The almightie wisedome euermore delighting to shewe the world, that by vnlikeliest meanes greatest matters may come to conclusion: that humane reason may be the more humbled, and more willinglie geue place to diuine prouidence: as at the first it brought in Damætas to play a part in this royall pageant, so hauing continued him still an actor, now that all things were growne ripe for an end, made his folly the instrument of reuealing that, which far greater cunning had sought to conceale. For so it fell out that Damætas hauing spent the whole day in breaking vp the cumbersome worke of the pastor Dorus , and feeling in all his labour no paine so much, as that his hungrie hopes receiued any stay, hauing with the price of much sweate and wearinesse gotten vp the huge stone, which he thought should haue such a golden lining, the good man in the great bed that stone had made, founde nothing but these two verses, written vpon a broad piece of velume:
Who hath his hire, hath well his labour plast:
Earth thou didst seeke, and store of earth thou hast.
What an inward discountenance it was to maister Damætas, to finde his hope of wealth turned to poore verses, for which he neuer cared much, nothing can describe, but either the feeling in ones selfe the state of such a minde Damætas had, or at least the bethinking what was Midas fancie, when after the great pride he conceiued to be made Iudge betweene Gods, he was rewarded with the ornament of an Asses eares. Yet the deepe apprehension he had receiued of such riches, could not so sodainlie loose the coullor that had so throughlie died his thicke braine, but that he turned and tossed the poore bowels of the innocent earth, till the comming on of the night, and the tediousnes of his frutelesse labor made him content rather to exercise his discontentation at home then there. But forced he was (his horse being otherwise burthened with digging instruments) to returne, as he came, most part of the way on foote: with such grudging lamentations as a nobler minde would (but more noblie) make for the losse of his mistresse. For so farre had he fed his foolish soule with the expectation of that which he reputed felicitie, that he no lesse accompted himselfe miserable, then if he had falne from such an estate his fancie had embraced. So then home againe went Damætas, punished in conceite, as in conceite he had erred, till he founde himselfe there from a fancied losse falne to essentiall miserie. For entring into his house three houres within night, in steede of the lightsome countenance of Pamela, which gaue such an inwarde decking to that lodge, as prowdest pallaces might haue cause to enuie it; and of the gratefull conuersation of Dorus, whose wittie behauiour made that lonelines to seeme ful of good company: in steed of the loude scolding of Miso, and the busie rumbling vp and downe of Mopsa, which though they were so shorte, as quite contrarie to the others praise-worthines, yet were they farre before them in filling of a house: he founde nothing but a solitarie darkenesse; which as naturally it breedes a kinde of irksome gastfulnes, so it was to him a most present terror, remembring the charge he had left behinde, which hee well knew imported no lesse then his life vnto him. Therefore lighting a candle, there was no place a mouse could haue dwelled in, but that he with quaking diligence sought into. But when he saw hee could see nothing of that hee most cared for, then became hee the right patterne of a wretch deiected with feare: for crying and howling, knockinge his head to the wall hee began to make pittifull complaintes where no body coulde heare him: and with too much dread he should not recouer her, leaue all consideration how to recouer her. But at length looking like a she goate, when she casts her kidd, for verie sorrow he tooke in his owne behalfe, out of the lodge hee went running as hard as he could; hauing now receiued the verie forme of hanging into his consideration. Thus running as a man would gladly haue runne from himselfe, it was his foolish fortune to espie, by the glim’ring light of the moone did then yeelde him, one standing aloft among the bowes of a faire ashe. He that would haue asked counsell at that time of a dogg, cast vp his face, as if his tooth had bene drawing: and with much bending his sight perceiued it was mistres Mopsa, fitly seated there for wit and dignitie: There (I wil not say with ioye, for how could he tast of ioy, whose imagination was falne from a pallace, to a gallowes?) But yet with some refreshing of comfort, in hope he should learne better tidings: of her, he began to crie out: O Mopsa my beloued chicken, here am I thine owne father Damoetas, neuer in such a towardnes of hanging, if thou canst not helpe me. But neuer a word coulde his eloquence procure of Mopsa, who indeed was there attending for greater matters. This was yet a newe burthen to poore Damætas, who thought all the worlde was conspired against him: and therefore with a seely choler he began another tune. Thou vile Mopsa, saide he, now the vengeance of my fatherly curse light ouerthwart thee, if thou doe not streight answere me. But neither blessing nor cursing coulde preuaile Mopsa, who was now great with childe, with the expectation of her may-game hopes, and did long to be deliuered with the thirde time being named. Which by and by followed. For Damætas rubbing his elbowe, stamping and whining, seing neither of these take place, began to throwe stones at her, and withall to coniure her by the name of hellish Mopsa. But when he had named her the third time, no chime can more sodainly follow the striking of a Clocke, then shee, verily thinking it was the God, that vsed her fathers voice, throwing our armes abroade, and not considering she was muffled vpon so high a tree, came fluttering down, like a hooded hawke; like enough to haue broken her neck, but that the tree full of bowes tossed her from one bow to another, and lastly well brused brought her to receiue an vnfrindly salutation of the earth. Damætas, as soone as she was downe, came running to her: and finding her so close wrapt, pulled of the scarlet cloake: in good time for her, for with the sorenesse of the fall, if she had not had breath giuen her, she had deliuered a foolish soule to Pluto. But then Damætas began a fresh to desire his daughter not to forget the paines he had taken for her in her childhoode (which he was sure she could not remember) and to tell him where Pamela was. O good Apollo, saide Mopsa, if euer thou didest beare loue to Phaethons mother, let me haue a King to my husband Alas, what speakest thou of Phaethon? Saide Damætas: If by thy circumspect meanes I finde not out Pamela, thy father will be hanged to morow. It is no matter though he be hanged, answered Mopsa: doe but thou make Dorus a King, and let him bee my husband, good Apollo: for my courage doth much pricke mee towarde him. Ah Mopsa, cryed out Damætas, where is thy witt? Doest thou not know thy father? How hast thou forgotten thy selfe? I do not aske witt of thee mine owne God, said shee: but I see thou wouldest haue me remember my father, and indeede forget my selfe. No, no, a good husband, thou shalt haue thy fill of husbandes saide Damætas, and doe but answere me my question. O I thanke thee saide Mopsa, withall my harte hartely: but let them bee all Kinges. Damætas seing no other way preuaile fel downe on his knees, Mopsa Mopsa, saide he, doe not thus cruelly torment me: I am already wretched enough, alas either helpe me or tell me thou canst not. She that woulde not bee behinde Apollo in curtesie, kneeled downe on thother side, I wil neuer leaue tormenting thee said Mopsa, vntill thou hast satisfied my longing, but I will proclaime thee a promise breaker, that euen Iupiter shall heare it. Now by the fostring thou hast receaued in this place saue my life saide Damætas, now by the faire Ash aunswered Mopsa, where thou didest receaue so great a good turne, graunt post haste to my burning fancie. O where is Pamela saide Damætas? O a lustie husband, saide Mopsa; Damætas that nowe verely assured himselfe, his daughter was madd, beganne vtterly to dispaire of his life, and therefore amazedly catching her in his armes, to see whether hee coulde bring her to her selfe, hee might feele the weight of of a greate cudgell light vpon his shoulders, and for the first greeting hee knew his wife Misos voice, by the calling him ribaulde villaine, & asking him whether she coulde not serue his turne as well as Charita? For Miso hauing according to Dorus counsaile, gone to Mantinea, and there harboured her selfe in an olde acquaintaunce house of hers, as soone as tenne of the clocke was striken (where shee had remayned closely all that while, I thinke with such an amiable cheare, as when iealous Iuno sate crosse-legged, to hinder the child-birth of her husbands loue) with open mouth shee went to the Magistrate appointed ouer such matters, and there with the most scolding inuectiue, her rage rather then eloquence could bring forth, she required his ayde to take Damætas , who had lefte his dutie to the Kinge and his daughter, to comit adultery in the house of Charitas vncle, in the Ondemian streete. But neither was the name of Charita remembred, nor any such streete knowne. Yet such was the generall mislike all men had of Damætas vnworthy aduancement, that euery man was glad to make himselfe a minister of that, which might redounde to his shame, and therfore with Panike cries and laughters, there was no suspected place in all the cittie but was searched for vnder the title of Damætas; Miso euer formost encowraging them withall the shamefull blasings of his demeanoure, encreasing the sporte of hunting her husband, with her diligent barking, till at length hauing already done both him and her selfe, as much infamous shame, as such a tonge in such an action might performe, in the end not being, able to find a thing that was not, to her mare again she wet hauing neither suspition nor rage any thing mitigated. But (leauing behinde her a sufficient comedie of her tragicall fancies) away homewarde she came, imputing the not finding her husband, to any chaunce, rather then to his innocencie. For her harte being apt to receaue and nourish a bitter thought it had so swallowed vp a determinate condemnation, that in the verie anotomie of her spirits one should haue found nothing but diuelish disdaine, and hatefull iealousie. In this sorte grunting out her mischeuous spite, shee came by the tree, euen as Damætas was making that ill vnderstoode intercession, to his foolish Mopsa. As soone as she harde her husbands voice, she verily thought she had her playe: and therefore stealing from her mare as softely as she coulde, shee came creeping and halting behinde him, euen as he thinking his daughters little witts had quite lefte her great nowle; beganne to take her in his armes; thinking perchaunce her feeling sence might call her mind partes vnto her. But Miso who sawe nothing but thorowe the coulloure of reuenge-full anger, established vpon the fore-iudgement of his trespasse, vndoubtedly resoluing that Mopsa was Charita, Dorus had tolde her of, mumping out her hoarse chafe, she gaue him the wooden salutation you hearde of. Damætas that was not so sensible in any thing as in blows, turned vp his blubbred face like a great lowt newe whipte: Alas thou woman, said hee, what hath thy poore husband deserued to haue his owne ill lucke loaden with thy displeasure? Pamela is lost, Pamela is lost. Miso still holding on the course of her former fancie, what tellest thou mee naughtie varlet of Pamela, doest thou thinke that doth aunsweare me, for abusing the lawes of marriage? Haue I brought thee children, haue I bene a true wife vnto thee, to bee dispised in mine olde age? And euer among shee woulde sawce her speeches with such Bastonados, that poore Damætas beganne now to thinke, that either a generall madding was falne, or else that all this was but a vision. But as for visions the smarte of the cudgell put out of his fancie: and therefore againe turning to his wife, not knowing in the world what she ment, Miso said hee, hereafter thou maiest examine me, doe but now tell me what is become of Pamela . I will first examine this drabbe said she, and withall let fall her stafe as hard as she could vpon Mopsa, still taking her for Charita. But Mopsa that was alredy angry, thinking that she had hindred her from Apollo, lepte vp and caught her by the throte, like to haue strangled her, but that Damætas from a condemned man was faine to become a iudge and part this fraye, such a picture of a rude discord, where each was out with the other two. And then getting the opportunitie of their falling out, to holde himselfe in suretie, who was indeede, the veriest coward of the three, he renewed his earnest demaund of them. But it was a sporte to see, how the former conceites Dorus had printed in their imaginations, kept still such dominion in them, that Miso though now shee founde and felte it was her daughter Mopsa, yet did Charita cotinually passe through her thoughts which she vttered with such crabbed questions to Damætas, that hee not possiblie conceauing any parte of her doubt, remained astonished, and the astonishment encreased her doubt. And as for Mopsa, as first she did assuredly take him to be Apollo and thought her mothers comming did marre the bargaine: So now much talkinge to and fro, had deliuered so much light, into the mistie mould of her capacitie, as to know him to be her father: Yet remayned there such foote-steppes of the foretaken opinion, that shee thought verily her father and mother were hasted thether to gett the first wishe. And therefore to whatsoeuer they asked of her, she would neuer answere, but embracing the tree, as if she feared it had bene running awaye, nay sayes shee I will haue the first wish for I was here first; which they vnderstoode no more, then Damætas did what Miso ment by Charita: till at length with much vrging them, being indeede better able to perswade both, then to meete hande to hand with either, he preuailed so much with them, as to bring them into the lodge to see what losse their necligence had suffered. Then indeed the nere neighborhood they bare to themselues, made them leaue other toyes, and look into what dangerous plight they were all faln, assone as the King should know his daughters escape. And as for the wemen they beganne a fresh to enter into their brawling, whether were in the faulte. But Damætas who did feare that among his other euills, the thunderbolt of that storme would fall vpon his shoulders, slipte away from them, but with so maigre a cheare as might much sooner engender laughter then pittie. O true Arcadia would he say (tearinge his haire and bearde, & somtime for too much woe, making vnweldie somerfaults) how darest thou beare vpon thee such a felonious traytor as I am? And you false harted trees, why woulde you make no noyse, to make her vngratious departure known? Ah Pamela Pamela, how often whe I brought thee in fine posies of all coulored flowers wouldest thou clappe me on the cheek, and say thou wouldst be on day euen with me? Was this thy meaning to bring me to an eue paire of gallows? Ah il taught Dorus that camest hither to learne good maners of me? Did I euer teach thee to make thy maister sweate out his hart for nothing, & in the meane time to run away with thy mistres? O my dun cow, I did think soe euil was towards me, euer since the last day thou didst run away from me, & held vp thy taile so pitifully: did not I se an eagle kil a Cuckoe, which was a plain fore token vnto me Pamela should be my destructio? O wife Miso (if I durst say it to thy face) why didst thou suspect thy husbad, that loueth a peece of chese better then a woma? And thou litle Mopsa that shalt inherite the shame of thy fathers death, was it time for thee to clime trees, which should so shortly be my best buriall? ô that I could liue without death, or die before I were aware. O hart why hast thou no hands at commaundement to dispatch thee? O hands why want you a hart to kill this villanie? In this sorte did he inuey against euery thing, sometimes thinking to haue away, while it was yet night: but he that