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Now let vs rest a while, though (Cnemon) you
Can hold-out well I see. Quoth he, nor now
Should I desire you stay: but that I heare
A noise below; or me deceiues mine eare.
I cannot heare so quicke (quoth Calasire)
Or for mine age, or for my set desire
To tell this storie. But, me thinkes, I see
Our Land-lord Nausicles come vp; 'tis hee.
What haue yee done, Sir? Nausicles repli'de,
Far better than we thought: but lookt aside,
And, seeing Cnemon, askt what was the man.
A Greeke, quoth Calasire; Hee's welcome than,
Quoth Nausicles; and then said Calasire.
But needs we must of your successe enquire.
Know now but this, quoth he; that I haue found
A better Thisbe than I did propound.
'Tis time to rest: and so he went to bed.
But Cnemon lay all night with troubled head,
For name of Thisbe; thought in Gypsiland
The dead reuiue so soone; and, t'vnderstand
The truth, arose, and groping in the darke,
At length t'a womans wofull crie doth harke.
And thus she said; O wretched I, that, out
Of Spoylers hands escap'd, now had no doubt
T'attaine my libertie, and death acquit
With presence of my loue; yet faile of it,
A slaue become againe. But O that hee
May liue, and keepe himselfe from bondage free,
And sometime on his Thisbe thinke! for so
Now must he call me whe'r he will or no.

These words strooke Cnemon in so ghastly feare,
That all in haste he gate to bed, and there
With chattring teeth and quaking legs he lay,
Till Calasiris askt what did him fray.
That wicked Tib (quoth he) whom with mine eyes
I saw lye slaine, yet liues, and yonder cryes.
But he poore wretch deceiu'd was, and afraid
Of that which known will hold him best apaid;
Or make him laugh vntill he fret a rib;
For this Chariclia was, and not the Tib.

It thus befell: when in the mazie Den
Thermute and Cnemon left the Louers; then
They chastly clip and kisse, forgetting day,
Till at the length the man began to say,
Sweet heart, I know it is our most content
To liue together still; but sith th'euent
Of mens affaires vncertaine is; and we
By some misfortune may disseuer'd be,
(Which Gods forbid) let each a watch-word haue,
And priuie signe to vse, as need shall craue.
She lik'd the motion well, and both agree,
That he should Pythius write, and Pythia shee,
On eu'rie crosse-way-stone and monument,
Or famous Image, by the way they went,
To right, to left, to what towne, where, and when;
That so the sooner they may meet aged.
And for some signes, in case by crosse or quame
They could nor write, nor speake, he beare a paume,
And she a taper: yet a fearre had hee
Receiu'd by tuske of wilde Bore on his knee:
And she of Iewels euer bore this one;
Her fathers ring with rich Pantarbe stone.
And this of all the confirmation is,
They kisse and cry, and kisse and cry, and kisse;
Among the riches left by theefe in Caue,
Although the choice of many there they haue;
(Behold consent of either Princely minde)
Th'ill-gotten treasure all they leaue behinde,
And take but of their owne a part, and goe,
She with her packe, he with her sheafe and bow.
When to the Lake they came, and were about
To take a boat, they see an armed rout,
With many boats, come rowing toward th'isle;
And daunted much thereat stood still a while,
Till she for feare began to run aside,
And praid in Caue they might againe them hide:
Yet as they went were met withall by some,
Before vnseene that ore the Lake were come.
But loe, a faire and beautifull aspect
Will many times a barb'rous minde affect.
A cruell hand began to strike, and staid
Amaz'd at sight of such a beauteous Maid,
Or Goddesse so disguis'd, as then was thought;
And therefore to the Leader be they brought,
As all they found; his name was Mitranes,
Lieutenant vnto Lord Orondates;
That had all Ægypt in his gouerning.
Vnder the mightie Babylonish King.
And he against the Robbers of that Lake,
By Nausicles was hir'd for Thisbes sake.
And though the suttle Merchant saw full well
This was not she, but did her farre excell;
To put a tricke vpon the Don, he said,
O this is she my Thisbe, my faire Maid;
Embrac'd and kist, and whispring told her how,
To saue her selfe, she must be Thisbe now.
