THE AETHIOPIAN HISTORY . The First Book .

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 off , 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 furnished , 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 if self ; yet such a stock of Beauty shined in his Face , and the Blood that rained down so setoff 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 slowedunder 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 they , 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 behind her , did not dare to attempt any thing , not so much as to speak to her ; but the noise 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 things , and transports our whole care and thoughts to 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 most opportanely : Free us , I beseech you , from these evils that oppress us , kill us , and put and end to all our misery : These passionate wodrs 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 spoil , 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 of her Beauty , as at the delicate shape and exact stature of the wounded young man ; who began 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 suffer 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 midst , 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 flock 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 riches 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 thousand glorious Praises , elevating their Captains Valour to the Heavens , they all conducted him to his place of residence , which was a little Island cut off from theirs , and reserved only for him , and some few appointed to be always near his Person : Being 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 reigned in all the Island , 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 calm 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 thousand times in danger of our lives , we are now at Land a prey to Thieves : Alas are we yet reserved to be more tormented ? Where at last wilt thou end the Progress of our Miseries ? To dye with a noble Fame , were a sweet death ; but if any Villain shall offer to force me , which my Theagenes never yet attempted , with my own Hands I will prevent him , and strangle this betraying Beauty , keeping my Virtue to adorn my Epitaph , whilst thou Apollo shalt be called the most cruel Judge .

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 be appeased . Tou say true , replyed Cariclea , but pray how do you ? Better he said , since Evening ; 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 Kepper ) 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 need 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 Athens . 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 Affection , 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 flowness 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 abstain from Drinking and wanton Courses , for I knew his irregularities in that kind , though I would not tell you so much , fearing to incur the suspicion of a Step-mother : Whilst I was thus discoursing with him alone , least be 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 before 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 Nayl 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 Sword fell 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 Hope Athenians , 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 Justice , and have here brought him before you ; for though by the Laws , with my own hands I might have killed him , yet I would not ; esteeming it better that be 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 greatest 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 Shame 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 for 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 that 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 , not 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 her , 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 .

( Alas she reply'd ) How is that possible , since he that only can content me is so far distant , and so much Sea and Land is interposed betwixt us ? the unexpected Lenity of his Judg was my death , for had they covered him in a Monument of Stones , they had with him buried and extinguished my Flame ; for when there is no more hope , there is no more care , or sence of pain : Now methinks I still see him , methinks I still hear him object against me my unjust deceits , and upbraid me with them , and I blush to think my self in his presence ; sometimes I think I may yet enjoy him , and resolve to go my self and find him , in what part of the World soever he remains ; this sets me all on Fire , this makes me Mad ; and justly , Oh you Gods I suffer ! For why did I plot against him , and rather not use him kindly ? Why was I an Enemy , and not rather a Suppliant at his Feet ? had he not reason to give me one refusal ? I was a Stranger to him ; he was afraid to stain his Fathers Bed ; it might be time , acquaintance , and my expressions to him , might have won him : But I , crueller than a wild Beast , not as if I had been a Suiter , but a Mistress , that had the absolute Empire of his Will , thought strange he should not obey me ; and in my unhappy rigour persecuted him for despising Damoeneta , that had not Beauty equal to his merit : But my Thesbe , what content was that you spake of ?

Madam ( she reply'd ) the World believes that Knemon hath obeyed his Sentence , and hath left the Town and Territory of Athens ; but I know ( that ever since that time I have been thoughtful to procure your quiet ) he lyeth concealed at a Friends House here in Town : You have heard of Arsinoe , the Flutenist , and her Familiarity with him ; she after his disaster , received him into her House , promising to go along with him ; and till she can furnish her self with Necessaries for the Voyage , she keeps him in secret at her House . But Demoeneta could not now refrain to interrupt her , saying , Oh blessed Arsinoe ! both in the former Felicity thou hast tasted , and that occasion offers thee the present happiness to exile thy self with him : But what doth this concern me ?

Oh greatly Mistress ( reply'd Thesbe ) for I will fain to be desperately in Love with him , and pray Arsinoe , that is my old Acquaintance , and my fellow Musician , to give me one nights lodging with him in her place ; this being obtained , I will make over my right to you ; you shall personate Arsinoe , and he shall take you for her ; for I will look he shall have a Cup more than ordinary in his Head , and the Chamber shall be dark ; and then I hope when your Desires are obtained , your Torments will cease , for the end of Love is enjoying : But if your Fire should kindle again , as I hope it will not , we must make a second Navigation ( as they say ) and sit again in Council ; mean time let us have a care of our present Business .