had included all the world within his shepecote, thought that worse the any death sometime for dread of hanging hee ment to hange himselfe: finding as in deede it is, that feare is farre more paynfull to cowardise, then death to a true courage. But his fingers were nothing nimble in that action; & any thing was let inough thereto, he being a true louer of himselfe without any ryuall. But lastly guided by a farre greater constellacion then his owne, he remembred to search the other lodge where it might be Pamela that night had retired her selfe. So thether with trembling hammes hee carried himselfe, but employinge his double keye which the Kinge for speciall credit had vnworthylie bestowed vpon him, hee found all the gates so barred, that his key could not preuaile, sauing onely one trapt doore which went down into a vault by the seller which as it was vnknowen of Pyrocles so had he lefte it vnregarded. But Damætas that euer knew the buttery better then any other place, got in that way and pasing softly to Philocleas chamber, where he thought most likely to finde Pamela, the doore being left open hee entred in, and by the light of the lampe, he might discerne on in bed with her: which he although hee tooke to bee Pamela, yet thinking no suretie enough in a matter touchinge his necke, hee went heard to the bedside of these vnfortunate louers, whoe at that time being not much before the breake of day (whether it were they were so diuinely surprised, to bring this whole matter to be destinied conclusion, or that the vnresistable force of their sorrowes, had ouerthrowne the wakefull vse of their senses) were as then possessed, with a mutuall sleep) yet not forgetting with viny embracements, to giue any eye a perfect modell of affection. But Damætas looking with the lampe in his hande but neither with such a force nor mind) vpon these excellent creatures, as Psyche did vpon her vnknowen louer, and giuing euery way freedome to his fearefull eyes, did not onely perceaue it was Zelmane and therefore much different from the Lady hee sought: but that this same Zelmane did more differ from the Zelmane hee and others had euer taken her for, wherein the chaunge of her apparell chiefely confirmed his opinion satisfied with that, and not thinking it good to awake the sleeping Lyon, he went downe againe, taking with him Pyrocles sworde, (wherewith vpon his sleight vndersute Pyrocles came onely apparelled thether) being sure to leaue no weapon in the chamber, and so making the doore as fast as hee coulde on the outside, hopinge with the reuealing of this, (as hee thought greater fault) to make his owne the lesse, or at least that this iniurie would so fill the Kinges head, that he should not haue leysure to chastice his necligence (like a fool not considering that the more rage breeds the crueller punishment) he went first into the Kings chamber, and not finding him there, he ranne downe crying with open mouth, the Kinge was betrayde, and that Zelmane did abuse his daughter. The noise he made being a man of no few wordes ioyned to the yelping sound of Miso, and his vnpleasant enheritrix brought together some number of the shepheards, to whom he without any regard of reseruing it for the Kinges knowledge spattered out the bottom of his stomacke, swearing by him he neuer knew that Zelmane whom they had taken all that while to be a woman, was as arrant a man as himselfe was, whereof hee had seene sufficient signes and tokens; and that hee was as close as a butterflie with the Ladie Philoclea, the poore men iealous of their Princes honour, were readie with weapons to haue entred the lodge; standing yet in some pause, whether it were not best, first to heare some newes from the King himselfe, when by the sodaine comming of other shepheards which with astonished lookes ranne from one crie to the other their griefes were surcharged, with the euil tydings of the Kings death. Turning therefore all their minds and eyes that way, they ranne to the Caue where they said he lay dead, the Sunne beginning now to send some promise of comming light, making hast I thinke to bee spectator of the folowing tragedies. For Basilius hauing past ouer the night more happie in contemplation then action, hauing had his spirits sublymed with the sweete imagination of embrasing the most desired Zelmane, doubting least the Caues darknes might deceaue him in the dayes approch, thought it nowe season to returne to his wedlocke bed, remembring the promise he had made Zelmane, to obserue due orders towards Gynecia. Therefore departing but not departing without bequeathing by a will of wordes, sealed with many kisses, a full guifte of all his loue and life to his misconceaued bedfellowe, he went to the mouth of the Caue, there to apparel himselfe, in which doing the motion of his ioye coulde not bee bridled from vttering such like wordes. Blessed be thou O night said he, that hast with thy sweete winges shrowded mee in the vale of blisse it is thou that art the first gotten childe of time, the day hath bene but an vsurper vpon thy delightfull in heritaunce, thou inuitest all liuing thinges to comfortable rest, thou arte the stop of strife and the necessarie truce of aproching battels. And therewith hee sange these verses, to confirme his former prayses:
O night the ease of care the pledge of pleasure,
Desires best meane, harnest of hartes affected,
The seate of peace, the throne which is erected
Of humane life to be the quiet measure, Be victor still of Phoebus golden treasure:
Who hath our sight with too much sight infected,
Whose light is cause we haue our liues neglected
Turning all natures course to selfe displeasure. These stately starrs in their now shining faces,
With sinlesse sleepe, and silence wisdomes mother,
Witnesse his wrong which by thy helpe is eased: Thou arte therefore of these our desart places
The sure refuge, by thee and by no other
My soule is bliste, sence ioyde, and fortune raysed.
And yet farther would his ioyes needes breake foorth. O Basilius , sayde he, the rest of thy time, hath bene but a dreame vnto thee: it is now onely thou beginnest to liue, now onely thou hast entred into the way of blisfulnes. Should fancie of marriage keepe me from this paradise? Or opinion of I know not what promise binde me from paying the right duties to nature and affection? O who woulde haue thought there could haue bene such difference betwixt women? Bee iealous no more O Gynecia, but yeelde to the preheminence of more excellent guiftes, supporte thy selfe with such marble pillers as she doth, decke thy brest with those alablaster boules that Zelmane doth: then accompanied with such a tittle, perhapes thou maist recouer the possession of my otherwise enclined loue. But alas Gynecia thou canst not shew such euidence; therefore thy plea is vaine. Gynecia hearde all this hee saide who had cast about her Zelmanes garment, wherein she came thether, and had followed Basilius to the Caues entrie; full of inward vexation, betwixt the deadly accusation of her own guiltines, and the spitefull doubt shee had Zelmane had abused her. But because of the one side (finding the King did thinke her to be Zelmane she had libertie to imagine it might rather be the Kings owne vnbridled enterprise, which had barred Zelmane, then Zelmanes cunning deceiuing of her, and that of the other if shee shoulde heddilie seeke a violent reuenge her owne honour might bee as much interessed, as Zelmane endaungered: she fell to this determination. First with fine handling of the King to settle in him a perfect good opinion of her, and then as shee shoulde learne, how things had passed, to take into her selfe new deuised counsaile, but this beinge her first action, hauing geuen vnlooked for attendaunce to the King, she heard with what partiality he did prefer her to her self, she saw in him how much fancy doth not onely darken reaso but beguile sence shee foud opinion Mistres of the louers iudgement, which seruing as a good lesson to her good conceite, she went out to Basilius, setting her selfe in a graue behauiour and stately silence before him: vntill he, (who at the first thinking her by so much shadow as he could see to bee Zelmane, was beginning his louing ceremonies) did now being helped by the peeping light, wherewith the morning did ouercome the nights darkenes, knowe her face and his error, which acknowledging in himself with starting back from her, she thus with a modest bitternes spake vnto him: Alas my Lorde, well did your wordes discipher your minde, and well be those wordes confyrmed with this gesture. Verie loathsome must that woman be, from whome a man hath cause to goe backe; and little better liked is that wife, before whome the husband preferrs them hee neuer knewe. Alas, hath my faithfull obseruing my parte of duety made you thinke your selfe euer a whit the more exempted? Hath that which should claime gratefulnes, bene a cause of contempt? Is the being the mother of Pamela, become an odious name vnto you? If my life hetherto ledde haue not auoyded suspicion? If my violated truth to you be deseruing of any punishment, I refuse not to be chastised with the most cruell torment of your displeasure, I refuse not misery, purchased by mine owne merite. Hard I must needes saye, (although till now I neuer thought I should haue had cause to saye) is the destinie of womankinde, the tryall of whose vertue must stande vpon the louing of them, that employe all theyr industrie not to be beloued. If Zelmanes young yeares had not had so much grauitie hidden vnder a youthfull face, as your graye heares haue bene but the visar of vnfitting youthfulnes, your vicious minde had brought some fruites of repentance, and Gynæcia might then haue bene with much more right so basely despised.
Basilius that was more ashamed to see himselfe so ouertaken, then Vulcan was, when with much cunning hee proued himselfe a Cuckolde, beganne to make certayne extrauagant excuses: but the matter in it selfe hardly brooking any purgacion, with the suddainnes of the time, which barred any good conioyned inuention, made him sometimes alledge one thing, to which by and by he would bring in a contrarye, one time with flat denyall, another time with mitigating the fault, now braue, then humble, vse such a stammering defensiue, that Gynæcia, the violence of whose sore in deede ranne another waye, was content thus to fasten vp the last stitch of her anger. Well, well my Lorde, sayde she, it shall well become you so to gouerne your selfe, as you may be fit rather to direct me, then to be iudged of me; and rather to be a wise maister of me, then an vnskilfull pleader before me. Remember the wrong you haue done is not onely to me, but to your children, whome you had of mee: to your countrey, when they shall finde they are commaunded by him, that can not commaund his owne vndecent appetites: lastly to your selfe, since with these paynes you do but build vp a house of shame to dwell in: if from those moueable goods of nature (wherewith, in my fyrst youth my royall parents bestowed me vppon you) bearing you children, and encrease of yeares haue withdrawen me, consider I pray you, that as you are cause of the one, so in the other, time hath not left to worke his neuer-fayling effectes in you. Truly, truly Sir, very vntimely are these fyres in you: it is time for vs both to let reason enioye his due soueraigntie. Let vs not plant anewe those weedes, which by natures course are content to fade.
Basilius that would rather then his life the matter had bene ended, the best rethorike he had, was flat demanding pardon of her, swearing it was the very force of Apollos destenye which had caryed him thus from his owne bias; but that nowe like as farre trauellers were taught to loue their owne countrie, he had such a lesson without booke, of affection vnto her, as he would repay the debt of this error with the interest of a great deale more true honour then euer before he had done her: neyther am I to geue pardon to you my Lord, sayd she, nor you to beare honour to me. I haue taken this boldnes for the vnfayned loue I owe vnto you, to deliuer my sorrowe vnto you; much more for the care I haue of your well doing, then for any other selfe fancie. For well I knowe that by your good estate my life is mayntayned, neyther, if I would, can I separate my selfe from your fortune. For my parte therefore I clayme nothing but that which may be safest for your selfe; my life, will, honor, and what soeuer else, shall be but a shadow of that bodie. How much Basilius owne shame had found him culpable, and had alreadie euen in soule read his owne condemnacion, so much did this vnexpected mildnes of Gynæcia captiue his harte vnto her, which otherwise perchaunce would haue growne to a desperat carelesnes. Therefore embracing her, and confessing that her vertue shined in his vice, he did euen with a true resolued minde vowe vnto her, that as long as he vnworthie of her did liue, she should be the furthest and onlie limit of his affection. He thanked the destenies, that had wrought her honour out of his shame, and that had made his owne striuing to goe amisse, to be the best meane euer after to hold him in the right pathe. Thus reconciled to Basilius great contentacion, who began something to marke himselfe in his owne doings, his hard hap guided his eye to the cuppe of golde, wherein Gynæcia had put the lickourment for Zelmane , and hauing fayled of that guest, was now carrying it home agayne. But he whome perchaunce sorrowe, perchaunce some long disaccustomed paynes, had made extremely thirstie, tooke it out of her handes, although she directly tolde him, both of whome she had it, what the effect of it was, and the little proofe she had seene thereof; hiding nothing from him, but that she ment to minister it to another pacient. But the Duke whose belly had no eares, and much drouthe kept from the desiring a taster, finding it not vnpleasant to his pallate, dranke it almost off, leauing very little to couer the cuppes bottome. But within a while that from his stomacke the drincke had deliuered to his principall vaynes his noysome vapours, first with a painefull stretching, and forced yawning, then with a darke yellownes dyeng his skinne, and a colde deadlie sweate principally about his temples, his bodie by naturall course longing to deliuer his heauie burden to his earthly damme, wanting force in his knees, which vtterly abandoned him, with heauie fall gaue some proofe whether the operation of that vnknowne potion tended. For with pang-like grones, and gastly turning of his eyes, immediatlie all his limmes stiffened, and his eyes fixed, he hauing had time to declare his case only in these wordes. O Gynæcia I dye. Haue care: of what or how much further he would haue spoken, no man can tell. For Gynæcia hauing well perceyued the changing of his cullour, and those other euill signes, yet had not looked for such a sodaine ouerthrowe, but rather had bethought her selfe what was best for him, when she sodainely sawe the matter come to that periode, comming to him and neyther with any cryes getting a worde of him, nor with any other possible meanes, able to bring any liuing action from him, the height of all ouglie sorrowes did so horriblie appeare before her amazed minde, that at the first, it did not only distract all power of speech from her, but almost wit to consider, remayning as it were quicke buried in a graue of miseries. Her paynefull memorie had streight filled her with the true shapes of all the fore-past mischiefes, her reason began to crye out against the filthye rebellion of sinfull sense, and to teare it selfe with anguish, for hauing made so weake a resistance, her conscience a terrible witnes of the inwarde wickednes, still nourishing this debatefull fyre; her complaynte nowe not hauing an ende to be directed vnto something to disburden sorrowe, but a necessary downefall of inwarde wretchednes. She sawe the rigour of the lawes was like to lay a shamefull death vpon her, which being for that action vndeserued, made it the more insupportable, and yet in deapth of her soule most deserued, made it more miserable. At length letting her tong goe as her dolorous thoughts guided it, she thus with lamentable demeanour spake.
