THE break of day had now dispersed the darkness , and the Sun with earliest beams , guilded the summits of the Mountains ; when a Troop of Men that had no Living but by Robberies , and Rapine , appeared upon the Promontory that elevates it self over one of the Mouths of Nilus , named the Heracliotick : Being assembled , they made a stand to take view of the Sea , that lay like a vast Valley underneath them ; but when they saw nothing that presented hope of Prey ( all the Ships they discovered , sayling off to the Main ) they cast their Eyes towards the neighbour Shoar , and encountered this Object .

A Ship at Anchor , no men in her , yet heavy laden , as might easily be judged afar o●f , for she was of that burthen , as she drew Water to the third Deck . The Shoar was covered with a Massacre of men , some dead , others were but half dead , and the parts of their Bodies that yet panted , gave assurance to the beholders , it was no long time since the Fight was ended ; nor were these the Marks of a just Quarrel , they were the said Relicks of an unfortunate Feast . There were Tables that stood yet full ●urnished , and some that were overturned betwixt the Arms of those that sate at them ; others lay like Tomb-stones over the Dead that had ( as it is probable ) hid themselves under them : Many Bowls and Pots were cast down , and many yet held in their hands that had taken them either to drink , or to cast at their Enemies heads ; for the suddenness of the Mutiny , and the necessity , had taught them a new way , and ( instead of Darts and other offensive Weapons ) armed them with the Cups they drank in . They lay , one cloven with an Axe , another his Brains beat out with Shells that lay ready on the Sands , some bruised to pieces with Leavers , many burnt with Coals of Fire , and divers others , diversly Murthered ; but the most were Shot to Death with Arrows . In sum , Fortune in a little time had produced strange variations , contaminating the Wine with Blood , changing the chearfulness of a Feast into the horrors of a Battle , promiscuously mixing their Meat with Wounds , and Drinking Healths with Death ; preparing such a Stage for the AEgyptian Thieves to be Spectators ; but from those heights they could not understand the Play ; for they plainly saw a defeat , but no Masters of the Field ; an absolute Victory , but no Spoils taken ; a Ship unmann'd , but else untouched ; hulling in that dangerous Road , as if in full peace , and in the midst of the greatest security in the world .

But though ignorant of the Cause , they were greedy of the Prey ; and resolved to make themselves the Conquerors : So they marched forward to the pillage ; and when they were not far from the Ship , and near to the dead Bodies , there was presented to their sense , a sight of greater astonishment than the former .

It was a young Lady , sitting upon a Rock , of so rare and perfect a Beauty , as one would have taken her for a Goddess , and though her present misery opprest her with extreamest grief , yet in the greatness of her affliction , they might easily perceive the greatness of her Courage : A Laurel crown'd her Head , and a Quiver in a Scarf hanged at her back ; she rested her left Arm upon her Bow , and let her Hand carelesly hang down upon her right Thigh ; she leaned on her other Arm , laying her Cheek upon her hand , and fixing her eyes upon a young Gentleman that lay not far distant from her ; he was covered in his wounds , and now began to raise himself a little , as if awaking out of a deep sleep , almost of Death it self ; yet such a stock of Beauty shined in his Face , and the Blood that rained down so set off the whiteness of his Skin , as made him shew most lovely ; the pain he felt , seemed to weigh down his Eye-lids , and the Beauty of the Lady , to attract and open them .

He had no sooner recollected his Spirits , and scarce breath'd , but with a languishing voice he pronounced these words .

Sweetest , Is it true that I yet behold you Living , or ( perishing in the execution ) have you encreased the number of the dead ? can you not , not even in Death be ravished from me , but will your shadow be yet a loooker on , and sharer in my Fortunes ?

It is from you reply'd the Maid that I expect my Fortune , Life or Death ; this you here see ( shewing him a Steeletto in her lap ) hath yet not done its office , hindered by the happy signs of your recovery .

