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AUTHOR: 
 
 HELIODORUS, OF EME 
 
 TITLE: 
 
 AETHOPIAN 
 ADVENTURES, OR, THE 
 
 PLACE: 
 
 DA TE : 
 
 1753 
 
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 • Aethiopica hlstbria. 
 English . 
 
 Heliodorus/of- ^wes a'^ 
 
 Aethiopian adventures: or, The history of Theagenes and 
 Chariclea. Written originally in Greek, by Heliodorub. In 
 ten books. The first five tr. by a person of quality, the last 
 five by N. Tate. To wliich are prefixed, the testimonies of 
 writers, both ancient and modern, concerning this work. [Lon- 
 don ? ] lleprinted, 1753. 
 
 vlll, 800 {i.e. 307) p. ISi". 
 
 The t-p. only Is newly set up In this edition; the book proper Is evi- 
 dently of the same Issue as the Dublin edition, printed for 11. Main in 
 the same year. 
 
 I. A person of quality, pseud. u^Tate, Nahum. 1052-1715. tr. 
 III. Title. 7—3346 
 
 
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.1^ 
 
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 'z' 
 
 
 
 ^AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ADVENTURES: 
 
 OR, THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F 
 
 THEAGENES 
 
 AND 
 
 CHARICLEA. 
 
 I I Written originally in Greek, 
 
 B Y 
 
 HELIODORUS. 
 
 In TEN BOOKS, 
 
 The Firft Five tranflated by a Per/on 0/ ^aiity. 
 The Lad Five by N. Tate. 
 
 To wliicli arc prefixed, 
 
 7^< TESTIMONIES of W KITE Vii, both Ancitni ai2d 
 Modern, concerning this Wo kk. 
 
 \ 
 
 Reprinted in the Year MDCCLIII, 
 
TO HIS GRACE 
 
 THE 
 
 DUKE OF BEAUFORD, &c, 
 
 "if ^ 
 
 F 
 
 
 
 ^-ra. 
 
 My Lordy 
 
 AS I have long had an ambition of prefentingfome 
 efTay to your Grace's patronage, I was likewife 
 fcnfible that no performance (which was entirely my 
 own) could, without prefumption, afpire to that ho- 
 nour : but this addrefs comes arm'd with a double a- 
 pology; not only the fix'd reputation of the work in 
 the original, but on account of the tranflation itfelf, 
 being halfperform'd by a perfon of quality and judg- 
 ment. By whofe untimely death we were deny'd the 
 happinefs of his farther progrefe, and I was prevaU'd 
 with to think that the world would rather difpenfe with 
 my coarfe finiftiing of the piece, than lofe the part 
 which he had fo well begun. Bcfide the teftimonies of 
 the learned for my author, it is yet to be added, that he 
 was not only the firft who attempted this way of writ- 
 ing, but the beft. The Caflandra and Cleopatra of the 
 French were fcions from this ftock, nor fhall we envy 
 them the reputation which thofe authors feem'd chiefly 
 to defign, the diverGon of the ladies. Heliodorus has 
 as well contrived for their favoijr, yet fo as to make the 
 amour fubordinatetoinftruaion, and every where an 
 occafionofdifpenfingthatlearningandexperience,with 
 
 A 2 
 
 1 
 
The Epljlte 
 1^'liicb he was fo wonderfully fumifhed. The phllofbphy 
 and politicks deJiverM in the romance of Barclay have 
 render'd it worthy the pcrufal of the greateft ftatef- 
 men ; yet, on the firft view, we fliall find the Argenis to 
 be but a copy of Chariclea. But after all his maxima 
 of conduft, and examples of virtue, methinks I fee the 
 author's genius tremble to come under your Grace's 
 infpe(5lion, who have in pradtice fo far exccll'd the mod 
 perfea images that he could feign. Of^hat importance 
 your unfhaken loyalty, induftry, and prudent manage- 
 ment, has always been towards the happinefs of this 
 nation, is bcfl: known to perfons of your own high 
 fphere, where your Grace is placed a ftar of tbe firft 
 magnitude. But your more immediate influence for the 
 publick fafety, in the late feafon of our extremity, was 
 fo manifeft, that thoufands were fpedators of its ope- 
 ration. The proud invader himfelf acknowledg'd his 
 meafures to be broken in their foundation, by your pre- 
 Icncein Briftol, the main fortrcfs of his hopes; from 
 which he was obftru<flcd by your Grace's matchlefs in- 
 tercft and condu<5t. For a parallel to this fervice, we 
 muft run up to your own great anceftor, whofe name 
 fhall befacredto poftcrity as long as * Ragland caftle 
 fhall have one (lone left upon another. 
 
 I have too juft a fenfe of your Grace's character to 
 attempt your panegyrick ; yet, in gratitude, I am o- 
 bliged to fay, that while your Grace is bled with quali- 
 
 ^ • Marqucfs of Worcerter's feat, laft girrifon held out for 
 King Charlci I. 
 
 % 
 
 DE D ICATORY. 
 
 fications to adorn the nobleft court, it is your peculfar 
 glory to have magnificence and condelcenfion to charm 
 all mankind. That clemency 1 muft make my fandluary 
 for this addrefs, and leave your Encomium to (bme 
 more able genius, while the height of my ambition is 
 to fubfcribe my felf 
 
 Xour Gracis 
 ^ Moft Devoted 
 
 Humble Servant, 
 
 N. TATE. 
 
Testimonies of Eminent Perfons, An- 
 cient and Modern, concerning the fol- 
 lowing Work. 
 
 Heylin, lib. 3. p. 200. 
 
 HEliodorus the author of that ingenious piece, cal- 
 led The TEthiopick Hiftory, which he Co pri zed , 
 that he chofe rather to lofe his bifhoprick, than confent 
 to the burning of his book, which a provincial fynod 
 had adjudged to the fire. A piece indeed of rare con- 
 texture and neat contrivance, without any touch of 
 loofe or lafcivious language, honed and chafte affedtion 
 being the fubjed: of it, not fuch as old or modern poets 
 (hew us in the comedies or other poems: for here we 
 have no inceftuous mixtures of fathers and daughters : 
 nopandorifm of old nurfes: no unfeemly adion fpe- 
 cified, where heat of blood and opportunity do meet : 
 nor indeed any one paflage unworthy of the chafteft ear. 
 
 Philip Melandlthon. 
 
 THE ftile is florid without afFedtation; the vari- 
 ety of councils, accidents and events contained 
 therein is wonderful; exhibiting mod images of hu- 
 man life, fo that it may be read by all with equal profit 
 and pleafure. 
 
 Stanizlaus. Equ. Polon. 
 
 THE reafon why learned men have thought The 
 ^Ethiopian Hidory of Heliodorus, worthy the 
 perufal of poderity, is very evident, thedefjgn being 
 equally accommodated to the indru(5lionand diverfion 
 of the reader. In which, befides the elegance of dile, 
 not only changes of fortune, but examples of virtue 
 are fet forth. 
 
 ( vii ) 
 
 Vincentlus Obfopoeus. 
 
 I Recommend The ^Ethiopian Hidory of Hcliodorus, 
 as the mod abfolute image of all human affedions ; 
 a perfect example of conjugal love, truth and condancy 
 being wonderfully drawn in the charaflers of Theage- 
 nes and Ghariclca. 1 pafs over the beauty, contrivance, 
 and artifice in the expreflion . Of all Greek authors that 
 ever came into my hands, I mud affirm him to be the 
 mod pleafant, and will venture to fay, the mod learn- 
 ed. For the truth of his tale I leave it to himfelf,but 
 for the probability, it may compare witl^ any Hidory. 
 For the argument which is various, I can aver it to be 
 compleat, forafmuch as it is ; befides the continued 
 pleafantnefs of the tale, full of admirable turns and fur* 
 prifes ; he has mod skilfully given the cofmography of 
 many places ; laid open the fecret caufes of nature in 
 many indances ; learnedly defcribed the rites and cuf- 
 toms of many nations ; the nature of divers mountains, 
 rivers, dones, herbs, and regions of iEgypt and Ethi- 
 opia efpecially, countries the lead known ; mingling 
 all with fuch beautiful digrelfions , that in the whole 
 work he hath left nothing imperfect or what might give 
 offence to the mod critical reader. 
 
 Cornelius Sutorius. 
 
 THis work is fo furnifti'd with wifdom in councils 
 and government of human afre<5tions, fuch dif* 
 cipline and knowledge in all circumdances of war ; 
 fuch incondancies of fortune and variety of human af- 
 fections, that it feems wholly derived from the pured 
 fountains of eloquence. 
 
( viii ) 
 
 Tliomas Dempflerus. 
 
 HEliodorus the Phoenician, the mod eloquent and 
 chaftc writer of loves; mod delightful andar- 
 tiEcial in the management of his (lory. 
 
 Hieronymus Commelinus. 
 
 HEliodorus the moft elegant author, in whofe vo- 
 lume are many fentences, grave, folid,ethick, po- 
 litical, oeconomick. How many things therein fubfer- 
 vient to antiquity are no where clCe delivered. This is 
 attefted by divers amongft the ancients, viz. in theMe- 
 lilTa of Antony, and the centuries of Maximus : to in- 
 ftance in modem authors would be endlefs. I will men- 
 tion Barnabas Briflbnius indead ofall : whofoever reads 
 his treatife concerning the Perfian principality, will 
 cafily find how much he was obliged to this author. 
 
 THE 
 
 <} 
 
 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 THE FIRST BOOK, 
 
 THE break of day h^d now difperfed the dark- 
 "ners,"and the fun with earliefl beams, girded 
 theTummlts of the mountains; when a troop 
 of men that had no living but by robberies, and rapine, 
 appeared upon the Promontory that elevates it felf o- 
 ver one of the mouths of Nilus, named the Heraclio- 
 tick : being afTembled, they made a (land to take view 
 of the fea, that lay like a vad valley underneath them ; 
 but when they faw nothing that prefented hope of prey 
 (all the (hips they difcovered, failing off to the Main) 
 they cad their eyes towards the neighbour (hoar, and 
 encountred this object. 
 
 A (hip at anchor, no men in her, yet heavy laden, 
 as might eafily be judged afar off, for die was of that 
 burthen, as (he drew water to the third deck. The 
 (hoar was covered with a maffacre of men, fome dead, 
 others were but half dead, and the parts of their bodies 
 that yet panted, gave affurance to the beholders, it 
 was no long time (ince the fight was ended ; nor were 
 thefe the marks of a jud quarrel, they were the fad re- 
 * B 
 
c 
 
 2 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 licks of an unfortunate feaft. There were tables that 
 flood yet full furnifhed, and fome that were overturned 
 betwixt the arms of thofe that fat at them; others lay 
 like tomb-ftones over the dead that bad (as it is pro* 
 bable) bid themfelvcs under them: many bowls and 
 pots were cad down, and many yet held in their hands 
 that had taken them either to drink, or to caft at their 
 enemies heads; for the fuddennefs of the mutiny, and 
 the neceflity, had taught them a new way, and (inftead 
 of darts and other offenfive weapons) armed them 
 with the cups they drank in. They lay, one cloven 
 with an axe, another his brains beat out with fhells that 
 lay ready on the fands, fome bruifed to pieces with 
 leavers, many burnt with coals of fire, and divers o- 
 thcrs, diverfly raurthered ; but the moft were fhot to 
 death with arrows. In fome, fortune in a little time 
 had produced ftrange variations, contaminating the 
 wine with blood, changing the chearfulnefs of a feaft 
 into the horrors of a battle, promifcuoufly mixing 
 their meat with wounds, and drinking healths with 
 death ; preparing fach a ftage for the Aegypiian thieves 
 to be fpedtators ; but from thofe heights they could 
 not underftand the ^y ; lor they plainly faw a defeat, 
 ^f no mafters oriRe field; an abfolute vidtory, but 
 no fpoils taken ; a (hip unmann'd, but elfe untouched ; 
 hulling in that dangerous road, as if in full peace, 
 and in the raidil of the greateft fecurity in the world. 
 
 But though ignorant of the caufe, they were greedy 
 of the prey; and refolved to make themfelves the 
 conquerors: fo they marched forward to the pillage; 
 and when they were not far from the fliip, and near 
 to the dead bodies, there was prefented to their fenfe, 
 a fight of greater aftonifhment than the former. 
 
 1'^'^ 
 
 y 
 
 HISTORY* 3 
 
 ^iwasjryoung lady, fitting upon a rock, of fo rare 
 and^rfe£t a beauTg'^TlDne- wbuTd'liave taken ber for 
 ajoddefs7a1ndlhouglK^^^^^^^ 
 'with ejarealneftgriefj'^et in the"greatnefsoTher auc- 
 tion, they might eafily perceive tlie grwffi^s pi; he^^ 
 cpur^g^i - A kurcl^crown'd her head^ and a qyiver i;i 
 a fcarf han^^}hex.^ick;liie reflTed her left arm upon (T ^^y 
 TiVr bow7andleTher hand carclefly hang down upon , 
 her right thigh ; (he leaned on her other arm, laying - 
 her cheek upon her hand, and fixing her eyes upon a v 
 young gentleman that lay not far diftantfrom her; he 
 was covered in his wounds, and now began to raife 
 himfelf a little, as if awaking out of a deep fleej), almoft 
 of deathjtfelf; 5^J^ch TTOcTo^^^^^ his 
 
 facerand^tbe blood th^atxamedHownio^.fe^^ the 
 whitenefs of his skin, as made him (hew moft loy^ly; 
 the pain he felt, feemedto^eighdown his eye-lids, 
 and the beauty of the lady, to attraft and open them. 
 
 He had no fooner recoUeaed his fpirits, and fcarce 
 breath'd, but with a langui(hing voice he pronounced 
 
 thefe words. 
 
 ' Sweeteft, is it true that I yet behold you living, 
 
 < or (perifliing in the execution) have you encreafed ^. 
 
 < the number of the dead ? can you not, not even in ' ^ 
 
 < death be ravi(hed from me, but will your (hadow be >^v 
 * yet a looker on, and (barer in my fortunes?' 
 
 It is from you reply'd the maid that I expedt my 
 fortune, life or death ; this you here fee ((hewing him 
 a fleeletto in her lap) hath yet not done its office, hin- 
 dered by the happy figns of your recovery. 
 
 This faid, (he leaped from the rock, and the thieves 
 upon the mountains furprized with fear and aftonifh- 
 ment ran to hide themfelves behind the bu(hes : for (he 
 
 B 2 
 
 >^ 
 
 X. 
 

 4 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 appeared more divine when (he was upon her feet; 
 her arrows in her quiver clalhing as (he ftepped, hffL 
 robe (that was cloth ofgold) glittering in the fuiv, and 
 hSFTiaTr tbat-ilQwed u«der her coronet (like the prieft- 
 cJTes of Bacchus) reachingAlmoft to the g.round. One 
 faid (he was agoddefs, and fure the goddefs Diana, 
 orlfisthejatrpnejs of their country ; others conceived 
 heTtoEeavoTareis to fome god, that infpired with di- 
 vine fury had made fo great a (laughter. 
 
 This while the maid running to the gentleman, 
 caft herfelf upon his body, wept, kift him, wiped his 
 wounds, and imbraced him fo clofely as if (he could 
 hardly be a(rured (he had him in her arms. 
 
 The Aegypiians obferving this, prefently altered 
 their opinions j what, faid they, are thefe the anions 
 of a goddefs? do goddelTes kifs dead men? and with 
 fo much commiferation ! fo encouraging one another, 
 they marched on, and found the lady dre(ring the 
 young man's wounds, and coming clofe behind her, 
 did not dare to attempt any thing, not fo much as to 
 fpeak to her; but the noife they had made, and their 
 fhadows caft before her eyes, moved her to turn her 
 head ; and when (lie had fcen them, (he again declined 
 her faceT^nd applied her felf to bind up her friends 
 wounds, not fo much as the leaft daunted with the 
 unufual afpea, and colour of thefe armed Aegyptians : 
 fc powerful is.fincere afFe^lon, as it de(pifes all other 
 pleafing or difpleafing things, and tranfports our 
 whole care and.thoughts to the obje<5l we love deareft : 
 but when the thieves pa(red on, and (lood in front be- 
 fore her, and feemed as if they would attempt fome- 
 thing, (he lifted up her eyes again, and feeing them fo 
 black and ugly, 
 
 U 
 
 " 
 
 HISTORY. 5 
 
 * If you be' ((he faid) ' thefe dead mens fpirits, you 
 do us wrong to trouble us,fmce mod: ofyou with your 
 'S^^JlThaiSS^tfew' o^^^^^^ ; if any ofyou fell by 
 
 ours, it was but in our juft revenge, tore£ell the vi- ,; ^ 
 olencc you oflfered tom^aftity ; butlFyeBeTivTng 
 7nen7r(ho"inTtalcc'you to be thieves ; if fo, you come 
 moft opportunely ; free us,Ibefeech you, from thefe .^^ 
 evils that^o^prefs us, kill us^ncf put ^an etid to all i xj 
 iufmifeii:Lthd[e^^ ^?l^% JP^?^ S!!!l55 
 fad an accent. 
 
 ^TiTtKy (neither underftanding her words nor 
 meaning) left her with the wounded gentleman, not 
 putting any furer guard upon them than their own 
 weaknefs ; and hafting to the (liip, they unladed her, 
 every man carrying out as much gold, filver, precious 
 ftones and filks, as they were able to bear, negleding 
 other commodities (tho' rich and various) and when 
 they had every one as much as fatisfied tlieir avarice, 
 they lay'd it down upon the (hoar, making it up into 
 packs, and dividing it, not by reafon, or after the juft 
 value of the things, but equalling them by weight, re- 
 ferving for the laft, to refolve what to do with the 
 young gentleman and the lady. 
 
 Mean while there appears upon the mountains a 
 fecond company, two riding before them as their 
 captains ; thefe were no fooner perceived by the for- 
 mer, but without preparing for the fight, or daring 
 to take with them any part of the fpoil, left it might 
 give occafion to the enemy to purfue ; the fear that 
 ilrook their hearts, made them take their heels with 
 the greateft agility that was po(rible, for they were but 
 ten, and thofe they faw coming were twice that num- ^ 
 ber. Thus the lady was twice taken, and yet not pri- 
 
 B 3 
 
 -^ 
 

 \V>- 
 
 6' 
 
 V 
 
 
 A' 
 
 ^y 
 
 k' 
 
 6 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 foner. "Now thefe others, though they had an.fij?tream 
 longing to be atThe^ithgeVanH haci^already devoured 
 T^lrHheir fiopes^"yeTthe apprehenfion, that troubled 
 their fpirits, not knowing the caufe of thefe events, 
 retained them for a while ; foijjisyjig^ined^ Jthfi-.fi r ft 
 thieves had ma<ie that horrible^ QauglUer ; and obferv- 
 ing the lady in all the dangers that threatned her, to 
 be no more afraid than if there had been no fuch thing, 
 careful only of the young man's wounds, that feemed 
 to pain her more, than if they had been her own; 
 they remained mightily amazed, as well at the gene- 
 rofity of her courage, and rarenefs of her beauty, as 
 at the delicate ftiape and exadlftature of the wounded 
 young man ; who began to refume his natural colour : 
 after they had long confidered, their captain ftept forth, 
 and took her by the hand, commanding her to rife 
 and go with him; but fhe that underftood not his lan- 
 guage, and yet doubted what he meant, drew the 
 young gentleman along (nor would he part with her) 
 and fetting her (leeletto to her breaft, threatned to kill 
 her felf, if they might not go together: the captain un- 
 derflanding her more by adtion and figns, than by her 
 words, and hoping if the young gentleman recovered, 
 he would fervehimjiijleiigrM-x>f higher jaatare; made 
 his page alight, and he alfo difmounting, caufed the 
 two captives to be mounted on his horfes, and him- 
 felf fetting forward on foot, whilft his men trulTed up 
 the pillage, went with the prifoners to help them, if 
 happily their weaknefs fliould not fufFer them to help 
 themfelves, nor did their captivity want a glory, to 
 fee the conqueror humbled to the conquered, and 
 to be waited on by him that had them in his power: 
 fo great is the appearance of nobility, and magick of 
 
 ^) 
 
 X 
 
 ■•J^- 
 
 \ 
 
 HISTORY. f 
 
 a beauty, as to fubdue the inhumane nature otlkiexes, 
 and to"*mo111fie theirelrtToTiEelrQ^liarbafous. When 
 tReyliirnow palled '§tong the feaflidaf, about half 
 a quarter of a mile, leaving the left hand- way, they 
 turned up-hiil, and climbing over, doubled thcirpaces, 
 to arrive by daylight, ^tdia^ewijhiold^^ 
 
 jnoun^ip. 
 
 This part ofthe country is by the Aegyptians mm' 
 
 that receives the inundations and disburden in^s of ^^^^ -^^^ 
 
 NilGj7irowm£inH^^^^^ \C^' tj 
 
 the jFnidft7but near'tlie fides it is but fiiallow aril ma- -^> -^ ' 
 rifh: here the Aegyptian thieve* live together with a 
 kind of policy, and obferving a certain form of a re- 
 publick; fome dwell in cabbins or huts, builded upon 
 little fpots of earth, that rife above the water in divers 
 places ofthe lake; others live in boats, that they ufe 
 both for ferrying over, and habitations for themfelves 
 and wives, who are there brought a-bed ; their infants 
 firft fuck the mothers-milk, and within a while are 
 weaned, and ufe to eat fifli, got in the lake, and broyl- 
 ed in the fun ; when a little one defires to go, his mo- 
 ther tycs 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 nurfe and country, and hold it as a ftrong 
 proteaion to their robberies, and to that end fuch 
 kind of people flock hither from all parts; for the 
 water ferves them for a wall, and the great quantity 
 of reed and cane that grows about the borders, (lands 
 before them as their bulwark, and therein they have 
 cut out fo many ways, intermazed one within another 
 
 B 4 
 

 9 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 (which their praftice makes eafie to them) and cuts ofF 
 all hope of incurfion from the enemy. 
 
 The fun now declining to the Weft, the captain and 
 the reft of his company arrived at this lake, and dif- 
 mounting the two prifoners, carried the prey a- 
 board their little boats; prefently all their fellows that 
 had ftayed at home, fome from one fide of the fenns, 
 and fome 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, 
 tiiey conceived their companions had robbed fome 
 tempieVand.-tSeh;;;3^^.^tRe pn^^ 
 Mnagojaf-fome goddefs ; fo with a thoufand glorious 
 praifes, elevating their captain*s valour to the heavens, 
 they all condufted him to his place of refidence, which 
 was a little ifland cut off from theirs, and referved on^ 
 lyfor him, and fome few appointed to be always near 
 his perfon : being landed here, he commanded the 
 multitude ftiould retire home, and not fail to attend 
 him the next morning: himfelfv/ith fome few of his 
 friends made a (hort fupper, then committed the two 
 prifoners to the cuftody of a young Grecian (taken 
 by the fame thieves not long before) to the end he 
 might ferve for their interpreter; and giving him or- 
 der they ftiould be lodged in a tentjoynedtohis own, 
 charged him to drefs the gentleman's wounds, and fee 
 that none ftiould do injury to the lady, whilft he weari- 
 ed with the labour of his journey, and the care of pre- 
 fentbufinefs went to reft. 
 
 But when filence reigned in all the ifland, about the 
 firft watch of the night, the maid being alone, ufed her 
 fojitudc; and abfence of her keeper, as an occafion 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 
 ) 
 
 t 
 
 
 
 HISTORY. 9 
 
 given her to eafe her fpirits with complaining, th^qiilm 
 oflhenight exciting heijadthau^ht^^ being able 
 
 to_fee^othin£ that mi^ght-diiier-Uier^mind j when^ ft^ 
 h^^^eeglyjG^hed to her felf (for ftie was feparated by 
 commancl of tfie'eaptaiBrTheagenes lying with Kne- 
 mon, and ftie refting on a poor low pallet) weeping as 
 if her heart would break. 
 
 * Oh_ Apollo (ftie faid) how much greater is our 
 ^ pu n iftimeint tFTalT o^u rofl^eficri^cahnot all our paffmi- 
 
 * fcri£S extinguuR thy revenge ? we are deprived of the 
 
 * fweet prefence of our friends and parents, we have 
 
 * been taken by pyrates, we have been tofted atfea by 
 
 * tempefts, and a thoufand times in danger of our lives, 
 
 * we are now at land a prey to thieves : alas are we 
 
 * yet referved to be more tormented ? where at laft wilt 
 
 * thou end the progrefs of our miferies ? to dye with 
 ^ a noble fame, were a fweet death ; but if an^jnllain 
 
 * ftiall ofter to force me, which my Theagenes never U'-^.-^mA 
 
 * yet attem pted, with my own hands I will prev^^^ 't^-Af J. 
 
 * hfrn, Wfe keeping. my ^- ^r^^^' 
 
 * virtue toTdorR, my epitaph, whilft thou Apollo ftialt ^ ' 
 
 -/ 
 
 
 ''^An 
 
 * be cailedi¥e mofl cruel Judge.' 
 
 She would have proceeded, but Theagenes thus in- 
 terrupted her ; Ceafe my deareft, my foul Cariclea : 'tis 
 true you have reafon to complain, but you pro.voke 
 the god more than you do believe ; we ought not to 
 contradia the will of heaven ; t^jLprayersji flt in j iiri f s , 
 tfiat which is greater than ourfelves^ muft be appeafcd. 
 
 fvou ?' better he faid/ince evening ; I thank this gentle- 
 inan, he hatH^pplyed that to my wounds, which hath 
 muchaflwaged their inflammation. You ftiall find your 
 fclf more eafie to-morrow morning(added their keeper) 
 
 •i 
 
 >f 
 
 .. .1 
 
 X 
 
lO 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 for I will gather you fuch an herb, as fliall heal yonr 
 wounds at the third drefling; I have tryed the proper- 
 ties of it by many experiments, fince my felf was taken 
 prifoner here; for none of my captain's men have ever 
 come home wounded, but in a little time I have effeded 
 their cure by the fame means; and do not you wonder I 
 take fuch particular care of you, for your fortune rc- 
 prefents my own ; Imuftneeds pity a Grecian's mifery, 
 that am my felf a Grecian. A Grecian, (Oh immortal 
 gods ! cryed the two prifoners for joy) I am both by 
 language and birth. This yet (faid Thcagencs) gives 
 us fome breathing fpacefrom ouraffli<flions; but how 
 may we call you ? My name is Knemon. Of what part 
 of Greece? Of Athens. Do us the favour I befeech 
 you, to let us know your fortune: forbear (faid Kne- 
 mon) do not make my woes to bleed afrefti, nor let 
 not me with abundance of my evils increafe yours ; 
 neither would the whole night fuffice for thenarration ;' 
 and you after your many labours had need of reft and 
 fleep : but they infifting, and telling him that it would 
 not be a little comfort to them, to hear of chances like 
 v^ their own : Knemon begins thus ; 
 
 My father's name was Ariftippas, a native of the 
 city of A thens, a fenator of the higher cou rt, and of no 
 mean fortune: it happened that my poor mother hav- 
 ing paid the tribute that all human creatures owe to 
 
 X^ d^r "^*'-"^^' ^y ^^^^^^ refolved upon a fecond marriage, 
 W "becaufehe had as yet but one fon, and did not think 
 f him worthy of all his care ; he therefore matched with 
 
 a woman, named Demoeneta, fhe was fair enough, 
 but had afoul the moft black and foul: (he had no 
 fooncr entered our houfe, but fhe made herfelf the ab- 
 folutc miftrefs of it, and reduced all things to her power 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 6 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 II 
 
 and pleafure; charming the good man my father with 
 her beauty, and officioufly obferving all his humours : 
 for (he (if ever woman) had the art to move the vio- 
 lence of aiFedlion, and to make him paflionately in love 
 with her; if affairs preiTed his departure, (he wept; at 
 his return fhe would meet him, accufe the flownefsof 
 his coming, and proteftfhe hadperifhed if he had tar- 
 ryed never fo little longer; at every word embracing 
 him, and moiflening her kiiTes with her tears, info- 
 much that my father was fo taken with her, as wil- 
 lingly he did fee or think of nothing elfe. At firft fhe 
 ufed me as if I had been her own fon, and added this 
 as a greater tye upon his love; fomctimes fhe would^ 
 kifs me, and defired that I might ftay at home to play 
 with her: this pleafed me, and not fufpeding what 
 would follow, I admired that fhe exprefTed fuch a mo- 
 therly afFedtion to me ; bijl .when Jh.e appeareji jR^re 
 petulant, .aad that . her kii]l[^s~gte.w mere intempecate 
 thaaiiCC^meJifitJie^U;;^ ^4' 
 
 modefty J jhen I. feega n toJjaip^d,-asLQii^an4 
 al lur^ nen^ ; I omit the reft, becaufe it would be tedi- 
 ous, to tell with what ways and promifes fhe would 
 entice me, how fhe would call me her fweeteft favourite, 
 her heir, and oftentimes her foul, making a mixture of 
 fair names, or any thing whereby fhe hoped I might be 
 caught. In more ferious and important matters bear- 
 ing herfelf as a mother, but in dalliance fhe wing plainly 
 (he was in love : at length this happened, upon the day I . 
 of^he,gi£^ljyej5wii|;^ d^ '' 
 
 wh^aJLbfi^^Uh^aiaaSi^cajT^ fhi|) jnjm^effionxhxgugh 
 theftte^tS-iabonour of Mtnerva: being thenTn theprime 
 of my youth ; after Ihadftingtneufualhymntothegod- 
 defs, the rites ended, I returned home, yet vefted in 
 
 
 
 
xjl The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 my robe and coronet; fhe had no foonercaft her eyes 
 upon me, but (he loft her reafon, and could no longer 
 difguife her pafTion, nor cover with her art, the vio- 
 lence of her flames, but running to me, embraced me, 
 called me her young Hippolytus, her Thefeus. Judge 
 you in what cafe I was then, that now blufti to fpeak 
 it: that evening my father fupped in the Prytaneum, 
 and as is ufual in thofe publick feafts and meetings, 
 Hayed there all night: now when all ourhoufe were in 
 their firft fleep, ftie came to my bed, and urged me to 
 fatisfie her unlawful defires ; but I refifting both her 
 threats and flatteries, fetching a deepfigh, (he left me, 
 and that night plotted revenge. My father coming 
 home about noon next day, and finding her a-bed, af- 
 kcd her how fhe did ? flie told him (he was not well ; 
 but he prefling her to fpeak particularly the caufe of 
 her fudden ficknefs; 
 
 * This good fon' (ftie faid) * fo full of piety towards 
 
 * me; our common child, whom I have loved (I call 
 ' the gods to witnefs) more than your felf, fufpeding 
 
 * me by fome figns to be with child, which I have 
 
 * concealed from you till I fhould be better aflured of it 
 
 * my felf, took the occafion of your abfence, and when 
 ^ ladvertifed him of his duty, and perfwaded him to 
 ^ temperance, and to abftain from drinking and wan- 
 
 * ton courfes, for-4-ia^w4us.4«£^J^jities.i|i ,that 
 ^ kjndjjhoughj wouid not tdl jou fearing to 
 
 * incur the fufpicion of a ftep-mother: whilft I was 
 
 * thus difco\]rfing with him alone, lefthefliouldbetco 
 
 * much afliamed ; I blufli to tell you the reft, he fpurned 
 
 * me with his foot, and hath made me in this cafe as 
 ^ you now fee. 
 
 My father hearing this, without fpeaking to me, 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 l\ 
 
 ■n,% 
 
 ■i 
 ( 
 
 HISTORY. 13 
 
 or giving tne leifure to defend my felf, not believing 
 (he that had witnefled fo tender an afFe<5tion to me, 
 would now bely me ; having found me in my chamber, 
 he fet upon me, beating me with his own hands, and 
 
 cau (in^ hji.Ifii:vantUo,l^^ 
 
 prefence: I being not able to imaginelor what cau(e 
 
 tGeylEhus^bufed nierbaTwfenlte 
 choler was paft, father (faid I) yet now at leaft (fince 
 before you would notfufFer me) let me know the rea- 
 fon of your difpleafure, and what offence I have com- 
 mitted to deferve this cruel punifhment. Diffembling 
 traytor, he replyed, wouldft thou have me to be the 
 hiftorian of thy villanies ? and turning away from me, 
 haftned to Damoeneta; but (he (for (he had not yet 
 fatisfied her cruelty) lay'd a new train for me. 
 
 She had a mai(i^dlJlJji§b(^hat piayfidjea^^ 
 ^yjJ^SILllpQJXiSeJjputfiVjJ^^ maid ; her (he com- 
 
 mands to love me, and prefentlylKe obeys her, and (he 
 that had oftentimes before rejeded my fuit to her, be- 
 gan now to tempt me with her looks and geftures, 
 in fuch fort that my vanity believed I was grown beau- 
 tiful on the fudden : to^cjgnclude, I admitted her to 
 my bed, which ftieu^ontinug^ tg^yjfit ofienlan^ Wfien 
 I_ warned her flie (hould take heed left her nj^ftrers 
 fhould perceiveHefTLord ((ai3 (He) hbwfimple you are ! 
 if you think it fuch danger for mfe, aflave, and bought 
 with money, to be taken thus ; what puniftiment do 
 you judge my miftrefs deferves, who boaftingher felf 
 nobly born, and having a bed-fellow by the laws of 
 matrimony; laftly, knowing death to be the reward 
 propofed for her (in, yet fears not to commit adultery. 
 Oh ! fay not fo (I reply'd) for I can by no means be- 
 lieve it. Yes if you pleafe(faid Thisbe) I will bring 
 
14 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 you where you may take the adulterer with her : I hav- 
 ing told her fhe fhould with all my heart; I will, fhe 
 anfwered, both for your fake, that have been extreamly 
 injured by her, and for my own, that dayly fufFer un- 
 der her vain jealoufie. Therefore (if you have courage) 
 prepare yourfelf to take him : I having promifed her 
 I would not fail,llie prefently retired herfelf The third 
 night after, fhe came and waked me from my fleep, 
 telling me the adulterer was within, and my father by 
 a fudden neceflity called into the country, which fhe 
 knowing before, had made him this appointment, and 
 that It was now time for my revenge, and wifhed me 
 to take my fword left the villain fhould cfcape me; I 
 did fo, and carrying it naked in my hand, Thisbe 
 going before me with a light, I came to the chamber- 
 door, which I found locked, and faw through the cre- 
 vifes, the glympfe of a lamp that burned within : tranf- 
 ported with impatience, I broke open the door, and 
 runningin, cryed out aloud, Where is this villain, the 
 gallant inamorato ofthisilluftriouslady, that is famed 
 to be fo virtuous? and then approaching with a full 
 )C^ ^^ V intent to nail them both to the bed ; I faw mv father 
 ^ ' - (Oh ^ood gad»-L)^\du^4«wl Jeeprt7ur^H*4us^^ 
 
 rpwjvas^upotrhts knees before me ; ..^n.dph joaifaid 
 he) reftrain ?. little your pafTion; take pity of your fa- 
 tRer"; fpare thefe grey hairs, that have given you your 
 breeding: we have done you wrong, 'tis true, but it 
 is not of that nature, you fhould purfue us to the death ; 
 fufFer not your fury to tranfport you, nor ftain your 
 hands in your father's blood : in thefe, and other la- 
 mentable words, he pleaded ; whilft I (as if ftrook with 
 a clap of thunder) ftood filenced, and aftonifhed ; look- 
 ing round about the bed and chamber, not knowing 
 
 
 
 ■Ha 
 
 
 
 
 V 
 
 < 
 
 ( 
 
 'h 
 
 .r-. 
 
 « in 
 
 HISTORY. 15 
 
 either what to fay or do, wondring what became of 
 Thisbe, that I know not how had flided away from 
 me. In this amaze my fword fell out of my hand, and 
 Damoeneta ran prefently and catched it up: my fa- 
 ther now feeing he had efcaped the danger he appre- 
 hended, laid hands upon me, and commanded I fhould 
 be bound. Damoeneta perlifting to exafperate him a- 
 gainft me; Did not I tell you this? that you fhould 
 take heed of this youth, that when occafion was offer- 
 ed he would have fome defign; I knew it by his face, 
 I faw into his heart: Indeed you told me fo (he faid) 
 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 fpeak : next day in the morning, he 
 produced me to the people in my bonds, and calling 
 duft upon his head, 
 
 * It was not to this hope, Athenians, that I bred this 
 ' child (faid he) but promifing to myfelf he would one 
 ^ day, be a fupport and ftay to my feeble age ; willing 
 ' out of fuch fortunes as the gods beftowed upon me, 
 
 * to render him accomplifht in all forts of virtues Ipro- 
 
 * vided ablemafters to inftru6t him in the liberal arts; 
 
 * and when he had tafted the elements of letters, cauf- 
 
 * ed his name to be inrolled in the regifter of my fa- 
 
 * mily, made him a free-man of your town, that liv- 
 
 * ing under your laws, he might enjoy your priviled- 
 ^ ges ; and fo much I have loved him, that I have made 
 
 * my whole life a trouble for his fake; but he forgetful 
 ^ of all thefe benefits, firft did me injury in his cruel 
 
 * ufage of this my lawful wife; and laftly entred my 
 
 * chamber in the night, armed with his fword, and 
 
 * was only fo far from being a parricide, as fortune 
 
 * ftood between us, a fudden terror making his fword 
 
i6 The AETKtlOPIAN 
 
 < fall out of his hand. I now fly to your judlce, 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 ; efteeming it better that he ihould 
 
 < receive his punifhment from you, than an unfortu- 
 ^ nate father fpot his hands in the blood of his own 
 
 * fon.' 
 
 Speaking thefe words, he wept; and Damoeneta 
 fecmed to take on extreamly, calling me miferable, 
 that {hould die thus ; juftly indeed, but yet before my 
 time, and that furefome devil had polTeft me, and put 
 it into my mind, to attempt my father's life ; her tears 
 bearing falfe witnefs of her forrow, and confirming my 
 accufation as truth: and when I befeeched they would 
 permit me to fpeak, a notary ftepping in, put this drift 
 queftion to me ; Whether I had not entered my father's 
 chamber in the night, with my fword naked? I did 
 enter (I reply'd ;) but hear me, and I will tell you how ; 
 prefently the people clamoured out, and faid, I ought 
 not to be fuffered to fpeak more ; fome cryed ftone 
 him; others bid the hangman fhould take me, and 
 throw me down headlong from the precipice : during 
 this time of their diftradtions in opinion^ I^crjrd, oh 
 ftep-jmother ! ajas I dy.e. for my (L^-moth^ 
 mother condemns me wuhouta.heainng.] thefe words 
 touched the hearts of many, and made them fufpeft 
 the truth ; but yet I could not be heard ; for the people 
 were in that tumult and trouble, as it was not poflible 
 to appeafe them: when they came to numbringof the 
 votes, they found about one thoufand feven hundred 
 that condemned me to death, one half whereof ad- 
 judged me to be (loned, and the other, to be caft head- 
 long from the rock ; there remained yet about another 
 
 HISTORY. I; 
 
 thoufand, that flacking fomething of their feverity, 
 out of tlie fufpicion they had conceived of my mother- 
 in-law, condemned me to perpetual banifhment; and 
 it was concluded according to their fentence ; for not- 
 withftanding they were the minor part, both the others 
 being joined, yet take die firft feverally, and a thou- 
 fand made the greateft number: Thus was I exiled 
 from my country, and my father's houfe. 
 
 But the wicked Damoeneta did not longefcape un- 
 pumlhed by the Gxrds, that hate impieties ; how it was 
 you (hall know hereafter: Now it istimeyou Iliould 
 reft, for the night is far fpent, and you had need of a 
 great deal of fleep : Oh now you will add to our mile- 
 ry, reply'd Theagenes, if you leave this wicked woman 
 thus: Hear then (faid Knemon) fmce your will is fo; 
 
 After my judgment was pronounced, 1 went down 
 to the port we call Pyreum, and lighted on a (hip that 
 was bound for the ifland of Egina, knowing I had 
 fome friends by my mother's fide, that lived there : 
 "When I was landed, and had found out thofe I en- 
 quired for, I pafied my time there a while, with indif- 
 ferent good content : I had not ftayed there pad: twenty 
 days, but walking as my cuftom was, upon the haven, 
 I perceived a bark making in; therefore ftaying a lit- 
 tle to fee from whence it was, the planks were fcarce 
 laid down, but apafiTenger came running to me, and 
 irabraced me; it was Charias, one of my old acquain- 
 tance : Oh Knemon (faid he) I bring you joyful news ! 
 you are revenged ofyour enemy, Damoeneta is dead : 
 You are welcome dear friend Charias (I reply'd) but 
 why do you pafs over your good news fo lightly, as 
 if it were fome ill accident? Relate the manner I be- 
 f^cch you, for I fear (he dyed by fome unufual way, 
 
 c 
 
■si.^ 
 
 r 
 
 is 
 
 \ 
 
 
 I 
 
 S3 
 
 
 s 
 
 n:' 
 
 i«! Th. AfiTHIOPIAN 
 
 axKfefcapcdthe death and ftiame flie defcrved: Juftice 
 faid Charias, hath not altogether forfaken us, as He- 
 fiod thought; but though fometimes it conniveth at 
 the wickednefs of men, and (eems, as iTit Tr^pTupon 
 thHrfinsprnd]for:a"tTme deferrlng^to punlfhlTrem, yet 
 attegth'u o^ecjakes them; as it hath done the wicked 
 Damoeneta": The particulars whereof came to my 
 knowledge, out of the familiarity that had paft betwixt 
 my felf and Thisbe, who concealed nothing from me ; 
 for when the decree of unjuft baniftiment had paft a- 
 gainft me, your father penitent for his aft, withdrew 
 himfelf from the company of men, and retired to his 
 Grange-houfe in the country, there feating his own 
 heart, (as the poet fays) he refolved to fpend the re- 
 mainder of his days; but fuddenly all the furies of 
 hell began to torment your mother-in-law; ftie loved 
 you now in your abfcnce, more than ever, and did 
 nothing but complain incelTantly, deploring your for- 
 tune, but indeed lamenting for her own : No word paf- 
 fed from her mouth but Knemon, her fweeteft, her 
 foul Knemon ? In fine, her affliftion grew to that ex- 
 cefs, all the town took notice of it, and the neigh- 
 bours, and noble ladies her friends, that came to vifit 
 her wondered exceedingly to fee a mother-in-law 
 witnefs fuch a motherly afFe(5tion, much commending 
 her, and endeavouring to comfort her the heft they 
 could; but fhe told them her evil was greater than to 
 be cured by perfwafions, that they knew not the caufe 
 of her forrows, nor what ftings were in her heart : And 
 ever as (he came to herfelf, fiie complained of Thisbe; 
 that fne knew not how to ferve her purpofe ; How 
 nimble fiie was (faid Damoeneta) to enterprife and exe- 
 cute a malice I (he knew not how to make me enjoy 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 19 
 
 the pleafure of my love, but flie knew how to deprive 
 me of my joy; in an inftant, e*er I could think, e'er 
 (lie would give me time to change my mind. By thefe, 
 and other wprds and aflions, fhe acddentallyjhewed 
 the difpleafure flie conceived arainft ThisbjTaJSHiat 
 fEe meant Jher no^dd: But Thisbe (finding her m- 
 digination, anTfeeing (he was lofl in pafTion ; difpofed 
 by her ill nature, to lay fomc train for her, and mad 
 both with love and anger) refolved to anticipate her, 
 and by laying a plot for her, to preferve her felf; and 
 coming to her, ' Miftrefs' (faid fhe) * what deftiny, 
 
 * enemy to your contentment, and my fidelity, makes 
 ^ you accufe your fervant ? I have always, and even in 
 ^ this laft aft, obeyed your will ; if any thing fucceeds 
 
 * not to your wifli, you muft blame fortune, not me; 
 
 * yet if you pleafe to command me, I fliall teftifie a 
 
 * great deal of afFeflion, and no little indu(lry,tofind 
 
 * out a way to your content.' 
 
 Alas ! (fliereply'd) how is that pofTible, fincehe that 
 only can content me is fo far diflant, and fo much fea 
 and land is interpofed betwixt us? the unexpected 
 lenity of his judge was my death, for had they covered 
 him in a monument of (tones, they had with him bu^ 
 ried and extinguiftied my flame ; for when there is no 
 morehope,therc is no more care,or fenfe of pain ; No w 
 methinks I (till fee him^jiiethinksl dill hear him objefl 
 a gamirm^r my'un^^ 
 
 theiti, anT I blufh"to~tliinF' pi2i^^^^'"F^^f^^^ 
 fometimes I thmk 1 may yet enjoy him, and refolve 
 to go my felf and find him, in what part of the world 
 foever he remains; this fets nicall on fire, this makes 
 me mad ; and juftly, oh you gods I fuffcr ! For why did 
 I plot againft him, and rather not ufe him kindly? 
 
 C 2 
 

 ">i 
 
 lo The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Why was I an enemy, and not rather a fuppllant at 
 his feet ? had he not reafon to give mc one refufal? I 
 'was a ftranger to him ; he was afraid to (lain hisfather*s 
 bed; it might be time, acquaintance, and my expref- 
 fions to him, might have won him : But I, crueller 
 than a wild bcaft, not as if 1 had been a fuiter, but a 
 niiftrefs, that had the abfolute empire of his will, 
 thought flrange he ftiould not obey me; and in my 
 unhappy rigour perfecuted him for defpifing Damoe- 
 neta, that had not beauty equal to his merit : But my 
 Thisbe, what content was that you fpake of? 
 
 * Madam' ((he reply'd) ' the world believes that 
 Knemon hath obeyed his fentence, and hath left the 
 town and territory of Athens; but I know (that e- 
 ver fmce that time I have been thoughtful to procure 
 your quiet) he lyeth conceajed at a friend's^houfe 
 here in town : YouTiaveTiearS orArfmoe, the fl u te- 
 Dl[f7anTFieFGTmramy^ flie after his dif- 
 after, received him into her houfe, promifing to go 
 along with him ; and till flie can furnifh her felf with 
 neceflfarics for the voyage, (lie keeps him in fecretat 
 her houfe.' But Damoeneta could not now refrain 
 
 o interrupt her, faying. Oh blefled Arfinoe 1 both in 
 he former felicity thou haft tafted, and that occafion 
 
 offers thee the prefent happinefs to exile thy felf with 
 
 him : But what doth this concern me ? 
 
 * Oh greatly miftrefs (reply'd Thisbe) for I will 
 
 * feign to be defperately in love with him, and pray 
 
 * Arfinoe, that is my old acquaintance, and my fel- 
 
 * low muGcian,to give me one night's lodging with him 
 
 * in her place; this being obtained, I will make over 
 
 * my right to you ; yoiiJbi^il perfnn;t!^ASllo^> ^nd 
 
 * he %llt^_c youfor hc5.^ for I will look h? .(hall have 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 ^ 
 
 HISTORY. 21 
 
 a cup more than ordinary in his l^ei^>.jsii!j5 
 chSSbenhrrtt-irr^ttrirT-liSajS^^ when your 
 3eirfel'mT"'6btaffie3r you r t o r ment s ^vi iFce^dte ,"lor 
 the"end*5frdvrT?-€njagn^^ But iTybur fire mould 
 IctndTr^gaTnTarsTltope it will not, we muft make a 
 fecond navigation (as they fay) and fit again in coun- 
 cil ; mean time let us have a care of our prefent bu- 
 finefs. 
 
 Damoeneta approving, and praifing Thisbe, con- 
 jured her to be fccrct, and expeditious ; Ihe (defiring 
 but one day todifpatch it in) went prefently to Arfi- 
 noe, and asked her if fhe knew not Teledemus ? ftie 
 faid yes ; pray thee (faid Thisbe) make me beholding 
 to thee, to receive us this night into thy houfe; for I 
 have promifed him a night's lodging; he will come 
 firft, and I will follow as foon as ever I have got my 
 miftrefs to bed. Arfinoe conlenting, Thisbe ran pre- 
 fently to meet her mafter, walking folitary in his 
 grounds, and thus fpake to him. 
 
 * Sir, I come to you the accufer of my felf, and to 
 receive fuch punifhment as you ftiall pleafe to inflift 
 upon me: I have deprived you of yourfon, not as a 
 principal, yet as an accelTary ; for when I found that 
 my miftrefs lived not as ftie ought, but wronged your 
 bed, fearing if it (hould be difcovered by any other 
 but my felf, I ftiould incur the fufpicion of being 
 her bawd; and efpecially pitying you, that fo much 
 loved and doted on her, yet had no better recom- 
 pence ; not daring to fpeak freely to you, I refolved to 
 unfold the truth to my young mafter; and coming 
 to him in the night that none might fee me, I told 
 him my miftrefs abufed your honour, and did receive 
 an adulterer to your bed ; but your fon (being then, 
 
 C I 
 
v 
 
 OS 
 
 22 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 * as you know/incenfed againfther) underflanding me 
 
 * that I faid the adulterer was with her in your bed, 
 
 * carried away with rage, catcht up his fword, and 
 
 * though I cryed to him to flay, yet he regarded me not, 
 
 * but thinking I had repented me of my difcovery, ran 
 
 * like a mad man to your chamber ; the reft you know : 
 
 * And now you may, if you pleafe, purge yourfelf be- 
 
 * fore your fon, though abfent; and revenge yourfelf 
 
 * of her that hath done injury to you both : For I will 
 
 * this night (hew you Damoeneta, lying with her adul- 
 
 * terous friend, in the houfe of a ftranger in the fub- 
 
 * urbs.' 
 
 If you do it, faid Ariftippus, I will reward you with 
 your liberty, and it may be, when I fee ray enemy 
 puniflied, I may again take comfort, and chafe away 
 the forrow, that in defpair of my fon's repeal, hath 
 tormented my old age. 1 4j^ve,^jii]bted. ihis along 
 timfiy-and had ever fome fhadow of it in my appre- 
 henfion; yet becaufe I wanted manifefl proofs, I ref- 
 ted quiet ; But what is to be done ? 
 
 You know (faid (he) the monument of the Epicu- 
 reans ; there do you ftay for me in the evening : Hav- 
 ing thus fpoken, flie returned to Damoeneta. 
 
 ' Madam (faid (he) drefs your felf prefently, curl 
 
 * yonr hair, and put on your beft jewels ; for now your 
 
 * defires approach to their effed.* 
 
 She inftantly made herfclf ready, and Thisbe lead- 
 ing her the way, when they came near to Arfinoe's 
 hou(e, fhe prayed her to ftay there a little, and run- 
 ning in to Arfinoe, intreated her to go over the way, 
 and let them have the houfe to themfelves, for her 
 friend was bafhful, newly initiated in the rites of Ve- 
 nus, and would blufh if he did fee any but herfelf : 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 23 
 
 >4 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
 4 
 
 Arfinoe conf€nted,and Thisbe prefently returning to 
 her miftrefs, brought her in, and having got her to 
 bed, took away the light, for fear (ftie faid) Knemon 
 {hould know of her coming to the ifland of Egina 
 (for there he is fuppofed to remain) and wiftiing her 
 to content her defires, without fpeaking a word, told 
 her ftie would bring the young gentleman to her, that 
 was but drinking with a neighbour hard by : Then ihc 
 made hafte to meet her mafter Ariftippus, in the ap- 
 pointed place ; and as ftie came along with him, warn- 
 ed him to be fure to take the adulterer. 
 
 Ariftippus followed her in, and by the light of the 
 moon, that ftiined a little into her chamber, with much 
 ado he found the bed : And have I taken thee (he faid) 
 thou enemy of the Gods? Whilft he was fpeaking, 
 Thisbe ran to the chamber-door, and making a noife, 
 cryed out, Oh wretched 1 What ill luck have wc ? the 
 adulterer is efcaped, and therefore mafter take heed ; 
 you know what former miftake was made by your 
 fon : Fear not me,reply'd Ariftippus, 1 have the wick- 
 ed woman faft; I defire no more, and fo drew her 
 with him towards the city; but ftie confidering (as it 
 is probable) the evils that encompafted her, the fruftrat- 
 ingof her expe^ation, the ignominy of her fault, and 
 the puniftiment ordained by the laws, for ftiame to be 
 furprifed, and infpighttobe deluded; when ftie came 
 right againft the pit, in the academy (where you know 
 our captains, according to the cuftom of the country, 
 ufe to facrifice to the Heroes, or Demy-Gods, for the 
 profperity of the town) ftie brake from him with fuch 
 a fury ; as the old man feeling his ftrength unable to 
 refift, was forced to let her go ; and no fooner out of 
 his hands, but ftie leapt into the pit, and brake her 
 
 G 4 
 
>5: 
 
 
 7 ^ 
 
 ^4 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 neck: A mifcrable end of an Impious woman I I afti 
 revenged, faid Ariftippus, without employing the fuc- 
 cours of the law to punifh thee. The next day your fa- 
 ther recounted the whole matter to the people, and 
 made all the friends he could to get your banifhment 
 repealed : I know not what is yet done in it; for be- 
 fore any thing was refolved, the particular necefTity of 
 my affairs prefTed me, as you fee, to come into thefe 
 parts : Yet you may hope the people will confent to 
 your return ; and that your father will imbark himfclf 
 to find you out, and bring you back. 
 
 This was^ the rebiion Charlas made me; what fince 
 bcfel me, how I came hither, and the fortunes I have 
 had, would be too long to tell yon ; with that he wept, 
 and his two prifoners bare him company in tears, as 
 compallionating his mifery, and the more bccaufehis 
 difafters made them have a livelier remembrance of 
 -their own : Nor had they cea fed from weeping, if fleep, 
 delighting, as it were, to bath it [df in tears, had not 
 clofed up their fountains. 
 
 But Thyamis (fo was the captain of thefe robbers 
 named) having relied quietly the firft part of the night, 
 was afterwards troubled with a ftrange dream, and 
 waking upon it, fpent therein of the-night in (ludying 
 csgot themeaningofit ; for atout the hour that the cock's 
 crowing (whether it bc,asfomethink,outof a^natural 
 feeling and knowledge of the fun's return to our hori- 
 zon, that moves them by inftin(5l to falute that divine 
 light, or by a certain heat proper tathem, or by ade- 
 fire to ftir and feek new nourifhment) do fummon 
 mortals to their cuftomary works, about that time 
 the Gods fent Thyamis this apparition in his fleep. 
 
 It feeraed to his imagination; that he was in the city 
 
 HISTORY. 125 
 
 of Memphis, where he was born ; and that entering the 
 temple nf the goddefs Ifi», be CwKil.dloB-firej^ fucB a 
 great number of lighted torches were within it, and 
 the altars were full of all manner of beads for facrifice, 
 their blood flowing upon the pavement, and entries 
 and galleries were fo fiU'd with people, as their noife 
 and tumult much amazed him ; when he was come 
 into the inner part of the temple, iia. thought -ttig, 
 fiQJdejfe^, mfi.,hitp with Cbariclea in her hand: and 
 faid thefe words, 
 
 Thyamis, I chargethy fidelity with this virgin; yet 
 having of her, thou flialt not have her ; but thou fhalt 
 be wicked, and kill this ftranger; yet flie (hall not die. 
 Thefe ambiguities exceedingly troubled his fpirit; and 
 often canvafFing the meaning, at length he expound- 
 ed it thus ; thou flialt have her, and thou flialt not ; 
 that is, poflefling her for thy wife, thou fhalt have her 
 a maid no longer; thou fhalt murder her; that is her 
 virginity ; but fo killed, flie fhall not dye : Thus Thy- 
 amis interpreted his dream, flattering his wifjygs. 
 
 When it was morning, and the principal thieves, 
 according to his commandment, were aflembled; he 
 bade that the fpoils fhould be brought forth (for by 
 that fpecious name they callM the booty) and fending 
 for Kneraon to him, charged him to bring thither his 
 two prifoners : As he was carrying them to his captain, 
 Oh gods ! (faid they one to another) what fortune now 
 attends us? and conjured Knemon, he would be fa- 
 vourable to them to his power; which he promifed, 
 and bade them animate themfelves, and not fuffer fear 
 to feize upon their courage; for his captain was not 
 a barbarian, but noble and fun,afcourtefle;.^a^ that 
 he well exprert,by his humanity,thcilluflrious blood of 
 
 !l 
 
t6 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 hisdefcent; that It was meer neceflity which condraln- 
 ed him to take fuch acourfe of life: When they were 
 come into Thyamis's ifland, which he had defignedfor 
 that aflembly, he afcended to a higher ground, and 
 commanded Knemon, who Qood below with the prifo-* 
 nersjto interpret to thcra ; for Knemon had now learn- 
 ed the Aegyptian language ; and Thyamis did not yet 
 well underftand the Greek. 
 
 Myfellow-foldiers (faid Thyamis) yon well know 
 my fpirit and a{fc(ftion to you, and in what fort I have 
 ever managed your affairs; for being (as you know) 
 fon to the chief-prieft of Memphis; and unjuftly de- 
 prived of the dignity of tlie priefthood, after my fa- 
 ther's death, by the means of my younger brother, in this 
 extremity, I fled into your arms, and craved yourfuc- 
 cours, to revenge my wrong, and recover my honour ; 
 and you favoured me fo much, as by your general fuf- 
 frage to elcdt me your captain ; fince which time I have 
 lived amongft you,without entrenching upon your pri- 
 viledges, or challenging to my felf any greater part 
 of the prize, than the meaneft of you; but if money 
 were to be diftributcd,Ionlydefiredmy {hare;ifprifo- 
 ners to be fold, I caufed the prize to be laid down in com- 
 mon , knowing he that will difchargc the office of a good 
 captain, muft be above his men in pains, and but their 
 equal in profit: VVhenI tookprifonersin thefield,that 
 were men likely to do usfervice, I have received them 
 into the number of our foldiers ; others lefs ferviceable, 
 I have made money of: I never offered violence to any 
 woman; but if they were noble, I have put them to their 
 ranfom, or reftored them to their liberty, pitying their 
 misfortune; others of meaner condition, and fuch as 
 the chance of war made captives, and were by their 
 
 HISTORY. ^7 
 
 ownjiatutalbafenefs inclined jigjerye, I have given 
 you for flaves: ButlnowTHave a fuit to you, that for 
 my part of the prey, you will pleafe to give me this 
 fair ftranger; and though by my own authority I 
 might retain her, yet I hold it more honourable to take 
 her with your confent; for 1 fhould do very impru- 
 dently,if forgainingof oneprifoner aftranger, I fhould 
 lofe or offend my friends and companions ; yet the fa- 
 vour you do me fhall not be without a recompence ; 
 for I will leave the fpoils to your difpofe : And for- 
 afmuch as we of the prophetick race difdain to mix 
 our blood with any women that are not of our quality, 
 I am refolved to take this virgin, not for the pleafure 
 
 lihalLriSS^lJSriSre 
 
 propagation of,aa ifIj2euaiiic£eed_JDieaajmx/^ 
 charge ; anal will give you thereafons that induce 
 
 When I firfl faw her, I efteem'd her to be nobly 
 
 me 
 
 born, as well for the riches fhe had about her, as that 
 her fpirits failed not in the midfl of her calamities, but 
 that fhe conflantly flood the affaults of fortune ; her 
 form, modefly and breeding were great arguments to 
 me of her quality; for her beauty ejcceeds all of onr 
 times, and her modefty is fuch as invites her beholders 
 to a continency: why therefore fhould not I honour 
 her, and judge highly of her? But what yet is more 
 confiderable, fhe feems to me to be a religious votarefs 
 of fome goddefs, fince in all the dangers that befel her, 
 (believing it to be an intolerable fin) fhe never would 
 pull off her crown oflawrel, nor her facred robe; what 
 marriage then can be more equal, my brave afliftants, 
 than the fon of a proj2het.iQjnatci^with^a^^ 
 CTiStldao the GodsJ 
 
 They all approved the match, and wifhed him joy*. 
 
 I 
 
^8 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Thyamis catching the words, I thank you, worthy 
 friends, he faid, but we (hall do well firlt to ask the 
 maid's confent; for if I would have ufcd the law of 
 Empire, to will had been enough for all : but my de- 
 mands being only a lawful marriage, the confent of 
 two is necelFary ; and turning to her, tell us (he faid) 
 you fair one, what you do refolve upon our propofi- 
 lions, and declare to us who, and of whence your pa- 
 rents are : But ihe, after fhe had fix*d her eyes a good 
 while upon the ground, as meditating what fhe would 
 fay, at length (he raifed her head, and looking upon 
 Thyamis, with more beauty than before, for herftudy 
 to contrive her fpeech, had painted her cheeks with 
 a becoming blu(hj,^_andher^e^s with tli& velieraency 
 of her thoughts fparkle^Twith more thaji. .ordinary 
 lajbre; Knemon interpreting, (he faid, 
 
 * Sir, it would better have become rQ^ixQjllierJCbe- 
 'jagenes^ to have anfwered you than I, (ilence being 
 ' as commendable in maids, as the grace of replying 
 
 * is in men ; but (ince you give me liberty to fpeak, 
 
 * and that you have expreft your noblenefs in feeking 
 
 * to compafsjuft things by perfwafion, not force, and 
 ' in regard your fpeech is principally dire(5ted to me, 
 ' I am conftrained to exceed the bounds I have pre- 
 
 * fcribed to my felf, and that are proper to my fex, and to 
 ^ anfwer the demands of my conqueror in the eyes and 
 ' hearing of fo many men ;' 
 
 ^ Know then, our country is Ionia, and we are 
 
 * born of one of the beft families of Ephefus: when 
 
 * we were come to the age wherein the noble-mens 
 
 * children of our country are accuftomed to do fervice 
 
 * to the gods, I was chofen prieftefs to Diana, and my 
 
 * brother priell to Apollo. This being an annual ho- 
 
 I 
 
 Ki 
 
 i 
 
 HISTORY. ii 
 
 nour, when the year was run out, we were to make 
 a voyage to Delos, in our facred robes, and there to 
 exhibit publick games, forexercife ofletters, mufick, 
 and the body; and fo according to the manner of 
 our anceftors, to re(ign our priefthood : To this end 
 a (hip was made ready for us, laden with gold, filver, 
 filks, and other neceffaries both for fetting forth of 
 the games, andfeaftingof the people: Thusweloof- 
 ed out of the haven, leaving our father and mo- 
 ther in their houfe, who in regard of the feeblene(s 
 of their old age, and the dangers of the fca, did not 
 dare to embark with us : many of the citizens went 
 the voyage, fome in our (hip, (omein vefTels of their 
 own ; and having failed the greater part of our way, 
 with all favour of the heavens, onji (uddenlheclouds 
 thickned, and a fearfjaloempeff arofe, accompanied 
 wj^TIjSnTiig^n ^hat fo masked the skies, 
 
 and plowed up the feas^ 2i%yt\cA the benefit of our 
 c^mpaii^ajd o^ 
 
 of the eviK was forced J;q, give way to the violence of 
 tFelei^pett^^anJaVandopjhe gpyernmcnt and helm 
 tcL^ijdiiCcxetioiCQrfaUttne. In (ine, the ftorm hav- 
 ing ((even days and nights together) fpent the fury 
 of its (Irongeft gufts upon ourvefTel, we werecaft u- 
 pon the (hore where you took us, and beheld fo great 
 a maffacre of men, forafmuch as we there making a 
 feaft^joy, and a faci^tTcTto tliiT^^ of tBailkfgiving ^ 
 foTp.urLxkUverance, the Jailors (wUh, impious, J^re^ ^^*- & 
 tTSpoflefs pur riches) let^^^ and refolved to put^ 
 
 us to the fworT; but we made fuch refiftance, as af- 
 ter the lofs ©four enemies and our friends, we two^ 
 as you faw, remained the conquerors ; and would it 
 bad pleafed the gods wc had ended our days among 
 
 i-t 
 
3<> The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 them, and not been the only miferable rellcks of that 
 battle ; but fince it fo falls out, yet we arc happy in 
 this one refpe^^, that fome 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, ^vhkti.s^erein4^iyxsuO Oi^^^ ^^' 
 fnfejUFor what felicity can be imagined greater, than 
 for a poor captive to be thought worthy of her gene- 
 ral's bed ; add to this, that a maid dedicated to the 
 gods, (hall be taken to wife by the fon of a prophet, 
 that in a little while fhall himfelf be a prophet, 
 which^fure is not without fome fecret|nyIlery^ofj5ro- 
 yidencc. t only befeech 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 ahar or 
 temple of Apollo, that 1 may render up the charge of 
 my priefthood, and put off the marks and enfigns of 
 the god ; it would do heft at Memphis, when you have 
 recovered the dignity of chief prieft; for a marriage 
 joyn'd to vi<5lory 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 pleafure, 
 fo as you vouchfafe to let me accomplifh the cere- 
 monies ufual in my country; whereto I know you 
 will condefcend, fince (as you fay) you have been 
 J bred from a child in the myfteries of religion, and are 
 "^ full of reverence towards the gods. 
 
 Thus fhe ceafed tofpeak, and began to weep: all 
 that were prefent did greatly approve heranfwer, and 
 by a general cry alFured her they were ready to fee her 
 ddires performed ; and Thyamis confented half volun- 
 tafy^-axid half by j;pnftra\nl:>ibr His ardent longing to 
 enjoy Chariclea, mide him think an hour of delay an e- 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 3« 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 !S^^Ii.,^^^^ he found himfetffochjjRi^^^^ 
 ^eechTasT^flt hSfdTcen a fyren's long, that it forced 
 him Toaliow of Kef di2jnan^s,'Sy Itig al^^^ "a felatibn to 
 hisjreq^ nattering his defires with a belieT that tncir 
 nuptials fliould be held in Memphis : Then he broke up 
 the meeting (having firft 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 fit down before Memphis, and befiege his brother. 
 To the prifoncrs he affigned their old tent, and Kne- 
 mon to attend them, not now as a keeper, but a com* 
 panion, and many times fentfor Theagenes to his table 
 for his fifler's fake, whom he refolved not to vifit often, 
 
 toepjoyji er, an d leffajhould make him attemjgt any 
 thing againit whaTwas piblick{y cbn^ to, and 
 priiOteiySgjSsij^li hisiire^^^^^ For thefe reafons Thy- 
 amis forbare to fee her, thinking it impofTible he fhould 
 behold her and contain his longings; but Knemon, 
 after every one was retired to their lodgings, pafled the 
 lake, and went a great way by land to feek the herb he 
 had promifed Theagenes the day before. 
 
 In the mean time, Theagenes taking the advantage 
 of his abfence wept and lamented to himfelf, without 
 fpeakingaword toChariclea, but incefTantly calling u- 
 pon the gods; and fhe demanding whether he did figh 
 for their common mifery, or that fome new difafler 
 was befallen ? Alas (faid Theagenes) is there any thing 
 more new, or more unjufl, than to falfifie faith, and 
 violate oaths, and that CharicleaJ^^withoatlnerao^y^' 
 me,_o^ ofinj^lbrw^fcyiiiould^^ 
 Jinother ? "^ 
 
 -^xyh fay not fo (replied Qhariclea) be not you roor^ 
 
32 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 * cruel tome than my deftiny: you have proved my 
 
 * afFc<5tion by many arguments, and can you now dif- 
 ' truft me only for words accommodated to the time, 
 
 * and for the intereft of our affairs ? No, no, your felf 
 
 * may fooner change your mind, than I. 1 can fuffer 
 
 * all the calamities of the world, but know there is no 
 
 * violence fo great, that can leparate me and modefty ; 
 
 * nor am Iconfcious of a fault that way, but in loving 
 
 < you too much, yet with an honeft and a lawful love ; 
 
 < for from the firft entitling of you to my heart, itwas 
 ^6 to' my husband, not as to a lover that couTd not 
 '^moderate his delires, having to this hour preferv'd 
 
 * the utmoft purity, often repelling your impalience 
 
 * to cbnfummatethe marriage which with vows we had 
 
 * contr^^edVVhinkhdwlitttereafbnyou have to con- 
 
 * ceivc- 1 ^would prefer a Barbarian before a Greek, and 
 
 * a thief before a man of all men the deareft ?* 
 
 But what was the meaning then (replied Theagencs) 
 of your fpeech in that famous aflembly, when you cal- 
 led me your brother, methought it was a fine invention, 
 putting Thyamis out of jealoufic of our love, and mak- 
 ing way that we might freely be together, I approved 
 your ftory of the country of Ionia, and of a voyage to 
 Delos; for they were things like truths, and led the 
 hearers in a pleafing error ; but to accord fo freely to 
 a marriage, to article, and fet down the time before 
 fuch multitudes of people, I neither could nor would 
 conjefture what it meant, but wiftied the earth would 
 open and devour me, ere I fhould fee my hopes and fer- 
 vices repaid with fuch ingratitude. 
 
 At thefe words, Chariclea imbracing Theagenes, 
 and weeping, * How well I take thefe fears, (faid Hie) 
 ^ that torment you for my fake^ fince they mak)£ rae 
 
 HISTORY* 33 
 
 know In the extremity of our adverfities your affec- 
 tion is the fame itwas: but aifiire your fclf, Theage- 
 nes, if I had not carried it thus, we fliould not at this 
 time have had the freedom to confer together; for to 
 be wilful, and to run a contrary courfe to the defires 
 of one more powerful than our felves, begets but a 
 ftronger oppofition, whilft yielding words, applied 
 to the motion of the will, prefently appeafeth the firft 
 heat, and by the fweetnefs^f a promife lays the ap- 
 ^letite to Iiee^p: (.Qxafmuch as they. that. Jove after a 
 grofs rultick way, if at the fir^l efTay they get confent, 
 they think thcyhave^doo^enqiigh, and making fijre 
 tbeyiSallenjoy'the c^^^^^^ their fpiritis 
 
 in more reppre, and goe&floatin^ in iheir hope. This 
 coniideration made me yield to Thyamis. in words 
 only, commending CfreJ^el ig the Qods, aiid jhe 
 Genius that^pintHebegixining hath taken our chafle 
 love into his patronage ; oftcnttrnes'a day^brtwo put 
 off, hath been greatl/advantageousto the miferable, 
 and brought means of fafety, when no human pru- 
 dence could work it; therefore for the prefent I de- 
 ferred him, avoiding a certainty for an uncertainty; 
 but we muft do this artiliaaliy, anJ'conceal it, as a 
 fleight at the weapon, from our enemies, even from 
 Knemon ; for though he be full of courtefie, anSfbath" 
 done many favours for us, and is, as we are, a Greci- 
 an, yet he is, as we are, a captive; and therefore if 
 occafion fhould be ofiered, more likely to gratify his 
 conqueror^ than us the.jconqueredTlor^einieOlie 
 time of his acquaintance, nor his being our couns 
 tryman, a^e fufficlent pre^ges..to'us of his fideljty, 
 and therefore, if at any time he touches at ouraf- 
 fairs, you mpli deny the truth, for the lye is not evil 
 
 D 
 
34 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 * that does good to the author, and no hurt to the 
 
 * hearer.' 
 
