ΕΡΟΤΟΠΑΙΓΝΙΟΝ THE CYPRIAN ACADEMY. The First Booke.

IT was in that time of the Year wherein party-colour'd Flora had diapred the Earth with her cheifest Treasurie, and Sil­vanus the Rustick ruler of the woods had deckt the spreading trees, with his choi­cest Livery, when the Illustrious and Heroick Flaminius (the delight of his Age, and the glory of his Nation) cast his love-infected eyes upon the faire Clorinda, a Lady who fill'd all mouthes [Page 2] with the prayses of the amiable Physiognomy of her Face, and the laudable faculties of her soule) as she was walk­ing in a shady bowre, attending to the chirping Notes of well-tuned birds, and picking (as Fancy prompted her) here a speckled Pinke, and there a Primerose, (the yeers Maidenhead,) now ablushing gillyflower, then a blew vai­ned-violet, this she sticks upon her arme, that upon the borders of her curious plated haire, at length she bosom'd a happy rose-bud in her Lilly-brest, whereat the rest of the flowers contended for fresh beauty to delight her, and swelling with emulation to bid an ultimum vale to the brest of the dull earth to adorne hers (the Theater of ver­tue) they all grew sweeter, and by a gentle gale sent an odoriferous invitation to her to pluck them. Flaminius beholding her in this heart-attracting posture, he forth­with placed so in her all his future hopes of joy, and joyfull parts of his heart, as he left remaining in himselfe nothing but a maze of longing desire, in seeing he liked, in liking he loved, in loving he felt the effects incident to love; the torments which he sustained in her presence, the griefs which he indured in her absence, the pining thoughts in the day, the pinching dreames in the night, the dying life, the living death: his feare of losing her, his despaire of gain­ing her, shall be the subject of the subsequent History.

But first let us glance upon him in his minority, dis­course a while upon the course of his fortunes, before he was reputed a man, and insert his Legend.

He was by birth an Italian, borne in the delicate and luxurious City of Naples, first the receptacle of Philoso­phy, now of Souldiery,

He had for his father Pompilius a man of an affable na­ture, in warre as expert, as valiant, in peace as provident, as prudent, alwaies resolute to undertake, and ever fortunate to execute any designe conducing to the emolument of the weale-publique, which he was industrious to advance, both in buffe, and fur, by armes and art. He tooke to wife C [...]pricia a Lady of an exquisite feature, and of so ripe a wit that the fragrancy of those redolent flowres of female [...]loquence which blossomed in all her discourses, turned [Page 5] all tongues into attentive eares whilst she was speaking. If she did deambulate, besides the making divers places happy by her steps, the very moving did adde an amiable life to her innate perfections. If she did set still, the con­spiracie of her severall attractive graces combined toge­ther, to present one perfect figure of incomparable beau­ty to the ravished beholders.

From this happy couple proceeded this miracle of art and nature Flaminius, in whom nature seemed to have planted the paradice of her perfection He was well sto­red with civill vertues for peace, and martiall valour for warre; passion was not exiled from him, but suppressed in him; and so subjected to right reason, as he was ido­neous for prosperitie or adversitie: whereof the one did not make him insolent, nor the other dejected. He was one of the silken wits of his age, by nature a Phylo­mathy, so addicted to erudition and [...]iterature, that he used his cradle like a Library, making Bookes his nuga­ments. Apollo did so cooperate in his production as he lisp't meeter, and his first notes were Castalian layes, as if he had been borne in Tempe, or Pernassus, or had the sphear-borne harmontous sisters for his nurses.

There was no vertue but he did depute it either fit for ornament, or use, no vice but he did condemne and con­temn it as sordid.

His exercises and refocillations from his infancy, and very nonage, were ingenious, manly, decent, and such as tended still to wit, valour, and activitie, which he u­sed ad ruborem, non ad sudorem, his games did not make him pale with feare of loosing, nor hot with desire of gaining.

He was a fit soyle for praise to dwell upon, and were it not as superfluous, as it is tedious, we might protract this tract, or register of his vertues in infinitum.

[Page 8] sharp tusked Bores, crafty Foxes, and timerous Hares, with all which kinds of Beasts, kind Nature (aspiring to recreate her darling Flaminius) had plentifully sto­red that spacious Forrest.

But to turne to our taske, the French King at this time had his residence at his standing house within a mile of Possy, whither this favourite the Duke of Luynes was sum­moned, so that Flaminius was for a time deprived of his society, which he made not only necessitudo, but necessitas, almost essentiall to his subsistance: in whose absence Sa­turne that leaden planet did cast his melancholy influ­ence over all his intellectuals, yet he being willing to dissipate those black foggs of disconsolate pensivenesse, he rode attended by two of his Domesticks, Florian and Doristo, into the Forrest, where he suddenly heard such a plangerous and lamentable cry; as he was well assured it was the dolefull note of some object of pitty, wher­fore making his eares his guide, he left not many trees behind him, before he discovered mounted upon a black Palfrey a Damsell of exquisite formosity, urged with sor­row making towards him: her light moulded Horse though quickned and vivified with the whip, equalled not the celerity of her timerous mind, she had her sad Oration inscribed in pale characters upon her tristfull countenance, her eyes were distained, and cheeks be­dewed and irrigated with watering tears: the thwarting boughs of the spreading trees did loose her tresses, and spred her hair on her shoulders after the Funerall man­ner. Being come within his ken, she implored his aid in the rescuing of her Lady out of the hands of an in­jurious usurper, and this boon shee beg'd with as much vehemeney of passion, as if her panting heart would have climed into her mouth, to take her trembling tongues of­fice. [Page 9] Flaminius whose heart was the Throne of ten­der pitty, as well as of truculent prowesse, undertooke the quarrell, and followed the Damsell, who conducted him to that place were the Ladies Servants (which the strange Knight and his Complices had vanquished, and almost unliv'd) lay (besmeard in their congealed blood) calling upon Charon (with dying groanes) to afford them a speedy passage. Flaminius conceived it more necessary to resume the captiv'd Lady, then con­dole the conquered Servants, wherefore he left them and out-stript the flower winde in pursuit of that Knight, whom he at last saw leading away the unwilling Lady, for whose sake he saluted him with this challenge.

It sufficeth not that thou hast subdued yonder Peti­toes of Mars, and captived their Lady, fortune will not sell her at so under a rate, it remaineth that you vanquish me also before you injoy her, the wager of our conten­tion, whose mercy i'le constraine you to abide, and in whose defence my sword (blushing at thy impieties) shall strike thy soule to Erebus, and compell thee to gar­ter thy hose with thy gutts.

The strange Knight coyned this proud reply to this unexpected de [...]e; I conceive it no hard taske to chastise thy insolency, for I take thee for no other then a body animated by a Pythagorean Transmigration, with one of those cowardly soules which I even now sent to seeke new Lodgings.

With that he turned his Horse to take his career, ex­pecting nothing but the fall of Flaminius, but he fell short of his expectation, at the first encounter being sent to fetch an errand in the dust, but remounting his bit­champing coursier, they charged each other with much agility; so thick, as if every blow had striven to have been [Page 10] foremost, but the strange Knights Horse carvetting, re­ceived upon his head a forcible blow intended for his Master, the anguish whereof made him cast his burthen, to accompany his blood (which too too prodigally strea­med out at his deep wounds) to the all receiving earth. Then Flaminius contemning advantages over an almost vanquished Antagonist, lighted also, and now these Cham­pions entertained one another with fresh courage, till Flaminius let fall such a fortunate blow upon the unfor­tunate strange Knight, as parted his ill-tempered shield, and despising the weake and inconsiderable oppugnation of his already broken armour, it made a great breach in­to his heart-side, as if it would cut a passage for his un­lawfull love to issue out at, and sent his whole body to strike the earth, falling, since he could offend his Anta­gonist no better, standing.

Flaminius (after he perceived his pale enemie had acted his lives Epilogue) accompanied the Lady to her Castle, which stood in the same Forrest, and in the journey he desired her to beguile the times hast, and abbreviate the waies length with the relation of her precedent fortunes.

To this request of his the Lady shaped this Reply.

Royall Sir, your commandment doth not only give me will, but power to obey you, such influence hath your ex­cellencie. I will lay the foundation of this subsequent sermocination with any one name, which is Iulia, eldest daughter to signior le Aroine, and his wife Isabella, who both during the time of my minoritie, (having performed the message for which they were sent into the world) returned againe to their Maker. First, my indulgent Fa­ther being too old to live, his decayed nature was con­quered by triumphant death, and uselesse Physicke did yeeld to his manifold diseases, then my widdowed Ge­netrix striving to survive without him, and liking not, [Page 11] expir'd also. After this, I with my Orphan Sister Andro­nica, retir'd to our Castle, (towards which we now equi­tate) where we reape as much delectation in the rurall solentary groves and hewts of our owne, as the rest of the French Ladies doe in the populous streets of stately Paris, she that hath no looking-glasse to dresse her head by, will use a boule of water, she that wanteth a sleeke­stone to repumicate her linnen, will take a pibble. The Countrey-girle girdeth her selfe as strait in the waste with a course caddis, as the Madame of the Court with a silke riband; and we were as well content in our Ru­stick immorigerous roomes,, as others in the magnificent structures of our Royall Soveraigne.

But to proceed, there arrived at my Castle Phylispis a valiant and heroicall Knight, one out of the number of those, whom renowned Fame will ever celebrate: his errand was to prostrate his love-sicke-heart at my feet, in the highest degree of lowest duty; and the purity of the verity is, he had taken a full possession of the Fort, before he did aske for the keyes; the match was concluded, and agreed on before the capitulations were treated on: my ravished eyes did no sooner behold him, then my amo­rous heart did fancie him; (for he resembled Abdalmu­ralis, the grandfather of Mahumet, who was so amiable, that women were enamoured of him;) yet my modest tongue did a long time hold him in wavering suspence, neither suffering his feare to fall into despaire, not his hope to hasten to assurance; though once to prove the reality of his unalterable affection, I charged him with whole vollyes of flatte denialls; though any man that had beene trained up in Cupids discipline, might easily perceive, I shot nothing but powder, to try his animosity, not bullets, to batter downe his breast-workes of hope already reared. To these hee framed this satisfactory reply.