This said , she leaped from the Rock , and the Thieves upon the Mountains surprized with fear and astonishment ran to hide themselves behind the Bushes : For she appeared more Divine when she was upon her Feet ; her Arrows in her Quiver clashing as she stepped , her Robe ( that was Cloth of Gold ) glittering in the Sun , and her Hair that flowed under her Coronet ( like the Priestesses of Bacchus ) reaching almost to the ground . One said she was a Goddess , and sure the Goddess Diana , or Isis the Patroness of their Country ; others conceived her to be a Votaress to some God , that inspired with divine fury had made so great a slaughter .

This while the Maid running to the Gentleman , cast herself upon his Body , wept , kist him● wiped his wounds , and imbraced him so closely as if she could hardly be assured she had him in her Arms.

The AEgyptians observing this , presently altered their Opinions ; What , said th●y , are these the actions of a Goddess ? do Goddesses kiss dead Men ? and with so much commiseration ! So encouraging one another , they marched on , and found the Lady dressing the young mans wounds , and coming close ●ehind her , did not dare to attempt any thing , not so much as to speak to her ; but the noi●e they had made , and their shadows cast before her Eyes , moved her to turn her Head ; and when she had seen them , she again declined her Face ; and applyed her self to bind up her friends wounds , not so much as the least daunted with the unusual Aspect , and colour of these armed AEgyptians : So powerful is sincere affection , as it despises all other pleasing or displeasing thi● 〈◊〉 and transports our whole care and thoughts 〈◊〉 the object we love dearest : But when the Thieves passed on , and stood in front before her , and seemed as if they would attempt something , she lifted up her Eyes again , and seeing them so black and ugly ,

If you be ( she said ) these dead mens Spirits , you do us wrong to trouble us , since most of you with your own hands slew one another ; if any of you fell by ours , it was but in our just revenge , to repell the violence you offered to my Chastity ; but if ye be living men , I should take you to be Thieves ; if so , you come mos● opportunely : Free us , I beseech you , from these evil● that oppress us , kill us , and put and end to all our misery : These passionate wodr● she spake with as sad an Accent .

But they ( neither understanding her words nor meaning ) left her with the wounded Gentleman , not putting any surer guard upon them then their own weakness ; and hasting to the Ship , they unladed her , every man carrying out as much Gold , Silver , Precious Stones and Silks , as they were able to bear , neglecting other Commodities ( tho' rich and various ) and when they had every one as much as satisfied their Avarice , they lay'd it down upon the shoar , making it up into packs , and dividing it , not by reason , or after the just value of the things , but equalling them by weight , reserving for the last , to resolve what to do with the young Gentleman and the Lady .

Mean while there appears upon the Mountains a second Company , two riding before them as their Captains ; these were no sooner perceived by the former , but without preparing for the fight , or daring to take with them any part of of the spo●l , lest it might give occasion to the Enemy to pursue ; the fear that strook their hearts , made them take their heels with the greatest agility that was possible , for they were but Ten , and those they saw coming were twice that number . Thus the Lady was twice taken , and yet not Prisoner . Now these others , though they had an extream longing to be at the pillage , and had already devoured it in their hopes , yet the Apprehension , that troubled their Spirits , not knowing the cause of these events , retained them for a while ; for they imagined the first Thieves had made that horrible Slaughter ; and observing the Lady in all the dangers that threatned her , to be no more afraid than if there had been no such thing , careful only of the young man's wounds , that seemed to pain her more , than if they had been her own ; they remained mightily amazed , as well at the generosity of her courage , and rareness o● her Beauty , as at the delicate shape and exact stature of the wounded young man ; who ●egan to resume his natural Colour : After they had long considered , their Captain stept forth , and took her by the hand , commanding her to rise and go with him ; but she that understood not his Language , and yet doubted what he meant , drew the young Gentleman along ( nor would he part with her ) and setting her Steeletto to her Breast , threatned to kill her self , if they might not go together : The Captain understanding her more by action and signs , than by her words , and hoping if the young Gentleman recovered , he would serve him in designs of higher Nature ; made his Page alight , and he also dismounting , caused the two Captives to be mounted on his Horses , and himself setting forward on foot , whilst his men trussed up the Pillage , went with the Prisoners to help them , if happily their weakness should not su●●er them to help themselves , nor did their Captivity want a Glory , to see the Conqueror humbled to the Conquered , and to be waited on by him that had them in his power : So great is the Appearance of Nobility , and Magick of a Beauty , as to subdue the inhumane Nature of Thieves , and to mollifie the hearts of the most Barbarous . When they had now passed along the Sea Shoar , about half a quarter of a Mile , leaving the left hand-way , they turned up-hill , and climbing over , doubled their paces , to arrive by day-light , at a Lake on the other side the Mountain .

