¶ The Amorous and Tragicall Tales of PLVTARCH Wherevnto is annexed the Hystorie of CARICLEA & THEAGENES, and the sayings of the Greeke Philosophers.
Translated by Ia. Sanford.
OMNIA TEMPVS HABENT
BE
¶ IMPRINTED AT LONDON BY H. Bynneman, for Leonard Maylard. ANNO. 1567.
To the right worshipful Sir Hugh Pawlet Knight, Iames Sanforde vvisheth long health, vvith increase of all prosperitie.
ALTHOVGH DEMADES (right vvorshipfull) sayde that the lavvs of DRACO vvere for their extreme crueltie vvritten vvith bloud, bycause to all offences vvere thei neuer so smal an equall punnyshment vvas appointed, yet some there vvere vvhich receyued a vvorthie punnishment, amongst vvhich that lavve by him made, concerning Idlenesse, is to be nūbred, vvhich he punished by death, & that vvorthilie if he dyd respecte the sequele, and the rotten braunches vvhich did spring of that vice, supposing thereby to preuent many myschieues and enormities grovving to the cōmon vveale. What ruine and decay it bringeth to the Weale publike tyme doeth not novve require in generall to declare, but thys particular vice Lavvlesse lust, is to be expressed, the vvhich aryseth and taketh hys begynning of Idlenesse. For, vvhen the mind is not occupied, then do yll affections possesse it, and the lothsome iuste of Carnall concupiscence entreth therein. THEOPHRASTVS on a time being demaunded vvhat [Page]this luxurious Loue vvas, he aunsvvered, that it vvas the affectiō of an ydle minde. OVID in like maner in his fyrst Elegie or lamentable Song sayeth.
There is nothyng vvhich causeth a mā more to degenerate from his kind than this, for it doth make him rather to resemble Beastes, than creatures endovved vvith reason. Wherfore the Poets not vvithout a cause haue painted out & described Loue like a Shephierde, signifying therby, that vvhoso follovveth sensualitie, and inordinate desire of the flesh, are more like beasts than men, for vvhen reason ruleth not affection and appetite, men become like to vnreasonable creatures redy and apt for al vvickednesse, embracing vice as a vertue, and folovving enmitie, strife, fighting, and many other inconueniences, vvhich proceede thereof, as things good and auaileable. Who seeth not foolish Cupid painted blinde, bicause they vvhich are vvounded vvith hys siery Arrovves liue vvithout feeling of Death, they haue nothing in reuerence, neyther their Fathers, nor friendes, they feare nothing, neither the slaunderous reproch of Infamie, nor the doubtful daungers of life, but like blinde mē runne headlong into destruction. The famous Comicall Poet MENANDER considering the aforesayde things, and that by no daunger, aduise and counsell, luxurious Louers vvoulde be feared from their purpose, doth iustly lament and bevvaile it in this Verse: ‘ [...]’ [Page] Which is thus in English. ‘Alas, Alas, Loue is to men a great myschiefe.’ OVID in his Bookes entituled DEREMEDIO AMORIS, shevveth a meane hovve to auoid this miscrable affection, in tvvo Verses, vvhich are these in effect.
CRATES the Thebane sayd that there vvere tvvo thinges princypally vvhych subdued this affection, time and hunger. Diuers vnlavvefull vvayes there are vvhereby this is purchased, vvhych rather prouoke to madnesse than Loue, as charmed drink called in Latine PHILTRA, AMATORIA POCVLA and HIPPOMANES, al vvhich do cause furie and madnesse, not Loue, according to the opiniō of many notable Writers, as of OVID, IVVENAL, VIRGIL, PROPERTIVS. It is left in vvriting, that LVCRETIVS the Poet vvith a charmed drinke (as some suppose) giuen him by his Wife, vvho loued him too tenderly, became so mad, that at length he murdred himselfe vvith hys ovvne hands. ARISTOTLE vvriteth Li. 2. mag. moral. that a certayne Woman gaue a man a charmed drinke, vvherevpon sodaynely he fell dovvne dead. Many other lyke examples may be found in Authours, vvhich vvould terrifie such as enterprize [Page]those vnlavvfull meanes, frō their purpose. In stead of this vvicked meanes vve ought to vse gentle and milde manners, louing them vvhich loue vs. Wherfore very vvell doth OVID vvarne vs in hys secōd Booke DE ARTE AMANDI, speaking of those charmed drinkes, vvhose vvordes are these:
That Historie of PLVTARCH in hys preceptes of Mariage, Capit. 24. is not vnfitte for this place. PHILIP king of Macedon, loued a poore Thessalian maid, vvherof vvhen OLYMPIAS his vvife vvas aduertized, she toke it very grieuously, especially bicause the maiden vvas reported to haue gotten the loue of PHILIP vvith charmed and magical drinkes. Wherfore she commaūded the mayden to be brought before hir, to the end to imprison hir, or to bannish hir into farre countreyes. But vvhen she savv the maydē to be vvel fauored, beautifull, vvittie, and in all poynts amiable and louely, Let false accusation goe (sayde OLYMPIAS) for thou hast in thy self the strength of poyson: neither vvas she aftervvarde displeased vvith the mayden, or vvith hir husband the King. Gentle manners is the true charmed drynk vvherby the vvoman ought to vvin the husband, and vvhich all should put in vre. The fruites vvhich spring of hote Loue and fleshly lust are declared in those Tales follovving, murder grevv of it, and the reuengemente of murder committed, [Page]enfued thesame. The fatherly affection that SCEDASVS and MELISSVS dyd beare vnto their children, is of all parents to be follovved. The filthie fact of ARCHIAS is vtterly to be abhorred, & altogether to be rooted out of mens mindes, much lesse to be commytted, for it is a thing more than beastly, and against nature as PLATO saith. We oughte to take ALGIPPVS as a true paterne and example to imitate, and not (as EPICTETVS sayd) desist from vvell doing, vvhatsoeuer men say or do, but alvvayes perseuer in goodnesse, seeking after such things as are auaileable for the common Weale, in so doing vve liuing shall not onely haue great honor, vvhich (as TVLLIE sayd) is a diuine goodnesse, but dying shall merite and obtayne immortall fame, vvhych vvas the marke that antiquity shotte at, and did couet after death to haue an euerlasting fame for vertuous deedes done, and noble enterprises atchieued, as CICERO, IVLIVS CAESAR, and POMPEIVS did, and not by any vnlavvfull and vvicked meanes, as foolish HEROSTRATVS dyd, vvho to haue a perpetuall name, burned the famous Tēple of DIANA at Ephesus.
These fevve lines (right vvorshipful) I haue translated at leysure times, vvhich although they seeme scarce vvorthie the translation, yet I tooke them in hand, supposing that to be true vvhich the vvelskilled PLINIE sayd: There is no Booke so naught but in some part is profitable. I haue ioyned herevnto another small Hystorie and the sayings of the Philosophers of Greece, desiring you to accept and take them vvith such gratefulnesse of mind as ARTAXERXES [Page]receyued a handful of vvater giuen him by a poore man, vvhich vvas the best gift he had to present him vvithal.. Thus I leaue to trouble your vvorship, beseching almighty God to preserue you and all yours in health and prosperitie.
