AMongst all the passions wherewith humane minds are perplexed there is none that sogalleth with restlesse despight as that infectious sore of iealousie . For all other griefes are either to be appeased with sensible perswasion , to be cured with wholesome counsell , to be relieued in w●nt or by tract of time to be worne out , Iealousie only excepted which is sauced with suspitious doubts , and pinching mistrust , that who so séekes by friendly counsell to raze out this hellish passion , it forthwith suspecteth that he giueth this aduice to couer his owne gui●tines . Yea , who so is pinched with this restlesse torment , doubteth all disturbeth himselfe is alwayes frozen with feare , & fired with suspition , hauing that wherein consisteth all his ioy , to be the breeder of his misery . Yea , it is such an heauy enemy to that heauy estate of matrimony sowing betweene the married couples such deadly séeds of secret hatred , as loue being once razed o●t by spightfull distrust , there often ensueth bloody reuenge , as this ensuing History manifestly proueth wherein Pandosto ( furiously incensed by a causeles iealousie ) procured the death of his most louing and loyall wife , and his owne endlesse sorrow and misery .

IN the Country of Bohemia , there raigned a King called Pandosto , whose fortunate successe in Warrs against his foes , and bountifull courtesie towards his friends in Peace , made him to be greatly feared and loued of all men . This Pandosto had to wise a Lady called Bellaria , by birth , Royall , learned by education , faire by nature , by vertues famous : so that it was hard to iudge , whether her beauty , fortune , or vertue , w●n she greatest commendations . These two linked together in perfect loue , led their liues with such fortunate content , that their subiects greatly reioyced to sée their quiet disposition . They had not béen married long , but fortune ( willing to increase their happinesse ) lent them a Sonne , so adorned with the gifts of Nature , as the perfection of the Child greatly augmented the loue of the Parents , and the ioy of their Commons : in so much , that the Bohemians , to shew their inward ioyes by outward actions , made Bone-fires and Triumphes thorowout all the Kingdome , appoynting Iusts and Turneis , for the honour of their young Prince : whether resorted not onely his Nobles , but also diuers Kings and Princes , which were his neighbours willing to shew in their friendship they ought to Pandosto , and to win fame & glory by their prowesse & valour . Pandosto whose mind was fraught with Princely liberality entertained the Kings , Princes , and Noble-men with such submisse courtesie , and magnificall bounty , that they all saw how willing hée was to grat●fie their good wills , making a generall feast for all his Subiects , which continued by the space of twenty dayes ; all which time the Iusts and Turneis were kept , to the great content both of the Lords and Ladies there present ▪ This solemne Triumph being once ended , the assembly taking their leaue of Pandosto and Bellaria , the young Son ( who was called Carinter ) was n●rsed vp in the house , to the great ioy and content of their Parents . Fortune enuious of such happy successe , willin● to shew some signe of her inconstancy , turned her whéele and darkned their bright Sunne of prosperity , with the misty clouds of mishap and misery . For so it hapned ▪ that Egistus King of Sicila , who in his youth had béen drought vp with Pandosto , desirous to shew , that neither tract of time ▪ or distance of place could diminish their former friendship , prouided a Nauie of ships , and sailed into Bohemia to visit his old friend and companion : who hearing of his arriuall , went himselfe in person and his wife Bellaria accompanied with a great t●aine of Lords & Ladies , to meét Egistus & es●ying him , alighted from his horse , embraced him very louingly protesting , that nothing in the world could haue hapned more acceptable for him then his comming , wishing his wife to welcome his old friend and acquaintance ; who to shew how she liked him whom her husband loued ) entertained him with such familiar curtesie , as Egistus perceiued himselfe to be very well welcome . After they had thus saluted and embraced each other they mounted againe on Horsebacke ; and rode toward● the City deuising and recounting how being children , they had passed their youth in friendly pastimes : where , by the meanes of the Citizens , Egistus was receiued with triumphs and shewes , in such sort that he maruelled how on so small a warning they rould make such proparation . Passing the Stréets thus with such rare sights , they rode on to the Palace ▪ where Pandosto entertained Egistus and his Sicilians , with such b●nque●ing and sumptuous chéere so royally , as they had all cause to commend his princely liberality : yea ▪ the very basest flaue that was knowne to come from Sicilia , was vsed with much curtesie , that Egistus might easily pereiue , how both he and his were honoured for his friends sake . Bellaria ( who in her time was the flowre of courtesie ) willing to shew how vnfainedly she loued her husband by her friends entertainemet vsed him like wise so familiarly that her countenance bewraied how her heart was affected toward him ▪ oftentimes comming her selfe into his bed chamber to sée if nothing should be amisse to dislike him . This honest familiarity increased daily more and more betwixt them ▪ for Bellaria noting in Egistus a Princely and bountifull mind , adorned with sundry & excellent qualities , and Egistus finding in her a vertuous & curteous disposition , there grew such a secret vniting of their affections , that the one could not well be without the company of the other : insomuch , that when Pandosto was busied with such vrgent affaires that he could not be present with his friend Egistus , Bellaria would walk with him into the garden , & there they two in priuate pleasant deuices , would passe away their time : to both their contents . This custome still continuing betwixt them a certain emelantholy passion entrring the mind of Pondosto droue him into sundry and doubtfull thoughts First he called to mind the beauty of his wife Bellaria ▪ the comelines and brauery of his friend Egistus thinking that loue was aboue all Lawes , & therfore to be staied with no law , that it was hard to put ●●re & flax together without burning ; that their open pleasure might bréed his secret displeasure . He considered with himselfe that Egistus was a man , and must needs loue : that his wife was a woman , and therfore subiect to loue : and that where fancy forced friendship was of no force . These & suchlike doubtfull thoughts a long time smothering in his stomacke , began at last to kindle in his minde a secret mistrust , which increased by suspition , grew at last to flaming iealousie that so tormented him , as he could take no rest . He then began to measure all their actions and misconstrue of their too priuate familiarity , iudging that it was not for honest affection , but for disordinate fancy : so as hee began to watch them more narrowly , to sée if he could get any true or certaine proofe to confirme his doubtfull suspition . While thus he noted her lookes and gestures , and suspected their thoughts , and meanings , they two silly soules , who doubted nothing of thishis , treacherouas intent , frequented daily each others company : which draue him into such a franticke passion , that he began to beare a secret hate to Egistus , and a lowring countenance to Bellaria ; who maruelling at such vnaccustomed frownes , began to cast beyond the Moone , and to enter into a thousand sundry thoughts , which way shee should offend her husband : but finding in her : selfe a cleere conscience , ceased to muse ; till such time as shee might find opportunity to demand the cause of his dumps . In the meane time Pandostos mind was so farre charged with iealousie , that he no longer doubted , but was assured ( as he thought ) that his friend . Egistus entred a wrong point in his tables , and so had played him false play . Whereupon desirous to reuenge so great an iniury he thought best to dissemble the grudge with a faire and friendly countenance : & so under the shape of a friend , to shew him the tricke of a foe : deuising with himselfe a long time how he might best put away Egistus , without suspition of treacherous murther , concluded at last to poyson him . Which opinion pleasing his humour , he became resolute in his determination , & the better to bring the matter so passe hee called to him his Cup-bearer with whom in secret he brake the matter ? promising him for the performance thereof ▪ ●to giue him a thousan● Crowns of yeerely ▪ reuenue ▪ His cup-bearer , either being of a good conscience be willing for fashions sake to deny such a 〈◊〉 request , began with great reasons to perswade Pandosto from his determinate mischiefe : shewing him what an offence murther was to the gods , how much vnnaturall actions did more displease the heauens , then men : and that causelesse cruelty did seldome or neuer escape without reuenge : hée laid before his face , that Egistus was his friend , a King , and one that was come into this Kingdome , to confirme a league of perpetuall amity betwixt them , that hee had , and did shew him a most friendly countenance : how Egistus was not onely honoured of his owne people by obedience , but also loued of the Bohemians for his courtesie : And that it hee now should without any iust or manifest cause , poyson him , it would not only be a great dishonour to his Maiesty , and a meanes to sow a perpetuall enmity betwéen the Sycilians and the Bohemians , but also his own subiects would repine at such trecherous cruelty . These and such like perswasions of Franion ( for so was his cap-bearer called ) could no whit preuaile to diswade him from his diuellish enterprize : but remaining resolute in his determination ( his fury so fixed with rage , as it could not be appeased with reason ) he began with bitter taunts to take up his man , and to lay before him two baits , preferment and death : saying , that if he would poyson Egistus , hée would aduance him to high dignities : if he refused to doe it of an obstinate minde , no torture should be too great to requite his disobedience . Franion , séeing that to perswade Pandosto any more , was but to striue against the streame , consented as soone as opportunity would giue him leaue , to dispatch Egistus : wherewith Pandosto remained somewhat satisfied , hoping now hee should be fully reuenged of such mistrusted iniuries , intending also as soone as Egistus was dead , to giue his wife a sop of the same sauce , and so to be rid of those which are the cause of his restlesse sorrow : while thus he liued in this hope , Franion being secret in his chamber , began to meditate with himselfe in these termes .

