The first Booke .

A Ship which seem'd to triumph over a tempest wherewith it had beene long assaulted , cast Anchor in the rode of that happy Isle , which by a perpetuall miracle sees trilling from the leaves of trees the undrainable fountaines whence she hath her bedewing . On the poope of that proud vessell presently appeared a young Turk , who for his beauty might have been taken for one of those marvells which have made the Isles of the Archipelago so much renowned . He commanded a Shallop to be unshipped , with an intent to be set on shore , and those whom he had chosen to attend him , were already with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 downe , when a confused voice , and fearfull howlings staid him on the very side of his Ship . He turn'd his eyes towards the place whence the noise came , and standing so a while undiscovering any thing , he perceiv'd ( at last ) that from the point of a rock high , exstreamly steep , two men , who strictly embrac'd in the arms of each other , threw themselves headlong into the Sea . He was much mov'd with a chance so strange and pitifull , and those of his followers by a great shreek witnessed their great resentment : Yea the very Mariners suspending that obduratenesse , which their manner of life makes naturall to them , offered to succour those two so desperate . The faire Turke prays'd their resolution , and commanded them to put it in execution . Thereupon some fifteen or twenty cast themselves into the Shallop , and row'd on with all the earnestnesse that ought to accompany charity , and the excesse of it was almost the cause of their losse . But the winds and the waves sensible of so rare an example , suspended their violence ; and to have part in the glory to have saved two so miserable , threw the one upon a banke of sand , and carried the other aginst the Turks Shallop . Presently foure or five caught hold of him by the haire and drew him up , and strait hastened to the succour of his companion , whom they found more hard to be saved : Yet at last their agility link'd with their affection , overcame all obstacles both of sea and land , and drew him out of the sands , where those two elements seem'd to have dig'd his grave . If their joy was great for their good successe , their astonishment was far more when in unclothing one of those unfortunate creatures , they found about him two chaines of gold , to which hung two boxes covered with diamonds and pearls : It is likely they had so much curiosity to amuse themselves a little while in the viewing of things of such value . But the desire they had to please the faire Turke surmounting all other , they betooke them againe to their oares , and got againe to their Ship with the same alacrity that they left it . Whilst some were recounting the strange successe of their short voyage , others were striving to bring out of their long swounding those whom they had recovered from the sea . But perceiving all their endeavours uneffectuall , they got into their Ship and with those engins us , d to raise their Canon and Merchandise , drew up the two swounded persons to them . The faire Turke commanded them to be carried into his Cabin , and seeing no signe of life , was fearfull , that nature alone was not strong enough to give them backe , that which fear and their fall had taken from them . He therefore sent for a F●…nch-man that profess'd Physick , and conjures him to employ his best remedies for the so●…agement of the two strangers . The French-man was ready to satisfie his just request , and wrought so happily that in lesse then a quarter of an houre he restor'd to either of them ▪ ●…oth the use of sight and understanding . He which had the Jewells open'd his eyes first , ●…ut being not able to endure the light , shut them againe ; and after divers sighs fell agai●… into his fainting . The other shewing more vigor and courage , fix'dly regarded all those ●…bout him , and then viewing and considering himselfe , shewed by his looks and admirat●…ns , that he had much adoe to know or recollect himselfe . The faire Turke at first sight c●…nceiving a most advantagious opinion of him , and willing to comfort him in his miseri●…s , or at least to cease somewhat his troubles and agitations . I wish , said he to him , that I were so happy to free you from that despaire which I see graven in your countenance ▪ but I shall hardly see my desire effected , unlesse by your paines I may know the cause , and to teach me the means , which I must make use of for its cessation . The man who appeared to be an Ethiopian as well by his habit as face , fell into such a showre of teares that he seem'd to powre forth by his ●…yes that salt water he had taken in at his mouth . He stopt at last the overflowing of his teares , and turning his eyes pitifully towards the faire Turke , made him understand by signes that his tongue was cut out . So unexpected a novelty increased the astonishment of the faire Turke , and hi●… followers ; but as fortune had got together divers spectacles to make them passe from one admiration into an other ; behold , the dumbe man throwes himselfe to the hanger of a Portugall which was opposite to him , and having sooner drawne it then the Portugall could hinder him , cast himselfe with an extraordinary fury on his companion which was