O bottomles pit of sorrowe, in which I cannot conteyne my selfe, hauing the fyrebrands of all furyes within me, still falling, and yet by the infinitenes of it neuer falne. Neyther can I ridde myselfe, being fettred with the euerlasting consideracion of it. For whether should I recommend the protection of my dishonored fall? to the earth? it hath no life, and waites to be encreased by the reliques of my shamed carcasse: to men? who are alwayes cruell in their neighboures faultes, and make others ouerthrowe become the badge of their ill masked vertue? to the heauens? ô vnspeakeable torment of conscience, which dare not looke vnto them. No sinne can enter there, oh there is no receipt for polluted mindes. Whether then wilt thou leade this captiue of thine, ô snakye despayre? Alas, alas, was this the free-holding power that accursed poyson hath graunted vnto me, that to be held the surer it should depriue life? was this the folding in mine armes promised, that I should fould nothing but a dead body? O mother of mine, what a deathfull sucke haue you geuen me? O Philoclea, Philoclea, well hath my mother reuenged vppon me my vnmotherly hating of thee. O Zelmane, to whome yet (least any miserye should fayle me) remayne some sparkes of my detestable loue, if thou hast (as now alas! now my minde assures me thou hast) deceaued me, there is a fayre stage prepared for thee, to see the tragicall ende of thy hated loues. With that worde there flowed out two riuers of teares out of her fayre eyes, which before were drye, the remembraunce of her other mischiefes being dryed vp in a furious fyre of selfe detestation, loue only according to the temper of it melting it selfe into those briny tokens of passion. Then turning her eyes agayne vpon the body, she remembred a dreame she had had some nights before, wherein thinking herselfe called by Zelmane, passing a troublesome passage, she found a dead body which tolde her there should be her only rest. This no sooner caught holde of her remembraunce, then that she determining with her selfe, it was a directe vision of her fore-appoynted ende, tooke a certayne resolucion to embrace death, assoone as it should be offred vnto her, and no way to seeke the prolonging of her annoyed life. And therefore kissing the cold face of Basilius; And euen so will I rest sayd she, and ioyne this faultye soule of mine to thee, if so much the angry gods will graunt mee.
As shee was in this plight, the Sunne nowe climing ouer our Horizon, the first Shepherds came by, who seeing the King in that case, and hearing the noyse Damætas made of the Lady Philoclea, ranne with the dolefull tidings of Basilius death vnto him, who presently with all his company came to the Caues entrye where the Kings body lay. Damætas for his parte more glad for the hope he had of his priuate escape, then sorye for the publike losse his Countrie receaued for a Prince not to be misliked. But in Gynæcia nature preuayled aboue iudgement; and the shame shee conceaued to be taken in that order, ouercame for that instant the former resolucion, so that assoone as she sawe the formost of the pastorall troupe, the wretched Princesse ranne to haue hid her face in the next woods, but with such a minde, that she knewe not almost her selfe what she could wish to be the grounde of her safetie. Damætas that sawe her runne awaye in Zelmanes vpper rayment, and iudging her to be so, thought certaynely all the spirits in hell were come to play a Tragedie in these woods, such strange change he sawe euery way. The King dead at the Caues mouth; the Queene as hee thought absent; Pamela fledde away with Dorus; his wife and Mopsa in diuers franzies. But of all other things Zelmane conquered his capacitie, sodainly from a woman growne to a man; and from a lockt chamber gotten before him into the fieldes, which hee gaue the rest quicklie to vnderstande; for insteede of doing any thing as the exigent required, he beganne to make circles, and all those fantasticall defences that hee had euer hearde were fortifications against Diuells. But the other Shepheards who had both better wittes, and more faith, forthwith deuided themselues, some of them running after Gynecia, and esteeming her running away, a great condemnation of her owne guiltinesse; others going to their Prince, to see what seruice was left for them eyther in recouerie of his life, or honoring his death. They that went after the Queene, had soone ouertaken her, in whome nowe the fyrst feares were stayde, and the resolucion to dye had repossessed his place in her minde. But when they sawe it was the Queene, to whome besides the obedient dutie they ow’de to her state, they had alwayes carried a singuler loue, for her courteous liberalities, and other wise and vertuous partes, which had filled all that people with affection and admiracion. They were all sodainely stopped, beginning to aske pardon for their followinge her in that sorte, and desiring her to be their good Ladie, as she had euer bene. But the Queene who nowe thirsted to be ridde of her selfe, whome she hated aboue all thinges with such an assured countenance as they haue, who alreadie haue dispensed with shame, and digested the sorrowes of death, she thus sayde vnto them. Continue, continue, my friends: your doing is better then your excusing, the one argues assured faith, the other want of assurance. If you loued your Prince, when he was able and willing to doo you much good, which you could not then requite to him; doo you now publish your gratefulnes, when it shall be seene to the world, there are no hopes left to leade you vnto it. Remember, remember you haue lost Basilius a Prince to defend you, a Father to care for you, a companyon in your ioyes, a friend in your wants. And if you loued him, shew you hate the author of his losse. It is I, faithfull Arcadians, that haue spoyled the Countrie of their protector. I, none but I, was the minister of his vnnaturall end. Cary therfore my blood in your hads, to testifie your own innocencie, neither spare for my titles sake, but consider it was he that so entituled me. And if you think of any benefits by my meanes, thinke with it that I was but the instrumet and he the spring. What stay ye Shepheards whose great Shepheard is gone? you neede not feare a woman, reuerence your Lords murtherer, nor haue pittie of her, who hath not pittie of herself. With this she presented her faire neck; some by name, others by signes, desired them to do iustice to the world, dutie to their good king, honor to themselues, and fauour to her. The poore men looked one vpon the other, vnused to be arbiters in Princes matters, and being now falne into a great perplexitie, betwixt a Prince dead and a Princesse aliue. But once for them she might haue gone whether she would, thinking it a sacriledge to touch her person, when she finding she finding she was not a sufficiet oratour to perswade her own death by their hads, well, said she, it is but so much more time of miserie, for my part I will not geue my life so much pleasure from hence forward as to yeeld to his desire of his own choise of death; since all the rest is taken away, yet let me excell in miserie. Leade me therfore whether you will; only happy, because I can not be more wretched. But neyther so much would the honest Shepheards do, but rather with many teares bemoned this encrease of their former losse, till she was faine to leade them, with a very strange spectacle, either that a Princesse should be in the hands of Shepheards, or a prisoner should direct her gardiens: lastly, before either witnes or accuser, a Lady condemne her selfe to death. But in such monefull march they went towards the other Shepheards, who in the meane time had left nothing vnassaied to reuiue the King, but all was bootles; and their sorrowes encreased the more they had suffred any hopes vainly to arise. Among other trialls they made to know at least the cause of his end, hauing espied the vnhappy cup, they gaue the little liquor that was left to a dogge of Damætas, in which within a short time it wrought the like effect; although Damætas did so much to recouer him, that for very loue of his life he dasht out his braines. But now all togither and hauing Gynæcia among them, who to make her selfe the more odious, did continuallie record to their mindes the excesse of their losse, they yelded themselues ouer to all those formes of lamentacion that dolefull images do imprint in the honest but ouertender hartes; especially when they thinke the rebound of the euill falls to their owne smart. Therefore after the auncient greeke maner, some of them remembring the nobilitie of his birth, continued by being like his Auncestors: others his shape, which though not excellent, yet fauour and pittie drew all things now to the highest point; others his peaceable gouernment, the thing which most pleaseth men resolued to liue of their owne; others his liberalitie, which though it cannot light vpon all men, yet men naturallie hoping it may be, they make it a most amiable vertue. Some calling in question the greatnes of his power, which encreased the compassion to see the present change, (hauing a dolefull memorie how he had tempered it with such familier curtesie among them, that they did more feele the fruites, then see the pompes of his greatnes) all with one consent geuing him the sacred titles of good, iust, mercifull, the father of the people, the life of his Countrie, they ranne about his body, tearing their beards and garments; some sending their cryes to heauen, other inuenting perticular howling musicke; manie vowing to kill themselues at the day of his funeralls, generallie geuing a true testimonye, that men are louing creatures when iniuries put them not from their naturall course: and howe easily a thing it is for a Prince by succession, deeplie to sinke into the soules of his subiects, a more liuely monument then Mausolus Tombe. But as with such hartie lamentacion, they dispersed among those woods their resounding shrikes, the Sunne the perfectest marke of time, hauing now gotten vp two howres iourney in his dayly changing Circle, their voice helped with the only answering Echo, came to the eares of the faithfull and worthy Gentleman Philanax: who at that time was comming to visite the King, accompanyed with diuers of the worthie Arcadian Lords, who with him had visited the places adioyning for the more assurance of Basilius solitarines, a thing after the late mutinie he had vsually done, and since the Princesses returne more diligentlie continued, which hauing nowe likewise performed, thinking it as well his duty to see the King as of good purpose, being so neare, to receyue his further direction: accompanied as aboue sayd he was this morning comming vnto him, when these vnpleasant voices gaue his minde an vncertaine presage of his neere approching sorow. For by and by he saw the bodie of his dearely esteemed Prince, and heard Gynecias lamenting: not such as the turtle-like loue is wont to make for the euer ouer-soone losse of her only loued make, but with cursings of her life, detesting her owne wickednes, seeming only therefore not to desire death, because she would not shew a loue of any thing. The Shepheards, especially Damætas, knowing him to be the second person in Aucthoritie, gaue forthwith relacion vnto him, what they knewe and had proued of this dolorous spectacle, besides the other accidents of his children. But he principally touched with his maisters losse, lighting from his horse with a heauie cheare, came and kneeled downe by him, where finding he could do no more then the Shepheards had for his recouerie, the constancie of his minde, surprised before he might call together his best rules, could not refraine such like words. Ah deere maister, sayd he, what change it hath pleased the Almightie Iustice to worke in this place? How soone (not to your losse, who hauing liued long to nature, and to time longer by your well deserued glorie, but longest of all in the eternall mansion you now possesse) But how soone I say to our ruine, haue you left the fraile barke of your estate? O that the words in most faithfull dutie deliuered vnto you, when you first entred this solitarie course, might haue wrought as much perswasion in you, as they sprang from truth in me perchaunce your seruaunt, Philanax should not nowe haue cause in your losse, to bewayle his owne ouerthrowe. And therewith taking himselfe; and in deede euill fitteth it me, sayde he, to let goe my harte to womanish complaints, since my Prince being vndoubtedly well, it rather shewes loue of my selfe, which makes me bewaile mine owne losse. No, the true loue must be proued in the honor of your memorie, and that must be shewed with seeking iust reuenge vpon your vniust and vnnaturall enemies; and farre more honorable it will be for your Tombe, to haue the blood of your murderers sprinkled vpon it, then the teares of your friendes. And if your soule looke downe vppon this miserable earth, I doubt not it had much rather your death were accompanyed with well deserued punishment of the causers of it, then with the heaping on it more sorrowes with the ende of them, to whome you vouchsafed your affection, let them lament that haue wouen the webbe of lamentacion; let theyr owne deathes make them crye out for your death that were the authors of it. Therewith carying manfull sorowe and vindicatife resolucion in his face, he rose vp, so looking on the poore guiltlesse princesse transported with an vniust iustice, that his eyes were sufficient herauldes for him, to denounce a mortall hatred. She, (whome furies of loue, firebrands of her conscience, shame of the world, with the miserable losse of her husband, towardes whome nowe the disdaine of her selfe bred more loue; with the remembrance of her vision, wherewith she resolued assuredly the Gods had appointed that shamefull end to be her resting place, had set her mind to no other way but to death) vsed such like speeches to Philanax, as she had before to the Shepheards; willing him not to looke vpon her as a woman, but a monster; not as a princesse, but a traytor to his prince; not as Basilius wife, but as Basilius murtherer. She tolde him howe the worlde required at his handes, the iust demonstration of his friendship, if hee nowe forgot his Prince, hee shoulde shewe hee had neuer loued but hys fortune: like those vermine that sucke of the liuing bloud, and leaue the body assoone as it is dead, poore Princesse needelesly seeking to kindle him, who did most deadly detest her, which he vttered in this bitter answere. Madame saide he, you do well to hate your selfe, for you cannot hate a worse creature; and though we feele enough your hellish disposition, yet we neede not doubt you are of counsell to your selfe of much worse then we know. But now feare not, you shall not long be combred with being guided by so euell a soule, therefore prepare your selfe that if it be possible you may deliuer vp your spirit so much purer, as you more wash your wickednes with repentaunce. Then hauing presently giuen order for the bringing from Mantinea, a great number of tents, for the receipt of the principall Arcadians: the maner of that countrie being, that where the Prince died, ther should be orders taken for the countries gouernment, and in the place any murther was committed, the iudgement should be giuen ther, before the body was buried, both concurring is this matter, and alredy great parte of the Nobilitie being ariued, he deliuered the Princes to a gentelman of greate trust, and as for Damætas taking from him the keyes of both the lodges, calling him the moth of his Princes estate, and onely spot of his iudgement, he caused him with his wife and daughter, to bee fettered vp in as manye chaines and clogges, as they coulde beare, and euery thirde howre to bee cruelly whipt, till the determinate iudgement should be giuen of all these matters. That done hauing sent alredy at his comming, to all the quarters of the countrie to seeke Pamela, although with smal hope of ouertaking them, he himself went wel accompanied to the lodge where the two vnfortunate louers were attending a cruell conclusion, of their long painefull, and late most painefull affection, Damætas clownish eyes, hauing ben the onely discouerers of Pyrocles stratagem, had no sooner taken a full vewe of them (which in some sightes would rather haue bred any thing, then an accusing minde) and looked the doore vpon these two yong folkes, now made prisoners for loue, as before they had bene prisoners to loue; But that imediatly vpon his going downe, (whether with noyse Damætas made, or with the creeping in of the light, or rather that as extreame griefe had procured his sleepe, so extreame care had measured his sleepe, giuinge his sences a very early salüe to come to themselues) Pyrocles awaked; And being vp the first euill hansell he had of the ill case wherein he was, was the seeing himselfe depriued of his sworde, from which he had neuer seperated himselfe in any occasion, and euen that night first by the Kinges bedd, and then there had laid it, as he thought safe: putting great parte of the trust of his well doing in his owne cowrage so armed. For indeed the confidence in ones self is the chiefe nurse of magnanimitie, which confidence notwithstanding doth not leaue the care of necessarie furnitures, for it: and therefore of all the Grecians Homere doth euer make Achilles the best armed. But that, as I say, was the first ill token: but by and by he perceaued he was a prisoner before any arest, for the doore which he had lefte open was made so fast of the outside, that for all the force he could employe vnto it he could not vndo Damætas doing, then went he to the windowes, to see if that waye, there were any escape for him and his deare Lady, but as vaine hee founde all his employment there not hauing might to breake out but onely one barre, wherin notwithstanding he strained his sinewes to the vttermost. And that he rather took out to vse for other seruice, then for any possibilitie he had to escape, for euen then it was, that Damætas hauing gathered together the first comming sheepheards, did blabber out what hee had founde in the Ladye Philocleas chamber, Pyrocles markingly harkned to all that Damætas said, whose voice and minde, acquaintance had taught him sufficiently to know. But when he assuredly perceaued that his being with the Lady Philoclea was fullie discouered; & by the follie or malice, or rather