarter of an hour after he had receiv∣ed this Note, but as I was sufficiently troubled at the anger of Fenice, I hearkned not to him so attentive∣ly as he would have me, so that being angry at me; Ah cruel friend said he to me, you interest not your self in my fortune: You take so little part in mine, said I to him, that I have more cause to complain of you than you have of me, for after you have told me you are not so miserable as you thought your self, you demand not of me how I stand with Fenice, but for to make you see you are happier than I to read the Letter I leave you, that this fair person hath wrote on the adventure of the Echo, for I am pressed to go to a friend of hers to adventure to oblige her to justifie me to her. After I had left Fenice's Letter in his hands I left him, but departing from his Cham∣ber, I met Horatius who entred there, and who appeared to have something in his spirit which made him melancholy, for he took no notice of me: In effect Madam, you must know that Clelia's answer had highly perplexed him, for he knew he had not mentioned his love to any one, nor the Letter he had wrote to her, so that he knew not what to think of that she wrote to him, seeing that on whatsoever side he looked on the thing, he found nothing of true semblance.

In the mean time, he felt I know not what in Clelias words, which made him believe that he had not any part in her heart, he was notwithstanding per∣swaded that he might have right to pretend thereto,

if it was not engaged; so that now thinking on what he never before thought of, he sought to find, if it was possible, whether Clelia lov'd any one, but after he had examin'd it, he found that if this fair person had some particular affection in her heart, it must ne∣cessarily be for Aronces, and that it must consequently follow Aronces lov'd her; for he suspected her not to love without being belov'd. This thought was no sooner formed in his imagination, but it excited in him a great disturbance: In effect, as Horatius is ge∣nerous, and that he had many Obligations to Aron∣ces, he had a strange agitation of heart, when he thought he might be his Rival, it likewise raised a War in his Spirit, and he effectualy took a resolution to resist his passion, if he learnt Aronces loved Clelia. So that endeavouring handsomly to clear himself, he went to Aronces his house, and he arrived there as I told you when I departed from thence, so that he had the Letter of Fenice in his hands I had given him and Clelias answer, but as soon as Aronces saw Horati∣us enter he concealed Clelias Letter, and still kept Fenices in his hands, for in this inopinate occasion he thought on nothing but his own interest and not mine. 'Tis true, that this Letter was writ in such a manner, that the Author of it could not be known if one did not know the writing, neither for whom it was, it having no superscription, and the reproa∣ches of Fenice were in such a nature, that one would not divine the cause of them: Horatius then entred into Aronces his Chamber, with an intention to dis∣cover by a familiar discourse if he loved Clelia, and endeavour to divert his love if it was so, he saw some emotion in his countenance, because his mind was then disquieted, and according to the nature of love which make Lovers fear the slightest things in cer∣tain occasions, he feared that Horatius should see Cleli∣as Letter, and know it, so that this disquised Lover seeing some agitation on Aronces face, and seeing a Letter in his hands which was written in Tablets, he held open without thinking on it, he so little dreamed of me, and seeing they were made in a manner as Ladyes ordinarily use to write to men, he demanded of him after some complements if those Tablets came from Clelia, Horatius having not any other design than to speak to him of that fair Maid on all sorts of subjects, to note either by his actions or words, if there was any suspicion that he was amorous of that fair person. But Horatius had hard∣ly demanded this of Aronces, but this Lover which was unprepared was much surprised at it, because it was true as you know that he had one of Clelias Let∣ters about him, and would not hinder himself from telling him this Letter was not from her, so as Horatius noting it, and not doubting but those Ta∣blets were Clelia's, he spoke to Aronces beleeving it so; by your favour, said he to him, do not conceal the truth from me, and tell me if the Letter you have in your hand is not from the admirable daughter of Sulpicia, as I do not doubt of it, shew it me I pray you, for as I am perswaded she writes as well as she speaks, I have a great desire to see one of her Let∣ters, at least I very well know her Character is the fairest in the world, for I have seen verses of her writing: at first Aronces believed, that telling a second time to Horatius that this Letter was not from Clelia, and telling it him very seriously he would be∣lieve it, and would press him no more to shew it him, but it hapned otherwise, for Horatius reitera∣ting his intr eaties with much earnestness, perswaded him he suspected something of his passion, so that fearing extreamly he should know it, and for fear he should acquaint Clelius with it, with whom he had a most inviolable amity, resolved to shew him Fenice his Letter, to make him a false confidence by shewing it him, to the end to frustrate his concei∣ved opinion that he was amorous of Clelia, if it was true he thought so that the better to conceal his pas∣sion. I know not Horatius, said he to him, giving him the Tablets he held, from whence it comes you will not believe me, but to evidence to you, you have wronged me by suspecting the verity of my words, see if this writing is Clelia's, but after you have seen this Letter do not speak of it I pray you, though I am resolved not to have any commerce with the person who writ it, therefore Horatius tell none, yet never∣theless I will not be indiscreet without any excepti∣on, that you have seen a Letter of this nature in my hands. As you tell me not her name who wrote it (replyed Horatius, after he had read it) I can hard∣ly be unfaithful to you if I would. For what can I say to those to whom I would tell it, but that you have shewed me a Letter: Since I know nothing else but that it is from an incensed Lady, who wrote to you with such an high indignation, that I believe she will easily be appeased when you will, and that she hath more disposition to love than hate you, whatsoever it be speak not of it, I pray you, said Aronces, for in the thoughts in which I now am, I am assured I shall never mention love to that person: Whilst Aronces thus spoke, Horatius had an extream joy to believe that he was not an amorous of Clelia, for though his friend told him he would never have any commerce with the person, whose Letter he had seen, he hark∣ned to that as the discourse of an angred Lover, who believed sometimes to hate when he loved most, he doubted not but Aronces had a great engagement to this Lady, whose Letter he had seen, so that be∣lieving he was not exposed but to be a mans Rival to whom he owed his Life, and whom he very much lo∣ved, he expressed a great resentment of joy by the only imagination of it, and lest that mishap he great∣ly feared might happen to him, he resolved whilst Aronces loved another to tell him that he had the same for Clelia, though he loved not to declare his secrets, for as he knew him to be very generous, he thought that after he had once made him his confi∣dent, he would not become his Rival, so that cast∣ing an obliging look on Aronces, For to demonstrate to you how dear your friendship is to me, said he to him, I have almost stolen from you your secret, but I will voluntarily declare mine to you: know then, continued he, that time hath worn out many months since love seized my heart, and I every day feel my hatred against Tarquin increases, because I look on him as the cruel cause of those punishments which are prepared for me. Aronces hearing Horatius speak in this manner, imagined he had some Amoretta's at Rome, and did not fully comprehend that he hated Tarquin more than ordinarily, because it was his exile which had caused his passion for Clelia, so that willing to testifie to Horatius, that he would obligingly es∣pouse his Interests, he commiserated his cruel passion, prying to tell him his adventure: Alas my dear friend, said he to him, my adventure is declared in few words; for as soon I shall tell you that I love without being beloved, I shall tell you all which hath happen∣ed to me, since I was amorous. But hath not absence, replyed Aronces, healed you of a love which hath

been so ill rewarded: as he thus spoke, and that Horatius, was about to tell him that he was not ab∣sent from the person whom he loved, and that he would have named Clelia to him; Clelius entred into Aronces his Chamber, and broke off the conversati∣on of these two Rivals, which knew not themselves to be so, and they could not renew it this day nor a long time after, for as Aronces would not render se∣cret for secret to Horatius, he rather avoided than sought him: Horatius on his side had his spirit so clouded with grief, that though he had a design to confide in Aronces, he could not do it, no occasion presenting it self. In the mean time, as he believ∣ed Aronces to be engaged in another love, he clear∣ly submitted his heart to Clelia.

But to return to the two Letters these Rivals had writ her, and the answers she returned to them; you must know, that three days were fully completed be∣fore Aronces had the happiness to see Clelia, though he sought for her in the resolution he had taken not to oppose his love, and had resolved to tell her that that which he writ was positively true, for Horatius though he resolved to love Clelia, he feared to see her lest she should be displeased when he should tell her the contents of his Letter were true: but at last by a fortunate occasion these two Rivals met toge∣ther after Dinner at Clelius his Gate with one design, to see Clelia; Horatius said nothing particularly to Aronces, because he had with him a friend which he had found at Capua called Stenius, whom he had brought to entertain Sulpitia, that he might discourse with her daughter, so that being entred without dis∣covering their hearts to one another, they seemed as two men which had great friendship together, but they were very much troubled when they approached Clelia, and this fair person seeing them both at once, and seeing in their countenances an equal agitation, confirmed her self in her conceived opinion, that they both had contrived together those Letters they had writ to her, it happened that Horatius nothing Aronces his change of Countenance looked on him, and Aronces doing the same thing looked on Horati∣us, so that Clelia believing they made some intelli∣gent sign to deceive her, determin'd with her self to tell them they were not come to their end: and thus smiling said, you see well said she to them, in the manner with which I receive you both that you have not deceived me, and that your fallacy hath not suc∣ceeded: therefore do not enterprise it once more, if you will not have the shame to be discovered, for if you could not deceive when I did not distrust, judge then if you can do it now you have rendred your selves suspected.

Aronces and Horatius hearing Clelia speak in this manner were strangely surprised, for her words a∣greeing with her writing, they knew by this both had written, and that both their Themes were love, since she used the same terms to them both, and not having power to hinder their sur∣prisals, and their astonishments, they changed colour, looked on one another, and afterwards looked on Clelia, as if they had desired to see her thoughts in her eyes, or what they should an∣swer her: On the other side, Clelia seeing the agita∣tion of their spirits, knew she was deceived, and blushed by a modest thought mingled with confusi∣on; but she did not judge it fit to retract what she had said, and she continued to make war to them, as she had begun, for after Aronces was come from his astonishment; For my particular Madam said he to her, I protest unto you I had no desire to deceive you, and Horatius very well knows I never proposed any deceit to him. I confess what you say, replyed he, but confess likewise I never proposed to you in my life to deceive the fair Clelia, to the end that as I shall make yours, you may make my justification, the path which you tread to justifie your selves will render you more culpable than you imagine, reply∣ed she, therefore if you will believe me, divide the controversie between you, concerning the crime I accuse you. At least amiable Clelia, replyed Aron∣ces, with precipitation tell me, if Horatius his crime is in the nature of mine?

I pray you Madam, added Horatius, yield not to Aronces that he demands of you without doing the like to me, and without telling me if the fallacy of which you accuse him, is like that you accuse me of.

If I should consent to your demands, replyed Cle∣lia prudently, I should give you honour to have de∣ceived me, since I should take the pains to tell you a thing I suppose you know; but in fine, whether your terms be equal or no speak no more of it, for in the humour in which I am, I cannot tolerate such abuses; take then some care to make me forget those you have done me, and never propound it more to me, if you will not have me fear or flee you, as if I had contracted much hatred against you.

I know not, replyed Aronces, what Horatius hath done or said which hath angred you, but for my part Madam I protest unto you, that if I have incurred your displeasure, I am disposed to displease you all my life. Those which have begun a thing, added Horatius, do not so easily leave it off, therefore Ma∣dam, you ought not to think it strange if I make use of Aronces his expressions, and assure you if I am cri∣minal I shall be so till death. I shall suffer the rest of the day, replied Clelia, seeming to believe that in effect you have deceived me, but I declare to you my patience extends no further, and that if to mor∣row you thus speak to me, I shall effectually act as if the deceit had succeeded.

As Clelia had finished these words, one of Horatius friends entred, and I entred a little after with Fenice, with whom I had made my peace since I left Aronces; 'tis true the better to confirm her I was not very sorry to accompany her to Clelias house, to the end she might hear from her mouth, that twas Horatius had made the Song which was the occasion of our quarrel, she accusing me to have done it, and I turned their discourse in such a manner, that I finished to Fenice my justification, but I was much surprised to see A∣ronces and Horatius both melancholy that they which used to be very civil, had some disposition to con∣tradict one another: I assure you Madam, this I tell you surprises you, for after I had told you that Hora∣tius had a design to discover if Aronces was his Rival, to the end to endeavour to vanquish his passion, I am assured I say Madam, that you are astonished to see this exasperation at first principally in Horatius his Spirit, but I may say he is not culpable, because it is so natural not to love a Rival, that what obligation soever he had to Aronces, he would not look upon him as his Rival, without feeling in his heart an ex∣treme agitation. Aronces on his part, not doubt∣ing but that Horatius loved Clelia, had a most sensi∣ble grief, and as reasonable as he was, he would not hinder himself from telling me afterwards, that he

was as much incensed against Horatius, as if after he had made him the confident of his passion, he was become his Rival, he therefore endeavoured to o∣vercome the tumultuous resentments of his heart, and in effect those two Rivals departed from Sulpi∣tia's house, as if they had nothing in their souls, which had begun to change their thoughts; but the most remarkable thing in this adventure was, that Aronces and Horatius both took an equal design, for Horatius resolved to acquaint Aronces with his affe∣ction, and Aronces to precede Horatius, resolved to discover first his passion for Clelia to him, so that those two Rivals instead of flying one another, de∣parted together from Clelia's house as I have told you; and having proposed to one another to walk, they went into a publick Garden where every one had the liberty to go, but they were no sooner there but both being desirous to use one anothers confi∣dence, they hindred themselves sometimes by their own impatience, and as soon as they were in the Garden, Aronces thus said to Horatius, As I infinite∣ly esteem you, I shall be very glad to acquaint you with the most important affairs which have hapned to me in the whole course of my life: I pray, said Horatius, let me first finish my discourse, for there is no reason you should deprive me of that advantage since I first begun to unlock to you the greatest secret in my heart. When I have told you I am amorous of Clelia, interrupted Aronces, then tell me what you please. Ah Aronces cryed Horatius, you have pre∣vented me, and I have nothing now to tell you, but that I fear I shall be conscious of ingratitude towards you, and shall not have enough power over my self as not to be your Rival. What Horatius, said A∣ronces, is it true that you love Clelia? Yes, said he, I love her, and it was to endeavour to discover if you loved her, that I came to your house that day Clelius interrupted us, and when I entred into your Chamber, I had taken a resolution if I could discover you to be my Rival, to vanquish my passion by all means I could poss∣bly use; but truly I cannot tell whether my in∣clination induced me to do it, for since I have known you love Clelia, I have so terrible an agitation in my heart, that I do not know whether I should love Cle∣lia, hate you or hate my self, neither would I in∣fringe our friendship or desert her: Ah Horatius cri∣ed Aronces, that which you would do is not possible; for if we both love Clelia, we must necessarily hate one another: I am so much obliged to you, replied Horatius, that I think not that the Love I have for her, and the friendship I have for you should be in∣compatible: If that which you say is true, replied Aronces, it is for you to yield Clelia to me, for it must consequently follow you love her less than I, since it is true that I believe it not possible to look upon you three days as my Rival without hating you. 'Tis not, said he, that I am less generous than you. but 'tis assuredly that my love is powerful: Ah A∣ronces, replyed Horatius, I oppose my self to that which you say, for you cannot have more Love than I, but it is that owing to me not so much as I owe to you, you are not so obliged to love me. No no, answered Aronces, it is not by that reason, for if I have defended your life you have likewise defended mine. I declare likewise to you that you owe no more to me than I to you, and if you renounce the preten∣sions you have for Clelia, I would count it as a thing you are not obliged to do. Would to the Gods, re∣plyed Horatius, I was in estate to do all which you say, for I should do it by another motive, but it is im∣possible for me to change my affection, and permit you to love her. It is true I am no great obstacle to you, seeing that if I am not deceived, I have not much room in Clelia's spirit: Ah Horatius cryed A∣ronces, you are not only the most accomplished man in the world, but you are a Roman, and I am an un∣happy unknown which cannot hinder you. Not∣withstanding I hope, though I have no subject of hope, expect not likewise I can ever suffer you to love Clelia, though many reasons oppose my Love. If you will (replied Horatius after a little considera∣tion) strive to divert the current of your affection, I will do the same things. If I should consent to your demands, replied Aronces, we should find our selves in some days in the same estate we are now, since I am assured that I cannot cease to love Clelia, so that all I can do is to recal my generosity to hinder me from hating you, or to hate you less than one ordi∣narily hates his Rival, for as I am sincere my thoughts must fall in the compass of my words, let us then love Clelia, pursued he, since our destiny will have it so, and be perswaded that there is nothing but my love to her can make me hate Horatius. I am of opinion, added this illustrious Lover, that if you be not more happy than I, I shall not hate you, and I am likewise perswaded that if I am not more happy than you, you will not hate me, and I may likewise say that Clelia in disposing her heart, shall put in yours and mine, either hatred or friendship according as we shall be either happy or unhappy, and we may draw from hence this advantage, that if Clelia loves you, her affection will consolate you for my hatred, and if I am preferred before you, I shall likewise com∣fort my self for yours. As these two Rivals were thus arguing, fortune conducted me where they were, and having noted some alteration in their countenances, I pressed them so much to tell me what had distracted them, that I became the deposi∣tory of the promises they had made not to oppose one another with Clelia, by any other way than en∣deavouring to make themselves beloved: they like∣wise promised one another not to discover it to Cle∣lius, and to expect to heal themselves when Clelia had chosen one of them, and in effect they lived a little while with the same civility as they had formerly done, but I am assured their thoughts differed in their hearts, and if their generosity had not restrain∣ed them, they would have quarrelled more than once on very slight pretexts, they overswayed their thoughts as I have told you, and lived so well toge∣ther, that if Clelia had not already known their loves, it had been difficult for her to know they were Ri∣vals, but they both took a different resolution to act with Clelius; for after Horatius had discovered his love he continually pressed her to be favourable to him: and Aronces on the contrary resolved with himself to tell Clelia, that he would not desire hope, nor demand any thing but the only favour to be be∣lieved her Lover; though he pretended not to be beloved, but to be put in the number of those whom Clelia called her tender friends, to distinguish them from many others, which had not so advantageous a place in her heart; so that Clelia finding Aronces less importunate than Horatius, avoided him less than his Rival, but she particularly forbad them both ne∣ver to speak of love to her, and though Aronces bet∣ter obeyed her than Horatius, he more perswaded her, and the importunity of the first did so evi∣dence

the discretion of the second, that he was less unhappy.