but newly come to himselfe , and presented the weapon to his throat . The faire Turke sav'd the wretches life the second time , and perswading the furious M●…te to overcome his resentments , promising him that if they were just , they should not be left without satisfaction . The Mute was stai●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 remonstrances and promises , but staid yet b●… 〈◊〉 s●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ore not to snach off the chaines which his com●…nion had about his neck , and after he had often kiss'd them , and then thrust them into his ●…me , ●…eem'd to say by those two actions , that the other had stolne them from him . The beholders gaz'd on the accused , and judging of his life by his ill aspect , no way d●…ubled the justnesse of the accusation . The faire Turke had been of the same opinion , if he had suffered himselfe to be led by his first motives ; but unwilling to commit any thing prejudicate which might be disadvantagious to the pretended robber , he resolv'd to heare him before he would condemne him : He therefore ( causing first not only the Mute , but all those to retire whom curiosity had brought into his chamber ) came neare him , and having setled and assur'd him with that sweetnesse and eloquence , wherewithall he could both charme the most brutall , and encourage the most cowardly soules : Fortune ( said he ) in drawing thee from the depth of the Sea , hath justified herselfe , and possibly 't was done for thee to justifie thy selfe too . Thy companion accuseth thee , and if I well understand his language maintaines that thou hast robb'd him of those chaines he tooke from thee . Confesse the truth ; and let not the desire of being rich bee more powerfull over thy minde , then that of preserving thy life . Thou art amongst men who make profession to protect innocence , and to chastise what is criminall ; but they have learn'd by their owne weaknesse , not to condemne all the infirmities of humane nature . The wretch not daring to deny a crime whereof his owne conscience , men , and the very elements , fou●…d him guilty ; and besides seeing himselfe so favourably dealt withall , threw himselfe at the feet of the young Turke , and imbracing his knees : My Lord , said he , it is true , I have committed that theft whereof the Mute accuseth me : The jewells are his , if he can be c●…ll'd the true owner of them , who for their acquisition hath violated the sanctity of the Tombes , and robb'd the dead of those riches the living had lef●… them . But fo●… feare you may beleeve that I will adde some imposture to my theft , bee pleas'd to have the patience to know what I am , and how I became master of this dumbe mans riches : Know that I am born from one of the most unfortunate and daring families of t●…is Island ; in giving me life it gave me both her destinies : from my childe-hood I lov'd those undertakings where there was something to be gotten , how hazardous soever they were ; and without any other knowledge then that of the common sense , I thought it better to 〈◊〉 young , then to growne old and miserable . I have travelled both by land and by sea . 〈◊〉 have borne armes with the Christians and with the Turkes . I have indifferently viol●…ed my faith , and all for gaine ; and yet neither by waies tollerated nor those forbidden ▪ ●…ath it been possible for mee to get any thing . I was not long since with the notable P●…at Bajazet . I learnt from one of my companions , that an unknowne Prince caused to ●…e built a magnificent Tombe in the Island which you now see ; and not content to m●…e use of marble and brasse , he intermingled gold and precious stones in the structure 〈◊〉 that proud building . This newes came so home to my swaying passion , that insta●…tly I tooke leave of my Captaine and abandoned a profession which in spight of all the ●…erills wherewith it is encompass'd , may be called the delight of life . I will not tell y●…u the dangers I ranne in returning to my Countrey . It is sufficient that you know I ●…me home but yeasterday , and that Fortune who hath alwaies delighted to feed mee wi●… faire shewes , presented mee presently with all the treasures which I came to search f●… . I entred into a wood of the weeping trees , which is not above two hundred paces fro●… the Rock whence I fell , and being got into the middle , I descried the rich Monum●…t of the unknowne Prince . If my eyes were dazeled with the luster of so much g●…ld an●… gemms , my minde was farre more astonished . I ranne to those treasures as to my sove●…aigne happinesse , and conceiving designes as ridiculous as high , lost my reason so farre as to beleeve , that I could take from the great Polexander the Crowne of all th●… Ca●…ies . Whilst my wild imagination was painting these pleasing Chymeras , certaine g●…anes and a languishing voice came from the hollownesse of the Tombe , and by the extreame terrour wherewith I was stricken , some while was stopp'd the covetous desire of my eyes and hands . But this vaine affright lasted not long . The ancients have expell'd this tale , and though there be no misfortune equall to mine , I did not think my selfe so unfortunate that the dead must needs come out of their graves to crosse my intentions . I came neere to the entry of the Monument , and through a