Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/38

By that watch word Palladius knew that it was his onely friend Pyrocles, whom he had loſt vpon the Sea, and therefore both moſt full of wonder, ſo to be met, if they had not bene fuller of ioy then wonder, cauſed the retrait to be ſounded, Daiphantus by authoritie and Palladius by perſwaſion; to which helped well the little aduantage that was of either ſide: and that of the Helots partie their Captaines behauiour had made as many amazed as ſawe or heard of it: and of the arcadian ſide the good old Kalander ſtriuing more then his old age could atchiue, was newly taken priſoner. But in deede the chiefe parter of the fray was the night, which with her black armes pulled their malicious ſights one from the other. But he that tooke Kalander, meant nothing leſſe then to ſaue him, but onely ſo long, as the Captaine might learne the enemies ſecrets; towards whom he led the old Gentleman, when he cauſed the retreit to be ſounded: looking for no other deliuerie from that captiuitie, but by the painfull taking away of all paine: when, whom ſhould he ſee next to the Captaine (with good tokens how valiantly he had fought that day againſt the Arcadians) but his ſonne Clitophon? But now the Captaine had cauſed all the principall Helots to be aſſembled, as well to deliberate what they had to do, as to receiue a meſſage from the Arcadians; Among whom Palladius vertue (beſides the loue Kalander bare him) hauing gotten principall authoritie, hee had perſwaded them to ſeeke rather by parley to recouer the Father and the Sonne, then by the ſworde: ſince the goodnes of the Captaine aſſured him that way to ſpeede, and his value (wherewith he was of old acquainted) mae him thinke any other way dangerous. This therefore was done in orderly maner, giuing them to vnderſtand, that as they came but to deliuer Clitophon, ſo offering to leaue the footing, they alreadie had in the towne, to goe away without any further hurt, ſo as they might haue the father and the ſonne without raunſome deliuered. VVhich conditions being heard and conceiued by the Helots, Daiphantus perſwaded them without delay to accept them. For firſt (ſaid he) ſince the ſtrife is within our owne home, if you looſe, you looſe all that in this life can be deare vnto you: if you winne, it will be a bloudie victorie with no profit, but the flattering in our ſelues that ſame bad humour of reuenge. Beſides, it is like to ſtirre Arcadia vpon vs, which now, by vſing theſe perſons well, may be brought to ſome amitie. Laſtly, but eſpecially, leaſt the king & nobilitie of Laconia (with whom now we haue made a perfect peace) ſhould hope by occaſion of this quarrel to ioyn the Arcadians with them, and ſo breake off the profitable agreement alreadie concluded. In ſumme, as in all deliberations (waying the profit of the good ſucceſſe with the harme of the euil ſucceſſe) you ſhall finde this way moſt ſafe and honorable.

The Helots as much moued by his authoritie, as perſwaded by his reaſons, were content therewith. VVhereupon, Palladius tooke order that the Arcadians ſhould preſently march out of the towne, taking with them their priſoners, while the night with mutuall diffidence might keepe them quiet, and ere day came they might be well on of their way, and ſo auoid thoſe accidents which in late enemies, a looke, word, or a particular mans quarell might engender. This being on both ſides concluded on, Calander and Clitophon, who now (with infinite ioy did knowe each other) came to kiſſe the hands and feete of Daiphantus: Clitophon telling his father, how Daiphantus (not without danger to himſelfe) had preſerued him from the furious malice of the Helots: and euen that day going to conclude the peace (leaſt in his abſence he might receiue ſome hurt) he had taken him in his companie, and geuen him armour, vpon promiſe he ſhould take the part of the Helots; which he had in this fight performed, litle knowing that it was againſt his father; but (ſaid Clitophon)here