This part of the Country is by the AEgyptians named the Bucolia , or Pasture , in which there is a Valley that receives the Innundations and disburdenings of Nilus , growing into a Lake of an infinite deepness in the m●dst , but near the sides it is but shallow and marish : Here the AEgyptian Thieves live together with a kind of policy , and observing a certain form of a Republick : Some dwell in Cabbins or Huts , builded upon little spots of Earth , that rise above the water in divers places of the Lake ; others live in Boats , that they use both for ferrying over , and habitations for themselves and wives , who are there brought a-Bed ; their Infants first suck the Mothers-milk , and within a while are weaned , and use to eat Fish , got in the Lake , and broyled in the Sun ; when a little one desires to go , his Mother tyes a Cord to his Foot , that reacheth no farther than the Boat , committing him to this new guide .

Thus all that are born within the Lake , account it for their Nurse and Country , and hold it as a strong protection to their Robberies , and to that end such kind of people ●lock hither from all parts ; for the water serves them for a wall , and the great quantity of Reed and Cane that grows about the borders , stands before them as their Bulwark , and therein they have cut out so many ways , intermazed one within another ( which their practice makes easie to them ) and cuts off all hope of incursion from the Enemy .

The Sun now declining to the West , the Captain and the rest of his company arrived at this Lake , and dismounting the two Prisoners , carried the Prey aboard their little Boats ; presently all their Fellows that had stayed at home , some from one side of the Fenns , and some from the other , came running to meet their Captain , and received him as their King , doing him all humble reverence ; but when they had viewed the riche● of the Prize , and the divine form of the Maid● they conceived their companions had robbed some Temple , and taken away the Priestess , or the living Image of some Goddess ; so with a thousan● glorious Praises , elevating their Captains Valou● to the Heavens , they all conducted him to his place of residence , which was a little I●land cut off from theirs , and reserved only for him , and some few appointed to be always near his Person : B●ing landed here , he commanded the multitude should retire home , and not fail to attend him the next morning : Himself with some few of his Friends made a short Supper , then committed the two Prisoners to the custody of a young Grecian ( taken by the same Thieves not long before ) to the end he might serve for their interpreter ; and giving him order they should be lodged in a Tent joyned to his own , charged him to dress the Gentlemans wounds , and see that none should do injury to the Lady , whilst he wearied with the labour of his Journey , and the care of present business went to rest .

But when silence r●igned in all the I●land , about the first watch of the Night , the Maid being alone , used her solitude , and absence of her keeper , as an occasion given her to ease her Spirits with complaining , the cal● of the Night exciting her sad thoughts , and being able to see nothing that might divert her mind ; when she had deeply sighed to her self ( for she was separated by command of the Captain , Theagenes lying with Knemon , and she resting on a poor low Palate ) weeping as if her heart would break .