AH Franion , treason is loued of many , but the traytor hated of all , vniust offences may for a time escape without danger , but neuer without reuenge . Thou art seruant to a King , and must obey at command : yet , Franion , against law and conscience it is not good to resist a tyrant with armes , nor to please an vniust King with obedience . What shalt th●u doe ? Folly refused gold , and frenzy preferment ; wisdome séeketh after dignity , and counsell looketh for gaine : Egistus is a stranger to thée , and Pandosto thy Soueraigne : Thou hast little cause to respect the one , and oughtest to haue great care to obey the other . Thinke this Franion , that a pound of Gold is worth a Tunne of leade : great gifts are little gods ; and preferment to a meane man is a whet-stone to courage . There is nothing swéeter than promotion , nor lighter than report : care not then though most count thée a traytor , so all call thée rich . Dignity , Franion , aduanceth thy posterity , and euill report can but hurt thy selfe . Know this , where Eagles build , Faulcons may prey ; where Lions haunt , Foxes may steale . Kings are knowne to command , seruants are blamelesse to consent : feare not thou then to lift at Egistus , Pandosto shall beare the burthen . Yea , but Franion , conscience is a worme that euer biteth , but neuer ceaseth . That which is rubbed with the stone Galactities , will neuer be hot . Flesh dipped in the Sea Aegeum , will neuer be swéete . The Herbe Trigion , being once bit with an Apsis , neuer groweth : and conscience once stained with innocent blood , is alwaies tyed to a guilty remorse . Preferre thy content before riches , and a cleare minde before dignity : so being poore , thou shalt haue rich peace , or else rich , thou shalt enioy disquiet .

FRanion hauing muttered out these , or such like words , séeing either he must die with a cleare minde , or liue with a spotted conscience : hée was so cumbred with diuers cogitations , that hée could take no rest , vntill at last he determined to breake the matter to Egistus : but fearing that the King should either suspect , or heare of such matters , hée concealed the deuice till opportunity would permit him to reueale it . Lingring thus in doubtfull feare , in an Euening he went to Egistus lodging , and desirous to speake with him of certaine affaires that touched the King , after all were commanded out of the Chamber , Franion made manifest the whole conspiracy which Pandosto had deuised against him , desiring Egistus not to account him a traytor for bewraying his Masters counsell , but to thinke that hée did it for conscience : hoping that although his Master inflamed with rage , or incensed by some sinister reports , or slanderous spéeches , had imagined such causelesse mischiefe , yet when time should pacifie his anger , and try those tale-bearers but flattering Parasites , then he would count him as a faithfull seruant , that with such care had kept his Masters credit . Egistus had not fully heard Franion tell forth his tale , but a quaking feare possessed all his limmes , thinking that there was some treason wrought , and that Franion did but shadow his craft with these false colours : wherefore hée began to waxe in choller , and said , that he doubted not Pandosto , sith hée was his friend , and there had neuer as yet béene any breach of amity : he had not sought to inuade his Lands , to conspire with his enemies , to disswade his Subiects from their allegians : but in word and thought he rested his at all times : he knew not therefore any cause , that should moue Pandosto to séeke his death , but suspected it to be a compacted knauery of the Bohemians , to bring the King and him at oddes . Franion staying him in the midst of his talke , told him , That to dally with Princes was , with the Swannes to sing against their death , and that if the Bohemians had intended any such mischiefe , it might haue béene better brought to passe , than by reuealing the conspiracy : therefore his Maiesty did ill , to misconstrue of his good meaning , sith his intent was to hinder treason , not to become a Traytor : and to confirme his promises . If it pleased his Maiesty to flye into Sycilia , for the safegard of his life , hee would goe with him : add if then hée found not such a practice to be pretended , let his imagined treachery be repayed with most monstrous torments . Egistus hearing the solemne protestations of Franion , beganne to consider , that in Loue and Kingdomes neither Faith nor Law is to be respected : doubting that Pandosto thought by his death to destroy his men , and with spéedie Warre to inuade Sycilia . These and such doubts throughly weighed , hée gaue great thankes to Franion , promising , if he might with life returne to Syracusa , that he would create him a Duke in Sycilia : crauing his counsell how hée