The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia.

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Ere now haue you (most deare, and most worthy to be most deare Lady) this idle worke of mine: which I fear (like the Spiders webbe) will be thought fitter to be swept away, then worn to any other purpose. For my part, in very trueth (as the cruell fathers among the Greekes, were woont to doo to the babes they would not foster) I could well find in my harte, to cast out in some desert of forgetfulnes this child, which I am loath to father. But you desired me to doo it, and your desire, to my hart is an absolute commandement. now, it is done onelie for you, onely to you: if you keepe it to your selfe, or to such friendes, who will weigh errors in the ballaunce of good will, I hope, for the fathers sake, it will be pardoned, perchaunce made much of, though in it selfe it haue deformities. For indeede, for seuerer eyes it is not, being but a trifle, and that triflinnglie handled. Your deare selfe can best witnes the maner, being done in loose sheetes of paper, most of it in your presence, the rest, by sheetes, sent vnto you, as fast as they were done. In summe, a young head, not so well stayed as I would it were, (and shall be when God will) hauing many more fancies begotten in it, if it had not ben in some way deliuered, would haue growen a monster, & more sorie might I be that they came in, then that they got out. But his chiefe safetie, shalbe the not walking abroad; & his chiefe protection, the bearing the liuery of your name; which (if much much good will not deceaue me) is worthy to be a sa[n]ctuary for a greater offender. This say I, because I knowe the vertue so; and this say I, because it may be euer so; or to say better, because it will be euer so. Read it then at your idle tymes, and the follyes your good iudgement wiwl finde in it, blame not, but laugh at. And so, looking for no better stuffe, then, as in an Haberdashers shoppe, glasses, or feathers, you will continue to loue the writer, who doth exceedinglie loue you; and most most hartelie praies you may long liue, to be a pricipall ornament to the family of the Sidneis.

He diuision and summing of the Chapters was not of Sir Philip Sidneis dooing, but aduentured by the ouer-seer of the print, for the more ease of the Readers. He therfore submits himselfe to their iudgement, and if his labour answere not the worthines of the booke, desireth pardon for it. As also if any defect be found in the Eclogues, which although they were of Sir Phillip Sidneis writing, yet were they not perused by him, but left till the worke had bene finished, that then choise should haue bene made, which should haue bene taken, and in what manner brought in. At this time they haue bene chosen and disposed as the ouer-seer thought best.

1 The shepherdish complaints of the absented louers Strephon
      and Claius. 2 The second shipwrack of Pyrocles and
      Musidorus. Their strange sauing, 3 enteruiew, and
     4 parting.

T was in the time that the earth begins to put on her new apparel against

the approach of her louer, and that the Sun ru[n]ning a most eue[n] course becums an indifferent arbiter betweene the night and the day; when the hopelesse shepheard Strephon was come to the sandes, which lie against the Island of Cithera; where viewing the place with a heauy kinde of delight, and sometimes casting his eyes to the Ileward, he called his friendly riuall, the pastor Claius vnto him, and setting first downe in his darkened countenance a dolefull copie of what he would speake: O my Claius, said he, hether we are now come to pay the rent, for which we are so called vnto by ouer-busie Remembrance, restlesse Remembrance, which claymes not onely this dutie of vs, but for it will haue vs forget our selues. I pray you when wee were amid our flocke, and that of other shepeheardes some were running after their sheep strayed beyond their bounds, some delighting their eyes with seeing them nibble vpon the short and sweete grasse, some medicining their sick ewes, some setting a bell for an ensigne of a sheepish squadron, some with more leasure inuenting new games of exercising their bodies & sporting their wits: did Remembrance grount vs any holiday, eyther for pastime or deuotion, nay either for necessary foode or naturall rest? but that still it forced our thoughts to worke vpo[n] this place, where we last (alas that the word last should so long last) did gaze our eyes vpon her euer flourishing beautie: did it not still crie within vs? Ah you base minded wretches, are your thoughts so deeply bemired in the trade of ordinary worldlings, as for respect of gaine some paultry wooll may yeeld you, to let so much time passe without knowing perfectly her estate, especially in so troublesome a season? to leaue that shore vnsaluted, from whence you may see to the Island where she dwelleth? to leaue those steps vnkissed wherein Vrania printed the farewell of all beautie? Wel then, Remembraunce commaunded, we obeyed, and here we finde, that as our remembraunce came euer cloathed vnto vs in the forme of this place, so this place giues newe heate to the feauer of our languishing remembrance. Yonder my Claius, Vrania lighted, the verie horse (me thought) bewayled to be so disburdened: and as for thee, poore Claius, when thou wentst to help her downe, I saw reuerence and desire so deuide thee, that thou didst at one instant both blushe and quake, and in stead of bearing her, weart ready to fall downe thy selfe. There shee sate, vouchsafing my cloake (then most gorgeous) vnder her: at yonder rising of the ground she turned her selfe, looking backe toward her woonted abode, and because of her parting bearing much sorrow in hir eyes, the lightsomnes whereof had yet so naturall a cherefulnesse, as it made euen sorrow seeme to smile; at that turning she spake vnto vs all, opening the cherrie of hir lips, & Lord how greedily mine eares did feed vpon the sweete words she vttered? And here she laide her hand ouer thine eyes, when shee saw the teares springing in them, as if she would conceale them from other, and yet her selfe feele some of thy sorrow: But woe is me, yonder, yonder, did she put her foote into the boate, at that instant as it were deuiding her heauenly beautie, betweene the Earth and the Sea. But when she was imbarked, did you not marke how the windes whistled, & the seas daunst for ioy, how the sailes did swel with pride, and all because they had Vrania? O Vrania, blessed be thou Vrania, the sweetest fairenesse and fairest sweetenesse: with that worde his voice brake so with sobbing, that he could say no further; and Claius thus answered. Alas my Strephon (said he) what needes this skore to recken vp onely our losses? What doubt is there, but that the light of this place doth call our thoughtes to appeare at the court of affection, held by that racking steward, Remembraunce? Aswell may sheepe forget to feare when they spie woolues, as wee can misse such fancies, when wee see any place made happie by her treading. Who can choose that saw her but thinke where she stayed, where she walkt, where she turned, where she spoke? But what is all this? truely no more, but as this place serued vs to thinke of those thinges, so those thinges serue as places to call to memorie more excellent matters. No, no, let vs thinke with consideration, and consider with acknowledging, and acknowledge with admiration, and admire with loue, and loue with ioy in the midst of all woes: let vs in such sorte thinke, I say, that our poore eyes were so inriched as to behold, and our low hearts so exalted as to loue, a maide, who is such, that as the greatest thing the world can shewe, is her beautie, so the least thing that may be prayed in her, is her beautie. Certainely as her eye-lids are more pleasant to behold, then two white kiddes climing vp a faire tree, and browsing on his tendrest braunches, and yet are nothing, compared to the day-shining starres contayned in them; and as her breath is more sweete then a gentle South-west wind, which comes creeping ouer flowrie fieldes and shaddowed waters in the extreeme heate of summer, and yet is nothing, compared to the hony flowing speach that breath doth carrie: no more all that our eyes can see of her (though when they haue seene her, what else they shall euer see is but drie stuble after clouers grasse) is to bee matched with the flocke of vnspeakable vertues laid vp delightfully in that best builded folde. But in deede as wee can better consider the sunnes beautie, by marking how he guides those waters, and mountaines them by looking vpon his owne face, too glorious for our weake eyes: so it may be our conceits (not able to beare her sun-stayning excellencie) will better way it by her workes vpon some meaner subiect employed. And alas, who can better witnesse that then we, whose experience is grounded vpon feeling? hath not the onely loue of her made vs (being silly ignorant shepheards) raise vp our thoughts aboue the ordinary leuell of the worlde, so as great clearkes do not disdaine our conference? hath not the desire to seeme worthie in her eyes made vs when others were sleeping, to sit vewing the course of heauens? when others were running at base, to runne ouer learned writings? when other marke their sheepe, we to marke our selues? hath not shee throwne reason vpon our desires, and, as it were giuen eyes vnto Cupid? hath in any, but in her, loue-fellowship maintained friendship betweene riuals, and beautie taught the beholders chastitie? He was going on with his praises, but Strephon bad him stay, & looke: & so they both perceaued a thing which floted drawing nearer and nearer to the banke; but rather by the fauourable working of the Sea, then by any selfe industrie. They doubted a while what it should be; till it was cast vp euen hard before the[m]: at which time they fully saw that it was a man: Wherupon running for pitie sake vnto him, they found his hands (as it should appeare, constanter frends to his life then his memorie) fast griping vpon the edge of a square small coffer, which lay all vnder his breast: els in him selfe no shew of life, so as the boord seemed to bee but a beere to cary him a land to his Sepulchre. So drew they vp a young man of so goodly shape and well pleasing fauour, that one would think death had in him a louely countenance; and, that though he were naked, nakednes was to him an apparell. That sight increased their compassion, and their compassion called vp their care; so that lifting his feete aboue his head, making a great deale of salt water to come out of his mouth, they layd him vpon some of their garments, and fell to rub and chafe him, till they brought him to recouer both breath the seruant, & warmth the companion of liuing. At length, opening his eyes, he gaue a great groane, (a dolefull note but a pleasant dittie) for by that, they found not onely life, but strength of life in him. They therefore continued on their charitable office, vntil (his spirits being well returned,) hee (without so much as thanking them for their paines) gate vp, and looking round about to the vttermost lymittes of his sight, and crying vpon the name of Pyrocles, nor seeing nor hearing cause of comfort: what (said he) and shall Musidorus liue after Pyrocles? therewithall he offered willfully to cast destruction & himselfe againe into the sea: a strange sight to the shepheards, to whom it seemed, that before being in apparance dead had yet saued his life, and now comming to his life, shoulde be a cause to procure his death; but they ranne vnto him, and pulling him backe, (then too feeble for them) by force stickled that vnnatural fray. I pray you (said he) honest men, what such right haue you in me, as not to suffer me to doe with my self what I list? and what pollicie haue you to bestow a benefite where it is counted an iniury? They hearing him speake in Greek (which was their naturall language) became the more tender hearted towards him; and considering by his calling and looking, that the losse of some deare friend was great cause of his sorow, told hime they were poore men that were bound by course of humanitie to preuent so great a mischiefe, and that they wisht him, if opinion of some bodies perishing bred such desperate anguish in him, that he should be comforted by his owne proofe, who had lately escaped as aparant danger as any might be. No, no (said hee) it is not for me to attend so high a blissefulnesse: but since you take care of mee, I pray you finde meanes that some Barke may be prouided, that will goe out of the hauen, that if it be possible we may finde the body farre farre too precious a foode for fishes: and for the hire (said he) I haue within this casket, sufficient to content them. Claius presently went to a Fisherman, & hauing agreed with him, and prouided some apparell for the naked stranger, he imbarked, and the Shepheards with him: and were no sooner gone beyond the mouth of the hauen, but that some way into the sea they might discerne (as it were) a stayne of the waters colour, and by times some sparkes and smoke mounting thereout. But the young man no sooner saw it, but that beating his brest, he cried, that there was the beginning of his ruine, intreating them to bend their course as neere vnto it as they could: telling, how that smoake was but a small relique of a great fire, which had driue[n] both him & his friend rather to committe themselues to the cold mercie of the sea, then to abide the hote crueltie of the fire: and that therefore, though they both had abandoned the ship, that he was (if any where) in that course to be met withall. They steared therefore as neere thetherward as they could: but when they came so neere as their eies were ful masters of the obiect, they saw a sight full of piteous strangenes: a ship, or rather the carkas of the shippe, or rather some few bones of the carkas, hulling there, part broken, part burned, part drowned: death hauing vsed more then one dart to that destruction. About it floted great store of very rich thinges, and many chestes which might promise no lesse. And amidst the precious things were a number of dead bodies, which likewise did not onely testifie both eleme[n]ts violence, but that the chiefe violence was growen of humane inhumanitie: for their bodies were ful of grisly wounds, & their bloud had (as it were) filled the wrinckles of the seas visage: which it seemed the sea coulde not washe away, that it might witnes it is not alwaies his fault, when we condemne his crueltie: in summe, a defeate, where the conquered kept both field and spoile: a shipwrack without storme or ill footing: and a wast of fire in the midst of water.
But a litle way off they saw the mast, whose proude height now lay along; like a widdow hauing lost her make of whom she held her honor: but vpon the mast they sawa yong man (at least if he were a man) bearing shew of about 18. yeares of age, who sate (as on horsback) hauing nothing vpon him but his shirt, which being wrought with blew silk & gold; had a kind of resemblance to the sea: on which the sun (then neare his Westerne home) did shoote some of his beames. His haire (which the young men of Greece vsed to weare very long) was stirred vp & down with the wind, which seemed to haue a sport to play with it, as the sea had to kisse his feet; himselfe full of admirable beautie, set foorth by the strangenes both of his seate & gesture: for, holding his head vp full of vnmoued maiestie, he held a sworde aloft with his faire arme, which often he waued about his crowne as though he would threaten the world in that extremitie. But the fishermen, when they came so neere him, that it was time to throwe out a rope, by which hold they might draw him, their simplicity bred such amasement, & their amasement such a superstitio[n], that (assuredly thinking it was some God begotten betweene Neptune and Venus, that had made all this terrible slaughter) as they went vnder sayle by him, held vp their hands, and made their prayers. Which when Musidorus sawe, though he were almost as much rauished with ioy, as they with astonishment, he lept to the Mariner, and tooke the rope out of his hande and (saying, doest thou liue, and arte well? who answered, thou canst tell best, since most of my well beyng standes in thee,) threwe it out, but alreadie the shippe was past beyond Pyrocles: and therefore Musidorus could doo no more but perswade the Mariners to cast about againe, assuring them that hee was but a man, although of most diuine excellencies, and promising great rewardes for their paine.
And now they were altreadie come vpon the staies, when one of the saylers descried a Galley which came with sayles and oares directlie in the chase of them; and streight perceuaed it was a well knowne Pirate, who hunted not onely for goodes but for bodies of menne, which hee imployed eyther to bee his Galley slaues, or to sell at the best market. Which when the Maister vnderstood, he commaunded forthwith to set on all the canuasse they could, and flie homeward, leauing in that sort poore Pyrocles so neere to be rekewed. But what did not Musidorus say? what did he not offer to perswade them to venture the fight? But feare standing at the gates of their eares, put back all perswasions: for that hee had nothing to accompanie Pyrocles, but his eyes; nor to succour him, but his wishes. Therefore praying for him, and casting a long look that way he saw the Galley leaue the pursuite of them, & turne to take vp the spoiles of the other wrack: and lastly he might well see them lift vp the yong man; and alas (said he to himselfe) deere Pyrocles shall that bodie of thine be enchayned? shall those victorious handes of thine be commaunded to base offices? shall vertue become a slaue to those that be slaues to viciousnes? Alas, better had it bene had it bene thou hadst ended nobly thy noble daies: what death is so euill as vnworthy seruitude? But that opinion soone ceased when he saw the gallie setting vpon an other ship, which held long and strong fight with her: for then he began a fresh to feare the life of his friende, and to wish well to the Pirates whome before he hated, least in their ruyne hee might perish. But the fishermen made such speed into the hauen, that they absented his eyes from beholding the issue: where being entred, he could procure neither them nor any other as then to put themselues into the sea: so that beyng as full of sorrow for being vnable to doe any thing, as voide of counsell how to doe any thing besides, that sicknesse grew something vpon him, the honest shepheards Strephon and Claius (who being themselues true friendes, did the more perfectly iudge the iustnesse of his sorrowe) aduise him, that he should mitigate somwhat of his woe, since he had gotten an amendment in fortune, being come from assured persuasion of his death, to haue no cause to dispaire of his life. as one that had lamented the death of his sheepe, should after know they were but strayed, would receiue pleasure though readily hee knew not where to finde them.

1 The pastors comfortes to the wracked Musidorus. 2 His
      passage into Arcadia. The descriptions of 3 Laconia,
      4 Arcadia, Kalanders 5 person, 6 house, and 7 enter-
      tainement to Musidorus, now called Palladius. His
      8 sicknes, recouery, 9 and perfections.