grate of gold wherewith the ●…ore was shut , I saw so horrible a sight that I cannot keepe my selfe from trembling whilst I relate it to you . The Mute whom you have saved was shut within the Sepulchre and without doubt had newly cut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a man which laie stretch'd at his feet . The Cymeter wherewith he had done this sad act , reek'd yet with the bloud that it had shed , and he transported with the horror of his murder , seem'd as he were losing his senses after hee had lost his humanity . For in lieu of benefiting himselfe by his homicide , he betooke himselfe to weeping with most strange lookes and howlings . But it is very hard for a villaine to keepe long the good motions which reason gives him . The barbarous Mute pass'd presently from one extremity unto another , and be again the same man he was . Hee made an end of the extravagant actions on the body of the dead , and though by his sighs and tears he seem'd to be exteamely afflicted , yet forbore he not to take from him a scarlet robe wherewith he was covered , and by a cruelty without example cleft open his left side and tore out his heart . I was terrified at an act so barbarous . He himselfe that committed it , had such a horror of it , that the heart and the sword which he held fell out of his hands ; but as if he had lost his sense , or had ●…raightwaies repented him of his c●…uelty he took up the heart again , kissed it oftentimes 〈◊〉 bloudy as it was , and after by his tears and cries he had given it his l●…st dues , he shut it 〈◊〉 one of those boxes which he tooke from me : whilst I was thinking on the meanes to 〈◊〉 this precious heart and was measuring my courage and strength with those of the 〈◊〉 , I sawe him rifle the dead again , and take from him a lesser box then the first , but ( as 〈◊〉 thought ) farre more faire and more rich . Instantly I resolved to punish this cruell 〈◊〉 of the dead , and to get by a just conquest those treasures which he had purchas'd ●…y ●…hominable Sacriledges . For the easier execution of this resolution , I got mee furth●… off from the entry into the Tombe , and hid mee among the trees , the better to surpr●…e this Mute , and to send him to keepe company with the other which he had rifled . H●… did not suffer mee to exercise my patience long , but out comes he from the Sepulche , his sword all boudy in his hand , and so full of griefe and rage , that , to have undertake●…●…im , a man ought to have been no lesse desperate then hee . Hee stalk'd along fast by ●…ee , threatning by his gestures both Heaven and Earth , and his fury transporting him ●…e ranne with all his force right to that Rock from whence wee fell headlong together . This unhop'd for flight made mee to change my resolution & to bet●…inke mee that this busines ask'd more cunningthen force . I follow'd him then with that s●…iftnes which hath gotten mee the name of the best runner of Africk , and getting hold 〈◊〉 him just as hee was about to throw himselfe into the Sea , I did that through avaric●… which another would have done for compassion . When hee found himselfe stai'd he ●…ell on mee with the fury of a Lion that is oppos'd in his passage . I told him that his ●…paire was unworthy a man of valour , and how extraordinary soever his misfortun●… were , 〈◊〉 ought not free himselfe from them by a way so base & criminall . My discour●… having recollected him , hee would have told mee hee had causes enough why he sho●…ld hate t●… live , but beleeving hee did not sufficiently expresse himselfe by his signes he tooke me by the hand , and led me backe to the Tombe , where opening the go●…den grate , and making me enter he shew'd me the body which I had before seene . At t●…is sad object he renewed his plaints and teares , and was a long time thus celebratin●… the funeralls of that dead .

I that had no other thought but to execute my first designe , was about fo●…re or five times to ridde my selfe of him , but being , I know not by what feare , as often hindred , I got him from the Sepulchre and led him towards the Sea side , the night tooke us ere we got thither , and was followed with so great a darknesse , that in spite of a●… my care , and all the eyes which hope and feare could give me , I was seperated from the Mute . I gave not over walking all night long , for feare of losing him : But it was already day when I found him sleeping at the point of that Rock whence you saw us fall . Fo●… feare of wakening him , I laid my selfe softly downe close by him , and made so good use of the sleight that divers excellent masters have taught me , that nimbly and insensibly , I got from him his two chaines & the boxes tide to them . I put them presently about my neck , and to have no more to doe with the Mute , resolv'd to send him to his eternall sleep . But in the very instant , Fortune , ( who had runne mad if any good had betided me ) awak'd him , and made him take notice not only of what I ●…d done , but of that which I was on the point to execute . He threw himselfe upon me with a terrible fury , and in spite of all my resistance lifted me from the ground grasped me with his armes so strictly that I could scearce breath , carried me to the point of our fatall Rock , and howling as a beast enraged , threw me headlong with himselfe into the Sea .

