THe Barbarous Phraates ſeeing he could neither prevail with Herod, to give me up into his hands, nor put me to death, which he had often ſolicited, and being otherwiſe his mortal Enemy, ſent thirty thouſand Parthians upon his Frontiers, under the Command of Barſapharnes, one of his Lieutenants, and the very ſame that ſome years before had taken Hircanus and Phaſelus Priſoners. Barſapharnes did all the miſchiefs in Judea that Hoſtility could exerciſe, and made all that ſtood in his way, without diſtinction, feel his impartial Sword. Yet his March was not kept ſo ſecret, but (before he entred Judea) Herod (that like a moſt prudent and vigilant Prince, alwaies kept ſtore of Spies in pay) had a timely notice of it, which made him rally his Forces with ſuch diligence, that before the Parthians had made any conſiderable progreſs, he was grown ſtrong enough to oppoſe them: He would gladly have marched in Perſon, but Miſtruſt (the ordinary companion of Tyranny) made him fear ſome palpitations in the heart of his Eſtate, if he abſented himſelf; and therefore reſolv'd to ſend one of his Lieutenants. I had too much intereſt in this War, not to ſeek the employment; and all the regret I ſuffer'd to leave Mariamne, was ſwallow'd with the greedy deſire of glory and vengeance, which drew me at the feet of Herod, to ask the conduct of his Army: He was very well ſatisfied with what I had already done in his Service, and weighing the propriety I had both in the Motive and Succeſs of that War, he concluded he could not put his Forces into better hands than mine; and therefore freely beſtow'd the Command upon me.

So ſoon as my Equipage was ready, I diſpoſed my ſelf to part from that place, where I left the better part of my Soul. The Queen (who could not hate me, though my Paſſion ſtill perplext her) was well pleas'd to hear the King had given me this Employment, and told me in moſt obliging terms, She had an opinion that I would bring home a fair encreaſe of Honour: But when at the Even of my departure, I deſir'd ſhe would give me a particular Audience, and permit me to take leave of her in her Chamber, without any further witneſſes but thoſe we ſuſpected not, ſhe was deaf to my Prayer; and after ſhe had begun with ſome ſharp words, to ſhew me how much the Requeſt diſpleaſed her: No, Tyridates (purſu'd ſhe, with a milder look) this Conference is not neceſſary; I know already all you would ſay: nor are you ignorant of what I have to anſwer you; caſhier theſe unjuſt deſires, if it be poſſible, and believe it, If a high eſteem of your Virtues, and a thouſand wiſhes for your Happineſs, may requite your affections, you ſhall never have cauſe to call me ungrateful.

Though theſe words were perfectly innocent, yet the Queen fear'd they betray'd too much Favour, and could not let them go without a bluſh, wherein I read ſo much raviſhing ſweetneſs, and fancied ſuch advantages for my ſelf, that I found nothing in my condition that might patronize complaint. I did all that was poſſible to obtain leave to write to her: At firſt ſhe return'd me a mild refuſal; but in fine, ſhe abſolutely forbad me any further importunity: I ſubmitted to her without repining; and being conſtrain'd to take leave of her in the preſence of the King and the chief Courtiers, I render'd the ſame reſpects to Salome, who was then in the preſence, by this means avoiding a troubleſome Diſcourſe, in which a particular farewel might probably have engaged me. She well underſtood my intention, and adding this to her former quarrel, ſhe could not keep her ſpight from breaking into her looks; but when I bow'd to ſalute her, after the Jewiſh mode, ſhe lifted up her head, and thus whiſper'd as low as was poſſible: Signior Tyridates, your Carriage is fair, but ſomewhat dangerous. I had no time to reply to this, and indeed it had put me into ſo much diſorder, that I ſhould hardly have found out fit words for an anſwer; and this ſhe underſtood ſo plainly by my looks, as it powerfully ſerved to confirm her ſuſpition.

Thus I parted from Hieruſalem, and putting my ſelf in the Head of the Army, which attended my coming, we marched towards Samaria, where Barſapharnes had made ſome progreſs, and already burnt ſome Villages, with ſome little Cities, that were not able to make reſiſtance. Madam, I ſuppoſe you willing to learn the events of this War in a few words; I ſhall endeavour therefore to contract a Narration that may ſound too harſh to your tender Ears, and only tell you that I advanced by great Marches towards Barſapharnes, and being arriv'd within two dayes March of the place where his Army was encamped, I ſent to offer him Battel, and to let him know that Tyridates himſelf had brought his Head into the Field; and if he could get the good will of Victory, he ſhould reap that deſired fruit of his Enterprize, with the entire ſatisfaction of his Maſter.

Barſapharnes (who was eſpouſed to the cruel diſpoſition of his King) gladly accepted the Battel, and (truſting in the Parthian Valour) quitted his Quarters, to advance towards ours. Upon the ſecond day, the Armies came in view, and both being ranged with as much care as we were capable to carry, there began a moſt cruel and bloudy Battel: The Parthians were doubtleſs much better Souldiers than the Jews, and their numbers full as great as ours; but the Gods favour'd the Juſtice of my Cauſe, and we ſo happily made good our choice of ſome local advantages, as after an obſtinate diſpute, which coſt us five or ſix thouſand lives, Victory came and lighted upon our Banners. The hatred which the Jews bare to the Parthians, made it more bloody than I deſired; and though the unnatural Phraates had deeply provoked me, yet in the purſuit I us'd all the power I had to ſpare the Parthian Bloud, and to draw thoſe out of the Victors hands that had not yet felt their fury. A Jew preſented me with the Head of Barſapharnes, and though the view at the ſame time gave me horrour and compaſſion, yet I thought it fit to ſend it to the King of Parthia, in ſtead of that which he demanded, and to let him know by that preſent in what manner I was able to defend mine againſt his inhumane purſuits: The Priſoners I ſent freely home again, by this gentle uſage, obliging them to deteſt the cruelty of their King; and after we had repair'd the damages the Parthians had made upon the Frontier, and put the Fortreſſes there in a better condition of reſiſtance, I triumphantly return'd to Hieruſalem where I was receiv'd by the people with great Acclamation, by Herod with extraordinary Careſſes, and my fair Queen bad me welcome, with an aſpect that aſſur'd me, the importunity ſhe receiv'd from my Paſſion, could not wipe out her intereſt in my ſucceſs.

But Oh! the pride of my Content! when I learn'd from her fair mouth, that ſhe had admitted fear for the hazard of my Life, what could I do, nay, what acknowledgment might my thoughts be capable to fathom, that might ſuit with the effects of ſuch a bounty? This put me in poſſeſſion of the moſt glorious eſtate that my reaſon would let me wiſh for; and though the Divine Mariamne was neither able nor willing to bow her ſoul to any ſentiments which ſhe judged unjuſt and criminal, yet ſhe let me have as much eſtimation and affection as innocence could part with. All thoſe (to whom either good fortune, or a long perſeverance had given an entire poſſeſſion of what they lov'd) could not boaſt ſo dear a ſatisfaction as mine; nor could I fancy ſo much glory and happineſs in having the rereſt beauties of the World at my feet, as I found in kiſſing the Robe of Mariamne; I ſay her Robe; for I never kiſſed her hand, but by ſurprizal; and when I took that Licence, it coſt me the pains of many days to expiate the boldneſs.

The different effects of my paſſion produced as many varieties in her; ſometimes ſhe laughed at the extravagancies which the violence of it forced from me, but the cruelty of my ſufferings ſtill made her conclude with Pity. Indeed ſhe would take up an earneſt anger, when any word chanced to ſeape my Mouth, that ſhe thought favoured of impiety; for the ſeverity of her Religion, which acknowledged but one Deity, would not permit me to attribute any thing Divine unto her; but when I did, ſhe would uſe all the authority ſhe had to command me ſilence.

I received her words as I would do Oracles; for ſhe never ſpake any thing but what deſerv'd an entire attention, and an eternal memory. Tyridates, ſaid ſhe one day to me, how commendable it would be in you, and how much you might oblige me for my ſake and your own, to recover your ſelf of this diſtemper, which muſt be fatal to one of us, and poſſibly may betray us both to deſtruction; I ſuffer'd the beginning of it with an indulgence that cannot be excus'd, and 'tis that hath render'd me guilty both of your misfortunes and your faults; Employ the ſame courage wherewith you vanquiſh'd Judea's enemies, to combat this Domeſtick Foe. I know you have virtue enough for the Deſign, if you would uſe it; try but to oppoſe it with all the Forces of your reaſon, and you will carry an undoubted victory, in which both you and I ſhall find our perfect repoſe and ſatisfaction. I have yet by the Grace of my God led my life in innocence, and taken no licence from the provocations of Herod to commit any act unworthy of my Birth; do not deſire, Tyridates, to blemiſh that in me which you prize higheſt, becauſe 'tis undefiled; to drop a blot upon my Fame, which can never be waſhed off again; if you have yet blinded the eyes of Herod, do not dim you own with a hope of the ſame ſucceſs for the future. Salome hath an intereſt that will ſet Spies upon all your actions, and ſoon diſcover enough to ruine you; and if that cruel woman doth neither ſpare the cleareſt innocence, nor the neareſt alliance, 'tis but juſt you ſhould fear her as a Stranger, and a man who in her opinion is already culpable.

The fair Queen utter'd theſe words with a Grace wholly Divine: but alas! they found little inclination in me to be ſo wrought upon; for what influence could ſhe hope upon a ſpirit that had reſerv'd no power to diſpoſe of it ſelf, that could reſent nothing in thoſe ſweet words, but what redoubled the paſſion they diſſwaded, and render'd it incapable of that rigorous complacence ſhe demanded. I ſhewed her this weakneſs of mine in as paſſionate and ſubmiſſive expreſſions as my love could utter, proteſted how impoſſible it was to obey her, and forgot nothing that I thought might ſtir her goodneſs: I ſay her goodneſs; for upon that only I built all my Fortune.

But I had roved too much in a Calm, too long belied my unfortunate Birth, and the Science of thoſe Aſtrologers that condemned me to ſo many misfortunes; Till then I had ſo warily kept my paſſion under hatches, as the King (though of a moſt diffident nature) had not perceived it; but Salome that ſurveyed my actions, with more deſign than all the reſt, who of her ſelf was one of the ſubtileſt Women in the World, at firſt ſuſpected, and in the end by divers marks diſcovered the truth of it. Of this ſhe gave me ſome intelligence by the words ſhe let fall at my departure for the Army; and though they ſenſibly touched and taught me to carry more care in my behaviour for the future, to leſſen her ſuſpition, yet all thoſe endeavours proved unfruitful, and the Artifice I employ'd to diſguiſe my Affection, (which in all likelihood would have gotten credit in any Soul but Salome's) in her produced an affection quite contrary, and confirm'd her in that miſchievous belief ſhe had already entertain'd; when this was once eſtabliſhed in her head, Spight came, and joyned ſo violently with it, that in a ſhort time I think Hatred flam'd higher in her heart than ever Love had done: the Queen ſhe alwayes mortally hated, as well out of envy of her admirable qualities, which had inſpir'd all others with Love and Veneration, as ſome diſdain ſhe apprehended in that great Princeſs, who indeed could not ſo debaſe her ſpirit to ſmile on ſuch as ſhe deem'd unworthy of affability: Beſides, her power was too great with the King, and Salome that aim'd to be uppermoſt in his favour, was ſtung with diſcontent at the Queens authority.

With theſe conſiderations ſhe mingled her Jealouſie, which ſtirr'd up ſuch impetuous ſtorms in her Breaſt, as made it capable of the fouleſt Treaſons and blackeſt Crimes; and if ſhe hardly endured her diſreſpect and authority, ſhe could not look upon her as a Rival, without reſolving her ruine, and with her to deſtroy that, which a few dayes before her Affection had ſet at ſo high a value.

This change may appear ſtrange unto you; but it was ſo true, that ſhe no ſooner believed me amorous of Mariamne, but that Love, with which ſhe had before perplexed me, was converted into ſuch a Hatred, as render'd her apt to entertain moſt violent reſolutions, and ſet her preſently a hatching a deſign to involve me in the miſchiefs ſhe prepar'd for that innocent Princeſs; ſhe was ſo well acquainted with the King her Brothers ſpirit, as ſhe knew it to be of the ſame temper with her own, and therefore doubted not but to make the leaſt impreſſions ſhe could give him, powerful enough to deſtroy us. By this way, as the moſt aſſured, and the leaſt dangerous, ſhe reſolved our ruine, and began to labour it with all the ſubtilty that her Malice could invent: ſhe firſt began to obſerve the long ſtay I made in Judea, notwithſtanding that I might elſewhere find Sanctuaries of more aſſurance, and that the Emperour Auguſtus (an enemy to the King of Parthia) had invited me to Rome, and offer'd me a peaceable retreat there, with all ſorts of ſuccours againſt Phraates: ſhe ſhew'd him how it diſagreed with Reaſon, that I ſhould diſdain ſuch advantagious offers, to be ſupported by the Maſters of the Earth, if I had not ſome powerful tie in Judea. Then without unmasking her Deſign, ſhe made him curiouſly to mark my Actions, deſired him often to obſerve my Face when I entred the Queens Chamber, to take notice of my Sighs, my paſſionate Looks, with divers paſſages, in which a violent Love cannot belie it ſelf to the eyes of intereſſed perſons that will carefully ſurvey them. Theſe things in a ſhort time wrought upon Herod's ſpirit, and (as none was more tenderly ſenſible and impatient in that reſpect than he) I ſhould ſoon have felt his fury if he had not been reſtrain'd by divers conſiderations.

Beſides the hatred which he bare to Phraates, and the ſervices I had render'd to his Crown, he conſider'd me as one protected by Auguſtus, who had oft writ to him in my favour, and expreſs'd a particular care of me: This dexterous and Politick King diſſembled his firſt reſentments, only he made known to Salome a part of his Suſpition; and when that malicious waſp perceiv'd ſhe had made way for her intention, and half train'd the King to her deſign, ſhe neglected no time to ſtrike the blow as ſhe had premeditated.

Sir, ſaid ſhe one day to him, I am conſtrain'd to declare that which (till now) the care I cheriſhed for the quiet of your Family, made me conceal; but the peace of your mind being yet more dear to me, hath overcome all thoſe conſiderations, that made me diſſemble my thoughts. Seek no more for the cauſe of Mariamne's diſdain, her averſion doth not ſpring from a reſentment for the death of her Kindred; for were ſhe not prevented by another paſſion, the proofs of your love muſt needs have ſoftned her: That Rock ſo inſenſible to your Careſſes, is not ſo unrelenting to others, for that Parthian that holds his ſafety of your Charity, does doubtleſs love her with better luck than you; I have diſcover'd their intelligence by divers marks, and whatever care they took to diſguiſe it, their paſſion hath ſo blinded them, that they have loſt all power to diſſemble it, and I fear at laſt the whole Court will perceive it with ſeandal; I ſtrugled hard before I could reſolve with my ſelf to reveal this to you, and I ſhould have been willing at the price of my bloud to have ſhunn'd the occaſion of it without betraying you; but at laſt, Sir, my Zeal for your intereſts, and my indignation at the Queen's Ingratitude, have vanquiſhed thoſe Reaſons that would enjoyn me ſilence.

While Salome ſpake, the King accompanied her Diſcourſe with many ſighs, and ſwallow'd at deep draughts the poiſon ſhe had prepar'd him; this firſt information wanted little of tranſporting him to ſome fatal action: but, as he had ſhewn much power upon himſelf in divers encounters, he then maſtered theſe firſt motions, and grew deſirous to diſcover further, before he enterpriz'd things that might bring him ſuch diſpleaſing conſequences. For this reaſon, ſuppreſſing his apprehenſions as much as poſſible: Siſter, ſaid he to Salome, I am oblig'd to you for the advice you have given me, and doubt not but it parts from the affection you bare me; I have already had ſuſpitions conform'd to your belief, but they were not ſo ſtrongly grounded to ſeize wholly upon my judgment; beſides, I have underſtood the Queen's virtues by ſo many proofs, as I found it hard to believe that her averſion to me could urge her to the violation of her duty: Yet now I begin to lean to your opinion, and with you to judge it almoſt impoſſible that a thouſand ardent proofs of my affection ſhould not efface the Queens reſentments, nor ſo much as ſoften her rocky heart, if ſhe had not given it to another. I love her but too well, continu'd he with a ſigh, too too well I love that ingrateful Woman, and though ſhe unworthily abuſes my love, yet I cannot chooſe but love her. He ſtop'd at theſe words, walked up and down the Chamber with an action that expreſt his tranſport and irreſolution, wherein Salome might read, that her plot had not ill ſucceeded.

Ah! Tyridates cry'd he, after ſome ſilence, doſt thou thus requite the protection and refuge I have given thee? doſt thou not fear to find that in my juſt anger which thou haſt avoided by my aſſiſtance? had I deſerv'd to have felt thy indignation, couldſt thou not have galled me in a part leſs ſenſible? And canſt thou believe that a cruel Brother is more formidable than a jealous Husband, than a paſſionate lover? He mingled theſe words with freſh Sighs, and again took ſome turns in the Room; then turning to Salome, Siſter, ſaid he, before we enterprize any thing upon the advice you have given, 'tis fit we inſtruct our ſelves farther; for the quality of Tyridates, back'd with the care that Auguſtus takes of his ſafety, preſcribes me much caution; if you pleaſe, continue to improve your diſcovery of the truth, and on my ſide I ſhall take ſuch care, as it ſhall prove a very hard task for them ſtill to abuſe me.

This was the diſcourſe between the King and Salome, all which a while after I learn'd from Sohemus, who had been told it by an Officer of the Kings, his intimate Friend, that over-heard it in the Anti-Chamber.

From that day theſe two malicious ſpirits employed all their care to obſerve my behaviour, and indeed I confeſs, that (whatever circumſpection I endeavour'd to carry,) many paſſages ſlip'd from me, capable to undiſguiſe my paſſion to perſons ſo powerfully concern'd; my Looks, Sighs, and change of Countenance often betrayed me, for before I underſtood the Kings ſuſpition, I behav'd my ſelf with leſs prudence than I ſhould have uſed, had I diſtruſted it; the Queen was yet more narrowly ſifted, and as that great Princeſs obſerv'd ſomething in me (if I may ſpeak it with modeſty) that gave me a better title to her eſteem than any of the Jews, and poſſibly feeling her ſelf obliged to my perſevering reſpectuous paſſion, ſhe compell'd herſelf to ſhew ſuch apprehenſions of it, as reaſon told her were full of innocence, and treated me in publick with a countenance capable to confirm the King in thoſe cruel impreſſions Salome had given him.

This Jealous Prince that ſaw not but with the troubled Eyes of his ſuſpition, beheld all our actions, as if every one had the Countenance of a Criminal; the effects of the Queens goodneſs and civility were interpreted for ſo many marks of her affection, and thus he was ready every moment to abandon himſelf to ſuch a rage, as almoſt poſed all the prudence he could make to tame it. I often marked theſe changes both in his looks and his humour: and, though in the whole courſe of his life he had appear'd the moſt dexterous diſſembler of all men, yet his raging jealouſie had ſo weakned the power, which uſually held the reins of his paſſions, as he could not ſo well contain himſelf, but I diſcover'd much coldneſs and change in the diſcourſe and entertainment he made me; indeed I ſhould have apprehended all theſe things with ſuch a ſpirit as his, and doubtleſs had ſo, if the powerful love of Mariamne had not ſtifled that in my Soul, which nature places there for our proper ſafety, and forc'd a neglect of all that care I ſhould have carried about me for the preſervation of my life: The Queen perceiv'd this (which ſhe always ſuſpected) as ſoon as I, and though her conſcience witneſſed to her ſelf the innocence of her carriage, yet ſhe was deſirous to avoid the danger ſhe apprehended, by treating me with a more reſerv'd behaviour, if poſſible, than ſhe had done formerly. I ſtudied a more ſpecious diſſimulation, but it was too late, the tempeſt was already riſen, and at laſt made it ſelf known by moſt dangerous flaſhes.

One day, the remembrance of which I muſt preſerve as the moſt remarkable of my life, the very ſame whereon the Jems celebrate that which they call the Feaſt of Tabernacles, being deſirous through curioſity (though of different Religion) to aſſiſt at their Ceremonies, I accompany'd the King to that famous Temple, which from the Name of its Founder, they call the Temple of Solomon, and which for Riches and admirable ſtructure may paſs with more juſtice than that of Diana at Epheſus, or that of Jupiter the Olympian, for one of the Worlds wonders; at firſt the Ceremonies borrowed my attention, for methought they were very ſpecious: but in fine, no longer able to keep them off, I tranſported all my thoughts to Mariamne, and with thoſe tyed my eyes to her face, with ſo attentive a regard, as though Arſanes, who ſtood behind me, often endeavour'd to call me to my ſelf, and made me mark in what manner the King obſerv'd me, I had much ado to retire them for a few moments, while the Sacrifice laſted, nor was I ignorant of the fault I committed, but I believe the Gods ſtruck my Reaſon blind to puniſh my offence of aſſiſting at the Sacrifices of a Religion which was enemy to theirs: whatever the cauſe was, that was the day wherein the King abandon'd himſelf to his Jealouſie, though poſſibly he had not yet determin'd upon the reſolution he was to take. Coming back from the Temple, he went to viſit the Queens Lodging, full of furious thoughts, his Face carried the Copy of his troubled Soul, and his eyes ſparkled Meſſages of Death: Yet they were no ſooner encountred by the Queens, but all their ſtorms clear'd up, and thoſe tempeſts which rage had rais'd againſt her, by that marvellous aſcendent ſhe had upon his Spirit, did homage to the charms of her beauty, and grew calm in a moment; of one terrible as a Lion, in a few minutes he became mild and tractable; and in ſtead of uttering the threats he had prepar'd, his diſarmed Anger gave place to Kindneſs, which rendred his Spirit pliable to Careſſes and Flatteries.

He made the Queen a diſcourſe full of Affection, which ſhe receiv'd with her uſual modeſty: but then offering to take ſome liberties with her, which he might have lawfully believ'd his due, if (by ſo many cruelties inflicted upon her and hers) he had not violated the Rights, and loſt all thoſe advantages of which Marriage had poſſeſt him, that couragious Princeſs, who could never tamely hide her reſentment in a diſguiſe, diſdainfully repulſt him.

Herod, that was not ignorant of the true cauſe of this, though he ſuſpected others, would not take a denyal from her firſt coldneſs; but perceiving ſhe reſiſted with an invincible reſolution, and being no way able to obtain theſe favours from her, which his deſires were greedy of, he recall'd that Choler that had ſo lately ſhook him, and beholding her with Eyes that ſparkled fury; Ingrateful Woman, ſaid he, do not longer think to abuſe me by thy ſpecious pretences; but know I am not ignorant that it is the love of Tyridates, and not the memory of Hircanus, or Ariſtobulus that renders thee inflexible to thy Husband's Kindneſs.

Though the Queen had ever fear'd theſe things from Herod's humour, yet ſhe could not be leſs than ſurpriz'd at this language, and appear'd as if ſhe had been ſtruck with a Thunderbolt; her Tongue remain'd mute, her Viſage chang'd colour, and from the profound aſtoniſhment which Herod there obſerved, he received cruel confirmations of his Jealous thoughts. This apprehenſion redoubled his fury, and now not doubting but the Queens powerfull ſurpriſal roſe from the reproaches of her Conſcience, and the ſhame or fear ſhe might have to ſee her Paſſion diſcovered, he gave himſelf up to the moſt furious tranſports that rage could inſpire, and had much ado to keep it from committing outrage upon her Perſon; but he upbraided her with the moſt injurious words that Choler could invent; How now Traitreſs, ſaid he, muſt I then be rob'd by a Barbarian's witchcraft, of what is only due to my ſelf? And thou, that wouldſt fain paſs for a demure Zealot, does it ſuit with the Law of thy God, or the repute of the World, that thou findeſt more ſweetneſs in the ſhameful embraces of an Infidel, than the Legitimate affections of a Husband? Ah! diſloyal Woman, unworthy of a Love, which has preſerved thee in a rank from whence thou haſt deſerved to fall with thy Family, a Love that hath expoſed me too, to the Contempt of my People; is it by theſe infamous paſſions thou makeſt good thy claim to the Macchabean blood, of which thou haſt ſo often boaſted? Thinkeſt thou thoſe illuſtrious Aſmoneans, with whoſe glory thou haſt ſtill reproached me, (ſhould they return to the World) could approve of the ignominious preference thou makeſt of an exiled Parthian, to a King, whom the lateſt of thy Anceſtors gave thee for a Husband, or rather who honoured thee with the Title of his Spouſe, when he might have uſed thee as his ſubject?

He accompanied theſe words with a torrent of others more cruel and injurious; during which the fair Queen, having had time to reſtore her ſelf from her firſt aſtoniſhment, began to regard with all the aſſurance that innocence could give her; and, neither able to make her ſpirit flexible to his Flatteries, nor her own juſtification, of which ſhe believ'd him unworthy, after that he had given ſome truce to his invectives. Finiſh, ſaid ſhe, thou cruel Man, finiſh thy rage, and believe that after the exerciſe of ſo much brutiſh cruelty upon mine, thou may'ſt give it leave to let fall its laſt effects upon my ſelf; there only remains the laſt part of it to be acted upon me; for having had (by the murther of my deareſt friends, by a miſerable Captivity, and the bloudy orders thou gaveſt for my own) my repoſe ſo often tortured, there reſts no more but to aſſault my Honour, which by the favour of Heaven I have till now defended from thy horrid perſecutions: do, tear my Reputation, which hath maintained it ſelf pure and ſpotleſs in my misfortunes, and ſtill perſecute the Aſmonean memory by the ſhame thou prepareſt for the laſt of its Illuſtrious bloud, which thou haſt ſpilt ſo brutiſhly; Hope not I will aſſert my innocence; no, that account muſt only be rendred to him that knows it, and by his goodneſs will defend it againſt the calumny of my Enemies: believe all of the unfortunate Mariamne, wherewith her envious detractors have inſpir'd thee: Thy cruelties have given me but too much cauſe to diſpence with the juſtification which I owe to him, whom Heaven in its anger gave me for a Husband: but do not involve ſuch perſons in my miſery, as have no part in the crime thou impoſeſt; and if thy rage demands a victim to appeaſe it, ſeek no other than her whom thou haſt taught to deſire Death, by rendring her Life calamitous.

The laſt words of the Queen tranſported Herod to the fartheſt degrees of fury: and now, more than believing the care ſhe took of my juſtification, while ſhe diſdained her own, could ſpring from no other root but that of Love, he concluded the proof clear enough to convince her; and not able ſo far to over-rule this belief, to diſſemble his intention; Yes perfidious Creature, cryed he, I will credit all that my eyes and ears, and not the envious detractors, have told me; I will credit all that will convince thee of the moſt ſhamefull and blackeſt of all Treaſons; and in fine, believe that of thee, which thou wouldeſt I ſhould do, and diſdainſt to diſavow: The care thou takeſt of that ingratefull wretch, which has ſo baſely betrayed me, to the prejudice of thy own ſafety, ſhall ſuffice for his and thy Condemnation: the ruin of that thou holdeſt ſo dear, ſhall begin the puniſhment ofthy diſloyalty, and the choice of victims due to my juſt anger ſhall not be at thy diſpoſal; for before thou learneſt what to reſolve upon thy ſelf, prepare to know what I ſhall execute upon the perſon of thy Adulterer.

At theſe words he flung out of the Chamber, with a Countenance ſo furious, as thoſe that met him in the paſſage could not behold him without trembling; Alas, how erroneous was the opinion he had of my fortune? how remote was I from that Soveraign degree of happineſs, and how worthy my condition had been of envie, had his ſuſpitions been true.

In the mean time I was at my Lodging, wholly ignorant of what had paſſed at the Palace, and employed the reſt of that day upon my ordinary diverſions. The hour of Supper being come, I was ſerv'd after the uſual manner, and ſitting at the Table with ſome friends of the Court, which were come to viſit me, we had done part of our repaſt; when, calling for drink, one of the Kings Cup-bearers that was accuſtomed to ſerve me, preſented the Cup with a troubled look, and diſcompos'd countenance: I obſerved this change in his Viſage, but made no reflection upon it, only contented my ſelf to ask him if he was not well; and in the mean time taking the Cup from his hands, I was carrying it to my mouth, when Arſanes enter'd the Chamber, and haſtily running up to me, juſt as I touched the Cup with my lips, he ruſhed againſt my arm ſo rudely, as he made me let fall the Cup, and ſpill the Liquor, part on the Table, and part upon my Cloths: this action of Arſanes was ſo little reſpectful, that (knowing his diſpoſition) I concluded he had not done it without ſome powerful motive: but he ſtayed not till I ſhould ask the reaſon, and (deſirous to hide his intent from thoſe were with me) Sir, ſaid he, I beſeech you to pardon the offence which my raſh haſte made me commit, and be pleaſed to vouchſafe me the liberty of your ear for one moment. This ſaid, he drew me by the Arm, with an action ſo earneſt, as I perceived he had ſome advice of importance to communicate: I roſe from the Table, making a bad excuſe to thoſe that ſupp'd with me, and followed Arſanes into my Cabinet, which he firſt entred. We were no ſooner there, but, Sir, ſaid he, nothing but a ſpeedy flight can ſave your life, the Gods in good time conducted me hither to ſpill the Poyſon was prepar'd you; but if we ſtay longer here, it will not be poſſible, with the ſame facility, to put by thoſe other dangers that menace you; Read this Note, which juſt now I received of the Queens chief Eunuch; it is written with her own hand; and if the Gods conſent that we eſcape, tis to her alone you owe your ſafety: I was amazed at the words and actions of Arſanes, and without reply to his Diſcourſe, I took the Letter, where I found theſe words written with the hand of my Divine Queen.

I read over the Billet twice or thrice, kiſs'd thoſe amiable Characters which that adorable hand had traced, and after the peruſal, I was much to ſeek, whether the cruelty of Herod, that ſought to deſtroy me, after he had given me ſhelter, or the goodneſs of Mariamne, who took ſuch noble pains to preſerve my life with the peril of her own, touch'd me deepeſt; I knew not to which of theſe reſentments my ſoul was to give preheminence, but I know well the death that was threatned could not put on ſo rude a ſhape as that departure to which I ſaw my ſelf condemn'd by the hand of Mariamne.

The grief I felt was too prodigious to be wrap'd in words, I ſtood a long time ſilent and immoveable, which Arſanes (who had ballanced the eſtate of my Affairs) diſapproving, after he had often urged me to reſolve; What would you I ſhould do ſaid I? what Reſolution can you wiſh me to take in ſo cruel a propoſition? think you this life, which through your care I have miſerably drag'd from Court to Court, is ſo dear to divorce me from Mariamne? do you believe this ſeparation more eaſie than that of my Soul from my Body? Shall I abandon her for ever, whom I can ſcarce leave for a moment without dying? And to avoid one ſingle death, ſhall I carry a thouſand in my Breſt through all thoſe places where my pitileſs Fortune ſhall lead me? Ah! Let us die firſt, continued I, walking a great pace, without liſtening to the Reaſons Arſanes preſſed for departure, let us die a ready death, ſince a ſlow one is much more ſenſible, leave the Body cold and pale in that place which the Soul cannot abandon; and ſince we muſt die one way, let us ſeek to die in the eyes of Mariamne; and if that glory be refuſed, at leaſt give up that Spirit which neither was, nor ever ſhall be, but to her, as near her as is poſſible.

I pronounc'd theſe words with an action full of tranſport; and while thus my irreſolution ſhook me with ſuch terrible inquietudes, Arſanes loſt all his loyal pains about me; but after he had alledged divers perſwaſive reaſons, to which I could not ſo much as lend attention: Sir, ſaid he, I doubt not but you diſpoſe your ſelf to this parting with much regret; but if the care of your own life cannot oblige you, conſider the command you receiv'd from the Queen, you will find it ſo expreſs, that if you have any reſpect left for her, it is impoſſible to diſobey it. The Queens command, replied I, proceeds from nought but a compaſſionate care ſhe takes of my life: did ſhe know that to die were a thouſand times more pleaſing then to quit her for ever, ſhe would doubtleſs permit me to ſtay here ſtill. Arſanes was about to reply, though he could never have perſwaded me, when my Governour entred the Cloſet, and told me in a few words, that Sohemus deſir'd to ſpeak with me, that favour'd by the nights darkneſs, he had ſlipt into the Garden where he attended me, not daring to approach farther without running a danger too manifeſt, and giving the King ſuch ſuſpitions as might bereave him of the means to ſerve me.

I ran without replying to the place where Sohemus waited, without a Torch, or any company but Arſanes and my Governour, and ſo ſoon as I came at him, Well my dear friend, ſaid I, embracing him, then we muſt either die or ſeparate, and by the Cruelty of Herod and Fate, either Life or Mariamne muſt be quitted. Yes Sir, replied Sohemus, and if you uſe not diligence, 'tis poſſible you will have both ſnatched from you. That may eaſily be done, ſaid I, and I ſhall feel leſs pain and repugnance that way, than violently to chain my Body where my Soul refuſes to keep it company. Then I repeated almoſt the ſame things I talked to Arſanes, to which when he had lent an attention as ſerious as the troubles that involv'd us had left him; Sir, ſaid he, if you love the Queen, you ought not to conſult farther, nor enlarge your explications upon her commands, which cannot be but fatal to one or other; if you neglect your own life, you ought to conſider hers, and to believe, that while you are in Judea, ſhe can never be in ſafety; 'tis not only againſt you that the Kings anger does lighten, 'tis rather her that this riſing ſtorm doth threaten, and you have no other way to keep it off her head, than by removing the cauſe of the Kings cruel Jealouſie.

Then in order he briefly recounted what he had learn'd of the Conference between the King and Queen from the chief Eunuch, who had over-heard it, and thus by urging the Queens ſafety and repoſe, he rang'd all that was repugnant in me under his obedience. Yet I could not diſpoſe my ſelf to forſake the Queen for ever, but I reſolved for ſome time to fly the rage of Herod, and in the mean time to go in ſearch of ſome occaſions that might either reſtore my condition by the knowledge he might gain of the Queens innocence, or if it were poſſible, procure to ſee her without her knowledge: this was my hope that got my conſent to part, but I would rather have taken a thouſand deaths, than given it to take eternal leave of Mariamne.

While I diſcours'd with Sohemus, thanked him for his good Offices, and promis'd a perpetual Amity, with ſuch a ſhare in my Fortunes, as his own deſires ſhould crave (if ever the Gods thought fit to change them) and drew promiſes from him to perſevere in his faithful aſſiſtance, Arſanes and my Governour got ready our Arms and Horſes, and having caus'd them to be led without noiſe by three or four Parthian Servitors to the Garden Gate (that had ſerv'd me from my Infancy, and follow'd me in all my Voyages) and having carefully pack'd up my Jewels and Money, with what elſe was neceſſary, I rewarded Sohemus with ſome Gems of great value, and leaving others in his hand to give to Cleophe and the Eunuch that had been my Conſidents, I bid him adien with tears in my Eyes, and arming my ſelf, in a ſhort time I got to Horſe with Arſanes, my Governour, and my faithful Parthians, without taking any Jew along with me, or ſo much as letting them know of my departure.

I went out at the ſame Gate Sohemus enter'd, which open'd into an unfrequented ſtreet; while I iſſued out at the back-ſide of my Lodging, the Front of it was aſſaulted by thoſe that Herod had ſent either to take or kill me; and, as they had order to environ my Lodging, I had not trod many ſteps in the ſtreets before I ſaw both ends of it ſeiz'd upon by a great number of Souldiers, that ſhut up the paſſage on all ſides. I perceiv'd I ſhould find it a hard task to ſave my ſelf, yet I reſolv'd to ſell either my life or liberty as dear as poſſible, and turning to thoſe that follow'd me: Are you reſolv'd, ſaid I, to defend your ſelves like valiant men, and either to owe your ſafety to your own bravery, or periſh with your Prince, if the Gods have ſo ordain'd it? they proteſted with one voice, That they would die at my feet; and, being aſſured of their reſolution, I ſpur'd in upon thoſe with my Sword in my hand, that defended the paſſage; and was follow'd ſo Couragiouſly by mine, that my Enemies began to judge it not ſo eaſie a task to take me as they imagin'd.

I paſſed upon the Necks of thoſe that firſt oppoſed me; and, cutting out our way with our Swords, we beſtir'd our ſelves ſo vigorouſly at the firſt encounter, as (after we had thrown many of our Enemies dead at our feet, and ſcattered the fierceſt of the reſt) the paſſage through the Street remained free, and we advanc'd into another more large, through which we gallop'd towards the Gate that was neareſt. And now we had begun to entertain ſome hope of eſcape, when paſſing through a place adjoyning to the Temple, we ſpy'd ſo many Troops of armed men from all corners approaching to us, as we judg'd it very difficult to force them.

The light which the Torches caſt, ſhewed me Alexas the Husband of Salome in the head of the foremoſt, and, hearing him loudly animate his men either to take or kill me, I ran up unto him with my advanced Sword in my hand, which I let fall upon his head ſo forcibly, that had not the blow been warded by a Souldier, that put his Sword before it, his life had payed for his Wives malice; nevertheleſs the blow was not ſo ſlight, but it threw him with a deep wound at the feet of his Souldiers; the Jews raiſed a loud clamour at the fall of Alexas, and in the mean time we charged in ſo ſucceſsfully as we tumbled many of them dead at our Horſes feet: Indeed we did perform actions there worthy of ſome remembrance, and 'tis probable the Jews had never ſeen ſuch a handfull of men in their City diſpute their lives ſo couragiouſly; but in fine, our Enemies ſtrength increaſed to ſuch a meaſure, and ours grew ſo feeble, as we ſoon perceived, without ſome miraculous aſſiſtance, the wayes to ſafety were all block'd up. My Governour Politis, who till then had accompanied and ſerved me in all my diſgraces with a marvellous affection (bravely fighting by my ſide) was forced by a multitude of wounds to breath his laſt; his death was ſucceeded by one of my faithfull Parthians, and ſure I had not long ſtaid behind him, if Arſanes, who is endowed with a dexterous Wit, and that temper'd with a marvellous Prudence, bethought himſelf in the very midſt of danger, of a way to ſave us; and approaching to me, as near as poſſible, Sir, ſaid he, I beſeech you follow me, I have diſcovered a ſecure Retreat: And at theſe words in ſtead of ſpurring towards the Gate, as we did before, where the thickeſt throng of Enemies and difficulty withſtood us, he cauſed me to face about towards the Temple Gate, which was behind us, and on that ſide (having but few enemies to combat) we ſoon clear'd the paſſage, and were no ſooner arrived there, but we readily quitted our Horſes, and threw our ſelves into the Temple, which was then open, becauſe of the Feaſt of Tabernacles, the Celebration of which laſted three whole days.