might escape out of the Countrey . Franion , who hauing some small skill in Nauigation , was well acquainted with the Ports and Hauens , and knew euery danger of the Sea , ioyning in counsell with the Master of Egistus Nauy , rigged all their ships , and setting them afloat , let them lie at anchor , to be in the more readinesse , when time and wind should serue . Fortune , although blinde , yet by chance fauouring this iust cause , sent them within six daies a good gale of winde : which Franion séeing fit for their purpose , to put Pandosto out of suspition , the night before they should sayle , hée went to him , and promised , that the next day he would put the deuice in practice ; for hée had got such a forcible poyson , as the very smell thereof would procure sudden death . Pandosto was ioyfull to heare this good newes , and thought euery houre a day , till he might be glutted with bloody reuenge : but his suit had but ill successe : for Egistus fearing that delay might bréed danger , and willing that the grasse should not be cut from vnder his féete , taking bag and baggage , by the helpe of Franion conueyed himselfe and his men out at the Posterne gate of the City , so secretly , and spéedily , that without any suspition they got to the Sea shore : where , with many a bitter curse taking their leaue of Bohemia , they went aboard , weighing their Anchors , and hoysting saile , they passed as fast as winde and Sea would permit toward Cycilia : Egistus being a ioyfull man that he had safely passed such trecherous perills . But as they were quietly floating on the sea , Pandosto and his Citizens were in an vprore : for séeing that the Cycilians without taking their leaue were fled away by night , the Bohemians feared some treason , and the King thought that without question his suspition was true , séeing the Cup bearer had bewrayed the summe of his secret pretence . Whereupon he began to imagine that Franion and his wise Bellaria had conspired with Egistus , and that the feruent affection she bare him , was the only meane of his secret departure , insomuch , that incensed with rage , he commanded that his wife should be carried straight to prison , vntill they heard further of his pleasure . The Guards vnwilling to lay their hands on such a vertu●us Princesse , and yet fearing the Kings fury , went very sorrowfully to fulfill their charge : comming to the Quéenes Lodging , they found her playing with her young Sonne Garinter , vnto whom with teares doing their message , Bellaria , astonished at such a hard censure , and finding her cleare conscience a sure aduocate to plead in her cause , went to the Prison most willingly : where with sighes and teares she past away the time , till she might come to her tryall .

But Pandosto , whose reason was suppressed with rage , and whose vnbridled Folly wks incensed with fury , séeing Franion had bewrayed his secrets , and that Egistus might well be railed on , but not reuenged , determined to wreake all his wrath on poore Bellaria . Hee therefore caused a generall proclamation to be made through all his Realmè , that the Quéene and Egistus had by the helpe of Franion , not onely committed most iucestuous adultery , but also had conspired the Kings death : whereupon the traytor Franion was fled away with Egistus , and Bellaria was most iustly imprisoned . This Proclamation being once blazed through the countrey , although the vertuous disposition of the Quéene did halfe discredit the contents , yet so sudden and spéedy message of Egistus , and the secret departure of Franion induced them ( the circumstances throughly considered ) to thinke that both the Proclamation was true , and the King greatly enuied : yet they pittied her case , as sorrowfull that so good a Lady should be crossed with such aduerse Fortune . But the King , whose restlesse rage would admit no pitty , though that although hee might sufficiently requite his wiues falshood with the bitter plague of pinching penury , yet his minde should neuer be glutted with reuenge , till hée might haue a fit and opportunity to repay the trechery of Egistus with a fatall iniury . But a curst Cow hath oftentimes short hornes , and a willing minde but a weake arme . For Pandosto , although he felt that reuenge was a spurre to warre , and that enuy alwaies proffereth stéele , yet he saw , that Egistus was not onely of great puissance and prowesse to withstand him , but had also many Kings of his alliance to aid him , if néed should serue : for hee married the Emperous daughter of Russia . These and the like considerations something daunted Pandosto his courage , so that he was content rather to put vp a manifest iniury with peace , then hunt after reuenge , dishonour and losse : determining , since Egistus had escaped scot-frée , that Bellaria should pay for all at an vnreasonable price .