Oh Apollo ( she said ) how much greater is our punishment than our offence ! cannot all our past miseries extinguish thy revenge ? We are deprived of the sweet presence of our Friends and Parents , we have been taken by Pyrates , we have been tossed at Sea by Tempests , and a thousa●d times in da●ger of ou● 〈◊〉 , we are now at Land a prey to Thieves : Alas are ●e yet reserved to be more tormented ? Where at l●st wilt thou end the Progress of our Miseries ? To dye with a noble Fame , wer● a sweet death ; but if an● Villain shall offer to force me , which my Theagenes never yet attempted , with my own Hands I will prevent him , and strangle this betraying Bea●ty , keeping my Virtue to adorn my Epitaph , whilst thou Apollo shalt be called the most cruel Iudge .

She would have proceeded , but Theagenes thus interupted her ; Cease my dearest , my Soul Cariclea : t is true you have reason to complain , but you provoke the God more than you do believe ; we ought not to contradict the will of Heaven ; by Prayers not Injuries , that which is greater than our selves , must b● appeased . You say true , reply●d Cariclea , but pray how do you ? Better he said , since Ev●ning ; I thank this Gentleman , he hath applyed that to my wounds , hath much aswaged their inflammation . You shall find your self more easie to Morrow Morning ( added their Keeper ) For I will gather you such an Herb , as shall heal your wounds at the third dressing ; I have tryed the properties of it by many experiments , since my self was taken Prisoner here ; for none of my Captains men have ever come home wounded , but in a little time I have effected their cure by the same means ; and do not you wonder I take such particular care of you , for your Fortune represents my own ; I must needs pity a Grecians misery , that am my self a Grecian . A Grecian , ( Oh Immortal Gods ! cryed the two Prisoners for joy ) I am both by Language and Birth . This yet ( said Theagenes ) gives us some breathing space from our afflictions ; but how may we call you ? my Name is Knemon . Of what part of Greece ? Of Athe●s . Do us the Favour I beseech you , to let us know your Fortune : Forbear ( said Knemon ) do not make my woes to bleed afresh , nor let not me with abundance of my Evils increase yours ; neither would the whole Night suffice for the Narration ; and you after your many Labours had need of rest and sleep : But they insisting , and telling him that it would not be a little comfort to them , to hear of chances like their own : Knemon begins thus ;

My Fathers Name was Aristippus , a Native of the City of Athens , a Senator of the higher Court , and of no mean Fortunes : It happen'd that my poor Mother having paid the Tribute that all humane Creatures owe to Nature , my Father resolved upon a second Marriage , because he had as yet but one Son , and did not think him worthy of all his care ; he therefore matched with a Woman , named Demoeneta ● she was Fair enough , but had a Soul the most black and fowl : She had no sooner entered our House , but she made her self the absolute Mistress of it , and reduced all things to her Power and Pleasure ; charming the good man my Father with her Beauty , and officiously observing all his Humours : For she ( if ever Woman ) had the art to move the violence of Af●ection , and to make him passionately in love with her ; if Affairs pressed his departure , she wept ; at his return she would meet him , accuse the slowness of his coming , and protest she had perished if he had tarryed never so little longer ; at every word embracing him , and moistening her kisses with her Tears , insomuch that my Father was so taken with her , as willingly he did see or think of nothing else . At first she used me as if I had been her own Son , and added this as a greater tye upon his Love ; sometimes she would kiss me , and desired that I might stay at home to play with her : This pleased me , and not suspecting what would follow , I admired that she expressed such a Motherly Affection to me ; but when she appeared more petulant , and that her kisses grew more intemperate than became her , her carraige exceeding the bounds of modesty ; Then I began to suspect , avoid , and repel her allurements ; I omit the rest , because it would be tedious , to tell with what ways and promises she would entice me , how she would call me her sweetest Favourite , her Heir , and oftentimes her Soul , making a mixture of fair Names , or any thing whereby she hoped I might be caught . In more serious and important matters bearing her self as a Mother , but in dalliance shewing plainly she was in Love : At length this happened , upon the day of the great solemnity , that we call the Panathineon , when the Athenians carry a Ship in procession through the Streets in Honour of Minerva : Being then in the prime of my Youth ; after I had sung the usual Hymn to the Goddess , the Rites ended , I returned home , yet vested in my Robe and Coronet ; she had no sooner cast her Eyes upon me , but she lost her reason , and could no longer disguise her passion , nor cover with her Art , the violence of her Flames , but running to me , embraced me , called me her young Hippolytus , her Theseus . Judge you in what case I was then , that now blush to speak it : That Evening my Father supped in the Prytaneum , and as is usual in those publick Feasts and Meetings , stayed there all Night : Now when all our House were in their first sleep , she came to my Bod , and urged me to satisfie her unlawful desires ; but I resisting both her Threats and Flatteries , fetching a deep sigh , she left me , and that Night plotted revenge . My Father coming home about noon next day , and finding her a Bed , asked her how she did ? She told him she was not well ; but he pressing her to speak particularly the cause of her suddain Sickness ;