Ow sir (saide they) thus for our selues it is. Wee are in profession but shepheards,

and in this countrie of Laconia little better then strangers, and therefore neither in skill, nor habilitie of power greatly to stead you. But what we can present vnto you is this: Arcadia, of which countrie wee are, is but a little way hence, and euen vpon the next confines.
There dwelleth a Gentleman, by name Kalander, who vouchsafeth much fauour vnto vs: A man who

for his hospitalitie is so much haunted, that no newes sturre, but comes to his eares, for his vpright dealing so beloued of his neighbours, that he hath many euer readie to doe him their vttermost seruice, and by the great good will our Prince beares him, may soone obtaine the vse of his name and credit, which hath a principall swaie, not only in his owne Arcadia but in al these cou[n]tries of Peloponnesus: and (which is worth all) all these things giue him not so much power, as his nature giues him will to benefit: so that it seemes no Musicke is so sweet to his eare as deserued thankes. To him we will bring you, & there you may recouer againe your helth, without which you can[n]ot be able to make any diligent search for your friend: and therefore but in that respect, you must labour for it. Besides, we are sure the co[m]fort of curtesie, & ease of wise counsell shall not be wanting.
Musidorus (who

besides he was meerely vnacquainted in the cou[n]trie had his wits astonished with sorow) gaue easie consent to that, fro[m] which he saw no reason to disagree: & therefore (defraying the Mariners with a ring bestowed vpon the[m]) they tooke their iourney together through Laconia; Claius & Strephon by course carying his chest for him, Musidorus only bearing in his cou[n]tenance euide[n]t marks of a sorowful mind supported with a weak bodie, which they perceiuing, & knowing that the violence of sorow is not at the first to be striue[n] withal: (being like a mighty beast, soner tamed with following, tha[n] ouerthrowe[n] by withsta[n]ding) they gaue way vnto it for that day & the next; neuer troubling him, either with asking questions, or finding fault with his mela[n]cholie, but rather fitting to his dolor dolorous discourses of their own & other folks misfortunes. Which speeches, thogh they had not a liuely entra[n]ce to his se[n]ces shut vp in sorow, yet like one half asleep, he toke hold of much of the matters spoken vnto him, so as a man may say, ere sorow was aware, they made his thoughts beare away something els beside his own sorow, which wrought so in him, that at le[n]gth he grew co[n]tent to mark their speeches, then to maruel at such wit in shepheardes, after to like their company, & lastly to vouchsafe confere[n]ce: so that the 3. day after, in the time that the morning did strow roses & violets in the heauenly floore against the com[m]ing of the Sun, the nightingales (striuing one with the other which coulde in most dainty variety recount their wrong-caused sorow) made the[m] put of their sleepe, & rising fro[m] vnder a tree (which that night had bin their pavilio[n]) they went on their iorney, which by & by welcomed Musidorus eyes (wearied with the wasted soile of Laconia) with delightful prospects. There were hilles which garnished

their proud heights with stately trees: hu[m]ble valleis, whose base estate semed co[m]forted with refreshing of siluer riuers: medows, enameld with al sorts of ey-pleasing floures: thickets, which being lined with most pleasa[n]t shade, were witnessed so to by the chereful depositio[n] of many wel-tuned birds: each pasture stored with sheep feeding with sober security, while the prety la[m]bs with bleting oratory craued the dame co[m]fort: here a shepheards boy piping, as though he should neuer be old: there a yong shepherdesse knitting, and withall singing, & it seemed that her voice co[m]sorted her hands to work, & her ha[n]ds kept time to her voices musick. As for the houses of the cou[n]try (for many houses came vnder their eye) they were all scattered, no two being one by th'other, & yet not so far off as that it barred mutual succour: a shew, as it were, of an acco[m]panable solitarines, & of a ciuil wildnes. I pray you (said Musidorus, then first vnsealing his long silent lips) what cou[n]tries be these we passe through, which are so diuers in shew, the one wa[n]ting no store, th'other hauing no store but of want.
The country (answered

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

now you set your foote) is Arcadia: and euen harde by is the house of Kalander whether we lead you: this countrie being thus decked with peace, and (the childe of peace) good husbandrie. These houses you see so scattered are of men, as we two are, that liue vpon the commoditie of their sheepe: and therefore in the diuision of the Arcadian estate are termed shepheards; a happie people, wanting litle, because they desire not much. What cause then, said Musidorus, made you venter to leaue this sweete life, and put your selfe in yonder vnpleasant and dangerous realme? Garded with pouertie (answered Strephon) & guided with loue: But now (said Claius) since it hath pleased you to aske any thing of vs whose basenes is such as the very knwledge is darknes: geue vs leaue to know somthing of you, & of the young
man you so much lament, that at least we may be the better instructed to enforme Kalender, and he the better know how to proportion his entertainement. Musidorus (according to the agreement betweene Pyrocles and him to alter thier names) answered, that he called himself Palladius, and his friend Daiphantus; but till I haue him againe (said he) I am in deed nothing: and therefore my storie is of nothing, his entertainement (since so good a man he is) cannot be so lowe as I account my estate: and in summe, the summe of all, his curtesie may be to helpe me by some meanes to seeke my frend.
They perceiued he was not willing to open himselfe further, and therefore without further questioning

brought him to the house: about which they might see (with fitte consideration both of the ayre, the prospect, and the nature of the ground) all such necessarie additions, to a great house, as might well shewe, Kalender knew that provision is the foundation of hospitalitie, and thrift the fewell of magnificence. The house it selfe was built of faire and strong stone, not affecting so much any exraordinarie kinde of finenes, as an honorable representing of a firme statelines. The lightes, doores and staires, rather directed to the vse of the guest, then to the eye of the Artificer: and yet as the one cheefely heeded, so the other not neglected; each place handsome without curiositie, and homely without lothsomnes: not so daintie as not to be trode on, nor yet slubberd vp with good felowshippe: all more lasting then beautifull, but that the consideration of the exceeding lastingnesse made the eye beleeue it was exceeding beautifull. The seruants not so many in number, as cleanlie in apparell, and seruiceable in behauiour, testifying euen in their countanaunces, that their maister tooke aswell care to be serued, as of the[m] that did serue. One of them was forth-with readie to welcome the shepheards, as men, who though they were were poore, their master greatly fauoured: and vnderstanding by them, that the young man with whrm was to be much accounted of, for that they had seene tokens of more then common greatnes, how so euer now eclipsed with fortune: He ranne to his master, who came presentlie foorth, and pleasantly welcomming the shepheardes, but especially applying him to Musidorus, Strephon priuately told him allwhat he knew of him, and particularly that hee found this stranger was loath to be knowen.
No said Kalander

(speaking alowd) I am no herald to enquire of mens pedegrees, it sufficeth me if I know their vertues: which (if this young mands face be not a false witnes) doe better apparell his minde, then you haue done his body. While hee was speaking, there came a boy in shew like a Merchants prentice, who taking Strephon by the sleeue, deliuered him a letter written ioyntly both to him and Claius from Vrania: which they no sooner had read, but that with short leaue-taking of Kalander (who quickly ghest and smiled at the matter) and once againe (though hastely) recommending the yong man vnto him, they went away, leauing Musidorus euen lothe to part with them, for the good conuersation he had of them, & obligation he accounted himselfe tied in vnto them: and therefore, they deliuering his chest vnto him, he opened it, and would haue presented the[m] with two very rich iewels, but they absolutelie refused them, telling him they were more then enough rewarded in the knowing of him, and without herkening vnto a replie (like men whose harts disdained all desires but one) gate speedely away, as if the letter had brought wings to make them flie. But by that sight Kalander soone iudged that his guest was of no meane calling, and therefore the more respectfullie entertaining him, Musidorus found his sicknes (which the fight, the sea, and late trauell had layd vpon him) grow greatly: so that fearing some suddaine accident, he deliuered the chest to Kalander; which was full of most pretious stones, gorgeously & cunningly set in duerse maners, desiring him he would bestow so much of it as was needfull, to finde out and redeeme a young man, naming himselfe Daiphantus, as then in the handes of Laconia pirates.
But Kalander seeing him faint more and more, with carefull speede conueyed him to the

most com[m]odious lodging in his house: where being possest with an extreeme burning feuer, he co[n]tinued some while with no great hope of life: but youth at length got the victorie of sicknesse, so that in six weekes the excellencie of his returned beautie was a credible embassadour of his health; to the great ioy of Kalander: who, as in this time he had by certaine friendes of his that dwelt neare the Sea in Messenia, set foorth a shippe and a galley to seeke and succour Daiphantus: so at home did hee omit nothing which he thought might eyther profite or gratifie Palladius.
For hauing found in

him (besides his bodily giftes beyond the degree of Admiration) by dayly discourses which he delighted him selfe to haue with him, a mind of most excellent composition (a pearcing witte quite voide of ostentation, high erected thoughts seated in a harte of courtesie, an eloquence as sweete in the vttering, as slowe to come to the vttering, a behauoiur so noble, as gaue a maiestie to aduersitie: and all in a man whose age could not be aboue one & twenty yeares,) the good old man was euen enamoured with a fatherly loue towards him; or rather became his seruaunt by the bondes such vertue laid vpon him; once hee acknowledged him selfe so to be, by the badge of diligent attendance.

The 1 pictures of Kalanders dainty garden-house. His narra-
    tion of the 2 Arcadian estate, 3 the King, 4 the Queene,
    5 their two daughters, and 6 their guardians, with their
    qualities, which is the ground of all this storie.

Vt Palladius hauing gotten his health, and onely staying there to be in place, where he might heare answere of the shippes set foorth, Kalander one afternoone led him abroad to a wel arayed ground he had behind his house, which hee thought to shewe him before his going, as the place him selfe more then in any other delighted: the backeside of the house was neyther field, garden, nor orchard; or rather it was both fielde, garden, and orcharde: for as soone as the descending of the stayres had deliuered them downe, they came into a place cunninglie set with trees of the moste tast-pleasing fruites: but scarcelie they had taken that into their consideration, but that they were suddainely stept into a delicate greene, of each side of the greene a thicket bend, behinde the thickets againe new beddes of flowers, which being vnder the trees, the trees were to them a Pauilion, and they to the trees a mosaical floore: so that it seemed that arte therein would needes be delightfull by counterfaiting his enemie error, and making order in confusion.
In the middest of all the place, was a faire ponde, whose shaking christall was

a perfect mirrour to all the other beauties, so that it bare shewe of two gardens; one in deede, the other in shaddowes: and in one of the thickets was a fine fountaine made thus. A naked Venus of white marble, wherein the grauer had vsed such cunning, that the naturall blew veines of the marble were framed in fitte places, to set foorth the beautifull veines of her bodie. At her brest she had her babe Æneas, who seemed (hauing begun to sucke) to leaue that, to looke vpon her fayre eyes, which smiled at the babes follie, the meane while the breast running. Hard by was a house of pleasure builte for a Sommer retiring place, where Kalander leading him, he found a square roome full of delightfull pictures, made by the most excellent workeman of Greece. There was Diana when Actæon sawe her bathing, in whose cheekes the painter had set such a colour, as was mixt betweene shame & disdaine; & one of her foolish Nymphes, who weeping, and withal lowring, one might see the workman meant to set forth teares of anger. In another table was Atalanta; the posture of whose lims was so liuelie expressed, that if the eyes were the only iudges, as they be the onely seers, one would haue sworne the very picture had runne. Besides many mo, as of Helena, Omphale, Iole: but in none of them all beautie seemed to speake so much as in a large table, which contained a comely old man, with a lady of midle age, but of excelle[n]t beautie; & more excelle[n]t would haue bene deemed, but that stood betweene the[m] a yong maid, whose wonderfulnesse tooke away all beautie from her, but that, which it might seeme she gaue her backe againe by her very shadow. And such differe[n]ce, being knowne that it did in deed counterfeit a person liuing, was there betweene her and al the other, though Goddesses, that it seemd the skill of the painter bestowed on the other new beautie, but that the beautie of her bestowed new skill of the painter. Though he thought inquistiuenes an vncomely guest, he could not choose but aske who she was, that bearing shew of one being in deed, could with natural gifts go beyond the reach of inuentio[n]. Kalander answered, that it was made by Philoclea, the yonger daughter of his prince, who also with his wife were conteined in that Table: the painter meaning to represent the present condition of the young Ladie, who stood watched by an ouer-curious eye of her parents: & that he would also haue drawne her eldest sister, estemed her match for beautie, in her shepheardish attire; but that the rude clown her gardia[n] would not suffer it: nether durst he aske leaue of the Prince for feare of suspitio[n] Palladius perceaued that the matter was wrapt vp in some secrecie, and therefore would for modestie demaund no further: but yet his countenance could not but with dumme Eloquence desire it: Which Kalander perceauing, well said he, my deere guest, I know your minde, and I will satisfie it: neyther will I doo it like a niggardly answerer, going no further then the boundes of the question, but I will discouer vnto you, aswell that wherein my knowledge is common with others, as that which by extraordinarie means is deliuered vnto me: knowing so much in you, though not long acquainted, that I shall find your eares faithfull treasurers. So then sitting downe in two chaires, and sometimes casting his eye to the picture, he thus spake.
This countrie

Arcadia among all the prouinces of Greece, hath euer beene had in singular reputation: partly for the sweetnesse of the ayre, and other natural benefites, but principally for the well tempered minds of the people, who (finding that the shining title of glorie so much affected by other nations, doth in deed helpe little to the happinesse of life) are the onely people, which as by their Iustice and pruidence geue neither cause nor hope to their neyghbours to annoy them, so are they not sturred with false praise to trouble others quiet, thinking it a small reward for the wasting of their owne liues in rauening, that their posteritie should long liue after saie, they had done so. Euen the Muses seeme to approue their good determinatio[n], by chosing this countrie for their chiefe repairing place, & by bestowing their perfections so largely here, that the very shepheards haue their fancies lifted to so high conceits, as the learned of other nations are content both to borrow their names, and imitate their cunning.
Here dwelleth, and raigneth this Prince (whose picture you see) by name Basilius,

a Prince of sufficient skill to gouerne so quiet a countrie, where the good minds of the former princes had set down good lawes, and the well bringing vp of the people doth serue as a most sure bond to hold the[m]. But to be plaine with you, he excels in nothing so much, as in the zealous loue of his people, wherein he doth not only passe al his owne fore-goers, but as I thinke al the princes liuing. Wherof the cause is, that though he exceed not in the vertues which get admiration; as depth of wisdome, height of courage and largenesse of magnificence, yet is hee notable in those whiche stirre affection, as trueth of worde, meekenesse, courtesie, mercifulnesse, and liberalitie.
He being already

well striken in yeares, maried a young princes, named Gynecia, daughter to the king of Cyprus, of notable beautie, as by her picture you see: a woman of great wit, and in truth of more princely vertues, then her husband: of most vnspotted chastitie, but of so working a minde, and so vehement spirits, as a man may say, it was happie shee tooke a good course: for otherwise it would haue beene terrible.
Of these two are brought

to the world two daughters, so beyond measure excellent in all the gifts allotted to reasonable ceatures, that wee may thinke they were borne to shewe, that Nature is no stepmother to that sex, how much so euer some men (sharpe witted onely in euill speaking) haue sought to disgrace them. The elder is named Pamela; by many men not deemed inferiour to her sister: for my part, when I marked them both, me thought there was (if at least such perfections may receyue the worde of more) more sweetnesse in Philoclea, but more maiestie in Pamela: mee thought loue plaide in Philocleas eyes, and threatned in Pamelas; me thought Philocleas beautie onely perswaded, but so perswaded as all harts must yeelde: Pamelas beautie vsed violence, and such violence as no hart could resist: and it seemes that such proportion is betweene their mindes; Philoclea so bashfull as though her excellencies had stolne into her before shee was aware: so humble, that she will put all pride out of countenance: in summe, such proceeding as will stirre hope, but teach good man[n]ers. Pamela of high thoughts, who auoides not pride with not knowing her excellencies, but by making that one of her excellencies to be voide of pride; her mothers wisdome, greatnesse, nobilitie, but (if I can ghesse aright) knit with a more constant temper. Now then, our Basilius being so publickly happie as to be a Prince, and so happie in that happinesse as to be a beloued Prince, and so in his priuate blessed as to haue so excellent a wife, and so ouer-excellent children, hath of late taken a course which yet makes him more spoken of then all these blessings. For, hauing made a iourney to Delphos, and safely returned, within shor[t] space hee brake vp his court, and retired himself, his wife, and children into a certaine Forrest hereby, which hee calleth his desart, where in (besides a house appointed for stables and lodgings for certaine persons of meane calling, who do all houshold seruices,) hee hath builded two fine lodges. In the one of them him self remaines with his younger daughter Philoclea, which was the cause they three were matched together in this picture, without hauing any other creature liuing in that lodge with him.
Which though it be

straunge, yet not so straunge, as the course he hath taken with the princesse Pamela, whom hee hath placed in the other lodge: but how thinke you accompanied? truly with none other, but one Dametas, the most arrant doltish clowne, that I thinke euer was without the priuiledge of a bable, with his wife Miso, and daughter Mopsa, in whome no witt can deuise anie thing wherein they maie pleasure her, but to exercise her patience, and to serue for a foile of her perfections. This loutish clowne is such, that you neuer saw so ill fauourd a visar; his behauiour such, that he is beyond the degree of ridiculous; and for his apparel, euen as I would wish him; Miso his wife, so handsome a beldame, that onely her face and her splayfoote haue made her accused for a witch; onely one good point she hath, that she obserues decoru[m], hauing a froward mind in a wretched body. Betweene these two personages (who neuer agreed in any humor, but in disagreeing) is issued forth mistresse Mopsa, a fitte woman to participate of both their perfections: but because a pleasant fellow of my acquaintance set forth her praises in verse, I will only repeate them, and spare mine owne tongue, since she goes for a woman. These verses are these, which I haue so often caused to be song, that I haue them without booke.

What length of verse can serue braue Mopsas good to show?
Whose vertues strange, & beuties such, as no ma[n] may know
Thus shrewdly burdned the[n], how ca[n] my muse escape?
The gods must help, and pretious things must serue to shew her shape.
Like great god Saturn faire, and like faire Venus chaste:
As smoothe as Pan, as Iuno milde, like goddess Iris faste.
With Cupid she fore-sees, and goes god Vulcans pace:
And for a tast of all these giftes, she steales god Momus grace.
Her forhead iacinth like, her cheekes of opall hue,
Her twinkling eies bedect with pearle, her lips as Saphir blew:
Her haire like Crapal-stone, her mouth O heauenly wyde;
Her skin like burnisht gold, her hands like siluer vre vntryde.
As for her parts vnknowne, which hidden sure are best:
Happie be they which well beleeue, & neuer seeke the rest.