malicious follie of Damætas her honour therein touched in the hiest degree; remembring withal the crueltie of the Arcadian lawes which without exception did condemn al to death, who were foud (as Damætas reported of them) in acte of mariage without solemnitie of mariage; assuring himselfe besides the law, the King & the Queene, woulde vse so much more hate against their daughter, as they had found themselues sotted by him, in the pursute of their loue; Lastly seing they were not only in the way of death, but fittly encaged for death, looking with a hartie griefe vpon the honour of loue, the fellowes Philoclea, (whose innocent soule now enioying his owne goodnes did little knowe the daunger of his euer faire then sleeping harbour) his excellent wit strengthened with vertue but guided by loue, had soone described to himselfe a perfect vision of their present condition, wherein hauing presently cast a resolute reckoning of his owne parte of the misery, not only the chiefe but sole burthen of his anguish consisted in the vnworthy case, which was like to fall vpon the best deseruing Philoclea. He saw the misfortune not the mismeaning of his worke, was like to bring that creature to end, in whom the worlde as he thought did begin to receaue honour hee saw the weake iudgement of man, woulde condemne that as death deseruing voice in her, which had in troth neuer broken the bonds of a true liuing vertue, & how often his eye turned to his attractiue adamant: so often did an vnspeakable horror strike his noble hart: to cosider so vnripe yeares, so fautles a beautie, the mansion of so pure goodnes, should haue her youth so vntimely cut off, her naturall perfections vnnaturallie cosumed, her vertue rewarded with shame, somtimes he would accuse himselfe of necligence, that had not more curiously looked to al the house entries, & yet coulde hee not imagine the way Damætas was gotten in, & to call backe what might haue ben to a ma of wisdom & courage, caries but a vaine shadow of discourse somtimes he could not chose but with a dissolutio of his inward might lamentably consider with what face he might looke vpon his (till then) ioy Philoclea, when the next light waking should deliuer vnto her, should perchaunce be the last of her hurtles life. And that the first time she should bend her excellent eyes vpon him, shee should see the accursed aucthor of her dreadfull end, & euen this consideration more then any other, did so set it selfe in his well disposed minde, that dispersing his thoughts to all the wayes that might be of her safetie, finding a verye small discourse in so narrowe lymits of time and place, at length in many difficulties he saw none beare any likelyhood for her life, but his death. For the he thought it would fal out that when they foud his body dead, hauing no accuser but Damætas as by his speach he found there was not, it might iustly appeare that either Philoclea in defending her honour, or els he himself in dispaire of atchieuing, had left his carcase profe of his intent but witnes of her clearenes, hauing a small while staied vpon the greatnes of his resolution and loked to the furthest of it, be it so said the valiant Pyrocles: neuer life for better cause, nor to better end was bestowed, for if death be to follow this doing, which no death of mine could make me leaue vndon, who is to die so iustly as my self? And if I must die, who can be so fit executioners as mine owne hands? Which as they were accessaries to the doing, so in killing me they shall suffer their owne punishment. But then arose ther a new impediment, for Damætas hauing caried away any thing, which he thought might hurt as tender a man as himselfe, hee coulde finde no fit instrument which might geue him a finall dispatch, at length makinge the more haste, leaste his Lady should awake, taking the Iron barre, (which being sharper something at the one end, then the other, he hoped ioynd to his willing strength, might breake of the former threed of mortallitie, truely said he, fortune thou hast well perseuered mine enemie, that wilt graunt me no fortune, to be vnfortunate, nor let me haue an easie passage now I am to troubl thee no more. But said he O bar blessed in that thou hast done seruice to the chamber of the paragon of life, since thou couldest not help me to make a perfitter escape, yet serue my turne I pray thee, that I may escape from my selfe, there withall yet once looking to fetch the last repast of his eyes and newe againe transported with the pittifull case hee lefte her in, kneeling downe he thus prayed. O great maker and great ruler of this worlde, saide hee, to thee do I sacrifice this bloud of mine, and suffer Lorde the errors of my youth, to passe away therein, and let not the soule by thee made, and euer bending vnto thee, be now reiected of thee, neither be offended that I do abandon this body, to the gouernment of which thou hadst placed me, without thy leaue, since how ca I know but that thy vnsearchable minde is, I should so doe, since thou hast taken from me all meanes longer to abide in it? And since the difference stads but in a short time of dying, thou that hast framed my soule enclyned to do good, howe can I in this smal space of mine, benefit so much all the humane kinde, as in preseruing thy perfittest workmanship, their chiefest honour? O iustice it selfe, howsoeuer thou determinest of me, let this excellent innocency not bee oppressed! Let my life pay her losse, O Lord geue me some signe that I may die with this comfort. (And pawsing a little as if he had hoped for some token) and when soeuer to the eternall darknes of the earth she doth followe me, let our spirits possesse one place, and let them bee more happie in that vniting. With that word striking the barre vpon his harte side, withall the force he had, and falling withall vpon to giue it the thorower passage, the barre in troth was to blunt to do theffect, although it pearced his skinne and brused his ribbes very sore, so that his breath was almost past him. But the noyse of his fall, draue away sleepe from the quiet sences of the deere Philoclea, whose sweete soule had an earely salutation of a deadly spectacle vnto her, with so much more astonishment, as the falling a sleepe but a litle before she had retired her selfe from the vttermost pointe of wofulnes, and sawe now againe before her eyes the most cruell enterprise that humane nature can vndertake without discerning any cause therof. But the liuely printe of her affection had soone taught her not to stay long vpon diliberation, in so vrgent a necessitie, therefore getting with speede her weake though well accorded limmes out of her sweetned bedd, as when Iuells are hastely pulled out of some riche coffer, she spared not the nakednes of her tender feete, but I thincke borne as fast with desire as feare carried Daphne, she came running to Pyrocles, and finding his spirits somthing troubled with the fall; she put by the barre that lay close to him, and strayning him in her most beloued embracement, my comforte, my ioye, my life saide shee, what haste haue you to kill your Philoclea with the most cruell torment that euer Lady suffred? Do you not yet perswade your selfe that any hurte of yours is a death vnto me? And that your death shoulde bee my hell? Alas, if any sodaine mislike of mee (for other cause I see none) haue caused you to loath your selfe, if any fault or defect of mine hath bred this terriblest rage in you, rather let mee suffer the bitternes of it, for so shal the deseruer be punished, mankind preserued from such a ruine, & I for my part shall haue that comforte, that I dye by the noblest hande that euer drew sword. Pyrocles greued with his fortune that he had not in one instant cut of all such deliberation, thinking his life onely reserued to be bound to bee the vnhappie newes teller: Alas said he, my onely Starre, why doe you this wrong to God, your selfe and me, to speake of faultes in you, no, no, most faultlesse, most perfet Lady, it is your excellencie that makes me hasten my desired end, it is the right I owe to the generall nature, that (though against priuate nature) makes me seek the preseruation of all that she hath done in this age, let me, let me dye. There is no way to saue your life most worthy to be conserued, then that my death be your clearing, then did he with farre more paine and backward loathnes, then the so neere killing himselfe was (but yet driuen with necessitie to make her yeeld, to that hee thought was her safetie) make her a short but pithie discourse, what he had heard by Damætas speeches, confirming the rest with a plaine demonstratio of their imprisonment. And then sought he new meanes of stopping his breath, but that by Philocleas labour, aboue her force, he was stayed to heare her. In whom a man might perceue, what smal difference in the working there is, betwixt a simple voidnes of euill, & a iudiciall habit of vertue. For she, not with an vnshaked magnanimity, wherewith Pyrocles wayed & dispised death, but with an innocent guiltlessnes, not knowing why she should feare to deliuer her vnstayned soule to God, helped with the true louing of Pyrocles, which made her think no life without him, did almost bring her minde to as quiet attending all accidents, as the vnmastred vertu of Pyrocles . Yet hauing with a prety palenes (which did leaue milken lines, vpon her rosie cheekes) payd a little dutie to humane feare, taking the Prince by the hand, and kissing the wound he had giuen himselfe; O the only life of my life, and (if it fall out so) the comforte of my death, saide shee, farre farre from you, be the doing me such wronge, as to thinke I will receaue my life as a purchase of your death, but well may you make my death so much more miserable, as it shall any thinge be delayed after my onely felicitie. Doe you thincke I can accompte of the moment of death, like the vnspeakeable afflictions my soule shoulde suffer, so ofte as I call Pyrocles to my minde, which should be as ofte as I breathed? Should these eyes guide my steppes, that had seene your murder? should these hands feede me that had not hindred such a mischiefe? Should this harte remaine within me, at euery pant to count the continuall clock of my miseries? O no, if die we must, let vs thanke death, he hath not deuided so true an vnion! And truely my Pyrocles, I haue heard my father, and other wise men say that the killing ones selfe is but a false coulloure, of true courage; proceeding rather of feare of a further euil, either of torment or shame. For if it were a not respecting the harme, that woulde likewise make him not respect what might be done vnto him: and hope, being of al other, the most contrary thing to feare: this being an vtter banishment of hope, it seemes to receaue his ground in feare. Whatsoeuer (would they say) comes out of despaire, cannot beare the title of valure, which should bee lifted vp to such a hight, that holding al things vnder it selfe, it should be able to maintaine his greatnes euen in the middest of miseries. Lastly they would saye, God had appointed vs Captaines of these our boddylie fortes, which without treason to that Maiestie, were neuer to be deliuered ouer till they were redemaunded. Pyrocles, who had that for a lawe vnto him, not to leaue Philoclea in any thing vnsatisfied, although hee still remained in his former purpose, and knew that time would grow short for it, yet hearing no noyse (the shepheardes being as then run to Basilius) with setled and humbled countenaunce, as a man that should haue spoken of a thing that did not concerne himself, bearing eue in his eyes sufficient showes, that it was nothing but Philocleas danger, which did any thinge burden his harte, farre stronger then fortune, hauing with vehement embracinges of her, got yet some fruite of his delayed end, he thus aunswered the wise innocency of Philoclea. Lady most worthy not only of life, but to be the verie life of al things the more notable demonstrations you make of the loue, so farre beyond my deserte, with which it pleaseth you to ouercome fortune, in making mee happye; the more am I euen in course of humanitie (to leaue that loues force, which I neither can nor will leaue) bound, to seeke requitals witnes, that I am not vngratefull, to do which the infinitnes of your goodnes being such as it canot reach vnto it, yet doing al I can and paying my life, which is all I haue, though it be farre (without measure) shorte of your desarte, yet shall I not die in debt, to mine owne dutie. And truly the more excellent arguments you made, to keep me from this passage, imagined farre more terrible then it is; the more plainely it makes mee see what reason I haue, to preuent the losse not only of Arcadia, but all the face of the earth should receaue, if such a tree (which euen in his first spring, doth not onely beare most beautifull blossomes, but most rare fruites) should be so vntimely cut off. Therefore, ô most truely beloued Lady, to whom I desire for both our goods, that these may bee my last wordes, geue me your consent euen out of that wisedome which must needes see, that (besids your vnmatched betternesse, which perchaunce you will not see) it is fitter one die the both. And since you haue sufficiently showed you loue me, let me claime by that loue, you wil be content rather to let me die contentedly, then wretchedly: rather with a cleare and ioyfull conscience, then with desperate condemnation in my selfe, that I accursed villaine, shoulde bee the meane of banishing from the sight of men the true example of vertue. And because there is nothing lefte me to be imagined, which I so much desire, as that the memory of Pyrocles, may euer haue an allowed place in your wise iudgement, I am content to drawe so much breath longer, as by aunswearing the sweete obiections you alledged, maye bequath (as I thinke) aright conceate vnto you, that this my doinge is out of iudgement, and not sprong of passion. Your father you say, was wont to say, that this like action doth more proceed of feare, of furder euil or shame, then of a true courage, Truly first, they put a very gessing case, speaking of them who can euer after come to tell, with what minde they did it. And as for my parte, I call them imortall truth to witnes, that no feare of torment can apall me: who know it is but diuerse manners of apparelling death: and haue long learned, to set bodely paine but in the second fourme of my being. And as for shame, how can I be ashamed of that, for which my well meaning conscience wil answeare for me to God, and your vnresistable beautie to the world? But to take that argument in his owne force, and graunt it done for auoyding of further paine or dishonour, (for as for the name of feare, it is but an odious title of a passion, giuen to that which true iudgement performeth) graunt, I say, it is, to shun a worse case, & truly I do not see, but that true fortitude, loking into al humaine things with a persisting resoluti, carried away neither with wonder of pleasing things, nor astonishment of the vnpleasaunt, doth not yet depriue it selfe, of the discerning the difference of euill, but rather is the onely vertue, which with an assured tranquillitye shunnes the greater by the valiant entring into the lesse. Thus for his countries safety he wil spend his life, for the sauing of a lym, he will not niggardly spare his goods; for the sauing of all his body, hee will not spare the cutting of a lym, where indeed the weake harted man will rather dye, then see the face of a surgeon: who might with as good reason saye, that the constant man abides the painefull surgery, for feare of a further euill: but he is content to waite for death it selfe, but neither is true; for neither hath the one any feare, but a well choosing iudgement; nor the other hath any contentment, but onely feare; and not hauing a harte actiuely to performe a matter of paine, is forced passiuely to abide a greater damage. For to doe, requires a whole harte, to suffer falleth easeliest in the broken minds. And if in bodely torment thus, much more in shame; wherein since vallure is a vertue, and vertue is euer limited, we must not runne so infinitely, as to thinke the valiant man is willinglie to suffer any thing, since the very suffering of some things is a certaine proofe of want of courage. And if any thing vnwillinglie among the chiefest may shame goe: for if honour be to be held deere, his contrarye is to be abhorred, and that not for feare, but of a true election. For which is the lesse inconuenient, either the losse of some yeares more or lesse (for once we knowe our liues be not immortall) or the submitting our selues to each vnworthy misery, which the foolish world may lay vpon vs? As for their reason, that feare is contrary to hope, neither do I defend feare, nor much yeeld to the aucthoritye of hope; to eyther of which great enclining shewes but a feeble reason, which must be guided by his seruaunts; and who builds not vppon hope, shall feare no earthquake of despaire. Their last alleadging of the heauenly powers, as it beares the greatest name, so it is the only thing, that at all bred any combate in my minde. And yet I do not see, but that if God hath made vs maisters of any thing, it is of our owne liues; out of which without doing wrong to any body, we are to issue at our owne pleasure. And the same Argument would asmuch preuayle to say we should for no necessitie lay away from vs, any of our ioyntes, since they being made of him, without his warrant we should not depart from them; or if that may be, for a greater cause we may passe to a greater degree. And if we be Lieutenants of God, in this little Castle, do you not thinke we must take warning of him to geue ouer our charge when he leaues vs vnprouided, of good meanes to tarrye in it? No certainelie do I not answered the sorrowfull Philoclea, since it is not for vs to appoint that mightie Maiestie, what time he will helpe vs: the vttermost instant is scope enough for him, to reuoke euery thing to ones owne desire. And therefore to preiudicate his determinacion, is but a doubt of goodnes in him, who is nothing but goodnes. But when in deede he doth either by sicknes, or outward force lay death vpon vs, then are we to take knowledge, that such is his pleasure, and to knowe that all is well that he doth. That we should be maisters of our selues, we can shewe at all no title, nor clayme; since neyther we made our selues, nor bought our selues, we can stand vpon