That Temple had always been a Sanctuary for Criminals: but at that Feaſt (the moſt conſiderable of any the Jews Religion celebrates) it was ſo aſſured a refuge, as the Jews would rather have ſuffered the entire ruine of their Nation, than permitted any to be forced from the Temple, that had there taken Sanctuary, whatever Crime they were convicted of; this cool'd the heat of their purſuits, and when they ſaw us entred, they ſtop'd at the Gate, and ſtood with Arms a-croſs, without the leaſt offer to follow us: Indeed ſome there were of the moſt mutinous among them, and the moſt intereſſed in the hurt of Alexas, and the death of their Companions, that cryed out to the Prieſts to put us out; That I was the Kings Enemy; That it was by his Order and expreſs Command they purſued us: But the Prieſts, in ſtead of liſtening to their clamour, received us with much humanity, and proteſted they would rather periſh than ſuffer the Temples Priviledges to be violated. The dignity of Prieſthood among the JEWS was very eminent: That of High-Prieſt, had heretofore been only exerciſed by Kings themſelves; after the Kings Hircanus and Ariſtobulus the Grandfather and Brother of Mariamne had diſcharged it, and then it was in the hands of one, the neareſt allyed to the Crown. And thus we ſaw our ſelves in that ſacred Fortreſs, and our Enemies only content to environ it, without daring to advance one ſtep to force an entrance; but as ſoon as day ſhewed it ſelf, the King having learn'd the truth, after he had ſent divers Meſſages to the Prieſts in vain, he came himſelf, wholly tranſported with ſury, in ſuch a Tempeſt, as gave belief to thoſe that were next him, it would hurry him to the moſt violent extremities.

The Prieſts, inform'd of his Arrival, came to the Gate to meet him, but ſo ſoon as they ſaw him, in the name of their GOD they forbad him to put a Foot into the Temple, if he brought any other intention than to render that reſpect which was as due from him, as from the meaneſt Iew, to that Holy Place, and the DIVINITY within it.

Herod, though deeply in rage, and poſſibly not over-zealous in the ſervice of his God, as he was very politick, fear'd, that being already hated, and but weakly aſſur'd of the Jews fidelity (ſhould he venture to violate their Cuſtoms, and infringe their Priviledges) it might provoke ſome revolt; beſides news was brought him, that in divers parts of the City, the Phariſees, that were the greateſt Zelots in their Religion, and the moſt conſiderable among the People, began to murmur. He conſidered that there was then cauſe to fear every thing, the Feaſt having filled the City not only with its own Inhabitants, but with the greateſt part of all Judaea, which the Solemnity had ſummoned thither. Theſe conſiderations ſtaid Herod at the Gate, but the trouble of his Soul expreſt it ſelf at the Eyes, and in the disjoynted words his Rage let fall: yet time having reconciled him to ſome Reaſon, he repreſented to ſome Prieſts, that the Aſylum of the Temple was not to protect us; that we were Infidels, and of a contrary Religion; that they ought the rather to put us out, leſt our preſence ſhould prophane the places Holineſs; but the Prieſts replyed, That Gods Aſylum was equally for all men; That if our Opinions did not tread the right path, we might there find it through the conduct of his Grace; That probably having made us incur the Kings diſpleaſure, he had therefore called us thither.

Herod anſwered, that I had violated the chief rights of Hoſpitality, that were as ancient as Temples themſelves; That no Nation ought to contain a refuge of the Man that had directly abus'd the proper Perſon of the King, and mortally wounded his Brother in Law; but all the Arguments he could urge, were not ſtrong enough to batter the Prieſts reſolution; neither his Menaces nor Promiſes could diſpoſe them, either to remit me into his hands, or ſuffer him to enter into the Temple, without thundering againſt him with all their Authority wherewith their Office had inveſted them, which enjoyn'd the conſervation of their Priviledges.

The Gods can witneſs, that I did not love my life ſo well, to beſtow all the care they made me take upon its preſervation: but I condeſcended much to to the entreaties of Arſanes and my Servants, and indeed to the Prieſts themſelves, who would not permit me to leave the Temple, though I had deſired it.

Whatever reſentment I had entertain'd againſt Herod, as the perſecutor of my life, and Mariamne's repoſe: yet I could not quit the thought of his firſt Reception, and the ſhelter that he had ſo many years given me againſt my Brothers Barbariſm: this remembrance made me deſire to ſee and ſpeak to him, to teſtifie that I was neither ingrateful to his former kindneſs, nor had ever injur'd him in the leaſt particular he could imagine: upon this ſcore forcing this reſiſtance of Arſanes diſſwaſion, I approached within eight or ten paces of the Gate where he conteſted with the Prieſts; and, ſo ſoon as I could be ſeen or heard; King of the Jews, cryed I, I am neither thy Subject nor inferior: and the Gods, who have given me birth from the nobleſt Family in the World, have not left me to acknowledge any Superior Power but theirs; for this reaſon I have little cauſe to juſtifie my ſelf to thee that wouldſt have taken my life both by Sword and Poyſon, and haſt purſued me againſt all Divine and Humane right, even to the Temple of thy God: but the ſatisfaction I owe to my Conſcience, and to the memory of that Entertainment wherewith thou haſt formerly treated me, doth oblige me to declare my Innocence. I proteſt unto thee, Herod, both before thy God and mine, that I have no way deſerved to offend thee: in thoſe employments thou gaveſt me for thy Service, thou haſt found it (and poſſibly to thy own advantage) that I neither ſpar'd my Blood nor my Life for the intereſt of thy State; and for that which concerns thy Perſon: I repeat my proteſtation, that I never did thee any injury. If that which ſeems amiable in they Eye, hath appeared worthy of veneration and reſpect, thoſe ſentiments, to which thou canſt only attribute my Crime, cannot make thy complaint againſt me legitimate; and I wiſh this very Temple, which now ſerves to ſhrowd me from thy Malice, may cruſh me with its own ruines, if in the moſt culpable of all my thoughts, there was any mixture of what might be capable to wrong thee. Nor do I aſſert this truth with deſign to diſarm thy fury, or avoid the death thou threatneſt: I cannot fear baſely; nay, could I now be ſhown any occaſion to periſh nobly, thou ſhouldſt quickly ſee how low I prize my life; but I perceive, that either thy own blind tranſport, or the rage of mine and thy Enemies, have made thee involve in my impoſed crimes the pureſt and the moſt entire innocence that ever yet was injur'd. Deſtroy him if thou wilt whoſe thoughts may have diſpleas'd thee, though they were alwayes innocent enough to endure ſtripping: but do not let fall thy rage upon Her that never underſtood them. What I have repreſented may plant quiet as well in thy Family as thy breaſt: and if thou wilt promiſe me at the foot of thy Altars, and before the Miniſters of thy God, to make me the only mark of thy fury, I will abandon this Aſylum that defends my Head from thy rape, and without further delay render it up into thy hands.

I had further enlarg'd my ſelf, if the enraged Herod would have given me a longer hearing without interruption: He had endur'd the beginning of my Diſcourſe with ſome patience, or at leaſt had ſuffered me to ſpeak, becauſe the exceſs of choler, that poſſeſs'd him, had ty'd up his own Tongue. But when he ſaw with what paſſion I endeavour'd to juſtifie Mariamne, and then remembred that her goodneſs had taken the ſame care for me, he let himſelf fall into a cruel re-doublement of his Jealouſie, and not able to diſſemble the rage that remembrance inſpir'd: Barbarous Traytor, cry'd he, unworthy of the Protection I have given thee againſt thoſe that knew thee better than my ſelf, and would juſtly have cut thee from the world, through the experience of thy diſloyal inclination: doſt thou hope to find that at the foot of our Altars, againſt my juſt reſentments, which none but my Arm could have given thee againſt the purſuits of thy own Brother? thinkeſt thou, Heaven that abhors thy ingratitude, can arm it ſelf in thy defence againſt a King, that hath but too well defended and received thee, not onely into his Dominions, but with a hoſpitable liberality into his Houſe; a favour thou haſt unworthily abuſed? Ah! no, falſe Man, do not hope Divine preſervation for ſuch Crimes as can neither be excus'd before God or Man; nor think thy artificial words can pacifie an Anger armed but with too much Juſtice. Thou ſhalt periſh for the expiation of thy own ingratitude; nor ſhall thy Counſel direct me what puniſhment to inflict on the complices of thy Treachery.

He would have ſaid more, and poſſibly in the end violated all right of priviledge to get me into his power, if Soſius (followed with a great Guard of Romans and Jews) had not arrived at the Temple Gate: This man was a Roman Senator, that ſome dayes ſince came to Jeruſalem to treat with Herod about certain Affairs concerning the Emperor Auguſtus: And the ſame Soſius that with a Roman Army had formerly aided him in his War againſt Antigonus, and contributed more than himſelf to the defeat and taking of that poor Prince.

Herod highly reſpected this man, as well for his perſonal, as his repreſentative condition, being the Emperors Ambaſſador. Soſius had formerly known, and fancying ſomething in me worthy of his amity, gladly conſented to be my friend; and at that time underſtanding the danger I was in, he came to find Herod, with intent to imploy all the Imperial Authority for my preſervation: and ſo ſucceſsfully he laboured it, that Herod, as hot as his rage had made him, was conſtrained to tame it at the name of Auguſtus, of whoſe power and greatneſs he was a timerous Idolater.

Soſius urged that he ought to permit me to retire to the Emperor, who had oft invited me to Rome, and profeſſed an intereſt in my preſervation; that his proceedings were but too violent againſt a Prince of my extraction; that it was fit to conſider what might follow, his quarrel being grounded upon nought but weak ſuſpition; beſides that he had learnt, the wound of Alexas was not dangerous, which I had given him in ſuch a reſiſtance as was allowed to all men: Beſides theſe, he repreſented divers other conſiderations, to which in the end he joyn'd the Emperors Authority, proteſting he ſhould render an exact account of that Action, and to this menace, Herod (that was a ſlave to the Roman fortune and greatneſs, and without that prop, knew it impoſſible to ſupport his own) rather rendred than to any other conſideration. At laſt therefore he conſented I ſhould go ſafely out of the Temple, with all that was mine; on condition I ſhould make no ſtay in the City, but quit it the ſame day, and in ſix more depart the limits of his Realm; pawning his word to Soſius (who received it in the Emperors name) that neither in the City, nor upon the way there ſhould be any trap laid for me.

This was our Capitulation, and having paid my thanks to Soſius and the Prieſts for their kindneſs, as well as my grief to abandon Mariamne would ſuffer me, I quitted the Temple, and ſoon after the City, under the Conduct of Soſius and his Romans, and they accompanied me without the Gates; it was likewiſe permitted to the reſt of my Train, to repair to the place of my firſt nights lodging, which was at a Town diſtant about a hundred furlongs from Hieruſalem. Thus I eſcaped Herod's fury, but not the perſecutions of my unfortunate Love; the ills I had avoided were found ſcarce worth conſidering, when compared with thoſe this cruel parting procured me; and though my reſolution was thus imperfect, thus far I had gone, rather to ſuffer a thouſand deaths, than renounce Mariamne for ever, for fear of one.

We were no ſooner arriv'd at the place where we were to lodge, but taking Arſanes aſide; My dear Arſanes ſaid I, You ſee that I have condeſcended to your reaſons that urg'd my parting from the Temple, and the City, to avoid Herod; and poſſibly the conſideration of you, was none of the feebleſt arguments to win my conſent to preſerve a life which I can never love, in this condition it is now reduced to; but if you believed there was any of thoſe reaſons ſo puiſſant to make me welcome a deſpair of ever ſeeing Mariamne more, diſabuſe your ſelf; 'tis as impoſſible to liv ewithout her, as without reſpiring; and ſpare your diſſenting reaſons, for they are all incapable to reverſe the reſolution I have taken to ſee her this very Night if poſſible; when the Night has ſpread her ſhades upon Earth, I intend to return diſguiſed to Hieruſalem, and to go to the Houſe of my Friend and confident Sohemus; I have ſome hopes, that by his and Phylon the Eunuchs aſſiſtance, I may gain a ſight of the Queen; the deſign is now more eaſie to effect than ever; for beſides the ſervice that the Night and my diſguiſe are like to do me, in ſuch an infinite number of Strangers that are now in the City, becauſe of the Feaſt, I ſhall run no hazard of diſcovery: Beſides, Herod will never imagine, that after ſo late an eſcape from ſuch a peril, I would venture afreſh to repeat the Precipice. The Queen I will ſee, if Heaven prove ſo kind that ſhe permits me the opportunity, and if her intentions prove oppoſite, I ſhall receive the command from her own mouth, which her Letter did not clearly explain. You will find it in vain to oppoſe this Deſign, therefore ſpare the fruitleſs pains to divert it, and if my life be dear to you (as you have often proteſted) remember you ought to aſſiſt me in all ſuch things as are ordained to make it ſuffer.

Arſanes ſtood aſtoniſht at my reſolution, but found it impoſſible to faſten any reaſon upon it; and the night had no ſooner made its dark approach, but clad in one of my ſervants habits, with one attendant I return'd to the City, deſiring Arſanes to ſtay with the reſt, the better to hide my departure, and expect the Orders I ſhould ſend him as the event advis'd.

I re-entred the City, and found no difficulty to conceal my ſelf in ſuch a confluence of People, that fill'd it in all parts, and getting within twenty paces of Sohemus his Houſe, I ſent my man thither; who happily encountred him entring his own Gate, being newly returned from the Palace. Sohemus was amaz'd to ſee me, not thinking it poſſible that I ſhould re-attempt the danger I lately eſcap'd with ſo much ado. Ah! my Lord, ſaid he, is it poſſible I ſee you again in a place where to day you ran ſo great a hazard of your life? Be not aſtoniſhed, dear Sohemus, ſaid I, I have a paſſion can produce ſtranger effects, they that have courage enough to liſt an Eye to Mariamne, cannot want it to deſpiſe danger. I am returned, Sohemus, to challenge that of your friendſhip which you promis'd, and that which I ever expected from you; I come to the Queen, by your means, if it be poſſible, and if your aſſiſtance can create me ſo happy, that benefit ſhall compleat your purchaſe of the Heart of a Prince, that you have powerfully gained.

Sohemus heard my entreaty, with much deſire to oblige me, but found ſo little facility in the attempt, as he ſtaid a long time before he could ſhape an Anſwer; at laſt, when he had thought enough, My Lord, ſaid he, You deſire effects of my obedience ſo difficult and dangerous, as I know not in what faſhion I ſhall find it poſſible to ſerve you; ſince yeſterday the Queen hath been more ſtrictly watched than formerly; and though the King has not yet diſcharged the thunderbolts, which we fear'd would fall from his violent choler, yet he ſtill keeps her in terms of diſtruſting his fury: nevertheleſs, ſhe is not ſo rigorouſly obſerved, but (if her conſent be not wanting) you may ſee her; but, as I believe, ſhe will not approve your attention, ſo I fear ſhe will not contribute thoſe things to the interview, as are in her power to effect; however, for your ſake, I will run the hazard, and it ſhall be no fault of mine if you be not ſatisfied.

At theſe words I often embraced Sohemus, and weighing the truth of what he had ſaid, I long conſulted with him upon the order we were to obſerve; all the wayes were block'd up with difficulty and peril; at laſt we fix'd upon one that we judged the leaſt dangerous; and Sohemus, not willing to ſtay me longer in the ſtreet, led me through a private door and up a little pair of Stairs, not unknown unto me, to the Eunuch Phylon's Chamber, the Eunuch was then with the Queen; but his Chamber door was opened to Sohemus: by a Servitor that waited there; Sohemus went that way to the Queens Lodgings, while I expected his return in the Gallery, without a Light.

My fear to afflict your Patience, makes me forbear the repetition of Sohemus and Phylon's Diſpute with the Queen to diſpoſe her to ſee me; the anger ſhe expreſt againſt them and me, and the pains they took to obtain the grace I demanded, I refer to your apprehenſion; for your reaſon cannot be a ſtranger to what might be alledged on both ſides; and ſhall content my ſelf to tell you, that after a long conteſtation, at laſt the Queen conſented to ſee me in Cleophee's Chamber, where by her ſhe was only attended, while Sohemus and Phylon were ſet Sentinels at both advenues to prevent a ſudden ſurpriſal. You will poſſibly find, Madam, ſomething worthy of cenſure in this condeſcent of Mariamne, and judge with rigour, that ſhe ought not to have bow'd to my Paſſion with ſo much indulgence, after ſhe had given in the whole courſe of her Life ſuch haughty proofs of a marvellous Virtue; but when you ſhall know what ſhe intended, you will doubtleſs conclude this action did not ſpot her whiteneſs. Sohemus returned to the place where he left me, to conduct me to Cleophe's Chamber, where I entred trembling, and the Queen immediately after me; I had ſcarce the aſſurance to lift my eyes to her Viſage; ſo weak I grew at the apprehenſion of an angry look, which my fears told me I had provoked by importuning a favour that my merits could no way challenge; indeed methought I ſaw ſome Choler ſit upon her brow, but while I threw my ſelf at her feet, and embraced her knees, without the utterance of a ſingle word: Is it poſſible, ſaid ſhe, that you could have ſo little conſideration of the repoſe of my Life and Reputation, to hazard both ſo viſibly; and after having led my life, till now, with ſuch caution, you ſhould force me to ſee you by night in a diſguiſe, without any other neceſſity then to ſooth your unjuſt Paſſion? have you done well to exact this from Mariamne, when you had ſo lately reduced her to the greateſt extremities that ever Princeſs of her condition and propenſion did encounter with? nay, can your ſelf approve that (which in your favour I now do) againſt all the Rules of Prudence and Reaſon? But do not Tyridates, purſu'd ſhe (ſitting her down, and forcing me to riſe) do not haſtily condemn this Action; ſee the end, before you paſs a diſadvantagious Judgment: if I had not condeſcended to ſee you, as I had many reaſons to diſſwade it, I had miſſed the occaſion of preventing ſuch attempts for the future; which I will now do, by putting an Order in force for my own repoſe, and yours too if it be poſſible.

At theſe words ſhe ſtopp'd; and, while her Diſcourſe laſted, having recover'd a little aſſurance, I took the advantage of her ſilence, and lifting up my eyes to her face, which till then I had not dared to behold, but by ſtollen glances: Madam, I confeſs ſaid I, that I am yet more culpable than your words have made me; and though my intents have been innocent, the ills you have ſuffered through my occaſion, do render me the moſt criminal amongſt all men: I am therefore come, Madam, to proteſt at your feet, that all my Blood, that a thouſand ſuch Lives as mine, can never requite the leaſt of your diſpleaſures; and to conjure you by all that is capable to perſwade, that I may have leave to ſpend this poor Life to purchaſe the repoſe of yours; employ the courage of Tyridates to break the Chains of your Calamities. I know I have committed a freſh offence in ſeeking means to petition your Goodneſs for this laſt favour, which I never have, nor ſhall ever merit; but it is not juſt, nor can my Paſſion excuſe it, that after having been the cauſe of ſo many of your misfortunes, I ſhould ſecurely retire from the purſuits of Herod, and abandoning you to his Cruelties, leave you, by ſhameful flight, in his ſavage hands, to ſeek a Refuge at Rome, while you ſtay here expos'd to his fury: This only conſideration, Madam, hath had power to ſhut my eyes upon that danger, againſt which you have expoſed ſuch a miracle of goodneſs: and in fine, I have learned to believe, that if any man may unfetter you from your Miſeries, you ought to hope it from none but Tyridates, as a Glory only due to him. I am now no longer retain'd by Hoſpitality, nor aw'd with the memory of my firſt Obligation; Herod's Sword and Poyſon have cancell'd thoſe; either of which would have infallibly deſtroy'd me, had not your adventurous pity prevented the Blow. To you only, my Divine Queen, this Life, ſuch as it is, is indebted for its Being, and you would have me have carried it away without offering the Sacrifice where it was due; it was yours by Gifts, yours by preſervation, and can you think it reaſonable, that I ſhould wander with it among the Romans, inſtead of coming to ſubmit it to my Sovereign? Ah! no, continued I, caſting my ſelf at her feet, do not reject that which would reject its own being but for you, and that which you cannot juſtly diſavow, do not grudge it the hazard of Herod's rigour, by dooming my ſoul to thoſe gloomy Woes, a thouſand times more black than the night, in which he would have clos'd my eyes for ever; or if the preſence of this wretch does importune or diſcompoſe your quiet, give leave that death may free you of him, from which you have but in vain preſerv'd him in Judea, ſince he muſt infallibly receive it elſewhere from the rigour of this ſeparation.

I had ſaid more in the tranſport to which I had abandon'd my ſelf, if the Queen, who ſuffer'd with repugnance full of deadly fear, had not ſet bounds to the ſpacious Diſcourſe I meditated; and after ſhe had interrupted me with a command to riſe, Ceaſe Tyridates, ſaid ſhe, to make theſe offers which I cannot ſo much as hear without offending Virtue, and remember I have told you a thouſand times, that the Crime of Herod cannot authorize mine; if I owe nothing to him, as to the quality of a Husband, yet the debt to my God and my ſelf, can never be ſatisfied. I will quit the World when it pleaſes Heaven to releaſe me, without the Crimes of theſe Miſeries: or if it have decreed them a longer date, I muſt ſtill have patience to endure them; 'tis this I oppoſe, in few words, to the deſires you expreſs to wipe away my diſpleaſure; I am neither permitted by Law Divine or Humane to ſerve my ſelf of your aſſiſtance: for that which regards your departure, know Tyridates, it is an indiſpenſable neceſſity, that you ſuddenly reſolve it, that I am now half conſtrain'd to an action unbecoming my quality and duty; and can no more conſent to ſee you with ſo much danger of life and reputation; and in fine, muſt intreat you never to ſee me more. Be not aſtoniſhed at theſe words, you have courage enough to be prepared for them, and poſſibly affection enough too for me to weigh all the reaſons that oblige me to this Entreaty. I will not ſpeak of my Life, which can never be ſafe while you are in Judea; for it was never happy to be worth the prizing; if my honour be dear to you, if you can ballance the prejudice of your own repoſe, and remember the ſuſpitions of Herod, the malice of Salome, and the knowledge my ſelf hath of the fault you have committed, you muſt conclude that the ſtay of Tyridates muſt be incompatible with the reputation of Mariamne.

She ſtopp'd at theſe words, while I ſtood ſtiffe and motionleſs to hear the rigorous ſentence of my Death; and after I had ſometime beheld her with an action that would have let in pity, if too ſtrong a reſolution had not deny'd it entrance: Then Madam, ſaid I, you condemn the unfortunate Tyridates to a perpetual baniſhment, and you believe you are more gentle than Herod, in commanding him never to ſee you more: Ah! if you have that thought, for the Gods ſake loſe it, and do not believe that any Duty can with reaſon oblige you to that, which you would not do but for want of affection.

The affection I have born you, reply'd the Queen, with an unmov'd aſpect, is not probably ſuch as you have pretended to, nor could it juſtly oblige me to that I have already done to pleaſe you: content your ſelf that I have not been ſparing in the acknowledgment of your deſerts, nor the eſteem of your reaſon, that therein I have paſs'd the preciſe limits my eſtate preſcrib'd me, and (ſince a perpetual ſeparation permits me to avouch it) I have not been ſo inſenſible, but if Heaven and my Parents had left me in a condition to my own choice, and Tyridates embraced the true Religion, I had preferr'd him above the reſt of Mankind.

The Queen us'd ſome violence to bring forth theſe words, though they all wore the Badge of Innocence, when my Soul drew all the conſolation it had then capacity to hope for. Ah! Madam, ſaid I, how glorious is my Deſtiny, and how little cauſe of complaint hath this Declaration left me? But Gods! yet glorious as I am, I muſt be baniſhed for ever: Oh hard Sentence, that alone can ballance the glory you have given me! rigorous doom of my Death, which I cannot, and yet I ought to undergo without a murmur, ſince my Queen pronounced it! No Madam, it is not juſt, you ſhould diſturb your quiet, not juſt I ſhould put your life in danger, not juſt to ſpot your candid reputation; but it is leſs juſt to abandon you to Herod's Mercy, that I ſhould fly to a Haven, while you ride it out in the Tempeſt; why ſhould I carry this unfortunate and vagabond life among the Romans, while you remain ſubmitted to the frantick fits of that ſavage Man? Muſt I for ever ſhut my eyes upon thoſe Lights, my Soul can only acknowledge glorious, while thoſe of Herod and his Jews are chear'd with the Divine Beams, to which I muſt bid an eternal Farewel? at leaſt ſet ſome limits to my Exile, or give me time to prepare for it, and while that laſts, let Sohemus be once more permitted to bring me to your preſence; I ſhould do what is poſſible to bow my Soul to an unrepining obedience; but to bid you now adiew, now to rend my ſelf from you for ever, is more than my heart can reſolve, without leaping a moſt deſperate precipice.

I utter'd ſome other expreſſions full of tranſport, which the Queen heard with an admirable patience, but not with ſo much aſſurance; for whether it was the remembrance of her condition, (which I had awaken'd) or the pity ſhe took of my Misfortunes, her fair eyes let fall ſome tears: But I ſaw ſhe was troubled that I perceiv'd it; and now, deſirous to put an end to this dangerous Diſcourſe, ſhe roſe from the Chair ſhe ſate on, and approaching to me with an Action that ſpoke her reſolute: Tyridates, ſaid ſhe, though you appear ſenſible of the diſpleaſure you take to quit me, I think your courage capable to ſurmount greater difficulties: If I have any power upon your ſpirit, I deſire to put it all in my intreaty, that for my ſake you will ſupport it patiently; 'tis the laſt proof I beg of your Affection, but deſir'd with ſo much ardour, as you cannot refuſe it, without deſtroying all that you have gained within me: releaſe your fears for me: Though you leave me in Herod's Hands, all ſuccour hath not forſaken me, as you imagine; I have ſtill a Defender in Heaven, who is not too weak to protect me from the Cruelty of a Husband: In him I ſhall ever find my Refuge and my Comfort; and doubtleſs ſo ſhould you too, were you enlightned with his Beams: Adiew Tyridates, take my laſt Adiew; if ſometimes you remember me, at leaſt forget my Weakneſs, and the Faults you have made me commit.

At theſe words (ſeeing me fallen at her feet in a condition that left me no reaſon to reply) ſhe bow'd down, and taking my Head between her Hands, kiſſed me on the forehead: and this was the greateſt and moſt ſignal favour I ever received of Mariamne; which, ſo ſoon as ſhe had beſtow'd upon me, ſhe retir'd to her Chamber, and ſhutting the door after her, diſappear'd from my eyes for ever.

The heart of Tyridates was ſo overcharg'd when he came at this ſad piece of Story, that he found it impoſſible to go on before he had given paſſage to ſome ſighs, that ſtopt the purſuit of his Diſcourſe. The fair Queen was ſo ſenſibly touch'd at this Story, as ſhe ſuffer'd compaſſion to ſteal ſome liquid Pearls from her eyes; but when he was return'd to himſelf; I know not, Madaw, ſaid he, what to ſay more, for the reſt of my life is as unworthy of your attention, as my pains to recount it: you may imagine, if you pleaſe, the Woes that rent my heart when I ſaw my ſelf forced to endure my Life, and ſupport my Miſeries by the Command of Mariamne; I vow by all the Gods, that neither Fear nor Cowardiſe had a hand in the Religious obſervance of my Queens Injunctions: but ſuch an obedience as muſt ever be twiſted in my Thred of Life, diſpos'd me (by the aſſiſtance of Sohemus) to depart the Palace and City, whence I return'd to my Followers, took my way to Rome, and preſented my ſelf to Auguſtus.

I know, Madam, you will eaſily remit the Relations of that tedious Voyage, and the weariſome reſidence I made with the Emperour, for it contains nothing capable to divert you. And indeed the remembrance has ſo freſhly ſet my griefs a bleeding, as I find my ſelf unable to be more particular; be pleaſed then only to know, that I have ever ſince lived in darkneſs; that neither the Careſſes of the Emperour (who alwayes nobly treated me) the pomp of Rome, nor all the pleaſures that were daily proffered in that great Miſtreſs of the Univerſe, could ever give my griefs a moments eaſe; when after I had there worn out a year without an hour of repoſe, the fear my Melancholy might render me inſupportable to the Emperour and his Court, made me abandon it, without deſigning any other retreat or intention, but to breath the anxieties that denied me quiet; When after I had long wandred upon Earth and Water, I was caſt upon this Coaſt, where I have ſince made my miſerable reſidence: a condition, though mean, yet better ſuiting with my humour than that I enjoy'd in the Courts of Kings.

It only now remains to tell you, that about a Moneth ſince I remembred Mariamne's Command extended no farther than my baniſhment, that ſhe had not forbad me to inform my ſelf of her Condition, which made me ſend my faithful Arſanes into Judea to learn it.

This Voyage he undertook out of hope to live there unknown, till poſſibly he might find the Queen in ſo relenting a condition to repeal my Exile. I attended his return in this ſolitary Manſion, which for ſome Preſents I obtain'd of an Alexandrian for the time I ſhall ſtay upon this Coaſt, and I confeſs I taſted more ſweetneſs in this ſolitude, than I could have hop'd from the continual perplexities of my Soul; beſides, I cannot call it leſs than a comfort to my grief, that I have had the happineſs to render ſome ſervice, and to give this poor retreat to ſo great a Princeſs.

Thus Tyridates clos'd his ſtory, and the Queen, who had lent him a ſerious attention, made both her Action and Diſcourſe expreſs how much ſhe was intereſſed in his Fortune.

Your Relation, ſaid ſhe, after ſome other words, hath ſenſibly touched me, as the misfortune of a great and virtuous Prince, whom Heaven hath perſecuted; but if I commend your reſpectful affections, I muſt not forget to praiſe Mariamne's Virtue, that in ſo juſt and great occaſions to hate her Husband, ſo couragiouſly reſiſted the Batteries of your Affection, and the motions of that inclination, which, if I judge aright, ſhe had toward you: Indeed ſhe was obliged to the Rules of her Duty; but it is not eaſie to acquit the debt that often exacts ſuch weighty payments, and defend her ſelf from the excellent qualities of ſuch a Prince as Tyridates.

Tyridates retorted this obliging Diſcourſe in very ſubmiſſive Language; and the Complement would have laſted longer, if the Queens Supper had not interrupted it, which made Tyridates reſpectively withdraw, becauſe ſhe ſupp'd in her Bed, and (deeming her wearineſs requir'd what was left unſpent of the night for repoſe) he bad her good night: but before he left the Chamber; It is not juſt, ſaid ſhe, you ſhould longer be ignorant of her Name and Fortune, whoſe Life was ſo lately your Gift; and that ſince ſeconded by a noble entertainment. Eteocles (continued ſhe, pointing at the man that was preſerved with her) ſhall begin the Relation, and when you have learned thoſe Adventures that have preceded mine, whereof no man is better inſtructed than himſelf, you ſhall know the particular accidents of my Life from my own mouth. Tyridates civilly return'd his thanks for this promis'd favour; and quitting the Chamber, return'd with Eteocles to his own, whom he compell'd to ſup with him, though upon knowledge of his quality, he would modeſtly have refus'd the honour. After Supper, he caus'd him to be conducted to his Chamber, and himſelf went to Bed, where he paſſed that night in his ordinary inquietudes.

So ſoon as he waked the next Morn, he ſaw Eteocles in his Chamber, that came to give him good morrow, whom the Prince courteouſly received, made him come nearer, and remembring that from his mouth he was to expect the beginning of thoſe Adventures he long'd to underſtand, invired him to a Seat by his Beds-ſide; and having forced him to ſit down: You ſee, ſaid he, a very inquiſitive Man, loath to diſpence with the Charge the Queen hath given you, and I can neither find time nor place more commodiouſly favourable than this, to require ſatisfaction; for it will not be a civil hour to viſit the Queen, till two or three be expir'd. Sir, ſaid Eteocles, I believe what ſhe ſuffer'd yeſterday will ask this mornings repoſe to unweary her; the time I cannot better employ than in rendring proofs of my obedience to both your Commands. And after a preparation of a ſhort ſilence, he thus began his Diſcourſe.

SInce that Fatal Day, which I know not whether I may call happy, or unfortunate, the great Caeſar and the Queen Cleopatra entirely dedicated themſelves to their unreſtrained Delights; and though the Marriage continued ſtill a ſecret among us, and while the day laſted, they obſerved the ſame Ceremonies before Company they had formeryl us'd, yet the nights by the means of Iras, Charmione, and my Father (in whom the Queen repos'd a clear confidence) ſtill reviv'd their Contentments: never did Love appear more amiable than in theſe two Perſons. Cleopatra liv'd not but in Caeſar; Caeſar was Cleopatra's Idolater; and they forgot nothing that might prove their Paſſion the ſtrongeſt, and yet the moſt ſincere that ever invaded Lovers; the whole Court, nay, all Aegypt took part in their Contentments, though they knew them not; and I think Rome her ſelf ſcarce ever ſhewed ſo much Pomp, as then our Alexandria was daily dreſt in.

The whole World knows Cleopatra was the moſt magnificent Queen that ever lived, not only in the pride of entertainment, in the ſplendor of her Feſtivals, and the Gifts ſhe beſtowed on Anthony; but in the whole courſe of her Life kept up her Royal Grandeur at that lofty pitch of Glory, where ſhe ſhould ſtill have flown; and then perceiving her ſelf the Soveraign of his will, that was like to be the Soveraign of all men, ſhe forgot nothing that might help her to hold thoſe advantages; and Caeſar, not leſs ſatisfied with his Fortune, judging her moſt worthy of his Affection, was never weary of admiring the rare qualities of her Body and Mind, which daily ſerved to make his Love flame higher.

But at laſt Fortune interrupted the courſe of their mutual Felicities, and Caeſar (that was not born to waſte his life upon a Womans Lip, for whom all great actions were reſerv'd, and to whom the Worlds Empire was deſtin'd) was conſtrain'd to quit Aegypt, and with his Army to paſs into Syria, where he had learn'd that Pharnaces King of Pontus, Son of Mythridates, and inheritor of the hatred which he bore to the Roman Name, though not of his Virtues, was up in Arms, and had ſpoiled a part of Armenia. I ſhall forbear to repeat the Adieus of theſe two Lovers, for I do but touch upon their life as I paſs by it, and only take it in my way to another Story, to which it ſerves me for a conduct. Should I enlarge my ſelf upon the Loves of Caeſar and Cleopatra, truth would engage me to defend the memory of that great Queen, who doubtleſs hath been foully blotted by the ignorance of thoſe that knew not of her Marriage; but in that which befel her ſince, with the deplorable Anthony, I ſhall make but a ſhort ſtay; their unfortunate Loves and lamentable end being known to all perſons in the World that are capable of underſtanding.

Cleopatra's tears were too weak to retain Caeſar in Alexandria; but he comforted her with the ſolemn repetition of his promiſe, before us, to call her to Rome, ſo ſoon as he ſhould be eſtabliſhed in the dignity (which his Ambition aim'd at) of perpetual Dictator, and then to declare their Marriage to all the World: At that time the Princeſs began to perceive her ſelf with Child, and gladly believed that the aſſurance ſhe gave to Caeſar of it, before his departure, would yet more deeply engage him to remember his vows, and the dear pawn he left behind him.

Thus Caeſar marched into Syria, leaving Cleopatra in Alexandria, where ſhe governed her People with ſuch Moderation and Prudence, as ſhe taught all men to admire thoſe Politick and Moral Virtues in her Sex, that were rarely found even in men of uncommon parts; ſhe ſupported the abſence of her dear Caeſar with much anguiſh, but ſhe received frequent comforts with the News of his continued Victories: not long after his Departure ſhe learn'd that Pharnaces was defeated by him in a ſignal Battel, and the War, which in all appearance was like to laſt many years, thus terminated in half a day; a little after ſhe received intelligence that in Affrica he had vanquiſh'd Cato Scipio, and the King of Juba, with a prodigy of Fortune and Diligence; and, having gained that Victory with the ſlaughter of 50000 of his Enemies, and the loſs of but fifty of his own Souldiers, he was return'd to Rome, where he had made three Triumphal Entries: the fame of theſe great deeds pleaſingly flatter'd the Soul of Cleopatra, and ſhe diſmiſſed all her anxieties, with a confidence that ſuch a man could not be capable of infidelity.

In the mean time no longer able to hide the ſwelling fruit of her Womb, and unwilling to contract the ill opinion of her Subjects, ſhe was conſtrain'd openly to declare the truth of her Marriage, and inſtead of the ſhame and confuſion her Fear ſuſpected from that Diſcovery, ſhe found her Aegyptians poſſeſſed with new joy in the expectation of ſuch a King from her Loins, as might prove a perfect Copy of Caeſar and Cleopatra.

The Queen was brought to Bed in Alexandria (almoſt at the ſame that Caeſar made his Entry into Rome) of a Son not only worthy of his Father and Mother, but of all that the moſt fruitful hope ſhould conceive; never did the light ſalute a thing ſo beautiful; the Aſtrologers never knew a Birth ſo advantagious; for this Royal Infant immediately became the admiration and delight of all that ſaw it; but becauſe his Childhood was but the ſpring to that luſtre, which hath ſince appeared in him with riper advantages, I will not ſtay upon the beginnings of his Life, becauſe they are of leſs importance. By a general conſent he was call'd Caeſario, and we all hop'd, that though there was little difference between his and his Fathers Name, there would be yet leſs in their qualities and the greatneſs of their actions: the Queen took a marvellous care of his Education, and made the whole world to be ſearched, for the moſt expert and knowing perſons in all Sciences and Exerciſes, wherein he was to be inſtructed, when his Age permitted him, and (though I did but weakly merit that Honour, and a better choice might have been made among the Aegyptians) ſhe was pleaſed to make me his Governour; for my Father was too old for that employment, and only deſired it for my ſelf.

In the mean time the Queen, whatever conſolation ſhe taſted in the enjoyment of her Son was galled with bitter grief, ſeeing there appear'd no proof of Caeſars promiſe. Not long after ſhe underſtood he had given the laſt blow to that War, by the defeat of Pompey's Sons: that in Rome he had uſurped the Soveraign Authority, and forced a Maſter upon that proud City, the imperious Miſtris of ſo many Kings, and ſo large a part of the Univerſe.