Now truely hauing made these descriptions vnto you, me thinkes you should imagine that I rather faine some pleasant deuise, then recount a truth, that a Prince (not banished from his own wits) could possibly make so vnworthie a choice. But truely (deare guest) so it is, that Princes, (whose doings haue beene often soothed with good successe) thinke nothing so absurde, which they cannot make honourable. The beginning of his credite was by the Princes straying out of the way, one time he hunted, where meeting this fellow, and asking him the way, & so falling into the other questio[n]s, he found some of his aunswers (as a dog sure if he could speake, had wit enough to describe his kennel) not vnsensible, & all vttered with such rudenes, which he enterpreted plainnesse (though there be great difference betweene them) that Basilius conceauing a sodaine delight, tooke him to his Court, with apparant shew of his good opinion: where the flattering courtier had no sooner take[n] the Princes minde, but that there were straight reasons to confirme the Princes doing, & shadowes of vertues found for Dametas. His silence grew wit, his bluntnesse integritie, his beastly ignorance vertuous simplicite: & the Prince (according to the nature of great persons, in loue with that he had done himselfe) fancied, that his weaknesse with his presence would much be mended. And so like a creature of his owne making, he liked him more and more, and thus hauing first giuen him the office of principall heardman, lastly, since he tooke this strange determination, he hath in a manner put the life of himselfe and his children into his hands. Which authoritie (like too great a sayle for so small a boate) doth so ouer-sway poore Dametas, that if before he were a good foole in a chamber, he might be allowed it now in a comedie: So as I doubt mee (I feare mee in [deede]) my master will in the end (with his cost) finde, [that] his office is not to make men, but to vse men as men are; no more then a horse will be taught to hunt, or an asse to mannage. But in sooth I am afraid I haue geuen your eares too great a surfette, with the grosse discourses of that heauie peece of flesh. But the zealous grrefe I conceue to see so great an error in my Lord, hath made me bestow more words, then I confesse so base a subiect deserueth.

The 1 cause of Basilius his discourting. 2 Philanax his dis-
   swasiue letter. 3 Basilius his priuiledged companie. 4 Foure
   causes why old men are discoursers. 5 The state, the skil, and
   exercise of the Arcadian shepheards.

Hus much now that I haue tolde you, is nothing more then in effect any Arcadian

knowes. But what moued him to this strange solitarines hath bin imparted (as I thinke) but to one person liuing. My selfe ca[n] co[n]iecture, & in deed more the coniecture, by this accident that I will tell you: I haue an onely sonne, by name Clitophon, who is now absent, preparing for his owne mariage, which I meane shortly shalbe here celebrated. This sonne of mine (while the Prince kept his court) was of his bed-chamber; now since the breaking vp thereof, returned home, and shewed me (among other things he had gathered) the coppy which he had taken of a letter: which when the prince had read, he had laid in a window, presuming no body durst looke in his writings: but my sonne not only tooke a time to read it, but to copie it. In trueth I blamed Clitophon for the curiositie, which made him break his duetie in such a kind, whereby kings secrets are subiect to be reuealed: but since it was done, I was content to take so much profite, as to know it. Now here is the letter, that I euer since for my good liking, haue caried about me: which before I read vnto you, I must tell you from whom it came. It is a noble-man of this countrie, named Philanax, appointed by the Prince, Regent in this time of his retiring, and most worthie so to be: for, there liues no man, whose excellent witte more simplie imbraseth integritie, besides his vnfained loue to his master, wherein neuer yet any could make question, sauing, whether he loued Basilius or the Prince better: a rare temper, while most men either seruile-ly yeeld to al appetites, or with an obstinate austeritie looking to that they fansie good, in effect neglect the Princes person. This then being the man, whom of all other (and most worthie) the Prince cheefly loues, it should seeme (for more then the letter I haue not to ghesse by) that the Prince vpon his returne from Delphos, (Philanax then lying sick) had written vnto him his determination, rising (as euidently appeares) vpon some Oracle he had there receaued: whereunto he wrote this answere.

MOst redouted & beloued prince, if aswel it had pleased you at your going to Delphos as now, to haue vsed my humble seruice, both I should in better season, and to better purpose haue spoken: and you (if my speech had preuayled) should haue beene at this time, as no way more in danger, so much more in quietnes; I would then haue said, that wisdome and vertue be the only destinies appointed to ma[n] to follow, whe[n]ce we ought to seeke al our knowledge, since they be such guydes as cannot faile; which, besides their inward co[m]fort, doo lead so direct a way of proceeding, as either prosperitie must ensue; or, if the wickednes of the world should oppresse it, it can neuer be said, the euil hapneth to him, who falles accompanied with vertue: I would then haue said, the heauenly powers to be reuerenced, and not seached into; & their mercies rather by prayers to be sought, then their hidden councels by curiositie. These kind of soothsayers (since they haue left vs in our selues sufficient guides) to be nothing but fansie, wherein there must either be vanitie, or infalliblenes, & so, either not to be respected, or not to be preuented. But since it is weaknes too much to remember what should haue been done, and that your commandeme[n]t stretcheth to know what is to be done, I do (most deare Lord) with humble boldnes say, that the maner of your determination dooth in no sort better please me, then the cause of your going. These thirtie yeares you haue so gouerned this Region, that neither your Subiectes haue wanted iustice in you, nor you obedie[n]ce in them; & your neighbors haue found you so hurtlesly strong, that they thought it better to rest in your friendshippe, then make new triall of your enmitie. If this then haue proceeded out of the good constitution of your state, and out of a wise prouidence, generally to preuent all those things, which might enco[m]ber your happines: why should you now seeke newe courses, since your owne ensample comforts you to continue, and that it is to me most certaine (though it please you not to tell me the very words of the Oracle) that yet no destinie, nor influence whatsoeuer, can bring mans witte to a higher point, then wisdome and goodnes? Why should you depriue your selfe of gouernment, for feare of loosing your gouernment? like one that should kill himselfe for feare of death? nay rather, if this Oracle be to be accounted of, arme vp your courage the more against it: for who wil stick to him that abandones himselfe? Let your subiectes haue you in their eyes; let them see the benefites of your iustice dayly more and more; and so must they needes rather like of present sureties, then vncertaine changes. Lastly, whether your time call you to liue or die, doo both like a prince. Now for your second resolution; which is, to suffer no worthie prince to be a suiter to either of your daughters, but while you liue to keep the[m] both vnmaried; &, as it were, to kill the ioy of posteritie, which in your time you may enioy: moued perchance by a mis-understoode Oracle: what shall I say, if the affection of a father to his owne children, cannot plead sufficiently against such fancies? once certaine it is, the God, which is the God of nature, doth neuer teach vnnaturalnes: and euen the same minde hold I touching your banishing them from companie, least, I know not what strange loues should follow: Certainly Sir, in my ladies, your daughters, nature promiseth nothing but goodnes, and their education by your fatherly care, hath beene most fit to restraine all euill: geuing their mindes vertuous delights, and not greeuing them, for want of wel-ruled libertie. Now to fall a sodain straightning them, what can it doo but argue suspition, a thing no more vnpleasant, then vnsure, for the preseruing of vertue? Leaue womens minds, the most vntamed that way of any: see whether any cage can pleae a bird? or whether a dogge grow not fiercer with tying? what dooth ielousie, but stirre vp the mind to thinke, what it is from which they are restained? for they are treasures, or things of great delight, which men vse to hide, for the aptnesse they haue to catch mens fancies: and the thoughtes once awaked to that, harder sure it is to keepe those thoughts from accomplishment, then had it been before to haue kept the minde (which being the chife part, by this meanes is defiled) from thinking. Lastly, for the recommending so pricipall a charge of the Princesse Pamela, (whose minde goes beyond the gouerning of many thousands such) to such a person as Dametas is (besides that the thing in it self is strange) it comes of a very euil ground, that ignorance should be the mother of faithfulnes. O no; he cannot be good, that knowes not why he is good, but stands so farre good, as his fortune may keepe him vnassaid: but comming once to that, his rude simplicitie is either easily changed, or easily deceiued: & so growes that to be the last excuse of his fault, which seemed to haue been the first foundation of his faith. Thus farre hath your commaundement and my zeale drawn me; which I, like a man in a valley that may discern hilles, or like a poore passenger that may spie a rock, so humbly submit to your gracious consideration, beseeching you againe, to stand wholy vpon your own vertue, as the surest way to maintaine you in that you are; and to auoyd any euill which may be imagined.
By the contents of this letter you may perceiue, that the cause of all, hath beene the vanitie which possesseth many, who (making a perpetuall mansion of this poore baiting place of mans life) are desirous to know the certaintie of things to come; wherein there is nothing so certaine, as our continuall vncertaintie. But what in particular points the oracle was, in faith I know not: nether (as you may see by one place of Philanax letter) he himselfe distinctly knew. But this experience shewes vs, that Basilius iudgement, corrupted with a Princes fortune, hath rather heard then followed the wise (as I take it) counsell of Philanax. For, hauing lost the sterne of his gouernment, with much amazement to the people, among whom mnay strange bruits are receiued for currant, and with some apparance of daunger in respect of the valiant Amphalus, his nephew, & much enuy in the ambitious number of the Nobilitie against Philanax, to see Philanax so aduaunced, though (to speake simply) he deserue more the[n] as many of vs as there be in Arcadia: the prince himself hath hidden his head, in such sort as I told you, not sticking plainly to co[n]fesse, that he means not (while he breathes) that his daughters shal haue any husba[n]d, but keep the[m] thus solitary with him: wher he giues no other body leue

to visit him at any time, but a certain priest, who being excellent in poetrie, he makes him write out such thinges as be best likes, he being no les delightful in co[n]uersatio[n], the[n] needfull for deuotio[n], & about twe[n]ty specified shepheards, in who[m] (some foe exercises, & some for Eglogs) he taketh greater recreatio[n].
And now you know as much as my self: wherin if I haue held you ouer long, lay hardly the fault

vpon my olde age, which in the very disposition of it is talkatiue: whether it be (said he smiling) that nature loues to exercise that part most, which is least decayed, and that is our tongue: or, that knowldge being the only thing whereof we poore old men can brag, we cannot make it knowen but by vtterance: or, that mankinde by all meanes seeking to eternize himselfe so much the more, as he is neere his end, dooth it not only by the children that come of him, but by speeches and writings recommended to the memorie of hearers and readers. And yet thus much I wil say for my selfe, that I haue not laid these matters, either so openly, or largely to any as your selfe: so much (if I much fayle not) doo I see in you, which makes me both loue and trust you. Neuer may he be old, answered Palladius, that dooth not reuerence that age, whose heauines, if it waie downe the frayl and fleshly ballance, it as much lifts vp the noble and spirituall part: and well might you haue alledged another reason, that their wisdome makes them willing to profite others. And that haue I receiued of you, neuer to to be forgotten, but with vngratefulnes. But among many strange conceits you tolde me, which haue shewed effects in your Prince, truly euen the last, that he should conceiue such pleasure in shepheards discourses, would not seeme the least vnto me, sauing that you told me at the first, that this countrie is notable in those wits, and that in deed my selfe hauing beene brought not onely to this place, but to my life, by Strephon and Claius, in their conference found wits as might better become such shepheards as Homer speakes of, that be gouernors of peoples, then such senatours who hold their councell in a shepecoate: for them two (said Kalander) especially Claius, they are beyond the rest by so much, as learning commonlie doth adde to nature: for, hauing neglected their wealth in respect of their knowledge, they haue not so much empayred the meaner, as they bettered the better. Which all notwithstanding, it is a sporte to heare howe they impute to loue, whiche hath indewed their thoughts (saie they) with suche a strength.
But certainely, all

the people of this countrie from high to lowe, is giuen to those sportes of the witte, so as you would wonder to heare how soone euen children will beginne to versifie. Once, ordinary it is among the meanest sorte, to make Songes and Dialogues in meeter, either loue whetting their braine or long peace hauing begun it, example and emulation amending it. Not so much, but the clowne Dametas will stumble sometimes vpon some Songs that might become a better brayne: but no sorte of people so excellent in that kinde as the pastors; for their liuing standing but vpon the looking to their beastes, they haue ease, the Nurse of Poetrie. Neither are our shepheards such, as (I heare) they be in other countries; but they are the verie owners of the sheepe, to which eyther themselues looke, or their children giue daylie attendaunce. And then truely, it would delight you vnder some tree, or by some riuers side (when two or three of them meet together) to heare their rurall muse, how pretely it will deliuer out, sometimes ioyes, sometimes lamentations, sometimes chalengings one of the other, sometimes vnder hidden formes vttering such matters, as otherwise they durst not deale with. Then they haue most commonly one, who iudgeth the price to the best doer, of which they are no lesse gladde, then great Princes are of triumphes: and his parte is to sette downe in writing all that is saide, saue that it may be, his pen with more leasure doth polish the rudenesse of an vnthought-on songe. Now the choise of all (as you may well thinke) either for goodnesse of voice, or pleasantnesse of wit, the Prince hath: among whom also there are two or three straungers, whom inwarde melancholies hauing made weery of the worldes eyes haue come to spende their liues among the countrie people of Arcadia; & their conuersation being well approued, the prince vouchsafeth them his presence, and not onely by looking on, but by great courtesie and liberalitie, animates the Shepheardes the more exquisitely to labour for his good liking. So that there is no cause to blame the Prince for somtimes hearing them; the blame-worthinesse is, that to heare them, he rather goes to solitarinesse, then makes them come to companie. Neyther doo I accuse my maister for aduauncing a countriman, as Dametas is, since God forbid, but where worthinesse is (as truely it is among diuers of that fellowship) any outward lownesse should hinder the hiest raysing, but that he would needes make election of one, the basenesse of whose minde is such, that it sinckes a thousand degrees lower, then the basest bodie could carrie the most base fortune: Which although it might bee aunswered for the Prince, that it is rather a trust hee hath in his simple plainnesse, then any great aduauncement, beyng but chiefe heardman: yet all honest hartes feele, that the trust of their Lord goes beyond all abuauncement. But I am euer too long vppon him, when he crosseth the waie of my speache, and by the shaddowe of yonder Tower, I see it is a fitter time, with our supper to pay the duties we owe to our stomacks, the[n] to break the aire with my idle discourses: And more witte I might haue learned of Homer (whome euen now you mentioned) who neuer entertayned eyther guestes or hostes with long speaches, till the mouth of hunger be throughly stopped. So withall he rose, leading Palladius through the gardeine againe to the parler, where they vsed to suppe; Palladius assuring him, that he had alreadie bene more fed to his liking, then hee could bee by the skilfullest trencher-men of Media.

The 1 sorow of Kalander for his sonne Clitophon. The
    2 storie of Argalus and Parthenia, their 3 perfections,
    their 4 loue, their 5 troubles, her 6 impoysoning, 7 his
    rare constancie, 8 her straunge refusall, 9 their patholo-
    gies, her 10 flight, his 11 reuenge on his riuall the mis-
    chiefe-worker Demagoras, then Captaine of the re-
    bell Helots, who 12 take him, and 13 Clitophon that
    sought to helpe him: but 14 both are kept aliue by their
    new captaine.

Vt beeing come to the supping place, one of Kalanders seruaunts rounded

in his eare; at which (his colour chaungyng) hee retired him selfe into his chamber; commaunding his men diligentlie to waite and attend vpon Palladius, and to excuse his absence with some neccesarie busines he had presentlie to dispatch. Which they accordinglie did, for some fewe dayes forcing the[m]selues to let no change appeare: but though they framed their countenaunces neuer so cunningly, Palladius perceaued there was some il-pleasing accident fallen out. Whereupon, being againe set alone at supper, he called to the Steward, and desired him to tell him the matter of his suddaine alteration: who after some trifling excuses, in the ende confessed vnto him, that his maister had receiued newes, that his sonne before the daie of his neere marriage, chaunst to be at a battaile, which was to be fought betweene the Gentlemenne of Lacedæmon and the Helots: who winning the victorie, hee was there made prisoner, going to deliuer a friend of his taken prysoner by the Helots; that the poore young Gentleman had offered great raunsome for his life: but that the hate those paysaunts conceued agaynst all Gentlemen was suche, that euerie houre hee was to looke for nothing, but some cruell death: which hether-vnto had onely beene delayed by the Captaines vehement dealing for him, who seemed to haue a hart of more manlie pittie then the rest. Which losse had stricken the old Gentleman with such sorrowe, as if aboundance of teares did not seeme sufficiently to witnesse it, he was alone retyred, tearing his bearde and hayre, and cursing his old age, that he had not made his graue to stoppe his eares from such aduertisements: but that his faithfull seruaunts had written in his name to all his friends, followers, and tenants (Philanax the gouernour refusing to deale in it, as a priuate cause, but yet giuing leaue to seeke their best redresse, so as they wronged not the state of Lacedæmon) of whom there were now gathered vpon the frontiers good forces, that he was sure would spende their liues by any way, to redeeme or reuenge Clitophon. Now sir (said he) this is my maisters nature, though his grief be such, as to liue is a griefe vnto him, & that euen his reason is darkened with sorrow; yet the lawes of hospitality ( long and holily obserued by him) giue still such a sway to his proceeding, that he will no waie suffer the straunger lodged vnder his roofe, to receyue (as it were) any infection of his anguish, especially you, toward whom I know not whether his loue, or admiration bee greater. But Palladius could scarce heare out his tale with patience: so was his hart torne in peeces with compassion of the case, liking of Kalanders noble behauiour, kindnesse for his respect to him-warde, and desire to finde some remedie, besides the image of his deerest friend Daiphantus, whom he iudged to suffer eyther a like or a worse fortune: therefore rising from the boorde, he desired the steward to tell him particularly the ground, and euent of this accident, because by knowledge of many circumstaunces, there might perhaps some waie of helpe be opened. Whereunto the Steward easilie in this sorte condiscended.
My Lord (said he) when our good king Basilius, with better successe then expectation, tooke

to wife (euen in his more then decaying yeares) the faire yong princes Gynecia, there came with her a young Lord, cousin german to her selfe, named Argalus, led hether, partly with the loue & honour of his noble kinswoma[n], partly with the humour of youth, which euer thinkes that good, whose goodnes he sees not: & in this court he receiued so good encrease of knowledge, that after some yeares spent, he so manifested a most vertuous mind in all his actions, that Arcadia gloried such a plant was

transported vnto them, being a Gentleman in deede most rarely accomplished, excellentlie learned, but without all vayne glory: friendly, without factiousnes: valiaunt, so as for my part I thinke the earth hath no man that hath done more heroicall actes then hee; how soeuer now of late the fame flies of the two princes of Thessalia and Macedon, and hath long done of our noble prince Amphialus: who in deede, in our partes is onely accounted likely to match him: but I say for my part, I thinke no man for valour of minde, and habilitie of bodie to bee preferred, if equalled to Argalus; and yet so valiant as he neuer durst doo any bodie iniurie: in behauiour some will say euer sadde, surely sober, and somewhat giuen to musing, but neuer vncourteous; his worde euer ledde by his thought, and followed by his deede; rather liberall then magnificent, though the one wanted not, and the other had euer good choise of the receiuer: in summe (for I perceiue I shall easily take a great draught of his praises, whom both I and all this countrie loue so well) such a man was (and I hope is) Argalus, as hardly the nicest eye can finde a spot in, if the ouer-vehement constancie of yet spotles affection, may not in harde wrested constructions be counted a spot: which in this manner began that worke in him, which had made bothe him, and it selfe in him, ouer all this country famous. My maisters sonne Clitophon (whose losse giues the cause to this discourse, and yet giues me cause to beginne with Argalus, since his losse proceedes from Argalus) beyng a young Gentleman, as of great birth (being our kings sisters sonne) so truely of good nature, and one that can see good and loue it, haunted more the companie of this worthie Argalus, then of any other: so as if there were not a friendship (which is so rare, as it is to bee doubted whether it bee a thing in deede, or but a worde) at least there was such a liking and friendlines, as hath brought foorth the effectes which you shall heare. About two yeares since, it so fell out, that hee brought him to a great Ladies house, sister to my maister, who had with her, her onely daughter, the faire Parthenia; faire in deede (fame I thinke it selfe daring not to call any fayrer, if it be not Helena queene of Corinth, and the two incomparable sisters of Arcadia) and that which made her fairenesse much the fayrer, was, that it was but a faire emassadour of a most faire minde, full of wit, and a wit which delighted more to iudge it selfe, then to showe it selfe: her speach being as rare as pretious; her silence without sullennesse, her modestie without affectation; her shamefastnes without ignorance: in somme, one, that to praise well, one must first set downe with himselfe, what it is to be excellent; for so she is.