no other right but his guift, which he must limit as it pleaseth him. Neyther is there any proporcion, betwixt the losse of any other limme and that, since the one bends to the preseruing all, the other to the destruction of all; the one takes not away the minde from the actions for which it is placed in the world, the other cuts off all possibilitie of his working. And truly my most deere Pyrocles, I must needes protest vnto you, that I can not thinke your defence euen in rules of vertue sufficient. Sufficient and excellent it were, if the question were of two outward things, wherein a man might by natures freedome determine, whether he would preferre shame to payne; present smaller torment, to greater following, or no. But to this (besides the comparison of the matters vallewes) there is added of the one part a direct euill doing, which maketh the ballance of that side too much vnequall. Since a vertuous man without any respect, whether the griefe be lesse or more, is neuer to do that which he can not assure himselfe is allowable before the euerliuing rightfulnes. But rather is to thinke honoures or shames, which stande in other mens true or false iudgements, paynes or not paynes, which yet neuer approach our soules, to be nothing in regarde of an vnspotted conscience. And these reasons do I remember, I haue heard good men bring in, that since it hath not his ground in an assured vertue, it proceedes rather of some other disguised passion. Pyrocles was not so much perswaded as delighted, by her well conceaued and sweetely pronounced speaches; but when she had cloased her pittifull discourse, and as it were sealed vp her delightfull lippes, with the moistnes of her teares, which followed still one another like a precious rope of pearle, now thinking it hye time. Be it as you saye (sayde hee most vertuous beawtye) in all the rest, but neuer can God himselfe perswade me, that Pyrocles life is not well lost, for to preserue the most admirable Philoclea. Let that be if it be possible written on my Tombe, and I will not enuye Codrus honour. With that he would agayne haue vsed the barre, meaning if that failde, to leaue his braynes vppon the wall. When Philoclea now brought to that she most feared, kneeled downe vnto him, and embracing so his legges, that without hurting her, (which for nothing he would haue done) he could not ridde himselfe from her, she did with all the coniuring wordes, which the authoritye of loue may laye, beseeche him, he would not nowe so cruelly abandon her, he woulde not leaue her comfortlesse in that miserye, to which he had brought her. That then in deede she woulde euen in her soule accuse him, to haue most fouly betrayed her; that then she should haue cause, to curse the time that euer the name of Pyrocles came to her eares, which otherwise no death could make her do. Will you leaue me, sayde she, not onely dishonoured as supposed vnchaste with you, but as a murderer of you? Will you geue mine eyes such a picture of hell, before my neere approaching death, as to see the murdred bodie of him, I loue more then all the liues that nature can geue? With that she sware by the hyest cause of all deuocions, that if he did perseuer in that cruell resolucion, she would (though vntruly) not onely confesse to her father, that with her cosent this acte had bene committed, but if that would not serue (after she had puld out her owne eyes, made accursed by such a sight) she would geue her selfe so terrible a death, as she might think the paine of it would counteruaile the neuer dying paine of her minde. Now therefore kill your selfe, to crowne this vertuous action with infamy: kill your selfe to make me (whome you say you loue) as long as I after liue, change my louing admiracion of you, to a detestable abhorring your name. And so indeede you shall haue the ende you shoote at, for in steede of one death, you shall geue me a thousand, and yet in the meane time, depriue me of the helpe God may sende me. Pyrocles euen ouerwayed with her so wisely vttred affection, finding her determinacion so fixed, that his ende should but depriue them both of a present contentment, and not auoyde a comming euill (as a man that ranne not vnto it, by a sodayne qualme of passion, but by a true vse of reason, preferring her life to his owne) nowe that wisedome did manifest vnto him, that waye woulde not preuayle, he retired himselfe, with as much tranquillitie from it, as before he had gone vnto it. Like a man, that had set the keeping or leauing of the bodye, as a thing without himselfe, and so had thereof a freed and vntroubled consideracion- Therefore throwing away the barre from him, and taking her vp from the place, where he thought the consummating of all beawties, very vnworthely lay, suffring all his sences to deuoure vp their chiefest foode, which he assured himselfe they should shortly after for euer be depriued of: well, said he, most deere Lady, whose contentment I preferre before mine own, and iudgement esteeme more then mine owne, I yeeld vnto your pleasure. The gods send you haue not woon your owne losse. For my part they are my witnesses, that I thinke I do more at your commaundement, in delayeng my death, then another would in bestowing his life. But now, sayd he, as thus farre I haue yeelded vnto you, so graunt me in recompence thus much againe, that I may finde your loue in graunting, as you haue found your authoritye in obteyning. My humble suite is, you will say I came in by force into your Chamber, for so am I resolued now to affirme, and that will be the best for vs both; but in no case name my name, that whtsoeuer come of me my house be not dishonored. Philoclea fearing least refusall would turne him backe againe, to his violent refuge, gaue him a certayne countenance, that might shewe she did yeeld to his request, the latter part whereof indeed she meant for his sake to performe. Neyther could they spend more wordes together, for Philanax, with twentie of the noblest personages of Arcadia after him, were come into the Lodge, Philanax making the rest stay belowe, for the reuerence he bare to womanhood, as stillie as he could came to the dore, and opening it, drewe the eyes of these two dolefull louers vpon him. Philoclea cloasing againe for modestie sake, within her bed the ritchesse of her beawties, but Pyrocles tooke holde of his barre, minding at least to dye, before the excellent Philoclea should receyue any outrage. But Philanax rested awhile vppon himselfe, stricken with admiracion at the goodlie shape of Pyrocles, whome before he had neuer seene, and withall remembring besides others the notable acte he had done (when with his courage and eloquence, he had saued Basilius, perchaunce the whole state from vtter ruyne) he felte a kinde of relenting minde towardes him. But when that same thought, came waighted on, with the remembraunce of his maisters death, which he by all probabilities thought he had bene of Councell vnto with the Queene, compassion turned to hatefull passion, and lefte in Philanax a straunge medley, betwixt pittie and reuenge, betwixt lyking and abhorring. O Lorde, sayde hee to himselfe, what wonders doth nature in our tyme, to set wickednesse so beawtifully garnished? and that which is straungest, out of one spring to make wonderfull effectes both of vertue and vice to issue? Pyrocles seeing him in such a muse, neyther knowing the man, nor the cause of his comming, but assuring himselfe, it was for no good, yet thought best to begin with him in this sort. Gentleman sayde hee, what is the cause of your comming to my Lady Philocleas chamber? is it to defende her from such violence, as I might goe about to offer vnto her? if it be so, truly your comming is vayne, for her owne vertue hath bene a sufficient resistaunce, there needes no strength to be added to so inuiolate chastetie, the excellencie of her mind, makes her bodie impregnable. Which for mine own part I had soone yelded to confesse, with going out of this place (where I found but little comfort being so disdainefully receiued) had I not bene, I know not by whom presently vpon my coming hether, so locked into this chamber, that I could neuer escape hence: where I was fettred in the most gilty shame, that euer ma was, seing what a paradice of vnspotted goodnes, my filthy thoughts sought to defile. If for that therfore you come, alredy I assure you, your arrat is performed; but if it be to bring me to any punishmet whatsoeuer, for hauing vndertaken so vnexcusable presumption. Truly I beare such an accuser about me of mine own conscience, that I willingly submit my selfe vnto it. Only this much let me demaund of you, that you will be a witnesse vnto the King what you heare me say, & oppose your selfe, that neither his sodaine fury, nor any other occasion may offer any hurt to this Lady; in whome you see nature hath accomplished so much, that I am faine to lay mine owne faultines, as a foile of her purest excellency. I can say no more, but looke vppon her beawtie, remember her bloud, consider her yeares, and iudge rightly of her vertues, and I doubt not a gentlemans mind, will then be a sufficient enstructer vnto you, in this I may tearme it miserable chaunce, happened vnto her by my vnbridled audacitie. Philanax was content to heare him out, not for any fauour he owed him, but to see whether he would reueale any thing of the originall cause, and purpose of the kings death. But finding it so farre from that, that he named Basilius vnto him, as supposing him aliue, thinking it rather cunning then ignorance: Yong man, said he, whome I haue cause to hate before I haue meane to know, you vse but a point of skill, by confessing the manifest smaller fault, to be beleeued hereafter in the deniall of the greater. But for that matter, all passeth to one end, and hereafter we shal haue leisure by torments to seke the truth, if the loue of truth it selfe will not bring you vnto it. As for my Lady Philoclea, if it so fall out as you say, it shall be the more fit for her yeares, & comely for the great house she is come of, that an ill gouerned beawtie hath not cancelled the rules of vertue. But howsoeuer it be, it is not for you to teach an Arcadian, what reuerent duty we owe to any of that progeny. But, said he, come you with me without resistance, for the one cannot auaile, and the other may procure pitie. Pitie? said Pyrocles with a bitter smiling, disdained, with so currish an answere: no, no, Arcadian, I can quickly haue pitie of my selfe, and I would think my life most miserable, which should be a gift of thine. Only I demaund this innocent Ladies securitie, which vntill thou hast cofirmed vnto me by an oath, assure thy selfe, the first that layes hands vpo her, shall leaue his life for a testimony of his sacriledge. Philanax with an inward storme, thinking it most manifest they were both, he at least, of counsell with the kings death: well, said he, you speake much to me of the king: I do here sweare vnto you, by the loue I haue euer borne him, she shal haue no worse, howsoeuer it fal out, then her own parents. And vpon that word of yours I yeld, said the poore Pyrocles , deceiued by him that ment not to deceiue him. Then did Philanax deliuer him into the hands of a noble man in the company, euery one desirous to haue him in his charge, so much did his goodly presence (wherin true valure shined) breede a delightfull admiration in all the beholders. Philanax himselfe stayed with Philoclea, to see whether of her he might learne some disclosing of this former conclusion. But she sweet Lady whom first a kindly shamefastnes had separated from Pyrocles, (hauing bene left in a more open view then her modesty would well beare) then the attending her fathers comming, and studying how to behaue her selfe towards him for both their safeties, had called her spirits all within her: now that vpon a sodaine Pyrocles was deliuered out of the chamber from her, at the first she was so surprized with the extreame stroke of the wofull sight, that, like those that in their dreames are taken with some ougly vision, they would fain cry for help, but haue no force, so remained she awhile quite depriued not only of speach, but almost of any other liuely actio. But whe indeed Pyrocles was quite drawne fro her eys, & that her vital stregth bega to return vnto her, now not knowing what they did to Pyrocles, but (according the nature of loue) fearing the worst, wringing her hands, and letting abundance of teares be the first part of her eloquence, bending her Amber-crowned head ouer her bed side to the hard-hearted Philanax: O Philanax, Philanax, sayd she, I knowe how much authoritye you haue with my father: there is no man whose wisedome he so much esteemes, nor whose faith so much he reposeth vpon. Remember how oft you haue promised your seruice vnto me, how oft you haue geuen me occasion to beleeue that there was no Lady in whose fauor you more desired to remayne: and, if the remembrance be not vnpleasant to your mind, or the rehearsall vnfitting for my fortune, remember there was a time when I could deserue it. Now my chaunce is turned, let not your truth turne. I present my selfe vnto you, the most humble and miserable suppliant liuing, neither shall my desire be great: I seeke for no more life then I shall be found worthy of. If my bloud may wash away the dishonor of Arcadia, spare it not, although through me it hath in deede neuer bene dishonored. My only sute is you wil be a meane for me, that while I am suffered to enioy this life, I may not be separated from him, to whom the Gods haue ioyned me, and that you determine nothing of him more cruelly then you do of me. If you rightly iudge of what hath past, wherein the Gods (that should haue bene of our mariage) are witnesses of our innocencies: then procure, we may liue together. But if my father will not so conceiue of vs, as the fault (if any were) was vnited, so let the punishmet be vnited also. There was no man that euer loued either his Prince, or any thing pertaining to him with a truer zeale then Philanax did. This made him euen to the depth of his heart receiue a most vehemet griefe, to see his master made as it were more miserable after death. And for himselfe, calling to mind in what sort his life had bene preserued by Philoclea, what time taken by Amphialus he was like to suffer a cruell death, there was nothing could haue kept him from falling to all tender pittie, but the perfect perswasion he had, that all this was ioyned to the packe of his maisters death, which the misconceiued speech of marriage made him the more beleeue. Therefore first muttering to himselfe such like words: The violence the gentleman spake of, is now turned to mariage: he alledged Mars, but she speakes of Venus. O vnfortunate maister. This hath bene that faire diuell Gynæcia: sent away one of her daughters, prostituted the other, empoysoned thee, to ouerthrowe the diademe of Arcadia. But at length thus vnto her selfe he sayde: If your father, Madame, were now to speake vnto, truly there should no body be found a more ready aduocate for you, then my selfe. For I would suffer this fault, though very great to be blotted out of my minde, by your former led life, your benefit towards my selfe, and being daughter to such a father. But since among your selues you haue taken him away, in whome was the only power to haue mercy, you must now be clothed in your owne working: and looke for none other, then that which dead pittilesse lawes may allot vnto you. For my part, I loued you for your vertue, but now where is that? I loued you in respect of a priuate benefit, what is that in comparison of the publike losse? I loued you for your father, vnhappy folks you haue robbed the world of him. These words of her father were so little vnderstood by the only well vnderstanding Philoclea, that she desired him to tell her, what he meant to speake in such darke sort vnto her of her lord and father, whose displeasure was more dreadfull vnto her, then her punishment: that she was free in her owne conscience, she had neuer deserued euill of him, no not in this last fact: wherein if it pleased him to proceed with patience, he should finde her choise had not bene vnfortunate. He that saw her words written in the plaine table of her faire face, thought it impossible there should therin be contained deceite: and therfore so much the more abashed: Why, said he, Madame, would you haue me thinke, you are not of conspiracy with the Princesse Pamelas flight, and your fathers death? with that word the sweet Lady gaue a pittifull cry, hauing streight in her face & breast abundance of witnesses, that her hart was far from any such abhominable consent. Ah of all sides vtterly ruined Philoclea, said she, now in deed I may well suffer all conceite of hope to dye in mee. Deare father where was I, that might not do you my last seruice before soone after miserably following you? Philanax perceiued the demonstracion so liuely & true in her, that he easily acquited her in his heart of that fact, and the more was moued to ioyne with her in most heartie lamentation. But remembring him, that the burthen of the state, and punishment of his masters murderers, lay all vpon him: Well, sayde he, Madame, I can do nothing, without all the states of Arcadia: what they will determine of you, I know not, for my part your speaches would much preuaile with me, but that I finde not how to excuse, your geuing ouer your body to him, that for the last proofe of his treason, lent his garments to disguise your miserable mother, in the most vile fact she hath comitted. Hard sure it will be to separate your causes, with whome you haue so neerely ioyned your selfe. Neither do I desire it, said the sweetly weeping Philoclea: whatsoeuer you determine of him, do that likewise to me; for I knowe, from the fountaine of vertue nothing but vertue could euer proceede; only as you finde him faultlesse, let him finde you fauourable, and build not my dishonor vpo surmises. Philanax feeling his hart more & more mollifieng vnto her, renewed the image of his dead master in his fancy, and vsing that for the spurres of his reuegefull choller, went sodainly, without any more speach, from the desolate Lady, to whome now fortune seemed to threaten vnripe death, and vndeserued shame among her least euils. But Philanax leauing good guard vpon the Lodge, went himselfe to see the order of his other prisoners, whome euen then as he issued, he found increased by this vnhoped meanes.