[Page 12] Madame, the poore Fisherman that was warned hee should not fish, would notwithstanding at his door make nets. And the old Vintner of Venice that was prohibited from selling Wine, did stil hang out an inviting Ivie-bush; and so will I die in faith to you, if I may not live in fa­vour of you: My malevolent and inauspicious starres may impeach my injoyment of you, but if they should im­plore the assistance of Erynnis, and call into their ayd the three Acheronticall Haggs, Alecto, Megera, and Tyso­phone, they should never force me from your love; which is radicated so profoundly in my heart, that hee which plucks it out, pulls up at once that, and my soule together. Your gifts inspir'd by bounteous nature, and your vertues acquir'd by liberall education, have stampt for you such an indelible impression of love & affection in my estimation, as no distance of place, length of time, or traverse of chance, shall be able to race out, or impaire, till death and sad despaire, make a sponge of my bleeding heart to wipe it out.

For all this, I still made his condition like a taper al­most burnt out, sometimes all obscured in blacke darke dis­paire, and now and then a flash or two, an Ignis fatuus of comfort; but of so short continuance, 'twas as soon extinguished, as perceived, till at length, my kinder heart being willing to yeeld, I was content not to perswade it to hold out any longer, against the sweet blowes of love, but I promised him marriage, which is shortly to be consummated.

Soone after him came this knight, who is by your va­lour, Ad Charontem sine naulo missus, and he also pre­tended a desire to match my matchlesse beauty, with matchlesse affection, him I denyed as fervently, as I did the other faintly. And now this Tripolis (for so he was nominated, whom you have vanquished) did attempt [Page 13] to atchive that (Tarquin-like) by force of armes, which he could not effect by perswasion and argument, this made him devise all meanes, and waite for all occa­sions to surprise me.

It fortuned, though late, yet at last, there was a match concluded on between Arcates, sonne and heire to the ancient Duke of Orleans, and Claritia my Mothers si­sters daughter; to solemnization of these nuptialls, I with my damsels tooke our way, and now earths black bab­ling daughter spred the pinions of swift wings, advan­ced her shtill trumpet, and fill'd the inquiring eares of Tripolis, with the relation of our journey; of which being certified, he diligently awaited for my returne, and had assuredly made me his captive, had not you been my rescuer; to whom I am indebted for my liberty (the joy of life) which I hold now the second time of you. Thus sir have you bound me to you in an energeticall chaine of gratitude. To attempt a requitall, would extreame­ly extenuate your transcendent courtesie, and dero­gate from the worth of your high favour: but for the other office of gratitude, retention, if you had a window into my memory, you might espie there safe­ly stored up, and conservated, to preserve it from moul­dring away in oblivion.

By this time the setting Sunne with loose rayes was posting to his Westerne home, waiting onely to light Flaminius and Julia to the Castle, which was a place as strongly fortified, as rarely edified; it was erected of speckled free stone, adorned with marble shining pil­lars, and statues of the pred [...]cessors of Signior le Ar­tine, it was invironed with large walks both greene and gravelly, with spreading trees on either side, bowred on the top, so that in Summer time the scorching Sunne could not offend any with intemperate heat, there were [Page 14] such delicate shaddowes, and in the Winter, the chilly and sharpe windes found no passe; the trees were so high and thick; round about these ran silver streames, whose sweet murmur, as they gently tumbled over their beds of pebble stone, did much adorne the plea­sant solitarinesse of the place. Opposite to the front of this strong structure was a large parke, which for cheere­full risings of the ground, for groves, and rowsings for the Deere, and for chrystall Rivolets of cleere water might compare with any. In the Hall, cost and inven­tion strove for mastery, so many Stories did so succes­sively succeed one another, that the most curious specta­tors eye, (though his admiration might dwell in each peece) could find no cause of stay, untill hee had over­look'd them all; here he did recreate his active fancy, with this varietie of pleasing objects.

Here might he perceive the ruddy bloud drawne out of Daphne's tender leggs, by the enjurious thornes, as she over-hastily fled from persuing Phaebus, and her di­shevell'd haire seemed to play with the warme breath of her following lover. There might he behold sorow­full Venus bemoaning the violent death of her bore­slaine minion Adonis, and striving to wash away the clot­tered blood from his worried carkesse with her pearly teares, which dropt from her tender eyes like a continued chaine of pearle, [...]gushing forth in such abundance, as if her rubie blood had changed its naturall course and co­lour, to run forth at the wide open sluces of her eyes. She kist his pale lipps, as if she would willingly have melted her sad heart to have restored them to fresh colour, and breath into him another soule fit for her love. Here might he espie Leander beating the swelling Helispont [...]ck waves with his weary limbs, swimming to his expecting Hero, whose painted torches seemed to burne as bright [Page 15] as those reall torches which by this time had inherited the set-Suns office. There might hee discrie the rude mouthes of Acteons dogs fill'd with white foame, greedy to dismember their brutified master, and delacerate his limbes instead of the innocent beast he persued. There griefe in the stead of gaine, paine in the roome of pleasure, seemed to bath its selfe in his sorrowfull eyes.

By this time our Spectators appetites began to soli­cite them in behalfe of their stomacks, the colerick lookes knockt, the trumpets sounded to supper, and when the tables were with-drawne, the Ladyes servants for the better entertainment of Flaminius (being ambitious to exhibite all their forces to performe any thing that might conduce to his contentment) presented him with this pastorall.

[Page 57]BY that time this pastime was past, it was past time, to keepe their drowsie eyes any longer waking, who by this time, sollicited them to commend them­selves to the elder Brother of death, but upon the ap­proaching of the next Aurora, before the welkin had fully put aside the sable vizard of the night, before the stars were covered, and the earth discovered by the Sunne, Philispis (accompanied with a troope of Knights of such renown, and transcendent worth, as future times must out of duty owe them the debt of an honourable memory) came to celebrate his nuptialls with the Lady Julia.

Now every busie Virgin is preparing costly jewels to adorne the Bride. every willing hand is providing orna­ments to deck her. Rare beauty and well becoming grace damaskt her rosie cheeks, her glorious eyes did spark and rutilate, and eject rayes, her pace was carelesse, her deportment neglected, seeming to discover an amorists passions. She was led by Flaminius to the Chappel of the Castle; Flora did weaue the violets into a purple rugg, to spread het paths with. Cardinall de Rechileu tied that Cordian knot which sempiternally conjoyned these A­morists.

Having pay'd the duty they owed to their stomackes, for the greater magnificence of the solemnization a ju [...] ­ing was held in the presence of Phylispis, and Julia, who now knew no other spheare besides joy to move in. The first that entred the lists was Flaminius, the first that en­counter'd him was Mendorus, who though he was a Knight whose heroick deedes of chivalry, neither time [Page 58] can weare out of memory, neither death himselfe by any meanes disolve) was forced at the first meeting to make a pillow of his Palfries croop.

The second that came against Flaminius, was Pliti­lius, in whose acts there is truth enough to make him fa­mous, besides that which is fabulous, when these two sons of valour, (whose lightfooted steeds ran as if they had beene begotten by the winde, and ballassed with quick silver) met, breaking their knotty speares even to their gaunt [...]ets, they seemed to have dim'd the air with the dispersed splinters of their shivered lances, whilst they passed by each other, not without evident tokens of their approved prowesse encharacterized upon their raced gor­gets, the next time Flaminius encountred him with so much force, as he inforced him to leave his saddle.

Our Champion next Antagonist was Alsus, a man of a haughty courage, and of grand experience in Military affaires, he bore for his device upon his shield, fickle for­tunes whirling wheele; but this angry goddesse placed him in the lower spokes, for he was soone sent with his heeles upward to company his fellowes.

Flaminius still continued unhorsing his unabiding e­nemies, till the declining lamp of light did treble each shaddow, and Titans fierie chariot horses defatigated with their tedious race, were retired to drench them­selves in their hospitable salt bath, for the refreshing of their sweating members; at which time he left the lists, having renowned Victory for his hand-maid, and the tro­phies of the day adorning his crest.

We may better imagine, then describe the rest of the entertainment, onely thus much, when the chorus of their dreames were ready to step upon the theater of the ima­gination, [Page 59] the over-wearied creatures of the world incli­ning to repose, being now survayd by the Pale Lady of the night, the princely company there present attended Philispis and Julia to their Amphithalame, where one of the Actors of the precedent pastorall warbled worth this Epithalamium.

This Song being ended, they tooke away their candle, and wish't them good night.

Soone after the nimble houres had yoaked Piroeis, Ae­thon, Eous, and Phlegon, the fire-breathing Palfryes of Apollo, and their master Phoebus leaving the Sea-greene bed of his watry Lover, had with his golden Chariot made a swift passage through the ribs of the deepe, and saluted him at his Chamber window, Flaminius arose to take his leave of this glorious assembly, then he returned to Poyssy, and by degrees visited all France, past through the meridian of the slow pac't Spaine, and drunken Ger­many, with the most part of those united Provinces, which are pluckt out of the jawes of Neptune, and after three yeares space he returned home to Naples, whose happy returne we heartily congratulate in these rimes.

THE SECOND BOOKE Of the CYPRIAN ACADEMY.

AS the Sea (that great Regiment of waters) cannot bee quartered in the cloyster of a slender nut, no, neither could the minde of the most renowned, and most wor­thy to be most renowned Flami­nius bee included or reclused in that small locall compasse which circumscribed his body, but it continually made its transcursians and progresses abroad, to finde out and en­joy knowledge (its most optable object) though under remote regions, he was willing once more to leave his indulgent parents (whose lives were bound up in his welfare) and his selfe-sufficient country (though wee esteeme it difficient without him) that he might ratifie his judgement, and enrich his head with variety of knowledge, and leave fame for a patrimony to his po­sterity.

