The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia/Book 1

T was in the time that the earth begins to put on her new apparell againſt the approch of her louer, and that the Sun running a moſt euen courſe, becomes an indifferent arbiter betweene the night and the day; when the hopeleſſe ſhepheard Strephon was come to the ſands, which lie againſt the Iſland of Cithera; where viewing the place with a heauy kind of delight, and ſometimes caſting his eyes to the Iſleward, he called his friendly riuall, the paſtor Claius vnto him, and ſetting firſt downe in his darkened countenance a dolefull copie of what he would ſpeake: O my Claius, ſaide he, hither we are now come to pay the rent, for which we are ſo called vnto by ouer-buſie Remembrance, Remembrance, reſtleſſe Remembrance, which claymes not only this dutie of vs, but for it will haue vs forget our ſelues. I pray you when we were amid our flocke, and that of other ſhepheards ſome were running after their ſheepe ſtraied beyond their bounds, ſome delighting their eyes with ſeeing them nibble vpon the ſhort & ſweet graſſe, ſome medicining their ſicke ewes, ſome ſetting a bell for an enſigne of a ſheepiſh ſquadron, ſome with more leaſure inuenting new games of exerciſing their bodies and ſporting their wits: did Remembrance graunt vs any holiday, either for paſtime or deuotion, nay either for neceſſary foode or naturall reſt? but that ſtill it forced our thoughts to worke vpon this place, where we laſt (alas that the word laſt ſhould ſo long laſt) did graze our eyes vpon her euer floriſhing beautie: did it not ſtill crie within vs? Ah you baſe minded wretches, are your thoughts so deeply bemired in the trade of ordinary worldlings, as for reſpect of gaine ſome paultry wooll may yeeld you, to let ſo much time paſſe without knowing perfectly her eſtate, eſpecially in ſo troubleſome a ſeaſon? to leaue that ſhore vnſaluted, from whence you may ſee to the Iſland where ſhe dwelleth? to leaue thoſe ſteps vnkiſſed where in Vrania printed the farewell of all beautie? Wel then, Remembrance commaunded, we obeyd, & here we find, that as our remembrance came euer cloathed vnto vs in the forme of this place, ſo this place giues new heate to our feauer of our languiſhing remembrance. Yonder my Claius, Vrania lighted, the verie horſe (me thought) bewayled to be ſo disburdned: and as for thee, poore Claius, when thou wentſt to help her downe, I ſaw reuerence and deſire ſo deuide thee, that thou didſt at one inſtant both bluſh and quake, and in ſtead of bearing her, weart readie to fall ​down thy ſelfe. There ſhe ſate, vouchſafing my cloake (then moſt gorgeous) vnder her: at yonder riſing of the ground ſhee turned her ſelfe, looking backe toward her woonted abode, and becauſe of her parting, bearing much ſorrow in her eyes, the lightſomneſſe whereof had yet ſo naturall a cherefulneſſe, as it made euen ſorrow ſeeme to ſmile; at that turning ſhee ſpake to vs all, opening the cherrie of her lips, and Lord how greedily mine eares did feed vpon the ſweete words ſhe vttered? And here ſhe laide her hand ouer thine eyes, when ſhe ſaw the teares ſpringing in them, as if ſhee would conceale them from other, and yet her ſelfe feele ſome of thy ſorrow: But woe is me, yonder, yonder, did ſhee put her foote into the boate, at that inſtant, as it were diuiding her heauenly beautie, betweene the Earth and the Sea. But when ſhe was imbarked, did you not marke how the windes whiſtled, and the ſeas daunſt for joy, how the ſailes did ſwell with pride, & all becauſe they had Vrania? O Vrania, bleſſed be thou Vrania, the ſweetest fairneſſe and faireſt ſweetneſſe: with that word his voice brake ſo with ſobbing, that he could ſay no further; and Claius thus anſwered; Alas my Strephon (ſaid he) what needes this skore to recken vp onely our loſſes? What doubt is there, but that the ſight of this place doth call membrance? Aſwell may ſheepe forget to feare when they ſpie woolues, as we can miſſe ſuch fancies, when we ſee any place made happie by her treading. Who can chooſe that ſaw her but thinke where ſhe ſtayed, where ſhe walkt, where ſhe turned, where ſhe ſpoke? But what is all this? truely no more, but as this place ſerued vs to thinke of thoſe things, ſo thoſe things ſerue as places to call to memorie more excellent matters. No, no, let vs thinke with conſideration, and conſider with acknowledging, & acknowledge with admiration, & admire with loue, and loue with ioy in the midſt of all woes: let vs in ſuch ſort thinke, I ſay, that our poore eyes were ſo inriched as to behold, & our lowe hearts ſo exalted as to loue a maide, who is ſuch, that as the greateſt thing the world can ſhewe, is her beautie, ſo the leaſt thing that may be praiſed in her, is her beautie. Certainly as her eye-lids are more pleaſant to behold, then two white kiddes climbing vp a faire tree, and browſing on his trendreſt branches, and yet are nothing, compared to the day-ſhining ſtarres contained in them; and as her breath is more ſweete then a gentle South-weſt wind, which comes creeping ouer flowrie fields and ſhadowed waters in the extreame heate of ſommer, and yet is nothing, compared to the hony flowing ſpeach that breath doth carrie: no more all that our eyes can ſee of her (though when they haue ſeene her, what elſe they ſhall euer ſee is but drie ſtubble after clouers graſſe) is to be matched with the flocke of vnſpeakeable vertues, laid vp delightfully in that beſt builded fold. But in deed as we can better conſider the ſunnes beautie, by marking how he guildes theſe waters and mountaines, then by looking vpon his owne face, too glorious for our weake eyes: ſo it may be our conceits (not able to beare her ſun-ſtayning excellencie) will better way it by her workes vpon ſome meaner ſubiect employed. And alas, who can better witneſſe that then we, whoſe experience is grounded vpon feeling? hath not the onely loue of her made vs (being ſilly ignorant ſhepheards) raiſe vp our thoughts aboue the ordinary leuell of the world, ſo as great clearks doe not diſdaine our conference? hath not the deſire to ſeeme worthie in her eyes, made vs when others were ſleeping, to ſit viewing the courſe of heauens? when others were running at baſe, to runne ouer learned writings? when other marke their ſheepe, we to marke our ſelues? hath not ſhe throwne reaſon vpon our deſires, and, as it were giuen eyes vnto Cupid? hath in any, but in her, loue-fellowſhip maintained ​friendſhip between rituals, & beautie taught the beholders chaſtitie? He was going on with his praiſes, but Strephon bad him ſtay, and looke: and ſo they both perceiued a thing which floated drawing nearer and nearer to the banke; but rather by the fauourable working of the Sea, then by any ſelf induſtrie. They doubted a while what it ſhould be; till it was caſt vp euen hard before them: at which time they fully ſaw that it was a man. Whereupon running for pitie ſake vnto him, they found his hands (as it ſhould appeare, conſtanter friends to his life than his memorie) faſt griping vpon the edge of a ſquare ſmall coffer, which lay all vnder his breaſt: els in himſelfe no ſhew of life, ſo as the boord ſeemed to be but a beere to carrie him a land to his Sepulcher. So drew they vp a yong man of ſo goodly ſhape, & well pleaſing ſauour, that one would thinke death had in him a louely countenance; and, that though he were naked, nakedneſſe was to him an apparell. That ſight increaſed their compaſſion, and their compaſſion called vp their care; ſo that lifting his feete aboue his head, making a great deale of ſalt water come out of his mouth, they layd him vpon ſome of their garments, and fell to rub and chafe him, till they brought him to recouer both breath the ſeruant, and warmth the companion of liuing. At length opening his eyes, he gaue a great groan, (a doleful note but a pleaſant dittie) for by that, they found not onely life, but ſtrength of life in him. They therefore continued on their charitable office, vntil (his ſpirits being well returned,) he (without ſo much as thanking them for their paines) gate vp, and looking round about to the vttermoſt limits of his ſight, and crying vpon the name of Pyrocles, not ſeeing nor hearing cauſe of comfort, what (ſaid he) and ſhall Muſidorus liue after Pyrocles deſtruction? therewithall hee offered wilfully to caſt himſelfe againe into the ſea: a ſtrange ſight to the ſhepheards, to whom it ſeemed, that before being in appearance dead, had yet ſaued his life, and now comming to his life, ſhould be a cauſe to procure his death; but they ranne vnto him, and pulling him back (then too feeble for them) by force ſtickled that vnnaturall fray. I pray you (ſaid he) honeſt men, what ſuch right haue you in me, as not to ſuffer me to do with my ſelfe what I liſt? and what pollicie haue you to beſtowe a benefite where it is counted an iniury? They hearing him ſpeake in Greeke (which was their naturall language) became the more tender hearted towards him; and conſidering by his calling, and looking, that the loſſe of ſome deare friend was great cauſe of his ſorrow; tolde him, they were poore men that were bounde by courſe of humanitie to preuent ſo great a miſchiefe; and that they wiſht him, if opinion of ſome bodies periſhing bred ſuch deſperate anguiſh in him, that he ſhould be comforted by his own proofe, who had lately eſcaped as apparant danger as any might be. No, no (ſaid he) it is not for me to attend ſo high a bliſſefulnes: but ſince you take care of me, I pray you find meanes that ſome Barke may be prouided, that wil go out of the hauen, that if it be poſſible we may find the bodie farre farre too precious a food for fiſhes: and for the hire (said he) I haue within this caſket, a value ſufficient to content them. Claius preſently went to a Fiſherman, & hauing agreed with him, & prouided ſome apparell for the naked ſtranger, he imbarked, & the Shepheards with him: and were no ſooner gone beyond the mouth of the hauen, but that ſome way into the ſea they might diſcerne (as it were) a ſtaine of the waters colour, & by times ſome ſparkes & ſmoke mounting thereout. But the yong man no ſooner ſaw it, but that beating his breaſt, he cried, that there was the beginning of his ruine, intreating them to bend their courſe as neere vnto it as they could: telling, how that ſmoke was but a ſmall relique of a great fire, which had driuen both him & his friend rather to commit themſelues to the cold mercie of the ​ſea, than to abide the hot crueltie of the fire: and that therefore though they both had abandoned the ship, that he was (if any where) in that courſe to be met withall. They ſteared therefore as neare thither-ward as they could: but when they came ſo near as their eies were ful maſters of the obiect, they ſaw a ſight ful of piteous ſtrageneſſe: a ſip, or rather the carkas of the ſhip, or rather ſome few bones of the carkas, hulling there, part broken, part burned, part drowned: death hauing vſed more than one dart to that deſtruction. About it floted great ſtore of very rich things, and many cheſtes which might promiſe no leſſe. And amidſt the precious things were a number of dead bodies, which likewiſe did not only teſtifie both elements violence, but that the chiefe violence was growne of humane inhumanity: for their bodies were full of griſly wounds, and their bloud had (as it were) filled the wrinkles of the ſeas viſage: which it ſeemed the ſea would not waſh away, that it might witneſſe it is not alwaies his fault, when we condemne his crueltie. In ſumme, a defeate, where the conquered kept both field and ſpoile: a ſhipwrack without ſtorme or ill footing and a waſt of fire in the midſt of the water.

But a little way off they ſaw the maſt, whoſe proude height now lay along; like a widdow hauing loſt her make of whom ſhe held her honour: but vpon the maſt they ſaw a yong man (at leaſt if hee were a man) bearing ſhew of about 18. yeares of age, who ſate (as on horſebacke) hauing nothing vpon him but his ſhirt, which being wrought with blew ſilke and gold; had a kind of reſemblance to the ſea: on which the ſun (then neare his Weſterne home) did ſhoote ſome of his beames. His haire (which the young man of Greece vſed to weare very long) was ſtirred vp and downe with the wind, which ſeemed to haue a ſport to play with it, as the ſea had to kiſſe his feete; himſelfe full of admirable beautie, ſet foorth by the ſtrangeneſſe both of his ſeate and geſture: for, holding his head vp full of vnmoued maieſtie, he held a ſword aloft with his faire arme, which often he waued about his crowne, as though he wold threaten the world in that extremitie. But the fiſhermen, when they came ſo neare him, that it was time to throwe out a rope, by which hold they might draw him, their ſimplicity bred ſuch amaſement, and their amaſement ſuch ſuperſtition, that (aſſuredly thinking it was ſome God begotten between Neptune & Venus, that had made all this terrible ſlaughter) as they went vnder ſaile by him, held vp their hands and made their praiers. Which when Muſidorus ſaw, though he were almoſt as much rauiſhed with ioy, as they with aſtoniſhment, he leapt to the Mariner, and tooke the cord out of his hand and (ſaying, doeſt thou liue, and art well? who anſwered, thou canſt tell beſt, ſince moſt of my well being ſtands in thee,) threwe it out, but alreadie the ſhippe was paſt beyond Pyrocles: and therefore Muſidorus could do no more but perſwade the Mariners to caſt about againe, aſſuring them that he was but a man, although of moſt deuine excellencies, and promiſing great rewards for their paine.