The noble Pamela hauing deliuered ouer the burthen of her fearefull cares to the naturall ease of a well refreshing sleepe, reposed both mind & body vpo the trusted support of her princely shepheard, whe with the brayeng cryes of a rascall company she was robbed of her quiet, so that at one instat she opened her eyes, & the enraged Musidorus rose fro her, enraged betwixt the doubt he had what these men would go about, & the spite he conceiued against their ill-pleasing presence. But the clownes, hauing with their hideous noyse brought them both to their feet, had soone knowledge what guests they had found, for in deede these were the skummy remnant of those rebels, whose naughty minds could not trust so much to the goodnes of their Prince, as to lay their hangworthy necks vpo the constancy of his promised pardon. Therfore whe the rest (who as shepe had but followed their fellowes) so sheepishly had submitted theselues, these only comitted their safety to the thickest part of those desert woods, who as they were in the constitution of their mindes little better then beastes, so were they apt to degenerate to a beastly kinde of life, hauing now framed their gluttonish stomackes to haue for foode the wilde benefites of nature, the vttermost ende they had, being but to drawe out (as much as they could) the line of a tedious life. In this sorte vagabonding in those vntroden places, they were guided by the euerlasting Iustice, vsing themselues to bee punishers of theyr faultes, and making theyr owne actions the beginning of their chastizements, (vnhappely both for him and themselues) to light on Musidorus. Whom as soone as they saw turned towards them, they full well remembred it was he, that accompanyed with Basilius, had come to the succour of Zelmane: and had left among some of them bloudie tokens of his valure. As for Pamela, they had many times seene her. Thus fyrst sturred vp with a rusticall reuenge against him, and then desire of spoyle, to helpe their miserable wants, but chiefly thinking it was the way to confirme their owne pardon, to bring the Princesse backe vnto her father (whome they were sure he would neuer haue sent so farre so sleightlie accompanyed) without any other denouncing of warre, set altogither vpon the worthy Musidorus. Who being before hand asmuch enflamed against them, gaue them so braue a welcome, that the smart of some made the rest stand further off, crying and prating against him, but like bad curres, rather barking then cloasing; he in the meane time placing his trembling Lady to one of the Pyne trees, and so setting himselfe before her, as might shewe the cause of his courage grewe in himselfe, but the effect was only employed in her defence. The villaines that now had a second proofe, how ill wordes they had for such a sword, turned all the course of their violence into throwing dartes and stones, in deede the only way to ouermaister the valure of Musidorus. Who finding them some already touch, some fall so neere his chiefest life Pamela, that in the ende some one or other might happe to doo an vnsuccourable mischiefe, setting all his hope in despaire, ranne out from his Lady among them. Who streight like so many swyne, when a hardy mastife sets vpon them, dispersed themselues. But the first he ouertooke, as he ranne away, carying his head as farre before him, as those maner of runnings are wont to doo, with one blowe strake it so cleane off, that it falling betwixt the handes, and the body falling vppon it, it made a shewe as though the fellow had had great haste to gather vp his head agayne. Another the speede he made to runne for the best game, bare him full butte agaynst a tree, so that tumbling backe with a brused face, and a dreadfull expectation, Musidorus was streight vpon him: and parting with his sword one of his legges from him, left him to make a roaring lamentation that his morter-treading was marred for euer. A third finding his feete too slowe, aswell as his handes too weake, sodaynely turned backe, beginning to open his lippes for mercye. But before hee had well entred a rudely compilde oration, Musidorus blade was come betweene his iawes into his throate, and so the poore man rested there for euer with a very euill mouthfull of an answere. Musidorus in this furious chafe would haue followed some other of these hatefull wretches, but that he heard his Lady cry for helpe, whome three of this villanous crue, had (whiles Musidorus followed their fellowes) compassing about some trees, sodainly come vpon and surprized, threatning to kill her if she cried, and meaning to conuey her out of sight, while the Prince was making his bloud-thirstie chase. But she that was resolued, no worse thing could fall vnto her, then the being depriued of him, on whome she had established all her comfort, with a pittifull cry fetched his eyes vnto her: who then thinking so many weapons thrust into his eyes, as with his eyes he sawe bent against her, made all hartie speede to her succour. But one of them wiser then his companions, set his dagger to her Alablaster throate, swearing if hee threwe not away his sword, he would presently kill her. There was neuer poore scholler, that hauing in stede of his booke some playing toy about him, did more sodainly cast it from him, at the child-feared presence of a cruell Scholemaister. Then the valiant Musidorus, discharged himselfe of his only defence, whe he saw it stood vpo the instat point of his Ladies life. And holding vp his noble hands to so vnworthy audience, O Arcadians, it is I that haue done, you the wrong, she is your Princesse (said he) shee neuer had will to hurt you, and you see shee hath no power. Vse your choller vpo me that haue better deserued it, do not your selues the wrong to doe her any hurte, which in no time nor place will euer bee forgiuen you. They that yet trusted not to his courtesie, bad him stande further off from his sword, which he obediently did. So farre was loue aboue al other thoughts in him. Then did they call together the rest of their fellowes, who though they were fewe, yet according to their number possessed many places. And then began these sauage Senators to make a consultation, what they should do: some wishing to spoile them of their Iewels and let them go on their iourney, (for that if they carried them back they were sure they should haue least parte of their pray) others preferring their old homes to any thing, desired to bring them to Basilius as pledges of their surety: and ther wanted not which cried the safest way was to kill them both; to such an vnworthy thraldom were these great and excellent personages brought. But the most part resisted to the killing of the Princesse, fore-seing their liues would neuer bee safe after such a fact committed: and beganne to wish rather the spoyle then death of Musidorus: when the villaine that had his legge cut off, came scrawling towardes them, and being helped to them by one of the companie, began with a growning voice, and a disfigured face, to demaunde the reuenge of his blood: which since hee had spent with them in their defence, it were no reason he should be suffered by them to die discontented. The onely contentment he required was that by their helpe with his own hands he might put his murderer to some cruel death, he would faine haue cried more against Musidorus, but that the much losse of bloud helped on with this vehemencie, choked vp the spirits of his life, leauing him to make betwixt his body and soule an ill fauoured partition. But they seing their fellow in that sorte die before their faces, did swell in newe mortall rages: All resolued to kill him, but nowe onely considering what manner of terrible death they should inuent for him. Thus was a while the agrement of his slaying, broken by the disagrement of the manner of it; & extremitie of cruelty grew for a time, to be the stop of crueltie. At length they were resolued, euery one to haue a pece of him and to become all aswell hangmen as iudges: when Pamela tearing her heare, and falling downe among them, somtimes with al the sorte of humble praiers, mixt with promises of great good turnes, (which they knew her state was able to performe) sometimes threatning them, that if they kild him and not her, she would not onely reuenge it vpon them, but vpon all their wiues and children; bidding them consider that though they might thinke shee was come away in her fathers displeasure, yet they might be sure hee would euer shewe himselfe a father, that the Gods woulde neuer if shee liued, put her in so base estate, but that she should haue abilitie to plague such as they were returning a fresh to prayers and promises, and mixing the same againe with threatninges, brought them (who were now growne colder in their fellowes cause, who was past aggrauating the matter, with his cryes) to determine with themselues there was no way, but either to kil them both or saue them both. As for the killing, already they hauing aunsweared themselues that that was a way to make them Cittezens of the woodes for euer; they did in fine conclude they would retourne them backe againe to the King which they did not doubt, would bee cause of a greate reward, besides their safetie from their fore-deserued punishment. Thus hauing either by fortune, or the force of those two louers inward working vertue, setled their cruel harts to this getler course they tooke the two horses, and hauing set vpon them their princely prisoners, they retorned towards the lodge. The villaines hauing decked al their heads with lawrel branches, as thinking they had done a notable acte, singing and showting, ranne by them in hope to haue brought them the same day againe to the King. But the time was so farre spent, that they were forced to take vp that nights lodging in the middest of the woods. Where while the clownes continued their watch about them, nowe that the night, according to his darke nature, did add a kind of desolation to the pensiue harts of these two afflicted louers, Musidorus taking the tender hand of Pamela, & bedewing it with his teares, in this sort gaue an issue to the swelling of his harts grief. Most excellent Lady said hee; in what case thinke you am I with my selfe, howe vnmerciful iudgements do I lay vpon my soule, now that I know not what God, hath so reuerssed my wel meaning enterprise, as in steed of doing you that honour which I hoped (and not without reason hoped) Thessalia should haue yeelded vnto you, am now like to become a wretched instrumet of your discomfort? Alas how contrary an end haue al the enclinations of my mind taken! my faith falls out a treason vnto you, and the true honour I beare you, is the fielde wherein your dishonour is like to bee sowen! But I inuoke that vniuersal and only wisdome, (which examining the depth of harts, hath not his indgement fixed vpon the euent) to beare testimonie with me that my desire though in extremest vehemencie, yet did not so ouercharge my remembrance, but that as farre as mans wit might be extended, I sought to preuental-things that might fall to your hurt. But now that all the euil fortunes of euil fortune haue crossed my best framed entent, I am most miserable in that, that I cannot only not geue you helpe, but which is worst of all; am barred from giuing you counsail. For how should I open my mouth to counsaile you in that, wherein by my councel you are most vndeseruedly fallen? The faire and wise Pamela, although full of cares of the vnhappie turning of this matter, yet seing the greefe of Musidorus onely stirred for her, did so treade downe all other motions with the true force of vertue, that she thus aunswered him, hauing first kissed him, which before she had neuer done either loue so comaunding her, which doubted how long they should enioy one another; or of a liuely spark of noblenes, to descend in most fauour to one, when he is lowest in affliction. My deere and euer deere Musidorus said shee, a greater wronge, doe you to your selfe, that will torment you thus with griefe, for the fault of fortune. Since a man is bound no further to himselfe, then to doe wisely; chaunce is only to trouble them, that stand vpon chaunce. But greater is the wronge (at least if any thinge that comes from you, may beare the name of wrong) you doe vnto me, to thinke me either so childish, as not to perceaue your faithful faultlessnes; or perceauing it, so basely disposed, as to let my harte be ouerthrown, standing vpon it selfe in so vnspotted a purenes. Hold for certaine most worthy Musidorus , it is your selfe I loue, which can no more be diminished by these showers of euill hap, then flowers are marred with the timely raynes of Aprill. For how can I want comforte that haue the true and liuing comforte of my vnblemished vertue? And how can I want honour as long as Musidorus in whom indeed honour is, doth honour me? Nothing bred from my self can discomfort me: & fooles opinions I wil not recken as dishonour. Musidorus looking vp to the starres, O mind of minds said he, the liuing power of all things which dost with al these eies behold our euer varying actios, accept into thy fauorable eares this praier of mine. Yf I may any longer hold out this dwelling on the earth, which is called a life, graunt me abilitie to deserue at this Ladies handes the grace shee hath shewed vnto me; graunt me wisdome to know her wisdome, and goodnes so to encrease my loue of her goodnes, that all mine owne chosen desires, be to my selfe but second to her determinations. Whatsoeuer I be, let it be to her seruice, let me herein be satisfied, that for such infinite fauours of vertue, I haue some way wrought her satisfaction. But if my last time aprocheth, and that I am no longer to be amongst mortall creatures, make yet my death serue her to some purpose, that hereafter shee may not haue cause to repent her selfe that she bestowed so excellent a minde vpon Musidorus, Pamela, coulde not choose, but accord the conceite of their fortune to these passionate prayers, in so much that her constant eyes yeelded some teares, which wiping from her faire face with Musidorus hande, speaking softly vnto him as if she had feared more any body should be witnes of her weakenes, then of any thing els shee had said, you see said she my Prince and onely Lord, what you worke in me by your much greuing for me. I praye you thinke I haue no ioye but in you, and if you fill that with sorrow what do you leaue for mee? What is prepared for vs we know not; but that with sorrow we cannot preuent it, wee knowe. Now let vs turne from these things, and thinke you how you will haue me behaue my selfe towardes you in this matter. Musidorus finding the authoritie of her speach confirmed with direct necessitie, the first care came to his minde was of his deare friend and cosin Pyrocles: with whome long before hee had concluded what names they shoulde beare, if vpon any occasion they were forced to geue them selues out for great men, and yet not make them selues fully knowen. Now fearing least if the Princes should name him for Musidorus, the fame of their two being together, would discouer Pyrocles; holding her hand betwixt his handes a good while together: I did not thinke most excellent Princesse saide hee, to haue made any further request vnto you, for hauing bene alredie to you so vnfortunate a suiter, I knowe not what modestie can beare any further demaud. But the estate of on young man whom (next to you, far aboue my selfe) I loue more then all the world, one worthy of all well being for the notable constitution of the mind, and most vnworthy to receaue hurt by me, whom he doth in all faith and constancie loue, the pittie of him onely goes beyond all resolution to the contrarie. Then did hee to the Princesse great admiration tell her the whole story as farre as he knew of it, and that when they made the greuous disiuction of their long company, they had concluded, Musidorus should entitle himself Paladius , Prince of Iberia, and Pyrocles should be Daiphantus of Lycia.