See Sir the unhappy successe of an enterprise whereon my highest hopes were planted . Suffer me now to complaine of you , and insteed of asking you pardon for my faults , to accuse you for the hindring of their punishment . Why have you drawne me from the bottome of the Sea , and by a cruell pitty , given me the feeling of my miseries and the knowledge of sad fortune ? Let the happy Mute possesse in quiet ( since I see it your resolution ) those so ill gotten riches ; but let him not possesse them for ever to my perpetuall despaire , and at least grant me the losse of my life , that with it I may lose the thought of so much treasure as was once assur'd me . The young Turke that was not ignorant o●… for●…es injustices , stood lesse on the ill inclinations of this souldier , then on his co●…stancy and disgraces : And assuring him that if he would live well he would make him fortune ; made him to reflect on the calumnies which he had invented against the M●… and to confesse in spite of his envy , that that man had asmuch innocency as courage . It ( added he ) let us know the rest of his fortune , and try to drawe from him by signe ●…r writing , that which thou canst not tell me . Herewith he caus'd the Mute to com●… , with the rest that follow'd him out , and having intreated him to remember no mor●…●…e actions of the Canarian , besought him to make knowne what Prince it was w●…se heart he caried . The Mute drew out that beloved heart from his bosome , and after h●… often kissing it , held it up aloft , as if he would say that it was the heart of a man in●…mparable . After many inarticulate exclamations he presented it to the young Turkeand shewing him with his finger the Island of Iron , invited him to goe there on shot to have a full understanding of those adventures which he could not recount to him . And when he saw that the young Turke made no more haste to be gone be feared that ●…hey conceiv'd not his meaning , and therefore to make himself better understood , he ●…oke his other boxe , and with a countenance full of indignation and sadnesse deliver'd ●…t to the Turke . He receiv'd it , and curiously regarding it , observ'd that the diamonds ●…erewith it was cover'd were not only of an extreame beauty and greatnesse , but that they were too almost all graven . Upon some they might see flames which seem'd , to give the diamonds the luster which they ow'd them . Upon others ciphers of severall fashions , of Scepters mixed with arrowes , crownes of palmes , and mirtles interlac'd one within another . After he had well view'd the cover of the boxe , he opened it and found with●… , the Pict●…re of a young Marvell , who by the Majesty which the Painter represented i●… the face , made her condition to be better knowne then by the Crowne she wore on her head . The delicatenesse of her feature , the carnation of her lips , and the beauty of her colour would have made her to have been taken for a childe , but that the becomming fulnes●… of her neck and brest , and the luster of her eyes made them judge her to be about fif●…ene or sixteene yeares old . Her haire was neither too light nor too browne , and seem'd to be expresly made to accompany a face so perfectly delightfull , and highten a t●…cture so wonderfull lively . The young Turke having been long fixed on this Picture restor'd it to the Mute , and told him he had never seene the originall . The Mute oftenstriking his brest , and receiving the Picture againe in choler made them know by h●…s actions that she was the sole cause of the death of the unknowne Prince , The Turke ●…eing not yet well satisfied of his doubts , resolv'd to land in the ●…sland of Iron , and 〈◊〉 goe to that famous Monument to have some intelligence of the Mutes actions . He c●…uld not execute his intention , for just then a mariner which was at the scuttle of the s●…ip witnessing at once his vigilancy and care , cried out , Sayles , Sayles , Sayles of Mo●…cco . These few words brought such a fright and confusion into the ship , that the Marin●…s harkned not to the Pilot nor the Souldiers to the Captaine , and some there were who ●…ot daring to attend the death that threatned them , threw them selves into the Sea to ●…revent it . The young Turke who was the onely man that stood firme amongst the fall of ●…ll his , oppos'd an incredible greatnesse of courage to their not to be beleeved astonish●…nt . He ran up and downe the vessell , his sword in his hand , and striking some and men●…ing others , gave them at least a just cause of feare ; and perceiving that this new terr●… made them forget their first , and that all had recover'd themselves from that extremity whereinto the voice of a poore Mari●…er had throwne them : Well my companions ( quoth he ) that hath hap'ned to you which hath betided the valiant'st Souldiers , and you h●…ve learnt by a violent but short experience , that men , how hardy soever , are not mast●…s of their first apprehensions . Certainely it should be a monstrous prod●…gy that even ●…hose men who shew'd so much courage to obtaine their liberty , should have none wh●… there is question of conserving it ? No , no , it shall never be said that we fell vnder ●…uch a misfortune ; with the same courage we broke our chaines in peeces , and in spit●… of