GARDES LA FOY AV DIEV ET AV ROY
¶ To the Reader.
Tutto per il meglio.
¶ Amorous Tales.
¶ Of two yong men, which striuing for a Maiden whome they loued entierly, rent hir in pieces, and of the end of thē both.
IN Aleartum a Citie of Beotia, was a Mayden of excellent beautie, Aristoclea by name, Daughter of a certain man called Theophanes.
This Maiden .ij. yong men loued, Strato the Horchomenian, and Callisthenes the Aliartian. Strato was ye richer and much more inflamed with ye Loue of the Damsell: for by chaunce he sawe hir in Lebaida, when she washed hir selfe the same time in the Fountaine Herrina, & was going to King Iupiter with a consecrated Caskette. Theophanes being vncertaine what to doe (for he feared Strato, as one, who both in wealth and parentage surpassed well néere all the Beotians) intended to go and aske counsaile of the Oracle Trophonium as cōcerning [Page]that choise. But Strato, when he was persuaded by the Maydes of the house, that she dyd beare more affection toward him, that to Calisthenes, he did al his endeuour, that she might haue the choise to marrie: but after that Theophanes in the presence of all men asked his daughter as touching mariage, and she sayd that she would haue Calisthenes, immediatly it apeared that Strato toke it very grieuously. Then .ij. dayes after he came to Theophanes, and Calisthenes affirming that he would kepe and obserue the friendship which he had with them although some God hath enuied at his mariage: they commended him, and did bid him to the mariage dinner. Strato prouided a great companie of his familiars and seruauntes, and cōmaunded all, to disperse thēselues some here, some there, and as it were to hyde themselues among the assemblie & multitude of the people, vntill the Mayden wente to the Fountaine (as she was accustomed) which is called Cnisoessa, Cnisoessa a Fountaine. ye she might with greater reuerence do sacrifice to the Nimphes, which sacrifices [Page 2]were called Protelia. Protelea a kinde of sacrifice. Then the inuasiō being made, they which were set in the ambush toke the Maid. When that was done, Strato drewe the Mayde towardes hym, contrariwise Calisthenes (as it beséemed him) drew hir back towards him: the like did the companions of ech other, euery one asmuch as in them lay, vntil the Maydē was rent in pieces and depriued of bir life betwéene ye Relisters handes. Calisthenes then by & by withdrewe himselfe from al mens companie. And afterward no man had sure knowledge whether he slewe himselfe, or else going from Beotia liued in exile. But Strato in the sight of all men lying vpō the Mayden, did with his sworde murder himselfe.
Of a Boy that was rent in pieces, partly by him that offred violēce vnto him & partly by his father rescuing him.
WHen a certain man called Phidon, practised wyles to beare rule and dominion ouer ye Peloponensians, and would haue [Page]the Citie Argiua, where he was borne, to gouerne other Cities, first he practised deceipt with the Corinthians: for he sent vnto them for a thousand yong mē, excelling as well in strength, as in valiant courage. Afterward, they were sent Dexander being their Captaine. Therfore when Phidon was minded to intrappe them, that he might weaken Corinth, and that shée did all things at hir wil and pleasure: (for he perceiued that to be as it were the onely defence of all Peloponesus) he made some of his fellowes partakers with him in the whole matter. Emong them also there was a certain man called Abron abiding with Dexander, which disclosed and shewed all the Conspiracie: whereby it came to passe, that before the time of conspiracie al departed from Corinth in safetie. Phidon serched diligently for the bewrayer of that secrete, and did all his endeuour about that. Abron truly being afrayde, he togither with his Wife and familie went to Corinth, and dwelled in Melissus, which is a village belonging to the territorie of Corinth. There he begat a [Page 3]sonne, which after the name of the place was called Melissus: this Melissus had a sonne called Acteon, Acteon. excelling both in beautie and modestie among his equals. Very many loued hym, but most feruētly of al, Archias one of the Heraclidians stock and kindred, which surmounted al the Corinthians both in riches and power. When he had tempted the yong man, but all in vaine, he sought by force to obtaine his desire. He then going a bāketting and reuelling to Melissus his house, enuironed and accompained with a great companie of his friends and seruants, assayd to cary away the boy. His father then resistyng together with his neighbours, which came in all haste to help him, & drawing back towards them the sillie wretch, in the resisters handes, Acteon was rent in pieces. This done, euery man wente home. But Melissus brought ye boy his carcasse into the place of Iudgement, and there shewed it with great dolour and lamentation, and also earnestly required punyshment for the authours of that villanous déede. Al truly toke pitie of the old man, yet did they [Page]nothing beside. Therfore when he came home, the matter beyng not ended, obseruing & watching for the time, when the great assemblies of the people were at Isthmus, climyng vpon the temple of Neptune, lamentably desired the Corinthians, and reckned vp the benefits of his father Abron, and when hée had called vpon the Gods, he cast him selfe downe headlong frō the Temple. Not long after, a gret violence of the sea & pestilence inuaded the Citie. The Oracle then being demaūded as concerning the health of the citie, answered, yt it was the wrath of Neptune which should not ceasse vntill they did reuenge Acteon his death. Archias hering this (for he was present at the Oracle) returned not to Corinth, but sailing into Sicilia, Syracusas built by Archias. buylte Syracusas, and when hée had there begotten .ij. daughters, Telephus whose floure of age he had plucked, who went also with him into Sicilia, conspired his death.
Of two Maidens, which bicause they woulde not abandon their chastitie to two yong men which sought it, were by them defloured, and after that slaine. And how their father in seeking reuengement of the .ij. yong men, coulde haue no iustice executed, wherupon he slewe him selfe.