   I thinke you thinke, that these perfections meeting, could not choose but find one another, and delight in that they found; for likenes of manners is likely in reason to drawe liking with affection: mens actions doo not alwaies crosse with reason: to be short, it did so in deed. They loued, although for a while the fire thereof (hopes winges being cut of) were blowen by the bellowes of dispaire, vpon this occasion.
   There had beene a good while before, and so continued, a suter to this same lady, a great noble ma[n], though of Laconia, yet neere neighbour to Parthenias mother, named Demagoras: A man mightie in riches & power, and proude thereof, stubbornly stout, louing no bodie but him selfe, and for his owne delights sake Parthenia; and pursuing vehemently his desire, his riches had so guilded ouer all his other imperfections, that the olde Ladie (though contrarie to my Lord her brothers miinde) had giuen her consent; and vsing a mothers authorie vpon her faire daughter, had made her yeelded thereunto, not because shee liked her choise, but because her obedient minde had not yet taken vpon it to make choyse; and the daie of their assurance drew neere, when my young Lord Clitophon brought this noble Argalus, perchance principallie to see so rare a sight, as Parthenia by all well iudging eyes was iudged.
   But though fewe dayes were before the time of assurance appointed, yet loue that sawe hee had a great iourney to make in shorte time, hasted so him selfe, that before her worde could tie her to Demagoras, her harte hath vowed her to Argalus, with so gratefull a receipte in mutuall affection, that if shee desired aboue all thinges to haue Argalus, Argalus feared nothing but to misse Parthenia. And now Parthenia had learned both liking and misliking, louing and lothing, and out of passion began to take the authoritie of iudgement; in so much, that when the time came that Demagoras (full of proude ioy) thought to receaue the gifte of her selfe, shee with woordes of resolute refusall (though with teares shewing she was sorie she must refuse) assured her mother, she would first be bedded in her graue, then wedded to Demagoras. The chaunge was no more straunge, then vnpleasant to the mother: who beyng determinately (least I shoulde say of a great Lady, willfully) bent to marrie her to Demagoras, tryed all wayes which a wittie and hard-harted mother could vse, vpon so humble a daughter in whome the onely resisting power was loue. But the more shee assaulted, the more shee taught Parthenia to defende: and the more Parthenia defended, the more she made her mother obstinate in the assault: who at length finding, that Argalus standing betweene them, was it that most eclipsed her affection from shining vpon Demagoras, she sought all meanes how to remoue him, so much the more, as he manifested himselfe an vnremoueable suiter to her daughter: first, by imploying him in as many da[n]gerous enterprises, as euer the euill stepmother Iuno recommended to the famous Hercules: but the more his vertue was tried, the more pure it grew, while all the things she did to ouerthrow him, did set him vp vpon the height of honor; inough to haue moued her harte, especially to a man euery way so worthy as Argalus: but she strugling against all reason, because she would haue her will, and shew her authoritie in matching her with Demagoras, the more vertuous Argalus was, the more she hated him: thinking her selfe conquered in his co[n]quests, and therefore still imploying him in more and more dangerous attempts: meane while, she vsed all extremities possible vpon her faire daughter, to make her geue ouer her selfe to her direction. But it was hard to iudge, whether he in doing, or she in suffering, shewed greater constancie of affection: for, as to Argalus the world sooner wanted occsions, then he valour to goe thorow them; so to Parthenia, malice sooner ceased, the[n] her vnchanged patience. Lastly, by treasons, Demagoras and she would haue made away Argalus: but hee with prouidence & courage so past ouer all, that the mother tooke such a stitefull grief at it, that her hart brake withall, and she died.

But then, Demagoras assuring himselfe, that now Parthenia was her owne, she would neuer be his, and receiuing as much by her owne determinate answere, not more desiring his owne hapines, then enuying Argalus, whom he saw with narrow eyes, euen ready to enioy the perfection of his desires; strengthening his conceite with all the mischieuous counsels which disdayned loue, and enuious pride could geue vnto him; the wicked wretch (taking a time that Argalus was gone to his countrie, to fetch some of his principall frendes to honour the mariage, which Parthenia had most ioyfully consented vnto,) the wicked Demagoras (I say) desiring to speake with her, with vnmercifull force, (her weake armes in vaine resisting) rubd all ouer her face a most horrible poyson: the effect whereof was such, that neuer leaper lookt more vgly the[n] she did: which done, hauing his men & horses ready, departed away in spite of her serua[n]ts, as redy to reuenge as they could be, in such an vnexpected mischiefe. But the abhominablenes of this fact beinig come to my L. Kalander, he made such meanes, both by our kings intercessionm & his own, that by the king, & senat of Lacedæmo[n], Demagoras was vpon paine of death, banished the countrie: who hating the punishment, where he should haue hated the fault, ioynde himselfe, with al the powers he could make, vnto the Helots, lately in rebellion against that state: and they (glad to haue a man of such authority among the[m]) made him their general: & vnder him haue committed diuers the most outragious villanies, that a base multitude (full of desperate reuenge) can imagine.

But within a while after this pitifull fact committed vpon Parthenia, Argalus returned (poore gentleman) hauing her faire image in his heart, and already promising his eies the vttermost of his felicitie, when they (no bodie els daring to tell it him) were the first messengers to themselues of their owne misfortune. I meane not to moue passions with telling you the griefe of both, when he knew her, for at first he did not, nor at first knowlsdge could possibly haue Vertues aide so ready, as not euen weakly to lament the losse of such a iewell, so much the more, as that skilful men in that arte assured it was vnrecouerable: but within a while, trueth of loue (which still held the first face in his memorie) a vertuous constancie, and euen a delight to be constant, faith geuen, and inward worthines shining through the foulest mistes, tooke so full holde of the noble Argalus, that not onely in such comfort which witty arguments may bestow vpon aduersitie, but euen with the most aboundant kindnesse that an eye-rauished louer can expresse, he laboured both to driue the extremity of sorow from her, & to hasten the celebration of their mariage: whereunto he vnfainedly shewed himself no lesse cherefully earnest, then if she had neuer been disinherited of that goodly portion, which nature had so liberally bequeathed vnto her: and for that cause deferred his inte[n]ded reuenge vpon Demagoras, because he might continually be in her presence; shewing more hu[m]ble seruiceablenes, and ioy to content her, then euer before.

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

Truely Sir, a very good Orator might haue a fayrefield to vse eloquence in, if he did but onely repeate the lamentable, and truely affectionated speeches, while he coniured her by remembrance of her affection, & true oathes of his owne affection, not to make him so vnhappy, as to think he had not only lost her face, but her hart; that her face, when it was fayrest, had been but as a marshall, to lodge the loue of her in his minde; which now was so well placed, as it needed no further help of any outward harbinger: beseeching her, euen with teares, to know, that his loue was not so superficial, as to go no further then the skin; which yet now to him was most faire, since it was hers: how could hee be so vngratefull, as to loue her the lesse for that, which she had onely receiued for his sake? that he neuer beheld it, but therein he saw the louelines of of her loue towarde him: protesting vnto her, that he would neuer take ioy of his life, if he might not enioy her, for whom principally he was glad he had life. But (as I heard by one that ouerheard them) she (wringing him by the hand) made no other answere but this: my Lord (said she) God knowes I loue you: if I were Princesse of the whole world, and had, withal, al the blessings that euer the world brought forth, I should not make delay, to lay my selfe, & them, vnder your feete: or if I had continued but as I was, though (I must co[n]fesse) far vnworthy of you, yet would I, (with too great a ioy for my hart to think of) haue accepted your vouchsafing me to be yours, & with faith and obediance would haue supplied all other defects. But first let me be much more miserable then I am, ere I match Argalus to such a Parthenia: liue happy, deare Argalus, I geue you full libetie, and I beseech you take it; and I assure you I shall reioyce (whatsoeuer become of me) to see you so coupled, as may be fitte, both for your honor, and satisfaction. With that she burst out in crying and weeping, not able longer to conteine her selfe from blaming her fortune, and wishing her owne death.

But Argalus with a most heauie heart still pursuing his desire, she fixt of mind to auoid further intreatie, & to flie all companie; which (euen of him) grew vnpleasant vnto her; one night she stole away: but whether, as yet is vnknowen, or in deede what is become of her.
Argalus sought her long, and in many places: at length (despairing to finde her, and the more he despaired, the more enraged) weerie of his life, but first determining to be reuenged of Demagoras, hee went alone disguyused into the chiefe towne held by the Helots: where comminig into his presence, garded about by many of his souldiers, he could delay his fury no lo[n]ger for a fitter time, but setting vpon him, in despight of a great many that helped him, gaue him diuers mortall wounds,
and himself (no question) had been there presently murthered, but that Demagoras himselfe desired he might be kept aliue; perchaunce with intention to feed his owne eyes with some cruell execution to bee layd vpon him, but death came soner then he lookt for; yet hauing had leisure to appoint his successor, a young man, not long before deliuered out of the prison of the King of Lacedæmon, where hee should haue suffered death for hauing slaine the kings Nephew: but him he named, who at that time was absent, making roades vpon the Lacedæmonians, but being returned, the rest of the Helots, for the great liking they conceiued of that yong man, (especially because they had none among themselues to whom the others would yeeld) were co[n]tent to follow Demagoras appointment. And well hath it succeeded with them, he hauing sinice done things beyond the hope of the youngest heads; of whom I speak the rather, because he hath hetherto preserued Argalus aliue, vnder pretence to haue him publiquely, and with exquisite tormentes executed, after the ende of these warres, of which they hope for a soone and prosperous issue.

And he hath likewise hetherto kept my young Lord Clitophon aliue, who (to redeme his friend) went with certaine other noble-men of Laconia, and forces gathered by them, to besiege this young and new successor: but he issueing out (to the wonder of all men) defeated the Laconians, slew many of the noble-men, & tooke Clitophon prisoner, whom with much a doo he keepeth aliue: the Helots being villanously cruell; but he tempereth the[m] so, sometimes by folowing their humor, sometimes by striuing with it, that hetherto hee hath saued both their liues, but in different estates; Argalus being kept in a close & hard prison, Clitophon at some libertie. And now Sir, though (to say the truth) we can promise our selues of their safeties, while they are in the Helots hands, I haue deliuered all I vnderstande touching the losse of my Lords sonne, & the cause therof: which, though it was not necessarie to Clitophons case, to be so particularly told, yet the stra[n]genes of it, made me think it would not be vnplesant vnto you.

1 Kalanders expedition against the Helots. 2 Their estate.
   3 Palladius his stratageme against them: 4 which pre-
   uayleth. 5 The Helots resisitance, discomfiture, and re
   -enforce by the returne of thei new captaine 7 The com-
   bat and 8 enterknowledge of Daiphantus & Palladius,
   and by their 9 meanes a peace, with the release of Ka-
   lander and Clitophon.

alladius thanked him greatly for it, being euen passionately delighted with hearing so strange an accide[n]t of a knight so famous ouer the world, as Argalus, with whome he had himselfe a long desire to meet: so had famed poured as noble emulation in him, towards him.
But the[n] (wel bethinking himselfe) he called for armour, desiring them to prouide him of horse & guide, and armed al

sauing the head, he we[n]t vp to Kala[n]der, whom he found lying vpo[n] the grou[n]d, hauing euer since banished both sleepe and foode, as enemies to the mourning which passion perswaded him was reasonable. But Palladius raysed him vp, saying vnto him[:] No more, no more of this, my Lord Kalander; let vs labour to finde, before wee lament the losse: you know my selfe misse one, though he be not my sonne, I would disdayn the fauour of life after him: but while there is hope left, let not the weaknes of sorow, make the strength of it languish: take comfort, and good successe will folow. And with those wordes, comfort seemed to lighten in his eyes, and that in his face and gesture was painted victorie. Once, Kalanders spirits were so reuiued withal, that (receiuing some sustenance, and taking a little rest) he armed himselfe, and those few of his seruants he had left vnsent, and so himself guyded Palladius to the place vpon the frontiers: where already there were assembled betweene three and four thousand men, all well disposed (for Kalanders sake) to abide any perill: but like men disused with a long peace, more determinate to doo, then skilfull how to doo: lusty bodies, and braue armours: with such courage, as rather grew of despising their enimies, whom they knew not, then of any confidence for any thing, which in them selues they knew not; but neither cunning vse of their weapons, nor arte shewed in their marching, or incamping. Which Palladius soone perceiuing, he desired to vnderstand (as much as could be deliuered vnto him) the estate of the Helots.

And he was answered by a man well acquainted with the affaires of Laconia, that they were a kinde of people, who hauing been of old, freemen and possessioners, the Lacedemonians had conquered them, and layd, not onely tribute, but bondage vpon them: which they had long borne, till of late the Lacedemonians through greedinesse growing more heauie then they could beare, anf through contempt lesse carefull how to make them beare, they had with a generall consent (rather springing by the generalnes of the cause, then of any artificiall practise) set themselues in armes, and whetting their courage with reuenge, and grounding their resolutio[n] vpon despaire, they had proceeded with vnloked-for succes: hauing already take[n] diuers Towns and Castels, with the slaughter of many of the gentrie; for whom no sex nor age could be accepted for and excuse. And that although at the first they had fought rather with beastly furie, then any soldierly discipline, practise had now made [them] comparable to the best of the Lacedemonians; & more of late then euer, by reason, first of Demagoras a great Lord, who had made him self of their partie, and since his death, of an other Captaine they had gotten, who had brought vp their ignorance, and brought downe their furie, to such a meane of good gouernment, and withall led them so valourouslie, that (besides the time whwerein Clitophon was taken) they had the better in some other great co[n]flicts: in such wise, that the estate of Lacedæmon had sent vnto them, offering peace with most reasonable and honorable conditions. Palladius hauing gotten this generall knowledge of the partie against whom, as hee had already of the party for whom he was to fight, he went to Kalander, and told him plainlie, that by playne force there was small apparaunce of helping Clitophon: but some deuice was to be taken in hand, wherein bo lesse discretion then valour was to vsed.

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

The Helots made but a short consultatio[n], being glad that their contagion had spread it selfe into Arcadia, and making account that if the peace did not fall out betweene them and their King, that it was the best way to set fire in all the parts of Greece; besides their greedinessee to haue so many Gentlemen in their handes, in whose taunsoms they meant to haue a share; to which hast of concluding, two thinges wel helped; the one, that their Captaine with the wisest of them, was at that time absent about confirming or breaking the peace, with the state of Lacedæmon: the second, that ouer-many good fortunes began to breed a proude recklesnesse in them: therefore sending to view the campe, and finding that by their speach they were Arcadians, with whom they had no warre, neuer suspecting a priuate mans credite could haue gathered such a force, and that all other tokens witnessed them to be of the lowest calling (besides the chaines vpon the Gentlemen) they graunted not onely leaue for the prisoners, but for some others of the companie, and to all, that they might harbour vnder the walles. So opened they the gates, and receiued in the carts; which being done, and Palladius seing fit time, he gaue the signe, and shaking of their chaynes; (which were made with such arte, that though they seemed most strong and fast, he that ware them might easily loose them) drew their swordes hidden in the cartes, and so setting vpon the ward, made them to flie eyther from the place, or from their bodies, and so giue entrie to all the force of the Arcadians, before the Helots could make any head to resist them.