Demoeneta approving , and praising Thesbe , conjured her to be secret , and expeditious ; she ( desiring but one day to dispatch it in ) went presently to Arsinoe , and asked her if she knew not Teledemus ? she said yes ; pray thee ( said Thesbe ) make me beholding to thee , to receive us this night into thy House ; for I have promised him a nights Lodging ; he will come first , and I will follow assoon as ever I have got my Mistress to Bed. Arsinoe consenting , Thesbe ran presently to meet her Master , walking solitary in his Grounds , and thus spake to him .

Sir , I come to you the Accuser of my self , and to receive such punishment as you shall please to inflict upon me : I have deprived you of your Son , not as a Principal , yet as an Accessary ; for when I found that my Mistress lived not as she ought , but wronged your Bed , fearing if it should be discovered by any other but my self , I should incur the Suspition of being her Bawd ; and especially pitying you , that so much loved and doted on her , yet had no better recompence ; not daring to speak freely to you , I resolved to unfold the truth to my young Master ; and coming to him in the night that none might see me , I told him my Mistress abused your Honour , and did receive an Adulterer to your Bed ; but your Son ( being then as you know incensed against her ) understanding me that I said the Adulterer was with her in your Bed , carried away with rage , catcht up his Sword , and though I cryed to him to stay , yet he regarded me not , but thinking I had repented me of my Discovery , ran like a mad man to your Chamber ; the rest you know : And now you may , if you please , purge your self before your Son , though absent ; and revenge your self of her that hath done injury to you both : For I will this Night shew you Damoeneta , lying with her Adulterous Friend , in the House of a Stranger in the Suburbs .

If you do it , said Aristippus , I will reward you with your Liberty , and it may be , when I see my Enemy punished , I may again take Comfort , and chase away the sorrow , that in despair of my Sons repeal , hath tormented my Old Age. I have doubted this a long time , and had ever some shadow of it in my apprehension ; yet because I wanted manifest Proofs , I rested quiet ; But what is to be done ?

You know ( said she ) the Monument of the Epicureans ; there do you stay for me in the Evening : Having thus spoken , she returned to Damoeneta .

Madam ( said she ) dress your self presently , curl your Hair , and put on your best Jewels ; for now your desires approach to their effect .

She instantly made her self ready , and Thesbe leading her the way , when they came near to Arsinoes House , she prayed her to stay there a little , and running in to Arsinoe , intreated her to go over the way , and let them have the House to themselves , for her Friend was bashful , newly initiated in the Rites of Venus , and would blush if he did see any but her self : Arsinoe consented , and Thesbe presently returning to her Mistress , brought her in , and having got her to Bed , took away the Light , for fear ( she said ) Knemon should know of her coming to the Island of Egina ( for there he is supposed to remain ) and wishing her to content her Desires , without speaking a word , told her she would bring the young Gentleman to her , that was but drinking with a Neighbour hard by : Then she made hast to meet her Master Aristippus , in the appointed place ; and as she came along with him , warned him to be sure to take the Adulterer .

Aristippus followed her in , and by the Light of the Moon , that shined a little into her Chamber , with much ado he found the Bed : And have I taken thee ( he said ) thou Enemy of the Gods ? Whilst he was speaking , Thesbe ran to the Chamber Door , and making a noise , cryed out , Oh wretched ! What ill luck have we ? the Adulterer is escaped , and therefore Master take heed ; you know what former mistake was made by your Son : Fear not me , reply'd Aristippus , I have the wicked Woman fast ; I desire no more , and so drew her with him towards the City ; but she considering ( as it is probable ) the evils that encompassed her , the frustrating of her expectation , the ignominy of her Fault , and the punishment ordained by the Laws , for shame to be surprized , and in spight to be deluded ; when she came right against the Pit , in the Academy ( where you know our Captains ( according to the custom of the Country ) use to sacrifice to the Hero's , or Demy-Gods , for the prosperity of the Town ) She brake from him with such a fury ; as the Old Man feeling his strength unable to resist , was forced to let her go ; and no sooner out of his hands , but she leapt into the Pit , and brake her Neck : A miserable end of an Impious Woman ! I am revenged , said Aristippus , without employing the succours of the Law to punish thee . The next day your father recounted the whole matter to the People , and made all the Friends he could to get your Banishment repealed : I know not what is yet done in it ; for before any thing was resolved , the particular necessity of my Affairs , pressed me as you see to come into these parts : Yet you may hope the people will consent to your return ; and that your Father will imbark himself to find you out , and bring you back .