APore man called Scedasus dwelt in Leuctra, which is a little village belonging to the Territorie of Thespis. This man had two daughters Hippo and Miletia, or els (as some say) Theano & Euexippa. Scedasus truly was an honest man and towards straungers very gentle, although he were of no great possessions. Therefore when there came .ij. yong men of Sparta to his house, Sparta other vvise called Lacedemon. they wer very gladly intertained. And being there at oast, were very vehemētly inflamed with the loue of the maidens, but the honesty and good intertainment of Scedasus, did let them to do any villanous acte. The next day, they directed their iourney towards Pitho, where they had appointed to go: [Page]and after they had asked counsaile of the Oracle of Apollo, as the matter required, returned home, and makyng their iourney through Beotia, wente againe to Scedasus his house. Hée by good aduenture was from home, but his daughters receyued them as they were accustomed, who when they had found them alone withoute any succour or ayde, they defloured them: whiche innocent Virgins being in thraldome and trouble when they sawe beyonde measure to tourment them selues continually, for the contumelie and reproche receyued, killed them both, and after they had cast the carkases into a Well, departed from thence. Scedasus returning home, sawe the Maidens no where, but founde all thinges in safetie which he lefte there, and being vncertaine of al things, stoode still a pretie space, vntil a little Brache, signifying by his whining, and somtime running to him, sometime returning to the well, he coniectured that which was in déede, then pulled he out his daughters bodies. And when his neighbours tolde him, that they sawe the Lacedemonians [Page]go into his house the day before, which wer at host, and lodged with him a fewe dayes past, he surely perceyued that they committed that shamefull and hainous acte. For a fewe dayes before, they dyd praise the Maydens, and sayde, they were very happie, whiche should mary with them. Wherfore then he determined to goe to Lacedemon, and to declare all the matter to the high officers called Ephori, desiring aide therin. Ephori. But when he was arriued to the Territorie of Argos, being preuēted by night rested him selfe in an Inne, where was also an other olde man being a citizen of Oreum, which is a towne in ye territorie of Estiatis: whome when he sawe making a lamentable noise, and cursing the Lacedemonians, asked him what displeasure the Lacedemonians had done vnto him. He declared that one called Aristodemus, a Lacedemonian, but sent to Oreum, there to beare office, to haue vsed extreme crueltie and iniquitie. For (said he) when he loued my sonne, and coulde not atchieue any thing by desire and promise, vsing violence attempted to take [Page]him away by force from the wrastlyng place, but the master of ye wrastling letting it, and many yong men helping him forthwith Aristodemus departed: but ye day following he toke away the Boy by force, and carried him ouer to the nexte shoare in a Galley hauing thrée paire of ores prepared for that purpose, where he endeuored to defloure the boy, and stoutly striuing with him, slewe him with his sworde. Then returning back to Oreum made a great feast. Truly I in the mean time heard a shamefull and abhominable acte, how that my sonne was miserably slain by ye hands of Aristodemus, wherfore I went and buried his body. Then I went to Lacedemon, and declared all the matter to the high officers, whereof they had no regarde at al. Scedasus hearing this was greately troubled, for hée supposed that they would not haue any regard of him: (as they had not in dede) so he againe for his parte shewed his calamitie and miserie to the stranger. He willed and exhorted him not to go to the high officers, but to returne to Beotia, and to bury his children. Yet Scedasus [Page 8]would not be persuaded so to doe. Then he went to Lacedemon, and communed with the high Officers. They regarded him not. He came to the great rich men shortly after, making suite and labour to all the communaltie, complaining of his miserie. All which things seing they had no good successe, and came to none effect, Scedasus ran through the Citie, held vp his handes towardes heauen, stroke the grounde, called vpon the Furies, and after these things done, killed himself wilfully. Wherfore not long after, the Lacedemonians suffered punishement. Murder punished. For where as they gouerned all Greece, and had fortified all their Cities with garrisons of men of warre, Epaminundas the Thebane lefte not one of them aliue, which wer in garrison in his Citie. The Lacedemonians making warre, the Thebans mette them at Leuctra, surely hoping there to haue the victorie. For they recouered before in the very same place their libertie, at such time as Amphiction was driuen into exile by Sthelon, and fled for succor to the citie of Thebes: who when he had made the Calcidenses [Page]tributarie, made also the Thebanes frée from paying Tribute, for so much as he slew Chalcodontes king of ye Euboians. Then all the Lacedemonians were slain & put to flight at the monument of Scedasus his daughters. It was reported before they encoūtred to fight, that Scedasus appeared to Pelopida, one of the souldiers of the Theban armie, who being afraid of certain tokens, which were iudged vnfortunat, was bid not to feare saying yt the Lacedomonians would come to Leuctra, & there to suffer punishment for him and his daughters: and also he commaūded that they should not march forth and fight with their enimies, before they did offer in sacrifice at the virgins tombe, a white colte, which should be there in a redinesse. Scedasus appeared after his death. It was sayd, that Pelopida (the Lacedemonians being yet in warfare at Tegea) sent to Leuctra certaine men, which should séeke and make inquisition for that Tombe, and all the whole matter being found out, and knowen of the inhabitauntes, he broughte forth his armie, and so he wanne the victorie.
Of a man who bicause he wold not marie his daughter, was by the wowers of the maiden slaine, and how the maide escaped from them, in declaring also the deth of the murderers, and the destruction and miserable bondage of the maintainers.
THere was a certain man called Phocus a Beotian borne. This man had one daughter excelling in beautie and modestie. Thirtie excellent yong men of the Beotians desired hir to wife. But Phocus delaide hir mariage from day to day, fearing lest there might some violence be offered: finally they askyng hir mariage, she sayd, that she would aske counsaile of the Oracle of Apollo as touching that choise. They tooke that very grieuously, and violently slew Phocus. But the maiden in that tumulte and trouble fléeing away, wandred through the fields, and the yōg men followed hir. But when she chaunced among husbandmen, whiche heaped vp wheate in a Barne floore, they saued [Page]hir life: for they hid hir in the Wheate, & so she was ouerpassed by them, which pursued hir. Who when shée was escaped (after the assemblie customably kept and common to all the Beotians) she wēt to Coronea, & there humbly knéeled down to the Altare of Minerua. There declaring the iniquity of hir wowers, shewed both the name of euery of them, and also where he was borne. Wherfore the Beotians had pitie of the Maiden, and were angry with the yong men. But when they heard this, fled to Horc [...]menum, frō whence being repelled, went to Hippote which is a village scited nigh to Helicon betwene Thebes and Coronea. Then they receiued them. After this, the Thebanes sente for the murderers of Phocus, and required the same to bée deliuered vnto them. Which when they obtained not, the Thebans togither with the residue of the Beotians made warre vpon them. Phedus was generall Captaine of that battaile, who then was gouernor of the Thebans. After they had woonne by assault the village, being very strōgly fortified, and the inhabitantes which were [Page 10]within it, being almost dead for thirste, toke the murderers of Phocus, and burned them, but the inhabitantes they caried with them, and brought them into seruitude and bondage, rasing their walles, and ouerthrowing their houses: this done, the Thebans and Coroneians, deuided their lande betwéene them. It was reported, the nyght before the captiuitie of the Hippotans, A voice hard that there was a voice oftentimes hearde from Helicon, which sayde, I am at hande: and that the thirtie yong men which wowed the maiden did knowe the voice, bicause it was like vnto that of Phocus. It is lefte in writing, that the same day they went to battaile, A wonder. the old mans tombe which was in Clisans, to haue ouergrowen with Saffron. Worde was brought to Phedus, gouernour and generall Capitaine of the Thebans, returning from the conflict, that he had a daughter borne, whom he for his good fortune and successe, called Nicostrata.
Of a man who was iniustly exiled, and how his wife bicause she was destitute of all helpe and succour, slewe both hir selfe and hir daughters.