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

But ere that could be accomplished, the Helots had gotten new hart, and with diuers sortes of shot from corners of streats, and house windowes, galled them; which courage was come vnto them by the returne of their Captain; who though he brought not many with him (hauing disperst most of his companies to other of his holds) yet meeting a great nu[m]ber ru[n]ning out of the gate, not yet possessed by the Arcadians, he made them turne face, & with banners displayed, his Trumpets giue the lowdest testimonie he could of his returne, which once heard, the rest of the Helots which were otherwise scattered, bent thetherward, with a new life of resolution: as if their Captaine had beene a roote, out of which (as into braunches) their courage had sprong. Then began the fight to grow most sharpe, and the encounters of more cruell obstinacie. The Arcadians fighting to keepe that they had wonne, the Helots to recouer what they had lost. The Arcadians, as in an vnknowne place, hauing no succour but in their handes; the Helots, as in their own place, fighting for their liuings, wiues, & children. There was victory & courage against reuenge and despaire: safety of both sides being no otherwise to be gotten, but by destruction.
At length, the left winge of the Arcadians began to loose ground; which Palladius seeing, he streight thrust himselfe with his choise bande against the throng that oppressed the[m], with such an ouerflowing of valour, that the Captaine of the Helots (whose eies soon iudged of that wherwith the[m]selues were gouerned) saw that he alone was worth al the rest of the Arcadians. Which he so wondred at, that it was hard to say, whether he more liked his doings, or misliked the effects of his doings: but determining that vpon that cast the game lay, and disdaining to fight with any other, sought onely to ioine with him: which minde was no lesse in Palladius, hauing easily marked, that he was as the first mouer of al the other handes. And so their thoughts meeting in one point, they consented (though not agreed) to trie each others fortune: & so drawing themselues to be the vttermost of the one side, they began a combat, which was so much inferior to the battaile in noise and number, as it was surpassing in brauery of fighting, & (as it were) delightful terriblenes. Their courage was guided with skill, and their skill was armed with courage; neither did their hardinesse darken their witte, nor their witte coole their hardines: both valiant, as men despising death; both confident, as vnwonted to be ouercome; yet doutefull by their present feeling, and respectfull by what they had already seene. Their feete stedy, their hands diligent, their eyes watchfull, & their harts resolute. The partes either not armed, or weakly armed, were well knowen, and according to the knowledge should haue bene sharpely visited, but that the aunswere was as quicke as the obiection. Yet some lighting; the smart bred rage, and the rage bred smarte agaiine: till both sides beginning to waxe faint, and rather desirous to die accompanied, then hopeful to liue victorious, the Captaine of the Helots with a blow, whose violence grew of furie, not of strength, or of strength proceeding of furie, strake Palladius vpon the side of the head, that he reeled stonied: and withall the helmet fell of, he remayning bare headed: but other of the Arcadians were redie to shield him from any harme that might arise of that nakednes.

But little needed it, for his chiefe enemie in steed of pursuing that aduauntage, kneeled downe, offering to deliuer the pommell of his sworde, in token of yeelding, with all speaking aloud vnto him, that he thought it more libertie to be his prisoner, then any others generall. Palladius standing vppon him selfe, and misdoubting some craft, and the Helots (that were next their captaine) wauering betweene looking for some stratageme, or fearing treason, What, said the captaine, hath Palladius forgotten the voice of Daiphantus?

By that watche worde Palladius knew that it was his onely friende Pyrocles, whome he had lost vpon the Sea, and therefore both most full of wonder, so to be mett, if they had not bene fuller of ioye then wonder, caused the retraite to be sounded, Daiphantus by authoritie, and Palladius by persuasion; to which helped well the little aduauntage that was of eyther side: and that of the Helots partie their Captaines behauiour had made as many amazed as sawe or heard of it: and of the Arcadian side the good olde Kalander striuing more than his old age could atchieue, was newly taken prisoner. But in deede, the chiefe parter of the fraye was the night, which with her blacke armes pulled their malicious sightes one from the other. But he that tooke Kalander, meant nothing lesse then to saue him, but onelie so long, as the Captaine might learne the enemies secrets: towardes whom he led the old Gentleman, when he caused the retreit to be sounded: looking for no other deliuerie from that captiuitie, but by the painfull taking away of all paine: when whom should he see next to the Captaine (with good tokens how valiantly he had fought that daie against the Arcadians) but his sonne Clitophon? But nowe the Captaine had caused all the principall Helots to be assembled, as well to deliberate what they had to do, as to receiue a message from the Arcadians; Amo[n]g whom Palladius vertue (besides the loue Kalander bare him) hauing gotte[n] principall authoritie, he had persuaded them to seeke rather by parley to recouer the Father and the Sonne, then by the sword: since the goodnes of the Captain assured him that way to speed, and his value (wherewith he was of old acquainted[)] made him thinke any other way dangerous. This therfore was donne in orderly manner, giuing them to vnderstand, that as they came but to deliuer Clitophon, so offering to leaue the footing they already had in the towne, to goe away without any further hurte, so as they might haue the father, & the sonne without raunsome deliuered. which conditions beyng heard and conceaued, by the Helots, Daiphantus perswaded them without delay to accept them. For first (sayd he) since the strife is within our owne home, if you loose, you loose all that in this life can bee deare vnto you: if you winne, it will be a blouddy victorie with no profite, but the flattering in our selues that same badde humour of reuenge. Besides, iti s like to stirre Arcadia vppon vs, which nowe, by vsing these persons well, maie bee brought to some amitie. Lastly, but especially, least the king and nobilitie of Laconia (with whom now we haue made a perfect peace) should hope, by occasion of this quarrell to ioyne the Arcadians with them, & so breake of the profitable agreement alreadie concluded. In summe, as in al deliberations (waying the profite of the good successe with the harme of the euill successe) you shall find this way most safe and honorable.

The Helots asmuch moued by his authoritie, as perswaded by his reasons, were content therewith. Whervpon, Palladius tooke order that the Arcadians should presently march out of the towne, taking with them their prisoners, while the night with mutual diffidence might keepe them quiet, and ere day came they might be well on of their way, and so auoid those accidents which in late enemies, a looke, a word, or a particular mans quarrel might enge[n]der. This being on both sides concluded on, Kalander and Clitophon, who now (with infinite ioy did knowe each other) came to kisse the hands and feet of Daiphantus: Clitophon telling his father, how Daiphantus (not without danger to himselfe) had preserued him from the furious malice of the Helots: & euen that day going to conclude the peace (least in his absence he might receiue some hurt) he had taken him in his companie, and geuen him armour, vpon promise he should take the part of the Helots, which he had in this fight perfourmed, little knowinig it was against his father: but (said Clitophon) here is he, who (as a father) hath new-begotten me, and (as a God) hath saued me from many deaths, which already laid hold on me: which Kalander with teares of ioy acknowledged (besides his owne deliuerance) onely his benefite. But Daiphantus, who loued doing well for it selfe, and not for thanks, brake of those ceremonies, desiring to know how Palladius (for so he called Musidorus) was come into that companie, & what his present estate was: whereof receiuing a brief declaration of Kalander, he sent him word by Clitophon, that he should not as now come vnto him, because he held himselfe not so sure a master of the Helots minds, that he would aduenture him in their power, who was so well knowen with an vnfriendly acquaintance; but that he desired him to return with Kalander, whether also he within few daies (hauing dispatched himselfe of the Helots) would repaire. Kalander would needes kisse his hande againe for that promise, protesting, he would esteme his house more blessed the[n] a temple of the gods, if it had once receiued him. And then desirinig pardon for Argalus[;] Daiphantus assured them that hee would die, but hee woulde bring him, (though till then kept in close prison, indeed for his safetie, the Helots being so animated against him as els hee could not haue liued) and so taking their leaue of him, Kalander, Clitophon, Palladius and the rest of the Arcadians swearing that they would no further in any sort molest the Helots, they straight way marched out of the towne, carying both their dead and wounded bodies with them; and by morning were alreadie within the limits of Arcadia.

The articles of peace betwene the Lacedæmonians & He-
   lots, 2 Daipha[n]tus his departure fro[m] the Helots with
   Argalus to Kalanders house. 3 The offer of a
   straunge Lady to Argalus, 4 his refusal, and 5 who she
   was.

He Helots of the other side shutting their gates, gaue them selues to burye their dead, to cure their woundes, and rest their weeried bodies: till (the next day bestowing the chereful vse of the light vpon them) Daiphantus making a generall conuocation spake vnto them in this manner. We are first (said he) to thanke the Gods, that (further then wee had either cause to hope; or reason to imagine) haue diliuered vs out of this gulfe of daunger, wherein we were alredie swallowed. For all being lost, (had they had not directed, my return so iust as they did) it had bene too late to recouer that, which being had, we could not keep. And had I not happened to know one of the principall men among them, by which meanes the truce beganne betweene vs, you may easily conceiue, what little reason we haue to think, but that either by some supplie out of Arcadia, or from the Nobilitie of this Country (who would haue made fruites of wisdome grow out of this occasion,) wee should haue had our power turned to ruine, our pride to repentance and sorow. but now the storme, as it fell out, so it ceased: and the error committed, in retaining Clitophon more hardly then his age or quarrel deserued, becomes a sharply learned experience, to vse in other times more moderation.

Now haue I to deliuer vnto you the conclusion between the Kings with the Nobilitie of Lacedæmon, and you; which is in all points as your selues desired: aswell for that you would haue graunted, as for the assuranceof what is graunted. The Townes and Fortes you presently haue, are still left vnto you, to be kept either with or without garrison, so as you alter not the lawes of the Countrie, and pay such dueties as the rest of the Laconians do. Your selues are made by publique decree, free men, and so capable both to giue and receiue voice in election of Magistrates. The distinction of names betweene Helots and Lacedæmonians to bee quite taken away, and all indifferently to enioy both names and priuiledges of Laconians. Your children to be brought vp with theirs in Spartane discipline: and so you (framing your selues to be good members of that estate) to bee hereafter fellowes, and no longer seruaunts. [W]hich conditions youo see, cary in themselues no more contentation then assuraunce. For this is not a peace which is made with them, but this is a peace by which you are made of them. Lastly, a forgetfulnes decreed of all what is past, they shewing the[m]selues glad to haue so valiant men as you are, ioyned with them: so that you are to take mindes of peace, since the cause of war is finished; and as you hated them before like oppressours, so now to loue them as brothers; to take care oftheir estate because it is yours, and to labour by vertuous doing, that the posteritie may not repent your ioyning. But now one Article onely they stood vpon, which in the end I with your commissioners haue agreed vnto, that I should no more tarry here, mistaking perchaunce my humor, and thinking me as sedicious as I am young, or els it is the king Amiclas procuring, in respect that it was my il hap to kill his nephew Eurileon; but how soeuer it be, I haue condiscended. But so will not wee cryed almost the whole assemblie, cou[n]celling one an other; rather to trye the vttermost euent, then to loose him by who[m] they had beene victorious. But he as well with generall orations, as particular dealing with the men of most credit, made them throughly see how necessary it was to preferr[e] such an opportunity before a vaine affection; but yet could not preuaile, til openly he sware, that he would (if at any time the Lacedæmonians brake this treatie) come back againe, and be their captaine.

So then after a few dayes, setling them in perfect order, hee tooke his leaue of them, whose eyes bad him farwell with teares, & mouthes with kissing the places where he stept, and making temples vnto him as to a demi-God: thinking it beyond the degree of humanitie to haue a witt so farre ouergoing his age, and such dreadful terror proceed from so excellent beutie. But he for his sake obtayned free pardon for Argalus, whom also (vppon oath neuer to beare armes against the Helots) he deliuered: and taking onely with him certaine principall Iewells of his owne, he would haue parted alone with Argalus, (whose countenaunce well shewed, while Parthenia was lost he counted not himselfe deliuered) but that the whole multitude would needs gard him into Arcadia. Where again leauing the[m] all to lament his departure, he by enquirie gotte to the wel-knowne house of Kalander: There was he receiued with louing ioye of Kalander, with ioyfull loue of Palladius, with humble (though doulful) demeanor of Argalus whom specially both he and Palladius regarded) with gratefull seruisablenes of Clitophon, and honourable admiration of all. For being now well veiwed to haue no haire of his face, to witnes him a man, who had done acts beyond the degree of a man, and to looke with a certaine almost bashefull kinde of modestie, as if hee feared the eyes of men, who was vnmooued with sight of the most horrible countenaunces of death; and as if nature had mistaken her woorke to haue a Marses heart in a Cupides bodye: All that beheld him (and al that might behold him, did behold him) made their eyes quicke messengers to their minds, that there they has seene the vttermost that in mankind might be seene. The like wonder Palladius had before stirred, but that Daiphantus, as younger and newer come, had gotten now the aduantage in the moyst and fickle impressioin of eye-sight. But while all men (sauing poore Argalus) made the ioy of their eyes speake for their harts towards Daiphantus: Fortune (that belike was bid to that banket, & ment then to play the good fellow) brought a pleasa[n]t aduenture among the[m].

It was that as they had newly dined, there came in to Kalander a messenger, that brought him word, a young noble Lady, neere kinswoman to the fair Helen Queene of Corinth; was come thether, and desired to be lodged in his house. Kalander (most glad of such an occasion) went out, and all his other worthie guests with him, sauing onely Argalus, who remained in his chamber, desirous that this company were once broken vp, that he might goe in his solitarie quest after Parthenia. But when they met this Lady; Kalander streight thought he sawe his neece Parthenia, and was about in such familiar sorte to haue spoken vnto her: But she in graue and honorable manner giuing him to vnderstand that he was mistaken, he halfe ashamed, excused himselfe with the exceeding likenes was betwene them, though indeede it seemed that his Lady was of the more pure and daintie complexion; shee said, it might very well be, hauing bene many times taken one for an other. But assoone as she was brought into the house, before she would rest, she desired to speake with Argalus publickly, who she heard was in the house. Argalus came in hastely, and as hastelie thought as Kalander had done, with sodaine chaunges of ioye into sorrow. But she whe[n] she had stayd their thoughts with telling them her name, and qualitie in this sort spake vnto him. My Lord Argalus, sayd she, being of late left in the court of Queene Helen of Corinth, as chiefe in her absence (she being vpo[n] some occasion gone the[n]ce) there came vnto me the Lady Parthenia, so disguysed, as I thinke Greece hath nothing so oughly to behold. For my part, it was many dayes, before with vehement oathes, and some good proofes, she could make me thinke that she was Parthenia. Yet at last finding certenly it was she, and greatly pitying her misfortune, so much the more, as that all men had euer told me, (as now you doo) of the great likenes betweene vs, I tooke the best care I could of her and of her vnderstood the whole tragicall historie of her vndeserued aduenture: and therewithall, of that most noble constancie in you my Lord Argalus: which whosoeuer loues not, shewes himselfe to be a hater of vertue, and vnworthie to liue in the societie of mankind. But no outward cherishing could salue the inward sore of her minde, but a fewe dayes since shee died: before her death earnestly disiring, and perswading me, to thinke of no husbande but of you; as of the onely man in the world worthie to be loued; with-all, she gaue me this Ring to deliuer you; desiring you, & by the authoritie of loue co[m]maunding you, that the affection you bare her you should turne to me: assuring you, that nothing can please her soule more, then to see you and me matched together. Now my L. though this office be not (perchance) sutable to my estate nor sex, who shuld rather looke to be desired; yet, an extraordinarie desert requires an extraordinarie proceeding: and therfore I am come (with faithfull loue built vpo[n] your worthines) to offer my self, & to beseech you to accept the offer: & if these noble ge[n]tleme[n] prese[n]t will say it is great folly, let the[m] withal, say it is great loue. And then she staid, earnestly attending Argalus his answere, who (first making most hartie sighes do such obsequies as he could, to Parthenia) thus answered her.

Madame (said he) infinitely bound am I vnto you, for this, no more rare, then noble courtesie; but most bound for the goodnes I perceiue you shewed to the lady Parthenia, (with that the teares ranne downe his eyes; but he followed on) and as much as so vnfortunat a man, fitte to be the spectacle of miserie, can doo you seruice; determine you haue made a purchase of a slaue (while I liue) neuer to fayle you. But this great matter you propose vnto me, wherein I am not so blind, as not to see what happines it should be vnto mee; Excellent Ladie, know, that if my hart were mine to giue, you before al other, should haue it; but Parthenias it is, though dead: there I began, there I end all matter of affection: I hope I shall not long tarry after her, with whose beautie if I had onely been in loue, I should be so with you,who haue the same beautie: but it was Parthenias selfe I loued, and loue; which no likenes can make one, no co[m]maundement dissolue, no foulnes defile, nor no death finish. And shall I receiue (said she) such disgrace, as to be refused? Noble Ladie (said he) let not that harde word be vsed; who know your exceeding worthinesse farre beyond my desert: but it is onely happinesse I refuse, since of the onely happines I could and can desire, I am refused.

He had scarce spoken those words, when she ranne to him, and imbrasing him, Why then Argalus (saide she) take thy Parthenia; and Parthenia it was indeede. But because sorow forbad him too soon to beleeue, she told him the trueth, with all circumstances; how being parted alone, meaning to die in some solitarie place, as she hapned to make her complaint, the Queen Helen of Corinth (who likewise felt her part of miseries) being then walking alone in that lo[n]ely place, heard her, and neuer left, till she had knowen the whole discourse. Which the noble Queene greatly pittying, she sent her to a Physition of hers, the most excellent man in the worlde, in hope he could helpe her: which in such sorte as they saw perfourmed, and she taking with her of the Queenes seruaunts, thought yet to make this triall, whether he would quickly forget his true Parthenia, or no. Her speach was confirmed by the Corinthian Gentlemen, who before had kept her counsell, and Argalus easily perswaded to what more then ten thousand yeares of life he desired: and Kalander would needes haue the mariage celebrated in his house, principallie the longer to hold his deare guestes, towardes whom he was now (besides his owne habite of hospitalitie) carried with loue and dutie: & therfore omitted no seruice that his wit could inuent, and his power minister.