This was the Relation Charias made me ; what since befel'me , how I came hither , and the Fortunes I have had , would be too long to tell you ; with that he wept , and his two Prisoners bare him company in Tears , as compassionating his misery , and the more because his disasters made them have a livelier remembrance of their own : Nor had they ceased from Weeping , if Sleep , delighting , as it were , to Bath it self in Tears , had not closed up their Fountains .

But Thyamis ( so was the Captain of these Robbers named ) having rested quietly the first part of the Night , was afterwards troubled with a strange Dream , and waking upon it , spent the rest of the Night in studying out the Meaning of it ; for about the Hour that the Cocks Crowing ( whether it be as some think out of a Natural feeling and knowledge of the Suns return to our Horizon , that moves them by instinct to salute that Divine Light , or by a certain heat proper to them , or by a desire to stir and seek new Nourishment ) do summon Mortals to their customary Works , about that time the Gods sent Thyamis this Apparition in his sleep .

It seemed to his Imagination , that he was in the City of Memphis , were he was born ; and that entering the Temple of the Goddess Isis , he saw it all on Fire ; such a great number of lighted Torches were within it , and the Altars were full of all manner of Beasts for Sacrifice , their Blood flowing upon the Pavement , and Entries and Galleries were so fill'd with People , as their noise and tumult much amazed him ; when he was come into the inner part of the Temple , he thought the Goddess met him with Chariclea in her hand ; and said these words ,

Thyamis , I charge thy Fidelity with this Virgin ; yet having of her , thou shalt not have her ; but thou shalt be wicked , and kill this Stranger ; yet she shall not dye . These Ambiguities exceedingly troubled his Spirit ; and often canvassing the meaning . At length he expounded it thus ; thou shalt have her , and thou shalt not ; that is , possessing her for thy Wife , thou shalt have her a Maid no longer ; thou shalt Murder her ; that is her Virginity ; but so killed , she shall not dye : Thus Thyamis interpreted his Dream , flattering his wishes .

When it was Morning , and the principal Thieves , according to his commandment were assembled ; he bade that the Spoils should be brought forth ( for by that specious name they call'd the Booty ) and sending for Knemon to him , charged him to bring thither his two Prisoners : As he was carrying them to his Captain ( Oh Gods ) said they one to another , what Fortune now attends us ? and conjured Knemon , he would be favourable to them to his power ; which he promised , and bade them animate themselves , and not suffer fear to seize upon their Courages ; for his Captain was not a Barbarian , but Noble and full of Courtesie ; and that he well exprest by his Humanity , the Illustrious Blood of his descent ; that is was meer necessity constrained him to take such a course of Life : When they were come into Thyamis's Island , which he had designed for that Assembly , he ascended to a higher Ground , and commanded Knemon , who stood below with the Prisoners to interpret to them ; for Knemon had now learned the Aegyptian Language ; and Thyamis did not yet well understand the Greek .