Now the Saylors have drunke their parting cups, vocat jam carbasus auras; Now Flaminius is ready to steere his course towards the white forest the land of fortune Albion, wee will usher him to his ship with this vale,

Now the spreading sayles are hoysted up, now the Anchors are way'd, and the wind also the part of a duti­full and observant servingman, waiting just behind him, and filling the swelling caves with prosperous gales, the cloath swel'd and grew proud of Flaminius presence, and the sea danced to receive him, and the winde sweet­ly kist the waters whispering new joyes to inrich'd Thetis, who had now quite forgotten to bee colerick wisht she bore Flaminius, he soone left the lessened land behind him and gentle Neptune afforded him such a fa­vorable transmarian voyage, as hee with more then or­dinary celerity discovered Dover, where hee landed but not lazed, for hee no sooner left admiring at the laud­able beauty of the Island, (which was then fluorishing, encoying a well setled and a happy peace under an un­usurped Governement) but he repaired to the Metropo­litan City, Albions imperiall chamber, Troy-novant.

In this City his eyes made his mind know what pow­er heavenly beauty had to throw it downe to hellish a­gonies, he spied the beauteous Clorinda walking in a checkerd garden among those flowers which contended for breauty to recreate her, and were ambitious which should be fairest because just like to her, who was thrice fairer then the fairest, Flaminious steps could find no further ground, but here he cast anchor, and became in­amoured [Page 4] of Clorinda, A Lady every way as rarely accom­plished with vertues becoming a woman, as he was with graces adorning a man, she was borne in the me­tropolitan of beauties dominion, in complection a pure sanguine, in condition a perfect Saint, either her exte­rior feature, or inferiour faculties did captivate all be­holders, for vertue tooke as much paines to adorne the one, as nature did to compleate the other.

As the Tartarian plant Boxaneth grows up in the vi­sible forme of a Lambe, and insensibly eats up all the grasse round about it, so did she by an intrinsique kind of magick subiugate all hearts to her eyes. There wan­ted nothing in this Angell, that nature might add for perfection, or fortune bestow for wealth, or that the Gods at any time confer upon mortalls, the greatest re­ritie that the world could shew was her beauty, though the least thing that might be encomionized in her was her beauty.

B [...]en que le corps soit bean [...]ame est encore plus belle, her faire body was but a fair Inne of a far fairer guest within, an excellent Cabinet of an incomperable jewell, the gifts of her minde did as far transcend the perfection of her face, as that did the beauty of the rest of the Ladyes of the court, among whom she shewed like a silver dove trooping with rowes, or like Cynthia among the lesser [Page 5] stars, or like the discoloured tulip among weeds or like Jo among the rest of Argus herd. In a word let the curious hand of art extract from all vertues and graces an Elixer, or perfect quintessence of perfection & it will appear but the picture of her; for to fill this treatise with elogies of her, were to put Hercules shoe upon an In­fants foot, to clap Bucephalus saddle upon a Spanish Ginnet, or lay Atlas burthen upon a childs shoulders, or to emptie the sea into a pond.

One looke of this Paragon of the terrestiall pa­radise struck Flaminius into a fever, and fyred him with her love, the exorbitant flames whereof he could neither suppresse, nor conceale.

To this end the Poets painted Minerva the Hierogly­phick of wisdome vailed, to signifie that wisdome may be covered, and reclused, but Cupid the character of affecti­on they portraitured naked, to infinuate that Love is not to be over canopied, but these are the petulancies of Poets.

To our taske, his passions cannot be written of mee with out flouds of teares, (which would wet the paper, and obliterate the relation) nor read of you without griefe: he observed the place of her recreation, where she would walke alone, and thether would be repaire, esteeming the place happy, yea, and holy too, which had contained so soveraigne a beauty, one night among the rest in a sad fit of Passion, (as if his soule had beene gone upon some errand, and left his corps in a paune till its returne,) hee gave way to his imaginations to [Page 6] ruminate upon that which permitted him not to sleep, and these, or such like were his meditations, Alas Fla­minius, what magick, what pyromancie, what enchant­ment is inshrined in the ancles of Clorinda's eyes that have this influence upon the heart? why shouldst thou annihilate thy selfe, & pine, and dy for beauty, a guilded nothing, a rose can shew more vermilion then a Ladyes cheeke, a Lilly boast a richer white then her hand, alas a wife is but a faire affliction, 'tis true the disease of love is impatient, the desire extreame, whose assaults the wise can neither oppugne by policie, or the valiant by prow­esse; its the epidemicall egritude of mortalls, and the best mallady in the world when it infects two together, but herein consists thy infelicity in affecting a Lady whom thou art no more like to obtaine then the Wolfe to drinke up the Moon, or the Gyants to dismount Jupiter.

Thinkest thou that thou art caught alone with the bait of her Atheriall beauty, can an old hee goat bee without a beard, a leud userer without full baggs, a Uenus without a temple, or a faire Lady without a Lover.

Can the Albion court afford never a votary to thy Saint.

Will the Partridge let the ripe eares of corne stand for the sparrow, will the cat let the crummes lie for the Mouse, or English Lords bequeath beauty to an Italian; no no, expire rather with a private scar then publique shame, if thy Lady never lov'd any she will not know how to affect thee, if any, shee will not leave them for thee. But courage Flaminius.

Faint heart never won faire Lady, will you then loose the day before you begin the battell, will you conclude your selfe conquered before the conflict, will you cast downe your shield before your sword breake, Mastifes fawne when they are fed, Tygers stoope when they bee tickled, Bucephalus wil prostrate himselfe to bee carried, and women yeild when they be courted, cast anchor here then Flaminius, what needst thou,

Run to rifle the Easterne shore, when thou maist be­hold farre more precious diamonds in her eyes, why shouldst thou,

Steere thy course to Tyre for purple when thou maist find fresher in her ruddy cheeke.

To what end shouldst thou dig Peru for that Ore which thou shalt finde excell'd by her golden haire, why shouldst thou ransack the rocky Licilian Sea for Corall, when thon maist enjoy it on her ruby lips? why shouldst thou seeke for Ivory in Africa when thou maist finde it upon her hands? what needst thou toyle in India for gummes when shee can breath a more redo­lent Diapasma? or run to Arabia to heare the Phenix sing when her voyce makes a far more melodious Di­apason?

[Page 8] Flaminius had of his acquaintance Grisonus an Ita­lian who became his spokesman to Diaphoro (his Ladyes Guardian) to obtaine for him admission in this manner.

Diaphoro, the intimacy that hath been alwaies between us since the first taste of our acquaintance, have emboul­dened me in behalf of a noble Lord of my own country, to solicite your councell and assistance in a businesse of grand importance: his name is Flaminius of whose persō vertue her selfe is proud of so great patrimony, & of so comely personage, that it is dubitable whether hee bee more indebted to nature for the lineaments of his per­son, or to Fortune for the encrease of his possessions, he is of a quick inventive and penetrating capacity, without spot of morosity, or colour, hee is aliquis in omnibus, fraught with all kinde of scientificall know­ledge, if you aske what countryman he is? I may rather say, what country man is he not? he is Cives mund [...], a Citizen of the world, having with the sun (his fellow traveller) survey'd most of habitable and hospitable re­gions, & in his travells being arrived in this happy king­dome, and come to this magnificent City, that power­full dietie Love, which have enkindled the hearts of mightyest monarches with the beautifull lineaments of rosie cheek't Ladies, at this time have manifested its so­veraignety over him, who is taken in the snare of Clo­rinda's love, and fetered with the chaine of affection.

The countlesse griefes which day and night he indures may be as perswasive orators to moove any pittifull na­ture to favour him, he doubts not of successe, had he but accesse, which if you shall please to procure him, you shall bind together with me to your self this noble Lord in the most corroborated limitts of truest affections.

Diaphoro replyed, Sir, amongst the rest of the Enco­mions of your Lord, you might have remembred the soundnesse of judgement, which I perceive and applaud in his choyce of Clorinda, a Lady adorned with singular [Page 9] beauty and chastity, excelling in the one Uenus, in the other Uesta. Zeuxis, having before him fifty of the most eminent beauties of Sparta to include all their perfecti­ons in the simulachre of one amiable Venus, said that fifty more of more excellent beauty then those would not administer sufficient beauty to shaddow the goddesse of beauty by; in the like manner it fareth with me, who dis­paire by art to shaddow Clorinda (to whom the rest of her sex serve but as foyles) or by imagination to com­prehend her. I may say, and that without a solaecisme that truth her selfe might be her Panegyrist and yet con­tinue naked. If I doe any acceptable service to Flami­nius that might conduce to his obtaining her, e­steeme it but the shadow of what I desire to doe, in the meane time let me crave your society together with Fla­minius at a slender meale at my house at night, not for the cates which you shall finde, but for your company which I fancy, what want in cost shall exceed in courte­sie, and welcome shall be as great as your cheere little.

Grisonus (after due thankes returned) departed from Diaphoro to certifie Flaminius his friendship, who now call'd upon Phaebus to whip on his lazie teame, and precipitate headlong to the west: which done hee repaired to Diophoro's house, where we will cover with a vaile of silence the entertainement (which was royall) though Flaminius best dish was the beauty of Clorinda, and Clorinda's the personage of Flaminius, so that they were both caught in one net, and both strucke with the same dart, & before Phaebus was ten times brought abed, their soules were knitt in an intire union, and their hearts lodg'd in eithers brest, but O the Remora's, and obstacles that obvaricate a lovers progresse, O the tri [...]t­full casualties, the dolorous accidents, the s [...]d contin­gencies that waite upon an amorist, for no sooner was loves sacred jubile proclaimed by these new lovers, but a corrivall must step in to eclipse their joyes.

[Page 10] The glorious sun exhales the noysome vapours of the earth, and the shining jet drawes to it the contempta­ble straw, and the rare beauty of Clorinda, (that load­stone of love) attracted the heart of Vernar and layd it prostrate at her feet.

To give a character of Vernar, he would have made a fit standard-bearer for that gigantick troop that bad Jove battell, and besieg'd the gods.