And now they were alreadie come vpon the ſtaies; when one of the ſailers deſcried a Galley which came with ſailes and oares directly in the chaſe of them; and ſtreight perceiued it was a wel knowne Pirate, who unted not only for goods but for bodies of men, which he emploied either to be his Galley ſlaues, or to ſell at the beſt market. Which when the Maiſter vnderſtood, he commaunded foorthwith to ſet on all the canuaſſe they could, and flie homeward, leauing in that ſort poore Pyrocles ſo neare to be reſcued. But what did not Muſidorus ſaie? what did he not offer to perſwade them to venture the fight? But feare ſtanding at the gates of their eares, put backe all perſwaſions: ſo that he had nothing wherewith to accompanie ​Pyrocles, but his eyes; nor to ſuccour him, but his wiſhes. Therefore praying for him, and caſting a long looke that way, he ſaw the Galley leaue the purſuite of them, and turne to take vp the ſpoiles of the other wracke: and laſtly he might well ſee them lift vp the young man; and alas (ſaid hee to himſelfe) deare Pyrocles ſhall that body of thine be enchained? ſhal thoſe victorious hads of thine be comanded to baſe offices? ſhal vertue become a ſlaue to thoſe that be ſlaues to viciouſneſſe? Alas, better had it bin thou hadſt ended nobly thy noble daies: what death is ſo euil as vnworthy ſerutitude? But that opinion ſoone ceaſed, when he ſaw the gallie ſetting vpon another ſhippe, which held long and ſtrong fight with her: for then he began afreſh to feare the life of his friend, & to wiſh well to the Pirates whom before he hated, leaſt in their ruine he might periſh. But the fiſhermen made ſuch ſpeede into the hauen, that they abſented his eyes from beholding the iſſue: where being entred, he could procure neither them nor any other as then to put themſelues into the ſea: ſo that being as ful of ſorrow for being vnable to do any thing, as voide of counſell how to do anything, beſides, that ſickneſſe grew ſomething vpon him, the honeſt ſhepheards Strephon & Claius (who being themſelues true friends, did the more perfectly iudge the iuſtneſſe of his ſorrow) aduiſe him, that he ſhould mitigate ſomwhat of his woe, ſince he had gotten an amendment in fortune, being come from aſſured perſwaſion of his death, to haue no cauſe to diſpaire of his life: as one that had lamented the death of his ſheepe, ſhould after know they were but ſtraied, would receiue pleaſure though readily he knew not where to find them.

Now ſir (ſaid they) thus for our ſelues it is; We are in profeſſion but ſhepheards, and in this countrie of Laconia little better than ſtraungers, and therefore neither in skill, nor ability of power greatly to ſtead you. But what we can preſent vnto you is this: Arcadia, of which countrie we are, is but a little way hence; and euen vpon the next confines there dwelleth a Gentleman, by name Kalander, who vounchſafeth much fauour vnto vs: A man who for his hoſpitalitie is ſo much haunted, that no newes ſtirre, but comes to his eares; for his vpright dealing ſo beloued of his neighbours, that he hath many euer readie to doe him their vttermoſt ſeruice, and by the great good will our Prince beares him, may ſoone obtaine the vſe of his name and credit, which hath a principall ſwaie, not onely in his owne Arcadia, but in all theſe countries of Peloponneſus: & (which is worth all) all theſe things giue him not ſo much power, as his nature giues him will to benefit: ſo that it ſeemes no Muſick is ſo ſweet to his eare as feſerued thanks. To him we will bring you, & there you may recouer againe your health, without which you cannot be able to make any diligent ſearch for your friend: and therefore you muſt labour for it Beſides, we are ſure the comfort of curteſie, and eaſe of wiſe counſell ſhall not be wanting.

Muſidorus (who beſides he was meerly vnacquainted in the countrie, had his wits aſtoniſhed with ſorrow) gaue eaſie conſent to that, from which hee ſaw no reaſon to diſagree: and therefore (defraying the Mariners with a ring beſtowed vpon them) they tooke their iourney together through Loconia; Laius and Strephon by courſe carying his cheſt for him, Muſidorus only bearing in his countenance euident markes of a ſorrowful mind ſupported with a weake bodie, which they perceiuing, and knowing that the violence of ſorrow is not at the firſt to be ſtriuen withall: (being like a mighty beaſt, ſooner tamed with following, than ouerthrowne by withſtanding) they gaue way vnto it for that day and the next; neuer troubling him, either with asking queſtions, or finding fault with his melancholie, but rather fitting to his dolor dolorous diſcourſes of their owne and other folks misfortune. Which ​ſpeeches, though they had not a liuely entrance to his ſences ſhut vp in ſorrow, yet like one halfe aſleepe he tooke hold of much of the matters ſpoken vnto him, ſo as a man may ſay, ere ſorow was aware, they made his thoughts beare away ſomething els beſide his own ſorow, which wrought ſo in him, that at length he grew content to marke their ſpeeches, then to maruell at ſuch wit in ſhepheards, after to like their company, and laſtly to vouchſafe conference: ſo that the third day after, in the time that the morning did ſtrow roſes & violets in the heauenly floore againſt the comming of the Sun, the nightingales (ſtriuing one with the other which could in moſt dainty varietie recount their wrong cauſed ſorow) made them put off their ſleep, & riſing from vnder a tree (which that night had bin their pauilion) they went on their iorney, which by and by welcomed Muſidorus eyes (wearied with the waſted ſoile of Laconia) with delightfull proſpects. There were hilles which garniſhed their proud heights with ſtately trees: humble valleis, whoſe baſe eſtate ſeemed comforted with refreſhing of ſiluer riuers: medowes, enameld with allſortes of ey-pleaſing floures: thickets, which being lined with moſt pleaſant ſhade, were witneſſed ſo too, by the cherefull depoſition of many wel-tuned birds: ech paſture ſtored with ſheepe feeding with ſober ſecuritie, while the pretie lambes with beating oratorie craued the dams comfort: here a ſhepheards boy piping, as though he ſhould neuer be old: there a yong ſhepherdeſſe knitting, and withall ſinging, and it ſeemed that her voice comforted her hands to worke, and her hands kept time to her voices muſick. As for the houſes of the country (for many houſes came vnder their eye) they were all ſcattered, no two being one by th'other, & yet not ſo far off as that it barred mutuall ſuccor: a ſhew, as it were, of an accompanable ſolitarines, & of a ciuil wildnes. I pray you (ſaid Muſidorus, then firſt vnſealing his long ſilent lips) what countreyes be theſe we paſſe through, which are ſo diuers in ſhewe, the one wanting no ſtore, th'other hauing no ſtore but of want.

The country (anſwered Claius) where you were caſt aſhore, and now are paſt through, is Laconia, not ſo poore by the barrennes of the ſoyle (though in it ſelfe not paſſing fertill) as by a ciuill warre, which being theſe two yeares within the bowels of that eſtate, betweene the gentlemen and the peaſants (by them named Helots) hath in this ſorte as it were disfigured the face of nature, and made it ſo vnhoſpitall as now you haue found it: the townes neither of the one ſide nor the other, willingly opening their gates to ſtrangers, nor ſtrangers willingly entring for feare of being miſtaken.

But this countrie (where now you ſet your foot) is Arcadia: & euen hard by is the houſe of Kalander whither we leade you: this country being thus decked with peace, & (the child of peace) good husbandrie. These houſes you ſee ſo ſcattered are of men, as we two are, that liue vpon the commoditie of their ſheepe: and therefore in the diuiſiō of the Arcadian eſtate are termed ſhepheards; a happy people, wanting litle, becauſe they deſire not much. What cauſe then ſaide Muſidorus, made you venter to leaue this ſweet life, and put your ſelfe in yonder vnpleaſant and dangerous realme? Guarded with pouertie (anſwered Strephon) and guided with loue. But now (ſaid Claius) ſince it hath pleaſed you to aske any thing of vs whoſe baſenes is ſuch as the very knowledge is darknes: geue vs leaue to know ſomething of you, and of the yong man you ſo much lament, that at leaſt we may be the better inſtructed to enforme Kalander, and he the better know how to proportion his entertainment. Muſidorus (according to the agreement betweene Pyrocles & him to alter their names) anſwered, that he called himſelfe Palladius, and his friend Daiphantus; but till I haue ​him againe (ſaid he) I am indeed nothing, and therefore my ſtorie is of nothing, his entertainment (ſince ſo good a man he is) cannot be ſo low as I account my eſtate: and in ſumme, the ſumme of all his curteſie may be to help me by ſome meanes to ſeeke my friend.

They perceiued he was not willing to open himſelfe further, and therefore without further queſtioning brought him to the houſe; about which they might ſee (with fit sonſideration both of the aire, the proſpect, and the nature of the ground) all ſuch neceſſarie additions to a great houſe, as might well ſhew, Kalander knew that prouiſion is the foundation of hoſpitalitie, & thrift the fewell of magnificence. The houſe it ſelfe was built of faire and ſtrong ſtone, not affecting ſo much any extraordinarie kind of fineneſſe, as an honourable repreſenting of a firme ſtatelineſſe. The lights, doores and ſtaires, rather directed to the vſe of the gueſt, then to the eye of the Artificer; & yet as the one chieflie heeded, ſo the other not neglected; each place handſome without curioſitie, and homely without lothſomneſſe; not ſo dainty as not to be trode one, nor yet ſlubbered vp with good felowſhip; all more laſting than beautiful, but that the conſideration of the exceeding laſtingneſſe made the eye beleeue it was exceeding beautifull. The ſeruants not ſo many in number, as cleanly in apparell, and ſeruiceable in behauious, teſtifying euen in their countenances, that their maiſter tooke aſwell care to be ſerued, as of them that did ſerue. One of them was forthwith ready to welcome the ſhepheards, as men, who though they were poore, their maiſter greatly fauored; and vnderſtanding by them, that the young man with them was to be much accounted of, for that they had ſeen tokens of more then common greatneſſe, how ſoeuer now eclipſed with fortune: he ran to his maiſter, who came preſently forth, and pleaſantly welcomming the ſhepheards, but eſpecially applying him to Muſidorus, Strephon priuately told him all what he knew of him, and particularlie that he found this ſtraunger was loth to be knowne.

No ſaid Kalander (ſpeaking aloud) I am no Herald to enquire of mens pedegrees, it ſufficeth me if I know their vertues; which (if this young mans face be not a falſe witneſſe) do better apparel his mind, thē you haue done his body. While he was thus ſpeaking, there came a boy, in ſhew like a Marchāts prentiſe, who taking Strephon by the ſleeue, deliuered him a letter, written iointly both to him and Claius from Vrania: which they no ſooner had read, but that with ſhort leaue-taking of Kalander (who quickly gueſſed and ſmiled at the matter) and once againe (though haſtily) recommending the yong man vnto him, they went away, leauing Muſidorus euen loth to part with them, for the good conuerſation he had of them, and obligation he accounted himſelfe tied in vnto them: and therefore, they deliuering his cheſt vnto him, he opened it, and would haue preſented them with two verie rich iewels, but they abſolutely refuſed them, telling him, that they were more then enough rewarded in the knowing of him, & without harkening vnto a reply (like men whoſe harts diſdained all deſires but one) gat ſpeedily away, as if the letter had brought wings to make them flie. But by that ſight Kalander ſoone iudged, that his gueſt was of no meane calling; & therfore the more reſpectfully entertaining him, Muſidorus found his ſickneſſe (which the fight, the ſea, and late trauell had layd vpon him) grow greatlie; ſo that fearing ſome ſodaine accident, he deliuered the cheſt to Kalander, which was full of moſt precious ſtones, gorgeouſlie and cunningly ſet in diuerſe maners, deſiring him he would keep thoſe trifles, and if he died, he would beſtow ſo much of it as was needfull, to find out and redeeme a young man, naming himſelfe Daiphantus, as then in the hands of Laconia pirats.

​But Kalander ſeeing him faint more and more, with carefull ſpeed conueyed him to the moſt commodious lodging in his houſe: where being poſſeſt with an extreame burning feuer, he continued ſome while with no great hope of life: but youth at length got the victorie of ſickneſſe, ſo that in ſixe weeks the excellencie of his returned beautie was a credible Embaſſador of his health, to the great ioy of Kalander; who, as in this time he had by certaine friends of his, that dwelt neare the ſea in Meſſenia, ſet forth a ſhip and a galley to ſeeke and ſuccour Daiphantus: ſo at home did he omit nothing which he thought might either profite or gratifie Palladius.

For, hauing found in him (beſides his bodily gifts beyond the degree of admiration) by daylie diſcourſes, which he delighted himſelfe to haue with him, a mind of moſt excellent compoſition (a piercing wit quite voyd of oſtentation, high erected thoughts ſeated in a heart of courteſie, an eloquence as ſweet in the vttering, as ſlow to come to the vttering, a behauiour ſo noble, as gaue a maieſtie to aduerſitie: and all in a man whoſe age could not be aboue one and twentie yeares) the good olde man was euen enamoured with a fatherlie loue towards him, or rather became his ſeruant by the bonds ſuch vertue laid vpon him; once, he acknowledged himſelfe ſo to be, by the badge of diligent attendance.