He spoke in Greeke which she well vnderstood,
And hoping well it might be for her good,
When Muranes her asked what's her name,
Him answer'd Thisbe: yea the verie same,
Said Nausicles, and kist the Captaines hand,
And call'd him man of fortunate command.
The Souldiour puft with praise, and gull'd with name,
Although he wisht himselfe so faire a Dame;
Yet, for reward that he before had tooke,
To Merchant gaue her with repenting looke.
Then on Theagenes his eyes he bent,
And said to Babylon he should be sent:
For, for his pers'nage and well featuring,
Well might he wait vpon the mightie King.
Then him with conuoy, and with letters sent
T'Orondates, and this was their content.
This Grecian youth is of so comely grace,
That I him thought deserue a better place,
Than vnder me. I thinke, like him, not one
This day attends the King of Babylon.
Wherefore (my Lord) him please you thither send,
And both our duties to that God commend.

Now broke the day, and longing Calasire,
With fearfull Cnemon, gan themselues attire:
Yet halfe vnready goe to Nausicles,
And forsome further newes will him disease;
Who told them all that I now said before;
And how he got a virgin for a whore:
Yea, passing her as much for beautifull,
As doth a Goddesse passe a common Trull.
Then they began how matter stood conceiue,
And pray'd they might but see her with his leaue.
He cals her in, she muffled doth appeere,
And looking downe; he bids her haue good cheere:
She shewes her face; at once is seene and sees,
Is known and knowes; at Calasiris knees
Fals downe and cries, O father! he likewise,
O daughter! Cnemon, O Chariclia! cries:
That Nausicles the while vpon them gaz'd,
And at so strange encounter stood amaz'd;
Whom Calasiris spoke-to thus; O frend,
Though I not able, God shall thanke y'i'th'end.
You saue my daughter, you me giue the sight,
Wherein of all the world I most delight.
But, O Chariclia, what hath thee bereft
Of thy Theagenes, where hast him left?
O how this question dampt the royall guirle!
She could not speake, till drops of liquid pearle
Fell from her Diamond eyes t'asswage her heart;
And then told how their fortune was to part,
As said before. Then they from Nausicles
Desire to heare more of Theagenes.
I can but tell (quoth he) and you but heare;
For you are poore, and it will cost you deare
Him to redeeme; the Babylonian
Is couetous, yea more than any man.
Chariclia whisper'd Calasire i'th' eare,
And said, we haue enough about vs here;
Him promise what you will. Then Calasire
Said, Wise men haue as much as they desire
On iust occasion (fearing to detect
Chariclia's offer, lest it breed suspect)
Then tell vs what is he that hath our frend;
With helpe of Gods we shall him please, who send
What ere we need: so, when you list (he said)
You can be rich; and thereat smiling staid,
And said againe; them will I you beleiue,
When for your daughter you me ransome giue:
You know your Merchants money seeke and scan
As much as any Babylonian.
I doe, quoth I; but 'tis no Merchant feat
To grant so soone: you should me make entreat,
For this my daughter. Sir (quoth he) be bold;
Your happinesse I would not long with-hold.
Moreouer, now mine offring will I make,
Come you and yours, and pray for me, and take
What ere the Gods doe send: O, doe not iest,
Quoth Calasire: but on their God heads rest.
So, when you will, begin, and we shall ioyne;
And you i'th'end shall see we want no coyne.
Chariclia t'offring neuer had beene brought
With Merchants daughter, but because she thought.
for her fit time it was the Gods to please,
And pray vnto them for Theagenes.
Then goe they to the Templ' of Mercurie,
The most of-Merchants-honour'd Deitie.
When Calasiris th'entrals had beheld,
And saw good fortune bad-with entermeld,
As did his looke declare; he thrust his hand,
And tooke, as 'twere from vnd'r a fire-brand,
A Iewell rich, and said, O Nausicles,
See what the Gods haue giuen; will this you please,
For this my daughters ransome? 'twas a ring
That sometime wore Hydaspes, Blackmore King.