Remaining thus resolute in his determination , Bellaria continuing still in prison , and hearing the contents of the Proclamation , knowing that her minde was neuer touched with such affection , nor that Egistus had euer offered her such discourtesie , would gladly haue come to her answer , that both she might haue knowne her iust accusers , and cléered her selfe of that guiltlesse crime .

But Pandosto was so enflamed with rage , and infected with iealousie , as he would not vouchsafe to heare her , nor admit any iust excuse : so that shée was faine to make a vertue of her néed , and with patience to heare these heauy iniuries . As thus shée lay crossed with calamities ( a great cause to increase her griefe ) shée found her selfe quicke with childe : which as soone as she felt stirre in her body , shée burst forth into bitter teares , exclaiming against Fortune in these termes .

ALas , Bellaria , How infortunate art thou , because fortunate ! Better thou hadst béene borne a Begger then a Prince , so shouldest thou haue bridled Fortune with want , where now shée sporteth her selfe with thy plenty ? Ah happy life , where poore thoughts , and meane desires liue in secure content , not fearing Fortune , because too low . For Fortune , thou séest now , Bellaria , that care is a companion to Honour , not to pouerty : that high Cedars are crushed with tempests , when low shrubs are not touched with the winde : precious Diamonds are cut with the File , when despised Pebbles lies safe in the sand : Delphos is sought to by Princes , not Beggers : And Fortunes Altars smoke with Kings presents , not with poore mens gifts . Happy are such , Bellaria , that curse Fortune for contempt , not feare : and may wish they were not sorry they haue béene . Thou art a Princesse , Bellaria , and yet a prisoner : borne to the one by descent , assigned to the other by despight : accused without cause , and therefore oughtest to die without care : for patience is a shield against Fortune , and a guiltlesse mind yéeldeth not to sorrow . Ah , but infamy galleth vnto death , and liueth after death : Report is plumed with Times Feathers , and Enuy oftentimes soundeth Fames Trumpet : the suspected Adultery shall flie in the Ayre , and thy knowne vertues shall lie hid in the Earth : one Mole staineth a whole Face ; and what is once spotted with Infamy , can hardly be worne out with Time . Die then , Bellaria , Bellaria , die , for if the gods should say , thou art guiltlesse , lesse , yet Enuy would heare the gods , but neuer beléeue the gods . Ah , haplesse wretch , cease these Termes : Desperate thoughts are fit for them that feare shame , not for such as hope for credit . Pandosto hath darkened thy Fame , but shall neuer discredit thy Vertues . Suspition may enter a false Action , but proofe shall neuer put in his Plea . Care not then for Enuy sith Report hath a blister on her Tongue : and let sorrow bite them which offend , not touch thée that art faultlesse . But alas , poore Soule , how canst thou but sorrow ? Thou art with Childe , and by him , that in stead of kinde pity , pincheth thée in cold Prison . And with that , such gasping sighes stopping her breath that shée could not vtter any more words , but wringing her hands , and gushing forth streames of teares , shée passed away the time with bitter complaints .

