Astrea. Part 3. a romance / written in French by Messire Honoré D'Urfe ; and translated by a person of quality.

The sequel of the History of MELANDER.

YOu do a••k me, unthankful and persidious Lidias, how I do; and does give me thanks for that which I have this day done for you; as if you did not know, that I cannot be well unlesse you be so; and that the hazard which I have this day run for you, is one of the least where∣unto I have exposed my life to preserve yours.

Forgetful and thankless man; Canst thou not remember the carresses and kind∣nesses, which when you were in great Brittain you received in my house, from all that had any relation unto Melander? Hast thou forgot all those oathes which thou so oft has sworn, never to love any but this Melander? Dost think by saign∣ing to forget thy flight from London, that all those who knew of thy persidy do not remember it? Is it possible thy infidelity should so choke thy memory, as not to know that Melander, who putting on the habit of a man as thou seest her, did fight with Lipandas for thy liberty, or indeed thy life? Can it be imagined that ingratitude should so dull thy soul, as to forget that this Meland••r, who hath now saved thy life, is the very same, who in Callice came into the prisons of Lipandas to deliver thee, and exposed her hands and feet unto setters, to release thine?

She would have continued, but that Ligdamon interrupted her thus: Certain∣ly I were the most worthy not only of blame, but of extream punishment, if be∣ing so obliged as you esteem me. I should ever lose the memory of them; but I protest before heaven, that this Lidias, whose name you put upon me, is to me altogether unknown. How? replied Melander (and was extreamly angry) canst thou without a blush say, thou art not the same, against whom for thy in∣gratitude I drew my sword, near Neomagues, and from whom I received a wound in my arm; I cannot say (answered he and was amazed) that I am the same you mention; For I do remember, that being near the Town you named. I was as∣saulted by a stranger, without any cause; who was wounded; for which I was ta∣ken prisoner, and got out by the help of a woman who being deceived as you are, and taking me for one Lidias, did give me her clothes, and she took shine. O my dear Lidias (said she) if for any important reason you desire to conceal your name, do not think me one that will reveal it; consider that so many testi∣monies of my pure affection, as I have given, may well assure you that I will con∣ceal whatsoever you shall desire to hide. If you will, no other name but Ligda∣mon shall ever come in my mouth: Assure your self my dearest friend, that my af∣fection unto you is far above my own life, and no interest or advantage whatsoe∣ver shall make we betray you: She who hath left her countrey, her kindred, her friends; She who hath hazarded her life a hundred times to save you, can she have any interest further then to please you? Say unto me freely, Melander, my designe is to be no longer Lidias, I desire the world should think me to be Ligda∣mon, I would have it thought I never saw Melander, I would lose the memory of her, and thou shalt so: O my dearest friend, that before I will discover thee, I will lose the memory of thy name and my own, as long as you shall please: If I do betray thee, never esteem me for Melander, and drive me out of thy pre∣sence, as not worthy to bear the name of a woman who would only live to serve thee.

Wise and fair Melander, replied Ligdamon, I do not only admire at the gran∣dure, and purity of your affection, but much more at the happiness of that Li∣dias for whom you take me: Most happy may he well esteem himself, that is so perfectly loved, by so many discreet and fair women: and certainly he is a man of most high merit, that is thus sincerely esteemed and loved: nor should I yield unto him in happinesse, by reason of that resemblance which is betwixt us, were I in a condition to receive the good will of those who take me for him: But know, fair and discreet Melander, that you are not the first who have been deceived by my face and voice: Many have been also mistaken, and should I tell you that

thousands have been also deceived as well you, I should tell you nothing but truth: when I was brought a prisoner of war unto Rhothomagues, the mother of Lidias took me for her son, and to my sorrows, the whole corporation of ju∣stice condemned me to be devoured by Lions for some homicide which that Li∣dias had committed; and there I had certainly perished, if one Amerina, deceiv∣ed by this resemblance, had not begged me for her husband. I relate unto you all these things, that you may see how much the world is mistaken in me, and that if I were the same Lidias which you think I am, I should think my self obliged to you in all the services which you can desire; but mistake me not I beseech you, I know that I am Ligdamon, this countrey man born, where if you please, I am able to give you a thousand testimonies of it: The Nymph Amasis, her daughter Galathea, will tell you that I had my education under them; Adamas the grand Druide, the high Priest, the Flamines: to be breif, all the Town can testifie that I am Ligdamon and not Lidias.