Then her hopes began to ſwell with the expectation of his Promiſe, and Caeſar by frequent Letters endeavour'd to confirm them, excuſing his abſence from her delights with very ſpecious Reaſons, which for a time appeaſed her; but when ſhe ſaw a whole year waſted, and yet no haſte made to accompliſh his Vow, ſhe began to loſe her patience, and complain of his infidelity; yet, before ſhe thought fit to make her reſentments ſpeak lowder, ſhe ſent my Father Apollodorus to Caeſar, as well becauſe he was the faithfulleſt of her Servants, as that in his preſence Caeſar eſpouſed her, and might therefore better than any other reproach the violation of his word: This Voyage of my Fathers proved ineffectual; yet when Caeſar ſaw him, he hugg'd him in his Arms, entertain'd him nobly, gave him rich Preſents, and often mentioned the Queen with dear reſentments of affection; but could afford him no other reaſons for his delay, than what he had written to Cleopatra; He proteſted that ſo ſoon as he had felt himſelf ſit ſure upon his Imperial Throne, he would accompliſh his promiſe; but in that condition, while his Monarchy was yet infant, feeble and ſtaggering, he found it not ſafe to enterprize any thing againſt the conſent of the People and Senate, whom he had already exaſperated with impoſing his Yoke.

Cleopatra was contented for a time to flatter her ſelf with the likelihood of theſe excuſes; but in fine, after her patience had learned another Leſſon as tedious as the firſt, ſhe broke into reproaches againſt him, gave her ſelf up to the ſway of a juſt paſſion, and probably was hatching thoughts to make it known in ſome deadly blow, when news came that Heaven had revenged her, and that her faithleſs Caeſar was murdered in the Senate-houſe, with twenty three wounds, by thoſe that he thought his deareſt friends.

This report fell like a Clap of Thunder upon her ſpirit, and all her Choler could not diſſwade her from receiving it at firſt, as the greateſt blow that Heaven and Fortune could contribute to her overthrow. She ſolemniz'd this loſs with a deluge of tears, and ſuch actions as could beſt expreſs moſt paſſion, and would poſſibly have abandoned her ſelf to grief, if the laſt marks of Coeſar's ingratitude, had not brought her comfort; for ſhe learn'd that a little before his death, he had adopted his Nephew Octavius (who is now the great Auguſtus Caeſar) for his Son, declar'd him his Heir, and oblig'd him to take his Name and Dignity, without making the leaſt mention of his Son Caeſario or Cleopatra. This laſt aſſurance the Queen received of her Husbands ingrateful diſeſteem, kindled a deſpite that dry'd up all her tears, and ſhewed her cauſe to rejoyce in the ſame death ſhe ſo lately bewailed; however ſhe ceas'd to bemoan his loſs in publick, though ſhe rendered to Caeſar's memory the Funeral Honours, which ſhe believed due as to her lawful Husband; but her reſentments againſt the Father, deſcended not to the Son; for, ſhe nouriſhed the little Caeſario with as dear indulgence as if his Father had been ſtill faithful; and remembring that (perjur'd as he was) he had been the greateſt of all men; in his face ſhe beheld the Image of his mighty Sire, as another dawning of her Comfort. To him her reſolutions intended the Crown of Aegypt; and (though the Aegyptians perceiving the Ptolomean Race was almoſt extinct) did oft petition her to make choice of another Husband, ſhe alwaies denied their entreaties, and at laſt ſo won upon them by her mild and prudent Government, as they were content to approve her Deſign of paſſing the reſt of her Life in Widowhood.

Alas! how happy had the poor Queen been, had ſhe held her reſolution; ſhe had avoided thoſe famous misfortunes that made ſo much noiſe in the World; and her miſeries, with the lamentable Cataſtrophe of her Life, had not forc'd tears from her rudeſt Enemies.

Sir, I ſuppoſe you know that a few years after Julius Caeſar's death, the unfortunate Antony, having ſhar'd the Empire of the world with young Caeſar, ſince called Auguſtus, and with him reveng'd the murder of their Predeceſſor, by the defeat of the Conſpirators, and by that bloody Triumvirat which produc'd ſuch fatal effects in Rome; paſſing through Cilicia to make war upon the Partbians, he ſummon'd Cleopatra to appear before him; and becauſe the Queen was too weak to reſiſt the puiſſance of that great Maſter of half the World, by the advice of her Counſel, ſhe went to find him in that ſtately Galley, whereof the Stern was all of pure Gold, the Sails of Purple, the Oars of Silver, and all the reſt dreſt in that proud Equipage that has ſince found the World ſo much Diſcourſe: you have heard of her meeting with Anthony, and the Feaſts they made ſo full of Pomp and Profuſions: but as Anthony was firſt vanquiſhed with Cleopatra's magnificence, ſo he gaz'd not long before he was ſubdu'd with her beauty, to which he became a ſlave, not with a ſervitude parallel to his Predeceſſor, but ſuch an one as only expired with his life; and would have endured a thouſand Ages, had the Gods lengthened their days to ſo remote a period.

Anthony was ſomething inferiour to Caeſar, and therefore Cleopatra in beſtowing her ſelf upon him, might ſeem to deſcend a little from the height of her pretences: But, ſince ſhe was reſolved to give Caeſar a Succeſſor, ſhe could not chooſe a greater than Anthony amongſt men, whoſe glory was not yet blaſted by the fortune of Auguſtus; his birth was of the moſt Illuſtrious, his Perſon recommended by a number of fair qualities, and brave actions, and his rank no leſs conſiderable than the chief upon earth. Cleopatra rendered her ſelf to theſe conſiderations, and to the loyal affection of Anthony, who, for her ſake deſerting the amity of young Caeſar, and his Siſter Octavia, whom he had Married at Rome, gave up all his intereſt in the Common-wealth, and his own fortunes that were faſtned to it, to give himſelf intirely to her, and confining his Ambition within her Embraces, eſpouſed her in Alexandria.

I know the Romans, irreconcileable enemies to Cleopatra's memory, have endeavour'd to diſprove that Marriage as they did the former, and perſecuted that deplorable Queen in her reputation, after they had ſent her to her Tomb by their cruelty: but my eyes were witneſſes of what might ſerve to upbraid their inhumanity, and juſtifie her memory againſt thoſe cruel ones that would ſtill diſturb her repoſe in her very Sepulchre.

Anthony ty'd the Conjugal knot in publick, but with an inauſpicious augury, which their misfortunes did ſince prove too prophetick. They are ſo well known, that I believe you are not ignorant of the leaſt particular; I ſhall therefore incloſe them in a few words, and ſwiftly follow the thread of my diſcourſe, till I arrive at what chiefly engages this relation. Within the firſt year of their Marriage, the Queen diſcloſed a double birth, a Son and a Daughter; the Son was called Alexander, the Daughter Cleopatra, and if I had not named Caeſario, I would have ſaid that humane eye never ſaw any thing ſo fair as theſe Twins: Indeed I think their beauty was fatal to their Houſe, and a cauſe of calling down the Divine Veugeance upon Anthony, for ſo oft provoking the Gods, by ſhewing theſe Children at publick ſpectacles, with the uſurped names of Apollo and Diana, cauſing them to be dreſſed in the ſame faſhion thoſe Deities were uſually repreſented in, and commanding the ſame honours ſhould be rendered them as were ordinarily paid to thoſe Divinities.

I ſaw them not ſince they were eight or nine years of age; but at that time they were the wonder of all that beheld them, and it was thought the beauty of young Cleopatra would not only equal the Queen her Mother, but out-ſhine all that ever were accounted fair.

Thoſe that conceived ſuch hopes of the Princeſs Cleopatra, (ſaid Tyridates, interupting Eteocles) had much reaſon on their ſide; my ſelf ſaw her at Rome, while I made my reſidence in the Emperors Court, and agreed with the general opinion, that Nature never ſhap'd a face ſo triumphantly beautiful: She now lives at Court with the Empreſs Livia, who tenders her with as dear an eſteem, as if ſhe were her proper Daughter; the fame of her perfections have already nois'd them in a large part of the World; and were I not loath to interrupt your narration, I would ſpeake more amply of them. Young Ptolomee, her Brother, was then at Rome, in an high eſteem for handſomneſs; but the Elder, Alexander, whom you mention'd, was a while ſince loſt at Sea, without any news of his eſcape.

Sir, ſaid Eteocles, your relation doth ſenſibly touch me, for while I have life I muſt own ſo paſſionate an intereſt in all that pertains, either in blood or alliance to our dead Queen, as I cannot hear them ſpoken of without extraordinary motion; may the Gods frame them a fortune different from their Parents, and do me the grace to let me ſee thoſe dear Reliques of that Illuſtrious Family, recover their ſplendour. But to continue my Story, a year after Alexander and Cleopatra, was born that Ptolomee you ſaw at Rome, little inferiour to the other two, carrying in his Viſage the fair marks of a glorius Birth. Never was there ſeen a Court ſo Pompous as Anthony's and Cleopatra's; moſt of the Kings upon Earth came thither to pay their Homage, and many of them ſent their Children, that they might have the honour to be educated with our young princes; indeed they were brought up with ſuch care, as was due to them only; and though Caeſario was not Son to Anthony, yet his reſpect to him was proportion'd to that great veneration he preſerv'd for his Fathers memory: he caus'd the the Marriage of Julius Caeſar with Cleopatra to be publickly proclaimed in all his Dominions, declared Caeſario the Legitimate Son, and indubitable heir to his Father, rendered him honours ſutable to that dignity; and whether it were to endear his Mother, or to appear kind to Caeſars memory, he caus'd him to be ſtyled the King of Kings, as he had already Cleopatra the Queen of Kings, and diſdaining ſhe ſhould bear a barren Title, he gave her the Realms of Aegypt, Cyprus, Soria, and the lower Syria. To young Alexander, Armenia, all Media and Parthia when it ſhall be conquered. To young Cleopatra, Lybia and Cilicia; and to little Ptolomee, Syria, and Phoenicia. Of theſe ſeveral preſents he ſent the Decree to be confirmed at Rome, which nevertheleſs was ſuppreſſed by the Conſuls, Domitius and Soſius, the very ſame you mentioned in your diſcourſe.

In the mean time, you know what Wars were waged while they lived together both in your own Country, and in Syria againſt Antiochus; The good ſucceſs he had againſt Parthia by his Lievtenants, and the ill luck that befel him when he carried the War thither in Perſon; his reſentments againſt Artabaſus King of Armenia, whom with his Children he led Captive to Alexandria, where a while after he loſt his Head by Cleopatra's Command, as your recital expreſt it. You are not ignorant of the many voyages he made to Rome, where he always reſiſted the Senate that would oblige him to forſake Cleopatra, and at laſt fell ſoul with Auguſtus by that ſcornful repudiation that he made of his Siſter Octavia.

In fine, the War being openly declared between theſe two Maſters of the World, their grand factions almoſt intirely divided it, according to the ſway of ſeveral affections; two greater powers than theſe never met in oppoſition, and the World never regarded an event with ſo much intereſt as that, which was to decide its Empire.

My Lord, you have underſtood the beginnings of this War; with the divers encounters, wherein Fortune ſometimes liſted her ſelf in one, ſometimes in the other party, till the Battel of Actium, where, after ſhe had long ballanc'd her good will, ſhe declar'd for Caeſar. The miſerable Antony was betray'd both by Love and Fortune, and whatever courage the Queen diſclos'd in the ſpring-tide of her Life, was all reſign'd to the horror of that one Battel, where ſhe aſſiſted in Perſon; whence flying with ſixty Sayls in her company, ſhe drew along the amorous Antony, who rather choſe to abandon with the Victory, the Empire of the World, then to loſe his Cleopatra. You muſt needs have heard how after that ſignal deleat they were forſaken by all their Troops; and ſure ſame has told you of the pitiſul effects that errour produced among them; how upon a falſe report of Cleopatra's death, ſpread by her ſelf with deſign to cure Antony of an unjuſt ſuſpition he had conceived of her; that deſperate Prince ſlew himſelf with his own hand, and breathed his laſt between the arms of his dear Cleopatra in the Tomb wherein ſhe had ſhut up her ſelf; you have heard it related how Caeſar (having rendred himſelf Maſter of Alexandria) came to viſit her, brought her comfort, and intreated her to hope for all the civil uſage his power could afford; all which the great-hearted Princeſs couragiouſly diſdained, and not induring to ſurvive her dear Antony, nor to ſee her ſelf, in danger to be led to Rome in triumph, ſhe called Death to her Reſcue, which ſhe gave her ſelf by an Aſpick's tooth, for want of other weapons: and how Caeſar, after he had pacifi'd Egypt, and left Cornelins Gallus Governour at Alexandria; returned to Rome, whither he led Alexander, Ptolomee, and Cleopatra, the Children of Antony and our Queen. Thus compris'd in a few words, I have given you the lamentabie deſtiny of this infortunate Prince: but you are yet to underſtand that of Caeſario, and I aſſure my ſelf you believed, with the greateſt part of the World, that Auguſtus had caus'd him to be put to Death, as ſame did openly divulge it.

'Tis true, ſaid Tyridates, and I had my belief from the general confidence at Rome that it was ſo, where I have often heard that Caeſar having taken Alexandria, and adviſing with his friends what he ſhould do with Caeſario, the Philoſopher Arrius, who was in great credit with him, whiſper'd ſome words in his ear, that alluding to a verſe in Homer, might thus be interpreted.

Plurality of Caeſars is not ſafe.

And from that hint Auguſtns (fearing that he might one day diſpute the ſucceſſion of his Fathers Empire) put him death. Such replyed Eteocles, was the general opinion, and we are happy that it got ſo much credit among the Princes Enemies; who poſſibly without that prevention, would have made their purſuit and perſecution reach to the place that protected him: But to you I ſhall unmask the truth, what ever danger the diſcovery may threaten, knowing well, I do not hazard my Prince in declaring the truth of his Life to another Prince, that equals his vertues; and it was but to come the right way to his adventures, that with a few words I touch'd a part of the Queen his Mother.

IF the fair Queen walk'd late that day, it was not ſo much to be imputed to her wearineſs of the former, as to her cruel cares, that refus'd to be charm'd by ſleep till day was ready to break; the conſideration and complaint of her diſaſters, had almoſt ſwallowed the whole night, and that courage that had ſhewn it ſelf great in all the accidents of her life, could not ſometimes deny Homage to a grief too juſt to be condemn'd: The troubles of a Kingdom (either loſt or very ſtaggering) could not feed her griefs ſo high, but the continual fears for the loſs of that which her ſoul indulg'd, batter'd it with more violence.

Theſe juſt and cruel apprehenſions, not onely drew ſighs from her breaſt, but laments from her mouth, with a brook of tears from her fair eyes, which they let fall in ſuch abundance, as her pillow was wholly ſteep'd in the ſtream.

Good Gods! ſaid ſhe, What are the offences have provoked your impetuous rage againſt me? And what could a poor Maid commit worthy of ſo many marks of your protracted anger? Was it ſo great a crime for Candace to love the Son of Coeſar, that the loſs of one of the faireſt Crowns in the World, ſuch unparallel'd perſecutions of my ſex and condition, with ſo many dangerous hazards that I have run both of my life and honour, could no • expiate it; but I muſt ſtill be tortur'd with the remembrance of perils, to which you have expoſed that which is more dear to me than my ſelf? Alas! continued ſhe, 'tis too probable my dear Caeſar lives not; for, if Heaven did not ſend him particular aſſiſtance, he could not but be cruſhed with ſo many dangers (joyned with his ſorrow for my loſs) that my malicious fortune has thrown upon him: Ah! if it be ſo, juſt Heaven do not ſuffer the wretched Candace to ſurvive him one moment; ſnatch her no more out of the jawes of Neptune, nor the hands of her Enemies, by a reſcue a thouſand times more cruel than that death from which you have guarded her.

The fair Queen had inlarged her complaints, if the Maid that lay with her, who had much influence upon her, had not turn'd their current by the ſweeteſt comforts ſhe was able to apply. Candace would hear her, both becauſe ſhe dearly loved her, and beſides, delighted to have her misfortunes flatter'd, and to ſtay her ſelf upon the hopes ſhe gave her of the recovery of her Empire, and the ſafety of Caeſario. And thus they waſted the greateſt part of the night, till, a little before the Birth of day, ſleep came to becalme her cares, and drew the Curtains of her bright eyes, which ſhe kept ſhut about four or five hours: At the end of which being awaked, and feeling no indiſpoſition that could perſwade her to lie ſtill, ſhe caus'd Clitie to riſe (that was the name of her Maid) and give her her Cloaths; a part of which when ſhe had put on, ſhe quitted her Bed, and in that eſtate took ſome turns in the Chamber; at laſt ſhe opened a window, whence the eye might freely ſpread its view over the adjoyning Sea, and the ſtately City of Alexandria.

The ſight of that City (heretofore the abode and legitimate inheritance of her dear Caeſario) awaken'd her Complaints, and after the Prologue of two or three ſighs, tying her eyes to thoſe proud Walls that Alexander built.

Deſolate Alexandria, ſaid ſhe, ſince thou haſt loſt thy faireſt Ornaments; ſince thy Anthony's, Cleopatra's and Ptolomee's, dwell no longer with thee, but in thy duſt: Pompous and triumphant as thou wert; thou doſt now languiſh under Tyrannick Yoke. Oh! that I could at leaſt repair part of thy loſſes, in reſtoring that to thee which thou gaveſt to me: Within thy boſom my young Caeſar firſt ſaw the light; to thee I owe the education of his tendereſt years; and of thee I received him, with all thoſe lovely graces that he brought among us: and now I am come without him to thy forſaken Walls, to expoſe my ſelf to the reproaches thou mayſt throw upon me, for having unjuſtly detain'd him from thee. But pardon me, my Beloved's native Soil, if I cannot reſtore what my ſelf hath loſt: He is pull'd from me by the cruelty of my deſtiny; and I bring thee as much of him as is poſſible, by offering thee a heart, where he hath as lively and perfect being as in that place he now inhabits. Ah! my eyes, ſaid ſhe, (wiping away ſome tears that had newly forced their paſſage) muſt every object give a freſh warning to your tears? Can you preſent nothing to my imagination, but what renews my diſquiets? Since you firſt became Fountains, you have been ſo laviſh of your ſtreams, as your ſpring might well be exhauſt; but you ſtill over-flow as much as when my miſeries firſt alarm'd you: Ah! could my dear Caeſar yet come and dry you up, I ſhould delightfully remember with what fidelity you have kept me company in my Diſgraces, and then how zealouſly ſhould I bleſs the moſt dangerous and ſad occaſions I have had, to witneſs of the height of affection? But alas! how incertain are thoſe hopes! how cruel the arms of our barbarous enemies! and then how dangerous are your inconſtant billows that rowle before mine eyes.

She had enlarged her Plaints, and ſuffered theſe ſad conſiderations to waſte a great part of the day, had not Clitie interrupted her, telling her it was time to dreſs her, receive the Prince Tyridates, who could not fail to wait upon her ſo ſoon as ſhe could be in a condition to permit his viſit: Candace came to her ſelf at Clities ſolicitation, as one newly waked from a deep ſleep: And regarding her with a languiſhing eye; I had abandon'd my ſelf, ſaid ſhe, to ſome melancholy thoughts, which the view of Alexandria had rouz'd within my Soul; and I aſſure my ſelf, thou canſt not (without ſome tenderneſs) caſt thy eye upon theſe places where my beloved Caeſario took his birth: See, ſaid ſhe (opening the window again) look upon this ſame City, where the lamentable Cleopatra delivered him to the World, where ſhe nouriſhed and brought him up to beſtow upon me: And ah! how gladly did I receive the rich Preſent of a perſon ſo Illuſtrious? how tenderly and dearly would I have preſerved him, whoſe abſence (and it may be utter loſs) I now regret with ſuch violent reſentments.

The Queen would never have given over, ſtill finding freſh ſubjects to entertain her ſorrows, if Eteocles, advertiz'd by Clitie, had not entered the Chamber; yet ſhe would needs draw him to the window, to ſhew her (as well as the diſtance would permit him) all that might be diſcovered of the Palace where the Prince was born and nouriſh'd: with ſuch other places as he and the reſt of his royal Play-fellows (often mentioned to her by Eteocles, in the ſtory of his Maſters youth) had chiefly frequented in his greeneſt years. After the Queen had allowed ſome time to this pleaſing employment, ſhe made an end of dreſſing her, which when Tyridates underſtood, he came to bid her good morrow, and was met and receiv'd by her with an air full of ſweetneſs and Majeſty.

Tyridates, who was now grown acquainted with her name and condition, accoſted her with all the reſpect due to her Perſon and Dignity. You ſee, ſaid the Queen, a perſon very ſloathful, yet not altogether inexcuſable, for having wearied out ſo many cruel nights and days without repoſe, I aſſure my ſelf you will not take it ill that I have now taſted it from your bounty. Madam, would it pleaſe the Gods, ſaid Tyridates, that I had power to perform more than what this miſerable retreat can contribute, and you ſhould ſoon know, that the moſt difficult and dangerous occaſions to ſerve you, would always be delightful to ſuch as Fortune ſhall honour with the employment.

Indeed I ought not to expect leſs generoſity, reply'd the Queen, from a Prince of the Arſacides; for, 'tis ſo natural, that you cannot want it, without belying your blood. 'Tis true, ſaid Tyridates, the houſe of Arſaces had a fair ſtock of vertuous reputation, before the inhumane Phraates diſhonoured it with his cruelties; but it is now the infamous ſhame of all Royal Families; Nor do I believe that any can paſs a more gentle thought upon it, without ſharing in the guilt that is faſtened to it. The crime of Phraates, ſaid the Queen, cannot reach to you; the ſpots of his Cruelty are ſolely limited in himſelf, and cannot ſo much as dim the luſtre of your Vertue.

That fair Queen had gone on, if the modeſty of Tyridates would have ſuffered it; but interrupting her diſcourſe, to change the ſubject, he demanded how ſhe had paſs'd that night. Could my mind, ſaid Candace, have ſhar'd in the repoſe you have given my body, I ſhould ſay, By your means I have reſted well. But as the troubles of my ſoul have received no comfort, but from your Aſſiſtance, I think I may ſay, I have numbered the tedious hours of the night with more unquiet than your ſelf. The Gods preſerve you, ſaid Tyridates, from ſuch racking pains as drag my days through eternal death; for, could your apprehenſion but reach them, you would doubtleſs give them another character. I ſee well, ſaid the Queen, that Eteocles has not yet told you my Story, or has but related a few of the firſt events. 'Tis true, ſaid Tyridates, that I am yet but acquainted with the beginnings of it; for Eteocles has gone no further than the generous Combat that the Prince Caeſario had with young Britomarus. Then you have yet heard nothing of my life, ſaid the Queen; but when you ſhall once know it, you will confeſs that I have Miſeries enough to match yours, and ſome to ſpare, ſuch as your patience never traverſed. I am baniſh'd as well as you from my native Country, poſſibly diſpoyled of a moſt flouriſhing Empire; ſeparated, like you, from the Perſon I Love, whom I left expos'd to dangers far greater than ſuch as threaten Mariamne's life, ſuch as Heaven it ſelf cannot reſcue him from, without a wonder.

Theſe Calamities, reply'd the afflicted Tyridates, are very conſiderable, eſpecially in the Perſon of ſo great a Queen as your ſelf. But your Majeſty may permit me to tell you, that I have ſome too cruel to be pattern'd among the worſt of yours. You are bereav'd of that happy Perſon whom you have judg'd worthy of your Affection; but the ſubjects of our loſſes are very remote in nature; I aſſure my ſelf, that the Prince you love, does ſupport the ſeparation at leaſt, with as much impatience as you; and the loſs of you makes him out-ſigh you for his abſence: beſides, your diſpleaſures have not ſtruck you in the moſt ſenſible part, ſince the blows you received, came only from the rude hand of Fortune, and not the will of him you love: But Gods! how different is my deſtiny; the only will of Mariamne creates all my Miſeries; it was that baniſhed me her preſence; and (which wounds me deepeſt) while I die for her, ſhe does not ſo much as dream of me. Would Heaven that every raving wave were my profeſſed Enemy! that all the Arms of the Empire bent their points at my happineſs! nay, that every thing in nature defied me, on condition Mariamne were for me, I would encounter all their traverſes with contempt, and either not feel them, or at leaſt with an invincible patience ſuſtain them; For as my Joys and Griefs are entirely dependent on her, ſo 'tis ſhe alone can make me Happy or miſerable: And from thoſe that ſpring from any other ſource, in me they will find but little ſenſibility. I ſee your affection, ſaid the Queen, is truly worthy of your ſelf, and the object it aims at: But, if I miſtake not, your evils are not ſo great as you have Figur'd them, if they only depend on Mariamne's will; my thoughts tell me ſhe yet loves you, and had not the care of her reputation, with the ſevere rules of her Duty, laid too heavy in the other balance, ſhe would never have baniſh'd you her preſence, but rather beſtow'd ſome proofs of her acknowledgment upon you, which ſure ſhe could not bridle without much conſtraint: that laſt condeſcention ſhe granted in your favour, when ſhe ſuffer'd you to ſee her in the midſt of ſo many dangers that menac'd her, could not come from ſuch a perſon as Mariamne (who was never accuſed of levity or imprudence) without the conſent of affection, which was all the excuſe ſhe had for it: Nor do I believe her wholly exempt from that which your being divided makes you ſuffer for her ſake; and am confident ſhe paſſes not a day wherein ſhe calls you not into her memory. Ah! Madam, cryed the amorous Tyridates, how agreeably you flatter me, and how neceſſary is the authority of ſuch a Perſon as your ſelf to perſwade that which appearance could never manifeſt: I am unworthy of the affection and remembrance of Mariamne, and the gods can witneſs, I never cheriſh'd a thought ſo arrogant to believe I deſerv'd them. Yet I cannot liſten to your diſcourſe without ſome comfort, repreſenting to my ſelf, that a Perſon ſo divine as you, cannot (like our common ſpirits) be capable of error.

This diſcourſe had been enlarg'd, had it not been interrupted by thoſe that brought up the Queens dinner; Tyridates din'd with her, and ſo did Eteocles and Clitie, becauſe they would have it ſo; not being then either in place or condition to obſerve the regular method of all Ceremonies.

After dinner Tyridates told the Queen, that, though the place was Deſart and Savage, it afforded ſome unfrequented walks not unpleaſant, which gave her a deſire to take the air; when after her eyes had ſpent ſome time in turning over ſeveral objects at the window, ſhe went out of the Houſe, prop'd by the arm of Tyridates, and only follow'd by Eteocles and Clitie; they walked a while upon the Downs where their eyes had liberty to converſe with the ſucceſſive waves, and thoſe wondrous flowes and ebbs that had ſo puzled the ſcience of all Philoſophers: But the Queen beginning to be wearied by the Sand, Tyridates led her down to a very pleaſant Valley, ſemi-circled on the one ſide with divers points of a Rock cover'd with moſs, and on the other with a little wood, which joyning creſcentwiſe with the extremes of the Rock, left a green Meadow in the middle, beautified with divers Chryſtal Fountains.

This place agreed with the Queens inclination to ſolitude, and ſuiting her intention to be private, ſhe accepted that invitation to diſcourſe the reſt of her adventures to Tyridates, and ſpying a ſpace between two Rocks, cover'd with Moſs, and framed by Nature into a ſeat, ſo ſecretly contrived, as it concealed them from the ſight of any in the Meadow, though they might eaſily diſcern what paſt in any part of it; ſhe ſetled there, inviting Tyridates to ſit by her, while Clitie and Eteocles made choice of a place to lie down in, ſome five or ſix paces from their Miſtriſs.

After the fair Queen had been a while ſilent, ſhe looked upon Tyridates with a little bluſh, that with a glad ambition was newly climed into her cheeks: If I give you the relation of my life, ſaid ſhe, I muſt be obliged to uncover ſome follies, which the preciſe rules of modeſty would keep conceal'd; but as it is not juſt, that I ſhould either ſerve my ſelf of your aſſiſtance, or demand your counſel in Affairs whereof you are ignorant, I ſhall freely give you the naked account of my life, with that Adventure that conducted me into this Country; and in fine, crave your advice about the fitteſt order to be obſerved for the compoſure of my affairs, and ſecurity of my Perſon. I ſhall always be more able to ſerve you in Perſon than Counſel, reply'd Tyridates, being very incapable of directing a Perſon of ſo much Prudence as your ſelf; however I ſhall employ (ſince you ordain it ſo) all the judgment is left me, without expecting the trouble of this Relation from your Majeſty, which I may as well learn from the Mouth of Eteocles, and ſo eſcape a Soleciſm in Civility.

Candace was about to reply, and had diſpos'd her ſelf to take up the Story where Eteocles let it fall: when they were interrupted by a noiſe of Horſes which trod very near, and gave warning to their eyes to look about them; which they had no ſooner done, but they ſpy'd two men on horſe-back coming out of the Wood into the Meadow; the chief of the two that appear'd the Maſter, quickly drew the regard both of the Queen and Tyridates, as well upon the the beauty of his Arms, as his graceful deportment on his Horſe; the ground of his Armour was black, but very richly gilt; ſet round with Rubies of great value, and in all the other places moſt remarkable, the plates of ſteel that were below his Taſes, reach'd to his Knee, and thoſe upon his Arm to his Elbow, which were of the ſame materials and workmanſhip; his Horſe was black, with ſome white ſpots upon him, but then all white with his own froath, which his pride and courage had newly dreſs'd him in: his Squire carried the Shield of the ſame materials with the reſt of his Arms; on which he bare a Crocodile, with a Motto under it of the Roman Tongue.

In this equipage, leaping a little Hay, he entred the Meadow, with intent to let his Horſes feed there, while himſelf took ſome repoſe; and allighting from his Horſe, his approach gave Tyridates and the Queen a more perfect deſcription of the beauty of his ſhape, which appear'd with an admirable proportion; all his geſtures, and every action ſo becoming as it faſtned their eyes upon him with a moſt ſerious regard; but their ſatisfaction was much improv'd, when (the better to refreſh himſelf) he took off his Caſque and gave it to his Squire, lending them a ſight of his unarmed Head and diſcovered Face, which made them confeſs, they had never ſeen one better ſhaped among all the perſons of his Sex; all the lines of it ſo evenly regular, as it was too hard for the skilfulleſt deſire to mend any thing about it; his complexion was ſomething brown, his eyes black, but full of ſuch a ſparkling vivacity, as it required a ſteady eye to behold them without ſhrinking at the luſtre; his hair of the ſame colour, being very long, and curling naturally, fell in large annulets upon his ſhoulders; In fine, his whole compoſure carried ſo compleat a Symmetry, as it would have pos'd Envy's ſelf to have found fault.

This Stranger (ſuch, and much better than my words have copyed him) after he had ſet his Horſe at liberty, ſought a place to lie down on, and diſcharge ſome wearineſs he had lately contracted in a long voyage; and to favour their curioſity, Fortune led him to the choice of a place very near the corner of their Rock, which though it hid him from their eyes, yet it could not hinder their over-hearing the diſcourſe betwixt him and his Squire; who, after he had taken care of the Horſes, laying his Shield, Caſque and two Javelins in readineſs, came and laid down at his feet, and deſired him, if it were poſſible, to releaſe his griefs to an hour of reſt: For Sir, ſaid he, I think no ſorce, no health but yours, could have ſtood the rude ſhock of ſuch violent pains as you have ſuffered; nor can you long reſiſt it, if you perſevere in this cruel manner of tormenting your ſelf.

The Maſter, fetching two or three deep ſighs (as Prologue to his Anſwer) Ceaſe dear Emilius, ſaid he, to trouble thy ſelf for a life which is not worth the pains thou tak'ſt about it, and which I cannot regard but as my deadlieſt Enemy: I loved it once, when it was near to Cleopatra, but now ſhe has refuſed an intereſt in it, I abandon it to deſpair as well as ſhe. But my Lord, reply'd the faithfull Squire, To what then ſerves that undaunted Courage, which (ſurmounting the growth of your unripe years) hath carried you to ſuch a height of Reputation? To what your ſtudy in Philoſophy, which you beſtowed ſome of your budding age upon, with ſuch a rare ſucceſs? My courage and Philoſophy, ſaid he, indeed have helped me to ſupport that with ſome moderation, which poſſibly without their ſuccour would have forced the effects of ſury and tranſport, as well as thoſe of folly; that in all likelihood Report has carried to the limits of the Roman Empire: But they cannot cure a diſeaſe of this nature, without ſtripping my Soul of that Senſitive faculty, of which her ſelf is in part compos'd; The advantages I I have gain'd above others that wanted my education, do diſſwade me from repining againſt the Gods, from diſpairing of their goodneſs, and holds my hands from falling foul upon ſubjects of Innocence, upon which the tempeſts of my grief (without their aſſiſtance) might poſſibly throw me; but they cannot hinder me from ſighing, lamenting, and proving my ſelf a Man, by afflicting my ſelf with cauſes of affliction; as I was formerly abus'd into an opinion of happineſs by an impoſture of proſperity; and would'ſt thou call to mind in what manner I reſiſted affronts conſiderable enough, when they ſprang from other cauſes than the will of my ungrateful Princeſs, thou wilt remember that neither Courage nor Moderation failed me. What I ſuffered by the cunning malice of Tyberius, the Tyrannick authority of Auguſtus, with many other croſsblows that thou knoweſt of, I felt my ſelf able to ſuſtain, and poſſibly I ſhould not have ſhrunk under any weight, that had only power to bow an ordinary ſpirit; but after explication of the ingrateful and pitileſs intentions of Cleopatra, 'tis not enough to complain; 'tis fit I die, Emilius, nor can either Courage or Philoſophy urge a juſt diverſion from ſuch a purpoſe.

He uttered theſe words with a tone ſo paſſionately heightned, as it drew pity from his concealed Auditors, and Prince Tyridates was about to tell the Queen a conjecture of his, when they o're-heard him go on in his complaint. Forget, Inhumane Princeſs, ſaid he, were ſo many ſervices, ſo many proofs of affection no more than to be inſenſibly driven from your memory? Have I deſerved to be thus uſed for an inviolable fidelity? and think you this does not ſtain the blood of Antony and Cleopatra, to ſacrifice an innocent life to deſpair, which without the leaſt reſervation was eſpouſed to your ſervice? Juſt Gods! Gods whom I have ſo oft invoked, and of whom I have received ſo many favourable aſſiſtances, if your anger be ſtill decreed to perſecute the miſerable Reliques of our Houſe, which you have ſuffered to fall under the Roman Arms; turn all the points of it againſt me only, but do not puniſh me, becauſe I Love, with ſuch pains as ſhould only be reſerv'd for the guilty: If Cleopatra provokes your indignation by her ingratitude to me, Conſider ſhe is the Maſter-peece of your hands, and that however my Conſcience avows me innocent, yet ſure I am not ſo, her ſpirit is incapable of Errour, and I by the weakneſs of ſome action, have ſurely plotted my own diſgrace: If it be ſo; as I owe that belief to her judgment; my life, my actions, my thoughts, I diſavow you all, if you have any other aims than the Love, Service, and Glory of Cleopatra: The Gods all know I never owned any ſuch, and if you ſlily crept into my breſt, it was in ſuch diſguiſe as I diſcerned you not from thoſe ſhe might ſafely approve.

The Stranger would have ſtretched his complaints further, if his Squire, who began to be weary of that kind of life, had not thus ſtop'd him: My Lord, ſaid he, I beſeech you be not ſo laviſh to your griefs, as to give away the power of reflecting both on what you are, and what you ought to be; 'tis true, your misfortune is great, but yet not deperate: and, as I believe, this change in the Princeſs proceeds from ſome impreſſion has been given from you: ſo I hope (the truth once diſcovered) to ſee you reſtor'd to the ſame eſtate in her favour. I am more than confident this miſchief was plotted by the artifice of Tiberius; for that peeviſh man will omit no occaſion to deprive you of what he pretends to ſo unworthily. But the Princeſs Cleopatra's ſpirit cannot be ſo poſſeſs'd, but time will open her eyes upon your innocence: Beſides, the friendſhip of Agrippa and Marcellus will be active in your behalf; and methinks Fortune begins to intend you ſome kindneſs, by conducting Cleopatra hither, who, you know is ſhortly expected at Alexandria with the Emperor and Empreſs Livia, whom ſhe always attends: all things conſpire more aſſiſtance to your Deſigns here, than at Rome, eſpecially the place of your reſidence being unknown, and probably 'tis doubted in the Emperors Court, whether you be ſtill living. They have reaſon to doubt it, ſaid the Maſter, and had I liſtned to the rational motions of my grief, thy fidelity had miſſed this daily trouble of urging fruitleſs conſolations. Indeed, I am glad at the coming of Auguſtus to Alexandria: but 'tis leſs out of hope to ſee Cleopatra, before I ſhall dare to appear in her preſence, than for the revenge I intend upon Tyberius: I know that diſloyal man thinks his ſubtleties have deſtroyed me; but he ſhall find, I am ſtill living to give him death in the very Arms of the Emperor and Empreſs his Mother, that ſupport him ſo unjuſtly againſt me. This is rather the deſign of my ſtay upon this Coaſt, than to juſtifie my ſelf before my Judge that ſovereignly condemns me, and poſſibly this ſole intent preſerv'd my deplorable life, that elſe ſhould have been ſacrificed to my juſt reſentments.

The Stranger thus ending his Diſcourſe, gave occaſion to his over-hearers to communicate their thoughts. Candace had oft heard the name of Cleopatra pronounced with ſuch intereſt, whom ſhe could take for no other than the Siſter of her dear Caeſario. But Eteocles, who ever kept the blood of his dead Miſtris in ſacred veneration, could not hear the name of that Royal Maid without appearing tranſported. Tyridates read both their troubles in their looks; and not ignorant of the cauſe: I do not wonder, ſaid he, to ſee you amazed at this encounter, for my own ſurpriſal is little leſs than yours; but I think I am able to give you ſome light in this miſt: for, if I be not deceiv'd, this Stranger, whom we have alſo juſtly admir'd, is the Valiant Prince of Mauritania, Son to the great King Juba, who with Cato and Scipio was vanquiſhed in Affrica by Julius Caeſar: His Love to the Princeſs Cleopatra made it ſelf known to all Rome by the marvellous effects it produced; and there was ſcarce a perſon that was ignorant of his quarrel with Tyberius, link'd with divers other events that deſerv'd remembrance. During my ſtay at Rome, he was abſent; but if the general opinion might be credited, ſhe could not boaſt a braver man, nor one whoſe valour was more advantageouſly accompanied, with ſuch other qualities as render an accompliſhed Prince: I muſt not let him go, ſaid Etcocles, before I ſee and know him better, and demand ſome news of that Princeſs whom I have carryed a thouſand times in my Arms, whoſe Birth, Perſon, and Name are ſo ſacred unto me: And indeed, ſaid Candace, though my concealment be requiſite, I cannot but wiſh to ſee him that loves my Caeſars Siſter ſo paſſionately; the praiſes you have given him, with what I have diſcern'd in his looks, have gain'd him much of my eſteem, and made me already intereſt my ſelf in his Fortune. Madam, ſaid Tyridates, I am glad to hear you ſay ſo; if you think fit, we will ſhew our ſelves to him; and with your permiſſion, I will offer him that poor retreat you did not ſcorn to accept; there we ſhall have leiſure to know him, and learn, whether I gueſs'd right at his name and quality.