As things were in this estate, there arrived at Ca∣pua a Roman called Herminius, who merits much e∣stimation, and is endowed with all those qualities which complete a perfect man; but Madam, as I have not the leisure to play the Painter in describing him to you, having many things to acquaint you with, by which you may draw his Character: it shall suffice to tell you that as he was a Roman, and exiled by Tarquin, and one of Horatius his acquaint∣ance, Clelius no sooner knew that he was at Capua, but he presently offered him all that which depended on him, and prayed Aronces to contract a friendship with this illustrious Roman; he brought him like∣wise to Sulpicia and his daughter; which had no great difficulty to resolve with themselves to use him civil∣ly: But Madam, you must know, that Herminius was so touched with Clelia's merit, that though his affe∣ction was confined in Rome, and that it was not or∣dinary for them which have a violent love, to have at the same time a violent friendship: 'tis true he had an earnest desire to acquire some place in the admirable Clelia's heart, and if Horatius had not told us he knew his adventures, and that he had performed heroick actions for his Mistress, we had nigh believ∣ed he was amorous of Clelia, for he praised her with a certain exaggeration which seemed to be peculiar to love, he sought her with an extreme care; he was ravished with joy when he was nigh her, and was much afflicted when he saw her not, and so ardently testified to desire her friendship that Aronces and Ho∣ratius did not more passionately desire her love.

In the mean time, though he endeavoured to di∣vertise her in an hundred several manners, he essayed to divine that which might please her; Horatius nor Aronces had no inquietude, because they knew he was amorous at Rome: Clelia likewise and all those who saw him in Clelias house infinitely esteemed him. In the mean time, this admirable virgin lived in such a manner, that she had no lover but he was obliged to conceal himself under the name of a friend, and to call his love friendship, for otherwise they had been banished from her house, and Aronces and Horatius inrolled themselves under that title, if it was not in certain inevitable occasions, where this last strange∣ly importuned Clelia by his continual complaints; for my self which was amorous of Fenice, I was like∣wise Clelia's friend, and I remember one day among the rest, that Aronces, Herminius, Horatius, Fenice and I were with Clelia, where there was many other persons in conference with Sulpicia, for you must know this day was one of the most agreeable in the world, seeing the manner to which tended our dis∣course, in effect, as Herminius was a gallant of Friend∣ship and commonly entertained Clelia, with some expressions reflecting on tenderness: Aronces told him he could not chuse a person which knew the na∣ture of true tenderness better than Clelia; adding that if he could so far prevail with Clelia as to define it, he should be the happiest friend in the world, her definition of it much exceeding all others; If it is true, replyed she, that I can so perfectly decipher it it is because my heart dictates it to me, and it is not therefore difficult to tell the Notions of it; but from thence I must not draw this conclusion, added this fair person, that all those I entitle my friends are my tender friends, for I have them in several degrees. In Effect, I have half friends if I may so speak, that I call by another name, agreeable acquaintance, and I have some which have made a farther progress, and which I number in the Catalogue of new friends. I have others which I simply call my friends, and I have some that I call my customary friends, I have o∣thers which I name solid friends, and others which I name particular friends: but for those I beautifie with the title of tender friends, they are but few in number, and they are before so firmly seated in my heart, that they can hardly make any farther pro∣gress, and I so distinguish all sorts of friendship that I do not confound them. By your favour amiable Clelia, cryed Herminius, tell me where I am I conjure you: You are yet in new friendship, replyed she smiling, and it will be long before you go farther, at least, replyed he smiling as well as she, I should not be very sorry to know how I might go from New amity to Tender.

I am of opinion, replied Aronces, that few men have ever seen a description of that Country, it is a voyage many men would undertake, replied Hermi∣nius, and who may deserve to have the way, by which they may be conducted to that amiable place, and if the fair Clelia would do me the favour to teach me it, she would bind me in an indissoluble obligation to her: May be you imagine, replied Clelia, that there is but a short walk between new amity and Tender, tis therefore, before I engage you there I will pro∣mise you to give you the Map of that Country, that Aronces believeth hath none. I pray you Madam, said Aronces then to her, if there is one that gives it me as well as Herminius, Horatius and I entreated the same favour. Fenice likewise pressed her to give her the Map of that Country which no person had yet described, we then imagined Clelia would have wrote some agreeable Letter, which would lay open her thoughts, but when we pressed her she told us she had promised it to Herminius, and that she would send it him the next day: and as we knew Clelia writ very gallantly, we had much impatience to see the Letter, we presupposed she would write to Hermi∣nius, and Herminius himself expected it with such an ardent desire, that he writ a Note next morning to Clelia, to summon her of her word, and as it was very short, I believe it contained nigh these words.

Herminius to the fair Clelia.

AS I cannot go from new amity to tender, if you do not perform your word I demand the Map you pro∣mised me, but demanding it of you, I engage my self to depart as soon as I have received it to take a voyage, I i∣magine so agreeable, and that I prefer you before the sight of all the earth, though I should be to receive a Tribute from all Nations in the world.

When Clelia read this note, I have since known she had forgot the promise she made to Herminius, and that having hearkned to all those entreaties we made her, but as a thing which then brought us some delight, she had thought we would not remember it the next day, so that at first the Note of Herminius surprised her, but as at this time a pleasing fancy en∣tertained her thoughts, she imagined it would be delightful to others, and without any further con∣sultation, she took the Tablets and wrote that she had agreeably designed, and she so speedily executed

it, that in half an hour she had compleatly begun, and finished her designment, after which having wrote a Note she sent it to Herminius, with whom Aronces and I then were; but we were astonished when that Herminius after he had seen that Clelia had sent to him, shewed us a Map effectually designed with her hand, which taught us how we might go from new amity to Tender, and which so resembled a true Map, that there was Seas, Rivers, Mountains, a Lake, Cities and Villages, and for to make you see it more clearly, behold a Copy of that ingenious Map, that I carefully kept from that time.

At these words, Celeres gave a Map which follows in the next page, to the Princess of the Leontines, who was agreeably surprised at it: But to the end she might know better all the devices of it, he explica∣ted to her Clelia's intention, which she had done to Herminius in the Note, which accompanied that Map, so that after the Princess of the Leontines had it in her hands, Celeres thus resumed his di∣scourse.

You doubtless Madam, very well remember that Herminius prayed Clelia to instruct him how he might go from new amity to Tender, so that he must first begin by the first City, which is scituated at the bot∣tom of the Map, to go to the others, for to the end Madam, you may be fully acquainted with Clelia's design, you see she hath imagined tenderness may proceed from three different causes, either from a great Esteem, Recognizance or Inclination, which hath obliged her to establish these three Cities of Tender upon three Rivers, which derive their names from them, and to make three different ways to go thither, so as we say, Cumes on the Ionian, and Cumes on the Tyrrhene Sea, she makes us say, Tender on Inclination, Tender on Esteem, and Tender on Recognizance.

In the mean time, as she hath presupposed that that Tenderness which is produced by Inclination, hath not need of any conformation. Clelia as you see Madam, hath not placed any Village along the banks of this River, which runs with such a rapid course, that there can be no lodging along the shore for to go to new Amity to Tender, but for to go to Tender on Esteem it is not so, for Clelia hath inge∣niously put as many Villages, as there are small and great things which contribute to the protection of it by esteem of this Tenderness, of which she intends to speak: In effect you see that from new Amity we pass to a place called great spirit, because it is that which ordinarily begins esteem.

In pursuit, you see those agrecable Villages of pleasing verses, amorous and gallant Letters, which are the ordinary productions of the greatest spirits in the beginning of Friendship, and for to make a greater progress in that way, you see Sincerity, Great Heart, Honesty, Generosity, Respect, Exactness, and Goodness, which are all against Tender. To make it evident that there cannot be true Esteem without Goodness, and that we cannot arrive to Ten∣der on that side if we are not endowed with that pre¦cious quality. After all that Madam, be pleased to direct your eyes to new Amity, to see by what way we may go from thence to Tender on Recogni∣zance, see then I pray you, how we must go from new amity to complaisance, and from thence to that Village named Submission, and which is almost joyn∣ed to another called small cares, see I say, that from thence we must pass by Assiduity to make us under∣stand, that it is not sufficient to have that small obli∣ging care which give so much Recognizance, if we have them not assiduously. From thence you see we must pass to another Village called Empressment, and not to do as those slow people which will not hasten a moment what entreaty soever is made them, and which are incapable to have this impressment which sometimes so strongly obligeth, from thence you see we must pass to great services, and for to note there are few men which render such; This Village is less than the others, from thence we must pass to Sensi∣bility, to make us know that we must be lively touch∣ed with the least afflictions of those we love, after∣wards to arrive to Tender, we must pass by Tender∣ness, for friendship attracts friendship. In pursuit, we must go to obey Divine, there being nothing which more engageth the heart of those whom it o∣beys, then to do it blindly, and for to attain in the end to our desired Port, we must pass to constant friendship, which is without doubt the surest way to arrive to Tender on Recognizance: But Madam, as there are no ways which we may not stray from, Cle∣lia hath made as you may see that if those which are at new Amity go a little more on the right or left hand; they will likewise deviate, for if we part from great spirit, we go to neglect and we see opposite to that Map, that if we continue this deviation, we go to inequality, from thence to lukewarmness, lightness, oblivion, and instead to find our selves at Tender on esteem; we are at the lake of indifferency which you see marked on the way, and which by its calm streams without doubt lively presents the thing of which it bears the name in this place: On the other side, if we go from new amity to take a little more on the left hand, we go to indiscretion, persidiousness, pride, mischief, or obloquy, and instead of finding our selves at Tender on esteem, we are at the Sea of en∣mity, where all the vessels are shipwrackt, and which by the agitation of its waves, fitly agrees with that impetuous passion Clelia would represent: she like∣wise makes us see by these different ways, that we must have many noble qualities to oblige her to have a tender friendship; and that those which have bad ones can only acquire her hatred and indifferency, and she willing to describe to us in this Map that she never had love, nor would ever have any thing but tender∣ness in her heart, makes the River of Inclination cast it self into the Sea which is called the dangerous Sea, because it is dangerous for a woman to exceed the li∣mits of friendship, and she makes in pursuit that be∣yond this Sea is that we call unknown Lands, because in effect we know not what they are, and that we believe no person can go further than Hercules his pillars, so that in this manner she hath moralized friendship by a pastime of her fancy, to make us un∣derstand in a peculiar manner, that she never yet lo∣ved, nor could ever receive any.

Aronces, Herminius, and I found this Map so ex∣quisite, that we perfectly understood it before we departed; Clelia instantly prayed him for whom she had made it not to to shew it but to five or six persons whom she desired should see it, but as it was not but a simple delight of her spirit, she would not have it fall under the censure of those stupid persons, which neither know the beginning of it, nor are capable to understand the new gallantry, but she could not be obeyed, because there was a certain constellation which so reigned, that though we inttnded to shew this Map but to few persons, it made such a noise in

the world, that there was nothing spoke of but this Map of Tender; all the ingenious wits of Capua writ something in praise of this Map either in Verse or Prose, for it was an excellent Subject for an ingeni∣ous Poem, gallant Verses, very agreeable Letters, and very pleasant Discourses; but Clelia, said they, set too high an esteem on it, and there was no per∣son who was not demanded whether he would go to Tender? It furnished some such an agreeable subject of entertainment, that there was nothing more fit to exhilerate our spirits; at first Clelia was angry that there was so much spoken of it, for in fine (said she one day to Herminius) do you think I imagined, this spective fancy had any thing pleasant, but for our Cabala in particular to become publick, and that I made to be seen but by five or six persons which have noble spirits, should be seen by two thousand who scarce have any, and who hardly understand the best things? I know well pursued she, that those which know it began a conversation, which gain me only time to imagine this Map will not find this Gallan∣try Chymerical nor extravagant, but as there are strange men in the world, I extremely fear that they will imagine I seriously considered of it, that I have trifled away many days to find it, and that I believe to have designed an admirable thing, but it is a mo∣mentary folly, that I look upon as a toy, which hath it may be either some gallantry or novelty for those whose Spirits are well tuned to understand it, Clelia had therefore no reason to disquiet her self, Madam, for 'tis certain that all in general commended this new invention, which displayed the way how one might acquire tenderness from honest persons, except from some dull, stupid, malicious, wicked, whose ap∣probations were indifferent to Clelia, whether they praised it or no, yet it commonly drew some delight from the most stupid of those men: for there was a man among the rest who demanded to see this Card with a strange obstinacy, and after he had heard ma∣ny praise it, he dully demanded for what use it serv∣ed, and for what profit was this Map? I know not (replyed he to whom he spoke, after he had diligent∣ly folded it up) if it will serve to every one but I know it will never conduct you to Tender.

The Destiny of this Map, Madam, was likewise so happy, that those which were too stupid to un∣derstand it, used to divertise us in giving us subject to deride their follies, but it seemed particularly to Aronces, because it prejudiced Horatius; for Ma∣dam, you must know that this Lover which as I have told you, troubled Clelia with his continual com∣plaints, speaking to her one day of this Map, and willing to make use of it to speak of his passion, A∣las Madam, said he to her, I am more unhappy than all those which approach you, since 'tis true that I do not see the way which may conduct me where I may go in that ingenious Map you have made: for I cannot touch your Inclination, I have not sufficient Merit to acquire your Esteem, I can never oblige you to any Recognizance, and in fine I know not what way to take, and to say things as I think them, I know not if I may go where some other more happy than I is already arrived, and if that Countrey where you say no person hath yet been; is not known to some of my Rivals; for Madam, from whence proceeds this durity of heart towards me, if you have it not Ten∣der towards some others, you have naturally a gen∣tle spirit, a sensible heart, I very well know you e∣steem me, you are not ignorant of my passion, you likewise know Clelius honours me with his friendship there is no disproportion of quality between us, and if fortune changes at Rome, I shall have riches enough to make a Roman happy: But after all Madam, ad∣ded he, I am perswaded that far from having the power to pass to Tender, I shall never arrive there. Ah would to the Gods some unknown be not already arrived near those unknown Lands to hinder me from going thither, and that your heart is not already too much engaged to love him, of whom—You have done well Horatius, said Clelia interrupting him (her anger planting blushes on her cheeks) to re∣member me that my Father loves you, for if it was not by that consideration, I would treat you in such a manner that it would be in effect easie to know, that you will never arrive to Tender, but the respect I bear him somewhat retaining me, I content my self to tell you two things, the first is, I absolutely forbid you ever to speak to me in particular, and the second is, that that unknown of whom you speak, is not in these unknown Lands, because no person is yet there; nor can never be there, but to the end you do not i∣magine I conceal the truth from you, I declare to you he is at Tender, and that he shall always be there both by esteem and recognizance, for he hath all the me∣rit one can have, he hath saved my life as well as yours, but the difference that is between you and me is this, that I am very acknowledging and you very ungrate∣ful. In the interim, it seems to me not very judici∣ous to appear ungrateful, when one desires to obtain favours from any one.

Horatius would have answered something, but Clelia would not hearken to him, and Aronces being arrived he was constrained to depart from her, and to leave his Rival with her, but hardly was he de∣parted but Aronces gave her account of divers small Commissions she had given him the day before, for she had prayed him to oblige Aricidia to recount to him that which passed in a great Assembly where she was, he was likewise charged to procure flowers to make Garlands for a great Feast, which hath some resemblance with the Feast of the Terminales, so so∣lemnly celebrated at Rome, and he had promised to give her some of Sappho's verses he had translated, for he very well understood the Greek, and she knew it not; so that willing to quit himself of all those things she ordained, he made at first a pleasant Narration of that Assembly where Aricidia had been; for in fine Madam said he to Clelia, I will declare to you the very words of Aricidia, tell Clelia said she to me, af∣ter I had acquainted her with your desires, that the Assembly was not fair because she was not there, and that there never had been one where there was so much melancholy: For all those Ladies which pro∣fess Gallantry, were unhappily this day there for all the jealous Husbands were there, and above half of their Gallants were wanting, in pursuit Aronces pro∣mised Clelia that she should have the next day four bushels of Flowers to make Garlands, and began his Version of Sappho's Verses, whose memory is very fa∣mous through all Greece, which were very amorous as ye may judge by four Verses which I shall tell you, which remains in my memory.

Love is a pleasing Malady, For which my heart no cure can find: Yet if I could get Remedy, I'le rather dye than cure my mind.

But after Aronces had given her account of the Commissions she gave him, and that Clelia smiled at all that Aricidia told him, that she had thanked Aron∣ces for his flowers and that she had praised the Ver∣ses he had given her, he said to her half smiling, at least Madam, permit me to hope that if I continue I shall soon pass from that agreeable Village which is called Little Cares, and that if I cannot go to Ten∣der on esteem, I may one day arrive to Tender on Recognizance, not daring to pretend to go to the third, nor to think there is something above Ten∣der; for those happy unknown Lands I can descry but at a distance, I find my self so comforted by being strongly perswaded that others cannot go thither no more than I, that I shall think my self happy when I shall arrive to Tender.

Clelia remembring the expressions of Horatius, could not conceal her blushes, and Aronces fearing to have incurr'd her indignation demanded pardon of her, not knowing wherefore he demanded it: are my wishes too much to desire Madam, said he to her? if they are so, divine Clelia, I crave your par∣don, but I demand it not having power to do pen∣nance for such a crime; no, no, Aronces, said she obligingly to him, I do not condemn you for desiring my friendship, but on the contrary, am very well pleased you esteem me worthy of it; but to descend a little nigher, I assure you you have as much part as your merit or obligations may claim: for in fine, I owe my self to Clelius and Sulpicia; and likewise to you, and I assure you whilst you do not force me to change my thoughts, and conceal my friendship and my recognizance, I shall be very glad to evidence to you in any occasion that I am not ungrateful.