 As Chariclea was difcourfing thus, Kneraon entred 
 all in a fweat, and manifefting a great perturbation by 
 his countenance ; Here Theagenes, take this herb (he 
 faid) and apply it to your wounds. We muft prepare 
 ourfelves for greater hurts ; Theagenes praying him to 
 fpeak plain, the confideration of the time (faid he) 
 will not let you hear me out; for it is to be feared the 
 efre(5t will prevent my words: but follow me you and 
 Chariclea; and fo led them both to Thyamis, whom 
 he found bufied in furbifliing an armour, and (harpning 
 the point of a javelin : This is to the purpofc, faid 
 Knemon, that you have your arms fo near you ; put 
 them onprefently, and command every one to do the 
 like, for I have difcovered fuch a cloud of enemies com- 
 ing as I never faw before ; they are not far off; for hav- 
 ing defcricd them from the top of the hill where I was 
 gathering herbs, I have brought you the news with all 
 the fpeed I could, and in traverfing the lake, I have 
 given warning to your men to be in a readinefs for their 
 defence. 
 
 Thyamis hearing this, fuddenly ftarted up, and de- 
 manded where Chariclea was, as fearing more for her 
 than for himrelf,and Knemon having (hewed her (land- 
 ing at the door, go(faid Thyamis|n his ear) take her 
 with thee into the cavewhefe^we co;ic'eaI ourlreafure, 
 iUiiLvthfinjhou haft conveyed her down, ahd~covered 
 themouthof theHye'w^^^ ftpne that ufeth^to lie 
 
 ujiQiTItir^pFythee friend return with altcdgxU^;-*iiean 
 time we will give order for the fight : then he commanded 
 his page to feek him afat beaft; that having facrificed 
 to the God&prote(5tofSof the pkce, they might joyn 
 
 HISTORY. 35 
 
 battle. This while, Knemon doing his commands, led a- 
 way Chariclea, that fighed and lamented, and at every 
 ftep (he went, turned back her eyes towards Theage- 
 nes; at length they came to the cave, where Knemon 
 immediately carried her down. 
 
 The place was not a work of nature, as we fee many 
 both above and under the ground ; but it w as a va ult 
 Wrougjit put of tjie rock by the induflry of the -Aegyp- 
 tian thieves, and imltatinJnarOre;iYrrfitiffHyhtytTo\!v^d, 
 to contain their fpoyls.;^ the eftnywaTn arrow and ob- 
 fcure, and conveyed into a little cell, the threfhold (lone 
 whereof was a door that opened and fhut eafily, and 
 gave another paflage for defcent into the cave when 
 neceffity required ; within it were cut many trenches 
 and meanders, that went turning of either lide, fome- 
 times alone, fometimes mixing together like the roots 
 of trees, tilitheyjrame to the bottom, and there they 
 end in a large and fpacTous pTath^^hereinto enters a 
 little light, by certain def»-'Ihl^t!fan\^Tnlfi(^e^^^ 
 abfiye: Knemon, ttiat'hiy'pfafHt'ekftew the Turnings, 
 having brought Chariclea to the bottom, endeavoured 
 to comfort her the heft he could, affuring her, he and 
 Theagenes would come and fee her foon at night, and 
 that he would not fufFer him to fight, nor come within 
 the danger : and fo he left her not able to fpeak one 
 word ; but fainting, as if fhe had been ftruck to death, 
 and deprived of her foul in her Theagenes: and clof- 
 '"gJ"Bibg cay£,^ronld nQjJlhfffetfj^&ai^^frgguyAefi* 
 ingTooth that he fhquld bc^jforced to execute fo hard 
 a command, and m compalfion of herrortune, wKom 
 he^fe^almM buried" all vejaiifdj^^ 
 darknefs, the perfeftell workmanfhip of nature: then 
 he made hade to Thyamis, whom he found compleatly 
 
 D 2 
 
36 The AfcTHlOPlAN 
 
 armed, and with his oration exciting thofe that were' 
 about him ; for (landing in the midft of them, he faid, 
 My companions in arms, I do not think it needful 
 to trouble you with many words; you need no admo- 
 nition, wnr is your trade, and now the enemy is fo near 
 us, he cuts ofFdifcourfe, he comes upon us to force our 
 trenches with his fword, and we muft anfwer him ni 
 his own language : I have nothing elfe to fay, but that 
 now, yon are not only to defend your wives and chil- 
 dren (which hath been motive fufficicnt for others to 
 fight to the lad man ; though if we be conquerors, 
 fuch fmali things, and many of greater moment will 
 be incur power) but your lives are now at (lake, for 
 the war among thieves was never ended by treaty, 
 nor fecured by league, but the furvivors mult be con- 
 querors,and the conquered muft die; therefore let us 
 go to't^d let him that dyes his weapon deepellin^our 
 enemies blood, be iLbop^ht the bi^veftman. 
 
 Having thus faid, Thyamis bokcd'about him for 
 his page, and often called him by his name Thermutis, 
 and not feeing him appear, curfing and threatning him, 
 he haftned to the boat: The battle was now begun, 
 and he might fef the enemy make himfelf mafter of the 
 borders of the lake ; for he had fet fire upon their cab- 
 bins and their boats, and fo made them tranfport the 
 llamc about the fens, that, devouring the great quanti- 
 ty of the reed, dazzled the eyes of the inhabitants with 
 infufFerable light : whilft the noife and tumult deafned 
 their ears, all cruelties of war were fecn and heard, the 
 lakifts ftriving to make good the place, ,buiMLhe_oih£XS 
 falling upon them unawares, and oppreffing them with 
 multitudes,' flew eafily thofe they found on lanB7and 
 overwhelmed thofe within thelake in iliehrhcrats and 
 
 HISTORY. 37 
 
 cabbms^ence the air was filled }^^t5t^:j^!i^' 
 b(Ulu£thofeih^i!e52S^^ 
 luidxhofe that fbu^ij:.byjp^r iUli^lake^^ 
 allr<tver in the bloodof^Sym 
 time, both by fire and wat£r.^ 
 
 --\A^ett^%ainTs!a"w an'Iheard this, he remembred 
 his dream, how he had feen the goddefs lf:s, and her 
 temple all on fire, and full of facrifices ; and obferving 
 his vifion was thus far brought to pafs, he began to 
 make anothcrexplication of the reft: ' Having, thou 
 * flialt nothaveher;' forafmuch as fiie fiiall be raviflied 
 from thee by the fury of this war ; and that ' he flioul J 
 ^ kill her, yet he (hould not hurt her ;' that is, he (lioul J 
 deftroy her with his fword, and not by rape. To con- 
 clude, ratjng^the Goddcf^^sfira^udujent and i^^^^^ 
 charging her IhaFilieXad^bus^^^ and 
 
 not being able YcTendure witli patience tliat any other 
 fhould enjoy Chariclea, he commanded his men to re- 
 tire a little, and to hold the enemy in piay a while, only 
 with skirmifliing, and fome few fallies, which as they 
 were intrenched, might refift the forces of greater mul- 
 titudes, whilft he would go and find Thermutis, and 
 offer vows and facrifices to their prefidiary Gods; 
 and ^o 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 refolved in his foul ; for^Xoo^^Lii^^y^ fill to 
 
 c]e(fukJii^^-JMSUi,fsi[e^ 
 toJiilJjb€it>4kar^£idenis;jither 
 
 live'together aft.er. -death, or defTrm^^ 
 
 oTthelr enemies power, aucjVo tree them fromjUipr 
 
 jilries; forthefe reafons Thyamis forge t^ng all his 
 
 own afFau-s, and though he was at that piefeiu en- 
 
 D cj 
 
 #» 
 
38 
 
 TheAETHIOPIAN 
 
 compaft with enemy-troops that had taken him as in 
 nets, furloufly tranfported with love and jealoufie, he 
 cntred the cave, where calling as loud as he could, and 
 fpcaking fome words in the Aegyptian tongue, he heard 
 a woman anfwer him in Greek; andvttjeJ^liwU^er 
 voice leading.him tatbeplace where J]cjvras^_h£^ut 
 his Vft hand abcnrt4^ ncck^and.^Y^ his ti^t^raw- 
 ihghis fword, raahet thraughthe body under the left 
 breaO* wherewith>e-.pfipx.wcynan Jell downed, 
 
 breatbiS^^i^^^'^*^^'^-^'^^^-'^^- 
 
 Prefcntly Thyamis went out, letting fall the (tone 
 
 upon the entry of the cave, and for her epitaph feem- 
 
 ing to write upon it with his tears, adding thefe words , 
 
 < Alas poor maid, thefe are the nuptial gifts I preferit 
 
 < thee:' And fo returning to his men, he found their 
 battle quite difordered, and ready to fly, frighted with 
 the enemies approach ; and on the other fide, feeing 
 Thermutis, that brought him a bead to immolate, he 
 chid him, and told him he had already offered the fair- 
 eft facrifice of the world; and fo entred into his bark 
 with him, and 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 (hip- 
 wrights; Thea^enes and Knemon imbarked together 
 in another, and the reft in the like manner; and when 
 they had coafted the ifland a great way, they ceafed 
 rowing, and difpofed their boats in front of their bat- 
 talion, as attending the fhock of their enemies ; but as 
 foon as they approached, the hcrdfmen of the ifland 
 were fo far from the courage to fuftainthe firft aflault 
 upon the water, that they prefcntly caft about and fled, 
 not daring to endure the very found of the alarum. 
 Theagenes and Knemon retired themfelves foftly after 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 HISTORY- 39 
 
 the reft ; but fear did not make them turn their backs ; 
 only Thyamis held it unworthy to give ground, and 
 not defiring tofurvlve Chariclea, he preftinto themidft 
 of his enemies, and as he was fighting amongft them, 
 one cried out, this is Thyamis, every man now look 
 to his charge ; fo immediately wheeling in a ring about 
 him, they inclofed him with their boats ; but he ftoutly 
 holding out, wounded fome with his javelin, and kil- 
 led others: The fight was worthy of admiration, in 
 all the multitude of his foes no man oppofed or drew 
 a fword againft him, but every one did his beft to take 
 him alive ; herefifted a great while, but at laft hi sjave- 
 hnwaAbeaten out of his JL^ni^J^ then his |)asj^^^ 
 
 in5on^l^;BiTQi3n£AtaliMJ^^ 
 fci^SroFKrs''pg^that had ftood to him bravely, but 
 at thartlraJIia newly received (as was thought) a mor- 
 tal wound, and cafting himfelfinto the lake, fwimming 
 with much difficulty, had recovered land, no one tak- 
 ing the pains to follow him; for having Thyamis 
 in their power, they efteemed it to be an abfoluie vic- 
 tory- • \ ^ r v • f I 
 Yet notwithftanding the lofs of many of their fel- 
 lows, they more rejoyced to have him alive that flew 
 them, than they forrowed for their friends and kinf- 
 mens deaths ; (binfatiable are the covetous hearts of 
 thieves^refcrringlilifiJtrfpxe^tli'Hrllves andh^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 nitv. but jq^tJiyiheiBX it was the cafe ot thele 
 thieves^ for they were the fame that before ont of their 
 fear of Thyamis and his ipen, had fled from the Hera- 
 cliotick arm of Nilus, who ftomacking to be deprived 
 of other mens goods as if they were their own, had ga- 
 thered together their companions, and called in the 
 
 D 4 
 
40 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 \V 
 
 V 
 
 
 neighbour villages, offering them equal fiiares, and 
 chufing them for their captains to conduct the expe- 
 dition. 
 
 But the caufe oftheir taking Thyamls, was this, he 
 had at Memphis a brother named Petofiris, w ho hav- 
 i n g byJii s plp,ts di rpQiTdRid his brotli^r P_Ci!l?-dig^y 
 -*f chief pried, agauij^ jh.e.l4ws aojd infti.tUUQXis of jlie 
 country, (for he was^his- yQ.unger brotbjer) ^n6. hearing 
 that he was tlie capxaLo^pf thefe, thieves, he feared Thy- 
 amis would talie time to chafe him out p0ij,s ufurpcH 
 honour, and dlfcpyer hisperStUpufnefs : alfo he dcfired 
 to take away the ill opinion that many had conceived 
 of him, that he had killed his brother, becaufe it ap- 
 peared not where he was ; therefore fending meflengcrs 
 to the villages of the thieves, he propofed a great fum 
 of money, and fomany caftlcs to any one that would 
 take him alive; fo as thefe thieves charmed witli the 
 hope of fuch a profit, even in the heat of blood and 
 war, did not forget their promife, but after he was dif- 
 covered, took him alive, though many died for it : being 
 thus feized of Thyamis, they rowed to land, putting 
 him in irons, and appointing half oftheir troops to 
 guard him, who vexing at his fortune, upbraided them 
 of cowardife, for not daring to take him with their 
 fwords, bearing his imprifonment with more indigna- 
 tion andlefs patience than ifit had been death it felf; 
 the reft of them returned into the ifland, in hope to 
 lind the riches for which they had been tempted to 
 ran this hazard. But after they had pafTed over all the 
 ifland, without leaving one corner unfearched, and 
 finding nothing, or very little of the prize, unlefs it 
 wtre feme trifles thai they had neglcdlcd to put up it; 
 
 
 5a> 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 41 
 
 the cave, they fetfire upon thecabbins, and the even- 
 ing now approaching, and putting them in a fear to 
 flay lonjrer in the ifland, left they fliould fall into the 
 trains of ibrac of thofe that fled from the battel, and 
 might now perhaps lie in ambufcade for them, they 
 returned to their companies. 
 
 \ 
 
THE 
 
 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 THE SECOND BOOK. 
 
 THUS the ifland was all on fire; but Theagenes 
 and Knemon did not perceive that misfortune 
 fo long as the fun (hined upon the earth, becaufe his 
 beams lelTcned the appearance of fire by day ; but after 
 fun-fet, when it grew dark, the flame having then no 
 light greater than its own, difcovered it felf in the full 
 horror, whilft they trufling to the night's obfcurity, 
 came out of the reeds of the marifli, and faw clearly the 
 whole ifland almoft burnt to afties; and then Theagc- 
 lies beating his head, and tearing ofifhis hair, 
 
 * Farewel to life, (he faid) this day fliall make an 
 
 * end of all fears, dangers, cares, hope and love, Cha- 
 ' riclea is dead, Theagenes is loft ; in vain then, unfor- 
 *■ tunate that I am, have I fled from the battel, an aftion 
 
 * unworthy of a man, only referving my felf, my dear* 
 
 * eft, for your fake; ^ut I will live no longer, fince 
 
 * you are deprived of youTHfe ; and which heightens 
 
 * my affli(ftion,riot after the common courfe of nature, 
 ' nor have you rendred your fpirit in his arms where 
 
 * you did wifti to breath it. Alas, are you confumed 
 
 I, 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY. 43 
 
 ^ by fire, and has your deftiny prepared thcfe flames to 
 ^ be our nuptial torches ? Muft that beauty without a 
 
 * fecond in the world, be thus defaced, as not to leave 
 
 * fo much remains as a dead body, or any relicks of 
 
 * her unadulterate charms. Oh, unexampled cruelty ! 
 
 * the moft bitter fpite of Fortune, lam denied the fa- 
 
 * vour of alaft embrace, and a poor parting kifs.* 
 
 At thefe words, drawing his fword, to run himfelf 
 upon it, Knemon caught hold of him, and asked what 
 he meant ? why do ye mourn for her as dead that lives I 
 Chariclea is in perfedl health I do aflTure you. 
 
 This is for children and mad-men to believe (repli- 
 ed Theagenes) but Knemon, you have done me wron^ 
 to come betwixt me and a pleafing death : But he con- 
 firming the truth of his news with oaths, told him all 
 the commands of Thyamis, the cave, and nature of 
 the cave where he had put her, that he need not fear 
 the fire could penetrate to the bottom, the violence of 
 it being repell'd and broke with a thoufand feveral 
 turnings. At this Theagenes began to breath a little, 
 and thought long till he ftiould come to the ifland, 
 which he had already prefented to his thoughts, and 
 taken up his marriage-chamber in the cave, not ima- 
 gining the complaints he fliould make, nor the tears he 
 fliould there ftidd. 
 
 Thus they rowed towards the ifland, themfelves 
 playing the water- men ; for he that rowed them the day 
 before, at the firft alarum and cry of the enemy, had 
 fallen overboard. Now they being unpradtifed at the 
 oar, were a long time carried up and down, having al- 
 fothe wind againft them, yet their impatient dcfireof 
 landing overcame their unskilfulnefs. 
 
 When therefore with difficulty and much labour 
 
44 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 they were arrived, they hailed with all poflible fpeed 
 to the cave, where they found all wafted by the lire, 
 and only knew it by the ftone that covered the entry 
 of the pit; for the wind blowing the flame upon the 
 ihades, that were only made of canes and fedges, mat- 
 ted one within another, had burnt tliem down, and le- 
 veird all into a plain, elevating the afhes in the air, 
 and carrying them away ; the little that remain'd being 
 fo well cool'd, that they might pafs over them without 
 fear of burning ; and gathering together fome reeds 
 that were halfburnt,making them into a torch, Knemon 
 went before Theagenes, to light him down; and after 
 they were entred a little way, on the fudden Knemon 
 cried out, O Jove ! what have we here ? We are un- 
 done, Chariclea is flain : Then cafting his torch againft 
 the earth, he extinguifhed it, and fell upon his knees, 
 weeping for her untimely death ; but Theagenes, as if 
 fome enemy had ftruck him down, fell upon her body, 
 and held her in his arms, as if they had been incorpo- 
 rated together: Knemon knowing him to be loft in 
 forrow, and fearing leaft he (hould kill himfelf, drew 
 his fword out of the fcabbard, and fo leaving him, ran 
 to light his torch again. 
 
 Mean while, Theagenes fetching deep fighs from 
 his aifliJ^cd heart; Oh infufFerable grief! (faid he) Oh 
 mifery that the incenfed Gods have let fall upon us ! 
 what in fatiable fury purfues us with fuch rage, banifli- 
 ing us from our country, betraying us to ftiipwrack, 
 and pyrates by fea, and thieves by land, depriving us of 
 all our riches I pnly one comfort did remain ; but, alas ! 
 it is now taken from me ; Chariclea lies here dead, fhe 
 that was dearer to me than my life, hath loft hers by 
 the hand of a cruel enemy, queftionlefs in defence of 
 
 •f 
 
 1 
 
 H I S T O R Y. 45 
 
 her honour, referving her felf for me; yet here the ' 
 poor unfortunate lies dead, not having reaped the fruits 
 of beauty in the liourifli of her age; at leaft (my love) 
 bid me farewcl, fpcak to me, give me but your laft 
 commands : Miferable that I am, (he anfwers not, and 
 eternal filence hath fealed up her heavenly and prophe- 
 tick lips that fpake with fo much mufick; Darknefs 
 covers now the light of facrifices; the temple of the 
 Gods, and their faireft ornament is now returnM to 
 chaos ; thofe eyes have loft their beams that enlightned 
 the whole world, which I affure my felf the barbarous 
 murderer did not fee. By what name (hall I call thee ? 
 my contracted ! Alas, the contrad's broke : Mj "wife ? 
 Thou .never kneweft^'whaXmarriage was : No, no, I 
 muft caUjheelffie Iweete^^^^ u.ames, Chariclea . oTi 
 Chariclea, let your fpirits be appeafed ; you have a 
 fiithful friend that (hall not long be abfent from you ; 
 for I go now to celebrate your obfequies, and to fa- 
 crifice unto you in your lover's blood : This cave, a 
 rudejpmb^Jhall contam us ; here we may enjoy oM^a- 
 nother after death, though living, the Gods would not 
 permit: At thefe wortTs, feeting for his fword, he cried 
 out70Ti Knemon, thou haft kill'd me now the fecond 
 time, and again wrong'd Chariclea, depriving her of 
 the friend's company ftie moft defires. 
 
 Speaking this, he heard a voice out of the bottom of 
 the cave, that called Theagenes ; but he, without being 
 troubled at it, ' I come (faid he) my dear foul, this 
 
 * gives me knowledge that you wander yet upon the 
 
 * earth, partly becaufe you cannot leave fo fair a body, 
 
 * whereof the poirefTion was untimely taken from you, 
 ' partly, becaufe yet you have not the rites of fepul- 
 
 * ture ; and therefore the ftiadows that inhabit the low- 
 
 
46 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 * cr kingdoms, will not fuffer you to remain among 
 
 * them.* In the mean time Knemon returning with 
 his torch relighted, the fame voice was heard again, 
 calling Theagenes. Oh good Gods! faid Knemon, is 
 not that Charidea's voice ? fure it is Theagenes, and 
 doubtlefs Iheyet lives; for the found that beats upon 
 our ears comes out of tlie bottom of the cave, where I 
 remember I did leave her, 
 
 * Will you not forbear (replied Theagenes) to mock 
 
 * roe and abufe me yet again ? 
 
 Indeed I deceive you (anfwered Knemon) and my- 
 felf, if (he that lies here be Chariclca ; and prefently he 
 turned her upon her back, for her face lay to the earth ; 
 and when he had looked upon her, he cried out, Oh 
 Gods ! You authors of prodigies, what portent is this ? 
 Thisisthefaceof Thisbe: prefently he (lept back, and 
 flood as if he had been frozen with amazement; but 
 Theagenes, that now began to take new hope and 
 fpirit, brought Knemon to himfelf, and intreated him 
 to lead him where Chariclca was ; and Knemon, after 
 a little paufe, again took view of the dead body, and 
 faw aflurcdly that it was Thisbe ; and finding a fword 
 l3ring befide her, he knew it to belong to Thyamis, 
 who tranfported with his wild fury, had left it in her 
 wound ; alfo he took a letter out of her bofom, which he 
 would have read ; but Theagenes would not permit 
 him, calling upon him, and faying, firit let us recover 
 my dear Chariclca, unlefs now, as before, fome God or 
 devil take a pleafure in deluding us, the letter we may 
 readatleifure. 
 
 ^^5£5?™" i^yjy^l ^9^^ defire, and clpfing ihe let- 
 ters-took up, the fword^ and halted to ChaticJca, who 
 Was creeping towards the light upon her hands and 
 
 HISTORY. 47 
 
 kiW€V*»^>Jn£t3rheaigenes^^Wliafo^^ a- 
 
 bout his neckjjrepieated many times, * And art thotf 
 
 * come again Theagenes?* and He, ^DoesXhariciea 
 
 * livet'tifl in the end, they fell down updhJie ground, 
 tangled faft in their embraces, riot able to utter jany 
 
 4hing, but a kind of groaning; and it was hard to judge 
 whether they were dead or not ; for many times an ex- 
 ceflive joy j^aniflicth into foirow. and immoderate 
 pleafure begets p^n, which we vainly call in upon our 
 felves ; thus they preferved beyond hope and opinion, 
 were endangered, till Knemon chafing the rock with 
 his hand, and receiving in his palm the humour that 
 difliird by drop and drop, caft it in their faces, and 
 flopping their noffarils, recovered them out of their 
 fwoon, who finding themfelves fo kindly laid together, 
 prefently flarted up, and blufh'd that Knemon had be- 
 held them (efpccially Chariclca) intreating him to par- 
 don their exorbitances, who fmiling to himfelf, and 
 turning it to mirth; This (faid he) deferveth commen- 
 dations, if I may be a judge, or any other man that 
 hath entred the lifts with love, been happily conquered 
 by him, and made acquainted with his inevitable acci- 
 dents ; but to fpeak truth, Theagenes, J cannot in any 
 fort approve, and indeed I was afhamed to fee you 
 embrace a ftrange woman with fo much paflion, and ta 
 bath fo freely with your tears the body of a flave, tO' 
 whom you had no tye, fo much as of acquaintance, e- 
 fpecially, when I told you, and protefted that Chariclca 
 was alive and fafe. I pr'y thee Knemon (faid Theage- 
 nes) do not traduce me to Chariclca, whom I lamented 
 in the perfon of another, believing it was fhe that was 
 fo cruelly murdered ; but fince fome favourable God 
 has now (hewed us our error, give me leave to put you 
 
48 The AETHlOPlAN 
 
 in mind of the generous and conflant fplrit wherewith 
 you firft deplored my misfortune, and afterwards com^ 
 ing unexpc(fledly acquainted with the dead body (as if 
 it had been fome devil in a play) you ran away armed, 
 and your fword drawn, from a woman, a dead wo* 
 man ; A brave Athenian foldier ! Hereat they began to 
 fmile a little, but as if forced, not without tears ; be- 
 ing engaged toforrow by theif prtfeht mifcry. 
 
 After they had a while ftood filent, Chariclea touch- 
 ing her fair cheek with her hand, * BlelFed (faid fh^) 
 
 * do I cfteem her, whofoe're (he be, that Theagencs has 
 
 * kift and mourn'd for ! and if you would not think mc 
 
 * jealous, I would defire to know that happy woman's 
 
 * name, and by what error you millook a Granger for 
 
 * me, and honoured her funerals with your tears; if 
 
 * you know, tell me who fheis.* 
 
 You will wonder, replied Theagenes; for Knemon 
 fays it is Thisbe, that Athenian lutenift, the inventrefs 
 of the plot that Damoeneta had upon him. 
 
 Chariclea darting at this news, * How is it pofTible, 
 Knemon (faid fhe) this woman (hould in an inflant 
 be thus tranfported, as if (he had been (hot out of an 
 engine, from the midft of Greece to the fartheft parts 
 of Egypt ? And how chanced it we faw her not as we 
 came down ? 
 
 I cannot anfwcr you to that, faid Knemon ; but I 
 fhall tell you what I havefince underftood of her. 
 
 After Damoeneta was circumvented by her cun- 
 ning, and had precipitated her felf into the pit, my fa- 
 ther lecited the whole bufinefs to the people, and was 
 prefently abfolved; then he folicited for my repeal 
 from banifhment, enquired my abode, and refolved to 
 embark himfclf^and come in pcrfon to bring me back. 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 i 
 
 ( ^ 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 49 
 
 Whilft he was thus employed, Thisbe made It her va» 
 cation-time, and offering her fervice at all feafts and 
 meetings, impudently proftituted both her art and 
 perfon : Now fhe was obferved to be more genteel 
 than Ar(inoe, who fung only fome loofe ayrs coldly to 
 her flute, whilft Thisbe curioufly touching her lute, and 
 marrying her voice to the foft firings, ravifh'd her 
 hearers. This made Arfinoe conceive againft her an 
 envy and emulation, joynM with a particular fpleen, 
 efpecially when a certain Naucratian merchant named 
 Nauficles began to fall in love with her, and negledl 
 Arfinoe, that had late been his miflrefs, difdaining her, 
 becaufe when fhe had play'd upon her flute, he obferv- 
 ed her face grow red, her cheeks fwell, and hold an 
 unhandfome competition with her nofe, and her eyeA 
 ready to flart out of her head: The flighted Arfinoe,* 
 burning with fpite and jealoufie, found out the parents 
 of Damoeneta, and to them difcovered all the treafons 
 and villanies Thisbe had pradis'd agalnft her miflrefs ; 
 part whereof fhe but fufpe(51ed, and the reft Thisbe had 
 lold her in the height of their familiarity. As foon as 
 the friends of Damoeneta were advertifed, they afTemb- 
 led, and confpired againft my father's life, and fee'd the 
 prime orators of Athens with great fums of money, 
 to accufe him; who exclaimed unto the people that 
 Damoeneta had perifhed unjuftly, unconvi<51ed, and 
 the crime of adultery was only a pretext to cover her 
 murther; requiring he might be brought alive or dead 
 with whom flie was pretended to have wronged my fa- 
 ther : finally, they commanded, that at leaft he fliould 
 be named ; demanding Thisbe to be delivered to them, 
 to the end, that putting her to the torture, they might 
 rack out the truth. My father promifed to produce her, 
 * E 
 
50 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 but he could not hear his word ; for Thisbe, prevent- 
 ing the danger if fiie fliould appear, whiUl they were 
 taking out the procefs for her, fled awiy, according 
 to agreement, with the merchant Nauficles : this dif- 
 pleafed the people, yet they did not judge him to be 
 the murtherer, but an accelTory to the plot againft Da- 
 moeneta, and confenting to my unjuft baniHiment; 
 therefore they expeli'd him the city, confifcating all 
 his goods : thcfe were the fruits he reaped of his fecond 
 marriage, and this was the reafon made the wicked 
 Thisbe fail from Athens, who now before my eyes re- 
 ceives thepunifhmentfhe had dcferv'd. 
 
 Thus much one Anticles told me in the ifland of 
 Aeglna, with him I put to fea again, bound for Aegypt, 
 that if happily I fliould light of Thisbe here in the city 
 of Naucratia, I might carry her back to Athens, to dis- 
 charge my father of the crime whereof he was falfly in* 
 di(5led, and withal to fee her treacheries and malice 
 duly puniflied by the laws; but now lam here detain- 
 ed a prifoner, as you are; at another time you fliall 
 know the caufeand manner of my taking, the fortune 
 I have fince endured, but how Thisbe came into this 
 cave, and who hath flain her, we need fome god for 
 an interpreter. Yet if you pleafe, I will read the letter 
 that I took out of her bofom, which may perhaps give 
 us further intelligence; They intreated him to do fo, 
 and opening it, he read thefe words. 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 51 
 
 ;; 
 
 To her mafter K n e m o n, T h i s b e his enemy 
 
 and revenger. 
 
 FO R my firll news, know Damoeneta is dead, 
 by my means, for your fake ; The way 1 did it 
 (if you pleafe to receive me) I will relate unto your 
 lelf; it is now ten days that I have been in this ifland, 
 taken by one of thefe thieves, that boafl:s himfeif to 
 be the captain's page, and keeps mc locked up, not 
 giving me the liberty to v/alk, or look abroad : pu- 
 nifliing me thus (as he tells me) for the love he bears 
 me ; but (as I conjedurc) it is for fear lefl: fome body 
 fliould take me from him ; yet for all this, fome an- 
 gel direding me, as you paflTed by yellerday, I faw 
 and knew you, and have now fccretly fent you this let- 
 ter by an old woman ; my keeper charging her to pre- 
 fent it to the fair G recian, that is near the captain's per- 
 fon ; I befeech you, Sir, free me from this thief, and 
 receive your handmaid: and if it be j^our pleafure, 
 fave my life; confidering wherein I offended you, 
 ncceflity conftrain'd me; but that I have revenged 
 you of your enemy, was the free motion of my foul, 
 notwithftanding that you be fo incenfed ogainfl: me, 
 as that you are refolved not to pardon me; ufe me 
 as.^zott^lea{e^ let me ^ISaJo I n^-ay die yours . ToirT 
 eftcem it much more noble,*aFyoi3r'Ban'Js'to receive 
 death, and funeral rites according to the cuftom of 
 Greece ; than to endure a life more terrible than death : 
 and thelpve of a"Bafbin*ianmtiTe^ bitter than the ha- 
 tred of an Atbenlail, Thus Thisbe and the letter" 
 fpake. Oh Thisbe Thisbe 1 faid Knemon, thou haft 
 
 E 2 
 
5* 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ' received a jnft judgment, and thy relfthe mcfTcnge^ 
 
 * that tells it to us, delivering us a letter (contains part 
 
 * of thy misfortunes) after thou art dead ; by this we 
 
 * know the Fury that revenged thy vvickednefs upon 
 ^ thf c, whipt thee about the world, and never held her 
 
 * hand, till fhe had brought thee before me, thy wrong- 
 ' ed mafler (though I lived in Aegypt)and made me 
 
 * a fpec^ator of thy tragedy: But what new ftratagem 
 
 * hadft thou againftme? By thefe letters that fortune 
 
 * took out of thy hands, I cannot but fufpedt thee yet, 
 ' and I much fear that Damoencta*s death is but a thing 
 
 * devifed, and put into their mouths that told me it, 
 
 * and that thou art come thus far by fca, to make me 
 
 * as tragick a fpedaclc now in Aegypt, as before at 
 ^ Athens. 
 
 Why Knemon, faid Theagcnes, flill fo valiant I will 
 you not yet leave fearing fpirits and fhadows, my er- 
 ror was but a deceptio vifus, but I am no adtor in this 
 fccne; She is dead I warrant, never doubt it: butwha 
 is author of this favour to thee, and has killed her to 
 thy hand, I cannot imagine; nor how, or when (he 
 came down hither. I am not able further to refolve 
 you, (faid Knemon) but aflTuredly Thyamis is he that 
 killed her: That which makes me believe it, is his 
 fword, we found droptout of her wound; for I know 
 it to be his, by the ivory pommel cut in the figure of 
 an eagle, which is his crcfl: Cannot you tell us faid 
 Theagenes, when, or how, or for what caufe he did 
 this muither ? flow fhould I know ? (replyed Knemon) 
 for this cave hath not made me prophetical,.like that 
 of Apollo at Delphos or Txipllonius his den, from 
 whence men come out infpired with a divine fury: 
 prefently Theagenes and Chariclea fell a weeping, and 
 
 1 
 
 I. 
 
 i 
 
 HISTORY. 53 
 
 cryed with one voice, Oh Apollo ! O Delphos ! this 
 amazed Knemon, not being abl" to conceive why the 
 names of Apollo and Delphos fliould fo much trouble 
 them ; Thus were they bufied. 
 
 Now 7'hermutis the page of Tliyamis, that was 
 hurt in the battel, when he had recovered land by 
 fwimming, the night now growing dark, he found a 
 boat fhipwrackt by the fen -fide, and entring it, plyed 
 his oars towards his captain's ifland to fee Thisbe, 
 whom a few days before he had taken from the mer- 
 chant Nauficles, as he was leading her in a narrow 
 way that lyes along the mountain fide, where Ther- 
 mutis lay in ambufii to rob palfengers; and as Thya- 
 mis at the fird noife and arrival of the enemies, had 
 fent him tofeek a bead to facrifice to the Gods for 
 victory, Thermutis defperately in love with this wo- 
 man, defirous to keep her out of danger of the war, and 
 to preferve her for himfelf, fecretly conveyed her into 
 the cave, and for fear and hade left her at the mouth 
 thereof, where Hie remained, not daring to ftir; both 
 frighted with the alarm and the prefent dangers, and 
 not knowing the windings of the way that condu(5led 
 to the bottom; and thus Thyamis finding her at his 
 entry, flew her: believing that he killed Chariclea. 
 Thermutis therefore having efcap*d the battle, fled to 
 find her in the ifland, where arriving, he ran with all 
 hafl:e towards the tent of Thyamis, which was now 
 butaflies; and with much difficulty finding the cave 
 by a ftone that covered the entry, he lighted a few reeds 
 that were yet unconfumed and ran down , calling This- 
 be (which name was all the Greek he had) but when 
 he faw her ftretchM dead upon the earth, he was fo 
 albniflit, as awhile he had no motion j at length hear- 
 
 E 3 
 
 1 
 
r 
 
 54 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ing certain founds and murmurs out of the hollows of 
 the cave, (for Theagenes and Knemon were yet dif- 
 courfing) lie fufpeded thofe to be the murthcrers of 
 Thisbe, this confufed his thoughts, not knowing what 
 to refolve or do ; for the natural cruelty and barbarous 
 humour oftfee thiefjliTsTage exafpcrated by this acci- 
 tJeiitfiluIlraiijag-^him of tlie enjoying of his love, inci- 
 ted him to run to the bottom and fall upon them he 
 efteemed the authors of her death; but wanting arms, 
 be was reclaimed to moderation againrt: his will: he 
 thought it his bell way at firft to accoft them as his 
 friends, but if he fhould chance to find fupply of wea- 
 pons, then to fall upon them as his enemies. This be- 
 ing defigned in his mind, he approached Theagenes, 
 andlook'd upon him with an eye of fury, difcovering 
 his fecret purpofe. 
 
 But when they perceived a naked man coming u- 
 pon them on the fuddcn, hurt, and his face all bloody, 
 tHey were divcrfly affefted at the fight, Chariclea ran 
 down as low as flie could ; Knemon faid not a word, 
 but retired himfelf fomc paces, though he knew Ther- 
 mutis; but feeing him come fo unexpected, he feared 
 fome (Iratagem : but the fpeftacle did not fo much ter- 
 rific, as provoke Theagenes; who laid his hand upon 
 his fword, as if he would kill him, if his rafhnefs fhould 
 make him attempt any thing. Stay (faid he) or come 
 upon thy death and know the reafon; I have held my 
 hand, is becaufe I begin to know thy perfon, though 
 I doubt thy meaning; Thermutis intreating pardon 
 for his intrufion,fell at the feet of Theagenes as fup- 
 pliant, rather temporizing, and for fear of danger, than 
 having changed his mind to be revenged of them ; and 
 befeeching Knemon to fpeak for him, pleaded, they 
 
 i 
 
 HISTORY. ss 
 
 v/crc tyed to fave his life having never done them in- 
 jury, and the day before been their companion, and 
 now fled to them as his friends. This moved Kne- 
 mon, and made him come in and raife Thermutis, who 
 w-is proflrated on the earth; and many times deman- 
 ded of him what was become of Thyamis ? Thermutis 
 told all his captain's fortune, how he had fought in 
 the midft of his enemies, neither fparing theirs nor his 
 own life, and how by a commandment to take him a- 
 live, they forbare to hurt him though he flew them, and 
 fo he left him invironed, finding himfelf fo wounded 
 as he could hardly fwim to land, and that for the pre- 
 fent he was come into the cave to look for Thisbe; 
 they ask'd him how he came to know Thisbe, or where 
 he had got her ? He told them, how he had taken her 
 from the merchants, how he fell in love with her, how 
 for a while he concealed her in his cabbm, and at the 
 coming of the enemy, put her into the cave, where he 
 now found her flain, hut by whofe hands he knew not, 
 yet would be glad to be informedof the author and oc- 
 cafion ofthemurther; Knemon defirous to free him- 
 felf of the fufpicion, prefently told him Thyamis was 
 the murderer; and to confirm it, fliewed him the fword 
 he had found befides her: When Thermutis faw the 
 blade yet dropping blood, and hot, and knew it to be 
 his captain's, fetching a deep figh, not able to imagine 
 what fhould move him to thatacT:, blinded and dumb 
 wltb..^fr^jeft4iein>. aad .ret«rji^^ 
 and falling upon it, laying his head in her bofom, he 
 cried, QhThlsheJ foroett in g alLother word s. 
 
 Theagenes, Chariclea and Knemon being now alone, 
 began to ftudy what courfe they were beft to take, and 
 made a ftiew as if they would confult together j but the 
 
 E4 
 
1 
 
 ; 56: The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 '. \ ^JS-'^^JM^A^ of part mi(eries,jhe perplexity of prefent ca- 
 ^'^ lajnities, and the Tn certitude of the future yet hanging 
 
 i over their heads, To confufed their fpirits, that they 
 did nothing but look one upon another, expe(^ing 
 who would tirfl begin the overture; that hope failing, 
 they bowed down their eyes, and again lifting them 
 up, (ighed ; fo eafing their fad hearts: At length Kne- 
 mon jireiched^himfeltupon the earthj7'l1ieagenes"'fit 
 down upon a ftone with Chariclea on his knee; and 
 along time they put off fleep, dcfiring by fome good 
 counfel to provide for their affairs; but broke with 
 grief and labour, though unwilling, they obeyed the 
 law of nature, and ii am the extremity of forrow Hided 
 into the fwcetnefs of a fleep, the reafonable part of the 
 foul being forced to confent to the neceffity of the 
 body. 
 
 AVhen flumber had new fcized upon them, and but 
 even joyned their eye-lids, and a little lightned them 
 of tlicir burden, Chariclea that lay in the bofom of 
 Theagenes, dreamed that fhe faw an ugly man come 
 towarJs her, having hiiliair all matted and elfe-Iock'd, 
 looking like a iraytor, his eyes funk in his head, and 
 his hands bloody, who running at her with his fword, 
 ftruck out her right eye; ihe prefently crying out, cal- 
 led Theagenes, and faid her eye was gone ; he prefent- 
 ly awaked, and deplored hci^jnisfortune, as if he had 
 dreamed fo too; B^ut'fhe feeling about'^^ntlTlier hand 
 for tfie eye fhe had loft in her fleep ; and foon recol- 
 le^fling her felf, faid, 1 did but dream, 1 did but djream, 
 Theagenes ; my eyes are fafe : do not aiHi<5byour felf, 
 
 Thefe words gave new life to Theagenes : the Gods 
 be thanked (faid he) that have preferved thofe fun- 
 beams; But what was the matter? what terror did in* 
 
 
 A 
 
 { 
 
 HISTORY. Sy 
 
 vade you ? Oh, faid flie, a wicked and ill-favoured man, 
 not fearing your unconquered valour, with his fword 
 drawn infulted over me, that had taken fanduary in 
 your bofom, and raethought he ftruck out my right 
 eye, and would it had been truth, not a dream: The 
 Gods forbid, replied Theagenes; Why fay you fo? 
 Becaufe, faid flie, it had been better for me to have loft 
 an eye, than to have been put in fuch a fear for you; 
 for I doubt this dream portends fome ill to you, who 
 are dearer to me than my eyes, or life it felf. No more 
 ©rthat, iaid Knemon (for he had heard all, awaking 
 with the firft cry of Chariclea) to me this dream figni- 
 fies quite another thing ; tell me, are your parents liv- 
 ing? Chariclea faid yes: Then iaid Xnemon, believe 
 your father to be deadu Thus I conjecture it; Our 
 parents are the authors of our life, and it is by thfir 
 means we fee and enjoy this light; therefore I hold it 
 apt to compare our father and mother to our eyes, the 
 fenfe capable of light, and whereby we difcern things 
 vifible; and this is the meaning of your dream. A 
 heavy fenfe, replied Chariclea ; yet rather be this veri- 
 fied than the other. May your Tripos divine rightly, 
 and I prove a falfe prophet. The event will crown 
 my divination, replyed Knemon, and fo reft you con- 
 tent. 
 
 But methlnks we dream yet, that fo much trouble 
 our felves about imaginations, and omit to refolve 
 what we fliould do whilft this .Egyptian (meaning 
 Thermutis) hath left us for a while, to mourn for his 
 dead miftrefs : Theagenes catching his word, prithee 
 Knemon, faid he, finceJljiBe^iyine' power hatli joyned 
 thee to us^and made thee our companion in mifery ; 
 firfrgTve us thy advice, for thouknoweft the country, 
 
5S 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 and underftandeft the language ; and we, that are never 
 very apprthenfive, are at this inftant fo dulled with 
 cilamity, as we have not underftanding in our own 
 affairs. 
 
 Knemon paufing a while, fpake thus; 
 
 I know not which of us have greateft fhare in n)is- 
 fortune; I have a burden great enough; yet in regard 
 you command me (as the eldeft here, and moft vcrfed 
 in the world) to give my opinion, this it is ; 
 
 This ifland as you fee is laid wafte and deferted, con- 
 taining now no living creatures but our felves, within 
 this cave is great (lore of gold, fdver and filks (for it 
 is hardly to be imagined what quantity of rich fpoyls 
 Thyamis hath taken both from us and others, and de- 
 pofited here) but for corn and other ammunition necef- 
 fary to maintain life, there is left no more but the bare 
 names ; if therefore we ftay here long, it is to be feared 
 we (hall perifh either by famine, or the enemy, that 
 may return, or by our own fellows, ifthey m-ake head 
 again ; for they are not ignorant where the treafure 
 lieth, and are likely to come hither for fupplies of mo- 
 ney, and then we cannot efcape their fury; or if they 
 Ihould deal mildlier with us, yet we fhould be obnoxi- 
 ous to their petulancies, and fuffer the indignities of 
 their barbarous humors; for thieves are men that 
 naturally keep no faith, and lefs now than ever, hav- 
 ing loft their captain,that could by his authority bridle 
 their infolencies; therefore we muft leave the ifland, 
 and get away from it as out of a net or prifon ; but 
 firft let us free our felves of Thermutis, under pretence 
 offending him to try if he can hear any news of Thy- 
 amis; and when we are none but our felves, we fliall 
 more ealily confider and refoive what we have to do : 
 
 HISTORY. 59 
 
 and it much concerns us to difpatch away this incon- 
 {lant,quarrelfom and ill-natur'd man, and that hath us 
 in fufpicion for the death of Thisbc, and will not be 
 at quiet in himfelf till he be revenged upon us if occa- 
 fion bcprefented. 
 
 They approved his counfel, and thought beft to 
 follow it: Then going forward to the entry of the 
 cave, they perceived it was day; and. awaking Ther- 
 mutis, whom they found in a dead deep ; and he being 
 a light and credulous man, they eafily perfwaded him 
 as they pleafed ; acquainting him (as he believed) with 
 their purpofes ; theiMjdy-of T-hrsbe they kid in a little 
 pit, g.nd covered it inltead of earth, with aflies, the 
 ruins of their late houfe, and performing the cere- 
 monies that piety owes to the dead, as fully as the 
 time would fuffer, and for all funeral offerings make 
 a parentation of their tears, they fent Thermutis to 
 feek Thyamis. He had gone but a little way, when 
 fuddenly he turned back, and told them he would not 
 go alone, nor objedt himfelf to the danger of being a 
 fpy, unlefs Knemon v/ould be a partner with him: 
 Theagenes perceiving Knemon to hang back for fear 
 of the Egyptian, as might eafily be judged by the 
 charafter he^had made of Thermutis, wherein he had 
 pictured his own fear ; What, faid Theagenes, fo ftrong 
 in counfel, and fo weak in execution ! Take heed you 
 do not make my fufpicion of your valour prove a truth ; 
 revive, rouzeyo^vurJ^iritSjjnanj^i^^ a (hew 
 
 as ifyouwere content to go along with him, left your 
 refulal niake.him fufp^ffpur fli^t^Y go with 
 
 him ;there's no danger, you have your cloaths on, and 
 a fword by your fide, why ftiould you fear to walk with 
 a naked man, that hath no weapon to offend you ? 
 
6o The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 And then taking your time, you may fecretly forfake 
 him, and come to us at an appointed place, which fhall 
 be fome neighbour-town, if you know any fuch, where 
 the inhabitants are civil men. 
 
 'Tis very well advis'd, faid Knemon ; let us meet at 
 Chemmis, a rich town, well-peopled, and near hand, 
 •fituate upon the skirts of Nilus, below the banks, that 
 » defend it from the furprifes and incurfions of the 
 :herdfmen ; when you have pad the Jake, it is but a 
 hundred furlongs thither, and you mull go diredlly 
 fouth : We fhJl hardly reach it, faid Theagenes, Cha- 
 riclea hath not been ufed to fo long journeys; yet we 
 will go and dirgujfeourfehfsiike beggars or poor for- 
 .tune-tellerstliat travel about the country to charm an 
 «iras from thefe hard people. Oh ! you will make ex- 
 cellent gypfies, faid Knemon ; Out upon you, what 
 black deformed faces you have, efpecially Chariclea, 
 that hath lately loft an eye !^nd yet by your habit you 
 will be fuch fine mendicant^ that fure the country- 
 people will think you wander about to beg jewels, gold, 
 .plate, and not a poor alms, or a morfcl of bread^S At 
 /this they could have been content to laugh ; but /heir 
 '■■ mirth only extended to a fmile: Then taking a folemn 
 oath never to abandon one another, confirming wliat 
 ihey had determined, they difpofed tliemfelves accord- 
 
 Knemon and Thermutis paffing the lake whilft it 
 was yet early day, took their way through an intricate 
 thick wood, Thermutis went before, Knemon having 
 entreated him, becaufe he was skilful in the ways, that 
 were difficult; but indeed it was to fecurehis own life, 
 and to prepare occafion to give him the flip : when they 
 were now come into tjie thickeil of the wood, ihey met 
 
 H I S T O R Y. 6t 
 
 aflockof flieep, and killing the bell weather, laid the 
 flefli to roaft upon the fire which the fliepherds (that 
 fled at fight of them) had kindled fur them felves; nei- 
 ther would their bellies let them be in quiet till the 
 meat was enoOgh,^'but hunger made them fo fierce 
 as like v/olves or tigers, they devoured it in great gob- 
 bets, only a little black'd with the fire, the blood run- vi " 
 ning about their mouths. When thus the^ad fatis- 
 fied their hunger, and quenched their thirlt with milk 
 provided for the fliepherds, they held on their jour- 
 ney. 
 
 Now it was time for Knemon to fliew all his cun- 
 ning, for they were come to the top of a hill, whence 
 Thermutis fliewed him^ a town in the bottom, where he 
 imagined Thyamis to be a prifoner, either in the goal, 
 or in his grave; for thither he heard that he was car- 
 ried. 
 
 Whilft he fpake this, Knemon made as if his belly 
 aked, and told him he began to feel the crudities of 
 the meat, and that he feared the milk he drank had 
 curdled upon his ftomach, for he was inextream tor- 
 ment; therefore he intreated Thermutis that he would 
 go on, and he would follow him ; this he did once and 
 again, and the third time, as if it had been real, and 
 that he had overtaken him with much difficulty, info- 
 much as the Egyptian gave credit to his counterfeit 
 difeafe; and being now ufed to attend his coming, Kne- 
 mon lengthned his expedlation, and ftayed for altoge- 
 ther, runniflg^^Qunter through the obfcureft palTageof 
 the wood, and cafting about by the hill-fide, fled with 
 ail poflible fpeed. 
 
 ■^'Thermutis pafTing the hill top expe<5led Knemon, 
 and the night under whofe favourable fhadow they 
 
62 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 < 
 
 might pafs into the town ; and learn the (late of Thy- 
 amis : often looking behind him to fee if he did come, 
 and plottijQgJji_istetmanaer he (houldjiill him ; for 
 be yet fufpeded his confent to Thisbe's death, and 
 therefore meant to ferve him in the fame kind ; and 
 then, at his return promifing himfelf tofacrificeThe- 
 agenes to his revenge. But Knemon not appearing, 
 and night now growing bhck, he fell aflecp: which 
 was his laft, thejron fleep of death, bitten with an.af- 
 pick ; perhaps by the fatal pleafurcof the Gods, a death 
 aj]jwerable to his life^ dealing upon him as he had done 
 upon others. ^ 
 
 But Knemon after he had loft fight of Thermutis, 
 never ftaid to take his breath tilldarknefs arrefting his 
 eyes, (lopped his flight, and in the fame place where 
 the night furpriz'd him, he hid and covered himfelfall 
 oyer with leaves a great part ofthe night, never (hut- 
 ting Tiis eyes, but fweating, and fearing every noifc 
 and every breath of wind, and every motion of the 
 leaves to be Thermutis. if ijt any*time flcep preft u- 
 pon him, he dreamed, that he was flying, and awaking^ 
 looked behind his back for him, that was not now in 
 cafe to follow: many fearful vifions ftarted him and 
 hindred his defire, and putting him in greater terror 
 than if Thermutis had come indeed; Finally he grew 
 angry with the night, and thought it the longeft that 
 ever was fince the beginning ofthe world. 
 
 But when with infinite joy he perceived the firft 
 fpring of day, prefently he cut ofFhis long hair, which 
 he had let grow after the fafliion of the thieves, for 
 fear thofe he ftiould meet would either Ihun him, or 
 rufpe<5t him ; for the iflanders among other courfes they 
 take to appear terrible, let their locks at full length 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 ^3 
 
 bang dangling upon their flioulders^ not ignorant that 
 long hair js an ornament iii a Ibyer, but a horror in a 
 ^ef; having therefore left himfelf as much hair as the 
 neater fort of people ufed to wear, and Icfs than the 
 herdfmen, he hafted the neareft way to Chemmis, 
 the town Theagenes had appointed him for meeting. 
 Being now near unto the river Nilus, ready to take 
 water for Chemmis, he faw an old man walking up and 
 down upon the (hoar, as if he had been difcourfing 
 with the ftream ; hiswhitie^haix Wjvrore long infanuon 
 o£a"fFophet, a great long picked beard, his caflToek 
 and bis other robes refembUng a Greek habit. Kne- 
 . mon ftood dill a while and looked upon him, but the 
 old man pa(ring by many times and not perceiving 
 him, b^eixigJ^.Qlly_fixtTjpeff1itsTnedifatron; Knemon 
 ftept in before him, and faluted him, bidding the Gods 
 blefs him. No faid the old man, fortune hath other- 
 vife difpofed : Knemon wondring at his anfwer, asked 
 him. Are you a Grecian, (Iranger, or of whence ? Nei- 
 ther a Grecian, ndr a (Iranger, he replyed ; but this 
 countryman, an Aegyptmn: How come you then to 
 wear thefe Grecian robes ? (faid Knemon) Calamity 
 (anfwered the old man) hath put me in this glorious 
 habit, and changed my ordinary drefs ; Knemon ad- 
 miring how mifery flioul4 make any man go [o jcicher 
 cT6aths,and dehrin^ him to unfold the riddle; Oh! 
 faid the old man, to relate my fortunes, would bring 
 my felf and you into a labyrinth, whence we (hould 
 not get out, and but load you with my burden; But, 
 young man, whither lies your journey ? Or whence 
 do you come ? Or how is it you fpeak Greek in Aegypt ? 
 This is ridiculous, faid Knemon, to enquire of my af- 
 fairs; and tell me nothing of your own, and I asked the 
 
 ♦< 
 
 f 
 
 ■.i^ 
 
64 ^The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 firft queftion. Well, I am content to bear your jeft, 
 faid the old man; for it appears you are a Grecian: 
 and I believe that in this play of fortune you have 
 changed fliapes as well as I ; but fmce you feem taken 
 with acuriofityto underftand my eflate, Iwill fatisfie 
 you : for know I am big with grief, and if I had not 
 light of you, perhaps I hadexprefTed my felf to thefe 
 reeds. But firft, let us leave this fhoar and river of 
 Milus, for this is not a convenient place for fo long a 
 narration, the heights of this bank lying open and ex- 
 pofed to the noon-day-fun, let us ferry over to the 
 town we fee upon the other fide ; if happily fome great- 
 er bufmefs doth not call you away, there I will bid 
 you welcome, not in my own houfe, but in the houfe 
 of a good man iTiat receives mc as a fuppliant. There 
 I will inform you, if you pleafe, of my affairs, and you 
 (hall recompence me with a relation of yours; Along 
 then, faid Knemon, for I have bufinefs to the town; 
 I muft there expert the coming of fome friends. 
 
 Then taking boat (many oars lying upon the river 
 to tranfport palTengers for their money) they pafled 
 over to the town, and the old man brought Knemon 
 to the houfe where himfelf wasa gueft; they found the 
 mafter of the houfe from home ; only his daughter that 
 was now marriageable, entertained them, and every 
 fervant of the houfe was officious to them; both their 
 miftrefs and they obferving the old man as if he Lad 
 been her father ; for fo it is likely they were command- 
 ed: onebrufhed the duft off their cloaths, brought wa- 
 ter for their feet, and wafhcd and dryed them ; another 
 made their beds eafie and foft, another kindled the fire, 
 fome cover'd the table, others brought water and a 
 towel for their hands, others fet raanchets upon the 
 
 ■■ 
 
 HISTORY* 65 
 
 board, and ferved in the fruits of the feafbn, whereof 
 there was variety. Knemon wondring at their enter- 
 tainment, fure father, faid he, we are come into the 
 hoJife^ of Jupiter the h^ofpi table; they do us fo much 
 obfervance, and Ihew fuch lingular alacrity: This is 
 no God's houfe, faid the old man ; but it belongs to one 
 that is a true adorer ofthe Gods, that worfliips Jupiter 
 the hofpitable and patron ofthe fuppliants. for child, 
 he is a merchant and hath fpcnt his life in travel ; feen 
 manycities and nations, and fludiedmen and manners, 
 and having laimfelf been a pilgrim in the world, 1 take 
 it to be hisreafon why he entertaineth others, and a- 
 mong the reft, mc, that a few days fince was a wanderer 
 in thefe parts. 
 
 How came it to pafs, father, faid Knemon, that you 
 fhould be compelled to wander abroad? Being depri- 
 ved (replied he) of my children by thieves, and though 
 I know the villain?wen enough, yet not having power 
 to revenge my felf, I remain here hovering about them, 
 and complaining like the poor bird that hath her neft 
 robb'd by g.fcrpeut devouring her young before her 
 eyes, whilll (lie fears to come near,yer hath no power 
 to fly away: for love and grief diflraft her, crying, 
 (he flies about the befieger, and pours the forrow of a 
 parent into the ears to which nature hath taught no 
 pity. 
 
 Oblige me (faid Knemon) with the knowledge of 
 the circumdance and time wherein you fuffered this 
 great conflidl in your fpirits ; Anon 1 will inform you, 
 he replyed; now it is time to appeafe our appetite and 
 content our belly; which drawing us away how preat 
 foever the bufinefs be we have in agitation, is proper- 
 ly called pernicious by the admirable Homer. But firft, 
 
66 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 following the precepts of the Aegyptian wifdom , let ns 
 offer the firft fruits of our repall to the Gods ; a cuftora 
 I (hall never violate, and my grief how flrong foever 
 it is, fliall never prevail with me fo fir as to blot out 
 of my memory the divine powers^and the honour I am 
 bound to render them. 
 
 Then pouring on the earth clear water out of a vial, 
 I offer he faid, this eifufion to the Gods of Aegypt and 
 of Greece, to Apollo of Delphos, and to Theagenes 
 and'Chariclca the beft and noblcft ; therefore I think it 
 la\\rftitto nuiiiber them amongft the Gods: With this 
 he wept, making afecond offering of his tears to for- 
 row. 
 
 Knemon was amazed to hear thcfe names, and be- 
 gan to take a flri(fter view of the old man : How fay you 
 father, faid he, are Theagenes and Chariclea your 
 children ? They are'(reply'd the old man) my children 
 born -without a mother, for the Gods have miracu- 
 loufly been pleafed that 1 fhould get them by accident, 
 and be delivered of them not without the grief and paf- 
 fions of my foul. My love, though not my nature, 
 was a father to them, fo they efteemed and called me ; 
 But tell me how came you to know them ? I do not 
 only know them, anfwered Knemon ; but I am able to 
 afTure you they are in health and fafe. Oh Apollo ! and 
 all other Gods, cryed the old man, inform me in what 
 part of the world they live ; I v/iil efteem thee my pre- 
 fcrverand thecqualof my hippieftdars; But what will 
 you give me, faid Knemon ? For the prcfcnt faid he, 
 my thanks, a grateful lieart^ accounted the faireft prc- 
 fcnt a Vvife man can receive; I have known fome 
 would treafure up this gift as their bcft riches, but if 
 the Gods pleafe I fliall recover my own (as I have their 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 4- 
 
 i 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 HISTORY. 6y 
 
 promlfe it fliall be fliortly) I will reward you nobly, 
 make you a rich man : faid Knemon, you promife 
 things future and uncertain, I look for prefent pay: 
 Let me know what it is you demand, faid the old man, 
 do you fee any thing you would havei* If it be any 
 part of my body, I will cut it off, and efteem my fclf 
 the founder man. It is only this, faid Knemon, that 
 *ypu will truly relate to me of whence they are, their 
 parents and their fortunes : A great donative ! replyed 
 the old man : There is no other comparable to it, 
 though you had asked all the riches of the earth and 
 fca, but you fliall have it only firfl ; let us take a little 
 repaft, for it will be a long time of imploymcnt for us, 
 both mine to relate, and yours to hear. 
 
 When they had now filled ihemfelves with nuts, 
 figgs, nev/ pulled dates, and fuch like fruits, v;^hereoii 
 the old man ufed to ^cq<\ (for he never eat any thing 
 that had life taken from it) they dranii the pure water ; 
 but Kn€moiL pure wi-ne. After they had a while kept 
 filence, Father,you arc not Igtiorant, faid Knemon, how 
 good acQnJpaniaftiiacchus is, bow much he delights 
 in entertaiiunents, „Y£rt€, and fl:ories ; he hath now 
 taken up his lodging in my brain, and makes me cx- 
 treamly covetous of the reward you promifcd me; and 
 therefore, father, it is nov/ time you bring thefe per- 
 fons upon the fliage: I will, reply'd the old man : and 
 I v/ifh with all niy heart the honefl: Nauficles had been 
 \\2lth'^us, who hath often been carnefl with ine to dif^ 
 courfe thefe paffages ; but I have ftill put him off from 
 time to time. Where is he ? faid Knemon, hearing him A 
 name Nauficles: He is gone a hunting, faid the old 
 man : not to chafe beafls, but wilder creatures that are 
 called men and hcrdfmen, but they are thieves, and 
 
 T 2 
 
 
 ^ 
 
<58 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 not without much difficulty to be taken, the pernici- 
 ous otters live in fuch an ifland of invincible earth 
 and water: But how have they offended him ? They 
 have (faid the old man) robbed him of an Athenian 
 gentlewoman, named Thisbe; Oh ho 1 faid Knemon, 
 and took himfelf in the manner, and fo flopped his 
 fpeech : The old man asking him what was the matter ? 
 Knemon diverted him to another conlideration j I 
 %vonder faid Knemon, under the affiirancc of what 
 forces he durfl faU upon tbefe robbers ! the great king, 
 replyed the old man^ hath made Oroondates his lieute- 
 nant of j^gypt, by whofe command JVIitranes captain 
 of the garrifons is billeted in this town for our defence ; 
 and Mauficles with a great fum of money, hath procu- 
 red him to lead his horfe and foot againfl the iflandcrs, 
 being in anextream rage that they fhould take from 
 him this Athenian woman ; not only becaufe fhe is his 
 friend, and playeth curioufly upon the lute, but prin- 
 cipally becaufe, as he telleth me, he was to carry her 
 to the king of /Ethiopia to be near the Queen, to pafs 
 her time, and teach l>er thefafliions and the language 
 of tlie Grecians ; the fpite to lofe fo great a remunera- 
 tion as he expected, makes him now ufe all the engines 
 of his wit and power to recover her, I my felf have 
 been a principal in pcrfwading and encouraging him, 
 becaufe fo (happily) I may come to find my children. 
 
 Enough, faid Knemon, let us now leave talking of 
 herdfmen and thieves, lieutenants, captains and kings ; 
 for Iprotell you had almofl infenfibly flollen away my 
 mind to a new matter, making a long preface nothing 
 to my purpofe ; therefore I pray you bring about your 
 oration to the path you promlfed me; for methinks I 
 fee the Pbarian^ Proteiis rc^xi^d in yjou, not that you 
 
 1 
 
 H I S T O R Y. jSp 
 
 turn yourfelf Into as many commeniltlous fpecies, and 
 fluxive forms, appearing and vanilhing, but that you 
 would transform mej,,,and change the moul3"oFray 
 injagination. I will recount the truth unto you (faid 
 the old man) without difguifes, whatfoever you are 
 pleafed to think of me; but firfl I will make you a 
 brief difcovery of my own fortune, becaufe theirs de- 
 pends upon it. 
 
 The city of Memphis is my country, my father's 
 namg^jj^as^Calafirls, fo is mine ; my prefent cpjalition 
 is no better^.tluii"apffar]:rt!grtffi,"tTiat was fometimes 
 in""tHat city honoured with the charge ofthe chief prieft ; 
 riwda wileby the intlitlltlons of our town, but Ilofl 
 her by the law of nature: After fhe was departed from 
 her mortal body to eternal refl, for a while I lived and 
 felt not mifery, comforting my felf in my two fons fhe 
 had left mc ; but in few years, my better ftars having 
 finifhed their prefcribed circle, the face of my affairs 
 began to change, and Saturn with an ill afpedl beheld 
 our houfe, threatning the ruin of it, which I had wif- 
 dom to forefee, but no power to prevent ; for any man 
 may predifcover the immutable decrees of fate ; but no 
 man can avoid them : only this good there is in fore- 
 light,, that it rebates the point, and takes off the edge 
 of our difaflers, which, (child) if they fall fudden, are 
 iotolerable|bift'fbre-feeihg, we are prepared to receive 
 them; otherwife fear difquietlng the foul, makes us 
 bear them with impatience, but this acquaintance 
 renders them familiar to our reafon : my firft misfor- 
 tune was this; ' 
 
 A Thracian woman, in the perfed flower of hef 
 age, the fairefl, as I think, next to CfiarTclea in the 
 world, naming her felf Rhodopis, I know not whence 
 
 F 3 ■ ~ 
 
 
 3 
 
70 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 or how, but by the adverfe fjte of thofe that were ac- 
 qmintcd with her, was brought to travel thrpjigh 
 Mgvpt, and with a petulant confidence (hewed herfelf 
 at MoniphisVTullowed with a great train of maids and 
 men that fcrved her, her carriages richly laded, and her 
 felfexadtly ftudicd in all the charms and allurements 
 of a Venus; it was not pofiible for any man to fee 
 her, but he mud be taken; luch an inevitable fafcina- 
 tion fiiot from her eyes : She often came into the tem- 
 ple of the GodJefs Ilis (whofaprieilX.was) and fliew- 
 ed great devotion to the goddefs, being frequent in fa- 
 crifices, making rich and princely offerings at our al- 
 tars; I blulh to fpeak it (yet you fhall know all) her 
 beauty that 1 had often (tood the affaults of, at length 
 conquered me, and forced my continency, which till 
 then I had fafely guarded all my life : a great while the 
 eyes of my foul refilled thofe of my body ; but after a 
 long fight I was conftrained to yield, the.paflion of a 
 lover preding upon mc, and lying heavy as a load of 
 chains; therefore I found this woman to be the firft 
 mover and beginning of thofe evils which hanged over 
 me, (a long while before difcovered by my art) under- 
 ftanding there was fatal necefiity in it, and that the 
 devil that troubled my repofe, had put on that form 
 and fhape to perfecute me ; I rcfolved howfoevcr not to 
 dishonour my priellly funiftion, wherein from a child 
 I had been bred, and rather die than prophane the 
 temples and altars of the Gods; at length reafon ob- 
 taining the empire of my foul, to fatisfie for the fatal 
 offence I had committed, not a(5tuaITy Cwhich heaven 
 forbid) but in thought only, I punifliM my coricupif- 
 cence with voluntary banifliment, and left my country 
 of my own accord; as well to obey the force of defti- 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 71 
 
 ny, and fuffer it to do with me what it pleafed ; as alfo 
 to avoid the fight of the execrable KJiodopis: For 
 (friend) I was afraid le(l love laying fiege to my heart, 
 (that was yet defended by reafon,) fiiould at length 
 take the fortrefs,and make me commit fome foul thing : 
 But that which principally expell'd me, was, my chil- 
 dren, who (as the Gods by their myfterious wifdom 
 had revealed to me) were-^to. fight ..a Jingle combat fa- 
 tall^^together ; therefore to take from my eyes the 
 fighTof fuch a lamentable object (which I imagine the 
 fun himfelfwill not behold, masking his beams behind 
 a cloud) not to make a father fo unhappy as to ftand 
 by and fee his children murder one another, I abando- 
 ned my country and my father's houfe, not making 
 any one privy to the caufe of my departure, nor whi- 
 ther I was bound; pretending a journey to the great 
 city of Thebes, to fee my elder fon, who remained 
 there with his grandfather by the mother's fide,his name 
 was "Thyamis. 
 
 Again Knemon flood wondring, as if the name of 
 Thyamis had (truck him, yet he forbare to fpeak, im- 
 patient to hear out the difcourfe, which Calafiris thus 
 continued; 
 
 * Young man, I leave out my journey, and the paf- 
 
 * fagcs thereof, as not pertinent to the (lory you defire ; 
 ' but having often heard that in Greece there was a city 
 
 * named Delphos, particularly dedicated to Apollo, 
 ^ j^et tbatiber^ was a common temple, wMreTnalTo all 
 ^ the Gods3J^-ere.bono4jri3^ and a. kind of fellowfliip 
 '^o^runivei:lity_p/ wife men, feparatefrom the tumults 
 
 * oTtlie vulgar, I efteem'3 it would be the moft proper 
 ^ and convenient retiring place for a Prophet, as a city 
 ' defined to facred ceremonies ; then loofing out from 
 
 F 4 
 
 ^ 
 
72 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 * the gulf of CrilTaeum, and arriving at Cirrhus, I 
 ' was no fooner landed, but I halted towards Delphos, 
 
 * and coming near the town, a found (doubtlefs di- 
 
 * vine) prcfcntly beat upon my ear. Methought this* 
 '* city was the fweetell place of abode that ever I had 
 
 * feen, both for its own beauty, and Jnj-e^ard nature 
 ^ aadarthadhecn io-ftrife to fortifie it; the mountain 
 
 * £arnaill^an|^s over it, with his ftretchedficjes ffank- 
 
 * ing-ia the town,aswitli a bulwark.' 
 
 You fay true, faid Knemon,andlike aman infpircd 
 by Apollo; for my father made the fame defcription 
 unto me of the fituation of Delphos, when the town of 
 Athens fent him thither ambafifador from theeftates of 
 the Amphidtioncs. 
 
 * i;hen you arc an Atheni^nVCfaid Calafirls) I am ; 
 ' Your name I pray you V Knemon, he replied. Your 
 fortune? You (hall know mine hereafter: Butnowfol- 
 lowyourdifcourfe: Content, replyed Calallris. 
 