To this the Queen gave an eaſie conſent, and they were riſing to ſalute him, when a great noiſe of claſhing of Arms, and loud voices, that ſent it ſelf to their ears, from a neighbouring Valley prevented them. This retir'd the Stranger from his profound thoughts, and unwilling to hazard a ſurprizal in that eſtate, he ſuddenly ſnatched up his Caſque, and commanded his Squire to Bridle his Horſe, which done, he was no ſooner leap'd into the Saddle, when he ſaw two men on horſe-back coming towards him in their full ſpeed from the Valley, in a different eſtate and poſture. The firſt (having no other Arms but his Sword) fled before the other arm'd at all points, who with his Sword in his hand purſu'd him with loud threatnings, and wanted but little of overtaking. The Arms of the hindmoſt were of a brown complexion, and (as if Art had ſtudied diſorder) confuſedly filleted with Gold and Silver; his Coat of Mail was ſuitable to his Curiaſs; upon his Caſque he bare a Lyon, with a long Horſe-taile in his paw, that fell backward from his head upon his ſhoulders. The ſame Beaſt was pourtrayed on his Sheild, with a Motto under him, that could not be read at that diſtance.

The Garb of this Warrior was not ſo proud and fierce, but the other was as poor and timorous; the fear of death, that hung out its pale badge upon his Viſage, would let him expreſs no anger, but to his Horſe, which he ſpur'd moſt furiouſly; and as he turn'd his eyes round, as if he hunted for hope of ſuccour, he ſpyed Cleopatra's Lover, whom he ſaw in a condition to deſend him from his Enemies rage; and ſpurring up to him, with his hands ſtretched out in a ſuppliant poſture: O ſave me Sir, cryed he, from this cruel man that has taken this advantage to Murder me! He had no time to enlarge his entreaties, nor was it neceſſary to a man in whom the ſentiments of vertue had too deep an impreſſion, to fly any opportunity that might ſet his courage a work to relieve the oppreſſed. He returned him no other anſwer than a preparation to give what he demanded: And to that end, putting himſelf between him and his purſuer, and firſt deſirous gently to try the force of perſwaſion; he cryed out to him aſar off, to moderate the violence of his paſſion, and prayed him to conſider the glory he was like to purchaſe, for a man armed as he was, to ſet upon a perſon that had ſo little to defend himſelf.

The Stranger, whom a moſt violent choler and animoſity againſt the fugitive had wound up to a haughty fierceneſs, could not ſee the way to his revenge block'd up, without converting his fury upon him that deny'd it paſſage, and inſtead of a reply, he advanc'd his Sword in the air, and flew upon him like a Lyon: Thy life, ſaid he, ſhall pay the forfeit of this Traytors, which thou rob'ſt my juſt indignation of. With theſe words came ſo weighty a blow, as his Enemy having ſcarce time to ward it with his Shield, was half aſtoniſhed: but he, deſirous to make uſe of that diſorder, (Revenge over-powring Glory) would have quitted the Combat to continue the purſuit: But Cleopatra's Servant ſuddenly recovering himſelf, catched hold on the rein of his bridle as he was paſſing by, and gave ſo rude a tug to the tender mouth'd horſe, as made him riſe ſo high before, that he wanted but little to overthrow himſelf backward upon his Maſter; but he ſlacking his hand, with a ſharp remembrance of the Spur, pricked him forward; yet not ſo ſoon but his fugitive was already got out of ſight, and (that he might leave no certain tract to his follower) had betook himſelf to the Covert of an adjacent wood. But when he ſaw his hopes of overtaking him were fled with him, he turn'd his anger afreſh upon his new enemy; and beholding him with eyes that darted flames of rage: Thou canſt not, ſaid he, but be baſe and perfidious, ſince thou favour'ſt thoſe that are ſo; but thy death ſhall repair the diſpleaſure thou haſt done me. Take heed, ſaid the other, and defend thy own life carefully; for, believe it, thou wilt have more need of all thy force againſt me, than him whom thou wouldſt have kill'd at ſuch an advantage.

The two brave Combatants, valiant as any that ever got a name in Arms, follow'd theſe words with ſuch weighty blows, as he that firſt enter'd the liſts, with an unwilling complement, was forc'd to bow his head to the Sadles pomel, and the other to touch the Crouper of his Horſe. But recovering freſh force and fury, each finding the valour of his enemy, and expecting by the firſt blows what was like to follow, quitted the thoughts of an eaſie Victory, and wak'd all the dexterous force that nature and exerciſe had given them, to find advantages. The Prince of Mauritania (for Tyridates was not miſtaken) at firſt was leſs angry than his enemy: but when he ſaw his Arms dyed in his own blood, he ruſhed upon his Foe with ſuch an unbridled, yet skilful fury, as would quickly have given him the Victory, had he not diſputed with a courage ſo invincible, as the World could not boaſt a braver.

The proofs they had given for their mutual valour, were ſoon become the wonder of their Spectators. And while Candace was wrapt in a deep amazement at the ſight; Tyridates and Eteocles quitted their places, and advanced into the Meadow, with an intent, (if it were poſſible) to part them: an undertaking ſomething difficult, they being both on foot, and only armed with Swords: Tyridates therefore judging the gentler way the beſt, and approaching ſomething near them: Gallant men, cryed he, will you kill one another without a Subject for a quarrel? might you not better reſerve your valour to employ againſt your Enemies whom you have cauſe to hate? The Knights were ſo edaf to diſſwaſion, as all the anſwer they return'd was a hot continuance of the Combat, each ſo vehemently ſpurring up his horſe to gain the crouper of his enemies; that Tyridates, fearing to be troden under foot was conſtrain'd to retire a little and become a quiet Spectator, ſince he could not be an Arbiter, attending the event of that furious Combat, not without much fear it would prove too bloody.

It was yet fought on both ſides with ſuch an evenneſs of fortune and courage, as no judgment could allow either the leaſt advantage; when the appearance of a third that came galloping up to the Combatants, gave Tyridates ſome hopes of aſſiſtance in his deſign to part them: The Arms of this laſt commer were very richly embroidered with gold, and artificially engraven with the Roman Eagles; Upon his Shield was painted that Royal-Bird turning her undazl'd eyes upon a Sun in its glory; and upon his Cask ſhe erected her two heads, and expanded her wings, as ſhe is repreſented in the Arms of the Empire.

The arrival of this new Cavalier, not more conſiderable for the gallantry of his Armour, than the bravery of his Garb and Poſture, made Candace and Tyridates (wholly fixed as they were upon the former ſpectacle) to take off their regards, and beſtow them upon him: but he allow'd them but little time to obſerve; for he no ſooner caſt his eyes upon him of the two that bore the Lyon in his Cask and Shield, but he clapp'd down the Viſor of his Beaver, then half up, and approaching the Prince of Mauritania. Valiant Sir, ſaid he, I conjure you, by the remembrance of what you love deareſt, to quit your place unto me, and permit me to continue a Combat with your Enemy, which I began before yours, and is poſſibly of greater importance.

The Prince turning his eye upon him that entreated ſo ſtrange a courteſie, lik'd him ſo well at the firſt ſight, as he ſhould not have ſtayed his conſent, had he not been exceedingly provok'd by a reſiſtance, which he was not accuſtomed to find among other Enemies; nevertheleſs he was about to reply, when he was prevented by the other, who having heard the requeſt of the laſt commer, at the firſt glance knew and received him with a joyful clamour; Come, come, ſaid he aloud, and joyn your Forces together, I do not fear to fight you both, nor doubt the Victory, though your number were greater. This ſaid, he flew from his firſt Antagoniſt, and ruſhing in with his Horſe upon the other, gave him a rude ſhock with a blow upon the head that made him reel in the Stirrops; but the other Stranger was not long in his debt, for having his Sword ready in his hand, he diſcharg'd it with ſuch a puiſſance upon him, that the blow carried away part of his Shield, and ſo benummed the hand that held it, as it forced him to let fall his reins, and his Horſe feeling himſelf at liberty, ſtarted away, and ſo ſaved his Maſter from the ſecond blow: But he quickly recovered his Bridle, and being much aſhamed of the accident, he bravely turnned head to both his enemies, that approached him with equal ſury: A while he doubted upon which to beſtow his firſt blows; but having little time to conſider, he addreſt himſelf to the Mooriſh Prince, and witneſſing with his hand, that he had ſomething to ſay: I do not doubt, cryed he, but I have courage and force enough to diſpute the Victory againſt both: But if thou doſt value the requeſt of an Enemy, ſtand by a while, and give thy ſelf the pleaſure of ſeeing us decide a quarrel of greater importance than what is betwixt us two, and I promiſe that immediately after my Victory, we will end our difference.

I fear, ſaid he, he will not leave thee in a condition to give me ſuch reſiſtance as my honour can accept; for methinks his forces are ſo little inferior to thine, as I cannot hope the ſucceſs of this Combat will tend to thy advantage; finiſh firſt then what thou haſt begun with me, and if fortune decrees that thou ſcapeſt my hands, thou ſhalt have leiſure enough to debate thy firſt quarrel: Theſe laſt words of the Prince were not ſo much as heard by the Enemy, who ſtaying for no anſwer, had eagerly renewed his Combat with the Knight of the wings, and was received by him with as much bravery as he brought: The valiant Moor angry to be ſo ſlighted, ran up to him with his Sword in a poſture to expreſs it; but ſeeing him engaged with the other, and aſhamed to aſſail him at ſuch an advantage, he held his Sword advanced in the air, as yet uncertain how to diſpoſe of it; very unwilling he was to give over the Combat, and as loath to wound his credit by ſtriking one that was ſo hotly match'd by another as valiant as himſelf: but during his irreſolution, the two Cavaliers charg'd one another ſtill with ſuch mighty blows, as made their lives indebted to the goodneſs of their Armour; nor could that longer hinder their Swords from cutting paſſages for the blood in divers parts of their bodies, the ſight of which rather animated then enſeebled them, urging each to crave his revenge upon the other, with ſuch height of fury, as there was never ſeen a Combat between two Men ſo terrible; their blood had in divers places dyed the Earth in its own complexion, when after many cruel blows that came too thick to be counted, at laſt there fell two together with ſo huge a force, as they wanted both but little of kiſſing the duſt, but they reeled a long time upon their Saddles; before they could recover their Stirrops, the Knight of the Lyons broke his Sword upon the Caſque of his Enemy, but with the blow cutting the laces (that faſtned it) aſunder, it threw the Roman Eagles to the ground, and left the head of its Maſter naked and diſarm'd; which diſcover'd to the lookers on, one of the handſomeſt and moſt Majeſtick faces that ever credited Natures workmanſhip: at the firſt glance Candace and Eteocles knew it, and advancing towards him with a tranſport of joy, Ah my Prince, cryed they at once, ah! Cleomedon, Caeſars Son; and indeed it was Caeſario, whom the heat of the fight had deafn'd to their cries; for covering his head with his Shield, with his Sword ready to cut out work for the Chirurgion, he re-advanced towards his oppoſite that attended him with an equal reſolution: but the Prince of Mauritania, who had lent attention to the words, and regard to the Viſage of Candace, was willing to do homage to the Empire of beauty in a deſire to oblige her: and ſeeing the Combatants in a very deſperate condition, threw himſelf between to part them, beleiving Caeſario, with whom he had no quarrel, would not ſtrike him, and the others truncheon he did not fear.

Tyridates and Eteocles joyning with him, at the ſame time laid hold of their Bridles, and by that means hindred the Progreſs of the Combat, which they fretted at with exceſſive choler: Caeſario's appear'd in flaſhes at his eyes, and bluſhes in his face, but at laſt lending an ear to the words, and an eye to the faces of Eteocles (who held his bridle) and Candace that ſtood by ſtill crying out, Cleomedon, Cleomedon, immediately he knew them both, and with a Joy that broke out into loud Accents, ſeeing his Enemy held by the Mauritanian and Parthian Princes, he forgot all thoughts of Enmity, and was flying into the Arms of his Princeſs; when they all took a freſh Allarm, from fifteen or twenty Horſe-men, that with their Swords in their hands, came up towards them upon the Spur, conducted by the ſame man that fled from the Knight of the Lyons, and at him only they all ſeem'd to bend their unmanly out-rage: but the two others (then quitting, or at leaſt ſuſpending all animoſity) of Enemies were quickly become parties; which known, without ballancing the baſeneſs of the act, they pour'd themſelves upon them all; but the firſt that aborded them, carryed away incurable marks of their treachery: for they coap'd with ſuch Enemies as were incapable of being diſmay'd at ſuch a number. The Prince of Mauritania, who was the freſheſt of the three, ſent the firſt he met without a head to the ground, and cut off the arm of the ſecond, juſt as it was advanc'd in the air to ſtrike him. Theſe two firſt blows gave Caeſario time to put on his Caſque, which Eteocles had given him, and the Knight of the Lyons leiſure to recover a Sword inſtead of his own that was broken. Which done, they both bravely joyned with the valiant Moor, and help'd him to diſtribute death among their Enemies: the firſt that fell under the ſword of Caeſars ſon, had his head cloven in two pieces; and he that died on the other hand, was run through the body, his point finding a way through the weakneſs of his Curiaſs, to tumble his Soul from the principal ſeat of life. Theſe were no ſooner fallen, but Tyridates, covering his head with one of their Caſques, and ſnatching up a Shield, leap'd upon a Horſe, which a new blow from the gallant Moor had made Maſterleſs, and came and joyned his aſſiſtance, like a conſiderable reſerve to the reſt.

Eteocles, with the Prince of Mauritania's Squire, follow'd his example, onely the Queen and her Maid remained Spectators of the Combat: and indeed it was almoſt a prodigy to ſee Men ſo wearied and wounded in a former fight, with effects beyond humane puiſſance, in ſo few moments to reduce ſuch a number of their Enemies to deſpair of Victory. Tyridates, though but half arm'd, quickly tumbl'd two at his feet, and Eteocles couragiouſly cut his paſſage through the preſs, and joyn'd himſelf with the Prince his Maſter. But while theſe four gallant Warriors, ſtung with brave emulation, like ſo many new Mars's diſplay'd their invincible Valour, the Captain of their enemies, whom fear of Death had rang'd in the rear, coutenting himſelf to animate with words, but not daring to give the encouragement of a perſonal example, chanced to caſt his eyes upon the Queen of Aethiopia, who was ſeeing Heaven with her ſilver tears to reſcue her Caeſar from the perils that menac'd him: he no ſooner ſaw, but knew her, and and breaking into an out-cry, Oh you Gods! ſaid he, and do you then reſtore me my Fugitive, that was wreſted from my hands with ſo great a danger of my life? When preſently, commanding one of his men that was neareſt to follow him, he ran to her, juſt as ſhe was thinking (for ſhe had ſpyed him) to hide her ſelf behind the Rock: but ſhe made not haſte enough to prevent that barbarous Villain, who rudely ſeizing upon her, and, by the help of his companion, having ſet her up before him upon the Pomel of his Saddle, he carried her away in ſpight of all the reſiſtance and ſtruggling ſhe could make for eſcape: his companion would have had no pleaſant task to force Clitie to the ſame poſture, if her reſolution to follow the Fortune of her Miſtris, diſcarding the conſideration of her own, had not made her his eaſie prey: But Gods! What ſury ſhot it ſelf into the Soul of Caeſario? when hearing the out-cries of his Queen, and his ear directing his eye, he ſpy'd her in the Arms of her cruel Raviſher, who had borrowed all the wings that haſte could lend, to get ground of his ſuſpected purſuers; the whole ſtreugth of his Enemies were now grown feeble to arreſt him; for having thrown down one that oppos'd his paſſage, with a blow that clove him to the breaſt, he darted himſelf among the reſt, with ſuch an irreſiſtible vigour as he ſoon clear'd the way to his purſuit, when (by a freſh piece of Fortunes malice) his Horſe, no longer able to endure the many wounds he had receiv'd, fell dead under him, and ſo ſuddenly, as falling with his Maſters feet engag'd in the Stirrops, he expos'd him to the mercy of his Enemies; two of which ſpying the caſual advantages, were coming to kill him, which they had eaſily effected, if the Knight of the Lyons (a while before his eager Enemy, reſigning hatred to a fitter ſeaſon) had not flown to his defence, and with two blows laid both his Enemies at his feet, the one dead, the other with a deep wound: and taking one of their Horſes by the Reins, juſt as Eteocles had thrown himſelf down to diſ-engage the Prince from his, Riſe Cleomedon, ſaid he, and receive this aſſiſtance from thy greateſt Enemy, but ſuch an enemy as is unwilling to owe any thing to thy generoſity.

The Son of Caeſar at another time would not have taken this ſuccour from his declared Foe: without ſtriving to reſtore the benefit, or at leaſt tendering an ample expreſſion of his reſentment, but at that moment the loſs of his Queen (who to his eye had appear'd and diſappear'd like lightning) wholly ſeiz'd him, and would ſcarce ſuffer him to make a fit reflection upon the generous act of this gallant Enemy; onely in taking the Horſe from his hands, and leaping upon him with more agility than his wounds could well allow of; I know not ſaid he, how to underſtand thee, who in declaring thy ſelf my Enemy, haſt rendered me the office of an intimate friend: but I proteſt, that as much my Enemy as thou art, I will ever be ready to pay thee back this life which thou haſt ſo bravely aſſail'd, and ſo generouſly defended: Finiſhing theſe words, and leaping into the Saddle, having now no Enemies capable to ſtay him, he haſted after the Raviſher with all the ſpeed imaginable.

Eteocles, whoſe memory harbour'd nothing ſo carefully as his Princes Intereſt, after his example ſuddenly re-mounted himſelf, and obſerving the way he took, followed ſo ſwiftly, as in a ſhort time he recover'd him.

In the mean time the Prince of Mauritania and Tyridates had handled the reſt of their enemies ſo roughly, as they were reduced to a deſpair of Victory; and when he that ſo valiantly reſcued Caeſario, was again joyn'd with them, they made ſuch havock among thoſe that remain'd, as after the death of all their Companions, three that were onely leſt, were conſtrain'd to truſt their ſafety to their heels; the gallant Warriors diſdaining to purſue them, fell to a mutual admiration of each others Valour, and the brave Unknown, addreſſing himſelf to the Prince of Mauritania; At firſt, ſaid he, you did me a diſpleaſure that made me your enemy, in hindering the execution of a revenge ſo juſt, as, had you known the cauſe, you would doubtleſs have favoured what you prevented: but you have ſince ſo nobly aſſiſted me againſt enemies, who I think only level'd their malice at me, as the memory of that overpowers my reſentments; and joyning with my wonder at your Valour, devotes me to the ſearch of occaſions, that may make me worthy to become your Friend.

I am ſorry, replyed the valiant Moor, for the diſpleaſure I have given you; judging by what I have ſince ſeen you do, and by the late baſe actions of your Enemy, that he was worthy of the puniſhment you deſigned him; but (as the truth was maſqu'd) I could not refuſe a protection which I thought was due to the weaker party. I deem it no mean happineſs to have effected your reſentments by ſo poor a piece of ſervice; and after the experiment of your Valour, I cannot without much joy receive the profer of your amity.

This ſaid, they ſhook hands, and lifted up the viſors of their Helmets. If the Stranger was raviſh'd with the beauty and Majeſtick air of the Moor, the two Princes were not leſs ſurpriz'd at his high and Heroick Mind, both believing, not without much reaſon, that they never beheld any that ſurpaſt it; thus they gaz'd one at another, their admiration taking a pretty diſtant precedency of their words: but the Prince of Mauritania firſt breaking ſilence, & turning toward Tyridates, who was dividing his aſtoniſhment betwixt them; It is to you valiant man, ſaid he, we have the moſt conſiderable obligation; to your valour and generous reſolution we owe the wonder, ſince naked as you are, you have brav'd a danger capable to diſmay men moſt ſecurely armed, rendring a gallant ſuccour to unknown perſons. To theſe words the brave Stranger added others that imported the ſame ſenſe, which Tyridates modeſtly receiving, I have done nothing, ſaid he, but what the incitement might juſtly challenge; and the little help I was able to contribute, ſhew'd ſo poor and worthleſs in the preſence of your grand actions, as it merits no remembrance.

In uttering theſe words he obſerved their Arms cover'd with blood, eſpecially the ſtrangers, who had loſt very much in his Combat with Caeſario, and not willing to dally in ſuch a condition: I ſee, ſaid he, your wounds expreſs the neceſſity of a ſudden aſſiſtance, which I am preſently able to give, if you refuſe not the offer of a poor lodging about a hundred paces hence, where your wounds ſhall be ſearched, and your ſelves ſerv'd with much affection: but where is Cleomedon, continued he, looking round for Caeſario. Sir, he is gone, ſaid the Prince of Mauritania's Squire, (who being leſs eager than the reſt, had better diſcern'd what paſt concerning the Combat) in purſuit of thoſe Raviſhers that carried away two Ladies, that ſtood and looked on while we were fighting. How, cry'd Tyridates, are the Ladies carried away, that were with me when you arrived? Yea my Lord; reply'd Emilius, they were ſeized on by the chief of thoſe men whom you ſo lately defeated. Oh Gods! ſaid Tyridates, what an unvaluable loſs is this if it be not ſpeedily recover'd? how paſſionately could I wiſh theſe valiant Men in a better condition, that they were able to endeavour the reſcue of one of the moſt conſiderable Perſons upon Earth! Let us go, ſaid the Prince of Mauritania, our wounds ought not to diſpenſe with the ſuccour of a Perſon of ſo much importance. Indeed, ſaid Tyridates, your obligation is particular, and poſſibly I know you better than you imagine: but am loath to expoſe you in this eſtate to any freſh peril, eſpecially that gallant man, pointing to the unknown, whoſe wounds are deeper and more dangerous than yours.

'Tis true, ſaid the Stranger, my hurts are great: but they ſhall give me leave to go to the Sea-ſide, which is the only courſe you can take in this deſign; for the Pirat Zenodorus (who was he that I purſu'd, and doubtleſs the ſame that bore away the Perſon whoſe loſs you regret) has carried away the Prey to his Veſſels, that rid near the Shoar, and only there we ought to ſeek it.

This ſaid, he put Spurs to his Horſe, and led the way (though not without much pain) towards that ſide of the Coaſt where he had ſeen Zenodorus his Veſſels; the Princes eagerly followed, and (being in much the better eſtate, quickly left him behind) ſpeeding their courſe to that part of the ſhoar which he pointed at: but all alaſs in vain, for finding no Veſſel in the Road, and coaſting a while upon the ſand without any diſcovery, at laſt they ſpy'd two Ships a far off with full Sails making off to Sea, which they preſently judg'd to be the ſame they ſought for: the brave unknown, who was as much intereſs'd as Tyridates, and poſſibly not much leſs than Caeſario in purſuit of the Pirat, fetching two or three deep ſighs, and caſting a ſad look upon the Prince of Mauritania, Oh, ſaid he, how ſhould I hate you, if the ſuccour you have given me, with the knowledge of your vertue could leave a poſſibility for the Paſſion. Gods! purſu'd he, Oh you Gods! what a loſs do I ſuſtain by this fatal Combat? what have I loſt in a condition, that diſables me to give my ſelf the leaſt hope of recovery.

At theſe words he had let himſelf fall from his Horſe with weakneſs, if Tyridates had not haſted to ſuſtain him: and the Mauritanian did as much on the other ſide, proteſting his ſorrow for the injury his ignorance had done him, and the ſhare he had took in his fortune. During his diſcourſe, Tyridates conſidering that a longer ſearch would but vainly ſtrengthen their deſpair of finding, began to lead them the way to his own houſe, always keeping near the Stranger, whoſe loſs of blood, and depth of wounds had ſo enfeebled him, as he was ſcarce able to keep his Saddle: but they ſoon reach't the Houſe, where the Servants of Tyridates tendered the ſame offices to the Strangers that were due to the Perſon of their Prince: they were laid in ſeveral Chambers, (the houſe being ſpacious enough to to afford commodious lodging, and their wounds viſited, which were not found very dangerous, eſpecially the Prince of Mauritania's, who had only received a hurt on his left Arm, and another ſlight one on his ſide; the Strangers were greater both in number and condition: but the Chirurgion (who was an officer to Tyridates, and an expert Maſter of his Art) promis'd an infallible cure to both.

The Stranger took but little comfort from this promiſe, and appear'd ſo ſenſibly afflicted, as the fears of thoſe that ſerv'd him began to augurate worſe ſucceſs from his ſadneſs than his wounds. He was no ſooner laid, but there entered into his Chamber a young man whom he preſently knew to be his Squire; who having ſpent a part of that day in his ſearch, had at laſt addreſt his inquiry to that houſe, where he underſtood what was happened.

At the ſight of his Squire the Maſter expreſſed ſome ſigns of comfort, and having call'd him to his Beds-ſide, he entreated the reſt to leave him to his repoſe. Tyridates had received two ſlight wounds, one on his right hand, and the other on his head: but they were too inconſiderable to confine him to his Bed, and having caus'd ſome remedies to be applyed, he ſpent his principal care upon the ſervice of his gueſts, whom he marvellouſly eſteemed. At the evening underſtanding that the Prince of Mauritania might admit a viſit, he entred his Chamber, and being received by the Prince with an exceſs of civility, they ſpent ſome time in terms of Courteſie and deference; which ended, and Tyridates ſeated by his Beds-ſide, before they could methodically change the Subject, he of Mauritania calling to mind a word or two the Parthian let fall ſome hours before: I remember you told me, ſaid he, that I was better known to you than I knew of, make me the favour, if you pleaſe, to let me underſtand what knowledge you have of me, and by what means you gain'd it: I drew it, reply'd Tyridates, from ſome words I overheard you utter before the arrival of the valiant Stranger, againſt whom you Combated, your ample mention of the Princeſs Cleopatra, and of Tyberius, added to what I had heard at Rome, of the life of that Princeſs, begat my opinion you were the Prince of Mauritania; but if at firſt it was only a ſingle conjecture, the ſight of your viſage, with the grand actions you performed in my preſence, have ſtrengthned it to a confidence.

This diſcourſe rais'd a bluſh in the Princes cheeks, becauſe it imported him to diſguiſe his quality, yet willing that his Obligation to Tyridates ſhould vanquiſh the diſpleaſure; I ſhould be ſorry, ſaid he, (as my Affairs are now ſtated) to be known to any other perſon than your ſelf; but you have too nobly engaged me to a high eſteem of your worth to allow diſtruſt a being. 'Tis true, I am that unhappy Prince of Mauritania, whoſe misfortunes, if you made any ſtay at Rome, have poſſibly reacht your ears; but becauſe methinks your face too, diſcovers more marks of greatneſs than your Equipage, I ſhould gladly learn to whom I am reduable, and what he is that I have truſted, If I pris'd my life, reply'd Tyridates, I ſhould not have leſs cauſe than you to hide my name: but as fortune has us'd me, the preſervation of it is ſo inconſiderable, as were my confidence in you leſs than it is, I ſhould make no difficulty to tell you, that I am Tyridates, Son of Orodes, and Brother to Phraates King of Parthia, perſecuted both my fortune and friends, and reduced ever ſince my greeneſt years to beg from Court to Court a ſhelter for my life. At this relation the Prince of Mauritania, a little lifting himſelf from his Bed, ſaluted Tyridates, with an addition to his former reſpect. I am no ſtranger to your name, ſaid he; for when you quitted Rome, you left your ſelf upon every tongue in ſo fair a Character, as is not inſuitable to my preſent experience of your Perſon and vertue. I am not ſorry to be reduable to a Prince of your birth, nor to find ſuch high worth in him, of whom my eſtimation preceded my knowledge. To you ſaid Tyridates, I owe, with much more Juſtice what your expreſſions have miſ-plac'd upon my ſelf, the bruit of your beauteous actions hath produced ſuch effects through the Roman Empire, as doubtleſs, you are not known where your vertue is not admired and adored.

The Prince modeſtly retorted this Language, and they had ſome while continued a Courteous conteſt full of deference and proteſtations of amity, they transferred their diſcourſe upon the valiant Stranger, who repos'd in the next Chamber; wherein they forgot not to mention his rare compoſure both of face and garb, his undaunted Spirit, with thoſe grand actions they had ſeen him perform, which kindled an equal ardour in both, to be as well acquainted with his name and quality; and as they contriv'd the means, they ſpied his Squire paſs by the Chamber door, that ſtood half open; Tyridates call'd him, and after he was entered and come near the Bed; We call'd to you, ſaid he, to demand ſome news of your Maſter, and to intreat, if you may grant it without incurring his diſpleaſure, the ſatisfaction of our deſires to know him, the bravery of his actions muſt excuſe our curioſity, in containing which, you may deeply oblige us.

My Lord, reply'd the Squire, had I permiſſion from my Maſter, you ſhould gladly be obey'd, but having not yet revoked the command he gave me to conceal his Perſon, I muſt be forced to a very unwilling diſobedience, yet this I may take commiſſion to ſay, that poſſibly I ſerve one of the greateſt Men upon Earth, and young as he is, (if your remote abode be not ſcituated where ſame is a ſtranger) doubtleſs the noiſe of his actions had found you out; happily when he knows your deſire, he will command me to ſatisfie it, and if you pleaſe I will demand his leave.

It is not neceſſary, ſaid the Prince of Mauritania, for though your diſcourſe hath much augmented our Curioſity, we ſhould be too uncivil to preſs any thing that may diſpleaſe him; when it ſhall come from his own free motion we ſhall joyfully receive it, and in the mean time content our ſelves to know him by thoſe marks of greatneſs that ſhine in his Perſon, and by what he has done in our preſence.

With this anſwer the Squire departed, and a while after Tyridates (finding it time to leave him to his repoſe) bad his gueſt good night, and went to ſeek that in his own bed, which was there to entertain him.

THUS my Maſter left the Amphitheatre, excuſing his departure with ſome indiſpoſition to thoſe that demanded the reaſon; my ſelf was as ignorant as the reſt, of the true cauſe of it, but when we were arriv'd at his Chamber, as I was taking off his Arms, I remark'd an extream paleneſs, and an extraordinary change in his Viſage, which made me timerouſly demand the cauſe of ſo great and ſudden an alteration. He ſtood a good while without returning an anſwer, overwhelm'd with ſo black a ſadneſs, as it ſcarce left him the uſe of ſpeech; but after I had often redoubled my ſolicitations to know the reaſon; Didſt thou not ſee, ſaid he, with two or three ſighs, didſt thou not ſee that Scarf which Tiberius wore to day upon his Armes, and couldſt not perceive it was the ſame that Cleopatra carried her arm in yeſterday, when thou wert with me at her Lodgings? To me ſhe refus'd the ſlighteſt, and moſt trivial favours, though I begged them with abundance of ſubmiſſion, and to that inſolent, has granted what he proudly pretended to in my preſence, on purpoſe to dreſs him up a Triumph over me, while my own eyes, with all the Peoples muſt ſtand gazing at my ſhame; that inconſtant woman has forgot the promiſes ſhe repeated a thouſand times over, to place me ever in her eſteem before him, has forgot her ſelf on purpoſe, to publiſh her legerity to all the Empire. That Cleopatra, that ſpirit which I believed incapable of the weakneſs, and imperfections of the Sex, has ruin'd me with the fall from vertue, and makes nothing to give up a Prince as a prey to deſpair, that can ſhew more deſert for her affection, than he that her ingratitude and injuſtice prefer'd before him; in the ſequel of this paſſionate diſcourſe, he let looſe a Torrent of other reproaches; but within one moment retracted all, with a ſudden motion of repentance gets the Maſtery of his reſentments, and demands Pardon of the Princeſs for the raſh words his rage had utter'd; then he turns the tide of his choler upon Tiberius, and addreſſing his Speech to him with an action full of fury; Think not, ſaid he, think not thou inſolent Rival, to prevail by theſe advantages that fortune has blindly given thee, thou doſt thou doſt hold nothing of me, but of her, and if by the fall of my Empires I am fallen to a lower eſteem with Cleopatra, than the Son of Livia; at leaſt by a courage more Noble, a birth more illuſtrious, and the Teſtimonies of a Love more perfect than his, I may repair the defects of that, which giddy chance has only given thee above me: thou art now grown gay with the ſpoils of my repoſe and glory, and haſtproudly deck'd thy ſelf with an Ornament due to me only, but fear Tiberius, (if thy fortune will let thee apprehend it) fear, that this preſent may prove fatal; thou mayſt yet be put to buy it at the price of thy blood; nor canſt thou give dear enough for it, though all thy veins were empty'd for the payment. His paſſion brought forth a thouſand other complaints full of the marks of tranſport and deſpair. In this manner he tormented himſelf the reſt of the day, till the evening arriv'd, and about the hour they return'd from the Spectacles, he reſolv'd to write to the Princeſs; when, after he had try'd all the ſtrength of his reaſon to tame the rage that poſſeſt him, and reduce himſelf to a condition, employing of the ſame reſpect, which he uſually expreſt in his other Letters, at laſt he made the Paper ſpeak in theſe terms.

He had no ſooner finiſhed theſe words, when (without conſulting further with reſpect or reaſon) he commanded me to carry them to the Princeſs. I found ſome precipitation in this proceeding, but as I ever paid him a blind obedience, I took the Letter and carried it to Cleopatra's Lodgings. She was newly return'd from the Amphitheatre, and retir'd alone into her Cabinet much troubled, but when ſhe knew I was there to ſpeak with her, ſhe commanded I ſhould enter; I preſently read a part of her diſcontent in her viſage, yet ſhe forc'd it (before I had time to ſpeak) to demand how my Maſter did, In a very ſad eſtate Madam, ſaid I, part of which you will learn from the Letter he commanded me to give you.

The Princeſs, without returning an anſwer, took the Letter and read it, but before ſhe had got to the end, I eaſily perceived that choler had drowned the Lillies of her face in a flood of bluſhes. That haughty courage could not ſuffer the liberty he took to reproach her, and feeling her own Innocence, ſhe repented her deſign to give him comfort and ſatisfaction, if his patience could have waited it; and now deſpight began to grow active in her, but ſhe commanded her ſelf with a power ſo irreſiſtable, as hindered the heat of it from breaking out in my preſence; though ſhe knew my Maſter honoured me with he knowledge of his ſecrets, and letting fall the Letter upon the Table, with an action full of cold neglect: Coriolanus has reaſon, ſaid ſhe, to believe, that it is not for him to complain of Cleopatra, nor demand the effects of her promiſes; for my part I never made any to him, that could engage me ſo deep as he has injuſtly pretended: my favours are neither for Tiberius nor him, nor ſhall ever be granted to any perſon that uſurps the liberty to upbraid me: I could poſſibly juſtifie my ſelf againſt his reproaches, and perhaps would have done it too, had he given me time; but ſince he has prevented the intention I might have had, with an act ſo inſuitable to the knowledge he ſhould have of my humour, bid him go ſeek his comforts where he can find them, and let me be quiet.

At theſe words (after ſhe had made me a ſign to retire) ſhe took up a book and began to read in it, without turning her head any more towards me. I went away in a deep ſadneſs, and a grand confuſion, at the bad ſucceſs of my meſſage, and was no ſooner returned to my Maſter, but my Face told him part of the truth before my Tongue could begin it; yet I had ſome deſign to ſweeten it as much as poſſible, but his impatience would neither allow me the time, nor leave me aſſurance, forbidding me to diſguiſe any thing, with a a look ſo ſevere and terrible, as I durſt not adventure it. Then I punctually recounted to him the action, and repeated the language word for word of Cleopatra, which brought him to the ſaddeſt condition that miſfortune could make; I did believe the unkindneſs he took at her pretended change, would have fortified him againſt the fear of her anger: but his ſoul found room enough for both the paſſions, and if he were afflicted with a belief of Cleopatra's diſcretion, he trembled at the thought of her anger, and the very intelligence of ſo haſty an indignation in ſo moderate a ſpirit, confirmed his opinion of her inconſtancy; for he could not believe that petty offence could paſs her ſo ſuddenly, to a cold indifferency touching his repoſe and his life, unleſs ſhe had loſt that which formerly nouriſhed the care of it, and receiv'd a new impreſſion that had effac'd the old one; then did he let fly ſuch language and behaviour, that it was but little conform'd to his ordinary moderation; all his thoughts tended to the death of Tiberius: but he was ſoon put paſt the power of acting thoſe reſolutions, and whether cauſed by the jealouſie of his Rivals Fortune, or apprehenſion of Cleopatra's anger, he fell that very evening into a moſt violent Feaver.