He halfe in despaire because of Flaminius and halfe in hope because of Decia Diaphoro's Lady, (whom he inser­ted in read letters, in the catalogue of his best friends) tooke his way to Chelsey to Diaphoro's house, where he found Clorinda sitting in a coole arbour thatcht with sucklings, and guarded by the enamoured chirping wood quire, which came thither to adore her (who could shew more graces then there be sands in the glasse of time,) She sat upon a banck of Lillies which grew pale to see themselves excell'd in whitenesse by her faire hand, the arbour was lined within with Roses, which blushed themselves into a fresher cornation to assimulate her cheekes, the pavement was of purple violets and o­ther redolent flowres which could bost no sweetnesse, but what they derived from her, by the entrance of this arbour ran a silver streame which with its bubling ora­tory did court the shore to dam up the torrent, that it might stand still to behold Clorinda, but being deny'd, it went murmuring away. The Nymphs and freshwater Syrens danc't, and the aeriall spheares laid a side their melodious lutes to lissen whilsts Clorinda gave an aire to these more charming notes.

Her Song ended; Uernar stept to her and thus spoke,

Divine Madam, (Divine I call you because like a diefied goddesse you monarchize over my affections) the rare Idea of your beauteous portraiture, and supere­minent accomodations have so fired my heart, that no­thing but your propitious aspect can save me from be­comeing loves abject.

Since every part of you is deck't with some particular ornament, your face with etheriall beauty, your head with celestiall wisdome, your eyes with awfull majesty, and lovely lenity, make also your heart the throne of tender pitty, being the most excellent rayment, of the most excellent part.

The lustre of your resplendent eyes have kindled those fires which nothing but the showres of your mercie can mitigate, you have wounded one, you one­ly can heale me, like Achilles his lance you have as well a medicinall as a vulnerating vertue, the knife can as well spread a plaister as make a wound, and you can as well happifie me with your love, as pine me for your good­liking.

Let not Flaminius (whose life is a meere blanck where­in brave actions shall never be inscribed for the militant of posteritie) enjoy what I sue for, Let not that strag­ling stranger, who is enamoured of every new face he beholds, enjoy you the glory of women, of men the on­ly admiration, shall that loathed Issue of his fathers loynes, that slander of his mothers heavy womb, that rage of honour possesse that which love sick-Albion Lords have sued for in vaine?

[Page 13] Modestie made in Clorinda's blushing cheekes, a fresh bed of corall, whilst she heard Flaminius (the mirrour of magnanimity and true patron of prowesse, and chi­vallrie, thus reviled, and though these petulant expressi­ons might well have sturd up anger, yet his deportment did rather breed disdaine in Clorinda, who thus re­plied.

If you knew how much your discourse displeaseth me, and how little it is like to profit you, you would esteem your time as vainly lost in pursuing your taske, as I account it over long untill you end it, and those flames of affection which you pretend shall sooner burn your heartto a cole, then enkindle mine with a recipro­call ardour.

Clorinda having given Uernar this bitter pill to swal­low left him in dispaire, and repaired to Diaphoro, and Delia, as she walked the flowres did ambitiously croud themselves into love-nets to entangle her feet, and kisse them, and detaine them prisoners in their amorous stalkes, the Daffadillies wept when she removed and the Tulip call'd all it's bloud into it's cheekes to cou [...]t her, stay, Being come to Diaphoro and Delia, she said,

As I was shrouding my selfe in a coole arbour, from the soultry rayes of the scorching sun, Vernar (the truest hyerogliphick of in solence) intruded, distill'd his love­sick passions into my loathing eares, and so reviled he­roick Flaminius, with contemptible provocations as would whet any cowards sword to carve out the reveng of his reputation, Nay had it been spoke of a disceased Hero, the inraged spirit in pitty of the ashes so propha­ned, would nimbly lift up the sweating marble, and leap into the wronged dust, which being now new anima­ted would become 'its owne revenger.

Diaphoro and Delia answered,

We grieve that Uernar should say any thing that [Page 14] should produce your displeasure, but doubtlesse if you would please to blesse his suit with your good liking, it would extreamly conduce to your friends content­ment.

Ciorinda coyned this reply.

Uernar accepted the challenge and sent this retort,

[Page 20] A little before the time of combate, a Lady call'd the sage Artimaga came to Flaminius prophesied his victory, and presented him with a strong armour, more gorge­ous then the Uulcan framed armour of Aeneas fetcht from the Cyclops forge, by the Pampian goddesse Cythe­rea, when she sought for her sons safegard from the fu­ry of Rutilian Turnus, fighting for a Kingdome and his love Lavinia, this armour Clorinda beautified with Locks of her golden haire, which was fastned to his cres [...], and obumbrated his Corslet dangling downe in small braides, tied up in Lovers knotts with silver ribands, the armour was of a sea-green colour with rocks, and sands of gold, his device upon his sheild was the jmages of the chast and constant Penelope, and his Lady Clorinda in silver, with their hands joyned, his impresse was.

The colour of his horse was milke white, but upon his brest and croop he was dap [...] d with red staines, as when a white Tulip is streakt with red, or a few straw­beries scattered in a messe of creame, he was fiery and of a goodly proportioned greatnesse, his hasty hoofes scorn­ed the earth, and he sent proud challenges in his loud dialect to his enemie.

Now Clorinda, Diaphoro and Belia, Grisonus, Bombar, Artimaga, Florian, Doristo, and others ushered Flaminius into the feild with this song.

[Page 22] Flaminius waited not long before Uernar appeared gallantly mounted upon a bay browne coursier, full of black spots, his forehead marked with a white starr, to which in his whole body there was not any part answe­rable but the left foot behind, his armour was rich and gorgious of a skie colour full of starrs of gold, he bore in his sheild the effigies of Cassandra the propheticall daughter of Priamus in silver, with this word Mentriri non est meum, Its not my part to lye.

Flaminius (who affected not warr, but in cause of ne­cessity, alwayes peace, but with honourable conditi­ons) before he would extort from Uernar a forced con­fession of injurie done to Clorinda, he went about first like a flexanimous Oratour to exhort him to it, Should you Sir Uernar accuse Helena of falcifying her conjugall trust, it had been but to tell over a tale that is already told, this accusation had been warrantable by traditi­on, but to charge Clorinda with inconstancy, nay to think such a thought of her (whose beauty bewray her to be Uenus, but that she excell her in chastitie, and whose continence speakes her to be Diana, but that she staines her beauty,) were intollerable impudence, to speake such a word flat impiety, and to affirme it with oathes inexpiable injury.

Or had Nullifidius whom no man will credit reported this it had not been worth my answering, or her regar­ding, but that you Uernar who was sometimes of her intimate acquaintance (being Deli'as friend) Though as it is now evident a dissembling Sycophant, for you to relate this, others beleeve it, she stomaches it, and I'le re­venge it, I had better take a blister of a nettle, then a prick of a rose, I am more willing that a Raven should pick out my eyes, then a Turtle pick at them, to dye of the food one affecteth not is better then to surfet of that one delighteth in, I am of Scipi'os mind who had rather that Hanibal should eat his heart with salt then [Page 23] Laelius grieve it with discurtifie, or of the same with Laelius who chose rather to be slaine of the Spaniards then suspected of Scipio, I had rather an enemy should beate me, then a friend belye me, rather that an Antagonist should flay me, then one of acquaintance slan­der me.

Uernar replyed,

We come not hither to debate, but to combate, not to prate but to praeleate, not to cavill but to duel, not to jest but to just, wherefore (having turned their horses) these champions met so furiously, That their shiver'd lances flew upwards, as if they challenged the skie before they falled on earth, never was game of death better playd, never did fury display it selfe in greater bravery, never were Hector and Achilles better imitated or rather excell'd, never were swords guided by more skilfull hands, never were hands accommodated with more trusty swords, which like deep mouth'd Cannons battering downe by peace meale their armours, made many wide breaches for troopes of wounds to rush in at, Her's the Trojan warrs in Epitome, her's the battell of Lepanto ac­ted in Monomachy, her's Yorke and Lancaster fought over againe in a Hippomachy, her's the Pharsalian feild discrib'd in these lists, her's the fight at Canna excelled in a duell.

Now the barriers blood began to chace sweat from the full possession of their outsides, for their armours blushed that they had defended their masters no better, force against force, prowesse against prowesse were in­terchangibly encounter'd, as the fire the more its fed with fuell the more hungry its still to devoure; so the more they did strike the more unsatisfied they were with striking; they sharpned their sharpe swords with hope of victory, their thick blowes lighting upon their well tempered shields, made the ayre to Eccho the noyse whereof sounded as many waters in their feirce com­bates [Page 24] against some concave rock, by this time Uernar's body was scarified and broch't with so many wounds as his soule was in a doubt which way to get out at, but weakned with a prodigall effusion of bloud (which he sent to bespeake him a grave) he fell to the earth, and feeling the prevayling point of Flaminius sword at his wretched throate, he upon his knees confessed himselfe vanquished, and Clorinda flandered, in these words.

Redoubted Flaminius as fire is to gunpowder, so is ambition to the heart of man, which if it be touched with felfe-Love mounteth aloft, and never bendeth downeward, till it be turned into ashes, I confesse my selfe to be a man whose eyes could not looke right upon any others happines, nor eares beare the burthen of any others praises, I knowing that each corner in the world rang of your praises, mine fits no mans mouth, this con­sideration breeds antipatheticall difference, and discon­tent brought forth emulation, emulatiō desire of reveng, that engendred execution, of such desires, to further this designe I had a further designe, I considered that you were to be joyned in nuptiall bonds, to the incompara­ble Lady Glorinda, (whose beauty is so excellent, and her feature agreable in every lineament, her modestie so decent, and vertue apparent, that she may be rightly stil'd the Phaenix for beauty, and most famous among Ladyes for bounty) and I betroathed to the deformed Melena, (who bare upon a foule carkasse a fair and rich war­drope, (which she may be rather said to carry, then en­joy,) whose beauty is borrowed more from art then na­ture, (it being now the common practice among such decayed, and superannuated faces, banquerouted by time, or accidents, to hide it from others eyes with art, and from their owne with false glasses) by her perswasion (O Proles nefanda, cerebri nefarij O horrid conceipt of a wicked braine) by her instigation I did calumninate, as sasly as subtly the vertuous and chast Clorinda.