Melander was amazed at all this that Ligdamon had told her; and seeing how confidently he offered to prove all he said, she began to doubt her mistake, though his face and speech were extreamly like to Lidias, and looking seriously upon him, if it be so (said she) it is a thing most strange, that two should be so extreamly alike, that no difference can be found, neither in face, speech, stature, behaviour, nor age: and let us see (said she) if there be the same resemblance in such things as come by accident: then going nearer him, and taking off his hat, she lifting up his hair, but not finding any mark of that wound which Lidias received in the combat with Aronthes, she was quite confounded; and going back a pace or two, I must needs confess (said she) that I think my self mistaken, and that you are not the same Lidias I look for: for he has a scar in his head which you have not: and sure I am that his is such a mark, as never will wear out.

Ligdamon, beyond expression, glad to see himself delivered of this pain, but more, to know this difference, to the end he might undeceive Amerina by it, for he knew she would follow him. Would it had pleased the gods (said he) that I had known this difference when I was condemned for Lidias; for then it would have saved me many a dangerous adventure: The gods, answered Melander, do every thing with such wise providence, that none ought to complain: for as your re∣semblance unto Lidias had like to have cost you your life, so the same resem∣blance hath saved it; for assure your self, if I had not been deceived by your face, I had never ventured my self so in the ditch to save you. Also had not I taken you for Lidias, I had never been convinced of my errour in thinking him perfideous, who perhaps is seeking me amongst the Gauls, as I did you as far as Callice: for Cavalier you must know, that I being in prison under Lipandas, to get Lidias out, I understood by the Gaoler, that he for whom I was a prisoner, was taken by the Neustrians, condemned unto the Lions, and delivered upon con∣dition of marrying Amerina; whether or no this was sadness unto me, let him judge that ever loved; but so it was, that after many a sad complaint, yet such as never durst come out of my lips, for fear of being known, I languished thus in this pain: for the life I led, could be phrased nothing but a languishment, never grieving for the condition wherein I was, but only because I could not ponyard my self in the presence of ungrateful and perfidious Lidias; but when I was in greatest despair of ever getting out of that miserable place: The Franks one night, I know not how, became masters of the Town, the Gaoler h••mself set o∣pen the prison doors, and unsetterd our feet, in hopes that some Franks who were prisoners amongst us would save his life for it. But I, who extreamly desired to see Lidias, that I might in his and Amerinas presence sacrifice my life, I was no sooner at liberty, but finding some horses which had no owners, I took one and got out of Callice, having in my company only one young man who conducted me, and being prisoners together were become friends: with him I went unto Rothomagues, where I no sooner entred, but I was informed by a reverent Ma∣tron, of whom I enquired for Lidias, that he was at a house of Amerinas his wife not far from thence, and beseeching her to tell me the way, she told me that it was in the way towards the great city of Paris. Judge you whether this news did