He was ſcarce laid in his bed, when Marcellus (who had been anxious for his welfare, ever ſince he ſaw him depart the Cirque ſo unexpectedly) entered the Chamber; I was very glad of his preſence, hoping the power he had in his ſpirit, would prove the beſt medicine to remit his diſeaſe: before he approached my Maſters bed (who yet knew not of his coming) he demanded of me the account of his health, and I (knowing my Maſter never uſed to hide any thing from him) was willing to give him the naked truth, concerning it, requiſite to ſave the ſick man the labour, who could not enter upon that recital, without the danger of a paſſionate tranſport. Marcellus was aſtoniſh'd at the diſcourſe which I made him touching Cleopatra's Scarf, and the rage ſhe was in at my Maſters Letter, and being indeed his real friend, he did tenderly intereſs himſelf in his affection; but he was Maſter of a grand courage, and that rather diſpos'd him to aſſiſt than bewail his friend; with this deſign approaching his beds ſide, What Coriolanus, ſaid he, is your courage fled, as ſoon as you feel the firſt blow of misfortune? cannot you call to mind how bravely it has ſerved you in more dangerous encounters? Ah! my dear Marcellus, reply'd the Prince with a deep ſigh, as my unhappineſs is ſtated, how vainly would my courage ſtruggle to relieve me? and how much more eaſie is it to brave Death with my Sword in my hand, than thus to ſupport the Choler and inconſtancy of Cleopatra? I know, ſaid Marcellus, Cleopatra's Choler will not be long liv'd, and for her inconſtancy, let me tell you, your ſuſpition is built but upon ſlight appearances. Call you theſe ſlight appearances, reply'd my Prince, that I ſaw with my proper eyes, and could Tiberius obtain a more conſiderable advantage over me, than that which glittered in the ſight of the whole City? Emilius has told me all, ſaid Marcellus, and I confeſs you have ſome cauſe of diſcontent; but thus to throw your ſelf down ſo weakly, is that which I cannot pardon, ſince I can ſee no ſolid foundation to prop the opinion of your unhappines. Ah! Marcellus, cry'd my Maſter, how eaſie is it for thoſe to ſwim in a tide of proſperity, to ſentence a weakneſs, which doubtleſs themſelves would fall into, if their fortune once grew angry! Do you believe, purſued he, leaning upon his Elbow, and regarding Marcellus with a paſſionate look do you believe that after ſuch viſible marks of Tiberius fortune, and my diſgrace, I can keep the current of my grief within the banks of moderation? and would you eſteem that a true courage as you alledge, if it ſhould defend me from the ſenſibility I owe to the utter ſhipwrack of my hopes? No no, my dear Marcellus, ſince I have faſtned my life to Cleopatra's affection, 'tis but fit it ſhould die with it, and I ask no more of the Gods, but only to give way to my revenge upon Tiberius; I ſaw that inſolent man deck'd with a precious favour, that I durſt not raiſe my hopes to, and I remember, after he had proudly demanded it in my preſence, his diſcourſe and action witneſſed that he was ſure to obtain it; that Princeſs, which I believ'd incapable of ſo black a diſſimulation, cunningly cover'd her deſign to favour him, and ſince made no difficulty to bely the appearances that deceiv'd me, and diſplay to every Roman eye the advantages ſhe gave him to the prejudice of my hopes: After ſo cruel a diſgrace, one ſlight complaint, and that too ſweetned with reſpect, a complaint which the Gods never forbad us in our leaſt afflictions, has drawn upon me the indignation of that ſpirit, which (had it not been chang'd) would eaſily have pardon'd the effect of ſo juſt a reſentment. Nor would ſhe have put ſo much gall of contempt and cruelty in her words, if ſhe had not deſign'd this life (which I have intirely given her) for a Sacrifice to deſpair; and oh that her ſelf would offer it! or at leaſt behold the deplorable end of a life which I will preſerve no longer, ſince it has diſpleaſed, and is grown indifferent to her. At afflictions of this ſtamp, my deareſt friend, you do but throw away the fruit of your generoſity; and this effect of friendſhip which your admirable vertue has forc'd from you in my favour, is now laviſh'd in vain, ſince my preſent condition will neither permit me to receive nor requite it.

The Prince (who thus let himſelf be carried down the impetuous ſtream of his paſſion) would doubtleſs have inlarged his complaint, if Marcellus, who judg'd a diſcourſe ſo vehement, might prove a dangerous foe to his health, had not interrupted him.

I do not ſeek to oppoſe your reſentments, ſaid he, and I am well enough acquainted with the cauſe that afflicts you, to excuſe the effects, but I could have wiſh'd you had made a clearer diſcovery before you leap'd the precipice to theſe extremities. I know I can quickly learn the truth, and when you have no further cauſe to doubt of your good or ill fortune, we ſhall ſee what behaviour will beſt become you; 'tis too late this night to ſee the Princeſs Cleopatra, but to morrow I will not fail to viſit her, and as cunning as ſhe is, I dare pawn my promiſe ſhe ſhall find a hard task to hide her inclinations from my knowledge; in the mean time for my ſake diſpoſe your ſelf to reſt, and oblige my endeavours to redeem you from this ſad condition, with the auſpicious hope of a happy ſucceſs.

My Maſter was ſo deeply buried in grief, as he ſlighted the officious cares of his friend, and earneſtly oppoſed his deſign to labour his repoſe, proteſting; if his life were indifferent to Cleopatra, he would never try the ſtrength of his own, nor others induſtry to preſerve it: but Marcellus, having ſtaid ſome time with him, made a diſcreet uſe of it in inſinuating ſuch preſſing reaſons, as if he did not pacifie his ſpirit, at leaſt he diſpoſed it, to expect the event of his intended diſcourſe with Cleopatra. When Marcellus was gon, my Maſter waſted the reſt of the night with nothing but ſighs and ſobs, accompanied with disjoynted ſpeeches: and though his feaver was very intenſe, he would not ſuffer us to call a Phyſitian, nor employ any remedies to reſcue his health, which himſelf had abandon'd.

The next day, ſo ſoon as the Princeſs Cleopatra might civilly be ſeen, the officious Marcellus went to her lodging, and found her in the ſame angry mood that poſſeſt her the day before, nevertheleſs ſhe receiv'd him with all the civility was due to his condition, to the merit of his perſon, and the particular eſteem ſhe had always born him; ſhe had then no other company with her but one Maid, whom ſhe peculiarly truſted, which offer'd him opportunity to entertain her with liberty enough, and taking a hint from the ſadneſs that over-ſpread her viſage, to fall upon his deſign; If I did not highly value your quiet, ſaid he, I would borrow ſome comfort from the encounter of a perſon, that appears as Male-content as my ſelf, but I will always importune the Gods to preſerve you from ſuch afflictions as I endure.

Though the Princeſs ſuſpected his drift, yet ſhe was not willing to croſs it, and feigning ſome amazement at his words; If I knew you had a juſt cauſe for any inward anguiſh, ſaid ſhe, I ever eſteem'd you at the price of taking my ſhare in your afflictions; but I cannot think you have now any reaſon to find fault with your fortune. Yes, I have great cauſe to complain of her, reply'd Marcellus, and if reſpect would permit me, would ſay, of you too, ſince you have both joyn'd to deſtroy me, the moſt generous, and perfecteſt friend that ever breath'd; the infortunate Coriolanus dies, and I cannot comprehend for what offence you have doom'd him; ſure you can neither doubt the grandeur of his love nor reſpect, and for the qualities of his perſon, they are ſo known to all the world, that 'tis not likely you alone ſhould ignore them; I would ſay more, (and if you pleaſe, you may ſafely give me leave) that you have formerly eſteem'd him, and time is not two days older, ſince he had cauſe to be proud of his fortune; but the ſpace of one night has ruined him, and then, when he was leaſt prepared for ſo cruel a revolution, he hath ſeen with his own eyes the indubitable marks of his diſaſter, and received from anothers mouth, that brought him your intentions, the fatal ſentence you pronounced againſt him; yet he does not murmur at you, nor complain of his Deſtiny, ſince he always laid it at your feet, but if an innocent may have leave—

Marcellus would have gone on, when the Princeſs (who had liſtened with impatience) haſtily interrupted him; 'Tis enough Marcellus, ſaid ſhe, I apprehend all you would ſay for your friend, and poſſible I ſhould not ſo long have ſuffered the ſame diſcourſe from another perſon: I am neither ignorant of his birth, nor the qualities of his perſon, and till now I wanted cauſe to complain of his affection or reſpect? but ſince he has begun to quit it, and believes he may lawfully take commiſſion from my ſoftneſs, for his pretence to the command of my actions, he ought not to think it ſtrange if I deſire to diſabuſe him, and let him know, that I will never reſign that power either to him or any perſon living. See what a Letter he hath ſent me, (continued ſhe, taking up my Maſters Letter, which lay open upon the Table) conſider the terms, and judge if you pleaſe whether it holds a proportion with that reſpect, for which you would fain recommend him.

When he wrote the Letter, reply'd the diſcreet Marcellus, he deemed himſelf already loſt to your thoughts, for he had ſeen Tiberius vapour it with the badge of a happineſs which could never be built but upon his ruine, and at the knowledge of ſo viſible and ſo publick an infelicity, would you have him do leſs than put in his complaint, which methinks he has done too with moderation enough. Had he made uſe, reply'd the Princeſs, of that moderation and reſpect you talk of, he ſhould doubtleſs have received a full ſatisfaction, for as his misfortune had no other foundation but his own opinion, ſo that once confuted, he would have been reſtored to the Eſtate, of which he believed him ſelf unjuſtly deprived: but inſtead of repairing to me with a due reſpect for my conſtruction of the truth, he writes to me in an imperious ſtile, upbraids me with promiſes made him, and favours given to Tiberius, in terms full of pride and inſolence; do you think he did not owe me the deference, at leaſt to inform himſelf calmly of the truth, before he flew into reproaches ſo audaciouſly againſt a Princeſs, to whom by his own confeſſion, he had given ſome power in his breaſt, and to whom his Choller would have been very indifferent, if ſhe had not formerly allowed him ſome favours, which he has unworthily abuſed?

I confeſs, anſwered Marcellus, he was a little inconſiderate, yet it is true too, that thoſe paſſions are faint and feeble, that in ſuch a trial are compatible with that cold diſcretion you expected from him, and I ſhould not have believed Coriolanus had loved with ardour, if after the knowledge of this diſaſter, founded upon ſo clear an appearance, he he had ſtill kept his reaſon in her Throne. He ought to have underſtood me better, ſaid Cleopatra haſtily, and rather have given his own eyes the lye, than admitted an opinion, and taken the boldneſs to declare it too, that has mortally offended me: he ſhould have left me the liberty of my own actions, if it be true that he has given me the command of his; and had he called to mind how I have led my life, it would have check'd his haſty belief, that I had any right to theſe reproaches. I ſhould not, then, have refuſed to juſtifie my ſelf to him; as I will now to you, not for the ſatisfaction of Coriolanus but Cleopatra, and to ſtop the courſe of your opinion, leaſt it ſhould condemn me of more kindneſs to Tiberius than I am guilty of. Know then he had not that Scarf of me, that helped to deck his Parade at the publick Sports, but received it from the Empreſs his Mother, who yeſterday came into my Chamber when I was dreſſing, and finding it lay upon the Table, ſhe fell a commending the Work, and begged it of me; I could not tell how to refuſe ſuch a toy, to a perſon of whoſe bounty I held all that I had, and I ſhould not have denyed it, though my ſuſpicion had foreſeen the requeſt was deſign'd with ſo little Decorum to her dignity; but concealing her intention, ſhe carried it her ſelf out of my Chamber, and doubtleſs gave it to her Son, who I am confident had obliged her to ask it: but when I ſaw it at the Solemnities appear upon his ſhoulder, I wanted not much of being as mad as Coriolanus himſelf; nor could I ſince recover ſuch a temper, as I durſt truſt my ſelf withal, to viſit the Empreſs, for fear the couzenage would have urged my reſentments to some unbecoming language. Thus Marcellus, have I given you the naked truth, and ſhould not have ſcrupled the ſame to Coriolanus: had he not forgot to give me my due, and by this indiſcreet behaviour redoubled my vexation.

While Cleopatra ſpoke in this manner, and Marcellus (raviſhed with joy in his friends behalf) heard her with a greedy attention, Tiberius entered the Chamber; and as if the Gods had then voted the concluſion of this adventure, he ſtill wore the ſame ſcarf upon his Arme, that had cauſ'd ſo much diſorder, which he was reſolved to carry there, as long as it would hold the faſtening.

The Princeſs no ſooner ſpyed him, but the object awaked her anger, which Marcellus eaſily conſtru'd by the comment of a bluſh, that haſtily overflowed her checks; nor could his impatience do leſs than change his colour at the fight of thoſe ſpoiles, in a Rivals poſſeſſion, which had coſt his friend ſo much anguiſh.

Tiberius had no ſooner taken a ſeat, and diſpoſed himſelf to enter into diſcourſe, when the impatient Princeſs (no longer able to keep her paſſion under hatches) regarding him with eyes that expreſſed the contents of her meaning; Tiberius ſaid ſhe, intercepting the firſt word he uttered, I take it very ill you ſhould carry that about you by the Artifice and Authority of a perſon who has power over me, which you could not obtain by your own credit; and it was with a moſt ſenſible diſpleaſure that I ſaw you make your publick Parade, with a thing, which no conſideration ſhould ever have bent me to grant you.

Tiberius was deeply ſurprized at this Diſcourſe, and much aſhamed it ſhould happen in the preſence of Marcellus, whoſe affection, he knew, had knit him to Coriolanus intereſt; yet his natural confidence quickly re-aſſured him, and indevouring to chain up his reſentment, that his reſpect to the Princeſs might ſtill be at liberty: I did not believe, ſaid he, we could have ſin'd in following the ſtreame of our Fortune and Glory, even the ſame way you have condemned; but my deſires ſhould have choſen another path, had I thought this would have led me to your diſpleaſure; but ſince my unhappineſs hath conducted me thither, I am ready to render as great a reparation of the fault as you can claim of my obedience. All▪ I demand, replyed Cleopatra, is, you would preſently reſtore my Scarf, and ſuffer me no longer to languiſh in diſpleaſure, when it is in your power to free me: You gave it to a perſon, anſwer'd Tiberius, from whom I thought you would not have reſumed it in this manner; and ſince you know I had it of the Empreſs, I hope you will not ordain me to put it into any other hands than hers: When I gave it the Empreſs, added Cleopatra, I believed it was intended for her ſelf, and not you, and when ſhe ſhall deſire it again for her ſervice, I will be ready to render it again for her ſervice, I will be ready to render it with all the reſpect I owe her: Methinks you ſhould not place it among my offences, ſaid Tiberius, if I ſtrive to preſerve what came from ſo bleſſed a place, and ſo good a hand, nor think it ſtrange that I rather chuſe to abandon my life, than a gem that I prize above it, of which you have no right to deprive me, ſince I hold it not of your hounty.

You had never received it of the Empreſs, anſwered the Princeſs, had you given her the leaſt hint, how I was like to reliſh the diſpoſal, for I know ſhe has too much Nobleneſs, to prejudice a Princeſs for your ſatisfaction that honours her as ſhe ought: but ſince you have deceived her as well as me, if you pleaſe you may tender it, or take it ill if I intreat you to ſee me no more.

Tiberius was ſtruck with a deep aſtoniſhment at theſe laſt words, and at the inflexibility of the Princeſs, of which his hopes had promis'd him the victory, but diſſembling his trouble as well as he was able: You treat me extreamly ill, ſaid he, in reducing my choice to two evils, the leaſt of which is as cruel as death it ſelf but if your reſolves ſtand firm, to enforce my election, I had rather reſign what the Empreſs has given me, than forfeit your ſight for ever: You will do me a pleaſure, reply'd the Princeſs, and whether you call it a preſent or a reſtitution, I ſhall receive it at your hands as a ſovereign remedy for my repoſe; 'Tis poſſibly anothers intereſt as well as yours, ſaid Tiberius in choler, that thus carries you againſt your diſpoſition to do me violence, but I obey you, continued he, (taking off the Scarf and throwing it upon the Tabe) becauſe I know no Law to diſpenſe with my repugnance, yet you may pleaſe to remember, that I am the only man intereſſed in this harſh uſage, and I have right to complain to the Empreſs of the injuſtice is done me.

At theſe words he flung out of the Chamber ſo tranſported with choler, as it ſcarce left him reaſon enough to guide his footſteps. Never did diſcourſe pleaſe Marcellus better than this laſt, at which he was preſent, he could only have wiſh'd for the more entire ſatisfaction of his friend, that he had been ambuſh'd in ſome ſecret place, to have diſcover'd the confuſion of Tiberius, and ſeen himſelf reveng'd for the tortures he had made him ſuffer; he could not conceal his joy from the Princeſs, and as ſoon as Tiberius was gone, he prepar'd to expreſs it, when turning her ſelf towards him, and preventing his words; Think not, ſaid ſhe, I have taken back my Scarf to pleaſe Coriolanus, for I could do no leſs in behalf of mine own repute, and your friend has not managed that credit ſo well which he preſum'd he had with me, that I could ſtrain my cares to complaiſance for his content. Ah! Madam, reply'd my Maſters excellent friend, what a vaſt difference is there, (if I may adventure to ſay ſo) betwixt your words and thoughts, and how eaſily your own knowledge may ſave me the labour of repreſenting the Innocence of poor Coriolanus; he has committed an over-ſight, which (if rightly examin'd) few men can boaſt they have not fallen into the ſame failing, and for it receiv'd a puniſhment which has reduc'd him to the extreams of his life. I left him in an eſtate which doubtleſs will plead pity enough to overthrow all the reſentments your Paſſion can arm againſt him, but in ſuch an eſtate as bids me fear that the aſſiſtance which my hopes promiſe from your goodneſs, will arrive too late for his recovery.

Cleopatra, who truly lov'd my Maſter, grew tender at this diſcourſe, which Marcellus underſtood from her aſpect, yet deſirous to diſſemble it: Come I know your friend, ſaid ſhe, with a forced ſmile, cannot be ſo ſick as you would make him; He is fallen ſo low (anſwer'd Marcellus, with a ſadder gravity than his looks had yet expreſt) as I fear his life is in the hands of a mercileſs danger: and though I know it is in your power to apply the remedy, yet I doubt it will not come time enough to heal the wounds you have given him.

He brought forth theſe words with ſo ſerious an Emphaſis, as the Princeſs convinc'd of the truth, and knowing by divers marks to what extreams my Maſters paſſion was capable to carry him, ſhe ſuffer'd his danger to ſoften her heart, and turning towards Marcellus with a gentle look, My quarrel to Coriolanus, ſaid ſhe, is of no ſuch nature, to call his life in queſtion, or provoke me to refuſe him a remedy, if it may be found within my power, and apply'd with the ſafety of my honour.

At theſe words Marcellus fell upon his knee before the Princeſs, and redoubling the force of his reaſons, the length of which perſwades me to leave them out, at laſt he vanquiſh'd her, and wrought ſo powerfully, as he diſpos'd her to write him a Letter, which, if I miſtake not, ſpoke in theſe terms.

Marcellus having obtain'd this Letter for my Maſter, was deſirous to take yet a greater ſtrain for his ſatisfaction, and aſſay'd by the moſt preſſing arguments his reaſon could urge, to gain him the Scarf which the Princeſs had taken from Tiberius; but he found it impoſſible to prevail, as well upon the averſion that high ſpirit cheriſh'd to the grant of ſuch favours, as the fear ſhe had wiſely entertain'd of giving cauſe of complaint to Tiberius, which might kindle a quarrel betwixt the two Princes.

In the mean time it fell out that Marcellus had ſpoken truer of my Maſters malady than he believed, for the torments that he infflicted upon himſelf that night, had enrag'd his Feaver to ſuch a height, as the next day it manifeſtly threatned his life, yet he perſevered (notwithſtanding the earneſt entreaty of his friends) in a reſolution to refuſe all remedies, and the opinion he had of Cleopatra's inconſtancy, had made ſo cruel an impreſſion in his ſpirit, as he ſought after nought but death, and certainly had ſoon found it, it Marcellus had not ſeaſonably arrived with the remedies that were requiſite for his cure; ſo ſoon as he approached his bed whence the other viſitants were then with-drawn: Riſe Coriolanus, ſaid he, you muſt be no longer ſick, after I have told the news I bring you; at theſe words of Marcellus, Coriolanus turned his head that way, and regarding him with a languiſhing look; Ah! Marcellus, ſaid he, what pleaſure do you take to ſport with miſery? If you call it ſport (reply'd Marcellus, ſitting down upon his bed) I believe you will not think the game unpleaſant, and, before we part I hope to have better entertainment of your face than it now affords me; all you have to do is to get up as faſt as you can, and go and ask Cleopatra's Pardon for the offence you committed, or rather to pay your thanks to her goodneſs that has ſo eaſily remitted an injury that merited a longer penance.

My Maſter liſtened to this language in a ſuſpence betwixt joy and diffidence, but Marcellus no longer willing to detain his happineſs wrapt in uncertainty, after he had prepared his attention, began to relate what befel him with Cleopatra, and repeated word for word all the Diſcourſe he had with her; My Maſter abandon'd himſelf to a painful joy when he learned that Tiberius received not the favour from Cleopatra, but when the ſequel told him of his unluckly adventure, with the rigorous treatment he receiv'd from the Princeſs, it ſeiz'd his ſoul with a raviſhment too deep to be put into words: but ſuddenly returning from theſe tranſports to converſe with ſome diſtruſtful thoughts that inſinuated, there was more deſign than truth in Marcellus words, on purpoſe to reconcile him to the care of his own health, he intreated him with a ſerious look not to abuſe his credulity, nor raiſe him with Romantick hopes to an eſtate from whence a relapſe would threaten more danger than the former malady: What proofs would you ask, ſaid Marcellus, to avouch this truth? I would have a confirmation, replyed my Maſter, under Cleopatra's hand; You ſhall have it then, ſaid Marcellus, and no longer willing to defer his contentment, he delivered him Cleopatra's Letter, at the ſight of which, with the knowledge of the Character and the reading of the words, my Maſter had like to have loſt his Senſes, and by an exceſs of joy, which he was not able to contain, he ſtaid a long time motionleſs and mute, as if he had been dazled with his happineſs.

When he came again to himſelf, he firſt ſtretched out his arms. and greedily ſeized upon Marcellus, elegantly expreſſing his reſentments in the humble language of embraces, from theſe his joy ſucceeds to words, wherewith he confirm'd it in a diſcourſe ſo paſſionate, as it drew tears from Marcellus eyes, it would make my ſtory tedious to repeat the whole Dialogue of kindneſs betwixt them. In fine, by the vertue of this delicious remedy his mind was perfectly cur'd, but his body was not ſo, and the Phyſitians that were called preſently after, judged that the extremity of his joy had redoubled his Feavour; yet we were encouraged to hope the beſt, by my Maſters ready diſpoſition to ſuffer the Medicines were preſcribed him; in effect he reſigned himſelf up to their diſpoſal that took care of his recovery, but his body could not take example by his mind, for his Malady viſibly increaſing, in a ſhort time it menaced much danger, the Prince having now no farther cauſe to hate his life, did all that he was able to gain a recovery, and reſtore himſelf to a condition of viſiting his Princeſs; but his will found little obedience in his body, for the violence of his grief, to which he had given himſelf up a willing prey, had contaminated all his blood, and his Feaver grew at laſt to ſuch a height, as the Phyſitians with a common conſent, expreſſed more feare than hope of his recovery.

All the Perſons of quality in Rome intereſſed themſelves in this Princes diſaſter, the Emperor himſelf came often to ſee him, and of the Principal Countiers, there was not a man but Tiberius (who had the ſting of his laſt affront ſtill ſticking in his memory) that did not render him a viſit: Marcellus (who never ſtirred from his pillow, and did him all the offices could be hoped from a moſt affectionate brother) was exceſſively afflicted at it, and the Princeſs Cleopatra (what ever violence ſhe did upon her ſelf to keep her griefs at home) could not totally hide the diſpleaſure ſhe reſented: this was firſt betrayed to my Maſter by a letter ſhe ſent him two days after the former, in which (after he had opened it with a trembling feeble hand) with much pain he read theſe words.

The poor Prince deſired nothing with ſo much ardour as the ſight of Cleopatra, and the Princeſs made no ſcruple in that extreamity, to avow before Marcellus and my ſelf, the affection ſhe bare him, profeſſed an equal deſire to ſee him, and waited for nothing but the means to do it with Decorum.

She durſt not adventure to make the viſit by her ſelf, and the Empreſs (whom ſhe would have accompani'd had ſhe done him that favour) preſerving ſome reſentment againſt him, in behalf of Tiberius, was contented to underſtand his condition by the return of her meſſages, at laſt Marcellus advis'd her to go with the Princeſs Octavia, who had been once already with him, and he knew would not be ſorry to meet an occaſion of rendring that teſt of her amity to Coriolanus: the children of Antony reſpected Octavia as their Mother, and ſhe them with ſuch a tenderneſs as fell not ſhort of a Parents Indulgence: and though the Princeſs Cleopatra liv'd at Court with the Empreſs, yet even by her injunction ſhe daily viſited Octavia, ever remembring to pay a ſubmiſſive reverence to her perſon.

Octavia was acquainted with my Maſters paſſion. which ſhe did not diſapprove, and her Son Marcellus no ſooner mention'd his deſire of her tendring that office to his friend, but ſhe readily undertook it, and the next viſit Cleopatra made, ſhe intreated her company to go ſee the Prince of Mauritania: The Princeſs, who knew ſhe might go any way with her, as her Mother, without the leaſt fear of blame, ſince the high reputation of her vertue, and the rank ſhe held as the Siſter of Caeſar, and widow of Antony might authorize all the viſits ſhe made in her company, obey'd her without repugnance. Marcellus by a pre-intelligence, diſpos'd my Maſter to expect this happineſs for feare the ſurpriſal of an immoderate joy ſhould work the ſame effects it had formerly done, to the prejudice of his health, yet my Maſter had a hard task with all the effects he could make to contain himſelf, and he no ſooner ſaw the Princeſs enter the Chamber, but the ſight had like to have made a Rape upon his ſenſe; Octavia came firſt to the beds ſide, after ſome words full of ſweetneſs and Majeſty, which was as natural to her as beams to the Sun, proteſting the diſpleaſure ſhe took at the continuance of his malady, ſhe was contented her Son, who had feigned a pretence to ſpeak with her, ſhould lead her to the window, leaving the Princeſs alone with him by the beds ſide, and the Maids of her Train at the other end of the Chamber; though Cleopatra had prepar'd her ſelf to ſee him in that eſtate, yet ſhe could not ſee him there, and hide her bluſhes, and ſhe had much a do to make her ſelf miſtris of that ſcrupulous nicety that taught her to Criticize too ſeverely upon that action: however ſhe ſate her down upon the Chair Octavia had quitted, while the Prince, whoſe confuſion had rob'd him of the ſtrength and confidence to open his mouth, ſtrive to expreſs himſelf at the eyes, with regards though wholly languiſhing, yet full of fire; Cleopatra advancing her head towards his, that ſhe might not be heard by thoſe on the other ſide the Chamber; Coriolanus, ſaid ſhe, I have reaſon to complain of you, and if you truly lov'd me, you would cheriſh more care to improve the intereſt I take in your recovery; you were told of this by my letters, and I have vanquiſh'd ſome ſcruples, which I would not have combated upon a feeble conſideration, to come and confirm it to you with my own mouth, yet I find you ſtill in a condition that ſhews me no proofs of the power I have in you, The Prince, daunted as he was, took courage from theſe ſweet words, and ſending ſome looks before his language that ſpoke more paſſion than the former: You have reaſon, Madam, ſaid he, to condemn the eſtate wherein you find me, ſince inſtead of ſeeing me in this unbecoming poſture, ſo diſproportion'd to the reſpect I owe you, I ſhould be proſtrate at your feet, asking pardon for the offence I committed; this repugnant body to your commands, has ſuffered for its diſobedience, nor has my Soul ſcap'd with a milder puniſhment, but neither one nor the other would ever have been capable of expiating the crime, if your excellent nature had not aſſiſted their impuiſſance. Speak no more, reply'd the Princeſs, (not willing he ſhould ſtrain his ſpirits with too long a diſcourſe) ſpeak no more of an error which I have remitted; indeed your eaſie belief engag'd you to ſome precipitation, but you have ſuffer'd more for it than I ſhould have doom'd you to, and if I ſtill retain any pique againſt you, 'tis becauſe you ſtruggle too faintly for your health, which is very dear to me, and which I recommend to your care; for my ſake exile all thoughts that may afflict you, and believe it, I ſhall never be ſatisfied till your mind and body are both recovered: I am ſo confounded Madam, anſwered my Maſter, with the favours you heap upon me, receiving from your mouth the confirmation of your goodneſs, in a place ſo unworthy to receive you, and where I have ſo little cauſe to expect the grace you have done me, as I cannot regret the loſs of that life which is now about to abandon me, but for fear it ſhould fail me before—Stay, ſaid the Princeſs, interrupting him, you muſt not now think of dying, while I hold your life at the ſame price with mine own, I will have you vanquiſh your malady, I ſay I will by the authority I have over you, and the intelligence I give you, that you cannot neglect your life, without indangering mine.

The Princeſs put her hand before her face to cover a bluſh, which got up thither at the alarm of theſe words, nevertheleſs, to confirm them to Coriolanus by favours that yet ſhe had not granted, ſhe let the other fall upon his cheek, which the Prince taking in his feeble hand, carry'd to his mouth, and with all the ſtrength was left him, preſt it with an incredible raviſhment.

The Princeſs who felt it extreamly hot, and therefore fear'd the continuance of this paſſionate Diſcourſe might do him harm, grew willing to withdraw, and after ſhe had gently retir'd her hand; I leave you, ſaith ſhe, riſing from her ſeat, for fear of doing my ſelf any injury in what I demand, remember to obey me, if you deſire I ſhould love you; at this laſt word more confuſed than before, ſhe had not the confidence to behold him longer, but turning to Octavia and Marcellus, ſhe told them a farther ſtay might do Coriolanus an injury, and ſo preſently oblig'd them to quit the Chamber.

I know not whether I may aſcribe my Maſters cure to that viſit, or whether the diſeaſe was then come to a Criſis, whatever it was, the next morning his Feaver was much abated, not many days after it wholly left him, and in a few others, he had gotten ſtrength enough to quit his Chamber, viſit Cleopatra, and render his thanks as he ought for the favours ſhe had done him; I have doubtleſs given you this relation in too large a ſtamp, there being ſtill ſo many great things that deſerve a mention in my Maſters ſtory, as I ought to have paſs'd by thoſe with a ſlighter touch that were of leſs importance; but I ſtaid upon this diſcourſe the rather, becauſe I knew it would draw you Cleopatra's diſpoſition more lively, than a recital of greater adventures, and by theſe petty marks I have given, you may eaſily judge that her ſpirit is lofty and imperious, but her nature generous and full of nobleneſs.

In the mean time the Empreſs, by the complaints Tiberius had made of an unkindneſs in which her ſelf appeared intereſſed, grew highly incenſed at Cleopatra, and probably that act might have coſt her her lodgings at Court, if Marcellus (who above the reſt of mankind was dear unto the Emperour) had not employ'd all the credit he had with him in her favour.

Caeſar to oblige his Nephew, and ſerve the Princeſs whom he highly eſteem'd, would needs have the Empreſs turn that pretended affront into Raillery, and ſo the Princeſs eſcap'd with enduring a petty reproof, and ſome ſullen looks, that laſted but a while from the Empreſs, who is very dexterous, cunning, and complaiſant in her compliance with the Emperors humours, but ſhe could not ſo eaſily diſguiſe her reſentments againſt my Maſter, and thoſe of Tiberius, much more violent than hers, did then give a root to that hatred, which has ſince produced ſuch grand effects, but as he was the greateſt diſſembler among men, the knowledge he had of my Maſters courage, and Marcellus his credit, who had openly eſpous'd his party, taught him to cloud the greateſt part of it, and attend till fortune offered him an occaſion, to let it break out at the beſt advantage.

For a while he forbore the Princeſs, proteſting he would never ſee her more, and the Empreſs her ſelf who ſtudied harder for the eſtabliſhment: of his fortune, than the ſucceſs of his love, labour'd to confirm him in that reſolution; but it could not long hold out againſt his paſſion, and the choller he conceiv'd againſt Cleopatra being diſſipated, or at leaſt over-powred by a ſtronger paſſion, he return'd to her more ſubmiſſive than formerly, and flex'd himſelf to her ſervice with greater aſſiduity than ever: tis true he did a little change his faſhion of life with her, and diſcovering by the laſt encounter that her ſpirit was too high and abſolute to be eaſily managed, he reſolved to ſeek his advantages no more by ſo haughty a carriage, and diligently endeavouring to bring himſelf in credit by an artificial humility, there was never any part of ſubtil and ſupple inſinuation acted, that he did not perſonate before her.

The Princeſs to whom beſides theſe ſubmiſſions, the greatneſs of his birth and the power of his Mother, ſtrove to render him conſiderable, was conſtrained to ſuffer his reſearch, and re-admit him with as ſmooth a brow, as ſhe had done formerly; in the mean time, ſhe managed both his and my Maſters ſpirit ſo diſcreetly, and ſo judiciouſly ſwayed the authority ſhe had over them, as the fear to diſpleaſe her, dayly enforced them to ſhut their eyes upon ſeveral paſſages, that elſe would ſoon have kindled a quarrel, that being the only bridle that often kept their hatred from coming to extreams, repreſſing their reſentments with ſo abſolute an Empire, as they neither durſt make any ſhew or noiſe: My Maſter had leſs cauſe than Tiberius, upon whom he had then a great advantage: but it was known to none but himſelf and Marcellus, for before the reſt of the world, the Princeſs governed her ſelf ſo prudently, as it would have poſed the cleareſt eye to penetrate her intentions; then began Fortune to raiſe her ſtroms againſt my Maſter, which my relation muſt interweave with Marcellus's adventures; for there is ſo much connexion betwixt his and my Princes, as one of their lives cannot be faithfully recounted without reciting a part of the others.

Marcellus, whoſe policy, firſt chain'd him to the ſervice of Julia, grew inſenſibly faſtened by inclinations; and indeed that Princeſs was armed with an ability ſtrong enough to ſubdue the moſt diſobedient ſpirits to Loves dominion; the diſpoſition of Marcellus was ſweet, ingenious, and ſuſceptible of impreſſions, and he no ſooner got the conſent of his own heart to love Julia, but he began to find out ſuch charmes about her, as were not only capable to confirm his reſolution, but impoſe a neceſſity of progreſs, in his firſt undertook deſign; he loved, but he lov'd Sincerely, and his affection inſenſibly increaſing, grew at laſt to that height as never heart was deeper ſtruck than his; my Maſter to whom that Princeſs's ſecrets were alwaies naked, underſtood it with a marvellous ſatisfaction, as well for joy that this new paſſion had clear'd his fears of the old, as deſires to ſee the fortunes of his Friend eſtabliſhed, by the conformity of his will with the Emperor's who had deſigned him his daughter, and daily obſerved the proofs he gave of his affections with unſpeakable contentment; nor were they unwelcome to Julia, and that Princeſs who had been before hand with Marcellus in affection, could not now receive thoſe unfeigned oblations of his vows, without a large encreaſe of her own, yet in a while ſhe diſſembled them as well as ſhe was able, and deſirous to indear the purchaſe to Marcellus, with a little difficulty, ſhe plaid the politick Tyrant, and made him ſuffer.

Marcellus complain'd and ſigh'd away ſome time for theſe feigned rigours of Julia, but at laſt ſhe unmask'd her ſentiments, and after ſhe had received ſome months tribute of ſufferings and ſervices, ſhe ſhewed him her acknowledgement and affection at as full a magnitude as he could vertuouſly deſire; nothing was refus'd him that might juſtly be demanded of Auguſtus daughter, and her confeſſions were the freer, becauſe ſhe knew the Emperor not only approv'd them, but that ſhe could not more dearly oblige him than in the perſon of his Nephew; he almoſt ſpent his whole day in her company, and his life wheel'd away with as much delight as his wiſhes could fathom; for though ſome of the cheifeſt Romans, with divers Kings Sons that were brought up at Rome were his Rivals, yet they all ſubmitted to his Fortune, and paid ſo deep a reſpect both to him and the Emperor, as they durſt not ſhock his intentions with the leaſt appearance; the Senate and People, to whom as I have already told you Marcellus was the darling and delight, were tenderly concern'd in his happineſs, and joyfully hop'd to ſee the Daughter, and Throne of their Emperor one day poſſeſt by the perſon of the World that was deareſt to them; their hopes were founded upon their likely-hoods, and doubtleſs might arrive at their aim, there being but few perſons under Heaven, whoſe fortunes would ſhew envy ſo faire a mark as thoſe of Marcellus, if Julia, with one of the rareſt beauties, and the moſt vivacious and ſubtill wits, had not the moſt wavering and inconſtant heart upon Earth; of this ſhe has given the World ſo much experience, as while you reſided there, you could not chuſe but meet it in many a Roman mouth; She began with a perſon, who of all the ſtock of mankind, was fartheſt from cauſe and conſent to wrong Marcellus; I confeſs he is maſter of ſo many bewitching qualities, as might well produce the ſame effects upon a conſtant heart, and by this reaſon I might poſſibly excuſe a part of Julia's firſt revoltings, but they have ſince been followed by ſo many others without ground or reaſon, as all that can be alledged in her defence, is too weak to juſtifie her.

My Maſter, as the deareſt friend Marcellus had, was he, that had the eaſieſt acceſs to her of all the Court, and rendring her greater reſpects for Marcellus ſake, than were due from him to the Daughter of Auguſtus, it oblig'd her to requite him with an eſteem beyond all the other Princes that were educated in the Emperors Court; he daily exchang'd long Diſcourſes with her, but talked of no other Subject but his friend, and becauſe he was acquainted with moſt of his thoughts, they ſtill furniſhed him with matter to entertain the Princeſs. The love ſhe bare Marcellus, made her treat my Prince for a time in terms that were reaſonable; but at laſt ſhe ty'd her thoughts too faſt to the conſideration of his incomparable qualities, and by little and little from a particular eſteem, ſhe proceeded to good will, and from thence was inſenſibly conducted into loves territories: had not any other ſpirit but hers thus ſuffered it ſelf to be taken, her whole life would have kept it a ſecret, and ſhe might have borrowed reaſons from the grandeur of her birth, the Emperors Command and Marcellus his ſervices, puiſſant enough to do violence upon her ſelf, and ſhut it up in her breaſt for ever: but her ſoul was of another temper, and ever impatient of Conſtraint and Tyranny, nevertheleſs ſhe had yet modeſty enough to diſſemble it, though not ſo covertly; but if ſhe betray'd not her infidelity to a publick notice, ſhe could not ſo cozen the Advertancy of intereſſed perſons. Marcellus was the firſt that percieved it, for my Maſters regards were ſo fixt to Cleopatra, as he had much ado to allow the lighteſt reflection to any thing elſe; and finding Julia's behaviour much colder towards him than it was accuſtomed, he often demanded the cauſe, but the promptitude and artifice of her wit never fail'd in finding pretences to paint the truth; ſhe was loath to break with him, knowing how highly it would diſpleaſe Caeſar, and what ſhe was to expect from his anger, beſides its poſſible her breaſt might ſtill keep ſome ſparks unquenched, that were of his kindling; but the impreſſion of this new image had ſo alter'd her, as if ſhe had not finiſhed the ruine of all thoſe thoughts that once held him dear, yet ſhe took no delight to ſee him, and only taſted content in the company of Coriolanus.