This good Son ( she said ) so full of Piety towards me ; our common Child , whom I have loved ( I call the Gods to witness ) more than your self , suspecting me by some signes to be with Child , which I have concealed from you till I should be better assured of it my self , took the occasion of your absence , and when I advertised him of his duty , and perswaded him to Temperance , and to abst●●n from Drinking and wanton Courses , for I knew his irregularities in that kind , though I would not tell you so much , fearing to in●ur the suspicion of a Step-mother : Whilst I was thus discoursing with him alone , least he should be too much ashamed ; I blush to tell you the rest , he spurned me with his Foot , and hath made me in this case as you now see .

My Father hearing this , without speaking to me , or giving me leisure to defend my self , not believing she that had witnessed so tender an affection to me , would now bely me ; having found me in my Chamber , he set upon me , beating me with his own hands , and causing his Servants to to scourge me with rods in his presence : I being not able to imagine for what cause they thus abused me ; but when the first motion of his choller was past , Father ( said I ) yet now at least ( since before you would not suffer me ) let me know the reason of your displeasure , and what offence I have committed to deserve this cruel Punishment . Dissembling Traytor , he replyed , wouldst thou have me to be the Historian of thy Villanies ? and turning away from me , hastned to Damoeneta ; but she ( for she had not yet satisfied her Cruelty ) lay'd a new train for me .