But Madam, replyed Aronces, what may I do to preserve my self in that glorious estate where you make me believe I am? you must live with me as you did formerly replied she; But Madam, replyed he, you desire an impossibility, for the means to live long without entertaining you of that I dare not tell you but by my sighs and regards? I am resolved, pursued he, to endeavour to obey you to oblige you if I can to desist from such an unjust command, for to testifie unto you Aronces, said she to him, that I have a ten∣der friendship for you, and that I will preserve it if I can by all means possible, I will unlock my heart to you, and rely on your discretion: Ah Madam, said Aronces to her, but I fear this confidence will afflict me and not at all oblige me, I know not if you are equitable, replyed she, but I am assured I shall not be unjust: If you do me justice, answered he, permit my love; and that I tell it you and you will be satis∣fied that I love without hope: if the Gods had dis∣posed your fortune and mine otherwise than they are, replyed she, I ingeniously confess to you, you are the only person on which I could wish my Father had fixt his eyes; but Aronces, things are not on those terms, for not to flatter you, if you are not a Roman you must not pretend to Clelia, and there is great likelihood you are not a Roman, neither that you shall ever know your extraction, content your self then to have acquir'd my friendship without pretend∣ing further; for if my Father should discover that you had other thoughts than those of a Brother, he would complain of you, he would forbid me your sight, and I should without doubt obey him, though I should do it not without some difficulty: But Ma∣dam, replyed Aronces, I will only tell you I love you, and Clelius shall not know it, but better to keep this secret, replied she, you must not tell it neither to me nor my Father; but Aronces pursued she, this secret is no secret as you imagine, for Horatius who knows it may tell it to others, if he hath not alrea∣dy done it, and it may be for some reason he may acquaint Clelius with it: Horatius without doubt hath cause to desire my unhappiness, replyed Aronces, but I have so good an opinion of his Vertue, that I do not suspect he will perform any dishonourable Action, and I believe he will only imploy his merit to eclipse my love: Though it should be so, said Cle∣lia, seeing he knows you love me, I must give him no occasion to believe I suffer your love, and I con∣jure you to confirm your Resentments; if I could do it Madam, replied he, I would, but it is not possible, I and all that I can do is to leave you to take a free e∣lection, love me then or love me not, suffer my love or reject it, nothing shall oblige me to murmure a∣gainst you, but nothing shall oblige me to alter my ardent affection, if you will not permit me to enter∣tain you with it, added he, I will do it, but I am as∣sured my vital faculties will fail when speech is for∣bidden me, and you may, it may be, repent rather to have desired my death, than to hearken to my Love, Aronces propounded these words with such a passionate and respectful air, that Clelia remembring that hazardous attempt he performed to save her life, had not the power rigorously to treat that man she had seen so valiantly kill those which would have cast her into the Sea, and she took a mean and told him without doubt all that decency and modesty di∣ctated to her, in such expressions which favoured not of any severity, which evidenced to Aronces that on∣ly Clelia's Vertue retrieved her, and that he had no subject to complain of her, though he had not ob∣tained the liberty to sigh, but after he had left her, Clelia had some discourse with her Mother, which gave her more boldness to abandon her heart, to the inclination she had for Aronces, for as Sulpicia tenderly loved him, that she had a secret aversion, for Horatius, and that she feared that Clelius had a design to give his Daughter to the last, she confided to Clelia all the secret of her Soul, and made her un∣derstand that she passionately desired she should e∣spouse Aronces, and that she strangely feared Clelius would make her marry Horatius; 'tis not, said she, but that he is an honest man, but in fine, I have some secret reasons which would afflict me if you should e∣spouse him, and I should be very glad if Clelius would turn his eyes to Aronces; I know very well added she, that we know not his birth, but I know we are not strangers to his Vertue, and that if he was not born at Rome, he hath at least the heart of a Roman, yea, of a generous Roman: Moreover, Clelius owes his life to him and we likewise; I have likewise disco∣vered without testifying any thing more of it, that he hath more affection for you than he shews, and I believe I ought to tell you my true thoughts for fear if he had been ignorant of them, you would have blindly conformed yours to those of Clelius; I pretend not pursued Sulpicia, to make you disobey him, but I would have you empty your address to disengage Horatius from the design I perceive he hath for you, that you make no rudeness to Aronces, and that you endeavour handsomly to make known to Clelius that you have some aversion towards Horatius, and that you have none for Aronces, for as I know he loves you, if you do as I direct you he will not constrain you, but above all my Daughter, added this pru∣dent

Mother, had your spirit always no estate to o∣bey him without any reluctancy, if he would have you recede from my directions, for I intend not to employ but address only, to make him consent to my desires: You may judge Madam, that Clelia easily promised to her Mother to perform all her desires, and to give her one secret for another; she acknow∣ledged to her that Aronces and Horatius loved her, but by a sentiment of modesty she could not resolve to tell her the sequel of the discourse which passed between these two Lovers and her. In the mean time being become more bold after that Sulpicia had told her she was more severe to Horatius and more affable to Aronces, to whom in the end she accorded the permission to tell her sometimes the thoughts he had for her, but she always forbad him the hope to be happy, without the consent of Clelius; but Ma∣dam, though Aronces lived with Clelia with much re∣servedness, Horatius nevertheless noted there was a greater familiarity between them than was usual heretofore; so that as Clelius more severely intreat∣ed him, since he mentioned that ingenious Man, it was not for that alone, but that his Rival had made a great progress in her heart, so that consideration much exasperating him, he felt a strange disposition in his Soul, to forget what he owed Aronces and to hate him, his natural generosity opposed the injustice of his love, but it was in the end constrained to yield to it; 'tis true that this particular friend he had which was named Stenius, contributed to incense him, for as he was a man which naturally lov'd these things which were more troublesome than agreeable, he had no sooner perceived that Horatius delighted not to hear that Aronces was favour'd by Clelia, but that he did nothing but tell him whatsoever his imagination fan∣cied, for sometimes he said she cast a favourable eye on him at the Temple, another time that she praised him with exaggeration, or that she had whispered to him, and there was never a day but that he made some new observation of this nature, and that he told not his thoughts to Horatius; so that this Lo∣ver remembring that Aronces and he had mentioned that they should not hate one another, and break their friendship till Clelia had chosen one of them, I now believed it was time to desert his friendship: Nevertheless to be fully satisfied therein, he sought the occasion to find Aronces without going to his house, for in despight of the tumultuous resentments of his soul, he conceived he should act a strange part if he should go to quarrel in his own house with a man who had saved his life; but knowing that Aron∣ces every morning recreated himself in the publick prementioned Garden, he went thither and there found him alone: As they yet retained some civility, Aronces instead of shunning him staid for him at the end of an Ally, for by a resentment of goodness and generosity, since he received some innocent testimo∣nies of Clelia's affection, he commiserated his Rivals condition, and he would have alledged many reasons to him to cure his passion, only to mitigate the grief he foresaw he would have, when he should know Cle∣lia had preferred his affection before his, but whilst he had this generous thought: Horatius whose heart was touched with jealousie, saluted him with a con∣strained civility, and taking the word, No, Aronces, said he to him, is it not time to cease to be your friend, and is not Clelia so favourable to you, as to put a dif∣ference between us? You demand it of me in such a fierce love, replyed Aronces, that I am perswaded if Clelia should much hate me, I should be obliged in honour not to tell it you; but lest you should think that the fear to make you my enemy makes me thus speak, I therefore tell you because I am sincere that I am not happy, but after that I leave it to your choice to be my friend or my enemy: As it is not there to be modest, replied Horatius, I know not whether I should be your friend or your enemy, because I do not positively know how you stand with Clelia; 'tis for you precisely to tell it me, for as I am a Roman I place sincerity above all other Virtues: though I know not my birth, replied Aronces, I know how to seat all Virtues in their right place, therefore as I am perswaded that after that you have told me, it is more just to be fierce than sincere, I say to you that I ever promised to tell you in what terms I should be with Clelia, and that I have not never pretended to know the like from you, you may therefore learn it from her mouth or divine it if you can, and it is for me to tell you once more that I give you your choice either of my hatred or friendship: If I may chuse, replied Horatius, I would chuse the last, because I owe my life to you, but it not being in my power, I gladly accept the other, and not to be altogether in∣grateful (said he with a piquing rallery, putting his hand to his Sword) I must put my self in estate to give you that you preserved me, Aronces seeing him in this posture put himself in the like, and these two fierce Rivals began a Combat which had ended but with their lives, if Clelius and I had not casually arrived at this Garden as they had their Swords in their hands, you may judge Madam what was Clelius's sur∣prise, when he saw two men whom he dearly loved, and whom he thought loved one another, to be in e∣state to kill one another, and he was so troubled at it that he ran as swift as I to separate them, for we both arrived together, fury having so transported them that they knew us not, but when we were two paces from them, Horatius seeing his blood run down from an hurt he had received on his left side became more furious: and casting himself on Aronces, Oh! too happy Rival, said he to him, since thou hast vanquish∣ed Clelia it will not be difficult to vanquish Horatius, Clelius hearing these words stayed himself one mo∣ment to look upon me, so he was so much surprised, but without staying my self or him, I put my self in estate to separate these two valiant enemies, and I did it more voluntatily because the advantage was on Aronces his side, and in effect Clelius being joyned to me, in despight of his astonishment we separated them without much difficulty; for as soon as Aron∣ces saw Clelius, he retired some paces and put himself out of a fighting posture, so that having seized them both, and there being arrived other men which came to us and assisted us, we took from them the power to continue their Combat.

In the mean time, as Horatius was hurt and Aron∣ces was not, Clelius accompanied the first even to his house, and I followed Aronces as my particular friend, but before they departed, Clelius looking upon them both thus said. What fury possest you? and whom ought I to quarrel with? for my self I have nothing to say, replyed Aronces, but that Horatius put his hand first to his Sword, and that I am not the assail∣er: yes, yes, Aronces, (replied Horatius in estrang∣ing himself from him) I am at once both culpable and unhappy, I am it may be more unhappy than you, replyed Aronces, but I am doubtless more in∣nocent.

After that, Clelius not daring to examine the ground of their quarrel before so many Men, be∣cause of those words he heard at his first arrival to them: those two Enemies went with Horatius, as I have told you, and I went with Aronces, who was as much afflicted, as if his enemy had vanquished him, for he imagined what the event of this com∣bat would prove, in effect, though Horatius was hurt and vanquished, he would tell nothing to Clelius of the subject of his quarrel with Aronces, because he had heretofore promised him never to tell him he loved Clelia; but he imagined a part of the truth, and was strongly perswaded in the opinion that Aronces and Horatius were amorous of his Daughter, but the better to know it, he return'd to his house, and taking Clelia aside, without telling Sulpicia of it, because he noted she did not love Horatius, I never believed (said he to her to affright her) that you had been capable to breed a quarrel between my two Friends, and I should never have thought the Daughter of a Roman so little esteemed glory as you do.

By your favour Father (said she to him) tell me what baseness I have committed? and what quarrel I have caused? You are the cause (replied he) that Horatius and Aronces have fought, and that one of them it may be, is in danger of death: What (re∣plied hastily Clelia, who would not retain this first motion) have Aronces and Horatius fought? and is one of their lives in danger? Yes Daughter (said he to her) and you are doubtless the cause of this disaster.

Clelia would then have demanded of her Father, which of the two were hurt? but seeing her Father much disturb'd, and that he attentively lookt upon her, she durst not ask that question; but Clelius knew that she interested her self in the conversation of one of those two enemies, for a crimson tincture shadowed her cheeks, which sufficiently confirmed him, that she was not altogether insensible either for Aronces or Horatius: In the mean time, as he did not certainly know for which of them two she had a tender heart, because he had not named him which was hurt, he resolved subtilly to discover it, and con∣cealing the truth, he told her that it was Aronces which was wounded, and that she had merited blame for what she had done.

Clelia hearing Clelius his words, was so much afflicted, that 'twas easie for her Father to know, that she had rather it had been Horatius, but though she said nothing whereon he might ground this con∣jectural opinion, her eyes betrayed the secret of her heart, and though she had power enough to hinder her from weeping, Clelius saw that it was only her prudence retained her tears; so that seeking no further confirmation, 'tis sufficient Clelia, said he to her, I know all the secret of your heart, and you will be glad when you know 'tis Horatius which is hurt, and not Aronces; for I am very certain you prefer Aronces before Horatius, and that you affect rather an unknown person then a Roman, yet I know not whether you suffer them both, though you love one better then the other: Ah Clelia cry'd he to her, Maids of your quality do not thus live at Rome; but to the end you may elevate your heart, and to add more confusion to your weakness, remember that your blood is of the most illustrious in the World, that the Nobility of your Race is ancienter then Rome, and if the famous City of Alba yet subsisted, that Crown should be your Hereditary right.

But without seeking these marks of greatness from the Tombs of those Kings from whom I am descended, and in the ruines of a State of which I might have been the Master; to the end to scrue up your thoughts to a sublimer pitch of greatness, it suffices you are my Daughter, to find very strange that you should be capable of that weakness I re∣proach you: I know Sir, replied she, that I ought to take all things at your hands, therefore have I suffer∣ed you to accuse me without cause, but after all, as I am obliged to justifie my self, permit me to tell you that I am not culpable.

What? (replied Clelius) do you say that Aronces and Horatius are not amorous of you? and do you think to perswade me that you do not love Aronces better then Horatius? I do not positively know (re∣plied Clelia) if those you say are effectually amorous of me; but if 'twere so I should not be culpable, since I never had any design to countenance their affections, and for the difference you say I put be∣tween Aronces and Horatius, I am not in that very criminal; for in fine, I saw Aronces as soon as I in∣joyed the light: you have commanded me from my infancy to love him as a Brother, and to give him that Title, you have always loved him with a Pater∣nal affection, I have seen him esteemed by all those who knew him before I knew Horatius, 'tis not therefore strange that I have more disposition to have friendship for him then the other, though I have lived with an equal civility towards both of them.

If you have always lived so (replied Clelius) wherefore should they quarrel? wherefore should they sight? wherefore should Horatius be hurt? and wherefore should he say to Aronces in my presence, that he was more unhappy then he? I know not (re∣plied she) the cause of their quarrel, but I very well know I contributed nothing to it, that I have no sub∣ject to complain of Aronces, and that if I had not feared your displeasure, I should have long since ac∣quainted you that I had reason to accuse Horatius, because he persisted to give me marks of his pre∣tended passion, though I had forbid it him; if you had defended it as severely to Aronces as Horatius, replied Clelius, things would have never come to these terms, and if you had not made a secret of that Gallantry, order should have been taken to pre∣vent these things.

In the mean time I have to tell you, that though Aronces hath merit, I forbid you to look on him but as one ungrateful, that hath forgot all that he owes me, and I command you to dispose your self to live better with Horatius, if he escapes; for to tell you clearly my intentions, if he doth not esteem you unworthy of him, after that which hath happened, he is the only Man in the World that I can consent you espouse: He is an accomplished Man, a Ro∣man, and Son to a Friend I very much loved; and in fine, he is Tarquin's Enemy, which is the greatest inducement for me to desire his Alliance; for Aron∣ces I know he is endowed with transcendent quali∣ties, but since he is both unknown and ungrateful, I will not only forbid him to look upon you, but command you never to speak to him till you are Ho∣ratius his Wife.

After these words Clelius lest Clelia, grief seizing all the faculties of her Soul, after he departed from

her Chamber, he went to find Sulpicia, to whom he made strange reproaches, accusing her not to have taken sufficient care in the tuition of her Daughter, since she suffered her to put some distinction between Aronces and Horatius; for after all, said he to her, if she must put any between them, it must be for the disadvantage of Aronces, and not Horatius: Sulpicia hearkned to her Husband's words with an extreme despight, because they confirmed her in the belief that his friendship towards him principally pro∣ceeded from his former affection to his Mother, so boldly taking his Daughters part, whose innocency she knew, she took Aronces; in effect said she to Clelius, if Aronces is not a Roman born he hath a Ro∣man heart, and if Clelia had not lived well with him, she should have disobeyed the command that you and I injoyn'd her; if she had suffered him as her Brother, replied Clelius, I should have had nothing to reproach her, but she hath endured him as a Lover, and hath without doubt treated Horatius as an ene∣my; by your favour (sharply replied Sulpicia) blame not me indirectly by blaming Clelia, and be perswa∣ded that she is altogether innocent, that she loves glory and virtue, that she hath not derogated from her birth, but you are so opposite to the pretensions of Aronces, because you do not know his Father, and favour those of Horatius, because his Mother hath been of your acquaintance.

At these words Clelius feeling himself touched to the quick at this reproach of Sulpicia (because in effect there was some truth in it) felt in his heart such a disposition to anger, that for fear he should not overpower himself, he departed not only from her chamber, but out of the house, and went to A∣ronces for whom he had yet a tender affection, but against whom likewise he was much angred, though he was resolved to speak to him rather like an angred Father than an enemy, for Aronces received him with his usual respect, but with such a profound sadness imprinted on his Face, that it easily appeared that his Soul was much disquieted; as soon as he was entred, Aronces thus says to him with as much submission as if he had been his Father, I doubt not but you believe you have cause to complain of me, for that which hath passed between Horatius and I, but I protest unto you, he hath been the Assailer, if he had not forced me to act what I have done, the respect I bear you would have obliged me to suffer any affronts from him.

I am willing to believe, Aronces (replied Clelius) that Horatius hath committed most wrong in that which reflecteth on your quarrel, and I am very much deceived if I do not make you confess, that you have been more culpable towards me, then he can be towards you; for in sine, you know Aronces what I have done for you, you know I found you in the Sea, that I exposed my life to save yours, and afterwards far from treating you as a slave the gods had given me, I educated you as my Son, and that there might be nothing deficient on my part to your advantage, I desired my Wife to love you as if she had been your Mother, and commanded my Daughter to love you as if she had been your Sister; but O horrible and unparallel'd ingratitude! you use the familiarity I have given you in my house to cloak your affection to Clelia, and you pretend to enforce her from me, that she might not obey my commands, I therefore declare to you by a tender resentment which yet resides in my heart, and to teach you to acknowlege those obligations you have to me by a grateful recognition to you for sa∣ving my life, I say, that if you will ingeniously con∣fess all that which is passed between Horatius and you, and swear to me never to pretend any thing to Clelia, nor once to speak to her till she shall be espou∣sed to Horatius, I will preserve my friendship to∣ward you, and I will bury in oblivions grave the cause you have given me to complain of you.

Would I had the power (said Aronces to him) to shew you all that which hath passed in my heart, for if it were possible for me to do it, you would easily seal my justification, and my infelicity would (it may be) receive a great diminution, but seeing you can∣not divine my thoughts, permit me to tell them you, and do me the favour to believe that I will con∣ceal nothing from you, I will then ingeniously con∣fess to you, that I have received continually from you all things I could desire, and more then I could ever expect, and I have been, and I am yet linkt to you in such a chain of gratitude, that nothing but death shall be able to untie, and if I could but once reproach my self to have committed any thing vo∣luntarily which might merit your indignation, I should esteem my self the most ingrateful and persi∣dious of all Men; but generous Clelius, that love which hath made a deep impression in my Soul, and which irritates you against me is not of this Nature: What have I not done to resist and banish this passion from my heart, and for being just to you, Clelia hath reason to tax me with injustice, for I have been sometimes so transported beyond my self, that I have wisht with a strange desire, neither to admire love or esteem her; but my wishes were still in vain, for I observe, love, and admire her, more than my tongue (too weak an instrument to blazon forth her perfections) is able to express; but as I live with∣out any hope to be happy, demanding no recipro∣cal affection, I cannot see how I should be conscious of any injustice towards you, and though my per∣son should be your captive, yet I must tell you that the respect I bear you, only hinders me from desiring to cease to be miserable, and I must therefore inge∣niously confess to you, that I am not capable to see Clelia in Horatius his power without contributing to my own Tragedy: neither give her to me pursued this afflicted Lover, and I consent thereto; neither give her to Horatius if you will not give death to a Man whose Life you have saved.