But Palladius hauing gotten his health, & only ſtaying there to be in place, where he might heare anſwere of the ſhips ſet forth, Kalander one afternoone led him abroad to a well arrayed ground he had behind his houſe, which he thought to ſhew him before his going, as the place himſelfe more then in anie other delighted. The backſide of the houſe was neither field, garden, nor orchard; or rather it was both field, garden, and orchard: for as ſoone as the deſcending of the ſtaires had deliuered them downe, they came into a place cunningly ſet with trees of the most taſt-pleaſing fruits: but ſcarcely they had taken that into their conſideration, but that they were ſodainly ſtept into a delicate greene, of each ſide of the greene a thicket, and behind the thickets againe new beds of flowers, which being vnder the trees, the trees were to them a Pauillion, and they to the trees a Moſaicall floore: ſo that it ſeemed that Arte therein would needs be delightfull, by counterfeyting his enemie Errour, and making order in confuſion.

In the middeſt of all the place was a faire pond, whoſe ſhaking chriſtall was a perfect mirrour to all the other beauties, ſo that it bare ſhew of two gardens; one in deede, the other in ſhadowes: and in one of the thickets was a fine fountaine made thus: A naked Venus of white marble, wherein the grauer had vsed ſuch cunning, that the natural blew veines of the marble were framed in fit places, to ſet forth the beautifull veynes of her bodie. At her breaſt ſhe had her babe Aeneas, who ſeemed (hauing begun to ſucke) to leaue that, to looke vpon her faire eyes, which ſmiled at the babes follie, meane while the breaſt running. Hard by was a houſe of pleaſure built for a ſommer retiring place, whither Kalander leading him, he found a ſquare roome full of delightfull pictures, made by the most excellent workeman of Greece. There was Diana when Acteon ſaw her bathing, in whoſe cheeks the Painter had ſet ſuch a colour, as was mixt betweene ſhame and diſdaine; and one of her fooliſh Nymphs, who weeping, and withall lowring, one might ſee the workman meant to ſet forth teares of anger. In another table was Atalanta; the poſture of whoſe limmes was ſo liuely expreſſed, that if the eyes were the only iudges, as they be the only ſeers, one wold haue ſworn the very picture had run. Beſides many mo, as of Helena, Omphale, Iole: but in none of them all beautie ſeemed to ſpeake ſo much as in a large table, ​which contained a comely old man, with a Ladie of middle age, but of excellēt beautie, and more excellent would haue bene deemed, but that there ſtood between them a young maide, whoſe wonderfulneſſe tooke away all beautie frō her, but that which it might ſeeme ſhe gaue her backe againe by her verie ſhadow. And ſuch difference (being knowne that it did indeed counterfeit a perſon liuing) was there betweene her and all the other, though Goddeſſes, that it ſeemed the skill of the Painter beſtowed on the other new beautie, but that the beauty of her beſtowed new skill of the Painter. Though he thought inquiſitiueneſſe an vncomely gueſt, he could not chooſe but aske who ſhe was, that bearing ſhew of one being in deed, could with naturall gifts go beyond the reach of inuention. Kalander anſwered, that it was made by Philoclea, the younger daughter of his Prince, who alſo with his wife were contained in that Table: the Painter meaning to repreſent the preſent condition of the young Ladie, who ſtood watched by an ouer-curious eye of her parents; and that he would alſo haue drawne her eldeſt ſiſter, eſteemed her match for beautie, in her ſhepheardiſh attire, but that the rude clowne her gardian would not ſuffer it; neither durſt he aske leaue of the Prince for feare of ſuſpition. Palladius perceiued that the matter was wrapt vp in ſome ſecrecie, and therefore would for modeſtie demaund no further: but yet his countenance could not but with dumbe eloquence deſire it: Which Kalander perceiuing, well, ſayd he, my deare gueſt, I know your mind, and I will ſatisfie the queſtion, but I will diſcouer vnto you, aſwell that wherein my knowledge is common with others, as that which by extraordinarie means is deliuered vnto me: knowing ſo much in you (though not long acquainted) that I ſhall find your eares faithfull treaſurers. So then ſitting downe in two chaires, and ſometimes caſting his eye to the picture, he thus ſpake.

This countrie Arcadia among all the prouinces of Greece, hath euer bene had in ſingular reputation: partly for the ſweetneſſe of the aire, and other naturall benefits, but principally for the well tempered mindes of the pople, who (finding that the ſhining title of glorie, ſo much affected by other nations, doth indeed help litle to the happineſſe of life) are the only people, which as by their iuſtice and prouidence giue neither cauſe nor hope to their neighbours to annoy them, ſo are they not ſtirred with falſe praiſe to trouble others quiet, thinking it a ſmall reward for the waſting of their owne liues in rauening, that their poſteritie ſhold long after ſay, they had done ſo. Euen the Muſes ſeeme to approue their good determination, by chooſing this countrie for their chiefe repairing place, and by beſtowing their perfections ſo largely here, that the very ſhepheards haue their fancies lifted to ſo high conceits, as the learned of other nations are content both to borrow their names, and imitate their cunning.

Here dwelleth and raigneth this Prince (whoſe picture you ſee) by name Baſilius, a Prince of ſufficient skill to gouerne ſo quiet a countrie, where the good minds of the former Princes had ſet downe good lawes, & the well bringing vp of the people doth ſerue as a moſt ſure bond to hold thē. But to be plaine with you, he excels in nothing ſo much, as in the zealous loue of his people, wherein he doth not onely paſſe all his owne fore-goers, but as I think all the Princes liuing. Whereof the cauſe is, that though he exceed not in the vertues which get admiration; as depth of wiſedome, height of courage and largeneſſe of magnificence, yet is he notable in thoſe which ſtirre affection, as truth of word, meekneſſe, curteſie, mercifulneſſe, and liberality.

He being already well ſtriken in yeares, maried a young Princeſſe named Gynecis, ​daughter to the king of Cyprus, of notable beautie, as by her picture you ſee: a woman of great wit, and in truth of more princely vertues than her husband; of moſt vnſpotted chaſtitie, but of ſo working a mind, and ſo behement ſpirits, as a man may ſay, it was happie ſhe tooke a good courſe, for otherwiſe it would haue bene terrible.

Of theſe two are brought to the world two daughters, ſo beyond meaſure excellent in all the gifts allotted to reaſonable creatures, that we may thinke they were borne to ſhew, that nature is no ſtepmother to that ſexe, how much ſoeuer ſome men (ſharp-witted only in euill ſpeaking) haue ſought to diſgrace them. The elder is named Pamela; by many men not deemed inferiour to her ſiſter: for my part, whē I marked thē both, me thought there was (if at leaſt ſuch perfections may receiue the word of more) more ſweetneſſe in Philoclea, but more maieſty in Pamela: me thought loue plaid in Philocleas eyes, and threatned in Pamelas: me thought Philocleas beautie only perſwaded, but ſo perſwaded as all hearts muſt yeeld: Pamelas beautie vſed violence, and ſuch violence as no heart could reſiſt: and it ſeems that ſuch proportion is betweene their minds: Philoclea ſo baſhfull, as though her excellencies had ſtolne into her before ſhe was aware; ſo humble, that ſhe will put all pride out of countenance; in ſumme, ſuch proceeding as will ſtirre hope, but teach hope good maners. Pamela of high thoughts, who auoyds not pride with not knowing her excellencies, but by making that one of her excellencies to be voyd of pride; her mothers wiſedome, greatneſſe, nobilitie, but (if I can gueſſe aright) knit with a more constant temper. Now then, our Baſilius being ſo publikelie happie as to be a Prince, and ſo happie in that happineſſe, as to be a beloued Prince, and ſo in his priuate bleſſed as to haue ſo excellent a wife, and ſo ouer excellent children, hath of late taken a courſe, which yet makes him more ſpoken of than all theſe bleſſings. For, hauing made a iourney to Delphos, and ſafely returned, within ſhort ſpace he brake vp his Court, and retired himſelfe, his wife & children into a certain forreſt hereby, which he calleth his deſert; wherein (beſides a houſe appointed for ſtables, and lodgings for certaine perſons of meane calling, who do all houſhold ſeruices) he hath builded two fine lodges: in the one of them himſelfe remaines with his yonger daughter Philoclea, which was the cauſe they three were matched together in this picture, without hauing any other creature liuing in that lodge with him.

Which, though it be ſtraunge, yet not ſo ſtraunge, as the courſe he hath taken with the Princeſſe Pamela, whom he hath placed in the other lodge: but how thinke you accompanied? truly with none other but one Dametas, the moſt arrant doltiſh clowne, that I thinke euer was without the priuiledge of a bable, with his wife Miſo, and daughter Mopſa, in whom no wit can deuiſe any thing wherein they may pleaſure her, but to exerciſe her patience, and to ſerue for a foyle of her perfections. This lowtiſh clowne is ſuch, that you neuer ſaw ſo ilfauoured a viſar; his behauiour ſuch, that he is beyond the degree of ridiculous; and for his apparell, euen a I would wiſh him: Miso his wife, ſo handſome a beldame, that onely her face and her ſplay-foote haue made her accuſed for a witch; only one good point ſhe hath, that ſhe obſerues decorum, hauing a froward mind in a wretched body. Between theſe two perſonages (who neuer agreed in any humour, but in diſagreeing) is iſſed forth miſtreſſe Mopsa, a fit woman to participate of both their perfections: but becauſe a pleaſant fellow of my acquaintance ſet forth her praiſes in verſe, I will only repeat them, and ſpare mine owne tongue, ſince ſhe goes for a woman. The verſes are theſe, which I haue ſo often cauſed to be ſung, that I haue them without booke:

Now truly hauing made theſe deſcriptions vnto you, me thinks you ſhould imagine that I rather faine ſome pleaſant deuiſe, then recount a truth, that a Prince (not baniſhed from his owne wits) could poſſible make ſo vnworthie a choiſe But trulie (deare gueſt) ſo it is, that Princes (whoſe doings haue bene often ſmoothed with good ſucceſſe) thinke nothing ſo abſurd, which they cannot make honourable. The beginning of his credit was by the Princes ſtraying out of the way, and ſo falling into other queſtions, he found ſome of his anſweres (as a dog ſure if he could ſpeake, had wit enough to deſcribe his kennell) not vnſenſible, and all vttered with ſuch rudeneſſe, which he interpreted plainneſſe (though there be great difference betweene them) that Baſilius conceiuing a ſodaine delight, tooke him to his Court, with apparant ſhew of his good opinion: where the flattering Courtier had no ſooner taken the Princes mind, but that there were ſtraight reaſons to confirme the Princes doing, & ſhadowes of vertues found for Dametas. His ſilence grew wit, his bluntneſſe integritie, his beaſtlie ignorance vertuous ſimplicitie: and the Prince (according to the nature of great perſons, in loue with that he had done himſelfe) fancied, that his weakneſſe with his preſence would much bee mended. And ſo like a creature of his owne making, he liked him more and more; and thus hauing firſt giuen him the office of principall heardman; laſtly, ſince he tooke this ſtrange determination, he hath in a maner put the life of himſelfe and his children into his hands. Which authority (like too great a ſaile for ſo ſmall a boat) doth ſo ouer-ſway poore Dametas, that if before he were a good foole in a chāber, he might be allowed it now in a comedy: ſo as I doubt me (I feare me indeed) my maſter will in the end (with his coſt) find, that his office is not to make men, but to vſe men as men are, no more then a horſe will be taught to hunt, or an aſſe to mannage. But in ſooth I am afraid I haue giuen your eares too great a ſurfet, with the groſſe diſcourſes of that heauy peece of fleſh. But the zealous griefe I conceiue to ſee ſo great an errour in my Lord, hath made me beſtow more words, then I confeſſe ſo baſe a ſubiect deſerueth.

Thus much now that I haue told you, is nothing more then in effect anie Arcadian knowes. But what moued him to this ſtrange ſolitarineſſe, hath bene imparted (as I thinke) but to one perſon liuing. My ſelfe can coniecture, and indeed more then coniecture by this accident that I will tell you: I haue an only ſonne, by name Clitophon, who is now abſent, preparing for his owne mariage, which I mean ſhortly ​ſhalbe here celebrated. This ſonne of mine (while the Prince kept his Court) was of his bed chamber; now ſince the breaking vp thereof, returned home, and ſhewed me (among other things he had gathered) the copie which hee had taken of a letter: which when the Prince had read, he had laid in a windowe, preſuming no body durſt looke in his writings: but my ſonne not only tooke a time to reade it, but to copie it. In truth I blamed Clitophon for the curioſitie, which made him breake his dutie in ſuch a kind, whereby kings ſecrets are ſubiect to be reuealed: but ſince it was done, I was content to take ſo much profite, as to know it. Now here is the letter, that I euer ſince for my good liking, haue caried about me: which before I reade vnto you, I muſt tell you from whom it came. It is a noble-man of this countrie, named Philanax, appointed by the Prince, regent in this time of his retiring, & most worthy ſo to be: for, there liues no man, whoſe excellent witte more ſimplye imbraceth integritie, beſides his vnfained loue to his maiſter, wherein neuer yet any could make queſtion, ſauing whether he loued Baſilius or the Prince better: a rare temper, while moſt men either ſeruile-ly yeeld to all appetites, or with an obſtinate auſteritie looking to that they fancie good, in effect neglect the Princes perſon. This then being the man, whome of all other (and moſt worthie) the Prince chiefely loues, it ſhould ſeeme (for more then the letter I haue not to gheſſe by) that the Prince vpon his returne from Delphos, (Philanax then lying ſick) had written vnto him his determination, riſing (as euidently appeares) vpon ſome Oracle he had there receiued: whereunto he wrote this anſwere.