all the Moores resistance open'd our prisons , we should endure their brunt and reve●…e our selves of their barbarousnesse . Without all doubt , that all migh●…y hand which pr●…ects all just causes , will strengthen ours ; and may be that it is it selfe which brings us ●…r tyrants , that we may make them our slaves by a lawfull retribution . But whence ●…mes this new terror that I see in your faces ? Hath the name now of your enemes more power over your soules then had their fetters , flames and hangmen ? I am decei●…d my companions , and am an ill interpreter of the ca●…nge of your countenance . T●…a g●…nerous anger and an impatient desire of revenge , which heats your bloud and ●…ives you these warlike emotions . Conserve your brave fury , and consider that after we had broke our prisons , slaine our guards and got this vessell , if we should not now h●…ve a full resolution to exterminate these Barbarians , which are desperately mad at our escape , we shall make our condition farre worse then it was before . Hap what may , let the worst come , yet let us set them a deare rate on our lives , and envelloping them in our owne losse , make them uncapable of remembring their victory or that without teares they may never call it to memory . There was no bloud so frozen which this eloquence heated not , no mariner so fainthearted which wished not already to be at handy strokes with the enemy . Presently the faire Turke commanded them all to armes and plac'd every one in his station . The Pilot receiving what order he was to keepe in a fight so unequall , put off from the Island of Iron , and to satisfy the generous impatience of his Captaine , got before the enemies , and into the open Sea , and the advantage of the winde . The eight vessells which with full sayles came on him , dispos'd themselves with so much order for fight as if they had been the weakest . They separated and cast themselves into the forme of a halfe moone , and advanc'd in such so●… that they seem'd to enclose that ship which sailed foremost . This vessell alwaies kept ●…e advantage it had of the other seaven , and leaving them a pretty way behind , made 〈◊〉 Turkes beleeve that she would first begin the fight . But they were no sooner within canon shott , when those within her strooke sayle , and by all fashions us'd at Sea , ●…timated to the Turkes , that they came not to fight with them , but to put themselves under their protection . The generous Captaine deliberated not what was the most sure to be done in so dangerous a conjecture ; straight granted those suppliants the assistance they desired , and advancing to shelter them , told them in passing that he would defend ●…em against all the world . They thanked him by long shouts and confused voices an●… got to the backside of the Isle of Fer ; whiist he ( ravished that so many rare adventures ●…hould present themselves all at once ) tooke a head peece and a buckler , and turning ●…o his companions ; Acknowledge ( quoth he ) deare consorts in my bonds and liber●… , that fortune comes fairely to reconcile herselfe to us . We thought , that to witnes●… the contin●…ance of her hatred , she would have enforc'd us to a necessity of our defe●…ce , and behold , ( to make her love appeare ) she invites us to the protection of others . Let each of us receive as he ought her first favours ; and since she is usually in love wi●… great darings , shew in this occasion , that it is with justice she should now affect us ▪ This said , he put his hand to his sword , and commanded his gunners not to shoot till ●…s enemies had first discharg'd . But the strangers in stead of falling all at once on his v●…ell , opened on the right and left , and let them see that they had no other intent the●… to follow their prey that was escap'd them . The faire Turke was not satisfied with this declaration . He caus●…d his ship to be steered foreward , as he ment to stop the way to ●…at of his enemies which was the foremost and greatest . Before he came close , he sa●… appeare on the ●…oope a man arm'd at all poins , who by his action seem'd to be no or●…nary person . Assoone as he thought the Turke might heare him , I have respected the said he , thinking thee one of the Subjects of Alcidiana ; but thy habit shewes that I ●…s deceiv●…d ; what art thou then that being so weake dar'st undertake the defence of ohers , and do'st it without knowing whether thou mai'st doe it with justice or no ? Th voice of the afflicted which cries and askes succour ( answered the Turke ) against the violence of their persecutors is alwaies accompanied with Justice . But whence i it ( quoth he ) that knowing Justice so well thou do'st practise it no better , and wilt 〈◊〉 on the weake , the tyranny which thy force adviseth ? I impute thy injuries to t●… g●…nerosity replied the other , and should be glad , if I had time , to know who thou art that sh●…l be at an other time ( quoth he ) in the meane while stay me no longer , if th●… intend'●…t not to expose thy selfe to those violences wherewith thou reprochest me . Th●…●…ire 〈◊〉 touched with those threatnings , and enflam'd with that fire which honor ●…ndles in young courages : No , no , said he , I cannot forsake the miserable , whom ●…aven hath given me in protection , since