I very well know my words do not fall in the com∣pass of Reason, and that you have some subject to impute injustice to me, because I seem to impose Laws on him from whom I ought to receive them, I would not have unript my thoughts to you in this occasion, if I had not imagined to oblige you to compassionate my feebleness, I might have told you if I would, that as unknown as I am, there is some∣thing inshrined in my heart, which may merit the particular esteem of Clelius; but I declare to you without murmuring against you, that if you never give her me, I shall without doubt complain of for∣tune, but never of Clelius: and if Horatius shall not be more happy than I, I shall not believe my self to be the most unfortunate of all Men.

That which you say (replied Clelius) is so dissonant from Reason, that I cannot give you any positive Answer, and all that which I may or ought to tell you is, that my Daughter is under my power; that the Romans are not only Masters of their Childrens

fortunes, but of their lives; and as Clelia's Father I shall bestow her on whom I please, and I shall never give her you, but according to all likelihood shall be∣stow her on Horatius, and I expresly forbid you ei∣ther to see her or speak to her.

After that Clelius departed from Aronces, and left him in such a grand despair, that I think there was never any Lover whose afflictions equalled his; at least, I know that when he told me his discourse with Clelius, so many marks of despair were seated in his eyes, that I feared he was not able to support such a cruel adventure, and that his grief would act his lives Epilogue: who ever saw (said he to me) any misfortune equal to mine? for in fine, I have not the consolation to accuse any one of those miseries which have drowned me in a Sea of desperation; for I know Horatius ought not to yield Clelia to me, and that Clelius ought not to pre∣judice Horatius by giving her to me, whose birth he knows, and I suffer an affliction so much the greater, because I do not find it altogether unjust; and I am so miserable, that even the affability of Clelia to∣wards me gives a continual augmentation to my de∣spair, for if I was not beloved of Clelia, and had no hopes of gaining her affection, it seems to me, I should not so much hate my Rival, nor so much murmure against Clelius, and despair it may be would then somewhat mitigate my passion; but alas Cele∣res, I am not in this estate, for on Clelius and Hora∣tius his parts I see an absolute impossibility to ac∣complish my designs, and on Clelia's I see such a seem∣ing correspondency of affection which renders me more miserable, but not enough to make me happy; in effect, she would it may be without any repug∣nance obey Clelius, if he should command her to love me, but she doth not so much affect me as to dis∣obey him, if he commands her to espouse Horatius; and the sweetness she expresses to me, doth increase my misfortunes; I should not therefore be the less unhappy by the cruelty of Clelia (added he) and all that I can desire for my consolation is, that my Ri∣val should always be hated by her, and that she will always affect me with a correspondent affection: thus you see, Madam, the affliction of Aronces in this troublesome conjuncture; nevertheless as he durst not go to Clelius his house, after that he had told him, and that he desired to know Clelius his thoughts in this occasion, he prayed me to go to Sul∣picia's house, but as I was known for Aronces peculi∣ar Friend, I found that Clelius had given order to all his Servants to tell me that Sulpicia and Clelia were not there, so that the unhappy Aronces found him∣self in an unequal'd despair; Clelia on her side was not happy, for she sufficiently loved Aronces, sensi∣bly to fee•• the privation of his sight, and she had a great aversion towards Horatius, to imagine she could never espouse him without an extreme dis∣pleasure: on the other side Sulpicia who had a jea∣lous thought in her Soul; who hated Horatius, and tenderly loved Aronces, was not without Inquietude: for she would not directly oppose her Husband, neither would she suffer that he should pretend to give his Daughter to the Son of a Woman, which had heretofore given her such a cruel jealousie; for Horatius, he was more unhappy, for besides as he was hurt, he knew that he was not affected by Clelia; 'tis true, he had the consolation to know he was by Clelius, and to think this Fa∣ther would employ all his Authority in his favour, if he escaped the hurt he had received, which was less dangerous then Clelius had told his Daughter.

In the mean time, as Love is ingenious, it made A∣ronces find the invention to write to Clelia, but he was astonisht when she defended him by a Letter to continue his writing to her, this rigorous command was without doubt conceiv'd in the most sweet ex∣pressions imaginable, but for all that 'twas a rigo∣rous command, and rude, and it was done in such a manner, that Aronces very well knew Clelia would have him obey it, and he was during sometime de∣priv'd of all consolation, till that Herminius who more lov'd Aronces then Horatius though he was a Roman, somewhat asswaged his grief, for as the true ground of the quarrel between Aronces and Horatius was now divulg'd, and the prohibition he had made his Daughter never to see him. Hermi∣nius made a Complement to that unhappy Lover, and pitied his condition as a Man which had a tender Soul, who knew the most sensibility of Love, who deplor'd all those which were miserable, and who used all means he could possible to comfort them, and he so much endeavoured to comfort Aronces, that his endeavours proved effectual; for as he said he had been at Sulpicia's, and that he had entertain'd a long time her admirable Daughter, he extremely pressed him to tell him if she did not mention him in her discourse; if I should tell you she spoke to me of you, replied Herminius, I should tell you a lie, but if I tell she carefully avoided to speak of you, I shall tell you a thing which is more advantagious for you then you imagine: For in fine, I so clearly know that, that hindred her from speaking of you, was, that she felt she could not do it without ex∣pressing more inclination towards you then Horatius, that I cannot doubt of it: for I have seen her blush at her own thoughts, I have seen her seem not to take notice what was spoken of you, yet I have seen her attentively hearken to it, and I have seen some marks of despight, when Stenius, who as you know is Horatius his Friend, hath said something to her to his advantage. Ah, ah Herminius, cryed A∣ronces, you would alleviate my miseries, and seek to diminish that malady which cannot be healed, I pro∣test unto you, replied Herminius, that I speak to you with all the sincerity of a Roman: after that Aron∣ces relying on the probity of Herminius, pray'd him to repair oftner to Sulpicia's house, and faithfully to relate to him all that he heard Clelia say, reflecting on Horatius or himself, but he durst not entreat him to say any thing to her on his part; for knowing the modesty of her humour and prudence, he judged that she would never discover the secret of her heart to a third person, and in effect, Herminius did all that Aronces desired, and for some days he was the most agreeable Spy in the World for his Friend, for he always reported to him some favourable obser∣vation he had made to his advantage; for my part I had likewise pray'd Fenice to report to me all that she heard Clelia speak of concerning Aronces and Horatius, that she then more frequently visited; so that either by Herminius or me, Aronces heard every day something which pleased him; he was there∣fore much troubled to know that Stenius saw her more often then ordinary: but after all he had some consolation in that he learnt by us that his Ri∣val was not in estate to entertain her when he was forbid her presence.

In the mean time Clelius daily visited Horatius, and Aronces doubtless had no consolation, but that Her∣minius and I gave him: But Madam, we were not always in power to give it him as accustomed, for neither Herminius nor I had any thing one day fa∣vourably to tell him, so that there are none more suspicious then a Lover, and an unhappy Lover, he no sooner saw us but he knew we had doleful things to tell him. In effect, as he demanded of me if Fe∣nice had not seen Clelia, I told him coldly no; and as he demanded of Herminius if he knew nothing of Clelia, he answered the same thing, so that this e∣quality of Answer being suspected by him, he lookt upon us with eyes, which demanded us so many things, that once without having a design, told him more then he would know, for he saw grief in mine, and he noted that Herminius turned his head aside not to encounter his, and not having power to re∣main long in this incertainty; I pray said he to us, tell me speedily that you will not tell me, for if you do it not, I shall go to Clelia's house in despight of the defence of Clelius, and I will perform so many things contrary to reason, that you will repent not to have made known to me my misfortune: at first we would have concealed the truth, but there was not the means, and we were constrained to tell him that which we knew; for my particular I told him that Fenice having been at Clelia's house, was very much surprised to see her so reserv'd to her, and to hear her speak of him in a manner which made her judge that she thought to have cause to complain of him: for Herminius, he told him something which was more displeasing; for he not only informed him that Clelia had spoken in such a manner, that it evi∣dently appeared her spirit was irritated; and more∣over, that she had in an obliging manner inquir'd of Horatius's health, at the same time that Stenius came to her: So that Aronces having these two things, had almost sensible Dolour, and therefore not being able to live in such a cruel uncertainty, he was absolutely resolved to speak to Clelia, to know from her self what oblig'd her to vary in her thoughts concerning him. That which pusled me in this business was, that I did not know why Clelia gave such cold entertainment to Fenice, for to think it was because I lov'd Aronces, and that I likewise was lov'd by him, it were equally to wrong both the wit and generosity of Clelia, so that I knew not what to think of it. But in fine, Madam, after Aronces had conjectur'd an hundred ways to speak to this admirable person, he did so well that he met with one, it is true that he had it by the contribution of fortune, for there being a Person of Quality dead at Capua, and the custom requiring that his Wife should be visited, Aronces had the time so exactly watcht when Sulpicia should make her visit, thereby to order his own, and that he might do what he had before intended; and he so well fitted all things that he came to the door of this mourning house, at the same time that Sulpicia and her Daughter ar∣rived there: so that I being with him, and that I knowing his design, I led Sulpicia, which received us very civilly, and Aronces presented his hand to Cle∣lia, who as soon as she saw him blusht, and received him not with such a sweetness as her Mother, or if she had any it was very cold, and which had nothing of that obliging disposition she was wont to have for him; In the mean while there arriv'd to facili∣tate to Aronces design, that as we traversed a Court which belongeth to the house where we were, and that we were under a magnificent Portal which is at the lower end of the stairs, there happened I say, that Sulpicia met with a Kinswoman of the deceased, which was going out when we entred in, and who following the custom of some Women, which al∣ways tells more then they are ask'd, related unto her not only the sickness of her Kinsman, but besides all the distempers which had heated his blood, and had caused the disease which ended his life: In fine, continuing her discourse, and relating what reme∣dies had been given him, how he had disposed of his means, and generally what had befallen this Man, since ten or twelve years to his last breath: so that our design not permitting us to leave these Ladies with whom we were, I gave attention to this long Narration, during which time, Aronces entertain'd Clelia: At first she would have approached Sulpicia, but as she endeavoured to do it, Aronces opposed himself with such a comely and civil manner, that she could not manifest all the rigour she intended for him; I am nevertheless perswaded, she was not an∣gry to be constrained to speak to Aronces, who no sooner saw Sulpicia ingaged to hear the Ladies di∣scourse, which she had met, said by your favour charming Clelia, I pray tell me from whence does it proceed, that you not only forbid me to write to you, but you speak of me as if I had offended you, and that I were not as innocent as miserable, though I am the unhappiest of all Men: I thought (replied she blushing) that you were in so good a correspon∣dency with Fenice, that you did not care if you had none with Clelia.

What Madam, (replied he greatly astonished) do you believe that Fenice hath a part in my affections, Fenice whom I scarcely ever see, Fenice which is fer∣vently loved by the dearest of my Friends, and Fe∣nice in fine, which is not considerable to me, but be∣cause I know by her partly what you do or say, since I have no more the liberty to be my self a wit∣ness of your actions, and the admirer of all your words. Can you believe, Madam, that a heart which adores you can be able to adore another; and is it not sufficient that Clelius is offended with me, that it hath debarred me to see you, and that you have for∣bid me to write to you, and that I fear my Rival shall be happier then I, without your accusing me with an injustice which never had its equal: I know not, Aronces (said she) whether you love Fenice or not, but I know you have received Letters from her, and that you have been enough conversant to have some familiarity with her, yet said she (not gi∣ving him leisure to interrupt her) that brings no alteration to your fortune, for since my Father hath forbidden me to let you love me, and that he hath commanded me to receive the affection of Horatius, there will be no other change in the thing, but that I shall obey him with less repugnance then I should have done.

What Madam, (said Aronces, with a mortal an∣guish in his eyes) will you obey Clelius? will you no more suffer my affection? and will you enter∣tain my Rival? Ah! if that be so, you have nothing to do, but to prepare your self to rejoyce for my death: for in the thoughts in which you are, it will without doubt cause you joy; but because I may at least have the comfort to die justified, accuse me exactly of my supposed crime, tell me when Fenice was loved by me, when we were familiar together,

and if I destroy not all these impostures, esteem me as the basest of all Men, take from me wholly all hopes, that is to say, take away my life; speak then Di∣vine Clelia, continued he, but speak without turn∣ing away your fair eyes, that they may see in mine all the innocence of my heart, and the fervour of my Love.

Clelia hearing Aronces speak in this manner, began to doubt of what had been told her concerning him, so that looking upon him with a more gracious eye then before, by your favour Aronces, said she to him, justifie not your self, for I had rather be in wrath then in sorrow, wherefore because 'tis upon necessity that I must lose you, leave me in the belief that 'tis I which have lost you: No, no, Madam, replied he, I will not indure this injustice, and I must be abso∣lutely justified.

As Aronces ended these words, and that he was in hope to appease Clelia, Fenice followed by two of her Friends, came down stairs at the foot of which we were, insomuch that Aronces, who did not think that she had been there, and who knew that Clelia had newly accused him to have born her some affe∣ction, was so surprised by the sight of her, that it was not in his power to conceal those marks which demonstrated the agitation of his spirit.

Nevertheless, as he intended to clear Clelia of her doubt, he saluted Fenice with more reservedness then ordinarily, insomuch that this person not knowing what was the reason of the diminution of his wonted civility, and calling to mind the cold en∣tertainment that Clelia gave her the last time she saw her, she could not hinder her self from making some reproaches for it: Ah Aronces! (said she to him) 'tis too much to be at odds both with you and Clelia; 'tis not added Fenice, but that her beauty deserves your regards, but she ought not to be possessor of all your civilities, Aronces and Clelia were so surprised by what Fenice had said, and she passed by so suddenly, that they had not the leisure to answer her, yet they both began to give her a reply, but as I have said already, Fenice gave them not the leisure to end it; nay, they were not able to say any thing to each other, and I could not go after Fenice, who had not seen me, because Sulpicia ended her discourse which she had with that Lady, which had stayed her, by this means, Aronces thinking to clear himself, found himself in a new labyrinth, for the alteration of his countenance, and what Fenice had told him, renewed the suspicions in Clelia's heart, insomuch that although he spake to her as he went up the stairs, she gave him no Answer, and she hath even acknowledged that she hardly understood him, you may then judge Madam, that when they were in this mourning Chamber, it was not easie for him to en∣tertain her, and when Sulpicia departed, Clelia car∣ried her self so dexterously, that she engaged me whether I would or not to lead her; it is true that Aronces was not prejudiced by it, for he found in Sul∣picia whom he accompanied, so much kindness, that it did in some measure comfort him, yet she never∣theless told him but very displeasing things, for she confirmed him in the belief which he had, that Clelius was very angry with him, and that he would not be easily reconciled: it is true, that she testifi∣ed to him a great deal of sorrow for it, which did infinitely oblige him.

But as she went about to joyn Clelia's thoughts with hers, and to make him know, that she also was very sorry for it: Ah Madam, said he to her, the equity of Clelia is far inferiour to yours, and I am far from having any subject by which I might equalize her goodness with yours.

Certainly you take the modesty of my Daughter (replied Sulpicia) as a Token of indifferency: but I assure you, she gives your virtue its deserved praise, and that if my perswasions could be ever able to cause an alteration in Clelius his thoughts, you should see what testimonies she would give of the esteem she hath of you: Aronces durst not tell her what Clelia had told him, for fear of angring that fair per∣son to whom I spoke, but as soon as I desired to know of her for what reason she would put Aronces to despair, by treating him so cruelly: Aronces (re∣plied she) it may be, is not so innocent as you think him to be, and you may chance to be a better Friend then you think for, in speaking to his advantage; Clelia told me that, in such obscure terms, that as I knew not, that she thought Aronces loved Fenice, I was far from understanding what she meant, and I likewise answered so ambiguously, and our conversa∣tion was so mysterious, that we parted without un∣derstanding one another; so that when Aronces and I were alone together, we knew not what to ima∣gine, for he was so astonisht that Clelia should ac∣cuse him of loving Fenice; and I was so affrighted at it when he told it me, that I knew not what to think of it, and the grief which Aronces had for it was so great that it could not be exceeded: for my part I knew well after that which he had told me, that it may be I was a better Friend then I thought, for be∣lieving that Aronces was amourous of Fenice, whom I loved, she was perswaded that I did more then I ought in speaking in his behalf.

In the mean time, we in vain searcht from whence should proceed Clelia's jealousie, the cause of which was very far off, for you must remember, that when I told you, that when Horatius endeavoured the first time to know whether Aronces was in love with Clelia or no, he found him with a Letter in his hand, which Fenice had wrote me, of which Horatius knew not the writing.

Now Madam, it happened that during the time that he had kept his Chamber for the hurt which he had received—Stenius fortunately shewed him a Song which was written by Fenice, which he saw sometimes, so that Horatius remembring it to be the same hand as that which he had seen in his Rivals hands, he began to imagine that Aronces loved in two places, and that I was his Confident only but by Fenice, so that relating this whole Adventure to Ste∣nius, he began to exaggerate the unjustice of Clelia, to prefer a Man to him which only gave her a divi∣ded heart.