THe Iaylor pittying those her heauy passions , thinking that if the King knew she were with childe , he would somewhat appease his fury , and release her from prison , went in all hast , and certified Pandosto , what the effect of Bellaria's complaint was : who no sooner heard the Iaylor say she was with childe , but as one possessed with a frenzie , hée rose vp in a rage , swearing that shée , and the bastard brat shée was withall should die , if the gods themselues said no : thinking surely by computation of time , that Egistus , and not he , was father to the child . This suspitious thought galled afresh his halfe-healed Sore , insomuch as hée could take no rest , vntill hée might mittigate his choler with a iust reuenge , which happened presently after . Bellaria was brought to bed of a faire and beautifull ▪ Daughter , which no sooner Pandosto heard , but he determined that both Bellaria and the young Infant should be burned with fire . His Nobles hearing of the Kings cruell sentence , sought by perswasions to diuert him from his bloody determination : saying before his face , the innocency of the childe , and vertuous disposition of his wife how she had continually loued and honoured him so tenderly , that without due proofe he could not , nor ought not to appeach her of that crime : and if she had faulted , yet it were more honorable to pardon with mercy , then to punish with extremity , and more Kingly to be commended of pitty , then to discredit her . And as for the Childe , if he would punish it for the mothers offence , it were to striue against nature and iustice ; and that vnnaturall actions doe more offend the gods , then men : how causelesse cruelty , nor innocent blood neuer escapes without reuenge . These and such like reasons could not appease his rage , but hée rested resolute in this , that Bellaria being an Adultresse , the childe was a bastard , and hee would not suffer that such an infamous Brat should call him Father . Yet at last ( séeing his noble men were importunate vpon him ) hée was content to spare the childs life . and yet to put it to a worse death . For he found out this deuice , that séeing ( as hée thought ) it came by Fortune , so hée would commit it to the charge of Fortune , and therefore hee caused a little cock-boate to be prouided , wherein hee meant to put the babe , and then send it to the mercies of the seas , and the destinies . From this his Péeres in no wise could perswade him , but that he sent presently two of his Guard to fetch the childe : who being come to the prison , and with wéeping teares recounting their Masters message , Bellaria no sooner heard the rigorous resolution of her mercilesse husband , but shee fell downe in a swound , so that all thought shée had béene dead : yet at last being come to her selfe , she cried and scréeked out in this wise .

ALas , swéete infortunate Babe , scarce borne before enuied by fortune , would the day of thy birth had béene the terme of my life : then shouldest thou haue made an end to care , and preuented thy Fathers rigour . Thy faults cannot yet deserue such hatefull reuenge , thy daies are too short for so sharpe a doome : but thy vntimely death must pay thy Mothers debts , and her guiltlesse crime must be thy gastly curse . And shalt thou swéet Babe , be committed to Fortune , when thou art already spighted by Fortune ? Shall the seas be thy harbour , and the hard boat thy cradle ; Shall thy tender mouth , in stead of swéete kisses , be nipped with bitter stormes ? Shalt thou haue the whistling windes for thy Lullaby , and the salt sea some in stead of swéet Milke ? Alas , what destinies would assigne such hard hap ? What father would be so cruell ? Or what gods will not reuenge such rigour ? Let me kisse thy lips ( swéete Infant ) and wet thy tender chéekes wilh my teares , and put this chaine about thy little necke : that if Fortune saue thée , it may helpe to succour thée . Thus , since thou must goe to surge in the gastfull Seas , with a sorrowfull kisse I bid thée fare well , and I pray the gods thou maist farewell . Such and so great was her griefe , that her vitall Spirits being supprest with sorrow , shee fell againe downe in a trance , hauing her senses so stopped with care , that after she was reuined , yet shee lost her memory , and lay for a great time without mouing , as one in a trance . The Guard left her in this perplexity , and carried the childe to the King : who quite deuoid of pity , commanded that without delay it should be put into the Boat , hauing neither Saile nor Rudder to guide it , and so to be carried into the midst of the Sea , and there left to the windes and the waues , as the Destinies please to appoint . The very Ship-men , séeing the swéet countenance of the young Babe , began to accuse the King of rigour , and to pity the childs hard Fortune : but feare constrained them to that which their nature did abhorre : so that they placed it in one of the ends of the Boat , and with a few gréene boughes made a homely Cabbin to shroud it , as well as they could , from wind and weather . Hauing thus trimmed a Boat , they tyed it to a Ship , and so haled it into the maiue Sea , and then cut in sunder the Cord : which they had no sooner done , but there arose a mighty Tempest , which tossed the little Boat so vehemently in the waues , that the Ship-men thought it could not continue long without sincking : yet the storme grew