henceforward I am answerable to it for their ●…erties and lives . And think not that I will leave thee , till I see thee leave to pursue the●… . For the rest learne that audacious threatnings never aff●…ight those who know ●…ll how to chastice the authors . Thy resolution is faire replied the other , but if thy act●…ons be answerable to the greatnesse of thy words , use no other arme then thine owne in this glorious correction , and command thy companions to be only the spectators of o●…r combate . I assure thee , that all those which are with me shall exactly obey the order I shall prescribe them . The young Turke in lieu of answering him turn'd to his followers , and to oblige them to lay downe their armes ; my companions ( said he ) you have heard the enemies proposition , if you love me accept it , and permitt me to rob you of that part of honor which you might have gotten in this combate . The Turkes ( may be well contented with this petition ) willingly obei'd the command of their Captaine , and he addressing himselfe towards his Antagonist , why ●…inger we ( said he ) ? See my friends are all as you desired ; and in so saying came one to give the first blowe ; but he was prevented , and receiv'd so weighty a blowe on his headpeece , that he knewe by this essay that he had met with an enemy such as he had often wished for . He would instanly shew what his power was , and with his full strength strooke at his enemy , who putting it by , gave the young Turke a second blowe . This Lions-heart considering nothing but victory , threw himselfe from his owne ship into the others , and reveng'd himselfe of the blowes he had receiv'd . He puts by , presseth on , strikes , joines nimblenesse to strength , and searcheth his enemy in every part where he thinks him unarmed . The other who was glad to finde so valiant an adversary , spar'd him , & let him not feele the weight of his arme , but in that measure where to the necessity of overcomming obliged him , yet letting fall a blowe on the head of the faire Turke more heavily then he was aware on , he made him stagger , and forc'd him to set one knee on the deck . This fearfull stroake being seene by the spectators , some grew pale , and the others , by an indiscretion of persons too affectionate cried out that Polexander was alwaies unequalled and ever victorious . The young Turke no sooner heard the name of Polexander but he threw away his sword and buckler , and cast himselfe at the feet of his enemy , Polexander was astonish'd at this action but he was more when the young Turke put off his helmet , yes , said he , Polexander is ever without a Peere and alwaies victorious ; and the rash Iphidamantus too much honor'd to be vanquished by an arme that may subdue the whole world . My Lord ( said he ) you see at your feet that Iphidamantus who would call himselfe the most unfortunate of men , if he had not the happinesse to be your brother . Iphidamantus my brother ? Re●…epli'd Polexander that cannot be , Iphidamantus is long since dead . One of a good aspect , hereat stepping in ; sir said he to Polexander , after he had well looked on the young Turke ; the Prince Iphidamantus is not dead , as the Queene your Mother would make you beleeve . He was given to the Sultan Bajazet for the ransome of the King your Father . And is this then , cri'd Polexander that Iphidamantus whom I have so long bewail'd ? Ah my deare brother how happy and welcome to me is this meeting ? But ( and it please you ) we must not let that vessell escape , whose taking , you hindred . If I loose her you loose Polexander the same day you found him . She belongs to Alcidiana and the Pilot that governes her is the only man that knowes which way to get to the Island of that faire Princesse . Iphidamantus very sorry to be the cause of Polexanders displeasure , intreated pardon for his fault , and hearing the Prince who held him imbraced , to sigh . I vowe said he never to rest till you have recover'd that which by my indiscression you have lost . Polexander pressing him to his cheeke , my deare brother said he , I will not refuse your assistance , but I am afraid least it come too late , & in thus saying he commanded his vessells to steere after that of Alcidiana . They all set saile together , and that of Iphidamantus with the rest , whilst Polexander taking his brother apart , and he who first entred conversation with them , understood all the adventures that this faire Prince had run through in the Court of the Grand Seigneur , and the occasion that made him forsake an Empire , where he could expect no lesse place then that next to the Soveraigne . On the suddaine the impatience and displeasure of Polexander breaking out ; doubtlessely said he we shall loose the vessell of Alcidiana . Doe one thing , said he to Iphidamantus which may take effect : Goe backe into your owne ship , and follow Linceus alone . I imagine that in acknowledgment of the favour you have done him , he will stay for you if you come in sight of him . I follow him not but for his owne good as much as mine ; I thinke you will find nought amisse in a desire so innocent . Iphidamantus , yeelding to the desire of his brother , went into his owne ship , and meeting the Mute whom he had sav'd , he made him understand