[Page 25] Flaminius who was as mercifull as magnanimous, as vertuous as valiant, as pittifull as powerfull, granted him his life, but Vernar whose uncontrouled spirit dis­dained a life of almes, with his ponyard soone put an end to his owne dayes, over whom our conquerour tri­umphed.

Soone after this Victory Amenides, brother to Clo­rinda returned from travell, and now this Hero of a re­fined wit and rectified judgement, and Flaminius were linked together with a Gordian knot of friendship a fraturnall claime of fidelitie, which neither time by de­gresse could impaire, nor suspitions infrienge, such a love it was, as was betweene Daman and Pythias, and By­lades & Onestes, Tytus and Gysippus, Theseus and Pyrithous, Scipio and Laelius. But Les peines importunes ne sont volon­tiers loing de plus hautes tunes, troublesome paines be not (commonly) remote from the most perspicuous for­tunes.

As the lives of men, so their prosperity, run not up­on a Helirri that still enlargeth, but on a circle, which a­ving at the meridian, they decline in obscurity, and fall under the center againe. Il n'est de jour si clair qui n'ait quelque nuage, the most glorious sun risings are subject to shaddowings, and droppings in, the freshest colours soonest fadeth, the fairest flowers soonest withereth, the clearest day quickly clouds, black and white bee both commonly in one border, the sweetest rose is not with­out its sharpe pricks, nor the fairest velvet without its list, nor the most fortunate life without crosses, the Bee beares honey in her thigh, but she carries a sting in her taile, the deceitfull Panther before the destruction of his eye-gazers, doth hide his head, and prepose his de­lectate skin to the enticement of other beasts, the night is blackest alittle before day, the winds stillest before a storme, the sun bleakest, hottest, before a shower, the deformed Porpisces before the comming of some out­ragious [Page 26] tepmest are pleasantly sporting before the seamē and so did Lubricious fortune give Flaminius the fore­mentioned victory, inventing to plunge him the deeper into misery, this fickle dietie resembles the sunne, who by his heate scorcheth the grasse of Pelion, which even now by his beames was vanished, she is like the monster Hylima, in a moment she can (Proteus like) change her selfe and grow variable, now shee tooke a pride to act both parts of her lubricity, and to crosse Flaminius joy­fulnesse with this joylesse accident.

Soone after that time of the day when the highest mounted sun make shortest shadowes, Flaminius for his wonted recreation accompanied Amenides and Clo­rinda into a pleasant grove, which (through her presence) appeared like the sole Paradice of Silvanus, who had there planted many fragrant arbours for the recreating of his beauteous Clorinda, or the silent grove of Calisto, wherein the enamoured Jupiter in likenesse of a wood Nymph did sport with her, as they were here ambulatory there rushed in one Flaminius Fathers servants, all per­boil'd in sweat, with visage pale as death, and this was his message to Flaminius, (viz.) That his mother Capri­cia was lately arrested by a violent fit of sicknesse at the suit of death, and being ready to pay the debt she ow'd to nature, desired that he might close her eyes, these sad tydings made Flaminius prepare,

By this time these sad lovers have said that ill faring word, farwell; they husbanded their imbraces, as chil­dren [Page 27] doe their sweet-meates as being loath to devour them too soone.

Flaminius accompanied with (his inseperable compa­nion) Amenides tooke shipping to Dover, the Sea rec [...]i­ved them with a smooth, and smiling face, and Nep [...]e who had now learnt to fawne on Princes, blest them with a happy transfretation, Capricia soone after the sight of her sonne in an extasis of joy expired, and Po [...] ­pilius (unwilling to survive so loving a wife, and wil­ling because the journey was darke, and melancholy to bear her cōpany to the Elizian groves) his heart began proudly to beat up the alarums of death, and hee also became a prey to the leane-chapt Monster.

Now the triumphs intended for Flaminius arivall are turned into funeralls, now all eyes are glazed with teares striving to deluge deeper then Ducalions, now the uni­versal torrent of pearly drops have washt away al [...]mirth from that sad, and lamentable world which is muffled up in the mourning cloakes of griefe, and confu [...]n.

Now the Honourable Senators and worthies of the gowne, are assembled to condole the maine engine of state Pompilius, whose approved whighty con [...]tan­cie, and integrity as cleare as the noone day h [...] cognomiz'd him the Atlas of the common wealth, and made him a fit subject unto these predicates, a plant, and planet of justice, a constellation of the form [...] which have eternized him a perpetuall memory to po­sterity, and have stampt so deepe an impression, in the hearts of the surviving as no age should oblite­ [...]ate, hee did easily triumph over smarting rancor, and having run and posted over all the stages of his [...]ife, have edificated a memorable statue, and trophie of his worth in the breasts of all to whom no testifi­ [...]ation, or Epitaph can bee more precious. Now the courtly Ladies and grave Matrons are congregated to [Page 28] bewaile the falling of this Cyprian starre Capricia from their Zenith, whose losse even heaven might la­ment, did not heaven enjoy her.

Now the valiant Souldiers that might have daun­ted death himselfe when they wore the colours of this their disceased Vice-Roy in the field, with their drummes covered, pikes and teares trayled in a mournefull po­sture, launces broken, insignia and instruments of war reversed proclaime their griefes, now all sorts, the creame and the scumme of the people, not to fill their eyes but to employ them, and to invest themselves in black for him whose purple they once adored, our muse shall beare part in this lamentation, and sadly weepe out this Elegie.

They are magnificently interr'd in the chiefest Temple in Naples, and over them is ingraven this Epitaph.

Having given the parents the rights of buriall let us returne to the children, and speake some thing of their Daughter Dionella, although some may conceive it im­pertinent to the History, yet they may find it no more repugnant, then in one nosegay to set two flowers, or in one counterfait diverse colours, yet to expect all pas­sages and circumstances of their lives, were to loose ons longing, you may as well seeke Pauls steeple in Hordius his Map of the world, for abridgments, Histories are nets of a larger wash, which onely inclose great fishes, [...], things worth mentioning, the smaller fry, matters of lesse consequence, escape them, passing over therefore, and omitting all impertinent tautologies & ambages, we shall proceed to relate, how.

[Page 31] Amenides Clorinda's brother, an honourable slip of the antient tree of English nobility, a preg­nant proficient in all discipline of state, of a sweet aspect, and comely forme and feature, of whom it may be justly spoken without Hyperbo­lies of fiction, as it was of Cato Uticensis that he see­med to be borne to that only which hee under­tooke, Uersatilis ingenij (as Plutarch hath it) but to speake much of him were the way to leave out something that might adde to his praise, and to forget much that would augment his honour, in a word therefore he became enamoured of Dionella Flaminius his sister, a Lady that did cast upon her beholders so sweet a looke, as was able to raye one into a Galliard, that lay in a dead palsie, and to doat on that sweet countenance, but in that looke there raigned so divine a countenance, as cut off all lascivious and vaine hopes, her face was Queen vertues palace, adorned with natures choy­sest tapesterie; thatcht with a golding hair, the win­dowes of his gorgious Court, cast forth more glo­rious beames then those wherewith rash trayn'd Phaeton sing'd the world, the rubie portalls boast in incomparable sweetnesse, for the fruition where­of a man would even enthrall and inhell himselfe, upon the sanguine and Lillie walls of this Paphian structure interlaced, and kindly mixed with Ala­baster & Uermilion where more Theoremes were livly portraitured then in whole volumnes tedious pari­phrase, as her superlative beauty won the praise from all women that stood in degree of comparison with her, so her vertue was as amiable in mens judgements, as her feature in their eye sight, but to speak more of her were to take her lesse, only thus much, all faire Ladyes might breake their flat­tering glasses and dresse themselves in her.

[Page 32] But let us leave her with Amenides happy in their reciprocall affection, and turne to Flaminius who (when he had digested his griefe) longed to returne to Clorinda, (with whom hee had left his heart for a pawne till he came back,) to this end he tooke [...]hipping for England attended by Florian and Do [...]o.

At first the disembling sea smiled on them, but before they had sayled three leagues the sweet tongued Syrens began to sing, and the delighted Dolphins, and gamesome Porpises to da [...]nce to their musicke, and all on a suddaine, a [...]ble cloud curtain'd the refulgent Lord of Light, the Seas were made a darke stage for a miserable Tragedy to bee acted upon, now proud Aeolus began (in a loud base) to sing de­struction, now Neptune did Court and kisse Iris, and the traiterous Sea sweld it selfe into mountaines more high and hideous then the Alpes, on which the afflicted shippe as upon a pro­mentory or starry pointed Piramid was carryed to invade heaven, to seeke safty there, being de­nyed it upon the Sea, but was straight darted downe againe into a precipice of hellish darke­nesse, as if it chose rather to ride upon gentle Phlegeton, then this now unnavigable Ocean, the Sea strove with the winde which should bee lowdest, and the welkin (now all inveloped in ugly darknesse) contended with the Maine which should bee more horrid, The distressed vessell, was like a foot-ball tossed by the rude feete of a rusticke crew, here only proceeded that little of safety which it had, it was equally as­sailed on every side. All this time Flaminius sat with setled countenance discovering nothing that ar­gued feare, hee Augustus like encouraged the [Page 33] pale Pisot with that sentence, Flaminium & Flaminii fortunam vehis; how can that Vessell suffer ship-wrack that carries Flaminius, and his Fortune? the subject of his Meditations was the object of his love, Clorinda, a brighter Nymph then she that received a being from (his now angry enemy) the Sea, Toto sonuerunt aequ [...]r [...] nimbi, the idle Compasse, the broken Rudder, and split Anchor were uselesse, the flapping mainsayle and shivered Mast were cast over-boord, the Sea-men were distracted, some ply'd the Pump, some their (till then neglected) Prayer-books.