so great , that with great labour and perill they got to the shore . But leauing the Childe to her Fortunes , wee will returne to Pandosto : who not yet glutted with suffcient reuenge , deuised which way he should best increase his wiues calamity . But first assembling his Nobles & Councellours , hee called her ( for the more reproach ) in open Court , where it was obiected against her , that she had committed adultery with Egistus , and conspired with Franion to poyson Pandosto her husband ; but their pretence being partly spyed , shée counselled them to flie away by night , for their better safety . Bellaria ( who standing like a prisoner at the Barre , and féeling in her selfe a cléere conscience to withstand her false accusers ) séeing no lesse then death could pacifie her Husbands wrath , waxed bold , and desired that shée might haue Law and Iustice : ( for mercy she neither craved nor hoped ) and that those periured wretches , which had falsely accused her to the King , might be brought before her face to give in evidence . Pandosto ( whose rage and iealousie was such , as no reason nor equity could appease ) told her , that for her accusers , they were of such credit , as their words were sufficient witnes and that the sodaine and secret flight of Egistus and Franion confirmed that which they had confessed ; and as for her , it was her par to deny such a monstrous crime , and to be impudent in forswearing the fact , since shée had passed all shame in committing the fault : but her countenance should stand for no coyne : for as the bastard which shée bare was served , so shée should with some cruell death bée requited . Bellaria no whit dismaid with this rough reply , told her Husband Pandosto that hée spake upon choller , and not conscience ; for her vertuous life had ever beene such , as no spot of suspition could ever staine it . And it shée had borne a friendly countenance to Egistus , it was in respect he was his friend , and not for any lusting affection : therefore if shée were condemned without any further proofe , it was rigour and not Law . The Noble-men which sate in Iudgement ▪ said that Bellaria spake reason , and intreated the King that her accusers might bee openly examined , and sworne : if then the evidence were such as the Iury might finde her guilty ( for seeing she was a Prince ▪ shée ought to be tried by the Péeres ) then let her have such punishment as the extremity of the Law will assigne to such malefactors . The King presently made answer that in this case hee might , and would dispence with the Law . And that the Iury being once pannelled , they should take his word for sufficient evidence otherwise hee would make the proudest of them repent it . The Noblemen séeing the King in choller were all whist , but Bellaria , whose life hung in the ballance , fearing more perpetuall infamy , then momentany death , told the King , if his fury might stand for a Law , that it were vaine to have the Iury yéeld their verdict , and thereupon she fell down upon her knées , and desired the King , that for the love he bare to his yong Sonne Garinter , whom shée brought into the world that hee would grant her request , the which was this , that it would please his Maiestie to send sixe of his Noblemen whom hée best trusted to the Isle of Delphos , there to inquire of the Oracle of Apollo , whether shée had committed adultery with Egistus , or conspired to poyson him with Franion : and if the god Apollo , who by his divine essence knowes all secrets , gave answer that she was guilty , shee was content to suffer any torment , were it never so terrible . The request was so reasonable , that Pandosto could not for shame deny it , unlesse he would bée counted of all his Subiects more wilfull then wise . Hée therefore agréed , that with as good spéed as might bée , there should be certaine Ambassadors dispatcht to the Isle of Delpos : and in the meane season he commanded that his wife should be kept in close Prison . Bellaria having obtained this grant , was now more carefull of her little Babe that floated on the Seas , then sorrowfull for her owne mishay ; for of that shee doubted ; but of herselfe she was assured : knowing that if Apollo should giue sentence according to the thoughts of her heart , yet the sentence should goe on her side , such was the cléerenesse of her mind in this case . But Pandosto ( whose suspicious head still remained in one song ) chose out sixe of his Nobility , whom he knew were scarce indifferent men in the Quéenes behalfe , and prouiding all things fit for their iourney , sent them to Delphos . They willing to fuffill the Kings command , and desirous to sée the situation and custome of the Island , dispatched their affaires with as much spéed as might bée , and embarked themselues to the voyage , which , ( the wind and weather seruing fit for their purpose ) was soone ended . For within thrée wéekes they arriued at Delphos : where they were no sooner set on Land , but with great deuotion they went to the Temple of Apollo and there offering sacrifice vnto the god , and gifts to the Priest , as the custome was , they humbly craued an answer of their demand . They had not long knéeled at the Altar , but Apollo with a loud vo●ce said : Bohemians what yée find behind the Altar , take and depart . They forthwith obeyed the Oracle , found a scrowle of parchment , wherin were written these words in letters of Gold .