She had a Maid called Thisbe that played excellently well upon the Lute , a handsom Maid ; her she commands to love me , and presently she obeys her , and she that had oftentimes before rejected my suit to her , began now to tempt me with her looks and gestures , in such sort that my Vanity believed I was grown Beautiful on the suddain : To conclude , I admitted her to my Bed , which she continued to visit often ; and when I warned her she should take heed lest her Mistress should perceive her : Lord ( said she ) how simple you are ! if you think it such danger for me , a Slave , and bought with Money , to be taken thus ; what punishment do you judg my Mistress deserves , who boasting her self nobly Born , and having a Bed-fellow by the Laws of Matrimony ; Lastly , knowing Death to be the reward proposed for her sin , yet fears not to commit Adultry . Oh! say not so ( I reply'd ) for I can by no means believe it . Yes if you please ( said Thisbe ) I will bring you where you may take the Adulterer with her : I having told her she should with all my Heart ; I will , she answered , both for your sake , that have been extreamly injured by her , and for my own , that dayly suffer under her vain Jealousie . Therefore ( if you have courage ) prepare your self to take him : I having promised her I would not fail , she presently retired her self . The third night after , she came and waked me from my sleep , telling me the Adulterer was within , and my Father by a suddain necessity called into the Country , which she knowing before , had made him this appointment , and that it was now time for my revenge , and wished me to take my Sword lest the Villain should escape me ; I did so , and carrying it naked in my hand , Thesbe going b●fore me with a Light , I came to the Chamber Door , which I found locked , and saw through the crevises , the glympse of a Lamp that burned within : Transported with impatience , I broke open the Door , and running in , cryed out aloud , Where is this Villain , the Gallant Inamorato of this Illustrious Lady , that is famed to be so Virtuous ? And then approaching with a full intent to Nay● them both to the Bed ; I saw my Father ( Oh good Gods ! ) who had leapt out in his Shirt , and now was upon his knees before me ; And oh Son ( said he ) restrain a little your passion ; take pity of your Father ; spare these gray Hairs , that have given you your breeding : We have done you wrong , 't is true , but it is not of that Nature , you should pursue us to the Death ; suffer not your Fury to transport you , nor stain your Hands in your Fathers Blood : In these , and other lamentable Words , he pleaded ; whilst I ( as if strook with a Clap of Thunder ) stood silenced , and astonished ; looking round about the Bed and Chamber , not knowing either what to say or do , wondring what became of Thesbe , that I know not how , had slided away from me . In this amaze my Swor●●●ll out of my Hand , and Damoeneta , ran presently and catched it up : My Father now seeing he had escaped the danger he apprehended , laid Hands upon me , and commanded I should be bound . Damoeneta persisting to exasperate him against me ; Did not I tell you this ? that you should take heed of this Youth , that when occasion was offered he would have some design ; I knew it by his Face , I saw into his Heart : Indeed you told me so ( he said ) but I could not believe you : Then pinnion'd ( as I was ) he commanded me to be taken away , and would not give me liberty to speak : Next day in the morning , he produced me to the People in my Bonds , and casting dust upon his head ,

It was not to this Ho●e Athenian● , that I bred this Child ( said he ) but promising to my self he would one day , be a support and stay to my feeble Age ; willing out of such Fortunes as the Gods bestowed upon me , to render him accomplisht in all sorts of Virtues I provided able Masters to instruct him in the Liberal Arts ; and when he had tasted the Elements of Letters , caused his Name to be inrolled in the Register of my Family , made him a Free-man of your Town , that Living under your Laws , he might enjoy your Priviledges ; and so much I have loved him , that I have made my whole Life a trouble for his sake ; but he forgetful of all these Benefits , first did me injury in his cruel usage of this my Lawful Wife ; and lastly entred my Chamber in the night , Armed with his Sword , and was only so far from being a Paracide , as Fortune stood between us , a suddain Terror making his Sword fall out of his hand . I now fly to your Iustice , and have here brought him before you ; for though by the Laws , with my own ●ands I might have killed him , yet I would not ; esteeming it better that he should receive his punishment from you , than an unfortunate Father spot his hands in the Blood of his own Son .

Speaking these words , he wept ; and Damoeneta seemed to take on extreamly , calling me miserable , that should die thus ; justly indeed , but yet before my time , and that sure some Devil had possest me , and put it into my Mind , to attempt my Fathers Life ; her Tears bearing false Witness of her Sorrow , and confirming my accusation as Truth : And when I beseeched they would permit me to speak , a Notary stepping in , put this strict question to me ; Whether I had not entered my Fathers Chamber in the Night , with my Sword naked ? I did enter ( I reply'd ; ) but hear me , and I will tell you how ; presently the People clamoured out , and said , I ought not to be suffered to speak more ; some cryed stone him ; others bid the Hangman should take me , and throw me down headlong from the Precipice : During this time of their Distractions in Opinion , I cryed , oh Step-mother ! alas I dye for my Step-mother , my Step-mother condemns me without a hearing ! These words touched the Hearts of many , and made them suspect the Truth ; but yet I could not be heard ; for the People were in that tumult and trouble , as it was not possible to appease them : When they came to numbring of the Votes , they found about One Thousand Seven Hundred that condemned me to Death , one half whereof adjugded me to be stoned , and the other , to be cast headlong from the Rock ; there remained yet about another Thousand , that slacking something of their Severity , out of the Suspicion they had conceived of my Mother-in-Law , condemned me to perpetual Banishment ; and it was concluded according to their Sentence ; for notwithstanding they were the minor part , both the others being joyned , yet take the first severally , and a Thousand made the gteatest number : Thus was I exiled from my Country , and my Fathers House .