My Fellow Souldiers ( said Thyamis ) you well know my Spirit and Affection to you , and in what sort I have ever managed your Affairs ; for being ( as you know ) Son to the Chief Priest of Memphis ; and unjustly deprived of the Dignity of the Priesthood , after my Fathers Death , by the Means of my younger Brother , in this Extremity , I fled into your Arms , and craved your Succours , to revenge my Wrong , and recover my Honour ; and you favoured me so much , as by your general Suffrage to elect me your Captain ; since which time I have lived amongst you , without entrenching upon your Priviledges , or challenging to my self any greater part of the Prize , than the meanest of you ; but if Money were to be distributed , I only desired my share ; if Prisoners to be sold , I caused the Prize to be laid down in common , knowing he that will discharge the office of a good Captain , must be above his Men in pains , and but their equal in Profit : When I took Prisoners in the Field , that were Men likely to do us Service , I have received them into the number of our Souldiers ; others less serviceable , I have made Money of : I never offered violence to any Woman ; but if they were Noble , I have put them to their Ransom , or restored them to their Liberty , pitying their Misfortune ; others of meaner Condition , and such as the Chance of War made Captives , and were by their own natural Baseness inclined to serve , I have given you for Slaves : But now I have a Suit to you , that for my part of the Prey , you will please to give me this Fair Stranger ; and though by my own Authority I might retain her , yet I hold it more honourable to take her with your Consent ; for I should do very imprudently , if for gaining of one Prisoner a Stranger , I should lose or offend my Friends and Companions ; yet the Favour you do me shall not be without a Recompence ; for I will leave the Spoyls to your Dispose : And forasmuch as we of the Prophetick Race disdain to mix our Blood with any Women that are not of our Quality , I am resolved to take this Virgin , not for the pleasure I shall receive in the equal enjoying of her , but for the propagation of an Issue to succeed me in my Sacred Charge ; and I will give you the Reasons that induce me : When I first saw her , I esteem'd her to be nobly born , as well for the Riches she had about her , as that her Spirits failed not in the midst of her Calamities , but that she constantly stood the Assaults of Fortune ; her Form , Modesty and Breeding were great Arguments to me of her Quality ; for her Beauty exceeds all of our Times , and her Modesty is such as invites her Beholders to a Continency : why therefore should not I honour her , and judge highly of her ? But what yet is more considerable , she seems to me to be a Religious Votaress of some Goddess , since in all the Dangers that befel her , ( believing it to be an intolerable sin ( she never would pull off her Crown of Lawrel , nor her Sacred Robe ; what Marriage then can be more equal , my brave Assistants , than the Son of a Prophet to match with a Maid consecrated to the Gods.

They all approved the Match , and wished him Joy. Thyamis catching the Words , I thank you , worthy Friends , he said , but we shall do well first to ask the Maids consent ; for if I would have used the Law of Empire , to Will had been enough for all : but my Demands being only a lawful Marriage , the consent of two is necessary ; and turning to her , Tell us ( he said ) you Fair One , what you do resolve upon our Propositions , and declare to us who , and of whence your Parents are : But she , after she had fix'd her Eyes a good while upon the ground , as meditating what she would say , at length she raised her Head , and looking upon Thyamis , with more Beauty than before , for her study to contrive her Speech , had painted her Cheeks with a becoming Blush , and her Eyes with the vehemency of her Thoughts sparkled with more than ordinary lustre ; Knemon interpreting , she said ,

Sir , it would better have become my Brother Theagenes to have answered you than I , silence being as commendable in Maids , as the Grace of Replying is in Men ; but since you give me liberty to speak , and that you have exprest your Nobleness in seeking to compass just things by perswasion , not force , and in regard your Speech is principally directed to me , I am constrained to exceed the Bounds I have prescribed to my self , and are proper to my Sex , and to answer the Demands of my Conqueror in the Eyes and Hearing of so many Men ;