 * AfttT I was come up to the town, and that I had 
 ' delighted my eyes with the great plains, fair fields, 
 
 * places of exercife, rivers, fprings, and the Caftalian 
 
 * {Q}int^iM^jidiax^-fnt4iUd.myic^,~l ha(ted~to the 
 
 * temple, following the prefs of people that went thi- 
 
 * ther, it being then the hour wherein the prophetefs 
 
 * ufed to beinfpiied, and fpeak oracles : having entred 
 ^ the temple, adored the God, and commended my 
 
 * wifhes in a fhort prayer, the Prieftefs, whpm thej^ 
 ^ call Pythia, thus replyed;* 
 
 Wandring from fruitful Nilus, thou dofl: fly. 
 Poor volun tier, thy too ftrong deftiny: 
 Stay, for black i^gypt fhortly I'll again 
 Reilore thee ; here till then, our friend; remain. 
 
 t 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 73 
 
 < When (he had uttered this, I proftrated upon my 
 
 * face before the altar, humbly praying Apollo to be 
 
 * propitious to me in all affairs : All that were prefent 
 ^ greatly praifed the God for having vouchfafed me fo 
 
 * gracious an anfwer at my firft arrival; and thence- 
 
 * forth the people honoured and obferved me, won- 
 
 * dringat my good fortune, who they faid was theon- 
 ^ ly man that ever Apollo had called friend fince one 
 ^ Lycurgus a Lacedemonian ; and when they knew I 
 
 * defired to dwell within the cloyfttr of the temple, 
 
 * they permitted me, and decreed me a publick allow- 
 
 * ance, to defray my charges. In fum, there was no 
 
 * good thing wanting to my content; for either I was 
 ^ bufied to enquire the reafons of the ceremonies, of 
 ^ the many and different facrifices both ftrangcrs and 
 ' the inhabitants offer to the God, or elfe I paft my 
 
 * time in conference and difpute with the Philofophers 
 
 * repairing thither in great numbers, as to a colledge 
 
 * confecrated to the mufes, whereof Apollo that in- 
 ^ fpires them, is the mafter : jir. firft they moved.many 
 ^ qufiftious to me, fome of one thing, fome of another ; 
 
 * one demanded in what manner we Egyptians wor- 
 
 < ihipped our Gods ? another asked me why we adore 
 ^ creatures, and hold them facred and divine? foipe 
 
 * enquired oftheform^ani^aifl^^^ ? 
 ^ Many were curious in queftioning me about the art 
 
 < of our conduits and water works; and not to parti- 
 
 * cularize, they left nothing unenquired thatconcern- 
 ^ eth us ; for the fingularities of ^Egypt do marvelloufly 
 
 * take the ears of Greece.* 
 
 * Finally, fome of the graver fort put queflions to 
 ' me about ISilus, which were his fprings, and the pe- 
 
 * ^uliar nature wherein that river differed from others > 
 
74 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 and why only thofe waters increafe in furamer time; 
 I told them what I knew, and had found written in 
 our facred books, which are not to be read nor un- 
 derftood by any but our prophets, recounting to them 
 that the head and fource of Nilus rifeth from the 
 mountains of Aethiopia, in the fartheft parts of Ly- 
 bia, there where the eallern climate ends, and the 
 meridian takes beginning : It increafes in the fum- 
 mer not (as fome imagine) becaufe the winds named 
 the Etefiae, blowing contrary to their ftream, make 
 them regurgit and overflow; but in regard the fame 
 winds rifing about the fummer foiftice, violently 
 chafe and drive all the clouds from north to fouLh, 
 that carried upon their fwift wings to the torrid zone, 
 are there flopped, and by the incredible vehemency 
 of the circumfufcd heat, their motion is beaten back, 
 and the humour that before was gathered and con- 
 denfed, then thaws, and dillilling in great (bowers, 
 making Nilus fo proud, that he no longer endures 
 to be a river, but palfing his limits, covers ^Egypt 
 with his inundation like a fea, making fruitful the 
 country as he palFcth; this is the reafon his waters 
 are fo fweet to drink, becaufe he receiveth them 
 from heaven, and they are fine to bath in, not hot as 
 when they fall, yet milk warm as retaining part of 
 their original ; hence it comes that of all rivers on- 
 ly, this exhales no vapours: which would neceffa- 
 rily follow by natural reafon, if (as certain learned 
 Grecians have conceived) the tides had taken their 
 increafe from fnow melting and pouring off the moun- 
 tains. 
 
 As I difcourfed thus the pried of ^^ polio my inti- 
 mate friend, named; Charicles, you fpeak faid he, ex- 
 
 i 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 75 
 
 cellently well, and I affent to your opinion; for it is 
 the fame I heard of your piiclls in the Catadupes of 
 Nilus. 
 
 Were you ever there, Charicles ? faid I: I was, re- 
 plyed he: I demanded if he had any bufinefs there ? he 
 anfwered, my adverfe fortune at home made me travel 
 thither, and was the caufe of my felicity ; I marvelling 
 at his words, as implying contradidion: You will not 
 wonder (he faid) when you hear all the palfages which 
 I will tell you when you pleafe: We cannot have a 
 better time, I faid : Be it now if you think good. Then 
 Charicles taking me afide, know faid he, I haveTohg 
 wiflied to give you Ithe relation of rtty fortunes, as hav- 
 ing^ need of your afflffaniX^wifcCajafiris; After I was 
 married, i was fomeyears without children : at length 
 growing into years yet continuing earnefl: in my pray- 
 ers to the Gods, they bleffed me with iffue, and made 
 me father of a daughter in the declining of my age; 
 but with fad predidlions, that her birth fhould be un- 
 fortunate: (he being now grown marriageable, many 
 fuitors were ambitious to be her husband, I matched 
 her to him that in my judgment bed deferved her; but 
 even upon her marriage-night in her husband's bed and 
 arms, the miferable died fuffocated by fire ; either from 
 heaven, or fcattered from the hand of fome too carelefs 
 pcrfon : fo mourning and tears took place of her nup- 
 tial bravery, and of the Epithalamion that was yet fung 
 from her marriage- chamber, fhe was carried to her 
 tomb ; and the fame torches that were lighted at her 
 wedding, ferv'd for her funeral- fire : nor did the divine 
 powers let this tragedy end here ; but added her mother 
 to the fcenc of death, heart-broken for her child. I 
 having not conftancy enough to fupport thefe rigours 
 
I 
 
 76 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 of the Gods, would not yet exile my felf from life (o* 
 beying the more probable doftrine of divines) but re- 
 folved to forfake my country, and no more to fee the 
 folitude and forrow of my houfe •, for it is a great eafe 
 to mifery to remove the fad objeft from our eyes : 
 And having wandred many countrys, at length I came 
 into your ^gypt, and travelled to the Catadupes, to 
 fee the cataradts and falls of Nilus : Here you have the 
 reafons of my journey, but I defire you (hould know 
 the head, or rather crown of the narration. 
 
 As I was there walking the ftreets, and buying fome 
 rarities, whereof there was fcarcity in Greece (for now 
 time having digefted my forrow, 1 longed to return in- 
 to my country) a venerable black man (with a face full 
 of gravity, though he were but newly ftepped out of 
 his youth) came to me, and faluted me; telling me in 
 broken Greek, that he defired to have fome conference 
 with me; I obeying his defire, he carried me into a 
 temple hard by; and faid, I faw you buying fome In- 
 dian and Aethiopian herbs and roots, but if you will 
 have them fincere and without all fophiftication, buy 
 of me ; With all my heart, faid I : Pray you (hew them ; 
 But take heed, faid he, you be not too wary a buyer : 
 Look you, faid I, you be not too dear a feller. 
 
 Then drawing out a little cabbinet that he carried 
 under his arm, he opened it ; and fliewed me certain 
 gemms of an ineftimable value ; there were pearls of the 
 bignefsof ahafelnut, exactly round, and fair without 
 a flaw; emeralds, and jacinths; the one (hewing like 
 the green corn in the fpring-time, (hining in their po- 
 lifli as if oyled, the other imitating the colour of the 
 fea-fhore under a high bending rock, dying all below 
 it in a purple colour. In fine, of all the flones to- 
 
 -^ 
 
 HISTORY, yy 
 
 gether, there was a mixt and various water infinitely 
 pleafing and delightful to the eye: When I had well 
 confidered them, friend, faid I, you mud feek you o- 
 ther kind of chapmen than I am, for all my wealth 
 will not be great enough to purchafe me the lead of 
 thefe. If you have not means tobuy them, faid he, yet 
 I hope you have power to receive them as a gift : That's 
 true, I replyed, I think my power were fufficient to 
 receive them ; but I cannot imagine what fliould in- 
 duce you thus to mock me: I mock not, he replyed, 
 but what I do is ferious: and I proteft unto you by 
 the power that is patron of this temple, I will give you 
 all tliefe provided you will receive with this a richer 
 gift. At this I fell a laughing; and he demanding the 
 caufe, I told him it feemed to me a ridiculous thing, 
 that offering me fuch riches, he would yet promife a 
 reward for receiving of them of far richer value; be- 
 lieve me, replyed he, but let me take your oath withal 
 that you will nobly ufe this gift, and as I (hall inftruft 
 you. A while I flood in doubt, yet I did fwear, won 
 with the hope of fuch a promife ; but when I, bad taken 
 my oath in the form he gave it, he took me along with 
 him, and fliewed me a maid endowed with an incom- 
 parable form and grace, as he faid, but feven years old ; 
 but to me (he feemed almofl: marriageable; fo much 
 doth the excellency of a face add to thelownefs of a 
 ftature. My eyes dazling at this wonder, I flood ama- 
 zed and fpeechlefs (partly becaufe I was ignorant of 
 what he meant to do; but principally outof aninfati- 
 able defrre of beholding the young lady) till he awaked 
 me with thefe words. 
 
 Stranger, this maid thou feefl^, for fome caufes thoti 
 flialt underfland hereafter, was expofcd by her mother 
 
78 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 I 
 
 inhcT fwathing- bands; and left to the uncertainty of 
 fortune. I lighting by chance upon her, took her up ; 
 for I had been wicked and a villain, if 1 had fuffered 
 a foul to float in fo much danger, that had once entred 
 a human body: for this is one of the precepts of our 
 Gymnofophifts, whofe fcholar, though unworthy, I 
 have been. But that^ wlucfc-mcift. roov^jd-my charity 
 was a kind of divinity that I faw fhining in the infant's 
 eyes, whilft it earneflly looked upon me; and tliough 
 dumb, begged pity f\Vcetly : With her was laid forth 
 this heap of precious (lones I lately fhcwcd you ; and 
 a filk-mantle wherein was fewcd in gold in her country 
 chara^ers the relation oi her fad fortune: nature (as 
 I think) having made her rr.otherfurnifh the child with 
 thefe additions, whereby one day (he might be known : 
 When I read the fcrowl, 1 knew of whence, and who 
 Ihewas, and carried her from bcCdes the city far into 
 the country, and gave her to a fhephcrd to be brought 
 up, threatning to kill him if he told how he came by 
 ber: The things that were expofed with her. I retained, 
 left the child {hould be made away for them; thus at 
 firft I did conceal her. 
 
 But as (he grew in years, flie grew in beauty and 
 perfeiftion ; and fure a beauty (though hidden in the 
 centre of the earth will bedlfcoverrd ;) therefore fear- 
 ing (he would be known, and both fhe and I dye for it, 
 I laboured to be fent ambaffadonr to the lieutenant of 
 iEgypt, and coming hlthrr brought her with me, de- 
 firing to fettle her eftatc; the govcrnonr hath fent me 
 word I fhall have audience to day, and he fhall now 
 hear the reafons of my embaffage. Therefore now I 
 recommend the child to you, and to the Gods that 
 have (6 difpofed of her, under the conditions of your 
 
 HISTORY. 70 
 
 oath, being always to maintain her liberty, and to 
 match her to a man as free as you receive her from my 
 hands ; or to fpcak better, from her fad mother's, that 
 expofed her; lam confident you will accomplifh all 
 
 tyour promifes confirmed unto me by the religion of 
 your vow, and the candor of your manners; which 
 lince your being in thefe parts, I have curioufly ob* 
 fcrved, and know them to be worthy of a Grecian. 
 This is all I have to fay to you for the prefent, my le- 
 gating affairs now calling me away; but to-morrow 
 meet me in the temple of Ifis, and there I will more 
 plainly, and particularly inform you of the fecrets that 
 concern the maid. 
 
 I was pun(5lual in obferving his commands; and 
 taking the maid, I fecretly conveyed her to my lodging, 
 where I imployed the whole day to entertain her the 
 moft honourably and refpedively I could ; ftudying to 
 win her heart with all fweet ways, and rcndring great 
 thanks to the Gods for ihe exchange of children they 
 had pleafed to make me ; from that hour efteeming and 
 naming her my daughter. 
 
 Next morning early I came to the temple of Ifis, 
 as I had promifed the (Iranger ; andalte T ' I liad v ; a llc- 
 ed there along time, he not appearing, I went to the 
 governor's houfe, and demanded if any one had feeii 
 the Aethiopian ambalfador ? Prefently one told me that 
 he departed, or rather was expelled lad evening before 
 funfet, the governour threatning he fhould lofe his 
 head, if immediately he did not quit his frontiers ; in- 
 forming me alfo of the caufe: that delivering his em- 
 balfage, he commanded the ^Egyptian to forbear to dig 
 the emerald mines, as appertaining to the king of Ae- 
 thiopia; I returned to my lodging fad and penfive, as 
 
 / 
 
go The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 one that had hard fortune, being not able to get any 
 knowledgeof the child, who, or of whence, or of what 
 parents (he was born. It is no marvel, faid Knemon, 
 interrupting him, for I my felf am mightily troubled 
 that 1 can hear no more; but yet I hope I may. You 
 (hall, replied Calafiris ; but now I will follow the dif- 
 courfe Charicles then made me. 
 
 After, faid he, that I was returned to my lodging, 
 the little maid came to meet me, uiing adlion for words, 
 having not yet learned to fpeak any Greek, fhe faluted 
 me by giving me her hand, and her eyes fpake that fhe 
 received contentment in my prefencc. I was amazed ; 
 fhe would leap for joy, look me in the face, and ob- 
 ferving the refpedt and love I bare her, fhe paid me 
 with the honour and reverence of a natural child, I 
 therefore refolved to ftay no longer in the town of 
 Catadupes, fearing fome malevolent fortune in a 
 ftrange country , might deprive me of this other daugh- 
 ter; and taking boat, we rowed down Kilus to the fea, 
 whence I failed home; where to this inftant I have 
 kept and cherifhed this child as tenderly as if nature, 
 not accident, had beftowed her on me, giving her my 
 own name, and my content depending only upon hers, 
 fo prodigal hath heaven been of graces to her, that fhe 
 anticipated my wifhes; for fpeedily fhe attained to the 
 Greek tongue, in fuch an inftant fhe came to the fpring 
 of her age, like a fruitful and noble plant, blooming 
 early, and with wonder; in beauty flie had no equal; 
 but all mens eyes, both Grecians and flrangers, were 
 fixed on her; for in what place foever fhe appeared, 
 cither in the temples, at the theaters, or any other 
 publick meetings, as if (he had been the ftatuc of fome 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 8i 
 
 ^ " 
 
 goddefs newly made, no man could think or look upon 
 any thing die. 
 
 But tliough fhe is no lefs than I have pi<5lured her 
 tinto you, yet fhe cruelly cifHic^s my heart, denouncing 
 open war to marriage, refqiv-ing to fpend all her life 
 in the ftate^cifjOXginity, and £s_ a follower of Diana, 
 loves hunting, and pradlifeth her bow and arrows, 
 whilli my life grows bitter to me, being fruflrated of 
 my hope to match her to my fifler's fon, a civil and 
 well-bred gentleman, endowed with many excellent 
 good qualities; but in vain we court her, (lie hath fb' 
 hard an opinion of marriage, that neither by fervice, 
 prayers, or promiles fhe can be perfwaded ; but, which 
 adds to my grief, flie ufeth my own weapons againft 
 me, employing the rhetorick I have taught her, to 
 find arguments to confute mine, and prove that fhe 
 hath chofcn the bell kind of life, elevating a virgin's 
 hfe with divine praifes, and placing it near to the im- 
 mortal Gods, calling it pure, incorruptible, and un- 
 contaminate, but extreamly undervaluing and detefl- 
 inglove, Venus, and all nuptial pomps and ceremo- 
 nies: Now this it is wherein I implore your affiflance, 
 and taking the offer of this occafion , have made you fo 
 tedious, but neccfTary adifcourfe; Do me this favour, 
 good Calafiris, to feek fome means out of the fecrets 
 of your wifdom, be it by incantation, words, or ex-^ 
 am pies, to make her know her nature, why fhe was 
 born a woman : I know, if you pleaie,.you can eafily 
 perfwadc her; fhe hath no averfion from holding con- 
 ference with men, but hath been ever bred amongfl 
 them, and lives now in the fame houfe with you'here 
 within the walls and cloyfter of the temple: Negled 
 not ray intreaties, I befcech you, and permit me not 
 * G 
 
( g2 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 without children, comfort dr fucceflTor, to live grieved 
 in my old age : By our Apollo, and your Tutelar Gods 
 of iEgy pt, I conj urc you . At thefe words (friend Kne- 
 mon) I could not refrain weeping, becaufe Charicles 
 made this fuit to me with tears, the beft afliftance in 
 my power I promifed him. 
 
 VVhilft we were deliberating upon the matter, one 
 comes in running, and tells us, the general of the Ae- 
 neans was at the temple gates, and asked for the high- 
 prieft, to begin the facrifke. I demanded of Charicles 
 who thefe Acneans were, and what the facrifice was 
 they celebrated ? The Aeneans, he replied, are a cer- 
 tain people of ThelTaly, the nobleft and trued Greci- 
 ans ol^that country, defcended from the Greek Deu- 
 calion, and inhabit along the gulph of Melia, where 
 fhey have their capital or metropolitan city, named 
 Hipata, as they will have it, becaufe it commands the 
 reft; but, as others efteem, it hath that name, becaufe 
 it is fituate under the mount Oeta; now they fend this 
 facrcd embalTage every fourth year, at the time when 
 the Phthian games were celebrated (and this as you 
 know is the time) wherein they do honour to Neopto- 
 leinjLis,:the fon of Achilles, flain traiteroufly at the very 
 altar of Apollo, by Oreftes the fon of Agamemnon ; 
 and this embaflTage is at this prefent celebrated with 
 more folemnity than in precedent times ; forafmuch as 
 their general boafts hirafelf to bedefcended of Achillas, 
 whom my fortune being to encounter the other day, 
 methought there fhined in the perfon of that young 
 man fome peculiar graces worthy of a defcendant from 
 fuch an anceftor, of fuch a form and goodlinefs of 
 ftature, as it confirms him to be derived from a God-r 
 dcfs J but I wondring how he being of an Aenean fa- 
 
 HISTORY. 83 
 
 fnily, could draw his line from Achilles, (for the M- 
 gyptian Homer's poefie (hews us that Achilles was a 
 Phthiot) Charicles anfwered, this young gentleman, 
 and the other Aeneans affirm this Heroe to have been 
 born in their country, and fay that Thetis went out of 
 the gulf of Melea when fhe was matched to Peleus, 
 and that all the coaft there was anciently called Phthia, 
 and that all others are liars that challenge the glory 
 to have this demi-god their countryman; but this ge* 
 neral draws his pedigree from the i^acides another 
 way, producing Menefthius the fon of Sperchius and 
 ofPolidora,the daughter of Peleus, for one of his an- 
 ceftors, that was one of the chief captains with Achil- 
 les in the expedition againft Troy, and for the proxi- 
 mity of his blood with Achilles, commanded the firft 
 fquadron of the Myrmidons, and to tie himfclf on all 
 parts to the race of Achilles, he brings for an argument 
 this parcntation fcnt to Neoptolemus, wherein (as he 
 
 faith) all the ThefTalians yield the firft place to the Acne- 
 ans, confefTing thereby they are the neareft allied unto 
 him : I do not envy them, Charicles, faid I, whether 
 they arrogate this honour, or claim it as their right; 
 but I pray you command the captain of this embafTage 
 to be admitted; for I have an incredible longing to be- 
 hold him. 
 
 Charicles making the fign, one called him in, and 
 truly methought I few fomething of Achilles in hiii), 
 fuch alace^ fucha comportrjie»t> hol'Jing hislieadtip- 
 -'rTght,his hair combed back, bis noftrils freely fucking 
 in, and bre_athmg out the a ir^ a fign of courage, and 
 ftrong fpirits, hiseyesgrowing toa brown, hisafpeft 
 fierce, yet amiable, likeaieaBew calmed. 
 
 After he had faluted us according to the cuftom, 
 
 G 2 
 
84 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 and we him ; he told us it was time to oflTer facrifice to 
 the God, that we might have day enough to iinilh the 
 obfequics and other funeral pomp. Be it fo, faid Cha- 
 ricles; and rifing, he told mc in my ear, this day you 
 {hall fee Charidea; for the manner is, that (he, being 
 the prieftefs of Apollo, fhould aiTift at the procefTion, 
 and funeral ceremonies of iSeoptolemus; but , Knemon, 
 I had feen the maid before, for (he had often facriiiced 
 with ra^, and many times made propofitions to me of 
 things divine; yet I held my tongue, expecTing the 
 future: and Charicles and I went together to the 
 temple; for all things appertaining to the facrifice 
 were now prepared by the ThefTalians: when we ap- 
 proached the altar, and the chief prieft had made his 
 prayer, and the young gentleman begun the facrifice, 
 tl>e pricftcfs of Apollo from the moft holy and fecret 
 part of the temple pronounced this oracle; 
 
 * Her name that grace begins, and glory ends, 
 
 * And his that from a Deity defcends, 
 
 * SingDclphians; thefetwo fhall (failing from 
 
 * My temple) to a fun-burnt climate come, 
 
 * And as their virtues coronation, there, 
 
 < Loos'd from black temples, Ihall white garlands 
 * wear.' 
 
 When the God, by the mouth of his Religious, had 
 fpoke this oracle, all the aOiftants were confufed, 
 , not being able to interpret it ; for fome fcrewed it to 
 ene fenfe, fome explicated it in another ; and every 
 one made a conjcaure conformable to his own defire ; 
 but not any could touch upon the true meaning, o- 
 radcs and dreams being comraonly judged by the 
 
 HISTORY. 85 
 
 events: fo the Delphians amazed and aftonlfhed, de- 
 parted to fee the magnificent funeral-fhew, neglec- 
 ting to fearch more curioufly the truth hidden in this 
 oracle. 
 
 ^S 
 
THE 
 
 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY- 
 
 TPIE THIRD BOOK. 
 
 BUT after the procefTion was ended; I hope, fa- 
 ther, it is not ended yet, faid Knemon ; for you 
 have not yet made me a fpedlator of the ceremonies, 
 but ohtftolrf^-ffieor them, and pofTeft rae with an in- 
 credible longing, making me run to get a fight, and 
 then like a man that cometh when the play is done, I 
 have [cen the theater open and ibut in the fame inftant. 
 Oh Knemon ! faid Calafiris, I would not draw you 
 from the purpofe, nor trouble you with digreffions, 
 but lead you on to the principal fubjeft of my difcourfe, 
 and your firft demand ; but becaufc you long to know 
 fomething by the by ( a fufHcient teftimony that you 
 are an Athenian) I will make you a brief defcription 
 of the celebration, both for its own excellency, and 
 things depending thereupon. 
 
 Find, there paflTed along a hecatomb, which was a 
 hundred oxen led by flaughter-men in a ruftick habit ; 
 they had on white frocks girt about their waftes, their 
 right arms and elbows bare to their paps, and (baking 
 axes in their hands : all the pxen were coal black, 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY. Bj 
 
 playing with their heads a little raifed, and their necks 
 bending in the middle, their horns broad and equal, 
 not wreathed at all ; fome had them gilded, fome 
 crowned with chaplets of flowers, their deep dewlaps 
 hanging down to their knees ; they were followed with 
 different troops of many other kind of vi^ims; every 
 fpecies being feparate, and marfhalled in fair order, 
 with flutes, and ho-boysj^laying the tune of ai»y^- 
 tick ode, fung as an anthem to the lacrlEce : Thefe 
 troops and their leaders were followed with two bands 
 of Thelfalian ladies, all fair, and in rich long robes, 
 their hair hanging loofe; tbofe that were in the firft 
 band, carried little baskets full of fruit and flowers, 
 theothers had little boxes filled with comfits and fweet 
 odours, that as they paft perfumed the ftreets : Kor 
 did they ufe their hands to thefe, but carried them up- 
 on their heads, and held hands, that they might the 
 freelier dance and march together ; thefe of the firft 
 figure, gave the tone and cadence to the fecond; for 
 they were to fing a hymn, and to dance to it ; and 
 this hymn contained nothing but the praifes of The- 
 tis and Peleus, of their fon Achilles, and of his fon 
 Neoptolemus. Good father, faid Knemon, do not 
 offer again to deprive me of fo fweet a paflTage, but let 
 roe hear this hymn, unlefs you will make me a beholder 
 of this folemnity only fo far as my eyes will reach, 
 and fuffer me to receive no pleafure by the ear. Since 
 you are fo defirous of the fong (reply'd Calafiris) you 
 fhail hear it. 
 
 * I Thetis, fi?ir bairM Thetis fing, 
 ' That did from deathlefs Nereus fpring ; 
 
 G 4 
 
^^ 
 
 S8 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ' "Whom Jove to Pcleus matcIiM ; our bright 
 
 * BeamM Venus, andourvatery light. 
 
 * l^hat (mother ofour Mars) did bear 
 
 * Achilles raging '.vith his fpear; 
 
 * Our thunderbolt, to whofe fam'd worth 
 
 * Pyrrha Ncoptolcmus brought forth ; 
 
 * Troy's fate, the Greeks peace, be to us 
 
 * Propitious Ncoptolcmus ; 
 
 * Whom our blelt Pythick foil inters, 
 \ * Receive the hymns our zeal prefers; 
 
 * All woe from this town banifhing, 
 ^ I Thetis, fair-hair -d Thetis fing.' 
 
 As far as I remember, Knf mon, the fong was this ; 
 i but the meafure of their dance had fuch correfpon- 
 dence \vith the mufick, and their feet did fo beat the 
 tune, as the eyenegledtingwhat itfaWjfuflferedthefoul 
 to be charmed through the ear; the people following 
 the march of the maids dance, as if they had been at- 
 tracted by their voices, till a troop of horfe, all young 
 gentlemen, but beyond nil, their captain did prefent a 
 fhewthat gave the eye precedency of all the ear's de- 
 lights ; they were fifty horfe divided into two troops 
 of five and twenty, marching five and five a breaft; 
 the captain of the facred cmbaflnge riding in the midft ; 
 they had all purple buskins tied with ribbonds, and 
 turned down to their ankles, their robes were white, 
 bordered about with azure purflcs, and fafined at their 
 breado with buttons of gold ; they were mounted on 
 ThefTalian horfes, whofe fairfliapes and fpirit witnef- 
 fcd the fweetnefs of the foil that paftured them, and 
 feemed as if they fcorned the command of the bit ; 
 making it all a foam : but yet, as if they obeyed the 
 
 T 
 
 H I S T O R Y. 89 
 
 rider's powerful foul, they would come off and on, 
 make flops and turnings as he pleafed : they had all 
 fair caparifons and bridles, the one part filver, the 
 other filver gilt; fo curioufiy wrought as it appeared 
 they had a ftrife in point ofglorj'. 
 
 But ( Knemon ) all thefe gallants the beholders 
 eyes paflTed by and flighted, being only fixt upon their 
 captain (my charge, Theagenes) thatjike a jightiiing 
 didjobfeuTc all that which (hined before; fo did he 
 ftrike our fenfes, being an excellent horleman, in his 
 armour, and (baking in his hand an oaken fpear with 
 a point of flecl, he wore his beaver up, difcovering 
 the perfedl beauty of his face; his bafes were purple 
 embroidered with gold in figures of the battle betwixt 
 the Centaurs and the Lapiths. The button that faftned 
 it before was amber, wherein was the image of Pallas, 
 bearing in her hand Medufa's head ; the wind (that 
 feemed to.be for him) made an addition to his grace ; 
 for it fweetly breathing, played with the curls of his 
 hair, and made his bafes flow upon the fides and bat- 
 tocks of his horfe; you would have thought the horfe 
 had been fenfible of the perfections of his rider, he 
 did rein fo proudly, raifing his creft, and pricking his 
 cars, rolling his fiery eyes, carrying and being carried 
 with like pride; v/hen his mafter flack'd the bridle, he 
 gallopM on fo finely as he only touched the earth 
 with the tips of his hoofs, tempering the fiercenefs of 
 his motion, fo as he did not the lead diforder the 
 ranks, to theaftonifhment of the beholders, that gave 
 the nobleft attribute of form and fpirit to the young 
 general ; the fimpler women had not fo much difcre* 
 tion as to conceal their paffions,but threw flowers and 
 nofcgays at him, to get the happinefs of a look, or 
 
po The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 falutation from him f for the unanimous confcnt of alJ 
 their judgments, was, that no human thing could (hew 
 more beauty thanTheagenes. 
 
 * But when rofe cheek'd Aurora did appear ' ( as 
 Homer fays) and that the fair and wife Chariclea came 
 out of the temple of Diana, then at length we knew 
 Theagenes might be conquered, but fo conquered, as 
 the beft native lovelinefs of woman's form, compared 
 with man*s, is the belter loadftone, and exceeds it in 
 the power of attraftion ; (he rid in a chariot drawn by 
 two milk-white bulls, wearing a long robe of purple 
 to her feet, embroidered with beams of gold; (he had 
 on a girdle wherein the workmaa had inclofed all his 
 art, neither ever before, nor ever after being able to 
 contrive the like; it was two ferpents that feemedto 
 have tied their tails in a knot at the maid*s back, and 
 had wreathed their necks in another at her bread, flip- 
 ping their heads out of the knot, and letting them 
 hang on either fide like pendants ; you would have faid 
 thefe ferpents did not feem to creep, but did creep in- 
 deed, not with a terrible afpeft, but as if they had 
 languiflied in a flumber, defiring to reft fo near the 
 bofom of the maid; the matter they were formed of 
 was gold, the colour blew, but the workman had ena- 
 melled it with black, that blew and black mixt with 
 yellow, might prefent the native variety of the fer- 
 pents pointed fcales, her flaxen hair was neither 
 wholly plaited, nor quite loofe; the greater part of it 
 at full length hanged down upon her ftioulders, her 
 topping and hair before was crowned with a wreath 
 of the fineft lawrel, this defending it againft the wind, 
 ivould not fuffer it to be blown out of the handfom 
 and well-becoming order it was laid in j in her left hand 
 
 t 
 
 « I S T O R y. j)x 
 
 flie bore a golden bow, and over her right flioulder 
 had a quiver hanging in a fcarf ; in her other hand ftie 
 bore a torchof virgin's wax burning, but yet her eyes 
 rendered a light far greater. 
 
 CCjie werjJ^ms.The2ig£nesjind0iaTic\eiL (cryed 
 Kuemon) where are they for the Gods fake ? faid Cala- 
 Cris^ thinking Knemon had feen them ; but he replyed, 
 no father, 1 do not fee them: but methought I did, 
 -though they were abfent; you have defcribed unto me 
 fo properly and diredly fuchasi (aw them : I know not, 
 faid (^alaflris, if you faw them,fuch as Greece and the 
 fun that day beheld them, fo confpicuous, fo bleflTed, 
 as his feemed the height of man's fehcity,and her's of 
 women ; no mortal thing was efteemed to be like them, 
 only our countrymen did more admire Theagenes, 
 and the ThefTalians the fair Chariclea; for the fight of 
 a new thing doth far more ravifli us than what we 
 ufually behold ; but O fweet deception ! with hojv much 
 joy did you tranfport me when I hoped you faw, and 
 would fliewmemy foul's beloved cliildren ; but you do 
 nothing elfe but mock me; for though at the beginning 
 of my difcourfe,you promifed me they would come im-!" 
 mediately, and I fliould fee them ; and in rccompcncc 
 beforehand, I have made you this narration, yet now 
 it grows night, and they appear not; Let not that 
 trouble you, faid Knemon, for take my word they will 
 be here, though perhaps fome hindrance upon the way 
 may intervene and make them come later than the apt 
 pointed hour; yet if they were here, you fliouId not 
 fee them, till I had received my whole reward. There- 
 fore if you haflen to their prelence, perform your 
 promife^and lead the difcQurfe you have begun^ to.axi 
 end. 
 
p2 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 I do both (hun (replyed CalaCris) the difcourfe that 
 may bring my forrows frefh into ray memory, and I 
 alfo doubt it that my long talking had been tedious to 
 you; but fince you are fo defirous of hearing, let us 
 begin where we left : Having firft lighted a lamp, and 
 made our offerings to the Divinities of the night, and 
 performed our ufual ceremonies to them, we may go 
 on with our hiftory, without being troubled with 
 Phantafms.Prefently a fervant at his command, brought 
 m'a lamp burning, and he, pouring out a little of the 
 oylupon the earth, made his libation, invoking all the 
 Gods; befeeching anight of happy dreams, conjuring 
 them with all the power of prayers, that his beloved 
 Theagcnes and Chariclea might appear to him in his 
 
 fleep. 
 
 Now Knemon, after the procefilon thus pafling, 
 had gone round about the fepulchre of Ncoptolemus, 
 and the troop of horfe had thrice wheeled about it, the 
 women began to fill the air with funeral cryes, and the 
 men with a wild howling: then the oxen, fheep, and 
 goats, (at afignalgiven) were immediately facrificed, 
 as if one blow had cut all their throats. Laftly, all 
 thefe beads being laid upon a great altar, and fix hun- 
 dred billets under them, they prayed the prieft of Apollo 
 to begin the facrifice, and give fire to the wood ; Cha- 
 ricles replyed, the facrifice did only belong to him, 
 but the firing of the altar to the captain of the facred 
 legation, receiving his torch at the hands of the prieft- 
 cfs of Diana, for fo it was eftabliflied in the ceremoni- 
 al. This he faid, and began to make the offering, 
 while Theagenes took the torch from the hand of Cha- 
 riclea; fure Knemon, that the foul is a divine thing, 
 tnd allied to the Superior Nature, we know by its ope- 
 
 HISTORY. 5^ 
 
 rations and functions ; alToon as thefe two beheld each 
 
 other, ^heir fouls, as if acquainted at firft fight, preffed 
 
 to mect^eir equals in v/oFth and beauty, at firft they 
 
 remained amazed and without motion, at length, 
 
 though flowly, Chariclea gave, and he received the 
 
 torch; fo fixing their eyes on one another, as if they 
 
 had been calling to remembrance where they had met 
 
 before, then they fmiled, but fo ftealingly, as it could 
 
 hardly be perceived, but a little in their eyes, and as a- 
 
 fliamed they hid away the motions of joy with blufhes ; 
 
 and again, when affedlion (as I imagine) had ingaged 
 
 their hearts, they grew pale. To conclude, in a little 
 
 fpace, a thoufand changes wandred in their faces, both 
 
 in their colour and their eyes, deciphering trouble ia 
 
 their forrows. 
 
 The vulgar knew not this, being according to their 
 imployment, bufied and intentive upon other matters ; 
 Charicles obferved it not, being hindred with making 
 the accuftomed prayers and invocations; but I (ever 
 after the oracle was pronounced to Theagenes, facri- 
 ficing in the temple) did nothing elfe but note all the 
 aftions of this young couple, conjeduring by their 
 names that it was meant of them ; Chariclea fignifying 
 in your language, grace and glory, and Theagenes 
 born of agoddefs, yet I did not hitherto exadlly un- 
 derftand what the latter part of the oracle intended. 
 But after (though long firft, and as it were by force) 
 Theagenes was parted from Chariclea, he fired the al- 
 tar, and fo at length the pomp brake up; the ThefTa- 
 lians going to feaft, the reft of the people every one 
 departing to their houfes, and Chariclea covering her 
 felf in her white mantle, accompanied with forae few 
 ladies, her familiars, returned to her lodging, within 
 
94 The AETHIOTIAN 
 
 the verge of the temple ; for (he dwelt not with her 
 fuppofed father, feparating her felf from him, left he 
 fhould have too much opportunity to perfwade her to 
 amarringe. 
 
 This I had feen, and the reft that I imagined, mak- 
 ing me ftillmoreinquifitive, I cnft to meet with Cha- 
 rities; he asked me, haft thou feen the light of mine, 
 and all the eyes of Delphoa, Chariclea? This is not 
 thefirft time Ihave feen her, Ireplyed,but often before 
 as often as the people were aftembled in the temple, and 
 that not as pafTing by, but flie hath many times facri- 
 f!ced together with me; and when at any time ftie 
 cJoubtcd of divine or human things, ftie hath put 
 ^ueftions to me, and been inftrudled by me. But how 
 did ftieftiew to day ? faid Charicles : Did ftie add any 
 Ornament to the ceremony ? Would you have me tell 
 you how the moon excells the ftars ? faid I: But fome 
 commended the young Theftalian, faid Charicles, and 
 gave him the fecond place; yes, and the third too, I 
 replied; but the crown and eye of ail the pomp was 
 really acknowledged to be your daughter : this pleafed 
 Charicles at the heart, and I by fpeaking the truth, 
 did prepare way to my aim, being only to make the 
 man confident in me; who fmiling, told me, he was 
 then going to her, and that if it pleafed me I ftiould 
 go along with him to vifit her, and know if the great 
 prefs and tumult of the people had not troubled her, 
 I was glad of the ofter, yet I feemed to negledfome 
 Other bufincfs to attend him. 
 
 When we were come to the lodgings where ftie had 
 retired her felf, we entred her chamber, and found 
 her languiftiing upon her bed, not able to reft, love 
 bathing in the moifture of her eyes, (he embracing 
 
 HISTORY. 95 
 
 her father as ftie was accuftomed, and he asking her 
 how ftie did ? flie faid, her head aked ; and that ftie 
 would willingly take a little reft. At this, Charicles 
 troubled, \!vent with me out of the chamber, command- 
 ing her attendants to make no noife; and when we 
 were without the doors, oh good Calafiris, faid he, 
 what doth this mean ? what indifpofttlon has feized 
 on my child ? you need not wonder, I replied, if in fo 
 great a multitude of people as attended the proceftion, 
 ftie hath perhaps attrafted the poifon of fome envious 
 eye ; Charicles fmiling at thefe words, as in derifion, 
 do you alfo (faid he) believe with the vulgar that there 
 is any fafcination or bewitching by the eye? I do be- 
 lieve it, I replied, as an opinion grounded upon truth ; 
 and thus I do conceive it, this air circumfufed on every 
 fide about us, penetrating by our eyes, noftrils, mouths 
 and other paftages and pores of our body, and bring- 
 ing in with it the exterior qualities wherewith it is in- 
 fcded, fuch as it flows unto us, fuch impreflion it 
 makes in us ; therefore when any one beholds a rare 
 creature with envy, he prefently fills the circumfe- 
 rence of the air with that infefting quality, and breaths 
 into his neighbouring obje(5l afpiritfull of bitternefs, 
 which being thin and fubtil, pierceth to the bones and 
 marrow ; and thus hath envy been to many the caufe of 
 a ficknefs, whofe proper name is fafcination ; More- 
 over, confider Charicles, how many have got fore 
 eyes and caught the infection of the plague, that never 
 came near the difeafed perfons, never lay in their 
 beds, nor ate or drank, or had any thing common 
 with them but the air : amongft other things that might 
 perfwade you, the original of love may be a fpecial 
 argument proceeding and occafioned from the obje^i 
 
^6 
 
 The- AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ofthe fight, drawing the paQion through the eyes Inta 
 the foul; and it is confonant to reafon, for the eye 
 being the mod fharp and fervent of al! our pores and 
 fenfes, and capable of mofl: changes, it receiveth eafi-- 
 eft all afFedions that are prcfented to it, attra<Sing 
 with inflamed fpirits the flowlngs of love. 
 
 But if it be required, I can produce you an example* 
 out of our facred books, where they treat of the nature 
 of living creatures ; the little bird they call the Loriot, 
 cureth thofe that have the jaundice: who if any one 
 looks upon her that is troubled with that difeafc, clof- 
 jng her eyes (he flies away from him, not, as fome fay, 
 envying to give him help, but in regard that beholding 
 him, flie naturally calls and attrafts the fluxivcdifeafe 
 unto herfelf, and therefore fiie declines their fight as 
 her own heart. I doubt not but you have heard how 
 the ferpent named the bafilisk, only by her eyes and 
 breath dries away and poifons every obvious thing; 
 neither is it a wonder if fome do fafcinate thofe they 
 "wilh well to, and love dearcft, for being by nature en- 
 vious, they do not what they would, but what tlieir - 
 natural infirmity moves them to. 
 
 Chariclespaufingawhile, in confideratlon of thcfe 
 words you have faid, he difiolved this controverfy 
 with nioft wife and probable arguments, but would tlie 
 Gods were pleafed this that troubles her were love ; 
 for then I fhould efteem her to be in pcrfedt health, 
 not fick; and you know that to this end I have im- 
 plored your afliilance: but at this prefent nothing Icfs 
 is to be feared than an accident of affet^ion, flie fliun- 
 ning love, and hating as a crime the nuptial bed : fure 
 fome envious eye hath bewitched her, and I doubt not 
 but you have power and will to break the charm : I 
 
 f 
 
 HISTORY. 97 
 
 I 
 
 know you love me, and I am confident yourwifdom 
 hath acquired a knowledge in all things of the world: 
 I promifed him I would do my bell according as I 
 found her malady. 
 
 We thus difcourfing, there came a man to us In 
 terrible hafte, why Signiors faid he, how happens it 
 you are fo flow ns if you werefummoncd to a battle, 
 not invited to afeaft prepared by the nobleThcagenes, 
 in honour of Neoptolemus the grcatcfl of heroes? A- 
 Way, and do not make them flay for you : All the other 
 guefls are come already : Then Charicles whifperlng 
 nie in the ear, here is one (faid he) that invites us with 
 a baftinado ! What a brave fellow is Bacchus ? But let 
 us go, for it is to be feared he will beat us if we tarry 
 any longer. You are a merry man, faid 1, but let us 
 av/ay. When we were come thither, Theagenes placed 
 Charicles next himfelf, and did me fome honour for 
 his fake; BoLisdiyJhould I trouble you with the reci- 
 tal of the particulars at this feafl, the mafque of the la- 
 dies^ the mufick, the Pyrrhique dance of the young 
 gentleman in armour, and other entertainments where- 
 with Theagenes graced his fcaft that was great, and 
 the cover often changed and new furniflied with feve- 
 ral fervices of the mofl: exqulfite dainties; but I will 
 give you an account of that which will befl: p!eafe you 
 to hear, and me to relate. 
 
 Theagenes put on a face of chearfulnefs, forcing 
 himfelf to entertain the company with all humanity 
 and free difcourfe; bnt I found him vref^ntly which 
 way he tended, when fomctimes he would roul his eyes 
 and lift them up, fomerimes fetch a deep (igh upon the 
 fuddrn, then fadly fix his eyes upon the eirth, ano pre- 
 jently rcfume a countenance and fnew of mirth as if 
 
9$ The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 he had been guilty of an error and corrected it, and 
 prefently fall again into new changes : for the fpirit of 
 a man that is in love, is like to his that is in drink; 
 fo flexible, fo uncertain, both alike, floating in a hu- 
 mid pafljon ; therefore a lover is apt and prone to be 
 drunk, and a drunken man to be in love; but after his 
 fad promifes grew more frequent, and his looks more 
 conftantly fad, all the company took notice that he 
 was not well, infomuch as the good Charicles that 
 pierced no deeper than the change and trouble of his 
 countenance, faid to me foftly in my ear, fome envi- 
 ous eye hath alfo beheld this gentleman. I think it to 
 be the fame that did behold Chariclea, the very fame 
 by Ids: I replyed, you judge aright, and with great ' 
 appearance of reafon ; he being the faireft next to her 
 in all the glorious fliow ; Thus we two whifpered, and 
 when the gobblets were to go about, Theagcnes drank 
 to us although againll his will, only to bid us wel- 
 come ; But when it came to me, I telling him I was his 
 humble fervant,and would receive the favour not the 
 wipe, he looked upon me with fiiarp and fiery eyes, 
 thinking himfelf flighted ; which Charicles perceiving, 
 told him I drank no wine, nor eat any thing that had 
 been a fenfitive creature ; he demanded the caufe ; Cha- 
 ricles replied, he is an Aegyptian, a Nemphian, and 
 the pried of Ifis : Theagenes underflanding I was an 
 Aegyptian, and the chief prieft, felt his foul raviflied 
 with a prefent joy, as they that by fortune find a trea- 
 fure in their way; and prefently fetting himfelf up- 
 right, he called for water, and drinking it to me, (aid, 
 at leaftwife, fir, be pleafed to pledge me in this beve- 
 ridge ; you affefl, and let this table be the witnefs of a 
 tie of frieadlhip made betwixt us : be it (o, noblcd The- 
 
 ■ * 
 
 1/ 
 
 1 
 
 
 ] 
 
 HISTORY. 99^ 
 
 agencs, I replied, it is long fince contracfled on my 
 part ; and fo I took the cup and pledged him ; pre- 
 fently they took away, and we did rife from the table, 
 every one preparing to go home; and Theagenes em- 
 bracing me with thedearefl: proteflationsofaffe<5tion. 
 
 Being returned to my lodging, I went to bed and 
 fpent moil part of the night, not having power to 
 clofe my eyes, but tumbling and tofling with the care I 
 conceived for the young couple, and fifting out what 
 the lafl: part of the oracle fhould mean ; it now growing 
 midnight, I faw^jppjlo and Diana, as I thought (if I 
 did_..tlunli^ and did not rather truly fee them) and he 
 deliv„^red to me Theagejies, fheChari^Jeaj telling^ me 
 it was time I fliould return into my country, for fo the 
 laws of defliny had ordained. Go therefore, faid they, 
 and makeibcfe two thou haft received thy compa- 
 nions, adopting them thy children, and lead them out 
 of the land of Aegypt, where and how the Gods fliall 
 pleafe: having faid this, they departed, making me 
 know it was not the vifion of a dream, but a true ap- 
 parition . I had now got out the whole meaning of the 
 oracle, yet flill I doubted to what people or what coun- 
 try! fliouId lead them ; but how do you know father, 
 faid Knemon, that it was not a dream, but a real vi- 
 fion? even fo fon (he replied) as the wife Homer gives 
 it us as in a riddle : though many flight Enigmas ; it is 
 a paflage where he fpeaks of Neptune. 
 
 Fori his feet and thighs together fpy*d, 
 
 Cutting the thin air, with an eafy Aide: 
 
 The Gods may. thus be truly feenand knovv^n.' 
 
 I confefs, faid Knemon, I am of the number of thofe 
 
 H 2 
 
 J 
 
 ? 
 
1 00 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 many you fpeak of; and happily you have clt^'d this 
 verfc, to fee how I underiland it, which is in no deeper 
 fenfe than the vulgar interpretation made unto me 
 when I firll learned the fignification of words; I am 
 altogether ignorant what fccret of theology may be 
 couched in it. 
 
 Then Calafiris confidering a little, and collefling 
 all the forces oDits umierftanding, as being to /peak 
 of a high myftery ; when the Gods (faid he) anddiviae 
 fpirits pieafe cither to come to, or go from us, they 
 take the fimilitude feldom of beafls or other creatures ; 
 but many times they cloath their divinity with the form 
 of men, to be known to our fancy in the likenefs of 
 our felves, that vye may rather take it for the viflon of 
 a dream: but though' prophane perfons know them 
 not, yet they cannot efcape from a wife man's difco- 
 very, but may be deciphered by their eyes, when they 
 hold always fixt, and never move their eye-lids, yet 
 by their going they may be better known ; for their 
 pace is not made by iiepping or trinfpofition of the 
 feet, but by a certain airy violence and quick even 
 motion, that they rather fail or cut, than pafs the air. 
 This is the reafon why the Aegyptians make theSta* 
 tues of their Gods with their feet joining, and as it 
 were uniting together; which Homer knowing, as be- 
 ing an Aegyptian, and inftruded in our facred doc- 
 trine, involvedly inferted this myftery in his verfes, 
 leaving it for thofc that could, to undcrlbndhim. Of 
 Pallis, he fays, 
 
 * Tier fliarp eyes fparkled as fiie look'd like fire.* 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 101 
 
 And as before of Neptune, 
 
 * His feet and thighs together I efpy'd, 
 
 * Cutting the thin air with an eafy Aide.' 
 
 As failing inftead of going, for this is the meaning 
 of an eafy iSide ; not as fome wrongly interpret him, 
 that to know the Gods was eafy. Divine Sir, (aid Kne- 
 mon, you have initiated me in a great myrtery: but 
 having obferved you many times in this difcourfe to 
 have called Homer an Acgyptian, not being able to 
 beheveyou; yet admiring what (hould be your reafon, 
 Ibefeech you not to pafs this undifculFed. Though it 
 be, Knemon, faid Calafiris, a thing far from our in- 
 tended fubje^t to difpute this now, yet I will briefly 
 touch it. 
 
 Many countries challenge Homer, and every coun- 
 try is a wife man's own, but the truth is, he was my 
 countryman, an Aegyptian,born in the hundred-gated 
 Thebes, as himfelf names it ; his efteemed father was 
 the high pried of that city, but his true father Mercury; 
 but the prieft was his fuppofed father inafmuch as.Hs 
 wife jleeping in the temple at tlie celebration of certain 
 ceremonies of our country, the God lay with her,, and 
 got hzv with child of Homer, who from his mother's 
 womb brought forth a mark of her illegitimate copu- 
 lation ; for one of his thighs had upon it a great quan- 
 tity of long hair ; and afterwards in his travels through 
 the world, and efpecially amonglt the Greeks fmging 
 hispoefy, they gave him the name of Homer; not that 
 it was his own name, or the cities, or nations whence 
 he was, but thofe that knew that privy mark, gave him 
 
 H 3 
 
102 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 that firname, fignifying, a thigh : but what was his rea- 
 fon (father) to conceal his country? (faid Knemon) 
 becaufe, replied Calafiris, either he was afhamed to be 
 known for a fugitive, for his father had expelled him 
 hishoufe, when his name was to be inrolled amongfl: 
 the young initiates that took orders, becaufe in the 
 fearch he was found to have a mark of baftardy; or 
 elfehe did this wifely, that concealing his true city, 
 he might challenge every city of the world for his : 
 this you have faid (hews like a truth, faid Knemon, 
 when I confider his myftical poems, that have a mix- 
 ture for all fweetnefs and pleafure out of the excel- 
 lency of nature; and fure, they would not foexceil all 
 others if fome Divinity had not been the ground of 
 fuch perfection . 
 
 But after you had known the Gods following the 
 mark that Homer gave you, what was the fecjuel I be- 
 feech you ? 
 
 Anfwerable to the promife (friend Knemon.) The 
 reft of the night I could take no fleep, but lay confider- 
 ing and canvaling fuch thoughts as night fuggefts. It 
 rejoiced me that the Gods would efFedt my bufinefs, 
 which as then I thought not of, and that I fhould ex- 
 pecft to return into my country; but it grieved me to 
 think that Charicles (liould be deprived of his daugh- 
 ter, and it troubled me the more, becaufe I knew not 
 what courfe to take, or how to fteal away the two 
 young lovers; I feared our flight would not be fecret, 
 but that fome accident would difcover us : then I 
 doubted of the way, whether we fhould go by fea or 
 land. Finally a ftorm of cogitations tofled my fpirits, 
 and I lay waking till the morning. 
 
 It wiis hardly day, but I heard one knocking at the 
 
 fi 
 
 HISTORY. 103 
 
 gates, and the voice of a page that called : one of my 
 fervants demanded who he was that knocked fo rude- 
 ly, and his bufmefs: the page wi (bed him to tell his 
 mafter Theagenes, the Theffalian would attend him; 
 I was very glad of this news of Theagenes, and com- 
 manded my man to wait of him in, expeding that 
 occaiion offered it felf of its own accord to deliver me 
 of the care that troubled my thoughts, for I per- 
 fwaded my felf that he having heard at the feaft that I 
 was an Egyptian, and a prophet; came to me to de- 
 mand my fuccour in his love; being as I imagine in 
 the fame error that many fall into, who believe the 
 wifdom of the Egyptians to be one and the fame thing ; 
 wherein they much deceive themfelves ; for there is 
 one knowledge vulgar, and, as I may term it, creeping 
 on the earth, the fervant of images, and bufied about 
 dead bodies, believing in the power of herbs and in- 
 cantations , not tending to any good end it felf, 
 nor conducing thofe that ufe it, but lameing moft its 
 precepts, and implying contradiaions; the effects it 
 produceth are fmall and bafe, as to give yifionsj^f 
 things that are not, asiftbey were7torruIlratemenof 
 their hopes; being an art that is tlie inventrefs of de- 
 teftable things, and the minider of profufed foul plea- 
 fures: but, fon, there is another, that is real wifdom, 
 and from which this adulterate hath degenerated, and 
 as a baftard falHy affumed the name ; whereof, we that 
 arepriefts, and all that defcend of theprophetickline, 
 domakeprofeffion, and are bred in; it elevates it- felf 
 in contemplation of celeftial tliin^s,.£gnyeffeil^^ 
 \yithtHe~Gods, and participates orthfiD.iviixitXii^aixh- 
 ing the ■motions of the "fiars; and deligliting.la-f<>f€-^ 
 know the future ; making a man a Ilranger to terreftri- 
 
 H4 
 
104 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 al evils ancl^^ices, and con du(5ling^ to the profit ofhu- 
 nTan^fbciety; this was it that made me leave my coun- 
 try for a time, to fhun if it were poffiblc the miferies 
 th n J prefiged to my felf, and not to behold the bloody 
 duel of my fons. But 1 leave all to the Gods, and deC- 
 tinics, in whofc power it is, whether thefe misfortunes 
 fhall or fhall not happen, and that have not impofed 
 this banifhment upon me only for the caufe that I have 
 told you, but principally, that 1 (hould meet Chariclea ; 
 by what means you fliall know hereafter. Now let us 
 return to Theaoencs. 
 
 When he was come into my cham.ber, and we had 
 faluted, I ni^de him fit down by me upon my bed, and 
 cju.'ltioned him what necefTjty had brought him fo early 
 to me? But after he had held his hand upon his face; 
 I am infinitely troubled (he replycd^but I blufn to dif- 
 covcr it, and fo held his peace: Prefcntly I apprehend- 
 ed it was time for mc to lie, and to divine v/hat I al- 
 ready knew; therefore looking in his face, and fmi- 
 ling; Though you fear (I faid) to exprefs yourfelf to 
 me, yet nothing can be concealed from the Gods, and 
 our wifdom; then raifing my felf a little, and count- 
 ing upon my fingers, fhaking my locks as thofe that 
 are poiTell with a prophetick fpirit, I faid, ' my fon, you 
 * love :* He ftaried at this oracle; but when I had ad- 
 ded Chariclea, then efteeming my knowledge to be in- 
 fpired, he would have fallen down and adored me; 
 but I not fuffering him, he embraced me, and often kif- 
 fed my hand rendring thanks to heaven that he had 
 not been deceived in his hopes, and praying me to 
 fave his life th.it would be but fliort if he had not pre- 
 fcnt help, fo great was his afflidion, and fo violent his 
 flame, being the firll wound that love had given him. 
 
 HISTORY. 105 
 
 until the beauty of Chariclea had unfouled and con- 
 quered him, and that not in regard of any natural 
 ftrength orweaknefs; but that he had never till now 
 feen a woman worthy of his love. At thefe words he 
 wept, witnefGng, that he v/as overcome not by his own 
 weaknefs, but by her inevitable force: I comforted 
 him thebeli: I could, wilhing him only to take his won- 
 ted courage; and fince he had recourfe to mc, he 
 fliould find Chariclea's beauty had not the ftrength to 
 prevail againft our wifdom ; for though, faid I, (lie be 
 very refraclory, defpifing love, not enduring to hear 
 Venus named, and not without much difficulty to be 
 drawn to fubmit to the laws of marriage; yet for your 
 fake I will try all ways, and you fhall fee art conquer 
 nature ; be you only confident, and fail not to obey my 
 neceffary commands: he promifed to follow my di- 
 rections, though I (hould bid him march upon the 
 points of fwords. 
 
 As he was thus praying and conjuring, promifing 
 me all his eliate for a reward, one came from Chari- 
 cles, and told me his mailer defired to fpeak with me ; 
 he is but over the way (he faid) in the temple of Apol- 
 lo, where he fmgs a hymn to the God to appeafe him, 
 bccaufe he hath I know not how, been troubled in his 
 fleep to night: I rofe, and fending away Theagenes, 
 made hafte to the temple, where I found Charicks fit- 
 ting in a chair exceeding fad, and often fighing; I de- 
 manded what affliaion made him fo defolate ? alas, he 
 replied, all this laft night I have been troubled with 
 fearful dreams, and to make my grief the greater, I 
 hear my daughter is flill fick, and lain waking ; and it 
 afilidts me that her ficknefs falls in an unhappy time, 
 becaufe to-morrow is the day prefixed, wherein the 
 
M 
 
 r 
 
 •! 
 
 q" 
 
 106 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 prieftefsjpf Dian^pug^ht togive a torch of virgin-wax 
 to thcchampion^.that run aripedj and to render them 
 the prize of the vi(5lory ; fo that one of the two evils 
 mud neceflarily happen, that afTifling at that cere- 
 mony, her malady will be augmented, or that her ab- 
 fence will violate the cuftoms of the facred games : 
 therefore if this could not be done before, at leaft ap- 
 ply fome remedy unto her, and you (hall do a mod 
 charitable office; which (hall exprefs your friendfhip 
 to me, and your honour to the Gods : I know if you 
 pleafe, you can eafily uncharm her ; for the prophets 
 ofyour country can perform thegreateft undertakings. 
 I confelTed I had been a little flow, and putting it 
 upon him as I had done upon Theagenes, I defired on- 
 ly the fpace of a day, and I would in that time compofe 
 a medicament that fhould heal hen but let us, faid I, 
 now goto the virgin, and confider her more attentive- 
 ly, and comfort her the beft that poflibly we can ; and 
 Charicles, it would be convenient you fhould difcourfe 
 \vith her of me, and make me better known to her by 
 your commendations, that making me more familiar, 
 and in greater efleem with her, flie may have the great- 
 er faith in my receipts. Be it fo, he replied. 
 
 When we were come to Chariclea (why fhould I 
 life many words?) we found her quite overcome by 
 love, the rofes and lillies of her cheeks were faded, 
 and the water of her fair eyes had extinguifhed the 
 fire that ufcd to fparkle in them ; yet a (Toon as fhe 
 perceived us, flie did her befl to compofe her felf, and 
 endeavoured to call back the accuflomed lovelinefs and 
 graces of her beauty ; Charicles kifTing and embracing 
 her, not omitting any ceremony that endears refpe(5l 
 and love. child ! O daughter ! faid he, can you con- 
 
 I 
 
 J 
 
 HISTORY. 107 
 
 ceal the evil that torments you, from your father? and 
 being fafcinated, do you make it a fecret, as if you had 
 done wrong, and not received an injury from the eyes 
 that have fo malicioufly beheld you ? but rcfume your 
 fpirits; I have entreated the wife Calafiris that you fee 
 here with me, to undertake your cure, and he is able to 
 perform it; for he (if ever any) excelleth in divine 
 knowledge, as being bydefcent a prophet, and, which 
 is more, our efpecial friend ; therefore you fhall do 
 wifely to commit your felf wholly to his difpoling, 
 "whether he fhall pleafe to ufe incantation, or heal you 
 by any other means : but I need not ufe perfwafions, 
 finceyou naturally honour and afFed the company of 
 learned men. Chariclea replied not, but only bowed 
 her head in fign of confent to her father's counfel. 
 This done, we retired our felves; Charicles renewing 
 his fuit to me, that I would remember my promife, and 
 bethink me of a way to induce Chariclea to a milder 
 conflruclion of men and marriage. Thus I brought 
 him off, and left him joyful, giving him my word his 
 dfifjjre fhould Ihortly be accomplifhed. 
 
THE 
 
 AETHIOPI AN 
 
 HISTORY- 
 
 THE FOURTH BOOK. 
 
 TH E next day the Pythian games ended ; but the 
 paflion and ftrife of the young men grew more 
 violent under the empire of Cupid, who was their 
 judge, and by two champions of his, intended (as I 
 believe) to (hew the world his combat is the greateft. 
 Thus it happened: 
 
 All Greece were lookers-on , the Amphyd:iones were 
 the judges, that is, the deputies ofevery commonalty 
 of Greece. After all the other contentions were con- 
 cluded with magnificence, as chariot- races, wreftling, 
 and quoiting of the fledge, at length the herald cried, 
 * Let the armed men (land forth ;' and prefently at the 
 further end of the liftsjve law Chanctea {hmlng"; for 
 fheis^as-comcyijjnrpt wiilig^ly, yato oi?fcrve the Quf- 
 tom of the country, or rather in my opinion hoping to 
 Je^ Th^ag€oes ; in her left hand (he bare a burning 
 torch of virgin-wax, and in her other held, forth a 
 'branch of palm : She no fooner appeared, but flie turn- 
 ed all the eyes of the theater upon her; but I believe 
 not any eye out-ftripp'd that of Theagenes; for the 
 
 -^^ The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY. 109 
 
 eye of a lover is fwift to fpy out her that is defired ; and 
 
 -^ he having before heard of the ceremony, had all his 
 
 fpirits fet to watch her coming ; and when he faw her, 
 he was not able to contain himfelf, but fpake foftly in 
 my ear ; for he had placed himfelf next to me of pur- 
 pofe, * Thatjsjhe, it is Chariclea:' I bid him hold his 
 peace, and be at^uiet. 
 
 'At the "cry'of the herald, one prefented himfelf in 
 light armour, of goodly (hape, by his carriage appear- 
 ing already as a conqueror, and promifing to himfelf 
 the prize and victory, as having many times been 
 crowned in the fame courfe; and at that time having 
 none to oppofe him, as Antagonift; which caufed the 
 Amphydtiones to return him back, the law not permit- 
 ting him to enjoy the crown that had not endured the 
 conflld: But he intreated the herald might demand, if 
 any man would run : The judges commanded it fhould 
 be fo ; and the herald made proclamation, if any would 
 run, he fliould come forth into the lifts. Hark (faid 
 Theagencs to me) ^ That man calls me.' I asking him 
 what his meaning was : ' It fhall be fo, father, he faid ; 
 
 * for never fhall any man in my prefence, and I look- 
 
 * ing on, bear away the reward of vidory from the hand 
 ' ofChariclea:* But, faid I, you do not apprehend nor 
 weigh the danger and ignominy that attends the con- 
 quered : ' Why, father, who is he (replied Theagenes) 
 
 * that will fo fervently contend to fee and approach 
 ^ Chariclea, as to outftrip me ? or to v/hom will her 
 ^ looks give wings, and make him fly in the air like 
 
 * me ? Do not you know that painters draw love wing- 
 
 * ed, fiunifying as in a riddle, the agility of thofe that 
 
 * he furprizes ? and if a man might boaft himfelf. 
 
li 
 
 no The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 < there Is this day none that can glory to have over- 
 
 * run me. 
 
 At thefe words he fuddenly rofe, and ftepp'd forth 
 into the lifts, to make his name be publifhed, and the 
 place of his birth ; and fo being engaged for the courfe, 
 he put on compleat armour, and ftood to the barriers, 
 fo boiling with defire to run , that his impatience would 
 hardly permit him to attend the found of the trumpet : 
 The fpeftacle was pleafmg and confpicuous ; for you 
 would have faid it had been Achilles, as Homer paintJ? 
 |jij5:i^fi£ij3^Iipo5 i^^ Scamander. 
 
 This unexpedted champion moved all Greece, and 
 they did wifh the vicflory to Theagenes, as paffionately 
 as if every one had run in his own perfon ; for beauty 
 hath a ftrong power to work upon the good wills of the 
 beholders : But above all, Chariclea was moft troubled ; 
 and having fet my felf to obferve her, I perceived fhe 
 often changed her colour ; for after the herald had pro- 
 nounced fo loud as all might hear the combatants 
 names, Ormenus the Arcadian, and Theag.enes jbe 
 Theffallan^inTi^lJ^rrr^ and the courfe 
 
 begairTo Twiftly as mens dazled eyes could hardly o- 
 vertake them : Every fpedtator, to whom the event was 
 yet In fufpence, found himfelf full of care; but I efpe- 
 cially that had refolved with my felf to be as careful of 
 him as of my own fon. No marvel, faid Knemon, if 
 thofc that were prefent found themfelves troubled; 
 for at this hour I fear for Theagenes, and do entreat 
 you if he had the victory, to keep me no longer with- 
 out the knowledge. When now (Knemon) they had 
 finiftied half their courfe, he looking back, and frown- 
 ing to fee Ormenus run fo near him, lifting up his 
 buckler and his head; and fixing his eyes wholly upon 
 
 • 1 
 
 I;. 
 
 
 '\ 
 
 t 
 
 HISTORY. Ill 
 
 Chariclea, he fhot to her as an arrow to the mark, and 
 fo far out-ftript the Arcadian, as he left him many pa- 
 ces behind. The fpacc was after meafured : fo run- 
 ning to Chariclea of purpofe,fell upon her bofom, as 
 if it had not been in his power to ftop himfelf; and 
 taking the branch of palm, I perceived him kifs her 
 hand. 
 
 lam glad with all my heart (faid Knemon) that he 
 hath won the crown and ftoln a kifs; but I pray you 
 "what follows ? how (faid_Calafiiij}.3KiJ[l.^pu never be 
 f0a%djv[th.Jiearin^ haye jou not yet a mind to 
 (k^^iJ^eiii^jliaiiigbt, is_ fp^^n^^^ my dif- 
 
 couxfe^et-tedieus ? no father (faid Knemon) I could 
 chide Homer, who tells us we may furfeit of all things, 
 even of love; which in my opinion admitteth no fati- 
 cty, neither in the enjoying nor difcourfe: And who 
 is he, unlefs he have a heart of adamant or iron, that 
 would not receive content to hear the loves of The- 
 agenes and Chariclea, though the ftory (hould laft a 
 year ? therefore continue it I befeech you. 
 
 Theagenes (Knemon) was then crowned, proclaim- 
 ed the conqueror, and condu(5ted with the glad accla- 
 mations of the people; but Chariclea was then quite 
 vanquiftied, and her heart more fettered in affedlion 
 than before; having the fecond time beheld Theage- 
 nes ; fprtlie int.?rQhanged eyea^pf lovers is a renewing 
 oftheir pafljons, and jlieir looks inflame thei^Tminds, 
 as firc^approachtfig to iti'matterVdTe^mald^ returning 
 home, had as ill or worfe a night than ever; and la- 
 gain was notable to clole' my eyesTllTtr^ plot- 
 ting how we jhould conceal pyr flight, and into wiiat 
 cquntry the God would bring the two young lovers; 
 
 '\ 
 
112 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 I conje(51ured we were to take our flight by fea, gather* 
 ing it out of thefe words of the oracle, 
 
 — Thcv two (hall, failing from 
 
 * My temple, to afun-burn'd climate come,' 
 
 But to what part of the earth I underftood not ; 
 and 1 faw no other means to come to the knowledge of 
 it, unlefs I could get theFafcia that was expo'ed with 
 Chariclea, wherein Charicles had told me he conceiv- 
 ed the difcourfe of her fortune to be writ ; for out of 
 thefe charaaers I doubted not but to get out her 
 country, and her parents, which I began now to fuf- 
 pecft, and thnt the Gods would fend her back to them. 
 
 Kext morning, coming to Chariclea's chamber, I 
 found others of her friends weeping, but Charicles 
 mod bitterly: I asked him, what the matter was ? O 
 Calafiris! faid hc,theficknprsof my daughter dill more 
 and more increafes, and this night flic hath refled more 
 unquietly than befoFertTet yon away, faid I, and 
 "Command the refl: out of the chamber, only let feme 
 one bring a little lawrel. fire and inrenfc, and let none 
 trouble me before 1 call. Chiricles commanded it 
 (hould be fo; and it was done accordingly. 
 
 Kow being alone with her, 1 began to pi y my part, 
 Jisj mountebank upon ajbgc ;_Ijn!t themcenre^in th^ 
 fife^anirnaHeisi^miUt^ed prayers betwixt 
 
 my4ip9-;-I carried theTa\vrel up and' clown frc m the 
 head to the foot of Chariclea, and gaping over her like 
 a flecpy man, at lengtli I made an end of my mgeantry ; 
 flie often moved her head, and fmiled to her felf, as^ 
 iftIie"wouTd'teTrme I was ignorant of the caufe of her 
 difeafe: Therefore fitting nearer to her, daughter, faid 
 
 HISTORY- 113 
 
 I, chear your fpirits, for yours is a common infirmity, 
 and the cure eafie; no doubt but you were fafcinated 
 "when you aflilted at the procefllon ; but efjjecially 
 when you gave the palm to the conqueror: I fufpe(S 
 him that hath bewitched you, to be Theagenes ; for I 
 faw he looked fixedly upon you, and with an eager 
 eye; She replyed, whether he charmed me fo or not, 
 well may he do; but do you know what countryman 
 he is, or of what family; for I faw many look upon 
 him, admiring him with a kind of aftonifliment. Did 
 not the herald tell you that he was aTheflfalian (I re- 
 plyed) when he proclaimed his name ? and he himfelf 
 glories to be defcended of AchilJes; and doubtlefs 
 he was his anceflor; for he has the ftature, form and 
 generous comportment of Achilles, only he is not fo 
 proud and arrogant as he ; buj hc.gllayS and tenjpers 
 the fiercenefs of his fpirits with a mixture of much 
 fweetnefs; yet though he be thus excellent, I wiflihim 
 more pain than he hath made youfuffer by the wi„tch- 
 craft of his envious eyes. 
 
 I thank you, father, (flie replied) that you have 
 companion of my mifery: but why do you vainly wifli 
 him ill that hath done us no wrong ; for I am not faf- 
 cinated ? fure mine is fome other ficknefs. 
 
 Why therefore do you conceal it (daughter) faid I, 
 and not rather open your Infirmity with confidence, 
 that you may receive help with fpeed ? Am not I your 
 father in years, more in well- wifliing ? Am not I yoor 
 father's friend, profefllng the fame ftudies, which the 
 more indearsme to him? Exprefs your grief, I will be 
 faithful to you : If you will not believe my word, you 
 fliall have my oath : Speak boldly, and let not your 
 pain gather (Irength by your filence ; for every malady 
 
 / 
 
114 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 that is prsfently known, is eafily remedied; but old 
 wounds are almoft incurable; fbrj^creJiei^iLiiQuriili- 
 niqUtodjjeafes, whilft thofe that arc unconceal'd, may 
 be fure to have fome help. 
 
 At ihefe words llie paufing a little, and by her face 
 aflTuring me of much confufion in her thoughts; Give 
 me time this day, ftiefaid, and then you (hall know it, 
 if already you do not, (ince you arc a mailer in the 
 art of prophecy. I rofe and left her ; willing to give her 
 leifure to moderate her fears, and to contrive in what 
 manner toexprefs that which Ihe was afhamed to tell 
 me. Charicles came running to meet me, and asked 
 me, what I thought of his child? Owell, well; 1 repli- 
 ed: To-morrow (he will be delivered of the burthen 
 that affli(5ts her, and there will be a beginning of fome- 
 thing that will give you great content. In the mean 
 time it will do no harm if you fend for a phyfician. 
 This faid, I made hafte away, left he fhould interro- 
 gate me further. 
 