A Certaine man called Alcippus, a Lacedemonian borne, maried a wife called Damocrita, and of hir begat .ij. daughters. Who for as much as he had very greate consideration and regarde to the Citie, and did such things, as hée perceiued to be profitable for the common wealth, moued all mens hatred towards him, which maintained and nourished all naughtinesse & wyckednesse in the weale publike: by whom the high officers (called Ephori) being by false reportes persuaded, that Alcippus wold dissolue and breake the lawes, condemned him to bannishment. He departed from Lacedemon, but Damocrita his wife, which woulde accompanie hir selfe togither with hir daughters, wer forbidden. Yea moreouer they escheated his goodes, that the Maydens might haue no dowrie. But when many [Page 9]desired to marie with them, bicause of their fathers vertue, they were prohibited by a decrée of ye Senate, to take them to wife, bicause they sayd, that their mother was heard to desire and make petitiō, that hir daughters might very quickely haue children, which might restore their father to libertie. Seing then on euery side Damocrita was impugned & resisted, she repaired to a certaine common assemblie, where the custome was that ye wiues togither with their daughters, all their housholde and Children, shoulde mete togither: but they whiche were of the Nobilitie remained all the night in a certaine part of the house seuered from the residue. There she girding hir swearde vnder hir garmente, brought forth with hir, hir two daughters, and in the night went to the temple, and the time being obserued & watched wherein all were present at the ceremonie, when the doores were shutte, she heaped togither against them a gret abundance of wodde: for so muche as it was carried togither at hande, and was ready to the vse of sacrifices. Then shée [Page]set it on fire: & men running thither on euery side to quench it, Damocrita slew hir daughters, next hir self: Wherfore, when they had none, on whome they might vtter their wrath and anger, did cast the bodies of Damocrita, and hir daughters, without the borders and marches of their countrey. Wherfore Apollo their God being wroth, caused (as it is written) the great earthquake in Lacedemon.
The Historie of Chariclia and Theagenes Gathered for the most part out of Heliodorus a Greeke Authour.
THere chaunced on a tyme at Delphos a great contention for Honours sake, and omong al other there were two goodly personages the which should contend togither for victorie, Cupid being arbitrator and defender, who endeuoured to declare by these two mightie Champions, which he matched togither, his gretest bickring broil. Such a thing there happened which all Greece behelde, and Amphictiones were Iudges thereof. After that many things were nobly atchieued, contention in rūning, [Page]gasping in wrasting, fighting wt the weapons called Coestus: Coestus a vveapō vsed among the Greekes, hauing plummets of Lead hanging at it. smally the Crier made Proclamation that the men in Armes should procede and come forth. And Chariclia being settled nigh to the place where their valiant faictes shoulde be tried, shone like a Starre. She came thither, although vnwilling, bycause of the Countrey guise: or rather, hoping somewhere to sée Theagenes, bearing in hir left hand a burning Tortche, and in hir other hande holding out a branch of Palme. And assoone as she was séene by and by al the multitude turned to hir. But I knowe not whether any did preuent Theagenes looke, for a Louer is redie & quick to sée that which he desireth. But yet he moreouer, whē he had heard before that which should be, notwithstāding he gaue his minde wholy to hehold Chariclia. Wherfore he could not holde his peace, but sayde softly in mine eare (for he sate nexte to me of a set purpose) she yonder whome you sée, (sayde he) is Chariclia. I bid hun to be quiet and say no more. At the Criers Proclamation there came one in handsome Armoure, [Page 11]faire to sée and beholde, hauing a stoute stomacke, and he alone among the residue renoumed, as he séemed: who in times past had ben coroned at manie gret games, but then had he none, wt whom he might contēd: no man (as I suppose) daring to encounter with him. Wherefore the Iudges called Amphictiones sente him away: for the lawe doth not permit to giue sentence and iudgement that he should weare a corone, who hath not entred into the games and won the victorie. He requested the Crier to denounce, that he challenged who so euer would come. The Iudges cōmaunded, the Crier proclamed ye some man should come forth to trie mastries with him for the games. Theagenes sayd to me, this man calleth me. But when I had asked him howe he spoke that. Thus it shall be father, sayd he. No other man in my sight and presence shal take away the reward & victory out of Chariclias hands. Doest thou nothing at all regarde, and weigh (sayd I) the frustration and ignomie which followeth it? Who (sayd he) will contende so furiously to sée and approch [Page]to Chariclia, that he preuent me? To whō truly may hir loke giue wings and lifte him vp on highe, as well as to me? Art thou ignoraunt that Painters make Loue to haue wings: signifying as it were by a Riddle, the dexteritie & nunblenesse of them, who are detained with it? But if it behoue thée to set out those things which are already spoken with bragging & boasting, no man vntil this day hath auaunted that he hath ouer runned me on foote. After these thinges spokē he rushed forth, and going in among the people, he tolde his name, & declared his stocke, and did choose a place to runne: and after he had put on al his Armour, he stoode at the entrance of the coursing place, ready to runne his race, and commaunded that signe shoulde bée made by the trumpet, but scarcely looked for it. It was an excellent fight, & goodly to beholde, much like to that sight which Homere bringeth in, wherein Achilles fighteth at Scamander. All Greece was moued at that dede which chaunced contrary to the Gréekish opinion: and desired that Theagenes might become Conquerour, [Page 12]no otherwise than if eche of them should trie for the maistrie. A great force hath euen the beautie of the face to purchase good wil of the beholders. Chariclia was also moued beyond measure, and chaunged into diuers countenaunces. For after (so that all might heare) the Crier had reported, and proclaimed, Ormenus the Arcadian, and Theagenes the Thessalian, they began to make their course, and it was such, that it was almoste done at the twinkling of an eye. The Virgin could not abyde there any longer in quiet, but hir pace was moued and hir féete did leape for ioye: as thoughe hir minde were taken awaye with Theagenes, helping him in his course: and euery one of the lookers on, stoode in doubt of the successe, & were replenished with pensiuenesse. When they had already run halfe their course, Theagenes tournyng him selfe a little, and looking earnestly vpon Ormenus with a frowning face, lifted his shield aboue his head, & with streight stretched necke, and chearefull countenance, altogither fixed vpon Chariclia, at last came to the [Page]ende of his course: and did so much outrunne the Arcadian that he was left behinde Theagenes many pases: whiche distance after was measured. Then hée running to Chariclia, did of a sette purpose fall vpon hir breast, as though hée coulde not refraine and withholde the violence of his course, & when he toke away ye Palme branch, it was not vnknowen ye he kissed the maidens hed. Theagenes hauing won the victorie was coroned, & declared conquerour, & brought home honorably, with the reioysing of all men, for the good fortune whiche had hapned vnto him. Chariclia truly was quite and cleane conquered, and bond to Loue, more than she was before, when she had séene againe Theagenes. For ye mutuall regard and beholding of louers is the remembrance and renuing of affection, and sight inflameth the minde, euen as fire which is layde to wood. And she cōming home passed that night like the first, or rather more heauily.