Now no objects presented themselves to these ab­jects, but the raging Sea, and gloomy aire, neither had they a perfect prospect of them, but when cloud­compelling Jove held out to them a Torch of Light­ning, till at last kind Aurora became a Harbinger of that ensuing day, which shewed them light to land at Cyprus, a rich and flourishing soyle, placed under a smiling Heaven, and sacred to Venus, to whom wee direct this Meeter:

THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE CYPRIAN ACADEMY.

SOone after the Orientall Majestie a­rose to over-circulate the Earth, Fla­minius in a weather-beaten Ship, or rather the Carkasse of the Ship, or rather some few bones of the Car­kasse, was driven upon the coasts of the Isle Cyprus, at the foot of a cacuminous Clift, whose steep-downe chalkie sides reverberating and beating back the rayes of the resplendent Sunne, by the beames reflection seemed to gild the Ocean with a new Phae­bean glister.

Flaminius (with his trustie servants) sat upon the Clift, beholding the perjured waters of the Changeling Sea, and uttering these complaints; Ah unkind Na­ture, Queene of dissimilitudes, and vicissitudes, when wilt thou be glutted with the miseries of mortals? How unfortunate is the fate of man, to be subjugated under the yoake of so belluine and inhumane a step­dame? [Page 38] Thy gifts are onely temporarie, there is no stable happinesse in this circle of flesh, nor is it in the opticks of these eyes to behold permanent felicitie: Apres un peu de joye ou seut mieux la tristesse, a pound of griefe followes an ounce of joy: as the tree and the rinde groweth and sprouteth together, the one not sub­sisting without the other; so with man is care and an­xietie ingendred, which as an inseparable evill Angell follows him in all his actions, as the shadow doth the body: Lieur & mallieur se suyvent tour à tour, good and evill follow one another. What were the lives of those Hero's, Alexander and Darius, who strove toge­ther which should be Cock of the Worlds Dunghill, but one continued perplexitie? If to day Mars smiled on one of them, he feared the amphibologicall successe of to morrow; for, Cela qu'un jour nous donè, un autre jour nous l'oste, what one day gives us, another takes away from us: so that a man can make himselfe sure of nothing without the power of his action (that is not wholly in his hands) for, Multa cadunt inter po­culum, & labra, Chance is a Dicer; its vaine to put more confidence in this life then in one wind at Sea, but 'tis wisdome to have tackling readie for all vicissi­tudes of Fortune.

The Mulberry tree (as Herbalists observe) is long in begetting and keeping its buds, but (the cold season being past) it shootes them all in one night; and For­tune, which sometimes is long in dandling her favou­rites, (the edge of her lubricious affection being aba­ted) she diverts from them her benignitie, and converts it to their miserie. But we will omit the rest of his complaints, desiring rather to relate matter then words.

Flaminius arose, intending to direct his wearie steps to the Regall Citie Nicosia, almost n the heart of the [Page 39] Island, in the territorie of Lapathia: the way was plea­surable, and the earth clad in her best apparell, which made the Island appeare to be the field of Ceres, the garden of Bacchus, the prime pastorage of Pan, and the richest beautie of Silvian; the Wheat over-topt his head, the Vines over-lookt the Trees, the rank grasse justled with his knees, and the high-sprong Woods did threaten to invade the Clouds. He had not travailed farre, before he was set upon by a pack of Robbe [...] a rout of crazed fortunes, whose crackt estates did gape to be soldered up by any wealthy bootie; but va­lour respects not numbers: wherefore Flaminius (who esteemed few swords in a just defence able to resist many unjust assailers) commanded his trusty Squires, Florian & Doristo, (who had rather sacrifice their lives at their Masters feet, then seek (by flying) a dishonou­rable safetie) to assist him, who like an enraged Lyon sent some arme-lesse, others leg-lesse, more head­lesse, but many life-lesse, to take up their comfort­lesse Lodgings under the black mantle of endlesse night.

Florian lent such a terrible blow to one of their Chiefetaines, (who with open mouth threatned his destruction) as slicing off both his tongue and chaps, before he had ended his babling, gave a period to his oration. Doristo struck at another in the same po­sture, and made his soule in a streame of clottered bloud, to sayle out at his mouth.

Those that survived of this Rabble (seeing them­selves over-matcht every way, and frustrated of hopes to resist any way) desisted, and Flaminius persisted on in his journey; but before he could reach the Citie Nicosia, it did advesperate, and the silent night with her pitchie Chariot had coursed over the face of the element, and he was forced to take the earth for his [Page 40] pillow, the wide fields being to him in stead of a Cham­ber, and the windie skies being a roofe to his blasted Lodging, and having the cold and humid vapours of Nocturna to accompanie the unwisht-for Bed of his repose: but as soone as he espyed the beautious Au­rora had with Vermillion blushing cheekes forsaken the Saffron Couch of her age-wearied Lover, he con­tinued his travaile through a most pleasant Valley; on the right hand stood a ridge of mountaines, whereof one surmounted the rest, and had mounted upon his top a Pyramid of Brasse; on the left hand was the Sea, bordered with continued hills, beset with varietie of fruits; the Champaine betweene was full of flowrie hillocks, not much over-topping their ranker valleyes, which were with Groves of Olive and Orange trees dispersedly adorned. At the end of this Paradise he entred into a solitarie desart, whose ornaments were uncouth Rocks; some eaten with age, others blasted with lightning, others bruised with thunder: no com­fortable beame of pleasure shined here, no chearefull Sunne or Moone illuminated this palace of death with gladsome rayes; it was filled with deepe ditches, and soundlesse pi [...]s, which were inhabited by hoarse Frogs and croaking Toads; it was paved with bloud­drawing Thornes: about the middle of this wilder­nesse was a melancholy Cave, the black Domicill of the daughters of death; Flaminius passing by it, heard com­ming from it these lamentations, couched in a Med­ley, both for Verses and Tunes.

The Melody being ended, Flaminius desiring as well to satisfie his sight as his hearing, stept to the Cave, where he beheld the Querimonious Lady, in a garment of blacke Velvet, embroydered with sil­ver, her haire was gathered up under a small cap, co­vered with feathers, and set thicke with Diamonds, which glittering about her head dazeled his sight, but it was little in respect of that lightning which came from her face.

[Page 46] She was ravished with the rare feature of Flaminius, who doubtlesse had been as much taken with hers, had hee not been gained by another, but his soule wa [...] so fill'd with the most excellent perfection of Clo­rinda, that there was no place left for any other im­pression. After some Discourse, the Ladies offer [...] and his desires became convertible, shee requeste [...] that which he most desired, which was to accompany her to the Court, and hee requested that which she was most ambitious to performe, which was, to in­forme him of the cause of her querulous Soliloquie, which she did in these words.

Gentle Sir, though I am assidually used to com­plaints, yet were my heart contracted into tongue I should bee deficient in declaring the unspeakable­nesse of my ineffable griefe, and though I despair [...] to bring you any pastime, yet to passe the time, be [...] pleased to heare this Tragedy. There arrived at thi [...] Iland, Antiomers sonne to the Emperour of Germany, Knight, who was in peace sweet and humble, in Wa [...] sterne and haughty, the East could not boast mor [...] pearles then he could vertues, the gentlenesse of hi [...] countenance, and the fircenesse of his courage seem­ed to be two contraries in the same subject, his heart was uncapable of feare in any danger, but tractable and easie in conversation; in a word Antiomers, a man under whose name is comprehended all War­like vertue; loved no women but mee, that loved not any man but him; he never spake but of me, h [...] never made any relation which he esteemed good, if [...] were not the subject thereof; nor did I thinke any time lost, but what I spent out of his company. It so fortuned that Silenus, brother to Lycidus, the young King of Cicilie, proclaimed a generall challenge a­ [...]ainst all Knights that should deny his Lady Adria [...] [Page 47] (daughter to the Great Turke) to bee the Paragon of the terrestiall Paradise; Fame proud to pro­mulge this defie to all the world, graspt it betweene her teeth, and shaked it about, so that it came to Antiomers eares, who soon left Cyprus, and went to Cicilie, resolved to make him repent his brags, or to bury my honour with his owne body.

I shall omit the circumstances of his Journey, and returne to Silenus, who hearing of Antiomers his approach entred the Field in an Armour of a Corna­tion colour all be set with Croslets of gold in a Field Azure, he bore upon his Shield the Picture of Adrias in silver, with the Seven Starres round about her, un­der her was engraven this Saphick.

Antiomers had on a French Armour of an Ashie co­lour, which hid the sparkes of a lively fire, spotted with Flower-de-luces of Silver and Gold, his device was a Heart ty'd to a pillar in the middle of a Faggot kindled by me, my portraicture was all beset with Flowers, and just under my Simulachrie was in­scribed in Greeke Characters these words, [...] (the best of Flowers) his Feather was Gree-de-lieu and white, his Caparisons Gris­de-lieu, embroidered with Gold, set thicke with sparks of Diamonds.

These two Champions in their careere darkned the ayre with the dust they raised, and struck the earth into an Ague with their Horses battering hoofes, An­tiomers in the middle of his course met his Enemy [Page 48] like a Whirlewind, and fell upon him like a Tempest, they both sent the splinters of their Launces to digge Graves in the dust for their blood, which forthwith fill'd them, for there were many salliports cut in their Armours for their lives to issue out at, and death to enter in at. Silenus words and blowes were delive­red so together, that it was aenigmaticall whither enterprizing or prevailing went first, his energeticall strokes seemed as thunder, to his words lightning; but hee found no barren ground for this feed, for Antiomers (abhorring sterility) yeelded him his own with increase, which because he did not expect, hee was perplexed by it, and in this respect, though reason and amazement bee seldome joyned, yet here they were not dissentaneous, for the most reasonable spe­ctators had good reason to be amazed at the unrea­sonable ferocity of the combatants, who both over­wearied with fighting, fell prostrate to the earth, where Antiomers thus commun'd with himselfe.