 I was gone but a little from the houfe when I per* 
 ceived Theagenes walking in the cloifter of the tem- 
 ple, and difcourling with himfelf, as if- he Awexe. highly 
 conteilttdonly to look upon the lodging of Chariclea : 
 I turning a little ont of iheway, palTed by as iflhird- 
 not feen him ; but he called to me ; fave you Calafiris! a 
 word with you ; I ftaid for you: prefently I turning back, 
 Lord! faid I, is the fair Theagenes here, and 1 not fee 
 him ? How can he be fair, replied Theagenes, that 
 pleafes not Chariclea? I making my felf to frown, as 
 if I were angry with him, will you never leave, faid I, 
 to difparage me and my art, by which fhe is taken and 
 compelled to love you, defiring to have the happinefs 
 to fee you. What fay you father, he replied, would 
 
 ^HISTORY. • 115 
 
 Chariclea fee me? why then do you not carry me to 
 her? and therewith he ftaried forwatd; but I catching 
 him by the veft, (tay,faid I, though you have the crown 
 for running, this is not a bnfinefs to fall upon it like 
 a prey; nor is it eafie to be compafTed, or expofed to 
 him that will venture for it; but it requires deep con- 
 fultation and great preparatives to fecure the doing. 
 De-ye«U2iitJu3J3LiOiut.tiiemnid's father is one of the 
 prill cipal men glPciphos ? Do you iiot Tear the Taw, 
 that pronoilhces death upon offenders in this kind ? 
 
 'Tis no matter, he replied, let me die ib I may en- 
 joy Chariclea; yet, if you pleafe, let us make fuit to 
 her father that he will beftow her on me for my wife; 
 my affinity will be nodifgrace to Chariclea's. 
 
 Welhall never obtain it, faid I; not that any thing 
 can be reprehended or thought defedive in you ; but 
 in refpedl Charicles hath deftined her to his (ifter's fon : 
 he fhall repent it whofoever he be (faid Theagenes) for 
 nQ_Qthcrjn3n.fhall cva ciak^^^^^ bride, and 
 
 I;ili:iCejt,h a ving thU,hajid4lli,fwQt:d . 
 
 .\way_j._away_(fiUd.i). tjacj^ 
 oiily be ruled by me, and dqj§ JxQXDniiand,you : for 
 this time depart7 aha take heed you be not feen often 
 in my company, but meet me ever alone, and with- 
 out noife: immediately liejKexLt.-a^J[y,Jbj]D£thipg fad. 
 
 Charicles met me the next morning, and afToon as 
 he perceived me, ran and caught me in his arms, print- 
 ing many kifles on my head, crying out, of fuch power 
 is wifdom, of fuch power is fricndlhip! the great work 
 is finifhed, the impregnable is now taken, and the in- 
 vincible is vanquiflied ; Chariclea is in love. 
 
 Then I began to take ilate upon me, looking fuper- 
 cilioufly, and walking gravely ; There was no difficul- 
 
 I 2 
 
ii6 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ty (faid I) but that fhe could not hold out the firft: af- 
 fauk; and yet I planted no great engines againft her: 
 But Charicles, how come you to know (he loves ? 
 
 Following your counfel (he replied: ) for having 
 fentfor our principal and mod approved phyficians, 
 I brought them in to fee her; promifing them ail my 
 patrimony for their fees, if they could cure her: They 
 asked her where her pain held her moft ? but (he turn- 
 ing from iliem, pronounced this verfe of Homer j 
 
 ^ Achifles the mod vaPiant of the Greeks. 
 
 Then the prudent phyfician Aceftinus (perhaps you 
 know the man) caught hold of her wrift, and telt her 
 pulfe, judging thereby (as I imagine) the motion of her 
 heart; and after he had felt the artery a good while, 
 taking an exaift and curious obfervation of her, Chari- 
 cles (faid he) you have fent for us in vain ; phyfick can 
 do her no good. 
 
 O Gods ! I cried, what do you fay ? muft then my 
 daughter perl(h ? Is there no hope of her recovery? 
 
 Do not afflift your felf, replied he, but hear me? 
 and taking me afidefrom Chariclea and the reft, our 
 art (faid he) profelTeth the cure of a diftempered body, 
 and fometimes of the foul ;• but that is only when it 
 fufFers and feels the indifpofition of the body, and that 
 being healed, the fonl again recovers, and is well : It 
 is true, your daughter is diftempered, but not in her 
 body ; Her head aches not , no fever inflames her 
 blood, her body fufFers not by ficknefs, neither in any 
 part nor in the whole. I intrcating him if he under-' 
 ftood' the nature of her difeafe, to let me know it: 
 There is no child, faid he, but may know it is a pafTion 
 
 HISTORY. 117 
 
 of the mind, aqd evide;itly the difeafe that we call love; 
 do you not fee that her eyes are fwd!cd, her counte- 
 nance difcompofed, her colour pale ; yet fhe complain^ 
 ed not of any pain in her heart; add ib^tljer mind 
 wanders j^whatjallsLinto her tjipu^h t s (he ^ fpeak s , aad^ 
 caiiiUfifs^ares doJrouble.ber rcpoCe. In fhort, Chari- 
 cles, you muft (ind out the man whom fhe defires ; hav- 
 ing faid this, fhe left me. 
 
 But I made all the hafte I could, to meet you my 
 preferver and good genius ; whom both (he and I ac- 
 knowledge to have the only power to do us good, for 
 after I had long in treated her to teJl me, what it was 
 that troubled her; fhe replied, no more but that fhe 
 her felf was ignorant, only Calafiris knew a remedy for 
 her: and fhe prayed me that I would fend you to her, 
 whence principally I conjedured fhe was gained by the 
 fecrets of your wifdom ; but (faid I, to him) as you 
 tell me fhe loves ; can you tdl me whom fhe loves ? no, 
 by Apollo, replied he: for how, or whence fhould I 
 know that ? but I would give my eftate, that it were 
 Alcamenes my fifter's fon ; whom long fince in my 
 mind, 1 had defigned for her husband. I wifhed him 
 that he (hould make a trial ; bring the young man, and 
 (hew him to her : he commended my counfel, and pre- 
 fently went about it. 
 
 Kot long after, he came and found me, when die exr 
 change was full ; I have (faid he) a thing to communi- 
 cate to you, that greatly troubles and afHidls me : I fear 
 my daughter is out of her wits, (he hath fuch ftrange 
 and extraordinary fancies. I brought my nephew, Al- 
 camenes, as you wi(hed me ; and (hewed him to her in 
 his richeft habit: but fhe as if llie had feen Medufa's 
 hjead, or fomething more formidable, with a loud fhrilj 
 
 1 3 
 
Ii8 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 voice, cried out, and turned her face to the other fide 
 of the chamber: putting her hands like acflldjihput 
 her n£ckvtliteaiaiHj^d Iweanng (he would kill her 
 felf, unlefs I prcfently would take him gway out of her 
 fight) but altobn'as* file could fpeak it, we retired our 
 feives : for what fiiould we do, feeing fuch a ftrange ab- 
 furdity ? therefore again, I am become a fuiter to you, 
 that you will not fuffjr her to perifh, nor me to be 
 frullrated of my expectation ; O Charicles ! ( faid I ) 
 now you have hit it, the maid is mad: for fhc is pof- 
 feflcd and agitated by the fpirits that 1 have put into 
 her, which are not ofthemeaneft fort; but a thing that 
 was necelHirily to be done to force her inclination, and 
 make her to have a mind to that which by nature and 
 breeding flie abhorred ; but fure fome God oppofes my 
 defign, and countermines my work: and tlierefore of 
 neceffity, you muft fhew me the mantle that was ex- 
 pofed with her, which you told me you received with 
 the reft of her things ; for I much fear, that fome ene- 
 my hath poifoned it with a charm to make her out of 
 love with love; to the end that detefting marriage, (he 
 might wear out all her life time, without the blefTmg to 
 be a mother. Charicles approving my conjedlures, prc- 
 fently brought me the mantle; bat I faid, he muft give 
 me a little time to be private: he did fo; and alToon 
 as he was gone, I began without the leaft delay to read 
 what was fewed in the mantle ; being formed in Aethi- 
 opian charadbers, not vulgar, or fuch as the common 
 people ule, but royal ; fuch a.j are proper only to their 
 princes, bearing a refemblance to thofe we Aegyptians 
 call the facred or prieflly chara(5ters ; reading it, I 
 found the fcrowl contained thefe words. ' I Perfina, 
 * Queen of the Aethiopians, draw this lamentable com- 
 
 HISTORY. X19 
 
 ' plaint for the laft prefent I can give to her, whom I 
 ' know not how to name, and.'whoxn^icaaxalU^i- 
 
 * ter-eftlyJiy-the-paiH*=''Of^il^'binbi 
 
 I was amazed ( Knemon ) when I read Perfina's 
 name, yet I perfifted to read the reft, which was this ; 
 
 The fun who is author of our blood, be my witncfs \ 
 O my child litis not for any fpot of fin that I have ex- 
 pofed you in your cradle, and concealed you from your 
 father Hydafpes : yet if you ftiall efcape and live, thus 
 far daughter, let me excufe me to you, and to him that 
 (hall find you, if the Gods make any one fo happy; 
 be it alfo known to all forts of people, thecaufe that 
 forced your mother's heart to leave you to the mercy 
 of fortune; our anceftors of the Gods areSol,_and 
 Bacchus j^ of;!^ d^i^GodsTl^ Andromeda, 
 
 and aftcrTiiem Mernnon ; thofe that from time to time 
 have buiTdTd'and enlarged the palace of the kings of 
 Aethiopia, have enriched it with divers piaures, ex- 
 cellent pieces taken from the anions and battles they 
 have performed, and have put their ftatues in the gal- 
 leries and gardens with tables, prefenting to the life 
 the valorous performances both of the Gods and men; 
 and my own chamber was hanged about with feveral 
 pieces of the loves of Andromeda and Perfcus. I had 
 been ten years marry'dto Hydafpes, without any fruit 
 of wedlock, yet it happened, that from a cettain hour, 
 I found my felf with child ; all the time till my down- 
 lying , there were publick feafts, and facnfices of 
 thankfgiving to the Gods; the king hoping for a fuc- 
 ceftbr to fucceed him in his throne : but when I brought 
 forth thee a white child, anunufual colour to the Ethi- 
 opians; I my felf knew the caufe ; the pidlure of An- 
 dromeda naked was before my eyes (for then Perfeus 
 
 I 4 
 
120 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 had newly brought her down from the rock.) Her facC 
 being apparelled in her fweeteft looks, as freed from 
 being devoured by the fea-mon(ler. A beauty likehers in 
 that pi(5^ure, it was my hard fortune to conceive thee; 
 wherefore to deliver my dignity and perfon trom an 
 ignominious dejth, alFuring my felf thy colour would 
 convince me of adultery, and no man believe mc when 
 I fiiould fpeak the truth of fucii an accident ; I refolved 
 from the hour of your birth, to commit you to the un- 
 certainty of fortune, which I imagined you your felf 
 would rather wi(h than a certain death, or the name 
 of illegitimate. 
 
 And fo feigning to my husband you were born dead, 
 I fecretly expofed you, laying with you in your cradle 
 my beft jewels for a reward to his piety, that fliould 
 preferve you, and covering you with this mantle, in 
 which I have printed with my blood and tears the mi- 
 ferable relation of your fortune and my own, that 
 have been fo unhappy a mother in my firll down-ly» 
 ing. But my fweet child, and that muH: be mine but 
 for a little time; if you furvlve, remember your great 
 birth, be jealous of the honour of your chaftity, the 
 only beft charadler of a lady's virtue and fpirit; imi- 
 tate your ancedors , and following their example, 
 make the world know the glory of your illuftrious 
 blood ; particularly, remember among the jewels I have 
 laid forth with you, to look for a certain ring, and keep 
 it to your felf; your father gave it me upon my wed- 
 ding day ; his arms are herein engraved, the ftone is 
 pamed aPantarbe, confecrated in the collet: I ufethis 
 way of writing, to advertifeyou hereof, fince the Gods 
 have denied us any other means to fpcak together; 
 ibis may prove dumb and unprofitable unto you; it 
 
 t 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 121 
 
 fn$y alfo inform you, and do you fervice; for the e* 
 vents of fortune are not in the compafs of man's know- 
 ledge: finally, thefe chara(5ters I have ftained in this 
 mantle ; O daughter ! fair in pain ; whofe beauty is my 
 unjuft accufer; ifit happen to you, to be prefer ved by 
 thefe tokens, you will be known ; if not, (which heaven 
 keep from my knowledge) let the water of thefe gems 
 prefent your mother's funeral tears. 
 
 When I had read this to an end, then Knemon, I 
 knew, not without being ravifhed with admiration, 
 the ordinance of the Gods, and my foul felt a new mo- 
 tion, that made tears fpringfrommy eyes mixed with 
 joy and forrow, infinitely contented to have found 
 what I defired ; namely, the refolution of the oracle, 
 but exceeding troubled that I could have no perfeft 
 knowledge of the future; complaining to my felf of 
 the mirerableconditipn- of man's fortune, nothing but 
 inftabilit.yj wbefeof Chariclea appeared to me a fingu- 
 la^-exsmpje. I wandered in a maze of thoughts, con- 
 (ulering who her true parents were, who her fuppofed, 
 how far fhe was diftanced from her country ; having 
 loft her own, and being only known by a fei^Mnaniie. 
 To conclude, I remain'd a great while in a doubtful 
 ftaieof mindjhavingcaufe to pity and deplore herpafled 
 miferies, and not daring to fay her fortune (hould be hap- 
 py in the future; till at length colle<^ingmyreafon,Ire- 
 folvcd the delign I had undertaken, fhouldgoon with- 
 out delay ; and coming to Chariclea, I found her alone, 
 wearied with the fight betwixt the forces of her fpirits, 
 andt he powersof love, that made her fair body the field 
 and feat of war, w^hich her foul ftrivingtom9ke,good, 
 did but the morejaffiSTiecrbeing not able to refift the 
 urv^Tdie allailant ; then I commanded thofe that were 
 
? 
 
 ^^3 
 
 
 
 ,21 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 without to wait till they were called, and not to trouble 
 me, as if I had certain prayers and invocations to 
 make for the maid's health. Now Charidea, (faid 1) 
 you have time to perform your yefterday'spromife, to 
 difcover to me what it is torments you, and no longer 
 to conceal it from your true friend, whom it lieth not 
 in your power to hinder of the knowledge, though you 
 fhould live and die obftinate in your filcnce. At thefe 
 words (he taking my hand, and kifTing it many times 
 with tears : moft wife Calafiris ( (he faid ) Oh do me 
 tbcfavour tdTnTS^^nnfiTllW ni'fq^^ con- 
 
 f^ing it, fmce, as you fay, you know what "troubles 
 me"rT(hallefteem it fome benefit to avoid an igno- 
 miny, by concealing what it is a fhamc to fuffer, but 
 more (hame to fpeak; and thoujh my iicknefs grow- 
 ing upon me, puts me to great pain, it ismygreated, 
 tHat I"did not at firrt conquer it, but yielded to that 
 pafGon I had all my life-time in fuch horror, as only to 
 ieaf It named, I thought It a (lain to the facred title of 
 i virgin . Th^ri to encourage and comfort her ; daugh - 
 'ter, faid I, you do wifely to keep your reafons fecret, 
 for two caufes; for it were but fuperfluous to tell me 
 that, which by my art, is long fmce known unto me ; 
 and you do your modefty rightjQ,ipare^yourblMj[hes, 
 ijXCfv^mg^that wliich ou^t ever to be hidden dee^eft 
 in amaiys heart; but fince you^nov/ feel what love is, 
 aiiiTtli araTSrH Tight you were taken with tlie perfec- 
 tions of Theagenes, (for this I know by revelation) 
 know you are not alone, nor the firft that hath been 
 taken in this kind, but it is the common cafe of many 
 illuftrious ladies, and chafte maids ; for love is the 
 greateftof theGods, and at times hath had thevi<^ory 
 of them all; but now confider where you are, and 
 
 H 1ST O R Y. 123 
 
 what you have to do : 'tis true, 'tis a great blefling not 
 to be in love, but when you are once caught, it is the 
 beft of v'ifdom to regulate your dcfires, and dire<^ them 
 to fome honourable end. 
 
 Thefe words, Knemon, put her all into confuGon, 
 and I (aw clearly fh^ delighted in them, yet was an5^i- 
 oii5jinjTjS3Be3^SowTK«"m1iEl^^ In 
 
 fine, ailiam'd to be brought thus to her confefTio n^made 
 l^^f-diceks dye their lilies red : and after (he had a while 
 (lood mute ; O father, reply'd (he, do you fpeak to me 
 of marriage, and counfel me to take my own choice, 
 as if my father would confent, or that my adverfary 
 wifh'd it ? for the young gentleman (faid I) it is lixt; 
 he is fafter caught than you, in the fame tye, and I be- 
 lieve, at yourfirll interview, your fouls acknowledged 
 the dignities and performances of one another, both 
 burning in an equal flame, which I have increased in 
 him for your fake : but for him that is fuppos'd to be 
 your father, he provides you another husband, an ac- 
 quaintance of yours, one Alcamenes : let him provide 
 (faid (he) my grave for Alcamenes, rather than my bed 
 for either^Xheagcnes (hall marry nje^prdeajji: but how 
 do you know (I befeech you) that Charicles is but my 
 fuppofed father? by this (faid I) and (bowed her the 
 mantle: whence had you it, and how came you by it 
 (fhe demanded of me) for after Charicles had received 
 me in ^gypt from the hands of him that bred me, hav- 
 ing brought me I know not how into this country, he 
 took it from me and kept it in a box, to preferve it 
 from being defaced or corrupted by the injury of time ? 
 how I got it (replied I) you (hall know hereafter, for 
 the prefent I pray you tell me if you have read the in- 
 fcription: confe(ring to me (he did not know it ; I de- 
 
124 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 clarcd to her her parents, country and fortune: to 
 conclude,entreating me to tell her the particulars,! read 
 the whole difcourfe to her, and did interpret it word 
 by word: this bringing her to the knowkdge.of her 
 felf, put greater fpir it in her, and tranfporteJ her with 
 a delire to feeheLPVcnts ; and asking me what was 
 befl: to be done; I began then to manifeft my cpunfel 
 to her, difcovering to her how all things went : I was 
 once, daughter, (faid I) in Aethiopia, carried thither 
 >vith a defire to gain their wifdom ; I was there made 
 Jtnown to your mother Perfina, for that court enter- 
 taineth learned men with all humanity, and there was 
 a great opinion of me, for as much as I had joined the 
 wifdom of the ^Egyptians, with that of the -/Ethiopian 
 fages, which is made of great authority in that nation. 
 But your mother when flie faw I prepared for my de- 
 parture home, recounted to me all your fortune : hav- 
 ing firft obliged me to fecrefie by oath, and telling me 
 ihe durft not difcover it to her own priefts i flie prayed 
 me to demand of the Gods, i f you were. prejerv*37and 
 injiJiat^utTerthelvorrd^j^^^ 
 
 codd not underftanUtJere >ya8 aiiy fuch in all Aethi- 
 op[a^houghJhe had madje„curipu«-£iiquiry : But the 
 Gods having revealed all to me, I told her you were ar 
 Jive, and where ; (he then entreated me to feek you out, 
 and bring you back into your country, in regard that 
 fince your birth the grief (he conceived for you had 
 hindered conception in her ; and that (he was now 
 ready, if you could be found, to confefs a)l that had 
 happen'd to your father, perfwading herfelf that the 
 longtime they had lived together, had fu(ficiently con- 
 firmed him in her faith by true proof; and that he 
 would be extremely taken with unexpedled joy, to 
 
 ^f 
 
 «,'! 
 
 * 
 
 u 
 
 • • 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 It 1 S T O R Y. 12S 
 
 leive his fcepter in the hands of his own child. Thi^ 
 the queen faid to me, conjuring me by my vow to her, 
 wherein I had called the fun to witnefs, an oath it is 
 not lawfiil for our priefts to violate. 
 
 This is the reafon of my coming hither to accom- 
 pli (h my oath, though that was not the only motive 
 of my journey; yet, by the great providence of the 
 Gods, in travelling hlHier HFave found a means tiy 
 difeaga^i me of my promife. You know, fmce I firft 
 faw you, I have been ever ready to do you fervice, not 
 omitting the leaft occafion to exprefs me yours, yet 
 concealing my reafons till occafion would ferve to re- 
 cover this mantle, that it might confirm your belief of 
 my relation : therefore it were good you would take 
 my counfel, before you be forced to endure, againlt 
 your will, the marriage of Alcamenes, which Charicles 
 means to follow with all violence; in place whereof 
 you^may recover your country and parents, and match 
 with Theagenes, who is prepared to follow us into any 
 part of the world; changing a private life in aftrange 
 country , to that of a prhicefs in your native foil , 
 where you (hall be crowned, and reign with him you 
 love deareft, if we may have faith in the Gods, both in 
 other prefages, and even in the oracle of Apollo. Thea 
 I put her in mind of the tenor of the oracle, and ex- 
 pounded the meaning. Chariclea perfeaiy knowing 
 it, as being now vulgarly fung, and every one making 
 cfFay to interpret it. This ftruck her filcnt again. 
 
 At length (he faid, father, fmce you fay, and I be-' 
 lieve this to be the pleafure of the Gods, what (hall I 
 do ? you muft make a (hew ( faid I ) to entertain the 
 match with Alcamenes. It will be a hard thing, (faid 
 fhe) if not bafe, to prefer any one before Theagenes^ 
 

 
 126' 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 though but in words* butfince I have committed my" 
 felf to the power of the Gods and yours, father, let me 
 know what will be the ifTuc of thii^fi^Uon^juidJjDW'it 
 may^beTrpke^Jor£^ Let 
 
 the event inform you, I replied, for there arc certain 
 deCgns, wherewith, if ladies be unacquainted before 
 hand, they will fear and delay, but if they undertake 
 them on the fudden, they will Hniui them with a great- 
 er refolution. I)p.y..auJjpllow-my advice both in other 
 things and this,and make no difficuity to accornmodate 
 yoErSTtQ the..denre of i^an^^^^ match jou^with 
 
 Jiis-Oepbew, for be afTu red he wjjj do n "otjii ng in it with- 
 out my confent and approbation. She promiled it 
 and fo I left her weeping.'- 1 was hardly out of the gate 
 but I perceiv'd Charicles, han;;ing down his head, as 
 opprelfed with extreme grief: this is a (Irange humour, 
 worthy Charicles, (faid 1) to appear in this fort afflic- 
 ted, when you ought to fill your heart with joy, and 
 offer facrifice and thankfgiving in the temple, the Gods 
 having now granted your long fuit, and bleiled the fe- 
 crets of my knowledge and endeavours to her, inclin- 
 ing her mind to a defire of marriage : Lord, why fhould 
 you weep, I proteft I cannot imagine the reafon. How 
 can I chufc, replied he,fincemy beloved daughter {hall 
 betaken out of this v/or\d, before (he befubjecfted to 
 the laws of marriage, as you promife, if we may believe 
 dreams, both at other times and (which with terrour 
 I remember yet) this night methought an eaalcj^flj^ing 
 from Apollo'2 ^^^»"^^'^'''"MnViJ^as.I).Xeiiij3iy 
 poo4CcEII3^aa^JaviiEed herfromTny bofom^^carrying 
 ^~^LI"^?..^.^^ fartheft region of 'theliabitabie earth, full , 
 of pSfcurejmages and fhadows -qfBIa'ckjnen'; and, 
 which grieved mc mofl, I could not^fcern what be- 
 
 I 
 
 •*t 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 127 
 
 "x 
 
 y 
 
 ) 
 
 came of her, an infinite fpace of earth and air interpof- 
 ing^ it felf bctwTXrtrsr;*fo as the crtjiel bird did overfly 
 my CgHtTand vahlHi^d: ^^hen he had told me this, I 
 prefently conceiv'd which way the prefage tended ; but 
 to divert him from his melancholy wherein he was 
 drown'd, and to draw him as far as might be, from the 
 fufpicion of the future ; you being a prieft, (faid I) and 
 of all his priefts the mod converfant in the myfteries of 
 your prophetick God, yet methinks you have not the 
 art of interpreting a dream ; your dream indeed prefag- 
 ing to you the marriage of your daughter, and by an 
 Enigma fliowlng to you how her husband fhall take her 
 from you like an eagle, and that with the confent of 
 Apollo, as fending him to her from his own hand, yet 
 you are troubled at it, and wreft your dream to the 
 worftfenfe; therefore let us take heed our mifconjec- 
 tures do not provoke the Gods, refigning ourfelves 
 wholly to their wills, and employing our beft induftry 
 to conform your daughter to your pleafure. 
 
 Then he demanding what were bed to be done to 
 win his daughter; if haply, faid I, you. have yet any 
 jewels or rich embroideries, or fome ring of a great 
 value, let A Icamenes prefent them to her, as marriage- 
 gifts, and this will charm her to be his ; then you muft 
 make other preparations for the folemnity, and make 
 no delay, but conclude the marriage, whilft yet the 
 power of my art is working, and makes impreffion in 
 her foul. Doubt not, faid Charicles, I (hall not omit 
 any thing in my power ; and he had fcarce fpoken the 
 words, but he ran with joy to put them in adl, and did 
 as I entreated him, without any procraftination, as af- 
 terwards I underftood, carrying to Chariclea, as nup- 
 tial gifts from Alcamenes, not only rich veftures, but 
 
 .n- 
 
 rr 
 
 t' 
 
 
 4r 
 
128 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 alfo the precious jewels Perfina had put in her cradle,- 
 when (he was expofed. 
 
 But I went prefently to Theagenes, and asked him 
 Xvhere his ThclTalians were, that did afTill at the cere- 
 mony of the proccflion : he told me, the ladies were 
 gone foftly before, to make the eafier journeys; and 
 how the young men burned with fo great a defire to fee 
 their friends at home, as he hardly had power to (lay 
 them any longer : underftanding that, I inllrudted him 
 what he (hould fay to them, and what they (liould do, 
 commanding him he (hould obferve when I would give 
 the (ign, and then take heed not to lofe the time and 
 occalion offered ; fo I left him. 
 
 And going to the temple of Apollo, I intended to 
 make my prayer to the God, that he would pleafe, by 
 his oracle, to diredl me what courfe I would take to 
 convey away the two young lovers; but the God was 
 fwiftcr than a thought, for the heavenly powers do 
 favour fuch as refign their will to theirs, though not 
 implored ; often preventing men's petitions with their 
 bounty ; as at this time Apollo anticipated my demand, 
 with his reply, making me know his pleafure and di- 
 re(5tion ; for as I was hafting towards the prophetefs, 
 troubled in my mind how I might execute my defign, 
 a voice ftayed me as I pafFed, faying, do you go fofaft-, 
 and hear not how thefc ftrangers call you ? they were 
 a company of merchants, that to the found of flutes 
 and ho-boys, were doing facrifice, and celebrating a 
 fcaftin honour of Hercules. 
 
 I ftayed when I perceived them, for I fliould have 
 offended the facred myfteries of religion, to have pafTed 
 by them without refpedl, the divine voice having in- 
 vited me, after I had put frankincenfe in a thurible, 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 129 
 
 afid incenfed the altar, offering a little water, it feem'd 
 they thought me very fumptuous in my oblations, and 
 intreated me to take part of their banquet ; I obeyed 
 them fpfar, and when I was fet down upon a couch, 
 which the Itrangers had ftrewM with myrrh and bays, 
 and had tafted fach things as I ufed to eat: noble 
 gentlemen, faid I, you have done me the honour to 
 feaft me fo, as I cannot defire any greater dainties, I 
 nowonly long to know your eftate and fortunes, there- 
 fore now it is time, if you pleafe, to tell me who, and 
 of what country you are, for it would be rude, and an 
 incivility in me, having fat with you at the feaf} of a 
 facrifice,and imitated friendfhip with you, by the com- 
 munion of a facred repaft, if we (hould part without 
 having a more particular knowledge one of the other. 
 Then they told me they were Phoenicians, of the city 
 of Tyre, by their trade merchants, that were then 
 bound for Carthage in Africa, with a fhip laded with 
 rich merchandifes, they had brought out of India, 
 Aethiopia, and Phoenicia; and at the prefent werefa- 
 crificing a feafl: to the Tyriari Hercules ; forafmuch as 
 that young man (faid they, pointing to one that fat by 
 me at the table) hath gainM the crown and prize of 
 the lute, and proclaim'd our city of Tyre vi<5toriou$ 
 among the Greeks. This youth, when we had doub- 
 led the Cape of Malea, and by adverfe winds, were 
 forced to land in the ifle of the Cephalians, there he 
 protcfted to us by this God, the patron of our country, 
 that he had foretold him in his flcep the vcflory he 
 (hould obtain in the Pythian games, perfwading us to 
 turn our courfe, and fail hither, where the effedl hath 
 proved the truth of his prediction ; and he that was 
 but late a merchant; is now proclaimed a conqueror, 
 * K 
 