Know then , our Countrey is Ionia , and we are born of one of the best Families of Ephesus : when we were come to the Age wherein the Noble mens Children of our Countrey are accustomed to do Service to the Gods , I was chosen Priestless to Diana , and my Brother Priest to Apollo . This being an Annual Honour , when the Tear was run out , we were to make a Voyage to Delos , in our Sacred Robes , and there to exhibit publick Games , for exercise of Letters , Musick and the Body ; and so according to the manner of our Ancestors , to resign but Priesthood : To this end a Ship was made ready for us , laden with Gold , Silver , Silks , and other Necessaries both for setting forth of the Games , and feasting of the People : Thus we loosed out of the Haven , leaving our Father and Mother in their House , who in regard of the feebleness of their old Age , and the dangers of the Sea , did not dare to embark with us : many of the Citizens went the Voyage , some in our Ship , some in Vessels of their own ; and having sayled the greater part of our way , with all favour of the Heavens , on a sudden the Clouds thickned , and a fearful Tempest arose , accompanied with Lightning and Thunder , that so masked the Skies , and plowed up the Seas , as we lost the benefit of our Compass , and our Pilot overcome with the greatness of the Evil , was forced to give way to the violence of the Tempest , and abandon the Government and Helm to the discretion of Fortune . In fine , the Storm having ( seven days and nights together ) spent the fury of its strongest gusts upon our Vessel , we were cast upon the Shore where you took us , and beheld so great a Massacre of men , for asmuch as we there making a Feast of Joy , and a Sacrifice to the Gods of Thanksgiving for our Deliverance , the Saylors ( with impious desire to possess our Riches ) set upon us , and resolved to put us to the Sword ; but we made such resistance , as after the loss of our Enemies and our Friends , we two , as you saw , remained the Conquerors ; and would it had pleased the Gods we had ended our days among them , and not been the only miserable Relicks of that Battel ; but since it so falls out , yet we are happy in this one respect , that some favourable Deity hath made us fall into your hands , and gives us , that late expected nothing but Death , the liberty now to treat of a Marriage , which I were indiscreet if I should refuse : For what Felicity can be imagined greater , than for a poor Captive to be though worthy of her Generals Bed ; add to this , that a Maid dedicated to the Gods , shall be taken to wife by the Son of a Prophet , that in a little while shall himself be a Prophet , which sure is not without some secret Mystery of Providence . I only beseech one favour , that before you marry me , I may be permitted to go to the next great Town , or any nearer place where there is an Altar or Temple of Apollo , that I may render up the Charge of my Priesthood , and put off the Marks and Ensigns of the God ; it would do best at Memphis , when you have recovered the Dignity of Chief Priest ; for a Marriage joyn'd to Victory would be celebrated with more joy , and be as a Trophy of your glorious Actions ; but whether before or after , I leave it to your pleasure , so as you vouchsafe to let me accomplish the Ceremonies usual in my Countrey ; whereto I know you will condescend , since ( as you say ) you have been bred from a Child in the Mysteries of Religion , and are full of Reverence towards the Gods.

Thus she ceased to speak , and began to weep : All that were present did greatly approve her Answer , and by a general Cry assured her they were ready to see her Desires performed ; and Thyamis consented half voluntary , and half by constraint ; for his ardent longing to enjoy Chariclea , made him think an hour of delay an Eternity ; withal he found himself so charm'd with her Speech , as if it had been a Syrens Song , that it forced him to allow of her Demands , having also a relation to his Dream , flattering his Desires with a belief their Nuptials should be held in Memphis : Then he broke up the Meeting , ( having first divided the Booty , whereof his Companions freely gave him the richer and the greater part ) and commanded them within ten days to be ready to sit down before Memphis , and besiege his Brother . To the Prisoners he assigned their old Tent , and Knemon to attend them , not now as a Keeper , but a Companion , and many times sent for Theagenes to his Table for his Sisters sake , whom he resolved not to visit often , for fear her sight should increase his impatient wishes to enjoy her , and lest it should make him attempt any thing against what was publickly consented to , and privately figured in his Dream . For these Reasons Thyamis forbare to see her , thinking it impossible he should behold her and contain his longings ; but Knemon , after every one was retired to their Lodgings , passed the Lake , and went a great way by Land to seek the Herb he had promised Theagenes the day before .

In the mean time , Theagenes taking the advantage of his Absence wept and lamented to himself , without speaking a word to Chariclea , but incessantly calling upon the Gods ; and she demanding whether he did sigh for their common Misery , or that some new Disaster was befallen ? Alas ( said Theagenes ) is there any thing more new , or more unjust , than to falsifie Faith , and violate Oaths , and that Chariclea , without memory of me , or of my Services , should treat of a Marriage with another ?

Oh say not so ( replied Chariclea ) be not you more cruel to me than my Destiny : you have proved my Affection by many Arguments , and can you now distrust me only for words accommodated to the time , and for the interest of our Affairs ? No , no , your self may sooner change your Mind , than I. I can suffer all the Calamities of the World , but know there is no violence so great , that can separate me and Modesty ; nor am I conscious of a fault that way , but in loving you too much , yet with an honest and a lawful Love ; for from the first entitling of you to my Heart , it was as to my Husband , not as to a Lover that could not moderate his Desires , having to this hour preserv'd the outmost Purity , often repelling your Impatience to consummate the Marriage which with Vows we had contracted ; think how little reason you have to conceive I would prefer a Barbarian before a Greek , and a Thief before a man of all men the dearest ?

