Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/39

here is he, who (as a father) hath new begotten me, and (as a God) hath ſaued me from many deathes, which already layed hold on me: which Kalander with teares of ioy acknowledged (beſides his owne deliuerance) onely his benefite. But Daiphantus, who loued doing well for it ſelfe, and not for thankes, brake off thoſe ceremonies, deſiring to know how Palladius (for ſo he called Muſidorus) was come into that companie, and what his preſent eſtate was; whereof receiuing a briefe declaration of Kalander, he ſent him word by Clitophon, that he ſhould not as now come vnto him, becauſe he held himſelfe not ſo ſure a maiſter of the Helots mindes, that he would aduenture him in their power, who was ſo well knowne with an vnfriendly acquaintance, but that he deſired him to returne with Kalander, whither alſo he within few dayes (hauing diſpatched himſelfe of the Helots) would repaire. Kalander would needes kiſſe his hand againe for that promiſe, proteſting he would eſteeme his houſe more bleſſed then a temple of the gods, if it had once receiued him. And then deſiring pardon for Argalus, Daiphantus aſſured them that he would die but he would bring him (though till then kept in cloſe priſon, indeede for his ſafety, the Helots being ſo animated againſt him as elſe he could not haue liued) and ſo taking their leaue of him, Kalander, Clitophon, Palladius and the reſt of the Arcadians ſwearing that they would no further inia any ſort moleſt the Helots, they ſtraight way marched out of the towne, carying both their dead and wounded bodies with them; and by morning were already within the limits of Arcadia.

The Helots of the other ſide ſhutting their gates, gaue thēſelues to bury their dead, to cure their wounds, and reſt their wearied bodies: till (the next day beſtowing the cheerefull vſe of the light vpon them) Daiphantus making a generall conuocation ſpake vnto them in this maner. We are firſt (ſayd he) to thanke the Gods, that (further then wee had either cauſe to hope; or reaſon to imagine) haue deliuered vs out of this gulfe of daunger, wherein we were already ſwallowed. For all being loſt, (had they not directed, my return ſo iuſt as they did) it had bene too late to reconner that, which being had, wee could not keepe. And had I not happened to know one of the principall men among them, by which meanes the truce began betweene vs, you may eaſily conceiue, what litle reaſon we haue to thinke, but that either by ſome ſupply out of Arcadia, or from the Nobilitie of this Country (who would haue made fruits of wiſedome grow out of this occaſion) we ſhould haue had our power turned to ruine, our pride to repentance and ſorrow. But now the ſtorme, as it fell, ſo it ceaſed: and the error committed, in retaining Clitophon more hardly then his age or quarrel deſerued, becomes a ſharply learned experience, to vſe in other times more moderation.

Now haue I to deliuer vnto you the concluſion between the kings with the Nobilitie of Lacedæmon, and you; which is in all points as your ſelues deſired: aſwell for that you would haue graunted, as for the aſſurance of what is graunted. The Townes and Fortes you preſently haue, are ſtill left vnto you, to be kept either with or without garriſon, ſo as you alter not the lawes of the Countrie, and pay ſuch duties as the reſt of the Laconians do: Your ſelues are made by publique decree, free men, and ſo capable both to giue and receiue voice in election of Magiſtrates. The diſtinction of names betweene Helots and Lacedæmonians to bee quite taken away, and all indifferently to enjoy both names of priuiledges of Laconians. Your children to be brought vp with theirs in the Spartane diſcipline: and ſo you) framing your ſelues to bee good members of that eſtate) to bee hereafter fellowes, and no longer ſeruants.