AS seene as they had taken out this scrowle , the Priest of the god commanded them , that they should not presume to reade it before they came to the presence of Pandosto , unlesse they would incurre the displeasure of Apollo . The Bohemian Lords carefully obeying his command , taking their leaue of the Priest , with great reuerence departed out of the Temple and went to their Ships : and as soone as Wind would permit them , sayled towards Bohemia , where in short time they safely arriued , and with great Triumph issuing out of their ships , went to the Kings Palace , whom they found in his Chamber , accompanied with other Noble-men . Pandosto no sooner saw them , but with a merry countenance he welcomed them home , asking , what newes ? They told his Maiesty , that they had receiued answer of the god , written in a Scrowle : but with this charge , that they should not read the contents before they came in the presence of the King : and with that they deliuered him the Parchment . But his Noblemen intreated him , that sith therein were conteined either the safety of his Wifes life and honesty , vr her death and perpetuall infamy ; that hee would haue his Nobles and Commons assembled in the Iudgement Hall , where the Queene , brought in as a prisoner , should heare the contents : If she were sound guilty by the Oracle of the god , then all should haue cause to thinke his rigour procéeded of due desert : if her Grace were found faultlesse , then she should be cléered before all , sith she had beene accused openly . This pleased the King , so that hée appointed the day , and assembled all the Lords and Commons , and caused the Quéene to be brought in before the Iudgement Seat , commanding that the Iudgement should be read : wherein she was accused of Adultery with Egistus , and of conspiracy with Franion . Bellaria hearing the contents , was no whit astonished , but made this chéerefull answer .

IF the Diuine powers be priuy to humane Actions , ( as no doubt they are ) I hope my patience shall make Fortune blush , and my vnspotted life shall staine spitefull discredit . For although lying report hath sought to appeach mine honour , and suspition hath intended to soyle credit with infamy : yet where Vertue kéepeth the Fort , report and suspition may assayle , but neuer sacke . How I haue led my life before Egistus comming , I appeale ( Pandosto ) to the gods , and to thy conscience . What hath passed betwéene him and mee , the gods onely know , and I hope will presently reueale . That I loued Egistus , I cannot deny , that I honoured him , I shame not to confesse . To the one I was forced by his vertue ; to the other , for his dignities . But as touching lasciuious lust , I say , Egistus is honest , and hope my selfe to be found without spot . For Franion , I can neither accuse him , nor excuse him : I was not priuy to his departure : And that this is true which I haue here rehearsed , I referre my selfe vnto the Diuine Oracle .

BEllaria had no sooner said , but the King commanded that one of the Dukes should reade the contents of the Scrowle , which after the Commons had heard , they gaue a great shoute , reioycing and clapping their hands that the Quéene was cleare of that false accusation . But the King , whose conscience was a witnesse against him of his witlesse fury , and false suspected iealousie , was ●o ashamed of his rash folly , that hee intreated his Nobles to perswade Bellaria to forgiue and forget these iniuries , promising not onely to shew himselfe a loyall and louing Husband , but also to reconcile himselfe to Egistu and Franion : reuealing then before them all the cause of their secret flight , and how trecherously hee thought to haue practised his death , if the good minde of his Cup-bearer had not preuented his purpose . As thus hee was relating the whole matter , there was word brought him , that his young Sonne Garinter was suddenly dead : which newes so soone as Bellaria heard , surcharged before with extreme ioy , and now suppressed with heauy sorrow , her vitall spirits were stopped , that shée fell downe presently dead , and neuer could be reuiued . This sudden sight so appalled the Kings senses , that hée sunke from his Seate in a swound , so as hée was faine to be carried by his Nobles to his Palace , where hée lay by the space of thrée daies without spéech . His Commons were as men in despaire , so diuersly distressed there was nothing but mourning and lamentation to be heard throughout all Bohemia : their young Prince dead , their vertuous Quéene bereaued of her life , and their King and Soueraigne in great hazzard : this tragicall discourse of Fortune so daunted them , as they went like shadowes , not men : yet somewhat to comfort their heauy hearts , they heard that Pandosto was come to himselfe , and had recouered his spéech : who , as in fury , brayed these bitter spéeches .