I30 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 and now in gratitude to the God, makes him this feaft, 
 for the favour of premonftrating his fuccefs; but to- 
 morrow morning, if the wind ferve, we intend to 
 weigh anchor. Is that your refolution, faid I? they 
 told me it was : you (hal! have me your companion, I 
 reply M, if you will give me leave, for I muft make a 
 voyage into Sicily about my affairs, and you know 
 thofe that fail for Africa, muft pafs by this ifland. If 
 you pleafe (faid they) we fhall be happy in your com- 
 pany, for we fhall make accompt, profperity will at- 
 tend us fo long as a wife man, a Grecian, and one be- 
 loved of the Gods, as your experience fpeaks you, 
 will go along with us. I defired (I faid to them) if you 
 will but give me one day to prepare my felf, and before 
 I go, to give fome order for my bufmefs here: you 
 fhall have all to-morrow, they reply'd, provided you 
 come aboard us foon at night, for-the^aight is^Jvery 
 ferviceable tQ us, fmall.bi:eaths of wind riling from the 
 earth, and wafting away a fhip, without moving^ of 
 great waves. 
 
 ~~~I promifed not to fail , firft taking their faith by 
 oath, they fliould not loofe to fea before the time ap- 
 pointed; and fo I left them dancing to their mufick, 
 that play'd quick (trains like jiggs, which they footed i ii 
 the Aflyrian garb; fometimes with little skips capering 
 in the air, fometimes bending their knees to tlie earth, 
 and skrewing their whole bodies, as if they had been 
 pofTeft with fome prophetick fpirit. And coming to 
 Chariclea, I found her with the jewels yet in her lap, 
 that Gharicles had prefented her : then I went to The- 
 agen?s, and having advertisM them both what they 
 fhould do; I retir'd to my lodging, attending with 
 impatience, the iffue of my projed. 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 131 
 
 w> 
 
 The next day this happen'd. Wlien midnight 
 drown'd all the town in fleep ; a troop of young gentle- 
 men armed, befiegM the lodgings of Chariclea. The- 
 agenes was captain of that amorous war, making his 
 young Theffalians put off their glorious habit, and 
 put on their armours; w ho fuddenlvL jmiiig_ih£.air 
 witlixik5juandxerri5^ing..thofe^^^^ were betweenfleep 
 and^wak^v-wkhjtbe noife of their (hiddsan^fwoals, 
 with torches burning in their hands, they brake into 
 the houfe of Gharicles, cafily forcing the firff'^te 
 (for the locks aftd bolts were prepared to admit them) 
 and took away Chariclea, who was ready and expec;- 
 ted them, fuffering tliera to force her with her own 
 confentj and with the maid, conveyed away fnch 
 portable riches, as flie pleafed, and returning through 
 the flreets, they renewed their warlike clamours, and 
 doubled the found and terror of their arms, frightning 
 the city almoft out of their wits ; and choofmg the 
 dead of night to that end. Finally, they made fuch a 
 noife, as tlie mountain Parnaffus echoed, and replied 
 to the clafhing of their iron: and thus marching out 
 of the town, they did ride upon the fpurr, to the moun- 
 tains of the Locrians and Oetians. 
 
 But Theagenes and Chariclea, doing as I advifed 
 them, left the Theffalians, and came fecretly where I 
 expe<n:ed them : where falling at my feet, they tren)bling 
 cry!d, fave us, father ; father, fave us : Chariclea blufh- 
 ing+imd-bowiiTgher face to the earth, as afhamM of 
 JierneiVL a^j JnjJ Th^^ to his p thexTup^pl [c^- 
 
 tt^»Sr-^<^^d,'fave O Calafiris, two poor flrangers thy 
 fuppliants, exiled from their country, deprived of tbeir^ 
 ItigidjSJ only^to purchafe thee for all; preferve two 
 poor creatures, now exposed to the power of fortune j 
 
 K 2 
 
132 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 the captives of chafte love banifhed, but voluntarily 
 banifhed, and with joy repoling in you all their hope 
 of fafety. TlidLjviij*dSjjCnernon, CgjtDuehed^raa^t 
 thejieajy^vmh pity^^os Jjiy^ 
 
 ntB Tf th an ^^^j^my<^g4yib as they perceived not my 
 forrow, yet I eafcd my fpirits ; I did raife and comfort 
 them the befl: I could: to conclude, afTuring them of a 
 happy iffue, and that 1 had aufpicated this bufmefs, by 
 the commandment of the Gods. I will now go, faid 
 I, and difpatch the refl : do you expe(51 me in his place, 
 taking a fpecial regard, you be not obferv'd by any. 
 Then I was going away ; but Chariclea caught me by 
 apart of my robe and ftayed me: O father, faid fhe, 
 this beginning were injullice, rather a betraying, if 
 you fhould go and leave me alone with Theagenes, 
 not confidering how unfaithful a guard a lover is, hav- 
 ing the caufer of his flames in his own power. There- 
 fore I will not leave you, till for this prcfent^ and the 
 time to^come, yowib^U oblige Tiieagenes hy-.vaw^ not 
 toiiTi^ortwac^rne^ibrauy favour in that k4ft<iy^fore 
 
 •^i!5J!S^^^.CTit91il^>^.?"^.P^^^^ ^r if Heaven 
 
 te not fo pleafed, yet till fuch time as with mj con- 
 
 Jent^Jie Jlidl-r€c<ivajn€.fpj4^ Adnnring the 
 
 virtues of the maid, I refolved it fhould be done accor- 
 dingly: and making an altar of a table, taking fire 
 from the chimney, Thcj^enes made his vow, profef- 
 Cngjvc had done him wrong, to cut ofT, by th^pre- 
 venticmj)faj0LOABvi!Be~5<dpntary 
 and that he could not commend an a6t done for fear, 
 tBmigh~ofThe GQ_3s:_yet he^^^^ Apollo of 
 
 Dejphos, by Diana, by Venus her fclf and love, to do 
 nothing that IhauMii^jeafe Chariclea. Thus calling 
 the Gods to witnefs; they accorded the fe, andothcr 
 articles betwixt them. 
 
 HISTORY. 133 
 
 I holding on my courfe to Charicles, found his 
 houfe full of tears and tumult: forafmuch as the fer- 
 vants of Chariclea had already brought him news of 
 the carrying away of his daughter, and citizens came 
 in from all parts of the town, and flocked about de- 
 fpairing Charicles. In fum, the ignorance of what 
 was done, and the want of counfel in what was to be 
 done, confufed them all: I therefore thundering a- 
 mongft them with a loud voice ; O miferable men (faid 
 I ) how long will you (land like ftupid things, mute 
 and dull, as if you were deprived of your judgment 
 with your fortune.? what will you not arm and pur- 
 fue your enemies? will you not take and piinifh them 
 who have done you fuch an injury ? but Charicles re- 
 pliedJjLwere perhaps fuperfluous andvain to flroggle 
 %!l&SJ:^with thefe difafters, for I am alTured the Divine 
 Wxa.tJiJnfli(fts this puniiiiment upon me ; when coming 
 once at a forbidden hour into the (an(5tuary of our 
 temple, I fawwhat was not lawful for man to behold. 
 Then the God foretold me, for my prefumption I 
 fhould be deprived of what was deareft.tomy eyes: 
 yet let not this hinder you to fight (as they fay) with 
 the Gods themfelvcs, if we knew whither we fliould 
 go, and who hath been fo cruel to us : it was (faid I) 
 even the Thcffalian whom you fo much admired, and 
 
 would needs make me acquainted with him; it wasThe- 
 agencs and his you thful company; perhaps you may find 
 fome of them yet in town, for fure they cannot be all 
 departed ; thereforerifc and call a coanfelof the people. 
 It was done fo as I appointed, and the captains fent 
 their men to proclaim, by found of trumpet, that the 
 townfmen fhouJd afTcmble: immediately the people 
 
\^ 
 
 134 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 came In, and thejLl^ld^ council^ ty^pJ£ht,_U|)qn^ the 
 thfiit]:^. " 
 
 Charicles flood forth into the middle, and prefently 
 fet them all on weeping, beholding him in his mourn- 
 ing, his-4i€a4.a.nil^filce..(;oyered,with afhes; but much 
 more when his afflitTtion unfolded it felf in Kirwords : 
 perhaps, dear country-men, (faid he) feeing me thus 
 iland forth, you may eftcem me come hither to eafe my 
 heart, and to have convoked fo great an afTembly to be 
 fpec^ators of the enormous greatnefs of my miferies; 
 but this is not my meaning, for though I have often 
 fuftained calamities equal with death it felf, and that 
 my houfe is now deferted, laid wafte from heaven, and 
 mud remain defolate ever hereafter, having loft, one 
 after another, all that were dear to me, and in whofe 
 beloved acquaintance I took the only joy of my life; 
 yet vain hope (an error) common to all the world, 
 makes me refolute to be patient, and not die, yet per- 
 fwading my felf my child may be recovered, but that 
 which moves me moft, is this city, which I defire and 
 expe(fl to fee vidorious before my death, and revenged 
 of thofe who have offered her this violence, unlcfs thefe 
 ThefFalian youths have alfo ravifhed from us our ge- 
 nerous fpirits, and our indignat/on for the abufe to 
 our country, and our Gods proted us, for it would be 
 a grievous heart-break to us all, if a few dancing boys, 
 the minifters of the facred legation, fhould go away 
 with thefpoils of the principal city of Greece; having 
 Xphbedjn-my %ht^.ah me^the temple of .^TpoITanotit^ 
 moft .precious,jTeafure,^my Chariclea., O irpplagable 
 and obftinatewMih-oftfedeSjLrijei- towards ime, firft, 
 as'ybuTnow, they extin^uHhedjiiy own daughter's life 
 even'wTtTili^riTuptTal torches ^ then t^^ away her mo- 
 
 HISTORY. 135 
 
 thej^^^onMnc^iibizedjvitMuch a fqrrow at her death, 
 asiJ^^a^er j)xerepjJ5!:her hfe Lfe^^^ afxer. .theyj:h^.ft4 
 d^rom rny country, but all this methought was fup- 
 portabK2fell^3To«nd Crarid Chariclca was 
 all my llfe^ni5r:iiop<v.the hope of my fucceffion. Gha- 
 ricieawa^sUmy comfort, and, as 1 may fay, my an- 
 chen'lbut woeis'me, this tempeft^whencefoever tty ^ 
 rofe, hath cruelly broke all my cables. Neither was 
 this done fimply and accidentally, but exprefly to m- 
 fult over us, at fuch an unexpected feafon, takmg her 
 away from her bed, almofther nuptial bed, as you all 
 know, for I had publiflied to you my intention of her 
 
 marriage. ^ , . 
 
 He, fpeaking thus, and falling from his matter into 
 complaints, the commander Hegefias cut him off, and 
 wifhed him to go home, fpeaking in this manner to 
 thofe who were prefent: Charicles (hall have free li- 
 berty to make his complaints hereafter when he pleaf- 
 eth; but let us not be drowned in his forrow, nor 
 in^onflderatelr^e^car^^^ awaylwith his tears, as 
 with the current of a river, neglefling the occahon, 
 which i'n'aFthings,"and principally in affairs of war, 
 is'ofgreateft importance; for if now from this alfemb- 
 ly we would fet forward, there might be fome hope 
 we ftiould overtake them, whilft they march carelefty, 
 thinking us unprovided to purfue them; but if we 
 ftay longer to condole with Charicles, with feminine 
 faces,_pityiog. UiJl^xiiMer^ i^^iW ^"^y r^niam, .that 
 by our delay, we feall give them means. tQ..clcgRe, 
 and our felves be laught at, and by boys, which we 
 fhould have prefently taken, and nailed upon gallow- 
 fes- making fome of them fuffer with fuch ignominy, 
 and transferring the difparagement down upon their 
 
 K 4 
 
13^ The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 families ; which would be an eafie thing, if we exafpe- 
 rate the ThefTalians againft thefemen, (ifany of them 
 fhall efcape us) by interdiding them by our decree, to 
 fend any more of their nation to perform this facri- 
 fice; and ordaining,by common council, thathercafter 
 thefolemnanniverfaryofthe demi-god Neoptolemus, 
 ftiall be celebrated by our felves at the publick charge. 
 WhiHl they were commending his fpeech, and pafling 
 an aet againd the Theffalians: let it be confirmed by 
 your fufFrage, ifyou pleafe, faid the captain, that the 
 prieftefs of Diana fhall no more prefent her felf to give 
 the palm to thofe that run in armour; for, as far as I 
 am able to conjefture, it was from th nee the facrile- 
 gious flame of his love kindled in Theagenes ; who, as 
 it feems, fludied this rape from the time that he firfl 
 faw her; and it will be good, for the future, to take 
 away the occafion from others of the like attempt. 
 
 Having obtained this, by the common confentand 
 vote of all the people, Hegefias gave the word, the 
 trumpets founded the alarm, and the theatre broke up, 
 dilTolving into a war; running confufedly into the 
 field, not only fuch as age had ftrengthned, and were 
 able to bear armour, but boys and youths promifcu- 
 oufly fupplying the default offerees, by the force of 
 their afl^e^ions ; bold to partake the fortune of that 
 expedition. There were alfo multitudes of women, 
 that carried with greater fpirits than their foft fex per- 
 mitted, and taking up any weapons that were next their 
 hands, followed with the reft; but in vain, for their 
 natural debility having made them know it had not 
 force enough, they faw they were fruftrated of their de- 
 fires to revenge themfelves of the TheiFalians: there 
 you might fee old men ftruggling with their age, their 
 
 4- 
 
 HISTORY. 137 
 
 fouls , as it were, drawing their bodies with fuch a 
 promptitude, and boiling ardour, as they feemed to 
 reproach and upbraid their own weaknefs ; fo paffio- 
 nate was all the town for thelofs of Chariclea, and as 
 if one fpirit had moved them, they all together fallied 
 forth in the purfuit, notfo much as cxpeding the day- 
 Jight. 
 
4 
 
 THE 
 
 A ETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY- 
 
 THE FIFTH BOOK. 
 
 IN this troubre and hurly-burly was the town of Del- 
 phos, but whether they performed any fervice or 
 not, I cannot tell ; for their purfuit did give me the oc- 
 cafion to take my flight; fo as taking the two young 
 lovers with me, I brought them down to the port at 
 that hour of the night, and we went aboard the Phoe- 
 nicians, who were ready to weigh anchors, if we had 
 flayed never fo little longer; forafmuch as they per- 
 ceiving the day began to appear, and that we came not, 
 they made account they (hould not falfify their oaths 
 made unto me, being to attend one day and one night 
 only ; but we coming juft upon the time, they received 
 us with great joy ; and prefently cutting the water with 
 their oars, they rowed out of the haven to the main, 
 and then a foft wind breathii^ from the coaft full upon 
 the poop, moved little waves, that feeraedto flay be- 
 hind the fhip, and fuffered us to pafs with all our fails 
 fprea4_You would then have faid, the gulfof Cyrrha, 
 the elevation of Parnafl^us, the promontories of Aeto- 
 lia and Calydonia fled from the fight of our velTel, that 
 
 •i':' 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY. 1 39 
 
 palTed as nimbly as if it were flying by them ; and hav' 
 ing fail'd all the day, we came within kenning of the 
 pointed iflands, both in name and figure, the fun then 
 fetting. 
 
 But why am I (6 unfeafonably tedious, and what is 
 niy reafon fo to forget both my felf and you, as to firetch 
 this difcourfe, as really to commit you to the raer^y of 
 afea? let us no\J>av|"work TwHiTe,^^^^ .aJittle 
 
 fleep, for though you areVery attentive, and refiftlleep 
 valiantly, yet I am perfwaded, Knemon, you cannot 
 hold out long, the better part of the night being fpent 
 in this fad repetition ; a^dj^chiW, age.lying heavy on 
 me, and the memoryof my. calamities in feebling my 
 "^fpirits, Tmiift needs have a little reft. You have done 
 well, father, now ceafe, faid Knemon, not that I am 
 weary of the relation, for that I fhould never be, though 
 you fhould fpeak many days and nights together ; there 
 is fuchmagick in your words, and fweetnefs, that ex- 
 ceeds the voice of Syrens. 
 
 But I have heard a kind of murmuring a good while, 
 and a noife about the houfe, and, I confefs, it troubled 
 me, but I was forced to be filent, drawn on with a de- 
 fire to hear you. I heard nothing, faid Calafiris, for- 
 afmuch as happily age hath debilitated my fenfe, for 
 old age is a malady of all the parts of the body, prin- 
 cipally of the ears; and perhaps it was becaufe my 
 thoughts were entirely fixt upon my ftory, and fure 
 'tis Nauficles, the mafter of the houfe. But what (O 
 Gods) hath he performed ? all to our wifh (faid Naufi- 
 cles) entering at thofe words ; and I know, good Cala- 
 firis, you did long to hear the news, and that your fpi- 
 rlt was in the field with me : I have had many proofs of 
 your afFedion; and it is not the leaft that I heard you 
 
140 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 remember me in my abfence, and wifh my fortune; 
 butwhois thisftranger? a Grecian, faidCalafiris; you 
 (hall know the reft hereafter; but do not hold us long- 
 er in fufpence: if you have profpered in your cxpedi- 
 tion,mike us partakers of your content : you (hall hear 
 that to-morrow too, faid Nauficles, for the prefent let 
 it fuffice you to know that I have recover'd my Thisbe, 
 much fairer than (he was ; and fo I leave you, for my 
 journey and the troubles of my mind require fome 
 reft: having faid this, he went to make his word 
 good. 
 
 But Knemon at the hearing of the name of Thisbe 
 grew very melancholy, and began to think of former 
 paflages betwixt them; parting the night as if he had 
 lain upon thorns ;~weeping, fighing and tormenting 
 himfelf fo grievoufly,^asJie^waked Calafiris, though 
 he flept foundlier than his cuftom 'was; the old man 
 raifmg himfelf, and leanlilg upbri'his elbow, demanded 
 what the matter was ; and why he fo difquieted himfelf, 
 like a mad-man ? would it not make any man mad, 
 faid Knemon, to hear that Thisbe is alive again ? who 
 is that Thisbe, faid Calafiris, how come you to know 
 her, having heard her named ? and why doth it trouble 
 you fo much to underftand ftie lives ? I will tell you 
 that another time, faid Knemon, when I make you a 
 rehearfal of my fortunes; but for the prefent, know, 
 I did fee her dead before my eyes, and with ihefe two 
 hands I my felf buried her in the ifland of the herdfmen. 
 Sleep, deep, faid Calafiris, you ftiall know to-morrow 
 how all goes. I cannot fleep, faid Knemon; I pray 
 you, do you take your reft; I do not think I ftiall be 
 able to live, unlefs 1 get up, and ufe fome means to 
 be more certainly informed whether Nauficles be in an 
 
 HISTORY. 141 
 
 error, or whether the dead do only revive among th^ 
 Aegyptians : at this Calafiris fmiled, and fell afleep a- 
 gain. 
 
 But Knemon went out of the room very gingerly, 
 and foftly, as was fit, being in the dark, in a ftrange 
 houfe; but he was content to venture, longing to free 
 himfelf of the fear and fufpicion he conceived of This- 
 be; till at length, though it was long firft, groping 
 nnd turning about, pafling and repaffing the fame 
 places, as if they were different, heheard^a woman, like 
 a-Ai^.tijl^k.ln a cage, with foft and lameriTsble ac- 
 cents^compjain^of her hard fortune; and laying his 
 ear to the^crevice of tlie'door, he diftinguiflied thefe 
 words; 
 
 Poor wretch , I thought my felf fafe out of the 
 hands of thieves, and that I had efcaped the horror 
 of a bloody death, which I expected, hoping^ to^pajs 
 th? reftof my life with my beloved, which, though it 
 had^beeja the.JiK~^| ilrahger.and a wanderer, yet 
 li vine with Jjini, it Jbad contented me; for there can be 
 nothing fo rigorous, or full of moleftation, that his 
 fweet prefence will not make fupportable ; but the, yet 
 pitylefs deftiny, that hath perfecuted me from my 
 biffh, having once more flattered me with hope, hatfi 
 aganrdec^ived nie." I efteemed niy felf free from fefvi- 
 mtte^irml^behofd Ilm a Have again : I imagined I fliould 
 be no more a prifoner, and I am as ftraitly kept as 
 ever before: I was environed in an ifland, enveloped 
 in darknefs ; the eftate of my prefent fortune refembles 
 my late mifery, or rather is more wretched, fince he is 
 forced from me, that by his confolation would and 
 could fweeten any bitternefs: the laft day the cave of 
 the thieves was my retreat; and what was it but an a- 
 
142 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 i 
 
 », 
 
 byfs, a hell, or properly a grave; and yet theprefence 
 of my love made it a fweet place ; there he mourned for 
 nic, living, believing me to be dead; and weeping for 
 me, as murdered by the hand of a cruel enemy; but 
 now, alas, I am deprived of fuch comforts, the com- 
 panion of my mifpries is perifhed, that did bear grief 
 wTtlThie, as a common burden ; and I am left alone, 
 forfakcn, a captive, wretclied, every way expofed to 
 the cruel mercy of fortune; only contented not todie^ 
 becaufe I hope n?y dearcft friend yet lives; but^ Omy 
 foul, where are you now, or what new accident befals 
 
 3^55liI'!j??i^B?i-^^^.^^> as I am? is that free and 
 generous courage (patient ofany fervitude but that of 
 love) now made a captive? yet love, whatfoever you 
 endure, live ftill,and hope at length to fee your Thisbc, 
 for fo you muft call me, though I know it is againft 
 your will. Kncmon was no longer able to contain 
 himfelf when he heard this, and had not patience to 
 Itay the reft, at firfl fufpe(5ling her for another; but in 
 the end ofherfpeech concluding her to be Thisbe; he 
 had much ado to keep himfelf from falling down almoft 
 at the door. 
 
 But he held out the bed he could, and for fear fome 
 of the houfe (hould take him there (for now the cocks 
 had crowed the fecond time) he ran away, fometimes 
 breaking his fhins againft the ftools that ftood in his 
 way ; fometimes running his face againft the wall, and 
 nowftumbling at a threftiold or door pofts: in the end 
 he got to his chamber where he prefently caft himfelf 
 upon the bed ,where he began to tremble and his teeth to 
 chatter, in fuch fort, as he had been in danger of his 
 life, unlefs Calafiris had inftantly been aware of him, 
 and cheriflied and comforted him, making him come 
 
 
 V- 
 
 r 
 
 X M 
 
 ^ 
 
 J 
 
 HI STORY. ©>4 
 
 to himfelf again : and after Knemon began to breathe^ ^J * ^ 
 again , Calafiris ask'd what had frighted him ; I am loft 1 ] ^ *^ 
 hereply'd, forjt is true the wicked Thisbe is revived : /^jfi^^ 
 and when he faid this, he fSffinto a fwpon again, and ^U" ^■ 
 the old man took a great deal of pains again, while htf \i*"**yV^ 
 
 endeavoured to recover him ; it was evidently fome ] ^ ^^ 
 Godjhst took a dejight -to play with Knemon (as all 
 
 things in the world^ is -only theft game and mockery) 
 and would not permit him to enjoy without grief, the 
 fweets of his deCre, but mixed with bitternefs, that 
 which prefently after was to give him the height of his 
 content, forafmuch asjhappily they intended to fhow 
 what was their cujfiom,aB^irmayfeThereafon of it is 
 that human nature js^^QtC^^^ receive a limplc joy 
 
 without fom^ allay, as may be judged by this example 
 of Knemon, who at that time fled away from the ob- 
 ject he moft wiflied, and was frighted with the fweeteft 
 event which could befal him ; for the woman that he 
 had heard lamenting was Chariclea," and not Thisbe, 
 and thus k came abput. 
 
 After Thyamis was fallen alive Into the power of 
 his enemies, that he was taken prifbner, and that the 
 fire had reducM all the ifland to afhes, jnd unpeopl'd 
 itoftheberdfmen. Knemon and Thermutis7tEe~page 
 of Thyamis, ferryM over the lake in the morning to 
 venture as fpies among their enemies, to get know- 
 ledge of the eftate of their captain : the events of their 
 journey you have heard before, but Theagenes and 
 Chariclca remain'd alone in the cave, repiitmglthe de- 
 lay of mifery as a great good fortune, for then finding 
 themfelves free without any perfon to trouble them, 
 they imbraced,^gave and received fo many mutual kilTes, 
 a^ falling into a ianguifhing oblivion, they remain'd 
 
 r * 
 
144 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 * long time as if ibex would have gtQwa.inta_Qne hOr 
 "y, yetjeafting themjfelvcSjjwith cbalte aiwl-pwr^-de-^^ 
 lights^- 
 
 But at length the care of their affairs return'd into 
 their memory, and necefFityconftrained them to give 
 over their carefTes. Theagenes beginning in this fort 
 to fpeak; Our chiefeft wifh, and our continual prayer 
 to the Gods of Greece, my fair Ghariclea, is, that they 
 will permit us to pafs the courfe ofall our years to- 
 gether, and to enjoy the happinefs we prefer before all 
 others; in hope whereof we have furtained io many 
 evils. But forafmuch as the condition of all worldly 
 things is variable and fo unftable, as what we fee in- 
 clining one way, in a moment we perceive changed 
 to the contrary, we have already fufftr'd much and are 
 yet to expert more mifery, being to go to the town of 
 Chemis as we have promis'd Knemon : and what will 
 here befal us, heaven knows! and from thence quef- 
 tionlefs it will be a mighty journey ere we (hall arrive in 
 the country we are bound for; therefore I think it 
 would be good we (hould agree upon fome cyphers or 
 privy tokens, by means whereof, when we are together, 
 we may fecretly interchange the exprefljon of our minds, 
 and find out one another, if by fortune we ftiould be 
 feparated; for thebeft guide after one hath ftrayed, is 
 the memory of fome marks he hath taken of his friends. 
 Ghariclea appro v'd his invention, and they agreed, in 
 cafe they fliould be parted, that upon all the famous 
 temples and (latues, images and (tones in crofs ways, 
 he (hould write Pythias and Ghariclea Pythia, exprcf- 
 fing whether they were gone to the nght or the left, 
 into what town, village or country, adding the day and 
 hour; but if by chance they did meet, it would fuffice 
 
 HISTORY. i4s 
 
 that one (liould but fee the other; forafmuch as tini^ 
 would never deface thofe amorous marks that were 
 imprinted in their fouls : yet Ghariclea fliewed him her 
 father's ring that was expofcd with her ; and Theage- 
 nes let her fee a white fear upon his knee, given him by 
 n^V9imd^^^K^eca\^Kg^ and io 
 
 they rcfolved there fliould be fecret words betwixt 
 them ; hers was the torch, his the palm. In confirma- 
 tion of this agreement, they imbraccd and wept again, 
 pouring (as I concciv'd) their tears, inllead of offer- 
 ings, and fealing to it with kilfes in tlie place of vows. 
 
 This done, they went forth of the cave not touching 
 any of the trcafure there inclofed, for they efteem'd 
 riches gather'd by robberies, as a polluted thing, but 
 they took again their own which they had brought 
 from Delphos, and been depriv'd of by the thieves: 
 Ghariclea changing her habit, and putting her jewels, 
 crown and facred robe in a little knapfack; todifguife 
 her felf the more, fhe went in a poor gown, and gave 
 Theagenes her bow and quiver to carry; a carriage 
 that was fweet and fuitable to him, being Cupid's arms, 
 the God that had made him a vaflnl to his empire. 
 
 Being now come to the fide of the lake and about 
 to take water, they perceiv'd a troop of armed men 
 pafling over to the ifland, a fight that fo troubled them, 
 as they remained a great while loll in adonilhment, as 
 if the injuries of fortune raged incefTantly upon them. 
 At length thefouldiers being almoft arriv'd. (Ghariclea 
 faid, it was beft to fly and return to the cave and there 
 10 conceal themfclves; and as (he fpake (lie fled, but 
 the flay of Theagenes detained her: how long, faid 
 
 he, {h^UjV£|K^ouLik^^Wli^^.£V£^ 
 
 no, no, let us yield to fortune, and not oppofe our 
 
146 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fclves to her violence that breaks in upon us; what 
 fhall we gain by it, but vain error and a wandring life, 
 and to be infuhed over by new mifery from time to 
 time ? alas, do you not fee how to our ban ifliment for- 
 tune hath added the robberies of pirates, ingag'd us in 
 all the dangers of the fea, and contended with great 
 induftry, to make us more miferable by land . hath Ihe 
 not expos'd us to the danger of war ? fubmitted us to 
 the mercy of thieves? awhile fince we were prifoners 
 fubjed to the pleafure of another; then we were left a- 
 lone depriv'd of all company ; then (he made a (how 
 to give us our liberty; and now fhe fends thefe mur- 
 derers to make an end of all; in fuch a war fhe plays 
 againfl us, making us her fcene of mirth, her comedy, 
 or rather tragedy. But why do I not then abbreviate 
 this lamentable hiflory of our loves, and deliver our 
 felves into the hands of our murderers, left iffheftudy 
 to make the end of her play infufferable, we be forced 
 with our own hands to kill our felves ? Chariclea con- 
 fented to one part of what Theagenes faid, but not to 
 all; telling him he had great reafon to complain of the 
 cruelty offortune ; but for all that, it were not well ad- 
 vifed to yield themfelves voluntarily to their enemies, 
 feeing they were not fure thpfe men would kill them, 
 when they had them in their power : neither was it 
 likely they had fo gentle a deftiny as would grant them 
 a fpeedy death, and free them from their calamities ; 
 but it might be, theyfliould be referved for flaves ; and 
 what death, faid Hie, can be fo cruel as the condition 
 of fuch a life, to be expofed to the fatal indignities of 
 barbarous and wicked villains ? which let us decline 
 by all means, and to our uttermoft power, meafuring 
 hope and fuccefs by the experiment ofourpafledacci- 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 HISTORY. 147 
 
 dents, fince we have often, and now lately, efcaped 
 alive, more incredibly as from greater dangers. 
 
 Let us do as it pleafes you, repliec^ Theagenes, and 
 fo followed, as if flie had drawn him after her, but 
 they could not reach the cave in time ; but while they 
 only regarded thofe that came to them in front, they 
 peirceived not themfelves to be inclofed by another 
 conipany of Touldiers, that had landed in another part 
 of thelfland ; at laft falling upon thefe, they ilayed in 
 a maze, efpecially Chariclea, who fled into the arms of 
 Theagenes; if (he were to die, defiring to die there: 
 fome of thefe that invaded them, lifted up their hands 
 to ftrike them down ; but after the young lovers had 
 looked upon their enemies, their fpirits fail'd them, 
 and their hands were benummcd; for even the barba- 
 rous,._as it feems, do bear refpeft to beauty ; and thole 
 nature iiarh indued with pcrfe^ions, do moUifie the 
 eyes and hearts, that are by nature fierce and bloody. 
 Having taken them, they prcfcntly conveyed them to 
 their captain, ambitious to be the firft that ihould bring 
 him the faireft fpoils: and indeed this was all they 
 were likely to prefent him, for when they had run all 
 over, as if they would have put a net about the ifland, 
 no one elfe could find any thing, for all the ifland was 
 burnt in the former war, only the cave remained, and 
 that they knew not. Then the fouldiers led them to 
 their general, whofe name was Mitrancs, captain of 
 the^garrifons to Oroondates, who adminiftred the g5- 
 wnmenTof :/^Egypr,-a5f the g^ 
 
 ioFa great fum of mbney given hlrtt byrNaiificles, had 
 cnter'd the ifland with him to recover Thisbe. 
 
 Now after Theagenes and Chariclea, often invok- 
 Lig the aid cf their good Genius^^ were brought fo near 
 
 V^T 
 
Il 
 
 143 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 that Mltranes might difcern them, Nauficles, that 
 ftood by him, adviling himfelf of the right trick, of a 
 merchant, afiive in matter of profit, flepped forth, and 
 running to Chariclea, cryed with aloud voice, behold 
 my 1 hisbc, the very fame thofe wicked rogues, the 
 hcrdfmen, took from me. But now, Mitranes, by your 
 favour and the Gods, I fhall recover her ; then he feiz'd 
 upon Chariclca,feigning to receive great contentment; 
 and whifpering in her ear, in Greek, that the reft (hould 
 not underftand, wifhed her to confefs her name was 
 Thisbe, if fhe defired to be TafeLLhis fbphifm had the 
 fuccefs he hoped for, for CWiclea hearing him fpeak 
 Gre-ck^ and conjecturing the man intended her fome 
 good, accommodated herfelftp his intention; and be- 
 ing demanded"h':f riaiiV^ by Mitranes, "(he faid fhe was 
 called Thisbe. Then Nauficles, with open arms, ran 
 to embrace the neck of Mitranes ; many times kiffing 
 his head, and admiring his good fortune, puffed up 
 with vanity the heart of the Barbarian ; telling him, it 
 appeared that his other exploits in war were great, 
 fince he had fo happily conducted the prefent enter- 
 prifc. The captain, blown up with a flattery of his 
 praifes, and deceived by a falfe name, though he was a- 
 mazed to behold fo much beauty in fo poor clothes, 
 ^ii?|P2jlHe-thcrDpon^ behind a cloud, notwiihftand- 
 ing the levity of the man's fpim^was caught with the 
 fuddennefs of the plot, and could not for fliame refufe 
 to give her to Nauficles ; take her, faid he, fince it is fo 
 that fhe is yours ; 1 have recovered her for you, do with 
 her what you pleafc : and at thefe words delivered her 
 into his hands, looking continually towards her, and 
 ^ manifefting it was againft his will, and for the money 
 he had taken, that he yielded pofTefTiou of the maid : 
 
 :: 
 
 HISTORY. 149 
 
 but this (faid he, pointing to Theagenes) whofoever 
 he be, he is our prifoner, and fhall follow us, with a 
 guard upon him, to befent to Babylon; for the fliape 
 of his body is fo fair, as he is wortliy to ferve at the 
 king's tabic : things thus ordained, they pafTed the lake, 
 and then were the lovers feparated; Nauficles with 
 Chariclea returning tohishoufeat Ghemmis; and Mi- 
 tranes, with his men, vifiting other towns that were 
 under his command, without delay difpatched Thea- 
 genes with^ietters to Oroondates, who was then at 
 J^^gflipliis. The tehour of his letter was this : 
 
 The Captain Mitranes, to the Vice-Roy 
 Oroondates. 
 
 ' T Send you a young Grecian we have taken, that 
 X ' merits noblicr than to be my fervant; and, in 
 ^ my opinion, is worthy to wait only in the prefence ( ^a^* .r; 
 '«©^4hcXJxeat King, our God; affording you hereby y^' j 
 * the means to fend a prefent to our niafter, fuch as 
 ^ the court never yet beheld, nor fliall ever hereafter 
 ^ fee the like.* 
 
 But before It was clear day, Calaflris and Knemon, 
 hoping to inform their ignorance, came to Nauficles, 
 and demanding v/hat he had done; he related all the 
 pafTagcs how he had paffed into the iflcind, how he had 
 found it defertcd, atfirft not cncountring anyperfon, 
 and how he had fubtilly abufed Mitranes, receiving a 
 young maid as if flie had been Thisbe, that by good 
 fortune appear'd in the ifland, and was fo fair, as fhe 
 would be much more advantageous to him, than if he 
 had found Thisbe: for there was no lefs difference 
 
 L 3 
 
 .r.i 
 
 
 .i^- 
 
 \ - 
 
150 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 betwixt them, than m the comparing of a Goddefs to 
 a woman ; that he had never fecn a beauty fo perfcdl, 
 but it was rm ch bdow this ftranger's ; and that he had 
 not words furficicnt to exprefs it ; neither was it need- 
 ful, fince he would fhow her to them. When they heard 
 this, they began to fufpe<5t who (he was, and were 
 very carneft with him to command, the maid might be 
 prefently brought in, for they knew it mu(t needs be 
 the ineffable beauty of Chariclea: who being come be- 
 fore them, was veiled to the eyes, and thofe (he bowed 
 to the earth ; till Nauficles alFuring her there was no 
 caufc of fear, (he lifted up her eyes a iittle, feeing and 
 being feen, contrary to all expe(5iation, immediately 
 the three fell a weeping; and as if there had been a 
 fign amoifgttthem, or that they had all received one 
 wound , were loud in their pafTion , nothing being 
 heard from them, but O father, O daughter, my true 
 child Chariclea^ notKnemon*sThisbe. This amazed 
 Kauficles, To far as he had not a word to fay, when 
 he faw Calafirls embracing Chariclea with tears, not 
 knowing how this mutual knowledge came about, be- 
 ing like the meeting of friends in a cQmedy upon fome 
 ftjge; till Calafiris kifTmg him for joy, fpake to him 
 thus: 
 
 Bell of men, may the Cods ever grant the fuccefs 
 you defire , and amply fatisfy your wilhes ; you are 
 the preferver of my never hoped-daughtcr, and it is 
 by your means I now enjoy her light, the fwectcft object 
 of the world i but , O my dear child , O Chariclea, 
 where have you left Theagenes? at this demand Ihe 
 wepr, and for a while being not able to bring forth 
 a word, at length fiie replied, he is taken prifoner, and 
 he, whofoevcr he is, that delivered mc to this man , 
 
 4. 
 
 i 
 
 HISTORY. 151 
 
 iiath led him captive. Then Calaliris defired Nau- 
 ficles to declare to him what he knew touching The- 
 agenes, and who he was that had him in his power, 
 and to what place he was led captive. Nauficles un- 
 derftanding thefe were the fame the old man had Co 
 often mentioned to him, told him the fum of all; but 
 he added, that knowledge would not at all advantage 
 poor men, for he could hardly believe the offer of a 
 ■ great ranfom would redeem him from Mitranes. We 
 have money, faid Chariclea foftly to Calafiris, pro- 
 mife what fum you pleafe; I keep ftill the jewels you 
 know, and have them about me: this put fpirit into 
 Calafiris, but fearing Nauficles (hould enter into fome 
 fufpicion what it was that Chariclea fpake of; good 
 Nauficles, faid he, a wife man never wants, but is ever 
 as rich as he can wifh himfelf, for the Gods will fend 
 him as much wealth as he judges to be fit to demand of 
 them ; therefore only fay where he is that detains 
 Theagenes, and the Divine bounty will not fail, but 
 will furnifti us with as much as fliall ferve to content 
 the Perfian avarice. At thefe words Nauficles could 
 not chufe but fmile; and you will then (faid he) make 
 me believe that it is poffible for you to grow rich of 
 the fudden, as if it were by the turning of an engine : 
 if you will firft pay me down a ranfom for your daugh- 
 ter, for you know well the Perfian and the merchant 
 only ftudy for their gain : I know it , faid Calafiris, 
 and you (liall have it as it is good reafon ; but why are 
 you fo free, that amongft all your other benefits you 
 will alfo anticipate our fuit, and are pleafed of your 
 own accord, to propofe the relVitution of my daugh- 
 ter. I will only firft entreat your leave, to make my 
 prayers to the Gods : with all my heart, faid Nautt- 
 
 L 4 
 
152 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 cles, T my felf am now going to offer facrifice, I (liall 
 defire your prefencc there, and that you Will pray the 
 Gotls to fend mc riches, and receive for your felf, that 
 which I have in prefent: do not you mock me nor be 
 incredulous, faid Calafiris, but go before and prepare 
 the facrifice; and when all things are ready, I mil 
 come. He did (oy and a while after a fervant cnme 
 from Tsauficles, to wi(h him to make hafle to the tem- 
 ple, and they (for now they had contrived how they 
 would have it) went thither joyfully with "Nauficles, 
 and the icll of the invited men ; for he had provided a 
 public facrifice, and Chariclea with the daughter of 
 Isaufjcles, and other women that had effayed to flatter 
 her forrows, with many confohtory words, and had 
 entreated her to go along; but I believe they had ne- 
 ver prcvail'd, if by fortune it had not come into her 
 thoughts, that under pretext of the facrifice, flie might 
 make her prayers to the Gods, for the fafety of The- 
 
 agenes. 
 
 Being now come to the temj^Ie of Mercury, (for 
 Nau(k4€s^fjcrtfrc^4^~hTflT as the God of the exchange 
 and4i;>ereh4nt3).Catafirrs*a wTiile contemplating the en- 
 trails of the bcafl, by tlie changes of his countenance, 
 made them evidently know the Gods foretold him ma- 
 ny (Irange adventures, intcrmixt with joy and forrow. 
 Then putting his hands upon the altar where the fire 
 ofthefacriilceyet burned, and feigning to draw out of 
 the midfi: of the flame, that which he had before prepa- 
 red about him ; behold faid he, O Nauficles ! what the 
 Gods fend you by us, for tlie ranfom of Chariclea : and 
 with thofe words prefented him a certain princely ring, 
 a rare and divine thing, it feem'd the circle was of 
 amber; and within the collet was fet an Ethiopian a-» 
 
 T 
 
 HISTORY. 153 
 
 methyl^, glorloufly fparkling, of the bjgnefs of the eye 
 of a young maid, much furpafling in beauty thofe that 
 come from Spain or Britain, for thofe are of a faint 
 and languid red, like that ofrcfes when jufl blowing 
 from the buttons, and when the fun beams firft begin 
 to colour them : but the /l^thiopian amethyft hath a fire 
 fparkling from the bottom of the ftone; which if you 
 t urnTTm year hand^'eafls aTeSm of gold before your 
 ^es :_not fuch as dazleth tKe Tight with too flaring 
 brightnefs, but clears it with a pure and delicate light: 
 this in the natural propriety is of much more power 
 than thofe of the weft, for it doth not challenge its 
 name falfly, but really, keeps the wearer fober at all 
 feads: all the amethyfls that CQme,frprn_,tIig Indies, 
 or ;^thiopia, have the like virtues, but that which 
 Calafiris prefented to Nauficles, was yet more preci- 
 ousj. for it was ingravcn with the figures of living 
 CCCiltiires to the life. 
 
 There you might fee a little boy feeding flieep, (3^^ 
 flatiding upon a rock, that was not very high, to look 
 about him, as from a little watch-tower, making his 
 Hicep feed with the mufick of his pipe ; and vou would 
 lay, that his flock liilen'd, and went forward to the 
 cadence as he founded : fome would conceive them to 
 have golden fleeces ; not that art fo adorn'd them, but 
 it was the proper colour of the amethyllfiiiningupoii 
 their backs. There were the figures of young Iambs, 
 fceming to make little skips : fome that ran in flocks 
 towards the rock; others that went circling about it, 
 making the rock a pafloral ftage : fome appeared play- 
 ing in the flame of the amethyft as in the fun i and in 
 leaping, fcraped theflone a little, only with the tips of 
 tl^eir feet. But thofe that were the livelicft of them, 
 
 v^^ 
 
 'v' 
 
154 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 you would have thought, their leapings would have 
 broke the border of the ftone; but that theinduftry of 
 the workman had kept them ofFj parking^thfimla with 
 a golden pale that weiit about the rock,-wki€Jvw«€ a 
 txue^rQcKjL "ot an imitation. For the workman had 
 refervM a corner of the amethyft to make it : ferving 
 himfelf with a native thing, to reprefent that which 
 he meant to counterfeit, for he efteemed it fuperfluous, 
 that a (lone fhould be feigned in a (lone, fuch was the 
 ring and fculpture. 
 
 But Naudcles was much amazed with the unexpec- 
 ted accident, and overjoyed with the great value of it, 
 eftimating it no lefs than all his riches. Believe me (faid 
 he) good Calafiris, I did but jeft, not fpeak ferioufly, 
 when I demanded the ranfom of your daughter, for 
 my meaning was to redore her freely to you ; yet in 
 regard the gifts fent us by the Gpds (as you wife men 
 fay) are not to bei^uled, I receive th.isllane, as fent 
 from heaven, believing a(ruredly, that Mercury, the 
 beft of the Gods, and my patron, according to his cuf- 
 tom, hath furnifhed you with this prefent for me, from 
 the fire, for you may fee the flame is in it yet ; befides, 
 I muft needs efteem that gain moft honeft, which, with- 
 out the leaft endamaging of the giver, enrichcth the 
 receiver. At thefe words the facrifice being ended, 
 Nauficles invited all the affiftants to fit down to the 
 feaft, commanding the tables (hould be covered apart 
 for the women in the heart of the temple, and in the 
 porch for the men. After they had eaten liberally,a nd the 
 cloth was taken away, and that, according to the fa- 
 fhion,the cups for drinking healths were fet upon the 
 table, the men invoked Bacchus, drinking in honour 
 of him; and fingingto him the ufual catch, that is fung 
 
 ^ 
 
 HISTORY. 155 
 
 to the good Voyage, when they go aboard : and the 
 women danced to the tune of a hymn, compofcd in the 
 praife of Ceres. But Chariclea, retiring herfelf, confi- 
 dered of her affairs, offering her devotions for the life 
 and fafety of Theagenes ; and now the drink began to 
 heat the company, every one prcfcntmg his ferviceio 
 his friend in wine; when Naulicles holduig out a vial 
 of pure water; honeft Calafiris, faid he, 1 drink to you, 
 fince it fo pleafeth you, in this cold nymph, that is no 
 companion for Bacchus, but for nymphs and virgins; 
 but if you pleafe to pledge us in the relation we fo much 
 defire, you fliall chear our fpirlts with the beft beve- 
 ridge : do you not hear how the women, to lengthen 
 out the feaft, and to avoid drinking, are fallen to dan- 
 cing; as for us, the difcourfeof your voyage will be a 
 noble entertainment for us after our feaft, fweeter than 
 any dance or mufick ; and (ince, as you know, you de- 
 ferred it before, when it might put you in mind of your 
 dirafters,then new, and fuch as drowned your foul in 
 grief; now you cannot put it off to a more convenient 
 time, (ince at this prefent one of your children, your 
 daughter, is fafe before your eyes; and you (hall fee 
 your fon, by the favour of the Gods, ere many days 
 be paft, if you do not anger me by deferring again the 
 relation of your fortunes. 
 
 The Gods, O "Nau(icles, faid Knemon, then give to 
 your heart the accomplifhment of your defires ; fmce 
 having fent for all forts of mufick to your feaft, now ne- 
 gledt them for the prefent, and leave them to fuch as have 
 lower afFe(51ions in their fouls, while you are delirous to 
 hear facred and myftical things, mingled with a kind 
 ofadivmeplealijire; wherein j I oSTerve, you well know 
 the power and nature of the divinity, placing Mercury 
 

 V.X 
 
 a 
 
 
 Ni 
 
 
 156 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 next to Bacchus; and fo mixing with the delights of 
 fealling, the cont"erfronweeFdifcoijtrie-;.and therefore, 
 thcmgh- Pjtfft1y'5d!mTf 3 tFe fplendour and preparation 
 of your facrifice; yet I cannot believe it is poffible to 
 pleafe Bacchus more than at a feaft made in his honour, 
 to bring in the reci t a![of fpme fine JJory^Jfifif.ch^ bekig 
 his proper fym^oTT 
 
 -^" Calafiris obeying their defires, recounted the entire 
 hiflory unto them, as well to gratifie Kncmon, as to 
 oblige NauficleSjfor the affairs he was fnortly to have 
 with him: he then told them his fortunes from the be- 
 ginning, repeating fummarily, and in few words, the 
 chief heads of what he had faid before to Knemon ; and 
 purpofely palling over many things that he held not 
 necelfary Nauficles fhould underftand, but that which 
 was not as yet related, and depended upon thepremifes, 
 he continued in this fort ; 
 
 After they were fled from Delphos, and imbarked 
 
 in the Phoenician fliip, they failed at firft as they could 
 
 wifti, being wafted with a foft breath of wind full in 
 
 w the poop, but whenjhey feU into thcftr^ights of Galy- 
 
 donia, they were greatly troubled, the fea<in that place 
 
 J)£ing^naturally upcjujet, ini^^ 
 
 But Knemon (laid him here, entreating him to pafs 
 no further, without telling them the caufe (if haply he 
 knew it) why the fca in that place is continually in fuch 
 violen.L agitation. 
 
 The Ionian Iea,replicd Calafiris, beingthere, from 
 a large and fpaciaus main contra<5iGd to aitreight, and 
 pouring it felf into the gulph of Crifa, as<through a nar- 
 row flood-gate, hading to mix with thS; /Egcan fca, 
 meets with the Iflhmus, or neck of land, in Pelopon- 
 nefus, that beats back its waves, hindring their impc- 
 
 1 
 
 ■V 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORY. 157 
 
 tiioiity, doubtlefs by the providence of heaven, which 
 fet that promontory to break the violence of the 
 ftreights, left they fhould overflow the oppofite fhore; 
 and hence, as it is probable, comes the turbulcncy of 
 this fea, the waves being more prcfTcd together in this 
 than any other place of the gulph; forafmuch as the 
 ftream that flows in, and the waters that flow back, en- 
 countringand beating one another, make the billows 
 boil, and, by their concufllon, cover all the fea with 
 a foam, no iefs than in a violent tempeft. 
 
 All the company having with praife and applaufe al- 
 lowed his reafons, Calafiris thus purfued the feries of 
 his ditcourle. 
 
 After we had paffed other flreights, and loft fight 
 of thofe that are named the acute or pointed iflands, 
 it feemed to us we faw the promontory of the Zacyn- 
 thians, like a cloud in the air, fo far off as our eyes 
 could haVdly dijcern if. 'Th"^!! the pilot commanded 
 them tohalcln the fails, and we demanding what his 
 meaning was to flack his courfe,fince the wind was fa- 
 vourable; becaufc (replied he) if we go with full fail, 
 we fliall arrive at the ifland about the firft watch of the 
 night; and it is to be feared, k{Uii4jie.darJc wefliQ^uld 
 ran-ttpon therocks, which lie hid with theiea in many 
 places thereabouts; therefore it were heft to pafs this 
 night upon the main, where we ha^^ fea-room, and to 
 take no more wind tharri^'iFI fcrve to bring us to land 
 about the break of day. Thus faid the pilot, but yet, 
 Nauficles, it was not done, for the fun wns rifen before 
 we caft our anchors; thofe of the ifland that fived a- 
 bout the port, being not far diftant from the city, ran 
 in from all parts to behold us, as to fome new and 
 ftrange fpedacle, wondring (as we conceived) at the 
 
158 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fervlceabknefs of our fliip, that was fo fair, fo tall, and 
 yet fo light, admiring therein the worknianfiup of the 
 Phoenicians, and telling us v/e had unuiual and in- 
 credible fortune, to fail fafe in the midft of winter, 
 when the Pleiades were fct. All the reft of our mates, 
 while the failors were loofing of the tacklings, went 
 a-(hoar,and ran into the city to trafEck with the Zacyn- 
 thians. 
 
 But I (having heard the pilot fay we fliould winter 
 in that ifland) went along by the fea coaft, to enquire 
 out fome poor lodging for us, not being willing to re- 
 main in the veiTel, but avoiding it, for the trouble of 
 the mariners, as an inconvenient lodging; and fhun- 
 ing the town, as unfafe,for concealing the flight of the 
 two young lovers. I had not gone far, but 1 faw an 
 old fifherman fitting ^bcfer<riiisdoor, mending his 
 broken nets; anJ'approachiiiig him, Ifald; fave you, 
 honeftlnanri pifay you tell me if there be a lodging to 
 be taken hereabouts ? it was about yonder promontory, 
 replied he, that I caft this net yefterday, upon a rock 
 cavered with the AV^atp:, au'dfcrtocc itjis you fee; I d6 
 not ask yon that, faid I, but you fhall do an office of 
 humanity if yon will receive mc into your houfe, or 
 fhew me fome other place, where I may lodge. It was 
 rot I, faid the good man, I was not in the boat, heaven 
 forbid Tyrrhenus Piould miftake fo grofsly, or that age 
 had fo much infeebled his brain: it was the fault of 
 my boys, that, ignorant of the places where the water 
 covered the rocks, caft their nets where they ftiould 
 
 not. 
 
 At length perceiving that heLwaaJomcAKhat deaf, I 
 began to fpeak more loud. It was good morrow to 
 you that 1 faid, and my requeft was, you would (hew 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORY. 159 
 
 me and my company, being ftrangers, fome houfe 
 where we may fojourn. The Gods preferve you alfo, 
 he then replied, if it pleafe you to take fuchpoor en- 
 tertainment as I am able to give you, you fliall be 
 v^elcome to mc, unlefs you be fome of thofe that look 
 for houfes furniftied with fair beds, or have many fol- 
 lowers: after I had told him we were but three, my 
 two children and my felf ; it is a good number, replied 
 he, you ftiall find but one more with us, for 1 have 
 two children yet at home, (their elder brothers are 
 married men, and houfe-keepers themfelves) and the 
 fourth is the nurfe of my children, for their mother is 
 lately dead; therefore, Sir, make no delay, and doubt 
 not but we will receive you joyfully and chearfully,! 
 Slaving known as foon as I heard you fpeak,you were a 
 gentleman, by your fafhion. 
 
 I did fo, and immediately coming with Theagenes 
 and Chariclea, the good man Tyrrhenus entertained 
 us with a very good will, and gave us the better and 
 warmer part of his houfe: and mdeed at the b-C£inmng 
 ^v^-H!r^.^Jh^5i'^.^5/ contentedly, Temaini^^ all the 
 ^^YJpng^oge%r> never paiting. but at the hour of 
 bedjime. Chariclea did lie^withth^nurft, Jheagejies 
 ^"ilin ^J^oo'^ % ourfelves; and in another little 
 chamber Tyrrhenus and his children. We fat all at the 
 table together, which we furnifhed with all meats but 
 fifti, wherewith Tyrrhenus abundantly fupplied us from 
 the fea. Sometimes fifhing alone, fometimes to pafs 
 the day we helped him. He was a mafter of his trade, 
 and knew how to fifli in divers manners, according to 
 the divcrfity of the feafon. He never caft his nets, but 
 he drew them full, fo as many attributed that to good 
 
-^M 
 
 ^w 
 
 ,60 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fortune, which ought to have been afcribed to his art 
 and experience. 
 
 ButoBce u«hap-^y,-and ever unhappy (as they fay.) 
 Neither could the beauty of Char idea remain m thisTo- 
 litude without trouble and misfortune, for the young 
 Tyrian merchant that had obtained one of the prizes in 
 the Pythian games, and with whom we had imbarked 
 our felves, did grievoufly moled me with his conti- 
 nual importunities, that I would give him Chariclea in 
 marriage, addrefTmg himfelf as if I had been the flither 
 thatbegother; and perpetually boafting; now teUing 
 me of his illuftrious family, then counting his riches, 
 how the fhip was his own, and that he had thegreateft 
 part of the merchandife that laded her, which were 
 gold, filver, precious ftoncs and filks; and to give no 
 little acceflion tohisfplendourand glory, he again put 
 me in mind how his vi<5tory was proclaimed in the Py- 
 thian games, and many fuch like things. 
 
 But I pretending prefent poverty, and that my heart 
 would never confent to marry my daughter to a ftran- 
 ger, that fhould live in a region fo far off from ^gypt. 
 Father, faid he, let not this trouble you, I fliall efteeni 
 your daughter herfelf a fufficient portion, greater than 
 a million of talents, or all the riches of the world : I 
 fhall alfo willingly change my country and my friends 
 for her, turning my intended courfe to Carthage, and 
 accompanying you to what place of the earth your fliall 
 pleafe to fail ; then finding it was not poffible to fatis- 
 fie the Phoenician, but that his flame increafinghegrew 
 ftill more paflionate, and would never let me refl:, I 
 thought beft to put him oflfwith fair promifes, left he 
 fliould make fome violent attempt upon us in the ifland. 
 
 1 
 
 *f 
 
 a I S T O R Y. 161 
 
 aflurlnghim I would do as he defired, when we fliould 
 arrive in ^gypt. 
 
 But fee the fortune; I was no fooner freed of this 
 merchant,but (as it is faid)one wave followed another : 
 for a few.days after, Tyrrhenus taking me afide to a 
 place where the fliore did T)bw and make an angle. O 
 Calafiris, faid he, I vow to you by Neptune and the o- 
 ther fea-Gods, that I fee you with as much joy, as my 
 brother, and your children, as my own ; and 1 muft 
 tell you, there is a train laid for you, that will be very 
 h^rd for you to efcape ; but I held it not lawful to con- 
 ceal it from you, in refpe<St, we have now a long time 
 lived together in one houfe ; and feeing it concerns you 
 to know it, there is a pirate, whofe galley lies under the 
 covert of this promontory, that watches for the Phoe- 
 nician fliip, and fends out fpies to obferve their getting 
 forth to fea; therefore take heed what you do, and look 
 well to your felves ; for I advertife you, they have con- 
 ceived thfs cruel, but cuftomary defign for you, or ra- 
 ther for your daughter. 
 
 The Gods, faid I, be as good to you as you have 
 fhewed yourfelf true to us. But Tyrrhenus, how came 
 you to difcover this plot ? by my trade, replied he, I am 
 known to thera, and ufe to carry them fifli, becaufe 
 they buy deareft and give me greater rates than any o- 
 ther ; and yefterday as I was drawing my net by the fide 
 of yonder rock, the captain of the pirates met me, and 
 demanded if Iknew not when the Phoenicians meant 
 to loofe out of the haven ? I prefently doubting his de- 
 mand tended to fome ftratagem; I cannot juflly tell 
 you, Trachinus, faid I, but I believe it will be the 
 fpring before they depart: and the maid that lodges at 
 your houfe doth flie go along? I do not know, replied 
 
 * M 
 
•.4 
 
 1 62 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 I, but why do yoa enquire fo curioufly ? becaufe, faid 
 he, I am defperately in love with her, and To ravifhed 
 with the wonder of her merit, though 1 have but once 
 beheld her, as I can hardly be my felf; neither can I re- 
 member I ever fortuned upon fuch a beauty, though 
 I have taken many and fairer captives; then pulling 
 him nearer to me that I might the better get out his 
 whole plot, what4ieed.haYje^ygu,faidI^ 10 .fight with 
 thefe Phoenicians (ince that witliout the lofs of blood, 
 you may eajSly taEerierXrom my houfe before they im- 
 Jjgrk. No, replied he^ there is a conlcience among 
 thieyesr afld-weojjferye thejaws ofcourtefie and hu- 
 manity towards our frijgndsi. for your fake therefore I 
 forbear, left it fiiould bring you into trouble, in regard 
 yourguefts being loft, would be required at your hands, 
 and with one labour I mean to gain two things, the 
 riches of the fliip, and the enjoying of the maid ; one 
 whereof I muft neceflarily forego, if I execute my de- 
 fign upon the land; befides I fhould run a defperate 
 hazard, the port being fo near the town, as they would 
 prefently get notice of it, and fo I might come to be 
 purfued. So after I had admired his wifdom, and praif- 
 cd the excellency of his judgment; and now having 
 difcovered the plot, thele villains have appointed, I 
 earneftly befeech you to employ all your thoughts to 
 provide for the fecurity of your felf and children. 
 
 When I had heard this news, I retired very fad, and 
 agitated in my fancy many ways and means of fafety, 
 till accidentally meeting the merchant, and he moving 
 me in his old fuit, I took hold of the occaQon, and con-? 
 cealing what I pleafed of the advertifements given me 
 by Tyrrhenus. I only told him, I had notice given 
 me by a friend, how a certain great man of the country, 
 
 HISTORY. (63 ,. 
 
 had a defign to fteal away my dau'ghter ; and, faid I, you *^ 
 are not ftrong enough to oppofe your felf, or make refif- ' 
 tance, it would better pleafc me to bellow her on you, 
 both for the knowledge I have of your pcrfon and 
 wealth; but fpccially for the promife you have made 
 me, when you have married her to live with me in my 
 country; therefore if your love anfwer the profefTion 
 you have made; let us weigh anchors prefertly. before 
 we be prevented or conftrainrd to fuffcr the efFedlsof 
 fome violence : he was extreamly taken with my words : 
 it is well advifed father, faid he, and then falling upon 
 my neck, kilTed my head, and demanded when my plca- 
 furewas,that we fhould fail, for although the time was 
 not yet feafonahle, yet vje might efcape the plots that 
 were laid againft us, by removing to another port, and 
 there attend the afiTurance of the fpring. I defire, faid 
 I, if my command have any power with you, to depart 
 hence about the beginning of the night; after he had 
 anfwered it fhould be done, he left me, and I returned 
 to our lodging, where I faid nothing to Tyrrhenus, 
 but advertized my children, that in the evening we 
 were to go aboard again : the fuddennefs of the news a- 
 mazed them, and demanding the reafon of me, I put 
 them off, promifing to tell them at another time, but 
 for the prefent it was neceflary it (hould fo be done. 
 So after we had made a light fupper, and were retired 
 to take a little reft, an-oU.m_ain a^p£au£dJta-nieJij.iay 
 (l€ep,4iis bgiy^^s dry j^ a*t ajmtomy^ % vin,gj;.b4UTnder 
 hfs-robehe fliewed the proportion of a, thigh, witnefs- 
 ing-4he-^We forces of Jds ii^Si§jlwh£LQjbe ^a^^^ 
 flower of his ypiuh^ his,h€a4„.v as covered witlignijei- 
 m^rj he woreTiis beaver up, and u^on his forehead ap- 
 peared the marks of a cauielbus and pruderitw^, and 
 
 M 2 
 
 J; 
 
 
i64 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 he drewoae thinh after him, as if he had received forrte 
 hurt wh^ajic came, near me ; with a kind of a thrcat- 
 "fimg ifmile, he faid, O Sir, you make no accompt of us, 
 for of all thofe that ever pall along the ifland of the Ce- , 
 phalenians, you only difdain to vifit our houfes, or 
 take notice ofourglory,which all other men havedone; 
 but you are in that height of pride, as you fcorn to fpeak 
 to us in your paiTage, though I have thus long been 
 your neighbour ; therefo- e know you fhall not pafs ma- 
 ny days without being puniflied, and^jpjjhalljuffer 
 the like calamities as I have done^ falling into the hands 
 ofyx)uxxn?inies_byJea5nd la^^^ ; but Talute the maid, 
 tliat is with you, in my wife's name, tell her fhe kiffes 
 herhajjds.becau.rQ fhe loves and prefers fhe Wnbu r of 
 her challity b(;fore all thin^, in rcfpedt whereof (lie 
 fends her word, a happy fortune fhall end the courfe of 
 all hermlferies. 
 
 I flarted, trembling at the vifion, and Theagenes 
 asking me what the matter was ? I fear, faid I, we have 
 flaid too long, and negleded to imbark our felves ; and 
 this was it that fo troubled my thoughts ; but rife you 
 and get your things together, and go and call Chari- 
 clea. Thiuna^^bi wais jeadj_when (lie was called. Tyr- 
 rhenushimfelf hearing us, rofequtof his bed, and "de- 
 manded what we meant to do? I told him what was 
 donrfor thcprefent,'wasby bis advice; we do endea- 
 vour to avoid the praflices that are contrived againft 
 us; and I pray the Gods for the good and charitable 
 ofRces we have received in your houfe, to have you al- 
 ways in their proie^Sion. This lall favour let me in- 
 treat you to do for us, that you will pafs over into the 
 ifland of Ithaca,^nd makl^;focnfrc]?:fofu?to^^ 
 t^=fwy:M£a,'ffikkLSi-^^ 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 1^5 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 foHo -be ta^^d me in my flee^.thiA«Ciifiht. TyrrEcnus 
 promifed to perform it, and fo brought us down to the 
 water fide weeping abundantly, and praying the Gods 
 to fend us a^od^voyij^e and favourable winds, to waft 
 us tUthe ohce wha:£.we did wlih tolieT WiTy ffioulB I 
 trouble you with many words ? 
 
 By the time the morning (lar appear'd we were lanch- 
 cd into the main ; th'e" iKlBf^"l>eing at Eirll exceedingly 
 againft it; but in the end they were perfwaded by the 
 Tyrian merchant, telling them, he fled from a pirate 
 that lay in wait for them, and he fpake truly, and knew 
 not, for his meaning was to make a lye. 
 
 But the wind was fo full againft us, the tempeft wax- 
 ed fo great, and the waves fwelled in that horrid fort, 
 as that it was a thoufand to one our fhip had perifhcd ; 
 but in the end, we came by the lee of a certain Pro- 
 montory in the ifle of Candy, having firft loft the half 
 of our rudder, and a great part of our fail-yards being 
 broke and blown over board ; therefore we thought it 
 beft to ftay fome days in that ifland to new rigg our 
 fhip, and recreate our felyes : this done we were all 
 commanded to reimbark upon the firft day of the new 
 moon, after her conjuncflion with the fun. 
 
 Being lanched forth upon the main again ; the weft 
 winds of the fpring now fweetly breathing, the pilot 
 night and day direded his courfejo the coaft of Africa : 
 for, he faid, we migTircfoIs^e fea diredlly, by alme, 
 if the wind changed not. But that which moft moved 
 him to fpeed his voyage, was to gain fome road or port ; 
 becaufe afar off he defcried a pirate's galley, that came 
 full in his poop; for, faid he, from the time we loofed 
 from the Promontory of Candy, he hath always fojlow- 
 
 M 3 
 
 I 
 
i66 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ed our track and conftantly failed, as if he were bound 
 for the fame place ; and I have often obfervcd he made 
 the fame turns with us ; having many times (the better 
 to difcover him) expreily declined my veflTel from her 
 courfe : fome were moved at thefe words, encouraging 
 their fellows to prepare for their defence; and fome 
 there were negle(5ted them, faying, it was ordinary for 
 the lelRr bottoms to follow the courfe of a great (hip, 
 as believing it to be guided by a more experienced 
 pilot : the day palfcd on in this difpute; and it was a- 
 bout the hour the labourer returns wear^with his^tra- 
 vel, havin^jieAyTjlQpre3-^o^^^ fanH' now" the .wind 
 
 began to blow. WLfudpuflj,,,^^^ 
 andJUUe^^i«ah£<ei?d it had tio- force at.all^fo^as.the 
 breath it fpent upon our fails, fexsted only to.ihufle 
 th?fn'logert^TTcnr"^F^^ us on : briefly it fet- 
 
 leJmto a calm arifit had'fet with the fun, or, to fpeak 
 more properly,as if U would accamnxadatfiitfelfto^heir 
 defign that chafed us, becaufe our fails being more large 
 tlian~tberrs^a"n£by'confec[ue^ 
 
 wmdZBut asfoon a^this tranquillity of the heavens 
 had-^9oTl3lE£ireas7tKe galley was come upjo us 
 foottcmbaajf. can fpcak it; for (as I believe) all that 
 were within her put their hands to the oars ; their vefFcl 
 alfo being light and nimble of it felf ; when they were 
 very near us, a Zacynthian palfenger in our (hip cried 
 to us, friends we are all undone, this is a pirate, I know 
 the galley of Trachinus, 
 
 At the report of this news, a fudden fear jfelzcd^ur 
 wb£ik-il«fv-iUid-ia-^calm we had^^KlS^e/l? rifing in 
 tumult, crie?, tears, and'funning up and down, fome 
 running under the hatches, fome (landing upon the 
 decks, animating the reft to endure the fight, and there 
 
 HISTORY. 167 
 
 ^ere fome would have got into the long-boat and fled, 
 till by their too long delay the fight furprized them 
 within the (hip, forcing them to remain, and to take 
 Tft their hands what they could find to defend them- 
 felves. Theagenes full of courage burned with defire 
 of the battle, but Chariclea and I with our embraces 
 hindred him from attempting any thing, (he vowing 
 death (hould not feparatc him from her, but the fame 
 fword (hould give her the like wounds, and make her 
 an equal (barer in his misfortune. But 1 (after I un- 
 derftood our enemy was Trachinus) prepared fome 
 ileights that might afterwards do us good fervice,which 
 fell out as I expedted. 
 
 For the pirates approaching circled about our (hip, 
 to make trial if it were po(rible to take her without 
 blood; therefore they did attack us, but ftill rowing 
 about us, they would neither fuffer us to go forward nor 
 backward. Briefly it feemed as if they had belieged us, 
 and would compel us to render our felves upon com- 
 pofition. O poor unfortunate men, faid they, what 
 blindnefs hath feized your fpirits ? and why are you lb 
 deprived of judgment, as thus to precipitate your felves 
 into the danger of an evitable death, by attempting to 
 refift invincible forces, to which yours are nothing? 
 it is yet in your choice to be dealt humanely withal, 
 we permit you all that will to take your long-boat and 
 fave yourfelves. Thefe were their propofitions ; but 
 thofeofourlhipfolongas they fought only in words, 
 and faw no blood, were daring and refolute, and faid 
 they would (land to it to the lad man. 
 
 But after one of the bolder pirates had boarded us, 
 putting all he met to the fword, and teaching us^^hat 
 the ceremonies of war were death' ami' flaugliter, the 
 
 ■ -..M 4 — 
 
i68 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 reft of his company immediately leaping after him; 
 then the Phoenicians began to repent their courage, 
 and falling at his feet, befceched him to Ihew mercy 
 to them, and they were ready to obey all his command- 
 ments : and although the pirates were now flefht, and 
 began to pleafethemfelvesin murder (f or the j igbtof 
 bloQiLdjatli imitate and e^Kcite tjic fpirit) neverthelefs 
 by the command of Trachinus, beyond all expe(5lation, 
 he pardoned the fupplicants, and made a peace under 
 fiich conditions as were more cruel than the war it felf ; 
 for he ordained they fhould depart the (hip with no 
 more hut the clothes they had on, making it death to 
 him th:;t (hould do otherwife. But it feems there is no- 
 tliing more precious to a man than life, which was the 
 caufe that thefe Phoenician merchants having now loft 
 the hope of all the riches in the (hip, as if they had lofl 
 nothing, but rather gain'd, and made an excellent voy- 
 age, did ftrive who fhould firfl: get into the boat, and 
 every one was more defirous than other to furvive the 
 lofs of his goods. 
 
 But as we alfo (obeying the decree) were about to 
 pafs into the boat, Trachinustook Chariclea by the 
 hand^and faid, fair one, this war concerns noFyou, 
 biiL^a^UMcm^e^ll ibi^^ fak^, .suidJnce the day 
 
 you Jeft thfi^Promontory of Zacynthus, I haveftill fol- 
 
 kv^^yoPju.?^??^furin^^|^^ ^pPO the Tea, and 
 facing danger for your love; therefore let not any fear- 
 ful apprchcnlTon feize you, but confirm your fpirits, 
 and know with the empire, you already are poUelFed of 
 in my foul, you fhall be the lady of all the wealth you 
 fee, thus he faid; but Chariclea full of difcretion, and 
 knowing by the inftru(ftions I had given her how to ap- 
 ply her felf tQ the time moft excellently well, prefei]t- 
 
 7 
 
 »*^» 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 x:t. 
 
 , » 
 
 I^ 
 
 ly cleared her look from all the marks of forrow that 
 now encompafTed her, and painting upon her face an 
 appearance of joy, madeThi^T^xTretiSfeuh'a^^^^ 
 to VhJ^ods thai have put it into your mind to ufe us 
 
 to raajce^me this firft demQn^ftrationTof your love, fave 
 thi&mybrother and.piiyfether, and command them not 
 frojiLth»4iip4.iorif lijc QDcVr^^^^ 
 ''^i?!^ -h^Ui nothing which can perfwade me to retain 
 life^ And fpeaking this fheproftrated at his feet and im- 
 braced them along while. Trachinus pleafmg himfelf 
 therein, and therefore deferring the grant of her de- 
 "i^"'^ L^iien^tb lier teari^jiukiiigan impreillon on his 
 PjiZiA^yJ ng no power to refufe, when fuch a. beauty 
 was-^fttkor, he raifed her, and thus faid; for your 
 brother I am very well contented to beftow him upon 
 you, for I fee he is a young man of a great fpirit, and 
 confequently fit for the life we follow; and for this 
 old man, though he will be but an unferviceable charge 
 to us, yet for your refped only I am pleafed he fhall 
 ftay. 
 
 Now while thefe things were faid and done, the fun 
 being in his c|rg"jtcome full wefl, that fpace which j*s 
 tetNvi^xithelayl^ dark and foul, 
 
 aiiioQ-aiiddieaihe fea^beg it may 
 
 bethefeafon caufed the prefent change, or perhaps it 
 was by the pleafure of fome defliny afar off, the mur- 
 
 ^"^°Ii.^^,'^^^^^"'^^"gH.lp^; 3nd prefg^itlya-vlolent 
 
 aaMgrrpJempgEfe^^^^^^ in upoiTus, the hearts of 
 
 ih^iratssjp^eju)^^^^ 
 
 faken their own galley and put themfelves into the 
 
 merchants fhip to pillage her, were there furprized 
 
 5vith a tempeft; not knowing how to govern fo great a 
 
170 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 velTd, every one doing fome office of a mariner in 
 that which came next to his hands, without any know- 
 ledge at all: fome vainly upon their own genius un- 
 dertaking one part in the working of the fhip ; others 
 another; fome cbnfufedly ftruck the fails; fome un- 
 skilfully diflributed the cordages ; one fellow took up- 
 on him to order the prow, another as wife as he to guide 
 the poop and govern the helm. 
 
 But that which principally caft us into extreameH: 
 danger, was not the violence of the tempeft (for the 
 waves were not yet at the height of their fury) but it 
 was the ignorance of him that took upon him to be pi- 
 lot, who refifted the ftorm fo long as there was any day- 
 light, but ydben it groy black night, gave over his 
 chargeXand when tbey were now ready to fink, at firft 
 fome of the pirates did^ndeavour to have recovered 
 their own galley, but were heat off from their defign by 
 the tempeft: Trachinusalfo (laying them and makTiiig 
 a remonftrance, that if they could lave the fhip and 
 riches in her, they fhould have v/ealth enough to pur- 
 chafe a thoufand fuch galleys; and fpeaking thole 
 words, he cut the cables that held them together, tel- 
 ling them that whilft they kept their own veffel they 
 drew another tempeft after them, and that in doing Co 
 he provided for their fecurity, fince wherefoever they 
 fhould arrive it would draw fufpicion upon them, and 
 inquiry would be made after the perfons that failed in 
 the empty bottom. 
 
 This he faid appeared to them to be reafbn, and they 
 approved his counfel, out of two refpeds, being already 
 fenfibie of the one; for they were no fooner fevered 
 from the Brigantine, but they felt the fea did not tofs 
 them fo much as before, yet were they not quite out of 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 ■i 
 
 HISTORY. 171 
 
 the danger, but one billow tumbling upon another tof- 
 fed them fo violently, as it conftrained them to caft 
 much of their lading over-board : briefly there was no 
 kind of danger that did not prefent itfelf, till having 
 with much difficulty cfcaped that night, the next day, 
 about the fetting of the fun, the tempeft caft us into 
 a road near the mouth of one of the arms of Nilus, 
 named theHeracleotic, accidentally, and nowagainft 
 our wills arriving in ^gypt the pirates were joyful, 
 but we were exceedingly afflit5ted, reproaching the fea 
 as cruel in the favour it had done us to fave our lives, 
 envying us a death free from all injury, and delivering 
 us tojJieJand in a more fearfulxxpedatipn than atfea, 
 being expo fed to the caprice and riot of barbarous 
 and wicked pirates, which prefently appeared. 
 
 As they landed they carried from the fhip great vef* 
 fels of Tyrian wine, and divers other things, faying 
 they would facrlfice to Neptune, and render thanks 
 for their deliverance; fome were alfb fent to the 
 neighbour towns, and a great deal of money given 
 them to buy beafts, with command they fhould give 
 what price foever was demanded; and it was not long 
 before we faw them return, driving before them a flock 
 of fheep and a herd of fwine; and having brought them 
 in, they kindled the pile, and prepared us a feaft of the 
 roafted vidtims. Then Trachinus taking me afide, 
 where none could over- hear him ; father, faid he, Ijur 
 terjd. to. take your daugliter to wife, andthis ntgtit, as 
 youJfefi^ I rae3n„tp„<;ejebrate our riu^tials, . joyning 
 tlutfweeteft foleranityjjf mea.with.4lie facrtfice 16 ffit 
 Gods; therefore left you fhould take it ill, if I made 
 you not acquainted therewith, and be fad at my wed- 
 ding feaft ; and to the end your daughter being difppf- 
 
172 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ed of with your conlent, may receive the blefling of 
 our marriage with more joy, I thought it beft to let you 
 know my pleafure, not that it is needful it fliould be 
 confirmed by your fuffrage, for it is in my power when 
 I will to accomplifli my defires.but I hold it more no- 
 blft'and' a better omen, if the bride be prepared for the 
 marriage by her father, becaule it wiH more" content 
 her,,amd fhe will addrefs her felf to the ceremony with 
 more joy. 
 
 I approved his words,and feigned my felf to be over- 
 joyed, rendring great thanks to the Gods that had done 
 me the divine favour to maj^e^myjdau^hter's maftei;^ 
 >'l!*ii^.^-tQ- Jtake. texfete wife ;.. then retiriugjuy TeTf 
 a liule^toiludy wliat-wa^ to be (^ I inftantly return- 
 ed, befeeching him what was thus happily begun might 
 be accomplifhed a little more honourably, appointing 
 the (hip to the maid for her marriage-chamber, and 
 forbidding his men to enter or anyway to diflurb her, 
 that fo (he might have leifure to apparel her felf like a 
 bride, with as much ornameiiriaind care as the tim« 
 would permit, for Tfwotitd'be' laid, it is a poor and mif- 
 BecormfTg^thtng, that a maid defcended of a rich and 
 noble family, and, which is more, that mud be the wife 
 of Trachinus, (hould not at lead, upon the day of the 
 folemnization of her nuptials, be dreft in the richefi: 
 robes and jewels fhe then had, fince fortune and the 
 place had deprived us of a more glorious habit. 
 
 At thefe words Trachinus was tranfported with joy, 
 and promifed he would do it willingly, and immediate- 
 ly commanded that all things whereof they had need, 
 being exported out of the fliip, no perfon fliould dare 
 to approach it any more : they obeying the charge he 
 gave them, carried to land tables, cups, tapeftries . car- 
 
 { 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 "kl^Wt*-.- 
 
 »',*«^^-r- ' 
 
 pj tSj jiyjajfecjf Iyj:e and„Sydon, and many other move- 
 abterand ate-nfils, that might be ferviceable at a feaft. 
 Finally, c^cry one took without meafure and. loaded 
 theijihotHders withoMtojdeJ: witli.tb.Qfariches,^.which 
 much labour and many frugal hands had gathered ; 
 and which fortune had expofed to the profufion of 
 thefe pirates, to make a dilTolute banquet full of prodi- 
 gious abufes. 
 
 But I taking Theagenes with me, when we came to 
 Chariclea we found her weeping ; O daughter, mifery is 
 now your acquaintance, not a ftranger to you, and will 
 you yet afflidlyour-felfor is it not for thefe olddifafters 
 that you weep but for fome new? for all together fhe 
 replied, but above all for the odious good-will Trachi- 
 nus bears me, from which I hourly exped fome vio- 
 lent effeds, to which the time will now tempt him; 
 for unexpei^ed profperitles ufe to make men bold to 
 commit a(fls of infolence; but I am refolved to punifh 
 Trachinus and his loathed affedion, prevenjting the ef- 
 feds of his delireby death, and that which for the pre- 
 fentjmeljtidine^uiloiJ?^r^%is the tnought of my being 
 fo unha^pj, as bdOpie^Idie^ w feparated from Th^- 
 ageii£S,juidy£m: you have (faid 1) divined aright, for 
 Trachinus will convert the feaft after the facrifice into 
 his and your nuptial feafls ; he difcovered this intenti- 
 on to me as to your father, though I knew his furious 
 defireto enjoy you long ago, by whatTyrrhenushad 
 told me at our conference in the ifland of Zacynthus, 
 but I would not let you know it, fearing to afHid you 
 before the time, and that the grief would fall upon 
 your hearts , while the calamity hung over your 
 heads, efpecially confidering it was pofTible to avoid 
 his defign. But fince it is fo, my dear children, that 
 
 J' 
 
 ^ 
 
174 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fortune hath appeared againft us, and caft us into the 
 fame danger we endeavoured to (hun, let us make a 
 generous and brave attempt, and face our danger ia 
 its utmod extremity; that either we may live with 
 liberty and glory, or preferve, at lead, our virtue by 
 an honourable death. After they had promifed me to 
 execute whatfoever I fliould command, and that I had 
 in(lru(5led them as I thought beft, I left them to prepare 
 therafelvcs. 
 
 And addreffing my felfto him, that amongft the pi- 
 rates was the fecond in authority after Trachinus, as I 
 remember he was called Pxlocuvl told him I had a fecret 
 to impart to him which would be for his profit ; and he 
 willingly followed me: when I had brought him out of 
 the hearing of his fellows, give ear my child (faid I) to 
 what I (hall declare to you in few words, for the time is 
 too narrow for along difcourle, rayidauglHcrloyesyou, 
 your jneiitsaud. per fe^ions have conquered her^ but 
 (he fufpe(5ts your capiainpreparcs his fead for.her.oup' 
 tials^ foj^fome fuch thing he fignify'd to be curious in 
 putting on her richeft ornaments; therefore bethink 
 your ielf, if you can find a means to prevent him and 
 polfefs your felf, for (he fays, (he had rather die than 
 marry with Trachinus: be confident (faid he) and do 
 not put your fclf into any farther fear, for I have long 
 burned in an equal flame with your daughter, and did 
 but only wait for an occafion to have a palTage open to 
 obtain her; therefore alTure your felf, Trachinus (hall 
 either voluntarily yield his bride to me, ojLlliis~arm 
 (hall make him^ feel a bitter wedding night. 
 
 Having heard this Ihafted from him, left if we were 
 both mi(ring we (hould be fufpeded ; and coming to 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. ly^ 
 
 my children, I confirmed their brave fpirits with the 
 good news, that our plot went well in a right path. 
 
 A while after we fat down to fupper, and when I 
 faw them high flown in wine, and knew their heated 
 brains v/ere apt to petulancy, I whifpered Pelorus in the 
 ear, (for I fat next him for that purpofe) have you not 
 fcen (faid 1) how my daughter is apparelled ? he replied 
 he had not: but you may now fee her conveniently (I 
 told him) if you will go privately to the (hip, and take 
 heed no eye difcover you, for you know Trachinus had 
 forbid it: thereyouftial] feepjaHhexfe^^^^ 
 <Je(UniehpJcJlng her^ le(l the Gpdjdefs flrike you dead. 
 I had fcarce fpoken thele words but without any delay 