One evening Marcellus diſcourſing with her by her bed ſide, (a liberty which the higher powers had allowed him) and perceiving her thoughtful and melancholy; Madam, ſaid he, has your goodneſs given me no right to the knowledge of thoſe inquietudes that have lately diſturb'd you? have not I ſhare enough in your pains and pleaſures, to to be led unto their Fountains? I perceive you muſe, I hear your ſighs, and your face characters an unquiet mind; Is it juſt, my Divine Princeſs, if I have any title to your thoughts, I could be longer kept a ſtranger to them? and if any thing perplexes you, where will you find a comfort ſo readily, as in that perſon of the world, that does moſt participate of your Paſſion.

The earneſt ſollicitation of Marcellus awak'd Julia from her dumps, and regarding him with an Ayrie ſomething more affable; Do not you know, ſaid ſhe briskly, that we cannot alwayes be of the ſame humour? and this alteration you remark in mine, may it not as well proceed from my preſent temperament, as any cauſe of affliction? I will believe what you will have me, replyed Marcellus, but either all conjectures ſhoot very wide or elſe your temperament cannot ſo ſuddenly bring forth effects ſo contrary to your ordinary humour. Your belief is at liberty, ſaid Julia, without ſo much as turning her face to Marcellus, and ſince you repoſe ſo little in me, you may ſeek for that in your own conjectures, which you cannot find in my Diſcourſe.

This cold Anſwer froze the very ſoul of poor Marcellus, and beholding the Princeſs with an eye that ſent out part of his thoughts before-hand, Ah! Madam ſaid he, what have I done? by which of my actions have I merited your anger? You have done nothing to me, replyed the Princeſs, but at preſent I find you a little too preſſing, and ſince you are melancholy as well as I, pray take it not ill if I change your company for a perſons whoſe mirth may divert my ſadneſs.

She ſpake theſe words juſt as ſhe ſaw my Maſter enter the Chamber, where he had not trod many ſteps, when riſing from Marcellus, with a face that had changed in a moment the Sence of Sadneſs into Gaiety, ſhe advanced towards Coriolanus, and offering him her hand with a free kind of action, ſhe led him to the other end of the Chamber, and there diſcourſt away the Evening with him, without ſo much as a ſingle reflection upon the eſtate wherein ſhe left the griev'd Marcellus.

That Prince was ſenſibly afflicted at her words, but cruelly galled with what he obſerved in the Sequel of her carriage, and though he was not yet poyſoned with a ſuſpicion of my Maſter, yet this unkind uſage ſtung him to the heart, and diſtruſting his own ſtrength to keep a Mask upon his grief, after he had ſtaid ſome time alone by the Princeſs bed ſide, he went out of the Chamber without engaging in any further diſcourſe. After this, Julia plaid him divers tricks of the ſame nature, which ſhew'd Marcellus, and my Maſter himſelf, how to level their thoughts at the truth: yet the ſuſpicion was nothing ſo ſtrong on my Princes ſide and whatever cauſe he had to think well of himſelf, he knew not how to imagine ſhe would abandon ſuch a perſon as Marcellus, for a man that loved her not, nor could he eaſily admit this belief, and it would long have been getting credit with him, if Julia, after ſhe had a thouſand times brought her thoughts into her actions, had not ſhewed them naked in the following Diſcourſe.

One Evening my Maſter having waſted a part of the night in her Chamber with Agrippa, Mecenas, and divers other perſons of both Sexes; after the Princeſs had bid goodnight to the company, and all were gone, Julia caus'd Coriolanus, who was got as far as the Anti-Chamber, to be called back again, telling him ſhe had forgot to acquaint him with an affair that deſerv'd his notice. Coriolanus received this command with a due reſpect, and coming back into the Chamber, Julia, who was already retired to her beds ſide, beckened him thither, and cauſed him to ſit down by her, which when he had obeyed, after ſhe had darted ſome glances at my Maſter, capable to enflame the moſt frozen heart; I know very well, ſaid ſhe, I do now offer you violence, and that all the moments are tedious to you, that you waſt iu my company, when the Princeſs Cleopatra is not there; I acknowledge reply'd my Maſter, that my heart lies at that Princeſs feet, where the power of love has placed and faſten'd it, yet that entire prepoſſeſſion of my ſoul cannot ſhut up my eyes upon what I owe to the Princeſs Julia, and the moſt preſſing and paſſionate thoughts ſhall ſuſpend their violence, while I have the honour to be near her perſon; This is a flattery, anſwer'd Julia, that I cannot pardon, and I only deſire you would anſwer my queſtion without Artifice; Does Report ſpeak truth, that you are ſo enſlaved to paſſion for Cleopatra, as it has ſtruck you blind to all other objects and conſiderations, and Centered your thoughts in her ſo ſtrongly, as nothing elſe has power to remove them? Whoever ſpread that rumour, ſaid Coriolanus, ſpoke my thoughts as clearly as if he had been in my breaſt to Copy them, for it is moſt certain, the world has not a perſon ſo free that is more abſolutely his own, than I am the Princeſs Cleopatra's.

I expected this confeſſion from you, reply'd Julia, ſince it is but the ſame you have publickly avowed, and hitherto you have done it with reaſon, but, as I demand a little better ſhare in your ſecrets than another, ſo I expect you ſhould tell me truly: whether you be ſo ſtrongly chained to Cleopatra, as no conſideration can untye or divert you: I know well your condition is glorious in ſerving ſo fair a Princeſs, but ſhould the will of the Gods offer you a right to greater advantages, would you ſo dote upon your former paſſion as not to open your eyes upon a fairer of Fortune.

I cannot tell how to frame belief, replyd Coriolanus, that there can be a nobler Fortune found, than what reſults from the glory of ſerving Cleopatra; and could others (by the help of a greater blindneſs than mine▪ acknowledge ſuch a poſſibility, I ſhould never be drawn to own their thoughts, nor hatch one ſingle deſire in my whole life for a more happy condition, than to paſs it entirely at the feet of my adorable Princeſs. Imagine, ſaid Julia, you were beloved by a Princeſs equal in beauty to Cleopatra, and infinitely before her in all things elſe, whoſe high birth might give her precedency of the whole Sex, and reſtore you to the ſame eſtate, which your Parents loſt, or perhaps raiſe you to another more ſublime, would you deſpiſe her for Cleopatra? I ſhould have little reaſon, anſwer'd my Maſter, to miſpriſe ſuch a perſon as you have repreſented, nor could my inſenſibility or that favour be ſtrained to a contempt; but might ſhe tempt me yet with fairer offers, they could never make me halt in my fidelity to my Cleopatra: What if Julia, added the Princeſs, (vanquiſhing the ſhame that oppos'd the liberty of her language) What if Julia her ſelf ſhould love you, would you diſdain her for Cleopatra?

Theſe words at the ſame time almoſt wrought the ſame effect upon the Prince and Princeſs, and if the confuſion ſhe took from her own words, made Julia bend her looks downwards, Coriolanus was ſo abaſh'd at a diſcourſe, which indeed he had little reaſon to expect from ſuch a perſon as Julia, as it was long before he durſt raiſe his to her face. In fine, that he might not increaſe his confuſion by his ſilence: Madam, ſaid he, there is no need of an anſwer to his Diſcourſe, no neceſſity of declaring my ſentiments, in a reply to Raillery; But admit, ſaid Julia, what you call Raillery, ſhould prove Reality, how would you take it? and what entertainment would your breaſt give to Caeſar's Daughter, had ſhe a mind to baniſh Antony's from thence?

Coriolanus ſeeing himſelf preſs'd in that manner, was reſolved rather to take advice of his Conſcience and Vertue, than lean to a complacence which he could not approve, and after he had taken ſome moments to contrive a fit anſwer: Madam, ſaid he at laſt, though I have little reaſon to explain my ſelf, or exchange my ſerious thoughts for mockery, yet I muſt tell you ſince you have commanded me, that ſhould that Fortune befall me you mentioned, I were the moſt unfortunate of all men; ſince I am forbidden to enjoy it, not only by the fidelity. I ow Cleopatra, but the amity I preſerve for Marcellus, who only merits, the entire affection of the Princeſs Julia, and from whom I would not take it, though it were offered me, in the pompous dreſs of all the grandeur and felicity the Gods can beſtow.

Thus did my Maſter unlock his thoughts which touched Julia ſo ſenſibly, as it was long before ſhe could recover her ſpeech, but at laſt her anger forced a paſſage for words, and, regarding my Mr. with a ſcornful ayre: You conſtrued my Diſcourſe aright, ſaid ſhe, when you apprehended it raillery, it was ſo Coriolanus, and believe it, the affections of Julia ſhall never oblige you, to crack your amity to Marcellus, nor your Love to Cleopatra. I was only deſirous to try the temper of your heart, and now I have ſeen how well it guards the fidelity you owe your friend and Miſtreſs, it ſhall heighten my eſteem of your merits.

She brought forth theſe words with a conſtraint that my Maſter eaſily obſerved, and though ſhe ſtrove to hide it, by entring a diſcourſe upon other ſubjects, yet ſhe followed it in ſo much diſorder and confuſion, as perceiving it would ask ſome time to undiſtemper her reaſon, ſhe bad Coriolanus good night.

My Maſter went away better inſtructed than he deſired in Julia's inclinations, and though by her laſt words, which deſpight had utter'd, ſhe ſeem'd to retract what before ſhe had too eaſily offered, yet he was not ſo ignorant as not to diſcover the truth: he ſince did me the honour to tell me, that he never reſented any thing in his life with ſo much anxiety, ſadly reflecting upon his own impuiſſance to ſatisfie the Princeſs deſires, but much more upon Marcellus intereſts, whom he now perceived ſo lightly forſaken, and foreſaw how cruelly he was us'd by Julia's lenity; nevertheleſs he was unwilling to acquaint his friend with this unwelcome news, and there reſolved to ſtay till Julia's humour ſhould change, or Marcellus learn it from ſome other mouth; nor would his diſcretion give him leave to let Cleopatra know of it, as well to conceal the ſhame of Caeſars Daughter and his friends Miſtreſs, as to forbear a Diſcourſe that might betray the leaſt appearance of vanity.

In the mean time he carefully fled all occaſions of meeting Julia alone, and that Princeſs perceived it with a deſpight that might well have baniſht him her breaſt, had her power been proportioned to her anger; but ſhe had force enough to hide her flames for a time, and treat my Maſter with a more reſerved carriage than was uſual: however he abated her no reſpect, but ſtill paid her his Civilities in as ſpecious a manner as her quality could challenge, only he was careful to eſcape both her entertainment and her ſight, when the place was void of witneſs.

Julia for a time feigned her ſelf very well ſatisfied, and meeting him one day in a Gallery that belonged to Livia's Lodgings, notwithſtanding he was accompanied with two or three of his friends Coriolanus, ſaid ſhe, paſſing by him, there is ſeldome▪ſafety in preſumption, you lately paſſed a ſerious conſtruction upon what was meant in Jeſt, pray diſabuſe your ſelf, and be not ſo lightly ſeduced by an erroneous opinion: My Maſter would have replyed, had ſhe given him time, but ſhe paſſed by him ſo ſwiftly, as he had not the leiſure to ſhape an anſwer; and he was a little troubled at the manner of theſe words though he found ſome cauſe of ſatisfaction in them,

Thus Julia perſevered in her behaviour for ſome daies, ſtill treating my Maſter with a cold indifference, and her Spirit wanting reſolution to endure too much violence, herinclinations got the victory of her anger, and ſhe began to ſpeak at the eyes in ſuch accents, as ſoon gave Coriolanus intelligence her reſentments were diſſipated; but as before he ſtop'd his ears at her words, ſo now he ſhut his eyes at her glances, and compoſed all his actions with ſo much Caution towards her, as if her ſpirit were not hardy beyond Example, ſhe could never have had the confidence to bring her affection again into the Scene; She repented of all ſhe had ſaid to revoke the firſt Declaration, and, deſirous to repair that breach, meeting him one day at Court, ſhe drew him to a window, and when reſpect had drawn thoſe that ſtood near to a greater diſtance, advancing her head towards him in a languiſhing manner, ſpeaking ſo low as none could over hear her. Coriolanus, ſaid ſhe, think it no more a mockery when you are told that Julia loves you, for believe it, 'tis a perfect truth.

My Maſter was ſurprized at theſe words, yet not ſo deeply, as to be unfurniſhed of a ready anſwer; Madam, ſaid he, I am now grown ſo well acquainted with your intentions, as I cannot be any more miſtaken, and ſince this ſport does divert you, I ſhould be loath to oppoſe the pleaſure you take in purſuing it.

Julia was ſorry ſhe had lent my Maſter weapons to defend himſelf againſt her, and having now no time to explain her ſelf further, ſhe only tryed to perſwade him with a fiery bluſh, that her words were ſerious, and that ſhe had diſplayed her naked thoughts, but with too much truth; However the Prince concludes to perſonate an ignorance, arms her own diſcourſe againſt her ſelf, and ſtill feigns an interpretation of her words and actions as the effects of Raillery; in the mean time, (as it became him, as well in reference to her birth, as Marcellus affection) he ſtill treated her with his uſual deferrence, and becauſe in that point he deemed it not fit to diſoblige her, he could not ſo cunningly evade her company, but ſhe oft engag'd him in long diſcourſes, and then uſed ſo little skil in concealing her affection, as few perſons frequented their company that had not already diſcovered it.

Marcellus as the moſt intereſſed, took the impreſſion deeper than all the reſt, and receiving dayly ſymptoms from Julia's deportment, that no longer permitted him to doubt her inconſtancy; the blindneſs of his paſſion made him ſtumble upon a Jealouſie, that Julia not only loved Coriolanus, but was beloved again by him; this belief had no ſooner got credit with him, but it produced effects that had like to have dragged him to his Tomb, and when he called to mind thoſe rare proofs he had given Coriolanus of his amity, he could not reflect upon the ingratitude (of which his thoughts had now pronounced him guilty) without falling into a mortal Agony: his cruel jealouſie for ſome days made him flie the ſight of that unfaithful friend, and ſeek out ſolitude in the moſt untrodden places, diſcourſing his woes to himſelf, in the ſaddeſt faſhion that grief could invent.

My Maſter, who could never endure to be long out of his ſight, ſought him on all ſides, and underſtanding one day that he was retired alone, into thoſe Allyes of the Pallace Garden that verge upon the Tiber, he followed him thither without a companion, and at laſt found him laid upon one of the ſeats of an Arbour, in the moſt unfrequented part of the Garden: At my Maſters approach, he ſuddenly ſtarted up and diſcovered ſuch a wild troubled look, as my Prince no longer able to ſuffer him in that condition: Marcellus, ſaid he, what ſtrange change is this? what ſadneſs is it that ſits thus lowring on your brow? and why do you fly from the perſon of the world that loves you deareſt? At theſe words Marcellus only nodded his head twice without returning an anſwer, keeping his eys ſtill fixed upon the earth in ſo ſad a poſture, as it put my Maſter into a grand confuſion; Coriolanus deeply touched at his behaviour, took him in his arms and earneſtly preſt him no longer to hide the cauſe of his affliction; but Marcellus after he had ſtaid a while in his firſt poſture, gave a ſudden leap out of his arms, and when he was gotten ſome five or ſix paces from him, he drew his Sword, and preſenting the pommel to my Maſter; Coriolanus, ſaide he, ſince thou art proved the moſt diſloyal friend that ever infected the world, and haſt ſo cruelly belyed my opinion of thy vertue, here finiſh thy Crime by my Death, and pierce the heart of thy unfortunate friend, that ſo unluckily truſted thy diſſembled amity; thou haſt done that already that may clear all thy ſcruples of conſenting to this, and believe it, this laſt piece of cruelty, will merit a gentler cenſure than the former. Marcellus ſpake in this manner, and my Maſter (however his diſcourſe and action ſurpriſed him) yet recovered himſelf ſo readily, as his face ſcarce confeſſed the leaſt aſtoniſhment, and regarding Marcellus with a cold and compoſed look; Since I am that baſe and faithleſs friend, ſaid he, that has ſo perfidiouſly betraid your Confidence and Amity, why do you offer me the wrong end of your Sword, and not rather ſheath it in my breſt? 'Tis the heart of a Traitor that ought to feel the point, and not of a deceived and guiltleſs Friend.

While the Prince of Mauritania ſpoke this, he held his arms a croſs upon his breaſt, and beheld Marcellus with a mind ſo aſſured, as it would have been eaſie for a perſon leſs dim'd with paſſion to have read in his looks the contents of his Innocence: but Marcellus diſtracted with cruel jealouſie, could not be ſo ſoon diſabuſed, yet he grew ſo tender at the Diſcourſe and Countenance of his friend, as inſtead of purſuing his paſſionate obſtinacy, he ſet ſome tears (the marks of weakneſs) at liberty, which preſently over-flowed his viſage, and letting himſelf fall upon one of the Seats behind him: Ah! Coriolanus, cry'd he, was I to expect my ruine of you? did I not offer fairly to our friendſhip in quitting Cleopatra, without releaſing Julia too? I had never bent my aims that way, but to abandon that to you, which I loved above my ſelf, my inclinations have ſince voted my deſign to pleaſe you, and the Gods, to reward my good intentions, have given an afterbirth of ſweetneſs in that affection, where my hopes looked no farther than a toyl for your repoſe; and when by the help of time, and my ſervice, I had gained ſome intereſt in the heart of that inconſtant Princeſs, you have carried her from me, with a cruelty that ſuits not with your ſelf, and reduced me (with Cleopatra and Julia) to render up my life, which muſt now become a ſudden ſacrifice to deſpair.

Marcellus had enlarged himſelf upon this ſubject, if his ſighs had not cut off the paſſage of his words, and my Maſter who had not heard him all this time without letting in a grief to his Soul little ſhort of his, after he had wiped away ſome tears, which he had no power to bridle; Marcellus, ſaid he, the eſtate you are in, will ſcarce give me leave to upbraid you, with the injury you do me, and the injuſt opinion which has prepoſſeſt you, may ſpeak your excuſe for the outrage you have offered me: but I am comforted in this, that every thing pleads my juſtification: admit I could grow faint in my friendſhip to Marcellus, yet ſtill I love Cleopatra too well to change her for Julia; and ſay my heart could draw off from Cleopatra, yet my Marcellus is too powerful there, for me to affront his pretences; and now you force me to avow, what reſpect and diſcretion devoted to ſilence, if there be ſome levity in Julia's ſpirit, the Gods can witneſs, that in ſtead of indulging it, I have ſtill carefully rendered what amity required, even when civility and good manners forbad it: however I perceive, my dear Marcellus, in two things I am extreamly infortunate; firſt, that your friendſhip was not ſtrong enough to defend me from the cruelty and injuſtice of your ſuſpition: and then that I wanted occaſion to evidence mine in ſuch clear proofs as yours was ſtamped in, for in quenching for my ſake, the affection that Cleopatra kindled, you inflicted rigour upon your ſelf to ſtrangle the paſſion, but in flying the ſight of Julia for the love of you, I do no more than quit a perſon to whom (bateing your intereſts) I ſcarce carry a ſingle good will; would to Heavens (could I do it without betraying my fidelity to Cleopatra) that I had now as much affection for the Daughter of Auguſtus as you had for Antonyes, I would find out a better way than I can now make uſe of in quitting a perſon that I do not love, to witneſs my amity not inferiour to yours; all that I can now do for your quiet, and my devoir, is to abandon not the love, (for that would be impoſſible to me, and unprofitable to you) but the ſight of Cleopatra, and ſince I cannot be near her without hurting you, to remove my ſelf beyond the reach of Julia's eye, I am content to leave that Princeſs whoſe abſence will not be a milder miſery than what you offered.

While my Maſter ſpoke in this manner, though Marcellus could not be cured of the grief that tormented him, yet he felt ſome eaſe by the diſſipation of his jealouſie, and reflecting at the ſame time upon the free and faithful diſpoſition of his friend, the cold compoſure of his late actions to Julia, much ſhort of the wonted deferrence he uſually paid her, and the ſtrong paſſion he kept for Cleopatra, which daily broke into clearer proofs, he entertained a belief he might be innocent, and ſuffering himſelf by theſe appearances, with the help of that affection he bare him, to be inſenſibly perſwaded, he repented his ſuſpition, and throwing his arms about his neck, with a paſſionate and tender action: Pardon, dear Brother, ſaid he, forgive the offence you have received from a ſpirit diſcompoſed with its own misfortune, and reduced by deſpair, to interpret all things in the worſt ſenſe: indeed I ought to have underſtood you better, but you ſee that with the knowledge of my friends I have loſt mine own, and as my condition is now ſtated, I am ſcarce Maſter of a reaſonable motion: I doubt not but your friendſhip is able to give proofs of a greater difficulty, but I will never conſent to accept thoſe you offer, and will rather ſuffer all things than condeſcend, that you ſhould abſent your ſelf from Cleopatra, becauſe you fly Julia; no, let the Gods keep my repoſe, if nothing will redeem it but yours, and let me rather be an eternal mark of Julia's diſdain, than recover her affection by your diſpleaſure.

I ſhall never be diſpleas'd, reply'd the ſon of Juba, by ſuffering any thing for my friend, nor will my miſery be ſo great as your imagination ſhapes it, ſince in leaving Cleopatra, I ſhall travel at the ſame time for your happineſs and mine own glory; beſides, 'tis not fit that a Prince deſcended from ſo long a ſucceſſion of Kings, ſhould waſte the beauty of his age at Rome, in the employment of ſimple Citizens; and ſince of all, I ſhould have heired from my Anceſtors, there is nothing left me but a Sword, 'tis but fit it ſhould ſhew me the way to overtake that departed glory, and thoſe dignities that once dwelt in our family: I know well, that I ought not to hope a recovery by force, of thoſe Crowns that the Roman Arms have raviſhed from us, they are poſſeſſed by a puiſſance that others are too feeble to encounter, and by a puiſſance more to me by Obligation than Grandeur: yet I may have the hap to oblige great Caeſar with my ſervices to make good the intentions of his Predeceſſor, and by laviſhing my blood and life for his Intereſts, poſſibly merit thoſe Crowns from his bounty that Fortune took away before Nature ſhewed me to the World: In the mean time the Princeſs Julia, whoſe ſpirit indeed is a little wavering, will loſe that impreſſion in my abſence, which ſhe received for my misfortune as well as yours, and your preſence aſſiſted by her own reaſon, and the force of her Judgement which will ripen with her age, no doubt will ſcatter thoſe young Idea's, which are yet ſcarce grown to a perfect form, and may therefore be eaſily chaſed away by your affection, and thoſe grand qualities the Gods have put into your Perſon.

To theſe words the Prince added divers others to the ſame purpoſe, which Marcellus having peaceably heard; For that which touches me, ſaid he, I will never agree you ſhould forſake a place to which you are tyed by ſo juſt and ſo noble a paſſion; to the other that regards your glory and the re-eſtabliſhment of your Dignity; give me leave to joyn Intereſt, with you, and for yours; believe it, I will never ſtick to hazard my life, nor refuſe to pay down my blood to the laſt drop, if the total expence of it may be fruiful to your repoſe or glory.

Doubtleſs the two Princes had inlarged their Dialogue, if they had not ſpy'd a great troop of Ladies enter the Alley, which preſently they knew to be the Princeſs Octavia, Cleopatra, Emilia, Sulpitia, and divers others of the greateſt among the Romans: the Ladies no ſooner drew near the Arbor, but they ſaw the two Princes come out to meet them, and after the Princeſs Octavia had chid their ſullen and melancholy humour that miſlead them to the ſearch of ſolitude, ſhe ask'd if they had any mind to increaſe the company. There were but few men in it, and thoſe that were, reſpectively reſign'd their places to the two Princes. Marcellus, to oblige his friend, entertain'd the Princeſs Octavia his Mother, and Coriolanus led Cleopatra, the whole company walk'd in couples through the ſeveral Alleys, ſtill keeping ſuch a diſtance as lent them liberty to exchange their thoughts without any fear of over-hearers; Cleopatra eying an unuſual trouble, and an extraordinary Emotion in the aſpect of the Affrican Prince: How is it Coriolanus, ſaid ſhe, that I find ſo ſad an inquietude upon your brow? has Fortune hatch'd you any freſh diſpleaſure? If the deſire does not diſoblige you, I would willingly know the cauſe of your trouble: 'Tis too hard a task Madam, reply'd the Prince, for my Face not to tell tales of my Sorrow, too difficult for him to perſonate content that is going to the rack of a cruel affection: Madam, my fate enjoyns me to leave you, which is the ſame to ſay, I muſt be torn from my ſelf, and who can carry ſuch a torture within him, and not betray ſome exterior ſymptoms? Madam, it is my ſhame that I have liv'd ſo long in your ſervice unbuſied with glory or ambition, and ſince I had the daring to raiſe my eyes to you, 'tis fit I ſhould think of other employments, to render my ſelf worthy of the honour to ſerve you; to be barely the Son of a King, can aſſert no ſufficient merit, and if Fortune robbed me of the dignity, 'tis requir'd of my vertue to recover it; for to live in the condition of a private man at Rome, and yet love Cleopatra, are things incompatible.

I do not wholly oppoſe your deſign, reply'd the Princeſs, to purſue that path of glory to your eſtabliſhment which you have already begun to tread ſo hopefully; and though your preſence be as dear to me as you ought to deſire, yet I can reſolve to loſe it for a time, in hope to ſee your vertue remount the Throne of your Anceſtors; not that the loſs of your Crowns can render your perſon leſs conſiderable than if they impal'd your brow; that blind Deity has handled us as rudely as you, and humbled our Family too low to leave us any cauſe of miſprizing thoſe Princes that ſhe has plundred; but ſince nothing can look big enough to daunt your Courage, and that inſpires you to trace the ſteps of your Predeceſſors; the knowledge I have that you are born to great undertakings, ſhall vanquiſh that repugnance, which indeed diſſwades my conſent to this ſeparation; and if the Deſtinies do not oppoſe you, you ought to expect all from your valour; but Coriolanus, though this reaſon be ſtrong enough to take you from us, you muſt confeſs it is not the cauſe that drives you away, and that ſome other conſideration precipitates your departure.

The reſpect which I have always chain'd to your will, anſwered the Prince, does not permit me to diſguiſe the truth, and though diſcretion and Modeſty diſpute againſt it, they are too weak to confute my obedience. It is true, Madam, ſince you are pleaſed I ſhould avow it, I do owe a little voyage to my friends repoſe, and being infortunate enough to injure him, I am going for a time to flie thoſe occaſions, and ſeek others, that may render me worthy to be owned by you: I apprehend enough, added the Princeſs with a ſmile, and I think I ſhall not make you bluſh, when I tell you, you are loved by Julia. I cannot believe it love, modeſtly anſwered the Prince, but rather the malice of mine and Marcellus's fortune, that was willing to conduct the addreſſes of that wavering ſpirit, while ſhe ſought occaſions of inconſtancy, rather to me than any other: I ſuſpected it before, reply'd the Princeſs, by divers remarkable conjectures, but was loth to let you know ſo much, for fear of diſturbing the ſatisfaction you receive in the affection and reſearch of ſo fair a Princeſs: Indeed it is ſo great, coldly anſwered Coriolanus, as I am too weak to ſupport the weight of it, and for that reaſon will flie as far as the Earth has limits, if it be otherwiſe impoſſible to defend my ſelf from it.

You are cruel Coriolanus, reply'd the Princeſs with a graceful and Majeſtick action, and if you thus contemptuouſly treat fair Ladies, and ſuch as are of Julia's lofty quality, what may thoſe hope from you, to whom Nature and Fortune have been penurious? She that I adore, replyed my Prince, has receiv'd of Nature all that ſhe was capable of giving, nor can Fortune ſubſtract any thing from that, which ſtill keeps her placed in the firſt rank of mortals.

I am well pleaſed, ſaid the fair Princeſs, that your blindneſs has betraid you to this opinion, and though I am not the ſame you ſpeak me, I am very willing to appear ſo in your Eyes and Judgement.

She pronounced theſe words with an Air ſo ſweet, and a faſhion ſo obliging, as the Prince was loſt in a delightful raviſhment, and preſſing her hand which he held with an action full of ardor and tranſport: Oh amity! ſaid he, Oh honour! What enemies are you grown to my repoſe? How ſweetly might I paſs my entire life at the feet of my adorable Princeſs if you would conſent to it.

He had ſaid more, and their Diſcourſe had laſted longer, if the arrival of the two young Princes, Alexander and Ptolomee had not interrupted it, who, after they had ſaluted the reſt of the company, they approached the Princeſs their Siſter, and Coriolanus, whom they loved exceedingly; divers noble Romans, which came thither in their company, alſo mingled themſelves in the Troop, and the walk continued and ended, without offering my Maſter an occaſion of reviving his diſcourſe with Cleopatra.

The next day there befel him an accident, that gave a report loud enough through Rome, to arrive at your ears, when you reſided there, which as it haſten'd his voyage ſome days ſooner than he intended, ſo it gave him the means to undertake it with more glory than he expected. There was then at Rome a Mathematician call'd Trafillus, who by his ſublime skill in Judicial Aſtrology, had acquir'd a Reputation that highly advanced his credit, and made his acquaintance be courted by the principal Romans. Alas, cry'd Tyridates, interrupting Emilius, that name is but too well known unto me, and I have hitherto found his prediction of my Fortune ſo credited by a ſucceſſion of accidents, and have now ſo little reaſon to expect an end unſutable to the former events as it muſt ever have a place in my memory. This Traſillus, reply'd Emilius, whoſe Science you experimented, had a particular acceſs to Tiberius, whoſe thoughts, (eternally ty'd to his Love and Ambition) made him ranſack this mans knowledge for a flattery of his future hopes.

That day I ſpoke of, he being in the Pallace Gallery, where the nobleſt Romans uſually walk'd, attending the Emperors riſing, my Maſter and Tiberius met there together, follow'd by a throng of the moſt conſiderable perſons in the Empire: though their mutual Jealouſie had extinguiſh'd all the ſparks of friendſhip, which might otherwiſe have been kindled betwixt them, eſpecially in the malicious ſpirit of Tiberius: their Enmity was not yet come to a Declaration, and if the reſpect, which my Prince carryed in Livia, kept a part of his under hatches, Tiberius, who is a perfect Maſter in the Art of Diſſimulation, conceal'd his hatred for other conſiderations, often ſpoke to Coriolanns, and treated him with as affable looks as his cunning could put on; but at that encounter, approaching to him; Come, ſaid he, ſhall we know our Deſtinies, from the mouth of Traſillus? Then beckning the Artiſt to come nearer, and preſenting my Prince unto him; What think you Traſillus, ſaid he, of the Prince of Mauritania's Fortune and mine? ſhall our inclinations thrive in the deſign they are level'd at? Traſillus had often ſeen my Prince, knew his Age, the Conſtellation that ruled at his Nativity, and had conſulted all other circumſtances from whence he uſually rais'd his conjectures, but he had ſtudied Tiberius with more circumſpection, and often told him many things that concern'd his Deſtiny, to my Maſter he had never ſpoken, having receiv'd but little encouragement from his curioſity, but then after he had ſpent ſome time in peruſing the two Princes; If my Science deceives me not, ſaid he, you ſhall both be great, and both ſatisfied, the one in his Love, and the other in his Ambition; and becauſe you deſire not a more particular knowledge, I will aſſure you upon my life, that one of you ſhall one day be poſſeſſor of the Perſon you both love, and the other ſhall ſee himſelf ſeated on the talleſt Throne in the Univerſe.

This Diſcourſe of Traſillus, to whoſe preſages the conformity of Events had acquired him a great deal of credit, was followed by a loud acclamation from the whole company, and the two Princes, to whom it was addreſſed, ſtood and gazed a while upon each other without uttering a word, at laſt my Maſter, after he had ſeriouſly ballanc'd Traſillus words; For the enjoyment of what I love, ſaid he, I ſhould eaſily quit the Empire of the world, and on condition ſhe may be mine, I ſhall bare no grudge to my concurrents Fortune: This language was amorous and modeſt, but the reply of Tiberius was not ſo, and though he had power enough upon himſelf to be carried away with the Tide of a vain preſumption: I pretend, ſaid he, to the poſſeſſion of Cleopatra, nor do I renounce my claim to the Empire, ſince the World has not another man, that is born with a better Title to both: This Diſcourſe lighted up an indignation in my Maſters ſpirit, as well for his own intereſt, which receiv'd an open affront in what referr'd to Cleopatra, as Marcellus right, who by the univerſal vote of the Romans, the intention of Caeſar, and the ſuffering of Equity it ſelf, might pretend with more juſtice to the Imperial Diadem than Tiberius, and by all theſe was placed before him; beſides, he could never ſtudy the Science of diſſembling, though then for divers conſiderations, he ſtrugled with himſelf to confine a part of his reſentments, and darting a diſdainful look at Tiberius; I know not, ſaid he, to what you may be born, but I hope that neither Cleopatra nor the Empire ſhall be any part of your portion: and who ſhall diſpute it, reply'd Tiberius, fiered with rage, can juſter pretences, and better ſupported than mine, be ſhewn by a deſpoyled African? for the Empire, anſwered my Prince, Rome has enough more worthy than thy ſelf to command it, and for Cleopatra, that African will diſpute her with thee, who wholly deſpoiled as he is, is yet the Son of a puiſſant King, and not of a paltry Citizen, as thou art, and from whom Fortune has taken nothing that could make him loſe thoſe advantages he had of thee both in Birth and Vertue.

At theſe words they both laid hands upon the guards of their Swords; and though the reſpect that was due to the place might have reſtrained them to more moderation, yet that conſideration had not then been capable to arreſt their hands, if the whole company had not ſuddenly thrown themſelves betwixt them, and ſo cut off a farther paſſage to their fury.

The bruit of this divided the whole Court in two factions, and if the authority of the Empreſs his Mother, added to the large alliances he had in Rome, gain'd Tiberius a puiſſant party, the credit of Marcellus, and the friends which his vertue had acquired, made my Maſters full as formidable; which may ſeem ſtrange, if the glorious rank and garb be conſidered, which Tiberius did then, and doth ſtill appear in: yet 'tis true, my Prince as much ſtranger and deſpoiled as he was, ſaw himſelf in a condition to hold up his head againſt the Son of Livia, the Druſi, Sulpitii, Metelli, with divers other families that ranged themſelves on Tiberius party, and with Marcellus, the generous Agrippa, the children of Antony, the Fabii, Cato's, with all that were brave and honeſt among the Romans, had their Swords ready to ſtrike in Coriolanus quarrel. Yet this number of divided friends ſerved for no more than to make known the Competitors Credit: for the ſame day the Emperor, being advertis'd of the quarrel, and having learned the truth from the mouth of Agrippa and Mecenas, one of which was my Maſters declared friend, and the other had high thoughts of his vertue, he ſent them to try if he could make them friends.

This favour was not ordinary, but beſides that, he was willing to do honour to the Son of his Wife, and a Prince of the birth and vertue of Coriolanus, he deemed his authority requiſite to hinder the animoſity of two ſuch important men from proceeding to extremities; indeed the ſollicitations of Livia, (who made the boldneſs of Coriolanus, and the little reſpect he expreſt to the Wife of Caeſar, ſound high in his ears) might have drawn his judgement away in Tiberius behalf, if, beſides the credit of Marcellus and Agrippa, who had much power with Auguſtus, the carriage of Coriolanus, that ſeemed to ſecond the Emperors intentions in repreſſing boldneſs, and condemning his ſawcy pretences to the Empire, had commended his cauſe to Auguſtus, and diſpos'd him to treat them with an impartial equality

They both preſented themſelves before him each with a proud train at his heels; and the Emperor, after he had heard them a part, ſharply reproved Tiberius for the knowledge he had given of his ambitious aſpirings to the Empire, and my Prince, for the contemptuous miſpriſal of his birth, whoſe Mother himſelf had taken to his bed, he commanded them to embrace each other.

My Maſter gracefully diſpos'd himſelf to obey him; but before they interchang'd that Ceremony, bravely addreſſing to Caeſar, with a boldneſs full of Majeſty, Sir, ſaid he, I accept your command with a due reſpect, and to witneſs my reſignation to your Majeſties will, I will propoſe a means (if it may be allow'd) to cut up the root of any further quarrel betwixt Tiberius and my ſelf: we both love Cleopatra, and ſo long as our competition lives, we ſhall find a task too difficult to keep life in our amity: If juſtice doth appoint that Princeſs, as a treaſure to reward the ſervices of one of us' decree it, my Lord, that by thoſe ſhe may onely be diſputed, and not by indirect courſes, to which it would be injurious to ſtake ſuch a prize as Cleopatra; I am going, my Lord, as I did at my firſt acquaintance with the Camp, to carry my Life and my Sword into the Roman Army, and if it may pleaſe grand Caeſar to give me an employment, wherein I may ſignalize my ſelf for the glory of his Empire, I may poſſibly make it known, that though I am born an African Prince, I have neither leſs fidelity nor valour than the Native Romans. Let Tiberius do the ſame, and ſince to the intereſt of his Love, he may link the ſervice of his Country, let him Court ſome dangers for occaſions to merit Cleopatra: ſuffer not your favour, great Caeſar, to be partially ſwayed, but let him have the glorious prize that ſhews the moſt valour for it; I am willing to reſign her, with my life to boot, if in this Warlike deciſion Tiberius carries the advantage, and I hope from your juſtice, that what Fortune has already given, ſhall not be accounted in the purchaſe of a Jewel, which he only ought to buy with his blood and ſervices.

My Maſter had ſcarce ended theſe words, when Tiberius, with as fierce a confidence in his looks as Coriolanus could ſhew, thus perſued his requeſt; I gladly conſent, ſaid he, to the propoſition Coriolanus has made, and if it pleaſes the Emperor, that our valour ſhall onely try our Titles to Cleopatra, I ſhall that way advance my claim by fairer pretences than ever; I will go as well as he into the Armies that Combat for the Empire, and if the Emperor judges me worthy of a Command, I hope my behaviour in his ſervice ſhall render it apparent, that I want no courage to merit ſuch a recompence as Cleopatra.

The Diſcourſe of theſe two young Princes, which had contracted the attention of all the aſſiſtants, marvellouſly pleaſed Auguſtus, and at the ſame moment he openly proteſted his approbation of their brave deſign, and promiſed by his conſent, that Cleopatra ſhould never be given but to him of the two, that in Romes ſervice could ſhew beſt proofs of their Military vertue.