But the wicked Damoeneta did not long escape unpunished by the Gods , that hate Impieties ; how it was you shall know hereafter : Now it is time you should rest , for the night is far spent , and you had need of a great deal of sleep : Oh now you will add to our misery , reply'd Theagenes , if you leave this wicked Woman thus : Hear then ( said Knemon ) since your will is so ;

After my Judgment was pronounced , I went down to the Port we call Pyreum , and lighted on a Ship that was bound for the Island of Egina , knowing I had some Friends by my Mothers side , that lived there : When I was landed , and had found out those I enquired for , I passed my time there a while , with indifferent good content : I had not stayed there past Twenty Days , but walking as my custom was upon the Haven , I perceived a Bark making in ; therefore staying a little to see from whence it was , the Planks were scarce laid down , but a Passenger came running to me , and imbraced me ; it was Charias , one of my old Acquaintance : Oh Knemon ( said he ) I bring you joyful News ! you are revenged of your Enemy , Damoeneta is dead : You are welcom dear Friend Charias ( I reply'd ) but why do you pass over your good News so lightly , as if it were some ill accident ? Relate the manner I beseech you , for I fear she dyed by some unusual way , and escaped the Death and Sh●me she deserved : Justice said Charias , hath not altogether forsaken us , as Hesiod thought ; but though sometimes it conniveth at the wickedness of men , and seems as if it slept upon their Sins , and ●or a time deferring to punish them , yet at length it overtakes them ; as it hath done the wicked Damoeneta : The Particulars whereof , came to my knowledge , out of the Familiarity th●t had past betwixt my Self and Thesbe , who concealed nothing from me ; for when the decree of unjust Banishment had past against me , your Father Penitent for his act , withdrew himself from the company of men , and retired to his Grange House in the Country , there seating his own Heart , as the ( Poet says ) he resolved to spend the remainder of his Days ; but suddainly all the Furies of Hell began to torment your Mother-in-Law ; she loved you now in your absence , more than ever , and did nothing but complain incessantly , deploring your Fortune , but indeed lamenting for her own : No word passed from her mouth but Knemon , her Sweetest , her Soul Knemon ? In fine , her affliction grew to that excess , all the Town took notice of it , and the Neighbours , and Noble Ladies her Friends , that came to visit her wondered exceedingly to see a Mother-in-Law , witness such a Motherly affection , much commending her , and endeavouring to comfort her the best they could ; but she told them her evil was greater than to be cured by perswasions , that they knew not the cause of her sorrows , nor what stings were in her Heart : And ever as she came to her self , she complained of Thesbe ; that she knew not how to serve her purpose ; How nimble she was ( said Damoeneta ) to enterprize and execute a malice ! she knew not how to make me enjoy the pleasure of my Love , but she knew how to deprive me of my Joy ; in an instant , e'er I could think , e'er she would give me time to change my Mind . By these , and other words and actions , she accidently shewed the displeasure she conceived against Thesbe , and that she meant her no good : But Thesbe ( finding her indignation , and seeing she was lost in passion ; disposed by her ill Nature , to lay some train for her , and mad both with Love and Anger ) resolved to anticipate he● , and by laying a Plot for her , to preserve her self ; and coming to her , Mistress ( said she ) What Destiny , Enemy to your Contentment , and my Fidelity , makes you accuse your Servant ? I have always , and even in this last Act , obeyed your will ; if any thing succeeds not to your wish , you must blame Fortune , not me ; yet if you please to command me , I shall testifie a great deal of affection , and no little industry , to find out a way to your content .