Now said Musidorus he keeping a womans habit is to vse no other name then Zelmane, but I that finde it best, of the on side for your honour, you went away with a Prince and not with a sheepheard: of the other side accompting my death lesse euil, then the betraying of that sweete frende of mine, will take this meane betwixt both, and vsing the name of Paladius if the respect of a Prince will stop your fathers furie, that will serue aswell as Musidorus vntil Pyrocles fortune being som way established, I may freely geue good proofe that the noble contrie of Thessalia is mine: and if that will not mitigate your fathers opinion to me wards (nature I hope working in your excellencies wil make him deale well by you) for my parte the image of death is nothing fearefull vnto me: and this good I shall haue reaped by it, that I shall leaue my most esteemed friend in no danger to be disclosed by me. And besides (since I must confesse, I am not without a remorse of his case) my vertuous mother shal not know her sonnes violent death hid vnder the fame will goe of Paladius. But as long as her yeares now of good number be counted among the liuing, shee may ioye her selfe with some possibilitie of my returne. Pamela promising him vpon no occasion euer to name him, fell into extremytie of weping, as if her eyes had beene content to spend all their seing moistnes, now that there was speech of the losse of that, which they held as their chiefest light. So that Musidorus was forced to repaire her good counsailes, with sweete consolations, which continued betwixt them vntill it was about midnight, that sleep hauing stolne into their heauie sences and now absolutely commaunding in their vitall powers, lefte them delicately wound on in anothers armes quietly to waite for the comming of the morning. Which as soone as shee appeared to play her parte, laden (as you haue heard) with so many well occasioned lamentations. Their lobbish garde (who all night had kept themselues awake, with prating how valiant deedes they had done when they ranne away: and how faire a death their felowe had died, who at his last gaspe sued to bee a hangman) awaked them, and set them vpon their horses, to whom the very shining force of excellent vertue, though in a very harrish subiect, had wrought a kinde of reuerence in them; Musidorus as he rid among them, (of whom they had no other holde but of Pamela) thinking it want of a well squared iudgement, to leaue any meane vnassayed of sauing their liues, to this purpose spake to his vnseemly gardians, vsing a plaine kind of phrase to make his speach the more credible. My maisters said he, there is no man that is wise but hath in what soeuer hee doth some purpose whereto hee directes his doinges, which so long he followes, till he see that either that purpose is not worth the paines, or that another doinge caries with it a better purpose. That you are wise in what you take in hand I haue to my cost learned: that makes me desire you to tell me, what is your ende in carying the Princesse and me backe to her father. Pardon, saide one, rewarde cried another, well saide he take both; although I know you are so wise to remember, that hardly they both will goe togeather, being of so contrary a making, for the ground of pardon is an euill, neither any man pardons but remembers an euill done, the cause of rewarde is the opinion of some good acte, and who so rewardeth that, holdes the chief place of his fancie. Now one man of one companie, to haue the same consideration both of good and euill, but that the conceite of pardoning, if it bee pardoned, will take away the minde of rewarding, is very hard, if not impossible. For either euen in iustice will he punish the fault as well as reward the desert, or els in mercie ballance the one by the other: so that the not chastising shalbe a sufficient satisfiing. Thus then you may see that in your owne purpose, rests greate vncertaintie. But I will graunt that by this your deede you shall obtaine your double purpose. Yet consider I pray you whether by another meane, that may not better be obtained, & then I doubt not your wisdomes wil teach you to take hold of the better. I am sure you knowe, any body were better haue no neede of a pardon then enioy a pardon; for as it carries with it the suretie of a preserued life, so beares it a continuall note of a deserued death. This therefore (besides the daunger you may runne into, my Lady Pamela being the vndoubted enheritrixe of this state, if shee shall hereafter seeke to reuenge your wrong done her) shall bee continually cast in your teeth, as men dead by the lawe; the honester sorte will disdaine your company & your children shalbe the more basely reputed of, & you your selues in euery slight fault hereafter, as men once condemned, aptest to bee ouerthrowne. Now if you will, (I doubt not you will, for you are wise) turne your course, and garde my Lady Pamela thither ward, whether shee was going: first you neede not doubt to aduenture your fortunes where shee goes, and there shall you be assured in a countrie as good and rich as this, of the same manners and language, to bee so farre from the conceate of a pardon, as we both shall be forced to acknowledge, we haue receaued by your meanes what soeuer we holde deere in this life. And so for rewarde iudge you whether it be not more likely, you shall there receaue it where you haue done no euill, but singuler and vndeserued goodnes; or here where this seruice of yours shalbe diminished by your dutie, and blemished by your former fault. Yes I protest and sweare vnto you, by the faire eyes of that Lady, there shall no Gentlemen in all that country bee preferred. You shall haue riches, ease, pleasure, and that which is best to such worthy mindes, you shall not bee forced to crie mercy for a good facte. You onely of all the Arcadians, shall haue the prayse in continuing in your late valiaunt attempte, and not basely bee brought vnder a halter for seeking the libertie of Arcadia. These wordes in their mindes, who did nothing for any loue of goodnes, but onely as their senses presented greater showes of proffit, beganne to make them wauer, and some to clappe their hands and scratch their heades, and sweare it was the best way. Others that would seeme wiser then the rest to capitulate what tenements they should haue, what subsidies they should pay, others to talke of their wiues, in doubt whether it were best to send for the, or to take new wher they went, most, (like fooles) not reddely thinking what was next to bee done, but imagining what cheere they woulde make when they came there, one or two of the least discourses beginning to turne their faces towards the woods which they had lefte. But being nowe come within the plaine neere to the lodges, vnhappily they espied a troupe of horsmen. But then their false harts had quickly for the present feare, forsaken their last hopes, and therfore keeping on the way toward the lodge, with songes of cries and ioye, the horsemen who were some of them. Philanax had sent out to the search of Pamela came gallowping vnto them; marueyling who they were that in such a generall mourning, durst singe ioyfull tunes, and in so publicke a ruine were the lawrell tokens of victorie. And that which seemed straungest, they might see two among them vnarmed like prisoners, but riding like captaines. But when they came neerer, they perceaued the one was a Lady, and the Lady Pamela. Then glad they had by happ found that which they so litle hoped to meete withall, taking these clownes (who first resisted them, for the desire they had to be the deliuerers of the two excellent prisoners, learning that they were of those rebells, which had made the daungerous vprore, aswell vnder cullour to punish that, as this their last withstanding them, but indeed their principal cause being, because they themselues would haue the onely praise of their owne quest, they suffered not one of them to liue. Marry three of the stubbernest of them they lefte their bodies hanging vppon the trees, because their doing might carry the likelier forme of iudgement. Such an vnlooked for end did the life of iustice worke, for the naughtie minded wretches, by subiects to be executed, that would haue executed Princes: and to suffer that without lawe, which by lawe they had deserued. And thus these yonge folkes twise prisoners, before any due arrest, deliuered of their iayloures but not of their iayle, had rather change then respit of misery, these souldiers that tooke them with verie fewe wordes of entertainement, hasting to carrie them to their Lorde Philanax: to whom they came, euen as he going out of the Lady Philocleas chamber, had ouertaken Pyrocles , whom before hee had deliuered to the custody of a noble man of that countrie. When Pyrocles led towardes his prison sawe his friend Musidorus, with the noble Lady Pamela in that in expected sorte returned, his griefe, (if any griefe were in a minde which had placed euery thing according to his naturall worthe) was verie much augmented, for besides some small hope hee had, if Musidorus had once bene cleere of Arcadia, by his dealing and aucthoritie to haue brought his onely gladsome desires to a good issue: The hard estate of his friend did no lesse nay rather more vexe him, then his owne. For so indeede it is euer founde, where valure and friendshipp are perfectly coopled in one hart, the reason being, that the resolute man, hauing once disgested in his iudgement the worst extremitie of his owne case, and hauing either quite expelled, or at least repelled, all passion, which ordinarilie followes an ouerthrowne fortune, not knowing his friendes minde so well as his owne, nor with what pacience he brookes his case, (which is as it were the materiall cause of making a man happie or vnhappie) doubts whether his friend accomptes not him selfe more miserable, and so indeede bee more lamentable. But assoone as Musidorus was brought by the souldiers neere vnto Philanax, Pyrocles not knowing whether euer after hee should bee suffered to see his friende, and determining there could be no aduauntage by dissembling a not knowing of him leapt sodainelie from their hands that helde him, and passing with a strength strengthened with a true affection, thorowe them that encompassed Musidorus, he embrased him as fast as hee coulde in his armes. And kissing his cheekes, O my Palladius saide he, let not our vertue now abandon vs; let vs proue our mindes are no slaues to fortune, but in aduersitie can tryumph ouer aduersitie. Deere Daiphantus aunsweared Musidorus (seing by his apparell his being a man was reuealed) I thanke you for this best care of my best parte. But feare not, I haue kept too long company with you to want nowe a thorowe determination of these things, I well know there is nothing euill but within vs, the rest is either naturall or accidentall. Philanax finding them of so neare acquaintaunce, beganne presently to examine them a parte: but such resolution hee mett within them, that by no such meanes hee coulde learne furder, then it pleased them to deliuer. So that he thought best to put them both in one place, with espiall of there wordes and behauiour, that waye to sifte out the more of these fore passed mischeifes. And for that purpose gaue them both vnto the nobleman, whoe before had the custodie of Pyrocles, by name Simpathus, leauing a trustie seruant of his owne to geue dilligent watch to what might passe betwixte them. No man that hath euer passed thorow the schoole of affectio, needs doubt what a tormenting grief it was to the noble Pamela, to haue the company of him taken from her, to whose vertuous company she had bound her life. But waying with her self, it was fit for her honour, till her doing were clearely manifested, that they shoulde remaine seperate: kept downe the rising tokens of greefe; shewing passion in nothing but her eyes, which accompanied Musidorus euen vnto the tent, whether he and Pyrocles were ledde. Then with a countenaunce more princely then she was woont, according to the woont of hiest hartes (like the Palme tree striuing most vpwarde, when he is most burdened) she commaunded Philanax to bring her to her father and mother, that she might render them accompte of her doings. Philanax shewing a sullaine kinde of reuerence vnto her, as a man that honoured her as his Maisters heire, but much misliked her for her, in his conceite, dishonorable proceedings, tolde her what was past, rather to answere her, then that hee thought shee was ignoraunt of it. But her good spirite did presently suffer a true compassionate affliction of those hard aduentures: which crossing her armes, looking a greate while on the grounde, with those eyes which let fall many teares, she well declared. But in the ende remembring howe necessarye it was for her, not to loose her selfe in such an extremitye, she strengthened her well created hearte, and stoutely demaunded Philanax, what aucthoritye then they had to laye handes of her person, who being the vndoubted heyre, was then the lawfull Princesse of that Kingdome. Philanax answered, her Grace knewe the auncient lawes of Arcadia bare, she was to haue no swaye of gouernment till she came to one and twentye yeares of age, or were marryed. And marryed I am replyed the wise Princesse, therefore I demaunde your dewe allegeaunce. The gods forbid sayde Philanax, Arcadia shoulde be a dowery of such marriages. Besides hee toulde her, all the States of her Countrye were euill satisfyed, touching her Fathers death; whiche likewise according to the Statutes of Arcadia , was euen that daye to bee iudged of, before the bodye were remoued, to receyue his princely funeralls. After that past, she shoulde haue such obedience, as by the Lawes was due vnto her, desyring God she woulde showe her selfe better in publicke gouernment, then she had done in priuate. She woulde haue spoken to the Gentlemen and people gathered about her: but Philanax fearing least thereby some commotion mighte arise, or at least a hinderaunce of executing hys maisters murderers, which hee longed after more then any thing, hasted her vp to the Lodge, where her Sister was, and there with a chosen companye of Souldyers to garde the place, lefte her with Philoclea, Pamela protesting they layde violent handes of her, and that they entred into rebellious attemptes agaynst her. But hye tyme it was for Philanax so to doo, for alreadye was all the whole multitude fallne into confused and daungerous deuisions.