 he rofe from the table, as if he had been prefFed with 
 fome fudden bufinefs, and ran fecretly to the (Iiip. 
 
 There he beheld Cbariclea wearing upon her head a 
 croijaLofJaurel, apparelled in a refulgent robe pfcloth 
 of gold (for (he had put on the facred habit that (he 
 Brought" firom Delplios, that it might either (erve to 
 adorn her vidory or funeral, land feeing the cabbin 
 where (lie was, accommodated to the form of a nuptial 
 chamber, the fight (as it was likely) fet him all on fire, 
 love and jealoufy augmenting his amorous torment fo, 
 that when he returned to us , one might read in his 
 eyes thej^geimptlntcdjahja foul, and it was evident 
 his thoughtslabouredwith fome furious defign, and he 
 was fcarcely fet down again atthetable,butcholcr fpark- 
 ling in his eyes, he faid, why have not I the reward of 
 my merit for being the firft that boarded the (liip > be- 
 caufe (faid Trachinus) you have not demanded it, and 
 that yet we have not divided the fpoils. I defire then, 
 replied Pclorus,the captive maid : and when Trachinus 
 added, tliat, excepting her, he (hould take what he 
 
 
176 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 would. What (faid Pelorus) will you break the law of 
 piracy, that gives his choice of the prey to him that 
 firft boards a Ihip, and for all his fellows runs the ha- 
 zard of his life ? friend (faid Trachinus) I violate not 
 that law, but I ground my felf upon the authority of 
 one more powerful, that' commands us to obey the 
 wills of our captaiS? without contradi<?lion, the maid 
 has woundeime tftihe heart with her bright eyes, and 
 to heal my wound I am forced to marrj her ; and, Sir, 
 I hope it is areafon IlKould'b'e^'referred before you, 
 and if you will not obey this law, I will make you pre- 
 lently repent it with a blow of this cup I hold in my 
 hand: then Pelorus looking upon his companions, 
 you fee, faid he, what recompence our labours are to 
 cxped ; thus you fhall one day fee your merits fruftra- 
 ted of the reward of your virtue, and be, as I am, 
 Haves to this tyrannical law. 
 
 Now, Nauficles, what do you imagine became of 
 thefe pirates ? after Pelorus had fpoke thefe words, 
 you would have compared them to a calm Tea fwell'd 
 with the fudden temped, fuch a blind.and brutifh mo- 
 tion in an inftant put them into fo wild a tumult, Th- 
 flamedwkh wrath and wine, as if fome fury had pof- 
 feft them; fome rank'd themfelves upon the part of 
 Trachinus, and cried the captain ought to be obeyed; 
 others fided with Pelorus, faying, the law of piracy 
 ought to (land. In the end Trachinus lifted his hand 
 to ftrike Pelorus with the cup he held; but Pelorus 
 that was prepared before, broke the effect of his fury, 
 and (truck, a4)oinard to his. heartjfo as he fell down 
 mortally wouncjed ; buta cruel war kindled and con^ 
 tinued amongfl the reft, iniatniurdbnng_onej^ 
 without giving any quarter j fome as revenging the 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 ^77 
 
 death of their captain; others as defending Pelorus in 
 his juft quarrel. The cries of men, and founds of le- 
 vers, ftones, cups, tables, the woundcrs and the woun- 
 ded made one fearful groan ; but 1 retiring a great way 
 off, (lood upon the rife of a hill, and thence beheld 
 this furious fpe<^acle ; yet neither Theagenes nor Cha- 
 riclea were exempted from the danger, but following 
 what was determined, he withhis (word^in his iiand 
 -J^"!^ .^^"^^4^ "^^/^"^ ^n^eladionsarthe'beginning, 
 
 fhe aft^r (he fty_the fi^ht begun (hot from the fliip, 
 Ioo(ing her arrows with a^ conftanFhan^ and fparjng 
 no man butTheagenes, ihejievcr.taok.her aim amifs, 
 e^l^Slfit ilie made was death. Neither did (lie only 
 gall the one fide of the battle, but both indiffercntiy, 
 none of the pirates feeing her, yet (he clearly behold- 
 ing them by the light, of jthe great fireof the j)ile yet 
 burning, fo as they could not im7gme whe^nceTlieir 
 °^1^™^? J^"'^ ^^^"g^l^.A^.to be fome plague fVom 
 Heaven. To conclude, the war confumed theni ail, 
 and only Theagenes remained fighting fingle with Pe- 
 lorus, an able and refolute man, and one that had beea 
 ilelli*d and bred up in murders. 
 
 And now Chariclea's (hooting could no longer a- 
 vailher Theagenes, grieving (lie cot.llnot adift'^him, 
 but the fear (he had to raifs her aim did hold her hand ; 
 inafmuch as they fought fo clofe, the eye could hardly 
 di(lingui(h them. In the end Pelorus was forced to 
 give ground before him, for when Chariclea faw her 
 arrows could do him no more fervice, (lie fent her 
 words to his fuccour, crying to him ; now my brft 
 friend (hew your courage. At the hearing of thefe 
 words his ftrength redoubled, (to which Pelorus was 
 
178 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 not able to make refinance longer, as if the voice of 
 his miftrefs had infufed new vigour into him, letting 
 him know the reward of his viftory was yet living. 
 For now refuming the heat of his firft fpirit, tho* 
 broken and weighed down with many wounds, he 
 made a blow at Pelorus with his fword full at hisjiead, 
 whicKliVhoped To cfeve afdirder,' a^ aflTu redly hfhsA 
 done, if the pi rate had not declined Tiis neck; yet he 
 elcapef not * for theTwofd-xHcendthg;' foofc away the 
 top of his (lioulder, andfallin^ right upon the^lbow 
 joint of hbJwftri-JHPAcutUqu^^ Pelorus 
 
 fledTo Hive his life, Theagenes following him. 
 
 What the fequel was I cannot tell you, but that I 
 faw not when Theagenes returned ; for remaining u- 
 pon the rife of the hill, I dared not to (lir in a place 
 full of enemies by night, when my friends could not 
 know me; butCharicleaw.''S more bold, and it feems 
 more quick -lighted, for with the firft dawning of the 
 light, I perceived Theagenes lying ftretched out upon 
 the earth like a dead man, and faw her fitting and weep- 
 ing over him, with evident demonftrations that (he 
 intended to kill herfelf, but that fome little hope of 
 his revival reftrained her as yet, and held her life in e- 
 qual fufpence with his. But I, unfortunate man, had 
 not {o much as time to fpeak to them to fweeten their 
 calamities with my words, or to apply remedy to his 
 wounds, fo fad did the evils at land (without a breath- 
 ing's fpace) fucceed to thofe at fe^. 
 
 For, at the firft fpringo^the morning, as I was de- 
 fcending from the hill where I had pitched for that 
 night, I faw a troop of Aegyptian thieves, running 
 from the top of the mountain, that lieth along that 
 coaft, who prefently feized upon my poor children, 
 
 
 HISTORY. lyg 
 
 taking them away and all the riches they could carry 
 out of the fhip. I fpake afar off to them, and in vain 
 bad them farewel that could not hear me, deploring 
 their fortunes and my own; but neither being able to 
 defend them, or holding it good to go and mix wiih 
 them, I referved my felf to hope to fuccour them fome 
 other way. And indeed it was not in my power to do 
 them prefent fervice, being left far behind, my age 
 like a heavy burden not fuffering me to march fo quick 
 a pace as thofe Aegyptians, that mounted and defcen- 
 ded by ftrange paths, and through wild places. >^ow 
 by the mercy of the Gods, and your favour, worthy 
 Nauficles, I have found my daughter then loft, having 
 contributed nothing to her recovery but my abundant 
 fighs, tears, and lamentations. 
 
 Speaking thefe words he wept, all the company 
 were forced to do the like, changing JiTe[rfeall^ into a 
 
 fQri:oiK,jntermixed with joy, Cfa^^ 
 eyes^and makes- them apt to teaxs) and they were not 
 able to contain their flux of pity, till Nauficles fpake 
 thus to comfort Calafiris. Father ^faid he) chafe away 
 thefe fad conceptions and fill your heart with joy, fince 
 you have now recovered your daughter, and that only 
 one night remains to interpofe it felf betwixt you, and 
 the contentment you ftiall receive in beholding your 
 fon, for to-morrow morning we will ride to Mitrancs, 
 _andjdeai.withiiim all poHible ways, for (he .redeeming 
 of yoyr-beloved Theagenes. O may the Gods be fo 
 favourable, replied Calafiris : but now it is time to dif- 
 folve the feaft, let us therefore give thanks to the Gods, 
 and drink at parting; fo wine being brought, taking 
 their leaves they drank to one another, and fo did rife 
 from the tabic. But Calafiris looking about for Cha- 
 
i8o The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY, 
 riclea and not finding her in the muhitude, was greatly 
 perplexed, till at length a certain woman advertized 
 him, that (he faw her enter the fanduary of the temple. 
 He prefently ran thither and found her proftratcd at 
 the feet of an image, whereby reafon of the length of 
 her prayers, and the weight of forrow that lay upon 
 her heart, (he was fallen into a fwoon. Then after he 
 had (hed fome tears, and humbly conjured the Gods 
 to change the rigour of her deftiny into better fortune, 
 he foftly awaked Chariclea and returned to his lodg- 
 ings with her. Being now in the houfe (he retired to 
 the chamber of Nauficles's daughter, lying with her, 
 but not taking any reft, care not permitting h^r Jo 
 clofe her eyes. 
 
 * 
 
 THE 
 
 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 THE SIXTH BOOK. 
 
 CAlasiris and Knemon being retired to fleep 
 in the lodgings appointed for the men, as foon 
 as the reft of the night was fpent, which pafted 
 more flow than they defired, but more quick than they 
 expedted, becaufe the greater part thereof was taken up 
 with the feaft and length of the difcourfe, that enter- 
 tained them with unfatisfying fweetnefs, not having 
 patience to expedl till it were clear day, they went to 
 Nauficles, praying him to let them know where Thea- 
 genes was, and with all fpeed to lead them thither: 
 Nauficles to give them content, prefently made him 
 ready to go along with them; but Chariclea, though 
 fhe made all the prayers love and impatience could in- 
 vent, was yet forced to remain, Nauficles afTuring her 
 they would not go far, and promifing her within few 
 days to return with her Theagenes ; fo they left her 
 floating betwixt forrow for their departure, and joy 
 for the good fhe expe<5led. 
 
 At their going out of Chemmis, as they paft along 
 the banks of Nilus, they perceived a crocodile labour- 
 
 N 3 
 
i82 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ing to fwim from the one (hore to the other, but the 
 fwift current and wild waves (till broke his force, and 
 often duckt him to the bottom of the river. This 
 moved none of their company, as being a common 
 fight with them, faving thatCahfiris faid, it prefaged 
 they (hould encounter fome hindrance in the way; 
 but Knemon was running back again, extremely frigh- 
 ted, though he had not fecn the bead entirely, but 
 only her ihadow, and not all that, the greater part of 
 her .being iVill under the water: this fet Nauficles a 
 laughing, and Calafiris cried to him, why Knemon, I 
 thought only the fears of the night had troubled you, 
 and then only when you had heard fome ftrange noife, 
 envelopped in the horror of darknefs, but I fee you 
 have the fame valour by day-light; and that not only 
 tlie hearing of a name breeds terror in you, but ordi- 
 nary fpedacles, obvious and flighted by every man, 
 doterrifyyou. What God or Demi-god was that (faid 
 Kauficles) whofe name was fuch a bug-bear to his ears ? 
 Alas (replied Calafiris) if it had been a God or any 
 divinity, 1 (hould have had nothing to fay to him, but 
 he trembled all over, hearing the name (not of any 
 man, the glory of whofe valour is blown about the 
 world, but) of a woman, and (he was dead too. For 
 the fame night you came from the ifland of theherdf- 
 men, bringing Chariclea fafe for me, I know not how 
 or where he had heard a name yon ufed, but it fo (Iruck 
 him as he would let me take no reft, and was often , 
 almoft quite dead for fear, and fure had died if I had 
 not taken a great deal of pains to recover and bring 
 him to life again ; and but that I doubt his relapfe, I 
 would tell you the name to make you a httle more 
 (port ; immediately he faid the name was Thisbe. 
 
 HISTORY. 183 
 
 But Nauficles was now pad laughing, and grew ve- 
 ry fad, (landing along while penfive, and fearching 
 in his fpirit for what occafion, or from what know- 
 ledge of Thisbe, Knemon (hould be fo tranfported, 
 when he heard her named ; then Knemon fell in a 
 laughter for very joy to fee him melancholick : O good 
 Calafiris, you now fee (faid Knemon) how great the 
 force of this name is, and that, like aphantafm, it hath 
 not only frighted me, but even Nauficles himfelf, cauf- 
 ing a ftrange alteration in our humours; for I now 
 laugh, knowing her for certain to be dead ; and Nau- 
 ficles that was fo valiant, and made himfelf fo merry 
 with our fear, is now (truck into amazement. Enough, 
 faid Nauficles, you are fuHiciently revenged upon me ; 
 but I conjure you, Knemon, by the Gods of hofpitality 
 and fricndlhip, by our free converfation, and the cour^ 
 teous entertainment that I think you have received at 
 my houfe, to tell me how you came to know that 
 Thisbe, and why her name was fo terrible to you, or 
 whether you have made this betwixt you to play upoa 
 
 me? 
 
 Now Knemon (faid Calafiris) it concerns you to 
 ?nfwer,and to acquit your felf ofyourpromife to me, 
 that I (hould have the relation of your fortunes, which 
 ever yet you have avoided with many flight excufes ; 
 you cannot find a more convenient time, for you fliall 
 both do a pleafure to Nauficles, and by your difcourfe 
 ihorten and fweeten the travel of our journey. 
 ' ' Knemon confentcd at their requeft, and to fatisfie 
 them, compendioufly ran over all he had recounted 
 formerly to Theagenes and Chariclea: how he was 
 born in the city of Athens, that his father's name was 
 Ariflippusjthathehad a ftep-mother named Demae- 
 
 N 4 
 
^^ 
 
 184 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ncta; then he related the deteftable love wherein De- 
 maenetA languifhed for him, and that failingof her hope, 
 to content her loofe defires, (he laid trains for him, 
 fuborning Thisbe for her inftrnment. H« added the 
 manner, and how he was exiTd from his country, the 
 people of Athens fo condemning him, as believing him 
 to be convinced of an intent to commit parricide. 
 That living in the ifleof Aegina, an old companion of 
 his, one Charias, firfl brought him news of the death of 
 his mother-in-law, and th^ circumflance thereof, flie 
 being over-reach*d by her maid Thisbe : and fince then, 
 a fecond, named Aficles, had informed him that his fa- 
 ther was alfo banifhed, and ail his goods confifcated, by 
 realon the friends and allies of Demaeneta bandying 
 again (1 him, to make fiire his condemnation, had be- 
 got a belief in the peoples eafie mind, that he was the 
 murderer of his wife. He alfo told them how Thisbe 
 was fled from Athens with a certain merchant ofNau- 
 cratia, that was in love with her; and that he himfelf 
 imbarked with Anticles for ^Egypt, in hope to meet 
 that Thisbe, his de(ign being, if hefhould find her, to 
 carry her back to Athens, that he might difcharge his 
 father of tlie calumny they had falfly impofed upon 
 him, and deliver her to be juftly punifhed : and that 
 lince that time to this prefent, he had run through ma- 
 ny dangerous fortunes, and tried many different ca- 
 lamities, falling in his voyage into the hands of pirates, 
 whence he found means to efcape,and arrive in ^^'gypt, 
 where he v/as taken by the herdfmen, and there came 
 acquainted with Theagenes and Chariclea, with whom 
 he had joined in the tyes of an inviolable friendfiilp: 
 Inferting the death of Thisbe, and all that had fince 
 
 H i S T O R Y. 185 
 
 "happened, to the pafTages that were known to Naufi. 
 clesand Calafiris. 
 
 Nauficles having heard this, found his mind afTailed 
 with millions of contrary thoughts; fometimeshe was 
 minded to declare to them all that had paffed betwixt 
 him and Thisbe; fometimes he held it the better way 
 to defer it yet a while; in the end, halfagainft his 
 will, he contained himfelf, partly his own reafon judg- 
 ing it to be convenient , partly being accidentally 
 hindred : for when they had gone about three miles, 
 and began to approach the town where Mitranes made 
 his ufual refidence, they perceived coming towards 
 
 them amanofNauficles*acqnaintance,who demanding 
 whither he was going in fuch hafte ? do you ask me (re- 
 plied the man) whitiier I go fo faft? as if you knew 
 not to what mark my aim is (till direded, my defires 
 andltudy only tending to the fpeedy execution of the 
 commands of the fair Ifias, the glory of your Chem- 
 mis. It is for her 1 cultivate my grounds, for her 
 fiike I gather all the wealth and rarities I can. It is for 
 her that I watch days and nights without everclofing 
 my eys, not failing to ferve her in any thing, how lit- 
 tle or great foever, though I have no other recom- 
 pence but her difpleafure, and my own labour for my 
 pains. At this prefent I am halting to her (as you fee) 
 v/ith this Phoenicopterus, a certain bird of the river 
 Milus, which fhe enjoyned me to bring to her. To 
 what a gracious miftrefs (faid Nauficles) have you 
 dedicated your affe(flions, whofe commands are fo 
 cafie, as (he asketh only the Phoenicopterus, and not 
 the Phoenix her felf, that is brought us from the In- 
 dies and i^thiopia. Indeed (replied he) it is her cufiom 
 thus to make her paftime of my fervices. But now let 
 
I8d 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 mequefllon you, I pray, whither, or upon what occa- 
 fion are you travelling? but after they had told him 
 they were going to wait upon Mitranes: Is it Co (faid 
 the ft ranger) then your journey is to no purpofe, for 
 Mitranes is out of the town, having gone this laft night 
 with a great army againft the herdfmen that inhabit the 
 town of Befta, becaufe thofe Beffians, and one Thya- 
 mis, they have elefted for their captain, by furprize 
 have taken a young prifoner, a Grecian, whom Mitra- 
 nes was to have fen t to Oroondates. 
 
 This is the occafion of Mitranes his abfence from 
 home, but for my part I muft make hafte to iCas, who 
 already is looking fliarply about for me, thinking my 
 fmalleft delay a fin againft love. Oh ftie is too fubtle 
 in accufing me without caufe, and inventing crimes to 
 Jay to my charge! he had no fooner given them this 
 relation, but they ftood filent and ftupifi'd, to find 
 themfelves fo unexpe<3edly difappointed. Nauficles 
 «t length brought them again to themfelves, adrao- 
 ni/hing them that they (hould not be fo difcourag'd 
 with one difappointraent (which was but for a fliort 
 time) as to caft away ail hope and care of what they 
 had in hand : that it was now their beft way to return 
 back again to Chemmis, as well to take council about 
 their affairs, as alfo ( having furniflied themfelves with 
 frefh provifions for a longer journey) to refume their 
 fearch of Theagenes, wherefoever they ftiould hear 
 that he was detained, whether amongft the thieves or 
 €lfe where; every where propofing to themfelves good 
 hopes of finding him. 
 
 For even this did not feem to happen without the 
 |)rovidence of the Gods, that they ftiould fo unexpec- 
 tedly meet with an acquaintace, by whofedifcourfe they 
 
 HISTORY. 187 
 
 were In a manner led by the hand to the place where 
 it was moft proper to feek for him: wherefore they 
 ftiould go diredlly to the thieves village. When he had 
 thus fpoken, he eafily perfwaded them, partly, as I 
 fuppofe, becaufe another hope arofe from what he had 
 faid, and partly becaufe Knemon bid Calafiris be of 
 good cheer, for that Thyamis would preferve Theage- 
 nes. They therefore refolved to return, where they 
 found Chariclea in the porch, looking out to all quar- 
 ters of the country. When ftiedid not perceive The- 
 agenes with them, with great lamentation ftie cried 
 out, O father, are you come b^ck no more in number 
 than you went forth? without doubt then my Thea- 
 genes is dead. I charge you by the Gods to deliver 
 what you have to fay. It is humanity to make ffiort 
 the ftory of misfortune, by which the mind is better 
 fortifi'd againft the evil. Knemon therefore intercep- 
 ting her forrow, faid, what means thispra^ice Chari- 
 riea ? you axe always conjeffturing the worft, and often 
 without truth. Theagenes is, and by the Gods provi- 
 dence fliall be well, then brieijy told her with whom he 
 was, and in what manner. It is plain, O Knemon (faid 
 Calafiris) from what you have fpoken, that you never 
 were in love ; otherwife you would know that lovers 
 fear where there is no danger, and give truft to no- 
 thing befide tlieir own eyes, concerning the perCon 
 that is moft dear to them. Abfence fills their minds 
 with doubt, efpecially having refolved never to be 
 from each other, unlefs fome fad accident feparates 
 them. Wherefore we muft excufe Chariclea, who la- 
 bours under the violence of love. Let us however 
 confult what is to be done in this affair. Having thus 
 ^oken, taking Chariclea by the hand, with a fatherly 
 
i88 
 
 The AETHldPIAN 
 
 obfervance, he led her Into the houfe. But Nauncles> 
 being defirous to divert their care, ordered a more 
 fumptuous banquet than ufual, obliging them with the 
 prefence of his daughter, moft: fplendidly apparelled. 
 When they were refrefh'4 with the entertainment, he 
 thus fpake to them ; the Gods are witnelTcs (my dear 
 guefts) that your company is moft delightful to me, 
 and if you would fpend your lives with me, you (hould 
 command nil that I am mafter of as freely as my felf : 
 forafmuch as I have not received you as guefts, but in- 
 timate friends, and fuch as will always have the fame 
 cfteem for me, I can think no obligation too much. I 
 am likcwife no lefs ready to engage my friends and ac- 
 quaintance in any thing that may do you fervice. Yet 
 you muft be fenfible that my way of life is merchandize ; 
 this is the field which I am obliged to cultivate. Since 
 therefore the wefterly winds now blow favourably to 
 make the feas navigable,and call forth the merchant,my 
 affairs, amongft others, fummon me to Greece. You 
 will therefore do well to acquaint me with your defign, 
 that I may order my affairs fo as to make them fervice- 
 able to you. 
 
 When he had thus faid, Calafiris, after a little paufe, 
 thus replyM. Succefs (O Nauficles) attend your voy- 
 age, may Mercury fend you gain, and Neptune calm 
 feas ; may every port afford you harbour, and every 
 city prove your home ! fince you have treated us here 
 with fo much courtefle, and now difmifs us at our de- 
 lire, in all things fulfilling the laws of friendfhip and 
 hofpitality. As for us, though it be a great trouble and 
 grief to depart from you and your houfe, which we 
 have ufed as our own ; yet it is neceffary for us to pur- 
 fue the fearch of our deareft friends. This is both 
 
 HISTORY. 189 
 
 mine and Chariclea's refolution : but for Knemon> 
 whether he intends to wander farther with us and con- 
 tinue his affiftance, or what other purpofe he has let 
 himfelf declare. Knemon was defirous to reply fome- 
 thing to this, and long attempting to fpeak, but fighs 
 choak*d hisfpeech, and tears drown'd his eyes: at laft 
 colled^ing breath, and uttering a deep groan ; O for- 
 tune (he cry'd) how full of change and unflable art 
 thou ! of which among many others I am a fad example. 
 Thou haft deprived me of my kindred and father's 
 houfe, and fent me an exile from the country and city 
 that are moft dear to me : thou haft driven me as far as 
 uEgypt (not to mention my difafters in the way) and 
 put me in the power of thieves and out-laws : at laft I 
 had a glimmering of hope, by falling into acquaintance 
 and company with perfons, who (though as wretched 
 as my felf) yet they were Greeks of my own country, 
 with whom I thought to have pafTed the remainder of 
 my life : but even this comfort is taken from me ; whi- 
 ther ftiall I turn my felf, or what fhall I do ? fhall I 
 leave Chariclea, before fhe has found her Theagenes ? 
 this would be inhumane ? or fhall I go with her to feek 
 him: if we were certain at laft to find him, it were la- 
 bour well undertaken, but if the event be doubtful and 
 greater misfortunes befal, where will our travels end? 
 what if now I beg leave both of the Guardian Deities, 
 and of you,to fpeak at laft of returning to my family and 
 native foil, efpecially fince fo fair an opportunity by 
 the providence of the Gods offers its felf, (Nauficles in- 
 tending, as you heard himfelf fay, to fail for Greece) 
 left by the death of my father, in my abfence, our houfe 
 be left defolate, and family without an heir : for how- 
 foever mean and poor I may be likely to live there j 
 
ipo 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 yet honefty and common decency requirf the preferv 
 ingour race. But, O Chariclea, (for to you I would 
 chiefly be excus'd^i do you give me pardon and grant 
 me this leave: I will attend you as far as BefTa, and en« 
 treat Nauficles to ftay a while for me, fo that if I de- 
 liver you not Into the hands of Thea^enes, yet at leafl: 
 you (hall acknowledge me faithful to the truft he com- 
 mitted to me : and from the good confcience in what 
 has pafled, depend at parting on fuccefs in what is to 
 come. If after all (which the Gods forbid) we fail of 
 that fuccefs, yet even fo I fhall feem to merit pardon, 
 not even then leaving you alone, but in the guardian- 
 /hipofthis good Calafiris, your guide and father. 
 
 Chariclea conjedhiring by many arguments, the in- 
 clination of Kncmon for the daughter of Nauficles (fo 
 quick-fighted is a lover to difcover the fame paflion in 
 any other ) and alfo by what had been (poken, that 
 Nauficles had endeavoured the alliance, and given 
 Kncmon many fecret encouragerfients ; upon the whole 
 concluded that he was no fit companion, but mufl be 
 fufpicious for the future; flie made this reply: 
 
 Do what feems good to you (faid fhe) I thank you 
 for the good offices you have already performed, and 
 for the future there is no neceflity for you to be bur- 
 dened with our affairs, or run the risk of other peo- 
 ples fortune. Return to your own country and do- 
 meftick concern s ; and by no mean s negJc(5t your friend 
 Nauficles, nor the opportunity which he offers. Cala- 
 IJris and my felf will engage all dangers that fiiall be- 
 ^1 us till we have finifhed our courfe; and though no 
 mortal (hall afTift us, we rely on the protecflion of the 
 "Gods. May all things (faid Nauficles) fucceed to your 
 xielire; may the Gods accompany you till you recover 
 
 HISTORY. 191 
 
 your friends, which will be a juft reward of your pru- 
 dence and conflancy. But, Knemon, be not you con- 
 cerned that you bring not Thisbe back to Athens, fince 
 you have me, who was the author of her departure: 
 for I was that merchant of Naucrates, her lover, who 
 carry'd her away. But if you are as well pleas'd with 
 the propofal as I, you (hr,ll under my condudl gain 
 great wealth, and recover your country. And if you 
 are difpofed to marry, I will give you my daughter 
 Nauficlea with a great dower, fince I know your fami- 
 ly. Knemon made no paufe, finding what he had (e- 
 cretly defired fo fairly o(fer*d to him ! whereupon Nau- 
 ficles deliver'd his daughter to him, commanding his 
 fervants to celebrate the nuptials ; himfelf began the 
 dance, fuddenly converting the feaft into a wedding. 
 The reft of the family in other apartments folemniz*d 
 the marriage with fongs and dancing, fo that thehoufe 
 (hone all night with nuptial torches. But Chariclea, 
 feparating from the reft, went into her own apartment, 
 and making faft the door, to prevent difturbance, as 
 if feiz'd with Bacchanal fury, tore both her hair and 
 garments: let us (faid fhe) perform our ceremonies as 
 the pofture of our affairs require, with the utmoft 
 pomp of forrow. Let us weep inftead of finging, and 
 beat our breaft inftead of dancing. Let us out with 
 this troublefome taper, while night echoes to my com- 
 plaints, and prefides over the ceremo^3^ What apart- 
 ment has it prepared for me ? what bride-chamber has 
 it adorn'd ? the God that has charge of me, is all my 
 company; deprived of him who in name only is ray 
 husband. Knemon leads up his nuptial dance, Thea- 
 genes is yet wandering, and perhaps a prifoner in 
 chains ; nor am I certain that it is fo well with him^ 
 
192 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 or that he is at all. Nauficlea my bed-fellow, is re- 
 moved frora me into the embraces of her husband, 
 Chariclea is left alone : I envy not her fortune, Gods, 
 wjlhingher all happinefs; but complain of your deal- 
 ing fo hardly with me. You have drawn out my tra- 
 gedy beyond all bounds. But why do I charge the 
 Gods with unkindnefs? let the remainder of pleafure 
 be performM. Yet, O Theagenes, my deareft care, if 
 thou art dead, which I hope never to live to hear, I 
 fhall make no delay to be with you. For the prefent 
 I perform thefe rites (wherewith (he pluck'd off her 
 hair and laid it on the bed) and pour thefe libations 
 from my eyes, which are dear to thee (wherewith fhe 
 bedewed the coverlet with her tears.) But if thou art 
 alive and fafe, O haften to my arms, and at leaft vifit 
 me in dreams! having thus fpoken,{he caft her felf 
 with her face to the bed with vehement fighing, till 
 (lupifyM with her grief, (he fell into a fleep that conti- 
 nued till broad day. Calafins therefore wondring that 
 (he did not appear according to her cuftom, enquired 
 for her, and went directly to her ch:'mb'r-door, where 
 knocking aloud, and calling her by her name, he awa- 
 kened her. She, difturbM with the fuddcn noife, in that 
 diforder of drefs in which Hie lay down, opened the 
 door to let him in. He feeing her hair diiheveird and 
 garments torn, underflood the caufe; wherefore hav- 
 ing firft feated her on a chair, and compofed her drefs ; 
 O Chariclea (faid he) why do you thus torment your, 
 felf? why do you abandon your reafon, and give way 
 to misfortune ? I my felf fcarce know you in this difor- 
 der, who were wont to have fo much temper and refo- 
 lution. Why do you deftroy your felf before the day 
 of your fortune approaches ^ take pity on me, and 
 
 f 
 
 HISTORY. 193 
 
 fpareyour felf, if not for my fake, yet at lead for The- 
 agenes, whofe life is bound up in yours, and dear to 
 him for no other reafon. Chariclea bluftiM at what he 
 fald, efpecially when (he recolleded the manner in 
 which he furpriz'd her. Therefore after a long filence, 
 Calafiris defiring her to fpeak ; you have good reafon, 
 father, (faid fhe) to chide me, yet I hope 1 deferve par- 
 don. It is no new paflion or concern that put me into 
 this diforder: the abfence of Theagenes caufes this 
 difturbance, and my grief is flill the greater, becaufe I 
 cannot know certainly whether he be alive or dead. 
 Be of good cheer as to that (faid Calafiris) you have 
 the Gods word for his being alive, and living with you 
 hereafter: if you believe not their oracles, at leaft give 
 credit to the perfon who told us yefterday that Thya- 
 mis had carry'd him prifoner to Memphis: but if he is 
 taken by him, he is moft certainly preferv'd alive, by 
 reafon of the former acquaintace between them. 
 Wherefore let us go without delay to BefFa; you to 
 find your Theagenes, and I both him and my Ton ; for 
 you have heard that Thyamis is myfon. Thyamis 
 (replied Chariclea) is your fon, and only yours ; and 
 now our affairs are running into extreameft danger. 
 
 Calafiris wondring at what (he faid, and demanding 
 the reafon ; you know (proceeded fhe) that I was taken 
 by theherdfmen, Thyamis, their captain, was charm'd 
 with this unfortunate beauty with which I am en- 
 dowed; fo that there is danger in our enquiry with 
 him, left he fhould know me to be the fame perfon that 
 beguil'd him of his intended nuptials, and compel me 
 to performance. The Gods forbid, reply'd Calafiris, 
 that the prefenceof a father fliould not coniroul fo un- 
 lawful a defirc: yet what hinders us frora thinking of 
 • O 
 
'194 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fome contrivance to fecure you from that which yon 
 fear ? for I know you to be of great art and fubtilty in 
 evading unwelcome addreffes. Chariclea was a little ex- 
 hilarated ; and whether (faid (he) you fpeak this jocofe- 
 Jy or ferioufly I will not examine; however I fhali 
 purfue that contrivance which I had begun with The- 
 agenes, which fortune dire(5ted us unto, and I hope 
 will now profper. It being neceUary for our flight 
 from the ifland of thieves, we refolved to change our 
 habit, and to pafs through the towns in poor and beg- 
 garly attire : wherefore, if you think fit, we will refume 
 that difguife, and perfonate beggars , by which means 
 we fhall be lefs liable to injuries ; for poverty is more 
 likely to meet with pity than envy, and we rtiall with 
 more eafe obtain our daily provifion, all things being 
 fold to ftrangers at dear rates ; whereas they arc given 
 to beggars. Galafiris commended her defign, and haf- 
 ten'd for the journey, Therefore calling Naulicles and 
 Knemon to them, they acquainted them therewith; 
 and the next day fet forth, not permitting fervant nor 
 horfe to attend them, only Nauficles and Knemon, 
 with the fervants, faw them on their way. 
 
 Nauficlea alfo accompanied then>fo far, her love to 
 Chnriclea being equal to that for her husband . Having 
 therefore gone almoft a mile, where they took leave of 
 each other with many tears, praying for mutual fuc- 
 cefs on their affairs, Knemon particularly begg'd par- 
 don, that his new obligations permitted him not to ac- 
 company them, but that he would wait an occafion to 
 follow them. Thus parted they from each other. But 
 Chariclea and Calafiris put themfelvcs into beggars ha- 
 bit, which they had prepar'd for that purpofe. Nor 
 did Chariclea fpare her face, which fhe difcolour'd, and 
 
 HISTORY. ip5 
 
 hung a fcrip upon her arm, as it were to carry frag- 
 ments of meat, but the real ufe was to conceal the holy 
 veftmentand chaplets which (he brought from Delphi, 
 together with the remembrances with which her mo- 
 ther had expofed her, 
 
 Calafiris carry'd her quiver, wrapt up in leather, the 
 wrong end hanging down over his (boulder, as fome 
 ufclefs fardle; her bow was no fooner unftrung, but 
 it came (Ireight again, and ferv'd him inflead of a (lafF, 
 on which he lean'd his whole weight. But whenfoever 
 he fpy'd any body coming towards them, he took care 
 to make his burden feem more heavy, halting upon 
 one leg, and fometimes led by Chariclea. Having thus 
 put on a counterfeit perfonage, with fome pleafant 
 difcourfe between them, and repartees about their ha- 
 bit, they pa(red on, begging of their guardian Deity 
 that he would be fatisfy'd with what they had endur'd, 
 and here put an end to their fufferings. Thus they 
 went forward towards the village of BclTa, where they 
 hoped to have found Thyamis and Theagenes, but 
 werefrudrated of their expected happinels : for coming 
 near to the town about fun- fet, they perceiv'd a great 
 number of dead men newly (lain, fome of them were 
 Perfians, which they knew by their habits ; others were 
 inhabitants of the place. It appeared plainly that there 
 had been a battle, but with whom they did not know; 
 till they had gone about the dead bodies, to fee if any 
 of their acquaintance lay amongfl them (for minds that 
 are extremely folicitousfor the welfare of what is moll 
 dear to them are always fearing the word) they per- 
 ceiv'd an old woman fixt over one of the dead, a na- 
 tive of the place, and breaking out into many lamen- 
 tations. They therefore refolv'd if they could, to get 
 
 O 2 
 
196 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fome information from the beldame: therefore going 
 up 10 her, they endeavoured at firft to comfort her, 
 and alfwage her vehement grief. When fhe had admitted 
 their confolation, they began to demand of her, what 
 pcrfon it was whom fiie bewail'd ? what battle had been 
 fought ? Calafiris fpeaking to her in the Egyptian 
 tonpue. She nave them a brief account of all; that 
 (he lamented for her fon, who lay fpeechlefs ; that ihe 
 came with refolution into the field that fome of the ar- 
 med men might kill her, in the mean time that fhe per- 
 formed juft rites of grief towards her fon. As for the 
 fight, (he gave this account; that a certain young 
 flranger, of excellent form and ftature, was led captive 
 to Oroondates, the prince of Memphis: that he was 
 fent, as (he fuppofed, by Mitranes, captain of the 
 guards, for an extraordinary prefent. This pcrfon, 
 the people ofour town, which you fee yonder, affirmed 
 to be one of them, whether truly or feignedly I cannot 
 tell. Mitranes being inform'd hereof, was enrag'd, and 
 accordingly drew up his army before the town two days 
 ago. The inhabitants of this town are a mod warlike 
 fort of people that live by rapine, with the greateft con- 
 tempt of death,and have left many women childlefs, as 
 they have done me. VVlien therefore by a certain C\gn 
 they were affur'd of his approach, they placed ambuf- 
 cades in convenient places, by which they overcame the 
 enemy; part of them fetting upon the Perfians van, and 
 thercrtfrom their fecret places, upon their rear. Mitra- 
 nes was the firft that fell, and with him almoft all his fol- 
 lowers, being furronnded, and of ours not a few: in 
 this number, by the feverity of fate, was my fon, who 
 receiv'd a wound, as you fee, in his breaft by a Perfian 
 javelin. This being expir'd; I lament; and am likely 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 197 
 
 foon to do the fame for my other, he being gone with 
 the reft ofour fouldiers, againft the city of Memphis. 
 
 Calafiris ask'd her the caufe of that expedition ? (he, 
 as ftie was inform'd by her fon that furviv'd, told them, 
 that the Kings forces being cut oflT, and Mitranes their 
 general flain, they were alFurM what they had done 
 would be of no fmall confequence: that Oroondates, 
 who lay at Memphis with a great army, v/ould imme- 
 diately approach and befet their town, and revenge the 
 injury, by cutting off the inhabitants : they therefore 
 determined, fince they had brought themfelves into fo 
 great danger, to follow one bold attempt with a great- 
 er, that being the only means to fecure themfelves from 
 the King's fury : thinking with their fudden approach 
 to carry Memphis, and take the King prifoner ; or in 
 bis abfence, if he were with his army gone on an expedi- 
 tion into Aethiopia (as it was rumour'd) they might 
 with more eafe compel the city, being deftitute of de- 
 fence, to furrender : and likewife to perform a confide- 
 rable fervice for Thyamis, who was by his younger 
 brother depriv'd of office of high prieft, which they 
 would reftore to him. But if they fhould be fruftratcd 
 in their defign, that yet they would die with their 
 fwords in their hands, nor ever come into the pov/er 
 of the Perfians, to fuffer fcorn or tortures: and now 
 give me leave to ask whither you are going? to the 
 town, faid Calafiris. It is unfafe, faid fhe, at prefent, 
 efpecially for ftrangers. But if you will receive us for 
 your guefts (faid Calafiris) we fhall be fecure enough. 
 The feafon will not permit, rcply'd flie, I being this 
 night oblig'd to perform funeral ceremonies. But if 
 you can endure it (and I fuppofe it is necefiary that 
 you fhould ) to pafs the night in fome place, remote 
 
 O 3 
 
ipS^ 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ^^ 
 
 from the dead bodies, at break of day I will take you 
 for your fecurity into my cnftody. All this which (he 
 fpoke, Calafiris interpreted to Ghariclea ; and fo took 
 her with him to a private place. When they had paf- 
 fed a little way from the dead, they came to a little 
 cave, where he laid him down with Ghariclea's bow un- 
 der his head. Ghariclea fat down in another corner of 
 the cell, the moon then rifing, and lightning all v/ith- 
 out. Calafiris fell into a faft fleep, being tir'd at once 
 with age and the long journey. Ghariclea kept awake 
 with care, became fpedtator of a moil: horrid fcene, 
 though ufual amongft thofe people. For the woman 
 fuppofing her (elf to be alone, and not likely to be in- 
 terrupted, nor (b much as to be {een by any perfon, 
 fell to her work. In the firft pluce flie digg'd a pit in 
 the earth, then made a fire on each fide thereof; placing 
 the body of her fon between the two plains ; then tak- 
 ing a pitcher from off a three-legg'd (tool that flood 
 by, fhe pour'd honey into the pit, milk out of a fecond, 
 and fo out of a third, as if fhe had been doing facrifice : 
 ^then taking a piece of dough, form'd in the likenefs of 
 a man, crown 'd with laurel and bdellium, fhe cafl it 
 into the pit. After this, fnatching a fvvord that lay in 
 the field, with more than Bacchanal fury ( addrefiing 
 herfelf to the moon in many flrange terms) fhe lan- 
 ced her arm, and with a branch of laurel bedewed with 
 her blood, fhe befnrinkled the fire; with many other 
 prodigious ceremonies. Then bowing herfelf to the 
 body of her fon, whifpering in his ear, fhe awaked him, 
 and by the force of her charms, made him to fland up- 
 right. Ghariclea, who had hitherto look'd on with fuf- 
 ficient fear, was now aflonifht; wherefore fhe wak'd 
 Calafiris to be likewifs fpe(flator of what was done. 
 
 HISTORY. 199 
 
 They flood unfeen themfelves, but plainly beheld, by 
 the light of the moon and fire, where the bufinefs was 
 performed, and by reafon of the little diflance, heard 
 the difcourfe, the beldam now befpeaking her fon in 
 .a louder voice. The queflion which fhe ask'd of him 
 was, if her fon, who was yet living, fliould return fafe 
 home ? to this he anfwerM nothing, only nodding his 
 head, gave her doubtful conjedure of his fuccefs ; and 
 therewith fell flat upon his face. She turn'd the body 
 with the face upward, and again repeated her quef- 
 tion, but with much greater violence, uttering many 
 incantations, and leaping up and down with the fword 
 in her hand, turning fometimes to the fire, and then to 
 the pit; fhe once more awaken'd him, and fetting him 
 upright, iirg'd him to anfwer her in plain words, and 
 not in doubtful figns. In the mean time Ghariclea de- 
 fired Calafiris that they might go nearer, and enquire 
 of the old woman about Theagenes; but he refusM, 
 affirming that the fpeaacle was impious; that it was 
 not decent for any perfon of prieflly ofiice to be pre- 
 fent , much lefs delighted with fuch performances : 
 that prayers and lawful facrifices were their bufinefs ; 
 and not with impure rites and enquiries of death, as 
 that ^Egyptian did, of which mifchance had made us 
 fpeaators. While he was thus fpeaking, the dead per- 
 fon made anfwer, with a hollow and dreadful tone : at 
 firfl I fpared you, mother, (faid he) and fuffcr'd your 
 tranfgreffing againft human nature and the laws of def- 
 tiny ; and by charms and witchcraft diflurbing thofe 
 things which fhould refl in violated: for even the dead 
 retain a reverence towards their parents, as much as 
 is poffible for them ; but fince you exceed all bounds, 
 being not content with the wicked aOion you began, 
 
 O 4 
 
 \ 
 
200 The AETfflOPIAN HISTORY. 
 
 nor fatisfy'd with raifing me up to give you figns, but 
 alfo force me, a dead body, to fpeak ; neglefting my 
 fepultiire, and keeping me from themanfion of depart- 
 ed fouls; hear thofe things which at firft I was afraid 
 to acquaint you withal: neither your fon (hall return 
 alive, nor ftiall your felf efcape that death, by the fword, 
 which is due to your crimes; but conclude that life in 
 fhort time, which you havefpent in wicked praftices : 
 forafmuch as you have not only done thcfe things alone, 
 but made other perfons fpe(5lators of thefc dreadful 
 myfteries that were fo cbnceal'd in utmoft filence; ac- 
 quainting them with the affairs and fortune of the dead. 
 One of them is a prieft, which makes it more tolerable ; 
 who knows, by his wifdom, that fuch things are not 
 to be divulgM: a perfon dear to the Gods, who (hall 
 with his arrival, prevent the duel of hisfons, prepared 
 for combat, and compofe their difference. But that 
 which is more grievous, is, that a virgin has been 
 fpedator of all that has been done, and heard what 
 was faid : a virgin and lover,that has wander'd through 
 countries, in fearch of her betroth'd ; with whom, af- 
 ter infinite labours and dangers, fhefhall arrive at the 
 utmoft parts of the earth, and live in royal ftate. 
 Having thus faid, he again fell proftrate. The hag be- 
 ing fenfibie who were the fpe<flators, arm'd as (he was 
 with a fword, in rage fought them amongft the dead 
 bodies, where fhe thought they lay conceal'd, to kill 
 them, as perfons that had invaded her, and croft the 
 operation of her charms : while (he was thus employed, 
 (lie ftruck her groin upon the fplinter of a fpear that 
 ftuckin the ground, by which (he dy'd; immediately 
 fulfilling the prophecy of her fon. 
 
 THE 
 
 -^y 
 
 AETHIOPIAN . 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 THE SEVENTH BOOK. 
 
 CAl A s I R I s and Chariclea having fo narrowly eP- 
 caped, not only to avoid farther danger, but on 
 account of what was foretold them by the dead man, 
 haftenM their journey towards Memphis. When they 
 arriv'd at the town, they found the preparations which 
 they expeded : for the people of Memphis, a little be- 
 fore Thyamis was come up with his Beffians, had (hut 
 up their gates, being forewarn*d of his coming by a 
 prifoner that had efcaped from him. Thyamis there- 
 fore encamping before the walls, gave three days re- 
 fpite to refrefh his army, weary 'd with their march and 
 late fervice. The townfmen, who before were terri- 
 fy'd with expe<5tation of great numbers, when they 
 found their enemies were few, drew up the archers and 
 horfe that were left to defend the town, with the reft 
 of the citizens, arm'd as the fudden chance could fur- 
 iiifli them, prepar'd forthwith to {et upon the enemy. 
 A perfon of age and eminency diftwaded them from 
 tlieir attempt, faying, that though Oroondates, the de- 
 puty, were abfent, yet it was meet firft to confult with 
 
 • w 
 
20Z The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Arlace, his wife; by which means the fouldiers who 
 were left, would more willingly engage. They approv- 
 ed his counfel, and accordingly went to the palace, 
 where deputies refide in the kings abfence. Arface, be- 
 fide the charms of her perfon and ftature, had great 
 management in affairs ; fuch as became her royal blood, 
 and the filter of a king : yet for luxury and dilFolute 
 life, deferv'd no little blame. Amongft other things, 
 (he was partly thecaufeof Thyamis'sbanifhment from 
 Memphis. For when Calafiris, for thofe mifchiefs 
 which were fore-told about his fons, was withdrawn 
 from the city, fo long, that he was fuppos'd to be dead, 
 Thyamis, as his eldeft fon, was immediately invefled 
 in his place of high prieft: Arface immediately fixt 
 her eyes on him in the temple, where, befide his youth 
 and comely pcrfonage, he appear'd more charming 
 with the fplendid habit of his office. She forbore not 
 from immodefl glances and figns, which Thyamis took 
 little notice of, being of a chafle temper. But his bro- 
 ther Petiforis, who had already envy'd his dignity, 
 and obferv'd the allurements of Arface, took occafion 
 from thence to form a fnare for his brother. There- 
 fore privately addreffing himfelf to Oroondates, did 
 not only tell him the inclination of Arface, but falfly 
 added, that Thyamis was contraded to her. He eafily 
 believ*d, being already jealous of Arface, but as yet 
 gave her no diflurbance, having no clear proof of his 
 furmize; as alfo out of refpe^ to the blood royal, his 
 fufpicion was to be fupprefl and conceal'd : yet he for- 
 bore not to threaten Thyamis with death, 'till he was 
 expell'd the city, and Petiforis made prieft in his ftead. 
 Thefe things were formerly tranfadled. When now 
 the people were thronged about the palace, and told 
 
 HISTORY. 203^ 
 
 her the approach of the enemy, which (he already 
 knew, and defired her commands on the foldiers ; fhe 
 anfwered, that whereas they knew not as yet the num- 
 bers of the enemy, nor who they were, nor for what 
 caufe they arrived, that it were expedient firft to go up 
 to the wall to take a view of the enemy, and refolve 
 as they faw occafion. They approv'd her counfel, and 
 went immediately upon the battlements. There, when 
 a rich pavilion was placed for Arface, and fhe herfclf 
 richly adorn'd, was feated thereon, with her guards 
 
 # in golden armour about her; holding out her mace, for 
 an emblem of peaceable treaty, fhe commanded the 
 chiefs of the enemy to approach the walls. Thyamis 
 
 * and Theagenes, who were eledled by the army to go 
 forth, plac'd themfelves under the walls, cover'd in ar- 
 mour all but their heads. The herald utter'd thefe 
 words : Arface, wife of Oroondates, the governor ; and 
 fifter to the King ; demands of you, who you are? with 
 what intention, or for what caufe you are come hither 
 with your army.^ they reply 'd, that their troops were 
 BefTians. Of himfelf, Thyamis gave this account ; that 
 he had fuftain'd injury from his brother, as alfo from 
 Oroondates; that he was by treachery depriv'd of the 
 priefthood, and that the BeUians were come to reftore 
 him : that if he were re- fettled in his right, the Beflians 
 fhould return peaceably, without doing them any da- 
 mage ; otherwife his caufe fhould be decided by the 
 fword. 
 
 That Arface for her own fake fhould comply, and 
 take this opportunity of revenging herfelf on Petiforis, 
 who had pradlis'd againft, and falfly accusM her to 
 Oroondates; and on the fame pretence compafs'd his 
 banifhment from that city. The Memphians were 
 
-04 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 much concerned when they knew Thyamis, and were ' 
 hitherto ignorant in the caufe of his banifliment, and 
 believM what he affirm*d. Arface, above all, was feiz'd 
 'W^ith a temped of thoughts. Her rage being renew'd 
 with this remembrance of her former injuries from Pe- 
 tiforis, (he conGder'd which way to revenge herfelf up- 
 on him. One while furveying Thyamis, and then The- 
 agenes, fhe was divided in her defire, and fucceHively 
 had a palTion for each : for the one a former flame, and 
 for the other a more violent, though kindled that mo- 
 ment ; infomuch that her concern was perceiv'd by her 
 fervants. But when flie came to herfelf, like one from a 
 fwoon; excellent perfons (faid Ihe) what madnefs has 
 polTeft you, who have not only expos'd all the Beflians, 
 but your own beautiful felves, in behalf of robbers; 
 for you are not able, if we fliould engage, to fuftain our 
 firft onfet. The King's affairs are not yet reduc'd to 
 that diftrefs, though the deputy be abfent, but that you 
 muft needs be encompafs*d by the remainder of his fol- 
 diers in the city. But I fee no reafon why the publick 
 (hould be concerned in this difference ; fince therefore 
 the quarrel is private, let the decifion be fo too; fo 
 that the Gods and right mull determine the event. It 
 therefore feems juft to me, that the Memphians and 
 your forces (hould lie dill, and not engage in aneedlefs 
 war. This judgment of Arface was applauded with the 
 (houts of her people. They not only fufpedled Petifo- 
 risofinjuftice; which they defi red to fee puniflied; but 
 alfo every one rejoiced to have his own danger laid on 
 another perfon's head. But the Beffian army were not 
 fo well contented with the propofal, nor were willing 
 to expofe their general to danger, till Thyamis with 
 tears obtained their confent; alledging that Fetiforis 
 
 4 
 
 ^ 
 
 HISTORY. 205 
 
 was weaker, and not experienced in arms, fb that he 
 having been verfed therein, fhould encounter him on 
 advantage. Kor is it unlikely that Arface proposed the 
 fingle combat, to obtain, without fufpicion, what (he 
 defired ; it being moft probable that Thyamis would 
 overcome. This refolve was no (boner mentioned than 
 put in adion. Thyamis chearfuUy fitting on the reft of 
 his armour which was wanting; Theagenes aflifting, 
 and bracing his helmet on, adorn'd with a moft grace- 
 ful creft and plume. Petiforis in the mean time was 
 thruftoutof the town, much entreating them that he 
 might decline the fight. As foon as Thyamis beheld 
 him, do you not fee, faid he to Theagenes, how the 
 guilty Petiforis trembles ? I perceive it, replied he : but 
 how have you refolv'd in this encounter ? the enemy 
 with whom you engage is your brother. You fay true, 
 reply'dhe; I therefore determine, by the Gods will, 
 to conquer, but not kill him: providence forbid that 
 former rage (hould fo far revive in me, as to make me, 
 for wrongs that are paft, to imbrue my hands in a 
 brother's blood. You fpeak like a man of honour, re- 
 ply'd Theagenes, and vers'd in the laws of nature. But 
 what commands have you for me ? there is little danger 
 in this encounter ( reply 'd Thyamis ; ) yet fince all e- 
 vents are in the hands of fortune, if I conquer, you (hall 
 enter this city, and live with me in full command of 
 my fortunes ; but if other wife it (hall happen, you (hall 
 be chief over thefe BefTians, that highly eileem you, till 
 providence (hall better compofe your affairs. This be- 
 ing agreed on, they embrac'd each other with mutual 
 tears and kiffes. Theagenes fat down in the habit in 
 which he was, to obferve the combat ; thereby (though 
 unwittingly) affording a full view of himfelf to Arface, 
 
 1 
 
2o6 
 
 Th5 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 u 
 
 ■who feafted her wanton eyes on his amiable perfbn. 
 Thyamis made up to Petiforis, who would not abide 
 the fird onfet, but whiift he approacht, made toward 
 the gate, to flielter himielf in the city : but to no pur- 
 pofe, being again forced out by the citizens ; the per- 
 fons likewife upon the walls giving charge that none 
 fliould receive him. He therefore ran round the walls, 
 and at length with part of his arms thrown away. 
 Theagenes followed to fee the event, but without wea- 
 pons, to give no fufpicion of affifting Thyamis; hav- 
 ing cad down his fpear and buckler in the place where 
 he fat in fight of Arface. Thus Petiforis twice fur- 
 rounded the city ; but making the third round, Thya- 
 mis poifing his fpear, and calling to him to (land, un- 
 lefs he would receive a fcandalous wound in his back : 
 the whole city fitting fpedators, as it were in a theatre. 
 The Deity, or fortune, that governs human affairs, as 
 \n fome labourM tragedy, where new events arife, had 
 not only plac'd Galafiris a fpectator at the duel of his 
 fons, but aifo made'him one in chafe. Who although 
 he had fuffered fo nianydiftreffes, and banifh'd himfelf 
 into remote countries to avoid fo cruel a fpeclacle, 
 yet, by the power of fate, is compell'd to fee what the 
 Gods foretold to him by their oracles. He therefore, 
 from a great diftancc, beholding the courfe, perceived 
 by what had been revealed to him, that the two com- 
 batants were his fons. Wherefore, with greater fpeed 
 than old age would well permit, he haftned towards 
 them, to prevent, ifpoffible, their a(5lual engagement : 
 approaching fo near as to bear up with them ; what 
 madncfs is this, O my children, he often cried out ? but 
 they not yet knowing their Other's countenance, he 
 being difguis'd in beggars habit ^ their whole mind be- 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. '207 
 
 ing taken up with tliebufinefs in hand, negledled him 
 as one of the fpeftators, or fome perfon diftraded. 
 But thofe who were on the walls admired that he took 
 no care of himfelf, but came between the combatants 
 while others laught at him, as a frantick man. When 
 therefore the old man was fenfible that he was un- 
 known through the meannefs of his garb, he threw off 
 his outward poor difguife; difcovering his facred hair, 
 not yet unwreath'd ; the burden which he carry'd on 
 his back, with the bow, being caft away, he renew'd 
 his prayers, and with tears uttered thefe words ; O fons, 
 (faid he) behold Calafiris, behold your father, and de- 
 fift from this fury, which, with ill fate, you have be- 
 gun; and pay juft reverence to the prefence of your 
 ^ged father. 
 
 At this they relented, and not only fell, but threw 
 themfelves headlong at his feet, embracing his knees,' 
 they look'd up to his face, to alFure themfelves if it 
 were he, and that they were not deceived by fome 
 fpe(^re. As foon as they were confirm'd, they were 
 feiz'd with various and contrary affedions. They were 
 overjoy 'd to fee their father alive, beyond their hopes 
 orexpe(5lation,and werenolefs troubled for the man- 
 ner in which he apprehended them ; and, above all, 
 were follicitous of the event in this accident. While 
 the perfon s from the walls were beholding this fcene, 
 and almoft aftoniflit, through ignorance of the matter, 
 fo that they ftood mute and motionlefs as ftatues, be- 
 hold another turn in the Icenearofe ; Chariclea follow- 
 ing the fteps of Calafiris, while from afar off (he knew 
 Theagencs (for lovers have (harp fight) tranfported 
 with the view, with a clofe embrace, hanging on his 
 neck, had no breath left to fpeak to him. But he, as it 
 
20S 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 y^ 
 
 is likely^ by her poor drefs and face, difdained her, 
 thinking her fome vagabond among the crowd of fpec- 
 tators, put her from him ; and at laft, when (he would 
 not defid, and vex*d to be hinderM from the fceneof 
 Calafiris, pu{h*d her away: (he, with a low voice, 
 cry*d, O Py thiu^, have you forgot this taper ? Theage- 
 nes ftruck with that word, as with a thunder-bolt, by 
 the figns agreed on between them, knew the torch, and 
 tranfported with the fight of Chariclea, her beauty now 
 fhining out, as through a cloud, he threw himfelf upon 
 her neck. The whole battlements (where Arface fat, 
 who furvey'd Chariclea not without jealoufie) were 
 furpriz'd at this fcene of wonderful reprefentation. 
 The dire conteft between the brothers is taken off, and 
 the battel, which was expedled to be of bloody con- 
 fequence, concludes in a happy agreement. The fa» 
 ther, who had beheld his fons arm'd againft each other, 
 infomuch that his eyes were almofl: made witnelTes of 
 his childrens unnatural death, is now arbiter of peace 
 between them. He that could avoid not their neceffa- 
 ry deftiny, makes now no lefs advantage of fortune. 
 The children recover their parent after ten years lofs, 
 and he that was the caufe of their bloody ftrife for the 
 priefthood, is now himfelf crown'd by the rivals, and 
 led along in the facred robes. But the fhining parts in 
 the drama were Theagenes andChariclea,moft beau- 
 tiful figures ; who,beyond all hopes, had now recovered 
 each other ; and above all the reft, drew the eyes of the 
 city upon them. The inhabitants ifTued through the 
 gates, and filled the plain with their numbers; the 
 younger fort repairing to Theagenes, and the elder 
 thronging toThyamis ; the virgins that were marriage- 
 able^ went over to Chariclea: fo that a kind of religl* 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 209 
 
 ous proceflion was immediately conftituted. Thyamis 
 in the mean time difmifling theBcflians, with thanks 
 forthekindncfs that they fhev/edhim; he likcwife di- 
 vided prefents amongft them, an hundred oxen and a 
 thoufand flieep, with promife of ten drachms apiece, 
 in little time to be fen t after them. 
 
 He then put his neck under his aged father's arms to 
 fupport him, languifliing with years, and at prefent 
 with excefs of joy. Petiforis on the other fide did the 
 fame. Thus was the old man carry'd to the temple of 
 Ifis, furrounded with applaufe and congratulations; 
 pipes and facred flutes refounding all the way, that fet 
 the younger fort a dancing. Arface alfo performed her 
 part, following the pomp with her train, and putting 
 much gold into the temple of Ifis, for an example to 
 the reft of the city. In the mean time, while Theage- 
 nes led Chariclea by the hand, officioufly keeping off 
 the prefs from her, he adminiftred no fmall jealoufie to 
 Arface. Calafiris went into the inward part of the 
 temple, where falling proftrate before the images, he ; 
 nlmoft expir'd in the adoration. But being recovered 
 by the ftanders-by, as foon as he could ftand upright, 
 and had paid his reverence to the Goddefs, he took 
 the wreath from his brow and plac'd it on the head of 
 Thyamis; telling the multitude, that he was old, that 
 theenfigns of priefthood were due to his eldeft fon, 
 who alfo was qualifi'd to fuftain that office. When the 
 people had with fiiouts approv'd his pleafure, he, with 
 his two fons and Theagenes, repair'd to that part of 
 the temple which is affign'd to the priefthood : the reft 
 departed every one to his houfe. Arface likewife went 
 away, but not without delays, and turning back again, 
 as it were, to perform homage to the Goddefs; all the 
 
2IO 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 1 
 
 while calling her eyes towards Theagenes, as long as 
 fhe could have fight of him . After ftie was return 'd to 
 the palace, flie betook her to her apartment, where (he 
 threw herfelf upon herbed, without uttering one word. 
 A woman lafcivious in her temper, but now with the 
 furpafling beauty of Theagenes, inflamed to a degree 
 beyon d what (he had yet been fenfible of. She therefore 
 continued waking all night, turning from one fide to 
 the other, fighing deeply, foraetimes rifing up, and 
 then throwing herfelf down upon her bed again. She 
 often haftily call'd her attendants to her, then fent 
 them away again without any commands for them. 
 In fine, this pa(rion had diftradled her, but for an old 
 woman, Cybele by name, the keeper of her cabinet, 
 and former fervant of her love- intrigues. She guefs'd 
 the affair, and came into the chamber, as it were a 
 torch, adding fire to her flame. Madam, faid (he, what 
 frenzy is this ? what new paffion tranfports you ? what 
 perfon's afpeifl has dillurb'd my charge ? who is fo vain 
 and hardy, as not to be taken with that beauty, and 
 not account fuch an enjoyment the greateft happinefs ? 
 tell me, my dear daughter; for there is none foobfti- 
 nate, as not to be vanqui(h*d by my ftratagems. Yoa 
 have already had good proof thereof. Thefe words, 
 and many more to this purpofe uttered fhe, embracing 
 the feet of Arface, and foothing her into confeffion. O 
 mother, reply'd Arface, after a little paufe, I have now 
 receiv'd a deeper wound than ever; I have often found 
 your skill fuccefsful in the(e affairs, but know not now 
 what it can do. The war which was this day almoft 
 begun before our wall, prov'd unbloody to others, but 
 to me the beginning of a more fatal war, wherein I am 
 wounded to the very foul; in unfortunately (hewing 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 211 
 
 me the youth that accompany'd Thyamis during the 
 combat. You know, mother, whom I fpeak of; for 
 with the fplendor of his beauty he foon clouded ail the 
 reft, difcoverrng no mean birth, nor averfion to love. 
 This your judgment cannot be ignorant of: wherefore, 
 lince you knov/ my grief, 'tis high time to fet all your 
 engines to work; to employ all your art and induftry 
 if you would have your daughter to furvive. For of 
 what ufe is life, without enjoyment of the perfon whom 
 I fo ardently love. I know the youth (reply'd the old 
 woman ;) he that is full-breafted, his neck ere(5l,his eyes 
 fparkling,and at once difplayinglove and fe verity ; with 
 fair and well-order'd hair, his cheeks juflbuddingwith 
 youthful down ; to whom a certain damfel, not difa- 
 greeable, butexceffive impudent, approach'd, and cafl 
 her arms about him : is not this your man, lady > the 
 very fame, mother: and you have well brought into 
 my mind that domeflick creature, who yet is far hap- 
 pier than I, in pofFeffion of fuch a lover. At this the 
 old woman fmiling, reply'd, be of good heart, and lay 
 afide care, madam ; it is but for a day that (he is held 
 beautiful by the (hanger; but when I bring it about 
 that he (hall enjoy your beauty, that fordid harlot (hall 
 be defpis'd. Do (b, my dear Cybele, and you will at 
 once eafe me of a double grief, love and jealoufy. 
 Leave that to my care ( laid (he ) in the mean time it 
 js your part to compofe your felf with good hopes, and 
 not to defpair of my work before I begin. Having thus 
 faid, (he went away, taking the light with her, and 
 making faft the door. Arface no fooner perceiv'd day- 
 light, but (he call'd one of her eunuchs, together with 
 her woman, to whom (he gave little cakes, and fent 
 them to do facrifice at the temple. When they came 
 
 P 2 
 
212 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 to the gates, and told the door-keeper their buGnefs, 
 that they were come to do facrifice for Arface, who 
 had that night been troubled in dreams ; the officer for- 
 bad their entrance, acquainting them, that the temple 
 was at prefent full of forrow: that the high-pried Ca- 
 lafiris, the laft evening, enlarging his foul inchearfiil- 
 nefs, and after the banquet made long fupplications to 
 the Goddefs : then telling his Tons, that hitherto they 
 had feen their father; and giving them ftrid charge 
 concerning the two Grecian ftrangers, he betook him- 
 felf to his bed. After this, whether his pores were too 
 much dilated through excefs of joy, or worn out with 
 age, or by the fix'd decree of the Gods, about cock- 
 crow he expired, in prefence of his fons, who watch- 
 ed him. We have now fent melTengers to afTemble the 
 priefthood of the city, to perform thofe funeral rites, 
 which, according to our cuftom, are due to him. You 
 muft therefore depart ; for it is not lawful for any per- 
 fonto enter the temple, or do facrifice for thefe feven 
 days but only the priefts. What then muft become of 
 the two ftrangers, faid Cybele, during this time? 
 
 Our new prelate Thyamis, (faid the officer) has 
 commanded a lodging to be prepar'd for them without 
 the temple; and behold where they are now in obedi- 
 ence, going forth out of the temple. Cybele having got 
 this lucky opportunity, thus again befpeaks the officer ; 
 O friend, belov'd of the GoJs, it is in your power to do 
 this young couple a couriefie, but a much greater to 
 Arface,the ki ng's fifter . You know how fhe favours Gre- 
 ciansjandufeshofpitahty to ftrangers: tell them there- 
 fore, that by command of Thyamis, an apartment is 
 provided for them in the palace. The officer did as Ihe 
 commanded, being fenfible of no harm, but thinking to 
 
 HIS TORY. 213 
 
 do the perfons a kindnefs, in affifting their reception to 
 the palace. Coming therefore up to Theagenes and Cha- 
 riclea, drown'd in tears; you are to blame, faid he,hav- 
 ingbeen commanded to the contrary, thus to bewail the 
 death of the high prieft, whereas our divine laws en- 
 join us to rejoice for the confummation of his happi- 
 nefs. However, you are partly to be excused, having 
 loft (as you fay) your father and patron : yet ought you 
 not altogether to defjond, ftnce his fon Thyamis, as 
 you fee, fucceeds him in the priefthood, and is nolefs 
 your friend. He has given charge in the firft place 
 concerning you, and order'dyou a dwelling, to which 
 perfons of the firft rank are proud to be received, and 
 therefore well may ftrangers be fo, who feem of no 
 extraordinary fortune. Follow therefore this lady 
 (pointing to Cybele) and obey her, as a common pa- 
 rent to you both. Theagenes did as he faid, whether 
 overcome by the fudden accident, that, like a ftorm, 
 fell upon him, or in fuch a ftate of affairs was content 
 with any manfion. I prefume he would have taken 
 care of himfelfhad he fufpedted the mifchief which that 
 reftdence was likely to bring upon him. But the fate 
 that govern'd them, after it* had allow*d them one 
 day's refreftiment, immediately followed it with mif- 
 fortunc ; making them prifoners to their enemy , 
 though under appearance of hofpitality. When there- 
 fore they were come to the deputy's houfe, where all 
 appeared too ftately for any private perfon ; with 
 guards, and attending courtiers; who all were fur- 
 priz'd at this preferment (as it feem'd to them) of the 
 ftrangers. They were follow'd by Cybele, encourag- 
 ing them to be of good heart, and expedl the perfor- 
 mance of her promife. At laft, bringing them into her ' 
 
 P 3 
 
 
 I 
 
 
li 
 
 ^t4 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 own apartment, the reft of the company being (hut 
 out, (he fat her fclf down by them, and thus exprefl: 
 herfelf : O my children, faid (he, I know the occafion 
 of your grief, which is conceiv'd for the death of Ca- 
 lafiris, worthily honoured by you as a father : but it is 
 now needful that you unfold your felves to me : who 
 you are, and from whence. That you are Greeks I 
 know, and of good parentage, I eafily conjeflure by 
 yourappear:ince. Yourgencrouscountenanceandform 
 afiure me of your birth; but from what part of Greece 
 you come, and for what caufe you wander*d, and ar- 
 riv'd here, I defire to underftand, intending your good 
 thereby; as alfo that I may acquaint Arface my lady, 
 and wife to our deputy, with the particulars of your 
 affairs ; for (lie is famous for hofpitality to ftrangers, 
 and, of all nations, an admirer of the Greeks, for the 
 elegance of their manners: by which means you (hall 
 come into her prefence with advantage. Neither (hall 
 you declare your fclf to a woman that is altogether a 
 • hranger, for I ray fclf am a Greek, Lesbia the place of 
 my birth ; brought captive hither, but to the improve- 
 ment of my fortune. I am chief agent for my lady, (he 
 breathes not without me ; I am her very foul, andbring 
 worthy perfons into her acquaintance. 
 
 Theagenes comparing what was now fpokcn by 
 Cybele, with what had happen'd the day before, and 
 the immoded: geftures of Arface, was about to anfwcr, 
 when Chariclea faid to him in his car, be fure in your 
 difcourfe to remember your (ifler. He underftanding 
 what (he meant by that fuggc(tion, faid; you know, 
 mother, already that we are Greeks; but I mu(l fur- 
 ther inform you that we are likewife brother and (Kler : 
 Vfho, in fearch of our parents, that were taken away 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 215 
 
 by py rates, have our felves fuftain'd worfe fortune, by 
 falling into the hands of worfe men : robb'd of our 
 treafurc, and fcarce efcaping with life, we met, by pro- 
 vidence, with Calafiris, with whom we defign*d to lead 
 the reft of our life: but he being now expired, we are 
 left defolate, and thefecond time depriv'd of a father. 
 This is the pofture of our affairs. But to you we re- 
 turn our juft thanks for your courteous hofpitality; 
 however, you will yet lay a greater obligation upon 
 us, if you caufe us to live retired and private, not in- 
 troducing us into the court, or acquaintance with 
 Arface ; for fuch familiarities, you know, are moft fit- 
 ting amongft equals, Cybele could no longer contain, 
 but by the chearfulnefs of her countenance, difcover'd 
 her joy to hear they were relations ; that therefore Cha- 
 riclea would be no obftacle to Arface*s deflres. O love- 
 ly youth (faid (he) you will not fpeak this of Arface 
 when you know her humour : (he carries herfelf equally 
 to all fortunes, and with particular favour to dignity 
 in diftrefs : being herfelf a Perfian by birth, (he natu- 
 rally admires the people and manners of Greece. 
 Wherefore take heart, and affure your felf of all manly 
 offices about her, while Chariclea (hall be her intimate 
 and companion. But it is nece(rary that you tell me 
 your names. Which when (he had heard, (he defired 
 them to wait her return ; and fo haftned to Arface, 
 leaving orders with the door-keeper, that none(hould 
 be fuffer'd to go in to them, nor the ftrangers to go out. 
 Not if your own fon Achemenes come (faid the perfon ?) 
 not even he, reply'd the other: lock the door, and fay 
 I have taken the key with me. Even thus it happen'd ; 
 Cybele was no fooner departed, but left opportunity 
 to Theagenes and Chariclea to bewail their raisfor- 
 
 . P 4 
 

 lU 
 
 i 
 
 216 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 tunes, which they did in almofl the fame words. O 
 Theagenes, faid (he; O Chiriclea, he anfwerM, with 
 an equal figh. \\' hat fortune has befet us, faid he \ m 
 what pofture are our affairs, anfwer'd flie ! thus reply'd 
 they to each, kiffing and mutually embracing after eve- ^ 
 ry fcntence: at laft calling to mind Calafiris, they 
 broke out into a joint complaint : chiefly Chariclea, as 
 having for a longer time been obliged to his hofpitali- 
 ty : O good Calafiris, faid fiie, how am I »n thee de- 
 priv*d of a daughter's name. The father who begot me 
 I never knew, the father that adopted mc I forfook; 
 and laftly, this that received, chcrilh'd, and preferv'd 
 me, is now a dead corpfe, to which I am not permitted 
 fo much as to pay funeral rites. Yet, my fuftainer and 
 preferver, nay, I v/ill add father; where-ever I am con- 
 fin'd, I will make juft libations with my tears, and pay 
 ihefe offerings : herewith fhe pluck'd off her hair, and 
 threw it on the floor. Theagenes entreated her to 
 fpare her felf and be pacify'd ; yet (he went on with 
 her complaint. To what purpofe fhould I now live, 
 what hope is left ? my guide in this flrange land, the 
 ftaff of my pilgrimage, my leader to my native foil ; 
 he tliat performed the office of parent; my advifer in 
 diftrefs, the repeller of my misfortunes, the anchor of 
 my hopes, Calafiris, is gone. While fhe utter'd thefe 
 lamentations, Theagenes wept apart, and reflrain'd as 
 mucli as he could his grief, in pity to his miftrefs. By 
 this time Achemenes arriv'd, and finding the door 
 lock'd, ask'd the door-keeper thereafon: when he 
 knew 'twas by his mother's order, he went to the door, 
 whercheheardChariclealamenting,andlook'd through 
 the chinks into the chamber. Again he enquires gf 
 the door-keeper; who faid, Ihe fuppos*d they were two 
 
 i 
 
 t 
 
 HISTORY. 217 
 
 ftrangers brought in thither by his mother. He then 
 ftoop'd down again, to try if he could know them. 
 Chariclea he knew not, yet was taken with her beauty ; 
 which he thought how great it was when not difguis'd 
 with grief. From admiration he falls into love. As 
 for Theagenes, he could but guefs at him. While he 
 was thus intent, Cybele returns, having told all to her 
 jniflrefs concerning the young couple; commending 
 that good fortune that had better crown'd her defires, 
 than the wifeft councils could have done; to plant the 
 perfon fhe lov'd in the fame houfe with her. Having 
 thus enflam'd Arface with defire of feeing Theagenes, 
 fhe yet with-held her, being diforder'd with want of 
 fleep, till fhe had refled, and would appear with better 
 advantage. 
 
 Leaving her thus fatlsfy*d, and In good expe6lati- 
 on of the event, and refolvM on what method to take 
 with the flrangers, fhe returnM. What is it, fon, faid 
 fhe, that you fo curioufly enquire after? what flran- 
 gers are thofe within, (faid he) and from whence? I 
 may not inform you, faid Cybele, nor mufl you tell 
 what you know, nor converfe with the flrangers. He 
 obey'd his mother, fufpe<^ing Theagenes to be referv'd 
 for Arface's fervice; but is not this the perfon (faid he 
 within himfelf as he departed) who was refcued from 
 me by the Beffians, when he was delivered to me by 
 Mitranes, to condud him to Oroondates,who was to 
 fend him to our great king? in which attempt my life 
 was in danger, and I only efcapcd of thofe that guarded 
 him ? do my eyes deceive me ? I have heard alfo that 
 Thyamis is arriv'd, and has fought in fingle duel with 
 his brother for the prieilhood. It is certainly the fame 
 prrfon. But at prefent I mud conceal the difcovery, 
 
 J 
 
 ^ 
 
 ii 
 
/ 
 
 vi 
 v.? 
 
 2i8 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 and obferve Arface's proceedings with the flrangers* 
 Thefe were his private fentiments. Cybele in the mean 
 time entring in upon them, perceived what had paft: 
 for although at the opemng of the doors they endea- 
 vour'd to compose themfelves, yet they could not con- 
 ceal their grief from the fubtle old lady; their cheeks 
 being ftill moift with tears. She therefore cry'd out, 
 O my dear children, why are you thus grieved ? when 
 you ought to rejoice, and congratulate your good for- 
 tune: the mod excellent Arikce contrives all things 
 for your fatisfaaion; and has confented that to-mor- 
 row you fhall be brought into her prefence: wherefore 
 you muft put away thefe childifh lamentations; it is 
 meet for you to compofe your felves, and be obedient 
 to her pleafure. The death of Calafiris (faid Theage- 
 nes) raifed this forrow, in whom we have lolt afathcr^s 
 protedion. You trifle, faid Cybele; Calafiris was but 
 your perfonatcd father, and is expired, according to 
 the laws of age and nature. All things are reftored to 
 you in one perfon; riches, pleafures; adore Arface as 
 your good fortune. Only be rul'd by me in what man- 
 ner you are to approach her (fince fhe has fo com- 
 manded) and what meafures you muft take in what 
 fhe fhall command. You know her fpirit is great, as 
 being elevated by quality and beauty, and fuch as will 
 not bear contempt, in any thing that flie (hall enjoin. 
 \yhile Theagenes ftoodfilent, as conjeauring the 
 flagitious meaning, the eunuchs entred, bringing in 
 golden chargers, the remains of the royal banquet, that 
 exceeded in cod and delicacy : when they had fet them 
 on the table, faying, that their lady, in honour to the 
 flrangers, had fo commanded, they departed : yet, to 
 omit no part of their office, they firft tailed of every 
 
 HISTORY. 219 
 
 di(h. The fame was done in the evening. The next 
 morning the fame eunuchs coming to Theagenes, faid, 
 you are cali'd for (O happy man) by our lady, and we 
 are commanded to bring you into her prefence: qq 
 therefore,to enjoy that happinefs which is permitted to 
 very few, and to thofe very feldora. He paused a while, 
 and then unwillingly rifing up, am 1 only commanded 
 to go, or my fifter here with me ? only you at prefent 
 (faid they) (he being afterwards to come by her felf. 
 There are now certain Perfian nobles with Ar(ace: it 
 is her manner to fpeak with men apart, and with wo- 
 men afterwards apart alfo. Theagenes bowing, faid 
 foftly to Chariclea, thefe things are neither honefl, nor 
 their meaning unfufpeded by me: when (hewhifpered 
 to him again, that he ought not to difobey, butfeem 
 willing to perform her pleafure in all things, he fol- 
 lowed them forth. When they told him after what 
 manner (he was to be accofted ; how he ought to adore 
 her at his entrance, he anfwered nothing. But going 
 in, and finding her feated on a tribunal, adorn *d in a 
 purple robe, embroidered with gold, bracelets on her 
 arms, and a rich tiara on her head, the guards (landing 
 round, and the nobles feated on each fide, his mind 
 was not moved in the leaft ; but as forgetting what was 
 agreed on between himfelf and Chariclea, his fpirit was 
 the more exalted againft the pride of this Perfian page- 
 ant. Therefore, neither bending his knee, nor adoring 
 her, witli an eredl countenance, he faid ; fave you, Ar- 
 face, of royal blood. While thole that were prefent 
 were enrag'd,and murmur'd at Theagenes's audacious 
 entrance without the ufual adoration. You muft ex- 
 cufe him, (faid Arface fmiling) as a ftranger to our 
 cuftoms; and as a Grecian^ prejudiced againft them. 
 
t 
 
 i 
 
 220 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Withal, (he put off her tiara, though much prohibited! 
 by the attendants; for this is the Perfians way of re- 
 turning refpe<5t to them that falute them. When, by 
 her interpreter, (for though the underftood the Greek 
 tongue (he could not fpeak it) (he had bid him be of 
 good chear j to demand any thing he needed ; beckning 
 to her eunuchs, (he difmifs'd him. He was attended 
 forth by the guards, among whom, Achemenes, hav- 
 ing here feen him again, knew him moreexadtly; and 
 fufpedling the caufe of the extraordinary honour done 
 to him, yet concealM his thoughts, refolving within 
 himfelf what to do. Ar(ace continued to receive the 
 Perfian nobles and magiftrates with fuch magnificence, 
 pretending refpe^t to them, while the true caufe of her 
 holding the banquet was to have difcourfe with Thea- 
 genes ; to whom (he not only fent the choiceft dain- 
 ties, but richeft prefents, tapeftrys and carpets of di- 
 vers colours, wrought at Sydon and Lydia. She like- 