The circle was fine gold, and siluer mist;
The Pale an Æthiopick Amethyst;
As big as Maidens eye, and of a vaine
Beyond the best of Britanie or Spaine;
And turn'd about, it sheds a golden streame
On each thing nigh, and from a deeper beame.
And thus engrau'n it had; a shepherds boy,
On hillocke set, there seemes to play and toy,
(Such leisure haue they) while his sheepe, him by,
Some share the tender grasse, some basking lye;
As 'twere in Sun-shine of that flaming stone,
And some in companies, and some alone.
The wanton Lambs there some start vp and leape,
Some all together run upon a heape,
As dansing to the boy, that seemes to play
Vpon his pipe, and harkning to the lay.
They seeme all golden-fleeced by the gleame
All ore them cast from th'Amethysticke beame.

Thus was the ring: Which Nausicles admiring.
Said (Calasiris) 'twas not my desiring
To make you pay so for your guirle, I ment
Her freely giue: but sith this ring is sent
From Pow'r Diuine, and 'tis not good you say
We such refuse, I take it for to day,
As sent by Mercurie my greatest frend
Of all the Gods, whom I serue most anend.
Then tooke a glasse of water cleere, and said,
This (Calasire) vnt'eu'rie Nymph and Maid
That is so cleere; and this to them I drinke,
Because your daughter such one is, I thinke.
For loe, no musicke, nor no dansing shee
Among the rest delights-in, but on knee
For her Beloued praying is; that he
May soone and safely meet her; yet haue we
Now leisure good to heare, that oft had I
Desire to know, your wandring historie.
Put-off no longer: Cnemon prayd the same.
Then Calasire; To sacrifice we came
Not telling tales. But sith you both desire
To know my roming, to the ship of Tyre
I must returne; wherein we sail'd from Delph,
Theagenes, my daughter, and my selfe;
Of Tyrian Merchant-venturers a troope;
And merrily we ran, with winde in poope,
That day and night; and all in safetie and ease,
With iron share broke vp the fallow seas:
The Straight of Calidon we passe ere night,
And of the sharp-point Islands lose the sight.
Next day betime, with winde now turn'd aslant,
Cast ank'r, and land before the towne of Zant;
To winter there: But, for the rude resort
Of Saylers running to and fro the Port,
I thought the ship not safe; nor yet the towne,
Lest our escape might haply there be knowne:
And, other harbour seeking, light vpon
An aged Fisher-man, that on a Stone
Sat mending broken nets: I said, God speed,
Good father; can you tell a man, if need,
Of some good Inne here by? They all to rags
Were broke (quoth he) against some hidden crags.
What's that to me (quoth I)? you shall doe well,
Or me receiue your selfe, or else me tell,
Where else I may be lodg'd; 'twas not my fault,
Quoth he; Tyrrhenus is not so assault
With blinde and doting age; they were my wags,
Who cast in place vnknown among the crags.
I then perceiue the man was deafe, and cry
In's eare aloud; God speed you (Sir) said I:
And can you helpe vs some good lodging finde?
God speed you too (quoth he) and, if your minde
You serue thereto, come soiourne here with me;
Except you many and ouer-curious be.
But three (quoth I) my selfe and children twaine.
No more, but one (quoth he) with me remaine:
Mine elder children marri'd with my purse
Are gone: two boyes are left me, with their Nurse:
The mother dead: you shall be welcome to vs;
And seeme a man that may some pleasure doe vs.
We come and there full well are entertain'd;
By day we all together still remain'd.
At night we laid Chariclia with the nurse;
And glad was she her lodging was no worse.
Alone Theagenes, alone lay I;
And old Tyrrhenus with his youngest frie:
Sit all at boord the same, and well we fare,
With fish he got at sea, and with our share.
Laid-out on such achates, as market by
Did eu'rie weeke afford; and pleasantly
So liu'd we there a while as heart could wish,
And went sometime to fowle, sometime to fish.
For th'old man was prepar'd for either sport:
But pleasant times (alas) are overshort.
Who long can lye at ease in Fortunes lap?
Mis-hap haue once, and dacer feare mis-hap.
