T H E
COV NT E SS E
O F P E
M B
R O K E S
A R C A D I A,
W R I T T E
N
B Y S I R P H I L I P P E
S I D N E I.
L O N D O N
Printed for
William
Ponsonbie.
Anno Domini, 1590.
T O M
Y
D E AR E LAD I E
A N D S
I S
T E R, T H E C O V N-
T E S S E O F P E
M
B R O K E.
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.
Your
louing Brother
Philip
Sidnei.
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.
T H
E C
O V N T E S S E OF
P E M B R O K
E S
A R C A D I A W R I T-
T E N B
Y
S I R P H I L I P
S I D N E I.
T H E
F I R S
T B O O K E.
C H A P. I.
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.
CHAP. 2.
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.
CHAP. 3.
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.
CHAP. 4.
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.
Philanax
his letter to Basilius.
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.
CHAP.
5.
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.
CHAP.
6.
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.
CHAP.
7[.]
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 ofthe
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