So that Stenius effectively believing that Aronces had some intelligence with Fenice, and thinking to tender Horatius a good office, he went without in∣forming him of it to Clelia's house, and he so con∣trived his discourse, that he gave this fair person to understand, that I was Aronces confident near Fenice, though I went for her Lover, or if that was not that Aronces betrayed me, he even assured her, that he had seen a Letter from Fenice to Aronces, and he did it without making any scruple of the likelyhood of this lie, because Horatius had effectually told him that he had seen one in Aronces hands, it was not a considerable falshood to change one circumstance of this thing, so Stenius did what he intended, since he

had put jealousie in Clelia's heart, which procured A∣ronces's miseries, for it was not possible to imagine what was the cause of Clelia's illegal proceeding, so that he found himself most wretched, principally because Clelius had forbid him his house, that Horati∣us did mend daily, that Clelius saw him assiduously, and that it was divulged through the whole Town, that he had promised him Clelia; Aronces knew well in himself, that being as he was so much obliged to Clelius, he ought not to contradict his design in di∣sposing of his Daughter, and that equity permitted him not to seek means to destroy Horatius, since he lookt on him as a Man which he would have espou∣sed to Clelia, so that love and equity counselling diffe∣rent things, he found himself greatly perplext, but in the midst of so many misfortunes, he resented Clelia's jealousie more then all things, so that the ex∣cess of his passion fram'd in his Cogitations the most elegant propositions in the World, though he was so equitable; for although he knew that I was suffi∣ciently in love with Fenice, he would shew her some publick incivility, because Clelia knowing of it, should no more believe he lov'd her, he even would have me not see her during some days, and he would in fine, satisfie Clelia, not considering whether the re∣medies which he would employ were lawful or not: But at last, after we had well considered what might be done for him; we resolved that he should desire Herminius to speak to Clelia, and to desire her from him, to tell him what caused his anger, and I per∣swaded him also to imploy Aricidia, to perswade Clelius that he should not be so obstinate as to give his Daughter but to a Roman, for I was strongly per∣swaded, that if Clelius gave her not to Horatius, he would willingly bestow her on Aronces, though he was unknown; and in effect Madam, we went to Herminius, and Aricidia who promised us to perform our desires. But as diligence in this occasion was requisite, because Horatius was to go abroad (as it was reported within two or three days) Aricidia went the very next morning to see Clelius, and Her∣minius promised to go to see Clelia in the Afternoon. But to begin by the conversion of Aricidia, who had so much affection for Aronces, I shall tell you that this officious Woman was no sooner with Clelius, but entring in discourse, I know not said she to him, whether you will take in good part what I shall tell you, but I am sure I have no interest in it, but that of your Families repose, Aricidia is so accustomed, replied Clelius, to be a Promoter of the contentment of her Friends, that I am perswaded she can never have but good intentions: Since it is so, replied she, do me the favour to answer me, and that sin∣cerely; I promise it you, answered Clelius, and I pro∣mise it fairly, for I can never do no otherwise: Tell me then I conjure you, replied she, is it not true, that Aronces is one of the most accomplisht Men in the World, that he is most couragious, most witty, most virtuous, and the most agreeable, and that he is, in fine, a Man whom you esteem above all the rest in the World, and which hath been most belov'd of you, I acknowledge it, answered Clelius, but since it is so, replied she, why have you relinquisht your love, and what hath he done to merit your hatred: He hath had the impudence to love my Daughter, replied Clelius, he hath been so ingrateful as to for∣get he owes me his life, and that 'tis I which have made him what he is, but I shall make him know, that the Romans know well how to punish the un∣gratefuls. Go not so fast Clelius, said she to him, and take heed that the Romans in thinking to pu∣nish the ungratefuls, expose not themselves to in∣gratitude: 'tis true, you have sav'd Aronces's life, but he was but a Child, so that it may be said, that he did not see what you did for him, but you beheld with your own eyes what he did for you, when he sought to save your life, as you have your self told me, so you must not count what he owes you, with∣out counting also what you owe him, and you must precisely tell me, why you will match Clelia with Ho∣ratius, who never sav'd your life, who though he hath a great deal of worth, yet is far short of A∣ronces, and wherefore you refuse her to the latter; I could tell you, replied Clelius in two words, that 'tis sufficient that Aronces not knowing his birth, to make me take it very ill, that he durst have an in∣tention to my Daughter, but as without doubt you will tell me that he hath so noble a mind, that 'tis not possible to doubt of his quality; I have another reason to tell you, which admits of no answer; for, in fine, Horatius is a Roman, and by all likelyhood Aronces is not; Ah Clelius, replied she smiling, this is not so strong a reason as that which you alledge not, and for my part I cannot endure the humour of the Romans which set themselves so boldly above all the rest of the World, for when all is done, Vir∣tue belongs to all Countries, and of what place of the World soever Aronces is of, I esteem him as much as a Roman; believe me Clelius, added she smi∣ling again, be not more curious then your Fathers were, who for to get Wives, ravisht those of their Neighbours; and be not more then one of your Kings who married a Corinthian Slave, though he was so great a Prince, not considering she was not of Rome, and for to shew that 'tis not sufficient to be a Roman, to have all things to discover to be lov'd by you, is not Tarquin a Roman, and the Son of Ro∣man Parents, yet I have heard you say, he hath not the heart of a true Roman, that he is the Tyrant, and not the King of Rome, that he is an ambitions, a cruel, and a Parricide, that his Wife is an inhumane Woman, which hath passed over her Father's body, and that she is the wicked'st person of her Sex; after which, durst you maintain that 'tis good rea∣son to alledge unto me that Aronces is not a Roman, and that Horatius is of Rome, for as there are Ro∣mans without Virtue; I maintain there may be vir∣tuous persons, which are not Romans, therefore you must not say, you ought to prefer Horatius to the prejudice of Aronces, since the latter hath more worth then the other, and that you are more obli∣ged to him, and that he is more esteemed by Clelia: if you had received your birth at Rome (replied Cle∣lius) you should see what 'tis to be born a Roman, and you should know what is that invincible band, and that love to our Countrey which bindeth all its Citi∣zens to each other, as for Tarquin I look upon him as a Monster which hath usurped the Sove∣raign Authority, which belonged not to him, and I neither consider him as a lawful King, nor as a Roman.

But since Tarquin's Vices (replied Arcidia) make him not to be considered by you as a Roman, let the same reason induce you to esteem Aronces by reason of his Virtues, as if he were one: No, no, Aricidia (replied Clelius) you shall not perswade me, since I am resolved Horatius shall be the possessor of my Daughter, and that Aronces never shall, and in effect

since he is not a Roman, and that he is ungrateful, I must not look upon him as a man capable to wed all my interests, for in fine Aricidia, I will have a Son∣in Law, whose love for his Countrey and hatred a∣gainst the Tyrant of Rome, shall be in the same degree as mine, it is therefore that I find in Horatius the ac∣complishment of all my desires.

In the mean time, as I foresee it will be difficult for Aronces to see Horatius crowned with the title of hap∣piness, whilst this passion predominates in him, I shall therefore oblige him before I resolve on this marriage to return to the Carthaginian Prince, and command him not to return hither till he hath eradi∣cated this passion from his heart.

Have you then positively promised Clelia to Hora∣tius (replyed Aricidia?) No, said Clelius, because I would have him desire her, but have only fed him with hopes, and I am resolved so soon as he hath left his Chamber, to salute him with this agreeable news: but do you know, (answered Aricidia) that it will be as pleasing to Clelia as Horatius? I believe it, replyed he, and presuppose that her will is regu∣lated by mine. In truth (replyed Aricidia) I did not believe you so disesteemed him, and that no Chymera of a Roman could come in competition with the tran∣scendent qualities of Aronces: for in fine, if Rome only were illuminated by the Sun, it might plead by that priviledge to have more vertuous persons than any other City: but as you know the Sun spreads his beams through the whole Universe, and there are vertuous men in all parts of the world, I have heard say, continued she, that in all Greece there were but seven men which above all the rest were called wise, yet the Greeks think they are well furnished with wisdom, and you pretend that all Romans are wise; believe me Clelius, if you would diligently peruse the ancient Records of Rome, you should find it ever since its being infected, with vices, and if there be a∣ny difference between Romans and others, it is that their Vertue is more rude and savage, and I am fully perswaded that since you will not be perswaded by me, that the over-ruling quality of the Romans is obstinacy, for if that were not, you would yield to my reasons, to your prayers and to your self, for I am assured that during what I have said of Aronces, your heart hath consirmed that I had reason, and that you were to blame.

Clelius hearing Aricidia speak, and knowing her franchise, would no longer dispute against her, and being resolved to refuse her, he would do it with civility, wherefore he gave her thanks for the inte∣rest she took in his Family, but he still spoke to her so fiercely of Aronces, that she knew there was no∣thing to hope for, and knowing it would be to no purpose to delude him, she gave him no hopes; on the other side, Herminius found Clelius's spirit so ex∣asperated, that she would not so much as let him speak to her of Aronces, and she took it so ill that she should employ others to speak to her still of one thing, for though he had been well with her, this very occasion had been sufficient to cause a disgrace from her, for the more she esteemed Herminius, she so much the more took it ill that he should justifie Aronces, so that this miserable Lover was in unspeak∣able despair, I had for my part some vexation, for as Ferice hath humours and is a little unjust, she tax∣ed me of Clelia's coldness, and of Aronces want of civility which they had shewed her when she saw them together, and she pretended that in considera∣tion of her I should fall out with them, so that we had a great contestation, which did almost cure me of my amorous disposition: But to return to Aronces who was far more miserable than before, because Clelius who being desirous that he should retire him∣self from Capua before Horatius should marry Clelia, went to tell it him, and in effect told him so roughly, that he could not give him an answer, for as he was redevable to him for all things, and that he still con∣sidered him as his Father, he durst not be violent a∣gainst him, and withal knowing very well that it would have been to no purpose, he therefore endea∣voured by all the tenderest words he could express, to compassionate his heart, and when he saw that he could not work upon him, he conjured him to per∣mit him to have the liberty to dwell with him, and if he would not, at least to suffer him to take his leave of Clelia: but whatsoever he could say he could not obtain any thing of what he demanded, so that A∣ronces being transported with anguish, and not able to contain it in his soul; Ah pitiless Clelius, cryed he, wherefore did you save me my life, or why at present do you kill me; 'Tis no matter, said Clelius, you must depart, and it must be without a second quar∣rel with Horatius, as also in not seeing my Daughter; Ah Clelius, replied Aronces hastily, I shall not satisfie you in any thing, except I have a command from Cle∣lia to depart without assaulting Horatius, 'tis not but that I know the respect which I owe you, but my rea∣son is weaker than my love, and if she which causes it does not command me to let my Rival be happy, I know not whether I shall not disobey you, since you must be commanded by Clelia to depart, replied Cle∣lius fiercely, going away she shall command it you, but it shall only be but by a Letter, for I declare unto you that that she shall not go out of her Chamber till you have left Capua: You may judge Madam, in what condition Aronces wns, who a while after repented, for what he had hastily said to Clelius, yet notwith∣standing his love, he knew well that this illustrious Roman was not much to blame in giving his daughter rather to Horatius of whom he knew the birth, than to one whose true quality was unknown to him, and he saw also that he had no occasion to complain of his Rival, and it is that which hath made him the more miserable: But that which was to him most in∣supportable, was Clelia's anger, for he feared that the hatred which he thought Clelia bore him, should induce her to love Horatius, which above all things in the world he feared, and indeed he could not in the condition he was then in, harbour sweeter thoughts in his fortune, than to think that Clelia should hate his Rival in marrying of him: In the mean while, Clelius according to what he had said to Aronces, made Clelia write a Note in which were on∣ly these words.

IF within three days Aronces leaves Capua, and that without seeing Horatius, I shall pity his misfortune, and if he obeys not the Command which I make him to de∣part, none ever hated so much as I shall hate him.

You may easily think Madam, in what a despair Aronces was then, after he had read these cruel words, it was so great that I thought his anguish would have deprived him of his life: But in fine forcing himself with an extreme violence, he answered Clelia in this manner.

Aronces to Clelia.

I Will, Madam, depart within three days if my grief will spin my life so long as to obey you, but I will not go but for to dye of love and despair, and I assure you that the end of my life shall antidate your Nuptials, and I shall never have the grief to hear that my Rival hath possessed you, but you shall it may be, soon know the death of the most faithful of Lovers.

This was Madam, the answer of Aronces to Clelia, who saw it not so soon; for as it had been her Father which was the cause of her writing, he hindred A∣ronces Letter from being delivered unto her, for fear it should mollifie her heart; for although Clelia was angry with him, Clelius nevertheless perceived that she hated him not, and that she had not any af∣fection for Horatius. Things being in this manner, I saw Aronces an hundred times almost resolved ei∣ther to kill Horatius, or to dye himself, and if I had not in part retained his violences, I know not what he would have done; there happened a thing which did much embroyl these two Rivals, for as Aronces was going pensively along through a street which is near Horatius Lodging, this Lover was going forth as being the first time, and expresly to see Clelius, to whom he was going to make his first visit, for to thank him for the good will he bore him, though he had not yet promised him any thing, so that these two Rivals encountring, they approached together with different thoughts, for Horatius who thought he should be soon happy, had less anger in his spirit and he still acknowledged his Liberator in the person of his Rival: for Aronces as he was miserable although he was generous, he only saw his Rival in the person of his friend, they both nevertheless saluted each o∣ther, for I had forgot to tell you that their friends during the time that Horatius kept his Chamber, had made a kind of agreement between them, without disclosing of their quarrel. But in fine, to begin where I left off, they saluted one another, and Aron∣ces speaking to his Rival the first, For ought that I can see, said he to his Rival, by I know not what Sentiment which he could not retain: It is sufficient to be born a Roman, to become happy, and the great∣ness of my passion availeth me nothing, you should have done better to have said your merit, replyed Horatius, thereby to exaggerate your misery, for as I think my self to be as amorous as you, it is not in that that we differ, nevertheless I can assure you, that my reason is not at present troubled with fear that I shall be perfectly happy, since I cannot be with∣out rendring you altogether miserable.

Ah Horatius! (replyed Aronces) it is not of these things you must speak to comfort a generous Rival: on the contrary, you remember we made a bargain one day that we would not hate one another, till Cle∣lia (to the prejudice of one of us) had made her choice: therefore as you are going to be he, I think I am ful∣ly dispensed of all the friendship I had promised you, and I am verily perswaded that I may without break∣ing the laws of generosity hate you. Hate me then unjust friend (replyed Horatius) for as it is not easie to love who hates us, think it not strange if I have no affection for him that loves me not; far from ta∣king it ill (replyed Aronces) you cannot do any thing which may seem to me more just, then to hate me, for I declare unto you, that if the respect which I bear unto Clelius did not retain me, Clelia should never be yours as long as my heart should beat within me, and I know not added he, if Cielius should be sufficient, if Clelia did not meddle in it: Although you have van∣quished me, replyed Horatius fiercely, if things were in that condition, I should know how to defend Cle∣lia with the same valour that one of my Predecessors defended Rome. That Horatius of whom you speak (answered roughly Aronces) overcame three men it is true, but it was more by policy than valour, and though you shall have his valour, I should not be the sooner overcome.

As they were in these terms, and Horatius who prepared himself to give him a sharp answer, Hermi∣nius and two more came to them, who knowing what passed between them, and seeing some alteration in their eyes, did not leave them till they were parted, in the mean while as this intervene was known by Cle∣lius, he sent again to Aronces to tell him he would have him be gone, so that in effect he was fain to resolve himself to depart, at least he did as one who intends to depart, for his followers were ordered to have all things in readiness, there were for all that moments in which he thought more in killing of Horatius than in departing; but when he considered that the death of his Rival would not procure him his Mistress, he a little refrained his violence, which he knew was not grounded on a lawful soundation, for Horatius had been in love with Clelia before him, Clelius intend∣ed her for him, and would not have Aronces have any thoughts that way, and in fine, Horatius was not ve∣ry Criminal towards Aronces.

In the mean while, Clelia on her part was not with∣out grief, for she doubtless had an inclination in her heart powerful enough to cause in her a great difficul∣ty to overcome it, principally since she knew that A∣ronces prepared himself to be gone, and to obey her, for she then knew well that if he had loved Fenice he would not have left Capua, so that her jealousie sud∣denly ending, her affection for Aronces gathered new strength, and her aversion for Horatius encreased so much, that she knew not how to obey Clelius, and if a resentment of glory had not resisted her designs, she would have done things that she had never yet done: on the other side, Sulpicia who was horribly perplex'd to think her Daughter should espouse Horatius, sought all means to hinder these Nuptials, but after she had well considered on it, she believed that as he was ge∣nerous, it might happen that if Clelia should tell him freely that she could not affect him, and that she should intreat him not to think on her, he might re∣solve himself thereto; so that telling her thoughts to Clelia, and Clelia thinking nothing difficult to do, so that it might conduce to the rupture of her marri∣age, told her Mother that she would fulfil her desires, and Sulpicia by a resentment of her former jealousie, assuming more boldness at this time than she should have done at another, told her Daughter that she should the better to accomplish her design, write a Note to Horatius, to be at a certain hour which she should appoint him, in that Garden which as I have told you is common for all, there to acquaint him of an important business: Sulpicia adding that she should tell him, that it was without the knowledge of any that she writ to him, because Horatius should not i∣magine that it was by her instigation that she did this, at first Clelia told her Mother that she thought it would be as well to speak to him in her Chamber when

he should come to see her, but Sulpicia told her it would be more easie to discourse with him privately in a Walk, then in her house; adding withal, that Horatius would be better perswaded she had no incli∣nation to love him, by this extraordinary action, as was this of giving him an assignation.

So that Clelia obeying her willingly, writ a Note to Horatius, and gave it unto a slave, to deliver it him, and as she concealed it as a great secret, told him softly, that he should carry it to Horatius: but as this slave had formerly carried divers to Aronces, and never but one to Horatius, he thought she had said Aronces, and withal not knowing how to read, he knew not that it was directed to Horatius, and trusting to what he thought to have understood, he delivered it to Aronces, who had at first (seeing this slave with a Letter) an extreme joy, but when he read it, and that he knew it was directed to Horatius, and not to him, it caused in him an extreme dolour, ne∣vertheless, as he knew the slave was mistaken, he made no sign to perceive it, and only told him he should not fail to do what Clelia ordained him, but this slave was no sooner gone, but Aronces came to my Chamber, to shew me this Note, in which were only contained these words.

Clelia to Horatius.

PRay do me the Favour to meet me precisely about the Evening, in the great Walk of the Myrtles, for I have something of great concernment to communicate to you, and withal a great favour to demand of you.

Well Celeres said Aronces to me (after I had read this Billet) what say you of my fortune? and what counsel you me to do?

I counsel you to go to the assigned place as if you were Horatius, and with an intention to make Clelia a thousand reproaches, and if you can to make her change her thoughts, or else to change your own, if she alters not hers: this counsel is easier to give then to follow (replied he) at least as not to love Clelia; as for going to the place she has appointed to speak with Horatius, I am already resolved, but that which terrifies me is, that I know not what she would have with my Rival, I likewise fear, added he, that the slave which brought me the Note, will ac∣quaint her with his mistake, when he shall tell her that I will not fail to meet her at the appoint∣ed place.