My Maſter receiv'd this Declaration of the Emperours with an acceſs of joy, and Tiberius, who really is very couragious, expreſt it as great a ſatisfaction.

From that very day the Emperour grew ſtudious to find out employments for them both, and by good fortune an occaſion offered it ſelf as favourably as they both could wiſh.

Terentius Varro, and Tilus Coriſius, with a puiſſant Army made War againſt the Auſtrians and Cantabrians who were riſen in Rebellion againſt the Empire in prodigious numbers. But the Soldiers, no longer able to endure the inſupportable humour of Varro, the Emperor was conſtrain'd to call him home, and Coriſius made incapable by his perſonal defects of the ſole Command of that War, the Emperor was oblig'd to ſend a Captain in Varro's place, who till then by means of Coriſius infirmities, had ſuſtain'd the whole weight of Care in the conduct of that Expedition.

On the other ſide, War being kindled in Pannonia and Dalmatia, and the Captain that Commanded the Roman Army having been kill'd in an encounter: the Legions had ſent to demand a new General of Caeſar, which yet he had not nominated.

Theſe two employments, after the method of ſome deliberation, were given to the two Rival Princes with hopes of ſucceſs that were yet equally divided betwixt them.

My Maſter had Commiſſion to march in Varro's place againſt the Aſturians and Cantabrians, and Tiberius, who indeed, though very young, had already given many ſignals of his gallantry, was deſign'd to command the Army in Pannonia.

Theſe two Princes, highly ſatisfied with their employments, equally prepar'd for their departure, and vanquiſh'd by the help of their mutual Emuliation the grief they took to part with Cleopatra.

Marcellus, boyling as well as they with a deſire of glory, took example by them to demand a military employment; but the Emperor told him it was his abſolute will he ſhould ſtay near his Perſon, yet flattered him with the hope of an important expedition which he had in his thoughts, and my Maſters earneſt entreaty that he would ſtay a while with Julia, and endeavour to recover her ſickned flames, wrought upon him ſo ſucceſsfully, as at laſt he was content that Rome ſhould yet be his reſidence.

I need not ſpeak of the preparations theſe two young Generals made of their voyage, nor trouble you with Julia's diſcontent for my Maſters ſeparation, who in every place that he met her, and when he took his leave, ſtill evaded particular Diſcourſes with a grand Circumſpection; and the haſt I make to paſs to the Narrative of weightier affairs, only permits me to tell you, that the day of their departure being arriv'd, after they had received the Emperors Orders, the two Princes took leave of Cleopatra apart, I know not what language was exchanged betwixt her and Tiberius, but my Maſters ſhewed the marks of a moſt ardent paſſion, and Cleopatra's of an affection, which gave Coriolanus cauſe enough to be contented.

It is not Madam, ſaid he, after ſome preceeding Diſcourſes, it is not your affection that calls my courage to this diſpute with Tiberius, that keeps to a greater height of value for either to aſpire at, at the charge of all our blood; nor can it be bought but with ſuch ſervices as are peculiarly paid to your ſelf, and not thoſe that are laid out for the Empires Intereſts; no, 'tis the favour of Auguſtus, that by glorious actions I muſt pluck from Tiberius, if it be poſſible, and ſince your fortune has ſubmitted you in ſuch a ſort to his power, as after purchaſe of your conſent, my hopes muſt ſtill wait upon his to compleat my happineſs; give me leave, if you pleaſe, by laviſhing my life for his intereſts, to oblige him to conſider my ſervices as well as Livia's ſollicitations: yes, Coriolanus, reply'd the Princeſs, you have my conſent, and to confirm you, that you have it, know, you need not diſpute my affection with your Rival in the rough argument of arms; be aſſured the advantage ſhall ever ſtay on your ſide, and though fortune ſhould crown the Creſt of Tiberius with the Palmy wreaths of moſt glorious victories, ſhe ſhall never have a power to give him any part of my inclinations; you have already too great a ſhare in them to leave him the ſpark of any hope alive, and I cannot now aſſume the liberty of expreſſing that to you with any decorum, which I did not fix in my breaſt before I had weighed it.

I will trace their amorous Dialogue no further, for fear the length of it ſhould diſoblige your patience; at laſt, after he had breath'd a thouſand vows at her feet of an eternal fidelity, and received a confirmation from her own mouth of thoſe dear hopes ſhe had given him▪ my Prince receiv'd her adieu with a conſolation that help'd to ſweeten the regret of his abſence, and about an hour after mounted on horſeback, with a great number of friends, who brought him many days journies on the way, but at laſt having parted from thoſe that went not the Expedition, we march'd with the reſt through Gallia Narbonenſis, and thoſe other Provinces that lay in our way to Auſtria and Cantabria.

THUS Emilius recounted his Maſters Life to Prince Tyridates, who heard him with a marvellous attention, when there came one and told him that Coriolanus, after ſome hours quiet repoſe, was newly awaked. Tyridates, whoſe generoſity was deeply concerned in the care of ſuch a qualified Gueſt, though he flamed with deſire to learn the ſequel of his Adventures, he then preferred Society before his Story; judging it time to dine, and enjoyned by Civility to keep him company, he was willing for a while to defer the continuation of Emilius recital.

They went together to his Chamber, and the Son of Juba no ſooner ſaw Tyridates, but receiving him with an obliging action, full of bewitching ſweetneſs; You come, ſaid he, from trifling ſome hours upon a mean divertiſement, and you have had your deſires, to be acquainted with things ſo little worthy of your attention, as I fear you are juſtly diſpleaſed with my complacence to your curioſity: I have yet underſtood no more, reply'd Tyridates, than the morning actions of your life, and though thoſe of the latter edition, which I confuſedly took from the mouth of Rumour, be doubtleſs the greater and more important; thoſe beautiful beginnings have ſo tyed me to your vertue, in the chains of love and wonder, as I can now no more regard you without the extraordinary motions of affection and reſpect: Your affection is too dangerous, anſwer'd the Mooriſh Prince, to be otherwiſe received than as the greateſt bliſs that fortune can offer me, but I rather owe it your generous diſpoſition, than the recital of a few trivial actions, incapable to merit it: that exceſſive modeſty of yours, reply'd Tyridates, has confirmed my deſign, to accept no part of the ſtory from your own mouth, for I ſee you will debaſe the Grandeur of your actions, as I ſhall draw nothing from you but what will fall infinitely ſhort of truth.

While thus they inlarged their Civilities, their dinner came in, during which they entertain'd each other with diſcourſes as agreeable as their melancholy hearts could allow.

The valiant unknown, was ſerved in his Chamber with other meats, for the depth of his wounds oblig'd him to another ſort of nouriſhment, he was very hardly diſpos'd to ſuffer the application of any remedy, and the reaſon he had to afflict himſelf, returning to his memory, left him ſo little regard of life, as the care of his recovery was only acted by Tyridates and his Squire.

Indeed the Prince of Parthia omitted no endeavours that would have been contributed to his proper ſafety, and by the brave things he had ſeen him do, and that Majeſtick mind which was able to ſink an impreſſion of reſpect in all the Souls that beheld him, he had received an opinion of him as a perſon wholly extraordinary.

Dinner was no ſooner ended, but he was at his Chamber door to enquire of his health, and underſtanding from the Chirurgions, he might now ſafely be ſpoken to, he entered the Chamber, and approaching the bed, gave him the bonjour: the ſtranger inforced his griefs to return what he thought was due to his benefactor, and regarding him with eyes that in ſpight of their ſickly Eclipſe ſparkled ſomething more fierce and martial than was to be found in the reſt of mankind: You miſ-employ your pity, ſaid he, upon a man that has neither fortune nor life enough left to acknowledge it, but the Gods will pay you in my behalf, and ſupply by their bounty the impuiſſance of a wretch on whom you have ſo nobly, and yet ſo ineffectually placed yours: this diſcourſe (the pulſe of a moſt violent grief) touched the ſoul of Tyridates with a freſh compaſſion, and deſirous to ſweeten the ſorrows of that valiant man, as well as his own would permit him: I ſhould be really happy, ſaid he, in a power as well to reconcile your ſpirit with repoſe, as your body with health; but the Gods from whom you bid me expect a reward for ſuch trivial offices will employ their puiſſance (to which nothing is difficult) in reſtoring what they have taken from you, and if you truſt their goodneſs, you will doubtleſs receive all the aſſiſtance requiſite for your conſolation.

In reaſon the Stranger ow'd a reply to this Language, and doubtleſs in another reaſon would have paid it, but his thoughts were then in purſuit of another ſubject, and after he had ſpent ſome moments in a deep ſtudy: Have you yet learn'd no news, ſaid he, of the cruel Pyrate that fled yeſterday from my juſt purſuit? know you not whether the perſons that were in his power, were delivered by ſome Divine or humane aſſiſtance? We have heard nothing of that, anſwer'd Tyridates, and believe he ſaved himſelf with his prey in thoſe veſſels we ſaw laſt night put off to Sea; Gods! cryed the ſtranger, with an action full of tranſport, Gods! who have ſuffered me to find nothing among men but cruelty and ingratitude; ſhall I ever meet the refuſal of ſuccour at your hands, and muſt I be eternally expos'd to oppreſſion and injuſtice? have you favour'd me in thoſe occaſions that would contribute to my glory, to croſs me in all thoſe that ſhould ſerve my repoſe? and in fine, ſhall theſe advantages you have given me, ſerve for nothing but to dreſs my misfortune, and gag my ruine? He ſtop'd at theſe words, which he mingled with deep ſighes, and after he had ſtaid ſome time in the poſture of a man poſſeſt with furious reſolutions; Do pittileſs fortune, purſu'd he, do, cruel Enemy, all the miſchief that thy blind power can faſten upon my deſtiny, I do here lay my ſelf open to thy cruel perſecution, and defie thy malice to trample upon a Courage, which yet thou haſt but vainly combated with.

He paus'd at theſe words, and Tyridates perceiving he had much ado to ſtop there, out of fear that his preſence might put him to ſome conſtraint, and the Chirurgions opinion that a purſuit of his paſſionate diſcourſe might injure his health, after he had intreated him to take ſome repoſe, and follow their advice to whoſe care his health was committed, and ſeek, if poſſible, for comfort in that grand courage, whereof he had given ſo many glorious proofs in ſo ſhort a time, he took his leave for the reſt of the day.

From that Chamber he return'd to Coriolanus, to whom he gave an account of his viſit, repeated the words and deſcribed the paſſion of the Stranger: At this the Sun of Juba ſhrugg'd up his ſhoulders, and lifted up his eyes, when after he had been ſome moments ſilent: Oh valiant Stranger, cryed he! if thy ſoul be ſeized with a violent grief, how well has Fortune pattern'd our Condition: yet thy Calamities muſt ſwell to a ſtrange bulk to meaſure thy Calamities with mine, when you ſhall know my laſt Adventures, continued he, turning to Tyridates, you will doubtleſs deplore my misfortune, and poſſible believe that the miſeries of others are trifles in compariſon of mine. To keep you no longer in doubt of this, Emilius is ready to finiſh his Story, ſince you had rather have it from his mouth than mine: for that, ſaid Tyridates, I ſhall take a time when Civility forbids me to enjoy your Company, though 'tis confeſt I deſire with ſome violence to learn the ſucceſſion of thoſe beautiful Actions, whereof the beginnings were ſo charming, but I ſhall refer it to thoſe hours which will not permit me to ſee you without importunity: I cannot ſuffer the conſtraint your Courteſie offers, ſaid Coriolanus, to a perſon who has no neceſſity to require it, do not diſoblige your ſelf for my Divertiſement, my thoughts do furniſh me with an ample entertainment, and let me have leave to tell you, that in the ſad eſtate to which Love and Fortune has reduced me, if your company was not marvellouſly bewitching, it would not be ſupportable.

By theſe words Coriolanus obliged Tyridates to leave him, and that Prince taking Emilius along to his Chamber, made him ſit down in the ſame place where they paſs'd away the morning, and the faithful Squire knowing his intention, after he had prepared his diſcourſe with ſome moments of ſilence, he purſued the Story in this manner.

WE got out of Rome with as much facility as we wiſh'd, and leaving the way that lead to Oſtia on our left hand, we ſought (not for the Village where we paſs'd the precedent night) but for a houſe that ſtood remote for all high-ways, in a wood above 100 furlongs from Rome, which my Maſter had often ſeen when he was a hunting, and remember'd it had ſhelter'd him from divers ſtorms, there he decre'd to expect the approach of night, well knowing that after ſhe had ſpread her ſhades, he might ſteal back into Rome; and becauſe the City was vaſt, and the Inhabitants very numerous, he might hide himſelf there for divers days with more ſafety, than any of the adjacent places could promiſe him.

We were no ſooner got into the fields, when my Maſter ſtopping his horſe, and turning towards me, with a look that acknowledged the ſatisfaction he took in the ſucceſs of his enterprize: My Rival is dead, ſaid he, or at leaſt in too feeble a condition to rob me of Cleopatra, and now let the Gods do what they pleaſe with my deſtiny.

I was ſo amaz'd at what I had lately ſeen, as, till then I had not the power to command a word, and though accuſtom'd to ſee my Prince do great things, the ſuddenneſs of this laſt act ſo ſurpris'd me, as I had not time enough to recover the uſe of my reaſon; but when this diſcourſe had a little diſpell'd the clouds of my amazement; 'Tis true Sir, ſaid I, Tiberius is dead, and if my eye did not cozen me, I ſaw him in an eſtate to diſhearten all hopes of recovery; but, my Lord, what meant you by all this? and what deſign do your thoughts now drive at? I meant, ſaid Coriolanus, to free my ſelf of a Rival that would have taken my life, to break this Marriage with Cleopatra, wherein I muſt have found my Sepulcher, and for the deſign thoughts are hatching, if they have but the luck to bring it forth, a few days will acquaint thee with it.

This diſcourſe, with others upon the ſame ſubject, held us play till we arrived at the houſe, where we alighted, yet ſtill holding our Horſes by the Bridles, and ſtanding ready to make a ſudden retreat upon the alarm of any noiſe that deſerved ſuſpicion, the night was no ſooner come, but we mounted again, and taking a great compaſs, returned to the City, which we entered by a Gate that was very far from that we came out at, and paſſed through a blind Street to the Houſe of one Strato a faithful Slave of my Maſters, on whom, for ſome important ſervice he had lately beſtowed his liberty, with a bounteous Donative to ſupport him in his free condition.

To his Houſe unknown to all the Court he rather choſe to retire, than to any of his Friends, whoſe quality might ingender ſuſpicion; and ſo by ſheltring him expoſe their Credit to ruine in the breaſt of Caeſar.

Strato, who with the reſt of Rome, had learned the diſaſter of Tiberius, no ſooner ſaw my Prince at the door, but throwing himſelf at his feet with all the motions of paſſionate loyalty, begged of him not only to diſpoſe of the goods he held of his bounty, but employ his life too in the ſervice of his deſigns. Coriolanus being entered the Houſe, and having cauſed the Horſes to be carried away, demanded news of Strato, what the City talked of his laſt action, how Caeſar reſented it, and how Tiberius fared: Strato, who was very diſcreet, and whoſe affection to his Maſter had carried him all that day about the City, to inform himſelf of things wherein it gave him ſo great an intereſt, preſently told him that Tiberius was not dead, but almoſt paſt all hope of recovery, that Caeſar had appeared tranſported with ſuch an exceſs of fury, that he had not only ſent vaſt numbers in his ſearch, cauſed his Lodging to be ſeiz'd, and confiſcated all the goods he had at Rome, but proclaimed a promiſe of two hundred talents to any that could bring him his head, and one hundred to him that could detect the place of his reſidence.

This Diſcourſe awaked the Reſentments of Coriolanus againſt the Emperor; He has reaſon, ſaid he, to deſire my ruine, and if he takes me from the world, he may poſſible free his apprehenſions by that act of none of the meaneſt of his Enemies. Strato added, that Auguſtus had conceived ſo high a pique againſt all my Maſters friends, as he would never ſince endure Marcellus, Agrippa, nor Octavia her ſelf to come in his ſight; and beſides had made a promiſe to Livia, his revenge ſhould reach to all thoſe that could be proved accomplices in that action.

After ſome other Diſcourſe, in which my Maſter aſſured Strato he would truſt him with his life, he got on horſe-back, and taking him along to the corner of a ſtreet neer Marcellus his Houſe, he commanded him to go thither, and endeavour to deliver his Meſſage in private to the Prince, and conduct him to that place where he would wait his approach: Strato quitted himſelf of his commiſſion ſo handſomly, as we had not ſtaid half an hour in the place where he left us, when we ſaw him return with Marcellus (without either Follower or Torch, but the light of the Moon, which was then at the full) on Horſe-back like us, with his face half mufled in a Cloak; he found my Maſter in the ſame eſtate, and no ſooner came neer him, but throwing his arms about his neck, as if ſome long time had crept between that and their laſt interview. Brother, ſaid he, what have you done? to what a torment have you put me in behalf of your ſafety? I have done that, replyed my Prince, which, were it undone, I would do again at the hazard of a thouſand lives, and poſſible I have not yet done it to purpoſe, ſince Tiberius is ſtill alive: Indeed he is not dead, anſwer'd Marcellus, but there is ſo little appearance left of Life, and his wound is prov'd ſo deep and dangerous, as none have yet ſeen it without deſpair: Do not then torment your ſelf, ſaid Coriolanus, for my ſafety, my own hand has carved it for me in that action, nor ſhould I ever have enjoyed it, had Tiberius eſpous'd Cleopatra. I do not ſo much as pity that man, reply'd Marcellus, ſince his life was an Enemy to your repoſe; but how will you now diſpoſe of your intentions? and what can we do for you in this Extremity, to which you have hurried your Affairs, if we were not able to ſerve you when they rode at Anchor in a calmer Ocean? You ſhall do, reply'd Coriolanus, what you have ever done, ſtill continue to love me, ſtill aſſiſt me in the perſon and opinion of Cleopatra, and leave the reſt to the conduct of the Gods, who will not abandon me, nor can they involve me in a worſe condition than what this happy blow has ſo lately prevented: but do you believe your ſelf in any ſafety at Rome, added Marcellus? and though the vaſt extent of the City has often conceal'd other perſons, do you think to defraud the diligence of ſo many ſpyes, who are both Ey'd and wing'd for a narrow ſearch, by the promiſe of a rich reward for your diſcovery: For the time I intend to ſtay at Rome, reply'd Coriolanus, I hope to find it a ſafe retreat, and ſince I have employed the three days that Caeſar gave me as my wiſh contriv'd it, I will now quit it without another diſpleaſure, than thoſe I reſent it being divided from Cleopatra and Marcellus: In the mean time I ſhall find other places enough, that will lend me entertainment, and if I thrive in one deſign, perhaps I ſhall have no need to borrow it; I will only intreat the ſight of Cleopatra, (which you may eaſily obtain in my behalf) once or twice before my parting, and then repoſe that dear truſt, with ſome comfort in your hands, till the ſucceſs of my affairs will reſtore her to my Eyes.

Marcellus took ſome time to ſtudy upon this, and then taking the word; I believe, ſaid he, ſince my Mother and all her family are at your devotion, you have no more to do but go to the little door at the brink of Tiber, which you are well acquainted with, and ſtay there till I bring you ſome news, I will come and open it my ſelf, after I have ſpoke with Cleopatra and diſpos'd her to meet you in the Garden.

My Maſter finding this contrivance very expedient for his purpoſe, returned a thouſand thanks to his friend, and giving him leave to go upon his own deſign, he releaſed him upon promiſe to meet at the place appointed, and when we were got about an hundred paces from thence, he alighted, and commanding Strato to ſtay for him with the Horſes in Mars's field, which was not far from thence, we walked upon the bank of Tiber, ſtill expecting when the opening of the door ſhould invite our approaches: indeed it coſt us leſs patience than we appointed, and Marcellus, the moſt real, and therefore the moſt diligent of all his friends, in half an hours time made all things ready as my Maſter wiſhed them. To make good his promiſe, himſelf opened us the door, and we were no ſooner entered the Garden, but the light of the Moon ſhewed us the Princeſs Cleopatra, followed by her Siſter the Princeſs Antonia, youngeſt Daughter to Antony, and Octavia, with Camillia, the Darling of her Maids, going into one of the Arbors.

Octavia had come her ſelf, if the conſideration of her Brother, and the Dignity of her own perſon, had not adviſed her to ſuborn ignorance to excuſe it, Cleopatra was half undreſt, and yet that diſadvantage, by the help of an imperfect light, was not able to conceal her Beauty, nor did ever the Star that ruled at the interview, in all her Celeſtial travels behold a mortal beauty that could equal her.

My Maſter no ſooner came near, but falling at her feet, and embracing her knees; I ask your pardon my adorable Princeſs, ſaid he, for what I have done to preſerve you, and could I have kept you out of his power, without ſpilling the blood of a man that loved you, I would have bought off his loſs at the expence of my own; but ſince there was no other way to ſave the life that is yours, and defend you from a yoak that would have been impos'd againſt your conſent, do not you ſtill give me leave to appear in the dreſs of my former Innocence?

The Princeſs took ſome time to anſwer my Maſter, when ſuddenly lifting up her head, and looking upon him with a languiſhing action; Ah Coriolanus, ſaid ſhe, how raſh you have been! how well might you have ſpared me a diſpleaſure, by curing our common misfortune with means leſs violent: If I thought you bemoaned the fate of Tiberius, replyed my Prince, I could be content to retrieve his ſafety, by ſtaking my life to the ſame danger that threatens his; my regret for Tiberius, ſaid the Princeſs, ſtretches no farther, than becauſe I love not blood, nor deſire the death of my cruelleſt Enemies; you cannot but know that what you have done has made me a prey to very ſenſible perplexities, that your ſelf has robb'd your own deſires of the means to ſee me, and blocked up your way to the fruition of a happineſs, which you aimed at in the death of your Rival: I am better acquainted with the dangees that menace you here, than to ſuffer your longer aboad at Rome, and you know too well how dear you are to me, to ignore the grief that will gall me at our ſeparation: I am willing to believe, that in your abſence you will keep me that affection pure and undeflowred, which I prefer'd before the offers of Livia, and do ſtill prize above all the gay things wherewith the world can tempt me; but what comfort can be left me in ſo cruel and dangerous an abſence, in ſo ſad an incertainty of your return: Beſides, the mercileſs orders of Auguſtus will reach to all, and there are few corners of the Earth can hide you ſecurely, ſo long as he is your Enemy: what ſhall become of me in theſe woful apprehenſions I ſhall ſuffer for you? and which of the Gods will promiſe me I ſhall ever be permitted to ſee you again? Heavens, purſued ſhe, with ſome warm pearls that broke away from her fair eyes, did the faults of unfortunate Anthony and Cleopatra ſo highly incenſe you, as your pitileſs anger muſt ſtill purſue the reliques of their deplorable family?

A throng of ſighs cut off the courſe of her words, and hindered the Princeſs from going on: Coriolanus, whatever ſhare he went in her grief, took a marvellous comfort in thoſe woful proofs of her affection, which touch'd him ſo feelingly, as after he had ty'd his lips for a time to one of the Princeſs hands: Now let Auguſtus, cry'd he, diſplay all the puiſſance of his Empire againſt me, and let the whole world aſſiſt him in his aims at my overthrow, I brave them all, my Princeſs, in the eſtate to which your goodneſs has exalted me, and ſince your inviolate affection is mine in a greater meaſure, than my lawfulleſt hope could ambition, I can ſuffer nothing in my exile, nor in thoſe perils that threaten my ſafety, capable to counterpoiſe the meaneſt part of my happineſs: I know Madam, that I am forced to leave you, and were I in your heart, with as much advantage as the hand of Hymen could place me, I could not own one ſingle deſire to ſee you follow the fortune of a man, to whom Heaven has denied a place to repoſe you; no Madam, I muſt have a Kingdom to receive you as I ought and inſtead of deſiring you ſhould tye your ſelf to the condition of a wretch, I will never raiſe my pretences to the honour of your poſſeſſion, till I am able to ſet a Crown upon your head: perhaps I am not ſo far from performing this, as it is believed, and if fortune does not uſe me too rudely, I may happily come back in a Condition, that will enable me to ask the proofs of your affection in a more becoming poſture; let me beg the favour of your confidence in theſe words, and do not look for leſs than extraordinary effects, from a man that could not have liſted himſelf in your ſervice with a common Courage.

There is nothing too hard for my hopes in your vertue, replyed the Princeſs, nor can I acknowledge any default of thoſe Crowns in your perſon, which for my ſake you rejected; 'tis true, I could wiſh my ſelf a power to inveſt you with thoſe that Anthony deſigned me in my child-hood, or be content to wiſh you a throne in ſome other place; not that Diadems can add new graces to your perſon, too lively of it ſelf to need an Exterior Ornament, but to provide us a covert againſt the ſtorms of Tyranny, and ranſome our liberty from the power of thoſe, who after the pulling down of our houſes, do ſtill inhumanly proſecute the remainder.

At this period, Coriolanus looked round to obſerve if any liſtened to their Diſcourſe, and perceiving Marcellus (to leave them the greater liberty) was walked with his Siſter into the Garden, and Cleopatra's Maid who ſtaid with her Miſtreſs, ſtood yet at the diſtance of ten or twelve paces, letting fall the tone of his voice; Madam, ſaid he, I have a deſign which I would, if you pleaſe, reveal to none but your ſelf; if I hide it from Marcellus, 'tis not ſuſpition that adviſed me, ſince, if the fates could ſpin me as many threads, I would truſt him with a thouſand lives, but the conſideration I keep for his Intereſt, not willing to involve him in a plot that may ſpeak him criminal to Caeſar, but I hope your goodneſs will give him my excuſes after 'tis once broke out: To theſe words, when he had begged of the Princeſs to preſerve it aſecret, ſucceeded the Diſcovery of ſome thoughts, to which I was yet a ſtranger, and which you ſhall learn in the Stories ſequel: the Princeſs timerouſly reflected upon the difficulties ſhe found in the deſign, but after ſome conteſtations with her fears, ſhe remitted all to the conduct of Coriolanus, and that to the Gods to whom ſhe recommended him.

By this time Marcellus and his Siſter were come back to the Arbour, and, after they had ſpent one hour together in Diſcourſe, my Maſter, fearing to incommodate the Princeſs, and at the reaſon, the nights not being over warm, he took his leave for the Evening, intreating the Company to give him the favour of a ſecond meeting in the ſame place the following night, wherein he reſolv'd to part from Rome; he intreated Marcellus to be there with the reſt, and not think of ſeeing him all the next day, reſolving to ſhut up himſelf in Strato's houſe, where he could not viſit him, without running the hazard of a dangerous Jealouſie, Marcellus though mortally afflicted at this ſeparation, at laſt conſented to his friends deſire, and, becauſe all that Coriolanus had at Rome, were ſeized by the Emperors order, he furniſhed him with Horſes, Slaves, and all things elſe his neceſſity demanded, and ſent them out of the City before day, with orders to ſtay for us at the Port of Brindes, under the conduct of one of my Maſters Officers that had formerly ſerved Marcellus with an uncommon fidelity.

My Maſter told his friend, he intended a retreat to the King of Libia's Court, the neareſt of his Kinſmen where he could ſtay with aſſurance, till the choler of Auguſtus was waſted to a cooler temper, which he would learn to hope from the power of his mediation; but the Reaſons he alledg'd to that Princeſs would not let him unrip any part of that deſign he communicated to Cleopatra.

We retir'd to the Houſe of Strato, and were no ſooner there, but my Maſter (inſtead of beſtowing the remains of that night upon reſt) ſent me to the Lodgings of Hippias, and Liſippus, to intreat them to come and ſee him before day. Theſe were two of the principal men in Mauritania, who, by the general ſuffrage of that People, were ſent to Rome, to carry their complaints to Caeſar, of the violent and harſh uſage they received from the Roman Garriſons, and the Praetor Voluſius, whoſe inſufferable inſolence and cruelty had reduc'd the poor Inhabitants to deſpair: Theſe two Deputies had been with their complaints at Caeſars feet, without obtaining any redreſs, and it was much about the time we return'd from the Aſturian War. Theſe Moors, who had already learn'd my Maſters repute from the common noiſe, beheld him with a reſpect proportioned to the Son of their late King: and him that had been born to command them, if Fortune had not ſtripped him of thoſe Dignities, before Nature compleated his being; and meeting with all the qualities in him they could deſire in the perſon of a Sovereign, after they had made themſelves particularly known by divers viſits, at laſt they ventur'd at the liberty to tell him, if he would preſent himſelf to his lawful Subjects, and ſhew them the face of the Son of Juba, (a name they ſtill honor'd with a deep veneration) and of a Prince already known by the bruit of his beautiful actions, they did not queſtion, but the People, taking Courage and as well from their affection to him, as averſion to the Roman Government, by an univerſal riſing, aſſiſted by his valour, would ſet him in his Fathers throne.

Theſe two Agents had often renew'd this propoſition, to which, though the firſt appearance of Caeſar's partiality had opened his ear, becauſe he was not yet his Enemy, he had as often rejected it, believing he could not anſwer any ſecret contrivance at the bar of Honour againſt a man that been his Benefactor: during this private Treaty, they received news from their Country that did no way cool their proceedings, and ſtill as my Maſters reſentments boil'd higher by degrees againſt Auguſtus, they failed not to ply him ſo hotly with freſh ſollicitations, as my Maſter perceiving all things grow deſperate for him at Rome, and underſtanding that Auguſtus had proſcribed his name, and caus'd it to be ſet up in the Streets, (as in the time of the Triumvirate) with a propoſal of a recompence to his Murderers, his juſt reſentments were wound up, to the reſolution of a revenge upon his Enemy, by a way that ſhould lead him to his lawful heritage: this was the deſign he imparted to Cleopatra, and the ſame that made him ſend me for Hippias and Liſippus.

Theſe two men (raviſh'd at the knowledge of their Prince's abode) for whom they had all the preceding day ſuffered ſo many fears, immediately parted from their lodging and came along with me to Strato's houſe: my Prince no ſooner ſaw and embrac'd them, but he declared his deſign to ſerve their honeſt deſires, in chaſing the Romans out of his Fathers Territories, he promis'd he would be ready to go away with them the following night, and bad them be aſſured he would not be ſparing of his life, to requite the injuries of Auguſtus, nor make himſelf an inconſiderable gift to that People, who had preſerved ſo much affection for his Family.

The Mauritanians, almoſt beſides themſelves with joy at this Diſcourſe, fell both at his feet, proteſting they would be ready to ſerve him as faithful guides till he ſet his foot upon thoſe Dominions the Romans had uſurp'd, and aſſured him he ſhould not find a man in both the Mauritania's, that would not willingly hazard his life to beat out the Romans, and gladly ſubject himſelf to his Sovereignty.

This reſolution confirmed, and all the circumſtances ſettled, the two Moors went home to order their affairs for a Journey, and prepare themſelves to go away with us the following night. I ſay with us, for though I was born a Roman, and deſcended from a Family noble enough, ſo real an affection tied me to my Maſter, as neither the Intereſt of my Country, nor the love of my kindred could ſlack my carrier in running his Fortune.

Strato having carefully ſought up the faithfulleſt of my Maſters ſervants, without diſcloſing where he was, aſſigned them to be ready about the beginning of night, at a place he appointed; the reſt ſtaid behind at Rome, for fear too curious a ſearch of all ſhould betray us.

Every thing thus diſpos'd of paſs'd away the day at Strato's houſe, the greateſt part of which, my Maſter, wearied with his former watchings, beſtow'd in ſleep, at leaſt as much of it, as the grief he took to part with Cleopatra would permit him: ſo ſoon as the night was a little advanced, we mounted on Horſe back, and rendered our ſelves at Octavia's Garden-gate, which was preſently opened us, wherewith Cleopatra, Marcellus, young Ptolomee, and the Princeſs her Daughters, Octavia came her ſelf in perſon, to bid Coriolanus adieu.

My Prince, very ſenſible of the favour, paid his acknowledgment to that great Princeſs, in the humbleſt language he could utter, but after ſhe had ſpent ſome time in his company, accepting her thanks for her friendly offices, and renewing the proteſtations of her amity, with a promiſe to employ her whole life, as well to mediate his peace with Caeſar, as preſerve him freſh in Cleopatra's affections, ſhe would needs leave him the freedom of taking a private leave of the Princeſs; when, after ſhe had often embraced him with as tender an inpulgence, as if ſhe had groan'd for his birth, ſhe retired to her own apartment: it would poſe me to repeat all the endearing language, that love and amity directed to Coriolanus at this parting, as well from a Princeſs ſo paſſionately lov'd, as a friend ſo dear, and ſo worthy of his amity.

Marcellus, Ptolomee, and the Siſters, made the like retreat as before, to give Coriolanus an unwitneſſed leiſure of entertaining Cleopatra; and reſuming the ſame Diſcourſe, he let fall at his laſt parting, and repeated the negotiation betwixt him and the two Deputies of Mauritania, and mentioned all the probabilities of ſucceſs that he ſaw in his Enterprize: If the Gods conſent, purſu'd he, that I thrive in this project, and arrive at the power to declare you the Soveraign of a King, puiſſant enough in the number of his Subjects, and extent of his Dominions, as you are now of a deſpoil'd and exil'd Prince, will not my Princeſs permit me to ſue for the Complement of my fortune, in the conſent of Octavia, whom you have choſen for a Mother, and the approbation of Marcellus, with the Princes and Princeſſes your Brothers and Siſters; if ever Heaven gives leave that I ſeize upon that Scepter, I am reſolved to turn hither in diſguiſe, where being admitted to the ſame Priviledge of a private interview, which you now grant me, if you ſtill condeſcend to vote me happy, we will tie the ſacred knot betwixt us, and by conſent of your neareſt friends, you may then go and receive the Crowns that ſhall wait your arrival; I can eaſily convey you hence, if your Love be ſtrong enough to confute the ſtrict rules of ſeverity, and may oppoſe the reſignation of your ſelf, to the conduct of him you have choſen for a Husband: 'tis true, there are Seas to croſs, and toils to encounter in the Voyage, to which I ſhould not deſire to expoſe my Princeſs, but thoſe ſhort-liv'd troubles perhaps may prove as eaſie to be endured, as the Tyranny of Auguſtus, and Livia, to which your preſent condition ſubmits you: and thus my Divine Princeſs, for this happy unfortunate, you ſhall ripen the fruits of that affection, which does ſo gloriouſly ſweeten his Calamities.

At the Period of theſe words, Coriolanus ſell at Cleopatra's feet, and embracing her knees, kept himſelf in the poſture of a man, that with fear and impatience, expected the effect of his earneſt Petition: Cleopatra's doubts, that the engagement of her word might ſin againſt her duty, bred a long War in her thoughts what anſwer to return; but at laſt overcoming the ſcruples that oppos'd her deſires:

Yes my dear Coriolanus, ſaid ſhe, I do allow your requeſt, and when you have got the conſent of Octavia, and my Brothers that I eſpouſe you, without ſeeking that of Auguſtus, or repairing to any other power but theirs, my own heart and hand ſhall freely confirm it, and when I have once received you for my Husband, I will ſhut my eyes upon pain and danger, while I follow your Fortune upon Earth and Sea: accept, ſaid ſhe, ſtretching out her hand, the promiſe I offer you, and believe it, if your fidelity ſtands firm and unſhaken, nothing ſhall have power to blot my ſoul with its violation.

My Maſter appeared ſo over-joy'd at this promiſe of his Princeſs, as it put a large part of that grief to flight, which he took to leave her; but, after he had tendered a thouſand thanks at her feet, in the moſt paſſionate language that love could utter, riſing from his knee in a deep ſucceſſion of ſighs, that witneſſed the return of his woes, to their old poſſeſſion, and a face overflowed with tears, which riſe in rebellion againſt his Courage, he diſpoſed himſelf to take his leave: the Princeſs wept exceſſively, and my Prince and ſhe felt the pangs of their affliction riſe to that height of fortune, as they both drew an unluckly Augury from that ſeparation.

Cleopatra kept him a long time cloſe Priſoner in her arms, but, having at laſt unlock'd thoſe dear chains and let him go, after ſhe had left him her laſt adieu, ſhe retired to her lodgings, in ſo woful a poſture, and ſo enfeebled with grief, as it had ſcarce left her ſtrength enough to guide her foot-ſteps; young Ptolomee and the Princeſs her Siſters were ſad to extreams, but I think the parting of Marcellus and my Maſter would have ſoſtned all the ſouls upon Earth, that were moſt incapable of amity: a hundred times did they part, and a hundred times came back again into each others arms, mingling ſuch paſſionate and tender language, which the repetition of every embrace, as I that quitted my Country, my Friends, and the neereſt of my blood with a moderate regret, could not look upon them, and not melt at the eyes with a feminine weakneſs: at laſt neceſſity rent them aſunder, and they deem'd it not ſafe for Marcellus either to go himſelf or ſend any company with Coriolanus to bring him part of his way, for fear the courteſie ſhould make too much noiſe, and leſt there ſhould be found ſo cheap and ſordid a ſoul among Marcellus followers, to ſell his fidelity for the Emperours reward, in revealing our departure, and the way we bent at.

After this cruel adieu, we went to meet the two Deputies, who with Strato and our Horſes ſtai'd for us in Mars's field, where my Prince having armed himſelf, we marched out at the neereſt gate, and following the track of our Equipage (which Marcellus ſent away the night before) we found them at the Port of Brindes, with ſuch of our ſervants, as our Order commanded thither, and there finding ſome veſſels that accuſtomed to traffick upon the Coaſts of Africk, Hippias and Liſippus hired one with the Merchants in it, to whom they gave their deſires, and we preſently imbarqu'd with a favourable wind, and pat off to Sea; Ah how many ſad looks, and deep ſighs, did Coriolanus ſend back to the Italian ſhoar! how ſenſibly did he feel himſelf torn from the precious pawn he left behind him? Winds, would he ſometimes cry, the more kindly you breath upon our deſigns, the further you remove me from Cleopatra, nor can you be propitious to our voyage, unleſs you divorce me by a large diſtance, from the nobleſt part of my ſelf; he ſtill inlarged his diſcourſe upon that ſubject, undiſguiſing the marks of all thoſe cruel quietudes wherewith his paſſion ſhook him.

In the mean time our Sails were filled and guilded with the breath and beauty of heaven, nor did ever any voyage of that length begin and end with a Calm more agreeable: the Horiſon was not ſullied with a Cloud and we felt not ſo much as a blaſt that was not requiſite to ſwell our Canvas, and drive on our Barque to the African ſhoar.