Moſt redoubted and beloued Prince, if as well it had pleaſed you at your going to Delphos as now, to haue vſed my humble ſeruice, both I ſhould in better ſeaſon, and to better purpoſe haue ſpoken: and you (if my ſpeech had preuailed) ſhould haue been at this time, as no way more in danger, ſo much more in quietnes; I would then haue ſaide, that wiſedome and vertue be the onely deſtinies appointed to man to follow, whence we ought to ſeeke all our knowledge, ſince they be ſuch guides as cannot faile; which, beſides their inward comfort, do leade ſo direct a way of proceeding, as either proſperitie muſt enſue; or, if the wickedneſſe of the world ſhould oppreſſe it, it can neuer be ſaid, that euil happeneth to him, who falles accompanied with vertue: I would then haue ſaid, the heauenly powers to be reuerenced, and not ſerched into; & their mercies rather by praiers to be ſought, then their hidden counſels by curioſitie. Theſe kindes of ſoothſayings (ſince they haue left vs in our ſelues ſufficient guides) to be nothing but fancie, wherein there muſt either be vanitie, or infalliblenes, & ſo, either not to be reſpected, or not to be preuented. But ſince it is weakeneſſe to much to remember what ſhould haue beene done, and that your commaundement ſtretcheth to know what is to be done, I do (moſt deare Lord) with humble boldnes ſay, that the manner of your determination doth in no ſort better pleaſe me, then the cauſe of your going. Theſe thirtie yeares you haue ſo gouerned this Region, that neither your Subiects haue wanted iuſtice in you, nor you obedience in them; and your neighbours haue found you ſo hurtelſly ſtrong, that they thought it better to reſt in your friendſhip, then make new trial of your enmitie. If this then haue proceeded out of the good conſtitution of your ſtate, and out of a wiſe prouidence, generally to preuent all thoſe things, which might encomber your happines: why ſhould you now ſeeke new courſes, ſince your own example comforts you to continue, & that it is to me moſt certaine ​though it pleaſe you not to tell me the verie words of the Oracle) that yet no deſtiny nor influence whatſoeuer, can bring mans wit to a higher point, than wiſdome and goodneſſe? Why ſhold you depriue your ſelf of gouernment, for feare of loſing your gouernment, like one that ſhould kill himſelfe for feare of death? Nay rather if this Oracle be to be accounted of, arme vp your courage the more againſt it: for who wil ſticke to him taht abandons himſelfe; let your ſubiects haue you in their eyes; let them ſee the benefits of your iuſtice dayly more & more; and ſo muſt they needs rather like of preſent ſureties then vncertaine chaunges. Laſtly, whether your time call you to liue or die, do both like a Prince. Now for your ſecond reſolution; which is to ſuffer no worthy Prince to be a ſuter to either of your daughters, but while you liue to keepe them both vnmaried, &, as it were, to kill the ioy of poſteritie, which in your time you may enioy, moued perchance by a miſ-underſtood Oracle: what ſhall I ſay, if the affection of a father to his owne children, cannot plead ſufficientlie againſt ſuch fancies? once certaine it is, the God which is God of nature, doth neuer teach vnnaturalneſſe: and euen the ſame mind hold I touching your baniſhing them from companie, leaſt, I know not what ſtrange loues ſhould follow. Certainlie ſir, in my Ladies your daughters, nature promiſeth nothing but goodneſſe, and their education by your fatherly care hath bene hitherto ſuch, as hath bene moſt fit to reſtraine all euill; giuing their minds vertuous delights, and not grieuing them for want of well ruled libertie. Now to fall to a ſodaine ſtraightning them, what can it do but argue ſuſpition, a thing no more vnpleaſant, then vnſure, for the preſeruing of vertue. Leaue womens minds, the moſt vntamed that way of any: ſee whether a cage can pleaſe a bird? or whether a dog grow not fiercer with tying? what doth iealouſie, but ſtirre vp the mind to thinke, what it is from which they are reſtrained? for they are treaſures or things of great delight, which men vſe to hide, for the aptneſſe they haue to each mans fancies: and the thoughts once awaked to that, harder ſure it is to keepe thoſe thoughts from accompliſhment, then had bene before to haue kept the mind (which being the chiefe part, by this means is defiled) from thinking. Laſtly, for the recommending ſo principall a charge of the Princeſſe Pamela (whoſe mind goes beyond the gouerning of manie thouſands ſuch) to ſuch a person as Dametas is (beſides that the thing in it ſelfe is ſtrange) it comes of a verie euill ground, that ignorance ſhould be the mother of faithfulneſſe; O no; he cannot be good that knowes not why he is good, but ſtands ſo farre good as his fortune may keepe him vnaſſayed: but comming once to that, his rude ſimplicitie is either eaſily changed, or eaſily deceiued: and ſo growes that to be the laſt excuſe of his fault, which ſeemed to haue bene the firſt foundation of his faith. Thus farre hath your commandement and my zeale drawne me; which I, like a man in a valley that may diſcerne hilles, or like a poore paſſenger that may ſpie a rocke, ſo humblie ſubmit to your gracious conſideration, beſeeching you againe to ſtand wholly vpon your owne vertue, as the ſureſt way to maintaine you in that you are, and to auoyd any euill which may be imagined.

By the contents of this letter you may perceiue, that the cauſe of all, hath bene the vanitie which poſſeſſeth many, who (making a perpetuall māſion of this poore baiting place of mans life) are deſirous to know the certaintie of things to come; wherein there is nothing ſo certaine as our continuall vncertaintie. But what in particular points the Oracle was, in faith I know not; neither (as you may ſee by one place of Philanax leter) he himſelfe diſtinctly knew. But this experience ſhewes vs, that Baſilius iudgement, corrupted with a Princes fortune, hath rather heard then ​followed the wiſe (as I take it) counſell of Philanax. For hauing left the ſterne of his gouernment, with much amazement to the people, among whom many ſtraunge bruits are receiued for currant, and with ſome apparance of danger in reſpect of the valiant Amphialus his nephew, & much enuying the ambitious number of the Nobilitie againſt Philanax, to ſee Philanax ſo aduanced, though (to ſpeake ſimplie) he deſerue more then as many of vs as there be in Arcadia: the Prince hiſelfe hath hidden his head, in ſuch ſort as I told you, not ſticking plainely to confeſſe, that he means not (while he breathes) that his daughters ſhal haue any husband, but keepe them thus ſolitary with him: where he giues no other body leaue to viſite him at any time but a certaine Prieſt, who being excellent in poetrie, he makes him write out ſuch things as he beſt likes, he being no leſſe delightfull in conuerſation, then needfull for deuotion, and about twenty ſpecified ſhepheards, in whom (ſome for exerciſes, and ſome for Eglogs) he taken greater recreation.

And now you know as much as my ſelfe: wherein if I haue held you ouer long, lay hardly the fault vpon my olde age, which in the verie diſpoſition of it is talkatiue: whether it be (ſaid he ſmiling) that nature loues to exerciſe that part moſt, which is leaſt decayed, and that is our tongue: or, that knowledge being the onlie thing whereof we poore olde men can brag, we cannot make it knowne but by vtterance: or, that mankind by all meanes ſeeking to eternize himſelfe ſo much the more, as he is neare his end, doth it not onely by the children that come of him, but by ſpeeches and writings recommended to the memorie of hearers & readers. And yet thus much I will ſay for my ſelfe, that I haue not laid theſe matters, either ſo openly or largely to anie as to your ſelfe: ſo much (if I much faile not) do I ſee in you, which makes me both loue and truſt you. Neuer may he be old, anſwered Palladius, that doth not reuerence that age, whoſe heauineſſe, if it waie downe the frayle and fleſhlie ballance, it as much lifts vp the noble and ſpirituall part; and well might you haue alleaged another reaſon, that their wiſedome makes them willing to profite others. And that haue I receiued of you, neuer to be forgotten, but with vngratefulneſſe. But among many ſtrange conceits you told me, which haue ſhewed effects in your Prince, truly euen the laſt, that he ſhould conceiue ſuch pleaſure in ſhepheards diſcourſes, would not ſeeme the leaſt vnto me, ſauing that you told me at the firſt, that this countrie is notable in thoſe wits, and that indeed my ſelfe hauing bene brought not only to this place, but to my life by Strephon and Claius, in their conference found wits as might better become ſuch ſhepheards as Homer ſpeaks of, that be gouernours of peoples, then ſuch Senators who hold their Councel in a ſheep cote. For them two (ſaid Kalander) eſpecially Claius, they are beyond the reſt by ſo much, as learning commonly doth adde to nature: for, hauing neglected their wealth in reſpect of their knowledge, they haue not ſo much impaired the meaner, as they bettered the better. Which all notwithſtanding, it is a ſport to heare how they impute to loue, which hath indued their thoughts (ſay they) with ſuch a ſtrength.

But certainly all the people of this countrie from high to lowe, is giuen to thoſe ſports of the wit, ſo as you would wonder to heare how ſoone euen children will begin to verſifie. Once, ordinarie it is amongſt the meaneſt ſort, to make ſongs and dialogues in meeter, either loue whetting their braine, or long peace hauing begun it; example and emulation amending it. Not ſo much, but the Clowne Dametas will ſtumble ſometimes vpon ſome ſongs that might become a better braine: but no ſort of people ſo excellent in that kind as the paſtors; for their liuing ſtanding ​but vpon the looking to their beaſts, they haue eaſe, the Nurſe or Poetrie. Neither are our ſhepheards ſuch, as (I heare) they be in other countries; but they are the verie owners of the ſheepe, to which either themſelues looke, or their children giue dayly attendance. And then truly, it would delight you vnder ſome tree, or by ſome riuers ſide (when two or three of them meet together) to heare their rurall Muſe, how pretilie it will deliuer out, ſometimes ioyes, ſometimes lamentations, ſometimes chalengings one of the other, ſometimes vnder hidden formes uttering ſuch matters, as otherwiſe they durſt not deale with. Then haue they moſt commonlie one, who iudgeth the priſe to the beſt doer, of which they are no leſſe glad, then great Princes are of Triumphs: and his part is to ſet downe in writing all that is ſaid, ſaue that it may be, his pen with more leaſure doth poliſh the rudeneſſe of an unthought-on ſong. Now the choiſe of all (as you may well thinke) either for goodneſſe of voice, or pleaſantneſſe of wit, the Prince hath: among whom alſo there are two or three ſtrangers, whom inward melancholies hauing made wearie of the worlds eyes, haue come to ſpend their liues among the countrie people of Arcadia; and their conuerſation being well approoued, the Prince vouchſafeth them his preſence, and not onely by looking on, but by great curteſie & liberalitie, animates the ſhepheards the more exquiſitely to labour for his good liking. So that there is no cauſe to blame the Prince for ſometimes hearing them; the blame-worthineſſe is, that to heare them, he rather goes to ſolitarineſſe, then makes them come to companie. Neither do I accuſe my maiſter for aduauncing a countriman, as Dametas is, ſince God forbid, but where worthineſſe is (as truly it is among diuerſe of that fellowſhip) any outward lowneſſe ſhould hinder the higheſt raiſing, but that he would needs make election of one, the baſeneſſe of whoſe mind is ſuch, that it ſinks a thouſand degrees lower than the baſeſt body could carie the moſt baſe fortune: which although it might be anſwered for the Prince, that it is rather a truſt he hath in his ſimple plainneſſe, then any great aduauncement, but being chiefe heardman; yet all honeſt hearts feele, that the truſt of their Lord goes beyond all aduauncement. But I am euer too long vpon him, when he croſſeth the way of my ſpeach, and by the ſhadow of yonder tower, I ſee it is a fitter time, with our ſupper to pay the duties we owe to our ſtomacks, then to breake the aire with my idle diſcourſes: and more wit I might haue learned of Homer (whom euen now you mentioned) who neuer entertained either gueſts or hoſts with long ſpeeches, till the mouth of hunger be throughly ſtopped. So withall he roſe, leading Palladius through the garden againe to the Parler, where they vſed to ſuppe; Palladius aſſuring him that he had already bene more fed to his liking, then he could be by the skilfulleſt trenchermen of Media.