not sting me to the soul; but hasting out of the Town, and overtaking the young man who conducted me, for he durst not enter in, by reason of some enemies; And I talked with him, but truly I know not what, nor which way I parted from him: But so it was, that presently after I came to this house, where they told me that Lidias was gone three days before, with Amerina his wife, towards For∣rests, upon some business: I presently followed after, and by the way heard oft∣ten of them: At last, one day, after a large journey, and when the heat of the day had almost sweltred my horse, I saw a shade by the high way side, which I thought would shelter me from the extream heat of the day: The weariness of my self and my horse made me alight, and I had no sooner tyed him to a Tree, but I spied a woman, who by what I have heard from you, I now think was Ameri∣na: I went unto her, and asked her if it would be no offence to participate of her shade: To which she gave me a very civil answer. At the same time you came with some boughs to make the place more shady: As soon as ever I cast my eye upon you, I took you, as I did now, for Lidias whom I looked for, and thought that woman to be Amerina: I must needs confess that I was moved with several passions; for once I was in a mind to fall upon Amerina whilst she slept, and first to run a ponyard into her breast, and then into my own, before your face: An∣other time I design'd to let the innocent woman alone and to open my own breast, and as I was dying, to take some of my blood, and throw it in your face, upbraid∣ing you with your infidelity: But some good genius diverted me from those cruel resolutions, and constraining me to go a little further off, after a hundred differ∣ent conceptions, I thought it best to die by your own hand, and not by my own; to the end you might the more lament my death.

This being my design, you know what signs I made unto you to separate you from Amerina, and how violently I cast my self upon your sword, with which indeed I was wounded in my arm, but I know not how it missed my heart, for there was my intention to receive it; and I had such an opinion of receiving it there, that when I felt the point of the sword, I fancied that it had reached my heart; so as having heard that all wounds of the heart were mortal, I fancied my self to be dead; and when I returned to my self again, I found that I was in the hands of the Governour of Neomague. I understood since, that he finding me in a swoon, he caused me to be taken up as dead, but the motion of those who carried me, did revive me; so setting me upon a horse, they carried me away; when, to my thinking, I saw you pass by my horse, very well mounted. Certainly (said Ligdamon and interrupted) it was some other, for I was on foot, and never left Amerina till we were both taken together. If so, replyed Melander, either it was Lidias, or some other who resembles him, as you do: But so it was, that I told the Governour with a deep sigh, it was he who had put me into that conditi∣on; and as soon as the Governour heard it, he caused him to be pursued and brought to prison.

When night came, I began to think how I should be a cause of punishing Li∣dias, and therefore was very sorry for what I had said: And as I was in bed the next morning, they brought me a woman in your clothes, to see if it was she who hurt me, and I said she was not: But I was extreamly astonished when they brought him whom I accused, for truly, I took him for you, I mean Lidias. And left he should know me, I turned my face the other way, as I lay in my bed: and though I knew I had reason enough to wish him ill, yet I could not find in my heart to do him any harm: so as altering my voice, I declared that it was not he, but some other, who had taken the habit of that woman. Upon this discharge he was released. I beseech you (said Ligdamon) what became of the woman, for it was she who saved me? The Governours wife (said she) took her off from all pu∣nishment, and is so far from all harm, that to morrow I believe she will return home. But to continue that discourse of my miserable fortune; In the night time when I could not sleep, by reason of the wound, not in my arm, but in my heart, I made a hundred propositions to my self: one while I would write unto Lidias, and let him know what wrong he had done me; but I was presently off that, thinking he would but mock at my Letter, and with his Amerina, laugh at it:

Another while I would send for him, not telling who I was, and in the presence of the Governours wife, who was of a sweet and pitiful disposition, upbraid him with his persidie and ingratitude, as thinking, that shame perhap•• might work more upon him then my love could. Upon this design I slept, with a resolution to put it in execution the next morning; but I was disappointed, for that very night, as soon as ever he was set at liberty, he went privately out of the Town, none knowing which way he went,