Chariclia's beautie makes tumultuarie
This verie place so meane and solitarie.
For he of Tyre, that won the Rythian game,
Now haughtie growen by that renowned name,
And more, because we sail'd with him in ship,
Her loues, and will not this occasion slip.
With tedious suit he daily beats mine eares;
And that the goods and ship are his he sweares;
And saith his all shall hers be during life,
If I my daughter let him take to wife.
I pouertie pretend; yet say that she
Shall for no wealth so far be sent from me.
He saith he will her person more account.
Than any dowrie, though it should amount
To many talents; and his kin forsake,
And whither so we will his voyage make,
To dwell with vs. I saw his feruent heat
On flat deniall might some mischiefe threat,
And promise that in Ægypt once arriu'd,
It should be done, if well the iourney thriu'd.
He thus put-off, a while some rest we haue;
But in the necke of this another waue
Begins t'arise: Tyrrhenus neere the shore
Me tooke to walke, and much protesting swore,
For loue to me and mine he will reueale
That much concern'd vs, neither could conceale.
A Pyrat ship (quoth he) beyond the Cape
There lies in wait, your Tyrian hulke to rape.
Looke to your selfe and yours: I thanke, and pray
Him tell me how he knew't. But yesterday
(Quoth he) the Master-Pyrat askt me whan
Your ship puts-off; Trachinus was the man.
I say, I know not; but (Sir) why I pray
Demand you this? if be so bold I may.
(They loue me, Calasire, I dare you tell;
I bring them victails; for they pay me well;
And poore is house that hath not much to spare
For poore, for theefe, for waste, and want of care)
I loue the Maid (quoth he) your Soiourner,
And meane to set vpon them all for her.
To know his whole designe then thus I said,
What need you fight with Tyrians for the Maid
That is with me? before she goes abord.
There may you take her neuer drawing sword.
'Tis for your sake (quoth he) that I foreslow;
For Pyrats loue their friends: yet further know,
I two things aime at, wife and wealth to who;
I lose at sea, if I at land begin.
Consider'd well, quoth I; but, for the thing,
I thinke they will not goe vntill the spring.
So part we: now this villanous intent,
I hope your care and wisdome will preuent.
What did I then? It was my chance to meet
The Tyrian Merchant walking in the street.
He gaue occasion, asking my good will,
As heretofore; I tell, not all that ill,
But what I thought was meet; how earnestly
A great man of this countrey did apply
Himselfe to get my daughter for his wife:
But I had rather, so you lead your life
With vs in Ægypt, as you promised;
And for your wealth, that you (my Lord) her wed.
And therefore wish, before our minde be crost
By force or otherwise, we leaue the Coast.
He lik'd the motion well, and, though too soone
He said it was, yet hauing light of Moone,
Resolu'd that night be gone in any sort,
Although he got but int'another Port.
I tell my children, not Tyrrhene a word;
And after twy-light get vs all aboord.
Yet by the way our Host it gan perceiue,
And each of other kindly tooke our leaue.
The Moone kept counsaile, blabbed not our flight,
Yet gaue vs leaue to see our way by night.
With armed beake we cut the fomy brees,
Behinde the land, beside vs flie the trees.
The brother gan to quench the sisters light;
And day appearing droue a way the night:
The winde that fill'd our saile now gan to stoope,
And Pyrats ship descri'd is from the poope
To follow vs, and this and that way twine
As if our hulke had tow'd her with a line.
A man of Zant, that wistly gan it marke,
Cryes-out Trachine it is, I know the Barke;
Prepare to fight or yeeld; he comes apace,
And all this day hath had our ship in chace.
We though becalm'd, yet seeme with tempest shooke,
So stand w'amas'd, and one at other looke;
Run vp and downe, before, behinde, beside;
Some put on armes, some vnder decke them hide;
Some leaue the ship, and get into the boat
To make away: Theagenes, full hoat
Set on to fight, beseech we both to stay,
And hardly keepes him backe Chariclia;
Desiring each might either liue or dye
In others armes; but on a point thinke I
That might vs helpe (now knowing 'twas Trachine;
That would not rashly kill or me, or mine)
And tooke effect. For when the Pyrate gaue
Vnt'all men leaue, that would their person saue,
In single clothes to leaue the ship, and go
Aboord the boat: we with the rest doe so.