But being come to the ſupping place, one of Kalanders ſeruants rounded in his eare; at which (his colour changing) he retired himſelfe into his chamber; commanding his men diligently to wait vpon Palladius, and to excuſe his abſence with ſome neceſſary buſineſſe he had preſently to diſpatch. Which they accordingly did, for ſome few dayes forcing thēſelues to let no change appeare, but though they framed their countenances neuer ſo cunningly, Palladius perceiued there was ſome ill-pleaſing accidēt fallen out. Whereupon, being againe ſet alone at ſupper, he called to the ſteward, and deſired him to tell him the matter of his ſudden alteration: who after ſome trifling excuſes, in the end confeſſed vnto him, that his maſter had receiued newes, that his ſonne before the day of his neare mariage, chaunſt to be at a battaile, which was to be fought betweene the Gentlemen of Lacedæmon and the ​Helots: who winning the victorie, he was there made priſoner, going to deliuer a friend of his taken priſoner by the Helots; there the poore young Gentleman had offered great ranſome for his life; but that the hate thoſe peaſants conceiued againſt all Gentlemen was ſuch, that euery houre he was to look for nothing, but ſome cruell death: which hitherunto had only bene delayed by the Captaines vehement dealing for him, who ſeemed to haue a heart of more manly pitie then the reſt. VVhich loſſe hat ſtricken the old Gentleman with ſuch ſorrow, as if abundance of teares did not ſeeme ſufficiently to witneſſe it, he was alone retired, tearing his beard and haire, and curſing his old age, that had not made his graue to ſtop his eares from ſuch aduertiſements: but that his faithfull ſeruants had written in his name to all his friends followers, and tenants (Philanax the gouernour refuſing to deale in it as a priuate cauſe, but yet giuing leaue to ſeeke their beſt redreſſe, ſo as they wronged not the ſtate of Lacedæmon) of whom there were now gathered vpon the frontiers good forces, that he was ſure would ſpend their liues by any way, to redeeme or reuenge Clitophon. Now ſir (ſaid he) this is my maiſters nature, though his griefe be ſuch, as to liue is a griefe vnto him, and that euen his reaſon is darkened with ſorrow; yet the lawes of hoſpitalitie (long and holily obſerued by him) giue ſtill ſuch a ſway to his proceeding, that he will no way ſuffer the ſtraunger lodged vnder his roofe, to receiue (as it were) any infection of his anguiſh, eſpecially you, toward whom I know not whether his loue, or admiration be greater. But Palladius could ſcarce heare out his tale with patience, ſo was his heart torne in peeces with compaſſion of the caſe, liking of Kalanders noble behauiour, kindneſſe for his reſpect to himward, and deſire to find ſome remedie, beſides the image of his deareſt friend Daiphantus, whom he iudged to ſuffer either a like or worſe fortune. Therfore riſing from the boord, he deſired the ſteward to tell him particularly, the ground & euent of this accident, becauſe by knowledge of many circumſtances, there might perhaps ſome way of help be opened. Wherunto the ſteward eaſily in this ſort condiſcended.

My Lord (ſaid he) when our good King Baſilius, with better ſucceſſe then expectation, took to wife (euen in his more then decaying yeares) the faire young Princeſſe Gynecia; there came with her a yong Lord, couſin german to her ſelfe, named Argalus, led hither, partly with the loue and honour of his noble kinſwoman, partly with the humour of youth, which euer thinks that good, whoſe goodneſſe he ſees not: & in this court he receiued ſo good increaſe of knowledge, that after ſome years ſpent, he ſo manifeſted a moſt vertuous mind in all his actions, that Arcadia gloried such a plant was tranſported vnto them, being a Gentleman indeed moſt rarely accompliſhed, excellently learned, but without all vaine glorie: friendly, without factiouſneſſe; valient, ſo as for my part, I think the earth hath no man that hath done more heroicall acts then he; howſoeuer now of late the fame flies of the two Princes of Theſſalia and Macedon, and hath long done of our noble Prince Amphialus; who indeed, in our parts is onely accounted likely to match him: but I ſay for my part, I thinke no man for valour of mind, and abilitie of body to be preferred, if equalled to Argalus; and yet ſo valiant as he neuer durſt do any body iniurie: in behauiour ſome will ſay euer ſad, ſurely ſober, and ſomewhat giuen to muſing, but neuer vncurteous; his word euer led by his thought, and followed by his deed; rather liberall then magnificent, though the one wanted not, and the other had euer good choiſe of the receiuer: in ſumme (for I perciue I ſhall eaſilie take a great draught of his praiſes, whom both I and all this countrie loue ſo well) ​ſuch a man was (and I hope is) Argalus, as hardly the niceſt eye can find a ſpot in, if the ouer-vehemēt conſtancy of yet ſpotleſſe affection, may not in hard wreſted conſtructions be counted a ſpot: which in this manner began that worke in him, which hath made both him, and it ſelfe in him ouer all this countrey famous. My maiſters ſonne Clitophon (whoſe loſſe giues the cauſe to this diſcourſe, & yet giues me cauſe to begin with Argalus, ſince his loſſe proceeds from Argalus) being a young Gentleman, as of great birth (being our kings ſiſters ſonne) ſo truly of good nature, and one that can ſee good and loue it, haunted more the companie of this worthy Argalus, then of any other: ſo as if there were not a friendſhip (which is ſo rare, as it is to be doubted whether it be a thing indeed, or but a word) at leaſt there was ſuch a liking and friendlineſſe, as hath brought forth the effects which you ſhall heare. About two yeares ſince, it ſo fell out, that hee brought him to a great Ladies houſe, ſiſter to my maiſter, who had with her her onelie daughter, the faire Parthenia; faire indeed (fame I think it ſelfe daring not to call anie fairer, if it be not Helena Queene of Corinth, & the two incomparable ſiſters of Arcadia) & that which made her faireneſſe much the fairer, was, that it was but a faire Embaſſadour of a moſt faire mind, full of wit, and a wit which delighted more to iudge it ſelfe, then to ſhew it ſelfe: her ſpeech being as rare as precious; her ſilence without ſullenneſſe; her modeſtie without affectation; her ſhamefaſtneſſe without ignorance: in ſumme, one that to praiſe well, one muſt firſt ſet downe with himſelfe, what it is to be excellent: for ſo ſhe is.

I thinke you think, that theſe prefections meeting, could not chooſe but find one another, and delight in that they found; for likeneſſe of maners is likely in reaſon to draw liking with affection: mens actions do not alwaies croſſe with reaſon: to be ſhort, it did ſo indeed. They loued, although for a while the fire thereof (hopes wings being cut off) were blowne by the bellowes of diſpaire vpon this occaſion.

There had bene a good while before, & ſo continued, a ſuter to this ſame Ladie, a great noble man, though of Laconia, yet neare neighbour to Parthenias mother, named Demagoras: a man mighty in riches & power, and proud thereof, ſtubbornlie ſtout, louing no body but himſelfe, and for his owne delights ſake Parthenia: & purſuing vehemētlie his deſire, his riches had ſo guilded ouer al his other imperfectiōs, that the olde Lady (though contrarie to my Lord her brothers mind) had giuen her conſent; & vſing a mothers authority vpon her faire daughter, had made her yeeld thereunto, not becauſe ſhe liked her choiſe, but becauſe her obedient mind had not yet taken vpon it to make choiſe; & the day of their aſſurance drew neare, when my young Lord Clitophon brought this noble Argalus, perchance principallie to ſee ſo rare a ſight, as Parthenia by all well iudging eyes was iudged.

But though few dayes were before the time of aſſurance appointed, yet loue that ſaw he had a great iourney to make in ſhort time, haſted to himſelfe, that before her word could tie her to Demagoras, her heart hath vowed her to Argalus, with ſo gratefull a receipt in mutuall affection, that if ſhe deſired aboue all things to haue Argalus, Argalus feared nothing but to miſſe Parthenia. And now Parthenia had learned both liking and miſliking, louing and loathing, and out of paſſion began to take the authoritie of iudgment; in ſo much, that when the time came that Demagoras (full of proud ioy) thought to receiue the gift of her ſelfe, ſhe with words of reſolute refuſal (though with teares ſhewing ſhe was ſorie ſhe muſt refuſe) aſſured her mother, ſhe would firſt be bedded in her graue, then wedded to Demagoras. The chaunge was no more ſtraunge, then vnpleaſant to the mother: who ​being determinately (leaſt I ſhould ſay of a great Lady wilfullie) bent to marie her to Demagoras, tried all wayes which a wittie and hard-hearted mother could vſe, vpon ſo humble a daughter; in whō the only reſiſting power was loue. But the more ſhe aſſaulted, the more ſhe taught Parthenia to defend; and the more Parthenia defended, the more ſhe made her mother obſtinate in the aſſault: who at length finding, that Argalus ſtanding betweene them, was it that moſt eclipſed her affection from ſhining vpon Demagoras, ſhe ſought all meanes how to remoue him, ſo much the more as she manifeſted himſelfe an vnremoueable ſuter to her daughter: firſt, by employing him in as many dangerous enterpriſes, as euer the euill ſtep-mother Iuno recommended to the famous Hercules: but the more his vertue was tried, the more pure it grew, while all the things ſhe did to ouerthrow him, did ſet him vp vpon the height of honour; enough to haue moued her heart, eſpecially to a man euerie way ſo worthie as Argalus: but ſhe ſtrugling againſt all reaſon, becauſe ſhe would haue her will, and ſhew her authoritie in matching her with Demagoras, the more vertuous Argalus was, the more ſhe hated him, thinking herſelfe conquered in his conqueſts, and therefore ſtill imploying him in more & more dangerous attempts: in the meane while, ſhe vſed all extremities poſſible vpon her faire daughter, to make her giue ouer her ſelfe to her direction. But it was hard to iudge, whether he in doing, or ſhe in ſuffring, ſhewed greater cōſtancy of affection: for, as to Argalus the world ſooner wanted occaſions, then he valour to go through them: ſo to Parthenia, malice ſooner ceaſed, then her vnchanged patience. Laſtly, by treaſons, Demagoras and ſhe would haue made away Argalus; but he with prouidence and courage ſo paſt ouer all, that the mother tooke ſuch a ſpitefull griefe at it, that her heart brake withall; and ſhe died.

But then, Demagoras assuring himſelfe, that now Parthenia was her owne ſhe would neuer be his, and receiuing as much by her owne determinate anſwere, not more deſiring his owne happineſſe, then enuying Argalus, whome he ſaw with narrow eyes, euen ready to enioy the perfection of his deſires, ſtrengthening his conceit with all the miſchieuous counſels which diſdained loue, and enuious pride could giue vnto him; the wicked wretch (taking a time that Argalus was gone to his countrie, to fetch ſome of his principall friends to honour the mariage, which Parthenia had moſt ioyfullie conſented vnto) the wicked Demagoras (I ſay) deſiring to ſpeake with her, with vnmercifull force (her weake armes in vaine reſiſting) rubd all ouer her face a moſt horrible poyſon: the effect whereof was ſuch, that neuer leaper lookt more vgly then ſhe did: which done, hauing his men and horſes ready, departed away in ſpite of her ſeruants, as ready to reuenge as they could be, in ſuch an vnexpected miſchiefe. But the abhominableneſſe of this fact being come to my L. Kalander, he made ſuch means, both by our kings interceſſion, and his owne, that by the King & Senate of Lacedæmon, Demagoras was vpon paine of death baniſhed the countrie: who hating the puniſhment, where he ſould haue hated the fault, ioyned himſelfe, with all the powers he could make, vnto the Helots, lately in rebellion againſt that ſtate: and they (glad to haue a man of ſuch authoritie among them) made him their General: & vnder him haue committed diuerſe the moſt outragious villanies, that a baſe multitude (full of deſperate reuenge) can imagine.

But within a while after this pitifull fact cōmitted vpon Parthenia, Argalus returned (poore Gentleman) hauing her faire image in his hart, & already promiſing his eyes the vttermoſt of his felicitie, when they (no body elſe daring to tell it him) were the firſt meſſengers to themſelues of their owne misfortune. I meane not to moue ​paſſions with telling you the griefe of both, when hee knew her, for at firſt he did not, nor at firſt knowledge could poſſibly haue vertues aide ſo ready, as not euen weakely to lament the loſſe of ſuch a iewell, ſo much the more, as that skilfull men in that art aſſured it was vnrecouerable: but within a while, truth of loue (which ſtill held the firſt face in his memorie) a vertuous conſtancie, and euen a delight to bee conſtant, faith giuen, and inward worthineſſe ſhining through the fouleſt miſtes, tooke ſo full hold of the noble Argalus, that not only in ſuch comfort which witty arguments may beſtow vpon aduerſitie, but euen with the most abundant kindneſſe that an eye-rauiſhed louer can expreſſe, he laboured both to driue the extremity of ſorrow from her, and to haſten the celeration of their mariage: whereunto he vnfainedly ſhewed himſelfe no leſſe cherefully earneſt, then if ſhe had neuen bene diſinherited of that goodly portion, which nature had ſo liberally bequeathed vnto her: & for that cauſe deferred his intended reuenge vpon Demagoras, becauſe he might continually be in her preſence; ſheweing more humble ſeruice ableneſſe, and ioy to content her, then euer before.