The aduentures 1 first of Musidorus, 2 then of Pyrocles since
their shipwracke, to their meeting. 3 The mariage of Ar-
galus and Parthenia.

Vt no waie he sawe he could so much pleasure them, as by leauing the two friends alone, who being

shruncke aside to the banqueting house where the pictures were; there Palladius recounted vnto him, that after they had both aba[n]doned the burning ship (& either of them taken some thing vnder him the better to supporte him to the shore) he knew not how, but either with ouer-labouring in the fight and sodaine colde, or the too much receauing of salt water, he was past himselfe: but yet holding fast (as the nature of dying men is to doo) the chest that was vnder him, he was cast on the sandes, where he was taken vp by a couple of Shepherds, and by them brought to life againe, and kept from drowning him selfe, when he despaired of his safetie. How after hauing failed to take him into the fisher boate, he had by the Shepheards persuasion come to this Gentlemans house; where being daungerouslie sicke, he had yeelded to seeke the recouery of health, onely for that he might the sooner go seeke the deliuerie of Pyrocles: to which purpose Kalander by some friends of his in Messenia, had alreadie set a ship or two abroad, when this accident of Clitophons taking had so blessedly procured their meeting. The[n] did he set foorth vnto him the noble entertainement and careful cherishing of Kalander towards him, & so vpon occasio[n] of the pictures present deliuered with the franknesse of a friends tongue, as neere as he could, word by word what Kalander had told him touching the strange storie (with al the particularities belonging) of Arcadia, which did in many sortes so delight Pyrocles to heare; that he would needs haue much of it againe repeated, and was not contented till Kalander him selfe had answered him diuers questions.

But first at Musidorus request, though in brief man[n]er, his mind much running vpo[n] the strange storie of Arcadia, he did declare by what course of adue[n]tures he was come to make vp their mutuall happinesse in meeting. When (cosin, said he) we had stript our selues, and were both leapt into the Sea, and swom a little toward the shoare, I found by reason of some wounds I had, that I should not be able to get the lande, and therefore turned backe againe to the mast of the shippe, where you found me, assuring my selfe, that if you came aliue to the shore, you would seeke me; if you were lost, as I thought it as good to perishe as to liue, so that place as good to perish in as an other. There I found my sworde among some of the shrowds, wishing (I must confesse) if I died, to be found with that in my hand, and withall wauing it about my head, that saylers by it might haue the better glimpse of me. There you missing me, I was taken vp by Pyrates, who putting me vnder boorde prisoner, presentlie sett vppon another shippe, and mainteining a long fight, in the ende, put them all to the sworde. Amongst whom I might heare them greatlie prayse one younge man, who fought most valiantlie, whom (as loue is carefull, and misfortune subiect to doubtfulnes) I thought certainely to be you. And so holding you as dead, from that time till the time I sawe you, in trueth I sought nothing more then a noble ende, which perchance made me more hardie then otherwise I would haue bene. Triall whereof came within two dayes after: for the Kinges of Lacedæmon hauing sett out some Galleys, vnder the charge of one of their Nephews to skowre the Sea of the Pyrates, they met with vs, where our Captaine wanting men, was driuen to arme some of his prisoners, with promise of libertie for well fighting: among whom I was one, and being boorded by the Admirall, it was my fortune to kil Eurileon the Kings nephew: but in the end they preuailed, & we were all take prisoners: I not caring much what became of me (onely keeping the name of Daiphantus, according to the resolution you know is betweene vs,) but beyng laid in the iayle of Tenaria, with speciall hate to me for the death of Eurileon, the popular sort of that towne conspired with the Helots, and so by night opened them the gates; where entring and killing all of the gentle and riche faction, for honestie sake brake open all prisons, and so deliuered me; and I mooued with gratefulnesse, and encouraged with carelesnesse of life, so behaued my selfe in some conflictes they had in fewe dayes, that they barbarouslie thinking vnsensible wonders of mee, and withall so much they better trusting mee, as they heard I was hated of the Kinge of Lacedæmon, (their chiefe Captayne beyng slaine as you knowe by the noble Argalus, who helped thereunto by his perswasion) hauing borne a great affection vnto me, and to auoyde the daungerous emulation whiche grewe among the chiefe, who should haue the place, and all so affected, as rather to haue a straunger then a competitour, they elected mee, (God wotte little prowde of that dignitie,) restoring vnto mee such thinges of mine as being taken first by the pyrates, and then by the Lacedæmonians, they had gotten in the sacke of the towne. Now being in it, so good was my successe with manie victories, that I made a peace for them to their owne liking, the verie daie that you deliuered Clitophon, whom I with much adoo had preserued. And in my peace the King Amiclas of Lacedæmon would needes haue mee bannished,and depriued of the dignitie whereunto I was exalted : which (and you may see howe much you are bounde to mee) for your sake I was content to suffer, a newe hope rising in mee, that you were not dead: and so meaning to trauaile ouer the worlde to seeke you; and now here (my deere Musidorus) you haue mee. And with that (embracing and kissinge each other) they called Kalander, of whom Daiphantus desired to heare the full storie, which before hee had recounted to Palladius, and to see the letter of Philanax, which hee read and well marked.

But within some daies after, the marriage betweene Argalus and the faire Parthenia beyng to be celebrated, Daiphantus and Palladius selling some of their iewels, furnished themselues of very faire apparell, meaning to doo honour to their louing hoste; who as much for their sakes, as for the marriage, set foorth each thing in most gorgeous manner. But all the cost bestowed did not so much enrich, nor all the fine deckinges so much beautifie, nor all the daintie deuises so much delight, as the fairenesse of Parthenia, the pearle of all the maydes of Mantiniæa: who as shee went to the Temple to bee maried, her eyes themselues seemed a temple, wherein loue and beautie were married: her lippes, although they were kepte close with modest silence, yet with a pretie kinde of naturall swelling, they seemed to inuite the guestes that lookt on them; her cheekes blushing, and withal when shee was spoken vnto, a little smilyng, were like roses, when their leaues are with a little breath stirred : her hayre being layed at the full length downe her backe, bare shewe as if the voward fayled, yet that would conquere. Daiphantus marking her, O Iupiter (said he speaking to Palladius) how happens it, that Beautie is onely confined to Arcadia? But Palladius not greatly attending his speach, some daies were continued in the solemnising the marriage, with al conceipts that might deliuer delight to mens fancies.

[1] Pyrocles his inclination to loue. 2 His, and Musidorus
disputation thereabouts 3 broken of by Kalander.

Vt such a chaunge was growen in Daiphantus, that (as if cheerefulnesse had bene tediousnesse, and good

entertainement were turnd to discourtesie) he would euer get him selfe alone, though almost when he was in companie he was alone, so little attention he gaue to any that spake vnto him: euen the colour and figure of his face began to receaue some alteration; which he shewed little to heede: but euerie morning earlie going abroad, either to the garden, or to some woods towards the desert, it seemed his only comfort was to be without a co[m]forter. But long it could not be hid from Palladius, whom true loue made redy to marke, & long knowledge able to marke; & therfore being now grow[n]e weary of his abode in Arcadia, hauing informed himselfe fully of the strength & riches of the cou[n]try, of the nature of the people, and manner of their lawes: and, seing the courte could not be visited, prohibited to all men, but to certaine sheapheardish people, he greatly desired a speedy returne to his own countrie, after the many mazes of fortune he had troden. But perceauing this great alteration in his friend, he thought first to breake with him thereof, and then to hasten his returne; whereto he founde him but smally enclined: whereupon one day taking him alone with certaine graces and countenances, as if he were disputing with the trees, began in this manner to say vnto him.
[ ]A mind wel trayned and long exercised in vertue (my sweete and worthy cosin) doth not easily chaunge any course it

once vndertakes, but vpon well grounded & well wayed causes. For being witnes to it selfe of his owne inward good, it findes nothing without it of so high a price, for which it should be altered. Euen the very countenaunce and behauiour of such a man doth shew forth Images of the same constancy, by maintaining a right harmonic betwixt it and the inward good, in yeelding it selfe sutable to the vertuous resolution of the minde. This speech I direct to you (noble friend Pyrocles) the excellencie of whose minde and well chosen course in vertue, if I doo not sufficiently know, hauing scene such rare demonstrations of it, it is my weakenes, and not your vnworthines. But as in deede I know it, and knowing it, most dearely loue both it, and him that hath it; so must I needs saye, that since our late comming into this country, I haue marked in you, I will not say an alteratio[n], but a relenting truely, & a slacking of the maine career, you had so notably begon, & almost performed; and that in such sorte, as I cannot finde sufficient reason in my great loue toward you how to allow it; for (to leaue of other secreter arguments which my acquaintaunce with you makes me easily finde) this in effect to any manne may be manyfest, that whereas you were wont in all places you came, to giue your selfe vehemently to the knowledge of those thinges which might better your minde; to seeke the familiaritye of excellent men in learning and souldiery : and lastly, to put all these thinges in praftise both by continuall wise proceedinge, and worthie enterprises, as occasion fell for them; you now leaue all these things vndone: you let your minde fal a sleepe: beside your countenaunce troubled (which surely comes not of vertue; for vertue like the cleare heauen, is without cloudes) and lastly you subiect your selfe to solitarines, the slye enimie, that doth most separate a man from well doing. Pyrocles minde was all this while so fixed vpon another deuotion, that he no more attentiuely marked his friends discourse, then the childe that hath leaue to playe, markes the last part of his lesson; or the diligent Pilot in a daungerous tempest doth attend the vnskilful words of a passinger: yet the very sound having imprinted the general point of his speech in his hart, pierced with any mislike of so deerely an esteemed friend, and desirous by degrees to bring him to a gentler consideration of him, with a shamefast looke (witnessing he rather could not helpe, then did not know his fault) answered him to this purpose. Excellent Musidorus, in the praise you gaue me in the beginning of your spech, I easily acknowledge the force of your good will vnto mee, for neither coulde you haue thought so well of me, if extremitie of loue had not made your iudgement partiall, nor you could haue loued me so intierlie, if you had not beene apt to make so great (though vndeserued) iudgements of me; and euen so must I say to those imperfections, to which though I haue euer through weaknes been subiect, yet you by the daily me[n]ding of your mind haue of late bin able to looke into them, which before you could not discerne; so that the chaunge you speake of, falles not out by my impairing, but by your betring. And yet vnder the leaue of your better iudgement, I must needes say thus much, my deere cosin, that I find not my selfe wholye to be condemned, because I do not with continuall vehemecy folow those knowledges, which you call the bettering of my minde; for both the minde it selfe must (like other thinges) sometimes be vnbent, or else it will be either weakned, or broken: And these knowledges, as they are of good vse, so are they not all the minde may stretch it selfe vnto: who knowes whether I feede not my minde with higher thoughts? Trulie as I know not all the particularities, so yet I see the bounds of all these knowledges: but the workings of the minde I finde much more infinite, then can be led vnto by the eye, or imagined by any, that distract their thoughts without themselues. And in such contemplation, or as I thinke more excellent, I enioye my solitarines; and my solitarines perchaunce is the nurse of these contemplations. Eagles we see fly alone; and they are but sheepe, which alwaies heard together; co[n]demne not therefore my minde somtime to enioy it selfe; nor blame not the taking of such times as serue most fitte for it. And alas, deere Musidorus, if I be sadde, who knowes better then you the iust causes I haue of sadnes? And here Pyrocles sodainly stopped, like a man vnsatisfied in himselfe, though his witte might wel haue serued to haue satisfied another. And so looking with a countenaunce, as though he desired he should know his minde without hearing him speake, and yet desirous to speake, to breath out some part of his inward euill, sending againe new blood to his face, he continued his speach in this manner. And Lord (dere cosin, said he) doth not the pleasauntnes of this place carry in it selfe sufficient reward for any time lost in it? Do you not see how all things conspire together to make this cou[n]try a heauenly dwelling? Do you not see the grasse how in colour they excell the Emeralds, euerie one striuing to passe his fellow, and yet they are all kept of an equal height? And see you not the rest of these beautifull flowers, each of which would require a mans wit to know, and his life to expresse? Do not these stately trees seeme to maintaine their florishing olde age with the onely happines of their seat, being clothed with a continuall spring, because no beautie here should euer fade? Doth not the aire breath health, which the Birds (delightfull both to eare and eye) do dayly solemnize with the sweet co[n]sent of their voyces? Is not euery eccho therof a perfect Musicke? and these fresh and delightful brookes how slowly they slide away, as loth to leaue the company of so many things vnited in perfection? and with how sweete a murmure they lament their forced departure? Certainelie, certainely, cosin, it must needes be that some Goddesse enhabiteth this Region, who is the soule of this soile: for neither is any, lesse then a Goddesse, worthie to be shrined in such a heap of pleasures: nor any lesse the a Goddesse, could haue made it so perfect a plotte of the celestiall dwellings. And so ended with a deep sigh, rufully casting his eye vpon Musidorus, as more desirous of pittie the[n] pleading. But Musidorus had all this while helde his looke fixed vpon Pyrocles countenance; and with no lesse louing attention marked how his words proceeded from him: but in both these he perceiued such strange diuersities, that they rather increased new doubts, then gaue him ground to settle any iudgement: for, besides his eyes sometimes euen great with teares, the oft cha[n]ging of his colour, with a kind of shaking vnstayednes ouer all his body, he might see in his countenace some great determinatio[n] mixed with feare; and might perceiue in him store of thoughts, rather stirred then digested; his words interrupted continually with sighes (which serued as a burthen to each sentence) and the tenor of his speech (though of his wo[n]ted phrase) not knit together to one consta[n]t end, but rather dissolued in it selfe, as the vehemencie of the inwarde passion preuayled: which made Musidorus frame his aunswere neerest to that humor, which should soonest put out the secret. For, hauing in the beginning of Pyrocles speech which defe[n]ded his solitarines, framed in his minde a replie against it, in the praise of honourable action, in shewing that such a kind of co[n]teplatio[n] is but a glorious title to idlenes; that in actio[n] a man did not onely better himself, but benefit others; that the gods would not haue deliuered a soule into the body, which hath armes & legges, only instrume[n]ts of doing, but that it wer inte[n]ded the mind should imploy the[m] & that the mind should best know his own good or euill, by praftise: which knowledge was the onely way to increase the one, and correct the other: besides many other argumentes, which the plentifulnesse of the matter yeelded to the sharpnes of his wit. When he found Pyrocles leaue that, and fall into such an affected praising of the place, he left it likewise, and ioyned with him therein: because he found him in that humor vtter more store of passion; and euen thus kindly embrasing him, he said: Your words are such (noble cousin) so sweetly and strongly handled in the praise of solitarinesse, as they would make me likewise yeeld my selfe vp into it, but that the same words make me know, it is more pleasant to enioy the companie of him that can speake such words, then by such wordes to be perswaded to follow solitarines. And euen so doo I giue you leaue (sweet Pyrocles) euer to defend solitarines; so long, as to defende it, you euer keep companie. But I maruell at the excessiue praises you giue to this countrie; in trueth it is not vnpleasant: but yet if you would returne into Macedon, you should see either many heauens, or find this no more then earthly. And eue[n] Tempe in my Thessalia, (where you & I to my great happinesse were brought vp together) is nothing inferiour vnto it. But I think you will make me see, that the vigor of your witte can shew it selfe in any subiect: or els you feede sometimes your solitarines with the conceites of the Poets, whose liberall pennes can as easilie trauaile ouer mountaines, as molehils: and so like wel disposed men, set vp euery thing to the highest note; especially, when they put such words in the mouths of one of these fantasticall mind-infected people, that children & Musitia[n]s cal Louers. This word, Louer, did no lesse pearce poore Pyrocles, then the right tune of musicke toucheth him that is sick of the Tarantula. There was not one part of his body, that did not feele a sodaine motion, while his hart with panting, seemed to daunce to the sounde of that word; yet after some pause (lifting vp his eyes a litle from the ground, and yet not daring to place them in the eyes of Musidorus) armed with the verie cou[n]tenance of the poore prisoner at the barr, whose aunswere is nothing but guiltie: with much a do he brought forth this question. And alas, saide he, deare cosin, what if I be not so much the Poet (the freedome of whose penne canne exercise it selfe in any thing) as euen that miserable subiect of his conning, whereof you speake ? Now the eternall Gods forbid (mainely cryed out Musidorus) that euer my eare should be poysoned with so euill newes of you. O let me neuer know that any base affectio[n] shuld get any Lordship in your thoughts. But as he was speaking more, Kalander came, and brake of their discourse, with inuiting the[m] to the hunting of a goodly stagge, which beeing harbored in a wood therby, he hoped would make them good sporte, and driue away some part of Daiphantus melancholy. They condiscended, & so going to their lodgings, furnished the[m] selues as liked them Daiphantus writing a fevv vvordes which he left in a sealed letter against their returne.

1 Kalanders hunting. 2 Daiphantus his close departure, 3
    and letter 4 Palladius his care, and 5 quest after him,
    6 accompanied with Clitophon. 7 His finding and
    taking on Amphilus his armor 8 Their encounter
    with Queene Helens attendants. 9 Her mistaking Pal-
    ladius.