by his signes , that he would faine goe into Polexanders ship . He asked him not his reason , because it had been so much losse of time , but set him a borde and made towards the north side of the Isle of Fez. Polexander pli'd to the other side , and as he was commanding his men somewhat he perceiv'd the Mute in action of a man transported with griefe and choler . He asked him the subject of his agitation . But the Mute turning his head aside disdainfully presented him the lesser of his two rich boxes , Polexander ●…o sooner sawe it but he knew it , and taking it with a great fervency , open'd it with as much unquietnesse . Assoone as he sawe the faire picture therein inclos'd ; O glorious and onely relicks of my former happinesse , said he , deare treasure , which I have recover'd after so long a losse ; is it to revive my hopes againe , that heaven hath permitted me this review ? O faire picture me seemes thou answer'st me that my felicities are returned with thee , I doe as assuredly beleeve it , as if Alcidiana had spoken it from her owne mouth , and will consult henceforward with thee as with that fatall starre , by whose direction I hope once to arrive at the inaccessible Island . After he had long regarded the portraict , he began to rethinke on the meanes to gaine the originall . Giving then many great thankes to the scornesull Mute , and causing his ships to seperate and take divers courses , he sailing alone , the third day discried the vessell of Alcidiana . He gave her chase two daies , and mist bording her between the Isle of Teneriffe and the great Canaries . But the famous Linceus adding by his arte a new swiftnesse to his ship that was an excellent sailer , had alwaies the best of the more slug vessel of Polexander , & by favour of the night and winde , got herselfe at last cleane out of kenne . Polexander almost desperate at this ill successe , began to take on at fortune , the windes , the sea , and sometimes on Iphidamantus himselfe . But being all foure equally deafe to him , they gave no answer to either his injuries or prayers . It is true that Iphidamantus employed all his care and wit to content his brother , he search'd all the ports of all the Canaries , and carried by his affection as violently as by the storme , ran within sight of the coastes of Morocco , never dreaming what punishments were there prepar'd for him and his companions . Whilst he thus forgot himselfe , and seemed to disvalue a treasure which was ever to him more deare then his life , his Marines discri'd off at sea five or six Carvells and assured him that they were of Morocco . These vessells with full sailes came upon him , and put him out of those thoughts which had tane him up since he parted from Polexander . He altered his course to content those that were embarqued with him ; and though his great heart was not well contented with his providence ; yet he chose rather to submit himselfe to this secret shame , and inward reproch , then to expose his companions to the hazard of either the losse of their lives or a second slavery . For all this , an irrevocable decree had ordain'd that they should once againe fall into the hands of the Moores , and in effect at day breake they found themselves begirt with their shipping . The Moores came towards them without shooting , and shew'd by that , that either they feared to lose them in the cloudy smoke of the Canon , or rather that they had resolv'd to take them alive . Iphidamantus essai'd to hearten his souldiers by a second oration , and would have perswaded them that this second occasion was no more dangerous to them then the first : But they seeing themselves closed in on all sides , and hearing every where resounding the name of Enoramita , and those of Abdelmelec and Mahomet , hearkned no more to him ; nor thought of any thing but how by the meanes of a suddaine death , they might avoide the long and horrible tortures which to them seemed inevitable . They therefore thought no way better then to be killed in the fight , and for this reason only betaking them to their armes , and by it shewing a minde to defend themselves , by a meere dispaire they betooke them , to what neither the sense of honor nor the eloquence of their Captaine could ever have produc'd from their astonish'd hearts , Upon this resolution , the Pilots presented the Moores two broad sides , and the gunners made their shot so effectuall , that at the first discharge of their Canon , they sunck a Carvell of the enemies , and another was put out of fighting . Those that were in the rest , unwilling to stay on their first discretion , so much disadvantagious to them , gave fire to their Canon , and all to gether came thundering on the vessell of Iphidamantus . The fight was long and bloudy , and though this young Prince caried death and horror in every place where the conservation of his companions called him , yet was he enforc'd to yeeld to number , and to see his victorious armes bound , that had broken the fetters of so many miserable bondslaves . The faire speches of his victors , and the assurances they gave him of triumphs already prepar'd for him in Morrocco , no way appeas'd the hardy and generous sorrow wherewith he exclaimed on the inconstancy of fortune , and yet ( resolv'd