But what was the meaning then ( replied Theagenes ) of your Speech in that famous Assembly , when you called me your Brother , methought it was a fine invention , putting Thyamis out of jealousie of our Love , and making way that we might freely be together , I approved your Story of the Countrey of Ionia , and of a Voyage to Delos for they were things like Truths , and led the Hearers in a pleasing Error ; but to accord so freely to a Marriage , to article , and set down the time before such multitudes of People , I neither could nor would conjecture what it meant , but wished the Earth would open and devour me , ere I should see my hopes and services repaid with such Ingratitude .

At these Words , Chariclea imbracing Theagenes , and weeping , How well I take these Fears , ( said she ) that torment you for my sake , since they make me know in the extremity of our Adversities your Affection is the same it was : but assure your self , Theagenes , if I had not carried it thus , we should not at this time have had the freedom to confer together ; for to be wilful , and to run a contrary course to the desires of one more powerful than our selves , begets but a stronger opposition , whilst yielding words , applied to the motion of the Will , presently appeaseth the first heat , and by the sweetness of a Promise lays the Appetite to sleep ; forasmuch as they that love after a gross rustick way , if at the first essay they get consent , they think they have done enough , and making sure they shall enjoy the content they wish , their Spirit is in more repose , and goes floating in their hope . This Consideration made me yield to Thyamis , in words only , commending the Sequel to the Gods , and the Genius that from the beginning hath taken our chaste Love into his Patronage ; oftentimes a day or two put off , hath been greatly advantageous to the miserable , and brought means of safety , when no humane Prudence could work it ; therefore for the present I deferred him , avoiding a Certainty for an Vncertainty ; but we must do this artificially , and conceal it , as a slight at the Weapon , from our Enemies , even from Knemon ; for though he be full of Courtesie , and hath done many Favours for us , and is as we are , a Grecian , yet he is , as we are , a Captive ; and therefore if occasion should be offered , more likely to gratifie his Conqueror , than us the Conquered ; for neither the time of his Acquaintance , nor his being our Countreyman , are sufficient Pledges to us of his Fidelity , and therefore , if at any time he touches at our Affairs , you must deny the Truth , for the Lye is not evil that does good to the Author , and no hurt to the Hearer .

As Chariclea was discoursing thus , Knemon entred all in a sweat , and manifesting a great perturbation by his countenance ; Here Theagenes , take this Herb ( he said ) and apply it to your Wounds , we must prepare our selves for greater hurts ; Theagenes praying him to speak plain , The consideration of the time ( said he ) will not let you hear me out ; for it is to be feared the effect will prevent my Words : but follow me you and Chariclea ; and so led them both to Thyamis , whom he found busied in furbishing an Armour , and sharpning the point of a Javelin : This is to the purpose , said Knemon , that you have your Arms so near you ; put them on presently , and command every one to do the like , for I have discovered such a cloud of enemies coming as I never saw before ; they are not far off ; for having descried them from the top of the Hill where I was gathering Herbs , I have brought you the News with all the speed I could , and in traversing the Lake , I have given warning to your Men to be in a readiness for their defence .

Thyamis hearing this , suddenly started up , and demanded where Chariclea was , as fearing more for her than for himself , and Knemon having shewed her standing at the Door , Go ( said Thyamis in his ear ) take her with thee into the Cave where we conceal our Treasure , and when thou hast conveyed her down , and covered the mouth of the Cave with the Stone that useth to lie upon it , pr'ythee Friend return with all celerity ; mean time we will give order for the Fight : then he commanded his Page to seek him a fat Beast ; that having sacrificed to the Gods Protectors of the Place , they might joyn Battel . This while , Knemon doing his Commands , led away Chariclea , that sighed and lamented , and at every step she went , turned back her eyes towards Theagenes ; at length they came to the Cave , where Knemon immediatly carried her down .