Hen went they together abroad, the good Kalander entertaining the[m], with pleasaunt discoursing, howe well he loued the sporte of hunting vvhen he was a young man, how much in the comparison thereof he disdained all chamber delights; that the Sunne (how great a iornie soeuer he had to make) could neuer preuent him with earlines, nor the Moone (with her sober countenance) disswade him from watching till midnight for the deeres feeding[.] O, saide he, you will neuer liue to my age, without you kepe your selues in breath with exercise, and in hart with ioyfullnes: too much thinking doth consume the spirits: & oft it falles out, that while one thinkes too much of his doing, he leaues to doe the effect of his thinking. Then spared he not to remember how much Arcadia was chaunged since his youth : actiuitie & good felowship being nothing in the price it was then held in, but according to the nature of the old growing world, still worse & worse. The[n] would he tell them stories of such gallaunts as he had knowen: and so with pleasant company beguiled the times hast, and shortned the wayes length, till they came to the side of the wood, where the houndes were in couples staying their comming, but with a whining Accent crauing libertie: many of them in colour and marks so resembling, that it showed they were of one kinde. The huntsmen handsomely attired in their greene liueries, as though they were children of Sommer, with staues in their hands to beat the guiltlesse earth, when the houndes were at a fault, and with hornes about their neckes to sounde an alarum vpon a sillie fugitiue. The houndes were straight vncoupled, and ere long the Stagge thought it better to trust the nimblenes of his feete, then to the slender fortification of his lodging: but euen his feete betrayed him; for howsoeuer they went, they themselues vttered themselues to the sent of their enimies; who one taking it of an other, and sometimes beleeuing the windes aduertisements, sometimes the view of (their faithfull councellors) the huntsmen, with open mouthes then denounced warre, when the warre was alreadie begun. Their crie being composed of so well sorted mouthes, that any man would perceiue therein some kind of proportion, but the skilfull woodmen did finde a musick. Then delight and varietie of opinion drew the horsmen sundrie wayes; yet cheering their houndes with voyce and horn, kept still (as it were) together. The wood seemed to conspire with them against his own citizens, dispersing their noise through all his quarters; and euen the Nimph Echo left to bewayle the losse of Narcissus, and became a hunter. But the Stagge was in the end so hotly pursued, that (leauing his flight) he was driuen to make courage of despaire; & so turning his head, made the hounds (with change of speech) to testifie that he was at bay: as if from hotte pursuite of their enemie, they were sodainly come to a parley.
But Kalander (by his skill of coasting the Countrey) was among the first that came in to the besiged Deere; whom when some of the younger sort would haue killed with their swordes, he woulde not suffer: but with a Crossebowe sent a death to the poore beast, who with teares shewed the vnkindnesse he tooke of mans crueltie.
But by the time that the whole companie was assembled, and that the Stagge had bestowed himselfe liberally among

them that had killed him, Daiphantus was mist, for whom Palladius carefully enquiring, no newes could be giuen him, but by one that sayd, he thought he was returned home; for that he markt him, in the chiefe of the hunting, take a by-way, which might lead to Kalanders house. That answer for the time satisfying, and they hauing perfourmed all dueties, as well for the Stagges funeral, as the hounds triumph, they returned: some talking of the fatnes of the Deeres bodie; some of the fairenes of his head; some of the hounds cunning; some of their speed; and some of their cry: til comming home (about the time that the candle begins to inherit the Suns office) they found Daiphantus was not to bee found. Whereat Palladius greatly maruailing, and a day or two passing, while neither search nor inquirie could help him to knowledge, at last he lighted vpon the letter, which Pyrocles had written before hee went a hunting, and left in his studie among other of his writings. The letter was directed to Palladius himselfe, and conteyned these words.

My onely friend, violence of loue leades me into such a course, wherof your knowledge may much more vexe you, then help me. Therefore pardon my concealing it from you, since: if I wrong you, it is in respect I beare you. Returne into Thessalia, I pray you, as full of good fortune,as I am of desire: and if I liue, I will in short time follow you; if I die, loue my memorie.
This was all, and this Palladius read twise or thrise ouer,

Ah (said he) Pyrocles, vvhat meanes this alteratio[n]? vvhat haue I deserued of thee, to be thus banished of thy counsels? Heretofore I haue accused the sea, condemned the Pyrats, and hated my euill fortune, that depriued me of thee; But now thy self is the sea, vvhich drounes my comfort, thy selfe is the Pirat that robbes thy selfe of me: Thy owne vvill becomes my euill fortune. The[n] turned he his thoughts to al forms of ghesses that might light vpon the purpose and course of Pyrocles: for he
was not so sure by his wordes, that it was loue, as he was doubtful where the loue was. One time he thought, some beautie in Laconia had layed hold of his eyes; an other time he feared, that it might be Parthenias excellencie, which had broken the bands of all former resolution. But the more he thought, the more he knew not what to thinke, armies of obiections rising against any accepted opinion.
Then as carefull he was what to doo himselfe: at length determined, neuer to leaue seeking him, till his search

should be either by meeting acco[m]plished, or by death ended. Therfore (for all the vnkindnesse bearing tender respect, that his friends secrete determination should be kept from any suspition in others) he went to Kalander, and told him, that he had receaued a message from his friend, by which he vnderstood he was gone backe againe into Laconia, about some matters greatly importing the poore men, whose protection he had vndertaken, and that it was in any sorte fit for him, to follow him, but in such priuate wise, as not to be knowne, and that therefore he would as then bid him farewell: arming him selfe in a blacke armour, as either a badge, or prognostication of his mind: and taking onely with him good store of monie, and a fewe choise iewels, leauing the greatest number of them, & most of his apparell with Kalander: which he did partly to giue the more cause to Kalander to expect their return, & so to be the lesse curiously inquisitiue after the[m]: and partly to leaue those honorable thankes vnto him, for his charge & kindnes, which he knew he would no other way receaue. The good old man hauing neither reason to dissuade, nor hope to persuade, receaued the things, with mind of a keeper, not of an owner; but before he went, desired he might haue the happines, fully to know what they were: which he said, he had euer till then delaid, fearing to be any way importune: but now he could not be so much an enemie to his desires as any longer to imprison the[m] in silence. Palladius tolde him that the matter was not so secrete, but that so worthie a friend deserued the knowledge, and shuld haue it as soone as he might speak with his frie[n]d: without whose consent (because their promise bound him otherwise) he could not reueale it: but bad him hold for most assured, that if they liued but a while, he should find that they which bare the names of Daipha[n]tus and Palladius, would giue him & his cause to thinke his noble courtesie wel imploied. Kala[n]der would presse him no further: but desiring that he might haue leaue to go, or at least to sende his sonne and seruaunts with him, Palladius brake of all ceremonies, by telling him; his case stood so, that his greatest fauour should be in making lest adoo of his parting. Wherewith Kalander knowing it to be more cumber then courtesie, to striue, abstained from further vrging him, but not from hartie mourning the losse of so sweet a conuersation.
Onely Clitophon by vehement importunitie obteyned to go

with him, to come againe to Daiphantus, whom he named and accou[n]ted his Lord. And in such priuate guise departed Palladius, though hauing a companio[n] to talke with all, yet talking much more with vnkindnesse. And first they went to Mantinæa; whereof because Parthenia was, he suspected there might be some cause of his abode. But finding there no newes of him he went to Tegæa, Ripa, Enispæ, Stimphalus, and Pheneus, famous for the poisonous Stygian water, and through all the rest of Arcadia, making their eyes, their eares, and their tongue serue almost for nothing, but that enquirie. But they could know nothing but that in none of those places he was knowne. And so went they, making one place succeed to an other, in like vncertaintie to their search, manie times encountring strange adue[n]tures, worthy to be registred in the roulles of fame; but this may not be omitted. As they past in a pleasant valley, (of either side

of which high hils lifted vp their beetle-browes, as if they would ouer looke the pleasantnes of their vnder-prospect) they were by the daintines of the place, & the wearines of the[m]selues, inuited to light fro[m] their horses; & pulling of their bits, that they might something refresh their mouths vpon the grasse (which plentifully grewe, brought vp vnder the care of those wel shading trees,) they the[m]selues laid the[m] downe hard by the murmuring musicke of certain waters, which spouted out of the side of the hils, and in the bottome of the valley, made of many springs a pretie brooke, like a common-wealth of many families: but when they had a while harkened to the persuasion of sleepe, they rose, and walkt onward in that shadie place, till Clitiphon espied a peece of armour, & not far of an other peece: and so the sight of one peece teaching him to looke for more, he at length found all, with headpeece &. shield, by the deuise whereof, which was he streight knew it to be the armour of his cousin, the noble Amphialus. Wherupon (fearing some inco[n]uenience hapned vnto him) he told both his doubte, and his cause of doubte to Palladius, who (considering therof) thought best to make no longer stay, but to follow on: least perchance some viole[n]ce were offered to so worthy a Knight, whom the fame of the world seemed to set in ballance with any Knight liuing. Yet with a sodaine conceipt, hauing long borne great honour to the name of Amphialus, Palladius thought best to take that armour, thinking thereby to learne by them that should know that armour, some newes of Amphialus, & yet not hinder him in the search of Daiphantus too. So he by the help of Clitophon quickly put on that armour, whereof there was no one piece wanting, though hacked in some places, bewraying some fight not long since passed. It was some-thing too great, but yet serued well enough.
And so getting on their horses, they trauailed but a little way, when in opening of the mouth of the valley into a faire field,

they met with a coach drawne with foure milke-white horses, furnished all in blacke, with a black a more boy vpo[n] euery horse, they al apparelled in white, the coach it self very richly furnished in black & white. But before they could come so neere as to discerne what was within, there came running vpo[n] them aboue a dozen horsmen, who cried to the[m] to yeeld the[m]selues prisoners, or els they should die. But Palladius not accustomed to grant ouer the possessio[n] of him self vpon so vniust titles, with sword drawne gaue them so rude an answer, that diuers of the[m] neuer had breath to reply again: for being wel backt by Clitophon & hauing an excelle[n]t horse vnder him, when he was ouerprest by some, he auoided them, and ere th'other thought of it, punished in him his fellowes faults: and so, ether with cunning or with force, or rather with a cunning force, left none of them either liuing, or able to make his life serue to others hurt. Which being done, he approched the coach, assuring the black boies they should haue no hurt, who were els readie to haue run away, & looking into the coach, he fou[n]d in the one end a Lady of great beaulie, & such a beautie, as shewed forth the beames both of wisdome & good nature, but al as much darkened, as might be, with sorow. In the other, two Ladies, (who by their demeanure shewed well, they were but her seruants) holding before them a picture; in which was a goodly Ge[n]tleman (whom he knew not) painted, hauing in their faces a certaine waiting sorrow, their eies being infected with their mistres weeping.
But the chiefe Ladie hauing not so much as once heard the

noise of this coflict (so had sorow closed vp al the entries of her mind, & loue tied her se[n]ces to that beloued picture) now the shadow of him falling vpo[n] the picture made her cast vp her eie, and seeing the armour which too wel she knew, thinking him to be Amphialus the Lord of her desires, (bloud coming more freely into her cheekes, as though it would be bold, & yet there growing new againe pale for feare) with a pitiful looke (like one vniustly conde[m]ned) My Lord Amphialus (said she) you haue enough punished me: it is time for cruelty to leaue you, & euil fortune me; if not I pray you, (& to graunt, my praier fitter time nor place you can haue) accomplish the one euen now, & finish the other. With that, sorrow impatient to be slowly vttered in her ofte staying speeches, poured it self so fast in teares, that Palladius could not hold her longer in errour, but pulling of his helmet, Madame (said he) I perceaue you mistake me: I am a stranger in these parts, set vpon (without any cause giue[n] by me) by some of your seruants, whom because I haue in my iust defence euill entreated, I came to make my excuse to you, whom seing such as I doo, I find greater cause, why I should craue pardon of you. When she saw his face, & heard his speech, she looked out of the coach, and seing her men, some slaine, some lying vnder their dead horses,and striuing to get from vnder them, without making more account of the matter, Truely (said she) they are well serued that durst lift vp their armes against that armour. But Sir Knight, (said she) I pray you tell me, how come you by this armour? for if it be by the death of him that owed it, then haue I more to say vnto you. Palladius assured her it was not so; telling her the true manner how he found it. It is like enough (said she) for that agrees with the manner he hath lately vsed. But I beseech you Sir (said she) since your prowes hath bereft me of my co[m]pany: let it yet so farre heale the woundes it selfe hath giuen, as to garde me to the next towne. How great so euer my businesse be fayre Ladie (said he) it shall willingly yeeld to so noble a cause: But first euen by the fauour you beare to the Lorde of this noble armour, I coniure you to tell me the storie of your fortune herein, lest hereafter when the image of so excellent a Ladie in so straunge a plight come before mine eyes, I condemne my selfe of want of consideration in not hauing demaunded thus much. Neither aske I it without protestation, that wherein my sworde and faith may auaile you, they shall binde themselues to your seruice. Your coniuration, fayre Knight (said she) is too strong for my poore spirite to disobey, and that shall make me (without any other hope, my ruine being but by one vnrelieueable) to graunt your wil herein: and to say the truth, a straunge nicenesse were it in me to refraine that from the eares of a person representing so much worthinesse, which I am glad euen to rockes and woods to vtter.

The story of Queene Helen 2 Philoxenus her suiter 3 Am-
    phialus an intercessor for his friende. 4 His praises,
    5 birth, and 6 education . 7 Her love wonne to himselfe
    8 His refusall and departure 9 Philoxenus wronge-rage
    against him. 10 Their fight. 11 The death of sonne and
    father. 12 Amphialus his sorrow and detestation of
    the Queene. 13 A new onset on Palladius for Amphi-
    alus his Armour : 14 whose griefe is amplified by mee-
    ting his dead frends dog. 15 Palladius his parting with
    Helen and Clitophon.

1 Palladius after long search of Daiphantus, lighteth on an
   Amazon Ladie. 2 Her habite, 3 song, 4 and who she
   was. 5 Obiections of the one against women, and loue of
   them. 6 The answeres of the other for them both.
   7 Their passionate conclusion in relenting kindnesse.

And is it possible, that this is Pyrocles, the onely yong Prince in the world,

formed by nature, and framed by education, to the true exercise of vertue? or is it indeed some Amazon that hath counterfeited the face of my friend, in this sort to vexe me? for likelier sure I would haue thought it, that any outwarde face might haue bene disguised, then that the face of so excelle[n]t a mind coulde haue bene thus blemished. O sweete Pyrocles separate your selfe a little (if it be possible) from your selfe, and let your owne minde looke vpon your owne proceedings: so shall my wordes be needlesse, and you best instructed. See with your selfe, how fitt it will be for you in this your tender youth, borne so great a Prince, and of so rare, not onely expectation, but proofe, desired of your olde Father, and wanted of your natiue countrie, now so neere your home, to diuert your thoughts from the way of goodnesse; to loose, nay to abuse your time. Lastly to ouerthrow all the excellent things you haue done, which haue filled the world with your fame; as if you should drowne your ship in the long desired hauen, or like an ill player, should marre the last act of his Tragedie. Remember (for I know you know it) that if we wil be men, the reasonable parte of our soule, is to haue absolute commaundement; against which if any sensuall weaknes arise, we are to yeelde all our sounde forces to the ouerthrowing of so vnnaturall a rebellion, wherein how can we wante courage, since we are to deale against so weake an aduersary, that in it selfe is nothinge but weakenesse ? Nay we are to resolue, that if reason direct it, we must doo it, and if we must doo it, we will doo it; for to say I cannot, is childish, and I will not, womanish. And see how extremely euery waye you endaunger your minde; for to take this womannish habit (without you frame your behauiour accordingly) is wholy vaine: your behauiour can neuer come kindely from you, but as the minde is proportioned vnto it. So that you must resolue, if you will playe your parte to any purpose, whatsoeuer peeuish affections are in that sexe, soften your hart to receiue them, the very first downe-steppe to all wickednes: for doo not deceiue your selfe, my deere cosin, there is no man sodainely excellentlie good, or extremely euill, but growes either as hee holdes himselfe vp in vertue, or lets himself slide to vitiousnes. And let vs see, what power is the aucthor of all these troubles: forsooth loue, loue, a passion, and the basest and fruitlessest of all passions: feare breedeth wit, Anger is the cradle of courage: ioy openeth and enhableth the hart: sorrow, as it closeth, so it draweth it inwarde to looke to the correcting of it selfe; and so all generally haue power towards some good by the direction of right Reason. But this bastarde Loue (for in deede the name of Loue is most vnworthylie applied to so hatefull a humour) as it is engendered betwixt lust and idlenes; as the matter it workes vpon is nothing, but a certaine base weakenes, which some gentle fooles call a gentle hart; as his adioyned companions be vnquietnes, longings, fond comforts, faint discomforts, hopes, ielousies, vngrounded rages, causlesse yeeldings; so is the hiest ende it aspires vnto, a litle pleasure with much paine before, and great repentaunce after. But that end how endlesse it runs to infinite euils, were fit inough for the matter we speake of, but not for your eares, in whome indeede there is so much true disposition to vertue: yet thus much of his worthie effects in your selfe is to be seen, that (besides your breaking lawes of hospitality with Kalander and of friendship with me) it vtterly subuerts the course of nature, in making reason giue place to sense, & man to woman. And truely I thinke heere-vpon it first gatte the name of Loue: for indeede the true loue hath that excellent nature in it, that it doth transform the very essence of the louer into the thing loued, vniting, and as it were incorporating it with a secret & inward working. And herein do these kindes of loue imitate the excellent ; for as the loue of heauen makes one heauenly, the loue of vertue, vertuous; so doth the loue of the world make one become worldly, and this effeminate loue of a woman, doth so womanish a man, that (if he yeeld to it) it will not onely make him an Amazon; but a launder, a distaff-spinner; or what so euer other vile occupation their idle heads ca[n] imagin, & their weake hands performe. Therefore (to trouble you no longer with my tedious but louing words) if either you remember what you are, what you haue bene, or what you must be: if you co[n]sider what it is, that moued you, or by what kinde of creature you are moued, you shall finde the cause so small, the effect so daungerous, your selfe so vnworthie to runne into the one, or to be driue[n] by the other, that I doubt not I shall quickly haue occasion rather to praise you for hauing conquered it, then to giue you further counsell, how to doo it.