At laſt, after a happy Navigation we paſſed Hercules Pillars, and a few days after, entered the Cape of Ampeluſa, the chiefeſt Promontory upon all the Coaſt of Africk, where diſembarquing our ſelves, we mounted on Horſeback, and lay the next night at the City of Liſſa, ſeated upon the River Lixus, the Metropolis of all Mauritania, from thence we marched to the City Babba, and then ſucceeded to Banaſa, where the popular credit of Hippias and Liſippus had greateſt influence, and there it was they thought fit my Maſter ſhould firſt begin to own himſelf, they caus'd the report of his arrival to be ſown among their friends, with the deſign that brought him thither to diſ-inthral them from the Roman Tyranny, if they had Courage enough to draw their Swords with his in the Quarrel, and prefer the Government of their natural Prince, to the intollerable yoak the Roman had impos'd: the reputation of thoſe great things my Maſter had done, as well of late againſt the Cantabrians, as in the Tyrociny of his arms in Germany, had travelled through all Africa, and his Fathers Subjects, who deeply concerned themſelves in the Fortune, had liſtened to the ſtory that Fame told them of their lawful Princes Heroick acts, with a joy full of affection and tenderneſs: a thouſand and a thouſand times had they ſigh'd for the ſame happineſs, that then offered it ſelf to their acceptance; and thoſe of Banaſſa, no ſooner underſtood that he was within their Walls, but they flew into a throng to ſee him, at the firſt ſight meeting with that in his face, which promiſed more than report had ſpoke of, they threw themſelves at his feet, called him their King, and beg'd he would bring them on to redeem his Fathers Subjects from ſlavery; but by little and little, the preſs was ſwollen to ſuch a bulk, as the tenth part of thoſe that run thither, could not get neer to Coriolanus lodging, and while Hippias ſtaid neer his perſon, Liſippus ranging through the City, and claiming the arrival of Juba's Son, the people roſe ſo univerſally, as the very Women and Children loudly cryed out in the ſtreets to be ſhown their Prince, to let them ſee the Son of Juba: you will not think this ſtrange when I have told you, that the Romans having exerciz'd an untroubled authority in Mauritania, for three or four and twenty years, and believing their horrible exactions, had aw'd that people with too ſervile a fear, to attempt the removal of any preſſure, had neglected the care of ſuch things as neceſſity required to preſerve it, in ſo much, as (the places of the greateſt importance excepted) they kept no Garriſons in the reſt, that were not too weak for the inhabitants; beſides, the Souldiers had ingrafted themſelves into their families by Conjugal alliance, and lived among them with a fearleſs ſecurity, through the cruelty of their Companions that held the ſtronger holds, and the rigour of their Governour, and Vice-roy, had run them into deſperate apprehenſions.

The Garriſon of Banaſa no ſooner ſaw the tumult, of which they learned the cauſe as ſoon as the Citizens, but finding themſelves too feeble to face the ſtorm, they quitted the City, and with all the haſt they could make, retired to a Neighbouring Garriſon, while ſome that followed too ſlowly, were torn in pieces by the firſt fury of the multitude.

The Prince perceiving he had now no longer time to diſſemble; openly pull'd off the Mask, and the ſecond day mounting on Horſe-back, rid through the whole City, ſhewing himſelf to thoſe that had not ſeen him, making Orations in the publick places to all that could hear him, with a charming Rhetorick of Garb and language.

The people ſtill improving their wonder at thoſe bewitching gifts of nature, they found about him the Beauty of his ſhape and viſage, the ſmooth facility and Elegance of his language, and in fine, the united graces that ſhined and ſmil'd in every excellent part, their joy got up to ſuch extreams, as might be ſaid they induc'd it, and they cryed on all ſides, Long live King Juba, the Son of our King Juba, the lawful heir of our ancient King, and let the Tyrants die, let the Romans, his Enemies and ours be deſtroyed.

Theſe crys Eccho'd to every ſide through the City, and to anſwer them, the Prince in ſeveral ſpeeches, encouraged a perſeverance in their loyal intentions, with a promiſe to ſweeten his Government, with all ſorts of mildneſs and lenity; the principal men of the City tendered him their Oath of Allegiance, in behalf of the whole, and preſently after they ſent to all the neighbouring Cities to excite them by their Example to ſhake off the Roman ſervitude and acknowledge the Son of their King, who proffer'd the employment of that valour for their delivery, which in his blooming years had made him ſo famous at Rome, and carried his name to the utmoſt corners of the Empire: they needed not much ſpurring to this Enterprize, ſince all received the news with as much height, and heat of reſolution, as thoſe of Banaſa; and in leſs than eight days, the Cities of Liſſa, Tingy, Babba, and Sala, had either driven them out, or cut the throats of their Garriſons, beaten down the Roman Eagles on all ſides, and re-advanc'd the antient Standard of Mauritania: never did affair of that nature ripen ſo ſuddenly to ſucceſs, the people that were up ſtill ſwelling in their numbers, rowl'd on like a Torrent, arming all the Country as they went, and in leſs then three weeks time caus'd all the Cities upon the Atlantique Sea to declare for the Quarrel.

My Maſter perceiving this happy progreſs, was willing to make a prudent uſe of it, and judging the noiſe it made, had allarmed Voluſius and his Lieutenants to march againſt him, he formed the groſs body of an Army of ſuch Troops as flocked in to him from all quarters, voluntarily rais'd, and ſent in at their proper coſt, by the Cities of his party, expoſing their Wives Jewels to ſail, with all their richeſt furniture to relieve their Princes neceſſities: Every day contributed a large addition to his forces, till at laſt my Maſter thought himſelf ſtrong enough to take the Field, and marching out of Banaſſa, he put himſelf into the head of 15000 fighting men, thus attended, he marched up to the Gates of ſuch Cities as ſtill held for the Romans; and his fortune was ſuch, as in leſs than three weeks time, without drawing a Sword, he rang'd all that Country, that lies between the Promontory of Ampeloſa, and the Mountain Atlas under his obedience: the City of Antotole at the Entrance of Getulia, which the Romans had better fortified than the reſt, was the firſt that made reſiſtance, and my Maſter was ſet down before it, when Canidius, Lieutenant to Voluſius, with 4000 Horſe, and 12000 Foot, ſpeeded towards us by large Marches, while Voluſius was buſied in gathering of a greater body, to oppoſe the torrent of our Progreſs.

Our Regiments were already grown ſo full, as the Army marched not leſs than 20000 Combatants, the third part of which Coriolanus left before the City, to continue the Siege, under the command of Liſippus, while himſelf marched with the reſt to meet Canidius: I cannot expreſs the fierce joy that people ſhewed, as they follow'd their Prince, they went to the Combat to a certain victory, and though a great part of the Enemies they were to charge were Romans, and ſo by conſequent the moſt formidable and redoubted Souldiers upon Earth, the confidence they repoſed in their valiant Leader, taught them to diſpiſe the foe with as brave a ſcorn, as if their Army had been compoſed of Lydians, or ſome other Nation yet more ſoft and effeminate.

The Romans, as your judgment will tell you, had diſarmed the Country as they march'd, but the Cities that declar'd for us, after the defeat of their Garriſons, had ſeized all their arms, wherewith my Prince had furniſhed his Souldiers, and from the firſt day of his Command, had ever trained them to the Roman Diſcipline, taught them the Leſſons of War as perfectly as the Romans themſelves could repeat them.

It was upon the banks of the River Coſenus neer the confines of the Scelatites Country, where we encountered Canidius, and there did my Maſter range his Battalians with ſuch military method, as inſtructed his new Subjects, how well he was skilled in the trade of War, and lead them on to the combat with forward hopes of victory; to which, both as Captain and Souldier, he hewed them a paſſage by actions ſo full of wonder, as his Affricans, highly animated by his Example, powred themſelves upon the Enemy with a ſtorm too impetuous to be reſiſted; at the firſt ſhock they diſordered their battalians, and giving them no time to rally, my Maſter charged through and through with ſo much ſury, as at laſt they were forced to abandon themſelves to a general flight; the ſlaughter was very great, Canidius fighting in the head of his ranks like a valiant man, fell one of the firſt Sacrifices to my Maſters fortune, and of all that number he brought into the Field, there was not ſaved above 12 or 1500 men that were taken Priſoners.

This firſt ſucceſs ſo prided the Mauritanians Courage, as they cryed to their Prince to lead them through the world, that all ſort of Enemies ſhould find them invincible, ſo long as he fought at the head of their Troops: after this victory he returned to reinforce the Siege of Antotole, but he that commanded it for the Romans, had no ſooner underſtood the defeat of Canidius, upon whoſe fortunes his hopes depended, and diſtruſting not only his own ſtrength, but the Citizens faith, whom he knew to be his Enemies, and affectionated to the Prince, he march'd out of the Garriſon upon an Honourable Capitulation.

My Prince, contrary to the Moors advice, ſent back all his Priſoners without a Ranſome, and treated thoſe that fell into his hands with a generous humanity, of which that Country had never ſeen a Parallel; after the taking of Antotole, he over-run all Getulia; whereof the Cities, where the Garriſons were weakeſt, received him with open Gates, and the others, that the Romans had forcified to abide a Siege, were part rendered by Compoſition, and the reſt carried by Storm, with a great ſlaughter of the Souldiers that defended them, though Coriolanus did all was poſſible to ſave them from the fury of the Moor.

From Getulia we marched into the Province of the Scelatites, where my Prince continued his progreſs, and defeated (with as ſignal advantages as thoſe he carried of Canidius) Cecinna and Sillanius, two other Lieutenants to Voluſius; their Troops were all cut in pieces, and our Souldiers enriched themſelves with their Spoils: every City and all the Country as we paſſed, gladly contributed money and victuals to the entertainment of our Army, in exchange received a treatment from the Souldiers that carried a neerer reſemblance to a Brotherly Viſit, than an Invaſion.

From the Scelatites, whoſe Country was totally reduced, after we had paſſed the Rivers Darath and Palſus, we ſucceeded to the Province of the Pharuſians, on this ſide the Promontory of Barce, and there it was that Voluſius, contrary to the rules of Military Prudence, having drain'd all his Garriſons, and drawn up the forces that lay upon the Frontiers, reſolving to cruſh us in pieces with one great effort for all, came up towards us with 12000 Horſe, and above 30000 Foot, ſtrowing the way as he paſſed with proud menaces againſt us, which daily arrived at our Ears, and indeed the feeble reſiſtance, the Romans had formerly found in thoſe people my Maſter commanded, gave him ſo eaſie a Confidence of the victory, as with an unreaſonable providence he had already diſpoſed of all things that were to ſucceed it.

Our Army ſtill receiving additional numbers from every place we touched at, was then compoſed of 8000 Horſe, and 32000 Foot, which My Prince had already imbued with ſo fair a Diſcipline, as the Roman Legions could ſcarce boaſt a better order, or a more exact obedience.

You ſee Sir, I have given you this relation in as narrow precincts as poſſible, though I believe your patience had ſuffer'd in the recital of divers things whereof the knowledge may poſſible ſeem impertinent to my Maſters life.

The Army of Voluſius being now within a days journey of ours, my Maſter who till then had advanc'd to meet him, reſted his upon a fair Plain, ſome Furlongs from the City of Daridi, where he reſolv'd to expect his approaches, and prudently lay out his time in the choice of ſome local advantages: That day he received a Letter, or rather a Defiances from Voluſius, in which he proffered him to fight the following day, I think the word were theſe.

My Maſter having read this defiance of Voluſius aloud, mock'd at his arrogance, and turning towards us with a ſmile full of indignation, He may chance to ſpeak in a milder Accent, ſaid he, before to morrows Sun has ended his Carreir; yet he would not ſend back the Meſſenger without an anſwer, and calling for Paper, he made it ſpeak in theſe terms.

This was my Maſters anſwer, who employed the reſt of the day with a marvellous care and knowledge in preparing all things for the Combat, and the next day a little after Sun was riſen, our Scouts bringing intelligence that the Enemy was advanc'd within a few furlongs of our Army, he compos'd it to a fighting poſture, with an admirable method rode bareheaded through all the Squadrons, expoſing the viſage of their Prince to the Souldiers view, which they contemplated with a ſacred veneration, and ſpurring their ſpirits to the Combat with an extraordinary ardour.

There are few men endowed with an eloquence comparable to his, and that day particularly animated by the importance of the action he was to perform, the force of his Rhetorick left an impreſſion of Courage upon the coldeſt hearts; his new dignity had added Majeſty to his aſpect, and though it brought no pride along with it, yet his face ſeem'd to give new leſſons of reſpect to all thoſe that regarded him; to this every thing about him contributed, the mingled beauty of his arms glittering with Gold and Jewels, the ſtately pride of his Horſe, all things fitly ſuited to the advantages of his perſon.

He had almoſt gone through all the ranks, when Voluſius Troops began to appear, at the ſight of which our Army ſent up a loud cry to Heaven, which marvellouſly confirmed my Prince in his hopes of victory, all the Sacrifices promis'd a happy Augury, and at the Enemies approach, there remained no more but the laſt Signal, which was given by my Princes command, who advancing before the reſt, a thouſand times more fierce than Achilles himſelf, often called upon Voluſius with a loud voice, but he was then buſied in the midſt of his Battalians, with the functions of his charge, which he would not abandon, to engage with a young man in a particular Combat: but my Lord, I detain your attention too long, and my Story has inſenſibly lead me to abuſe your patience, by drawing it out at length too tedious; at the laſt ſound of the Trumpet the Armies joyned, and the Battel proved the bloodieſt that had been ſeen in that part of the world within the memory of man; my Maſter putting down the viſour of his Caſque, before he ruſh'd upon the Enemy; Cleopatra, cryed he, if this day my Sword does not purchaſe a pair of Crowns for thy Temples, I will not ſurvive it. This ſaid, he darted himſelf into the Enemies ranks with a fury, that where-ever he carried his Sword, threw down all before it: after the Combat had laſted an hour, the Army of Voluſius (compos'd either of Romans, or ſuch other as had gotten an equal animoſity from their Example) preſs'd upon ours with ſo much reſolution, as the Courage of the Moors began to ſhrink, and already their Battalians were ſo ſhaken, as my Maſter (who though in the heat of his perſonal gallantry, ſtill kept the Eye of a General upon all that paſs'd) began to dread the loſs of the Battel, that fear brought him back through a throng of his Enemies, which he had cloven with a precipitate fury, and running up to thoſe he ſaw moſt ſtagger'd, he preſented himſelf at the head of them, and galloped along the ranks without a Caeſque, that they might ſee his face, wherein Choler had lighted up it ſelf in a fiery bluſh: My friends, cry'd he, if you judge me unworthy to Command you, let me die by your hands; or if your deſire I ſhould live, do not diſhonour the Royal preſent you have newly given me, by a Cowardiſe unworthy of your ſelves and me too: what, will you quit a victory that our Enemies are now upon the point to abandon? Ah no! my valiant friends, let us either vanquiſh, or die together; there is neither ſafety for you nor me, after the loſs of this Battel; while he brought forth theſe words, his Souldiers thought they had ſeen rays of flames break away from his viſage, and to give their Courages a greater rowze, the Prince perceiving Voluſius in an eager purſuit of the victory which the valour of his men had already ſtarted, ran up to him with a rage ſo impetuous, that as well by the ſhock of his Horſe, as the mighty blow he let fall upon his head, he tumbled him in a Trance at the feet of his men: This action, joyn'd with the words of Coriolanus, gave fire to his Souldiers hearts with a reſolution ſo vigorous, as after they had firmly, for a while kept their ground, and ſuſtain'd the ſhock of their Enemies, they not only arreſted the rapid ſtream of their Fortune, but began to repulſe the forwardeſt, and by little ſo improved their advantage, as at laſt they opened their Ranks, broke their Order, and after a very obſtinate diſpute, inforced them to turn their backs and reſign the Victory: what ſhall I ſay more? the glory of that day remained as entire to my Prince, as his own wiſhes could contrive it, and the Maſſacre of the Enemies was ſo great, as Coriolanus by his orders could ſcarce ſtop the Execution at the end of the day; more than 30000 men loſt their lives upon the place, a few ſaved themſelves by flight, and the reſt, whereof the greateſt part covered with wounds, were taken Priſoners, and with them the General Voluſius: I preſented him my ſelf to my Maſter, having lighted on the fortune to ſave him from the hands of ſome Moors, who had infallibly killed him, if I had not ſeaſonably arrived to his reſcue.

Coriolanus received him with honour, bad him caſheer all his fears, and ſtrive to ſweeten the ſenſe of his diſgrace, with very affable and obliging language; he would needs have a wound, that Voluſius had raked, to be ſearched by the ſame perſons, who had newly performed that office to himſelf, in dreſſing three ſlight hurts he received in the Battel, and maugre the Menace, and words of contempt he ſent him the day before, he cauſed him to be ſerved according to his former Dignity, and forbad all his Servants, to let fall any word within the reach of his ear, that might diſpleaſe him.

After this Victory (for I ſhall not ſtay the current of my Story upon the leſs important particulars that ſucceeded it, as the order of dividing the booty, the Priſoners and interring the dead) my Maſter, ſo ſoon as the cure of his wounds would permit him, having now no more Enemies to Combat, marched with erected looks and expanded Enſigns, to Iol the Capital City of that Kingdom, ranging all the places of ſtrength as he paſſed under his Dominion, without a blow; and having given ſafe Conduct to the reſt of the Roman Garriſons, that were willing to give up the Cities they yet held, and retire to ſome place of ſecurity beyond his Dominions, in leſs than two Months time (thoſe excepted that he held his Priſoners) he had not one ſingle Enemy left in all Africa.

At laſt he arrived at that proud City where the Palace-Royal of his Anceſtors was ſeated, where having received the Oath of the Maſſeſians, the Nigrites, Bannurians, Venuſians, with other people of his Monarchy (that had not yet acknowledged him) by a general aſſembly of States, and an univerſal applauſe of his Subjects, he was ſolemnly crowned King of both the Mauritania's, under the name of Juba; for his People, Enemies to all that he held of Roman, would never endure to call him by that of Coriolanus, though he had ever preſerved it as leſs barbarous than the other, and an appellation, under which he had rendred the greateſt part of his ſervices to Cleopatra: if my relation has dwelt too long upon ſome particulars, perhaps I have made your patience a bad requital in paſſing theſe too ſuccinctly, but I aſſure my ſelf you learned at Rome all that we did of greateſt conſequence.

When my Maſter ſaw himſelf eſtabliſhed in his monarchy, he applyed his matureſt thoughts to conſider of a means to preſerve it, not doubting but Auguſtus would ſtrive to trouble him in his new Conqueſt, and puiſſantly rekindle the War; loath to be tamely ſurprized, he made grand proviſion of Souldiers, Arms, Ammunition of all ſorts, and cauſed a great number of Ships to be rigged and made ready for a mighty Army by Sea, intending to anticipate his Enemies approaches.

In the mean time Voluſius had ever been treated, and ſerved with as much reſpect as was due to the proper perſon of the King my Maſter, whoſe Authority was neceſſary to defend him againſt the hatred of the Moors, who doubtleſs would have faſtened ſome revenge upon him, to requite the Cruelties he had exerciſed in his Government, if my Maſter had not protected him: ſo ſoon as he had put on the Crown, he grew deſirous to reſtore him his liberty; and, to that purpoſe, cauſing him to be brought into his preſence: I am ſorry, ſaid he, for the diſpleaſure you have received by the lot of War, and if your uſage here has been ſhort of what your quality might challenge, I muſt aſſure you my intentions have been diſhonoured in it; you may return to Rome when you pleaſe, and beſides the liberty I give you, you ſhall have Shipping to tranſport you, with all other requiſites for your voyage; but becauſe in this Action I have no deſign to oblige Auguſtus, who has treated me unworthily, you ſhall addreſs your ſelf to Marcellus, to whom I ſend you; and in requital of theſe Civilities which, for his ſake I confer upon his Country-men, you ſhall demand, if you pleaſe, in my behalf the continuation of his amity.

Voluſius (whoſe rude deportment had pleaded no title of deſert of this generoſity of Coriolanus) gladly accepted it, and proteſting with a humility far below the haughty pitch of his former Arrogance, that he would employ his whole life to find out fit acknowledgments for the favour he had done him, he received the Shipping, the Convoy, with every thing elſe that neceſſity demanded for the Voyage, and with all the Romans that were Priſoners with him, parted from Iol, and a few days after embarquing at the next Port, took his way to Rome, full of ſhame and confuſion.

The Young King, perceiving himſelf to ſit faſt on his Throne, rewarded the ſervices he had received of his Subjects with a grand munificence, eſpecially thoſe of Hippias and Liſippus, who were raiſed to the talleſt offices in the Kingdom; and if the poſſeſſion of Riches and Honour could have rais'd my felicity, which I ever had bounded within others limits, I had there full cauſe to be ſatisfied with my Fortune: but ſcarce had the people taſted the firſt ſweets of his Government, when he was advertis'd by ſome Veſſels that return'd from ſcouring the Seas, that Auguſtus had ſent out a Fleet againſt him, under the charge of Domitius Aenobarbus, who of all the Roman Captain had the deepeſt experience in Sea Commands: at the allarm of this intelligence (which was ſo far from ſurprizing my Prince, as his expectation was ever prepared to receive it) he ramaſſed his Forces that were yet undisbanded, to which by new levies he had added great numbers, and marching down to Sea ſide, he embarqu'd in perſon with them in veſſels of War that lay there ready to receive them, and with more than 200 Sails went to meet Enobarbus, who was already come within ſight of the African ſhoar; the Enemies Army did equal, if not out number ours, commanded by a great and famous Captain, yet Coriolanus aborded it with as much confidence, as if fate it ſelf had aſſured him the Victory, and without further delay preſented, and gave him battel.

There has not poſſible been ſeen a more furious conflict upon the Sea, the advantages were hotly diſputed on both ſides for a whole day together, but at laſt the inſuperable valour of our Prince forced them to an entire ſtay upon our party; the Enemies Fleet was totally defeated, their Ships part taken, the reſt ſunk and the General Domitius, perceiving deſpair had got the aſcendant, ſaved himſelf by the courteſie of night, which began to hide the world about the end of the Combat, and doubtleſs carried news to Rome, capable to make Auguſtus repent the injuries he had done my Maſter.

After that famous victory, he triumphantly returned to ſhoar, ſuppoſing his Enemies ſo enfeebled by that laſt defeat (the Roman puiſſance ever conſiſting more in Land Forces, than the number of Ships, or experimented Sea-men) as he judged it would coſt them a long recruit, before they could recover a condition, to diſcompoſe the peace of his Dominions.

He was received like a God in all the Cities as he paſſed, and being returned to the Capitol, he ſtaid there a whole Month, which (by advice of the prudenteſt heads about him) he ſpent in rectifying and receiving the Laws of the Kingdom, which the Tyranny of Governourshad oppreſſed with grand diſorders.

But now my diſcourſe has far enough followed the War, and affairs of States; I come back to Love, which ſtrikes the greateſt ſtroke in my Story, nor could ever my Maſters ſpirit, in the throng of his greateſt employments, obtain licence to lay aſide that Paſſion for a moment: of this I am able to paſs a better account than any other, for to me alone he did the honour to communicate his thoughts of that nature, and of all men living, I was he that leaſt ignor'd them; a hundred times when involved in the greateſt preſſure of Affairs, when the threats of danger ſpoke loudeſt, has he drawn me aſide to talk of Cleopatra, that remembrance has taken the tribute of a hundred ſighs a day from his breaſt, and ſtill in occaſions the moſt important, the Idea of that Princeſs reaſſailing his ſpirit, forced him to betray continued proofs, that love was his Maſter-paſſion. Emilius, would he often ſay, the Gods can atteſt, that I would not ſtruggle ſo eagerly for this Crown, had I not deſigned it an offering to Cleopatra, I am aſhamed ſo long to ſee a Princeſs that merits to wear the Diadem of the world, and a Princeſs who for my ſake refuſes the Son of Livia the greateſt match among the Romans, ſerved by a man that does not poſſeſs one Inch of Land, nor the property of ſo much as one ſingle Manſion to entertain her. Ah! could my adorable Princeſs, added he, mingling ſighs and words, but ſee, through the diſtance that divides us, what tortures her abſence has inflicted, ſure the generous inclinations ſhe has for me, would give her a ſhare in theſe ſufferings, a thouſand times worſe than any Auguſtus intended me, and were I not reſolved to inveſt my ſelf in the condition I promiſed her, to embolden demands, and raiſe me a power of obtaining by her Friends conſent that perfection of felicity, 'tis not the deſire of acquiring Empires, nor the fear of Auguſtus puiſſance, ſhould bar me longer from her preſence. There paſſed not a day wherein he did not diſcourſe with me upon the ſame ſubject, and while the night laſted, in ſpight of other thoughts, that attempted to traverſe thoſe of his Love, that adored Image could never be depoſed from the Throne of his remembrance: One of his greateſt perplexities was, that he could learn no news of her Affairs, nor eaſily ſend her an account of his, for the vaſt tract of Sea betwixt them, and the ceſſation of Commerce (becauſe of the War) betwixt Mauritania and Italy; however, not enduring to continue in that condition, nor be longer ignorant how Cleopatra's was ſtated; immediately after his Victory againſt Aenobarbus, he ſent his faithful Servant Strato in a veſſel that he cauſed to be rigged for the purpoſe, and, having inſtructed him in the order he was to obſerve in his addreſſes to the Princeſs and Marcellus, he delivered him Letters for both, which he did me the honour to ſhew me, that to Cleopatra ſpoke thus.

Coriolanus had written to the Princeſs Octavia, but he feared an unhappy ſurprizal of his letters, might render her ſuſpected to Auguſtus, and only commanded Strato, to deliver her in his behalf, proteſtations of an immortal fidelity; if he made no uſe of the ſame caution for Marcellus, it was becauſe he knew Caeſar was too well inſtructed in their intimacy to believe all that was paſt had power to cancel it, and that his letter would rather juſtifie than impeach him.

Strato thus diſpatched, my Maſter, as I told you, beſtowed ſome time in the reparation of thoſe things that the wicked Governors had ruined, and in the diſpoſal of theſe cares, diſcloſed a thouſand vertues to his people that made them his Idolaters, and got him the admiration of all that knew it.

I ſhall now trace this ſubject no further, becauſe I am called to a recital of more importance, and after relating the happy events of my Maſters life, 'tis fit my Diſcourſe ſhould ſucceed to thoſe that compoſe his preſent condition.

Inſtead of eaſing the inward anguiſh, which Cleopatra's abſence had inflicted, by the lenitive of time, every day rendered it more ſenſible, and the ſame thing that to perſons leſs wounded would have proved a cure, only ſerved to redouble his malady, which got at laſt to that height, as it chaſed all things from his memory that offered comfort; the deſire of returning, as his promiſe bound him, to Cleopatra, to demand her in marriage of Octavia (as the Princeſs and he reſolved at parting) and conduct her to the poſſeſſion of thoſe Crowns, which he had acquired for her only, made him let fall the care that belonged to the conſervation of an Eſtate, but weakly aſſured from the power of his Enemies; and though thoſe to whom he communicated any part of his deſign, adviſed him not ſo ſoon to abandon a Country, wherein his preſence was very neceſſary, and repreſented the inconveniences that might enſue his departure, he was ſo tormented with the violence of his paſſion, as the preſervation of two ſuch Realms, could not prevail for the reſidence it demanded.

After the reaſons had been bandied enough on both ſides, no longer able to reſiſt the motions that enforced it, he reſolved his departure, and no ſooner reſolved it, but remmitting the Government into the hands of Cleomedes, Ariſtippus, Hippias, and Liſippus, he put himſelf upon the way, diſcovering his intentions to none but thoſe four perſons, in whom he repoſed more confidence than all the reſt; he would take no greater Equipage with him, than ſuited with a private man: and thus with no more but three Ships, we imbarqued at the Promontory of Baree, and by the help of a favourable gale, bent our courſe toward Italy. If in the voyage made the year before, my Maſter condemned the officious haſt of the winds, that poaſted us to the African ſhoar, his impatience now producing reverſed effects, made him chide their ſloath for driving our ſails with too ſoft a breath towards Italy; and in all that vaſt tract of Sea, which divides it from Africa, he ſcarce changed a word with any but my ſelf, with whom he had only power to treat on that ſubject, which had entirely ſeized all his thoughts.

Fortune that had ever favoured him, ſince he quitted Rome, lent him one ſmile more in a propitious wind for his voyage, and after a peaceable Navigation, we were already come within ken of the Italian Coaſt, when we ſpyed a Veſſel making towards us; which, becauſe the winds were leſs ſerviceable to their wiſhes than ours, came up very ſlowly, but at laſt we aborded, and preſently knew her to be the ſame that was aſſigned Strato for the Roman Voyage.

Of this Coriolanus was no ſooner advertiſed, but he mounted the hatches with a haſty impatience to ſee Strato who was indeed in the Ship, and preſently paſſing into ours, came to do his obeiſance to the King our Maſter, Coriolanus greedily demanding the ſucceſs of his Voyage: Sir, ſaid he, it has proved to no purpoſe, and I found not one perſon at Rome to whom your commands directed me; Auguſtus is gone from thence with the intent of a progreſs, as report ſtrows it through all Aſia, and has taken Sicilia in his way, where the general belief ſpeaks him at preſent, all the Court Ladies follow him attending the Empreſs, and it was his will that Octavia and her Daughters with the Princeſs Cleopatra, ſhould go along in the Voyage.

Coriolanus perceiving his expected ſatisfaction retarded by that impediment, ſtood long in a grand perplexity, and after the waſting ſome moments in a deep meditation, he enquired what was become of Tiberius: Tiberius is in perfect health, replyed Strato, and gone as 'tis ſaid, from Rome with Auguſtus, with as hot a paſſion from the Princeſs Cleopatra as ever; that paſſion, added the King of Mauritania, ſhall at laſt coſt him that life, which I unfortunately left him, and ſince it is allotted to affront my happineſs, one of our incompatible threads ſhall quickly poſſeſs the fatal Sciſſures; after this, concluding from Strato's anſwers to divers other queſtions, that Auguſtus muſt ſtill be in Sicily, he commanded the Pilots to turn the Prows of their Ships, and we bent our courſe that way, with all the diligence the wind would let us make uſe of, but my Maſter could not defend his ſoul from the ſad thoughts that aſſaulted it, ſince his meeting with Strato, and turning his head towards me, as he leaned upon my arm: Emilius, ſaid he, this unlucky beginning inſtructs me to preſage an inauſpicious augury, and my fears will deceive me, if I find that full ſatisfaction in this Voyage I propoſed at the undertaking: Sir, ſaid I, I thought you had held it indifferent, to find Cleopatra either at Rome or Siracuſa, and provided ſhe perſeveres in her firſt intentions, you may find as ſmooth a path to the execution of your deſigns in Sicilia as Italy: at this my Maſter ſhaked his head, and ſtood long in the poſture of a man that diſtruſted his fortune; in the mean time, we purſued our courſe without the encounter of any impediment, and becauſe of the neerneſs betwixt Sicilia and Italy, our voyage proved but a little longer than we deſigned it; after we had paſſed the famous Straight of Silla, we landed at the Promontory of Pelorus, there we learned according to our hopes, that Auguſtus was ſtill at Siracuſa, where ſome petty indiſpoſition had detained him longer than his ſtay was deſigned, and that his Shipping lay at the Promontory of Lilibeum, where he intended to reimbarque for the continuation of his Voyage.

We left our Veſſels with all our men at Pelorus, my Maſter reſolving to enter Siracuſa, with no greater attendance than Strato and my ſelf, in a condition the moſt unlikely to betray us: the ſecond days journey brought us thither; but we waited the arrival of night before we entered, and ſecured by the favour of her ſhades, ſought for a private lodging, which at laſt we found with toil enough (though Siracuſa be one of the faireſt Cities of the world) becauſe of thoſe vaſt numbers, whereof the Emperors Court is compoſed.

My Maſter paſſed the night with great inquietude, and knowing the ſame precinct of Walls, incloſed himſelf and the thing he adored, thirſted for an opportunity to ſee her with an impatience that would not ſuffer ſleep to come neer his eye-lids: The next day morning, knowing many perſons at Court were too well acquainted with my face to fit me for a day employment, he ſent Strato to ſeek Marcellus lodging, with an opportunity to ſpeak with him.

In the mean time we ſtaid in ours, which we had taken neer to one of the City Gates, in a very unfrequented quarter: my Maſter not willing to communicate with any, ſhut himſelf up in his Chamber, till Strato's return who brought him intelligence that Marcellus was lately gone from Siracuſa, meeting with none that could inform him of the way he had taken, but that Cleopatra was with Octavia, and the reſt of her family lodged in a quarter of the City that was called the Aoradine.

The abſence of Marcellus galled my Maſter with a very ſenſible diſpleaſure, from whom he expected all ſorts of conſolation and aſſiſtance, and without him knew not how to compaſs the means of ſeeing Cleopatra. You ſee, ſaid he, that my fears for the bad ſucceſs of this voyage, did not want the defenſe of reaſon, nor could my aprehenſion ſhape a greater affliction than is befallen me by Marcellus abſence: Gods! purſued he walking about the room with a countenance that betrayed the marks of the diſcontent, have I thrived by your favour in thoſe occaſions that ſo little imported to my life's repoſe, to be abandoned in that that has the cuſtody of all my happineſs.

He ſtaid in a longer controverſie of thoughts about contriving the way to gain a ſight of Cleopatra, without lighting upon any that did not threaten too much difficulty; there was not a ſingle perſon in the Court of Auguſtus that was a ſtranger to his face, nor could he ſhew himſelf by day in the City without running the danger of a diſcovery from every eye that encountred him; and conſider, if you pleaſe, what a grand hazard he attempted by truſting himſelf in a City where Caeſar was in perſon, Caeſar, to whom he had given ſo great, and ſo late provocations to purſue him to death, and Caeſar, from whom his reaſon could never allow him to hope any favour, if he once fell into his hands; indeed he had not ſo maturely ballanced that act to clear him of precipitation, and if he precontrived ſome cautions to keep himſelf concealed, they were much leſs intended as antidotes againſt his own death, to the fear of which, I never knew him let fall the leaſt reſpect, than to ſtart occaſions of promoting his amorous deſign.

In the mean time he ſent back Strato to the City, with order to walk before Octavia's Lodging, and ſtrictly obſerve, if the Princeſſes went out, what company was about them, and the way they bent at; in vain had Strato ranged to and fro, all the morning before Octavia's gate, when, after the day was half worn out, Fortune guided his eye to two Chariots that ſtood ready in the Court, and keeping neer the gate with divers others of the City that came on purpoſe to gain a ſight of thoſe perſons, that were to go in them, after half an hours waiting, he ſpyed the Princeſs Cleopatra with her two Siſters, the Daughters of Anthony and Octavia (faces that were all well acquainted with his knowledge) enter one of the Chariots, without any other company, and three or four of their Maids mount the other, taking not ſo much as a man along with them, only ſome ſlaves that followed the Chariots on foot; they no ſooner turned their backs upon the lodging, but Strato kept at their heels, till they were out of the City, and, inquiring of one of the Slaves, which way the Ladies intended, he learned that of late the Princeſs Cleopatra, went every day out but thinly accompanied, to take the air, that then they had deſigned a walk in a very delightful wood near the famous Fountain of Arethuſa; Strato well ſatisfied with this diſcovery, poſted back to the lodging, and had no ſooner accounted the ſucceſs of his endeavours to my Maſter, but full of tranſport, he haſtily commanded three horſes to be gotten ready; and, followed by Strato and my ſelf, went out of the City, by the ſame gate that was neer our lodging: the ſhortneſs of the way he was to ride in the Streets, made him a probability of paſſing without much danger, and once out of the City, he had the whole breadth of the fields, that ſurrounded the Walls, to ſhun the encounter of any that he ſaw in his paſſage; not that we were out of the ſhot of danger, but his paſſion had enfranchis'd all his fears, and to humour the motive wherewith that inſpired him, he ſlighted every thing that recommended to his care the ſafety of his life. The Fountain of Arethuſa, is ſo publickly known about Siracuſa, as we found it eaſie to get directions of the way from every perſon we met, and in a ſhort time having rounded a part of the City, we put our ſelves upon the track of the Chariots, and followed the great road the Ladies had taken: half an hours hard riding brought us within ſight of the wood, at the entrance of which we found the Chariot, whence the Ladies were allighted to walk among the trees; my Maſter forgot not to thank the Gods for the favour of this encounter, and knowing no reaſon to ſuſpect either the Siſters of Marcellus, or their Maids, he believed he might accoſt Cleopatra with the greater ſecurity, becauſe were alone, and all the Slaves ſtaid with the Chariots by their command; we paſſed a little farther by the woods ſide, till we come up to an advenue that lead our eies to the Princeſſes, who walked together hand in hand, their Maids ſeated upon a green bank, about an hundred paces diſtant: I know not what timorous preſage helped the object to ſtrike a horrour through all my Maſters joints, but he felt agitations in his ſoul that were not ordinary, and imputed them to the height and heat of his affection, that after a whole years abſence could not be temperately reſtored to the ſight of her, that had his heart in cuſtody; and having commanded me to light with himſelf and follow him, he left Strato at the woods ſide with our Horſes, and advanced with haſty ſteps towards the Ladies; when he was approached within 50 paces, the noiſe we made ſtopped their walk, and turned their faces towards us; the Princeſs Cleopatra's habit was mean, her dreſs neglected, and her face very pale, but ſtill as my Maſter leſſened the diſtance betwixt them, a wavering colour often went and came in her cheeks, and when he was come neer, I obſerved her ſtiffened with aſtoniſhment, as if ſhe had been Planetſtruck, my Maſter quickly laid himſelf at her feet, and embracing her knees with an amorous tranſport, his paſſion roſe to ſuch a tide, as it drowned the paſſage of his words not ſo much as ſuffering the eſcape of one ſingle ſyllable, but Cleopatra had no ſooner faſtned her eyes to his viſage, and taken back the aſſurance her ſudden ſuprizal had ſequeſtred, but turning towards her Siſters with an action that expoſed the ſecond part of her amazement: Gods! ſaid ſhe, is this Coriolanus himſelf we ſee before us? My Maſter ſaved the Ladies a labour to anſwer her, and raiſing his eyes to fix them upon Cleopatra's face: Yes Madam, ſaid he, 'tis Coriolanus himſelf, and if you have thought his memory worth the preſerving, he is not changed enough to poſe your knowledge.