Can my courage faint remembring my Lady, or can any thing dismay me being in her favour, no the honour of her name (which I honour) hath call'd me to the Field, and her beauty is so perfect, as nothing shall be able to force me to flye.

And now these Champions carried more by strength of affection then of body, by the cruelty of the second charge they wiped away the astonishmen [...] of the first, till at last they were both carried out of the Field, with more appearance of death then hope of life. As soon as I heard of the event of the fight, I went to visit him, he no sooner cast his dim eyes upon me, but his co­lour freshly revived in the pale cinders of his thin cheekes, and the old vermilian tincture began to plead a new possession of his severall mansions, but at length I saw the vermilian non-suited, and him pale and [Page 49] dead (though even in that condition lovely, as if death had taken that shape to make me enamoured of him) alive he surprised and suppressed envy with vertue, and dead honours accompanied him to the grave.

Ocursed be the hand that kill'd, that kill'd him, cursed be his heart that had the heart to doe it, ô yee just gods let most direfull, and haplesse happs, hap­pen to that hatefull wretch that made me wretched by his death, ô kind death lend my cheekes his pale­nesse, which boast more of these trickling drops of teares, then the Pactolian sand hills doe of their most gorgious glistering pearles left there, and forsaken by the [...]bbing billowes of the bubling waters, My teares shall raine upon his grave to make the gentle earth beare some Adonean, or rather Antiomerean flowre, which shall beare his name and memory.

She would have uttered more circumstancies of the Tragedy, but she was forced to make their womb their tomb, and to bury them before she brought them forth, those other things which she intended should have had birth in her mouth dyed there, for her words were washt away by her teares which came dropping downe, like rayne in sun-shine, and hang upon her cheekes and lips, like drops upon cherries, which the dropping tree bedeweth, her swell'd eyes became her fortune, and made her teares comely.

By this time they were come to the Court, where Arbella Daughter to Romulus King of Cyprus, (for so was the prementioned Lady nominated) brought him to the King, whose Sister Capricia (mentioned in the former part of this history) was wife to Pompilius vice­roy of Naples, and Mother to Flaminius, so that the [Page] King quickly so dispersed the rayes of his grace upon his Nephew Flaminius, as he thought his court defi­cient, without this pregnant proficient of State, but let it be sufficient for the present that we have brought Flaminius to the court, and into the Kings favour, let us now returne to Clorinda, (disconsolate Clorinda,) whom we have too long forgotten.

In this time of Flaminius absence, and consequently of her infelicity (for how could she choose but lan­guish in the absence of her best Physitian) no carefull art, or art of carefullnesse was imployd in her ador­ning her selfe, she left all to neglected chance, which yet could no more impair her perfections, then a dye cast any way could loose its squarenesse.

Still her love did burne lik a vestall fire, which with Flaminius memory, richer then all spices dispersed fragrant odours, round about her Love-fick soule, and did refresh it, when 'twas in the dumpes, and stuck fast in the quagmire of melancholy.

She was seldom out of the company of Delia, whose presence would have diverted much griefe, had it been curable by company, yet she set as cheerefull a coun­tenance upon it, as the sadnesse of her heart would permit, after he had been absent from her some consi­derable time, not having oportunity personally to kisse her hands; he sent this letter as his paper deputy to doe it for him.

Clorinda. having oft honoured this letter with most affectionate kisses, dispatcht the messenger, (which was Florian) with this answer.

Having delivered this letter to Flaminius let us looke upon Arbella, who made her heart rasam tabulam a white paper, longing to have Flaminius writ his love upon it, to this end she studied with great art to tie all those graces together, wherewith she accustomed to have her admirable beauty accompanied, for the glory she apprehended in captiving such a courage made her desire to seem faire, she would be seldome out of his company, hoping that if he were not taken with the inevitable strookes of her face, he should be constrained to yeild by her charming speech, and be­cause she would move every stone, and leave no means unatempted, when she knew Flaminius (who was much delighted with the airey whistlings, and inar­ticulate sufurrations of vegitables) to be walking in a tufted grove, adjoyning to the City, thether she re­paired, [Page 53] and placing her selfe within a leavy labyrinth in the navil of this obscure inmost bowre, sitting up­on a mossie couch of grassie turfs she utterd these words.

Faire silver shafted Lad goe burne thy frivolous bow, and in imitation of Hercules in these waving woods erect thy pillars and write Nil plus vltra, my conquest is ended, what shall Flaminius remaine al­wayes as free, as invincible? can it be that so much va­lour can be altogether unaccompanied with love?

Flaminius (willing to convince her of her errour, in thinking him altogether without love, tooke a seat in an adjoyning arbour, & made this protestation of his love to Clorinda.

Loadstone of love, life of beauty, picture of for­mositie, flowre of comlinesse, Clorinda, believe that my affection is so perfect as it cannot be increased or diminished, since the first birth of it, but if it be ca­piable of augmentation, thy late letter was as bellows to kindle a new fire in my soule, which shall never be extinguished by averse starrs, or adverse fortune, know (sweet Mistris of my love, and life) and believe that it is the royall prerogative of a lover to be metamor­phosed into the essence of the party loved, and so it fareth with me, whose heart is as faithfull to you as the needle to the north.

First, shall fertile soyles render nothing but thornes to Coridon, (as a reward for his good seede,) or rivers (the emblems of gratitude) forget to repay their flouds to Neptune, or a trustie grayhound transforme himselfe to a pilfering Tygar, or vertue become vice, and beauty a blemish, before any goddess be made go­vernesse of the cittadell of my heart besides thy selfe.

Arbella seing her hopes frustrated returned to her fathers Court, where she found Lycidus King of Sicilie her beauty shined so bright that the amarous King [Page 53] was too weake to resist it, for although her minde was possessed with sorrow, & her body clad with mourn­ing, & corrupuit oculos fletu, and she loboured to hide her feature, and dim the lusture of her face, yet could not the excellent perfection wherewith she was in­riched be defaced.

Neither Lycidus Rhetorick, nor his friends per­swasions could procure for him Arbella's good like­ing, therefore he out of the atrocity of his spirit, see­ing his love rewarded with loathing, returned home and raised an army to make at once a conquest, both of Arbella, and her fathers Kingdome, when he had al­most covered the Sea with his potent Armado, and made a bridg of ships over the miditerranian Ocean, Lemuroc (a man of an arrogant mind, a fit hing for mischeife to turne upon, one that like the fellow that burnt the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, would get himselfe a name, though it were for doing mis­cheife, who was left by Lycidus in Cyprus under pre­tence to negociate the match, did patch the Lions skin with the Foxes taile, and thus he acted his part for his Masters advantage, he congregated, and seduced the rout, and scumd the mud and froth of the people, the fittest soyles for this grand incendiary to sow his seeds of rebellion, with this Gallemaufery of Plebeians (who having nothing to lose, no not the oppulency of a good disposition) were easily ingaged in his tumult) he marched to the regall palace in Nicosia, the Walls, Turrets, and Battlements were white marble, the windows of carved silverworke, enamelled with In­dian pearle, glazed with Christall glasse. Lemuroc mounted upon a high scaffold made this insinuating O [...]a [...]ion to his rebellious followers, among whom were some popular and discontented Lords.

Whilst thus he spake, conticuére omnes intentá (que) tene­bant. Flaminius had such action in his speech, and grace in his action, as he raised attention with no less admiration then silence. For his Oration carried smoothnesse and concinuity enough with it to make many revolt from Lemuroc, only some few ambitious Lords, whether out of instigation, or as it hath beene conjectured out of emulation, and jealousie to bee e­clipsed and over-shadowed by the fame and splendor [Page 60] of Flaminius, swaid their Tennants and domesticke retenews, and fled to Lycidus (who by this time was intrenched in the plaine of Mamrash some five miles from Nicosia) under whose ensigne wee will resigne them, and assigne our stile to the perfecting of our for­mer designs.

Flaminius dispatched a Messenger to Amenides (whom hee desired might joyne with him in his at­chievements, and partake of his glory) who soon left Dionella, of whom hee tooke leave with teares in his eyes, she also contributing hers unto their griefe, hee went accompanied with the same sorrow which hee left behind, and in ten dayes space arrived at Cyprus, with 1000. valiant Neopolitans, whose spangled plumes of divers coloured feathers obumbrating their steely crests, and their gilded helmets, shewed in sem­blance like Mars his burganets overshadowed with the golden tressalines of his faire paphian paramoure; If unknown Choraebus with his troops of undaunted Ue­terans were in Troyes extreamity, welcome to the di­stressed Priamus, or the resolved bands of Achilles with his fierce Mirmidons acceptable to the Grecians in the time of intestine skirmishes; how joyful then was Ro­mulus at the arrivall of Amenides in this time of disa­ster, wherein hee more needed his Heroicke actions, then either Priam or the Grecian Heroes did their pro­fered succouring aiders. By this time the Governours of the several Provinces (having fortified their Cities) repaired with their bands to Nicosia, where there was a general muster of Romulus his souldiers w ^ch amoun­ted to the number of 40000. the day of battel between the two Armies was appointed on the morrow, and the Plains whereon it was to be fought were the pre­mentioned Plaines of Mamrash. As soone as the Coe­lestiall Waggoner had forsaken the watry lap of The­tis, and issuing out at the latticed portalls of the Ea­stern [Page 61] Ocean had swiftly followed the flying darknesse (which with sable wings had tane her speedy flight to the Westerne India) the thundring drumms and shrill trumpets proclaimed the battles approach.

Romulus his Army was thus ordered; against the approch of his reproachfull enemies; the first Squa­dron was conducted by Yeslin Governour of the Pro­vince of Salamina, the second was given in charge to Amenides, the third was led by Flaminius, the fourth by Romulus the King, the last by Pruteus. This Army garnished with their discoloured plumes, raised such a lustre by the rayes of the earths illustrator, as hea­ven it selfe seemed to blush at the gorgeousnesse of the inriched earth, whose duskie face was so admirably garnished with such a glorious Army.