The Place was not a work of Nature , as we see many both above and under the ground ; but it was a Vault wrought out of the Rock by the industry of the Aegyptian Thieves , and imitating Nature , artificially hollowed , to contain their Spoyls ; the Entry was narrow and obscure , and conveyed into a little Cell , the Threshold Stone whereof was a Door that opened and shut easily , and gave another passage for descent into the Cave when necessity required ; within it were cut many Trenches and Meanders , that went turning of either side , sometimes alone , sometimes mixing together like the Roots of Trees , till they came to the bottom , and there they end in a large and spacious Plain , whereinto enters a little Light , by certain clefts and crannies in the Earth above : Knemon , that by practice knew the turnings , having brought Chariclea to the bottom , endeavoured to comfort her the best he could , assuring her , he and Theagenes would come and see her soon at Night , and that he would not suffer him to fight , nor come within the danger ; and so he left her not able to speak one Word ; but fainting , as if she had been struck to death , and deprived of her Soul in her Theagenes : and closing up the Cave , could not himself refrain from weeping , both that he should be forced to execute so hard a Command , and in compassion of her Fortune , whom he had almost buried alive , and sealed up in Night and Darkness , the perfectest Workmanship of Nature : then he made haste to Thyamis , whom he found compleatly armed , and with his Oration exciting those that were about him ; for standing in the midst of them , he said ,

My Companions in Arms , I do not think it needful to trouble you with many Words ; you need no admonition , War is your Trade , and now the Enemy is so near us , he cuts off Discourse , he comes upon us to force our Trenches with his Sword , and we must answer him in his own Language : I have nothing else to say , but that now , you are not only to defend your Wives and Children ( which hath been Motive sufficient for others to fight to the last man ; though if we be Conquerors , such small things , and many of greater moment wil be in our power ) but your Lives are now at stake , for the War among Thieves was never ended by Treaty , nor secured by League , but the Survivors must be Conquerors , and the Conquered must die ; therefore let us go to 't , and let him that dies his Weapon deepest in our Enemies Blood , be thought the bravest Man .

Having thus said , Thyamis looked about him for his Page , and-often called him by his Name Thermutis , and not seeing him appear , cursing and threatning him , he hastned to the Boat : The Battel was now begun , and he might see the Enemy make himself Master of the Borders of the Lake ; for he had set fire upon their Cabbins and their Boats , and so made them transport the Flame about the Fens , that , devouring the great quantity of the Reed , dazzled the Eyes of the Inhabitants with insufferable Light : whilst the Noise and Tumult deafned their Ears , all Cruelties of War were seen and heard , the Lakists striving to make good the Place , but the others falling upon them unawares , and oppressing them with Multitudes , slew easily those they found on Land , and overwhelmed those within the Lake in their Boats and Cabbins , whence the Air was filled with horrible Cries , both of those that defended themselves upon the Water , and those that fought by Land , and the Lake was stain'd all over in the Blood of dying persons that fell at one time , both by Fire and Water .

When Thyamis saw and heard this , he remembred his Dream , how he had seen the Goddess Isis , and her Temple all on fire , and full of Sacrifices ; and observing his Vision was thus far brought to pass , he began to make another explication of the rest : Having , thou shalt not have her ; forasmuch as she shall be ravish'd from thee by the fury of this War ; and that he should kill her , yet he should not hurt her ; that is , he should destroy her with his Sword , and not by Rape . To conclude , rating the Goddess as fraudulent and injurious , charging her that she had abus'd and mockt him , and not being able to endure with patience that any other should enjoy Chariclea , he commanded his men to retire a little , and to hold the Enemy in play a while , only with skirmishing , and some few Sallies , which as they were intrenched , might resist the forces of greater multitudes , whilst he would go and find Thermutis , and offer Vows and Sacrifices to their presidiary Gods ; and so forbidding any man to follow him , he departed as towards his Tent , but took his way to the Cave : Oh how hard it is to turn a Barbarian from that he hath once resolved in his Soul ; for assoon as they fall to despair of their own safety , it is their custom presently to kill their dearest Friends ; either believing they shall live together after death , or desiring to take them out of their enemies power , and to free them from all injuries ; for these Reasons Thyamis forgetting all his own Affairs , and though he was at that present encompast with Enemy-Troops that had taken him as in Nets , furiously transported with Love and Jealousie , he entred the Cave , where calling as loud as he could , and speaking some Words in the Aegyptian Tongue , he heard a Woman answer him in Greek ; and the sound of her Voyce leading him to the place where she was , he put his left hand about her Neck , and with his right drawing his Sword , ran her through the Body under the left Breast , wherewith the poor Woman fell down dead , breathing but one sigh , that brake her Heart-strings .