He then Chariclia taking by the hand,
Saith, vnto you (sweet Lady) this command
No whit belongs, but all is for your sake,
That I this war and voyage vndertake.
Then feare you not; but be of heartie cheere;
For all is yours and mine that you see heere.

Then she (as wisdome was, obseruing case)
Of sorrow-damped looke recals the grace;
And tisie-smiling said; now Heau'n be thankt,
That I among these others am not rankt;
But shall I thinke indeed you louing be?
Grant this my first request, and keepe with me
This same my brother, that my father deere;
For them-without I cannot be of cheere:
So wept, entreated, fell vpon her knees
Embracing his; which when the Rouer sees
Therewith delighted, purposely delay'th
The grant a while, and then her raising, saith;
Your broth'r I giue you, likely man to stead vs
In feats of armes; and th'-old man too may lead vs,
Sometime by counsell, which way best to take;
Yet both I grant for your owne only sake.

By this the Sun had ran his dayes careere,
And eu'ning signes of rising winde appeere:
That rais'd a sudden storme; when they in fine,
To spoyle our ship, had left their brigandine;
And thus surprised knew not what to doe;
For, want of skill is worse storme of the two.
Though little pinnace, whose each rope they knew,
Well could they rule how ere the Brothers blew;
To guide our ship, yet all with trembling hearts,
Are faine to play these vnacquainted parts.
Some to the poup, and some run to the prow;
And steere they know not what, they know not how:
Some awkly draw the cords, and some them loose;
And some vntie, where they should make a noose;
Some beat their brests, and teare their hairie scalps,
To see the sea like Pireneis and Alps.
The wallowing hils now vp to Heau'n vs mount,
Now cast vs headlong to the waters fount.
And on the sides of that our floting grot,
Thump, thump, as loud as charge of Engine-shot.
The Pyrats barke, with salt sea-water drunke,
Her cable frat, and thrice turn'd round and sunke.
And we no more, than headlesse Common-weale,
Where all men may with all things entermefle,
And no man will obey, but all command,
In time of greatest danger, like to stand.
Yet shift the Pyrats made as long as light
From Heau'n appear'd, though like to drowne at night:
At night as darke as pitch, saue enterflashes
Of lightning mixt with fearfull thunder-crashes.

Thus then, and next day troubled were the seas,
And they therewith: which gaue me time and ease,
To thinke on our affaires: But aft'r a while,
The tempest o're, we safe embock the Nile.
The rest are glad, but we lament the more;
That rather wisht be drown'd, than come at shore,
In danger still of Pyrats proud command,
Who shew'd his foule intent new come to land.
For making shew with sacrifice to please,
And for their safetie thanke the God of Seas;
To countrey sends he men with store of coyne
For much prouision; lands the Tyrian wine;
With goodly Tissue Carpets spreds the tables,
Some on the ground, and some on roules of cables.
And sets on siluer-bowles, and cups of gold:
All for his marriage-feast, as he me told.
When (Sir) quoth I, may't please you celebrate
The same with all such complements and state,
As place and time affords; your ship may be
Bride-chamber then, and none there come but she
The Bride her selfe, to dresse and make her fit;
And for the time all others thence acquit,
When I haue there beene first, and taken care
She nothing want that might her well prepare.
He likt th'aduice, and gaue-out straight command
It should be so: Theagenes by th'hand
I take, and both vnto Chariclia goe,
And finde her almost ouercome with woe.
Then children, said I, this is not the way
T'aucid our present danger; what I say
Marke well and follow. So I both aduise,
And ending went to play another prize
With him that was the second of the Crew,
Pelorus call'd; and said (my sonne) for you
Good newes I haue, my daughter loues you well;
If how t'auoid Trachinus you can tell,
And like of her, shee'll be your wedded wife:
Than marrie him sh'had rather lose her life:
But time is short: the cheere he doth pretend
For sacrifice, is for that other end.