Lycidus also divided his Army which consisted of 60000. men into divers squadrons, allowing to each squadron 10000. men, the first was carried on by Le­muroc, the second followed Turpill, the third Xanver­de, the fourth was under Lycidus owne conduct, the fifth had his Brother Silenus for its Leader, the last was commanded by Plitus. The signall of the battell being given, the two bodies engaged; and the earth loath to behold such cruelty, hidde its face under a bloody mantle. Now the noise of the Souldiers (w ^ch was no lesse then the mad Sacrifices of Bacchus in The­bes and Phrygia, were wont to bee the neighing of horses, the clashing of the Armes, the groanes of the dying and wounded men, the obstrepency of the Ca­nons and sounding granadoes drowned one another, and concurrd to make a discord, which at once both fed & frighted death. Now Charon sweated with ply­ing his Ores, now Cerberus feared to admit so many of Romulus rebellious Subjects, because hee doubted (they were so inured to insurrections) that they would mutiny against Pluto. Now Radaman thus trem­bled [Page 62] to give censure against so many souldiers, lest they (disliking their doome) should make another ri­ot, and breake the peace. But because I would not­have the battle ended before I have described the man­ner of it, I will leave roaving at Generalls, and parti­cularize some of the most eminent Combitants.

Flaminius (having valour for his leader, and for­tune for his Auxiliar) delt downe right blowes (and them oft redoubled) upon his unabiding adversaries, his blood-bedabled sword guided by his ruthlesse hand cleft where it strucke, it cut out more worke for the Sexton then the Surgeon, it made no wounds but mortall ones, it left every one on whome it had dis­charged its fury either dying or dead.

Here his frantick arme cleave horse and man insuna der at one blow, there it makes an Orphan, here widdow, and so he remained pressing, and oppressing his enemies till being ringd about with the distracted and amazed multitude his steed was slaine by Turpil but Flaminius so executed his vigorous rage upon him, as he made the Traitor to late repent his but lately of­ferd injury, for burying his blade in his cursed stomach he made him (bleching out his life together with his blood, bid a sorrowful farewell, to his more then sor­rowfull souldiers, and he soon mounted himselfe on a fiery coursier, whose masters head he paid for his horse hire. Undanted Romulus also, who chose rather to trust to his body a castle of bones, then one of stones, no sooner delt blowes, then these gave wounds, and those wounds, death, till at length his force decrea­sing, he was dismounted yet defended himselfe on foot till at last he espied, Flaminius coming, and then (whereas before he expected a noble death) he hoped for a glorious victory, for who can feare that hath Flaminius by him, whose very presence might apall his proudest foe, but how many he slew, (not stranger [Page 63] for number, then for the manner,) how he sent them to their deserved deaths, were a subject delectable to mee to write, and to all to read, but I should be over tedious to discourse of every particular. Plitus advanced himselfea­gainst Amenides, whose actions speak him higher then our Epithites, but the burnt child dreads the fire, the baited Beare will beware of the stake, the singed gnat dare not a­gain flutter about the flame of the candle, the fish Sphyrana once intangled will shun the net, the dogs of Aegypt once terrified by the Crocadile wil seldom after lap at the banks of Nilus, and Pusillanimous Plitus having received two wounds sought by the swiftnesse of his horse a dishonou­rable safety, Lemuroc took his place and incountered Ame­nides, and it fared with him as with the young wrestler that came to the Olympick games, who having had a foyle thought scorn to retreat till he received a fall, or him that being prickt in the finger by a bramble, thrust in his whole hand among the thorns for madnesse, for having diverse wounds and not liking them, he left not, till he took that which was immedicable, & Amenides continued purpling the grasse with blood and inriching the ground with pale carkasses. Pruteus ran against Lycidus, and bea­ring him quite over his saddle, he made him take a new & more uneasy seat upon the croop of his palfrey, Yeslin and Silenus were so forward in the careere, as the very earth seemed scarcely to bend under their horses hoofes, with such exceeding celeritie they passed to the en­counter, but ô the impartiality of the fates, ô the atro­city of chance, The well accomplished Socrates and just Phocian were executed like Traitors, whilst Rebell Caesar was advanced, the cruell Severus lived prospe­rously and was adored, whilest the excellent Severus was miserably murthered, Sylla and Marius dyed in their beds, Pompy and Cicero slaine, when they would have thought exile a happinesse, and Yeslin, Loyall Yeslin, [...]ell by the flesh-devouring hand of Silenus, but his bloud [Page 64] being scattered like seed upon the ground, brought rich encrease to Romulus, for his death gave desire to the most pittifull, and power of revenge to the most coward­ly, and now between both armies began a most bitter bick [...]ing, but Lycidus his army being not able any longer to continue the conflict were inforced to flie, feare added spurs to their hast, Flaminius and Amenides added fury to valour, and desperateneffe to fury, and pursued them with their Squadrons, and prosecuted the pursuit as far as Ceratina erected by Cyprus (now called Cerines) whose perfidious governour Dromus surrendred it to Lycidus, Flaminius and Amenides, sat downe before this City, where we will leave them and looke over the plaines of Mamrash. Here stood a head strong steed wanting no­thing but a proud rider to guide him, there another drags his Lim-lopt Master up and downe the feild, the plaines which were never before overfloud, are now drowned in bloud, here lies a headlesse body, there a Limme newly discinded from that miserable trunk that lyes yet groan­ing, here lies a gasping head cropt from its shoulders, there lye huge heapes of half dead bodies, whereof some curse fate, others blaspheme their misdisposed starrs, one pitties his poore widdow, another commiserated his Lucklesse Orphans, and curse the night wherein the chil­dren were borne, because he must dye and leave them un­happy, here lies a throng of livelesse carcases, whose eyes are dam'd up with bloud-congealed dust, there grovells the Son whose hopes were all his aged Fathers pleasure, there were slaine in this battell (as is evident by the bills given in of the dead) of Romulus party 500. whereof one was the honourable Lord Yeslin. Of Lycidus souldiers there fell 11000 and upward, among whom were Turpil and Xanverde of the nobilitie. Report carying the fame of these wars tied unto his wings, brought it to Clorinda, wherupon (education having given her more languages, then nature tongues) shee drew her thoughts into these [...]es, adorned them with Roman attire, wrapt them in [...] & dispatcht them to Flaminius.

Arbella loath any longer to see her Fathers King­dome sustaine the miseries of war for her sake) fled se­cretly from the Court in a disguise, and apparralled her selfe in a tawney armor, having for her device an Austridge holding a horse shoe in his mouth, with this word Sic nutriuntur Fortes, she repaired to the camp and sent this defie to Lycidus.

Redoubted Lycidus it's both repugnant to your ho­nour and honesty, to seeke to conquer that with Mars [...]is lance, which can be subdued onely by Cupids shaft [...] meane Arbellas heart, appeare therefore in the field forthwith armed at all points to prove by what right you seeke the daughters love by the distruction of her Fathers Kingdome, be not inquisitive of my name b [...]t [Page 66] let it suffice you to know that I am Arbellas friend and consequently your enemy.

The stranger had no sooner veiwed the advantages of the ground, but Lycidus forthwith issued out of the Abby (which was by this time straightned for want of Provision) with an armour of a sea green colour where­on was the Simulachres of Priamus and Hecuba hanging their heads in their bosomes, and with their naked hands upholding a deaths head, whereon was written this composure, Nostrae spes tanta salutis, The stranger faild in his careere, and was sent to write his foyle with his helmet upon the dust, Lycidus (as rich in courtisie as courage) counting conquest by advantages rather stolen then accheived, left his sturdy steed to fight on foot, but Lycidus perceiving the stranger discovered more anger then either skill or strength, holding him farre unworthy of his hate, pittied his weaknesse, and said, Sir Knight, I conceive you fitter to masque with Uenus then march with Mars, to hold a distaffe with Hercules, then a lance with Hanibal, or to handle a Lute in a La­dyes chamber, then a spear in Bellona's Camp, con­test therefore no more, but husband your strength, em­ploy it against your enemie, for my part I am your friend and will spend my life to serve you for Arbellas sake, whose friend you professe your selfe, the stranger replyed al the service I desire of you, is; that I have no ser­vice for you, but abused courtesie, in Lycidus begat wrath who united all his force, & cleft the perfidious Helmet of the stranger which struck him to the ground, he thē thrust his glittering sword into his left side & having enloosed his helmet (intending to crop him shorter by the head) espyed golden tramells of faire haire, falling downe upon her shoulders, which witnessed that it was the b [...]autious Ar [...]lla, whose corall lips trembled as if they were kissing death, the Lillie and rose which were before united in her cheekes now broake their league, [Page 67] and commenced warr, the Lillie got the victory, and re­mained master of the feild, and put the rose to flight, in her forehead where the wound was made a fresh tor rent of rubie blood (whose least drop might have ran somed Cupid, were he taken prisoner) strove to over flow its owne fairenesse, here the rose tooke sanctuary being expulsed from her cheekes, in a word here was an Island of perfect white invironed with a red sea, in whose deadly streame death came sayling, and arived at the port made in her front, and soon chaced the soule, though not the beauty from her lovely body.

Now Lycidus (ashamed of his unluckie victory broke his sword, threw downe his gauntlet, and in three dayes shipt his whole army to returne to Sicilie, he be­queathed his kingdome to his brother Silenus, and spent the residue of his discontented life, in the Monaste­ry of mount Serat, where he became a Capouchin, His majestie out of the height of benignity passed a bill of indempnity, & pardoned his subjects, & as a legg broke well set is stronger then before, and as a bow cract and wel mended sounder then ever, so his peoples hearts were in the most corroborated chaines of love and o­bedience chained him by this singular example of cle­mēcie for Le pardonner n'est moindre vertu aux grauds quand 'lis sont offencez, que le vengeance vice aux petits quand ils sont injuriez, to forgive is no lesse vertue in Princes, when they are offended, then revenge is a vice in the com­mon sort, when they are wronged, but to proceed, because his maiesty would not have the griefe for Ar­bella's, death make a full conquest of his great minde, he admitted of this pastorall Eclogue.