to suffer the cruellest tortures ) he intreated the Moores with their best alacrity to bring him to the King their Master . The Moores gave him no answer , for they heard a calling to armes , and presently descri'd a great vessell , which contemning the number of the enemies , came proudly to set on them . If any one travelling through Africa hath seene a great and furious Lionesse , fly in on the hunters , and having dismembred part of them snatch from the rest the young Lion they had stolne from her , might imagine the horror and successe of this fight . At the first , two of the foure victor vessells soone changed their fortune . The Canon of the last commers shattered them in peeces , and the Captaine leaping out of his owne ship into one of those the Moores had left , overthrew and klled whosoever durst oppose him . He heap'd the dead on one another , and pass'd to the vessell of Iphadamantus , and seeing him bound , and by many guarded , dispers'd the company , slewe some , and forced the rest into the sea . Iphidamantus would not owe all his safety to this new Conqueror , but assoone as he saw himselfe with guards , caught up a sword which some had left by him , and though he were so strictly bound that he could not free his hands , yet he made shift to place some blowes on the Moores . His deliverer unbound him , and shewing some impatiency in his victory , come brother , come said he let us scourge the rashnesse of these Barbarians , who seeme to be arm'd for nothing but to oppose our designe●… . With these words , Iphidamantus knowing the voice of Polexander , I follow your good hap and courage said he , and since I have your protection , I defie all the malice and power of fortune . And ending thus , he threw himselfe amongst his enemies in immitation of Polexander , and not only bea●…e them from his ship , but followed massa●…ng them with such a fury within their owne , that he left none to carry newes of their defeate to Morocco . After the two brothers had by spe●…ches worthy Christians acknowledged their ●…ictory came from heaven ; they embrac'd oftentimes , and to witnesse how worthy they were to command , look'd after the number of their dead and wounded ▪ Polexan●…er ●…ound fewe of his missing . His brother had lost farre more , but he comforted himselfe with this warlike reason , that a victory is not bought but with the 〈◊〉 of much 〈◊〉 . Polexander would have asked him , what had betided him , since they separated ; when the Mute presented himselfe , not with a countenance fu●…ious and ●…d , as at first , but ●…ling . He shew'd them two great wounds which he had ●…ough the body . O●… Heroe pittied him and griev'd to see him in that lamenta●…le estate , and judging by his wounds with what courage he had behav'd himselfe in the fight , commanded his 〈◊〉 to take him into his care as i●… were his owne person . The Mute smil'd hea●… him say so , and insteed of suff●…ing them to search his wounds , he laid at the feet of Polexander a written parchment , on the parchment the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 before sp●…ken o●… , and in the very in●…ant gave up the ghost with a certaine 〈◊〉 and joyfullnesse , 〈◊〉 seem'd to intimate wha●… an 〈◊〉 , thing life was to him . Polexander tooke up the 〈◊〉 and the parchment , and 〈◊〉 with his brother into a 〈◊〉 as well ●…o be off ●…om 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 object of the Mute , as to ●…taine and refresh themselves . Bei●…g alone , Polexander related to his brother th●… 〈◊〉 successe of his vo●…age , and by what a visible opposition of fortune , he could not 〈◊〉 ●…he ve●…ll of Lin●… . But my deate Iphidam●… ▪ said he , I complaine ●…esse of this my 〈◊〉 enemy then I was resolv'd because in 〈◊〉 ●…ing from me the most happy place where Alcidiana reignes , she hath brought me 〈◊〉 others , where I may both see and serve what is most d●…re to me 〈◊〉 to that fai●…e Princess●… . Iphidamantus gave an acco●…nt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of what he had done in all the ●…naries , and told him by wh●…t chance he fell into th●… 〈◊〉 of the Subjects of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Morocco . Surely , said he , had you not so happily 〈◊〉 for m●… as you d●…d , I 〈◊〉 lost all hope of ever being delivered ou●… of ●…he 〈◊〉 of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . I 〈◊〉 sometime tell you what cause I have given him for his malice ●…o 〈◊〉 ; for the present we will thinke of things more urgent . T is thought on w●…ll 〈◊〉 Polexander , let us then 〈◊〉 to meet with the rest of my ships wh●…se 〈◊〉 I have commanded to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isle of Alcidiana , ( I have so called the Isle of 〈◊〉 since I conquer'd it ) . The 〈◊〉 incomparable brothers presently commanded the Pilots to stand for th●… Island , and 〈◊〉 a very favourable g●…le had soone 〈◊〉 sight of the coasts of Africa . Polex●… 〈◊〉 more then two howres as it were buried in his musings , 〈◊〉 co●…ming at l●…t ●…o himselfe ▪ and finding in his hands the heart and writing left by the Mute : Let us 〈◊〉 , said he ●…o Iphidamantus , what that poore dying man le●…t us . He 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 what followes .

The end of the first Booke .