When I heard of his departure, I was almost even mad against my self for let∣ting such an opportunity so imprudently slip; for (said I) had I accused him, doubt∣less he had been stayed, and I might have executed my design in speaking unto him before the Governours wife: And as for my fond fears of doing him any harm by way of Justice, what greater punishment could he in Justice receive, then a while of Imprisonment, since my wound was not neer mortal? But all this rea∣soning with my self was in vain; and after a long debate, and vexing at my self, Patience was my only remedy; and as soon as I could (which was within seven or eight days) to set forward towards Forrests, where I heard you were; and as Fortune was, I came into this place where all these Forces did rendezvouz to storm this Town: I searched every rank and file to see if I could find you; and by chance being next him that leaped into the ditch with intention to kill you, as soon as ever I cast my eye upon you, and taking you for Lidias, I ran in to defend you, making it to appear, that nothing is stronger then Love, since neither any scorns, or offences, nor injuries, nor any thing, could keep me from exposing my life for Lidias, whom I thought that I had reason to hate even to death.

Thus did Melander conclude the discourse of her travels and pains; and Lig∣damon presenting his hand unto her, Fair and Generous woman (said he unto her) the life which you have this day preserved, shall be spent in your service; I hope you will not depart out of this Country, before you have found a full content∣ment. Your unparallell'd Fortunes, and dangers which beyond all hopes you have escaped, is an argument that some good Genius conducted you hither to preserve you. Hope therefore, and be confident that your hopes will not be frustrated: In the mean time, dispose of me, and command me, as one that cannot be more devoted to serve you then I am. These offers (answered she) are such, as a poor woman, destitute of all help, but from the Gods, might hope for from such a ge∣nerous Cavalier as you are: I do not refuse these kind of offers, and at this time will only desire two things from you: The one, not to discover that I am a wo∣man; unto any: and the other, to let me live with you, to love and serve you, until such time as it shall please the Gods I can hear some news of him whom I look for: If you will please to grant me these two requests, I shall live with some contentment, having always in my eye the face of my so much loved Lidias. Lig∣damon who did much esteem and admire the vertue of this woman, did grant her two requests, and with many assurances of his good will, did bid her good night, and went to set all things in good order within the Quarter that was assigned un∣to him: for though he had toyled all the day, yet would he not rest till he saw all right that was under his charge: and when he returned to his Lodging, he heard some in the next house that complained excessively. Ligdamon being very pitiful, and sharing in the sorrows of another, hearing this lam••ntable voice, and belie∣ving it to be some that was wounded, he commanded one that followed him to go in, and bring him word whether the wounded man wanted any thing, in the mean time he stayed at the door: He who went in upon this errand, did see a man tyed by the arms and legs unto a Bed post, without any to look unto him: the light which the fire cast which was in the chimney, did make the messenger judge him to be some stranger, and that perhaps some had taken him prisoner at the last Sally, yet seeing no harm done unto him, and observing that he strove all he could to draw the bed unto which he was tyed, towards the fire: What reason (said the man unto him) have you to complain? And why do you strive so to get near the fire? Perhaps it is to try if you can break your chains; but alas poor man, though they were loose, yet little hopes could you have to escape a hundred Court of Guards, besides as many ports to hinder you. The stranger looking wildly upon

him, if I had no cause of complaint (answered he) I should be ashamed to open my mouth; but I must die, and therefore when you thought my getting to the fire was to escape, alas it was only that I might end this miserable life by fire; and I was so far from desiring any escape, that the first minute my hands were at liber∣ty, I resolved should be the last of my life.

Ligdamon who was impatient, and thought it long before the man returned, he went himself into the chamber, and seeing this man in that condition, who are those (said he) who treats this prisoner so cruelly? The Souldiers into whose hands he fell, being in the next room, they came to give an accompt: Sir (said a corporal) we did not put this man into this condition wherein you see him, with any intentions of using him ill; but on the contrary, we did it out of compassi∣on; for he is so desperate, that if we had not taken a knife from him, it had been before now at his heart: so as we were constrained to tie him in this manner, lest he should kill himself. Certainly (said Ligdamon) he hath received some strange misfortue, did he never tell the reason of his despair? No, said the cor∣poral, nor could we ever get any thing from him, but sighs and tears. Ligdamon looking upon him, and thinking him to be a man of valour, it is pity (said he) he should be thus lost, perhaps he has lost some whom he loved, for such despairs seldome proceed from any thing but love. Then going nearer unto him, friend, said he unto him, consider that you are a man, and by consequence, a subject both of good and bad Fortune: after a gloomy cloud, will come a gleam of Sun-shine; after a storm of bad fortune, will come a calme of good: Ca∣valier (answered the stranger) the compassion which you seem to have of my misery, makes me think you to be a man of merit: for I never knew a base heart pity the afflicted.