Well, feare you not, quoth he; I was of minde
T'haue mou'd the same; and could no season finde.
But, now I know we thus agree in heart,
Trachinus neuer shall her from me part.
I haue a reason will our fellowes charme;
A sword as good as his, as strong an arme.
Thus hauing done, in haste, t'auoid suspect,
I turne to them, and further them direct.
Soone after sit we downe, and when I saw
The Pyrats well in wine, Pelore I claw
By sleeue, of purpose sitting next his side,
And aske him, haue you seene the gallant Bride?
He told me no. Then closely make a flip
(For 'tis forbid, quoth I) into the ship:
There shall you see (yet haste, and doe but see;
Lest otherwise take hurt both you and shee)
My daughter so attir'd in gold and pearle,
As might become the Bride of Prince or Earle.
He goes and sees her clad in Delphick pall;
(For that for triumph, or for funerall,
Was then put on) returning more on fire,
Now both with emulation and desire.
And set at boord, quoth he, why haue not I
That me belongs by Law of Pyracie,
For entring first this hulke? then said Trachine,
The parts yet are not made, nor yours, nor mine,
Nor anies here; nor yet vs told haue you,
What thing you claime: quoth he, then will I now.
The captiue Maid I claime. Trachine repli'de,
I her except, take what you will beside.
Then breake y'our Law, quoth he; quoth th'other, no,
But on the ground of other Law I go,
Which giues the Captaine choyce; and for I meane
My wife to make her: this cuts you off cleane;
And rest content, or this (and vp he rose
With massie pot in hand) shall crosse your nose.
Thus I (my fellowes, quoth Pelorus than)
Thus shall you be rewarded euerie man.

And after this (beleeue me Nausicles)
These men were like the sudden tossed seas:
So all on tumult run they foolish blinde,
When wine and anger stirr'd-vp had their minde.
And some with th'one, as equall share to make;
And some, for gouernment, with th'other take.
But as Trachinus at Pelorus flung,
Pelorus him at heart with dagger stung.
Though he were dead, in his or th'others right
Partaking still, the rest continue fight;
Are strooke, and strike like mad and drunken fooles,
With stones, with clubs, with tables, pots and stooles,
I closely stole away, and on a hill,
My selfe in safetie, looke on others ill.
Theagenes and his Chariclia
Fought also both, as I them told the way.
With sword in hand at first he tooke a part,
But holpe the weaker still, that equall Mart
Might all consume: and she made many grone
With arrowes shot from ship at all but one.
And now was left but he and that Pelore
At single combat: she had spent her store;
Or if a shaft remain'd, what might it boot?
For feare of hitting wrong she durst not shoot;
So neere their bodies were, and mouing still
At combat close: Theagenes she will,
But cannot helpe with hand; yet at her charme
Of Courage man, he smote-off Pelors arme.
The bloud so sprang-out after grisly stripe,
As water from a broken Condit-pipe.
This made him put the sturdie theefe to flight,
And chase him far: what more was done that night,
But that Theagenes return'd againe,
Of me vnseene, and lay among the slaine,
I cannot tell; For I continu'd still,
And durst not stir in darke from off that hill;
Chariclia knowes: for on the morne him by
I saw her sit, and him as like to dye.
A troope of theeues them carri'd both away,
With goods from out the ship. I thought to stay
For fitter time to helpe them, hauing scope,
(Whereof, as then, I cleane was out of hope)
And now with your good helpe, good Nausicles,
(The Gods reward you) freed is one of these.
So said, and wept; but Nausicles repli'de,
And said, they shall not th'other from you hide:
To morrow will we know of Mitranes,
If he be sent yet vnt' Orondates,
As was design'd. Done is this offring-feast,
And Nausicles his daughter with the rest
From out the Temple going are away;
But Calasiris mist Chariclia;
And sought with Cnemon, and at length her found,
Where shet' Apollo kneeled on the ground,
His Image feet embracing, fast asleepe;
And when they wak'd her she began to weepe:
And said she drempt that her Theagenes
Had far to goe, and more by land than seas.
They comfort her, and tell her their intent;
And all with Nausicles to lodging went.