Presently Thyamis went out , letting fall the Stone upon the Entry of the Cave , and for her Epitaph seeming to write upon it with his tears , adding these Words , Alas poor Maid , these are the Nuptial Gifts I present thee : And so returning to his Men , he found their Battel quite disordered , and ready to fly , frighted with the Enemies Approach ; and on the other side , seeing Thermutis , that brought him a Beast to imolate , he chid him , and told him he had already offered the fairest Sacrifice of the world ; and so entred into his Bark with him , & only one more to row ; for the Boats they have here can carry no more , being wrought out of the Body but of one thick Tree , by their rude Shipwrights ; Theagenes and Knemon imbarked together in another , and the rest in the like manner ; and when they had coasted the Island a great way , they ceased rowing , and disposed their Boats in front of their Battalion , as attending the shock of their Enemies ; but assoon as they approached , the Herdsmen of the Island were so far from the courage to sustain the first Assault upon the Water , that they presently cast about and fled , not daring to endure the very sound of the Alarum . Theagenes and Knemon retired themselves softly after the rest ; but Fear did not make them turn their backs ; only Thyamis held it unworthy to give ground , and not desiring to survive Chariclea , he prest into the midst of his Enemies , and as he was fighting amongst them , one cried out , This is Thyamis , every man now look to his Charge , so immediately wheeling in a Ring about him , they inclosed him with their Boats ; but he stoutly holding out , wounded some with his Javelin , and killed others : The Fight was worthy of admiration , in all the multitude of his Foes no man apposed or drew a Sword against him , but every one did his best to take him alive , he resisted a great while , but at last his Javelin was beaten out of his hand , and them his Foes pressed in upon him , being also at that instant deprived of the succour of his Page , that had stood to him bravely , but at that time had newly received ( as was thought ) a mortal Wound , and casting himself into the Lake , swimming with much difficulty , had recovered Land , no one taking the pains to follow him ; for having Thyamis in their power , they esteemed it to be an absolute Victory .

Yet not withstanding the loss of many of their Fellows , they more rejoyced to have him alive that slew them , than they sorrowed for their Friends and Kinsmens Deaths ; so insatiable are the covetous hearts of Thieves , preferring Gain before their Lives , and having no end in the holy Name of Friendship and Consanguinity , but to get by them ; it was the case of these Thieves , for they were the same that before out of their sear of Thyamis and his Men , had fled from the Heracliotick Arm of Nilus , who stomacking to be deprived of other mens Goods as if they were their own , had gathered together their Companions , and called in the Neighbour Villages , offering them equal shares , and chusing them for their Captains to conduct the Expedition .

But the Cause of their taking Thyamis , was this , he had at Memphis a Brother named Petosiris , who having by his plots dispossessed his Brother of the Dignity of Chief Priest , against the Laws and Institutions of the Countrey , ( for he was his younger Brother ) and hearing that he was the Captain of these Thieves , he feared Thyamis would take time to chase him out of his usurped Honour , and discover his perfidiousness : also he desired to take away the ill opinion that many had conceived of him , that he had killed his Brother , because it appeared not where he was ; therefore sending Messengers to the Villages of the Thieves , he proposed a great Sum of Money , and so many Castles to any one that would take him alive ; so as these Thieves charmed with the hope of such a Profit , even in the heat of Blood and War , did not forget their Promise , but after he was discovered , took him alive , though many died for it : Being thus seized of Thyamis , they rowed to Land , putting him in Irons , and appointing half of their Troops to guard him , who vexing at his Fortune , upbraided them of Cowardise , for not daring to take him with their Swords , bearing his imprisonment with more indignation and less patience than if it had been Death it self ; the rest of them returned into the Island , in hope to find the Riches for which they had been tempted to run this hazard . But after they had passed over all the Island , without leaving one corner unsearched , and finding nothing , or very little of the Prize , unless it were some Trifles that they had neglected to put up in the Cave , they set fire upon the Cabbins , and the Evening now approaching , and putting them in a fear to stay longer in the Island , lest they should fall into the Trains of some of those that fled from the Battel , and might now perhaps lie in Ambuscado for them , they returned to their Companies .