There was a notable example, how great dissipations, Monarchall gouernement are subiect vnto. For nowe theyr Prince and guide had lefte them, they had not experience to rule, and had not whome to obaye. Publicke matters had euer bene priuately gouerned, so that they had no liuely taste what was good for themselues. But euery thing was eyther vehemently desirefull, or extreamely terrible. Neighbours inuasions, ciuill dissention, crueltye of the comming Prince, and whatsoeuer in common sence carries a dreadfull shewe, was in all mens heads, but in fewe how to preuent: harkening on euery rumor, suspecting euery thing, condemning them whome before they had honoured, making strange and impossible tales of the Kings death, while they thought themselues in daunger, wishing nothing but safetye, assoone as perswasion of safetie tooke them, desiring further benefits, as amendment of forepassed faultes, (which faultes notwithstanding none could tell eyther the groundes or effectes of) all agreeing in the vniuersall names of liking or misliking, but of what in especiall poyntes, infinitely disagreeing. Altogether like a falling steeple, the partes whereof, as windowes, stones, and pinnacles, were well, but the whole masse ruinous. And this was the generall case of all, wherein notwithstanding was an extreame medly of diuersified thoughts; the great men looking to make themselues strong by factions, the gentlemen some bending to them, some standing vpon themselues, some desirous to ouerthrowe those few which they thought were ouer the, the souldiers desirous of trouble, as the nurse of spoile, and not much vnlike to them, though in another way, were all the needy sorte, the riche fearefull, the wise carefull. This composicion of conceytes, brought foorth a daungerous tumulte, which yet woulde haue bene more daungerous, but that it had so many partes, that no body well knewe against whome chiefely to oppose themselues. For some there were that cried to haue the state altred, and gouerned no more by a Prince; marry in the alteration, many would haue the Lacedemonian gouernment of fewe chosen Senatours; others the Athenian, where the peoples voyce helde the chiefe aucthoritye. But these were rather the discoursing sorte of men, then the actiue, being a matter more in imaginacion then practise. But they that went neerest to the present case, (as in a countrie that knewe no gouernment, without a Prince) were they that stroue, whome they should make. Whereof a great number there were, that would haue the Princesse Pamela presently to enioy it: some disdayning that she had as it were abandoned her owne Countrie, enclining more to Philoclea; and there wanted not of them, which wished Gynæcia were deliuered, and made Regent till Pamela were worthely marryed. But great multitudes there were, which hauing bene acquainted with the iust gouernment of Philanax , meant to establish him as Lieutenant of the state: and these were the most populer sorte, who iudged by the commodities they felte. But the principall men in honor and might, who had long before enuyed his greatnes with Basilius, did much more spurne against any such preferment of him. For yet before theyr enuye had some kinde of breathing out his rancour, by layeng his greatnes as a fault to the Princes iudgement, who shewde in Damætas he might easely be deceyued in mens valewe. But nowe if the Princes choice, by so many mouthes should be confyrmed, what coulde they obiect to so rightly esteemed an excellencye? They therefore were disposed, sooner to yeeld to anything, then to his raysing: and were content (for to crosse Philanax) to stoppe those actions, which otherwise they could not but thinke good. Philanax himselfe, as much hindred by those, that did immoderatly honour him, (which brought both more enuye, and suspicion vppon him) as by them that did manifestly resist him, (but standing onely vppon a constant desire of iustice, and a cleere conscience) went forwarde stoutly in the action of his maisters reuenge, which he thought himselfe particularly bound to. For the rest, as the ordering of the gouernment, he accompted himselfe but as one, wherein notwithstanding he would imploy all hys loyall indeauour.
But among the Noble men, hee that most openly set himselfe against him, was named Timantus, a man of middle age, but of extreame ambition, as one that had placed his vttermost good in greatnes, thinking small difference by what meanes he came by it. Of commendable wit, if he had not made it a seruaunt to vnbrideled desires. Cunning to creepe into mens fauours, which hee prized onely as they were seruiceable vnto him. He had bene brought vp in some souldiery, which he knewe how to set out, with more then deserued ostentacion. Seruile (though enuious) to his betters: and no lesse tirannycallie minded to them hee had aduauntage of. Counted reuengefull, but in deede measuring both reuenge and rewarde, as the partye might eyther helpe or hurt him. Rather shamelesse then bolde, and yet more bolde in practises, then in personall aduentures. In summe, a man that could be as euill as he listed, and listed as much, as any aduancement might thereby be gotten. As for vertue, hee counted it but a schoole name. Hee euen at the fyrst assembling together, finding the great stroke Philanax carried among the people, thought it his readyest way of ambition, to ioyne with him: which though his pride did hardly brooke, yet the other vice carrying with it a more apparant obiect, preuayled ouer the weaker, so that with those liberall protestacions of friendship, which men that care not for their word are wont to bestowe, he offred vnto him the choise in marriage, of eyther the sisters, so he would likewise helpe him to the other, and make such a particion of the Arcadian estate. Wishing him, that since he loued his maister, because he was his maister, which shewed the loue began in himselfe, he should rather now occasion was presented, seeke his owne good substancially, then affect the smoke of a glory, by shewing an vntimely fidelitie to him, that could not reward it; and haue all the fruite he should get in mens opinions, which would be as diuers, as many; fewe agreeing to yeeld him due prayse of his true heart. But Philanax, who had limitted his thoughtes in that he esteemed good, (to which he was neyther carryed by the vayne tickling of vncertayne fame, nor from which he would be transported by enioying any thing, whereto the ignorant world geues the excellent name of goodes) with great mislike of his offer, he made him so peremtorye an answere, not without threatning, if he found him foster any such fancie, that Timantus went with an inward spite from him, whome before he had neuer loued; and measuring all mens marches by his owne pace, rather thought it some further fetch of Philanax, (as that he would haue all to himselfe alone) then was any way taken with the louely beawtie of his vertue; whose image he had so quite defaced in his owne soule, that he had left himselfe no eyes to beholde it, but stayde wayting fitt oportunitie, to execute his desires both for himselfe, and against Philanax, which by the bringing backe of Pamela, the people being deuided into many motions, (which both with murmuring noyses, and putting themselues in seuerall troupes, they well shewed) he thought apt time was layde before him, the waters being, as the prouerbe sayth, troubled, and so the better for his fishing. Therefore going amongst the chiefest Lordes, whome he knewe principally to repine at Philanax, and making a kinde of conuocation of them, he inueighed against his proceedings, drawing euery thing to the most malicious interpretacion, that malice it selfe could instruct him to doe. He sayde, it was season for them to looke to such a weede, that else would ouergrowe them all. It was not nowe time to consult of the dead, but of the liuing: since such a slye wolfe was entred among them, that could make iustice the cloake of tirannye, and loue of his late maister the destruction of his now being children. Do you not see, sayde hee, howe farre his corruption hath stretched, that hee hath such a number of rascalls voyces, to declare him Lieutenant, readye to make him Prince, but that he instructs them, matters are not yet ripe for it? As for vs, because we are too ritch to be bought, he thinkes vs the fitter to be killed. Hath Arcadia bredd no man but Philanax? is she become a stepmother to all the rest, and hath geuen all her blessings to Philanax? Or if there be men amongst vs, let vs shewe wee disdayne to bee seruaunts to a seruaunt. Let vs make hym knowe, wee are farre worthier not to bee slaues, then hee to bee a mayster. Thinke you hee hath made such haste in these matters, to geue them ouer to another mans hande? Thincke you, he durst become the gaylor of his Princesse, but either meaning to be her maister, or her murtherer? and all this for the dere good wil forsoth he beares to the kings memory, whose authority as he abused in his life, so he would now perseuer to abuse his name, after his death. O notable affection, for the loue of the father to kill the wife, and disenherit the children! O single minded modestie to aspire to no lesse then to the princely Diademe! No, no, he hath vired all this while, but to come the sooner to his affected ende. But let vs remember what we be, in quallitie his equalls, in number farre before him, let vs deliuer the Queene, and our naturall Princesses, and leaue them no longer vnder his authoritye; whose proceedings would rather shewe, that he himselfe, had bene the murderer of the King, then a fit Gardien of his posteritye. These wordes pearst much into the mindes, already enclined that way. Insomuch that most part of the nobilitye, confirmed Timantus speech, and were readye to execute it: when Philanax came among them, and with a constant but reuerent behauiour, desired them they would not exercise priuate grudges, in so common a necessitye. Hee acknowledged himselfe a man, and a faultye man, to the cleering or satisfyeng of which, he would at all times submit himselfe, since his ende was to bring all things to an vpright iudgement, it should euill fitt him to flye the iudgement. But sayde he, my Lordes, let not Timantus rayling speech (who whatsoeuer he findes euill in his owne soule, can with ease lay it vppon another) make me loose your good fauour. Consider that all well doing, stands so in the middle betwixt his two contrarye euils, that it is a readye matter to cast a slaunderous shade vpon the most approued vertues. Who hath an euill toong, can call seueritie, crueltie, and faithfull dilligence, dilligent ambition. But my ende is not to excuse my selfe, nor to accuse him: for both those, hereafter will be time enough. There is neyther of vs, whose purging or punishing may so much import to Arcadia. Now I request you, for your owne honours sake, and require you by the duety you owe to this estate, that you doo presently (according to the lawes) take in hande, the chastizement of our maisters murderers, and laying order for the gouernment: by whom soeuer it be done, so it be done, and iustly done, I am satisfyed. My labour hath bene to frame things so, as you might determine: now it is in you to determine. For my part, I call the heauens to witnesse, the care of my heart stands to repaye that, wherein both I, and most of you were tyed to that Prince; with whome, all my loue of worldly action is dead.
As Philanax was speaking his last wordes, there came one running to him, with open mouth, and fearefull eyes, telling him, that there were a great number of the people, which were bent to take the young men out of Sympathus hands, and as it should seeme by their acclamacions, were like inough to proclayme them Princes. Nay, sayde Philanax (speaking alowde, and looking with a iust anger vppon the other noble men) it is nowe season to heare Timantus idle slanders, while strangers become our Lordes, and Basilius murderers sit in his throne. But who soeuer is a true Arcadian , let him followe me. With that he went towarde the place he heard of, followed by those that had euer loued him, and some of the noblemen. Some other remayning with Timantus, who in the meane time was conspiring by strong hand to deliuer Gynæcia, of whome the weakest guard was had. But Philanax where he went, found them all in an vprore, which thus was fallne out. The greatest multitude of people, that were come to the death of Basilius, were the Mantineans, as being the nearest Citie to the lodges. Among these, the chiefe man both in authoritye and loue was Kalander, he that not long before had bene hoste to the two Princes, whome though he knewe not so much as by name, yet besides the obligacion he stood bound to them in, for preseruing the liues of his sonne or nephewe, theyr noble behauiour had bred such loue in his heart towardes them, as both with teares he parted from them, when they left him (vnder promise to returne) and did keepe their iewells and apparell as the relicks of two demy gods. Among others, he had entred the prison, and seene them, which forthwith so inuested his soule, both with sorrowe and desire to helpe them (whome he tendred as his children) that calling his neighbours the Mantineans vnto him, he tould them, all the prayses of those two young men, swearing he thought the gods had prouided for them better, then they themselues could haue imagined. He willed them to consider, that when all was done, Basilius children must enioy the state; who since they had chosen, and chosen so as all the world could not mende their choise, why should they resist Gods doing, and theyr Princesses pleasure? This was the only way to purchase quietnes without blood, where otherwise they should at one instant, crowne Pamela with a Crowne of golde, and a dishonoured title. Which whether euer she would forget, he thought it fit for them to way: such said he, heroicall greatnes shines in their eyes, such an extraordinary maiestie in all their actions, as surely either fortune by parentage, or nature in creation, hath made them Princes. And yet a state already we haue, we neede but a man, who since he is presented vnto you by the heauenly prouidence, embraced by your vndoubted Princesse, worthy for their youth of compassion, for their beawtie of admiracion, for their excellent vertue to be monarkes of the world, shall we not be content with our owne blisse? Shall we put out our eyes, because another man cannot see? or rather like some men, when too much good happens vnto them, they thinke themselues in a dreame, and haue not spirits to taste their owne goods? No no my friends, beleeue me, I am so vnpartiall, that I knowe not their names, but so ouercome with their vertue, that I shall then thinke, the destenyes haue ordayned a perpetuall florishing to Arcadia, when they shall allot such a gouernor vnto it. This spoken by a man graue in yeares, great in authoritie, neere allyed to the Prince, and knowen honest, preuayled so with all the Mantineans, that with one voyce they ranne to deliuer the two Princes. But Philanax came in time to withstand them, both sides yet standing in armes, and rather wanting a beginning, then mindes to enter into a bloudy conflict. Which Philanax foreseeing, thought best to remoue the prisoners secretly, and if neede were, rather without forme of iustice to kill them, then against iustice (as hee thought) to haue them vsurpe the state. But there agayne arose a new trouble. For Sympathus (the noble man that kept them) was so stricken in compassion, with their excellent presence, that as he would not falsifye his promise to Philanax, to geue them libertye, so yet would he not yeeld them to himselfe, fearing he would do them violence. Thus tumult vppon tumult arising, the Sunne I thinke aweary to see theyr discords, had alreadye gone downe to his Westerne lodging. But yet to knowe what the poore Shepherds did, who were the fyrst descryers of these matters, will not to some eares perchance be a tedious digression.
Heere endes the fourth booke or acte.