But said I to him you have not writ to her: no, replied he, and that which hindred me from it was, not impossible but that this slave in telling her that I should do what she desired, might tell it her so, that she should find out the mistake.

And (Madam) it happened according to their ex∣pectation, for it sell out so, that when this slave was returned home, there was a great deal of company in her Chamber, so that she would not let him give her an account of his errand, for fear he should be understood, but asked him aloud whether he had done what she had ordained him? and he answer∣ing, yes, she made him sign to be gone, Clelia not doubting but that Horatius would come at the assigned place, thought on nothing else but to meet him.

Nevertheless, there happened a thing which had almost obstructed her going, for Clelius would have had Sulpicia gone to a place where she should have been the whole afternoon, but Sulpicia who servent∣ly desired that the marriage between Horatius, and her Daughter should be broken; did so well, that she caused her Daughter to be with one of her Friends, whom she knew did commonly walk in the place where Horatius was expected, and when she left her, she perswaded her as much as possible she could, to put Horatius into such a despair, that he should never hope to have her.

But whilst things were thus favourable for Aron∣ces, and so contrary for his Rival, this Lover who was ignorant of the agitations of Clelia's heart, was in a strange perplexity, and in such an inquietude as I cannot represent unto you, for his impatiency would not permit him to stay till the appointed hour, but he repaired thither long before Clelia came; for my part, as I had a great desire to know what this interview would produce; I went also in the Garden, and walkt in an Alley from whence I might see those which went into that place where Aron∣ces was, where in fine, Clelia came with one of her Mothers Friends, with whom there was three o∣ther Ladies.

As soon as Clelia saw Aronces, her blood leapt into her face, 'tis not but that she thought 'twas Fortune only which guided him thither, but that she was per∣swaded Horatius would come also, and that she fear∣ed she should meet them together.

On the other side, Aronces who seeing the alterati∣on of Clelia's countenance, and imagining that she staid there for his Rival, and that the commotion which he saw in her eyes proceeded from her de∣spight to see him there, raised his grief to so high a pitch, that he resolved to go either into another Alley, or else to make Clelia a thousand reproaches: but in fine, his reason overpowering his passion, he became Master of himself, and he so dexterously dis∣guised his sentiments, that the Ladies with whom Clelia was, could not perceive he had any particular design, for he saluted them very civilly, and without addressing himself to Clelia, he discoursed with the Conductress of the little Troop; so that according to the freeness which we enjoy at Capua, he fell in con∣versation with these Ladies, and sometimes enter∣taining one, and then another, he at last spoke to Clelia, who was much surprised not to see Horatius, and that in all likelyhood Aronces was not to leave them very quickly, and there happened an occasion which gave Aronces as much leisure as he could desire to entertain Clelia; for as this company came to a great rotundo of Trees, which divides this great Walk of the Myrtles, and the Ladies having seated themselves, it happened that the places casually were before almost all taken, so that there was no place left for Clelia, who seeing only a little Bench which was on the other side, where there could sit but two, she went thither, and Aronces took his place by her.

But when she saw him approach, the fear which she had that Horatius should come, that he should find her in a particular conversation with his Rival, and that it should hinder her from perswading him what she desired, caused her to speak softly to him; by your favour Aronces (said she to him) if it be true, that you have formerly had some friendship for me, I conjure you not to desire any private discourse with me to day, for since I durst not recount unto you my

life, it is not needful you should think of speaking with me in secret.

No, no, Madam, (said he to her, looking atten∣tively on her) it concerns you not so much as you think, for I assure you Horatius shall not come hither by your orders, and if fortune guide him not hither, I shall have leisure humbly to intreat you to tell me, what I have done to merit your hatred, and what he hath done to gain your love, and from whence pro∣ceeds; that when you deny me the comfort of a last farewel, you writ him Notes, & gave him assignations in a place from whence you would have me be gone, because you stay for him: but Madam, to deliver you from the unquietude which I cause in you; I must tell you that the slave which you ordered to de∣liver your Note to Horatius, did mistake, for 'tis I which have received it; and I am come hither to conjure you to tell me, if I am worthy to know, that you had resolved to tell Horatius: you may judge Madam, how Clelia was surprised when she heard A∣ronces use these expressions; nevertheless, as her spirit was free from jealousie, and that the love which she had for Aronces was stronger then ever, and he lookt on her in such a manner, which mollified her heart, that she endeavoured not to disguise the truth of that which she perceived he knew, and she was not very sorry to make him understand that this assignation was not to be advantagious for Horatius. Also when Aronces had desired her to tell him what she intended to tell Horatius whom she had staid for: Aronces, said she, then to him, if you know what you demand, you would soon gain-say yourself, and you would desire me not to tell you that which you seem to desire of me.

Tell me at least then answered he, what you would have me do; if it be true, answered she, that you love me yet, I will have you resolve your self to love me no more but as a Sister, and that you will be so equitable as not to accuse me of your misfortune, since I am enough my self, not to accuse you of mine: But Madam, replied he, things are not alike between us, for I may justly accuse you of all my misfortunes, but for my part, what is it that I do which may con∣tribute to your unhappiness? You are the cause, an∣swered she blushing, that I have a horrible repugnan∣cy to obey my Father, you are he, which makes Ho∣ratius, who is a very deserving person, altogether insupportable to me, as soon as I consider him as to be my Husband; and in fine, by all appearances, you are the cause that the rest of my life will be misera∣ble: Ah Madam, by your favour, replied Aronces, permit me to give so advantagious a sence to your words, that they may, if not make me happy, they may at least render me less miserable: I consent thereunto Aronces, replied she, but I also conjure you to tell me no more anything: for as things stand now, I can no more innocently receive any particu∣lar mark of your affection, nor give you any of mine; you might nevertheless, Madam, if you please, acquaint me with that which you would have told Horatius; I would have told him, replied she, so many things advantagious for you, that I ought not to tell it you, if I could effectually desire you should love me no more: for in fine, Aronces I would have seen Horatius, by the command of my Mother, to tell him freely I can never love him, and to endeavour by a resentment of generosity to in∣duce him not to obstinate himself to render me miserable, since I can never render him perfectly happy: but to tell you the truth, I think I shall ne∣ver perswade him; you now see Aronces, added she, the subject of this Assignation, for which you have reproached me. If it were permitted me; replied he, to give you thanks, and to require your pardon, I should prostrate my self divine Clelia, at your Feet to testifie unto you my acknowledgement, and for to conjure you to tell me if you would hate me in case I should disobey Clelius, who will have me depart, and seek all means possible to forget you: I know not, replied Clelia, whether I should hate you, but I know I should live with you as if I lov'd you not. In effect, added this prudent Virgin, I shall do what I can, not to espouse Horatius, but when neither by my prayers nor inventions I shall not pre∣vail, there must be no more of anything done, but to prepare never to see each other, for without any equivocation, I must tell you that though my Father should not oblige you to be gone, I should; 'tis therefore, that if the design which I have does not succeed, as I believe it will not, you must conform your will to my Fathers, because you should not ne∣cessitate me voluntarily to impose upon you a rigo∣rous command.

As Clelia had ended these words, Horatius who heard by chance that she was in that Garden, came thither, so that this fair Maid spying him afar off in an Alley which came into that where she was, ad∣vertiz'd Aronces thereof, and desired him to leave her alone, to the end she might perform that which Sulpicia had enjoyned her to do: But Madam, replied he, who shall assure me that this conversation shall be such as I desire it to be; that which I have had with you, replied she, going away; promise me at least, replied he, that whatsoever happens you will still have a little love for the miserable Aronces; I promise it you not, replied she, with an alteration in her colour, in casting a favourable aspect upon him; but I know not whether I shall not do it without promising you of it.

After that Clelia rejoyn'd the Ladies, with whom she was, and after Aronces had saluted them, he went into another walk, without being perceived by Ho∣ratius, and came to me in that where I was walking: But it was with an extreme difficulty that he left his place to his Rival; but after all when he conside∣red that she spoke to him, only but to tell him that she could not love him, and to pray him to think no more on her, he had an unspeakable joy, though it was not accompanied with tranquillity, and having an extreme desire to know the success of this conver∣sation, he desired we should walk in the Garden, till it was ended; because if Horatius should leave Clelia, he might know of her how his Rival had received what she had told him: but Madam, it was easie to foresee what would be the event of this business; for Horatius was very amorous, and he was perswa∣ded that notwithstanding what Clelia had said to him, she would obey Clelius, who thought though he had not promised her would give her to him, and in effect though this amiable person employed all her subtleties and eloquence to perswade Horati∣us, to banish her his thoughts, 'twas altogether im∣possible for her to do it, neither was it in Aronces his power to come any more to Clelia, for Horatius left her not, but went away with her.

In the mean time, as he could not resolve himself to depart till he knew the success of this discourse, he engaged me to go and speak to Clelia, who then

knew that all Aronces secrets were known by me; so that leaving him behind, I went and mingled my self with the Troop, where this fair Maid was, who was then going away; so that there being no other Men besides Horatius with these Ladies, when they were to pass a difficult place, by reason of a great heap of stones, which were laid to support a Terrase which was to be built there, he was obliged to pre∣sent his hand to one of them which passed the first, hoping after he had done so to all, to lead Clelia: But making use of this occasion to speak to her, I led her over, and left her not till we were out of the Garden, and not for to loose any of those precious moments, I whispered to her, and told her, Madam, the miserable Aronces sends me to you to know whe∣ther he must live or die, you shall tell him (replied she, with a most obliging sadness) that I will not have him die, but that if he loves me, he shall ever be mi∣serable, and that he has nothing to do, but to depart from Capua as soon as he can; I was going to tell her that she was too blame for not opposing her self more strongly to Clelius, but she answered me with so much wisdom, and in so tender a manner for my friend, that all I could do was but to admire her; it is true, that when we came to the Garden door, I was constrained to leave her, and Horatius likewise, so that we were alone together, and as he knew me to be Aronces particular Friend, his hatred did ex∣tend it self almost as much to me as it did to him, and having exasperated his spirit with that which Clelia had told him, we parted with small demon∣strations of friendship; but as I was returning I found Clelius, who was entred in this Garden by ano∣ther door, who had newly joyned himself with A∣ronces, whose departure he urged so strongly, that he gave him but one day more to be in Capua, as I knew that Clelius could not tell him any agreeable thing, I made no great difficulty to interrupt them, but as I came near them, Aronces who had an ex∣treme desire to know what Clelia had told me, de∣manded it of me by my eyes.

So, that not having any favourable answer for him I made a sign to him, whereby he might perceive his hopes were utterly destroyed, to the end he should suddenly resolve to be unhappy, and should not feed himself with an uncertain and vain hope, which brought much confusion in his spirit, for it seemed to him he had fallen to a less miserable estate, if Cle∣lia told him nothing advantagious this day; and I had no sooner joyned my self to them, but Clelius left Aronces, and went to find Stenius, Horatius his Friend, who expected him in another Alley. I will not tell you Madam, what Aronces said to me after Clelius had left him, and that I had recounted to him the discourse I had with Clelia, for it would give you much compassion, but that which made him quite de∣spair was, that he must now resolve to depart, if he had followed the tumultuous resentments of his heart, he would not have left Capua till he had kill'd Horatius, but as he could not do it without offending both Clelius and Clelia, and without putting himself in a condition never to see his beloved Object, this consideration more then justice bridled his fury, and though night began to vail the sky with a sable Mantle, Aronces could not resolve to depart from this Garden, but ingaged me insensibly in such te∣dious exaggerations of his mishap, that it was more then half an hour since Cynthia guilded this Garden with her resplendent Rays, which gave birth as it were to a new day; so that we hardly knew 'twas night, his displeasure so much possessed him; but in fine, the excess of his own grief imposing silence on him and me, because I could tell him nothing which might comfort him.

We walkt sometime without speaking one word in a little Alley, along the side of an indifferent thick Wood, which is inclosed in that Garden, and it happened that Aronces going faster than I, was ten or twelve paces distant from me, but as he went a∣lone he heard on the other side of a Pallissade, which was between him and that little wood, two Men who thinking themselves to be alone in that place, spoke somewhat low, one of which raising his voice, addressing his speech to the other; I know well (said he to him in the Roman Language) what we have promised to Tarquin is unjust, but since 'tis promised we must obey, for in what place can we remain, if after we have assured him to bring the head of Cle∣lius, we violate our words?

You may judge, Madam, what was the surprisal of Aronces, when he heard these expressions from an unknown Man, and though Clelius had pronounced him the most rigorous sentence imaginable, he did not look upon him in this occasion as a Man which banisht him, which esloyned him from Clelia, and which rendred him most unhappy, but he considered him as the Father of his Mistress, to whom he owed his Life, and attentively listening to hear the dis∣courses of these unknown Men, he heard, that he which had hearkned to him who had first spoke, an∣swered him in these terms: I very well know (said he to him) that Tarquin is the violentest Man in the World, that hating Clelius so much as to desire his head, he would very much hate those, who instead of bringing it to him, should advertise him of the de∣sire he hath to destroy him; but it seems to me, not returning to Rome, 'tis easie to flye his fury, and the difficulty will be to know if Clelius is in estate to in∣rich us, if we prove what we may tell him; Ah too scrupulous friend! (hastily replied he to whom he spoke) why do we thus trifle time? doth it not suffice that the Prince to whom we belong hath com∣manded us to kill one of his enemies, and that he hath promised us a great recompence, without ex∣posing our lives and fortunes to danger; by disco∣vering it to Clelius, he will make, it may be, as though he believed it not, because he would not recompence us, but will keep himself on his guard, and prevent us from executing our design? therefore without stumbling at these unprofitable intentions, let us on∣ly see if our Ponyards are sharp enough to act to morrow the command of Tarquin.

Ah Villanous Wretch! (cryed Aronces, going on that side where the Assassinate was by an overture he accidentally found in the Pallissade) I will frustrate your barbarous design, and you shall never Ponyard Clelius before you deprive me of my Life: Aronces pronounced these words so high, that it rouzed me from that Lethargick slumber in which my melan∣cholly had buried me, and I went directly to him, whom I saw hold a Man which was strugling to get from him; and that there was another who hold∣ing a Ponyard, told him that if he would not leave his companion, he would kill him; but that he had hardly the time to do it, for having suddenly seised his arm, and staid his hand in which he held his Poni∣ard, with which he menaced Aronces, I prevented him from acting his intention.

In the mean time Aronces having taken from the hands of him he held, the Poniard he drew, when he cast himself upon him, saw himself in estate to be Master of his Life; but as he thought 'twas im∣portant to discover to Clelius all he knew, he did not kill him, principally seeing that I held the o∣thers Arm, and knowing by that he had overheard, that him I held was the least impious, he believed 'twas easie to know by him all that which was requi∣site for Clelius to know; and Aronces seeing that I was without doubt strong enough to hinder this Man from using his Poniard, but that I was not able to take it from him, he threatned to kill him, and cried to him, if he would render it, he would recom∣pence him magnificently for the good design he had to tell Clelius, but whilst he thus said, the other whom Aronces had disarm'd, watching his opportu∣nity, drew a second Poniard he had, thinking to sheath it in his heart, but as Aronces saw it glister, by the reflexion of one of Cynthia's beams on it, he guarded himself and warded the blow with the o∣ther he held, and no longer sparing the life of that Traitor, he seised his right arm with his left hand, and gave him two blows with the Poniard, which made him fall half dead at his feet.

In the mean time, him which I held, endeavoured to disingage himself, but I held him so strongly that he could not finish his intent, but as soon as he saw his companion fall, he let go his Poniard that I took, and emplored the clemency of Aronces, whom he saw to interest himself so much in the life of Clelius, and the better to obtain it, he drew the other Poni∣ard he had, and casting it at the feet of Aronces, I pray Sir, said he to him, since you heard what I said to my companion do not treat me as him; I pro∣mise it you replied Aronces, but you must discover to me all you know, and all which may assure the life of Clelius which I will defend as my own: As Aronces had thus spoke, Clelius and that Friend of Horatius, with whom he walkt, as I have told you, arrived in this place; so that they were very much surprised to find us in that estate, and to see a Man half dead at our feet, and another which seemed to demand par∣don, and to see Aronces and I with each of us a Po∣niard in our hands, but the Father of Clelia was much more astonisht, when I first speaking, see Clelius said I to him, see what Aronces hath done to save your life: and if he merits death at your hands; for I had perfectly understood that it was for the interest of Clelius that he assaulted these two Men; Clelius being amazed at my words, could not tell what to answer, but Aronces drawing him from this astonish∣ment, told him in two words, without any exagge∣ration what was newly happened, so that Clelius was so sensibly touch'd, to see in a moment after he had pronounced the sentence of his banishment, he had hazarded his life to assure his, that he could not hin∣der himself from testifying to him the admiration he had for his virtue, and without demanding any thing of that which concerned him: Ah Aronces cryed he, your generosity charms me, and Aricidia had reason to say, that if you were not a Roman, you had a Roman heart; therefore seeing I have not promised any thing to Horatius, I must leave Cle∣lia to dispose of her self, without intermeddling with it; Aronces ravisht with joy to hear Clelius speak in this manner, rendred thanks to him in few words, whilst Stenius privately murmured at it, but after that Aronces telling him, that this place was not fit to entertain those Assassinates, and some Slaves of Clelius who sought their Master, being arriv'd, they gave order to carry this person to a Man's house which depended on me, to have his wounds drest, and we brought the other to Clelius his house, who would have Aronces and I go thither, for Stenius he left us at the Gate, and went to advertise Horatius that his affairs were not so prosperous as he imagi∣ned; but arriving at Clelius his house, we met Sulpi∣cia and her Daughter, who were much surprised to see us, and to hear Clelius say, he owed his life a se∣cond time to Aronces, and that he was the most ge∣nerous of all Men, and these two persons easily gi∣ving credit to the words of Clelius, received Aronces with an extreme joy.

In the mean time, as he was impatient to know the contrivancy of that plot, the execution of which Aronces had hindred, they enclosed the Conspirator in a Chamber where we were going to interrogate him, when Herminius arriv'd, who told Clelius he had a business of great Importance to acquaint him with: But as Clelius told him, that he might now tell all he knew before Aronces and me, he shewed him a Let∣ter he had received from Rome, where amongst ma∣ny other things there were these words.