The morning after, there came one Calasiris to Chariclia, and found certain of hir very friendes wéeping, and Charicles [Page 13]hir father, not a little mourning: wherfore comming neare, demaunded what the tumult was. Charicles sayd: My daughters disease is woxen more greuous and feruēt than it was before, as she hath proued the night past. Get ye hence (sayd he) and depart, and let one bring the thrée footed table in place, laurel, fire, and Frankencense, & let no man trouble me, vntill I call. Charicles cōmaunded these things, and they were obeyed. Wherfore hauing oportunitie, he began to play a part as it were vppon a stage, and burned the incense, and made certaine prayers with muttering lippes, and oftentimes putting vp and downe the Laurel from Chariclias head to hir féete, who yauned like one which lacked sléepe, or rather like an olde woman: at length he left off, but too late, whilest he had vttered & shewed his trifling toyes against him selfe and the Maiden. Shée oftentimes shaked hir head, and smiled, signfying therby, that he was vtterly deceiued, and was ignorant of the disease. Wherefore sitting more néere vnto hir, sayd: Be of good cheare, for the disease [Page]is vulgar and common, and easie to bée cured: You were bewitched withoute doubt, when you were at the Pompe & solemne sight, but more, when you bare rule at the games. Truely I suspect him who hath bewitched you. It is Theagenes, whiche striued in the armed course. Neither was it vnknowen, that oftentimes he beheld thée, and did caste wanton lookes on thée. Then sayd she? whether he so looked on me or not, it is of greate force. But what countrie man is he, or where was he borne? for I sawe many meruaile at him with great admiration. You haue heard before of the crier that he is a Thessalian borne, when he proclaimed him. He referreth himself to Achilles, as author of his stock, and he séemeth to me of good right to chalēge the same, gathering it by his talnesse & fauour, declaring and cōfirming in him Achilles nobilitie & puissant corage, besides that he is not arrogāt, nor presumpous as he was, but doth appease & moderat his fiercenesse of minde & hautinesse with swéetnesse & pleasantnesse of manners. Whiche although it be so, yet hée [Page 14]sustaineth more grieuous gripes assayling his heauie heart than he caused: although he haue an enuious eye, and hath bewitched thée with his looke. O father Calasiris (sayd she) I thanke thée, that thou art sorrowfull on my behalfe, and takest it displesantly: but why dost thou in vaine curse him who hath done vs no iniurie: I am not bewitched, nor as the common people terme it, forlooked: but I haue (as it séemeth) an other disease. Why doest thou conceale it my daughter (sayd he) and dost not rather boldly vtter it, that so much the easier we may finde helpe and remedie: Am not I thy father in age, or rather in good will? Am not I knowen to thy father, & altogither of his counsell? She we me what griefe thou hast, thou shalt finde me a faithfull friende, and if thou wilt, I will be boūd with an oth. Speake boldly, and let not sorrowe take force through silence. For euery sicknesse which is soone knowen, may easily be cured: but that which hath ben of long continuance, is almost incurable, and as Ouide sayth in his bookes Of the Remedie of Loue.
Silence is the noursse of diseases: but bicause silence is broken, it may easly be assuaged through cōsolation. Afterward she staying a little at these wordes, and declaring by hir countenance the variable and diuers mutations and affections of hir minde, shée sayde: Giue me this dayes respite, and after thou shalte heare and vnderstande the matter, except thou knewest it before, for as muche as thou wilt séeme to be skilfull in the Arte of Prophecie. He rose vp, and departed, giuing licence to the Mayden, that in the meane time she might moderate ye shamfastnesse of hir minde. Charicles hir father met with him, and he asked him what newes, he told him all things wer fortunate, for his daughter Chariclia should be deliuered the day following of hir grief. And with these words he made haste away, that he might not demaund more things of him. And when he was a little past the house, he sawe Theagenes [Page 15]there walking about the Churche, and Churchyarde, and talking with him self, as though it suffised him, if he saw Chariclias dwelling place, whiche was not farre from the church. Wherfore he turned out of the waye, passing by him, as though he had not séen him. But he said: God saue you Calasiris, & a worde or .tj. with you, for I looked for you: Sodainly he turned about saying: what faire Theagenes is it you? In faith I thought not on you. Why is he beautifull (sayde he) which cōtenteth not Chariclia? he made semblant that he was in a fume & chafe, and sayd: Thou wilt not ceasse despitefully to reproue me, & my arte, whereby she is nowe caught in the snare, and constrained to loue thée, and (as it were) doth desire to sée some excellente man. What sayest thou father Calasiris sayd he? that Chariclia séeth me? Wherfore then dost thou not conduct me vnto hir? and therwithall he ranne forth. Then he taking him by the cloke, sayde: Stande here, although thou be swifte on foote.
This businesse is not like a bootie, nor easie to attaine, and sette out for euery [Page]man that will: but it néedeth greate aduisement, that it may be well brought to passe, and great preparation that it may be surely done. Arte thou ignorant that the Virgins father is in greate dignitie and estimation at Delphos. Do not the lawes come to thy remembrance, which do appoint and ordaine death for suche men? It maketh no great matter (sayde he) althoughe I die, hauing obtained Chariclia, which is my desire: but notwithstanding, if you thinke best, let vs go to hir father, and request him to giue me his daughter in mariage. We are not truely vnworthie to ioyne affinitie with Charicles. We shall not obtaine it (sayde he) not bycause there is any thing, that may be reprehended or missed in you: but Charicles of late hath promised the birgin in mariage to his sisters sonne. He will wéepe (sayd Theagenes at the length, what soeuer he be: no man liuing as long as I haue breathe in my body, shall marrie with Chariclia, and enioy hir as his wife: This hande and sworde of myne shall not lie so long still and vnoccupied. Leaue off (sayde he) [Page 16]there shal be no néede of any such thing: onely obey me, and do as I commaunde thée. For this time depart, and beware, thou be not founde often to cōmen with me, but whē thou méetest with me, come to me quietly, and by your selfe. He departed somwhat sorowful. The next day after Charicles méeting with Calasiris as soone as hée sawe him, he ranne vnto him, and many times kissed his head, continually crying out: Wysedome is much worth, Frendship is much worth, thou haste brought a greate matter to passe. She is taken, which was hard to be taken, and she is conquered, whiche was before vnconquerable. Chariclia is in loue. Herevnto he reioyced, and looked with graue countenance, and stately going, sayde: There was no doubte, but she coulde not sustain the first brūt, seing truely as yet I did put no greater thing vnto hir. But whereby Charicles haue you found hir to be a louer? I was persuaded by thée, sayd he. When I had gotten approued and tried Phisitions euen as you warned me, I brought them to looke vpon hir, promising the riches [Page]which I had, for a rewarde, if they could cure hir. They as soone as they were entred, demaunded of hir what disease she had? She verily turning hir face with a loude voice, rehearsed this Verse out of Homere.