This opinion which I have of you, makes me now repent my attempt of ta∣king away your life in the last scuffle, though I have cause enough to accuse of all my wiseries. Was it you (said Ligdamon) who fell upon me in the ditch, when I caused all the enemies engines to be burned? It was I▪ answered he, that should have been very sorry if I have accomplished my intent, but should have been very glad if pour sword had then taken away my life, since it had ravished that person from me, for whose sake I only desired life. I am sorry, replied Ligdamon, that I was any cause of your discontent; but you ought to think me very innocent, for in the heat of combate one can hardly tell whom they strike: yet, if my memory do not fail me, he whom I held under me, when you assaulted me, is not dead; for when he asked life of me I gave it unto him. O good gods, cryed out the stranger, is his life saved? Certainly (said Ligdamon) I did him no hurt after he had rendred himself, for it is not my custome to hurt those who quit their arms; and besides, I could hardly do it, since you assaulted me upon a sudden: upon this, some of those who were near Ligdamon at that time, did testifie that the man escaped, and though they saw him when he went away, yet they had so many other prisoners in their hands, that they could not follow him.

O most omnipotent Tautates (cried out the stranger, lifting up his eyes to hea∣ven, and would have done so his hands, had they not been tyed) is it possible I should be so happy? and that my despair should help that person to escape? Cer∣tainly (said all the company) we saw him out of the ditch: I am very glad on't, said Ligdamon: But to see the strange effects of inward joy; one might perceive the eyes and the countenance of this man, so to change, that he seemed not the same he was a minute before; and addressing his speech unto Ligdamon, Cava∣lier (said he unto him with a mild and temperate voice) in giving life unto one, you have given it unto two: for if she of whom I complained had died, nothing could have kept me alive; I say she, for you must know that though you saw her in the habit of a man, yet she is the most generous and brave woman that ever was upon the earth: and that you may see what cause I had to love and admire her, give me leave to relate the history of all my troubles. Ligdamon, who saw him much changed, and his speech more moderate and discreet: he had an opi∣nion, that this news had settled his mind; and pittying to hear him talk so tyed; Stranger (said he unto him) I should be very glad to hear you, but am sorry to

see you in that condition; and yet I dare not suffer you to be untyed, lest you should do some act of inhumanity against your self. No, no, Sir, answered he, your courtesie has more obliged me then so; and the assurance of so many per∣sons, that she is alive whom I so much lamented, does command me to live, that I may serve both you and her. Upon this assurance (said Ligdamon) I will com∣mand you shall be untyed: you shall go with me to my lodging, where you shall find better accomodation then in this place. This unask'd for favour (said the stranger) obliges me to pass my word, never to forsake you until you dismiss me; and to tell you, that being neither any Officer nor Souldier unto your enemies, nor having passed any promise to serve them, I would never whilst I live bear arms against you, nor ever go into your enemies army; but with a sword in my hand to fight your quarrel, were it not that she, for whose sake I am your pri∣soner, is in their Camp, and I cannot dispose of my self until I have found her.

Upon this, the corporal untyed him, and he went with Ligdamon unto his lodg∣ing, where he was put into good clothes, for his own were plundered from him by those who took him, and those which remained upon him, he had torn to pieces in his rage: afterwards Ligdamon, causing him to sit down, and they two being alone in the chamber, he began thus.