But as he gaue this rare example, not to be hoped for of any other, but of another Argalus: ſo of the other ſide, ſhe tooke as ſtrange a courſe in affection: for, where ſhe deſired to enioy him, more then to liue; yet did ſhe ouerthrow both her owne deſire and his, and in no ſort would yeeld to marry him; with a ſtrange encounter of loues affects, and effects, that he by an affection ſprong from exceſſiue beautie, ſhould delight in horrible foulneſſe; & ſhe, of a vehement deſire to haue him, ſhould kindly build a reſolution neuer to haue him: for truth is, that ſo in heart ſhe loued him, as ſhe could not find in her heart he ſhould be tied to what was vnworthy of his preſence.

Truly Sir, a very good Orator might haue a faire field to vſe eloquence in, if he did but only repeate the lamentable, and truly affectionated ſpeeches, while he coniured her by remembrance of her affection, & true oathes of his owne affection, not to make him ſo vnhappie, as to thinke he had not only loſt her face, but her hart; that her face, when it was faireſt, had bene but as a marſhall, to lodge the loue of her in his mind; which now was ſo well placed, as it needed no further helpe of any outward harbinger: beſeeching her, euen with teares, to know, that his loue was not ſo ſuperficiall, as to go no further then the skin; which yet now to him was moſt faire, ſince it was hers: how could he be ſo vngratefull, as to loue her the leſſe for that which ſhe had only receiued for his ſake? that he neuer beheld it, but there in he ſaw the louelineſſe of her loue toward him: proteſting vnto her, that he would neuer take ioy of his life, if he might not enioy her, for whom principally he was glad he had life. But (as I heard by one that ouerheard them) ſhe (wringing him by the hand) made no other anſwere but this: my Lord (ſaid ſhe) God knowes I loue you: if I were Princeſſe of the whole world, and had withall, all the bleſſings that euer the world brought forth, I ſhould not make delay, to lay my ſelfe, and them vnder your feete: or if I had continued but as I was, though (I muſt confeſſe) far vnworthy of you, yet wold I (with too great a ioy for my hart now to thinke of) haue accepted your vouchſafing me to be yours, and with faith and obedience would haue ſupplied all other defects. But firſt let me be much more miſerable then I am, ere I match Argalus to ſuch a Parthenia: Liue happy, deare Argalus, I giue you full liberty, and I beſeech you take it; and I aſſure you I ſhal reioyce (whatſoeuer become of me) to ſee you ſo coupled, as may be fit, both for your honour & ſatisfaction. With that ſhe burſt out in crying and weeping, not able longer to containe her ſelfe from blaming her fortune, and wiſhing her owne death.

​But Argalus with a moſt heauie hart ſtill purſuing his deſire, ſhe fixt of mind to auoid further intreatie, and to fly all company; which (euen of him) grew vnpleaſant vnto her; one night ſhe ſtole away: but whither, as yet is vnknowne, or indeede what is become of her.

Argalus ſought her long, and in many places: at length (diſpairing to find her, and the more he deſpaired, the more enraged) wearie of his life, but firſt determining to bee reuenged of Demagoras, hee went alone diſguiſed into the chiefe towne held by the Helots: where comming into his preſence, garded about by many of his ſouldiers, he could delay his furie no longer for a fitter time: but ſetting vpon him, in deſpight of a great many that helped him, gaue him diuerſe mortall wounds, and himſelfe (no queſtion) had bene there preſently murthered, but that Demagoras himſelfe deſired hee might be kept aliue; perchaunce with intention to feede his owne eyes with ſome cruell execution to bee layd vpon him, but death came ſooner then he lookt for; yet hauing had leiſure to appoint his ſucceſſor, a yong man, not long before deliuered out of the priſon of the King of Lacedæmon, where he ſhould haue ſuffered death for hauing ſlaine the kings Nephew: but him hee named, who at that time was abſent, making roades vpon the Lacedæmonians, but being returned, the reſt of the Helots, for the great liking they conceiued of that yong man, eſpecially becauſe they had none among themſelues to whom the others would yeeld, were content to follow Demagoras appointment. And well hath it ſucceded with them, he hauing ſince done things beyond the hope of the yongeſt heads, of whom I ſpeake the rather, becauſe he hath hitherto preſerued Argalus aliue, vnder pretence to haue him publiquelie, and with exquiſite torments executed, after the end of theſe warres, of which, they hope for a ſoone and proſperous iſſue.

And he hath likewiſe hitherto kept my young Lord Clitophon aliue, who (to redeeme his friend) went with certaine other noble men of Laconia, and forces gathered by them, to beſiege this young and new ſucceſſor: but hee iſſuing out (to the wonder of all men) defeated the Laconians, ſlue many of the noble men, and tooke Clitophon priſoner, whom with much a doe he keepeth aliue: the Helots being villanouſly cruel; but he tempereth them ſo ſometimes by following their humor, ſometimes by ſtriuing with it, that hitherto hee hath ſaued both their liues, but in different eſtates; Argalus being kept in a cloſe and hard priſon, Clitophon at ſome liberty. And now Sir, though (to ſay the truth) we can promiſe our ſelues litle of their ſafeties, while they are in the Helots hands, I haue deliuered all I vnderſtand touching the loſſe of my Lords ſonne, and the cauſe thereof: which, though it was not neceſſarie to Clitophons caſe, to be ſo particularlie told, yet the ſtrangeneſſe of it, made me thinke it would not be vnpleſant vnto you.

Palladius thanked him greatly for it, being euen paſſionatly delighted with hearing ſo ſtraunge an accident, of a knight ſo famous ouer the world, as Argalus, with whom he had himſelfe a long deſire to meete: ſo had fame powred a noble emulation in him towards him.

But thē (well bethinking himſelfe) he called for armour, deſiring them to prouide him of horſe & guide, and armed all ſauing the head, he wēt vp to Kalander, whom he found lying vpon the ground, hauing euer ſince baniſhed both ſleepe and foode, as enemies to the mourning, which paſſion perſwaded him was reaſonable. But Palladius rayſed him vp, ſaying vnto him: No more, no more of this, my Lord Kalander; let vs labour to finde, before wee lament the loſſe: you knowe my ſelfe miſſe ​one, who though he be not my ſonne, I would diſdaine the fauour of life after him: but while there is hope left, let not the weakeneſſe of ſorrow, make the ſtrength of it languiſh: take comfort, and good ſucceſſe will follow. And with thoſe words, comfort ſeemed to lighten in his eyes, and that in his face and geſture was painted victorie. Once, Kalanders ſpirits were ſo reuiued withall, that (receiuing ſome ſuſtenance, and taking a little reſt) he armed himſelfe, and thoſe few of his ſeruants he had left vnſent, and ſo himſelfe guided Palladius to the place vpon the frontiers; where already there were aſſembled betweene three & four thouſand men, all well diſpoſed (for Kalanders ſake) to abide any perill: but like men diſuſed with a long peace, more determinate to do, then skilfull how to do: luſtie bodies, and braue armours; with ſuch courage, as rather grew of deſpiſing their enemies, whom they knew not, then of any confidence for any thing which in themſelues they knew; but neither cunning vſe of their weapons, nor art ſhewed in their marching, or in camping. Which Palladius ſoone perceiuing, hee deſired to vnderſtand (as much as could be deliuered vnto him) the eſtate of the Helots.

And he was anſwered by a man well acquainted with the affaires of Laconia, that they were a kind of people, who hauing bene of old, freemen and poſſeſſioners, the Lacedæmonians had conquered them, and laid, not only tribute, but bondage vpon them; which they had long borne; till of late the Lacedæmonians through greedineſſe growing more heauie then they could beare, and through contempt leſſe carefull how to make them beare, they had with a generall conſent (rather ſpringing by the generalneſſe of the cauſe, then of any artificiall practiſe) ſet themſelues in armes, and whetting their courage with reuenge, and grounding their reſolution vpon diſpaire, they had proceeded with vnlooked for ſucceſſe hauing already taken diuerſe Townes and Caſtels, with the ſlaughter of many of the gentrie; for whom no ſex nor age could be accepted for an excuſe. And that although at the firſt they had fought rather with beaſtly fury, then any ſouldierly diſcipline, practiſe had nowe made them comparable to the beſt of the Lacedæmonians, and more of late then euer; by reaſon, firſt of Demagoras a great Lord, who had made himſelfe of their party, and ſince his death, of another Captaine they had gotten, who had brought vp their ignorance, and brought downe their furie, to ſuch a meane of good gouernment, and withall led them ſo valourouſly, that (beſides the time wherein Clitophon was taken) they had the better in ſome other great conflicts: in ſuch wiſe, that the eſtate of Lacedæmon had ſent vnto them, offering peace with moſt reaſonable and honourable conditions. Palladius hauing gottē his generall knowledge of the party againſt whom, as he had laready of the party for whom he was to fight, he went to Kalander, and told him plainly, that by plaine ſome deviuce was to be taken in hand, wherein no leſſe diſcretion then valour was to be vſed.

Whereupon, the counſell of the chiefe men was called, and at laſt, this way Palladius (who by ſome experience, but eſpecially by reading Hiſtories, was acquainted with ſtratagemes) inuented, and was by all the reſt approoued: that all the men there ſhould dreſſe themſelues like the pooreſt ſorte of the people in Arcadia, hauing no banners, but bloudie ſhirtes hanged vpon long ſtaues, with ſome bad bagge-pipes in ſtead of drumme and fife, their armour they ſhould aſwell as might bee, couer, or at leaſt make them looke ſo ruſtilie, and ill fauouredly as might well become ſuch wearers; and this the whole number ſhould do, ſauing two hundred of the beſt choſen Gentlemen, for courage and ſtrength, ​whereof Palladius himſelfe would bee one, who ſhould haue their armes chayned, and be put in cartes like priſoners. This being performed according to the agreement, they marched on towards the towne of Cardamila where Clitophon was Captaine; and being come two houres before Sunne-ſet within viewe of the walles, the Helots alreadie deſcrying their number, and beginning to ſound the Allarum, they ſent a cunning fellow (ſo much the cunninger as that he could maske it vnder rudeneſſe) who with ſuch a kind of Rhetorike, as weeded out all flowers of Rhetorike, deliuered vnto the Helots aſſembled together, that they were countrie people of Arcadia, no leſſe oppreſſed by their Lords, and no leſſe deſirous of libertie then they, and therefore had put themſelues in the field, and had already (beſides a great number ſlaine) taken nine or ten ſcore Gentlemen priſoners whom they had there well and faſt chained. Now becauſe they had no ſtrong retiring place in Arcadia, and were not yet of number enough to keepe the field againſt their Princes forces, they were come to them for ſuccour; knowing that dayly more and more of their qualitie wold flocke vnto them, but that in the meane time, leaſt their Prince ſhould purſue them, or the Lacedæmonian King & Nobility (for the likeneſſe of the cauſe) fall vpon them, they deſired that if there were not roome enough for them in the towne, that yet they might encampe vnder the walles, and for ſurety haue their priſoners (who were ſuch men as were euer able to make their peace) kept within the towne.

The Helots made but a ſhort cōſultatiō, being glad that their cōtagion had ſpread it ſelfe into Arcadia, and making account that if the peace did not fall out betweene them and their King, that it was the beſt way to ſet fire in all the parts of Greece; beſides their greedineſſe to haue ſo many Gentlemen in their hands, in whoſe raunſomes they already meant to haue a ſhare; to which haſt of concluding, two things wel helped; the one, that their Captaine with the wiſeſt of them, was at that time abſent about cōfirming or breaking the peace with the ſtate of Lacedæamon: the ſecond, that ouer many good fortunes began to breede a proude reckleſneſſe in thē: therfore ſending to view the Campe, and finding that by their ſpeach they were Arcadians, with whom they had had no warre, neuer ſuſpecting a priuate mans credit could haue gathered ſuch a force, and that all other tokens witneſſed them to bee of the loweſt calling (beſides the chaines vpon the Gentlemen) they graunted not onely leaue for the priſoners, but for ſome others of the companie, and to all, that they might harbour vnder the walles. So opened they the gates, and receiued in the carts; which being done, and Palladius ſeeing fit time, hee gaue the ſigne, and ſhaking off their chaines (which were made with ſuch arte, that though they ſeemed moſt ſtrong and faſt, he that ware them might eaſilie looſe them) drewe their ſwordes hidden in the cartes, and ſo ſetting vpon the ward, made them to flye eitheir from the place, or from their bodies, and ſo giue entrie to all the force of the Arcadians before the Helots could make anie head to reſiſt them.

But the Helots being men hardened againſt daungers, gathered (as well as they could) together in the market place, and thence would haue giuen a ſhrewd welcome to the Arcadians, but that Palladius (blaming thoſe that were ſlow, hartning them that were forward, but eſpecially with his owne example leading them) made ſuch an impreſſion into the ſquadron of the Helots, that at firſt the great body of them beginning to ſhake and ſtagger; at length, euery particular bodie recommended the protection of his life to his feete. Then Kalander cried to go to the priſon, where he thought his ſonne was, but Palladius wiſht him (firſt ſcouring the ſtreetes) to houſe all the Helots, and make themſelues maiſter of the gates.