Acestinus, a wise man (perhaps you know the man) takyng hir by the wrest against hir wyll, he séemed to iudge hir disease by hir pulse, declaring (as I suppose) the beating of the heart. And when a long space he had felt hir pulse, and had behelde oftentimes to rise vp and down. O Charicles (sayd he) thou hast brought vs hither in vaine, for Physike will nothing auail in this maiden. But I made an exclamation, saying: O God, why sayest thou so: is then my daughter past recouerie, and now without all hope of helth? Trouble not thy self (sayd he) but giue eare what I say, & when he had led me apart fro the maiden & others: Our facultie (sayde he) professeth to cure the diseased body, and principally not of the minde, but then only, whē he sustaineth [Page 17]griefe with the afflicted body: the body being healed, ye mind togither is holpen, and recouereth. Moreouer, the maiden hath a disease, but not of the bodie, for there aboundeth no humour, the paine of the head grieueth hir not, no feuer inflameth hir, nothing in hir body, neither part, neither all, is detained with sicknesse. This truely, is not to be accompted as true, nor any thing els. But I ernestly desiring and requiring him to tell me, if he vnderstoode any thing: Is it not (sayd he) knowē also to the Maiden, that it is an affection and disease of the mind, which is manifest loue? Dost thou not sée, that hir eyes swell and rise vp, and hir looke set awry, hir face pale, not complaining in hir heart? Moreouer hir minde runneth, and what so euer commeth to minde she vttereth, and she is vigilant and wakefull without cause. In brief, she hath sodainly lost the moisture of hir body, and the iust quantitie thereof. Thou muste séeke some man Charicles, if it be possible. And when he had spoken these wordes, he departed. I truly made haste towardes thée, which art [Page]my sauiour and my god, who onely arte able to pleasure vs, which I and she do acknowledge. For I earnestly asking hir, and instantly desiring hir to tell me what she ailed, she answered in few, that she was ignorant, what had hapned vnto hir, but she knew, that Calasiris and none els could cure hir grief, and she requested me to call thée vnto hir, wherby I did very much cōiecture, that she was catched in the snare by thy wisedome.
Canst thou tell (sayde hée to Calasiris) as she loueth, so him whom she loueth? No by the faith of my bodie (sayd he) for how or wherby should I know this? I woulde wish truely that she would loue Alcamenes aboue all things, whome of late by my will and consent, I haue appointed to bée hir husbande. And after Calasiris had sayde, that it were good to trie what she would do, if he brought in the yong man, and shew him to hir, he commended his counsell, and wente hys way. Againe at such tune as the place of common Iudgement was replenished with a multitude of people, by chaunce he meting with him, sayde: I will tell [Page 18]shée a grieuous and vnpleasaunt thing: My daughter séemeth to bée distraught of witte, so straunge a thing hath attached hir. I brought before hir (as you counselled me) Alcamenes, in trimme attire, I presented him. Shée verily, as though she had séene Gorgons head, or some thing more fearefuil, with a loude and shrill voice exclamed, and turned hir face to an other part of the chamber, and clasping hir handes about hir necke, she threatned to kill hir selfe, and bounde it with an othe, except we made hast out. We departed from hir in greate haste: for what should we do, seing so great an inconuenience growing? I am come to thée (sayd he) again, requesting thée that thou wilt not suffer hir to perishe, and me to be frustrate of my desire. O Charicles (sayd he) thou didst not say amisse that thy daughter was distract of witte, for the multitude moued hir, which I sent to hir, and the same not small, but which compelled hir, as reson required, to doe those things which she abhorred by nature. Returne home, and wyth gentle communication ceasse not to seke [Page]the secretes of thy daughters heart, in so doing at lengthe shée will disclose vnto you the priuie thoughts of hir heart: for as the Prouerbe is, the oke is cut down & felled to the grounde with many strokes: so she will relent at many demaundes although at the firste, seconde, and thirde time, she make deniall to tell, yet at length by cōtinuall crauing to know hir minde, she wil make you partaker of all hir imaginations, and purposed pretence. Wherfore reiecte not my counsell as vaine, not myne, but rather of the lerned Poet Tibullus, who sayth:
These wordes spoken, he departed folowing Calasiris counsell as good & holsome. When he came home, he founde his daughter oppressed with hir accustomed cares, and voide of all comfort and consolation, sayd vnto hir. Thy griefe my onely daughter and ioy, doth no lesse vexe and torment thée, than trouble and disquiet me, for nature compelleth me [Page 19]so to do, and the hūble obedience, which I haue always founde in thée. Wherefore my dearling, and daughter, for a little space disclose the cause of thy paine, and authour of thy sorrowe, that thou maist be cured and obtaine thy heartes desire. This sayde, she set asyde hir sadde countenance, and began with chéerefull face, to looke, making semblāt as though she would disclose hir griefe, yet she concealed it, consideryng the sequele, what might befall of it, for shée thoughte perhaps that she shoulde be depriued of him whome she loued, if he were not to my contentation: and thinking the worste, disclosed no part of hir minde. The next day séeing hys wordes coulde not preuaile, came to Calasiris, saying: I pray thée Calasiris, trie what thou art able to doe, and I hope by our two meanes, shée will declare the cause and foundation of hir maladie and thornie thoughtes. My good will shall not faile Charicles, sayd Calasiris, to do thée pleasure. Wherfore I will proue what I am able to do with hir. The nexte daye after hauing visited Chariclia, he met with Charicles hir father, [Page]who as soone as he approched nigh vnto him, he asked him as touching his daughter. Calasiris aunswered, that he coulde not as yet féele the bottome of hir minde, hoping notwithstanding at length to know hir whole minde. With these wordes and suche other like, he deceiued Charicles. He at that very time vnderstode hir whole minde, which hée disclosed to a friende of Theagenes, called Cnemon, as followeth. When (sayd he) I came vnto hir, I found hir alone, altogither wearied with the affection, & endeuouring to striue against hir mind, being altogither afflicted in body, when she had yelded to the disease, and coulde not resist it comming with greate force, after that I had sette them aside which were present, and had commaunded that no mā shuld make any sturre, as though I woulde say certaine prayers and inuocations ouer the mayden: The time is nowe come Chariclia (sayde I) to tell what thou aylest (for so thou didst make promise yesterday) and not to conceale the man which beareth thée good will, I can know al things, although thou kéepe [Page 20]silence. She tooke me by the hande, and kissing it, wept, and said: O sage Calasiris, shewe me first this fauoure, suffer me, holding my peace to be vnhappie, seing thou (as thou sayst) doest knowe the disease, and suffer me to accompt as gaines, the ignomie which I haue auoyded, concealing such things, which as wel to suffer, is filthie, as especially to vtter, is more filthie. Although truely, a strong disease hath striken me, but that hath more enfebled me, that at the beginning I did not ouercome the disease, but am conquered of affection, which hath alwayes bene spitefull to me before this time, and euen with his hearing doeth contaminate the reuerent name of virginitie. And he auouching & affirming the same sayd: O daughter, thou doest wisely, in that thou kepest close thy