 wife (ent fervants to attend them; a young maiden to 
 Chariclea, and a youth of Ionia to Theagenes : very 
 much urging Cybele to fini(h herdefign with celerity, 
 for that (he could no longer fuftain the violence of her 
 padion : nor was (he negligent in trying all ways to 
 compafs Theagenes. Indeed (he told him not Arface's 
 defire in exprefs words, but with circumlocution gave 
 him tounderftand; magnifying the bounty of Arface 
 towards him ; fetting before his eyes not only thofe 
 beauties which appearM in her, but likewife thofe that 
 were conceal'd : then (he extoU'd her humour, that 
 was affable and obliging, and the efteem that (he had 
 for youths of noble expe<5tation. In (hort, (he made 
 trial by all (he faid how he flood affefted to the delights 
 of Venus. Theagenes acknowledged her bounty to- 
 
 U^ 
 
 HISTORY. 221 
 
 wards him, her love to the Grecian cuftoms; and on 
 all accounts returned her thanks and praife: but for the 
 drift of her wiles he feem'd to take no notice. The old 
 lady therefore was (lung, to think that he underftood 
 her intention, but defpis'd and repell'd her attempts. 
 She knew Arface would bear no longer delays, but ex- 
 aa performance of her promife; (he therefore put her 
 off with pretences, fometimes faying that the youth 
 was timorous , and fometimes that ill accidents had 
 happen'd. When therefore the fifth and fixth days 
 were part, in which Arface had again callM Chariclea to 
 her, and, to gratify Theagenes, treated her with all i- 
 maginable courtefy, (he was forced to fpeak more plain- 
 ly with Theagenes ; to tell him her lady's paffion, af- 
 furing him often thoufand advantages if he affented. 
 Why are you (faid (he) fo averfe to love ? a youth fo 
 beautiful, in the fpring of his age, belovM by an equal 
 beauty, yet eftecms not the good fortune: efpecially 
 when no danger attends, the husband being abfent, 
 and I (who have bred her, and know all her fecrets) 
 having the management of the affair. On your own 
 part, there can be no impediment, having neither mif- 
 trcfs nor wife. Though many have defpifed even thefe 
 confiderations , and thought they did not therein 
 wrong their domeftick concerns; but took the oppor- 
 tunity at once of making their fortune, and enjoying 
 their pleafure. Laftly, (he mingled threats with argu- 
 ments ; faying, that the mod obliging women conceive 
 the grcateft difpleafure, when difappointed, and fe- 
 verely revenge the negleA. Think with your felf, that 
 this lady is a Perfian, and of Princely blood, as you 
 have acknowledged ; with what power (he is veiled ; fo 
 that at her pleafure (he may reward her favourites with 
 
^22 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 I 
 
 greateft honours, and punifli thofe that difobllge her. 
 For your part, you are a ftranger here, deferted, and 
 have none to fuccour you . Take pity both on your fclf 
 and her. She is wortliy of your compa(fion, fince you 
 were author of her pain, and it is for you flic langui- 
 flies. At lead, fear alover*s rage, and beware of that re- 
 venge which follows contempt. I have known many 
 of your temper, who have repented too late. 
 
 I have greater experience in thefe matters than you : 
 thefe hairs arc grown grey in the employment; butfo 
 obftinate and incorrigible a youth I never yet met with- 
 al. Then turning to Chariclea (of neceflity indeed (he 
 hearing all this difcourfe) and do you, daughter, (faid 
 (he) advi(e this brother of yours, though I know not 
 if he deferve that title. This bufinefs will alfo turn to 
 your advantage ; you will be never the lefs lovM by 
 him; you fliall have all honours conferr*d on you; be 
 made as rich as you pleafe, and advanced to amofl: 
 honourable marriage. Thefe things are to be wifli'd 
 for by happy perfons, not by the deftitute, and ftran- 
 gers. But Chariclea, looking angrily and earneftly up- 
 on her, it were to be wifh'd, faid fhe, on all accounts, 
 that Arface fufTer'd under no fuch paffion, at lead that 
 ftie could moderate herdefires; but fince humanity is 
 liable to fuch frailty, and that flic is overpower'd, I 
 would my fclf counfel Theagenes not to refufe, if it 
 may be with fafety ; left it come to light, by fome acci- 
 dent, to her undoing, by the deputies knowledge of it. 
 Cybele leapt forth at thefe words, kiffmg and embra- 
 cing Chariclea; well (poken, daughter, (faid (he) this is 
 agreeable to nature, that you, who are a woman, fliould 
 pity the fufferings of a woman, and take care for your 
 irother*s fafety. But on this account there is no rea- 
 
 HISTORY. , 223 
 
 fon why you (hould fear, fince the fun himfelf (hall not 
 be privy to it. Defift at prefent, faid Theagenes, and 
 •give us ahttle time to deliberate. Cybele immediately 
 went out. O Theagenes, (began Chariclea) the Gods 
 give us fuch fucce{res,as bring with them greater mis- 
 fortune than the happinefs: which fince it is fb, it is 
 the part of prudence to make the bcft of bad circum- 
 ftances. Whether or no you refolve in your fclf on 
 this thing I know not, but if you think the propofal 
 difhoneft and unworthy, feign a compliance, and footh 
 the impatience of the barbarian with expedtation, left: 
 (he determine fomething fetal againft us. 'Tis pro- 
 bable that alittle time (if you can delay her hopes) will 
 afford us fome remedy. But, O Theagenes, take care 
 left the contemplation betray into adefire. To which 
 Theagenes anfwer*d, with a fmile, neither have yoa 
 in your diftrefs efcap*d that female diftemper,jealoufie. 
 But know that I cannot fo much as diffemble, or make 
 a pretence in fuch an affair; to aft or fay, in unlawful 
 things, is alike to generous minds. If Arface defpair, 
 there will be, at leaft, this advantage in it, that wefhall 
 no more be troubled with her follicitations. But if I 
 muft fuffer, both my paft fortune, and temper of mind, 
 have inur'd me to bear what fhall be put upon me. 
 Chariclea faid no more, only defir'd him to take notice 
 into what mifchief they muft inevitably be brought. 
 
 While they were thus taken up, Cybele having en- 
 couraged Arface to good hope, for that Theagenes had 
 cxpreft fo much, return'd to the apartment; where 
 paffing over that night in civilities to Chariclea, whom 
 alfo fhe made her bed-fellow; next morning (he again 
 'ask*d Theagenes, what he refolv'd ? when he manifeft- 
 ly refus'dhcr, and bid her expeftno fuch compliance : 
 
 f 
 
tfc 
 
 22-? The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 (he retumM forrowful to Arface. When fhe had toM 
 her Theagenes* cruelty, Arface pufh'd her forth head- 
 long, and running into her clofet, threw herfelf on her 
 bed, tearing her clothes and hair. Achemencshadno 
 fooner fpy'd his mother coming forth fad and weeping, 
 but he askM her the reafon; if any mifchicf had hap- 
 pened, and any ill news diflurbM her lady? if Oroon- 
 dates had loft the battle ? and many more fuch quefti- 
 ons. You trifle (faid (he) and fo went on. He never- 
 thelefs intermitted not, but taking her by the hand, 
 begg'd her to acquaint her fon with her trouble: fhe 
 therefore permitting him to lead her, went into a pri- 
 vate part of the garden. I would, faid fhe, to no other 
 perfon difcover my lady's fufferings ; but llnce her life 
 is at ftake, and I know her fury will return upon my 
 head, I am compell'd to fpeak : if pofTibly you can con- 
 trive any help for her that brought thee into the light, 
 and nurfed thee with thefe breafts. She is defperately 
 in love with a certain youth ; her paflion is invincible; 
 and after hopeful expe(flation, both fhe and 1 have 
 found our labour fruftrated. From hence proceeded thefe 
 manifold favours exprcfTed to the ftrangers. But fince 
 the foolifh youth is intra(5table, I fear (he will not live, 
 and know my own death to be certain. This is the 
 diftrefTed eftate of our affairs. If you can giv« any re- 
 lief, do it quickly; if not, prepare your mother's fune- 
 ral. But what reward (hall 1 have, mother, faid he ; 
 for it is not feafonable to tell you at large how far I 
 can be ferviceable, whilft you are in this diforder, and 
 almoft expiring. You fhall have whatever you will 
 defire, faid Cybele : You are already made, on my ac- 
 count, her chief cup-bearer : if there is any further pre- 
 ferment which you would have^ demand it: the riches 
 
 t 
 
 r 
 
 HISTORY. 225 
 
 fhall be without meafure which you fhall have. If you 
 preferve her. I neither ask preferment nor wealth, faid 
 he ; let her only give the maid, who is calPd the fifter 
 ofTheageneSjformy wife,andall things fhall fucceed 
 to her defire. I am paffionately in love with the vir- 
 gin: wherefore our lady labouring with the fame pjffi- 
 on, will more readily gratifie my dcfires, efpecially for 
 fogreatafervice. Doubt it not, faid Cybele; belides, 
 I may privately prevail with the virgin on your behalf. 
 But tell me, what method do you propofe ? I fhall not 
 tell it, faid he, till my lady has promised me with oath ; 
 nor do you till then attempt any thing with the virgin ; 
 left by precipitance you Seftroy all, fhe being, as I per- 
 ceive, of a great fpirit. 
 
 Hereupon ftie returned to Arface, and throwing 
 herfelf at her feet, defirM her to take comfort, all things 
 fliall do well, only be pleas'd to call my fon Acheme- 
 nes into your prefencc. Let him be call'd, faid Arface ; 
 but take care you do not again deceive me. Acheme- 
 ne.s therefore cnter'd; and when Arface, in ex pre fs 
 words, had fworn to him, that he fhould marry the 
 fifter of Theagenes: then, faid he, trouble not your 
 felf, your authority over Theagenes is abfolute, let the 
 (lave take care how he behaves himfelf to his miftrefs. 
 How mean you, faid ftie? when ftie had thus ask'd, 
 he told her all that had paft ; that he had been taken, 
 and washer captive and bond-man, by right of war: 
 that Mitranes had fent him to him, to fend him agaia 
 to Oroondates, who was to convey him to the king: 
 that he was refcuMfrom him, on the way, by the Bef- 
 fians and Thyamis: that he hardly efcap'd with life: 
 and in confirmation of all, prod ucM before Arface the 
 letters of Mitranes. If there were need of farther argu- 
 
 if 
 
226 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ments,Thyamis (hould confirm it.Arface hereupon was 
 a little reviv'd,ancl going from herapartment to the pre- 
 fence-chamber ; where fhe was wont, on her tribunal, 
 to determine publick affairs : fhe commanded Theage- 
 nes to be brought before her. When he was brought, 
 ftie ask'd him if he knew Acheraenes, who flood by 
 him ? he confcfTmg it ; fhe farther ask'd, if he had taken 
 him prifoncr? Theagenes acknowledging that alfo; 
 you are therefore my flave, faid fhe, and mufl be at my 
 difpofal. I betroth your fider to Achemenes ; who not 
 only for his mother's, but for his own fervices deferves 
 highly from me: I fhould only fo far defer it, till the 
 requifite preparations for the nuptials can be made. 
 Theagenes was herewith flruck, as with a thunder- 
 bolt, yetrefolved not to contradid, but cunningly de- 
 cline her fury. O madam, faid he, we are obliged to 
 the Gods, that fince we are born of noble blood, we 
 have yet the comfort in our misfortunes, to become 
 your fervants: to you, who exercifefuch courtefieto- 
 wards flrangers. But for my fifler, fince fhe was not 
 your captive, flie cannot be made to ferve ; yet fhe has 
 refolv'd in all things to obey ; do therefore what you 
 fhal) judge to be right. You fhall be plac'd, faid Arface, 
 among the waiters on our table, and learn the art of 
 cup-bearing, to pradlifethe royal fervice before-hand. 
 They went forth from her prefencc; Theagenes 
 with a thoughtful countenance, Achemenes receiving 
 him with feoffs: behold, faid he infulting, that you, 
 who lately were fo infolent, who thought your felf the 
 only free man, who difdain'd to bow your head, and 
 pay reverence, what you are now come to. Arface in 
 the mean time fending the reflav/ay, faid to Cybclea- 
 lone, now Cybelc tell this proud youth, that if he will 
 
 HISTORY. 227 
 
 fubmit to our pleafure, he fliallhave his freedom, and 
 live in wealth and plenty; but if he continues obfll- 
 natc, I will ufe him like my flave, and impofe on him 
 the vilefl fervice and punifiiments. Cybele came to 
 him with the commands of Arface, adding alfo to her 
 words what fhe thought convenient. Theagenes ask- 
 ing a little refpite, faid to Chariclea apart ; O Chari- 
 clea, our affairs are at an end ; every cable, every an- 
 chor of hope is cut off; our very liberty is now taken 
 away; we are fervants to barbarians, and doom'd to 
 fuffer whatever they will impofe. Yet even thefe things 
 were tolerable, but Arface has promis'd you in mar- 
 riage to Achemenes, the fon of Cybele; which fliall 
 either never be, or at leaft feen by me while I am maf- 
 ter of a fword. But what is to be done ? what contri- 
 vance can be found to free me from the detefled em- 
 brace of Arface, and you from Achemenes? yet me- 
 thinks Ihave a fudden thought, asnecelTity is fruitful 
 in invention : then turning to Cybele, tell your lady, 
 faid he, that I defire to fpeak with her alone, and in 
 
 private. 
 
 The old lady imagining Theagenes to have con- 
 fented, ran to Arface ; and being commanded to bring 
 him after fupper, fhe accordingly did fo : commanding 
 the attendants to leave their lady to her reft, and clear 
 her lodgings, fhe brought Theagenes into her bed- 
 chamber. The reft of the apartments were all made 
 dark, her bed-chamber only had a lamp in it. 
 
 Cybele would have withdrawn her felf, but Thea- 
 genes forbad her, faying, that fhe muft be prefcnt; I 
 know that fhe is good at keeping fecrets; and with 
 that, taking Arface by the hand; O lady, faid he, I 
 from the firft deferr'd your commands only till I might 
 
 0.2 
 
) • 
 
 :i28 The AETHIOPrAN 
 
 with fafcty obey you: but now, fince fortune, by 
 particular favour, has declared me your fervant, I am 
 much more forward to obey you in all things. Where- 
 as therefore you havepromis'd me many courtcfies, I 
 beg but one infleadof all, that you would revoke the 
 marriage of Chariclea and Achemenes: for, not to 
 mention other things, it is unlit that fhe, being of 
 noble birth, fhould be wedded to a fervant. Otherwife, 
 I fwear by the brightefl of deities, the fun, that I will 
 never comply with your demands; and before I will 
 fee any violence ofFer'd to Chariclea, I will die by my 
 own hand. You cannot but think me willing to gra- 
 tify you in any thing (faid Arfacc) who am ready to 
 deliver up my felf to you; but I have already fworn 
 to give your fifterto Achemenes. It is well, madam, 
 faid he; give him my fifter if you pleafe, but her whom 
 I make love to, who is my betrothed, and indeed my 
 wife, you neither will, nor can befbw upon him. 
 How fay you ! cry'd Arface : the matter anfwers it 
 felf, faid he, for Chariclea is not my (ifter, but my 
 fpoufe ; wherefore you are freed from your oath : this 
 you may alfo confirm, whenfoever you fhallbe pleas'd 
 to perfect the nuptials between her and me. Arface was 
 flung with jealoufy to hear that Chariclea was not his 
 filler, but his fpoufe: yet be it as you will, faid fiie, 
 we fhall make Achemenes amends by fome other 
 match, I fhalllikewifeanfweryourdefires, faid 1 he- 
 agenes, when you have null'd this promife. With 
 thefe words he bowed , as to kifs her hand, but fhe 
 (looping, receiv'd the falute upon her lips: Theage- 
 ( nes then took leave of her. As foon as he could, he 
 acquainted Chariclea with what had pafl, (who heard 
 him not without fome jealoufy) how all was compafs'd 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 229 
 
 by one means; the nuptials with Achemenes broken, 
 time gainM to divert the follicitations of Arface; and 
 what would crown all , that Achemenes would put 
 things into commotion, enrag'd at his difappoint- 
 ment, and to fee me preferr'd to him in the favour of 
 Arface: that nothing would be conceal'd from him, 
 his mother giving him the intelligence: for I took 
 care, for that reafon, to have her prefent, as alfo for 
 a witnefs of our converfation. It is to beexpeded 
 (added he) that Achemenes will lay fnares for Arface : 
 a (lave by birth (who have a natural inveteracy againfl 
 their fuperiors) efpecially being injured, and de- 
 frauded of her promife; feeing alfo others preferr'd be- 
 fore him, and being con fcious to her practices, fo that 
 there is no need of forg'd inventions, there being fuf- 
 ficient grounds of truth to work upon. 
 
 Having thus fpoken to Chariclea, and advIsM her 
 to take fome hope, he was the next day brought by A- 
 chemenes to minifter at the table: for this was en- 
 joy n*d by Arface ; and he was cloath'd in the veftment 
 which fhe fent him, adorn'd with golden wreaths, 
 bracelets, and gemms. While Achemenes ofFer'd to 
 fliew him the manner of his office, Theagenes ran to 
 the fide-board, where the golden cups flood, and tak- 
 ing one up, I have no need of teachers, faid he, but I 
 will fcrve my own lady after my own way. Fortune 
 has well obllg'd you, to be skill'd in fuch offices, but 
 nature and occallon fliall inflrudt me what is to be done : 
 then filling the cup, he bore it to Arface in a graceful 
 manner. This draught more pleas'd her than ufual, at 
 once lipping of the bowl,and fixing her eyes on Theage- 
 nes, drinking deeper of love than wine. Achemenes 
 was doubly wounded; fill'd at once with rage and emu- 
 
 Q-3 
 
 I 
 
«• *• vl 
 
 The AETHIOPrAN 
 
 1 ' 
 
 with fafcty obey you: but now, fince fortune, by 
 particular favour, has declared me your fervant, I am 
 much more forward to obey you in all things. Where- 
 as therefore you havepromis'd me many courtcfies, I 
 beg but one inllead of all, that you would revoke the 
 marriage of Chariclea and Achemenes: for, not to 
 mention other things, it is unfit that flie, being of 
 noble birth, (hould be wedded to a fervant. Otherwife, 
 I fwear by the brightefl of deities, the fun, that I will 
 never comply with your demands; and before I will 
 fee any violence ofFer'd to Chariclea, I will die by my 
 own hand. You cannot but think me willing to gra- 
 tify you in any thing (faid Arfacc) who am ready to 
 deliver up my felf to you; but I have already fworn 
 to give your fifterto Achemenes. It is well, madam, 
 faid he; give him my fifter if you pleafe, but her whom 
 I make love to, who is my betrothed, and indeed my 
 wife, you neither will, nor can beflow upon him. 
 How fay you! cry'd Arface: the matter anfwers it 
 felf, faid he, for Chariclea is not my fifter, but my 
 fpoufe ; wherefore you are freed from your oath : this 
 you may alfo confirm, when foever you fhallbe pleas'd 
 to perfea the nuptials between her and me. Arface was 
 Itung with jealoufy to hear that Chariclea was not his 
 fifter, but his fpoufe: yet be it as you will, faid ftie, 
 we fliall make Achemenes amends by fome other 
 match. I ftialllikewifeanfweryourdefires, faid 7 he- 
 agenes, when you have null'd this promife. With 
 thefe words he bowed , as to kifs her hand, but fhe 
 / ftooping, receiv'd the falute upon her lips: Thcage- 
 ( nes then took leave of her. As foon as he could, he 
 acquainted Chariclea with what had paft, (who heard 
 him not without fome jealoufy) how all was compafs'd 
 
 HISTORY. 229 
 
 by one means ; the nuptials with Achemenes broken, 
 time gain'd to divert the follicitations of Arface; and 
 what would crown all , that Achemenes would put 
 things into commotion, enrag'd at his difappoint- 
 ment, and to fee me preferr'd to him in the favour of 
 Arface: that nothing would be conceal'd from him, 
 his mother giving him the intelligence: for I took 
 care, for that reafon, to have her prefent, as alfo for 
 a witnefs of our converfation. It is to beexpeded 
 (added he) that Achemenes will lay fnares for Arface : 
 a flave by birth (who have a natural inveteracy againft 
 their fuperiors) efpecially being injured, and de- 
 frauded of her promife; feeing alfo others preferred be- 
 fore him, and being CO nfcious to her practices, fo that 
 there is no need of forg'd inventions, there being fuf- 
 fjcient grounds of truth to work upon. 
 
 Having thus fpoken to Chariclea, and advls'd her 
 to take fome hope, he was the next day brought by A- 
 chemenes to minifter at the table: for this was en- 
 joyn'd by Arface ; and he was cloath'd in the veftment 
 which fhe (ent him, adorn'd with golden wreaths, 
 bracelets, and gemms. While Achemenes ofFer'd to 
 fhew him the manner of his ofHce, Theagenes ran to 
 the fide-board, where the golden cups ftood, and tak- 
 ing one up, I have no need of teachers, faid he, but I 
 will fcrve my own lady after my own way. Fortune 
 has well obllg'd you, to be skill'd in fuch offices, but 
 nature and occalion rtiall inftrudt me what is to be done : 
 then filling the cup, he bore it to Arface in a graceful 
 manner. This draught more pleas'd her than ufual, at 
 once fipping of the bowl, and fixing her eyes on Theage- 
 nes, drinking deeper of love than wine. Achemenes 
 was doubly wounded; fill'd at once with rage and emu- 
 
 Q.3 
 
 I 
 
230 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 lation, fo that Arface herfelf perceiv'd his frown, and 
 heard his murmurings to the ftanders-by. When 
 the banquet was done, I have one favour to beg, faid 
 Theagenes, that you would pleafe, madam, to order 
 me always to perform my office in this robe. Arface 
 confenting.herefum'd his owudrefs, and went forth : 
 Achemencs went along with him, upbraiding his info- 
 lence, and urging, that his miftrefs excus'd his firft 
 neglc<a, as being ignorant, and a ftranger; but that for 
 the future (he would not fuffer it. This, fays he, I tell 
 you as a friend, and one whofe filler, by my lady's pro- 
 mife, is to be my wife ; with many more things to this 
 purpofe. But Theagenes, as not hearing him, went 
 forward, with his eyes fix'd on the ground, till Cybele 
 met him, as fhe was returning to lay her lady on her 
 bed in the heat of the day. Seeing her fon difturb'd, 
 file demanded the reafon. This young ftranger, faid 
 he, is preferr'd before me, for the beauty of his perfon, 
 and officiates in my (lead ; and this not without con- 
 tempt of us that formerly had the honour. 
 
 But thefe matters we fhall at another time have lei- 
 fure to difcourfe; in the mean time, mother, I defire 
 to folace my grief by marriage with Chariclea. What 
 marriage, fon, faid Cybele? you feem to me concerned 
 for light troubles, and yet negka greater : you (hall 
 not now have Chariclea for your wife. What fay you ? 
 anfwer'd he, am I not worthy to marry my fellow fer- 
 vant ? for what reafon, mother? for my fake, faid fhe, 
 and my too great fidelity to Arface: for after my pre- 
 ferring her to my own fafety, and ferving her pleafure, 
 this (Iranger at his firft admiflion into her chamber, 
 was fo much regarded, that he immediately prevailed 
 with her to break her oath to you ; and to confent that 
 
 I 
 
 «.i 
 
 i<B c 
 
 ^ 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 231 
 
 Chariclea ftiould be wedded to him, and not with you ; 
 fhe not being his fifter, but his miftrefs. Has ftie pro- 
 mifed him, mother? ftie has, my fon, in my prefcnce 
 and hearing ; and will accordingly celebrate their nup- 
 tials in a few days : but for you flie defigns another 
 match. Achemenes at this fighing deeply, and wring- 
 ing his hands, faid, I ftiall render the marriage fatal to 
 them all ; only do you aflift me, by delaying the nupti* 
 als for a time : and if any enquiry be made after me, 
 fay th:U I remain fick in the country. The ftranger calls 
 his fifter his fpoufe only to break off the marriage with 
 me: though if he fhould embrace, kifs her, or fleep 
 with her, I ftiall never believe but flie is his fifter. This 
 bufinefs belongs to my care, and to the Gods^ whole 
 honour is violated. 
 
 Thus fpokehe, being at onceincens*d with jealou- 
 fy, love and difappointment, (which things are fuffi- 
 cientto make a perfon troublefome, that were not bar- 
 barous) not weighing his refolves by reafon, but tak- 
 ing the firft heat, he mounted an Armenian courfer, 
 that belonged to the deputy, and pofted away to O- 
 roondates, then muftering a great army at Thebes, a- 
 gainftthe^Ethiopians ; colledting all manner of ftrength 
 for the enterprife, and now ready to march. 
 
 <i4 
 

 THE 
 
 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 THE EIGHTH ROOK. 
 
 FO R when the King of .Ethiopia bad by (Iratagem 
 defeated Oroondates, and obtain'd the half of 
 v'hat they contended for, making himfelf mafler of 
 Philae; he at lall rediicM him to thofe (hifts, that he 
 was forc'd to retreat by ftealth, and in diforder. The 
 city Philae is fituate on the ^'ile, a little above the 
 cataradis; and dilhnt from Siene and Elephantina a- 
 bout twelve milr s and a half. This city being former- 
 ly taken, andpoifell by ^Egyptian out-laws, drew on 
 a contcfl for the fame between the j^gyptians and ^- 
 thiops. The Althiops pretending the borders of .Ethi- 
 opia to ftretch as far as the catarads ; and the ^Egypti- 
 ans lay claim to it, on account of their outlaws inha- 
 biting there. This city was fucccflively in the power 
 oFtho one or other, according as they could foonell at- 
 tack it ; but at this time it had a garrifon of ^Egyptians 
 and Perfians. l1ie .Ethiopian King, by embaffy, de- 
 manded Philae of Oroondates, and the precious mines 
 of Smaragdus: which being deny'd, he commanded 
 his legates to go a few days journey before him, fay- 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY. 233 
 
 jng, that he would follow after, when he had made pre- 
 parations, but acquainted none whither he intended. 
 When he fuppos'd the legates to be arrivM at Philae, 
 where they were to lull the inhabitants into fecurity, 
 under pretence of coming to make a peace with them, 
 he himfelf came fuddenly upon the city, and beat out 
 the guards, who were not able to hold out againft the 
 number of the enemy, and engines, with which they 
 batter'd the walls, with no damage at all to the townf- 
 men. 
 
 Achemenes finding Oroondates troubled on thefe 
 accounts, gave him yet farther diflurbance, by his fud- 
 den and uncommanded arrival. Asking therefore if 
 any thing were amifs with Arface, or his family; he 
 
 , anfwer'd, that there was, but he would tell him in pri- 
 vate. When the company were difmifs'd, he unfold- 
 ed all; how Theagenes, taken prifoner by Mitranes, 
 and fcnt to him, to be again convey'd to the King their 
 mafler, being a handfome youth, and fit for court fer- 
 vicc, v/as rcfcu'd by the Befllans, who alfohad kill'd 
 Mitranes: he then proceeded to the afi^airs of Thya- 
 mis, and in thclaft place told the love of Arface for 
 Theagenes; his refidence in the palace, and honours 
 conferred upon him ; but that as yet perhaps there was 
 nothing unlawful committed, the youth being averfe 
 
 . to hec^defircs. However, it was to befear'd, that he 
 would be won in time, unlefshe fent fpeedily to bring 
 him to Memphis, and wholly cut off the intrigue of 
 A rface. That for this very rcafon he haften'd and came 
 fecretly tohim, out of refped; not being able to con- 
 ceal h i s i nj u ry f r om 1 1 i m . 
 
 As with this difcourfe he enflam'd Oroondates with 
 ^ealoufy and revenge, fo on the other fide he filPd him 
 
 I 
 
234 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 with love of Chariclea, of whom he next inform *d him ; 
 extolling her beauty with divine praifes; that never 
 was her equal feen, nor ever fhould be; that all his 
 concubines were nothing in comparifon of her, not 
 only thofe he left at Memphis, but alfo they that fol- 
 lowed his camp. Many more things he added, think- 
 ing, that though Oroondates (hould enjoy Chariclea, 
 yet, after fome time, he (hould, for this difcovery, re- 
 ceive her for his wife. Thus was the deputy thrown at 
 once into the toils of rage and love. Wherefore with- 
 out delay, calling Bagoas, one of his eunuchs, to him, 
 (of great authority and truft) with fifty horfe to ac- 
 company him, he fent him to Memphis, to bring The- 
 agenes and Chariclea, as foon as he could find them. 
 
 He alfo fent letters : one to Arface, of thefe con- 
 tents. 
 
 Oroondates to Arface, 
 
 ' 'T^Heagenes and Chariclea, the two captive kin- 
 A * dred and royal (ervants, you muft fend to 
 ^ me, to tranfmit them to the King; fend them wil- 
 *• lingly, for otherwife they fhall by force be taken a- 
 * way, for I give credit to Achemenes.* 
 
 To Euphrates, the chief Eunuch at Memphis, he 
 
 wrote thus : 
 
 * /^^F your negligence in my affairs at home you 
 V^ *' fhall hereafter give an account ; at prefent de- 
 
 * liver the two Grecian ftrangers to Bagoas, whether 
 
 * Arface be willing or not. Otherwife I have fent or- 
 
 HISTORY. 235 
 
 ' ders that you be brought bound to me, and difcharg'd 
 * from your office.' 
 
 Bagoas therefore, according to command, went 
 with the letters figned with the deputy's own feal, that 
 at Memphis they might give him the better credit, and 
 more eafily deliver the ftrangers to him. Oroondates 
 in the mean time fet forward againft ^Ethiopia, com- 
 jnandingAchemenes to follow him ; who knew(though 
 no mention was made thereof) that he was kept in 
 cuftody till the truth of what he had informed were 
 known. Thefe things paffed at Memphis. In the mean 
 time Thyamis (while Achemenes was upon his way 
 to Oroondates) having in full power receiv'd the office 
 of high-priefthood, an office of firftrank in the city, 
 and performed all rites belonging to the funeral of Ca- 
 lafiris, to the utmoft term of the appointed time, 
 he then called to mind Theagenes and Chariclea: for 
 now it was permitted to him, by the pontifical law, to 
 converfe with ftrangers. Therefore, upon enquiry, 
 finding that they were carry'd to the deputy's palace, 
 he forthwith demanded them of Arface, alledging that 
 they belong'd to him upon many accounts ; that his fa- 
 ther Calafiris, on his death bed, committed them to 
 his care: giving her thanks that fhe fo courteoufly 
 treated the ftrangers, during his confinement to the 
 temple : but however, that he was obliged to remand 
 the pledges left to his truft. I wonder, reply'd Arface, 
 that while you acknowledge my humanity, you con- 
 demn me at the fame time of inhofpitality, in fuppof- 
 ing me not able or willing to provide for the ftrangers. 
 Kot fo, faid Thyamis, I know they may live herein 
 greater plenty than with me, provided they are lb con- 
 
234 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 with love of Chariclea, of whom he next inform *d him ; 
 extolling her beauty with divine praifes; that never 
 was her equal feen, nor ever (hould be; that all his 
 concubines were nothing in comparifon of her, not 
 only thofe he left at Memphis, but alfo they that fol- 
 lowed his camp. Many more things he added, think- 
 ing, that though Oroondates (hould enjoy Chariclea, 
 yet, after fome time, he fhould, for this difcovery, re- 
 ceive her for his wife. Thus was the deputy thrown at 
 once into the toils of rage and love. Wherefore with- 
 out delay, calling Bagoas, one of his eunuchs, to him, 
 (of great authority and truft) with fifty horfe to ac- 
 company him, he fent him to Memphis, to bring The- 
 agenes and Chariclea, as foon as he could find them. 
 
 He alfo fent letters: one to Arface, of thefe con- 
 tents. 
 
 Oroondates to Arface, 
 
 ' ^ I ^Heagenes and Chariclea, the two captive kin- 
 
 JL * dred and royal (ervants, you mufi: fend to 
 
 ^ me, to tranfmit them to the King; fend them wil- 
 
 * lingly, for otherwife they fhall by force be taken a- 
 
 * way, for I give credit to Achemenes.* 
 
 To Euphrates, the chief Eunuch at Memphis, he 
 
 wrote thus : 
 
 * /^^F your negligence in my affairs at home you 
 V^ * fhall hereafter give an account ; at prefent de- 
 
 ' liver the two Grecian ftrangers to Bagoas, whether 
 
 * Arface be willing or not. Otherwife I have fent or- 
 
 HISTORY. ^7,5 
 
 ' ders that you be brought bound to me, and difcharg'd 
 * from your office.* 
 
 Bagoas therefore, according to command, went 
 with the letters figned with the deputy's own feal, that 
 at Memphis they might give him the better credit, and 
 more eafily deliver the ftrangers to him. Oroondates 
 in the mean time fet forward againft ^Ethiopia, com- 
 manding Achemenes to follow him ; whoknew(though 
 no mention was made thereof) that he was kept in 
 cuftody till the truth of what he had informed were 
 known. Thefe things pafTed at Memphis. In the mean 
 time Thyamis (while Achemenes was upon his way 
 to Oroondates) having in full power receivM the office 
 of high-priefthood, an office of firftrank in the city, 
 and performed all rites belonging to the funeral of Ca- 
 lafiris, to the utmoft term of the appointed time, 
 he then called to mind Theagenes and Chariclea: for 
 now it was permitted to him, by the pontifical law, to 
 converfe with ftrangers. Therefore, upon enquiry, 
 finding that ihey were carry'd to the deputy's palace, 
 he forthwith demanded them of Arface, alledging that 
 they belong'd to him upon many accounts ; that his fa- 
 ther Calafiris, on his death bed, committed them ta 
 his care: giving her thanks that fhe fo courteoufly 
 treated the ftrangers, during his confinement to the 
 temple : but however, that he was obliged to remand 
 the pledges left to his truft. I wonder, reply'd Arface, 
 that while you acknowledge my humanity, you con- 
 demn me at the fame time of inhofpitality, in fuppof- 
 ing me not able or willing to provide for the ftrangers. 
 hot fo, faid Thyamis, 1 know they may live here in 
 greater plenty than with me, provided they are (b con- 
 
} 
 
 i 
 
 236 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 tented. But fince they are of noble race, and have run 
 through changes of fortune, and ftill are wanderers, 
 nothing can be fbdefireable to them as to recover their 
 kindred and country. In which, that I might be affift- 
 ing to them, my father left me his charge, befidemany 
 other obligations of friendfliip between us. 
 
 You do well, faid Arface, to urge your right, by 
 which you will fooner prevail with me, than by force. 
 Have you then dominion over them, faid Thyamis? 
 by what means? by right of war, replyM flie, which 
 made them my captives, and confequently my flaves. 
 When therefore Thyamis underftood that flie fpakeof 
 Mitranes; O Arface, faid he, it is not now war but 
 peace; as that brings into bondage, this fhould fet at 
 liberty : befides, war and peace fhould be judg'd not by 
 the name, but reafon and conftitution. How can it 
 be creditable or profitable to you to detain the ftran- 
 gers? 
 
 Arface could no longer contain ; but that happen 'd 
 to her which isufual for lovers, while they think their 
 fentimcnts concealed, they have niodefty; but when 
 difcover'd, they lofe all fenfe of fliame. She therefore 
 fufpe<5ling that Thyamis perceiv'd her paflion, made 
 no account of his prieQly dignity, but cafling off the 
 modefty of her fcx, told him, that what he had done a- 
 gainfl Mitranes fhould not pafs unpunifhed ; for the 
 time fhould come when Oroondates would call his 
 murderers to account. For the prcfent I will not dif- 
 mifs my vaffals, though in afhort time they fhall be fent 
 to the king my brother. Wherefore leave your idle 
 reafonings of right or wrong, with them that have au- 
 thority, and depart willingly from our palace, lefl 
 you be compell'd by force. Thyamis therefore went 
 
 y 
 
 HISTORY.' 237 
 
 forth, calling the Gods to witnefs, and affirming that 
 thefe things could come to no good ilTue ; refolving to 
 acquaint the city herewith, and call in their affiftance. 
 Arface retired to her chamber, calling Cybele to her, 
 to take counfel of what was to be done. She had now 
 fome fufpicion of Achemenes his abfence; and when 
 (he ask'd Cybele about it, fhe fram'd divers excufes, af- 
 firming any thing rather than own his departure to 
 Oroondates. Yet fhe did not altogether impofe upon 
 her, the length of time creating miflrufl. What fhall 
 we do, Cybele, faid fhe ? or how fhall we work our 
 felves out from the flreights that encompafs us? my 
 defire is not lefTen'dbutencreas'd by denial. The youth 
 grows more obiHnate and intradable than ever. He 
 has hitherto fram'd delays, but now he flatly denies 
 me. And that which more troubles me, is lefl he 
 fhould likewife apprehend what I fufped of Acheme- 
 nes. For Achemenes much difturbs me, being gone 
 to Oroondates, to perfwade him of what he knows or 
 conjeftures; if I could but fee Oroondates, one ten- 
 der word or tear from me would overcome him. But 
 I am afraid, lert before I enjoy Theagenes, or can fee 
 Oroondates, he fhould determine concerning me. 
 Wherefore, Cybele, turn every flone, try all your art 
 with the young man, fmce you fee our affairs are 
 brought to the lafl exigence : for you muft imagine 
 that when I defpair for my felf, I fhall fpare no other 
 perfon. Therefore take advantage of your fon*s en- 
 deavours, for I cannot conceive how you can be igno- 
 rant thereof. A s for my fon, madam, or my fidelity to 
 you, you fhall find that you cenfure falfly. Where- 
 fore, fince you fo negligently purfue your love, you 
 muft not lay the blame on others; for you exercifc 
 
235 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 not the authority of a miftrefs with him, but the fub- 
 miffion of a flave. Which method perhaps was difcreet 
 at firft, but fince he is obftinate, you fhould make him 
 feel your power, and conftrain him, by torments, to 
 obey your plcafure. It is the manner of youths to def- 
 pife when they are courted, but to fubmit on compul- 
 fion : wherefore, he will do that by punifliment, which 
 he refusM on entreaties. You feem to fpeak rightly, 
 faid Arface,but how can I endure to fee him chaftiz'd ? 
 You are too tender, replyed Cybele, as though he 
 would not by light chaftifement be made to embrace 
 pleafure; and for your part of the fuffering, you will 
 be rewarded with your utmoft wifhes ; but if you can- 
 not bear the fpeflacle, deliver him to Euphrates, to 
 be fcourg'd as for fome fault, which you may hear 
 though not fee; and if you find him change his mind, 
 you may at pleafure put an end to his chaftifement. 
 
 Arface fufFer'd her felf to be perfwaded ; for love, 
 when defpls'd, fpares not the obje(5t, but turns kind- 
 nefs into revenge. Calling therefore the chief eunuch 
 to her, (he gave him orders accordingly. He being by 
 nature envious, and poffeft: with inveteracy againft 
 Theagenes, for what he had feen and fufpe(fted, imme* 
 diately threw him into bonds, and afflicted him with 
 flripes and hunger. The place was dark where he kept 
 him, and though he knew the caufe, he diffembled, 
 often asking Theagenes the realbn; who gave him no 
 anfwer; wherefore he daily renew'd his punifliment, 
 and more feverely than Arface intended : tormenting, 
 and fuffering none to come to him befide Cybele, who 
 perpetually vifited him, pretending to commiferate his 
 condition, on account of their former acquaintance, 
 but indeed to find if he were to be wrought upon by the 
 
 HISTORY. 23g 
 
 tortures. He fhew'd himfelf more a man, more refo- 
 lute than ever, yielding his body to punifliment, tri- 
 timphing in his misfortune, that gave proof of his love 
 10 Chariclea, and faying, that all was well with him if 
 (he did but know his conftancy ; continually calling 
 her his light, his life, and foul. When Cybele perceived 
 this, (contrary to the will of Arface) flie gave com- 
 mand to have his torments encreafed. Neither thus 
 did flie hope for fuccefs, but the lad means were to be 
 try'dwhen affairs were defperate; flie expeded that 
 Oroondates, when he fliould hear of it, would take re- 
 venge on Acheraenes. She fear'd left Arface, when 
 her paflion was difcovered, would lay violent hands 
 on her felf, and that confequently it were impoflible 
 for her toefcapc; wherefore, if things came to the 
 worft, file refolvM to involve all together in the fame 
 fate. 
 
 Returning therefore to Arface, we lofe our labour 
 madam, faid fiie, he is flill more refolute and obftinate' 
 having always Chariclea in his mouth, and foJacing 
 his fufferings with her name. Let us therefore caft forth 
 our laft anchor, and remove this obftacle to our endea- 
 vours : if he fliall once know that flie is dead, he will 
 of courfe admit your kindnefs, defpairing of his for- 
 mer love. 
 
 Arface catch 'd at what flie faid, being before enraged 
 with jealoufy; you ad vife well, faid flie, I will take care 
 to have her difpatch^d : but whom fliall we get to per- 
 form this ? for though the power be in your own hands, 
 yet the Perfian laws forbid to put any to death with- 
 out the judgment of the magiftrates. You muft there- ^ 
 fore contrive to lay fome crime to her charge: yet if 
 you think fitting (for I would run any hazard for your 
 
\ 
 
 240 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fake) I will attempt her life by poifon. Arface ap- 
 proved hereof, and commanded her to do it. She there- 
 fore immediately went about it; and finding Chariciea 
 in tears and lamentations, not only fo, but contriving 
 fome means to difpatch her felf, (for (he now under- 
 ftood what Theagenes fuffer'd, though Cybele had long 
 kept her in ignorance, framing divers excafes for his 
 fo long abfence) fond maid, faid (he, will you never 
 give over affliaing your felf without reafon ? Theage- 
 ncs is well, and (hall come to you this evening: my 
 lady was angry for fome miftakc that he committed in 
 his office, and caus'd him to be fhut up, but this day 
 he will be releasM, which I alfo entreated of her; for 
 to day (he is to celebrate a certain feftival, after the 
 manner of her country. Rife therefore, compofe your 
 felf, and now take fome repaft with me. What reafon 
 have I to believe you, faid Chariciea ? for it has been 
 your continual pradice to deceive me. I fwear by the 
 Gods, anfwer'd Cybele, that this day all things (hall be 
 well with you, and you (hall be freed from all your 
 cares : only do not before deftroy your felf having now 
 fafted for fo many days : talle therefore of what is now 
 fct before you. Chariciea obeyM her, though not with- 
 out fufpicion; but partly alfenting to her oath, and 
 partly forjoyof what was told her: for the mind eafily 
 believes what it earneftly defires. She therefore fat 
 down to eat. While the attendant fill'd the wine, Cy- 
 bele beckoned to her firlt to give the cup to Chariciea 
 and after to her felf. But the old lady, before (he had 
 drank to the bottom, fpilling the reft, began to ftorm, 
 and looking fternly upon the waiter, was immediately 
 enflara'd, and feiz'd with convulfions. 
 
 HISTORY. 24X 
 
 Chariciea was fill'd with horror, and endeavour'd 
 to lift her up; (he likewifecalPd the a(riftanceof them 
 that were prefent ; for the mifchief feem'd fwiftcr than 
 an arrow, the poifon being of fo ftrong a tincture, as 
 to deftroy the youngeft and ftrongeft conftitution ; but 
 in a feeble and old body it difpcrs'd it felf in a minute 
 through all the vitals. The convulfions now remit- 
 ting, (he lay motionlefs, a blacknefs over fpreading 
 her skin. Though, I fuppofe, her rage, for being dc- 
 ceiv'd, gave no fmall help to the ferment. For even 
 now, breathing herbft,(hedid not intermit her frauds, 
 but partly with fighs, partly with broken words, per- 
 fwaded them that Chariciea had poifon'd her. At-ihe 
 fame minute that Ihe gave up the ghoft, Chariciea was 
 brought bound to Arface- She therefore demanding 
 whether (he had procured the poifon, and aflBrming 
 that if (hedeny'd, tortures (hould force her into con- 
 fc(rion, Chariciea became an unwonted fpeaacleto tlie 
 beholders. For without any meannefs of fpirit, or 
 concern in her face, (he entcr'd fmiling into her pre- 
 fencc, partly out of confcience of her innocence, and 
 partly for joy that (lie (liould not furviveTheagenes, 
 if he were dead ; and alfo becaufe the death which (he 
 defign'd to perpetrate on her felf, was now to be per- 
 formed by other hands. O princefs, faid (lie, if my 
 Theagenes live, I am guiltlefs of this action ; but if 
 he be dead, there is no need of calling council, or in- 
 flidling tortures, you may fpare your felf that trouble: 
 you have me here who deftroy'd the perfon that bred 
 you up, kill me therefore without delay. You can do 
 nothing more grateful to Theagenes, who has refifted 
 your impious follicltations. 
 
 Arface was epragM hereat, and commanded her to 
 • R 
 
242 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 beftruck: carry, faid (he, thisvidim, bound as fliei5, 
 to let her lover fee howglorioufly (he returns his con- 
 ftancy; command Euphrates to load her all over with 
 chains, and leave them together, till the Perfian ma* 
 giftracy fliall be affembled to morrow for her condem- 
 nation. By this time the maid that ferv*d the wine 
 was brought in : fhe was an Ionian flave, and the fame 
 that by Arface was appointed to wait on Chariclea, 
 Whether therefore fhe was mov'd with kindnefs to 
 her, or by divine impulfion, fhe Cgh'd and wept moft 
 bitterly. O wretched creature, faid fhe, and void 
 of all crime! the flanders-by wondring at this, and 
 urging her to fpeak plainly, fhe confefTed that fhe her 
 felf gave the poifon to Cybele, having received it firfl 
 from her, to adminiftcr it to Chariclea: that, whether 
 it was through concern at fo unwonted a praflice, or 
 whether miftaking the fjgns of Cybele, ordering to mi- 
 nifter firfl to Chariclea, fhe changed the cups, and 
 gave the poifon to the old lady. She was therefore led 
 to Arface, as thinking fTie fhould pleafe her in clearing 
 Chariclea. But when fhe had given her this account, 
 Arface commanded her alfo to be taken into cuflody, 
 as an accomplice in the fa(ft, and to be kept for the 
 next day's feflion. She alfo furamon'd the Perfian nw- 
 giftrates, by mefTengers, to be ready. When therefore 
 they were fat, early in the morning, Arface gave in her 
 accufation, telling all that had paft, condoling alfo with 
 tears, the lofs of the perfon that bred her, who was 
 dearer to her than her life ; appealing to the judges with 
 how much courtefy fhe had treated the ftranger, who 
 in return had done her fuch injury. Chariclea an fwer'd 
 nothing to the charge, but con fed the crime, affirming 
 that fhe gave the poifon, adding alfo that fhe would 
 
 >-P\ 
 
 d 
 
 HISTORY. 24J 
 
 likewife have taken off Arface, had fhe not been pre- 
 vented. For having told her refblutions over-night to 
 Theagenes, and conferred with him, fhe refolv'd to un- \jS^^^^ ] 
 dergo ariyMm^nner ofjieaih^Jt^^ J ^>fJ^ 
 
 -falL-of -tFoubk^ of tmpkcable . f orttme^^aiid jendld^ 6 ^^ 
 wanderingi^fhejtber^ brd^iimjher farcwel. The 
 bracelet and jewels, with the refl that were expos'd 
 with her, which fhe always fecretly preferv'd, fhe now 
 placed next to her body, carrying, as it were, with her 
 the rites of her funeral. She therefore own 'd every 
 crime that was alledg'd, and more than were charg'd. 
 For which reafon the judges hardly forbore from in- 
 fli(5lingthe utmolt tortures, after the Perfian manner; 
 yet moved with her youth and beauty, they only fen-^ 
 tenc*d her to die by fire. She was therefore feiz'd by 
 the guards, and hurryM forth beyond the walls, the 
 beadle continually crying out, that it was for poifoa 
 that fhe fuffer'd ; a vafl multitude from the city follow- 
 ing them. Some of them had feen her led to trial, o- 
 thers, by reafon of the rumour fpread all over the city, 
 came to have a view of her. Arface was alfo prefent, 
 and fat a fpedator on the wall : for it would have troub- 
 led her not to have beheld Chariclea fuffer. When 
 therefore the officers had raifed a great pile, and fet 
 fire to it , Chariclea begg'd refpite from thofe that 
 led her, faying, that fhe would of her own accord a- 
 fcend the pile. O fun and earth (fhe cryed out) O 
 powers above, and you that below take vengeance on 
 wicked fouls, you are witneffes that I am innocent of 
 all that is laid to my charge. But that I my felf willing- 
 ly fubmit to death, for the intolerable troubles which 
 I fuflain. Receive me therefore with favour. However, 
 take vengeance of this Arface, for whofe crimes 1 fuf- 
 
 R 2 
 
244 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fer; (he is an adulterefs, and does this to deprive me of 
 my husband. When fhe had thus fpoken, the people 
 (houted, fome faying, that ftie fliould be refervM for 
 another trial, others endeavouring to refcue her; in 
 the mean time fhe afcended the pile, where for a long 
 while .fhe flood unhurtjjhe fire rather circling about, 
 than approaching her, fcrving only to make her beau- 
 ty more confpicuons, and adorning the pile, as it were 
 a nuptial bed. She palTed from one part to another, 
 admiring at what happened, and tempting death, but 
 m yain, for the flame Ilill turn'd off from her. The 
 officers, in the mean time, omitted nothing on their 
 part ; Arface alfo beckning to them from the wall to 
 do their duty; wherefore they heap'd on more combuf- 
 tible matter. Neither could they thus prevail. The 
 citizens were troubled, thinking there was fome divine 
 afTiftance, and cry'd out, that fhe was innocent. Seve- 
 ral approaching to the pile took off the torturers, Thy- 
 amis beginning, and encouraging the people thereunto, 
 (for the clamour had now brought him abroad.) Be- 
 ing therefore defirous to deliver Chariclea, they durfl 
 not themfelves approach the lire, but call'd to her to 
 come out ; for that there could be no danger for her to 
 leave the fire, who had continu'd therein without hurt. 
 She hearing this, and judging her feif to be preferv'd 
 by divine providence, would not be ingrateful, and 
 refufe their favour: fhe therefore leapt down from the 
 pile. As the multitude for joy and amazement fhouted 
 out, Arface, not able to bear it, ran down from the 
 walls through a little gate, and with a ftrong guard of 
 Perfians laid hands on Chariclea. Then looking flern- 
 ly upon the" people, are you not afham'd, faid fhe, to 
 refcue from punifhment a woman that is a witch and 
 
 HISTORY. ^45 
 
 poifoner by her own confefFion ? while you give her 
 aid, you do violence to the Perfian laws ; to the judges, 
 deputy, and king himfelf. You are miflaken, in im- 
 puting her delivery to the Gods: will you not come 
 to your fcnfes, and find that this is the cffedt of her 
 witchcraft, in which fhe has fuch command, as even 
 to reflrain the power of fire. AfTemble therefore to- 
 morrow in common council, and you fhall not only 
 bear her confeflion, but alfo thofe of her accomplices, 
 whom I have in cuflody. 
 
 Herewithal fhe led her away, herfdf going next to 
 her, and commanding the guards to keep off the crowd. 
 But the people were enragM, part of them had thoughts 
 of refiftance, part of them having flill fome fufpicion 
 of her witchcraft, and the refl fearing the power of Ar- 
 face. Chariclea therefore is once more deliver'd to Eu- 
 phrates, and loaded with more irons; referved for a 
 fecond fentence and execution: but ftill bleffmg her 
 fortune, in feeing Thcagenes, and conferring with him 
 about what had paffed. For Arface had fo ordered it, 
 out of malice, that the young pair might behold each 
 others mifery, and be mutually afflifted with each o- 
 triers fufFerings: for fhe knew that the torment of the 
 perfon belovM, more affefted the lover than the party 
 that fufFer'd. But it was by them efleemM as an advan- 
 tage, to fee each others conilancy. It was fome relief 
 to converfe together, and comfort one another with 
 the confideration, that what they cndurM was upon the 
 account of truth and virtue. 
 
 After they had till midnight difcours'd, in fuch a 
 manner as was proper for lovers that were never more 
 to talk together; they at lafl talkM of the miracle that 
 happcn'd about the fire. Theagenes imputed it to the 
 
 R3 
 

 \ 
 
 ,^46 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 todnefs of the Gods, who flawed their indignation 
 againft the unjuft decree of Arface; but Chariclea was 
 doubtful. That accident, faid (he, feems to have come 
 by divine providence ; but to be refervM only for grea- 
 ter misfortunes, cannot proceed from the Gods, unlefs 
 they have fecretly decreed to give relief at the greateft 
 extremity, 
 
 Theagencs advis'd her to think more honourably of 
 
 the divine powers: be propitious to us, O ye deities, 
 
 Vfaidhe ! w^as it a dream or reality, which now comcs^ 
 
 ^ into my mlnd?^t happen'd the laft night but one; I 
 
 kndwnot how I came to forget it, but it now returns 
 
 J to ray memory. The dream was a verfe which Cala- 
 
 > s firis feem'd to expound. The words were thefe : 
 
 I ^ Thee from the flame Pantarbe's pow'r fhall guard. 
 V * Strange force ! but nothing to the Gods is hard.* 
 
 Theagenes now feemM infpir'd, and leapM forth as 
 
 ."N far as his chains would permit, crying, be merciful to 
 
 c^Y us, ye Gods. Fori further remember another oracle 
 
 ^^ deliver'd to me by a lllie prophet (whether it were Ca- 
 
 H laiirls, or fome God in his form ) containing thefe 
 
 ^ words : 
 
 vs ' You with the nymph fhall ^Eihiop reach, and be 
 "^ * To- morrow from Arface's bondage free.* 
 
 ^ 
 
 r 
 
 
 X^ That which concerns me herein, I underfland; for 
 ;-thore manfions of the dead under ground, feem pro- 
 
 x:^ 
 
 vi v 
 
 >^ 
 
 ^, per to the land of ^Ethiopia: by the maid, I fuppofe, 
 
 "^ Proferpine is meant, with whom I (hall inhabit; and 
 
 ,.? V my freedQrafroin.chain§; my departure frpm this body. 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 ^47 
 
 But what can the rhime contain concerning you , 
 vhich confifts of contradiaions ? for whereas Pantarbe 
 Ggm^es fiarmg all thwgs, yet it commands not to fear 
 the flame. Then, faid Chariclea, continuance of cala- 
 mities, my Theagenes, makes perfons hope the worlt 
 in all things ; for people ufoally accommodate their 
 minds to their fortune: but I have better hopes of this 
 prophecy than you. What if I am the nymph with 
 whom you are to arrive into Ethiopia, after you have 
 efcaped from the bonds of Arface? but how that Ihall 
 fee, is neither manifeft nor credible to us, but to the 
 Gods it may be poflible : let them take care of that who 
 gave the prophecy. That part which related to me you 
 liave already feen accompliHied in my wonderful pre- 
 fervation. And though at that time I knew not that I 
 carryM my fafeguard about me, yet I now underftaiiJ 
 that I did. Thofe precious things that were expos'd 
 with me in my infancy, I liave always accuftom'd to 
 carry concealed about me, to fupply our necefFitics 
 when brought to the laft difficulty ; but if death fhould 
 overtake me, to anfwer the charge of my funeral. A- 
 mongft thefe, Theagenes, there are bracelets of great 
 value, with Indian and ^Ethiopian ftones, with a cer- 
 tain ring given by my father to my mother, in which 
 is the ftone callM Pantarbe, fet in a fquare, with fa- 
 cred letters about it. It feems to have fome divine 
 virtue in it, by which it repeird the power of the flames, 
 preferving thofe that carry it, from any hurt. I con- 
 jefture, and know fo much, by what was fuggelled by 
 Ae divine Calafiris, who told me, that the fame was 
 exprefled in the writings that were found with me. 
 This feems probable, faid Theagenes, by the delive- 
 raace that you have had ; but what Pantarbe fliaU dc^ 
 
 ^4 
 
 N 
 
24^ 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fend OS from to-morrow's danger ? for though it Hiould 
 dill defend from the fire, it cannot give immortality ; 
 and Arface's malice will contrive fome more violent 
 means to deflroy us. And would to Heaven that the 
 fame fort of death, and in the fame hour, would dif- 
 patch us both ! I fliould think this death but a releafe 
 from all our fufferings. Take heart, faid Chariclea, we 
 have another Pantarbe promis'd in the oracle. 
 
 While they were employ'd in thefe confiderations, 
 each affirming, that the other's mifery more afflidled 
 them than their own : obliging themfelves, by mutual 
 oaths, to prcfcrve their loves and virtue to death. It 
 being now in the very dead of night, Bagoas, with his 
 fifty horfe, arriv'd at Memphis, When they hadwa- 
 ken'd the centinek, and had given account of them- 
 felves, they were immediately received into the depu- 
 ty's palace. Bagoas left his company without, to guard 
 thehoufe, to be ready for his defence, if any refinance 
 were made. Hehimfelf, in the mean time, went a prl-c 
 vate way, eaGly forcing the doors, and commanding 
 filencc, to the place where Euphrates was, the moon 
 not being yet quite fet; finding him therefore in bed, 
 he awaken *d him, who in diforder cry'dout, who are 
 you r it is !, faid Bagoas, command a light tobe brought 
 in. He therefore order'd the boy that waited on him, 
 to bring in a taper, fo as to dillurb none of the reft. 
 When this was done, and the boy departed, whatmif- 
 chief, faid Euphrates, has occafion'd this untimely and 
 imexpe(5led arrival ? there needs not many words, faid 
 Bagoas, read thefe letters, but before take notice of the 
 feal, and know that Oroondates fent them ; and that it 
 is as much as your life is worth, not tg perfor.Ti what 
 tijey import. 
 
 HISTORY. 249 
 
 When Euphrates had run over the letters; as for 
 Arface, faid he, (he will be forry, having yefterday fal- 
 len into a fever, which ftill continues fo violent, that 
 there is fmall hope of her life. But for my part, I 
 would not deliver thefe letters to her, though fheher- 
 felf ask'd for them ; for I know fhe would deftroy both 
 herfelf and us, before fhe would fend away the young 
 pair. Know however, that you are come in good time 
 to take them away, and muft therein ufe your utmoft 
 endeavour. Take compaffion on them, they having 
 fufFer'd a hundred tortures, unwillingly inflidted by 
 me, but enjoin'd by Arface. They feem however of 
 noble birth, and for the experience that I have had of 
 them, of virtuous converfation. Having faid this, he 
 brought him to the prifon, where Bagoas no fooner 
 beheld them, though wafted with watching s and tor- 
 ture, yet he was aftoniftied at their ftature and beauty. 
 But they fuppofing that Bagoas was come at that filent 
 time of the night, to lead them to a clandeftine exe- 
 cution, were a little troubled. But foon recovering a 
 chearful countenance, they made it appear how little 
 they were concerned. Euphrates now coming up, and 
 knocking out the wooden peg with which their irons 
 were joined, take your facrifice, Arface, he cry'd out : 
 /lie thinks in night and darknefs to conceal her horrid 
 crime, but the eyeof jufticeis (harp in difcoveringand 
 bringing to light the deeds of darknefs. Do you exe- 
 cute what you arp commanded , and whether fire , 
 fword, or water is determin'd againft us, let us only 
 have the fame death. Chariclea defired the fame. The 
 eunuchs weeping , led them forth in their chains. 
 V/hen they were come out of the deputy's houfe, Eu- 
 j}Jj;ates ilaii there. Buj Bagoas, with his fifty horfe^ 
 
ZSO The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 having taken off their bonds, and left only what might 
 fccure, but not burden them; mounting them on fe- 
 vcral horfes, and putting them in the middle of the 
 guards, made towards Thebes as fad as he could. 
 When they had travell*d all the reft of the night, and 
 till nine the next morning, without any ftop, the fun 
 tlien growing hot, they could proceed no farther, being 
 fpent alfo for want of fleep, Chariclea efpecially ; they 
 determined therefore to take up fomewhere to reft 
 themfclves, and rcfrefh their horfes. There was a cer- 
 tain valley at the foot of a promontory of the Nile, al- 
 moft furrounded with the water, which made an eddy: 
 there was much grafs and herbage on the place, as be- 
 ing always well water'd, every where ftiaded with fy- 
 camore trees, and fuch others as grow on the banks 
 of the Nile : there Bagoas, with his company, took up, 
 ufing the trees for a tent, he fat down with the reft to 
 feed, compelling alfo Theagenes and Chariclea to do 
 the fame. They thought it needlefs for perfons that 
 were prefently to die ; but he perfwaded them there 
 was no fuch thing intended; that theycarry'd them 
 not to death, but to Oroondates. But now the heat of 
 the ^^yjdecreafing^thej^^ 
 l^ds, but jSEg^eftwardj^nd^^ 
 while Bagoas was going to take horfe again, a certain 
 horferaan in a fweat, and out of breath with hard rid- 
 ing, came up, and took him afide to fpeak with him : 
 he fixing his eyes upon the ground, as it were, full of 
 thought concerning what had been told him : take com- 
 fort, ftrangers, faid he, your enemy Arface is dead by 
 her own hand, underftanding that you were taken a- 
 way, preventing a neceflary, by a voluntary fate: for 
 Ihe would never have efcaped punilhment from Oroon- 
 
 ^ 
 
 HISTORY. 25i 
 
 dates, or the King; and if (he had not been put to death, 
 at leaft muft have led the remainder of her life in dif- 
 grace. Euphrates fends me this intelligence. Where- 
 fore be of good hope, for I am well affurM that you 
 have done no body wrong, and (he thatinjur'd you is 
 dead. Thus fpake Bagoas in imperfed Greek; adding 
 alfo, that he himfelf was glad, having fuffer'd under the 
 tyranny of Arface: wherefore he the more encourag'i 
 his prifoners : for he hop'd that Oroondates would be 
 pleas'd with his fervice, if he carry'd them fafe to him ; 
 the youth being likely to grace his retinue, and the 
 virgin, of matchlefs beauty, would probably be made 
 his wife, fince Arface was dead. Theagenes and Cha- 
 riclea rejoiced at the news, higiily praifing the juftice 
 of the Gods; nor did they think they could afterwards 
 be much diftrefs'd, whatfoever fortune (hould befal 
 them , (ince their moft inveterate enemy was gone. 
 When now the evening drew on, with a cool breeze, 
 inviting them to fet forward, they mounted again, and 
 rode all that night and part of the next morning, if 
 poflible, to overtake Oroondates, before he went from 
 Thebes. But they met with a foldierfrom the army, 
 who told them Oroondates was gone from thence, hav- 
 ing fent him to draw out all the garrifons, and haften 
 with them to Syene, all things being in diforder, and 
 fearing left the city (hould be taken. For the deputy 
 coming too late, the /Ethiopians had marched their 
 army thither with fuch fpeed, that prevented the news 
 of their approach: Bagoas therefore turn 'd off from 
 his intended journey, and took the next road to Sy- 
 ene. But approaching to the town, they happened up- 
 on a party of ^Ethiopians, who were fent as fpics to 
 fccure the paffes for the army. 
 
t 
 
 25Z The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 But by reafon of the night, and their unacquain- 
 tance with the country, (for they were order'd to plant 
 an ambufcade in every place which they found conve- 
 nient) they poded themfclves amongll certain bufhes 
 by the river fide, partly for fafeguard, and partly for 
 concealment from their enemies: and here they Hood 
 upon their watch. Therefore at break of day, whea 
 they perceivM Bagoas, with his horfe-men to pafs by 
 them, and were alfured there were no more to follow, 
 they iffued from their covert, with loud fhouts. Bago- 
 as therefore, and his company, furprized with the noife, 
 knowing them, by their colour, to be ^Ethiopians, and 
 feeing their number too great to be encountred, (for 
 there were in all a thoufand fent out for fcouts) he fled, 
 without once looking them in the face ; yet not fo fad 
 at firft as he could have done, but fo as to preferve his 
 order. The others purfu'd, fending out two hundred 
 of their Troglodytae. 
 
 The Troglodytae are a people of Aethiopla, who 
 are(hepherds,and borderers on Arabia, they have won- 
 derful fwiftnefs both by nature and exercife from their 
 childhood. They are not us'd to heavy arms, they 
 therefore ufe flings in fight to wound the enemy at 
 diftance, and truft to their heels when they find them- 
 felvcs over-power*d. They know 'tis impofTjble for 
 the enemy to overtake them, till they can hide them- 
 felves in rocks and caves. Thefe therefore purfued 
 on foot, difcharging their flings, but not being able to 
 ftand againft the horfe, return'd to their own party. 
 But by frefti numbers ifluing out upon them, the Per- 
 fians are fcatter'd, Bagoas himfelf thrown from his 
 horfe, and taken. Theagenes and Chariclea partly think- 
 ing it unworthy not to ailift Bagoas, (who had us'd ci-» 
 
 HISTORY. 253 
 
 vllity to them, and to whom they were likely to have 
 been farther obliged) leapt down to fuccour him, but 
 to no purpofe, not being arm*d. This is my dream, 
 faid Theagenes to Chariclea, and thefe the Aethiops- 
 into wbofe country I was to be carry'd. I therefore 
 hold it better to fubmit our felves to them, rather than 
 experience a doubtful fortune with Oroondates. Cha- 
 riclea underftood the red, the accident now leading her, 
 as it were, by the hand, judging them rather to be 
 friends than enemies. Yet flie told not her fentiments 
 to Tlieagenes, only faid that flie was contented to do 
 fo. When therefore the Aethiopians came up, and 
 knew Bagoas, by his face, to be an eunuch, and the 
 perfons that were unarmed, of mod beautiful frame, 
 they asked them, who they were, both by an Aegyptian 
 and Perfian, as not doubting but that they underflood 
 the one or other language. Wherefore Theagenes 
 who had Aegyptian enough to anfwer fliort queftions- 
 told them, they were chief fervants to the Perfian de- 
 puty, but themfelves Grecians, taken prifoners by the 
 Perfians, but now, they hoped with better fortune, 
 put into the hands of Aethiopians. They therefore re- 
 fi:>lv*d to fpare them, and carry them captive to their 
 king, as the firft booty of the war, and the moft emi- 
 nent ornaments of the Perfian court. For the eunuchs i 
 are the eyes and ears of the Perfian court, as having 
 neither children nor kindred, on whom to place their ' 
 affe(ftion, and are therefore wholly devoted to the in- 
 tcreft of their mafter, on whom they depend. But for 
 the young pair, they reckoned that they would be no 
 fmall grace to their king's palace. They therefore fet 
 them all upon horfeS; Bagoas being difabled, by his 
 
254 The AETffiOPIAN HISTORY. 
 
 wound, from walking, Theagenes and Chariclea wea- 
 ry'd with their chains. 
 
 This feem'd the beginning ofan interlude, in which 
 the perfons that were now in expedation of fudden 
 death, were no longer captives, and thofe that had 
 them in cuilody, themfelves made prifoners. 
 
 THE 
 
 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 ,;^ 
 
 THE NINTH BOOK. ^^' 
 
 ■^t 
 
 e Yene was now almoft furroundcd in Cege, as It 
 »J were ,n a net, by the Ethiopian numbers For 
 Oroondates hearing of the enemy's approach, leftCa- 
 taraaae, and went with his forces toSyene, which he 
 enter-d, fhutting up the gates, and pla J.ing'fwfand 
 cngmes on the wall,, conjefturing that which after- 
 wards happen-d. While therefore the Ethiopian King, 
 at fomc diftance, was inform'd by his fpies that O. 
 roondates was making to the town, he haften'd his 
 march to prevent him, but however came too late. 
 «e then planted his army round the city, and fo xvith- 
 out any engagement, fat as it had been in a theatre. 
 He brought w.th him fix hundred thoufand men, and 
 cattle, w,th wh,ch he cover'd all the ground aboutSy- 
 
 t.ves before h.m. He was not only delighted with their 
 
 beauty, but with the good omen of hfving prifon^ 
 
 n chains fet before him. Behold ! faid he! L Go^ 
 
 fons therefore being the firft-fruits of our war, ftaU^ 
 
 
 iS- 
 
 ^ 
 
 1> 
 
 
2^6 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 kept in cuftody till our return, then to be ofFer'd to ouf 
 Gods in our triumphal facrifices, according to the an- 
 cient laws of our country. Having therefore rewarded 
 the fpies, he gave the prifoners into the clofe cuflody 
 of pcrfons that could fpeak their language ; giving them 
 great charge to treat them with refpect and care; to 
 fupply them with the heft provifion, and above all, io 
 preferve them from all contamination, becaufe they 
 were rcferved for vidims: laftly, that their bonds of 
 iron Ihould be taken off, and fetters of gold put upon 
 them : for gold amongft the Aethiopians is made ufe 
 of for all things that iron is amongft other nations. 
 
 This was done as he commanded. "When therefore 
 the former were taken off, and the golden chains put 
 on, Theagenes fmiling, faid, what means this fplendid 
 change ? fortune flatters us, in rendring us rich by our 
 captivity, fincewe are only captives of greater price. 
 Chariclea alfo fmiled , and defired him to conceive 
 better hopes of what the Gods fore-told. Hydafpes 
 now attacking the city, and thinking to carry it at firft 
 onfet, found himfelf deceived, the befiegedfo manfully 
 refiftinghis forces, and beating them off; adding alfo • 
 feoffs and contumelies . He was therefore enraged that 
 they fo much as ofFer'd to refift, and did not furrender 
 themfelves on the firft attack: he refolved to lofc no 
 time, or make fuch a fiege, whereby fome miglu be 
 taken, and Ibme efcape; but at once to overthrow the 
 whole city by an inevitable deftruftion. 
 
 He thus orderM the work: he made a ditch about 
 the ground that lay next to tlie walls, (yet at fuch dif- 
 tance that the flings and arrows from the town could 
 not reach it) appointing ten men to every ten yards, 
 to be dug of a fulEcient breadth and depth j fome there- 
 
 ri 
 
 HISTORY. 257 
 
 fore broke the earth, while others receiv'd the mold, 
 which they piled up on that fide of the trench thnt was 
 next his camp, which ferv'd as a counter- fortrcfs to 
 the town : none from thence ofFcr'd to moleft the 
 work, not daring to fally forth agalnfl fuch numbers; 
 and their flings not throwing fo far, as the diftant 
 fpace reachM between the two walls. Having prefenily 
 finifh'd this afKiir, by multitude of hands, he began a- 
 nother project. When this round ditch was compleat- 
 ed, he left part of it without cafting up a banic, and 
 from thence made another trench, that turned off to 
 the river Nile, (which trench he banked up on both 
 fides) when therefore he had joined the forcfaid banks 
 to thofe of the river, breaking down the fence, as it 
 were, by opening a fluce, he let the ftream into his 
 trench, which by the defcent from the river to that 
 lower channel, made fuch a dreadful noife, that it was 
 heard at a vafl: diftancc. When the citizens heard and 
 faw into what diftrefs they were brought by this inun- 
 dation, which prcfently over-ran the plain between the 
 walls, and the enemy preventing their efcape, and 
 that It was equally dangerous to tarry, they fet them- 
 fclvcs to do all that was pofit! le for perfons in fnch 
 exigence. In the firft place, as the wood- work 01 tht ir 
 gates began to give way, they ftopt up the chirks 
 with ftraw and pitch, fetting props 2nd weiehtsag inft 
 them ; they alfo ran up buttreftes to fupport iheir wall. 
 One brought earth, another ftones, a third (haw, and 
 whatever they could get together ; no hands were un- 
 employ'd, women, children, and clJ age tet themfelves 
 to the work : for fo general and prcfling a calumits^ ex- 
 cufed none. But to the more youthful, orders were 
 
255 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 given to make a fubterranean palfage to the enemy's 
 bulwark. 
 
 The work was performed after this manner. They 
 firft funk a pit, five yards deep perpendicular, then by 
 the help of torches, they dug ftraight before them, a 
 paffage to the enemies banks ; thofe that were behind 
 Itill in order receiving the earth from them that were be- 
 fore; which was convey'd into the city-garden, and 
 there laid on a heap. This they did, with defign that 
 when the water fhould fall into this cavern, it (hould 
 force it felf a palfage out another way. But they were 
 prevented, for the Nile fell fo plentifully into the upper 
 channel, that the fpace between the two walls was now 
 a (landing lake, fo that Syene, an inland town, was now 
 turned into an ifland, quite furrounded with water. 
 The wallfuftain'd the weight thereof for one whole day, 
 but when it was fwelled higher, andalfo had funk un- 
 derneath the foundation , the ground being foft and 
 fpungy, it then in feveral places began to yield, and 
 threaten a deluge on the city. 
 
 The next evening, a part that was between two 
 towers, fell down ; yet not fo as to lye below the flood, 
 but fo as prefently to threaten an inundation: upon 
 which a great cry was fet up amongft the inhabitants,- 
 that reach'd to the enemies camp ; and with hands lift 
 up towards heaven, befeech'd the affiflance of the Gods. 
 They befought Oroondates to fend meffengers to beg 
 peace with Hydafpes. He was forced to fubmit, but be- 
 ing fhut in with the waters, no meflfengers could pafs : 
 he therefore faQcn'd petitionary letters to ftones, which 
 he threw from flings, but to no purpofe, for the dif- 
 tance prov'dtoo great to permit their coming home; 
 he then try'd by way of arrows, while the archers and 
 
 HISTORY* 259 
 
 (lingers vyed with each other, but (till in vain: in the 
 Jafl place, they ftretched forth iheir hands towards the 
 enemy's bulwark iniuppliant manner, tolignify what 
 they intended by their fliootings; and fometimes put 
 them behind their backs, to fliew that they were w lling 
 to receive their chains. Hydafpes underfl:ood their fig- 
 nals, and was inclin'd to acceptance : for the fubmifllon 
 of an enemy commands clemency from generous minds. 
 But he iiril thought fit to make trial of what they meant, 
 in order whereunto he feieded ten boats , which fell 
 down to his bank-fide, from the breach of the Kile ; in- 
 to thefe he put archers and armed men , with com- 
 mands, as he thought fit, and fent them over to the 
 Perfians. They therefore told them, that if they had 
 any hope or confidence left, they fhould prepare for 
 fight. It was a new fpec^acle on an inland foil, to fee 
 boats rowing from wall to wall,over cultivated grounds. 
 It was yet a greater wonder to fee a naval army ftorniing 
 a town, and land foldiers contending with them. They 
 therefore that were in the town, feeing fhips, with arm- 
 ed men, approaching that part of their wall which was 
 broken down , were feiz'd with terror , (as people in 
 great dilirefs and extremity are always fufpicious. ) 
 They hurl'd (tones from the walls, and fhot arrows in- 
 to the boats, that came for their prelervation. Ihus 
 men that defpair of life, yet reckon it as an advantage, 
 for a while to delay their fate. Yet they fo order'd their 
 bufinefs, as not to wound » but only to keep them off. 
 The Aethiopians likewife difcharg'd their arrows, not 
 knowing the intentions of the Perfians; by which 
 means feveral of the wounded tell down headlong from 
 the wall into the water. The war therefore grew hot, 
 till a certain illuftriousperfonof Sycnecomingbetween, 
 
 S 3 
 
26o 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 261 
 
 \ 
 
 intercepted thofe that were on the wall, by fpeaking 
 on this manner : O frantick men, faid he, and grown 
 {lupid with calamity, do we repel thofe perfons whole 
 aid we fo lately begg'd, and make war with them at the 
 inftant of their coming to relieve us, beyond our ex- 
 pectation ? if they come with a friendly mind, declaring 
 matter of peace, they are our prefervers ; if with hoftile 
 intentions, you will eafily vanquifh them, though they 
 were arrived to the very wall. But to what purpofe (if 
 we regard our fafety) fliould we deflroy thefe, when we 
 are en viron'd with fuch a fea, and vaft numbers behind ? 
 why do we not therefore receive them, and know for 
 what purpofe they are fent ? his judgment was approv- 
 ed by all, the deputy himfelf applauding it; they then 
 feparated themfelves, and ceafed from any further ac- 
 tion. 
 
 "When the paflage for the fhip-men was clear, and 
 the townfmen, by white flags, fignifying that they 
 fliould have free landing ; the Aethiopians went near- 
 er, and from their veflels, as it were fo many pulpits 
 in a theatre, they fpoke in this manner; O PerCans, 
 and inhabitants of Syene, know that Hydafpes, King 
 of the Eaftern and Weftcrn Acthiopia, and at prefent 
 alfo yours; as he knows how to conquer, he likewife 
 underflands how to fliew mercy: that is the part of 
 courage, but this of humanity. The one he accounts 
 the virtue of a foldicr, theother peculiar only to him- 
 felf. Whereas therefore he has your lives in his power, 
 cither to give, or take them away; yet fince you are 
 fuppliant, he offers you deliverance, without the ruin 
 of war. Moreover, he does not impofe the terms of 
 freedom upon you, but leaves you your felves to choofe 
 them : for he governs not the fortunes of men by ty- 
 
 t 
 
 ranny, but clemency. To this meflage the Syeneans 
 anfwer'd, that they would deliver themfelves, wives 
 and children, into his power, to deal with them as he 
 pleafed : that they would likewife deliver the city into 
 his hands, if they furviv'd, which in that extremity 
 was uncertain, unlefs their dellrudion was prevented 
 by Hydafpes. Oroondates ofl^er'd to furrender Philae 
 and the Emerald mines, which were the occafionof 
 the war , but defired that he would exaft no more 
 from him, nor require him to refign up himfelf or his 
 foldiers. But if Hydafpes were pleafed indeed to exer- 
 cife humanity, that he would fuflfer them to depart to 
 Elephantina, hurting nothing and making no refif- 
 tance; as for himfelf, that it was the fame thing for 
 him to die now, as to be afterwards put to death, by 
 his King, for giving up his army : nay, it would be 
 much worfe, fince the prefent would be only a fingle, 
 and ufual fort of death, but the other with the fevered 
 kind of torments. At the fame time he defired that two 
 of the Perfians might be admitted into the boat, pre- 
 tending they were to go to Elephantina, and if they 
 found that city difpofed to fubmit, that he would not 
 at all oppofe it. 
 
 When the legates heard this , they took in two 
 Perfians, turned their prows, and related all to Hy- 
 dafpes. He fmiling, and much reproving the folly of 
 Oroondates, to infift upon terms, who yet depended 
 on another perfon's pleafure, whether he (hould live or 
 die : yet, faid he, it is not juit, for the offence of one 
 man , to fuffer fo populous a city to be deftroy*d. 
 Wherefore he permitted thofe that came from Oroon- 
 dates to depart for Elephantina, as defpifing any at- 
 tempt they could make of refiftance there. He there*. 
 
 S 3 
 
^62 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fore ordered fome of his own men to damm up the 
 breach in the bank of the Nile, and toothers to break 
 down part of what he railed : that by means of the in- 
 let of the Nile being (lopped, and palFage made for the 
 water that was taken in, to go away, the ground round 
 Syene might be the fooner made dry. They therefore 
 fetting clofe to the work, finifhed it by the next day. 
 
 Kor did they that were within the town fpare their 
 pains, net defpairing of prefervation , though almoft 
 beyond hope. Some fell to digging the pafFage under 
 ground quite thorough to the bulwark, and thought 
 tliey had already got near to it meafuring the vifible 
 difl^nce from the wall to the bulwark by a firing ia 
 the palFage under ground. Others brought props to 
 the walls, which they eafily did, heaping the flones 
 wh ch from the ruins fell into the town. But after they 
 thought themfelves fafe enough on this account, yet 
 they were not without apprehenfion ; in the middle of 
 the night, a certain part of the bulwark, which the yEthi- 
 opians in the evening had begun to dig down, (whether 
 it were that that part was more loofely heaped up, {6 
 as to let water fink into the foundation, or whether it 
 broke the fides, being almoft dug through, when the 
 work-men were gone, or whether it happened by Di- 
 vine will) beyond all expectation, it fell down, with fo 
 great a noife, that both armies were aftonilhed, both M* 
 thioplan and Syeneans concluding the town-walls to be 
 tumbled down at once : but thefe being fecure, conti- 
 nn'd in their tents, remaining fatisfy'd to know what 
 it (hould be, when day-light was return'd. But the citi- 
 zens ran everywhere to their walls, and as every one 
 faw his own part entire, concluded the ruin was on fomc 
 Other fide; till the breaking daydifpell'd their fears, 
 
 • 
 
 J 
 
 HISTORY. 263 
 
 v/hen they faw where the breach was, andtliat the wa- 
 ters were palfed away. But now die ^Ethiopians diver- 
 ted the flood, making catara^s, which they propt witli 
 timber, lining them alfo with mud and draw, which 
 the multitude of hands eafily brought together. Thus 