​But ere that could bee accompliſhed, the Helots had gotten new heart, and with diuers ſortes of ſhot from corners of ſtreetes, and houſe windowes, galled them; which courage was come vnto them by the returne of their Captaine, who though he brought not many with him (hauing diſperſt moſt of his companies to other of his holds) yet meeting a great number running out of the gate, not yet poſſeſt by the Arcadians, he made them turne face, and with banners diſplayed, his Trumpet giue the lowdeſt teſtimonie he could of his returne; which once heard, the reſt of the Helots which were otherwiſe ſcattered, bent thitherward, with a new life of reſolution: as if their Captaine had been a roote, out of which (as into branches) their courage had ſprong. Then began the fight to grow moſt ſharpe, & the encounters of more cruell obſtinacie, The Arcadians fighting to keepe that they had wonne; the Helots to recouer what they had loſt. The Arcadians, as in an vnknowne place, hauing no ſuccour but in their hands; the Halots, as in their owne place fighting for their liuings, wiues & children. There was victorie and courage againſt reuenge & diſpaire: ſafety of both ſides being no otherwiſe to be gotten, but by deſtruction.

At length, the left wing of the Arcadians began to looſe ground; which Palladius ſeeing, he ſtraight thruſt himſelfe with his choiſe band againſt the throng that oppreſſed them, with ſuch an ouerflowing of valour, that the Captaine of the Helots (whoſe eies ſoone iudged of that wherewith themſelues were gouerned) ſawe that he alone was worth al the reſt of the Arcadians. Which he ſo wondred at, that it was hard to ſay, whether he more liked his doings, or miſliked the effects of his doings: but determining that vpon that caſt the game lay, and diſdaining to fight with any other, ſought only to ioyne with him: which minde was no leſſe in Palladius, hauing eaſily marked, that he was at the firſt mouer of all the other hands. And ſo their thoughts meeting in one point, they conſented (though not agreed) to trie each others fortune: and ſo drawing themſelues to be the vttermoſt of the one ſide, they began a combat, which was ſo much inferior to the battaile in noiſe and number, as it was ſurpaſſing it in brauerie of fighting, & (as it were) delightful terriblenes. Their courage was guided with skill, and their skill was armed with courage; neither did their hardineſſe darken their wit, nor their wit coole their hardineſſe: both valiant, as men deſpiſing death; both confident, as vnwonted to be ouercome; yet doubtful by their preſent feeling, and reſpectfull by what they had alreadie ſeene. Their feete ſtedie, their hands diligent, their eyes watchfull, and their harts reſolute. The partes either not armed, or weakly armed, were well knowne, and according to the knowledge ſhould haue bene ſharply viſited, but that the anſwere was as quick as the obiection. Yet ſome lightning; the ſmart bred rage, and the rage bred ſmart againe: till both ſides beginning to wax faint, and rather deſirous to die accompanied, then hopefull to liue victorious, the Captaine of the Helots with a blow, whoſe violence grew of furie, not of ſtrength, or of ſtrength proceeding of furie, ſtrake Palladius vpō the ſide of the head, that he reeled aſtonied: and withall the helmet fell off, he remaining bare headed: but other of the Arcadians were readie to ſhield him from any harme might riſe of that nakedneſſe.

But little needed it, for his chiefe enemie in ſteed of purſuing that aduantage, kneeled down, offering to deliuer the pommel of his sword, in tokē of yelding, withal ſpeaking alowd vnto him, that he thought it more liberty to be his priſoner, then any others General. Palladius ſtāding vpō himſelf, & miſdoubting ſome craft, & the Helots (that were next their captain) wauering between looking for ſome ſtratagem, or fearing treſō; what, ſaid the captain, hath Palladius forgotē the voice of Daiphātus?

​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 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.

​VVhich conditions you ſee, cary in themſelues no more contention then aſſurance. For this is not a peace which is made with them, but this is a peace by which you are made of them. Laſtly a forgetfulneſſe decreed of all what is paſt, they ſhewing themſelues glad to haue ſo valiant men as you are, ioyned with them, ſo that you are to take mindes of peace, ſince the cauſe of warre is finiſhed; and as you hated them before like oppreſſours, ſo now to loue them as brothers; to take care of their eſtate becauſe it is yours, and to labour by vertuous doing, that the poſteritie may not repent your ioyning. But now one Article onely they ſtood vpon, which in the end I with your commiſſioners haue agreed vnto, that I ſhould no more tarry here, miſtaking perchance my humor, and thinking me as ſeditious as I am young, or elſe it is the king Amiclas procuring, in reſpect that it was my ill hap to kill his Nephew Eurileon; but how ſo euer it be; I haue condiſcended. But ſo will not we, cried almoſt the whole aſſemblie, counſelling one another, rather to try the vttermoſt euent, then to looſe him by whom they had beene victorious. But he as well with generall orations, as particular dealing with the men of moſt credit, made them througly ſee how neceſſary it was to preferre ſuch an oportunitie before a vaine affection; but yet could not preuaile, till openly he ſware, that hee would (if at any time the Lacedæmonians brake this treatie) come backe againe, and be their Captaine.

So then after a few daies, ſetting them in perfect order, he tooke his leaue of them, whoſe eyes bad him farewell with teares, and mouthes with kiſſing the places where he ſtept, and after making temples vnto him as to a demi-God: thinking it beyond the degree of humanitie to haue a wit ſo farre ouergoing his age, and ſuch dreadfull terror proceede from ſo excellent beautie. But he for his ſake obtained free pardon for Argalus, whom alſo (vpon oath neuer to beare armes againſt the Helots) hee deliuered: and taking onely with him certaine principall Iewels of his owne, hee would haue parted alone with Argalus (whoſe countenance well ſhewed, while Parthenia was loſt he counted not himſelfe deliuered) but that the whole multitude wold needes gard him into Arcadia. VVhere againe leauing them all to lament his departure, hee by enquirie got to the well-knowne houſe of Kalander: There was hee receiued with louing ioye of Kalander, with ioyfull loue of Palladius, with humble (though dolefull) demeanor of Argalus (whom ſpecially both he and Palladius regarded) with gratefull ſeruiceablenes of Clitophon, & honourable admiration of all. For being now well viewed to haue no haire on his face, to witneſſe him a man, who had done acts beyond the degree of a man, and to looke with a certaine almoſt baſhfull kinde of modestie, as if he feared the eyes of men, who was vnmooued with ſight of the moſt horrible countenances of death; and as if nature had miſtaken her worke to haue a Marſes heart in a Cupids bodie: All that beheld him (and all that might behold him, did behold him) made their eyes quicke meſſengers to their minds, that there they had ſeene the vttermoſt that in mankind might be ſeene. The like wonder Palladius had before ſtirred, but that Daiphantus, as younger and newer come, had gotten now the aduantage in the moyſt and fickle impreſſion of eye-ſight. But while all men (ſauing poore Argalus) made the ioy of their eyes ſpeake for their hearts towards Daiphantus: Fortune (that belike was bid to that banket, and meant then to play the good fellow) brought a pleaſant aduenture among them. It was that as they had newly dined, there came in to Kalander a meſſenger, that brought him word, a yong noble Lady, neare kinſewoman to the faire Helen Queene of Corinth, was come ​thither, and deſired to be lodged in his houſe. Calander (moſt glad of ſuch an occaſion, went out, and all his other worthy gueſts with him, ſauing onely Argalus, who remained in his chamber, deſirous that this company were once broken vp, that he might goe in his ſolitarie queſt after Parthenia. But when they met this Lady; Kalander ſtraight thought he ſaw his neece Parthenia, and was about in ſuch familiar ſort to haue ſpoken vnto her: but ſhe in graue and honourable manner giuing him to vnderſtand that he was miſtaken, he halfe aſhamed excuſed himſelfe with the exceeding likeneſſe was betweene them, though indeede it ſeemed that this Lady was of the more pure and daintie complexion; ſhe ſayd, it might very well be, hauing bene many times taken one for another. But aſſoone as ſhe was brought into the houſe, before ſhe would reſt her, ſhe deſired to ſpeake with Argalus publikely, who ſhe heard was in the houſe. Argalus came haſtilie, and as haſtilie thought as Kalander had done, with ſudden changes of ioy into ſorrow. But ſhe when ſhe had ſtaid their thoughts with telling them her name and qualitie, in this ſort ſpake vnto him. My Lord Argalus, ſayd ſhe, being of late left in the Court of Queene Helen of Corinth, as chiefe in her abſence (ſhe being vpon ſome occaſion gone thence) there came vnto me the Lady Parthenia, ſo disfigured, as I thinke Greece hath nothing ſo ougly to behold. For my part, it was many daies, before with vehement oathes, and ſome good proofes, ſhe could make me thinke that ſhe was Parthenia. Yet at laſt finding certainely it was ſhe, and greatly pitying her misfortune, ſo much the more, as that all men had euer told me (as now you do) of the great likeneſſe betweene vs, I tooke the beſt care I could of her: and of her vderſtood the whole tragicall hiſtorie of her vndeſerued aduenture: and therewithall, of that moſt noble conſtancy in you my Lord Argalus: which whoſoeuer loues not, ſhewes himſelfe to be a hater of vertue, and vnworthy to liue in the ſocietie of mankind. But no outward cheriſhing could ſalue the inward ſore of her mind, but a few daies ſince ſhe died: before her death earneſtly deſiring, and perſwading me, to thinke of no husband but of you; as of the only man in the world worthy to be loued, with all ſhe gaue me this Ring to deliuer you; deſiring you, and by the authoritie of loue commanding you, that the affection you bare her, you ſhould turne to me: aſſuring you, that nothing can pleaſe her ſoule more, then to ſee you and me matched together. Now my L. though this office be not (perchance) ſutable to my eſtate nor ſex, who ſhould rather looke to be deſired; yet, an extraordinary deſert requires an extraordinary proceeding: and therefore I am come (with faithfull loue built vpon your worthineſſe) to offer my ſelfe, and to beſeech you to accept the offer: and if theſe noble Gentlemen preſent will ſay it is great folly, let them withal, ſay it is great loue. And then ſhe ſtaid, earneſtly attending Argalus his anſwere, who firſt making moſt harty ſighes do ſuch obſequies as he could to Parthenia, thus anſwered her.

Madame (ſayd hee) infinitly am I bound vnto you, for this, no more rare then noble courteſie; but moſt bound for the goodneſſe I perceiue you ſhewed to the Lady Parthenia (with that the teares ranne downe his eyes; but hee followed on) and as much as ſo vnfortunate a man, fit to bee the ſpectacle of miſerie, can doe you ſeruice; determine you haue made a purchaſe of a ſlaue (while I liue) neuer to fayle you. But this great matter you propoſe vnto me, wherein I am not ſo blind as not to ſee what happineſſe it ſhold be vnto me; Excellent Lady, know, that if my hart were mine to giue, you before all other ſhould haue it; but Parthenias it is though dead: there I began, there I ende all matter of affection: I hope I ſhall not long tarry after her, with whoſe beautie if I had onely bene in loue, I ſhould be ſo with ​you, who haue the ſame beautie: but it was Parthenias ſelfe I loued, and loue; which no likeneſve can make one; no commandement diſſolue, no foulneſſe defile, nor no death finiſh. And ſhall I receiue (ſaid ſhe) ſuch diſgrace, as to be refuſed? Noble Lady (ſaid he) let not that hard word be vſed; who know your exceeding worthineſſe farre beyond my deſert: but it is onely happineſſe I refuſe, ſince of the onely happineſſe I could and can deſire, I am refuſed.

He had ſcarce ſpoken thoſe words, when ſhe ranne to him, and imbracing him, why then Argalus (ſaid ſhe) take thy Parthenia; and Parthenia it was indeede. But becauſe ſorrow forbad him too ſoone to beleeue, ſhe told him the truth, with all circumſtances; how being parted alone, meaning to die in ſome ſolitary place, as ſhe hapned to make her complaint, the Queene Helen of Corinth (who likewiſe felt her part of miſeries) being then walking alſo alone in that lonely place, heard her, and neuer left till ſhe had knowne the whole diſcourſe. Which the noble Queene greatly pitying, ſhe ſent her to a Phiſition of hers the moſt excellent man in the world, in hope he could helpe her: which in ſuch ſort as they ſaw he had performed, and ſhe taking with her of the Queenes ſeruants, thought yet to make this triall, whether he would quickly forget his true Parthenia, or no. Her ſpeech was confirmed by the Corinthian Gentlemen, who before had kept her counſell, and Argalus eaſily perſwaded to what more then ten thouſand yeares of life he desired: and Kalander would needes haue the marriage celebrated in his houſe, principally the longer to hold his deare gueſts, towards whom he was now (beſides his owne habite of hoſpitalitie) caried with loue and duty: and therefore omitted no ſeruice that his wit could inuent, and his power miniſter.