THe proud Tarquin is more diffident, cruel, and vindicative then ever, for he had no sooner known that Clelius was returned from Africa, and that he was at Capua, but he believed he approached Rome, to plot some conspiracy against him, and one of my intimate friends hath told, that he believes the Tyrant hath a de∣sign on his Life, at least I assure you, that few days have been added to the age of time, since two of those he uses to employ in such horrid executions, departed from Rome and having taken way of the company, if you think fit advertise Clelius to take care of himself.

After Clelius had read aloud this fragment of a Letter, and that Herminius had named him who wrote it, and told him that he was a Man well informed in all things, and that he had counselled him not to go forth but well accompanied: I am much obliged to you, said he to Herminius, for the advice you have given me, but I shall be infinitely more if you help me to set forth the praises of Aronces; for in fine, he hath nigh kill'd one of those of whom your friend speaks, and if you please, you may hear from the other the confession of his crime, and after we had recounted to Herminius in two words, that which was passed, we entred together into the Chamber where this Man was, from whose mouth we would know the cruel intentions of Tarquin, but to the end he should more ingenuously declare all he knew, A∣ronces confirmed to him the promise he had made him magnificently to reward the repentance he had had, and he effectively spoke with very much ingenuity; 'tis true, that which the more obliged him was, that Herminius knew he was heretofore one of his Fa∣ther's slaves, and making himself known to him, what miserable wretch (said he to him) hast thou learnt this Trade thou practises in the house where thou wast brought up? No Sir (said he to him, but changing my Master I have changed my conditions, since 'tis true, that as long as I lived with a virtuous Master, no crime could be imputed to me, but as soon as your Illustrious Father had given me to a Man who is become Tarquin's Favorite, I degenerated to what you see: 'tis true said he, the remembrance

of the beginning of my life hath stirrd up much com∣punction in me, and him who promises to recompense me for my repentance, heard, I would perswade my complice of my crime not to commit it I remembred you, and imagined those reproaches you would make me, if you should know the life I led.

Sure it is so, (said Herminius) make an ingenious confession, and in effect this man told Clelius, that Tarquin had commanded him and his Companion not to return to Rome without bringing his head, and he assured him they had resolved to kill him the next day in that Garden, where Aronces had ore-heard their contestation, for they had known 'twas the custom of Clelius to go thither every night, and oftentimes alone.

This man likewise said that when Aronces heard them, some remorse invaded his Conscience for that barbarous action he was going to commit, but as his companion was the most resolute of all men, he was assured he would not have admitted of any perswasion but executed Tarquins command the subsequent day, though he should have done it alone: and he appear∣ed so repentant for his crime, and demanded so ma∣ny pardons for his fault, that Clelius effectually know∣ing by Aronces that he opposed his companions inten∣tentions, generously pardoned him and gave him a recompence sufficient to carry him to the wars with∣out Tarquins power, but for the complice of his crime he used him in another manner, for he would not have his wounds drest, and when by force there was plaisters put upon them he would tear them off, neither would he take any nourishment, and what∣soever could be said to him he would not answer nei∣ther Aronces nor Herminius, who interrogated him to see if he did not know more than the other: on the contrary, he used all the means he could possible to dash out his brains against a wall, and in the end died as an enraged man, to whom the regret not to have executed the crime he promised to commit, and the sight of an approaching death hurried on to such a furious action.

In the mean time Sulpicia not losing such a favoura∣ble occasion, told Clelius so many things to oblige him to acknowledge the vertue of Aronces, that in the end he was resolved to leave Clelia to a free election, since he had not yet promised her to Horatius, and that he had only given him hopes to obtain her, whilst these things were acting, that Lover which had believed to be happy, no sooner knew by Stenius the adventure of the Garden, but fearing it might make Clelius change his thoughts, he went at the same time to find him, but as Clelius would have some time to settle his resolution and thought, he had some tenderness and recognizance for Aronces, he had some difficulty to give his Daughter to an unknown, he carefully shunned Heratius this day, which hap∣pened to be the Eve of that day Clelia celebrated for her birth, for though she was not born at Rome, Cle∣lius nevertheless made her observe all the Roman Ce∣remonies, therefore as her birth was the next day, he would have the Feast be more magnificent than usual, because it had been preceded by one in which he had shunned death, and he found that this day was not numbred amongst those dismal ones, care∣fully observed by the Romans, and not finding any unhappiness in this favourable day, Clelius would have it solemnly celebrated; Clelia on her part who knew the alteration of her Fathers mind, and who had a little before thanked Aronces for saving his life, had an extreme joy to hope she should not e∣spouse Horatius, Sulpicia was so glad that she thought of nothing, but magnificently to solemnize the Feast of her Daughters Nativity.

For this effect as it was a custom in such like occa∣sions to offer an innocent Oblation to those Divini∣ties the Romans call Genij, every person as they believe having a particular one: Clelius made an Altar to be adorned with Vervine and Flowers, in a Temple where the Romans residing at Capua perform their Ceremonies, and all the principal Ladies of the City being invited to accompany Clelia when she went to the Temple, where they came in their most Gorge∣ous Attire; for Clelia as it is the custom at Rome, as well for men as women, to be invested in white on their birth-day, she had a white Robe, but for to beautifie the simplicity of that Vestment, Sulpicia adorned her with those stones she had heretofore ca∣sually found, when that after she was shipwrackt she had been saved by a faithful Slave, and had again found Clelius, to whom the Gods had given a Son for him whom they had lost, and though the Habit of Clelius was not at all magnificent, it received a great imbellishment from them: for as in these occasions Ladies are not covered as usually they are, and that they are drest like those which are married, she had part of her fair hairs hanging on her shoulders neg∣ligently curl'd, for the others they were pleated in many rings along her cheeks, and tyed on the hin∣der part of her head by a rose of precious stones the fairest were ever seen: Moreover, as her Neck was shadowed but with a thin Vail of Tiffany, it trans∣mitted the lustre of her beauty through it, it was likewise enclosed with a Collar of Diamonds, her wast being surrounded with precious stones of an in∣estimable value, her sleeves of her Robe which were great and hanging down, were fastned on her shoul∣ders by two knots of Diamonds.

In fine, her Habit was so gallant and rich, that Clelia in this posture could do no less than attract all eyes, she had such a pure tincture, such sparkling eyes, and such a charming and agreeable air in her looks, that I can assure you my eyes never met with a fairer Object.

Clelia being such as I have represented her to you, went a foot from her house to the Temple without any discommodity, for the streets by which she was to pass were large and very dry, and the Sun had stole behind a Cloud lest he should be outvi'd by the splendor of her eyes.

Moreover as it is the custom that those persons which celebrate their birthday, should offer an in∣nocent Offering to the Gods, Clelia carryed in her fair hands a sumptuous Basket in which was her obla∣tion, but this Sacrifice was so covered with Orange and Jasume Flowers, that it dispersed ore all places where she passed an odoriferous Odor; she went a∣lone, her Father and her Mother followed her, all the Ladies of the City preceded her, going two by two, and all the friends of Clelius following him in in the first rank, whereof were Aronces and Horatius: but Madam, as Clelia's beauty was divulged through Capua, and this Ceremony being different from ours, and that novelty excited the curiosity of the people, the streets were thronged where Clelia should pass, as if there was to be seen enter one of our Captains Crown'd with a Triumphant Laurel, but Clelia see∣ing this concourse of people of all conditions, which looked from their windows, doors, and streets, on∣ly

to behold her, and hearing all the acclamations they gave her, was surprised with such a modesty, that it much heightned her beauty, for blushing at her own praises, her tincture appeared more resplen∣dent, her eyes more lively and tempting, Aronces and Horatius this day so contemplated her beauty, that their love augmenting, their hatred encreased towards one another, they spoke nothing together whilst this Ceremony lasted: for as Horatius his hope was not quite extinct, because Clelius had not spoke to him in particular, and that Aronces would not de∣stroy his, they both thought not to irritate Clelius by a new Combat, and though they were Rivals they assisted at this Ceremony as though they had been friends; it is true that it was not very strange they should master their thoughts in this occasion, for the admiration they had for Clelia, without doubt sus∣pended a part of the hatred that was between them.

But in fine, Clelia went to the Temple to offer to the Gods the Offering she carried, and she put it with so good a grace on the Altar adorned with Garlands of Vervine and Flowers, that she seemed rather to be the Goddess to whom the Sacrifice was offered, than her which offered this oblation: I shall not, Ma∣dam, weary your patience by telling you all those Ceremonies which were performed in this occasion, for it is not for that intent I mention this Feast, but I shall acquaint you that amongst this great multitude of persons who looked upon and admired Clelia, I take notice that a man and woman who bore the cha∣racters of persons of quality, casually saw her as she came from her house, and I likewise noted when I was nigh them, that they beheld her with an extra∣ordinary attention, that they whispered together, and when they saw Aronces they testified so much ad∣miration, that they followed them as if they had been invited to the Feast; and fortune was so propi¦tious to me, that I saw them once more in the Tem∣ple very attentive, sometimes looking on Clelia some∣times on Aronces, I likewise noted that this Lady whom I did not know, and who had a very good pre∣sence for a person of her age, passed by many others to come nigh Clelia when she was at her devotion, but I was astonished to see her more attentively to look upon the precious stones than Clelia, and it seemed to me she lookt with a more curious eye on that which was on the hinder part of her head where was the rose of Diamonds, and not to admire the beauty of her face; nevertheless thinking it was a curiosity usual with Ladies to look more upon that which a∣dorns, than those which are adorned; I diverted my eyes otherways, and I looked upon Fenice, which except Clelia, was without doubt the fairest in that company.

But in fine, when Clelia had finished her prayers, and was going to place her self in that order in which she came, this man and Lady whom I did not know, and who had looked so much on Aronces and Clelia, approached to me, and demanded civilly who that beautiful Virgin was? and who was Aronces? whom they shewed me with their hands not knowing his name: For that admirable person, said I to them, she is called Clelia, and Daughter to an illustrious exiled Roman, but for him you shew me, all that I can say is, he is the most virtuous in the world, and he is called Aronces, for he doth not himself know his birth: what (cried this Lady changing colour) doth not he know his Parents? He is far from know∣ing it, answered I, since the Father of Clelia found him floating in a Cradle after he had been shipwrackt himself, and whose life he saved without knowing to whom this Child belonged, which he hath carefully nourished as his own.

By your favour (added this Stranger which was with this Lady) tell us on what Sea, and in what place this Child was found in a Cradle? It was nigh Syra∣cusa, (repled I) if my memory deceive me not: At these words these two persons looked one upon ano∣ther, shewing many marks of astonishment and joy on their countenances, and demanded of me if I did not know from whence Clelia had those stones which adorned her? so that telling them the same shipwrack which had taken a Son from Clelius, and which had given him Aronces, had likewise given him these stones.

We need not doubt (said this Lady somewhat low to him which was with her) but Aronces is the same we imagine him to be: What! (said I to her trans∣ported with joy,) do you know the birth of Aronces I pray (added I looking upon them both) if it is so, tell it the dearest of his friends: for as I cannot doubt that he should not be worthy of his great heart, I make no difficulty to demand it of you: That which you demand (replyed this Stranger) is of so great consequence, that Aronces ought first to be acquaint∣ed with it, but lest we should commit an indiscreet action, I intreat you to tell us all you know how he was saved?

And as I had often heard Clelius tell it, I told him the day of this shipwrack, the place where it hapned, and I described to him the Cradle in which Aronces was found, for Clelius had shewed it me, when we found him in the Pyrates Vessel, I told him likewise that a Casket full of stones then came into his power, and in fine, all I knew of this adventure, giving ma∣ny praises to Aronces, which evidencing to him that I effectually was his particular friend, obliged him to speak more freely before me, ah Martia! (said he to this Lady, who as you know is his Wife) I do not doubt but Aronces is the child we lost, for the day of his shipwrack agrees with that when we thought we should perish, the place where it hapned is the same, the Cradle in which Aronces was found is like it, the stones we see Clelia have are those we had in our pow∣er, but that which clears all suspicion is, that Aron∣ces is the very Picture of the Father of that Child we lost, so that we must necessarily conclude he must be his Son.

I confess Madam, the discourse of that man (who is the same Nicius now in this Castle) much perplex∣ed me: for in the beginning when he spoke to Mar∣tia, and told her that Aronces was assuredly the Child they had lost, I believed he was their Son, but when he said he was his Fathers Image, that belief soon vanisht, when I perceived he did not resemble him which spoke; so that dying with desire to be satisfi∣ed in that I would know, I pressed Nicius and Martia to tell me who Aronces was? but they answered 'twas first to him they must disclose this secret, and they earnestly prayed me to bring him to the sight of them, and without deferring the time any longer, I knew the place where they lodged, and I promised them to bring Aronces thither before the day was past.

And I presently went to Clelius his house to rejoyn my self with that fair company I had left; for 'tis the custom at Rome that the day that one celebrates for their birth, there is prepared a feast to entertain

those friends which are invited to accompany them at this Ceremony, so that finding the Tables cover∣ed and the company ready to sit down, I at first be∣lieved that I ought to attend the end of this repast, before I told to Aronces that I knew, but this great secret seems to me so difficult to keep, that I could not resolve my self thereto, and drawing Aronces handsomly apart, Can you believe, (said I to him) that Clelia's Birth-day is that which is destin'd for the discovery of yours, and before night you shall know who you are? No Celeres, said he to me, I do not believe it, for by what strange adventure can I know it? As I saw he gave no credit to my words, I spoke to him more seriously, and in few words recounted to him that which had happened to me, so that di∣spelling that doubt, I saw in his face different mo∣tions, at first I saw joy, a little after I noted inquie∣tude and fear, and a moment after impatience to know that he feared to learn, nevertheless the great∣ness of his Spirit reassuring him, and that which I told him of those stones, giving him some certainty that he must be of illustrious birth, he remitted him∣self so well, that as he would not now depart with∣out causing some disorder, he resolved to expect the end of this repast to content his curiosity, and in ef∣fect it was executed as he had resolved, for as soon as the Tables were uncovered we stole from the com∣pany, and went to find Nicius and Martia, who ex∣pected us with an impatience, which could not be e∣qualled but by that of Aronces, he stayed two or three times going to find them, for though he believed he should not fear any thing which might trouble him, the love for Clelia made him fear, that his Parentage would not be worthy of her: but in the end, being arrived to the Lodging where Nicius and Martia were, they met us with the greatest demonstration of joy in the world, for the more they looked upon Aronces the more they saw him resemble the King Porsenna, but that which redoubled their satisfaction was, that when he began to speak they found he had the sound of his voice so like to the Queen Galerita his Mother, that they could not doubt but he was the same Child: which was committed to their charge, whom they had lost by a shipwrack. In the mean time, Aronces no sooner saw them, but he thus said to them, after what my dear friend hath told, I know not what I ought to say to you, knowing not who I am, neither do I know whether I ought to wish to know it; Nevertheless as the incertainty in which I have lived is the cruelst torment imaginable, tell me I entreat you who I am, though you tell me my heart soars higher than my birth, and do not fear if it please you to reveal this secret in the presence of him to whom you have spoken of me, for all my se∣crets are his, and you cannot tell me any thing in par∣ticular which reflects on me, but I shall tell it him a little after: Since 'tis so, said Nicius, I have two fa∣vours to demand of you before I tell you any thing, the first that you permit me to look upon your left hand, the second that I will shew those two knots of Diamonds to Martia, we have seen that beautiful Virgin wear, which is the cause of your discovery, since if she had not been adorned with those Jewels, to give us the curiosity to look more attentively on this Ceremony, we had not, it may be, seen you: for in fine, if you are he I wish you are, you have on your left hand a little black mole, like to one we be∣lieve to be on your Mothers face, and which becomes her admirable well: and if those stones we saw are those we imagine, there is two Portraits in the two knots of Diamonds, that I pray you to shew my wife. For the mole whereof you speak, (replied Aronces shewing him his hand) you may see it's such as you tell me it should be, but for the two knots of Dia∣monds you would have me shew you, I have some∣times handled them, and I did not perceive they o∣pened, neither that they had Portraits inclosed in them: If they are those we think, replyed Martia, you may handle them an hundred times before you can perceive they open. But in fine, added she, that which I say is not so necessary to know, and after I have precisely known the day of your shipwrack, and what manner of Cradle in which you were found, and after I had seen you and heard you speak, and have found in your hand the mole which ought to be there, and seen the Jewels of Clelia, there is no que∣stion to be made but you are the Son of the King Por∣senna, and the Queen Galerita, and him which hath put Nicius and I to the expence of so many tears: Yes Sir, added Nicius, you are assuredly the Son of a great Prince and Princess, and would to the Gods you were more happy than they.

Aronces hearing Nicius and Martia speak in this manner, was so surprised at it that his astonishment appeared in his eyes, but it appeared there without causing any transportment of excessive joy in his heart and I may very well say that never any person gave such an illustrious mark of moderation. In effect, the first motion which came into his spirit, was, to give me a new demonstration of his friendship: For 'tis true, as soon as Nicius and Martia had related to him his birth, he beheld me with an obliging eye, in which there appeared without the confirmation of any words, that he was glad to see himself in estate to requite my affection by effectual courtesies. In the mean time, he learnt to Nicius and Martia all that I had already told them, and they learnt to him all that I have recounted to you in the beginning of this History; that is to say, the War of the precedent King of Clusium with Mezentius Prince of Perusia, the imprisonment of Porsenna, his love for Galerita, by what means he had been delivered, his marriage, the death of Nicetale, the second imprisonment of Por∣senna and Galerita, his birth, the manner how he had been conveyed from the Willow Island to put him in their hands, their flight, their embarque∣ment, their Shipwrack, and the resolution they had taken to go to Syracusa, and not to declare to Por∣senna's friends, that the child was trusted to them, had perisht, not because they did not positively know he was dead, but because they durst not tell it, for fear it should abate the hearts of the friends of Por∣senna and Galerita, but though, is it possible, said I then to Nicius and Martia, that the child of Porsenna and Galerita hath not appeared so long; and how could it be concealed so many years, that they did not know where he was? The thing hath been very easie, replyed Nicius, for you must know that ha∣ving a year very carefully concealed the loss of this young Prince, the friends of Porsenna making a se∣cret League, resolved that they must have this Child in their hands to endeavour to excite an insurrection among the people, so that one amongst them know∣ing where we were, came thither, and as we must necessarily confess our shipwrack to him, end as 'tis natural to flatter our selves with hope, and to dimi∣nish as much as we could the misfortunes of others, we told to this friend of Porsenna, that this Child

would be one day, it may be found, and that there had so many escaped ship-wrack, that it may be this child should be escaped as well as the others; whe∣ther it should be so or no, replied he, to whom we spoke, we must not publish his death, if it were not for no other reason, then not to give joy to the ene∣mies of Porsenna, and grief to his friends, and conforming our selves to his will, published it not, and since that, have always said that Porsenna's Son was not dead, and to endeavour to excite the people to Rebellion, we spread a bruit that Mezentius had taken him from us by force, and that he kept him prisoner as well as his Father.