coūsels, for I néede not knowe such things as of late I haue found out by my arte: and not without a cause thou art ashamed to shewe suche things which beséemeth women to kepe close. But bicause thou hast once felt ye firie flames of loue, and the sight of Theagenes hath deceiued [Page]thée (a diuine prophecie truely shewed me this) vnderstande that thou art not alone, nor the first which hath proued this affection, but many noble women, and many virgins also, and the same touching all other things chaste. Loue truly is the greatest of the Gods, as Euripides sayth, and oftentymes is sayde to ouercome them, as Ouide writeth: Both rule and power he hath ouer the Gods aboue. Moreouer, consider howe thou maiste best dispose thy matters at this present. Truely it is a certaine blessyng in the beginning to be voide of loue: but whē thou art in loue to reduce the minde to moderation, it is a singular wisedome. Which thou maist do, if thou wilt beleue me: euen to bannishe the filthie name of inordinate desire, and to imbrace the laufull bonde of mariage, and to tourne the disease into wedlocke. After these wordes Cnemon, she fell in a greate sweate, and it was manifest altogither, that shée did reioyce in the things whiche shée hadde hearde, she was sollicitous and carefull for those thyngs which shée hoped: Finally [Page 21]she was ashamed for the testimonie of suche things which she did beare in hir minde, in which she was manifestly perceiued. Then when shée had paused a pretie space: O father Calasiris, (sayde she) thou makest mention of mariage, and dost bid me to embrace it, as though it were manifest, that either my father will assent vnto it, or that my enimie will go aboute it. As touching the yong man (sayd he) it is sure ynoughe, for he is more in loue than you are, being troubled with the like cause. Truly as it is méete, the mindes of you both, at the first méeting, knew the mutuall dignitie of one an other, and fell into a like affection, I truly pleasuring thée, did augment his desire. Verily your father prouideth you an other husbande, Alcamenes you know him well inough. Then sayde she: Let him prouide a graue for Alcamenes before he marrie with me: Doubtlesse Theagenes shall marrie me, or else death shal take me. Wel sayd he, thou muste make semblaunt as though thou doest allowe Alcamenes mariage. It is a grieuous thing (sayd she) and also [Page]dishonest to promyse an other before Theagenes: but bicause my father hath committed me to the power of the gods, and you also, let me knowe what scope and ende this fained deuise hath, that it may be dissolued before it be brought to the point. In very trouth (sayd he) thou shalt know it. Certaine things tolde before to women, sometimes haue caused delayes: the same béeing begon out of hande to bée done oftentimes, are more couragiously atchieued. Folow onely my aduise as well in other things, as especially at this present, that thou maiste accommodate thy selfe to fulfill Charicles minde, who wil do nothing without my aduise and counsell. These things shée promised, & he departing from hir, lefte hir mourning. When he was scarce out of the doores, I sawe Charicles very sad and full of sorrow, and comming to him sayde: O noble Charicles, séeing it behoueth thée to reioyce and be glad, and to doe sacrifice to the Gods for thankes giuing, hauing obtained such things, as of late thou diddest desire, Chariclia at length through great skill and wisdome [Page 22]is inclined to mariage. Thou art sorowfull and sad, and doest mourne I know not for what mischaunce. He answered. But why should I not? séeing it muste bée, that the dearest dearling I haue aliue, shal before she marrie, be caried into a straunge countrey: for I oughte to assent to the dreames, as well as to other, so especially to these, whiche this night feared me. Me séemed I sawe an Egle sent out from Apollos hand, when sodainly he had taken his flight, alas violently toke my daughter from me, bearing hir to an extreme border of the lād I know not where, full of dark and shadowed pictures. Finally it coulde not be perceiued what he had, séeing there was a great distance betwéene vs, that togither with his flight, as though he doing it by guile and disceite, might escape my sight. After he had spoken these wordes, I coniectured wherto the dreame tended I withdrawing him from his great fear and trouble of minde, and causing hym to set aparte all suspition of such things which should come to passe, sayd: It séemeth to me, that you can not well interprete [Page]dreames, séeyng that the visions which you sawe, prognosticate youre daughters mariage, and do signifie (as it were by a riddle, that the Egle shal take a husbande, that is, that Chariclia shall haue Alcamenes, these things verily declare that the mariage shall be made, and that by Apollos meanes, and as it were, leading the bridegroome by the hande: thou lookest with wrathful face, and interpretest the dreame in ye worser parte. Wherfore let vs be of good cheare Charicles, and yelde our selues wholly to the wil of the Gods, somuch the more endeuouring to persuade the Maiden. After he had interpreted his dream truly, as he supposed, he with ioyfull minde departed, and I also went towards Chariclia, and in like maner went to Theagenes, whome when I had tolde what should be done, returning home, I was attentife about such things which shuld befall. The nexte daye following these things wée handled. When mydnyght had drowned the Citie with slepe an armed troup of yong men ransacked Chariclias house. The Capitaine of this amorous [Page 23]assaulte was Theagenes, who breaking the solemne sight and ostentation of the yong men sette them in battaile aray, who sodainly making a loude & shrill shoute, and clashing their tergats togither made thē sore afeard, which did scarsly heare it, & with burning torches entred in the house, the doore being easly opened (for it was prouided before hād, that the boltes should easily bée barred) and tooke Chariclia awaye by violence, who was in redinesse, forséeing all thinges, and sustaining violence with a willing minde, togither carying with them certaine stuffe which the virgin desired. After they were gone out of the house, setting aside al warlike clamor, but making a horrible clashing noise with their weapons, passed through the Citie, making the Inhabitantes maruellously afearde, who chose the déepe of the night, that they might séeme more fearfull, and the two topped Hill Pernassus made an Eccho to the sounde made with the armour. After they were departed the Citie, as spedily as they coulde, they roade to the Lochreusian Oetian Hilles. But [Page] Theagenes and Chariclia agréeing before hande, forsooke the Thessalians, and fled priuily to Calasiris house, and moreouer falling to his féete with trembling embraced him, and continually crying: Kepe vs father Calasiris: Chariclia only song this note, looking to the ground, as though she were ashamed of hir dede newly doon: but Theagenes added herevnto, desiring hym for Gods sake, saying: Kepe Calasiris vs straungers, and poore suppliant disfranchised folkes, depriued of all men, and liue onely by all men. Kéepe hereafter our bodies placed in fortunes hande, and bonde to chaste loue: Kepe vs voluntarie and wylling to liue in exile, and which doe put oure whole hope in you. His hearte melted with these words, & when he had mourned more inwardly, than in outward apperance for their two heuie cases, so that they perceiued it not: but he comforted and encoraged them, which assuaged his sorrow. Finally, after he had set before their eyes a good hope of prosperous successe, bicause the matter was begon by the will of God: I will go (sayde he) to [Page 24]accomplishe the residue: but abide you me in this place, giuing youre mindes wholly to this, that you bée not séene.