 the waters palTe'd away entirely, yet was there no paf- 
 fage to each other, for the depth of mud which remain- 
 ed , which , though it feem'd dry and crufted above, 
 yet it continued moift at bottom, fo that neither men 
 nor horfe could pafs, without being foundered therein. 
 Thus the time pafled for two or three days ; the 
 townfmen, by fetting open their gates, and the Axhio- 
 pians, by laying down their arms, mutually declaring 
 peace. This truce was more remarkable, becaufe it was 
 without conference of the parties, and neither af them 
 fet any watch. They that were in town gave them- 
 felves to paftimes,for it happen'd then to be the feftival of 
 the Nile, which is accounted the greateft of any among 
 the ^Egyptians ; which is celebrated at the entrance of 
 the fummer folftice, when the river firft begins to fweU ; 
 and for that reafon this folemnity is held by them m 
 greateft honour. The Egyptians fuppofe Milus to be a 
 God , and the moft fupream, his ftream vying with the 
 coeleftial river, becaufe it waters their fields without 
 rain, or afliftance from heaven; it felf fuppiying the 
 want of (bowers with its yearly overflow. Thefe are 
 vulgar traditions. But a likelier reafon of giving him 
 this divine honour, is their reckoning the copulation of 
 hot and moift, thecaufe not of generation, but prefer- 
 vation of man ; and that tlie Nile fupplies the moift, and 
 their earth the dry. Yet thefe are alfo vulgar concepti- 
 ons : but the moft skilful in myfteries fay that ifis fig- 
 nifies the earth, and Ofyris the Nile, changing the 
 
 S4 
 
264 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 names for the tilings. That therefore the Goddefs burns 
 with defire of him, and always rejoices at his return ; 
 and he being retired, laments again, as ftruck with 
 baneful lightning. This Hdion their divines have fram- 
 ed, as 1 fuppofe, becaufe they would not have their myf- 
 teries pryed into by profane perfons. 
 
 Let this fuffice for the prefent; for out of reverence 
 we alfo forbeai^to mentioh their deeper m yt!e ries"T ^Ve 
 will therefore return to the tranfaftions of Syene, 
 This feftival day being rifcn, the natives apply'd 
 themfelvc^ to the killing of facrifices ; though their bo- 
 dies were over-hbour'd with their diftreffes, yet their 
 minds were never the lefs active for the fervice of their 
 God. But Oroondates watching his opportunity, in the 
 dead of the night, when the townfraen, after their 
 banquets, were bury'd in fleep, by ftealth led out his 
 army, having an hour before given the charge of that 
 gate, through which he meant to pafs, to Perfian cen- 
 tinels. Command was given to the officers to leave all 
 their horfes behind them, that they might be no incum- 
 brance, nor by their noife difcover what was done ; but 
 every man to take his armour, and a board or plank 
 along with them. 
 
 After they were thus afTembled at the gate, they caft 
 down the planks which each had brought, placing them 
 along in fuch order that the one touched the other, 
 the lad (till handing them to thofe that went before; 
 by which means, as v/ith a bridge, they pafTed fafely 
 over the flime. Coming to dry ground, (the Aethio- 
 pians fufpedting no fuch thing, nor keeping any watch) 
 they marched with all polfible fpeed by them, toward^ 
 Eltphantina. And without any obftacle, were receivej 
 into the town, by means of two Perfians, that (as if 
 
 T 
 
 i 
 
 i t 
 
 •« 
 
 HISTORY. 26s 
 
 Vras agreed between them) fat upon the walls, to expert 
 their coming at that time of the night, who according- 
 ly fet open the gates for their entrance. At the break 
 of day, the people of Syene perceiv'd the Perfians were 
 fled, every one miffing him that lodged in his houfe: 
 they were further inform'd by conferring together, and 
 laflly, by the bridge of boards, which they found laid 
 over the ooze. Once more therefore they were feized 
 with terrour and conllernation, that they (hewed fo 
 Jittle faith to Hydafpes, after having fo much experi- 
 enced his clemency, in permitting the Perfians to e- 
 fcape. They therefore refolved with one voice, to go 
 out of the city, and furrender themfelves to the Aethi- 
 opians, with oaths of their ignorance, if poflibly they 
 might obtain mercy. Being therefore all gather*d to- 
 gether, of both fex, and all ages, with boughs in their 
 hands, and lighted tapers, to ihew their fubmiifion, 
 bearing the images of their Gods before them. When 
 they had paifed the bridge, they fell on their knees, at 
 diflance, before the ^Ethiopians, and, as it were, at a 
 lignal given, fet up a general and lamentable cry, de- 
 precating punifhment by their humble pofture. Laftly, 
 to move the greater compaflion, they fet down their 
 children before them, permitting them to go which 
 way they would, mollifying the rage of the Ethiopi- 
 ans, by that age, free from all fufpicion of deceit. The 
 infants therefore, with conllernation, through igno- 
 rance of what was done, and frighted with the forelaid 
 lamentation, ran away from their parents, towards the 
 .Ethiopians ; others, not of growth to follow, fell on 
 their faces, and lay crying on the ground ; fortune even 
 in them, (hewing the pofture of fuppliantS; begging 
 iwercy. 
 
^ 
 
 %66 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Hydafpes feeing this, and fuppofing that they came 
 only in a more humble and earneft manner to fuppli- 
 cate, fent raeflengers to know the meaning; and why 
 they came without the Perfians ? they informed him of 
 all, the flight of the Perfians, their innocence, thefef- 
 tival, and how, after the banquet, being poffefs'd with 
 lleep, the Perfians efcaped ; whom yet they could not 
 have hinder'd, had they known thereof. Hydafpes be- 
 lieving what was told to him, fufpe(5ting what after- 
 wards happened, the treachery of Oroondates, calling 
 only their priefts to him, with the Gods, which they 
 brought for the greater folemnity, conjured them there- 
 by to tell if they knew any thing of the Perfians de- 
 Cgns ; whither they were gone, or in what they placed 
 their greatefttru ft? they anfwer'd, they knew not for 
 certain, but conjecftur'd that they were gone to Ele- 
 phantina, where the greateft party of their army were 
 gather'd together, Oroondates putting his greateft truft 
 in his bard horfe. 
 
 When they had thus fupplicated, Hydafpes did not 
 think fit to enter the city, but fent two companys to 
 iearch if there were any treachery in the bufinefs, and 
 if they found none, to continue there as a garrifon. 
 Having therefore difmiffed the townfmen with graci- 
 ous promifes, he drew forth his army in battle array, 
 to receive the Perfians, if they came out againft him ; 
 and if not, to fet upon them. Nor had he put them into 
 a readinefs before he was informed that the Perfians 
 •were on their way towards him. Oroondates having 
 drawn the greateft part of his forces to Elephantina, 
 was forced himfelf with a few to take into Syene, as we 
 have already ftiewn, where he received mercy of Hy- 
 dafpes ; yet was he fo full of guile, as to withdraw to 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY. 267 
 
 his forefaid army, placing all his hopes in celerity, and 
 thinking to come upon Hydafpes unprovided. 
 
 When the two armies were now in fight of each o- 
 ther, the Perfian pride was ftiewn, dazling the whole 
 field with golden and filver arms, for the fun then rif- 
 ing full upon the Perfians, reflected firom them, like 
 lightning, to a great diftance. The Medes and Perfi- 
 ans made up the right wing, their armed men going 
 before, and the archers bringing up the reai , that being 
 cas'd from the incumbrance of armour, they might 
 more dextroufly ftioot their arrows, protected by the 
 armed body. He placed his ^Egvptian and African 
 companies on the left wing, adding alfo archers and 
 (lingers, whom he commanded to make excurfions, 
 and gall the enemies flank. He himfelf came with the 
 main body, fplcndidly feated on a chariot,with guards 
 on each fide for his fecuriiy, his hard horfe being rank- 
 ed before him, in which he put his greateft truft; in 
 this pofture he adventured to begin the battle. For 
 this party was moft warlike, and like a wall or bulwark^ 
 planted before the reft of his army. 
 
 The manner in which they were armed was thus : a 
 chofen perfon, of great ftrengthand ftature, put on a 
 helmet, with a face made to it, exactly refembling that 
 of a man : this covered the head all down to the ftioul- 
 ders, places only being left open for the eyes : his right 
 hand held a weapon bigger than a fpear, while their left 
 was free to manage the reins; afword hanging by his 
 fide; not only his breaft, but his whole body was co- 
 vered with armour, joined with fcales of iron andbrafs, 
 in form of a quadrangle ; one being laid waving over 
 the other; which thus by degrees went to their extre- 
 mity, the plates being firmly riveted together, yet fram- 
 
268 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ed (b as to fit without any incumbrance to the body, 
 and every where plying to it ; every joint thereof turn- 
 ing on wire, and extending or contracting with the 
 motion of the perfon. Thus was it wrought from the 
 head to the knee, a vacancy being only left for the in- 
 fide of their thighs, that fat next to their horfe. Such 
 is the fabrick thereof, that it repels all manner of darts 
 or fpears. From the foot there was an iron boot, that 
 at the knee joined curioufly with the armour. In the 
 fame manner they alfo armed their horfes, fecuring 
 their legs, while their head to their creft is entirely ar- 
 med, a covering of iron plates thrown over his back, 
 falling down on each fide to his flank, yet fo loofe as 
 not to incumber his going, while it gave him proteifti- 
 on. The man being thus equipp'd, and, as it were, caft 
 in armour, is lifted up upon his horfe, not being able, 
 by reafon of the weight, to mount himfelf. When the 
 fight is begun, giving the reins to his horfe, and clap- 
 ping fpurs to them, he rufheth upon the enemy, as it 
 wereatempcft. 
 
 The pike, near to the part where a long ftecl blade 
 comes out, is faften'd to the horfes neck , by which 
 means it is fupported ; it is alfo hung at the other end 
 by thongs to the horfes fhoulder, in fuch manner as 
 not to hinder, but aflift the hand of the perfon that di- 
 re(5ts it : fo that by the horfes motion, the force is en- 
 creafed ; by which means two or three at a time are of- 
 ten born upon the point. 
 
 The deputy being thus provided , and his forces 
 drawn up in this manner, left the river on his back, 
 being much lefs in number than the enemy, which fer- 
 ved him for a wall, to keep him from being furroun- 
 ded. Hydafpes, on the other fide thus oider'd his 
 
 /■•i'l 
 
 HISTORY. 269 
 
 battle: againft the Perfians and Medes, in the right 
 wing, he placed his foldiers from Meroe, skilful in (lan- 
 ding fight ; as alfo the Troglodytae , with thofe of 
 the neighbouring country, from which cinnamon is 
 brought, in light arms, and fwift of foot, to engage 
 the adverfary's left wing. But underftanding the Per- 
 fians middle ranks to be their chief ftrength, he op- 
 pofed to them himfelf, with elephants bearing towers, 
 joining to them the Blemmi and Seri, with inftruc- 
 tions what to do when they were engaged. 
 
 When fignais on both fides were given, by the Per- 
 fians with trumpets, by the Ethiopians with hammers 
 and kettle-drums ; Oroondates encouraging his party, 
 led them on. Hydafpes commanded his men to ad- 
 vance flowly at firft, that the elephants might keep up 
 with them, and alfo that the Perfian horfe in the middle 
 might be diforder*d, before the whole bodies were join- 
 ed. When they were now within the caft of a dart, 
 and the Blemmi perceiv'd the bard horfe of the enemy 
 to come on fiercely, they obferv'd what had been com- 
 manded by Hydafpes, the Seri being left to guard the 
 elephants, they made up fpeedily before the reft, a- 
 gainft the bard horfe, who thought them diftraded, 
 being fo few in number, to fet upon a party fo well 
 armed. The Perfians likewife fpurred up fafter, ta 
 take advantage of their raftinefs, not doubting to dif- 
 patch them at the firft encounter. 
 
 Then the Blemmi, when they were come hand to 
 hand, as it were at one fign, funk down all together, 
 fetting one knee to the ground, and putting their heads 
 and backs under the horfes bellies, receiv'dno harm, 
 but from their treading fometimes upon them. But 
 they perform 'd what was beyond all expeclation, ftab- 
 
270 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 bing the bard horfe up into their bellies, which part a- 
 lone was unarmed: wherefore not a few were call off 
 by their horfcs, enraged with their wounds, whom the 
 Blemmi ftabh'd(as they lay on the ground) on the in- 
 lide of their thighs. For the Perfian cataphraft is fo in- 
 cumbred with armour, that he cannot ftir, when once 
 difmounted. Thofe that kept theii-'faddles were car- 
 ry'd diredtl V upon the Seri, who on their approach, re- 
 treated behind their elephants, whofe vaft bodies ferv- 
 ed them for a bulwark. By this means there was great 
 flaughterraadeofthc horfe, infomuch that they were 
 almoft utterly cutoff: for the horfes frighten 'd with 
 the fight of the elephants, leaped and llarted, fome fly- 
 ing out one wiy, and fome another, putting their own 
 party into diforder. They that fat upon the elephants, 
 (fix archers being allotted to each tower, whereof each 
 beaft carry'd two) fliot fo fad from thence, that their 
 arrows feemM a cloud, and foexa<5tly aim'd, that they 
 generally wounded the Perfians in the eyes, who accor- 
 dingly judled confuledly one againft another. All that 
 were bom forward againft their wills by the mettle of 
 their fteeds, camedlreftly upon the elephants. 
 
 They were therefore thus confumed, being partly 
 trodden down by the elephants, partly cut down by 
 the Seri, making excurfions from behind their ele- 
 phants, as it were from an ambufcade The few that 
 efcaped, went off without any memorable performance, 
 and not the lead hurt done to the elephants. Thofe 
 beafls are clad in iron when they go to war, befide the 
 natural hardnefs of their skin, overgrown with a tough 
 fcurf orfcale, too firm for any fpear to pierce. 
 
 All being at length put to rout, the deputy himfelf 
 fled at lafl moil Ihamefully on a Nyfaean horfe, leav- 
 
 i 
 
 HISTORY. 271 
 
 ing his chariot behind him. However, thofe that were 
 of his left wing were yet ignorant of it and ftood 
 ftoutly to their work, though receiving more wounds 
 than they gave; fuftaining ail difficulties : for the troops 
 from the Cinnamon country, with whom they encoun- 
 tred, prefledthem very hard, and reduced them to the 
 laft diftrefs ; flying ofFwhenfoever the ^Egyptians came 
 on, far out-ftripping them; yet (hooting back, and 
 wounding as they fled: but as the enemy retreated, 
 they came furioufly again upon them, galling them in 
 their flank with flings, and little darts, which were mor- 
 tal , being dipped in dragons blood. They bear a 
 round cover on their heads, ftuck through with ar- 
 rows, the fhaft end whereof is placed next their heads, 
 the pile, even to the feathers, coming out above. Thus 
 every one marches clattering to fight, expofing a nak- 
 ed body to the foe : crowned, as it were, with arrows, 
 which have no iron on their points, nor have any need 
 of it : by reafbn that they are made of a dragon's back- 
 bone, an ell in length, the natural hardnefs whereof 
 being fharpen'd at one end, ferves for a point, from 
 whence the Greeks call fuch kind of arrows, bones* 
 The ^Egyptians notwithftanding ftood a long time to 
 i.t,joining their fhields together,and fuftaining (howers 
 of darts, though they were impatient of war, yet now 
 cither glorying in contempt of death, or fearing the pu- 
 niflimcnt of revolters. 
 
 But when they knew the cataphra(as, the chief hope 
 and ftrength of their battle, were fled, the very Perfi- 
 ans, and deputy himfelf, witlidrawn without any fignal 
 performance (fave fome fmall damage done to the Me- 
 roenfes) but much more receiv'd, even they at laft gave 
 ©ver the conflia,and turned their backs. 
 
J72 The AETHIOPlAN 
 
 Hydafoes beholding the viaory from a tower, ralfej 
 
 high on an elephant, fent after the chafers, to bid them 
 
 abftain from flaughter, but to take as many alive as 
 
 they could, efpecially Oroondates. For the JEthiopi- 
 
 ans (lretchini» their wings in circular form, took m fo 
 
 vaa a compafs, as wholly to enciofe the Perfians ; leav- 
 
 ing only one palf^ge open for them, and that was to- 
 
 wards the river : into which a great number of them, be- 
 
 ing forced by thehorfe-men , fcyth chariots, and others 
 
 prefling upon them, found that the ftratagem which 
 
 the deputy had laid againft the enemy, was unreafon- 
 
 able,andfoolifh: forafmuch, as while he kept the Nile 
 
 on his back, for fear of being furrounded, he was not 
 
 awarethat he cut off from himfelf all pofTibiiity of flight. 
 
 He therefore was taken prifoner amongil the reft. 
 
 Achemenes, the fon of Cybele, finding how affairs 
 flood, endeavoured treacheroufly to kill him, (for he 
 now repented himfelf of the difcovery he had made 
 touching Arface, fmce the arguments by which he was 
 to prove it, were taken away) but difappointcd of his 
 cxpeaation, the wound which he gave Oroondates was 
 not mortal. For which attempt however he received 
 punifhment, being run through bv a certain ^Egyptian, 
 who knew the deputy, and would have kept him alive, 
 according to the command of his mafter. 
 
 The deputy therefore was brought to Hydafpes by 
 the perfon that took him : he therefore feeing him 
 fainting, caus'd his blood to be ftaunch*d, determin- 
 ing, if he could, to preferve him, alfo confirming his 
 purpofe with thefe words : that you are preferv'd by 
 my good will, is juft and fit; for it is the bufmefs of 
 generous enemies, to overcome an enemy that refifts 
 with courage ; and when fallen, to fupport them with 
 
 rii 
 
 H I S T O R Y. 
 
 '273 
 
 mercy : but what reafon was there to make you fo per* 
 fidious ? to you indeed perfidious, reply'd Oroondates, 
 but tnie to my mafter. Hydafpes farther asked him, 
 iince he was overcome, what punifhment he determin- 
 ed upon himfelf? fuch, anfwered he, as my mafter 
 would inflid: on one of your commanders, that had 
 been faithful to you. Certainly, faid Hydafpes, he 
 would praife, and fend him back with rewards, if he be 
 a true king, and no tyrant; and one that would be a 
 pattern for princes. You fay you have aded faithful- 
 ly, but if not fooliOily too, in expofing the lives of fo 
 many thoufands, do you your felf judge. It was not 
 imprudent, replied he, confidering the temper of my 
 king, who is much freer of his punifhment to the cow- 
 ardly, than rewards to his valiant fervants. I therefore 
 refolved on the danger of the field, where I might ei- 
 ther perform fomething that was beyond expedlation, 
 as many opportunities happen in a fight skilfully ma- 
 naged, (the event of war it felf being always uncer- 
 tain) or, at leaft, if I efcaped with life, to have excufe 
 left, nothing that was in my power having been o- 
 mitted. 
 
 Hydafpes hereupon commended him, and fent him ' 
 to Syenc, with charge to the phyficians to ufe their beft 
 endeavour for his cure. 
 
 He alfo went himfelf, with the chief of his army, 
 the people from the town, of all ages and qualities, 
 meeting him on the way, fcattering flowers amongft 
 hisfoldiers, applauding his virtue, and congratulating 
 his vit^ory. \\ hen he was carry'd on his elephant, 
 into the town, he immediately bent his mind to divine 
 worfhip, and rendring thanks to theGods. He deman- 
 ded the origin of the Nile, and if there was any thing 
 
274 Thb AETHIOPIAN 
 
 in the city worth admiration or fight ? they (hewed him 
 a well, like to that which is at Memphis, made of re- 
 gular and poliHi'd (lone, on which are drawn lines, at an 
 ell dillance, the one above the other : into this ciftern the 
 river water being let by a fubterranean paflage, (hews the 
 inhabitants the encreafe or decreafe of the Nile, rifing 
 or falling below fuch or fuch a mark on the (lone. 
 They likcwife (hewed him the (liles of the dials with* 
 out fhadow at noon, the fun being at the fummer fol- 
 Aice, perpendicular over Sycne, infomuch that their 
 deepell wells are then illuminated. Hydafpes was not 
 much furprized at this, the (ame being alfo found at 
 Meroe in i^thiopia. They then told him of the Nile, ex- 
 tolling it with their prai(es, calling him the fun and au- 
 thor of plenty, the preferver of upper ^gypt, the pa- 
 tron and tiller of the lower: every year rolling down 
 new (lime, from whence he is call'd the Nilc|; that is, 
 the rcnewer of the feafons; his flow (hewing the fum- 
 mer, his ebb the autumn, the flowers on his banks, and 
 the crocodile*s eggs (hewing the (pring; that the Nile 
 indeed was nothing but the year it felf : the letters of 
 whofe numbers being computed, according to the fi- 
 gures which they reprefent, making three hundred fix- 
 ty five unities, according to the days in a year. When 
 they had farther fpoken of the nature and properties 
 of certain plants, flowers and animals: thefe are not 
 fo much i^gyptian relations (faid Hydafpes) as ^thi^ 
 opian. But whether this river be indeed a God, as you 
 efleem him, and brings other rivers along with him 
 from .Ethiopia, he is duly worfliipped by you. We 
 both adore him for other reafons (anfwer'd the priefts)- 
 and particularly for the prefent favour offending you 
 to us, our God and preferver. 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY, 275 
 
 Hydafpes v/arned them to be moderate in their prai- 
 fesofhim; and fpent the reft of the dayin divertlon* 
 banqueting with the i^lthiopian nobles, and priefts of 
 Syene; and permitting all the reft to do the fame. The 
 Syeneans, partly fell, and partly beftow on the army 
 vaft herds and flocks, with plenty of wine. 
 
 The next day, fitting on a tribunal, he diftributed 
 the booty of the war amongft his army, to every one 
 according to his performance. When the perfon that 
 took Oroondates came before him, demand what you 
 will, fiid Hydafpes: there is no need (anfwer'd he) of 
 my demanding any thing more, if what I have already 
 taken from Oroondates (whom I preferv'd, according 
 to your order) be adjudg'd to me by you. He there- 
 with ftiewed Oroondates' dagger, ftudded with precious 
 ftones of vaft price, and worth many talents of gold ; 
 infomuch that the ftanders-by cryM out, that the for- 
 tune was too great for a private man, and(itting only 
 for the King's treafury. W hat therefore is more king- 
 ly, faid Hydafpes, than for me to preferve that great- 
 nefs of mind, as not to covet fo great a prize. The 
 fpoil of a captive's body by right belongs to him that 
 takes him prifoner. Wherefore let him fo depart, who 
 perhaps had not granted us the fame favour, though 
 we would never have received it. 
 
 Next came the perfons who took Theagenes and 
 Chariclea : O King, faid they, our fpoils are neither 
 gold nor gems, which are of little price in^^thiopia, 
 and pave the royal palaces; but whereas we have 
 brought you a Grecian youth and virgin, of incompa- 
 rable ftature and beauty, excelling all mankind in per- 
 fon, your felf excepted ; we beg alfo to be partakers of 
 your munificence and bounty. You fay well, anfwer'd 
 
 T 2 
 
 276 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Hydafpes, and I remember fuch perfons, though I had 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORY, 277 
 
 dentials to them that expofed them, but to them that 
 
 n 
 
276 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Hydafpe^, and I remember fuch perfons, though I had 
 but a tranfient fight of them: wherefore bring them 
 with the red, to our prefen<;e. When the meflengers 
 came for them, they ask'd, whither they were to be 
 carryM ? before Hydafpes, anfwer'd they. Hydafpes ! 
 O ye guardian angels, faid they; for as yet they were 
 uncertain who was the conqueror. Theagenes there- 
 fore faid foftly to Charicka^Jinfqllthe 1^^^^^^^ af- 
 fairs totheKLag^JinQe^Hydafpes reigns, whom you 
 have often tq!J,jiie-Ji:xLS y^jather: O dcafet!, faid 
 flie, great~aSSirs need great preparations, for where 
 the Gods have given intricate beginnings, theconclu- 
 fion mud be leifurely unravell'd : efpecially, the firft 
 rife and foundation of this intrigue (I mean my mo^ 
 ther Perlina) being abfent, whom yet, by the Gods fa- 
 voirr,wc hear to be alive. But there is danger of our 
 being facrific'd before iliat time, faid Theagenes. None 
 at all, anfwer'd (he, for I have often heard our keepers 
 fay, we were referv'd forfacrifices to the Gods of Me- 
 whercfore there is no fear of our being flain, or 
 
 roe 
 
 fent away to another country, being already, by vow, 
 given to the Gods, which cannot be violated by any 
 pious monarch. However, though we fliould flatter 
 our felves with thefe hopes, we fhall imperfectly make 
 out our account, when the perfons are not prefent, that 
 can acknowledge and juftifie the authorities v/hich we 
 produce. Wherefore there is danger, left through his 
 ignorance in the evidences, we fiiould exafperate our 
 judge ; who will be affronted, that captives deftin'd for 
 facrifice, Ihould prefume to call themfelves children to 
 the king. But your teftimonials, reply 'd Theagenes, 
 which you have carefully preferv'd, will fliew that it 
 is no forgery. The credentials, faid Ghariclea, are cre- 
 
 HISTORY. 277 
 
 dentials to them that expofed them, but to them that 
 know them not, or at leaft not all of them, they are no 
 more than common jewels and bracelets ; which alfo 
 may bring with them fulplcion of theft. Or, fuppofing 
 that Hydafpes acknowledged them, who is there to per- 
 fwade him that Perfina gave them or was mother to the 
 child ? 
 
 By this time they were come in fight of the king, Ba- 
 goas alfo was brought along with them. Hydafpes fee- 
 ing them rais'd himfelf a little from his throne; and 
 crying out to the Gods to be propitious, fat down a- 
 gain. His attendants asking what happcn'd to him, 
 and occafionM that ftart ; jh is morning I im agin'd juft 
 iucfa a daughter to be bom to me, and in T35y's time 
 grown to her full ftature: and whereas I am no regar- 
 der of dreams, I forgot it, but now on fight of her like- 
 nefs it returns to my mind. 
 
 They pcrfwading him, that there were certain ima- 
 ges often form'd in the fancy7"t[rat''beFoken future 
 realities J be neveflneiels negieded the yifion, and 
 ask'd them who, andwhattheyji^ere. Chariclea being 
 filent, and Theagenes anfwering, that they were Greeks, 
 and kindred: hail Greece, faid he, that furniflies us 
 with fuch noble facrifices for our triumph. Then 
 fmiling to his attendants afide, why had 1 not a fon 
 likewife born to me in my dream ; (faid he) if dreams 
 are, as you fay, pi(5lures of things to come? then turn- 
 ing to Chariclea, and fpeaklng to her in the Greek 
 tongue, (which is of high efteem amongft the Gymno- 
 fophifts of ^Ethiopia,) but why, virgin, are you filent, 
 laid he, and anfwer to no interrogations? at the altar 
 of the Gods, anfwer'd (he, to whom we are deftin'd 
 facrifices, you (hall know both me and iny parents. 
 
 T 3 
 
 Thk AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
278 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 Hydafpes again ask'd her, of what country? they are 
 partly prefent, faid (he, and (hall be altogether fo at that 
 time. Hydafpes then fmiPd, and Paid, certainly this 
 daughter of vifion, dreams her felf, in imagining to 
 find her Grecian parents in Meroe. Let them there- 
 fore be taken care of, to be made ornaments of our fa- 
 crifices. But who is this that {lands next them, and 
 feems to be an eunuch? the fervants anfwer'd, that he 
 was indeed an eunuch, and named Bagoas. Let him 
 follow them, faid he, not to be himfelf a vi(5tim, but 
 to take care of another vi<5tim, this virgin, that flie be 
 preferv*d immaculate for the cer; mony. Eunuchs are 
 the heft guards, for being deprived t hem felves of en- 
 joying, they out of envy take care that no body elfe 
 (ball. 
 
 He then furveyM the remainder of the captives, and 
 difpos'd of them, giving fomeforfcrvants,whofecondi* 
 tion was formerly fuch ; but perfons that were of free 
 birtli, he reftored to liberty. Ten youths and as many 
 virgins of llourifhing beauty and fairetl ftature, he ap- 
 pointed to attend Theigenes and Chariclca in their 
 deftiny. Anfwers were alfo given to all others that 
 brought any claim. In the lall: place, Oroondates was 
 fet before him ; to whom Hydafpes expreft himfelf, that 
 fmce he gained the points for which he made war, he 
 was not afFf(51ed like moH: monarchs; that he would 
 notabufe the kindnefs of fortune, to covet more than 
 others; nor extend his empire by his vidory ; that he 
 was contented with the bounds which niture from the 
 beginning had fet, dividing jEthiopia from ^gypt by 
 catarads. Wherefore having obtained what I came 
 down for, I return an adorer of equity. As for you, 
 if you furvivc, continue in your office of deputy; and 
 
 i 
 
 HISTORY. 279 
 
 tell the King of Perfia, that his brother Hydafpes has 
 overcome, but reftores you 10 your dignity, being de- 
 firous of amity; but prepar'd to renew the war if pro- 
 voked thereunto : but enjoins that exemption from tri- 
 bute for ten years, be given to the Syeneans. 
 
 Having thus fpoken, both the citizens and foldiers 
 applauded him with fhouts, that were heard at great 
 diftance. Oroondates with his hands ftretch'd out, the 
 right interchangeably over the left, bowed his body for- 
 ward with adoration; which by the Perfians is given 
 only to their own king. Let rae not bethought, faid 
 he to the ftanders^by, to violate the cuftoms of my 
 country, adoring my reftorer, who had both power 
 and provocation to kill me. The dignity that belongs 
 to himfelf by right of conqueft, he confers on me: for 
 which, if I furvive, I (hall always be an inftrument of 
 peace, between the Ethiopians and Syeneans; but if 
 I die of thefe wounds, let the Gods return this kind- 
 jaefs of HydafpeS; both on himfelf and his pofterity. 
 
 T4 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY, aar 
 
 nr TT c 
 
 1 n 
 
The AETHIOPIAN HISTORY. 281 
 
 THE 
 
 AETHIOPIAN 
 
 H IS TO R Y. 
 
 THE TENTH BOOK. 
 
 THUS have we given account of what was tran- 
 fa«5led about Sycne, which after fuch extremity, 
 was reftored by the jullice and clemency of the con- 
 queror. Hydafpes now fending the greateft part of his 
 army before him, returns into /T^thiopia : both Perfians 
 and Syeneans following him with congratulations and 
 prayers for his fafety. He therefore took his journey 
 by the banks of Nile, and through the adjacent coun- 
 trys. But bring come to Cataradae, after facrifices to 
 Nile and the tutelar Gods of the borders, he turn'd off 
 through the midland regions. \A hen he was arrived at 
 Philae, he reftcd two days for rcfrcfhment of his foldi- 
 crs; therefore once more fending the multitude before 
 him, hehimfelf tarry 'd in the town, to repair the walls 
 and fettle a g?.rriron. Then choofing out two melTen- 
 gers with orders to chan^^e their horfes, fordifpaichon 
 the road, he fent them with letters to inform his friends 
 at Meroe of his viftory. 
 
 To the wife men call'd GymnofophiUs, who were of 
 his council royal, he wrote thus : 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 4fc 
 
 Hydafpes to the Divine AfTembly. 
 
 * Tp Hefe are to acquaint you with our vidlory, not 
 
 J- * boafting of our fuccefs or management 
 ^ (fince events of war are at the difpofal of Provi- 
 ^ dence) but to exprefs our refpedlfor you, requefting 
 
 * you to meet at the appointed place, and to grace our 
 ^ facrilices for our fuccefs with your prefence.* 
 
 To his Wife Perfina he wrote as follows. 
 
 * T7' Now that we are conquerors , and what moft^ 
 XV * concerns you, fafe in our perfon. Wherefore 
 
 ■ make preparation for triumph , and facrifices of 
 
 * thanks, and come with our Gymnofophifts into the 
 ' field before the city, which is dedicated to the Gods of 
 
 * our country; the Sun, Moon, and Bacchus.* 
 
 Having read thefe letters, this is the fenfe of my 
 vifion (faid Perfina) for laft nigRFTirrnyireep^ I fan* 
 c^J-~«5y^ ielf dehver'd of a daughter of full-blown 
 beauty and ftature: the pains fignifying the troubles 
 of the war, and the fair offspring, the compleat vie* 
 tory. By this time the city was fiU'd with the news; 
 tlie mefiengers riding through the principal ftreets 
 on white horfes and in white veftments, being crown- 
 ed with the plants of Nile, and bearing branches of 
 palm in their hands , by their very habits and gef- 
 ture declaring their meflage. The city being thus filPd 
 with joy, they perform'd facrifices night and day in 
 their diltin(fl tribes, ftreets and families, crowding the 
 temples 5 not fo much for lake of the viflory, as for 
 
 n 
 
 ^ i 
 
 282 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 the fafety of Hydafpes : whom for his clemency an^ 
 
 HISTORY. 2^3 
 
 Perfina herfelffuilain'd; as Hydafpes, the King, was 
 
zSz The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 the fafety of Hydafpes : whom for his clemency and 
 juftice, theylook'd upon as their common parent, as 
 wdl as their king. 
 
 Perfina therefore having fcntvaft herds and flocks, 
 with all manner of beafts and fowl into the facred field ; 
 partly to make hecatombs therewith, and partly for 
 provifion, in the publickfeaft, went to the grove con- 
 fecrated to Pan, the refidence of the Gymnofophifts, 
 to whom flie gave the letters from Hydafpes, dcfiring 
 them to obey his orders, and grace the folemnities 
 with their prefence. They entreated her to (lay a while 
 without, while they went into the oratory, to confult 
 the Gods pleafure. From whence returning, after a 
 fmall (lay, Syfimathres, the prefident, the reft keeping 
 fjlence, fpoke thus : we (hall attend you, faid he, for fo 
 the Gods command: but withal, they forefiiow fome 
 tumult and diforder that will happen in the ceremo- 
 nies, which yet (hall have a happy conclufion, foraf- 
 much as a member of your body, which has long been 
 loft, ftiall now be reftor'd unfought. Whatever mif- 
 fortune ftiall happen, reply'd Perfina, all things will do 
 better for your prefence. As foon as Hydafpes ar- 
 rives, I (hall inform you. There is no need of that, 
 faid Syfimathres, for his letters will tell us that he will 
 to-morrow be here. Accordingly it happened ; for be- 
 fore ftie was returned to her palace, a meftenger over- 
 took her with the fame tidings. The publick officers 
 therefore haften the preparations for the facrifices, per- 
 mitting only male pcrfons to be prefent: for the wor- 
 (hip belonging to the Sun and Moon, the moft pure 
 and chafte deities, they excluded women from the de- 
 votion, left any pollution ftiould happen therein. The 
 prieftefs of the Moon was only permitted, which office 
 
 
 HISTORY. 2^3 
 
 Perfina herfelffuftain'd; as Hydlfpes, the King, was 
 high-prieft to the Sun, by the ancient rites of the coun- 
 try. Chariclea was likewife to be prefent, though not 
 as prieftefs, but vidim. The people therefore were 
 too impatient to wait till the day was come, but the 
 evening before came over the river of Aftabora, fome 
 by the bridge; thofe that lived at diftance, in boats, 
 which was cafily done, by reafon that each containing 
 not above two or three at once, was made by fplitting 
 of a cane trunk into two parts, each half, without fur- 
 ther labour, ferving for a boat. 
 
 The city Meroe is a triangular ifland, made by the 
 confluence of the Mile, the Aftabora and Arfafbba, 
 This fpot being 3000 furlongs in length, and 1000 
 furlongs in breadth , is furnifti*d with animals of 
 vaft bulk, the elephants being bred there : and as it bears 
 fome plants naturally, is by improvement fupply'd with 
 others: for befides palm-trees of prodigious tallnefs, it 
 alfo bears corn of fuch height, that a man on horfe- 
 back , and fomeiimes on camels , is hid in pafling 
 through : it is withal fo fertile, that the grain which is 
 fown comes up three hundred fold. 
 
 The people being thus tranfportedover therefpec- 
 tive rivers, they all met, and join'd congratulations to 
 Hydafpes, as it were to fome deity ; but thefe however 
 at a diftance : the Gymnofophifts were admitted neareft 
 to him, fo as to join hands, and falutehim, before the 
 facred ground. After them ftood Perfina, in the en- 
 trance to the temple. After they had here fini(h*d ado* 
 rations and praife, they turn'd off to the publick fa- 
 crifices, placing themfelves in tabernacles that were 
 - before prepared, Thefe were compofed of four canes, 
 newly cut down, each cane being cut four fquarc. 
 
 N, 
 
 284 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 «^*»»*'^ fx%«« tf« •^aliMatfA ^Ixi^ j^#%*i tfk«»« t^ ^ 
 
 «Tf rt ff ♦v* 
 
 ^Aa f\C ijt% 
 
 HI S T O R Y- 19^ 
 
 ftie would have now been of her years : I wi(h to the 
 
284 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 ferv'd for a pillar; the covering was made of feveral 
 boughs, the faireft being branches of the palm-tree. la 
 another tabernacle was placed the images of their 
 Gods, with pidures of famous perfons, oFMcmnon, 
 Perfeus, and Andromeda ; fuppofed, by them, the au- 
 thors of their royal line. In feats below fat theGym- 
 nofophifts, with the images of their Gods likewile o- 
 ver their heads: before them bands of fbldiers, with 
 lliields, to keep off the prefs of the people, and pre- 
 ferve room for the folemnities. Hydafpes, in few 
 words, told the company his fervice perform'd for the 
 commonwealth, and commanded the facrifices to be- 
 gin. Three altars were ereded, two of them apper- 
 taining to the Sun and Moon, the third to Bacchus, 
 fet at diftance, to whom they offered all manner of liv- 
 ing creatures. Upon the Sun's altar were facrificed 
 young horfes : a yoke of oxen to the Moon, as being 
 ferviceable in husbandry. In the mean time there was 
 a voice heard among the crowd, let the ufual facrifice 
 of the country, for our common fafety, be firftmade ; 
 and after that, the firll fruits of the war be offer'd. 
 Hydafpes underftanding them to mean human facrifi- 
 ces, as was ufual of captives taken in foreign wars, 
 flgned to them with his hand, that they fhould inftant- 
 lyhave their defire: withal commanding the appointed 
 prifoners to be brought forth : among them came The- 
 agenes and Chariclea, guarded, but not bound. The 
 relt were penfive, only thefe fmlled with chearful 
 countenance: Chariclea looking conftantly on Perfi- 
 na, fo that (he was concern'd thereat, and faid, O Sir, 
 "what a virgin have you commanded to be facrific'd ? I 
 never faw fo great beauty and refolution. Her age and 
 form extremely move raej if our daughter had liv'd^ 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 28s 
 
 (he would have now been of her years : I wilh to the 
 Gods you could find fome means for her delivery. I 
 fhould be pleas'd to have her an attendant at my table. 
 Perhaps the unhappy creature is a Grecian, for never 
 was there fuch a beauty in ^^gypt. She is a Greek, 
 anfwer'd he, by father and mother, whom fhe promised 
 to produce in this prefence, but how that can be pof- 
 fible, I do not imagine : but that (he Ihould be deli ver'd 
 from this facrifice, I am fureisabfolutely impoflible, 
 though I my felf could wifli it, and am touched with 
 co.iipaffion for her. Our laws exadl a man to be facri- 
 ficed to the Sun, and a virgin to the Moon; and fhe 
 being firft taken, the people will not otherwife befatif- 
 fy'd: onehelp only remains, which is, iffhe prove not 
 a pure virgin, for fuch the facrifice requires ; and if fo, 
 file is uncapable of your reception. Let her be (6 
 found, faid Perfina, rather than die; nor can fhe be 
 much blamed, after fuch exile and travels, efpecially 
 having beauty, that could fcarce efcape force and rape. 
 Hydafpes then commanded fire to be brought, by the 
 priefts, from the temple, on which the captives were 
 to tread. Bars of gold were heated over this fire, and 
 had this virtue, that every unchafte or perjured perfon 
 were burned with treading on them, but fuch as were 
 otherwife, receiv'd no harm. The corrupted perfons 
 they appointed to Bacchus, and other Gods. After 
 Theagenes had trod thereon, and was found chafle, 
 which was with wonder beheld, he being of fuch youth 
 and vigour ; wherefore he was fet apart, to be offered to 
 the Sun. Then, faid he to Chariclea afide, is death the 
 reward_o£chaftity in j^thiopia ? but wherefofe'do you 
 not now dlfcover your felf? what other time do you 
 cxpe(fti' or will you flay till the knife has pierc'd our 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY, 
 
786 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 throats ? therefore declare your felf ; when you are 
 known, *tis pofTible I may be faved for your fake; at 
 lead you will be fafe your felf, which will be my fatif- 
 fadtion in death. 
 
 She told him her time was now at hand ; and Co^ 
 without command, put on her holy veftment, which 
 fhc brought with her from Delphi, wrought with gold, 
 and fet with jewels; then with her hair diiheveird, 
 and, as it were, infpired with divine fury, (he Icap'd 
 upon the coals, where flie flood a long time without 
 hurt, the fire only giving addition to her beauty; fo 
 that in that holy attire, fiie (eems to the beholders ra- 
 ther a goddefs than mortal woman: fo that the mo(t 
 fuperftitious amongft them heartily wiflied her deli- 
 verance. Perfma, above all others, was troubled, and 
 faid to Hydafpes, how unhappy is this wretch that 
 boafts of a challity that is (o fatal to her ! what is there 
 to be done for her relief? you trouble mc in vain, faid 
 Hydafpes; your pity is foolifh on one that cannot be 
 faved; and feems from the beginning, for her excel* 
 lencc, to bereferv'd for the Gods. 1 hen turning to 
 the Gymnofophilb, he asked them, why they did not 
 begin? The Gods forbid, (anfwer'd Syfimathres, in 
 Greek, that the people might not underftand him) for 
 We have too much profan'd our eyes and ears with 
 what is already done. As for our parts, we will retire 
 into the temple, being of opinion that thefe humnn 
 facrifices are abomination to the Gods ; we could alfo 
 wifh no blood of any other creature to be (bed on fuch 
 account, as knowing that prayers and bloodlcfs offer- 
 ings are moft grateful to the divine Powers. However, 
 your prefence. Sir, is necedary, fince the cufloms of 
 the country exadl it, and your people will not other- 
 
 HISTORY. aSf 
 
 wife be fatisfy'd. Yet you may be fenfibic that there 
 can be no good event, becaufe the Gods, as you fee, 
 protcdl the ftrangers, by keeping the fire from harming 
 them. Having thus faid, he, with the reft of his bro- 
 therhood, went away. Then Charictea leaping from 
 the fire, ran to Syfimathres, as he was going, and fal- 
 ling at his feet, (in fpight of the officers that would 
 have hindrcd her, as fuppofing fhe begg'd of him to 
 fpare her life) faying, ftay a while, moft wife of men, 
 for I have a caufe to plead before the King and Queen , 
 and know that the fentence on perfonsof my birth, 
 can only be given by you : they gladly heard her thus 
 fpeak, and inform *d the King thereof. Hydafpes fmiled, 
 and askM what judgment that could be ? or how he 
 could come in any danger from her ? what fhe fhall de- 
 liver may inform you, faid Syfimathres. But take heed, 
 faid he, you do not wrong our majefty, in making a 
 King to plead with a prifoner : equity and juftice, an- 
 fwerM Syfimathres, are without diftin(5tion of perfbns: 
 the law permits you, reply 'd Hydafpes, to determine 
 controverfies, between the King and his fubje<5ls, but 
 not with ftrangers. Wife and juft men, return 'd Syfi- 
 mathres, are impartial in diftributlon of equity* Well, 
 faid Hydafpes, let her fpeak fince Syfimathres defires 
 it ; though it be certain fhe will fay nothing to purpofe, 
 only fome devifed matter, as people in her extremity 
 are apt to do. Chariclea was the more encouraged 
 when fhe heard Syfimathres' name, he being the perfon 
 that had firft taken her ; and ten years before, had 
 given her to Charicles, when he went embaffador to 
 Oroondates, and even then the chief of the Gymnofo- 
 phifts. Chariclea knew him not by fight, as being fe- 
 paratcd from him (o ygung; yet fhe remembred hif 
 
 1 
 
 ^I'fc* 
 
 T'ot? ArTTTTAPTAM 
 
 W T S T O R Y. 
 
 OPrt 
 
ilJ8 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 name: wherefore fhe hoped that he would now Be her 
 advocate; Therefore lifting up her hands to heaven^ 
 ihefaid aloud that all might hear; O Sun, thou foun* 
 der of my pedigree, and all ye other deities andglori* 
 ous fpirits: bear witnefs that I (hall deliver nothing 
 but truth. Then (turning towards the King) do you 
 command. Sir, Grangers or people of this country to 
 be offered ? ftrangers faid he ? then is it time for you to 
 provide other vidlims; fori am of this country, and 
 bom your fubjedl. He wondcr'd at this, and laid, (lie 
 fpoke falfly : you wonder at fmall things anfwer'd Cha- 
 riclea ; I have yet greater to deliver, being not only of 
 this country, but of the blood royal. Hydafpes at this 
 turn'd afide with fcorn : fhe then proceeded, faying, O 
 father do not thus defpife and deny your own daugh- 
 ter: the King then fell into indignation and faid, Syfi- 
 mathres, how long will you abufe our patience ? is fhe 
 not diftrafted, or of infuffcrable boldnefs, thus to claim 
 kindred with ns, to fave her life? you your felves 
 know, that I was never fo fortunate as to have a child. 
 "Wherefore take her away. No man, anfwerM (he, muft 
 carry me away, without command of my judges: you 
 your fclf are now judged : perhaps, O King, the law of 
 this country fuffers you to kill ftrangers; but neither 
 that nor the law of nature to kill your own children ; 
 for that you are my father the Gods fhall prove this 
 day. All controverfies in law, confift in two points ; 
 that is, writings, and confirmation by witneffes. I have 
 both thefe to prove my felf your daughter : for a wit- 
 nefs I will produce, no meaner a perfon than the judge 
 himfelf; I willlikewifc lay writings before you, thajt 
 fhall fully exprefs my flate. Having thus faid, ilie un- 
 folded her fafcia, and gvive it to Pcrfina.: flie no fooncr 
 
 HISTORY. 289 
 
 fixt her eyes thereon, but fhe was flruck with terror, 
 and difablcd from fpeaking, at once trembling and glad 
 for what fhe faw ; efpecially with the fuddennefs of the 
 chance. Yet was fhe afraid to expofe it, leafl Hydafjjes 
 fhould give no credit thereunto; and confequently 
 would inflid: punifhment on her. He perceiving her {b 
 much concern 'd, ask'd the meaning. Doth ought in 
 that writing trouble you ? my lord. King and husband, 
 faid fhe, 1 have nothing to fay ; take and perufe it your 
 felf, which will fufficiently inform you: having given 
 it to him, fhe fat down again penfive. 
 
 When Hydafpes had ran it over with the Gymnofb- 
 phifts, he marvelled extreamly, and the more to find 
 Syfimathres, much concerned and abafhed : wherefore 
 a thoufand thoughts rofe in his mind, he looking often 
 upon the fillet and often upon the maid : having 
 throughly perufed it, and found both her expofition in 
 her infancy, with the reafon of it : I know, faid he, that 
 I once had a daughter, but was told, and by Perfina 
 her felf, that fhe was dead, but now perceive that fhe 
 was exposed in her infancy. But who was the perfon 
 that found her, took her up, and bred her, I am yet to 
 feek ; or who it was that carry 'd her into ^gypt. How 
 may I be afFur'd that this is fhe ? and whether the in- 
 fant that was expos'd be not dead, while he that found 
 her, took advantage of his good fortune; to impofe on 
 our defire of having a child, by propofing a changeling 
 inflead ; and colouring the cheat with this fillet. 
 
 . Your firft doubt I can clear, anfwer'd Syfimathres : 
 I was the perfon that found die expofed child, bred her 
 for fome time, and carry 'd her with me to ^gypt ; when 
 on embaffy you fent me thither. You know well, that 
 our order dare not fpeak untruth : I likewife know the 
 
 * U 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
2go The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fillet to be the fame by the royal charafters, and impof- 
 fible to be counterfeited ; even you your felf may know 
 Perfina's hand-writing therein : but there were other 
 teftimonials found with this, and by me deliver'd to the 
 perfon to whom I gave her, the man a Greek,and of feem- 
 ing honefty. They are alfo preferv'd,faid Chariclea, and 
 producM the bracelets. Perfina was now moreafto- 
 nifhed : Hydafpcs asking her if (he knew them ? (he an- 
 fwer'd (he did ; and that this examination would more 
 properly be made at home ; and not in fo publick an 
 audience. Then was Hydafpes more anxious than be- 
 fore : then faid Chariclea, thefe fignals were my mo- 
 ther's, but this, Sir, is properly your own ; giving him 
 the ring with the Pantarbe-ftone. Hydafpes knew it, it 
 being the fame he gave to Perfina, on his contraft with 
 her. I know thefe tokens, faid he to Chariclea ; but 
 not that you came by them, as being my daughter; for 
 not to infill on other doubts, your colour is ftrange and 
 never (een in ^Ethiopia. The infant was alfo white 
 which I carry'd away (faid Syfiraathres) befides the 
 time of her age agrees, it being now (eventeen years 
 fince (he was expos'd. Befide I perceive the fame luftre 
 of her eyes, the fame fair lineaments, complexion, and 
 unparallell'd beauty. You fpeak well, faid Hydafpes, 
 and rather like a patron, than judge of her caufe; but 
 take heed, left in favouring her, you bring queftion of 
 fcandal upon my wife: it being impo(nble, that we be- 
 ing both ^Ethiopians, (liould have a fair child. We call 
 him the beft judge, anfwer'd Syfimathres, who is a pa- 
 tron of equity : but how do we feem more, to patronize 
 the maid than you ? for your cenfure we are not con- 
 cern 'd, who(e bufinefs is more to approve our fclves to 
 tlwGods than to men ; fo that it is enough for us to fatif- 
 
 HISTORY. 291 
 
 fy our own confciences. As to your doubt concerning 
 her colour, the fillet it felf anfwers it: that Perfina 
 conceiv'd a daughter of this complexion ; by looking 
 on the pidure of Andromeda, in your bedchamber: if 
 you doubt the likenefs, the pidure is here at hand, com- 
 pare thcin together, you will fee no difference between 
 the living and painted virgin. 
 
 When they were fet together, the beholders were 
 furpriz*d at the refemblance, which rais'd a great noife ; 
 thofe who flood nearer, informing them that were at 
 more diftance : fo that Hydafpes himfelf could no long- 
 er doubt, but ftood fpeechlefs with joy and admiration. 
 At laft there is one thing yet wanting : O Syfimathres, 
 faid he, there was a certain fpeck or mole above my 
 daughter's right elbow : which was found alfo on Cha- 
 riclea. 
 
 Perfina could no longer contain her felf, but leaping 
 from the throne, threw her arms about her neck, weep- 
 ing for joy, and almoft ready to faint away. The fame 
 parental affedion felz'd Hydafpes, though with more 
 manly government, yet he alfo embraced her, and not 
 without tears. After this, waving his hand, he lilenced 
 the buzzing amongft the crowd . O you that are prefent, 
 faid he, you have feen and heard me this day prov'd a 
 father beyond all expedation. Yet fuch is my regard to 
 you, that waving the care of fucce(rion and paternal joy, 
 I am for your fakes ready to deliver her up to the Gods 
 in facrifice : for though I fee you alfo concerned for the 
 misfortune of fo fair a virgin, yet whither you will or 
 no, I muft perform the cuftom of our country, and pre- 
 fer the publick intereft to private affedion. 
 
 Having thus fpoken, he took Chariclea by the hand, 
 as if to lead her to the altar; at which the whole multi- 
 
 U 2^ 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
292 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 tude fet i!p a cry, not fuffering him to lead her one (lep 
 forward, but calling out lave the maid, fave her whom 
 the Gods would have preferv'd: we return yOu our 
 thanks, our laws are fatisfy'd. We acknowledge you 
 our King, do you acknowkdge your felf a father. There 
 is no man that will lay hands on her; you that are fa- 
 ther of your country, be father of your own houfe : thefe 
 and many more fuch expreflions were utter'd; down- 
 right refilling his propofal, and faying, the Gods would 
 be fatisfy'd with other offerings. Hydafpes fuffer'd him- 
 felf to be overcome, and took pleafure in the violence. 
 
 Standing therefore next to Chariclca, deareft, faid 
 he, that you are our daughter, the proofs are fufEcient ; 
 but who is this youth, who was taken prifoner with 
 you, and is now fet before the altar ? or how could yoa 
 call him brother, when you were together brought into 
 my prefence at Syene ? for how fhall he be found our 
 fon ? for Perfina has but once been delivered, and that 
 only of yo\ir felf. Chariclca blufhing and carting her 
 eyes on the ground, I feign'd him indeed to be my bro- 
 ther in that exigence, but who he is, he himfelf will 
 better inform you. Do you therefore take place by your 
 mother on the tribunal; filling her with greater joy, 
 than when Ihe firft bore you ; entertain her with the 
 hiflory of your affairs, while I take care for the facri- 
 fices, and choofe fome virgin to be made a victim in 
 your flcad, with the Grecian youth. 
 
 Chariclca could fcarce forbear crying out at the men- 
 tion hereof, but governing her affedlion, once more at- 
 tempted him in thele words : 
 
 O Sir, there is no need to fcek for another of my 
 fex, fince the people have excufed me : but if you muft, 
 there muft alfo another youth be found^or if that be not 
 
 HISTORY. 293 
 
 done, no other maid, for I my felf muft alfo die : lor 
 the Cods have determined me to live and die with him. 
 
 Hydafpes not yet underftanding her, faid, I com- 
 mend this humanity in you daughter, towards a Gre- 
 cian and ftranger, the companion of your exile ; but it 
 Js impoffible to exempt him from facrince without vi- 
 olation of our religion, neither will the people difpenfe 
 therewith. O King, anfwer'd fhe, if I may not call you 
 father, if the mercy of the Gods has fpared my body, 
 the fame clemency will (pare my foul ; but if the defti- 
 nies muft have it fo, that this youth muft needs adorn 
 the ceremonies, grant me yet one requeft, that he may 
 be kill'd by my hand. 
 
 What contradictions are thefe (faid Hydafpes) the 
 perfon whom but now as a friend you endeavoured to 
 fave, you now beg leave to kill with your own hand as 
 an enemy. I fee nothing noble or glorious in fuch an 
 adion, for one of your fex and age. but granting there 
 were, you cannot be permitted, it being only lawful for 
 the priefts of the Sun and Moon, and amongft them on- 
 ly the high prieft,that has a wife, and prieftefs, who has 
 a husband. All this can be no hinderance reply'd Cha- 
 riclca. 
 
 Hydafpes confidering her late proof of virgin eftate 
 by enduring the fire, thought her difcompos'd in her 
 fenfes, and defired his wife to difcourfe with her apart, 
 to bring her to herfelf. In the mean time, I will give 
 audience to the embaffadors that wait to congratulate 
 our vi(ftory; and till another virgin be eleded in her 
 ftead. Having thus fpoken, he afcended a chair of 
 ftate not far diftant from the tabernacle, commanding 
 the embafladors to come before him with their pre- 
 l^nts. The mafter of ceremonies Harmonias, a&k'd if 
 
 U 3 
 
 294 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 all (hould be admitted together, or if they ftiould come 
 
 HISTORY. 295 
 
 ftill feem'd as tall as any of the reft. Immediately, 
 
 /•irr 
 
294 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 all (hould be admitted together, or if they fhould come 
 diftin^ly, according to the dignity of their refpedlive 
 nations: In order, faid Hydafpes. Shall Meraebus your 
 brother's fon come firft, faid the officer ? ftupid man, 
 faid Hydafpes, why did you not inftantly inform me of 
 his arrival, whom you know to be no legate but a king, 
 fon to my brother, heir to his throne, and my own ad- 
 opted fuccefTor ? as foon therefore as Meraebus came 
 near his prefence, a manly youth and tall of ftaiure 
 furpafiing ail about him, the ^Ethiopian guards with 
 refpeft made way for him. 
 
 Hydafpes came down from his throne to meet him, 
 embracing him with paternal courtefy, and faying; 
 you come in good time, my fon, to affift our trium» 
 phant rites, and alfo your own nuptial ceremonies : 
 lince the Gods, who were authors of our love, have, 
 beyond all expectation, produced a daughter for us, 
 and for you a bride. Of this affair more at leifure ; at 
 prefent, if you have any thing to mention on behalf of 
 your country, declare it. Meraebus at mention of a 
 wife, blufhed fo as to have it perceiv'd through the 
 dusklnefs of his complexion. After a little paufe, other 
 perfons, faid he, will prefent you with the bed: rarities 
 of their country to adorn your triumph, but I, with 
 what I judg'd moft fuitable to your martial temper, 
 for a prefent offer you a fword-man, inur'd to blood, 
 and exercifed in arms, fo that none dare oppofe him; 
 in wreftling, whirl-bat, or any other warlike cxercife, 
 of fuch skill and flrength, that none are able to con- 
 tend with him. Accordingly he beckon'd to have him 
 brought in prefence. 
 
 He therefore came forward, and was of that flature, 
 that when he flooped to falute Hydafpes' knees, he 
 
 
 HISTORY. 295 
 
 ftill feemM as tall as any of the refl. Immediately, 
 without waiting for command, he ftripped himfelf be- 
 fore all the company, challenging any perfon to fmgle 
 combat. When none appeared, though the King often 
 fummon'd, by the herald ; you (hall receive, faid Hy- 
 dafpes to him, a prefent fit for your courage and bulk ; 
 withal commanding an elephant, of vaft magnitude, to 
 be brought forth for him : he willingly received it. 
 The people, when the beaft appeared, laugh'd extreme- 
 ly at the pleafant humour of the King. With this de- 
 rifion taking revenge on him whom they did not dare 
 to encounter. After Meraebus, were admitted the em- 
 baffadors from the Seri, bringing two veftments, made 
 by infers of their country, the oneof Tyrian dye, the 
 other fno\vy white. Having tendered their prefents, 
 they were rewarded by the King, with releafe of cer- 
 tain prifoners in his cuflody. 
 
 The Arabian legates came next, with fpices and 
 perfumes, the produdl of their country, in fuch quan- 
 tities, that they perfum'd all the air around. After 
 them, the Trogloditae, with gold, and griffins with 
 golden bridles. Then the Blemmi, with arrows made 
 of dragons bones, and made up in circular form : and 
 thefe, O King, faid they, we prefent you with, lefs 
 coftly than the offerings of others, but of fervice to you 
 againfl the Perfians on the bank of the Nile. They are 
 more efteem'd by us, faid Hydafpes, than fo many ta- 
 lents of gold, withal inviting them to make what de- 
 mands they pleafed. When they requefVed abatement 
 of tribute, he releafed it to them for ten years fuccef- 
 
 lively. 
 
 When thefe had thus made their compliments 
 ( moft of them being remunerated by the King with 
 
 U 4 
 
 29^ The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 richer gifts than what they brouoht) in the lall nlacC 
 
 HISTORY. 297 
 
 TVrfina and Chariclea onpn'd thf» mrfaln tr\ InnV 
 
 nnlr /<tn» 
 
29^ The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 richer gifts than what they brought) in the laft place 
 came the Axiomari, who indeed paid no tribute, but 
 were in league with him. They alfo brought prefents; 
 amongft others, an animal of ftrange form and nature, 
 of the ilze of a camel, but of fpotted skin, and cover'd 
 with fcales. His hinder parts and belly like a lion, his 
 fore-legs and (boulders exceeding other members ; a 
 long neck, and waxing very flender, from fo large a 
 body: his head refembling a camel, in bignefs twice 
 exceeding the Lybian oftrich , horribly rowliog his 
 eyes, that feem'd as if enflam'd with red lead. His gate 
 was flill more flrange, being like no other animal's, 
 but moving the two legs on his right fide together, 
 and then thofe on his left, carrying forward firll tlie 
 one fide of his body and then the other, of temper fo 
 tame and gentle by ufe, that his mafter led him up and 
 down, with a fmall cord in his hand. When this crea- 
 ture appeared, the multitude were amaz'd, and gave 
 him from his various fhape, the name of Camelopar- 
 dalis. He was the occafion of a great diforder which 
 thus happened. 
 
 There were a yoke of bulls placed before the altar 
 of the Moon, four white horfes at the altar of the Sun, 
 ready for the facrifice. The horfes fpying this (Irange 
 monller, were fo terrify 'd that two of them broke out 
 of their hands that held them, as alfo one of the bulls, 
 and ran out wild. They could not however break 
 through the prefs, the foldiers joining in a ring, and 
 with their fliields obflru^ing their paflage. They were 
 at once the oqcaflon of great laughter and terror; the 
 perfons at diftance fhouting to fee others born down, 
 and trodden by them : all things were overturn 'd that 
 flood in their way. The clamour wa$ fo great, that 
 
 HISTORY, igy 
 
 Perfinaand Chariclea open'd the curtain to look out. 
 At this time Theagenes, whether out of his natural 
 vigour, or infpiration from the Gods, feeing his keep- 
 ers difpers'd with the fright, ftarted up from the altar 
 where he kneel'd, and fnatching from thence a cleft 
 flick, leaped on the back of one of the horfes that were 
 left, and ufing his main for a bridle, forc'd him on, 
 and turn'd the bull that had broke loofe. The fpecfla- 
 tors at firft thought that he intended to make his e- 
 fcape, and fet up a cry that they fhould not fufFer him 
 to pafs. But they foon perceived he had no fuch inten- 
 tion : for purfuing the bull, and catching hold of his 
 tail, he drove him before him, dextroufly avoiding 
 his fhort turns. With this management he fo broke 
 his mettle, that henowfufFer'd him to ride fide by fide 
 to him, infomuch that the breath and fweat of the horle 
 and bull mingled with each other. 
 
 They ran with their heads fo even together, that 
 the people, at diftance, took the horfe and bull for 
 one creature, and applauded Theagenes as the author 
 of a miracle. Thus were all the multitude employed, 
 Chariclea in the mean time look'd on with horror, not 
 knowing what he intended, and fear'd more for his 
 danger than for her own life when lately at flake. Per- 
 fina perceiv'd her concern, and faid to her, you are 
 troubled, daughter, for this (Iranger ; I confefs I can- 
 not my felf help pitying his youth, but yet I hope he 
 will efcape this hazard, and be preferv'd fafe for the 
 facrifice. How abfurd is it ( anfwer'd Chariclea ) to 
 wiih him to efcape death, that he may die ! But, oh 
 mother, if you can fave his life, you will do a thing 
 mod grateful to me ! Perfina partly fufpe<^ing her paf- 
 fjpn, faid, though it be impoflible for me to prefcrvc 
 
 29^ 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 him, vet take courage toacauaint me with vnnr 
 
 rntt- 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 299 
 
 .*A.i. rni 
 
29^ The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 him, yet take courage to acquaint me with your con- 
 cern with this (Iranger; if it has not been aJtogcther 
 virtuous, yet a mother's kindnefs knows how to in- 
 dulge the frailty of a child. Chariclea then wept bit- 
 teriy, and cry*d out, 'tjs the extremity of my misfor- 
 tune to fpeak to underftanding perfbns, yet not be un« 
 derftood ; but mud be forced to an open and grofs con- 
 fefllon. 
 
 As (he was now going to reveal the whole matter, 
 flie was once more hindred by a new fhout amongft 
 the people. Theagenes having now fronted the bull, 
 quitted his horfe, leaped on the bull's neck, and clafp. 
 ing his arms round the roots of his horns, his hands 
 faften'd in his fore-head tafTock , his face lying between 
 the horns, the reft of his body hanging with all its 
 weight,down over the beaft's right (houlder,inromuch 
 that he was often trod upon ; yet he fo incumbred his 
 paflage by this means, and tired him, that direftly over 
 againft the place where Hydafpes fat, he tumbled down 
 on his head, but fo that his hoofs were turn'd upper- 
 moft, and his horns ftruck into the fand, fo that his 
 head feem'd faft rooted to the earth ; his legs all the 
 while fprawling in the air. Theagenes alfo ftill held 
 him down witli his left hand, his right lifted up to- 
 wards heaven; and thus with generous countenance 
 furveyM Hydafpes and the company; provoking them 
 to laughter with the fpedacle ; the bull all the while 
 with bellowing, like a martial trumpet, founding his 
 conqueft : the people anfwer'd with Ihouts, and pro- 
 roifcuoufly gabbling, extoll'd him to the skies. The 
 King's fervants, therefore, as they were ordered, fome 
 led Theagenes to the King, others faftning ropes to the 
 bull's head, led him with the horfes once more to the al- 
 
 i 
 
 
 HISTORY. 299 
 
 tar. Hydafpes beginning fome difcourfe with Theage-* 
 nes, the people who were pleas'd with his perfon from 
 the firft minute they faw him, but now ftupify'd at his 
 (Irength and courage, in the laft place envying the ho- 
 nour given to Meraebus his Ethiopian wreftler, with 
 one cry, demanded that he who had received the ele- 
 phant, (hould engage in (Ingle combat with him that 
 conquer'd the bull. When they had long prelTed for 
 it, Hydafpes at laft confented. The iEthiop was im- 
 mediately put into the middle of the circle, ftemly 
 and proudly furveying all around him, ftretchinghim- 
 felf, and taking lofty vaft fteps, compafEng an ell at 
 every ftride. 
 
 When he was come up before the council, Hydal^ 
 pes fpoke to Theagenes in Greek; it is the peoples de- 
 fire that you undertake this combat : let it be fo, faid 
 Theagenes, but after what manner? wreftling, faid 
 Hydafpes : why not rather with fwords, faid Theage- 
 nes, by which fome honour might be gain'd; at leaft, 
 with my death, content Chariclea, who, I find, con- 
 ceals our affairs and forfakes me at the laft. What 
 you mean by mentioning Chariclea, faid Hydafpes, I 
 know not ; but you muft wreftle, and not fight with 
 fwords ; for we may not fuffer any blood to be (hed be- 
 fore that of facrifice. He underftanding Hydafpes's 
 meaning, that he fear'd left he (hould be kill'd before 
 he dy'd in facrifice; you do well, faid he, to referve me 
 for the Gods. With thefe words he put himfclf in 
 pofture, fixing his feet firmly to the ground, his whole 
 body put in the beft order : thus he impatiently waited 
 the affault of his adverfary. 
 
 The j^thiop feeing this, with a look of derifion and 
 indignation miixt together, ran furioully upon him, 
 
 I 
 
 j 
 
 300 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 hitting Theagenes on the neck with his elbow, at 
 
 HISTORY. 301 
 
 things, O ftranger, faid he, which were in my power, I 
 
 ; j_ J 
 
300 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 hitting Theagenes on the neck with his elbow, as 
 heavily as if he had (Iruck him with a leaver; then 
 drawing back, laughed out aloud at his own perfor- 
 mance. 
 
 Theagenes, who was vers'd from his childhood in 
 cxercifes, knew that fuch robuftuous ftrength, was not 
 dire(5lly to be engag'd, but deluded by art, expos'd the 
 other fide of his neck for a fecond blow, which the Bar- 
 barian repeated, and then withdrew as before : he there- 
 fore now defpifing him, and coming on the third time 
 more carelefly, Theagenes (lipping under his elbow, 
 and clafping his arms round his waft, which he was 
 fcarce able to embrace, caft him quite over his fhoulders, 
 and pitcht him all on a heap, with his head firft to the 
 ground, to the hazard of his neck. The people now 
 fliouted louder than before ; nor could Hydafpes lon- 
 ger contain himfelf, but leaping down from his throne, 
 cry'd ; O hard ncceffity of law, what a noble youth are 
 we compeird to deftroy. Then calling him to him, faid, 
 it only now remains, that thou be crown 'd for the fa- 
 crifice. This famous though unferviceable vidlory, de- 
 ferves a crown : that I fliould fet you free is not in my 
 power, but as much as I can do in favour of you, I will ; 
 fo that if you have any requeft to make to me before 
 you die, propofe it. Wth thefe words, he put a golden 
 wreath on his head, befet with diamonds. Grant me 
 therefore, faid Theagenes, what I (hall requeft, fince 
 you have promised it. If I may not efcape being facri- 
 iic*d, at leaft let me be kill'd, by the hand of your new 
 found daughter. 
 
 Hydafpes was ftung at this motion, refledling on 
 Ghariclea's requeft, which was like this, yet thought it 
 r.ot worth his while, nicely to fearch the matter : thofe 
 
 HISTORY; 301 
 
 things, O ftranger, faid he, which were in my power, I 
 commanded you to ask, and promised that I would 
 grant : the law exadls, that the flayer of the facrifice, be 
 a wife and no virgin. But fhe has a husband, anfwer'd 
 Theagenes : you rave, faid Hydafpes, and thefe are 
 words of a perfon under confternation of death. The 
 fire has prov*d her free from man : unlefs you call Me- 
 raebus here her husband, nor can Iguefs how you could 
 come ta furniize fo much, neither is he yet her husband, 
 but in intention only : neither fhall he ever be, faid 
 Theagenes,if Iknowanythingof Chariclea's mind; or 
 if divine facrifice can for-fhew any fifture event. Bot 
 facrifices, faid Meraebus, can give no divination till 
 they are flain, and their intrails laid open . Wherefore, 
 O father, you have rightly fpoken, that the ftranger 
 raves with apprehenfion of death. Therefore if you 
 pleafe, let fome body take him to the altar. Theagenes 
 was accordingly led away : but Chariclea, who was a lit- 
 tle relieved at his viftory, and conceived better hopes; 
 when fhe faw him led again to the altar, relaps*d into 
 forrow. Perfina comforted her, faying, it was yet pof- 
 fible for him to be refcu'd, if fhe would plainly and fully 
 declare, what fhe demanded to know. Chariclea found 
 there was no longer time for delay, and therefore freely 
 began to tell the principal parts of her ftory. Hydaf^ 
 pes in the mean time, ask'd by his officers, if there 
 were any of the embafTadours yet unanfwerM? only 
 the Syeneans, anfwer*d Harmonias, who wait with let- 
 ters from Oroondates. They arc newly arrived, and 
 bring matters of fome moment : let them alfb appear, 
 faid Hydafpes. 
 
 Accordingly they were brought, prefcnting the let- 
 ters which Hydafpes read, of thefe contents : 
 
 i 
 
 302 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 T'yv 4.1.#« .Vt<3(*<«l fill fhr>A tvM-fl'H-^'-!*^ k I XI O r»f fll^ 3? 
 
 T* U 1 — 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 303 
 
 thefe, O King, is fhe. I was ready to gratify you, faid 
 fTvdafnes. vou muft blame vour fortune if vou cannnt 
 
302 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 To the merciful and fortunate King of the .Ethi- 
 opians, Oroondates, Deputy to the 
 Great King. 
 
 * C[ I"NCE after conqueft over nie in field, you again 
 v3 * overcame me in clemency, redoring me to my 
 
 * office, it will not feem ftrange, if you farther grant me 
 
 * a fmall requeft : a certain virgin, as fhe was led along, 
 
 * became your prifoner of war; that (he was by you 
 
 * fent into Ethiopia, I am inform'd : her I intreat you 
 
 * to reftore to me, not only for her own fake, but her 
 
 * father's, for whom I would prefprve her. He has tra- 
 
 * veiled far in fearch of her, and was taken prifoner 
 ' during the war by ray garrifon at Elephantina : he has 
 
 * therefore defired me to recommend him to your cle- 
 
 * mency. You have him therefore amongft other le- 
 ^ gates, fuch a perfon as by his afped may be known 
 
 * to be noble, and deferve what he fhall beg at your 
 
 * hands. Send him therefore back to me pleafed, and 
 
 * rejoice the heart of a difconfolate father.* 
 
 When Hydafpes had read this, he ask'd which was 
 the perfon amongft the legates, who was mcntion'd in 
 the letters, who is in fearch of his daughter: when 
 they fhewM him the old man, () ftranger, faid Hydaf- 
 pes, I will do all that Oroondates has defired : ten vir- 
 gin captives only we brought away, and whereas one 
 of them is known not to be her, do you furvey the o- 
 ther nine ; and if you find her, take her. The old man 
 fell down to embrace his feet, and furveying the vir- 
 gins, as they were brought before him, found not her 
 amongft them ; therefore he forrowfully faid, none of 
 
 HISTORY. 303 
 
 thefe, O King, is ftie. I was ready to gratify you, faid 
 Hydafpes, you muft blame your fortune if you cannot 
 find her ; for you are free to fatisfy yourfelif that none 
 other came with our camp. 
 
 When the old man had bent his brows, and wept 
 a while, he lifted up his eyes, furveying the com- 
 pany arOund, and of a fudden ran forth as if he had 
 been mad. When he was come up to the altar, taking 
 off his cloak, and twifting it like a rope, he caft it a- 
 bout Theagenes his neck, and cry*d out in all their 
 hearing, I have found thee, O my enemy, I have got- 
 ten thee, thou mifchievous and accurfedman ! the of- 
 ficers would have taken him off, but he would not quit 
 his hold, till he had leave to bring him before Hydaf- 
 pes and the council; to whom he addreft himfelf in 
 this manner, O King, faid he, this man is the robber 
 that has taken away my daughter even from the temple 
 of Apollo, and now, like a pious perfon, he kneels be- 
 fore the altar. All were aftonifh'd at what he faid, not 
 underftanding the words, but furpriz'd with the a<flioa 
 and manner. 
 
 Hydafpes commanding him to fpeak more plainly, 
 Charicles (for he was the old man) concealM the truth 
 concerning Chariclea, fearing left if fhe were dead by 
 the way, he (hould be troubled by her true parents. 
 But he thus briefly utterM what could little harm him. 
 I had a daughter, O King, if you had feen how beauti- 
 ful and furpaffing in wifdom, you would not blame my 
 forrow. She led her life in virginity, and was prieftefs 
 to Diana, which is worfhippM at Dclphos. That maid, 
 this bold Theffalian, has ftoln out of the temple of A- 
 pollo, while officiating a holy embalTage to that city y 
 during the celebration of our feftival. He muft there- 
 
 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
304 The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 fore be cenfurM, to have offended your God the Sun 
 (who is all one with our Apollo) and done facrilege 
 on his temple. A falfe prieft of Memphis, was alfo his 
 companion in this hainous fa<^. I went to Memphis 
 in fearch of them, which I fupposM to be the place, 
 whither Calaliris would go : when I arrived there, I 
 found that he was dead , and was inform'd by his 
 ion Thyamis, of all that had befallen my daughter ; 
 wherefore you fhall well perform the part of a king, in 
 accepting the deputy's requeft on my behalf. Here he 
 held his peace, and wept moll bitterly. What fay you to 
 this,(aidHydafpes, turning to Theagcnes ? all that he has 
 laid to my charge (anfvver'd Theagcnes) is true ? as to 
 him, lam a robber, but to you, I have perform'd good 
 fervice. Reftorc therefore, (faid Hydafpes) what is not 
 your own, to become a pure facrilice to the Gods. 
 Not he that did the wrong (faid Theagenes) ought to 
 make reftitution ; but he that has the benefit : feeing 
 therefore you have her, do you reftore her, Chariclea 
 is the perfon, whom he alfo will own to be your daugh- 
 ter. No man could longer contain himfelf: Syfima- 
 thres kept filence a long time, notwithflanding he knew 
 the whole myflery, till it were bolted out by little and 
 little: then coming forth, he embraced Charicles, and 
 faid, your adoptive daughter, whom I once deliver'd to 
 you, is well, found, and prov'd to be daughter to the 
 King, which you yourfelf alfo well know. Chariclea 
 alfo ran forth from the tabernacle, like one diflradled, 
 without regard to her quality, or years, and falling at 
 Charicles his feet, faid, O father, no lels dear to me, 
 than my natural parent, take what revenge you pleafe 
 npon me, notwithflanding all the excufc tlut I have of 
 the Gods commands for what I did. 
 
 HISTORY. 307 
 
 I^erlinaalfo turning to Hydafpes, faid, affure your* 
 felf. Sir, that it is fo, this young Grecian is your daugh' 
 ter's husband. The people were overjoy'd at the dif' 
 covery, though they imperfedly undcrflood it, or ra* 
 ther were divinely infpired with the knowledge thereof* 
 Contraries were reconcil'd to attend^ this wonder • 
 forrow being join'd with mirth, and tears with fmiles ; 
 the cruel flaughter, which was every moment expc(5led, 
 turn'd into a holv and bloodlefs facrifice, 
 
 O wifeflofnien, faid Hydafpes to Sylimathres, in- 
 flrudt us what we are to do ? to decline the facrifice of 
 the Gods, is facrilege, and to kill the innocent, and 
 fuch as they favour, impious. 
 
 Then Syflmathres (not in the Grecian language as 
 before) but in Ethiopian, to be underllood of all, 
 thus exprefl himfelf. O King, faid he, darkncfs is 
 fometimes thrown over the mofl difcerning under- 
 (landings, to produce the greater joy. You ought 
 long fince, to have been fenlible, that the Gods would 
 not permit this facrifice , refolving to make your 
 daughter Chariclea , happy in all her defires ; accor- 
 dingly they have brought her fofler-father hither, from 
 the midft of Greece: they have likewife fent fright, 
 and diforder to diflurb the facrifices, as fignifying, 
 that more agreeable offerings fliould be made: they 
 have ladly fhewn you a bridegroom for your daughter; 
 this Grecian youth, whom they have with miracles 
 deliver'd. Wherefore let us obey their pleafure, and 
 no more offend them with human victims, whofe bed 
 facrifices, are prayers and obedience. 
 
 Syflmathres thundred out this with a voice loud e- 
 nough to be heard by all the people. Then Hydaf- 
 pes taking Chariclea and Theagenes by the handsfpoke 
 
 X * 
 
3oV The AETHIOPIAN 
 
 aloud alfo in the fame language; my good people, (Ince 
 the Gods have thus declared their pleafure, religion for- 
 bids us to refill their will : and therefore let the (ame 
 Gods who have brought this ftupendous work about, 
 and you my people who have all along a^ed in concert 
 witli their decrees, be witnclTes this day, that I pro- 
 nounce this couple to be man and wife, and give my 
 confjnt that they enjoy the rights of a conjugal union ; 
 and may the facrifice we are about to offer, confirm the 
 (acred band between them. 
 
 At hearing this the army gave a (bout, and fignlfied 
 their approbation, by clapping their hands. After 
 which Hydafpcs approaching the cltar, and being about 
 to- begin the Sacra, cried out: Oour lord i he fun, and 
 thou queen of heaven the moon ! if Theagcnes and Cha- 
 riclea are pronounced man and wife with your confent, 
 accept their minillration at your altars. With which 
 taking ofThis own and Perfina*s mitres, the badges of 
 their priellhood, he fet his own upon Theagenes, and 
 the other upon Chariclea's head ; which put Charicles 
 in mind of the oracle delivered at Delphos, the God's 
 prcdidion being remarkably fulfilled in this adlion of 
 liydafpes; namely that which, fpcaking of the youno 
 couple's flying from Delphos, fays. 
 
 To fultVy climes at lad they fliall arrive, 
 
 Where Sol his vertic chariot drives : 
 There, \ irtiie's high reward, a facred crown 
 
 Their fun-burnt temples fliall furround. 
 
 The young couple therefore crov.n'd with mitres, and 
 by ihatenfing inveflcd with the prieflhood, after they 
 had finiflied the facrifice in due manner, were carrieJ 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 309 
 
 in chariots to Meroe, with torches lighted, and pipe^ 
 and hautboys playing before them ; Hydafpes and The- 
 agenes in one drawn by horfes ; Syfimathres and Cha- 
 ricles in another of the like kind ; Perfina and Chari- 
 cleain a third, drawn by white oxen ; the people dan- 
 cing and huzzaing all the way by their (ides. At which 
 place their nuptials were more fully confummated, and 
 the folemnity carried on with the utmofl: glory and 
 fplendor. 
 
 Thus ends the hiflory of Theagenes and Chariclea. 
 Compiled by Heliodorus a Phoenician of Emefa, fon of 
 Theodofius, of the race of Apollo. 
 
 FINIS.