In the mean time, as we durst not return into our Countrey, because of the Perusian Prince, we always remained at Syracusa; but as Martia had a long and grievous sickness, from which she hardly recovered, we agreed to leave Sicily for some time, and to choose a more healthful Air, and finding no place more a∣greeable then Capua, we came hither, and we came hither without doubt conducted by the gods, for to find you here, since that in the state in which things are, your presence is wholly necessary to save the life of the King your Father, for Mezentius is more incensed then ever; Bianor hath always love and am∣bition, the Princess of Perusia his Sister, doth all she can that he may obtain his ends, and Mezentius despairing to have other Children then Galerita, seems resolved to put to death Porsenna; to the end to enforce this Princess to re-marry with Bianor, for though she is your Mother, she hath not compleated above thirty six years, and is yet as I have heard, one of the fairest persons in the World; You may judge Madam, with what attention Aronces hearkned to the discourse of Nicius, and how many different thoughts possessed his heart, for he was glad to know he was a King's Son, he was afflicted to learn in what a deplorable estate the Prince was to whom he owed his Life, the certainty of not being a Roman gave him some inquietude, because of Clelius, the thought that he could not espouse Clelia without doing some∣thing contrary to exact prudence, gave him displea∣sure, and his soul was strangely agitated, but at last got the Victory. In the mean time, as there lackt the shewing of the two knots of Diamonds, to fi∣nish the discovery of Porsenna's Son, though it was not necessary; Aronces after he had said a thousand obliging things to Nicius and Martia, and after he had recounted to them the obligations he had to Cle∣lius, and a part of that which was happened to him, except his love for Clelia, he left them to return to Clelius his house; but returning thither we met Her∣minius, who came from thence, and who told us that it was accounted a very strange thing we should so suddenly leave them, adding that a part of the com∣pany was already gone: In effect, when we entred Clelia's house, there was but four or five of her friends with her, who walkt together in her Father's Garden, for we went so timely to the lodging of Nicius, that it was not so late when we came from thence, but we might walk without any incommo∣dity, so that Clelia no sooner saw Aronces, but she made war to him for leaving her when she celebrated her Birth-day. If you knew what obliged me to do it, (replied he to her) I am assured you will not mur∣mure against me; it may be (replied she to him) and shall not accuse you of it, but you cannot hinder me from complaining of you: that which you say is so glorious for me (replied he) that if I should have gained nothing by leaving you, I ought to be conso∣lated for leaving you: But in fine, Madam, (said he to her, separating her five or six paces from the com∣pany) I must tell you that which hath obliged me to leave you, and that you know I have not done it, but to cease to be that unknown Aronces, without Name and Countrey, who hath sometimes been so cruelly treated by Clelius for that reason. What Aronces! (replied she blushing) do you know your Birth? Yes Madam, (said he to her) I know it with some joy; though I am not a Roman, because that as Son to the greatest King of all Etruria, I can pretend with more boldness to the possession of the perfectest person in the World: permit me then I conjure you, that now I know my self to be the Son of the King of Clusi∣um, whom Mezentius detains Prisoner, I offer a se∣cond time to you my heart, and that I assure you when I shall be peaceable possessor of an Estate, that my Grandfather hath nigh intirely usurped, Ple lay my Crown at your feet, and without leaving those chains you have given me, I will boldly pub∣lish, it would be more glorious to be your Slave then to be King o're many Realms, and because I see, ad∣ded he, that which I tell you ought to surprise you, and that I perceive you are surprised: I shall not tell the whole narration of my story, but leave it to Ce∣leres to acquaint you with it, whilst I shall go to seek Clelius, to the end, to learn him my adventure, and to conjure him to suffer those knots of Diamonds you wear to be seen by those who have learnt me my birth, and likewise to entreat him to prefer me before Horatius.

Clelia was so surprised to hear that which Aron∣ces said, that she knew not what to answer him, 'tis not that she suspected the truth of it; but the thing was so surprising, that she could not imagine it to be possible, though she did not doubt of it: she therefore answered him as a person infinitely pru∣dent, for without affording him so much time as to think she doubted of what he said, she gave him cause to make known all the particulars of his ad∣venture; and Aronces going to seek Clelius, who was in his house; I remained in this Garden, and whilst the friends of Clelia, either entertained them∣selves together, or with Sulpicia who then came thi∣ther, I told her in few words all that Nicius and Martia had told Aronces, and I gave her a most sensi∣ble joy, to know that her Lover was of such an Il∣lustrious birth, I saw in her eyes that she feared this greatness would be an obstacle to her felicity, but she did not tell it me. In the mean time Aronces went where Clelius was, and telling him he had an impor∣tant business to communicate to him, he entred into his Cabinet, where he told him all he knew, but he told it him with the same respect, he accustomed to have when he knew not his birth, and Clelius having consented to his desire, I returned to find Nicius and Martia, from whose mouths the Father of Clelia learnt all they had told us; and to confirm that which they said, those two knots of Diamonds be∣ing shewed him, they demanded to see, they ope∣ned them, and in one there was a Portraict of a very beautiful person; and in the other a Portraict of a very handsome Man, who so much resembled Aron∣ces, that one could hardly think but this Picture was made for him, and Nicius seeing our astonishment, told us that the Portraict which resembled Aronces, was the King his Father's, and that the Picture of that fair Woman was the Queen his Mothers, and

that those Portraicts were made a little after Por∣senna's first Imprisonment, and since his marriage they remained in the hands of Galerita, and that this Princess having desired to gain all her Jewels to her Son, and thought not in the trouble where she was then, to take those two Portraicts from those two knots of Diamonds, which were made with such Artifice, that one would not perceive they opened, at least not to know the secret to open them: and Clelius seeing all these circumstances concur together, could not harbour any sinister thoughts of the truth of what Nicius and Martia had declared unto him, it appearing by so many indubitable conjectures, so that Clelius now looking on Aronces as the Son of a great King, would have used more civility towards him then ordinary, but Aronces opposed it, and told him with much generosity, that his birth should not change those obligations he had to him, neither should it change his heart, nor any thing between them; In pursuit of which Nicius and Martia said, that 'twas not yet time to publish the birth of Aron∣ces, and that this great secret must be concealed some time, but the principal business was to think of saving the King his Father's life, and to hinder Mezentius, as I have told you, from forcing his Daughter to marry Bianor, adding that it was ne∣cessary they should speedily go to advertise the friends of Porsenna and Galerita, that the Prince their Son was living, and that he should a little after follow them, to the end, to advertise with you what is best to be done. Nicius exaggerated with so much eloquence, the danger in which the King of Clusium was, that Clelius joyn'd himself to him, to perswade Aronces to come speedily to Perusia. In the mean time, as he had a passion in his Soul, which would not agree with this Voyage, though he had resolved to take it, and said he would, it was easie to see that he had something in his heart which contradicted his words: But in fine, Madam, without tyring your attention with any trivial relations; I shall tell you Sulpicia was admitted to this secret, and Clelius and she forced Nicius and Martia to leave their lodging, and to lodge in their house, where they staid but two days, for they had so much impatience to carry this agreeable news they knew to the friends of Porsenna and Galerita, that they would not defer it longer; but before they went they told Aronces the place where he might hear of them when he came to Perusia, I shall not tell you, Madam, what were the discourses of Aronces and Clelia those two days, for it's easie to imagine they contained much delight; but when Nicius and Martia were departed, and that Aronces saw both Honour and Nature would have him go: he felt in his heart an inexpressible emotion, and he told me in fine, after a long agitation of spi∣rit, that if Clelius would not give him Clelia, he would not go till he had forced Horatius from Capua, as well as he, 'tis not, said he to me, but I know that I do not follow the direct course of reason, by thinking to espouse Clelia now I know I am Son to a Prince, to whom I owe so much respect as not to marry with∣out his permission; but Celeres, it is Aronces which is amorous of Clelia, it is Aronces which ardently wishes her possession, it is Aronces which cannot suffer his Rival to enjoy her, and it is not the Son of the King of Clusium who hath this diversity of thoughts. In effect, I shall not pass for such, but when I shall have saved his life, and if this beatitude hap∣pens to me, it will be easie for him to seal my pardon, for having a passion in my Soul which is unknown to him, and to have loved more then all the rest of the World, the most amiable person of the earth.

I must likewise see if Clelius is in the resolution to leave Clelia the liberty to dispose of her self; for if he is so, I dare hope she will prefer me before Ho∣ratius, and that I shall not go to Perusia, till after I have rendred my Rival unhappy; but Madam, whilst Aronces thus reasoned, Horatius who saw a great change in his fortune, since Clelius owed his Life to Aronces, went to find that Illustrious Roman, for to demand of him if he would change the hope he had given him, to give him Clelia for an effective fruiti∣on; but as Horatius hath a heart sensible and fierce, and that he was nigh assured he demanded a thing he should not obtain; spoke to Clelius in a manner which incensed him, and seeing the difference there was between the proceedings of Aronces and Hora∣tius, it was the cause that he answered less favoura∣bly to the last.

I know well, said Clelius to him, after this Lover had alledged all the reasons he could imagine, that I have given you hope to obtain my Daughter, but I likewise know, ••••ever promised you her, and that the least I can do after the last obligation, I have to your Rival, is no more to force Clelia to espouse you, and to leave her the liberty to choose between Aronces and you, and not to be unjust towards her by being favourable to you: I thought, fiercely re∣plied Horatius, that though 'tis long since you resi∣ded at Rome, that you had not forgot that the Ro∣mans never used to give their Daughters to their slaves, and that Aronces might never pretend to Clelia with your consent. Ah Horatius interrupted Clelius, Aronces is not a slave, and you and I should have yet been the Pyrates slaves, if he had not deli∣vered us by his valour. You are now more ac∣knowledging, replied he coldly; you are now more ingrateful, replied Clelius, and I cannot comprehend what obliges you so ill to requite the obligations you have to me, for so ill treating Aronces for the love of you; you treat him so well now, replied he, that I should think my thanks ill bestowed, if I should thank you in a time when you think to render him happy, and me miserable, but Clelius, fortune, it may be, will revenge me on your Injustice, and you will one of these days know that you have given Cle∣lia to the Son of some Roman Enemy, and it may be likewise to some miserable stranger, without Birth and Virtue: yet once more Horatius, re∣plied Clelius, speak not of Aronces as you do, if you will not have me tell you, you degenerate from a Roman.

I should too much, Madam, trespass on your pa∣tience, if I should relate to you all the discourse of these two Men, and it suffices that you know they separated ill satisfied one with another: and this conversation made Clelius resolve not to give his Daughter to Horatius, though he should not give her to Aronces, as in effect, he did not believe Aron∣ces ought now to espouse her, though he spake to Horatius as if he believed it; but he soon changed those thoughts: for after that Aronces had had con∣ference with Sulpicia, and that some passionate ex∣pressions had passed between him and Clelia, he went to find Clelius, to conjure him to give him his Daugh∣ter, and to let him espouse her before his departure, but he spoke to him in the presence of his Wife; at first Clelius told him that he had too far extended

his generosity, and though he had resolved to give him Clelia when he last saved his life, he believed to be obliged, now he knew him to be a King's Son, not to give her to him; 'tis not, said he, but Clelia is of an Illustrious blood, sufficient to enter in alliance with all the Princes in the World, but since you have a Father, I ought not to give you my Daughter with∣out his consent; you must then let me kill Horatius, replied Aronces with precipitation, for I declare to you I cannot depart without doing that, if you give her not to me, therefore if you will not let me dye my hands in the blood of a Man which hath been my friend before he was my Rival, and let me renounce all sentences of Nature and Honour, give me Clelia I earnestly intreat you, for if you do it not, I shall be criminal towards all the World. I shall be unwor∣thy of my birth, and that goodness you have had, and have yet for me, Horatius shall have reason to hate me, and Clelia even shall have, it may be, cause to despise me; commiserate therefore an unhappy Lover, who feels Virtue will forsake him if you do not satisfie his love, and think after that as Nicius hath recounted to you of the life of the King my Father, and since he believed not to have done an unworthy action by engaging himself to espouse Galerita, when he was the Prince of Perusia's Priso∣ner, who was the King of Clusium's Enemy: think I say, that if I am so happy as to deliver him, he will not easily pardon me, for having espou∣sed a Virgin which possessed my heart before I knew I was his Son.

In fine, without deferring any longer, to tell you the good hap of Aronces, Clelius who had his spirit irritated against Horatius, resolved to render him happy: 'tis true, that Sulpicia who had an extreme joy to see things in this estate, was she which finish∣ed them, for she handsomely told Clelius, that if Aronces espoused their Daughter, it would be the means to see himself one day in power to give a re∣doubtable injury to Tarquin, so that this puissant reason for the interest of revenge, having fortified all those of Aronces, he consented he should espouse Clelia before his departure: but to the end it should be privately done, he was resolved that the Nupti∣als should be kept at an house of pleasure I had nigh the River Vulturnus, about half a days journey from Capua, and as 'twas necessary for Aronces speedily to depart, and that Clelius was glad that this Marriage should be made before Horatius knew of it, he was resolved it should be solemnized but with a small number of persons, and this Voyage should be pre∣texted with a simple design to injoy the pleasures of the Countrey; and in effect, there was at this little feast but three or four of Clelia's friends, and Herminius and two others who knew of it, and who were invited to the Nuptials.

I shall not stay my self, Madam, to tell you the sa∣tisfaction of Aronces, nor to recount unto you in what terms he expressed it, for it would be needless, but I shall only tell you, that this little Troop whom joy conducted, went where these Nuptials were to be kept, they were no sooner there, but the River Vulturnus over-flowed its banks, as you have known without doubt, and made such a strange disorder, that they must necessarily stay till this inundation was passed before they could make a Feast. After this, Madam, I shall not exaggerate to you the terri∣blest adventure in the World, by recounting ex∣actly how the morning after this inundation was passed (which was the day which should have prece∣ded the Nuptials of Aronces and Clelia) there was a terrible Earthquake, for you are not ignorant of the effects of it, since 'twas known further then Sici∣ly, and by consequence further then Perusia, but shall only acquaint you, that this terrible day where the winds, flames, and burning stones, made such an horrible disorder; during this Earthquake, was an unhappy day for Aronces, since he was separated from Clelia by a whirl-wind of scorching flames, just as he perceived his Rival, that a little before he belie∣ved to have been at Capua.

But in fine, Madam, to conclude his mishap, For∣tune cast Clelia in the Arms of his Rival, he not knowing who had brought Horatius in that place, or how Clelia came into his power, and all that which I know is, that Aronces saw her no more, but when this great disorder was passed, he believed that she was dead, that he returned to Capua with those which escaped so great a danger, and I did not so much afflict my self for the loss of my house, as for the grief of my friend whom I followed to Capua, where he soon knew that Horatius was not there, and that Stenius had received a Letter from him, and in pursuit he went to find him to indeavour to disco∣ver if he knew nothing of Clelia, that he refused to tell him, that Aronces forced him to fight, that he vanquisht him, that he took from him the Letter he had received from Horatius, by which he knew he had Clelia in his hands, and that he carried her to Pe∣rusia; so that seeing his Love, his Honour, and Nature commanded him to go thither, he resolved with Clelius that he would depart, which he did, for Herminius as he had some affairs which induced him to leave Italy; Aronces and I gave him Letters for Amilcar, and I would not desert my friend, but leave Fenice, of whom I was not too much satisfied, and of whom I was but a little amorous.

But after that, Madam, imagine what was the grief of Aronces, when he saw upon the Lake Clelia in a Barque which Horatius defended, and what was his astonishment to see in the other the Prince of Numidia, whom he did not believe to be his Rival; imagine, I say, his grief to see he could not go to assault Clelia's Ravisher, and succour him which assail∣ed him; imagine the deplorable Estate wherein he was, when he knew by a Slave, that they would assas∣sinate the Prince of Perusia, whose death would have delivered the King his Father, and the Queen his Mother: and in fine, imagine the miserable con∣dition in which he now is; for Madam, Aronces knows not where Clelia is, he knows she is in the power of his Rival, and he hath found one in the person of his dearest friends.

The life of Porsenna is in danger; Galerita is still a Prisoner; Mezentius saith, she shall never depart from Prison if she will not re-marry: there is dan∣ger to hazard to make Aronces known to the Prince of Perusia for Porsenna's Son, he is at present inca∣pable to act because of his wounds; Sextilia always favours her Brother Bianor: Tiberinus who is now Mezentius his Favorite, hath more then one Interest to induce him to desire the loss of Porsenna, and to oppose the discovery of Aronces, and though he hath saved the Perusian Princes life, his without doubt would be in great danger, if he was known to be Porsenna's Son, and what ought he to hope if he is not so? Madam, Aronces is every way unhappy for Honour, Nature, and Love assault him with most ri∣gorous

thoughts, when that fortune mingles it self to make continual combates in the heart of a Lover; therefore I dare hope, Madam, that being sensible of the mishaps of so generous a Prince, you'l render to him all the Offices which are in your power.

Doubt not of it (replied the Princes of the Leon∣tines seeing Celeres had finisht his Narration) for I am so touched with his misfortunes that I shall forget nothing that lies in my power, to testifie to him that I have a true compassion, therefore I conjure you to pray him to inform what I shall do or say, for though I have an inveterate hatred against Tiberinus, I will constrain my thoughts in this occasion, and in∣deavour to put him in his interest, though as things are it will be a difficult enterprise; you have so much address and so many charms, replied Aurelia, that we must despair of nothing; you are so generous, added Sycanius, that we ought to expect from you all things in such an encounter.

In truth, replied she, I merit no great praise to be capable to have compassion for another's misfor∣tunes: for you so sympathize in mine, and have thereby brought me so much consolation, that I should be armed with cruelty, if I should but seem to refuse mine to an Illustrious unhappy person.

After that, Celeres seeing it was late, rose up and went to Aronces, with whom he found Nicius and Martia, who assured him the next day, the principal friends of Porsenna would come to the Castle where he was, to the end to consult what was expedient to be done in such an important conjecture.