But in Pyrocles this speech wrought no more, but that he, who before he was espied, was afraid; after, being perceiued, was ashamed, now being hardly rubd vpon, lefte both feare and shame, and was moued to anger. But the exceeding good will he bare to Musidorus striuing with it, he thus, partely to satisfie him, but principally to loose the reines to his owne motions, made him answere. Cosin, whatsouer good disposition nature hath bestowed vpon me, or howsoeuer that disposition hath bene by bringing vp co[n]firmed, this must I confesse, that I am not yet come to that degree of wisdome, to thinke light of the sexe, of whom I haue my life; since if I be any thing (which your friendship rather finds, the[n] I acknowledge) I was to come to it, born of a woma[n], & nursed of a woma[n]. And certe[n]ly (for this point of your speach doth neerest touch me) it is stra[n]ge to see the vnman-like cruelty of ma[n]kind; who not co[n]tent with their tyran[n]ous a[m]bition, to haue brought the others vertuous patience vnder them (like to childish maisters) thinke their masterhood nothing, without doing iniury to them, who (if we will argue by reason) are framed of nature with the same parts of the minde for the exercise of vertue, as we are. And for example, euen this estate of Amazons, (which I now for my greatest honor do seek to counterfaite) doth well witnes, that if generally the swetnes of their dispositio[n]s did not make them see the vainnesse of these thinges, which we accopt glorious, they nether want valor of mind, nor yet doth their fairnes take away their force. And truely we men, and praisers of men, should remember, that if we haue such excelle[n]cies, it is reason to thinke them excellent creatures, of whom we are: since a Kite neuer brought forth a good flying Hauke. But to tel you true, as I thinke it superfluous to vse any wordes of such a subiect, which is so praised in it selfe, as it needes no praises; so withall I feare lest my conceate (not able to reach vnto them) bring forth wordes, which for their vnworthines may be a disgrace vnto the[m] I so inwardly honor. Let this suffice, that they are capable of vertue: & vertue (ye your selues say) is to be loued, & I too truly: but this I willingly co[n]fesse, that it likes me much better, when I finde vertue in a faire lodging, then when I am bound to seeke it in an ill fauoured creature, like a pearle in a dounghill. As for my fault of being an vnciuill guest to Kalander, if you could feele what an inward guest my selfe am host vnto: ye would thinke it very excuseable, in that I rather performe the dueties of an host, then the ceremonies of a guest. And for my breaking the lawes of friendshippe with you, (which I would rather dye, then effectually doo) truely, I could finde in my hart to aske you pardon for it, but that your handling of me giues me reason to my former dealing. And here Pyrocles stayed, as to breath himselfe, hauing bene transported with a litle vehemency, because it seemed him Musidorus had ouer-bitterly glaunsed against the reputation of woman-kinde: but then quieting his countenance (aswell as out of an vnquiet mind it might be) he thus proceeded on: And poore Loue (said he) deare cosin, is little beholding vnto you, since you are not contented to spoile it of the honor of the highest power of the mind, which notable me[n] haue attributed vnto it; but ye deiect it below all other passions, in trueth somewhat strangely; since, if loue receiue any disgrace, it is by the company of these passions you preferre before it. For those kinds of bitter obiections (as, that lust, idlenes, and a Weak harte, shoulde be, as it were, the matter and forme of loue) rather touch me, deare Musidorus, then loue: But I am good witnesse of mine own imperfections, & therefore will not defende my selfe: but herein I must say, you deale contrary to your self: for if I be so weak, then can you not with reason stir me vp as ye did, by remebrance of my own vertue: or if indeed I be vertuous, the must ye co[n]fesse, that loue hath his working in a vertuous hart: & so no dout hath it, whatsoeuer I be: for if we loue vertue, in whom shal we loue it but in a vertuous creature? without your meaning be, I should loue this word vertue, where I see it written in a book. Those troblesome effects you say it breedes, be not the faults of loue, but of him that loues; as an vnable vessel to beare such a licour: like euill eyes, not able to look on the Sun; or like an ill braine, soonest ouerthrows with best wine. Euen that heauenly loue you speake of, is accopanied in some harts with hopes, griefs, longings, & dispaires. And in that heauely loue, since ther are two parts, the one the loue it self, th'other the excellency of the thing loued; I, not able at the first leap to frame both in me, do now (like a diligent workman) make ready the chiefe instrument, and first part of that great worke, which is loue it self; which whe[n] I haue a while practised in this sort, then you shall see me turn it to greater matters. And thus gently you may (if it please you) think of me. Neither doubt ye, because I weare a womans apparell, I will be the more womannish, since, I assure you (for all my apparrel) there is nothing I desire more, then fully to proue my selfe a man in this enterprise. Much might be said in my defence, much more for loue, and most of all for that diuine creature, which hath ioyned me and loue together. But these disputations are fitter for quiet schooles, then my troubled braines, which are bent rather in deeds to performe, then in wordes to defende the noble desire which possesseth me. O Lord (saide Musidorus) how sharp-witted you are to hurt your selfe? No (answered he) but it is the hurt you speake of, which makes me so sharp-witted. Euen so (said Musidorus) as euery base occupation makes one sharp in that practise, and foolish in all the rest. Nay rather (answered Pyrocles} as each excellent thing once well learned, serues for a measure of all other knowledges. And is that become (said Musidorus} a measure for other things, which neuer receiued measure in it selfe? It is counted without measure (answered Pyrocles,) because the workings of it are without measure: but otherwise, in nature it hath measure, since it hath an end allotted vnto it. The beginning being so excellent, I would gladly know the end. Enioying, answered Pyrocles, with a great sigh. O (said Musidorus) now set ye foorth the basenes of it: since if it ende in enioying, it shewes all the rest was nothing. Ye mistake me (answered Pyrocles) I spake of the end to which it is directed; which end ends not, no sooner then the life. Alas, let your owne braine dis-enchaunt you (said Musidorus.) My hart is too farre possessed (said Pyrocles.) But the head giues you direction. And the hart giues me life; aunswered Pyrocles.

   But Musidorus was so greeued to see his welbeloued friend obstinat, as he thought, to his owne destruction, that it forced him with more then accustomed vehemency, to speake these words; Well, well, (saide he) you list to abuse your selfe; it was a very white and red vertue, which you could pick out of a painterly glosse of a visage: Confesse the truth; and ye shall finde, the vtmost was but beautie; a thing, which though it be in as great excellencye in your selfe as may be in any, yet I am sure you make no further reckning of it, then of an outward fading benefite Nature bestowed vpon you. And yet such is your want of a true grounded vertue, which must be like it selfe in all points, that what you wisely account a trifle in your selfe, you fondly become a slaue vnto in another. For my part I now protest, I haue left nothing vnsaid, which my wit could make me know, or my most entier friendship to you requires of me; I do now besech you euen for the loue betwixt vs (if this other loue haue left any in you towards me) and for the remembraunce of your olde careful father (if you can reme[m]ber him that forget your self) lastly for Pyrocles owne sake (who is now vpon the point of falling or rising) to purge your selfe of this vile infection; other wise giue me leaue, to leaue of this name of friendsh[i]p, as an idle title of a thing which cannot be, where vertue is abolished. The length of these speaches before had not so much cloied Pyrocles, though he were very vnpatient of long deliberations, as the last farewel of him he loued as his owne life, did wound his soule, thinking him selfe afflicted, he was the apter to conceiue vnkindnesse deepely: insomuch, that shaking his head, and deliuering some shewe of teares, he thus vttered his griefes. Alas (said he) prince Musidorus, how cruelly you deale with me; if you seeke the victory, take it; and if ye liste, triumph. Haue you all the reason of the world, and with me remaine all the imperfections; yet such as I can no more lay from me, then the Crow can be perswaded by the Swanne to cast of all his black fethers. But truely you deale with me like a Phisition, that seeing his patient in a pestilent feuer, should chide him, in steede of ministring helpe, and bid him be sick no more; or rather like such a friend, that visiting his friend condemned to perpetuall prison; and loaden with greeuous fetters, should will him to shake of his fetters, or he wuld leaue him. I am sicke, & sicke to the death; I am a prisoner, neither is any redresse, but by her to whom I am slaue. Now if you list to leaue him that loues you in the hiest degree: But remember euer to cary this with you, that you abandon your friend in his greatest extremity.
   And herewith the deepe wound of his loue being rubbed afresh with this new vnkindnes, bega[n] (as it were) to bleed again, in such sort that he was not hable to beare it any longer, but gushing out aboundance of teares, and crossing his armes ouer his woefull hart, as if his teares had beene out-flowing blood, his armes an ouer-pressing burthen, he suncke downe to the ground, which sodaine traunce went so to the hart of Musidorus that falling down by him & kissing the weping eyes of his friend, he besought him not to make account of his speach; which if it had bene ouer vehement, yet was it to be borne withall, because it came out of a loue much more vehement; that he had not thought fancie could haue receiued so deep a wound: but now finding in him the force of it, hee woulde no further contrary it; but imploy all his seruice to medicine it, in such sort, as the nature of it required. But euen this kindnes made Pyrocles the more melte in the former vnkindnes, which his manlike teares well shewed, with a silent look vpo[n] Musidorus, as who should say, And is it possible that Musidorus should threaten to leaue me? And this strooke Musidorus minde and senses so dumbe too, that for griefe being not able to say any thing, they rested, with their eyes placed one vpon another, in such sort, as might well paint out the true passion of vnkindnes to be neuer aright, but betwixt them that most dearely loue.
   And thus remayned they a time; till at length, Musidorus embrasing him, said, And will you thus shake of your friend? It is you that shake me of (saide Pyrocles) being for my vnperfectnes vnworthie of your friendshippe. But this (said Musidorus) shewes you more vnperfect, to be cruell to him, that submits himselfe vnto you; but since you are vnperfect (said he smiling) it is reason you be gouerned by vs wise and perfect men. And that authoritie will I beginne to take vpon me, with three absolute com[m]andements: The first, that you increase not your euill with further griefes: the second, that you loue her with all the powers of your mind: & the last com[m]andeme[n]t shalbe, ye com[m]and me to do what seruice I can, towards the attaining of your desires. Pyrocles hart was not so oppressed with the mighty passio[n]s of loue and vnkindnes, but that it yeelded to some mirth at this commaundement of Musidorus, that he should loue: so that something cleering his face from his former shewes of griefe; Wel (said he) deare cousin, I see by the well choosing of your commandementes, that you are fitter to be a Prince, then a Counseller: and therfore I am resolued to imploy all my endeuour to obey you; with this condition, that the comandementes ye commaund me to lay vpon you, shall onely be, that you continue to loue me, and looke vpon my imperfections, with more affection then iudgeme[n]t. Loue you? (said he) alas, how can my hart be seperated from the true imbrasing of it, without it burst, by being too full of it? But (said he) let vs leaue of these flowers of newe begun frendship: and now I pray you againe tel me; but tell it me fully, omitting no circumstance, the storie of your affections both beginning, and proceeding: assuring your selfe, that there is nothing so great, which I will feare to doo for you: nor nothing so small, which I will disdaine to doo for you. Let me therfore receiue a cleere vnderstating, which many times we misse, while those things we account small, as a speech, or a look are omitted, like as a whole sentence may faile of his congruitie, by wanting one particle. Therefore betweene frends, all must be layd open, nothing being superfluous, nor tedious. You shalbe obeyed (said Pyrocles) and here are we in as fitte a place for it as may be; for this arbor no body offers to come into but my selfe; I vsing it as my melancholy retiring place, and therefore that respect is born vnto it; yet if by cha[n]ce any should come, say that you are a seruant sent from the Q. of the Amazons to seeke me, and then let me alone for the rest. So sate they downe, and Pyrocles thus said.

O passing their time according to their woont, they wayted for the coming of Phalantus who the next morning hauing alredy caused his tents to be pitched, neere to a faire tree hard by the Lodge, had vppon the tree made a shield to bee hanged vp, which the defendant should strike, that woulde call him to the mainteyning his challendge. The Impresa in the shield; was a heauen full of starres, with a speech signifying, that it was the beauty which gaue it the praise.

speake of, with his mistresse, while Phalantus in this pompous manner, brought Artesia with her getlewome[n], into one Tent, by which he had another: where they both wayted who would first strike vpon the shielde, while Basilius the Judge appointed sticklers, and trumpets, to whom the other should obey. But non that day appeared, nor the next, till already it had consumed halfe his allowance of light; but then there came in a knight, protesting himselfe as contrarie to him in minde, as he was in apparrell. For Phalantus was all in white, hauing in his bases, and caparison imbroidered a wauing water: at each side whereof he had nettings cast ouer, in which were diuers fishes naturally made, & so pretily, that as the horse stirred, the fishes seemed to striue, and leape in the nette.

B A S I L I V S, because Zelmane so would haue it, vsed the artificiall day of torches, to lighten the sports their inve[n]tions could minister. And yet because many more shepheards were newly come, then at the first; he did in a gentle manner chastise the cowardise of the fugitiue shepheards: with making them (for that night) the Torch-bearers, and the others later come, he willed with all freedome of speech and behauiour, to keepe their accustomed method. Which while they prepared to do, Dametas, who much disdained (since his late authority) all his old companions, brought his servant Dorus in good acquaintance and allowance of the[m]; & himselfe stood like a directer ouer the[m], with nodding, gaping, winking, or stamping shewing how he did like, or mislike those things he did not vnderstand. The first sports the shepheards shewed, were full of such leapes & gambols, as being accorded to the Pipe (which they bare in their mouthes, euen as they daunced) made a right picture of their chiefe god Pan, and his companions the Satyres. Then would they cast away their Pipes; and holding hand in hand, daunce as it were in a braule, by the onely cadence of their voices, which they would vse in singing some short coplets, whereto the one halfe beginning, the other halfe should answere. As the one halfe saying,

Hauing thus varied both their songs and daunces into diuers sorts of inventions; their last sport was one of them to prouoke another to a more large expressing of his passions: which Lalus (accounted one of the best singers amongst them) hauing marked in Dorus dauncing, no lesse good grace & hansome behauiour, then extreame tokens of a trauelled minde; began first with his Pipe, and then with his voice, thus to chalenge Dorus, and was by him answered in the vnderwritten sort.

THis Eclogue betwixt Lalus & Dorus, of euery one of the beholders receiued great commendations. When Basilius called to a yong shepheard, who nether had daunced nor song with the[m], but layne al this while vpo[n] the ground at the foot of a cypresse tree, in so deep a melancholy, as though his mind were banished from the place he loued, to be in prison in his body: & desired him he would begin some Eclogue, with some other of the shepheards, according to the accustomed guise: or els declare the discourse of his owne fortune, vnknowne to him; as being a straunger in that cou[n]try. But he praied the King to pardon him, the time being far too ioyful to suffer the rehersall of his miseries. Yet, to satisfy Basilius some way, he sange this songe, he had learned before he had subiected his thoughts to acknowledge no maister, but a mistresse.

ACcording to the nature of diuerse eares, diuerse iudgements straight followed: some praising his voice, others his words fit to frame a pastorall stile, others the strangenes of the tale, and scanning what he shuld meane by it. But old Geron (who had borne him a grudge euer since in one of their Eclogues he had taken him vp ouer-bitterly) tooke hold of this occasion to make his reuenge, and said, He neuer saw thing worse proportioned, then to bring in a tale of he knew not what beastes at such a sport-meeting, when rather some song of loue, or matter for ioyfull melody was to be brought forth. But, said he, This is the right conceipt of young men, who thinke, then they speake wiseliest, when they cannot vnderstand themselves. But little did the melancholike shepherd regard either his dispraises, or the others praises, who had set the foundation of his honour there; where he was most despised. And therefore he returning againe to the traine of his desolate pensiuenesse, Geron invited Histor to answere him in Eclogue-wise; who indeed hauing bene long in loue with the faire Kala, and now by Lalus ouergone; was growne into a detestation of marriage. But thus it was.

ALl the assemblie laught at the lustines of the old fellowe, and easilie perceiued in Histor, he liked Lalus fortune better, then he loued his person. But Basilius to entermixe with these light notes of libertie, some sadder tune, set to the key of his own passion, not seeing there Strephon or Klaius, (who called thence by Vranias letter, were both gone to continue their suite, like two true runners, both employing their best speed, but not one hindring the other) he called to one Lamo[n] of their acquaintance, and willed him to sing some one of their songs; which he redily performed in this doble Sestine.

ZElmane seing no body offer to fill the stage, as if her long restrained conceits had new burst out of prison, she thus desiring her voice should be accorded to nothing but Philocleas eares, laying fast holde on her face with her eyes, she sange these Sapphiques, speaking as it were to her owne Hope.

WHat exclaiming praises Basilius gaue to Zelmanes songe, any man may ghesse, that knowes loue is better then a paire of spectacles to make euery thing seeme greater, which is seene through it: and then is it neuer tongue-tied, where fit commendation (whereof womankind is so licorous) is offered vnto it. Yea, he fel prostrate on the ground, and thanked the Gods, they had preserved his life so long, as to heare the very musique they themselves vsed, in an earthly body. But the wasting of the torches served as a watch vnto them, to make them see the time waste; and therefore the King (though vnwilling) rose from the seate, which he thought excellently setled on the one side: and considering Zelmanes late hurte, perswaded her to take that farre-spent nights rest. And so of all sides they went to recommend themselves to the elder brother of death.

The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (1590). Book I.

Sir Philip Sidney.