But no way he ſaw he could ſo much pleaſure them, as by leauing the two friends alone, who being ſhrunke aſide to the banquetting houſe where the pictures were; there Palladius recounted vnto him, that after they had both abandoned the burning ſhip (& either of them taken ſome thing vnder him, the better to ſupport him to the ſhore) hee knew not how, but either with ouer-labouring in the fight, and ſudden cold, or the too much receiuing of ſalt water, he was paſt himſelfe: but yet holding faſt (as the nature of dying men is to do) the cheſt that was vnder him, he was caſt on the ſands, where he was taken vp by a couple of ſhepheards, and by them brought life againe, and kept from drowning himſelfe, when hee deſpaired of his ſafetie. How after hauing failed to take him into the fiſher boate, he had by the ſhepheards perſwaſion come to this Gentlemans houſe; where being dangerouſlie ſicke, hee had yeelded to ſeeke the recouery of health, onely for that hee might the ſooner goe ſeeke the deliuerie of Pyrocles: to which purpoſe Kalander by ſome friends of his in Meſſena, had alreadie ſet a ſhippe or two abroad, when this accident of Clitophons taking had ſo bleſſedly procured their meeting. Then did he ſet foorth vnto him the noble intertainment and carefull cheriſhing of Kalander towards him, and ſo vpon occaſion of the pictures preſent, deliuered with the frankes of a friends tongue, as neare as he could, word by word what Kalander had told him touching the ſtrange ſtory (with all the particularities belonging) of Arcadia, which did in many ſorts ſo delight Pyrocles to heare; that hee would needes haue much of it againe repeated, and was not contented till Kalander himſelfe had anſwered him diuerſe queſtions.

But firſt at Muſidorus requeſt, though in briefe maner, his minde much running vpon the ſtrange ſtorie of Arcadia, he did declare by what courſe of aduentures he was come to make vp their mutuall happineſſe in meeting. When (coſin ſaid he) ​we had ſtript our ſelues, and were both leapt into the Sea, and ſwome a little toward the ſhoare, I found by reaſon of ſome wounds I had, that I ſhould not be able to get the land, and therefore turned backe againe to the maſt of ſhippe, where you found me, aſſuring my ſelfe, that if you came aliue to the ſhoare, you would ſeeke me; if you were loſt, as I thought it as good to periſh as to liue, ſo that place as good to periſh in as another. There I found my ſword among ſome of the ſrowds, wiſhing (I muſt confeſſe) if I died, to bee found with that in my hand, and withall wauing it about my head, that ſaylers by, might haue the better glimpſe of me. There you miſſing mee, I was taken vp by Pyrates, who putting me vnder boord priſoner, preſently ſet vpon another ſhip and maintaining a long fight, in the end, put them all to the ſword. Amongſt whom I might heare them greatly praiſe one young man, who fought moſt valiantlie, whom (as loue is carefull, and misfortune ſubiect to doubtfulneſſe) I thought certainely to bee you. And ſo holding you as dead, from that time till the time I ſaw you, in truth I ſought nothing more then a noble end, which perchaunce made me more hardie then otherwiſe I would haue beene. Tryall whereof came within two dayes after: for the Kings of Lacedæmon hauing ſet out ſome Galleys, vnder the charge of one of their Nephewes, to ſcowre the Sea of the Pyrates, they met with vs, where our Captaine wanting men, was driuen to arme ſome of his priſoners, with promiſe of libertie for well fighting: among whom I was one, and being boorded by the Admirall, it was my fortune to kill Euryleon the Kings Nephew: but in the end they preuailed, and we were all taken priſoners: I not caring much what became of me (onely keeping the name of Diaphantus; according to the reſolution you know is betweene vs) but being laid in the iayle of Temaria, with ſpeeciall hate to me for the death of Euryleon, the popular ſort of that towne conſpired with the Helots, and ſo by night opened them the gates; where entring and killing all of the gentle and rich faction, for honeſtie ſake brake open all priſons, and ſo deliuered me: and I mooued with gratefulneſſe, and encouraged with careleſneſſe of life ſo behaued my ſelfe in ſome conflicts they had with in few dayes, that they barbarouſlie thinking vnſenſible wonders of mee, and with all ſo much the better truſting mee, as they heard I was hated of the King of Lacedæmon, their chiefe Captaine being ſlaine, as you know by the noble Argalus (who helped thereunto by his perſwaſion) hauing borne a great affection vnto mee, and to auoide the daungerous emulation which grew among the chiefe, who ſhould haue the place, and alſo affected, as rather to haue a ſtraunger then a competitour, they elected mee (God wot little proude of that dignity;) reſtoring vnto me ſuch things of mine as being taken firſt by the Pyrates, and then by the Lacedæmonians, they had gotten in the ſacke of the towne. Now being in it, ſo good was my ſucceſſe with many victories, that I made a peace for them to their owne liking the very day that you deliuered Clitophon, whom I with much a do had preſerued. And in my peace the King Amiclas of Lacedæmon would needes haue mee baniſhed, and depriued of the dignitie whereunto I was exalted: which (and you may ſee how much you are bound to mee) for your sake I was content to ſuffer, a new hope riſing in mee, that you were not dead: and ſo meaning to trauaile ouer the world to ſeeke you; and now heere (my deare Muſidorus) you haue mee. And with that (embracing and kiſſing each other) they called Kalander, of whom Daiphantus deſired to heare the full ſtorie, which before hee had recounted to Palladius, and to ſee the letter of Philanax, which hee read and well marked.

​But within ſome dayes after, the marriage betweene Argalus and the faire Parthenia being to be celebrated Diaphantus and Paladius ſelling ſome of their Iewels, furniſhed themſelues of very faire apparell, meaning to do honour to their louing hoſt; who as much for their ſakes, as for the marriage, ſet foorth each thing in moſt gorgeous manner. But all the coſt beſtowed did not ſo much enrich, nor all the fine deckings ſo much beautifie, nor all the daintie deuiſes ſo much delight, as the faireneſſe of Parthenia, the pearle of all the maides of Mantinea: who as ſhe went to the Temple to be maried, her eyes themſelues ſeemed a temple, wherein loue and beautie were married: her lips though they were kept cloſe with modeſt ſilence, yet with a prety kind of naturall ſwelling, they ſeemed to inuite the gueſts that lookt on them, her cheekes bluſhing, and withall when ſhe was ſpoken vnto, a little ſmiling, were like roſes, when their leaues are with a little breath ſtirred: her haire being laied at the full length downe her backe, bare ſhew as if the voward fayled, yet that would conquer. Daiphantus marking her, ô Iupiter (ſaid he ſpeaking to Palladius) how happens it, that beautie is onely confined to Arcadia? But Palladius not greatly attending his ſpeech, ſome daies were continued in the ſolemnizing the marriage, with all conceipts that might deliuer delight to mens fancies.

But ſuch a chaunge was growne in Daiphantus, that (as if cheerefulneſſe had bene tediouſneſſe, & good entertainement were turnd to diſcourteſie) he would euer get himſelfe alone, though almoſt when he was in company, he was alone, ſo little attention he gaue to any that ſpake vnto him: euen the colour and figure of his face began to receiue ſome alteration; which he ſhewed little to heede: but euery morning earely going abroad, either to the garden, or to ſome woods towards the deſert, it ſeemed his onely comfort was to be without a comforter. But long it could not be hid from Palladius, whom true loue made ready to marke, and long knowledge able to marke; and therefore being now growne weary of his abode in Arcadia, hauing informed himſelfe fully of the ſtrength and riches of the country, of the nature of the people, and maner of their lawes: and ſeeing the court could not be viſited, prohibited to all men, but to certaine ſhepheardiſh people, he greatly deſired a ſpeedie returne to his owne countrie, after the many mazes of fortune he had troden. But perceiuing this great alteration in his friend, he thought firſt to breake with him thereof; and then to haſten his returne; whereto he found him but ſmally enclined: whereupon one day taking him alone with certaine graces and countenances, as if he were diſputing with the trees, began in this manner to ſay vnto him.

A mind well trained and long exerciſed in vertue (my ſweete and worthie coſin) doth not eaſily chaunge any courſe it once vndertakes, but vpon well grounded and well waied cauſes. For being witneſſe to it ſelfe of his owne inward good, it findes nothing without it of ſo high a price, for which it ſhould be altered. Euen the very countenance and behauiour of ſuch a man doth ſhew forth Images of the ſame conſtancy, by maintaining a right harmonie betwixt it and the inward good, in yeelding itſelfe ſutable to the vertuous reſolution of the mind. This ſpeech I direct to you (noble friend Pyrocles) the excellencie of whoſe mind and well choſen courſe in vertue, if I do not ſufficiently know, hauing ſeene ſuch rare demonſtrations of it, it is my weakeneſſe, and not your vnworthineſſe, but as in deede I know it, and knowing it moſt dearely loue both it, and him that hath it; ſo muſt I needes ſay, that ſince our late comming into this countrie, I haue marked in you, I will not ſay an alteration, but a relenting truly, and a ſlacking of the maine career, you had ſo notably begun & almoſt performed; and that in ſuch ſort, as I cannot find ſufficient reaſon in my great ​loue toward you how to allow it, for (to leaue off other ſecreter arguments which my acquaintance with you makes me eaſilie find) this in effect to any man may be manifeſt, that whereas you were wont in all places you came, to giue your ſelfe vehemently to the knowledge of thoſe things which might better your mind; to ſecke the familiaritie of excellent men in learning and ſouldierie: and laſtly, to put all theſe things in practiſe both by continuall wiſe proceeding, and worthie enterpriſes, as occaſion fell for them; you now leaue all theſe things vndone: you let your mind fall aſleepe: beſide your countenance troubled (which ſurely comes not of vertue) for vertue like the cleare heauē is without clouds)'& laſtly you ſubiect your ſelfe to ſolitarines, the ſlie enemy, that doth moſt ſeparate a man from well doing. Pyrocles mind was al this while ſo fixed vpon another deuotion, that he no more attentiuely marked his friends diſcourſe, then the child that hath leaue to play, makes the laſt part of his leſſon; or the diligēt Pilot in a dangerous tēpeſt doth attēd the vnskilfull words of a paſſinger: yet the very ſound hauing imprinted the generall points of his ſpeech in his hart, pierced with any miſlike of ſo deerely an eſteemed friēd, & deſirous by degrees to bring him to a gentler conſideration of him, with a ſhamefaſt looke (witneſſing he rather could not helpe, then did not know his fault) anſwered him to this purpoſe. Excellent Muſidorus, in the praiſe you gaue me in the beginning of your ſpeech, I eaſily acknowledge the force of your good will vnto me, for neither could you haue thought ſo well of me, if extremitie of loue had not made your iudgement partiall, nor you could haue loued me ſo intirely, if you had not bene apt to make ſo great (though vndeſerued) iudgements of me; and euen ſo muſt I ſay to thoſe imperfections, to which though I haue euer through weaknes bene ſubiect, yet you by the dayly mending of your mind haue of late bin able to looke into them, which before you could not diſcerne; ſo that the change you ſpeake of, falles not out by my impairing, but by your bettering. And yet vnder the leaue of your better iudgement, I muſt needes ſay thus much, my deare soſin, that I find not my ſelfe wholie to be condemned, becaue I do not with continuall vehemency folow thoſe knowledges, which you call the bettering of my mind; for both the mind it ſelfe muſt (like other things) ſomtimes be vnbent, or elſe it wil be either weakned, or broken: And theſe knowledges, as they are of good vſe, ſo are they not all the minde may ſtretch it ſelfe vnto: who knowes whether I feede not my minde with higher thoughts? Truely, as I know not all the particularities, ſo yet I ſee the bounds of all theſe knowledges: but the workings of the mind I find much more infinite, then can be led vnto by the eie, or imagined by any, that diſtract their thoughts without themſelues.

And in ſuch contemplation, or as I thinke more excellent, I enioy my ſolitarineſſe; & my ſolitarines perchance, is the nurſe of theſe cōtemplations. Eagles we ſee flie alone; & they are but ſheepe, which alwayes heard together; condemne not therfore my mind ſometimes to enioy it ſelfe; nor blame not the taking of ſuch times as ſerue moſt fit for it. And alas, deare Muſidorus, if I bee ſadde, who knowes better then you the iuſt cauſes I haue of ſadneſſe? And here Pyrocles ſuddenly ſtopped, like a man vnſatisfied in himſelfe, though his wit might well haue ſerued to haue ſatisfied another. And ſo looking with a countenance, as though hee deſired hee ſhould know his mind without hearing him ſpeake, and yet deſirous to ſpeake, to breath out ſome part of his inward euill, ſending againe new bloud to his face, he continued his ſpeech in this manner. And Lord (deare coſin, ſaid he) doth not the pleaſantneſſe of this place carry in it ſelfe ſufficient reward for any time loſt in it? Do you not ſee how all things conſpire together to make this countrie a heauenly ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/46 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/47 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/48 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/49 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/50 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/51 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/52 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/53 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/54 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/55 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/56 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/57 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/58 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/59 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/60 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/61 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/62 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/63 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/64 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/65 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/66 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/67 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/68 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/69 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/70 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/71 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/72 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/73 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/74 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/75 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/76 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/77 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/78 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/79 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/80 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/81 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/82 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/83 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/84 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/85 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/86 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/87 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/88 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/89 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/90 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/91 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/92 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/93 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/94 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/95 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/96 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/97 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/98 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/99 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/100 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/101 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/102 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/103 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/104 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/105 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/106 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/107 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/108 ​Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/109