And when he had spoken this, hée made hast away: But Chariclia toke him by the coate, and stayed him, saying: O father Calasiris, this is the beginning of iniustice, or rather of treson, if you leaue me alone, and depart, committing me into Theagenes hands: you will not beleue howe disloyall a louer is to kéepe awarde, if that rest in his power, wherby he may enioy his loue, and wanteth the things which may make him ashamed.
Doubtelesse he is more inflamed (as I suppose) when he séeth that before him, which he desireth, to bée destitute of all helpe and succour. Wherfore I will not let you depart, before as wel for the time present, as also for that to come, Theagenes establishe with an othe my securitie and suretie, that he shall not bed with me, vntill the espousalls bée ended. And when he maruelling at ye things whiche were spoken, had determined so to doe, and had kindeled fire vpon the Aultare, and had burned the incense, Theagenes [Page]sware, that he had iniurie shewed him, saying: That faith might be broken by preuenting the oth, and onely to be performed willingly with promise of mind, neither that hée coulde commende that minde, which for feare of one more strōger séemeth to be cōpelled: yet he sware by Apollo of Delphos, and by Diana, & Venus hir selfe, that he woulde doe all things as Chariclia desired. And he and she calling the Gods to witnesse, made the agréement betwene themselues. He commyng a rounde pace to Charicles, found the house ful of tumult and mourning, when his seruauntes were nowe com vnto him, & had declared the violent taking away of the Virgin, and that a numbre of Citizens assembled on euery side, which stode about Charicles bewailing his heuy chaūce: finally they made meanes, for the ignorāce of such things which were done, and for lacke of counsell to determine on suche things which were to be done, he thūdring out words with a loude voyce, sayde: O vnhappie men and sielly soules, how long yet will you sit dumbe and dastardly, not vnlike [Page 25]to dismayed persons, as though togither with aduersitie your mind were takē frō you? Wil not you armed persecute your ennimies? Will not you take and punishe them, which haue done you iniurie? Charicles aunswered, It is superfluous perhaps from henceforthe to contend with presēt fortune. For I perceiue that for the wrath of the Gods I suffer this punishement, which since that time as I vntimely entred the sanctified place I saw things which wer not to be séene, the God foreshewed me for that cause I should be depriued of such things, which I helde most deare. Notwithstanding, it hindreth nothing, euen to striue with the Gods, as the Prouerbe is: Verily, I would know them, whom we mynde to pursue, and him, who hath so greately endomaged vs. It is Theagenes the Thessalian, sayde he, which you had in so greate admiration, and the yong men which were with hym, were his partakers. Wherfore arise, and assemble the people togither. His commaundement was obeyed, the Captaines denounce a solemne oration, signifying by the trumpet [Page]the onset to battaile: immediatly the people were present: the Theater was made in the night nere ye counsell house. Charicles comming before them, and sodenly falling into great mourning, said: Perhaps Dye mē of Delphos, beholding my manifold miserie, you thynke that I haue assembled so greate a multitude, & am com before you to declare my whole mind. Certes it is nothing so, although oftentimes I sustayne suche things as may be compared with the sharp assaultes of vgly death, and now haue a house desolate, destroyed from aboue, & which onely from henceforthe shall be berefte of all them, whiche I accompted deare friendes, in whose conuersation, company, & pleasant manners I did delite, and recreate my selfe: yet the frustration and vayne hope of all men, promisyng the findyng of my daughter, doeth as yet sustaine and helpe me, and moueth me to pacience. But the citie doth more moue mée, whiche I wishe and looke for to be conqueresse, punishing them, whiche haue done it iniurie. Except perhappes the Thessalian yong men haue taken [Page 26]from vs our stoute stomacke, and indignation from our countrey and countrey Gods. For that whiche is moste grieuous, a fewe dauncyng boyes and ministers of the Sacred Ambassade, departe the chiefest Citie of the Greekes béeing ransacked, and the Temple of Apollo being spoyled, whiche was a verie precious treasure. Alas Chariclia, my delite and pleasure. O implacable and continuall wrathe of the diuine power which neuer ceasseth to reuenge. If that I myghte fynde Chariclia, the ioye whiche I shoulde receyue thereby, woulde deface all my sorrowes, and expell them quite from my hearte.
Chariclia my lyfe, my hope, and succession of my stocke. Chariclia my onely solace, and that I maye so say my ancor. And the tempeste whiche inuaded me, dyd breake this ancor, and carried it awaye. Charicles, as yet prosecutyng his Oration, and through teares slydyng from his purpose, was put to silence by captaine Hegesias, willing him no more to mourne, and sayde: O you which are present, it shall bée lawfull [Page]for Charicles to lamente hereafter. But lette vs not be ouerwheimed with this mans sorrowe, neither lette vs not rashly with hys teares, as it were with a violente force of Water, bée caried awaye, neglectyng occasion, whiche as wel in all things, as especially in warre doeth verye muche auaile. For if wée doe make spéede oute of the assemblie, there remaineth some hope that the enimies may be takē. But if incessantly lamenting, or rather like women piteously complayning, wée shall by delayes giue greater libertie for them to escape, there is left nothing els, but that we be laughed to scorne, and that of the yong men, whiche I saye, shoulde be out of hande apprehended, and hanged on the Gallowes, and some of them to bée stained with ignomie by transposing the punishment to their house & stock. This doubtlesse may easily be done, if we shall moue the Thessalians to indignation againste them whiche haue escaped, and against their posteritie, forbidding them by decréee the sacred Ambassade and Funerall sacrificing ceremonies of any noble man [Page 27]These wordes pleased the people, and of them were allowed. Let this be established by your voices (sayde the captaine) if it séeme good, that there may no more women, holding the price of victorie in hir hande, be shewed to such as contend to runne in armed course. For as far as I can coniecture, therof sprang the beginning of wickednesse, which increased flames ir. Theagenes heart, & thoughte vpon this mischief at ye first sight of hir. It is good for the time to come, to take away the occasion of such an yll practise. After he had obteined this by all mens consent, Hegesias gaue signe to depart, the trumpet blew the battaile, and forth they marched, but all in vaine: for they tooke neither Theagenes, nor none of his adherents, and returning home ceassed to make searche for their enimies. Afterwarde when all thyngs were appeased, Calasiris, partly by his skill, and partely by his persuasions, broughte the matter to suche effecte, that he obtained Charicles good will concerning the mariage of Chariclea, and Theagenes.
Which was the cause, that a numbre of [Page]enormities like to ensue, were stayde, and a perpetuall quietnesse to them of Delphos purchased.
Printed at London in Pater Noster Roe, at the Signe of the Marmayde, by Henrie Bynneman, for Leonard Maylarde.
ANNO DOMINI. 1567.
These Bokes are to be solde in Paules Churchyarde, at the signe of the Cock.